An oblong acetabular cup which includes a cavity for receiving a bearing element is provided. The plane of the opening into the cavity is skewed relative to the prosthesis' longitudinal plane so as to achieve adduction correction, anteversion correction, or both adduction and anteversion correction. In certain preferred embodiments, the prosthesis is constructed from two components which can be oriented with respect to one another to achieve different directions and amounts of anteversion correction. In some embodiments, the two components form a cusp in the outside surface of the prosthesis. Surgical instruments and surgical methods for implanting the prostheses are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to artificial joint prostheses and, in particular, to acetabular prostheses used in hip joint replacements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Total hip joint replacements comprise a femoral component and an acetabular component. The femoral component is implanted in the patient's femur and the acetabular component is implanted in the acetabular cavity in the patient's pelvis.
The normal acetabular cavity is generally spherically shaped. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 1, during initial hip joint replacement, a spherically-shaped cavity 10 is prepared in the pelvis 14 for the great majority of patients, and the outer surface of the acetabular prosthesis 12 has a generally spherical shape to fit in this cavity. See, for example, Mallory et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,883,491 and 4,944,759.
Over the past two decades, millions of hip joint replacements have been performed. As time has progressed, a significant number of these implants have failed by either or both of the femoral or acetabular components becoming loose. In the case of the acetabulum, a loose prosthesis often erodes bone in the direction of the applied forces during use, i.e., in the superior and posterior directions. This is particularly true where the loosened prosthesis had been implanted using bone cement. As a result, during a second or further repeated hip joint replacement, the surgeon often finds that the once spherical cavity in the pelvis has become elongated in a posterior-superior direction, as shown at 16 in FIG. 2 and 32 in FIG. 23. Also, in some cases, elongated acetabular cavities may be found for patients undergoing their first hip joint replacement.
The classical way to deal with this problem of an elongated acetabular cavity has been to fill a portion of the cavity with a bone graft to create as best as possible a spherical cavity in its normal location. As is evident, this approach suffers from a variety of problems, including availability of bone for the bone graft, mechanical difficulties of securing the bone graft to the host bone, failure of the bone graft to provide and maintain long term mechanical support for the prosthesis, and the hazard of the spread of certain infectious diseases.
In some cases, customized elongated or oblong acetabular prostheses have been used to address this condition. FIGS. 2-5 illustrate this approach to the problem. As shown in these figures, a block of metal has been machined to produce prosthesis 18 having outer surface 20 which is composed of two spherical sections 22 connected by a cylindrical section 24. In these custom prostheses, a cavity 26 has been machined in the body of metal to receive a suitable bearing element 28 (see FIG. 4).
Although these oblong prostheses have represented an improvement over the bone graft approach, they have suffered from a number of problems of their own. First, they have been expensive to manufacture because a separate machining setup has been required for each prothesis geometry which has been produced. As a result, oblong prostheses of this construction have been used in only a limited number of cases.
Even more importantly, the existing oblong prostheses have not fully responded to the anatomical and physiological needs of the patient. This problem is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in this figure, the angle in the coronal plane (X-Z plane in FIG. 17) between the face of the bearing element 28 of the prior art oblong prostheses and the transverse plane (X-Y plane in FIG. 17) is typically 60 or more degrees. This orientation results from the contour of the bone and the elongation of the cavity. In medical terminology, the prosthesis is said to have an insufficient amount of adduction, i.e., the angle between the face of the prosthesis and the transverse plane is greater than the preferred angle. (Note that the amount of adduction increases as the angle decreases.)
For joint stability, however, the preferred angle of the face of the bearing element in the coronal plane is on the order of 45 degrees or less. See F. Pipino and P.M. Calderale, "A Biequatorial Acetabular Cup for Hip Prosthesis," Acta Orthopaedica Belgica, Vol. 48, pages 5-13 (1980) and F. Pipino and P.M. Calderale, "A Biequatorial Hip Prosthesis," Panminerva Medica, Vol. 25, pages 231-239 (1983). See also FIG. 19. Thus, the configuration of FIG. 4 is typically more than 15.degree. from the preferred orientation. Moreover, the greater the elongation of the cavity, the greater the departure from the preferred orientation. In terms of function, such a geometry means that the patient will have a significantly higher likelihood of dislocation during use.
In addition to the orientation in the coronal plane, the functionality of the prosthesis is also affected by the orientation of the face of the bearing element in the transverse plane (X-Y plane in FIG. 17). In this case, the preferred angle between the face of the bearing element and the sagittal plane (Y-Z plane in FIG. 17) is on the order of 15.degree. anteverted. See FIG. 20. (Note that the amount of anteversion increases as the angle increases.)
Due to the curvature of the pelvis and the usual direction of erosion and elongation, the prior art oblong acetabular prostheses tend to assume an orientation which is less anteverted or, in some cases, may even be retroverted. The magnitude of this problem also becomes greater as the elongation of the cavity becomes greater. Again, in terms of function, orientations which are less anteverted or are retroverted mean that the patient will have a higher likelihood of dislocation during use.
An alternative construction is shown in FIG. 6 wherein an asymmetric bearing element 30 having a skewed face is used. For a skew which is orientable (see Noiles U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,472), some compensation can be made for the misorientation in both the coronal and transverse planes. FIG. 6 shows a typical improvement in the coronal plane. As shown in this figure, skewing the face of the bearing element can bring the angle in the coronal plane down to around 50.degree.. However, full correction cannot be satisfactorily achieved in this way because a sufficiently large extension of the plastic bearing would be mechanically inadequate to withstand the loads applied during use. Similarly, some improvement in inadequate anteversion can be achieved in the transverse plane, but again full correction cannot be achieved without jeopardizing the mechanical strength of the bearing.


A hinged stairway system for water vehicles containing a stairway for use in the water, a hinge secured to the stairway, a hinge angle or spacer bar secured to the hinge, a slotted snag-free adapter securable to the water vehicle into which the hinge angle or spacer bar fits. The hinged stairway system also contains a spring lock system secured to the slotted adapter and the hinge bar. The hinged stairway system may also contain a chair lift system secured to the stairway to permit a chair to be raised and lowered mechanically on the stairway.

This invention relates to an attachment to water vehicles; more particularly a hinged, detachable stairway for attachment to the side, back, or bow of a water vehicle.
Many current boat ladders are difficult to use by individuals attempting to enter or leave the water. Sometimes this task is made even more difficult if the individual utilizing these ladders is an older individual or is carrying heavy, oversized equipment. For example, it is often difficult for individuals with diving equipment to climb over a boat's edge.
A variety of platform and ladder systems have been developed and marketed for attachment to the transoms of water vehicles or to the top or side edge of boats, such as pontoon boats, to assist in boarding or debarking the water vehicle.
These boat ladder systems are generally divided into two categories: (1) those that are permanently attached to the side of a water vehicle, or (2) those that are detachable from the side of a water vehicle for storage and use. This invention is directed towards this second type of detachable boat ladder system.
A number of different types of boat ladders have been designed for attachment to the transoms or rear of a water vehicle or for hooking over the edge of a boat or other type of water vehicle. For example, Des. 243,854 discloses boat steps which are attached to the transom of the boat apparently by the use of a pair of slot members which fit into a pair of sleeves secured to the transom of the boat. Another boat ladder, which utilizes a back plate (18) which fits within three brackets (16), which are themselves secured to the side or transom of a boat, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,140.
Boat ladders which are secured or attached to a boat, are often rotated about a hinge for easy removal from the water when not in use. Such an arrangement is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,724,925, 4,501,507, 4,462,485, 5,537,949, and 4,765,438.
These boat ladder systems are designed generally for attachment to the transom of a wooden, metal, or fiberglass water vessel. Boat ladder systems specifically designed for use with a pontoon boat are also important. Attachment of a boat ladder system to pontoon boats creates special problems because of the construction of the pontoon boats as they do not contain the same types of gunwale sections for attachment of the boat ladder system. Thus, it is more difficult to secure conventional boat ladder systems to a pontoon boat, especially systems designed to provide an angle of departure to ease access to the deck area.
In addition, current boat ladder systems for attachment to water vehicles are frequently difficult to attach to the sides of a water vehicle. Further, when these boat ladder systems are being used, there is a danger in pinching of the hands of an individual who is using the boat ladder system.
Further, because water vehicles are constantly in motion in the water, it is important that its boat ladder system be securely attached to the side of the water vehicle while in an upright position or in use. It is also important that these boat ladder systems be easily removable for storage on the water vehicle.
Accordingly, it is an aspect of this invention to disclose a hinged stairway system for use with water vehicles.
It is a still further aspect of this invention to disclose a hinged stairway system specifically designed for use with a pontoon boat, swim platform, or any related marine use.
It is a still further aspect of the invention to disclose a hinged stairway system containing a bumper to prevent damaging interaction between the stairway system and the side of the water vehicle and which eliminates any pinch point for the individual using the stairway system.
It is a still further aspect of the invention to disclose a spring locking system for securing the hinged stairway system in place against the side of the water vehicle either while in an upright position or when in use.
It is a still further aspect of the invention to disclose a mechanical chair lift system securable to a hinged stairway system for attachment to the side of a water vehicle.
It is a still further aspect of the invention to disclose a method for attachment of a hinged stairway system to the side, stern, or bow of a water vehicle which reduces the likelihood of pinching the fingers of an individual who is installing, removing, or using the hinged stairway system from the water vehicle.
These and other aspects of the invention can be obtained by the disclosed hinged stairway system for use with water vehicles.

