A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a moving or stationary surface includes a main body portion and a probe head with thermocouple element, the probe head coupled to the main body portion such that the probe head reciprocates relative to the main body portion in a pulsed manner.

The accurate measurement of temperature is an important aspect of a metal rolling process. The surface temperature of the metal as it is being rolled, and the surface temperature of the rollers, are important parameters in the rolling process. For some metals in particular, such as aluminum, maintaining the surface temperature within a well-defined range is a very important requirement if high quality aluminum is to be produced. If the desired temperature control is not met, the quality of the resulting aluminum will be lower.
Controlling the temperature assumes however that the temperature can be reliably measured, and in the context of an aluminum rolling process this is difficult to achieve. The ambient conditions, including a very damp atmosphere owing to the presence of large amounts of lubricating fluid, provide an environment in which the accurate and reliable measurement of temperature is difficult to achieve.
A number of known techniques have been used in an attempt to measure surface temperatures in processes such as metal rolling with varying degrees of success.
Infrared pyrometry techniques are well-known and popular methods for measuring surface temperature and have the advantage of being non-contact. They do however have a number of disadvantages, especially in the context of measuring the surface temperature of a metal such as aluminum during a rolling process. Firstly, for example, pyrometric techniques depend on the emissivity of the surface. This is a particular problem for measuring the surface temperature of a metal such as aluminum which is reflective and has a low emissivity. Pyrometry can also be disturbed by the presence of particles in the light path, such as dirt, dust and water vapor. These problems can be particularly severe in an aluminum rolling mill. Attempts to solve this problem include the use of multi-wavelength radiation detectors with an air stream to minimize clogging of the lens system by dust particles, and by using a fiber optic cable to bring the optical system closer to the surface. However, when the target surface is covered with lubricants, even multi-wavelength radiation detectors cannot measure the true surface temperature because they measure the temperature of the lubricants rather than the metal surface. Blowing the surface with an airstream to clear the lubricants will artificially cool the surface. Furthermore these solutions increase further the cost of what is already an expensive measurement technique.
A further disadvantage to pyrometric techniques is that the measurement error increases with increasing wavelength of the radiation used for the measurement. Ideally therefore the shortest possible wavelength should be chosen. However, at comparatively low temperatures (e.g., below about 300° C.) the intensity of the radiation becomes very low or even close to zero at short wavelengths. Thus pyrometry is a technique best suited to relatively high temperatures, but in an aluminum rolling process it is often necessary to control temperatures that are below 300° C.
While pyrometry has the advantage of being a non-contact measurement technique, small gap measurement techniques using thermocouples have also been used. These methods involve the use of a thermocouple positioned in very close proximity to the surface. Commercial instruments, such as, the CO 15 series thermocouple provided by CHINO of Tokyo, Japan, are available and such instruments are designed for the measurement of the surface temperature of moving objects such as rollers and moving sheets. The thermocouple has a built-in automatic correction circuit for the difference between the surrounding air and actual temperature of an object. No emissivity compensation to the object surface is necessary. The measurement ranges from 1 mm to 6 mm depending on the model.
However, temperature measurement using the small gap method depends critically on maintaining a constant air gap between the sensor and the surface. Thermal expansion, eccentricities of the rollers and other variables often affect the width of the gap and culminate in significant errors. Moreover, the result is also seriously affected by the presence of lubricant film, water vapor and turbulent air, all of which may be common in aluminum rolling mills.
Also known in the art are numerous methods that require a temperature measuring probe to contact the surface the temperature of which is to be measured. The most common type consists of a thermocouple strip with the hot junction located at the middle of the strip. The strip is designed to be pressed onto the target surface for thermal contact. Pressure on the strip is limited by a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) (for example, DuPont's TEFLON® brand polytetraflouroethylene) or stainless steel rollers or guides attached to the measuring head of the probe. Another known method, for example, includes a spring loaded thermocouple tip welded onto a copper disc for thermal contact.
Commercially available contact surface probes usually have measurement errors of 5 to 20° C. depending on factors such as local surface flatness and the extent of matching between the thermal contact surfaces. Contact measurement on stationary surfaces always give errors that are lower than the true value because of the temperature drop across the contact interface. The error limits become wider on moving surfaces due to factors such as frictional heat and variations in surface contact conditions etc.
Another disadvantage of such prior art devices is that commercial surface contact probes tend to produce a mark or groove on soft metal surfaces such as aluminum. Dirt and other particles may also accumulate at the contact probe resulting in unsightly marks on the metal surface. On rollers these probes also tend to disturb the loosely adhered aluminum oxide on the surface, which could have undesirable effects on the appearance of the sheet product.

Apparatus and method for temperature measurement


In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an adaptive electronic camouflage platform comprising electronic paper panels conformed to the exterior surface of the vehicle; one or more cameras for sampling images of the local environment surrounding the platform; and a processor for analyzing the sampled images, generating synthesized camouflage patterns corresponding to the sampled images and controlling the display of the synthesized camouflage patterns on the electronic paper panels.

Current methods of camouflaging involve painting a robot or sensor with proper colors and geometric shapes, using camouflaging nets, or a combination of both. The disadvantage is that the painted colors and geometric shapes are fixed and only appropriate in a small number of environments that contain similar colors and shapes. Nets also suffer from the same problem, are cumbersome to apply, and make it difficult or impossible to operate or use the robot or sensor.

The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Diamond cutting tools such as a diamond core drill and a disk-shaped diamond saw which are used to grind and cut hard articles in order to bore or cut hard articles. The diamond cutting tools comprise a tool body and a diamond blade portion attached to an outer end of the tool body. The diamond blade portion has a plurality of outer cuts formed at an outer end thereof and a plurality of inner slots formed under and between the outer cuts and higher than the bottoms of outer cuts by a certain depth. The diamond cutting tools can carry out effectively boring or cutting work until the expensive diamond blade portion is completely worn away.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to diamond cutting tools, and more particularly to diamond cutting tools such as a diamond core drill and a disk-shaped diamond saw which are used to grind and cut hard articles in order to bore concrete walls to repair concrete buildings etc., or cut hard articles such as testing samples and metallic workpiece, and which are improved in structures of diamond blade portions, which are made by pressing and heating metal and diamond powders, positioned at outer edge of the diamond cutting tools so as to improve machinability and lengthen working life of the cutting tools.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown a known diamond core drill. The diamond core drill comprises a cup-shaped tool body 10A, an annular diamond blade portion 20A fixedly attached to the upper circumferential edge of the cup-shaped tool body 10A, and a shaft 11 formed the center of lower surface of the cup-shaped tool body 10A which is to be coupled to a power transmission shaft (not shown).
The annular diamond blade portion 20A is formed at an upper half part thereof with a plurality of cuts 21A which are circumferentially spaced from each other at certain intervals. Therefore, the cuts 21A formed at the diamond blade portion 20A cause chips from workpieces to be discharged therethrough and prevent slippage of the diamond blade portion 20A on workpieces, thereby improving machinability of the diamond core drill.
However, since the diamond core drill has the cuts 21A which are formed to only about middle depth of the annular diamond blade portion 20A in order to prevent failure thereof due to friction with workpieces of hard material, the diamond blade portion 20A has a flat cutting surface after the annular diamond blade portion 20A has worn away to a depth corresponding to the bottom of the cuts 21A. Therefore, machinability of the diamond core drill is remarkably decreased after the diamond blade portion 20A is worn away to the bottom of the cuts 21A, thereby causing working life thereof to be shortened.
On the other hand, referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown a known disk-shaped diamond saw. The disk-shaped diamond saw comprises a disk 10B and an annular diamond blade portion 20B attached to the outer circumferential edge of the disk 10B. As similar to the diamond core tool shown in FIG. 1A, the diamond saw is provided at the circumferential margin thereof with a plurality of radial slits 21B. The slits 21B are circumferentially spaced from each other at certain intervals each of which extends into the disk 10B from the periphery of the diamond blade portion 20B.
The diamond saw has somewhat machinability as result of being formed with the slits 21B. However, the slits 21B are not intended to improve machinability of the diamond saw but mainly intended to provide to the diamond saw with strength and elasticity to resist bending moment vertical to the surface of diamond saw during cutting work. In addition, the diamond saw is constructed such that the slits 21B are spaced from each other at large intervals so that the diamond blade portion 20B slips on workpieces during cutting work, thereby causing its machinability to be decreased.


An aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes having excellent tube expansion formability by bulge forming at the tube end and superior corrosion resistance, which is suitably used for a tube connecting an automotive radiator and heater, or for a tube connecting an evaporator, condenser, and compressor. The aluminum alloy piping material is an annealed material of an aluminum alloy containing 0.3 to 1.5% of Mn, 0.20% or less of Cu, 0.10 to 0.20% of Ti, more than 0.20% but 0.60% or less of Fe, and 0.50% or less of Si with the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities, wherein the aluminum alloy piping material has an average crystal grain size of 100 μm or less, and Ti-based compounds having a grain size (circle equivalent diameter, hereinafter the same) of 10 μm or more do not exist as an aggregate of two or more serial compounds in a single crystal grain.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes having an excellent corrosion resistance and formability that can be suitably used for a tube connecting an automotive radiator and heater, or for a tube connecting an evaporator, condenser, and compressor, and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of Background Art
A pipe used for connecting an automotive radiator and heater or connecting an evaporator, condenser, and compressor is usually expanded at the tube end by bulge forming and connected with a radiator, heater, evaporator, condenser, or compressor. A tube connected with a radiator or the like is connected with a rubber hose and fastened by a metal band. Conventionally, a single pipe made of an Al—Mn alloy such as AA3003 alloy or a two-layer or three-layer clad pipe in which an Al—Mn alloy as a core material is clad with a sacrificial anode material made of an Al—Zn alloy such as AA7072 alloy is used as a piping material.
A piping material made of an Al—Mn alloy tends to develop pitting corrosion or intergranular corrosion when used under severe conditions. When such a piping material is connected with a rubber hose, crevice corrosion occurs underneath the rubber hose, i.e. on the outer surface of the piping material. Occurrence of pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion can be prevented by using a clad pipe. However, such a measure has the drawback of bringing about a substantial cost increase.
As a solution for the above-described problems, there has been proposed a piping material in which Cu and Ti are added to an Al—Mn alloy, while limiting the Fe and Si content to specific ranges so that the alloy has improved crevice corrosion resistance (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 4-285139). This piping material demonstrated satisfactory characteristics under various use conditions. However, this piping material occasionally suffered from insufficient formability in bulge forming of the tube end, or encountered a problem relating to corrosion resistance when exposed to a severe corrosive environment.
The present inventors have, in the course of research to elucidate the problems of insufficient formability and corrosion resistance exhibited by the above Al—Mn alloy piping materials, found that the reduced corrosion resistance is caused by microgalvanic_corrosion_occurring_between the alloy matrix_and various intermetallic compounds existing in the matrix, and also that the dispersion condition of intermetallic compounds affects the formability of the tube end. Based on the above findings, the present inventors have proposed an aluminum alloy as a piping material having excellent corrosion resistance and formability, such an aluminum alloy comprising, in mass percent, 0.3 to 1.5% of Mn, 0.20% or less of Cu, 0.06 to 0.30% of Ti, 0.01 to 0.20% of Fe, and 0.01 to 0.20% of Si with the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities, characterized in that, of the Si-based compounds, Fe-based compounds, and Mnbased compounds existing in the matrix, the number of compounds having a diameter of 0.5 μm or more is 2×104 or less per square millimeter (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-180171).
However, the aluminum alloy piping material described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-180171 still produces occasional cracking at the tube end when the tube end is expanded by bulge forming in actual applications. Therefore, the present inventors have conducted further experiments and studies in an attempt to resolve such problems, and have found that cracking at the tube end is ascribable to an aggregate of Ti-based compounds formed in the alloy matrix and acting as a starting point of the cracks.
The present invention has been made based on the above findings, and an object of the invention is to provide an aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes having better formability than the material offered in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-180171 as well as superior corrosion resistance under a severe corrosive environment, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes having excellent corrosion resistance and formability, and method of manufacturing same


A system and method for time-multiplexing the display of a plurality of electronic documents are provided. Time-multiplexing criteria for displaying a plurality of selected documents associated with a concept on a time-multiplexed basis is determined. The plurality of selected documents are caused to be displayed at an output device in a predetermined sequence according to the time-multiplexing criteria. The time-multiplexing criteria may be a variety of criteria related to the selected documents, the source of the selected documents, or other factors such as a relevance to a concept and one or more preferences associated with the selected documents.

Advertisers and other providers of content on the Internet compete for a user's attention on a webpage. While users typically select and view a webpage for its primary content such as a text-based news article located in central area of the page, the remaining real estate of a webpage offers advertisers and other content providers an opportunity to display advertisements and other content to a user. However, to avoid cluttering a webpage with numerous advertisements that might annoy users, website providers typically limit the number of advertisements on a single page as well as the amount of space on the page that may be occupied by advertisements and other unsolicited content. For instance, a single banner ad may scroll across the top of a typical webpage while two or three narrower block advertisements, links, and other content may be displayed unobtrusively on the far left or right sides of the page.
Larger ad spaces at the top of a page typically command a higher price from advertisers due to their increased likelihood of attracting the user's attention and communicating an advertiser's message. Content providers have begun providing multiple advertisements at the top of a page (and in other discrete locations) in a time-multiplexed fashion. Just as a rotating billboard can rotate continually between two or more advertisements, a single ad space of a webpage can rotate between multiple ads. For instance, a single banner ad on one page may rotate every five seconds between an ad for a razor and an ad for a new soft drink. In some cases a single ad space may earn more revenue from two advertisers who time-share the space than it would from a single advertiser who does not time-share the space.
However, traditional systems rotate such time-multiplexed advertisements in a random or otherwise arbitrary order and provide equal time for each ad.
These and other drawbacks exist with current systems and methods.

Time-multiplexing documents based on preferences or relatedness


The present invention relates to a process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the methane or ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 or C3 and heavier components in which process the feed gas is treated in one or more heat exchange, and expansion steps; partly condensed feed gas is directed into a separator wherein a first residue vapor is separated from a C2 or C3-containing liquid; and C2 or C3-containing liquids, at substantially the pressure of separation, are directed into a distillation column wherein said liquid is separated into a second residue is separated to recover a C2 or C3-containing product. The foregoing process is improved by cooling said second residue to partially condense it.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the improved recovery of C2 or C3 and heavier components from hydrocarbon gases.
In conventional processes for extracting ethane or propane and heavier components from hydrocarbon gases, the C2 and/or C3 bearing gases are treated by a combination of expansion (or compression followed by expansion) heat exchange and refrigeration to obtain a partially condensed stream which is collected in a feed separator having a pressure typically in the order of 50 to 1200 psia and a temperature in the order of −50° to −200° F. These conditions of course can vary substantially, depending on the pressure and temperature conditions necessary to achieve partial condensation for a particular gas, and the pressure and temperature at which the feed is available to the process. The liquid resulting from partial condensation is supplied to a fractionation column called a heavy ends fractionation column (HEFC) as a mid-column feed while the vapor from the feed separator is further cooled via heat exchange, expansion or other means and then enters a light ends fractionation column (LEFC) as a feed. The overhead stream from the LEFC is used to generate reflux by partially condensing the overhead vapors from the HEFC through appropriate heat exchange means. In a typical system the HEFC column will operate at a pressure less than or substantially equal to that of the HEFC feed separator (possibly allowing for a small pressure drop as the partially condensed liquid passes from the separator to the HEFC) and the HEFC overhead vapors leave at a temperature in the order of 0° to −170° F. The heat exchange of these overhead vapors against the residue vapors from the LEFC provides partial condensate which is used as a reflux to the LEFC.
Pre-cooling of the gas before it is expanded to the LEFC pressure will commonly result in formation of a high-pressure condensate. To avoid damage to the expander, the high pressure condensate, if it forms, is usually separated, separately expanded through a Joule-Thomson valve and used as a further feed to the mid-portion of the HEFC column. Refrigeration in such a process is sometimes entirely generated by work expansion of the vapors remaining after partial condensation of the high pressure gas to the column operating pressure. Other processes may include external refrigeration of the high pressure gases to provide some of the required cooling.
When processing natural gas, feed is typically available at line pressure, of 600-1000 psia. In such case expansion to a pressure in the order of 150-300 psia is common. In an alternate process, facilities may be designed to extract ethane or ethylene or propane or propylene from refinery gases. Refinery gases commonly are available a pressure of 150 psia-250 psia. In this case, at the convenience of the process designer, the LEFC may be designed to operate at a pressure below the pressure of the refinery gas which is available, i.e., perhaps 50-100 psia, so that work expansion can be used to supply refrigeration to the process. This will result in lower LEFC temperatures and will increase potential heat leakage and other engineering problems associated with cryogenic temperatures. It is also possible in this case to compress the refinery gas to a higher pressure so that it may be thereafter expanded in a work-expansion machine to afford refrigeration to the overall process.
A typical flow plan of a process for separating C3 and heavier hydrocarbons from a gas stream is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,249 to Jerry G. Gulsby.

