A power cell which converts ionizing radiation into electrical energy. The power cell includes a multi-layer composite source element which includes a charged particle emitter layer, first and second source dielectric layers, a source collector layer and a source retarding layer. The source element is disposed within a multi-layer composite shield element having an absorber layer, first and second shield dielectric layers, a shield collector layer, and a shield retarding layer. An anode is connected to the emitter layer and a cathode to the collector layer. The emitter layer produces charged particles which interact with the dielectric layers to eject electrons which are collected by the collector layer to generate a potential between the anode and the cathode.

The relationship between energy and matter is described by Einstein's theory of special relativity. This theory suggests that matter can be converted into energy and energy into matter. This relationship can best be demonstrated by observing the effects of ionizing radiation on bulk material. Ionizing radiation consists of a flux of particles or photons with sufficient energy to break up molecules or to detach electrons from atoms upon impact. At the moment of impact, electromagnetic energy (photons) is converted into mass (e.g., Compton electrons, secondary electrons, etc.). Similarly, mass in the form of energetic particles (e.g., electrons, neutrons, alpha particles, etc.) is attenuated to produce secondary electromagnetic energy, such as bremsstrahlung (radiation emitted by an electron accelerated in its collision with the nucleus of an atom, "braking radiation"). Therefore, as a steady flux of ionizing radiation passes through bulk material, it produces a dynamic condition where energy is converted into matter and matter into energy.
Radioisotopic decay, such as alpha decay or beta decay, generates charged particles. The movement of these charged particles therefore produces an electric current. Attempts have been made to convert the movement of these charged particles directly into electrical energy. However, directly producing electrical energy from radioisotopic decay has had numerous problems.
The first problem encountered is that the charged particles emitted during the decay contain a broad spectrum of energy levels. For example, in beta decay, a beta particle (.beta..sup.- or .sub.-1 .epsilon..sup.0) is emitted. However, the emitted .beta. particles or electrons are not mono-energetic. Rather, there is a distribution of electron energies from zero up to the maximum energy of 13.4 MeV. A design directed at a particular energy level would lose lower energy level electrons because these electrons would have insufficient energy to get to the collector. Similarly, much higher energy level electrons would collide with the collector, generating heat, and attenuation into another energy level, resulting in losses as well. Such devices are typically high voltage, low current devices.
A second problem frequently encountered was leakage current losses. The leakage current occurred when higher energy electrons collide with the collector and would then be ejected out the back side of the collector. Additionally, leakage occurred through bremsstrahlung or "braking radiation." Bremsstrahlung radiation is produced in a collision between an electron and a positively charged nucleus. In order to prevent losses due to bremsstrahlung, very thick electron collectors were used which were very heavy and dense. As a result, only one or two plates could be used, so it was not possible to collect at a multiple of electron energy levels. Finally, leakage also occurred through back scattering, where the electromagnetic energy and the particles are back scattered 180.degree. from a forward direction.
The efficiencies of and energy levels produced by prior designs were also quite low. These designs typically used one emitter electrode and one collector electrode. Therefore, when the energy was drawn off the collector electrode, it dropped in potential. The resulting drop in potential produces an "off time" while the potential builds back up on the collector electrode to the desired energy level. Once the desired collector energy level is achieved, the collection is done and the collector again drops in potential. This "off time" for collection resulted in low efficiency, and low total energy available.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there was no device for the direct conversion of ionizing radiation into electrical energy which effectively converts charged particles from a multitude of energy levels, recovering some of the energy produced through back scattering and bremsstrahlung. Additionally, prior to the development of the present invention, there was no device which provided for a continuous potential on the collector electrode to preclude inefficiencies due to low collector potential.

Electric power cell energized by particle and electromagnetic radiation


Technologies are described herein for parameter optimization of at least one interlayer handover in a multilayer wireless cellular communication network. Performance information for the communication network is retrieved. The retrieved performance information for the communication network is then averaged over a predetermined period of time. A determination is made based on the performance information as to whether optimization of the communication network is required. If so, the interlayer handover is optimized by capturing a current set of configuration parameters for the interlayer handover, generating a new set of configuration parameters for the interlayer handover based on the retrieved performance information and the current set of configuration parameters, and applying the new set of configuration parameters to the communication network.

Wireless cellular communications networks often divide the total set of available channels into different groups, or "layers." Layers within a network may belong to the same radio access technology. For instance, different layers can be defined as different sets of frequencies within a Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM") communications network. It is also possible to have different layers served with different radio access technologies. For instance, GSM and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access ("WCDMA") layers can coexist within the same communications network. Wireless handsets connected to such wireless communications networks may be transferred between layers using an interlayer handover procedure that is triggered when a set of threshold conditions is fulfilled. The set of interlayer handover threshold conditions are typically defined by configuration parameters specified within the wireless communications network.
It can be very difficult and time consuming to optimize the configuration parameters that specify the interlayer handover threshold conditions on a cell-by-cell basis in a large wireless cellular communications network. As a result, wireless operators frequently utilize a generic set of configuration parameters for all of the cell sites within a communications network. Utilization of a generic set of configuration parameters in this manner, however, generally results in sub-optimal performance in terms of both quality and capacity. One reason for this is that interference and propagation severity can vary both in time and space over a wireless network, which is not taken into account when utilizing a generic set of configuration parameters across all cell sites.
Field trials may be performed in order to tune the configuration parameters for cell sites within a wireless communications network. However, the effects of modifying configuration parameters during the tuning process are difficult to quantify. As a result, the tuned configuration parameters are often selected conservatively, thereby limiting the achievable performance of the communications network. Moreover, such trials are normally focused on global parameters of one or more features under study. Optimization is rarely performed on a cell-by-cell basis due to the large associated cost. As a result, most wireless cellular communications networks are unable to obtain peak levels of quality and performance.
It is with respect to these considerations and others that the disclosure made herein is presented.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Optimization of interlayer handovers in multilayer wireless communication networks


The invention relates to a synthetic material end for a DC electric cable. In the invention, the synthetic material end includes a composite insert that is placed between the inner insulator and the outer insulating sleeve of the cable, the insert generally being in the form of a sheath surrounding the inner insulator over a partially-stripped portion of the cable, and being made up of a resistive portion of high resistivity, and of a semi-conductive portion of lower resistivity, the interface between said resistive and semi-conductive portions forming a deflector, the end of the resistive portion that is remote from the deflector being electrically connected to the central conductor of the cable, and the end of the semi-conductive portion that is remote from the deflector being electrically connected to the outer semi-conductor of the cable. Application to making connections to high-voltage electric cables.

The electric cable is constituted by: a central conductor surrounded by a plurality of layers constituting an insulation system; at least one metal screen connected to ground; and a protective outer sheath. In particular, the various components of the cable have the function of protecting people and animals against electrocution, of avoiding electric discharges in the medium surrounding the cable, such as air, and of minimizing energy losses while electricity is being transported. However, at the end of the cable, the central conductor under high voltage is at a distance of only a few millimeters from the metal screen connected to ground. This distance is much shorter than the breakdown voltage of the medium in which the end of the cable is situated (e.g. air), thereby leading to a short-circuit. Given the magnitude of the electric field existing in the insulating portions of a cable system, in particular in the vicinity of interfaces, it is necessary to control electric field density by arranging the end structures of cables under high voltage to comply with an additional constraint whereby the end of a cable must not be destroyed in the event of a voltage surge or an electric shock caused by lightning, for example.
Patent application WO 00/74191 A1 describes a high-voltage cable end structure comprising a resistive layer that surrounds the cable, and that is connected at one of its ends to the high-voltage, and at its other end to ground. A stress cone surrounds the resistive layer beside its portion connected to ground. However, that structure can lead to unsatisfactory performance in the event of a surge, or during operations such as circuit-breaking, or reversing polarity, for example.
Patent application FR 2 480 039 proposes using an electrode for reducing electrical stress at the edge of the screen, around the periphery of the insulator of the electrical conductor. The electrode comprises a plurality of contiguous zones presenting different resistances. The resistance of the stress electrode is selected to be non-linear. It varies as a function of the applied voltage, such that the magnitude of the current passing through the electrode does not vary linearly with the voltage. In addition, the stress electrode is floatingly mounted at one of its two ends. The structure proposed in that patent application presents the drawback of operating in unsatisfactory manner with DC.

