A non-woven sheet or web of fibers, containing at least some thermoplastic fibers, is fused to consolidate the fibers, bond another sheet of material thereto, perforate the sheet or bind tufting fibers therein by heating the sheet to a temperature and for a time sufficient to fuse at least some of the fibers in preselected areas of the sheet while simultaneously blocking heat transmission to the non-selected areas, or by pretreating patterned areas of the sheet to increase or decrease the heat-absorptivity of the patterned areas relative to the remainder of the sheet and thereafter heating the sheet. Improved non-woven fabrics, consolidated in preselected areas, non-woven fabrics bonded to another sheet material in preselected areas, non-woven fabrics perforated in predetermined areas and non-woven fabric substrates firmly holding tufting materials in preselected areas, are also produced.

The present invention relates to the fusion of non-woven sheets or webs of fibers to fuse and/or perforate the sheets or webs in preselected areas.
It is known in the prior art to subject non-woven sheets or webs of synthetic fibers to textile needling operations in order to stabilize or consolidate the sheet or web or to bind another sheet or web thereto. While this technique does provide a certain degree of stabilization or strengthening of the sheet or web and/or binding of another sheet or web thereto, it is well accepted that for certain end uses, this treatment is insufficient to produce a finished product and accordingly some form of additional fusing or binding is necessary.
It is also known that thermoplastic, non-woven sheets or webs of fibers may be stabilized or consolidated and/or bonded to another sheet or web, either over its entire surface or in preselected areas, by subjecting the sheet or web to radiant heat or by passing the same over heated rollers, both under pressure and at a temperature sufficient to fuse at least some of the fibers of the sheet or web. However, these methods are somewhat inflexible as to their operating conditions, and, therefore, it has been difficult to operate at commercially economical line speeds and the rolls utilized to heat preselected areas are expensive, time consuming to change and therefore lack versatility. Another major difficulty of such methods lies in the fact that the heating step must be carefully controlled to insure that the fibers are brought to the correct temperature and maintained at that temperature for a proper length of time and under carefully controlled pressure in order to produce the desired end product. Overheating of the sheet or web will result in total fusion of the fibers while underheating will cause insufficient fusion. If the sheet is underheated, it results in a structurally weak material. On the other hand, where the sheet or web is fused over its entire surface, it acquires a harsh hand and is too stiff or paper-like to be useful for a number of purposes.
Yet another method of consolidating or binding a sheet or web of thermoplastic fibers, either over the entire surface thereof or in predetermined areas, has been suggested in which the temperature is maintained well below the fusion temperature of the thermoplastic fiber but at which tack develops. This technique often results in inadequate fusion.
Other techniques which are applied to bind or consolidate in preselected areas or over the entire surface of a sheet or web of synthetic fibers, involve the deposition of polymerizable or copolymerizable materials on the sheet or web and effecting copolymerization or polymerization by exposure to light, the deposition of graft polymers on the sheet or web and effecting polymerization by passing the sheet or web over heated rollers or the deposition of chemically reactive liquids on the sheet or web and effecting chemical reactions by exposure to heat or light. These techniques all have the common disadvantage of requiring somewhat complicated equipment to deposit the treating materials on the sheet or web and also suffer from the inherent disadvantage of requiring additional materials, which are in and of themselves expensive. Further, in addition to the requirement of extra equipment for effecting deposition of the binding material on a sheet or web, such techniques also require means for drying or curing the adhesive or other material. Finally, these methods do little, if anything, to achieve the desired finish on the non-woven fabric and, hence, further steps are required to provide the proper finish. In this instance, the finishing may consist of resaturation and perhaps curing.
Yet another technique for fusing thermoplastic, synthetic fiber materials, particularly as a substitute for sewing in the production of quilted multilayer materials, is the utilization of ultrasonic energy to bond or weld the layers together at preselected points. In this technique, pins are placed in the required pattern across the entire width and around the circumference of a roll. The roll is fitted with a series of sonic "horns", which bear against the pins, and ultrasonic energy is imparted to the pins. This high-speed vibration develops heat in the textile materials at the points of contact with the pins and the pressure exerted by the pins presses the molten mass into weld spots. While this technique effectively accomplishes the desired purposes of producing a quilted material having good flexibility and a soft hand, and excellent binding of the layers is attained, there are obvious disadvantages. Among these are the facts that the equipment is expensive, a great deal of skill is required, both in the operation and maintenance of the equipment, the pattern can be changed only with great difficulty and the equipment is relatively delicate.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of fusing or perforating a sheet or web of non-woven fibers, containing at least some thermoplastic synthetic fibers, at preselected points or areas, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art as well as others not mentioned herein. Another object of the present invention is to provide improved sheet or web materails of non-woven fibers, containing at least some thermoplastic synthetic fibers.

Selective-area fusion of non-woven fabrics


The disclosed image processing device receiving image data comprises a first encoder, a second encoder and an encoding switch. The first encoder generates first data by encoding the image data according to a predetermined method. The second encoder generates second data by encoding the image data according to an encoding pattern table. The encoding pattern table is set up in accordance with the first data. The encoding switch determines to output either the first data or the second data as an encoded result and generates a mark value for indicating the encoded result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image processing, and in particular relates to devices and methods of image compression and decompression for synthetic images
2. Description of the Related Art
The rapid growth of digital imaging applications, including desktop publishing, multimedia, teleconferencing, and high-definition television (HDTV) has increased the need for efficient and standardized image compression techniques. Without image compression, the transmission of images would require an unacceptable bandwidth for many applications. As a result, methods of compressing images have been the subject of numerous research publications. Image compression schemes convert an image consisting of a two-dimensional array of pixels into a sequence of bits which are transmitted over a communication link. Each pixel represents the intensity of the image at a particular location therein. The transmission link may be an ordinary telephone line.
Consider an image comprising a gray-scale representation of a photograph at a resolution of 1000×1000 lines. Each pixel typically consists of 8 bits which are used to encode 256 possible intensity levels at the corresponding point on the photograph. Hence, without compression, transmission of the photograph requires that 8 million bits be sent over the communication link. A typical telephone line is capable of transmitting about 9600 bits per second; hence the picture transmission would require more than 10 minutes. Transmission times of this magnitude are unacceptable.
As a result, image compression systems are needed to reduce transmission time. It is also apparent to those skilled in the art that image compression systems may also be advantageously employed in image storage systems to reduce the amount of memory needed to store one or more images.
Further, there are two kinds of images, natural images and synthetic images. In general, high frequency components only occur in luminance domain for natural images. Contrary to natural images, high frequency components occur in both of luminance and chrominance domains for synthetic images. Due to synthetic images having more high frequency components than natural images, it is more difficult to compress synthetic images than natural images.

Image processing device and method for compressing and decompressing images


A white porous polyester film of the present invention comprising a polyester-based monopolymer/copolymer blend, a crystalline polymer resin which is not miscible with a polyester and has a heat deformation temperature of 90° C. or higher, inorganic particles, a whitening agent, and a stabilizing agent has improved optical properties, and thus is useful as a film for use in printing, labeling, electronics, and display applications.

White porous polyester films have been used in printing, labeling, electronics and display applications, because of their excellent whiteness, reflectance, and masking properties. Such a polyester film has been generally prepared by incorporating an organic or inorganic additive for forming voids. For example, JP Patent Laid-Open No. S58-50625 suggests the use of a foaming agent for generating voids, and JP Application Laid-Open No. S57-49648, the use of a polyolefin resin.
However, the method of using the foaming agent is hard to generate uniform-sized voids when the processing temperature is not carefully controlled. In addition, the polyolefin resin is not miscible with a polyester resin during extrude molding and drawing processes, and thus, uniform pore-formation cannot be achieved, which leads to film breakage during the drawing process for preparing the film, leading to unsatisfactory whiteness, reflectance and masking properties.
In order to overcome such problems, there has been reported a technique to add a compatibilizer to a polyester resin, but this technique suffers from such problems as low heat-stability of the compatibilizer and undesired migration thereof to the film surface, which limits its industrial applications.
Further, films having various functions have been used as the reflection film of a liquid crystal display (LCD), but bending and unwanted dark lines in the back light unit (BLU) appear due to specular reflection effects (not scattering reflection effects) of inorganic materials incorporated therein.

White porous polyester film and preparation method thereof


A display body includes a first display part, which displays first information, and a second display part, which displays second information of a larger display size than the first information. The second display part includes the entire first display part as a part of the second display part. The first display part has a plasmon structure. The plasmon structure includes an interface between a metal layer and a dielectric layer, which transmits light, and is configured so that surface plasmons are excited in the interface to change irradiation light with which the interface is irradiated to transmitted light having a color different from that of the irradiation light. The first information is displayed with the transmitted light.

The technology of the present disclosure relates to a display body using surface plasmons and a method for observing a display body.
In order to protect, from other persons, values or information of products such as valuable securities, certificates, brand-name products, high price products, electronic devices, and personal authentication media, it is desirable that the products be difficult to counterfeit. Therefore, in some cases, such a product may be attached with a display body that is difficult to counterfeit.
As a display body that is difficult to counterfeit, there is known a display body for displaying image information by using a plurality of cells formed by diffraction grating. With respect to such a display body, there is also known a display body having a micro-image that corresponds to a bitmap pattern having two or more values inside a specific cell among a plurality of cells and can be observed by using a microscope (refer to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-83226).
However, a micro-image corresponding to a bitmap pattern having two or more values displays an image by two or more height differences. For this reason, for example, when dust or a stain having the same size as the height difference constituting the micro-image overlaps with a part of the micro-image, there is a possibility that an observer of a display body falsely recognizes the dust or stain as a part of the micro-image.

