A heater duct is disposed between an air blower unit and an air heater unit. A plate is disposed in the heater duct near an outlet joint of the heater duct. The plate has a closure member and a plurality of through holes defined therein on opposite sides of the closure member. Air delivered under pressure from the air blower unit is divided by the closure member into air flows that pass through the through holes and are combined and mixed with each other, supplying air to the air heater unit with a desired air speed distribution. The plate, which is of a relatively simple structure, is capable of easily and reliably achieving the same air speed distribution when an evaporator is not installed as the air speed distribution when the evaporator is installed, providing an effectively increased vehicle heating capability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle heating apparatus having a heater duct disposed between an air blower unit and an air heater unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, heating apparatus for heating the passenger's compartment of vehicles such as automobiles comprise an air blower unit for discharging air at a given rate from air outlets in the passenger's compartment, an air heater unit with a built-in heater core for heating the air from the air blower unit before the air is discharged from the air outlets, and a heater duct disposed between the air blower unit and the air heater unit.
To convert such a heating apparatus into an air-conditioner, it has been customary to replace the heater duct with a cooling unit with a built-in evaporator. The heater duct, which is relatively expensive, is a dedicated part of the heating apparatus, and cannot be used in air-conditioners. Consequently, when a heating apparatus is converted into an air-conditioner, the removed heater duct is useless and highly uneconomical.
For this reason, there have been demands for heater ducts that can be used as cooling unit cases of air-conditioners, and various proposals have heretofore been made to meet such demands.
For example, Japanese laid-open utility model publication No. 64-37710 discloses a heater duct (hereinafter referred to as "prior art 1") that can be used as a cooler unit housing an evaporator therein, the heater duct having a flow-rectifying plate positioned therein fully across its cross section at an intermediate position and having a number of air passages for uniformizing an air flow delivered from an intake unit. According to Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 5-38928, a resistive body (hereinafter referred to as "prior art 2") is placed in a duct in which an evaporator can be mounted and has an air resistance equivalent to that of the evaporator.
According to the prior art 1, the air passages are defined at equal intervals in the flow-rectifying plate. The speed of air delivered under pressure from the blower unit to the heater duct varies depending on the position of a blower fan and the position, shape, and dimensions of a duct joint, but is highest at the center of the heater duct. Therefore, the flow-rectifying plate according to the prior art 1 is unable to obtain a uniform air speed distribution, and cannot deliver air at a uniform temperature and a desired rate from all the air outlets in the passenger's compartment.
Furthermore, because the flow-rectifying plate is positioned at the intermediate position in the heater duct, air streams that have passed through the flow-rectifying plate are combined with each other in the heater duct. As a result, a change is induced in the air speed distribution in the heater duct, making it highly difficult to achieve a uniform air speed distribution in the heater unit.
When air is delivered from the air blower with an evaporator installed in position in general air-conditioners, the speed distribution of air that has passed through the evaporator is often localized due to the position of the air blower. It is necessary to create such a localized air speed distribution even when the evaporator is not installed because the layout of various related components is designed taking into account the evaporator installed in position and a desired heating capability would not be achieved if the same localized air speed distribution were not obtained when the evaporator is not installed. The flow-rectifying plate according to the prior art 1, however, fails to obtain the same air speed distribution when the evaporator is not installed as the air speed distribution when the evaporator is installed.
The resistive body according to the prior art 2 which is placed in the duct has substantially the same outer profile and air resistance as the evaporator from a practical standpoint. While the resistive body can impose a desired air resistance, air that has passed through the heater duct does not have a desired air speed distribution at the inlet of the heater unit. Therefore, the heating apparatus cannot discharge air from the air outlets in the passenger's compartment at a desired temperature and a desired rate, and fail to provide a desired heating capability.


A packet communications network includes a route management system in which routes can be remotely changed by using a simple set command to set a data value in the originating or terminating node of the route. Storage tables in the originating and destination nodes record the route changes and administrative data concerning the route. This administrative data can be retrieved from the originating node by simple get or get-next commands. The administrative data can include the specific specification of the route in links, the time of creation of the route, the route replaced and the reason for initiating the change in route. Together these capabilities permit centralized management of route changes in the entire network from a single manager node, and using only simple set, get and get-next command structures.

The supervision of packet transmission networks is typically assigned to one individual with special skills in network management. Such network supervisors typically are located at one node of the network and have the responsibility of insuring the proper operation of the network to insure network services to all users of the network. Many supervisory functions, however, must take place at other nodes of the network. The establishment of connections, and the testing of those connections, for example, must be initiated by one of the nodes in the route of the connection, typically the source node. In order to centrally manage the establishment, discontinuation and restoral of routes or paths through the network for the transmission of data between users of the network, is therefore necessary to provide a mechanism for remotely monitoring, establishing, terminating and reassigning such routes from a centrally located supervisory or manager node in the network. The central node is typically called the Manager node and all other nodes are called Agent nodes. Routes between Agent nodes are created at the originating Agent node of the route and such nodes are specified either by the name of the destination node (called a named route), or by the specification of the sequence of nodes and transmission links making up the route (called a connection route). In either case, it is desirable to set up routes remotely from a centralized manager node to accommodate link failures, congestion or the need to take resources out of service.
The most common control command mechanism available for managing packet networks from a central location utilizes "SET" (set a value from a remote location) and "GET" or "GET.sub.-- NEXT" (retrieve a value from a remote location) commands. One such command structure is known as the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). In the SNMP system, a simple "GET" or "GET.sub.-- NEXT" command is used to obtain a single value from a remote node in the packet network. Similarly, a simple "SET" command is used to set a single value in a remote node of the packet network. Unfortunately, this simple command structure does not lend itself well to creation, deletion and alteration of routes as is necessary for overall route management. In the prior art systems utilizing such a limited command structure, it is difficult or impossible to centrally manage route changes in the entire packet transmission system. Without central management, each node must manage all of the routes originating at that node, requiring duplication of the management facilities at each of the nodes, thereby increasing the cost and complexity and reducing the throughput of the network.
Attempts to centrally manage routing paths using these standard manager-agent interaction commands suffers from a number of problems. The network manager, for example, has no way of knowing which routes have been changed dynamically due to a transmission or device failure, or how often such changes have occurred. Similarly, the network administrator has no way to initiate the re-calculation of a route after a failed resource has been restored to service, or to specify that a certain route be used.

Management of path routing in packet communications networks

International Business Machines Corporation


A shelter for the protection of for the protection of persons, animals, equipment, materials, property, and similar things of value from potentially damaging environmental conditions is disclosed. Various embodiments include the use of a frame structure and hinged panels which are unfolded to create the walls of the structure. Optionally flexible surfaces may be added to the ends of the shelter to at least partially close the end of the shelter.

Shelter systems are typically characterized as permanent or temporary. The distinction between the two is based upon such factors as the intended duration of use, the mobility of the device, and the durability of construction, but there is no absolute discriminator for what constitutes a permanent shelter versus a temporary one. However, by way of example, conventional "brick and mortar" or wooden frame buildings are generally thought of as permanent shelters. Tents and "lean-to's" are generally thought of as temporary shelters. Tents are generally made of fabric or non-woven materials, and may be supported by mechanical poles, air columns, or air pressure. Temporary shelters are used by the military, for example, for shelters and hospitals for rapidly moving troops. It is desirable that temporary shelters can collapsed, stored and transported in configurations which constitute less physical volume that the volume available inside the shelter when it is deployed. It is also desirable that temporary shelters be set up and torn down in a minimal amount of time.


Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The power supply equipment includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power drawn by the electronic device. A cable extends from the adapter. The power supply equipment further includes a tip which has an input side and an output side. The input side of the tip is detachable mateable to the cable. The output side of the tip is detachably mateable to the electronic device. The tip output side has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device. The tip provides the data signal, as well as the DC power, to the electronic device. Different tips may be used to provide appropriate data signals to different electronic devices.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to DC power adapters for powering electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Arts
There are power systems in the art which allow a user to hook up a DC/DC adapter to an automobile outlet, to supply regulated DC power to power an electronic device, such as a notebook computer. Automobile outlets typically provide a DC voltage in a range between 11.0 and 14.1 Volts. Some power systems also allow the user to hook up the DC/DC adapter to an airplane output such as the EMPOWER system. EMPOWER typically provides a DC voltage in a range between 14.5 and 15.5 Volts.
Accordingly, some DC/DC adapters can be used with both an automobile outlet and the EMPOWER system to provide a regulated DC power to the electronic device such as the notebook computer. Notebook computers often contain lithium ion batteries. Such batteries can be recharged when the notebook computer is hooked up to the DC/DC adapter. For example, if the user is in a car, the user can couple a DC/DC adapter to the notebook computer and to the cigarette lighter outlet to power the notebook computer. The batteries in the notebook computer will draw some of the DC power supplied to recharge the batteries of the notebook computer if they are low in power. Accordingly, the user can simultaneously use the notebook computer and recharge the batteries therein.
The user can also use the DC/DC adapter while on an airplane, by plugging the DC/DC adapter into the EMPOWER outlet. The EMPOWER outlet and the automobile outlets have different sizes and shapes. Accordingly, the user can directly plug the DC/DC adapter into the EMPOWER outlet, and can place a connector over the EMPOWER plug of the DC/DC adapter and then plug the connector into the automobile cigarette lighter outlet. When the user hooks the DC/DC adapter up to the EMPOWER outlet and then to the electronic device, the electronic device receives the regulated DC power. However, if the charging circuitry in the battery malfunctions, the battery can overheat or even catch on fire when recharging from an EMPOWER DC source. If the battery were to catch on fire while an airplane in which the emPlower outlet is located is flying, the fire would have the potential to cause the airplane to crash or cause substantial damage.
To address this problem, one system in the art provides a connector to connect between the DC/DC adapter and the notebook computer to inform the notebook computer not to recharge the batteries. FIG. 1 illustrates a power supply system according to the prior art. As shown, a DC power source 100 is coupled to a DC/DC adapter 105 via a cable 102. The DC/DC adapter 105 receives power from the DC power source 100 and outputs regulated DC power to an electronic device 120, via a cable 110 and a connector 115 coupled to the end of the cable 110.
The DC/DC adapter 105 can provide three output pins to the electronic device 120, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B of the prior art. The first pin can provide the output voltage (i.e., Vout), the second pin can provide a ground reference (i.e., GND), and the third pin can provide a data line (i.e., Vdata) to instruct the notebook as to whether the batteries should be recharged or not. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, Vdata could be tied to GND to indicate that the DC power source 100 is the EMPOWER system and therefore the battery should not be recharged. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, Vdata could also be left open (i.e., to provide a non-grounded floating voltage) when the DC power source 100 in a cigarette lighter outlet of an automobile. Accordingly, when using the DC/DC adapter 105 while in an automobile, the user would use a connector 115 having the Vdata line floating, and when using the DC/DC adapter 105 with the EMPOWER system of an airplane, the user would use a connector 115 having the Vdata line tied to GND.
However, problems arise when the user forgets to change the connector 115 for use with the automobile when the user is in an airplane. Accordingly, if the user has the wrong connector 115 attached when using with the EMPOWER system, a battery of an electronic device 120 such as a notebook computer can charge the battery even when used with the EMPOWER system, and if the charging circuitry of the battery malfunctions, overheating or even a fire can occur, resulting in damage to the notebook computer. Also, if the connector 115 is damaged or flawed, then it may not provide the correct Vdata signal to the notebook computer, allowing the notebook computer to recharge the batteries in an airplane when they shouldn't be allowed to do so.
Accordingly, current DC/DC power adapter systems are deficient because they are incapable of automatically and intelligently informing an electronic device 120 coupled thereto of the DC power source (i.e., the EMPOWER system or an automobile cigarette lighter outlet).

Power supply equipment utilizing interchangeable tips to provide power and a data signal to electronic devices


A method for managing a broadcast receiving apparatus standby mode according to external signaling is provided. The method includes: generating a power management descriptor that a broadcast receiving apparatus refers to in order to perform a standby mode; and transmitting the generated power management descriptor to the broadcast receiving apparatus. Accordingly, since the broadcast receiving apparatus manages the standby mode more effectively, standby power consumed in the standby mode is further reduced and thus power saving effect can be achieved.

1. Field
Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a method for managing a broadcast receiving apparatus standby mode, and more particularly, to a method for managing a standby mode of a broadcast receiving apparatus to reduce power consumption in a non-use time zone.
2. Description of the Related Art
How much TV a household watches varies from region to region. However, the maximum TV viewing time is about 8 hours, which is one-third of a day, and it is common that the TV operates in a standby mode, in which people do not watch the TV, for the rest of time.
However, most of the set top boxes (STB) sold today do not support the standby mode. Even though the STB supports the standby mode, it uses only 10-20% less power in the standby mode than in an on mode.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating power consumption and standby power in a related-art STB. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that average power consumption of the STB in the standby mode is 14.48 W, which is a very high level.
It is a worldwide trend to green all image devices, and the international energy agency recommends that home appliances should reduce standby power to no more than 1 W.
Therefore, there is a demand for a method for managing a standby mode of a broadcast receiving apparatus such as a STB effectively and reducing standby power consumption.

Method of managing the standby mode of a broadcast receiving device by external signaling


A latch assembly for a vehicle, in applications such as an armrest console or a glove box, includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The SMA actuator includes an actuator housing, an SMA wire, and an actuator lever arm. The actuator lever arm is configured to pivotably rotate or linearly translate with respect to the actuator housing upon activation of the SMA wire. A connecting link is coupled to the actuator lever arm. The connecting link is configured to translate linearly along a connecting link axis when the actuator lever arm pivotably rotates or linearly translates. A striker is coupled to the connecting link and configured to rotate about a striker axis to engage a closing surface.

Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators can be used to facilitate movement of one or more components in a latch assembly. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,435,918 to Weber et al. discloses a latch system that includes an SMA wire which contracts when current is applied to it. The contraction of the SMA wire pulls a rocker and ultimately rotates an engagement element to open the storage compartment. Strategic decoupling of the interface between the engagement element or striker and the SMA wire can improve performance of the latch assembly.


A surfactant composition comprising a combination of: (1) a surfactant mixture containing: (a) from about 4 to about 35 wt % actives of a linear alkyl sulfonate; and (b) from about 1 to about 20 wt % actives of an alkyl polyglycoside having the general formula I: EQU R.sub.1 O(R.sub.2 O).sub.b (Z).sub.a I. wherein R.sub.1 is a monovalent organic radical having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is divalent alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6, and (2) a foam additive containing a blend of: (c) from about 0.5 to about 4 wt % actives of an amide having the general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.3 is an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and each R.sub.4 is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.13 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkanol, and --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O--), and mixtures thereof; and (d) from about 0.5 to about 4 wt % actives of a betaine, the amounts of components (a) to (d) being based on the total actives of the surfactant composition.

It is known that various surfactants have been found to be useful in cleaning compositions, such as shower gels, shampoos, and light duty detergents such as dish washing detergents. In these types of compositions, good foamability is a prerequisite. The most widely used surfactants in these types of compositions are anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates and sarcosinates.
Although the use of anionic surfactants in these compositions permits the attainment of desirable properties, including good foamability, the degree of foam stability leaves much to be desired. Foam stability relates to the ability of the foam, once formed, to remain intact for extended periods of time, thus enhancing the cleaning performance of the surfactant compositions.
It is sometimes advantageous to use mixtures of surfactants in cleaning compositions when the surfactans can serve different functions, e.g., one serving to improve foamability and another serving to adjust viscosity. However, known surfactant mixtures typically provide a compromise between what can be achieved with the surfactant ingredients alone. For example, a mixture of more costly surfactants such as amine oxides, betaines and alkanolamides which provide good foamability by themselves, with less expensive surfactants which provide poorer foamability will result in the formulation of a cleaning composiiton having an intermediate degree of foamability and poor foam stability.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surfactant composition having both good foamability and foam stability.


The present invention relates to novel crystalline modifications of N-(4,5-bismethanesulfonyl-2-methylbenzoyl)guanidine hydrochloride, novel N-(4,5-bismethanesulfonyl-2-methylbenzoyl)guanidine salts and their crystalline modifications and processes of manufacturing and pharmaceutical formulations thereof.

