A layout of a blisk includes two inserts housed between the bulb of the blade and the wall of a groove in a disk to compensate for variations in inclination between the overhanging faces of the groove and the upper faces of the bulb at their central part. This construction makes it possible to select blades for which upper faces of the bulb are slightly inclined relative to the radial direction, which facilitates their construction from a composite material.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject of this invention is a layout of a blisk that can be used in a turbine or a turbomachine compressor, for example.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is conventional that blades are provided with bulbs engaged in grooves notched into the disk, which hold the blades in place on the disk despite centrifugal forces that occur during operation. The grooves may be oriented along the axis of the disk and each may contain a bulb, or they may be circular and contain all the bulbs. The bulbs usually comprise oblique upper faces that bear on overhanging faces with the same obliqueness as the groove when centrifugal forces are applied. Inclinations of the groove relative to a median plane are sufficient so that no jamming occurs between these faces when centrifugal forces have ceased.
The invention is based on a wish to build some blades from a composite material such as CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite). The difficulty that then arises is that the method of manufacturing by casting, compulsory for these materials, prevents excessive discontinuities in the orientation and therefore makes it essential that the inclination of the upper part of the bulb connected to the outer part of the blade in the radial direction should not exceed about 30°, while the inclination of the faces overhanging the groove has to be at least 40° to prevent jamming. Therefore, such blades cannot be directly integrated into a disk. The invention overcomes this problem.


Cosmetic compositions and methods, particularly for skin lightening, using 7-hydroxy-2-phenyl coumarin and derivatives of general formula I as skin lightening agents alone or in combination with other skin benefit agents and together with a cosmetic vehicle:

Many people are concerned with the degree of pigmentation of their skin. For example, people with age spots or freckles may wish such pigmented spots to be less pronounced. Others may wish to reduce the skin darkening caused by exposure to sunlight or to lighten their natural skin color. To meet this need, many attempts have been made to develop products that reduce the pigment production in the melanocytes. However, the substances identified thus far tend to have either low efficacy or undesirable side effects, such as, for example, toxicity or skin irritation. Therefore, there is a continuing need for new cosmetic skin lightening agents, with improved overall effectiveness.
For example, certain resorcinol derivatives, particularly 4-substituted resorcinol derivatives, are useful in cosmetic compositions for skin lightening benefits, as disclosed in Hu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,740; Bradley, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,504,037 and 6,861,564; Japanese published patent applications JP 2001-010925 and JP2000-327557; and Harichian et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,852,310. Aminophenol derivatives have been described as optical brighteners in, for example, Chevalier et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,065 (for skin).
Applicants have now discovered that 7-hydroxy-3-phenylcoumarin and derivative compounds deliver skin lightening benefits. The general chemical formulas and structures of these compounds are discussed in more detail herein below. The 7-hydroxy-3-phenylcoumarin and derivative compounds have been found to be cosmetically effective and possibly less irritating to the skin. These compounds of the present invention have not been used in cosmetics, nor, specifically, for lightening skin.
The 7-hydroxy-3-phenylcoumarin is available from Sigma-Aldrich as a fluorescent pH probe for the physiological pH range. Raue GB 933042 disloses 3-phenyl-7-hydroxycoumarin compounds as optical brightening agents for textiles.

Skin lightening agents, compositions and methods

Abstract: Where R1 and/or R2 may be positioned at the 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and/or 6-positions on the phenyl ring. Each or both R1 and/or R2 represents a hydrogen atom, OH, C1–C4 acyl group, or C1–C4 alkyl group; andR represents a hydrogen atom, C1–C4 acyl group, or C1–C4 alkyl group.


In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing a hybrid low power, high bandwidth media transport protocol between media sinks and media sources by splitting control and synchronization commands to a low power communication interface, and media data to a high bandwidth unidirectional communication interface. Media sinks need not transmit via the high bandwidth unidirectional communication interface, reducing power consumption, which may be particularly beneficial for small devices with limited battery capacity such as wireless earbuds.

Media, such as high resolution audio, may require significant amounts of bandwidth for transmission. For example, stereo high definition pulse-code modulation (PCM) audio at 96 KHz sampling rate and 32 bit sampling depth requires more than 6 megabits per second (Mbps). Multi-channel audio or higher sampling rates require even more data.
Wireless transmission via low power or short range protocols may be limited in bandwidth—Bluetooth has a maximum data rate of 3 Mbps at present and is therefore unable to carry stereo high definition audio. High bandwidth transmission systems such as the various 802.11 (WiFi) protocols provide enough bandwidth, but have higher overhead requirements, require more power (e.g. WiFi may require up to 350 milliwatts of power or more, and thus be unsuitable for applications with very low battery capacities such as wireless earbuds), may have higher latency (e.g. due to slow start or congestion avoidance protocols, etc.), and/or may have difficulty changing frequencies due to intermittent interference in the same band.
The details of various embodiments of the methods and systems are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.

Low power high definition wireless media transport

Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited


An arrangement and a method for providing a temperature-dependent signal. Several current sources (1, 2) are provided, which are switchably connected to one or more diodes (8). The conducting-state voltage of the diode is compared with a reference signal (Vr) in a comparator (10). A control circuit (12) controls the current sources (1, 2) so that for calibrating in each calibration step, only one of the current sources is activated and, in another calibration step, all of the current sources (1, 2) are activated. Therefore, error terms can be calculated, which allow a very exact provision of a temperature-dependent signal with respect to the matching of the current sources to each other.

The provision of a signal that is proportional to the absolute temperature is desirable for numerous applications. Such signals are also designated as PTAT, proportional-to-absolute-temperature. For this purpose, a switching circuit that performs a so-called on-chip temperature measurement is suitable.
For the purpose of such an on-chip temperature measurement, frequently a voltage difference between two bipolar diodes, which are charged with different current densities, is evaluated. In the present document, bipolar transistors connected as diodes are understood as bipolar diodes. The difference in the voltages across the two diodes corresponds directly to a temperature-proportional voltage VPTAT according to the rule:
      V    Ptat    =                    V                  d                                                              2                    -              V                  d                                                              1                      =                  V        T            *              l        n                                    I          2                          I          1
Here, Vd1 designates the voltage across the first diode wired in the conducting direction, Vd2 designates the voltage across the second diode wired in the conducting direction, the quotient from I2/I1 designates the ratio of the current densities, with which the first or second diodes are charged, and VT designates the temperature voltage of a diode.
To provide such a circuit, it is typical, for example, to provide two current sources scaled relative to each other, which are connected between a power-supply voltage terminal and a reference voltage terminal, each in a current path with a diode biased in the forward direction. Each input of a differential amplifier is connected to an anode of a diode. At the output, a signal is provided that corresponds to the value of the voltage VPtat multiplied by the amplification factor g of the differential amplifier.
If the temperature-proportional signal is to be provided as a digital signal, then an analog/digital converter can be connected to the differential amplifier.
Such an arrangement, however, suffers from so-called mismatches, both between the diodes and the current sources, which unavoidably appear in the mass production of integrated circuits. In addition, the offset of the amplifier also leads to inaccuracy in the measurement. Methods for compensating such non-ideal properties include, for example, so-called component rotation or chopping.
For example, the document by Anton Bakker: "CMOS Smart Temperature Sensors—An Overview", IEEE Proceedings, Vol. 2, June 2002, gives an overview of temperature sensors, which can be produced in integrated CMOS processing technology. For example, in FIG. 8 of this document, it is proposed to reach a high accuracy of an integrated PTAT generator with a chopper technique, that is, to periodically chop the signals.
The article by A. Bakker and J. H. Huijsing: "Micropower CMOS Temperature Sensor With Digital Output", IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 3.1, No. 7, July 1996, similarly shows a chopped PTAT circuit in FIG. 3, in which a ΣΔ converter is also provided for signal evaluation.
The document "A Switched-Current, Switched-Capacitor Temperature Sensor in 0.6 μm CMOS" by Mike Tuthill, Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 3.3, No. 7, Jul. 1998, shows an integrated temperature sensor, which is connected in a so-called Switched Current, Switched Capacitor technique.
The article by A. Bakker and J. H. Huijsing, et al.: "A CMOS Smart Temperature Sensor With A 3σ Inaccuracy of +/−0.5° C. from −50° C. to 120° C., IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits", Vol. 40, No. 2, February 2005, shows a temperature sensor with a ΣΔ modulator and chopping principle.
These circuits have in common the property that the error to be compensated is not completely erased. Either a large expenditure in analog circuitry technology is necessary or additional, undesired properties, such as charge injection, circuitry noise, or the like are introduced.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,469 shows a temperature sensor with four currents and one transistor. Here it is provided to charge the transistor with each of the four currents and to measure the resulting base-emitter voltage. However, an error relative to the linear amplification remains caused by a mismatch of the current sources.
The document EP 1 132 794 A1 describes a method and an arrangement for obtaining a temperature-independent voltage reference. Here, the amplification factor of an analog/digital converter is calculated from a plurality of digital measurement values.

Arrangement and method for providing a temperature-dependent signal


A system and method for conserving vacuum within a vehicle is described. In one example, a vacuum level in a working chamber of a vacuum operated brake booster is controlled so as to limit vacuum consumption.

