A separation vessel for separating an effluent stream that comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons and ionic liquid. The separation vessels may be vertically orientated. Ionic liquid is utilized to remove entrained ionic liquid droplets form rising hydrocarbons within the separation zone. The ionic liquid may be provided with a stream of the ionic liquid from the separation vessel. The ionic liquid may be provided as a layer or travel counter-current to the hydrocarbons rising in the separation vessel.

Ionic liquids are essentially salts in a liquid state, and are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,764,440, 5,104,840, and 5,824,832. The properties vary extensively for different ionic liquids, and the use of ionic liquids depends on the properties of a given ionic liquid. Depending on the organic cation of the ionic liquid and the anion, the ionic liquid can have very different properties. The behavior of the ionic liquid varies considerably for different temperature ranges, and it is preferred to find ionic liquids that do not require operation under more extreme conditions such as refrigeration.
Ionic liquids have been used to catalyze a variety of hydrocarbon conversion processes, such as alkylation, isomerization, disproportionation, and the like. When ionic liquids are used to catalyze hydrocarbon conversion processes, the ionic liquid catalyst is typically dispersed into droplets to provide intimate contact between the various reactants. The mixture of ionic liquid, reactants and products are typically separated by gravity into two phases, a heavier ionic liquid phase and a lighter hydrocarbon phase. It is common for the hydrocarbon phase to include fine droplets of ionic liquid. As a result of the relatively high cost of ionic liquids, it is generally desirable to recover this entrained ionic liquid.
Conventional separation vessels comprise horizontally disposed vessels that allow the effluent to settle into the two phases and typically use coalescing medium or other elements to try and remove and/or recover the entrained droplets of ionic liquid contained within the hydrocarbon phase. While these conventional separation vessels and methods are believed to be effective for their intended purposes, there may be drawbacks associated with same.
For example, the horizontal vessels require a relatively large amount of plot space given the required time necessary for separating the effluent into the two phases. While this may not be a drawback for all applications and uses of such separation vessels, some locations may lack the requisite space for such vessels. Additionally, a coalescing media, which is typically required to remove the entrained ionic liquid from the hydrocarbon phase, may become fouled or plugged over time. This may impact the flow of fluids there through, as well as require maintenance or repairs to address—which requires equipment or unit shutdown resulting a loss of production and increased costs.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed at providing a separation vessel that addresses one or more of these drawbacks associated with the conventional separation vessels used for separating an effluent having ionic liquid.

Vertical separation vessel for ionic liquid catalyzed effluent


A method for operating a cyclone combustor having first and second burners in communication with a barrel includes: feeding a stream of a primary fuel and a primary oxidant having a first oxygen concentration into the first burner; feeding a stream of a secondary fuel and a secondary oxidant having a second oxygen concentration greater than or equal to the first oxygen concentration into the second burner; combusting at least a portion of the primary fuel with at least a portion of the primary oxidant in the barrel of the cyclone combustor, thereby forming a plurality of primary products of combustion in the barrel; and combusting at least a portion of the secondary fuel with at least a portion of the secondary oxidant, thereby forming a plurality of secondary products of combustion and a secondary flame, the secondary flame generating a supplemental radiant heat in the barrel.

The present invention relates generally to the field of fossil fuel cyclone-fired boilers, and in particular to the use of oxygen enrichment of a secondary fuel in the barrel of a slagging cyclone combustor to maintain desired slag flow characteristics, thereby broadening the range of amenable fuels and operating conditions while lowering operating costs, improving combustion efficiency, and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.
Cyclone-fired boilers were developed in the 1940s primarily to improve the firing of coals with low ash-fusion temperature through minimizing the ash-induced slagging/fouling of high temperature heat transfer surfaces within the boiler. This was accomplished by combusting the coal and simultaneously melting the ash in a high-temperature chamber adjacent to the boiler, discharging the essentially ash-free products of combustion into the boiler and draining the molten slag to a tank at the bottom of the furnace. While this indeed reduced boiler-side fouling, the need to maintain a continuously-draining molten ash placed restrictions on the amenable coal supply and generally reduced the operating flexibility and load-following capability of the unit. Moreover, localized slag solidification within the cyclone often reduces unit availability relative to pulverized coal boilers. Finally, because of the high-temperatures needed to melt the slag, and the tendency to run at or above a stoichiometric ratio of 1.0 due to concerns over corrosion, cyclone combustors are known to generate relatively high levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, typically in the range of 1.0–2.0 lb NO2/MMBtu prior to post-combustion treatment. Hence, the limitations on NOx imposed by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments are particularly challenging and costly to achieve within fossil fuel cyclone-fired boilers. (The stoichiometric ratio represents the relative proportion of oxidant to fuel used in the combustion process. A stoichiometric ratio of 1.0 is the theoretical minimum needed for complete combustion of the fuel, while a stoichiometric ratio less than 1.0 signifies fuel-rich combustion.)
A typical cyclone combustor 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Conventional combustion within a slagging cyclone combustor of this design is carried out by injecting crushed coal and primary air through a coal pipe 12 to a burner 14. Tertiary air enters the burner at the tertiary air inlet 16, and secondary air (the main combustion air) enters the cyclone combustor at the secondary air inlet 18. The burner, which imparts a swirl motion to the crushed coal in the same rotation as the secondary air, injects a coal/air mixture with high tangential velocity into a refractory lined combustion chamber or barrel 20. The coal is crushed (˜95% through 4 mesh [4.8 mm] screen) rather than pulverized (˜70–80% through 200 mesh [70 microns] screen) to minimize the escape of fines from the barrel. Coal particles are thrown outward as the flow spins through the barrel, creating a region of high heat release adjacent the refractory lining of the barrel wall. The high temperature in this region causes the ash contained within the coal to melt. The molten "slag" 22 acts as a trap for the carbon-rich coal particles, retaining the particles for a period of time far greater than the average gas residence time within the barrel, thereby enabling a high degree of carbon burnout. The molten slag eventually migrates forward along the wall of the barrel, exits at the slag spout opening 24, and continuously drains through a slag tap opening 26 located below the re-entrant throat 28. The gas flow makes a triple pass—initially swirling along the barrel wall toward the re-entrant throat, then swirling upstream within an annular region, and finally turning and exiting from the barrel through the re-entrant throat into the furnace 30.
Oxygen enrichment has not been used in cyclone combustors to refuel cyclone-fired boilers with coals that are not amenable to air-fuel slagging operation. However, the use of oxygen enrichment to maintain molten slag and accelerate combustion within cyclone combustors has been considered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,732 (Oster) discloses the use of oxygen enrichment in a cyclone combustor to sustain a molten slag layer under reducing conditions in order to maximize recovery of metallic iron from the ash. The oxygen used for this purpose is introduced via a high-velocity, pre-heated, oxygen-enriched secondary air stream injected tangentially into the cyclone.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,652 (Hepworth) discusses the possibility of using oxygen enrichment in a coal-fired cyclone combustor in which iron oxide particles are injected for sulfur capture. Although oxygen enrichment is mentioned as a possible means of accelerating the rates of reaction, there is no discussion regarding how or where the oxygen would be introduced into the cyclone combustor.
Techniques for controlling ash viscosity in cyclones without the use of oxygen enrichment also have been considered. U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,329 (Rackley, et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,312 (Rackley et al.) teach the addition of fluxing agents to maintain the T250 of the ash below 2500° F. to limit the vaporization of heavy metals. (The T250 value denotes the temperature at which a coal slag has a viscosity of 250 centipoise.)
U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,674 (Ashworth) discusses the addition of lime or limestone into a cyclone to lower ash viscosity. U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0184817 (Johnson, et al.) describes the use of an iron-based additive to modify the viscosity and slagging characteristics of coals, particularly low-sulfur Western U.S. coals.
With regard to NOx reduction in cyclone combustors, U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,700 (Farzan, et al.) proposes injection of a secondary fuel (reburn fuel) along the axis of the barrel to convert NOx formed within the barrel to N2 as gases are discharged from the unit. However, this patent does not teach the use of oxygen or oxygen-enriched air. Also, it teaches that the secondary fuel stream passes through the cyclone barrel with a minimum of reaction.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,674 (Ashworth) proposes NOx reduction through a combination of steam injection and a three-stage combustion process comprised of a fuel-rich barrel operation followed by two distinct stages of air addition. U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,002 (Ashworth) further proposes injection of tertiary and overfire air in such a way as to create in-situ recirculation of flue gases to dilute the products of combustion and further lower NOx. Neither of these references discloses or teaches the use of oxygen enrichment as a means to reduce NOx.
Several references contemplate NOx reduction with the aid of oxygen enrichment, but without specific reference to cyclone combustors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,362 (Dykema) describes a combustion method requiring a high-temperature, fuel-rich first stage for the purpose of reducing NOx emissions. The high temperature (at least 1800K) is required to accelerate reaction kinetics, while fuel-rich conditions (stoichiometric ratio between 0.45–0.75) are needed to establish equilibrium chemistry with minimal NOx formation. Although this patent mentions the possibility of using oxygen enrichment, it does not provide any information on how oxygen would be introduced into the system. Moreover, this patent does not teach the use of oxygen enrichment in cyclone combustors.
A similar approach to NOx reduction is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,606 (Blair, et al.) except that this reference includes one or more secondary air injection points to complete combustion, while also omitting particulate injection. This patent teaches a first stage equivalence ratio of greater than about 1.4 (stoichiometric ratio less than about 0.7), while allowing for enrichment of air with between 6 and 15 weight percent oxygen. However, no details are provided regarding the means of introduction of the oxygen, nor is there any discussion regarding operational issues specific to cyclone combustors.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,790 (Kobayashi) discloses a method for NOx reduction via deeply staged (i.e., exceedingly fuel-rich) oxygen-enriched primary combustion coupled with secondary oxidant injection. The oxygen concentration of the primary oxidizer is at least 30%, while the required oxidizer to fuel ratio in the primary stage is between 5% and 50% of stoichiometric. This patent teaches that high velocity injection of reactants is key to NOx reduction since the vigorous mixing it induces will serve to lower the reaction temperature. The only solid fuel explicitly mentioned in this patent is pulverized coal, suggesting that application to slagging cyclone combustors was not intended.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0009932 (Kobayashi, et al.) also addresses NOx reduction in coal-fired boilers via a fuel-rich first combustion stage with oxygen enrichment up to 8 volume percent. No fixed limits are placed on the first stage stoichiometric ratio, and no mention is made of ash fusibility or viscosity. Several references are made to pulverized coal (in contrast to crushed coal) and low NOx burners, suggesting that application of the method to cyclone combustors was not intended. This patent application suggests that there is a certain stoichiometric ratio (not precisely quantified) below which NOx emissions will be reduced with oxygen-enriched combustion relative to air-fuel combustion. However, the application does not contemplate the influence of aerodynamics, mixing or particle time-temperature history on NOx characteristics.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,834 (Estes) describes an oxy/fuel burner mounted centrally along the axis of a pulverized coal/air burner. The primary purpose of this arrangement is to improve flame stability and control flame length. The teachings of this patent do not pertain to slagging cyclone combustors.
A fundamental requirement for stable operation of a slagging cyclone combustor is that the ash layer remains in a molten state with sufficiently low viscosity to permit adequate drainage of the slag. Difficulties in achieving this condition contribute to reduced on-stream time and restricted load-following capability in conveniently-operated air-fuel slagging cyclone combustors. Experience has determined that the critical viscosity for adequate drainage is 250 centipoise. As previously noted, the temperature corresponding to this viscosity level is T250. Stable operation of a slagging cyclone combustor requires the temperature of the slag to be greater than or equal to T250. This requirement places limits on the allowable range of coals and operating conditions, while also contributing to higher NOx emissions than encountered in many pulverized coal combustion systems.
It is desired to have a method and a system to permit refueling of cyclone combustors with coals that are not amenable to air/fuel-fired cyclone operation due to the inability to maintain a molten slag layer of sufficiently low viscosity to permit continuous slag flow.
It is further desired to have a method and system to increase the range of operating envelope (e.g., firing rate, stoichiometric ratio, coal grind size) of a cyclone boiler without incurring freezing of slag or degradation of boiler efficiency.
It is still further desired to have a method and a system to minimize the escape of fine coal particles from the barrel of a cyclone combustor.
It is still further desired to have a method and a system to lower NOx emissions in slagging cyclone combustors while minimizing the risk of corrosion within the barrel.
It is still further desired to have a method and a system to improve unit availability (i.e., on-stream time) by minimizing temperature excursions that result in freezing of the slag.
It also is desired to have a method and a system for combusting a fuel in a cyclone combustor which afford better performance than the prior art, and which also overcome many of the difficulties and disadvantages of the prior art to provide better and more advantageous results.

