An airbag initiator having an ignition charge and a low temperature ignition charge in an inner case and a metal header closing the inner case, a glass seal providing feed through of one or more electrical connections to the ignition charge through the header. The seal is preferably formed using glass material. A ceramic base supports the header and their spaced relationship maintained by a single continuous glass seal. The ceramic base and glass seal electrically isolates the header and ignition charge against accidental ignition. The ceramic to glass to metal seal provides protection against leakage of unfiltered gas from the inflator system. A ferromagnetic pressed material is assembled into the ceramic base and it's spaced relationship to the ceramic body and the electrical connections are maintained by a single continuous glass seal.

This invention relates to pyrotechnic devices, and more particularly to improvements in initiators for use in automotive air bag systems.
A typical air bag initiator is an electroexplosive device used to initiate a sodium azide-based propellant charge for inflation of the air bag. However, the technology of the air bag inflation system is changing and new types of inflator technology such as solid organic propellants, stored gas hybrid, liquid propellant and hydrogen oxygen flammable gas systems are being developed. As a result the requirements on the initiator system are changing to require more structural integrity of the initiator body as well as new technology which allows the initiator to be hermetically sealed into the inflator cavity under high pressure for the life of the unit. The initiator generally comprises an ignition charge which is in direct contact with a bridgewire. The bridgewire is connected between two contacts which are connectable to a firing circuit. When the bridgewire is electrically heated, it ignites the ignition charge. An output charge or "booster" charge, ignitable by the ignition charge, may be used to effect quick ignition of the sodium azide-based propellant without damaging the propellant grains.
Electrical connections are typically made to the firing circuit respectively from the initiator case and from a central conductor which is in coaxial relationship with the case and extends into the case through an insulator. Devices using this form of electrical connection are known as "coaxial" devices. Alternatively, electrical connections can be made through a pair of parallel, spaced conductors both of which extend into the interior of the initiator case through an insulator. Devices having this form of electrical connection are known as "twinaxial" devices.
One of the problems encountered in the manufacture, installation and use of airbag initiators is the problem of protection against accidental ignition resulting from static electricity. A substantial static charge can accumulate on a worker's body, for example by the rubbing of leather soles of the worker's shoes on a nylon carpet. This accumulated static charge can be discharged as a spark through the ignition material in an initiator, from the case to the firing circuit, when the initiator is touched, or when an ungrounded conductor in contact with the initiator is touched.
To prevent unintended ignition from occurring as a result of static discharge through the pyrotechnic material in the initiator, the case of the initiator may be connected electrically to the firing circuit. This allows the energy of the static charge to be dissipated in a low resistance connection, through the firing circuit, from the initiator case to the automobile body. In a coaxial device, the initiator case is normally connected to the firing circuit. In one form of twinaxial device, one of the two parallel conductors is connected electrically to the initiator case in order to provide a path for dissipation of static energy through the firing circuit. Alternatively, a spark gap may be provided between the case and one of the conductors to allow discharge of static electricity through the spark gap rather than through the pyrotechnic charge.
Preferably, in a device in which the initiator case is electrically connected to the wiring circuit, the initiator case is designed so that it does not directly contact the automobile body. For example, the case may be provided with a non-conductive cover made of plastics material. In the case of a single pole-switched firing circuit, this construction eliminates the possibility of a short circuit if the polarity of the D.C. supply to the firing circuit is accidentally reversed. It also eliminates the possibility of accidental firing, which could occur if the firing circuit supply polarity is reversed, the output leads of the firing circuit are also accidentally interchanged, and the case of the initiator touches the automobile body. Isolation of the case from the automobile body also makes it possible to use a two pole-switched firing circuit.
Constructing the device in such a way as to isolate the initiator case from the automobile body introduces the possibility of leak paths for high pressure gas generated by the propellant. Production of the plastic-covered case also requires an expensive insert molding operation.

Electric initiator having a sealing material forming a ceramic to metal seal


This invention relates to a method for the detection of a shaft failure in a turbomachine with the object of initiating thereupon an appropriate speed-limiting action, more particularly a rapid fuel shut-off on an aero gas-turbine system, in which a torque-exerting turbine rotor and a torque-recipient unit are connected via the shaft (3) to be monitored for failure, said shaft being supported at its ends in at least two roller bearings (6, 7). In this method, the rotational frequencies (fn1, fn2) of the two shaft ends of the shaft compared with each other continually and essentially in real time, with a failure of the shaft (3) inferred if the rotational frequency (fn2) of the roller bearing (7) on the side of the turbine rotor exceeds the rotational frequency (fn1) of the roller bearing (6) on the side of the torque-recipient unit. Preferably, the rotational frequency of the respective shaft end is determined by way of Fast-Fourier Transmission and an arithmetic processor via separate measuring channels for each roller bearing (6, 7), with recourse being taken to one or more typical roller bearing frequencies emitted by these roller bearings during their rotation (FIG. 1).

This invention relates to a method for the detection of a shaft failure in a turbomachine with the purpose of initiating thereupon an appropriate speed-limiting action, more particularly a rapid fuel shut-off on an aero gas-turbine system, in which a torque-exerting turbine rotor and a torque-recipient unit are connected via the shaft which is to be monitored for failure, said shaft being essentially supported at the ends in at least two roller bearings.
In particular for aero engines, but also for industrial gas turbines for power generation, a variety of methods and devices are known which all have the objective of effectively ensuring a speed limitation if the load applied by the torque-recipient unit is lost. The objective is to avoid an uncontrolled increase in speed until self-destruction of the turbomachine, in particular of combustion turbomachines, and to prevent dangers to persons and property. Such critical operating conditions may occur if the power generator is disconnected from the electrical power-supply system in an uncontrolled manner (loss-of-load), for example in power stations with combustion turbomachines. Similarly, a failure of the shaft between the energy-generating system, i.e. the turbine rotor, and the energy-consuming system, in particular a compressor, may result in an uncontrolled increase in speed of the former. In the case of an aero engine or an aero gas-turbine system, respectively, the energy-consuming or torque-recipient system may be the fan.
In a variety of known Patent Specifications, speed-limiting devices for aero engines are described in which, upon a failure of the shaft between the energy-consuming section (e.g. the compressor) and the energy-generating section (e.g. the turbine rotor), a mechanical principle of action is applied giving way to an axial relative movement, and ultimately to the collision, of the stator and the blades of the turbine rotor. In the process of collision (also termed xe2x80x9ctanglingxe2x80x9d), the rotational energy of the turbine rotor is dissipated by deformation, friction and destruction of the turbine rotor and stator blading concerned until standstill. For this principle of action, reference is made to the Patent Specifications U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,104, U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,667 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,291, for example.
In a further mechanical solution for the control of the overspeed of lower-output aero engines upon failure of the drive shaft between the low-pressure turbine and the fan, the drive shaft between the low-pressure turbine and the fan is provided with a reference shaft. In the case of a drive shaft failure, the failed drive shaft and the reference shaft will change their relative positions. A pre-loaded follower will be released and engage a wire loop. Since the low-pressure turbine continues to rotate, a pull will be exerted on the wire loop, which initiates a rapid shut-off of the fuel via a cable.
As regards an electronic solution of the overspeed problem, Patent Specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,013 teaches a circuitry for a steam turbine. This solution uses up to four speed sensors that operate redundantly and are associated with a gear shaft. The resultant signals of the speed sensors are proportional to the speed of the gear shaft. An appropriately designed electronic measuring-data system differentiates the speed signal and produces a derivative of acceleration. The series-connected fresh-steam valves (a stop valve and a control valve) are actuated in a pre-set overspeed situation by the acceleration values determined being processed as well as upon transgression of a speed threshold.
A further electronic solution of the overspeed problem for an aero gas-turbine system is described in Patent Specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,372. Two sensors are arranged on the toothed turbine shaft which produce a signal that is speed-proportional to the number of teeth of the shaft. Both sensors operate redundantly with each other, with the one channel being analog and the other channel providing digital signal processing and transmission. If an overspeed situation is detected by both sensors, a solenoid fuel valve will be actuated and the fuel supply interrupted.
Patent Specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,209 teaches another electronic solution for controlling overspeed situations in connection with a steam turbine. In this solution, the principle of measurement is again based on a pulsed measuring signal produced on a toothed shaft. To enhance the measured value accuracy, three independent measuring channels are used at the same measuring location. One of the three measuring channels is provided with a monitoring function. Each of the measuring channels communicates via a programmable computer.
Accordingly, the known or published systems for the control and limitation of overspeed conditions are either of the mechanical or the electromechanical/electronic type.
A commercial embarrassment to the aforesaid problem solution, therefore, lies in the plurality of the systems which, in terms of design, are to be adapted to the specific conditions of the respective aero engine. In the case of aero engines that apply the tangling principle to safely control a shaft failure between the fan and the low-pressure turbine, total loss of the blading and correspondingly high replacement costs are to be anticipated. A mechanical system using a reference shaft will, upon actuation, lose at least part of the components and, also, increase the mass of the engine, a circumstance which is apparently undesirable for aerospace applications.
Accordingly, the mass-cost relation of mechanical solutions for the implementation of the required safety shut-off function upon failure of the shaft between the fan and the low-pressure turbine is to be considered to be adverse with regard to manufacturing and operating costs. Electromechanical or electronic solutions are clearly outdistancing the mechanical solutions in terms of total costs.
The known electromechanical and electronic solutions are applied solely for the monitoring of a specified rotor speed. These systems are presently not capable of detecting shaft failures. In particular aero gas turbines in the higher performance classes and turbines of industrial power plants, for which light-weight construction is irrelevant, have a moment of inertia the magnitude of which is commensurate with the time necessary to counteract overspeed with the conventional electromechanical and electronic methods (speed measurement process and actuators) and the associated high dead times and time lags. Speed measurement processes used in these applications are based on the summation of discrete individual pulses over a measuring period. The known electromechanical and electronic solutions are considered technically inappropriate for lower-performance aero engines, since, in combustion turbomachines with very low moments of inertia, these solutions do not respond fast enough to a demand case. In the case of smaller engines, therefore, the required measuring period is too large in relation to the time that is left to detect a shaft failure, generate the required actuating signal and actuate the rapid shut-off.
Further, the known measuring devices for rotational speed and their derivatives, such as angular velocity and angular acceleration, have insufficient sensitivity and measuring resolution to produce a measuring signal in the short time necessary for the actuation of rapid shut-off and speed limitation.
In a broad aspect, the present invention provides an accordingly improved, in particular cost-effective and safe method for the detection of a shaft failure on a turbomachine.
As a particular object of the present invention, the rotational frequencies of the two shaft ends in the respective roller bearings of the shaft to be monitored for failure are determined and compared with each other continually and essentially in real time, and a shaft failure is inferred if the rotational frequency on the roller bearing on the side of the turbine rotor exceeds the rotational frequency on the roller bearing of the torque-recipient unit.
Further objects and advantages are cited in the subclaims, in particular beneficial features of a preferred apparatus for the implementation of the method in accordance with the present invention.
The present invention preferably refers to the problem of a failure of the shaft between the fan as torque-recipient unit and the torque-exerting low-pressure turbine rotor of an aero engine or an aero gas-turbine system, respectively, and to the required limitation of the speed of the low-pressure rotor, but may be applied similarly to any turbomachinery. The object here is to provide an electromechanical/electronic embodiment of the said method and the respective apparatus.
In accordance with the present invention, the rotational frequency of each end of a shaft of a turbomachine which is essentially supported at the ends in roller bearings is determined in the respective roller bearing. If significant differences between the rotational frequencies of the two shaft ends are encountered, failure of the shaft will be inferred and, consequently, an appropriate speed-limiting action will be initiated.
While this proposal may appear relatively simple at first glance, the requirements imposed on measurement techniques and the pertinent evaluation electronics are extremely stringent to ensure the required level of safety, for example for aero engines. The entire process for the determination of the rotational frequency must accordingly be executed extremely fast, i.e. the determination of the rotational frequencies and the subsequent evaluation should be accomplished in real time to respond as rapidly as possible to a shaft failure so detected. In a preferential arrangement, therefore, a separately operating measuring channel is provided for each roller bearing to determine the rotational frequency of the respective shaft end in the roller bearing, with both measuring channels being connected to a comparator for the purpose of comparison of the rotational frequencies and with the generation of the measuring signal, its transmission and processing until comparison of both rotational frequencies being accomplished in the real-time frame. Accordingly, if a significant difference between the two rotational frequency occurs, an electric variable can then be generated in real time to initiate an appropriate speed-limiting action, for example the closure of a fuel quick-action shut-off valve.

