Synthetic oil that contains wholly or partly of dialkylbenzenes and/or partially or totally hydrogenated dialkylbenzenes. The synthetic oil according to the invention can also be used as an oil base or oil base additive and comprises at least one dialkylbenzene and/or at least one partially or totally hydrogenated dialkylbenzene and meets the general chemical formula:

This application may be related to Applicant"" concurrently filed application Attorney Docket No. PET 1883, entitled xe2x80x9cProcess For Producing, Jointly Or Otherwise, Monoalkyl Aromatic Compounds, Dialkyl Aromatic Compounds And Trialkyl Aromatic Compoundsxe2x80x9d, based on French Application 00/05.677 filed May 2, 2000.
1. Field of the Invention
The process that is the object of this application is a process for alkylating or transalkylating aromatic compounds for the purpose of producing alkylaromatic compounds. The aromatic monoalkyls find a use in the composition of gasolines or lyes, aromatic dialkyls and trialkyls in the field of lubricants.
The process according to the invention thus makes possible the production of mono-, di- and trialkyl aromatic compounds. This process thus relates to the alkylation of aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, cumene) by alkylating agents (olefins, alcohol, halides) for producing aromatic monoalkyls whose grafted aliphatic chain comprises a carbon number that is selected from 2 to 20 carbon atoms.
2. Background of the Invention
This process can also produce dialkylbenzenes, i.e., aromatic compounds where the benzene core comprises two paraffin chains whose carbon atom number can be identical or different. Each of these aliphatic chains can contain 2 to 20 carbon atoms. In the case where it would be desired to produce aromatic trialkyls, there are three aliphatic chains of which two, for example, have identical lengths.
The alkylation of aromatic compounds has been known for many years.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,939,890 (Universal Oil Products Company), dating from 1960, thus claims a process for synthesis of cumene by using BF3 as a catalyst.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,965 (Esso Research), dating from 1965, which claims as suitable catalysts for the alkylation of benzene acids of type AlCl3, AlBr3, FeCl3, SnCl4, BF3, H2SO4, P2O5 and H3PO4, is also known.
In the same connection, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,834 (1979) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,573 (1985) claim the use for the first of HF during the first stage and AlCl3 or AlBr3 in the second stage. The second patent claims, more particularly, a mixture of aluminum halides and elementary iodine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,897 claims the use of X and Y zeolites that are exchanged with rare earths for the production of monoalkyl benzene (ethylbenzene, cumene) and diethylbenzene.
The dialkylbenzenes are compounds whose characteristics one extensively described.
American U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,965 describes the properties of products of general formula (I) whose R1 and R2 alkyl chains are located in para-position on the benzene cycle. These chains have between 4 and 15 carbon atoms for R1 and between 10 and 21 carbon atoms for R2. The patentees emphasize in particular that the dialkylaromatic compounds whose alkyl groups are in ortho and meta position have the least advantageous lubricating properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,113 teaches the properties of a synthetic oil of the same general formula 1. In this case, R1 has between 6 and 15 carbon atoms and R2 has between 14 and 24 carbon atoms. The sum of the aliphatic carbon number should be between 20 and 30 carbon atoms. The product can be substituted in the ortho or in the para. The generic formula specifies that the carbons in alpha position of the phenyl group are secondary carbons for the R1 and R2 groups (Rxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Phxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2 with R1=Rxe2x80x94CH2 and R2=Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x94CH2).
European Patent EP 168534 describes the properties of synthetic oils of the same generic formula I. In this case, R1 has between 2 and 4 carbon atoms and R2 has between 14 and 18 carbon atoms. These oils have overall between 23 and 28 carbon atoms that correspond to between 17 and 22 aliphatic carbon atoms. The patentees reveal good physical properties of these oils when one of the two alkyl chains is much shorter than the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,834 teaches a process that makes it possible to improve the physical properties of the oils by synthesizing the latter in two successive stages:
synthesis of monoalkylbenzene by using hydrofluoric acid HF as a catalyst,
obtaining dialkylbenzene starting from monoalkylbenzene that is obtained during the first stage by using aluminum chloride or bromide as a catalyst.
In the final product, R1 and R2 comprise between 6 and 18 carbon atoms. The product is characterized by the presence of the phenyl group on carbon 2 of the aliphatic chain with a rate that is greater than 20% in one of groups R1 or R2 and less than 20% in the other.
This invention relates to a synthetic oil that comprises wholly or partly of dialkylbenzenes and/or partially or totally hydrogenated dialkylbenzenes. The synthetic oil according to the invention can also be used as an oil base or oil base additive and comprises at least one dialkylbenzene and/or at least one partially or totally hydrogenated dialkylbenzene and meets a general chemical formula:
R1xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94R2.
in which R1 and R2 represent alkyl groups and A is a benzene core and/or a cyclohexane core and/or a cyclohexene core and/or a cyclohexadiene core and is characterized in that it contains between 1 and 20% by weight of ortho isomers and in that at least one of the alkyl groups is attached for the most part to group A by carbon 2 of the aliphatic chain. The two alkyl groups are preferably attached for the most part to group A by carbon 2 of the aliphatic chain. Within the meaning of this description, the term for the most part means that at least 50% of at least one of the alkyl groups is attached to group A by carbon 2 of the aliphatic chain and usually at least 80%, often at least 95%, and most often virtually 100%.
The oils according to this invention have viscosity numbers that are much higher than those that it has been possible to describe in the prior art as well as very low pour points.
Another characteristic of the synthesized oils, conditioned by the mixture of hydrocarbons used, resides in very low values for these compositions of the Noack volatility, much less than those obtained with the best lubricating oils described in the prior art. As has already been emphasized, this characteristic is very important because it affects the service life of the lubricating base. A strong Noack volatility is also reflected by a significant atmospheric pollution, a short service life of the oil and the obligation of a frequent renewal, and it therefore poses in particular the economical and ecological problem of storage and treatment of waste oils.
It was found, surprisingly, that the physical properties of the oils described by formula I depend on the proportions of the ortho compound. High viscosity numbers and very low Noack volatilities were found when the synthesized oil according to the invention comprised partially or totally hydrogenated dialkylbenzenes in proportions of between 1 and 20% by weight of ortho isomers and preferably between 3 and 15% by weight. The oil preferably comprises a benzene core and/or a cyclohexane core and/or a cyclohexene core and/or a cyclohexadiene core that has two substituents that consist of aliphatic chains in meta position in proportions of between 1 and 50% and preferably between 3 and 50% by weight. The oil preferably comprises a benzene core and/or a cyclohexane core and/or a cyclohexene core and/or a cyclohexadiene core that has 2 substitutents that consist of aliphatic chains in para position in proportions of between 10 and 95% and even more preferably between 40 and 95% by weight. The sum of the isomers that are present and contained in the oil is equal to 100%. The three isomers are preferably present in the synthetic oil.
The compositions of synthetic oils according to this invention can be obtained by adjusting the proportion of isomers by a simple addition of ortho isomers and/or meta isomers and/or para isomers or equally by all of the synthesis techniques that are known to one skilled in the art.
The dialkylbenzenes can be, for example, prepared by alkylation of benzene with olefins. For this reaction, benzene and pure alpha-olefins whose chain length varies between 6 and 20 carbon atoms and preferably between 8 and 20 atoms were used.
These olefins are mixed with benzene in a molar ratio of benzene to olefin of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1. Preferably, a ratio of between 0.2:1 and 6:1 will be used, and even more preferably between 0.5:1 and 3:1.
Two main types of dialkylbenzenes were prepared:
A type called symmetrical DAB in this description for which the two alkyl chains have the same number of carbon atoms,
a type called asymmetrical DAB in this description for which the two alkyl chains have a different number of carbon atoms.

Synthetic oil with a high viscosity number and a low pour point

Abstract: in which R1 and R2 represent alkyl groups and A is a benzene core and/or a cyclohexane core and/or a cyclohexene core and/or a cyclohexadiene core and is characterized in that it contains between 1 and 20% by weight or ortho isomers and in that at least one of the alkyl groups is attached for the most part to group A by carbon 2 of the aliphatic chain. The two alkyl groups are preferably attached for the most part to group A by carbon 2 of the aliphatic chain.


A method for manufacturing a handheld priming pump is disclosed. It is capable of being automatic production and increase production yield after being modularized. The production time may be shortened and the defect rate may be also reduced.

