A disc brake for a vehicle such as a commercial vehicle, wherein the brake rotor extends from a hub end of an axle inboard a sufficient distance to place the friction surface of the rotor and the brake caliper outside the envelope of a wheel mounted at the end of the axle. The placement of the rotor friction surface and the caliper outside the envelope of the wheel enhances brake cooling, makes the brake more readily accessible for inspection and maintenance without significant vehicle disassembly, and permits the rotor outer diameter to be extended beyond the diameter of the wheel rim, thereby lowering brake components stresses and permitting use of lighter, lower cost brake components.

The present invention relates to disc brakes for vehicles and, in particular, to brake discs for air-operated disc brakes for commercial vehicles.
Pneumatically-operated disc brakes have been undergoing development and deployment on commercial vehicles since at least the 1970's, and are beginning to replace drum-style brakes due to advantages in areas such as cooling, fade resistance and serviceability. German patent publication DE 40 32 886 A1, and in particular FIG. 1 of this document, discloses an example of such an air disc brake. In this design, a pneumatic diaphragm chamber 12 is attached to a rear face of the disc brake caliper housing 3, and applies a brake actuation force through a linear actuator rod 10 to a brake actuator lever 9 within the caliper. The brake's actuator lever in turn transfers and multiplies the force applied by the actuator rod to one or more spindles 14, which force brake pads 20 against a brake disc or rotor 1. The terms "brake disc," "rotor" and "brake rotor" are used interchangeably herein.
The adaptation of disc brake technology to commercial vehicle applications has not been without engineering challenges. Commercial vehicle wheel rims are sized, both in diameter and axial offset, to provide adequate clearance for the drum-type brakes historically employed on such vehicles. The resulting space envelope between the wheel and its axle is limited, leaving little space available for a pneumatic disc brake. Further, the deep offset of a typical commercial vehicle wheel essentially surrounds the axle hub and the brake mounted thereon, substantially inhibiting free flow of cooling air to the brake.
The combination of limited space and limited air flow within commercial vehicle wheels is a challenge to disc brake performance and longevity. For example, due to the limited inner diameter of commercial vehicle wheels, brake rotors located within the envelope defined by a wheel must also be limited in diameter. Accordingly, the kinetic energy of the vehicle that must be converted to heat energy in the brake in order to slow the vehicle must be deposited in a relatively small diameter disk, which in turn results in undesirably elevated disc temperatures. There are at least three concerns with such elevated disc temperatures, including disc dimensional instability (e.g., "warping"), shortening of disc service life due to accelerated disc cracking and wear, and excessive heat transfer from the high-temperature disc rotor hub to the vehicle's axle hub, hub bearings and other components. The resulting shortened component life can create a maintenance burden, deterring wider adoption of pneumatically-operated disc brake technology.
In addition to the limited space envelope, the shrouding of smaller-diameter brake discs by the enveloping wheel rims substantially limits the ability of cooling air flow to reach the discs. The wheel shrouding thus also contributes to excessive brake disc temperatures by limiting the disc's ability to reject heat generated during braking to the environment.
One approach to addressing these issues has been to design brake discs with enhanced cooling features, such as the brake disc disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,273 B1, which is formed essentially as two parallel brake rotor friction surfaces joined with internal links to create internal ventilation ducts between the parallel surfaces. Internal ventilation in this manner effectively doubles the disc surface area exposed to the air for heat transfer, without increasing an outer diameter of the brake disc. In addition, brake discs have been developed to mechanically de-couple the brake rotor from its hub, such as the disc having splines disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,913 B2. By so freeing the friction surfaces of the brake rotor from an integral or rigid, fixed mounting, mechanical stresses on the disc during braking (such as bending moments from uneven braking forces applied by the brake caliper and thermal expansion in the radial direction) are decreased. The reduction of mechanical stresses in turn allows the disc to tolerate higher thermally-induced stresses, and thus be able to absorb additional braking-generated heat.
The requirement of fitting the disc brake unit within existing wheels also constrains caliper design. Brake calipers typically straddle a brake rotor in order for the caliper to simultaneously press brake pads against both sides of the rotor. If the entire brake unit is to fit within the wheel, the thickness of the caliper above the outer radius of the rotor must be kept to a minimum. This design constraint limits the designer's ability to improve the caliper in areas such as strength and manufacturing cost. For example, if the rotor diameter is maximized within the wheel envelope, essentially no room is left for any form of reinforcement for the portion of the caliper above the rotor (the portion bridging the caliper's inner and outer halves). The limited envelope afforded by the wheel also forces the designer to arrange any caliper housing appendages (such as pneumatic actuators) toward the inboard side of the vehicle's axle, rather than radially outward, even if the latter would result in a preferred brake and axle configuration.
The foregoing approaches to accommodating the constraints of the wheel envelope, while beneficial, have drawbacks. Ventilated rotors such as those in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,273 B1 are typically very complex castings, and thus are costly in terms of both manufacturing process (e.g., labor and equipment-intensive mold preparation and casting processes) and process yield (i.e., relatively high defective casting rejection rates). Similarly, use of non-fixed brake rotors can require the production and use of a large number of individual component parts, increasing expense, assembly and possibly service efforts. Other alternatives such as utilizing high heat-tolerant disc materials (e.g., ceramic-matrix-composite ("CMC") materials) also have their own limitations, including high cost (CMC-type materials costs are on the order of ten times greater than equivalent iron brake discs), and, in the case of a brake caliper configured to maximum disc diameter, the requirement for wheel removal in order to be able to access the brake pads for inspection or replacement.
Thus, despite the varying approaches to improving disc brake performance in the commercial wheel environment, the size and location of the wheel envelope remains a significant impediment to improved brake performance, life and serviceability.
In order to overcome the foregoing problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disc brake with a brake rotor and a specialized metal or composite hub or hub adapter suitable for mounting on an axle of a vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, which permit location of the disc brake assembly sufficiently inboard of the wheel (i.e., toward the center of the vehicle) to permit the friction surface portion of the brake disc and the brake caliper to be located outside the envelope of a wheel mounted on the hub
It is a further object to provide a disc brake located outside the envelope of a wheel wherein the brake rotor has an outer radius larger than the radius of the wheel rim, and the caliper straddles the brake disc and is affixed to the vehicle axle such that the caliper is also located outside the envelope of the wheel rim and its tire. Preferably, the rotor is disposed such that its friction surface is generally centered opposite the wheel's outer tire retention bead.
With a conventional axle, particularly a conventional commercial vehicle axle, the hub member rotatably mounted on the end of the axle is configured with a flange located on an outboard end of the hub for receiving a bolting flange of a wheel rim. Where such axles are equipped with a conventional disc brake, a brake rotor is typically mounted to the hub inboard of the hub's wheel bolting flange, thus placing the rotor within the envelope defined by the wheel rim. In addition to limiting brake diameter, this arrangement typically requires hub removal in order to service the brake rotor. In the present invention, a specialized hub or hub adapter is provided with its bolting flange preferably toward an inboard end of the hub, and is adapted to receive the brake rotor on the outboard side of the bolting flange. This arrangement allows the rotor to be serviced without hub removal, as the rotor, which may be, for example, bolted to the specialized hub flange or captured between the hub and a wheel bolted to the hub, may pass outward over the hub without encountering interferences. This arrangement also places the hub portion of the brake rotor relatively near an inboard edge of the wheel, minimizing the distance the friction surface of the rotor must be offset from the hub portion in order to clear the wheel, and thereby minimizing rotor weight and cost.
The present invention's location of the disc brake outside of a vehicle's wheel envelope has a number of advantages. The direct exposure of brake components to the cooling air stream greatly enhances brake component cooling. As a result, the need for complex, expensive ventilated rotors is decreased and may be altogether eliminated. The increased cooling of the disk also reduces the amount of heat transferred to the hub portion of the rotor and the vehicle axle, and helps reduce or eliminate brake fade that can otherwise occur when sustained braking results in an overheated brake condition. The enhanced cooling also lowers caliper and brake pad temperatures, increasing component life and decreasing degradation of heat-sensitive components such as rubber boots and o-rings. This brake positioning also offers substantially improved brake inspection and servicing, as the friction portion of the brake disc, the caliper and the brake pads are no longer shrouded by the vehicle wheel. In particular, this arrangement permits immediate visual inspection of brake pads and reduction of pad replacement time to mere minutes due to the elimination of the need to jack up the vehicle axle and remove one or more wheels to access the brake.
Additional benefits of increasing the brake disc outer diameter beyond the wheel rim include an increase in rotor mass at the outer periphery of the rotor for absorption of additional braking heat energy, thereby helping lower rotor peak temperature. The increased rotor diameter also results in a corresponding decrease in the forces and stresses applied to the brake caliper. For example, in order to obtain the same level of braking torque at the wheel as achieved by a disc brake within the wheel envelope, the increased moment arm about the vehicle axle provided by the larger diameter rotor results in a corresponding decrease in the amount of clamping force needed to be applied by the caliper.
Alternatively, for the same level of caliper clamping force, the larger diameter brake disc can generate a greater braking torque than a within-wheel disc brake. In those applications where greater braking torque is not required, the reduced caliper stresses resulting from a larger diameter rotor permits further optimization of the caliper design. For example, because the caliper need only be designed to withstand lower loads, a simplified and smaller caliper and mounting structure may be employed, with commensurate reductions in weight and manufacturing costs.
Another advantage of the present invention's location of the disc brake outside of the envelope is that a single disc brake design may be compatible with a variety of different industry-standard wheel sizes. As an example, a single disc brake unit adapted to be located outside a wheel envelope may be used with axles equipped with industry-standard commercial vehicle 19.5-inch wheels as well as axles using industry-standard 22.5-inch wheels. Such parts commonality offers axle assembly manufacturers and vendors substantial inventory and product support cost savings. Thus, commercial vehicles may be provided with a common disc brake which offers longer life and lower cost than present in-wheel disc brakes.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Disc brake located outside wheel envelope


