A camera facing the front of a vehicle while the vehicle is moving on the road may be calibrated by receiving sequential images from the camera. Image key points in the area limited by the road location are selected. The key points are tracked using an optical flow method. A filtering procedure is applied to the key points to identify the straight-line motion of the vehicle. At least two straight lines corresponding to opposite sides of the road. A calibration algorithm is applied to the at least two lines to determine a vanishing point. The pitch and/or yaw angles of the camera are then calculated.

This relates to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and to calibrating a camera facing the front of a vehicle while the vehicle is moving on the road.
Since performance of many different safety features, such as forward collision warning (FCW) and lane departure warning (LDW), depend on correctness of camera parameters, camera calibration is very important for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). While intrinsic camera parameters can be known for camera specifications, extrinsic parameters have to be measured during ADAS system installation. There are many calibration algorithms but most of them are not done in real-time and they require special calibration patterns and complex actions from the user that are not always possible.

Real-time automatic vehicle camera calibration


A proactive and non-obtrusive channel probing scheme is provided to accurately predict channel power, gain, and optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) without disrupting the existing connections. In one example, using a probe signal with 5 μs pulse duration in a single-hop network, rapid wavelength switching is achieved with power excursions less than or equal to 0.2 dB for different loading configurations.

With the advent of the Internet of Things and regular data transfers between geographically-distributed data centers, metro traffic is becoming less aggregated, exhibiting more burstiness. There is a requirement to provide dynamic optical capabilities to support the bursts and reduce the level of peak provisioning. Migrating to a flexible optical physical layer in which the network can adapt in response to dynamic channel conditions and traffic requirements could hence lead to systems with tighter margins and greater resource efficiency.
Fast wavelength switching or reconfiguration is key to achieving a flexible optical network. The channel power dynamics that arise from continuously changing the input conditions of erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) remain an unresolved obstacle. One main power dynamic effect is the amplifier transient effect, which is solved by fast amplifier control. However, after the transients there is still a power excursion that remains until the slow time scale adjustments of the wavelength selective switches (WSSs) and variable optical attenuators (VOAs) can correct the power levels. These power excursions grow in cascade and make wavelength reconfiguration a time consuming process. These power excursions occur due to EDFA automatic gain control (AGC), which maintains a constant gain by monitoring the total input and output power in the fiber, ignoring the wavelength dependent gain arising from gain ripple and tilt of the amplifier. The strict requirement that the modification of a wavelength should not impact other channels in a system becomes difficult to achieve in this dynamic network environment. Deviations from target power levels in optical networks can cause channels to exceed allocated margins for transmission, potentially resulting in sustained errors as the control mechanisms respond over long time periods and also may interact with other power control mechanisms, resulting in network instability. Degradations in the optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) are also impacted by the EDFA gain profile and varying fiber plant characteristics. Note that OSNR and other quality of transmission (QoT) related monitoring methods introduced in the past require an established signal and thus only provide after the fact information for wavelength reconfiguration and cannot be used in the wavelength routing and assignment decisions that come before switching.

Proactive channel probing for wavelength switching in optical transmission systems

ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA


A method for optimizing the reading ability of an omnidirectional optical scanner for various bar code label aspect ratios which can effectively double the angular coverage of an ordinary scan module. For high aspect ratio bar code labels, the method involves increasing the speed ratio between a first scanner motor within a scan module and a second scanner motor within a tilted mirror assembly by decreasing the speed of the second scanner motor by a predetermined amount. For other bar code labels, the method involves decreasing the speed ratio between the first scanner motor and the second scanner motor by increasing the speed of the second scanner motor by the predetermined amount. The method uses programming tags and speed control circuitry to change the speed of the second motor. The method also includes the steps of decreasing the swipe speed of articles having high aspect ratio bar code labels and increasing the swipe speed of other articles.

The present invention relates to optical scanning devices and more specifically to a raster variation method for omnidirectional optical scanners.
Optical scanners are well known for their usefulness in retail checkout and inventory control. Optical scanners generally employ a laser diode, the light from which is focused and collimated to produce a scanning beam. An optical transceiver directs the beam against a plurality of stationary pattern mirrors to form multiple lines and collects the scanning light after it is reflected by a bar code label. A motor rotates the optical transceiver, and a detector receives the returning beam. An example of an optical scanner can be found in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,410, entitled, "Scanning and Collection System for a Compact Laser", issued Nov. 20, 1990, to Wike, Jr. et al. This patent is hereby incorporated by reference.
The more lines a scan pattern has, the more efficient scanning operations are. Unfortunately, the number of scan lines produced by prior art scanners is determined by the number of scanning beams generated, which is determined by the number of stationary pattern mirrors used. Depending on the size of the bar code label to be read, prior optical scanners have employed interchangeable scanning heads, which produce different scan patterns which vary in the size and the number of scan lines forming the scan pattern.
Therefore, it would be desirable to generate a scan pattern having a density of scan lines sufficient to allow an optical scanner to scan different size bar code labels with the same reading efficiency. It would also be desirable to vary this scan pattern to match the aspect ratio of the bar code label.

Raster variation method for omnidirectional optical scanners


An insulating element for a fuel injection apparatus is notable in particular for the fact that a low-noise design is achieved. The fuel injection apparatus encompasses at least one fuel injection valve and one receiving bore in a cylinder head for the fuel injection valve, and the insulating element between a valve housing of the fuel injection valve and a wall of the receiving bore. The insulating element possesses an inner insulating ring that is present in encapsulated fashion between an outer ring and an inner ring. The outer ring is directed toward the fuel injection valve and the inner ring is directed toward the wall of the receiving bore, so that corresponding abutment of these components occurs with the insulating element in the installed state. The fuel injection apparatus is suitable in particular for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing spark-ignited internal combustion engine.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional fuel injection apparatus, in which apparatus a flat intermediate element is provided on a fuel injection valve installed in a receiving bore of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. In conventional fashion, such intermediate elements are placed as bracing elements, in the form of a backing disk, on a shoulder of the receiving bore of the cylinder head. Such intermediate elements compensate for production and assembly tolerances and ensure mounting in a manner free of transverse forces even if the fuel injection valve is slightly oblique. The fuel injection apparatus is particularly suitable for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
Another type of simple intermediate element for a fuel injection apparatus is described in German Patent Application No. DE 101 08 466 A1. The intermediate element is a backing ring having a circular cross section, which is disposed in a region in which both the fuel injection valve and the wall of the receiving bore in the cylinder head proceed frustoconically, and serves as a compensating element for mounting and supporting the fuel injection valve.
More complex intermediate elements for fuel injection apparatuses, requiring appreciably more outlay for manufacture, are also known inter alia from German Patent Application Nos. DE 100 27 662 A1, DE 100 38 763 A1, and, European Patent No. EP 1 223 337 A1. These intermediate elements are notable for the fact that they are all constructed in multi-part or multiple-ply fashion, and are in part intended to perform sealing and damping functions. The intermediate element described in German Patent Application No. DE 100 27 662 A1 encompasses a base element and carrier element in which a sealing means is inserted, which means is penetrated by a nozzle body of the fuel injection valve. German Patent Application No. DE 100 38 763 A1 describes a multiple-ply compensating element that is made up of two stiff rings and an elastic intermediate ring disposed in sandwich fashion therebetween. This compensating element enables both tilting of the fuel injection valve with respect to the axis of the receiving bore over a relatively large angular range, and radial displacement of the fuel injection valve out of the center axis of the receiving bore.
A likewise multiple-ply intermediate element is also described in European Patent No. EP 1 223 337 A1, this intermediate element being made up of multiple backing disks that are made of a damping material. The damping material, made of metal, rubber, or PTFE, is selected and designed so as to enable acoustic damping of the vibrations and noise generated by operation of the fuel injection valve. The intermediate element must, however, encompass for that purpose four to six plies in order to achieve a desired damping effect.
In order to reduce noise emissions, U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,856 A furthermore proposes to surround the fuel injection valve with a sleeve and to fill up the resulting interstice with an elastic, acoustically damping compound. This type of acoustic damping is, however, very complex, difficult to assemble, and costly.
Also, as described in German Patent Application Nos. DE 10 2006 009 094 A1 and DE 10 2008 048 173 A1, decoupling or damping elements for fuel injection apparatuses are notable for the fact that they are embodied in multiple parts, an inner metal cushion being present as a braided, knitted, or woven wire element encapsulated in outer rings. An inner ring of the decoupling or damping element always comes into abutment against the fuel injection valve, while an outer ring of the decoupling or damping element abuts against a shoulder of a receiving bore of the cylinder head. The outer and inner ring are each simple sheet-metal rings, rectangular in cross section, having an L-shaped profile.