Oxygen-enriched co-firing of secondary fuels in slagging cyclone combustors


A fabric for a papermaking machine is provided. The fabric includes a machine facing side and a web facing side comprising pockets formed by warp and weft yarns. Each pocket is defined by four sides of the web facing side. Two of the four sides are each formed by a warp knuckle of a single warp yarn that passes over at least three consecutive weft yarns to define the warp knuckle. The other two of the four sides are each formed by a weft knuckle of a single weft yarn that passes over two consecutive warp yarns to define the weft knuckle.

In the conventional Fourdrinier papermaking process, a water slurry, or suspension, of cellulosic fibers (known as the paper "stock") is fed onto the top of the upper run of an endless belt of woven wire and/or synthetic material that travels between two or more rolls. The belt, often referred to as a "forming fabric," provides a papermaking surface on the upper surface of its upper run which operates as a filter to separate the cellulosic fibers of the paper stock from the aqueous medium, thereby forming a wet paper web. The aqueous medium drains through mesh openings of the forming fabric, known as drainage holes, by gravity or vacuum located on the lower surface of the upper run (i.e., the "machine side") of the fabric.
After leaving the forming section, the paper web is transferred to a press section of the paper machine, where it is passed through the nips of one or more pairs of pressure rollers covered with another fabric, typically referred to as a "press felt." Pressure from the rollers removes additional moisture from the web; the moisture removal is often enhanced by the presence of a "batt" layer of the press felt. The paper is then transferred to a dryer section for further moisture removal. After drying, the paper is ready for secondary processing and packaging.
Typically, papermakers' fabrics are manufactured as endless belts by one of two basic weaving techniques. In the first of these techniques, fabrics are flat woven by a flat weaving process, with their ends being joined to form an endless belt by any one of a number of well-known joining methods, such as dismantling and reweaving the ends together (commonly known as splicing), or sewing on a pin-seamable flap or a special foldback on each end, then  reweaving these into pin-seamable loops. A number of auto-joining machines are available, which for certain fabrics may be used to automate at least part of the joining process. In a flat woven papermakers' fabric, the warp yarns extend in the machine direction and the filling yarns extend in the cross machine direction.
In the second basic weaving technique, fabrics are woven directly in the form of a continuous belt with an endless weaving process. In the endless weaving process, the warp yarns extend in the cross machine direction and the filling yarns extend in the machine direction. Both weaving methods described hereinabove are well known in the art, and the term "endless belt" as used herein refers to belts made by either method.
Effective sheet and fiber support are important considerations in papermaking, especially for the forming section of the papermaking machine, where the wet web is initially formed. Additionally, the forming fabrics should exhibit good stability when they are run at high speeds on the papermaking machines, and preferably are highly permeable to reduce the amount of water retained in the web when it is transferred to the press section of the paper machine. In both tissue and fine paper applications (i.e., paper for use in quality printing, carbonizing, cigarettes, electrical condensers, and the like) the papermaking surface comprises a very finely woven or fine wire mesh structure.
In a conventional tissue forming machine, the sheet is formed flat. At the press section, 100% of the sheet is pressed and compacted to reach the necessary dryness and the sheet is further dried on a Yankee and hood section. This, however, destroys the sheet quality. The sheet is then creped and wound-up, thereby producing a flat sheet.
In an ATMOS™ system, a sheet is formed on a structured or molding fabric and the sheet is further sandwiched between the structured or molding fabric and a dewatering fabric. The sheet is dewatered through the dewatering fabric and opposite the molding fabric. The dewatering takes place with air flow and mechanical pressure. The mechanical pressure is created by a permeable belt and the direction of air flow is from the permeable belt to the dewatering fabric. This can occur when the sandwich passes through an extended pressure nip formed by a vacuum roll and the permeable belt. The sheet is then transferred to a Yankee by a press nip. Only about 25% of the sheet is slightly pressed by the Yankee while approximately 75% of the sheet remains unpressed for quality. The sheet is dried by a Yankee/Hood dryer arrangement and then dry creped. In the ATMOS™ system, one and the same structured fabric is  used to carry the sheet from the headbox to the Yankee dryer. Using the ATMOS™ system, the sheet reaches between about 35 to 38% dryness after the ATMOS™ roll, which is almost the same dryness as a conventional press section. However, this advantageously occurs with almost 40 times lower nip pressure and without compacting and destroying sheet quality. Furthermore, a big advantage of the ATMOS™ system is that it utilizes a permeable belt which is highly tensioned, e.g., about 60 kN/m. This belt enhances the contact points and intimacy for maximum vacuum dewatering. Additionally, the belt nip is more than 20 times longer than a conventional press and utilizes air flow through the nip, which is not the case on a conventional press system.
Actual results from trials using an ATMOS™ system have shown that the caliper and bulk of the sheet is 30% higher than the conventional through-air drying (TAD) formed towel fabrics. Absorbency capacity is also 30% higher than with conventional TAD formed towel fabrics. The results are the same whether one uses 100% virgin pulp up to 100% recycled pulp. Sheets can be produced with basis weight ratios of between 14 to 40 g/m2. The ATMOS™ system also provides excellent sheet transfer to the Yankee working at 33 to 37% dryness. There is essentially no dryness loss with the ATMOS™ system since the fabric has square valleys and not square knuckles (peaks). As such, there is no loss of intimacy between the dewatering fabric, the sheet, the molding fabric, and the belt. A key aspect of the ATMOS™ system is that it forms the sheet on the molding fabric and the same molding fabric carries the sheet from the headbox to the Yankee dryer. This produces a sheet with a uniform and defined pore size for maximum absorbency capacity.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/753,435 filed on May 24, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a structured forming fabric for an ATMOS™ system. The fabric utilizes an at least three float warp and weft structure which, like the prior art fabrics, is symmetrical in form.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,686 to CHIU et al., the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses structured forming fabrics which utilize a load-bearing layer and a sculptured layer. The fabrics utilize impression knuckles to imprint the sheet and increase its surface contour. This document, however, does not create pillows in the sheet for effective dewatering of TAD applications, nor does it teach using the disclosed fabrics on an ATMOS™ system and/or forming the pillows in the sheet while the sheet is relatively wet and utilizing a hi-tension press nip.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,644 to HAY et al., the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses structured forming fabrics which utilize a lattice weave pattern of at least three yarns oriented in both warp and weft directions. The fabric essentially produces shallow craters in distinct patterns. This document, however, does not create deep pockets which have a three-dimensional pattern, nor does it teach using the disclosed fabrics on an ATMOS™ system and/or forming the pillows in the sheet while the sheet is relatively wet and utilizing a hi-tension press nip.
International Publication No. WO 2005/035867 to LAFOND et al., the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses structured forming fabrics which utilize at least two different diameter yarns to impart bulk into a tissue sheet. This document, however, does not create deep pockets which have a three-dimensional pattern. Nor does it teach using the disclosed fabrics on an ATMOS™ system and/or forming the pillows in the sheet while the sheet is relatively wet and utilizing a hi-tension press nip.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,714 to LAMB, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses structured forming fabrics which utilize deep pockets and a measurement system. However, it is not apparent that the disclosed measurement system is replicatable. Furthermore, LAMB relies on the aspect ratio of the weave design to achieve the deep pockets. This document also does not teach using the disclosed fabrics on an ATMOS™ system and/or forming the pillows in the sheet while the sheet is relatively wet and utilizing a hi-tension press nip.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,026 to LAMB, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses structured forming fabrics which utilize pockets based on five-shaft designs and with a float of three yarns in both warp and weft directions (or variations thereof). The fabric is then sanded. However, LAMB does not teach an asymmetrical weave pattern. This document also does not teach using the disclosed fabrics on an ATMOS™ system and/or forming the pillows in the sheet while the sheet is relatively wet and utilizing a hi-tension press nip.
International Publication No. WO 2006/113818 to KROLL et al., the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses structured forming fabrics which utilize a series of two alternating deep pockets for TAD applications. However, KROLL does not teach to utilize one consistent sized pocket in order to provide effective and  consistent dewatering and would not produce a regular sheet finish on the finished product. KROLL also does not teach an asymmetrical weave pattern. This document also does not teach using the disclosed fabrics on an ATMOS™ system and/or forming the pillows in the sheet while the sheet is relatively wet and utilizing a hi-tension press nip.
International Publication No. WO 2005/075737 to HERMAN et al. and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/380,826 filed on Apr. 28, 2006, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties, disclose structured molding fabrics for an ATMOS™ system which can create a more three-dimensionally oriented sheet. These documents, however, do not teach, among other things, the deep pocket weaves according to the invention.
International Publication No. WO 2005/075732 to SCHERB et al., the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a belt press utilizing a permeable belt in a paper machine which manufactures tissue or toweling. According to this document, the web is dried in a more efficient manner than has been the case in prior art machines such as TAD machines. The formed web is passed through similarly open fabrics and hot air is blown from one side of the sheet through the web to the other side of the sheet. A dewatering fabric is also utilized. Such an arrangement places great demands on the forming fabric because of the pressure applied by the belt press and hot air is blown through the web in the belt press. However, this document does not teach, among other things, the deep pocket weaves according to the invention.
The above-noted conventional fabrics limit the amount of bulk that can be built into the sheet being formed due to the fact that they have shallow depth pockets compared to the present invention. Furthermore, the pockets of the conventional fabrics are merely extensions of the contact areas on the warp and weft yarns.