Methods for separating hydrocarbon gases


Provided is a secondary battery comprising a positive electrode active material represented by the following Chemical Formula 1,Li{LiaMnxM1-a-x-yM′y}O2  [Chemical Formula 1]                where 0<a≦0.2, x>(1−a)/2, and 0<y<0.2(1−a), and M is simultaneously applied by any one element or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of group 3 and 4 elements, and M′ is a metal having an ion diameter of 70 pm or more with an oxidation number of 4 as well as a six-coordinate octahedral structure (specifically, any one element or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and iron (Fe) are simultaneously applied). According to the present invention, a high capacity lithium secondary battery having improved safety and processability may be provided.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material having improved safety and lifetime characteristics and a secondary battery comprising the same.
Description of the Related Art
Recently, in line with growing concerns about environmental issues, a significant amount of research into electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles capable of replacing vehicles using fossil fuels such as gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles, one of major causes of air pollution, has been conducted. Although nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries have been mainly used as a power source of the electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, research into using lithium secondary batteries having high energy density and discharge voltage as well as long cycle lifetime and low self-discharge rate has been actively conducted and some of the research are in a commercialization stage.
A carbon material is mainly used as a negative electrode active material of the lithium secondary batteries and the use of lithium or a sulfur compound is also considered. Also, lithium-containing cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) is mainly used as a positive electrode active material and in addition, the use of lithium-containing manganese oxides, such as LiMnO2 having a layered crystal structure or LiMn2O4 having a spinel crystal structure, and lithium-containing nickel oxide (LiNiO2) is also considered.
LiCoO2 among the positive electrode active materials is most widely used due to its excellent lifetime characteristics and charge-discharge efficiency. However, LiCoO2 has limitations in massively being used as a power source for an industrial sector such as electric vehicles, because structural stability thereof may decrease and price competitiveness may be limited due to its high price according to the resource limitation of cobalt used as a raw material.
A LiNiO2-based positive electrode active material is relative inexpensive and exhibits battery characteristics having high discharge capacity. However, rapid phase transition of its crystal structure may occur according to volume changes accompanied by a charge and discharge cycle, and stability may rapidly decrease when being exposed to air and moisture.
In contrast, since lithium manganese oxide has advantages in that resource thereof as a raw material is abundant and environmentally friendly manganese is used, lithium manganese oxide attracts great interests as a positive electrode active material capable of replacing LiCoO2. In particular, spinel-structured lithium-containing manganese oxide has advantages in that thermal stability may be excellent, the price may be low, and synthesis may be facilitated. However, the spinel-structured lithium-containing manganese oxide has disadvantages in that capacity may be low, lifetime characteristics may be decreased due to a side reaction, and cycle characteristics and high-temperature storage characteristics may be poor.
As a result, layer-structured lithium-containing manganese oxide is suggested in order to compensate for the low capacity of spinel and secure excellent thermal safety of manganese-based active materials. In particular, layer-structured xLi2MnO3(1−x)LiMO2 (0<x<1, M=Co, Ni, Mn, etc.) having a content of manganese (Mn) greater than those of other transition metal(s) has disadvantages in that initial irreversible capacity thereof may be relatively high. However, since relatively high capacity may be manifested during initial charge at a high voltage, layer-structured xLi2MnO3(1−x)LiMO2 becomes a subject of active research as a positive electrode active material.
In the case that charging is performed at a relatively high voltage of 4.5 V (specifically, 4.4 V or more) based on an initial positive electrode potential, the lithium-containing manganese oxide exhibits high capacity reaching about 250 mAh/g as well as an excessive amount of gas, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, being generated, while exhibiting a plateau potential range of 4.4 V to 4.8 V.
The plateau potential range and the generation of gas in characteristic features relating to structural changes in the material may also continuously occur in a subsequent cycle in the case that the plateau potential range and the generation of gas do not sufficiently occur during initial charge, i.e., a formation process.
Therefore, in order to obtain such a high capacity as above by using the layer-structured xLi2MnO3(1−x)LiMO2 as a positive electrode active material, it may be essential to sufficiently perform a formation process at a voltage of 4.4 V or more based on the positive electrode potential as described above. However, since a side reaction, such as oxidation of an electrolyte, may be facilitated at a voltage of the plateau potential or more, conditions, such as formation voltage and time, may be inevitably limited. Therefore, since the initial formation is insufficiently performed, gas composed of oxygen and carbon dioxide is continuously released during a repetitive charge and discharge cycle, and thus, safety and lifetime characteristics of the battery may be decreased.
Accordingly, in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open Publication Nos. 10-2007-0012213 and 10-2007-0021955, methods of charging and discharging are disclosed, in which a formation process is performed at a high voltage during a first cycle, gas is then removed through a degassing process, and thereafter, a voltage is decreased to a level of an operating voltage of a general secondary battery (4.4 V or less). However, a phenomenon of having insufficient formation performed during initial charge is the same even by the foregoing methods, and as a result, gas is continuously generated during the use of the battery and low capacity is obtained in comparison to the case of performing a cycle at a high voltage of 4.5 V or more. Therefore, there is a continuous need for research into a technique for addressing the foregoing limitations.
Thus, with respect to a lithium secondary battery comprising the layer-structured lithium-containing manganese oxide xLi2MnO3(1−x)LiMO2 as a positive electrode active material, there is a need to develop a technique for addressing the continuous generation of a large amount of gas during a cycle at a high voltage.

Positive electrode active material having improved safety and lifetime characteristics and lithium secondary battery comprising the same

Korea Advanced Institute Of Science And Technology

Industry Foundation Of Chonnam National University


A fuel vapor purge control assembly includes an intake passage, a vapor purge passage in fluid communication with the intake passage, a port between and in fluid communication with the intake passage and the vapor purge passage; a closing member movably mounted in the intake passage and an actuator assembly received in the receptacle and connected to the closing member. The closing member has a first position where the closing member closes the port and blocks fluid communication between the intake passage and the vapor purge passage and is outside of a fluid stream of the intake passage when fluid is flowing through the intake passage. The closing member has a second position where the closing member opens the port and allows fluid communication between the intake passage and the vapor purge passage and extends into the fluid stream of the intake passage when fluid is flowing through the intake passage. The actuator assembly drives the closing member between the first and second positions.

One conventional fuel vapor purge control system for internal combustion engines relies upon a vacuum created in the intake manifold of the engine to draw fuel vapor from a canister into the engine. A purge valve opens and closes fluid communication between the canister and the intake manifold. Full throttle conditions can diminish the vacuum in the intake manifold such that the desired flow rate of fuel vapor cannot be achieved.
The purge valve can be opened and closed by an actuator mounted on the valve housing or spaced from the valve housing and connected to the purge valve by a mechanical transmission. The overall dimensions of the valve housing and the actuator (and the mechanical transmission, if used) can be larger than the preferred space available in the engine compartment or on the engine, thereby limiting the packaging options for the valve housing and the actuator. The large overall dimensions can also cause the valve housing and/or the actuator to overlap other engine components thereby obstructing or limiting access during engine maintenance.

Fuel vapor purge control assembly and methods of assembling and controlling same


A work machine is provided. The work machine includes a changeover valve capable of disabling area limiting control by bypassing an area limiting control solenoid proportional valve disposed in a pilot line through which pilot pressure generated by a hydraulic pilot type operation device is guided to a directional control valve and the work machine can perform the area limiting control while ensuring response of a work implement. When a first fluid temperature T1 is higher than a first predetermined temperature Ta and a control changeover switch 66 specifies disabling of the area limiting control, a controller brings a plurality of changeover valves into a bypass position. When the first fluid temperature T1 is equal to or lower than the first predetermined temperature Ta, the controller brings the changeover valves into a communication position and places the solenoid proportional valves in a fully open position.

A work machine, such as a hydraulic excavator, typically includes a work implement that is driven by a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is driven by hydraulic fluid supplied from a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic actuator is controlled by a directional control valve. The directional control valve is operated by pilot pressure generated by a hydraulic pilot type operation device. The hydraulic pilot type operation device generates pilot pressure that corresponds to a lever operation performed by an operator.
In the work machine that uses hydraulic pressure as drive power, the work implement tends to reduce response thereof due to increased viscosity of the hydraulic fluid when temperature of the hydraulic fluid decreases. As one solution, Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a front controller for a construction machine. This front controller enables front control to be performed accurately and safely even when the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is low.
The front controller for a construction machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended for use in a construction machine that includes a multi-articulated front implement, a plurality of hydraulic actuators, and a plurality of hydraulic control valves. The multi-articulated front implement includes a plurality of front members rotatable in a vertical direction. The hydraulic actuators drive the front members. The hydraulic control valves are driven by signals from a plurality of operation devices and vary flow rates of the hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the hydraulic actuators. The front controller controls the front implement so as to move within a predetermined area. The front controller includes a fluid temperature detection device and a warning device. The fluid temperature detection device detects temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The warning device determines in which one of at least three fluid temperature ranges including a first fluid temperature range, a second fluid temperature range higher than the first fluid temperature range, and a third fluid temperature range higher than the second fluid temperature range, the temperature of the hydraulic fluid detected by the fluid temperature detection device falls, and issues a warning in a manner different between the first fluid temperature range and the second fluid temperature range when the temperature of the hydraulic fluid falls in the first and second fluid temperature ranges (claim 1).
The construction machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows the operator to determine whether the fluid temperature that constitutes an important factor in operating the construction machine is low and how low the fluid temperature is during performance of work. Specifically, because response is expected to be low when the fluid temperature falls in the second fluid temperature range (relatively low), the operator tends to be conscious of careful operation of the construction machine, so that front control can be improved. The fluid temperature falling in the first fluid temperature range (considerably low) is not suitable for the front control, so that the operator performs work through use of the ordinary operation devices without using the front control. Thus, the front control can be accurately and safely performed even when the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is low.