Display body and observing method for display body


A coaxial engine starter comprises an electric motor having an armature winding of a single turn and a hollow armature rotary shaft for generating a rotational force for starting an engine. The starter also comprises an over-running clutch mechanism disposed within the hollow armature rotary shaft for preventing the occurrence of an excessive-speed of the armature and having a pinion having a gear teeth number equal to or less than seven for engaging with a ring gear of an engine upon starting of the electric motor. A solenoid switch is also disposed behind the electric motor for moving a pinion shaft forward and supplying an electric power to the electric motor.

This invention relates to a coaxial engine starter for use with automotive engines.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional coaxial starter such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-192962. As shown in FIG. 1, the coaxial starter includes an armature 1 of a d.c. electric motor, an armature core 2, and a hollow armature rotary shaft 3 having formed inside thereof a wedge-shaped cam surface 3a for providing an over-running clutch function. The armature core is press-fit onto the outer circumference of the armature rotary shaft 3.
Reference numeral 4 designates a commutator of the face type mounted at the rear outer circumference of the rotary shaft 3. The surface against which brushes 5 contact and slide for commutation is defined by a surface perpendicular to the rotary shaft 3. The commutator 4 is connected to an armature coil 6 wound on the core 2.
The brush 5 is urged forward by a spring 5a disposed at its rear side so that the tip of the brush 5 is brought into contact under pressure onto the sliding surface of the commutator 4.
Reference numeral 7 indicates permanent magnets mounted at the inner circumference of the yoke 8 defining a magnetic circuit for generating a magnetic field in the armature 1. The rear end of the yoke 8 is fitted onto the rear bracket 9 and the front end of the yoke 8 is fitted onto the front bracket 10.
Reference numeral 11 indicates a bearing fitted onto the rear end of the rotary shaft 3 and supported by the rear bracket 9. The rear bracket 9 has formed in the outer circumferential flange portion of the recess for accommodating the bearing 11 thereof a plurality of openings corresponding in position and in number to the brushes 5.
Reference numeral 12 designates a plastic brush holder which houses therein the brush 5 and the spring 5a and has stationary contacts 13 for connection to an unillustrated terminal insert-molded at its rear portion, the stationary contacts 13 having secured thereto, by a screw 15, a terminal 14 on which a lead wire 5b of the positive side brush 5 is welded.
Reference numeral 16 designates rollers disposed on the cam 3a formed in the inner surface of the rotary shaft 3, providing an over-running function together with roller springs.
Reference numeral 17 designates a clutch inner member of the over-running clutch mechanism having a bearing 18 mounted on the outer circumference of the middle portion thereof to support the front end of the rotary shaft 3.
Reference numeral 19 indicates a bearing mounted within the front bracket 10 and supports the front end of the clutch inner member 17.
Reference numeral 17a indicates helical splines formed in the inner surface of the clutch inner member 17, the helical splines 17a engaging the helical splines 20c formed in the outer circumference of the middle portion of a pinion shaft 20 having a pinion 20a at its front end and a flange 20b for dust and water resistance.
Reference numeral 21 indicates a stopper mounted on the rear portion of the pinion shaft 20, and 22 indicates a bearing for supporting the rear portion of the pinion shaft 20 mounted in the inner surface of the clutch inner member 17, the bearing 22 supporting the front end of a return spring 23 of the pinion shaft 20.
The pinion shaft 20 is moved forward along the axis while compressing the spring 23 by the stopper 21 until the stopper 21 abuts against the rear end face 17b of the clutch inner member 17 at which the forward movement is completed.
Reference numeral 24 indicates a solenoid switch attached to the rear bracket 9 by bolts 25, the solenoid switch has a function of forwardly moving the pinion shaft 20 and a switching function for turning on the contacts to allow the power supply from the battery to the electric motor upon the closure of the key switch.
Reference numeral 26 indicates a movable assembly for pushing the pinion shaft 20 from the behind it and having a movable contact 28 supported by insulators 27a and 27b.
Reference numeral 26a indicates a plunger, 26b a rod, 26c a second holder, 26d a first holder secured between the plunger 26a and the rod 26b and having mounted thereon the movable contact 28 and the like. The rod 26b is secured to the plunger 26a by caulking its rear end on the rear surface of the plunger 26a.
Reference numeral 29 indicates a spring for urging the pinion shaft 20, the spring 29 being disposed at the outer circumference of the rod 26b between the first holder 26d and the second holder 26c.
Reference numeral 30 indicates a third holder which urges the pinion shaft 20 by a compression spring 31.
Reference numeral 32 indicates a steel ball disposed between the front end of the third holder 30 and a recessed portion of the rear end of the pinion shaft 20 and having a function of supporting a thrust force.
Reference numeral 33 indicates an excitation coil wound on the bobbin 33a of a plastic material for energizing the plunger 26a. Reference numerals 34a and 34b denote a rear core and a front core, respectively, constituting together with a case 35 a magnetic circuit.
Reference numeral 36 indicates a plate of a nonmagnetic material, which is a rear wall of the solenoid switch 24 serving as a stopper for the plunger 26a when it is rearwardly returned.
Reference numeral 37 indicates a packing disposed between the case 35 and the plate 36 and having a water resisting function.
Reference numeral 38 indicates a spring disposed between the plunger 26a and the front core 34b for returning the movable assembly 26 to its home position when the key switch is turned off.
Reference numeral 39 is a through bolt connecting the rear bracket 9 and the front bracket 10.
It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the arrangement of the coaxial starter illustrated in FIG. 1 is a sectional view and that the construction details are repeated about the centerline of the starter defined by shaft 3. For example, a plurality of coils comprising armature coil 6 are disposed about the armature 1.
The operation will now be described. First, for the state in which a key switch is off, the excitation coil 33 is not excited because it is in the non-conductive state, and since only the spring force of the spring 38 acts on the plunger 26a, the movable assembly 26 is positioned at the rear portion and the plunger 26a is brought into abutment with the plate 36.
In this state, the stationary contact 13 and the movable contact 28 are in the separated state, so that the electric motor is stopped and the pinion shaft 20 is also located at the rear portion by the spring 23 and stand still with the rear surface of the flange 20b brought into abutment with the front surface of the clutch inner member 17.
When the key switch is turned on, the excitation coil 33 is energized to actuate the plunger 26a, causing the movable assembly 26 to move forward and the movable contact 28 to be brought into contact with the stationary contact 13.
Therefore, the armature coil 6 is energized through the brush 5 and the commutator 4 thereby to start the electric motor.
On the other hand, the pinion shaft 20 is pushed forward by the springs 29, 31 of the movable assembly 26, whereby the pinion 20a is brought into engagement with the ring gear formed around a fly wheel of an engine at the same time the d.c. motor is started.
Immediately after the starting of the engine, the pinion shaft 20 and the clutch inner member 17 are moved together with the ring gear due to the uni-directional over-running function, idling relative to the armature 1.
When the key switch is turned off when the starting has been completed, the electrical power is disconnected, the movable assembly 26 rearwardly returns due to the function of the spring 38 within the solenoid switch 24, and the pinion shaft 20 rearwardly returns by the function of the spring 23.
Since the conventional coaxial starter is constructed as above described, the minimum number of teeth of the pinion is eight, and with such a starter, each coil of the armature coil 6 has generally two turns in order to obtain requisite torque as the d.c. motor, making it difficult to make the outer diameter of the rotary shaft 3 large, so that the assembly of the over-running clutch within the rotary shaft 3 is difficult and disadvantageous in performance because it is necessary to use small-diameter long rollers or a plurality of small-diameter rollers axially arranged in series.


An enriched fetal cell sample is prepared from maternal blood by first separating a maternal blood sample on a three layer density gradient, and collection of the layer containing the lymphocytes and a layer immediately beneath the lymphocytes which presumably contains the nucleated fetal red blood cells and low density maternal red blood cells. The top layer in the gradient would contain the plasma and lighter components and the bottom layer would contain high density maternal red blood cells. The collected cells are then placed in a hypotonic solution and centrifuged to separate a fetal cell pellet, which contains enriched levels of fetal cells of varying types. The recovered pellet is fixed twice with Carnoy fixative and the fixed cells are then spread on a slide for FISH analysis.