Hinged stairway system for water vehicles


A method for configuring service settings for a mobile subscriber in a mobile communication network wherein the mobile subscriber is associated with a first instant communication client which is adapted to communicate via an instant messaging protocol with an instant communication server, and wherein the instant communication server is associated to a mobile switching center of the mobile communication network. The method includes: sending, by the first instant communication client, an instant service command via the instant communication server to a second instant communication client, associated with the mobile switching center; converting, by the mobile switching center, the instant service command into a service setting message; and sending the service setting message to a user database to modify service settings for the mobile subscriber.

The Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) is an open Extensible Markup Language (XML) protocol for near-real-time messaging, presence, and request-response services. These services are also named as instant messaging services. The core features of the XMPP are defined in the IETF standard RFC 3920. The basic syntax and semantics were developed originally within the Jabber open-source community. Although XMPP is not wedded to any specific network architecture, to date it usually has been implemented via a client-server architecture wherein a client utilizing XMPP accesses a server over a TCP connection, and servers also communicate with each other over TCP connections. Being an open standard, XMPP has got quite attraction in the open source community world wide and numerous free software packages exist implementing XMPP clients and XMPP server on different platforms. Some companies are basing their chat and voice offerings on XMPP specifications. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile communication network which is connected to a TCP/IP-based network 100, which can be the Internet or any other TCP/IP based network. In this embodiment, three XMPP servers 111, 121, 131 are connected to the Internet 100. Two XMPP clients 112, 122 are associated to two of the XMPP server 111, 121 via a TCP/IP connection. The XMPP clients 112, 122 can e.g. be a personal computer or a laptop which are connected to the internet 100 via a normal dial-connection. As an example the address 113 of the first XMPP client 112 "client1" is "email@example.com/device1" wherein the address 123 of the second XMPP client 122 is "email@example.com/device2". In FIG. 1 and in FIG. 4, the addresses 113, 123, 133 are disclosed in a simplified form because the domain indicator and the device indicator are missing for better view. These addresses are in accordance with the standardized XMPP JID (Jabber identity) which is a combination of a user ID, a server ID and a device ID. By these addresses 113, 123, 133 all XMPP clients 112, 122, 1 can be identified and data can be routed via the internet. FIG. 1 further discloses a mobile communication network, wherein only selected components of the mobile communication network are depicted. A mobile terminal or user equipment 18 comprises a XMPP client 1. The XMPP client 1 can be an application which is stored in the UE 18. The XMPP client 1 can be associated to a XMPP server 131 e.g. via a TCP-based connection. As an example the address 133 of the XMPP client 1 is "email@example.com/UEdevice". This connection can be realized by a wireless LAN connection, wherein the UE 18 is associated to a WLAN router 19 which is further connected to the Internet 100. Another possibility is that the UE 18 is connected via the radio network 17 to a packet switched (PS) network or to an evolved packet switched (EPS) network. One setup of a PS network is depicted in FIG. 1 by a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) node 15 and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 16 which is linked via an IP based core network connection and via the Internet 100 to the XMPP server 131. The embodiment according FIG. 1 further discloses a connection between the SGSN node 15 of a packet switched network and a mobile switching node 14, which can be a MSC-S node 14 of a circuit switched (CS) network. This link between both nodes, which is called Gs interface, depicts the possibility of transferring data between both networks. A further packet switched network is the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network, wherein one node is the Mobility Management Entity (MME), which can be linked to the MSC-S via a SGs interface. FIG. 1 does not depict further gateway nodes which might be necessary to implement a connection between a circuit-switched network and a packet switched network.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a prior-art mobile switching node 14, which is in this embodiment a MSC-S node 14, wherein only selected parts are depicted. The MSC-S 14 comprises a GSM call control function 143 which contains mobile traffic coordinators for originating and/or terminating calls and emergency calls. The coordinators are mainly used for call transaction setup, call forwarding, call supervision and call release. It allows also to direct and to handle calls towards other circuit switched networks. The GSM call control function 143 is linked with the core network interface 145 which hosts the core network interfaces of the MSC-S. The core network interface 145 analyses incoming signalling which is either forwarded to another node in the core network or handled locally and terminated at a radio network interface. For outgoing signalling a routing function 146 is consulted to determine the next destination node and the physical interface to reach it. The core network interface 145 is IP (Internet Protocol) based. The GSM call control function 143 is further connected to a GSM mobility function 142 which allows the mobile terminal to roam between radio location areas and to continue ongoing calls also across radio network borders. One main function is the handover procedure to hand over a mobile terminal from one area to another. The GSM mobility function 142 or mobility management function therefore contains a logic coordinator for mobility, roaming and handover procedures and handles the location updating functions and handover functions. Furthermore the GSM mobility function 142 contains functions for packing or unpacking of signalling messages to the terminal and to the radio network belonging to mobility. Signalling messages can be used e.g. in case of authentication, identification and location updating.
The GSM mobility function 142 is connected to the A-/lu-interface function 141 which hosts the radio network interface resources of the MSC-S 14. The MSC-S 14 further comprises a charging function 144 which is connected to the GSM call control function 143 and the core network interface 145. The charging function 144 is a basic function in the MSC-S 14 to collect traffic case related data to be used for offline billing.
The MSC-S 14 further comprises a VLR data storage 147 which stores the subscriber data. The VLR 147 is connected via an interface 6 to a home location register 4 (HLR) which is a central database that contains details of each mobile phone subscriber that is authorized to use the core network.
The MSC-S further comprises a GSM authentication component 148 which implements the GSM authentication algorithm. The GSM authentication component 148 is also connected via the interface 6 to the HLR 4 to receive and verify authentication data from the central database.
FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of a well known XMPP server 131. The XMPP server 131 contains a XMPP stanzas router 1311 which is the backbone of the XMPP server 131. The XMPP stanzas router 1311 accepts connections from XMPP server components and passes XML (extended markup language) packets between XMPP server components. A client to server component (c2s) 1312 handles communication with associated XMPP clients. The XMPP stanzas router 1311 is connected to a XMPP session manager 1316. The session manager 1316 implements the bulk of the instant messaging features like message passing, presence, roster and subscription. The session manager 1316 is connected to data storage in order to provide persistent data storage. The associated data storage is not depicted in FIG. 3. It could be located outside the XMPP server 131 or it could be part of the XMPP server 131. Additionally the session manager 1316 handles the XMPP extensions of service discovery and privacy lists. A c2s component 1312 is connected to the XMPP stanzas router 1311 and is e.g. responsible for connecting XMPP clients 112, 122, 1 to the XMPP server 131, passing communication packets to a session manager 1316 of the XMPP server 131, authenticating XMPP clients 112, 122, 1, registering users and triggers activity with the session manager 1316. A server to server (s2s) component 1315 is connected to the XMPP stanzas router 1311 and handles communications with external XMPP servers by passing communication packets between other internal components and external servers. The s2s component 1315 further performs dial-back function to authenticate remote XMPP servers. A multi user chat (muc) 1314 is connected to the XMPP stanzas router 1311 to implement support for chat rooms. A publish subscribe component (pubsub) 1313 implements a generic functionality for providing presence. The pubsub component 1313 is connected to the Stanzas router 1311. The XMPP server 131 is connected via a TCP/IP connection to the Internet 100 such that it possible to reach this server from any other device connected to the Internet 100. The s2s component 1315 and the c2s component 1312 communicate via the Internet 100 with external clients 112, 122, 1 and external server 111, 121.
If a mobile subscriber of a mobile terminal wants to change service settings in the mobile communication network, like call forwarding or call barring he has to use a mobile terminal to send commands to the MSC-S which afterwards set-up the settings in the user database. If the user does not have a 2G/3G mobile terminal available he cannot change the service settings even if the user is equipped with an XMPP client 1. XMPP technology includes several technologies used to send commands from one XMPP client to another XMPP client. With these commands it is possible to remote control other XMPP clients which are associated with the same user. One technology is the ad-hoc command protocol as defined in the XMPP extension protocol standard XEP-0050. This XMPP extension provides workflow capabilities that can be used for any structured interaction between two XMPP entities.