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.


This invention provides a system for modeling neurodegenerative and other diseases through somatic gene transfer. In addition, methods of multiple gene transfer, disease analysis and drug testing are provided for.

Numerous methods of gene transfer are known in the art, and are not reviewed in any great detail here. Suffice it to say that in general, methods of gene transfer in vitro are well known and have been practiced for several decades. Methods of in vivo gene transfer are much more recent, but have been successfully applied in such contexts as gene therapy efforts to overcome genetic disorders, and in disease modeling efforts, such as the production of germ-line transgenic animal models, such as gene knockout mice or transgenic mice and other animals expressing heterologous genes.
In general, the known methods of in vivo gene transfer involve the knockout of single genes present in the genome of an animal model, or the inclusion in the germ-line of a specific transgene in the genome of an animal model. The limitations to such methods include the possibility of inducing terminal illnesses in the animal models, such that either non-viable fetuses are produced, or limited life-span animals are produced. In addition, the effects of multiple gene knockouts or transgenes are extremely difficult to simulate in such systems, due to the complex temporal, gene regulatory and interaction effects in such systems. Furthermore, the germ-line transgenic models currently available tend to provide data on a very slow time scale, and such efforts as drug modeling and disease analysis are delayed by the time-scale of transgenic animal maturation. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for techniques which address and overcome these limitations. This invention is directed to resolving many, if not all, of these limitations in the art.

Human disease modeling using somatic gene transfer

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


A bimetallic disc assembly for a bimetallic disc-actuated thermostatic switch includes a disc retainer, a bimetallic disc received in assembled position on the disc retainer and a metallic retainer cap for retaining the disc in assembled position on the disc retainer and for securing the assembly to the body portion of the thermostatic switch. The disc retainer is adapted to minimize heat flow from the metallic cap to the disc retainer by minimizing the areas of contact between the disc retainer and the cap. The disc retainer is integrally formed from a ceramic material and it includes a central hub having an axial bore extending therethrough, a circular flange extending radially outwardly from the hub, a circular shoulder extending upwardly from the flange, and a peripheral rim extending upwardly from the shoulder. The peripheral rim includes a horizontal edge with a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections or bumps which extend upwardly therefrom. The metal cap is received on the disc retainer and rests upon the projections or bumps which effectively reduce the contact area between the cap and the retainer and thereby minimize the transfer of heat from the cap to the disc retainer. By reducing the heat transfer from the cap to the retainer, heat is more easily transferred from the metallic cap to the bimetallic disc, thereby improving response time.

The instant invention relates to bimetallic disc-actuated thermostatic switches and more particularly to a bimetallic disc assembly therefor which is adapted for minimizing the response time of the switch.
It is known that many household, office and industrial machines and appliances now include highly sensitive electrical components that may be damaged by thermal overload conditions. In this regard, thermostatic switches have heretofore been known as high limit devices for preventing thermal overload damage to machines or appliances containing such sensitive electrical components. In this regard, thermostatic switches are operative for interrupting the electrical connections of the main heat generating components of the machine or appliance in response to thermal overload conditions. However, since it has been found that thermal overload conditions can develop very rapidly, it is essential for the thermostatic switches which are used in these devices to have a rapid response time in order to avoid damage to the machine components.
The U.S. patents to Craig, III U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,252 and Chrupcala U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,901, which represent the closest prior art to the subject invention of which the applicant is aware, are specifically concerned with minimizing response time in thermostatic switches. The Craig patent concerns a disc retainer and cap assembly which cooperate to increase air flow across the surface of the bimetallic disc. The cap has a plurality of air circulation vents extending therethrough and the disc support or retainer is designed so that exterior ambient air can pass through the air circulation openings and across the underside of the bimetallic disc to provide increased responsiveness to ambient conditions. While the Craig device is effective for reducing response time, it also presents several design problems which make it difficult to assemble. In particular, the radial disc supports must be radially aligned with the areas between the vents so that the disc supports do not block air flow through the vents. It can be appreciated that this rotational alignment is very difficult to maintain while the cap is positioned on the switch body and crimped in place.
The patent to Chrupcala discloses a disc retainer and aluminum cap assembly which is adapted to minimize the conduction of heat from the bimetallic disc to the disc retainer. The disc retainer includes a central hub portion, a plurality of fingers which radiate outwardly from the hub portion, a plurality of disc retainer projections on the fingers and a plurality of disc support shoulders on the fingers adjacent the disc retainer projections. The fingers have open notches therebetween for reducing the cross-sectional area of the disc retainer which may conduct heat from the bimetallic disc to the body portion of the thermostatic switch. The aluminum cap includes an end wall portion having an enlarged opening therein and a skirt portion having a plurality of apertures or slots therein which reduce the cross-sectional area of the skirt for conducting heat from the bimetallic disc to the body portion of the switch. The Chrupcala device also presents several problems. More specifically, the material from which the disc retainer can be formed is limited to plastic thermosetting materials which are easy to mold and resistant to breakage during manufacturing and handling. The problem here is that thermosetting materials have a relatively low melting point which limits use of the switch to applications where temperature does not exceed 375-400 degrees F. In addition, it has been found that it is difficult to crimp the aluminum perforated cap, and it has further been found that the crimping of the cap tends to deform or warp the cap, which may result in pressure on the disc which in turn may adversely affect the snap-action thereof. It is pointed out that these types of disc retainers cannot be formed from a ceramic material because the fingers would be very brittle and would very easily break during the manufacturing process.
The instant invention provides an improved bimetallic disc assembly for a bimetallic disc-actuated thermostatic switch. In this regard, the disc assembly includes an integrally molded ceramic disc retainer, a bimetallic disc which is received on the disc retainer, and a metallic cap which is received over the disc retainer. The disc retainer is adapted to minimize heat flow from the metallic cap to the disc retainer by minimizing the areas of contact between the disc retainer and the cap. The ceramic construction of the instant disc retainer also allows it to be used in a broader temperature range than the prior art plastic disc retainers. In particular, the instant disc retainer comprises a central hub having an axial bore extending therethrough, a circular flange extending radially outwardly from the central hub, a circular support shoulder extending upwardly from the flange, and a peripheral rim extending upwardly from the support shoulder. The peripheral rim has a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections, or bumps which extend upwardly therefrom. The metal cap is received on the disc retainer so that it rests on top of the projections or bumps on the peripheral rim. The bumps effectively minimize the contact area between the cap and the disc retainer and thereby reduce the transfer of heat from the cap to the disc retainer. By reducing the transfer of heat from the cap to the disc retainer, heat is more quickly transferred from the cap to the bimetallic disc, thereby improving response time.
Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a thermostatic switch which has a quick response time to changes in wide ranges of ambient temperature conditions.
It is another object to provide a disc retainer for a thermostatic switch which may be made of ceramic and which is adapted to increase response time to changes in ambient temperature conditions.
It is still another object to provide a disc retainer which minimizes contact area between the cap and disc retainer.
It is still another object to provide a thermostatic switch which can be used in a broad range of temperatures.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Thermostatic switch and bimetallic disc assembly therefor


A compactor is provided and comprises a body having a connector side and a compacting side. A lip extends from the compacting side. The lip forms and at least partially surrounds a cavity on the compacting side. Finally, a connector is provided on the connector side. A handle connects to the connector, and the cavity has a v-shape surface structure. The user grasps the handle and repeatedly lowers the compactor to compact the debris.

