The invention relates to application of 4,4′-diphenylmethane-bis(methyl) carbamates (DPMC) extracted and isolated from Cortex Mori and preparation of medicine for diabetic nephropathy. The pharmaceutical composition is made up of DPMC as active ingredient and the normal drug carriers, and the weight percentage of active ingredient is 0.1-99.5%. For the remarkable effect of prevention and cure for diabetic nephropathy and convenience for use, it will be a new facultative drug for patients.

Diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications have seriously affected the healthy and life quality of human being. The number of patient has increased in recent years and the attack rate of diabetic nephropathy in every age group is 2.8% in 2000 when in 2030 is predicted to be 4.4% all around the world, which means that the number of diabetic patient will increase from 1.71 hundred millions in 2000 to 3.33 hundred million in 2030. With the increasing attack rate every year, the quantities of patients in China has been second only India. Therefore, the prevention and cure of diabetic and its complications has been a very important topic these days. Diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the important complications of diabetic, has been the first place of diseases which leads to the final stage of renal failure. As shown by the data of world health organization that about 30% of I type and 25%-40% II type diabetic patients would improve to be DN patients if the blood glucose was not controlled. Because of delitescence and difficult to discover of DN in earlier period, it will can not be reverse when the symptom of renal affection appears. The yearlong diabetic can destroy filtration function of renal and express as microamount albuminuria. With the extend of disease course, albuminuria will increase and the ability of renal for eliminating toxin in blood decays gradually, which leads to the end stage renal disease (ESRD) and the patients can only maintain their life by hematodialysis or kidney transplant. Thereby, it is badly need to deeply elucidate the mechanism of DN, rich and consummate the measures of prevention and cure.
Advanced glycation end products (AGES) is a covalence conjugate of macromolecule and glyc-carbonyl without catalysis of enzyme. Under the condition of catalysis of non-enzyme, firstly the reversible Schiffs base is formed by free aldehyde of amylaccum molecule and amino group of protein, secondary stationary ketoamine compounds (Amadori products) are formed by the structural rearrangement of Schiffs base, then the stationary and nonreversible AGEs are formed after the reactions of dehydration, oxidation and condensation. AGEs relates closely to the complication of diabetic because it is casy to form the cross-linking agent with the biomacromolecule of protein, nucleic acid, lipide and so on, and then deposit in cells, interfere the normal functions of cell. The interactions of AGEs and RAGE, which lead to produce or activate of many cytokines of proinflammatory factor and profibrosis factor, and lead to the patho-changes of cell hypertrophia, base material accrementition and fibrosis of glomcrulus, take great effect on the generation and development of diabetic nephropathy and is one of the etiological factors. Therefore, intervention of the formation of AGES, elimination of the AGEs had formatted and amendment of the renal disease symptom induced by AGEs can prevent and cure the DN (Bohlender J M, Franke S, Stein G, et al. Advanced glycation end products and the kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2005, 289(4): 645-659).
Cortex Mori, the dry root cortex of Morus alba L., tastes sweet, frigidity and possesses the functions of removing heat from lung and relieving asthima, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema. Cortex Mori is usually used for dyspnea and cough due to lung-heat, oliguria due to dropsy and turg, puffiness of face muscle and skin. The recent pharmacology researches showed that the Cortex Mori possessed the activities of lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, diuresis, preventing cough and relieving asthima, anti-HIV, anti-tumor and so on. Since the active ingredients of 1-deoxynojirimycin and moran A for lowering blood sugar were isolated from Cortex Mori, more and more scholars are looking for new active ingredients of lowering blood sugar from Cortex Mori and next to improve a new drug for diabetic. DPMC is a new natural produce which is first time isolated from the extract of Cortex Mori and the synthetics produce of DPMC used only in chemical engineering field before is to prepare Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) which is the main material of polyurethane. Up till now, few of domestic or overseas literatures have been reported about the DPMC used in medical field.

Pharmaceutical composition for diabetic nephropathy and its preparation and application

Guangzhou Consun Medicine R & D Co., Ltd.


A swivel machine for wire processing includes a coiler arranged between a cutting-off/insulation-stripping unit and a second swivel arm. The cut length of wire whose leading wire-end has been processed is coiled by means of a coiling disk of the coiler. After the leading wire-end of the cut length of wire has been processed, it is grasped by the coiler. A belt drive then advances the wire by the desired length of the cut length of wire, and simultaneously the coiler coils the advancing wire into a coil. After the coiling operation, a linearly movable stacker unit grasps the coil, and the coiling disk releases the coil. After the trailing wire-end has been processed, the placement unit moves further in the wire advance direction to the deposit. While the trailing wire-end is being processed, and while traveling to the deposit, the coil is provided with a bind.

The patent application DE 42 35 007 A1 discloses a coiling device for cut lengths of wire wherein the inside walls of a drum serve as resting surfaces for formation of the coil and thereby define the external diameter of the coil. In this device, while the wire is being inserted, the drum remains stationary and is opened when the wire length has been attained and the coil bound. Following transfer of both wire-ends of the coil to transfer grippers, subsequent wire-end processing operations as, for example, crimp pressing and/or seal loading, can be performed. Besides advantages from low moving masses, there are also disadvantages as, for example, uncontrollable bending radii when inserting and compressing the various coil layers for binding. Whether the individual windings always lie against the wall is uncertain. Minimum bending radii on entry and emergence of the wire into, and out of, the drum are also not defined.
From patent specification EP 1 387 449 B1 a coiling device with controllable minimum bending radius for wires, especially optical-fiber wires, has become known. In this device, the cut length of wire is coiled by means of a coiling unit into a coil, and after attaining the correct wire-length the wire-ends are of identical length and after the coil has been bound, the wire-ends are accepted by transfer grippers for further processing. For optical-fiber wires the high outlay for mechanics and controls is more readily justified than for wires with copper conductors.
Patent application WO 03/018456 A1 discloses a coiling device for a coil with a rotating coiling arbor, on which hanging and open able coiling arms are arranged. Depending on the cut length of wire, the arms are opened more or less, so that when the wire length is attained, the two wire-ends are approximately the same length. For processing of the wire-ends, after the coil has been bound it is accepted by transfer grippers.
On many types of wire processing machines, the handling of long cut lengths of wire (for example, greater than 7 meters wire length) is difficult. On swiveling machines with swivel arms, the wire tray must be as long as the cut length of wire. On transfer machines with a transfer unit that can be moved along straight lines, during transportation several loop-shaped wires lie on top of each other, which on rapid transportation by means of the transfer unit can cause relatively high wire-pulling forces because the wire is only held at its ends.
In the said patent applications, solution concepts for transfer machines are shown. Separate coiling devices downstream of the wire processing machine have not established themselves because, with the serial processing operations, the cycle time or total processing time for a coiled cut length of wire was correspondingly long.

Coiler and method for manufacturing a coil


A method for controlling an inverter, and in particular a double stage inverter, for implementing a model of a synchronous generator is provided including implementing a rotor inertia using an intermediate dc-link capacitor without duplicating the emulated inertia in the controller, simulating the rotor speed based on a measured voltage of the dc-link capacitor, while allowing the voltage to change in a defined range, and mapping the changing voltage of the dc-link capacitor into the inverter as an internal frequency. A system for connecting a power generator to a power grid is also provided including a control device for an inverter, the control device implementing a model of a synchronous generator. The control device including a computer processor in electrical communication with a storage device with instructions stored thereon, that when executed on the computer processor, perform the method for controlling an inverter for implementing a model of a synchronous generator.

