A recirculation passageway for a turbine engine provides stall protection in a booster by directing high pressure airflow from a flow path of the booster to the passageway. The high pressure airflow loses energy and decreases in pressure while traveling through the passageway until re-entry into the booster flow path. The airflow recirculates in the passageway until the airflow is discharged through a high pressure compressor.

This invention relates generally to turbine engines and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for preventing stall in a compressor.
A turbine engine typically includes a fan in front of a core engine having, in serial flow relationship, a low pressure compressor, or a booster, and a high pressure compressor. The low pressure compressor and the high pressure compressor each include an inlet section and a discharge section.
During engine power reductions, the inlet section of the high pressure compressor may generate an airflow blockage resulting from a flow differential between airflow through the high pressure compressor inlet section and the airflow through the booster discharge section. The airflow blockage generates a back pressure in the booster which causes the booster operating line to migrate closer to a stall limit. Migration of the booster operating line closer to the stall limit restricts the operating range of the turbine engine because less air continues to flow through the booster.
If the booster stalls, loud banging noises and flames or smoke may be generated at the booster inlet and/or discharge section. A booster stall condition results in excessive wear, degradation of performance, and a reduction in engine reliability and durability. In order to compensate for booster stall, the booster is typically over constructed, leading to more parts that in turn make the booster, and the resulting engine, heavier.
Booster stall is mitigated in existing engines by the use of complex variable bleed doors, or valves, which open during unsteady airflow conditions and allow a portion of the booster airflow to bypass the high pressure compressor. However, the bleed doors may fail or malfunction due to the complexity of the doors and valves.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide efficient booster stall protection without the added complexity of variable bleed doors. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide improved reliability of booster stall protection.

Booster recirculation passageway and methods for recirculating air


A method of determination of fluid pressures in a subsurface region of the earth uses seismic velocities and calibrations relating the seismic velocities to the effective stress on the subsurface sediments. The seismic velocities may be keyed to defined seismic horizons and may be obtained from many methods, including velocity spectra, post-stack inversion, pre-stack inversion, VSP or tomography. Overburden stresses may be obtained from density logs, relations between density and velocity, or from inversion of potential fields data. The seismic data may be P-P, P-S, or S-S data. The calibrations may be predetermined or may be derived from well information including well logs and well pressure measurements. The calibrations may also include the effect of unloading. The determined pressures may be used in the analysis of fluid flow in reservoirs, basin and prospect modeling and in fault integrity analysis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to geophysical exploration and more particularly to methods for accurately estimating fluid and overburden pressures in the earth's subsurface on local, prospect and basin-wide scales.
2. Background of the Art
During drilling of a borehole, drilling fluids, usually referred to as "mud," are circulated in the borehole to cool and lubricate the drill bit, flush cuttings from the bottom of the hole, carry cuttings to the surface, and balance formation pressures encountered by the borehole. It is desirable to keep rotary drilling mud weights as light as possible, but above the formation pore fluid pressure, to most economically penetrate the earth; heavier muds may break down rocks penetrated by the borehole and thereby cause loss of mud. Mud weight is carefully monitored and may be increased during drilling operations to compensate for expected increases in the formation fluid pressure. In some areas, however, there may be unexpected abnormal increases in pressure, with depth such that mud weight does not compensate pressure; the result can be blowout of the well.
Normal pressures refer to formation pressures that are approximately equal to the hydrostatic head of a column of water of equal depth. If the formation were opened to the atmosphere, a column of water from the ground surface to the subsurface formation depth could balance the formation pressure. In many sedimentary basins, shallow predominantly sandy formations contain fluids that are under hydrostatic pressure.
At a number of offshore locations, abnormally high pore pressures have been found even at relatively shallow sub-sea bottom depths (less than about 1500 meters). This could occur if a sand body containing large amounts of water is covered by silt or clay and buried. The dewatering of clays may result in the formation of relatively impermeable shale layers that slow down the expulsion of water from the underlying sand. The result of this is that the sand may retain high amounts of fluid and the pore pressure in the sand exceeds that which would normally be expected from hydrostatic considerations alone, i.e., the fluid pressure exceeds that which would be expected for a column of water of equivalent height. This phenomenon of overpressuring is well known to those versed in the art and is commonly referred to as "geopressure."
It is desirable to set casing in a borehole immediately above the top of a geopressured formation and then to increase mud weight for pressure control during further drilling. Setting a casing string which spans normal or low pressure formations permits the use of very heavy drilling muds without risking breaking down of borehole walls and subsequent lost mud in the shallower interval. On the other hand, should substitution of heavy drilling mud be delayed until the drill bit has penetrated a permeable overpressurized formation (e.g., sandstone), loss of well control or blowout may occur.
In areas where there is reason to suspect existence of such high pressure formations, various techniques have been followed in attempts to locate such geopressure zones. For example, acoustic or electric logs have been run repeatedly after short intervals of borehole have been drilled or are acquired using measurement-while-drilling techniques, and a plot of acoustic velocity or electrical resistance or conductivity as a function of depth has been made. Abnormal variations of acoustic velocity and/or electrical properties obtained by logging may indicate that the borehole has penetrated a zone of increasing formation pressure. Such techniques are very expensive and time-consuming and cannot predict what pressures will be encountered ahead of the bit.
Several methods are known in the art for estimating pore pressures in formations, using well log data and also from seismic survey information. One such method is well known in the art as the "Eaton" method, and is described at Eaton, "The Equation for Geopressure Prediction from Well Logs" SPE 5544 (Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, 1975). The Eaton method of determining pore pressures begins with determination of the so-called "normal compaction trend line" based upon sonic, resistivity, conductivity, or d-exponent data obtained by way of well logs. The normal compaction trend line corresponds to the increase in formation density (indicated by sonic travel time, resistivity or conductivity) that would be expected as a function of increasing depth due to the increasing hydrostatic pressure that forces fluids out from the formations and thus decreases the sonic travel time (increases the velocity), assuming the absence of geopressure. This normal compaction trend line may be determined solely from the sonic travel time, conductivity, or resistivity well log data, or may be adjusted to reflect extrinsic knowledge about the particular formations of interest. The Eaton method calculates pore pressure by correlating the measured density information, expressed as an overburden gradient over depth, to deviations in measured sonic travel time, (or electrical resistivity or conductivity) from the normal compaction trend line at specific depths. The pore pressure calculated from the Eaton equations has been determined to be quite accurate, and is widely used in conventional well planning.
Specifically, the Eaton method determines a pressure gradient according to the relation                               G          p                =                              G            0                    -                                                    (                                                      G                    0                                    -                                      G                    n                                                  )                            [                                                Δ                                                                                t                    normal                                                                    Δ                                                                                t                    observed                                                              ]                        3                                              (        1        )            where Gp is the formation pressure gradient (psi/ft), Go is the overburden gradient, GN is the normal gradient, Δtnormal is the normal transit time and Δtobserved is the observed transit time.
However, application of the Eaton method has been limited to the immediate locations of existing wells, as it depends on well log data. It is of course desirable to estimate pore pressure at locations at the sites of proposed new wells, and thus away from currently existing wells, particularly to identify locations at which production will be acceptable at a low drilling cost (e.g., minimal use of intermediate casing). In addition, knowledge of pore pressure at locations away from existing wells enables intelligent deviated or offset drilling, for example to avoid overpressurized zones.
Kan (U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,949) teaches a method in which seismic data is combined with well log data to generate a two- dimensional geopressure prediction display; this permits deviated and horizontal well planning plus lithology detection. Shale fraction analysis, compaction trend, and seismic velocity may be automatically or interactively generated on a computer work station with graphics displays to avoid anomalous results. Corrections to velocity predictions by check shots or VSP, and translation of trend curves for laterally offset areas increases accuracy of the geopressure predictions. In particular, Kan '949 determines the transit time from sonic logs for compressional waves in predominantly shaly sections and expresses the pore pressure gradient (PPG) in terms of the transit time departure from the compaction trend line, δΔt, asPPG=0.465 +C1(δΔt)+C2(δΔt)2  (2)
Coefficient C1 typically varies from 0.002 to 0.02 if the transit time is expressed in microseconds per foot and the PPG is measured in psi/ft. C2 may be positive or negative.
Kan '949 also teaches the use of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data for calibration of the sonic log data. Kan (U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,440) and Weakley (U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,866) further teach the use of coherency analysis of surface seismic data for determination of interval velocities.
Scott (U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,612) teaches a variation of the Eaton method in which an equation of the formVc=V1(1−a1L−a2φ+a3P)  (3)where a1, a2 and a3 are constants, Vl is a constant, Vc is calculated velocity, L is the lithology of the formation, φ is the porosity and P is the effective pressure (difference between the overburden pressure and the formation fluid pressure). The compaction of the sediments is governed by an equation of the formφ=φ0e−a4P  (4)
A reference model for the sedimentary basin is developed assuming compaction under hydrostatic pore pressure. A reference effective pressure and a reference velocity profile are obtained. An iterative procedure is used in which the lithology may be varied with depth and the reference velocity profile is compared to a velocity profile obtained from seismic data.
In addition to undercompaction, Bowers (U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,929) discusses a second cause of overpressuring. Abnormally high pressure can also be generated by thermal expansion of the pore fluid ("aquathermal pressuring"), hydrocarbon maturation, charging from other zones, and expulsion/expansion of intergranular water during clay diagenesis. With these mechanisms, overpressure results from the rock matrix constraining expansion of the pore fluid. Unlike undercompaction, fluid expansion can cause the pore fluid pressure to increase at a faster rate than the overburden stress. When this occurs, the effective stress decreases as burial continues. The formation is said to be "unloading." Since sonic velocity is a function of the effective stress, the velocity also decreases and a "velocity reversal zone" develops. A velocity reversal zone is an interval on a graph depicting sonic velocity as a function of depth along a well in which the velocities are all less than the value at some shallower depth.
A large portion of the porosity loss that occurs during compaction is permanent; it remains "locked in" even when the effective stress is reduced by fluid expansion. A formation that has experienced a greater effective stress than its current value will be more compacted and have a higher velocity than a formation that has not. Consequently, the relationship between sonic velocity and effective stress is no longer unique when unloading occurs. In other words, for every effective stress, there is no longer one unique sonic velocity. The sonic velocity follows a different, faster velocity-effective stress relationship during unloading than it did when the effective stress was building. This lack of uniqueness is called "hysteresis." Since fluid expansion causes unloading, while undercompaction does not, hysteresis effects make the sonic velocity less responsive to overpressure generated by fluid expansion. As a result, the pore fluid pressure corresponding to a given sonic velocity at given depth within a velocity reversal zone can be significantly greater if the overpressure was caused by fluid expansion rather than undercompaction. Therefore, the sonic velocity of an overpressured formation is indirectly dependent upon both the magnitude and the cause of overpressure. To account for different causes of overpressuring, Bowers teaches the use of two different velocity-effective stress relations: one relation applies when the current effective stress is the highest ever experienced by a subterranean formation and a second relation that accounts for hysteresis effects is used when the effective stress has been reduced. Pore fluid pressure is found by subtracting the computed effective stress from the overburden stress. Bowers uses a relationship of the formV=C+A[σmax(σ/σmax)(1/U)](1/B)  (5)for the effect of unloading. In eq. (5)σ,max is the maximum stress to which the rock has been subjected. The unloading curve parameter U is a measure of how plastic the sediment is, with U=1 and U=∞ defining the two limiting cases. For U=1, the unloading curve is the same as the loading curve whereas for U=∞> the velocity remains fixed at a value Vmax determined by the stress σ,max.

