A liquid junction structure for an electrochemical reference electrode or a reference portion of an electrochemical combination electrode comprising an element of capillary material restrained between first and second plastic shrink tubes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to liquid junction structures for electrochemical electrodes and, more particularly, to shrink tube liquid junction structures useful in electrochemical combination and reference electrodes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrochemical ion measurements are typically made by contacting a test solution with a measuring electrode and a reference electrode and measuring the potential difference between the two electrodes. The measuring electrode is typically a high impedance device for measuring activity or concentration of the ion in question and accordingly generates a potential with respect to the test solution related to the concentration of the ion of interest. The reference electrode provides a potential that is substantially independent of the test solution composition. Typically, the reference electrode comprises a metal conductor in contact with a mass of sparingly soluble salt of the metal and immersed in an electrolyte having a nonmetallic ion in common with the metal salt. Such reference electrodes often employ a silver wire conductor coated at one end with silver chloride and immersed in a potassium chloride electrolyte solution contained within the electrode.
It is now commonplace for a reference electrode and a measuring electrode to be combined in a single structure referred to as a combination electrode having an ion measuring portion and a reference portion. In a typical form a combination electrode comprises an inner generally tubular electrode body having an ion measuring structure at one end, a generally tubular container surrounding and receiving the inner electrode body, and a reference electrolyte reservoir defined in the annular space between the body and container.
To make ion measurements, it is necessary for the reference electrolyte, within a reference electrode or within the reference portion of a combination electrode, to electrolytically contact the test solution to be measured. For this purpose numerous so-called liquid junction structures have been developed to establish an electrolytic path between the electrolyte and the test solution. Typically such is accomplished by means of a wettable capillary material which provides either a minute flow rate path or an ion diffusion path between the electrolyte and the test solution. An early but still popular liquid junction structure employs one or more strands of capillary fibers, such as asbestos or linen, in contact with the reference electrolyte and with the test solution. U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,308 illustrates one such liquid junction comprising a plurality of asbestos fiber strands around and extending through an annular seal between an inner glass pH electrode body and an outer tubular plastic container. The strands are looped through an elastomeric band which surrounds the glass electrode body and holds the strands in place against the glass body.
In another fiber strand liquid junction a plastic shrink tube positioned about and shrunk onto the inner glass pH electrode body traps and restrains the asbestos fiber strands in place against the glass electrode body.
While satisfactory electrodes result with the two foregoing liquid junction structure arrangements, their operation is compromised by the existence of undesirable stirring artifacts and liquid junction potentials. Such result because an ideal liquid junction structure through the asbestos fibers alone is not attained in actual practice. It is believed that since the asbestos strands are restrained by the shrink tubing against the relatively hard outer surface of the inner glass electrode body, voids or pockets remain along the length of the fiber material adjacent the hard glass body in which secondary parallel paths bypassing the fiber material develop between the reference electrolyte and the solution to be tested. Such result in the aforementioned stirring artifacts and liquid junction potentials which reduce the accuracy and reliability of the electrode.

Shrink tube liquid junction structure for electrochemical electrodes


The invention relates to a method for providing an inorganic coating to ammonium nitrate (AN) based particles, in particular to ammonium nitrate-based particles for use as a fertilizer, as well as to an inorganic coating for ammonium nitrate-based particles per se. The method comprises the steps of: a) applying a liquid concentrated mineral acid with a water content of less than 50 weight %, to the particles, in order to at least solubilize ammonium nitrate at the outer surface of the particles such that an acidified particle grasping layer is obtained, and b) applying a solid mineral alkaline in powder form to the particles of step a) in order to react with the grasping layer of the particles to coat the acidified particle surface; wherein the stoichiometric ratio of solid mineral alkaline in powder form to concentrated mineral acid is equal to or more than 5:1.

The invention relates to a method for providing an inorganic coating to ammonium nitrate-based particles, in particular to ammonium nitrate-based particles for use as a fertilizer. Such inorganic coating is suitable for providing macronutrients, micronutrients or a combination thereof to a particulate fertilizer.
Plants may obtain macronutrients, micronutrients or any combination thereof, amongst others, by the application of particulate fertilizers. Macronutrients are typically divided into primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium) and secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium, and sulfur). Micronutrients (also referred to as trace elements) include boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.
As a first object, the invention is directed to the provision of an inorganic coating, suitable for providing micronutrients to a particulate fertilizer.
As a second object, the invention is directed to the provision of an inorganic coating, suitable for providing macronutrients, micronutrients or any combination thereof to a particulate fertilizer.
At present, there exist different possibilities to provide particulate fertilizers with macronutrients, micronutrients or a combination thereof.
A first possibility is to add macronutrients, micronutrients or a combination thereof into the fertilizer during the manufacturing process of the fertilizer particles, for instance before the fertilizer particles are formed. The disadvantage of this possibility is that some reactions between the added macro- or micronutrient components and the acids or other materials present may render some of the macro- or micronutrients unusable. When for instance zinc oxide (ZnO) comes into contact with phosphoric acid (H3PO4), insoluble Zn3(PO4)2 is formed rendering the macro- or micronutrients unusable.
A second possibility is to coat the macro- or micronutrients on the fertilizer particles using a non-aqueous solution of the macro- or micronutrients, for instance an oil-based solution to which magnesium oxide (MgO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), boric oxide (B2O3), another mineral alkaline or any combination thereof is added. However, addition of oil to the particulate fertilizer results in dilution of the fertilizer. The fertilizer particles furthermore become sticky and having a reduced flowability. Also, by using an oil in the coating, the amount of carbon is raised, consequently raising the explosion sensitivity of the particulate fertilizer.
A third possibility is to physically blend the fertilizer particles with specific particles of macro- or micronutrients. In that case, a blend is obtained often having particles with a different size, resulting in segregation of the particles. When spreading such a blend on the field by the farmer, a non-uniform distribution of the added nutrients is obtained.
A fourth possibility is to form an aqueous solution of the macro- or micronutrients and spraying these on the fertilizer particles. When applying said aqueous solution on hygroscopic particles such as ammonium nitrate (AN) particles, these particles will absorb the water of the aqueous solution, resulting in the free flowing fertilizer particles to swell, degrade, or in the worst case, turn into a wet mud.

Method for providing an inorganic coating to ammonium nitrate-based particles


The disclosed invention is designed to prevent the oscillation which often occurs in an over-current protection apparatus for an insulated gate controlled transistor. The apparatus improves the response in current detection, to prevent oscillation, and improves protection speed against over-current. This is accomplished by separating the gates of the main transistor and the current detector transistor; by setting a shorter time constant for the gate circuit of the current detector transistor than that of the gate circuit of the main transistor; by feeding the detection signal obtained from the current detecting means which detects the current i of the current detector transistor proportional to the current I flowing through the main transistor, to the control means; and by controlling the gate potentials of both transistors to protect the main transistor from the over-current by feeding the comparison output Sd from the comparator circuit, which compares the voltage of the signal Vd with the reference voltage Vr, to the control circuit.

