An anchor has a hollow shank having a head at one end and an integral blade portion at the other end and formed with male threads on the outer periphery. Cuts are formed in a peripheral wall of the hollow shank to define therebetween a bendable portion adapted to bend when pushed out by a mounting screw driven into the hollow shank. The blade portion is substantially semicylindrical with side edges defining cutting edges. Ribs for inclining the mounting screw are formed on the inner surfaces of the blade portion and the hollow shaft, respectively. When a mounting screw is driven through the article into the anchor to fix an article to the board, the mounting screw is inclined relative to the anchor, so that the bendable portion is pushed out, thus preventing the anchor from rotating together with the screw.

This invention relates to threaded anchors used to reinforce a brittle wall member such as a plaster board when an article is to be fixed to the wall member by use of screws.
If nails or screws are directly driven into a brittle wall member such as a plaster board to fix an article to the wall member, they cannot engage the wall securely but come off easily. Thus, anchors or plugs for reinforcing the wall are needed.
Conventional such anchors have a hollow shank having a head at one end and an integral blade portion at the other end and formed with male threads on its outer periphery. Some blade portions are cylindrical with or without a serrated cutting edge at the tip, others are plate-shaped with a pointed tip, and still others are conical with an edge-defining recess on the outer periphery and adapted to bend when a mounting screw is driven in.
When an anchor with a cylindrical blade is driven into a wall member, chips tend to get into the blade and be compacted like a hard cork, which increases the resistance to driving the mounting screw, thus weakening the force with which the anchor is tightened in the wall member. When an anchor having a cylindrical blade with a serrated edge at its tip is brought into abutment with a wall member, the anchor tends to slip in the initial stage of boring due to a small contact area with the wall member. It is thus difficult to drive in such an anchor.
In the case of an anchor with a flat plate-shaped or conical blade, chips of the wall member are discharged outwardly, thus messing the finish when the anchor has been driven in. Also, the wall tends to collapse at its back due to weak chip discharging force.
Moreover, when the mounting screw is driven in, especially if the screw is a long one, the blade portion has to be inclined and the bottom of the hollow shank of the anchor has to be broken. This weakens the force with which the anchor is tightened in the wall member.
Furthermore, since conventional anchors of all types have inner diameters corresponding to individual mounting screws, each anchor can be used with only limited kinds of mounting screws. Conventional anchors also have a problem in that they tend to come off together with a mounting screw when the latter is unscrewed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a threaded anchor which provides a beautiful finished surface when set, increased tightening force, and which can be used with increased variety of mounting screws, and an which never turns together with the mounting screw when the screw is turned in a loosening direction.


Apparatus is disclosed for processing video information which is reproduced from a magnetic recording medium in a video cassette recorder. The luminance portion of the video signal, which is "folded" about a sampling frequency carrier before recording on magnetic tape, is unfolded after being read from the magnetic tape to restore the bandwidth of the signal, and is applied in parallel through horizontal and vertical comb filters. The combined output of the horizontal comb filter and the vertical comb filter may include incompletely cancelled horizontal and vertical components of the folding frequency and sidebands due to the effects of picture contents. An edge detector receptive to the unfolded video signal responds to an encountered brightness edge, and generates a signal which varies the proportions of the video outputs of the horizontal and vertical comb filters in the combined output.

Broadcast television signals according to the NTSC standard in the U.S.A. occupy a video frequency band of about 4.25 MHz. Low cost home video cassette recorders are unable to record a TV signal having so wide a frequency range on magnetic tape and may be limited to recording a frequency range of about 2.5 MHz Accordingly, the definition of pictures reproduced by a video cassette recorder is considerably less than is produced by a TV set receptive of an over-the-air signal. A great deal of effort has been directed to improving the definition of pictures reproduced by a video cassette recorder, in spite of the frequency limitation of the magnetic recording process. For example, it is known to improve the definition of magnetically recorded images by folding the high frequency components, of the luminance portion of a TV signal to be recorded, into a base-band spectrum, and thereafter, unfolding and restoring the luminance high frequency components for combination with the chroma signal and reproduction in a TV set.
In processing video signals after they have been unfolded from the folded condition, the modulation carrier and the corresponding sidebands are not always removed completely. The effect of the incomplete removal of these signals is artifacts or blemishes in the final TV picture display. These artifacts are particularly evident when the object has a well-defined edge which the luminance signal (particularly in the upper bandwidths, about 4.5 MHz) can reproduce. The problem of removing these unwanted signals has heretofore been difficult to accomplish. It is important to understand the folding and unfolding processes in order to appreciate how the present invention overcomes the problem of the unwanted signals.
The folding and unfolding process involves the use of comb filters well known in the art. Thus, when an object or field of view is periodically scanned in a series of parallel lines and the light level variations are translated into electrical energy analogs, the energy is largely concentrated in a number of discrete energy groups distributed throughout the spectrum used. There is very little useful energy lying between the groups, and the spectral distance between the groups is related to the line scanning rate and the picture frame scanning rate. Most of the energy lies at the line scanning rate and harmonics thereof, and at the frame scanning rate and harmonics thereof. Comb filters are used in processing the video when folding the high frequency discrete energy groups into the spaces between the low frequency discrete energy groups, and in processing the video when unfolding the high frequency and low frequency energy groups.
A horizontal comb filter in a digitized video system includes in cascade connection two delay devices each with a delay t, where t is the delay time between picture elements (pixels), which may be the period of a f.sub.sh horizontal sampling carrier. The luminance signal before entering the first delay device, the signal leaving the first delay device, and the signal leaving the second delay device are combined in such a way as to tend to cancel the horizontal folding frequency carrier at the output of the horizontal comb filter.
Similarly, a vertical comb filter in a digitized video system includes in cascade connection two delay devices each with a delay of the delay time between successive lines, which may be the period of f.sub.sv, the vertical sampling frequency, where f.sub.sv is equal to f.sub.sh divided by pixels per line. The luminance signal before entering the first delay device, the signal leaving the first delay device, and the signal leaving the second delay device are combined in such a way as to tend to cancel the vertical component of the folding frequency and sidebands at the output of the vertical comb filter.
However, the completeness of cancellation of the horizontal frequency component, and of the vertical frequency component, is affected by the subject matter being scanned. The horizontal frequency cancellation is the best when the pixels scanned horizontally have the same brightness. And the vertical frequency cancellation is the best when the pixels scanned vertically have the same brightness. In both cases, the cancellation is the poorest when horizontally scanning a "horizontal edge" between white and black, and when vertically scanning a "vertical edge" between white and black.
According to the terminology employed herein, a horizontal scan encountering an edge between white and black is said to encounter a "horizontal edge" The edge may be a vertical line, but it is called a horizontal edge because it is encountered during a horizontal scan. Similarly, an edge encountered during a vertical scan is called a "vertical edge". The term "edge" is sometimes referred to in the art as a "discontinuity", "transition", or "detail".

Removal of the folding carrier and sidebands from an unfolded video signal


Embodiments are directed to a spherically shaped bottle. The spherically shaped bottle may be configured to hold and dispense ingestible pills, including tablets, capsules, or other ingestible products. The spherically shaped bottle may include a container body that holds the ingestible pills within an internal volume. A cap may be pivotally coupled with the container body and configured to cover the internal volume. The cap may define a spherical outer surface of the container with the container body when closed. The spherically shaped bottle may include a neck above the internal volume configured to dispense ingestible pills when the spherically shaped bottle is tilted.

A pill bottle or container may be used to hold pills or other ingestible health-related product. Traditionally, pill containers are formed from cylindrical or rectangular shaped bodies, which may limit the ability to visually differentiate the container from other products. In some cases, larger pills or capsules may not fit well within a cylindrical or rectangular bottle and may become jammed or bind. Additionally, traditional pill containers typically contain screw-top lids which may be difficult to open or may be separated and lost from the container. The devices and assemblies described herein are directed to container designs that do not have some of the drawbacks associated with some traditional pill bottles.


A method for sensing a register discrepancy (r) in a multi-color printed item, the position of at least one register mark (1, 1xe2x80x2) that is associated with one color being sensed with respect to the position of at least one register mark (2, 2xe2x80x2) that is associated with at least one further color, and any density register discrepancy (r) using a measurement window being ascertained from discrepancies in the actual relative position (3) with respect to the reference relative position (4). The invention, furthermore, concerns an apparatus, a register control system, and register marks (1, 1xe2x80x2, 2, 2xe2x80x2).