Integration of distributed and renewable energy sources (DERs) such as photovoltaic (PV) and wind systems requires intelligent and efficient inverters that offer advanced functionalities including standalone (SA) and grid-connected (GC) operation, seamless transition between these modes, and grid-supporting and grid-stabilizing functions both during steady-state and transient conditions.
The majority of existing renewable inverters are currently designed to operate in parallel with the grid. Existing renewable inverters feed their harvested power to the grid while complying with the grid codes in terms of quality of their generated current. Some of the smarter types of inverters can also feed or absorb reactive power and can also ride through the transient grid faults and grid frequency swings. Current-controlled (CC) inverters can efficiently control current and ride through the grid faults, but current-controlled inverters have issues with operating in standalone mode and/or weak grid conditions due to the fact that their control is directed towards the current (1).
Voltage-controlled (VC) inverters based on the concept of droop characteristics, based on the operation principles of synchronous generators (SG), have also been recently developed for use as inverters (2), (3) to overcome some of the shortcomings of the current-controlled inverters. The voltage-controlled inverters generally offer a direct voltage support and work in both grid-connected and standalone modes with minor adjustments (such as addition of a virtual impedance and a self-synchronizing scheme). However, voltage-controlled inverters need additional logics to ensure the inverter current transients, as well as current magnitude during voltage sag conditions remain within acceptable limits.
The high penetration level of renewable energy sources into the existing power system also demands the energy sources static and dynamic behaviors to be supportive and stabilizing to the grid. It is commonly stated, for example, that the photovoltaic inverters do not have a physical inertia and do not respond to the grid transients in a stabilizing way similar to a synchronous generator. The dynamic performance of a synchronous generator naturally releases (or absorbs) inertia power during grid transients leading to improved stability. During a transient increase in the grid's active power, for instance, the frequency of the grid active power goes up. This leads to the increase in the rotor speed of the synchronous generator because the frequency of the grid power and the rotor speed are coupled. This results in the synchronous generator absorbing some of the excessive power and storing it as kinetic energy into the rotor mass of the synchronous generator. Conversely, when there is a shortage in the grid's active power and the active power frequency falls, the rotor speed decreases and releases some of its kinetic energy into the grid. In addition to this interesting inertial behavior of the synchronous generator, the governor and exciter control systems of the synchronous generator respond to longer-term transients of the grid in a similar stabilizing way because the governor and exciter simply adopt and modify a similar inertia nature into their logic.
Due to these aforementioned properties of the synchronous generator, the concept of virtual synchronous machine (under various names such as VSM, VISMA, Synchronverter, etc.) has been introduced (4)-(10) to reproduce or mimic the same dynamics of the synchronous generator in an inverter. The virtual synchronous machine (VSM) method model the inertial effect that uses a virtual inertia concept and builds the concept inside the controller. The inverter that uses a VSM will then reproduce that inertia response. This approach implies that the inverter has access to a source of power that can actually supply that inertia. That source is either a battery storage system (BSS), a large dc-link element, the kinetic energy of the wind turbine, etc.
In an inverter where a battery storage system or a large de-link element is not present, the existing VSM methods cannot successfully work to their potential. The method of (11) adds a control of the de link voltage for bidirectional dc/ac converters and high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system applications, while the method (11) still assumes a virtual inertia in the controller. This is a contradictory approach since it is not clear whether the dc voltage controller determines the inertia response or the VSM controller, and these two controllers will compete and oscillate against each other and lead to instability.
Implementing a virtual synchronous machine for an inverter (without a battery storage system or a large capacitor) requires a dc bus voltage controller coupled with an inertia controller that reflects the physical constraints (such as its size and voltage) associated with this dc element. This is clear by considering the system block diagram as shown in prior art FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows single-line diagram of a three-phase double-stage system (2). The Stage I normally harvests the maximum power called maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Stage II is an inverter to harvest the energy from the intermediate dc bus capacitor, Cdc, and deliver the energy to supply a local load and/or to be injected into the grid.
As described briefly above, in general there are two different approaches to design control systems for inverters namely current control and voltage control methods. In current control methods, a current control loop based on a feedback of the output current is used where, the reference for the loop is formed based on a phase locked loop (PLL) that operates on the output voltage. In voltage control methods, the reference for the voltage is generated based on either the droop principles or virtual synchronous machine (VSM) approaches. In these methods, additional internal loops may or may not exist.
FIG. 2C illustrates a prior art block diagram of a commonly used inverter current control method (13). Converter of Stage I regulates the input power (Pin) and forwards the input power to the intermediate bus capacitor. A proportional integral (PI) controller regulates the dc bus voltage and generates the active current reference value (Id*). Reactive current reference (Iq*) in this configuration is determined by the reactive power control (QC) block which operates based on the grid voltage amplitude (Vg) and the reactive power nominal value (Qn). These reference currents are then controlled by the current controller (CC) block. The current controller could be implemented with two well-known methods, as shown in expanded view prior art FIG. 2A (in rotating frame) and in expanded view prior art FIG. 2B (in stationary frame). In rotating or DQ frame, shown in prior art FIG. 2A, grid current i is transformed into the DQ frame and proportional integral controllers are used to generate the inverter reference voltage e*. Feed forward and decoupling terms are also shown in this figure which help for better dynamic performance of the controller. In stationary frame, shown in prior art FIG. 29, on the other hand, the reference signal is generated using
                    sin        ~                          (        θ        )              =                  [                              sin                                      (              θ              )                                                                                sin            (                          θ              -                                                2                                    π                                3                                      )                                                                                sin            (                          θ              +                                                2                                    π                                3                                      )                          ]                                            and                                    cos          ~                                  (          θ          )                    =              -                  [                                    cos                                            (                θ                )                                                                                cos              (                              θ                -                                                      2                                        π                                    3                                            )                                                                                cos              (                              θ                +                                                      2                                        π                                    3                                            )                                ]                      ,  which are the in-phase and quadrature-phase signals of the grid voltage from the PLL. The grid current is then regulated using proportional resonant (PR) controllers to generate the output reference voltage e*. In three phase systems, the control signal e* is then divided by half of the dc link nominal voltage (0.5 Vdc,n) forming the modulation index that is used to generate the gating signals for the inverter switches. Although the block diagrams of prior art FIGS. 2A-C are drawn for a three-phase system application, similar controller structures can be used to control a single-phase double stage inverter (14), (15). The inverter controllers of prior art FIGS. 2A-C are limited to operate the inverter in grid-connected (GC) mode because the inverter controllers need an already established voltage.
FIG. 2D illustrates a prior art block diagram of a commonly used inverter voltage control method. Voltage control approaches can be categorized into two wide groups namely direct droop-based methods and virtual synchronous machine (VSM) methods. In the direct droop method the voltage reference is generated based on the amplitude and frequency which are obtained from ω=ωn+kp (Pn−P) and V=Vn+kq (Qn−Q), where ωn and Vn are the nominal grid voltage frequency and amplitude, Pn is the nominal active power, and kp and kq are the active and reactive power droop coefficients. Active power (P) and reactive power (Q) are averaged values which are calculated from the output voltage and current signals and low-pass filters. Close correspondence between this method and VSM approach is shown in (16).
The use of synchronous generators (SG) is the well-established in the existing power systems, where the natural and controlled properties of synchronous generators have been extensively studied. The technically attractive properties of the SGs may be summarized as follows. i) SG is primarily voltage source and can establish a voltage. ii) mechanical speed and electrical frequency are directly coupled and are synchronized. This leads to the possibility of interconnecting SGs to form a grid with a stable frequency. iii) Kinetic energy of the rotor acts as a stabilizing inertia during transients and disturbances. iv) Droop-based governor and excitation automatic voltage regulator (AVR)) control systems make the SG respond efficiently to output power while maintaining the frequency and voltage within practically acceptable limits. Due to these properties, the concept of VSM has been developed (in slightly varying formats) in order to furnish an inverter with appropriate control systems such that the inverter can display the virtual synchronous machine (VSM) or synchronous generator (SG) properties during operation. Ideally, a VSM can also improve stability margins of the SG thanks to software and thus flexible implementation of dampers.
A circuit diagram and an equivalent model of the SG is presented in prior art FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively. According to a rotor speed (or frequency) drooping characteristics, the governor adjusts the flow of input mechanical power into the machine. The SG converts this power to an output electrical power. According to a voltage magnitude droop characteristics, the exciter adjusts the current into the filed winding of the machine, which in turn adjusts the delivered reactive power of the machine. The internally induced voltage in FIG. 3B is shown by e with magnitude E and angle θ, where
  θ  =                    n        p            2                  θ      m      and np is the number of pole pairs and θm is the mechanical angle of the rotor. The damper windings are located on the rotor to stabilize the SG during transients and disturbances. In a simplified form, governing electromechanical (also called the swing) equation of an SG is expressed as
                                                        J                                                              d                                                                                ω                    m                                                  dt                                      +                                          D                ′                                                          (                                                      ω                    m                                    -                                      ω                    g                                                  )                                              =                                    τ              m                        -                          τ              e                                      ,                            Eq        .                                          1            where J denotes the moment of inertia of the rotor mass, τm and τe the mechanical and electrical torque on the machine shaft, ωg the grid angular frequency, and ωm the rotor electrical speed (a 2-pole SG is considered for simplicity). The term D′(ωm−ωg) in this equation is a simplified model of the damper winding. Considering pin and pout as the input and output powers and noting (τm−τe)ωm=pin−pput, (Eq. 1) can be expressed as
                                          J                                                                                ω              m                                                                  d                                                                                ω                  m                                            dt                                +                      D                                      (                                                ω                  m                                -                                  ω                  g                                            )                                      =                              p            in                    -                      p            out                                              Eq        .                                          2            where Pdmp=D(ωm−ωg) models the damper windings in terms of power instead of torque (17), which is the common way of modeling the damper windings without engaging the circuit level equations of those windings. As shown in prior art FIGS. 3A and 3B, ωm is the rotor speed and the frequency of the SG's internal voltage e. The rotor speed, ωm, becomes equal to ωg in the steady state in a stable grid. The interaction between the internal voltage and the grid voltage via the SG's total equivalent inductance generates the output current.
There are two different type of dynamics in the swing equation (2). The input power pin is adjusted by the governor control system whose bandwidth is in the range of 0.3-3.0 Hz and the inertia behavior is represented by the term J ωm {dot over (ω)}m whose dominant frequency range covers 3-30 Hz (18). The governor response is proportional to ωn−ωm and the inertia response is proportional to −{dot over (ω)}m. As shown in prior art FIGS. 4A and 4B, the inertia power and the governor power will behave differently in response to a grid frequency swing at different rates. Since the governor is slow, the response of the governor to low-frequency swings is more dominant than the natural inertia response of the rotor as shown in prior art FIG. 4A. Conversely, when a quick swing happens, the rotor inertia response is more dominant than the governor response as shown in prior art FIG. 4B. It is worthwhile noting that the distinction between these two behaviors must be taken into consideration when a VSM intends to fully mimic a synchronous generator in order to be able to be fully compatible with the existing grid and be smoothly integrated.
FIG. 3C illustrates a typical prior art model of the virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control approach to supplying power to a grid. It is clearly observed that the VSM copies the synchronous generator (SG) principles to a large extent. The reactive power control (QC) block in the VSM is equivalent to the Exciter of an SG that controls the internal voltage amplitude. There are critical factors and aspects related to the damping and inertia properties of existing VSMs which illustratively include the following:
1) The damper winding is not easily emulated. The point denoted by ωx needs to be exactly equal to the grid frequency. In (8), the measured grid frequency is used and the interaction between the frequency estimation dynamics and the VSM could be an issue especially in weak grid situations and in fast frequency changing conditions. In (5), the nominal value of the grid frequency is used and thus unlike the actual SG, in this approach the output of the damper winding model generates a steady state power when a frequency offset exists. In (19), a transfer function ƒ(s) is applied to {dot over (ω)}m to provide this damping. In (20) a first order low pass transfer function is used for ƒ(s). The advantage of the methods based on {dot over (ω)}m is that methods do not need a grid frequency measurement. However, such methods totally alter the swing equation and the methods must be carefully designed (if possible at all) so as not to alter the desired response properties of methods. In (9), (10) another approach is used which is equivalent to adding the derivative of power as the damping term. This is similar to what is also presented in (21) and is shown to offer improved damping properties.
2) The "virtual" moment of inertia is given by J. This implies that the system is physically able to supply this level of inertia. In other words, there is an implicit assumption that the system is equipped with adequate storage capacity being in the form of battery storage, capacitor, rotating inertia such as wind or a combination of multiple sources.
3) For the VSM to accurately mimic a SG, for a fast disturbance in the grid frequency in the frequency range of the inertia, the input power pin which is controlled by the governor should be almost constant. Otherwise, the dynamics of the input power will interfere with the inertia and the system dynamics will deviate from that of the SG. The existing VSMs appear to overlook this fact and they do not exactly mimic the inertia dynamics of an actual SG as the existing VSM do not model the dynamics of the governor.
4) The power source can be implemented using a battery where there is no need for an extra dc bus control block diagram and there will be no extra dynamics due to the bus capacitor. In this case, the overall VSM behavior is identical to an SG if the governor and damper dynamics are also accurately modeled. However, when a VSM approach is used for a photovoltaic (PV) or other power sources where a two-stage power converter is needed, the dc bus controller and bus capacitors have to be designed such that they do not add significant dynamics to the already achieved dynamics of the SG. In some approaches, such as (11), (22) a dc bus controller is added into the VSM method whose equivalent control block diagram is shown in prior art FIG. 3D. It is clearly observed from prior art FIG. 3D that bus capacitor dynamics are added to the original VSM. This extra dynamic appears as an outer loop with respect to the internal VSM loop. Thus, this outer loop (that is shown in the dotted box A in prior art FIG. 3D) should be much slower so as not to alter the VSM dynamics, and this demands an excessively large capacitor compared to the emulated inertia. This setup will completely alter the dynamics of the system and deviates from the original VSM responses if the dc-bus capacitor is not "very large".
Thus, there is a need for improved grid-supporting inverters for integration of distributed and renewable energy sources to a power grid. There is a further need for virtual synchronous machine (VSM) models with an improved frequency response to more closely mimic a synchronous generator.