Rimeporide, N-(4,5-bismethanesulfonyl-2-methylbenzoyl)guanidine, has the following chemical structure:

Rimeporide is a potent and selective inhibitor of the ubiquitous sodium-hydrogen antiporter 1 (NHE-1) and has therefore numerous physiological effects. WO 2009/135583 A1 indicates that Rimeporide can be applied as an active ingredient for the treatment of medical indications such as insulin resistance, Diabetes mellitus type 2, metabolic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy and/or peripheral neuropathy (Lupachyk S et al, 2014, J Diab Mellitus), for the enhancement of insulin sensitivity and the preservation or increase of β-cell compensation diseases being linked thereof.
In addition, Rimeporide was shown to be critical in mediating the damage that occurs with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (initial patent application) and is also an important mediator of cardiac hypertrophy. Rimeporide has demonstrated in animal models of DMD and dilated cardiomyopathy (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) (Bkaily et al. 2015. J Mol and Cell Cardiology; Chahine et al, 2005. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol; Porte Thome et al., 2015, Neuromusc Disorders) to have a good cardioprotective action, which could be useful for the treatment of cardiomyopathy. In addition, in animal models of DMD, Rimeporide has been shown to prevent against the long term accumulation of inflammation and fibrosis in skeletal muscles, the heart and the diaphragm and is thought to be beneficial for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, limb girdle muscular dystrophies, RyR1 muscular dystrophy, and in general any forms of muscular dystrophy/atrophy associated or not with dilated tardiomyopathy.
NHE1 is constitutively active in a neoplastic microenvironment, dysregulating pH homeostasis and altering the survival, differentiation, and proliferation of cancer cells, thereby causing them to become tumorigenic. NHE1 has been shown to contribute to the growth and metastasis of transformed cells. Karki et al (J Bio Chem, 2011) have established that B-Raf associates with and stimulates NHE1 activity and that B-RafV600E also increases NHE1 activity that raises intracellular pH suggesting Rimeporide could be active in melanoma. Other authors have suggested that NHE-1 inhibitors such as Rimeporide could be truly effective anticancer agents in a wide array of malignant tumours including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, NSCLC (non-small lung carcinoma), glioblastoma and leukemia (Harguindey et al, J Trans Med, 2013). To overcome multiple drug resistance, Rimeporide could be used in combination with other chemotherapies such as camptothecin, vinblastine, adriamycin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel (Reshkin et al, Clin Cancer Res, 2003) cariporide and cisplatinum or etoposide (Harguindey et al, J Trans Med, 2013). Rimeporide could also be used in combination with chemotherapeutics drugs and anti angiogenic agents (Pouyssegur et al., Nature, 2006; Gao et al., Leuk Res, 2011) such as adriamycin, cisplatinum, paclitaxel (Reshkin et al., Clin Cancer Res, 2003) and camptothecin and more generally with MAPK inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, JNK inhibitors (Lin et al., Exp. Cell. Re 2011) to promote apoptosis.
In renal diseases, NHE-1 inhibitor abolished Angiotensin II-induced podocyte apoptosis (Liu Y. et al, J Pharmacol Sci, 2013), suggesting that Rimeporide could also be beneficial to treat nephrotic syndromes such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy (Li et al., J Diab Res. 2015) and in general in the progression renal impairment.
Liu Y et al, (J Neurosci., 2013) have established that misregulation of local axonal ion homeostasis including pH is an important mechanism for axon degeneration and that selective disruption of NHE1-mediated proton homeostasis in axons can lead to degeneration, suggesting that local regulation of pH is pivotal for axon survival. Rimeporide could be therefore used to present axonal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease and other forms of human neurodegenerative diseases.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a syndrome in which pulmonary arterial obstruction increases pulmonary vascular resistance, which leads to right ventricular (RV) failure and a 15% annual mortality rate. There are 5 categories of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the latest WHO classification:
Group 1.Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) including: Idiopathic (IPAH) Heritable (HPAH) Drug- and toxin-induced Associated with (APAH) Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) and/or pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis (PCH)Group 2.Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart diseasesGroup 3.Pulmonary hypertension due to lung diseases and/orhypoxemiaGroup 4.Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)Group 5.PH with unclear multifactorial mechanisms
Hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension is characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary vascular remodeling (Meyrick B., Reid L., Clin Chest Med. 1983; 4 (2): 199-217). With chronic hypoxia there is a rise in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance because of both a polycythemia-related increase in blood viscosity and because of a decrease in vascular lumen caused by remodeling. The architectural changes in the pulmonary vasculature include extension of smooth muscle into more distal vessels which are normally nonmuscular, an increase in the muscularity of muscular arteries, and a decrease in the number of countable alveolar arteries. The stimulus for pulmonary artery smooth muscle proliferation is not fully understood, there is growing evidence that activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger may be important in pulmonary cell signaling in response to growth factors as it has been found to be in systemic vessels. (Grinstein S., Rotin D., Mason M. J. Biochim. Biophys, 988(1):73-97, 1989).
Deficiency of the sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1) gene prevented hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in mice, which were accompanied by a significantly reduced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and which decreased the medial-wall thickness of pulmonary arteries (Huestch J. Shimoda L.; Pulm Circ 2015; 5(2):228-243; 2016).
Increased Na+/H+ exchange with an intracellular alkalization is an early event in cell proliferation. This intracellular alkalization by stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange appears to play a permissive role in the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASM) proliferation of vascular remodeling.
Inhibition of NHE-1 prevents the development of hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling and PH (Huestch J., Shimoda L. A.; 5 (2):228-243; Pulm Circ 2015). Sabiporide (Wu. D., Doods H., Stassen J M., J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 48: 34-40), EIPA and Amiloride were shown to inhibit proliferation and migration of human PASMCs in vitro. In vivo, EIPA was shown to inhibit proliferation and migration from. SuHx rats (Huestch J., Jiang H., Larrain C., Shimoda L. A.; Physiologial reports: 4 (5):e 12729, 1-14; 2016). In vivo, cariporide has been shown to attenuate the development of right heart failure in monocrotaline-treated rats (Chen L., Gan T J., Haist J V., Feng Q., Lu X., Chakrabarti S., Karmazyn M., J Pharmacol and Exp Therapeutics; 298: 469-476; 2001).
EndothelineT-1, a circulating factor know to be upregulated in the serum of PH patients (Rubens, C., R. Ewert, M. Halank, R. Wensel, H. D. Orzechowski, H. P. Schultheiss, et al., Chest, 120:1562-1569; 2001), increased NHE activity in normoxic rat PASMCs via activation of ROCK (Undem, C., E. J. Rios, J. Maylor, and L. A. Shimoda. 2012. PLoS One) 7:e46303).
Taken together, Rimeporide could play a beneficial role in all forms (1 to 5) of PAH by inhibiting vascular remodelling, proliferation and migration of PASCMs, with the important caveat that it could also have a positive effect to alleviate myocardial hypertrophic responses in pulmonary vascular injury. The HCl salt of Rimeporide and a crystalline form of the corresponding hydrate are described in EP 0 758 644 A1 and WO 01/30750 A1. Although EP 0 758 644 A1 and WO 01/30750 A1 describe different productions procedures to obtain the crystalline material and also different melting points, a detailed analytical characterization showed that both methods provide the same crystalline modification, which is herein referred to as crystalline modification H1 of N-(4,5-bismethanesulfonyl-2-methylbenzoyl)-guanidine hydrochloride hydrate. EP 0 758 644 A1 describes a melting point of 240° C., this matches with the secondary melding point of re-crystallized H1 phase, which was formed upon heating (see FIG. 1c). WO 01/30750 A1 describes a melting point of 180-188° C., which corresponds to the melting point of form of H1, which is formed upon heating (see FIG. 1c). Other salt forms or crystalline modifications other than crystalline modification H1 are not mentioned EP 0 758 644 A1 and WO 01/30750 A1.
Different salt forms of a compound may have different properties and because of this, different salt forms of a pharmaceutically active ingredient may provide a basis for improving formulation, dissolution profile, stability or shelf-life. Different salts may also give rise to different polymorphic forms, which may provide additional opportunities to improve the properties and characteristics of a pharmaceutical ingredient.
In material science polymorphism is the ability of a solid material to exist in two or more crystal forms that have different arrangements and/or conformations of the molecules in the crystal lattice. Solvates are crystalline solid adducts containing either stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amounts of a solvent incorporated within the crystal structure. If the incorporated solvent is water, the solvates are also commonly known as hydrates. Polymorphs can be distinguished from one another by different techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. One or more of these techniques may be used to characterize a particular polymorph and to distinguish different polymorphic forms of a compound.
Different polymorphs of a solid material (including solvated forms) can have different properties such as melting point, chemical reactivity, apparent solubility, dissolution rate, vapor pressure, hygroscopicity, particle shape, flowability, compactibility and density. These properties can have a direct effect on the ability to process and manufacture a solid drug substance, as well as on drug product stability, dissolution, and bioavailability. Thus, polymorphism can affect the quality, safety, and efficacy of the drug product. For example, a metastable pharmaceutical solid form can change its crystalline structure or solvate/desolvate in response to changes in environmental conditions or over time. Consequently, stability and shelf life may vary between different polymorphs of a solid substance. New polymorphic forms and solvates of a pharmaceutically useful compound can provide opportunities to improve the performance characteristics of a pharmaceutical product.
After all, there is a need for additional polymorphs and solvates of Rimeporide and its pharmaceutically useful salts.