Method and apparatus for recognition of a shaft rupture in a turbo-engine


A slide mechanism of a linear transmission apparatus includes an actuating mechanism, a guide screw and a slide mechanism. The slide mechanism includes a fixing base, a primary guide rail, left and right secondary guide rails and a slide element. The fixing base has a through hole for passing the guide screw. The primary guide rail and each secondary guide rail are engaged to the guide screw and connected to the fixing base. The primary guide rail has a top panel and two side panels. Each secondary guide rail has an extended panel protruded from a side proximate to the primary guide rail. The top of each extended panel is not lower than the bottom of the side panel, and the slide element is sheathed onto the exterior of the guide rail, and a nut secured to the guide screw is formed in each guide rail.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slide mechanism, and more particular to a slide mechanism of a linear transmission apparatus applied in an electrical chair or an electric hospital bed.
2. Description of Prior Art
In general, an elderly or a handicapped usually does not have sufficient strength to support them to stand up from a seat, but usually needs another person to assist them. If a linear transmission apparatus is applied to the seat to constitute an electrical chair, then the height or angle of elevation can be adjusted to give much more convenience to the elderly and handicapped users. Thus, the subject of a slide mechanism of a linear transmission apparatus requires extensive researches and developments.
In a conventional slide mechanism of a linear transmission apparatus as disclosed in Denmark Pat. Publication No. 200001377, the transmission apparatus includes an actuating mechanism, a guide screw and a slide mechanism. The slide mechanism includes a fixing base, a guide rail and a slide element, wherein the fixing base has a through hole for passing the guide screw, and the horizontally disposed and U-shaped guide rail is covered onto the exterior of the guide screw and connected to the fixing base. The slide element is sheathed onto the exterior of the guide rail, and a nut secured to the guide screw is formed inside the guide rail.
In another conventional slide mechanism of a linear transmission apparatus as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,144, the transmission apparatus includes an actuating mechanism, a guide screw and a slide mechanism. The slide mechanism includes a fixing base, a pair of upper and lower guide rails and a slide element, wherein the fixing base has a through hole for passing the guide screw, and the upper and lower guide rails are covered onto the exterior of the guide screw and connected to the fixing base, and the slide element is sheathed onto the exterior of the upper and lower guide rails, and the guide rail includes a nut disposed therein and secured to the guide screw.
However, the practical applications of the aforementioned conventional slide mechanisms of a linear transmission apparatus still have the following problems. Since the guide rail has a long open slot, not only allowing dusts, moisture or foreign substances to enter into the apparatus, but also reducing the life expectancy greatly. Furthermore, the operation of the apparatus generates annoying noises. The slot of the guide rail is provided for the slide element to slide therein, and thus accidents or injuries including the fingers of a user or a child being clamped accidentally occur very frequently. In an integrally formed guide rail as disclosed in Denmark Pat. Publication No. 200001377, the weight of the guide rail is heavy and the cost is high. A frame of the slide element and the nut are connected by one or two ribs, and the strength of the connection is weak and insufficient to hold the weight or bear a sudden impact of an overweight user. As a result, the ribs between the nut and the frame are cracked or damaged frequently, and the users get hurt very often. The prior arts definitely need improvements.

Slide mechanism of linear transmission apparatus


A crimper tool for closing a pipe support assembly having first and second locking members. The crimper tool includes a first member having a first handle and a first jaw with a first engagement surface for engaging the second locking member. The crimper tool also includes a second member pivotally coupled to the first member and having a second handle and second jaw with a second engagement surface for engaging the first locking member, an upper support surface for engaging an outside surface of the support assembly, a guide surface for engaging a second end of the support assembly, and a lower support surface for engaging an inside surface of the support assembly. Squeezing the first and second handles together pivots the first and second members thereby moving the first and second jaws toward one another and urging the first and second locking members together to lockingly engage.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a crimper device, and more particularly to a hand-held crimper device used to close a pipe support assembly having an integrated closure mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional pipes are used to convey or transfer fluids or gases in various industrial applications, such as sprinkler systems, refrigeration systems, and heating and cooling systems. These pipes are commonly encased in cellular foam pipe insulation tubing, which maintains the fluids or gases within the pipes at a desired temperature. The insulation tubing is typically provided in predetermined lengths that are aligned end-to-end to cover an entire length of the pipe. It is desirable to interconnect adjacent ends of the insulation tubing along the pipe to increase the insulation characteristics and efficiency of the pipe.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/654,958 to Opperthauser discloses a pipe support assembly for securing a pipe to a generally planar supporting structure, such as a floor, ceiling, wall or other similar surface and retaining adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing surrounding the pipe to ensure that the pipe remains insulated even as the pipe is exposed to wear and tear. More specifically, the pipe support assembly includes a cylindrical body having first and second body portions which flexibly pivot between an open position to receive the pipe and insulation tubing therein and a closed position surrounding the pipe and coupling the adjacent ends of the insulation tubing. The pipe support assembly also includes an integrated mounting clamp that allows for easily securing the pipe support assembly to a length of channel-section track that is mounted to the planar supporting structure. The pipe support assembly further includes an integrated closure mechanism or releasable clamp for securing the first and second body portions together in the closed position to retain the pipe therein and maintain the adjacent ends of the insulation tubing in an end-to-end relationship along the pipe.
Oftentimes, during installation, the pipe with the insulation tubing wrapped therearound must be installed into the pipe support assembly while an installer is standing on a ladder holding the insulated pipe to be supported. The installer must hold the insulated pipe in one hand while manipulating the first and second body portions of the cylindrical body with the other hand until the closure mechanism is engaged, securing the first and second body portions together. Moving the first and second body portions into the closed position to engage the closure mechanism using only one hand can prove very difficult at times. It is therefore desirable to provide a hand-held crimper tool which can be manually operated with one hand and is used to move the first and second body portions into the closed position around the pipe and insulation tubing, thereby engaging the closure mechanism.