Method and apparatus for configuring service settings for a mobile subscriber


A cowling assembly for an outboard motor includes a top cowling and a bottom cowling for covering an internal combustion engine for an outboard motor. The top cowling is formed by pressing a nonferrous material. The top cowling includes an opening edge and attaching surfaces of an annular rail are secured to an inner side of the opening edge of the top cowling thereby reinforcing the opening edge and enhancing its mounting strength. Furthermore, a seal formed along an opening edge of the bottom cowling and the opening edge and annular rail of the top cowling provides enhanced sealing by extending the sealing surfaces in different directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cowling assembly for covering an internal combustion engine of an outboard motor, and more particularly relates to an improved cowling assembly having top and bottom cowlings, wherein an opening edge of the top cowling is reinforced with an annular rail.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, outboard motors include internal combustion engines covered with top and bottom cowlings. The top and bottom cowlings often attach to one another by engaging bottom-side hooks attached to the opening edge of the bottom cowling and top-side hooks attached to the opening edge of the top cowling. For example, Japanese patent JP2002349257A2, entitled OUTBOARD MOTOR, discloses such an arrangement.


A tunnel junction having reduced free layer coercivity for improved sensitivity. The tunnel valve has a free layer that has been deposited in the presence of a nitrogen gas, which reduces the coercivity of the free layer, thereby improving the sensor's sensitivity and performance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of making a spin valve sensor with a controlled ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) wherein a pinned layer structure is sputter deposited in such a manner that a desired ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) can be obtained within a wider range of deposition times of a copper spacer layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
The heart of a computer is a magnetic disk drive which includes a rotating magnetic disk, a slider that has read and write heads, a suspension arm above the rotating disk and an actuator arm that swings the suspension arm to place the read and write heads over selected circular tracks on the rotating disk. The suspension arm biases the slider into contact with the surface of the disk when the disk is not rotating but, when the disk rotates, air is swirled by the rotating disk adjacent an air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider causing the slider to ride on an air bearing a slight distance from the surface of the rotating disk. When the slider rides on the air bearing the write and read heads are employed for writing magnetic impressions to and reading magnetic signal fields from the rotating disk. The read and write heads are connected to processing circuitry that operates according to a computer program to implement the writing and reading functions.
An exemplary high performance read head employs a spin valve sensor for sensing the magnetic signal fields from the rotating magnetic disk. The sensor includes a nonmagnetic electrically conductive first spacer layer sandwiched between a ferromagnetic pinned layer structure and a ferromagnetic free layer structure. An antiferromagnetic pinning layer interfaces the pinned layer structure for pinning a magnetic moment of the pinned layer structure 90° to an air bearing surface (ABS) wherein the ABS is an exposed surface of the sensor that faces the magnetic disk. First and second leads are connected to the spin valve sensor for conducting a sense current therethrough. A magnetic moment of the free layer structure is free to rotate upwardly and downwardly with respect to the ABS from a quiescent or bias point position in response to positive and negative magnetic field signals from a rotating magnetic disk. The quiescent position, which is parallel to the ABS, is the position of the magnetic moment of the free layer structure with the sense current conducted through the sensor in the absence of signal fields.
The thickness of the spacer layer is chosen so that shunting of the sense current and a ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) between the free and pinned layer structures is minimized. This thickness is typically less than the mean free path of electrons conducted through the sensor. With this arrangement, a portion of the conduction electrons are scattered at the interfaces of the spacer layer with the pinned and free layer structures. When the magnetic moments of the pinned and free layer structures are parallel with respect to one another scattering is minimal and when their magnetic moments are antiparallel scattering is maximized. Changes in scattering changes the resistance of the spin valve sensor as a function of cos θ, where θ is the angle between the magnetic moments of the pinned and free layer structures. The sensitivity of the sensor is quantified as magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R where dr is the change in the resistance of the sensor as the magnetic moment of the free layer structure rotates from a position parallel with respect to the magnetic moment of the pinned layer structure to an antiparallel position with respect thereto and R is the resistance of the sensor when the magnetic moments are parallel.
In addition to the spin valve sensor the read head includes nonconductive nonmagnetic first and second read gap layers and ferromagnetic first and second shield layers. The spin valve sensor is located between the first and second read gap layers and the first and second read gap layers are located between the first and second shield layers. In the construction of the read head the first shield layer is formed first followed by formation of the first read gap layer, the spin valve sensor, the second read gap layer and the second shield layer. Spin valve sensors are classified as a top or a bottom spin valve sensor depending upon whether the pinning layer is located near the bottom of the sensor close to the first read gap layer or near the top of the sensor close to the second read gap layer. Spin valve sensors are further classified as simple pinned or antiparallel pinned depending upon whether the pinned layer structure is one or more ferromagnetic layers with a unidirectional magnetic moment or a pair of ferromagnetic layers that are separated by a coupling layer with magnetic moments of the ferromagnetic layers being antiparallel. Spin valve sensors are still further classified as single or dual wherein a single spin valve sensor employs only one pinned layer and a dual spin valve sensor employs two pinned layers with the free layer structure located therebetween.
The transfer curve of a spin valve sensor is defined by the aforementioned cos θ where θ is the angle between the directions of the magnetic moments of the free and pinned layers. In a spin valve sensor subjected to positive and negative magnetic signal fields from a moving magnetic disk, which are typically chosen to be equal in magnitude, it is desirable that positive and negative changes in the resistance of the spin valve read head above and below a bias point on the transfer curve of the sensor be equal so that the positive and negative readback signals are equal. When the direction of the magnetic moment of the free layer is substantially parallel to the ABS and the direction of the magnetic moment of the pinned layer is perpendicular to the ABS in a quiescent state (no signal from the magnetic disk) the positive and negative readback signals should be equal when sensing positive and negative fields that are equal from the magnetic disk. Accordingly, the bias point should be located midway between the top and bottom of the transfer curve. When the bias point is located below the midway point the spin valve sensor is negatively biased and has positive asymmetry and when the bias point is above the midway point the spin valve sensor is positively biased and has negative asymmetry. When the readback signals are asymmetrical, signal output and dynamic range of the sensor are reduced. Readback asymmetry is defined as
            V      1        -          V      2            max              (                        V          1                                                                                or                                                            V          2                    )      For example, +10% readback asymmetry means that the positive readback signal V1 is 10% greater than it should be to obtain readback symmetry. 10% readback asymmetry is acceptable in some applications. +10% readback asymmetry may not be acceptable in applications where the applied field magnetizes the free layer close to saturation. The designer strives to improve asymmetry of the readback signals as much as practical with the goal being symmetry.
The location of the transfer curve relative to the bias point is influenced by four major forces on the free layer of a spin valve sensor, namely a ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) between the pinned layer and the free layer, a net demagnetizing (demag) field (HD) from the pinned layer, a sense current field (HI) from all conductive layers of the spin valve except the free layer and a net image current field (HIM) from the first and second shield layers if the sensor is offset between the first and second read gap layers. In order to reduce demagnetizing field from the pinned layer on the free layer, the pinned layer may be an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure. An AP pinned layer structure has an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer which is located between ferromagnetic first and second AP pinned layers. The first and second AP pinned layers have magnetic moments which are antiparallel with respect to one another because of the strong antiferromagnetic coupling therebetween. The AP pinned layer structure is fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,185 which is incorporated by reference herein. Because of the partial flux closure between the first and second AP pinned layers of each first and second AP pinned structures, each AP pinned layer exerts only a small demagnetizing field on the free layer. Because of the small demagnetizing field the exchange coupling between the AP pinned layer structure and the pinning layer is increased for promoting high stability when the spin valve sensor is subjected to unwanted magnetic fields in the presence of elevated temperatures.
The aforementioned dual spin valve sensor includes a ferromagnetic free layer structure between nonmagnetic electrically nonconductive first and second spacer layers which are, in turn, located between ferromagnetic first and second pinned layer structures. The spacer layers are typically copper (Cu) and the pinned layers are typically cobalt iron (CoFe). It has been found that a cobalt iron pinned layer next to a copper spacer layer promotes the magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R of the sensor. The dual spin valve sensor is desirable because its magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R is about 1.5 times greater than the magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R of a single spin valve sensor.
The dual spin valve sensor is also desirable from the standpoint that there is about an equal amount of conductive material on each side of the free layer structure so that the sense current field (HI) acting on the free layer structure is essentially zero. It is also desirable that each of the pinned layer structures in the dual spin valve sensor be an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure, as discussed hereinabove. Each of the AP pinned layer structures has a low demagnetizing field and the thicknesses of the AP pinned layers of the AP pinned layer structures can be designed so that these demagnetizing fields have nearly total flux closure. Accordingly, the net demagnetizing field from the first and second AP pinned layer structures can be essentially zero. In a preferred embodiment the dual spin valve sensor is not offset between the first and second read gap layers so that adequate insulation can be provided for preventing shorts between the lead layers of the sensor and the first and second shield layers while maintaining a minimum read gap between the first and second shield layers for promoting linear read bit density. Accordingly, virtually the only magnetic field urging the magnetic moment of the free layer structure from a position parallel to the ABS is a net ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) between each of the first and second AP pinned layer structures and the free layer structure.
In present methods of sputter depositing the copper spacer layers the ferromagnetic coupling field cannot be controlled within a desirable range from 0 to −10 Oe. As an example, when the deposition time for the first copper spacer layer is 26 seconds the ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) is −20 Oe and when the deposition time for the first copper spacer layer is 25 seconds the ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) is +10 Oe. Within a one second deposition time the ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) has a difference of 30 Oe. Because of process variations, it is very difficult to obtain the aforementioned desirable range of 0 Oe to −10 Oe when the range of the ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) is 30 Oe for only one second of copper deposition time. The same problem occurs for a single AP pinned layer structure or a single spin valve sensor with a single pinned layer structure. However, in these embodiments a net sense current field and a net demagnetizing field are present for help in properly biasing the free layer structure.
Another problem that arises, especially with the use of tunnel junction sensor (tunnel valves) is that undesirably high coercivity in the free layer reduces the sensitivity and performance of the sensor. A tunnel valve operates based on the spin dependent tunneling of electrons through a non-magnetic, electrically insulating barrier layer. The tunnel valve is constructed with free and pinned layers similar to GMR senor, however, rather than having an electrically conductive spacer layer, an electrically insulating barrier layer is sandwiched between the free and pinned layers. Unfortunately, the high free layer coercivity in a tunnel valve results in less than desirable tunnel valve sensitivity and performance.
Therefore, there is a strong felt need for a tunnel valve having reduced magnetic coercivity in its free layer. Such reduced coercivity would greatly improve the performance of such a tunnel valve sensor.

