Methods of determining one or more ratios of chemokines in gingival crevicular fluid of an individual selected from the group consisting of: MIF:MIP1a, MIF:CXCL1; MIF:CXCL5; M1F:CXCL8; MIF:CXCL2; and MIF:CXCL6 and methods of identifying an individual as having gingivitis comprising determining one or more ratios of the chemokines in gingival crevicular fluid are disclosed. Methods of treating individuals who are identified as having gingivitis by determining one or more ratios of the chemokines in gingival crevicular fluid are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of monitoring the treatment individuals who have gingivitis.

The gums, also referred to as gingiva, which are part of the soft tissue lining of the mouth, surround the teeth and provide a seal around them. The gingival margin is the interface between the sulcular epithelium and the epithelium of the oral cavity. This interface exists at the most coronal point of the gingiva, otherwise known as the crest of the marginal gingiva. The gingival crevice, also called gingival sulcus, is the space located around a tooth between the wall of the unattached gum tissue and the enamel and/or cementum of the tooth.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is the initial stage of gum disease. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque—the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become an advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis, and cause permanent damage to teeth and jaw.
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fitted tightly around the teeth. At first, gingivitis may be undetectably by visual inspection but as it progresses symptoms become more apparent. Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when brushing or flossing. Another sign of gum disease is gums that have receded or pulled away from teeth, giving teeth an elongated appearance. Gum disease can cause pockets to form between the teeth and gums, where plaque and food debris collect. Some people may experience recurring bad breath or a bad taste in their mouth, even if the disease is not advanced.
Gingivitis is much more easily treated compared to periodontitis and can be resolved with good oral hygiene, such as longer and more frequent brushing, flossing and the use of an antiseptic mouthwash. The earlier gingivitis is treated the less chance of permanent damage. Accordingly, methods of diagnosing gingivitis during early stages of gingivitis allow for treatment to be initiated before the condition advances. Such methods can also be adapted to monitoring oral health and treatment over time.

Biomarkers of neutrophil deregulation as diagnostic for gingivitis


The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for topical administration comprising a topically acceptable antiviral substance and an antiinflammatory glucocorticoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition can be used in the prophylactic and curative treatment of herpesvirus infections in mammals including man. The invention also relates to the use of a combination of a topically acceptable antiviral substance and an antiinflammatory glucocorticoid for the manufacture of a medicament for said prophylactic and curative treatment.

Herpesvirus infections in humans can be caused by different human herpesviruses, the most common being herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. There are also many animal herpesviruses.
Following a primary infection with herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus, the virus establishes latency in the sensory nerve cells for the rest of the patient's life and can subsequently be reactivated repeatedly. Following a reactivation in the nerve cell, the virus is transported through the nerves to the skin and subsequently a lesion develops. One characteristic of herpesvirus infection is the inflammation which follows immediately upon an outbreak of virus replication. The inflammation contributes to all symptoms associated with herpesvirus recurrence including redness, swelling, itching and pain as well as lesions.
Herpes simplex viruses can be divided into two serotypes, HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), the clinical manifestations of which range from benign self-limiting orofacial and genital infections to potentially life threatening conditions such as encephalitis and generalized neonatal infections.
Oral-facial HSV infections are primarily caused by HSV-1. Following a primary infection in childhood the virus becomes latent. After reactivation a recurrent oral-facial HSV infection develops, which is more commonly known as a cold sore. About half of the patients experience prodromal symptoms such as pain, burning or itching at the site of the subsequent lesions. The condition is generally rapidly self-limiting and a typical episode will heal in around 10 days from the first symptoms. Viral replication in the lip is initiated early and maximum virus load is attained 24 hours after the onset of the reactivation. The virus concentration is then dramatically reduced and typically virus cannot be isolated 70-80 hours after the onset.
The clinical presentation of genital HSV infections is similar to the oral-facial infections with some important exceptions. Genital HSV infections are most often caused by HSV-2 and following the primary infection the virus will latently infect sensory or autonomic ganglions. Reactivation will produce the local recurrent lesions on or near the genitals that are characteristic of the herpes infection.
A primary infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chicken-pox. Like HSV, VZV becomes latent following the primary infection and can be activated as herpes zoster later on in life. Zoster usually results in skin rash and intensive acute pain. In 30% of the patients, the pain can be prolonged and continue for weeks or months after the rash has cleared up.
HSV and VZV may, in addition to mucous or cutaneous manifestations, also cause keratitis in the eyes. This condition is also recurrent and may cause blindness.
There are a number of antiviral agents which are active against the human herpesviruses. There has, however, so far been limited clinical success in the treatment of recurrent herpesvirus infections.
Foscarnet, that is the hexahydrate of the trisodium salt of phosphonoformic acid or sodium phosphonoformate hexahydrate, and acyclovir are well-known antiviral compounds, which as topical formulations have been extensively tested against recurrent herpes simplex virus infections in clinical trials with only a moderate degree of success. Acyclovir has, in addition, been tested as an oral formulation against recurrent HSV infections with significant but limited clinical effect if used after the appearance of symptoms. As a result of such a treatment the healing time will be shortened by no more than approximately one day. The inhibitory effect of foscarnet, as well as that of acyclovir, against herpes viruses in vitro is, however, high.
Standard-dose acyclovir shows little effect against VZV infections in the clinic. High-dose acyclovir shows significant but limited effect on zoster lesions if treatment is initiated within 72 hours from the appearance of the first symptoms.
Other antiviral substances, which have been used topically and which exhibit an inhibitory effect against HSV in vitro, are for example adenine arabinoside (ara-A, vidarabine), arabinosyladenine-monophosphate (ara-AMP), lobucavir (bishydroxymethylcyclobutylguanine, BHCG), brivudine (bromovinyldeoxyuridine, BVDU), desciclovir, famciclovir, cidofovir (HPMPC, GS504), idoxuridine, netivudine (zonavir, BW882C87), penciclovir, PAA (phosphonoacetate), PFA (phosphonoformate), sorivudine (brovavir, BV-araU), trifluridin (trifluorothymidine, TFT), tromantadine, valacyclovir, virend, 1-docosanol (lidakol), 348U87, 2242 (2-amino-7-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)purine), HOE 961, civamide (capsaicin), PMEA (9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine), peptide T, BILD 1263, CRT.
Clinical primary infections with human herpes simplex viruses differ in a number of important aspects from subsequently reactivated infections. The viral shedding period is longer in the primary infection (about 10 days in labial and 3 weeks in genital infection) compared with reactivated infection (3-4 days for both labial and genital infections). Following termination of the viral shedding period in primary infections the lesion will heal in a few days while in the case of reactivated infections, the inflammation continues after viral replication has ceased and the clinical symptoms will remain for another week.
Obviously a reduction of virus multiplication in itself will not substantially alter the clinical course of a recurrent herpes infection. It is, therefore, not surprising that antiviral drugs when tested in clinical trials show a more substantial effect against a primary infection as compared with reactivated infections, such as recurrent herpes labialis or genitalis. Because of the rapid self-limiting nature of the virus shedding period in recurrent HSV infection the improvement of only one day healing time obtained in clinical trials with antiviral drugs is not surprising.
Different antiinflammatory agents have been tested to treat the inflammation that accompanies the recurrent infection, but only with limited success. Traditionally, inflammatory conditions in the eye, such as keratitis, have been treated with steroids. Even though this type of compounds is known to potentially promote herpesvirus replication steroids have been used in severe cases, for instance to save the patients vision. This practice has been controversial.
In summary, there has been little clinical success in the treatment of recurrent herpesvirus infections even with the most potent antiviral drugs. There is, thus, a great need for effective drugs and methods of treatment for recurrent herpes infections.


