The present invention is directed to organic light emitting devices comprised of an electroluminescent layer containing a host material comprised of a metal complex of (5-hydroxy)quinoxaline: ##STR1## wherein M is Al, Ga, In, Zn or Mg, with n=3, if M is Al, Ga or In and n=2, if M is Zn or Mg, and to a method for fabricating such devices. Further disclosed for use in the electroluminescent layer of organic light emitting devices are dopant materials comprised of a bisphenyl-squarilium compound, an indigo dye compound or a fullerene compound.

Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are light emitting devices that are comprised of several layers, in which one of the layers is comprised of an organic material that can be made to electroluminesce by applying a voltage across the device. Certain OLEDs have been shown to have sufficient brightness, range of color and operating lifetimes for use as a practical alternative technology to LCD-based full color flat-panel displays (S. R. Forrest, P. E. Burrows and M. E. Thompson, Laser Focus World, February 1995). Furthermore, since many of the organic thin films used in such devices are transparent in the visible spectral region, they allow for the realization of a completely new type of display pixel in which the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) emission layers are placed in a vertically stacked geometry to provide a simple fabrication process, a small R-G-B pixel size, and a large fill factor.
A transparent OLED (TOLED) which represents a significant step toward realizing high resolution, independently addressable stacked R-G-B pixels has been reported in International Patent Application No. PCT/US95/15790. This TOLED had greater than 71% transparency when turned off and emitted light from both top and bottom device surfaces with high efficiency (approaching 1% quantum efficiency) when the device was turned on. The TOLED used transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) as the hole-injecting electrode and a Mg-Ag-ITO layer for electron-injection. A device was disclosed in which the Mg-Ag-ITO electrode was used as a hole-injecting contact for a second, different color-emitting OLED stacked on top of the TOLED. Each device in the stacked OLED (SOLED) was independently addressable and emitted its own characteristic color through the transparent organic layers, the transparent contacts and the glass substrate, allowing the device to emit any combination of color that could be produced by varying the relative output of the red and blue color-emitting layers.
Thus, publication of PCT/US95/15790 provided the disclosure of an integrated OLED where both intensity and color could be independently varied and controlled with external power supplies in a color tunable display device. As such, PCT/US95/15790 illustrates a principle for achieving integrated, full color pixels that provide high image resolution, which is made possible by the compact pixel size. Furthermore, relatively low cost fabrication techniques, as compared with prior art methods, may be utilized for making such devices.
Devices whose structure is based upon the use of layers of organic optoelectronic materials generally rely on a common mechanism leading to optical emission. Typically, this mechanism is based upon the radiative recombination of a trapped charge. Specifically, devices constructed along the lines discussed above comprise at least two thin organic layers separating the anode and cathode of the device. The material of one of these layers is specifically chosen based on the material's ability to transport holes (the "hole transporting layer"); the other, according to its ability to transport electrons (the "electron transporting layer"). The electron transporting layer typically comprises the electroluminescent layer. With such a construction, the device can be viewed as a diode with a forward bias when the potential applied to the anode is higher than the potential applied to the cathode. Under these bias conditions, the anode injects holes (positive charge carriers) into the hole transporting layer, while the cathode injects electrons into the electron transporting layer. The portion of the luminescent medium adjacent to the anode thus forms a hole injecting and transporting zone while the portion of the luminescent medium adjacent to the cathode forms an electron injecting and transporting zone. The injected holes and electrons each migrate toward the oppositely charged electrode. When an electron and hole localize on the same molecule, a Frenkel exciton is formed. Recombination of this short-lived state may be visualized as an electron dropping from its conduction potential to a valence band, with relaxation occurring, under certain conditions, preferentially via a photoemissive mechanism. Under this view of the mechanism of operation of typical thin-layer organic devices, the electroluminescent layer comprises a luminescence zone receiving mobile charge carriers (electrons and holes) from each electrode.
It would be desirable if each of the color-emitting OLEDs that are used in a SOLED could have the electroluminescent emission efficiently produced in a relatively narrow band centered near selected spectral regions, which correspond to one of the three primary colors, red, green and blue. The materials that are responsible for producing the electroluminescent emission are frequently incorporated into the OLED such that they also serve as the electron transporting layer of the OLED. Such devices are referred to as having a single heterostructure. Alternatively, the electroluminescent material may be present in a separate emissive layer between the hole transporting layer and the electron transporting layer in what is referred to as a double heterostructure.
In addition to having the emissive material present as the primary material in the electron transporting layer, the emissive material may also be present as a dopant that is contained within a host material. Materials that are present as host and dopant are selected so as to have a high level of energy transfer between the host and dopant materials. In addition, these materials need to be capable of producing acceptable electrical properties for the OLED. Furthermore, such host and dopant materials are preferably capable of being incorporated into the OLED using starting materials that can be readily incorporated into the OLED using convenient fabrication techniques.

Organic light emitting devices containing a metal complex of 5-hydroxy-quinoxaline as a host material


A toothbrush includes a support member mounted on a first shaft in the head of the toothbrush. A carrier member is mounted on a second shaft to the support member. The support member is eccentrically mounted so that when its first shaft is rotated the carrier member is moved in an orbital path during the rotation of the support member. The carrier member is freely mounted on its second shaft so that during this orbital movement the carrier member rotates in a random manner. Cleaning elements such as bristles extend outwardly from the carrier member.

Various attempts have been made to provide toothbrushes with cleaning elements such as bristles movably mounted to enhance the cleaning action. U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,959 discloses an electric toothbrush having circular brush bases which engage rotating bases. The rotating bases move linearly while they are rotating. The brush head itself is capable of rotating about its axis during these movements. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,175,299, 4,276,672 and 4,336,622 all relate to toothbrushes which are characterized as having an orbital brush action. During operation the brush head moves in contact with the teeth and then in its return stroke is angled out of contact with the teeth. As a result of this orbital motion the brush by being retracted does not contact the teeth and gums or at least lessens the pressure during the return stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,425 discloses a powered toothbrush having three dimensional rotational head movement.
It would be desirable if a toothbrush could be provided having enhanced rotational movements which differs from the type of movements disclosed in the above patents.


Provided is a composition for use in producing a film having a prism type retroreflection structure, the composition being capable of favorably forming a prism type retroreflection structure by thermal transfer, while being superior in weather resistance and transparency and the film having breakage resistance. The composition contains: (A) an acrylic polymer produced by polymerizing (a-2) a monomer component in the presence of (A-1) a crosslinked acrylic polymer; and (B) a thermoplastic acrylic polymer, the composition having a fluidity (MFR: measured under heating at 230° C. and compression at 37.3 N) of 1 to 14, and having a gel content of 25 to 50% by weight with respect to 100% by weight in total of the acrylic polymer (A) and the thermoplastic acrylic polymer (B).

General retroreflection sheets have a laminate structure constituted with a surface protective layer, a mid layer as needed, and a reflective element layer. A method for achieving a desired retroreflective property has been known in which a large number of micro prisms are provided on one surface of the reflective element layer (hereinafter, may be also referred to as "prism type retroreflection structure") as a means for achieving a retroreflective property.
For producing a reflective element layer having a prism type retroreflection structure (hereinafter, may be also referred to as "prism type retroreflective element layer"), a large number of micro prisms are formed on a film surface by carrying out thermal transfer to a flat film using a die for molding prisms. Thus, thermal transfer properties (prism formability) are required for materials that constitute a reflective element layer. Herein, the "thermal transfer property" means a performance required for forming micro prisms having a favorable shape by thermal transfer so as to enable the obtained reflective element layer to have a sufficient retroreflective property.
Conventionally employed materials that constitute a reflective element layer include polycarbonate resins in light of thermal transfer properties. However, polycarbonate resins are disadvantageous in terms of weather resistance. Therefore, a film constituted with an acrylic resin is laminated as a surface protective layer on a reflective element layer constituted with a polycarbonate resin to manufacture commercially products of retroreflection sheets that are favorable in weather resistance.
Also, when a prism type retroreflection sheet is industrially produced, it is necessary to cut a long prism type retroreflection sheet after the production to give an appropriate size; however, the micro prism on the surface of the sheet is likely to be an initiation point of a crack in the cutting, leading to a problem of ease in development of breakage of the sheet.
On the other hand, acrylic resins are advantageous in that they are superior in weather resistance and also superior in transparency, as is clear from use in the surface protective layers described above. However, acrylic films are disadvantageous in that upon application or attachment of the same on an undulatory substrate, breakage is likely to be developed at the resulting curved face portions.
In Patent Documents 1 and 2, an acrylic film that is superior in formability while securing transparency is reported, in which a crosslinked elastic acrylic resin is used. However, these documents merely investigate only formability upon in-mold molding, and thermal transfer properties are not in any way suggested. Still more, use of an acrylic resin as a component material of a reflective element layer having a prism type retroreflection structure is not also disclosed.