During receiving of message signals, in particular radio signals, it is particularly important to free the receiving signal of interference, such as, e.g. noise or various kinds of interference. It would be desirable if the receiver had knowledge of the type of occurring interference in advance, before processing the received signal, in order therefore to be able to improve considerably signal processing, in particular equalisation and demodulation, of the receiving signal. A receiving method is here proposed, in which first the auto-correlation function of the spurious components contained in the received signal is estimated. Then the estimated auto-correlation function is compared with presettable sample functions and the sample auto-correlation function which most closely corresponds to the estimated auto-correlation function is chosen. Finally, by means of the selected sample function, further signal processing, in particular equalisation, of the received message signal is carried out. Therefore a matching sample function is determined in advance for the most strongly occurring spurious component.

The invention is based on a priority application EP 01440391.9 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
With the invention described below a method for receiving a message signal, in particular a radio signal, is described, and also a receiver operating according to the method, a therewith equipped receiving device and a therewith equipped message transmission system.

Method for receiving a message signal, receiver, receiving device and message transmission system for this


A collapsible spider wheel assembly on a towing device enables storage of the device into a standard rectangular space. Once collapsed, the collapsible spider assembly is protected within the body of the towing device. Furthermore, actuation of the folding and unfolding may be accomplished through the usual telescoping of the carrying handle of such a device, such as in a suitcase embodiment. While the spider wheels are in the open position, the carrying apparatus may exert a drive force to climb up stairs and braking force to descend stairs. The unit operates as a normal wheeled carrying apparatus while traversing a horizontal surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices for ascending stairwells that employ a "cluster," "X," "Y," "spider," or "wheel-over-wheel" assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Towing items such as suitcases and luggage have limited facilities when traversing stairwells. While ascending/descending stairwells, the owner of the towing device has to lift it up and over the corner of each step rendering the wheels useless in this situation. This also leads to a jerking motion as the towing device hops from stair to stair.
Conventional luggage has shown the inclusion of skids on the back of the suitcase panel to ease the suitcase sliding up the stairs. However, these skids typically wear down with use, and not as frictionless as they need to be. Conveyor belts have been proposed: U.S Published Application No. 20040094378 describes a motorized suitcase with brake that utilizes tank treads and rollers. Conveyor belts generally lack adequate grip on stairwells for personal suitcases since the unit may only be in contact with the leading edges of 2-3 stairs at most. Such units must lay flat along the stairs and be heavy enough to create a downward force for the tank treads to effectively grip the stairs and require an overly-lengthy handle for proper use.
Other devices that employ "spider wheels," "cluster wheels," or "wheel over wheel," mechanisms for stair climbing are known. Such devices utilize small, freely-rotating wheels fastened at the ends of spokes that rotate all together as a rigid assembly. PCT Patent Publication No. WO8600587A1 describes a stair-climbing hand truck utilizing rotating spider wheels. Spider wheel assemblies, however, protrude from the main body of a towing device, reducing overall portability.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,829, a battery powered stair-climbing wheelchair utilizing two sets of wheel-over-wheel assemblies is described. In that particular vehicle, however, the design addresses mechanisms that controls pitch and attitude adjustment for complete support, orientation, and self-propulsion of human beings up and down stairwells. The preferred embodiment of that vehicle does not include any means of rendering the cluster wheel foldable or collapsible for portability.
This invention introduces a collapsible spider wheel assembly, rendering the towing device to which it is attached, portable for transport. Such towing devices may include but is not limited to: suitcases, hand trucks, and baby strollers.

Foldable spider wheel for ascending and descending stairs


An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal axis, the elongated tubular member comprising at least one knitted filament forming a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending circumferentially between radially adjacent twisted knit stitches. Each twisted knit stitch may be interconnected with a longitudinally adjacent twisted knit stitch forming a series of linked stitches. The elongated tubular member may be configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the series of linked stitches form longitudinal columns and in the expanded configuration the series of linked stitches extend helically around the elongated tubular member.

Implantable medical devices (e.g., expandable stents) may be designed to treat a variety of medical conditions in the body. For example, some expandable stents may be designed to radially expand and support a body lumen and/or provide a fluid pathway for digested material, blood, or other fluid to flow therethrough following a medical procedure. Some medical devices may include radially or self-expanding stents which may be implanted transluminally via a variety of medical device delivery systems. These stents may be implanted in a variety of body lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries, the esophageal tract, gastrointestinal tract (including the intestine, stomach and the colon), tracheobronchial tract, urinary tract, biliary tract, vascular system, etc.
In some instances it may be desirable to design stents to include sufficient flexibility while maintaining sufficient radial force to open the body lumen at the treatment site. However, in some stents, the compressible and flexible properties that assist in stent delivery may also result in a stent that has a tendency to migrate from its originally deployed position. For example, stents that are designed to be positioned in the esophageal or gastrointestinal tract may have a tendency to migrate due to peristalsis (i.e., the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the esophagus, intestine, and colon which push the contents of the canal therethrough). Additionally, the generally moist and inherently lubricious environment of the esophagus, intestine, colon, etc. further contributes to a stent's tendency to migrate when deployed therein.
Therefore, in some instances it may be desirable to design a stent with anti-migration features to reduce the stent's tendency to migrate. Examples of medical devices including anti-migration features are disclosed herein.


An apparatus and a method for detecting address information are provided. The apparatus for detecting address information from an optical disc on which a plurality of sectors are arranged and pre-pit data are recorded on each sector, includes: a window generation circuit for generating a detection window for detecting the pre-pit data; a data detection circuit for detecting the pre-pit data based on the generated detection window; a latch for latching the data detected by the data detection circuit to a larger number of bits than a pre-allotted number of bits; a synch information extraction circuit for generating synch information informing a time to refer to the latched data; and an address information extraction circuit for detecting address information by reading the latched data based on the generated synch information. Therefore, the address information recorded on an optical recording medium as land pre-pit (LPP) data can be efficiently detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical recording medium, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for detecting land pre-pit address information recorded on an optical recording medium having wobble tracks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recordable optical discs, such as DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, and DVD-RW, have a spiral track on which wobble signals are recorded. In the case of a DVD-RAM, user data is recorded on land tracks and groove tracks and address information is recorded on a separate header region. However, in the case of a DVD-RW/+RW, specific user data is recorded on groove tracks only and address information is recorded on land pre-pits. Here, the address information recorded on the land pre-pits is referred to as land pre-pit (LPP) data. LPP data is recorded in a mastering process to report a physical address on a disc to which a pickup is transferred in a recording process of user data.
According to a DVD-RW specification, even and odd positions are alternately arranged on land tracks for each frame in order to record LPP data. Generally, the LPP data is recorded on the even positions which are located at a period of two frames. However, when the LPP data has been recorded on an adjacent position of a neighboring track, the LPP data is recorded on a next odd position. A synch code for LPP data is designated by three bits, such as 111 for an even position and 110 for an odd position. Here, in the case of an address data, 101 is referred to as 1 and 100 is referred to as 0.
According to the DVD-RW specification, it is difficult to precisely detect LPP data, because the recording position of the LPP data is determined in a mastering process. However, the precise detection of the LPP data is one of the important elements for determining the quality of a recording apparatus. Therefore, the LPP data has to be precisely detected in order to efficiently perform a recording process of user data on a DVD-RW.

Method and apparatus for detecting land pre-pit address information recorded on optical disc


An apparatus for producing metal sheets from extruded profiles of small thickness or of hollow chamber plates of light metal, preferably of magnesium or magnesium alloys, comprises an extruder for producing an extruded profile which is open along a surface line. A separating device is provided for cutting the extruded profile to length corresponding to the length of the metal sheet to be produced, or the hollow chamber plate to be produced. A bending unit is used for deforming the extruded profile into a U-shaped profile. An expansion unit is provided for expanding the U-shaped profile into a flat metal sheet or a hollow chamber plate. A stacking unit is also provided. At least one expansion unit is arranged parallel to the extrusion line and thus the extrusion and expanding processes are decoupled from one another.