Structured forming fabric, papermaking machine and method


A full-time all wheel steering system is provided whereby the rear wheel angle is determined by the front wheel angle and a relational curve, polynomial equation or set of tabulated values. The front wheel angle is measured and the desired rear wheel angle is calculated by a programmable controller. If the desired rear wheel angle is not sufficiently close to the actual rear wheel angle, the controller means sends a signal which results in adjustment of the rear wheel angle. The desired rear wheel angle may be a function of the vehicle speed as well as the front wheel angle. Further, the operator may select from a plurality of relational curves, polynomial equations, tabulated values as well as a plurality of manually selectable modes including an independent rear wheel steering mode. The system is applicable to passenger cars, trucks and tractor-trailer rigs.

The concept of all-wheel steering is well known. Dozens of all-wheel steering systems are disclosed in U.S. and foreign patents. Some known all-wheel steering systems are purely mechanical, meaning that the rear wheel angle is determined by gears and gear ratios manually selected by the vehicle operator with the shift of a lever. Other all-wheel steering systems provide rear wheel steering independent of the front wheel angle where the operator steers the rear wheels independently of the front wheels, the rear wheels being steered with a separate steering wheel, joy stick or potentiometer.
Automatic methods of all-wheel steering are also known. In these systems, a microcomputer will control the rear wheel angle in accordance with various physical relationships that are functions of various parameters. For example, it is known to control the rear wheel angle in accordance with the front wheel-to-rear wheel steering angle ratio. It is also known to control the rear wheel angle indirectly by controlling the rear wheel speed so that the desired rear wheel speed is nearly equal to the actual front wheel speed. Other systems control the rear wheel angle after solving a series of complex equations that are functions of the steering angle, vehicle speed and other parameters. Finally, in some all-wheel steering systems, the rear wheel angle is a function of the speed of rotation of the steering wheel.
Our concept of all-wheel steering has been applied to larger vehicles such as trucks and aircraft rescue and fire fighting equipment (ARFF). Larger vehicles generally have high centers of gravity which makes them prone to roll-overs if large lateral g-forces are experienced. All-wheel steering allows larger vehicles to maneuver safely at high speeds because all-wheel steering systems can reduce the lateral g-forces imposed on the vehicle during sharp turns and lane changes at high speeds. Further, many trucks, including fire fighting trucks, must be able to maneuver into small spaces in short periods of time. All-wheel steering provides great benefits in this regard because it provides a smaller minimum turning radius.
The prior art teaches all-wheel steering systems with four principal steering modes: front wheel only, crab, coordinated and independent rear wheel. In front wheel only steering, the steering of the vehicle is dependent upon the front wheel position only and the rear wheels maintain a straight-ahead position, or 0.degree. steering angle. Front wheel only steering is appropriate at both low and high speeds.
In crab steering, the front wheels and rear wheels are steered in the same direction. Crab steering improves the vehicle's stability at high speeds allowing the vehicle to change lanes and avoid obstacles with less vehicle yaw and improved traction. Crab steering lowers the lateral g-forces by increasing the turning radius for a given front wheel angle thereby lowering the chances of roll-overs for vehicles with relatively high centers of gravity, such as aircraft, rescue and fire fighting vehicles (ARFF). Because the rear of the vehicle is also steered to the side by the rear wheels, the increased turning radius is not detrimental to obstacle avoidance. Crab steering is also beneficial to passenger cars because it allows the driver to change lanes or avoid obstacles quickly and safely. Crab steering is effective at moderate to high speeds.
In coordinated steering, the front wheels and rear wheels are turned in generally opposite directions. Coordinated steering is safely employed for low speed maneuvers only. Coordinated steering improves the vehicle's maneuverability by reducing the minimum turning radius. This increased maneuverability is especially beneficial to vehicles with long wheel bases such as heavy duty trucks and ARFF equipment, but is also greatly appreciated by the drivers of passenger cars. The reduced minimum turning radius makes it easier for the drivers of passenger cars as well as trucks to maneuver and park in congested city traffic.
Further, in independent rear wheel steering, the rear wheels are controlled independently of the front wheels. Rear wheel steering requires an additional and separate steering mechanism for the rear wheels which is separate and apart from the conventional steering wheel used to control the front wheels.
The present invention makes several contributions to the art of all-wheel steering. First, the present invention provides two improved means for calculating or selecting the desired rear wheel angle based upon the front wheel angle. A first means of calculating the desired rear wheel angle employs a relational curve to be used at moderate to high speeds and features a programmable "dead band" that allows a certain amount of front wheel movement during which the rear wheels will remain in the straight-ahead or 0.degree. position. A second improved means for calculating the desired rear wheel angle employs a relational curve that may be used for straight-ahead, coordinated and crab modes of steering. The operator or programmer may select from a variety of relational curves or polynomial equations in order to tailor the front to rear relational curves to the vehicle. Further, the driver may select from a variety of relational curves so that different relational curves may be provided for different driving conditions.
Further, the present invention alleviates the steering problem known as off-tracking that is most commonly associated with trucks and trailers or tractor-trailer rigs. Off-tracking occurs when the driver turns causing the side of the trailer or vehicle to move laterally in the direction of the turn. The amount of off-tracking is proportional to the turn and off-tracking occurs to a certain extent for all turns greater than 0.degree.. If the driver doesn't take the turn at an angle that is wide enough, the trailer or vehicle can engage the curb or an object located on a street corner, such as a signal light. All wheel steering can be used with trailers to allow tractor-trailer rigs to make sharp turns in the coordinated mode. In the coordinated mode, the trailer wheels and particularly the rear wheels of the trailer will steer in a direction opposite of the turning direction or the direction of the front wheels of the tractor thereby steering the trailer around obstacles located on a street corner. In effect, the trailer more accurately tracks the path of the tractor thereby alleviating the off-tracking problem.
In one preferred embodiment, a delay in turning the rear wheels of the trailer enhances the tracking of the rig through a turn because the delay enables the trailer to more accurately follow the path of the tractor without the tractor travelling outside of the truck's path at the start of the turn. Crab steering enhances the obstacle avoidance and lane-changing ability of tractor-trailer rigs and is useful when backing up tractor-trailer rigs because it makes them behave like straight trucks.
Finally, the present invention allows the driver to manually select from front wheel only, crab, coordinated and independent rear wheel steering modes as well as a variety of all-wheel steering modes.