Grid-supporting inverters with significantly reduced storage requirements

THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA


Apparatus for delivery of humidified gases therapy includes a humidifier. A recorder records. An output interface allows for outputting of the recorded data. The recorder may also record data indicative of patient compliance with the humidified gases therapy. The apparatus may determine patient compliance from sensed delivered flow. Recorded humidity and compliance data retrieved from the apparatus are useful in methods for improving the efficacy of humidified gases therapy or diagnosing problems with the efficacy of humidified gases therapy.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for delivery of humidified gases therapy and in particular, though not solely to humidified Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) apparatus used in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
2. Summary of the Prior Art
OSA is a sleep disorder which affects an estimated 5% of the population in which muscles which normally hold the airway open, relax and ultimately collapse, sealing the airway. The sleep pattern of an OSA sufferer is characterised by repeated sequences of snoring, breathing difficulty, lack of breathing, waking with a start and then returning to sleep. Often the sufferer is unaware of this pattern occurring. Sufferers of OSA usually experience daytime drowsiness and irritability due to a lack of good continuous sleep.
In an effort to treat OSA sufferers, a technique known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) was devised. A CPAP device consists of a gases supply (or blower) with a conduit connected to supply pressurised gases to a patient, usually through a nasal mask. The pressurised air supplied to the patient effectively assists the muscles to keep the patient's airway open, eliminating the typical OSA sleep pattern.
The use of a CPAP system is known to have side effects such as dehydration of the airways and nasal passages which may lead to Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages). The side effects mean that the patient is less likely to comply with his or her CPAP therapy and the therapy itself may cause an increase in nasal resistance as a response to the high air flow, degrading the pressure level applied to the airway and thereby reducing the effectiveness of the therapy. Accordingly, humidified CPAP systems have been developed. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,997 assigned to Respironics Inc. in which a humidifier is incorporated with the CPAP system so that the patient receives humidified gases. Another example is shown in GB 2338420.
While these humidified systems improve patient comfort when properly used, inappropriate setting or lack of activation of the humidifier component of the CPAP system reduces the comfort benefits. It is known that patients or users are prone to failing to use the system where comfort levels are poor, with users frequently failing to comply within a structured regime of treatment.

Apparatus for delivery of humidified gases therapy, associated methods and analysis tools


An on-vehicle emergency call system is powered by a main battery. The emergency call system includes a communication unit that communicates with a service center, a control unit that drives the communication unit with electric power supplied from the main battery to connect a communication line with the service center when an emergency call triggering signal is given thereto. The control unit makes the communication unit send a battery-low-voltage signal if terminal voltage of the main battery becomes lower than a threshold voltage while the communication line is connected with the service center.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an emergency call system that includes a communication unit for connecting a communication line with a service center and a control unit for driving the communication device by supplying electric power from a battery when an emergency call starts.
2. Description of the Related Art
JP-2002-288767-A discloses an on-vehicle emergency call system that sends an emergency signal to a service center when an air bag is inflated. The disclosed on-vehicle emergency call system periodically self-diagnoses and gives an alarm if a failure is detected so that negligence of failure can be prevented.
Because self-diagnosis is carried out immediately when the on-vehicle emergency call system is started, it may become impossible to immediately give the service center a call if battery voltage is lower than a lower limit voltage. Accordingly, the service center may not receive the call, so that the vehicle cannot receive an appropriate help from the service center.


Snow removing machine includes an auger for removing accumulated snow, an accumulated snow height detection section for detecting a height of accumulated snow in front of the auger, an auger lifting and lowering section for lifting and lowering the auger, and a control section for controlling the auger lifting and lowering section to lift the auger in response to detection, by the accumulated snow height detection section, of the accumulated snow. By the provision of the accumulated snow height detection section, the present invention can save a human operator a trouble of setting in advance a target height position of the auger and thereby alleviate a load on the human operator.

