A music editing apparatus that can accomplish editing of superimposing or connecting whole or part of each of many songs such that their beats adjusted is provided. The music editing apparatus includes a remix processing section which performs a remix process based on both meta data that are pre-generated corresponding to song data and that contain at least a time-based beat position and a file for deciding a remix pattern; a synchronizing reproduction controlling section which generates a master beat, sends the master beat to the remix processing section, and reproduces a plurality of songs based on individual entries of the meta data according to the remix process that the remix processing section has designated corresponding to the remix pattern and the meta data; and a mixing section which mixes songs reproduced by the synchronizing reproduction controlling section. The remix processing section performs the remix process based on a remix pattern file structured as hierarchical layers each of which has a control parameter portion and a data entity portion.

As memory type audios have become common, users daily carry a large number of songs with them. With memory type audios that allow their users to listen to a large number of songs continuously without need to change mediums, a style in which the users not only sequentially listen to songs of each CD album, but listen to songs shuffled in all CD albums and their favorite songs arranged as play lists has become common. It can be said that the degree of freedom of which the users listen to their favorite songs in their favorite orders has increased.
However, it is assumed that the users listen to each song from the beginning to the end. In addition, there is a non-sound region between songs. In other words, one song is the minimum unit. Thus, the user has to listen to music on the basis of one song. The user's concentration, namely his or her enthusiasm, breaks at such a non-sound region between songs. As a result, the users are difficult to continuously listen to songs with his or her tension kept.
FIG. 28 shows conventional music reproduction using song A and song B. In this case, the two songs are reproduced with their original tempos. Of course, there is a non-sound region between these songs.
Thus, a technique of combining a plurality of music materials and editing them was developed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-44046 discloses a technique of combining a plurality of music materials that are input through a user's keyboard and mouse and allowing him or her to interactively edit them and to enjoy the reproduced songs. In the technology, sound pieces such as sound patterns and one-shots and tips composed of effects applicable to sound pieces are assigned to individual keys of the keyboard. When the user presses the keys, tips corresponding thereto are executed. When a plurality of keys are pressed at the same time, corresponding tips are combined and output. In addition, by successively pressing keys, corresponding tips are chronologically combined and thereby a song is composed.
However, with the foregoing technique disclosed as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-44046, it is difficult to recompose a song by connecting parts of a plurality of songs in such a manner that their beats are kept equal like with a remix created, for example, by a disc jockey (DJ). A DJ is currently a common occupation. There are label companies that dedicatedly deal with remix music. The number of users who enjoy remix music is increasing.
The present invention was created from the foregoing point of view. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of creating music edit information used in editing many songs recorded in a record medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory in such a manner that all or parts of them are overlaid or connected with their beats kept constant. Another object of the present invention is to provide a music editing apparatus that uses music content as materials and creates a new song (music content) corresponding to edit information based on the foregoing creating method. A further object of the present invention is to provide a record medium on which edit information described according to the creating method for the music edit information is recorded.

Music edit device, music edit information creating method, and recording medium where music edit information is recorded


An apparatus for tracking an amount of dispensed fluid, a system for fluid injection including the apparatus, and related methods of use are described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a dosage meter shaped to couple with a leadscrew and a cartridge containing a fluid for injection, and configured to track fluid injection. In an embodiment, the dosage meter includes an index wheel including a plurality of teeth, wherein the index wheel is shaped to position coaxially with a major axis of the leadscrew and to receive rotational motion from the leadscrew; and a cantilevered protrusion positioned to deflect due to contact with the plurality of teeth as the index wheel rotates coaxially with the leadscrew inducing a strain in the cantilevered protrusion, wherein the dosage meter outputs a signal indicative of the strain.

A fluid injection system is a device, such as a drug injection pen, for injecting into a subject a quantity of fluid, such as a medication. In the treatment of many diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, it is useful to track quantities of medications injected and corresponding times of injection. However, many conventional drug injection pens are not capable of automatically and accurately tracking injection events, quantities of medications injected, or dates and times of injection events.

Dosage tracking apparatus, dosage tracking system, and related methods of use


An apparatus, system and method of distributed processing are disclosed. The apparatus, system, and method communicate a software process from a driver device through a peripheral input/output channel to a processing device. The driver device and the processing device execute a common instruction set. The processing device executes the software process, reducing the processing demand on the driver device. The processing device may interface with a peripheral device through the peripheral input/output channel. In addition, the processing device communicates results data through the peripheral input/output channel in an isochronous transfer to the driver device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to distributed processing and more particularly relates to distributed processing on a peripheral input/output channel based processing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data processing devices such as computer, servers and personal digital assistants ("PDAs") execute software processes to perform a variety of functions. Unfortunately, the data processing devices often execute one or more software processes that require processing bandwidth in excess of the data processing devices' capabilities. Consequently, the execution of a software process may be delayed until sufficient processing bandwidth is available for the data processing device to execute the software process in a timely manner.
Unfortunately, the execution of some software processes cannot be delayed without adverse effects. For example, many audio and video software processes require the execution of specific tasks in specified time intervals, such as completing the processing of a video frame within a television scan cycle. Software processes that require the execution of specific tasks in specified time intervals are referred to as real time processes. If a data processing device has insufficient processing bandwidth to execute software processes such as real time processes, processing demand must be reduced or processing bandwidth must be increased.
Co-processors have been used to increase the processing bandwidth of data processing devices. A data processing device may incorporate a co-processor with a primary processor to increase processing bandwidth. The primary processor executes one or more software processes. In addition, the primary processor may assign the co-processor to execute one or more software processes. The co-processor executes the software process and communicates the results of the software process to the primary processor. Because the co-processor module executes the software process, the processing demand on the primary processor is reduced. Unfortunately, adding the co-processor increases the cost of the data processing device, even if the co-processor is not required.
Distributed processing is also used to reduce the processing demand on a data processing device without incorporating a co-processor. In such an arrangement, a data processing device executes one or more software processes. In addition, the data processing device may assign an external device such as a server to execute one or more software processes. The external device typically receives the software process from the data processing device through a computing communications channel such as a network. In addition, the external device executes the software process and communicates the results to the data processing device through the computing communications channel. The external device decreases the processing demand on the data processing device through distributed processing.
Unfortunately, many data processing devices, particularly mobile data processing devices such as laptop computers or PDAs, do not always have access to the processing bandwidth of an external device such as a server. For example, a user may use a laptop computer to mix MIDI input data from a synthesizer with digital audio at a remote site without access to a network or a server. If the MIDI input and conversion software process and the digital audio mixing software process exceed the processing bandwidth of the laptop computer, the user is not able to distribute software processes to an external device such as the server.
In addition, many data processing devices cannot connect to the computing communications channels typically used for distributed processing such as an Ethernet network or the Internet. For example, a data processing device such as a PDA may only have a peripheral input/output channel designed for communications with peripheral devices such as a universal serial bus ("USB") connection or an infrared communications channel. As a result, users in many situations are unable to increase the processing bandwidth of data processing devices using distributed processing. For example, a user using a PDA to capture audio input data may not have the additional processing bandwidth needed to execute a speech recognition software process. The user may also be unable to communicate the speech recognition software process to an external device such as a server to reduce processing demand through distributed processing.
Consequently, a need exists for a process, apparatus, and system for distributed processing without a network or computing communications channel. Beneficially, such a process, apparatus, and system would increase the processing bandwidth of a data processing device using the original hardware capabilities of the data processing device.

Apparatus, system, and method for distributed processing with a peripheral input/output channel based device