Multipart insulating element, in particular for a fuel injection device


An optical waveguide connector is disclosed for coupling optical waveguides in colinear coincident axial alignment. The connector comprises two intermateable connector bodies, with each connector body having first and second alignment surfaces which cooperate to define an interstitial space therebetween for receiving a corresponding waveguide. Each first alignment surface extends beyond the end of the corresponding waveguide to engage and laterally urge a corresponding waveguide of the other connector body into lateral engagement with the corresponding first and second cooperating surfaces of the other connector body when the connector bodies are matingly engaged.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to optical waveguide connectors and, more specifically, to waveguide connectors of the type utilizing hermaphroditic connector bodies, each having a waveguide receiving passageway therethrough.
2. The Prior Art
Data transmission by the propogation of light waves through an optical waveguide medium, while relatively well-known within the communication industry, has presented a host of technical challenges to those within the electrical industry who are concerned with developing interconnection systems and, in particular, optical connectors for the optical waveguides.
Of special concern has been the achievement of an optical connector capable of optically coupling a pair of waveguides in a positive and dependable manner. The fragile nature of the waveguides, which increases the likelihood of breakage, coupled with the critical mechanical and performance demands placed on an optical connector have heretofore been prohibitive to the attainment of a suitable interconnection device. Specifically, the electrical industry has been in need of an optical connector which could receive a waveguide having a diameter variable within a given range of tolerances, orient the waveguide so that an optimal coupling might be achieved, and effectuate such a coupling with minimum danger to the fragile waveguide. Further requirements placed upon an optical connector is that it be self aligning, of minimal overall size, and that it protect the prepared ends of the waveguides from abrasive stubbing during the mating procedure.
Heretofore, no fiber optical connector had been achieved which could adhere to all of the above set forth performance constraints. One promising connector approach examined by the industry has been the utilization of intermateable connector halves, each of which is provided with three cylindrical rods of equal diameters which are arranged in a longitudinally adjacent configuration. Each three rod configuration defines an elongate interstitial passageway between the rods which is dimensioned to closely receive a single optical fiber therethrough. A connector of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,155. In accordance with this approach, to optically connect two fibers which extend through complimentary connector halves, the two halves are positioned within a cylindrical sleeve member and the corresponding fibers are thereby assumed to be axially aligned with respect to each other.
While this connector works well and has been generally well received by the industry, certain problems attendant upon its use prevent the connector from achieving ideal results in all situations. As mentioned previously, receipt and control of a fiber is difficult because the fiber diameters can vary within a specified range of tolerances. Also, in certain field situations, conditions may exist which can cause misalignment of the connector halves within the cylindrical sleeve and thereby affect the performance characteristics of the coupled waveguides within that sleeve.


The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions given once daily containing at least one therapeutically active ingredient selected from the group consisting of memantine and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of memantine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric matrix carrier. The dosage forms of the invention sustain the release of the therapeutically active agent from about 4 to about 24 hours when said dosage form is exposed to aqueous solutions. following entry of said form into a use environment, wherein said dosage form has a dissolution rate of more than about 80% after passage of about 6 hours to about 12 hours following said entry into said use environment.

Solid oral drug compositions or preparations have various release profiles such as a modified or extended release profile as referenced by USP XXIII (CDER, FDA, Rockville, Md.) or an immediate release profile as referenced by FDA guidelines (Dissolution Testing of Immediate Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms, issued August 1997, Section IV-A). For example, in the dissolution testing guideline for modified release profiles, material dissolves over an extended period and its dissolution is measured over time. A minimum of three time points is recommended and should cover early, middle and late stages of the dissolution profile. The last measurement should be at a time point where at least 80% of the drug is dissolved (Guidance for Industry, "Extended Release Oral Dosage Forms: Development, Evaluation, and Application of In Vitro/In Vivo Correlations", Food and Drug Administration, CDER, September 1997, Page 17). Adequate sampling should be performed, for example, at 1, 2 and 4 hours and every two hours thereafter until 80% of the drug is released (Guidance for Industry, SUPAC-MR: Modified Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms," Food and Drug Administration, CDER, September 1997, Page 6). The preferred dissolution apparatus is USP apparatus I (basket) or II (paddle), used at compendially recognized rotation speeds, e.g., 100 rpm for the basket and 50-75 rpm for the paddle (Guidance for Industry, "Extended Release Oral Dosage Forms: Development, Evaluation, and Application of In Vitro/In Vivo Correlations", Food and Drug Administration, CDER, September 1997, Page 4).
Modified release solid oral dosage forms permit the sustained release of the active ingredient over an extended period of time in an effort to maintain therapeutically effective plasma levels over similarly extended time intervals and/or to modify other pharmacokinetic properties of the active ingredient. Immediate release solid dosage forms permit the release of most or all of the active ingredient over a short period of time, such as 60 minutes or less, and make rapid absorption of the drug possible. A multiphase release profile (i.e., a composition containing at least an immediate release formulation and at least one modified release formulation) may be employed to attain one or more combinations of release rates to attain more specific therapeutic objectives such as a portion of drug releasing immediately, followed by an extended release. However, modulation of the release rate of an active ingredient does not necessarily ensure that long-lasting effective blood level concentrations will be consistently achieved or that the pharmacological effect will be based solely on the release of the drug.
Sustained release formulations for drugs have become increasingly available. This is true especially when the particular drug is relatively soluble. Various formulation techniques have been used for providing a sustained release formulation of soluble drugs. In many such formulations, a drug-containing particle is coated by one or more release retardant layers or films or is dispersed within a continuous matrix such as a polymeric matrix. The coating layer or the matrix comprises a relatively insoluble material or materials, and the release of the drug is controlled by means of the resistance of the coating layer or matrix against the diffusion of the drug there through. The release of the drug from such formulations is driven, e.g., by the gradient of the drug concentration resulting from penetration of, e.g., gastric fluid, by diffusion into the formulation.
One or more film-forming polymers may be employed to provide sustained release of the active substance by controlling its rate of diffusion across the film barrier(s). However, such an approach is compromised if, during ingestion of the oral dosage form, the film is prematurely breached, as by chewing, splitting or abrasion, thereby releasing an excessive amount of active ingredient, which can result in undesirable effects from excessive single-shot drug release, and in failure of the dosage form to remain effective for the required duration.
In the more common matrix-controlled release approach, lipophilic substances, e.g., higher alcohols, waxes, or insoluble thermoplastic materials, are employed. The release is controlled by the rate of diffusion of the active ingredient into the surrounding medium and, if the matrix itself is degradable, by the rate of its degradation. One of the disadvantages is that a complete release of drug from the matrix is frequently not achieved in practice. Another drawback is that dose proportionality of the dosage forms is not readily achieved, thus, requiring different compositions for different strengths. Thus, the matrix composition to formulate a 20 mg sustained release dosage form may well be different from the matrix composition to formulate a 40 mg sustained release dosage form.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,601 provides solid pharmaceutical dosage forms containing memantine, which exhibit an extended two-phase release profile, with a portion of the drug being released immediately, followed by a sustained release of the remainder. The matrix of this formulation contains both a water-soluble and a water-insoluble salt of casein, preferably sodium and calcium caseinate. However, casein has an unpleasant taste; it is associated with undesirable effect of exacerbating some side effects as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,556; and displays instability in varying pH. Another concern regarding casein is the possibility of Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE) contamination since casein is an animal-derived milk protein.
A general method of modified release for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists was described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,000. This method also involves preparing an instant release component and a modified release component to arrive at the final formulation. The patent discloses a pellet (not a bead) consisting of a coated core, the coating being any suitable coating using organic solvent-based systems. However, not all NMDA antagonists act in the same manner, and this patent does not specifically disclose compositions containing memantine.
Currently, a dosing regimen of memantine of twice a day is employed using immediate release tablets. This may be undesirable because patient compliance decreases as the frequency of taking a drug increases. Moreover, administration of an immediate-release tablet can lead to greater frequency of adverse events due to a faster rate of absorption. For pain treatment, it is very important to maintain the pain relief without additional discomfort. There is therefore an existing and continual need for a once a day modified release formulation containing memantine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of memantine with reliable slower absorption over a targeted period of time.