Synthetic material end for a DC electric cable


Systems and methods for estimating aggregate bandwidths of primary traffic flows are provided. Tighter upper bounds on aggregate bandwidths for arbitrary combinations of primary traffic flows may be computed. These tighter bounds are highly useful in configuring backup tunnels to protect a node in the event of failure in that the total backup bandwidth burden on individual links may be determined more accurately to permit optimal use of available backup bandwidth capacity.

The present application relates to data networking and more particularly to systems and methods for rerouting around failed links and/or nodes.
In the following, "link" generally refers to a network cable and/or connecting interface, and "node" generally refers to a router, switch or other network device connected to other nodes by links.
The Internet and IP networks in general have become key enablers to a broad range of business, government, and personal activities. More and more, the Internet is being relied upon as a general information appliance, business communication tool, entertainment source, and as a substitute for traditional telephone networks and broadcast, media. As the Internet expands its role, users become more and more dependent on uninterrupted access.
To assure rapid recovery in the event of failure of a network link or node, so-called "Fast Reroute" techniques have been developed. In a network employing Fast Reroute, traffic flowing through a failed link or node is rerouted through one or more preconfigured backup tunnels. Redirection of the impacted traffic occurs very quickly to minimize impact on the user experience, typically in tens of milliseconds.
These Fast Reroute techniques have been developed in the context of MPLS Traffic Engineering where traffic flows through label switched paths (LSPs). Typically, the overall network is configured such that traffic flows through guaranteed bandwidth end-to-end "primary" LSPs. It is also possible to establish short primary LSPs in a non-Traffic Engineering network, only for the purpose of taking advantage of Fast Reroute techniques (see above-referenced patent application entitled "MPLS Reroute Without Full Mesh Traffic Engineering.")
In either case, when a link or node failure occurs, traffic affected by the failure is rerouted to the preconfigured backup tunnels. These backup tunnels are typically (but not necessarily) used only for a very short time since simultaneously with the rerouting through the backup tunnels, the head ends of all affected primary LSPs are notified of the failure. This causes the head ends to reroute the primary LSPs around the failures so that, if the rerouting is successful, the backup tunnels are no longer needed. It is generally assumed that the probability of multiple failures in such a short time is small, so each failure may be considered independently.
Under the independent failure assumption, link bandwidth available for backup tunnels may be shared between backup tunnels protecting different links or nodes. The techniques disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/038,259 make use of this assumption to allow available backup bandwidth to be shared among links or nodes to be protected while assuring that guaranteed bandwidth requirements continue to be met during Fast Reroute conditions.
During network operation, primary LSPs will be established and torn down. To avoid the need to constantly reconfigure backup tunnels in response to changes in primary LSPs, it is advantageous to configure the backup tunnel(s) protecting a network element to accommodate the maximum bandwidth reservable for primary LSPs using that element.
Consider a node to be protected. The traffic burden to be protected will consist of a set of "primary traffic flows." Each primary traffic flow consists of primary LSPs that can cross the protected node via a pair of links, one link to the protected node and another link away from the protected node. One or more backup tunnels will be established to protect each such link pair. Each backup tunnel consists of a sequence of one or more links defining the sequence of links it traverses. For each link, the total traffic burden of the primary traffic flows protected by backup tunnels that include (i.e. traverse) the link should not exceed the reservable backup bandwidth of the link.
It is thus necessary to identify a maximum primary traffic bandwidth for aggregates of primary traffic flows. A straightforward approach is to simply take the sum of the bandwidths of individual flows in the aggregate. As will be shown herein, however, this approach often results in an inflated estimate of the aggregate bandwidth to be protected by backup tunnels traversing a given link. The consequences of the exaggerated bandwidth estimates can include inefficient configuration of backup tunnels and even failure to find backup tunnels.
What is needed are improved systems and methods for estimating the total bandwidths of aggregates of primary traffic flows traversing a node to be protected.

Method for computing FRR backup tunnels using aggregate bandwidth constraints


Prepregs having a UV curable resin layer located adjacent to a first thermally curable resin layer or sandwiched between first and second thermally curable resin layers wherein the UV curable resin layer is uncured or partially cured as well as methods for preparing laminates using the prepregs wherein the laminate includes at least one UV curable resin encapsulated electrical component.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention concerns prepregs having a UV curable resin layer and to methods of using the prepregs to manufacture printed circuit board having embedded electrical components.
(2) Description of the Art
In order to protect circuit board electronic components from damage during the pressures and/or temperatures reached during lamination steps in printed circuit board manufacturing processes, it is sometimes desirable to milling a "window" in an adjacent layer to form a protective structure in which an electronic component associated with a laminate or prepreg layer resides during lamination. A problem with this approach is that the prepreg layer adjacent to the electronic component and window can be thin and provide an insufficient amount of resin to fill the window and encapsulate the electronic component during a lamination step. There is a need, therefore, for new products and methods that allow electronic components to be protected during printed circuit board lamination steps with improved encapsulation results.

Prepregs and laminates having a UV curable resin layer


A combustor includes a center nozzle surrounded by a plurality of outer nozzles, the center nozzle and each of the outer nozzles having a fuel passage and an air passage, with a swirler surrounding the fuel passage and having a plurality of vanes projecting radially within the air passage, each vane having a trailing edge arranged at a swirl angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle, wherein the swirl angle for the swirler in the center nozzle is different than the swirl angle for the swirlers in the plurality of outer nozzles.

This invention relates to land-based gas turbine engines and specifically, to a "can-annular" combustor arranged with one center fuel nozzle surrounded by several radially outer fuel nozzles. More specifically, the invention relates to configurations of the center nozzle and outer nozzles so as to avoid flame attachment for selected nozzles at all operating conditions by incorporating a swirler device with a deliberately low-swirl aerodynamic design.
In gas turbine combustors utilizing DLN (dry low NOx) technology, it has been observed that there is a strong linkage between combustor dynamics (unsteady pressure fluctuations) and the "attachment" or "detachment" of the flame from one or several nozzles. An attached flame is anchored closely to the nozzle exit by the recirculation pattern in the vortex breakdown region. A detached flame is not anchored and exists several inches downstream of the nozzle exit. Attachment or detachment can be influenced by the fuel-air ratio, i.e., richer nozzles tend to run attached while leaner nozzles tend to run detached. In some designs, at the normal operating condition, it is not possible to provide sufficient fuel to all nozzles to keep all flames attached. In the process of tuning fuel splits, i.e., adjusting the relative quantity of fuel supplied to each nozzle, it has been found that optimum dynamics are obtained with some nozzle flames detached and some attached, but that sometimes large increases in dynamics are encountered where one or more nozzles are near their transition between flame attachment and flame detachment.
In accordance with current practice, all of the nozzles in a combustor assembly incorporate swirlers that have vanes shaped to provide a nominally high-swirl angle in order to maximize the aerodynamic stability via vortex breakdown. Specifically, it is common practice for the vane swirl angle to be in the range of 40°–50° relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. In general, high-swirl angles promote a wider range of conditions at which the flame will attach. At the same time, fuel splits are used to tune in the field or in the lab to find the combination of attached and detached flames that results in the best dynamics—NOx tradeoff.

Swirler configurations for combustor nozzles and related method


The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide from at least one organometallic precursor. One precursor(s) which can react spontaneously to oxidation is selected; a liquid solution of the precursor(s) is produced in a solvent non-aqueous medium, and the liquid solution is placed in contact with at least one oxidant in adapted reactional conditions in order to directly result in the production of nanoparticles of crystalline metal oxide(s). The invention also relates to a composition of nanoparticles obtained in the form of a colloidal liquid solution.

