A fiber-optic sensor composed of elements made of shape-memory alloy which, in one of their memorized shapes, impose a stress on the optical fiber, which stress is easy to locate with an interferometer. The multisensor configuration is thus easily reconfigurable.

The present invention relates to a reconfigurable fiber-optic sensor.
Fiber-optic temperature or stress sensors have been the subject of numerous studies throughout the world. The field of intrinsic temperature or stress sensors has expanded particularly by virtue of the use of an optical fiber as the sensor (use of high-birefringence or polarization-maintaining optical fibers).
Production of optical sensors distributed along a birefringent fiber has made it possible to use N elementary sensors corresponding to N segments of sensor fiber. These various segments are defined by using coupling points serving as markers (delimiting these segments).
The production of coupling points on optical fibers has been studied for a long time, and today various production techniques are used, among which are:
splicing of two sections of the same fiber, that is to say cutting the fiber and bonding the two portions after having rotated one of the fiber portions through an arbitrary angle. The main drawbacks of this method are the introduction of losses due to the reflections off the faces of the fibers and the control of the alignment and rotation of the fiber cores (diameter of the order of 5 .mu.m); PA1 melting of the fiber using localized heating. A section of the birefringent fiber of chosen length is held at its ends and the fiber is rotated at one end, the other remaining fixed. A torsional stress is thus created. Using localized heating of the fiber, a polarization coupling point is thus produced. The drawbacks of this method are the use of a locally stripped fiber, a high-voltage generator and an electric arc in order to create the coupling point or points, and the irreversibility of the method of creating the coupling points; PA1 the production of index gratings in the fiber using a masking method or using a holographic method. The production of coupling points using this method is nowadays mainly studied by the BERTIN Company and many studies have concerned the production of index gratings in the fibers for sensor applications. The drawback of this method resides in its complexity of implementation, the need to use an additional high-power laser to produce the index gratings, and the need to employ a process for masking the fiber.
From the German Document DE-A-4,011,440, a fiber-optic temperature sensor is known, to which an element, which may be made of shape-memory alloy, applies a longitudinal stress deforming this fiber into a "U". This sensor enables only the measurement of a single temperature to be made and does not enable the location, where the stress induced by the measured temperature change has occurred, to be located precisely. In addition, the deformation produced by the SMA element is not reversible.

Reconfigurable birefringent fiber-optic sensor with shape-memory alloy elements


Embodiments of a bottomhole assembly (BHA) for completion of a wellbore are deployed on electrically-enabled coiled tubing (CT) and permit components of the BHA to be independently electrically actuated from surface for completion of multiple zones in a single trip using a single BHA having at least two electrically-actuated variable diameter packers. One or both of the packers may be actuated to expand or retract for opening and closing off a variety of flowpaths between the BHA and the wellbore, in new wellbores, old wellbores, cased wellbores, wellbores with sleeves and in openhole wellbores. Additional components in the BHA, which may also be electrically—actuated or powered, permit perforating, locating of the BHA in the wellbore such as using casing collar locators and microseismic monitoring in real time or in memory mode.

Apparatus and methods are known for single-trip completions of deviated wellbores, such as horizontal wellbores. To date, unlike the drilling industry which commonly utilizes intelligent apparatus for drilling wellbores, particularly horizontal or deviated wellbores, the fracturing industry has relied largely on mechanically-actuated apparatus to perform at least a majority of the operations required to complete a wellbore. This is particularly the case with coiled-tubing deployed bottom hole assemblies (BHA's), largely due to the difficulty in providing sufficient, reliable electrical signals and power from surface to the BHA and from the BHA to surface.
It is known to deploy BHA's for completion operations using jointed tubular, wireline or cable and using coiled tubing (CT). Further it is known to use wireline deployed within an interior of CT to actuate conventional select-fire perforation charges and to transmit signals associated with casing-collar locators used in depth measurement such as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,407.
As new resources are being developed, the industry has an interest in fracturing operations in horizontal wells, such as wellbores which may have minimal vertical portions and very long horizontal wellbores. Use of coiled tubing to deploy conventional BHA's, particularly using small diameter CT, is problematic in such wellbores as one cannot easily run in CT to the toe of the very long horizontal wellbores.
Generally, a conventional BHA for use with CT and used for completion of new wellbores incorporates a jetting sub for perforation of casing or the wellbore wall and a single sealing element, such as a resettable bridge plug, for sealing the wellbore below the jetted perforations for treating the formation therethrough. The treatment fluid, such as a fracturing fluid, is then pumped through the annulus between the casing and the CT, or through the bore of the CT, or both.
In the case of previously perforated wellbores, a separate BHA is used which incorporates two spaced-apart sealing elements, such as packer cups or mechanically-set or hydraulically-set packers, which straddle the existing perforations. Treatment fluid is delivered through the bore of the CT to be delivered to the perforations isolated between the sealing elements.
Prior art tools used for performing fracturing operations at multiple zones in a formation have used wireline deployed, electrically-actuated bridge plugs which are pumped into the wellbore. The known pump-down bridge plugs have a single, fixed diameter being slightly smaller than the wellbore for deployment into the wellbore and require a valve at a toe of the wellbore to get rid of fluid used to pump the bridge plug into place. As wireline is comparatively weak and cannot pull more than about 2500 lbs at surface, and much less at depth, the wireline cannot be reliably used to release or to pull the bridge plugs to surface. Thus, multiple bridge plugs must be used and left in the wellbore to be drilled out later, at considerable expense. After the bridge plug has been set, the casing is perforated with perforating guns located above the bridge plug. The bridge plug and the perforating guns are often deployed together so that both operations, isolating and perforating, can be done in the same wireline run. When the perforations have been shot, the wireline is pulled out of the hole and the fracture fluid is pumped through the casing. Once the fracture is completed, the steps of setting the bridge plug and perforating followed by pumping the frac are repeated for sequential uphole intervals until the fracturing job on the wellbore is complete. This method is commonly referred to as "plug and perf". Following fracturing of all of the zones, the bridge plugs are drilled out.
Conventional perforating guns are also incorporated into BHA's which are used for completion of new wellbores. Typically, conventional perforating guns utilize detonation cord for connecting between and actuating a plurality of spaced apart shaped charges therein which results in a very long perforating gun. Generally, in embodiments of conventional operations, it is desirable to perforate as many zones as possible in a single run. In order to maximize the number zones which can be perforated, very long conventional select-fire perforating guns are required. The length of the perforating guns impacts conventional operations, requiring very tall cranes and other support apparatus to hold and inject the very long gun assemblies and BHA into very tall lubricators, often exceeding about 30 meters. In many cases, the number of zones which can be perforated in a single trip is limited to permit a reasonable length for the BHA and lubrication apparatus.
In many cases, at least two separate BHA's are required when operators are fracturing both new wellbores and previously perforated wellbore. In the case of new wellbores, once perforations are formed or a sliding sleeve is actuated to open pre-existing ports in the casing, a single isolation apparatus is used to seal the annulus therebelow to isolate the newly-formed perforations to be treated from the previous perforations formed therebelow. Treatment fluid can be delivered to the formation through the annulus between the casing and the ct, or, in some cases, through the CT, or through both at the same time. In the case of old wellbores having previously formed perforations or opened ports therein, particularly where sleeves cannot be actuated to close, two spaced apart isolation apparatus are required to straddle the perforations or ports to be treated and treatment fluid is delivered through the tubing string to the isolated perforations or ports therebetween.
As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, monitoring pressure downhole during fracturing operations is indicative of how the formation is reacting to the fracturing operation and may also be indicative of the integrity of the isolation apparatus and the formation between adjacent zones. Generally, downhole pressures are not monitored directly, but instead are calculated from parameters measurable at surface. For example, when treatment fluid is delivered to the formation through one or the other of the annulus or the tubing string, the other can act as a "dead leg". For example, when the treatment fluid is delivered through the annulus, a minimal, constant amount of a deadhead fluid is delivered through the tubing string to act as the "dead leg", maintaining pressure within the tubing string. The pressure required to maintain the constant fluid delivery is monitored from surface and can be used for calculating fracture extension pressure and formation breakdown pressure, as well as fracture closure pressure.
It is known to use microseismic monitoring where operators wish to monitor fracture growth and development, either in real time or retroactively to optimize subsequent fracturing operations. Prior art systems typically require a conveniently located offset observation wellbore and wireline truck to deploy an array of sensors in the observation wellbore, which can monitor the fracturing operation. Alternatively, an extensive microseismic surface array may be used. Both systems benefit from use of a multi-string shot tool (MSST) for creating known microseismic events as a result of detonation of string shots therewith at known locations in the wellbore to aid in developing more accurate velocity profiles and calibrating the sensors.
Clearly, there is great interest in the industry to develop tools which enable completion of multiple zones in a single trip while optimizing the apparatus required and reducing cost and operational man hours. There is a further interest in apparatus and methods for improving the ability to accurately monitor fracture growth and placement for optimizing fracturing operations. Further, there is interest in developing tools having diagnostic capabilities that would greatly improve the reliability of the tools and processes used.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and electrically-actuated apparatus for wellbore operations


A three-bar warp knitted fabric whose technical face has a pattern of coursewise and walewise arrayed pleated sections is produced on a three-bar warp knitting machine by knitting ground yarns on the machine's middle bar to provide a fabric base or ground, knitting pleat-forming yarns on the machine's top bar in extended walewise floats over selected groups of courses at the technical back of the fabric to cause the ground to gather into coursewise pleats at the technical face, and knitting tie-down yarns on the machine's bottom bar in an alternating in-out pattern to appear at the technical face only in selected spaced groups of wales wherein the tie-down yarns also float over the selected groups of courses to define the coursewise pleats into an array of discrete pleated sections.