Vacuum may be used in a vehicle to apply motive force in vehicle systems. For example, vacuum may be used to apply vehicle brakes, operate a turbocharger waste gate, adjust valve positions in heating and ventilation ducts. However, vacuum in vehicle systems is becoming a less available resource due to the trend of engine downsizing and variable valve timing to improve vehicle fuel economy.
One of the more significant consumers of vacuum in a vehicle is the vehicle brake system. Vacuum is used in a brake booster to apply brakes. In particular, vacuum is applied to both sides of a brake booster diaphragm when brakes are not applied. Pressure equalization across the diaphragm allows the diaphragm to return to a position where a piston in the master cylinder does not increase brake line pressure. When the brakes are applied, vacuum on a working side of the diaphragm is displaced with ambient air while vacuum remains present on the vacuum side of the diaphragm. Consequently, a pressure differential is produced across the diaphragm that motivates the diaphragm to apply force to the piston in the master cylinder, thereby increasing brake pressure and applying the brakes.
During vehicle braking, a driver receives visual and physical cues that allow the driver to know whether or not a proper amount of force is being applied to the brake pedal to provide the desired braking amount or level. However, when the vehicle is stopped, the driver receives much less information regarding whether or not braking force is adequate or more than is desired to keep the vehicle from moving. Consequently, the driver may apply more brake force than is desired to keep the vehicle from moving. As a result, more vacuum than is desired may be consumed when the vehicle is stopped.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-mentioned disadvantages and have developed a method for conserving vacuum, comprising: providing vacuum to a brake booster to apply vehicle brakes when a vehicle is stopped; and reducing or stopping brake booster vacuum consumption in response to a vacuum level in a working chamber of the brake booster being less than a threshold vacuum level that stops the vehicle from moving.
By selectively allowing air to flow into a vacuum brake booster when a vehicle is stopped or traveling at less than a threshold vehicle speed, the technical result of conserving vacuum in a vacuum system may be provided while at the same time effective braking is supplied to a vehicle. For example, if a driver is requesting more brake force than is required to hold a vehicle in place, air flow into a working side of a vacuum brake booster may be reduced or limited so that vacuum is not consumed by the vacuum brake booster. In one example, vacuum in the vacuum brake booster working chamber is allowed to be limited to a threshold vacuum that holds the vehicle in a stopped state while the brake pedal force is increased. Limiting the air entering the working chamber reduces vacuum consumption. Additionally, limiting the stroke of the brake booster diaphragm reduces vacuum consumption. By limiting air entering the working chamber, the amount of vacuum assist provided to the braking system is reduced. In some examples, vacuum assist may be limited while the driver may be allowed to apply as much unassisted master cylinder force and brake line pressure as he or she wishes. Whether or not the specific brake system design allows unassisted brake force, limiting the brake booster working chamber air pressure limits braking force and brake booster vacuum consumption. Though limited, the brake force allowed is sufficient to stop the vehicle from moving via engine torque and/or road grade. In one example, the method is carried out during stopped vehicle conditions when vehicle speed is zero and a driver is intending to maintain zero vehicle speed.
The present description may provide several advantages. In particular, the approach may conserve vacuum in a vehicle so that the vehicle's engine operates for less time at low intake manifold pressures. The approach may also conserve fuel since the engine may be able to operate more efficiently at higher intake manifold pressures for longer periods of time. Additionally, the approach conserves vacuum responsive to vehicle operating conditions such as road grade and vehicle mass.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for reducing vacuum use in a vehicle


A miniature projector module includes: a light source unit capable of emitting source light with first and second polarizations; a polarization beam splitter capable of reflecting the source light with the first polarization, and permitting transmission of the source light with the second polarization therethrough; a first image modulator capable of converting the source light with the first polarization reflected by the beam splitter into image light with the second polarization, and directing the image light with the second polarization toward the beam splitter for further transmission therethrough; a second image modulator capable of converting the source light with the second polarization transmitted through the beam splitter into image light with the first polarization, and directing the image light with the first polarization toward the beam splitter for further reflection thereby; and a projector lens for receiving and projecting the image light from the beam splitter.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a projector module, more particularly to a miniature projector module for application to handheld electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, in Taiwanese patent no. 232995, there is disclosed a mobile phone that is equipped with a conventional miniature projector module 1. The conventional miniature projector module 1 includes a semiconductor light source unit 11, a polarization beam splitter 12, a reflective image modulator 13, and a projector lens 14.
The light source unit 11 is capable of emitting red, green and blue source light with first and second polarizations in sequence. The polarization beam splitter 12 is capable of reflecting the source light with the first polarization, and permits transmission of the source light with the second polarization therethrough. The reflective image modulator 13 is disposed to receive and convert the source light with the first polarization reflected by the polarization beam splitter 12 into image light with the second polarization, and directs the image light with the second polarization toward the polarization beam splitter 12 for further transmission therethrough. The projector lens 14 is disposed to receive and project the image light with the second polarization from the polarization beam splitter 12.
The main drawback of the conventional miniature projector module 1 is that only the source light with the first polarization is utilized for image projection, and the source light with the second polarization is wasted. In other words, approximately half of the source light is lost, resulting in a reduction in the brightness of projected images.

Miniature projector module having effective utilization of light with two polarizations