A flushing system provides a pair of check valves that are used in combination with each other. One of the check valve is attached to a hose located between the circulating pump and the thermostat housing of the engine. The other check valve is attached to a hose through which fresh water is provided. Both check valves prevent flow of water through them unless they are associated together in locking attachment. The check valve attached to the circulating pump hose of the engine directs a stream of water from the hose toward the circulating pump so that the water can then flow through the circulating pump, the engine block, the heads, the intake manifold, and the exhaust system of the engine to remove seawater residue from the internal passages and surfaces of the engine. It is not required that the engine be operated during the flushing operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a flushing system for a marine propulsion engine and, more particularly, to a flushing system that effectively removes seawater residue from the internal passages and surfaces of a marine engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is well known to those who operate marine vessels, it is typical for a marine engine which is used offshore to draw seawater into its internal cavities for use as cooling water. Although some marine engines may use a closed loop cooling water system, many do not. Instead, a seawater pump is used to draw seawater upward through the marine drive unit and then through the internal cavities of the engine.
Seawater is inherently undesirable because of its corrosive effect on the internal passages of the engine. After seawater flows through an engine, the mineral and biological residue is extremely corrosive to cast iron components. Although most skilled operators realize that it is beneficial to periodically flush marine engines used in seawater, it is difficult and time consuming to do so. As a result, many marine engines do not receive appropriate maintenance and cleaning in a timely manner.
Many different types of flushing systems have been developed for both stern drive propulsion units and outboard motors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,695, which issued to Sajdak on Sep. 26, 1989, discloses a storage boot and method for flushing outboard motors. The flexible cylindrical boot is provided with a plastic reinforced opening containing multiple nylon rivets for connection to one or more nylon cords. The boot is mounted around the shaft of a small outboard motor. A telescopic handle is attached to the reinforced opening and it guides the boot around the motor shaft after a garden hose is attached to a connector which is integral with a bottom of the boot. Fresh water from a faucet fills the boot and the motor is run at an idle speed to permit seawater flushing of the coolant system. The brackish water is then siphoned from the boot for dry storage of the motor in an upright position attached to the transom of a boat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,403, which issued to Ridolfo on Mar. 10, 1998, describes a marine outboard motor flush and run tank and a method of flushing a marine outboard motor. The method of flushing the outboard motor uses a marine outboard motor flush and run tank wherein the marine outboard motor flush and run tank comprises a flush trough member, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The method of flushing an outboard marine motor flushes from the coolant system of an outboard marine motor salt, silt, and other material. An organic detergent is added to fresh water to form a mixture which is siphoned into the coolant system for breaking down and purging the salt, silt, and other material from the coolant system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,038, which issued to Neisen et al on Oct. 21, 1997, discloses a pulsating flushing device. The device is used for a cooling system of a marine drive which includes a housing having an inlet for receiving pressurized flushing coolant, an outlet for discharging the flushing coolant to the marine drive cooling system, a pulsating chamber between the inlet and outlet, and a pulsation mechanism in the pulsation chamber and receiving the pressurized flushing coolant and imparting a pulsation movement thereto and delivering pulsating flushing coolant to the outlet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,851, which issued to Karls on May 20, 1986, discloses a flushing device for an outboard motor. The device is provided to supply water to an inlet provided on the bottom of the anti-ventilation plate of an outboard motor. The flushing device uses a mounting bracket to hold a resilient cup compressed in place over the water inlet. A hose connector allows the cup to be connected to a water supply.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,009, which issued to Karls on Sep. 10, 1985, describes a flushing device for an outboard motor. The device is used for supplying water to the cooling water inlets of an outboard motor and uses a connecting pin extending through the inlets to attach a pair of sealing cups over the inlets. A sliding spring latch releasable attaches one of the cups to the connecting pin. A hose connection allows water to be supplied to the inlets through the cup.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,285, which issued to Logan et al on May 13, 1997, describes a drain valve for a marine engine. The drain valve assembly automatically drains water from a cooling system of an inboard marine engine when the ambient temperature drops to a preselected value. The drain valve includes a cup-shaped base having a group of inlets connected to portions of a cooling system of the engine to be drained, and the open end of the base is enclosed by a cover. Each inlet defines a valve seat. A sealing piston is mounted for movement in the base and includes a series of valve members that are adapted to engage the valve seats. An outlet is provided in the sidewall of the base. The valve members on the sealing piston are biased to a closed position by a coil spring and a temperature responsive element interconnects the sealing piston with the cover. The temperature responsive element is characterized by the ability to exert a force in excess of the spring force of the coil spring when the ambient temperature is above 50.degree. F., in order to thereby maintain the valve members in the closed position. When the temperature falls below the preselected temperature, the temperature responsive element will retract, and permit the valve members to be opened under the influence of the spring to automatically drain water from the cooling system of the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,325, which issued to Maloney on Dec. 27, 1977, describes a flush attachment for marine engines having side cooling water ports. This device represents a universally adapted apparatus for use in flushing outboard and inboard/outboard marine engines. The universality is possible due to the unique design of a strap and the shape of the cups which allow for the device to attach flush against the motor shaft housing on motors having shaft housings of different dimensions and contours.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,063, which issued to Carlson on Nov. 16, 1982, describes a spring-biased flushing accessory for outboard motors. A self-gripping spring-biased accessory is provided for directing water from an outside source to flush out the cooling system of a marine engine. The accessory comprises a U-shape retaining terminating at its upper ends in a pair of resilient suction cups which are constructed to bear against cooling water intake ports on opposite walls of the engine housing. At least one of the cups is connected to an external source of flushing water. A particular feature of the invention, disclosed in several different embodiments of the invention, is that the U-shaped retainer is provided with an auxiliary device to impart spring-bias to the legs, urging them to move towards one another to secure the suction cups in resilient sealed relation against the cooling water intake ports. In a further modification, a device is provided to apply the flushing water simultaneously to intake ports on opposite side walls of the engine housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,483, which issued to Rice on Jan. 9, 1996, describes a portable marine engine flushing system. The flushing device is used for a marine engine. It comprises a reservoir for temporary water storage and a delivery system to the marine engine. The power source for the system is gravity, which allows it be portable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,906, which issued to Rosen on Sep. 30, 1997, describes a flush valve for a water cooled marine outboard engine having a flush orifice. The flush valve includes a valve body with an engine attachment end and a flush water source end. The valve body has a channel between the engine end and the source end. The engine end of the valve body can be affixed into the flush orifice of the engine. The flush valve also includes a means for obstructing a discharge flow of cooling liquid from the engine end of the hollow valve body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,266, which issued to Brogdon on Nov. 8, 1994, describes a flush master fresh water flushing system. The system is used for a marine engine in a boat and is operable whether the boat is in or out of the water. The system comprises a control panel mounted on the interior of the boat, a plurality of tubular cut "T" shaped interconnection fittings in a raw seawater cooling conduit, and a fresh water flush valve therebetween. The components are connected for fresh water fluid flow with a plurality of standard radiator hoses. The fresh water flush valve has a valve plunger for establishing fresh flow between the control panel and the "T" shaped interconnection fittings. Further, the fresh water flush valve has a plurality of axial outlet ports to proportionately direct the flow of fresh water to the appropriate "T" shaped interconnection fitting in the raw seawater cooling conduit of the marine engine. A valve plug is provided to secure a positive closure when the fresh water flow is disconnected. The valve plug has a tapered body and an O-ring to effect a positive seal and insure that no fluid backflow occurs when the flushing system is not in use and operation of the marine engine is operating under normal conditions in seawater. All of the fixed and movable parts are fabricated from material that resists salt air and seawater corrosion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,431, which issued to Brogdon on Aug. 15, 1995, describes a fresh water flushing system for a marine engine in a boat. The system is used whether or not the boat is in water. The system comprises a control panel mounted on the interior of the boat, a plurality of tubular T-shaped interconnection fittings in a raw seawater cooling conduit, and a fresh water flush valve. The components are connected for fresh water fluid flow. The fresh water flush valve has a valve plunger for establishing fresh water flow between the control panel and the T-shaped interconnection fittings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,252, which issued to Brogdon on Feb. 28, 1995, discloses a fresh water flushing system. The system comprises a control panel mounted in the proximity of the marine engine and a fresh water flush valve. Hoses are connected to the fresh water flush valve and to various components of the marine engine system to provide for fresh water fluid flow within the engine. Alternative embodiments are included for marine vessels with one or more engines.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,377, which issued to Saunders et al on Dec. 10, 1991, describes an inboard marine engine flushing device. The device includes a flexible, resiliently deformable preferably elastomeric conical shaped hollow member having a smaller inlet and a larger outlet. The outlet includes a water sealing surface which is sized to sealably engaged around an engine seawater inlet fitting fixed to a boat hull. A preferably T-shaped hollow water supply conduit is also included which has a first leg connected to the inlet end, a second leg connected to a pressurized water supply, and a third leg which is plugged or is otherwise sealably engaged into a telescopically extendable and lockable elongated ground engaging member. The ground engaging member lockably retains the water sealing surface forcibly urged against the boat hull during the flushing operation. The conical member is also bendably resilient to accommodate hull surfaces which are at a substantial angle to horizontal in the vicinity of the seawater inlet fitting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,863, which issued to Reese on Jan. 27, 1981, discloses a flushing assembly of the type used to clean outboard motors by forcing cleaning water through the inlet ports of the outboard motor. It comprises a base that is specifically structured to provide a water inlet in fluid communicating relation to the inlet ports of the motor. The base is structured so as to be capable of being clamped to the motor being cleaned adjacent the inlet ports and further to allow a water supply to be interconnected to the base wherein both the water supply and the adjustment of the base occurs at a location remote from the motor being cleaned so as to facilitate such cleaning when the motor is not readily accessible.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,265, which issued to Gervais on Nov. 8, 1994, describes a marine engine flushing apparatus and method. The apparatus employs a conduit coupled to a fluid supply for supplying fluid to the marine engine. A valve assembly is mounted to the conduit between the fluid supply and the cooling inlet port and controls the flow of fluid to the cooling inlet port. The valve assembly is responsive to a start signal to permit the flow of fluid and a switch assembly is electrically coupled to the valve assembly and to the marine engine for providing the start signal to the valve assembly to allow the fluid to flow and an engine signal to the marine engine to enable starting of the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,256, which issued to Bidwell on Mar. 14, 1995, describes a flushing apparatus for a boat motor. It employs clamping members that operate hydraulically to engage the opposite sides of the engine housing. They are positioned over water intake ports of the motor. Upon full engagement of the apparatus, a check-valve opens to permit water to flow through a clamping member and into the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,104, which issued to Guhlin on Sep. 24, 1991, discloses a flushing device for a motor boat engine. The device is used for flushing the cooling systems of water cooled outboard and inboard/outboard motorboat engines that draw cooling water through intakes in the engine housing beneath the surface of the water in which the boat is operating. The apparatus allows lubricant to be injected into the cooling system after the cooling system has been flushed with clean, fresh water to leave a coating of oil in the surfaces of the cooling system to prevent rust from forming on the surface. The apparatus consists of a U-shaped spring with two legs on which are slidably mounted two cup-shaped seal members constructed of elastomeric material. The seal members are positioned over the cooling intakes of the engine housing. One of the seal members has an opening through which clean fresh water is introduced and the other sealing member has an opening through which lubricant is introduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,703, which issued to Lorenzen on Jun. 13, 1995, describes an outboard motor flushing system. The apparatus is used for flushing a marine engine outboard propulsion unit and includes a pair of sealing elements for covering the cooling water inlets of a marine engine propulsion unit. A U-shaped sealing element retainer is provided with a pair of arms and has one of the sealing elements attached to each arm. An elongated hollow rigid pipe has a handle on one end and a metal rod on the other end. The metal rod has an attaching clamp for removably attaching the metal rod and hollow rigid pipe to the U-shaped retainer. The hollow rigid pipe has a water coupling on each end thereof and one of the couplings has a flexible tube attached thereto into one of the sealing elements for conveying water from the hollow tube to the sealing element and the cooling water inlets of an outboard motor. The coupling at the other end of the hollow rigid pipe is attached to a water hose. The handle end of the rigid pipe has a water control valve on the handle for controlling the flow of water and both the handle end and the metal rod end are removably attached to a pipe so that the pipe can be interchanged for different lengths.
As owners and operators of marine vessels know, it is beneficial to drain cooling water from an engine at certain times and to flush the internal compartments of the engine with fresh water at certain times. For example, it is necessary to drain residual water from an engine if it is expected that temperatures will fall below freezing levels. This draining is performed to avoid damage to the engine block and other engine components by freezing water, which expands. It is also advisable to periodically flush the internal passages of an engine that is used in seawater. Otherwise, residual minerals can adhere to the internal passages and surfaces of the engine and cause corrosion. Flushing is particularly helpful if the engine is used in saltwater or corrosive applications.
Any draining or flushing system should exhibit certain characteristics in order to be useful for these purposes. The system should be easy to use. This includes being convenient to activate and deactivate. In addition, a flushing system should be relatively inexpensive. Otherwise, many operators would opt to do without an expensive system and, as a result, long term damage to the engine may occur. It is also very important that a flushing system be effective. Many known types of flushing systems are known to those skilled in the art, but known systems are not always effective in achieving a total flushing of the internal passages of the engine. It is therefore very important to introduce the fresh water at the proper location of the engine and assure that it effectively flows through the passages in all of the critical regions of the engine. It would therefore be significantly beneficial if a means could be provided that is both simple and inexpensive, but highly effective in flushing the internal compartment of an internal combustion engine used in marine applications.