The present invention relates generally to warp knitted fabrics and methods of producing such fabrics and, more particularly, to a warp knitted fabric having a pattern of pleated fabric sections arrayed coursewise and walewise over one face of the fabric.
The warp knitting of textile fabrics is a relatively well developed art in which various forms of machines are known to be capable of adjustable set-up to knit various types and sizes of selected yarns in various stitch patterns in order to create wide varieties of differing types of fabrics with diverse surface effects and appearances. One known fabric patterning technique used for creating pleated fabric effects is to warp knit one set of warp yarns in a predetermined stitch pattern forming a ground fabric structure while simultaneously warp knitting a second set of warp yarns to be interknitted with the ground yarns in selected courses while floating across other courses during which the continued knitting of the ground yarns forms the ground fabric structure into a pleat extending coursewise at the locations at which the second set of warp yarns is floated. As will be recognized by persons skilled in the art, the patterning effects available through use of this technique are relatively limited, primarily to the selection of differing sizes and styles of yarns and differing sizes or lengths of floats.

Warp knitted textile fabric with pattern of pleated fabric sections


An augmented safety restraint system includes a first restraint operable to secure a first passenger. The first restraint has an exposed surface facing away from a body of the first passenger. A gesture-sensing device is disposed on the exposed surface of the first restraint and is operable to receive an input from the first passenger.

In the automotive field, recent vehicle designs have implemented features intended to enhance the experience of drivers and passengers. As an example, on-board entertainment systems have evolved from simple radio receivers to sophisticated multi-function devices that include navigation functions, multimedia file playback functions, video display functions, and telephone communication functions. As another example, comfort amenities available in some vehicles include heated seats, cooled seats, and seats with massaging capabilities.
Future developments, such as autonomous driving modes, will further increase user demand for an enhanced in-vehicle experience. As an example, autonomous driving functions are in the early stages of user adoption. Upon development and adoption of fully autonomous driving modes, users will be able to treat travel time as leisure time, and participate in leisure activities such as communicating with other persons or consuming media content.


Depth matting in the form of rigid thermoplastic foam bevel board is cut with a device to form a forty-five degree angled surface on one end facing away from a front surface of the bevel board which has a lengthwise edge forty-five degree angle bevel face used to provide depth between standard mats and the framed picture. A cutting device is provided holding the bevel board on its edge against a vertical wall with a vertical slot through which a knife edge is forced downwardly through the slot and the bevel board. The beveled surface on the end of the cut bevel board panel is abutted against the lengthwise edge beveled surface of the adjoining bevel board panel at each corner of the standard mat and attached to the rear surface of that mat.

This invention involves the utilization of depth matting, generally known as bevel board and a device for cutting of that bevel board to use in the method.
Depth matting, in the form of bevel board paneling has been recently introduced for use in the picture framing industry. Typical standard framing techniques utilize an integral rectangular mat framing the picture cut from a single piece of paper board. The matting comes in a variety of colors, textures, and even prints. It is desirable to introduce a depth of field between the rear surface of the rectangular mat and the picture that is behind it and is framed by the mat. Various techniques have been utilized to provide a distance between these surfaces and the bevel board has been introduced to meet that need. Bevel board is supplied in the United States by Garrett Molding Company, Inc. at 200 Carl Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. and is supplied in about two and a half meter lengths and in a width of about seven centimeters. The thickness of the depth mat is supplied in six and ten millimeters. The composition of the bevel board paneling is a rigid thermoplastic foam polymer bare or covered with neutral pH paper, that being paper less likely to cause deterioration of the framed artwork. A key element of the bevel board is a forty-five degree angled beveled surface along one lengthwise edge. This beveled face is intended to be positioned so that the upper edge of the beveled face is aligned with the inside edge of the standard integral mat. The exposed beveled surface extends inwardly to a bottom edge proximate the artwork surface. Only the beveled surface is exposed.
The present technique for utilizing this bevel board is to make miter cuts through the boards at forty-five degree angles across the front surface of the panel angled away from the beveled surface so that a frame can be produced to be sandwiched between the mat and the picture. The miter cut is hidden under the mat except at the corners. Only the beveled edge surface is displayed providing a depth effect. Unfortunately, the miter cuts must be very accurate so as to exactly position the beveled surfaces just inside the mat opening. If mismeasured mitered cuts form too large a depth mat frame, the beveled surfaces of the bevel board will be partially hidden and will not extend inwardly from the inside edge of the integral mat opening. On the other hand, if the mismeasured mitered cuts make the depth matting too small, then part of the front surface of the bevel board depth matting will be exposed along with the mitered cuts across boards in the corners. An undesirable appearance showing the front surface of the depth matting results. Although equipment is available to make accurate mitered cuts, the necessity of exactly matching the opening in the mat usually requires a number of attempts involving lost time and materials. The necessity of making these miter cuts and the difficult construction makes the use of the bevel board very expensive.
A number of other methods of obtaining and using depth boards and angled matting have been available in the prior art, but none solve the needs described above nor attain the objects described hereinbelow.

Method of making a mat to frame a picture


A microcontroller system includes a higher power reference voltage circuit and a lower power reference voltage circuit configured to draw less power than the higher power reference voltage circuit when enabled. The system includes a power state logic controller configured to enable the lower power reference voltage circuit to provide a first regulated voltage during a power saving mode, and, on exiting the power saving mode, enable the higher power reference voltage circuit to provide a second regulated voltage.

A reference voltage circuit is a circuit that produces a fixed voltage to a device. The fixed voltage is substantially constant despite variations in temperature. In systems on a chip, the current drawn by reference voltage circuit can become a significant contributor to the total power drawn by the chip in a power saving mode. Even though the core logic may not be operating in a power saving mode, the reference voltage circuit continues to draw current, and may be needed by certain components that continue operating in a power saving mode.

Reference voltage circuits in microcontroller systems


A fabric softening composition comprising a water insoluble cationic fabric softening agent and a nonionic stabilizing agent wherein the water insoluble cationic fabric softening agent is a quaternary ammonium material and the nonionic stabilizing agent is preferably selected from a predominantly linear C.sub.8 to C.sub.22 alcohol alkoxylated with 10 or more moles of alkylene oxide. The nonionic stabilizing agent may also be a C.sub.10 to C.sub.20 alcohol or mixtures thereof. For high temperature stability the nonionic stability agent is an alkoxylated alcohol having a clear phase at a 1% concentration in water somewhere in the range of 0.degree. C. and 45.degree. C. and a Krafft point of less than 30.degree. C.

Rinse added fabric softener compositions are known. Typically such compositions contain a water insoluble quaternary ammonium fabric softening agent dispersed in water at a level of softening agent up to 7% by weight in which case the compositions are considered dilute, or at levels from 7% to 50% in which case the compositions are considered concentrates. In addition to softening fabric softening compositions desirably have other benefits. One is the ability to confer soil release properties to fabrics, particularly those woven from polyester fibers.
One of the problems associated with fabric softening compositions is the physical instability of such compositions when stored. This problem is accentuated by having a concentrated composition and by storage at either low or high temperatures.
Concentrates and storage stability at extreme low or high temperatures are however desired by the consumer. Physical instability manifests as a thickening on storage of the composition to a level where the composition is no longer pourable and can even lead to the formation of an irreversible gelation of the composition. The thickening is very undesirable since the composition can no longer be conveniently used.
In the past physical stability of rinse added fabric softener compositions has been improved by the addition of viscosity control agents or anti-gelling agents. For example in EP 13780 (Procter and Gamble) viscosity control agents are added to certain concentrated compositions. The agents may include C.sub.10 -C.sub.18 fatty alcohols. More recently in EP 280550 (Unilever) it has been proposed to improve the physical stability of dilute compositions comprising biodegradable, ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds and fatty acid by the addition of nonionic surfactants.
With concentrated compositions comprising biodegradable ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds the problem of physical instability is more acute than with traditional quaternary ammonium compounds.
In EP 0 040 562 (Lesieur Cotelle) a nonionic emulsifier/stabilizer is added to a concentrate comprising an ester-linked quaternary ammonium compound to form a viscous gel. The stabilizer is a C.sub.12 to C.sub.14 alcohol ethoxylated with 9 molecules of ethylene oxide. The degree of branching of the alcohol is not, however, mentioned.
Certain nonionic stabilizing agents not only stabilize concentrated compositions comprising biodegradable quaternary ammonium compounds but are also environmentally friendly, in that they show acceptable biodegradability and are not substantially toxic in aquatic systems.
Soil release properties are generally imparted to fabrics by the use of separate soil-release agents, usually a high molecular weight polymer, in a detergent composition or separate treatment. For example in EP 0 398 133A (Procter & Gamble) there is disclosed a cationic polymeric soil release agent for use in a fabric conditioning composition.
A disadvantage of such compositions is that the soil release agent increases the number of components in the formulation, increasing cost and making the product less environmentally acceptable.
We have now found that fabric softening compositions comprising biodegradable ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds may confer improved soil release properties to fabrics.
We have also found that temperature stability of compositions containing biodegradable quaternary ammonium compounds may be improved by the use of selected nonionic stabilizing agents.

Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.


A section erasure control apparatus for a character generator including a section erasure data receiving circuit for receiving section erasure data a section erasure region control circuit for analyzing the section erasure data and identifying a section erasure region and a decoder for decoding output data from the section erasure region control circuit and outputting an erasure execution signal identifying the section erasure region in accordance with the decoding.

The present invention relates to a character generator of video apparatus, such as a video cassette recorder or a television receiver, and more particularly to a section erasure control apparatus of a character generator capable of erasing a character which is displayed at a region except for a predetermined character display region of screen.
Conventionally, a video apparatus, such as a video cassette recorder and a television receiver is equipped with a character generator which can display a character with an on screen display (OSD) function.
According to the conventional character generator, however, there are often generated cases in which a character is erroneously displayed on screen or a character is displayed in a region other than a predetermined character display region on screen.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional character display apparatus for a video apparatus, such as a video cassette recorder or a television receiver, and displays an established character on screen.
The character display apparatus comprises a microcomputer 1 for controlling the display of the character; a key signal generator 2 for inputting a command signal for displaying the character from a key board or a remote controller to the microcomputer 1; and a character generator 3 for generating character signal and mixing the character signal with a video signal therein, in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 1.
The operation of the character display apparatus will hereinafter be described.
First, if an user gives a command signal for displaying a character to the microcomputer 1 utilizing the keyboard or the remote controller, the microcomputer 1 controls the character generator 3 in accordance with the command signal input from the key signal generator 2.
At this time, the character generator 3 generates a character signal and mixes the character signal with a video signal. The mixed signal is displayed on screen.
FIG. 2, illustrates a a conventional character generator which is equipped in the character display apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The character generator comprises a character size oscillator 11 for generating a clock signal as to the size of a character to be displayed on screen; a character display timing generator 12 for controlling the timing as to the display of the character, in accordance with the output signal from the character size generator 11; an input control part 13 for inputting a clock signal sck and a data signal SIN and separating the data signal from an address signal, in accordance with an external control signal CS; a data control part 14 for receiving the data signal separated from the input control part 13; an address control part 15 for controlling the store of the data signal outputted from the data control part 14, in accordance with the address signal separated from the input control part 13; a display data memory 16 for storing and outputting the character display data corresponding to addresses 0-239 output from the data control part 14, in accordance with an output signal from the address control part 15; a display control register 17 for storing and outputting the display control data corresponding to addresses 240-243 output from the data control part 14, in accordance with the output signal from the address control part 15; a display character read only memory (ROM) 18 for previously storing the fonts of a character to be displayed on screen and controlling the pattern of the character to be displayed output from the display data memory 16; a horizontal position counter 19 for counting the horizontal position of screen; a display position detecting part 20 for generating addresses of the character to be displayed, in accordance with an output signal from the character display timing generator 12 and the horizontal position counter 19; a read address control part 21 for controlling the character signal to be displayed controlling the display data memory 16, in accordance with the output signal of the display position detecting part 20; a shift register 22 for shifting an output signal from the display character ROM 18; a blanking part 23 for blanking the display of character to be displayed, controlling the shift register 22 in accordance with the display control register 17; a display control part 24 for controlling the display of the character with the output signal from the shift register 22; a video output part 25 for mixing the character signal output from the display control part 24 with a video signal and then outputting the mixed signal; a synchronization oscillator 26 for generating a synchronization signal; a synchronization timing generator 27 for controlling the timing of synchronization, in accordance with the output signal from the synchronization oscillator 26; and a synchronization signal switching part 28 for switching the output signal from the synchronization timing generator 27 and an external synchronization signal. The operation of the character generator will be hereinafter described.
First, the character size oscillator 11 outputs a clock signal as to the dot-size of the character to be displayed on screen. The character display timing generator 12 generates a timing signal for controlling the reading-timing of a character signal which is designated by the display data memory 16.
In case that the control signal cs is inputted with a low level potential, the input control part 13 inputs the clock signal sck and the data signal SIN and then separates them into a data signal and an address signal. The data signal is transferred to the data control part 14 and the address signal is transferred to the address control part 15.
The address control part 15 analyzes the address signal. As the result of analysis,the address control part 15 stores the data signal outputted from the data control part 14 in the display data memory 16 in case that the address is corresponding to addresses 0-239 and stores the data signal outputted from the data control part 14 in the display control register 17 in case that the address is corresponding to addresses 240-243.
On the other hand, the display control register 17 controls the blanking part 23 in accordance with blanking bits which are previously stored. The display data memory 16 outputs fonts corresponding to the character to be displayed on screen, and controls the display character ROM 18 in accordance with the data signal therein. The fonts output from the display character ROM 18 are transferred to the display control part 24 through the shift register 22.
The horizontal position counter 19 counts the horizontal position of display character with the output signal from the character display timing generator 12 and the read address control part 21 controls the output of character fonts from the display character ROM 18 and controls the display data memory 16 in accordance with the output signal from the horizontal position counter 19. The character fonts outputs from the display character ROM 18 are input to the video output part 25 and then mixed with the video signal therein. The video output part 25 outputs the signal in which the character fonts are mixed with the video signal.
The synchronization oscillator 26 oscillates to generate a clock signal and the synchronization timing generator 27 generates a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal, in accordance with the clock signal. On the other hand, the synchronization signal switching part 28 controls the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal outputted from the synchronization timing generator 27 and the external synchronization signals. In this character generator, it is very important to prevent a wrong operation due to static electricity, in order to avoid erroneously displaying a character on screen.
In order to check an error in the character signal, a parity bit has generally been used. Since the parity bit can merely reduce the number of occurrences of an error, however, a character may be wrongly displayed on screen when a character signal having an error is determined as not having an error using the parity bit.
The microcomputer 1 of the conventional character display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 transfers a display character 1 and a display character 2 to the character generator 3 (100,101) and then outputs blank data 1-blank data 8 as an erasure counter.
Namely, each time a sub-routine is called, the microcomputer 1 transfers the blank data(102-111) as altered lines. Accordingly, the conventional character display apparatus has a disadvantage, in that too much load is placed on the microcomputer 1.

Section erasure control apparatus of character generator


A product support module adaptable for interlocking engagement with substantially similarly constructed modules to form a selectable width composite display assembly for merchandising products therefrom, each product module including a plurality of friction keeper members associated with one side edge portion of the module and a plurality of corresponding keying slots associated with its opposite side edge portion, the keeper members being substantially T-shaped in cross-section and each including a stem portion and an overhanging flange portion, the stem portion associated with at least the front keeper member being outwardly tapered along its entire length from bottom to top such that the mating surface formed between the stem portion and the overhanging flange portion forms an angle with the front wall side portion of the module. The taper associated with at least the front keeper stem portion enables its corresponding slot to become progressively tighter as the slot is moved progressively downwardly over the front keeper stem portion. The thickness of the wall portion forming the front keying slot may likewise be similarly tapered from bottom to top so as to be compatible with the taper associated with the front keeper stem portion to further improve the locking capability therebetween. Still further, other keeper members as well as their corresponding keying slots may likewise be tapered in similar fashion so as to even further improve the stability and joinder between two adjacent modules when such modules are coupled together. Each product module may vary both in lateral width and in the number of product channels associated therewith and some embodiments of the present product modules may include no side wall members or only one side wall member depending upon the particular merchandising application. Other optional features associated with the present product modules are likewise disclosed herein. The present product modules represent a one-inventory solution to a user enabling such user to organize and configure any particular shelf display to meet his/her specific needs and space requirements.

It is a common practice to provide a rack structure to organize and merchandise shelved products to customers. This is particularly true with respect to displaying and merchandising chilled soft drink products in conventional refrigerated display coolers. Since the advent of the larger product containers such as the twenty ounce and one liter product containers commonly used in the soft drink industry, it has become more and more difficult to fit many of the prior art shelving devices within the allotted space associated with the known refrigerated coolers, particularly in view of the fact that the shelf width varies from one refrigerated unit to the next. This problem is even further complicated by the fact that the width associated with each product channel will vary depending upon the particular size and shape of the product container to be merchandised therefrom, be it a twelve ounce, sixteen ounce, twenty ounce, one liter, two liter or three liter container.
The prior art shelving structures presently utilized for refrigerator cooler applications have generally taken on various physical forms and have been fabricated of many different types of materials. For the most part, many of such units presently used in this particular application have been of pre-determined dimensions and such units are not adjustable to accommodate either different spatial dimensions or different container sizes. Of those prior art units that are width adjustable, some such units include frangible side and/or rear portions which are easily broken off along weakened fracture lines formed in the shelving members during the manufacture thereof. Once such frangible portions are, in fact, broken off to adjust either the width or depth of the particular unit, such frangible portions are no longer usable and cannot be reattached to the main shelf portion for use in other applications. Still further, of those prior art units which are width adjustable and which include product trays or channels which are detachably connected laterally to each other in side-by-side relationship, all such units have suffered from certain disadvantages and short comings including poorly designed connection means which have lead to both strength and stability problems. It is therefore a principal aim of the present invention to obviate many of the disadvantages and shortcomings associated with the prior art devices and to provide a modular shelving system which will accommodate product containers of various sizes, which is width adjustable and compatible for use with all of the known refrigerated display coolers, and which includes improved means for interlocking any plurality of product modules so as to provide a unitary, stabilized structure.