The present invention disclosed a surgical staple (50) and staple pocket (57) for forming kidney-shaped staple therefor, with the staple pocket (57) being recessed inward on the tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil (58), and with M-shaped staple (50) being used, wherein the degree of projection of the middle portion of the back span (51) of the M-shaped staple (50) arranged at the inner circle or arranged at a proximal side of a cutter slot (121) is larger than that of the back span (51) of the M-shaped staple (50) arranged at the outer circle or arranged at a distal side of the cutter slot (121), so that when the staple (50) of the same height are adapted to staple tissues to be stapled of different thickness, staple driver (68) bends the M-shaped staple (50) on the staple pocket (57) to form kidney-shaped staple (50) so as to achieve the operational effect of being able to seal the stapled tissue, to stop bleeding and to heal the tissue therearound.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to surgical staples and staple pockets used in various surgical staplers, and more particularly to surgical staple and staple pocket for forming kidney-shaped staple.
Description of Related Arts
Various surgical staplers used for replacing needles and thread, for manual stapling, in surgery are widely used in surgery such as end-end, end-side, and side-side stapling of organs and tissues including human digestive tract organs, respiratory tract organs, and urogenital organs, in surgery for forming a channel, and in surgery for closing a cut, and are particularly suitable for staples where organs and tissues are exposed and difficult to operate, so as to reduce operative time and improve quality of surgery.
As described in US Patent Publication No. 20070194082 and 20090255978, various well-known staple shaping mechanisms of surgical staplers each mainly include: a staple cartridge and a staple anvil. Staple drivers, staples, and a cutter are mounted in the staple cartridge, where the cutter may be mounted as needed. A tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil is provided with staple pockets corresponding to the position of the staples in the staple cartridge. The staples and the staple pockets in the staple shaping mechanism of the surgical stapler have the following effects during the use of the surgical stapler. After the tissue to be stapled is clamped between the staple anvil and the staple cartridge, the staple drivers pushes the staples out of the staple cartridge, so that staple tips penetrate the clamped tissue to be stapled, and engage the staple pocket on the staple anvil, so as to bend the U-shaped staples into a B-shaped, thereby achieving the surgical purpose of stapling the tissue.
As described in US Patent Publication No. 20070194082 and 20080061109, in various well-known surgical staplers, as shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention, a staple pocket 2 on the tissue contacting surface of an anvil 1 comprises a side surface 3 and a bottom surface 4 which are formed through inward recessing on the surface of the anvil 1. Intersection lines between the side surface 3 and the bottom surface 4 of the staple pocket 2 form two staple guide lines 5 and 6 of the staple pocket 2. The staple pocket 2 forms perimeter 7 on the surface of the anvil 1. As shown in FIG. 2 of the present invention, a staple 8 in a staple cartridge (not shown) is U-shaped, and comprises a straight back span 9 and two straight staple legs 10 and 11. End portions of the legs 10 and 11 are provided with tips 12 and 13 respectively. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 of the present invention, when a staple driver 14 pushes the staple 8 out of the staple cartridge (not shown), the tips 12 and 13 of the U-shaped staple 8 are urged against the staple pocket 2 of the anvil 1, so that the legs 10 and 11 of the U-shaped staple 8 bend along the staple guide lines 5 and 6 of the staple pocket 2, to form a B-shaped staple 15, thereby achieving the surgical purpose of tissue stapling. After the U-shaped staple 8 bends to form the B-shaped staple 15, two rings 16 and 17 are formed, so that a clamping force of the stapled tissue between the legs and the back span is distributed in the two rings 16 and 17, that is, is distributed on a length less than a half of the back span 9, which incurs larger damage to the stapled tissue. Smaller size of the rings 16 and 17 facilitates sealing and bleeding-stopping of the stapled tissue, but makes healing of surrounding tissues slower. Larger size of the rings 16 and 17 facilitates healing of surrounding tissues, but results in poor sealing of the stapled tissue and a poor hemostatic effect. Generally speaking, the edge of the stapled tissue is required to facilitate sealing and bleeding-stopping, and the inner side of the edge of the stapled tissue is required to facilitate healing of the surrounding tissues. In order to achieve the surgical effect, staple cartridges loaded with U-shaped staples having legs of different heights and/or a staple anvil provided with staple pockets in different depths are required to be adopted, the surgical staples and the staple pockets of this kind of surgical stapler increase the difficulty in machining and mounting of the instrument, thereby increasing the cost of the instrument. On the other hand, when the staple 8 bends to form a B-shaped closed staple 15, the tips 12 and 13 of the staple 15 converge at a midpoint of the back span 9, so that in order to achieve the surgical purpose of tissue stapling, for tissues to be stapled and varying in clamping thickness, U-shaped staples having legs of different heights are required to be used. Therefore, during surgery the thickness of the tissue to be stapled is required to be determined first, and then the staple cartridge of U-shaped staples having legs of a different height is used. The specifications of the staple cartridge loaded with U-shaped staples having legs of different heights are limited, and normally for each difference of 0.5 mm in the tissue clamping thickness, there is a specification, so that the surgical staple and the staple pocket of this kind cannot meet surgical requirements of tissues varying in thicknesses to be stapled, thereby deteriorating the surgical effect, increasing the difficulty in surgery, and increasing surgical costs. Therefore, the surgical staple and the staple pocket are required to be improved.
As described in US Patent Publication No. 20090255978: as shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention, a staple pocket 2 on the tissue contacting surface of an anvil 1 comprises a side surface 3 and a bottom surface 4 which are formed through inward recessing on the surface of the anvil 1. Intersection lines between the side surface 3 and the bottom surface 4 of the staple pocket 2 form two staple guide lines 5 and 6 of the staple pocket 2. The staple pocket 2 forms perimeter 7 on the surface of the anvil 1. As shown in FIG. 6 of the present invention, an staple 18 of a surgical stapler in a staple cartridge (not shown) comprises a W-shaped back span 19 and two straight legs 20 and 21. End portions of the legs 20 and 21 are provided with tips 22 and 23 respectively. As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 of the present invention, two protruding parts 24 and 25 on the W-shaped back span 19 of the staple 18 correspond to positions of two recessed grooves 26 and 27 on the staple pocket 2 of the anvil 1 respectively. When the staple driver 28 pushes the staple 18 out of the staple cartridge (not shown), the tips 22 and 23 of the staple 18 are urged against the staple pocket 2 of the anvil 1, so that the two legs 20 and 21 of the staple 18 bend along staple guide lines 5 and 6 of the staple pocket 2 to form a B-shaped staple 29, thereby achieving the surgical purpose of tissue stapling. Therefore, when tissue to be stapled and having the same clamping thickness are stapled, the surgical requirements of facilitating sealing and bleeding-stopping of the edge of the stapled tissue and facilitating healing of the surrounding tissue of the inner side of the edge of the stapled tissue are met respectively by adopting the staple anvil provided with the staple pocket of the same depth and adopting the staple cartridge loaded with staples having legs of the same height and having the W-shaped back spans 19 having the protruding parts 24 and 25 of different heights. However, when the staple 18 bends to form the staple 29 in the shape of a complete B, the tips 22 and 23 of the staple 29 also converge at a midpoint of the W-shaped back span 19, so that a clamping force of the stapled tissue between the legs 20 and 21 and the back span 19 is distributed in the two rings of the B-shaped staple 29, that is, is distributed on a length less than a half of the back span 19, which incurs large damage to the stapled tissue. Further, in order to achieve the surgical purpose of tissue stapling, for tissue varying in clamping thickness to be stapled, staples having legs of different heights are required to be used. Therefore, during surgery the thickness of the tissue to be stapled is required to be determined first, and then the staple cartridge with staples having legs of a different height is used. The specifications of the staple cartridge loaded with staples having legs of different heights are limited, and normally for each difference of 0.5 mm in the tissue clamping thickness, there is a specification, so that the surgical staple the staple pocket of this kind cannot meet surgical requirements of tissues varying in thicknesses to be stapled, thereby deteriorating the surgical effect, increasing the difficulty in surgery, and increasing surgical costs. Therefore, the surgical staple and the staple pocket are required to be improved.
As described in US Patent Publication No. 20110087276: as shown in FIG. 2 of the present invention, an staple 8 in a staple cartridge (not shown) is U-shaped, and comprises a straight back span 9 and two straight legs 10 and 11. End portions of the legs 10 and 11 are provided with tips 12 and 13 respectively. As shown in FIG. 10 of the present invention, the tissue contacting surface of a staple anvil 30 is provided with two separate staple pockets 31 and 32, which respectively comprise side surfaces 33 and 34 and bottom surfaces 35 and 36 formed through inward recessing on the surface of the staple anvil 30. Intersection lines between the side surface 33 and the bottom surface 35 form two staple guide lines 37 and 38 of the staple pocket 31. Intersection lines between the side surface 34 and the bottom surface 36 form two staple guide lines 39 and 40 of the staple pocket 32. The two staple pockets 31 and 32 form perimeters 41 and 42 on the surface of the staple anvil 30 respectively. As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 of the present invention, when a staple driver 43 pushes the staple 8 out of the staple cartridge (not shown), the tips 12 and 13 of the staple 8 are urged against the staple pockets 31 and 32 of the staple anvil 30 respectively, so that the two legs 10 and 11 of the staple 8 bend along the staple guide lines 37 and 38 of the staple pocket 31 and the staple guide lines 39 and 40 of the staple pocket 32 respectively, to form a spiral staple 44, thereby achieving the surgical purpose of tissue stapling. When the two legs 10 and 11 of the staple 8 bend to form the spiral staple 44, the tips 12 and 13 of the staple 8 do not converge at a midpoint of the back span 9, so that tissues varying in clamping thickness to be stapled do not require staples having legs of different heights to be used, that is, the staple cartridge loaded with the staples having the legs being the same in height is applicable to stapling tissues varying in clamping thickness. However, a large spacing 47 is formed between the spiral staple 44 and the crossing legs 45 and 46, which is likely to incur leakage and bleeding at the edge of the stapled tissue, so that in order to facilitate sealing and bleeding-stopping of the edge of the stapled tissue, an embodiment of the surgical stapler using the spirally shaped staples in the US Patent Publication No. 20110087276 uses more rows of staples than the surgical stapler using B-shaped staples, which increases the volume of the surgical stapler and the stapling width of the stapled tissue, thereby not only shrinking the application scope of the surgery using the surgical stapler but also increasing the cost of the surgical stapler. Therefore, the surgical staple and the staple pocket are required to be improved.
It can be obviously seen from the above that, a large number of varieties of surgical staplers have been designed, and the development work of the staples and the staple pockets for new surgical staplers continues, so as to further improve the surgical staplers that are annually extensively used around the world, aiming at achieving the surgical purpose of reliable tissue stapling, making the use convenient, and reducing the costs.

Surgical staple and staple pocket for forming kidney-shaped staple

CHANGZHOU KANGDI MEDICAL STAPLER CO., LTD.

SHANGHAI CHUANGYI MEDICAL DEVICE TECH. CO., LTD.


A speech recognition apparatus for a vehicle is provided for decreasing the feeling of discomfort of the operator even in the case that speech recognition is continuously impossible over several times. The speech recognition apparatus for a vehicle that recognizes voice input via an voice input device comprises a response output device for outputting a response to said voice input, a recognition possible or impossible determining device for determining whether said voice input can be recognized, and a response change executing device for operating when recognition is impossible for outputting a response having a different expression from said response output device depending on the number of times it has been determined that recognition is impossible by said recognition possible or impossible determining device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voice recognition apparatus for a vehicle mounted in a vehicle, and in particular to a technology in which a response to a voice input is output.
2 . Description of the Related Art
In a conventional voice recognition apparatus such as that disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication, No. Hei 11-109989, a voice recognition apparatus is known that outputs a response comprising a different expression depending on the number of recognition errors that have occurred with respect to a voice input from the user.
In addition, in a music playing apparatus such as that disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication, No. Hei 11-265190, a music playing apparatus is known that determines whether or not voice input can be recognized and outputs the results of the determination.
However, in the voice recognition apparatus according to the first example of the conventional technology described above, in the case that the recognition errors with respect to the voice input occur repeatedly, at that time responses having a different expression is output. However, cases in which the execution of the voice recognition processing itself is impossible are not considered. Examples of such cases are the case in which the noise in the vicinity is large or the case in which the sensitivity of the microphone or the like is in a saturated state. There is a concern, for example, that the operator will feel discomfort due to continuing to output a message that prompts a voice input, for example, an identical message informing the operator that voice recognition is impossible.
In addition, in the music playing apparatus according to the second example of the conventional technology described above, the apparatus simply displays a message informing the user that voice recognition is impossible when it determines that voice recognition processing is impossible, and for example, in the case that the determination that voice recognition is impossible occurs repeatedly, the same message is repeatedly displayed, and there is a concern that the operator will be caused to feel discomfort.
In consideration of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle voice recognition apparatus that can decrease the discomfort felt by the operator even in the case that it is determined voice recognition is impossible many times continuously.


A bearing for supporting a shaft submerged in molten zinc, has a bearing surface comprising a steel cylindrical liner having slots retaining ceramic shaft-engaging bearing elements.

