A cover for a telephone handset includes a monolithic, one-piece body that has speaker-covering and earpiece-covering holes defined therein, and a speaker filter element and an earpiece filter element removably mounted on the body in covering relationship with each of the holes. The filter elements are removed and replaced after each use of the cover so that germs on one handset will not be transmitted to the speaker or earpiece of another handset by the cover.

In today's world, many people are justifiably worried about contracting some sort of communicable disease. Many of these people are in professions that cause them to come into contact with many strangers, and the fear of the unknown may create great anxiety.
This fear of contacting a communicable disease also manifests itself in rules requiring food service personnel to wear gloves and hats when handling food, in rules requiring special packaging for food and other such items, and the like.
This fear is, of course, most apparent in association with public facilities. One such public facility that has received such attention is a public telephone. Since a telephone is used in close association with a user's face and mouth, this worry can be quite genuine in its basis, and can cause apprehension for some workers who are required to use public telephones as part of their job. Telephone repairmen are an example of such workers, especially if these repairmen are assigned to a job of maintaining public telephones.
For this reason, the art has included several proposals for covering a telephone handset or parts thereof to prevent direct contact between such handset and a user. However, while somewhat successful, these known coverings have several drawbacks which limit the effectiveness thereof.
For example, many of these devices do not cover and encase the entire handset, and thus leave exposed areas which can contain germs that can be transmitted to a user. Other ones of these covers are intended for re-use thereby vitiating the advantages thereof by exposing the cover to the possibility of carrying germs from one place to another and thus may expose a user to germs contacted in a prior use of the cover. The reusable covers also create a problem for others by, possibly, carrying germs from one handset to another. This may expose a later user of a second handset to germs that have been carried to that handset from another handset by the cover.
Accordingly, there is a need for a telephone handset cover which can totally encase a telephone handset in a manner that does not create a problem with exposing some areas of the handset to the user and which can be re-used without unduly exposing the user, or subsequent users, to germs that may have been contacted by the cover during a prior use thereof.


A miniaturized camera which is programmable and provides low power consumption. An active pixel image sensor used in the highly miniaturized camera provides improved imaging functionality as well as reduced power consumption, extending the possible life time of the camera system. The spread spectrum nature of transmission and reception improves data integrity as well as data security. The ability of the highly miniaturized wireless camera to receive commands as well as transmit image data provides improved functionality and a variable rate of power consumption to be set according to the application and needs of the situation.

A great interest exists in highly miniaturized low power wireless imagers. In the past, highly miniaturized cameras have been connected to a base station by wires. However, such wires limit the operable range within which a miniaturized camera can be used.
As a result, wireless, highly miniaturized cameras have been developed. The elimination of wires allows for a truly independent miniaturized camera. Potential military uses include unmanned air vehicles ("UAVs") and the twenty-first century land warrior ("21 CLW"). Additional applications include surveillance and covert operations, border monitoring, drug interdiction, National Aeronautics and Space Administration ("NASA") extravehicular activities ("EVA"), and Drug Enforcement Agency ("DEA") or Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") uses. In addition, the independent and miniaturized nature of such a camera allows for convenient placement of the camera, such as through an air drop. Accordingly, a highly miniaturized wireless camera has tremendous market potential.
While a number of battery powered wireless sensors are commercially available, typically such cameras rely on charge coupled device ("CCD") image sensor systems. CCD sensors require a number of support chips and high voltages for proper operation. As a result, CCD image sensors generally consume much power (1-2 watts) and are bulky.
In addition, typical conventional wireless cameras only operate in a single operating mode. Thus, the power consumption of such cameras is typically at a constant high rate. Wireless cameras must have their own power source such as a battery. Given the high power consumption of CCD systems, wireless cameras using CCD image sensors require a physically large power source, increasing the camera's overall size. If a smaller power source is used, the operable lifespan of the system is shortened. Thus, these CCD image sensor systems are not well suited for power and space constrained applications.
Furthermore, conventional wireless cameras typically have limited range, no ability to receive and perform commands, and do not have multiple access capabilities.
Accordingly, the inventors have determined that it would be desirable to provide a highly miniaturized wireless camera that provides programmability and low power consumption.

Highly miniaturized, battery operated, digital wireless camera using programmable single chip active pixel sensor (APS) digital camera chip


A method for making a lithium-ion cell includes depositing an electrode material as a coating on a substrate of the lithium-ion cell, irradiating the deposited electrode material with microwave radiation of varying frequency, wetting the irradiated electrode material with a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, and sealing the wetted electrode material in an air-tight enclosure.

Each cell of a lithium-ion battery includes a negative electrode and a positive electrode. The negative electrode may consist of a lithium-ion intercalated, reduced-carbon material dispersed on a copper or nickel substrate. The positive electrode may consist of a lithium metal oxide dispersed on an aluminum substrate. The positive and negative electrodes may be arranged in layers, with an insulating separator placed between them to prevent short circuit. The resulting layered structure may be folded or wound into the desired cell configuration, connected to the external contacts of the cell, wetted with a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, and then sealed in a suitable enclosure.
Generally speaking, the performance and longevity of a lithium-ion cell may depend on the degree to which moisture—viz., water—is excluded from the materials sealed in the cell enclosure. Accordingly, the positive and negative electrode layers may be heated under vacuum to desiccate the electrode materials prior to addition of the electrolyte solution. However, vacuum treatment is costly and time-consuming, and is not easily applicable to continuous—e.g., roll-to-roll processing.
Accordingly, one embodiment of this disclosure provides a method for making a lithium-ion cell. The method includes depositing an electrode material as a coating on a substrate of the lithium-ion cell, irradiating the deposited electrode material with microwave radiation of varying frequency, wetting the irradiated electrode material with a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, and sealing the wetted electrode material in an air-tight enclosure. Another embodiment provides an apparatus for making a lithium-ion cell. The apparatus includes an electrode-material deposition stage, a microwave desiccation stage, a wetting stage, and a sealing stage. The deposition stage is configured to deposit an electrode material as a coating on a substrate of the lithium-ion cell. The desiccation stage includes a microwave emitter configured to irradiate the deposited electrode material with microwave radiation of varying frequency. The wetting stage is configured to wet the irradiated electrode material with a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The sealing stage is configured to seal the wetted electrode material in an air-tight enclosure.
The statements above are provided to introduce a selected part of this disclosure in simplified form, not to identify key or essential features. The claimed subject matter, defined by the claims, is limited neither to the content above nor to implementations that address any problems or disadvantages referenced herein.

Microwave drying of lithium-ion battery materials


A retaining element for the lid of a cabinet has a linkage in the form of an eccentric sliding crank drive with an arm (1) as a slider link of the sliding crank drive. The arms (1) can be fixed to a cabinet housing (27) and pivotably connected to the lid and is pivotable around a first arm axis (5) of a first joint (6). A lever (2) can be fixed to the cabinet housing (27) and is pivotable around a first lever axis (7) of a second joint (8). A slider element (3) is guided at the arm (1) and is displaceable along a slider axis (12). The lever (2) is connected to the slider element (3) and is pivotable around a second lever axis (9). A force element (14) force-loads the arm (1) and slider element (3).

A retaining element is known from DE 25 16 635 B1. This retaining element provides the arm in the form of a tube. The tube accommodates a force element in the form of a helical spring that is connected to the lever on the one hand and to the tube on the other hand. The helical spring is subjected to tensile loads and holds the arm in the closed position. When the lid is opened, the arm crosses a dead-centre position. From this position, the helical spring urges the arm into the open position so that the arm is automatically moved into the open position and is held in same. The first lever axis is arranged so that it and the first arm axis are positioned on the slider axis, with the helical spring being tensioned to its maximum. The lever enters the tube through a cut and is curved to be arch-shaped. The lever has a recess that embraces a bearing journal of the first joint. This occurs when the arm is in the position with the helical spring pretensioned to its maximum.

Toplifter Beteiligungs-und Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG


The invention relates to use of (a) compounds of phosphorus containing at least partly lipophilic organic radicals together with (b) urea and/or urea derivatives in selected quantity ratios of (a) to (b) as a soil additive for biologically controlling plant-parasitic soil nematodes by strengthening the correspondingly antagonistic soil potential, more particularly by strengthening the growth of antagonistic and/or nematicidal rhizosphere bacteria and/or corresponding mycorrhiza strainsxe2x80x94and at the same time strengthening the growth of cultivated plants in soil. The multicomponent mixtures which strengthen bacterial growth are preferably introduced into the region of the plant roots in the form of an aqueous preparation using plant-compatible emulsifiers before and/or during plant growth. Components (a) and (b) are used in such quantity ratios that the ratio by weight of C to N is no higher than 6:1 and preferably no higher than 5:1.