Composition for film having prism-type retroreflection structure formed on the surface thereof


Single crystals of binary and ternary compounds of alkaline earth and a chalcogen, with or without a transition element, are grown by: charging a reaction vessel with an alkaline earth chalcogenide, with or without a transition element or a halide thereof, an acidic mineralizer, and anhydrous ammonia to where the fill factor in the reaction vessel is 30-95%; sealing the reaction vessel to the outside atmosphere; heating the contents of the reaction vessel to a temperature of at least 300.degree. C. until single crystal materials visible to the eye form in the reaction vessel; cooling the contents of the reaction vessel; and extracting the single crystal materials from the reaction vessel.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a process for growing single crystal chalcogenide materials or compounds of one or more divalent metals, with or without a transition element. The divalent metals are selected from alkaline earths, Group 12 elements, and europium.
2. Description of Prior Art
Single crystals of CaS, with no added impurity, have been grown by vapor phase transport using iodine. Typically, the charge of powdered CaS was located at one end of a silica ampoule of about 200 mm in length and 28 mm bore. After gently heating in vacuum with about 1 .mu.g/mm.sup.3 of iodine added to the charge, the ampoule was sealed under vacuum and then placed in a furnace with the CaS charge at about 1130.degree. C. and the growth end of the ampoule at about 830.degree. C.
Single crystals of alkaline earth chalcogenides have been prepared by the floating zone method using a Xe-arc image furnace. The starting sulfide powder materials were prepared by heating the respective carbonates at 1100.degree. C. in a gas stream mixture of H.sub.2 S/H.sub.2. The products were pulverized to fine powders and the procedure was repeated to obtain final materials. The powders were then stuffed into a thin rubber tube forming a rigid rod 3-6 mm wide and 100-150 mm long. The tube was then immersed in an oil cylinder of an oil press and was compressed under a hydrostatic pressure of about 1000 kg/mm.sup.3. After peeling off the rubber tube, a rod of compressed powder was obtained which was sufficiantly stiff without any binder or subsequent sintering.
Using the Kitazawa et al. Xe-arc image furnace, a first piece of the pressed rod was mounted at bottom therein to serve as a seed for single crystal formation and a second piece of the pressed rod was mounted at top of the apparatus spaced from but coaxial with the first piece. Discharge of the Xe lamp was focussed at the top of the seed rod, thus forming a hot spot. The second piece was slowly lowered towards the first while the discharge current of the lamp was increased until the tip of the second rod was melted to form a melted drop of the second piece of the rod. At this point, lowering of the second piece was stopped and the first piece was raised towards the hot spot to form a floating melt zone when the melted drop of the second piece was fused with the first piece in the hot spot. Then the lower part of the floating melt zone was slowly pulled down out of the hot spot and was solidified into crystalline form. By sweeping the melt zone across the second rod piece on the feed rod, growth of the single crystal took place along the <100> direction. Seed crystals from this process can be used to grow single crystals of larger size.
Polycrystalline samples of the series Ca.sub.1-X Y.sub.2x/3 S, with x=0.2-0.7, were prepared by reacting mixtures of stoichiometric quantities of the binary sulfides at 1025.degree. C. for 10 days and then slowly cooling to encourage cation/vacancy ordering. Reactions were carried out in carbon crucibles enclosed in evacuated silica ampoules that had been previously outgassed under vacuum at 900.degree. C. Single crystals were grown from eutectic CaCl.sub.2 :KCl flux and 1:1 molar mixture of the binary sulfides. The reaction mixture consisting of charge and flux at respective weight ratio of 1:6.5 was heated at 1025.degree. C. for 3 weeks and then slowly cooled to room temperature.
Crystals of CaY.sub.2 S.sub.4, SrY.sub.2 S.sub.4 and BaY.sub.2 S.sub.4 were grown from eutectic halide fluxes having melting points in the range of about 620-645.degree. C. Synthesis was carried out in carbon crucibles enclosed in silica ampoules evacuated to less than 10.sup.-4 Torr that were previously outgassed under vacuum at about 900.degree. C. Exposure of the reaction mixtures to moisture was minimized and the fluxes were stored in a vacuum oven at 140.degree. C. For crystal growth of CaY.sub.2 S.sub.4 and SrY.sub.2 S.sub.4 crystals, the charges were 1:1 molar mixtures of the respective binary sulfides whereas for BaY.sub.2 S.sub.4 crystals, the polycrystalline form of the compound was used, the compound being prepared by reacting a stoichiometric mixture of the binary sulfides at 1000.degree. C. for 1 month. The crystals were obtained by heating about 1:10 charge:flux mixture over a period exceeding 10 hours to above 1000.degree. C., soaking for up to 20 days and then slowly cooling. The crystals were separated from the flux by soaking in distilled water.

Ammonothermal growth of chalcogenide single crystal materials

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


The present invention is directed to novel peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Methods for the use of the protease inhibitors are also described.

Peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid inhibitors of cysteine proteases, methods for making these, compounds, and methods for using the same are disclosed.
Numerous cysteine proteases have been identified in human tissues. A xe2x80x9cproteasexe2x80x9d is an enzyme which degrades proteins into smaller components (peptides). The term xe2x80x9ccysteine proteasexe2x80x9d refers to proteases which are distinguished by presence therein of a cysteine residue which plays a critical role in the catalytic process. Mammalian systems, including humans, normally degrade and process proteins via a variety of enzymes including cysteine proteases. However, when present at elevated levels or when abnormally activated, cysteine proteases are involved in pathophysiological processes.
For example, calcium-activated neutral proteases (xe2x80x9ccalpainsxe2x80x9d) comprise a family of intracellular cysteine proteases which are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues. Two major calpains have been identified; calpain I and calpain II. While calpain II is the predominant form in many tissues, calpain I is thought to be the predominant form in pathological conditions of nerve tissues. The calpain family of cysteine proteases has been implicated in many diseases and disorders, including neurodegeneration, stroke, Alzheimer""s disease, amyotrophy, motor neuron damage, spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injury, acute central nervous system injury, muscular dystrophy, bone resorption, platelet aggregation, cataracts and inflammation. Calpain I has been implicated in excitatory amino-acid induced neurotoxicity disorders including ischemia, spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injury, hypoglycemia and epilepsy.
The lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin B has been implicated in arthritis, inflammation, myocardial infarction, tumor metastasis, and muscular dystrophy. Other lysosomal cysteine proteases include cathepsins C, H, L and S. Interleukin-1xcex2 converting enzyme (ICE) is a cysteine protease which catalyzes the formation of interleukin-1xcex2. Interleukin-1xcex2 is an immunoregulatory protein implicated in inflammation, diabetes, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer""s disease. ICE has also been linked to apoptotic cell death of neurons which is implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson""s disease, ischemia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Cysteine proteases are also produced by various pathogens. The cysteine protease clostripain is produced by Clostridium histolyticum. Other proteases are produced by Trpanosoma cruzi, malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and P.vinckei and Streptocococcus. Viral cysteine proteases such as HAV C3 are essential for processing of picornavirus structural proteins and enzymes.
Given the link between cysteine proteases and various debilitating disorders, compounds which inhibit these proteases would be useful and would provide an advance in both research and clinical settings.
The present invention is directed to novel cysteine protease inhibitors which we refer to as peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acids. Exemplary compounds are represented by Formula I:
Constituent members and preferred embodiments are defined infra.
The compounds of the invention are useful for the inhibition of cysteine proteases. Beneficially, these compounds find utility in a variety of settings. For example, in a research arena, the subject compounds can be used as standards for screening in the discovery of agents for treating disorders associated with abnormal and/or aberrant activity of cysteine proteases. In a therapeutic arena, the compounds can be used to alleviate, mediate, reduce, and/or prevent disorders which are associated with abnormal and/or aberrant activity of cysteine proteases. One particular advantage of the subject compounds is that they have unexpectedly excellent solubility in aqueous media, approximately between 1 and 300 mg/mL. Thus, the compounds can be easily administered parenterally, for example intravenously, intrathecally or supradurally by bolus or infusion in the clinical or laboratory setting in media such as aqueous saline buffer.
Also disclosed are methodologies for making the peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acids. These and other features of the invention are set forth in more detail below.
Novel cysteine protease inhibitors have been discovered which are represented by Formula I:
wherein:
* denotes the xcex1-carbon of an xcex1-amino acid residue having the L configuration;
o denotes a carbon having either stereochemical configuration, or a mixture thereof;
A is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, aryl having from 6 to about 14 carbons, heterocyclyl having from about 5 to about 14 ring atoms, heterocycloalkyl having from about 5 to about 14 ring atoms, aralkyl having from about 7 to about 15 carbons, and heteroarylalkyl, said alkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl and heteroarylalkyl groups being optionally substituted with J;
B is selected from the group consisting of C(xe2x95x90O), OC(xe2x95x90O) S(xe2x95x90O) S (xe2x95x90O)2, and NR4C(xe2x95x90O), where R4 is H or lower alkyl;
each Aaa is independently an amino acid which optionally contains one or more blocking groups;
n is 0, 1, 2, or 3;
G is selected from the group consisting of H, C(xe2x95x90O)NR5R6, C(xe2x95x90O)OR5, CF3, CF2R5, P(xe2x95x90O)(R5)(OR6) and P(xe2x95x90O)(OR5)(OR6);
J is selected from the group consisting of halogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl substituted with aralkyloxy, C(xe2x95x90O)OR7, OC(xe2x95x90O)R7, NR8C(xe2x95x90O)OR7, OR7, CN, NO2, NR7R8, Nxe2x95x90C(R7)R8, SR7, S(xe2x95x90O)R7, S(xe2x95x90O)2R7, and C(xe2x95x90NR7)NHR8;
R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic, and heterocycloalkyl, said lower alkyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic, and heterocycloalkyl groups being optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, monoarylamino, diarylamino, or halogen groups;
R1, R2, and R3, independently, are selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl, aryl, and heterocyclyl, said lower alkyl, aryl and heterocyclyl groups being optionally substituted with one or more J groups;
or R2 and R3, may be taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are attached to form a 4-8 membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or more J groups;
R7 and R8, independently, are selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic, and heterocycloalkyl, said lower alkyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic, and heterocycloalkyl groups being optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, monoarylamino, diarylamino, or halogen groups;
M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, aluminum, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-, or tetraalkylammonium, morpholinium, piperidinium, and megluminium; and
with the proviso that R2 and R3 taken together is other than xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94.
In some preferred embodiments of the compounds of Formula I R1 is lower alkyl or lower alkyl substituted with J.
In some preferred embodiments, J is cycloalkyl, aryl, or aryl substituted with aralkyloxy. In more preferred embodiments, R1 is ethyl, isopropyl, benzyl, isobutyl, cyclohexylmethyl, or 4-benzyloxybenzyl.
In other preferred embodiments, R2 is alkyl or cycloalkyl. In more preferred embodiments, R2 is isobutyl, isopropyl, or cyclopentyl.
In some preferred embodiments, R3 is H. In other preferred embodiments, R2 and R3 are taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are attached to form a 4-8 membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or more J groups.
In some preferred embodiments, G is H or C(xe2x95x90O)NHEt. More preferably, G is H.
In further preferred embodiments, A is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl. In especially preferred embodiments, A is methyl, tolyl, naphthyl, benzyl, or tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl. Most preferably, A is benzyl.
In still other preferred embodiments, B is C(xe2x95x90O), OC(xe2x95x90O), or S(xe2x95x90O)2. In more preferred embodiments, B is C(xe2x95x90O) or OC(xe2x95x90O). In especially preferred embodiments, A is benzyl and B is OC(xe2x95x90O).
In further preferred embodiments, R3 is H, n is 0, 1, or 2, and M is sodium. Most preferably, n is 0.
In still further preferred embodiments, Aaa is independently Ala, Phe, or Leu.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9calkylxe2x80x9d includes straight-chain, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon groups such as, for example, ethyl, isopropyl and cyclopentyl groups. Preferred alkyl groups have 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. xe2x80x9cCycloalkylxe2x80x9d groups are cyclic alkyl groups. xe2x80x9cArylxe2x80x9d groups are aromatic cyclic compounds including but not limited to phenyl, tolyl, naphthyl, anthracyl, phenanthryl, pyrenyl, and xylyl. Preferred aryl groups include phenyl and naphthyl. The term xe2x80x9ccarbocyclicxe2x80x9d, as used herein, refers to cyclic groups in which the ring portion is composed solely of carbon atoms. The term xe2x80x9clower alkylxe2x80x9d refers to alkyl groups of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. The term xe2x80x9chalogenxe2x80x9d refers to F, Cl, Br, and I atoms. The term xe2x80x9caralkylxe2x80x9d denotes alkyl groups which bear aryl groups, for example, benzyl groups. As used herein, xe2x80x9calkoxyxe2x80x9d groups-are alkyl groups linked through an oxygen atom. Examples of alkoxy groups include methoxy (xe2x80x94OCH3) and ethoxy (xe2x80x94OCH2CH3) groups. In general, the term xe2x80x9coxyxe2x80x9d when used as a suffix denotes attachment through an oxygen atom. Thus, alkoxycarbonyl groups are carbonyl groups which contain an alkoxy substituent, i.e., groups of general formula xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94R, where R is alkyl. The term xe2x80x9caryloxyxe2x80x9d denotes an aryl group linked through an oxygen atom, and the term xe2x80x9caralkyloxyxe2x80x9d denotes an aralkyl group linked through an oxygen atom.
The terms xe2x80x9cheterocyclexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cheterocyclylxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cheterocyclicxe2x80x9d refer to cyclic groups in which a ring portion includes at least one heteroatom such as O, N or S. Heterocyclic groups include xe2x80x9cheteroarylxe2x80x9d as well as xe2x80x9cheteroalkylxe2x80x9d groups. xe2x80x9cHeterocycloalkylxe2x80x9d denotes a heterocycle attached through a lower alkyl group. The term xe2x80x9cheteroarylxe2x80x9d denotes aryl groups having one or more hetero atoms contained within an aromatic ring. The term xe2x80x9cheteroarylalkylxe2x80x9d denotes a heteroaryl group attached through an alkyl group. The term xe2x80x9cheteroalkylxe2x80x9d denotes a heterocyclic group which contains at least one saturated carbon atom in a heterocyclic ring. Examples of heteroalkyl groups include piperidine, dihydropyridine, and tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl groups.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9camino acidxe2x80x9d denotes a molecule containing both an amino group and a carboxyl group. As used herein the term xe2x80x9cL-amino acidxe2x80x9d denotes an xcex1-amino acid having the L-configuration around the xcex1-carbon, that is, a carboxylic acid of general formula CH(COOH)(NH2)xe2x88x92(side chain), having the L-configuration. The term xe2x80x9cD-amino acidxe2x80x9d similarly denotes a carboxylic acid of general formula CH(COOH) (NH2)xe2x88x92(side chain), having the D-configuration around the xcex1-carbon. Side chains of L-amino acids include naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring moieties. Nonnaturally occurring (i.e., unnatural) amino acid side chains are moieties that are used in place of naturally occurring amino acid sidechains in, for example, amino acid analogs. See, for example, Lehninger, Biochemistry, Second Edition, Worth publishers, Inc, 1975, pages 73-75. One representative amino acid side chain is the lysyl side chain, xe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94NH2. Other representative xcex1-amino acid side chains are shown below in Table 1.
The amino acid substituents denoted xe2x80x9cAaaxe2x80x9d in the compounds of Formula I can be identical to each other, or can be different from each other.
Compounds of Formula I contain a moiety of formula:
wherein the symbol xe2x80x9coxe2x80x9d denotes a carbon atom which can be in either stereochemical configuration (i.e., R or S). Thus, included within the present invention are compounds of Formula I wherein the carbon atom denoted by xe2x80x9coxe2x80x9d has the R configuration, compounds of Formula I wherein the carbon atom denoted by xe2x80x9coxe2x80x9d has the S configuration, and any mixtures thereof.
Functional groups present in the compounds of Formula I may contain blocking groups. Blocking groups are known per se as chemical functional groups that can be selectively appended to functionalities, such as hydroxyl groups, amino groups, thio groups, and carboxyl groups. Protecting groups are blocking groups which can be readily removed from functionalities. These groups are present in a chemical compound to render such functionality inert to chemical reaction conditions to which the compound is exposed. Any of a variety of protecting groups may be employed with the present invention. Examples of such protecting groups are the benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz; Z), t-butoxycarbonyl, methyl ester, and benzyl ether groups. Other preferred protecting groups according to the invention may be found in Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G. M., xe2x80x9cProtective Groups in Organic Synthesisxe2x80x9d 2d. Ed., Wiley and Sons, 1991.
Further blocking groups useful in the compounds of the present invention include those that bear acyl, aroyl, lower alkyl, alkanesulfonyl, aralkanesulfonyl, or arylsulfonyl substituents on their amino groups.
The peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acids of the invention have the unexpected advantage of excellent solubility in aqueous media, preferably approximately between 1 and 300 mg/mL, and preferably at temperatures between approximately 0xc2x0 and 40xc2x0 C., with 25xc2x0 C. being especially preferred. The compounds of the invention are preferably soluble at concentrations greater than about 5 mg/mL. More preferably, the compounds of the invention are soluble at concentrations above about 20 mg/mL. Thus, the compounds can be easily administered parenterally, for example intravenously, by bolus or infusion in the clinical or laboratory setting in media such as optionally buffered water, aqueous saline, or aqueous saline buffers at approximately pH 5 to 8, preferably pH 6.5 to 7.5. Examples of these media include water, optionally buffered 0.85% (145 mM) sodium chloride, phosphate buffered saline (10 mM phosphate, 120 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, pH 7.4), and Locke""s buffer (10 mM HEPES, 154 mM NaCl, 5.6 mM KCl, 2.3 mM CaCl2, 5 uM glycine, 20 mM glucose, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, pH 7.4). The enhanced aqueous solubility of the compounds of the invention is a significant improvement over the solubilities of many other cysteine protease inhibitors. For example, the aqueous solubility of the analogous dipeptide aldehyde and xcex1-ketoamide inhibitors are typically less than 1 mg/mL. See Harbeson et al. J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 2918-2929.
Because the peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acids of the invention inhibit cysteine proteases, they can be used in both research and therapeutic settings. Inhibition of cysteine protease activity can be measured using compounds of the invention. Thus, in a research environment, preferred compounds having defined attributes can be used to screen for natural and synthetic compounds which evidence similar characteristics in inhibiting protease activity. The compounds of the invention also can be used in the refinement of in vitro and in vivo models for determining the effects of inhibition of particular proteases on particular cell types or biological conditions. In a therapeutic setting, given the connection between cysteine proteases and certain defined disorders, compounds of the invention can be utilized to alleviate, mediate, reduce and/or prevent disorders which are associated with abnormal and/or aberrant activity of cysteine proteases.
In preferred embodiments, compositions are provided for inhibiting a cysteine protease comprising a compound of the invention. In other preferred embodiments, methods are provided for inhibiting cysteine proteases comprising contacting a protease selected from the group consisting of cysteine proteases with an inhibitory amount of a compound of the invention.
The disclosed compounds of the invention are useful for the inhibition of cysteine proteases. As used herein, the terms xe2x80x9cinhibitxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cinhibitionxe2x80x9d mean having an adverse effect on enzymatic activity. An inhibitory amount is an amount of a compound of the invention effective to inhibit a cysteine protease. The term xe2x80x9creversiblexe2x80x9d, when used to modify xe2x80x9cinhibitxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cinhibitionxe2x80x9d, means that such adverse effect on catalytic activity can be reversed. The term xe2x80x9cirreversiblexe2x80x9d, when used to modify xe2x80x9cinhibitxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cinhibitionxe2x80x9d, means that such adverse effect on catalytic activity cannot be reversed.
Compounds provided herein can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions by admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic excipients and carriers. As noted above, such compositions may be prepared for use in parenteral administration, particularly in the form of liquid solutions or suspensions; or oral administration, particularly in the form of tablets or capsules; or intranasally, particularly in the form of powders, nasal drops, or aerosols; or dermally, via, for example, trans-dermal patches; or prepared in other suitable fashions for these and other forms of administration as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The composition may conveniently be administered in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the pharmaceutical art, for example, as described in Remington""s Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Pub. Co., Easton, Pa., 1980). Formulations for parenteral administration may contain as common excipients sterile water or saline, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, oils and vegetable origin, hydrogenated naphthalenes and the like. In particular, biocompatible, biodegradable lactide polymer, lactide/glycolide copolymer, or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers may be useful excipients to control the release of the active compounds. Other potentially useful parenteral delivery systems for these active compounds include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer particles, osmotic pumps, implantable infusion systems, and liposomes. Formulations for inhalation administration contain as excipients, for example, lactose, or may be aqueous solutions containing, for example, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, glycocholate and deoxycholate, or oily solutions for administration in the form of nasal drops, or as a gel to be applied intranasally. Formulations for parenteral administration may also include glycocholate for buccal administration, a salicylate for rectal administration, or citric acid for vaginal administration. Formulations for transdermal patches are preferably lipophilic emulsions.
The materials of this invention can be employed as the sole active agent in a pharmaceutical or can be used in combination with other active ingredients. The concentrations of the compounds described herein in a therapeutic composition will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the dosage of the drug to be administered, the chemical characteristics (e.g., hydrophobicity) of the compounds employed, and the route of administration. In general terms, the compounds of this invention may be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing about 0.1 to 30% w/v compound for parenteral administration. Typical dose ranges are from about 1 xcexcg/kg to about 1 g/kg of body weight per day; a preferred dose range is from about 0.01 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. The preferred dosage of drug to be administered is likely to depend on such-variables as the type and extent of progression of the disease or disorder, the overall health status of the particular patient, the relative biological efficacy of the compound selected, and formulation of the compound excipient, and its route of administration.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9ccontactingxe2x80x9d means directly or indirectly causing at least two moieties to come into physical association with each other. Contacting thus includes physical acts such as placing a compound of the invention together with a protease in a container, or administering a compound of the invention to a patient. Thus, for example, administering a compound of the invention to a human patient evidencing a disease or disorder associated with abnormal and/or aberrant activity of such proteases falls within the scope of the definition of the term xe2x80x9ccontactingxe2x80x9d.
The invention is further illustrated by way of the following examples which are intended to elucidate the invention. These examples are not intended, nor are they to be construed, as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Peptidyl-2-amino-1-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid cysteine protease inhibitors