Variable width product merchandising display unit having detachable/reattachable side track portions


A method and apparatus for performing normalization of floating point numbers using a much smaller width register than would normally be required for the data operands which can be processed. As the registers are smaller, the number of circuits required to achieve the normalization is reduced, resulting in a decrease in the chip area required to perform such operation. The normalization circuitry was streamlined to efficiently operate on the more prevalent type of data being presented to the floating point unit. Data types and/or operations which statistically occur less frequently require multiple cycles of the normalization function. It was found that for the more prevalent data types and/or operations, the width of the registers required was substantially less than the width required for the less frequent data types and/or operations. Instead of expanding the register width to accommodate these lesser occurrences, the data is broken into smaller portions and normalized using successive cycles of the normalization circuitry. Thus, by sacrificing speed for the lesser occurring events, a significant savings was realized in the number of circuits required to implement normalization. As the slower speed operations occur infrequently, the overall performance of the normalization function is minimally impacted. Thus, considerable savings in integrated circuit real estate is achieved with minimal impact to the overall throughput of the system.

Floating point apparatus allow for improvements in the amount of time a data processing unit takes to perform arithmetic calculations. An American national standard has been developed in order to provide a uniform system of rules governing the implementation of floating point systems. This standard, ANSI/IEEE Standard No. 754-1985 is hereby incorporated by reference as background material. The standard specifies basic and extended floating point number number formats, arithmetic operations, conversions between integer and floating point formats, conversions between different floating point formats, conversions between basic format floating point numbers and decimal strings, and the handling of certain floating point exceptions.
The typical floating point arithmetic operation may be accomplished in either single precision or double precision format. Each of these formats utilizes a sign, exponent and fraction/mantissa field, where the respective fields occupy predefined portions of the floating point number. In the case of a 32-bit single precision number the sign field is a single bit occupying the most significant bit position; the exponent field is an 8-bit quantity occupying the next-most significant bit positions; the mantissa field occupies the least significant 23-bit positions. In the case of a double precision floating point number the sign field is a single bit occupying the most significant bit position; the exponent field is an 11-bit field occupying the next-most significant bit positions; the mantissa field is a 52-bit field occupying the least significant bit positions.
Conventional techniques for performing floating point operations are achieved by utilizing three steps: (i) pre-alignment, (ii) arithmetic operation, and (iii) normalization (these techniques are used for `addition-type` instructions, such as Add, Subtract, Compare, Muliply-Add, etc.; they are not generally used for such operations as Multiply or Divide). The pre-alignment step is used to align the mantissa portion of the floating point numbers to be operated upon, such that respective exponents are equal in value. Normally, the number having the larger exponent remains unshifted, whereas the number having the smaller exponent has its mantissa portion shifted to the right a number of bit positions corresponding to the difference between exponent values. For example, assume a binary representation of floating point A having an exponent of 5 (meaning 2 to the 5th power), needs to be added to a floating point number B having an exponent of 3 (meaning 2 to the 3rd power). The number B will have its mantissa portion shifted to the right two bit locations, and the exponent of B will be increased by two, such that both exponents are now five. Note that the numbers still maintain the same value as they originally had, but are merely represented in a different floating point internal representation.
After pre-alignment, the second step of conventional floating point arithmetic is performed. This step performs the arithmetic operation specified, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. Both the exponent and mantissa fields are operated upon.
The third traditional step is to normalize the data after the arithmetic operation. This step allows for maintaining the highest degree of precision of floating numbers, as is commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In standard systems, this normalization is accomplished by counting the number of leading zeroes contained in the resultant mantissa field. This count is then subtracted from the exponent field, and the mantissa field is shifted left by a similar count amount, resulting in a one bit being in the most significant bit position of the mantissa field.
Numerous attempts have been made to improve the amount of time required to calculate/perform floating point operations. Conventional methods perform addition of addends, and then shift the resultant amount to remove leading zero-bits. Improved techniques determine an approximate shift amount by analyzing the addends during addition. This results in time savings. Another similar technique analyzes the fractional result for predicting when post-normalization and rounding can be eliminated.
Other techniques perform two operations in parallel, and choose one of the two resultants of these parallel operations. In a first path, the steps of pre-alignment and addition are performed. In the second parallel path, the steps of addition and post-normalization are performed. This is a performance improvement over the conventional method which does pre-alignment, addition, and post-normalization, as only two steps are performed in any given path. The two resultants are compared, at the end of the two parallel operations, to determine which resultant conforms to being normalized.
Other techniques anticipate leading zeros in parallel with the arithmetic unit, as disclosed in Hokenek, E. et al, "Leading-zero anticipator (LZA) in the IBM RISC System/6000 Floating-Point Execution Unit", IBM Journal of Research Development, Volume 34, No. 1, January 1990, and Montoye, R. et al, "Design of the RISC System/6000 Floating Point Execution Unit", IBM Journal of Research Development, Volume 34, No. 1, January 1990, both hereby incorporated by reference as background material. However, these techniques fail to accommodate large data paths in an efficient manner.
As data processing system's have grown in complexity, it has become necessary to increase the bus width, or data path, used to transfer information from one portion of the system to another. Original central processor units, or CPU's, had 4 and 8 bit bus widths. To increase system throughput, the bus widths have been increased in order to transfer more data in the same amount of time. This is desirable as, given a bus bandwidth that has a maximum transfer rate, only a given number of data exchanges can occur for a given time period. By increasing the width of the bus, more information can be transferred while maintaining a fixed bus bandwidth. As such, 16 bit buses such as the Intel 80286 microprocessor and 32 bit buses such as the Intel 80386 microprocessor, have become increasingly popular. Even larger bus widths are easily envisioned to be forthcoming in the near future.
These increases in bus data width cause increases in the die size of the microprocessors, however. As the die size is proportional to the overall manufacturing cost of a given integrated circuit component such as a microprocessor, these higher bus width components result in a proportionally higher cost. Further, the amount of functionality that can be placed on the integrated circuitry is reduced for devices that support these larger bus widths. This is because a 32 bit register takes approximately twice the die surface area of a 16 bit register. As less functionality can be maintained in a given device having a large data path, more integrated circuit components are required to maintain a given functionality. Thus, for data processing systems having large bus widths, numerous integrated circuit components are required. This results in higher costs to the end user.
Another driving force in the data processing system is the desire to continually integrate more and more functionality into a given integrated circuit component. As an example, computers today are of similar size to that of calculators manufactured ten years ago. Further, as previously discussed, as the transfer rates across buses approach their upper limits, larger data paths are needed to increase system throughput and performance. These larger data path requirements run counter to the quest for greater integration, as larger data paths require more devices. There is a real need to provide increases in data path widths supported by an integrated circuit component without a corresponding increase in integrated circuit component size.