Sink roll assembly bearings used for providing tension on a metal strip, being advanced in a bath of molten metal, have a very short life. The short life exists because of distortion and misalignment created between the bearing components, operating in high metal temperatures. In addition, chemical reactions occur between the molten metal and the bearings. Heavy surface unit loading combined with the low operating rotational speed experienced by the rolls, also shortens bearing life.
I have solved some of the problems related to these environmental conditions. An example, may be found in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,689 issued Feb. 17, 2004 for "Sink Roll Assembly with Forced Hydrodynamic Film Lubricated Bearings and Self-Aligning Holding Arms". This invention substantially extended the life of the rolls by aligning the roll shaft with the bearing axis, and pumping molten metal under pressure to the bearing surfaces in the form of a hydrodynamic lubricating film, created by the reduction of the surface unit load acting on the bearing.
The invention disclosed in this application provides a longer operating life by providing ceramic elements in the bearing liner that supports the shaft. Ceramic has a greatly reduced wear pattern compared to the steel alloys normally used for sink rolls, because of its hardness, low coefficient of friction and resistance to chemical attack by the molten metal.
One approach for using ceramic bearing materials has been to use a ceramic liner in a steel alloy sleeve for supporting the shaft. This approach has worked in the laboratory, but is not suitable for an industrial application for several reasons. One reason is that the steel holding ring that carries the ceramic has a much larger coefficient of expansion than the ceramic. The result is that when the ceramic liner is heated to the operating temperature (900° F. to 1300° F. in most cases), the interface between the ceramic liner and the holding sleeve develops a substantial clearance which then causes the unsupported ceramic to shatter. An unsupported ceramic liner will shatter in an industrial application, because of the severe pounding it experiences, caused by the moving metal strip submerged in the molten metal bath.
I have found that employing a steel liner for supporting several ceramic elements in slots in a holding sleeve, prevents the ceramic elements from being separated from the liner and compensates for the differences in the coefficients of expansion of the steel and the ceramic, minimizing the high temperature running clearance.
In the preferred embodiment, the liner has an internal cylindrical surface, having elongated slots in a pattern that extends around the cylindrical surface. An elongated strip of ceramic material is inserted into each of the slots. The collective inner surface of the ceramic elements combines with the liner surface to form a shaft-supporting structure. This arrangement provides the advantage of using the long operating life of a ceramic component without the differential expansion problems.
The process for making such a bearing comprises forming a steel alloy liner having slots for receiving the ceramic elements. The slots, at room temperature, are slightly smaller than the ceramic elements. The liner is then heated to a suitable temperature, such as 1000° F. to expand the slots. The ceramic elements are inserted in the slots. The steel liner is then cooled so that the ceramic elements are tightly held in the slots (i.e. 0.0002±0.0001 inches interference fit). The outside and inside diameters of the steel liner-ceramic inserts assembly are then ground to appropriate dimensions, the outside diameter to receive the holding sleeve, the inside diameter to receive the sink roll shaft trunion.
To prevent the ceramic elements from moving radially outwardly from the liner when operating at high temperature, a holding sleeve is heated to expand it. The heated holding sleeve telescopically receives the liner and the ceramic elements to form a tight fitting connection between the holding sleeve and the steel liner. The holding sleeve and the liner are made of the same materials so that they have the same coefficient of expansion. Thus, as the bearing is heated to an operating temperature, the liner and the holding sleeve expand as a unit while retaining the ceramic elements in their respective slots.
The radial forces applied to the bearing by the shaft are directed toward a particular area of the bearing surface. Over a period of time the shaft will gradually wear the liner in the localized operating area of the bearing surface. The bearing can then be rotated (about 90°) to permit an unworn area of the bearing surface to support the shaft. This can be repeated several times by progressively rotating the bearing whenever required, thus improving by a factor of four the already extended life of the bearing, resulting in additional savings in bearing materials as well as the time in replacing a worn bearing.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.

Sink roll bearing having ceramic elements for supporting the roll's shaft


A method of fabricating an electronic device includes the following steps. A SOI wafer is provided having a SOI layer over a BOX. An oxide layer is formed over the SOI layer. At least one first set and at least one second set of fins are patterned in the SOI layer and the oxide layer. A conformal gate dielectric layer is selectively formed on a portion of each of the first set of fins that serves as a channel region of a transistor device. A first metal gate stack is formed on the conformal gate dielectric layer over the portion of each of the first set of fins that serves as the channel region of the transistor device. A second metal gate stack is formed on a portion of each of the second set of fins that serves as a channel region of a diode device.

Non-transistor field effect transistor (FET) elements, such as capacitors and diodes are important elements in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Much research has been done regarding planar diode and capacitor device structures. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0108900 A1 filed by Chang et al., entitled "Bi-Directional Self-Aligned FET Capacitor."
However, the use of non-planar devices in future CMOS technologies is becoming increasingly more pervasive. One key issue in the use of these devices is other critical technology elements, such as diodes.
Therefore, solutions for diodes in FINFET technologies would be desirable.

Diode structure and method for FINFET technologies


A method for improving the bond between a PEEK joint component and bone cement comprising roughening a surface of the PEEK component by air-blasting abrasive water-soluble particles against the component until an average surface roughness of 4 to 6 micrometers is attained and subsequently submerging the component in water to dissolve any residual particles.

The present invention relates to an orthopedic prosthesis utilized in knee joint replacements. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a tibial implant system comprising a tibial insert and interchangeable tibial trays, one made of a metal and one made of a polymer.
Knee arthroplasty is a well-known surgical procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability. It has enabled many individuals to function normally where it otherwise would be impossible. Artificial joints usually comprise metallic, ceramic, or plastic components implanted into existing bone.
In a typical procedure, a tibial tray or baseplate is mounted on a prepared proximal tibia of a patient and a tibial bearing insert is mounted on the tibial tray. Methods and corresponding tibial trays exist that allow for implantation into the tibia with or without the use of bone cement.
Earlier designs of tibial implant systems were typically composed primarily of metal trays or baseplates and bearings made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (hereinafter "UHMWPE"). An earlier system, known as a monolithic UHMWPE device, comprised the bearing insert and bone-contacting portion as one piece implanted into the tibia through cement fixation. Although the system was resistant to stress shielding and had a long in vivo survival rate, the system fell out of favor with the medical industry because it was difficult to implant into the patient and because the bond between UHMWPE and bone with bone cement is not as strong as the bond with metal.
An improvement which is still currently used is a metal-backed UHMWPE modular tibia, which comprises a metal tray and a separate UHMWPE tibial insert. Although the two-part system made the device much easier to implant, the system was expensive.
Lastly, a system having a tibial tray composed of a polymer-porous metal composite has been recently developed for fixation without the need for bone cement, as can be seen in U.S. Pat. App. 2010/0100191, U.S. Pat. App. 2009/0084491, or U.S. Pat. App. 2011/0035018. Thus far, clinical results have shown that the cement-less bond is weaker than a bond using bone cement. In addition, devices comprising polymer-metal composites are expensive to manufacture.
Thus, there is a need for a modular tibial tray and insert system which can produce an improved, sustained bond with bone cement, reduces stress shielding, has improved resistance to fracture and wear, provides ease of use for surgeons, and be inexpensive to manufacture.
As used herein when referring to bones or other parts of the body, the term "proximal" means close to the heart and the term "distal" means more distant from the heart. The term "inferior" means toward the feet and the term "superior" means toward the head. The term "anterior" means toward the front part or the face and the term "posterior" means toward the back of the body. The term "medial" means toward the midline of the body and the term "lateral" means away from the midline of the body. The term "sagittal" refers to the plane dividing the body into left and right halves. The term "coronal" refers to the plane dividing the body into front and back halves.

Method of improving bond strength of polymeric implants with bone cement


The invention relates to a nanostructured material.

Batteries comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated by an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt in solution in a solvent are widely known. The operation of these batteries is provided by the reversible circulation of lithium ions in the electrolyte between the electrodes. The positive electrode is generally composed of a composite material comprising an active material, a binder, a material conferring electron conduction and optionally a compound conferring ionic conduction. The compound conferring electron conduction can be a carbon black which does not catalyze the oxidation of the electrolyte at a high potential.
The use is known, in particular from FR-2 831 715, of a lithium vanadium oxide Li1+αV3O8 (0.1≦α≦0.25) as positive electrode active material. The use is also known of a β-LixV2O5 compound as positive electrode active material in lithium batteries. However, their use in a composite electrode requires the addition of a material conferring electron conduction, for example carbon.
Various attempts have been made to introduce carbon into a positive electrode active material during the preparation of said active material, in order to improve the contacts between the active material and the carbon and consequently the electron conductivity of the composite electrode.
Takashi Watanabe et al. [Solid State Ionics, 151, 1-4, (2002)] describe the preparation of a V2O5.nH2O-carbon nanocomposite by a process comprising the stages of: preparation of a V2O5.nH2O sol by reaction of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution with vanadium metal; addition of water and of acetone to the V2O5.nH2O sol in order to stabilize it; addition of carbon; drying the mixture obtained in order to form an electrode therefrom. The material obtained is composed of carbon grains coated with V2O5.nH2O. However, the good electrochemical performances of the material are obtained only with a very high C/active material ratio by weight, of the order of 1.4, which is extremely unfavorable to any industrial application.
Huan Huang et al. [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2001, 40, No. 20] describe the preparation of a V2O5.nH2O-carbon nanocomposite by a process comprising the following stages: preparation of vanadic acid by passing a solution of sodium metavanadate NaVO3 through an H+/Na+ ion-exchange column; production of the V2O5.nH2O xerogel by polycondensation of the vanadic acid; acid treatment of the carbon in order to functionalize the surface; optionally grafting of polyethylene glycol to the pretreated carbon; drying the gel at ambient temperature; dissolution of the xerogel in order to obtain a sol with the help of ultrasound to accelerate the process; mixing the treated carbon and the sol with magnetic stirring until the solvent has completely evaporated. This process requires approximately two days and the tedious and expensive use of an ion-exchange resin. The material obtained is composed of carbon particles coated with V2O5.nH2O. During the preparation of a positive electrode from the nanocomposite, additional carbon is added in a proportion of 10% by weight.
EP-104 918 describes the preparation of a LiFePO4-graphitized carbon nanocomposite in which a thin graphite film coats the surface of the active material. The nanocomposite can be obtained by a 3-stage process: synthesis of LiFePO4; coating of the LiFePO4 grains with a carbonaceous compound which is the precursor of the graphitized carbon; pyrolysis of the coated grains at 700° C. under argon to convert the polymer to conducting graphitized carbon. The nanocomposite can also be obtained in a single stage consisting in carrying out a pyrolysis under argon of a mixture of the LiFePO4 reactants and of the precursor carbonaceous compound. The results show a marked improvement in terms of capacity and of power due solely to a greater effectiveness of the carbon-active material contact. In all cases, 10% by weight of additional carbon is added during the preparation of a composite electrode.
Huang H et al., [Electrochem. Solid State Lett., 4 (10), A170-172 (2001)] and [Adv. Mater., 2002, 14, No. 21, November 4] respectively describe the preparation of LiFePO4-graphitized carbon and LiV2(PO4)3-graphitized carbon nanocomposites by a two-stage process. The precursors of the active material are mixed with a carbon gel which results from the polymerization of resorcinol-formaldehyde. A heat treatment at 700° C. under nitrogen for 5 h is necessary to obtain the nanocomposite. Their process results in the grains of the active material being coated with carbon. The use of resorcinol makes the process expensive. In addition, during the preparation of the composite electrode, it is necessary to add additional conducting carbon.