A method for sensing a register discrepancy in a multi-color printed item, the position of at least one register mark that is associated with one color being sensed with respect to the position of at least one register mark that is associated with at least one further color, and any register discrepancy being ascertained from discrepancies in the actual relative position with respect to the reference relative position.
The invention furthermore concerns an apparatus for carrying out such a method, a register control system having such an apparatus, and register marks for carrying out the method.
The purpose of sensing register discrepancies is to control multi-color printing presses, since the individual single-color images must be exactly superimposed on one another. This exact alignment is brought about by the fact that first register marks are printed with the first printed single-color image, and further register marks are printed along with the subsequent single-color images. By way of an optical scanning apparatus, the positions of the register marks printed first (viewed in the transport direction of the paper) are compared to the register marks printed subsequently. If a positional displacement occurs in the register marks that are to be compared, the phase position of the individual printing rollers or of their printed images is adjusted so that the register marks, and thus also the individual single-color images, are aligned relative to one another within the desired tolerance range.
A method of the kind cited initially, an apparatus for carrying it out, a register control system, and register marks for such a method are known from DE Unexamined Application No. 27 31 914. In this, a series of test marks with gaps are provided; some of them serve to identify the register sensing region within the overall printed item, and a gap between two test marks represents the actual register mark for sensing register. This requires, however, separate optical scanning apparatuses configured specially for sensing the register marks and their exact position, thus marking the presses more expensive and requiring valuable additional space.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to eliminate the optical scanning apparatuses which serve exclusively for the sensing of register marks.
With regard to this method, the object is achieved in that the possible register discrepancy between colors, for which the sum of adjacent individual densities is not equal to the total density when the colors are superimposed, is ascertained by the fact that first the individual densities of the colors and their total density when printed onto one another is measured; then the density of the register marks is measured in a measurement window; and then, from the measured density values, the degree of overlap of the register marks in the measurement window, and from that the register discrepancy, is measured.
In terms of the apparatus for carrying out such a method, the object is achieved in that it has at least one densitometer and one analysis device, the at least one densitometer being provided for the sensing of individual densities of colors and of a total density of at least two colors printed onto one another, and for measuring the density of the register marks in at least one measurement window; and the analysis device being configured such that from the measured density values, it ascertains the degree of overlap of the register marks in the at least one measurement window and, from that, the register discrepancy.
There is proposed for the apparatus according to the present invention a register control system in which there is connected to the aforesaid analysis device a control device which is configured such that, in accordance with the register discrepancies, it issues positioning commands to positioning elements of the individual printing units in order to bring about the reference relative position of the various colors with respect to a reference color.
To carry out the method according to the present invention, register marks are proposed which are configured in planar fashion with defined boundaries for sensing of the density using a densitometer, the sum of adjacently located individual densities of various colors being unequal to the total density when the colors are superimposed, and the arrangement of the register marks being such that the total densities of register marks within a measurement window can be sensed by a densitometer.

Method and apparatus for sensing a register discrepancy in a multi-color printed item, and register control system and register marks


An isolated polynucleotide molecule includes a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA molecule encoding a modified live viral strain of an Equine arteritis virus, wherein the DNA sequence is SEQ ID NO:1 or a degenerate variant thereof. Also provided are transformed or transfected host cells including that sequence, vectors including the sequence, and isolated infectious RNA molecules encoded by the sequence. Further, a modified DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA molecule encoding a modified live viral strain of an Equine arteritis virus is provided wherein the DNA sequence is SEQ ID NO:2 or a degenerate variant thereof, including a silent point mutation allowing distinguishing the modified sequence from the parent and other strains of Equine arteritis virus.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is a member of the genus Arterivirus, family Arteriviridae in the order Nidovirales (Cavanagh, 1997), and is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA) of horses (Doll et al., 1957a). Outbreaks of EVA are characterized by any combination of systemic illness of adult horses, abortion of pregnant mares, interstitial pneumonia of young foals and persistent infection of stallions (Doll et al., 1957a; Doll et al., 1957b; Golnik et al., 1981; Timoney et al. 1986; Timoney et al., 1987; Timoncy et al., 1992; Carman et al., 1988; Vaala et al., 1992; Del Piero et al., 1995; Del Piero et al., 1997). EAV is horizontally transmitted either by aerosol during outbreaks of EVA or venerally via the breeding of an infected stallion to susceptible mares, and vertically through congenital infection of foals born to mares infected late in gestation (Timoney et al., 1987; Timoney et al., 1992; Vaala et al., 1992; Timoney and McCollum, 1993; Glaser et al., 1996).
Dissemination of EAV by fomites such as vehicles, twitches, artificial vaginas and shanks can be an important source of infection in some outbreaks (Collins et al. 1987; Timoney and McCollum, 1988; Timoney and McCollum, 1993). The persistently infected carrier stallion clearly plays an important role in perpetuation and sexual dissemination of EAV. The persistence of EAV in the male reproductive tract is testosterone-dependent (Timoney and McCollum, 1993). It was recently shown that EAV behaves as a quasi-species during persistent infection of carrier stallions, with regular emergence of novel genotypic and phenotypic viral variants (Hedges et al., 1999).
The EAV genome is 12.7 kb and contains 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions and nine functional open reading frames [ORFs; (Snijder and Meulenberg, 1998. Snijder et al., 1999)]. ORFs 1a and 1b encode two replicase polyproteins [pp1a and pp1ab; (de Vries et al., 1997; Snijder and Spaan, 2006; Snijder and Meulenberg, 1998)], and the remaining seven ORFs (2a, 2b and 3-7) encode structural proteins of the virus. These include four membrane glycoproteins GP2 (25 kDa), GP3 (3642 kDa), GP4 (28 kDa) and GP5 (30-44 kDa), respectively encoded by ORFs 2b, 3, 4, and 5, two unglycosylated membrane proteins E (8 kDa) and M (17 kDa) encoded by ORFs 2a and 6, and the phosphorylated nucleocapsid protein N (14 kDa) encoded by ORF7 (de Vries et al., 1992; Snijder et al., 1999; Wieringa et al, 2002).
Prevention and control of EVA in North America is achieved by vaccination of horses with the modified live virus vaccine strain of EAV (ARVAC®, Fort Dodge Animal Health; Moore, 1986). Although the current modified live virus (MLV) vaccine against EVA is safe and efficacious, there is resistance to using it in horses in many countries (e.g. European Union) regardless of the seroprevalence of EAV infection. One of the major concerns is the safety of the current MLV vaccine in pregnant mares, in particular the ability of the attenuated virus to cross the placenta and infects the unborn foal. The vaccine is only recommended for use in stallions and nonpregnant mares. It is not recommended for use in pregnant mares, especially during the last two months of gestation, or in foals less than 6 weeks of age, unless they are at high risk of natural exposure. Furthermore, horses that are vaccinated with the current MLV cannot be distinguished from naturally infected animals. Following the recent multi-state EVA occurrence in the United States there is a strong industry demand for a marker vaccine to distinguish vaccinated animals from the naturally infected animals, as well as to develop a MLV vaccine that is totally safe for use in pregnant mares. Thus, there remains a need in the art for novel means for control of outbreaks of EAV. The advent of recombinant DNA technology has helped to develop new generation vaccines against a number of veterinary pathogens. These include live-vectored vaccines, gene deletion mutants and DNA vaccines.

Infectious cDNA clone of the modified live virus vaccine strain of

University of Kentucky Research Foundation


A wide-array inkjet printhead assembly includes a carrier having a first side and a second side contiguous with the first side, and a plurality of printhead dies each mounted on the first side of the carrier. An electrical circuit is disposed on the first side and the second side of the carrier. As such, a plurality of electrical connectors are each electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and one of the printhead dies.