The significance of native plant-parasitic nematode strains in crop farming and the crop failures and growth depressions which they cause have been known to experts for decades. In order to combat these unwanted restrictions in arable farming, practice and scientific research have worked out a number of countermeasures. Thus, crop rotationxe2x80x94for example sugar beet, winter wheat and winter barley in a three-year cyclexe2x80x94can contribute towards easing the problems under discussion. Today, the use of synthetic nematicides is at least seriously restricted or prohibited over wide areas of agricultural land on account of the secondary damage which they cause. The incorporation of selected organic substances for improving soil or for controlling nematodes has been established practice for decades. The success of such measures is understood to involve a complex interaction between all soil organisms, see for example R. C. COOKE, 1963, xe2x80x9cSuccession of Nematophagous Fungi During the Decomposition or Organic Matter in Soilxe2x80x9d, Nature 4863; 205 and S. HOFFMANN-HERGARTEN et al., 1993, xe2x80x9cUntersuchungen zur Steigerung der Wirkung nematodenfangender Pilze gegen den Heterodera-schachtii Frxc3xchbefall durch organische Dxc3xcngerxe2x80x9d, Zeitschrift fxc3xcr Pflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz 100 (2); 170-175.
The relevant literature is also concerned in particular with attempts to stimulate soil microorganism flora and, more particularly, strains which are capable of developing antagonistic and/or nematicidal effects against plant-pathogenic nematodes, cf. in particular U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,141 and the literature cited therein, above all R. Rodriguez-Kabana et al. in xe2x80x9cPlant and Soilxe2x80x9d, 100:237 to 247 (1987). According to this particular literature reference, chitin-containing materials in admixture with other organic nitrogen compounds, such as ammonium phosphate and urea, develop nematostatic and nematicidal activity in soils against plant-pathogenic nematode populations, but are not phytotoxic to the plants and actually serve as a food source. The teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,207 goes in the same direction. This document describes the nematicidal activity of a chitin-protein complex compound which is obtained from a demineralized water-insoluble chitin material and a water-insoluble protein component. For practical application, these water-insoluble fine-particle complex compounds have to be mechanically incorporated in the soil in known manner.
The teaching of the present invention as described in the following is based on the prior art as represented by the U.S. patents cited above. The key components of the mixtures described in these U.S. patents are insoluble in water. This applies in particular to their chitin or chitin complex content. Accordingly, the incorporation of the insoluble material in upper soil layers can only be usefully undertaken in those parts of the soil which do not yet bear any plants. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,141, a pronounced nematicidal effect is only observed in particular in the second successive plant cycle.
By contrast, the problem addressed by the present invention was to provide a soil additive which could in introduced into the affected parts of the soil in liquid form and, more particularly, in the form of an aqueous preparation and which would lead there to rapid development of the antagonistic effects, above all of the microorganism flora active there, towards plant-pathogenic soil nematodes. At the same time, the mixture according to the invention would lend itself to introduction, more especially into the region around the plant roots, both before and also during the sowing or planting of the affected areas of soil and during subsequent plant growth. Accordingly, the teaching according to the invention would make it possible to strengthen the strains of microorganism flora, more especially bacteria and/or fungi, which are present in particular in the rhizosphere or mycorrhiza and hence in the immediate surface region of the plant roots and which are distinguished by antagonistic and/or nematicidal activity towards unwanted nematode infestation of the plant roots.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a mixture of components (a) and (b) defined hereinafter as a soil additive in crop cultivation in cultivated soils which are infected by plant-parasitic nematodes and/or in which the desired objective of optimizing the result of crop cultivation is endangered by corresponding nematode infestation. Components of class (a) are compounds of phosphorus containing at least partly lipophilic organic radicals which are used together with (b) urea and/or urea derivatives. The components of class (a) and class (b) are used in such quantity ratios of (a) to (b) that the ratio by weight of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) does not exceed about 6:1. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio by weight of C to N is at most about 5:1.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of phospholipids of vegetable origin in combination with urea and/or urea derivatives for the biological control of plant-parasitic soil nematodes by strengthening the correspondingly antagonistic soil potentialxe2x80x94more especially by strengthening the growth of antagonistic and/or nematicidal rhizosphere bacteria and/or corresponding mycorrhiza strainsxe2x80x94and at the same time promoting the growth of the cultivated plants/crops. In this embodiment, too, the mixtures according to the invention are preferably introduced into the endangered soil in the form of aqueous preparations before and/or more particularly during growth.
Biological life processes and the discernible effects accompanying them are known to be the summary results of highly complex microorganism interactions which can in turn can be determined by a number of external conditions or living conditions. Equal significance attaches in this regard to the growth and development both of microorganism flora and of soil flora. This applies in particular to corresponding development processes in the soil and to the secondary results which they determine in the cultivation of plants in soil. Despite this general understanding, the possibility of permanently influencing these complex and interrelated life processes is still very limited.
DE 44 37 313 A1 describes a process for improving plant growth in agriculture, forestry and horticulture by stimulating the microorganisms that live in the soil in which the plants grow. The document in question proposes the use of certain mixtures based on phospholipids, for example lecithin, and phospholipid derivatives whose use for various purposes in agriculture had already been mentioned. Thus, European patent application EP 95 071 and International patent application WO 89/8628 describe the use of phospholipids together with macronutrients as leaf fertilizers. International patent application WO 93/1150 mentions the use of phospholipids as emulsifiers in fertilizer preparations. According to DE 42 18 243, mixtures of glycerophospholipids and urea can be used to activate certain hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms so that they degrade mineral oil contamination in soil more quickly. Building on this knowledge, the teaching of DE 44 37 313 proposes using phospholipids and phospholipid derivatives, above all in admixture with urea, to stimulate even those microorganisms which live naturally in uncontaminated soil in order to promote the growth of the plants growing in the soils thus treated by a kind of general fertilizing effect.
Now, the invention is based on an observation which goes even further: the use of the above-mentioned mixtures to be described in detail hereinafter provides for intervention in and hence biological control of the highly complex life system of the soil. The objective in this regard is the control and/or reduction of plant-parasitic nematode growth and, hence, the growth of selected strains of soil fauna by stimulation and hence growth promotion of selected strains of soil microorganism flora in the form of bacteria and/or fungi.
It is known in principle that the so-called rhizosphere, i.e. the boundary layer of soil a few millimeters thick in the region of the plant roots and, in particular, the root hairs, harbours a high population of bacterial strains (microorganism flora) which, on the one hand, promote the exchange of matter between the plant roots and the soil, but which on the other hand are also capable of protecting this life-sustaining in-soil part of the plants. The same applies to the mycorrhiza region of the interaction between plant roots and fungus populations in the soil. The teaching according to the invention is based inter alia on the observation that addition of the soil additives according to the invention also strengthens those microorganism populations and, hence, bacterial and/or fungal strains in the soil which develop nematostatic and/or nematicidal activity towards plant-parasitic nematodes and which therefore not only prevent or at least restrict the further build-up of nematode populations in the soil, but also and above all limit the penetration of already existing nematodes into the plant roots. Irrespective of this and in addition to this hitherto unknown effect, the already known general fertilizing effect for promoting growth irrespective of nematodes remains intact for the use of the described mixtures.
This affords important advantages over the teaching according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,057,141 and 4,536,207 cited above. The mixture introduced into the endangered areas of soil, preferably in the form of a liquid aqueous formulation, can be added to the soil both before and at least partly during the germination and/or growth phase(s) of the plants to be protected. A corresponding treatment may be carried out just once and/or repeated as often as required, depending on demand. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, plant-physiologically compatible wetting agents, more especially of the o/w type, are added to the aqueous preparations of the soil additive. These wetting agents support the spreading of the aqueous phase introduced in the upper layers of soil and, hence, especially in the growth region of the plant roots. It is possible in this way directly to stimulate the growth of the microorganism flora strains in the rhizosphere and/or corresponding mycorrhiza strains and hence to strength their nematostatic and/or nematicidal activity. Accordingly, it will readily be appreciated that distinctly improved results can be achieved, even in the cultivation of crops particularly vulnerable to nematodes, such as sugar beet, by applying the teaching according to the invention.
The mixtures to be used in accordance with the invention are characterized by a combination of selected representatives of class (a)xe2x80x94compounds of phosphorus containing at least partly lipophilic organic radicalsxe2x80x94and class (b)xe2x80x94urea and/or urea derivativesxe2x80x94as defined in the foregoing. Preferred components of class (a) are esters of phosphoric acid with monohydric and/or polyhydric alcohols which have lipophilic radicals in their molecular structure. Partial esters of phosphoric acid are also particularly suitable, generally being used in the form of their (partial) salts.
Accordingly, suitable phosphoric acid esters are partial esters of fatty alcohols which introduce the required lipophilic component into the phosphoric acid ester molecule through the hydrocarbon radical of the fatty alcohol. Partial esters of phosphoric acid with straight-chain fatty alcohols, of which at least a substantial proportion has been produced using C6-10 fatty alcohols and/or lower ethoxylates thereof, are particularly suitable. However, the phosphoric acid esters of higher fatty alcohols, for example containing 12 to 24 carbon atoms, are also suitable in principle, particular significance also attaching here to correspondingly olefinically unsaturated fatty alcohols.
However, particularly preferred phosphoric acid esters of class (a) are phospholipids and phospholipid derivatives. It is known that phospholipids and their derivatives are amphiphilic substances which are obtained from vegetable or animal cells. Preferred phospholipids for the purposes of the teaching according to the invention are corresponding compounds of vegetable origin or phospholipid derivatives obtained therefrom. Particularly preferred representatives of this class of components (a) are the glycerophospholipids which, normally, are also referred to as lecithin. The sphingophospholipids are less preferred. Known representatives which may be used in accordance with the invention are the diacyl phospholipids, phosphatidyl cholines, phosphatidyl ethanolamines, phosphatidyl inositols, phosphatidyl serines, phosphatidyl glycerols, phosphatidyl glycerophosphates, diphosphatidyl glycerol, N-acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidic acid. Monoacyl phospholipids, lysophosphatidyl cholines, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamines, lysophosphatidyl inositols, lysophosphatidyl serines, lysophosphatidyl glycerols, lysophosphatidyl glycerophosphates, lysodiphosphatidyl glycerols, lyso-n-acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamines and lysophosphatidic acid are preferred. The phosphatidyl glycerides are obtainable on an industrial scale and available in large quantities. They are marketed as vegetable or animal lecithins and cephalins. These preparations are obtained, for example, from oils, such as corn oil, cottonseed oil or soybean oil. According to the invention, preferred components of class (a) are enzymatically hydrolyzed glycerophospholipids (enzymatically hydrolyzed lecithin) which have a more hydrophilic character through the elimination of a fatty acid ester. Only those products which have lost their phosphoric acid residue through the enzymatic hydrolysis are excluded.
According to the invention, urea and/or urea derivatives are introduced as an essential nitrogen source into the areas of soil to be protected as components of class (b) together with the phospholipids mentioned above. In its important embodiments, the teaching according to the invention is further characterized by an additional determining parameter which governs the quantity ratios in which components (a) and (b) are used. As a general rule, the mixtures of the particular components selected from these two classes are used in such quantity ratios that the calculable ratio by weight of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) in the mixture of components (a) and (b) does not exceed about 6:1. Mixtures of component (a) to component (b) in which the ratio by weight of C to N is no more than 5:1 are preferred, mixtures in which that ratio by weight does not exceed 3:1 to 4:1 being particularly preferred. A suitable lower limit to the ratio by weight of C to N is 1:1 to 1.2:1, a maximum of about 2.5:1 and, more particularly, in the range from about 1.5:1 to 2:1 being particularly preferred. Any nitrogen atoms present in component (a) are included in the calculation of the C:N ratio.