Nanostructure material, method for the preparation thereof

Abstract: The material is a nanostructured carbonaceous material composed of agglomerates of small needles of Li1+αV3O8 and of β-LixV2O5 (0.1≦α≦0.25 and 0.03≦x≦0.667) surrounded by a noncontinuous layer of spherical carbon particles.

Abstract: It is obtained by a process consisting in preparing a carbonaceous precursor gel by bringing carbon, α-V2O5 and a Li precursor into contact in amounts such that the ratio of the [V2O5]/[Li] concentrations is between 1.15 and 1.5 and that the (carbon)/(carbon+V2O5+Li precursor) ratio by weight is from 10 to 15 and in subjecting the gel to a heat treatment comprising a 1st stage at 80° C.-150° C. for 3-12 h and a 2nd stage between 300° C. and 350° C. for 10 min to 1 hour, under an nitrogen or argon atmosphere.

Abstract: Applications: positive electrode active material.

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique


The present invention relates to an instant pressure-reducing process and device for a blood-gathering tube which comprises a blood-gathering tube in a state of normal pressure and a pressure reducing device, wherein the blood-gathering tube in a state of normal pressure comprises a tube body made of plastic or other cheap material and an elastic cork. One end of the tube body is an opening and another end is closed. The central part of elastic cork is thinner in favor of being pierced through by the injection needle head, the elastic cork is tightly nested into the opening of tube body under normal pressure so as to separate inside of the tube body from outside. The pressure-reducing device comprises an injection needle head and a pressure-reducing transformer at least. The needle head is nested into the pressure-reducing transformer.

While proceeding biochemical experiments at normal hospitals in the earlier times, a syringe tube in general is always used for blood-gathering of a human body, then filling the blood from the syringe tube into a test tube (i.e. the blood-gathering tube) in order to proceed with the examinations or biochemical experiments. In this course, except each syringe tube and test tube for use, the blood of human body has to be filled into the test tube through the syringe tube, so the probability of blood pollution and operating cost of the medical personnel are increased.
The blood-gathering device disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model Patent No. 25838 (Application No. 7222395) consists of a needle holder, a syringe tube, a piston and puller, making use of pulling motion of the puller and piston for blood-gathering. When blood-gathering is finished, the puller is removed through turning it counterclockwise. After removing its injection needle head, a cover is screwed onto the needle holder so that the syringe tube becomes a test tube for storing the blood. Because its structure is in need of such elements as a piston, a puller, etc., it is difficult to lower its cost. After blood-gathering is finished, the puller has to be removed with a specific process and a cover has to be screwed onto the needle holder, such a follow-up process will increase the working burden of medical personnel.
In view of the above, some manufacturers have developed a vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 as shown in FIG. 1 in matching with an injection needle jacket 20 as shown in FIG. 2 for blood-gathering. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 comprises a tube body 11 and an elastic cork 12. The tube body 11 is normally made of glass or transparent resin with better air-tight property. However, the tube body made of resin remains poorer than glass in the aspect of air-tightness and is rather difficult to keep the condition of long-term vacuum, and tends to breach and is detrimental to shipping and storage. One end of the tube body 11 is closed and another end is an opening. The elastic cork 12 is normally made of synthetic rubber. So far as the vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 is concerned, the elastic cork is tightly nested in the opening of tube body 11 in a vacuum low-pressure environment so as to maintain a condition of vacuum low-pressure in the tube body 11.
As shown in FIG. 2, the injection needle jacket 20 comprises a sleeve 21 and a needle head 22. One end of the sleeve 21 is provided with a threaded hole 211 and another end is an opening 212. The outer edge in the middle section of needle head 22 is provided with a thread 221. Two ends 222 and 223 of the needle head 22 are shaped as sharp, and the thread 221 in the middle section of needle head 22 is screwed into the threaded hole 211 of sleeve 21 so that one end 222 of the needle head 22 is outside the threaded hole 211 of sleeve 21 for thrusting into the blood vessel of a human body, and another end 223 is on the inner edge of sleeve 21 and able to pierce through the elastic cork 12 of vacuum blood-gathering tube 10.
When blood-gathering, to thrust one end 222 of needle head 22 of injection needle jacket 20 into the blood vessel of human body, then to nest the vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 into the sleeve 21 of injection needle jacket 20, another end 223 of the needle head 22 in the sleeve 21 pierces through the elastic cork 12 of vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 and enters into the tube body 11 in a state of vacuum low-pressure, making use of low pressure in the tube body 11 attracts blood of human body to flow into the tube body 11. After blood-gathering is finished, to remove the vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 from the injection needle jacket 20. Since the needle hole wall formed on the elastic cork 12 by thrusting the needle head 22 into the vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 can stretch and restore its closed state at once to release pressure from it after the needle head 22 disengages from the elastic cork 12, the blood in the vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 will never be polluted or exude out from the needle hole.
The vacuum blood-gathering tube 10 tightly nested at the opening of tube body 11 and made of glass or transparent resin in a low-pressure environment as shown in Fig. 1 will not be fully air-tight and usable because it is stored for a long time (even up to 2-3 years) or the elastic cork 12 is not tightly nested into the tube body 11. Therefore, almost all of the manufacturers use the glass tube body with better air-tightness waive the cheaper tube body made of transparent resin or other plastic materials. The air-tightness of tube body made of glass is better but tends to breach because of a slight collision during shipping or storage and is possible to leak air for its long storage time or inadequate air-tightness of nesting the elastic cork into the tube body.

Instant pressure-reducing process and device for a blood-gathering tube


In order to remove a lesion constricting a vascular channel, such as arteries (1), a cutter (10) of oblong, and preferably ellipsoidal shape is provided by a plurality of flexible segments (15). The segments have cutting elements (20) in the form of cusps and mounds (25) distributed over their outwardly facing surfaces. The cutter is shortened axially between its distal (D) and proximal ends to radially expand it and present the cutting elements and mounds to the lesion. The mounds help to smoothen the inside of the vascular channel following cutting of the lesion material by the cutting elements. Reaming (reciprocal movement of the cutter) along the axis (11) of the channel or rotation of the cutter may be effected from a control unit (100) via a drive shaft 40 which encases a coaxial fluid/suction supply via pipes (60, 70) to the vicinity of the cutter. A guidewire (30), which may be in a sleeve (90) is also used for axial retraction of the segments to expand the cutter. The drive shaft, guide wire and supply are in a catheter (3).