Method and apparatus for floating point normalization

International Business Machines Corporation


A hard magnetic alloy obtained by heat treatment, at a heating rate of 20.degree. C./min or more, of a glassy alloy containing Fe as a main component, at least one element R selected from the rare earth elements, at least one selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, and Cu, and B, and having a supercooled liquid region having a temperature width .DELTA.Tx of 20.degree. C. or more, which is represented by the equation .DELTA.Tx=Tx-Tg (wherein Tx indicates the crystallization temperature, and Tg indicates the glass transition temperature), and a sintered compact, a cast magnet, a stepping motor and a speaker each of which includes the hard magnetic alloy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hard magnetic alloy having a supercooled liquid region, and particularly to a hard magnetic alloy which has excellent hard magnetism at room temperature and which can be formed to a bulk permanent magnet comprising a sintered or cast product. The present invention also relates to a stepping motor and a speaker using the hard magnetic alloy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some types of multi-element alloys are conventionally known to have a wide supercooled liquid region before crystallization and constitute glassy alloys. It is also known that such glassy alloys can be formed to bulk alloys significantly thicker than amorphous alloy ribbons produced by a conventional known liquid quenching method.
Examples of conventional known amorphous alloy ribbons include ribbons of Fe--P--C system amorphous alloys first produced in the 1960's, (Fe,Co,Ni)--P--B system and (Fe,Co,Ni)--Si--B system alloys produced in the 1970's, and (Fe,Co,Ni)--M (Zr,Hf,Nb) system alloys and (Fe,Co,Ni)--M (Zr,Hf,Nb)--B system alloys produced in the 1980's. All these alloys must be produced by quenching at a cooling rate in the 10.sup.-5.degree. C./s level, and the produced ribbons have a thickness of 50 .mu.m or less.
On the other hand, glassy alloys having a thickness of several millimeters are obtained, and such glassy alloys include alloys having the Ln--Al--TM, Mg--Ln--TM and Zr--Al--TM (wherein Ln represents a rare earth element, and TM represents a transition metal) system compositions and the like, which were discovered in 1988 to 1991.
However, all these conventional known glassy alloys have no magnetism at room temperature, and from this viewpoint, these alloys are industrially greatly restricted when considered as hard magnetic materials.
Therefore, if a thick alloy comprising an amorphous single phase is obtained, the crystal structure is made fine and uniform after heat treatment, and good magnetic properties are expected. Therefore, research and development have conventionally proceeded with respect to glass alloys having hard magnetism at room temperature and permitting the formation of thick bulk products. These alloys having various compositions exhibit a supercooled liquid crystal liquid state at room temperature, but the temperature width .DELTA.Tx of the supercooled liquid region, i.e., the difference (Tx-Tg) between the crystallization temperature (Tx) and the glass transition temperature (Tg), is generally small. Therefore, in fact, such alloys have the low ability to form glassy alloys, and are thus unpractical. In consideration of this, the presence of an alloy having a supercooled liquid region having a wide temperature width, and capable of forming a glassy alloy by cooling overcomes thickness restrictions of conventional known amorphous alloy ribbons, and such an alloy thus attracts much attention in the metallurgical field. However, whether or not such an alloy can be developed as an industrial material depends upon the finding of a glassy alloy exhibiting ferromagnetism at room temperature.
Also examples of conventional known magnet materials having performance superior to ferrite magnets include Sm--Co sintered magnets, Fe--Nd--B sintered magnets, Fe--Nd--B quenched magnets, and the like. In order to achieve higher performance, there are many researches on new alloy magnets such as Fe--Sm--N magnets.
However, these magnet materials must contain 10 atomic % or more of Nd or 8 atomic % or more of Sm, and thus have the drawback that the production cost is higher than the ferrite magnets because a large amount of expensive rare earth element is used. The ferrite magnets are produced at lower cost than these rare earth magnets, but have insufficient magnetic properties. Therefore, there is demand for appearance of a magnet material costing less and exhibiting hard magnetism higher than ferrite magnets.
On the other hand, as a magnet generally known as a "bonded magnet", a magnet formed by compression molding or injection molding a mixture of a magnetic powder and a rubber or plastic binder can widely be used as electronic parts because of high shape freedom, but has the problems of low magnetic performance due to low remanent magnetization, and low material strength because of inclusion of the binder.
Possible applications of these magnets include a stepping motor and a speaker.
The stepping motor is a special motor in which the rotation can be arbitrarily controlled by a pulse current. Therefore, the stepping motor requires no feedback control, is capable of positioning in an open loop, and used as a drive source in a positioning control system in various fields. Particularly, since a hybrid stepping motor has high rotational torque and is small and capable of performing precise positioning control, the hybrid stepping motor is used as a drive source for a driving mechanism in a copying machine, a computer, or the like.
The characteristics of a hard magnetic alloy are represented by the second quadrants of hysteresis curves, i.e., demagnetization curves. After magnetization, a hard magnetic alloy is under the reverse magnetic field, i.e., the diamagnetic field, produced by its remanent magnetization, and thus the operating point (the magnetic flux density (B) and demagnetizing field (H) of a material) is represented by a point p on the demagnetization curve thereof. At this point, the product (BH) represents the maximum energy product ((BH).sub.max).
In order to increase the rotational torque of the stepping motor, it is important to use a hard magnetic alloy having the high maximum energy product ((BH).sub.max).
Since the rotational torque of the stepping motor is proportional to the product of the current passing through the stepping motor and the energy (U) of the magnetostatic field produced outside by a hard magnetic alloy, the rotational torque of the stepping motor is increased by increasing the maximum energy product ((BH).sub.max).
In order to increase the maximum energy product ((BH).sub.max) of a hard magnetic alloy, it is necessary to made the shape of a demagnetization curve angular to increase the area surrounded by the demagnetization curve, the magnetic field axis and the magnetization axis. Namely, it is necessary to increase the remanence ratio (Ir/Is) to increase remanent magnetization (Ir) and coercive force (iHc).
Therefore, as a hard magnetic alloy used for a rotor of a HB type motor, a Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet, a Nd--Fe--B system sintered magnet, a Nd--Fe--B type bonded magnet, a Sm--Co system sintered magnet, or the like is used.
However, in a stepping motor using a Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet, since the Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet has a coercive force (iHc) of as low as 1 kOe or less, there is the problem of causing difficulties in attempting to decease the size of the stepping motor.
Although a Nd--Fe--B system sintered magnet and Sm--Co system sintered magnet have high coercive force (iHc) and are thus used for some of small stepping motors, these magnets have the need to sinter a material powder in the production process, and thus have the problem of increasing the production cost of a magnet, thereby increasing the production cost of a stepping motor.
Furthermore, a Nd--Fe--B system bonded magnet is produced by mixing a rubber or plastic binder with a magnetic powder formed by liquid quenching of an alloy melt mainly comprising the Nd.sub.2 Fe.sub.14 B phase or a Fe.sub.3 B--Nd.sub.2 Fe.sub.14 system exchange spring magnetic powder and then compressing molding or injection molding, and thus has low material strength because of inclusion of the binder. There is thus a problem in that the rotor of a stepping motor serving as a driving unit has low strength.
Also, from the viewpoint of material strength, a ribbon having a thickness of about 50 .mu.m or less and obtained by quenching a melt of a Nd--Fe--B system alloy is preferable from the viewpoint of mechanical strength. However, in the use of such a hard magnetic alloy ribbon as the rotor of a stepping motor, many ribbons must be laminated, thereby causing the problem of increasing the production cost of the stepping motor.
A conventional known speaker schematically comprises a pole piece made of iron, a cylindrical yoke provided on the outside of the pole piece with a space therebetween, upper and lower speaker magnet rings provided in the space between the pole piece and the yoke, and a conical diaphragm. In addition, a voice coil is provided in the magnetic gap formed by the speaker magnets, the voice coil being connected to the conical diaphragm. In such a speaker, when a voice current flows from an amplifier to the voice coil, motion accordingly occurs to move the conical diaphragm connected to the voice coil so that sounds can be emitted.
In a conventional speaker, a ferrite magnet or a Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet is used as a speaker magnet material, and a Nd--Fe--B system magnet or a Sm--Co system magnet is used as a magnet material having performance superior to the ferrite magnet and Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet. Furthermore, many researches have been made for achieving higher performance by using new alloy magnets such as a Sm--Fe--N system alloy and the like.
However, as described above, the Nd--Fe--B system magnet, the Sm--Co system magnet and the Sm--Fe--N system magnet require 10 atomic % or more of Nd or 8 atomic % or more of Sm, and thus have a fault that the production cost is higher than a ferrite magnet and Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet because a large amount of expensive rare earth element is used. In addition, the Sm--Co system magnet is a more expensive magnet than the Nd--Fe--B system magnet, and is thus impractical. On the other hand, the Al--Ni--Co--Fe system magnet costs less than a rare earth magnet, but has the problem of excessively low coercive force. There is thus demand for appearance of a speaker magnet material which costs less and has higher hard magnetic properties than a ferrite magnet.

Hard magnetic alloy having supercooled liquid region, sintered or cast product thereof or stepping motor and speaker using the alloy


Communication and positioning device for guidance installation for guiding mobile units on a track system. The positioning is carried out with great accuracy. Base stations placed along the track system are used for communication and positioning. Communication between the mobile units and base stations is carried out by way of a mobile radio system (DECT). Positioning is established by means of positioning equipment included in the mobile unit. On passage of a mobile unit past a base station, the positioning equipment of the mobile unit is updated with the aid of reference positioning equipment. This updating is carried out by way of a mobile radio system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement for providing communication and positioning for a guidance installation for guiding mobile units, for example in the form of carriages in a track system. The positioning is intended to occur with great accuracy, for example with the accuracy of approximately one meter. A respective mobile unit and track stations placed along the track system comprise first and respectively second equipment for the communication and positioning.
2. Discussion of the Background
Guidance systems for track systems for collective traffic of the type In question today cost an estimated 10 million crowns/kilometer and the wages of the carriage drivers are more than half of the operating costs. It is thus of interest to provide solutions for positioning and communication for guidance systems which will make it possible to have driverless carriages, In connection with this, it has been discussed that a data bus will be installed along the track and two-way short-range communication units will be installed in a number of about 1/m. The intention is here to provide identity and certain logic information at distances of one decimeter. A respective carriage is thus positioned every meter and is given certain capabilities for communicating.
Existing solutions for positioning and communication are relatively primitive. There are two types of system in this respect. The first system operates with fixed blocks and the second system operates with moving blocks. Fixed blocks involve the track being divided up into sections where only one train unit is allowed at a time. A collector shoe which shortcircuits two metal rails constitutes a detector. Such systems are supplied and are obtainable on the market. The principle with moving blocks involves the train being surrounded by a safety area within which no other trains are allowed.

Arrangement for providing communication and positioning in a guidance installation


A system includes a terminal configured to intake a vehicle into a service shop, a server configured to store vehicle data associated with the vehicle, and, a scanner configured to identify the vehicle and relay timing and location information about the vehicle to the server.