An automotive door lock assembly comprises a lock/unlock mechanism and an electric actuator which actuates the lock/unlock mechanism. At an initial stage of a door unlocking operation of the electric actuator, a passive lever is shifted from an engaged position where a lock/unlock lever and a sub-lever are engaged to move together to a disengaged position where the engagement between the lock/unlock lever and the sub-lever is canceled. When the passive lever is shifted to the disengaged position, the sub-lever can be quickly shifted to the unlock position by the force of a spring prior to shifting of the lock/unlock lever to the unlock position from the lock position by the electric actuator. With this arrangement, the electric actuator can be made of a relatively low power electric motor, and the lock/unlock mechanism can be quickly shifted to a door unlocking condition upon manipulation of a door handle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to door lock assemblies and more particularly to automotive door lock assemblies of a power type, which comprises a door lock device and an electric actuator for actuating the door lock device.
2. Description of Related Art
Hitherto, various types of door lock assemblies have been put into practical use particularly in the field of wheeled motor vehicles. Some of them are of a type which comprises a lock/unlock mechanism that can switch between lock and unlock conditions, and an electric actuator that forces the lock/unlock mechanism to switch between the lock and unlock conditions with an electric force. That is, in the lock condition of the mechanism, an outside door handle is inoperative and thus the door can not be opened even if the door handle is manipulated, while, in the unlock condition of the mechanism, the outside door handle is operative and thus manipulation of the handle can induce opening of the door.
Recently, some of the door lock assemblies have a so-called xe2x80x9ckeyless entry systemxe2x80x9d incorporated therewith. In this system, a wireless control is used for operating the electric actuator to force the lock/unlock mechanism to switch between the lock and unlock conditions. One of such entry systems is of a type which comprises a portable signal transmitter carried by an operator (viz., driver), a signal receiver installed in the vehicle and a control unit installed in the vehicle for controlling the electric actuator in accordance with a code signal received by the signal receiver. That is, when the operator (viz., driver) carrying the transmitter approaches the vehicle door and manipulates the outside door handle of the vehicle, the signal receiver detects the code signal from the transmitter and the control unit issues an instruction signal to the electric actuator to assist the door opening manipulation of the driver. More specifically, upon sensing the code signal, the electric actuator is energized to force the lock/unlock mechanism to switch from the lock condition to the unlock condition. Thus, thereafter, the door can be opened by a continued manipulation of the door handle by the operator.
In the above-mentioned door lock assembly incorporated with the keyless entry system, speedy switching from the lock condition to the unlock condition is inevitably needed by the lock/unlock mechanism because the manipulation of the outside handle by the operator (viz., driver) is usually made right after the signal receiver receives the code signal from the transmitter. For achieving the quick switching, the known door lock assembly uses a high power electric actuator. However, as is known, usage of such high power actuator tends to bring about increase in cost of the door lock assembly as well as increase in size of the same.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automotive door lock assembly of a power type, which is free of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
That is, according to the present invention, there is provided an automotive door lock assembly of a power type, which can quickly switch the lock/unlock mechanism from the lock condition to the unlock condition without using a high power electric actuator.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automotive door lock assembly which comprises a lock unlock mechanism including a lock/unlock lever and a sub-lever, the lock/unlock mechanism being able to switch between a lock condition wherein both the lock/unlock lever and sub-lever assume respective lock positions to induce a locked condition of the door and an unlock condition wherein both the lock/unlock lever and sub-lever assume respective unlock positions to induce an unlocked condition of the door; an electric actuator which forces the lock/unlock mechanism to switch between the lock and unlock conditions with an electric force; and a structure including a passive lever and a biasing means which are incorporated with the door lock assembly, the passive lever being actuated by the electric actuator and shifted, at an initial stage of the operation of the electric actuator for shifting the lock/unlock mechanism to the unlock condition, from an engaged position where the lock/unlock lever and the sub-lever are engaged to move together to a disengaged position where the engagement between the lock/unlock lever and the sub-lever is canceled, wherein when the passive lever is shifted to the disengaged position, the sub-lever is shifted to the unlock position by the biasing means prior to shifting of the lock/unlock lever to the unlock position from the lock position by the electric actuator.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automotive door lock assembly which comprises a lock/unlock mechanism including a lock/unlock lever and a sub-lever which are each movable between lock and unlock positions, the lock/unlock mechanism being able to switch between a lock condition wherein both the lock/unlock lever and sub-lever assume respective lock positions to induce a locked condition of the door, an unlock condition wherein both the lock/unlock lever and sub-lever assume respective unlock positions to induce an unlocked condition of the door and a temporary unlocked condition wherein the lock/unlock lever assumes the lock position or a position between the lock and unlock positions and the sub-lever assumes the unlock position to induce an unlocked condition of the door; a passive lever movably connected to one of the lock/unlock lever and the sub-lever, the passive lever being movable between an engaged position where the passive lever engages with a stopper portion provided on the other of the lock/unlock lever and the sub-lever thereby to engage the lock/unlock lever with the sub-lever and a disengaged position where the passive lever disengages from the stopper portion thereby to permit the lock/unlock mechanism to switch from the lock condition to the temporary unlocked condition; biasing means which biases the sub-lever toward the unlock position with respect to the lock/unlock lever; an electric actuator; an operation lever which is moved by the electric actuator between a lock position to induce the lock condition of the lock/unlock mechanism and an unlock position to induce the unlock condition of the lock/unlock mechanism; and a cancel lever moved by the electric actuator, the cancel lever being capable of shifting the passive lever to the disengaged position from the engaged position prior to the movement of the operation lever to the unlock position from the lock position.


A driveshaft assembly includes a tubular slip member having a first spline member having a plurality of splines formed thereon having a first tolerance and a second spline member having a plurality of spline sections. The plurality of spline sections includes a plurality of splines formed thereon having a second tolerance. The second spline member cooperates with the first spline member. A zone is disposed on the second spline member and has a first profile. The zone is disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of spline sections of the second spline member, and the first profile defines a clearance relative to the first spline member.

This invention relates in general to a tubular member having splines formed thereon. More particularly, this invention relates to a tubular slip member having splines of multiple sizes for use in a vehicular driveshaft assembly. The tubular splines are provided for transmitting rotary motion and accommodating axial length changes, such as in a vehicular drive train system.
Drive train systems are widely used for generating power from a source and for transferring such power from the source to a driven mechanism. Frequently, the source generates rotational power, and such rotational power is transferred from the source to a rotatably driven mechanism. For example, in most land vehicles in use today, an engine/transmission assembly generates rotational power, and such rotational power is transferred from an output shaft of the engine/transmission assembly through a driveshaft assembly to an input shaft of an axle assembly so as to rotatably drive the wheels of the vehicle. To accomplish this, a typical driveshaft assembly includes a hollow cylindrical driveshaft tube having a pair of end fittings, such as a pair of tube yokes, secured to the front and rear ends thereof. The front end fitting forms a portion of a front universal joint that connects the output shaft of the engine/transmission assembly to the front end of the driveshaft tube. Similarly, the rear end fitting forms a portion of a rear universal joint that connects the rear end of the driveshaft tube to the input shaft of the axle assembly. The front and rear universal joints provide a rotational driving connection from the output shaft of the engine/transmission assembly through the driveshaft tube to the input shaft of the axle assembly, while accommodating a limited amount of angular misalignment between the rotational axes of these three shafts.
Not only must a typical drive train system accommodate a limited amount of angular misalignment between the source of rotational power and the rotatably driven device, but it must also typically accommodate a limited amount of relative axial movement therebetween. For example, in most vehicles, a small amount of relative axial movement frequently occurs between the engine/transmission assembly and the axle assembly when the vehicle is operated. To address this, it is known to provide a slip joint in the driveshaft assembly. A typical slip joint includes first and second members that have respective structures formed thereon that cooperate with one another for concurrent rotational movement, while permitting a limited amount of axial movement to occur therebetween.
One common type of driveshaft slip joint is known as a sliding spline slip joint. A typical sliding spline slip joint includes male and female members having respective pluralities of splines formed thereon. The male member is usually generally cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of outwardly extending splines formed on the outer surface thereof. The male member may be formed integrally with or secured to an end of the driveshaft assembly described above. The female member, on the other hand, is usually generally hollow and cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of inwardly extending splines formed on the inner surface thereof. The female member may be formed integrally with or secured to a yoke that forms a portion of one of the universal joints described above. To assemble the slip joint, the male member is inserted within the female member such that the outwardly extending splines of the male member cooperate with the inwardly extending splines of the female member. As a result, the male and female members are connected together for concurrent rotational movement. However, the outwardly extending splines of the male member can slide relative to the inwardly extending splines of the female member to allow a limited amount of relative axial movement to occur between the engine/transmission assembly and the axle assembly of the drive train system.
The male and female members have traditionally been forged or cast components, and the respective splines have traditionally been cut, rolled, or otherwise formed thereon. An alternative configuration for these spline members is to form the plurality of outwardly and inwardly extending splines directly onto the hollow tubular components of the driveshaft assembly. These tube-formed spline profiles are usually somewhat lower in weight than those of traditional forged or cast construction, but may require a longer mated engagement length. Additionally, the relative spline fits must be tight enough to ensure a stable lateral orientation yet, have sufficient clearance to slip without excessive force. While these tube-formed splines can provide adequate performance, the longer spline-form length often entails an increased processing time in order to provide the necessary fit tolerances for the assembled spline components. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a spline form configuration that can accommodate long spline lengths with reduced process cycle times. It would further be desirable to provide a spline form that provides a tight lateral fit, yet has a lower axial articulation force.