Crystalline modifications of N-(4,5-bismethanesulfonyl-2-methylbenzoyl)guanidine hydrochloride and N-(4,5-bismethanesulfonyl-2-methylbenzoyl)guanidine salts


A driving circuit for a crew protection device to be mounted in a vehicle includes a squib for operating the protection device when a preset amount of electric current is supplied thereto from the DC power source, a pair of first and second transistors connected between the squib and the DC power source, and a transistor control circuit. The transistor control circuit controls the first transistor to pass a first preset amount of electric current if output voltage of the DC power source is higher than a first threshold voltage and to pass an amount of electric current so that the voltage across the first transistor can be set to be lower than a second threshold voltage if output voltage of the DC power source becomes higher than the threshold voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving circuit for a vehicle crew protecting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An airbag system is well known for a crew protecting device. If a vehicle equipped with an airbag system has a collision, an airbag is inflated by an airbag driving circuit (or an ignition device) to protect a crew, such as disclosed in JP-A-11-70850 or its counterpart U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,246.
The airbag driving circuit includes a mechanical collision detecting sensor, a constant current circuit, a squib, an igniting power transistor, etc. The constant current circuit is a current mirror circuit that is constituted of a current detecting MOS transistor and a current supplying MOS transistor. The source of the current supplying MOS transistor is connected to one end of the squib, and the drain thereof is connected, via the mechanical collision sensor, to a booster circuit for boosting battery voltage. The other end of the squib is connected to the drain of the ignition power transistor, whose source is grounded. The gate of the ignition power transistor is connected to a collision sensing unit.
When a vehicle equipped with such an airbag system has a collision, a wire that connects electric loads and a battery may snap off due to a collision shock. Accordingly, power consumption of the vehicle abruptly reduces, so that the terminal voltage of the output voltage of the booster circuit sharply increases, thereby generating a load dump surge that comes to the airbag driving circuit. Because the igniting power transistor has been turned on, the load dump surge is applied to a portion between the drain and the source of the current supplying MOS transistor, which has been conducting squib igniting current.
That is, the current supplying transistor has to have a capacitor to conduct both the squib igniting current and the load dump surge current.
This amount current increases the loss of the transistor and makes the size of the current supplying transistor become too large for the driving circuit.

Driving circuit for crew protecting system


A method and system of placement of a magnetic field flux field generator in fitment which creates a specific effect of three dimensional field gradient to alter the charge distribution on living membranes in order to establish normal physiological functioning of damaged tissue.

Magnetic devices are known to be effective in treating pain. Proper magnetic fields are believed to inhibit the flow of calcium and sodium ions in the cell membranes of nerves. Accordingly, the transmission of pain is likewise inhibited as well as the stabilization of other cellular dysfunctions such as abnormal fluid transport. Magnetic devices, which produce a magnetic field having a specific three-dimensional gradient in the magnetic flux field, are particularly effective in inhibiting pain. Magnetic devices not producing flux fields with the specific gradients are not effective in relieving pain.
Also, it is important that a magnetic device or a plurality of magnetic devices be properly positioned relative to nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments for the initiation and/or inhibition of nerve transmission. Without use of proper magnetic devices or without proper placement of the magnetic devices, magnetic devices are ineffective in relieving pain and improvement of either dysfunction. The present invention overcomes deficiencies in prior use and placement of magnetic devices to provide particular effective pain and discomfort relief.

Method of and apparatus for treating pain with therapeutic magnets


A powered concrete finishing trowel comprises a variable ratio drive train to power one or more revolving rotors. One or more internal combustion motors power two or more downwardly projecting rotors comprising blades that frictionally contact the concrete surface. The rotors are shaft driven by reduction gear boxes. By tilting the rotors steering forces are developed. A variable gear drive unit comprises a variable ratio pulley driven by the motor. A second pulley drives the gear box input shaft, with a drive belt entrained between the pulleys. A linear actuator projecting outwardly from a stationary mounting plate terminates at a bracket assembly whose opposite end is pivoted to a rigid stabilizer that structurally compliments the linear actuator, establishing a fulcrum action applied to the bracket center. The linear actuator deflects the bracket assembly to axially displace portions of the variable ratio pulley to change the effective pulley diameter. Concurrently, belt tension enables axial movement of the lower pulley halves, changing its effective diameter in response to drive belt pressure. The varying ratio between effective pulley diameters establishes a variable drive gear ratio.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to motorized concrete finishing trowels. More particularly, the present invention relates to motor powered riding trowels of the type classified in United States Patent Class 404, Subclass 112.
II. Description of the Prior Art
It has long been recognized by those skilled in the art that freshly placed concrete must be appropriately finished. Proper and timely finishing insures that desired surface characteristics including appropriate smoothness and flatness are achieved. Motorized riding trowels are ideal for finishing large very areas of plastic concrete quickly and efficiently, and such trowels are rapidly becoming the industry standard.
A typical power riding trowel comprises two or more bladed rotors that project downwardly and frictionally contact the concrete surface for finishing. These rotors are driven by one or more motors mounted on the frame. The motors drive suitable reduction gearboxes (i.e., 20:1 reduction) to revolve the rotors. The riding trowel operator sits on top of the frame and controls trowel movement with a steering system that tilts the axis of rotation of the rotors. The weight of the trowel and the operator is transmitted frictionally to the concrete by the revolving blades. The unbalanced frictional forces caused by rotor tilting enable the trowel to be steered.
Holz, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,484 shows a pioneer, twin rotor, self propelled riding trowel. U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,212, also issued to Holz, shows a three rotor riding trowel powered by a single motor. Although the designs depicted in the latter two Holz patents were pioneers in the riding trowel arts, the devices were difficult to steer and control.
Prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,220 owned by Allen Engineering Corporation, the same assignee as in this case, relates to an improved, fast steering system for riding trowels. Its steering system enhances riding trowel maneuverability and control. The latter fast steering riding trowel is also the subject of U.S. Pat. No. Des. 323,510 owned by Allen Engineering Corporation.
Allen Engineering Corporation U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,801 issued Mar. 25, 1997 discloses a power riding trowel equipped with twin motors. The latter design employs a separate motor to power each rotor. Steering is accomplished with structure similar to that depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,220 previously discussed.
Allen U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,257 depicts a twin engine powered riding trowel whose guard structure is equipped with an obstruction clearance system. When troweling areas characterized by projecting hazards such as pipes or ducts, or when it is necessary to trowel hard-to-reach areas adjacent walls or the like, the guard clearance structure may be retracted to apply the blades closer to the target region.
Allen U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,667 depicts a twin engine riding trowel using "contra rotation." For enhanced stability and steering, the rotors rotate in a direction opposite from that normally expected in the art.
As freshly poured concrete "sets," it soon becomes hard enough to support the weight of the specialized finishing trowel, so pan finishing can begin. By starting panning while concrete is still "green," within one to several hours after pouring depending upon the concrete mixture involved, "super-flat" and "super-smooth" floors can be achieved. The advent of more stringent concrete surface finish specifications using "F" numbers to specify flatness (ff) and levelness (fl), dictates the use of pans on a widespread basis.
The panning process comprises three different recognizable stages. In the initial "brake open" stage, the rotors are ideally driven between 40 and 65 RPM. As the concrete hardens, the pan floating stage occurs, involving rotor speeds between 70 and 95 RPM. The last phase of pan floating, the "fizz stage," uses an increased rotor speed of between 95-125 RPM. At present these RPM requirements are achieved simply by varying motor speed.
Pan finishing is normally followed by medium speed blade finishing, after the pans are removed from the rotors. A developing technique is the use of "combo blades" during the intermediate "fuzz stage" as the concrete continues to harden. So-called "combo-blades" are a compromise between pans and normal finishing blades. They present more surface area to the concrete than normal finishing blades, and attack at a less acute angle. The rotors are preferably turned between 100 to 135 RPM at this time. Finishing blades are then used, and they are rotated between 120 to 150 RPM. Finally, the pitch of the blades is changed to a relatively high contact angle, and burnishing begins. This final trowel finishing stage uses rotor speeds of between 135 and 165 RPM.
Modern large, high power riding trowels are noted for their speed, horsepower, and efficiency. Such trowels, however, are not without weaknesses. For example, the drive train and the high power motors are subject to substantial stress during operation. Motor loading varies as the rotor RPM requirements change. The motors function most efficiently at a given operating point in their characteristic horsepower-RPM and torque-RPM curves. Especially with diesel engines, optimum torque and horsepower requirements are achieved over a limited RPM range.
The engines on most riding trowels directly power the reduction drive gear boxes connected to the rotor shafts. The incoming shaft speed of the conventional rotor gear box is the same as the motor RPM. The output shaft speed (i.e., rotor speed) is geared down, approximately 20:1. Engine RPM is usually the key variable elated to output power. But if the engine speed increases too much, excessive power may be developed and the finishing mechanism may rotate too fast. For example, the initial panning stage requires relatively high power because of the viscous character of the still-wet concrete, but relatively low rotor speeds are desired. Since the rotors are driven through a fixed ratio, established by the gearbox and pulleys, optimum engine power often cannot be obtained during panning without risking excessive rotor speeds.
It is thus desirable to provide a riding trowel wherein the engine and gear boxes can operate at ideal speeds over a wide range of finishing conditions. Although it has been suggested by others in the finishing trowel industry (i.e., Bartell Industries) to vary gear box input shaft speeds with a "high-low" or "torque converter" attachment, we are aware of no prior art means for reliably providing a continuously variable gear box drive system that holds a given user-selected gear ratio during the different pan and blade finishing stages discussed above. An appropriate variable ratio drive train must be compatible with existing trowel motors, frames and gear boxes to minimize cost. Further, it must not overly complicate the drive train so that operating efficiency and reliability are preserved.