Modified release formulations of memantine oral dosage forms


Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for charging a travel fee as a function of an ease of access to a travel option. A plurality of travel options is provided and ranked as a function of different environmental-friendliness values. Each of a plurality of different rates are set for each of the travel options, the rates set progressively lower as a function of a ranking of the travel option environmental-friendliness values. In response to a traveler selecting and using one of the travel options, an ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option is determined and a travel fee charged as a function of the rate set for the selected travel option and the determined ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option.

The automobile is generally the most common form of daily transportation for travelers or commuters of all kinds. As the number of vehicles on roads continues to grow, traffic congestion and pollution have increased. Management of public thoroughfares comprehends managing use of a variety of travel options, including personal automobile use on public roads, regional and intrastate highways, interstate highways, public toll and access roads, private toll and access roads, as well as various forms of public/mass transportation (e.g., buses, trains, ferries, etc.). Travelers have many differing requirements, options, and habits, each of which impact their decisions on travel option use.
Management of travel issues and options may also contemplate considering the impact of each existing, planned, and proposed transit system on the environment. It is generally desirable to increase the green nature, for example an earth or environmental friendliness, of regional transit systems, and in one aspect considering larger area or national impacts. It is generally considered greener to pursue policies that encourage travelers to maximize their use of mass transportation options in order to minimize their automobile usage. However, transit system management and service provider entities may have difficulty balancing the requirements and desires of commuters and other travelers against transit system requirements and attributes, for example serving traveler needs while also responding to traffic congestion, environmental impact, availability and use of mass transit, and equitable distribution of travel cost issues. Thus, travelers often select travel options based on their personal costs (e.g. time and money), and not in response to overall general efficiency and environmental impact costs, in some examples resulting in choices having a negative environmental impact relative to other options more environmentally favorable.

Travel fee rate setting based upon travel mode and convenience

International Business Machines Corporation


The present disclosure provides a powertrain including an engine housing to which a cylinder head and cam carrier are mounted, a camshaft mounted to the cam carrier, first and second cam portions on which cams are formed, in which the camshaft is inserted, of which relative phase angle with respect to the camshaft is variable and disposed corresponding to a first cylinder and second cylinder respectively, first and second inner brackets transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the first and second cam portions respectively, a slider housing in which the first and second inner brackets are rotatably inserted and of which a position with respect to the cam shaft is variable, a lifter control portion controlling the position of the slider housing, a motor assembly engaged with the engine housing and in which a flywheel connected with a crankshaft is rotatably disposed, and a transmission connected with the motor assembly.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Recently, research has been undertaken to enhance fuel efficiency of a vehicle, such as by designing a two cylinder engine or a three cylinder engine.
However, enhancing output and fuel efficiency of the two cylinder engine or the three cylinder engine may be limited according to various vehicle driving conditions.
Also, the two cylinder engine or the three cylinder engine outputs relatively serious vibration and applying an element, such as a balance shaft, for suppressing vibration to the two cylinder engine or the three cylinder engine may be limitative.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.


Provided is a method of producing a composite, which is capable of preventing a silicone coating solution, which becomes a silicone resin layer that prevents an acidic gas separation layer from entering a porous support, from entering the porous support, preventing a porous film and an auxiliary support film from being peeled off, and suitably forming a dense silicone resin layer on the surface of the porous support. The method thereof includes a coating process of coating the surface of the porous film side of the porous support with the silicone coating solution which becomes a silicone resin layer according to a roll-to-roll system. In the coating process, the conveying speed of the porous support is in a range of 0.5 m/min to 200 m/min, the viscosity of the silicone coating solution is in a range of 100 cP to 1000000 cP, and the peel force between the porous film and the auxiliary support film is 10 mN/min or greater.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of producing a composite used for an acidic gas separation film that selectively separates acidic gas from raw material gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a technique of selectively separating acidic gas such as carbon dioxide from raw material gas (gas to be treated) has been developed. For example, an acidic gas separation module that separates acidic gas from raw material vas using an acidic gas separation film through which acidic gas selectively permeates has been developed.
For example, JP1992-215824A (JP-H04-215824A) discloses an acidic gas separation module obtained by winding a laminate containing an acidic gas separation film around a central tube (central permeating material collection tube), in a tube wall of which through-holes are formed and which is used for collecting separated acidic gas, multiple times.
A so-called dissolution diffusion film is used for the acidic-gas separation module disclosed in JP1992-215824A (JP-H04-215824A) as an acidic gas separation film. The dissolution diffusion film separates acidic gas from raw material gas using differences in solubilities of acidic gas and materials to be separated therefrom in a film and differences in diffusibility in a film.
JP1995-102310B (JP-H07-102310B) discloses an acidic gas separation film formed with a hydrogel film that is formed by allowing a vinyl alcohol-acrylate copolymer having a cross-linked structure to absorb an aqueous solution including a carbon dioxide carrier on a carbon dioxide-permeating support, as an acidic gas separation film (carbon dioxide separation gel film) that separates carbon dioxide from raw material gas.
This acidic gas separation film is an acidic vas separation film using a so-called facilitated transport film. The facilitated transport film has a carrier reacting with acidic gas, such as a carbon dioxide carrier, therein and separates acidic gas from raw material gas by transporting the acidic gas to the opposite side of the film using the carrier.
Such an acidic gas separation film typically has a configuration in which the above-described dissolution diffusion film or facilitated transport film (hereinafter, both films are collectively referred to as a separation film) is formed on the surface of a support (porous support) having gas permeability, for example, non-woven fabric or a porous film.
For this reason, when the acidic gas separation film is formed or used, the separation layer gradually enters (infiltrates into) the porous support in some cases. Particularly, the facilitated transport film is frequently a gel film or a film having low viscosity in order to move or transport acidic vas. Accordingly, when the acidic gas separation film using the facilitated transport film is used, the separation layer gradually enters the porous support.
In the acidic gas separation film, the performance of separating out acidic gas is degraded with time due to the separation layer entering the porous support.
Further, in order for the carrier to fully function, the facilitated transport film needs to hold a large amount of water therein. For this reason, a polymer with excellent water-absorbing properties and water-holding properties is used for the facilitated transport film. In addition, the amount of water able to be absorbed of the facilitated transport film is increased and the performance of separating out acidic gas is improved when the content of the carrier such as metal carbonate is large. That is, the facilitated transport film is frequently a gel film which is extremely soft (low viscosity).
Moreover, in the acidic gas separation film using the facilitated transport film, raw material gas under the conditions of a temperature of 100° C. to 130° C. at a humidity of approximately 90% is supplied at a pressure of 1.0 MPa or greater at the time of separating out acidic gas.
Therefore, in the acidic gas separation film using the facilitated transport film, the facilitated transport film tends to enter the porous support and the durability is low.
Further, JP1987-140620A (JP-S62-140620A) discloses a method of producing an acidic gas separation film (method of producing a thin film) which includes coating a surface of a porous support with a solution including a polymer as a main component; forming a base layer formed of a polymer having air conductivity such as a silicone-based polymer; coating the base layer with an organic solvent solution including a material which becomes a separation layer as a main component; and drying the base layer to form the separation layer.
When the acidic gas separation film according to this production method has the base layer formed of a polymer having air conductivity, it is possible to form a uniform separation layer and to prevent the separation layer with low viscosity from entering the porous support.