The present disclosure relates generally to service shops and various tools and equipment used in service shops.
Service shops, such as paint shops or service shops, may employ a number of processes and operators working simultaneously to accomplish jobs for customers. In many instances, the different processes being done by different operators may involve disjointed technologies in which there is little operator to operator communication through the shop as a whole. The lack of communication may result in bottlenecks that are unrecognized and cause inefficiencies throughout the service shop.


An aerial image capturing device is provided. The aerial image capturing device includes a camera array formed of multiple camera mounted to a camera array base. Aerial image capturing device further includes a mount for mounting the aerial image capturing device to the aircraft. The camera array base is moveably coupled to the mount by an actuating device, wherein the actuating device moves the camera array base away from and toward the mount. The movement of the camera array base allows for movement of the camera to a position to capture images without interference of the aircraft in the image. It also allows for moving the camera array into a position to not interfere with the landing gear. The aerial image capturing device may further include an image actuation device that synchronizes the image capturing of all of the cameras in the camera array.

Technical Field
This invention relates generally to an image capturing system and more particularly to an aerial image capturing system.
State of the Art
Aerial photography is useful for many different purposes. For example, aerial photography is used for cartography, land-use planning, archaeology, movie production, environmental studies, surveillance, commercial advertising, conveyancing, artistic projects, and many other purposes. Conventionally, the cameras are mounted in fixed positions within an aircraft, such as a winged aircraft or helicopters. The camera is then operated by a person in order to obtain the photo or image needed. In some instances, the control of the aircraft and/or the camera may be controlled remotely.
These conventional cameras mounted in a fixed location on an aircraft have their limitations. For example, the cameras do not allow for imagery to extend beyond the ends of the aircraft because of the location of the cameras, the cameras are limited in the types of imagery they can take, such as limited to oblique photographs and vertical photographs, thereby not allowing the capture of spherical imagery.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved aerial image capturing system for use with aircraft.


Apparatus for use with an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor including: a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient, and a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor. The proximal implant-receiving element includes an implant-restraining element coupled to a portion of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element. Other applications are also described.

Dilation of the annulus of the mitral valve prevents the valve leaflets from fully coapting when the valve is closed. Mitral regurgitation of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium results in increased total stroke volume and decreased cardiac output, and ultimate weakening of the left ventricle secondary to a volume overload and a pressure overload of the left atrium.
US Patent Application 2004/0236419 to Milo describes methods for reconfiguring an atrioventricular heart valve that may use systems comprising a partial or complete annuloplasty rings proportioned to reconfigure a heart valve that has become in some way incompetent, a pair of trigonal sutures or implantable anchors, and a plurality of staples which may have pairs of legs that are sized and shaped for association with the ring at spaced locations along its length. These systems permit relative axial movement between the staples and the ring, whereby a patient's heart valve can be reconfigured in a manner that does not deter subtle shifting of the native valve components. Shape-memory alloy material staples may have legs with free ends that interlock following implantation. Annuloplasty rings may be complete or partial and may be fenestrated. One alternative method routes a flexible wire, preferably of shape-memory material, through the bights of pre-implanted staples. Other alternative systems use linkers of shape-memory material having hooked ends to interengage with staples or other implanted supports which, following implantation, decrease in effective length and pull the staples or other supports toward one another so as to create desired curvature of the reconfigured valve. These linkers may be separate from the supports or may be integral with them and may have a variety of shapes and forms. Various of these systems may be implanted non-invasively using a delivery catheter.
US 2007/0049942 to Hindrichs et al. describes remodeling a soft body tissue structure by shortening the distance between first and second portions of that tissue structure. First and second anchor structures are respectively implanted in the first and second portions of the tissue structure. These anchor structures are linked by a linking structure, the length of which between the anchor structures can be shortened to pull the tissue structure portions toward one another. Each of the anchor structures may include two screw structures that are driven into the associated tissue structure portion transverse to the linking structure and with a spacer between the two screws. The entire prosthesis can be implanted percutaneously if desired. An illustrative use of the prosthesis is to shorten the annulus of a patient's mitral valve, with at least a portion of the prosthesis implanted in the patient's coronary sinus.
The following patents and patent application publications may be of interest:    PCT Publication WO 07/136,783 to Cartledge et al.    PCT Publication WO 08/068,756 to Gross et al.    PCT Publication WO 10/004,546 to Gross et al.    PCT Publication WO 10/073,246 to Cabiri et al.    U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,296 to Wright et al.    U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,198 to Wilson et al.    U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,291 to Hlavka et al.    U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,510 to Vidlund et al.    U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,176 to Lau    U.S. Pat. No. 7,101,395 to Tremulis et al.    U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,660 to Cartledge et al.    US 2003/0050693 to Quijano et al    US 2003/0167062 to Gambale et al.    US 2004/0024451 to Johnson et al.    US 2004/0148021 to Cartledge et al.    US 2005/0171601 to Cosgrove et al.    US 2005/0288781 to Moaddeb et al.    US 2007/0016287 to Cartledge et al.    US 2007/0080188 to Spence et al.    US 2007/0219558 to Deutsch    US 2007/0282375 to Hindrichs et al.    US 2008/0262609 to Gross et al.    US 2010/0161041 to Maisano et al.    US 2010/0161042 to Maisano et al.    US 2010/0211166 to Miller et al.
The following articles may be of interest:    O'Reilly S et al., "Heart valve surgery pushes the envelope," Medtech Insight 8(3): 73, 99-108 (2006)    Dieter RS, "Percutaneous valve repair: Update on mitral regurgitation and endovascular approaches to the mitral valve," Applications in Imaging, Cardiac Interventions, Supported by an educational grant from Amersham Health pp. 11-14 (2003)


Octahydro-1H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-e]isoquinoline compounds and processes for their manufacture are provided. The compounds correspond to the formula ##STR1## These compounds exhibit both analgesic and narcotic antagonistic properties, as well as low abuse liability.. Novel intermediate compounds are also provided which have the formula ##STR2##

Pain is an essential sensation in the protection of the body from damaging influences. However, because said pain frequently persists after it has played its essential role, it becomes desirable to treat the subject to reduce the sensation of pain. Drugs which are effective to reduce pain, i.e., analgesics, act by different mechanisms:
(1) Drugs which reduce pain by treating its source, e.g. glyceryl trinitrate in the treatment of angina;
(2) Drugs of the non-narcotic, non-steroidal, antiinflammatory, antipyretic type, which may act in part peripherally to relieve pain by inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase, or an antiinflammatory effect, e.g. aspirin or acetaminophen; and
(3) Drugs which act mainly on the perception of pain by the brain, e.g. morphine and certain morphine derivatives.
Analgescis are also classified by their mode of use. Thus, in general, when the intensity of pain is mild to moderate, a simple (mild) analgesic is given. However, when the pain is moderate to severe, a strong analgesic is indicated.
The most important strong analgesic compounds include opium preparations, purified alkaloids (morphine), semi-synthetic morphine modifications (oxymorphone) and various synthetic morphine-like compounds (phenyl piperidino structures). In addition to morphine itself, the most widely-used analgesics are oxycodone, oxymorphone, levorphanol, methadone and pethidine (meperidine). Morphine is the standard by which strong analgesics are compared.
Morphine, which acts on the central nervous system to repress pain perception, causes drowsiness, euphoria (and sometimes disphoria) and depresses respiration. Morphine and the many drugs related thereto incur high degrees of dependence. This is, of course, no problem in short-term treatment of pain, but becomes a serious problem in the treatment of chronic pain.
Because the narcotic-like analgesics also act to depress the respiratory system, over dosage of such compounds is extremely dangerous. It has been found, however, that several N-allyl derivatives, including the N-allyl derivative of morphine (nalorphine), levorphanol (levallorphan) and oxymorphone (naloxone) effectively antagonize overdoses of the opiate analgesics. Two of these, nalorphine and levallorphan, have some analgesic effects by themselves, but naloxone is a pure antagonist having no intrinsic analgesic activity. Naloxone is a versatile material which is capable of reversing the action (including the analgesia) of larger doses of a narcotic and also antagonizes the emetic effect of meperidine. Though such antagonists have been shown to be effective in antagonizing overdoses of narcotics, they have not been shown to be effective in administration with narcotics to reverse respiratory depression without also reversing the desirable analgesic effects of the opiate. Thus, it would be highly desirable to obtain a compound which combines significant narcotic analgesic activity as well as narcotic antagonistic activity into the same molecule.
Since Lasagna and Beecher (Lasagna, L. and Beecher, H. K.: The Analgesic Effectiveness of Nalorphine and Nalorphine-Morphine Combinations in Man. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 112: 356-363, 1954.) reported that the narcotic antagonist nalorphine also has analgetic properties in man, a wide-ranging search for agonist/antagonist compounds possessing both analgetic and narcotic antagonist properties has led to the discovery of a number of clinically useful agents (pentazocine, cyclazocine, nalbuphine, etc.) having a lower abuse potential than pure narcotic agonist compounds. Generally (but with some exceptions), substitution of C.sub.2 to C.sub.n homologs for the N-methyl group in morphine, codeine, and other narcotics produces compounds possessing an antagonist component with or without loss of analgetic potency; thus within a single chemical series there may be compounds possessing pure agonist, combined agonist/antagonist, and pure antagonist properties (Jaffe, J. H. and Martin, W. R.: Narcotic Analgesics and Antagonists, in "The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics," L. S. Goodman and A. Gilman (eds), Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York, p. 272, 1975.)
U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,661 to Georgian is directed to decahydroisoquinoline derivatives such as those corresponding to the structure ##STR3## Examples of such compounds are 3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,4a5,6,7-octahydropyrido[3,4-d]-4aH-isocarbazole and the corresponding 9-methoxy analog. This class of compounds is disclosed to be useful as intermediates for the preparation of natural alkaloids and hydrocarbazolenines.
More clearly of interest is the work of Schultz et al., which is directed to the preparation of morphine--Schultz, A. G. and Lucci, R. D., J. C. S. Chem. Comm., 925 (1976); and Schultz, A. G., Lucci, R. D., Fu, W. Y., Berger, M. H., Erhardt, S., and Hagmann, W. K., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 100, 2150 (1978). Both of the papers by Schultz et al. describe the following reaction: ##STR4##
The compound having having a cis-fused dihydrofuran structure is disclosed to be useful as an intermediate for the synthesis of morphine alkaloids in that it has the functionality necessary for formation of the remaining carbon-carbon bond in the morphine alkaloids.