Among various conventionally-known types of snow removing machines is one which includes a snow removing working section (auger) capable of being lifted (moved upward) and lowered (moved downward). In snow removing machines of such a type, left and right crawler-type traveling sections (hereinafter referred to as "crawler traveling sections") are provided on a traveling section frame, a machine frame is vertically pivotably mounted on the traveling section frame via a support pin, the machine frame and the traveling section frame are interconnected via a lifting and lowering cylinder, and the snow removing working section (auger) is provided on a front end portion of the machine frame. Thus, the height of the auger is adjustable by expansion/contraction operation of the lifting and lowering cylinder for causing the machine frame to vertically pivot about the support pin.
Also known today are snow removing machines which includes a control section for controlling the auger to take a target height position in order to facilitate auger height adjustment. By a user or human operator setting in advance a target height position of the auger, the control section compares a detected actual position of the auger against the target height position and controls the lifting and lowering cylinder to adjust the auger to the target height position. One example of such a snow removing machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-278052.
However, with the snow removing machine disclosed in the 2004-278052 publication, there is a need for the human operator to set in advance a target height position of the auger, which would become a load on the human operator and thus impede enhancement of the operability of the machine.


A weighing device includes a conveyance unit which conveys an article, a hopper which receives the article conveyed by the conveyance unit, temporarily holds the article, and then discharges the article downstream, a detection unit which detects the article between a conveyance end of the conveyance unit and the hopper, and a control unit which controls driving of the conveyance unit. When the detection unit does not detect the article at a start of driving of the conveyance unit, the control unit drives the conveyance unit for a first period. When the detection unit detects the article at a start of driving of the conveyance unit, the control unit drives the conveyance unit for a second period longer than the first period.

For example, a combination scale described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-002902 is known as a weighing device. The combination scale described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-002902 includes a conveyance unit which conveys an article (object to be weighed), a hopper (supply hopper) which receives the article conveyed by the conveyance unit, temporarily holds the article, and then supplies the article downstream, and a control unit (calculation control unit) which controls driving of the conveyance unit.

Weighing device with an article supply conveyor that runs for different lengths of time depending on the detection of an article hanging from the end


A capsule suspension formulation comprising microencapsulated pendimethalin comprising a herbicidally effective amount of pendimethalin being encapsulated within a polymeric wall, said polymeric wall being in-situ formed by an interfacial polymerization reaction occurring between a first phase dispersed in a second phase, at least one of said first and second phases being characterized in comprising a pre-defined amount of at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic acid; and a herbicidally effective amount of a second herbicide.

Pendimethalin is a dinitroaniline herbicide having chemical formula [n-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine). It was first registered for use in the United States in 1974. It is a selective herbicide which controls certain broadleaf weeds and grassy weed species in crop and non-crop areas. It is applied to soil preplant, preemergence, and postemergence with ground and aerial equipment.
Pendimethalin is an orange yellow crystalline solid with a melting point of 54-58° C. It is soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatic solvents such as methylene chloride, acetone and xylene. Pendimethalin is stable under acidic and alkaline conditions.
Pendimethalin is currently available in various different agrochemical formulation types such as emulsifiable concentrate (21.9% to 42.3%), liquid (34.4%), granular (0.7% to 2.0%), soluble concentrate/liquid (22.0%), water dispersible granules, dry flowable (up to 60.0%), capsule suspension and wettable powder (50.0%). Thus, there are many formulation choices available to a formulator setting out to prepare a desired formulation of pendimethalin.
The different formulations applicable to an agrochemical differ in their effectiveness on the desired weeds, effects the tolerance of the turf and ornamentals to the herbicide, differ in their cost advantages, differ in the drift potential of the herbicide and also differ in the ease of application and compatibility with the application equipment. Another challenge to the skilled formulator is the selection of an appropriate surfactant. Surfactants are known to increase the rate of absorption of the herbicide in the weedy species but also increase the potential for plant injury to the desirable plants during herbicide drift. Yet another challenge before a skilled formulator setting out to obtain a formulation containing pendimethalin is selecting either a granular or a sprayable formulation.
Pendimethalin has been conventionally available in both granular and sprayable forms, which may differ in the degree of weed control. However, it is often advantageous to obtain a sprayable formulation containing certain herbicides due to inherent advantages of a sprayable formulation.
The granular formulations exhibit relatively low foliar absorption because most of the applied granules fall through the leaf canopy to the soil below. In contrast, sprayable products achieve good coverage and adhere better to the foliage, providing relatively good weed control. It has also been observed that a granular product comprises a greater relative amount of the inert ingredients comparative to a sprayable formulation. Thus, the amount of the formulated product to deliver the same dosage of the active ingredient is much greater with granules resulting in higher shipping and packaging costs.
An advantage of the sprayable formulation over granules is more uniform application achieved with the sprayable formulations. The granular formulations are usually difficult to apply uniformly, especially those that contain a relatively high concentration of active ingredient. Thus, it is more often advantageous to formulate sprayable formulations of certain agrochemicals.
However, phytotoxicity of some of the sprayable formulations including pendimethalin has been reported. It is desirable to provide formulations containing pendimethalin that do not display or reduces the extent of phytotoxicity.
Another challenge that relates to dinitroaniline herbicides, and pendimethalin in particular, is the potential for staining the sidewalks and other locations where the herbicide is applied. The active ingredient herbicides of the dinitroaniline class have a yellowish or yellowish-orange color. It is further known that granular formulations often do not stain badly, whereas a liquid formulation may cause more serious staining. Moreover, granules are easy to sweep or blow from concrete surfaces, whereas overspray need to be washed off before it dries.
Thus, it is desirable to provide sprayable formulations containing pendimethalin that substantially reduce the incidence of staining.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,392, discusses under the background thereof, that pendimethalin is known to exist in polymorphic forms as orange and yellow crystals. This patent further discusses that pendimethalin is a pesticide that is difficult to formulate owing partly due to the unique staining problems associated with it. This patent further discusses that the presence of pendimethalin in the orange macrocrystal form results in large elongated crystals in final formulations. Moreover, when pendimethalin in the orange macrocrystal form is found in compositions, very large, elongated crystals (about 3000 microns in length) appear in final product, resulting in instability, difficulty in processing and unreliability of usage apart from the severe staining further compounded by a severe clogging of nozzles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,174 discloses microencapsulated pendimethalin formulations i.e. an aqueous concentrate composition of pendimethalin particles which are encapsulated by a polymeric wall material, which show a reduced tendency to form large crystals. These compositions also have improved storage stability. Unfortunately, it has been seen that microencapsulation of pendimethalin tends to slow the release of the active ingredient. U.S. '174 teaches an aqueous capsule suspension formulation of pendimethalin, which contains about 456 grams of active ingredient per liter. The encapsulation of pendimethalin allows for the elimination of organic solvents in the product. The elimination of organic solvents reduces odor, staining to a certain extent, volatility and surface residue adhesion as compared to existing emulsifiable concentrate formulations of pendimethalin. Moreover, the microencapsulated pendimethalin formulation is stable under conditions of freezing and thawing and is compatible with liquid and dry fertilizer. However, the existing problem of staining, phytotoxicity and corrosiveness is not adequately addressed by the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,174.
Moreover, this patent essentially teaches a microencapsulated formulation of pendimethalin containing an inorganic salt, which is added prior to microcapsule formation. It is disclosed that the addition of an inorganic salt or mixtures thereof prior to the microcapsule formation provides a visibly cleaner microcapsule as more of the colored active ingredient is encapsulated, which is therefore unable to stain the external surfaces of the microcapsules.
These microcapsules are also stated to be less prone to breakage than the microcapsules prepared by the conventional methods. Examples of inorganic salts taught by this patent are sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium nitrate, magnesium sulfate and/or sodium sulfate.
However, these inorganic salts are not without additional disadvantages. The use of an inorganic salt such as sodium chloride even to the extent of 0.1-0.5% has been shown to aggravate the already existing phytotoxicity of pendimethalin which is evident from "Sodium and chloride ions contribute synergistically to salt toxicity in wheat," Biologia Plantarium, 37 (2); 265-271, 1995. Here, Martin et al., studied the effects of supplying excess mineral salts, involving sodium as a cation and a range of counter-anions, including chloride on the growth and photosynthetic capacity of a salt susceptible bread wheat. It was found that the synergistic effect of sodium and other alkali and alkaline earth metals with chlorine shows that neither of these ions is alone responsible for the salt stress induced damage in plants.
Moreover, these inorganic salts dissociate and/or dissolve in water and increase the hardness of water. The increased water hardness further reduces the temperature and suspension stability of microencapsulated pendimethalin. Moreover, the polymeric capsule wall of the disclosed microencapsulated pendimethalin is still susceptible to breakage to an appreciable extent. Thus, the problem of staining continues to plague the existing state of the art.
A need remains in the art for microencapsulated formulations of pendimethalin having improved non-staining property with reduced phytotoxicity problems.
Clomazone is the common name for the herbicide 2-(2-chlorophenyl) methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolinone. It is a colorless to light brown and viscous liquid above room temperature, which forms a white crystalline solid when cooled. It is not flammable in nature.
Clomazone has the following chemical structure:

Clomazone is a highly effective herbicide, but unfortunately is also highly volatile. The amount of clomazone applied to the soil in a target area may move to adjacent areas and cause discoloration. This discoloration is typically in the form of whitening or some degree of bleaching, of a variety of crops, trees, or decorative plants. This bleaching, which is also indicative of the mode of action of the herbicide, may be temporary when plants are exposed to sufficiently low concentrations. However, bleaching of the crops, trees or decorative plants is undesirable even when it does not result in the destruction of the plant.
Clomazone is a broad spectrum herbicide used for control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in cotton, peas, pumpkins, vegetables, sweet potatoes, tobacco, winter squash and fallow wheat fields. It can be applied early preplant, preemergent or preplant-incorporated depending on the crop, geographical area and timing. Because clomazone is an inhibitor of plant pigments, users must exercise caution to avoid drift or vapors which may cause bleaching damage to non-target foliage.
Clomazone is relatively stable to degradation by UV light. It is highly volatile and can drift during or after application, causing damage to sensitive, non-target plants such as ornamental trees and shrubs, roses, small grains, alfalfa, sunflowers, and vegetable crops. Clomazone is slightly soluble in water, but it has a moderate tendency to adsorb to soil particles. It therefore has a low to moderate potential to contaminate groundwater.
Hitherto, a non-encapsulated emulsifiable concentrated formulation of clomazone has been available. However, upon application of the conventional emulsifiable concentrated formulation, the sensitive plants surrounding the intended targets of application displayed varying degrees of whitening due to the high volatility of clomazone. Thus, an encapsulated formulation of clomazone was desirable which was believed to be capable of reducing the volatility of clomazone and improve the active component delivery to the targeted plants.
Attempts to prepare formulations of encapsulated clomazone by encapsulating clomazone in polyurea and polyamide polymeric shells frequently resulted in formulations that not only gave little or no reduction in volatility, but had poor physical characteristics such as undesirable agglomeration of the capsules or separation of phases or breaking of the capsule wall on spray application which results into failure to achieve the volatility reduction. It was thus desirable to provide a herbicidal formulation having an improved plasticity of the polymeric shell wall to reach an acceptable release rate of the active ingredient clomazone. It is believed that an improvement in plasticity of the polymeric shell wall would substantially reduce the permeation of the shell wall to the active ingredient and possibly limit the breakage of the capsule wall on spray application, which would consequently achieve a substantial reduction in volatility of the formulation.
Another challenge during the encapsulation of clomazone had been its relatively higher water solubility. The known encapsulation methods involve a reaction between an aqueous phase and an organic phase. It was found that the low/mild solubility of clomazone in water did result into poorly defined droplets and also increased the amount of the free active ingredient in the aqueous phase. An increased amount of clomazone in the aqueous phase could contribute to an increased initial "burst effect" administration of clomazone thereby aggravating the risk of plant phytotoxicity and off-target injury due to the volatility of the free clomazone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,090 is directed to a sprayable herbicidal formulation comprising an aqueous liquid having suspended therein a multitude of solid microcapsules having a capsule wall of a porous polymer encapsulating clomazone dissolved in a high boiling inert organic solvent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,780 teaches a process for preparing herbicidally effective formulations of clomazone by microencapsulating clomazone by interfacial polymerization reaction between an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The organic phase essentially comprises a hydrocarbon solvent.
These patents disclose that when the formulations taught therein are sprayed onto one plot containing vegetation, vapor transfer of the herbicide to a nearby plot containing vegetation is effectively suppressed without substantial sacrifice of herbicidal efficacy of the herbicide in the plot to which the spray is applied. However, the problem of reducing the permeability of the polymeric shell wall to the active ingredient consequently limiting the rupture of the capsule wall on spray application and substantially reducing the volatility of the microencapsulated formulation of clomazone still remains a problem. Further, this problem continues to remain irrespective of the chemical nature of the polymeric shell wall such as a polyamide, polyurea, polyurethane, polycarbonate, melamine resin, melamine urea resin, gelatine/gum arabic or cross linked or non-crosslinked combinations thereof. Moreover, the use of an organic solvent is not always desirable.
The regulatory bodies throughout the world are slowly imposing stringent restrictions on the quantity and choice of solvents in a formulation. Typical organic solvents used in pesticide formulations usually have a low boiling point and evaporate easily or can be removed by distillation, leaving the dissolved substance behind. Solvents are usually clear and colorless liquids and many have a characteristic odor.
The low vapor pressure of traditional solvents generally makes them hazardous because these solvents evaporate easily into the air exposing the factory workers to inhalation hazards. Additionally, some solvents add to damage of the earth's atmosphere as they eventually oxidize and create carbon dioxide, a green house gas with potential impact on global warming.
Most organic solvents have a lower density than water, which means they are lighter and will form a separate layer on top of water. Further, most organic solvents are flammable or highly flammable, depending on their volatility. Mixtures of solvent vapors and air can explode. Solvent vapors are heavier than air, they will sink to the bottom and can travel large distances nearly undiluted. Many solvents can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness if inhaled in large amounts.
A major pathway leading to adverse health effects arises from spills or leaks of solvents that reach the underlying soil. Since solvents readily migrate substantial distances, the creation of widespread soil contamination is not uncommon. This is particularly a health risk if aquifers are contaminated. Some solvents including chloroform and benzene are carcinogenic. Many others can damage internal organs like the liver, the kidneys, or the brain.
In agrochemical formulations, the organic solvents are usually present in the smaller and/or greater amount depending upon the type of formulation and agrochemicals. The use of routine organic solvents poses problems while using, manufacturing, storing, transporting the solvents and the products comprising them.
In general, agrochemical formulations especially liquid form comprises either inorganic or organic solvents. Most of the known organic solvents known in the art are non-biodegradable and highly flammable. Organic solvents-based agrochemical formulations generally use a solvent that is preferably water-immiscible to dissolve the active component completely and produces a clear homogenous liquid free from extraneous matter. Alternatively, organic solvents typically have a low flash point, are non-biodegradable, cause skin irritation and possess medium or high evaporation rate etc., but provide a clear homogenous liquid. The known agrochemical compositions further include at least a surfactant wherein the performance and dosage of the included surfactant is based on the active content and solvent in the formulation, type of active ingredient, and solubility of the active ingredient in the solvent and the required emulsion performance of the final product. In many cases, the emulsion performance shown by organic solvent can be superior to that of inorganic solvents. However, certain challenges exist with solvent usage because the solvent used are non-biodegradable and also require a large quantity of the surfactant to emulsify the formulation during dilution, prior to the application on crops. With organic solvents, during manufacturing, packing, storage, transport and use the risk of skin irritation, non biodegradability, fire hazard, air and soil pollution exists.
Moreover, the regulatory bodies around the world are now considering the public disclosure of all pesticide inert ingredients including the solvents. These regulatory bodies are making it mandatory to identify all the inert ingredients including solvents etc. on the product label. Thus, a formulation which substantially reduces or completely eliminates the need of an organic solvent to be present within the formulation and is thus completely biodegradable would be a highly desirable formulation from a regulatory and customer acceptance point of view.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an agrochemical formulation that is devoid of an organic solvent or that includes an organic solvent in minimum required quantities. The present invention described herein provides such an agrochemical formulation.
It is generally desirable to prepare formulations of agrochemicals having minimum volatility to reduce the incidence of off-site injury in order to avoid any unintended pesticidal activity. The volatility of agrochemical formulations is known to cause various off-site unintended injuries. Thus, it is another challenge in the art to prepare storage stable formulations of agrochemicals having a substantially reduced volatility without compromising the other desirable properties of the formulation.
The use of herbicide combinations is a widespread and documented practice in the agricultural community. Herbicidal combinations offer significant advantages over individual applications including improved and extended weed control, reduced herbicide rates and application costs, shorter contact times for improved results in flowing water, less stringent use restrictions, improved selectivity, improved spectrum of weeds controlled, reduced cost and reduced residue problems. However, identifying appropriate herbicide application rates and combinations is essential to achieve synergistic weed control. The different individual problems discussed above for pendimethalin and clomazone make it further difficult for a skilled formulator to co-formulate the two herbicides in a manner that simultaneously reduces the staining in pendimethalin and volatility in clomazone.
The article Effect of 18% pendimethalin+clomazone WP against weeds in transplanted Rice, XU Xiu-jie, Zhang Xiang-quan (Jilin Yiheng Pesticide Co. Ltd., Jilin Gongzhuling 136100, China; Jilin Ruiye Pesticide Co. Ltd., Jilin Gongzhuling 136100, China) evaluated the control of 18% pendimethalin+clomazone WP against weeds in transplanted rice. It was found that excellent weed control was achieved when 18% pendimethalin+Clomazone WP was applied at 5 to 7 days after transplanting and with the dosage of 0.175-0.351 kg/hm2. This reference does not address the staining problem associated with pendimethalin and volatility and associated off-site injury with clomazone, particularly when the two herbicides are encapsulated together.
There is thus a need in the art for an encapsulated formulation of pendimethalin and clomazone that overcomes the aforesaid problems in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A Power Factor Correction (PFC) system providing near unity power factor for an AC power source (VAC) connected to a complex load. The system includes a bridge rectifier, boost or buck-boost converter, complex load, and pulse width modulation (PWM) controller to provide pulses with variable duty cycle to a power switch. The invention is a constant pulse proportional current (CPPC) PWM controller that generates trains of pulses constant in frequency and duty cycle for one semi-cycle of the VAC. The duty cycle of the driving signal is modified by applying open-loop correction signals to summing nodes of PWM circuits. Since the PWM provides a constant train of driving pulses with constant duty cycle for one semi-cycle of the VAC, the current absorbed by the converter is contingent and linearly proportional to the voltage. Thus, the output current follows the voltage resulting in a power factor of near unity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Power Factor Correction (PFC) Circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new way of managing and controlling an Active PFC System, not by using a classic "Multiplier" concept and its related circuit, but by using an original "Constant Pulse—Proportional Current" (CPPC) conversion concept, embedded via several electronic circuits that have a novel configuration and/or architecture.