Balloon angioplasty and mechanical atherectomy are the two principal endovascular medical procedures which have been developed for management of lesions in the coronary, visceral, and peripheral artery trees of patients having medical conditions judged suitable for such procedures or, alternatively, of patients having medical conditions judged unsuitable for surgical artery-bypass procedures.
Briefly, in the balloon angioplasty procedure, a substantially uninflated balloon at or near the tip of a catheter system is advanced inside an artery toward a predetermined (for example, by prior radiological procedures) location within the artery, where blood flow has been restricted or curtailed by build up of plaque. Upon positioning the tip of the catheter system at the location of the lesion (depending on the medical characteristics of the lesion, a lesion is also referred to either as a stenosis or as an occlusion), the balloon is inflated to create radial (and possibly some axial) forces, directed outwardly against the lesion, thereby displacing the plaque constituting the lesion by redistributing the plaque material over a now radially expanded arterial wall (also referred to as a dilated arterial adventitia). Hence, plaque displacement by the inflated balloon results in an enlarged open channel (also referred to as the lumen) within the artery at the location of balloon intervention, thus ensuring, at least in principle, improved blood flow through this previously restricted artery at that location.
In contrast to balloon angioplasty, atherectomy procedures are aimed at cutting, grinding, ablating or vaporizing plaque or other material from lesions within arteries, veins or vascular shunts. Plaque ablation may occur predominantly by localized endovascular application of ultrasonic energy, while plaque vaporization is likely the predominant process in localized endovascular application of optical energy from a laser source.
A common feature of present mechanical cutting or grinding atherectomy devices is the fixed dimension of a selected cutter or grinder means, suitably deposed at or near the distal end of a generally coaxially arranged atherectomy system. Means for advancing or retracting the cutting or grinding devices and associated rotational drive shafts, guide wires (when used), and outermost catheter tubes to or from the predetermined location of a lesion inside an artery are provided at the outside of the patient's body, as are rotational cutter drive means (for example, a motor or a turbine driven by compressed air) and means for introducing, as into the coaxial atherectomy system, certain fluids and/or means to extract (usually by controlled suction) lesion debris cut or ground at the location of the lesion within the artery under treatment. For purposes of clarity, such coaxially arranged advancing and retracting means, rotational drive means, fluid introduction and debris-extraction means will be collectively called "coaxial supply." The terms artery, vein, vascular shunt comprehend different types of vascular channels wherein the invention is useful; i.e. the system of the invention is useful in endovascular surgery in vascular channels where one type of vascular channel is mentioned (e.g. an artery) it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted for use in connection with only such a channel.
An overview, as well as a more detailed description of present mechanical atherectomy systems and respective procedures and clinical results can be found in Endovascular Surgery; second edition; Samuel S. Ahn and Wesley S. Moore, editors; published by Saunders, Philadelphia, Pa; 1992, particularly chapters 28-34, pages 263-319.
While each of the present mechanical atherectomy systems offers certain procedural advantages for specific classes of lesions (for example, relatively hard, calcified plaque or relatively soft, partially compliant or rubbery plaque), the fixed dimension of the cutter associated with each of the present atherectomy systems necessitates, in some procedures, several sequential groups of steps (insertion, cutting of plaque, and complete removal of the system from the artery under treatment), starting with the smallest-dimension cutter device and progressing through larger dimension cutter devices with each respectively associated coaxial supply. This sequential procedure is time-consuming and can result in attendant medical complications.
The invention avoids such procedures and provides a single, sequentially and selectively expandable cutter surface in a mechanical atherectomy system to facilitate maximum plaque removal at each of a potential plurality of plaque locations within one and the same artery or vein with a single endovascular insertion into that artery or vein of the cutter and its associated coaxial supply.
Present mechanical atherectomy systems also use a mechanically rigid, i.e., non-compliant cutter. Rigidity or non-compliance of a cutter may be acceptable in instances where the lesion within the artery or vein is firstly located in a relatively straight, i.e., uncurved, section of the artery or vein, and is secondly composed of essentially similar material, for example, substantially calcified deposits or substantially soft or compliant deposits. Frequently, a plurality of different lesions (different in composition and different in the degree of lesion fill factor, i.e, the extent to which a lesion occupies internal arterial volume) are found along an artery, with some lesions located in relatively straight sections of the artery and other lesions located in relatively curved sections. Rigid, non-compliant cutters of present mechanical atherectomy systems generally are not suited to effectively recanaliz an artery having such a plurality of different lesions located in said various sections of an artery. In fact, present rigid cutters can perforate through the wall of an artery or vein because they do not possess adequate self centering capability, a feature particularly important in curved section of an artery or vein.
It is a feature of the invention to provide a compliant cutter surface as part of a mechanical atherectomy system which is advantageous for lesion removal from sections of arteries or veins of straight or curved shape.
As pointed out in several chapters in the above-referenced publication, Endovascular Surgery, clinical outcomes of endovascular mechanical atherectomy have been improved sometimes when balloon angioplasty was performed subsequent to mechanical atherectomy, so as to redistribute any remaining lesion material somewhat uniformly along the inside of the arterial wall, and hence, to affect a wider and smoother lumen than could be obtained with either procedure alone.
Features of the invention are: (a) to provide a generally ellipsoidally-shaped compliant cutter which offers improved self-centering during endovascular cutting procedures; (b) to provide a non cutting, gentle balloon-like capability on at least a portion of the surface area of a selectively expandable compliant cutter, such that at least a partial smoothing of remaining lesion material may be affected; (c)to provide on at least first portions of the compliant cutter surface, a plurality of cutter elements, and to provide on at least second portions of the compliant cutter surface a non-cutting, gentle balloon like smoothing capability; (d)to enable the physician to select the location, frequency, distribution, size and shape of a plurality of cutter elements on at least portions of the surface of a compliant cutter, which may be on first portions of the surface; second portion of the surface being expandable to provide a non-cutting balloon-like smoothing capability; and (e) to enable the physician to select a sequentially and selectively expandable cutter surface, the degree of expansion of which is selectable by the physician.


A method and system for creating a histogram of oriented occurrences (HO2) is disclosed. A plurality of entities in at least one image are detected and tracked. One of the plurality of entities is designated as a reference entity. A local 2-dimensional ground plane coordinate system centered on and oriented with respect to the reference entity is defined. The 2-dimensional ground plane is partitioned into a plurality of non-overlapping bins, the bins forming a histogram, a bin tracking a number of occurrences of an entity class. An occurrence of at least one other entity of the plurality of entities located in the at least one image may be associated with one of the plurality of non-overlapping bins. A number of occurrences of entities of at least one entity class in at least one bin may be into a vector to define an HO2 feature.

Automated detection and recognition of events in video is desirable for video surveillance, video search, automated performance evaluation and advanced after-action-review (AAR) for training, and autonomous robotics. A class of events known as "multi-agent" events involves interactions among multiple entities (e.g., people and vehicles) over space and time. Multi-agent events may generally be inferred from the participating object types, object tracks and inter-object relationships observed within the context of the environment. Some simple example of multi-agent events include vehicles traveling as a convoy, people walking together as a group, meetings in a parking lot, etc. Although these simple events demonstrate the concept multi-agent events, it is desirable for a system to recognize more complex multi-agent events. Examples of more complex multi-agent events include the arrival/departure of a VIP with security detail, loading and unloading with guards or in the presence of unrelated people, meetings led by a few individuals, and coordinated team actions such as sports plays and military exercises.
Recent work has addressed modeling, analysis and recognition of complex events. The descriptors used in such approaches include object states, such as start, stop, move or turn, interactions among entities that are typically instantaneous, and pair-wise measures such as relative distance or relative speed between an entity and a reference point or a reference entity. The pair-wise measurements sometimes are quantized into Boolean functions such as Approaches, Meets/Collides, etc.
Unfortunately, such approaches in the prior art rely on a pre-defined ontology of an event and fixed numbers and types of objects that participate in an event. Moreover, although pair-wise measurements are effective for events involving a small number of entities, they are inadequate and inefficient for representing and analyzing complex configurations of multiple entities that interact with each other simultaneously. For example, with the same relative distance and the same relative speed, two people can walk together or one follows the other, which indicates different relationships among the two people.
Accordingly, what would be desirable, but has not yet been provided, is a system and method for effectively and automatically capturing complex interactions amongst multiple entities including context over space and time.

System and method for multi-agent event detection and recognition


The invention disclosed is a weir valve with an adjustable bypass incorporated into the weir portion of the valve housing. The valve housing has an interior chamber with an inlet portion, a middle portion and outlet portion. An elongate weir traverses the middle portion of the interior chamber and separates the inlet portion and outlet portion. The top surface of the weir defines a valve seat. A diaphragm traverses the interior chamber and is moveable by a compressor onto the weir effecting a closure of the valve. The adjustable bypass consists of a bypass chamber which extends longitudinally of the elongate weir with inlet and outlet openings centrally located on the sides of the weir between the bypass chamber and the inlet portion and outlet portion respectively. A bypass valve member is adjustably moveable in the bypass chamber to variably restrict the communication between the inlet and outlet openings.

The present invention relates to valves, more particularly to weir valves.
A weir valve is a valve utilizing a resilient diaphragm to traverse a weir and prevent the flow of fluid over the weir. The diaphragm may be lifted off the weir, either hydraulically by the fluid when released or mechanically to permit flow over the weir.
Weir valves provide excellent sealing and isolation characteristics to effectively contain the fluid, substantially eliminating leakage or migration into the valve mechanisms or exterior of the valve. Weir valves are also more amenable than conventional valves in designing direct and streamlined fluid flow courses through the valves. In many applications, particularly in the semiconductor industry, quiescent or dead spots in the fluid flow course must be avoided as these can cause the fluid to become stagnant or degrade. Additionally, contaminants or suspended solids can accumulate in the quiescent or dead spots. Due to these advantages, weir valves are found in the biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical, semiconductor, food processing, beverage, cosmetic, and dairy industries.
The resilient nature of the diaphragm in weir valves presents difficulties in allowing small quantities of fluid flow. The resilient diaphragm creates a soft bottoming when the valve is seated, thus making it difficult to manually determine when and to what extent the valve is slightly unseated or open. Additionally, the closure position of the resilient diaphragm can be dependent upon the fluid pressure. For example, a weir valve which is not tightly closed can be opened by a slight pressure increase. Conversely, a weir valve that is slightly open under a given pressure can become closed when the fluid pressure drops. Further, in some situations, the resilient diaphragm will oscillate when the valve is throttled at low flow rates and high pressures resulting in downstream pressure oscillations. Pressure and flow rate fluctuations or oscillations are undesirable in virtually any application.
Many weir valves, particularly pneumatically operated ones, are simply not adjustable, having only an open or a closed position.
In many applications it is often desirable or necessary to allow limited quantities of the fluid to continue to flow after the particular application or use has ceased. For example, in the semiconductor manufacturing industry ionized water is often used in various processes. Such fluid is subject to degradation if the fluid flow in not continuous.
In many applications required flow rates can vary over a wide range, weir valves are not amenable to allowing or reliably controlling the relatively minute flow rates sometimes required. Additional fluid conduits and separate valves for supplying and controlling lower flow rates can result in the degradation, stagnation, and accumulation of contaminant type of problems in which weir valves are intended to prevent.