This application relates to a method and kit for isolation of fetal cells from maternal blood and to the use of same in detection of chromososomal abnormalities.
Numerical chromosomal abnormalities, particularly those in chromosomes 21, 18 and 13 and the X and Y chromosomes account for a significant portion of the genetic defects in liveborn human beings. For this reason, prenatal testing for such abnormalities is carried out in some instances, particularly where the fetus is within a high-risk group. Unfortunately, the most reliable tests involve invasive procedures, such as amniocentesis, which themselves pose some risk to the pregnancy and to the fetus. Furthermore, the cost of the procedure is substantial, which adds an additional factor to the more appropriate balancing of risk to the fetus against the likelihood of that an abnormality will be detected. Thus, it would be desirable to be able to perform reliable testing for chromosomal abnormalities using a non-invasive technique.
The existence of fetal cells in the maternal circulation has been the topic of considerable research and testing over many years. It is now understood that there are three principal types of fetal cells: lymphocytes, trophoblasts and nucleated fetal erythrocytes. These cell types are found in variable, although always very small numbers and at various times within maternal blood. Holgreve et al., "Fetal Cells in Maternal Circulation", J. Reproductive Med. 37: 410-418 (1992). Various proposals have been advanced for the isolation or enrichment of one or another of these cells types from a maternal blood sample, and it has been proposed to use these isolated or enriched cells for testing for chromosomal abnormalities.
Fetal cells have been enriched from maternal blood using antibody capture techniques in which an immobilized antibody that binds to fetal cells captures the fetal cells to facilitate their enrichment. Mueller et al., "Isolation of fetal trophoblasts cells from peripheral blood of pregnant women", The Lancet 336: 197-200 (1990); Ganshirt-Ahlert et al., "Magnetic cell sorting and the transferring receptor as potential means of prenatal diagnosis from maternal blood" Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 166: 1350-1355 (1992). Fetal cells have also been labeled with antibodies and other specific binding moieties to facilitate cell sorting procedures such as flow cytometry. Herzenberg et al., "Fetal cells in the blood of pregnant women: Detection and enrichment by fluorescence-activated cell sorting", Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. (USA) 76: 1453-1455 (1979); Bianchi et al., "Isolation of fetal DNA from nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood" Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. (USA) 87: 3279-3283 (1990); Bruch et al., "Trophoblast-Like cells sorted from peripheral maternal blood using flow cytometry: a multiparametric study involving transmission electron microscopy and fetal DNA amplification" Prenatal Diagnosis 11: 787-798 (1991). Price et al. "Prenatal diagnosis with fetal cells isolated from maternal blood by multiparameter flow cytometry" Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol 165: 1731-1737 (1991). PCR techniques have also been proposed to increase the relative amount of fetal DNA to permit analysis. Bianchi et al., "Isolation of fetal DNA from nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood", Proc. Natl Acad. Sci (USA) 87: 3279-3283 (1990); Adkinson et al., "Improved detection of fetal cells from maternal blood with polymerase chain reaction", Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 170: 952-955 (1994); Takabayashi et al., "Development of non-invasive fetal DNA diagnosis from maternal blood" Prenatal Diagnosis 15: 74-77 (1995).
Gradient centrifugation plays a role as a preliminary step in many of these known techniques for isolation or enrichment of fetal cells. U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,054 also describes a technique for separation of rare cells, specifically fetal nucleated red blood cells, using gradient centrifugation. In this technique, maternal blood is centrifuged in a tube having a wide top and a narrow, capillary bottom made of polyethylene, using a variable speed program which results in a stacking of red blood cells in the capillary based on density. The density fraction containing low density red blood cells (which should include any fetal cells) is recovered and then differentially hemolyzed to preferentially destroy maternal red blood cells. The hemolyzed material is then separated on a density gradient in a hypertonic medium prepared from variable amounts of a colloid (which imparts the density variation) dispersed in a meltable gel to separate red blood cells, now enriched in the fetal red blood cells from lymphocytes and ruptured maternal cells. The use of a hypertonic solution shrinks the red blood cells, making them more dense relative to lymphocytes and thus easier to separate.
The method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,054 in theory offers a simple approach to the preparation of enriched fetal cell preparations from maternal blood. Unfortunately, in practice trials on cell preparations made using this method have been unable to identify aneuploid chromosomal abnormalities at rates that are significantly better than random chance. Elias, S., "Multicenter NIH Clinical Trials on Fetal Cells in Maternal Blood: Description and Current Status", Am. J. Hum. Genet. 61 (suppl): 29 (1997)( results presented orally at the 47.sup.th Annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, Baltimore, Md. in October, 1997). Thus, there remains a need for a method for preparing enriched fetal cells which is simple to perform, and which nonetheless provides a preparation which can be reliably used to determine genetic information about the fetus. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a method.

Method for enrichment of fetal cells from maternal blood and use of same in determination of fetal sex and detection of chromosomal abnormalities


The present invention relates to controlling the refresh rate of the reference voltage on a sampling capacitor (Csamp). A comparator (COMP) compares the voltage on a first capacitor (C1) with the voltage on a second capacitor (C2). These capacitors have the capacitance of the sampling capacitor (Csamp). Upon each refresh the first capacitor (C1) samples a first voltage (Va) and the second capacitor samples a lower second voltage (Vb). The first capacitor (C1) is discharged at a first current Ia via a first leakage current source (D1). The second capacitor (C2) is discharged at a second current Ib via a second leakage current source (D2). The comparator (COMP) triggers a refresh when the voltages equal. The first current Ia is preferably an integer N times the second current Ib.

An approach to saving power in integrated electronic devices involves sampling a reference voltage. This reference voltage is usually generated by a band gap reference generator on a capacitor. While the reference voltage is stored on the sampling capacitor, the reference generator circuit can be switched off or put in a power down mode to reduce static power consumption. This reduces the average supply current of the reference generator and leads to lower power consumption.
The voltage on the sampling capacitor decreases over time primarily by parasitic leakage currents. Thus there must be a refresh mechanism for the sampled voltage. This refresh mechanism ensures that the reference voltage stays within a certain range. A prior art solution compares the voltage sampled on the sampling capacitor to a specific reference voltage. When the voltage on the sampling capacitor is equal to the reference voltage, a comparator triggers a refresh of the voltage on the sampling capacitor. The circuitry needed to implement this control loop requires a comparator, an additional reference voltage generator which cannot be switched off and further biasing circuitry. Accordingly, the power consumption and the chip area needed to implement the circuitry is large. This counteracts the desired power savings. Another prior art approach uses a fixed periodic refresh cycle selected for the worst case. This fixed periodic refresh cycle is carried out as if the highest leakage current were present irrespective of the sampling capacitor's actual leakage current. Accordingly, both the refresh rate and the power consumption are unnecessarily high.

Method and circuit for controlling the refresh rate of sampled reference voltages


An intake arrangement for an internal combustion engine includes an intake channel (80) which connects the clean side (81) of an air filter (41) to the engine. The intake channel (80) is subdivided by a partition wall (11) into an air channel (8) and a mixture channel (21). A throttle flap is mounted in the intake channel (80). A fuel opening (27, 28) for supplying fuel opens into the mixture channel (21). In order to avoid a throw back of fuel from the mixture channel (21) into the air channel (8), it is provided that the clean side (81) of the air filter (41) is divided into two chambers (82 and 83) and the mixture channel (21) opens into the first chamber (82) and the air channel (8) opens into the second chamber (83).

U.S. patent publication U.S. 2003/0106508 A1 discloses an intake arrangement wherein the intake channel is subdivided by a partition wall into a mixture channel and an air channel. In the intake channel, a throttle flap is mounted and a choke flap can be provided upstream of the throttle flap. The partition wall of the intake channel is lengthened into the region of the air filter in order to avoid that fuel from the mixture channel is drawn by suction into the air channel.

Intake arrangement for an internal combustion engine


Arrays of nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods based on novel SNPs on genes of the bovine transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway for improved bovine fertilization rate. The methods and compositions of the present invention are related to SNPs in the DNA-binding protein inhibitor 3 (ID3) gene, and in the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene corresponding to position 2702 of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also disclosed are methods for determining viability of developing bovine embryos by measuring the expression level of one or more target genes in the TGF-signaling pathway, and selecting for implantation only embryos whose target gene expression level is not up-regulated.