The production of sheet metal by casting a liquid alloy between two rollers and then numerous rolling and heat treatment processes is generally known. Due to the large number of rolling passes from coarse to thin sheet, this process is highly cost-intensive. These steps are necessary to achieve a deformable wrought structure from a cast structure. The high number of rolling passes is cost-intensive.
DE 43 33 500 C2 discloses a method for producing a sheet with a stepped cross-section and a solid profile with different wall thicknesses, with which a semi-finished product is initially produced, whose cross-section is similar to the cross-section of the sheet in the thickness direction, and with which a sheet is rolled from the semi-finished product, wherein, for the production of the semi-finished product, a hollow profile with a wall thickness profile distributed around the circumference and corresponding to the desired wall thickness profile of the semi-finished product is extruded, and in so doing the hollow profile is cut along a surface line and deformed into the semi-finished product. In addition, two complementary profiles are placed one on top of the other, wherein at least one of the profiled contact sides of the complementary profiles is provided with a release agent, and the two complementary profiles are rolled out simultaneously with cylindrical, that is, non-stepped rollers. Prior to rolling, the two complementary profiles are separated on two opposite surface lines.
This method is used to produce two parts at a time. The production process is discontinuous, and only relatively narrow parts can be produced. A further disadvantage is that the production process is relatively costly due to the manufacture of the semi-finished product with two different wall thicknesses and a stepped roller arrangement.
DE 10 2008 048 496 A1 describes a method for producing sheet metal parts and a device for carrying out the method. The method comprises the steps of—extruding or continuous casting of a tubular body,—cutting of the tubular body open in its longitudinal direction,—expanding of the tubular body to form a flat body,—producing of the flat body to form the component according to drawing by means of known production technologies. The device essentially consists of a chain of a melting unit, a continuous casting or extrusion unit, a longitudinal cutting device, a roll stand, one or more deforming units.
From DE 10 2007 002 322 A1, a method for the production of sheet metal or sheet metal parts made of light metal, preferably magnesium, is known, wherein, in one or more preceding method steps, an extruded profile is produced in an open structure or a closed structure with subsequent slitting to form an open structure, and this is then subjected in one or more steps to straightening rolling and straightening bending over several rolling and bending stages.
GB 2469 549 A describes a method for producing a support structure, preferably a support structure for a vehicle seat with at least one seat shell for the seat part and/or the backrest of the vehicle seat, with the method steps of producing a metallic semi-finished product and deforming it into an essentially flat sheet metal, separating a sheet metal part from the sheet metal and deforming the sheet metal part, wherein the production of the metallic semi-finished product is effected by means of extrusion.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,764 A describes a device for extruding wide sheet metal comprising a die element with a base section in the form of an elongated U-shaped slit for producing a U-shaped profile, which is subsequently flattened.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,133,903 A describes the transformation of metal tubes into flat strips by cutting the tubes lengthwise and expanding them by means of a double flying blade and subsequent rolling.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,002,255 A describes a method for producing continuous metal strips and the like. Production takes place by extruding a plurality of blocks successively in a form other than flat, flattening them step-by-step after extrusion and keeping the form under tension during the flattening step, and winding up the previously flattened strips during each extrusion step.
GB 556 061 describes an improvement in the production of iron and steel sheet metal from tubes that are continuously produced by casting. After leaving the die of the extruder, they are cut open lengthwise and expanded and smoothed by means of forming rollers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,298 A describes a method and a device for the continuous production of metal strips, wherein a workpiece is fed to a punch to form a tube with a circular cross-section and a slit formed therein, and the tube is opened and flattened by outward bending in opposite directions in the slit area.
EP 2996825 B1 describes a method and apparatus for producing metal sheets from extruded profiles of small thickness, in particular of magnesium or magnesium alloys, wherein the extruded profile exiting the extrusion die is formed into a metal sheet. The facility consists of an extruder with a die producing the extruded profile and a deformation unit following the die, wherein the deformation unit consists of a cutting unit for cutting the extruded profile according to the length of the metal sheet to be produced, a bending unit for bending the profile into a U-shape and a coiling unit for coiling the U-shaped profile into a metal sheet.

Device for producing metal sheets or hollow chamber plates from extruded profiles


An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image producing section which produces images of time-serial frames of an inspection subject based on echoes of ultrasonic waves emitted to the subject, a marking section which marks certain frame images among the frame images produced by the image producing section, and a cine memory which memorizes data of the frame images produced by the image producing section and the time-serial positions of the frame images marked by the marking section.

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is known to used for displaying tomographic images (B-mode images) of an inspection subject by using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which is capable of readily producing tomographic images on a real-time basis, is used extensively in the medical field for the inspection of a fetus, a heart, etc.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has various operation modes including B mode, M mode, and D mode. The B mode is mainly used for tomographic imaging of stationary organs of the inspection subject. The M mode, which displays a sonic line of time-serial B-mode images, is used for viewing the motion of a moving part such as a valve of a heart. The D mode, which is based on the Doppler effect of ultrasonic waves reflected by a moving part which causes the echo frequency to shift in proportion to the velocity of movement, is used for measuring the blood flow speed and for imaging a blood stream.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a primary recording device called "cine memory". The cine memory memorizes data of tomographic images of an inspection subject in the form of frames which have been produced consecutively by scanning (for example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-112254
The cine memory is a ring buffer memory having a small storage capacity and is capable of high-speed data writing. The memory stores produced image data of frames until it is full and thereafter stores image data of frames by overwriting the oldest frame with the newest frame sequentially.
After the stop of the scanning operation, image data stored in the cine memory is used for display, and can also be saved in a secondary recording device having a large storage capacity such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) unit. Incidentally, a removable medium may be used as the secondary recording device.
When outputting the image data from the cine memory to the HDD unit, not only the image data of the all frames stored in the cine memory can be outputted and saved, but also the image data of frames within an intended range can be saved. Since only a necessary range of frames is saved, unnecessary image data is not displayed at diagnosis of the inspection subject, therefore the diagnosis by the inspector can efficiently be performed. Further, since the image of the unnecessary frame is not stored in the HDD unit, a storage capacity of the HDD unit can be efficiently used.
Conventionally, the operator transfers frame images within a necessary range from the cine memory to the HDD unit by displaying frame images sequentially and setting the start point and end point of the frame range by fast feeding the frames forwardly and reversely many times with an operation device, such as a trackball device or the like.
Since the operator performs awkward operations such as fast feeding the frames forwardly and reversely repeatedly in order to set the necessary range, the operator has to bear a great burden, resulting in a low operational efficiency.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with automatic marking

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


The invention relates a to method for calibrating scales having a weight-determining weighing system with a processor-controlled computer and with a memory unit for storing information regarding gravitational acceleration. The method can be executed at any arbitrary location without there being a possibility of performing manipulations contrary to the intended use, which includes the following steps: transmission of data regarding the location or place of operation of the scales via a wire or wireless telephone network from the location or place of operation to a receiving location; determination of information associated with the location or place of operation regarding the value of the gravitational acceleration at the location or place of operation of the scales on the basis of the data received at the receiving location; triggering the scales connected at the location or place of operation to the telephone network by a serial interface and a modem; and transmitting the determined information from the receiving location to the computer of the scales at the memory unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for calibrating scales having a weight-determining weighing system with a processor-controlled computer and with a memory unit for storing information regarding gravitational acceleration (g).
2. Background Art
In connection with scales with a weighing system for determining weight, wherein the mass of an object is determined by its weight caused by gravitational acceleration and its effect on a sensor, the basically occurring problem is the dependence of the value of the gravitational acceleration on the location where the scales have been placed or are being operated. For example, the value of the gravitational acceleration varies between 9.797 and 9.825 m/s.sup.2 within the range of the European Community from approximately 70.degree. to 35.degree. north latitude. The value of the gravitational acceleration is further affected by the distance of the location where the scales are placed or operated from sea level or mean sea level (MSL). However, this effective value is of lesser importance; it is often neglected or taken into consideration in the calculation by means of the product of a correction factor, which is a function of the north latitude of the location, and the height above MSL.
The problem can be addressed by either determining the location of the scales and calculating the local gravitational acceleration from this or taking it from a memory or data bank, or calibrating the scales by means of weights directly at its location. The detected value of the gravitational acceleration is stored in a memory unit of the scales and is appropriately processed during weighing in the course of the operation of the scales.
In DE 44 08 232 A1 it has already been proposed to provide a satellite receiver circuit in a correction device inside the scales, which determines geographic position data by means of received satellite signals, then calculates a correction value and displays a weight result corrected on the basis of the correction value. For a position determination by means of the so-called GPS (Global Positioning System) the error-free reception from at least four satellites is required, which means that a direct visual connection with these four satellites must be provided. Reflections, i.e. multiple receptions, because of mountains or buildings can degrade the reception and can even make it impossible. It is practically impossible to perform the correct calibration of scales when in a mass of houses. A further disadvantage of the known system is to be seen in that, because of the time cycle in which the GPS signals are transmitted at present, 12.5 min are required, even with a clear visual contact with the satellites, for determining the location information. The manufacture of a scales is made not inconsiderably more expensive by the installation of a GPS system.