Introduction
In the process of transferring AC electrical power from a generator to a load via different converting devices, in addition to the Efficiency, the Power Factor is also a very important parameter.
The Efficiency parameter (Eff=Pout/Pin) provides information about the percentage of the inputted electrical power that has been transferred, by a specific electrical device, to its output load. Usually, the rest of the electrical power, which has not been delivered to the load, is transformed into heat, dissipated by the electrical device's parts.
The Power Factor parameter is not related at all to an electrical device's in/out transfer of the electrical energy (i.e. its efficiency), however it provides information about how well it has managed the "Real Power" absorbed by an electrical device, versus the "Apparent Power" requested by that device from its electrical generator.
The Real Power, defined by the following relation:P(Watts)=[1:T×∫(Vi×li,dt)]is the watts power absorbed by a device from its electrical generator and its value is proportional to the integral of the voltage and current product/time unit.
The Apparent Power (or RMS Power), defined by the following relation:P(VA)=Vrms×Irms is the Volt-Amperes power requested by a device from its electrical generator and its amount's value is proportional to the product of the rms Voltage and the rms Current.
Accordingly, the Power Factor (PF) parameter is defined by the following relation:PF=[1:T×∫(Vi×li,dt)]:(Vrms×Irms);W/VA<1respectively, the Real Power to the Apparent Power (W/VA) ratio.
2. The Related Art
Passive PFC Solutions
The simplest methods to increase PF and lower Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) are the ones using passive components (inductors and capacitors). Usually, the performances of these kinds of "Passive PFC Solutions" are relatively low, just near the "acceptable" limits of the industry standards.
Active PFC Solutions
Better methods of increasing the PF and lowering the THD in a power supply circuit are the ones comprising so called "Active PFC Systems" that include typically an oscillating coil activated by a power MOSFET transistor (inverter circuit), which is controlled by a PFC Controller Circuit.
The PFC Controller Circuit is basically a classic Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) circuit which includes typically, a "Multiplier" and some other multiplier related sub-circuits, necessarily for forcing the power supply's input current shape to follow the input voltage shape (i.e. a sine wave).
Pulse Width Modulation Circuits
FIG. 1A illustrates a Classic PWM Controller (UC384x series) Circuit's Open Loop Laboratory Fixture and the Timing Diagrams related to the high frequency driving control pulses necessary for controlling a power MOSFET's invertors circuit. The main functional blocks of an UC384x are an internal supply and protections block (ISP), a voltage references block (Vref), an output driver block (DRV), a pulse width modulation logic block (PWM Logic), a voltage error amplifier block (VEA), a voltage limiter block (VL), a pulse width modulation Comparator block (C), and an oscillator block (OSC). Eight I/O electrodes: Comp (1), Vfb (2), Is (3), RC (4), GND (5), Output (6), Vcc (7) and REF (8) are connecting the internal functional blocks to the controllers related circuit.
The ISP block supplies and protects all the other internal blocks against over voltages. The Vref block provides high precision (1%) references voltages to the internal and external (via REF electrode 8) circuit. The DRV block is basically a high voltage (20 v) buffer for the "Y" signal outputted by the PWM Logic block.
The main purpose of attaching the PWM Logic block between the PWM Comparator and DRV is to prevent more than one output pulse during one cycle of the OSC.
As the Timing Diagrams of FIG. 1B show, the OSC block provides the PWM Logic block with setting (Set) pulses having the frequency pre-established by a voltage ramp (VR) signal created externally by R3 and C1.
The Set pulse level is 0 (LOW) during the time when R3 is charging C1 (VR voltage level increases slow) and the Set pulse level is 1 (HIGH) during the time when C1 is internally discharged into the OSC block (VR voltage level decreases faster).
Obviously, the Set pulse lasting time is proportional to the value of C1 (as the C1 value increases, a longer discharge time follows).
When S reaches 0 (LOW) logic level (assuming that R is LOW already), the Y output (of the PWM Logic block) switch to 1 (HIGH) logic level. The Y output (and implicitly the main Output (6) electrode) remains at the HIGH logic level until one of the R, S inputs reaches the 1 (HIGH) logic level.
If the R input never switches to 1 (HIGH), then the Output (6) will provide a maximum duty cycle pulse similar, but in opposite phase, to the Set signal.
In order for R to switch to 1 (HIGH) the current sense Is (3) input's voltage level must be higher than the fraction of the Comp (1) voltage level delivered by the VL block (VLo) to the inverting input of the pulse width modulation comparator (C).
Typically, the Comp (1) voltage is resistively divided (⅓) and also limited at a maximum 1V by the VL block, so by buffering the VR-A signal incoming from RC (4) via a NPN transistor Q1 and adjusting its level properly, via the potentiometer P2, a lower maximum duty cycle can be set, in respect to the 1V maximum threshold established at the inverting input of the PWM comparator (C). P2 is able to adjust a maximum duty cycle, at any ratio between 30% and 90% (some of the UC384x controllers' series circuits contain inside an extra sub-circuit for limiting the maximum duty cycle at 50%). If, P2 is connected in series with a current sense resistor to ground, the PWM controller (C) can work in a Current/Voltage mode combination, which provides more stability to the entire circuit.
The minimum duty cycle is provided by VEA when the amount of voltage at Vfb (2) electrode is higher than Vref2 (2.5V+/−1%). R1, R2 and P1 are able to provide a voltage higher than 2.5V, since the REF (8) voltage is 5V (+/−1%).
R4 provides VEA with feedback and stability, R5 acts as a load for the Output (6) electrode and C2, C3 are preventing high frequency oscillations at Vcc (7) and REF (8) electrodes. By adjusting P1, the Output pulse minimum ON time can be decreased, in voltage mode, down to 1-3 μS, depending of the 384×IC manufacturer. The Timing Diagrams of FIG. 1B shows progressively the Output pulse as a function of the Set, VLo, Is and R signals.
In accordance with the above description, the Output pulse starts when Set reaches its (LOW) level, and stops when Reset reaches 1, so the DRV pulse duty cycle is proportional to the VLo signal momentary voltage level, in respect to GND (5). If R remains LOW, then Output pulse goes LOW when the next Set pulse rises (maximum duty cycle). If R remains HIGH or goes LOW after Set switches LOW, then the Output pulse remains LOW (no more Output pulses). The PWM comparator (C), is as fast as the minimum ON time of the Output pulse is short. Unfortunately, being designed as a current mode PWM controller, the existing 384×IC controllers series reaches, in voltage mode of operations (via Q1, as voltage ramp driver) a minimum Output pulse ON time around 1 μS or more, which is too long a time for accurate control at high frequency. For a high performances PFC System, the minimum ON time pulse needed is less than 0.1 μS (preferable 0.01 μS).
Description of a Classic PFC Circuits
FIG. 2 illustrates the most common Active PFC System containing, besides the Alternative Current Generator (Vac), five functional blocks such as a Low Pass Filter (LPF), a Bridge Rectifier (BR), a Power Factor Correction Large Signal Circuit (PFC-LSC), a Complex Load (CL) and a Power Factor Correction Small Signal Circuit (PFC-SSC), which is represented by the Controller Circuit and some extra parts such as Rvin and Rvout, included in a Controller Related Circuit (CRC).
The LPF block design purpose is to protect the input generator Vac from the high frequency noise incoming from the PFC-LSC block and usually contains an input filtrating capacitor Cf1, a symmetrical double coil filter Lf1 and a second filtrating capacitor Cf2. The BR block comprises a bridge of four rectifying diodes (Dr1-DR4) that convert the AC input voltage into a pulse (semi cycles) DC voltage. The CL block contains a bulk capacitor Cb and a resistive load R1. The PFC-LSC block comprises an inductor L1, a diode D1, a capacitor C1, a power MOSFET transistor M1 and some times, an additional snubber circuit including a capacitor Cs, a resistor Rs and a diode Ds. The purpose of this attached Snubber Circuit is to decrease the M1 heat dissipation cumulated at the beginning of it's each OFF cycle. Simply, when M1 switches OFF, its drain voltage increases very fast from zero up to 300-500 v, because of the coil L1 self-inductance (reverse voltage). The capacitor Cs, appearing in parallel to M1 (via Ds), creates a necessary delay (from a few hundred nS up to over one μS, function of Cs and L1 values) to this voltage increasing course. This delay must be long enough for the MOSFET to switch OFF completely, or at least to reduce substantially its drain-source current when M1 drain electrode reaches a significant high voltage (P=V*I). When M1 switches back ON, Cs is discharged into M1 via Rs, which reduces the discharge current.
This snubber circuit just decreases the MOSFET working temperature but does not increase the efficiency of the circuit, because the resistor Rs dissipates in heat about the same electrical energy that has been apparently saved from the M1's OFF switching transit time. The only advantage for attaching this circuit is a lower sized aluminum heat sink and/or a lower working temperature for M1.
The PFC-SSC includes a Multiplier (MULT) block, a Current Error Amplifier (CEA) block, a Voltage Error Amplifier (VEA) block, a PWM Comparator (PWMC) block, a PWM Logic block, an oscillator (OSC) block and a Driver (DRV) block.
As an important observation, except for the Multiplier sub-circuit, all of the other blocks are functional blocks of a typical PFC controller and are also included in the low cost PWM controller.
Five I/O electrodes such as Vins (sensing the Vin+momentary value), Is (sensing the M1 momentary current), DRV (providing the ON/OFF switching control to the gate of M1), Vfb (sensing the "Vo+" momentary amount) and GND are necessary in order for PFC-SSC to be able to control the PFC-LSC block.
When the voltage outputted by Vac is applied to the PFC-LSC through the LPF and BR blocks, the full-wave rectified pulse outputted by BR appears at Vin+ and Vin− (positive polarity at Vin+).
Initially at "Vo+" (in respect to GND), a DC voltage is created, in value slightly lower than the peak input voltage and the input current shape is similarly to the one shown in FIG. 14B.
The PFC-SSC block provides the gate of MOSFET (M1) with a relatively high frequency (30-200 KHz) square wave pulse. M1 remains ON until the current in L1 reaches a specific level, then switching OFF; the energy stored in L1 is then delivered to CL, through D1.
As soon Cb is charged to a higher value than the peak of Vin (boost converter), there is no more direct current between Vac and CL (BR diodes and D1 are reverse polarized) so the input current shape depends of the L1 average current only, which is controlled by the switching cycle of the Controller Circuit via M1.
The Multiplier block "MULT" is designed to control the MOSFET pulse in such a way (by multiplying the VEA signal in a specific ratio, function of "Vin+" level) that the momentary current value in L1 (via M1 circuit to GND) becomes proportional to the momentary AC generator voltage amount.
That forces the input current shape to follow the input voltage shape, in fact which pushes the PF parameter level near 1. The final input current shape may have any form, which means a PF parameter from about 0.9 to 0.999.
Cost vs. Performances
Therefore, a need exists for a Low Cost High Performances Power Factor Correction Circuit which is reliable, efficient, small sized, simple in design, includes a lower parts count and does not require a sophisticated and expensive Multiplier sub-circuit.