If phospholipids are used as representatives of the class (a) componentsxe2x80x94together with urea or urea derivatives as essential nitrogen sourcexe2x80x94in the mixtures according to the invention, quantity ratios (expressed as parts by weight, based on the non-aqueous starting materials) of 3:1 to 1:3 parts of phospholipid to urea or urea derivative are normally suitable. In one preferred embodiment, substantially equal quantities of these basic components are used in admixture with one another.
According to the invention, suitable urea derivatives are in particular the oligoureas or polyureas formed by condensation of the primary urea molecule. It is known that they are distinguished in practice by slow decomposition and hence by a long-term fertilizing effect. A long-term effect such as this may be entirely desirable for the objective according to the invention of biogenic nematode control by strengthening the antagonistic and/or nematicidal potential of bacterial and/or fungal populations present in the soil. In general, however, urea as such is at least partly used as the nitrogen source. Reference is made in this connection to another possible modification: other nitrogen sources known from fertilizer technology are also suitable as a constituent of the multicomponent mixtures to be used in accordance with the invention. Corresponding ammonium salts in particular are suitable in this regard, combinations of ammonium salts/urea being important nitrogen sources in the context of the teaching according to the invention. Further references to suitable urea derivatives can be found, for example, in the above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,141, column 9, lines 40 to 50.
The quantity in which the soil additive according to the invention is applied in each individual case is determined by a number of factors. These include inter alia the time at which the multicomponent mixture is applied in dependence upon the planned or existing cultivation program, the state of the soil, more especially in regard to the soil fauna already present and, in particular, the discernible nematode infestation, the sensitivity of the plants to be cultivated to the effect of plant-parasitic nematodes and the like. Suitable quantity ranges for the application and introduction of the soil additive according to the invention for protecting plants against nematode infestation are normally at least 0.2 to 0.5 g/m2 soil surface area, based on the water-free combinations of phospholipids and urea or urea derivatives. Particularly preferred ranges for suitable quantities of the soil additives according to the invention, again based on the water-free mixtures, are above 1 g/m2 to about 50-60 g/m2 and preferably from 10 to 40 g/m2 soil surface area.
The aqueous preparations of the soil additives preferably used in accordance with the invention are generally formulated as corresponding aqueous emulsions and/or dispersions. To produce these aqueous dispersions, to facilitate their penetration into the soil and, in particular, to spread the aqueous preparation in the soil, surface-active auxiliaries are also used in the aqueous preparations in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Suitable surface-active auxiliaries are, in particular, biologically compatible emulsifiers of the o/w type which, in turn, are degradable in particular through the usual metabolism processes of the soil microorganisms. Although corresponding anionic surfactants are suitable, nonionic surfactants that are rapidly and completely biodegradable are particularly preferred for the purposes of the invention.
Suitable anionic surfactants are, for example, soaps and biodegradable alkyl sulfates, more especially fatty alcohol sulfates. Suitable representatives are the partial esters of phosphoric acid with fatty alcohols and, in particular, corresponding partial esters with linear fatty alcohols of preferably natural origin and hence with an even number of carbon atoms. For example, corresponding esters of relatively short-chain fatty alcohols, for example containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the fatty alcohol molecule, are suitable. However, alkyl phosphates with relatively long-chain fatty alcohol radicals, for example containing 12 to 24 carbon atoms are also suitable. In the case under discussion, therefore, polyfunctional significance attaches to selected representatives of the class (a) components according to the invention. In addition to the interactions with the components of class (b) discussed above, use can be made here of the surface-active function of the phosphoric acid partial esters mentioned.
According to the invention, particularly preferred biodegradable surfactants are corresponding, at least predominantly nonionic compounds which are preferably based at least predominantly on natural materials and have preferred HLB values in the range from 10 to 18. According to the invention, a particularly preferred class of surfactants are the alkyl (oligo)glycoside compounds of which the alkyl chain derives at least predominantly from straight-chain fatty alcohols. Compounds of this type, which are now also known as APG(copyright) components, are surface-active auxiliaries with a broad range of applications. It is known that APG(copyright)-based wetting agents can be based entirely on natural materials. Reference is made to the extensive scientific knowledge and literature on the production and properties of APG(copyright) compounds of the type in question, see for example the book by Hill et al. entitled xe2x80x9cAlkylpolyglycosidesxe2x80x9d, VCH-Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim 1997.
However, other biodegradable and compatible surfactant components with comparable properties are also suitable. These include in particular corresponding glucamines, glucamides or even sugar partial esters of monocarboxylic acids containing in particular 8 to 24 carbon atoms, sorbitan esters, for example of the sorbitan monostearate or sorbitan monooleate type, and also surfactants of biological origin. Examples of biological surfactants include sophorose lipid, trehalose lipid or the lipopeptides known as metabolism products or membrane constituents of a large number of microorganism strains. Further particulars of biologically acceptable surface-active components can be found in DE 44 37 313 which has already repeatedly cited.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, carbon sources for the growth of the microorganism flora are also added to the above-defined additives based on phospholipid/urea or urea derivative and introduced into the affected area of soil, preferably together with the essential components mentioned above. The combined use of carriers containing P and/or N together with selected additional carbon sources for the growth of the microorganism flora is inter alia the subject of hitherto unpublished German patent application DE 197 48884.6 (H 3143), of which the disclosure is hereby included as part of the teaching of the present invention. Key statements on this additional class of carbon sources in the context of the multicomponent mixtures or soil additives according to the invention are summarized in the following. However, reference is made beforehand to an important preferred additional parameter for multicomponent mixtures of the type under discussion:
In the context of the teaching of the present invention, preferred multicomponent mixtures for introduction into the soil are those in which the quantity ratios of the C- and/or N-containing components used are adapted to one another in such a way that ratios by weight of C to N of about 6:1 and preferably of about 3 to 4:1 are not exceeded. It may even be of advantage to limit the C:N ratio present in the particular multicomponent mixture used to values of at most about 2 to 2.5:1.
Where the additional carbon sources mentioned above are used in the soil additives according to the invention, it can be important so far as the choice of components insoluble in the aqueous phase is concerned to select compounds which at least partly have pour points of or below 25 to 30xc2x0 C. and, more particularly, of or below 10 to 15xc2x0 C. Suitable components such as these are, for example, olefinically unsaturated C12-24 fatty alcohols, more particularly of natural origin. Particular significance attaches in this regard to at least predominantly C16/18 fatty alcohols with a high degree of olefinic double bonds and solidification ranges of or below 20xc2x0 C. and preferably of or below 10 to 15xc2x0 C.
Preferred representatives of such additional carbon sources are oil-soluble, but biologically compatible organic compounds containing aliphatic and/or olefinically unsaturated and, in particular, at least predominantly linear hydrocarbon radicals containing at least 6 carbon atoms and, more particularly, at least 8 carbon atoms. Corresponding compounds functionalized with oxygen as hetero atom are particularly preferred. Typical examples of such compounds are fatty alcohols and/or fatty acids or derivatives thereof, such as esters, more especially partial esters, ethers and/or amides. In the modification under discussion here where carbon sources are additionally used, additives which, in addition to carbon, also contain nitrogen in their molecular structure can be particularly suitable. Typical examples are betaines, proteins and aminocarboxylic acids and derivatives and salts thereof.
As already mentioned, the use of additional carbon sources is a possible measure, but by no means a compulsory measure in the context of the teaching of the invention. The essence of the teaching of the invention lies in strengthening the nematostatic/nematicidal effect of the multicomponent mixturexe2x80x94introduced as far as the rhizosphere through the liquid formulationxe2x80x94of components (a) and (b) and, more particularly, of phospholipids and urea or urea derivatives. This effect is also achieved without using the additional carbon sources just mentioned.
The principle according to the invention of strengthening the growth of antagonistic and/or nematicidal microorganisms in the form of soil bacteria and/or fungi leads to rapidly pronounced effects, especially in cases where corresponding microorganism populations acting as starter cultures already exist in the areas of soil to be treated. Bearing in mind the widespread occurrence of plant-parasitic nematode strains, a correspondingly broad presence of microorganism populations suitable for the purposes of the invention can be assumed to exist in agricultural soil. However, use can additionally be made in known manner of contemporary scientific knowledge for introducing cultures of suitable bacterial and/or fungal strains with the required antagonistic or nematicidal effects as starter cultures into the area of soil to be treated. Reference may be made in this connection to general scientific knowledge, cf. for example the following publications: J. Coosemans (1991), xe2x80x9cMethods for Introducing Verticillium chlamydosporium into soilxe2x80x9d in: KERRY, B. R and CRUMP, D. H.: Methods for Studying Nematophagus Fungi. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin XIV/2; 39-45 and A. Ciancio (1995), xe2x80x9cObservations on the Nematicidal Properties of Some Mycotoxinsxe2x80x9d, Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 18(5); 451-454.
Another possible variant of the teaching of the invention lies in the combination of measures known from the prior art for controlling nematodes and the measures now being proposed in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the water-insoluble components or mixtures thereof, more particularly based on chitin or chitin/protein complexes, may first be incorporated in the area of soil to be treated, as proposed in the above-cited U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,057,141 and 4,536,207 and the literature cited therein, the advantages of the multicomponent mixtures to be introduced in accordance with the invention in the form of an aqueous preparation then being additionally utilized, more especially in the course of plant growth. It will readily be appreciated that the biogenic strengthening and protective function of the microorganism strains to be strengthened in accordance with the invention are achieved in a particularly pronounced form by this combination of working steps.
The multicomponent mixtures to be used in accordance with the invention may be prepared and stored in the form of aqueous concentrates which are diluted with water before application to the soil. According to the invention, suitable concentrates have the following composition for example: 10 to 30% by weight of lecithin and/or lecithin hydrolyzate; 10 to 30% by weight of urea or urea derivative; 1 to 10% by weight of surfactant, optionally other auxiliaries and, for the rest, water to 100% by weight. Concentrates of this type are preferably diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20 to 1:100 before application to the soil to be protected. The aqueous preparation may be applied any known method. Both uniform distribution of the liquid phase over the soil surface and controlled injection, for example by the so-called Hydro-Ject process, are suitable. Even where the aqueous multicomponent mixtures are injected into the soil, the surface-active components used in accordance with the invention promote horizontal spreading thereof.
In particular, however, the use of the components or multicomponent mixtures according to the invention may also be combined with the addition of conventional nematicides. These chemical agents, which are now widely used, are the subject of numerous printed publications, cf. for example the book by H. Bxc3x6rner entitled xe2x80x9cPflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutzxe2x80x9d, 5th Edition, Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1983, pages 128 to 132.
If the teaching according to the invention is applied in combination with conventional nematicides, the quantity in which these conventional chemicals are used can be substantially reduced without any danger of serious losses of effect. In this way, savings of known nematicides, which normally go back to synthetic chemistry, of at least 30% and preferably of at least 50 to 75% can be made without any danger of losses of growth and/or yield.
The following Examples describe the use of the soil additives according to the invention and the resulting reduction in the nematode infestation of plant roots coupled with a substantial increase in the live weight of the plants compared with controls.