An engine, such as a marine engine, may employ a rubber primer bulb type pumping device to provide initial prime to the fuel supply system. Such devices are simple rubber bulbs connected to fuel hoses and with a set of one-way valves to direct the direction of pumping when the bulb is squeezed.
The used primer bulb type pumping device may be disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,137. A pump is disclosed and includes a substantially tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion, and a movable valve assembly slidably received within the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis. The pump also includes a handle assembly slidably disposed at least partially around an outer circumference of the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis, the handle assembly being substantially annular ring-shaped, and the handle assembly including a grip engageable by a hand of an operator for manually sliding the handle assembly, the handle assembly being coupled to the movable valve assembly, manual movement of the handle assembly along the central axis causing corresponding movement on the movable valve assembly along the central axis.
However, the structure of the conventional primer bulb type pumping device is complicated and then make the manufacturing method is multi-stage and wasting time. Further, the production yield may be limited.

Method for manufacturing a handheld priming pump


In a speaker apparatus equipped with a speaker unit including a magnet, a frame and a diaphragm, a speaker housing has a substantially cylindrical shape, and also has such a structure that the speaker unit is secured onto one end surface of the cylindrical shape of the speaker housing so as to substantially cover the speaker unit except for front and back surfaces of the diaphragm. Further, the speaker housing has an opening in another end surface of the cylindrical shape thereof. A support bar extends and has one end secured to a back surface of the magnet of the speaker unit. Furthermore, a weight is secured to another end of the support bar, and then, the weight holds the support bar in a substantially vertical direction and grounds the magnet acoustically and virtually, thereby attenuating and suppressing oscillation transmitted from the magnet to the support bar.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a speaker apparatus, and in particular, to a speaker apparatus for reproducing a complicated waveform of low frequency such as a musical sound or the like with higher improved fidelity.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most conventional speaker apparatuses have a speaker housing having the shape of a box, a spherical shape or the like, and also have a speaker unit whose back surface is closed. In this case, sound waves radiating from the back surface of a diaphragm of the speaker unit are reflected by a wall surface of the speaker housing, and then, the reflected sound waves apply pressure to the back surface of the diaphragm of the speaker unit, to increase a reactance component of the acoustic impedance thereof. As a result, the sound pressure radiated from the front surface of the speaker unit changes according to frequencies, and phase characteristics are considerably disturbed. Then this leads to inhibition of high-fidelity reproduction.
Furthermore, in the conventional speaker apparatus having the box-shaped speaker housing, each surface of the speaker housing is prone to plate vibration. Additionally, a vibration mode is complicated due to reflection of vibration of corner surfaces. Thus, this leads to the occurrence of considerable noise. Consequently, the relationship among the relative times of element waveforms constitute, an original waveform which varies considerably. Therefore, reproducibility of the original waveform with higher improved fidelity is impaired.
In the speaker apparatus of the prior art, the speaker unit is fixed to the above-mentioned speaker housing having a box shape of a frame. In this situation, the vibration of a magnet cannot be suppressed. The vibration is transmitted to the housing through the frame and thus induces the plate vibration. This becomes a major factor of noise caused by the speaker housing. Moreover, the vibration transmitted to the speaker housing is again transmitted to the speaker unit through the frame and generates unnecessary vibration over the whole speaker unit. As a consequence, the transmitted vibration is superimposed onto the intrinsic vibration of the diaphragm, and consequently, the sound quality of the speaker apparatus is further deteriorated.
Furthermore, in the speaker apparatus of the prior art, the diaphragm of the speaker unit is located so as to face the listener. Therefore, the speaker apparatus of the prior art has such disadvantages that the speaker apparatus has sound waves having a high directivity and thus has a narrow coverage area. The speaker apparatus of the prior art having the directivity described above, has other disadvantages in so far as, the speaker apparatus has a narrow coverage area for reproducing a sound field space, and thus cannot obtain a satisfactory effect in a hall, a lobby or the like in which many people listen to the sound at the same time.
An essential objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a speaker apparatus which has less disturbance in the relative time relationship as compared with that of the prior art, which can reproduce a complicated waveform of low frequency such as a musical sound or the like with higher improved fidelity, and also has a wide coverage area for a sound field space.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus comprising:
a speaker unit including a magnet, a frame and a diaphragm, the speaker unit electromechanically transducing an input low-frequency signal into oscillation to oscillate the diaphragm, and to generate and radiate sound waves from the front surface of the diaphragm;
a speaker housing having a substantially cylindrical shape, the speaker housing having such a structure that the speaker unit is secured onto one end surface of the cylindrical shape of the speaker housing so as to substantially cover the speaker unit except for front and back surfaces of the diaphragm, and the speaker housing having an opening at another end surface of the cylindrical shape thereof;
a support bar extending and having one end secured to the back surface of the magnet of the speaker unit; and
a weight secured to another end of the support bar, the weight holding the support bar in a substantially vertical direction and grounding the magnet acoustically and virtually, thereby attenuating and suppressing oscillation transmitted from the magnet to the support bar.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus comprising:
a speaker unit including a magnet, a frame and a diaphragm, the speaker unit electromechanically transducing an input low-frequency signal into oscillation to oscillate the diaphragm, and to generate and radiate sound waves from a front surface of the diaphragm;
a speaker housing having a substantially cylindrical shape, the speaker housing having such a structure that the speaker unit is secured onto one end surface of the cylindrical shape of the speaker housing so as to substantially cover the speaker unit except for front and back surfaces of the diaphragm, and the speaker housing having an opening in another end surface of the cylindrical shape thereof; and
support means having one end secured to the back surface of the magnet of the speaker unit, the support means supporting the speaker unit so as to hold the speaker unit in a substantially vertical direction.
In the above-mentioned speaker apparatus, the support bar and the weight are preferably formed by an integrated bar-shaped weight.
The above-mentioned speaker apparatus preferably further comprises a first cushioning member interposed between two parts of the support bar when dividing the support bar into two parts, the first cushioning member attenuating and suppressing oscillation transmitted from the magnet to the support bar.
Further, the above-mentioned speaker apparatus further comprises a second cushioning member interposed between the speaker unit and the speaker housing, the second cushioning member attenuating and suppressing oscillation transmitted from the speaker unit to the speaker housing.
In the above-mentioned speaker apparatus, the frame of the speaker unit preferably comprises a frame fitting part formed so as to be inclined from a vertical direction, and the second cushioning member is preferably formed so as to be fitted to the frame fitting part, inclined from the vertical direction and supporting the frame fitting part.
Further, in the above-mentioned speaker apparatus, the frame fitting part preferably comprises a plurality of projections which are used so as to be press-fitted into the second cushioning member.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned speaker apparatus further comprises an adaptive ring member interposed between the speaker unit and the second cushioning member, and having a shape adapted to receive and fix the frame of the speaker unit.
Still further, the above-mentioned speaker apparatus further comprises absorbing means for substantially absorbing the sound waves and limiting oscillation which are radiated and transmitted from the back surface of the diaphragm.
In the above-mentioned speaker apparatus, the speaker unit and the speaker housing are preferably formed so that the diameter of the frame of the speaker unit is substantially equal to the diameter of the cylinder of the speaker housing.
The above-mentioned speaker apparatus preferably further comprises diffusing means for, in the horizontal direction, substantially diffusing or reflecting the sound waves radiated from the front surface of the diaphragm.
In the above-mentioned speaker apparatus, the speaker housing preferably has either one of a cylindrical shape and an elliptical cylindrical shape.
According to the present invention, the speaker housing is cylindrical, and the weight is connected to the back surface of the magnet through the support bar secured to the back surface of the magnet. Thus, the reactance component of the acoustic impedance of the back surface of the speaker unit is reduced. Then, the impedance load can be substantially equal to the load of pure resistance. As a result, a high-quality reproduced sound, having less disturbance in the relative time relationship among element waveforms constituting a musical sound, can be obtained. Moreover, the speaker housing of the present invention is allowed to stand upright, and thus the front surface of the speaker unit is directed upward. Thus, horizontal directivity about the sound waves from the speaker unit can have an angle of 360 degrees. Therefore, the coverage area for listening can be greatly increased. In addition, reproducibility of the sound field space can be improved. Thus, a complicated waveform of low frequency such as a musical sound or the like can be reproduced with higher improved fidelity.