Method and process for prediction of subsurface fluid and rock pressures in the earth


Methods and systems for digital asset management are described. Some embodiments provide methods and systems for: (1) a high-performance database system for storing assets and the associated metadata, (2) computing an inverse delta between two files without generating any intermediate files or deltas, (3) uniquely identifying a digital asset and storing the digital asset's namespace change history in a version control system, (4) inferring dependencies amongst namespace changes, (5) a workflow management tool that is tightly integrated with a version control system, (6) publishing milestones in a project which can consistently maintain the namespace uniqueness invariant, and/or (7) implicitly versioning data and/or files that are associated with certain types of digital assets in a version control system.

This disclosure generally relates to digital asset management. A digital asset can generally be any object of value to a user or organization that resides on a computer system. For example, a digital asset can be a digital file or directory that is of interest. Digital Asset Management (DAM) can generally refer to a collection of methods and/or systems for managing digital assets. Specifically, a DAM system (e.g., a computer system that includes DAM software) can provide features such as search and version control to manage the digital assets.
Version control, in general, allows users to save and maintain various successive versions of a digital asset as the users modify them. This can provide an insurance of some sort from errors that a user may make while modifying an asset, as the previous correct version is always available. Further, version control also allows the possibility of merging changes that have been made among different versions to create the next asset version.
DAM can be used by a wide range of users, such as computer software professionals, creative professionals, and home users. Conventional DAM systems suffer from many drawbacks, such as low performance, inability to properly handle certain use cases, and non-intuitive user interfaces.

Integrated workflow management and version control


A spectrophotometric method and device are described which are particularly useful for on-line monitoring and control of blood parameters. Determination of a blood parameter without measuring or directly following another blood parameter, is made possible by using information contained in scatter and at least three distinct detection locations. Calibration using means for scattering a light beam to a suitable reference geometry, is beneficially used. Constant values related to the detection locations are derived. Later, these constants may be used to determine a blood parameter. Two different wavelengths and at least for detectors may be used. The device is beneficially applied to extracorporeal circuits, and may be used to optimize dialysis.

This invention relates to the spectrophotometric analysis of blood parameters.
Blood parameters or indices such as transvascular fluid exchange, provide important clinical information. For example, there are a number of clinical conditions, e.g. renal failure and massive fluid overload, which require fluid removal and in which it would be beneficial to be able to achieve an optimal rate of fluid removal.
Commonly used clinical approaches for fluid removal include an extracorporeal circuit. Because the body tissues and the blood stream are in direct communication, fluid removal from the blood results in an imbalance of forces which favors fluid movement from the tissues toward the blood stream. Continuous fluid removal from the blood stream therefore results in continuous mobilization from the tissues, which is the ultimate purpose of the therapy.
However, if fluid removal from the blood stream is induced at a rate faster than fluid can be mobilized from the tissues, patients can become hypotensive (shock). This complication is difficult to predict even if blood pressure is followed continuously. To prevent this possibility, fluid removal may be induced at a slow rate. However, it is desirable to achieve a maximal rate of fluid removal which can be matched safely by fluid mobilization from the tissues into the blood stream. In this way, dialysis may be optimized.
As illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,830,569 to Meric, 4,243,883 to Schwartzmann, and 4,735,504 to Tycko, a spectrophotometric device for measuring blood indices including a suitable light source and photodetector is known. The light source may be a laser with a collimating lens mounted in front of the laser, and the light source may be remote from or proximate to the blood. As shown by Meric, multiple detectors in combination with a centrally disposed, light trap have been used, and a shield provided with windows may be disposed in the light path. Tycko processes forward scattered light by separating based upon high or low angular interval, prior to detection by separate detectors.
Also known as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,135 to Ishibara et al, is hematocrit determination by blood resistivity measurement. This patent criticizes measurements deriving hematocrit from blood cell count and mean blood cell volume, for using diluted blood if the concentration of the electrolyte and protein in the diluted blood has been changed.
As illustrated by J. Appl. Physiol., 62(1): 364 (1987), light transmissive, plastic tubing through which blood is circulated, may be placed between light sources and light detectors disposed generally opposite from the light sources. As exemplified by J. Appl. Physiol., 69(2): 456 (1990), to ensure detection of a widely scattered light beam, detectors connected in parallel to a photodetector circuit may be used. A separate detector may measure light fluctuations. Diluted perfusate is described.
Unless taken into account, measurement artifacts may induce error in determining blood parameters from optical properties of the blood. One well-known artifact results from changes in the degree of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO.sub.2). This artifact may be avoided by selecting a specific wavelength or isobestic point at which the hemoglobin oxygen content does not influence light transmission. Isobestic points are known in the IR range (approximately 814 nm), in the green range (approximately 585 and 555 nm), and in the UV range.
As illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,745,279 to Karkar et al, 4,776,340 to Moran et al, 5,048,524 to Bailey, 5,066,859 to Karkar et al, and 5,149,503 to Kohno et al, additional light sources or detectors have been used. Karkar '279 uses a detector for diffused light in combination with a compensating detector directly illuminated by another light source. Bailey uses a reference photocell to correct for variation in intensity of a light source, and describes a calibration fluid. Moran uses a catheter including a far detector and a near detector, and a non-linear equation based upon the near/far ratio to calculate hematocrit. Similar to Moran is Kohno, which describes an additional emitter location, and uses a non-linear equation based upon signal ratio to calculate hemoglobin.
Karkar '859 uses a pair of far field detectors and a pair of near field detectors. The far field detectors are spaced equidistant from a light emitting fiber, and one of the far field detectors is used to compensate for the signal detected by its paired fiber. A calibration procedure is described. Hematocrit measurement is compensated for the effects of oxygen saturation, pH and temperature. Karkar '859 points out that neither Karkar '279 nor Moran compensate for the effects of proteins and pH.
Despite the foregoing improvements in using the optical properties of blood to determine blood indices, further improvement is needed to provide a clinically useful methodology and device. Beneficially, monitoring of fluid removal would be made practical.