A transmission assembly comprises: a motor; a shift actuator mechanism coupled to the motor; a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a first magnet assembly coupled to the sun gear; a ring gear assembly coupled to a shift coupler, the shift coupler being configured to engage via the shift actuator mechanism; a second magnet assembly coupled to a housing face plate, the housing face plate being coupled to an output gear box; and a planet carrier coupled to an output pinion in communication with the output gearbox. The planet carrier comprises at least one planet gear. In a first mode, the ring gear is locked to the first magnet assembly and configured to rotate with the sun gear, the ring gear being configured to prevent the rotation of the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear. In a second mode, the ring gear is locked to the second magnet assembly allowing the sun gear to engage the at least one planet gear, the sun gear being configured to rotate the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at a reduced speed from the sun gear.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described in any way.
A transmission or gearbox generally provides speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source, such as, for example, a motor, to another device using gear ratios. In large electric systems, such as, for example, electric vehicle drive trains, a transmission adapts the output of an electric motor to a vehicle's drive wheels. The transmission reduces a high motor speed to a slower wheel speed, increasing torque in the process. Transmissions generally have multiple gear ratios (or simply "gears"), with the ability to switch between gears ratios as the vehicle's speed varies.
Due to size and weight constraints, transmissions are typically not used in small electric systems (i.e., with small electric motors), such as, for example, robotic joints and small mobile robots. Because small motors are generally not capable of switching between gears, such devices are presently limited to a single torque output, generally being considered either strong and slow (i.e., with high torque and low speed), or weak and fast (i.e., with low torque and high speed).
It may, therefore, be desirable to provide a transmission assembly that is scalable to any size input motor, allowing for an increased dynamic output range (i.e., torque and speed range) in small electric systems, such as, for example, robotic joints. It also may be desirable to provide a transmission assembly that is able to reliably shift between drive-modes, in a fraction of an actuator time-constant, to optimize motor strength, speed, and efficiency. Furthermore, it may be desirable to provide a transmission assembly that provides failsafe operation, preventing transmission failure while passing through a neutral state.


A method of treating patients by using a pharmaceutical composition for intra-intestinal administration comprises (i) a dopamine replacement agents, (ii) a dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor (DDI), and (iii) a COMT inhibitor where the composition is continuously administrated.