Method of making a tunnel valve sensor with improved free layer sensitivity

Hitachi Gloabl Storage Technolgies Netherlands B.V.


A clip (10) includes a body (12) including spaced first and second end portions, a first locking part (20) extending from the first end portion for attaching to a heat sink (80), and a second locking part (30) extending from the second end portion for attaching to a circuit board (50). The first locking part includes a pin (21), a pair of C-shaped spring portions (22), and a compressible mounting portion (23). The spring portions and the mounting portion are for cooperatively sandwiching the heat sink therebetween. The second locking part includes a taper head (30) and a neck (31). The second locking part engages with the circuit board in the neck. The first locking part offsets from the second locking part in a vertical direction. The heat sink of which the mounting holes offset from the mounting holes of the circuit board is therefore fitable to the circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clip, and particularly to a clip which can readily and conveniently mount a large heat sink to an electronic component adjacent which a plurality of electronic components is located.
2. Related Art
As computer technology continues to advance, electronic components of computers are being made to provide faster operational speeds and greater functional capabilities. When an electronic component operates at high speed in a computer enclosure, its temperature can increase greatly. It is desirable to dissipate the generated heat quickly, for example by using a heat sink attached to the electronic component in the enclosure. This allows the electronic component in the enclosure to function within their normal operating temperature ranges, thereby assuring the quality of data management, storage and transfer. Oftentimes, a clip is required for mounting the heat sink to the electronic component.
A wide variety of heat dissipating devices and clips are available in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,940 discloses a kind of clip for mounting a heat sink to an electronic package. The clip comprises a cylindrical top, a shaft and a compressible point. A spring is disposed around the shaft. In assembly, the point extends through aligned two holes in the heat sink and a printed circuit board and compresses as it passes into two holes and flexes back to an expanded position after it exits the printed circuit board hole thereby holding the heat sink to the board with the electronic component therebetween.
However, with electronic components operating more and more fast the electronic components generate more and more heat. Heat dissipation efficiency of heat sinks are therefore required more and more high. One method to increase heat dissipation efficiency of a heat sink is to increase volume of the heat sink. Location of mounting holes of the heat sink is therefore changed. Since a plurality of electronic components is mounted on the circuit board it is inconvenient to change location of the mounting holes of the circuit board to fit the heat sink which has a large size and has mounting holes not aligned with the mounting holes of the circuit board. This results in inconveniency of using the heat sink having a large size.

Clip for mounting heat sink to circuit board


In a damping force generator for a hydraulic damper, the valve is protected from pressure rise in the damper and its durability is thereby enhanced. The damping force characteristics can be vary in stepwise fashion by providing a main leaf valve 21 and a sub-leaf valve which closes an opening 21A formed in the main leaf valve 21, and the approximate mid-point of the main leaf valve 21 is supported by a plurality of intermediate seat surfaces 16 from the side of a port 13. The outer circumference of a main leaf valve 64 is supported by an outer circumferential seat surface 62, and the outer circumference of a sub-leaf valve 65 extends outwards to the vicinity of a part where the outer circumference of the main leaf valve 64 and the outer circumferential seat surface 62 overlap.

This invention relates to an improvement of a damping force generator in a hydraulic damper used for an automobile suspension or the like.
Conventional damping force generators for hydraulic dampers used in an automobile suspension are, for example, disclosed in Tokkai Hei 1-111840 or Tokkai Hei 2-93136.
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a damping force generator in a hydraulic damper disclosed in Tokkai Hei 1-111840.
As shown in FIG. 11, this hydraulic damper comprises an outer tube 1 and an inner tube 2 coaxially housed in the outer tube 1. A piston 3 is housed in the inner tube 2. The interior of the inner tube 2 is divided by this piston 3 into an oil chamber 8 on the rod side and an oil chamber 9 on the piston side, each of these oil chambers being filled with a hydraulic fluid. A tank chamber 10 is formed between the outer circumference of the inner tube 2 and the inner circumference of the outer tube 1, this tank chamber 10 being filled with the hydraulic fluid and air.
The piston 3 is penetrated with a plurality of outer throughholes 11 and inner throughholes 12. A check valve 19 provided at the upper end of the outer throughholes 11 is pushed open when a piston rod 4 connected to the piston 3 moves in the compression direction, and hydraulic fluid flows from the oil chamber 9 to the oil chamber 8. On the other hand, when the piston rod 4 moves in the extension direction, a piston valve 20 provided at the lower end of the inner throughholes 12 is pushed open, hydraulic fluid flows from the oil chamber 8 on the rod side to the oil chamber 9 on the piston side, and an extension damping force is generated due to resistance to this flow.
A base valve unit 15 is mounted at the lower end of the inner tube 2. When the piston rod 4 moves in the compression direction, hydraulic fluid having a volume equivalent to that of the piston rod 4 inside the inner tube 2 flows into the tank chamber 10 and is absorbed. This hydraulic fluid flows via a base valve 15A in the base valve unit 15, and the base valve 15 A generates a compression damping force due to this flow.
As shown in FIG. 12, the piston valve 20 comprises a main leaf valve 21 and a sub-leaf valve 22 which are laminated on each other such that the damping force can be varied in two steps. Describing this in further detail, the main leaf valve 21 has an outer circumferential edge portion which is brought in contact with a seat surface 16 so as to seal a port 17 of the inner throughholes 12 formed in a base 3A of the piston 3. The sub-leaf valve 22 is disposed below the main valve 21 and adheres to it, and closes an opening 21A formed in the main leaf valve 21. Hence, when the extension speed of the piston rod 4 is small and the pressure differential between the oil chamber 8 and the oil chamber 9 is small, only the sub-leaf valve 22 is pushed open due to its low bending rigidity. Thus a minute damping force with a good response is generated as an extension damping due to the opening 21A. On the other hand, when the extension speed of the piston rod 4 rises, and the oil pressure in the oil chamber 8 rises, the main leaf valve 21 is pushed open, hydraulic fluid flows between the outer circumferential edge portion of the main leaf valve 21 and the sheet face 16, and increase of the extension damping force is suppressed so that the damping is gradual.
However, in such a damping force generator for a hydraulic damper, when the extension speed of the piston rod is high, the effective diameter of the main valve 21 (diameter of the seat surface 16) must be sufficiently increased and its deformation made easier so that any increase of extension damping force generated by the piston valve 20 is smooth.
However when the piston rod moves in the compression direction and oil pressure acts from the side of the oil chamber 9 on the main leaf valve 21 of which the diameter has been increased in this way, the valve 21 severely bends toward the port 17. This causes a gap to form with the sub-leaf valve 22 so that hydraulic oil flows from the opening 21A, and there is a possibility that fatigue may occur due to increase of bending stress. This problem is particularly evident when back throttling is performed wherein the hydraulic oil flowing through the outer throughholes 11 is throttled so as to generate a part of the compression damping force and the piston rod moves in the compression direction.
This invention, which was conceived in view of the above problems, aims to provide a damping force generator for a hydraulic damper in which the valve that generates damping force is protected from pressure increases inside the damper, and has improved durability and reliability.
This invention concerns a damping force generator for a hydraulic damper comprising a main leaf valve and a sub-leaf valve laminated on each other. The sub-leaf valve closes an opening formed in the main leaf valve and has a lower bending rigidity than that of the main leaf valve. Only the sub-leaf valve opens to generate a damping force when an extension/compression speed of a piston rod is low. Conversely, the main leaf valve opens to suppress increase of damping force when the extension/compression speed of the piston rod is high. An intermediate seat surface is further provided which is formed on the same side of a seat surface which supports the edge of the main leaf valve and supports an inner part of the main leaf valve. Hence, even when the main leaf valve, which is closed, is pushed further in the closing direction by an oil pressure generated in the damper due to extension/compression of the piston rod, the central area of the valve which is most easily bent, is supported by the intermediate seat so that it does not bend. The bending stress acting on the valve is therefore small, the valve is not damaged, and no gap is produced between the main leaf valve and sub-leaf valve.
In another form of the invention, the main leaf valve engages with a piston rod passing through the piston, a port of a connecting passage passing through the piston is formed so as to enclose the piston rod on the underside of the piston, the outer circumferential edge portion of the main leaf valve is supported by an annular seat surface formed on the outer circumferential side of this port, and the intermediate seat surface comprises a plurality of arc-shaped seat surfaces disposed in the vicinity of the approximate mid-point between the annular seat surface and the outer circumference of the piston rod.
In another form of the invention, the main leaf valve engages with a piston rod passing through the piston, a port of a connecting passage passing through the piston is formed so as to enclose the piston rod on the underside of the piston, parts supporting the outer circumferential edge portion of the main valve and parts supporting the approximate mid-point of the main leaf valve are formed alternately and continuously in the seat surface supporting the main leaf valve, and the parts supporting the approximate mid-point of the main leaf valve comprise the intermediate seat surface.
In another form of the invention, a damping force generator for a hydraulic damper comprising a main leaf valve and a sub-leaf valve laminated on each other. The sub-leaf valve closes an opening formed in the main leaf valve and has a lower bending rigidity than that of the main leaf valve, only the sub-leaf valve opens to generate a damping force when an extension/compression speed of a piston rod is low, and the main leaf valve opens to suppress increase of damping force when the extension/compression speed of the piston rod is high. The generator further comprises a seat surface supporting the outer circumference of the main leaf valve, and the outer circumference of the sub-leaf valve extends outwards and near to the point where the outer circumference of the main leaf valve and the seat surface overlap. When the main leaf valve, which is closed, is pushed further in the closing direction by an oil pressure generated in the damper due to extension/compression of the piston rod, the sub-leaf valve extends outwards to the vicinity of the outer circumference supported by the seat surface, and since this sub-leaf valve shares the load with the main leaf valve, deformation of the main leaf valve is suppressed. Hence the bending stress acting on the main leaf valve is small, the main leaf valve is not damaged, and no gap is formed between the main leaf valve and sub-leaf valve.