A website provides a weight and nutritional program over a network. The website allows users to input an assessment of a subject, which can be used to generate a weight plan for the subject. The weight plan can include minimum weights for the subject, each of the minimum weights being associated with a time. The website can also be used to generate a nutrition plan based on the subject data entered. A subject can build the nutrition plan by responding to a series of food exchange item prompts.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to products and methods useful for monitoring body weight and nutrition, and more particularly to methods and products that can be used over the Internet or through software to calculate and monitor body weight and nutrition, especially for those in sports programs that weight monitoring, such as wrestling.
2. Related Art
Athletes, especially wrestlers, may lose weight very rapidly to gain a competitive advantage. Athletes often use rapid weight reduction methods in order to qualify for a certain weight classification. For some wrestlers, in particular, weight loss is excessive and often accomplished by methods that lead to loss of lean body mass and total body water. There is evidence that this excessive and rapid weight loss is unhealthy, especially for high school wrestlers who have not yet completed their growth and development. Negative health consequences include growth retardation, decreased academic and cognitive performance, and altered endocrine or hormonal function. Cycling of body weight may also decrease strength, power and endurance, diminishing a wrestler's likelihood of success. Three tragic deaths in late 1997 prompted the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to make a Wrestling Weight Certification Program (WWCP) mandatory to foster a safe competitive environment.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,937,387 to Summerell et al., 5,954,640 to Szabo and 6,368,272, to Porumbescu describe various nutritional methods and algorithms. Summerell's system can be accessed through either an Internet or intranet format, or implemented in a stand-alone mode or a workstation or a PC. However, none of these methods provides a product or method that is easily employed by a user to determine how much weight a particular individual can be expected to lose or maintain without adverse affect to their body, and to build a nutrition plan.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,901 to Karkanen discloses an integrated weight loss control method. Karkanen fails to disclose, however, monitoring a subject's weight to determine a maximum allowable weight loss over successive time periods, and building a nutrition plan to conform to the allowable weight loss values.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,197 to Mellinger discloses a weight loss management system. Mellinger fails to disclose, however, monitoring a subject's weight to determine a maximum allowable weight loss over successive time periods and building a nutrition plan to conform to the allowable weight loss values.

System and method for monitoring weight and nutrition


A cleaning method for a turbo molecular pump, which enables the exhausting ability of the turbo molecular pump to be restored without bringing about a decrease in the productivity of a substrate processing apparatus. A vaporizing gas that vaporizes foreign matter attached to an internal surface of the turbo molecular pump is supplied toward the foreign matter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning method for a turbo molecular pump, and in particular to a cleaning method for a turbo molecular pump connected to a processing chamber of a substrate processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, substrate processing apparatuses that carry out predetermined processing on substrates such as wafers for semiconductor devices have a processing chamber (hereinafter referred to merely as the "chamber") in which a substrate is housed and subjected to predetermined processing. In such a substrate processing apparatus, a highly-reactive gas is usually introduced as a processing gas into the chamber. If the highly-reactive gas remains in the chamber, when the chamber communicates with another chamber, the highly-reactive gas remaining in the chamber may diffuse into the other chamber and cause a trouble. Moreover, in the chamber, particles arising from deposit attached to an inner wall of the chamber and reaction product produced during predetermined processing are floating. If these floating particles become attached to surfaces of substrates, a short circuit will occur in products such as semiconductor devices manufactured from the substrates, resulting in the yield of the semiconductor devices decreasing. To remove the highly-reactive gas and the particles from the chamber, the substrate processing apparatus exhausts gas out of the chamber using an exhaust system.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the exhaust system of the substrate processing apparatus has a turbo molecular pump (hereinafter referred to as the "TMP") 60 that is an exhausting pump capable of achieving a high vacuum state. The TMP 60 has a rotary shaft 61 that is disposed in a vertical direction as viewed in the drawing, that is, along an exhaust stream, a cylindrical main body 62 that is disposed parallel to the rotary shaft 61 such as to house the rotary shaft 61, a plurality of rotary blades 63 projecting out at right angles from the rotary shaft 61, and a plurality of stationary blades 64 projecting out from an inner peripheral surface of the main body 62 toward the rotary shaft 61. The rotary blades 63 rotate about the rotary shaft 61 at high speed, whereby gas in front of the rotary blades 63 is exhausted to the rear of the rotary blades 63 at high speed. The exhaust system exhausts gas out of the chamber by operating the TMP 60 (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2007-180467).
The gas exhausted out of the chamber by the exhaust system (hereinafter referred to as the "exhaust gas") contains a highly-reactive gas and particles, and hence when the exhaust gas passes through the interior of the TMP 60, foreign matter P is deposited on or becomes attached to an internal surface of the TMP 60. Specifically, the highly-reactive gas deposits reaction product on the internal surface of the TMP 60 when passing through the interior of the TMP 60, and the particles in the exhaust gas collide with and become attached to the internal surface of the TMP 60. When the foreign matter P is deposited on or becomes attached to the internal surface of the TMP 60, an exhaust space S2 becomes smaller than a normal exhaust space S1, as shown in FIG. 12B, and hence the exhausting ability of the TMP 60 decreases.
Moreover, the foreign matter P deposited on or attached to the internal surface of the TMP 60 emits gas, and hence the TMP 60 exhausts the gas emitted from the foreign matter P as well as the gas in the chamber. Thus, the flow rate of the gas exhausted out of the chamber relatively decreases, and hence the exhausting ability of the TMP 60 for the gas in the chamber decreases.
It should be noted that when the foreign matter P separates from the internal surface of the TMP 60, it may collide with the rotary blades 63 of the TMP 60 and recoil to flow back directly into the chamber. Thus, the foreign matter P may cause particles to arise in the chamber.
Conventionally, if the exhausting ability of a TMP has decreased, the exhausting ability of the TMP is restored by detaching the TMP from the exhaust system and replacing it with a new TMP.
However, because the replacing operation takes much time, the substrate processing apparatus has to be stopped for a long time, resulting in the productivity of the substrate processing apparatus decreasing.

Cleaning method for turbo molecular pump


A system orientates and displays intra-vascular ultrasound imaging data using an acquisition processor and an image data processor. The acquisition processor acquires, during navigation of an ultrasound catheter through a vessel, for multiple individual intra-vascular ultrasound images comprising an image sequence, data representing an individual image and orientation data associated with the individual image indicating orientation of the catheter and individual image with respect to a reference position external to patient anatomy. The image data processor aligns the multiple individual intra-vascular ultrasound images with respect to the external reference position by rotating individual images of the image sequence as necessary to have substantially the same orientation with respect to the external reference position in response to the orientation data.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) produces a series of tomographic views of a patient vessel as a catheter is pulled through the vessel. However displayed IVUS image data lacks information regarding orientation of the image views with respect to patient anatomy. The display of IVUS image data concurrently with image data showing vessel morphology when the IVUS image data is not oriented to the vessel morphology is often confusing and misleading. A system according to invention principles addresses this deficiency and related problems.