A self-retaining gasket including a main body, a first retention tab, and a second retention tab. The main body includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The main body defines a first aperture extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first retention tab and the second retention tab extend from the main body at the first aperture.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.
A gasket is a mechanical seal typically positioned at an interface or joint between two joined objects on a mating surface of one or both of the objects. The gasket provides a seal between the objects to prevent leakage of fluid or other material into or out of the objects. The gasket is typically positioned between the two objects by an assembler, which results in an additional assembly step that increases production time and cost. It would thus be desirable for the gasket to be prepositioned on the mating surface and coupled thereto prior to joinder of the two objects during assembly.


An instrument for induction of labor comprising a tubular member or catheter being closed at its forward or leading end and open at its rearward or trailing end; there being an inflatable bag or balloon in enveloping relationship to the forward end portion of the catheter and being engaged in leak-proof manner thereto. At least one orifice is provided adjacent the forward end of the catheter within the bag for effecting communication between the said bag and the catheter for the introduction of liquid into the bag for inflating same to a predetermined extent dictated by the presentation of the fetus. A method for inducing labor comprising inserting into the uterus a liquid inflatable bag mounted upon the forward end portion of a tubular member with the bag being presented between the uterine wall and the amniotic membrane. Liquid is introduced into the bag for inflating of the same with the quantity of such liquid being dependent upon whether the fetus is in head or breech presentation, leaving the inflated bag in such position for promoting dilatation of the cervical opening and then effecting removal of said bag and tubular member for completion of the cervix dilatation.

This invention relates in general to the field of obstetrics and, more particularly, to an instrument for induction of labor as well as a method for inducing labor.
Methods for induction of labor are divided into two primary categories, namely medical and mechanical. The particular method depends upon the condition or state of the involved organs with respect to delivery. The medical method would be the method of choice when the cervix is in a fully matured, loose condition and the uterus sensibility is heightened, or when the cervical orifice has dilated more than the width of two fingers. Only an intermittent intramuscular injection of posterior pituitary extract or an intravenous drip is adequate, in most cases, to assure a successful delivery. If with such conditions an artificial rupture of the amniotic membrane is effected, a more certain result can be obtained. However, when the cervix has not reached a state of maturity the medical method is not effective. Thus, to practice a medical method the particular organs must have reached a predetermined condition of potential delivery readiness. Without such even increased amounts of medication are insufficient to induce labor. Therefore, the medical method has recognized limitations and can only be used under certain conditions.
The mechanical method is employed when induction of labor is necessary in those situations wherein the particular organs have not reached the level of delivery readiness as would indicate resort to the medical method. Among the more well known mechanical methods are the Bougierung method, being the induction of an instrument for dilating constricted areas; metreurysis, being a dilatation of the uterine cervix with a metreurynter, and colpeurysis, involving a mechanical dilatation of the vagina. However, such methods have not in practice by any means proved infallible and thus the results obtained have been quite uncertain. In many cases resort has necessarily been made to cesarean section in an effort to save the child. It is commonly recognized that when the death rates of the full and frank presentation and the footling presentation are compared, the prognosis for a sound delivery is more unfavorable in the latter presentation. Such prognosis has heretofore led to the view that delivery of footling presentation, whether single or double, should preferably be effected by cesarean section. Despite the stages of development of both types of methods, medical and mechanical, certain types of birth have not proved reliable by either method.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an instrument for inducing labor which is useful regardless of the presentation of the fetus thereby being productive of a diminution of the death rate with certain types of births which had been considered particularly hazardous heretofore.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an instrument of the character stated the use of which markedly reduces the heretofore accepted necessity to the resort to cesarean section.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an instrument of the character stated which has been extensively tested so that its effectiveness is established.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an instrument of the character stated which may be easily utilized by a practitioner with limited instruction.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method for inducing labor which promotes a most substantial degree of sound deliveries without peril to the fetus despite the manner of presentation of the fetus.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an instrument for the induction of labor which is not harmful to the mother and thus may be used with safety.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an instrument for the induction of labor which may be most economically manufactured; which is most durable in usage; and the practice of the same has promoted a level of reliability hitherto unknown through the performance of the customary medical and mechanical methods.
The present invention comprehends, in essence, a tubular body as a catheter type having an inflatable balloon or bag fixed on the normally forward or leading end of the catheter and enclosing the adjacent portion of the catheter which is provided with a port or orifice for discharge therethrough of a compatible liquid, such as, sterile saline solution, or even water, into the balloon for inflating same with a predetermined volume of such liquid dependent upon the presentation of the fetus. The instrument is inserted between the uterus wall and the amniotic membrane through the cervical orifice and after such insertion the liquid is gradually fed into the balloon through the catheter portion to a predetermined limit if there is head presentation to avoid the danger of prolapse of the umbilical cord or the possibility of a change of position of the fetus. In the event there is a breech presentation, the amount of liquid introduced into the balloon is in greater amount for purposes presently appearing. At the appropriate juncture the instrument is automatically removed by dropping through the cervical orifice.


A bus programmable slave module card 30 for use in a computer control system which comprises a master computer and one or more slave computer modules interfacing therewith by means of a bus and wherein each slave module includes its own microprocessor memory, and control program for acting as a single loop controller. The slave card includes a plurality of memory means corresponding to a like plurality of memory devices in the master computer, for each slave memory means its own communication lines connectable through the bus with memory communication lines of an associated memory device in the master computer, and a one-way electronic door which is switchable to either a closed condition or a one-way open condition. With the door closed, communication lines between master computer memory and slave memory are blocked. In the one-way open condition invention, the memory communication lines of each slave memory means connect with the memory communication lines of its associated memory device in the master computer, and the memory devices of the master computer and slave card are electrically parallel such that information seen by the master's memory is also seen by the slave's memory. The slave card is also connectable to a switch for electronically removing the slave microprocessor (45) from the system.