Method and system for power factor correction using constant pulse proportional current


A nipple protector is provided, which is able to protect a nipple of a user reliably, by protecting the nipple area so as to maintain a non-contact state with the nipple area and thereby avoiding the causing of pain or unpleasant irritation to the nipple area, as well as avoiding the leaving of marks while reducing irritation when abutted against the breast. A nipple protector having a hard outer member or shell and an inner member made of a material which is more flexible and deformable than the outer member, with an internal space being formed inside the nipple protector, wherein the internal space is formed by a cylindrical portion which extends from the outer member and/or the inner member, and the inner member has an abutting section which surrounds with no gap the nipple area of a wearer completely, and the abutting section is a deformable abutting section which deforms elastically and is capable of making contact, with no gap, with the perimeter of the nipple area.

1. Field
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a nipple protector and method for covering and protecting a nipple area, and more particularly a woman's nipple area.
2. Description of Related Art
Mothers in the lactation period, for example, suffer damage or soreness of the nipple area due to biting by the infant during nursing, and the like.
If there are problems of this kind in the nipple area, then the flow of breast milk during nursing can be impaired by stress caused by pain. As a consequence, the infant sucks repeatedly with greater force in an attempt to extract a greater amount of breast milk, the nursing time becomes longer, and therefore the damage to the nipple area can become even worse.
Therefore, nipple protectors are used in order to cover and protect the nipple area when the woman is not nursing.
As a nipple protector used in this kind of application, there is, for example, the composition shown in FIG. 8 (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-33202).
In FIG. 8, the nipple protector 1 includes a hemispherical or dome-shaped shell 2, and an elastic member 3 which serves to close off the base portion of this shell 2. An opening 6 is formed centrally in the elastic member 3. A plurality of air holes (not illustrated) are formed in the shell 2.
As shown in FIG. 9, the nipple protector 1 of this kind prevents any contact with the damaged nipple area 5 and prevents unwanted external irritation of the nipple area 5, by means of the elastic member 3 abutting against the front face of the breast 4 of the user, the nipple area 5 being introduced through the opening 6 in the elastic member 3 and the nipple area 5 then being accommodated in an internal space S1 which is demarcated by the elastic member 3 and the shell 2.
However, a nipple protector 1 of this kind involves certain characteristics, features, and problems such as the following.
The nipple protector 1 protects the nipple area 5 by accommodating the damaged nipple area 5 inside a relatively hard shell 2.
However, there is a drawback in that, when the nipple protector 1 is worn, the hard shell 2 presses against the front face of the user's breast 4 and if the hard outer edge is pressed strongly, then a circular red mark may be left on the front face of the breast 4 and the user may feel pain in the place where the edge digs into the breast.
Therefore, by disposing an elastic member 3 in a position which abuts against the front face of the breast 4 and causing this elastic member to deform in a flexible fashion, pressing of the breast 4 and unpleasant irritation of the breast 4 can be eliminated.
However, as shown in FIG. 8, if the nipple protector 1 is pressed against the front face of the user's breast 4 while being worn, the elastic member 3 deforms and bends toward the inner side. Therefore, the internal space S1 formed by the shell 2 and the elastic member 3 is squashed and becomes smaller, and the inner face of the shell 2, for example, abuts directly against the nipple area 5 accommodated therein, thus causing pain and unpleasant irritation due to rubbing.
In other words, a conventional nipple protector 1 may not be able to provide the function of protecting the nipple area 5 so that it does not come into contact with other objects.


The invention discloses a printed circuit board compensation processing method for fabricating a BGA despite a small distance between a line and a pad of the BGA. The method includes compensating a pad and/or a line under a predetermined condition, and removing a portion of the pad facing the line by a second predetermined width when the shortest distance between the compensated line and pad is smaller than a first predetermined distance. The invention further discloses a device for performing the method and a PCB fabricated using the method.

In order to accommodate the development of integrated circuits, a larger number of elements have to be held in a limited area of a PCB, thus imposing more stringent requirements on the spacing, the size, etc., of the elements on the PCB.
A Ball Grid Array (BGA), which may be included in a PCB and is structured as an array of ball grids, is a method of packaging an integrated circuit using an organic carrier board and has the characteristics of (1) a reduced packaging area, (2) more functions and a larger number of pins, (3) the PCB capable of being self-aligned and easily tin-plated during welding; (4) high reliability; (5) good electrical performance and overall low cost, etc.
In order to use space more effectively and improve the performance of a product, a line can be designed to travel between pads (BGA pads). One or more lines can be designed to travel between two pads in order to provide better performance. Integrated elements become increasingly smaller and have an increasing number of functions. As a result, for each integrated element: the number of pads increase; the pad area becomes smaller for each pad; and the spacing between pads becomes narrower. In order to satisfy design requirements, a line often has to be arranged between two pads, thus making the spacing between the line and the pad smaller, and the line width smaller.
The inventors have identified during making of a technical solution in embodiments of the invention at least the following technical problems in the prior art:
When the required distance between the line and the pad is too small to satisfy a required spacing necessary for fabrication, it may be impossible or difficult to fabricate a PCB, or a PCB may be fabricated at a low yield rate.