Speaker apparatus equipped with means for producing complicated waveform of low frequency with higher improved fidelity


A method features the steps of determining whether a secondary battery collected from a user is reusable when being handed over again to the user after being recharged, by performing a simple inspection on a site where the battery is received and returned to the user. The battery is transferred to another site for additional detailed inspection to further examine whether the battery is reusable when the determination is such that quality up to the specified capacity is not assured if the battery is given back for further usage to the user only after recharging it. The processes described in the above method can ensure the user that the battery has a reusable quality to the specified capacity, while the battery can be given back quickly.

With the advancement of a variety of portable apparatuses in recent years, many batteries are used widely in light of convenience in portability and general versatility, such as AA-type alkaline storage batteries (type LR6), and the like.
On the other hand, small secondary batteries like rechargeable nickel metal hydride storage batteries, and lithium ion secondary batteries are expanding their market rapidly, including applications in the fields of cellular phones, laptop computers, video cameras, and the like.
Alkaline dry batteries are readily available and easily usable. However, they are high in running cost, and heavy in environmental load, because they are disposed of when completely discharged in headphone stereos and digital cameras, for instance.
On the other hand, although the secondary batteries are superior in cost performance including their running cost, they are not quite popular because of such reasons as high initial cost, time to recharge which requires fully-charged spare batteries ready to use in case of replacement, high price of battery charger, and so forth.
In addition, even though the secondary batteries consume a smaller amount of natural resources than the primary batteries because they can be recharged many times for repeated use, a ratio of their reclamation is only about 10% at the most since collection of those once-sold secondary batteries is dependent only upon goodwill of the individual users.
Because of the above reasons, there were proposed a number of ideas, such as recharging collected secondary batteries and reselling them as second-hand goods, renting secondary batteries to the users with collateral recharge service, and the like.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publications, (1) H03-41594, (2) 2001-283931, (3) S61-501289, (4) H01-173289, (5) H10-293874, (6) H11-150809, (7) 2000-90348, and (8) 2001-23037 are some examples of the ideas (these publications are referred to as prior art examples 1 through 8).
The prior art example 1 discloses a vending machine used to sell second-hand secondary batteries that are collected and classified according to their levels of quality. However, the vending machine provided on a site where secondary batteries are exchanged with users (may also be referred to as "location") needs to be a large scale piece of equipment, if the batteries are classified properly according to their levels in addition to the reuse process such as recharging. Furthermore, the recycle rate would likely lower a significant amount, if the vending machine executes at the site only a simple process of inspection and revitalization for reuse.
In addition, secondary batteries applicable to this vending machine are limited to small sealed lead-acid batteries as described in this prior art example 1, since they are the only batteries, capacities of which can be determined based on open-circuit voltages and internal impedance. Thus, the invention is not applicable to nickel metal hydride batteries and lithium rechargeable batteries which have been mainly used in recent years.
Moreover, although the prior art example 1 makes reference to recovery of resources by recycling, an anticipated rate of recovery would be considerably low in reality, since collection of used batteries depends solely upon goodwill of the users once they were sold to them, as described above.
On the other hand, prior art example 2 discloses a method of providing exchange services, in which discharged secondary batteries used by users are replaced with fully-charged secondary batteries.
However, the disclosed method takes some time to complete, and it does not provide prompt service, because it requires time to execute placement of a tag for controlling the history of each secondary battery in addition to recharging it at a site where batteries are brought in and exchanged with those of users.
In addition, since degradation of the secondary batteries varies according to conditions of use by individual users, it is not possible to assure quality of the batteries when being used by the users, if they are controlled simply by time and number of usages. It also makes the recycling difficult when all secondary batteries that have exceeded certain usable periods are discarded automatically, since this leads to disposal of the unusable batteries without separating them into groups each with the same kind of batteries.
In other words, none of the above examples provides a sound method of assuring quality of the secondary batteries easily on the site where the secondary batteries are exchanged with those of users.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An antenna (100) has a multi-mode resonating structure (110) that includes three electromagnetically coupled resonators (112, 114, 116) carried by a dielectric substrate (120). A feed system (130, 135), electromagnetically coupled to the multi-mode resonating structure (110), excites three resonating modes that operate together to produce a pass-band. Preferably, the multi-mode resonating structure (110) is formed from a wide patch radiator (112) planarly disposed between two narrow patch radiators (114, 116). The patch radiators (112, 114, 116) are simultaneously fed.

Planar, microstrip antennas have characteristics often sought for portable communication devices, including advantages in cost, efficiency, size, and weight. However, such antennas generally have a narrow bandwidth which limits applications. Several approaches have been proposed in the art in an effort to widen the bandwidth of such structures. One such approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,222 issued to Mailandt et al. on Nov. 5, 1996, for a Microstrip Patch Antenna Array. Here, a microstrip patch antenna is constructed using an array of spaced-apart patch radiators which are fed by an electromagnetically coupled microstrip line. Generally, with such structures, electromagnetic coupling between radiators is negligible, as it is regarded as a second-order undesired effect. Mailandt's structure is contemplated for use in fixed communication devices. For portable communication devices, size and weight considerations are paramount and such structures may not be suitable. Many other prior art approaches have similar drawbacks.
Communication signals are usually filtered using a band-pass filter or the like to remove unwanted harmonics before being sent to an antenna for transmission. Such filtering adds to the cost and complexity of a product. Planar patch antennas have been proposed that provide some band pass filtering. For example, it is known to selectively shape a radiator patch to provide narrow-band limited filtering. It is desirable to provide band pass behavior, with strong rejection of undesired side-band noise, in a cost effective manner. Planar patch antennas could provide a part of the solution if bandwidth concerns are addressed, and more effective band-pass filtering provided. Therefore, a new approach for a pass-band planar antenna is needed.


A formed beam for use as a vehicle bumper having an elongated body exhibiting front and rear opposing surfaces and top and bottom surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, such that the beam defines a swept shape between first and second opposite ends. A plurality of spaced apart and transverse extending beads are formed upon the top extending surface of said beam and at least a portion of one of the front and rear surfaces are inwardly displaced relative to each other and during formation of an arcuate profile to the beam, and such that the front and rear surfaces exhibit at least partially non-parallel surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to vehicle bumper beam designs. More particularly, the invention discloses a vehicle bumper design exhibiting a swept profile combined with an inward forming or "crushing" of either or both of the front and rear wall surfaces associated with the bumper. In one particular application, such crushing of opposite front-end walls, in a direction towards the rear bumper end walls, and without affecting the same, enables the bumper to "meet" the fascia in a close tolerance fashion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is well documented with examples of roll-formed bumper bars and bumper assemblies, in particular for use as front and rear vehicle bumpers. An object of such bumper assemblies is to provide an arcuate, or swept, profile which matingly engages the vehicle and in order to provide, to the degree possible, seamless alignment with respect to adjoining locations of the vehicle fascia.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,058, issued to Sturrus et al., teaches a bumper bar for vehicles which is formed from a rolled sheet steel and includes a closed tubular profile designed to exhibit a high impact resistance, a high strength-to-weight ratio, and a low cost of manufacture. The bar is preferably swept along its longitudinal axis and in to create an overall curvature consistent with modern automotive designs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,521, issued to McKeon et al., teaches a vehicle bumper beam exhibiting a non-uniform cross section. An associated method for producing a bumper bar includes roll-forming and sweeping a tubular beam with a constant longitudinal cross section, and then reforming the tubular beam to form a tubular beam having a non-constant cross section. The non-constant cross section exhibits specific shapes chosen to provide particular structural properties and surfaces along the reshaped beam, as well as to provide a stylized appearance, such that the reformed beam is useful as a vehicle bumper. The reshaped beam also includes integrally formed vehicle mounting structure, angled end sections forming aerodynamic but impact resistant bumper ends, and a high energy absorbing but flexible center section.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,297, issued to Sundgren et al., teaches a vehicle bumper bar extended in one dimension, has a closed cross section and two ends and includes at least one front flange, one rear flange, one top side and one bottom side. The bumper bar has at least one part of the rear flange, lying along the bar, in contact with at least one part of the front flange, also lying along the bar. In the method for manufacturing the bar, the at least one part of the rear flange is wholly or partially pressed in towards the at least one part of the front flange.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,163, issued to Reiffer, teaches a vehicle bumper bar having a swept B-shaped beam section and one-piece end pieces attached to opposing ends of the beam section for forming a compound angle along a front of the bumper bar. The end pieces are tubular and include circumferentially overlapping flanges that allow the shape of the end piece to be circumferentially adjusted to a best-fit condition on the ends of the beam section.
Further included are attachment tabs that longitudinally engage the ends of the beam section. The attachment tabs extend from the end piece longitudinally and circumferentially onto the beam section, in order to provide optimal impact and attachment strength of the end piece on the beam section. A method includes positioning the end piece on an end of the beam section, clamping the end piece onto the end including shaping the end piece circumferentially to a best-fit shape, and securing the end piece to the beam section by welding.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,368, issued to Weykamp et al., teaches a tubular beam having front, top, bottom and rear walls, and further having open tubular ends. The bumper system includes a pair of mounting brackets each having a V-shaped mounting section attached to the rear wall of the open tubular ends and having an integral corner-forming section extending from the mounting section laterally around the associated ends and forwardly to a location where the corner-forming section attaches to the front wall of the one end. The corner-forming section includes a resilient portion shaped to flex and absorb energy upon corner impact, and further is adapted to transfer energy directly to the vehicle frame, thus providing efficient and effective energy absorption upon corner impact.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Crushed profile bumper and method for producing


An on-chip inductor includes a main inductor portion configured to provide a main magnetic field of an on-chip inductor. An interconnect inductor portion is electrically coupled to the main inductor portion and is configured to provide an interconnect magnetic field that constructively combines with the main magnetic field.