The present invention relates generally to inkjet printheads, and more particularly to a wide-array inkjet printhead assembly.
A conventional inkjet printing system includes a printhead, an ink supply which supplies liquid ink to the printhead, and an electronic controller which controls the printhead. The printhead ejects ink drops through a plurality of orifices or nozzles and toward a print medium, such as a sheet of paper, so as to print onto the print medium. Typically, the orifices are arranged in one or more arrays such that properly sequenced ejection of ink from the orifices causes characters or other images to be printed upon the print medium as the printhead and the print medium are moved relative to each other.
In one arrangement, commonly referred to as a wide-array inkjet printing system, a plurality of individual printheads, also referred to as printhead dies, are mounted on a single carrier. As such, a number of nozzles and, therefore, an overall number of ink drops which can be ejected per second is increased. Since the overall number of drops which can be ejected per second is increased, printing speed can be increased with the wide-array inkjet printing system.
Mounting a plurality of printhead dies on a single carrier, however, requires a plurality of power, ground, and data lines for the printhead dies. As such, the single carrier must accommodate a plurality of electrical connections between the electronic controller and each of the printhead dies. Since each printhead die typically requires multiple electrical connections, any difficulty in completing such connections is compounded by the number of printhead dies.
Accordingly, a need exists for routing power, ground, and data lines between an electronic controller and a plurality of printhead dies mounted on a single carrier. More particularly, a need exist for facilitating the numerous electrical connections required by the plurality of printhead dies.
One aspect of the present invention provides an inkjet printhead assembly. The inkjet printhead assembly includes a carrier having a first side and a second side contiguous with the first side, a plurality of printhead dies each mounted on the first side of the carrier, an electrical circuit disposed on the first side and the second side of the carrier, and a plurality of electrical connectors each electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and one of the printhead dies.
In one embodiment, the electrical circuit includes a flexible electrical circuit. In one embodiment, the flexible electrical circuit includes a plurality of conductive paths provided in a layer of flexible material. In one embodiment, the layer of flexible material has a plurality of openings defined therein, each of the openings accommodating one of the printhead dies.
In one embodiment, the flexible electrical circuit includes a first portion disposed on the first side of the carrier and a second portion disposed on the second side of the carrier, the first portion including a first plurality of electrical contacts and the second portion including a second plurality of electrical contacts, wherein at least one of the conductive paths of the flexible electrical circuit extends between at least one of the first plurality of electrical contacts and at least one of the second plurality of electrical contacts.
In one embodiment, the conductive paths include at least one power path, at least one ground path, and at least one data path.
In one embodiment, the carrier has a plurality of ink passages defined therein, at least one of the ink passages communicating with the first side of the carrier and at least one of the printhead dies.
In one embodiment, the second side of the carrier is substantially perpendicular to the first side of the carrier.
In one embodiment, the electrical circuit includes a first interface disposed on the first side of the carrier, each of the electrical connectors being electrically coupled to the first interface. In one embodiment, the first interface includes a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein each of the printhead dies includes at least one electrical contact, and wherein each of the electrical connectors is electrically coupled to one of the electrical contacts of the first interface and the at least one electrical contact of one of the printhead dies.
In one embodiment, each of the electrical connectors includes a wire lead having a first end electrically coupled to one of the electrical contacts of the first interface and a second end electrically coupled to the at least one electrical contact of one of the printhead dies.
In one embodiment, the electrical circuit includes a second interface disposed on the second side of the carrier, the second interface defining at least one electrical interconnect of the inkjet printhead assembly.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming an inkjet printhead assembly. The method includes providing a carrier having a first side and a second side contiguous with the first side, mounting a plurality of printhead dies on the first side of the carrier, disposing an electrical circuit on the first side and the second side of the carrier, and electrically coupling a plurality of electrical connectors with the electrical circuit and the printhead dies.
The present invention provides an electrical circuit which facilitates electrical routing between an electronic controller and a plurality of printhead dies each mounted on a single carrier.

Electrical circuit for wide-array inkjet printhead assembly

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An apparatus for monitoring the expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity of a patient caused by respirations comprises, generating means for generating an AC examination current signal, coupling means for applying the examination current signal to the patient so that the examination current passes through the thoracic cavity of the patient, but at least a portion of the current does not pass through the thoracic cavity of the patient, detecting means coupled to the coupling means for detecting an amplitude modulated voltage signal developed across the patient in response to the application of the examination current and variation of the transthoracic impedance of the patient due to respiration, and current modifying means coupled with the generating means for modifying the AC examination current during application to the patient so that the portion of the examination current which does not pass through the patient is at least partially compensated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to monitoring respirations of a patient, and more specifically to impedance pneumography, which is a technique for monitoring respirations by monitoring changes in electrical impedance caused by the expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity of the patient during respiration.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, a differential, constant amplitude AC examination current is applied to the body of a patient for detecting patient respirations by measuring changes in the transthoracic impedance of the patient. The examination current is applied to the patient by two of the electrodes normally used for ECG monitoring. The examination current is passed through the thoracic cavity of the patient and, due to the constant amplitude examination current passing through a transthoracic impedance that changes with patient respirations, voltage modulations are created at the ECG electrodes in accordance with the patient respirations. The resulting voltage modulations are typically detected by a synchronous voltage detector, connected to the same pair of electrodes as was used for applying the examination current, such as the right arm (RA) and left arm (LA) electrodes.
The cables used for connecting the examination current and voltage detector to the patient contain capacitive reactances which tends to shunt a portion of the examination current around the patient. One effect of this shunting is that the system gain, as expressed in Volts/Ohm, will have a dependency on the baseline level of the transthoracic impedance, as well as the level of any impedance placed in series with the patient, such as resistances for protecting the monitoring circuitry from defibrillator voltages which may be applied to the patient. This dependency makes detecting the small respiration induced changes in impedance more difficult (that is, such a dependency making it difficult to set absolute signal detection threshold levels). Another effect is that the induced voltage becomes sensitive to changes in the frequency of the examination current. Any phase or frequency jitter in the examination current signals, or the clock signals used to detect the examination current, will be converted to a voltage noise during detection by the synchronous voltage detector. The above-noted shunting of the examination current, changes in the system gain, and voltage noise result in signal artifacts in the induced voltage modulations which reduce the accuracy of the respiration detection circuitry.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an AC examination current source which will solve these undesirable effects, while providing a current source which is relatively low in cost, which will present minimum load to ECG signals acquired by the electrodes, and able to be easily manufactured using integrated circuit technology.
A prior art respiration monitor manufactured by Hewlett-Packard (believed to be sold under the trademark CLOVER) applies a fixed frequency sine wave to an impedance bridge, one leg of which is connected to the thoracic cavity of a patient via a transformer. It is believed that the magnetizing inductance of the transformer may be intended to at least partially compensate for the capacitance in the patient cable although this is not specifically known. The output of the bridge is fed to a synchronous detector for developing the respiration signal in accordance with known techniques. Although the transformer in this monitor may provide some compensation for the capacitance of the patient cable, the technique undesirably requires the use of a transformer, which is bulky and not well suited for incorporation with integrated circuit technology. Additionally, this technique requires a sinewave examination current, which is somewhat difficult and costly to generate using digital circuitry.

Method and apparatus for respiration monitoring


A power factor correction device comprising a rectifier (10) operable to receive an AC input voltage (100) and output a rectified voltage (110), and a first analog module (20) connected to the rectifier (10) so as to receive the rectified voltage (110) and generate a corresponding first output signal (120). The device (1) also comprises a second analog module (30) connected in parallel to the first module (20) and connected to the rectifier (10) so as to receive the rectified voltage (110) and generate a corresponding second output signal (130); the output signals (120, 130) are duly combined and transmitted to a load (40) in the form of a main signal (140) that defines a main current (I) and main voltage (V) of the load (40) itself. A digital controller (50) receives the rectified voltage (110) and the main signal (140) and generates, accordingly, a command signal (150) to be transmitted to the modules (20, 30) in order to regulate the input current (IIn) of the latter and thereby obtain control over the power factor (PF) of the load (40) viewed from the network (11) while simultaneously maintaining the main voltage (V) at a preset value.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the power factor.
As is well known, the "power factor" in an electric load is defined as the ratio between the actual power absorbed by the load itself and the apparent power applied to it.
The power factor is strictly related to the phase displacement between the current drawn by the load and the voltage applied to the latter by the power source: if the drawn current is completely in phase with and has the same waveform as the applied voltage, the power factor will be equal to 1; if, on the other hand, voltage and current are out of phase and/or have different waveforms, the power factor will be less than 1.
A power factor with a value of 1 (or close to 1) is desirable both from an energy standpoint (energy efficiency is maximized) and for reasons tied to distortion (the voltage waveform will not be substantially distorted by the load).
In many applications it is actually not possible to achieve a power factor equal to 1; in particular, in applications such as inverters, motor control or converters for low voltage that operate from a DC bus, the power factor may be much less than 1.
The above-mentioned circuits are typically provided with a bridge rectifier and an electrolytic capacitor connected to the bus and serving to convert the AC input voltage into an adequately filtered DC voltage.
In order to improve the power factor (i.e., to increase it so as to bring it as close as possible to a value of 1), correction circuits are installed between the mains power supply network and the load. These circuits enable a sufficiently high power factor to be obtained (e.g. 0.8–0.9).
Among the power factor correction circuits available today there are systems consisting of a digital controller (typically a DSP) associated with analog power modules.
The digital controller measures all the necessary parameters relating to the supply voltage/current and output voltage/current and generates appropriate command signals that are transmitted to the power modules, so that the latter can deliver power to the load while maintaining a high power factor. Furthermore, the digital controller transmits commands to all modules at the same frequency and controls their synchronization.
A drawback of this type of circuit emerges if one considers the costs of setting it up (DSPs are notoriously expensive devices) and the need to modify the digital control whenever it is necessary to adjust maximum output power by changing the number of modules.
At the present state of the art, an alternative to the circuits briefly described above may be a completely analog-type circuit.
The operating limits of this second type of correction circuit become evident considering that for any change that needs to be made, the hardware making up the circuit itself must be adapted. Moreover, it is very difficult to implement topologies with several parallel power modules.
In other words, as the device is of a completely analog type, it is not possible to substantially modify any function without operating directly upon the electronic circuitry, replacing some components or setting them in a particular manner.
In addition to the above drawbacks, analog implementation of auxiliary control functions (relating, for example to overvoltage conditions or, more generally speaking, to situations where the system is not working correctly) is extremely complex, costly and above all offers little flexibility.


