A continuous process for alkylating an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst in which the alkylatable hydrocarbon is contacted with the alkylating agent in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature and for a time sufficient to alkylate the alkylatable hydrocarbon, the reaction product is separated into an alkylate product phase and a catalyst phase, containing catalyst-soluble oil, the catalyst phase is cooled to maintain a preselected temperature in the exothermic alkylation zone, the cooled catalyst phase is recycled to the alkylation reaction and a predetermined concentration of catalyst-soluble oil is maintained in the catalyst phase by at least periodically heating an alkylating agent to a temperature above the reaction temperature, contacting the heated alkylating agent with one of the separated recycle catalyst, separated rerun catalyst, fresh catalyst or mixture thereof and combining the resultant reaction product with separated recycle catalyst prior to the cooling of the separated recycle catalyst phase. A start-up procedure, in which the content of catalyst-soluble oil in the catalyst phase is brought up to the predetermined concentration, is also disclosed in which the reaction product of the heated alkylating agent and the catalyst is added to the catalyst phase. Apparatus for carrying out the above processes is also described.

The present invention relates to a catalytic alkylation process and apparatus. In a more specific aspect, the present invention relates to a catalytic alkylation process in which an alkylatable hydrocarbon is contacted with an alkylating agent in the presence of an acid-type catalyst and the catalyst is cyclically circulated through the system. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a catalytic alkylation process and apparatus in which an acid-type catalyst is cyclically circulated through the system to produce an alkylate product of improved octane number.
Numerous processes are known in the prior art for alkylating an alkylatable hydrocarbon with an alkylating agent in the presence of a catalyst. From a commercial standpoint, the most prevalent systems involve the cyclic circulation of an acid-type catalyst, such as hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, etc. through a reaction zone, a separation zone, a cooling zone and back to the reaction zone.
One such process for the alkylation of hydrocarbons, utilizing the cyclic circulation of the catalyst, introduces the reactant hydrocarbons in a gaseous phase. In this system the gaseous hydrocarbon feed mixture is introduced at a high velocity to the lower portion of the reaction zone and into a continuous catalyst phase maintained in the reaction zone. Suitable conditions of temperature and residence time are provided in the reaction zone whereby the alkylatable hydrocarbon is alkylated. A stream comprising catalyst, alkylate product and unconsumed reactants passes from the upper portion of the reaction zone into a settling zone, wherein separation occurs between the alkylate product phase and the catalyst phase. The alkylate product phase is withdrawn from the settling zone for further processing, as by fractionation, and the catalyst phase is passed downwardly to a cooling zone and thence back into the reaction zone.
Another process, based on the cyclic circulation of the catalyst, which overcomes certain of the inherent deficiencies of the gas phase process and permits operation at low reaction temperatures, introduces the reactant hydrocarbons in the liquid phase. In this process, the hydrocarbon reactants are introduced into the bottom of the reaction zone through constricted passageways, thereby creating a liquid lift system, whose motive power comes from the difference in density of the flowing streams and to some extent from the kinetic energy of the inlet hydrocarbon stream, and at the same time creating small droplets of reactants having a high interfacial area which result in a desirably high reaction rate. The reactant hydrocarbons and catalyst move upwardly through an elongated, tube-type reaction zone, the effluent, including alkylate product, catalyst and unreacted hydrocarbons, is discharged from the reaction zone into a horizontally-disposed settler-surge vessel, an alkylate product phase is withdrawn for further processing and a catalyst phase is passed downwardly through a tube-type conduit to a horizontally-disposed cooler and thence back into the reaction zone.
It has generally been recognized in the art that in order to obtain an alkylate product of maximum octane number, the weight percent total acidity of the catalyst should not exceed a given amount. While the tolerable acidity of the catalyst will vary depending upon the reactant hydrocarbons and the temperature of operation, it is generally thought that the total acidity of the catalyst under any conditions should not be higher than about 90 percent, that alkylate products of highest octane number are obtained at acidities substantially lower than this and, consequently, that the weight percent total acidity of the catalyst for optimum number should be between about 87 percent and 67 percent. Consequently, the catalyst is in some way diluted so as to maintain the desired total acidity. Obviously, water would be the logical diluting agent to utilize. However, the presence of excessive amounts of water, in systems utilizing acid catalysts, creates problems in that, in conjunction with the acid, water is highly corrosive to the alkylation system and catalyst handling system. Therefore, the acid catalyst is normally utilized in an essentially anhydrous condition. There is a tendency in alkylation systems for water to accumulate as the result of its presence in the hydrocarbon reactants and its absorption from the atmosphere. Therefore, alkylation systems employing acid-type catalysts normally include a so-called catalyst "rerun" system through which catalyst is at least periodically passed in order to remove water therefrom. The rerun system will normally involve withdrawing a portion of the catalyst phase as it flows from the separator to the cooler. The withdrawn catalyst phase is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize residual alkylate, unreacted hydrocarbons, and the major part of the acid phase from the water. Water is withdrawn as a bottoms product from the rerun separator while the vapor phase is recycled to the settler-surge zone or back to the separated acid phase. Generally, a portion of the alkylatable hydrocarbon, in liquid form, is utilized as a reflux and another portion, in gaseous form, as a stripping medium in the rerun separator.
It is also recognized in the art that a certain amount of dilution of the catalyst phase occurs in the reaction zone itself. Specifically, what is known as a catalyst- or acid-soluble oil (ASO) is produced in the reaction zone, which inherently acts as a diluent for the catalyst phase. While the specific nature of the acid-soluble oil has not been completely established, it is generally accepted that it comprises predominantly polymeric materials with minor amounts of complexes and small or trace amounts of impurities, such as sulfur, to the extent such impurities exist in the alkylation feed materials. These catalyst-soluble oils are retained in the catalyst phase during the separation of the alkylate phase from the catalyst phase and consequently are recycled to the alkylation system. It has also been universally accepted, by those skilled in the art, that the production of catalyst-soluble oil is substantially in excess of that necessary or desirable for dilution of the catalyst. Consequently, the prior art contains suggestions for the removal of the excess catalyst-soluble oil.
Finally, those skilled in the art have recognized the fact that under normal operating conditions the production of catalyst-soluble oils is extremely slow. Accordingly, the prior art has suggested various start-up procedures which will rapidly produce the desirable inventory of catalyst-soluble oil, thereby substantially shortening the time necessary to arrive at full-scale production of alkylate product.
In contrast to the teachings of the prior art, it has now been found that the amount of catalyst diluent which will produce an alkylate product of maximum octane number is within a relatively narrow range below the amounts heretofore suggested by the prior art. Further, it has been found that a very small change in the amount of catalyst diluent, within the narrow range referred to above, has a substantial effect on the octane number of the alkylate product. Also contrary to the teachings of the prior art, it has been found that not all hydrocarbon reactants produce catalyst-soluble oil at the same rate or in the same ultimate volumes. Specifically, it has been found that when reacting an alkylatable hydrocarbon, such as isobutane, with a C.sub.4 olefinic hydrocarbon, such as isobutylene, butene-1 and/or butene-2's, catalyst-soluble oils are produced at an extremely slow rate and in relatively small amounts, as compared with other reaction systems. In addition, as the alkylation reaction proceeds, there is a certain attrition of the amount of catalyst-soluble oils in the catalyst phase. While the reasons for this attrition are not fully known, it is believed that a certain amount of the catalyst-soluble oil is carried over with the alkylate product during separation, a greater portion is removed from the system along with water when the catalyst is rerun to remove water and small amounts may actually be consumed during the alkylation reaction. More specifically, it has been found that when an isoparaffin, such as isobutane, is reacted with a C.sub.4 olefinic hydrocarbon, such as isobutylene, butene-1, and/or butene-2's, an inordinately long period of time is necessary for starting up the alkylation system and there is normally a net loss of catalyst-soluble oil during the course of the reaction.
It would therefore be highly desirable to provide means for substantially shortening the necessary start-up period and for thereafter maintaining a predetermined amount of catalyst-soluble oil in the catalyst system.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for the alkylation of hydrocarbons. Another and further object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for the alkylation of hydrocarbons, utilizing a cyclic flow of an acid-type catalyst. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for the alkylation of hydrocarbons, utilizing a cyclic flow of an acid-type catalyst, in which an alkylate product of improved octane number is obtained. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for the alkylation of hydrocarbons, utilizing a cyclic flow of an acid-type catalyst, in which the acid-soluble oil content of the catalyst phase is maintained within a predetermined critical range. Another and further object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for the start-up of a system for the alkylation of hydrocarbons, utilizing cyclic flow of an acid-type catalyst. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.