The present invention is used to obtund tooth decay and periodontal lesions by obstructing the proton motive force that exists in bacteria. The result is that glycolysis, DNA synthesis and chelation is upset and this will cause bacteria to dissolute logrithmically. The invention is also used to harden and remineralize enamel and dentin by using fluoride compounds available in over-the-counter dental cleansers. The invention takes into consideration the vector magnitude of the hydration layer between the enamel and the pellicle plaque layer of teeth which insulates the teeth from the electrical potentials of electrophoresis. The claim that electrical potentials can be placed on teeth does not take this physico-chemical phenomenon into consideration. This invention uses the proper voltage to produce ionization of molecules in a salivary slurry of gels, dentrifice""s and rinses.

1. This invention relates to a toothbrush having sufficient means for providing sufficient voltage for electrolysis of dentifrice, gels, and rinses to produce hydronium ions and an aqueous acid media.
There is a hydration layer between the enamel of teeth and a natural covering of a glyco-protein adhesive film called a pellicle that is present on all teeth in the oral cavity. This layer of water molecules is vectorial with a positive charge directed toward the oxyanion of the phosphate ion of the apatite crystals of enamel. This vector magnitude insulates the tooth against electrical potentials produced by electrophoresis. Any claim that a potential on teeth by electrophoresis does not take this physico-chemical phenomena into account.
The present invention uses the phenomena of electrolysis to obtund decay of teeth and periodontal disease. Without limiting the invention to any mechanism, it is believed the production of a weak acid media, using an electromotive force for electrolysis, will react with the fluoride and bicarbonate compounds, if present, of the dentrifice, gels, and rinses in the oral cavity. This is a more organized and active use of these products compared with the random and passive diffusion that occurs when brushing in the absence of this energy. The present invention provides an efficient means to obtund decay and periodontal disease by lowering the count of acid-producing bacteria in plaque. At the same time, the present invention will strengthen the apatite crystal bundles of the hard tissues of teeth and bleach the teeth.
The present invention is a circuit comprising a) a dry cell wafer battery, b) two leads having exposed lead end plates, c) a photovoltaic cell, and d) a rectifying diode. Preferably, the circuit is incorporated in a toothbrush produced by computer-aided injection moulding for precision construction.


A polycrystalline diamond drill bit for percussion drilling, in small holes in high silica ground. The bits are made having a bit body, and a series of insets locating in the bit body, and the bits are made using a double chisel design, or a modified double chisel design. The inserts are set into the bit body at very specific angles. The inserts have specific lengths to provide cut clearance for the bit body. The cutting angle the and radius on the tip of each insert in addition to the diameter of the inserts, provide a machine thrust pressure and machine torque pressure at low ranges when the PCD bits are used in percussion drilling.

Tungsten carbide drill bits have been used for drilling into soil and also hard rock, and have been available for many years, have been effective for their routine usage, but they do have a tendency to become dull, or fracture, particularly when drilling into hard rock.
Current tungsten carbide bits tend to dull down very fast in very hard, high silica ground, with a compressive strength of 30,000-60,000 psi.
The drill settings, when using tungsten carbide bits are generally set at 30 Bar or more for the thrust and torque for the first hole or two, then the thrust is increased to the maximum on the drill of approximately 50 Bar, to drive the dull bit into the rock.
Tungsten carbide bits cannot drill efficiently at very low thrust and torque settings in hard rock drilling applications, as the carbide inserts dull down severely, and stop the drill bit from penetrating the ground. Very high thrust and torque settings, sometimes up to 50 Bar, are required when drilling with these types of carbide bits.
The prior art and use of tungsten carbide insert bit designs has proven to be marginally satisfactory and the design and use of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) type inserts has substantially improved the performance of percussion drill bits. It has taken many years to perfect the design of the PCD bits, as a replacement for carbide tips, particularly since in the PCD bit structure, the range for the dimensions of the inserts, the bit bodies, and the drill settings, are very limited and narrow. Inserts used in prior art could have a very wide range of dimensions, and still be considered acceptable.
Prior art patents or publications include U.S. Pat. No. D574,403 and U.S. Publication No 2009/0184564. Other prior art patents relating to this technology include U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,129, in addition to U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,409.
As further commented, carbide bits operate at very high thrust and torque, usually in the range of 50 Bar or above for thrust and 30 Bar or above for torque, and their insert tip length is shorter, and there are many more inserts included in the bit body, than are required or needed in the PCD type of percussion drill bit. Carbide bits dull down fairly fast, particularly in abrasive rock, thus slowing down the penetration rate, and require an elevation of thrust and torque, in order to achieve any continuous drilling. Furthermore, it has been experienced that carbide bits wear down 10 to 15 times faster than a PCD drill bit, and are 30% to 50% slower in drilling penetration rates.
Through testing, it has been determined that the normal time to drill a 50 hole round within hard rock, using the carbide drill bit, was in excess of three hours, but utilizing a PCD insert drill bit, could achieve the same drilling of a 50 hole round in a time between about one hour and one and a half hours. PCD bits complete a drilling operation using 70% less thrust and 60% less torque.
The usage of PCD bits, in comparison to carbide bits, found that the PCD percussion drill bits were more productive; at far less thrust and torque parameters, than the carbide bits.
Furthermore, because there are fewer PCD bits to change out due to little or no dulling, during prolonged usage, there is a lesser chance of injuries to the miner, and workers handling such equipment.
Because of the reduction in thrust and torque forces required, up to approximately the 70% range, when drilling with PCD insert drill bits in comparison to the use of carbide bits, there is less heat buildup in the drill steel sections and there is a less torsional forces exerted on the steel sections that can cause fatigue and failure, and therefore, the drill steel section life of the entire equipment is vastly improved using the PCD insert bits.
Furthermore, because of the very low thrust and low torque that is used when drilling with PCD double chisel insert bits or modified double chisel bits, as has been found through experimentation, there is less stress on the hydraulic components of the machinery, that there is less wear on the drilling machine and there is less heat buildup in the drill steel sections, as explained when utilizing the PCD bits in comparison with carbide bits.
Finally, it was observed during experimentation, that the powder crews, when depositing their explosives within the drilled holes, that there was a very significant reduction of cuttings left in the hole that were drilled with the PCD bits as compared with the carbide bit drilled holes, and this resulted in significantly less time cleaning the holes with a spoon, during the performance of the crew's duties.
It can be seen that when compared to the prior art style of carbide bits, that the PCD bits have far more advantages, which have been identified during experimentation and testing, at very significant cost reduction advantages for the mine. Production is nearly doubled with the use of the PCD drill bit. The bit cost per foot of hole is reduced, drilling time of the holes is significantly reduced and maintenance costs are minimized.