Coretech Medical Technologies Corporation


A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a single set position memory dump mechanism. The memory feature acts to lock the seat back in a predetermined set position upon return of the seat back from a forward dump position. The set position is rearward of the front use position of the seat back so as to provide a comfortable seat back position for all occupants rather than locking in the front most use position which is typically an uncomfortable position for most seat occupants.

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly and in particular to a seat assembly having a manually operated seat back recliner and a single position memory dump mechanism for locking the seat back in a predetermined set position upon return of the seat back from a forward dump position.
Vehicle seat assemblies, particularly those adapted for use in the front seat of a two-door motor vehicle, are often equipped with a dump feature that enables the seat back to be rotated about a transverse axis from a normal use position to a forward "dump" position to improve access to the rear seat area of the vehicle. In addition, many seat assemblies are equipped with a recliner mechanism that enables the angle of the seat back to be adjusted within a defined range of use positions. This range is bounded by a front use position and a rear use position. The recliner operates to lock the seat back in place to hold the seat back in the adjusted position. The dump feature typically operates upon release of the recliner to hold the recliner released, allowing the seat back to rotate forward.
For convenience while rotating the seat back to the forward dump position and during return of the seat back, most recliner mechanisms are typically held released so that they do not lock. By not locking, the seat back is free to rotate between the front use position and the dump position without the necessity of manually holding the recliner operating lever in a release position. Once the seat back has moved forward beyond the front use position, the recliner operating lever can be released. Return of the seat back to a use position is accomplished by merely pushing the seat back rearward.
Various approaches have been utilized in locking the seat back once it is returned to a use position. One approach is to lock the recliner when the seat back has been returned to the front use position. While this approach is simple, the seat back will lock in a position which is uncomfortable and which is awkward for most people to sit in the seat assembly.
Another approach has been to provide a full memory feature in which the recliner will only lock when the seat back has been returned to its adjusted use position prior to being dumped forward. Such a full memory feature, while being convenient for the user, is relatively complex and thus costly to produce.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a manual seat recliner with a single position memory which locks the seat back in a set position rearward of the front use position that is comfortable for most seat occupants.
The seat assembly of the present invention includes a cam mounted to the rotating seat back and a cam follower coupled to the recliner operating lever for holding the operating lever in the release position as the seat back is rotated forward to the dump position. The cam has a first surface portion engagable with the follower as the seat back is rotated from the front use position to the dump position and a second surface portion engagable with the follower as the seat back is returned from the dump position to the set position. Both surface portions of the cam are substantially concentric with the seat back pivot axis. The second surface portion has a greater circumferential or angular extent than the first portion, maintaining the follower in contact with the cam for a greater angular travel of the seat back. This increase in angular seat back travel is between the front use position and the set position, several degrees further rearward. As a result, the recliner does not lock the seat back until the seat back has been returned to the set position.

Seat assembly with a single position memory dump mechanism


An optical card scanning apparatus includes a mechanism for forwardly conveying an optical card inserted into a housing through an insertion port toward a carrier, while a shutter is open. First and second detectors for detecting the card passing therethrough are provided between the insertion port and shutter, and between the shutter and the carrier. The time difference between the detecting signals from the first and second detectors are compared with a standard time, and when the compared values are different, the inserted card is backwardly conveyed and outwardly ejected from the housing through the insertion port by the conveying mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an optical card apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information by use of an optical card, and more particularly to an optical card apparatus capable of automatically receiving an inserted optical card, loading the card on a mount table in its normal position, determining whether or not the inserted card is a normal one, and monitoring operations from the insertion of the card to the loading thereof, thereby detecting any abnormalities or defects in the operations.
An optical card has a memory capacity which is about 3,000 times to 10,000 times greater than that of a magnetic card. Although it is not possible to rewrite data on the optical card, it has a large memory capacity, e.g. 1 to 2 M bytes, and therefore is widely applicable to bankbooks, portable maps, prepaid cards, etc.
The optical card has a number of parallel linear information tracks on a predetermined area on its surface. In an information recording/reproducing apparatus using the optical card as a recording medium, a light beam spot is moved over the surface of the optical card in the direction of an information track, relative to the optical card, thereby effecting information recording/reproduction on the tracks. After the beam spot has moved on the track by a predetermined distance, the beam spot is moved to cross the track, thereby shifting the beam spot to another target track.
Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application (PUJPA) No. 62-92267 discloses an example of the optical card apparatus performing the above-stated operation. In this apparatus, an optical card is mounted on a mount table. The mount table is movable reciprocally in the direction of information tracks, and a head unit for forming a light beam spot on an information track on the card is movable in a direction crossing the track.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional apparatus. In a card-receiving mechanism of this apparatus, a mount table 60 having on its surface a mounting portion 60a for mounting an optical card is movable reciprocally along a pair of guide members 80 and 81. The mount table 60 has a stopper 61 for determining the insertion position of the optical card, a light shield plate 62 for detecting the position of the mount table 60, and a pin 63 fixed at one side portion of the mount table 60. In the vicinity of an end portion of the guide member 81, there are provided a photocoupler 64, a hook lever 65, and a solenoid 66. The photocoupler 64 functions to detect the state in which the light shield plate 62 has reached the detection position. The hook lever 65 has an engaging portion 65a to be engaged with the upper surface of the pin 63, and is situated substantially on a level with the pin 63. The solenoid 66 drives the lever 65. In the vicinity of the guide member 80, there are provided rollers 67 and 68; a drive motor 69; a pulley 70 attached to a rotational shaft of the drive motor 69; a belt 71 passed over the pulley 70 and rollers 67 and 68; a movable plate 72 movable in a vertical direction in respect of the surface of the optical card; a pressing roller 73 rotatably supported on the side face of the movable plate 72 and situated above the roller 67, and a pressing roller 74 situated above the roller 68; extension springs 75 and 76, connected to the movable plate 72, for urging the movable plate 72 downwards, thereby urging the pressing rollers 73 and 74 on the rollers 67 and 68 via the belt 71; and sensors 77 and 78, situated above the horizontal running portion of the belt 71, for detecting the state in which the card passes below. An optical card insertion unit 79 is provided on one side of the guide members 80 and 81. The insertion unit 79 has an opening which corresponds substantially to the card mounting portion 60a of the mount table 60. The lower surface of the opening of the unit 79 is substantially on a level with the horizontal running portion of the belt 71.
The operation of the above apparatus will now be described.
The mount table 60 is situated such that the light shield plate 62 provided on the mount table 60 is situated at the detection position of the photocoupler 64. The pin 63 of mount table 60 engages with the engaging portion 65a of lever 65, thereby fixing the mount table 60. In this state, an optical card is inserted into the opening of the card insertion unit 79. When the end portion of the inserted optical card has reached the detection position of the sensor 77 and has been detected by the sensor 77, the drive motor 69 is actuated by the command from a control unit (not shown), and the belt 71 passed over the pulley 70 and rollers 67 and 68 is run. As the horizontal running portion of the belt 71 runs, the pressing rollers 73 and 74 rotate. In this state, the optical card is further inserted, and when the end portion of the card has reached the gap between the roller 67 and the pressing roller 73, the card is clamped between the horizontal running portion of the belt 71 and the pressing roller 73. Then, the card is guided by a guiding means (not shown). The card advances further, and its end portion passes through the gap between the roller 68 and the pressing roller 74 and reaches the card mounting portion 60a of mount table 60 which is on a level with the card. By the driving force of the motor 69 and the pulling force of the extension springs 75 and 76, the optical card advances further and, at last, the end portion of the card abuts on the stopper 61. At the same time, the rear end portion of the card reaches the detection position of the sensor 78 and is detected. Once the rear end portion of the card is detected, the solenoid 66 is actuated and the lever 65 is rotated. Then, the engagement of the engaging portion 65a and the pin 63 of mount table 60 is released and simultaneously the servo motor (not shown) is driven to run a belt (not shown). Thus, the mount table 60 fixed to the belt is moved forwards along the guide members 80 and 81.
When the movement of the mount table 60 is started, the movable plate 72 is moved upwards and fixed by a drive mechanism (not shown) against the force of the springs 75 and 76, thereby releasing the clamped state of a part of the optical card by means of the rollers 67 and 68 and pressing rollers 73 and 74. After the mount table 30 has moved forwards for a relatively short distance, the mount table 60 moves reciprocally for a predetermined distance, thereby enabling the optical head to perform an information recording/reproducing operation.
After the recording/reproducing operation is completed, the mount table 60 is moved backwards and the photocoupler 64 detects the state in which the light shield plate 62 provided on the mount table 60 has reached the detection position of the photocoupler 64. Simultaneously, the pin 63 attached to the mount table 60 engages with the lever 65, thereby fixing the mount table 60 once again. Thereafter, the upper fixed state of the movable plate 72 is released, and the portion of the card on the roller 68 is clamped by the roller 74 between the roller 74 and the belt 71 by the force of the extension springs 75 and 76. As has been stated above, once the light shield plate 62 reaches the detection position of the photocoupler 64 and is detected by the photocoupler 64, the drive motor 69 is rotated by the command from the controller (not shown) in the direction opposite to the direction of the insertion of the card. Thus, the horizontal running portion of the belt 71 is run in the opposite direction. The optical card clamped between the roller 68 (belt 71) and the pressing roller 7 is pulled from the mounting portion of mount table 60 by the drive force of the motor 69. While the optical card is pressed on the belt 71 by the pressing rollers 73 and 74, the end portion of the card is finally ejected from the opening of the insertion unit 79. Thus, the optical card can be pulled out of the apparatus. When the sensor 77 has detected the completion of the passing of the card, the drive motor 69 is stopped by the command from the control unit (not shown).
In the optical card apparatus having the above structure, the detection of the completion of the loading of the card onto the mount table is effected by detecting the rear end portion of the inserted card. Thus, when optical cards have various longitudinal lengths or lengths less than the standard values are employed and inserted, the exact detection is not possible and the normal operation of the apparatus cannot be performed. There is a concern that a non-standard card (e.g. a narrow one, a long one, a perforated one, a partially cut one, etc.), which can be inserted into the insertion unit and can be detected by the sensor for sensing the insertion thereof and start the operation of the card-receiving mechanism, may be received by the apparatus, and the completion of the insertion may be determined to start the next operation.