A universal hinge is a hinge with the capability of performing stop and hold mechanisms without installing extra stop and/or catch components on an object abutted to the universal hinge. The universal hinge comprises a hinge body, a stop mechanism, and a hold mechanism. Both the stop mechanism and the hold mechanism of the universal hinge are provided by specially shaped hinge knuckles while no extra component is needed. An alternative improvement of the universal hinge is provided by adding a specially designed self-locking spring-bushing assembly which comprises a conical spring and a step-configured ring bushing. The self-locking spring-bushing assembly complying with the stop and hold mechanisms can serve the improved universal hinge with the adjustable stop angle capability.

The invention is directed to a hinge having a stop mechanism, which limits the opening angle of the hinge, and a hold mechanism, which holds the hinge at the fully opened position. Thus far, several designs on the hinge with stop and/or catching functions have been proposed, such as those in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 90,500; 165,619; 2,966,697; 3,905,065; and 4,501,045. These proposed designs require either extra components or machining work for performing the stop and/or catching functions. It is substantially costly to machine the parts or to produce extra components attached to a hinge for performing the stop and/or catching functions. Due to the high cost, the use of those proposed designs is limited to specialized purposes with substantial extra budget. This disadvantage prevents these stop hinges from being popularly used in daily life.
Besides the stop and/or hold functions, the adjustable stop-angle function is an alternative improvement of the present invention which requires extra components. A design as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,065 contains a stop mounted on the lower hinge part for angular adjustment about the hinge pin. However, its design involves much machining work on both hinge main body and the extra components which make it too expensive and complicated to be practical in use. The alternative improvement of the present invention can perform the same functions with only two extra innovated components and simpler machining work. Hence, it is more cost effective to use the alternative improvement of the present invention than to use the aforementioned design on the adjustable stop-angle applications.

Hinge with adjustable stop and hold mechanism


A fine grinding device for the continuous reprofiling in situ of the surface of the head of at least one rail of a railway track includes at least one fine grinding unit per rail. Each one of these fine grinding units carries a beam (1) on which are mounted rotatably at least two pulleys (4, 8) situated slightly above the rail (3) and around which is arranged an endless abrasive brand (5) working in the longitudinal direction of the rail. Between these two pulleys (4) there is a biasing shoe (12) that contacts the rail over a rectangular surface and that is subjected to the action of a jack supported by the beam (1) and acting on the shoe (12) with a determined force for applying the abrasive band (5) against the head of the rail (3) without any vibration. At least one of the pulleys (4) is driven in rotation by a motor to set the abrasive band (5) into motion.

The present invention is concerned with devices for the continuous reprofiling by grinding of the surface of the head of one or both rails of a railway track, in situ. Several reprofiling installations mounted on or pulled by railway carriages have been proposed to this day, such as those described for example in the patents CH 606 616; CH 626 673; CH 633 336; CH 653 073; CH 654 047; CH 655 528.
All these conventional grinding devices have in common the fact that they include at least one grinding unit, which has means for guiding it along the rail; means for coupling it to a frame of a railway carriage for its pulling along the railway track; means for moving the grinding unit vertically with respect to the frame and for applying the same against the rail to be reprofiled; and members pressing against the rail to define a reference base of a length sufficient for ensuring that the positioning the grinding unit on the rail be substantially independent of the undulations to be eliminated from the rail; a grinding tool; and means for driving this grinding tool in one or several movements relative to the grinding unit and hence to the rail to be reprofiled.
These installations for reprofiling a rail by grinding differ, on the one hand, by the practical realization of the means and members cited above that they carry and, on the other hand, by the grinding means they use, which can be abrasive shoes, lapping grinders, peripheral grinders or cutters.
The most serious drawback of these known devices, in particular those using rotatory tools such as grinders, resides in the fact that the accuracy of the reprofiling is not sufficient, in particular for the rails used by high speed trains.
FIGS. 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 illustrate schematically the influence of the slack in the bearings of the motor driving the peripheral grinder or the lapping grinder on the quality of fine reprofiling. This slack in the bearings of the driving shaft of the grinder causes oscillations thereof which produce micro-undulations on the head of the reprofiled rail (FIGS. 3 and 6).
One can show that, for oscillations of the grinding axis in the order of 0.25 mm, the undulations or micro-undulations produced on the tread of the rail can exhibit a depth in the order of 0.1 mm and a length between 18 and 20 mm.
These micro-undulations cause annoyance by the noise they produce during the passage of trains, at a frequency in the order of 1200 Hz for trains running at 100 km/hr, and which can extend beyond 3000 Hz for trains running at 250 km/hr.
This phenomenon of creations of micro-undulations on the tread of the head of the rail occurs in all cases, whatever the device used for reprofiling using a rotatory tool in contact with the rail, may it be a grinder or a cutter. These deformations of the rail are clearly illustrated in the plan view of FIGS. 2 and 5 and in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIGS. 3 and 6.
One can see that this phenomenon of creation of micro-undulations along the surface of the rail occurs when the reprofiling thereof is carried out by means of shoes or scrapers in contact with the rail.
At the present time, the reprofiling of the rail by means of abrasive shoes subjected to a continuous or an alternating motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail is completely abandoned because the abrading capacity, i.e. of the capacity of these shoes to remove the metal, is totally insufficient and the rail cannot be used by trains for an excessive duration of time.
The use of an abrasive web for the reprofiling of the rails has also been proposed, but these attempts have not been satisfactory. Patent CH 356 483 describes a reprofiling device in which an abrasive web is held taught under a shoe provided with running rollers at its ends. The abrasive web is fixed, the portion in contact with the rail can be replaced by a new portion manually when worn. Patent EP 0 512 159 describes a device for grinding the rail including a continuous abrasive web, held around rollers, of which three are in contact with the rail. These two devices in CH 356 483 and EP 0 512 159 have the same drawback as the devices discussed previously, since they include wheels or rollers applying the abrasive web against the rail, and accordingly these rollers exhibit necessarily some slack and this produces necessarily micro-undulations on the surface of the rail.
Patent EP 0 371 328 describes a device for grinding a rail by means of a continuous abrasive web, closed on itself and driven by this motor. This abrasive web moves along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail, which necessitates the use of lower rollers on which passes the abrasive web which are placed laterally with respect to the rail and slightly lower that the rail tread. This is a serious drawback since such a device cannot be pulled along the railway track without having to be frequently lifted to avoid the obstacles found along the rail.
Thus, no solution proposed at this time for the reprofiling and the grinding of the rail has been capable of avoiding the creation or of eliminating the micro-undulations formed along the tread surface and which can induce unacceptable noise levels, when a train travels at high speed.

Device for the continuous and fine reprofiling in situ of the surface of the head of at least one rail of a railway track


An apparatus for supporting an object at a window of a building comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member extends along at least a partial width of the window and abuts an interior surface of the building. The first member is configured to support the object by exerting an outward force on the interior surface of the building in response to a downward force exerted by the object. The first member also comprises at least two sections extending from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building. These sections may extend from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building about respective distal ends of the first member. The sum of the forces applied on the surfaces of the building are sufficient to secure the object to the building.

Objects such as air conditioning units, plants, animal food and housing, decorative arrangements, and the like, are often secured adjacent to or partially within building windows, where a portion of those objects are located outside of the building. Since a portion of the object is located beyond the exterior of a building, there exists a potential for an object to fall from the window to the surface below. Of course, this is particularly problematic in urban areas, where several of such objects may be found in a single building, several stories above the ground surface.
As a result, strict safety regulations have been developed in some urban areas with regard to the installation and maintenance of, e.g., window air conditioning units. For example, the New York City Building Code sets forth specific guidelines that must be adhered to when such a unit is installed. Further, to date, air conditioners and other objects have been attached to a building utilizing support structures that are built into the building itself. As such, if the support system falters or is removed, the building is permanently altered or damaged. Therefore, a need exists for an object support apparatus that provides sufficient safety and does not damage or otherwise modify the building to which is secured.

Supporting an object at a window of a building by applying opposing forces to an interior surface and an exterior surface of the building


A digital signal multiplexor and multiplexing method are provided with which switching between different input signals is achieved without producing glitches in the output signal, even in the event of one or more of the input signals stopping and starting at unknown times.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to signal multiplexors, in a particular, to digital signal multiplexors.
2. Related Art Paragraph
Signal multiplexors are well known in the art, and are generally used to perform signal switching or routing functions. Generally, when multiplexing analog signals, relative timing between the input switching and a particular point on the waveform of the analog signal being selected is of little concern or consequence. However, when multiplexing digital signals, such timing can be critical. For example, if the signals being multiplexed are periodic, i.e., with periodic asserted and de-asserted states, such relative timing can result in the output signal having a signal state (asserted or de-asserted) which is truncated prematurely. For example, when switching between two clock signals, if it is desirable to maintain output clock signal pulses having consistent or constant pulse durations, relative timing of the switching can be critical and difficult to maintain correctly. Such premature or otherwise undesirable truncation of output signal pulses are often referred to as "glitches", and are generally undesirable, and often problematic.