A connecting rod is formed using a method that includes providing a connecting rod blank. The connecting rod blank has a rod section disposed between a big end and a small end. The big end has a first hole generally sized to receive a crankpin of a crankshaft and at least one second hole generally sized to receive a bolt, wherein the axes of the first and second holes are generally normal to each other. The big end of the connecting rod has a dividing plane that extends through both the first and second holes. The connecting rod blank is processed by hardening at least the big end to a sufficient depth such that a first region of the big end lying between the first and second holes at the dividing plane is hardened, while leaving a substantial second region of the big end at the dividing plane generally unhardened. The connecting rod blank is further processed by splitting the big end along the dividing plane to produce a rod part fracture surface and a cap part fracture surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method of forming a fracture split in a part, and more specifically, to a method of forming a fracture split in the big end of a connecting rod. The present invention is also directed to a connecting rod having a fracture surface at the big end having both hardened and unhardened portions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Connecting rods are typically attached to the crankshaft of an engine by fabricating the big end of the connecting rod can be separated with a cap part that is separable from the rod part. Typically, the finished cap part and rod part were fabricated separately and then bolted together around a crankshaft pin during assembly. In order to reduce fabrication cost, the cap and rod parts are first forged as a single piece and then broken along a fracture line to form the two individual parts. In some instances, this technique is used to produce fracture surfaces on the rod and cap parts that are uneven. When properly engineered, the uneven fracture surfaces allow the rod and cap parts to maintain a precise, repeatable alignment relative to each other. This alignment is generally critical since it influences the circularity of the resulting crankpin hole when the rod and cap parts are attached together. The uneven fracture surfaces also help to maintain the alignment during use by inhibiting lateral movement between the rod and cap parts. Obtaining and maintaining alignment and circularity of the crankpin hole is important for reducing wear and power loss during engine use.
Various problems can occur during the process of splitting the connecting rod into the rod and cap parts. For instance, when the connecting rod is hardened for better performance, the high loading force necessary to break the big end into the rod and cap parts can deform the big end and decrease the degree of circularity of the surfaces forming the crankpin hole. Also, if a high carbon material is used that is heat treated by quenching, the fracture split surfaces will be in the form of a grain boundary surface that is generally flat, making it difficult to obtain accurate alignment between the rod and cap parts. One method that is used to reduce this problem, which is disclosed in a laid-open Japanese patent publication Sho 58-37310, is to incorporate a plurality of separation assist holes in a zigzag pattern in the area where the big end of the connecting rod is to be split, thereby making the resulting fracture split surfaces macroscopically irregular. However, this approach usually requires that the assist holes be accurate positioned, which increases production cost.
Another problem that can occur during the splitting process is the production of double fractures that result when fracture initiation occurs at more than one point along the break plane. Such double fractures can cause tiny fractions of the fracture split surfaces to come off, mix into engine oil, and damage other components of the engine. Special jigs have been developed for reducing the occurrence of double fractures by concentrating the fracture splitting force to a point on the inside surface of the big end, thus providing a single location for fracture initiation. When this method is used, the jig generally has a complicated shape and requires a high degree of accuracy, which can again increase production costs.
In view of these problems, a method of forming a connecting rod is needed that is relatively inexpensive, but which maintains the circularity of the surfaces forming the crankpin hole and provides fracture split surfaces that are free of double fractures and are sufficiently rough for accurate and repeatable alignment between the rod and cap parts.

Fracture split method for connecting rod


Linking addresses of microinstructions contained in a control memory of a microprogrammed data processing system are determined. The system includes storage elements for predetermined signals and an address register. Each microinstruction includes a preparation phase followed by an execution phase. The microinstructions occur in cycles so microinstruction cycle (n+ 1) follows microinstruction cycle n. The microinstruction of cycle n has: (a) a first bit field designating a linking address to the microinstruction of cycle (n+1) unless modified during cycle n, (b) a second bit field selectively designating which storage elements contain signals that can control selected bits of the first field, and (c) a third bit field for selectively enabling changes to be made in the storage elements. During cycle n, signals in certain storage elements, selected by the third field are selectively changed, the first field is selectively modified in response to signals in storage elements selected by the second field, the modified first field is stored in the address register, and then the address in the address register is supplied to the control memory. As a result of these operations, during the execution phase of cycle (n+1), the microinstruction at the address supplied to the control memory during cycle n is executed.

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for linking microinstructions to be executed in a control memory of a microprogrammed computer. In particular, the invention relates to microinstruction linking control arrangements including a provision for overlap between the execution of a current microinstruction and the phase of preparing for the next microinstruction to be executed. The invention is applicable to systems for processing or transmitting data and is of particular utility in large computer systems where tests relating to linking microinstructions together take significant time and often are completed too late in a microinstruction execution cycle to be considered. In computers which operate in the overlap mode, this delay in preparing for a microinstruction results in missed execution of the microinstruction.

Method and apparatus for determining linking addresses for microinstructions to be executed in a control memory of a data-processing system

Compagnie International l'Informatique-CII Honeywell Bull


A method and apparatus for coupled computer systems provides a single network node image when connected to a computer network, so that the network is unaware of the "fine" structure of the computer systems in the machine room. The coupled complex is made available to the network.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to computer networks, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for presenting the image of a single node to a computer network for a computer center having a plurality of computers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Terminals and intelligent workstations are generally linked to data centers, which may in turn be linked to other data centers. Thus, an end user may have access, not just to a local high performance computer system, but to high performance computer systems in data centers located throughout the world to provide access by geographically remote users to applications and data, as well as to permit workstation to workstation communication. Examples are found in banking, point of sale networks and the airline industry.
Such data centers (or computer centers) have fast growing computing and storage requirements. In some systems tens of thousands of users interact with the computer center and require thousands of transactions per second, while needing a response time of one or two seconds.
In order to provide maximum capacity and availability, a plurality of computer systems are often coupled together within a single data center. By coupling computers together, data processing jobs that require more capacity than that ordinarily available from the single most powerful computer in the data center can still be processed since the processing load can be distributed amongst a number of computers. Furthermore, the availability of multiple computers permits fault tolerance, since another system or computer can take over in the event of failure or other outage.
Existing coupling schemes provide various degrees of capacity and availability advantages over single system designs and, more importantly, provide the image of a single system to the program running in the system. Thus a program usually does not know or care which computer system it is running on.
Even though a complex of coupled computer systems may appear as a single system from the point of view of a program running within the complex, users accessing the complex from their terminals via a computer network still `see` a multiple system having separate computer systems. A user must `log` on to an individual one of several computer systems. This is a potential bottleneck to the user if the chosen system is overloaded or if it happens to fail.
Also, the failure to provide a single data center with a single node image to the network increases the complexity of the network. The multiplicity of processors in a data center should be transparent to the network but is not in existing networks.
In known networks, when a new computer is added to a data center, the network must be notified, and new network routes have to be defined using the new computer as a network node, thus generating network control traffic. Balancing the load on any particular processor in the data center must also then, involve the network, since processes controlling virtual circuits (sessions) would have to be relocated from an overloaded processor to an idle processor. If each processor, however, represented a different network node, then relocation of virtual circuits would involve their termination on one node and reactivation on another node (processor). Such relocation involves high network overhead and disruption. Avoidance of such relocation is desirable since it improves network performance.
There are a number of examples of such coupling already in existence including complexes of MVS systems under the control of the IBM Corp. JES2 or JES3 programs, complexes of UNIX systems coupled under the Locus system of UCLA and complexes using the IBM Corporation VM (virtual machine) system. These systems provide various degrees of capacity and availability improvement over that of a single system, and more importantly, in these systems a program usually doesn't "know" or "care" which computer system it is running on. The prior art, however, does not describe a system in which a complex of computers can appear to be a single node to a network connected to the complex.
The invention will now be described in an environment that is substantially based upon the IBM Systems Network Architecture (SNA). The invention, however, is not restricted to any specific type of network. A typical SNA network is described in the IBM manual "SNA Concepts and Products," IBM publication GC30-3072, and the IBM publication SNA Technical Overview, GC30-3073.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for attaching a complex of coupled systems to a network (or to multiple networks) such that these systems provide the image of a single network node to the network and, thereby, to the users accessing the complex via the network.
It is a further object to provide the network connection in such a way that the enhanced capacity and availability of the coupled complex is made available to the network.