In view of their specific properties which open the way for many potential industrial applications, crystalline metal oxides, especially in the form of nanoparticles, have for many years been the subject of intensive research. The document "Ceramics" Abbas Khaleel and Ryan M. Richards, Nanoscale Materials in Chemistry, Kenneth J. Klabunde, 2001, John Wiley and Sons, pp 85-120, depicts a prior art of the various methods hitherto envisaged for the preparation of nanoparticulate crystalline metal oxides, namely:                physical and/or aerosol methods (vapour or gas condensation; jet pyrolysis; thermochemical or flame decomposition; thermal evaporation; vaporization in vacuo; laser evaporation); these physical methods generally produce low yields, may generate undesirable products, require elevated temperatures and complex and costly apparatus;        chemical methods:                    sol-gel: this method consists in carrying out the hydrolysis of precursors of the alcoholate type in water and/or an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst (an acid or base which allows the hydrolysis of the alkoxysilane to silanol or silyl ether to be accelerated, especially a mineral acid or a mineral base such as HCl, NaOH, KOH), producing, by condensation, a gel of metal hydroxides, then, by drying of the gel, a powder, and finally, by subsequent calcination, oxides; accordingly, this method requires many successive steps including thermal treatments and generally yields only materials having a nanostructure, not well-dispersed nanoparticles;            microemulsion: although promising, this method produces low yields and requires large quantities of solvent, a biphase reaction and calcinations;            chemical synthesis at low temperature in solution, and precipitation: these methods require final separating steps in vacuo and/or calcination at high temperature and do not allow the form and size of the particles to be controlled, the particles generally being undispersed;            mechanochemical synthesis: this method does not permit the preparation of dispersed nanoparticles having uniform and predetermined forms and dimensions.
In addition, EP-0947245 describes a process for the preparation of metal colloids from an organometallic precursor ([Sn(N(CH3)2)2]2 for tin) dissolved in a slightly hydrated solvent, such as anisole or commercial toluene, heating the solution, which is maintained under an inert gas, to at least 130° C. in order to bring about decomposition of the precursor, and then suppressing organic by-products by at least three steps of washing with pure solvent. Nanoparticles of tin surrounded by a protective film of tin oxide are obtained. This metal colloid can be used to prepare a sensitive layer of tin oxide. To this end, a layer of metal colloid is first formed, for example by the spin-on deposition method, and is subjected to oxidation in two steps, a first step at 200° C. and a second step at 650° C., and then to annealing at 450° C. to form a layer of particles of crystalline tin oxide having a diameter of 0.02μ. In this manner there is obtained a sensitive layer of spherical agglomerated tin oxide particles.
The publications "Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse zinc and zinc-oxide nanoparticles from the organometallic precursor [Zn(C6H11)2]" F. Rataboul et al., Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 643-644 (2002) 307-312; and "New procedure towards well-dispersed nickel oxide nanoparticles of controlled size" N. Cordente et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, chimie/chemistry 4 (2001) 143-148 describe the preparation of colloids of mixed metal particles (Zn/ZnO or Ni/NiO) having a metal core and a layer of oxide, by thermal decomposition, under an inert gas, of an organometallic precursor in a manner similar to EP-0947245. The publication of F. Rataboul teaches that nanoparticles of Zn/ZnO dispersed in PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) can be obtained. The particles obtained in the absence of PVP, that is to say which are not dispersed, are oxidized in the air for 3 hours at 300° C. and then for 3 hours at 600° C. There is obtained a phase of nanoparticles of pure zinc oxide having a hexagonal wurtzite structure, without coalescence but not dispersed. The publication of N. Cordente et al. describes the preparation of Ni/NiO nanoparticles dispersed in PVP and indicates that preliminary tests have been carried out for the oxidation of these particles at 100° C. (below 130° C. in order to avoid decomposition of the dispersion polymer PVP) for two weeks. However, this document admits that this oxidation does not allow nanoparticles of pure NiO oxide to be obtained, even though the results obtained are considered by the authors to be promising. Nevertheless, it is found that if the oxidation treatment is sufficiently intensive to produce oxide particles, the dispersion polymer is destroyed and the oxidized particles are no longer in the dispersed state.
Accordingly, none of the known methods mentioned above permits the direct preparation of nanoparticles of pure crystalline metal oxide(s). Furthermore, none of the known methods permits the preparation of such nanoparticles in dispersed form and having homogeneous, at least substantially uniform forms and dimensions, that is to say corresponding to a unimodal distribution (distributed around a single principal mean value), and especially substantially monodisperse (that is to say with weak dispersion around the mean value).
Moreover, most of the known methods are laborious, require complex equipment and a high level of technology and/or numerous successive steps, including thermal treatment steps and separating steps (washing, purification, etc.), produce large quantities of polluting by-products or waste (especially solvents), and are not very suitable for exploitation under profitable economic conditions on an industrial scale.
In addition, none of the known methods permits the preparation of nanoparticles of crystalline metal oxide(s) which are in dispersed form and the form of which may have form anisotropy (non-spherical), for example an elongated form (rods, threads, ribbons, etc.). In some industrial applications, however, it is important to obtain nanoparticles having uniform and controlled forms and dimensions, which are in dispersed form, and which may have form anisotropy (especially an elongated form).

Method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)


A method for making a particulate filled polymeric matrix composite film includes mixing a polymeric matrix material with a dispersion of particulate filler in a carrier liquid to form a casting composition and adjusting the viscosity of the casting composition to retard separation of the particulate filler from the composition. A layer of the viscosity-adjusted casting composition is cast on a substrate and the layer is consolidated to form the particulate filled polymer matrix composite film. Films made by the method include very thin, e.g. less than 1.0 mil, fluoropolymeric matrix films highly filled with very small diameter, preferably spherical, particles for use as, e.g. dielectric substrate materials in laminar electrical circuits.

Laminated electrical circuit substrates which include a conductive layer supported on a dielectric fluoropolymer matrix composite layer are known. Driven by the continuing trend toward increasing circuit density, very thin films, e.g. less than about 1.0 mil, of highly filled fluoropolymeric matrix composite substrate materials having a substantially uniform microstructure have become desirable as allowing further reduction in the size of electronic circuits It is technically and economically difficult to make such materials by known methods.
Fluoropolymer and particulate filled fluoropolymer matrix composite films are made by known papermaking, skiving, casting, melt extrusion and paste extrusion and calendering processes.
Films produced by paper making processes required fiber reinforcement and are limited to thicknesses greater than about 2 mil.
It is very difficult to produce thin high quality highly filled fluoropolymer matrix films by skiving due to abrasion of the skiving blade by the filler particles and tearing of the film associated with the resistance of the filler particles to the skiving blade.
The filler loading of films made by known casting processes is limited to less than about 15 volume percent.
The high melt viscosity of neat fluoropolymers complicates the production of fluoropolymer films by melt extrusion. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF.sub.2) and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) are melt extrudable only within a narrow processing window. Polyvinylfluoride (PVF) film cannot be produced by melt extrusion due to thermal instability. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cannot be melt extruded due to its extraordinarily high melt viscosity. Fluorocopolymers are known which provide lower melting temperature and lower melt viscosity at extrusion temperatures, e.g. copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene with hexafluoropropylene (FEP) or with ethylene, Copolymers of CTFE with vinylidene fluoride or hexafluoropropylene.
The introduction of fillers further complicates the melt extrusion of fluoropolymers. In the presence of certain fillers, especially at high filler loading level, the melt processability of the melt extrudable fluoropolymers is rapidly degraded due to the increase in melt viscosity associated with the presence of the filler or with filler-catalyzed thermal degradation of the polymer matrix.
A method of making highly filled PTFE composite materials which exhibit excellent physical and electrical properties by paste extrusion and calendering is set forth in coassigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,284 to D. J. Arthur, J. C. Mosko, C. S. Jackson and G. R. Traut, entitled "ELECTRICAL SUBSTRATE MATERIAL", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, it is technically difficult and economically extremely difficult to produce thin, i.e. less than 2 mils, highly filled i.e. greater than about 40 %, fluoropolymer matrix composite films by the paste extrusion and calendering process.
What is needed in the art is a method which overcomes the above noted deficiencies of known processing methods.