A method and apparatus for a master gateway to register a device in a smart home network system. The method includes selecting performance parameters related to the device measured by at least two gateways including the master gateway; collecting, from the at least two gateways, at least one first information item about the performance parameters measured for the device capable of being registered in the at least two gateways; creating second information used to register the device, based on the at least one first information item, by the at least two gateways; and instructing one of the at least two gateways to register the device, based on the second information. The present invention relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for the Internet of Things (IoT). The present invention may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, and security and safety services.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for registering devices in a gateway, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for registering devices in a gateway in a multi-gateway environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of Things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a combination of the IoT technology and the Big Data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged. As technology elements, such as "sensing technology," "wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure," "service interface technology," and "security technology" have increased in demand for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and so forth have recently been researched.
Such an IoT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things. IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected cars, smart grid, health care, smart appliances and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing Information Technology (IT) and various industrial applications.
In conventional home network systems, devices inside a home usually have been managed by a single gateway. As the era of IoT is coming and the smart home market is growing, a multi-gateway environment that supports various types of devices and allows for the network coverage enlargement will be introduced in the near future. In a multi-gateway environment, one of the most important issues is related to a device management, i.e., a process to detect the optimal gateway when a new device is registered. Conventional arts are, however, disadvantageous because they have not provided a method of detecting an optimal gateway.
Conventional technologies for device management by a multi-gateway are related to a method of registering a Home Network System, a Register Controller and Home devices. Devices may be registered in a Register Controller. A gateway performs management by mapping the Unique Identification Number (UID) of a Register Controller to a region that the Register Controller belonged to. When there is a plurality of gateways capable of being registered, conventional technologies have not determined the optimal gateway to manage devices.

Method and apparatus for registering devices in gateway


The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for handling of secondary scheduling request in carrier aggregation. Thereby, a message comprising a request of radio resources for uplink transmission from the user equipment to a base station is composed, it is determined whether the user equipment is in a carrier aggregation mode in which two or more carriers are aggregated forming one primary cell and at least one secondary cell, the primary cell and at least one secondary cell supporting physical uplink control channel, the message is assigned to a physical uplink control channel, wherein assigning is permitted to the physical uplink control channel of the primary cell and a physical uplink control channel of any of the at least one secondary cell, and transmission of the message is caused using the assigned physical uplink control channel.

Mobile data transmission and data services are constantly making progress, wherein such services provide various communication services, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. In recent years, Long Term Evolution LTE™ has been specified, which uses the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network E-UTRAN as radio communication architecture according to 3GPP specification.
In general, a communication device, such as a so called user equipment UE, may communicate with more than one cell. Communications with more than one cell may be provided so as to increase performance. Such provision may be ensured e.g. based on carrier aggregation CA. In carrier aggregation a plurality of carriers are aggregated to increase bandwidth. Carrier aggregation comprises aggregating a plurality of component carriers.
LTE-Advanced LTE-A is an example of a system capable of providing carrier aggregation. In LTE-A, two or more component carriers CCs can be aggregated in order to support wider transmission bandwidths and/or for spectrum aggregation. Thereby, LTE-Advanced aims to support peak data rates of e.g. 1 Gbps in the downlink and 500 Mbps in the uplink. In order to fulfill such requirements, a transmission bandwidth of up to 100 MHz is required. Since the availability of such large portions of contiguous spectrum is rare in practice, LTE-A utilizes carrier aggregation of multiple CCs to achieve high bandwidth transmission. In doing so, LTE-A supports aggregation of up to five 20 MHz CCs.
Release 10 (i.e. 3GPP TS 36.300) of the E-UTRA specifications introduced Carrier Aggregation CA, where two or more component carriers CCs are aggregated in order to support wider transmission bandwidths up to 100 MHz. In CA it is possible to configure a UE to aggregate a different number of CCs originating from the same eNodeB eNB and of possibly different bandwidths in the uplink UL and downlink DL.
When in CA, a UE is always configured with a primary cell PCell. The PCell is used for security, Non Access Stratum NAS mobility, transmission of a Physical Uplink Control Channel PUCCH (including scheduling requests). All other configured CCs are called secondary cells SCells and do not have PUCCH configured. Furthermore, in CA, the possibility to de-activate CCs/SCells in order to reduce the UE power consumption is supported. The UE monitoring activity of a de-activated SCell is reduced (e.g. no PDCCH monitoring nor Channel Quality Indication CQI measurements are performed) and the UL activity in a de-activated carrier is also stopped (no Sounding Reference Signal SRS).
Moreover, since Release 8 of the 3GPP specifications (i.e. 3GPP TS 36.321), in order to assist the scheduler, the eNB can configure UEs to send Buffer Status Reports BSR and Power Headroom Reports PHR in uplink. BSR indicates the amount of data the UE has available for transmission and are typically used by the eNB to choose an appropriate transport block size while PHR are typically used to select an appropriate modulation and coding scheme MCS and number of allocated Physical Resource Blocks PRBs.
According to the above-mentioned Release 8 specification, among other conditions, in E-UTRA a BSR is triggered in the UE if data arrives in the UE buffer (at Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP or Radio Link Control RLC) which has higher priority than the data already available for transmission and/or if new data arrives in an empty UE buffer.
If the UE has no allocation available on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel PUSCH for the Transmission Time Interval TTI where the BSR is triggered, a Scheduling Request SR is then triggered. Once an SR is triggered, a scheduling request is either transmitted on the Physical Uplink Control Channel PUCCH using dedicated resources which are allocated on a UE basis with a certain periodicity by the eNB via RRC signaling, or if no PUCCH is available the scheduling request uses a random access procedure. An SR remains pending until new transmissions are granted to the UE or when a fixed number of scheduling requests on PUCCH have been sent.
Currently, a SR is transmitted in PUCCH, wherein PUCCH is assigned to the PCell. In recent time, it has been discussed to establish a PUCCH also on SCells to reduce the signaling burden of the PCell. Thereby, it was agreed e.g. according to 3GPP Work Item RP-142268 to specify and complete the support of PUCCH on SCell for UEs supporting uplink carrier aggregation.
However, there arises the problem of handling plural PUCCH in carrier aggregation.


An antenna duplexer includes a transmission filter which operates in a transmission frequency band and has a transmission filter output. A reception filter operates in a reception frequency band and has a reception filter output. An antenna connection is connected to the transmission filter output and a matching element is connected between the antenna connection and the reception filter input. The circuit formed from the transmission filter, reception filter and matching element attenuates transmission signals in a frequency band whose frequencies f are in the interval 0.50*f0<=f<=0.75*f0, where f0 is the mid-frequency of the reception frequency band.

Duplexers, which are used, for example, in portable communication appliances, on the one hand have the purpose of passing on transmission signals from transmission paths to an antenna connection without them being passed into reception paths, which are intended for received signals and have sensitive low-noise amplifiers. This means that duplexers thus must have the capability to carry a large amount of power in the transmission path at the transmission frequencies and, ideally, a low insertion loss in the pass band, since this is the only way to achieve a communication appliance with a low power consumption. High suppression of the transmission path at the reception frequencies is required in order to protect the reception path against the high levels of the transmission signal.
Duplexers should likewise pass received signals from an antenna connection into a reception path with as little further attenuation as possible in order to ensure high reception path sensitivity even at low useful signal levels. For this purpose, a low insertion loss is also a necessary precondition for the reception filter.
Furthermore, an antenna duplexer is intended to prevent the emission of transmission power in undesirable frequency ranges either leading to interference in other radio systems or to interference being produced in the device itself at frequencies at which signals at very low levels are intended to be received, for example, GPS. In order to achieve this, high suppression is required in the transmission path in the relevant frequency ranges (for example, GPS, WLAN, harmonics of the transmission signal).
Correspondingly, therefore, duplexers should ideally have a low insertion loss in respective pass bands, with high suppression in the other frequency ranges. In the mobile radio field, SAW or BAW duplexers (SAW=surface acoustic wave, BAW=bulk acoustic wave) are preferably used because of the filter characteristic which is achieved in a very small physical form.
For example, one duplexer circuit is known from the document U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,731 B2.
For antenna duplexers in the mobile radio bands in the 2 GHz range (for example, Bands I, II, III, IV or VII), simultaneous compliance with all the requirements stated above is more difficult than in the 1 GHz range.
For SAW components, it is not possible to use solely a DMS filter structure (double mode SAW), which leads to low insertion losses and high broadband suppression levels even while away from the pass band frequencies, for the transmission filter, because DMS structures do not have the required power handling capability, in particular in the 2 GHz range. So-called "ladder-type" structures are therefore used for the transmission filter.
For BAW, the use of so-called coupled resonator structures involves an extremely complex process, and the ladder-type structure is therefore currently also used here.
However, the use of the ladder-type structure for the transmission filter fundamentally has the disadvantage that the transmission filter therefore has inadequate broadband suppression at the required level for the insertion loss.
In addition, the dissipated losses which increase at high frequencies make it harder to achieve low insertion losses. The measures to reduce the insertion loss that are known for ladder-type structures are on the one hand to reduce the capacitance ratio of the parallel to series resonators and on the other hand to reduce the number of ladder-type basic elements used. However, both measures lead to a reduction in the broadband suppression level, which is therefore contrary to the requirement for the transmission filter. If the above measures were to be implemented in the opposite sense in order to achieve the required suppression, the insertion loss would be increased, and the bandwidth and gradient in the bandpass filter would be reduced.
For narrow band selection requirements above the transmission band, additional suppression can be achieved by measures such as shifting pole points above the transmission band—as described in the German patent document DE 199 32 649 A1.
However, the options for narrow band selection requirements well below the transmission band are very restricted. The GPS frequency range (1574-1577 MHz) is, however, actually below the device's own transmission range for a 2 GHz duplexer.
One previously known measure for increasing the suppression outside the pass band frequencies of duplex circuits, in particular of duplexer circuits which are intended for use at mid-frequencies in the region of 2 GHz, which are intended to have high suppression of the transmission signals at GPS frequencies, is, for example, based on deliberately positioning acoustic poles below the pass band frequencies for GPS frequencies. One disadvantage is that an additional reactance element is required for this purpose, typically an inductance. This inductance has to be chosen to be greater the further the acoustic pole point is intended to be away from the pass band. A further disadvantage is that the suppression decreases considerably in the frequency range between the pass band and the frequency of the acoustic pole.