Dairy cows are significant investments for dairy farmers, and enormous efforts, such as animal breeding and artificial insemination, have been and continue to be made to ensure that the animals have high and sustained productivity, and that the milk produced is of high quality. The dairy cattle genome has been significantly restructured over the past 30 years due to intensive selection for production traits.
Reproductive deterioration in high-producing dairy cows has caused substantial economic loss in the dairy cattle industry (Lucy, 2007). Two of the key factors contributing to decreasing fertility of dairy cow are low fertilization rate and early embryonic mortality (Royal et al., 2000. Sheldon et al. 2006), both of which occur during the pre-implantation embryo development. Although genetic factors are known to affect reproductive performance (Shook, 2006), the identification of specific genes has been a challenge, probably due to the low accuracy of fertility data collected in the field, and the low heritability of these traits (VanRaden et al., 2004). Thus, understanding the genetic regulation of bovine pre-implantation embryo development and identifying associated biomarkers are becoming progressively essential to improving dairy cattle fertility.
To investigate the relationship between genetic factors and pre-implantation embryo development in bovine, the present inventor has created an in vitro fertilization (IVF) system, which enables the identification of genetic factors affecting fertilization and early embryonic development at both the cow and embryo levels. At the cow level, the IVF system has been utilized to uncover associations of cow genotypes with fertilization success and blastocyst rate of embryos produced from these cows (Driver et al. 2009; Huang et al. 2010a; Khatib et al. 2009a,b; Khatib et al. 2008a,b; Wang et al. 2009). At the embryo level, differential gene expression between normal blastocysts and degenerate embryos has been investigated by applying RNA-Seq (Huang & Khatib, 2010), microarray expression (Huang et al., 2010b), and candidate gene and pathway analyses (Laporta et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2011).
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway has long been acknowledged for signal transduction and other intracellular activities, such as cell division, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and transformation (Santibanez et al., 2011). In addition, several studies have suggested the involvement of the TGF-β signaling cascade and its components in preimplantation embryo development as well as ovarian function (Shimasaki et al., 2004; Zhang et al., 2007). For example, Said et al. (2010) recently reported that known members of TGF-β pathway showed dynamic changes in gene expression profiles during the three early stages of human embryonic development, including oocytes, day-3 embryos, and human embryonic stem cells on day 7. Also, results from the mouse showed that multiple bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and SMAD6 in the TGF-β pathway were found to be expressed in a stage-specific pattern and were developmentally regulated in oocytes and preimplantation embryos (Wang et al., 2004). BMPs and GDF9, also a member of TGF-β, have been reported as crucial regulators of folliculogenesis in mouse models (Otsuka et al. 2011; Trombly et al. 2009).
It is worth mentioning that most of the reported data on TGF-β pathway genes have been generated in the mouse model and there is little information on other species such as cattle. Interestingly, in a recent transcriptomic study of the bovine IVF system, the TGF-β pathway was found to be upregulated in degenerate embryos compared to blastocysts using microarrays (Huang et al., 2010b). However, several genes from this pathway were not included in the microarray analysis.
Many components of the signaling cascade of TGF-β pathway are known, and they include ligands (BMP4, GDF9, and INHBA); receptors (BMPR1A and ACVR1); SMAD proteins (SMAD2); upstream regulators (THBS2, THBS4, DCN); and downstream regulators (ID3, BMPER, PPP2R1A, RPS6KB2, PITX2). The signaling process of this pathway necessitates coordination of gene regulation among the different members of the pathway. For example, the activation of latent TGF-β requires binding of the thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) to the TGF-β precursor complex (Murphy-Ullrich & Poczatek, 2000). Protein phosphatase 2 (PPP2) and Ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RPS6K) are key regulators implicated in the phosphorylation of receptor and SMADs in the TGF-β signaling cascade (Fenton & Gout, 2010; Zolnierowicz, 2000). ID proteins are direct targets of BMP and TGF-β signaling, which serve as essential mediators in biological responses downstream the pathway (Miyazono & Miyazawa, 2002). The cell distribution and coordination of gene expression among the TGF-β genes testify to the significance of this pathway in embryo development.
Furthermore, the expression of many members of the TGF-β superfamily in the endometrium suggests a pivotal role of these genes in the differentiation of the endometrium and the implantation process (Jones et al. 2006). Consequently, the expression of TGF-β genes in preimplantation bovine embryos suggests an important role of these genes in the embryo-uterus connection. Indeed, it has been reported that blastocysts express TGF-β proteins that induce apoptosis of endometrial epithelial cells during implantation (Jones et al. 2006). Collectively, expression of TGF-β signaling genes in the bovine embryo suggests important role for the TGF-β pathway in the preimplantation stage of bovine embryo.
There are also reports that these genes function in maintaining pluripotency in the inner cell mass of bovine blastocysts (Pant & Keefer, 2009). Koide et al. (2009) demonstrated that overactivity of BMP4 signaling led to excessive apoptosis in early mammalian embryo development. Also, La Rosa et al. (2011) reported that supplementation of BMP4 to culture medium of IVF embryos decreased blastocyst production and concluded that a balanced BMP signaling activity is required for proper preimplantation development of cattle embryos.
The ID proteins function as key regulators of development by stimulating and maintaining proliferation and to preventing premature differentiation (Yokota & Mori, 2002), and are known to be regulated by other members of the TGF-β pathway such as BMPs (Hogg et al. 2010). BMPER is a BMP binding endothelial regulator and has been reported to modulate BMP4 signaling in endothelial cell differentiation and angiogenesis (Heinke et al. 2008; Moser et al. 2003).
Although the specific roles in bovine embryo development of differentially expressed genes are unknown, they have critical functions in the TGF-β signaling. For example, SMAD2 belongs to the SMAD family of proteins, which are transducers of TGF-β signal from the cell surface to the nucleus and transcription factors mediating the expression of target genes in the TGF-β cascade (Heldin et al. 1997; Massague et al. 2005). SMAD proteins are required for pluripotency maintenance of the inner cell mass in mouse blastocysts (James et al. 2005).
In a genome-wide association study, a SNP associated with fertilization rate was located within 50 Kb distance of ID3 (Huang et al. 2010a). Although the molecular regulation of fertilization success is not fully understood, maternal genome activity and oocyte quality appear to have critical roles in embryogenesis (Marteil et al. 2009; Stitzel & Seydoux, 2007). Recently, Hogg et al. (2010) observed that four ID isoforms (ID1-4) were expressed across the ovine ovarian follicle development and possibly regulated by TGF-β signaling via SMADs, and suggested mechanistic roles of the ID proteins in mammalian oocyte development. Furthermore, ID proteins are key regulators for many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle progression, which in turn are required for oocyte maturation, oocyte-to-embryo transition, and embryogenesis (Norton, 2000; Stitzel & Seydoux, 2007).
Indeed, it has been acknowledged that blastocyst yield can be affected by intrinsic oocyte quality (Rizos et al. 2002), and the involvement of BMP4 in ovarian function has been extensively reported (Shimasaki et al. 1999). The spatiotemporal expression of BMP4 signaling in follicle development has been broadly observed across different species including human, rat, bovine, swine, and zebrafish (Fatehi et al. 2005; Li & Ge, 2011; Nilsson & Skinner, 2003; Shimizu et al. 2004; Tanwar & McFarlane, 2011). Functional studies have also shown that BMP4 suppresses bovine granulose cell apoptosis and promotes follicle survival and development in rats (Kayamori et al. 2009; Nilsson & Skinner, 2003).
Nevertheless, even though the TGF-β signaling pathway was known to play a crucial role in ovarian and embryonic development, it had not been established whether the balance of expression level of various genes from this pathway is needed for proper preimplantation development of IVF embryos. Furthermore, there was limited information on the extent of contributions of maternal and embryonic genomes to the survival of the developing embryo. More importantly, no indication existed that variations of the maternal genotype in regard to the TGF-β genes had an impact on fertility rates. Identifying genetic factors that show association with fertility would enable selection or breeding programs that reduce the frequency of deleterious alleles at these loci by marker- or gene-assisted selection, preventing further decline or even improving reproductive status of the global dairy herd. In this regard, a plurality of or multiple genes are likely more reliable than a single gene or SNP in predicting high fertility or enhanced embryo survival.

Genetic testing for improved cattle fertility


A large integrated circuit (10) of modular design, each module (12,14,16) having a circuit section (22,24,34) and a separate dedicated testing pad section (20). Each circuit module (12,14,16) can be individually functionally tested as an independent circuit with conventional prober equipment for defects. Each testing pad section (20) facilitates controlling the entire integrated circuit (10) so that the respective module circuit section (12,14,16) can be tested. Control circuitry (26) comprised of pass gates is provided to isolate the testing pad sections (20) from the operational portion (22,24,34) of the integrated circuit (10) when not under test. The present invention is ideally suited for large spatial light modulators, memory devices and other large sophisticated integrated circuits.

Since the invention of the integrated circuit, semiconductor dies have become increasingly more sophisticated and large in size. To ensure providing high quality and reliable products to industry, semiconductor manufactururers traditionally functionally test and optically inspect their integrated circuits before the die is packaged.
Traditionally, to perform functional die testing, off-the-shelf planar probe equipment is implemented to test the functionality of the die. The integrated circuit is usually designed with peripheral testing pads connected to the circuitry and which are accessed by the automated probers. Power is provided to the integrated circuit via the bond pads, and the circuit is dynamically tested for functionality using custom software testing programs. Integrated circuit dies which fail to meet established performance parameters are either identified and repaired, or rejected and never make it to the packaging step. This testing procedure can be rather involved, and may include subjecting the integrated circuit die to vibration, humidity, extreme temperatures, and so forth.
With the advance of the integrated circuit, off-the-shelf automated probers have advanced as well. Automated probers are available from well known companies including Hewlett Packard and Teledyne. Some sophisticated integrated circuits, including digital signal processors, microprocessors, and so forth are known to have die sizes approaching 1" by 1" which is huge by industry standards. As the size of these integrated circuits increasingly become larger, so must the sophistication and conformity of conventional testing equipment.
One interesting technology evolving from Texas Instruments Incorporated of Dallas Tex. is a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) comprised of a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). These DMDs can be implemented in both hard copy electrostatic printers, and also used to provide high resolution displays including monitors and large screen televisions. DMDs implemented in the design of a television is disclosed is U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,544, to DeMond et al. entitled Standard Independent Digitized Video System and U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,049 to Hornbeck, entitled Spatial Light Modulator and Method, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention. A DMD incorporated into a hard copy printing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,369, to Nelson, entitled Printing System Exposive Module Alignment Method and Apparatus of Manufacture, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The teachings of all three of these patents is included herein by reference in the present application.
The development of DMDs for the hard copy printing products is especially challenging due to the fact that the integrated circuits are approaching 5" in length. These DMDs comprise a linear array of micromirrors serving as pixels, and may comprise an array of 64 by 7,056 pixels. One invention which addresses the need to reliably manufacture large integrated circuits of this magnitude is disclosed in the cross referenced patent application, wherein a single reticle is implemented in a step and repeat procedure using conventional photolithography equipment. By implementing a single reticle, the step and repeat procedure exposes the die one module at a time, wherein some intermediate modules are repeated, to reliably align one module with an adjacent module. With this design technique available to fabricate large integrated circuits of enormous sizes, the forgoing invention sets out to provide the testability of an integrated circuit this size and sophistication.