Method for making particulate filled composite film


A receptacle for vehicle booster cable with a clamp has a body for receiving a clamp. The body has an open entrance end and a closed stopping end. A pair of protrusions is radially and inwardly protruded from the opposite sides of the open entrance end. Their shape matches with the recesses provided on the outer side surface of handgrip portion of the clamp so as to maintain the clamp in the body in a snap fasten manner when the clamp is inserted into the receptacle while the clamp is not in use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to means for preventing access to live contacts, and particularly to a receptacle for a vehicle booster cable with clamp.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, a vehicle booster cable clamp with spring actuated metallic clamping jaws is enclosed by a sheath made of insulative material such as plastic. The clamp is fixed on one end of the booster cable, the collet of which clips on the terminal of a car battery. The other end of the booster cable is coupled to a power source such as a spare battery case of the vehicle. If one end of the booster cable connects with the power supply while the other end is allowed to lay loosely about, there is a potential hazard. Moreover, there is also need for a safe, fast and reliable receptacle for the clamps and cable while not in use.
In order to fulfill the needs mentioned above, U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,478 to Kerry Sprouse discloses an insulative protective sheath for the live end of a vehicle booster cable, wherein the sheath comprises a receptacle with interior and exterior portions constructed of insulative material, and includes a permanent closed stopping end and a open entrance end. In the receptacle, a vertical retainer mounting plate is provided at the closed stopping end. The open entrance end is accessible for insertion of a clamp into the interior portion. After inserting thereinto, the collet is kept in the receptacle by means of the clamp to clip the retainer mounting plate, while another clamp connects the outer fixation component via the exterior of the sheath. Such a retained clamp can be easily loosed from the receptacle under vibration or outside force and forms a short circuit by contacting another externally placed clamp. U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,407 to Karl Srol discloses another safety cap of a vehicle booster cable. However, such a safety cap is similar to Sprouse's protective receptacle. So Srol's safety cap also have aforesaid deficiencies.
The present invention provides a novel receptacle for booster cable with clamp, which is safe and portable.


An encoding element (109, 111, 113) and a decoding arrangement (110, 112, 114) is included with each separate circuit (104, 105, 106) in a system (100) of circuits which must communicate digital signals with each other. The encoding devices (109, 111, 113) included with the separate circuits (104, 105, 106) cooperate to produce an encoded signal on a common transmission line or network (108) which interconnects the various circuits. The decoding arrangement (110, 112, 114) associated with each respective circuit receives the encoded signal appearing on the transmission line and decodes the encoded signal to reproduce or recreate the digital data signals transmitted from the other circuits in the system.

Electronic systems commonly include many different electronic circuits which must communicate data with each other through suitable data transmission lines or networks. A simple data communication arrangement includes a separate transmission line for each individual signal which must be communicated from one circuit to another. However, as integrated circuit technology has advanced, far more circuitry can be placed on an integrated circuit chip than can be accessed externally through separate signal transmission lines. An integrated circuit package will inevitably have room for fewer input/output pins than the number of signals which must be communicated to a separate integrated circuit or received from a separate integrated circuit.
Time division multiplexing may be used to allow different signals to effectively share a common transmission line. In time division multiplexing, a single transmission line carries one signal at one time and another signal at another time. However, time division multiplexing adds complexity to the circuit. Furthermore, since signals are not communicated simultaneously, time division multiplexing reduces the overall speed of data communications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,246 discloses a circuit and signal transmission method in which a number of different signals may be communicated from one circuit to another simultaneously over a single signal transmission line. However, the arrangement shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,246 facilitates only unidirectional signal transmission. That is, although multiple signals from one circuit are communicated simultaneously to a second circuit over a single transmission line, a separate transmission line was required for transmitting signals from the second circuit back to the first circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,740 discloses a digital transceiver allowing full duplex or bi-directional transmission of digital signals over a common transmission line. This transceiver is limited to only bi-directional transmission between two circuits, and does not facilitate multi-directional communications between three or more circuits.

Circuit for facilitating simultaneous multi-directional transmission of multiple signals between multiple circuits using a single transmission line

International Business Machines Corporation


A camera device is provided which has an optical system including a focus lens, focus control for focusing the optical system on a subject by driving the focus lens, and display control for causing a display to display numerals indicating a first distance of a close end and a second distance of a remote end of a subject distance range in which the focus control can focus the optical system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera device having an automatic focusing function usable in a digital camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, in a camera device such as a digital camera or a conventional camera using a silver salt film, an automatic focusing function by various systems has been used generally. Some of the automatic focusing functions of a digital camera are designed to set in plural focusing modes different in range of a subject distance focusing on the subject (focus adjustable range). General focus modes include an ordinary mode for covering a photographing distance from tens of centimeters to an infinite distance for use in scenery or snap photographing, and a macro mode for covering a photographing distance from several centimeters to tens of centimeters for use in close-up photographing of small subjects such as flowers and insects.
In a camera device having plural focus modes, it is intended to inform a photographer of a currently set focus mode by a display device at the time of photographing.

Camera device having automatic focusing function


An article of footwear is disclosed having at least one elongated heel support member. The elongated heel support member may be angled and extend from a heel region to a midfoot region, in order to disperse forces applied by a wearer's heel during movement. The heel system may include two heel support members, each associated with a side of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a series of ribs in the midfoot region, which may abut a front edge of the heel support members. Finally, the article of footwear may include asymmetric side flaps extending downward from an upper plate so as to overlap a midsole.

The present embodiments relate generally to footwear, and in particular an article of footwear including heel support members.
Articles of footwear with support columns along the heel of the footwear have been previously proposed. Smith et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,309) teaches a track shoe with a heel plate and two support columns. In the Smith design, the article of footwear includes an upper and a sole secured to the upper. Specifically, Smith teaches the use of a heel plate extending from the midfoot portion of the outsole towards to the heel. The first and second support columns extend between the heel plate and the outsole in a vertical direction. The support columns of the Smith design are intended to attenuate shock and absorb energy in the event that a user tires and the heel portion of the footwear contacts the ground.
Other articles of footwear with heel support structures have also been proposed. Caine et al. (U.S. patent application publication No. 2008/0307676) teaches an article of footwear with a shock absorbing heel system. The heel system includes a lower heel plate, a set of support members, and an upper heel plate. The lower heel plate is associated with a cantilever portion that supports the upper heel plate laterally. As force is applied to the heel system, the support members may compress slightly and the cantilever portion may lower, absorbing energy and or shocks applied by the ground. Each support member includes a top side and a bottom side; the top side being associated with a first centroid and the bottom side being associated with a second centroid; and where the first centroid and the second centroid are misaligned with respect to a vertical axis.

Article of footwear with elongated shock absorbing heel system


A compound selected from the group consisting of those having the formula: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OXO, and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the 2-imidazolin-2-ylamino group may be in any of the 5-, 6-, 7- or 8- positions of the quinoxaline nucleus, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 each is located in one of the remaining 5-, 6-, 7- or 8- positions of the quinoxaline nucleus and is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, H and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Such compounds, when administered to a mammal, provide desired therapeutic effects, such as alteration in the rate of fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract, reduction in intraocular pressure, and increase in renal fluid flow.

The present invention relates to novel substituted derivatives of quinoxaline. More particularly, the invention relates to such derivatives which are useful as therapeutic agents, for example, to effect reduction in intraocular pressure, to increase renal fluid flow and to effect an alteration in the rate of fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract.
Various quinoxaline derivatives have been suggested as therapeutic agents. For example, Danielewicz, et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,319 discloses compounds as regulators of the cardiovascular system which have the following formula: ##STR2## where the 2-imidazolin-2-ylamino group may be in any of the 5-, 6-, 7- or 8- position of the quinoxaline nucleus; X, Y and Z may be in any of the remaining 5-, 6-, 7- or 8- positions and may be selected from hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or trifluoromethyl; and R is an optional substituent in either the 2- or 3- position of the quinoxaline nucleus and may be hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy.

(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino) tetrahydroquinoxalines and methods for using same


Disclosed herein are herbicidal compositions, characterized in that they comprise:                A) an antidotically effective amount of one or more safeners from the group of the phosphorated esters of the formula (I):