This invention relates to an over-current protection apparatus for an insulated gate controlled transistor such as a power MOS transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor, etc. Because the power MOS transistor is applicable in a high frequency range and the insulated gate bipolar transistor is well suited for large current applications due to its output impedance, these insulated gate controlled transistors, with their exceedingly high input impedance, are widely used in a vertical element of a switching power supply, an inverter for controlling a motor, etc.
However, the power transistor requires some protection measures against an over-current since the power transistor is damaged or broken down rather easily by the over-current caused by abnormality on the load side. Currently, protection measures have been incorporated into an integrated circuit together with related circuits. A protection scheme has been known which incorporates a current detector transistor as an over-current protection means for a main transistor. The current detector transistor protects the main transistor by detecting an over-current flowing through the main transistor based on the principles of the Miller current circuit. This protection scheme is described, for example, in Electro mini/micro Northeast Conf. Rec. E 10.4.1-10.4.4., 1986 by D. L. Zaremba Jr. and in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,690. FIG. 6 schematically shows the protection technique according to the prior art.
In FIG. 6, a load power supply 2 usually supplies voltage of several hundred volts to a load 1. A main transistor 10 which controls a current flowing through the load 1 is a power MOS transistor, the drain terminal D of which is connected with the load 1 and the source terminal S of which is grounded. The main transistor 10 is usually comprised of many unit structures connected in parallel with each other and repeatedly incorporated into a semiconductor apparatus. A current detector transistor 20 is comprised of from one to several unit structures, assigned to the current detection purpose, having the same unit structure with that of the main transistor 10 and being incorporated into the semiconductor apparatus. As FIG. 6 shows, the drain and the gate of the current detector transistor 20 are connected in common to the drain and the gate of the main transistor 10, respectively. The common gate receives a drive command Ss from a drive circuit 3. Usually, a gate resistance Rg is connected as shown in FIG. 6 to the common gate for adjusting the switching speed of transistor 10 controlling the current supplied to the load 1.
According to the principles of the Miller current circuit, a small follower current i of one several thousandth of a reference current I of the main transistor 10 flows through the current detector transistor 20. The follower current i is detected as a voltage drop across a current detecting means Rd connected to the source of the current detector transistor 20. An operational amplifier 30 compares a detection signal Vd indicative of the voltage drop with reference voltage Vr and outputs a comparison signal Sd indicative of a result of the comparison to a gate control circuit 40. The control circuit 40 outputs a control signal Sc to the common gate of the transistors 10 and 20 based on the comparison signal Sd.
When an over-current flows through the main transistor 10, the detection signal Vd exceeds the reference voltage Vr and the control circuit 40 which receives the comparison signal Sd from the operational amplifier 30 outputs the control signal Sc to the main transistor 10 to limit or shut off the current I flowing through the main transistor 10. When the drive circuit 3 designates ON and OFF of the main transistor 10 by HIGH and LOW of the drive command Ss, the control signal Sc lowers the HIGH signal or changes the HIGH signal to the LOW signal.
The over-current protection apparatus according to the prior art protects the main transistor from an over-current by correctly detecting the current I of the main transistor 10 by means of the current i of the detector transistor 20 based on the principle of the Miller current circuit. However, oscillation tends to occur in the prior art circuit when the main transistor is of large current capacity, the electrostatic capacitance of which is large. This is because, though the feedback control system including the operational amplifier 30 and the control circuit 40 shows quick response and high gain, the controlled system including the gate capacitance and the gate resistance Rg of the main and current detector transistors 10 and 20 cannot quickly follow the control signals Sc.
The simplest measure for preventing the oscillation is to lower the responsiveness and the gain of the feedback system. However, this preventive measure causes insufficient over-current detection sensitivity and an excessively slow protective operation both of which cause damage or breakdown of the main transistor 10. The other measure for solving this problem has been to provide the operational amplifier 30 with a phase compensation function (see for example "Circuit Techniques For Fully Utilizing Operational Amplifiers" by Iwao Sagara, pp. 14-15, published in 1987 from Nikkan Kougyou). This phase compensation technique will be briefly explained below with reference to FIG. 7.
The operational amplifier 30 illustrated in FIG. 7 is comprised of a differential input block 31 which receives the detected voltage Vd and the reference voltage Vr, an amplifying block 32 which receives output of the differential input block 31, and an output block 33 which is driven by the amplifying block 32 and outputs the comparison signal Sd. A phase compensation capacitor Cp is connected, for example, on the input side of a transistor of the amplifying block 32 as shown in the figure. The phase compensation capacitor Cp shifts the phase of change of the comparison signal Sd corresponding to a change of the detected voltage Vd. The oscillation is prevented, without the deteriorating protective function, by appropriately adjusting the phase delay to match the response delay caused by the gate capacitance of the main transistor 10 of the controlled system.
In applying this compensation method to a practical circuit, it is difficult to adjust the capacitance of the phase compensation capacitor Cp to the characteristics of the controlled system, especially when adjustment of the gate resistance Rg is required depending on the load 1. Further, the capacitance of the phase compensation capacitor Cp becomes large in relation to the increase of the main transistor's current capacity. The compensation capacitance increase requires so wide a chip area for incorporating the capacitor Cp into the integrated circuit that the practical applicability of the phase compensation method is lost and the over-current protection function is lowered due to deterioration of the response of the operational amplifier 30.
In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to have an over-current protection apparatus for a transistor which is free from oscillation, well suited for practical use, and simply configured.

Over-current protection apparatus for transistor


Method for the preparation of compounds containing isocyanuric groups and blocked isocyanate groups from aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates; wherein the starting polyisocyanate is first transformed by a known method into a mixture containing an isocyanurate containing at least two free isocyanate groups; and this intermediate product is reacted with monofunctional acidic-hydrogen containing blocking agents; wherein the blocking agent is added in an amount such that one equivalent of agent is added for every equivalent of NCO-group equivalent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of new compounds with built-in isocyanuric groups as well as with the compounds obtained by this method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The preparation of masked isocyanates, also called isocyanate yielders, is known and is described in Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie, XIV/2 pp. 61-70. It is known to use as blocking agents, tertiary alcholos, phenols, acetoacetic ester, malonic acid ester, acetyl acetonate, phthalimide, imidazole, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide and .epsilon.-caprolactam.
These masked isocyanates possess the property of reacting, at higher temperatures, as isocyanates. The splitting of the masking group is easier, the more acidic the hydrogen atom of the masking group. Such blocked isocyanates are described in the DT-OS 21 66 423. Terminally blocked isocyanates, which also contain in addition uretidione groups, are described in DT-OS 25 02 934.
Surprisingly, the literature does not contain any reference to isocyanuric groups containing terminally blocked isocyanate groups with aliphatic polyisocyanates. Blocked aromatic isocyanurates are reported for the preparation of heat resistant grinding resistant urethane-enamel, especially for electric wire insulators, in JA-AS No. 73-30453, filed on Dec. 24, 1969. The preparation of aliphatic polyisocyanate-containing thus blocked isocyanuric groups is on the other hand, unknown until now.

Compounds containing isocyanuric groups and terminally blocked isocyanate groups


A pressure-boosting apparatus particularly amenable for use in downhole applications is disclosed. The pressure-boosting apparatus employs an unbalanced piston which is initially fixated in a run-in position. The piston has a flowpath therethrough in which is mounted a check valve. Initially, pressure is applied to above and below the piston which results in an unbalanced force on the piston due to its configuration. Flow to the tool initiates its actuation at this time. When the unbalanced force reaches a predetermined level, the piston is no longer fixated to the housing and begins to accelerate. Acceleration of the piston closes the check valve due to the sudden decrease in pressure behind the check valve and an increase in pressure in front of the check valve as the fluid volume in front of the piston is compressed. Due to the proportional relationship between pressure and area, a magnification of force originally delivered by the pump is achieved for completion of the setting of a downhole tool such as a packer or bridge plug or the like.