Antenna duplexer with high GPS suppression


Process for the laser and/or plasma cutting of strips, particularly metal coils, and relative continuous cutting lines in which, upstream of the cutting line, there is a strip of metal in the form of a coil supported on a reel, positioned for unwinding, and in which the strip is initially straightened and then, using a transport system, is sent downstream towards a support bed, and is locally processed by the movement of an overhead focusing head which is part of the laser or plasma cutting unit. While cutting, the focusing head is mobile and moves exclusively along the axis which is transversal to the longitudinal forward travel axis of the strip. The strip is carried further downstream by an evacuation table, on which both the waste pieces and the finished pieces or details remain together, after which they are later separated.

1. Field of the Invention
The object of the invention contained herein is a process for the laser and/or plasma cutting of strips, particularly metal coils, and relative continuous cutting lines.
The invention has particular, but not necessarily exclusive, application in the mechanical engineering industry.
2. Description of Related Art
Laser or plasma cutting lines for plate are widely used, and the plates may be predisposed in the form of single sheets or continuous coils. The said type of plant is widely used in the industrial sector, for the production of large batches of components or for certain details which require extreme precision, and for pieces with either small or large dimensions.
In the cutting units of these machines, there is basically a fixed or mobile focusing head which is held at a short distance from the sheet by means of an accurate centering system (auto-focus), and which emits a perpendicular laser beam which penetrates the thickness of the material, and then carries out the cutting of the material.
The said apparatus, in the zone immediately below the focusing head, has to be equipped with special equipment which, on the one hand, by means of its particular conformation, helps to support the plate, while on the other hand helps to evacuate the toxic fumes and liquefied particles that are given off.
A typical example is made up of a cutting bed, which is sufficiently large to contain at least the maximum foreseen dimension of the plate to be cut, made up of a mesh or comb-type structure. One of the characteristics of the said cutting bed is given by the fact that, on the side that supports the plate, there is a series of protruding bodies with rounded tips, similar to nails. These nails keep the plate at a certain distance from the mesh structure, in order to help the cutting cycle. The mesh is also used to sift the swarf that results from the process, which falls through the mesh and is collected in a bin below the bed.
The bin works in conjunction with the above cutting bed, and has mechanical systems to evacuate the waste materials and motor-driven pumps to draw off all the liquefied particles and toxic fumes that are produced by the cutting head when it is in operation.
Regarding the focusing head of the cutting unit, there are currently two types available.
The first type has a static focusing head. In this case, the sheet is moved below the focusing head, and is held in place around its edges by a special clamping system, which grips the edges of the sheet. There is a logic unit which is programmed in order to communicate between the focusing head and the clamping system, in order to carry out a coordinated movement of the clamping system which thus moves the sheet in one direction or another.
The second type has a movable focusing head. In this case, the metal strip or sheet passes in the area below the head, moved step by step by means of a special transport mechanism. Going further into detail, since the cutting unit moves along two axes (x, y), the sheet is moved into position longitudinally and then held in a given position so that the cutting unit can carry out the cutting operation according to the program. Once the cutting cycle has been completed, the sheet is moved forward to leave the finished product, while the waste material is collected by the equipment positioned below the table. There is also a logic unit in the second case, which communicates between the pre-imposed movements of the cutting unit and the forward movement system for the strip or sheet. The movement phase is only carried out when the message is received from the logic unit, that is when the cutting cycle for each single piece has been completed.
With the solutions described above, even though they are both technically valid, there are various drawbacks.
Firstly, with both systems, once the piece has been cut and is still held in place by a micro-joint, it may fall into the area below the bed because of the movement and vibrations of the bed, especially of the protruding nails. The frequency of this event means that a number of cut pieces are accumulated or even lost in the equipment, below the cutting bed which is used for collecting and evacuating the cutting swarf, and which also interfere with the toxic fumes evacuation system. The material causes problems with both the waste recovery and fume evacuation systems, which results in a reduction of the efficiency of the systems and an increase in the amount of maintenance required.
Furthermore, from a technological point of view, the said equipment is rather complex and has a high manufacturing cost, and it is weighs quite heavily on the overall cost of the plant.
The plant also occupies a large amount of space. The cutting bed has to be sized according to the dimensions of strip or sheet which is to be processed, with a surface that is, therefore, at least large enough to hold each sheet. Regarding the work carried out on strips, the said apparatus, apart from the width of the bed, has to also take into consideration a cutting bed length which is sufficient for the longitudinal cutting cycle to be carried out. As a result, in order to carry out cuts on large objects, the area required for a correct installation of the plant has to be proportionally large.
As a consequence of the limits imposed by the existing equipment, the longitudinal cuts that can be carried out on the strips will depend on the size of the equipment. Therefore, with the current equipment available, it is not possible to cut pieces or details with an undefined length, or equal to the total length of the coiled strip.
The aim of this invention is also to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
This and other aims are achieved through the use of this invention according to the characteristics in the attached claims, solving the problems described by means of a laser or plasma cutting process for strips, especially metal coils, and relative continuous cutting lines in which a coil held on a reel is unwound upstream of the cutting line. In the said system, the strip is initially straightened and then moved downstream by a transport system towards a support bed. There is a focusing head positioned above the support bed, which is part of the laser or plasma cutting unit. The said focusing head, during the cutting cycle, is mobile along an axis, which is transversal with respect to the longitudinal movement of the strip. The said strip is moved downstream along an evacuation bed on which the both waste pieces and the finished pieces lay flat, and which are later separated.
In this way, through the creative contribution of the system, which leads to an immediate technical progress, various advantages are achieved.
The first advantage is given by the possibility of cutting pieces or details of an undefined length, or at least the overall length of the strip, which is not possible with any other type of plant.
The second advantage is given by the fact that the complex equipment and systems that are usually positioned below the cutting bed are eliminated, which reduces the transversal area required and is sized according to the fume and liquefied particles evacuation system, which in this case coincides with the travel axis of the focusing head.
By eliminating the equipment which includes the mechanical recovery of waste material from below the focusing head, maintenance operations are eliminated and there is no longer the risk of finished pieces, especially small ones, falling in the area below along with the waste material and being lost.
A further benefit regards the fact that the size and consumption figures for the plant are reduced, leading to an increased flexibility, due to the fact that small batches may also be produced, and an increase in productivity thanks to the availability of all the pre-imposed cutting parameters. Furthermore, the cutting path is optimised, there is good modulation of the power and, above all, the material is always on-line with no, or very little, time lost for changing the type of cycle to be carried out.
A further advantage is that the equipment is very reliable, the cost for buying and running the equipment is quite low, and the maintenance operations are reduced to a minimum.
These and other advantages will be explained in the following detailed description and attached schematic drawings of a preferred application of the system, the details of which are to be considered simply examples and not limitations of the system.


Methods for forming a fluid seal in a subterranean formation may comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous carrier fluid, a sealant composition, and a crosslinked polysaccharide composition. The treatment fluid is introduced into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and the crosslinked polysaccharide composition is formed into a viscosified gel in the wellbore. The viscosified gel substantially spans the diameter of the wellbore and holds the sealant composition in place. After forming the crosslinked polysaccharide composition into a viscosified gel in the wellbore, forming a fluid seal in the wellbore with the sealant composition.