Multi-microprocessor computer systems are frequently used for controlling industrial processes and many kinds of complex system operations. Such computer systems are typically master/slave systems wherein one microprocessor acts as the master which provides overall system control and bus arbitration and the other microprocessors act as responsive slaves for controlling specific functions. Each slave board contains its own control program and system components such that, except for data logging or setpoint changes in a database, it is able to function as a stand alone, single loop controller distributing the work load from one microprocessor to several microprocessors as necessary. This capability therefore allows for a modular development of a particular industrial system or project or alternatively, the simultaneous operation of several different systems or projects. In such systems, the flexibility of a slave board and how it may be utilized is restricted by the nature of the system, as being either hardware-dependent or software-dependent. In a hardware dependent system, the slave board closest to one end of the card cage has a higher priority than a slave card further away from that end of the card cage and gets most of the bus attention to the disadvantage of the slave card at the end of the priority chain which may have severe difficulty in obtaining required bus time. In a variation of the hardware dependent system, the slave is permitted to temporarily take control of the bus while freezing the master. However, this variation allows only one master and one slave per bus and should the slave need the bus frequently, the master may experience repercussions from the frequent interruptions. It is an advantage of hardware dependent systems, that since all bus arbitration is done in hardware, the programmer is freed from having to develop sophisticated master/slave bus protocol software, but a major disadvantage is that a particular manufacturer's slave boards will not work with those of another manufacturer.
The software dependent systems are characterized by the use of "windowing" techniques wherein a portion of the read-and-write memory, hereinafter referred to as the RAM, is allocated common to both the slave and the master. In one technique, the allocated RAM is part of the RAM used by the slave. The central processing unit or "CPU" of the master stops the slave CPU and then transfers a block of information into the slave's RAM area. The slave is then released and if its memory has been modified, the slave moves the new information block to an area of RAM not accessible by the master CPU. In a second technique, a dual part RAM chip is used as the bus interface, acting as a bus buffer and data transfer mechanism controlled by the slave. This technique provides maximum flexibility since all transactions take place via software but the software protocol is very involved to such degree that it is best written by the manufacturer and then purchased as a software routine to be added to a program. A further disadvantage evolves from the operating system of a microprocessor control, hereinafter referred to as "CP/M" , in that there is a limited memory or RAM "window" in the normal memory map addresses which is accessible to a user for programs.
In either of those prior systems, it is not possible to load a program onto the slave card without assistance from the CPU and a considerable collection of specialized development equipment. To run any application program, it is required that the program first be stored in some kind of read-only-memory or ROM. Accordingly, such systems cannot handle dramatically different application program philosophies without changing either the hardware or reprogramming the read-only-memory by using external equipment such as a microprocessor development station and ROM programmers. Furthermore, to use a program on a master CPU requires another program for downloading a command or execute file and such serial downloading is very time consuming, typically several minutes.
Representative systems in the prior art which make evident these limitations are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,459,655 and 4,700,292 which disclose computer systems comprising master and slave microprocessors wherein external equipment such as ROM programmers, proprietary bus structures, and microprocessor development stations are required it if is desired to run an application program. U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,803 discloses a system with an interconnect processor coupled to a slave processor by a first bus and to an operator station by a second bus. While the slave processor may be reprogrammed by the interconnect, an application program must be stored in the erasable programmable read-only-memory (EPROM) or the non-volatile RAM and cannot be downloaded to the slave. U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,884 discloses a data processing system with a secondary subsystem containing processor and memory facilities separate from those of a primary subsystem and U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,860 discloses a universal module for controlling process instrumentation and including a dual mode microprocessor wherein a microprocessor can exchange data with a host station or a remotely located device.

System for simultaneously loading program to master computer memory devices and corresponding slave computer memory devices

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A system for detecting and positioning objects, the electric conductivity of which differs from the surrounding medium thereof by measuring variations in an electric field generated into the medium. More precisely, the invention concerns a method and assembly for detecting objects or objectives, for example vessels, in electrically conductive medium, for example sea, by measuring changes, disturbances, signs, indications or the like caused by the object or objective, especially for surveying water fairways and/or extent. According to the invention, electric current is supplied in the extent to be surveyed via electrodes, magnitude of the current or magnitude of an electric field caused by the current is continuously or uncontinuously measured at selective points by a measuring device for observing when any object or objective to be detected is undetectable in the surveillance extent and when an object or objective to be detected is detectable is in the surveillance extent, and that measurement results originating from an undetectable object or objective and detectable object or objective are compared and differences observed are utilized for detection and/or positioning of the object or objective.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system for detecting and positioning objects or objectives, both above and under sea-level, the electric conductivity of which differs from the surrounding medium thereof by measuring variations in an electric field generated into the medium. The examples given in the description below illustrate applications of systems according to the invention mainly for a purpose of surveillance of fairways and bodies of water. More precisely the invention concerns a method and assembly for detecting objects or objectives, for example vessels, in an electrically conductive medium, for example sea, by measuring variations, signs, indications, disturbances or the like caused by the object or objective, especially for surveying water fairways and/or extent, in the following referred to as areas.
2. Description of Related Art
Electric conductivity measurements are previously known and commonly used for geophysical surveys, e.g. in prospecting of ore, oil and gas deposits, mainly to supplement other surveying methods. (See e.g. Geophysics, vol. 49, p. 439).
The use of electromagnetic and sonic waves for detecting ships is known in the prior art. In case of radio waves being used for radar measurements, remarkable problems and drawbacks are involved. For example, by detecting the measuring signals one may easily perceive from an objective that there exists a surveillance monitoring or measurements. However, it is difficult to detect objectives made of non-conducting material. Radars can be located without difficulty, and further the use thereof normally requires the presence of an operator.
Underwater acoustic detecting apparatuses, sounding systems and hydrophones, are known methods for detecting submarines. Therein the propagation of sound in water is made use of. The propagation of sonic waves in water is not linear in all circumstances; the waves can be reflected, e.g., from temperature difference layers, the sound becoming distorted, and the water may contain zones where it is not possible to make acoustic observations. On the other hand, it is difficult to make acoustic detecting observations if the objective vessel lies unmoved at the bottom and in the case of interference noises coming from the area under surveillance. The use of acoustic detecting apparatuses requires sensitive apparatuses and skilled operating personnel.
For detecting submarines also long radio waves can be used and, e.g., infrared light which propagates to a longer distance than an ordinary light wave, especially in muddy water. However, electromagnetic waves normally attenuate rapidly in water and, for this reason, observation ranges remain short. Through a patent document it seems to have become known that electric fields generated by strokes of lightning may be used for detecting submerged objects or objectives at a long distance.
Submarines can also be detected by measuring variations they have caused in magnetic fields or gravitation fields. These measuring methods, however, are often expensive, the computing algorithms complicated and the measurement range limited.
Ore and oil prospecting methods based on modelling and measuring of the resistivity of soil have become known, but their use has remained insignificant as the resistivity of soil changes pursuant to rainfalls and seasons and as the topography of the soil and other, deeper existing layers of earth complicate the making of an accurate and practicable model of the electric conductivity of normal soil and, in addition, it is difficult to measure the potential of a subsurface field. Therefore, the accuracy of the method in measuring the soil is high enough only for detecting sufficiently great anomalies, and more accurate surveys are made by other methods. However, in these geophysical surveying methods mathematical models and computing algorithms have been developed that are practicable in some applications of the method according to the invention.
No publications have been found regarding the use of the resistivity measuring method for surveillance of sea areas, which may be due to the fact that the resistivity of seawater normally is very low and changes in resistivity are difficult to detect and, consequently, there has been no trust in the practicability of the method.


Method for preparing a flylead from beryllium copper alloy sheet having one side include a solder layer pattern. The method includes the steps of age hardening the beryllium copper alloy sheet, laminating both sides of the sheet with a dry film photoresist, exposing the first side of the laminated alloy sheet to actinic radiation through a mask to record a first pattern comprising the flylead pattern, exposing the second side of the laminated alloy sheet to actinic radiation through a mask to record a second pattern comprising the solder layer pattern, developing the second pattern to expose the alloy sheet surface, electroplating the exposed alloy sheet surface with a solder, relaminating the electroplated second side, developing the first pattern, etching the first pattern into the alloy sheet and removing the remaining photoresist from both sides of the etched alloy sheet.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,194 of Clemens discloses a video disc having a playback system utilizing variable capacitance. In one configuration of the Clemens system information representative of the recorded picture and sound is encoded in the form of a relief pattern in a relatively fine spiral groove on the surface of a disc record. For example, groove widths of about 2.7 micrometers and groove depths of about 0.5 micrometer may be used. During playback a pickup stylus about 2.0 micrometers wide having a thin conductive electrode thereon, for example, about 0.2 micrometer thick, engages the groove as the record is rotated by a supportive turntable. Capacitive variations between the stylus electrode and the record surface are sensed to recover the pre-recorded information.
In the system of the above type the use of a relatively fine record groove and the groove engaging requirements of the pickup stylus results in a stylus tip which is extremely small. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,510 of Keizer a novel keel tipped pickup stylus structure is disclosed. The pickup stylus is part of the signal pickup assembly of a video disc record player. The assembly is housed in a protective housing such as the pickup cartridge described in Leedom, U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,147 which also facilitates replacement of the signal pickup assembly without any critical manual adjustments or connections.
Dholakia, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,050 describes a leaf spring or flylead for urging the stylus into the record groove. One end of the leaf spring is secured to the stylus and the second end is mounted within the cartridge above the stylus. The flylead provides stylus tracking pressure, properly locates the free end of the stylus arm relative to the carriage and establishes electrical connection between the electrode on the stylus and the signal processing circuitry of the player.
The flyleads are thin, for example, about 0.0002 to about 0.0008 inch (5.08-20.32 micrometers) thick and about 0.04 inch (2.5 centimeters) long, and are generally fabricated out of an electrically conductive metal. Thin beryllium copper alloy sheets may be used to fabricate the flyleads. The sheets are fragile and cannot be easily handled because they readily bend and kink. Also difficulties have been encountered in using standard photolithographic methods to fabricate the flyleads. For example, undercutting of the photoresist layer during development and of the beryllium copper sheet during etching are sometimes observed.
A solution to these problems is disclosed in the copending application of Dinardo, Jr., Ser. No. 081,486, filed Oct. 3, 1979. In the Dinardo, Jr. application a method for preparing a flylead for a video disc playback cartridge is taught which comprises the steps of laminating a dry film photoresist to both sides of a thin metal sheet, exposing one side to light through a patterned mask, developing the patterned side with a solvent developer to selectively remove certain photoresist areas, etching the resulting exposed metal sheet portions and removing the remaining photoresist from both sides of the etched metal sheet.
Further developments in the manufacture of the cartridge assembly have resulted in the need for a flylead which may be semi-automatically assembled. For this purpose it is desirable to have a flylead having one portion of a surface coated with a pattern of solder. It would therefore be desirable to have a method for preparing a flylead for use with a semi-automatic assembly process.