In the past, many downhole tools, such as bridge plugs or packers, have been used that are settable hydraulically. In some applications, the downhole tool is positioned in the wellbore with a wireline. Attached to the wireline assembly is a downhole pump which takes suction within the wellbore and builds the pressure up into the downhole tool for its actuation. Typically, these downhole pumps are driven by downhole motors are supplied with electrical power from the wireline and are limited in their pressure output to output pressures in the order of up to about 3,000 psig. Lately, the technology in downhole tools, particularly bridge plugs and packers, has evolved where higher setting pressures are required to assure the sealing integrity of the packer or plug. This is particularly true in environments where larger differential pressures are expected and the sealing force must be enhanced to a sufficient level to withstand the expected differentials across the plug or packer.
In the past, the physical configuration of the downhole pumps, as well as the logistics of supplying sufficient power to operate downhole motors, has been a limiting factor in the ability to apply setting pressure to bridge plugs or packers and similar hydraulically settable downhole tools. One solution to the space problem in the wellbore has been to stack a plurality of pistons in parallel so that the available setting pressure acts simultaneously on all the pistons. However, these devices did not magnify the applied pressure and, hence, the applied pressure available for setting the downhole tool.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a simple device which can be readily used in conjunction with the pressure developing pump or a similar device used to create the motive force to set the downhole tool. It can also be used when the tool is run on tubing and a boost force is needed. The boosting device operates automatically and is simple to construct and effective to get a predetermined ratio of increase in applied force to set a downhole tool.

Pressure-boost device for downhole tools


The present invention provides a coating comprising a bioactive material and an antimicrobial agent, wherein the concentration of said antimicrobial agent varies throughout the thickness of the coating.

Biomaterial-centered infection is a prevalent cause of revision surgery in general and particularly in total joint replacement. Revision surgeries due to infection are risky and invasive. Conventionally, if an infection occurs after a total joint replacement, bone ingrowth is inhibited by bacteria, and the responsible implant must be removed and replaced with a temporary implant composed of anti-infection agents. During this time, a patient has an extensive stay in a hospital or is otherwise rendered immobile because the temporary infection-fighting implant is typically non-load bearing. In some instances, a patient may be confined to a bed or wheelchair for weeks before the infection is stopped. When the infection subsides, the temporary infection-fighting implant is removed and a revision implant is inserted in its place. This procedure is costly to the patient in both time and money. Infections associated with inserting a medical device can be devastating, painful, and cause prolonged disability. Treating the infection may cost tens of thousands of dollars. Moreover, surgeons are presented with greater risks if post-operative infection occurs.
Conventionally, certain precautions are taken to prevent post-surgery infection. For example, antibiotics are provided to a patient before and after surgery to reduce the risk of infection. Antibiotics are typically given within one hour of the start of surgery (usually once in the operating room) and continued for a short period following the procedure. Short operating time and minimal Operating Room (OR) traffic may further reduce the risk of infection during surgery, such as a total joint replacement procedure or an intramedullary nailing procedure. By increasing efficiency in the OR, a surgeon may effectively lower the risk of infection by limiting the time the anatomy is exposed. Limiting the number of operating room personnel entering and leaving the operating room is also thought to decrease risk of infection. Another precaution is the strict adherence to sophisticated sterilization techniques. However, despite the aforementioned precautions being taken, post-surgery infection remains a real and serious threat.
There are generally two types of post-surgery infections. First, early-stage infection occurs in the weeks following surgery and may sometimes be cured with a surgical washout and intravenous antibiotics. The exact period of surgical washout necessary is debatable but is typically between about three to about eight weeks. It is, however, generally accepted that curing an infection without removing the responsible orthopaedic implant becomes harder and harder with each passing day after surgery. Second, late-stage infection usually occurs after months or even years after surgery and almost always requires removal of the orthopaedic implant. An "antibiotic spacer" is placed into the void and intravenous antibiotics are provided to the patient. Patients with late-stage infection may need to undergo at least six weeks of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, possibly more, before the orthopaedic implant can be replaced.
In the area of orthopaedics, the prior art has attempted to coat implants with antimicrobial products to prevent infection (see e.g. "Antibacterial Nanosized Silver Substituted Hydroxyapatite: Synthesis and Characterization," by Rameshbabu et al. (2006); "In Vitro Anti-bacterial and Biological Properties of Magnetron Co-sputtered Silver-containing Hydroxyapatite Coating," by Chen et al. (2006); "Antibacterial Effects of Ag-Hap Thin Films on Alumina Substrates," by Feng et al. (1998)).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,987 issued on Apr. 13, 2004 to Nucryst Pharmaceuticals Corp. of Alberta, Canada discusses antimicrobial coatings or powders that provide an effective and sustainable antimicrobial effect. The '987 patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2004/0074568A1 published on Apr. 22, 2004 discusses an anchor module for covalently bonding a mediator module, such as an antibiotic, to a medical implant. The disclosure of the '568 Publication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Published Patent Application 2006/0286140A1 published on Dec. 21, 2006 discusses a medical implant with therapeutic molecules bonded to its surface. The disclosure of the '140 Publication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In vitro cell culture studies have shown that low concentrations of silver may reduce the risk of infection. Thus, with the onset of multi-drug resistance in many bacterial strains, a new treatment methodology with the powerful antibacterial properties of silver at low concentrations has been sought. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,122, issued on Sep. 29, 1992, suggests adding any one of copper, silver, or zinc to a hydroxyapatite coating in order to provide antibacterial effectiveness. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,534, issued on Nov. 30, 1993, suggests adding silver and silicon to an HA coating. U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,577, issued on Sep. 20, 1994, further suggests adding silver and zinc for antibacterial purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,174, issued on Dec. 7, 1993, suggests an antimicrobial hydroxyapatite powder composition having zinc and further including fluoride for its bone-stimulating properties. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,151,122, 5,266,534, 5,348,577, and 5,268,174, are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
The present invention discusses an implant which aims to improve at least one of the problems of the prior art.

Gradient coating for biomedical applications


Multilevel coded modulation equipment includes a transmission unit and a reception unit. The transmission unit includes a first converting unit, a first encoding unit, a first differential encoding unit, a second encoding unit, a mapping unit, and a modulating unit. The reception unit includes a demodulating unit, a first decoding unit, an inverting unit, a phase shifting unit, a second decoding unit, a differential decoding unit, a decision unit, and a second converting unit. The first converting unit distributes an input serial digital signal to a plurality of levels containing a level 1 indicating a level which is transparent to a 90.degree. phase ambiguity, and a level 2 indicating a level which is transparent to a 180.degree. phase rotation. The second converting unit receives outputs from the inverting unit, the differential decoding unit, and the decision unit, multiplexes the received signals into a serial digital signal, and outputs the serial digital signal.