In one aspect, a method includes receiving a data packet at a routing node that includes a processor. The method also includes determining at least one value for the data packet, selecting a routing table from a plurality of routing tables stored at the routing node in response to the at least one value for the packet and forwarding the data packet in response to the routing table selected. Each routing table is associated with a respective one cost function.

A communication network includes multiple routers. The routers are located at subnet boundaries that are located between a sender and a receiver. The routers transfer data packets originating from the sender to the intended receiver. Often a communication network has multiple possible paths between the sender and the receiver, but only one single path is chosen to send data between the sender and the receiver.

Routing a data packet in a communication network


A processor includes a processor core including an execution unit to execute instructions, and a cache memory. The cache memory includes a controller to update each of a plurality of stale indicators in response to a lazy flush instruction. Each stale indicator is associated with respective data, and each updated stale indicator is to indicate that the respective data is stale. The cache memory also includes a plurality of cache lines. Each cache line is to store corresponding data and a foreground tag that includes a respective virtual address associated with the corresponding data, and that includes the associated stale indicator. Other embodiments are described as claimed.

Processors often use virtual memory to store and retrieve data. Virtual memory enables data to have consecutive virtual memory addresses while being stored in various physical memory addresses that may not be continuous, and in more than one physical memory. The data may be accessed by translation of an associated virtual memory address to a corresponding physical memory address through use of a translation lookaside buffer (TLB). Virtual addresses also enable multiple processes to run in parallel where the program code from different processes use the same virtual addresses but the TLB maps the accesses to distinct physical address spaces.
In some computation scenarios, correspondence between virtual memory addresses and physical memory addresses may change, due to e.g., remap of the TLB, access restriction imposed on a portion of the data, change of context (e.g., use of the TLB by several different programs), etc. Typically, such changes in the contents of the TLB necessitate a flush of a cache memory and re-installation of data in the cache memory, which can be a time consuming and processor-intensive process, and can cause execution of instructions by the processor to be halted while the cache flush is conducted.

Method and apparatus to implement lazy flush in a virtually tagged cache memory


An innovative piezoelectric transducer apparatus having a piezoelectric workpiece with a modal-shaped actuator electrode for converting an input energy of one form into an output energy of another form. The piezoelectric workpiece comprises an actuator section and a sensor section. The actuator section is formed in the piezoelectric workpiece and has a modal-shaped electrode for exciting the piezoelectric workpiece into mechanical vibration upon driven by the input energy. The sensor section is also formed in the piezoelectric workpiece and has a sensor electrode for delivering the output energy to an external load of the apparatus by picking up the energy generated by the excitation. The modal-shaped actuator electrode has a shape function defined by the mathematical solution function of the governing equation of the piezoelectric workpiece under the condition that the piezoelectric workpiece being vibrating in a selected resonant mode.