System for orientation and display of ultrasound imaging data


A method and apparatus for operation in a multi-frequency band wideband system in the presence of an interference, the method comprising the steps: receiving signaling in a plurality of wideband frequency sub-bands, each wideband frequency sub-band having a different center frequency, wherein a bandwidth of each wideband frequency sub-band is at least 2 percent of a center frequency of the wideband frequency sub-band; detecting an interfering signal having signal energy in a portion of a respective sub-band of the wideband frequency sub-bands; modifying at least one of a center frequency and a bandwidth of the respective sub-band in order to operate in the presence of the interfering signal; and instructing a transmitting device transmitting the signaling to transmit subsequent signaling accounting for the modification of the center frequency of the respective sub-band.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to data transfer over wired, wireless, and/or optical transmission channels. More particularly, this invention relates to reception of ultra-wideband signals in the presence of interference.
2. Background Information
As computing and communications applications become richer and more complex, there is a need to transfer information between communicating devices at higher and higher data rates or at lower cost and power consumption. Use of such devices may include large data transfers and/or multimedia applications or distributed sensor networks. For example, multimedia applications may handle multiple simultaneous streams of high-definition audio and/or video coming from devices such as business/entertainment systems and gateways necessitating high-speed connectivity between communicating devices.
Increasingly, such devices are used in mobile and changing environments, where untethered connectivity is not only a convenience for the user, but can be a functional requirement, for example, cellular phones. Wireless connectivity can provide enhanced capabilities, ease of use, and may result in cost savings and increased productivity. Accordingly, there is a need for high-speed wireless connectivity and very low cost/low power consuming devices.
For consumer electronics devices, cost and complexity of transmitter and receiver implementations are important considerations as they can significantly contribute to the device production cost. Such devices therefore benefit greatly from low-cost high-speed wireless connectivity.
Most existing wireless communication schemes transfer data by modulating continuous-wave carriers. In many cases, a portion of the radio-frequency spectrum is reserved for the exclusive use of the scheme. Data transfers may be conducted over very narrow frequency bands in an attempt to occupy less of the frequency spectrum. However, such schemes may be susceptible to increases in background noise level and to multipath interference. Some narrowband schemes may also interfere with other systems (e.g. due to a higher concentration of energy in the particular frequency band being used).
Therefore there is a need for schemes for low-cost high-speed low-power wireless devices, which are less susceptible to multipath interference. Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication methods transmit information by spreading energy over a large portion of the radio frequency spectrum. Ultra-wideband communications transmit over a very wide bandwidth with very low power density. Thus, while ultra-wideband schemes are less susceptible to multipath interference, their performance can degrade in the presence of narrowband transmissions, which are in close proximity or which transmit signals with higher power. It is prudent, therefore, to provide methods to mitigate the effects of these narrowband transmissions on the ultra-wideband communication process

Method and apparatus for adapting signaling to maximize the efficiency of spectrum usage for multi-band systems in the presence of interference


A semiconductor memory device includes memory cells, a memory cell array, word lines, a row decoder, first metal wiring layers, and metal wiring lines. The memory cell includes a first MOS transistor having a charge accumulation layer and a control gate. Each word line is formed by connecting commonly the control gates in a same row. The row decoder selects any one of the word lines. The first metal wiring layers are provided for the word lines in a one-to-one correspondence. The first metal wiring layers are electrically connected to the corresponding ones of the word lines and transmit a first row select signal for the row decoder to select one of the word lines. The metal wiring lines are formed at a plurality of levels. The first metal wiring layers are made of the metal wiring lines located at the level of the lowest layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor memory device. More specifically, this invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with MOS transistors each having a floating gate and a control gate.
2. Description of the Related Art
NOR and NAND flash memories have been widely used as nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices.
In recent years, a flash memory combining the features of the NOR flash memory and the NAND flash memory has been proposed. This type of flash memory has been disclosed in, for example, Wei-Hua Liu, "A 2-Transistor Source-select (2TS) Flash EEPROM for 1.8-V-Only Application," Non-Volatile Semiconductor Memory Workshop 4.1, 1997. A flash memory of this type (hereinafter, referred to as a 2Tr flash memory) has memory cells each of which includes two MOS transistors. In such a memory cell, one MOS transistor, which functions as a nonvolatile memory section, includes a control gate and a floating gate and is connected to a bit line. The other MOS transistor, which is connected to a source line, is used to select a memory cell.
In a 2Tr flash memory, the gate voltage of the MOS transistor in the nonvolatile memory section is set to 0V and a voltage is applied to the gate of the select MOS transistor, thereby reading the data.

Semiconductor memory device with MOS transistors each having floating gate and control gate


A method and program product includes establishing a bi-directional communication channel with an operator's filming system. At least one command is communicated to the operator's filming system. The command at least includes instructions for conducting a filming, wherein the instructions are displayable on the operator's filming system. At least a real time stream of the filming is received. At least additional commands are communicated to the operator's filming system during the receiving, wherein the communicating, the receiving and the communicating during the receiving comprise a negative feedback loop during the filming.

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is believed that in many cases people cannot travel to their desired place because of objective reasons such as, without limitation, age, physically impairments, etc. and thus they cannot benefit from a travel experience, especially the enjoyment of sightseeing of the respective place such as tourist spots. To see a certain place one has to either physically visit the place or use pre-recorded films of the respective place. If traveling is not possible, the only way to see the place is by watching pre-recorded films, on a display. However, this alternative doesn't allow a person to view the place neither as desired, nor in real time. One has to see views of the place that have already been filmed, in a way somebody else decided how.
The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. There are several systems and methods which describe how video data from a filming location is streamed through the internet to a viewing customer, as well as payment methods. However, in these cases, the viewer cannot control the manner in which the shooting is performed by the filming person, information flows into one direction, namely from the shooter to the viewer.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Method and program product for controlling a real time filming of a remote location


The invention is related to a rapid setting calcium phosphate cement comprising a powdered first component comprising stabilized dicalcium phosphate dihydrous containing from about 10 ppm to about 60 ppm of magnesium, a powdered second component comprising a calcium phosphate mineral other than said stabilized dicalcium phosphate dihydrous, and a liquid third component comprising water.

The field of this invention pertains to calcium phosphate minerals for bone cement or bone filler applications and in the preparation of such cement. More specifically, this invention relates to a calcium phosphate bone cement comprising a mixture of tetra-calcium phosphate and di-calcium phosphate in an aqueous solution, in which the mixture then sets to form a bone cement with a substantial portion of the cement being hydroxyapatite.
Hydroxyapatite is the major natural building block of bone and teeth. It has been found useful in fixing fractures and bone defects to use bone cements which are formed by combining calcium and phosphate precursors in an aqueous solution which initially forms a paste but then hardens into a hydroxyapatite bone cement. Hydroxyapatite has a calcium-to-phosphorous ratio of approximately 1.67 which is generally the same as the calcium phosphate ratio in natural bone structures. The paste may be placed in situ prior to setting in situations where bone has been broken, destroyed, degraded, become too brittle or has been the subject of other deteriorating effects. Numerous calcium phosphate bone cements have been proposed such as those taught by Brown and Chow in U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 33,161 and 33,221, Chow and Takagi in U.S. Pat. 5,522,893, and by Constantz in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,880,610 and 5,047,031, the teachings of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.
It has been well known since the initial use of calcium phosphate cements that the addition of sodium phosphate solutions, potassium phosphate solutions or sodium carbonate solutions to the aqueous setting solution of the calcium phosphate precursors can speed setting times. This is documented in the Chow et al., April, 1991 IADR Abstract No.: 2410 and AADR, 1992 Abstract No.: 666 and was known to those skilled in the art prior to these publications.
Typically, the powdered component, which may be a combination of tetracalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate is supplied in a sterile form in a blister pack or a bottle, e.g., with contents of 2 to 25 g. The liquid, e.g. a molar sodium phosphate solution, distilled water or sodium chloride solution is usually present in a sterile, glass container, usually a disposable syringe, having a volume of 10 cc. The powdered and liquid components are usually mixed in a vessel, and processed from this vessel, e.g., by means of a syringe or the like.
It is important that these components of bone cements have long-term stability during storage as these components may be stored for over weeks and months before the actual cement usage when the powdered component is mixed with the aqueous component to form a settable material. But, the long-term stability of these components have not been extensively studied because it has been assumed by those skilled in the art that they stay stable with little or no change in properties.
However, unlike the industry's general assumption, according to Gbirecl et al. in Factors Influencing Calcium Phosphate Cement Shelf-life, it has been found that some prior art powder mixtures of calcium phosphate lose their ability to set after 7 days of storage, despite being store in sealed containers. The deterioration of the prior art powder mixtures was subsequently found to be related to their conversion to monetite in a dry state during ageing.
Thus, there is a need to develop a rapid setting bone cement which overcomes the destabilization problems of the prior art. This need is fulfilled by the invention that is described herein.


An apparatus and method according to an exemplary embodiment of to the present invention can provide imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, at least two first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation within a first wavelength range may be provided on the portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the portion. At least two second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation may also be provided within a second wavelength range provided on the portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the portion. It is possible to obtain a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference to determine a motion of the portion or of particles within or on the portion, whereas the motion is effectuated by at least one of a sound wave. Further, the imaging information of the portion can be provided based on the first transverse location, the second transverse location and the motion.