Digital multiplexor with multiple switching modes


A system and method of coating articles with the method comprising directing a plurality of articles into an enclosure; applying a vehicle carrying a first agent onto the plurality of articles; converted the vehicle into a gaseous state to leave the first agent on each the plurality of articles; collecting the vehicle in the gaseous state; converting the vehicle in the gaseous state back into a reclaimed state to enable one to add a further agent to the reclaimed vehicle so that one can apply the reclaimed vehicle and a further agent onto a further set of articles.

The concept of coating articles in order to enhance the operation of the article is generally known in the art. In general a vehicle carrying an agent is applied to an article. When the vehicle dries the agent remains secured to the article. Unfortunately, one of the by products of such coating is that the vehicle, which is lost during the process, may be costly as well as hazardous if the vehicle is released into the atmosphere. The present invention allows one to reclaim the vehicle for reuse in depositing agents on other parts as well as to substantially eliminate any hazardous vehicle emissions.
One of the areas where coating an article after the article has been cast is in the art of manufacturing battery parts. Typically, battery parts form an interface between the interior of the battery and the exterior of the battery. If one does not obtain a fluid tight seal between the battery part and the battery container electrolyte can leak out along the battery part. In order to prevent leakage the battery parts such as battery terminals are coated with a sealing agents that help prevent leakage of electrolyte from the battery.

System and method for reclaiming and reuse of vehicle


From among a U-plane and a C-plane, the U-plane is installed in a first user site which has a base station, and the C-plane is installed in a C-plane site (any site that is not a user site). A system sets a U-plane inter-site path which is an inter-site communication path that connects a first user site with a second user site via a wide area network, and a C-plane inter-site path which is an inter-site communication path that connects a C-plane site with the first user site via the wide area network. In addition, the system sets an in-site communication path which is a communication path within the first user site and which connects to an inter-site communication path. A U-plane inter-site path is an inter-site communication path via which data is transmitted or received by a U-plane. A C-plane inter-site path is an inter-site communication path via which a signal is transmitted or received by a C-plane.

The present invention generally relates to supporting communication that is via a network.
Local 5G is known (5G is 5th Generation). Utilization of local 5G by companies, local government, and the like as stable wireless communication infrastructure in place of a wireless local area network (LAN) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is expected. In Japan, a business operator (typically a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO)) differing from a business operator that has equipment for a wireless communication network (in other words, a mobile network operator (MNO)) can provide local 5G as a new communication service. Depending on the country, a business operator that has equipment for a wireless communication network can provide local 5G as a new communication service. Note that, as a disclosure relating to 5G, there is "5G; System architecture for the 5G System (5GS) (3GPP TS 23.501 version 15.5.0 Release 15)," ETSI TS 123 501 V15.5.0 (2019-04), TECHNICALSPECIFICATION <https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/123500_123599/123501/15. 05.00_60/ts_123501v150500p.pdf>, for example.
As equipment for local 5G, there is access equipment such as a base station and core network equipment (hereinafter, core equipment). The core equipment includes a control plane (C-plane) and a user plane (U-plane).
As exemplified in FIG. 1, it is assumed that local 5G is provided from an example of a communication carrier, which does not have wireless communication network equipment, to each of a user A and a user B who are customers of the communication carrier.
Core equipment is considered to be installed at a user site 1 (for example, a site where a base station or a user terminal is present) for each user. Via the core equipment installed at the user site 1, user data is transmitted and received between a user site 1 and a user site 2 (for example, a site where there is a server that communicates with a user terminal). "User data" is, for example, data transmitted and received between a user terminal in a user site 1 and a server in the user site 2.
Core equipment is typically expensive. Accordingly, when core equipment is needed for each user, it is difficult for the user to newly introduce local 5G, and as a result it is difficult to promote use of local 5G.
Such a problem is not limited to the provision of local 5G, and can be present for the overall provision of communication service (for example, private Long-Term Evolution (LTE)) that requires core equipment, including a C-plane and a U-plane.


The present disclosure relates to a rotary plug valve and, more particularly, to a rotary plug valve having a fluid conduit cartridge including components that are assembled in a manner allowing for the rotation of a valve handle without rotation of the entire valve or supply line. Illustratively, a retainer ring and a backer ring are coupled with a gripper ring positioned therebetween. Coupling of the retainer ring and the backer ring creates compression on locking tabs of the grip ring, holding the locking tabs in place between tangs of the backer ring and preventing rotation of the gripper ring.

This disclosure relates generally to plumbing components and assemblies and, more particularly, to rotary plug valves and to push-on quick-connect couplings between axially overlapping plumbing components that are automatically lockable by a toothed ring.
A conventional rotary plug valve, such as an angle supply stop, typically includes a housing having an inlet at one end of the housing, a valve handle at an opposite end of the housing, an internal valve member connected to the handle, and an outlet of the housing between the housing ends and in selective fluid communication with the inlet via the valve member. The supply stop may include a conventional quick-connect coupling, and wherein the housing may carry a toothed ring having radially inwardly projecting teeth, wherein the supply line may be inserted into the housing in an insertion direction so as to deflect the teeth, which bite the supply line to resist removal from the housing.
But when a user rotates the valve handle of a conventional supply stop during operation, the supply stop tends to rotate on a supply line to which the supply stop is connected. In particular, when the supply stop is coupled to a flexible supply line, the supply stop tends to rotate more freely than if the supply stop was coupled to a rigid supply line. Such rotation of the supply stop requires a user to grasp the valve housing or the supply line with one hand while rotating the handle with another hand. Some prior solutions to this problem may require use of costly threading or special fasteners, excessive component quantities, and/or complex component configurations.
The present disclosure relates to a rotary plug valve and, more particularly, to a rotary plug valve having a fluid conduit cartridge including components that are assembled in a manner allowing for the rotation of a valve handle without rotation of the entire valve or supply line. For example, a retainer ring and a backer ring are illustratively coupled with a gripper ring positioned therebetween, wherein the coupling of the retainer ring and the backer ring creates compression on locking tabs of the grip ring, holding the locking tabs in place between tangs of the backer ring and preventing rotation of the gripper ring.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a valve assembly includes a valve body defining a supply passage, the supply passage having an interior wall, and a coupling cartridge positioned at least partially within the supply passage of the valve body. The coupling cartridge includes a retainer ring having an outer wall, wherein the outer wall of the retention ring directly contacts the internal wall of the supply passage, a gripper ring defining an opening, the gripper ring including a base wall and a plurality of internal tabs extending from the base wall into the opening of the gripper ring, and a backer ring coupled to the retainer ring, wherein the gripper ring is positioned between the retainer ring and the backer ring.
In such a valve assembly, the retainer ring may comprise a first coupler and a second coupler, the first coupler defining the outer wall of the retainer ring. The first coupler may comprise metal. The second coupler may comprise polymer. The first coupler and the second coupler may be coupled together by overmolding.
The valve body of the valve assembly may comprise an internal shoulder and a crimped inlet end, wherein the coupling cartridge is axially positioned between the internal shoulder and the crimped inlet end. A seal may be disposed between the backer ring and the internal shoulder of the valve body.
The backer ring of the valve assembly may comprise a circumferential array of external projections. The valve assembly may further comprise a center support carried radially inwardly of the coupling cartridge. The retainer ring may comprise at least one groove on the outer wall and the backer ring may comprise at least one tang configured to snap-fit with the at least one notch of the retainer ring.
In another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid conduit coupling cartridge includes a retainer ring having an outer wall and including a plurality of grooves, and a notch wall defined between adjacent ones of the grooves. A gripper ring defines an opening, the gripper ring including a base wall, a plurality of internal tabs extending from the base wall into the opening of the gripper ring, and at least one lock tab extending outwardly from the base wall. The fluid conduit coupling cartridge further comprises a backer ring having a base wall and a plurality of tangs extending away from the base wall, and a resist notch defined between adjacent ones of the tangs. The plurality of tangs of the backer ring are configured to couple to the plurality of grooves of the retainer ring. The gripper ring is positioned between the retainer ring and the backer ring so that the at least one lock tab is positioned between the notch wall and the resist notch.
The retainer ring of the fluid conduit coupling cartridge may include a metal coupler and a plastic coupler overmolded to the metal coupler. The notch wall, the resist notch, and the lock tab may be substantially the same width.
In yet another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a valve assembly includes a valve body including a supply passage; and a coupling cartridge at least partially carried in the supply passage of the valve body, and including: a retainer ring including a maximum diameter that is interference fit to the supply passage of the valve body. The coupling cartridge includes a gripper ring including a base wall, gripping teeth, and one or more locking tabs extending radially outwardly from the base wall, and a backer ring that is interference fit to the retainer ring to trap the gripper ring between the retainer ring and the backer ring.
The backer ring of the assembly may include a base wall and one or more tangs extending away from the base wall for coupling to the retainer ring and establishing locking notches for anti-rotational registration of the locking tabs of the gripper ring. The retainer ring may include a metal coupler establishing the maximum outer diameter of the retainer ring that is interference fit to the supply passage of the valve body. The retainer ring may also include a plastic coupler overmolded to the metal coupler and having an interlocking end for snap-fit cooperation with the backer ring. The tangs of the backer ring may be for snap-fit cooperation with the interlocking end of the plastic coupler.
The retainer ring may be an overmolded two-piece component. The valve body may include and internal shoulder and a crimpled inlet end, wherein the coupling cartridge is axially trapped between the internal shoulder and the crimped inlet end. The backer ring may include a circumferential array of external projections. The assembly may further comprise a seal disposed between the backer ring and an internal shoulder of the valve body. The assembly may further comprise a center support carried radially inwardly of the coupling cartridge.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid conduit coupling cartridge includes a retainer ring, a gripper ring including a base wall, gripping teeth, and one or more locking tabs extending radially outwardly from the base wall, and a backer ring that is interference fit to the retainer ring to trap the gripper ring between the retainer ring and the backer ring. The backer ring includes a base wall, and one or more tangs extending away from the base wall for coupling to the retainer ring and establishing locking notches for anti-rotational registration of the locking tabs of the gripper ring.
The retainer ring may be an overmolded two-piece component. The retainer ring may include a metal coupler and a plastic coupler overmolded to the metal coupler. The retainer ring may include an interlocking end for snap-fit cooperation with the backer ring. The tangs of the backer ring may be for snap-fit cooperation with the interlocking end of the plastic coupler.