Riding trowel with variable ratio transmission


A staged coinjection molding process to produce a vehicular mud guard or similar molded article having regions of different mechanical properties. The process includes the steps of injecting a relatively small quantity of low flexural modulus (flexible) plastic resin to form a skin along the proximal walls of the mold cavity, followed by an injection of high flexural modulus (stiff) plastic resin. Finally, a second injection of flexible resin is introduced into the mold to force to stiff material to the distal region of the mold. This results in the two dissimilar plastic materials having a longitudinal interface to reduce the risk of delamination.

The present invention relates to a mud guard for a vehicular wheel and to the improved injection molding process for producing the mud guard or any similar article of manufacture. More particularly, the invention relates to a mud guard fastened to the body of a vehicle directly behind a road wheel. In such an application, it is desirable to have the mud guard formed of a material which is flexible, especially under cold weather conditions, to deflect under the impact imparted by curbs and parking blocks without breaking. A mud guard in which uniformly soft and flexible, however, presents a certain problem of fit and finish at its upper body attachment point. Typically this soft material tends to "walk" away from the body surface leaving gaps between the mud guard and the vehicle body. It is desirable, therefore, to have the upper portion of the mud guard relatively stiff at the point of attachment to the vehicular body to allow for uniform attractive attachment to the vehicle.
Current practice in the industry achieves the desired stiff upper configuration of a mud guard by the molding of the mud guard around a stiff metal insert in the upper region of the mud guard so that the upper region is rigid and the lower region of the guard is flexible.
Alternatively, a reinforcing metallic element may be attached to the mud guard after the molding process is complete, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,053 (Arenhold), which discloses a vehicle mud guard having a external metal element to reinforced and stiffen the mud guard at the points of mounting to the vehicle body.
Similarly U.S. Pat. No. Des. 241,829 (Podall) discloses a splash guard for motor vehicle which includes a stainless steel reinforced mounting region.
A mud guard molded around an upper steel insert, or to which a metal reinforcement is otherwise attached, presents certain difficulties in attachment. Often, two-way foam-backed adhesive tape is used to fill the gaps and provide adhesive strength. In addition, the weight of the steel-reinforced unit may require rivets, bolts or similar heavy duty attachment to fix the mud guard to the vehicle body. This results in a mud guard which is expensive because of the added expense of a metal reinforcement insert, additional processing costs and attachment components.

Staged coinjection molding process for producing variably flexible articles


A lubricating oil tank for an engine unit arranged in a motor vehicle engine compartment, open from below, including a flat-shaped tank arranged in the compartment lower part, beneath the engine unit, and connected to the engine unit by an oil outlet conduit and by an oil inlet conduit connected to the engine oil pump. The tank includes a part connected to the oil outlet conduit and a lower part connected to the oil inlet conduit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oil reservoir for the engine unit of a motor vehicle.
2. Discussion of the Background
It is common for engine units of motor vehicles to comprise a main crankcase which is open at the bottom and a pan fixed on the lower peripheral rim of the main crankcase to constitute a reserve for lubricating oil of the engine unit, a pump making it possible to circulate the lubricating oil from this reserve through the members of the engine unit.
The purpose of the present invention is to propose a radically different solution.
The object of the invention is a lubricating oil reservoir for the engine unit disposed in a motor-vehicle engine compartment, open at the bottom, the reservoir comprising a tank of flat shape which is disposed in the lower portion of the said compartment, underneath the said engine unit, and which is in communication with the said engine unit on the one hand by at least one oil outlet conduit and on the other hand by at least one oil inlet conduit connected to the oil pump of the said engine unit.
According to the invention, the said tank may advantageously comprise a low portion in communication with the said oil inlet conduit.
According to the invention, the said outlet conduit is preferably in communication with the lower portion of a pan of the said engine unit.
According to the invention, the said tank preferably extends approximately over the entire surface of the lower portion of the said compartment.
According to the invention, the said tank is preferably disposed at least partly in the air flow delivered by the fan of the said engine unit and the air flow under the vehicle.
According to the invention, the wall of the said tank preferably comprises projecting external and/or internal ribs.
According to the invention, the said conduits are preferably deformable.
According to the invention, the said tank can advantageously be fixed at least partly to the structure of the said vehicle.
According to the invention, the means of fixation of the said tank to the structure of the said vehicle are preferably deformable.
According to the invention, the said tank can advantageously be fixed at least partly to the said engine unit.
According to the invention, the means of fixation of the said tank to the said engine unit are preferably deformable.
Thus the solution proposed by the invention makes it possible in particular to use gravity to feed the lubricating oil from the crankcase to the tank, to improve the cooling of the lubricating oil, and to use the tank as a means of masking the noise of the engine unit.


A rotary to linear converter in a remotely controlled toy environment for translating the bidirectional rotation of a servo motor into the linear displacement of a tab connection point. A single spool member which is driven to rotate incrementally from one angular position to another, and a flexible, nonstretchable linkage, which is integral to the spool at one end and integral to a tab at the opposite end. During the period of rotation of the servo motor-driven spool, the integral linkage is either fed off the spool or wound onto the spool thereby traversing the linkage and the integral tab through guides in the housing and lid, which act as alignment restraints tensioning the linkage and tab to eliminate slack.

Servo motors are widely used in the field of motion control in such areas, but not limited to, radio-controlled models, pan tilt units, factory automation, mobile robotics, and walking robots. In particular, servo motors have been employed to manipulate bodies including automobiles, motor boats, airplanes, helicopters, or the like, by controlling their position, speed, or force, among other parameters of motion. In some cases, the servo motors are controlled by wireless means, as is often with models used by hobbyists.
Typically, output from a servo motor is coupled to an arm, sometimes called a "horn", which rotates about an axis of the servo motor output shaft. Thus, output from such servo motors is rotational even though common applications require only translational motion in one direction. Attempts have been made to capture rotational motion into a linear actuation using servo horns, but there remains room for improvement.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that provides a servo motor that offers linear output to control motion according to the desired position by the operator.