Biogenic control and limitation of the reproduction of parasitic earth nematodes in stock culture


A system for reducing flammability has a heat exchanger that cools ullage from a tank, condenses vapors within the ullage, and returns the cooled ullage and vapors to the tank.

Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to a fuel tank, and more particularly, to reducing a potential of hazardous conditions within an aircraft fuel tank by cooling ullage in a heat exchanger.
Inerting aircraft fuel tanks may remove potential hazardous situations arising from combustible combinations of oxygen, fuel vapors and ignition sources. Existing solutions for reducing fuel tank flammability may include adulterating ullage within the fuel tank with nitrogen enriched air (NEA) or oxygen depleted air (ODA) that may be generated by an onboard inert gas generating system (OBIGGS), which may be referred to as a nitrogen gas inerting system (NGS) or fuel-tank inerting system (FTIS).
OBIGGS may use compressed air to generate NEA or ODA. OBIGGS may require that the air supplied to it be within a narrow band of pressures and temperatures and that the air be clean, of low humidity and with low ozone and hydrocarbon concentrations.
NEA or ODA may be an asphyxiant, while oxygen enriched air (OEA) may be a potential fire hazard. Hydrocarbon laden gases exhausting from the fuel-tank may be a carcinogenic and also malodorous and unfriendly to the environment. OBIGGS may use a hollow fiber membrane (HFM) in air separation modules (ASM) for generating NEA and OEA. Performance and operation of ASM may be adversely affected by contaminants in the air that they process.
NGS systems may be expensive to develop and certify as they may not be reliably simulated by analysis. They may use substantial auxiliary equipment that is expensive, for example, an ozone converter to dissociate ozone in air, turbo-compressor to ensure air pressure within design limits during low pressure conditions, heat-exchangers to cool and heaters to heat to ensure air supply within design temperature limits, filter to reduce particulate contamination, water separator to remove excessive moisture and oxygen sensor to check the ASM performance. In addition multiple sensors and control devices may be used to monitor the performance of components and to protect equipment from component failures.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a fuel tank flammability reduction and inerting system and methods that overcome the above problems.

Fuel tank flammability reduction and inerting system and methods thereof


A tire of a vehicle is disclosed having at least one sensor, a control module and one or more indicators. The at least one sensor is located at a re-threading level of the tire to sense contact with ground surface. Upon contact with the ground surface, the at least one sensor generates data. The control module receives the data from the at least one sensor. Upon receiving the data, the control module determines a predefined condition. The control module transmits the data to a dashboard upon determining the predefined condition. The transmitted data is displayed on the dashboard which is communicatively connected to the control module for indicating wearing of the tire. In an embodiment, the dashboard provides signal relating to the displayed data. The one or more indicators is communicatively connected to the dashboard to receive signal relating to the data for indicating wearing of the tire.

A tyre (also spelled as tire) is a ring-shaped covering which fits around a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. The tyre protects the wheel and enables better vehicle performance. Also, tyres provide traction between the vehicle and the road surface along with providing a flexible cushion which absorbs shock. Modern pneumatic tyres are made up of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric and wire, along with carbon black and other chemical compounds. Usually, the tyres consist of a thread and a body. The thread is the part of the tyre which comes in contact with the road surface. Also, the thread provides grip with the road surface. Generally, the tyre with a thick rubber or rubber/composite compound formulated provides an appropriate level of traction and does not wear away too quickly. However, the tyres gradually wear down over the course of continuous usage. Also, the tyres wear down due to aggressive driving, or steering and alignment problems. Usually, the threads of tyres are gradually worn out since the threads are in contact with road surface. The wearing of threads of the tyres result in baldness of tyre and hence the tyre is termed as bald tyre.
Bald tyres are dangerous because limited thread reduces traction for the vehicle, which can be very dangerous in wet or icy driving conditions. Further, bald tyres results in tyre blowouts. Baldness of tyres results in fatal consequences leading to injury and casualty for both the driver or rider and living beings in the vicinity of the vehicle since baldness results in slithering of the vehicle. Ideally, tyres are required to be replaced before the tyre is truly bald. The driver is required to check the tyres often to ensure that the tyre thread depth is safe. Usually, tyres are usable until the tyre thread depth reaches 1/16 of an inch (0.15 centimeters). Such depth of the tyre is termed as the "re-threading level of the tyre".
In conventional systems, penny test is a common method to assess tyre safety i.e. to check the depth of the threads. Penny test is a manual method, where a coin is inserted between the threads of the tyre. If the coin doesn't go enough inside the threads, then the tyre has to be replaced. However, penny test is not a reliable method for testing the tyre life since each time the driver needs to place the coin to check the thread depth which is a manual method. Conventionally, a number of wear indicators are embedded at a predetermined location of the threads. Upon wearing of the tyre, the wear indicators become visible. The indicators provide an indication for tyre replacement upon wearing of the tyre.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,756 discloses a visually distinctive material embedded in the tyre that gets exposed when threads wear down. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,274 provides for a wear indicator which is in the form of a letter 'K'. The indicator is embedded in the thread provides a quantitative measure of the amount of thread remaining from being worn out. Additionally, the wear indicator provides visual signals when the tyre is worn out. However, the conventional methods do not provide indication to the driver on wearing of the tyre before wearing of the tyre takes place.
In one conventional method, the wear of tyre is detected based on number of rotations of the tyre. Particularly, upon reaching a desired number of rotations of the tyre, the wear of tyre is indicated. However, such a way of indication involves huge processing power and time where the number of rotations needs to be calculated at regular intervals of time.
In one conventional method, tyres i.e. sidewalls are illuminated using optical fibres to indicate visibility of the moving vehicle on roads. However, such a way of illumination does not imply the wear of tyre.
Hence, there is a need for a method for detecting and indicating the baldness of the tyre when rethreading level is reached.

Method and system for indicating wear of tyre in a vehicle and a tyre therof


A bridge tumbler lock has tumblers that both slide and pivot, with their motion controlled by pairs of key interfaces. A sidebar is released to permit lock opening movement when all tumblers are in their correct positions. This results in a lock that is resistant to release of information due to partially correct key combinations occurring in the course of a lock picking attempt and thus enables enhanced security in an economical, effective lock construction.

The present invention relates to keyed locks, and more particularly to a rotatable cylinder lock employing a sidebar as its primary mechanism for restricting cylinder rotation. The application claims priority of provisional application Ser. No. 62/184,373 filed 25 Jun. 2015.
Sidebars are commonly used in cylinder locks to restrict rotation of the cylinder. These are primarily used in locks that employ tumblers that both slide and rotate, such as Medeco-type locks exemplified by its U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,973 issued 21 Sep. 2010, in typical locks of this type, the sidebar introduces additional degrees of freedom that must be aligned in order for the cylinder to rotate as compared to a conventional sliding tumbler lock. In these cases, rotating the tumblers allows lugs on the sidebar to enter a groove or hole on the tumbler, whereas sliding the tumbler aligns the edge of the tumbler with the shear line. However, there exist some types of lock that use a sidebar as the sole mechanism to limit cylinder rotation. In one such lock of this type, (exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,240 issued 27 Mar. 1973) the lugs on the sidebar are only aligned with the holes on tumblers if they are correctly positioned in both elevation and rotation.
Locks of the latter type offer a high degree of security against lock picking techniques. This is not only because they introduce extra degrees of freedom resulting in a larger number of possible key combinations, Rather, it is, to a large extent, because they require each tumbler to be simultaneously aligned along two different axes, or degrees of freedom, before it will exhibit any change in behavior that the lock picker can use to gain useful knowledge of the correct key combination. This contrasts with sliding tumblers, which have only one degree of freedom, therefore guaranteeing that, if they are traversed across their full range of motion, the correct tumbler position will eventually be reached; the question is merely whether the lock picker is skillful enough to detect and interpret the resulting change in behavior. In a tumbler with two degrees of freedom that must be simultaneously aligned, there is no guarantee that any given search pattern will bring the tumbler close enough to correct alignment to produce a useful change in behavior, unless the precision of the lock is also known. Even then, the resulting search pattern will be extremely time consuming to execute State of the art generally is indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,376 (Lee), U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,255 (Theriault et al), U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,854 (Xu et al); U.S. Pat. No. 7,797,973 (Field et al, Le., the Medeco patent mentioned above); U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,485 (Widen); and U.S. Pat. No. 8,635,022 (Nguyen et al).
Some problems with locks of this type are related to cost and convenience. Using a sidebar increases the part count and especially feature count of the lock, resulting in a lock that is more expensive to manufacture. Also, the keys required by this type of lock are more complicated, making them more difficult to manufacture or to duplicate.
Another issue with locks of this type is that the advantage of having two degrees of freedom per tumbler is reduced if the sidebar pins interface with a hole on a curved surface. This is because, once the center of the sidebar lug is partially over the hole, the pin will be able to depress slightly, since the lug is supported at a point that is not along the shortest path between the lug and the center of the tumbler. This provides information that allows a lock picker to use a relatively loose search pattern to find approximately where the correct tumbler position is, then use a finer search pattern to achieve exact alignment.
Yet another issue is the size of the lugs on the sidebar. This is a result of a design trade-off created by the aforementioned problem of having a curved tumbler surface. If the lugs are too large, the range of tumbler positions in which the tumbler lug will be able to partially depress is large. On the other hand, if the tugs are too small, the lock will be vulnerable to forcing. Such a trade-off prevents the design of a lock that is strong against both lock picking and forcing. For example, the drawings in U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,240 depict tumbler lugs of relatively small size.
Finally, even if the radius of the sidebar lugs is increased, the cross-sectional area of the sidebar lugs is still small compared to the sidebar itself, thus the lock will still not achieve optimal forcing resistance.

High-security cylinder lock based on bridge tumblers


Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and disposable pant like garments are disclosed. In particular, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pants having an improved barrier cuff structure for improved fit are described. The placement of a barrier cuff structure having a tackdown point near the waistband of the article tends to “pull down” the waistband and may cause sagging. Intermediate tackdown bonds are disclosed to achieve the containment benefits of a barrier cuff structure without sacrificing fit characteristics of the article. The intermediate tackdown may be intermediate one or both of the longitudinal ends of the barrier cuff strip and the lateral side edges of the strip. Additionally, the relationship of forces, angles, and design characteristics of aspects of the articles and sagging are disclosed.

The major function of absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers and adult incontinent briefs, is to absorb and contain body exudates. Such articles are thus intended to prevent body exudates from soiling, wetting, or otherwise contaminating clothing or other articles, such as bedding, that come in contact with the wearer. One common mode of failure for such products occurs when body exudates leak out of the gaps between the article and the wearer's leg to adjacent clothing because they are not immediately absorbed within the article. For example, in the absence of a cuff or other barrier structure, urine may leak out of the side of the article. Additionally, loose fecal material that is not easily absorbed by the absorbent article tends to "float" on the liquid-receiving surface and work its way past the legs of the wearer.
Contemporary absorbent articles have a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, a barrier cuff and a gasketing cuff. The gasketing cuff proves effective generally to prevent wicking and overflow from the fluid laden article to clothing contacting the edges of the article in that the gasketing cuff presents a fluid impermeable barrier between the edge of the article and the contacting clothing, and in addition, provides a gasketing action about the legs of the wearer. The barrier cuff proves effective generally to inhibit loose fecal material or gushes of urine or liquids from soiling the wearer's clothing. The barrier cuff restrains the free flow of this material and provides a structure to hold such material within the article. The barrier cuff structure typically includes at least a proximal edge that is joined to the topsheet or other absorbent article structure and a distal edge that is not secured to any other element, at least in the crotch region of the diaper, so that it may be spaced away from the topsheet.
Each barrier cuff further typically includes a spacing elastic member to elasticize the barrier cuff. The spacing elastic member is attached to the barrier cuff in at least the crotch region of the absorbent article and is selected so that it is placed in tension when the article is worn. The tension force in the spacing elastic member biases the barrier cuff distal end away from the topsheet, thereby to form a channel for receiving and retaining exudates.
While a barrier cuff is typically only needed in the crotch region, production methods may require the barrier cuff to extend along the entire longitudinal length (also known as the machine direction) of the absorbent article. Absorbent articles such as diapers are typically formed from multiple webs of material that are joined together and subsequently separated from the webs. Accordingly, structures such as barrier cuffs preferably extend along the entire longitudinal length of the article to facilitate manufacture. To improve comfort and fit, the ends of each barrier cuff are joined to the article structure (such as the topsheet) to form front and rear closure zones, which are located in the front and rear waist regions, respectively.
While barrier cuffs are largely effective for retaining floating exudates within the crotch region of the absorbent article, it has been found that conventional barrier cuffs contribute to sagging of the article when worn, particularly in the front waist region.

Barrier cuff for a unitary disposable absorbent article having intermediate bond for sustained fit


A fiber reinforced structure having a hollow blow-molded core and a method for manufacturing the same. Bulk fibrous material is dispensed between two die pieces of a mold. A blow-moldable plastic parison is extruded within the fibrous material. The mold is closed, pinching the parison closed and detaching the bulk fibrous material from the structure. The parison is inflated thus forcing the fibrous material against the interior mold walls. Liquid resin is injected into mold and impregnates the fibrous material. After curing, the finished reinforced structure is removed from the mold.

Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) is used in automotive applications to increase the rigidity and strength of a part while simultaneously reducing its weight. FRP is commonly used for adding strength and rigidity to a preshaped foam core.
FRP has also been used in the manufacture of parts having a hollow core. Hollow core application of FRP involves lining the interior of a mold cavity with fibrous material and placing an inflatable bladder within the mold. The bladder is inflated to form an internal wall surface and a resin injected into the fibrous material. The bladder is either left inside the FRP part or removed. Such a method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,771, issued Sep. 5, 1989. This method requires a new bladder for each part manufactured and does not provide an integral bond between the inflatable bladder and fibrous material. The inflatable bladder used is made of flexible material which does not add to the strength or rigidity of the final part.
It is also known to blow-mold thermoplastic bottles and containers having an exterior netting reinforcement. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,142, issued Oct. 24, 1978, a plastic parison was blow-molded to slightly smaller than its desired shape. A tubular netting material was overlaid the still pliable parison. The parison was further blow-molded to its final shape causing the netting reinforcement to partially embed in the parison's exterior surface. This process was primarily designed for thin walled beverage containers and is not suitable for manufacturing structural parts which add strength and rigidity to the article they are made a part of. The reinforcing netting does not maintain the structural integrity of the container when exposed to high temperatures.
It is also known to blow-mold a hollow body having an open-celled sponge material for use as a fuel tank. German patent 2,304,543, issued August 1974, discloses an extruded parison which contains a compressed sponge. The mold die pieces close and parison is inflated to take the shape of the mold cavity. The sponge is allowed to expand and fill the hollow space within the molded tank.

Method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced structure having a hollow blow-molding core