Apparatus and method for making of interconnected processors act like a single node in a multinode communication system

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention provides elastic fabrics which exhibit low extensibility in the machine direction and have substantial elastic properties in the cross-machine direction. The fabrics of the invention include an elastic layer and a fibrous layer which are combined together. The fibrous layer is composed of a plurality of thermally activated binder fibers or filaments oriented substantially in the machine-direction of the fibrous web. The fabrics of the invention can be manufactured and processed more readily than fabrics which are elastic in both the machine direction and the cross-machine direction.

Nonwoven elastic fabrics have been the subject of considerable attention and effort. Elastic fabrics are desirable for use in bandaging materials, garments, diapers, supportive clothing and personal hygiene products because of their ability to conform to irregular shapes and to allow more freedom of body movement than fabrics with limited extensibility.
Elastomeric materials have been incorporated into various fabric structures to provide stretchable fabrics. In many instances, such as where the fabrics are made by knitting or weaving, there can be a relatively high cost associated with the fabric. In cases where the fabrics are made using nonwoven technologies, the fabric can suffer from insufficient strength and only limited stretch and recovery properties.
Elastomers used to fabricate elastic fabrics often have an undesirable rubbery feel. This is particularly true with thermoplastic elastomers rather than cross-linked elastomers. When these materials are used in composite nonwoven fabrics, the hand and texture of the fabric can be perceived by the user as sticky or rubbery and therefore undesirable.
Nonwoven fabrics having thermoplastic elastomers incorporated into the fabric structure can be extremely difficult to process and to manufacture. For example, tension control during fabric manufacture and/or during downstream processing can be extremely critical. A small change in tension can result in stretching or recovery of the fabric which can lead to a non-uniformly manufactured product. Tension control is even more aggravated when heating is required, for example, during fabric drying, adhesive application, lamination, thermal bonding or other thermal treatment. When subjected to heat and tension, the fabric can stretch and otherwise distort more readily than when the fabric is at room temperature. In addition, thermoplastic elastomers can lose elastic properties when stressed at elevated temperatures and allowed to cool partially or fully while under such stress, and/or the thermoplastic fibers and filaments are apt to break, thereby causing the elastic fabric to lose a portion or all of its elastic properties. Still further, when elastic fabrics are wound into rolls, stretching of the fabrics can occur during the winding process and the fabric can lose elastic properties during its subsequent storage due to the phenomenon of creep.
Yet another difficulty encountered when processing and manufacturing nonwoven fabrics having thermoplastic elastomers incorporated therein is coverage ability. When elastic fabrics are stretched, the webs are reduced in thickness, and exhibit a corresponding decrease in coverage ability, i.e., exhibit voids or thin areas in the fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,579 to Hagy, et al. discloses desirable composite elastic nonwoven fabrics containing staple textile fibers intimately hydroentangled with an elastic web or elastic net. One or more webs of staple textile fibers and/or wood pulp fibers can be hydroentangled with an elastic net according to the disclosure of this invention. The resulting composite fabric exhibits characteristics comparable to those of knit textile cloth and possesses superior softness and extensibility properties. The rubbery feel traditionally associated with elastomeric materials can be minimized or eliminated in these fabrics.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,623 to Pieniak discloses a laminated structure such as a disposable diaper which can incorporate an elastic net into portions of the structure. The elastic net can be inserted in a stretch position between first and second layers of the structure and bonded to the layers while in the stretch condition. Subsequent relaxation of the elastic net can result in gathering of the structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,407 to Ness discloses elastic fabrics which include an elastic member which may be an elastic net intermittently bonded to a substrate which prior to stretching is less easily extensible than the elastic member. The non-elastic member is bonded to the elastic member and the entire composite is rendered elastic by stretching and relaxation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,964 to Wideman discloses a bulk composite web which can be prepared by bonding a gatherable web to a differentially stretched elastic net. Subsequent relaxation of the differentially stretch net is said to result in gathering of the fabric.
The various problems associated with thermoplastic elastomeric materials, as discussed previously, render many of these and other composite elastic fabrics difficult to manufacture and process. There are problems with tension control, elongation under the tension induced by converting machines, irregular cut length, poor tracking, blocking, coverage ability and similar problems. In the past, these problems have been overcome or minimized only with substantial difficulty. To minimize the problem of machine direction stretching during fabric converting and/or forming, for example, typical approaches have been to either cool the thermoplastic elastomer to a temperature below its glass transition temperature or to make "heat activated" materials that are rigid, but then shrink and become elastomeric when heated. These steps are often required to process the material under acceptable tension levels even at ambient temperatures. Alternative process modifications have required extremely exact tension control mechanisms. These, however, do not consistently eliminate problems during normal fabric processing.


A pulley block is provided for rope storage to receive reserve cable or rope in a rope saw machine (3). The saw rope (1) is slung around the deflecting rollers of a stationary roller carrier and of a movable roller carrier (5,6) mounted on a frame (4). Two hydraulic motors drive the saw rope (1). A chain hoist (9) driven by a motor (10) moves the vertically ajustable roller carrier (6). By winding the saw rope (1) in different ways over additional rollers (22, 24, 26) various rope storage capacities are obtained. This design allows the free rope loop to be stored in a particularly space-saving manner.

Rope sawing machines are already known with which the sawing rope is slung in the form of an endless loop around a concrete body or the like that must be cut. As the depth of the cut increases, to maintain the cutting pressure of the rope, the sawing rope loop must be continuously lightened. To this end the rope driving device is positioned on a carriage or traveller that can be moved along horizontal rails. When large bodies must be cut, long rope loops, a long travelling path and correspondingly long rails are required. In many cases, however, a limited availability of space prevents the installation of long rails, which limits the use of such rope sawing machines.

Cable saw machine for cutting concrete bodies, rocks or the like


A cable stripper, which makes both the circumferential and axial cuts in the covering of a cable by a simple operation, including a cable guide with slits, operation levers that have three circular blades which are parallel with one another, and a lower blade. The edges of the circular blades are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the cable that is brought into the cable guide, and the edge of the lower blade is oriented parallel with the axis of the cable. The circumferential cuts of the cable is formed when the circular blades are moved into the cable guide through the slits by a spring force and turned around the cable, and the axial cut of the cable is formed, when the cable is pulled out from the cable guide, by the lower blade that is projected into the cable guide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cutter and more particularly to a cable stripper which cuts and strips a cable covering.
2. Prior Art
One example of a cable stripper, which cuts the cable covering along the circumference of the covering and the axis of the cable, is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,914,864.
In this cable stripper, two guides which rotatably hold a cable are provided between a pair of levers. The cable is held by one of these guides and the covering of the cable is cut along the circumference by a first blade installed on the guide. Then, the cable is repositioned so that it is held by the other guide, and the covering of the cable is cut along the axis of the cable by the second blade provided on the guide. The cutting along the axis of the cable is performed to facilitate the stripping of the cable covering.
However, in the conventional stripper, the position of the cable must be shifted from one guide to the other in order to make both circumferential and axial cuts. Therefore, extra work is required, and working efficiency is poor.


A gas analyzer which utilizes an infrared beam which passes through or has emanated from a gas stream. The analyzer has a plurality of gas cells which contain gas of the type whose concentration is being measured in various concentrations and at various total pressures. A beam of energy is forwarded to the analyzer, and is passed selectively to the various cells. In one embodiment, the cells are mounted where a rotatable deflector can selectively deflect and receive the beam to and from two fixed beam segments so that sequential readings at an infrared detector can provide measurements of concentrations, and calibration. In another embodiment, the cells are selectively moved into the beam path. The beam is formed and forwarded by a Cassegrainean system or by a combination of reflectors including a retro-reflector. An infrared calibration beam which does not pass through the gas stream is utilized for calibration.