Large integrated circuit with modular probe structures


The present invention relates to the use of a genetically modified non-human animal as an animal model for obesity or obesity-related disorders, wherein the amount of Lysine-specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) in at least one tissue or at least one cell type of said animal is reduced.

In industrialized countries, characterized by a sedentary lifestyle and high-caloric diet, energy balance is often deregulated leading to the development of obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). Among other organs, adipose tissue is an important regulator of energy balance (Langin, 2010). There are two major types of adipose tissue in mammals, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which are present in different compartments and show distinct metabolic characteristics. Unilocular WAT is highly adapted to store excess energy in the form of triglycerides and is mainly located in the abdominal and subcutaneous areas. Conversely, multilocular cells from BAT, which are mainly located in the interscapular area (iBAT), oxidize chemical energy to produce heat as a defense against hypothermia and obesity (Himms-Hagen, 1990; Langin, 2010). Fatty acid oxidation and heat production by brown adipocytes is due to the intense metabolic activity of mitochondria, which express uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) (Ricquier and Bouillaud, 2000). WAT and BAT have long been assumed to have the same embryonic origin. However, recent evidence suggests that brown and white adipocytes are derived from two different precursors (Seale et al., 2008). These precursors can be discriminated by the presence or absence of the transcription factor myogenic factor 5 (Myf5), with brown adipocytes being derived from Myf5-positive and white adipocytes derived from Myf5-negative cells, respectively (Seale et al., 2008). In response to environmental cues such as cold or treatment with β3-adrenergic agonists, appearance of brown fat-like cells has been observed in mouse WAT (Himms-Hagen et al., 1994; Himms-Hagen et al., 2000; Young et al., 1984). These brown fat-like cells are called beige or brite cells. Interestingly, these beige fat cells are not derived from Myf5-expressing precursors (Seale et al., 2008), raising questions about their origin. It has been speculated that beige cells might originate from differentiation of a specific pool of precursor cells already present in WAT (Seale et al., 2011; Wu et al., 2012). Alternatively, beige fat cells could arise from direct conversion of white adipocytes (Granneman et al., 2005; Himms-Hagen et al., 2000; Loncar, 1991). Recently, Wu and colleagues proposed that beige cells exhibit a gene expression pattern distinct from either white or brown fat and that previously identified brown fat deposits in adult humans are indeed composed of beige adipocytes (Wu et al., 2012). However, it is neither known whether beige adipocytes constitute metabolically active fat cell nor are the transcriptional cascades that control the transformation of white to beige adipose tissues have been determined so far.
Over the last decade, evidence accumulated that epigenetics contribute to regulation of adipogenesis. In particular, posttranslational modifications of histone H3 lysines have been linked to either transcriptional activation or repression, depending on the modified residue. Methylation of lysine 4 in histone H3 (H3K4) correlates with gene activation, whereas methylation of lysine 9 or 27 in histone H3 (H3K9 or H3K27, respectively) is associated with transcriptional repression. As an example illustrating the key role of lysine methylation in adipocyte differentiation, it was reported that H3K4 methylation was required for Pparg and C/ebpa expression and thus positively regulates adipogenesis (Cho et al., 2009). In contrast, methylation of H3K27 by the methytransferase Ezh2 promotes adipogenesis by repressing the Wnt signaling (Wang et al., 2010). Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), the first histone lysine demethylase described, is an amine oxidase that mediates histone demethylation via a FAD-dependent oxidative reaction. It has been shown that LSD1 selectively removes mono- and dimethyl groups from H3K4 or H3K9, thereby causing either repression or activation of gene transcription (Garcia-Bassets et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2005; Metzger et al., 2010; Metzger et al., 2005; Shi et al., 2004; Wang et al., 2009a; Wang et al., 2009b) (Zhu Ms). Recent in vitro studies suggest that LSD1 might play a role during fat cells differentiation in vitro (Hino et al., 2012). Hino et al. observe upregulation of LSD1 protein levels in mice on a high fat diet. In addition, their ex vivo experiments with adipocytes from mice on a high fat diet suggest that energy expenditure genes are upregulated upon knockdown of LSD1. This teaches away from the present invention.

Animal model for type 2 diabetes and obesity


DNA encoding the prepro inhibin .alpha. and .beta. chains has been isolated. This DNA is ligated into expression vectors and used to transform host cells for the preparation of inhibin or activin. Also provided are prohormone domains and other inhibin .alpha. and .beta. chain derivatives having therapeutic or diagnostic interest. The compositions provided herein are useful in the manipulation of fertility in animals.

This invention relates to methods for making proteins in recombinant cell culture which contain the .alpha. or .beta. chains of inhibin. In particular, it relates to methods for obtaining and using DNA which encodes inhibin, and for making inhibin variants that depart from the amino acid sequence of natural animal or human inhibins and the naturally-occurring alleles thereof.
Inhibin is a protein produced in the gonad which acts specifically at the pituitary level to inhibit the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The existence of inhibin was first postulated by McCullagh in 1932 ("Science" 76: 19-20). Such preferential regulation of the gonadotropin secretion has generated a great deal of interest and has prompted many laboratories in the past fifty years to attempt to isolate and characterize this substance from extracts of testis, spermatozoa, rete testis fluid, seminal plasma and ovarian follicular fluid, using various bioassays. Although many reports have appeared in the literature claiming the purification of inhibin-like material with molecular weights ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons, subsequent studies have shown that these substances were not homogeneous, did not have the high specific activity expected of true inhibin and/or failed to exhibit the molecular characteristics of inhibin as described herein (de Jong, InhibinFactor Artifact, "Molecular & Cellular Endocrin." 13: 1-10 (1979); Sheth et al., 1984, "F.E.B.S." 165(1) 11-15; Seidah et al., 1984, "F.E.B.S." 175(2):349-355; Lilja et al., March 1985, "F.E.B.S." 182(1):181-184; Li et al., June 1985, "Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA" 82:4041-4044; Seidah et al., "F.E.B.S." 167(1):98-102; and Beksac et al., 1984, "Intern. J. Andrology" 7:389-397).
A polypeptide having inhibin activity was purified from bovine and ovine follicular fluid (PCT 86/00078, published Jan. 3, 1986). This protein was reported to have a molecular weight of 56,000.+-.1,000 on SDS-PAGE and was dissociable into two subunits having apparent molecular weights of 44,000.+-.3,000 and 14,000.+-.2,000. Amino terminal sequences for each subunit were described.
Two proteins both having a molecular weight of about 32,000 daltons and having inhibin activity have been successfully isolated from porcine follicular fluid. Purification of porcine inhibin to substantial homogeneity, i.e., about 90% by weight of total protein in the fraction, was achieved through a combination of protein separation procedures including heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography, gel filtration and reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).
These proteins were isolated to substantial homogeneity from material obtained from swine and are referred to as Protein A and Protein B. Each protein has a molecular weight of about 32,000 daltons (32K) and is composed of two polypeptide chains having molecular weights of 18,000 and 14,000 daltons, respectively, the chains being linked together in the hormonally-active protein by disulfide bonding. The amino-terminal amino acid residue sequence of the 18,000 dalton (18K) or alpha chain of both proteins was determined to be Ser-Thr-Ala-Pro-Leu-Pro-Trp-Pro-Trp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ala-Leu-Arg-Leu-Leu-Gln-Ar g-Pro-Pro-Glu-Glu-Pro-Ala-Val. The amino-terminal amino acid residue sequence of the 14,000 dalton (14K) or beta chain of Protein A was determined to be Gly-Leu-Glu-X-Asp-Gly-Lys-Val-Asn-Ile-X-X-Lys-Lys-Gln-Phe-Phe-Val-Ser-Phe- Lys-Asp-Ile-Gly-Trp-Asn-Asp-Trp-Ile-Ile-Ala and of Protein B was determined to be Gly-Leu-Glu-X-Asp-Gly-Arg-Thr-Asn-Leu-X-X-Arg-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Ile-Asp-Phe- Arg-Leu. Proteins A and B have been completely characterized. Each 32K protein exhibits inhibin activity in that is specifically inhibits the basal secretion of FSH but does not inhibit secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). The individual chains were not hormonally active.
After the filing of the parent application hereto, inhibin B-chain dimers were shown to exist in follicular fluid as naturally-occurring substances, termed activin, which are capable of stimulating FSH release by rat anterior pituitary cells (Vale et al., 1986, "Nature" 321:776-779 and Ling et al., 1986, "Nature" 321:779-782).
The amino acid sequence of the .alpha. and .beta. chains of inhibin from humans remained unknown until the invention herein. The large quantities of human follicular fluid required to parallel the studies conducted with animal inhibins are not readily available, nor is there any assurance that human and animal inhibins would be sufficiently similar that purification using a parallel procedure would be effective. Accordingly, methods are needed for determining the characteristics and amino acid sequence for human inhibin.
Also needed are economical methods for making the .alpha. and .beta. chains of inhibin in large quantities, preferably entirely and completely free of proteins from the species homologous to the inhibin in question, which inhibin preferably also is biologically active.
These and other objects will be apparent from consideration of the invention as a whole.