Rotation-resistant push-on conduit coupling cartridge


A receiving host in a TCP/IP network sends an acknowledgment indicating a received data packet is corrupt. The sending host will begin transmitting with a new field set in the IP header called a check-TCP-checksum bit, thereby requesting that all routers in the TCP/IP network perform a checksum on the entire received packet. Routers in the TCP/IP network will perform a complete checksum on an entire packet with the check-TCP-checksum bit set, and not just on the IP header. The routers continuously monitor the ratio of corrupt packets received on a particular port that fail the entire packet checksum to the total number of packets received on that port. If the ratio of corrupt-to-received packets exceeds a corruption threshold, the router assumes that the associated link is causing data corruption and issues a routing update indicating that the link is bad and should be avoided. Once the retransmission rate between the sender and receiver drops below a threshold level, the bad link has been detected and avoided within the TCP/IP network and the check-TCP-checksum option in the IP header is no longer set in data packets transmitted to the receiver host.

Networks provide for transmission of information from a source to a destination over a particular route. The information is transmitted along the route through routers. Typically, each router has knowledge of various routes available in the network and this knowledge is stored in a route database or route table. The information is transmitted throughout the network in accordance with a particular protocol and routers in the network may support any of a number of protocols. Thus, the router may store multiple routes, which are available using multiple protocols.
The Internet has become a particularly important network for transmission and distribution of data (text, code, image, video, audio, or mixed) and software. Users connect to the backbone of the Internet with broadly divergent levels of performance, ranging from 14.4 Kb/s to more than 45 Mb/s. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) has become a widely implemented standard communication protocol in Internet and Intranet technology, enabling broad heterogeneity between clients, servers, and the communications systems coupling them. Internet Protocol (IP) is the network layer protocol and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the transport layer protocol. At the network level, IP provides a "datagram" delivery service. By contrast, TCP builds a transport level service over the datagram service to provide guaranteed, sequential delivery of a byte stream between two IP hosts.
In a large network such as the Internet, it is possible for one of the routes within the network to be causing data corruption. While each router along the route will perform a checksum on the header of each data packet received to detect data corruption of the packet, some data corruption caused along the route may only be detectable by performing a checksum on the entire payload of the received packet. Therefore, routers within the network are not aware that they are forwarding corrupted packets to the destination. This data corruption is only detected upon the packet's arrival at the receiving host, which performs a checksum on the entire payload. The receiving host will then send an acknowledgment to the sending host requesting retransmission of the corrupted data packets. However, since the sender host and receiver host hosts have no way of knowing which route caused the data corruption, they are unable to avoid that route in the retransmission of the data packets. Further, the sender host and receiver host hosts have no way of informing the routers within the network of the data corruption so that the routers can correct or avoid the corrupting route. Consequently, it can be seen that there is a need for a communications routing protocol and system that provides the rapid detection of bad links within the network so that the routers can route data packets around data corrupting links.

Method, system and article for rapid detection and avoidance of high data corrupting routes within a network

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a needle to contact and penetrate tissue. The apparatus also includes a device coupled to the needle, wherein the device detects the needle contacting the tissue, and measures depth of tissue penetration.

The present invention relates to a needle assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to contact and penetration depth sensor for such a needle assembly.
There are many medical circumstances in which an increase in the supply of blood to living tissue is desirable. These include: burns and wound healing, in which the incorporation of angiogenic factors into artificial skin may facilitate the formation of blood vessels in the healing wound and reduce the risk of infection; cardiovascular disease, in which repair of anginal or ischemic cardiac tissue may be enhanced by causing the ingrowth of new blood vessels; stroke, where increased blood supply to the brain may reduce the risk of transient ischemic attack and/or cerebral arterial deficiency; and peripheral vascular disease, in which blood flow in the extremities is increased through the formation of new vessels. In each case, the growth of new blood vessels may increase the volume of blood circulating through the tissue in question, and correspondingly may increase the amount of oxygen and nutrients available to that tissue. However, some individuals are unable to generate sufficient collateral vessels to adequately increase the volume of blood through the tissue.

Contact and penetration depth sensor for a needle assembly


A plasma gaseous reaction apparatus including a reaction chamber, a system for supplying reaction gas to the reaction chamber and an exhaust system for exhausting unnecessary reaction products. Specifically, the apparatus includes a pair of facing electrodes disposed in the reaction chamber which are covered by shields except the area in which the electrodes face each other. The shields may include a first and second shield wherein the inner first shield is electrically insulated from the electrodes and the outer second shield is kept at earth potential. The apparatus further includes a substrate container for supporting substrates which surrounds the substrates by a frame. The outside of the substrate container is kept in the earth potential and is covered by a conductor plate electrically insulated from the container. The shields and substrate container are configured such that plasma generated by electric power supplied by the electrodes is confined in a space surrounded by the shields and the container.

The present invention relates to a positive column type plasma treatment apparatus having a novel container or substrate support (herein after referred to as "susceptor") structure.
A plasma treatment is a method for creating plasma and very active radicals by applying energy such as electromagnetic wave to a certain substance and for forming a film on a substrate by contacting the radicals to the substrate and for implementing plasma treatments such as etching and ashing of the material on the surface of the substrate. A plasma treatment apparatus refers to equipments in general for implementing those treatments.
Such a plasma treatment apparatus comprises a plasma reaction chamber which is a vacuum chamber provided with means for introducing and discharging reaction gas for producing plasma, a means for supplying energy such as electromagnetic wave for turning the original gas introduced in the plasma treating chamber into plasma state, a substrate to be treated by the plasma and its supporting means, and a heating means for warming up the substrate as necessary.
By the way, such a plasma treatment largely depends on activity of radicals and a degree of plasma treatment on the substrate to be treated is largely changed depending on a condition of plasma discharge for generating the radicals and on a distribution of density of the radicals. What is necessary in treating plasma uniformly on a large area is to select such a plasma discharge condition that generates a large amount of radicals uniformly across the large area.
As electromagnetic wave energy for turning such an reaction gas into plasma, 13.56 MHz high frequency wave, micro wave, D.C. or low frequency electromagnetic wave energy is used. Normally plasma discharge by high frequency wave is often used.
There are two types in such plasma discharge; an inductive coupling type and a capacitive coupling type. The inductive coupling type is so called a non-polar discharge. Among the capacitive coupling type plasma discharges, a plane parallel plate electrode type plasma discharge is well known. As an example of the plane parallel plate electrode type plasma treatment apparatus, a schematic drawing of a plasma CVD apparatus is shown in FIG. 1.
As seen in the figure, a pair of plane parallel plate electrodes 7 and 1 are disposed within a reaction chamber 6 and are connected to a high frequency power source 2, respectively. A substrate to be treated 3 is placed on one electrode and is heated by a heating means 4 such as a heater.
Reaction gas is introduced into the reaction chamber from a gas inlet 5, is decomposed and activated by high frequency power supplied to the electrodes a film is formed on the substrate 3. To implement plasma treatment (forming a film) uniformly, an uniform plasma discharge needs to be realized. Sometimes the electrode on which the substrate is placed is rotated to supplement the uniformity, but it has such disadvantages that it complicates the apparatus and increases the size thereof.
Moreover, the substrate is normally placed on the cathode or anode of the plane parallel plate electrode or in the cathode dark space or anode dark space which are created near them when plasma treatment is performed, so that a size of an area to be treated cannot be increased more than the size of the electrode.
Furthermore, sometimes such a phenomenon that reaction products adhere flakily on the inner wall of the reaction chamber other than the substrate occurs and the reaction products fall on the substrate when a film is formed, thereby causing a problem that pinholes are created on the thin film.
By the way, such technologies as plasma CVD and plasma etching are widely being put into practical use in manufacturing semiconductor devices and electronic parts and many equipments for mass-producing them are being proposed. Lately in particular, diameters of substrate wafers for semiconductor devices and sizes of substrates are being increased more and more. Especially an active matrix type liquid crystal electro-optic device in which this film transistors are formed as switching elements for the liquid crystal electro-optic device is remarkably increasing in its size and it has become necessary to form a semiconductor thin film for the thin film transistors and to perform etching on a substrate with a size of 15 to 20 inches of diagonal line.
It is also desired to shorten treatment time to lower manufacturing cost and an improvement in throughput of a treatment apparatus and such an apparatus that can treat a large amount of substrates are being required.
In order to meet such requirements, sizes of plasma treatment apparatuses are being increased. For example, the size of the electrode in the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 is increased. That is, in the case of the apparatus in FIG. 1, since the substrate is placed directly on the electrode, the simplest way for improving the treatment ability is to increase the area of the electrode. In such plane parallel plate type plasma treatment apparatus, however, the increase in the electrode size means an increase of the apparatus size, which is a problem for users who desire to treat a large substrate with a smaller apparatus taking a small floor space.
In addition to that, the increase of the electrode area hampers an uniformity of density of plasma that contacts to the surface of the substrate to be treated (discharge condition is ununiform), causing a problem that uniform plasma treatment cannot be implemented.
As a means for solving such problems, a method to dispose a plurality of plane parallel plate electrodes within a reaction chamber and to place a substrate to be treated on the electrode has been proposed, but it causes a problem of complicating the apparatus structure. Furthermore, even by this method, plasma discharge is still remained to be ununiform due to the increase of the area and uniform plasma treatment cannot be implemented.
As a means for solving such problems, an apparatus for carrying out plasma gaseous reactions has been devised (the apparatus is referred to as a positive column plasma treatment apparatus hereinafter). It has a structure in which plasma discharge is confined only in an area where substrates are placed within a reaction chamber, a frame called a container having a shape of surrounding the substrate from the four sides is disposed around the substrate to suppress the plasma from spreading to the inner wall of the reaction chamber, electrodes are separated from the substrate, parts of the frame not surrounded above and under the frame are covered by the electrodes and a space in which the substrates are placed is completely separated from the reaction chamber by the frame and the two electrodes to confine the plasma therein.
That is, the basic idea of this apparatus is to utilize a positive column area of a plasma glow discharge and to perform plasma treatment by disposing a plurality of substrates to be treated within the positive column area. A plasma CVD method utilizing this positive column is described in Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. 59-52834 and 59-52835 which the applicant of the present invention applied.
FIG. 2 shows this method. As shown in the figure, a plurality of substrates 3 are placed between a pair of electrodes 7 and 1 by means of susceptors 10. The susceptors 10 are provided as integral parts of a container 13 and handling of the substrates is performed by inserting/taking the container to/out of a reaction chamber. To simplify its explanation, the figure only shows around a plasma discharge area. In this method, electrode shields 11 and 12 are provided around the electrodes to effectively utilize the positive column, and a reaction area is defined by the electrode shields and the peripheral wall of the container 13 to confine plasma not to discharge out of this area.
The apparatus has a structure in which the substrates are placed vertically and are surrounded by the frames, so that film may be formed on a plurality of substrates in the same time; this apparatus is an effective apparatus for solving the aforementioned problems.
However, a new problem arose also in such apparatus. In such method, in order to improve plasma treatment ability and to reduce occupied volume of the apparatus, the gaps between the substrates and the gaps between the substrate susceptors and the electrodes are narrowed down as much as possible. In the prior art method, however, the narrowed-down gaps unstabilized plasma discharge, causing the discharge to be extinguished or ununiformed and hampering uniform plasma treatment.
As well known methods for supplying discharge power to the electrodes in the positive column plasma treatment apparatus, there are following two methods as shown in FIG. 3. The method shown in FIG. 3a explains a double power source method for supplying two powers independently to each of a pair of electrodes 1 and 7 through the intermediary of matching module 9 and FIG. 3b explains a balun method for supplying one power to each of the pair of electrodes through the intermediary of the matching module 9 and balun 8.
In these power supplying methods, a blocking capacitor is inserted between the electrodes and the matching modules to apply self-bias on the substrate.
However, in the case of the positive column plasma treatment apparatus, the self-bias is not applied to the electrodes so much regardless of the existence of the blocking capacitor, even if either of the power supplying methods is adopted. Naturally no self-bias is applied when the blocking capacitor is removed.
At this time, plasma space potential is about Vpp/4 to Vpp/2 of a difference of two peak voltage values of applied power Vpp and when the container is assumed to be equal to earth potential, the container 13 receives sputtering of energy equivalent to the plasma space potential. It is the same when the substrate is conductive and is equal to the earth potential and in this case, coating films on the substrate 3 is susceptible to a large damage.
Even when the container 13 is kept in the earth potential, the surface of the substrate 3 is in a condition of being electrically insulated from the container 13 when the substrate 3 is electrically insulated from the container 13, so that the surface is turned into a condition of having a certain floating voltage. At this time, since a difference between the plasma space potential and the floating potential is smaller than that between the plasma space potential and the earth potential, the damage on the coating film is less as compare to the case when both container and substrate are kept in the earth potential.
Even in this case, however, plasma conditions change at the electrically insulated substrate and the container in the earth potential and at a boundary with the susceptors in particular because plasma near the substrates and that near the susceptors is influenced by the substrates and the susceptors, so that thickness and quality of a film differ near the edge of the substrate and at the middle part of the substrate; the uniformity of the thickness and quality of the film is impaired.
On the other hand, in the case of the positive column plasma treatment apparatus, since the container contacts partially with the reaction chamber, heat of the substrate easily escapes to the reaction chamber and heating and hot insulation cannot be easily implemented. Moreover, an impairment of uniformity of the temperature is a problem in heating a substrate in some container structures.
Furthermore, since the positive column plasma treatment apparatus can treat many substrates, a volume of plasma has to be increased and to this end, the gap between electrodes have to be widened, causing such problems that the size of the apparatus is increased and a large RF power is necessary.
Also in the case of the prior art positive column plasma treatment apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, when the substrate holding gaps and the gap between the electrodes and the susceptors are narrowed down, the susceptors and the surface of the substrates become paths for flowing current between the electrodes 7 and 1. This state is shown in FIG. 2 by a wave line 15. Due to that, even when plasma discharge has been observed in the beginning of the discharge and the plasma discharge is stopped in a state when there is no reflected power yet for inputted power, reflected power is not observed. Moreover, the plasma discharge stays only very near the upper and lower electrodes and current flows on the surface of the substrate susceptors during that, causing no plasma discharge near the substrates. Due to that, barely no inputted power is supplied to the gas, thereby hampering plasma treatment and causing an ununiform treatment.
In addition to that, in the case of the aforementioned apparatus, since there is a difference in degrees of plasma treatment on the substrate to be treated, normally a periphery of the substrate by 5 to 10% of length of the substrate size cannot be used. That is, in a case of plasma CVD apparatus for example, a coating film is formed on a substrate which is larger than what is originally needed and then its periphery is cut. Due to that, the area of the substrate has to be increased in performing plasma treatment, thereby increasing the apparatus size. The large substrate size causes an increase in material costs of the substrate and others.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problems, i.e. to reduce the impairment on coating films or substrates, to improve the uniformity of thickness and quality of the coating films and to improve the substrate heating efficiency when the coating films are formed or plasma treatment is performed, by providing a plasma treatment apparatus having a novel structure that allows to treat a large substrate to be treated in a short treatment time and to perform uniform plasma treatment.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A method for preventing a message from being modified or deleted by a malicious application when the message is received by an electronic device based on a service provided in the electronic device and an electronic device therefor are provided. The method includes successively loading at least two received messages in a sequence filter, and determining whether data of the at least two received messages are identical to each other. A method for operating an electronic device is not limited to the above method, and other embodiments are possible within the same or similar scope as the present disclosure.

When a message is received by an electronic device, a malicious application included in the electronic device may intercept and modify or delete the message. To prevent a message from being modified or deleted by a malicious application in an electronic device, some of services provided in the electronic device may not be used.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Method for processing data and electronic device therefor