Information associated with vibration measurement and associated mechanical deformation can be important for a variety of medical and non-medical applications. One example is its use for determining the biomechanical characteristics of the bones or ossicles of the middle ear. The middle ear bones can transmit the vibrations of the tympanic membranes to the inner ear, where the mechanical motion is translated into neural response. The ability to measure the vibrations of the ossicles at the sound frequency can be useful for the diagnosis of many types of hearing impairment. Currently, the measurement of the vibrations in the middle ear requires an exposure of the middle ear by surgery. A minimally invasive tool for measuring bone vibration is therefore desired, reducing risk and improving diagnosis accuracy.
Spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) is a technique that can use wavelength to encode spatial information on a sample, thus allowing for high quality imaging to be performed through small diameter endoscopic probes. Using interferometery, SEE can use the phase of the reflected light to encode depth, and distance. By using a high speed spectral measurement at rates, e.g., higher than the auditory frequency, SEE can measure small spectral phase differences that are associated with sound vibrations. Without any form of scanning in the distal end of the probe, SEE can measure axial motion along one transverse line.

Apparatus and methods for measuring vibrations using spectrally-encoded endoscopy


A viscous fluid type heat generator having a heat generating chamber in which viscous fluid is confined to frictionally generate heat by an application of shearing action due to rotation of a rotor element rotated by a drive shaft, a heat receiving chamber arranged adjacent to the heat generating chamber to permit heat exchanging liquid to receive heat from the viscous fluid within the heat generating chamber during flowing through the heat receiving chamber, partitioning walls arranged in the heat receiving chamber to define a plurality of radially inner and outer concentric annular liquid passages between a liquid inlet for entrance of the heat exchanging liquid and a liquid outlet for delivery of the heat exchanging liquid, and a liquid guide arranged in a position adjacent to the liquid inlet to divert a part of the heat exchanging liquid entering the heat receiving chamber toward the radially outermost liquid passage in the heat receiving chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a viscous fluid type heat generator of the type which includes a housing assembly defining therein a heat generating chamber in which a viscous fluid is subjected to a shearing action by a rotor element rotating within the heat generating chamber to generate heat. The heat generated by the viscous fluid is transmitted to a heat exchanging liquid, typically water, flowing through a heat receiving chamber defined in the housing assembly and the heat received by the heat exchanging liquid is used as a heat generating source incorporated in, e.g., a heating system or a climate control system of an automobile or another vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,377 discloses an example of a vehicle heating system in which a viscous fluid type heat generator, driven by a vehicle engine, generates heat by using a viscous fluid generating heat when it is subjected to a shearing action, is incorporated as a subsidiary heat source. The viscous fluid type heat generator of the vehicle heating system of U.S. Pat. No. '377 is arranged in a secondary water circulating system which is separate from a primary water circulating system circulating an engine-cooling water through an engine-radiator. The primary water circulating system including the engine-radiator functions as a primary heat source for the vehicle heating system.
The engine-cooling water of the secondary water circulating system carries heat generated by the viscous fluid type heat generator to a heat conducting device by which the heat is conducted into a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Thus, the viscous fluid type heat generator functions as an auxiliary heat source for the vehicle heating system, and includes a pair of mutually opposing front and rear housings tightly secured together by appropriate tightening members, such as screw bolts, to define an inner heat generating chamber and a heat receiving chamber arranged so as to surround the heat generating chamber. The heat generating chamber is formed as a fluid-tight chamber and is isolated from the heat receiving chamber by partition walls integral with the front and rear housings, and the heat is exchanged between the viscous fluid in the fluid-tight heat generating chamber and the engine-cooling water in the heat receiving chamber through the partition walls of the housings.
The tightly secured front and rear housings rotatably support a drive shaft therein, via a bearing means, and a rotor element is mounted on an end of the drive shaft so that the rotor element is rotated with the drive shaft within the fluid-tight heat generating chamber. The fluid-tight heat generating chamber is supplied with an appropriate amount of viscous fluid, such as a silicone oil, so that the viscous fluid fills gaps between outer surfaces of the rotor element and partition wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber.
The front housing is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet formed therein, and the above-mentioned heat receiving chamber is fluidly connected to the water inlet to introduce the engine-cooling water therefrom, and is further fluidly connected to the water outlet to discharge the engine-cooling water therethrough. Namely, the heat receiving chamber forms a part of the afore-mentioned secondary water circulating system in which a water pump driven by the vehicle engine is arranged so as to constantly circulate the engine-cooling water through the secondary water circulating system.
When the rotational drive source of the vehicle engine is connected to the drive shaft of the viscous fluid type heat generator via a solenoid clutch, the rotor element fixedly mounted on the drive shaft is rotated therewith within the heat generating chamber to apply a shearing action to the viscous fluid (the silicone oil) held between the outer surfaces of the rotor element and the partition wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber, and accordingly, the viscous fluid frictionally generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the engine-cooling water circulating through the heat receiving chamber via the partition walls of the heat generating chamber. The engine-cooling water carries the heat to the heat conducting device for the viscous fluid type heat generator, so that the heat conducting device conducts the heat into a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
In the described conventional viscous fluid type heat generator, the rotor element rotating with the drive shaft has a radially outer portion having a circumferential speed larger than that of a radially inner portion thereof extending around the axis of rotation of the rotor element. Thus, the radially outer portion of the rotor element can apply a large shearing speed to the viscous fluid compared with the radially inner portion of the rotor element. Therefore, the viscous fluid held in a region surrounding the radially outer portion of the rotor element has a temperature higher than that of the viscous fluid held in a region adjacent to the radially inner portion of the rotor element. Thus, it is easily understood that transmission of heat from the viscous fluid surrounding the radially outer portion of the rotor element to the engine-cooling water in the heat receiving chamber should effectively be achieved to obtain heat from the viscous fluid, which is sufficient for warming the heated object, namely, the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Nevertheless, in the conventional viscous fluid type heat generator, the heat receiving chamber is designed so as to permit the engine-cooling water to flow from the water inlet to the water outlet without effectively receiving large amount of heat from the viscous fluid in the heat generating chamber. Namely, the partition walls surrounding the heat generating chamber and fluid-tightly separating the heat generating chamber from the heat receiving chamber are not designed so as to permit effective transmission of heat from the viscous fluid in the heat generating chamber to the engine-cooling water circulating through the heat receiving chamber. Thus, the flow of the engine-cooling water in the heat receiving chamber cannot pass through an outer passage-forming region of the heat receiving chamber where the engine-cooling water is able to receive a large amount of heat transmitting from the viscous fluid which is subjected to the high speed shearing action by the radially outer portion of the rotor element. More specifically, since the outer passage-forming region of the heat receiving chamber is occupied by air so as to prevent the engine-cooling water from reaching that region, the outer passage-forming region of the heat receiving chamber is quite useless from the view point of heat transmission.

Viscous fluid type heat generator with heat transmission enhancing means

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


An electronic device, a method applied to an electronic device, and a data processing device. The electronic device includes: a processing circuit configured to allow a cell to implement data transmission by using at least a portion of a time resource corresponding to an unused channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) port, wherein the CSI-RS port is from a CSR-RS configuration different from a CSI-RS configuration of the cell.

Generally, adjacent cells use different channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations, and time-frequency resources corresponding to the CSI-RSs of adjacent cells have different positions to avoid CSI-RS interference.
In 3D MIMO technology, one or more antenna ports are given different weights to generate a beam in a three-dimensional direction, called beam-forming. Beam-formed CSI-RS is different from non-coded CSI-RS. In the non-coded CSI-RS scheme, all user equipments use all common CSI-RS ports. However, the beam-formed CSI-RS may allocate one or more CSI-RS ports for a user equipment (that is, UE-Specific, UE-specific beam-forming) or a beam (that is, Cell-Specific, cell-specific beam-forming).

Electronic device, method applied to electronic device, and data processing device for reusing idle CSI-RS ports of an adjacent cell


A flat plate is provided to which an electrical junction box is centrally mounted with the plate extending circumferentially beyond the sides of the junction box. Conduits entering the junction box are supported by conduit clamps attached to the extended portions of the plate by clamping proximate the periphery thereof so as to permit alignment of the conduit clamps with the entering conduit.

The installation of electrical wiring in building construction is subject to stringently enforced codes in order to assure safe, trouble free operation. Wiring must be run in protective conduit with all of the connections made in junction boxes that provide both protection and access. Both the conduit and the boxes must be mounted to structural supports and constrained in accordance with the Electrical Code. In the typical commercial building, air ducts and wiring are installed overhead and subsequently concealed by a suspended ceiling. The junction boxes and conduit are placed at an elevation which allows room for ceiling segments to be lifted up and removed from their hanging framework to provide access for future maintenance. The electrical installation is supported in much the same manner as the suspended ceiling, by hangers anchored in the steel or concrete of the floor above. The National Electrical Code requires conduit to be supported within 36" of each entry to a junction box (18" for flexible conduit).
Others have disclosed wiring support arrangements which attach to the suspended ceiling frame. Such support however, requires that the electrical installation be made after the ceiling framework is in place, which is awkward and time consuming. The accepted method of support in the industry is to mount the junction box in place with one hanger and set a separate hanger within 36" for each conduit entering the box. An alternative method to setting separate hangers for each conduit is to bolt outwardly extending brackets on the box, above the entry holes, for clamp attachments. The brackets are made from cut lengths of formed "C" section structural members, with the open side facing down to receive clip washers for making a bolted connection to the back of the box. The conduit is supported by a clamp which is attached to the conduit and bolted to the underside of each bracket with another clip washer and bolt. The latter method eliminates a number of anchors and hangers and, inasmuch as the installer can pre-assemble the brackets to the box at floor level in a relatively short time, the overall cost of installation is reduced. Even so, there is a significant amount of time involved in assembly of the component parts, as well as the cost of the material.
The object of the present invention is to provide a simplified method and apparatus for supporting junction boxes and entering conduit so as to reduce labor and material costs for installation. A second object is to provide such method and apparatus for installation independent of suspended ceiling structure and in accordance with the specifications of the National Electrical Code.
The present invention accomplishes the above objects with a mounting bracket to which the back of any standard junction box can be bolted so as to provide conduit clamp attachments for all entry configurations without any need for field modification.