An automatic film winding system comprising in combination, a mechanical film winding or transport system including an electric motor and an optical film-advance sensing system comprising a light source and a light sensor for sensing the length of the film advanced in terms of one or more perforations of the film passed past a predetermined point. In response to the depression of a shutter button, a power supply is automatically connected to the light sensor and then to the electric motor and the light source when one exposure operation has been completed so that the film is advanced or wound. When a predetermined number of perforations has passed past the predetermined point and sensed by the optical sensing system; that is, after the film has been advanced by a predetermined length, the power supply is disconnected from the light sensor, the electric motor and the light source.

The present invention relates to an automatic film winding system for cameras.
Various types of automatic film winding systems or devices have been devised and demonstrated. In general, they comprise a film transport or winding system and a perforation sensing system. The film transport or winding system includes an electric motor drivingly coupled through a reduction gear means to a film winding means. The perforation sensing system detects the length of the film advanced by the film transport system.
A typical prior art automatic film winding system will be described below in conjunction with a 110-size film. The film is loaded in the camera body. When a shutter button is depressed, a shutter mechanism accomplishes one exposure operation. Then, an electric switch coupled to the shutter mechanism is turned on so that a power supply is automatically connected to the motor and subsequently the film is advanced from the pay-off chamber to the take-up chamber of a film cartridge. When the perforation sensing system has detected a predetermined number of perforations of the film which corresponds to the width or height of a frame, the displacement of a mechanical sensing element is transmitted through a linkage comprising a few components to the reduction gear means, causing it to be disconnected from the electric motor. Thus the film transport is interrupted; that is, the film has been advanced by one frame. The same steps are repeated every time when one exposure is made.
In a system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,169, after the perforation sensing system of the type described above has detected a predetermined number of perforations, an electric switch is operated through a linkage so that the electric motor can be stopped electrically.
In the prior art perforation sensing systems, a perforation sensing element is normally brought into contact with the surface of a film and engages with perforations as the film is advanced. As a result, the sensing element very frequently causes damage to the film surface and the perforations. Furthermore, particles scratched off from the film surface by the sensing element tend to cause serious damage to the emulsion on the film. In addition, every time when the film is advanced, it has different inertia. As a result, an over-advancement that is, the phenomenon that the film is still advanced even after the perforation sensing system has counted or detected a predetermined number of perforations, results. Alternatively, an under-advancement that is, the phenomenon that the film is not advanced by a predetermined length, results because the electric motor stops in response to the output from the perforation sensing system generated erratically before the system detects a predetermined number of perforations. The prior art perforation sensing systems have a further drawback in that the wear of their mechanical parts is unavoidable and subsequently erratic detections result, causing over- or under-advancements.


A system for reducing periodic noise, which includes a plurality of harmonically related noise signals, comprises an actuator for producing a canceling acoustic signal, a sensor for detecting a residual noise signal, a synchronizing signal generator and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry comprises a plurality of tunable harmonically related band pass filters, a tuning signal generator and a summer which sums the outputs of the filters. The tuning signal generator receives the synchronizing signal from the synchronizing signal generator and outputs the tuning signals to the band pass filters. As the frequency of the synchronizing signal changes, the tuning signal generator causes the tunable filters to track harmonics of the noise to be canceled. After summing by the summer and suitable amplification, the outputs from the filters are used to drive the actuator so as to reduce the residual noise detected by the sensor.

In the past unwanted noise and vibration has been controlled by muffling or isolation. However, the principle of superposition means that noise and vibration can also be controlled by means of so-called "anti-noise", that is the production of an acoustic signal having the same spectral characteristics as the unwanted noise or vibration but 180.degree. out of phase.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,282 discloses a system where a speaker generates a cancelling acoustic signal which is mixed with an unwanted acoustic signal. A microphone senses the residual acoustic signal which is then amplified and inverted to drive the speaker. Systems of this type are prone to instabilities and are restricted in the range of frequencies over which they are effective.
A system which avoids the instability problems of simple systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,282, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,841. In the described system, the residual signal is analysed by means of a fourier transformer. The resultant fourier coefficients are then processed to produce a set of fourier coefficients which are then used to generate a cancelling signal.
Systems which process signals in the frequency domain, following fourier transformation, perform their function well under steady-state conditions. However, if the fundamental frequency of the noise signal changes, the system requires several cycles to re-establish effective cancellation. This is due to the time taken to perform the fourier transformation. If such apparatus is used in an internal combustion engine noise control system, bursts of noise will occur during acceleration and deceleration. These bursts may, in fact, have a higher peak value than the unsuppressed steady-state engine noise. Furthermore, the need to carry out high-speed digital signal processing means that these systems are expensive to implement.


An adapter (10) is useful to prevent formation of a static electrical change on an outlet valve (V) during discharge of lading from a railcar on which the valve is installed. A unitary member (12) has an inlet end (14) formed for attachment to the outlet valve, and an outlet end (16) formed for connection with a hose (H) into which discharged lading flows. A passage (28) is formed in the member and extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. The passageway is of an irregular shape at the inlet end of the adaptor. It is of a generally circular shape at its outlet end. The member is formed of an electrically non-conductive, resilient material so that it prevents the build-up of any static electrical charge as lading flows through the member.

This invention relates to pneumatic outlets for covered hopper railcars and, more particularly, to an end adapter which fits onto the discharge end of the outlet.
Pneumatic outlets for covered hopper railway cars are well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,114,785, 3,778,114, and 3,194,420, which are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Various types of granular or pelletized ladings are carried in hopper cars and are discharged from the car through these outlets. Such discharge involves connecting a hose to the outlet and creating an airstream in which the lading is entrained. With some ladings, plastic pellets, for example, the brushing or contact between the pellets and the outlet creates a charge of static electricity that is potentially dangerous. If the charge is not bled off by grounding the outlet, the charge may produce a spark which, in the right environment, could create a fire or cause an explosion. Because of this hazard, it would be advantageous to insulate the outlet so no charge is formed in the first place. Further, static electricity build-up may occur if a metal base is used, or if a metal reinforced hose is used and the metal is, for some reason, exposed. The conveying hose may loosely slip into a metal nozzle. Often, there is a gap between the hose and outlet which could result in a spark being produced.
In addition, if a short circuit condition exists in the offloading equipment, the short may find a path through the hose/valve connection, through the truck and truck wheels of the car, to ground. Such a condition is not only dangerous to persons using the equipment or working around the car, but may also damage the wheel bearings, for example, which may form part of the resultant circuit path through the car. Again, if the outlet were insulated, this condition may be prevented.