Polycrystalline diamond percussion drill bits using low thrust and torque for application with small diameter drill bits


A telecommunications receiver is adapted to communicate with mobile devices that operate according to a protocol where the telecommunications receiver operates outside of expected ranges for the protocol but modifies its communications with mobile devices to appear to those mobile devices as being within the expected ranges. To determine what modifications to make to transmissions, the telecommunication receiver processes signals from mobile devices to determine where a communications channel is relative to the expected ranges and uses that information to modify transmissions to mobile devices. The expected ranges might relate to maximum distance between telecommunications receiver and a mobile device, maximum relative velocity, power etc. Determining a relative velocity, and therefore a Doppler shift, can be done by determining a fractional frequency offset, determining an expected subchannel, and determining an integer frequency offset based on the expected subchannel carrier frequency and the measured carrier frequency.

Communications protocols allow for distributed creation and operation of devices that can compatibly communicate. In a cellular telecommunications network, devices that conform to the protocol or protocols in use in such networks can typically intercommunicate easily. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project ("3GPP") is an organization that coordinates telecommunications standard development organizations such as ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TSDSI, TTA, TTC and generates protocol specifications often referred to as "3GPP technologies". A mobile device that is compliant with a protocol in use can connect to a network that is reachable and it may be that other protocol-compliant devices on that network can intercommunicate. A mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, smartphone, data terminal, etc. might be constructed to comply with one or more protocols, such as 2G protocols (e.g. GSM, GPRS, EDGE, etc.), 3G protocols (e.g. UMTS, etc.), 4G protocols (e.g. LTE, etc.), and 5G protocols (e.g. NR, NB-IoT, etc.).
In a typical terrestrial cellular telecommunications network, a plurality of mobile devices communicates with a plurality of telecommunications infrastructure elements. Telecommunications infrastructure might comprise hardware that could include, but not be limited to, towers, antennas, radios, transceivers, digital signal processors, electrical cabinets, servers, computers, etc. This telecommunications infrastructure is typically organized by functionality and connects together as an integrated system to manage telecommunications traffic amount the various mobile devices which is serves. This integrated system may comprise one, or more, networks and networks themselves are typically designed to also connect to each other through a variety of interfaces and protocols. Some of these protocols and interfaces may include, but are not limited to TCP/IP, ISDN, SS7, etc. A terrestrial cellular network, and their functionalities, might be used in the context of a typical LTE cellular network, however, the structure and functionality behind this type of network could be used for other terrestrial cellular networks, such as a GSM, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS, etc. network.
Often a protocol will specify acceptable ranges for variation, such as frequency variations from a predetermined frequency, timing variations from a predetermined time window, code variations and allowable errors, and the like. For example, a protocol might specify that a device is to transmit at a frequency, F, and another device should support receiving signals within a frequency band, Fmin to Fmax, that includes the specified frequency F and that the receiving device does not need to process received signals outside that frequency band and can treat such signals as noise. Given that, it would be expected that devices that are protocol-compliant would expect that a signal sent at frequency F that might shift in frequency in flight but remain between Fmin and Fmax, would be correctly received. As a result, robust devices are often designed so that they are protocol-compliant.
In part, protocol compliance directs design of devices based on expected conditions. For example, a terrestrial mobile telephone device might be constructed to comply with a protocol that allows for communication with cellular telephone towers that are within 35 kilometers of the terrestrial mobile telephone device and so the terrestrial mobile telephone device would be constructed to handle variations in signal delays between 0 and around 117 microseconds (the time delay for a signal to travel around 35 kilometers). Problems can arise when communication needs to occur over a longer distance than what the protocol specifies and what the device is constructed or programmed for.
As one example, it might be desirable to communicate with a terrestrial mobile telephone device from a base station in Earth orbit without having to modify the terrestrial mobile telephone device. Since the base station must be further than 35 kilometers to stay in orbit and must be travelling relatively fast relative to the terrestrial mobile telephone device to stay in orbit, the base station should account for time delays, Doppler shifts, signal powers, etc. that would be outside the specifications of the protocols in use. One approach is to modify the terrestrial mobile telephone device to accommodate satellite communications, but often this is impractical or economically infeasible.
Speidel I describes various solutions to provide for communications between an orbital base station and a terrestrial telecommunications device that use terrestrial base station communications protocols, where it appears to the terrestrial telecommunications device that the orbital base station is a terrestrial base station, thus obviating the need for modification of the hardware and protocols used by the terrestrial telecommunications device. For example, the orbital base station might shift a signal in frequency to account for Doppler shifts due to satellite orbital velocity and might time a transmission such that the time-of-flight delay does not cause the transmission to be outside a window specified by the protocol. Of course, it is not possible for an orbital base station to send a signal so that the time-of-flight delay is less than the speed of light propagation over the distance between the orbital base station and the terrestrial telecommunications, but the orbital base station can time the transmission to a subsequent transmission slot such that it is received timely but in a later slot.
For an orbital base station to be able to adjust timing, frequency, etc. to appear correct to the terrestrial device, the orbital base station needs to know, or at least estimate, parameters and/or state of the terrestrial device, such as where it is relative to the orbital base station and how fast their relative movement is. Since an orbital base station typically has an ability to determine its own position and velocity (or more generally, its position, its first derivative of position, and possibly higher derivatives), if the terrestrial device provides its location and velocity, the orbital base station could compute the adjustments that would be needed. A problem arises in that terrestrial devices, such as mobile telephones constructed according to some terrestrial telecommunications protocols, do not normally need to provide their position and the protocols do not normally include that. There are some protocols, such as those associated with emergency services, wherein a device communicates its present location, but such protocols often only operate after a communications link is established between the device and a base station.
Thus, if would be desirable if an orbital base station (or other base station that operates outside of normal conditions of terrestrial base stations) had a reliable mechanism and process for determining parameters and/or state of a terrestrial device sufficient to enable the base station to receive communications from the terrestrial device and establish a communications link according to some protocol for which the terrestrial device is constructed, even when the base station is operating outside conditions for which the terrestrial device is constructed.

Receiver-based computation of transmitter parameters and state for communications beyond design ranges of a cellular network protocol


A novel class of embryo derived peptides are described (Preimplantation factor) that were generated synthetically and were tested on peripheral blood immune cells and shown to block activated but not basal immunity, inhibiting cell proliferation and creating a TH2 type cytokine bias, in addition PIF enhance endometrial receptivity by increasing adhesion molecules expression. PIF biological activity appears to be exerted by specific binding to inducible receptors present on the several white cell lineages. PIF peptides, which are immune modulators therefore may have diagnostic non toxic therapeutic applications in improving fertility, reducing pregnancy loss as well may be useful when administered for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and for prevention xenotransplants rejection.