The present disclosure generally relates to forming a fluid seal in a wellbore, and, more specifically, to methods and treatment fluids that promote the formation of a fluid seal in a wellbore with enhanced uniformity.
Treatment fluids can be used in a variety of subterranean operations. Such subterranean operations can include, without limitation, drilling operations, stimulation operations, production operations, remediation operations, sand control treatments and the like. As used herein, the terms "treat," "treatment," "treating" and other variants thereof refer to any subterranean operation that uses a fluid in conjunction with achieving a desired function and/or for a desired purpose. Use of these terms does not imply any particular action by the treatment fluid or a component thereof unless expressly described as such herein. Illustrative treatment operations can include, for example, fracturing operations, gravel packing operations, acidizing treatments, scale dissolution and removal operations, consolidation operations, conformance control operations, and the like.
When performing a subterranean treatment operation, including those noted above, it can sometimes be desirable to temporarily or permanently block or divert the flow of a fluid within at least a portion of the subterranean formation by forming a fluid seal therein. The formation of a fluid seal can itself be considered a treatment operation. Whether the fluid seal is intended to be temporary or permanent can determine the type of agent used in its formation. Illustrative fluid blocking and diversion operations can include, without limitation, fluid loss control operations, kill operations, conformance control operations, and the like. The fluid that is being blocked or diverted can be a formation fluid that is natively present in the subterranean formation, such as petroleum, gas, or water. In other cases, the fluid that is being blocked or diverted can be a treatment fluid, including the types mentioned above. In some cases, treatment fluids can be formulated to be self-diverting, such that they are automatically directed to a desired location within the subterranean formation.
Providing effective fluid loss control during subterranean treatment operations can be highly desirable. The term "fluid loss," as used herein, refers to the undesired migration or loss of fluids into a subterranean formation and/or a particulate pack. Fluid loss can be problematic in a number of subterranean operations including, for example, drilling operations, fracturing operations, acidizing operations, gravel-packing operations, workover operations, chemical treatment operations, wellbore clean-out operations, and the like. In fracturing operations, for example, fluid loss into the formation matrix can sometimes result in incomplete fracture propagation. Formation of a fluid seal in such treatment operations can mitigate the migration of a fluid into an unwanted location of the subterranean formation.
Likewise, in the reverse of a fluid loss event, incomplete fluid blocking can result in production of an unwanted fluid from one or more zones of a subterranean formation. For example, incomplete formation of a fluid seal may result in the unwanted incursion of formation water or brine into a wellbore, which may decrease the value of a hydrocarbon resource produced therefrom.
Gelled polymers, also synonymously referred to herein as viscosified gels, can be used to form a fluid seal in various subterranean operations.
As used herein, a "gelled polymer" or "viscosified gel" refers to a polymer in semi-solid form that has at least a portion of its polymer chains crosslinked with one another via a crosslinking agent. Gelled polymers can be further classified based upon their properties following gelation. "Lipping gels" or "tonguing gels" refer to crosslinked polymers that are more viscous than a freely pouring fluid phase, but have low gel strengths. They often form a retractable "tongue" over the edge of a container from which they are being poured. "Rigid gels" or "ringing gels," in contrast, have higher gel strengths and generally refer to crosslinked polymers that are substantially non-flowing and maintain dimensional stability when in their crosslinked state. The properties of a particular gelled polymer can determine the types of treatment operations in which it may be most effectively used. Lipping gels are most typically used to provide viscosity to a treatment fluid during the treatment fluid's introduction to a subterranean formation. For example, lipping gels may be used to increase the viscosity of a fracturing fluid so that the fracturing fluid can effectively transport proppant particulates. Rigid gels, in contrast, are more typically used to form a temporary or permanent fluid seal in a subterranean formation. Generally, the two types of gels are complementary to one another in their use, and they are not usually thought to be operationally interchangeable with one another, although they may, at times, bear some similarity to one another from a viscosity standpoint. In this regard, lipping gels may be used for some conformance applications.
Various modes of crosslinking are possible in a gelled polymer. The crosslinks can be in the form of a covalent bond, a non-covalent bonding interaction, or any combination thereof. The crosslinks can be temporary or permanent. Chromium, titanium, zirconium and other transition metal ions can be used to crosslink certain types of crosslinkable polymers, including polysaccharides. Any suitable salt form of the transition metal ions, including ligated and solution forms, may be used to affect crosslinking. Borate or polyfunctional borate crosslinking agents can be used in a like manner. Polymer-based crosslinking agents may be used to affect crosslinking in other instances. A number of factors may determine the type of crosslinking agent chosen for a particular crosslinkable polymer, such as the desired gel time and gel strength, as well as the temperature and chemistry of a subterranean formation in which the crosslinkable polymer is deployed. For example, in higher temperature subterranean formations (e.g., above about 175° F.), polymer-based crosslinking agents may be more desirable than are transition metal ions due to uncontrolled crosslinking rates with the latter. As used herein, the term "gel time" refers to the time needed for an initially uncrosslinked polymer to form a substantially gelled state.
Due to their higher gel strengths, rigid gels are ordinarily used when forming a fluid seal in a subterranean formation. When forming a fluid seal with a rigid gel, the polymer and the crosslinking agent are usually introduced to the subterranean formation in a substantially non-crosslinked, low viscosity state. Otherwise, high viscosities would lead to difficult pumping, including high pump pressures and possible unintended fracturing, thereby making proper placement of the fluid seal problematic. Once the polymer and the crosslinking agent have reached their intended location in a subterranean formation, gelation can then take place to form a fluid seal. However, gelation does not take place instantaneously and is dictated by a number of factors including, for example, the nature of the polymer, the crosslinking agent, the formation temperature, and the downhole placement time, among other factors.
Because the polymer compositions that form rigid gels are fairly low in viscosity in their uncrosslinked state, they are often prone to slumping within a wellbore due to the influence of gravity before gelation occurs. Slumping can make it difficult to maintain an ungelled polymer in a desired location of the wellbore or to achieve an isotropic distribution of the ungelled polymer throughout the formation permeability while waiting for gelation to occur, often resulting in creation of an ineffective or incomplete fluid seal. Pressure differentials within a wellbore may also cause similar difficulties. Slumping effects may be particularly problematic in deviated wellbores having a substantially horizontal section, often resulting in ineffective generation of a fluid seal on an upper portion of the formation face. This issue can be especially problematic when well screens or slotted liners are present. Slumping and other types of polymer displacement issues may also be problematic in other wellbore configurations, including substantially vertical wellbore configurations. Although slumping may be combated to a certain degree by including an additive that hastens gelation, this approach may not be practical in all cases due to the risk of premature gelation occurring before the polymer has reached its intended downhole location. Even then, there may still be enough delay before gelation occurs to preclude formation of a sufficiently uniform fluid seal over the entire width of the wellbore. At present, there are not believed to be reliable options for placing a sealant composition in a wellbore without taking measures to account for slumping effects.

Methods for improving the distribution of a sealant composition in a wellbore and treatment fluids providing the same


A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for use with a vehicle seat which has a foldable back includes an inboard movable belt guide through which a portion of the belt intermediate an inboard and an outboard portion freely passes. The belt guide includes a guide member having a ring portion receiving the belt and mounted on the inboard side of the seat for generally backward and forward movement of the ring portion. A drive device is coupled between the belt guide member and an element associated with the back of the seat such that the belt guide ring portion is moved forwardly in response to forward folding of the seat back and is moved rearwardly in response to restoration of the seat back to the normal upright position.

A variety of passive vehcile occupant restraint belt systems have heretofore been proposed in which the outboard end of a restraint belt is moved forward away from the occupant when the door is opened and is moved rearwardly to a restraint configuration when the door is closed. For example, some proposed systems include a lap belt which leads from an inboard location adjcent the lower rear portion of the vehicle seat across the seat to a movable guide which slides along a guide rail on the inside of the door between an occupant-restraining location near the lower rear corner of the door and an occupant-releasing location near the window sill somewhere between the forward and rearward ends of the door. Other systems comprise a shoulder belt which leads from an inboard location adjacent the lower rear portion of the seat up to a movable guide that moves along a guide rail at the edge of the roof above the vehicle door. Other systems employ both the lap belt and the seat belt. In still another type of passive restraint belt system, often called a three-point system, the ends of a shoulder belt and a lap belt that are located on the inboard side of the seat occupant when the belts are in the occupant-restraining configuration are joined to each other and to a control ring at the end of a control belt which leads from an emergency locking retractor adjacent the lower rear portion of the inboard side of the seat.
In almost all passive vehicle occupant restraint belt systems of the types referred to above, there is a fixed location at the inboard lower rear portion of the seat from which a control belt, lap belt or shoulder belt leads. When any of these systems are used in association with a seat having a back which folds forwardly, the best example of which is the front seat of a two door automobile having a rear seat, the lap belt, shoulder belt or control belt interfers with the forward folding of the seat, even when the belt is in the releasing configuration. When the door is open and the passive belt is in the releasing configuration and a passenger in the rear seat pushes the seat back of the front seat forwardly, the seat back will contact the front seat restraint belt or control belt, especially the inboard part. Ordinarily, an additional length of the belt will be drawn from a retractor so that the seat back can be pushed further forward, but the result of such contact and movement is a wearing action on both the belt and the part of the seat back which contacts the belt. Moreover, additional forces are required to be exerted by the rear seat passenger to push the seat back forward so he can enter or leave the vehicle.
Another problem with passive restraint belt systems used in connection with seats having forwardly folding backs is that it sometimes happens that the seat back is folded forwardly when someone tries to open or close the door. In some three-point systems, the control ring sometimes catches on the seat back and jams the mechanism which moves the belts and prevents the door from being opened or closed as long as the control ring is caught.