A catalytic system based on oxygen, vanadium, phosphorus, and molybdenum corresponding to the formula H.sub.m X.sub.n Me.sub.p PMo.sub.12-x V.sub.x O.sub.40, wherein X represents the VO.sup.2+ cation with 0<n.ltoreq.2, H represents protons with 0.ltoreq.m<4, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.3, Me is a metal ion, especially an ion of a transition metal, with 0.ltoreq.p.ltoreq.t, t depending on the charge of the corresponding ion, is useful for the oxydehydrogenation of saturated carboxylic acids to .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated acids and for oxidizing aldehydes to acids.

The present invention relates to a catalytic system based on molybdenum, phosphorus, vanadium and oxygen; it has more particularly for its subject a catalytic system consisting of a heteropolyanion to which are connected, in variable proportions, cations such as protons H.sup.+, the vanadyl cation VO.sup.2+ or metal cations such as copper: Cu.sup.2+, iron: Fe.sup.3+ or cobalt Co.sup.2+. The catalytic system which is the subject of the invention is particularly suitable for the oxydehydrogenation reaction of saturated carboxylic acids or esters to the corresponding unsaturated acids or esters, in particular for the oxydehydrogenation reaction of isobutyric acid to methacrylic acid, as well as for oxidation reactions such as the oxidation of methacrolein to methacrylic acid.
Catalytic systems have been known for a long time which make it possible to carry out the oxydehydrogenaion of saturated carboxylic acids or esters to the corresponding unsaturated acids or esters. Thus, there is described in French Pat. No. 2,497,795 a catalyst of general formula: FeP.sub.x Me.sub.y O.sub.z, in which Me is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Sr or Ba: such a catalyst is suitable for the manufacture of methacrylic acid from isobutyric acid. The synthesis of methacrylic acid from isobutyric acid in the presence of a binary mixture of oxides consisting of vanadium oxide (V.sub.2 O.sub.5) and phosphorus pentoxide (P.sub.2 O.sub.5) has also been described (J. Catal. 98, 401, 1986). In this same publication, comparative tests were also carried out starting from catalysts of formula H.sub.5 PMo.sub.10 V.sub.2 O.sub.40. The results indicated show that the selectivity towards methacrylic acid levels out at around 60 % whatever the catalyst used.
Catalytic systems based on heteropolyanions have also been described in other publications as catalysts for the oxidising dehydrogenation reaction of isobutyric acid, or of its esters, to methacrylic acid or to its esters.
Thus, German Application (DOS) 2,722,375 describes catalysts obtained by concentration of an aqueous solution of a heteropolyacid of composition H.sub.5 PMo.sub.10 V.sub.2 O.sub.40 and of a copper salt, optionally in the presence of an alkali metal salt, the dry residue then being calcined. Such catalysts make it possible to achieve selectivities towards methacrylic acid of 71-72 % and, by incorporation of lithium, it is possible to achieve 74.8 %.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,247 proposes, for the same oxidising dehydrogenation reaction, catalysts based on molybdenum, vanadium, copper, phosphorus and bismuth, to which an alkali metal of the potassium, rubidium or caesium group, and optionally other metals, is added as well as oxygen in determined quantitative ratios.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,075 proposes, for the same reaction, similar catalysts based on the following elements: molybdenum, vanadium, copper and phosphorus and an alkali metal chosen from potassium, rubidium or caesium and one or more other metals as well as oxygen in determined quantitative ratios. All metals are present during the hydrothermal reaction which leads to the aqueous solution of a heteropolyanion. The selectivities for methacrylic acid achieved in the presence of these catalysts are between 60 and 70 %.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,9 34 also describes catalysts for this oxydehydrogenation reaction, of general formula H.sub.3+x PV.sub.x W.sub.3-x Mo.sub.9 O.sub.40 with 0<x<3. The system H.sub.3.5 PMo.sub.9 V.sub.0.5 W.sub.2.5 O.sub.40, supported on silica, makes it possible to achieve a conversion of isobutyric acid of 93 % and a selectivity for methacrylic acid of 79 %.
All these catalytic systems derived from heteropolyanions, however, exhibit the general drawback of having a limited stability over time under the oxydehydrogenation reaction conditions.
It is also recorded in the prior art that this type of catalyst can be used to carry out the oxygenation of methacrolein to methacrylic acid with good yields. Proc. 7th Intern. Congress Catalysis, Tokyo (1980), p. 755.
It is thus felt necessary to have available catalysts of the heteropolyanion type which make it possible to obtain selectivities towards unsaturated carboxylic acids which are industrially acceptable in combination with high conversions of the starting saturated carboxylic acids which are subjected to the catalytic oxydehydrogenation reaction; these catalysts must also exhibit good degrees of conversion of aldehydes in the oxidation reactions of aldehydes to acids, in particular during the oxidation of methacrolein to methacrylic acid. Moreover, it is also necessary that these catalysts remain stable over time under the reaction conditions.

Catalytic system and its application to the oxydehydrogenation of saturated carboxylic acids and the oxidation of aldehydes to acids


The present invention consists of an optical sensor for determining the angle and the torque of a rotatable object (13). The sensor contains at least one patterned surface (1) an ASIC (3), at least one lens (2) and at least one EMR source (16, 17). The ASIC (3) comprises processing means and an array of detectors for EMR. The at least one EMR source (16, 17) illuminates the patterned surface (1) and the at least one lens (2) focuses a part of the reflected EMR (5) from the patterned surface (1) onto the array of detectors for EMR. The patterned surface (1) contains a pattern including turning marks and laser marks (8). The at least one lens (2) focuses substantially EMR reflected by the turning marks (14) onto the array of detectors. The turning marks (14) are non-symmetrical.

Steer by-wire is an advanced steering concept for vehicles, that eliminates the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheel. All components of this vehicle steering system communicate digitally rather than mechanically. The drivers input over the steering wheel is converted into digital signals. Therefore, a sensor measures the torque and the angle of the steering wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,905 discloses a method and a device for measuring the angle of a rotatable body, in particular a body rotatable by more than 360°. The rotatable body cooperates with at least two further rotatable bodies, for example gear wheels, where angular positions are determined with the aid of two sensors. The angular position of the rotatable body is determined from the detected angular positions by a modified nonius calculation so that unequivocal statements can be made, it is necessary for all three rotatable bodies or gear wheels to have defined predetermined numbers of teeth. The method and the device can be used for determining the steering wheel angle of a motor vehicle.
German Patent 10 041 095 is related to a device for measuring an angle and/or a torque on a rotatable body. The angle of rotation is detected by means of magnetic or optical sensors. In a preferred embodiment there are two devices, each provided with two optically readable code traces. The two code traces of each device are embodied in the same way and are arranged in such a way that said devices are offset against each other so that allocated sensors output a digital signal. The angle of rotation is calculated from the offset of the two digital signals. In another embodiment, a torsional element having a known torsional stiffness is arranged between the two devices. A torque that is transmitted by the rotatable body can thus be calculated from the difference angle of the two devices. This device is preferably used in the steering column shaft of a motor vehicle.
WO 00/28285 concerns an optical sensor for determining the position of a moveable surface having patterned regions of high and low reflectivity to EMR (electromagnetic radiation). The sensor comprises an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), at least one lens and at least one EMR source. The ASIC comprises at least one array of EMR sensitive detectors and processing means. The EMR source facilitates illumination of the surface and the at least one lens facilitates the focusing of reflected EMR from the surface and generates an image on the at least one array of EMR sensitive detectors corresponding to the pattern on the surface. The ASIC, the at least one lens, and the at least one EMR source are all enclosed in a single housing providing accurate optical alignment of these elements and integrated as a single replaceable module. The processing means of the ASIC facilitates processing of the image to determine the position of the pattern on the surface.
According to the prior art, the pattern of the surface is formed, for example, by symmetrical turning marks and by laser marks thereon. The axis of symmetry of each symmetrical turning mark is positioned perpendicularly to the patterned surface. These marks may for example have a cross section in the form of a circular arc. The objective of the symmetrical turning marks is to reflect EMR coming from the EMR source into the image system containing at least one lens. As a result, the EMR reflected by the symmetrical turning marks produces a bright area on the array of EMR sensitive detectors. The laser marks consist of a flat surface on the patterned surface, designed for reflecting the EMR out of the image system. Consequently, the laser marks produce dark areas on the array of EMR sensitive detectors.
The resulting pattern of bright and dark areas can only be detected correctly, if the illumination efficiency is good and the contrast between dark and bright areas is high. These two parameters depend on the illumination angle between the EMR source and the patterned surface.
According to the prior art, high illumination efficiency is coupled with a low contrast and vice versa. As a result, the chosen illumination angle represents a compromise between optimizing the illumination efficiency on one side and the contrast on the other side.


Real time battery impedance spectrum is acquired using one time record, Compensated Synchronous Detection (CSD). This parallel method enables battery diagnostics. The excitation current to a test battery is a sum of equal amplitude sin waves of a few frequencies spread over range of interest. The time profile of this signal has duration that is a few periods of the lowest frequency. The voltage response of the battery, average deleted, is the impedance of the battery in the time domain. Since the excitation frequencies are known, synchronous detection processes the time record and each component, both magnitude and phase, is obtained. For compensation, the components, except the one of interest, are reassembled in the time domain. The resulting signal is subtracted from the original signal and the component of interest is synchronously detected. This process is repeated for each component.