The present invention is used in multilevel coded modulation to be applied to 2.sup.m -value quadrature amplitude modulation (m.gtoreq.4, m: integer). The present invention relates to multilevel code modulation equipment capable of performing correct decoding constantly even if a phase ambiguity exists.
Although the present invention is developed for microwave radio, it can be extensively used in communications other than microwave radio.
Recently, introduction of error-correcting schemes with high correcting capabilities has been advanced in a digital microwave radio system for the purpose of improving the quality of transmission characteristics. Coded modulation has been studied as one of these schemes.
The coded modulation is a combination of mapping based on set partitioning and error-correction coding techniques, and is an error-correcting scheme superior in performance to conventional error-correcting schemes which are independent of modulation/demodulation techniques. Code construction methods are classified into multilevel coded modulation and trellis coded modulation (TCM). The multilevel coded modulation is described in detail in H. Imai, S. Hirakawa, "A New Multilevel Coding Method Using Error-Correction Codes", IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, vol. IT-23, pp. 371-377. The details of the TCM are described in Ungerboeck, "Trellis-Coded Modulation with Redundant Signal Sets Part 1,2", IEEE Com. Mag., vol. 25, pp. 5-21, Feb. 1987. Since the principle of the error correction is not related directly to the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
It is impossible for quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) used in digital microwave radio to detect an absolute phase of a carrier on a receiving side, and so a 90.degree. phase ambiguity exists. Generally, differential decoding is used to eliminate the influence of this phase ambiguity. Since, however, errors are doubled by this differential decoding, an error-correcting circuit is placed inside the differential decoding. Therefore, an error-correcting scheme for use in the QAM is required to have characteristics not influenced by this phase ambiguity. Codes meeting this condition are called transparent codes.
A code having the highest correcting capability in the TCM, i.e., a so-called Ungerboeck code is not transparent to 90.degree. and 180.degree. phase ambiguities. The code therefore cannot be correctly decoded except when it is demodulated with the same phase as that on a transmitting side. For this reason, however, an absolute phase can be detected on a receiving side from information obtained by a decoder, and this makes transmission of signals possible without performing differential decoding.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing 16QAM for encoding two lower levels, as an example of the TCM. Reference numeral 11 denotes a communication equipment constituted by a transmission unit 500 and a reception unit 600. An input serial signal from a terminal 50 of the transmission unit 500 is distributed to three portions by a first converter 510. In the TCM, unlike in the multilevel coded modulation, both signals of levels 1 and 2 are encoded by a single convolutional encoder 520. Signals of levels 3 and 4 which are distributed to uncoded levels are directly applied together with the signals of levels 1 and 2 which are encoded by the convolutional encoder 520 to a mapping circuit 530. The mapping circuit 530 outputs the coordinates of signal points corresponding to the input signals according to a signal arrangement based on set partitioning shown in FIG. 4. The output from the mapping circuit 530 is applied to a modulator 540 and 16QAM-modulated by the modulator 540. This modulated signal is output to a terminal 60.
The signal received by the reception unit 600 is applied to a terminal 70. A demodulator 610 demodulates the input signal, converting the signal into a digital signal. The output from the demodulator 610 is applied to a phase shifter 620. The phase shifter 620 executes a phase rotation of 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree., or 270.degree. and supplies the resultant output to a Viterbi decoder 630 and a decision unit 640. Decoding operations of the levels 1 and 2 are performed by the Viterbi decoder 630, and decisions of the levels 3 and 4 as uncoded levels are performed by the decision unit 640. The decoding and decision results of the individual levels are applied to a second converter 650 and multiplexed into a serial signal. This serial signal is output to a terminal 80. The Viterbi decoder 630 can distinguish a phase difference of 0.degree. between transmitted and received carriers from other phase differences in accordance with metric information used in decoding. Therefore, this information is used to control the phase shifter 620.
Since the TCM described above uses a single convolutional code, a degree of flexibility concerning setting of a maximum coding rate is small. Therefore, the TCM is difficult to use in digital microwave radio in which redundancy must be decreased as small as possible, i.e., a coding rate must be increased as high as possible.
In contrast, the multilevel coded modulation uses different codes at different levels in set partitioning, and so a degree of flexibility of setting a coding rate is larger than that of the TCM. Since the multilevel coded modulation has substantially the same characteristics as the TCM in correcting capability, the multilevel coded modulation can be said to be a coded modulation scheme suitable for the digital microwave radio. The multilevel coded modulation, however, has not been satisfactorily studied yet in its practical applications as compared with the TCM; for example, an application of the multilevel coded modulation to a communication system in which a phase ambiguity exists has not been sufficiently examined yet.


The invention relates to a processor comprising, in its instruction set, a bit matrix multiplication instruction (sbmm) having a first double precision operand (A) representing a first matrix to multiply, a second operand (B) explicitly designating any two single precision registers whose joint contents represent a second matrix to multiply, and a destination parameter (C) explicitly designating any two single precision registers for jointly containing a matrix representing the result of the multiplication.

A bit matrix multiplication unit (BMM) allows a reorganization of data in a single instruction cycle. Many types of reorganization are possible, up to a reorganization of the individual bits of the processed data. The article [Yedidya Hilewitz et al. "Bit Matrix Multiplication in Commodity Processors", IEEE International Conference on Application-Specific Systems, Architectures and Processors, 2008] describes applications of BMM units.
In practice, a BMM operator is used with one of its operands at a constant value selected to define a particular operation on the contents of the other operand. Constants chosen for the first operand may define permutations of the rows of the matrix assigned to the second operand, i.e. permutations of words represented by the rows. Constants chosen for the second operand may define permutations of the columns of the matrix assigned to the first operand, i.e. permutations of bits according to a same pattern applied to all the rows of the matrix.
However, a BMM unit finds limits in terms of efficiency when the reorganizations mix data from multiple matrices.

Bit-matrix multiplication using explicit register


A charger for charging rechargeable batteries including circuitry for supplying electrical charging power to said rechargeable battery so as to rapidly charge said rechargeable battery, interrupting circuitry for repeatedly interrupting said electrical charging power to said rechargeable battery for a preselected timed interval so as to permit the detection of the internal resistance free voltage of said battery during said interruption of said power, electrical comparing circuitry for comparing the internal resistance free voltage of said battery with a preselected reference voltage, and electrical control circuitry for reducing said power to said battery when said internal resistance free voltage exceeds said preselected reference voltage so as to reduce gradually the rate of charging of said rechargeable battery and maintain said internal resistance free voltage of said battery at said preselected reference voltage.