Neurodegenerative disorders result when neurons normally do not reproduce or replace themselves, thus damaged neurons cannot be replaced. Progressive degeneration and/or death of neuronal cells often results in problems with movement (e.g., ataxias), or mental functioning (e.g., dementias). Many neurodegenerative disorders are currently considered to be incurable. Examples of neurodegenerative disorders include Parkinson's disease ("PD"), Alzheimer's disease ("AD"), and Huntington's disease ("HD").
Parkinson's disease is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic pathway resulting in reduced concentration of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain which manifests itself as symptoms of slowness of movement (e.g., bradykinesia), rigidity, tremor and poor balance in the patient.
Biochemically, dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is formed by metabolism of dopamine precursors. For example, dopamine is formed by decarboxylation of the precursor levodopa (L-dopa; L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) through the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (also known as DOPA decarboxylase (DDC)), both in the brain and in the peripheral circulation. Levodopa is in turn produced from the amino acid L-tyrosine by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH).
Dopamine is metabolized to homovanillic acid (HVA) mainly through two metabolic pathways, namely (i) via 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) by the enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and (ii) via 3-methoxytyramine by the enzymes catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamino oxidase (MAO).
The most common treatment of PD aims at restoring the dopamine concentration in the brain. Administration of dopamine is ineffective because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. However, since the precursor levodopa does cross the blood-brain barrier, and is converted to dopamine in the brain, administration of levodopa has for a long time been, and still is, the drug of first choice for PD treatment.
It is well established that fluctuations in levodopa plasma concentrations correspond to fluctuations in PD symptoms. The therapeutic window differs between individual patients and all patients have individual pharmacokinetic (PK)profiles. A large group of patients suffering from Parkinson show what is known as 'afternoon wearing off'. These patients require a normal morning dosage followed by an increased levodopa plasma concentration in the afternoon.

Continuous administration of pharmaceutical composition for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders


A cable termination assembly is made up of a connector body having a thin-walled outer sleeve with generally convex surface portion toward its entrance end which enables its use with a number of different compression member configurations to effect positive sealed engagement with one end of a cable, exemplary compression members including an inner connector sleeve-engaging wall surface which is of uniform diameter throughout its substantial length, one with a slight concavity at its leading end to facilitate preassembly onto the connector sleeve, and one with a combination of concave and convex surface portions.

This invention relates to cable termination assemblies; and more particularly relates to a novel and improved termination assembly for efficiently connecting a coaxial cable to a selected device, such as, the terminal on a cable television set.
Coaxial cables are broadly comprised of inner and outer concentric conductors separated by a dielectric insulator and encased or covered by an outer jacket of a rubber-like material. Numerous end connectors have been devised to effect a secure mechanical and electrical connector to the end of the coaxial cable typically by having the inner conductor and dielectric insulator extend through an inner sleeve of the termination assembly while the outer conductor and jacket are inserted into an annular space between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is then crimped in a radially inward direction to securely clamp the end of the cable within the connector, and a fastener on the opposite end of the connector is then connected to the post or terminal, such as, for example, by a nut on the opposite end of the termination assembly to the inner and outer sleeves, or by a bayonet pin and slot between the connecting members, or by means of a suitable press fit or snap fit connection. Representative termination assemblies or connectors that have been devised for this purpose are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,501,616; 6,089,913 and 5,863,220, all invented by the applicant of this patent application.
As a setting for the present invention, the '616 patent referred to above utilizes serrations along an outer surface of the inner sleeve of the connector and sealing ribs along an inner surface of the outer sleeve and in facing relation to the serrations so as to effect a secure weather-tight seal with the outer conductor and jacket which are inserted between the inner and outer sleeves.
There is a continuing need for a compression-type coaxial cable end connector which is capable of achieving an improved localized mechanical connection between the cable end and connector in response to axial advancement of a crimping ring along the end of the cable-receiving connector end and which is conformable for use in different sizes and types of connectors with a simplified crimping ring which may either be preassembled onto the end of the connector prior to shipment to the field or may be assembled when the crimping operation is to be performed.

Bulge-type coaxial cable termination assembly


A transformer structure includes a winding cylinder which is a hollow tube, at least one limiting ring which is a ring sheet, multiple conductive sheets and at least one winding. The limiting ring is able to slide along the winding cylinder and to sleeve on the outside of the winding cylinder. The conductive sheets are sleeved on the outside of the winding cylinder. Two conductive sheets of the conductive sheets are attached to two end surfaces of the limiting ring while the two conductive sheets and the limiting ring form a winding space. The at least one winding is correspondingly disposed in the winding space. Thereby, the assembly of the transformer is simplified, and the winding area, as well as the voltage ratio of the transformer, is increased.

A transformer performs voltage conversion by utilizing the principle of electromagnetic induction. It mainly comprises a winding axis, an iron core, the first and second windings wound around the winding stand, etc. An input voltage is transmitted to the first winding before the iron core generates electromagnetic effects, and this makes the second winding generate output voltage. Since the numbers of turns of the first and second windings are different, a different output voltage can be obtained.
The traditional transformer has multiple double flange bobbins which have a winding groove. The copper wire is wound around the winding groove to form the first winding. Additionally, traditional transformers use the conductive sheet as the second winding. The conductive sheet is disposed between the adjacent double flange bobbins (outside the winding groove). That is, double flange bobbins of the traditional transformer are between the first winding and the second winding. Since the double flange bobbin is with certain thickness, it takes up the winding space on the winding axis, which affects the output voltage of the transformer. Furthermore, the assembly processes of the traditional transformer are complicated.
Hence, the disclosure provides an improved design to solve the aforementioned problems.


A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer having a main surface, a plurality of vertical type light-emitting structures protruding upward from the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a transparent electrode layer covering the plurality of vertical type light-emitting structures; and an insulation-filling layer disposed on the transparent electrode layer. The insulation-filling layer extends parallel to the first conductive type semiconductor layer so as to cover the plurality of vertical type light-emitting structures. A selected one of the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the insulation-filling layer, which is disposed on a light transmission path through which light generated from the plurality of vertical type light-emitting structures is radiated externally, has an uneven outer surface. The uneven outer surface is opposite to an inner surface of the selected one, and the inner surface faces the plurality of vertical type light-emitting structures.

The inventive concepts relate to a light-emitting device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor light-emitting device having a three-dimensional (3D)-type nanostructure.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are semiconductor light-emitting devices, are widely used in various light-sources. For example, LEDs are used for backlighting, lighting devices, signal lamps, and large display devices. As the LED market for illumination has expanded and products having higher current and/or higher output have been required, semiconductor light-emitting devices having a 3D type nanostructure have been developed.


A III nitride semiconductor light emitting device with improved light emission efficiency achieved without significantly increasing forward voltage by achieving both good ohmic contact between an electrode and a semiconductor layer, and sufficient functionality of a reflective electrode layer, and a method for manufacturing the same. The III nitride semiconductor light emitting device has a III nitride semiconductor laminate including an n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer; an n-side electrode, a p-side electrode; and a composite layer having a reflective electrode portion and a contact portion made of AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦0.05) on a second surface of the III nitride semiconductor laminate. The second surface is opposite to a first surface on the light extraction side.

In recent years, ultraviolet LEDs (light emitting diodes) which emit light in an ultraviolet region, particularly having a wavelength of less than 365 nm, have attracted attention as LEDs that can be favorably used in the fields of sterilization, water purification, medical treatment, illumination, high-density optical recording, and the like.
Some of such ultraviolet LEDs are known to have a device structure formed using an AlGaN-based thin film, which is a III nitride semiconductor, as a device material. Specifically, the LEDs are III nitride semiconductor light emitting devices each having a III nitride semiconductor laminate including a light emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer which are formed with the light emitting layer therebetween; a p-type electrode on the p-type semiconductor layer side; and an n-type electrode on the n-type semiconductor layer side.
In a known technique for enhancing the light emission efficiency of the light emitting device, a reflective electrode layer is provided between a semiconductor layer and an electrode that are opposite to the light extraction side of the light emitting device (for example, between the p-type semiconductor layer and the p-side electrode when the n-type electrode side is the light extraction side)(see JP 2007-158131 A and JP 2007-027540 A (PTLs 1 and 2)). The reflective electrode layer reflects part of light produced in the light emitting layer, which is directed toward the p-side electrode, thus increasing the amount of light emitted out from the light extraction side. For example, PTL 1 discloses a III nitride semiconductor light emitting device having a reflectance enhanced by forming a rhodium (Rh) layer or the like as a high reflectance electrode layer on the p-type semiconductor layer.

III nitride semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same


An input control system is operative to set functions of four switches of a switch input section, thereby resolving the problem of intricate operation, particularly the screen scroll operation, which has been encountered by the conventional input scheme based on an input pad and click keys.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input control system for controlling a coordinate input section for the entry of coordinate data on the screen and a switch input section, and particularly to an input control system capable of setting with a control section function of switches arbitrarily which constitute a switch input section.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional computers of the notebook type employ input systems (controllers) which are of the pad type or the stick type for example. These input systems are equipped, in addition to the input pad or input stick, with a switch input section which compares with click keys of a mouse device.
In the pad type, the user slides a fingertip on a flat pad which is located near a keyboard, thereby entering commands to move a displayed pointer (cursor) in the x-axis and y-axis directions on the plane of the screen. The user can have another operation, such as patting the upper section of the pad with a fingertip, thereby entering commands pertinent to the z-axis direction. In case there are click keys provided, these keys function mainly as the right and left click keys of the mouse device.
Switches of the conventional input system have their functions and operational manners fixed mostly, and individual users are not allowed to have operational manners fitted to their own purposes.
For example, for a vertical scroll of the screen based on a pad-type input system, the user slides a fingertip vertically within the area of a certain x-wise width at the edge of the pad, so that the screen is scrolled by the amount of sliding detected in the y-axis direction. Alternatively, the user slides a fingertip on the input pad to move the pointer to coincide with the scroll bar and pushes the click key to move the slider.
However, the scroll operation by sliding a fingertip on the input pad compels the user to make sliding a number of times for a large amount of scrolling, and the slider moving operation by positioning the pointer to the scroll bar compels the user to operate the input pad and click key simultaneously. Nevertheless, these are only manners of scrolling, and users have no other means of screen scrolling.
As described above, the conventional input systems have their associated device functions fixed mostly, and the user's choice for the setting of device functions is limited even though their operational manners are intricate.