Movable inboard belt guide for use in passive vehicle occupant restraint systems


A train control system includes positioning systems at the end of the train and at the front of the train, allowing the conductor or engineer to unambiguously determine that no cars of the train have become detached. The positioning system at the end of the train is also used to verify that the entire train has cleared a block. This information can be relayed to a dispatcher, thereby eliminating the need for trackside sensing equipment. A control unit prevents the train from moving without an authorization that includes the train's current position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to railroads generally, and more particularly to automatic control of trains.
2. Discussion of the Background
Controlling the movement of trains in a modern environment both in a train yard and on the main line is a complex process. Collisions with other trains must be avoided and regulations in areas such as grade crossings must be complied with. The pressure to increase the performance of rail systems, in terms of speed, reliability and safety, has led to many proposals to automate various aspects of train operation.
One traditional method for controlling trains is known as track warrant control. This method is most often used in areas of dark territory (track that does not include a wayside signaling system). Simply put, a track warrant is permission to occupy a given section of track, i.e., a block. The traditional track warrant control method, which is defined in the General Code of Operational Rules, involves "written" verbal orders which may be modified or rescinded by communication over a radio with a dispatcher. In the system, a dispatcher gives a train or a maintenance crew verbal authority (a warrant) to occupy a portion of main line track between named locations (e.g., mile markers, switches, stations, or other points). In addition to specifying certain track sections, track warrants can specify speed limits, direction, time limits, and whether to clear the main line (e.g., by entering a secondary track such as a siding) and/or any other section of track (sidings, yards secondary track, etc . . . ). There is a complicated and time consuming procedure by which track warrants are issued which involves the train conductor or engineer reading back the warrant to the dispatcher before the warrant goes into effect. One important disadvantage to this system is that it relies on human beings, both to communicate the warrant properly and to ensure that the warrant is complied with. The system is thus subject to errors which can be disastrous.
Some systems, such as the Track Warrant Control System sold by RDC (Railroad Development Corporation), have automated some of the track warrant control method, such as by sending the warrant to the train via a computer system. Another system, Automatic Block Signaling (ABS), provides for automated wayside signaling of block status and authority to enter or occupy a block. In this system, track warrants may overlap and the conductor or engineer uses the automatic wayside signals to determine when and how to proceed in a given block. Again, human beings are involved and errors are possible.
In another system known as Cab Signal, a display is provided in the cab for the engineer/conductor. This display basically displays wayside signals to the engineer/conductor and forces the engineer/conductor to acknowledge signals that are more restrictive than the current signal. However, the Cab Signal system does not force the engineer/conductor to obey the more restrictive signal. Thus, an engineer/conductor may be forced to acknowledge a signal that reduces the maximum speed from 20 m.p.h. to 10 m.p.h., but the train will not be forced to slow to 10 m.p.h.; rather, the engineer/conductor must take action to slow the train. Once again, the potential for error exists.
A second traditional system known as Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) allows a dispatcher to control movement of trains by controlling track switches and wayside signals from a central dispatch office. In these systems, there is no direct communication with the locomotive cab; rather, the dispatcher sends commands to switches and wayside signals and receives feedback from them. Again, the wayside signal indicate authority to occupy a block or to proceed to the next block. These systems still require a human operation to control movement of the train in accordance with wayside signals. Updated CTC systems such as the Radio Actuated Code System from Harmon Electronics integrate differential GPS (global positioning system) technology and other technology into these systems, but they are still subject to human error.
Some efforts at automation have been made. For example, a rudimentary system known as Automatic Train Stop (ATS), sold by Union Switch and Signal Inc., functions by means of a mechanical contact between a wayside trip arm and a brake emergency trip switch or cock mounted to the car. If the wayside signal is in a stop condition and the train passes the signal, the wayside trip arm activates the emergency brake switch, thereby initiating an emergency brake operation. One problem with a rudimentary system such as this is that the braking operation is not started until the train passes the wayside switch, which means the train will not stop until some point after the switch. Thus, the system will not prevent a collision with an object that is close to the wayside signal.
Another problem with all of the foregoing system is that they require wayside signaling. These wayside signal systems are expensive to maintain and operate. Doing away with wayside signaling has been desired by train operators for many years.
The foregoing concerns have led to more automated systems. For example, in the Automatic Train Control (ATC) system, train location information, speed information, and train control information are continually exchanged between a train cab and computerized wayside controllers in real time (in some systems, track rails are used to carry this information). In this system, it is not necessary for a conductor or engineer to look for wayside signals. If a wayside signal is missed by a conductor or engineer, or conditions change after the wayside signal is passed, the information is available to the conductor or engineer in the cab. Some ATC systems automatically apply the brakes if a stop signal is passed. As discussed above in connection with the ABS system, such after-the-fact braking systems may not prevent collision with an object located in close proximity to a wayside signal. Other systems, such as the Advanced Train Control System proposed by Rockwell International, will automatically apply the brakes if a track warrant is about to be exceeded.
An advanced version of the ATC system, referred to as the Advanced Automated Train Control (AATC) system, is offered in combination with an Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system by General Electric Transportation Systems to fully automate movement of trains.
In at least one New Jersey Transit system, the ATC system has been combined with a Positive Train Stop (PTS) system. The PTS system uses transponders along the tracks and on-board receivers to supplement the ATC system. PTS is an intelligent system that anticipates signaling and will stop or slow the train automatically without operator input. For example, as discussed above, while ATC will stop the train automatically if the train runs through a stop signal, PTS will stop the train before actually going through a stop signal. In addition, the PTS system allows for "civil-speed" and "temporary construction" speed restrictions. The term Advanced Speed Enforcement System (ASES) is used when ATC and PTS are combined.
Another system sold by Harmon Industries and referred to as Ultracab also involves an ATC system that will automatically stop a train before going through a stop signal. However, one drawback to both the PTS and Ultracab systems is that they assume the worst case scenario when automatically stopping a train, i.e, they employ a fixed braking curve. Thus, for example, when these system detect an upcoming stop signal, they will apply the brakes at a distance that assumes that the train is traveling downhill on the most steeply graded section of track, and that the train is at the maximum weight. This worst-case assumption/fixed braking curve makes such systems inefficient.
In more recent years a next generation train control system referred to as Positive Train Control, or PTC, has been proposed. A number of companies have proposed different systems that function in different ways to implement PTC systems. For example, GE Transportation Systems markets a product referred to as the Incremental Train Control System (ITCS) and GE Harris Railway Electronics markets a version referred to as Precision Train Control. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has stated that from the point of view of safety objectives, a PTC system needs to achieve the following core functions with a high degree of reliability and effectiveness: prevent train-to-train collisions (positive train separation); enforce speed restrictions, including civil engineering restrictions and temporary slow orders; and provide protection of roadway workers and their equipment operating under specific authorities.
In addition to the performance and safety issues discussed above, vandalism is becoming an increasing concern of train operators. One form of vandalism is the unauthorized moving of trains. Much like some people 'borrow' a car for joyriding, some will joyride on trains. Unlike cars, a key is often not required to "start" a train. While a locomotive cab may be locked, it is fairly easy to break the lock and enter the cab, at which point a train can be made to move. Unauthorized movement of a train, whether on a main line, in a train yard, or on some other section of track, can cause much damage even if a stop signal is not violated.
Another vandalism problem is the uncoupling of trains while the trains are at rest. Ordinarily, but not necessarily, if a car becomes detached from a train due to some mechanical failure, the loss in pressure in the brake lines will cause the trains to immediately stop. However, if a vandal disconnects a car from a train while in the yard and properly shuts the air valve for the brake line to the remaining cars, this protection does not work. When a train has many cars, a conductor or engineer may not notice that the car has been disconnected. In this case, the car left behind may cause a collision with an oncoming train or may just roll away and then cause a collision. This problem is partially solved by the use of known end-of-train devices that include motion sensors that allow a conductor or engineer in the locomotive cab to verify that the last car is in motion. However, the motion sensors sometimes break or give false readings and, under certain circumstances described more fully herein, may mislead a conductor or engineer even when working properly.
What is needed is a method and system that allows for the efficient and safe operation of a railroad while mitigating the effects of vandalism.