Rechargeable batteries have experienced a wide range of usage in today's society. Rechargeable automotive batteries have traditionally been used in automobiles, while sealed batteries or cells such as nickel cadmium batteries are also widely used.
In order to recharge said batteries several different kinds of chargers have heretofore been proposed and utilized. Such chargers may be broadly classified as simple chargers or feedback chargers. Simple chargers basically function without feedback, that is without monitoring the state of the battery and adjusting the charging current in response thereto.
Since rechargeable batteries tend to produce gases internally on overcharging capable of rupturing the battery, and also overheat and damage the battery upon overcharging, such simple chargers have traditionally been constructed to deliver a low level charge as modern day cell construction is capable of withstanding even prolonged overcharging provided such overcharging rate is maintained at a low level.
Accordingly, simple chargers have been constructed to:
(a) deliver a constant low current (sometimes referred to as trickle chargers) to prevent damage to the battery due to over charging, or; PA0 (b) charge over a timed interval. PA0 (a) provide high charge currents during the first part of the charge cycle; and PA0 (b) reduce and eventually stop charging when full charge has been reached. PA0 (a) open cell potential, PA0 (b) the electrochemical component of the overvoltage, plus PA0 (c) the resistive component of the overvoltage.
Furthermore, simple chargers have been constructed to deliver a constant voltage charge whereby the charge current is reduced to zero or trickle as the battery voltage rises. Moreover, simple chargers have been modified to increase the internal charger resistance to provide a "taper" characteristic whereby the charge current gradually tapers down to a trickle as the battery voltage rises.
However, such simple chargers provide a battery with a non-optimal charge profile and thereby provide conservative charge rates resulting in long charge times.
More sophisticated chargers commonly referred to as feedback chargers or closed loop chargers employ some means of monitoring the state of charge of the battery in order to:
Such chargers vary in design according to the type and size of the battery to be charged, degree of sophistication and other factors. Such chargers use various monitored battery parameters such as cell voltage, cell temperature, charge time or a specific feature such as temperature rise or rate of voltage rise to effect control of the charge current in a feedback loop configuration.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,706 discloses a charger which supplies a battery with an initial rapid charge rate followed by a trickle charged current in response to the cell temperature and cell voltage of the battery.
Feedback chargers used in the past have monitored the overall cell voltage which consists of the sum of the:
Feedback chargers which monitor the overall voltage of a battery that includes the resistive component of cell overvoltage, or the open cell potential, yield unreliable results as such voltages vary with the age history of the battery, that is the number of times or lengths of time over which a battery has been discharged, recharged, overcharged, deep discharged or damaged.
Internal resistance free method in testing fuel cells and batteries have been described in various articles including K. Kordesch and A. Marko "Sine Wave Pulse Current Tester for Batteries", J. Electrochem Soc. Vol. 107, pages 480-83 (1960). This method by virtue of eliminating the resistive component of the cell overvoltage caused by the cell internal resistance, allows measurement of the electrochemical cell potential, which as described above is the sum of the open cell potential and the electrochemical component of overvoltage. This electrochemical cell potential provides a good indication of the internal state of the cell, related to the type of chemistry of the cell, passing Current and electrochemical performance of its elements, but not affected by the resistance of conductors, electrodes and electrolyte.
In order to obtain reliable internal resistance free potential readings, certain precautions must be followed, as particularized in the following paragraphs.
After the abrupt termination of the current pulse, cell voltage tends to the open circuit voltage over a period of time. This complex transient is characterized by several time constants. The first and relatively fast transient, is the electrical transient, related to the electrical resistance, capacitance and inductance of the conductors, electrodes, and electrolyte. This time constant is typically in the range of microseconds to hundreds of microseconds. The second transient which is related to the electrochemical polarization (concentration polarization, transport phenomena, gassing etc.) is much slower, with time constants typically in the range of 100-1000 milisecond or even longer. It is important, for proper and precise detection of the internal resistance (IR) free potential, to take the reading after the electrical transient has safely died out, and before the equilibrium of the electrochemical process had time to change. From our experience, proper delay is in the range of 0.5 to 10 ms, while for most small "flashlight" cells the best value is about 1-3 ms.
A strobing technique which extracts the value of the cell potential at this predetermined exact time after the abrupt interruption but disregards the cell potential before and after this exact moment yields reliable internal resistance free potential readings.
It is an object of this invention to produce a feedback charger which is more efficient, safe and reliable than previously used.
It is a further object of this invention to produce a feedback charger with electrical characteristics controlled by feedback derived from the internal resistance free electrochemical potential of the battery.


A spray head is carried on the end of a flexible hose guided for up and down movement in a chute by a length of roller chain which allows the hose to curve gradually from horizontal to vertical while providing a low friction support for the hose. The chain may be inserted endwise into the chute through a relatively small hole formed in the chute and in a wall surrounding the chute.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for supporting and guiding a flexible line for movement along a path having a substantially straight portion and having a downwardly concave portion located at one end of the straight portion. While the apparatus of the invention can be employed in numerous applications, it is especially adapted for use with a device for sanitizing trash or laundry chutes.
A typical chute sanitizer is disclosed in Boyd U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,560 and is adapted for use with a chute which is housed in the wall of a building. Such a sanitizer includes a spray head suspended from the end of a flexible line or hose which extends outwardly through the chute and the wall adjacent the upper end of the chute. The hose is wound around a power-driven reel and communicates with a source of cleaning solution. When the reel is rotated first in one direction and then the other, the spray head is moved downwardly and upwardly within the chute and sprays the solution against the chute to clean the latter.
Typically, a pulley is mounted within the chute adjacent the upper end thereof and serves to guide and support the hose. The hose usually extends horizontally from the reel, through the wall and into the chute, curves downwardly around the pulley and then depends vertically into the chute. The pulley guides the hose to curve gradually from horizontal to vertical and serves as a low friction support for the hose.

Apparatus for supporting and guiding a flexible line


A coaxial guided wave radar apparatus includes a central conductor configured as a wire rope. One or more spacers can be positioned and held in place about the central conductor at predetermined lengths along the central conductor, wherein each spacer is positioned and held in place along the central conductor by one or more respective retainers that are crimped to the central conductor. A tensioner can be attached to the end of the wire rope of the central conductor. The tensioner allows for a proper tension to be applied to maintain a spacing of the wire rope from an outer conductor.

Processing facilities and other facilities routinely include tanks for storing liquid and other materials. For example, storage tanks are routinely used in tank farms and other storage facilities to store oil or other materials. As another example, oil tankers and other transport vessels routinely include numerous tanks storing oil or other materials. Processing facilities also include tanks for implementing an industrial process, such as receiving material through an input of the tank while allowing material to leave through an output of the tank (e.g., in oil refining operations or chemical production).
Often times it is necessary or desirable to measure the amount of material stored in a tank, for example, in order to control the level of material in the tank to be at a desired level during an industrial process of receiving or releasing material in the tank. Radar gauges can be used to measure an amount of material stored in a tank. Radar gauges transmit signals towards a material in a tank and receive signals reflected off the material in the tank.
Microwave level gauge or radar level gauge systems are in wide use for determining the fill level of a product contained in a tank. Radar level gauging is generally performed either by means of non-contact measurement, whereby electromagnetic signals are transmitted using a "free space" mode without a guide towards the product contained in the tank or by means of contact measurement, often referred to as guided wave radar (GWR), whereby electromagnetic signals are guided towards and into the product by a probe acting as a guided wave transmission line.
Such a probe is generally arranged to extend vertically from the top towards the bottom of the tank. The probe may also be arranged in a measurement tube, a so-called chamber, which is connected to the outer wall of the tank and is in fluid connection with the inside of the tank. Typically, the probe extends from a transmitter/receiver assembly into the product inside the tank, or chamber, via a sealing arrangement which may form a hermetic barrier. The most common type of guided wave radar uses short pulses (around 1 ns) without carrier and occupies a frequency range of roughly 0.1-1 GHz.
GWR is commonly used in the process industry to measure the product level in such tanks. GWR uses time domain reflectometry to measure the distance to the product. In GWR measurement systems, a waveguide is used to direct a short (e.g., ˜1 ns) EM pulse towards the surface of the medium in the tank. For deep tanks (e.g., >6 m), stainless steel wire rope can be employed as a waveguide.
GWR devices may be configured in the context of different and multiple probe types. For example, one of these types involves the use of a coaxial probe which had a rod central conductor and a tube outer conductor. However, the high temperature and pressure version of this type probe utilizes brittle ceramic spacers, which are easy to break while assembling the probe in the field as must be done due to long total lengths. Furthermore, such a probe is quite complicated to assemble, is quite expensive, and its length cannot be trimmed in the field. Solutions are thus needed to overcome these problems.

Rope conductor for guided wave radar coaxial waveguide


A device may capture call data corresponding to call between an agent of a call center and a caller. The device may identify a guidance template based on the call data. The guidance template may include one or more rules and/or information for assisting the agent during the call. The device may generate an agent prompt based on the guidance template and/or provide the guidance prompt to an agent device of the agent. The agent device may receive the guidance prompt and display the guidance prompt to the agent. The agent device may capture additional call data from the call and update the guidance prompt based on the call inputs.

Businesses and other types of organization often include a call center that a customer may call to speak with an agent of the organization and obtain products, services, or information. Call centers often include computer systems that assist agents when interacting with callers by enabling the agent to access account information, process orders, schedule services, etc. However, currently available call center computer systems have various limitations. For example, call center computer systems fail to provide real-time, customizable solutions for assisting an agent during a call.