Octahydro-1H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-e]-isoquinoline analgesic and narcotic antagonistic compounds


The present invention relates to annular intravaginal devices comprising an aperture, methods of making, and uses thereof. The annular devices comprise an aperture extending into the device, the aperture having: (a) an interior diameter, and (b) an exterior entry diameter, wherein the exterior entry diameter of the aperture is less than the interior diameter of the aperture.

intravaginal devices can be used to vaginally administer an active agent to a female subject. Various benefits are associated with vaginal delivery of active agents. For example, intravaginal delivery can provide administration of the active agent to a subject while avoiding the first-pass effect in the liver. Active agents administered intravaginally can directly diffuse through the vaginal tissues to provide local or systemic effects. The ability to provide a local or systemic effect allows intravaginal delivery to treat numerous conditions within and outside the vaginal and/or urogenital tract such as hormonal dysfunctions, inflammation, infection, pain, and incontinence. As a result, intravaginal delivery has been considered an efficacious method for administering various active agents.
Several methods for delivering an active agent intravaginally exist in the art, such as for example, the use of intravaginal rings, intrauterine devices, and intravaginal pessaries. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,823,814; 4,607,630; 4,553,972; 4,286,587; and 4,249,531. Of these methods, intravaginal rings provide a versatile, comfortable method for delivering active agents which can be readily inserted and removed.
There is a need in the art for improved intravaginal devices capable of delivering active agents to the vaginal and/or urogenital tract, with the devices having increased physical integrity, safety, and comfort.


A fishing reel comprising a circumferential drag system including a drum structure within which an expansion member rests. The expansion member carries at its circumference an O-ring brought against the interior surface of the drum structure upon expansion of the expansion element. In this manner, controlled adjustment of the radially outward expansion element establishes a given magnitude drag coefficient for the drag system.

The present application relates generally to sport fishing equipment, and particularly to a drag system for a fishing reel.
Important characteristics of a fishing reel drag system include an ability to recover from emersion, i.e., return to an established drag setting following dowsing, an ability to apply appropriate drag to the fishing line in response to a deployment force, and an ability to resist fatigue during extended use. Unfortunately, most fishing reel drag systems fall short of fully satisfying these important operating criteria.
Fishing reel drag systems use friction to develop a reactive drag force against line windout. Traditionally, drag systems provide an adjustable frictional relationship between elements of the fishing reel. For example, one cork element moves with the fishing reel spool during windout or windin. A second cork element remains stationary relative to the fishing reel housing. The cork elements are adjustably urged together to establish a given drag or resistance to rotation of the fishing reel spool. The magnitude of drag developed against line windout is set according to equipment used, prevailing conditions, and user preference. When the reactive drag force is excessive, however, the fishing reel drag system develops excess line tension in response to a strong deployment force, e.g., a large fish on, and can result in a broken fishing rod tippet at the strike or on the initial run following strike.
Existing drag systems lack for failure to avoid sudden excess line tension during initial application of a deployment force, e.g., fish on. The drag system reacts to a deployment force by providing a reactive force on the fishing line. A deployment force below a given drag threshold will not windout line, but once exceeding this drag threshold the fishing reel spool begins to windout fishing line. Line tension is dictated by the deployment force until the drag system allows windout. During windout, line tension is limited by the reactive drag force produced by the drag system, i.e., line tension is a function of the drag setting during windout.
By adjusting the amount of friction produced by the drag system, i.e., by adjusting the drag setting, maximum line tension is limited to a given magnitude. Before windout begins, however, the drag system produces a large reactive force as it overcomes the static friction of the drag system. The large reactive force produces a corresponding large magnitude line tension. As windout commences, the drag system produces a relatively lesser magnitude reactive force, being derived then from dynamic friction within the drag system. As may be appreciated, the relatively lesser magnitude reactive force during windout produces a corresponding lesser magnitude line tension.
To limit line tension absolutely below a given magnitude, the drag setting must be set such that its initial relatively larger magnitude reactive force corresponds to the desired maximum line tension allowed. Unfortunately, such a setting may be inappropriate during windout, i.e., such a setting may provide insufficient drag during windout. The drag setting is, therefore, a compromise somewhere in a range between that appropriate for windout and that appropriate at the onset of windout. As a result, one must accept more risk of lost fish or broken tippets when the drag system is set more appropriately for windout and less appropriately for the onset of windout.
Thus, conventional drag systems suffer due to a large difference in line tension developed in response to a given line deployment force.
Cork material has a relatively high frictional coefficient of drag. To make matters worse, cork has often been coated in an attempt to make the cork more water resistant. Because cork quickly losses its effectiveness, i.e., provides substantially less drag, when exposed to water, a conventional fishing reel becomes virtually worthless for a time following unintended emersion.
Another problem found in traditional fishing reels is that of drag fatigue, i.e., the drag system losing its ability to provide a consistent magnitude drag at a given setting when used heavily for extended periods, e.g., all day. Many drag systems fatigue during use and provide lesser and lesser magnitude drag. As may be appreciated, a more consistent application of drag force is desirable throughout the day for improved drag performance.
Accordingly, it is often necessary to carry several fishing reels during a fishing excursion in the event that one fishing reel gets wet or becomes fatigued and thereby loses an ability to provide appropriate reactive drag in response to a line deployment force. Even with multiple reels, one must deal with the problem of large variation in line tension resulting from an inability of the drag system to provide consistent line tension in response to a given magnitude line deployment force.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide in a fishing reel an improved drag system not contributing to sudden large variation in line tension during initial fish strike or initial run. A fishing reel should be effective even following complete emersion in water, quickly recovering to provide consistent reactive drag at a given drag setting. Finally, a fishing reel should not fatigue during use, making it available for use throughout an extended fishing excursion.


An intramedullary bone fixation device is disclosed herein. The device includes a first longitudinally extending member, a second longitudinally extending member, and a coupling member. The first longitudinally extending member includes a connector end and a bone engagement end opposite the connector end. The second longitudinally extending member includes a connector end and a bone engagement end opposite the connector end. The coupling member is configured to engage the connector ends of the respective longitudinally extending members, thereby coupling the first longitudinally extending member to the second longitudinally extending member. The device may be provided in an kit form at least partially unassembled. The device may be delivered into a fracture and fully assembled within the fracture or adjacent bone via percutaneous or minimally invasive surgical procedures. The device, on account of its configuration and assembly, may be considered modular in some cases.

Certain types and severities of bone fractures require orthopedic surgery to properly align the fracture and to implant an artificial structure across the fracture to maintain the proper alignment and reinforce the fractured bone as the fracture heals. An example of a fracture that often demands the implantation of an artificial structure across the fracture is a fracture at the distal radius, which is one of the most common sites of bone fracture and is the most common fracture site in the upper extremity, accounting for approximately 10% of all fractures in adults. A distal radial fracture often occurs as a compression injury that is sustained while the patient experiences axial loading of the bone as a result of a fall. This type of fracture is particularly common in elderly patients due to osteoporosis and in younger, physically active patients.
In 2004, there were over 1.5 million distal radial fractures, and this number is expected to increase steeply as the population ages. However, despite this frequency, the methods available to repair the distal radius are limited and prone to a variety of complications that limit the clinical outcome following definitive treatment. For example, open reduction of the distal radius enables the surgeon to most confidently realign the distal radius bone fragments and restore stability to the joint. This method is required in approximately 25% of patients (˜375,000/year). Unfortunately, current practice requires the surgeon to disrupt the soft tissues over a 10 cm distance adjacent to the joint to expose the bone for placement of hardware to stabilize the fracture, such as a dorsal or volar locking plate. Thus, improved bone stability is achieved by sacrificing the integrity of an extensive tendon, ligament and neuromuscular network that is critical for proper wrist function. Also, plating techniques external to the bone can become a source of irritation to the soft tissue, including tendons and peripheral nerves. Such soft tissue irritation necessitates revision surgeries in over 30% of patients to remove the offending plates. This results in additional cost, disability and surgical risk to the patient. Furthermore, since plates are load-shielding as opposed to load-sharing, plates do not promote the bone remodeling that is necessary for better long-term strength of the bone tissue. Similar issues exist with respect to the treatment of other types of fractures (e.g., fractures in long bones, such as, for example, the proximal ulna and radius at the elbow, the distal humerus at the elbow, the proximal humerus at the shoulder, the proximal femur at the hip, the distal femur and proximal tibia at the knee, the distal tibia and other ankle and foot bones, the clavicle, and the spine, etc.)
There is a need in the art for devices and methods that offer improved outcomes for the treatment of bone fractures, resulting in better aligned and stronger healed fractures, reducing the likelihood of a revision being necessary, and reducing the damage to soft tissue adjacent the fracture. There is also a need in the art for devices and methods that offer a reduction in the surgical time required for the treatment of bone fractures.