This invention relates in general to a piezoelectric energy conversion apparatus and, in particular, to one with high energy conversion efficiency. More particularly, this invention relates to a piezoelectric transformer having modal-shaped electrode for efficiently converting electric power.
Piezoelectricity is widely utilized in various applications. As a transducer for converting energy in one form into another, a piezoelectric material block is useful as a workpiece for converting mechanical energy to electrical or vice versa. A piezoelectric workpiece can be used to convert an electrical power at one AC frequency and voltage into another at different frequency and voltage. This specific application of AC electrical power conversion involving converted (frequently raised) voltage makes a piezoelectric transducer device a useful piezoelectric transformer suitable for various industrial and consumer applications.
Charles A. Rosen proposed his piezoelectric transformer in the 1950""s. It is not until the 1990""s when piezoelectric transformer has become more and more popular in electronic devices. Piezoelectric transformers have been used such as in the power supply section of various electronic devices, portable ones in particular. Due to benefits such as their size and weight, it is obvious that piezoelectric transformers will become even more popular. Improved safety is another desirable feature of a piezoelectric transformer. A failed piezoelectric transformer normally breaks itself and ceases to function. Fire hazards are virtually of no concern at the part of the piezoelectric workpiece itself.
Electrodes plated to the surface of a piezoelectric material block are necessary for conveying electric power into and/or out of the workpiece in order for the piezoelectric system to function. Traditionally, dimensioning factors including both shape and size of the electrodes have not been carefully considered parameters when designing a piezoelectric system. Typically, rectangular-shaped electrodes are used for rectangular-shaped workpieces. In disk- or ring-shaped workpieces, electrodes are typically also disk-shaped or having the shape of a section of the disk or ring. These electrode shape configurations are considered uniform electrodes in the description of the present invention.
Traditionally, piezoelectric systems have been analyzed based on circuit theories. Mechanical considerations of a piezoelectric system are xe2x80x9ctranslatedxe2x80x9d into parameters that are fit into circuit models. Piezoelectric workpieces thus developed are not optimized in issues such as energy conversion efficiency and parasitic noisesxe2x80x94signals at undesirable frequencies with sufficiently significant amplitudes mixed in the output of a piezoelectric workpiece.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piezoelectric workpiece outlining the definition of the piezoelectric parameters, both electrical and mechanical, and material orientation and dimensions for the analysis of a piezoelectric system. As is illustrated, the piezoelectric workpiece 100 is, in general, an elongated thin rectangular-shaped plate having a length L, a width W and a thickness, or height, H. Note that in the following theoretical development for the description of the piezoelectric transducer apparatus of the present invention, the IEEE Compact Matrix Notation system is employed.
By convention, the two largest surfaces of the elongated thin-plate workpiece are the side surfaces, and the two smallest are the end surfaces. The direction along the longitudinal axis of the workpiece is the first orientation, that perpendicular to the first orientation and parallel to the side surfaces is the second, and that perpendicular both to the side surfaces and to the longitudinal axis is the third, as is shown in the drawing by an orientation axis system 110 labeled with orientations 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Also, in the theoretical development of the invention in the following detailed description, a variable x is set up along the direction of the first orientation. This coordinate axis, one measuring the longitudinal dimension, or length, of the elongated workpiece 100, serves as a variable in the analysis of the piezoelectric system according to the teaching of the present invention. One end of the workpiece 100 is set conveniently as the origin of the x coordinate axis, as is seen in FIG. 1.
The workpiece 100 has a side-plated electrode 102 and another not shown in the perspective view. That electrode which opposes electrode 102 and provides for a complete electrical circuit path is plated on the other side of the workpiece opposite to the side for the electrode 102.
Each of the electrodes is connected to a corresponding terminal of an electric circuit 120, represented in the drawing by a voltage sign V that signifies a voltage across the electrodes of the piezoelectric workpiece. The current corresponding to the voltage V in the circuit 120 is identified by I. P represents the electrical power arising from voltage V and current I.
External mechanical forces applied to the workpiece 100 is identified in the drawing by the symbol F, the corresponding mechanical velocity induced as a result of an applied force F is identified by U.
The piezoelectric system of FIG. 1, which has a workpiece 100 with side-plated electrodes including 102, is in the 31 mode, i.e., the polarization is in orientation 3, and the mechanical vibration is in orientation 1. By contrast, a system such as that illustrated in FIG. 3 which has a workpiece 300 with end-plated electrodes 302 and 304 is in 33 mode. Both its electrical polarization and mechanical vibration are along orientation 3 of its orientation axis system 310.
Based on the traditional method of analysis that relies on circuit theories, a piezoelectric system such as that depicted in FIG. 1 which has side-plated electrodes and operates in the 31 mode has the following constitutive equations:
S1=s11ET1+d31E3xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
D3=d31T1+xcex533TE3.xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
In Equations (1), (2) and those to be discussed below, the parameters and constants are in accordance with their respective definitions in the IEEE notation system mentioned above.
Based on the relationship between the piezoelectric constants and between the longitudinal strain u and the longitudinal stress S1, considering the longitudinal motion equation for the system, the following governing equation may be derived for the 31 mode piezoelectric workpiece:                                                         -              ρ                                                                                ∂                  2                                                u                                            ∂                                  t                  2                                                              +                                    c              11              E                                                                                ∂                  2                                                u                                            ∂                                  x                  2                                                                    =                              E            3                                                                        ∂                                  e                  31                                                            ∂                x                                      .                                              (        3        )
Since a conventional piezoelectric workpiece employs uniform electrodes characterized by its rectangular-shaped electrode patterns, Equation (3) may thus be reduced to:                                                         -              ρ                                                                                ∂                  2                                                u                                            ∂                                  t                  2                                                              +                                    c              11              E                                                                                ∂                  2                                                u                                            ∂                                  x                  2                                                                    =        0.                            (        4        )
Equation (4) is a homogeneous one-dimensional wave equation, which has a general solution for the longitudinal strain u that can be expressed as
u=(B1 sin xcex2x+B2 cos xcex2x)ejxcfx89txe2x80x83xe2x80x83(5)
wherein
xcex2=xcfx89/cxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(6)
and
c={square root over (c11E/xcfx81)},xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(7)
in which j={square root over (xe2x88x921)}, xcfx89 is the angular frequency, xcex2 is the wave number, c is the velocity of wave propagation, and B1 and B2 are, respectively, coefficients to be determined by the boundary condition of the examined system.
In addition to the mechanical piezoelectric parameters as incorporated into the analysis above, electrical ones also need to be considered in the analysis as well. In a 31 mode piezoelectric system of FIG. 1, the electromechanical coupling coefficient can be defined to be                               k          31          2                =                                                            d                31                2                                                          c                11                E                                                    ϵ              33              T                                .                                    (        8        )
Assuming that the 31 mode piezoelectric workpiece in the system is clamped at its both ends, the mechanical characteristic impedance of the workpiece transmitting mechanical waves can be described as
Z0=HWxcfx81c=HW{square root over (xcfx81c11E)}.xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(9)
In a traditional analysis approach based on circuit theories, mechanical parameters of force and velocity in a piezoelectric system are considered in an analogy and treated as the equivalents of another parameter pair of voltage and current respectively. Based on such an analogy, a 31 mode piezoelectric system can be shown to have an equivalent transformer step-up ratio of
N=Wd31c11E.xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(10)
FIG. 2 shows the equivalent circuit of the 31 mode piezoelectric system of FIG. 1. The circuit configuration in this equivalent circuit is obtained utilizing the conventional technique of circuit analysis as described above. Characteristics of the equivalent circuit, namely, those of a 31 mode piezoelectric transformer as defined by the system of FIG. 1 are outlined in the drawing. These include the mechanical characteristic impedance Z0, the wave number xcex2, the velocity of wave propagation c, the electromechanical coupling coefficient k312, and the equivalent step-up ratio N.
Based on the same circuit theories, another piezoelectric system, one in the 33 mode as outlined in FIG. 3, may be shown to have an equivalent circuit illustrated in FIG. 4, which is derived from the following governing equation                                                         -              ρ                                                                                ∂                  2                                                w                                            ∂                                  t                  2                                                              +                                    c              33              D                                                                                ∂                  2                                                w                                            ∂                                  z                  2                                                                    =        0.                            (        11        )
To construct a piezoelectric transformer, a known method is to combine the 31 and 33 mode piezoelectric systems of FIGS. 1 and 3. In such a piezoelectric transformer, a Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer for example, the side electrodes can be used as the input terminals and the end electrodes as the output terminals. Note the same terminology of the side and end electrodes as that used in the above description of the systems of FIGS. 1 and 3. The side and end electrodes are those plated on the largest and smallest surfaces of the elongated thin-plate workpiece respectively.
Traditional circuit analysis for a Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer may be developed based on the equivalent circuits of FIGS. 2 and 4 as both are combined to construct the transformer. For example, for a Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer put to operate on its second resonant frequency, an equivalent circuit can be derived as shown in FIG. 5. However, the equivalent circuit of FIG. 5 is derived by employing a considerable level of simplifications in the process of its theoretical development. These mathematical simplifications based on physically reasonable assumptions are necessary in order to avoid a mathematical system that may become excessively complex to analyze and to seek solution.
Though, this traditional approach has at least a few drawbacks. As the mechanical parameters of a piezoelectric workpiece are incorporated into the equivalent circuit for analysis based purely on circuit theories, some critical mechanical parameters diminish or even disappear in the process. These lost characteristics of a piezoelectric system that should otherwise have been preserved in the mathematical model of the system imply less flexible or even lost design parameters. Those characteristics, if preserved, may lead to the construction of better piezoelectric systems.
For example, the system performance characteristics such as energy conversion efficiency can not be optimized. This is due to the fact that circuits interfacing with the piezoelectric workpiece including both the driving circuit and the load have to be designed by considering the circuit configuration based on the equivalent circuit of the piezoelectric workpiece. However, the equivalent circuit is not the best model of the piezoelectric body as its mechanical characteristics are not fully encompassed in circuit theory-based models.
The result obtained from the conventional circuit theory in the analysis of a piezoelectric transducer system thus is not the best possible result. This is a fact reflected by the harmonics existing in the output of a piezoelectric system constructed in accordance with the developed result. The presence of these harmonics reduces overall system efficiency, and also incurs other problems such as load matching due to the existence of the undesirable harmonics.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a piezoelectric transducer apparatus having a modal-shaped electrode that operates in a resonant mode without significant undesirable harmonics of non-resonant frequencies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a piezoelectric transducer apparatus having a modal-shaped electrode that achieves high operating efficiency in converting energy.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a piezoelectric transformer having a modal-shaped electrode that outputs an AC electric power without significant undesirable harmonics.
These and other objects are achieved in an innovative piezoelectric transducer apparatus having a piezoelectric workpiece with a modal-shaped actuator electrode for converting an input energy of one form into an output energy of another form. The piezoelectric workpiece comprises an actuator section and a sensor section. The actuator section is formed in the piezoelectric workpiece and has a modal-shaped electrode for exciting the piezoelectric workpiece into mechanical vibration upon driven by the input energy. The sensor section is also formed in the piezoelectric workpiece and has a sensor electrode for delivering the output energy to an external load of the apparatus by picking up the energy generated by the excitation. The modal-shaped actuator electrode has a shape function defined by the mathematical solution function of the governing equation of the piezoelectric workpiece under the condition that the piezoelectric workpiece being vibrating in a selected resonant mode.

Piezoelectric transducer apparatus having a modal-shaped electrode


The present invention relates to laundry detergent compositions which can optionally comprise bleach, said compositions comprising from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, of a polyalkyleneimine. These detergent compositions provide fabric appearance benefits inter alia mitigation of fabric damage via bleaching agents.

The present application relates to laundry detergent compositions which compose one or more high molecular weight polyamines which provide enhanced fabric appearance benefits. The high molecular weight polyamines of the present invention which mitigate fabric damage and improve fabric appearance are combined with detersive surfactants and optionally a bleaching system for use in high and low density granular, heavy duty and light duty liquids, as well as laundry bar detergent compositions.
Formulators of fabric care and laundry detergent compositions include various ingredients, inter alia surfactants, cationic softening actives, anti-static agents dye transfer inhibitors, and bleach-damage mitigating agents, for the purpose of improving cleaning, fabric appearance, fabric feel, fabric color and to extend the duration of fabric life. Ingredients which are added to the compositions must not only provide a benefit, but must be compatible with a variety of product forms, i.c. high density granules, liquid dispersions, isotropic liquids including clear, colorless/translucent liquids which may include principal solvents inter alia 1,2-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TNPD).
Color integrity is an important aspect of fabric enhancement. In addition, thoroughness of cleaning is of primary importance to the consumer.
Consumers use bleach-containing compositions when washing colored fabric as well as white fabric because the use of a bleaching material satisfies the consumers need to feel that the fabric has been xe2x80x9cthoroughly cleanedxe2x80x9d. Therefore, there is a long felt need to provide colored fabric with protection against the pejorative effects of laundry-added bleaching materials and to protect fabric itself from the mechanical damage done to fabric through wear and the wash cycle. In addition, there is a need for these protective materials to be highly water soluble or water dispersible, while exhibiting a high degree of fabric substantivity. And there is also a need for a bleach-damage and/or fabric enhancement material which will provide a high level of fabric protection on an efficient per unit weight basis.
The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in that it has been surprisingly discovered that high molecular weight polyalkyleneimines, preferably polyethyleneimines, having a molecular weight of at least about 5200 daltons, are suitable for use in high and low density granular, heavy duty and light duty liquids, as well as laundry bar detergent compositions to provide fabric appearance benefits inter alia mitigation of fabric damage via bleaching agents, prevention of fabric mechanical damage.
A first aspect of the present invention which relates to laundry detergent compositions comprising:
a) from about 0.01% by weight, of a polyalkyleneimine having the formula:
wherein R is C2-C4 linear alkylene, C3-C4 branched alkylene, and mixtures thereof; B is a continuation of said polyalkyleneimine by branching; w is equal to y+1; x is an integer of from about 50 to about 2500; y is an integer of from about 20 to about 1000;
b) from about 0.01% by weight, of a detersive surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; and
c) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to laundry detergent compositions which comprise a bleaching system and the herein described polymers.
These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (xc2x0C.) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.