Train control system and method of controlling a train or trains


A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) including a conduit (12), and a motion transmitting core element (14) moveably supported by the conduit (12). A terminal (22) is attached to one end of the core element (14) for attachment to a member to be controlled. The terminal (22) adjusts the effective length of the core element (14) by manually locking the terminal (22) into any one of various locking positions and includes three members. The first member (24) includes a first (46) and second (48) plurality of teeth (50) inclined away from one another and is attached to the core element (14). The second member (26) is attached to the control member. The third member (28) includes a first (46') and a second (48') plurality of teeth (50') adapted for matingly interconnecting the first and second members (24, 26) and is moveable between an unlocked position, allowing relative movement between the first and second members ( 24, 26) and a locked position for preventing such relative movement. An alternative assembly includes a mid-conduit adjustment device having a first member and third member. Two rows of oppositely inclined teeth on the third member are moveable into locking engagement with two rows of oppositely inclined teeth on the first member.

Remote control assemblies of the instant invention are used in aircraft, automotive, and marine environments. Typical of the use of such remote control assemblies is the positioning of heater and vent control members in automobiles.
In such applications it is frequently necessary to adjust the length or position of the end of the core element once the assembly has been installed. Such assemblies normally include one or more fittings secured to the conduit for attaching the conduit to the support structure of the automobile. The core element is attached to one end of the terminal member and is adapted to be attached to a member to be controlled whereas the other end has a matingly graspable knob secured thereto for longitudinally moving the core element. Frequently, after the assembly has been installed, it is necessary to adjust the overall effective length of the core element at the terminal end attached to the member to be controlled to a particular position. Adjustment of the overall effective length of the core element can be accomplished in either of two ways. Either the core element itself can be adjusted, or the conduit length can be adjusted. Also, this length adjustment can either be manually or automatically accomplished.

Manual adjust having oppositely toothed fitting


The invention relates to a spring device for a vehicle seat, in particular a utility vehicle seat having at least one air spring arranged between a seat part and a lower part for the height adjustment (5) of the seat part and having a control device for controlling the supply and discharge of at least one additional air volume to or from the air spring, wherein at a predefined run in and/or run out position (9) of the air spring, the additional air volume that can be supplied or discharged can be changed or switched off by means of the control device such that inclines in the profile of a force-path air spring characteristic (1; 1a, 1b, 1c) of the air spring in a first and in at least one further range (2, 3,4) are different from one another. Furthermore, a description is given of a method of springing a vehicle seat.

Spring devices for vehicle seats are known in particular for attenuating a height excursion of the vehicle seat when travelling over uneven road surfaces, such as potholes. EP 1 188 608 A1 discloses an active suspension system for sprung vehicle seats, in which a pneumatic offload device and a hydraulic actuating member are arranged between a seat part and a lower part that is connected to the vehicle, along with a mechanical flexible connection device. Both the pneumatic offload device and the hydraulic actuating member are controlled by a control device as a function of a seat error signal, which is generated for example by a jerky height adjustment of the seat part.
Such hydraulic actuating members require a connection to the on-board power supply of the vehicle, in particular of a utility vehicle. Such a connection results in the function of the active suspension of the vehicle seat being dependent on the function of the on-board power supply and in particular the parameters thereof, so that it is necessary to match the parameters of the suspension system to the parameters of the on-board power supply and thus to adapt the system to the respective utility vehicle.
Moreover, air springs are known which have a force-path air spring characteristic that runs linearly, the incline of which can be changed as a function of the design of the air spring and of an applied additional air volume, but which have the same incline over the entire force path air spring characteristic. In such air springs, use is generally made of additional air volumes that are kept constant, which as actual air volume of the air spring are associated with the air spring moving in and out.
Such additional air volumes which are kept constant result in a swinging back of the seat part into a central position of the force-path air spring characteristic not being possible when the air spring is set with a force-path air spring characteristic having a small incline, since friction forces within the spring device as a whole are greater than a return force within the force-path air spring characteristic.
On the other hand, when the spring device is designed such that the return force is greater—that is to say a greater incline in the air spring characteristic is set—a comparatively hard damping is achieved both in the middle travel region and in the end of travel regions of the air spring.
Moreover, when using an air spring in an air spring characteristic range with a small incline—the so-called comfort range—which requires that a large additional volume be switched on, reaching of the end stops in the end of travel regions of the air spring in the event of large in and out movements becomes probable on account of a high degree of unevenness, as a result of which there is a reduced seating comfort for the user of the vehicle seat. The setting of a comfort range is generally desired in the case of air springs for vehicle seats on account of better transmission values and the higher degree of comfort resulting therefrom.

Device and method for springing a vehicle seat


Unmanned aerial vehicle charging systems including unmanned aerial vehicle charging stations having a light socket connector configured to be coupled to a light socket, a power circuit electrically coupled to the light socket connector, and a charging station body having one or more electrical contact regions electrically coupled to the power circuit. The one or more electrical contact regions are electrically engageable with one or more unmanned aerial vehicles.

Unmanned aerial vehicles may be used to perform a variety of aerial functions in outdoor and indoor environments, such as surveillance and observation. Unmanned aerial vehicles may include autonomous aerial vehicles and remotely piloted aerial vehicles. Further, unmanned aerial vehicles may be electrically powered and may require a charging mechanism to charge the batteries and power systems of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
Accordingly, unmanned aerial vehicle charging stations may be desired to provide a docking and charging location for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Systems and methods for docking and charging unmanned aerial vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


A reflector (2) comprising a plate (4) supported by a substrate (8), wherein the plate has a reflective surface (5) and is secured to the substrate by adhesive free bonding, and wherein a cooling channel array (10) is provided in the reflector. The channels (16) of the cooling channel array may be formed from open channels in a surface of the substrate, the open channels being closed by the plate to create the channels.

Reflectors are used in EUV lithographic apparatus because EUV radiation is strongly absorbed in most materials and thus transmissive lenses are not practical for EUV lithographic apparatus. When a reflector is used to reflect EUV radiation some of the EUV radiation is absorbed by the reflector (reflection of the EUV radiation is not 100% efficient). Absorption of the EUV radiation by a reflector causes heating of the reflector, and this will in turn cause distortion of the reflector. Distortion of the reflector is undesirable because it will introduce aberrations into the EUV radiation beam. If the reflector is a diffraction grating an undesirable effect of the heating may be to distort the grating such that diffraction orders are no longer generated in a desired manner by the diffraction grating.
It may be desirable to obviate or mitigate at least one problem associated with known reflectors.


Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that coordinates the display of direction-specific media assets on a display device associated with a particular direction. For example, the media guidance application may receive data (e.g., stored when an image or video was created) that indicates a direction a content capture device was facing when the image or video was captured. Based on that data, the media guidance application may select a particular display device (e.g., a computer, tablet, television, etc.) that corresponds to the direction (e.g., from the point of view of a user) on which to present the media asset.

As content capture devices (e.g., cameras) are increasingly incorporated into other types of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, etc.), the frequency at which users capture images and/or videos also increases. Furthermore, as users acquire more and more images and/or videos, users increasingly obtain display devices capable of presenting the images and/or videos. As the number of display devices and the number of images and/or videos for display on those display devices presents an exponential amount of combinations, users may need guidance for how to arrange and/or present the media assets.

Methods and systems for presenting direction-specific media assets


A remote control is described herein that is configured to sense a variety of user input types on a specific button and that can also sense a variety of user input types on a click pad or region/location of the click pad. By utilizing these capabilities, the remote control can provide a very powerful and versatile user interface. Furthermore, the foregoing can be achieved with only a relatively small number of buttons, thus also providing a user interface that is simple, clean and elegant.

Technical Field
The subject matter described herein relates to remote controls. More particularly, the subject matter described herein relates to the detection of different types of user input events applied to elements of a remote control and actions taken in response to the detection of such different types of user input events.
Description of Related Art
Many remote controls have a relatively large number of buttons at least in part because the device(s) controlled thereby provide a wide variety of user-controllable features. However, not all of the features are used at all times or by all users and thus many of these buttons often go unutilized. Yet, to accommodate all of these buttons, the remote control must have a relatively large form factor. Furthermore, having so many buttons on the remote control can be extremely confusing to the user, at least in part because she must hunt among all the different buttons to try and find one that provides the functionality she is looking for.