Tubular member having multiple sized splines


A beverage dispenser is shown and includes an insulated water bath tank for retaining a plurality of beverage heat exchange coils. The coils deliver the beverage to a plurality of beverage dispensing valves. The water bath tank includes an area for holding an ice retaining basket. The dispenser includes a top access door for permitting removal and replacement of the basket from the tank. An overflow drain serves to maintain the water in the tank at a desired level, and an agitator provides for agitation thereof. In operation, the basket is first removed and filled with ice. The basket is then placed into the tank and the access door closed. Water in the bath is displaced by the basket and ice, and any that rises above the overflow drain level is dispensed there through. The agitator causes movement of the water for faster cooling thereof by heat exchange with the ice, and therefore, faster heat exchange cooling of the beverage coils in the water bath. When the ice has substantially melted, the basket can again be filled with further ice and replaced into the water bath tank.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to beverage dispensing equipment and, in particular, to low cost beverage dispensing equipment.
2. Background of the Invention
Fountain beverage dispensing equipment provides for the dispensing of cold beverages on either a post-mix or pre-mix basis. A post-mix dispenser mixes the beverage constituents, such as carbonated water and syrup, in a desired ratio to produce a carbonated soft drink, whereas the pre-mix dispenser dispenses a previously prepared beverage. In both cases, such equipment must provide for the pre-cooling of the beverage or its constituents prior to dispensing thereof. Cooling can be accomplished directly with a refrigeration system having a compressor, evaporator, condenser, and so forth. However such an approach can be relatively expensive due to the cost of the refrigeration machinery, and the cost associated with the maintenance and operation thereof. Thus, the refrigeration based system is not ideal for retail locations in, for example, a rural area, where there may be a desire or need for fountain dispensed drinks, but where the volume of business can not support or justify a very expensive dispenser. Also, such areas typically lack conveniently located service personnel that can repair and maintain the dispensing equipment for a reasonable cost, and do so in a reasonable period of time.
Beverage dispensers also use cold plate systems where ice is used to cool a metal cold plate which, in turn, provides for cooling of the beverage or beverage constituents by heat exchange therewith. A cold plate based dispenser is not as mechanically complex as a dispenser having a full refrigeration system, and therefore, the maintenance thereof is less involved and less costly. However, the cost of a cold plate dispenser can also be prohibitive in a low volume location.
A further problem occurs where portability of the dispenser is a concern, such as with a unit that is to be used, for example, only temporarily at a particular location, or continually transported in a vehicle from which food and drink are sold. Both cooling approaches result in a dispenser that is relatively heavy, and in the case of one using a refrigeration system, there is a need for a significant amount of electrical power. Moreover, refrigeration equipment is quite sensitive to any shocks that may occur during movement thereof, thus, refrigeration based dispensers are not ideally suited for use in mobile applications.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a beverage dispenser that is low in initial cost, and designed to be reliable and easy and inexpensive to operate and maintain. It would also be desirable to have such a dispenser that is durable and easily transported.


Techniques are provided for converting a circuit design file so that it is compatible with a new programmable IC. Black box declarations and instances of black boxes in the circuit design file are located automatically. Then, information about the function and structure of the black boxes is gathered from various user files. This information is used to convert the black box declarations and instances into equivalent declarations and instances that are compatible with the new programmable IC. The design conversion process is performed quickly and automatically with minimal user input. User input is only needed to identify recognized black boxes.

The present invention provides techniques for editing circuit design code so that it is compatible with a new programmable integrated circuit (IC), and more particularly, to techniques for converting code describing a circuit design written for a first programmable integrated circuit into code that is compatible with a second programmable integrated circuit.
A programmable logic integrated circuit (IC) is a general purpose IC that can be configured to implement a variety of circuit designs. Programmable logic ICs typically include repeating arrays of programmable logic blocks and memory blocks. Examples of programmable logic ICs include field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic devices (PLDs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), configurable logic arrays, etc.
Hardware circuit designs are typically expressed in computer aided design software using a hardware description language (HDL) language such as Verilog or VHDL. HDL programs of circuit designs that are intended to be programmed into a programmable IC are usually targeted to specific IC architecture.
For example, some FPGA manufacturers provide primitives in their HDL libraries. A primitive is a basic building block that can be used to describe a portion of a circuit design. A multiplier block is an example of a primitive. Primitives are typically provided in HDL libraries to simplify the task of designing a complicated circuit that is targeted for a particular FPGA. Many HDL libraries also have a larger or more complex building block of a hardware circuit (such as a phase locked loop).
Often, users of FPGAs desire to switch from one type of FPGA to another. A user may desire to purchase an FPGA made by a new manufacturer after an FPGA-specific HDL program has already been created describing the user's circuit design. The new manufacturer can increase the chances of obtaining a client's business if the HDL program for the circuit design can be converted to be compatible with the new manufacturer's FPGA. However, it takes a substantial amount of time and effort to manually edit a HDL program so that is compatible with a new FPGA.
Previously known methods have been put forth for converting a circuit design file into a file that is compatible with a different FPGA. These methods require a considerable amount of input from the user at runtime to perform the conversion. During the conversion process, the user has to answer numerous design specific questions.
For example, the user has to identify elements in the circuit design as block boxes. The user also has to describe the implementation of the identified black boxes. To answer these questions, the user must possess a very detailed understanding of the circuit design. To obtain such a level of understanding, the user must spend a considerable amount of time sifting through the circuit design files and the timing constraint files associated with it.
Thus, the design conversion techniques are slow and time consuming. For example, it may take between 5 to 14 days to convert a circuit design, depending on the size and complexity of the design. Design conversions also require a good understanding of the software tools and the architecture primitives for the two FPGAs.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide more efficient techniques for converting a file containing code that describes a circuit design for a programmable IC into a file that is compatible with a new programmable IC, without requiring the user to have a detailed understanding of the circuit design.

Techniques for editing circuit design files to be compatible with a new programmable IC


In a method of producing a resin gear, after applying a gear cutting having a gear cutting direction toward the gate forming portion onto an outer periphery surface of a resin rim layer, the gate forming portion is cut and removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of producing a resin gear which is preferably used in a high load transmission system such as a power steering apparatus or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional use, in order to assist steering force by an electric power steering apparatus, a worm wheel for transmitting drive force of a motor to the steering shaft is employed in a transmission system for transmitting drive force of a motor to the steering shaft.
As the worm wheel employed for the high load transmission system such as the power steering apparatus or the like, it is considered that a boss and an arm are constituted by an insert metal fitting for strength. A rim having teeth is constituted by a resin to silence the engaging sound.
In accordance with the conventional art, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication (JP-A) No. 8-145146, a resin rim layer is formed on an outer periphery of an insert metal fitting from a gate of a metal mold. A gear cutting is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the resin rim layer so as to obtain a gear.
However, in accordance with the conventional art, after obtaining a blank material in which a gate forming portion is cut and removed from a product which is formed from a resin rim layer on an outer periphery of an insert metal fitting, a gear cutting is applied onto an outer peripheral surface of the resin rim layer of the blank material. Accordingly, it is necessary to remove burrs generated on the outer peripheral surface of the resin rim layer due to the gear cutting after applying the gear cutting.
An object of the present invention is to reduce a number of steps for producing a resin gear so as to reduce cost.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a resin gear in which a resin rim layer is formed on an outer periphery of an insert metal fitting from a gate of a metal mold and a gear cutting is applied onto an outer peripheral surface of the rim layer so as to form a gear, comprising the steps of:
forming a gate forming portion on a side surface in a gate side of the resin rim layer and to at least an outer peripheral surface side;
applying a gear cutting having a gear cutting direction toward a side of the gate forming portion onto an outer periphery surface of the resin rim layer; and
thereafter cutting and removing the gate forming portion.


A touch pad outputs a detection signal indicating a coordinate corresponding to a contact state where a finger is in contact with the coordinate detecting unit, and a detection signal indicating a coordinate corresponding to a proximity state where the finger is in proximity to, without contact with, the coordinate detecting unit. An operation input device detects, based on the detection signals, a contact region in which the finger is in contact with the coordinate detecting unit, and a proximity region in which the finger is in proximity to, without contact with, the coordinate detecting unit. Then, the operation input device determines a pointed coordinate based on the contact region detected and the proximity region detected.

Recently, touch pads have been widely adopted as operating devices in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. A touch pad is a pointing device capable of pointing a coordinate by a user performing an operation by making a finger as a pointer in contact with the pad.
However, depending on a state of the finger when the user performs an operation on the touch pad, there are some cases where the pointed coordinate actually detected by the touch pad does not correspond to an operation intended by the user.
As a specific example, in a case where an operation is performed by moving the thumb from the wrist side to the fingertip side so as to protrude the thumb, the tip of the thumb is in contact with the touch pad when the operation is initiated. As the thumb is moved to the fingertip side from this state, the tip of the thumb is gradually warped upward and thus is detached from the touch pad, and the belly of the thumb becomes gradually in contact with the touch pad. Then, as the thumb is moved further to the fingertip side, the tip of the thumb is more warped, and thus the portion of the belly of the thumb in contact with the touch pad approaches toward the base of the thumb.
While moving the thumb in this way, the user has an image such that a fingertip corresponds to the pointed coordinate. However, at the time of this operation, the actual contact portion of the thumb with the touch pad moves from the fingertip of the thumb to the base side of the belly thereof, and the pointed coordinate detected by the touch pad also moves correspondingly. Thus, for example, when an operation is performed with the thumb, deviation is likely to occur between the operation intended by the user and the pointed coordinate actually detected by the touch pad.
For this reason, an input device such as the following one is known. In other words, the input device calculates a contact width D of a contact region in a vertical direction based on contact information concerning the touch pad, calculates a center coordinate y of the contact region, and further calculates the amount of correction D/N using the contact width D and a predetermined correction parameter N. Then, while the contact region is moving, the input device calculates the amount of movement of the contact point, using the corrected coordinate Y=y+D/N. While the contact region is stopped, the input device calculates the amount of movement, using the center coordinate of the contact region (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Operation input device, operation input method, and program


Allocation performance is enhanced by optimizing queries associated with the allocation. A sparse definition space for a calculation is translated into a dense space for performing the calculation for efficient resource utilization. A calculation expression is symbolically analyzed to determine a relationship between non-zero calculated results and non-zero cells in the input data. From this relationship the regions on which the calculated results are non-zero are obtained by examining the input data. The calculation space is thus reduced to a smaller one. The resulting calculation space is no longer sparse and enables efficient performance of allocation.