Many devices that operate in the Radio Frequency (RF) band utilize electronic components, such as inductors. Inductors can be used in analog portions of the RF circuits, such as Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs). Moreover, as these types of products become more miniaturized, the inductors can be formed in the same semiconductor chip with the RF circuit rather than as a discreet component outside the semiconductor chip that includes the RF circuit.
FIG. 1A is a plan view of a conventional ribbon type inductor that is used in some RF devices. FIG. 1B is an equivalent schematic diagram of the ribbon type inductor, shown in FIG. 1A, that illustrates the parasitic capacitances associated with the ribbon type inductor. Because ribbon type inductors tend to be relatively large, these types of inductors may not be suitable for inclusion in highly integrated RF circuits in semiconductor chips.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conventional spiral type inductor that may be used in Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) circuits. Spiral type inductors are typically characterized by a large inductance due to the fact that the current flows in the same direction throughout the spiral, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2. Spiral type inductors may also be characterized by small resistances due to the relatively small number of connections used to integrate the inductors with other components. The inductance provided by spiral type inductors may, therefore, be predictable. However, conventional spiral type inductors may also be characterized as having high-parasitic capacitance due to the coupling between the coil and the substrate on which the spiral type inductor is formed.
Another type of conventional inductor is a three-dimensional solenoid type inductor. In general, solenoid type inductors include coils (similar to the spiral inductors discussed above), but the coils are not coplanar. Rather, the coils are spaced apart from one another so that the inductor has a cylindrical shape, such as that associated with a solenoid. Solenoid type inductors may also be characterized as providing a relatively large inductance as the current flows in the same direction within the different coils of the inductor. Although three-dimensional solenoid type inductors can have low capacitance (due to relatively low coupling between the coils of the inductor and the substrate), such conventional inductors can be difficult to fabricate because these need many process steps.
As discussed above, inductors can be used in VCO circuits as part of RF devices such, as radio telephones (or cell phones). As is well known to those skilled in the art, conventional VCO circuits can utilize a symmetrical arrangement of components as shown in schematic circuit diagram of FIG. 3. Non-symmetry in the VCO circuit can cause unbalance of oscillation with regard to two oscillation terminals (out and/out). This degrades the coherency of the oscillation of the VCO circuit.
Inductors are also discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. US 20030030532 and in Japanese Patent Application JP2003-045712 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Inductors having interconnect and inductor portions to provide combined magnetic fields


A digital circuit design method includes: before performing physical design: performing a logic synthesis according to a Register Transfer Level (RTL) design and a plurality of constraints to at least generate a netlist, a standard delay format file and a first constraint file; retrieving information of at least a specific node of circuit from the first constraint file to generate a second constraint file; generating an updated standard delay format file at least according to the standard delay format file and the second constraint file, wherein a delay of the specific node of the updated standard delay format file is less than a delay of the specific node of the standard delay format file; and using the netlist and the updated standard delay format file to perform a pre-post-layout simulation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit design, and more particularly, to a digital circuit design method and associated computer program product.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traditional digital circuit design is mainly categorized into front-end stage and back-end stage, wherein the front-end stage mainly comprises Register Transfer Level (RTL) design, functional simulation and logic synthesis, and the back-end stage comprises physical design, automatic placement and routing, and post-layout simulation, etc.
In general, after the logic synthesis but before the physical design, the functional simulation with the timing delay information is not needed, besides doing this kind of simulation is difficult. For example, in the setting of the logic synthesis, high fan-out nets of the circuit will be annotated with huge delay times in the timing information generated by the logic synthesis, so the netlist generated can't be simulated with the timing information given by the logic synthesis.
The above-mentioned high fan-out net requires extra processes in the following physical design to make the delay time short. However, since the post-layout simulation, executed after the physical design, usually is pretty close to tape out, if the problems are discovered in post-layout simulation, the product schedule may be affected.
For digital design, if the constraint applied in the logic synthesis is correct and sufficient in its coverage, and a correct static timing analysis (STA) is performed accordingly to passes the verification, the post-layout simulation might not have error generally. However, sometimes engineers make mistakes in designing the timing constraints so that the static timing analysis is performed with a timing-loosening constraint and that the errors can not be discovered until the post-layout simulation. Some circuits even can not be checked with static timing analysis, in which case, with current design flow, the error can possibly be discovered only in the post-layout simulation. However, as the abovementioned statements, it's usually too late if this kind of error is discovered after the physical design.

Digital circuit design method and associated computer program product


A refresh control circuit includes a refresh request generating circuit, a multiplexer, a memory access control circuit and an elimination control circuit. The refresh request generating circuit periodically outputs a transfer pulse and a refresh packet for refreshing. The merging control circuit receives a transfer pulse for normal access and a transfer pulse for refreshing. The merging control circuit, when the transfer pulse for refreshing and the transfer pulse for normal access contend with each other, applies first the transfer pulse to the memory access control circuit, makes the other stand by and generates an identification signal for identifying normal access and refreshing. The multiplexer receives a refresh packet and a data packet and applies one of the packets to the memory access control circuit in response to the identification signal. The memory access control circuit selectively controls a normal access operation based on the data packet or a refresh operation based on the refresh packet in response to the identification signal to output a transfer pulse. When an identification signal indicates a refresh operation, the elimination control circuit eliminates a transfer pulse output from the memory access control circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to refresh control circuits for memories, and more particularly, to circuits for controlling a refresh operation of memories in a data drive system and a method of controlling the same.
2. Description of the Background Art
Use of dynamic random access memories (referred to as DRAMs hereinafter) as memory devices in various data processing systems require refresh processing of the memory devices in a finite cycle.
In a synchronous type system such as a microprocessor including a synchronous data processing device, such memory access as instruction fetch and data access is in general performed periodically in response to a reference clock signal. FIG. 10 shows two refreshing manners in the synchronous type system. For a first memory, a periodic refresh cycle is provided between periodic memory access cycles. In a second memory, memory access is carried in parallel with refreshing. This is referred to as hidden refresh. In such synchronization type systems, switching between memory access and refreshing or identification thereof is controlled based on a reference clock signal.
In some synchronous type systems, a refresh operation is carried out once for several memory access times but not for each memory access, and in others, refresh is carried out in a burst manner in a fixed cycle. A refreshing operation is cyclically performed in response to a reference clock signal in either system.
A data flow type system is also developed in which processing is carried out in accordance with a flow of data in synchronization with pulses. A data flow type system in which data flows periodically enables the similar processing for refreshing to that of the synchronous type system. In other words, this system allows periodic refresh control by using pulse input for transferring data or data transfer as a clock signal. A data flow type system using a simple pipeline allows the most similar processing. More specifically, one of the simplest refresh control methods is to provide a refresh cycle immediately after each periodic memory access cycle. In this case, however, this method should be adapted to prevent distortion of a data flow when refresh is carried out once for several memory access times as in the synchronous system or refresh is performed in a burst manner.
Both of the above-described systems require some pulse periodically input. Thus, refresh processing is achieved by the control for interposing a refresh cycle in response to the pulse and determining time allotment of an access cycle and a refresh cycle.
The above described synchronous system and the system with a periodic data flow enable activation of a periodic refreshing operation without contention with memory access by using a free running reference clock signal.
Of the data flow type system, a data driven type system (hereinafter referred to as a data driven system) has the following three operational characteristics with respect to refresh control.
(1) No reference clock signal exists.
(2) Data flows in accordance with the timing at which data to be processed is generated.
(3) Processing is carried out only when data to be processed is generated.
Therefore, refreshing processing should be carried out in the data driving system on the premise of the above-described characteristics. Application of the above-described refresh processing method in the synchronous type system or the system with a periodic data flow to the data driven system presents some problems.
As described in (1), the data driven system is not capable of activating periodic refreshing because there is no reference clock signal for use in a synchronous type system. This problem can be resolved by periodically activating refresh processing by using a peripheral circuit, for example.
In the data driven type system, however, memory access is carried out irregularly as described in (2) and the access timing cannot be anticipated. Therefore, even if a refresh cycle is periodically activated by the above-described method, memory access might be induced in the refresh cycle. In such a case, the memory access is ignored or the refresh cycle terminates halfway. As described in the foregoing, the above-described resolution has shortcomings.
One resolution to this problem is a method of synchronizing activation of a refresh cycle with memory access. For example, such method is presented as activating a refresh cycle at the end of a memory access cycle. However, memory access is induced only when data to be processed exists according to (3) above. Therefore no memory access is induced when no data to be processed exists. According to the above-described method for solving the problem, no refresh processing is performed when no memory access is induced. Therefore, when no data to be processed exists for a sufficiently long period of time with respect to a time interval of a refresh cycle, no refresh processing will be carried out for the corresponding long period of time. This does not meet the requirement of periodic refresh processing to be carried out. In view of the foregoing, the method of activating a refresh cycle in synchronization with memory access is not satisfactory.