The present invention is a Contact Server that enables customers to submit call-back requests to a call center via the Internet, or virtually any other communications technology available. A call-back to the customer can be placed via any communications technology available. In its preferred embodiment, the Contact Server enables a call-back request to be submitted by a customer directly from an HTML page on a Web site, and have that same HTML page be presented to the agent that receives the call-back request. The agent can then place a telephone call to the number provided by the customer who submitted the call-back request, and at the same time, establish a TCP/IP communications session with the customer. This TCP/IP session can proceed between the agent""s Web browser and the customer""s Web browser, and the visible actions performed by the agent are transferred to the customer and displayed on the customer""s browser. The TCP/IP session proceeds simultaneous with the telephone call between the agent and the customer.

The present invention relates to data communications, and more particularly to customer to company call center communications in the telecommunications industry.
In the telecommunications industry, call centers are used to provide customer and operator services for business clients. Traditionally, customers of these business clients place a phone call to a toll-free telephone number to reach a call center customer service agent. They are then served over the phone. Often, because of the limited number of agents at a call center and the large number of calls, a customer""s call is placed in a queue until an agent becomes available.
Many customers in the telecommunications industry interact with the Internet and World Wide Web, and use the Web for a variety of business services. This presents an business opportunity to interact with customers who are familiar with browsing the Web, by presenting to the customer a Web site and an opportunity to interact with the telecommunications company. However, the World Wide Web is not an interactive media, and is primarily composed of many static HTML pages at any given Web site.
The customers browsing the Web site may have a need to speak with a customer service agent, either with respect to the Web site and information posted there, or with respect to their transactions with the telecommunications company.
Many companies, including telecommunications companies, maintain call centers to interact with their customers. These call centers may provide order entry clerks for new orders, billing services for resolving problems with invoices, shipments or returns, technical support, and trouble ticketing for customers having a high volume of transactions with the company.
However, given the volume of customer calls, and the company resources available to response to the calls, most calls to the call center are placed on hold by an ACD (automatic call director), and the initial customer interaction is with an IVR (interactive voice response) unit, which is primarily intended to direct the call to the proper agent, and is not programmed to answer a customer""s questions. This frequently leads to aggravated customers who are unable to resolve their concerns in a timely manner.
The only means presently available to contact a company call center agent and not be placed on hold, is to place a telephone call and submit a call-back request via the telephone, or to send an e-mail request to the xe2x80x9cweb masterxe2x80x9d of the Web site. Current Web services do not allow call-back requests to be submitted via the Web or other interactive means.
The present invention is a Contact Server that enables customers to submit call-back requests to a call center via the Internet, or virtually any other communications technology available. In its preferred embodiment, the Contact Server enables a call-back request to be submitted by a customer directly from an HTML page on the companies"" Web site, and have that same HTML page be presented to an agent who receives the call-back request. The Contact Server can immediately determine if an agent is available, and if the agent is available, the agent can then place a telephone call to the number provided by the customer who submitted the call-back request, and at the same time, establish a TCP/IP communications session with the customer. This TCP/IP session can proceed between the agent""s Web browser and the customer""s Web browser, and the visible actions performed by the agent are transferred to the customer and displayed on the customer""s browser. The TCP/IP session proceeds simultaneous with the telephone call between the agent and the customer.
If an agent is not available, the Contact Server can be used to provide call-back services at a later time via telephony, the Web, or virtually any other communications technology. A call-back request can be submitted by the agent to the Contact Server to establish communication with the customer via data communications over the Internet, voice telephony over the Internet, video conference over the Internet, or voice telephony over the PSTN or any other technology available.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a Contact Server that manages call-back services for call center agents in a generic manner, so that any communications network can be used for receiving call-back requests and placing call-backs to customers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a first data base relating to a customers requirements, resources and entitlements, a second data base relating to the type of support requested in the HTML page in which the call back request is posted, and a third dynamic data base of available call center agents and the presently available skill levels relevant to the requested support.
It is another object of the invention to enable the Contact Server to reserve a qualified agent when it receives a call-back request, based on the skill level of the agent and the requested support. That agent is presented with the call-back information submitted by the customer, as well as the Web page from which the call-back request was placed.
Whether the call back request is satisfied immediately, as for example, when an agent is immediately available to respond to the customers request, or whether the call back comes at a later time period, the agent is thus placed in synch with the customer in the context of their companies"" Web site. Once TCP/IP communications are established between the agent and the customer, the agent can perform visible tasks on the agent""s Web browser, and the customer can view these tasks. This occurs simultaneously with their telephony conversations.
It is another object of the present invention to enable establishment and maintenance of plural TCP/IP communications paths over the Internet between an agent and a customer. While the preferred embodiment utilizes http and telephony communications, http may be combined with chat or smtp to provide simultaneous communications between the customer and agent, and if the customer has a desktop with voice telephony or video telephony, simultaneous communications may proceed with one of these paths as well.
The http communications through the Web site may be enabled and enhanced by Java applets that may be stored on the Web Server that provides the Web site, on the Contact Server, or on a secure data server. These Java applets may then be simultaneously downloaded to and executed on the agent""s and customer""s Web browsers. The present invention also provides means to synchronize the execution applets on each desktop to ensure that the agent and customer may communicate with respect to the same data.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a data server is provided to poll a company main frame system to obtain the status of trouble tickets previously entered and tracked on the main frame system, and to format the main frame data trouble ticket into HTML data for transmission to the customer via http.

Contact server for call center for syncronizing simultaneous telephone calls and TCP/IP communications


This apparatus and method controls and limits the flow of in-rush current and maintains a supply voltage to a peripheral device during power surges. The apparatus and method essentially isolate and limit in-rush current flow to an in-rush circuit comprising a capacitive load and series resistor connected directly to the power bus at one end and to a reference potential at the other end. A switching device is coupled to the series resistor. A current sensing circuit is coupled to the series resistor. During initial start-up or "hot plugging" of the device, a control circuit turns "off" the switching device causing the load to be charged from the power bus through the resistive device for a pre-selected time interval, after which the switching circuit is turned "on" to bypass the resistive device and connect the load and the peripheral device to the power bus. The current sensing circuit detects when current flow is out of the load at which time the sensing circuit send a discharge signal to turn on the switching circuit and bypass the resistor which maintains the supply voltage of the device during the power surge.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to information processing systems. More particularly, the invention relates to power supplied buses for peripheral devices coupled to such systems in which in-rush current is limited to such peripheral devices after power-up or "hot plugging".
2. Background Discussion
In information processing systems where a power supply provides operating current to peripheral devices, two events can occur where a significant amount of current can flow to the peripheral device from the supply. These high currents may damage components in the power supply and also place a great deal of stress on the cable system and connector linking the peripheral device to the power supply.
One event for high current flow occurs in doing power-up of the system. The second event occurs when a peripheral device is plugged-in to the system which is already turned on, commonly referred to as "hot plugging". The high current flow is due, in part, at least to the pre-charging of capacitors in the peripheral device. The prior art has dealt with this problem by introducing current-limiting devices such as current-limiting resistors and switches that provide a lower resistance path in parallel with the current-limiting resistors. Such devices should also maintain the supply voltage for the device circuitry when a surge of current is required by the device which would otherwise cause the supply voltage to decrease or a voltage drop due to distribution losses.
Prior art related to power-up or "hot plugging" of peripheral devices is as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,653 discloses a current-limiting circuit able to react to in-rush current surges during start-up. A current monitoring control circuit activates a bypass switch "on" and "off" to assure that excessive current is not allowed to go around a current limiter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,831 issued Dec. 27, 1994, discloses a circuit switch which prevents current surges during initial power applications or during hot-plugging. The circuit includes a switch and transistor in parallel with a resistor combination in series with a capacitor. The circuit controllably supplies initial current from a power supply to a load to prevent a current surge when the switch is hot-plugged or when power is first applied to the switch circuit. A timer changes the voltage across an output transistor to begin a limited conduction of current. The current increases in a controllable manner until the output transistor is turned "on" full to supply operating current to the peripheral device.
All of the prior art places the current-limiting resistors and switches in the main path supplying power to the peripheral device which requires these switches to carry the entirety of the power needed by the peripheral, lowering the efficiency of the peripheral device, during normal operation.