1. Field
Disclosed herein are crop protection compositions which can be used against unwanted vegetation and which contain, as active compounds, a combination of at least one herbicide and at least one safener.
2. Description of Related Art
Herbicides are useful for controlling unwanted vegetation, i.e. weeds, which may otherwise cause significant damage to desirable plant species such as crop plants or ornamentals. Many potent herbicides have the ability to control for full growing seasons and at low rates of application, a broad spectrum of grass and broadleaf weeds that compete with desirable plants or crops such as wheat, cotton, or corn. Unfortunately, certain potent herbicides are not tolerated by, or are phytotoxic to, a wide of desirable plants when applied at rates effective to control unwanted vegetation. For example, a large number of sulfonamide or sulfonylurea herbicides cannot thus be employed in maize, rice or cereals with sufficient selectivity. Phytotoxic side-effects become apparent on the crop plants in particular when these herbicides are applied post-emergence, and it is desirable to avoid or reduce such a phytotoxicity.
One approach to increasing the tolerance of sensitive crops to certain herbicides while maintaining broad spectrum weed control is through the use of genetically-modified crop seed lines that have tolerance to the otherwise phytotoxic herbicide. Unfortunately, high technology costs, as well as the discomfort of many consumers to the introduction of such genetically modified crops to the market, has rendered this solution of increasing the tolerance of crops to be inadequate.
It is already known to use certain herbicides in combination with certain compounds, known as "safeners" or "antidotes," which reduce the phytoxicity of the herbicides in crop plants without correspondingly reducing the herbicidal activity against the harmful plants. Such components in combination are termed "safened."
For example, the use of 5-phenylisoxazoline- and 5-phenylisothiazoline-3-carboxyl derivatives as safeners for herbicides from the series of the carbamates, thiocarbamates, haloacetanilides, phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid derivatives, sulfonylureas and the like has been mentioned in EP-A-509433.
EP-A-520371 mentions, inter alia, 5-alkylisoxazoline- and -isothiazoline-3-carboxyl derivatives as safeners for a range of classes of herbicides.
WO92/03053 mentions the use of substituted 3-arylisoxazoine- and -isothiazoline-5-carboxyl derivatives as safeners for certain herbicides. WO 91/18907 describes silyl-substituted isoxazolines, isoxazoles, isothiazolines and isothiazoles as crop protecting agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,750 mentions that compounds from the group of 5,5-disubstituted isoxazolines are outstandingly suitable for protecting crop plants against the damaging effects of aggressive agrochemicals, in particular herbicides.
However, in practice, the use of the herbicidal compositions mentioned in these publications is frequently associated with one or more disadvantages. For example, the herbicidal activity of the known compounds is not always sufficient, or, if the herbicidal activity is sufficient, then undesired damage to the useful plants can be observed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,667 mentions the use of certain aromatic phosphate esters and thioesters as safeners for the herbicide clomazone. While other herbicides are mentioned in the disclosure, the only herbicide specifically exemplified is clomazone, and the only test results were on corn and cotton seeds; no results are provided for post-emergence application. Moreover, the only test results provided were for a single safener, dietholate, and the largest percent reduction in injury obtained was only 80.0%. This latter value was obtained by applying the safening compound to seeds as a seed treatment, and then later applying clomazone. The average reduction in injury reported in the patent was only 33.35% for cotton seed treatment and only 36.8% for both types of corn seed tested.
In view of the above, there remains a need in the art to provide herbicidal compositions having better properties than those described above.

Crop plant-compatible herbicidal compositions containing herbicides and safeners

Abstract: wherein                T and T1 are independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl;        U is O or S, and        V, W, X, Y, and Z are independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, and alkoxy; and        B) one or more sulfonamide or sulfonylurea herbicides selected from the group consisting of amidosulfuron, azimsulfuro bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl, flazasulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl, mesosulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, prosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, tribenuron-methyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, triosulfuron, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, penoxsulam, and combinations thereof, and methods for using the same.

ROTAM AGROCHEM INTERNATIONAL COMPANY LIMITED


A MFS type field effect transistor includes a semiconductor layer, a PZT system ferroelectric layer formed on the semiconductor layer, a gate electrode formed on the PZT system ferroelectric layer, and an impurity layer composing a source or a drain, formed in the semiconductor layer. The PZT system ferroelectric layer includes Nb that replaces a Ti composition by 2.5 mol % or more but 40 mol % or less.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to MFS type field effect transistors, methods for manufacturing the same, ferroelectric memories and semiconductor devices.
2. Related Art
In recent years, research and development of ferroelectric layers such as PZT, SBT and the like, and ferroelectric memory devices using the same are extensively conducted. Above all, ferroelectric memories using MFS type field effect transistors (1T type) can achieve higher integration, and can readily perform non-destructive reading. The principle of the 1T type ferroelectric memory has been advocated for some tens of years, but is still far from practical use though various challenges have been made so far.
In a MFS type field-effect transistor, a ferroelectric layer is used for a gate insulation layer. However, it is difficult on the process to clean the interface between the ferroelectric layer and the semiconductor layer, and a SiO2 layer is formed at the interface. The retention loss accompanying the leakage current is large, and the retention characteristic is not enough in such a structure. For this reason, a MFMIS structure in which a metallic middle electrode layer is disposed between a ferroelectric layer and an insulation layer has been proposed. However, a paraelectric capacitor is inserted in series with a ferroelectric capacitor in this structure, and a retention loss of data by a phenomenon that is called depolarization occurs. Methods of using a paraelectric material such as HfO2 and the like with a comparatively high dielectric constant for the insulation layer are currently being examined against such a problem.
Pb (Zr, Ti) O3 (PZT) is mainly used so far as a ferroelectric material. In the case of these materials, compositions in a region where rhombohedral and tetragonal coexist with the Zr/Ti ratio being 52/48 or 40/60 or compositions in the neighborhood thereof are used, and also these materials are used with an element such as La, Sr, Ca or the like being doped. This region is used because the reliability, which is most essential for memory devices, is to be secured. Although a Ti rich tetragonal region originally has a good hysteresis shape, Schottky defects that originate in ionic crystal structure occur in the tetragonal region. As a result, defects in leakage current characteristics or imprint characteristics (so-called degree of deformation of hysteresis) are generated, and thus it is difficult to secure the reliability.
Furthermore, although a tetragonal PZT shows a hysteresis characteristic having a squareness that is suitable for memory usage, its reliability is poor and it has not been put to practical use, because of the following reasons.
First, a PZT tetragonal thin film after crystallization has a tendency that the higher the Ti content rate, the higher the density of leakage current rises. In addition, when a so-called static imprint test is conducted, in which data is written once in a memory in either a positive (+) direction or a negative (−) direction, the memory is retained at 100° C., and the data is read, the data written scarcely remains in 24 hours. This is an intrinsic problem of PZT that is an ionic crystal and Pb and Ti that are constituent elements of the PZT, and this poses the most difficult problem of a PZT tetragonal thin film in which the majority of its constituent elements consists of Pb and Ti. This problem is largely attributable to the fact that the PZT perovskite is an ionic crystal, which is an intrinsic problem of PZT.
FIG. 39 is a table showing main energies involved in the bonds of constituent elements of PZT. It is known that PZT after crystallization includes many oxygen vacancies. In other words, it is predicted from FIG. 39 that Pb-O bonds have the smallest bond energy among the PZT constituent elements, and may be readily break at the time of sintering and heating and at the time of polarization inversions. In other words, O escapes due to the principle of charge neutralization when Pb escapes.
Next, the constituent elements of PZT vibrate and repeatedly collide with one another during sustained heating such as at the time of imprint testing or the like. Because Ti is the lightest element among the PZT constituent elements, it would easily come off by these vibrational collisions during high-temperature retention. Therefore, O escapes due to the principle of charge neutralization when Ti escapes. Since the maximum valence of +2 for Pb and +4 for Ti contribute to bonding, there is no way to maintain charge neutrality other than allowing O to escape. In other words, two negative O ions escape readily for each positive ion of Pb or Ti, such that so-called Schottky defects easily form.
Descriptions are now made as to the mechanism of the generation of leakage currents due to oxygen vacancy in PZT crystals. FIGS. 40(A) to 45(C) are views for describing the generation of leakage currents in oxide crystals having a Brownmillerite type crystal structure expressed by the general formula of ABO2.5. As shown in FIG. 40(A), the Brownmillerite type crystal structure is a crystal structure having an oxygen vacancy, as compared to a perovskite type crystal structure of PZT crystals having the general formula ABO3. As shown in FIG. 40(B), because oxygen ions appear adjacent to positive ions in the Brownmillerite type crystal structure, positive ion defects would be difficult to cause leakage current to increase. However, as shown in FIG. 40(C), oxygen ions link the entire PZT crystal in series, and when the crystal structure becomes a Brownmillerite type crystal structure as the oxygen vacancy increases, leakage currents increase accordingly.
In addition to the generation of leakage currents described above, vacancies of Pb and Ti and the accompanying vacancy of O, which are lattice defects, cause a spatial charge polarization shown in FIG. 41. When that happens, reverse electrical fields due to lattice defects that are created by the electrical fields of ferroelectric polarization can occur, causing a state in which the bias potential is impressed to the PZT crystals, and, as a result, hysteresis shift or depolarization can occur. Moreover, these phenomena are likely to occur quicker as the temperature increases.
The problems described above are intrinsic to PZT and it is considered difficult to solve these problems in pure PZT, such that memory elements made by using tetragonal PZT having adequate characteristics have not been achieved so far.
It is an object of the present invention to provide MFS type field effect transistors having ferroelectric layers that would be difficult to have retention loss due to leakage currents and/or depolarization, and methods for manufacturing the same.
It is an object of the present invention to provide ferroelectric memories and semiconductor devices having MFS type field effect transistors in accordance with the present invention.