Nucleic acid encoding the ba chain prodomains of inhibin and method for synthesizing polypeptides using such nucleic acid


A system and method are provided for the correction of a warped page image. The method first accepts a camera image of a page, creates a filtered edge map, and identifies text-likely regions. The filtered edge map and text-likely regions are projected into a polar coordinate system to determine page lines and warped image page curves. An adaptive two-dimensional (2D) ruled mesh piecewise planar approximation of a warped page surface is created. A three-dimensional (3D) model is created using the adaptive 2D ruled mesh and the estimate of the camera focal length estimate. Using the 3D model, a 2D target mesh is created for rectifying the image of the page. In one aspect, the adaptive 2D ruled mesh is projected onto a 3D warped page surface using the estimated camera focal length and an estimated surface normal of each planar strip from the adaptive 2D ruled mesh.

Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to camera-based scanners and, more particularly, to a system and method for correcting errors introduced in the process of document scanning.
Description of the Related Art
The scanning of a document with a handheld camera-enabled device is liable to introduce considerably more errors than if the same document was scanned, for example, on a dedicated flatbed device. Currently, most image correction techniques solve this problem by providing special backgrounds with known characteristics, active illumination, special lighting, a known camera pose, special hardware to hold book or minimize distortions, and/or multiple image captures in order to help estimate page geometry, simplify segmentation, and reduce shading artifacts. However, these techniques may introduce significant limitations on the use of the camera or distortion in the captured images.
It would be advantageous if a process existed for more accurately identifying document scanning errors related to focal length, page identification, and warping due to document binding.

System and method for scanned document correction


An adjusting mechanism for the back portion of a seat comprises a fixed circular flange attached to an armature of the sitting portion of the seat. The fixed flange has a cup-shaped recess and cutouts spaced at 120.degree. from one another. Each cutout contains a block with an outer toothing. The blocks are resting on block-pushing members each provided with a finger facing the mobile flange. The block-pushing members rest on a cam with three steps. The fingers of the block-pushing members cooperate with a release ring housed inside the mobile flange and having three projections provided for pushing the block-pushing members toward the center of the adjusting mechanism when the cam is pivoted in a direction for moving the back portion of the seat onto the sitting portion.

Upon demand of customers, the car manufacturers present more and more vehicle models in a so-called three-door vehicle type with two side doors and a hatch-back. Actually, this construction provides vehicles of a smaller length which are more suitable in city traffic, while permitting however the transportation of at least four persons since the rear portion of the vehicle is provided with a single back seat or the like.
However, the above type of vehicles requires necessarily side doors of a great length in order to make it easier for the rear passengers to get in and out of the vehicle.
But it is also necessary to provide front seats (for the driver and front passenger) with the back portions foldable onto the sitting portions so as to permit an easy passage of the rear passengers, both in getting into and out of the vehicle.
It has been known for a long time to provide the back portions of the front seats of vehicles so as to be adjustable in their inclination for providing a maximum comfort for the driver and the front passenger.
Articulation mechanisms enabling such adjustments in inclination of the back portion are therefore conventional means. These mechanisms can also be designed in such a manner as to allow the folding of these back portions onto the sitting portions, with an additional memory member for returning the back portion into its correct position once the rear passengers have entered or exited from the vehicle being provided. However all these adjusting devices are complex and therefore very expensive.
This is particularly the case for the devices shown in EP-A-0,250,290 (Cousin) and FR-A-2,231,538 (Keiper), with the latter prior art document disclosing a positioning means using toothed blocks locked into the toothing of a ring by means of a cam which is returned on latching by means of curved slots actuating them via pins rigidly connected to these blocks. But nothing in this known arrangement retains the blocks over a certain angular range in order to keep them disengaged with the toothing of the ring.
Car manufacturers have long been searching for a very reliable, simple and rather cheap mechanism, which is mountable on various types of seats and which has the following necessary basic functions: i) an adjustment of the inclination of the seat back portion with respect to the sitting portion, and ii) a rapid folding of the back portion onto the sitting portion with a memory member for returning the seat back portion to its correct position once the vehicle rear passengers have entered or exited the vehicle.
Finally, these mechanisms have to be embodied such as to be adaptable to various types of vehicles and to be controllable in a simple manner, both for the adjustment in inclination of the back portion and for folding the back portion onto the sitting portion.
Moreover, these mechanisms must be free of any notable play so as to avoid discomfort for the passenger sitting on the respective seat.

Mechanism for adjusting the back portion of a seat


Air vent for protecting the public potable water system against terrorism and sabotage. Conventional air vents allow the movement of air in and out of an enclosed reservoir structure but do not stop the penetration of liquids or solids. The present invention allows the movement of air but will not allow any liquids or solids to pass through the vent, even if these liquids or solids are being applied under pressure. This is accomplished by an energy dissipating arrangement of S-shape structural members.

The present invention relates to wall vents and, in particular, wall vents that can provide security for an enclosed water reservoir by allowing passage of air but prevent passage of liquids or solids that are applied with force or under pressure.
Air vents are required on an enclosed water reservoir to permit the passing of air that is displaced from or sucked into the reservoir as its water level rises or falls. At present, enclosed water reservoirs are typically equipped with conventional louver vents that consist of straight blades that are fixed at a downward angle. Such vents prevent rain from contaminating the reservoir but do not adequately resist the penetration of liquids or solids if force or pressure is applied. The public potable water system requires better protection against terrorism and sabotage.
The present invention is a wall vent that allows movement of air but prevents the passage of liquids or solids even if such liquids or solids are applied with force or under pressure against it. The present invention""s uses include use in potable water reservoirs to protect them against terrorism and sabotage.
The present invention has a design that dissipates the incoming energy of liquids or solids that strike the present invention from the exterior. The applied liquid or solid will likely drop and drain to the exterior upon striking the present invention""s first barrier, which dissipates incoming energy. If the first barrier is passed because the applied liquid or solid maintains sufficient energy to strike the present invention""s second barrier, then such liquid or solid will drop and drain to the exterior after striking the second barrier, which also dissipates incoming energy.
Existing vents do not have any structural elements that dissipate incoming energy to the extent of the present invention. Existing vents may protect against the passage of rain or other liquids or solids that fall downward, but they do not protect against the passage of liquids or solids that are applied directly sideways with force or under pressure.


Example embodiments of disclosed configurations include a process (and system and non-transitory computer storage readable medium) for verifying an operation or a functionality of a design under test (DUT) through a distributed database processing system. In one or more embodiments, the emulator performs emulation of a DUT, and traces signals of the DUT based on the emulation. In one aspect, the traced signals are divided into multiple segments and are stored in the distributed database processing system in a form of key-value pairs. The distributed database processing system generates analysis segments based on corresponding segments of the traced signals and corresponding analysis rules. An analysis rule describes how to determine a particular characteristic of a corresponding segment of a signal. The distributed database processing system aggregates the analysis segments and generates a circuit analysis result indicating an aspect of the functionality of the DUT.

Emulators have been developed to assist circuit designers in designing and debugging highly complex integrated circuits. An emulator includes multiple reconfigurable components, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that together can imitate the operations of a circuit under test (also referred to as a design under test (DUT)). By using an emulator to imitate the operations of a DUT, designers can verify that a DUT complies with various design requirements prior to a fabrication.
Analyzing the functionality or the operation of the DUT (e.g., power analysis) involves emulating the DUT and detecting certain states of multiple signals in the DUT tracked during the emulation. For example, numerous tracking components in addition to DUT are implemented to count a number of toggles for performing power analysis. For each signal that is tracked, an emulator typically has to implement numerous hardware resources (e.g., multiple registers or memories). Accordingly, an amount of resources for confirming the functionality or the operation of the DUT scales according to the number of signals. Hence, a great amount of hardware resources (e.g., processing cycles and/or memory) may have to be implemented by the emulator to accommodate additional hardware components to confirm the functionality or the operation of the DUT. In turn, this slows down the emulation process and limits the size of a DUT for which circuit analysis can be performed. In addition, a large amount of data (e.g., on the order of terabytes), which includes the detected states of the signals, is transferred to a host system for further processing. Transferring data to the host system requires a large amount of data bus or network bandwidth.
Therefore, analyzing the operations of the DUT in a conventional emulation environment is inefficient in terms of hardware and communication resources.