Laundry detergent compositions comprising fabric enhancement polyamines


A water filter cartridge for refrigerators is configured to indicate leakage when a cartridge is installed in a manifold having a larger diameter, male inlet and a smaller diameter, coaxial, male outlet. The filter cap has a cylindrical recess that mates with an O-ring on the manifold inlet during use. A fluid passageway extends through the wall forming that recess and opens immediately adjacent that O-ring to carry any leaking water to the outside of the filter cap. The filter cap has a seal on a smaller diameter recess that mates with the sidewall of the male inlet at a distal end thereof. The smaller diameter recess may have slots that allow water to bypass seals on the male outlet member. Under normal water pressure the system will immediately visually exhibit a substantial leak if the filter cartridge is incorrectly coupled to the manifold.

The present invention relates to the purification of drinking water, and more particularly, to replaceable filter cartridges used in household water filtration systems.
Many refrigerators are equipped with door-mounted drinking water and ice dispensers. Purified water is often supplied to such refrigerators via copper and plastic water supply lines from water filtration systems located under the kitchen sink. Some refrigerators, such as those sold under the GE® and HOTPOINT® brands, incorporate their own dedicated water filtration system of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,107 of Magnusson et al. Those dedicated filtration systems employ a removable filter cartridge which is typically replaced about every three months. The filter cartridge is located in the interior of the refrigerator and mates with a manifold using a bayonet locking scheme. The cartridge has a female end with a larger diameter, cylindrical recess and a concentric smaller diameter, cylindrical recess that depends from the larger diameter, cylindrical recess. The larger diameter, and smaller diameter, cylindrical cavities of the female end of the filter cartridge provide mating surfaces that mate with correspondingly sized male cylindrical bodies of the manifold, which are surrounded by O-rings to provide water-tight seals. Water passes through a spring biased inlet valve of the water filtration system into the cylindrical filter cartridge. The inlet valve cooperates with the filter cartridge to prevent forward flow of water until the filter cartridge is properly seated on the manifold via insertion and twisting. Water then passes from the inlet valve, downwardly to the bottom of the filter cartridge, and then upwardly through a core of the filter cartridge that contains various filtration media. Filtered water then exits the filter cartridge back into the manifold and passes through an outlet check valve that prevents back flow. The filtered water is then delivered to the ice maker and to the water dispenser.
These replacement filter cartridges do not have any O-rings located adjacent their mating surfaces and therefore to ensure against leaks the water filtration system is totally dependent on the integrity of the O-rings that surround the outside of the larger diameter and smaller diameter, male cylindrical bodies of the manifold to prevent water leakage. A slow leak in the water filtration system resulting from improper installation of the filer cartridge or failure of the O-rings that surround the male cylindrical bodies of the manifold may go unnoticed by the homeowner, leading to a larger diameter, amount of water leaking into the refrigerator and eventually onto the floor of the kitchen when finally discovered. Replacement filter cartridges for the aforementioned refrigerators may include an additional O-ring mounted in the bottom corner of the larger diameter, cylindrical recess of the filter cartridge in order to provide additional sealing capability.
A water filter cartridge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,463 that alters the water seal location between the manifold and the cartridge in the aforementioned water filtration systems and provides an indication of a leak immediately upon installation of the filter cartridge so that incorrect installation can be readily corrected and major water leakage avoided. That improved cartridge provides an open-sided, radial channel having a U-shaped cross section and that channel allows water leaking past the O-ring seals on the male projections to pass through the channel so that a user can look into the channel to check for water in order to see if a newly installed cartridge is leaking or to check for leaks thereafter. But the sealing ring is located at the bottom of a recess and requires that the U-shaped channel extend quite a distance along the length of the cartridge. The resulting disruption in the continuity of the cylindrical wall caused by the U-shaped channel weakens the wall. Additionally, the seal arrangement used in that patent is not compatible with more recent appliances which have manifolds that place protrusions such as radial ridges on a shoulder between the larger diameter and smaller diameter, male projections that extend from the manifold, so the radial ridges contact the O-ring seal used in that '463 patent and prevent a suitable water-tight seal from forming.
There is thus a need for a more convenient way to identify leaks in a wider variety of appliances, including appliances with protrusions on the end of the manifold members. There is also a need for a leak indicator that cooperates with the existing seals of the manifold. Also, because a channel with a U-shaped cross section weakens the annular wall bearing the mounting lugs, used to connect to the refrigerator manifold, there is a further need in some applications for a stronger connection while still allowing for leak checking.
Further, the U-shaped channel shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,463 opens into an intervening chamber that surrounds the channel. Water leaking past the seal and into the U-shaped channel may fall into that chamber and be concealed from view if the amount of water is small. There is thus a need for an improved leak detection device that more readily shows a leaky seal resulting from an improper replacement of a water filter cartridge in a refrigerator or other appliance having replaceable water filters.

Water filter cartridge with improved leak indicator


Rigid structural members, profiles, joints, and forms added to structural sandwich panels to provide higher strength, integral joining joint, and single facing sheet manufacturing. Facing sheets (20) and (22), rigid structural members (24) and (26), latch side and pin side cam-locks (34) and (32), fabricated wire truss assembly (48), and rigid structural headers (28) and (30) and an integrated top plate (29) are positioned into containment form assembly (58) in the proper position. Facing sheets (20) and (22) are placed in position in the containment form assembly (58) forming a structural sandwich panel assembly. A foam resin core material (40) is injected into the structural sandwich panel assembly and allowed to cure. The resultant structural sandwich panel includes rigid structural members (24) and (26) and elongated recesses (36) and (38) which also form a joint for joining abutting structural sandwich panels together and cam-locks (32) and (34) used to secure adjoining panels together. Comer and angle panels have a comer rigid structural assembly (44).