MFS type field effect transistor, its manufacturing method, ferroelectric memory and semiconductor device


An apparatus for providing a silent signal to a waiter/waitress that one of service is required and service is not required. The apparatus comprises a base member having a first predetermined shape and formed of a first predetermined material. A signaling member is engageable with the base member and has a second predetermined shape and is formed of a second predetermined material. There is a connecting member for engaging such signaling member to the base member.

Everyone has been in a restaurant and has experienced at one time or another a waiter/waitress who has never checked at the table to see if there was need for a coffee refill or any other need. The waiter/waitress was only evident to take and deliver the order and to present the check. On the other hand everyone has experienced a waiter/waitress who is stopping at the table every few minutes to see if there is a need for something. Both of these situations can result in what should have been a pleasant dining experience into an irritation.
Thus, it would be advantageous if there were an apparatus or a means for enabling the restaurant goer to be able to have a signal means at the table whereby it can indicate to the waiter/waitress that service is desired or as an alternative that there is presently no need for service.

Table accessory for signaling that service is required


Technologies are described for facilitating transaction processing within a database environment having a coordinator node, a first worker node, and at least a second worker node. The first worker node sends a request from to the coordinator node for at least a first synchronization token maintained by the coordinator node. The first worker node receives the at least a first synchronization token from the coordinator node. The first worker node assigns the at least a first synchronization token to a snapshot as a snapshot ID value. The snapshot is executed at the first worker node. The first worker node forwards the snapshot ID value to the at least a second worker node.

Database performance can be enhanced by distributing information, such as source tables, among multiple hosts. For example, a number of hosts may store different tables in the database system, or tables can be partitioned among multiple hosts. The ability to distribute a database system among multiple hosts can provide opportunities to increase system performance, such as by distributing workloads among CPUs located at the different hosts, rather than relying on the capabilities of a single host. However, distributed systems can present challenges in ensuring that database operations are carried out in a way that provides queries with accurate data, but without requiring so much coordination between hosts that the performance of the distributed system is significantly adversely affected.

Distributed database transaction protocol


A surgical device suitable for anchorage of a thread or wire to a bone having a hole bored therein. The device includes a thread or wire in the form of a loop having a running knot. The thread or wire carries a deformable tubular sleeve which slides along the thread or wire within the limits of the loop. Also, there is provided an ancillary for inserting the anchoring device. The ancillary includes a shaft suitable for introduction into the hole bored in the bone, which at one end has a spike that can hold the loop of thread or wire, and at the other end has a handle for manipulation.

Torn tendons or ligaments are accidents that can befall a great many individuals of all ages, whether they are active or inactive, following trauma or overexertion. The surgical repair techniques commonly used consist of attaching the tendon, using a suture thread, to a screw, a peg or a piton fixed into the neighboring bone.
For that, it is generally necessary to bore a hole in the bone and screw in a screw or a piton, or to bore in the bone an untapped hole that will take a peg that can lock into the bone, which serves as an anchorage means to which a suture thread is then attached and used to attach the tendon which has been torn from its bony support. In other techniques, once a hole adapted to receive an anchoring piton has been bored, the suture thread is passed through the eye of the anchoring piton, then the piton is inserted into the hole using special equipment, and finally the tendon to be attached is stitched on. An example of an anchoring screw for attaching tissues using a suture thread is described in the patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,482.
Depending on the case, the interventions may be performed either in open surgery or in closed surgery using coelioscopic or arthroscopic methods. Surgical techniques employing devices of this kind are described for example by F. A. Barber et al., J. of Arthroscopy and Related Surgery, vol. 11, no. 1, p. 21-28 (1995).
These known devices have the drawback of being highly invasive, non-absorbable and of requiring insertion techniques which are often tricky to employ; furthermore some products used here contain allergizing materials, for example certain shape-memory materials, and sometimes even cancerogenic materials, according to certain authors. Furthermore, a great many screws, pegs or pitons and accessories for boring the bone and inserting the anchoring means need to be available in various sizes in order to suit all situations.

Surgical device for anchoring in bone, and ancillary for inserting it


A container is readily set up by hand from a glued-up blank. The blank has a bottom panel with outwardly extending inner and outer end panels which fold up to form double thickness end walls. Two opposed parallel side panels have glue tabs which are affixed to the outer end panels. Each glue tab has a 45-degree angle fold line which allows the side panels to be folded to overlie the bottom panel during shipping. By pivoting the outer end panels to be perpendicular to the bottom panel, the side panels are brought upright by the attached glue tabs, and the inner end panels are thus positioned to be engaged over the glue tabs. The glue tabs may extend to permit rectangular adhesive attachment regions. The structure may be incorporated within a double-walled shadow box, a tray or lid, a covered box, or other container structures.

The present invention relates to boxes and box covers in general, and in particular to boxes and covers which are expandable from a flattened configuration.
Many goods, be they intended for consumer producer use, require protection and shielding as they are shipped or stored. The temporary containers in which the products are transported must be sufficiently strong to adequately protect the contents, while at the same time not add inordinately to the cost of the product. Corrugated paperboard containers have won widespread acceptance not only for short term shipment and storage, but also for long term warehousing of documents and records.
Corrugated paperboard containers are formed from sheet stock and are usually glued into flattened assemblies for shipment to the end user. The boxes are typically erected by a sequence of folding and bending steps. In fully automated operations, where many identical boxes are assembled in a fixed location, machines are available which present assembled boxes for filling. In more specialized situations however, where boxes of many different sizes are required, or where the location of box usage is variable, boxes are still commonly assembled by hand. In hand assembly ease of box assembly is of key concern to reduce time of assembly as well as the fatigue of the assemblers.
Storage boxes with automatic erecting bottoms are known, such as my High Stacking Strength Automatic Corrugated Box, disclosed in my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/936,329, filed Sep. 24, 1997, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other corrugated containers are known in which two adjacent side walls are connected to one another by glue tabs having angled folds, such as my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,191 or U.S. Pat. No. 2,220,076 to Carruth. However, containers which require glue to be applied only in triangular regions can be difficult to manufacture on some common equipment. In addition, corrugated containers with greater wall strength are desirable.
What is needed is a container which is readily erected from a glued-up corrugated paperboard blank which is assembled with a minimum of steps, and which is economical to produce.


A steering apparatus for a motor vehicle including a steering column and an electric power assist apparatus. The steering column includes a mast jacket, a steering shaft rotatably supported on the mast jacket, and a steering hand wheel on the steering shaft. The electric power assist apparatus includes a speed reducer on the mast jacket and an electric motor. A worm wheel of the speed reducer is rigidly connected to an output shaft of the speed reducer which, in turn, is connected to a steering gear of the motor vehicle. A worm gear of the speed reducer is driven by the electric motor and meshes with the worm wheel to transfer the torque of the electric motor to the speed reducer output shaft. A tubular reference shaft is rotatably supported on the speed reducer housing. A torsion bar in the tubular reference shaft has a lower end connected to the speed reducer output shaft and an upper end connected to the reference shaft and to the steering shaft through a stroking universal coupling which isolates the reference shaft and the speed reducer output shaft from lateral runout of the steering shaft.

U.S. Ser. No. 08/821,607, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,657, filed Mar. 20, 1997 and assigned to the assignee of this invention, describes a motor vehicle steering apparatus including a steering column and an electric power assist apparatus on the steering column. The steering column includes a stationary mast jacket, a steering shaft rotatably supported on the mast jacket, and a steering hand wheel at an outboard end of the steering shaft. The electric power assist apparatus includes an electric motor and a speed reducer mounted on the mast jacket. A worm wheel of the speed reducer is rigidly connected to an output shaft of the speed reducer which, in turn, is connected to a steering gear of the motor vehicle. A worm gear of the speed reducer is driven by the electric motor and meshes with the worm wheel to transfer the torque of the electric motor to the speed reducer output shaft. The steering shaft is connected to the speed reducer output shaft through a torsion bar which resiliently twists when manual effort is applied at the steering hand wheel. A torque sensor on the speed reducer monitors relative rotation between the steering shaft and the speed reducer output shaft, and an electronic control module turns the electric motor on and off in accordance with signals from the torque sensor. The steering shaft is articulated between the steering hand wheel and the speed reducer in order to isolate the torque sensor from lateral runout of the steering shaft relative to the mast jacket. The steering apparatus according to this invention is a novel alternative to the steering apparatus described in the aforesaid U.S. Ser. No. 08/821,607.