Method and apparatus for junction box and conduit support


A skin marking device that can be used in radiographic imaging comprising a platform having a handle, a marking member that extends from the handle over the platform, and radiographic markings. The platform has an opening that one end of the marking member is positioned over. The marking member also has a marking pad deployed on that end. When the marking member is depressed, at least a portion of the marking member extends into the opening in the platform allowing the marking pad to protrude from the opposite side of the platform. In use, the device is placed on or near a patient's skin during radiographic imaging and the radiopaque markings are used to assist in proper placement of the device. Once proper placement is achieved, the marking member is depressed, which presses the marking pad through the opening to mark the patient's skin at the desired location.

A number of radiographic imaging methods are currently used to visualize radiopaque structures in the human body. These imaging methods are used to help diagnose disease and to guide therapeutic procedures. Exemplary radiographic imaging methods include radiographs, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography (CT).
When using these imaging methods to create images of internal structures, anatomical features that are visible on the patient and on the image can be used as points of reference for determining proper location for needle insertion through the skin or for other surgical or therapeutic procedures. In these cases, a metallic or other radiopaque instrument, such as, for example, a hemostat, paperclip or needle, and a skin marking device, usually in the form of a skin marking pen, are used to locate and mark a specific location on the skin surface. Since the radiopaque instrument will be visible in the image, the instrument is placed over a patient's body and repositioned during imaging until the radiopaque instrument overlies the desired radiopaque point of reference in the human body, usually a bony structure when using fluoroscopy, and then the marking device is used to mark the location on the patient's skin. This marking procedure typically requires two hands and exposes the individual performing the procedure, such as, for example, a physician or technician, to increased radiation because one or both of their hands are near the imaging field for a prolonged period. Once the procedure is completed, the radiopaque instrument and the marking device are typically disposed of. Occasionally, the radiopaque instrument is resterilized at a significant cost and reused. Simply reusing the same radiopaque instrument and pen on multiple patients introduces the risk of infection being spread between patients and many hospitals have instituted policies prohibiting this.

Skin marking device for radiographic imaging


An operator of a network (20) dynamically establishes a business relationship with a Billing Agent (26) to enable the network operator to receive reimbursement for access charges incurred by one or more users (121, 122 and 123). To establish such a relationship, the network operator first opens a communications channel to the Billing Agent after which the network operator and Billing Agent verify each other. Following verification, the network operator communicates proposed business terms and conditions, including access charges, to the Billing Agent. In response, the Billing Agent sends to the network operator an acceptance of business terms acceptable to the Billing Agent. After reaching agreement on the terms and conditions, the Billing Agent and network operator will each digitally acknowledge a formal agreement that embodies the agreed upon terms.

Presently, providers of data communications services have established wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) ("hot spots") at publicly accessible facilities, such as rest stops, cafes, and libraries, to allow users to access a private data network or a public data network, such as the Internet for a fee. Upon entering such a publicly accessible facility, the user establishes a communication link, typically over a wireless channel, with an access point to access to the LAN, and the public or private network therebeyond. When initiating a communications session with the wireless LAN, the user must provide a PIN that identifies an account number to provide payment for access fees. Often, the transmission of the PIN occurs without any encryption, especially if the user accesses the wireless LAN for the first time. Thus, in the absence of any prior relationship with the user, the wireless LAN lacks any key by which to decrypt a user-encrypted transmission. An unencrypted wireless transmission of sensitive information such as a PIN creates a serious security risk since hackers often can readily intercept wireless LAN traffic.
As described in our co-pending Provisional U.S. patent application No. 60/378,030, filed May 13, 2002, and in co-pending regular U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/183,081, filed Jun. 27, 2002, a user can achieve secure authentication by first entering a request that identifies a Billing Agent that will provide payment to the operator of the LAN for the access charges incurred by the user. (The Billing Agent and LAN operator can be operated by the same entity or different entities.) The wireless LAN then queries the Billing Agent to obtain a copy of the agent's digital certificate for transmission to the user. The user verifies the certificate and then encrypts his/her PIN in accordance with the certificate. The wireless LAN forwards the user's encrypted PIN to the Billing Agent for authentication. Upon successful authentication of the user, the Billing Agent informs the wireless LAN, which then extends service. At the completion of access by the user, the wireless LAN accumulates the access charges for receipt by the Billing Agent, which reimburses the wireless LAN operator while debiting the user's account accordingly.
In order to for the user to successfully access the wireless LAN following authentication as described above, the wireless LAN operator must have a business relationship with the Billing Agent chosen by the user. Otherwise, the Billing Agent likely will not honor a request for reimbursement. As the number of wireless LANs continues to grow, a user seeking access over a widespread geographic area would need to maintain an account with a variety of different wireless LANs or their captive Billing agents, an impractical requirement.
Thus, there is a need for a technique whereby a wireless LAN operator can dynamically establish a business relationship with a Billing Agent to facilitate access to the wireless LAN by a user served by that Billing Agent.

Dynamic business relationship establishment in a public wireless LAN environment


An inexpensive, lightweight, thin, portable, compact, reusable, easy to clean, holder that can support a container in an upright, inclined, or inverted position on level, non-level, and solid and liquid surfaces or suspended using a means of suspension, such as a wire. The generally star-shaped main body with radially extended arms, and containing a hole therein used to grip a container. The main body is incurvated into a concave shape by the insertion of a container into the hole located near the center of the main body. The incurvation occurs due to the elasticity of the material used for the main body forming a semi-rigid concave shape capable of supporting the weight of the container. The adaptability of the holder enables a wide range of uses for the invention.

1. Field of the Invention
the present invention relates generally to container holders and particularly to adjustable holders
2. Background of the Invention
The present invention is a holder for containers that is inexpensive, lightweight, thin, portable, compact, reusable, easy to clean, and adaptable to different sizes and shapes of containers. The holder can support containers in upright, inclined, or inverted positions on level, non-level, solid and liquid surfaces.
The present invention is particularly useful for the elderly, disabled, and young children where a container can easily be tipped over and cause a messy spill. The present invention is also ideal for consumers that use containers while outdoors or while playing in the water, such as a swimming pool or a lake, where there are limited flat surfaces upon which to place a container.
The following similar prior art references are cited and compared to the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,963,256 to Borah describes an article retainer that provides similar functionality to the present invention, but does not have the capability of laying flat when not in use, nor does it support containers in inclined positions, nor does it provide features for holding containers on non-flat surfaces because the invention relies on suction to hold the container to a flat surface. The invention also does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,611 to Henderson describes a one piece container holder that does not lay flat when not in use. It is designed for a specific sized container and does not adapt to various container widths or shapes and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,028,023 and 5,195,706 to Allen describe a one piece container holder that does not lay flat when not in use. It does not address supporting containers in inclined positions, nor does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,673 to Chandler does not address supporting containers in inclined positions, nor does it support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,380 to Risca describes a fixed structure that does not lay flat when not in use, nor does it have the capability for holding containers in inclined positions or on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,064 to Sapien describes a holder for preventing spills, but it is a fixed structure that does not lay flat when not in use and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,082 to Chang describes similar functionality to the present invention, but it does not lay flat when not in use and does not support holding containers in inclined positions or on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,290 to Aleman does not lay flat when not in use and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces and it requires an additional external structure to which the holder is attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,167 to Kaupp does not support containers in inclined positions, nor does it lay flat when not in use and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,053 to Han does not provide support for containers in inclined positions and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,765 to Lozano provides only for fixed size containers and requires assembly before it can be used. It is designed to be disposable and therefore not durable or reusable and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces.
Many container holders that are available in the marketplace, and that are heretofore known, suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages:    the holder is constructed of permanently rigid material, making the holder unable to lay flat when not in use,    the holder is not capable of holding containers in all of the following positions: upright, inclined and inverted positions,    the holder does not grip the container sufficiently to prevent the container from slipping out while in an inclined position,    the holder is not buoyant and does not have the capability to support a container on a liquid surface,    the holder is constructed of many smaller parts that are relatively expensive to manufacture, assemble, and package,    the holder is not easily cleanable or requires special cleaning materials,    the holder cannot accommodate different sized and shaped containers.


Adding aluminum and/or silica to molten steel after decarburization containing about 0.005 percent by weight or less of carbon and about 1.0 percent by weight or less of manganese to form a mildly deoxidized molten steel; adding titanium to the mildly deoxidized molten steel to continue deoxidation so that the molten steel contains about 0.005 percent by weight or less of aluminum, about 0.20 percent by weight or less of silicon and about 0.01 to 0.10 percent by weight of titanium, to form inclusions in the molten steel which essentially consist of a complex oxide of titanium and aluminum, a complex oxide of titanium and silicon, and/or a complex oxide of titanium, aluminum and silicon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of making an ultra low-carbon cold-rolled steel sheet, capable of preventing the usual upper nozzle, sliding nozzle and immersion nozzle of a tundish ("nozzles") from clogging. Such clogging often occurs during continuous casting of aluminum-killed molten steel due to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 adhesion to the inner walls of these nozzles. The method of this invention is also capable of minimizing or preventing occurrence of surface defects on the slabs that are produced by the continuous casting process. Such surface defects have, in the past, been due to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 clusters which inevitably formed in the aluminum-killed molten steel. This invention is also capable for the first time of preventing defects due to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in cold-rolled steel sheets produced from such slabs.
2. Description of the Related Art
In manufacturing ultra low-carbon cold-rolled steel sheets, aluminum is generally added to the molten steel after decarburization to decrease the soluble oxygen content in the molten steel, and to increase the yield achievable by Ti and Nb to precipitate and fix carbon and nitrogen in the steel during melting. Aluminum addition is also done in order to prevent blow holes from forming on the surface of the slab during continuous casting. When such aluminum-killed steel is subjected to continuous casting, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -based oxides tend to be formed during deoxidation and tend to adhere to the inner walls of the nozzles of the tundish and clog the nozzles. Thus, the available channel for molten metal flow is narrowed and prevents achievement of the desired flow molten metal rate. Further, when pieces of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 peel off the inner walls of the nozzles, they are captured by coagulated shells in the cast slab, resulting in surface defects in the slab.
Efforts have been made to solve such problems. One has been to blow inert gas such as gaseous argon from the nozzles of the tundish to prevent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -based oxide adhesion to the inner walls of the nozzles. However, blown inert gas is captured by coagulated shells in the slab and results in formation of new bubble defects in the slab.
There are other disclosed methods for attempting to reduce Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 adhesion to the inner walls of the nozzles, in which metallic or alloyed calcium such as Ca--Si is added to the molten steel to convert Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 inclusions to CaO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 inclusions having lower melting points, as follows:
1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-154447 discloses a method in which 0.2 to 0.5 kg/t of calcium is added to molten metal in a ladle so as to decrease the melting point of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 inclusions, in which the resulting CaO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 melt rises to the surface of the molten steel and is removed from the ladle. PA1 2) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-276756 discloses a method in which metallic or alloyed calcium is added to aluminum-killed molten metal during a melting or continuous casting step so that 2 to 40 ppm of calcium, which forms CaO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 inclusions, remains in the steel.
However, calcium added as metallic or alloyed calcium is converted to CaS and CaO, which results in development of rust on the steel sheet. In particular, rust readily forms at a calcium content of 10 ppm or more in steel. Further, portions of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 formed during the aluminum-deoxidation process, which did not rise to the surface in the tundish and casting mold, remained as large coagulated inclusions in the cast slab. Such inclusions were captured on the surface layer of the cast slab, resulting in serious surface defects.


The rendering of markup language based files is accelerated by employing an apparatus to capture requests for markup language pages. The requested pages are retrieved and then examined to identify additional links that are contained therein. The markup language page is then modified by adding a trigger or tag into the page. The trigger or tag is basically a mechanism to automate a request for additional markup language information or pages. The trigger or tag, when received by the device requesting the markup language page, will invoke a request to obtain the markup language information or file represented by the tag. The tag can be a browser activated link or a JavaScript. A predictive module is used to review the additional links in the requested pages to identify a predicted next page to be downloaded or requested. This predicted next page or link can be a most likely candidate for what a user viewing the current page would request.

The present invention relates to the field of portal browsing, and more particularly to improving the quality of the user experience while navigating various websites by using the time that the user is viewing one page, to predict and fetch a following or next web page or additional browsing pages.
A very popular method for propagating data communication between computers all over the world is through the Internet. The Internet is a hierarchy of many computer networks, all of which are interconnected by various types of server computers. Some of the servers may include websites that are comprised of databases with a plurality of web pages. The web pages may be retrieved by various users or devices using a variety of techniques, such as web browsers, FTP based applications, etc. A term in the art for users employing the use of a web browser is "surfers" who surf the Internet by accessing various web pages. Many current web pages are defined by markup languages (ML) files. A markup language file is a set of commands that define the manner in which the graphics and text for a website are displayed or rendered on a display device. Common markup languages include, but are not limited to, HTML, XML, WML, HDML, etc. HTML is an acronym for Hyper Text Markup Language, XML is an acronym for Extensible Markup Language, WML is an acronym for Wireless Markup Language and HDML is an acronym for Handheld Device Markup Language. It should be noted that the terms "HTML", "XML" and "WML" may be used interchangeably herein. Henceforth, the description of different embodiments of the present invention may use the term 'HTML' as a representative term for any markup language or hybrid thereof.
A markup language file defines the graphical layout and the look of the web page. A common HTML file may comprise information that is relevant to the web page, information such, as but not limited to, a style sheet, text, images, tags, Java Scripts, links to a style sheet, links to Java Scripts, links to additional objects, links to other web pages, etc.
Typically, although not always, an HTML or WML file includes only basic text and links to style sheets, Java scripts, images, and other objects rather than containing the actual style sheet or the various objects. Within the markup language file, there are typically two types of links that can be found: (1) browser activated or rendering links and (2) user or surfer activated links. The browser activated links or tags are automatically invoked or traversed by the browser application while the page is being read and parsed. For example, links or tags to Java scripts, a style sheet, and images can be browser links. The markup language file may also contain user activated links. These user activated links are displayed on a rendered web page and can be selected by the surfer. These links can include links to other pages, graphic displays, help boxes, etc, and are also referred to as surfer links and hyper links.
While surfing the World Wide Web (WWW) a surfer (client), who uses a computer equipped with a browser application, may send an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) request to a web server. In response, the web server may send an HTML file that defines the requested web page. In the disclosure of the different embodiments of the present invention the term computer represents any type of data communication device including but not limited to a laptop computer, a PDA, a cellular unit, a notebook computer, a personal computer, etc.
When a user or system accesses a website or a web page, the delivery of an HTML file is initiated. Upon receiving the HTML file or page, the browser or other application begins parsing the HTML file. It is not immediately displayed to the user because it must first be converted into the appropriate display format—this is referred to as rendering. As the browser or application parses the HTML file, portions of the web page can be displayed while the remainder of the HTML file is examined. When a browser link is found in the HTML file, the browser may operate to stop or suspend the parsing of the HTML file, establish a new connection according to the browser link, wait to get the object or data associated with the browser link, parse the object and/or data, render any display information associated with the browser link, and finally, resume parsing of the HTML file. In parallel the page may be available to the user while the objects are being downloaded, and the objects are filled in or rendered onto the displayed web page as they arrive. Usually, while navigating an HTML page, a user may select a user activated link or hyper link for a next page or object. Once this occurs, the same process of receiving the HTML file, parsing, etc. commences. All rendering, parsing or displaying activity for the current page is ceased, and the HTML file for the new page or object is received and the process starts all over from the beginning. As a result, for slower connections and highly complex and intricate web pages, the user can experience significant delays in receiving rendered and displayed web pages. Therefore, surfing or browsing can be quite frustrating especially for a users of slow speed connections, such as users of a cellular network.
Thus, it is evident that current technologies of browsing are still insufficient and there is a need in the art for new optimizing methods that will accelerate fetching of web pages and improving the user experience.
Furthermore, because of the huge number of users that surf the Internet, there is a need for any new methods that accelerate fetching of web pages to operate without necessitating the modification of the user's equipment. A method having a clientless solution is recommended. Such a method may operate within the standard to be independent on the user's equipment/software.

Method and system for improving user experience while browsing


A foolproof jack includes a shell and at least one elastomer. The shell has at least one joining opening, and the joining opening corresponds to a first type plug. The elastomer sets in the joining opening, and stops a second type plug to plug in the joining opening. The second type plug is different from the first type plug. The elastomer has a body and at least one stop portion. The body is mounted in the shell. In a Y-direction, at least one arm outward extends from the body. In a Z-direction, a part of the arm is bent. In an X-direction, the stop portion extends inward from the arm.

The invention relates to a foolproof jack, and in particular, to a foolproof jack that can prevent incorrect type plug from inserting therein.
It is well recognized that the computer industry is experiencing tremendous growth, driven in large part by a demand for immediate access to information. To meet this demand, the industry has developed a wide assortment of electrical apparatus to transmit and receive electronically retrievable data.
Although there are numerous public and private networks and databases that provide electronically retrievable data, absent the ability to connect directly with a network, one is relegated to relying upon the exchange of discs or tapes in order to receive the data that is accessible through the network.
The ability to freely access data on a network and to transfer information between computers can dramatically increase productivity and reduce overall production time. Accordingly, computers have been equipped with means to access electronically retrievable data over networks, such as the Internet, a world wide network, local area networks ("LANs") and wide area networks ("WANs").
The transfer of data over a network can be accomplished with wireless technology or by telephone lines and cables. The interface between a computer and a cable or telephone line is typically accomplished through a media connector, such as a hub.
One conventional type of media connector is the Registered Jack connector (RJ-series connector), such as RJ-45 series connectors and RJ-11 series connectors. For example, the RJ-45 plug can electrically connect to a RJ-45 jack. Typically, RJ-45 connectors are typically used as an interface to connect electrical apparatus to LANs, particularly Ethernets. RJ-11 connectors are used as an interface to connect electrical apparatus to the Internet or for standard modem applications using normal telephone lines. In the computer, the RJ-45 jack and the RJ-11 jack are often disposed next to each other. It is noted that the appearance of the RJ-45 connector is similar to that of the RJ-11 connector, but the RJ-11 plug is slightly smaller than the RJ-45 plug.
Since the RJ-11 plug is slightly smaller than the RJ-45 plug, it may be erroneously inserted into the RJ-45 jack, thus damaging the electronic device with such RJ-11 plug.
Accordingly, what is called for is a RJ-45 jack that can securely accommodate the RJ-45 plug while prevent other plugs from insertion.


A radiation shield, and a radiation shield assembly. The shield assembly is designed to allow use of conveniently fabricated radiation shield portions to provide a single completed radiation shield. The shield portions are mechanically fastened together, preferably with deck screws. A completed radiation shield assembly is coated with a flexible elastomeric epoxy coating to protect the radiation shielding material, preferably lead, from becoming dislodged. Preferably, the radiation shield is provided in a sequence of layers, with each layer having one or more radiation shield portions. In an alternate embodiment a lightweight, portable radiation shield is provided which has an inner layer with at least one sheet of solid radiation shielding material, an outer stainless steel casing, and a sealant located between at least portions of the at least one sheet of solid radiation shielding material and the outer stainless steel casing. Flanges on the stainless steel casing are fastened together, preferably by riveting to seal the casing. A stainless steel U-shaped cap is provided at the top of the shield for extra protection during use. The sealant and the stainless steel casing, including the cap, cooperate to effectively seal the solid radiation shielding material against leakage outward through the outer stainless steel casing.

A continuing demand exists for a simple, inexpensive radiation shield which can be used to simplify the installation and/or removal of shielding material as may be necessary to achieve reductions in dose exposure to personnel in nuclear power operations, particularly as regards exposure to gamma radiation. This is true today, even though flexible lead shielding, or encased lead shielding has heretofore been widely used for providing certain types of radiation shielding. In fact, in older nuclear power plants, the dose exposures to plant workers due to accumulations of radioactive materials in plant structures, and in particular, pipe runs, increasingly have brought this problem to the attention of plant operational personnel. During maintenance and overhaul of power plant systems, personnel are frequently required to perform operations that bring them into close proximity to locations which have the potential to accumulate, and thus emit, potentially harmful ionizing radiation.
Generally, the prior art apparatus and methods known to me are too cumbersome, and they are not particularly well adapted to being secured in place for long term radiation protection. As a result, the overall radiation dosage received by nuclear plant workers could be appreciably reduced with the availability of improved radiation shielding devices, and in particular, with improved devices that are suitable for being left in place for continued use during long term plant operations.
It would also be desirable for a number of reasons to be able to utilize multiple radiation shield portions in a radiation shield application. First, multiple shield portions could be used to increase the shielding effect, by combining the shielding capability of multiple layers of radiation shield portions. Second, multiple shield portions could be utilized to efficiently accommodate a varying dimensional requirement, such as the curve of a pipe, or an elbow in a pipe run. Third, many fabrication personnel find that it would be desirable to have radiation shield portions which can be conveniently fastened together to produce a final radiation shield of a desired size, in an easy, building block fashion.
One important problem which must also be overcome with respect to any lead based radiation shield design is the potential for contamination of lead by existing radioactively contaminated materials, as that would result in further contamination since the lead may itself become radioactive. In other words, the use of a lead shield necessitates protection of such a lead shield, to avoid the possibility of further contamination, of either the lead itself, or of the underlying area due to lead becoming deposited thereon. This problem is further aggravated when the shields are placed in locations subject to high temperature or to water spray. Depending upon the anticipated service, a radiation shield may be subject to various adverse or harsh operating conditions, and thus the design must accordingly be capable of reliably protecting the lead during such service.
Currently, when it becomes necessary to work on or near pipe runs which are emitting an appreciable radiation dosage, common practice has been to use a type of wool blanket, or lead shot bags, or lead strips. Each of such apparatus and the methods for their use are somewhat effective in reducing radiation dosage, but in each case, their use has certain drawbacks, including:
(1) the equipment is too bulky (especially in the case of a lead wool blanket); PA1 (2) the equipment is prone to leak (such as in the case of lead shot bags, where loss of lead causes other contamination problems); and PA1 (3) installation of the apparatus is too time consuming (such as in the case of installation of lead sheet strips). PA1 can be used in radioactively contaminated areas with minimal risk of contamination by the lead from the shield; PA1 can be provided in a simple coating that allows use in moderately moist environments; PA1 can be used where the shielding is not expected to encounter high temperatures; PA1 can be used where the shielding is not expected to encounter high pressure water spray; PA1 which can be used in direct contact with stainless steel piping and components; PA1 are relatively simple, particularly in the manufacture and installation, to thereby enable the devices to be easily prefabricated and installed for unique applications; and PA1 which can be easily decontaminated. PA1 can be easily used with stainless steel plate as the encapsulating material, so as to allow use in areas which may encounter high pressure spray; PA1 can be used in radioactively contaminated areas with an absolute minimum of risk of contaminating the lead in the shield; PA1 can be used on or around piping and components requiring that the shielding be protected against moisture, heat, and high temperature water or steam; PA1 can be left inside the primary containment building during operation of the nuclear reactor plant. PA1 compatible with direct stainless steel contact; PA1 easy to decontaminate; PA1 able to withstand short duration exposure to water or spray; PA1 able to withstand short duration moist temperatures to about 145.degree. F.; and PA1 are able to withstand moderate flexing and bending, without cracking and peeling. PA1 compatible with use in moderately high temperature environments (up to 450.degree. to 500.degree. F.); PA1 able to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture and high pressure water or steam spray; PA1 are able to withstand moderate flexing and bending; PA1 easy to install and to remove.
Although at least one proprietor has recognized the need for an improved radiation shielding that is available in sizes that can be manipulated by hand by a single workman, and which protects the underlying structure from lead contamination, unfortunately, such devices known to me have left something to be desired. Consequently, I have developed novel radiation shielding designs, and methods for their fabrication, and for their installation, which provide radiation shielding which is superior to earlier radiation shielding apparatus and techniques which are known to me.
Radiation shielding devices which provide some of the general capabilities desired have heretofore been proposed. Those of which I am aware include those described in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,114 issued to Sisson on Apr. 30, 1991 for a Radiation Shield; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,925 issued to Jones on Jan. 15, 1974 for a Portable Radiation Shield for Nuclear Reactor Installation.
The patent documents identified in the preceding paragraph disclose devices which do not provide permanently affixable radiation shield designs, and thus are inherently not as well suited, as disclosed, for many of the applications which are of interest to me. The radiation shielding devices provided by Sisson are not suitable for exposure to moderate or high temperatures, or to water spray environments, due to use of a vinyl plastic sheet as a protective surface material. And, the portable shield provided by Jones, which is designed for protection of the dry well during removal of fuel from a BWR plant, though it involves the provision of a lead filled stainless steel shielding device, is so large and unique as to be inapplicable for most of the smaller applications of interest to me. Therefore, there still remains an unmet and increasingly important need in the field for a radiation shield which is designed and manufactured in a way that assures sufficient structural strength to withstand use for either permanent or temporary service in harsh conditions, and which have the assurance that retrieval is possible without encountering adverse lead contamination. Thus, the advantages offered by my novel radiation shield designs, which are permanently mountable (even in highly controlled locations such as a dry well) and which may be provided in sizes which are transportable by a single worker, yet be removable and cleanable, are important and self-evident.


The present invention provides a gas humidifier for the humidification of reactant gases supplied to electrochemical devices such as electrolyzers and fuel cells. The humidifier provides a water permeable member, such as a polymer membrane in the form of a tube, sheet, tubulated sheet and the like, that can be saturated with water to allow evaporation of water into a gas stream passing over a water permeable member. The humidifier is compact and lightweight, yet provides efficient humidification of gases at flow rates as low as about 0.1 grams per minute of water.