This invention relates to structural sandwich panels, specifically features and structural members integrated into structural sandwich panels used for structure, support, alignment, and joining. In recent years, with the application of new technology and materials, many products have been introduced to compete with conventional stick building methods in residential and light commercial building construction. New products aspire to add new materials, features not before available, to be more efficient in use, and to be more cost effective than conventional methods. Fluctuations in availability and supply, quality standards, and stable cost of dimensional lumber used for framing material and availability of skilled labor are major factors leading to the introduction of alternative building materials. Of specific interest is the development of new methods and materials for use in building panel components; more specifically structural sandwich panels (SSP) and structural insulated panels (SIP). Recently, structural insulated panels have become a recognized method of construction in residential and light commercial buildings.
A structural sandwich panel is an assembly consisting of a lightweight core adhered between two relatively thin, strong facing sheets. The facing sheets typically are metal, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB) or other lightweight material. The core typically are expanded polystyrene foam, rigid urethane foam, injected urethane foam, paper honeycomb or other semi-rigid types.
Performance of structural sandwich panels are dependent on the assembly acting as a complete system. Axial forces in a structural sandwich panel are carried by compression in the sheets, stabilized by the core material against buckling. Bending moments are resisted by an internal couple composed of forces in the facing sheets. Shearing forces are resisted by the core.
The manufacture of structural sandwich panels using expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), rigid urethane or paper honeycomb core type materials differ from injected urethane foam core method.
Expanded polystyrene, rigid urethane, and paper honeycomb type panels are manufactured by utilizing a precut rigid core material which is placed between a first and second facing sheet and joined with adhesive to the contacting side of the facing sheets. Pressure is applied to the surface of the assembly to obtain an acceptable adhesive bond between the rigid core and first and second facing sheets.
Injected cured foamed urethane core panels are manufactured utilizing containment forms along all outside surfaces of the panel assembly. The containment form holds the first and second facing sheets in position and contain the cured foamed urethane core as it is inserted between the facing sheets. Two part liquid thermosetting resin foam, usually urethane, is mixed and injected into the void between the first and second facing sheets where it expands and cures into a rigid core. The thermosetting resin foam chemically reacts to produce heat and pressure which expands and cures to fill the cavity with a rigid urethane foam core. The edges are formed against the containment forms. The profile of a containment form is transferred to the rigid cured foamed core. Manufacturing by injecting a rigid cured foam urethane core requires a substantial manufacturing containment device, commonly called a fixture. The fixture contains the first and second facing sheets and all edges by exerting pressure on the containment form and the structural sandwich panel assembly sufficient to resist the pressures developed by the expanding urethane foam core during the chemical reaction process.
Structural sandwich panels are typically joined by a groove cut into the core material and fitted with a spline at the joining edges. The spline is secured to the first and second facing sheets with nails or screws. In some cases, when employing urethane core, adjoining panels are joined by means of a molded joint formed by the shape of the containment form. Currently, both methods of manufacture require additional exterior and interior facing material to reach finished condition when used as building panels.
The current methods of manufacturing structural sandwich panels are unsatisfactory as the invention utilizes finished exterior and interior facings to develop the strength for use in residential and commercial buildings and reduces the amount of labor the builder employs to install the necessary exterior and interior finish materials. Additionally, the invention significantly reduces the assembly time necessary to complete a finished wall, floor or roof system and uses less material to achieve superior results.
Another problem with current techniques employed in manufacturing structural sandwich panel products is the incorporation of headers and plates to distribute loads imposed by concentrated weights over windows, doors, and the like. In addition, when a dense material is allowed to bridge between the first and second facing sheets, thermo-wicking is evident through the panel. Thermo-wicking reduces insulation qualities of the panel by allowing heat transfer at the contact points. The invention places rigid structural members and rigid structural headers in a position to allow a thermo break between the first and second facing sheets.
The present invention relates to a method and system of manufacture, assembly, and construction of structural sandwich panels enabling the more efficient use of standard materials commonly used in the construction industry and incorporating additional features currently not found in the structural sandwich panel products. The present invention also relates to the increased energy savings by the use of high insulation values of cured foam urethane core. The present invention also related to the use of cured foam urethane core to bond to the structural members and embedded them into the structural sandwich panel. Integrating rigid structural members into the manufactured structural sandwich panel will increase structural strength of the panel assembly. In addition, integrating rigid structural members in the structural sandwich panel will supplement the requirement of individual panel facings to carry structural loads imposed on the panel assembly. The resultant savings are realized from eliminating application of secondary finish facings sheets to either the interior or exterior surfaces of structural sandwich panels. The invention relates to the incorporation of rigid structural members contained within the panel assembly to allow the use of finished panel material in the manufacture of the structural sandwich panel assembly.
The invention also relates to the manufacturer of 90 degree comer and variable angle structural sandwich panels as a single structural unit. The comer and angle structural sandwich panel provides positive control at angle transitions and increase strength of critical components that are inherently weak and join at high stress points. The invention also relates to the use of rigid structural member and elongated recess to form and function as a joint for abutting structural sandwich panel. The joining method permit adjoining structural sandwich panels to align and lock firmly in place and provide a joining method that will be structurally sound and protective of the panel during shipment. The invention relates to the use of a containment form at edges of the panel to form the elongated recess for mating the rigid structural member and other edge profiles as required. The invention also relates to incorporation of structural fabricated truss member into the structural sandwich panel cavity to increase the load capability of the panel assembly. The utilization of a structural fabricated truss member would increase the strength of the structural sandwich panel assembly and decrease the dependence of external beams and trusses the support of roof and floor structural sandwich panels. Roof and floor structural sandwich panels having rigid structural members at the edges and structural fabricated truss members integral to the interior of the assembly will allow the use of finished facing materials eliminating the application of a secondary facing to finish the panel assembly.
It is an object of the invention to provide a unique structural sandwich panel for use handling structures and the like, which panel provides high strength, positive joining, high insulation values, greater utilization of material, reduced labor, and lower application cost.
It is another object of the invention to provide structural bearing points at the joining edge of abutting panels by the inclusion of foamed-in-place rigid structural member which provide support for loads imposed by mating components and other conditions. The rigid structural member at the edge of the structural sandwich panel provides a male spine for joining the panel to the abutting panel. An elongated recess on the edge of the structural sandwich panel is formed by transferring the profile of the containment form to the cured foam resin core during manufacture. The elongated recess accepts the rigid structural member of the abutting structural sandwich panel to form a positive joint. Positioned placement of the rigid structural member provide for a thermo break between the first and second facing sheets and eliminate thermo-wicking at the joints. All the above features are heretofore unavailable.
It is another object of the invention to provide to embody a single assembly ninety degree (90 degree) comer structural sandwich panel containing a comer rigid structural member assembly. The comer rigid structural member is a load bearing assembly adhered by the cured foam resin core at the angle point, features heretofore unavailable.
It is another object of the invention to provide a single assembly angled structural sandwich panel containing a comer rigid structural member assembly. The comer rigid structural member is a load bearing assembly adhered by the cured foam resin core at the angle point, features heretofore unavailable.
It is another object of the invention to provide to incorporate a rigid structural header in the cured foam resin core of the structural sandwich panel to distribute loads, provide structural strength, and to increase the construction efficiency in a manner and to a degree not heretofore available.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention to incorporate a fabricated wire truss assembly in the cured foam resin core of the structural sandwich panel to provide additional strength and structural load carrying ability, features heretofore unavailable.
Structural sandwich panels are produced in controlled manufacturing environment to maintain a uniform product and allow extensive modification. The incorporation of rigid structural members and assemblies in the structural sandwich panel will allow the use of facing sheet material not currently utilized. The incorporation of rigid structural members positioned to mate with elongated recesses will form a thermo break joint with alignment and structural properties. The structural sandwich panel resulting from the invention will result in higher strength, better material utilization, high insulation values, decreased cost, increased flexibility, and decreased construction time. The attributes of panel construction allow the construction of a closed in, weather tight shell buildings, substantially finished on the first and second facings, in days instead of weeks.

Structural sandwich panels and method of manufacture of structural sandwich panels