Circuit and method of operation to control in-rush current and maintain power supply voltage to peripheral devices in an information system


A universal serial bus (USB) power supply is disclosed as including a main body (12) and a cable (24) releasably connectable with each other, the main body (12) being releasably connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and having a USB receptacle (20) electrically connectable with the DC power source. The cable (24) includes a USB plug (26) releasably connectable with the USB receptacle (20) to establish electrical connection and data communication there-between and a connector (30) electrically connected with the USB plug (26). The power supply is operable in a detached mode in which the main body (12) is out of connection with the cable (24) and in an attached mode in which the main body (12) is releasably connected with the cable (24). The power supply is adapted, when in the attached mode, to automatically change the voltage of a DC power output from the connector (30).

Mobile electronic gadgets (such as smart phones, tablets, and laptop computers) are very popular nowadays. These mobile devices provide us with much convenience in communicating with others and accessing online information. Nonetheless, these mobile devices rely on batteries for power storage and normally last only a few hours.
For charging smart phones, tablets and other portable DC-powered loads, detection of supply voltage is not necessary as all these devices are rated at 5 V DC. The universal serial bus (USB) power supply would provide the required charging recognition handshake for smart phones and tablets.
On the other hand, there is no harmonized standard for laptop computer power supply voltage. Laptop computers found in the market have voltage inputs ranging from 9V DC to 20V DC, even though their internal hardware are highly similar. Power supply units for laptop computers are usually incompatible with one another, and laptop computers therefore always come with a dedicated direct current (DC) power supply for battery charging. The output voltage of these dedicated power supplies for laptop computers of different brands and models are different. Therefore, all laptop computers have to be powered/charged by their dedicated power supplies.
With the limited battery storage capacity, dedicated power supply needs to be carried along with the mobile gadget. Depending on the design, their weights range from 0.3 kg to 0.5 kg, and the power density ranges from 6 to 10 W/in3. That adds to the overall burden of carrying the mobile gadgets. Furthermore, the dedicated power supply itself becomes an unnecessary electronic wastage once the laptop computer is abandoned. Although there are available in the market universal power supplies for laptop computers, such require users to manually select the desired output voltage, which is both troublesome and prone to errors.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a USB power supply in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade and public.


A multichip press-contact type semiconductor device including a plurality of semiconductor chips, a plurality of heat buffer plates, a conductive metal sheet, and first and second press-contact electrode plates. The heat buffer plates are disposed to correspond to the plurality of semiconductor chips. The conductive metal sheet is located on the plurality of heat buffer plates and substantially decreases the parasitic inductance by causing a short-circuit in electrode wiring connecting the semiconductor chips. The first press-contact electrode plate is located on the conductive metal sheet, and has column protrusions corresponding to the semiconductor chips on the surface facing the semiconductor chips. The second press-contact electrode plate is located on the side of the rear surface of the semiconductor chips. The first and second press-contact electrode plates hold therebetween the conductive metal sheet, the heat buffer plates, and the semiconductor chips, piled on each other.

This invention relates to a multichip presscontact type semiconductor device used in a state where a plurality of semiconductor chips press-contacted each other, in particular, a device suitable as a multichip press-contact type IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) for controlling the motor drive of an electric train or traction inverter application for which high withstand voltage and high reliability are required.
The conventional multichip press-contact type IGBT has a construction such as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the enlarged main portion of the device taken out from a package. Such a press-contact type semiconductor device is described, for example, in U.S. patent Ser. Nos. 08/656,868, 08/665,980, and 08/526,320, which are disclosed by the inventors of the present invention, and so on.
A FRD (First Recovery Diode) chip 12 is connected in parallel to a IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) chip 11 having the current flowing direction opposite to that of the FRD chip 12. The plain where the chip 11 and chip 12 are disposed is provided thereon with a plurality of the chips 11 and 12 although FIG. 1 does not show this. A chip frame 13 fixes and positions the IGBT chip 11 and the FRD chip 12 and fixes them. Heat buffer plates 14 each made from materials such as Mo (molybdenum) are located on the main surfaces of the chips 11 and 12 so as to radiate heat from the main surfaces of the chips. Similarly, a heat buffer disk plate 15 made from materials such as Mo is provided on the rear surfaces of the chips 11 and 12 so as to radiate the heat from the rear surfaces of the chips. A resin frame 16 having an opening facing the IGBT chip 11 and the FRD chip 12 and the heat buffer disk plate 15 hold the chips 11 and 12 therebetween such that the chips 11 and 12 are positioned and fixed in a vertical direction. A ring frame 17 has an opening at a position corresponding to a collector press-contact electrode plate 28. The opening of the ring frame 17 is engaged with the resin frame 16, thereby the chips 11 and 12 and the heat buffer disk plate 15 are held by the ring frame 17 and the resin frame 16. On the rear surface of an emitter press-contact electrode plate 27 which faces the chips 11 and 12, a separation trench for making the pressure applied to each of the chips even is formed at a non-press-contact portion where the emitter press-contact electrode plate 27 are not connected to the chips. In the trench, the column protrusions corresponding to the chips 11 and 12 are formed. The emitter press-contact electrode plate 27 and the collector press-contact electrode plate 28 are applied with a pressure as highas 10 MPa to use the chips 11 and 12, heat buffer plate 14, and heat buffer disk plate 15 in the press-contact state. A contact probe 30 contained in a sheath-like insulator 31 is arranged to contact the gate electrode of the IGBT chip 11. The contact probe 30 is connected to the gate wiring to which a control signal is supplied.
FIG. 2 presents an equivalent circuit diagram of the multichip press-contact IGBT described above. The IGBT chip 11 having a MOS gate structure has capacitance Cge between the gate and the emitter, capacitance Ccg between the collector and the gate, and capacitance Cce between the collector and the emitter. When the plurality of IGBT chips 11 are connected in parallel, a parasitic inductance Le is generated in the emitter wiring connecting the chips 11, and a parasitic inductance Lc is generated in the collector wiring connecting the chips 11. Similarly, when a plurality of FRD chips 12 are connected in parallel, a parasitic inductance La is generated in the anode wiring connecting the chips 12, and a parasitic inductance Lk is generated in the cathode wiring connecting the chips 12.
As is clear from the above-mentioned constitution, when a plurality of IGBT chips and a plurality of FRD chips are connected in parallel, the LCR oscillation circuit is constituted by the capacitances, parasitic inductances, and parasitic resistances in the circuit. The LCR oscillation circuit needs to be prevented from oscillating in operating the device.
In general, with the constitution shown in FIG. 2, the LCR circuit can easily oscillate unless the parasitic inductance Lc in the collector wiring is not set larger than the parasitic inductance Le. However, in the multichip press-contact type IGBT constituted as shown in FIG. 1, the parasitic inductance Le is necessarily set larger than the parasitic inductance Lc in the collector wiring due to the structural limitation. The emitter wiring (the current path in the emitter press-contact electrode plate 27) connecting the chips is lengthened due to the separation trench which is formed on the rear surface of the emitter press-contact electrode plate facing the chips in order to make the pressure applied to each of the chips even. When the LCR circuit constituted by the parasitic inductances, capacitances, and parasitic resistances is triggered to oscillate by noise and the like, errors may occur in the operation of the IGBT chips 11, and the IGBT may be damaged.
In order to form the above-mentioned multichip press-contact type IGBT chips with a high withstand voltage, the collector and the emitter need to be separated by a predetermined creepage distance. Generally, the creepage distance is determined as 1 mm/1 kV. Therefore, for the withstand voltage of 1 kV, the creepage distance as long as 1 mm is needed. In the device with the withstand voltage as high as 2500V, the creepage distance of at least 2.5 mm needs to be provided between the collector and the emitter. When the collector and the emitter in the structure shown in FIG. 1 are formed with a sufficiently long creepage distance therebetween, the heat buffer plate 14 needs to be formed thick, and thus the thermal resistance increases in the buffer plate. The increase of the thickness of the heat buffer plates 14 lengthens the emitter wiring, and thus the parasitic inductance Le in the emitter wiring increases as the withstand voltage of the device increases. Therefore, in the conventional device, if the heat buffer plate is formed thick to obtain the sufficient creepage distance, the parasitically constituted LCR oscillation circuit may be easily oscillated.