Input control system with the ability of setting arbitrary switch functions of the switch input section


An exhaust system of a marine propulsion device is provided with a bifurcated cooling passage in its elbow structure in order to limit the effect of cold water being disposed in thermal communication with exhaust gas passing through the elbow structure. This thermal communication between a stream of cold water and exhaust gas passing through the elbow structure is minimized in order to reduce the likelihood that water vapor will condense out of the stream of exhaust gas as it passes through the elbow structure. An obstruction, or water dam, is used to bifurcate the coolant chamber within the elbow structure while allowing passage of coolant through the obstruction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a marine propulsion system and, more particularly, to a propulsion system that circulates cooling water through water jackets of its exhaust elbows in a manner that reduces the affected surface area in thermal communication with cooling water from a body of water so that condensation of water vapor entrained in the exhaust gas stream is reduced.
2. Background
Those skilled in the art of marine propulsion systems are familiar with various techniques used to conduct exhaust gas away from an internal combustion engine and emit the exhaust gas at a location behind a watercraft. In some applications, the exhaust gas is directed to flow through a marine drive unit and through the central opening of a propeller. In other applications, exhaust gas can be directed to flow through outlets above the surface of a body of water in which the marine vessel is operated. Regardless of the particular routing system used to conduct the flow of exhaust gas to a location behind the watercraft, the vast majority of marine propulsion systems collect the exhaust from the cylinders of an engine, in a manifold structure of some type, and then direct the exhaust gas through an elbow that is connected to one or more exhaust pipes. Typically, in V-type engines, two manifolds and two elbows are used.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,620, which issued to Pace on Oct. 10, 1972, describes a marine engine water cooling device. Improved water jacketed manifolds and water cooling systems for marine engines are described. Water circulation through the manifold water jacket is provided through an apertured pipe which extends through the jacket.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,041, which issued to North et al. on Sep. 18, 1973, discloses an exhaust water separator for marine engines. Arcuate exhaust elbows are provided which force cooling water in the exhaust to the outside by centrifugal action. This water is removed and expelled through the transom.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,712, which issued to Pace on Dec. 25, 1973, describes marine engine cooling. Heated water which is circulated through an engine cooling system for cooling purpose is mixed in the improved engine exhaust manifold water jacket with raw, relatively cool water to controllably cool the manifold and avoid condensing water from the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust manifold.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,318, which issued to Entringer et al. on Mar. 4, 1986, discloses an exhaust elbow for a marine propulsion system. The exhaust elbow has an intake exhaust passage extending upwardly from the engine and communicating through a bend with a discharge exhaust passage, and a water jacket having pockets around the exhaust passages for cooling the latter. A central channel extends longitudinally along the exterior of the exhaust passages to guide water there along to the end of the discharge exhaust passage to mix with exhaust thereat. The central channel has a pair of sidewalls extending longitudinally and laterally tapered away from each other at the outer end of the discharge exhaust passage to create an outward draw from the central channel to minimize break-up of longitudinally outward water flow and maintain the end tip of the discharge exhaust passage dry and prevent water ingestion and creeping back into the discharge exhaust passage due to pulsations of the engine. Dam and port structure is also provided enabling faster heating of the exhaust passage and in turn minimizing condensation within the elbow which may otherwise ingest back into the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,945, which issued to Widmer et al. on Jul. 11, 1989, discloses an exhaust elbow trough. A water jacketed exhaust elbow for a marine propulsion system includes an intake exhaust passage communicating with a discharge exhaust passage, a water jacket around the exhaust passages, and a trough member extending longitudinally along the water channel along the exterior of the discharge exhaust passage to guide water therealong to mix with exhaust at the end of the discharge exhaust passage. The trough member extends beyond the end tip of the discharge exhaust passage and has a sharp edge providing a clean parting surface for the coolant water and preventing ingestion of water back into the discharge exhaust passage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,934, which issued to Lindstedt on Sep. 19, 1989, discloses a marine drive exhaust system with shaped O-ring seals. The exhaust system is provided with resilient, shaped rubber O-ring seals between facing surfaces of the exhaust manifold and exhaust elbow, and the facing surfaces of the exhaust elbow and the exhaust pipe. Each of the shaped O-ring seals has an inner peripheral rib extending peripherally around the exhaust passage and generally conforming to the shape thereof and being spaced laterally between the exhaust passage and the peripheral water passage. Each of the shaped O-ring seals has an outer peripheral rib extending peripherally around the water passages and spaced laterally outward of the inner rib by a gap through which the water passages extend.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,741, which issued to Lulloff et al. on Dec. 18, 1990, discloses a combination exhaust manifold and elbow for marine propulsion systems. A combination exhaust manifold and exhaust elbow for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust cavity for receiving exhaust from the engine, an exhaust passage leaving from the exhaust cavity, and an exhaust discharge outlet. A first water jacket is provided around the exhaust cavity and a second water jacket is provided around the exhaust discharge passage. A dam is provided between the first and second water jackets, having a passage therein for allowing fluid communication between the first and second water jackets. A warm water inlet is provided in the first water jacket around the exhaust cavity for receiving cooling water which has been warmed by the engine, and which flow is controlled by a temperature sensitive thermostat. A cold water inlet is provided adjacent the discharge exhaust passage. The cold water inlet is disposed either upstream or downstream of the dam adjacent the exhaust passage, and allows cold bypass water to be discharged without the necessity of the cold water flowing through the entire assembly, so as to prevent moisture from condensing out of the exhaust in the exhaust cavity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,546, which issued to Yoshimura on Feb. 12, 1991, describes a cooling device for a boat engine. A number of embodiments of cooling systems for internal combustion engines powering marine watercraft are described. The engine coolant jacket delivers its coolant to an exhaust manifold cooling jacket adjacent the inlet end of the exhaust manifold. Coolant is delivered from the exhaust manifold cooling jacket to a further cooling jacket around the inlet portion of an exhaust elbow. In one embodiment, a cooling jacket system is provided for the engine cooling jacket, exhaust manifold cooling jacket and the elbow cooling jacket. In another embodiment, the system discharges coolant back to the body of water in which the watercraft is operating through a further cooling jacket of the exhaust elbow that communicates with its discharge end.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,668, which issued to Lindstedt on May 5, 1992, discloses a marine exhaust manifold and elbow. An exhaust assembly includes a manifold portion, an elbow portion, a water jacket portion, and exhaust runner walls, providing a smooth continuous transition of exhaust gas flow from intake exhaust passages in the manifold portion to transfer exhaust passages in the elbow portion around a bend to a discharge exhaust passage, minimizing turbulent flow of exhaust through the manifold portion and elbow portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,914, which issued to Deavers et al. on Jul. 8, 1997, discloses an exhaust pressure pulsation control apparatus for a marine propulsion system. It has a front ring and a reflector disk located downstream of the front ring. There is a space between the front ring and the reflector disk that is sufficiently large so that the mixture of water and water cooled exhaust passing through the apparatus does not have a significant pressure drop. The apparatus attenuates pressure pulsations in the exhaust system, thereby significantly reducing water ingestion through the exhaust system into the engine. The apparatus does not create significant exhaust back pressure, and typically increases engine maximum power output.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,558, which issued to Erickson on Sep. 18, 2001, discloses an exhaust elbow with a water trap for a marine propulsion system. The water trap section defines a water collection cavity. Within the water trap section, a barrier extends downward into the water collection cavity to define first and second exhaust passages. When water begins to collect in the water collection cavity, the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage is reduced and the velocity of exhaust gases passing through the exhaust passage is increased. The water collection cavity is shaped to be easily cleared when exhaust gas pressure increases as the engine speed increases.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,645, which issued to Allbright et al. on Nov. 12, 2002, describes a moisture migration inhibitor for wet marine exhaust. A moisture inhibitor system for wet exhaust as utilized in marine applications, such as boats and other watercraft, is described. The preferred embodiment contemplates an exhaust manifold having an inner exhaust passage which has situated therein a collection barrier or raised pocket situated to collect moisture migrating from the exhaust port, generally at the stern of the vessel. The collection pocket is heated by the exhaust stream and is formed to collect and retain the migrating moisture while simultaneously the heated walls of the collection barrier evaporate the collected moisture forming moisture vapor which moisture vapor is urged through the exhaust passage and the exhaust port, where it leaves the system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,263, which issued to Jaeger et al. on Jun. 24, 2003, discloses a marine exhaust elbow structure with enhanced water drain capability. The elbow is provided with a stainless steel tube within a water outlet opening to assure that a drain opening remains open even when the exhaust elbow is exposed to a corrosive environment. Since cast iron tends to expand in volume as a result of corrosion of its surface areas, water outlet openings intended to perform a draining function can be partially or fully closed as a result of corrosion. The insertion of a stainless steel tube in one or more water outlet openings of an exhaust elbow assures that an internal water cavity of the elbow can drain when the associated internal combustion engine is turned off, thereby minimizing the possibility of freeze damage to the exhaust components.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,337, which issued to Logan et al. on Nov. 25, 2003, discloses an exhaust system for a marine propulsion engine. A relationship between the exhaust passages and coolant passages of an exhaust manifold and exhaust elbow serves to maintain the joint of the exhaust passage at a higher temperature than would be possible with known exhaust manifolds and exhaust elbows. By providing a space between surfaces of a raised exhaust portion of the components and surfaces of the raised coolant portions of the exhaust system, leakage from the coolant conduit to the exhaust cavities is avoided.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,004, which issued to White et al. on Oct. 5, 2004, discloses a marine exhaust cooling system. It uses an orifice to distribute liquid coolant flow between two alternative and parallel paths. One coolant path passes through a generally horizontal portion of an exhaust elbow and the other coolant path passes through the orifice and directly to a vertical riser of the exhaust elbow. The ratio of flow between the two paths changes as a function of engine speed because of the operation of the orifice which provides increased resistance to flow as a function of increased pressure drop across the orifice.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,520, which issued to Hughes et al. on Aug. 16, 2005, discloses a cooling method for a marine propulsion system. It directs a portion of a recirculating stream of cooling water to a first portion of an exhaust manifold so that the cooling jacket of the exhaust manifold can be maintained in a filled condition. Water flows upwardly through the cooling jacket and exits through a port in the exhaust manifold back into a recirculating stream of cooling water that passes through a recirculation pump, the cooling passage of an engine, and a cavity of a thermostat housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,222, which issued to Auck et al. on Sep. 23, 2008, describes a reversion control device for a watercraft exhaust system. The device is a reversion control device including a housing for a stationary vane and a flapper. In one example, the housing includes an expansion chamber to house the stationary vane and the flapper.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
Marine propulsion systems normally draw water from a body of water in which the marine vessel is operating and direct the water to flow through various devices in order to remove heat from heat producing components. The temperature of the water drawn from the body of water can vary significantly, depending on the season of the year and the geographical region where the body of water is located. The exhaust gases produced by the engine contain water vapor. Exposing the stream of exhaust gas to low temperatures caused by the use of cold cooling water can result in condensation within the exhaust conduits of the system. The formation of condensation can be significantly disadvantageous, as described within numerous ones of the patents cited above. Among these disadvantages is the potential flow of condensed water back toward the exhaust ports of the engines' cylinders. In addition, if the engine is provided with one or more catalyst devices, the condensed water can possibly flow toward and in contact with the catalyst components. It would therefore be significantly advantageous if the creation of condensed water vapor in the exhaust conduits could be reduced or eliminated.

Marine exhaust elbow with condensation reducing water circulation system


A method for controlling an electronically commutated DC motor is provided, the DC motor including at least one particularly permanent magnetic rotor and a wound stator, which is a drive motor for an adjuster device on a pneumatically operated disc brake. The rotor position is determined from electrically measured parameters without sensing of the rotor position. The invention is characterized in that two determination methods for determining the rotor position from electrically measured parameters are combined with each other, whereby one is an inductive measurement and a further one of the determination methods is a measurement of the inducted voltage.

The invention relates to a method of controlling an electronically commutated d.c. motor having, in particular at least one permanent-magnetic rotor and a wound stator. The d.c. motor is a driving motor for an adjusting device of a pneumatically actuated disc brake. A position of the rotor is determined from electrically measurable parameters without any sensing of the rotor position.
Various methods are known of controlling electrically commutated d.c. motors, in which the angle-of-rotation position and/or the position of the rotor is determined from directly measurable electric quantities, such as the current or voltage, without the use of a position sensor.
Thus, European Patent document EP 0 536 113 discloses the determination of the rotor position from an inductance measurement. This method is characterized by a high precision while the demand for computing power is relatively high.
In view of this prior art, one aspect of the invention is to further develop the method of the above-mentioned type such that a satisfactory position recognition is achieved at many different rotational speeds of the rotor, preferably while reducing the computing power demand.
The invention solves this task by method of controlling an electronically commutated d.c. motor, which has at least one, in particular, permanent-magnetic rotor and a wound stator. The d.c. motor is a driving motor of an adjusting device of a pneumatically actuated disc brake. The rotor position is determined from electrically measurable parameters without any sensing of the rotor position. Two determination methods for detecting the rotor position from electrically measurable quantities are combined with one another. One of the determination methods includes an inductance measurement and another of the determination methods includes measurement of the induced voltage.
Advantageous embodiments are described and claimed herein.
According to the invention, for determining the rotor position, two determination methods for determining the rotor position from electrically measurable parameters or quantities are combined with one another. One of the determination methods includes an inductance measurement and another of the determination methods includes a measurement of the induced voltage.
It is advantageous for two or more determination methods to be mutually combined in this manner. One determination method operates particularly well at low rotational speeds, while the other is more precise at higher rotational speeds. Particularly, in the case of a use on an adjusting device of a disc brake, the position of the rotor should always be determined very precisely in order to prevent a faulty operation of the adjusting device. This is particularly true because only limited computer power is available at the disc brake.
The invention is particularly suitable for controlling a commutated d.c. motor, which is used as the drive of an adjusting device of a preferably pneumatically actuated (with the exception of the adjustment function) brake disc, as known, for example, from European Patent application PCT/EP01/09367.
It is true that it is known per se (see the article "New Commutation Electronics for Low-Noise-Operated Brushless Electric Motors", Drive Technology 40, 2001, No. 10) to determine the rotor position not only by using an inductance measurement, but also from the induced voltage in the non-energized winding. It is also known that this method requires a lower computing power than the determination by the use of an inductance measurement. The processor can thus be smaller and can, therefore, have a more cost-effective design.
On the other hand, it is also known that the method disclosed in Drive Technology supplies precise, usable results only starting at certain rotational speeds.
Thus, when the rotational speed again falls below a minimum rotational speed, according to a variant of the invention, a switch-over takes place again to the method for the inductance measurement (European Patent document EP 0 536 113), which method operates well, particularly at lower rotational speeds, but is more intensive with respect to the needed computer power (and is therefore more suitable for low rotational speeds).
It is beneficial that, also at a zero rotational speed, a result is available, which is an advantage particularly in the case of a use on a brake.

Method for controlling an electronically-commutated dc motor

Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH


A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a charge pump for issuing an internal power supply voltage higher than an external power supply voltage, two level detectors for detecting a magnitude of the internal power supply voltage issued from the charge pump, and a composite ring oscillator including two ring oscillators connected to these level detectors and having different oscillation frequencies, respectively. Depending on the magnitude of the internal power supply voltage issued from the charge pump, the signals generated by the ring oscillators are selectively issued to the charge pump.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits, and in particular to semiconductor integrated circuits which includes a circuit for generating a voltage higher than an externally supplied power supply voltage and a circuit for generating a negative voltage lower than a ground voltage.
2. Description of the Background Art
Present MOS semiconductor integrated circuits have boosted power supply circuit systems which generate an internal power supply voltage higher than an externally supplied power supply voltage and internally supply the same into the semiconductor integrated circuits so that high-level signals may be transmitted without lowering the level even if N-type MOSFETs are used.
Also, the MOS semiconductor integrated circuits have power supply circuit systems for generating an internal voltage lower than an externally supplied ground voltage and internally supply the same to the semiconductor integrated circuits so that a fast operation with a reduced power consumption may be achieved by reducing a coupling capacity at a drain node, and an operation margin may be increased by reducing a variation in threshold voltage due to a substrate effect.
The power supply circuit systems are required to detect a variation in the internal voltage due to an operation current and a leak current and thereby maintain the internal voltage within a range which can maintain the semiconductor integrated circuit at the normal state.
The variation in internal voltage is caused by flow of at least 2-digit number of currents including a current smaller than 100 nA caused by the semiconductor solid-state properties during standby and variation in performance due to manufacturing as well as a current on the order of 10 .mu.A caused by a circuit structure such as a bias current. When currents including up to an operation current on the order of 10 mA during the circuit operation are taken into consideration, the above variation in internal voltage is caused by flow of up to 5-digit number of currents.
FIG. 14 shows a structure of a boosted power supply circuit in the prior art having two detection levels. This circuit includes an output node N1, a first system circuit 1 provided for suppressing lowering from a set voltage and having a small current supply capacity per time, and a second system circuit 9 connected in parallel with first system circuit 1 and provided for rapid restoration from lowering from the set voltage.
First system circuit 1 includes a level detector 3 which has a detection level near the set voltage and has a response time t1 longer than a level detector 11, a ring oscillator 5 having a longer period T1 than a ring oscillator 13, and a charge pump 7 having a current supply capacity Q1 per period. In a continuous operation, the current supply capacity per time is equal to Q1/T1.
Second system circuit 9 includes level detector 11 which has a detection level at a voltage lower than the set voltage of level detector 3 and has a response time t2 shorter than level detector 3, a ring oscillator 13 having a shorter period T2 than ring oscillator 5, and a charge pump 15 of a current supply capacity Q2 per period. In the continuous operation, the current supply capacity per time is Q2/T2, and is larger than current supply capacity Q1/T1 of first system circuit.
FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing specific structures of ring oscillators 5 and 13. As shown in FIG. 15, ring oscillators 5 and 13 have the same circuit structure, and each include an NAND circuit 16 and inverters INV1-INV5 connected in series. However, MOS transistors forming inverters INV1-INV4 included in ring oscillator 5 have gate lengths sufficiently longer than those of MOS transistors of inverters INV1-INV4 included in ring oscillator 13. Also, period T1 of ring oscillator 5 is longer than period T2 of ring oscillator 13.
An operation of the boosted power supply circuit described above will now be described below.
Owing to electric charges Q accumulated in a decouple capacity Cd, the potential on output node N1 is maintained at a potential VPP (=Q/Cd):
During standby, charges Q accumulated in decouple capacitor Cd are lost due to a leak current which is unavoidable due to the semiconductor solid-state properties and a leak current which is unavoidable due to the circuit structures, so that potential VPP lowers. During operation, charges Q are lost and potential VPP lowers due to the operation current of circuits.
The leak current during standby in each semiconductor integrated circuit always exhibits substantially constant characteristics. However, the current during operation has such a feature that the current significantly varies depending on an operation pattern inside the semiconductor integrated circuit in contrast to the leak current during standby.
Therefore, the boosted power supply circuit having the two detection levels operates in such a manner that only first system circuit 1 having level detector 3 of response time t1 operates intermittently to maintain potential VPP on output node N1 and second system circuit 9 does not operate, when the operation or leak current is small and the charges which are lost per time are smaller than Q1/T1.
When the operation current or leak current further increases, the charges which are lost per time increase, so that current supply capacity Q1/T1 attained only by the continuous operation of the first system circuit 1 cannot maintain potential VPP set on output node N1, and therefore potential VPP lowers to the detection level of level detector 1.
When level detector 11 of response time t2 detects lowering of potential VPP on output node N1, ring oscillator 13 having a shorter period T2 than ring oscillator 5 will start the operation after elapsing of response time t2. In this manner, second system circuit 9 having current supply capacity Q2/T2 per time operates continuously for restoration from lowered potential VPP.
When potential VPP on output node N1 rises to the detection level of level detector 11 owing to the above continuous operation, the ring oscillator 13 will stop after elapsing of response time t2. However, at the time of this step, potential VPP is not yet completely restored.
The continuous operation of the first system circuit 1 is further required for completely restoring potential VPP to the set level.
In the above conventional boosted power supply circuit, second system circuit 9 is essentially required, for rapid restoring the lowered potential on output node N1, to detect lowering of potential VPP on output node N1 in a short response time t2 and operate charge pump 15 having large current supply capacity Q2/T2 per time with short period T2. It is not necessary to set current supply capacity Q2 per period to a large value.
If switching from the operation of second system circuit 9 to the operation of first system circuit 1 can be performed rapidly, potential VPP on output node N1 can be ultimately restored rapidly from the lowered state.
Although the foregoing description has been given on the boosted power supply circuit, the same is true with respect to a power supply circuit generating a negative voltage.

Semiconductor integrated circuit with an internal voltage generating circuit requiring a reduced occupied area


A UV-setting ink-jet ink containing at least color materials, UV-polymeric compound, and photo-induced polymerization initiator in a water-based medium, wherein the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the ink is 0.1 to 2 ppm at 25° C. This structure of this invention can provide UV-setting ink-jet inks which can always be ejected normally regardless of long continuous uses and an ink-jet recording method using said inks.

In recent years, the ink jet recording method has been used for various print-related fields such as photo printing, various printings, and particular printings of markings and filters as this method can form images easily and cheaply. This method can form photo-like images (equivalent to silver-salt photo images in quality) by using a recording device which ejects and controls fine ink dots, ink-jet ink which has improved its color reproduction range, durability, and ejection aptitude, and dedicated paper which has strikingly improved the ink absorptivity, the coloring ability of color materials, and surface glossiness. As just described, the improvement of the image quality of the ink jet recording method can be accomplished only when the recording device, the ink-jet ink (or simply abbreviated as ink), and the dedicated paper are all optimum.
However, the paper dedicated for the ink jet system is rather expensive and this increases the printing cost. To save the recording cost, a lot of attempts have been made to record images on non-dedicated recording media by the ink jet recording method. Specifically, these attempts use a phase-change ink jet recording method using wax ink which is solid at room temperature, a solvent-based ink jet recording method using ink which mainly contains a quick-drying organic solvent, or a UV ink jet recording method using UV-setting ink which is cross-linked by ultraviolet ray (UV) light after it is recorded.
Among the above methods, the UV ink jet recording method has come to the fore as it can record on recording media which are resin-made, comparatively odorless, quick-drying, and non-ink-absorbing in comparison with the solvent-based ink jet recording method.
However, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, the UV ink jet recording method has various problems to be solved. Although Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose UV-setting inks, under the circumstances, the inks are hardly adequate in terms of adhesiveness to various support members, sensitivity levels, stability of ink preservation, and stability of ink ejection, etc.
The UV-setting inks are loosely divided into two solventless UV ink which hardly contains non-hardening solvent and water-based UV ink in which a photo-induced polymeric compound is dissolved or dispersed in a water-based medium.
The solventless UV ink has merits of fast recording and already been in practical use since the ink can be hardened and dried simply by exposure to UV light and that the ink produces no harmful substance such as VOC. However, the solventless UV ink does not shrink during hardening and leaves mounds of ink fixed on the recording paper. This unlevelling can be smoothed to some extent by optimization of UV exposure timing and improvement of ink properties, but dot blurring and excessive glossiness will make the printout different from what is obtained by regular printing.
Meanwhile, the water-based UV ink has features that the water-based UV ink can use polymeric compound of higher viscosity than the solventless UV ink since the water-based UV ink using a water-based medium is diluted by a water-based solvent, that the water-based UV ink can reduce the ink volume and improve the image quality on the base material by evaporating the water medium from the UV-set ink, and that the water-based UV ink is available to the thermal type ink jet recording method. Generally, radical polymeric compounds can be widely used for the water-based UV ink. It is well known that active species (or radicals) in a radical reaction are quenched by oxygen.
As the solventless UV ink is less viscous than general UV-setting paint and the like, the ink has high dispersibility of oxygen into the ink. Therefore, attempts have been made to produce active species faster than oxygen disperses by intensifying the UV illumination and increasing the concentration of the photo initiator.
The water-based UV ink has an advantage in terms of sensitivity over the solventless UV ink since the water-based UV ink mainly uses water as the medium, has less dissolved oxygen than a hydrophobic organic solvent, and is hard to be inhibited.
Dissolved air and bubble cores (if any) in the normal water-based ink-jet ink will cause cavitations or the like when the ink is compressed and depressed repeatedly in the ink jet nozzle. To prevent this, attempts are made to remove the dissolved air from the ink as much as possible.
However, after careful studies and experiments, it is found that the water-based UV ink containing almost no dissolved air would not be ejected successfully after a long recording and exposure to UV light.
[Non-Patent Document 1]
Color materials, 2002, Vol. 75, No. 8, p.394-p.400
[Patent Document 1]
Tokukou H05-54667
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Non-Examined Patent Publication H06-200204
[Patent Document 3]
Tokuhyou 2000-504778