A method of manufacturing a part out of impervious thermostructural composite material, the method comprising forming a porous substrate from at least one fiber reinforcement made of refractory fibers, and densifying the reinforcement by a first phase of carbon and by a second phase of silicon carbide. The method then continues by impregnating the porous substrate with a composition based on molten silicon so as to fill in the pores of the substrate.

Thermostructural composite materials are known for their good mechanical properties and for their ability to conserve these properties at high temperature. They comprise carbon/carbon (C/C) composite materials constituted by carbon fiber reinforcement densified by a carbon matrix, and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material formed by reinforcement of refractory fibers (carbon or ceramic) densified by a matrix that is ceramic, at least in part. Examples of CMCs are C/SiC composites (carbon fiber reinforcement and silicon carbide matrix), C/C—SiC composites (carbon fiber reinforcement and a matrix comprising a carbon phase, generally close to the fibers, and a silicon carbide phase), and SiC/SiC composites (both reinforcing fibers and matrix made of silicon carbide). An interphase layer may be interposed between the reinforcing fibers and the matrix in order to improve the mechanical behavior of the material.
The usual methods of obtaining parts made of thermostructural composite material use the liquid process or the gas process.
The liquid process consists in making a fiber preform having substantially the shape of a part that is to be obtained, and that is to constitute the reinforcement of the composite material, and in impregnating said preform with a liquid composition containing a precursor of the matrix material. As a general rule, the precursor is in the form of a polymer, such as a resin, possibly diluted in a solvent. The precursor is transformed into a refractory phase by heat treatment, after eliminating the solvent, if any, and after cross-linking the polymer. A plurality of successive impregnation cycles can be performed in order to reach the desired degree of densification. By way of example, liquid precursors of carbon may be resins having a relatively high coke content, such as phenolic resins, whereas liquid precursors of ceramic, in particular precursors of SiC, may be resins of the polycarbosilane (PCS) or the polytitanocarbosilane (PTCS) or the polysilazane (PSZ) type.
The gas process consists in chemical vapor infiltration. The fiber preform corresponding to the part to be made is placed in an oven into which a reaction gas phase is admitted. The pressure and the temperature that exist inside the oven and the composition of gas phase are selected in such a manner as to allow the gas to diffuse within the pores of the preform so as to form the matrix therein by depositing a solid material in contact with the fibers, said material resulting from a component of the gas decomposing or from a reaction between a plurality of components. For example, gaseous precursors of carbon may be hydrocarbons that give carbon by cracking, e.g. methane, and a gaseous preform of ceramic, in particular of SiC, may be methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) giving SiC by decomposing the MTS (possibly in the presence of hydrogen).
There also exist combined methods using both the liquid and the gas processes.
Because of their properties, such thermostructural composite materials find applications in a variety of fields, whenever there is a need for parts that are to be subjected to high levels of thermomechanical stress, for example in aviation, in space, or in the nuclear industry.
Nevertheless, whatever the method of densification that is used, parts made of thermostructural composite material always present internal porosity that is open, i.e. in communication with the outside of the part. The porosity stems from the inevitably incomplete nature of the densification of fiber preforms. It leads to the presence of pores and/or cracks of greater or smaller dimensions that communicate with one another. As a result, parts made of thermostructural composite material are not impervious, which means, in particular, that they cannot be used directly for making walls that are cooled by a circulating fluid, for example wall elements for a rocket thruster nozzle, or combustion chamber wall elements for a gas turbine, or indeed wall elements for a plasma confinement chamber in a nuclear fusion reactor.
Treatments exist for parts made of thermostructural composite material, seeking to close the pores present in the material. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,095 describes a method of manufacturing a composite material part in which carbon fiber reinforcement consolidated by a carbon matrix is impregnated with molten silicon which reacts with the carbon present in the material so as to form silicon carbide. The material constituted in that way is still porous, so the part is coated in a layer of silicon carbide for closing the pores in its surface. However, composite material parts made in that way are only relatively impervious and they are suitable only for protecting the surface of the part against oxidation without conferring the part with a degree of imperviousness that would enable it to be put into contact with a fluid without any risk of leakage. Forming silicon carbide around fibers by causing the carbon to react with molten silicon inevitably leads to an increase in volume (in the range 10% to 20%), and that generates stresses which lead to cracks in the material. Consequently, in addition to the fact that the resulting material remains porous after the silicon carbide has been formed, thus requiring an additional deposit of silicon carbide on its surface, the material also presents cracks which mean that it is not possible to guarantee a high degree of imperviousness, in particular because of the mechanical and/or thermal stresses to which the parts might be subjected.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,013 describes another method of manufacture in which silicon carbide is deposited directly on reinforcing fibers by chemical vapor infiltration. Nevertheless, chemical vapor infiltration of silicon carbide, even when repeated with machining being performed between two infiltration operations so as to open up the pores at the surface, still does not suffice to obtain a part without any residual porosity. The part is thus not impervious at this stage of manufacture, and requires an additional deposit of silicon carbide to fill in the pores at the surface of the part, such that any damage to this surface coating compromises the imperviousness of the part.

Method of manufacturing a part out of impervious thermostructural composite material


A two part motorhome that is connected when on the road can be separated into a motorized chassis and a living unit at other times. The motorized chassis can be used as an independent vehicle. The living unit utilizes four corner mounted jacks which are extended for separating the unit from the chassis. The jacks are retracted to allow the living unit to be leveled and to be lowered to nearly ground level for easy access. Means are provided for locking the chassis and living unit together. The chassis ignition circuit fails to operate if the unit is not properly locked. A system employing two lasers is an alignment aid for the driver in properly reconnecting the chassis and the living unit.

Motorhomes may be manufactured directly on a special chassis or fitted on a stock or modified chassis, such as a pickup truck or a van. In the latter case, the living unit may be separable from the chassis for independent usage. Typical of such motorhomes are those disclosed in Miller, et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,244; Ward U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,545 and McPherson U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,108. These show living units which are on wheels and therefore cannot be lowered or leveled. According to this invention, a motorhome, such as one using a van chassis having a separable living unit, can be raised, lowered, and leveled. This invention includes a system to lock the two units together and an alignment aid for recoupling the units. Typical of such alignment aids are those described in Coleman U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,634 and Burrus U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,270 which are visual aids for alignment at a single point; i.e., the trailer hitch, rather than alignment along a center line which is needed for a pull-apart motorhome.


Tactile Sensor. The sensor includes a compliant convex surface disposed above a sensor array, the sensor array adapted to respond to deformation of the convex surface to generate a signal related to an applied force vector. The applied force vector has three components to establish the direction and magnitude of an applied force. The compliant convex surface defines a dome with a hollow interior and has a linear relation between displacement and load including a magnet disposed substantially at the center of the dome above a sensor array that responds to magnetic field intensity.