Flushing system for a marine propulsion engine


A process and system for upgrading firmware in a thin client in a network environment. The process may proceed on an automated basis during boot-up by using one or more FTP addresses stored in the thin client. Multiple FTP servers may be accessed. The same firmware upgrades may be stored on more than one FTP server. Different firmware upgrades may instead or in addition be stored on different FTP servers.

1. Field
This application relates to firmware, firmware upgrades, networks, thin clients and FTP servers.
2. Description of Related Art
Programming instructions and data are often stored in one or more memory devices for use by a computer processing system.
Some of this information is often stored in a non-volatile memory chip. Information stored in this manner is often referred to as "firmware."
One class of computers for which firmware is particularly important is thin clients. These computing devices typically lack a hard disk drive. Instead, much of the needed software is often stored locally as firmware. This firmware often includes the entire operating system and selected application programs, typically referred to as "add-ons." The firmware in a thin client is often in the 7-20 megabyte range.
There is often a need to modify the content of firmware. This is particularly true in connection with thin clients because of the large proportion of the software that typically is stored in the firmware. Changes may be needed, for example, to fix bugs, to incorporate enhancements, to change brands, to accommodate hardware changes, to add needed applications, and/or to remove unneeded applications.
To this end, the memory device(s) that contain the firmware are often configured to be updatable by the computer system in which they operate. Flash memory devices are often used for this purpose.
Updating firmware can be challenging, particularly when the size of the firmware is large, the needed changes are frequent, numerous stations must be upgraded, and/or when different stations have different upgrade needs.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) has been used in the past to remotely upgrade firmware from an administrator's station. However, this can be time-consuming, particularly when there are a large number of stations that must be frequently upgraded with different versions of the upgrades. It can also require remote administrator software on the server to distribute the firmware.
Another approach has been to provide each station with a firmware upgrade utility. The user typically loads the utility manually and supplies the address of an FTP server at which the firmware upgrade resides, along with other needed information (e.g., a user name and password for logging into the FTP server). This approach, however, often requires users that are careful, diligent and skilled with computers. In a large system, it can also place an undue load on the FTP server, causing delays or failures in the downloading of the firmware upgrade. If the FTP server is not functioning, moreover, the firmware cannot be upgrade.
An automated firmware upgrade process has also been used. Upon boot up, a firmware upgrade loader program is executed. The program typically sends out a request to a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server for information about the FTP server that is storing the firmware upgrade, such as its IP address, the path to the file, the user ID and a password. This approach, however, critically relies upon the presence and operation of the DHCP server. It can also suffer from many of the same problems as the approaches discussed above, including delays or failures caused by an overloaded or malfunctioning FTP server.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Firmware upgrade for thin clients using one or more servers


A housing structure including a manually engageable handle for enabling a user to portably operate the device and a nosepiece portion disposed forwardly thereof. Extending rearwardly from the nosepiece portion is a magazine assembly which together with the nosepiece define a drive track therebetween. A fastener driving element is slidably mounted in the drive track. Power operated means for moving the fastener driving element are provided within the drive track moving the fastener driving element through successive operative cycles each including a drive stroke in one direction and a return stroke in an opposite direction. The magazine assembly includes a fastener stick receiving feed track and means for biasing a stick of fasteners in the feed track to move a leading fastener of the stick into the drive track to be driven therefrom during the drive stroke of the fastener driving element into a workpiece. Means are provided for mounting the magazine assembly with respect to the housing structure in an operative position with respect to the nosepiece portion and for movement away from and toward the operative position. The magazine assembly is biased into the operative position which allows the magazine assembly to be moved through a first range of movement wherein resilient movement of the magazine assembly away from the nosepiece portion will take place during an unwanted fastener deformation to allow the deformed fastener to self clear after which the magazine assembly is returned to the operative position.

This invention relates to devices for driving fasteners and more particularly to devices of the type including means for resiliently biasing the magazine assembly towards the nosepiece into an operative position so that resilient movement of the magazine assembly away from the nosepiece will take place during an unwanted fastener deformation so as to allow the deformed fastener to self clear after which the magazine is returned to an operative position.
A common problem with all fastener driving devices is inevitable fastener jams which occur when a fastener is being driven from the device. These jams are the result of a fastener becoming deformed and getting stuck in the drive track. The possible causes of such jamming are well-known, numerous and unpreventable. For example, a knot or hard spot in the workpiece or a defective fastener might be the cause. The problem is particularly acute when long thin fasteners are used which are prone to bending when subjected to the force necessary to drive them into the workpiece. The use of power-driven tools further magnifies the problem because of the large forces generated. Additionally, the drive track components are subjected to undesirable deforming stresses resulting from such jams.
In the conventional tool, it is typically necessary to disassemble the tool in order to allow access to the drive track so that the deformed fastener can be removed. This is both inconvenient and time consuming and results in significant downtime for the tool.
More recently, various arrangements have been devised to facilitate such access. Typical of a first type of arrangement has been a nosepiece which pivots forwardly from the drive track. This pivoting action permits the drive track to be exposed and the deformed fastener to be removed. However, these pivoting nosepieces have proven difficult to open when jamming occurs and equally difficult to close due to the large forces required. Extraneous tools have been required to both open and close the nosepiece. Moreover, the nosepiece is larger when the pivoting mechanism is contained therein which can prevent the device from being moved closer to a workpiece if there is an obstruction in front of the device.
A second type of arrangement is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,165 to Howard. In this arrangement, the magazine opens automatically in response to the deformation of a fastener. This automatic release has the advantage of providing fast and convenient access to the drive track to remove fastener jams. The major difficulty encountered with such a device is that they are prone to frequent and undesired releases of the magazine in response to a fastener deformation. These openings reduce the operator's confidence in the tool and can result in the magazine assembly striking and damaging the workpiece.


An optical element driving apparatus includes a holder that holds a plurality of switchable optical elements for focusing light on a recording medium, a resiliently deformable supporting unit that supports the holder, a focusing driving unit that drives the holder in a direction of optical axes of the optical elements, and a tracking driving unit that drives the holder in a tracking direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axes. The switching of the optical elements is performed by moving the holder by means of the tracking driving unit, so as to select one of the optical elements that focuses light on the recording medium.