The present invention relates to polypeptides having carboxypeptidase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing the polypeptides. The present invention further relates to methods of obtaining protein hydrolysates useful as flavor improving agents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to polypeptides having carboxypeptidase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing the polypeptides. The present invention further relates to methods of obtaining protein hydrolysates useful as flavor improving agents.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various food products, e.g., soups, sauces and seasonings, contain flavoring agents obtained by hydrolysis of proteinaceous materials. This hydrolysis is conventionally accomplished using strong hydrochloric acid, followed by neutralization with sodium hydroxide. However, such chemical hydrolysis leads to severe degradation of the amino acids obtained during the hydrolysis, and also to hazardous byproducts formed in the course of this chemical reaction. Increasing concern over the use of flavoring agents obtained by chemical hydrolysis has led to the development of enzymatic hydrolysis processes.
Enzymatic hydrolysis processes aim at obtaining a high degree of hydrolysis (DH), and this is usually attained using a complex of unspecific acting proteolytic enzymes (i.e., unspecific acting endo- and exo-peptidases). For example, WO 94/25580 describes a method for hydrolyzing proteins by use of an unspecific acting enzyme preparation obtained from Aspergillus oryzae. Specific acting proteolytic enzymes have not been used for this purpose because such enzymes only lead to an inadequate degree of hydrolysis.
Acid carboxypeptidases (EC 3.4.16) are serine exopeptidases which catalyze the removal of amino acids from the C-terminus of peptides, oligopeptides or proteins. These carboxypeptidases generally have a narrow substrate specificity, i.e., they can cleave only few amino acids.
Acid carboxypeptidases of Aspergillus oryzae have been reported previously. For instance, Nakadai, Nasuno, and Iguchi, 1972, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 36: 1343-1352, disclose a carboxypeptidase I with a molecular weight of 120 kDa (gel filtration) and optimal activity in the pH range 3.0 to 4.0. Nakadai, Nasuno, and Iguchi, 1972, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 36: 1473-1480, disclose a carboxypeptidase II with a molecular weight of 105 kDa (gel filtration) and optimal activity at pH 3.0. Nakadai, Nasuno, and Iguchi, 1972, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 36: 1481-1488, disclose a carboxypeptidase III with a molecular weight of 61 kDa (gel filtration) and a pH optimum of 3.0. Nakadai, Nasuno, and Iguchi, 1972, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 37:1237-1251, disclose a carboxypeptidase IV with a molecular weight of 43 kDa (gel filtration) and optimal activity at pH 3.0. Tekeuchi and Ichishima, 1986, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 50: 633-638, disclose a carboxypeptidase O with a molecular weight of 73 kDa (SDS-PAGE). Tekeuchi, Ushijima, and Ichishima, 1982, Current Microbiology 7: 19-23, disclose a carboxypeptidase O-1 and a carboxypeptidase O-2 both with a molecular weight of 63 kDa (gel filtration) and optimal activity at a pH in the range of 3.7 to 4.0. Ichishima et al., 1972, Journal of Biochemistry 72: 1045-1048, disclose a comparison of the enzymatic properties of several Aspergillus acid carboxypeptidases. Azarenkova et al., 1976, Biokhimiya 41: 20-27, disclose the isolation of an acid carboxypeptidase from Aspergillus oryzae with a molecular weight of 37 kDa (SDS-PAGE) and a pH optimum of 4 to 5.
The production of protein hydrolysates with desirable organoleptic properties and high degrees of hydrolysis generally requires the use of a mixture of peptidase activities. It would be desirable to provide a single component peptidase enzyme which has activity useful for improving the organoleptic properties and degree of hydrolysis of protein hydrolysates used in food products either alone or in combination with other enzymes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved polypeptides having carboxypeptidase activity as well as methods of obtaining protein hydrolysates with desirable organoleptic qualities and high degrees of hydrolysis.

Carboxypeptidases and nucleic acids encoding same


A communication device includes: (1) a wireless adapter at which a wireless headset is communicatively connected to the communication device and at which is received a first acoustic input that includes a speech input and a first ambient noise input; (2) a microphone that receives a second acoustic input, which includes a second ambient noise input; and (3) a dual-channel adaptive noise canceller that utilizes the second ambient noise input to filter the first ambient noise input out of the first acoustic input to generate an acoustic output that primarily comprises the speech input.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to communication devices, and in particular to use of wireless headsets with communication devices. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to ambient noise reduction during use of a wireless headset with a communication device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Users of mobile communication devices, such as cell phones, often utilize the communication devices while driving. Increasingly, laws are being imposed to ensure that the devices do not interfere with the safety of the user or others. As a primary example, city and state laws have been passed restricting the use of cell phones (when hand-held) while driving. However, many drivers get around such laws/restrictions by utilizing a secondary device that enables hands-free use of the cell phone.
One such device that is increasingly being utilized is the wireless headset, which enables hand-free access to the cell phone without the headset being tethered to the cell phone. Specifically, Bluetooth® wireless headsets, which operated according to Bluetooth® protocol, have become the primary device for wireless, hands-free, cell phone access. As known in the art, Bluetooth is a communication protocol by which a Bluetooth headset (or other Bluetooth enabled device) is able to connect to and complete near-field communication with a primary device. With cell phone users, Bluetooth headsets provide a convenient way to enable hands-free voice communication over the mobile phone.
Use of Bluetooth (and other) wireless headsets provide added convenience, while ensuring law compliance and greater safety, when driving. However, when a user of a cell phone is driving, there is typically a lot of ambient noise generated by the vehicle and the external environment in which the vehicle travels. For example, the acoustic path is heavily corrupted by car noise that may include vibrations, radio output, and engine fans, or environmental noises, such as outdoor wind, tire-on-road surface noise, and the like. The presence of these noises significantly interferes with detected speech and degrades the quality of speech that is received. An additional amount of ambient noise interference is detected when using a Bluetooth® headset in particular, because the Bluetooth headset does not have a close talking mode (i.e., there is a greater distance between the Bluetooth headset's receiver from the speech source than when talking directly into the built-in microphone of the communication device).

Noise reduction on wireless headset input via dual channel calibration within mobile phone


A deployment structure (28) for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) is rupturable by the restraint (12) when the restraint (12) is being inflated. The deployment structure (28) includes a plastic part (52). The plastic part (52) has a seam (158) along which it is rupturable under stress induced by movement of the restraint (12) forcefully against the deployment structure (28). The plastic part (52) includes first and second bodies (150,152) of plastic foam which are joined to each other at the seam (158). The first and second bodies (150,152) of plastic foam preferably have respective values of durometer hardness that differ from each other.