End adapter for railcar pneumatic outlet


In image combining method of phototaking an object to be photographed by using a plurality of image taking systems with portions of fields of view thereof overlapping, and forming combined image information by combining pieces of image information obtained by the image taking systems, coordinates changing processing is performed by using the distance information of an object to be photographed, and image signals output from the respective image taking systems are compensated in accordance with the changed coordinates. One of the compensated image signals is selected with respect to a region where a far-distance portion of the object is concealed by a near-distance object, of the overlapping region of a combined image signal. With this operation, a plurality of image signals output from the respective image taking systems are combined into one image signal output in a state defined by an arbitrary object distance and the imaging magnification from an image taking system in which the viewpoint position and the optical axis direction are defined by the shift amount of the viewpoint position from each image taking system and the convergence angle of the optical axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-eye image pickup apparatus and, more particularly, to a multi-eye phototaking method and apparatus which provide a panoramic image having an arbitrary aspect ratio by combining a plurality of images.
2. Related Background Art
As a conventional aspect ratio changing scheme of changing the aspect ratio of a television screen, an aspect ratio changing scheme of trimming the upper and lower portions or left and right portions of a screen when image data is output is known. For example, such an aspect ratio changing scheme is used to change the aspect ratio (4:3) of an NTSC television screen to the aspect ratio (16:9) of an HD or ED2 television screen.
These aspect ratio changing schemes use part of a phototaken image. For this reason, especially when an object to be photographed is phototaken by an NTSC camera using an image sensor with an aspect ratio of 16:9, and the resultant image is output to an NTSC monitor with an aspect ratio of 4:3, the horizontal field angle decreases to about 1/3, although no problem is posed in terms of image quality.
A multi-eye image pickup apparatus for obtaining a high-resolution image by combining the overlapping regions of a plurality of images obtained by phototaking one object using a plurality of image taking systems is disclosed in, e.g., THE JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF IMAGE ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS OF JAPAN, 90-03-04, pp. 23-28. Also, a multi-eye image pickup apparatus for outputting an image with a large field angle by combining images obtained by coordinates changing processing of a plurality of input images is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 5-110926.
With the use of such a multi-eye image pickup apparatus or its application, a multi-eye image pickup apparatus can be obtained, which forms an image having an arbitrary aspect ratio by combining a plurality of images obtained by phototaking one object to be photographed using a plurality of image taking systems with portions of the fields of view of the image taking systems overlapping each other.
As in the multi-eye image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 7, one object 101 to be photographed is phototaken by using two image taking systems (a left side image taking system 110.sub.L and a right side image taking system 110.sub.R) with portions of the fields of view of the image taking systems overlapping each other, and a left side image P.sub.L obtained by the left side image taking system 110.sub.L and a right side image P.sub.R obtained by the right side image taking system 110.sub.R are combined with each other by a central processing unit (CPU) 120, thereby forming one image P.sub.L+R having an arbitrary aspect ratio.
The above conventional art, however, indicates no method of obtaining an image having a predetermined aspect ratio. Therefore, with the use of the scheme of trimming a combined image, a deterioration in image quality occurs.
In order to solve the above problem, "Multi-eye Image Pickup Apparatus" in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-223544 (U.S. Ser. No. 08/267,117 filed on Jun. 24, 1994) is disclosed which performs a phototaking operation by using a plurality of image taking systems with portions of the fields of view overlapping. In this image pickup apparatus, a plurality of image signals output from the respective image taking systems are combined into one image signal output in a state defined by an arbitrary object distance and the imaging magnification from an image taking system in which the viewpoint position and the optical axis direction are defined by the shift amount of the viewpoint position from each image taking system and the convergence angle of the optical axis. The present applicant also disclosed a method of obtaining an image exhibiting little deterioration in image quality and having undergone correction of distortion caused by convergence.
The above apparatus and method will be described below. FIG. 8 shows the basic arrangement of the above apparatus and method. This apparatus is constituted by two image taking systems, i.e., a right side image taking system 810.sub.R and a left side image taking system 810.sub.L as first and second imaging optical systems.
An object plane 801 is a plane common to the two image taking systems. A left side imaging optical system 811.sub.L and a right side imaging optical system 811.sub.R are imaging optical systems having equivalent specifications. In general, zoom lenses are used as these optical systems. A left side image sensor 812.sub.L and a right side image sensor 812.sub.R also have equivalent specifications. As these sensors, image pick-up tubes such as saticons or solid-state image pick-up elements such as CCDs are used. Optical axes L.sub.L and L.sub.R of these image taking systems are symmetrically inclined by about .theta., respectively, with respect to a normal O-O' to the object plane 801 (a point O is located on the object plane 801) in such a manner that the phototaking fields of view overlap in a predetermined amount in accordance with the selected aspect ratio of a screen. Note that 2.theta. is the convergence angle. Object planes 802.sub.L and 802.sub.R are respectively conjugate to the image sensors 812.sub.L and 812.sub.R and are respectively inclined by .theta. with respect to the object plane 801. Points O.sub.L and O.sub.R are the intersections between the optical axes L.sub.L and L.sub.R and the object plane 801. Points C.sub.L and C.sub.R are the principal points of the imaging optical systems 811.sub.L and 811.sub.R (more specifically, the principal points on the object side). The imaging optical systems 811.sub.L and 811.sub.R include zoom lens groups and focusing lens groups, driving systems for driving these lens groups, and encoders for obtaining position information in the optical axis directions. In addition, each image taking system includes a mechanical system for rotating the image taking system within a plane including the optical axis, a driving system, and an encoder for detecting a rotational angle. A convergence angle controlling system sets a control target value of the convergence angle in accordance with an output signal from each encoder and performs convergence control to obtain an image having a predetermined aspect ratio.
A method of determining a control target value of the convergence angle will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
Let .beta. be the imaging magnification of the left side imaging optical system 811.sub.L and the right side imaging optical system 811.sub.R shown in FIG. 8, z be the object distance (the distance between the point object and the point C.sub.L and the distance between the point object and the point C.sub.R), and 2d be the distance (base line length) between the point C.sub.L and the point C.sub.R. Assume that the viewpoint is set at a point on the normal O-O' separated from the object plane 801 toward the point O' by the distance z, and a virtual plane is set such that the virtual imaging magnification at the viewpoint is .beta.' (i.e., the distance between the viewpoint and the image plane is .beta.'z'). In this case, a temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R is obtained by combining an image plane I.sub.L of the left side image sensor 812.sub.L and an image plane I.sub.R of the right side image sensor 812.sub.R, as shown in FIG. 9.
Referring to FIG. 9, points A.sub.L, B.sub.L, C.sub.L, and D.sub.L are the diagonal points of the image plane I.sub.L of the left side image sensor 812.sub.L. These points respectively correspond to points A.sub.L ', B.sub.L ', C.sub.L ', and D.sub.L ' on the temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R. Points A.sub.R, B.sub.R, C.sub.R, and D.sub.R are the diagonal points of the image plane I.sub.R of the right side image sensor 812.sub.R. These points respectively correspond to points A.sub.R ', B.sub.R ', C.sub.R ', and D.sub.R ' on the temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R. In addition, points E.sub.L and F.sub.L are points on the upper and lower sides of the image plane I.sub.L of the left side image sensor 812.sub.L. These points correspond to the center of the overlapping region. Points E.sub.R and F.sub.R are points on the upper and lower sides of the image plane I.sub.R of the right side image sensor 812.sub.R. These points correspond to the center of the overlapping region. Both the points E.sub.L and E.sub.R correspond to a point E' on the temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R. Both the points F.sub.L and F.sub.R correspond to a point F' on the temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R.
Assume that the centers of the image planes I.sub.L and I.sub.R are origins, and the horizontal and vertical directions in FIG. 9 are x- and y-axes, respectively. In this case, if coordinate systems are defined on the image planes I.sub.L and I.sub.R, an image point (x.sub.R,y.sub.R) on the image plane I.sub.R of the right side image sensor 812.sub.R corresponds to an image point (x.sub.R ',y.sub.R '), on the temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R, which is given by equations (1) and (2): EQU x.sub.R '={(x.sub.R cos .theta.+.beta.z sin .theta.+.beta.d)/(-x.sub.R sin .theta.+.beta.z')}.times..beta.'z' (1) EQU y.sub.R '={y.sub.R /(-x.sub.R sin .theta.+.beta.z')}.times..beta.'z'(2)
In addition, an image point (x.sub.L,y.sub.L) on the image plane I.sub.L of the left side image sensor 812.sub.L corresponds to an image point (x.sub.L ',y.sub.L '), On the temporary imaginary plane I.sub.L+R, which is given by equations (3) and (4): EQU x.sub.L '={(x.sub.L cos .theta.-.beta.z sin .theta.-.beta.d)/(x.sub.L sin .theta.-.beta.z')}.times..beta.'z' (3) EQU y.sub.L '={y.sub.L /(x.sub.L sin .theta.+.beta.z')}.times..beta.'z'(4)
By performing geometrical transform processing like the one indicated by equations (1) to (4), images on a plurality of image sensors, which cause convergence, can be combined into an image on one temporary imaginary plane. Therefore, with the use of an image combining/transform processing portion (not shown) for performing such geometrical transform processing, an image having undergone correction of distortion caused by convergence can be obtained.
In the above method and apparatus, the following problems are posed when an object to be photographed has a distance distribution in which the object includes an object at a greatly different distance from the background from the rest of the objects.
Assume that an object A is located at a distance z.sub.A, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, if geometrical transform processing based on equations (1) to (4) is performed, the object position on a temporary imaginary plane is shifted by the difference between the object distance z and the object distance z.sub.A. In this case, the positions (x.sub.R ",y.sub.R ") and (x.sub.L ",y.sub.L "), on an ideal temporary imaginary plane for forming a combined image free from any position shift, which correspond to the image point (x.sub.R,y.sub.R) on the image plane of the first image sensor and the image point (x.sub.L,y.sub.L) on the image plane of the second image sensor, respectively, are given by EQU x.sub.R "={[x.sub.R cos .theta.+.beta.z sin .theta.+.beta.d(z/z.sub.A)]/[-x.sub.R sin .theta.+.beta.z(1-z/z.sub.A) cos .theta.+.beta.z'(z/z.sub.A)]}.times..beta.'z' (5) EQU y.sub.R "={y.sub.R /[-x.sub.R sin .theta.+.beta.z(1-z/z.sub.A) cos .theta.+.beta.z'(z/z.sub.A)]}.times..beta.'z' (6) EQU x.sub.L "={[x.sub.L cos .theta.-.beta.z sin .theta.-.beta.d(z/z.sub.A)]/[x.sub.L sin .theta.+.beta.z(1-z/z.sub.A) cos .theta.+.beta.z'(z/z.sub.A)]}.times..beta.'z' (7) EQU y.sub.L "={y.sub.L /[x.sub.L sin .theta.+.beta.z(1-z/z.sub.A) cos .theta.+.beta.z'(z/z.sub.A ]}.times..beta.'z' (8)
Consequently, a positional shift occurs owing to the influence of the object distance. The corresponding shift amounts are respectively given by EQU .DELTA.x.sub.R =x.sub.R "-x.sub.R ', .DELTA.y.sub.R =y.sub.R "-y.sub.R ' .DELTA.x.sub.L =x.sub.L "-x.sub.L ', .DELTA.y.sub.L =y.sub.L "-y.sub.L '(9)
For this reason, an arbitrary point on the object A may be shifted from an ideal position a by (.DELTA.x.sub.R,.DELTA.x.sub.L) in the x direction, and by (.DELTA.y.sub.R,.DELTA.y.sub.L) in the y direction, resulting in a deterioration in the image quality of a combined image.
In addition, since the background is concealed by the object A in the hatched regions in the overlapping region in FIG. 10, these hatched regions are not phototaken by both the first and second image sensors, although the regions are included in the overlapping region. Therefore, a portion IL in FIG. 10 is phototaken as only an image for the first image sensor; and a portion IR, as only an image for the second image sensor. Even if, therefore, images having undergone coordinates changing processing are combined, the object portion may overlap the background portion, resulting in a deterioration in the image quality of the combined image.