Printed circuit board compensation processing method, device, and PCB

Peking University Founder Group Co., Ltd.

Zhuhai Founder Tech. Hi-Density Electronic Co., Ltd.

Zhuhai Founder PCB Development Co., Ltd.


A lock assembly (20) including a lock bolt (28), a first hub (36) and a first hub locker (72). The lock bolt (28) is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. The first hub (36) is adapted to move the lock bolt (28) in response to movement of a first handle. The first hub locker (72) is positionable in at least three positions. The first hub locker (72) allows movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the first handle when in two of the at least three positions and prevents movement of the lock bolt in response to torque being applied to the first handle when in another of the at least three positions. Alternatively, the first hub locker (72) prevents movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the first handle when in two of the at least three positions and allows movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the first handle when in another of the at least three positions.

Electrically controllable and/or electrically powered locks are known. Such locks must be set to operate as either fail safe or fail secure. A fail safe lock automatically reverts to an unlocked state when its power supply is interrupted, for example during a power failure. A fail secure lock automatically reverts to a locked state when its power supply is interrupted.
Australian patent No. 657349 discloses an example of a known type of electrically controllable and powered mortice lock which can be set as fail safe or fail secure by adjusting components through openings in the side panels of the lock or after disassembly of the lock. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the lock must be removed from the door in order to change the lock from fail safe to fail secure.

Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited


An alarm system notification device includes a strobe, a communication port, a manual selector that allows manual selection of strobe intensity, and a communication port through which the device transmits an indication of a selected strobe intensity. The device may also include a commandable selector that selects a strobe intensity in response to a command received from the communication port.

Fire alarm devices such as audible horns (audible/visible or A/V), loudspeakers (speaker/visible or S/V) and visible strobes (visible only or V/O), are referred to as "notification appliances." Typically, a fire alarm control panel (FACP) drives these devices over one or more "notification appliance circuits" (NACs). The strobes are required, for example, as an alert for the hearing-impaired, or for those in a high noise environment.
A strobe is typically made up of a high-intensity Xenon flash tube, a reflector assembly, a transparent protective dome, an electronic control circuit, a terminal block to connect the device to the NAC and a housing to install the device to a wall or ceiling.
The strobe is a notification device designed to disperse its light output in a hemispherical pattern. The light distribution must meet stringent specification for UL approval, and it typically must accurately flash at a specified rate, for example, once per second or at some multiple. Strobes in the same viewing area typically must be synchronized, as a fast flash rate or several unsynchronized strobes at the normal rate could cause susceptible people to have epileptic seizures. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,620, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
A manual selector, such as a moveable jumper, typically allows manual selection of strobe intensity, as well as a visual indication of the selection to a person who can clearly see the selector.

Programmable multicandela notification device


A semiconductor device includes an active area isolated by an isolation area on a semiconductor substrate. A transistor includes a gate electrode extending across the active area, source/drain regions formed in the active area on both sides of the gate electrode, and impurity-containing contact plugs connected to the source/drain regions. The source/drain regions are formed by thermal diffusion of impurities from the impurity-containing contact plugs toward the active area.

Improvement of the integration density of a semiconductor device has been achieved mainly by developing finer patterning of transistors therein. However, in a typical transistor of a planar type, the development of finer patterning inevitably reduces the gate length. This reduction of the gate length increases the sub-threshold current of the transistor due to a short channel effect. For prevention of the short channel effect, it is necessary to employ a countermeasure as by increasing the impurity concentration of the channel region of the transistor.
However, a higher impurity concentration of the channel region incurs the problem of increase of a junction leakage current. Although the junction leakage current scarcely causes a significant problem in a transistor used in a logic circuit, the junction leakage current incurs a serious problem in a transistor of a DRAM memory cell, considerably degrading the refresh characteristic thereof. Thus, as a method of preventing the short channel effect, it is not appropriate to increase the impurity concentration of the channel region, especially in a cell transistor of the DRAM device.
Techniques for preventing the short channel effect without increasing the impurity concentration of the channel region include one that forms a transistor in a three-dimensional structure, i.e. not in a two-dimensional structure, unlike the planar transistor.
A fin-type transistor (fin transistor) is known as one of the three-dimensional transistors. The fin transistor includes a semiconductor active area having a shape of fin extending perpendicularly to the surface of the semiconductor substrate on which the transistor is formed. The top and side surfaces of the fin are covered by the gate electrode of the transistor, whereby the effective channel width of the transistor is increased to secure a sufficient ON current therein. In addition, the configuration wherein the gate electrode covers the top and side surfaces of the fin provides a superior controllability by the gate electrode, which effectively suppresses occurrence of the short channel effect. Further, it is possible to reduce the channel width as viewed perpendicular to the substrate surface, while securing a sufficient ON current, without occurring of an insufficient depletion of the channel region during the OFF state thereof. This provides improvement in the sub-threshold current characteristic as well as reduction of the off-leakage current.
The fin transistor is described in the following patent publications:
JP-1993-218415A (Patent Publication 1);
JP-2002-118255A (Patent Publication 2); and
JP-2005-150742A (Patent Publication 3).
The present inventor conceived the problem of increased gate capacitance encountered with the fin transistor, as will be described hereinafter. The gate capacitance in the fin transistor may be reduced by forming an isolation area to encircle the fin active area of the transistor and forming a substantially planarized surface on which the gate electrode is formed, such as described in Patent Publication 2 (FIGS. 20 and 68) and Patent Publication 3, without forming the three-dimensional gate electrode. However, this structure incurs the problem of poor controllability of the source/drain diffused regions formed adjacent to the gate electrode. This problem will be described with reference to drawings.
FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a fin transistor, and FIGS. 20B and 20C are sectional views thereof taken along lines X-X and Y-Y in FIG. 20A. In FIG. 20A, a fin active area 12 is encircled by an isolation area 11 on a semiconductor (silicon) substrate 10. A gate electrode 13 extends across the active area 12, and includes a first portion opposing the top surface 12a of the active area 12, and a pair of second portions 14a and 14b each opposing the sidewall of the active area 12. A portion of the active area 12 encircled by the first and second portions of the gate electrode 13 configures a channel or channel region 12b of the transistor. Drain 20 and source 21 are formed in the active area adjacent to both ends of the channel region 12b.
In FIG. 20B, slits 18 and 19 are provided adjacent to the isolation area 11. The slits 18 and 19 are filled with a polysilicon film 14 which configures the second portion of the gate electrode, or sidewall electrodes 14a, 14b. The fin channel region 12b encircled by the gate electrode 13 in three directions includes a top surface 12a, and side surfaces 18a, 19a. The gate electrode 13 has a two-layer structure including a polysilicon film 14 and a metallic film 15 formed thereon. A top insulation film 16 is formed on the metallic film 15. Since the most portion of the gate electrode 13 is located on the top surface of the isolation area 11 which includes therein a thick insulating film, the gate capacitance can be reduced in this structure.
In FIG. 20C, the gate electrode 13 including the polysilicon film 14 and metallic film 15 and the top insulation film 16 are formed on the active area 12 with an intervention of a gate insulation film (not illustrated). A sidewall insulation film 17 is also formed on the sidewall of the gate electrode 13. The drain 20 and source 21 are formed by ion implantation into the surface portion of the active area 12 by using the top insulation film 16 and sidewall insulation film 17 as a mask. After introduction of impurities into the source/drain regions, a heat treatment is generally conducted to diffuse the impurities. If the impurities are diffused to a depth larger than the depth denoted by "H" in FIG. 20B, the impurities existing below the gate electrode 13 reduce the effective channel length, which is denoted by L1 in FIG. 20C, and changes the designed threshold voltage, whereby a desired transistor characteristic cannot be obtained.
Patent Publication 1 describes a structure wherein the active area is not surrounded by the isolation area, and thus ion-implantation for the source/drain regions is performed also into an exposed side surface of the active area by a slanted implantation. However, as shown in FIG. 3 of the Patent Publication 1, depth of the diffused regions thus implanted is restricted by the location of the side surface of the adjacent active area, i.e., restricted by the width of the slit. A smaller width of the slit is incompatible with a larger depth of the diffused regions, thereby restricting the degree of finer patterning. In addition, it is not practical to form the structure of gate electrode being matched with the step difference formed in the active area, because the step difference may incur a significant amount of residuals after etching for the gate electrode.

Semiconductor device including an embedded contact plug