An electric power steering system determines an assist control quantity for assist control by multiplying a turning torque applied to a steering wheel by a control gain, a damping control quantity for damping control by multiplying a rotational speed of motor by a control gain and a feedback control quantity for steering angle feedback control from a deviation between a target rotational speed of motor determined on the basis of the turning torque and an actual rotational speed of motor, and controls an electric motor with a motor control quantity that is determined on the basis of the assist control quantity, the damping control quantity and the feedback control quantity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric power steering system for vehicles and, more particularly, to a motor-controlled power steering system for assisting operation of a steering wheel through controlling an electric motor.
2. Description of Related Art
There have been known motor controlled power steering systems and hydraulically controlled power steering systems. Such a power control system actualizes a desired assist characteristic by regulating a controlling quantity for the electric motor or a controlling hydraulic quantity according to a turning torque applied to a steering wheel and/or a steering speed (which is a differential value of turning torque). It is known from, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 8-72734 to change the assist characteristic according to a vehicle speed or a yaw rate in addition to a vehicle speed.
In the prior art electric power steering system a motor controlling quantity for the electric motor is determined by multiplying a turning torque applied to a steering wheel, that is detected by a torque sensor such as a torsion bar type torque sensor disposed between a steering wheel and one of front wheels, by a specified assist control gain. The assist control gain is predetermined based on tests conducted on a given vehicle so as to provide a desired assist characteristic.
However, there are possibly variations in assist characteristics of power steering systems. This causes that the feeling of steering varies with the assist characteristic of power steering system. The variation in assist characteristics is due, for example, to variations in inertia and variations in electric motor property and/or variations in friction of parts of reduction gears of steering apparatuses that are disposed between a steering shaft and an electric motor. The variation in friction is predominantly due to manufacturing errors of the parts of the steering apparatus. Specifically, when the part has a magnitude of friction greater than an ordinary magnitude of friction, thrust of the electric motor is spent for the friction even though the electric motor is controlled with a motor controlling quantity that is determined by multiplying the turning torque applied to the steering wheel by the assist control gain. As a result, the electric motor encounters a lack of assist torque for steering, so as to cause a feeling of tottery operation of the steering wheel.
The variation in assist characteristic is further due to assembling errors of, for example, the reduction gear. The reduction gear comprises a worm gear and a worm wheel that have a comparatively large reduction gear ratio. In order for the reduction gear to prevent or significantly reduce backrush and rattling noises, the worm gear is strongly forced against the worm wheel. This causes relatively large variations in friction due to assembling errors because of a high magnitude of friction between the worm gear and the worm wheel forced against each other and has a significant influence on the variations in assist characteristic.
The prior art electric power steering system has the problem of yaw overshooting of front wheels. Since the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels (which is referred to the action of wheels such that the front wheels smoothly restore a steering angle of 0 (zero) due to a self-aligning torque without overshooting when letting go a hold on the turned steering wheel) has repercussions on the straight ahead controllability of vehicle, the prior art electric power steering system implements the damping control for braking the electric motor with a controlling quantity of damping that is determined by multiplying a rotational speed of motor by a damping control gain in addition to the assist control. Similarly to the assist control gain, the damping control gain is regulated so that the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels is desirable. Therefore, there is the problem that the desired yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels is not attained. This is due to non-restoration of the steering wheel to the center or neutral position (straight ahead traveling position) or shakes of the steering wheel at the center or neutral position due, for example, to the variations in inertia and/or friction.
In order to eliminate the aforesaid problem, it is valuable to get rid of manufacturing errors of parts of the steering apparatus or to employ high precision parts of the steering apparatus for reducing friction. However, in addition to a change in the magnitude of friction due to expansion or contraction of parts of the steering apparatus that are caused following a change in temperature or a change in magnitude of friction due to aging of parts of the steering apparatus, the assist characteristic and the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels possibly change due to a change in gross vehicle weight resulting from a change in loadage. In consequence, it is hard to eliminate the aforesaid problem even when employing high precision parts of the steering apparatus. The utilization of high precision parts causes additional costs of manufacturing the steering apparatus.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electric power steering system for a vehicle that always provides steering apparatuses with a desired assist characteristic and a desired yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric power steering system which provides a steering apparatus with an improved follow-up property of wheels to operation of the steering wheel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric power steering system which is provided at low costs.
The above object of the present invention is accomplished by an electric power steering system for a vehicle which performs feedback control of a steering apparatus on the basis of a turning torque applied to a steering wheel in addition to assist control for controlling an electric motor so as to assist a turn of the steering wheel.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electric power steering system comprises a torque sensor disposed between the steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle and operative to detect a turning torque applied to the steering wheel, first control means for determining such a first control quantity as to countervail the turning torque when the electric motor is controlled with the first control quantity, second control means for operating a target rate of change in wheel steering angle on the basis of the turning torque and for determining a second control quantity by subtracting an actual rate of change in wheel steering angle from the target rate of change in wheel steering angle, and motor control means for determining a motor control quantity by adding the first control quantity and the second control quantity together and for controlling the electric motor with the motor control quantity.
The torque sensor detects a turning torque applied to the steering wheel when the steering wheel is turned to steer the vehicle. The first control means determines such a first control quantity as to countervail the turning torque when the electric motor is controlled with the first control quantity, in other words determines a first control quantity representative of an assist torque by multiplying a turning torque by a specified control gain. The second control means determines a target rate of change in wheel steering angle on the basis of the turning torque and then determines a second control quantity by subtracting an actual rate of change in wheel steering angle from the target rate of change in wheel steering angle. The operation of the target rate of change in wheel steering angle may be made based on a vehicle model of a mechanical system of an steering apparatus between the torque sensor and a tire on the front wheel or a vehicle model in which factors such as inertia of an electric motor and a knuckle arm and spring component and dumping component of a tire are taken into consideration. The motor control means controls the electric motor with the motor control quantity which is determined by adding the first control quantity and the second control quantity together.
When considering that the control of the electric motor with the first control quantity does not provide a desired rate of change in wheel steering angle due to friction and inertia of the steering apparatus, there is an occurrence of a deviation between an actual rate of change in wheel steering angle and the target rate of change in wheel steering angle determined on the basis of a turning torque applied to the steering wheel that is detected by the torque sensor. Therefore, the control of the electric motor with the second control quantity that is determined on the basis of the deviation causes the electric motor to generate thrust which the electric motor is short of in order to provide the target rate of change in wheel steering angle, so that the vehicle is always steered at a desired rate of change in wheel steering angle. In this instance, because the second control quantity is determined on the basis of a target rate of change in wheel steering angle that is independent from friction and inertia of the steering apparatus, the rate of change in wheel steering angle is always desirable with respect to a turn of the steering angle irrespective of variations in friction and inertia. This clears variations in assist characteristic among steering apparatuses.
That the torque sensor detects a turning torque applied to the steering wheel indicates a response delay of a change in wheel steering angle with respect to driver""s turning operation of the steering wheel. However, the control of the electric motor with the second control quantity causes the electric motor to increase thrust while the torque sensor detects a turning torque applied to the steering wheel. This makes the electric motor to quickly follow up the turning operation of the steering wheel. As a result, a feeling of tottery operation of the steering wheel is eliminated and the follow-up property of wheels is improved.
Furthermore, when letting go a hold on the turned steering wheel, the torque sensor detects a turning torque of 0 (zero), this indicates that the target rate of change in wheel steering angle is determined to be 0 (zero). Accordingly, the electric motor is controlled with the second control quantity so that the front wheels attain a rate of change in wheel steering angle of 0 (zero), thereby preventing the steering wheel from tottery operation and is provided with an improved yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels, consequently. Whenever the torque sensor detects a turning torque of 0 (zero), the target rate of change in wheel steering angle is 0 (zero). The front wheels, and hence the steering wheel, is always centered with a desire characteristic irrespective of variations in friction and inertia. This eliminates variations in the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels among steering apparatuses. On the other hand, in the case where the front wheels change a steering angle due to road surface irregularities, while the torque sensor detects a turning torque of 0 (zero), the front wheels are such that they are unintentionally steered at an uncertain rate of change in wheel steering angle is not 0 (zero). In this event, the second control means controls the electric motor so that the front wheels attain a rate of change in wheel steering angle of 0 (zero), thereby keeping the vehicle in a straight ahead traveling state.
This control is actualized by additionally providing the second control means in the prior art electric power steering system. This does not need extra sensors and the like, so that the steering apparatus can be the same in mechanical structure and operation as those that have been practically used. Therefore, the electric power steering system of the present invention provides desired assist characteristics and a desired yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and the follow-up property of wheels, the straight ahead controllability of vehicle, all of which can be realized with complex control beyond the scope of a low cost power steering system.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wheel steering angle is used as one of parameters in place of a rate of change in wheel steering angle. Specifically, the electric power steering system comprises a torque sensor disposed between the steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle and operative to detect a turning torque applied to the steering wheel, first control means for determining such a first control quantity as to countervail the turning torque when the electric motor is controlled with the first control quantity, second control means for operating a target wheel steering angle on the basis of the turning torque and for determining a second control quantity by subtracting an actual wheel steering angle from the target wheel steering angle; and motor control means for determining a motor control quantity by adding the first control quantity and the second control quantity together and for controlling the electric motor with the motor control quantity.
The second control means determines a target wheel steering angle and determines a second control quantity by subtracting an actual wheel steering angle from the target wheel steering angle. The operation of target wheel steering angle may be made based on a vehicle model as previously described. The motor control means controls the electric motor with the motor control quantity which is determined by adding the first control quantity and the second control quantity together.
Even when the control of the electric motor with the first control quantity does not provide a desired wheel steering angle due to friction and inertia of the steering apparatus, the control of the electric motor with the second control quantity, i.e. a deviation between of an actual wheel steering angle from the target wheel steering angle, causes the electric motor so that the front wheels attain the target wheel steering angle. In this instance, because the target wheel steering angle is independent from friction and inertia of the steering apparatus, the wheel steering angle is always desirable with respect to a turn of the steering angle irrespective of variations in friction and inertia. This clears variations in assist characteristic among steering apparatuses.
When there is an occurrence of a response delay of wheel steering angle with respect to driver""s turning operation of the steering wheel, the control of the electric motor with the second control quantity causes the electric motor to increase thrust. Therefore, the electric motor is controlled so as to quickly follow up the turning operation of the steering wheel. This results in improved follow-up property of wheels.
The electric motor is controlled with the second control quantity so as to attain a wheel steering angle of 0 (zero) when the torque sensor detects a turning torque of 0 (zero). Therefore, when letting go a hold on the turned steering wheel, the electric motor is controlled so that the front wheels attain a steering angle of 0 (zero). This realizes quick centering of the front wheels, and, in consequence, the steering wheel is prevented from tottery operation and is provided with a more improved yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels. The control of the electric motor with the second control quantity always provides a specified yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels irrespective of magnitude of friction and inertia of the steering apparatus. This eliminates variations in the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels among steering apparatuses. On the other hand, in the case where the front wheels change a steering angle due to road surface irregularities, while the torque sensor detects a turning torque of 0 (zero), the front wheels are such that they are unintentionally steered at an uncertain rate of change in wheel steering angle is not 0 (zero). In this event, the second control means controls the electric motor so that the front wheels attain a rate of change in wheel steering angle of 0 (zero), thereby keeping the vehicle in a straight ahead traveling state.
This control is actualized by additionally providing the second control means in the prior art electric power steering system. Therefore, the electric power steering system of the present invention provides desired assist characteristics and desired yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and the follow-up property of wheels, the straight ahead controllability of vehicle, all of which can be realized with complex control beyond the scope of a low cost power steering system.
The control that is performed by the electric power steering system of the first embodiment is such as to bring the rate of change in wheel steering angle to 0 (zero) when there is no turning torque that is detected by the torque sensor, which is different from the control performed by the electric power steering system of the second embodiment in which the wheel steering angle is brought into 0 (zero) in the same event. Therefore, the electric power steering system of the first embodiment possibly causes such an action as reducing a self-aligning torque on the front wheels or the steering wheel. On the other hand, the control that is performed by the electric power steering system of the second embodiment is based on the steering displacement of front wheel (a wheel steering angle) possibly be slow in response of steering to a turn of the steering wheel as compared with the electric power steering system of the first embodiment in which the control is performed based on the steering speed of front wheel (a rate of change in wheel steering angle).
In light of the above problems, the electric power steering system according to another preferred embodiment employs a target rate of change in wheel steering angle as a second control quantity and a target wheel steering angle as a third control quantity in order to determine a motor control quantity. Specifically, the electric power steering system comprises a torque sensor disposed between the steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle and operative to detect a turning torque applied to the steering wheel, first control means for determining such a first control quantity as to countervail the turning torque when the electric motor is controlled with the first control quantity, second control means for operating a target rate of change in wheel steering angle on the basis of the turning torque and for determining a second control quantity by subtracting an actual rate of change in wheel steering angle from the target rate of change in wheel steering angle, third control means for operating a target wheel steering angle on the basis of the turning torque and for determining a third control quantity by subtracting an actual wheel steering angle from the target wheel steering angle; and motor control means for determining a motor control quantity by adding the first control quantity, the second control quantity and the third control quantity together and for controlling the electric motor with the motor control quantity.
Because the electric power steering system has both of the second control means that determines a target rate of change in wheel steering angle on the basis of a turning torque applied to the steering wheel and determines a second control quantity by subtracting an actual rate of change in wheel steering angle from the target rate of change in wheel steering angle and the third control means that determines a target wheel steering angle on the basis of the turning torque applied to the steering wheel and determines a third control quantity by subtracting an actual wheel steering angle from the target wheel steering angle, it always provides a desired assist characteristic and a desired yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and enhances the follow-up property of wheels, the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and the straight ahead controllability of vehicle similarly to the electric power steering systems of the first and second embodiments. Further, the electric power steering system has superior responsiveness and yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels beyond the electric power steering systems of the first and second embodiments.
In order to eliminate the above problems, it is effective to regulate the sensitivity of second control quantity. Specifically, the sensitivity of second control quantity may be changed greater with an increase in vehicle speed, an increase in gross vehicle weight, a decrease in wheel steering angle or a decrease in rate of change in wheel steering angle. Otherwise, the sensitivity of second control quantity may be changed smaller with a decrease in road surface friction coefficient. Further, the second control means implements a high-pass filtering treatment of the second control quantity.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the electric power steering system comprises a torque sensor disposed between the steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle and operative to detect a turning torque applied to the steering wheel, first control means for determining such a first control quantity as to countervail the turning torque when the electric motor is controlled with the first control quantity; second control means for operating a target rate of change in wheel steering angle on the basis of the first control quantity and for determining a second control quantity by subtracting an actual rate of change in wheel steering angle from the target rate of change in wheel steering angle; and motor control means for determining a motor control quantity by adding the first control quantity and the second control quantity and the third control quantity together and for controlling the electric motor by the motor control quantity.
The electric power steering system of this embodiment exhibits the same effects as that of the first embodiment. In addition, although it is necessary for the second control means to determines a target rate of change in wheel steering angle in consideration of a control gain by which a turning torque applied to the steering wheel is multiplied like the determination of first control quantity in the first control means, it is unnecessary to take a control gain into consideration when determining the target rate of change in wheel steering angle on the basis of the first control quantity since the first control quantity has been determined in consideration of the control gain. This makes operation in the second control means simple. In addition, this makes it unnecessary that the second control means stores data of control gains.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electric power steering system comprises a torque sensor disposed between the steering wheel and front wheels of the vehicle and operative to detect a turning torque applied to the steering wheel, first control means for determining such a first control quantity as to countervail the turning torque when the electric motor is controlled with the first control quantity, second control means for operating a target wheel steering angle on the basis of the first control quantity and for determining a second control quantity by subtracting an actual wheel steering angle from the target wheel steering angle, and motor control means for determining a motor control quantity by adding the first control quantity and the second control quantity together and for controlling the electric motor with the motor control quantity.
In addition to the effect attained by the electric power steering system of the second embodiment, the electric power steering system of this embodiment that is structured such as to determine a target wheel steering angle on the basis of the first control quantity can be simple in operation in the second control means like the electric power steering system of the third embodiment and avoids the necessity of using a control gain in the second control means.
In the third and fourth embodiments, it is effective to structure the electric power steering system such that the first control means makes a correction of the first control quantity on the basis of a vehicle speed and a rate of change in wheel steering angle and the second control means makes a correction of the second control quantity on the basis of a vehicle speed. In the case of making a correction of the first control quantity on the basis of a vehicle speed and a rate of change in wheel steering angle and a correction of the second control quantity on the basis of a vehicle speed, if implementing parallel determination of the first and second control quantities, there occurs apprehensions of weakening the correlation between the first and second control quantities. This leads to aggravation of the follow-up property of wheels and the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and causes a deterioration of steering feeling. However, according to the electric power steering system in which the second control means determines a target rate of change in wheel steering angle or a target wheel steering angle on the basis of a second control quantity determined in the second control means enhances the correlation between the first and second control quantities. This is true for the case where the first control means makes a correction of the first control quantity on the basis of a vehicle speed and a rate of change in wheel steering angle and the second control means makes a correction of the second control quantity on the basis of a vehicle speed. This prevents or significantly reduces aggravation of the follow-up property of wheels and the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and improves a steering feeling.
As described above, the electric power steering system of the present invention controls the electric motor with a second control quantity determined on the basis of a rate of change in wheel steering angle or a wheel steering angle that is independent from variations in friction and inertia, so that the steering apparatus is always operated with a desired assist characteristic and a desired yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels irrespective of magnitude of friction and inertia. This clears variations in performance among steering apparatuses. The control of the electric motor with a second control quantity improves the follow-up property of wheels to turning operation of the steering wheel. In addition, when the torque sensor detects a turning torque of 0 (zero), the control of the electric motor endeavors to make the target rate of change in wheel steering angle or the wheel steering angle 0 (zero), as a result of which, there is provided improvement in the yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels and the straight ahead controllability of vehicle. Regulating the sensitivity of second control quantity according to a change in vehicle speed, gross vehicle weight, wheel steering angle or wheel steering angle realizes more desirable assist characteristics and yaw overshoot cancellation property of wheels. In addition, the determination of second control quantity on the basis of the target rate of change in wheel steering angle or the wheel steering angle that is determined on the basis of a first control quantity makes the second control means simple in operation and enhances the correlation between the first and second control quantities. As a result, a steering feeling is significantly improved.