Mammalian pregnancy is a unique physiological event in which the maternal immune system interacts with the fetus in a very efficient manner, beneficial for both parties. Pregnancy is an immune paradox, displaying no graft vs. host or host vs. graft effect. The factors involved in this phenomenon are not yet fully elucidated although they have been extensively studied. The novel embryo-derived factor, preimplantation factor (PIF-1), may cause immune tolerance of pregnancy by creating maternal recognition of pregnancy shortly after fertilization. Synthetic PIF-1 replicated the native peptide's effect and exerted potent immune modulatory effects on activated PBMC proliferation and cytokine secretion, acting through novel sites on PBMC and having an effect which is distinct from known immune-suppressive drugs.
There is evidence that several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, undergo remission during pregnancy, supporting the view that there are unique protective mechanisms operative during that lime period. This is particularly remarkable because the host/mother is simultaneously being exposed to a semi- or total allograft (donor embryo) without adverse immune effects.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a well-established treatment for malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases, and is performed in tens of thousands of patients each year. Mature donor T cells within the stem cell graft are the main mediators of the beneficial immune effects, but they are also responsible for the induction of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the major cause of morbidity and mortality in BMT patients. GVHD occurs when transplanted donor-derived T cells recognize proteins expressed by recipient antigen-presenting cells. Consequently, this recognition induces donor T-cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation, leading to a cellular and inflammatory attack on recipient target tissues. Acute or chronic GVHD occurs within a 100-day period post-BMT that leads to dermatitis, enteritis, and hepatitis. The treatment of GVHD continues to be a challenge. To eliminate undesirable host-derived hematopoietic elements before BMT, patients have traditionally been treated with myeloablative conditioning regimens involving high-dose chemotherapy and total-body radiation. Up until now, standard GVHD prophylaxis and therapy uses immune suppressive drugs (steroids and Cyclosporin A), that place patients in danger of opportunistic infections and tumor relapse. Numerous agents have been evaluated for GVHD, unfortunately with poor outcome. Ideally, prophylaxis of BMT patients by immune modulation would allow transplant acceptance, while maintaining the ability to protect against pathogens or cancer.
Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes (TIDM) is caused by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. TIDM etiology is multifactorial, complex, and involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological influences. TIDM is a progressive, asymptomatic decline in beta cell function until hyperglycemia develops. Near total beta-cell destruction may not be universal, and therefore therapeutic measures that stop destruction and perhaps lead to organ recovery could bring to major advances in TIDM management. TIDM prevention is currently suboptimal, and most current therapies aim at controlling glucose levels using insulin, or (rarely) by islet transplants. There are also attempts to initiate immune therapies using (anti-CD3 antibodies, and anti-thymocyte globulin) which aim to block the autoimmune cascade when combined with repair/regeneration of beta cells (e.g., glulisine, glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), extendin-4), and Dia-Pep277 with limited success.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive debilitating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that has a complex etiology where genetic predisposition may be coupled with early childhood viral exposure. Consequently, there is a gradual destruction of the myelin sheath that causes motor, autonomic, sensory dysfunction that may lead to paralysis. Current therapies are based on limiting the damage by using steroids and interferon, Copaxone and monoclonal antibodies, with limited success. An optimal therapy would reverse the neural damage by blocking the autoimmune cascade while allowing for myelin sheath repair. The experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) model is widely used currently to examine experimental treatments for MS.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), the primary constituents of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are precipitated by a complex interaction of environmental, genetic, and immunoregulatory factors. Higher rates of IBD are seen in northern, industrialized countries. IBD's are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the etiology is incompletely understood, initiation and aggravation of the inflammatory process seem to be due to a massive local mucosal immune response. Cytokine-mediated impairment of viability and metabolic function of epithelial cells has been suggested as a possible early pathogenic event in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Among several currently used therapies are azulphidine, steroids and in more serious cases Azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate are appropriate. When steroids fail, cyclosporine A may utilized. IBD's involve both local and systemic alteration of the immune system. In recent years several studies were carried out using peripheral immune cells as well colonic biopsies to examine the direct effect of possible therapeutic agents on the condition. Data indicates that the milieu of peripheral PBMC is altered and agents that were found to be disease modifiers by in situ testing were considered suitable for clinical application.
It has been observed that PIF has immune modulatory properties and such peptides are useful in the prevention and/or treatment of various immune-mediated diseases, including, but not limited to, autoimmune disorders. Compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing immune-mediated disorders are provided herein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Compositions and methods for modulating the immune system


The sunroof apparatus has a sunroof panel equipped at an opening of a fixed roof; a tilt mechanism that is provided beneath a side edge of the sunroof panel, and can tilt up the panel around a rotation axis that makes vehicle lateral directions axial directions thereof; and a side cover for shielding the tilt mechanism, seen from a vehicle room side in tilting up the panel, wherein the side cover has a plurality of cover members that overlap each other in the vehicle lateral directions, and each of which front end side is relative-rotation-free coupled each other around a coupling shaft of the cover members, and one of them is fixed at the panel and so that each of them is opened in tilting up the panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sunroof apparatus of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 18, in a sunroof apparatus 1 consisting of a sunroof panel 4 such as a glass plate's being attached to an opening 3 of a fixed roof 2, there are many apparatuses of a structure, which enables a so called tilt-up of tilting up the sunroof panel 4 in a rearward rise for a purpose of a vehicle-inside ventilation and the like. FIG. 19 shows a case that a tilt-up state of the sunroof panel 4 is looked up from a vehicle room. A tilt mechanism for tilting up the sunroof panel 4 is positioned beneath a side edge of the sunroof panel 4, and therefore there is a possibility of causing disfigurement in tilting up the sunroof panel 4 because in some case the tilt mechanism is seen from the vehicle room as shown in FIG. 19, depending on a view angle. Consequently, conventionally is proposed a side cover for shielding a tilt mechanism in tilting-up a sunroof panel, for example, a extendable/contractible cornice cover and something where a plurality of cover members are used (for example, see paragraphs 0005 and 0006 and FIG. 2 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-274182).
However, because such a side cover is placed together with a sunroof panel drive mechanism of a tilt mechanism and the like at a narrow space of a roof portion, it tends to become difficult to house members for configuring the side cover. Accordingly, restrictions for a number and form of configuring members become easy to be added, and in a structure using a plurality of cover members, there can also occur a case that a gap occurs between the cover members, depending on a tilt angle, and that the tilt mechanism cannot be completely shielded. In addition, in a structure of using the plurality of the cover members, because it is necessary to take care of a jouncing and positioning between the cover members, and also of a distinguished-looking of an opening/closing movement thereof.
Consequently, a following is strongly requested: a sunroof apparatus that has a simpler structure, can effectively shield a tilt mechanism in tilting up a sunroof panel, additionally makes it solid a positioning of each cover member opened in tilting up the sunroof panel, and furthermore has a side cover excellent in a distinguished looking of an opening/closing movement of the each cover member.


The present invention relates to filters for coffee, tea, hot chocolate etc., in which a filter is placed in a cylindrical container and whatever is to be filtered is placed in the filter that has been placed in the cylindrical container. Thereafter, either hot or ice cold water, in the case of iced tea, is poured into the cylindrical container over that which is to be filtered. In more cases than not, the filter collapses, especially in the case of coffee and tea, the result is that coffee grinds and tea leaves eventually get into the coffee cup or tea leaves get into the tea cup. The present invention solves this problem by providing a retention ring of shape retaining inert material, such as plastic or stainless steel that is capable of being compressed in size placing it inside the filter that has been placed in the cylindrical container that is to be filled with a product. The retention ring, when released from compression, returns to its original shape and holds the filter tight against the walls of the cylindrical container, thereby eliminating the contamination in the user's cup.

A search was made to determine the novelty of the present invention and the following Patents were found to be related to the field of the invention. However, none of the cited Patents disclose the invention herein described and claimed. The Patents found are as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 802,095 issued to A, R. Draught on 17 Oct. 1905, entitled Coffee Strainer which discloses a means to strain coffee in a drip pot by providing a textile material filter bag to be put inside the pot. There is not even the slightest suggestion of the spring steel or suitable plastic retention ring that will return to its original shape when released from it's compression in order to hold a paper filter tight against the wall of the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. machine well to prevent said paper filter from collapsing and coffee grinds, etc. from passing through to the drinkers cup
U.S. Pat. No. 909,528 issued C. F. Blanke on 12 Jan. 1909, entitled China Coffee Pot which discloses another drip coffee pot that has inside a strainer bag that is held in place by the lid or cover of the coffee pot. The strainer bag is disclosed as being made of woven muslin or suitable fabric. There is not even the slightest suggestion of the spring steel or suitable plastic retention ring that will return to it's original shape when released from it's compression in order to hold a paper filter tight against the wall of the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. machine well to prevent said paper from collapsing and coffee grinds, etc. from passing through to the drinkers cup.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,704,879 issued to B. C. Brougham on 04 Jan. 1929 entitled Coffee Percolator Sediment Collector which discloses a percolator coffee pot that employs a linen or cotton filter bag with a ring of coil steel inside the top edge of his material filter bag thereby making said bag contract to foam puckers around the top of the bag which is supposed to prevent coffee particles and sediment from getting out of the bag. While this rudimentary attempt to prevent sediment from getting in to the coffee cup, there is not even the slightest suggestion of the spring steel or suitable plastic that will return to it's original shape when released from its compression to hold a paper filter tight against the wall of the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. machine well to prevent said filter from collapsing and coffee grinds etc. from passing through to the drinkers cup.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,429,389 issued to G. C. Calentine on 21 Oct. 1947 entitled Combination Urn Bag Ring which discloses a coffee urn ring to hold a material filter bag on a support on the top of the coffee urn and incorporated in said ring is a triangular handle to allow the used coffee to be carried off to be disposed, without the danger of burning the user's hand with the hot bag or grinds. There is not even the slightest suggestion of the spring steel or suitable plastic retention ring that will return to it's original shape when released from compression to hold a paper filter tight against the wall of the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. machine well to prevent said filter from collapsing and coffee grinds etc. from passing through to the drinkers cup.


An apparatus has at least one processing unit to generate a request having a request privilege level. At least one resource exists in the apparatus to receive the request and determine if the request is allowable. The apparatus includes an error handler that determines the nature of an error and performs a reset based upon the privilege level of the request that cause the error.