Circuit verification on a distributed database processing system


Embodiments of an engine generator set are provided herein with a compact, modular design and improved cooling characteristics. The engine generator set embodiments may generally comprise a horizontally shafted engine and alternator, and a cooling system. In some embodiments, the embodiments may include a set of on-board transformers. The cooling system includes one or more components, such as a radiator and one or more electrically driven fans, which are mounted above and/or below the horizontally shafted engine and alternator in a vertical stack. A generator set housing encloses the horizontally shafted engine and alternator, the cooling system and the set of on-board transformers (if included), as well as other generator set components. Due in part to the vertical stacking of the cooling system components, a height of the generator set housing may be substantially larger than a length of the generator set housing, resulting in a substantially reduced footprint, as compared to conventional generator sets.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to engine generator sets and, more particularly, to engine generator sets with a more compact, modular design and improved cooling characteristics.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
The following descriptions and examples are provided as background only and are intended to reveal information that is believed to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, or should be construed, that any of the following information constitutes prior art impacting the patentable character of the subjected mater claimed herein.
An engine generator set (otherwise referred to as a "generator set" or "gen-set") is the combination of an electrical generator and an engine (prime mover), which are mounted together to form a single piece of equipment. Engine generator sets are available in a wide range of power ratings, including small, portable units that can supply several hundred watts of power, hand-cart mounted units that can supply several thousand watts, and stationary or trailer-mounted units that can supply over a million watts. Regardless of the size, generator sets may run on a variety of different fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane (liquid or gas), bio-diesel, sewage gas or hydrogen. Most of the smaller units are built to use gasoline as a fuel, while larger units typically use diesel, natural gas or propane.
Engine generator sets are often used to supply electrical power in places where utility power is not available, or where power is needed only temporarily or as a backup. Small generators are sometimes used to supply power tools at construction sites. Trailer-mounted generators supply power for temporary installations of lighting, sound amplification systems, amusement rides, etc., and may also be used for emergencies or backup where either a redundant system is required or no generator is on site.
Standby power generators are permanently installed at an installation site and are generally kept ready to supply power during temporary interruptions of the utility power supply. Hospitals, communications service installations, data processing centers, sewage pumping stations and many other important facilities are often equipped with standby power generators, as well as some businesses and residences. Some standby power generators can automatically detect the loss of grid power, start the engine, run using fuel from a natural gas line, detect when grid power is restored, and then turn itself off—with no human interaction.
Engine generator sets utilized for standby power generation can provide anywhere from about 6 kW to about 3250 kW or more of single phase or three phase power at a variety of different output voltages and frequencies. As shown in FIG. 1, the main components of an engine generator set include an internal combustion engine 1, electrical generator 2, fuel system 3, voltage regulator 4, cooling and exhaust systems 5, lubricating systems 6, battery charger 7 and control panel 8. These components are typically mounted on the generator's skid base (or main assembly/frame) 9 and enclosed within a generator set housing or enclosure (not shown in FIG. 1).
The internal combustion engine 1 provides a mechanical energy input to the electrical generator or alternator 2, which converts the mechanical energy into an electrical output. The size of the engine is directly proportional to the maximum power output the generator can supply. As noted above, the engine may run on a variety of different fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, etc. In the case of smaller engine generator units, the fuel system 3 may include a fuel tank, which is mounted to the generator's skid base or on top of the generator frame 9. For commercial applications, it may be necessary to erect and install an external fuel tank, or provide a connection to a utility gas line. The lubricating system 6 provides lubricants to the moving parts of the engine.
In generator sets used for standby power generation, the engine crank shaft is typically coupled to the electrical generator 2 along a horizontal axis. The electrical generator 2 is typically a high efficiency alternator having a rotor coupled to the engine crank shaft and a stator coupled for supplying alternating current to an electronic control section, which controls operation of the alternator and internal combustion engine. The voltage regulator 4 regulates the AC voltage produced by the alternator 2 by determining whether and by how much the sensed voltage/current deviates from desired values.
During operation, heat is produced by both the engine 1 and the alternator 2 and this heat must be removed from the enclosure for proper system operation. Heat may be removed by a variety of different cooling and exhaust systems 5, including both air and liquid cooling systems. One conventional solution for removal of heat is to provide separate mechanically driven fans for the engine 1 and the alternator 2. In a horizontally shafted engine 1, the engine crank shaft is coupled at one end to the rotor of the alternator 2, and at an opposite end to a fan 5 mounted within a sidewall of the generator set housing. The fan is driven by the engine crank shaft to blow cooling air over the engine. In many cases, a second fan (not shown in FIG. 1) may be coupled to the engine crank shaft between the engine 1 and the alternator 2 to cool the rotor windings and provide additional engine cooling. Because these fans are both driven by the engine crank shaft, they only provide cooling when the engine is running. These mechanically driven fans are also very noisy and inefficient, since fan speed is directly related to engine speed and cannot be optimized for temperature.
In some cases, the generator set may also include an electronic control section including a control panel, a controller, and one or more output sensors and electrical circuit breaker(s). The output of the alternator 2 may be fed through the output sensors and the electrical circuit breaker(s) to the output lines of the generator set. The controller is typically a microcomputer based subsystem that executes a control program to govern the operation of the alternator 2. The controller may receive signals from the control panel 8 and the output sensors, which sense the voltage and current levels of the electricity produced by the alternator, and from those signals may derive the frequency and polarity of the AC current and voltage produced by the alternator. The electrical circuit breaker(s) may operate to open and close a set of contacts that connect the output lines of the generator set to an electrical distribution system or customer load.
In some cases, a number of generator sets may be coupled in parallel as energy sources in what is called a "paralleling system." In a paralleling system, the output lines of each generator set are typically coupled to a three-phase parallel electrical bus having three separate conductors. In some cases, parallel electrical bus may be connected through a main distribution panel to various loads within a structure (such as a building or residence), a campus or other facility. The main distribution panel typically includes a single, large transformer for transforming the AC voltage (e.g., 480V) output from all parallel-coupled generator sets to a substantially higher voltage (e.g., 12,470 V), which can be supplied to the loads. Unfortunately, using a single, large transformer at the main distribution panel presents a single point of failure to the paralleling system. In addition, a single large transformer also requires larger inrush currents when energized, and therefore, limits the number that can be energized at once from a single generator set.
In other cases, the parallel electrical bus may be coupled to utility power lines by an automatic transfer switch (ATS), which detects when electricity from the utility lines is interrupted and disconnects the parallel electrical bus from the utility lines in response. In such cases, the parallel-coupled generator sets can export power and energy to the utility grid if: (a) suitable transformers are provided to allow the voltages produced by the generator sets to be stepped up to a voltage that is equivalent to the delivery voltage of the local utility grid, and (b) additional control equipment is provided to allow the waveforms of the electricity produced by the generator sets to be synchronized with those of the utility. In order to parallel synchronously to the utility lines, the AC voltages output from the parallel-coupled generator sets must be stepped up to voltages ranging from about 2,400-38,000 volts by a transformer with sufficient capacity to export the entire capacity of the group of paralleled generator sets. However, using a single, large transformer for such purpose has many disadvantages, as noted above.
In addition to the problems associated with using a single, large transformer to transform the AC voltage output from the parallel-coupled generator sets, the large output current generated by each generator set requires relatively large and expensive cables to be used to connect the output from each generator set to the parallel electrical bus. For example, a generator set configured to provide three phase AC voltage of 480/277V at approximately 350 KW generates approximately 585 A of AC current per phase. At these output current levels, two sets of large 500MCM cables are required per phase and neutral, which results in 8 large wires. Another disadvantage of connecting the generator set output lines to the transformer at the main distribution panel is that long runs of 500MCM cables are subject to losses from the resistance of the wires to large current flow.
As noted above, the components of each generator set are typically enclosed within a generator set housing or enclosure. In many cases, the generator set housing is substantially rectangular in shape, and because of the horizontal arrangement of components (see, FIG. 1), the generator set housing is often significantly greater in length than in width and height. Particular dimensions of conventional generator set housings vary greatly for different power ratings and configurations, although it is safe to say that generator sets with larger power ratings generally have larger footprints. For example, the length of a smaller generator set providing only 6 kW of power may be as little as 3-5 feet, whereas a larger generator set providing about 350 kW of power may be about 15-20 feet in length. It is easy to recognize how real estate is quickly consumed when a number of larger generator sets are coupled together in a paralleling system.

Engine generator set with a more compact, modular design and improved cooling characteristics


Apparatus for cutting web material in which blade and anvil rolls cooperate, the blade roll having a slot in which a blade-equipped bar is mounted and equipped with springs for exerting both generally radially outward and generally circumferentially resilient forces on the bar and blade and in which friction means are operably associated with the blade for inhibiting axial movement of the blade.