Electric power steering system for vehicle


The new cultivar is characterized by the rich rose pink colored bloom which is very slow to shatter and has strong tolerance to heat. The short internodes and low basal branching results in a variety that is both a good cutting producer and an excellent outdoor garden cultivar.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium.times.hortorum known by the varietal name Sarah (Oglevee No. 8027). The new variety was discovered in a selected breeding program on Sep. 2, 1987 in Connellsville, Pa. The new variety is a selection from the crossing of Veronica (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,054) and Katie (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,759) carried out using embryo rescue techniques. Sarah is similar to Veronica with its compact habit, leaf shape and leaf coloration and outdoor performance. The bloom color of this new variety is different from both Veronica and Katie.
The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. The new variety has been asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. over a three-year period. It has also been trial and field tested at Connellsville and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.
The cultivar when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa. using natural light and 60.degree. F. night, 68.degree. F. day and 71.degree. F. vent, has a response time of six weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 10 cm. pot. The response time was determined on plants grown in soilless media employing constant fertilizer of 200 parts per million of nitrogen and potassium in full light. The rooted cuttings were potted Feb. 14, 1990 and flowered on Apr. 1, 1990.


The present disclosure provides a modified microorganism having an enhanced biomass synthesis capacity. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a modified microorganism having an enhanced biomass synthesis capacity. The enhanced biomass synthesis capacity is due to the overexpression of the gene capable of inducing DNA repair mechanism. The gene responsible for the DNA repair is overexpressed when DNA damage is most and DNA repair mechanism is required.

Microorganisms such as algae are constantly exposed to harsh environmental conditions during their life cycle. The harsh environmental conditions include abiotic stresses such as ultraviolet radiation (UV), salinity, light, unfavorable temperature, alkalinity, nutrient limitation, oxidative stress, senescence, sulfur deficiency, carbon deficiency, nitrogen use inefficiency and the like. Biotic stresses include infection by virus, bacteria, fungus or other stress causing pathogens. These conditions pose a constant threat to the DNA integrity of these microorganisms and cause damage to their DNA, such as modified bases, mispaired bases, intrastrand crossbinding, interstrand crossbinding, pyrimidine dimers, single stranded breaks and double stranded breaks (DSBs). This consequently leads to cell death, thereby preventing the survival of these microorganisms in harsh environments. In order to overcome stress, these microorganisms are required to physiologically adapt themselves to such harsh environmental conditions. This may lead to loss of the unique traits of interest in these organisms. The low survival capacity and loss of unique traits of interest in these organisms are the major difficulties in exploiting their capabilities for industrial purposes.
The repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) is essential to maintain the integrity of the genome. Un-repaired or improperly repaired DNA damage may result in genomic instability and eventually in cell death.
Many proteins are necessary for such DNA DSB—repair. One such important protein is Rad52 protein, which is necessary for accurate repair of DSBs and is highly conserved among eukaryotes, including animals, fungi and yeast. It also plays an auxiliary role with the replication protein A (RPA) in the action of Rad51 protein. Furthermore, Rad52 protein has an annealing activity and promotes the formation of D-loops in super helical DNA.
Disruption of RAD52 gene may cause severe recombination phenotype including extreme X-ray sensitivity, increased chromosome loss and failure to produce viable spores. Research on Rad52 mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has revealed a critical role of Rad52 protein in double-strand break repair and meiosis. It has been revealed that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, homologous recombination provides a major mechanism for eliminating DNA double-stranded breaks which may be induced by ionizing radiations or may be associated with injured DNA replication forks; and Rad52 protein plays a fundamental role in homologous recombination pathway and DNA double strand break repair.
WO2003089573 suggests a method of identifying compounds that induce a DNA repair pathway and/or inhibit retroviral cDNA integration into a host genome.
US20040111764 suggests an expression cassette comprising a meiotically active promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a recombinational DNA repair polypeptide or its fragment, which is capable of stimulating plant meiotic recombination when expressed into RNA and/or said polypeptide.
However, these conventional methods are typically incapable of enhancing the survival capacity of microorganisms along with enhanced biomass synthesis and simultaneously maintaining their genomic integrity in an effective and efficient manner, wherein confirmed stable transgene integration is being achieved. Additionally, some conventional methods employ a large number and/or quantity of chemicals in order to facilitate enhanced biomass synthesis.
Therefore, there exists a need to develop an efficient and effective method for enhancing the biomass synthesis capacity of a microorganism.

Modified microorganism having enhanced biomass synthesis capacity and a method thereof


A mobile suspension arrangement having a central member adapted to frictionally hold in suspension extended wires having related clip members frictionally engaging the wire ends and hanging strings for suspending mobiles.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of mobiles and especially in devices or arrangements for hanging mobiles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the use of mobiles, in general a block of wood with holes drilled in it to receive wires to be supported therein is used. String is commonly tied to the wires. However, string tends to slip off of wires or the wire itself may have looped ends and string for hanging mobiles would have to be tied to the wire loops.
The bending of loops in the wire ends is relatively expensive as is the time required to tie on the strings.
The object herein is to simplify and improve the hanging of mobiles.


An optical scanner for reading indicia having part of differing light reflectivity, including an optical element and a mounting bracket. The optical element is mounted for oscillation with respect to the mounting bracket by first and second wires forming a first spring having a relatively high modulus of elasticity, the optical element having a relatively low inertia when oscillating by elastic movement of the first spring. A stationary frame is provided with the mounting bracket mounted for oscillation with respect to the frame by third and fourth wires having a relatively high modulus of elasticity; the optical element, mounting bracket and first and second wires taken together having a relatively high inertia when oscillating by elastic movement of the third and fourth wires. The optical element is oscillated with respect to the mounting bracket at a relatively high frequency, and the mounting bracket oscillated with respect to the frame at a relatively low frequency by an electromagnetic drive.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an optical scanning arrangement for use in an optical scanner, for example a bar code reader.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical optical scanner (for example a bar code reader) has a light source, preferably a laser light source, and means for directing the laser beam onto a symbol (for example a bar code symbol) to be read. On route to the symbol, the laser beam is generally directed onto, and reflected off, a light reflecting mirror of a scanning component. The scanning component causes oscillation of the mirror, so causing the laser beam repetitively to scan the symbol. Light reflected from the symbol is collected by the scanner and detected by a detector such as a photodiode. Decode circuitry and/or a microprocessor algorithm is provided to enable the reflected light to be decoded, thereby recovering the data which is represented by the bar code symbol.
In the type of scanner known as a two dimensional or 2D scanner, the scanning component causes the light beam to trace out a two dimensional path across the symbol to be read. The preferred pattern depends upon the nature of the symbols with which the scanner is to be used, but typical examples include Lissajous figures and raster patterns.
Two dimensional scanning patterns are generally produced by mounting the mirror on the scanning component in such a way as to permit it to oscillate in two perpendicular directions. Conventionally, separate drive mechanisms were required to produce oscillation in the x direction and in the y direction, but more recently scanning components have been devised which can provide the required two dimensional motion using only a single magnetic coil. Examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,168,149 and 5,280,165, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the current invention, and both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Planar arrangement for two-dimensional optical scanning