This invention relates to a driving apparatus for driving an optical element (such as an objective lens) used in a device for recording information on or reproducing information from an information recording medium, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder or the like.
Recently, an optical disk device adaptable to plural kinds of optical disks is being developed. In such an optical disk device, it is necessary to form a beam spot having a suitable shape for the kind of optical disk. Therefore, the optical disk device has a plurality of objective lenses, and is configured to switch the objective lenses in accordance with the kinds of optical disks. The switching of the objective lenses is performed by sliding an entire body of an objective lens driving apparatus (on which a plurality of the objective lenses are mounted) in a tracking direction. Such an apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-81947 (in particular, Pages 1 to 8 and FIG. 1 to 6).
However, in the above described conventional apparatus, when the switching of the objective lenses is performed, it is necessary to move relatively heavy weight components (such as a supporting rod and a fixing member) in the tracking direction, as well as light weight components such as objective lenses and a lens holder. Therefore, a large driving force is necessary, with the result that a large-scale apparatus is necessary.


A method of illuminating a target area and driving rotation a driven tool comprises coupling a light attachment assembly to an elongated extension member by placing a portion of the elongated extension member within a hollow portion of a sheath of the light attachment assembly. Activating a light source of the light attachment assembly. Positioning the driven tool within the target area while grasping the light attachment assembly. Driving rotation of both the driven tool and the elongated extension member while grasping the light attachment assembly when the driven tool is positioned within the target are such that the portion of the elongated extension member housed within the hollow portion of the sheath rotates relative to the light assembly.

Extension tools are used in various situations. For example, an extension tool may be used to couple a socket (or various other tools) with a driving mechanism (e.g. a ratchet, impact wrench, drill, etc.) such that the extension tool extends between the socket and the driving mechanism. An extension tool may allow the socket to reach and fit onto a nut or bolt located at a desired location such that the driving mechanism may rotate the socket (and the extension tool) to provide torque to the nut or bolt. An extension tool may allow an operator to access difficult-to-reach locations, such as a bolt or fastener housed within a recessed location having insufficient space to accommodate the driving mechanism. Extension tools may be interchangeable with a driving mechanism such that an operator may use a first extension tool and socket with the driving mechanism to reach a first desired location, then use a second extension tool and socket with the same driving mechanism to reach a second desired location. Various extension tools may have various dimensions compared to each other, such as length and cross-sectional area, in order to accommodate various situations in which the operator may encounter.
While various kinds of extension tools have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the technology may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present technology, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the technology; it being understood, however, that this technology is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

Adjustable light attachment for extension tool


A filter retainer for a vacuum cleaner includes a filter cage having several ribs. At the bottom of the filter cage is a lip which includes a plurality of notches. A cylindrical filter having open ends is slid over the filter cage. A cap is placed at the bottom of the filter in order to hold the filter to the filter cage. The cap has a pair of ramps which engage notches on the rim of the filter cage. As the cap is rotated, the cap is pushed towards the filter so that a lip on the cap engages a bottom of the filter.

Vacuum cleaners generally include a motor which drives an air impeller to create a low pressure area inside of a tank or other receptacle. The tank has an inlet through which dust and debris or liquid material enter into the tank, usually from a hose. When liquid is being suctioned into the tank, it is not generally necessary to have a filter between the tank and the air impeller. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,265, a foam cuff 30 fits over a filter cage 20 during wet operations. When the vacuum cleaner is used on dry materials, a paper or cloth filter is placed over the foam cuff and attached with a ring. The paper or cloth filter then minimizes the amount of particulate material which escapes from the tank and passes to the air impeller. Dust or debris in the air impeller is undesirable because it may interfere with the operation of the air impeller or motor, and the dust or debris may be exhausted back out into the room.
While cloth or flat paper filters may be satisfactory, it is often desirable to use a cylindrical pleated filter for some types of vacuuming. Cylindrical or cartridge filters have a large filtering surface area and may be made of a variety of filtering materials. It has therefore been known to use a cylindrical filter with an open top and a closed bottom which is inserted over a filter cage. The top of the filter may be made of a flexible material such as rubber so that when the filter is pushed over the filter cage, the flexible material deforms and frictionally holds the filter in place.
Other systems use cylindrical filters which are open at both ends. Such filters may fit over a filter cage having a closed bottom in order to prevent material from passing around the filter and into the air impeller. Other open-ended filters may use a retainer of some type which holds the filter in place and closes the open end of the filter.


Techniques for differential overbooking on a cloud database. These techniques may include determining a reservation amount of a multi-tenant resource for a first service of a based upon an overbooking characteristic of the first service, and determining that a total usage value of the multi-tenant resource by a plurality of services is greater than a threshold value. In addition, the techniques may include determining a service usage value of the multi-tenant resource by the first service, determining a first overage value of the first service based on the service usage value and the reservation amount, and performing a resource reclamation process over the multi-tenant resource based on the first overage value of the first service.

A cloud computing environment may provide one or more resources as a service to customers over a network. As an example, a database as a service (DaaS) may provide database functionalities via a cloud computing environment to allow customers to make relational queries over stored data. In some instances, a cloud computing environment may employ a shared set of resources to provide multiple services to the customers. But the cloud computing environment may encounter resource management conflicts when the services have different service level objectives (SLOs) and/or workload patterns. Further, separating the services may frustrate capacity planning, introduce scalability issues, and cause inefficient utilization of cloud resources.

Differential overbooking in a cloud computing environment


A high voltage generating circuit for a resistive memory apparatus is provided. The high voltage generating circuit includes a capacitor spaced from a semiconductor substrate and electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate. A switching device, which is electrically connected to the capacitor, is electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate.

1. Technical Field
The inventive concept relates to a voltage boosting circuit, and more particularly, to a high voltage generating circuit for a resistive memory apparatus.
2. Related Art
High voltage generating circuits are circuits configured to boost an input voltage to a desired level and output the boosted voltage.
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a related high voltage generating circuit.
First, when a first switch S1 and a third switch S3 are closed, a power voltage VDD having an input voltage level is charged in a capacitor CAP. Subsequently, when the first switches S1 and the third switch S3 are opened and a second switch S2 is closed, a value of VDD*C is charged and held in the capacitor CAP. Assuming that there is no an output load, an output voltage twice the input voltage VDD can be obtained.
In semiconductor integrated circuits, the high voltage generating circuit is generally formed using a MOS transistor and a MOS capacitor. Since the MOS devices are used in the high voltage generating circuit, a silicon substrate has no choice but to be used in fabricating the high voltage generating circuit. A gate oxide layer constituting the MOS transistor and the MOS capacitor has a low dielectric constant. Therefore, an occupied area of the general high voltage generating circuit is inevitably increased in proportional to the output level.
Resistive memory apparatuses, particularly, phase-change random access memory (PCRAM) apparatuses require a large amount of current to transit a crystalline state of a phase-change material and thus the voltage level required to operate memory cells in a chip has to be increased. The high voltage generating circuit required to operate PCRAM cells is formed in a peripheral circuit area and will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram of a related resistive memory apparatus, for example, a PCRAM device.
A semiconductor substrate 101 includes a cell area C and a peripheral circuit area P defined by a device isolation layer and memory cells 107 are formed in the cell area C. More specifically, a plurality of unit memory cells 107 are formed on an active region 105 of the cell area C and each unit memory cell 107 is electrically connected to a bit line 109 through a plug. The active region 105 is electrically connected to a word line 115 through a word line contact 111 and a dummy pattern 113. The reference numeral 103 designates a well region and the reference numeral 117 designates a global bit line.
The peripheral circuit area P may include a capacitor region Cap for high voltage generation, a transistor region Tr, and a logic circuit region Tr-L.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a capacitor and transistor formed in a high voltage generation regions Cap and Tr are a silicon substrate-based MOS device. However, a gate oxide layer of a MOS transistor has a very low dielectric constant and thus, a size of the MOS capacitor is inevitably increased with increase in an output voltage level.
In a recently developed PCRAM, an, area share of a reservoir capacitor in a chip is approximately 17.2% and an area share of the reservoir capacitor to the peripheral circuit area is approximately 34.7%. An area share of a high voltage generating circuit in the chip is approximately 8.4% and an area share of the high voltage generating circuit to the peripheral circuit area is approximately 16.9%. Therefore, an area of the peripheral circuit area, occupied by the reservoir capacitor and the high voltage generating circuit reaches 51.6%
The semiconductor devices have been highly integrated and miniaturized increasingly and thus it is necessary to reduce in an occupied area or a size of the peripheral circuit area.

High voltage generating circuit for resistive memory apparatus


A sequential feedback control system for an electronic ballast provides feedback control during soft start and dimming operations. The system includes a feedback control portion that generates a feedback signal responsive to the power consumption of the ballast and receives a control signal for controlling the power consumption of the ballast. A dimming controller generates a dimming signal responsive to a time signal, and a soft start controller generates a soft start signal responsive to the time signal. An adder generates the control signal by adding the feedback signal and the dimming signal. The dimming controller includes a first resistor for setting the steady state power level during dimming operations and a second resistor for setting the rate of change of the power level.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to feedback control systems for electronic ballasts and more particularly to a sequential feedback system which provides soft start and dimming control for an electronic ballast.
2. Description of the Related Art
Feedback control systems are used to control electronic ballasts because they provide effective control despite irregular characteristics of lamp loads, and because they are effective for reducing energy consumption and extending lamp life.
A sequential feedback control system that can implement soft start and dimming operations provides further benefits in terms of energy efficiency and extended lamp life. During a soft start operation, a lamp is driven at a reduced power level during a preheat cycle before the entering a discharge mode. This reduces the stress on the filament and extends the lifespan of the lamp. The power to the lamp is then increased until it enters a discharge mode. After a sufficient period during which the discharge is maintained, the power can be reduced during a dimming operation to adjust the brightness of the lamp commensurate with the ambient lighting conditions, thereby conserving power. A sequential control system employing feedback can adapt the power flow to the changing load conditions presented by a lamp as it is operated in the various modes.
A prior art feedback control system for an electronic ballast is shown in FIG. 1. An electronic ballast 12 drives a lamp 11 and generates a current consumption signal (ifb) which is indicative of the current consumed by the ballast. The current consumption signal (ifb) is multiplied with a direct link voltage signal (E) by multiplier 13 which generates a control current signal (imo) representative of the power consumption of the ballast 12. The direct link voltage signal (E) is converted into a direct link current signal (Ie) by a resistor (1/RL).
A resistance block (Rmo) converts the current signal into a voltage signal (Vmo) which is subtracted from a reference voltage signal (Vref) from a reference voltage generator 14 by an adder 15. The adder 15 generates an error signal (Verr) which is converted to an amplified current signal (Iin) by an error amplifier 16 having a transconductance (Gm). The amplified current signal (Iin) charges the capacitor (C) to generate an integrated voltage signal (Vin) which is changed into a integrated current signal (i1) by a voltage controlled current source (VCCS).
A second adder 18 subtracts the integrated current signal (i1) from the sum of the direct link current signal (Ie) and a standard current reference signal (Iref), thereby generating a composite current signal (it). The composite current signal (it) is used by an oscillator & output driver 19 to charge a capacitor (Ct) and generate a frequency signal (f1) which controls the power consumption of the electronic ballast (12).
Thus, the power input to the electronic ballast is controlled in a closed loop manner because the input power which is controlled by the frequency signal (f1) is proportioned to the current consumption signal (ifb).
Although the feedback control system of FIG. 1 is effective for maintaining the discharge of a lamp after it is initiated, it is difficult to adapt it to a sequential feedback control system that implements soft start and dimming functions.
Accordingly, a need remains for a feedback control system for an electronic ballast which overcomes the problems discussed above.

Sequential feedback control system for an electronic ballast


Heat exchange device adapted to extract or impart thermal energy from or to a body, which device comprises: a) a first plate assembly (1) comprising a substantially rigid first sheet member (4) having attached thereto a second sheet member (6) which is substantially congruent to the first member (4) and is formed with localised raised areas extending in either or both directions from the median plane of the second sheet member (6), the attachment around the periphery of the said sheet members (4, 6) being a sealing attachment so as to provide a sealed enclosure between the two sheet members (4, 6), the attachment within the plan area of the enclosure being intermittent and located at the point of contact of at least some of the raised areas of said second sheet member (6) with the opposed surface of said first sheet member (4), there being provided an inlet (20) for a heat exchange fluid to said enclosure and an outlet (21) for heat exchange fluid from said enclosure whereby heat exchange fluid can be caused to flow through said enclosure and cool or warm said first plate assembly (1); and b) a second plate assembly (2) of substantially the same construction and configuration as said first plate assembly (1) and positioned substantially parallel to said first plate assembly (1) with the second sheet members (6, 7) of the said plate assemblies (1, 2) being opposed to one another. Plate freezer which uses such a heat exchange device.

Many foodstuffs are heated, cooled, frozen or otherwise treated thermally by holding them in, or passing them through, the parallel gaps between adjacent horizontal plates of an horizontal plate heat exchanger, for example an horizontal plate freezer; or by holding the foodstuff in the vertical gap between adjacent vertical heat exchanger plates, for example of a vertical plate freezer. In the case of a horizontal plate freezer, the foodstuff can be loaded and unloaded manually or automatically and this form of freezer is of primary use in the treatment of discrete individual units of the foodstuff, for example containers of prepared meals and the like. In the vertical plate freezer, the foodstuff is usually loaded into the vertical chamber between adjacent plates manually and as a fluent mass of the foodstuff, for example as a slurry, as with a fruit juice or puree, or as a mass of small units of the foodstuff which are not kept discrete, as with a mass of loose fish or meat which is to form a frozen block. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of vertical heat exchange plates, notably a vertical plate freezer, although it can equally be applied to a horizontal plate freezer or other heat exchanger.
Heat exchange fluid flows through bores or conduits within the structure of the heat exchange plate to supply heat to or remove heat from the foodstuff. Such plates are usually large, typically ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 meters by from 1 to 4 meters and are made by extruding the plate from one or more blocks of solid metal. Initially, such plates were made from mild steel, but this was replaced by the use of aluminium as aluminium extrusion techniques became accepted in the metal fabrication industry.
However, despite the advantageous thermal properties of aluminium, its use gives rise to problems. Due to the ease with which aluminium forms a food-soluble oxide/hydroxide on its surface when left in contact with food for prolonged periods, care has to be taken during the use and cleaning of aluminium freezer plates between uses to minimizes the risk of such corrosion and contamination occurring. In some countries, for example the USA, the use of bare aluminium in contact with foodstuffs under conditions where contamination of the foodstuff could occur presents particular health problems. In some applications, for example in the canning of food or beverages, it is possible to apply a protective plastic or other coating to the exposed aluminium surface. However, where solids are being handled, as with blocks of foodstuff or meal portions in metallic containers, abrasion and erosion of surface coatings will occur, notably on load-bearing surfaces as present in a plate freezer. Such coatings are not therefore practical in such applications.
Stainless steel is corrosion resistant and finds widespread use in the food processing industry. Stainless steel cannot be cast or extruded and must therefore be machined or pressed where complex shapes are required. However, stainless steel is difficult to machine and its large scale use has been restricted to applications where the metal can be formed into the desired shape by pressing, for example in heat exchanger plates which are pressed out from sheet metal. It has been considered impractical and uneconomic to manufacture a freezer plate wholly from solid stainless steel.
It has been proposed to fabricate a freezer plate from a serpentine tube, which is to carry the heat exchange fluid, sandwiched between galvanised steel or stainless steel sheets. However, since the tube contacts the adjacent sheets along only a narrow line of contact, such plates give poor and uneven heat transfer from the tube to the sheet. This results in high energy input requirements to operate the plate freezer effectively, and in localised areas of excessive and/or insufficient freezing of the foodstuff in contact with the sheets. In general, such plate freezers have been superseded by the use of extruded aluminium plates which give more uniform freezing of the foodstuff and, due to the high thermal conductivity of aluminium as compared to steel or stainless steel, give greater heat efficiencies.
In an attempt to overcome the poor and uneven heat performance of such sandwich type plates, it has been proposed to fill the internal space in the plate between the tube and the sheets with a eutectic material. Whilst this aids heat transfer between the tube and the sheets and provides a more even thermal transfer over the surface of the sheets, such a system is not suitable for use in vertical plate freezers. In such freezers, the foodstuff is usually frozen as a solid block between the plates. Such a block readily adheres to the faces of the plates and cannot be removed. It is therefore necessary to pass a heating medium through the plate partially to melt the block of frozen material immediately adjacent to the plate surface. With a plate filled with a eutectic fluid, the thermal properties of the fluid prevent rapid heating and cooling of the sheets forming the external faces of the plate. Therefore, any re-heating of the cold plate will occur slowly and extensive partial thawing of the foodstuff block between the plates will occur, which is unacceptable.
Due to the problems of fabrication and thermal efficiency with stainless steel, and despite the problem of potential food contamination, aluminium continues to be used as the material from which plate freezers plates are manufactured. In those cases where unacceptable contamination problems could arise, it has been accepted in the food processing industry that alternative methods for freezing foodstuffs have to be used. Thus, the foodstuff is usually packed in individual closed containers, for example metal cans, and the contents of the containers are frozen by holding the containers in a cold store for several days, which is clearly inefficient and time consuming.
We have now devised a form of freezer plate construction which reduces the above problems.


The flexible electroluminescent capacitive sensor system contains an electroluminescent capacitive sensor, a capacitance meter, and an electroluminescence electronic drive. The capacitive sensor contains in order a first barrier layer, a first transparent electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a second electrode layer, a flexible, resilient dielectric layer, and an electrically conductive reference layer. The capacitance meter is electrically connected to the electrically conductive reference layer and either the second electrode layer or the first electrode layer. The electroluminescence electronic drive is electrically connected to the first transparent electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer has a first voltage, the second electrode layer has a second voltage, and the conductive reference layer has a third voltage. The first or second electrodes may be patterned to allow for multiple sensor regions integrated into a single sensor structure.

Sensors, as the term is used here, refer to systems that react to a change in the environment. Pressure sensors react to an applied force or pressure using a variety of physical principles. Optical sensors change their optical properties under applied force. Similarly, electrically resistive, or simply resistive, sensors have an electrical resistance that changes under applied force. Piezoresistive sensors measure the change in electrical resistance of a piezoresistive material as pressure is applied.
Capacitive sensors change capacitance. This can be in response to an applied force; it can also be in response to the proximity of an object with relatively large capacitance, such as a person. Capacitive sensors can be combined with measurements of electrical resistance, as described in related U.S. application Ser. No. 11/352,107 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,960; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/732,150 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,276,917; U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/732,680, 11/351,693 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,301,351, and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/351,735, incorporated herein by reference.
Lighting for a sensor (in a car dash board or piece of clothing, for example) can be advantageously aligned with a sensor; it is sometimes desirable to locate a sensor in close proximity to and/or under a light emitting device. Because the sensors and lighting devices are often separate components, the electrical addressing required to drive them both is often complicated and costly. In all cases, aligning a light emitting device with a separately constructed sensor involves extra material and other manufacturing costs owing to the required connections and alignment of the two.

Flexible electroluminescent capacitive sensor


There is disclosed a frequency synthesizer having an HF synthesizer for generating a first reference frequency signal having a variable frequency in a high-frequency band as a unit synthesizer, an LF synthesizer for generating a second reference frequency signal in a low-frequency band as another unit synthesizer, and an arithmetic circuit including a mixer for receiving the first and second reference frequency signals, a divider for receiving the second reference frequency signal, a mixer for receiving the first reference frequency signal and an output signal from the divider, a divider for receiving an output signal from the mixer, a divider for receiving an output signal from the mixer and capable of switching a division ratio, and a switch for switching and outputting output signals from the dividers, wherein an output signal of the switch is outputted as a first local signal, and an output signal from the divider is outputted as a second local signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a frequency synthesizer for generating signals having a plurality of desired frequencies, and also relates to a multi-band radio apparatus using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, mobile communication terminals are designed for the purpose of using in one communication system. Such a communication system may be a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) mobile phone system, a mobile phone system conforming to IS-95, or PHS (Personal Handy-phone System). It is quite usual that one mobile communication terminal complies with only-one standard among others of various communication systems existing in the world.
Recently, demand is raised to provide another mobile communication terminal to cope with rapid diversifications of the mobile communication systems. Such a terminal can solely control transmission/reception in response to multiple, different communication systems. For example, so-called "multi-mode terminal" used for both the PDC mobile phone system and the PHS has already been proposed.
In most cases, different mobile communication systems use different frequency bands; therefore, a multi-mode terminal to deal with them should be provided with a "multi-band radio function", i.e., a function of transmitting/receiving data within each of multiple frequency bands.
A direct conversion mode is known as an architecture suitable for realizing such a multi-band radio apparatus. In the apparatus using the direct conversion mode, received signals from an antenna are inputted to one of quadrature demodulators.
To the quadrature demodulator, a pair of local signals for receiver having phases different from each other by 90° are also inputted. They are generated by subjecting local signals output from a frequency synthesizer, to the phase shift by a π/2 phase shifter. Note that frequencies of the local signals are set with regard to frequencies of desired signals in the received signals.
Because the quadrature demodulator multiplies the received signals by the local signals, the desired signals are converted into baseband signals for an I (Inphase) channel and a Q (Quadrature phase) channel with a center frequency of 0 Hz, which are inputted to a baseband reception section for subsequent signal reproduction processing.
On the other hand, signals to be transmitted for the I channel and the Q channel generated by a baseband transmission section are inputted to the another quadrature modulator.
To a local input port of the quadrature modulator, local signals for transmitter having phases different from each other by 90°, which are generated by subjecting local signals output from the frequency synthesizer to the phase shift by the π/2 phase shifter are inputted.
Frequencies of the local signals are set to be equal to a transmission frequency. As this quadrature demodulator multiplies the transmission signals by the local signals, the frequencies of the transmission signals are converted into a predetermined transmission frequency.
The frequency synthesizer used in the multi-band radio apparatus must generate local signals in various frequency bands according to realization of the multi-band. Note that this requirement is not limited to the direct conversion mode.
Various modes such as GSM (global system mobile communication) using the 900 MHz band, DCS (digital cellular system) using the 1800 MHz band, PCS (personal communication services) using the 1900 MHz band, UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system) using the 2 GHz band are extensively utilized in the world. Development of a four-band radio apparatus supposed to be used in all of these frequency bands is desired.
When the frequency synthesizer to cope with such a four-band radio apparatus is realized in compliance with, for instance, the direct conversion mode, there can be considered a method for preparing respective unit synthesizers for: GSM transmission, GSM reception, DCS transmission, DCS reception, PCS transmission, PCS reception, UMTS transmission and UMTS reception by analogy with the method for constituting the frequency synthesizer in the two-band radio apparatus which can cope with both PDS and PHS.
Since the reception frequency band of PCS and the transmission frequency band of UMTS are nearly equal to each other, one synthesizer can function for the both modes. That is, except special cases, unit synthesizers whose number corresponds to a plurality of necessary frequency bands are basically prepared. Therefore, when a number of bands is increased, a number of the unit synthesizers is also proportionately increased, which results in vast hardware.
In preparing the unit synthesizers according to the respective frequency bands in order to realize the multi-band radio apparatus, multiple unit synthesizers are required when a number of bands is increased.
Therefore, the scale of hardware become larger, which leads to increase in size of the multi-mode terminal and the price and the power consumption.

Frequency synthesizer and multi-band radio apparatus using said frequency synthesizer


The invention relates to a composition for feed use containing a mixture of lyophilized live bacteria comprising at least two species of bacteria selected from Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium bifidum and at least two species of bacteria selected from Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus faecium and one or more oligosaccharides.

The present invention relates to a composition for feed use comprising lyophilized live probiotic bacteria, to the use of said composition as a supplement to foodstuffs, as well as to a kit comprising two containers respectively holding a foodstuff and said composition intended for being added to said foodstuff at the moment of being consumed.
It is known that some bacteria species are considered as "probiotic", in that they perform beneficial functions for the human organism when they are present in a live and viable form in the intestinal bacterial flora.
For example some probiotic bacteria, such as the lactic bacteria specific to yoghurt (that is Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) stimulate the immune system, produce antagonist effects against pathogenic microorganisms, improve lactose digestion, perform a lipolytic activity making fats more digestible, reduce plasmatic values of cholesterol, protect the intestinal mucosa ensuring an even assimilation of the nutritive substances, produce polysaccharides that are active on some tumors and reduce viability of some enzyme-producing microorganisms catalysing conversion of procarcinogen substances into carcinogen substances.
Other probiotic bacteria producing some of the above mentioned beneficial effects and/or contributing in a synergic manner to production of these effects and in addition producing other beneficial effects are Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus faecium.
For instance, Bifidobacteria, in addition to stimulating the immune system, reduce the amounts of ammonia and cholesterol in the blood, promote absorption of minerals and exert a competitive exclusion of pathogenic and putrefactive bacteria. In addition, Bifidobacteria are deemed to exert a preventive action against the colon cancer, in that these bacteria (and more particularly Bifidobacterium bifidum) reduce the activity of those enzymes that convert procarcinogen substances into carcinogen substances. The last-mentioned action is performed also by Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei.
Synthesis of B-group vitamins, folic acid and antioxidants, due to the action of some of the above mentioned probiotic bacteria, represents a further beneficial effect.
Only some of the above mentioned probiotic bacteria have an endogenic origin in the intestinal flora. Moreover, the intestinal bacterial flora can be reduced, become unbalanced or be eliminated not only in individuals that have been submitted to antibiotic treatments or other therapies, or suffering from inflammatory intestinal diseases, but also in apparently healthy individuals. In addition, it is for example known that concentration of Bifidobacteria in the intestines is reduced with age, which will give rise to an increase in the concentration of pathogenic and putrefactive bacteria.
It is therefore important that not only probiotic bacteria that do not have an endogenic origin should be introduced into the intestinal flora, but also that the presence of the different probiotic bacteria, in a live and viable form, should be ensured in the intestinal flora, which probiotic bacteria should have appropriate concentrations and respect suitable proportions between the different species so that they may exert synergic and balanced actions between each other, to advantage of the host's health.
Some pharmaceutical compositions containing probiotic bacteria have been proposed either to reduce imbalances in the intestinal flora or to prevent or treat some diseases. However, these pharmaceutical compositions, exactly due to the fact that they are pharmaceutical compositions, are only used occasionally and for short periods of time, and therefore do not solve the problem of increasing, supplementing and balancing the intestinal flora in a permanent and prolonged manner.
In the light of the above and taking into account the fact that in recent years there is on the part of consumers an increasing demand of foodstuffs that, in addition to having a nutritional value, also have a positive impact on health, the Applicant has identified a new problem.
More particularly, the Applicant has identified the problem of making the use of foodstuffs containing live probiotic bacteria more easily accessible to and frequent and usual with any consumers, either in good health or ill, for the purpose of increasing, supplementing and balancing the intestinal flora, which will bring about advantages in terms of everyday health and prevention of diseases.
In particular, the Applicant has identified the problem of putting on the feed market compositions containing mixtures of different live probiotic bacteria, which are capable of reaching the intestines in a live and viable form, settling in the bacterial flora and growing, thereby performing important beneficial actions for the human health.
Another problem taken into consideration by the Applicant is to formulate a composition comprising a mixture of probiotic bacteria that are selected, as regards species and proportions thereof, in such a manner as to perform their beneficial functions in a synergic manner.