Household and yard waste is typically placed in various types of containers. Metal and plastic containers are often used for various waste. Further, plastic and paper bags are also used. Local waste services typically charge, in part, by the number of containers that must be emptied or removed.
As more communities offer or require yard waste recycling, the potential for added disposal costs increases. Compacting the waste may reduce the number of containers and cost of removal, particularly for yard waste. For example, leaves may be easily compacted.
Others have created devices for compacting leaves. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,629,233 and 5,090,756 to Dieter E. Pfisterer disclose devices for compacting material such as leaves, grass and trash. These devices include a specialized flat faced rake and funnel combination. Leaves or other refuse is pushed with the rake into the funnel. The funnel directs the refuse into a container for disposal. However, these devices require storage of the funnel, and the specialized rakes may not adequately break-up and compact the waste.
Devices for compacting household or restaurant waste, instead of leaves, have also been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,995 to Kaplan et al. discloses a device for compacting waste. A handle is attached to a metal compacting head. The compacting head has a flat, open framework. However, waste may get caught in or on top of the open framework, and the metal construction may result in added manufacturing costs.
Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that is compact for storage and acts to break-up and compact waste, whether yard or household waste, without getting waste lodged in the compactor.

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A method is provided for expanding the input and output capabilities of a mobile communications device. If a received signal should be immediately outputted, then a user of the mobile communications device selects an open interface output port for the received signal prior to receiving the signal. Upon reception, the received signal may be transmitted via the open-interface output port on the mobile communications device to an external device. If the received signal may be outputted at another time, then the user of the mobile communications device selects the open interface output port before or after receiving the signal. Upon reception, the signal may be stored as one or more files on the mobile communications device. At another time, the user may use the mobile communications device to transmit, via the open interface output port, a second signal having the one or more files to the external device.

Wireless communication has grown rapidly during the past several years due to new applications that utilize new wireless network capabilities. Today, many mobile phones are capable of a) receiving and allowing users to hear voice, b) receiving and displaying text messages, c) browsing the Internet, and d) storing ring tones and video clips, which may have been downloaded as favorites. In addition to these features, more advanced mobile phones are capable of a) capturing, storing, and displaying images, b) video capture with sound and playback, c) downloading, storing, and playing back music, and d) allowing users to play games.
Disadvantageously, the user interface on a mobile phone is very small. Illustratively, a visual display of the mobile phone is typically in the range of two to three inches wide. Also, a key pad used for inputting numbers in the mobile phone is only a few inches long. A directional control used to browse a menu is small. Furthermore, speakers on the mobile phone are small, which limits sound volume and sound quality. These user interface size limitations prevent mobile phone users from viewing, listening, and enjoying displayed images, video with sound, and games similarly as one could when watching a larger screen, e.g., 21 inch television screen, or listening to a larger sound system.
Also disadvantageously, the available user memory capacity on a mobile phone is small, e.g., 5 MB. This memory limitation prevents mobile phone users from downloading large files, e.g., broadband files. Further disadvantageously, mobile phones have proprietary interfaces, which prevent mobile phone users from extracting a received signal for external applications.

Method of providing a mobile multimedia hub


A process for the production of an alcohol compound represented by the formula (3):

For production of a 3-(2,6-dichloro-4-(3,3-dichloro-2-propenyloxy)phenoxy)-1-propyl alcohol, which is an intermediate for producing dihalopropene compounds having insecticidal activity, there is a known process which comprises reacting 1,3-dibromopropane and 2,6-dichloro-4-(3,3-dichloro-2-propenyloxy)phenol in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of potassium carbonate to produce 3,5-dichloro-4-(3-bromopropyloxy)-1-(3,3-dichloro-2-propenyloxy)benzene, reacting the product with benzoic acid in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of potassium carbonate to produce 3,5-dichloro-4-(3-benzoyloxypropyloxy)-1-(3,3-dichloro-2-propenyloxy)benzene, and hydrolyzing the product to produce 3-(2,6-dichloro-4-(3,3-dichloro-2-propenyloxy)phenoxy)-1-propyl alcohol, as shown in the following scheme (Scheme 1, Patent Document 1).
Scheme 1 a) 1,3-dibromobutane, potassium carbonate, N,N-dimethylformamide, b) benzoic acid, potassium carbonate, N,N-dimethylformamide, c) aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, methanol.Patent Document 1: JP-A 08-337549

Process for production of alcohol compound

Abstract: wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, Z, R and n are as defined below, comprising reacting a phenol represented by the formula (1):

Abstract: wherein X1, X2, X3 and X4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; Z represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and R represents a halogen-substituted alkenyl group, with a haloalcohol represented by the formula (2):

Abstract: wherein Y represents a chlorine atom or a bromine atom; and n represents an integer of 2 or 3, in a biphase system composed of a water-immiscible organic solvent and an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst.


A device for activating a control unit is proposed. It includes at least one operating element operable by a user as well as analog encoding means assigned to the operating element. To generate an activation signal for a control unit, deactivation means are provided that deactivate at least one analog encoding means in order to digitally encode the operating element.

If this operating element is encoded in an analog manner, an operating instance of the operating element would be able to be detected by a comparator or with the help of an analog-digital converter and a series-connected microcontroller. In the latter case, the microcontroller would either need to be permanently switched on for the voltage evaluation or regularly activated. This is associated with significant additional expenditure. However, if an operation is detected in connection with a comparator, the problem arises that voltage fluctuations, structural component tolerances, climatic influences, or also ageing or contamination cause the input level to shift so significantly that clear detection of a signal change is not able to be ensured over the entire lifetime. In particular, contamination of the operating element that is expressed, for example, in a parasitic resistor in parallel with the actual circuit element leads to problems regarding reliable operation detection. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably detect operation of an analog encoded operating element in order to activate a control unit.

Device for activating an electronic control unit


A container is provided having at least two separate container elements attached by means of a flexible banner bearing a message or artwork. Each of the containers has an opening in the top thereof for storage and transportation of a variety of goods. The flexible banner is attached to each container element at one edge thereof such that the edges of attachment are adjacent to each other when the container is in the closed position. The container elements are adapted to fit adjacent to each other to form a large container, this large container being bordered on all sides by the flexible banner when in the closed position. When the container elements are rotated in opposite directions relative to each other, a message imprinted on the inner surface of the flexible banner is made visible. Alternatively, the container elements may be permanently sealed for display of such unique items such as liquid sculptures or other artwork. The container may be folded to have a substantially flat profile for storage, transportation, distribution and/or display.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a container, and more particularly, to a container having two separate container elements attached by means of a flexible sheet or paper having a graphic image imprinted thereon, such that the two separate container elements are separated by the banner. Each of said container elements has an opening in the top thereof for storage and transportation of a variety of goods. The flexible sheet or paper is attached to each container at one edge thereof, such that the edges of attachment are adjacent to each other when the container is in a closed position. Alternatively, the container elements may be permanently sealed for display of such unique items such as liquid sculptures or other artwork. The container may be formed from a single flexible sheet or paper, and one or more clear acetate windows may be disposed thereon for displaying the goods.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Containers and other means for storing and transporting goods have been known since ancient times. The use of such containers to display messages has similarly been known for many years. Such messages, however, have typically been limited to messages imprinted on a label or tab that is affixed to the container or storage means.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,328 which issued to Pilat on Dec. 8, 1981 for Receptacle Storage Package Having Oblique Surfaces, discloses a receptacle storage package having oblique base surfaces converging so as to tilt the receptacles towards one another. The receptacles would contact each other, in storage, but for the placement of a receptacle restraining piece positioned between the upper surfaces of the receptacles, which restraining pieces bears a message.
Furthermore, the use of packaging having information imprinted thereon is well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,631, which issued to Hackenberg on Nov. 11, 1975 for Decorator Box, discloses a box formed from a single blank having four sides and top and bottom covers. The outer wall carries advertising and descriptive material and the inner wall is decorated with a design. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,513 which issued to Ingram, et al. on Oct. 23, 1990 for Package, discloses a cartonless recyclable package for protectively enclosing a product, such as photographic film, comprising a recyclable plastic container and mating cap with recyclably compatible plastic labels thereon bearing product information. An outer sheet can be peeled back to reveal information on the interfacing surfaces of both sheets, and then re-adhered to the inner sheet. A label may be peeled away and re-adhered to some other surface for reference after the product has been removed. A thumb tab on the cap, to facilitate cap removal, is used also to orient the container and cap for appropriate placement of the labels, and to orient the resulting package in a cooperating displaying and dispensing device. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,526 which issued to Crum on Jun. 11, 1991 for Label-Containing Package Assembly, discloses a compact piggyback expandable package assembly for dispensing labels for attachment to bottles, containers, and closure caps, as well as to other surfaces. The package assembly is used primarily in the pharmaceutical industry. The package assembly comprises a special foldable package which encloses a set of labels. A resealable tab can be provided to facilitate opening and closing of the package. In the preferred form, the piggyback package assembly has a base or base label which is attached to the package. The underside of the base has adhesive portions so that the package assembly can be mounted upon the top surface of a closure cap of a bottle, a web, or some other surface.
Novelty containers bearing messages are also well known in the industry. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,085 which issued to Doty on Oct. 16, 1979 for Tear Tab Disposable Cup or Container Structure, discloses a paper or plastic cup or container having a pull-tab extending from the side seam which can be torn off by the consumer to be used as a coupon, proof-of-purchase or to reveal some form of concealed marking which might entitle the consumer to a premium, gift or other consideration. The pull-tab is perforated to maintain the integrity of the container and preventing leakage or spill of the contents.
Message bearing banners may also be used in emergency situations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,226 which issued to Sophocleous, et al. on Apr. 13, 1999 for Assistance Summoning Device, discloses a banner-like device made of a light weight, flexible, and foldable sheet of material that is temporarily attachable to vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, campers, and aircraft. The device includes at least two support rods to maintain the banner in an unfurled position.
In the photographic field, U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,285 which issued to Otake, et al. on Oct. 30, 1990 for Container Having Index Sheet and Recording Medium discloses an index sheet formed of one recording sheet on which are printed a plurality of scenes recorded on an image recording medium such as, for example, a photographic film, a still video floppy, a video cassette, or a video disc. The images are arranged in the same order they were taken, and frame numbers are printed in juxtaposition with the respective positive images. This index sheet can be part of a package comprising a container having a casing formed with at least one recess for the image recording medium and/or printed photographs, and a cover swingably mounted on the casing. A transparent pocket formed on the outer or inner side of the cover contains the index sheet.
A recent trend in the commercialization of packaging and containers is that more and more packaging, instead of being an after purchase activity, is being made part of the initial purchasing decision by being brought out and displayed near the purchase items. For example many music stores will display specially themed flat packaging designed to hold CD""s, cassette""s, DVD""s, and video""s with the product, giving consumers a reason to give the gift of a movie or music. Candy stores are large users of specialty containers and will display specialty packaging including: cute bags; special boxes, molded plastic containers and dispensers, often themed with celebratory messages such as xe2x80x9cHappy Birthday,xe2x80x9d good wishes, xe2x80x9cI love you,xe2x80x9d etc.
Since retail space is often at a premium, merchants and marketers are constantly on the lookout for packaging that folds and or displays flat. An example of this are decorated party goodie bags, which are packaged flat, sold in sets of 6, 8, or 10 in a package, and are displayed on racks or on peg hooks. The themed packaging for CD""s, cassette""s, DVD""s and video""s is yet another example of flat packaging that merchants and marketers offer in racks.
Furthermore, many of the packaging systems in use today are elaborate dimensional packages produced by hand, or with little automation, taking time and money to produce. Dimensional packaging produced from materials other than paper also take up more space and are expensive to produce.
However, there are no devices or methods which disclose the use of separate container elements flexibly attached to opposite edges of a message-bearing banner. Furthermore, there are no such packaging systems or containers that may be folded to a substantially flat profile, thereby reducing the space required for the storage and/or transportation of such packaging systems. The prior art containers fail to offer the unique advantages contemplated by the present invention.
Against the foregoing background, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a container with banner having at least two separate container elements flexibly attached to a sheet or paper banner bearing a message.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container wherein said container elements and banner are formed from a single flexible sheet or paper.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container that is inexpensive to manufacture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container that allows for the transportation of at least two separate goods.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a container that allows for the storage of at least two goods in two separate and independent chambers.
It is but another object of the present invention to provide such a container that allows for the display of the goods contained therein.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container that forms a totally enclosed container in the closed position.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a container that reveals a message when the separate container elements are rotated in opposite directions relative to each other.
It is but another object of the present invention to provide such a container that may be folded so as to save space.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a container that may be folded into a substantially flat profile.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a container that may be produced with standard packaging machinery, at high speeds.
To accomplish the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention, in brief summary, comprises a container having at least two separate container elements flexibly attached to opposite edges of a banner. Said container elements and banner may be formed from a single flexible sheet or paper, or alternatively, formed from separate materials. Each of the containers has an opening in the top thereof for storage and transportation of a variety of goods. The banner is attached to each container element at one edge thereof by means of a flexible hinge such that the container elements are adjacent to each other when the container is in the closed position. The container elements are adapted to fit adjacent to each other to form a large container, this large container being bordered at least one side by the banner when the large container is in the closed position. The container has a closed position and an open position. When the container elements are rotated from the closed position in opposite directions relative to each other to the open position, a message imprinted on the inner surface of the flexible banner, which message is partially or completely hidden in the closed position, is made visible.
The container may be stored in a substantially flat, folded state, yet can be easily constructed into a package, that forms what seems to be a single container. Since the container can be stored and displayed flat, it requires minimal space for storage and display, thus allowing for large amounts of inventory in a very small space.
In addition, the banner may comprise a connecting structure. A message or product may be affixed to or held by the connecting structure. The container elements may be flaps if the banner comprises a a connecting structure capable of holding an object, such as a video.
The container elements may be deliberately designed to only partially cover the connecting structure in a closed position, which will create a gap that may accommodate other items between the container elements when the container is in the closed position. The container may store anything that can fit into the two container elements, and, if desired, can accommodate additional items in the gap between the container elements. Finally the container may be finished by sliding a belly band over the container when it is in the closed position or by using another acceptable closure mechanism, thus eliminating the time consuming activity of gift wrapping.


An approach is provided in which the approach initiates a video conference between a set of local users in a physical area conversing on a display with one or more remote users. The approach selects a first one of the set of local users based on analyzing a set of user characteristics corresponding to the set of local users and positions the display based on a location of the first local user in the physical area.

The advancement of network technology and personal device technology has caused an exponential growth in video conferencing. Video conferencing systems allow users to conduct live audio/video discussions for meetings, training events, lectures, presentations, or personal conversations using web-connected devices. Users conduct live video conferences using common devices having a microphone, a camera, and a display, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, and etcetera.
In many video conferencing sessions, a user is not constantly confined to the same space and does not exhibit the same posture over time. When a user physically moves around a room, the user may have difficulty viewing a display and is required to manually adjust the display to the user's preferred viewing angle. Likewise, during a video conference with multiple users in a single room sharing a single display, complications arise on positioning the display to achieve an optimum viewing angle for the multiple users.

Screen positioning based on dominant user characteristic determination


A method for making a hydrogen storage alloy comprises subjecting a bulky hydrogen storage alloy to a first thermal treatment at a temperature ranging from 800.degree. to 1100.degree. C., cooling the thus treated alloy, grinding the cooled alloy to pieces having an average particle size of 20 .mu.m or below, and subjecting the pieces to a second thermal treatment in vacuum or in an atmosphere of an inert gas at a temperature of 200.degree. to 1050.degree. C. to obtain an alloy product. A hydrogen storage alloy obtained by the method is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy which is adapted for use as a negative electrode of alkaline batteries. More particularly, the invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy which exhibits a small gradient in a plateau region of a PCT (pressure composition isotherm) characteristic curve, and a method for producing such an alloy. The invention also relates to a sintered product of the alloy obtained by the method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
After the discovery of hydrogen storage alloys capable of storing and releasing hydrogen, extensive studies on the application of the alloys have been made. In fact, alkaline batteries, which make use of hydrogen storage alloys as a negative electrode, have been already put into practice. Improved hydrogen storage alloys have been successively developed for use in the batteries.
LaNi.sub.5 alloy, which was initially developed (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 51-13934) is advantageous in its great storage of hydrogen. However, La is inconveniently expensive, coupled with another problem that the alloy is liable to be broken into fine pieces when repeating storage and release of hydrogen and is prone to be corroded on contact with alkaline or acid solutions. In fact, when using the hydrogen storage alloy as a negative electrode of alkaline batteries, the battery exhibits a high initial capacity, but the capacity is reduced to a half of the initial capacity when about 50 charge and discharge cycles are repeated, thus presenting the problem that the electrode cannot stand use over a long time.
In order to overcome the problem, there has been proposed the use of Misch metal (hereinafter referred to simply as Mm) wherein part of La is replaced by Ce, Pr, Nd or other rare earth metals, or a LaNi.sub.5 hydrogen storage alloy wherein part of Ni is placed by a metal such as Co, Al, Mn or the like. These proposals are set out, for example, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Nos. 53-4918, 54-64014, 60-250558, 61-91862 and 61-233969.
Another method has been proposed in order to overcome the above-stated problem. In the method, there is used a hydrogen storage alloy which has been broken into fine pieces to an extent that they suffer further breakage into finer pieces. Such fine alloy particles undesirably exhibit a great gradient in the plateau region of the PCT characteristic curve of the hydrogen storage alloy. In the worst case, the plateau region may disappear, making it difficult to use the alloy in practical applications.

Hydrogen storage alloy and method for producing the same


A method and system for combining and enforcing security policies is provided. The security system is provided with security policies that have process set criteria and associated rules. The security system combines the security policies by generating a rule list of the security policies and associated process set criteria. The rules of the rule list are ordered based on rule type and action of the rule. When a new process is started to execute an application, the security system determines the process set criteria that are satisfied by the application. The security system then identifies the rules of the rule list that are associated with the satisfied process set criteria. When a security enforcement event associated with the process occurs, the security system applies each of the rules associated with the process to the security enforcement event in an order specified by the rule list.

Although the Internet has had great successes in facilitating communications between computer systems and enabling electronic commerce, the computer systems connected to the Internet have been under almost constant attack by hackers seeking to disrupt their operation. Many of the attacks seek to exploit vulnerabilities of software systems including application programs or other computer programs executing on those computer systems. Developers of software systems and administrators of computer systems of an enterprise go to great effort and expense to identify and remove vulnerabilities. Because of the complexity of software systems, however, it is virtually impossible to identify and remove all vulnerabilities before software systems are released. After a software system is released, developers can become aware of vulnerabilities in various ways. A party with no malicious intent may identify a vulnerability and may secretly notify the developer so the vulnerability can be removed before a hacker identifies and exploits it. If a hacker identifies a vulnerability first, the developer may not learn of the vulnerability until it is exploited—sometimes with disastrous consequences.
Regardless of how a developer finds out about a vulnerability, the developer typically develops and distributes to system administrators "patches" or updates to the software system that remove the vulnerability. If the vulnerability has not yet been exploited (e.g., might not be known to hackers), then a developer can design, implement, test, and distribute a patch in a disciplined way. If the vulnerability has already been widely exposed, then the developer may rush to distribute a patch without the same care that is used under normal circumstances. When patches are distributed to the administrators of the computer systems, they are responsible for scheduling and installing the patches to remove the vulnerabilities.
Unfortunately, administrators often delay the installation of patches to remove vulnerabilities for various reasons. When a patch is installed, the software system and possibly the computer system on which it is executing may need to be shut down and restarted. If the vulnerability is in a software system that is critical to the success of an organization, then the administrator needs to analyze the tradeoffs of keeping the software system up and running with its associated risk of being attacked and of shutting down a critical resource of the enterprise to install the patch. Some administrators may delay the installation of the patch because they fear that, because of a hasty distribution, it might not be properly tested and have unintended side effects. If the patch has an unintended side effect, then the software system, the computer system, or some other software component that is impacted by the patch may be shut down by the patch itself. Administrators need to factor in the possibility of an unintended side effect when deciding whether to install a patch. These administrators may delay installing a patch until experience by others indicates that there are no serious unintended side effects.
Intrusion detection systems have been developed that can be used to identify whether an attempt is being made to exploit a known vulnerability that has not yet been patched. These intrusion detection systems can be used to prevent exploitations of newly discovered vulnerabilities for which patches have not yet been developed or installed. These intrusion detection systems may define a "signature" for each way a vulnerability can be exploited. For example, if a vulnerability can be exploited by sending a certain type of message with a certain attribute, then the signature for that exploitation would specify that type and attribute. When a security enforcement event occurs, such as the receipt of a message, the intrusion detection system checks its signatures to determine whether any match the security enforcement event. If so, the intrusion detection system may take action to prevent the exploitation, such as dropping the message.
Signatures for newly discovered exploitations of vulnerabilities can be created in different ways. Developers of intrusion detection systems may create and distribute new signatures when they become aware of new exploitations. An administrator can then install the new signatures to prevent the exploitation. A developer may not, however, provide signatures for all known exploitations. For example, the vulnerability may be in a special-purpose application program that the developer does not support. To prevent exploitation of such a vulnerability, intrusion detection systems may allow administrators to create their own signatures.
A set of one or more signatures may be considered a security policy. Developers of intrusion detection systems may provide various security policies. For example, a developer may provide one security policy that defines signatures of vulnerabilities of an operating system and many other security policies that are specific to an application or a class of applications. Similarly, an administrator may define a security policy that is specific to custom applications used by the enterprise.
Intrusion detection systems typically can enforce only one security policy. In such a case, multiple security policies would need to be combined or merged into a single security policy that is provided to the intrusion detection system. To combine security policies, the developer of the intrusion detection system or an administrator would typically review the various security policies and try to merge the logic of the signatures so that the net effect of each security policy is implemented. However, because the signatures can be very complex and the effects of and interactions between different security policies can also be both complex and subtle, the combining of security policies can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
It would be desirable to have a mechanism that would automatically combine the effects of security policies into a combined security policy that can be efficiently enforced.

Method and system for merging security policies


During a power-on sequence of a computer system, it is detected whether the computer system is connected over a first type of connection to a terminal. In response to detecting that the computer system is connected over the first type of connection to the terminal, settings of the computer system are configured to be compatible with a first type of operating system.

A computer system includes a number of components, such as a central processing unit (CPU), system memory, mass storage devices, software such as an operating system and application software, and peripheral components. A computer system can be used as a stand-alone device, or the computer system can be connected to a network to enable communication with other computer systems, including servers and other user stations. A server in a computer network environment provides a number of different services, including storage of user information, storage of application software that can be loaded onto user stations for execution, storage of configuration information to configure user stations, provision of electronic mail services, provision of web access services, and so forth.
In many business and educational facilities (e.g., large corporations, universities, and so forth), a large number of servers can be present. In some cases, servers may be provided in racks in server rooms within a building. There can potentially be hundreds or even thousands of servers in some facilities.
To place servers into service, the servers are set up by a system administrator. The system administrator can either perform local setup of servers (the system administrator is located in the same room as the servers), or the system administrator can perform remote setup of servers. Setting up a small number of servers is a relatively easy task, which usually does not consume too much time. However, for facilities that include large numbers of servers, the server setup process can be quite tedious and time consuming.
In a network environment, servers can be configured to run one of several different types of operating systems. Depending on which type of operating system is to be loaded on a given server, the system administrator may have to configure settings in the server differently. Typically, server settings are set by a system administrator through a setup utility that is activated by the administrator pressing a predetermined function key (e.g., F9, F10, etc.) during the initial stages of a power-on sequence of the server. In the setup utility, the system administrator can select the various server settings for a target operating system. Such manual configuration of operating systems settings for a large number of servers can be tedious and time consuming.

Configuring settings of a computer system to be compatible with an operating system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention relates to a method of female sterilization including delivery of a macrolide antibiotic or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of a macrolide antibiotic to the uterine cavity or fallopian tube of the female. The present invention also relates to a method of endometrial ablation including delivery of a macrolide antibiotic or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of a macrolide antibiotic to the uterine cavity of a female. The endometrial ablation effected in this manner may be used to treat the conditions of excessive menstrual bleeding or menstrual pain in women. A preferred macrolide antibiotic is erythromycin, or its pharmacologically acceptable salts.

A number of researchers have worked to identify a simple and inexpensive method of non-surgical female sterilization. The advantages of a non-surgical sterilization procedure may include easier access to treatment for the patient and increased safety.
One such method that has been developed uses quinacrine pellets, and has been evaluated relative to the two potential advantages noted above. U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,050, the entire contents of which Applicant incorporates herein by reference, discloses the delivery of a solid pellet of quinacrine to the uterine cavity. It is believed that the quinacrine, once located within the uterine cavity, causes fibrosis of the fallopian tubes. Such fibrosis, in turn, prevents pregnancy.
The quinacrine method has shown that a non-surgical method can provide patients with easier access to the treatment, because the delivery of the solid quinacrine pellet is similar to an IUD-insertion, and can be done by para-medical personnel. Sterilization with quinacrine therefore does not require an operating room, and can be done as an outpatient procedure.
While data on quinacrine suggest that it is safer in the short term than surgery, certain researchers have raised issues concerning long-term safety, including the possibility of (1) mutagenicity, (2) carcinogenicity, (3) and increased ectopic pregnancies.
Researchers have also focused their efforts on the treatment of excessive menstrual blood loss and excessive menstrual pain. Excessive menstrual blood loss and pain account for a large number of hysterectomies performed in women in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Management of these conditions in the past has included destruction of the endometrium to induce amenorrhoea. As stated in Ke et al., "Endometrial Ablation to Control Excessive Uterine Bleeding," Human Reproduction, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 574-80 (1991), destruction of the endometrium has been attempted cryocoagulation and a variety of other methods. Most of these methods, however, have been abandoned due to a lack of uniformity in the results and potential risks involved.
Currently, endometrial ablation is achieved by surgical procedures. Specifically, laser ablation or electrosurgical resection of the endometrium is performed with the aid of an hysteroscope. These procedures, used for the treatment of excessive menstrual bleeding or menstrual pain, may cause several risks associated with the invasive nature of the surgery. For example, use of the hysteroscope may lead to hemorrhage, absorption of distending media, and accidental perforation of the uterus. Further, these surgical procedures require anesthesia, the use of an operating room, and/or expensive and complex equipment.

Use of macrolide antibiotics for nonsurgical female sterilization and endometrial ablation


A frame assembly for a customized carrying bag includes a frame that defines a periphery and an interior compartment. The frame has a top, a bottom, and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and interconnect the ends of the top and the bottom. The frame may also include an upper rear flange adjacent the top and a pair of lower rear flanges adjacent the bottom and each of the sides. A plurality of frame brackets is secured onto the top, the bottom, the sides, the upper rear flange and the lower rear flanges of the frame. One or more connector pieces are attached to certain ones of the frame brackets. An accessory component, such as a pair of straps, a strap, a handle and/or an extensible handle, is attached to the connector piece so as to create a customized carrying bag.

Carrying bags for personal use, such as book bags, computer cases, back packs, briefcases, carry-on luggage and the like, are well known. The various types of carrying bags each have a different function and appearance. For example, book bags and computer cases typically include a single, relatively long strap that allows a user to support the weight of the bag by positioning the strap over his or her shoulder. In contrast, a backpack typically includes a pair of somewhat shorter length straps that allow a user to support the weight of the bag on his or her back by positioning one of the straps over each shoulder. Briefcases and carry-on luggage typically have one or more relatively short straps forming a handle that allows a user to grasp the handle and carry the bag with his or her hand. Alternatively, or in addition, carry-on luggage may include at least one wheel, roller or the like, and an extensible handle that allow a user to easily maneuver (i.e. roll) the carry-on luggage across a generally planar surface by grasping and pulling the handle.
Each of the various types of carrying bags is useful for its intended function. However, few are particularly useful for multiple functions. For example, a book bag or computer case may be provided with both a relatively long carrying strap and a relatively short handle. However, book bags and computer cases are not easily converted to be positioned, supported and carried on a user's back. Similarly, carry-on luggage may be provided with a pocket or sleeve configured to contain one or more books and/or a laptop computer. However, such luggage is not easily converted to include a relatively long strap for a user to carry the luggage over his or her shoulder.
Furthermore, each of the various types of carrying bags has a particular utility and appearance, and more specifically, a distinctive size and shape. Although the different types of carrying bags may be provided with various straps, handles, wheels, rollers or the like, none are configured to be easily converted from the utility and appearance of one to the utility and appearance of another.
Accordingly, what is needed is a frame assembly for a customized carrying bag. More particularly, a frame assembly is needed that is configured for creating a customized carrying bag, such as a backpack, a book bag or a computer case, a briefcase, or rolling carry-on luggage by easily and readily interchanging a strap and/or a handle.

Frame assembly for a customized carrying bag


Heating and cooling optimization systems are disclosed. Such systems may include a superheater and desuperheater are disclosed. An example superheater may include a combined suction line accumulator and heat exchanger configured to receive a heated fluid from an external source. An example desuperheater may comprise an accumulation tank and a heat exchanger configured to receive a relatively cool fluid from an external source. Various external sources may be a solar thermal source, a wood chip boiler, a ground loop, a geothermal source, an attic space, a garage, and/or a chemical heat source. Disclosed heating and cooling systems may include a controller sub-system for selectively modulating a flow rate of heated fluid through the superheater and for selectively modulating a flow rate of cooled fluid through the desuperheater.

Various systems are available for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, fluid heating, and chilling. Such systems can be dedicated to heating or to cooling, or both. For example, in the case of heat pump systems, the direction of a refrigerant flow can be reversed through heat exchangers to either allow for absorption of heat from a living and/or workspace for the cooling such space or for absorption of heat from the outdoors for the heating of such space. Typically, in such arrangements forced-air flows over the heat exchanger before being supplied to such living and/or workspace.


A connector for terminating a metal clad electrical cable is suitable for use in hazardous locations. The connector includes an elongate generally cylindrical body having a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. An elongate generally cylindrical hub accommodates the body. The hub has a body receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. A cable seal is provided by a sealing bushing and a gland nut which is rotatably coupled to the cable receiving end of the body, sealingly coupling the cable to the body. The body and the hub include cooperative engagement elements for preventing the relative rotation of the hub and the body upon rotatably coupling the gland nut to the body about the cable.

Connector fittings used to terminate metal clad electrical cable typically include multiple components including cable hubs, bodies, gland nuts, ground cones, and the like. The number of fitting components is increased where a connector is designed to terminate cable in hazardous locations. In such instances, further connector components, including a sealing sleeve, are necessary in order to accommodate a sealing compound within the fitting to prevent the migration of hazardous gases through the connector. One example of a typical hazardous location fitting is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,037, issued Oct. 22, 1985.
With the many components necessary to provide an effective hazardous location fitting, terminating the connector as well as mounting the connector in the desired location becomes more difficult. The installer must correctly assemble the various components of the fitting. The cable must be properly terminated with the fitting. Finally, the fitting must be installed to the desired equipment enclosure.
Attempts to fully terminate the fitting on the cable prior to mounting to the enclosure result in rendering the mounting more difficult. Similarly, mounting the fitting to the enclosure prior to terminating the cable to the fitting renders that termination more difficult. In the latter instance, an attempt to tighten the gland nut to the body around the cable may result in some of the intermediate components twisting or spinning. This further increases the difficulty of terminating the cable in the fitting and could result in an ineffective termination.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide an electrical connector fitting which will permit the easy termination of a metal clad electrical cable to a connector fitting and which will also permit the easy mounting of the connector fitting to the desired enclosure.


In some examples, a method includes receiving a plaintext message including plaintext data and error detection bits. The method also includes encrypting the plaintext message based on a feedback algorithm to generate an encrypted message including a set of encrypted bits for error detection, cryptographic integrity, and cryptographic authentication. The set of encrypted bits for error detection, cryptographic integrity, and cryptographic authentication can replace the error detection bits in whole or in part. A receiver can confirm the cryptographic integrity and the cryptographic authentication of the encrypted message by decrypting the set of encrypted bits.

Error detection bits are used to verify the non-cryptographic integrity of a message. A simple example of an error detection bit is a parity bit at the end of a bit stream. The value of the parity bit (e.g., zero or one) at the end of each bit stream is set so that the number of ones in the bit stream is either even or odd. For example, for an even parity bit, a sender may count the number of ones in a bit stream (e.g., a byte of data) and set the parity bit to zero if the bit stream includes an even number of ones. If the bit stream includes an odd number of ones, the sender will set the parity bit to one.
A cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is a more complex example of error detection bits. The values of the CRC bits are based on the remainder of polynomial division of the data block. For example, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus uses a fifteen-bit CRC, and IEEE 802.3 (i.e., Ethernet) uses a thirty-two-bit CRC. A sender generates and appends the CRC bits to the end of the data block.
A sender can also generate a message authentication code (MAC) for a block of data to confirm the authenticity of the block of data. For example, the sender can apply a keyed hash function to the block of data to generate the MAC. A receiver knowing the secret key used to create the hash can confirm that the message was received from a trusted sender.

Using error detection bits for cryptographic integrity and authentication


Child restraint for a vehicle with a rectangular flexible sheet, a pair of attachment rings, a mating device, a seatbelt mating device, and a rigidifying strip. The attachment rings are attached to one edge of the flexible sheet so that the rings align with the back seat center and either right or left female seatbelt buckles found in most passenger cars. The seatbelt mating device capable of structurally uniting the right and left shoulder harnesses in the middle of the backrest in cars without center shoulder harnesses. The rectangular sheet having a mating device that attaches to the male buckle of the either the right or left shoulder harness which is held in the middle of the backrest by the seatbelt mating device, so that the sheet wraps around the child thereby restraining him or her during an accident or sudden deceleration

This invention relates generally to the field of vehicle passenger safety restraint devices, and specifically to a child restraint for a vehicle.
Various types of vehicle seat safety restraints are well known. Generally, they consist of some combination of adjustable straps and buckles which secure the user's hips, waist, and shoulders thereby preventing the wearer from lurching forward during a quick stop or an accident where the vehicle decelerates quickly.
In recent years, specialized infant and child safety seats have been designed and marketed which attach to the standard seatbelts found in vehicles. These products feature their own means of restraining an infant or small child more effectively during travel.
There is, however, one condition for which currently known products fail to account. This is when a child between the ages of approximately seven and adolescence falls asleep lying down in the back seat of a standard motor vehicle such as an automobile or an SUV. In these cases the child, who has outgrown the legal requirement to be placed in a car seat or booster, remains strapped into the standard waist belt but assumes a supine position out of the shoulder belt, and therefore with no protection against the sudden acceleration of the upper body relative to the inside of the car that can occur in a sudden stop or an accident.
In a study by the National Safety Transportation Board, it was determined that children improperly restrained by standard belt restraints were more likely to be fatally, critically, or seriously injured in an accident then those riding completely unrestrained.