The present invention provides a combined container-syringe comprising a syringe body containing a cylindrical-shaped cylinder; a cylindrical tip provided at the anterior end of said cylinder; a finger grip fitted to the posterior end of the cylinder; an injection needle fitted to the cylindrical tip; and a protector covering said injection needle. In addition, the present invention provides a method of assembling a combined container-syringe characterized in comprising an injection needle assembly preparatory process of preparing an injection needle assembly; a detection process of detecting the position of the cutting surface; a mark display process of indicating the detected position of the cutting surface; an aligning process of aligning the positions of the mark and a scale display provided on the exterior portion of the cylinder, on the circumference of the cylinder; and a fitting process of fitting the injection needle assembly to the cylindrical tip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combined container-syringe which can be pre-filled with a drug, stored, and immediately used after removal from the packaging at the time of usage, and an assembly method of the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Combined container-syringes, in which an injection needle is pre-fitted to the tip of a syringe body, can be immediately used upon removal from the packaging material without complicated operations. Recently, these combined container-syringes are enjoying wide use in hospital settings due to their superior convenience and ability to reduce the work of physicians and nurses alike.
However, with regard to the conventional combined container-syringe, the injection needle is randomly assembled with respect to the syringe body, such that, in general, the positions on the circumference of the syringe body of the numbers showing the scale and capacity, characters, medication name, and other important information displayed on the syringe body; cutting surface of the injection needle; and finger rest of the finger grip attached to the posterior end of the syringe body are not aligned with each other. Hence, currently, a method does not exist for assembling a combined container-syringe, in which the positions of the aforementioned display, cutting surface of the injection needle, and finger rest of the finger grip are automatically confirmed and mechanically aligned.
In particular, with regard to conventional combined container-syringes which use the luer lock method (i.e., construction in which the injection needle cannot suddenly come out of the syringe body during injection) employing a screw in the tip of the syringe body, when screwing the injection needle into the tip of the syringe body, the attachment position of the aforementioned is the location at which, depending on the screw, the needle rests after undergoing tightening using a fixed force. This attachment position is not a fixed position wherein the injection needle is compulsively set and fixed into a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the circumference of the syringe body. Consequently, it is not possible to perform minor adjustments to align the positions of the cutting surface of the injection needle, the finger rest of the finger grip, display scale, and the like with each other.
As a result, with respect to these combined container-syringes in which the positions of the cutting surface of the injection needle, the finger rest of the finger grip, display scale, and the like are not in alignment with each other, it is necessary for physicians and nurses to loosen the injection needle attached to the syringe body from the tip of the syringe body, and confirm the orientation of the cutting surface of the injection needle from outside of the protector covering the injection needle. It is then necessary to adjust the cutting surface of the injection needle to the positions of the finger rest of the finger grip, display scale, and the like, and re-fix the injection needle into the tip of the syringe body prior to use. With this action, the convenience and safety of the device are lost, such that improvements thereof are in great demand.
In particular, when the tip of the syringe body uses the aforementioned luer lock method, it is not possible to determine where to orient and fix the position of the cutting surface of the injection needle, which has been assembled with respect to the relationship between the screw position, tapered portion of the tip (luer tip), and thickness of the injection needle at the needle base. Likewise, it is also not possible to freely adjust the position of the cutting surface of the injection needle, such that even when the cutting surface is oriented in a different direction than that of the display scale and the like, or alternatively is not aligned with the position of the finger rest of the finger grip (flange or collar), the injection must be inconveniently administered in the aforementioned state. In addition, there is also the danger that the user will, at times, forget that the tip utilizes a luer lock mechanism, and attempt to forcibly adjust the positions of the cutting surface of the injection needle with the scale of the syringe body, and the like.
At such times, problems exist such as causing damage to the needle base or luer lock tip screw when forcibly rotating the injection needle to adjust the position of the cutting surface of the injection needle with that of the scale of the syringe body, and the like; and loosening of the lock between the injection needle and syringe body during attempts to adjust the cutting surface with the display scale by rotating the injection needle in the direction opposite that of the screw lock, which in turn, results in leakage of the medication from between the aforementioned tip and needle. In this manner, the preparation of an injection becomes extremely complex.

Combined container-syringe and assembly method of the same


A switching power supply system is disclosed for powering electrical equipment while minimizing disturbance to an AC power line source. The system includes first and second AC switches which are operated at alternate intervals with respect to each other to permit current to flow between the AC power line source and the load over intervals of the AC voltage cycle. An energy storage element is included in an output filter and stores energy during intervals of the AC voltage cycle and releases the stored energy during the alternate intervals of the AC voltage cycle. By the disclosed switching power supply, the voltage applied to the load and the current flow between the source and the load are sinusoidal, have minimal energy in frequencies other than the fundamental AC power line frequency, have minimal harmonic distortion, result in a power factor close to unity, and are steady and non fluctuating.

Recently, more stringent standards have been proposed which seek to limit the level at which power-consuming devices are permitted to introduce noise, power frequency harmonics, or other disturbance onto the AC power line as a result of their operation. The IEC555-2 and IEC555-3 standards were initiated by the IEC, amended, approved, renumbered as EN60555-2 and EN60555-3, and implemented by CENELEC for use by members of the European Union. The EN60555-2 and EN60555-3 standards have more recently been updated and renumbered as EN61000-3-2 and EN61000-3-3. All of these standards will be collectively called the "IEC555 Standard". The IEC555 Standard regulates the effects of the power draw of the load upon the current and voltage characteristics of the AC power line. Herein, the term disturbance is used to refer to any of the above-identified effects, as well as one or more of the following: increased average or root mean squared (rms) line current, reduced power factor, and distortions of the AC line voltage, including flattening of the peak voltage levels and/or periodic changes that would cause a visual flicker of the lighting. These specific types of disturbance to the AC power line voltage and current are known to be present when existing electrical equipment such as computers, audio-visual reproduction and recording equipment, lamp dimmers, motor drives, electronic ballast lights, and photocopying equipment, among others, are powered from an AC power line source.
Prior to the invention disclosed herein, no system known to the inventors was capable of supplying variable power from an AC power line source to a resistive AC load that could also meet the requirements of the IEC555 Standard for minimizing disturbance to the AC power line voltage and current. A system in use prior to the proposal of the IEC555 Standard is known as thyristor AC phase control. An example of such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,224 to Rabier ("the Rabier Patent"). A further example is shown in FIG. 6A of an extended range full wave phase control circuit. In these types of systems, which may commonly be used in photocopiers, lamp dimmers, heater controls and cooking appliances, a triac placed between the AC power line and the load is "fired", i.e. switched on, at some delay relative to the start of each half cycle of the AC power line voltage, such that power is supplied to the load during only a predetermined portion of each half cycle of the AC line voltage. In that way, the triac controls delivery of power to the load in accordance with the relative proportion of each AC power cycle in which the triac is switched on.
However, while prior triac-controlled switching power supplies are capable of meeting the voltage fluctuating requirements of the IEC555-3 (now EN61000-3-3) standard, they are incapable of meeting the harmonic requirements of IEC555-2 (now EN61000-3-2) standard because the voltage and current waveforms supplied to the load are not sinusoidal at substantially a single frequency.
An alternate method of controlling the triac-controlled power supply is to switch it on for several cycles and then off for several cycles, resulting in a very slow modulation frequency. An example of such a system is shown in FIG. 6B employing a solid state relay with zero crossing turn on. The circuit of FIG. 6B is similar to that of FIG. 6A, however, it can be controlled by a computer. Accordingly, the triac can be on for extended periods of time and is slowly modulated on and off to control the average power. Although this method, which is currently in use for many heater type applications in the electronics industry such as photocopiers meets the harmonic distortion requirements, it does not meet the fluctuating voltage restrictions and causes visual flicker to the lighting. Accordingly, it fails the standard IEC555-3 (now EN6100-3-3).
FIG. 1 contains a set of waveforms plotted versus time for 1) the voltage Vs and current Is on an AC power line with minimal disturbance present; 2) the voltage VL and current IL as supplied to a load through a prior triac-controlled supply; and 3) an example of the AC power line voltage Vs1 and current Is1 under disturbed conditions, i.e. as voltage and current being supplied to the load by the triac-controlled power supply. As shown in FIG. 1, irregular, non-sinusoidal voltage and current are supplied to the load as waveforms VL and IL The irregular current draw, in turn, disturbs the AC power line characteristics, resulting in the disturbed voltage and current waveforms Vs1 and Is1.
Like the prior thyristor AC phase control system, the present invention is designed to supply power to AC loads used in photocopiers, lamp dimmers, heater controls, cooking appliances, and many other types of equipment which draw sinusoidal AC power. The present invention operates to minimize the level of disturbance to the AC power line while providing variable AC power to a load and meeting the requirements of the IEC555 standard.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switching power supply which delivers a controlled amount of power to an AC load from an AC power line while minimizing disturbance to the voltage and current which are carried by the AC power line.
A further object of the invention is to provide a switching power supply which draws power at timed cycle intervals from a source while delivering a continuous sinusoidal voltage and current to the load.
Another object of the invention is to provide a switching power supply which draws power at timed cycle intervals from a source while maintaining substantially sinusoidal voltage and current waveforms at the source.
Another object of the invention is to provide a switching power supply which provides power to an AC load at a modulation frequency substantially higher than the AC source frequency so that there will be no fluctuating distortion on the source that would create a visible flicker.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a more reliable switching power supply which contains few components.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a low-cost switching power supply for use with a full spectrum of consumer and business equipment.

Switching power supply for lowered distribution system disturbance