Composition for feed use comprising lyophilized live lactic bacteria


The invention relates to an electronic device for a motor vehicle, for example a car radio, an onboard computer or a vehicle navigation device. According to the invention, a printed circuit board (5) is connected to a housing (1) of the device by predetermined breaking points (17). Actuating elements (8, 9) with operating parts (10, 11) are located on said printed circuit board, these operating parts protruding out from a front panel (2) of the housing (1). In the event that the operating parts (10, 11) are subjected to excessive forces, the predetermined breaking points (17) enable the printed circuit board (5) to detach from the housing (1) and move further into said housing (1), whereby the operating parts (10, 11) move into the housing (1) accordingly.

A problem encountered in devices of the aforementioned type is that the passengers of the vehicle can injure themselves on protruding control elements when, for example, their heads or knees collide with such a control element. For this reason, such control elements are often made of a soft plastic, which enables them to give way elastically when subjected to impacts. In the case of electric cigarette lighters, it is already known to dispose them in such a way that they do not protrude from the contour of a surface into which they are integrated when they are not in use. Only when the cigarette lighter is pressed into the contour of the surface is it ejected from the contour, together with a gripping component, so that it can then be gripped.
In the case of electronic devices, retractable control elements that only enter into a protruding active position for the purpose of use are not acceptable, particularly for cost reasons. Furthermore, a disadvantage of such displaceable control elements would be that they can only be operated after they have been actuated to protrude from the device through application of brief, axial pressure, which, particularly in the case of frequently used control elements, would be cumbersome and could result in their not being returned to their retracted position following use, for reasons of convenience, thereby eliminating their safety benefits. The risk of suffering an injury on such control elements during the operating phase would exist if this happened to coincide with an accident.


A support portion for attaching a horn main body to a solder tank is provided on the horn main body at a nodal point f2 and ultrasonic vibration from an external transducer is transmitted to solder in the solder tank through the horn main body.

1. Field of the Invention!
This invention relates to an ultrasonic vibration soldering apparatus for dipping a workpiece in solder by applying ultrasonic vibration to a solder solution heated and molten in a solder tank.
2. Description of the Prior Art!
There is known ultrasonic soldering that a workpiece is dipped in solder by applying ultrasonic vibration to solder heated and molten in a solder tank without coating a portion to be soldered of the workpiece with a flux.
In such ultrasonic soldering, an attempt is being made to apply ultrasonic vibration to the workpiece from an ultrasonic horn through the solder optimally by attaching the ultrasonic horn, a part for applying ultrasonic vibration to the solder, to the solder tank at a position below the surface of the solder in such a manner that it penetrates the wall of the solder tank and arranging the ultrasonic horn and the workpiece dipped in the molten solder to face each other. As the soldered area of the workpiece facing the ultrasonic horn expands, the ultrasonic vibration application area of the ultrasonic horn increases. Therefore, the vibration amplitude in the ultrasonic vibration application area becomes weaker and weaker as the distance of the transducer attached to the ultrasonic horn from the area increases and the solder is liable to be adhered to the workpiece to a nonuniform thickness.
As shown in FIG. 17, it has been known that the vibration amplitude state is improved by forming slots 1-10b, 1-10c, 1-10d and 1-10d in the horn main body 1-10a of an ultrasonic horn 1-10 used for bonding other than soldering and other processing making use of ultrasonic vibration. FIG. 17a is a plan view of the ultrasonic horn 1-10 which has a threaded hole 1-10f for connecting an unshown transducer or booster in the center of one end surface of the horn main body 1-10a and a plurality of slots 1-10b at an equal distance from the threaded hole 1-10f and on both right and left sides of the threaded hole 1-10f. FIGS. 17b to 17d are sectional views of variations of the slots, wherein FIG. 17b shows that a slot 1-10c is provided through the horn main body 1-10a, FIG. 17c shows that slots 1-10d are counter bored from the front and rear sides of the horn main body 1-10a and closed at an intermediate portion corresponding to the threaded hole 1-10f, and FIG. 17d shows that a slot 1-10e is counter bored from the rear side of the horn main body 1-10a and closed at the front side of the horn main body 1-10a.
When the ultrasonic horn 1-10 having the above common slots 1-10b, 1-10c, 1-10d or 1-10e shown in FIG. 17 is attached to the solder tank at a position below the surface of the solder in such a manner that it penetrates the wall of the solder tank, the solder molten inside the solder tank flows out to the outside through the slots 1-10b, 1-10c, 1-10d or 1-10e because the slots 1-10b, 1-10c, 1-10d or 1-10e communicate with both the inside and outside of the solder tank. Therefore, this constitution can be hardly employed.

Ultrasonic vibration soldering apparatus and resonator used therein


A carburetor for an internal combustion engine has an intake pipe having a throttle valve plate therein. An annular venturi tube is disposed upstream or downstream of the throttle valve plate inside the intake pipe. The annular venturi tube is located at a predetermined interval with the throttle valve plate. The annular venturi tube has a fine continuous annular slit or four or more annularly arranged fuel discharging pores so as to atomize the fuel thereat. Atomization is always carried out near a position where a fastest air moves so as to improve the atomization and a uniform air-fuel mixture, thereby improving an output, fuel consumption and exhaust gas emission of the internal combustion engine.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a carburetor for an internal combustion engine that generates air-fuel mixture for the internal combustion engine, and is particularly applicable to the internal combustion engine for an automobile, a motorcycle, a scooter, a snowmobile, a personal watercraft, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 42 shows structure of main parts of conventional carburetors for internal combustion engines. FIG. 42 is an explanatory drawing showing a structure in which a venturi portion is disposed upstream of a throttle valve.
In FIG. 42, a carburetor 1 of an internal combustion engine has a venturi portion 2. The venturi portion 2 is structured so as to squeeze an air breathed in the carburetor 1 and to increase a speed of the air. A fuel 5 of a liquid state is supplied to the carburetor 1. A fuel discharge nozzle 3 vaporizes the fuel 5 while the air 6 is breathed in the carburetor 1 so that the fuel is vaporized and discharged from the nozzle 3. Thus, a vaporized air-fuel mixture 8 of the fuel 7 and the air 6 is supplied.
In the fuel discharge nozzle 3 of the carburetor 1, the liquid fuel 5 is drawn out by the air accelerated at the venturi portion 2 due to a negative pressure generated by a piston action of the internal combustion engine. Then, the fuel is discharged from a leading end of the nozzle 3 as a vaporized fuel 7 in the form of a fine mist. A throttle valve 4 is disposed upstream or downstream of the venturi portion 2. The throttle valve 4 regulates a flow rate of the air 6 so as to control an output of the internal combustion engine.
That is, the air 6 induced into the carburetor 1 increases the flow velocity at the venturi portion 2 so as to atom the liquid fuel 5 from the fuel discharge nozzle 3. Consequently, the mist fuel 7 is mixed with the air 6 and discharged toward a downstream side of the venturi portion 2 in the form of air-fuel mixture 8.
As a result, if an opening of the throttle valve 4 is smaller, the velocity of the air flowing the venturi portion 2 becomes lower. Then, the fuel 7 discharged from the nozzle 3 becomes hard to be atomized, thereby possibly deteriorating an output and a fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine as well as an exhaust gas emission. Thus, it is important to atomize the fuel in order to improve the output and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine as well as the exhaust gas emission.
As a conventional art improving atomization of a discharged fuel of a fuel supplying device for an internal combustion engine, there are various techniques proposed. One example heats and vaporizes the fuel by a hot water or a PTC heater or the like. Another example atomizes the fuel by a pressurized air. Still another example atomizes the fuel by an ultrasonic vibration.
Among them, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 5-118252 and No. 10-196458 are known as conventional arts related to an improvement of atomization of a fuel in a carburetor system except a fuel injection system. No. 5-118252 shows a carburetor and No. 10-196458 shows a heating device for a carburetor.
In the Publication No. 5-118252, a straightening plate is provided from a position of a throttle valve of a manifold part toward a mixture discharge opening The plate serves to partition the manifold part into a needle valve hole side and a throttle valve hole side in a diameter direction. It prevents an air-fuel mixture from becoming turbulent, increases a fuel density of the mixture and provides a fixed flow of the mixture. However, this system cannot facilitate atomization sufficiently.
In the Publication No. 10-196458, the heating device for the carburetor has a hot water supplying conduit for supplying hot water to the carburetor and a hot water discharging conduit for discharging the hot water after heating the carburetor. The conduits are connected to the carburetor by a joint. A water receiving part is provided on an outer wall part diagonally ahead or diagonally behind a carburetor main body so as to correspond with an end position of a throttle valve in an approximately idling opened timing while making an opening direction approximately parallel to a valve shaft of the throttle valve. A carburetor side connecting port of the joint is liquid tightly inserted into an opening part of the water receiving part. Either the hot water supplying conduit or the hot water discharging conduit is connected to respective two piping side connecting ports of the joint A partitioning member is provided on the carburetor side connecting port of the joint. The partitioning member sections the inside of the carburetor side connecting port into a chamber communicated with the hot water supplying conduit and a chamber communicated with the hot water discharging conduit.
However, according to the above system, new and expensive parts need be added for better atomization of the fuel so as to improve the output and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine as well as the exhaust gas emission. Moreover, the structure becomes complicated. Thus, it has disadvantages in terms of costs. On the other hand, a variety of improvements are proposed for the fuel injection device of the internal combustion engine. However, such improvements could not be adopted in the carburetor that is generally cheaper than the fuel injection device.
As described above, it has been difficult to improve atomization of the fuel with a simple structure and improve maximum output and fuel consumption as well as exhaust gas emission in the internal combustion engine.
In the carburetor 1 for the internal combustion engine, there have been proposed various techniques for better atomization of the fuel in order to improve the output and fuel consumption and the exhaust gas emission in the internal combustion engine. However, the aforementioned carburetor 1 cannot atomize the fuel sufficiently or needs additionally the expensive parts to improve the atomization.
On the other hand, in each of opening angles of the throttle valve 4, the air generated from the leading end of the throttle valve 4 is accelerated. When the accelerated air impinges on the leading end of the fuel discharge nozzle at the venturi portion 2, the fuel becomes atomized. However, a position of the accelerated air changes according to the opening angles of the throttle valve 4 in the conventional carburetor 1. Thus, there has been a problem that, if the air accelerated by the throttle valve 4 deviates from the leading end position of the fuel discharge nozzle 3, the fuel is hard to be atomized.