An expansion dowel has a friction reducing coating on the contacting surfaces formed by an inside surface an an expansion sleeve and an outside surface of the shank contacting the inside surface of the sleeve. The coating effects a smaller friction value between the expansion sleeve and the expansion part than the friction value between the expansion sleeve and the surface of a borehole into which the dowel is inserted. This difference in friction assures an effective re-expansion of the expansion dowel in a fractured or broken tensile zone of a receiving material containing the borehole. In addition to the coating, protrusions arranged in pairs are formed on the outside surface of the expansion sleeve for maintaining contact with the borehole surface, particularly in the broken tensile zone during large displacement of the expansion dowel.

The present invention is directed to an expansion dowel including an anchor bolt having a axially extending cylindrical shank with an expansion part at one end and means at the other end for securing a member to a receiving material into which the dowel is anchored. At least an axially extending portion of the anchor bolt shank is enclosed by an expansion sleeve displaceable relative to the bolt. The expansion sleeve has at least one axially extending slot open at its end closer to the expansion part and it is provided on its outside surface with radially projecting protrusions.
Expansion dowels of this type are used for securing workpieces to a receiving material such as a structural component, where a bore in the component and a bore in the workpieces are similarly dimensioned, so that after the workpiece is arranged in the desired attachment position, the expansion dowel can be pushed through the bores aligned with one another. By turning engagement means, such as a nut with a suitable tool, the expansion part on the anchor bolt is pulled into the expansion sleeve whereby the sleeve anchors itself in the structural component when it is expanded by the expansion part.
A dowel is disclosed in GB-PS 1 333 893 where the anchor bolt is located at the inner end of the expansion sleeve and, upon installation, the expansion sleeve is forced outwardly at the base of the bore. The expansion dowel is made up of an elongated cylindrical anchor bolt with a conically shaped expansion part at one end and a widenable expansion sleeve positioned on the anchor bolt. The expansion sleeve has protrusions stamped outwardly from the inside of the sleeve. The protrusions are arranged so that they project outwardly from the largest circumference of the anchor bolt or expansion sleeve.
The expansion force developed after the expansion dowel has been set, produces essentially a friction force of equal magnitude between the anchor bolt and the expansion sleeve and between the borehole surface and the expansion sleeve. As a result, such an expansion dowel has an extremely unfavorable re-expansion character, for instance, in a fractured or broken tension zone in the receiving material, since displacement of the anchor bolt relative to the expansion sleeve cannot be assured. Due to the basically equal frictional forces, the expansion sleeve can move together with the anchor bolt relative to the bore hole surface. The protrusions on the expansion sleeve serve for stationary retention of the expansion sleeve in the borehole when the expansion dowel is being anchored. These protrusions are not located on the radially expandable region of the sleeve and, accordingly, do not fulfill the corresponding holding function in the fractured tension zone.
Additionally, it is known that expansion dowels of this type, formed of stainless steel, tend to "corrode or wear" between the anchor bolt and the expansion sleeve. Especially with expansion dowels used where the tension zone can fracture, it is important to avoid this "corroding phenomenon" to assure a secure re-tightening in the fractured zone.

Expansion dowel with friction reducing coating


A coronary artery imaging system is described in which a catheter is provided with a forward looking sonic transducer for measuring fluid flow in arteries without disturbing the flow and a side-looking sonic transducer for imaging the arterial walls.

It is widely recognized, on the basis of both clinical and pathological evidence, that the proximal cause of the nearly one million myocardial infarctions in the United States each year is almost always the formation of intracoronary thrombus. The precipitating event leading to the formation of a clot is typically rupture or fracture of intracoronary plaque--an event that destroys the integrity of the endothelium and exposes thrombogenic subintimal material to luminal blood flow.
At present, clinical study of coronary atherosclerosis relies almost entirely on coronary angiography in which radiopaque contrast agent is introduced into each of the coronary arteries and observed by X-ray as it fills the lumen of the artery. Although the procedure defines, in silhouette, the borders of the coronary lumen, making it possible to measure coronary obstruction, it yields no information on the properties of the obstructing plaque, its fragility or susceptibility to rupture, nor on the properties of the local coronary blood flow, a major determinant of the future growth and composition of the underlying plaque.


An ion-trap mass analyzing apparatus having means for generating ion-capture electric fields asymmetrical with respect to a reference plane containing a central point of a ring electrode and perpendicular to a central axis of the ring electrode in the inside of an ion trap to resonantly amplify ions rapidly to emit the ions from the ion trap in a short time to thereby permit high-sensitive high-accurate mass analysis stably regardless of the structural stability of ions as a subject of analysis.

The present invention relates to an ion-trap mass analyzing apparatus in which an RF electric field is generated in an inter-electrode space to once stably capture all ion species contained in a sample, resonate target ions as a subject of mass separation and emit the target ions from the inter-electrode space to thereby perform mass separation.
In a conventional ion-trap mass analyzing apparatus, an electric field is generated symmetrically on ion inlet and outlet sides in order to keep z-direction oscillation of ions uniform.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,941, two end cap electrodes are disposed so as to be asymmetrical with respect to the central point of a ring electrode but a voltage applied between the two end cap electrodes is adjusted to generate an electric field in an inter-electrode space symmetrically on the ion inlet and outlet sides. Because the voltages themselves applied to the two end cap electrodes are made asymmetrical in accordance with the positional asymmetry of the two end cap electrodes, the internal electric field becomes symmetrical. As a result, the number of ions passing through an aperture in the end cap electrode on the side where a detector is disposed is increased without change in the behavior of ions compared with a conventional symmetrical ion trap to thereby attain improvement of sensitivity.
The conventional ion-trap mass analyzing apparatus has a problem as follows. That is, a mass shift phenomenon that the position of a mass peak is displaced from a position indicating a correct ion mass number may occur.


A system capable of designing an optimum administration form of a magnetic drug is provided. The system determines first information about an side-effect-related organ on which a magnetic drug produces a side effect, based on equipment analysis information after administering the magnetic drug; further determines second information about a drug-efficacy-related organ in which drug efficacy of the magnetic drug should be demonstrated; evaluates the administration form of the magnetic drug based on the first information and the second information; corrects the administration form of the magnetic drug based on an evaluation result; and outputs information of the corrected administration form.

A type of drugs called "magnetic drugs" has been conventionally known. This magnetic drug is a drug whose drug element is made to have a magnetic property. A system capable of intensively treating an affected site can be realized by administering a magnetic drug and then applying a magnetic field to a target region such as the affected site and guiding the magnetic drug to the target region.
An example of an administration form of the magnetic drug is a form in which, for example, iron oxide as a magnetic element is micellized together with a drug element and all these elements are made to have the magnetic property. However, the magnetic drug of this form has a problem of losing its magnetic property of the drug as micelles are destroyed due to the influence of metabolism after administration into a body, and the magnetic element breaks away from the drug element.
On the other hand, a self-magnetic drug developed by inventors of the present application does not use the magnetic element separately from the drug, but uses a drug element which itself has the magnetic property. Specifically speaking, the drug element itself is made to have the magnetic property by realizing a form in which the directions of spin electric charges are oriented in one direction within molecules, by applying a molecule designing method of, for example, adding side chains to the molecules of the drug element and forming cross-links between the side chains (WO2008/001851).
This type of self-magnetic drug has various drug efficacies and the inventors of the present application have realized a metal-salen complex having advantageous effects as an anti-cancer drug as one of such drug efficacies (the above-mentioned publication). As the anti-cancer drug itself is given an attribute of the magnetic property, it becomes possible to intensively guide the anti-cancer drug to cancer tissues. On the other hand, an anti-cancer drug treatment regarding which an influence of the anti-cancer drug on areas other than the cancer tissues is reduced and side effects are mitigated can be realized.

Optimum administration form providing system for magnetic drug


The disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing a wireless power transfer network for power transfer to electrical devices, providing central management console in communication with cloud based network, comprising at least one wireless power outlet and at least one management server. The management system, of the current disclosure, is enabling remote health check and maintenance of all of wireless power outlets within the network. Further, the management system allows for complete monitoring of a deployment according to system administrator rights and policy management coupled with command and control functioning to determine allowed/disallowed functionality while transferring powering to an electrical device in a specific venue.