This invention relates to tactile sensors and more particularly to a compliant tactile sensor that delivers a force vector with three components.
Tactile sensors are used for robotic manipulation and to sense interactions with human hands or pen-like interfaces. We are motivated to build tactile sensors that are useful for robotic manipulation in unmodeled environments [12]. The numbers in brackets refer to the references appended hereto, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. These sensors should be capable of detecting when a robotic part (i.e. finger, hand, arm, etc.) comes in contact with any type of object at any incident angle. This feature is very important because in general a robot will not have any prior model of the object and thus have to use its limbs to come into contact and learn about the object. Moreover, the sensor should have a shape that makes it prone to contact.
Current tactile sensors are not good at detecting generalized contact. For example, consider a computer touch pad that uses force resistor sensors (FSR). These pads have high spatial resolution, low minimum detectable force (about 0.1 N) and a good force range (7 bits). These features make the sensor work very well when a human finger, a plastic pen or another object with a pointy shape comes in contact. However if one places a larger object or the same pen at a small incident angle, it is very unlikely that these contacts are detected unless the applied force is very large.
The detection is even more difficult when this pad is mounted in a low mechanical impedance robotic finger (such as the one in Obrero [12]). This is because the low mechanical impedance makes the finger deflect when it comes in contact with an object. A tactile sensor on this finger should be able to detect this contact with only a little deflection of the finger, because if the deflection is large, undesired forces are already being applied to the object. Therefore, the sensor needs to be very sensitive and able to detect forces applied from different directions.
Another factor that we consider important for the functionality of the sensor is its shape. The shape should be such that it is physically reachable from a range of directions. In other words, the shape should make the sensor prone to contact. We can observe that in the human skin, there are hairs and ridges that stick out. That is opposed to the design of a traditional tactile sensor whose shape is planar and only normal forces to its surface will be detectable.
Moreover, after the initial contact with an object, the fingers of a robot exert high forces to handle objects. Consequently, the tactile sensors also need to deal with this condition by either handling saturation or having a large operating range. Lastly, a tactile sensor should be able to conform to the object to increase the friction and facilitate manipulation.
Many attempts have been made to implement tactile sensing in robots. There are many technologies used to build sensor arrays: conductive elastomers [11], elastomer-dielectric capacitive [13], optical sensors (surface motion and frustrated internal reflection) [9], piezoelectric [7], acoustic, magnetoelastic, electromagnetic dipoles, silicon micromechanical (mems), and force sensing resistors. A complete review of these technologies can be found in [5]. The performance of these sensors has been measured according to the parameters mentioned in a survey study by Harmon [4]. Those parameters include: spatial and temporal resolution, measurement accuracy, noise rejection, hysteresis, linearity, number of wires, packing, and cost. However, it is not clear if any of these designs are useful for manipulation because little attention has been given to the data produced by these sensors [5].
Most sensors are essentially a flexible elastic skin, coupled with a method of measuring the deformations caused by the applied force. In [3], an IR emitter and receiver are placed inside cavities of an elastic skin. As the skin deforms, the cavity shape changes resulting in change of the received signal. However, the results on pressure sensitivity are not shown, and the sensor is not able to distinguish the direction from which the pressure is applied. In [9] the idea is taken one step farther. A full matrix of such sensors is developed and analyzed, light being routed in and out of the cavities using a matrix of optical fibers, taking out some of the bulk of the sensors. Again, only scalar data is obtained.
An interesting idea for a tactile sensor is described by both Lang [10] and Hristuy [2]. Here the finger is a white flexible membrane with a pattern of black dots or lines drawn on the inside. A light source and a CCD camera are placed inside the finger facing the patterns. Pressure on the membrane results in deformations that are detected by analyzing the CCD images. Significant processing power is required, and overall the sensor is quite big and expensive.
Another approach for the sensing tactile forces has been to use joint torque and force information to recover the normal forces [1] instead of using superficial sensors. Nevertheless, this approach is only able to detect resulting forces as opposed to distributions. Tactile sensors also have been developed using organic materials to print circuits [11]. This approach creates flexible transistors that can be used to develop a flexible skin with a high density of touch sensors that can easily be wrapped around a manipulator's fingers. The sensor used is a rubber sheet that changes conductivity with deformation. The transistors' role is to locally amplify the signal and connect it to the matrix of wires that routes the signals to the controller. While the idea has great potential to be developed, so far the results are modest in terms of sensitivity, as they only detect force applied in one direction and the organic technology still needs to be perfected (they are sensitive to oxidation).
A promising tactile sensor is described by Chu [13]. Essentially the skin is padded with rubber cones each placed on top of four capacitive force sensors. Having four sensors under each cone makes the detection of both the perpendicular as well as the sideways force possible. The results were very encouraging with sub-gram forces detected. However, the process requires a custom silicon wafer to be made (for the capacitive sensors) and therefore might be prohibitively expensive.
A unidirectional capacitive sensor is described by Voyles [8]. Here an electrorheological gel is placed between the inner and outer membrane padded with electrical contacts. The inner membrane is a hard material (like plastic) while the outer material is elastic (rubber). Again, pressure changes the relative position of the contacts which causes a change of the capacitance. One interesting property of this gel is the change in viscosity with the electric field applied, opening doors for the adaptive skin strength to the task. Unfortunately no quantitative data on the sensor are published.

Compliant tactile sensor that delivers a force vector


A system includes a first antenna that is located on one side of a motor vehicle and a second antenna that is located on another side of the motor vehicle. The system includes a controller, a switch and a receiver. In response to a heading of the motor vehicle, the controller selectively couples the receiver to one of the first antenna and the second antenna.

The invention generally relates to a mobile satellite receiver system.
Subscriber-based satellite radio is an option for motor vehicles, which is ever-increasing in popularity. A typical equipment package for mobile satellite radio includes an antenna and a satellite radio receiver that are connected together by an antenna feedline. The antenna produces a radio frequency signal in response to electromagnetic radiation that is received from a geosynchronous satellite.
Multipath and reflection effects typically affect the quality of the signal that is received in the satellite radio receiver. Therefore, a conventional satellite radio receiver may perform complete demodulation of the received RF signal for purposes of estimating a carrier-to-noise (C/N) ratio. From this estimation, the receiver interprets the received RF signal to recover the audio signal. The complete demodulation of the received RF signal for C/N estimation typically increases the cost of the satellite receiver.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a better system and/or technique to receive a signal in a mobile satellite receiver system.


A system in which a user accessing a web environment can request advertising information without leaving the currently displayed web page. A server is communicatively coupled to a client device, such as a personal computer, and is configured to communicate content to the client device for display to the user. The content includes media, such as a web-based interactive game, an advertisement and an input area for requesting advertising information. One or more software modules executing in an operating environment provided by the server are configured to receive input from the client device when a user interacts with the media, such as taking a turn in the interactive game. The software modules communicate advertising information to the user, such as sending an email message, based on the received input, thereby allowing the user to request advertising information without interrupting his or her interaction with the currently displayed media.

The Internet is a collection of integrated networks spanning the world and includes hundreds of thousands of online environments, such as a web sites and chat rooms. These environments are collectively referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW) and provide a myriad of online services such as search engines, interactive games, chat rooms, auctions, and retail sites to list a few.
There are several software applications, called web browsers, by which a user can easily navigate the World Wide Web, and access the online environments. Modern web browsers can present a wide range of multimedia including text, graphics, audio and video. Using a web browser, a user can jump from one destination to another by selecting one of the embedded references, also referred to as links. In this manner, the user navigates the World Wide Web, jumping from one destination to another.
One of the primary revenue generators for the Internet is the sale of advertising space on popular web sites. When the user accesses a web site and views an electronic advertisement for a product or service of interest, the user can view more information by simply clicking on the electronic advertisement. An embedded link associated with the advertisement directs the user to another web page that further describes the advertised product or service. Typically a different online environment, often the company marketing the offered product or service, provides the second web page.

Capturing advertising requests from a user


A semiconductor device includes: a block module which internally includes a power semiconductor element and a first heatsink, and from which a main circuit terminal and a control terminal are drawn; a control substrate connected to the control terminal; a package in which the block module and the control substrate are housed; and a second heatsink to which the package is fixed by a connection screw. The connection screw is inserted into the second heatsink so as to be inclined at an inclination angle θ relative to a normal to a surface of the second heatsink.