The development and use of solid polymer electrolytes has increased the efficiency and reduced the size of electrochemical cells. U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,747 (Menth et al.) discloses an individual electrolysis cell bounded by bipolar plates and having a solid electrolyte made of a polymer of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (such as that available under the trademark NAFION from E.I. duPont Company, Wilmington, Del.) with a surface coating centrally located between current-collectors and adjoining open metallic structures. A plurality of these individual cells may be integrated together between end plates so that the cells are electrically connected in series, hydrodynamically connected in parallel, and combined to form a block. However, these membranes must be kept moist at all times, since it acts as a conductor only when it is wet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,969 (Ezzell et al.) discloses ion exchange membranes having sulfonic acid groups. The membrane is a polymer having a substantially fluorinated backbone and recurring pendant sulfonic acid groups represented by the following general formula: EQU --O(CFR.sub.1)b(CFR.sub.2)aSO.sub.3 Y
where a and b are independent integers from zero to three with the condition that the sum of a and b must be at least one; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a halogen and a substantially fluorinated alkyl group having one or more carbon atoms; and Y is hydrogen or an alkali metal.
NAFION is a sulfonic acid membrane having a substantially fluorinated backbone and pendant groups according to the following structure: EQU --OCF.sub.2 CF(CF.sub.3)--0--CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 SO.sub.3 H
Both NAFION 117 (all NAFION products are available from E.I. duPont Company, Wilmington, Del.) and NAFION 115 have equivalent weights of 1100 with thicknesses of 7 mils (175 .mu.m) and 5 mils (125 .mu.m), respectively.
The need for water to support proton conduction in membranes has been addressed in a number of ways. In fuel cells it would initially appear that since water is the product, sufficient water would be already present. Unfortunately, the water formed in a fuel cell is inadequate to maintain membrane hydration except under special conditions. Each proton that moves through the membrane drags at least two or three water molecules with it. As the current density increases the number of water molecules moved through the membrane also increases. Eventually the flux of water being pulled through the membrane by the proton flux exceeds the rate at which water is replenished by diffusion. At this point the membrane begins to dry out, and its internal resistance increases. This sets a relatively low limit on the current density that can be maintained by back diffusion from the cathode surface.
This problem has typically been addressed by adding water, as vapor, to the hydrogen containing stream, or to both gas streams (fuel and oxidizer). There is no doubt that this method works, and high power densities can be achieved. Unfortunately, humidifiers presently available are quite large, heavy and complex.
The simplest way to humidify a gas stream is to pass the gas as a stream of fine bubbles through water. As long as the gas has sufficient contact time with the water, controlling the temperature of the water controls the amount of water in the gas stream. This method works quite well at low gas flow rates, but problems begin to arise as the required gas flow rate increases. To fully saturate a gas with water requires either small bubbles, ideally under 0.5 mm in diameter, or a tall column to allow enough contact time to insure complete saturation. Operating a humidifier under conditions where a gas does not have sufficient contact time to become fully saturated results in the gas carrying a varying amount of water. This unstable operation is undesirable and unacceptable in certain applications, such as the humidification of reactant gases fed to electrochemical devices.
When bubble column type humidifiers are used to saturate a gas stream, they can become rather large. For example, if a contact time of 0.5 seconds is required to saturate the bubbles with water, the column will need to be at least 19 cm tall (based on Stokes law velocity of 38.2 cm/sec for a 0.5 mm bubble of air in water at 80.degree. C.). For a flow rate of one liter of gas per minute, as 0.5 mm bubbles with an average spacing of 0.5 mm, a water volume of over 300 cm.sup.3 is required, with a similar or greater volume for the reverse portion of the convective flow produced by the gas lifting the water. Additional volume is required for the disperser to form the bubbles and for a reserve of water to replenish that lost to evaporation. The resulting humidifier has a volume of over one liter, and any increase in gas flow rate will require an even larger volume.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,530 issued to Vanderborgh et al. entitled FUEL CELL WATER TRANSPORT discloses that the moisture content and temperature of a gas can be regulated throughout traverse of the gas in a fuel cell incorporating a solid polymer membrane. Each cell has a flow field incorporating a membrane for effective water transport to a gas as it passes to a second flow field where chemical reactions occur. In this mainer, the temperature and humidity of a gas is effected at each cell. Humidification is achieved by passing the fuel cell gas over the face of a membrane section that is in contact with liquid water on the opposite face.
Another method has been used to humidify a gas inside a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack assembly, or stack itself. This is accomplished utilizing an internal "dummy cell" dedicated solely to gas humidification. U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,278 issued to Watkins et al. entitled INTEGRATED FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM discloses a fuel cell stack having a humidification section and an electrochemically active section, wherein the humidification section imparts water vapor to an inlet hydrogen containing fuel stream and an inlet oxygen containing oxidant stream. This is done with a membrane humidifier, in which a stream of water is located on one side of a planar membrane sheet of a water permeable material and the gas stream flows on the other side. This method uses the heat of the cell itself to evaporate the water. This method is advantageous because it eliminates the need for an external source of heat to humidify the gas streams. However, the method is also disadvantageous, first, because it limits the humidification of the gas streams to a dew point that is essentially the same as the fuel cell operating temperature and, second, because it also adds to the size of the fuel cell stack. Since the humidifier is a structural part of the stack, it has to be built to serve as a supporting member. This can increase the weight and size of the system by a greater amount than is required for an external humidification system. Extra weight is always a disadvantage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,478 issued to Chow et al. entitled ELECTROCHEMICAL FUEL CELL STACK WITH HUMIDIFICATION SECTION LOCATED UPSTREAM FROM THE ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVE SECTION similarly discloses a fuel cell with a "dummy cell" type humidification section, but teaches that the inlet fuel and oxidant streams should be introduced into the humidification section without first being directed through the electrochemically active section. In this manner, Chow reduced the number of manifold openings in the active section and increases the area available for electrochemical reactions. However, this humidifier suffers the same disadvantages as the '278 patent described above.
Still another humidification method is to inject water directly into either the manifold of a cell or stack, or a gas line leading into the manifold. The water is injected in such a manner as to form a mist in the gas line. As the gas stream is heated by the fuel cell, the water, which has a high surface area due to its small droplet size, quickly evaporates. This type of humidifier produces a very compact humidification system. The amount of water in the gas stream can easily be controlled by metering the liquid water feed into the fuel cell. While this is a good system for fuel cell stacks in the kilowatt range and larger, it is not an effective or efficient system for smaller systems. The disadvantage of direct injection is the difficulty encountered in forming a steady consistent mist at low water flow rates. For instance, a nominally 1 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack consisting of six cells, each at 0.6 V, operating at 85.degree. C. with both the fuel and air streams humidified, requires about 10.3 grams of water per minute to humidify its air stream, assuming a 2:1 air to current stoichiometry at 30 psig. This amount is easily meterable on a consistent basis. A smaller stack, generating 300 W at 70.degree. C. requires only 1.50 grams of water per minute under the same feed conditions. This amount can be metered, but the higher precision required to maintain a smooth flow at the lower feed rate results in the smaller stack actually requiring a more complex humidifier. In the case of an even smaller stack operating at 30W, and the same operating conditions as above, the feed rate drops to 0.150 grams of water per minute for the air stream, and even less for the fuel gas stream. At these feed rates, maintaining a steady flow is extremely difficult. Using a mist type humidifier under these conditions makes controlling the humidifier the most difficult part of operating the stack.
Thus, there remains a need for a humidifier that can deliver a precise and consistent amount of water at a flow rate as low as about 0.1 grams per minute to a gas stream. It would be desirable if the humidifier were small, lightweight and easy to control.

Gas humidification system using water permeable membranes


A labeling system includes a drive for moving a trunnion part along a labeling path and a labeling station positioned peripherally of the labeling path. A housing assembly around the rotational drive and the labeling station forms a guarding enclosure for an interior space of the housing assembly. Multiple container infeed paths are provided for different container types, and multiple container outfeed types are provided for the different container types. Sets of changeover parts are used to configure the system for a given container type. The housing assembly may include guarding assemblies associated with the infeed and outfeed paths.

The use of starwheel labeling machine is known. The labeling of different container types in such systems, particularly container types that are conveyed in a different manner, generally results in the need for different labeling machines for the different containers. For example, vials are generally supported on the vial bottom when conveyed, and syringe barrels are generally supported by the flange at the top end of the barrel when conveyed vertically. The structures used to convey one of the container types (e.g., the vial) are not compatible for conveying the other container type (e.g., the syringe barrel). The use of two different labeling machines for labeling different container types that might carry the same material (e.g., the same medicine) results in additional cost outlays and a larger footprint for the production facility.
Accordingly, labeling system adapted for labeling containers that are conveyed in different manners would be beneficial.

Labeling system adapted for labeling syringes or vials