A fine grading attachment, adapted to be affixed to a bulldozer and comprising an elongate body having fasteners, adapted to affix the attachment to a bulldozer in a predetermined orientation. In this orientation the length of the elongate body extends along and in front of the bottom of the bulldozer and the front face of the attachment is disposed to be vertical or to slope forwardly as it extends from bottom to top when the bulldozer is positioned so that the attachment contacts the soil.

The present invention is a bulldozer attachment. More specifically the present invention is a bulldozer blade attachment designed to facilitate the fine grading of a parcel of land.
The process of using a tractor equipped with a bulldozer blade to grade a parcel of land is a common chore in the construction trade, typically necessary to produce a building or a paved lot. Although road graders are available, these devices are cumbersome for the grading of a parcel of land with boundaries in two dimensions, as opposed to a road that extends indefinitely in its longitudinal dimension. Although a power roller may be used to finish the job of compacting, this is not always practical.
Typically, the grading process is performed by driving the bulldozer back and forth across a first strip of land in the parcel until that strip is relatively flat and compacted. As the bulldozer is driven forward any high ground is scooped into the pile of earth that is pushed along in front of the bulldozer. In turn, this pile serves to fill in troughs as it travels forward. When this pile is large, the process takes place easily. But during fine grading, toward the end of the process, the smaller dirt pile may be largely supported by the bulldozer blade and, may not drop off to fill in depressions as easily. On the backstroke, a similar process takes place, with the backside of the bulldozer blade also performing some compaction. The bulldozer then moves to a second, adjoining strip of land in the parcel and smoothes and compacts the earth there, taking care to make it level with the land in the first strip. This process continues until the parcel is completed.
Hampering this process is the fact that the backside of a bulldozer blade is not specifically designed to compact earth. Nor is a bulldozer blade well adapted to perform fine grading on the forward stroke. Because the bulldozer is too sharp to be rested on the earth, its position is set by the earth under the tractor treads, which determines the tractor position, and operator intervention. A smoothing device that could rest on the soil would be far more responsive to the local soil level, which would be beneficial in fine grading.
An additional problem is encountered when performing grading work near a building or foundation. A typical tractor used to push a bulldozer blade may weigh several tons. The vibrations caused by the movement of this large weight may damage nearby underground structures. If the bulldozer is called upon to grade a land parcel that abuts a building or foundation, it may be quite difficult to perform this work without causing some damage.
In a first separate aspect, the present invention is a fine grading attachment, adapted to be affixed to a bulldozer blade and comprising an elongate body having fasteners, adapted to affix the attachment to a bulldozer blade in a predetermined orientation. In this orientation the length of the elongate body extends along and in front of the bottom of the bulldozer blade and the front face of the attachment is disposed to be vertical or to slope forwardly as it extends from bottom to top when the bulldozer blade is positioned so that the attachment contacts the soil.
In a second separate aspect, the present invention is a method of grading a first and a second parcel of land. The method comprises providing a tractor equipped with a bulldozer blade, that in turn bears a collapsible fine grading attachment placed in its extended state, and using the bulldozer blade to grade the first parcel of land. Then the fine grading attachment is collapsed and the tractor is driven onto a road conveyance, which is driven to the second parcel of land. At that point the fine grading attachment is expanded and the bulldozer blade is used to grade the second parcel of land.
The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s), taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Bulldozer attachment to facilitate grading


A system and method for controlling the main field current in an electrical generator is disclosed. The system can include a controller to sense the voltages and currents in the system to identify load faults. The system can also comprise one or more switches and an energy dissipator to absorb, store, or dissipate the main field current in the event of a load fault, such as a short circuit. In the event of a load fault, the controller can change the position of the one or more switches to redirect the main field current from the main field windings of the rotor to the energy dissipator. The energy dissipator can absorb or store the main field current significantly reducing the time required to stop the output current of the generator.

1. Field of the Disclosure
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to electrical generators, and more specifically to a system and method for extracting the main field energy from a generator to accelerate generator shutdown.
2. Background of Related Art
Generators are used to generate a majority of the power on current electric power grids. These generators, which can be alternators or permanent magnet generators, for example, are used to turn mechanical energy from internal combustion, wind, nuclear, and hydraulic sources, for example, into electrical energy. Modern generators can produce hundreds of megawatts each.
Modern wound rotor generators include a rotor and a stator, each with one or more electrical windings. A magnetic field on the spinning rotor, generated by a current passing through the rotor winding, induces an electrical current in the windings of the stator creating AC electricity. The output voltage of the generator is often controlled by varying the current flowing through the rotor winding and therefore the strength of the magnetic field which induces voltage on the stator windings. The current in the rotor winding may be supplied by direct electrical connection to the generator controller by, for example, slip rings, or may be transferred from the generator controller through an armature winding to the rotor through electromagnetic induction. One or more loads can be connected to, and powered by, the output of the stator. In some embodiments, the output of the stator can be rectified to produce DC current.
A problem occurs, however, when a fault, such as a short-circuit, occurs on the load side and the energy delivered into the fault must be limited. In this condition, the generator controller can turn off the exciter current, but the rotor magnetic field does not immediately fall to zero due to the stored magnetic energy and the relatively long L/R time constant.
This condition results in the field current "free-wheeling" through the components of the rotor which, in turn, causes the main armature to continue producing current. Unfortunately, this current is being provided to a short-circuit, compounding the problem. This makes it difficult to clear the fault with the load (i.e., because it is still energized) and can overheat both the rotor and the stator. If this condition persists long enough, there is a risk of fire and permanent damage can occur to the load, the distribution system, and the generator.
What is needed, therefore, is a generator that includes a system and method to quickly dissipate the main field of a generator upon shutdown. It is to such a system and method that embodiments of the present disclosure are primarily directed.

System and method for generator main field energy extraction


A cardiac transvenous defibrillation lead has a continuous coil conductor within a layer of insulation. A portion of the coil conductor is exposed as a defibrillation electrode. In order to enhance fluoroscopic visualization of the exposed electrode during implant, the end of the exposed electrode is marked with a radiopaque element. The element may be in the form of an adhesive filled with radiopaque material that is used to backfill under the layer of insulation. Alternatively, a tube made of radiopaque material may be installed between the layer of insulation and the coil conductor.

This invention generally relates to implantable medical devices. Specifically, this invention relates to implantable electrode leads and implantable stimulators, and more particularly to implantable electrode leads as implemented in implantable defibrillators and similar pacing medical devices.
Implantable ventricular defibrillators, including multi-programmable, pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator (xe2x80x9cPCDxe2x80x9d), typically employ epicardial or subcutaneous patch electrodes, alone, or in conjunction with one or more transvenously introduced endocardial leads with one or more electrodes disposed within a heart chamber or blood vessel. Ventricular defibrillation is typically effected with at least one electrode extending along an endocardial lead body disposed within the right ventricle and one or more additional defibrillation electrodes disposed outside the right ventricle to provide two or more defibrillation current pathways through the chamber of the heart to be defibrillated. Other endocardial defibrillation leads for transvenously introducing and positioning defibrillation electrodes into the right atrium and/or superior vena cava, the coronary sinus, the right outflow track or other locations in proximity to the heart have been disclosed in the prior art, including commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,407 to Williams.
The typical endocardial lead defibrillation electrode is configured as an elongated wire of high conductivity that is spirally space wound or close wound about the lead body for a length appropriate for the intended use. The spacing of the coil turns retains flexibility of the lead body along the length of the electrode and distributes the electrode surface area along the length thereof. The wire cross-section is typically circular, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,143 to Holleman et al., or rectangular, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,953 to Gold et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,422 to Dahl et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,653 to Kroll et al., although other wire configurations, e.g. the wrapped coils of U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,485 to Mar et al., have also been proposed. The coiled wire electrode may be formed of a single wire or in a multi-filar configuration of interlaced wires. The coiled wire turns are typically partially embedded into the underlying lead body insulation to mechanically stabilize the exposed coil turns at the distal portion and direct the defibrillation current outward of the lead body.
When one continuous coil performs as the conductor and the electrode, the exposed electrode portion cannot be distinguished from the insulated portion when the lead is implanted because the entire length of the lead is of equal radiopacity. Thus, it becomes difficult to see with precision where the exposed electrode portion of the coil resides within the heartxe2x80x94the right ventricle, atrium, superior vena cava, etc. One approach has been to ascertain in advance the length of the exposed electrode portion and based on that information estimate the position of the electrode. However, if the anatomy creates a curvilinear path, difficulty is encountered in making the estimate without multiple fluoroscopic views.
Accordingly, there is a need to accurately determine the position of the electrode to strategically place the lead in the heart within a zone, provide effective delivery of electrical charges at the zone and enable selective positioning of the electrode.
The present invention is directed towards defibrillation leads and defibrillation lead systems that have a continuous coil construction within an insulation layer and an exposed electrode portion proximate the distal end of the lead body. The wire from which the coil is made will typically have an outer layer of platinum or platinum iridium to provide an effective electrode surface that is bio-stable and biocompatible. In particular, the present invention seeks to address the problem associated with such leads of determining with precision where the exposed electrode portion resides within the heart when the lead is being implanted. In general, the present invention addresses the problem by marking the electrode with additional radiopacity. In one approach, an adhesive filled with radiopaque material is used to backfill under the distal end of the outer insulation at the proximal end of the exposed electrode portion. Alternatively, a band of radiopaque material can be placed at either end of the exposed electrode portion. The result obtained is that enhanced fluoroscopic visualization of the electrode portion of the coil lead is provided, and the precise location where the exposed electrode resides within the heart is more readily ascertained.