Examples of semiconductor devices include power devices, such as switching elements. A power device is used, for example, in the form of a power conditioner of a photovoltaic power generation system, or is used to control the rotation of a motor. Module products each formed by housing a plurality of power devices in a block module are referred to as power modules.
For example, PATENT DOCUMENT 1 describes a conventional technique relating to power modules. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device described in PATENT DOCUMENT 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the semiconductor device according to PATENT DOCUMENT 1 includes a metal plate 103 containing copper (Cu) as the main ingredient, and an outer case 102 insert-molded together with a metal terminal 101. The metal plate 103 is fixed on a lower surface of the outer case 102 with an adhesive 104. An insulative substrate 105 having an interconnect pattern is joined onto the metal plate 103 with solder 106. A plurality of power semiconductor elements 107 including an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a freewheel diode are joined onto the insulative substrate 105 with solder (not shown). Electrodes (not shown) each formed on the surface of a corresponding one of the power semiconductor elements 107 and relay terminals 108 of the outer case 102 are connected together through an aluminum (Al) wire 109. A control substrate 112 is placed immediately above the power semiconductor elements 107. A control element 110 and passive components 111, such as a capacitor and a resistor, are mounted on the control substrate 112. The control element 110 controls the power semiconductor elements 107. The relay terminals 108 are inserted into the control substrate 112 to electrically connect the power semiconductor elements 107 to the control element 110. A region surrounding the power semiconductor elements 107 (the internal space of the outer case 102 between the metal plate 103 and the control substrate 112) is encapsulated with a resin material, such as a silicone gel 113, to protect the power semiconductor elements 107 from the external environment.
Furthermore, PATENT DOCUMENT 2 describes a configuration in which a bottom plate of a package extends beyond a package body toward an area surrounding the package body, and a portion of the bottom plate extending beyond the package body is secured onto a base by screws.

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


Disclosed are liquid nutritional compositions comprising: carbohydrate; lipid having from about 0.1% to about 20% of an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, or combinations thereof by weight of the composition; a protein matrix having from about 15% to about 50% of a whey protein fraction by weight of the total protein in the composition; and a limonene-containing material, cranberry oil, or combinations thereof. The compositions are preferably aseptically packaged, and provide enhanced oxidative stability, flavor, and aroma, especially when formulated with relative high polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations.

Nutritional formulas today are well known for a variety of nutritional or disease specific applications in infants, children and adults. These formulas most typically contain a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals tailored to the nutritional needs of the intended user, and include product forms such as ready-to-drink liquids, reconstitutable powders, nutritional bars, and many other forms.
Many nutritional formulas also commonly contain a variety of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as part of the lipid component of the overall nutrient system, examples of which include omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), stearidonic acid (C18:4n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids such as linoleic acid (C18:2n-6), gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3n-6), eicosadienoic acid (C20:2n-6), arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6), and di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6). A growing body of evidence now suggest that diets containing sufficient amounts of certain long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may be beneficial for the maintaining overall health, and may also be helpful for treating or preventing a variety human diseases or afflictions. Certain long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to be beneficial in the prevention and/or management of cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, Alzheimer's, ulcers, cancer, hyperactivity, asthma, or other diseases or conditions responsive to anti-inflammatory effects.
Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in particular have been shown to provide beneficial effects in preterm infants such as enhanced brain and vision development, and are now commonly found in many commercially available infant formulas such as Similac® Advance® Infant Formula and Isomil® Advance® Infant formula, both of which are available from Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
These polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, tend to be more sensitive to oxidation than many other ingredients commonly found in nutritional formulas. Due to their chemical structure, exposure to heat and atmospheric levels of oxygen can cause a series of chemical reactions about their carbon:carbon double bonds resulting in free radical formation. These free radicals can continue to break down the polyunsaturated fatty acids in an auto-oxidative process, which results in the development of undesirable off-flavors and odors and the eventual degradation of the beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are especially susceptible to oxidation when subjected to elevated temperatures during processing or storage.
Oxidative stability has become especially challenging when formulating a nutritional liquid containing the relatively high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids often needed to obtain a therapeutic response. Allowing even some oxidation in these products often results in a highly objectionable flavor and aroma, the characteristics of which are often described as fishy, eggy, or otherwise having a rancid flavor or smell, depending upon the particular polyunsaturated fatty acid used in the formulation.
Methods of controlling the undesirable oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in a nutritional product include processing or manufacturing controls to limit conditions such as elevated temperatures, exposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to oxygen and other factors that can promote oxidation. All such methods almost always include the concurrent formulation with one or more anti-oxidant additives such as ascorbic acid or ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherols, beta-carotene, or others. Although these methods are often highly effective in reducing much of the undesirable oxidation that would otherwise occur, they are often not as effective when applied to liquid nutritional compositions that contain the relatively high polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations often needed to achieve a desired therapeutic effect.
It has now been found, however, that liquid nutritionals containing relatively high polyunsaturated fatty acids can now be formulated with improved oxidative stability and flavor masking, without the need to reduce fatty acid concentrations in order to achieve the desired oxidative stability and thus, acceptable flavor. This has been accomplished by preparing the liquid nutritional so as to comprise: (A) a carbohydrate component; (B) a lipid component having from about 0.1% to about 10% of an n-3 fatty acid, n-6 fatty acid, or combinations thereof, by weight of the liquid composition; (C) a protein component having from about 15% to about 50% of a whey protein fraction by weight of the total protein in the liquid composition, and (D) a limonene-containing material, and/or (E) a flavor masking agent comprising one ore more of cranberry oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, or ginger oil.
It has also been found that the liquid nutritionals of the present invention can be aseptically packaged for improved oxidative stability, reduction in the development of off-flavors, and extended shelf life at room temperature.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide nutritional formulas containing relatively high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids with improved oxidative stability, flavor, and aroma. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a formulation without the need to reduce polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a formulation comprising a defined protein matrix in combination with a limonene-containing material or selected masking agents for enhanced oxidative stability, flavor, and aroma of the finished product.
These and other objects of the present invention are described and shall be apparent from the description as set forth hereinafter.

Liquid nutritional compositions containing unsaturated fatty acids


A sample rate converting device includes a noise shaper and a sample rate converter. The noise shaper is for receiving a digital input signal, noise-shaping the digital input signal, and then outputting an n-bit digital stream. The sample rate converter, which is coupled to the noise shaper, receives the n-bit digital stream and outputs a digital output signal. Since the n-bit digital stream is a digital signal with a smaller number of bits in each sample, the computation efforts of interpolation are reduced. Hence, less resource is needed to complete the conversion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sample rate converting device, and more particularly, to a sample rate converting device which converts a sample rate of a discrete-time signal to another sample rate that is optional multiples of the original one.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1A and 1B show typical first-order and second-order Delta-Sigma modulators. The Delta-Sigma modulator is basically for converting a signal into another signal with a smaller number of bits (e.g., a one-bit signal), such that both of them have almost the same frequency components in the low-frequency band, and the quantization noise of the latter is concentrated mostly in the high-frequency portion, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
FIG. 3 shows a typical over-sampled Delta-Sigma digital-to-analog converter. As shown in FIG. 3, an interpolator 100 expands an input signal and generates an over-sampled digital signal. The interpolator 100 includes a power-of-2 expander 101 and a digital low-pass filter 102. The over-sampled digital signal is converted, by a Delta-Sigma modulator 103, into a digital signal with a smaller number of bits in each sample (typically 1-bit). The digital signal generated by the Delta-Sigma converter 103 is further converted, by a DAC 104, into an analog signal. A high-frequency noise introduced by the Delta-Sigma converter 103 is filtered out by a low-pass filter (LPF) 105, and then an output analog signal is generated.
In the prior art, if two digital signals with different sample rates are to be mixed and converted into an analog signal, the typical method is to convert the two digital signals into analog signals and then mixed the two analog signals, as shown in FIG. 4A. However, the time period for the design and layout of the analog circuits is longer, and the property of the analog circuit tends to be influenced by the manufacturing processes. With the progress of the technology, the area of digital circuits is rapidly reduced. Therefore, more and more circuits are implemented in digital manners to reduce area, to shorten the design period, and to keep the design easily reused when the manufacturing processes are likely changed.
FIG. 4B shows how to mix two signals in a digital manner. In spite of some advantages over analog designs, some difficulties still exist. For example, if the expanding ratio of the interpolator is chosen to be power-of-2 (e.g., 64, 128 or 256), which may be easily implemented, the expanding ratio for the sample rate converter may not be power-of-2 or even not an integer, which will cost much more (e.g., computing units with a larger area or a higher operation speed). For example, in FIG. 4B, the sample rate f1=48 KHz, and the sample rate f2=50 KHz. If the expanding ratio for the interpolator is 128, the expanding ratio of the sample rate converter must be 128*48/50=122.88 so that the outputs have the same sample rate f=6.144 MHz. The conventional sample rate converter with non-integer converting ratio requires a lot of multiplications and will cost much more.