Operators of combustion devices such as boilers have become increasingly aware that continuous detection and measurement of gases produced in minor quantities such as carbon monoxide, and responsive control of the processes which produce them, can result in dramatically improved fuel efficiency. For example, the provision of excess air was formerly widely used in combustion processes on the assumption that a lean mixture would assure more complete combustion of the fuel. However, as combustion processes became better understood, it also became apparent that the use of excess air was wasteful, because among other things it required the flame to heat excess gas, enabled the formation of SO.sub.3 instead of merely SO.sub.2, encouraged the formation of NO, created sulfate emmissions, and in some cases even increased smoke formation by shortening the flame length. Combustion operations using low excess air improve all of the above situations, but the control must be accurate, and be quickly responsive in order to insure complete combustion while avoiding uneconomical operations and the formation of excessive pollutants. The concentration of carbon monoxide produced by a combustion process turns out to be a good measure of the average combustion quality, i.e., nearness to stoichiometric condition. No CO means too much air, while high CO means not enough air.
With the realization that controls based on the concentration of some minor component of a gas stream can lead to an optimized combustion function, serious development of suitable instrumentation was undertaken, especially instrumentation for measuring the concentration of carbon monoxide in a gas stream. Of course, measuring techniques and instruments had long existed for this purpose, but frequently they relied on sampling techniques which were too slow to provide useful data for on-line adjustment of combustion parameters, or not reliable enough for continuous duty.
The increased stringency of government regulations relating to power plant emissions has long been a prod for the development of in-situ gas analyzers, and several types of such analyzers have been installed in hundreds of power plants in recent years. Some utilize the technique known as "gas filter correlation", which is a technique utilized in the instant invention. It is an object of this invention to employ this technique to better advantage in a gas analyzer whose sampling is done "in-situ", meaning without removal of a sample from the stream, but instead securing data as the consequence of measurements or observations of spectral energy which has been subjected to interaction with the gas stream itself--either by having passed through the gas stream or by having emanated from it.
Gas filter correlation is a well-known procedure which does not require description here for an understanding of the invention. A useful reference on this subject is "Analytical Methods Applied to Air Pollution Measurements" by Stevens and Herget, Chapter 10, pages 193-231, published by Ann Arbor Science, 1974, which is incorporated by reference herein for its showing of the applicable theory.
It is an object of this invention to provide a gas analyzer which can have a direct zero and span measurement, even with process sample gas continuing to flow through the process; which can readily and automatically be calibrated, and all interferences automatically rejected; which can be constructed so as readily to be accessed for routine repair and maintenance, and even disposed at a considerable distance from the stack; which is sufficiently heat resistant that its readings do not stray during temperature excursions; which rejects spurious signals from its surroundings; and which is forgiving of substantial physical shifts and changes in the physical environment, such as by expansion and contraction.
Still further objects are to provide better techniques for internal calibration of the instrument, for more efficient optical path, and for decreased sensitivity to external physical distortions such as vibratory and temperature induced dimensional shifts, as well as to interferences from changing gas stream chemical composition.


A RIM molded energy absorbing polyurethane rigid foam prepared from reacting inter alia a graft polymer polyol and an organic isocyanate using water as the blowing agent.

Pertinent art to the present invention is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,102 and references cited therein. The '102 patent describes a rigid polyurethane foam formed from a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol having therein a graft polymer dispersion, an alkylene oxide adduct of toluenediamine or methylenedianiline, a crosslinking agent, an organic polyisocyanate, water, catalysts, and an additional blowing agent.

RIM molded energy absorbing polyurethane foam


A fuel cell measurement apparatus capable of measuring electric characteristics of a solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell measurement apparatus comprises a first current collecting unit, a second current collecting unit, a top holding set, a bottom holding set and an adjustable elastic load set. The solid oxide fuel cell is clipped by the first current collecting unit fixed by the top holding set and the second collection unit fixed by the bottom holding set. The adjustable elastic load set is capable of adjusting the tension between the top holding set and the bottom holding set. The first (second) current collecting unit comprises a first (second) conductive mesh and a first (second) porous plate having a first (second) through hole and a first (second) gas channel communicating with each other, wherein the first (second) conductive mesh is sintered on the first (second) porous plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a cell measurement apparatus and, more particularly, to a fuel cell measurement apparatus capable of measuring electric characteristics of a solid oxide fuel cell.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a clean energy conversion system, in which electrochemical reaction is used for power generation so as to convert chemical energy to electrical energy without combustion to prevent the environment from being polluted by carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). Considering oil exhaustion and global warming, the solid oxide fuel cell has become a potential candidate as a clean alternative energy.
However, the solid oxide fuel cell has not been commercialized because the manufacturing cost is too high. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce its cost by material selection, cell design, or cell manufacturing.
Moreover, the measurement apparatus and technology for cell analysis, manufacturing quality control and commercialization evaluation are some important factors for developing the solid oxide fuel cell. Presently, there are two approaches for measuring electric characteristics and electrochemistry of a cell. One is by single cell measurement and the other is by multi-cell measurement. Considering multi-cell measurement, referring to S. C. Singhal, Solid State Ionics, 135 (2000) 305 and K. Ahmed, J. Gamman and K. Foger, Solid State Ionics, 152-153 (2002) 485, additional equipments are added to the system to integrate multiple cells as a cell stack and the system, which leads to very high cost.
The cell stack is assembled with time-consuming work, complicated elements, and high material cost. Moreover, the system is susceptible to the quality of these elements so that it is difficult to identify the manufacturing quality and explain the measured results to cause a mistake to mislead the research direction and hence extend the time to market. Therefore, it is advantageous to utilize single cell measurement to measure electric characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell. Single cell measurement is a simple approach to the research of the solid oxide fuel cell. The leading institutes such as DOE, VTT, FZJ and ECN consider single cell measurement as an important step of cell quality control.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional fuel cell measurement apparatus (with reference to H. Peters and H. H. Mobius. Z. Physik. Chem., 209 (1958) 298.) Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional fuel cell measurement apparatus 100 is capable of measuring electric characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell 50, which is a three-layer structure comprising an electrolyte layer 56 sandwiched between a porous anode layer 52 and a porous cathode layer 54.
More particularly, the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is attached onto the ceramic tube 110 using ceramic glue (not shown). The solid oxide fuel cell 50 is placed into the furnace 120 with the ceramic tube 110 to be heated up. The furnace 120 comprises two openings (not labeled) so that the ceramic tube 110 and the anode ceramic gas pipe 130 are inserted into the furnace 120 from the bottom and the top, respectively. The cathode ceramic gas pipe 140 is inserted into the ceramic tube 110.
When hydrogen H2 flows from the anode ceramic gas pipe 130 into the porous anode layer 52 and oxygen O2 flows from the cathode ceramic gas pipe 140 into the porous cathode layer 54, chemical reaction takes place in the solid oxide fuel cell 50 to generate electric energy. Moreover, in the prior art, a platinum conductive wire (not shown) is directly sintered on the porous anode layer 52 and the porous cathode layer 54. Electric characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell 50 are measured using the platinum conductive wire (not shown).
However, since the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is required to be attached with a platinum conductive wire sintered thereon before electric characteristics are measured, related processing steps are time-consuming and material cost is increased. Moreover, even though ceramic glue can be used to combine the ceramic tube 110 and the solid oxide fuel cell 50 to achieve sealing. However, since the coefficient of thermal expansion of ceramic glue is not matched with that of the solid oxide fuel cell 50, cracks may appear in the solid oxide fuel cell 50. Moreover, in the prior art, after measurement, the ceramic glue has to be destructed before the solid oxide fuel cell 50 can be demounted. Therefore, the solid oxide fuel cell 50 cannot be re-attached onto the ceramic tube 110.
To overcome the foregoing problems, ProboStat (NorECs AS, Norway) discloses another fuel cell measurement apparatus as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. For clarity, some elements are not shown in FIG. 2A. Instead, they are shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2B. Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the conventional fuel cell measurement apparatus 200 comprises a first current collecting unit 210, a second current collecting unit 220, a top holding set 230, a bottom holding set 240 and a spring 250. The top holding set 230 and the bottom holding set 240 are pulled by a spring 250 so that the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is clipped by the top current collecting unit 210 and the bottom current collecting unit 220. The top current collecting unit 210 and the bottom current collecting unit 220 prevent sintering and sealing on the solid oxide fuel cell 50 so that the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is re-usable.
More particularly, the first current collecting unit 210 comprises a first platinum conductive mesh 212 and a first platinum conductive wire 214. The first platinum conductive wire 214 is sintered on the first platinum conductive mesh 212. Similarly, the second current collecting unit 220 comprises a second platinum conductive mesh 222 and a second platinum conductive wire 224. The second platinum conductive wire 224 is sintered on the second platinum conductive mesh 222.
The first current collecting unit 210 and the second current collecting unit 220 are pressed against a porous anode layer (not labeled) and a porous cathode layer (not labeled) on the solid oxide fuel cell 50 for measuring electric characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell 50. Moreover, the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is clipped by the first current collecting unit 210 and the second current collecting unit 220 using a top holding set 230, a bottom holding set 240 and a spring 250.
More particularly, the fuel cell measurement apparatus 200 further comprises an inner ceramic supporting tube 260 and an outer ceramic tube 270. The solid oxide fuel cell 50 is supported by the inner ceramic supporting tube 260 disposed inside the outer ceramic tube 270 to form two hermetically sealed rooms. To improve hermetic ness, in the prior art, a sealing washer 262 is disposed between the inner ceramic supporting tube 260 and the solid oxide fuel cell 50.
The bottom holding set 240 comprises a base 242 and a ceramic shaft 244. The inner ceramic supporting tube 260 is disposed on the base 242. The ceramic shaft 244 is disposed on the base 242 to support the second platinum conductive mesh 222 so that the second platinum conductive mesh 222 is tightly attached onto the solid oxide fuel cell 50. In the prior art, to keep the upward force in balance, a silicone tube 246 is further disposed between the base 242 and the ceramic shaft 244.
The top holding set 230 comprises a ceramic plate 232 and a ceramic shaft 234. The ceramic plate 232 presses the first platinum conductive mesh 212 downward so that the first platinum conductive mesh 212 is tightly attached onto the solid oxide fuel cell 50. The ceramic shaft 234 fixedly penetrates the ceramic plate 232 by use of a smaller ceramic shaft 236.
Moreover, the spring 250 is connected between the ceramic shaft 234 and the base 242 to pull the top holding set 230 and the bottom holding set 240. Accordingly, the top holding set 230 and the bottom holding set 240 tightly press the first platinum conductive mesh 212 and the second platinum conductive mesh 222 to clip the solid oxide fuel cell 50 to form two hermetically sealed rooms. In the solid oxide fuel cell 50, a current induced by chemical reaction can be introduced through the first platinum conductive mesh 212 and the second platinum conductive mesh 222.
Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the fuel cell measurement apparatus 200 further comprises a first gas pipe 280 and a second gas pipe 290. The first gas pipe 280 is connected to an opening (not labeled) in the ceramic plate 232 so that hydrogen H2 passes through the first platinum conductive mesh 212 to the solid oxide fuel cell 50, while the second gas pipe 290 penetrates the ceramic shaft 244 so that oxygen O2 passes through the first platinum conductive mesh 212 into the solid oxide fuel cell 50. Accordingly, the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is capable of converting chemical energy into electric energy that is introduced by the first platinum conductive wire 214 and the second platinum conductive wire 224.
However, the fuel cell measurement apparatus 200 has disadvantages such as:
1. The contacts between the solid oxide fuel cell 50 and the first current collecting unit 210 and the second current collecting unit 220 determine the contact resistances that strongly influence the output power of the solid oxide fuel cell 50. For the second current collecting unit 220, only the second platinum conductive mesh 222 is supported so that the contact area between the second current collecting unit 220 and the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is insufficient. Therefore, the output current is blocked and the cell performance is limited.
2. After hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2 flow from the first gas pipe 280 and the second gas pipe 290, the gas distribution is not uniform because there is no gas path. As a result, the energy generated by the solid oxide fuel cell 50 is not uniform and thermal stress occurs due to non-uniform temperature distribution, which leads to cracks in the solid oxide fuel cell 50.
3. The second platinum conductive mesh 222 is often out of shape and destructed because the ceramic shaft 244 supports the second platinum conductive mesh 222. Therefore, the second platinum conductive mesh 222 cannot be re-used. Moreover, if ceramic shaft 244 is not disposed properly or obliquely supports the second platinum conductive mesh 222, the solid oxide fuel cell 50 may be damaged.
4. In the prior art, the pulling force of the spring 250 is a constant that cannot be adjusted. Therefore, when the thickness of the solid oxide fuel cell 50 varies, the applied pulling force from the spring 250 will be different, which leads to poor condition consistency of cell measurement. Moreover, in the prior art, the pulling force of the spring 250 is a constant. If the mechanical strength of the tested solid oxide fuel cell 50 varies, it may cause damage to the solid oxide fuel cell 50 since the pulling force of the spring 50 is too large when solid oxide fuel cell 50 is installed or measured. On the contrary, if the pulling force of the spring 250 is too small, the first current collecting unit 210 and the second current collecting unit 220 cannot tightly contact the solid oxide fuel cell 50 to result in larger resistance. Moreover, since the base 242 is hooked by the spring 250, there is risk that the hook may be loosen so that the ceramic shaft 234 or even the solid oxide fuel cell 50 cracks due to collision. In this case, the solid oxide fuel cell 50 cannot be demounted and re-used.
5. The first gas pipe 280 and the second gas pipe 290 are not equipped with a pressure meter so that the anode pressure and the cathode pressure cannot be monitored. Therefore, gas leakage occurs due to unbalanced pressure and error in measurement results from non-uniform reactive gas concentrations.

Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan


Provided is a compact and high optical performance zoom lens system, including, in order of from an object side toward an image side: a first lens unit with a negative refractive power; a second lens unit with a positive refractive power; and a third lens unit with the positive refractive power, the first, second, and third lens units moving to perform zooming. The first lens unit includes a first lens element with the negative refractive power, and a second lens element with the positive refractive power in order of from the object side toward the image side, and in which a refractive index of a material of the first lens element (N11), an Abbe number of a material of the second lens element (ν12), and the radii of curvatures of lens surfaces of the first lens element on the object side and the image side (R11a, R11b) are appropriately set.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens system, and more particularly, to a zoom lens system suitable for an image pickup apparatus such as a digital still camera or a video camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
The zoom lens systems for use in digital cameras, digital video cameras, and the like have been demanded to provide a wide field angle, a high zoom ratio, a compact size, and a high optical performance.
In cameras (image pickup apparatus) each using a solid-state image pickup element, diverse optical members such as a low-pass filter or a chromatic correction filter are disposed between a lens end portion and the solid-state image pickup element. For that reason, the zoom lens systems used in those image pickup apparatuses have been demanded to provide a long back focus. Further, in order to prevent color shading, the zoom lens systems have been demanded to provide an excellent telecentric characteristic on an image side.
As an optical system configured to easily ensure the back focus, there is a negative-lead zoom lens system in which a lens unit with a negative refractive power is disposed closest to the object side.
A zoom lens system has been known which is downsized and telecentric on the image side, and includes a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with the positive refractive power arranged in order of from the object side toward the image side (U.S. Pat. No. 6,822,808, U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,687, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-61675, U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,275, U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,483, U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,347, U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,381).
In order to obtain a high optical performance high in the entire zoom range while downsizing the entire system in the zoom lens system including those three units, it is important to appropriately set the lens configurations of the respective lens units.
In particular, it is important to appropriately set the configuration and material of the respective lenses that constitute the first lens unit so as to reduce a variation in various aberrations caused by zooming.

Zoom lens system and image pickup apparatus including the same


An automatically actuated tire mounting and demounting machine flexibly equipped for mounting tires on rims of all configuration, said machine comprising coordinated working elements which mount a resiliently composed tire on a rim and simultaneously inject air pressure into the tire interior as the tire is at the final steps of its mounting process. Moreover, the machine incorporating the subject invention comprises a base member upon which a tire mounting block is affixed, this tire mounting block being so structured to receive a bare tire rim in a horizontal position for installation of the tire member thereon. Located above the tire mounting block are a pair of parallel and downwardly depending complementary working arms, with free-rolling members thereon of cylindrical configuration and variable diameters which latter arms move in complementary opposing arcuate movements circumferentially above and around the tire rim, but inside the tire bead, so as to facilitate the mounting of the tire on the rim in circumferential fashion. Within the tire mounting block are dual air injection systems which function to induce air into the tire interior simultaneously with the process of mounting the tire as described above.