Data in business applications is often viewed in the form of a spreadsheet. A spreadsheet may be thought of as a "two dimensional" array of data. Each cell in the spreadsheet represents a value of two related entities, or dimensions. For example, one dimension may be time, while a corresponding cross-dimension may be revenue. Many applications, however, may have data, which has more than two dimensions. Business data having more than two dimensions are called multi-dimensional data.
Multi-dimensional data is often used in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting applications. Examples of common dimensions in such an application include account, time, product, business unit, financial scenarios, and the like. A particular piece of data in such a multi-dimensional data space may be (revenue, February-2005, service, budget, 1000) representing the fact that the data value is 1000 for account=revenue, time=February-2005, business unit=service, and financial scenario=budget.
A common calculation in planning, budgeting, and forecasting applications is to set a high-level goal and then break it down to lower level goals that support the high-level goal. This type of calculation is called allocation. For example, one can set the all-year-2004 revenue goal as $10 million for business unit=service, and financial scenario=budget. This goal can then be broken down to revenue goals for each of the 12 months in 2004. One approach for performing an allocation is to represent the multi-dimensional data in an OLAP (online analytical processing) model such as Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Service® cube, generate Multi-Dimensional eXpression (MDX) query for the allocation, and then execute the query in the Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Service engine.
SQL Server Analysis Service engine may perform poorly for sparse calculations—a calculation is called sparse, if the number of data points need to be calculated is large but most of calculated results are actually zero. The MDX queries generated for allocations tend to be sparse for many of business applications. Therefore, a brute force execution of these queries on an SQL Server Analysis Service engine may result in poor performance.

Allocation performance by query optimization


An ophthalmic lens comprises a transparent substrate and electro-optical means integrated with the substrate to perform an optical function in response to an electrical stimulus. The ophthalmic lens further comprises at least one photovoltaic cell integrated with the substrate to power the electro-optical means in response to an incident light, and optionally also a control circuit for controlling the electrical voltage. The photovoltaic cell may be incorporated in an opaque element occupying a small fraction of the area of the lens. Alternatively, the photovoltaic cell may be transparent and may cover at least a portion of the area of the lens.

Numerous attempts have been made to adapt certain optical characteristics of ophthalmic lenses, or spectacles eyeglasses, dynamically in order to improve comfort or in order to provide new functions for wearers of the lenses. By way of example, the light transmission of lenses can be reduced under conditions of high brightness, and can be increased again when ambient light returns to a normal or low level of intensity. Photochromic lenses perform this function, but the variations in light transmission provided by such lenses are determined by the intensity of ultraviolet radiation illuminating the lenses. The light transmission level adopted by photochromic lenses is therefore unsuitable under certain circumstances. In particular, photochromic lenses inside a car remain in a state of high transparency whenever the level of sunlight. A car driver is therefore not protected against being dazzled when wearing spectacles with photochromic lenses.
Electro-optical systems enable an optical characteristic to be controlled by means of an electrical stimulus. By way of example, the light transmission of an electrochromic lens varies in response to an electric current.
Electro-optical systems thus require an electrical power supply in order to deliver the electrical stimulus. Small-sized batteries have been integrated with spectacles frames so as to power electro-optical devices integrated with the lenses. Such batteries have been placed on the branches or "temples" of the spectacles, or they have been hidden in the bridge of the frame between the two lenses. Electrical connections then connect the battery(ies) to the electro-optical system.
Such battery power supplies suffer from the drawback of significant weight and size. In addition, they are reserved for lenses that have been specially produced for a frame of given shape. Unfortunately, in most cases, lenses are produced independently of frames. They are then cut, turned, and/or drilled so as to be brought to the dimensions of a frame or a jig, and then they are assembled to the frame or to the jig. Because of the wide variety of shapes of frames and jigs, it is difficult to design electrical connections that include a portion that is made on the lens prior to the lens being cut to size. In addition, such connections need to be connected to the frame after the lenses have been assembled in the frame. Making such connections is particularly expensive since it requires finishing steps to be performed.
An object of the present invention thus consists in proposing an ophthalmic lens fitted with an electro-optical system that does not present the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Ophthalmic lens with electro-optical function

Essilor International (Compagnie General d'Optique)


The present disclosure relates generally to compounds that bind to Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 1 (LPAR1) and act as antagonists of LPAR1. The disclosure further relates to the use of the compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions through binding of LPAR1, including fibrosis and liver diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Lysophosphatidic acids (mono-acyl-glycerol-3-phosphate, LPA) are a class of biologically active phospholipids that can be produced from lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC), e.g., by the enzyme autotaxin. A typical LPA has a glycerol, an ester-linked fatty acid at the sn-1 position, and a phosphate head group at the sn-3 position. LPA with various fatty acids have been identified, including palmitoyl LPA (16:0), stearoyl LPA (18:0), oleoyl LPA (18:1), linoleoyl LPA (18:2) and arachidonyl LPA (20:4). LPA exerts a wide range of cellular responses, such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, adhesion, invasion, and morphogenesis through a family of rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Six LPA receptors have been been characterized and were found to differ in their tissue distribution and downstream signaling pathways. These six LPA receptors are often referred to interchangeably as LPAR1-6 (gene) or LPA1-6 (protein). LPA receptor mediated signaling has been shown to influence many biological processes such as wound healing, immunity, carcinogenesis, angiogenesis and neurogenesis.
In vivo studies involving LPA receptor-deficient mice or certain tool compounds have suggested a potential of LPA receptors as possible drug targets in a variety of diseases including cancer, fibrosis, inflammation, pain, and cardiovascular diseases. More recently, LPAR1 antagonists have been studied clinically in connection with fibrotic disease states such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic sclerosis.
A need remains for LPA antagonists with desirable selectivity, potency, metabolic stability, or reduced detrimental effects.

Triazole carbamate pyridyl sulfonamides as LPA receptor antagonists and uses thereof


An improved machine for forming a plurality of thin, spiral grooves in the inner surface of a metal pipe. A grooving plug is inserted and held in the metal pipe in such a manner that its axial position is constant and the metal pipe, while being moved longitudinally, is pressed by a plurality of balls which rotate planetarily around the outer surface of the metal pipe at a position corresponding to the position of the grooving plug to continuously form a plurality of spiral grooves in the inner surface of the metal pipe. Thereafter, the metal pipe is finished through a die. The machine manufactures at a high rate metal pipe which has a smooth outer surface and a grooved inner surface.

The present invention relates to an improved machine for forming thin, spiral grooves in the inner surface of a metal pipe.
The heat transmission pipes of an air conditioner, for instance, have inner surfaces which are grooved. In a conventional method of forming grooves in the inner surface of a metal pipe, a predetermined grooving plug is inserted and held in a metal pipe such as a copper pipe in such a manner that its axial position is constant. The metal pipe, while being moved in the axial direction, is pressed by a plurality of rolls which rotate planetarily around the part of the metal pipe where the grooving plug is positioned.
For implementation of this method, a machine for forming grooves in the inner surface of a metal pipe (hereinafter referred to merely as "a grooving machine" when applicable) can be readily constructed by combining an ordinary drawing machine with a draw bench, a bull block or a continuous drawing bench. However, in such a machine, when the metal pipe is moved, the stress caused in the metal pipe by friction between the metal pipe and the rolls is high and therefore the speed of processing the metal pipe may be limited because of the tensile strength of the metal pipe. Because of the limitation in processing speed, the application of this method to a metal pipe having a small wall thickness and small diameter is undesirable because the speed of processing such a metal pipe is unavoidably low.

Machine for forming spiral grooves in metal pipe inner surface


Provided are a method, computer program product and system for reporting time-based sentiment for a product. Text analysis is performed on at least one communication. At least one feature for the product is determined based on the text analysis. A sentiment value is generated for the at least one feature for the product. A date associated with the sentiment value is determined, and the sentiment value is reported for at least one feature over time.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for analyzing user generated content such as reviews and comments of goods and services with text analytics, and in particular sentiment analysis of a product or service feature over a period of time.
The use of the Internet, and in particular social media, provides real time rapid communication (positive or negative) that can almost immediately affect the brand image for the product or service. Product surveys provide one way to gauge customer sentiment regarding a product in general and in specific certain features about the product. Developing questionnaires and soliciting responses from customers is expensive and slow. Consumers, as well as business owners, want to know customer satisfaction regarding specific features of a product or service without performing surveys.

Time-based sentiment analysis for product and service features

International Business Machines Corporation


A turning tool (5′) for turning a jet regulator, a nozzle, an intermediate holder, a flow regulator, a non-return valve or a similar plumbing fitting (5) is provided. The fitting (5), on the outlet side, is detachably held on a plumbing water outlet armature (2) by a threaded connection or a bayonet connection, whereby the turning tool (5′) can be placed on the plumbing fitting (5) in a rotationally fixed manner. The turning tool is characterized in that the turning tool is also provided in the form of a plumbing fitting or as a component of a plumbing fitting, that he turning tool (5′) can be placed in a rotationally fixed manner on an outer or an inner periphery of the fitting (5) that is held on the water outlet armature, and or that he turning tool (5′) has a face profiling or contouring (24, 25) that can be placed in a rotationally fixed manner on a mating profiling or a mating contouring (25, 24) provided on the outlet face of the fitting (5) that is held in the water outlet armature (2).

The invention relates to a turning tool for turning a jet regulator, a nozzle, an intermediate holder, a flow regulator, a non-return valve, or a similar plumbing fitting. This fitting, on the opening side, is detachably held on a plumbing water outlet armature by means of a screw connection or a bayonet connection, whereby the turning tool can be placed on the plumbing fitting in a rotationally fixed manner.
Typically, a nozzle, in which a jet regulator is inserted, is screwed onto the opening-side outlet end of plumbing outlet armatures. This jet regulator should transform the water stream flowing into the regulator into a homogeneously aerated, soft water jet. Such jet regulators must be disassembled and exchanged at time intervals of several years. For this purpose, in order to screw the nozzle off of the outlet armature and to be able to remove the jet regulator located in the nozzle from the nozzle, ring wrench-like turning tools have already been designed, which can be slid onto the nozzle from the opening side and can be set in a rotationally fixed manner in this position.
However, in an emergency this turning tool is usually not available for the user. Above all, the production and purchase of this turning tool is associated with an additional cost outlay.

Turning tool for turning a plumbing fitting


A power rake and multi-purpose bucket combo attachment includes a power rake drum, a multi-purpose bucket and a frame. The multi-purpose bucket is configured to dig, scoop, lift, carry, clamp, pinch or hold. The frame is configured to hold the power rake drum and the multi-purpose bucket in positions for operation on a loader machine. The frame also includes a plate configured for attachment to a loader machine. Wherein, the power rake and multi-purpose bucket combo attachment is configured to combine the power rake drum and the multi-purpose bucket that can dig, scoop, lift, carry, clamp, pinch or hold in a single attachment, whereby the power rake multi-purpose bucket combo attachment provides operations of both the power rake drum and the multi-purpose bucket.

Generally speaking, a loader is a heavy equipment machine used in construction to move aside or load materials such as asphalt, demolition debris, dirt, snow, feed, gravel, logs, raw minerals, recycled material, rock, sand, woodchips, etc. into or onto another type of machinery (such as a dump truck, conveyor belt, feed-hopper, or railroad car). As such, a loader is a type of tractor, usually wheeled, sometimes on tracks, that has a front-mounted square wide bucket connected to the end of two booms (arms) to scoop up loose material from the ground, such as dirt, sand or gravel, and move it from one place to another without pushing the material across the ground. There are many types of loader, which, depending on design and application, are called by various names, including bucket loader, front loader, front-end loader, payloader, scoop, shovel, skip loader, wheel loader, or skid-steer.
The loader assembly may be a removable attachment or permanently mounted. Often the bucket can be replaced with other devices or tools. For example, many loaders can mount forks to lift heavy pallets or shipping containers, and a hydraulically opening "clamshell" bucket allows a loader to act as a light dozer or scraper. The bucket can also be augmented with devices like a bale grappler for handling large bales of hay or straw.
Skid-steer loaders are types of loaders that are typically four-wheel vehicles with the wheels mechanically locked in synchronization on each side, and where the left-side drive wheels can be driven independently of the right-side drive wheels. The wheels typically have no separate steering mechanism and hold a fixed straight alignment on the body of the machine. Turning is accomplished by differential steering, in which the left and right wheel pairs are operated at different speeds, and the machine turns by skidding or dragging its fixed-orientation wheels across the ground. Skid-steer loaders are capable of zero-radius, "pirouette" turning, which makes them extremely maneuverable and valuable for applications that require a compact, agile loader. Skid-steer loaders are sometimes equipped with tracks instead of the wheels, and such a vehicle is known as a multi-terrain loader or more simply as a track loader. Like other front loaders, skid-steer loaders can push material from one location to another, carry material in its bucket or load material into a truck or trailer.
The conventional bucket of many skid-steer loaders can be replaced with a variety of specialized buckets or attachments, many powered by the loader's hydraulic system. These include backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger, mower, snow blower, stump grinder, tree spade, trencher, dumping hopper, pavement miller, ripper, tillers, grapple, tilt, roller, snow blade, wheel saw, cement mixer, and wood chipper machine.
For landscaping, as examples, the main attachments of a skid-steer loader, or the like, may be a 4-in-1 multipurpose bucket and a powered landscape rake. A 4-in1 multipurpose bucket can be an ideal tool for a landscape contractor, large property owner, rental yard, park & recreation department or turf management professional as it can be used as a normal bucket as well as a dozer blade, leveler or a grab. The front part of the 4-in-1 multi purpose bucket opens with 2 hydraulic cylinders located on the back side of the bucket, which enables dozing, levelling and picking of stones, tree stumps etc. A powered landscape rake or Harley rake can also be an ideal tool for the landscape contractors, large property owner, rental yard, park & recreation department or turf management professional, as they can be used to prep, smooth, set grade, level, till, remove rocks and create a seedbed.
The instant disclosure recognizes the problem with these types of landscaping applications where the need to change between the multipurpose 4-in-1 bucket and the powered landscape rake happens many times during many projects, which requires the loader to be down or not operating for extended periods of time at multiple times during a job. This is obviously undesirable as it is inefficient, time consuming, and thus adds unneeded time and costs to the overall job or project. As an example, with previous power rakes an operator would use the power rake, creating piles of debris around the work area, then switch to a bucket to pick up the piles, then dispose of them, and then switch back to the power rake to clean up tracks left by the machine, which is obviously a timely process. Therefore, to improve efficiency of such landscaping jobs or projects, a need exists for an attachment with the combination of a multipurpose 4-in-1 bucket and a powered rake to reduce the downtime of the loader from switching attachments.
The instant disclosure is designed to address at least certain aspects of the problems or needs discussed above by providing a power rake and multi-purpose bucket combo attachment.

Power rake and multi-purpose bucket combo attachment


The invention provides a ball screw lubricative sealing device having a simplified lubrication mechanism. It is attachable to an installed standard ball screw nut, capable of retaining larger amount of lubricant and long supply of lubricant to the contacting screw parts, and further includes a sealing function. It includes: generally cylindrical case members having attachment part to be attached to both ends of a screw nut, respectively; plural thin seal plates made of lubricating oil impregnated felt-like fiber material which is a three-dimensionally crosslinked plastic fiber and resilient rubber members, and having a hole each and fitted inside said case member in such a state that they circumferentially overlap with each other, the hole having a shape corresponding to a lateral cross-sectional shape of a screw groove of ball screw shaft; and a plastic wiper fitted with a space from the thin seal plates inside each of the case member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lubricative sealing device which provides lubrication to rolling parts of ball screws, particularly between the screw groove of the ball screw shaft or the ball screw nut and the balls, and enables the ball screw to be used for a long time without replenishment of oil.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various sealing devices of this type have been proposed so far (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-2395 and Japanese Patent No. 3288961).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-2395 discloses a structure in which a lubricant-impregnated rubber or synthetic resin ring is attached to the end of a ball nut with a pressing member which has projections to apply a preload to the ring in a circumferential direction.
Japanese Patent No. 3288961 discloses a sealing device that is attached to sliding members such as nuts similarly to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-2395. The lubricating oil applying member is made of polyester/wool blend felt, sintered resin, or the like, which has the merit of being able to absorb and hold more lubricant, as described in the specification.
Another structure for the sealing device is known, as described in Japanese Examined Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-43310. In this sealing device, thin seal plates having holes of shapes that correspond to the lateral cross-sectional shape of the screw groove of the ball screw shaft are circumferentially displaced and overlapped, and held in a frame-shaped ring to be attached to the end of the ball nut. This structure is effective as a sealing device.
A sealing device that can be used on any installed standard ball screw nuts by attaching to both ends of the ball screw nut is also known (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-147561).
In the structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-2395, however, pressure is constantly applied to the lubricant supplying member making contact with the balls serving as rolling elements, to keep their contact for a long time. This accordingly causes a problem of complexing lubrication mechanism.
With the structure of Japanese Patent No. 3288961, while the member that makes contact with the rolling elements, or balls, to apply oil can absorb and hold a large amount of oil, it requires a lubricating oil reservoir member (tank function) that supply oil in order to achieve constant lubricating effect. Another problem is that the lubricating oil applying and retaining member loses its resiliency in the areas contacting the balls as time passes, which leads to its plastic deformation, and as the surfaces contacting the rolling balls deteriorate, the lubricating effect may be reduced. Also, since felt materials usually have large pores, absorbed oil can readily flow out. Therefore, the structure needs to be modified such as provision of a flow rate control valve between the oil reservoir member and the oil application member, as described in the specification.
Further, the device shown in Japanese Examined Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-43310 uses a common seal material, and therefore, while it has good sealing properties, it lacks a lubricating function and is unable to supply lubricating oil stably for a long time.
Furthermore, with the device shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-147561, the built-in lubricant holding member is made of a porous sintered resin material. Therefore, similar to the other conventional devices described above, the lubricating oil applying and retaining member loses its resiliency as time passes in the areas contacting the balls, which leads to its plastic deformation, and as the surfaces contacting the rolling balls deteriorate, the lubricating effect can be reduced. Accordingly, the device shown in this fourth patent document requires an oil replenishing member attached to one side, which is provided in addition to the lubricant applying member that contacts the screw groove, so that lubricant is replenished constantly from outside to the rolling parts of the screw.


A hand-held control device which fits interchangeably into a user's right or left hand. An ergonomically correct housing allows the device to fit snuggly into the grasp of the users hand and be used without creating user fatigue. The operative element in the control device may be a trackball, joystick, touch pad, or other device that can be manipulated by the user's thumb and, in conjunction with one or more switches actuated by phalangeal regions of the fingers, provides functional equivalence to a standard computer mouse or trackball. An optional band or strap may be provided to secure the control device to the user's hand such that the fingers of the hand are available for other tasks without setting the control device down. The control device may communicate with a computer or similar apparatus by a wired cable or a wireless interconnection, typically an RF or IR connection.

Computers and other similar systems have now invaded virtually every area of human endeavor, most being equipped with a Graphic User Interface (GUI). GUI assumes that the user thereof is equipped with what is generically referred to as a remote control device. Pointing devices are a form of remote control device and are used, among many other uses, to move a cursor around on a computer screen. In addition to providing a cursor movement function, pointing devices are typically equipped with one or more switches, buttons or similar devices that allow signals to be sent to a processor for interpretation into a command or commands for positioning a computer cursor or other computer controlled functions.
The earliest and probably still the most widely used pointing device is the ubiquitous "mouse". A mouse typically has a contoured housing that rests under the palm and fingers of the user's hand having a flat bottom surface equipped with a ball, a light or other mechanism which moves or interprets movement on a flat surface. A mechanism inside the mouse generates signals corresponding to the movement of the mouse in both the X and Y directions on the flat surface. It has been established by the medical research that the extended use of a mouse may lead to or aggravate carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS). The movement of such a mouse of the prior art requires a great deal of arm and hand motion, typically from the user's shoulder outward. This precludes the use of such a device by a person having a variety of physical disabilities where there is restricted movement of the arm, hand and fingers.
Another widely used class of pointing devices is called a trackball device. In operation, a trackball may be envisioned as an inverted mouse where the ball resides on the top surface of the device rather than on the bottom surface. A user directly manipulates the ball typically with finger, hand and wrist action to generate X and Y control signals similar to those generated by a mouse. Track ball devices typically require relatively less movement than do mice. And, because they do not rely on a flat surface nor do they require a surface area for movement for operation, track balls may be placed in a possibly more convenient location relative to their users. Trackball devices still require that users move their arm, hand and fingers repeatedly, although in a more fixed position than with a standard mouse. Even the reduced movement required to use a trackball may possibly, with constant repetition, cause or contribute to CTS. A track ball also restricts its user to the given area where the track ball sits or resides.
It would appear desirable to provide a control device which did not require that a user maintain a constant, fixed physical relationship to the fixed surface upon which the pointing device is manipulated or required to reside. The control device of the present invention allows the user substantially unrestricted flexibility in positioning himself or herself relative to the device being controlled.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A vehicular assembly incorporating knee bolsters. The assembly is fabricated largely from integrally injection molded plastic that is capable of reinforcing the knee bolsters, supporting the instrument panel and forming the ducts of an air distribution system. In the event of a collision, the knee bolster plates are stabilized so that they can cushion and limit the movement of the knees of a driver or passenger.

Cross vehicular assemblies incorporating ducts for a vehicular air distribution system suitable for fabrication from thermal plastic material have been disclosed in the past. Such ducts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,964 (Van Kirk-issued Dec. 20, 1988) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,760 (Van Kirk et al.-issued Mar. 14, 1989).
Vehicular knee bolsters also have been disclosed in the past. For example, a knee bolster for a glove compartment incorporating some plastic parts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,649 (Ikeda et al.-issued May 5, 1987).
Vehicular beams extending over substantially the entire width of a passenger compartment for defining air supply channels and for supporting an instrument panel and an airbag also have been disclosed in the past. One such beam is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,568 (Paefgen et al.-issued Jul. 26, 1988).
In spite of the improvements described in the foregoing patents, there is no known plastic cross vehicular assembly with reinforcing knee bolsters, defining air distribution ducts and supporting an instrument panel. In the past, such a multifunctional assembly used steel reinforcements or frames. The use of steel reinforcements or frames increases weight, the difficulty of assembly and the probability of squeaks and rattles.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved plastic cross vehicular assembly for reinforcing knee bolsters, defining ducts for an air distribution system and supporting an instrument panel that decreases weight, costs and the probability of squeaks and rattles, while increasing reliability and ease of assembly.

Cross vehicular assembly including knee bolsters


The present application relates to a method for controlling a power system connected to a power grid, including: receiving a reactive power instruction and a measured reactive power from a generator; generating a reactive power error signal based on the difference between the reactive power instruction and the measured reactive power; receiving the reactive power error signal; generating a voltage instruction based on reactive power error signal; generating a voltage droop signal based on a reference reactance and a voltage at a point of common coupling; generating a voltage error signal according to at least one of the voltage instruction or the measured terminal voltage of the generator and the voltage droop signal; and producing a reactive current instruction for the converter power path based on the voltage error signal. The present application also discloses a control system for a power system connected to a power grid and a wind farm.

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention based on this reason. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, engine room, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind using known airfoil principles. For example, rotor blades typically have the cross-sectional profile of an airfoil such that air flows over the blade producing a pressure difference between the sides during operation. Consequently, a lift force, which is directed from a pressure side towards a suction side, acts on the blade. The lift force generates the torque on the main rotor shaft, which is driven to a generator for producing electricity.
For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a conventionally constructed wind turbine 10 and an associated power system suitable for use with the wind turbine 10. As shown, the wind turbine 10 includes an engine room 14 that typically houses a generator 28 (FIG. 2). The engine room 14 is mounted on a tower 12 that extends from a support surface (not shown). The wind turbine 10 also includes a rotor 16 that includes a plurality of rotor blades 20 attached to a rotating hub 18. When the wind impacts the rotor blade 20, the blade 20 converts the kinetic energy of the wind into a mechanical rotational torque that rotatably drives a low speed shaft 22. The low speed shaft 22 is structured to drive a gearbox 24 (if present), which then raises the low rotational speed of the low speed shaft 22 to drive a high speed shaft 26 at an increased rotational speed. The high speed shaft 26 is typically rotatably connected to a generator 28 (e.g., a doubly-fed induction generator, or DFIG) to rotatably drive a generator rotor 30. Thus, the generator rotor 30 can induce a rotating magnetic field. A voltage can be induced within a generator stator 32, which is magnetically coupled to the generator rotor 30. The associated power can be transmitted from the generator stator 32 to a three-winding transformer 34, which is typically connected to a power grid through a grid breaker 36. Therefore, the main transformer 34 raises the voltage amplitude of the power so that the converted power can be further transmitted to the power grid.
Moreover, as shown, the generator 28 is typically electrically coupled to a bi-directional power converter 38 that includes a rotor side converter 40 that is connected to a line side converter 42 through a regulated DC link 44. The rotor side converter 40 converts the AC power supplied from the rotor 30 into the DC power and supplies the DC power to the DC link 44. The Line side converter 42 converts the DC power on DC link 44 into AC output power suitable for the power grid. Thus, the AC power from power converter 38 can be combined with power from the stator 32 to provide multi-phase power (e.g., three-phase power) having a frequency that is substantially maintained at the grid frequency (e.g., 50 Hz/60 Hz).
The shown three-winding transformer 34 typically has (1) a 33 kV medium voltage (MV) primary winding 33 connected to the power grid, (2) a 6 to 13.8 kV MV secondary winding 35 connected to the generator stator 32, and (3) a 690 to 900 volt (V) low voltage (LV) third winding 37 connected to the line side converter 42.
With the increasing success of wind power production in recent years, this form of power has gained a significant market share. As shown in FIG. 3, separate power systems having a plurality of wind turbines 10 can be disposed at predetermined geologic locations and electrically connected together to form a wind farm 46. More specifically, as shown, the wind turbines 10 can be arranged into a plurality of groups 48, each group being connected to a main line 50 through switches 51, 52, 53, respectively. Additionally, as shown, the main line 50 can be electrically coupled to another cluster transformer 54 for further raising the voltage amplitude of the power from the wind turbine group 48 prior to transmitting power to the grid. Since wind energy is not a power source with a constant power output, but with some variations, e.g. variations due to wind speed, operators of distribution networks must take this into account. The three-winding transformer 34 of the wind turbine 10 contributes to the stable operation of the turbine.
However, the three-winding transformer 34 associated with each wind turbine 10 is expensive. In particular, for megawatt (MW) wind turbines, full rated transformer increases the total cost and loss of the wind farm.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a control system or control method for a power system to addresses one or more of the above condition.

Systems and methods for controlling electrical power systems connected to a power grid


A radial dome speaker is provided which emits sound up and out from low or no profile speakers, resulting in clear and true acoustics and allows direct driver exposure to the elements regardless of its orientation. The speaker is specially configured with a radial surround element which allows for self-cleaning and self-draining, even in outdoor environments.

A minimal visual profile and footprint is the objective in the design and ultimate installation of outdoor dome speakers. However, decreasing the profile of the speaker lowers and reduces the psychoacoustic sound stage, imparting a sense of artificial and inaccurate sound. The challenge then, which has not been addressed by prior speakers or speaker systems, is to design an outdoor dome speaker which not only enjoys a low or no profile, but, significantly, provides clear and undistorted sound.
Of equal importance, since outdoor speakers are continually exposed to weather, the quality of their performance deteriorates. None of the present day, conventional speaker drivers can be used for outdoor speakers which have drivers facing even slightly upwards from a horizontal position. Current speakers have drivers which are hidden inside enclosures facing downwards or they have intricate covers with acoustic channels to direct sound outwards. All this negatively affects sound quality and prevents direct radiation. In addition, in outdoor environments, up-facing cone drivers and even traditional dome drivers collect water and, in freezing conditions, ice, in addition to ambient dirt and debris. This damages the drivers both acoustically and mechanically.


A method and system for providing protection of data communications in packet-based networks is provided, using a combination of unicast to multicast conversion and providing formation of virtual output queues (VOQs) which are separate for each pair of the target port and protection ports on the target network device. As a result, the system requires less bandwidth resources and reduces or eliminates network performance problems associated with other existing solutions.

Protection of data communications is a critical feature of modern telecommunications networks to ensure safe and reliable data transmission in the event of the failure of a network component. In older Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) networks, various methods for protection were used. An effective method of protection in TDM networks is 1+1 line protection, where, in addition to the first line used to carry voice signals, a second line is used to provide redundancy in the case of a failure in the first line. The first line is called the working line, and the second line is called the protection line. However, this type of protection cannot be applied directly to packet-based networks, since 1+1 line protection uses two permanent lines to carry the first and second set of voice signals while a phone call is made, whereas data packets in a packet-switched network typically travel along many different routes between the source and destination devices.
Multicast is commonly used in packet-based networks to provide data communications protection, where data packets are duplicated for transmission on two ports on a target network device, the target port and another port designated as a protection port. In the event that a failure is signaled to the target network device that a fault such as Loss of Signal, Loss of Frame or Bit Error Rate, has occurred downstream from the target port, the network devices use the data from the protection port. FIG. 1a illustrates a typical prior art system 10 for 1+1 protection of data communications in a packet-based network, where a source network device 14 is connected to a target network device 22 by connection 16. In FIG. 1a, the source network device 14 is implemented as a network processor 14 labeled "NP", and the target network device 22 is implemented as a packet-switching device 22, labeled "SWITCH".
There are several methods of multicast protection. One form of the multicast protection is to duplicate each packet on the source network device 14 and to send the original and duplicated packets to the associated target and protection ports respectively. The packets are placed in queues (not shown) for the target network device 22, where the target network device 22 transmits the original packet from the target port 24 via connection 26, and the duplicated packet from the protection port 28 via connection 30.
However, this system requires a powerful source network device (network processor) 14 and twice the bandwidth between the source network device 14 and target network device 22 for 1+1 protection.
In an alternative multicast protection system, packets are not duplicated at the source network device 14, but instead they are duplicated at the target network device 22. Corresponding headers are added to the incoming packet by the source network device 14 so as to inform the target network device 22 to which ports of the device the packet has to be distributed, and the packet is added to a queue for transmission to the target network device 22. At the target network device 22, the multicast packet is duplicated and sent to the target port 24 and to the protection port 28 in case of 1+1 protection.
This method of data communications protection requires a less powerful source network device 14 than the previous method, however as the queue for the transmission between the source network device 14 and target network device 22 is being used for various multicast packets from different sources, contention for buffering on the queue may lead to network performance problems, e.g. may result in jitter for individual data streams such as video or loss of data due to congestion.
Accordingly, there is a need in the telecommunications industry for further development of a cost-effective method for the protection of data communications in packet-based networks which would be more efficient and reduce or eliminate network performance problems.

System and method for providing protection of data communications in packet-based networks


A bicycle power train assembly includes a crank axle, a primary driving sprocket cluster mounted on one end of the crank axle, a rear wheel axle, a primary driven sprocket cluster mounted on one end of the rear wheel axle, a primary drive chain trained between the primary driving and driven sprocket clusters, a secondary driving sprocket mounted on the other end of the crank axle and rotating with the crank axle, a secondary driven sprocket mounted on the other end of the rear wheel axle, a secondary drive chain trained between the secondary driving and driven sprockets, an idle sprocket rotatably mounted on the rear wheel axle, and a ratchet clutch disposed between the rear wheel axle and the secondary driven sprocket to disengage the secondary driven sprocket from the rear wheel axle when the primary drive chain is trained between the primary driving and driven sprocket clusters and to engage the secondary driven sprocket and the rear wheel axle so as to drive rotatably the rear wheel axle when the primary drive chain is trained between the primary driving sprocket cluster and the idle sprocket. The secondary driving sprocket should be smaller than a smallest sprocket of the primary driving sprocket cluster, and the secondary driven sprocket should be larger than a largest sprocket of the primary driven sprocket cluster.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a bicycle power train assembly, more particularly to a bicycle power train assembly which permits a further reduction in the force which is to be applied when climbing an uphill slope.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional bicycle power train assembly is shown to comprise a pedal (1) which is used to rotate a crank axle (2) and a driving sprocket cluster (3). A driven sprocket cluster (5) is mounted on a rear wheel axle (4). A drive chain (6) is trained between the driving and driven sprocket clusters (3, 5). Front and rear derailleurs (7, 8) are provided to train the drive chain (6) on a selected sprocket of the sprocket clusters (3, 5).
Note that the smallest sprocket of the driving sprocket cluster (3) should not be too small so as to prevent the front derailleur (7) from latching onto the bicycle frame.
The bicycle power train assembly further includes a tension wheel (9) which is operated so as to compensate for the resulting difference in the tension of the drive chain (6) when the drive chain (6) is trained from one sprocket to another. Note that the largest sprocket of the driven sprocket cluster (5) should not be too large. Otherwise, the required length of the drive chain (6) becomes longer, making it difficult for the tension wheel (9) to maintain the drive chain (6) in tension when the drive chain (6) is trained on the smaller sprockets of the driving and driven sprocket clusters (3, 5).
Note that less force is required to move the bicycle forward if the drive chain (6) is trained on the smallest sprocket of the driving sprocket cluster (3). However, since the size of the smallest sprocket of the driving sprocket cluster (3) cannot be too small because of the above mentioned reason, a further reduction in the force which is to be applied when climbing an uphill slope is not possible.