Intramedullary repair system for bone fractures


A method of growing epitaxial semiconductor layers with reduced crystallographic defects. The method includes growing a first epitaxial semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate under conditions of relatively high temperature and low source gas flow to heal defects in or on the surface of the substrate. Subsequently, a second epitaxial semiconductor layer is grown on the first layer under conditions of relatively low temperature and high source gas flow. The first epi layer acts as a low-defect seed layer by preventing defects in the surface of the substrate from propagating into the second epi layer. Optionally, a hydrogen chloride etch may be employed during a portion of the first epi layer growth to increase the efficacy of the first layer.

Integrated circuits have revolutionized virtually all areas of human activity. Although the processes for manufacturing integrated circuits are extremely complex and expensive, manufacturers have developed mass production techniques to reduce the costs per integrated circuit (unit cost) to a few dollars for most circuits. As a result, millions of integrated circuits are incorporated into a diverse array of consumer, industrial, and military products each year.
However, the integrated circuit manufacturing industry is one of the most competitive in the world. Even a small increase or decrease in a manufacturer's unit cost can have a dramatic impact on the maiiufacturer's profits or market share. To remain competitive in this market, integrated circuit manufacturers must continuously strive to reduce their unit cost by increasing both yield and throughput.
Yield is a measure of the number of integrated circuits which are free of fatal defects (i.e., defects which prevent the circuit from functioning properly). Integrated circuits are typically manufactured on semiconductor wafers. Depending on the relative sizes of the wafer and integrated circuit, a single wafer may contain from just a few, to hundreds of integrated circuits. Yield is usually expressed as the average percentage of integrated circuits per wafer which are free of fatal defects. Yield may be measured at the end of a particular processing step, or may be measured at the end of the entire manufacturing process. In either case, a higher yield means that manufacturing costs are spread over a larger number of integrated circuits, thus reducing the unit cost.
Throughput is a measure of the number of integrated circuits which are manufactured in a particular time period. Throughput is sometimes expressed as the number of `wafers per hour` which are cycled through a particular process such as an epitaxial reactor. If the throughput of an epitaxial reactor is increased, then fewer reactors are needed to process a given number of wafers, thus saving capital equipment expenditures and reducing the unit cost.
Unfortunately, yield and throughput can be conflicting goals. Modifications to the manufacturing process that are intended to increase throughput often result in lower yield, and vice versa. As a result, manufacturers typically must make compromises between maximum yield and maximum throughput to minimize their unit cost. One integrated circuit manufacturing process in which this yield versus throughput conflict arises is epitaxy.
Epitaxy generally involves the growth or deposition of a single-crystal layer of semiconductor material on the surface of a semiconductor substrate of the same material such that the epitaxial layer has the same crystal orientation as the underlying substrate. Many modern integrated circuits are foamed in epitaxial semiconductor layers on a semiconductor substrate rather than in the substrate itself. Therefore, growth of high quality epitaxial layers (epi layers) at low cost is an important goal for many integrated circuit manufacturers.
Two important characteristics which determine the quality of an epi layer, and thus the yield of the manufacturing process, are the number of crystallographic defects and the transition width. Crystallographic defects are non-uniformities in the crystal structure of the epi layer. Many of these crystallographic defects are caused by defects or impurities in the substrate surface which then propagate into the epi layer during epitaxial growth. Stacking faults are a common example of such crystallographic defects which can cause operating failures in circuits formed in the epi layer. Thus, a reduction in these defects may increase yield.
The transition width describes the thickness of the region of the epi layer adjacent the substrate where the dopant concentration is higher or lower than in the remainder of the epi layer due to diffusion of dopants into and/or out of the substrate. If the transition width extends into the area of the epi layer in which circuits are formed, the circuits may not function properly. Thus, a reduction in transition width may increase yield.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of an epitaxy process step is to increase the throughput of the epitaxial reactor by increasing the growth rate of the epi layer. A higher growth rate means reducing the time needed to grow an epi layer of a particular thickness, which allows more wafers to be processed in a given time period.
However, increased growth rates typically lead to increased defects in the epi layer. Further, one of the primary techniques for increasing the growth rate--raising the temperature of the substrate during growth--causes increased dopant diffusion, thereby increasing the transition width. As a result, manufacturers often must compromise between high throughput and high yield to minimize their unit costs.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a process for growing an epitaxial semiconductor layer at a high growth rate to maximize throughput, while also maximizing yield by reducing the number of crystallographic defects and the transition width. Such a process could significantly reduce a manufacturer's unit cost.

Growth of epitaxial semiconductor material with improved crystallographic properties


A particulate sorbent includes a carbonaceous and/of non-carbonaceous particulate matter encapsulated in sol-gel sorbent matrix where microparticles of a porous sol-gel metal oxide network display a high surface area with small cross-section pores and a nanoparticle or microparticle filler that is a carbonaceous and/or non-carbonaceous particulate matter. The particulate sorbent is prepared by dispersing carbonaceous and/of non-carbonaceous particulate matter in a mixture of a metal oxide precursor, water, catalyst and optionally a solvent and a polymer functionalized to react with the metal oxide precursor. Catalysis is by acid followed by base to separate hydrolysis in the sol with condensation to a gel to give a highly porous gel. The gel is subsequently fractured into sorbent particles. The sorbent particles can be used for sampling or separating analytes.

Traditionally, a large number of particulate matters are used individually or in different combinations as adsorbents in water filtration system, air pollutant trapping systems, sewerage treatment plants, to name a few. This particulate matters include activated carbon, metal-organic framework, carbon nanotube, biochar, iron oxide, alumina, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, graphene, beta-cyclodextrin, calixarenes, manganese oxide, poly(styrene-divinyl benzene), carboxen, fullerene, cation exchange resins, anion exchange resins, and zwitterionic resins. These particulate matters offer a large variety of intermolecular interactions towards analytes via μ-μ stacking interactions, cation-μ bonding interactions, electron donor-acceptor interactions, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding interaction, cation exchange, anion exchange, and dipole-dipole interactions depending on their functional characteristics. Advantageously, many of these particulate matters possess extremely high surface area but disadvantageously demonstrate a strong tendency to form agglomeration. In their pristine form, aggregation excludes a large portion of these particles' available surface area to analytes that by intermolecular and/or ionic interactions undergo adsorption onto the surface of the particulate matters. As a result, the adsorption capacities of many of these particulate materials remain largely unexploited in practical applications.
Surface-bonded inorganic/hybrid organic-inorganic polymer coatings and monolithic beds are popular sorbents. These systems display high chemical stability and offer a diverse array of extracting phases for solvent-free/solvent minimized analytical sample preparation. The availability of a wide variety of sol-gel precursors and sol-gel active organic polymers allow facile synthesis of advanced material systems with unique selectivity, enhanced extraction sensitivity and high thermal, mechanical and solvent stability. This sol-gel derived inorganic/hybrid organic-inorganic advanced material system have been shown to be effective in solvent free/solvent minimized sample preparation for a wide variety of analytes with biological, environmental, clinical, toxicological, food, pharmaceutical, bio-analytical, and forensic significance.
Sol-gel technology is adaptable to forming multi-component materials that have customized surface morphologies, selectivities and affinities of the sorbent. A wide variety of sol-gel silica, titania, zirconia, alumina, and germania-based precursors are commercially available. Additionally, a wide range of sol-gel reactive organic ligands are available to design inorganic/hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel coatings or monolithic beds that can be used to target a particular analyte or sample matrix with improved selectivity, sensitivity, extraction phase stability and performance.
To this end a carbonaceous or non-carbonaceous particulate matter encapsulated in sol-gel sorbent matrix has the potential to provide selective and efficient sorbents. The encapsulation of particulate matters in sol-gel inorganic matrix successfully prevents their agglomeration; on the other hand, the encapsulation of particulate matters in sol-gel hybrid organic-inorganic matrix synergistically extends the affinity and selectivity of the composite sorbent towards the target analyte(s). Such effect can't be achieved by using only the pristine particulate matters, sol-gel inorganic matrix (e.g., sol-gel silica) or sol-gel hybrid organic-inorganic (sol-gel silica bonded to organic polymer) matrix.

Encapsulated particulate matters in a sol-gel silica matrix and method of preparation

THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES