A system, a method, and article of manufacture are employed to clean the input/output transducers on tape drives, verified by the tape drives reading alphanumeric information from data tracks and servo tracks of a cleaner tape. An aggressive cleaning frontcoat section of the cleaner tape can be used to provide additional cleaning action, and the cleanliness of the data read elements, data write elements, and the servo heads. A less-abrasive cleaning section may be used to clean less difficult types of contaminants. In this manner, the cleanliness of the data read elements, the data write elements, and the servo heads can be verified. A cleaning section may also be used as a leader section of a self-characterization section. Alternatively, a magnetic data tape section may be included for self-characterization.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related in general to cleaning tape drives. More particularly, the invention consists of a novel system and method for determining when an input/output transducer of a tape drive is clean.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Storage automation products, such as the IBM 3584 Ultra Scalable Tape Library, provided by International Business Machines ("IBM")®, include tape drives, one or more robotic accessors, and a plurality of storage cells for tape cartridges. The tape drives traditionally have input/output ("I/O") transducers known as a tape head or an I/O head. During use, the I/O transducer inside of each tape drive can become contaminated with debris. This requires that the I/O transducer be cleaned with a cleaner tape.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,209, Mohammed Siddiq describes a multifunctional cleaning tape used as part of a video cassette for cleaning the magnetic head of a video cassette recorder ("VCR") and providing diagnostic/instructional information to a user. The tape includes a first, non-magnetic cleaning segment for cleaning the magnetic head followed by a magnetic diagnostic segment containing prerecorded diagnostic information. The diagnostic information includes information relating to the cleanliness of the magnetic head and for adjusting the VCR for improved visual and audio output and tape tracking. However, Siddiq does not disclose reading servo information as a means of testing the cleanliness of the tape servo head.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,613, Robert DeMaster et al. disclose a cassette having a leader and recordable tape which cleans the various components of the tape path in VCRs by dry scrubbing. Interactive diagnostic and instructional material is recorded on the tape to instruct the operator about the cleaning operation to enable the operator to evaluate progress of the head cleaning operation. However, DeMaster also does not disclose reading servo information as a means of testing the cleanliness of the tape servo head. While the prior art teaches testing for clean data-head elements, none of the prior art teaches testing for clean servo-head elements. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a system for cleaning and verifying the servo-head elements are clean utilizing a single tape cartridge.
The type of cleaning media and cleaning motion used to clean a drive head varies with the type of contaminant deposited on the drive head. Additionally, the time allowed to clean a drive head may be limited by host and system timeout conditions. Yet another consideration for cleaner cartridges is that a segment of relatively high-strength leader tape is necessary to allow threading of the tape into the cleaner cartridge during removal and replacement ("R&R") procedures. If this leader tape is made from highly abrasive material, traditional algorithms for cleaning drive-heads may inadvertently overclean and damage the drive head. These same cleaning algorithms could produce overcleaning and damage to the drive head utilizing other portions of the cleaning tape, if the entire cleaner tape was made using a highly abrasive material. However, if the abrasiveness of the entire cleaner tape is reduced, the effectiveness of the cleaner tape would likewise be reduced and the time to clean difficult contaminants may be insufficient. Therefore, it would be advantageous to utilize a cleaner tape that can remove multiple types of contaminants utilizing multiple types of cleaner without overcleaning and damaging the drive and or requiring an extended period of time to complete.

System and method for cleaning a tape drive

International Business Machines Corporation


A prefabricated sleeve is adapted to be used in a molten metal pouring container comprising at least one pouring orifice in the form of a substantially frustoconical hole into which a pouring nozzle is inserted axially. The sleeve is inserted into an annular space formed between the hole and the outside of the nozzle for fixing the nozzle into the hole. The sleeve is prefabricated from inorganic particles bound together by a binder that has a predetermined rate of deterioration at the temperatures present during pouring of the molten metal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a molten metal pouring container comprising lateral walls and a bottom covered with a permanent refractory lining, the bottom comprising at least one pouring orifice in the permanent lining of said bottom, this orifice being a substantially frustoconical hole in which a pouring nozzle is axially inserted, an annular space being provided between the hole in the permanent lining and the outside of the nozzle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A container of this kind may be a molten metal pouring container such as a pouring ladle or a transfer container such as a pouring distributor.
The permanent lining and more importantly the pouring nozzle are made from a very hard refractory material.
In the conventional way, the pouring nozzle is joined by a layer of refractory cement to the surface of the frustoconical hole of a nozzle seating block inserted into the permanent lining or to the surface of a frustoconical hole formed directly in the permanent lining.
At the end of pouring it is necessary to detach the nozzle from the hole in the nozzle seating block or from the permanent lining in order to replace it with a new nozzle since it is practically blocked by slag adhering to its surface.
A ram which pushes the nozzle towards the interior of the container is used for this purpose.
This damages the surface of the frustoconical hole in the nozzle seating block. Because of this, the nozzle seating block must be replaced by a new block after each pouring operation, which is time-consuming and costly. The same applies if the hole is formed directly in the permanent lining.
FR-A-2 119 057 describes a container for iron and steel in which the annular space between the hole in the lining and the perimeter of the nozzle is thin (a few millimeters thick at most) and is filled with a highly refractory fibrous material that reacts only very slightly if at all with the materials of the surfaces of the joint. This fibrous material is preferably fused kaolin in fibrous form.
This solution requires difficult and unpleasant manual work in an environment that is unfavorable because of the heat, to make a guaranteed molten metal tight joint with the guaranteed safety required of a joint of this kind.
An object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks.

Molten metal pouring container and prefabricated sleeve for fixing a nozzle in a container of this kind


A connector assembly comprises a first connector, a second connector, at least one outer sliding element, at least one inner sliding element, a first shaft and a second shaft. The second connector is connected with the first connector by a signal cable, and the inner sliding element is relatively slid and rotated with the outer sliding element; the first shaft is rotatably and pivotally engaged with the first connector and the second shaft is rotatably and pivotally engaged with the second connector, and outer sliding element and the inner sliding element are connected between the first shaft and the second shaft. Consequently, the multi-turning connecting head has a multi-direction rotational function and a different-length adjustable function.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a multi-turning connecting head for electrically connecting.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently with the rapidly development of computer technology, many peripheral equipment related to the computers continuously increase, and the development of the Internet brings complicated connection problems between the peripheral equipment and the portable computers, desktop computers or servers. However, the computer engineers develop different kinds of connecting head such as the USB, IEEE 1394, and PS2 etc. for solving the complicated connection problems between the peripheral equipment and the computer hosts.
In general, the connecting heads of the USB, IEEE 1394, and PS2 etc. are directly inserted into the connecting ports or the connecting sockets that the connecting heads easily interfere with use of the adjacent socket or are extruded so as to decrease the life cycle when being used in a limited space or near the wall.
Taiwanese Patent No. 570,391 discloses a multi-turning connecting head for computer equipment. Wherein the connecting head has a multi-direction rotational function for providing a rotational connection so as to avoid interfering use of the adjacent socket, and when being used in a limited space or near the wall, the connecting head does not be extruded so as to increase the life cycle.
However, although the connecting head of the prior art has the multi-direction rotational function, the connecting head does not a flexible function for adjusting. Hence, the connecting head of the prior art has a limited operation.
The inventor of the present invention recognizes the above shortage should be corrected and special effort has been paid to research this field. The present invention is presented with reasonable design and good effect to resolve the above problems.


Provided are a method, system, and machine readable medium for using multiple non-volatile memory devices to store data in a computer system. Access to a first and second memory devices are managed. The first memory device has faster read access and slower write access relative to the second memory device and the second memory device has slower read access and faster write access relative to the first memory device. Write requests to the first memory device are cached in the second memory device.

A computer system includes a basic input/output system (BIOS) memory that stores the code for the boot sequence the central processing unit (CPU) executes to power-on and initialize the computer components. Typically, the CPU executing the BIOS code initializes certain hardware components, such as the memory, and then spins-up the hard disk drives. After the hard disk drives are operable, the CPU will then load the operating system from one hard disk drive to boot the system. In certain implementations, the boot code or BIOS may be stored in a NOR flash device, where the boot code may be executed directly "in-place" from the NOR device.
Another ubiquitous form of flash memory is the NAND memory device, which typically is less expensive and stores several times more data than a NOR device. A NOR device provides faster read access, but slower write access relative to the NAND device.

Using multiple non-volatile memory devices to store data in a computer system


A method and system for determining the relative strength and classification of rock strata in near real-time during drilling operations is provided for use in underground mines. Neural network technology is used to classify mine roof strata in terms of, for example, relative strength or strength index as the roof bolt hole is being drilled (i.e., in near real-time). Measurements taken while a layer of the rock strata is being drilled are used to compute the specific energy input and convert these data to suitably scaled features. A neural network is then used to classify the strength of the layer. The neural network can be trained using data of known rock strata classifications prior to using it to classify new measurements. The present system allows for detection of unsafe conditions within the rock strata being drilled, and allows appropriate warnings to be issued in near real-time so that appropriate actions can be taken.

The present invention relates to methods of characterization of rock strata in underground mining operations. More specifically, this invention relates to real-time methods employing neural networks for assessing the relative strength of rock strata, and, thus, relative risk of roof collapse or failure during roof bolting and similar operations.
Currently there are about 2,000 underground mines operating in the United States,. including about 1,200 to 1,400 coal mines, about 500 to 600 mineral mines, and about 100 stone mines. Roof bolting is an essential, although extremely hazardous, operation in underground mines to maintain the integrity of a horizontal mine shaft and to help prevent the roof of the mine from collapsing during or after the earth and desired mineral or product has been excavated from the shaft end. Placement of roof bolts (generally about 1 to 3 meters long) is used to reinforce the rock and to significantly enhance the safety of later miners working in the mine environment.
The actual workers drilling and placing the roof bolts are, however, exposed to the significant risk of roof collapse or failure during the bolting operations. As the mine face is extended, a bolting machine first drills holes in the passageway roof and then inserts and sets bolts into the mine roof to keep the roof from collapsing. In order to improve safety, some mining machines have integrated the roof bolting apparatus into the continuous mining machines, thereby reducing the risk of roof collapse. Roof bolting apparatus generally incorporate roof support members to further support the roof during installation of the bolts. Since roof bolting is one of the most dangerous operations in all of underground mining, roof bolters that work ahead of the continuous miner are also being developed. These pre-mining bolters drill into the seam to be mined and insert bolts at this early stage, thereby greatly reducing the risk of roof collapse. These newer roof bolter units may incorporate contemporary robotics technology. In spite of these safety precautions and improvements, the operators of the roof bolting machines and their helpers still are exposed to significant risk; in fact, even with these advances, the process of drilling and bolting the roof is currently one the most dangerous jobs in underground mining. Approximately 1,000 accidents with injuries occur each year in the United States which can be attributed to roof bolting operations.
It would be desirable, therefor, to provide additional methods to increase the safety of underground miners, especially those involved in drilling and placement of roof bolts. It would also be desirable to provide methods which allow real-time or near real-time characterization of the roof strata, including relative strength of the roof strata, as the roof bolt holes are being drilled. It would also be desirable to provide methods and monitoring systems that can be used with conventional roof drilling and bolting machines that can assess the integrity of a mine roof and provide real time warning to the roof drill operator when a weak layer is encountered in the rock strata. The present invention employs neural network techniques to provide such methods and devices. Thus, measurements taken while roof bolt bore is being drilled can be converted to suitably scaled features which allows the various layers of rock strata encountered in the drilling operation to be classified as to relative strength using a neural network. Suitable warning devices can be activated as the drilling progresses if weak or otherwise unsafe strata are encountered.
The present invention provides methods for the characterization of rock strata in underground mining operations during drilling operations. More specifically, this invention provides real-time or near real-time methods using neural networks for assessing the relative strength of rock strata, and, thus, relative risk of roof collapse or failure during roof bolting and similar operations. Using the data generated, real-time or near real-time decisions can be made regarding the relative strength of the rock strata to provide bolter operators and other workers warning of questionable rock layers. Using this information, modification of support and/or roof bolting strategies can be made in near real-time. In addition, advanced warning of potentially unsafe roof conditions can be generated. The ability to provide near real-time data and/or warnings regarding the rock strata and drilling operations is especially important since the process of drilling and bolting the roof is currently one of the most dangerous jobs in underground mining. By using the present monitoring system on a roof drill to assess the integrity of a mine roof, a roof drill operator could be warned when a weak layer is encountered. Such a warning could make the difference between life and death for the operator.
For purposes of this invention, xe2x80x9creal-timexe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cnear real-timexe2x80x9d determinations or processes are meant to include relatively short time frames such that the relevant information being gathered can be converted into useful and predictive output information during the actual drilling operation so as to allow the operator to modify his or her actions based on the information being supplied. In other words, the delay from the time the data is collected during the drilling operation to the time in which the results of the neural network classification system are available to the operator is relatively short (i.e., preferably within about 1 minute, more preferably within about 10 seconds, and most preferably within about a second).
A cross-section of a typical mine roof and various types of roof support, including bolts, are shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, mine roof structure can include numerous types or layers of rock. The roof structure can significantly change between roof bolt locations. Thus, an operator drilling roof bolt holds can encounter very different rock strata. Thus, it would be desirable to provide real-time or near real-time data regarding the stability and relative strength of the rock strata encountered during drilling to allow the operator to take the necessary safety precautions (including both short- and long-term precautions) as soon as an unstable situation arises.
The present invention utilizes neural network technology in order to classify mine roof strata in terms of, for example, relative strength. That is, measurements taken while a layer is being drilled can be used to compute the specific energy input and convert these data to suitably scaled features. A neural network is then used to classify the strength of the layer. The neural network can be trained using data of known rock strata classifications prior to using it to classify new measurements. Data from actual drilling operations can be used to upgrade and/or improve the recognition or classification of rock strata by the neural network.
One object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining and analyzing, in near real-time, the relative strength of rock strata during drilling operations in an underground mine, said method comprising
(1) collecting data from a plurality of sensors monitoring a rock drill during roof bolt drilling operations;
(2) converting the data to computer readable input data using transducers coupled with the plurality of sensors in near real-time;
(3) analyzing the computer readable input data in near real-time using a neural network analyzer to determine relative strength and classification of the rock strata encountered by the rock drill; and
(4) providing an output signal detailing the relative strength and classification of the rock strata encountered by the rock drill in near real-time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for determining and analyzing, in near real-time, the relative strength of rock strata during drilling operations, said method comprising
(1) collecting data from a plurality of sensors monitoring a rock drill during drilling operations;
(2) converting the data to computer readable input data using transducers coupled with the plurality of sensors in near real-time;
(3) analyzing the computer readable input data in near real-time using a neural network analyzer to determine relative strength and classification of the rock strata encountered by the rock drill; and
(4) providing an output signal detailing the relative strength and classification of the rock strata encountered by the rock drill in near real-time.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for determining and analyzing, in near real-time, the relative strength of rock strata during drilling operations in an underground mine, said system comprising
(1) a plurality of sensors for monitoring and collecting a plurality of subsets of data from a rock drill, wherein the plurality of the subsets of data correspond to layers of rock encountered by the rock drill during roof bolt drilling operations;
(2) transducers coupled with the plurality of sensors to convert the subsets of data from the rock drill to computer readable data in near real-time;
(3) a computer system to accept and analyze the computer readable data in near real-time using a neural network analyzer to determine relative strength and classification of the rock strata encountered by the rock drill; and
(4) an output device coupled to the computer system to provide an output signal detailing the relative strength and classification of the rock strata encountered by the rock drill in near real-time. Preferably, the output device includes both audio and visual signaling capabilities to warn the rock drill operator and other workers in the area if unstable and unsafe rock strata are encountered so that the operator and other workers can take appropriate actions in near retal-time.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the present specification.

Method for characterization of rock strata in drilling operations

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


Clumping animal litter compositions comprising particulate attapulgite clay having a moisture content in the range of from about 10 to 23 percent free moisture and a particle size distribution of from about 8 to about 40 mesh, preferably about 10 to 30 mesh. Method of production includes selection of an attapulgite clay having an API yield value of at least 80 barrels per ton and, preferably, kneading and extruding the clay, milling and heating the clay to a temperature not exceeding about 250.degree. F. to reduce the moisture content to about 10 to 23 percent, and screening the product to a mesh size of about 8 to 40 mesh.

As a result of an increasingly greater proportion of the population residing in cities with smaller homes and apartments, the housing of small pets presents additional problems. This is especially true of domestic cats which are confined indoors most of the time. As a result, the pet owner must provide for the animal waste materials, such as feces and urine. Most house-broken cats have learned to use a litter box which is generally a pan filled with an absorbent material, such as clay, wood chips, wood shavings, sawdust, porous polymeric materials, shredded paper, sand, etc.
A desirable absorbent for pet litter compositions possesses not only high moisture absorptivity, but also has a high absorptivity for odors, a low degree of dusting, adequate crush strength and a lack of toxicity to the pet. Granular clay pet litters have been available for approximately forty years and are typically 6/30 mesh size clays. These clays may be bentonite-type clays or attapulgite and typically, have been dried to a free moisture content of less than about 8 percent
An unpleasant chore faced by many pet owners is keeping the litter box clean so as to avoid unpleasant odors, spread of disease, etc. Generally, the feces can be merely separated from the absorbent material by use of a scoop or slotted spoon, but the liquid urine can spread throughout the absorbent material in the litter box and create a problem of odors and be a source of disease. As a result, the pet owner must discard the entire contents of the box after a relatively short period of use.
Recently, several products have been introduced that provide a clumping or agglomeration of the absorbent so as to form a clump of sufficient strength and integrity to be removed from the litter box and leave the unused absorbent material for further use. These products generally include an additive, such as a water absorbent polymer which clumps when contacted with the animal urine; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,420.See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,115 which proposes the use of a water-swellable bentonite clay which agglomerates and forms a stable mass upon contact with animal urine. The water swellable bentonite clays are described as being any member of the dioctahedral or trioctahedral smectite group, with montmorillonite being the most commonly known example. Although, attapulgite and sepiolite are also mentioned as examples of bentonite clay, these materials are not classified as bentonite clays by those skilled in clay technology.
The clumping litter materials which have been introduced over the past 5 years, are generally a finer absorbent material, typically being about 30/60 mesh. However, this presents disadvantages, since pets can track the 30/60 mesh more readily than the previously used granular 6/30 mesh products. Also, the clump's strength is often insufficient, and the clumps break up when the pets walk on them, or attempts are made to scoop the clumps up for removal from the litter. Further, those clumps that have high clump strength do not readily disintegrate in water and thus cannot be flushed in the toilet, and the chemical polymer additives which are sometimes used to improve clump strength, may impose an environmental hazard.
Other patents of interest, disclosing various clay-based animal litter compositions are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,895,873, 3,029,783, 4,591,581 and 4,657,881. Several patents also describe use of various additives in animal litter compositions, primarily for controlling odor. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,352,792, 4,437,429, 4,407,231, 4,844,010, 4,949,672, 5,005,520 and 5,018,482.


A mop comprising an elongated handle having an oblong sponge mounted on one end for washing a flat surface such as a floor or window. A housing is mounted on the elongated handle above the oblong sponge. The handle is provided with a device for selectively retracting the sponge into the housing and simultaneously wringing the sponge. A wiper blade is mounted on the housing and is positioned to wipe the surface being mopped when the sponge is retracted within the housing. A roller is mounted to the mop and has a removable covering of absorbent, washable material. The roller contacts the surface being mopped and dries the surface when the sponge is retracted within the housing. The device eliminates all traces of water and soap residue from the mopped surface and thus eliminates unsightly water marks and streaks.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mop. In particular, this invention relates to a retractable mop having a wiper blade on one side and a drying roller on another side to eliminate excess water and soap residue.
2. The Prior Art
Various different styles of mops for cleaning floors, walls and glass have been used over time. The typical style that is commonly purchased by consumers for general floor cleaning consists of an oblong sponge mounted on a pole. There is usually a mechanism for wringing out the sponge without the user having to touch the wet sponge. This mechanism can be in the form of lateral rollers that extend to squeeze the sponge such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,201,079 to Camden, or a bending apparatus that folds the sponge in half and presses it together.
These mops are adequate for general cleaning purposes, but often leave a wet, soapy residue on the surface being cleaned. Several attempts have been made to improve on the typical mop to reduce the residue. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,248 to Kieson et al. discloses a wiper for a wringer mop having rollers of the above-mentioned type. The wiper is attached to the lower portion of the mop handle and has a flexible blade that extends across one side of the sponge portion of the mop. The blade is of the "squeegee" type and wipes the floor clean of any residue after the sponge travels over the floor. The wiper is able to contact the floor when the mop is placed at an angle of about 135 degrees relative to the floor.
While this device is an improvement over the basic sponge mop, a squeegee type wiper can still leave significant water residue on the surface being cleaned. This residue can lead to unsightly spotting, especially with very smooth surfaces such as glass and polished marble and granite.


A method and system for locating a source of a signal. The source may be a wireless marker that is implanted in an object, such as a human body. The signal generated by the marker is a magnetic field. The location system uses an array of sensors to measure the magnetic field of the marker at various sensor locations. The location system compares the set of actual measurements to sets of reference measurements for various known locations within a bounding volume. Based on the comparisons, the location system identifies the set of reference measurements that most closely matches the set of actual measurements. The location system then uses sets of reference measurements for known locations near the closest known location to more accurately determine the marker location when it is not actually at one of the known locations.

Implantable markers have been used to identify locations within objects, such as a human body. For example, a marker may be implanted in a patient within an organ of interest. As the patient moves, the marker can be used to track the location of the organ. Various techniques have been used to identify the location of such markers. For example, one technique requires a person to move a sensor over the area above the marker. When the sensor is positioned directly over the marker, the person may be given a visual or audio indication. A difficulty with such a technique for identifying a marker location is it does not provide the actual location of the marker (e.g., x, y, and z coordinates) and may not have the needed degree of accuracy.
One technique has been described for locating a source of an electrical signal within the brain by sensing the magnetic field generated by an electrical signal. This technique relies on a probability distribution to help identify the location of the source. A difficulty with such a technique is it may not have the needed degree of accuracy.
It would be desirable to have a technique for locating an implantable marker in real time and in the needed degree of accuracy.

Method and system for marker localization


A system for providing transdermal communication with, and power to, a subcutaneously implanted device, for example the stimulator unit of a cochlear implant, by means of pairs of orthogonally wound, inductively coupled coils. The system provides a compact coil arrangement particularly suited to behind the ear and in-the ear multi-channel cochlear implants.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the construction and location of inductive links for implanted electrical devices, particularly but not exclusively cochlear prostheses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A transdermal inductive link is commonly used to communicate power and data to implanted devices such as multi-channel cochlear implants. An internal coil is implanted with the device, and an external coil is positioned adjacent to it externally. In cochlear prostheses, it is common to locate the inductive components on the side of the head adjacent the mastoid bone, above and behind the pinna or outer ear. Other positions on the body have also been used, for locating transdermal links for instance on the chest. The inductive coils used are circular or open loops, and typically have a diameter of several centimeters. The external coil is connected to the speech processor via a cable.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,405 there is described a cochlear implant system in which power is transmitted from an external processor and transmitter to an implanted receiver/stimulator by means of an inductive coil inserted into the ear canal. However, the disclosed system requires that data communication between the external and internal devices be carried out by means of a separate, preferably infra-red, communication channel which makes the transcutaneous crossing at a point some distance from the coil. Furthermore the inductive coil used for receiving the transmitted energy is to be implanted around the auditory duct which is a far from straightforward procedure.
In a paper, "Energizing Implantable Transmitters by means of Coupled Inductance Coils", Kadefors et al, p177-183 177, Vol BME-16, No 3, (July 1969) of IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering, the authors discuss the use of ferrite cores to increase the efficiency of inductive transfer to implanted devices however the paper is concerned with only the transmission of power to an implanted circuit not with the more complex problem of supplying both power and data.
In recent years, there has been a trend to miniaturise the speech processor to the extent that it can be mounted behind the pinna. This miniaturisation has however not extended to the coil, which is still separate from the speech processor, connected to it by a cable, and usually mounted some distance above and behind the pinna.
The separate connection of the speech processor to the coil by a cable gives rise to a number of practical difficulties. It is not aesthetically pleasing, and the resulting effect on their appearance is of considerable concern to patients. A further difficulty is that the connecting cable is prone to breakage, and is accordingly a source of unreliability within the system.
An object of this invention is to provide an inductive arrangement of reduced size, so as to enable the elimination of the separate coil and processor arrangement and the cable that connects them.
A further object of the invention is to provide an inductive arrangement of reduced size which can facilitate transmission of both power and data.

Compact inductive arrangement for medical implant data and power transfer


An identification apparatus for backup-type power supply systems aims to be used on a backup-type power supply system which includes real power supply devices and dummy power supply devices to form a N+1 architecture to output power. It has signal generation means located on the real power supply devices and dummy power supply devices to generate real identification signals and dummy identification signals of different potentials and a signal detection means to receive the identification signals to identify the real power supply devices and dummy power supply devices. Thereby operators can clearly understand coupling and installation conditions of the power supply devices of the backup-type power supply system to perform power risk management.

The conventional backup-type power supply system generally includes a plurality of power supply devices formed in a N+1 architecture. Takes 1+1 architecture as an example, it includes two power supply devices. It means that it allows malfunction occurred to one power supply device while another power supply device still maintains normal supply of power. In such a backup-type power supply system the power supply devices share a common structure. In other words, a plurality of power supply devices shares a common chassis and a controlling power integration back panel. In practice, if a higher safety power factor is not considered (such as the power consumption at the rear end electronic device is lower), a real power supply device and a dummy power supply device could commonly share a same structure. For instance, on the 1+1 architecture, only one real power supply device is installed, while a dummy power supply device is installed on another space. The dummy power supply device usually cannot supply power. Due to the constraint of installation space, the dummy power supply device generally has a specification, dimension and profile as that of the real power supply device. But it has a cooling air fan installed inside to avoid affecting the airflow, vibration and mechanical strength of the entire structure. Its power comes from the real power supply device through electrically connecting to a power integration back panel. Moreover, as the power supply device has to equip with safety self-inspection function, after the dummy power supply device is connected to the power integration back panel, it also can output a Power Good (PG) signal.
In the condition in which the dummy power supply device and the real power supply device are used in a mixed manner, if malfunction occurs to either of the dummy power supply device or the real power supply device, the controlling power integration back panel usually will generate a unusual alarm signal. But due to the dummy power supply device and the real power supply device are connected to the back panel through a connector of a standard specification (or a common panel), the monitor people at the remote end cannot distinguish from the alarm signal whether the malfunction occurs to real power supply device or the dummy power supply device unless they actually go to where the backup-type power supply system is installed to do onsite inspection. Hence to the monitor people at the remote site who have to monitor many backup-type power supply systems, they cannot immediately confirm the safety factor of the backup-type power supply systems. This seriously affects risk management capability.

Identification apparatus for backup-type power supply systems


A process for manufacturing and assembling a corner assembly for a vehicle to achieve a perpendicular relationship between an axle of a vehicle and first and second braking surfaces on a rotor. In this process, after an inner race of a bearing is pressed onto a wheel hub and an outer race is pressed into a support structure to define a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is placed onto a locating fixture such that the outer race supports the sub-assembly in a desired alignment where an out board surface on a radial flange is in a perpendicular relationship with the axis of the wheel hub. An arbor is inserted into an axle bore surrounding the axis of the wheel hub and the sub-assembly is rotated on the inner race to simulate operational condition of a vehicle as the surface of the out-board flange is finished machined to define a perpendicular relationship with the axis of the wheel hub. Once the out board surface is finish machined, the wheel hub is in a condition to receive a rotor by bringing an alignment surface on the rotor into engagement with the finished surface of the wheel hub. The rotor is retained on the hub through studs that extend from the wheel hub for attaching a wheel to the wheel rotor. The wheel hub is located such that radial braking surfaces on the rotor are in perpendicular planes with respect to the axis of the axle and parallel to the surfaces of the friction pads.

In currently manufactured vehicles, it is common to have disc brakes installed on all four corners of the vehicle with the wheels mounted on a hub attached to an axle. The wheel is mounted on a hub that is retained in a bearing that is fixed to a support member that in turn is secured to the suspension of the vehicle. A rotor located on the hub has a peripheral surface that is aligned between first and second friction members retained by a caliper member. A brake application is effected by moving first and second friction members into engagement with first and second braking surfaces adjacent to the peripheral surface of the rotor. In disc brake systems, it is important that the first and second friction members and the rotor are maintained in a parallel relationship, otherwise during a revolution of rotation of the rotor, the axial movement, commonly referred to as "lateral runout", between the first and second friction members can vary and adversely effect a smooth brake application. The effect of lateral runout is sensed by an operator as a surging action or movement on the brake pedal and/or vibrations in the vehicle.
Various processes have been suggested to define a perpendicular relationship between a brake rotor and the axis of rotation of the wheel hub such as the conjugate machining of a rotor and a wheel hub in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,388; the finishing of a wheel hub that is attached to a knuckle assembly of a steering mechanism in U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,981; and finishing a rotor when installed on a vehicle in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,928. The processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,842,388 and 6,212,981 function in an adequate manner for original equipment that is installed in the manufacture of a new vehicle, unfortunately wear conditions may make it necessary to replace the rotor. Thereafter, when an original rotor is replaced with a new rotor it is possible that manufacturing tolerances may be cumulative and as a result in a stack up of tolerances the resulting "lateral runout" may be unacceptable in a mixture of new and old components in a disc brake. In addition, the process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,928 while functioning in an adequate manner may be too time consuming and costly for wide spread acceptance of by most owners of vehicle.

Process of manufacturing a corner assembly


A system and method for replicating data in a computer system is disclosed. In one embodiment, data replication between a source subsystem and a target subsystem may be selectively changed between synchronous data transfer and asynchronous data transfer based on the occurrence of selected conditions. In another embodiment, a repository subsystem allows write statements to be queued during the time that the target subsystem is unable to replicate data from the source subsystem.

A cluster is a group of resources consisting of individual servers, storage and network providing highly-available and scalable computing services to clients, managed through software as a single system. One example of a cluster server is a group of two physical servers coupled to one another through a shared cable for the purpose of internode communications. The management of several servers as a single unit improves the availability, manageability, and scalability of the group of servers. In terms of availability, implementing servers as a cluster improves the availability of services or applications by providing a failure mechanism to insure that applications and services continue to operate despite a hardware, operating system, service, or application failure.
Many clustering solutions rely on a "shared" storage model for storing the data and meta-data for the server cluster. The shared storage cluster approach requires that the cluster servers and their storage be co-located. There is a single copy of data and meta-data in a centralized location, accessible to all member servers. The shared storage cluster is susceptible to failures resulting from natural disasters, power outages, and similar events that might affect a single geographic site. In contrast to the shared storage mode, the "stretched" cluster model allows for geographically separated member nodes of a cluster to exist. In a stretch cluster, there are multiple copies of the data and meta-data, one for each site. Accordingly, each server has its own replicating or mirroring storage system. Because the cluster servers may be dispersed to geographically distant locations, the stretched cluster model provides for a disaster tolerant cluster configuration.
The two most common methods for replicating or mirroring data between the nodes of the stretched server cluster are synchronous data replication and asynchronous data replication. In synchronous data replication, when an application performs a write to the storage at its local site, the operation is affected to the copies of the data in all the sites at the same time, or not at all. Therefore, the data remains consistent from one write operation to the next, across the cluster. Generally, synchronous data replication introduces a significant performance overhead, but maintains data integrity. In asynchronous data replication, when an application performs a write to the storage at is local site, that operation is written in the local site first, and eventually affected to the copies of the data in the other sites. Therefore, while data might be inconsistent from one write operation to the next, the local site will have the most up-to-date copy of the data at all times. Asynchronous data replication has better performance characteristics than synchronous data replication, but exposes the cluster to the possibility of data loss.

System and method for data replication in a computer system


The drop wiring from an optical network unit (ONU) to a customer premise includes one or more working circuits and at least one auxiliary circuit. The network interface device at the customer premises is switchable. The interface device normally couples the working circuits to corresponding customer premises wiring circuits. The ONU and the switchable network interface device (SNID) can be automatically activated to activate communication via the auxiliary circuit. For example, if a primary telephone circuit fails or is predicted to fail, the ONU is automatically instructed to place the telephone communications on the auxiliary circuit, and the network instructs the SNID to connect the auxiliary circuit to the customer premises telephone wiring. The automatic activation and switching also facilitates automatic provision of a second line service using the auxiliary circuit.

A variety of telecommunication services, such as telephone service and cable television service, have become virtually ubiquitous, particularly in developed countries such as the United States. A number of economic and technical factors have increased the availability of such services, and in at least some instances, have decreased the cost. As consumers become familiar with these services, the demand for new and enhanced services has increased in an almost exponential manner.
Many common telecommunication services rely on some form of wiring, such as optical fibers, coaxial cables or copper twisted wire pairs to provide the communications to actual customer premises. Installation and maintenance of such wiring presents a variety of problems. Of particular note for purposes of this invention, servicing a request for certain types of service upgrades requires installation of new wiring from network equipment to customer premises equipment. Similarly, repair or replacement of damaged wiring from the network equipment to the customer premises equipment often requires removal of the damaged wiring and installation of new wiring. Any such installation is labor intensive and time consuming making it difficult to quickly provision new services or to restore interrupted services. Although these problems apply to other types of networks, it may be helpful to better illustrate the problems by considering a telephone network in somewhat more detail.
In a typical telephone system, customer premises wiring connects telephone station equipment to a central office switching system via a hardwired line. The line to the customer premises may take many different forms in the field, but most telephone circuit installations still utilize a twisted wire pair type loop or drop for at least the last 500 feet from some form of telephone line terminal into the customer premises. Typically the drop cable from the telephone line terminal comprises an active twisted wire pair carrying a subscriber's telephone service signals and at least one spare pair. The drop cable may run along telephone poles and from an aerial terminal to a network interface device on the customer premises. Alternatively, the drop cable may run underground from a pedestal type terminal to the network interface device. The network interface device in turn connects the drop cable to the customer premises wiring. The customer premises equipment (CPE), e.g. telephone stations and the like, connects to the customer premises wiring.
The NID serves as the point of demarcation between the telephone company wiring and the customer premises wiring. The customer is responsible for maintaining and repairing the customer premises wiring, although some customers contract with the telephone company to service the customer premises wiring. The local telephone company is responsible for maintaining and repairing the telephone line from the central office as far as the NID on the customer premises.
When a subscriber served through the above described telephone line installation requests an upgrade in service by the addition of a second line, the telephone company must execute a complex procedure to physically install and/or connect a new line paralleling the first line. A simplified discussion of the process follows.
FIG. 6 shows the timeline for the process of provisioning and installation for a new service, such as the above described second telephone line. Time values shown in FIG. 6 are exemplary average values, and actual service order processing by a telephone company may take longer times, particularly during periods of increased demand for new services or repairs.
The process begins when a subscriber calls in to the business office of the telephone operating company. The subscriber provides relevant personal information to a service representative, and the subscriber and the service representative negotiate the details of the desired new service. In the present example, the service representative takes the order for the additional telephone line.
When the interaction with the customer is complete, the service representative issues an order for the desired service (new line) and obtains a due date for expected completion of the required provisioning and installation work. On average, the interaction between the subscriber and the representative and the issuance of the service order take 0.7 hours. During the next period, typically averaging about 72 hours, various service personnel provision the new service. For example, these personnel identify switching office resources for allocation to the new service (new line) and program the switching office to allocate those resources to this subscriber.
During the period following issuance of the service order, that order remains pending. This period ends when a technician becomes available and is dispatched to service this customer's order. On the average, approximately 72 hours after issuance of the service order, the telephone operating company dispatches one or more technicians to make connections and install equipment as needed to implement the newly ordered service. In the second telephone line example, this entails connecting up the new line. If the drop cable to the subscriber's premises includes a spare pair, that pair can serve as the new line. In this case, the technician connects the spare pair to appropriate connectors in the network terminal and connects the spare pair to customer premises wiring through the NID. If the drop cable to the subscriber's premises does not include a spare pair, then the technician(s) must actually run a new cable and connect a twisted wire pair from that cable as the new line.
At this point, the technician may run standard tests to determine if the newly installed service is operative, and then the technician closes out the service order. Typically, the installation process requires an average of 2.8 hours. After the installation, the business office contacts the customer as a follow-up, e.g. to determine if the service was installed to the customer's satisfaction. The follow-up may take an additional half hour.
As shown by FIG. 6 and the above discussion, an average installation and associated provisioning for an additional line takes a total of 76 hours from the time that the subscriber first calls in to order the new line. As noted above, this time often increases if technicians are unavailable, e.g. during times for a high demand for repair work. During this time, the subscriber is waiting impatiently for the new service. Also, during this time, the telephone operating company is not receiving any revenue that would otherwise accrue from the subscriber's use of the new service. The relatively long installation time therefore results in customer dissatisfaction and loss of income to the telephone operating company.
Similar time delays arise in restoring service through inoperative telephone line installations. FIG. 7 shows the timeline for service restoration. Again, time values shown in the drawing are exemplary average values, and actual service order processing by a telephone company may take longer times, particularly during periods of increased demand for service repairs.
The process begins when a subscriber calls in to the business office of the telephone operating company to request repair for an out of service telephone line. The subscriber provides relevant personal information to a service representative to identify the subscriber and the out of service line. A test center, such as a remote maintenance center (RMC) conducts automated tests on the facilities allocated to the subscriber. From these tests, it can be determined whether the fault is in the network or is somewhere in the outside plant, between the serving central office and the subscriber's telephone station equipment. Often, for outside plant faults, these tests can also provide an approximate location of the fault. The operator at the telephone company office then determines the approximate time to complete the repair and gives the subscriber that time as a `commitment`.
When the interaction with the customer is complete, the service representative issues a trouble report, and that trouble report remains pending until dispatch of a repair technician. On average, the interaction between the subscriber and the representative and the issuance of the trouble report take 0.2 hours, and the report remains pending for 12.9 hours until the technician receives the restoration dispatch order through the appropriate work force administration (WFA) system.
Once dispatched, it requires an average of 4.4. hours to restore the circuit and report the repair back to the WFA system. For a line repair, the restoration work may be similar to the installation of a new second telephone line as discussed above. Assuming the problem is a fault in the active pair in the subscriber's drop cable, the technician may disconnect that pair and connect in the spare pair in place of the inoperative pair. Alternatively, the technician may need to install a new cable. After restoration, the technician may run standard tests to determine if the newly installed service is operative and then the technician closes out the service order.
After the restoration, the business office contacts the customer as a follow-up, e.g. to determine if the service was repaired to the customer's satisfaction. The follow-up may take an additional half hour.
As shown by FIG. 7 and the above discussion, an average restoration of an interrupted telephone line circuit takes a total of 18 hours from the time that the subscriber first calls in to report the service interruption. This time is an average only, and many customers experience longer actual times, e.g. during times when there is a high demand for repair work. As in the new service installation example, this time often increases if technicians are unavailable, and the subscriber is waiting impatiently. The relatively long restoration time results in customer dissatisfaction and loss of income to the telephone operating company.
A number of systems recently have been proposed for providing digitally multiplexed communications via fiber optic cables in telephone loop plant, between the central office and the customer premises equipment. Several such proposals generally address testing and maintenance issues, as shown by the examples discussed below.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,050 to Czerwiec et al. discloses a fiber-to-the-curb telecommunications network providing broadband and narrowband (telephone) services. A central office connects to a number of remote terminals via optical feeders. Separate FM super trunks carry frequency multiplexed video programming channels from the central office to the remote terminals. Optical links in turn connect the remote terminals to optical network units (ONU) in the subscribers' neighborhood (e.g. at the curb). Each subscriber's home connects to one of the ONU's via a twisted wire pair for voice and a coaxial cable for video. The optical network unit includes a test unit responsive to commands from a controller in the network unit to perform metallic line tests on lines extending to the subscriber premises. Test results are stored in a memory associated with the controller in the optical network unit. Upon receipt of a test request from a central test controller, the controller in the optical network unit either initiates a new test or sends data from the previous test to the central controller.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,050 to Burke et al. teaches testing of drop wires in a digital loop system that has optical fiber up to a distant terminal near the subscriber's premises. Beyond the terminal, wire pairs extend to the customer. A test module at the distant terminal determines the presence or absence of faults on the wires to the customer premises. The results of the test are transmitted via an optical data link to the remote terminal where the results can be accessed by a loop tester at the central office.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,184 to Abrams et al. a digital loop transmission system including a remote terminal having a plurality of channel units. The remote terminal includes a test unit with means for applying to the channel units appropriate terminations and detectors for the testing of the units.
The fiber in the loop systems, such as disclosed in the cited patents, have not specifically addressed the above note problems related to provisioning and installation for service upgrades and/or restoration of interrupted circuits.
From the above discussion, it becomes clear that a need exists for a network architecture and/or procedures for rapid upgrades of wireline services and/or restoration of interrupted wireline services. A further need exists for such a network utilizing an advanced fiber-to-the curb type network architecture.

Auxiliary circuit switching for provisioning and/or repair in a fiber-to-the-curb system


The present invention is concerned with the adsorption of chiral molecules at surfaces or interfaces, with the arrangement and properties of adsorbed chiral molecules, and with devices and methods based thereupon. In particular, an apparatus allows the influence of the magnetic environment of the adsorbed chiral molecules by means of a magnetic field. The new observed orientation of the adsorbed chiral molecules caused by the chiro-magnetic effect, and the possible applications, are disclosed too.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is concerned with the adsorption of chiral molecules at surfaces or interfaces, with the arrangement and properties of adsorbed chiral molecules, and with devices and methods based thereupon.
2. Description of the Related Art
The technological and scientific use of chiral molecules is widespread [1]. In contrast, the use of adsorbed chiral molecules at surfaces is, at present, much more restricted and includes applications in heterogenous enantioselective catalysis [see references 2-9, listed below], where the process allows the production of specific enantiomers for commercial use, e.g., in the hydrogenation of -ketoesters. In these applications the role of the adsorbing chiral molecule is to bestow chirality to the chiral surface. There is also only a small volume of fundamental scientific literature [e.g., references 10-20] explaining the observed behavior of adsorbed chiral molecules at non-chiral surfaces and interfaces. This shows that chirality can be introduced to the surface in a number of ways ranging from local chiral adsorption [10, 16, 19] to self-organization in chiral domains [10-12, 14, 15], to local chiral reconstructions [10, 18, 19]. It is known that non-chiral molecules adsorbed on a non-chiral surface can give rise to local chirality within an overall racemic system [e.g., 17, 18, 20]. Therefore the utilization of chiral adsorbing molecules is important in creating complete chirality at the surface, however for certain applications it may be sufficient to work with locally chiral systems.
In all recorded cases known to the inventors where surface chirality is observed, adsorption of an enantiomer and its twin would lead to adsorption where each is aligned symmetrically on either side of a geometric mirror plane [10, 11, 17]. An example is the adsorption of R, R-Tartaric acid and S, S-Tartaric acid on Cu (110) single crystal surface, see reference [11] and also FIG. 1, in which can be seen the orientations of single monolayers of enantiomers of tartaric acid on Cu (110). Molecules of different enantiomers orient themselves symmetrically with respect to a geometric mirror plane of the Cu substrate.
When repeating the experiment on the more commercially relevant Ni (110) surface, it was surprisingly found that the alignment and growth direction of the two R,R-tartaric acid and S,S-tartaric acid enantiomers were perpendicular to each other in directions not related by any geometric mirror plane possessed by the bare surface. Experimental details are provided below. There was no obvious explanation for this observation since all previous work had predicted a geometrically symmetrical arrangement. This new phenomenon which had been discovered could not be explained on purely geometric grounds and can only be understood in terms of a magnetic effect in which the magnetization and spins of the surface influence, and are in turn influenced by, the adsorption of the chiral molecule. Detailed ab initio calculations of the molecule/metal system, which included magnetic effects, have been made to confirm that the adsorption and bonding of a chiral molecule at the surface is, in fact, affected by the inherent magnetization of the surface. In particular the chirality of the molecule dictates which surface spin states are involved in the adsorption and bonding process, an effect that has never been proposed nor observed before. Although the connection between chirality and inherent magnetism has been documented [21-25], e.g., for molecules, metal-molecule complexes, bulk solid state compounds and carbon nanotubes, and has been used to demonstrate enantioselective magnetochiral photochemistry in solution, it has never been observed or proposed for adsorbed molecules at surfaces. This effect is also manifestly different to the reported work on chiral monolayers of polypeptides adsorbed at a surface where very large external magnetic fields were applied subsequent to the adsorption process in order to induce the long, polymeric non-bonding pendant chains to take up different orientations, according to a chirality of the helix, the time that the field is applied and the packing density of the monolayer [26].

Methods and devices utilizing adsorption of chiral molecules at a surface or interface


The diameters of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry are ascertained while the articles are transported past a measuring station in the flutes of a drum-shaped conveyor moving along a range finder which measures the distance of each article of a series of articles from a reference point and transmits appropriate signals to an evaluating circuit wherein the diameters of successive articles are determined on the basis of comparison with a fixed reference distance of the bottoms of the flutes from the reference point. The beam of radiation which is emitted by the radiation source of the range finder is reflected by successive articles, and the intensity of reflected radiation is used to generate second signals which are processed into signals denoting a second diameter of each article. A third diameter of each article can be ascertained downstream of the range finder by an optoelectronic detector.

The invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus for ascertaining the diameters of rod-shaped articles, particularly rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. Such articles include tobacco-containing rods, rods of filter material for tobacco smoke, sections of filter rods, sections of tobacco-containing rods as well as filter cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and cheroots.
It is already known to ascertain the diameters of rod-shaped articles by placing the articles onto a support which transports the articles through a measuring station wherein the diameter of each article is ascertained by resorting to a beam of light or other suitable radiation.
The diameter constitutes an important parameter of each rod-shaped article of the tobacco processing industry. The same holds true for the shape of each rod-shaped article, i.e., it is important that the diameter match or closely approach a selected optimum diameter and that the shape of each article at least approximate a desired shape. For example, many plain or filter cigarettes are or should be round. On the other hand, certain manufacturers prefer to turn out rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry which have a slightly oval shape. In either event, it is desirable and advantageous to monitor the rod-shaped articles in order to rapidly detect deviations from the desired or optimal diameter and/or from the desired or optimal cross-sectional outline.
In accordance with a presently preferred procedure, the diameters of successive rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry (hereinafter generically referred to as cigarettes or filter cigarettes but intended to embrace also filter rod sections, cigars and others) are ascertained by transporting successive cigarettes past a photoelectronic detector wherein a beam of radiation issuing from a suitable source and directed upon an optoelectronic signal generating transducer crosses the path of successive cigarettes. The diameters of successive cigarettes are ascertained by determining the duration of transport of a cigarette across the beam of radiation and by taking into consideration the speed of transport of the cigarettes through the monitoring station. Thus, if the speed of advancement of cigarettes across the beam is fixed or constant, the duration of interval of interruption or interception of the beam by a cigarette is directly related to the diameter of such cigarette.
A drawback of the just outlined procedure is that the results of measurement are misleading if the cigarette which intercepts the beam for a certain interval of time is out of round or is otherwise deformed. Attempts to overcome such problem include the utilization of two photoelectronic detectors with crossing beams of optical radiation. Thus, each detector ascertains a different diameter of each article and the difference (if any) between the thus determined different diameters of an article is then indicative of the degree and/or nature of deformation of the respective article. Reference may be had, for example, to U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,950 granted Mar. 15, 1977 to McLoughlin et al. for "Cigarette Monitoring Apparatus".
The proposal of McLoughlin et al. also exhibits certain drawbacks, perhaps primarily because the apparatus which is disclosed in this patent does not permit the determination of two diameters which extend at right angles to each other. As a rule, diameter measurements with two photoelectronic detectors are carried out in such a way that the two ascertained diameters make an angle of less than 90.degree.. This renders it necessary to employ rather complex signal evaluating systems or to disregard certain errors which develop as a result of the failure to determine two diameters which are exactly normal to each other. On the other hand, it is highly desirable and advantageous to ascertain the diameters of cigarettes with a very high degree of accuracy, for example, when the cigarettes and filter rod sections are fed into a tipping machine wherein each filter rod section is united with one or more plain cigarettes to form therewith a filter cigarette of unit length or multiple unit length.

Method of and apparatus for ascertaining the diameters of rod-shaped articles


A motor vehicle headlamp of the type comprising a lamp, a reflector in which the lamp is mounted, and a glass suitable for being received in an opening in the bodywork of the vehicle, the headlamp being wherein the glass is fixed to the bodywork in the region of said bodywork adjacent to the opening. This serves to eliminate defects in mutual positioning between the glass and the bodywork due to manufacturing tolerances.

Conventionally, a headlamp comprises a box, a glass closing a front opening of the box, and a reflector and a lamp mounted in the box.
The box is rigidly fixed to the body of the vehicle so that the glass occupies an opening in the bodywork provided therefor, but without being fixed to said bodywork.
There exist certain headlamps that do not have a separate box, the reflector and the glass defining an enclosure and the headlamp being fixed to the vehicle by suitable arrangements provided behind the reflector or on one side of it.
At present, for reasons of style and of streamlining, it is desired that the glass should be centered as accurately as possible in the opening of the bodywork and also that the outside face of the glass should be as flush as possible with the bodywork.
In practice, these objectives turn out to be difficult to achieve using conventional headlamps of the above-specified type, given the manufacturing tolerances of the various parts involved. More precisely, errors in the dimensions of the glass, the box or the reflector on which the glass is fixed, the body, and the bodywork can accumulate so as to come to values that are quite excessive, of the order of several millimeters, which in practice leads to the glass being badly positioned in its opening.
A known solution for mitigating this difficulty consists in providing adjustable assembly means between the headlamp box and the vehicle body. Nevertheless, such a solution undesirably increases the cost of the headlamp and makes installation thereof lengthy and fiddley.
The present invention seeks to mitigate these drawbacks of the prior art and to propose a headlamp in which it is certain that excellent mutual positioning is obtained between the headlamp glass and the adjacent bodywork of the vehicle.

Motor vehicle headlamp fitted with improved fixing means


A folding collapsible step exercising machine including a base frame having a transverse front bar and transverse rear bar, a front upright pivoted to the transverse front bar of the base frame and locked in a vertical position by lock means, a driving wheel having a fixed wheel shaft revolvably supported on the base frame, a damping wheel turned with the driving wheel, two pedals, two rear pedal links respectively coupled between rear ends of the pedals and two opposite ends of the fixed wheel shaft of the driving wheel, two front pedal links having a respective bottom end pivoted to a front end of one pedal and a respective top end coupled to the front upright by a slip joint and a respective middle part fixedly mounted with a pivot, and two handlebars respectively turned about the pivots of the front pedal links and having a respective bottom end pivoted to the base frame, wherein two hexagonal end caps are respectively eccentrically coupled to two opposite ends of the transverse front bar of the base frame and turned thereabout, for permitting either of the six peripheral sides of each hexagonal end cap to be disposed in contact with the floor, so as to support the transverse front bar of the base frame in one of six different elevational positions.

The present invention relates to step exercising machines, and more particularly to an improved structure of folding collapsible step exercising machine that improves the design described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,683, entitled "Folding Collapsible Step Exercising Machine".
U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,683, which has invented by the present inventor, discloses a folding collapsible step exercising machine for exercising the legs. This structure of step exercising machine is functional, however the machine base of this structure of step exercising machine can not be adjusted to a tilted position.
The present invention improves the structure of the folding collapsible step exercising machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,683. According to the present invention, two hexagonal end caps are respectively eccentrically coupled to two opposite ends of the transverse front bar of the base frame. The hexagonal end caps can be turned about the transverse front bar, for permitting either of the six peripheral sides of each hexagonal end cap to be disposed in contact with the floor, so as to support the transverse front bar of the base frame in one of six different elevational position.

Structure of folding collapsible step exercising machine


A head actuator assembly includes a coarse positioner base assembly that is mounted on a guide shaft and an anti-rotation shaft and provides increased structural rigidity due to a four-point support and spring loading of the coarse positioner base against the anti-rotation shaft. A two-part head-carriage and voice coil holder system permits different materials to be used for the head-carriage and the voice coil holder, obviating structural problems of a single-structured head-carriage and coil-holder system. A flexible printed circuit bracket eases manufacture and allows flexible printed circuits to be slid into the bracket and retained in place without the need for locating tabs and screws.

A tape drive head assembly generally comprises three main components: a magnetic read/write head, a movable carriage supporting the head, and a flexible circuit electrically connected to the head. The flexible circuit includes a fine positioner loop and a coarse positioner loop. A flexible printed circuit provides communication between the main control circuitry of the tape drive and the head positioning apparatus. Generally, a voice coil serves as an actuator for the fine positioner.
Magnetic tape data storage devices, or tape drives, are used for storing large quantities of computer data. As storage capacities of tape drives increase, the overall performance and structural integrity of the drives needs to improve. One of the areas needing improvement is found in the performance of the head positioning system.
Lateral motion at the read/write head needs to be controlled within a few micrometers in order to achieve a LTO (linear tape open) cartridge capacity of 400 GB, for example. Conventional techniques of controlling this lateral motion include a camming arrangement between a pivoting beam structure and the head structure that translates a rotational motion into a linear motion of the head traverse. The fine positioner prime mover is a rotary voice coil actuator. One of the major concerns with such an arrangement is the friction associated with both the pivot and cam follower systems. Unlike hard disk drives, a tape drive is an open system and subject to contamination. This makes pivot and cam-follower guide friction problems even worse. Further, there is a potential loss of accuracy during a rotary to linear motion conversion due to clearance in the cam-follower system, as well as wear in the pivot system. Thus, problems in servoing due to friction and the rotary to linear approach makes the requirement of controlling the lateral motion within two micrometers, for example, difficult to achieve.
Another concern of conventional head positioning systems is the lack of adequate structural rigidity in the coarse positioner construction to achieve a necessary frequency response requirement to perform adequate servoing. Conventional systems employ a single guide shaft, resulting in a cantilever beam with a low first mode of resonance. Due to this low first mode of resonance, it is difficult to maintain the required servo-bandwidth to satisfy the necessary accuracy requirement of high capacity tape drives.
Additional concerns with conventional coarse positioner constructions, which are required to hold the head carriage assembly and the voice coil system, include the inability to avoid structural problems of the voice coil holder structure, exacerbating resonance-related problems.
A still further problem with conventional coarse positioner constructions is the integral nature of such systems. The magnetic head is a high cost element, while the voice coil system is a much lower cost element. However, in an integral system, if a voice coil element is defective, the entire coarse positioner system, including the relatively expensive head, needs to be replaced.
Another concern with conventional systems is the use of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) routing system that requires locating tabs and corresponding screws for attachment of the locating tabs. The resulting design presents manufacturing assembly issues and increased cost of parts. Further, the tab system provides for an FPC registration on a single edge. This requires additional assembly instructions for the proper routing of the FPC.


A method and system for compensating vibrations in an elevator car, which elevator car is guided on at least one guide rail, the vibrations being detected by at least one sensor at a source of disturbance by at least another sensor at an affected point on the elevator car. Both detected vibrations are interpreted by a control to drive a compensating mass on the elevator car to neutralize the vibrations at the affected point by a compensating force of opposite sign and equal amount.

The present invention relates to the transportation of persons in elevator cars and, in particular, to a method and a system for compensating vibrations in elevator cars.
Systems for the transportation of persons often comprise an elevator car that is guided by guide shoes along guide rails. With this type of guidance, vibrations occur which have their origin in the shape and fastening of the guide rails, and/or in pressure variations in the airstream of the elevator car. Such vibrations transferred to the elevator car, especially at high transportation speeds, are unpleasant experiences for the passengers. It is also possible for resonances to occur if the frequency of vibration takes on high values when approaching the resonant frequency of the elevator car.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,743 shows a controlling means for elevator cars in which vibrations are continuously detected by sensors and then compensated by suitable means in a feedback control system. Such compensation of vibrations takes place either by movement of the elevator car relative to the guide shoes, or else by movement of a compensating mass relative to the elevator car. In the latter embodiment, the coupling of the elevator car to the guide shoes is not rigid, but elastic, so that during travel of the elevator car there is a delay in the transfer of vibrations from the guide shoes to the elevator car, and the controlling means has sufficient time to move the compensating mass. By this means vibrations are reduced, but they are not completely eliminated.
The objective of the present invention is therefore to obtain such highly effective compensation of vibrations in systems for transporting persons, that the vibrations are not noticed by the passengers. In particular, vibrations of low frequency are to be compensated, which are known as nuisance vibrations and experienced as particularly annoying by passengers. The apparatus according to the present invention shall be compatible with common technologies and methods of the freight and passenger transportation industry. Furthermore, it should be possible by simple manner and means to retrofit existing passenger transportation systems with the invention.
The present invention is based upon abandonment of the method of compensation of vibrations on elevator cars utilized in the prior art. The basic idea of the present invention consists of detecting vibrations, and especially nuisance vibrations, as early as possible so as to compensate them optimally. This is done by multiple detection of the vibration pattern over time. The vibrations are not only detected at the place where they are experienced as annoying, i.e. on the elevator car, but are also detected where they are generated, i.e. at a source of disturbance.
Thus, the pattern over time of disturbing values of acceleration of the elevator car is detected by at least one acceleration sensor on the elevator car, and the pattern over time of disturbing values of acceleration and/or pressure values is detected by at least one further acceleration and/or pressure sensor at the source of disturbance. Disturbing values of acceleration are caused by, for example, deviations from the perpendicular, and/or ideal line, of a guide shoe along guide rails. Disturbing pressure values are, for example, pressure variations in the airstream of the elevator car. It is advantageous for the acceleration sensor to be attached to a guide shoe, and the pressure sensor attached to the elevator car.
The acceleration values of the elevator car are applied as feedback values, and the acceleration and/or pressure values are applied as disturbance variables to the input of a controlling means. This makes available on the input of the controlling means the pattern over time of disturbance variables and the pattern over time of feedback values, i.e. the effect of the disturbance on the elevator car. The pattern over time of the feedback values, and that of the disturbance variables, is detected as a time function, preferably at regular time intervals. Within this detection accuracy, the time of occurrence of a disturbing force, and its development over time, are detected both at the source of disturbance and on the elevator car.
The relationship between these time functions is described by a transfer function. Disturbance variables and feedback values are interpreted in the controlling means according to the transfer function. The transfer function is based on mechanical parameters of the passenger transportation system, such as the unladen weight of the elevator car, the hardness of the springing/damping elements, the momentary position and the weight of a compensating mass, the momentary load being transported, the momentary distribution of the load in the elevator car, etc. At least one of these mechanical parameters is known, or else its latest value is determined at preferably regular time intervals so its latest value is known. Certain mechanical parameters such as the unladen weight of the elevator car, the weight of the compensating mass, the hardness of the springing/damping elements, can be determined once before the passenger transportation system is put into operation. Other mechanical parameters, such as the position of the compensating mass, the load being transported, and the distribution of the load in the elevator car, can be determined with their latest values.
In the controlling means, disturbance variables are used for feedforward control, and feedback values for feedback control. The transfer function thus allows systematic activation of at least one compensating mass taking into account the known, or latest known, mechanical parameters of the passenger transportation system. Systematic activation of the compensating mass is understood as a driving of the linearly or rotationally moved compensating mass fastened to the elevator car, with the objective of counteracting the disturbing force which has arisen with a compensating force such that the disturbing force is largely neutralized. The disturbing force is neutralized by a compensating force of opposite sign and preferably equal amount. The compensating force need not necessarily be equal in amount to the disturbing force, but it should be at least so large that the vibrations caused by the uncompensated parts of the disturbing force are not perceived by passengers. On the elevator car, the disturbing force as it develops over time is counteracted by a compensating force which develops over time. The compensating mass is moved by at least one drive. The drive is controlled by the controlling means by means of correcting variables.
As well as the compensation of disturbance variables as described, the acceleration of the elevator car is also controlled by feedback. A controlling function for this purpose is provided in the controlling means. For the reference value of acceleration it is given the value zero, since for optimal ride comfort the acceleration on the elevator car should be as low as possible. The feedback value for this feedback control is a measurement value for acceleration detected by at least one sensor. The correcting variable of the control function, and the compensating force compensating the disturbance, together form the correcting variable of the controlling means. Within the freely selectable detection accuracy of the disturbance variables and feedback values, activation of the compensating mass takes place very rapidly, preferably in real time; no time delay in the compensation of vibrations occurs which is perceptible by the passenger, and elimination of the vibrations is total.
In support of this process, low-frequency vibrations of from 1 to 100 Hz, preferably of from 2 to 20 Hz, are systematically isolated by the controlling means. By means of systematically low-frequency correcting variables, the compensating mass is driven with correspondingly low frequency, and nuisance vibrations systematically eliminated.

Method and apparatus for compensating vibrations in elevator cars


The present invention is to provide an intelligent pluggable transceiver improving an EMI tolerance with a simple mechanism. The optical transceiver of the invention comprises upper and lower housings (11, 12), a holder (81), optical assemblies (51, 61), a cover (14), a substrate (15) and a grip (13). The optical assemblies are fixed with the upper and lower housings together with the holder with interposing the conductive elastic member. Although the rear end of the substrate exposes outside the transceiver, the shield gasket and the ground pattern on the substrate shields the contact portion between the substrate and the upper housing and between the substrate and the cover. Moreover, the grip and the latch lever installed in the lower housing, and the elastic piece realize the latching/releasing mechanism of the transceiver with the host system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a configuration of a pluggable optical transceiver and a manufacturing method of the transceiver, in particular, the present invention relates to an intelligent pluggable optical transceiver.
2. Related Prior Art
Several standards have been ruled for an optical transceiver comprising a light-receiving portion for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal and processing thus converted electrical signal, a light-transmitting device for converting an electrical signal into an optical signal and emitting thus converted optical signal to an optical fiber, and an optical receptacle for receiving an optical connector securing the optical fiber thereto, and many products conforming such standards have been already delivered. The standards above mentioned rules mechanical and electrical specifications such as the transmission rate, the electronic specification of the signal level and the timing, the outline dimension, the robustness, the pin-assign for interfacing with the outside, the specification of the optical connector and the optical receptacle, and the mechanism to be installed on the host system. For example, the SFF-MSA (Small Form Factor Multi-Source Agreement) and X2-MSA are well known. These transceivers have the pluggable configuration, in which the transceiver can be exchanged as the power supply of the host system is put on.
Several United States Patents, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,918 or 6,371,787, have disclosed such pluggable transceivers. However, the standards mentioned above have a primary purpose to provide a compatibility of the transceivers, inner configurations, such as the inner mechanical structure and the inner electronic performance, may be optional within the scope of the rule and are not unchangeable. The present invention presents, for such pluggable transceivers, new structures, functions, and results.

Intelligent pluggable optical transceiver


A surgical cutting tool in which at least one slot is formed through the wall of a tubular housing and receives a blade. An actuator is disposed in the bore and engages the blade so that axial movement of the actuator in the bore causes radial movement of the blade relative to the slot to change the amount of tissue to be removed.

This disclosure relates to a surgical instrument with an adjustable rotary cutting tool and to a method of cutting using the tool.
During surgery, rotary cutting tools, such as reamers, are often used to shape and/or enlarge holes or openings in various tissues, including bone. The tools are usually connected by a chuck, collet, or the like, to an electric drive unit that applies relatively high-speed torque to the tool. However, when multiple holes of varying diameters have to be reamed in the same patient, it is necessary to replace each tool with a tool of the proper size.
This problem is especially acute in connection with medical procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, in which canals, or sockets, are prepared in bones to receive implants. It can be appreciated that the canals must be formed with high precision and in as short a time as possible. However, after one canal is formed with a particular tool, the surgeon must remove the tool, select the proper size tool for a new canal and secure the selected tool in the collet, which is tedious and time consuming.
Therefore, what is needed is a single tool that can cut different size bores without having to be replaced.

Surgical instrument with adjustable rotary cutting tool and method of cutting


Provided is a method of producing poly(vinyl butyral) laminate from discarded laminated glass. By means of breaking the discarded laminated glass, water-washing and grinding the reduced glass fragments, a reusable poly(vinyl butyral) material substantially free of glass pieces is obtained by physical treatment without using any organic solvent. After drying, granulation and formation steps, a poly(vinyl butyral) laminate is further obtained from the poly(vinyl butyral) material. Accordingly, the method not only reduces resource waste but also produces a water-proof poly(vinyl butyral) laminate, and is more environmentally friendly and more applicable to industry.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention related to a field of recovery and reuse of poly(vinyl butyral) material, and more particularly to a method of producing poly(vinyl butyral laminate from a discarded laminated glass.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) is commonly used in the manufacture of polymer sheet that can be used as interlayers in light-transmitting laminates. Safety glass and windshield glass are composed of two glass plates and a poly(vinyl butyral) sheet interposed between the glass plates or alternatively composed of a single glass plate and a poly(vinyl butyral) sheet assembled therewith, and then the assembly is subjected in an autoclave to about 90° C. to 165° C. at pressure of about 1034 to 2067 kPa for at least 10 minutes to tightly bond the glass plate with poly(vinyl butyral) sheet, and then form the safety and windshield glass.
The poly(vinyl butyral) sheet can be produced by mixing poly(vinyl butyral) resin with one or more plasticizers, and optionally with one or more other ingredients, and melt processing the mixture into a sheet, which can be collected and rolled for storage and transportation. With adherence and impact strength of the poly(vinyl butyral) interlayer, safety and windshield glasses are crumbled into several small granular glass chunks instead of sharp shreds when broken.
Poly(vinyl butyral) is typically produced by a complicated synthesis, including separation of ethane from natural gas, dehydrogenation of ethane to produce ethylene, polymerization of vinyl acetate monomers to form poly(vinyl acetate), hydrolization of poly(vinyl acetate) to form poly(vinyl alcohol) and reaction between poly(vinyl alcohol) with butyraldehyde. Therefore, said chemical synthesis of poly(vinyl butyral) is expensive, environmentally unfriendly and not applicable for mass production. Thus, techniques of recycling the reusable poly(vinyl butyral) from laminated glass have been developing.
Some methods that recycle of poly(vinyl butyral) from a discard laminated glass and utilization of the recycled poly(vinyl butyral) are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,107, which discloses a method of utilizing recovered poly(vinyl butyral) in the production of carpet backcoatings. However, the patent only mentions PVB can be separated and recovered from used or discarded safety glass via commercial windshield glass recycling methods, and does not teaches how to recycle the discarded safety glass in an environmentally friendly way.
U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. No. 2009/0209667 discloses a method of recycling poly(vinyl butyral) resin from safety glass. However, the method includes a solvent extraction of plasticizer and impurities and dissolution of poly(vinyl butyral) interlayer in organic solvents, such that a large amount of organic solvent waste and severe environmental contaminations are produced.
U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. No. 2010/0249253 also discloses a method of recycling of poly(vinyl butyral) from laminated glass. The laminated glass is shattered first to separate a poly(vinyl butyral) sheet from the laminated glass. The obtained poly(vinyl butyral) sheet is further cut into pieces, then proceeding to a surface cleaning process to eliminate the dirt and impurities. However, the method as disclosed requires a final chemical treatment for purification, and thereby resulting similar drawbacks as mentioned above.
There remains a need for recycling the reusable poly(vinyl butyral) material from the laminated glass in an environmentally friendly way to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Method of producing poly(vinyl butyral) laminate from discarded laminated glass