Electrochemical Impedance Measurement Systems use the Bode analysis technique to characterize the impedance of an electrochemical process. It is a well established and proven technique. The battery being evaluated is excited with a current that is single frequency and its response is measured. The process is repeated over a range of frequencies of interest until the spectrum of the impedance is obtained. The method is effective but time consuming, as the process is serial. A parallel approach using band width limited noise as an excitation current can obtain the same information in less time. The system response to the noise is processed via correlation and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms and many such responses are averaged. The result is the spectrum of response over the desired frequency range. The averaging of many responses also makes this process somewhat serial. Another technique assembles the current noise waveform from a sum of sinusoids each at a different frequency. The system response as a time record is acquired and processed with the FFT algorithm. To reduce noise multiple time records of waveforms are processed and their resultant spectra averaged. This process is also serial.
There remains a need for real time acquisition of battery impedance for control and diagnostics over a limited frequency range. This method of acquisition should be a true parallel approach that uses a single time record of battery response with a duration compatible to a real time control process.

Method of detecting system function by measuring frequency response

Montana Tech of the University of Montana


A mechanism for arients and maintains a key in a sub for guiding directional measurement equipment of a directional drilling assembly with respect to the drillbit. The orienting sub has an outer sleeve which is supported on an inner shoulder in the orienting sub. An inner sleeve which holds the key has an outer wedged profile which follows the shape of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve can be longitudinally, obliquely, or spirally segmented and has a thread on one end so that a jam nut can be installed to advance the inner sleeve with the key until a wedging action occurs between the inner and outer sleeves and the sub. At that point, the key is oriented without any bores through the wall of the sub. Provisions can be made in the assembly to provide a biasing force on the inner sleeve which holds the key to compensate for vibrational loads on the assembly.

In directional drilling, a drillstring extends into a substantially vertical wellbore and normally supports a fluid-operated motor and a drillbit at its lower end. The drillbit is supported for angular drilling by using an external bent sub to support the downhole motor or by using a downhole motor with a bent housing. A directional measurement tool is connected above the motor to allow determination and control of the drilling direction (azimuth and inclination). An orienting sub, also known as a "muleshoe sub," is connected to the directional measurement tool for orienting the position of the directional measurement tool in relationship to the motor. The orienting sub is generally a tubular construction, with a connection to the directional measurement tool at one end and a connection to the bent sub or the upper motor housing at the other end. The orienting sub has a sleeve mounted in the housing, with an internal key to receive the muleshoe for locating the directional measurement tool in relation to the motor. The directional measurement equipment, to which the muleshoe arrangement is connected, generally includes an axially extending slot which communicates at its lower end with a camming surface. Abutting engagement of the key with the camming surface rotates the directional measurement assembly to permit the slot therein to receive the key. When the slot and key are fully engaged, the measurement equipment is accurately oriented with respect to the motor or bend sub so that it may accurately plot or record the orientation at which the key, and therefore the motor or bend sub, are disposed relative to a predetermined datum.
Referring to FIG. 4, a prior art design is illustrated. The thread 10 supports the downhole motor and, ultimately, the drillbit as well as the bent sub. These components have been omitted for clarity. At the upper end 11, a thread 13 accepts the tubing string to the surface, which will include as a component thereof the measurement tool with measurement equipment. Alternatively, the measurement equipment can be inserted through the passage 15 into the upper end 11. The measurement equipment has a longitudinal groove which will ultimately engage the key 14. The alignment of sleeve 12 is obtained by a series of set screws 16, which extend through the sub 22 and engage the sleeve 12. Thus, the orientation of the key 14 is accomplished at the surface when the bottomhole assembly is put together. Seals 18 and 20 prevent the mud that circulates in passage 15 downhole to the motor and the bit from escaping to the outside of sub 22. The problem with this design and similar designs known in the prior art is that the seals 18 and 20 ultimately fail, which results in flow around set screws 16 and ultimately a release of the grip by the set screws 16 of sleeve 12. When this occurs, the key 14 can move as the sleeve 12 can rotate within sub 22. When this occurs, there is a loss of orientation because the key 14 is no longer in alignment with the bend, either in the downhole motor or in a separate bend connection, which occurs before the bit. The loss of orientation cannot be seen immediately at the rig floor; therefore, the wellbore could be drilled in the wrong direction. There is also a loss of fluid to the mud motor as fluid in passage 15 escapes to the annulus.
Another problem with this design and similar designs known in the prior art is that the set screws sometimes don't develop enough grip. The set screws can get loose, especially if the measurement or surveying equipment is pumped down and the slot is initially misaligned with the key. The torque developed to turn the slot and, therefore, the measurement equipment can rotate the sleeve, which results in a loss of orientation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,765,494 and 3,052,309 illustrate the use of external set screws 36 and 7, respectively, to hold the key in position.
Other attempts have been made to secure the position of the orienting sleeve for the muleshoe on the surveying tool by using a series of grooves and splines. Typical of such a design is U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,032. However, such designs are expensive to manufacture and are sensitive to wear from the erosive effects of flowing fluid, which in time washes out the grooves and splines. Ultimately, this will cause a loosening of the fit and a movement of the key as a result. Furthermore, the joint as illustrated in the '032 patent uses a shoulder above and below the sleeve, which makes the assembly sensitive to correct alignment, especially if a tapered thread is used. As a result, this type of connection has not been in widespread use. Yet another technique of securing the key of a sleeve which will ultimately guide the muleshoe is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,162. There, the sleeve holding the key is threaded to the sub and a unique thread arrangement is used where one part of the sleeve having the thread is compressed with a longitudinally aligned bolt. This design has disadvantages in that the mud flow eventually has erosive effects on the thread and the nature of squeezing one portion of the thread against another limits the amount of torque that the sleeve can withstand before the key which engages the muleshoe can turn, causing a loss of orientation. Another disadvantage of this design is that the sleeve is prevented from rotating by the means of axial compression of the crest of the male and female threads against each other, which will result in plastic deformation of flanges from thread crests due to compressing action. This design will be difficult to torque sufficiently and will be hard to release and resecure after an initial use.
Accordingly, the apparatus of the present invention has been developed to provide a simple and expedient way to secure a keyway for the axially extending slot for the measurement-while-drilling or the surveying tool. The objectives of the invention are to provide a solid support for the key within the sub so that the orientation is always maintained. The installation and removal techniques for orienting the key are simple and reliable. Provisions are also made to resist release due to vibrational loads.


A lock-out device for electrical cables and associated plugs that is intended to allow the workman to protect against the possibility of a re-connection of any plug in the device, while the workman is working on the electrical apparatus associated with such plug. The lock-out device is comprised essentially of a flexible containment chamber, a keeper bar, a perforated strap, a fastener for the strap, a locking device for the keeper bar, and a pocket, which has two openings.

This invention deals with a means of providing security against the unwanted, or unintended use of electrical plugs. For safety reasons, it is often desirable to prohibit the use of certain electrically operated devices, for example, when an electrician is working on an electrical system, it is imperative that some other person does not activate the system electrically and therefore, if the workman can temporarily interrupt the electricity, and can be assured that no other person can accidentally re-activate the electricity, then the workman can work with the system without danger of being electrocuted. The instant invention is intended to provide a simple, inexpensive, efficient means of securing such electrical plugs.
One such device for this purpose is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,667, which issued Mar. 10, 1987 to Baumgart, in which there is shown an apparatus having a containment chamber associated with a locking means. Spaced pairs of apertures are located at the top portion on opposite sides of the chamber. An electrical plug and its associated cable are inserted into the chamber with the shackle of the locking means being inserted through the apertures so as to encircle the electrical cable when in the locked position to capture the electrical plug within the chamber. Thus, this device depends on the locking means per se to prevent the removal of the electrical plug and does not depend on the containment chamber for such a purpose.
A second United States Patent to Baumgart, U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,230, which issued Jun. 16, 1987, discloses a similar device for preventing the unauthorized use of electrical plugs. The apparatus has a chamber which has a bottom and a peripherally extending side wall with an open top portion. There is an aperture in the bottom of the receiving cable. The device slides up and down on the cable, and when in use, the device is moved to the end of the cable, thereby enclosing the plug end, and a locking means is used at the top to prevent the removal of the electrical plug. In other words, this device is permanently associated with the electrical plug, and cannot be used on any other electrical plug for protection.
Finally, the inventor herein is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 1,062,506 to Rickard, which issued on May 20, 1913, which deals with a mail pouch and lock to secure mail. The locking device is comprised of a locking means, and a strap, which is designed to work with the locking device, whereupon, the strap of the assembly is pulled around the top of the mail bag to close the top of the mail bag, and then the strap is inserted into its locking means and locked therein.
Although this device appears to be very close in operation to the device of the instant invention, it can be noted that it differs, in that, the strap and lock are a unitary assembly and if the lock fails, the entire assembly fails, and therefore, a whole new assembly has to be used, whereas in the instant invention, if the lock fails, it is only the lock that has to be replaced. Further, the assembly is dependent on openings in the mail bag itself for the locking device to be positioned correctly for locking.
The apparatus of Rickard is large and cumbersome. Further, it is used on mail bags, and there is no disclosure in that patent that would indicate that device could be used in a method of securing electrical cables. Even if that disclosure were present in the Rickard reference, the Rickard device does not have the versatility of the device of the instant invention, in that, in order to draw the bag tight to lock, the Rickard device would only leave enough opening for one or two cords through the top opening owing to the strap and lock means being one assembly and the strap means having only one point at which the lock means is activated, while the device of the instant invention is good for multiple plug use.
None of the devices of the prior art provide the simplicity, efficiency, and low cost benefits of the device of the instant invention.