Systems and methods for providing real-time assistance to call center agents


The invention relates to a method for guiding the boom (3) of a working machine in connection with the handling of a load, in which method the movements of the load are controlled by means of a control signal formed by at least one control means (9), one or several measurement signals are generated to determine information related to at least the load mass and/or the boom movement, and said at least one control signal is filtered. In the method, the filtering applies a filtering function of the second or a higher order, comprising at least one parameter which can be set, and the method also comprises at least the following steps:

The present invention relates to a method for guiding a boom as set forth in the preamble of the appended claim 1, as well as a system for guiding a boom as set forth in the preamble of the appended claim 8.
Lifting devices are used, for example, for transferring loads in various loading situations. Such lifting devices are often provided with a boom, by which the extension of the lifting device can be improved, compared with fixed lifting devices. Furthermore, such a boom is normally mounted on its support frame in such a way that the boom has at least two degrees of freedom. For example, the boom is arranged to be rotatable in relation to its support frame, and in addition to this, the angle of inclination of the boom can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the boom is often formed of two or more boom parts arranged to be movable in relation to each other, which improves the use of the boom for the transfer of loads. The boom parts may be formed in such a way that, if necessary, they move within each other, i.e. they form a so-called telescopic structure, or in such a way that the boom parts are connected to each other in an articulated manner, wherein the angle between the boom parts can be adjusted in at least one direction. Various combinations of the above-mentioned structures are also known.
Furthermore, the boom is typically provided with a lifting means, by which the load to be handled can be gripped. This lifting means can be, for example, a hook, a lifting fork, or the like. This lifting means is preferably either fixed to the boom in an articulated manner, or the lifting means is fixed to a lifting gear by means of a wire rope or the like.
At the stage when the required transfer work is to be carried out, the boom is guided so that the load to be transferred can be fixed to the lifting means. After this, by controlling the movements of the boom, the actual hoisting and transfer work is carried out to transfer the load to a desired location. Due to certain physical factors, such as mass inertia, this hoisting and transfer stage has various undesired force effects on the boom, such as jerks and oscillation. These force effects may cause a jerking motion in the boom, bouncing of the goods to be transferred, etc. These undesired force effects are directed, for example, to the boom control means, such as control cylinders, and may cause early defects in these control means. Furthermore, the fastenings of the boom may be impaired and cause danger situations. Thus, when transferring the load, these jerking and bouncing movements should be avoided, wherein when moving the load, the person operating the lifting device must see that too quick hoisting and transfer movements are not performed. Thus, it is not possible to use the maximum hoisting and transfer speed when moving loads.
Some solutions have been developed to reduce undesired force effects on the boom. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,614 presents a boom control system, in which the pressure of the boom lifting cylinder is monitored and when the pressure exceeds a certain limit, the maximum opening of the control valve of the lifting cylinder, i.e. the maximum speed of the cylinder, is limited linearly in relation to the increase in the pressure. This system is intended to limit the maximum speed of the boom in the range critical in view of the loads, and it is primarily intended to protect the boom.
Japanese patent publication JP 5-321297 presents an active dynamic power feedback for controlling the cylinder of an excavator boom. This is implemented by means of a separate electrical hydraulic system. In this system, the dynamic force and position have a 180xc2x0 phase difference from each other. Thus, the power feedback attenuates the oscillation of the boom. The dynamic force is calculated by high-pass filtering the feedback signal formed from the pressures of the lifting cylinder. The gain of the feedback is a function formed on the basis of the static force of the cylinder. The static force is obtained by low-pass filtering the power feedback. Thus, this is an active method for attenuating the oscillation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,267 discloses a method and a device for avoiding undesired dynamic phenomena in a closed control circuit. In the method presented in this publication, a series of impulses is formed, which is advantageous in view of avoiding oscillation and which is used to adjust the control by the control device. This series of impulses can be generated by dividing the original control into smaller units with a given amplitude and time difference. These amplitudes and time differences are obtained by minimizing a specific oscillation equation. This method, however, for calculating the control, uses precalculated conditions and formulas in such a way that this method is not applicable for the handling of variable loads in real time.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a boom and a system for controlling a boom, in which the aim is to make the load transfer rate as high as possible, but without causing oscillation, jerks or other undesired force effects on the boom to a significant degree. The invention is based on the idea of forming at least second degree filtering functions, whose properties, such as the frequency band, are dynamically adjusted on the basis of control variables obtained from sensors. The method according to the present invention is primarily characterized in that the filtering applies a filtering function of the second or a higher order, comprising at least one parameter that can be set, and that the method further comprises at least the following steps: a determining step to determine at least one specific oscillation frequency of the boom on the basis of said measurement signals; a setting step, in which at least one specific oscillation frequency determined in the determining step is used to set at least one parameter for a filtering function; a filtering step, in which said control signal is filtered with said filtering function to form a control signal; and a control step, in which said control signal is used to guide the movement of the boom. The boom control system according to the present invention is primarily characterized in that the filter is a filter of the second or a higher order, whose at least one parameter is arranged to be set, and that the control system further comprises at least determining means for determining at least one specific oscillation frequency of the boom on the basis of said measurement signals; setting means for setting at least one parameter for a filtering function on the basis of at least one specific oscillation frequency determined at the determining step; and control means for controlling the movements of the boom with said control signal.
By means of the present invention, considerable advantages are achieved when compared to methods and boom control systems of prior art. By the method of the invention, the acceleration and deceleration of the boom can be increased more than is possible in prior art systems, but without causing harmful force effects on the boom. Thus, the lifting and transfer work can be speeded up, reducing the time required for the lifting and transfer work. As the harmful force effects on the boom are significantly reduced, also the need for maintaining and repairing the boom will reduce and its service life will be prolonged. Moreover, danger situations cannot occur as easily as in prior art solutions.

Method for guiding a boom and a system for guiding a boom

Abstract: a determining step to determine at least one specific oscillation frequency of the boom on the basis of said measurement signals,

Abstract: a setting step, in which at least one specific oscillation frequency determined in the determining step is used to set at least one parameter for a filtering function,

Abstract: a filtering step, in which said control signal is filtered with said filtering function to form a control signal, and

Abstract: a control step, in which said control signal is used to guide the movement of the boom (3).


A selector valve for providing a choice of one of two vaporizers for use in administering an anesthetic to a patient is disclosed in connection with a manifold for receiving the vaporizers.. The selector valve has three positions, wherein the user can utilize one of two vaporizers or place the valve in an off position when neither vaporizer is in the circuit providing a flow of gas to the patient.. One of the features comprises a positive position means where the selector valve cannot inadvertently be placed in any position intermediate any two of the three positions so that only one of the three defined positions may be selected. Also, in the off position, leakage is prevented into the gas stream to the patient of anesthetic vapors from either of the vaporizers mounted to the manifold by closing both the inlet to and the outlet from both such vaporizers. Further, in the event one vaporizer is selected for use, the remaining vaporizer also has its inlet and outlet closed such that no inadvertent leakage of anesthetic vapor from the "off" vaporizer can reach the path of gas proceeding through the "on" vaporizer and selector valve to the patient.. The means of connection and sealing means within the selector valve further are designed to insure that any seal leakage due to wear will cause the leaking anesthetic vapors to vent to atmosphere and not leak into one of the other active gas paths to the patient.