An air bag is inflated to protect an occupant of a vehicle upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. When the vehicle experiences a collision-indicating condition of at least a predetermined threshold level, an inflator is actuated. The inflator then emits inflation fluid which is directed to flow into the air bag. The inflation fluid inflates the air bag to an inflated condition in which the air bag extends into the vehicle occupant compartment. When the air bag is inflated into the vehicle occupant compartment, it restrains the occupant of the vehicle from forcefully striking parts of the vehicle as a result of the collision.
The air bag and the inflator are typically assembled together as parts of an air bag module which is mounted in the vehicle. In addition to the air bag and the inflator, the module includes a reaction canister which contains the air bag and the inflator. The reaction canister has a deployment opening through which the air bag emerges from the reaction canister when the air bag is being inflated.
A deployment door extends over the deployment opening in the reaction canister to conceal the air bag and the other parts of the module from the vehicle occupant compartment. The deployment door may be a part of the module. Alternatively, the deployment door may be a part of a trim panel on the vehicle structure in which the nodule is mounted. For example, the deployment door may be a part of a trim panel on the vehicle instrument panel.
When the inflator is actuated, the reaction canister directs the inflation fluid to flow from the inflator into the air bag. As the inflation fluid enters the air bag, it moves the air bag outward from the reaction canister through the deployment opening and forcefully against the deployment door. A closure portion of the deployment door is ruptured by the force of the fluid pressure in the air bag. As the air bag continues to move outward against the deployment door, it forcefully deflects a hinge portion of the deployment door so as to move the deployment door pivotally away from the deployment opening. The deployment door is thus opened and moved pivotally out of the path of the air bag as the air bag is inflated outward from the reaction canister through the deployment opening and into the vehicle occupant compartment.


The ventilated footwear comprises a lower part incorporating a sole, an upper part coupled to the lower part and shaped to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper part has an arch portion and is provided with an inside surface adapted to permit air circulation therethrough, and an outside surface provided with ventilation holes located in the arch portion of the upper part of the footwear. A waterproof and breathable membrane is sandwiched between the inside and outside surfaces in the arch portion of the upper part of the footwear across the holes. Furthermore, an insole is preferably disposed into the footwear. The insole has an arch portion adjacently located to the arch portion of the upper part of the footwear. The upper layer of the insole is adapted to permit air circulation therethrough. The insole has a bottom layer provided with transverse intersecting channels extending inwardly from a peripheral edge of the insole. At least one of the channels is adjacent to the holes located in the arch portion of the outside surface of the upper part of the footwear. The channels are provided with openings in communication with the upper layer.

The present invention relates to ventilated footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to footwear having openings in the arch area of the upper, a waterproof and breathable membrane across said openings, and a compressible insole with openings in the top side in communication with channels on the underside which are in communication with the openings in the arch area of the upper for ventilating the interior of a footwear.
Many kinds of footwear, such as athletic shoes, everyday walking shoes, and work boots have the drawback of poor ventilation. The inherent confining of the foot does not allow it to breathe, causing the foot to perspire and thereby promoting the development of bacteria, fungi and the like as well as the accompanying unpleasant odors and skin problems.
There have been various attempts to solve the problem of ventilating a shoe. A plethora of footwear constructions having various ventilation arrangements are known in the art. Openings in the upper are well known but suffer from the obvious problem of admitting debris and water. Complicated valve arrangements have been suggested by the prior art to close the opening. Many of the approaches have included a pumping means encased within the sole of the shoe, sometimes in communication with the openings in the upper. Generally, the weight of the foot is used to compress a bladder and force air out of apertures to ventilate the foot. Problems have also existed with failure of the bladder to reinflate. The shape and position of the bladder, or air pump, has been such that enough weight is always on it to prevent full inflation. Such mechanisms are typically prohibitively expensive to build into footwear and such complicated multi-component mechanisms are prone to failure and given that most of these prior art devices are built into the shoe, they are not easily repairable or replaceable.
There are also a variety of other solutions disclosed in order to improve ventilation, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,096. In this patent, the outsole is coupled to an insole, in which holes are traversing the thickness of the combined insole/outsole structure. The sole structure has a microporous, waterproof membrane disposed between the insole and the outsole, in order to allow the transpiration of the foot while keeping the foot dry. A primary disadvantage of that systems is that the openings to the exterior of the footwear are generally disposed a substantial part of the time against a surface, and such surface itself may be a source of hot air, for example hot road pavement. Another disadvantage with this solution is that since the holes for breathing are on the bottom of the outsole, the holes are often blocked by mud, dust or the like debris, resulting in the inefficient operation of the ventilation system.
An article of footwear comprising:
a lower part incorporating a sole,
an upper part coupled to said lower part and shaped to receive a foot of a wearer, said upper part having an arch portion with a plurality of openings providing communication between the outside of the upper part and the interior of the upper part,
a waterproof, breathable membrane across the openings, and
a compressible insole with openings in the top side in communication with channels on the underside which are in communication with the openings in the arch area of the upper part,
for ventilating the interior of a footwear.


A chalk bag for climbers includes a flexible bag structure with an internal cavity for holding chalk and an upper opening providing a passage to the cavity when open. A closure device circumscribes the opening and when open configures the opening in substantially circular shape for receiving the hand of a climber for chalking. When closed, the closure device configures opposite walls of the bag structure in engagement with one another in a substantially half-circular arcuate configuration. The chalk bag is wedge shaped in side elevation view to dispose the shape-retaining opening in vertically open disposition when the climber is standing with the chalk bag secured at the waist in the small of the back. Consequently, the climber can access the chalk within the bag easily with either hand, and may open and close the bag with either hand and with only one hand.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of chalk bags worn by climbers, and which are used by climbers to carry and dispense chalk onto the climber's hands to improve their grip on climbing surfaces. These chalk bags are used by climbers, such as rock climbers, to carry and dispense chalk onto the climbers hands and fingers both prior to and during climbing.
2. Related Technology
Conventional climber's chalk bags are required to retain chunk or powdered chalk, for example, within the bag while also allowing the climber to quickly and easily access the chalk with either hand during a climb. On the other hand, the conventional chalk bags are so designed that it can be difficult for a climber to access the chalk with the hand. That is, the opening of some conventional chalk bags is a type with a draw-string mouth, and is partially obstructed even when the bag is open. This type of chalk bag closure makes access to the chalk with a climber's hand undesirably difficult. Also, this type of closure can not generally be operated with only a single hand to either open or close the chalk bag.
A conventional closure or fastening device for a pouch (such as a tobacco pouch) is known in accord with British patent No. 26,598, dating from an application filed on 15 Nov. 1897. According to the disclosure of this patent, a tobacco pouch may include a closure having an elongate shape-retaining curved piece of sheet metal which is hinged at its ends to and carries respective ends of a matching elongate flexible and resilient piece of metal. The pouch is secured at its mouth to the closure by folding the flexible cloth or leather material, for example, of the pouch over the closure to form a sewn hem. The flexible piece of metal may be manually sprung between a position in which it lays adjacent to the curved piece, closing the pouch; and another position sprung away from the curved piece of metal. In the second position of the flexible piece of metal as described, the pouch will have a somewhat ellipsoidal-shaped opening.
Similar closures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,271, issued 12 May 1936 to D. Rosenzweig; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,150,627, issued 14 Mar. 1939 to I. Lieber. Each of these closures include an elongate curved substantially rigid member hingeably connected near its ends to respective ends of an elongate flexible and resilient member. The flexible member may be manually snapped between an open and a closed position. In the closed position of the flexible member, the pouch, handbag or container, for example, which is fitted with the closure device will be closed and will have a curved configuration. In the open position of the closure, the mouth of the pouch or handbag will be open to a generally elliptical shape.
All of these conventional closures when open provide an opening which is an ellipsoid, or is shaped like a pair cycloidal segments or circular segments arranged on opposite sides of an axis of symmetry. These opening shapes provide a pair of opposite cusps or corners from which contents may be poured. However, for a climber's chalk bag, the contents of the bag are not intended to be poured out. In fact, an opening shape with a defined cusp or corner is undesirable because climbers may maneuver their bodies while climbing into positions in which the chalk is poured out of such a chalk bag and is lost. Also, the existence of such cusps is undesirable for a climber's chalk bag because the access to the contents of the bag is made more difficult by the opening shape which does not best accommodate the human hand.
An additional conventional bi-stable closure device for flexible bags is known in accord with U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,601, issued 1 Jan. 1974 to A. A. Krawagna. According to the disclosure of this patent, a snap-closure includes a plate portion and a collar portion integral along one edge with the plate portion via a flexible web. The plate and collar seek one of two stable positions. In one of these stable positions, a corner opening of a bag to which the closure is secured is open so that contents of the bag can be dispensed though the opening. In the other of the two stable positions, the walls of the bag are strung tightly across the plate portion of the closure to close the bag opening.
However, none of these conventional closure devices provides a substantially circular and unobstructed opening when open and also closes tightly when closed. Desirably, a climber's chalk bag should provide a circular opening just sufficiently large enough to accept a climber's hand for chalking, but also sufficiently small as to retain the chalk contained in the bag. That is, the opening should not be larger than required for inserting the climber's hand, and should not have a shape which facilitates spilling or loss of the chalk from the open bag. Further, such a climber's chalk bag should be easily opened and closed with a single hand, and with either hand. Additionally, such a climber's chalk bag should provide a shape-retaining opening which when open allows a climber to easily and certainly insert the fingers or an entire hand for chalking, and without an overly tight opening which could trap or catch the climber's hand at a critical moment.


A synchronous random access memory, such as a synchronous dynamic random access memory or a synchronous graphic random access memory, is responsive to command signals and includes multiple bank memory arrays. A command decoder/controller responds to command signals to initiate, in a first system clock cycle, an auto-refresh command controlling an auto refresh operation to a specified one of the multiple bank memory arrays.

Synchronous random access memories such as a synchronous dynamic random access memories (SDRAMs) and a synchronous graphic random access memories (SGRAMs) are designed to operate in a synchronous memory system. Thus, all input and output signals, with the exception of a clock enable signal during power down and self refresh modes, are synchronized to an active edge of a system clock.
SDRAMs offer substantial advances in dynamic memory operating performance. For example, some SDRAMs are capable of synchronously providing burst data in a burst mode at a high-speed data rate by automatically generating a column address to address a memory array of storage cells organized in rows and columns for storing data within the SDRAM. In addition, if the SDRAM includes two or more banks of memory arrays, the SDRAM preferably permits interleaving between the two or more banks to hide precharging time. SGRAMs differ from SDRAMs by providing certain column block write functions and masked write or write-per-bit functions to accommodate high-performance graphics applications
In an asynchronous DRAM, once row and column addresses are issued to the DRAM and a row address strobe signal and column address strobe signal are deactivated, the DRAM's memory is precharged and available for another access. Another row cannot be accessed in the DRAM array, however, until the previous row access is completed.
By contrast, a SDRAM requires separate commands for accessing and precharging a row of storage cells in the SDRAM memory array. Once row and column addresses are provided to a SDRAM in a SDRAM having multiple bank memory array's, a bank memory array which is accessed remains active. An internally generated row address strobe remains active and the selected row is open until a PRECHARGE command deactivates and precharges the selected row of the memory array.
In a SDRAM, a transfer operation involves performing a PRECHARGE command operation to deactivate and precharge a previously accessed bank memory array, performing an ACTIVE command operation to register the row address and activate the bank memory array to be accessed in the transfer operation, and performing the transfer READ or WRITE command to register the column address and initiate a burst cycle.
In current SDRAMs and SGRAMs, an AUTO REFRESH command is needed each time a refresh is required. During an auto refresh operation in current SDRAMs and SGRAMs, all bank memory arrays in multibank memory devices are idle. Furthermore, the user of the SDRAM or SGRAM device does not know which bank is being refreshed. Prior art SDRAM or SGRAMs typically perform auto refresh operations by toggling between the two banks during each count of the row address. For example, the auto refresh operation is performed by refreshing row 0 of bank 0, then prior to incrementing the row address, the banks are switched to refresh row 0 of bank 1. The row address that is internally generated during the auto refresh operation is then incremented to row 1 and the banks are switched so that row 1 of bank 0 is refreshed, then the banks are switched to refresh row 1 of bank 1. This alternating between banks is continued until all rows in all banks of the memory device are refreshed. There is a need for an improved auto refresh operation in SDRAMs and SGRAMs.

Multiple bank memory with auto refresh to specified bank


An improved composite material which overcomes the moisture problem associated with other composite materials includes a protective waterproof coating of material such as a poly-para-xylylene over the composite material.

This invention relates to composite materials and more particularly to a protective coating for composite materials.
Graphite-epoxy materials and other composite materials containing graphite fibers, are widely used in spacecraft to form structural members and other parts, because of their unique combination of very high mechanical strength, light weight (low physical density) and good resistance to elevated temperatures. These materials display three disadvantages, however, in such applications. A first disadvantage is due to their dark coloration, which is generally gray to black; as a result, these materials tend to be strong absorbers of solar radiation, which leads to difficulties in thermal stabilization of the spacecraft made of this material.
A second disadvantage is due to their organic material content. They are susceptible to both physical degradation (erosion damage) and chemical degradation (carbonization and other compositional changes) caused by bombardment by ozone, ionic and atomic oxygen, and other gaseous or high energy particles under orbital conditions, especially at lower altitudes. Oxygen presents the worst problem because of its high chemical affinity for most organic materials, including carbon itself. These composite materials are also easily burned through by impinging laser beams, since they are not truly refractory. A third disadvantage is that, under ordinary conditions of temperature, and humidity, these materials, being somewhat porous, tend to absorb comparatively large quantities of water (up to 1.5% by weight) after part fabrication and installation aboard a spacecraft. The water absorbed on the surface spreads quickly throughout the epoxy matrix, by diffusion processes enhanced by capillary effects along the embedded graphite fibers. In effect, this water simulates the water of hydration in an inorganic crystalline material such as copper sulfate. Subsequently, in the vacuum of space, much of the moisture is gradually desorbed in the form of water vapor. This exudation of water can cause spacecraft contamination and, much worse, structural damage in the form of component weakening, shrinkage, and warping, with resultant distortion of the spacecraft installations. Similarly, if the water freezes within the epoxy matrix, due to the low temperatures, it can cause cracking or fracturing of the component. For example, such disturbances would constitute a serious drawback in optical systems which require precision alignment for proper performance.
It is known that thermal stabilization can be achieved by depositing an opaque coating of a highly reflective material such as silver, aluminum, magnesium or gold on the surface. While this may correct the heating problem, the chemical degradation and physical damage caused by bombardment with zone, ionic and atomic oxygen and other gaseous and high energy particles under low earth orbit conditions, can cause erosion and destruction of such a coating. It has been proposed to provide a metal oxide protective coating over the reflective coating and also a metal oxide subcoating to smooth out the surface for the reflective material coating. This thin coating may be of a very chemically stable, optically transparent, hard refractory metal oxide such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (aluminum oxide), SiO.sub.2 (silicon dioxide), TiO.sub.2 (titanium dioxide), or MgO (magnesium oxide). These oxides are very resistant to mechanical damage (scratching and pitting) because of their high Brinell hardness.
These configurations provide protection against solar radiation and the physical degradation and chemical degradation caused by bombardment by ozone, ionic and atomic oxygen, and other gaseous or high energy particles under low earth orbit conditions. These configurations do not provide for protection from earth-based absorption of large quantities of moisture which is subsequently gradually desorbed in the vacuum of space in the form of water vapor. This can cause spacecraft contamination as well as structural damage or misalignment.


Engine-racing control is performed in which a throttle valve is temporarily driven to the open side at start of cruise control. The engine-racing control is forcibly stopped when skip vehicle speed Vsk serving as an estimated vehicle speed after a predetermined time becomes higher than storage vehicle speed (target traveling speed) Vm. For example, on a downward slope where a vehicle is naturally accelerated due to gravitational acceleration, the vehicle is excessively accelerated due to the engine-racing control same as that on a flat road. However, because the behavior of the vehicle on the downward slope is reflected on the skip vehicle speed Vsk, it is possible to stop the engine-racing control early compared to the case in which the vehicle travels on the flat road and to avoid excessive acceleration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a constant-speed cruise control apparatus for a vehicle, particularly to a constant-speed cruise control apparatus for a vehicle for performing "acceleration correction", i.e., what is called "engine-racing control" corresponding to a road condition.
2. Description of the Related Art
A constant-speed cruise control apparatus for a vehicle has been known so far. When a driver steps on an accelerator to accelerate a vehicle up to a desired speed and thereafter operates a cruising-speed setting switch, the then vehicle speed is set as a cruising speed. Thereafter, the vehicle travels at a constant speed so as to decrease the deviation between the actual vehicle speed and the set vehicle speed to zero by, for example, adjusting the opening degree of a throttle. In the case of a vehicle mounting the apparatus, it is unnecessary for the driver to always step on the accelerator when traveling on a highway at a constant speed. Therefore, the apparatus is very convenient.
However, a phenomenon has occurred so far that the actual traveling speed of the vehicle temporarily decreases after the vehicle speed setting switch is operated and, after a while, the vehicle recovers a target speed. This is because the timing for the accelerator release operation by the driver is too early for the operation of the vehicle speed setting switch, a predetermined time is required for the arithmetic processing by control means after the vehicle speed setting switch is operated, or a delay time is present from the time when a driving signal is output to an actuator to the time when the actuator actually drives a speed adjustment element.
To reduce the drop of the traveling speed when starting the above cruise control, an art is known which performs compensation control known as "engine-racing control" by outputting a driving signal for temporarily driving a speed adjustment element to the acceleration side (e.g., driving a throttle valve toward a further opening position) at the start of cruise control as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei. 3-56926. For example, even if the timing for the accelerator release operation by a driver is too early for the command operation of cruise control, it is possible to reduce the drop of a traveling speed because the speed adjustment element is forcibly driven to the acceleration side and improve the vehicle-driving feeling when cruise control is started.
In the case of the "engine-racing control" according to the prior art, however, a driving signal (hereinafter referred to as an acceleration signal) for driving a speed adjustment element to the acceleration side is output to an actuator whenever cruise control is started. Therefore, even when a vehicle travels on a downward slope, the acceleration signal is output. Thus, under the state in which a vehicle is naturally accelerated due to the gravitational acceleration, a throttle excessively opens and the vehicle speed exceeds a target speed, and thereby the problem occurs that the driving feeling is impaired or the comfort deteriorates due to acceleration unexpected by the driver.
Moreover, the driving feeling is impaired not only at the start of cruise control but also during the control. For example, while cruise control is performed, the driver may step on the accelerator to temporarily increase the speed in order to outrun another vehicle. In this case, the vehicle speed is increased against the cruise control. While the above acceleration is performed, a control apparatus for performing cruise control controls a driving-force adjustment system so that the driving force decreases in order to return the vehicle speed to a target speed. Therefore, when the driver releases the accelerator, the so-called undershoot occurs in which the speed excessively decreases below the target speed.
To solve the above problem, an apparatus is known which performs a kind of "engine-racing control" in which the throttle opening degree is set to a previous cruise value at least before vehicle speed returns to a target speed after temporary acceleration is completed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei. 4-278836). Also in the case of this art, however, the throttle opening degree is set to a previous cruise value before the vehicle speed returns to a target speed after temporary acceleration is completed even on a downward slope because the case in which a vehicle travels on a flat road is not distinguished from the case in which the vehicle travels on a downward slope. Therefore, for example, on a downward slope where a vehicle is naturally accelerated due to gravitational acceleration, the problem also occurs that vehicle speed is excessively increased from a target speed and thereby the driving feeling is impaired or the comfort deteriorates.

Constant-speed cruise control apparatus for a vehicle


Cephem compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of using same, wherein the compound has a bicyclic nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic ring as the quaternary ammoniomethyl group at the 3-position and one or both of a terminal amidine residue (substituted or unsubstituted) attached to an aryl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group (substituted or unsubstituted) which is further attached through a spacer to the free N-atom of the quaternary nitrogen-containing bicyclic ring at the 3-side chain, or a terminal guanidine residue attached to an aryl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group (substituted or unsubstituted) which is further attached through a spacer to the free N-atom of the quaternary nitrogen-containing bicyclic ring at the 3-side chain.

Cephem antibiotics have been widely used for the treatment of bacterial infections both in hospitals and in the general public. As such, it is highly desirable to use cephem antibiotics showing activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Unfortunately, due to the existence of multiple-drug resistant gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, many bacteria have become highly resistant to a number of β-lactam drugs, including the bacteria that constitute the ESKAPE organisms, generally encompassed by the following six pathogens: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species. This includes a resistance to known cephems whereby the bacteria are producing β-lactamases, including Class A (ESBL) and Class D (serine β-lactamases) types, which have an extended substrate spectrum. As a result, the morbidity and mortality caused by bacterial infections in both hospital and community settings continues to rise, and has become a significant public health concern.
There is a demand for development of new cephem compounds which exhibit more potent antimicrobial activity in particular more effective against a variety of β-lactamase producing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
A variety of cephem compounds having a quaternary ammonium group at the 3-side chain and 2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-hydroxy-(or substituted hydroxyl)aminoacetamido group at 7-position have been published such as, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,864,022, 5,173,485 ,5,215,982, 5,071,979, 4,406,899, 4,910,301, 4,748,171, 5,010,188, International Patent Application Nos. PCT/JP2003/013684, PCT/JP2007/056136, PCT/IB2013/002423, European Patent Application No. 2 703 406, European Patent Application No. 2 557 082; European Patent No. 2 341 053; European Patent Application No. 2 70606, United States Patent Application No. 2013/0079319 (Shionogi), United States Patent Application No. 2012/0264727, and European Patent Application No. 2706062.
The above mentioned patents and patent applications disclose cephem compounds whose quaternary ammoniomethyl group at the 3-position has a monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic or aromatic heterocyclic ring which is optionally substituted with an organic group other than benzamidine, heteroaryl amidine, arylguanidine and heteroaryl guanidine as the terminal residues.
There remains a need for new cephem compounds having increased antibiotic efficacy, particularly in highly resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, the compounds having structural features are significantly different from the compounds described in the patent references cited above

Cephem compounds, their production and use


A liquid flowed detection system is disclosed for monitoring continuous and discontinuous liquid flow in a fluid circuit. The system includes a holding device for maintaining a drip chamber so that its elongated axis generally lies in a vertical plane. A light emitter is oriented to transmit light along an optical path through the drip chamber and intersecting its elongated axis. A light detector located in the optical path opposite the light emitter, generates a signal representative of light received from the light emitter. A processor receives information from the detector and generates a control signal representative of a variability over time of the light detector signal. When the control signal drops below a predetermined level, a flow absence signal is generated which is then correlated to the system's pump velocity corresponding to a time interval (T). If the flow absence signal occurs continuously in a comparison time interval (T), a warning signal is generated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid flow detector of the type associated with a drip chamber formed by a transparent cup-shaped container. An inlet tube extends into the drip chamber and includes a nozzle disposed in the upper portion of the container. The liquid collected in the container flows from the base of the container via an outlet tube under the action of a peristaltic pump disposed in the outlet tube.
2. Description of the Related Art
Detectors of known type are applied to drip chambers and detect the flow of liquid by means of optoelectronic sensors which comprise a photoemitter and a photodetector defining an optical path which intersects the flow of liquid. Flow detectors of known type also comprise an electronic unit which receives as input the signal supplied by the photodetector in order to ascertain whether the liquid is flowing into the container.
Moreover, detectors of known type are separated into two classes depending on the characteristics of the liquid flow (continuous or in droplets). In the first crass of detectors of digital type, the electronic unit counts the number of pulses of the input signal (caused by the droplets falling from the nozzle) in order to ascertain the quantity of liquid flowing into the container. The first class of detector is not able to monitor the flow of liquid when it is continuous as the pulses of the input signal are missing.
In the second class of detectors of analog type, the electronic unit dectects the amplitude of the input signal which is a function of the quantity of liquid falling from the nozzle and compares it with a reference level in order to measure the flow of this liquid. This second class of detector is highly influenced by the characteristics of the container and the condition of the sensor and provides an incorrect reading when the container has yellowed because of wear or age. The presence of vapours in the container may also have an adverse effect on the measurement.


A method and apparatus determines completion of all of one or more operations for a particular input/output device initiated prior to an inquiry start time. The method provides one or more in-progress bits and an equal number of snapshot bits. Each in-progress bit corresponds to a respective associated operation for the input/output device. An in-progress bit is set when the associated operation is initiated. The in-progress bit is cleared when the associated operation is completed. The method copies, at the inquiry start time, all of the in-progress bits to the corresponding snapshot bits and clears a snapshot bit when the associated operations is completed. Finally, the method determines whether every one of said one or more snapshot bits is cleared. The apparatus comprises an input/output operator, one or more operation requesters, one or more in-progress bits and an equal number of snapshot bits. Preferably, the in-progress bits are grouped in a register, as are the snapshot bits. Each in-progress bit corresponds to a respective associated operation for the input/output devices, is set when the associated operation is initiated, and is cleared when the associated operations is completed.

The invention relates to digital electronic circuitry. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus to determine when all outstanding fetches, i.e., memory read requests, are complete in a computer input/output system.
An input/output (xe2x80x9cI/Oxe2x80x9d) system can serve several I/O devices. It may be desirable to replace one of the devices during the operation of the I/O system while not affecting the I/O traffic associated with the other devices, a procedure known as on-line replacement (xe2x80x9cOLRxe2x80x9d). Also one device may need to be reset due to an error associated with that device, and again it is desirable to not affect the traffic of the devices. An I/O system may have multiple outstanding memory read requests on behalf of the device that requires resetting or replacing. These outstanding memory requests may result in non-coherent data being stored in the I/O system for the device. It is possible that this non-coherent data may be returned to the device after it is replaced or reset. This could result in stale data being given to the device. Before removing the data that is stored in the I/O system for the device it is necessary to know that all outstanding memory requests have been satisfied. In large systems this can theoretically take a long time, even though the majority of the requests are completed quickly. Two examples of why a request may take a long time to complete:
(1) The system is extremely busy; or
(2) Part of the system has failed and the request must wait for a timeout.
It is undesirable to have to wait the maximum time the request would take to complete (either normal completion or a timeout) each time a I/O device needs to be reset or replaced. Examples of times when it is desirable to know that all fetches for a device (or all the devices) have been completed include:
(1) OLR of one or multiple devices;
(2) OLR of I/O system, in which case the system needs to know ALL fetches are complete in order to shut down the I/O system in a systematic way; and
(3) To abort a direct memory access (xe2x80x9cDMAxe2x80x9d) sequence for a device due to some abnormal behavior (or error condition).
Prior solutions to the above problems have mainly been solved in operating system (xe2x80x9cOSxe2x80x9d) software. The OS would shut down the I/O devices that needed to be replaced or reset. Then, in order to make sure all the fetches for those devices were complete, a wait loop would be invoked. This wait loop would need to be as long as the maximum of the timeout for the fetches or theoretical limit of the memory return for the request. This wait loop could take a long time, in certain cases about 100 milliseconds. There are certain error recovery situations in which this time is longer than desirable as the I/O device would be unavailable during the entire wait loop time. In the vast majority of cases, the outstanding memory requests receive the required response relatively quickly, less than 2 microseconds. This means that the loop time is usually about 50,000 times longer than necessary.
In one respect, the invention is a method for determining completion of all of one or more operations for a particular input/output device initiated prior to an inquiry start time. The method provides one or more in-progress bits and an equal number of snapshot bits. Each in-progress bit corresponds to a respective associated operation for the input/output device. Each of the one or more in-progress bits is set when the associated operation is initiated. Each of the one or more in-progress bits is cleared when the associated operation is completed. The method copies, at the inquiry start time, all of the in-progress bits to the corresponding snapshot bits and clears a snapshot bit when the associated operations is completed. Finally, the method determines whether every one of said one or more snapshot bits is cleared.
In another respect, the invention is an apparatus for determining completion of all of one or more operations for a particular input/output device initiated prior to an inquiry start time. The apparatus comprises an input/output operator, one or more operation requesters, one or more in-progress bits and an equal number of snapshot bits. Preferably, the in-progress bits are grouped in a register, as are the snapshot bits. Each in-progress bit corresponds to a respective associated operation for the input/output devices, is set when the associated operation is initiated, and is cleared when the associated operations is completed.
In yet another respect, the invention is a computer readable medium on which is embedded a program. The embedded program comprises components that execute the above method or that correspond to the above apparatus components.
In comparison to the prior art, certain embodiments of the invention are capable of dramatically reducing waiting time. As an example, after the OS software has shut down the I/O devices that need to be replaced or reset, software can send the hardware a command indicating that it wants to know when all current outstanding memory fetches are complete. Instead of waiting the maximum time necessary for completion of a software loop, the system software can instead set and read a register that will indicate when memory fetches are complete. System software can loop on this register until all the fetches are complete. This reduces the amount of time that system software will have to wait to less than 2 microseconds in all but a very few cases.

Method and apparatus to determine when all outstanding fetches are complete

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing and a terminal. The dielectric housing includes a mating surface, a mating space in the mating surface, a passageway communicating with the mating space and having an inner face, and a stopper extending into the passageway. The terminal is received in the passageway and comprises an intermediate beam having a fulcrum contacting with the inner face of the passageway and a spring arm extending curvedly from the intermediate beam. The spring arm has a contact portion extending into the mating space and a tab abutting against the stopper for being pre-stressed. The intermediate beam and the inner face of the passageway define an elongated slit therebetween. The spring arm and the inner face of the passageway define a resilient room therebetween communicating with the elongated slit. The contact portion is movable toward the inner face of the passageway to cause the fulcrum moving toward the spring arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to board-to-board having a plurality of terminals with high contact normal force and sufficient resiliency.
2. Description of Related Art
Board-to-Board connector assembly generally includes a plug and a receptacle connectors respectively mounted on two parallelly spaced printed circuit boards (PCB) and mated with each other for mechanical and electrical interconnection therebetween, whereby the corresponding printed circuit boards can be electrically connected with each other for signal transmission.
The plug and the receptacle respectively comprise a plurality of terminals to establish an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. It is well know that a high enough mating force is required between the terminals of the plug and the terminals of the receptacle for ensuring reliable signal transmission between the plug and receptacle. In order to increase the mating force, the receptacle generally provides an enough space for sufficient elastic deflection of the terminals. This conflicts with the continuing trend of the connector toward miniaturization. U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,770 discloses another solution to improve mating force of a receptacle by providing a plurality of pre-stress terminals. However, repeated engagement between the plug and the receptacle may wear out the terminals of the receptacle due to the pre-stress terminals having high mating force.
Hence, a receptacle connector with improved contacts is desired to overcome the disadvantage of the prior art.

Electrical connector having contact with high contact normal force and sufficient resiliency


The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a low-cost and easy-to-produce ignition coil for an internal combustion engine.. A lead wire 13a of an electronic part 13 is connected to a terminal 12a and a terminal 7a of an intermediate conductor 12 by means of caulking or press fitting. Since the end cut face of the lead wire 13a of the electronic part 13 is sharp, a wall material 71 and a cover 81 as crack spread preventing materials are arranged so as to encircle that end cut face. Further, an opening portion 92 is closed by the intermediate conductor 12, and high voltage is output via a spring 11 directly contacted to the intermediate conductor 12.. The number of components may thus be reduced, and cracks generating in an insulating resin may be prevented from spreading.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an easy-to-produce and low-cost ignition coil for an internal combustion engine.
FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine, while FIG. 7 shows its plan view. In the figures, a core 1 is a core of closed magnetic circuit type which goes through a coil body as described later. A primary bobbin 2 is arranged so as to encircle a part of said core 1. On the outskirts of the primary bobbin 2, a primary coil 3 as a conductive wire is formed so as to wind around the core 1. Low voltage terminals 4a and 4b are arranged on a case 9. One end of said primary coil 3 is connected to said terminal 4a, while the other end of said primary coil 3 is connected to said terminal 4b.
On the outskirts of said primary coil 3, a secondary bobbin 5 is arranged so as to encircle said core 1 and said primary bobbin 2. On the outskirts of said secondary bobbin 5, a secondary coil 6 is formed so as to wind around said core 1 and said primary bobbin 2, and a conductive wire of, for example about 100 times the number of turns of said primary coil 3, is wound around. Arranged on said secondary bobbin 5 are terminals 7a and 7b, to which both the ends of said secondary coil 6 are respectively connected. Said primary coil 3 is also connected to said terminal 7a. Said primary bobbin 2 and said secondary bobbin 5 are contained in said case 9, and a resin material 8 is mounted on said secondary bobbin.
An opening end 9a to take out high voltage is arranged at said case 9, and a high voltage terminal 10 made of a conductor is mounted within this opening end 9. One end of said high voltage terminal 10 is thread-cut, while the other end is cylindrical, and a spring 11 is contained in its inside.
As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an intermediate conductor 12 as a supporting material is mounted on said resin material 8, and one end of an electronic circuit device 13 is electrically connected to a terminal 12a arranged at said intermediate conductor 12, while the other end of an electronic part 13 is electrically connected to a terminal 7b arranged at said secondary bobbin 5. A lead 13a of said electronic circuit device 13 is wound around or hooked to said terminal 12a and terminal 7b, and then electrically connected by means of soldering. This electronic circuit device 13 has a role to prevent the voltage generating at the start of electricity flow into the primary side from outputting. Respective components contained within said case 9 are fixed and insulated by an insulating resin 14 as an injection resin such as epoxy resin or so.
The ignition coil engine described above operates as shown below. Namely, when electricity is supplied from said external device not shown in the figure via said terminals 4a and 4b to said primary coil 3, said primary coil 3 generates magnetic flux, which runs through said core 1 and crosses said secondary coil 6. After a lapse of a certain amount of time, if the electricity to said primary coil 3 is shut down, magnetic flux that has crossed said secondary coil 6 decreases rapidly. Then, according to the principle of electromagnetic induction, this flux change generates high voltage in proportion with the number of turns of said primary coil 3 and said secondary coil 6. Next, high voltage generated is output via said electronic part 13, said intermediate conductor 12, said high voltage terminal 10, and said spring 11.
In the ignition coil for an internal combustion engine as described above, there have been problems, for instance, in that it is difficult to hook the lead wire of the electronic circuit device on a connecting point or wind it around by means of soldering, and in that soldering near the coil causes solder spatter to the scatter to coil, resulting in possible short-circuiting within the coil. Also in order to seal the opening portion for high voltage, the case wall is pinched from the outside and the inside, therefore, a high pressure terminal is needed in addition to an intermediate conductor, thus increasing the number of parts. Furthermore, there is also the problem that the sharp cut face of the lead wire end portion of the electronic part in contact with an insulating resin causes cracks in the insulating resin.

Ignition coil for internal combustion engine