Carburetor for internal combustion engine


An improved fastener having a non-circular head with a concave recess providing a datum useful in centering the head relative to a non-circular socket of a driving member is disclosed. The recess may have a frusto-conical wall defining an upper, circular edge or substantially triangular walls defining an upper, non-circular edge. An improved tool useful to drive the improved fastener is also disclosed. In the improved tool, a driving member has a tubular extension with a non-circular socket, and a centering pin is axially movable toward and extended position, in which a convex end of the centering pin fits into the concave recess of the screw head when the socket of the tool extension is axially fitted over the fastener head. The centering pin is biased toward the extended position.

So-called stand-up screw guns, which are powered by means of trigger-actuated, electric motors, are exemplified in Murray U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,191, Dewey U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,555, and Dewey U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,412 and are available commercially from ITW-Buildex (a unit of Illinois Tool Works Inc.) of Itasca, Ill., under its AUTOTRAXX trademark.
Typically, stand-up screw guns employ driving members with driving tips, such as, for example, driving tips adapted to drive Phillips-head screws. Fastener-driving tools of other types, which may be powered by means of electric motors or by means of pneumatic motors, employ driving members with driving sockets, which fit axially over conforming heads of the fasteners, such as, for example, screws or bolts. Typically, the sockets and fastener heads are non-circular or polygonal when viewed axially. Commonly, the sockets and fastener heads are hexagonal when viewed axially.
Often, it is difficult for a user to center the non-circular socket of such a tool and the non-circular head of such a fastener, particularly if a stand-up screw gun is used. Although a bolt or machine screw can be manually started by means of rotating the same several turns into a prethreaded hole performed within a workpiece, it is difficult for a user to stabilize a screw having a non-circular head and having a drilling or tapping tip before the screw has been driven several turns into a workpiece. Centering of the non-circular socket of a fastener-driving tool and the non-circular head of such a screw can therefore be especially difficult for a user to achieve.
If the non-circular socket of such a fastener-driving tool and the non-circular head of such a fastener are not centered relative to each other, it is possible for the fastener, the workpiece, or both to be damaged if an attempt is made to drive the fastener into the workpiece by means of the fastener-driving tool. The non-circular socket may also be damaged.
Therefore, there has been a need, to which this invention is addressed, for an improved mechanism to center the non-circular socket of such a fastener-driving tool and the non-circular head of such a fastener relative to each other.

Fastener having recessed, non-circular head, and fastener-driving tool


A pressure sensor can be implemented on a network device to minimize vertical positioning errors of the network device in an indoor environment. A reference altitude and a reference pressure associated with an access point in the indoor environment are received at the network device via a communication network. A pressure is determined at the network device in the indoor environment. An altitude of the network device associated with the pressure at the network device in the indoor environment is calculated based, at least in part, on the pressure at the network device, the reference pressure, and the reference altitude. A position of the network device in the indoor environment is determined based, at least in part, on the altitude of the navigation device and location information received from at least the access point.

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate to the field of navigation systems and, more particularly, to indoor positioning using pressure sensors.
Positioning systems typically receive a set of signals (e.g., navigation signals from satellites in the case of satellite-based positioning systems, radio signals from access points in the case of Wi-Fi based positioning systems, etc.) and determine a user's position. The positioning systems can analyze the received signals and determine timing information associated with the received signals to determine the user's position. Various techniques based on time of arrival, time difference of arrival, trilateration, triangulation can be used to determine the user's position.

Indoor positioning using pressure sensors


Testing packaged integrated circuit (IC) devices is difficult and time consuming. When multiple devices (dies) are packaged to produce a SiP (system in package) the devices should be tested for defects that may be introduced during the packaging process. With limited access to the inputs and outputs of the devices, test times increase compared with testing the devices before they are packaged. A CoWoS (chip on wafer on substrate) SiP includes a logic device and a memory device and has interfaces between the logic device and memory device that cannot be directly accessed at a package ball. Test programs are concurrently executed by the logic device and the memory device to reduce testing time. Each memory device includes a BIST (built-in self-test) module that is initialized and executes the memory test program while the one or more modules within the logic device are tested.

Testing packaged integrated circuit (IC) devices is difficult and time consuming. When multiple devices (dies) are packaged to produce a SiP (system in package) the devices should be tested for defects that may be introduced during the packaging process. With limited access to the inputs and outputs of the devices, test times increase compared with testing the devices before they are packaged. A CoWoS (chip on wafer on substrate) SiP includes a logic device and a memory device and has interfaces between the logic device and memory device that are routed within an interposer and/or Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). One technical challenge is that the interfaces cannot be directly accessed at a package ball making testing of the devices more difficult. Thus, there is a need for addressing these issues and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

Concurrent testing of a logic device and a memory device within a system package


A lubrication system for supplying lubricant to a plurality of antifriction bearings, and which has a lubricant supply tank and a closed circuit lubricant supply line having two ends which communicate with the tank. A pump circulates the lubricant through the line, and a pressure regulating valve in the downstream end portion of the line maintains a desired pressure in the line. A plurality of tap lines lead from the closed circuit supply line to respective bearings via a metering or controllable valve.

The present invention relates to antifriction bearings having a lubricant supply system wherein one of the bearing rings is provided with a lubricant supply duct. Antifriction bearings of this type are known from "Konstruktion von Spindel-Lager-Systemen fur die Hochgeschwindigceits-Materialbearbeitung," Manfred Weck et al., expert Verlag, Ehningen.
In these antifriction bearings, a cleaning of the antifriction bearing by flushing occurs along with the lubricant supply. As a result, there is always more lubricant supplied into the antifriction bearing than needed. It is therefore necessary to remove and discharge the excessive lubricant. Also, additional work energy must be applied to compensate for "splash" work loss, and also an additional heating of the bearing occurs as a consequence of the splash work, as well as a wear of lubricant. EP 350 734 also discloses devices for supplying a lubricant to antifriction bearings. In these antifriction bearings, the lubricant is supplied through conduits, or nozzles, through which the lubricant mixed with an air current is blown into the bearing.
A disadvantage of this embodiment is that besides the supply of lubricant to the point of lubrication, the environment is contaminated by the lubricant. Moreover, this type of construction causes a relatively high lubricant consumption, since besides the lubricant required for the actual point of lubrication, it is also necessary to consider the loss of lubricant which is blown into the environment.
While the selection of a relatively highly viscous lubricant allows these losses to be relatively low, they cannot be entirely avoided. On the other hand, highly viscous lubricants for certain applications, interfere with the easy motion of a bearing, as is required in particular for godets for yarns, which rotate at a very high speed and substantially free of resistance. In particular in the case of godets, the contamination of the environment by oil mist is of relevant importance, since it is absolutely necessary to prevent the product from being soiled.
It is also known to provide such antifriction bearings with a permanent filling or lubrication, the bearing in this instance being hermetically sealed by means of washers arranged on both sides of the rolling element.
Prerequisite for such a permanent lubrication are correspondingly pasty, or highly viscous lubricants, so as to ensure a long-term sealing of the antifriction bearing. However, this in turn has the disadvantage that the viscosity of the lubricant is highly dependent on the temperature of is the bearing.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to further develop the supply of lubricant to antifriction bearings, so as to ensure with a low lubricant throughput an effective and substantially lossfree lubrication of the antifriction bearing.

System for supplying lubricant to a plurality of bearings