A method is presented for fabricating an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method provides a material (X), which may be one of the following materials: carbon, metals able to be electrochemically alloyed with a metal (Me), intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X). Typically, Me is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or a combination of the two. As a result, the method forms a preloaded anode comprising Me/X for use in a battery comprising a M1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O cathode, where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X) using physical (mechanical) mixing, a chemical reaction, or an electrochemical reaction. Also provided is preloaded anode, preloaded with consumable metals.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to electrochemical cells and, more particularly, to an anode preloaded with consumable metals, and an associated fabrication process.
2. Description of the Related Art
The rechargeable lithium ion battery (LIB) has triggered the portable electronic devices revolution due to its high power density, long cycling life, and environmental compatibility. The rechargeable LIB consists of a cathode (positive electrode) and an anode (negative electrode), separated by a Li+-ion permeable membrane. A solution or polymer containing lithium-ions is also used in the battery so that Li+-ions can "rock" back and forth between the positive and negative electrode freely. The positive materials are typically transition-metal oxides such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and their derivatives. Lithium-ions can move in their interstitial space freely and reversibly. The negative electrode materials can use lithium-metal, alloys, and carbonaceous materials. During discharge, Li+-ions are extracted from the negative electrode and inserted into the positive electrode. In the meantime, electrons pass through an external circuit from the negative electrode to the positive electrode and generate electric power. During a charge, ions and electrons move along the reverse direction and go back to their original places.
Although LIBs have been successfully used, the conflict between lithium demand and its scarcity surges its cost, which hinders the further application of lithium-ion batteries on a large scale. Therefore, a low-cost rechargeable battery is urgently needed as an alternative to expensive LIBs. Under the circumstance, sodium-ion batteries are attracting more attention because sodium has very similar properties to lithium, but a cheaper cost. Like lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries need Na+-host materials as their electrode. Much effort has been expended to directly duplicate the Li+-host structures, using Na+-host electrode materials for the sodium-ion batteries. For example, NaCoO2, NaMnO2, NaCrO2 and Na0.85Li0.17Ni0.21Mn0.64O2, all having a layered-structure similar to LiCoO2, have been developed for sodium-ion batteries. Similarly, Co3O4 with a Spinel structure, Na3V2(PO4)3 with a NASICON structure, and NaFePO4 with an Olivine structure have been employed in sodium batteries. In addition, sodium fluorophosphates, such as Na2PO4F, NaVPO4F and Na1.5VOPO4F0.5, have also used as the positive electrode in sodium batteries.
However, it is impractical to copy the structures of Li+-host compounds for Na+ or K+-host compounds. Sodium and potassium ions are much larger than lithium ions, and severely distort the structure of the Li+-host compounds. Thus, it is very important for the advancement of sodium/potassium-ion batteries to develop new Na+/K+-host materials with large interstitial spaces in which sodium/potassium-ions can easily and reversibly move. Na+/K+-ions have been observed to intercalate into metal cyanide compounds.
FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting the crystal structure of a metal hexacyanometallate (MHCM) (prior art). MHCMs can be expressed as AXM1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O, where A can be selected from, but not limited to alkali and alkaline metals, and M1 and M2 are transition metals such as titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chrome (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), etc. M1 and M2 can be the same or a different metal. The ratio (X:N) of M1 and M2 is a variable, depending on the materials used. Transition metal hexacyanoferrates (TMHCFs) with large interstitial spaces have also been investigated as cathode materials for rechargeable batteries. TMHCM can be expressed as M1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O.
Unlike cathode material, for which various materials are available for both LIBs and MeIBs, where Me is a metal such as Na, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), or aluminum (Al), options for anode material are very limited, especially for MeIBs. Currently, graphite is the most widely used anode material for LIBs. Its layered structure allows lithium intercalation between carbon layers, and the reaction can be written as follows:Li++C6+e→LiC6
Such an intercalation reaction occurs below 0.2 V vs. Li+/Li and has good reversibility, resulting in about 12% initial irreversible capacity in the first cycle. However, noteworthy is the fact that non-lithium Mea+ cannot insert into graphite layers because it has a larger size than Li+. As a result, alternative anode materials are highly desired in development of rechargeable MeIBs. Taking the anode materials for SIBs as an example, hard carbon or so called "non-graphitizable" carbonaceous materials is one candidate. Unlike graphite, which has poor large Me-ion (e.g. sodium) storage properties, it can sustain a capacity as high as 300 milliamp hours per gram (mAh/g), thanks to pseudocapacitive Me-ion absorption on its surface. Dahn's group prepared various hard carbon anodes derived from different low-cost organic precursors and evaluated their anodic properties in both LIBs and SIBS [1-2]. They also revealed the sodium insertion mechanism in hard carbon anodes [3-4]. Besides an intercalation process that occurs at a high potential range, corresponding to sodium insertion into graphene layers, filling in micro-pores on hard carbon surface was found at a low-potential range close to sodium metal. These reactions are only partially reversible in the first cycle, therefore resulting in a large irreversible capacity of more than 30%. Other anode materials, such as sodium-intercalation oxides, alloys and organic compounds, have been investigated for potential applications in SIBs. Li4Ti5O12, a zero-strain anode material for LIBs, was found to undergo a three-phase reaction during sodium intercalation [5]. It showed a reversible capacity of 150 mAh/g after an activation process in the first 20 cycles. Nevertheless, its initial coulombic efficiency was only 81%. Tarascon's group reported Na2Ti3O7 as a low-voltage anode that has the lowest desodiation potential among non-carbon sodium-intercalation compounds. However, its irreversible capacity is more than 40% [6]. Metals such as tin, antimony, and lead that can form alloys with sodium have a high reversible capacity (>500 mAh/g), however, they also show an initial capacity loss around 20% in the very first cycle [7, 8]. Recently, Hong et al. and Hu et al. demonstrated a reversible Na+ insertion behavior into an organic anode, Na2C8H4O4, which showed a reversible capacity of 300 mAh/g in a low voltage range [9, 10]. Like other anode materials, this organic anode shows poor reversibility in the first cycle. Aside from the use of these anode materials in SIBs, it is believed that they may also show a large irreversible capacity during the first cycle with other metal batteries because of similar electrochemical reactions. Since the irreversible reactions, i.e. solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation, on the anode side consume metal-ions from the cathode, the result is a dramatic energy decrease in the full-battery. Therefore, the goal of reducing the irreversible capacity of these anodes becomes a major challenge in development of MeIBs.
It would be advantageous if an anode could be fabricated in a preloaded condition, so that it maintained a large reversible capacity when used in a battery.    [1] D. A. Stevens, J. R. Dahn, High Capacity Anode Materials for Rechargeable Sodium-ion Batteries, J. Electrochem, Soc. 147 (2000) 1271,    [2] Edward Buiel, J. R. Dahn, Reduction of The Irreversible Capacity in. Hard-Carbon. Anode Materials Prepared from Sucrose for Li-ion Batteries, J. Electrochem. Soc. 145 (1998) 1977.    [3] D. A. Stevens, J. R. Dahn, The Mechanism of Lithium and Sodium Insertion in Carbon. Materials, J. Electrochem. Soc. 148 (2001) A803,    [4] D. A. Stevens, J. R. Dahn. An in-situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Study of Sodium Insertion into A Nanoporous Carbon Anode Material within. An Operating Electrochemical Cell, J. Electrochem. Soc. 147 (2000) 4428,    [5] Yang Sun, Liang Zhao, Huilin. Pan, Xia Lu, Lin Gu, Yong-Sheng Hu, Hong Li, Michel Armand, Yuichi Ikuhara, Liquan Chen, Xuejie Huang, Direct Atomic-scale Confirmation of Three-phase Storage Mechanism in Li4Ti5O12 Anodes for Room-temperature Sodium-ion Batteries, Nat. Comm. 4 (2013) 1870.    [6] P. Senguttuvan, G. Rousse, V. Seznec, J. M. Tarascon, M. R. Palacin, Na2Ti3O7: Lowest Voltage Ever Reported. Oxide Insertion. Electrode for Sodium Ion. Batteries, Chem. Mater. 23 (2011) 4109.    [7] M. K. Datta, R. Epur, P. Saha, K. Kadakia, S. K. Park, P. N. Kumta, Tin and graphite based nanocomposites: Potential anode for sodium ion batteries, J. Power Sources, 225(2013) 316.    [8] Y. Zhu, X. Han, Y. Xu, Y. Liu, S. Zheng, K. Xu, L. Hu, C. Wang, Electrospun SbiC Fibers for a Stable and Fast Sodium-Ion Battery Anode, ACS Nano, 7 (2013) 6378.    [9] Y. Park, D. S. Shin, S. H. Woo, N. S. Choi, K. H. Shin, S. M. Oh, K. T. Lee, S. Y. Hong, Sodium terephthalate as an organic anode material for sodium ion batteries, Adv. Mater., 24(2012) 3562.    [10] A. Abouimrane, W. Weng, H. Eltayeb, Y. Cui, J. Niklas, O. Poluektov, K. Amine, Sodium insertion in carboxylate based materials and their application in 3.6 V full sodium cells, Energy Environ. Sci., 5(2012) 9632.    [11] M. E. Leonova, I. K. Bdikin, S. A. Kulinich, O. K. Gulish, L. G. Sevast'yanova, K. P. Burdina, High-Pressure Phase Transition of Hexagonal Alkali Pnictides, Inorg. Mater, 39 (2003) 266.


A rainwater collection and diverging system includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. A door is positioned in the bottom wall. A hinge hingedly couples the door to the bottom wall and a biasing member is attached to the door and biases the door in a closed position. Fluid in the housing may flow outwardly through the bottom wall when a biasing action of the biasing member is overcome and the door is moved to an open position. An outlet is fluidly coupled to the housing. A downspout has a bottom end extending into the housing. A conduit is fluidly coupled to and extends between a free end of the outlet and a fluid receptacle. Water flowing down the downspout is directed into the conduit until a force of the water flowing down the downspout overcomes the biasing action and opens the door.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to water collection devices and more particularly pertains to a new water collection device for diverting water into a holding tank without risk of water backing up a dwelling's downspout.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of water collection devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,312 includes a flow controlling mechanism for allowing only partial flow of rainwater from a downspout to enter a storage container and which also includes a means for filtering the rain water. Another type of water collection device is U.S. Pat. No. 1,460,613 having a tank assembly connected to a rain gutter of a dwelling for capturing and storing rainwater caught in the rain gutter. Still another such device is found in U.S. patent application No. 2004/0040598 and includes a system for recovering rainwater for later consumption. Yet another water collection device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,286 having an underground reservoir tank.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a system that may be integrated into a dwelling's rain gutter assembly without disrupting the effectiveness and usage of the rain gutter assembly. In particular, the system should be configured to store rainwater for irrigation and other uses while ensuring that the rain gutter assembly does not overflow or become backed up in the process.

Rainwater collection and diverging system


A catheter including expandable electrode assembly having a distal cap that mechanically engages a locking feature provided on the distal ends of each of two or more flexible splines forming a portion of the expandable electrode assembly is described. The distal cap defines an atraumatic distal tip of the catheter. The catheter may be used in a cardiac mapping and/or ablation procedure.

Electrophysiology catheters are used in a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic medical procedures to diagnose and/or correct conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, including for example, atrial tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of stroke, heart disease, and sudden death. The physiological mechanism of arrhythmia involves an abnormality in the electrical conduction of the heart. There are a number of treatment options for patients with arrhythmia that include medication, implantable devices, and catheter ablation of cardiac tissue.

Electrode assembly having an atraumatic distal tip