The spread of mobile devices such as mobile handsets, media players, tablet computers and laptops/notebooks/netbooks and ultra-books increases user demand for access to power points at which they may transfer power to charge mobile devices while out and about or on the move.
There is a need for systems that conveniently provide the opportunity to transfer power for charging the electrical devices in public spaces, in which the user of the mobile device may remain for extended periods of time, say more than a few minutes or so. Amongst others, such public spaces may include restaurants, coffee shops, airport lounges, trains, buses, taxis, sports stadia, auditoria, theatres, cinemas or the like. Further, there is a need for such systems to enable easy tracking of power transfer locations in public spaces as soon as the need arises, that is, when the battery level runs low, while power transfer locations around current location may answer user expectations.
Such systems may be distributed over various venues, requiring complex network architecture to provide the demand for wireless power transfer in public spaces.
The invention below addresses the above-described needs.

Systems and methods for managing a distributed wireless power transfer network for electrical devices


A wireless power transmitter is provided which performs communication with a wireless power receiver through multiple slots. The wireless power transmitter comprises: a power converter consisting of at least one coil to convert a current into a magnetic field; and a power transmission controller that receives information associated with a power transfer phase from the wireless power receiver through at least one of the multiple slots, during the transfer of power to the wireless power receiver through the power converter, wherein the information associated with the power transfer phase contains a slot number assigned to the wireless power receiver.

In recent years, the method of contactlessly supplying electrical energy to wireless power receivers in a wireless manner has been used instead of the traditional method of supplying electrical energy in a wired manner. The wireless power receiver that receives energy in a wireless manner may be directly driven by the received wireless power, or a battery may be charged by using the received wireless power, then allowing the wireless power receiver to be driven by the charged power.
For allowing smooth wireless power transfer between a wireless power transmitter which transmits power in a wireless manner and a wireless power receiver which receives power in a wireless manner, the standardization for a technology related to the wireless power transfer is undergoing.
As part of the standardization of wireless power transmission technology, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) which deals with magnetic inductive wireless power transmission technology disclosed a standards document "System description Wireless Power Transfer, Volume 1, Low Power, Part 1: Interface Definition, Version 1.00 Release Candidate 1 (RC1)" for interoperability in the wireless power transfer on Apr. 12, 2010.
Established in March, 2012, Power Matters Alliance, another technology standards consortium, disclosed a standards document based on inductive coupling technology to advance a suite of interface standards and provide inductive and resonant power.
Wireless charging using electromagnetic induction is often used in our daily life. Commercial applications of wireless charging using electromagnetic induction are toothbrushes and wireless coffee pots, for example.
Recently, there is a growing demand for one-to-many charging, evolving from one-to-one charging. To meet this demand, a variety of methods of communication between one wireless power transmitter and multiple wireless power receivers are being presented with respect to one-to-many charging.

Wireless power transfer method, apparatus and system


A cardiac implant device is provided in which the ventricular rate is monitored to differentiate between atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia or other cardiac conditions. For this purpose, the ventricular rate stability is monitored by, for example, measuring the R-R intervals of successive ventricular beats. If the ventricular rate is found to be unstable, the ventricle is paced at a test rate to try to stabilize the ventricle. If the attempt is unsuccessful, atrial fibrillation is assumed and, if necessary, corresponding therapy is applied. If the attempt is unsuccessful, atrial fibrillation is eliminated as a cause of the ventricular rate instability and other types of classifying and treating the cardiac condition may be used.

A. Field of Invention
In the following description, the term `pacemaker` is used generically to cover implantable antitachycardia devices as well as permanent, temporary and/or external pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD's) used to detect cardiac arrhythmia and fibrillation and, optionally, to provide appropriate therapy, if required. The subject invention pertains to pacemakers, and more particularly to a pacemaker with means for discriminating atrial fibrillation from ventricular tachycardia and/or other supraventricular tachycardia through a novel technique by monitoring ventricular rate stability.
B. Description of the Invention
Patients with pacemakers may experience cardiac arrhythmia which may be due (among other causes) to atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Atrial fibrillation (AF), while uncomfortable and having deleterious long term effects does not constitute an immediate danger, by itself, to the patient and accordingly, the normal clinical approach to such a condition is to ignore it or to treat it in what is, in many cases, an inadequate manner. For example, AF is often treated by administration of various drugs. However, these drugs have side effects, may not control ventricular rate satisfactorily and typically prevent the recurrence of AF for only a limited time.
One indirect result of atrial fibrillation in patients with intact AV nodal conduction may be a relatively high and irregular ventricular rate. In other words, during atrial fibrillation, the ventricular intervals may vary substantially from one ventricular event to the next. The mechanism for this biological phenomenon is not understood completely. It has been suggested that, during atrial fibrillation, the AV node receives numerous successive stimuli originating from the atrium, and while each stimulus alone has a low amplitude which is insufficient to trigger a ventricular contraction, they do cause partial depolarizations. The effects of these partial depolarizations is cumulative, so that when a sufficient number of such stimuli are received, the AV node is depolarized resulting in unstable random ventricular contractions. (See R.J. Cohen et al, QUANTITATIVE MODEL FOR VENTRICULAR RESPONSE DURING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering Volume 30, pages 769-782(1983)).
Ventricular instability is undesirable because it is uncomfortable for the patient and causes compromised hemodynamic parameters. Presently, symptomatic patients are treated with drugs which are frequently ineffectual and/or have undesirable side effects or they are treated with AV nodal ablation, a drastic procedure which causes the patient to become pacemaker dependent. However, stabilizing the ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation can lead to improved cardiac output, diastolic blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure and end diastolic mitral valvular gradient. (C-P Lau, Leung, C-K Wong, Y-T Tai, C-H Cheng. A NEW PACING METHOD FOR RAPID REGULARIZATION OF RATE CONTROL IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, Am J Cardiol 65:1198-1203, (1990)).
It has been found that during atrial fibrillation, the ventricle can be stabilized at a rate approximately equal to the average intrinsic ventricular rate. Again, the mechanism of how the ventricle is stabilized by a pacing rate lower than the maximal intrinsic ventricular rate is not completely understood. It has been suggested that ventricular pacing eliminates or decreases the slope of the spontaneous depolarization phase of the AV node. F. H. M. Wittkampf, M. J. L. DeJongste, RATE STABILIZATION BY RIGHT VENTRICULAR PACING IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. PACE 9:1147-1153 (1986). F. H. M. Wittkampf, M. J. L. DeJongste, H. I. Lie, F. L. Meigler. EFFECT OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR PACING ON VENTRICULAR RHYTHM DURING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, J Am Coll Cardiol 11:539-545, (1988). These articles disclose that the ventricle may be stabilized by pacing approximately 95% of the ventricular depolarizations. However this method would cause ventricular pacing during atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation with a regular ventricular response which would not be beneficial and result in overpacing.
Another procedure (see Lau, supra) that was investigated to stabilize ventricular instability during atrial fibrillation was to apply an additional stimulus at a preselected interval after every sensed conducted ventricular beat. The average interval was about 230 ms. However it is believed that this procedure is unsatisfactory because it may result in pro-arrhythmia by pacing the ventricle during the vulnerable period of ventricular repolarization, and moreover, it is not an appropriate technique for arrhythmia classification.
The above-mentioned co-pending application Ser. No. 347,279 discloses an apparatus and method for stabilizing the ventricular rate by gradually increasing the pacing rate until stability is achieved. The apparatus and method also allow the pacing rate to decrease once stability is achieved to account for changing physiological conditions. The present disclosure pertains to an apparatus and method using a similar technique to interpret a relatively fast ventricular rhythm, i.e., to determine whether a cardiac arrhythmia is due to atrial fibrillation or some other tachycardia (i.e., ventricular, sinus, etc.).
In an article (Jenkins, J., Noh, K. H., Bump, T. et al. "A single atrial extra stimulus can distinguish sinus tachycardia from 1:1 paroxysmal tachycardia" Pace 9:1063-1068, 1986), an algorithm is described which made use of interactive pacing to classify arrhythmia. However this technique uses interactive atrial pacing, and therefore, would not be useful for atrial fibrillation treatment because of its inability to capture the atrium during atrial fibrillation. Moreover, this technique cannot be used to diagnose atrial fibrillation.
Other known techniques for cardiac arrhythmia classification include very accurate atrial rate and variability measurements, which require atrial sensing; atrial and/or ventricular morphology analysis, requiring complicated and sophisticated data processing analysis; analysis of the paced depolarization integral (PDI) in the atrium requiring atrial pacing and sensing electrode(s) and capture detection software. Even if available, atrial sensing for cardiac arrhythmia classification can be difficult because these signals often have a very low level and accordingly are hard to amplify and separate from noise, thereby confounding rate and morphology interpretation.
Another disadvantage of known techniques for atrial arrhythmia classification is that they all require an atrial sensing lead. However, the physician may not want to implant such a lead because it may be too difficult and time consuming, and/or the vein may be too small for such an atrial lead.

Apparatus and method for detection of atrial fibrillation by ventricular stability and ventricular pacing