The process of automatically or semiautomatically mounting pneumatic tires onto rims is performed by various methods and machines. The procedure involves, among other aspects, the difficult procedure of completing the sealing of the tire against the rim in order that intermittent air injected into the tire does not escape between the bead of the tire and the tire rim. Moreover, there is the added problem of ensuring that the machine mounting arms do not become entangled between the tire rim and the tire bead during or just after the mounting process. Several other operational problems are of prime consideration in the employment of automatic tire mounting machines. Some tire mounting machines known in the art have been conceived and utilized to overcome these problems. As indicated hereinbelow, the pertinent machines known in the art have not been of sufficient capability and versatility to solve these problems.
There have been a myriad number of machines conceived and used for automatic tire mounting purposes. In this light, there have been a number of machines manufactured on which tire is temporarily stretched by automatic means so that it can fit around the circumferential extent of the rim, with said automatic stretching force then being released as the tire appropriately fits circumferentially onto the rim. This latter machine process simply and solely affixes the tire circumferentially onto the rim so that it is properly positioned for the next successive step, namely the injection of air into the space between the rim and the tire. Such machines are generally not fully automatic and involve the necessity of the mentioned separate steps, of mounting and inflating the tire. As a consequence of such a dual step arrangement, the costs of operation are relatively high.
The known machines in the prior art that automatically install tires around a rim are, as stated above, substantially varied; however, there does not exist in the prior art a machine which combines as a simultaneous operation the process of mounting the tire on the rim concurrently with the tire inflation procedure. Without known exception, all such automatic machines either are limited to the singular step of mounting the tire, with a separate machine required for the air injection process. On the other hand there are existing machines in which these two steps are separately consummated on a single machine having correspondingly separate functional stations. Clearly, if either a two-step machine is used, or alternately two machines used for these two respective steps, there would be a resultant problem of inefficiency in view of the additional time, energy, and manpower requirements to consummate these additional steps. Consequently, a machine which reduces these time and manpower requirements by combining the two separate steps of optimal mounting and pressurizing into a simultaneous operation would obviously yield significant savings in the overall procedure.
Yet another consideration that has proven to be a limitation in the known employment of automatic tire mounting machines is the aspect wherein mounting arms, in almost all known machines of the type herein, are positioned and structured such that they are juxtaposed above but between the tire rim and the bead of the tire. This positioning invariably causes difficulties in the tire mounting process and is undesirable from this perspective. Moreover, still another aspect of known automatic tire mounting machines is that such machines are generally equipped with mounting arms and working elements, for the precise mounting functions, that are not capable, by structure, is mounting tires on rims of variable shape, i.e. capable of mounting on both flanged and return flanged rims. Such limitations substantially restrict the flexibility of a tire mounting machine and impose limitations accordingly. The subject invention is conceived and adapted to solve the foregoing problems with a machine that is generally more versatile and flexible in automatic tire mounting operations for tire rims and tires of variable shapes and sizes. The following objects are directed accordingly.

Automatic tire mounting and demounting machine


An apparatus for infusing TPN fluids to a patient includes a source of fluid, a pump for infusing fluid from the source to the patient, and a computer for controlling the operation of the pump. During the operation of the apparatus the infusion rate of the pump is varied according to an infusion regimen that is based on the volume of fluid to be infused and the time during which the fluid is to be infused. This regimen is characterized by a trifurcated ramp up region having interrelated incremental rates of infusion which transition the pump from a zero rate of infusion to a steady state rate of infusion. The infusion regimen is also characterized by a period of steady state infusion which follows the ramp up region, and a ramp down region in which the infusion rate is decremented from the steady state rate based on the remaining volume of fluid to be infused to the patient and the remaining time for infusing this remaining volume of fluid. Infusion rate changes in both the ramp up and ramp down regions is accomplished in steps. Depending on the calculated steady state infusion rate, the step sizes may be either 5 ml/hr or 1 ml/hr. The different time intervals between steps in the ramp up region are related to each other and to the total time for infusing fluids to the patient and the time intervals between steps in the ramp down region are controlled by the computer.

Cyclic total parenteral nutrition (C-TPN) is a widely used infusion therapy for providing nutrition to patients who are not able to extract nutrition from food in a normal manner. One great advantage of C-TPN is that, by concurrently infusing a solution of dextrose, amino acids and fat, the C-TPN therapy need not be continuous. Thus, this therapy permits an improved quality of life for the patient by allowing him or her to resume normal daytime activities. As implied, C-TPN is indicated for patients, both young and old, who still require long-term parenteral nutrition, but who have demonstrated they can function for extended periods of time without receiving infused fluids.
As might be expected, a cyclical therapy which is accomplished by periodically initiating and terminating IV infusions needs to be administered in a manner which allows the body's metabolic processes to properly adjust to the infusions. Such an adjustment may be necessary either at the beginning of the infusion or at the end of the infusion. C-TPN is certainly no exception. It typically happens that C-TPN requires stabilization of the body's metabolic processes at both the initiation and the termination of each infusion session in the therapy. Specifically, with C-TPN it is necessary to avoid hyperglycemia in the early stages of the infusion process, and to avoid hypoglycemia during the final stages of the process. To avoid these conditions, C-TPN is normally started with a gradual increase in the rate at which fluid is infused to the patient, and is ended with a gradual decrease in this rate.
The problems with C-TPN therapy concerning hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia have been known for some time. The general response to overcome these problems has been to somehow taper the initiation and the termination of the therapy. Indeed, several methods have been suggested for these purposes. Another problem, which has been less prominent, concerns the actual profiling of an infusion therapy regime which is optimally suited for the particular patient. For example, pediatric patients will require different infusion regimens than will adult patients. And geriatric patients may require yet another regimen. This problem is particularly acute where C-TPN is to be administered using relatively expensive infusion pumps. Each case will be different and, consequently, it may be necessary to reprofile the infusion regimen. Flexibility, then, is key.
Some apparatus and methods for accomplishing C-TPN therapy using infusion pumps have been suggested. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,799 which issued to Schoon et al. for an invention entitled "Method and Apparatus for Automatic Profiled Infusion in Cyclic TPN" establishes an infusion regimen, or cycle profile, which begins at a set starting infusion rate and which has an appropriate steady-state rate and appropriate tapers in accordance with pre-established criteria when total volume and total infusion time per cycle are entered. The disclosure of the Schoon et al. patent, however, does not address the problem confronted when a patient is unable to handle the set starting infusion rate which, as is disclosed for Schoon et al., is about 60 ml/hr. Further, the disclosure of Schoon et al. requires an upward taper and a downward taper which, other than their start and end points, are effectively identical. In short, there is little flexibility in profiling the infusion regimen. Another example, though perhaps less sophisticated than the Schoon et al. disclosure, is a method wherein the infusion rate during the tapering periods is one half the maintenance rate. Such a method is disclosed in an article entitled "Cyclic Total Parenteral Nutrition" by Bennett and Rosen, Nutrition in Clinical Practice 5:163-165, 1990.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for infusing C-TPN fluids to a patient which is an efficacious therapy for the patient who requires C-TPN. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for infusing C-TPN fluids to a patient which is adaptable for use by either a pediatric, an adult, or a geriatric patient. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for infusing C-TPN fluids to a patient which allows the user to adjust the infusion regimen to meet the specific needs of the particular patient. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for infusing C-TPN fluids to a patient which, with selected input data, automatically profiles an infusion regimen which insures an enhanced accuracy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for infusing C-TPN fluids to a patient which is simple to use, relatively easy to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.

Method and apparatus for preprogrammed infusion of IV medicaments


2-aryl-4-isoxazolin-3-1-derivatives of formula (I), useful as intermediates for positive working compounds in silver halide photographic materials ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4, are the same or different, each having up to 20 carbon atoms and each represents hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy, a substituted or unsubstituted acyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl, halogen, nitro, a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl, a substituted or unsubstituted sulfamoyl, a substituted or unsubstituted sulfonyl, cyano, or trifluoromethyl, with the proviso that at least one of said R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is cyano, a substituted or unsubstituted sulfonyl, trifluoromethyl, or nitro.

Various 2-arylisoxazolin-3-one derivatives and synthesis methods thereof are described in Heterocycles, 20(6), 1123-1126(1983), Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 30(9), 3097-3105, Heterocycles, 19(3), pages 515-520, Heterocycles, 19(3), pages 521-524, Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 17(4), 727-731, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 19(7), 1389-1394, Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 104274/80 (the term "OPI" as used herein means an "unexamined published application"), Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 74, No. 17, 87947p, ibid., Vol. 75, No. 23, 140824v, ibid., Vol. 76, No. 23, 140775a, ibid., Vol. 97, No. 19, 16296u, etc.
However, 2-arylisoxazolin-3-one derivatives wherein the substituent at the 2-position of the isoxazolin nucleus is an aryl group substituted by an electron attractive group(s) having a higher electron attractive property than a chlorine group have never been known.


A framed structure includes a plurality of base units each formed of three elongate compression members disposed so as to cross one another. Tension members are arranged to be interconnected with respective compression members forming a triangular planar units. The triangular planar units being arranged to form a self-supporting structure or base unit. A plurality of base units being interconnected in a continuous fashion such that one of the compression members in one of the base units serves as one of the compression members in an adjacent base unit.

Conventionally, as a framed structure of this type, for example, there exists the one which includes numbers of compression members made of pipe which are continuously disposed via joint members in three dimensions. Such framed structure is used as a framework or the like for a membrane structure.
However, the framed structure of this type requires numbers of the compression members. This involves problems that the total weight of the framed structure is increased, a large scaled associated structures for supporting the framed structure is required, and the cost for constructing the framed structure is increased.
To reduce the number of the compression members in view of the above, there have been recently developed a framed structure, in which tension members such as cables are tensioned between the compression members as a substitute for some parts of the compression members. However, the reduction of the weight and construction cost are still desired even in the framed structure of this type.

Frame structure and method for forming the same