The present invention relates to a vehicle control device for a vehicle, comprising a number of first control devices which are independent of each other and are arranged in a first logical level and designed to calculate predetermined first vehicle control functions and to output first calculation results, a number of further control devices which are independent of each other, are arranged in a number which is superordinate from the first logical level and hierarchically arranged among each other and are designed to calculate further predetermined vehicle control functions and to output further calculation results. According to the invention, the further control devices are designed to use calculation results only of those control devices as input variables for the corresponding vehicle control functions which are arranged in logical levels hierarchically below the logical level of the respective control device.

Although in the following the present invention is described in connection with cars, it is not restricted to the latter and can be used for any type of vehicle.
In modern vehicles, driver assistance systems are used which are increasingly complex. For such driver assistance systems and functions, such as e.g. highly-automated driving, a large number of sensors are required in the vehicle which enable the accurate detection of the vehicle surroundings. In order to control the vehicle autonomously, it is necessary, for example, to recognise traffic lanes reliably, so that the vehicle can be driven within an identified traffic lane.
In modern assistance systems, fusion concepts are being developed for the environment sensors. A representation of the vehicle surroundings, the so-called environment model, is created from different data sources, e.g. radar sensors, cameras, driving dynamics sensors, GPS and digital cards. The aim of data fusion is to achieve greater precision and safety as well as a greater field of vision relative to individual data sources.
In particular, with regard to highly-automated driving a high degree of system availability is necessary. The focus of the fusion architecture used today is to improve the precision and field of vision and increase the safety of detection.
The high degree of interconnection between the individual components or software modules means that if one individual module fails this easily impairs the functionality of the whole system.
However, this is inconsistent with high system availability, which is necessary for automated driving.
For example, the calculation of the vehicle position is currently based on the ESC sensor cluster (ESC: Electronic Stability Control) and is used by modules such as object tracking and occupancy grids. If the ESC sensor cluster fails or the positioning module contains an error, all of the other modules are also affected and the whole system fails.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.


An acoustical tile including: 8 to 25 wt % mineral wool, 9 to 15 wt % starch binder, 9 to 15 wt % cellulosic fiber, wherein preferably the cellulosic fiber is newsprint, and 40 to 65 wt % perlite, wherein the weight ratio of the starch to the cellulosic fiber is 0.6 to 1.3:1; and a process for making the acoustical tile.

The water felting of dilute aqueous dispersions of mineral wool and lightweight aggregate is a well-known commercial process for manufacturing acoustical ceiling tiles. In this process, an aqueous slurry of component materials such as mineral wool, perlite, binder such as starch or latex, inorganic material and cellulosic fiber is deposited onto a moving foraminous support wire, such as a Fourdrinier or Oliver mat forming machine, for dewatering or drainage. The slurry may first be drained by gravity followed by vacuum suction to form a base mat. The wet base mat is then pressed to the desired thickness between rolls to remove additional water. The pressed base mat is then dried in ovens before the dried material is cut to the desired dimensions. The surfaces of the cut material can be sanded and coated on the top and or bottom to produce ceiling tiles and panels.
Ceiling tile used in suspended ceilings should have certain performance characteristics that include sound absorbing capacity, relatively low density, flame spread and optionally fire-resistance, and sag-resistance. Besides meeting these criteria, the raw materials need to be relatively inexpensive to procure and easy to process. These characteristics can be difficult to achieve even with a composite material. Moreover, the universe of available recycled materials that can contribute one or more of these desirable characteristics, that is compatible with other viable materials, that is available at a practical cost and that does not introduce undesirable characteristics is limited. It is important to find a formulation that achieves these essential characteristics, but also is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment and processes.
Mineral wool acoustical tiles are very porous which results in good sound absorption. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,404; 5,013,405; 5,047,120 and 5,558,710 disclose mineral fillers may be incorporated into the composition to improve sound absorbing properties and to provide lightweight acoustical tiles and panels.
The acoustical tile compositions include a lightweight aggregate, typically expanded perlite. While the use of expanded perlite can require a high level of water to form a workable slurry, the use of high density perlite can alleviate this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,233 to Palm et al discloses employing expanded glass beads rather than perlite. Inorganic materials, such as clay may be used in ceiling tiles to impart fire resistance (as defined by ASTM Test Method E119) because the clay sinters during the fire endurance test. Various commercial clays such as kaolin, and bentonite, etc. can be used in ceiling tile fabrication. Gypsum is a useful inorganic material because it also acts as a flocculent. Calcium carbonate is another useful inorganic material because it is inexpensive and can add hardness to the finished product.
Mineral wool-based acoustical ceiling tile compositions must contain a binder. Starch is usually used as the binder in mineral wool-based ceiling tiles. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,818 and 5,964,934 suggest as much as 15% by weight of the composition may be starch although about 6 or 7% by weight is conventionally used.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,753 to Englert discloses an acoustical tile composition in which the conventional starch binder is replaced by a wet-strength resin, such as a polyamine epichlorohydrin resin. This can be fabricated into ceiling tiles and panels using conventional water felting processes and equipment. The compositions, with the polyamine epichlorohydrin resins binder, can be dried significantly faster than comparable compositions containing conventional starch binders.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,582 to Carbo et al discloses a composition for a slurry for manufacture of acoustical panels includes one or more fillers, one or more binders, water and zinc pyrithione. At least one of the fillers and/or binders includes microbial nutrients in an amount of at least 1% based on the dry weight of the acoustical panel. In another embodiment of the invention, acoustical panels include a core having a plurality of opposing surfaces and being at least ⅛ inches thick. The core comprises the dried product of a slurry of fillers, binders and water. Zinc pyrithione is present in at least one of the core and a coating applied to at least one of the surfaces of the core.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,915 to Song et al discloses an acoustical product including a matrix of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals and expanded perlite distributed throughout the matrix. The expanded perlite has a particle size distribution with at least 10% of the perlite having a particle diameter of 700 microns or more, and the amount of expanded perlite to calcium sulfate dihydrate is about 35% to about 75% by weight, based upon the dry weight of the calcium sulfate dihydrate. A dispersing agent and glass fibers having a particle length of about ¼ inch to about 1 inch are dispersed throughout the gypsum matrix.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,133,354 to Baig discloses a composition and process suitable for making acoustical tiles. Certain embodiments of the composition comprise: perlite; an inorganic material selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, clay and mixtures thereof; a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, a combination of starch and cellulosic fibers, latex, kraft paper gel and mixtures thereof; optionally mineral wool; optionally gypsum; and cellulosic fiber, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fiber and at least a portion of the inorganic material are pulp and paper processing waste comprising cellulosic fiber, clay and calcium carbonate. Certain embodiments of the process comprise: forming an aqueous slurry; continuously flowing slurry onto a moving foraminous wire to form a cake; dewatering the cake to form a base mat; and drying the base mat.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,383,233 to Palm et al discloses a water felted base mat for a suspended ceiling tile comprising on a weight basis about ½ mineral wool, starch binder, limited to about ⅛, newsprint, limited to about ⅛, and about ¼ expanded glass beads.
The cellulosic fiber for ceiling tiles in compositions and methods of the present invention is obtained from newsprint being recycled. Typically, either hammer-milled and/or hydropulped newsprint being recycled is employed as the cellulosic fibers.