Radiopaque marking of lead electrode zone in a continuous conductor construction


A medium frequency transformer and electronic switches operate together to transfer electric power with variable voltage characteristics to a utility for co-generation purposes. Electric power with variable voltage, such as produced by a wind generator, is converted to variable voltage dc electric power. An inverter converts the variable voltage dc power to ac electric power of medium frequency and then matches the voltage of a utility power grid by using a medium frequency power transformer before injecting the power into that utility power grid. The amount of electric power that is transferred may be controlled, such that an input power source is allowed to operate at its optimum power output.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to circuitry for obtaining electrical power of conventional voltages and frequencies from sources of energy with variable output power.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the alternate energy field, such as the generation of power through the force of the wind, the force of waves, use of waste energy, use of brake energy regenerated by a moving mass, or light shining on photo cells, there exist solutions to convert the dc electric power generated by the alternate energy source into ac electric power. In particular, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,388 Wilkerson shows how to connect the dc power generated by a wind generator to the ac electric power grid via a connecting inverter. This has the advantage, as Wilkerson describes, of synchronizing the generated power to the frequency and voltage of the power supply. It enables the user of such an inverter to make use of all the energy that is being produced as a co-generator of electricity with the power company.
The present invention represents a marked improvement over the inverter circuit invented by Wilkerson, in that it adapts the dc power source in a much better way to the ac electric power grid. Rather than simply connecting the dc power source to the utility circuit once per half cycle of the ac sinusoidal utility voltage, this invention handles the power transfer by many short alternating current pulses that may be varied in duration as well as frequency of occurrence throughout each half cycle of the utility voltage. In addition the alternating current pulses may be transformed to higher voltages or lower voltages as necessary by the difference between the dc input voltage and the momentary output voltage of the ac utility voltage, where momentary should be thought of as a few microseconds in contrast to the ac utility voltage, which has a duration of 8.33 milliseconds for 60 cycle power and 10 milliseconds for 50 cycle power.
This invention also improves on the inductive characteristics of the Wilkerson inverter at low input voltages, when the Wilkerson inverter injects all the power at the leading edge of the ac half cycle, which is equivalent to the behavior of an inductive load connected to the power grid. The present invention injects the power into the power grid throughout the entire half wave in a balanced manner, even at low dc input voltage.
This invention is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,049 by Steigerwald, which has as its goal the injection of a sinusoidal current into the utility grid that is matched to the power frequency. The Steigerwald invention requires, however, a constant dc input voltage that is at least as high as the highest voltage within the sinusoidal half cycle, which is 155 volts (110 times square-root of 2), if the current is injected into a 110 volt utility circuit. The present invention injects sinusoidal current into the utility grid by choosing the frequency and magnitude of dc current pulses and then filtering those current pulses.
It is an object of the present invention to extract power from a variable voltage dc source and convert the power, such that the power is injected into a utility power source in such a way as to maximize the power output of the dc source.
It is a further object of the present invention to do the power conversion in an energy efficient manner.

Inverter for connecting a variable voltage power source to a utility grid


A method of reducing purple fringing in images captured by a camera, comprises: acquiring a raw image of a scene with an image sensor of the camera, demosaicing the raw image, and applying an adjusted color correction matrix to the demosaiced raw image. The adjusted color correction matrix is deduced by calibrating the spectral response of the image sensor to a color rendition chart to which the color data of a purple fringe has been added, and furthermore the color correction matrix is adjusted such that the image sensor response for color values of the purple fringe is transformed into color values of a predetermined replacement color following application of the color correction matrix.

Images captured by a camera via an imaging system, such as a lens system, will inevitably comprise several distortions. There are different kinds of distortions, and the magnitude of their occurrence will depend on a number of factors, relating to the imaging system as well as features of the imaged scene, or of a combination of the two. The present invention relates to a particular type of optical aberration, namely chromatic aberration often referred to as "purple fringing" or "blue fringing".
The effect of purple fringing in an image is that a purple or magenta halo is formed around objects in a scene, and the effect is particularly conspicuous around edges where a dark area meets a bright area in the image. Chromatic aberration may be attributed to the fact that light of different wavelengths will refract differently when passing a refractive medium, more particularly a lens of an imaging system. For a lens, there are two types of chromatic aberration; axial, or longitudinal, chromatic aberration and lateral, or transverse, chromatic aberration. The axial chromatic aberration corresponds to that light of different wavelengths travelling parallel to an optical axis as it falls in on the lens will have a focal point at different positions along the optical axis. As a rule, the shorter wavelengths will have their focal points closer to the lens than light of longer wavelengths. The lateral chromatic aberration corresponds to that light falling in obliquely to the lens will have their focus in the same plane, but in different positions in that plane.
The effect of longitudinal chromatic aberration is colored areas in the image, since not all three colors (red, green, blue) may be imaged in focus at the same time, giving edges in the image a smeared appearance. The effect of lateral chromatic aberration may be more or less sharp fringes, particularly visible around edges and objects of high contrast in the image.
Different ways of eliminating or minimizing the effects of chromatic aberration are available in prior art, basically ranging from composing lenses of the imaging system in an appropriate way, thus forming an achromat, to post-processing of the images to remove the effects, of which the latter is disclosed in US2012/201454.
It is also known that various types of processing of images, having the purposes of improving the image in other ways, may enhance the adverse effects of chromatic aberration making blue fringing more prominent in the image. An example is the use of imaging with wide dynamic range (WDR) or high dynamic range (HDR), where a single image is the result of a longer and a shorter exposure image fused or merged together so as to increase the dynamic range of the resulting image.
The present invention aims at circumventing the effects of chromatic aberration in a straightforward manner, and which may be applied to a live stream of images, such as the images acquired with a digital video camera. As an added benefit, the invention may also reduce the effect of other distortions resulting in a chromatic error.

Method of reducing purple fringing in images


A toy vehicle set. The toy vehicle set includes a toy vehicle including a steering mechanism, and a toy launcher to selectively energize the toy vehicle for movement while selectively securing the toy vehicle in a fixed position. The toy launcher looks approximately the same as the steering mechanism of the toy vehicle.

Toy vehicles have proven to be popular amongst children and adult collectors. However, because of the enormous variety of toy vehicles that are available to consumers, it is increasingly important to differentiate other vehicles in order to attract consumer attention.
One method of attracting consumer attention is to equip toy vehicles with driving functionality. In the past, some toy cars have been propelled by a launcher that shoots the vehicle from the launcher at high speed.
The inventor herein has recognized that in addition to propelling a vehicle, a launcher can help form a physical bond between the toy vehicle and the user. In particular, the inventor herein has recognized a benefit in designing a toy launcher that at least partially mimics the controls of the corresponding toy vehicle.