This invention relates generally to anesthesia machines used to administer an anesthetic agent to a patient for anesthetizing the same.
Typically, such machines combine valving, flowmeters and needle valves to deliver nitrous oxide and/or oxygen to the patient and also have the facility for passing the gas (oxygen or oxygen-nitrous oxide) through an anesthetic vaporizer of the calibrated type, such that the gas picks up anesthetic vapor of a predetermined precise proportion. The gas thus contains a volatile and potent anesthetic agent for carrying the patient down to surgical anesthesia levels.
Such anesthesia machines normally allow a selection of the volatile, liquid anesthetic and, thus, provide suitable mounting means and the necessary valving to allow an operator to choose the anesthetic agent he intends to use. Common among such anesthetic agents are halothane and enflurane, and it is not unusual to have a vaporizer available for ready use for administration of halothane and a vaporizer for enflurane.
One difficulty in selector valves for choosing between a selection of anesthetic agents and the various flow paths and connections associated therewith, is that the liquid anesthetic agents, being volatile, continually emit vapor that may inadvertently seep into the flow of oxygen or oxygen-nitrous oxide when the selector valve is actually in the off position.
Similarly, when two anesthetic vaporizers are potentially in the circuit, it is a further problem that the operator has selected one anesthetic, yet vapors from the other anesthetic may seep into the flow of gas to the patient. In any case, the seepage of unknown quantities of an anesthetic agent to the patient is obviously undesirable.
In prior selector valves, there was, in some cases, the further potential problem that the operator might position, either by accident or by purpose, the selector valve in some intermediate position, that is, between a positive selection of a particular anesthetic vaporizer and the off position when no anesthetic vaporizer is in the circuit to the patient. In such case, again, the actual flow of anesthetic agent to the patient becomes unknown and, in view of the need to have a continuous, very accurate knowledge of the exact vapor concentration to the patient, the mid-positioning is also extremely undesirable.


A load exerted on one of supporting parts supporting a seat of a vehicle is detected and is corrected according to an inclination of the vehicle. A load object on the seat is determined a plurality of times of turning on and turning off an ignition of the vehicle using the load thus corrected or the load detected. The load object is determined as an adult at least when the load is greater than or equal to a first threshold and determined as other than an adult at least when the load is less than a second threshold that is less than the first threshold. A function is further provided of determining the load object from a combination of a magnitude relation between the load and a third threshold less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than the second threshold and the inclination of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a load object determination apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, a load object determination apparatus is known, where, for example, load sensors are installed at two supporting parts at one of left and right sides or one of front and rear sides from among four supporting parts below a seat of a vehicle, and a type of a load object on the seat is determined based on part of the load exerted on all the supporting parts (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2013-169947 (Patent Reference No. 1)).
Thus, it is possible to provide a load object determination apparatus at low cost because it is possible to determine the type of an occupant by installing load sensors on minimum two supporting parts from among seat supporting parts, the number of which is normally four.
Also, in the related art, a load object determination apparatus is known, where, in order to determine the type of a load object on a seat, determination thresholds are prepared such as an adult determination threshold, a child seat determination threshold, and/or the like, and it is determined whether the load object is an adult or a child seat by using the determination threshold(s) (for example, see Patent Reference No. 1).
According to Patent Reference No. 1, it is determined that an adult is seated, when the total of loads (total load) detected by load sensors installed at two of front and rear places at the left of a seat is greater than the adult determination threshold, and it is determined that a child seat is lashed when the total load is less than the child seat determination threshold.


A method for representing the spatial distribution of radioactive elements of radioactively labeled samples, by means of a screen of the erasable phosphor type, in which the labeled samples are placed near this screen in order to generate thereon a latent electronic image formed by the .beta. radiation or primary electrons generated by the radioactive elements. The primary electrons emitted by the radioelements are accelerated to an energy level lying between 20 keV and 1 MeV by means of an electric field E applied between the space separating the sample and the screen. The primary electrons subjected to acceleration in the space are confined, so as to limit the lateral excursion of these primary electrons. The latent image is formed, on this screen, from the confined and accelerated primary electrons. The primary electrons can generate low energy secondary electrons in CSI screens which are thus accelerated and focussed to give enlarged images onto a screen.

Techniques for representing the spatial distribution of radioactive elements are today indispensable, and are commonly used in the field of biological and medical research.
Amongst the techniques currently used, the most common consists in applying a sensitive film onto the surfaces emitting electrons (termed primary electrons), or .beta. radiation, from these radioelements.
Various other techniques have the purpose of replacing the use of a sensitive film, and most of these techniques can claim to be a great improvement with regard to sensitivity, linearity and working dynamic range over those using a sensitive film.
Amongst these other techniques, the one termed the "erasable phosphor technique" is currently the preferred technique in numerous research organizations and laboratories.
It should be recalled that this technique consists in creating, in a phosphor screen, a latent electronic image, consisting of a metastable state of electronic excitation of the phosphor of the screen, generated by the .beta.-type ionizing radiation produced by the radioelements contained in the sample to be observed. The aforementioned latent image is then read, with destructive reading, by scanning the surface of the phosphor screen by a laser beam, which causes decay of the metastable state and has the effect of stimulating the emission of photons which are representative of the electronic image. The intensity of the photon emission is proportional to the energy locally supplied on the phosphor screen by the ionizing radiation.
The aforementioned technique makes it possible to detect the local energy supplied by the ionizing radiation and appears more satisfactory for producing the representation, that is to say the display, of the spatial distribution of radioactive elements generating energetic .beta. radiation than for radioactive elements generating less penetrating radiation. By way of example, the isotope .sup.32 P of phosphorus, which generates .beta. radiation with a mean energy of 600 keV, is approximately ten times easier to locate than the isotope .sup.35 S of sulfur, which emits .beta. rays whose mean energy is only of the order of 50 keV, by implementing the aforementioned technique. In contrast, when implementing this technique, the tritium isotope .sup.3 H is practically impossible to locate for two reasons. The mean energy of the .beta. radiation, whose value is on the order of 6 keV, is so low that either this radiation cannot pass through the protective layer normally used for the phosphor screen, or, in the absence of a protective layer, the very fragile and weakly sensitive screen can be used only once.

Method for representing the spatial distribution of radioactive elements by means of a screen of the erasable phosphor type, and corresponding device


An intermittent drive system includes a rotatable output component, a rotating input component with a driving engagement element, a synchronizing ring and a decoupling ring. The synchronizing ring is coupled to the output element to rotate therewith. The synchronizing ring has a driven engagement element configured to selectively engage with the driving engagement element. The synchronizing ring has an alignment feature configured to rotationally align the driving engagement element with the driven engagement element and has a decoupling feature configured to selectively disengage the driving engagement element from the driven engagement element. The decoupling ring is selectively coupled to the input component and has a decoupling feature configured to selectively engage the decoupling feature of the synchronizing ring. The driving engagement element engages the driven engagement element only when both the alignment feature is rotationally oriented to align the driving engagement element with the driven engagement element and the decoupling features are rotationally oriented to allow the driving engagement element to engage the driven engagement element.

Various machine power applications may include drive systems where rotational power is intermittently required for a single rotation. In certain applications, the drive system output operates through a cycle that begins and ends at the same rotational position. Examples of machines that may include this type of drive include various work vehicles and implements used in the agricultural industry, such as baler knotter drives, feed system drives, indexing drives, drives for forming machines, drives for fastening operations, and drives for other applications.

Drive system for intermittent rotation output


An arrangement for mounting a transmitter unit for a garage door opening system within a vehicle seat armrest having at least one soft side, the armrest including a horizontally extending cavity, with access to the cavity being had by opening a cover flap formed in the trim material of the armrest, the transmitter unit being mounted in an cassette which facilitates inserting the transmitter unit into the cavity and positions the transmitter unit within the cavity with the operating switch of the transmitter unit located at the soft side of the armrest to permit operation of the transmitter unit by squeezing the armrest in the proximity of the transmitter unit operating switch.