Multichip press-contact type semiconductor device


An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof. Additionally, angular orientation adjustment of the auxiliary trimmer assembly relative to the main rotation shaft axis of the lawnmower is effected to assure precise control of the width of cut afforded by the auxiliary trimmer apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to powered edge trimmer devices and, more particularly, to edge trimmer devices attached to power lawnmowers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When grass is cut, it is often desirable to trim edges of sidewalks, driveways, and the like. Currently, three types of edge trimmers are known in the prior art: a first has manually operated blades; a second has a power-driven blade in a separate and distinct edge trimmer device; and a third employs an edge trimmer device in conjunction with a power-driven lawnmower. With particular attention being paid to the edge trimmers associated with power-driven lawnmowers, throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed, and the following U.S. patents are representative of some of those innovations: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,686,839; 3,789,591; 4,378,668; 4,551,967; and 4,718,221. More specifically, each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,686,839 and 4,551,967 discloses an edge trimmer associated with a lawnmower wherein the edge trimmer is powered by the lawnmower by using a drive belt. It is well known that drive belts stretch and crack with age. Moreover, the drive belt must be used with accompanying pulleys. To eliminate the complexities associated with the use of drive belts, it would be desirable if a lawnmower-attached edge trimmer device could operate without using a drive belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,591 discloses a power lawnmower having an auxiliary flexible drive shaft for an edger head. A separate and distinct drive disk is provided above the lawnmower blade on the drive shaft. A spring-biased driven friction wheel is selectively placed in frictional contact with the drive disk. The friction wheel itself is part of an assembly which is pivotally connected to the body of the lawnmower. To avoid the use of a spring (which may fatigue) and to avoid the use of a pivoted connection (which may need regular lubrication), it would be desirable if a lawnmower-powered edge trimmer does not operate by using a spring or a pivoted connection assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,668 discloses a lawnmower-powered edge trimmer which employs a plurality of whip blades which are kept in constant motion even when the blades are not being used for trimming. When retractable guards are retracted, the whip blades are permitted to extend outward to be used for trimming. When the retractable guards are returned to their original positions, the whip blades are once again prevented from trimming. It is wasteful of energy to keep whip blades in constant rotation even when they are not being used for trimming. For this reason, it would be desirable if a lawnmower-powered edge trimmer does not employ trimmer blades that are in constant motion, even when the trimmer blades are not being used for trimming.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,221 an edger and trimmer that is carried by a lawnmower body, but the lawnmower engine does not power the cutting action of the edger and trimmer. More specifically, a cutting disk that is selectively raised or lowered by an operator. When the cutting disk is raised, it does not contact the ground. However, when the cutting disk is lowered, the cutting disk contacts the ground and trims the grass as a result of the lawnmower being pushed along the ground by an operator. No power is tapped from the lawnmower engine to be sent to the cutting blades. Some grass will not readily be cut by a relatively slow moving cutting disk as described above that is not powered by the lawnmower engine.
Still other features would be desirable in a lawnmower-attached edge trimmer apparatus. For example, there are many lawnmowers currently in use that do not contain edge trimmer features. In this respect, it would be desirable if a conventional lawnmower could be retrofitted to provide a lawnmower-powered edge trimmer. With respect to retrofitting, conventional lawnmowers come in a variety of sizes. More specifically, the circumferences of the housings for the cutting blades of lawnmowers may differ from one lawnmower to another. In this respect, it would be desirable if a lawnmower-attached edge trimmer apparatus that is retrofitted to a lawnmower could be adjusted to a variety of sizes of lawnmower housings.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use lawnmower-attached edge trimmer devices, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a lawnmower-attached edge trimmer apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) does not employ trimmer blades that are in constant motion, even when the trimmer blades are not being used for trimming; (2) can be retrofitted to a conventional lawnmower; (3) can be adjusted to a variety of sizes of lawnmower housings; (4) has a manually controlable connect/disconnect between the attached auxilliary trimmer apppartus and the main lawnmower drive; and (5) includes easy adjustment of the angular orienetation of the attached trimmer cutting blades or filaments to conveniently control the width of cut of the auxilliary cutting apparatus. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique lawnmower-attached edge trimmer apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

Lawnmower-attached edge trimmer apparatus


A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional ink jet recording apparatuses known in the prior art record an image on a recording medium by expelling ink retained in an ink container from a nozzle. Some ink jet recording apparatuses are structured so that each time ink is exhausted, a new ink cartridge can be attached.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-19130 discloses a cartridge that can be removably attached to a cartridge attaching unit. The cartridge has a circuit board that is configured to be electrically connected to a contact mechanism provided in the cartridge attaching unit. The presence of ink in the cartridge can be detected optically.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-49165 discloses an ink cartridge that can be removably attached to a cartridge attaching unit. The ink cartridge has a rotating member. When the rotating member engages the cartridge attaching unit, the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching unit and is held in the attached state. The ink cartridge has a detection portion used to optically detect the amount of remaining ink. With the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attaching unit, the detection portion is detected by an optical sensor provided in the cartridge attaching unit. The ink cartridge has an integrated circuit (IC) board in which information about the ink cartridge has been stored. When the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching unit, the IC board is electrically connected to contacts provided in the cartridge attaching unit.


A silver halide photographic emulsion is disclosed, which is chemically sensitized with a compound having an adsorptive group onto silver halide and a labile sulfur moiety, and further a silver halide photographic material using the same emulsion is disclosed.

In recent years, demands for high sensitivity, excellent graininess, gradation, high sharpness and excellent storage stability in silver halide photographic materials and, further, for rapid processing accelerating rate of development and the like have increasingly become severe. In particular, demands for good storage stability while suppressing fog in low level and further for higher sensitization have been strong.
A silver halide emulsion for use in a silver halide photographic material is, in general, chemically sensitized with various chemical substances for obtaining desired sensitivity and gradation.
Specifically, chalcogen sensitization such as sulfur sensitization, selenium sensitization and tellurium sensitization, noble metal sensitization using noble metals, such as gold, and reduction sensitization using reducing agents are used alone or in combination.
Of these sensitizing methods, that which is most widely and generally used and fundamental in combined sensitizing methods is a sulfur sensitizing method using labile sulfur compounds, and specific examples thereof are disclosed in P. Glafkides, Chimie et Physique Photoqraphigue, 5th Ed., Paul Montel (1987), T. H. James, The Theory of the Photographic Process, 4th Ed., Macmillan (1977), H. Frieser, Die Grundlaqen der Photoqraphischen Prozesse mit Silver haloqeniden, Akademische Verlagsgesellshaft (1968), U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,574,944, 1,623,449, 2,278,947, 2,410,689, 2,440,206, 2,449,153, 2,728,668, 3,189,458, 3,501,313, 3,656,955, 4,030,928, 4,054,457, 4,067,740, 4,266,018, 4,810,626, German Patents 1,422,869, 1,572,260, 228,658, 235,929, British Patents 1,129,356, 99,701, 1,403,980, European Patents 61,446, 138,622, JP-A-63-5355 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), JP-A-63-5336, JP-A-63-229449, JP-A-58-80634, JP-A-1-114839, JP-A-1-227140, JP-A-5-165135, JP-B-58-30570 (the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication"), JP-B-60-24457, JP-B-62-17216 and Research Disclosure, Vol. 307, No. 307105.
In recent years, high sensitivity while maintaining excellent graininess and high sharpness of silver halide photographic materials, further, high temperature rapid processing for increasing the processing rate and higher sensitization in high temperature forced development (by prolonging the processing time) have been strongly desired, however, by which the generation of fog and soft gradation are concurrently liable to be enlarged. Accordingly, the improvements of the above-described sulfur sensitization and combined sensitization with a sulfur sensitizing method as a fundamental such as a sulfur-gold sensitizing method and a sulfur-selenium-gold sensitizing method have been desired.
Silver halide photographic emulsions are, in general, spectrally sensitized with sensitizing dyes to have photographic sensitivity in wavelength regions such as green, red and infrared regions where silver halide per se does not have absorption.
The increase of the amount of sensitizing dyes used to increase the spectral sensitivity is often conducted, which, at the same time, causes the increase in reduction of the sensitivity in the intrinsic wavelength region, that is, the intrinsic desensitization, presumably due to development inhibition by the dyes, latent image dispersion, or nullification of photoelectron by the hole of the dyes and the bleaching of latent images or the like. As a result, the spectral sensitivity reaches a top limit and does not increase further.
In addition, the sensitivity fluctuation becomes large (mainly desensitization) during storage with the lapse of time by the use of large amount of dyes. Heretofore, various efforts have been done to still further increase the spectral sensitivity stably but yet insufficient.
In particular, the development of useful and universal techniques of chemical sensitization has been eagerly demanded to reduce the intrinsic desensitization by sensitizing dyes and to improve spectral sensitivity stably.