This invention relates to apparatus and method for cutting and more particularly the mounting of cutting blades in a rotating cylinder for cutting or perforating continuous webs of paper, plastic, fabric, etc. More specifically, the invention applies to the manner in which the cutting blade is supported, clamped, and changed.
In the manufacture of many articles of paper, plastic, fabric and the like, there is a need to cut or perforate across the width of a moving web. A widely used method of doing this is to use steel rule cutting blades clamped in a slot of a rotating cylinder or roll. The blades cut against a hardened steel impression cylinder or roll. A plurality of cutting rules are mounted around the circumference of the cylinder. The blades are first clamped lightly, the cylinder rotated one revolution to seat each blade in contact with the impression cylinder, then the blades are securely clamped before cutting any paper, plastic, fabric, etc.
This method works quite well and has been in common use for many years. It does have some objections, however. First, as the speed of machinery has increased, a problem developed due to the heat generated in the bearings of the blade and impression cylinders. This heating causes the frames of the machine supporting the cylinders to expand--thus separating the centers of the cylinders and causing poor cutting for lack of sufficient contact between the cutting blade and the impression cylinder. This problem has been solved at some expense by providing heaters for the frames to maintain them at a uniform elevated temperature.
A second problem is the long time it takes to install new blades. The blades are typically held by a series of clamping screws each one of which must be set to a proper torque for the first revolution of the cylinder, and then tightened for the final clamping. If the torque for the first setting is too low, the blades will not cut. If it is too high, the blades will hit too hard giving short blade life and severe wear and tear on the bearings, drive gears, etc. If the blades are extended too far out of the blade cylinder slot for the first revolution, they can be permanently bent, and thus ruined--as a bent blade will not cut cleanly. The difficulty of setting cutting blades by this method results in many blades being set improperly requiring resetting, short blade life or poor quality cuts.
Prior art concerned with the solution of these problems includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,918 which discloses a method of clamping along the length of the blade by means of a plurality of cylindrical locking pieces actuated to apply a blade locking pressure by means of a single wedge in order to reduce the lock up time. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,865,164, 3,989,077 and 4,068,694 show methods of spring loading wedge shaped clamping bars and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,594,928 and 4,671,154 use pressure cylinders to provide the clamping force. All these patents rigidly clamp the blade and deal only with the problem of reducing the time to change the blades More recently U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,848,202 and 4,902,843 also show method of quick change mounting of blades. U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,202 provides for shimming under the clamping bar to adjust for inaccuracies in machining or tolerances while U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,843 provides for operator adjustment screws for each blade to compensate for these differences in blade height.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,568 shows a resilient mounting of the cutting blade so that the blade or its mounting can be flexed to the extent necessary to develop the required cutting force using the spring rate of the blade to avoid the rolling in "process" to adjust the height of the blade. Again this patent addresses only one of the several problems.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,080 shows a blade made to be elastically deformable to enable at least a portion of the blade to yield as it engages the hard surface of the impression cylinder. Here the means provided to enable the deformation, require that the blade be clamped along only the lowermost portion of the blade which leaves the cutting edge of the blade poorly supported.
None of the prior art provides a cutting blade support and clamping system that meets the objectives of this invention. In particular, none of the prior art provides restraint to the movement of the blade across the width of the cylinder while clamped with reduced spring force.


An etiquette controller (112) in a transmitter (14) in a first radio frequency (RF) communications system (10) enables radio frequency communications in a frequency bandwidth shared with heterogeneous RF communication systems (15). The etiquette controller (112) monitors the first RF signals in an isochronous frequency channel in a sub-band of the shared frequency bandwidth to determine whether (124) a frequency channel is free or whether (130, 136) the frequency channel comprises a communication channel which is free. In addition, the etiquette controller (112) causes the RF transceiver (102) to transmit (148) a channel relinquishment signal, monitors (150) the isochronous frequency channel for a predetermined monitoring time, and determines (152) whether the isochronous frequency channel is then free for the channel access.

The increase in the popularity of highly portable telecommunications has led to an increase in the number and types of radio communications systems. For example, Personal Communication Systems (PCS), which may comprise second generation cordless telephones (CT-2), utilize digital telephone technology to release a user from the confinement of using his telephone only in his home. In a PCS system, the CT-2 handset can be carried on one's person and calls can be made by establishing a radio frequency link with a telepoint base station or a private base station. Other recently developed, highly portable radio communications systems are the Digital European Cordless Telephone system (DECT), the Bellcore FA technology, and a telecommunications system developed by Qualcomm.
Yet, not all radio frequency (RF) communications systems are homogeneous requiring an allocation of RF bandwidth for the various RF communication systems. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) governs the allocations of various radio frequency bands for use by the multiplicity of heterogeneous RF communication systems. The rules and regulations of the FCC require that radio frequency operation within an allocated frequency band be licensed by the FCC.
Virtually no frequencies below 3 GHz in the RF spectrum in the United States are unallocated. Currently no frequency bands are allocated for usage by the new highly portable RF communication systems, such as PCS. To obtain reallocation of a frequency band from the FCC could take a long time and require a substantial investment of time and funds for political lobbying and other bureaucratic requirements.
Certain frequency bands under FCC Part 15 Regulations are allocated for unlicensed operation. The newly developed RF communication systems could operate in these unlicensed frequency bands. However, there could be an unlimited number of different RF communication systems within a frequency band and the possible users could be broadcasting in any of a number of different multiple access techniques, such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA) or wireless data systems using carrier sense multiple access (CSMA). Even systems sharing the same multiple access technique may have different parameters, protocols and Common Air Interfaces (e.g., the frame length and the number of time slots in a frame of a TDMA system). The transmitters may be isochronous and transmit at regular intervals (as likely with voice service), or asynchronous and transmit at irregular intervals (e.g., local area network (LAN) data systems).
It has been proposed that unlicensed PCS systems operate within a 20 MHz bandwidth in the 2 GHz band. A service provider who provides a PCS system utilizing unlicensed RF operation, however, cannot predict the future use of the RF channels adopted. Many communication service providers are reluctant to invest much money in RF communication system infrastructure which would operate in an unlicensed spectrum because of the risk that the spectrum could become overcrowded, chaotic, and ultimately unusable for public telepoint service.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus to allow devices of different RF communication systems to coexist in an interference-limited environment by constraining all devices to a known behavioral envelope.

Method and apparatus for radio frequency bandwidth sharing among heterogeneous radio communication system


An intrinsically safe video inspection system intended for use in a Class I, Zone 0 area is capable of visually surveying hazardous area locations; where the potential for fire or explosion exists because of gases, dust, or easily ignitable fibers in the atmosphere. The intrinsically safe camera of the present invention has the distinct ability to be used all areas that require increased safety and works in various hazardous environments, allowing users the ability to remotely view and inspect various mines, silos, and storage tanks. The inspection system includes a low power, high 3.2 megapixel resolution camera with digital zoom capability that allows for the close inspection and examination and utilizes an LED fiber light pipe for illumination needs. The video inspection system of the present invention provides for the illumination in various cavity sizes, while reducing the risk of unintended accidents.

With the technological advances that have been made in camera technology, including the development of miniature and solid state digital cameras, it has been increasingly commonplace to incorporate video cameras into ordinary diagnostic equipment. One specific application of the modern cameras is in the field of robotics, and remote inspection systems. For instance, cameras may be incorporated into robotically controlled electronics manufacturing systems for inspection of solder or weld joints, for examining the proper placement of components in electronic assembly, and other uses where visual feedback would be advantageous.
Another practical application of modern camera technology includes the inspection of hazardous environments. For instance, a video inspection system can provide a more detailed inspection than the naked eye, can be exposed to environments incompatible with human life, and can often identify defects long before they become apparent to less sophisticated inspection systems. These defects, if left unnoticed, can result in significant safety hazards, and in some environments, can lead to catastrophe. One such environment is in the inspection of tanks used for the transport and storage of hazardous mated is, such as fuel tanks, oil tanks, or other dangerous chemicals.
Hazardous environments that contain volatile gasses, vapors, or liquids are typically classified by zones. Specifically, a Zone 2 environment has no risk of fire or explosion, Zone 1 has a higher risk of fire or explosion, and Zone 0 has a high risk of fire or explosion. Equipment is typically certified to operate in specific zones. For instance, one device may be certified only for use in Zone 2 environments, while another device may be certified for use in Zone 1. Typically, devices certified for Zone 1 can also be used in Zone 2 since Zone 2 has less stringent requirements for safety than Zone 1.
In order to satisfy the requirements for Zone 1 and Zone 0, certain electrical and mechanical design requirements must be met. These design requirements are primarily focused on safety concerns, and include the limitations to avoid excessive heat, fire, spark, static, or other sources of ignition. Devices that are designed for use within the Zone 0 environment are considered "intrinsically safe."
Intrinsic safety is a protection model employed in potentially explosive atmospheres and relies on the electrical apparatus being designed so that it is unable to release sufficient energy by either thermal or electrical means that can cause an ignition of a flammable gas. A published discussion of this protection technique can be found at www.iec.ch. Part of IEC 60079 specifies the construction and testing of intrinsically safe apparatus intended for use in an explosive gas atmosphere and for associated apparatus, which is intended for connection to intrinsically safe circuits which enter such atmospheres. These are locations where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, dust, or easily ignitable fibers are present continuously, or are present for long periods of time.
Historically, video systems have been excluded from being used in Zone 0 applications due to the potential for an explosion, Typical video systems include sufficient voltage potentials and power uses that can create excessive sparking, localized heat sources, and in some cases, a circuit failure could result in a fire developing within the video system itself causing a primary explosion. This is particularly dangerous when considering the highly volatile Zone 0 environments where a primary explosion would necessarily result in a more catastrophic secondary explosion.
In order to inspect Zone 0 or Zone 1 environments, it is estimated that millions of dollars spent each year are expended in the opening, gas-freeing and inspection of vapor and gas storage and transportation tanks. This estimate does not take into account the substantial amount of time required to prepare permits, secure the area, evacuate the tank, and send in a person wearing HAZMAT equipment inside the tank with conventional recording and inspection equipment. Many of these are unplanned and could have been unnecessary.
In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a video inspection system that offers a multifold increase in process efficiency from reduction in time and cost in tank opening, gas-freeing, and inspection. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a video inspection system that offers quantitative and standardized inspection analysis and results which are not subject to human judgment, error or variability. Cost savings associated with such a video inspection system would include a substantial reduction in labor costs that are typically associated with the insertion of trained inspectors into these confined spaces and the unnecessary ventilation and re-preservation of tanks.

Intrinsically safe video inspection system