This invention relates to accessories for motor vehicles, and more particularly, to an arrangement for incorporating a transmitter unit for a garage door opening system in the armrest of the front seat of a motor vehicle.
Most transmitter units for garage door opening systems are hand-held, battery operated units. Many drivers store the transmitter units in the glove compartment of the vehicle or place them on the dashboard when the transmitter unit is not being used.
Various arrangements have been proposed for mounting garage door opener transmitter units in a motor vehicle in a location that is convenient for access by the driver and yet is inconspicuous and out of the way. Generally, transmitter units for garage door opening systems are provided with clips or brackets for making it possible to attach the transmitter units to the vehicle at selected locations within the passenger compartment, the mounting place that is used most frequently being the sun visor. Although the transmitter unit itself is a relatively small, light-weight device, the batteries which provide power for the transmitter unit add considerably to the weight of the transmitter unit. Accordingly, when mounted on the sun visor, the transmitter unit places a load on the mechanism that is relied on to hold the visor in its stored position. Also, because the sun visor is the conventional location for such transmitter units, the transmitter units are at a high risk to be stolen.
Other arrangements mount the transmitter unit on or beneath the dashboard of the vehicle. However, locating the transmitter unit on the dashboard exposes the transmitter unit and its battery to sun rays and heat which results in shortening of the lifetime of the battery. If the transmitter unit is located beneath the dashboard, the operation and/or effectiveness of the transmitter unit may be impaired. In either case, the transmitter unit is exposed to view for theft and the transmitter unit may be inadvertently misplaced unless it is secured to some surface of the vehicle.
In yet other arrangements, the transmitter unit is incorporated into the rear view mirror. However, generally this location is too high for the transmitter unit to be effective at all times as the vehicle approaches the garage. Moreover, such arrangements provide fixed mounting and as such do not provide for aiming of the transmitter unit in the direction of the receiver.

Vehicle seat armrest incorporating a transmitter unit for a garage door opening system


A computer extracts traffic data from one or more traffic servers and stores the traffic data in a database. The computer also extracts and stores customer wait time, resource management, and point of sale (POS) data from one or more retail store servers in the database, and each of the retail store servers can correspond to a retail store. Extract and store subroutines may be executed in parallel using multithreading. Upon achieving synchronization of the parallel subroutines, the computer transforms the traffic, customer wait time, resource management, and POS data from the database by determining one or more metrics for each of the retail stores. Next, the computer loads the one or more determined metrics into the database. Finally, the computer aggregates the one or more determined metrics on at least one of a district level, region level, area level, and nation level to determine one or more aggregated metrics.

There is no tool today that has "managing in the moment" capabilities. For example, retail stores have no visibility of how many resources are needed to manage sales transactions, customers, etc. in real time. Due, in part, to the disparate types of information and massive amounts of data that exist across the various retail stores of an enterprise, the prior solutions fail to provide a clear picture of the performance of each retail store and various zones of retail stores, as changes occur on an hour-by-hour or minute-by-minute basis, for example.
The previous solutions also fail to provide insight into the current state of the retail store in real time to facilitate preemptive action against resource shortcomings and to take proactive steps towards optimizing the retail processes. For example, allowing enterprise management personnel to view an upwards spike in customer wait time would allow the enterprise to immediately place additional staff in the retail store to enhance customer satisfaction. Consequently, there are many drawbacks to existing technologies.

Capture of retail store data and aggregated metrics


The present invention provides a biological fiber composite dressing. The biological fiber composite dressing includes: a cloth membrane having a first surface layer and an opposing second surface layer, wherein the cloth membrane has cloth membrane fibers; and a biological fiber membrane having a third surface layer and an opposing fourth surface layer, wherein the biological fiber membrane is formed by bacteria of the genus Gluconacetobacter, and the fourth surface layer is combined with the first surface layer, and a plurality of biological fibers being wound and combined with the cloth membrane fibers are extended along the fourth surface layer of the biological fiber membrane, such that the moisturizing effect of the dressing can be enhanced by the biological fiber membrane, thereby carrying more active ingredients.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to biological fiber composite dressings, and more particularly, to a biological fiber composite dressing applied to the skin.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the current medical field, a cotton pad or gauze is mostly used as the dressing for the care of a wound. However, such type of dressing has some drawbacks, for example, a poor antibacterial property, a high possibility of a wound infection, easiness for developing wound adhesion, and difficulty to be removed.
Afterwards, the cotton pads and gauzes have been replaced with non-woven dressings, since the non-woven dressings have the characteristics of better absorbency and being capable of providing a moist environment to aid of the wound repair. However, when the liquid or moisture absorbed by the non-woven dressings is gradually reduced, the issue of wound adhesion is likely to arise.
On the other hand, in addition to the basic living requirements, the modern people pay more attention to cosmetic skin care, especially for the facial care. Hence, the beauty industry focuses on the demands of the facial care, and develops a variety of facial mask products. There are a variety of masks, such as a mud paste-type mask, a tear-peel type mask, a sheet-like mask, and so on.
Although the mud paste-type mask contains some ingredients or minerals for skin care, the mask has to be washed off after application. Hence, the ingredients for skin care are hard to be really absorbed by the skin. Further, because the mud paste-type mask contains more minerals, more preservatives must be added to prevent bacteria from growing in the moist mud paste. The tear-peel type mask has main ingredients, such as, polymer gel, water and alcohol, and promotes the blood circulation of the skin by increasing the epidermal temperature. However, since the tear-peel type mask is no peeled off until being dry, it might cause damage to the sensitive skin during the peeling of the mask. In addition, the tear-peel-type mask does not contain any moisturizing ingredients for the dryness of the mask, such that it is not appropriate for the dry skin. The sheet-like mask is a monolayer sheet absorbed with essence with specific functions, and it can be used for a variety of skin cares by adjusting the ingredients. Although the sheet-like mask does not need to be washed off after application, the mask does not have any cleaning effect. The above sheet-like mask is mostly made of a monolayer of non-woven fabric. For a user to apply the non-woven fabric soaked with the essence, a higher concentration of essence is required due to the rapid water evaporation in the non-woven fabric. Consequently, the essence is wasted, while the problem of water evaporation remains unresolved.
Therefore, the beauty industry has developed a biological fiber membrane as a mask. Although the biological fiber membrane has a better moisturizing property, the overall attaching comfort is poor. Besides, the entire sheet of the biological fiber membrane is not easy to expand after absorption with the essence. Thus, there is still a need to develop a novel dressing product.


An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a conveyance guide and a static eliminator. The image forming section is configured to form the images on a sheet being conveyed along a first conveyance path. The conveyance guide is configured to define a second conveyance path that is designed to convey therealong the sheet being switched back thereto from the first conveyance path, the second conveyance path arranged at a position downstream of the image forming section in a conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed along the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path has an outlet area joined with the first conveyance path at a position upstream of the image forming section. The static eliminator is configured to eliminate static electricity from the sheet fed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path. The static eliminator is disposed in the outlet area.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus capable of image formation on opposite sides of a sheet.
There has been known an image forming apparatus capable of image formation on opposite sides of a sheet. There has also been known an image forming apparatus having an electroconductive brush disposed in a first conveyance path for conveying therealong to form an image on a first one of opposite sides of a sheet. The electroconductive brush is designed to eliminate static electricity from the sheet. The electroconductive brush is disposed to be contactable with the sheet after being discharged from a second conveyance path joined with the first conveyance path.