Computing devices have become increasingly complex. The hardware and software implementations within these devices are susceptible to software errors and hardware soft errors due to this complexity. A hardware soft error may be best understood as a transient hardware error that is not due to a defect in the hardware, but due to some condition that arose and caused an error that may not be repeatable; these may also be referred to as errors during processing.
In single processor systems, protections against these kinds of errors can be centrally located, which makes error recovery more controllable and simpler to implement. In multiple processor systems, the error recovery is much more complex, as there is no central place in which protections are located. This is further exacerbated by the need to maintain state information for multiple execution threads for each of one or more processors. When an error occurs, currently, all of the execution threads for all of the processors must be reloaded together with their entire configuration, which may include large amounts of data. It must be noted that the term 'reloaded' may also include being reset, re-initialized, and/or restarted.
In networks where other devices rely upon these complex devices to be available, the downtime in reloading all of the threads for all of the processors can become visible to the other devices. This in turn may slow or bring down the network as the device reloads.

Selective error recovery of processing complex using privilege-level error discrimination


A semiconductor device which can prevent a leak current between a silicide layer on a polysilicon and another part, as well as a manufacturing process therefor. The semiconductor device includes neighboring n- and p-type polysilicons; and a silicide layer thereon extending from the n-type polysilicon to the p-type polysilicon. The silicide layer is formed over the upper surfaces of the n- and p-type polysilicons except the periphery thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing process therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional cell unit in, for example, a DRAM memory cell comprises neighboring n- and p-type polysilicons and, for reducing a resistance between the n- and the p-type polysilicons, a silicide layer over the whole surface of the polysilicons (see, Japanese patent application NO. 2000-332210; FIG. 2).

Semiconductor device and manufacturing process therefore


A multi-phase metal hydride alloy material which is capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing hydrogen includes a first main phase or group of phases having an ABx type crystalline structure and a second phase which has a concentration of a modifier element therein which is greater than the concentration of the modifier element in the first phase or group of phases. The modifier element functions to promote the formation of the second phase and may comprise a light rare earth element such as yttrium. The first phase or group of phases may incorporate one or more Laves phases such as a C14, C15, and/or C36 phase. Further disclosed are metal hydride batteries including the alloys.

As is known in the art, certain alloy materials are capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen. These materials can be used as hydrogen storage media and/or as electrode materials for metal hydride batteries, fuel cells, metal hydride air battery systems, and the like. Such materials are known generally as metal hydride materials.
One particular class of metal hydride materials having utility in metal hydride battery systems is known as the ABx class of materials with reference to the crystalline sites that its members component elements occupy. ABx type materials are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,591 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,498, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Presently, there is significant interest in utilizing a particular group of ABx materials referred to as AB2 alloys in metal hydride battery systems. This is due to the fact that AB2 type materials, unlike many of the presently used AB5 alloy materials, generally do not incorporate significant amounts of expensive, rare earth elements. Furthermore, batteries incorporating AB2 materials generally exhibit high charge storage capacities.
As is recognized in the art, before being placed into service, metal hydride batteries must be subjected to an activation process. This process typically comprises putting the batteries through one or more particularly profiled charge/discharge cycles, and is necessary in order to assure that the battery manifest its maximum charge storage capacity. High-rate capability is another significant parameter of any battery system and is a measure of the battery's ability to deliver energy at a high rate. High-rate capability is a very important parameter in high power applications such as electric vehicles, power tools, and the like wherein large amounts of power must be supplied rapidly.
Heretofore, the utility of AB2 materials in metal hydride battery systems has been limited by the fact that they tend to be hard to activate and show low high-discharge rate capabilities, as compared to AB5 materials and the like. As will be explained in detail hereinbelow, the present invention recognizes that the activation and high-rate properties of AB2 metal hydride alloys are significantly improved if those alloys include a catalytic secondary phase. Further in accord with the present invention, it has been found that these phases can be formed by the introduction of a modifier element into the alloy material.
Materials of the present invention include at least a first and a second phase. The first phase (which may comprise a group of phases) has an AB2 type crystalline structure, and is also referred to as the "main phase". The second phase includes concentrations of the modifier element which are significantly higher than concentrations in the first phase. The materials of the present invention are relatively low in cost, and when incorporated into metal hydride battery systems manifest large charge storage capacities together with significantly improved activation and high-rate discharge properties. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings, discussion, and description which follow.

Metal hydride alloys having improved activation and high rate performance


Cell binding peptides are provided for binding to cells including urothelial and thyroid follicular cells. The peptides are useful for detection and diagnosis of cancer including bladder and thyroid cancer. A device and method for using the device for capturing cells is provided, the device includes a support having attached cell binding peptide. The support can be a slide and the device can be used for detection and diagnosis of cancer including bladder and thyroid cancer. A kit is provided with instructions for capturing cells and a support with attached cell binding peptide for detection and diagnosis of bladder and thyroid cancer.

Urine cytology is a non-invasive diagnostic method for detecting and monitoring bladder cancer, based on the collection of voided urine to examine exfoliated epithelial cells on glass slides. Follow-up tests, such as immunocytochemistry (ICC) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), are also carried out using standard glass slides. However, hematuria is one of the most common presenting symptoms with bladder cancer, and both cytology and slide-based diagnostic testing can be confounded by the presence of red blood cells and inflammatory cells. Cytology slides prepared from specimens containing a high concentration of obscuring blood cells often lead to non-diagnostic results that necessitate repeat testing, unnecessary cystoscopy, and in some cases, exploratory biopsies. In all cases, these unnecessary procedures place a significant financial burden on both the patient and the healthcare facility. Although methods are available for processing specimens to concentrate urothelial cells and remove obscuring cell types, these methods are expensive, time-consuming, disruptive to cell phenotype, or all of the above.
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is the standard technique for evaluating thyroid nodules. Hemorrhaging is common during the procedure, however, leading to an aspirate that is diluted by blood. Subsequent slide preparations are often suboptimal, resulting in nondiagnostic outcomes that necessitate additional testing or diagnostic surgery. In fact, quality is so unpredictable that a pathologist must often be present in the operating room to certify that the slides are adequate, thus adding substantial cost and complexity to the procedure. Furthermore, even with an optimal slide preparation, cytology yields indeterminate results up to 30% of the time. In the absence of a conclusive diagnosis, most indeterminate patients are guided towards an often unnecessary partial or near-total thyroidectomy. Immunocytochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization are useful tools for diagnosing indeterminate cases, but such tests are not usually carried out on existing smears due to a paucity of follicular cells and an abundance of red blood cells. As a result, additional slides must be prepared using expensive and time-consuming techniques. Thus, there is a significant need for increasing the capture and isolation of follicular cells on FNA slide preparations, in addition to facilitating the development of ancillary diagnostic tests for categorizing indeterminate results.
The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods to address the above described needs and limitations of current healthcare practices.

Cell binding peptides for diagnosis and detection


A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver that may also be used for hammer drilling. The chuck is constructed so that during normal operation for its intended purpose, the jaws holding a shaft for a tool do not loosen. The chuck includes at least one pawl to engage teeth on a gear ring such that rotation of a ring driver in a jaw gripping direction causes the gear ring to rotate. When the jaws tightly grip the shaft, the gear ring will frictionally engage a portion of the chuck so that the gear ring is rotationally locked to the chuck body. At the same time, the pawl engages the gear ring such that rotation of the ring driver and thus movement of the jaws in a non-jaw gripping direction is prevented during normal use of the hammerlock chuck.

The present invention generally relates to chucks for use with drills or with electric or pneumatic power drivers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a keyless chuck that may be tightened or loosened by hand or by actuation of the driver motor. The keyless chuck of the present invention has particular applicability with hammer-type drills or drivers.
Both hand and electric or pneumatic tool drivers are well known. Although twist drills are the most common tools used with such drivers, the tools may also comprise screwdrivers, nut drivers, burrs, mounted grinding stones, and other cutting or abrading tools. Since the tools may have shanks of varying diameter or the cross-section of the tool shank may be polygonal, the device is usually provided with a chuck that is adjustable over a relatively wide range. The chuck may be attached to the driver by a threaded or tapered bore.
A wide variety of chucks have been developed in the art. In the simplest form of chuck, three jaws spaced circumferentially approximately 120 degrees apart from each other are constrained by angularly disposed passageways in a body attached onto the drive shaft and configured so that rotation of the body in one direction with respect to a constrained nut engaging the jaws, forces the jaws into gripping relationship with the cylindrical shank of a tool, while rotation in the opposite direction releases the gripping relationship. Such a chuck may be keyless if it is rotated by hand.
Despite the success of such keyless chucks, varying configurations of keyless chucks are desirable for a variety of applications. In particular, it is desirable to provide a chuck for use in a hammer drilling application. In a conventional chuck used for hammer drilling, the vibration that results from use of the tool can cause the jaws to loosen their grip around the shaft of the tool. This can have undesirable consequences, both for the work piece and for the operation of the tool.
One solution to that problem is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,582. In that patent, however, the chuck requires a front sleeve that has a number of ribs and indentations that may increase the cost and complexity of the chuck. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a keyless chuck that requires fewer components and/or lower manufacturing cost.