Sample rate converting device and method


Methods and systems for load balancing a plurality of entities, such as firewalls, in a network environment are disclosed. In particular, the load balancing of firewalls on a bidirectional traffic path is performed using a single device that controls both incoming and outgoing traffic through the firewalls. The single device may include virtual routers for controlling the bidirectional traffic through the firewalls. A first virtual router may control incoming traffic to the firewalls and the other virtual router may control outgoing traffic to the firewalls. The virtual routers are logical partitions of the device layered on the physical resources of the device. The virtual routers share all or portions of the physical resources of the single device.

When corporations connect their internal computer networks with the Internet, there is a risk that the corporate networks may be accessed by unauthorized parties via the Internet. Due to the Internet's openness, parties on the Internet may easily get into the corporate networks and obtain internal data of the corporations absent some protective measures being in place. Thus, corporations often employ a firewall to protect their networks from unauthorized access from the Internet.
A firewall is a system that limits network access between two or more networks. A firewall typically resides in between the Internet and corporate networks and filters all traffic to and from the corporate networks. The firewall may allow anyone on the corporate networks to access the Internet, but stop unauthorized parties from gaining access to the corporate networks. Multiple firewalls may be employed in parallel to be able to handle an increasing amount of traffic to and from the corporate networks. When multiple firewalls are employed, the firewalls need to be load balanced for the efficient processing of the traffic. Typically, a first physical device is employed to load balance on the side of the firewalls that is interfaced with the Internet or other untrusted network and a second physical device is employed to load balance on the side of the firewalls that interface with trusted network.

Firewall load balancing using a single physical device


A system and a method for DNA double-strand break repair in vitro are disclosed. Applications of the disclosed method in multiple areas are also disclosed.

In cells of all organisms, DNA double-strand breaks are repaired by a process involving the action of RecA-class recombinases, helicases, nucleases, DNA polymerases, and DNA ligases. A classical pathway for double-strand break repair, called synthesis-dependent single strand annealing (SDSA), is shown in FIG. 1. Briefly, nucleases and helicases are used to unwind the DNA at the broken end and degrade the 5′-ending strand. The region of single-stranded DNA (with a terminal 3′ end) thus created is bound by a recombinase. The recombinase promotes a DNA strand invasion, to create a D-loop. The 3′ end of the invading DNA strand can be extended by DNA polymerase. If the invading strand is then separated from the invaded DNA, it can be joined to its cognate broken end via strand annealing. Replication and DNA ligation completes the repair process.
Although SDSA may be the most common pathway for double strand break repair, other variants either exist or have been proposed. All variants share the key steps of rendering a DNA single stranded by the action of helicases and nucleases, DNA strand invasion promoted by a RecA-family recombinase, extension of the invading DNA 3′ end with a DNA polymerase, and final ligation of nicks with DNA ligase.
What is needed in the art is a system for efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks in vitro. Such a system will benefit multiple areas such as DNA genotyping in forensic science, DNA extraction from ancient sources, genome sequencing and metagenomics.

Method for DNA double-strand break repair in vitro and applications thereof

Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College


Disclosed is the isolation and cloning of genes encoding glucanohydrolase enzymes and the expression and secretion of exogenous glucanase gene products in host cells.

The present invention relates generally to recombinant methods and materials useful for securing the microbial expression of exogenous gene products.
Streptococcus mutans, which causes dental caries, adheres to the surface of tooth enamel through the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharide polymers from sucrose. The most important of these polysaccharides are the glucans. One type of bond contained in glucans is the .alpha.-1,6 bond (see FIG. 1) which is similar to that of the classical dextrans. A second type of bond contained in glucans is the .alpha.-1,3 bond which is less water soluble. S.mutans and other cariogenic microorganisms cause tooth decay by adhesion to the tooth surface and secretion of organic acids and other material which causes demineralization of the inorganic component of tooth structure and dissolution of the residual organic matrix.
In the past, dental plaque (which is a complex of cariogenic bacteria, insoluble glucans and other material) has been mechanically removed by brushing the teeth with a tooth brush and use of materials such as dental floss. It is significant, however, that bacteria sorb rapidly to the enamel surface within minutes after the teeth are vigorously cleaned and that macroscopically visible colonies will then appear within one or two days. In addition, it is extremely difficult to ensure thorough cleaning of the teeth as dental plaque will often remain intact in areas difficult to reach with a tooth brush or dental floss.
Recently, dentifrices have been developed which provide for the enzymatic decomposition of the .alpha.-1,3 and .alpha.-1,6 glucosidic bonds holding together insoluble glucan polymers. Such dentifrices typically comprise .alpha.-1,6-glucan 6-glucanohydrolase (.alpha.-1,6 glucanase or dextranase and hereinafter referred to as dextranase) or .alpha.-1,3-glucan 3-glucanohydrolase (.alpha.-1,3 glucanase or mutanase and hereinafter referred to as .alpha.-1,3 glucanase). Simonson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,313 and Guggenheim, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,891 each disclose methods for production of plaque dispersing .alpha.-1,3 glucanase enzyme. Shimada, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,093 discloses an oral composition for the prevention and suppression of oral diseases comprising both .alpha.-1,3 glucanse and dextranase in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The application of dentifrices containing enzymes for the disintegration of such insoluble glucan is not expected to have significant effects in decomposing dental plaque lasting beyond the period of brushing because most of the enzymatic components of the dentifrices tend to be lost during the rinsing which typically follows brushing.
Prior to the filing of parent application Ser. No. 06/840,940 herein, there had been no reports of the use of recombinant methods in the cloning and isolation of genes coding for .alpha.-1,3 glucanase or dextranase enzymes. Since that time, the cloning and expression in E. coli of a gene encoding the dextranase product (EC 18.104.22.168) of Bacteroides oralis Ig4a has been reported. See, Derwent, Biotechnology Abstracts 88-00247 and 88-01356 (1988).
From the above description of the state of the art it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for improved methods and materials providing glucanase activity in the human oral cavity. Such methods and materials should preferably provide consistent long lasting glucanase activity and should preferably not require frequent application.


Balloon loaded dissection devices with elongate balloons and a pushing member are described for creating a tunnel alongside an elongate vessel in the body. The devices may utilize an elongate balloon of any suitable length which may be formed of an elastic or non-elastic material. The balloon may be of double walled construction and may be provided with a central lumen which may receive a guide rod, scope or other surgical instrument. The device may have a support tube secured to the inner wall of the balloon to provide columnar support. The support tube may have a transparent shroud attached to its distal end. There is an open space between the distal end of the support tube and the end of the shroud allowing access to adjacent tissue. The shroud may perform blunt dissection and/or retraction to clear an open space for viewing or for performing surgical procedures. The support tube receives a scope or other surgical instrument. By using the guide rod or scope as a pushing member the apparatus may be advanced alongside the vessel targeted for dissection from attached tissue. A balloon cover which may be elastic or resilient surrounds the balloon and facilitates compression of the balloon after it is deflated. The devices may also have an ergonomic handle which provides the surgeon greater control of the dissector, and is adapted to receive and to provide supplementary support for a scope instrument, and can also hold a light source for the scope instrument.

Numerous surgical procedures have been developed to replace arteries that have become blocked by disease. The aortocoronary bypass surgery is perhaps the most important of these bypass operations. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart. As a result of aging and disease, coronary arteries may become blocked by plaque deposits, stenosis, or cholesterol. In some instances, these blockages can be treated with atherectomy, angioplasty or stent placement, and coronary bypass surgery is not required. Coronary bypass surgery is required when these other methods of treatment cannot be used or have failed to clear the blocked artery. In coronary bypass surgery, a vein is harvested from elsewhere in the body and grafted into place between the aorta and the coronary artery below the point of blockage. An illustration of this surgery is shown in FIG. 1, which shows the heart 1, and the right anterior coronary artery 2 and the left anterior coronary artery 3 which supply blood to the heart. The right anterior coronary artery 2 is blocked in its proximal segment at 2a, as shown. This blockage has been bypassed by grafting a segment of vein 4 between the aorta 5 and the distal segment 2b of the right anterior coronary artery 2. Similarly, the left anterior coronary artery 3 may be blocked, and may require bypass with a length of vein 4a between the aorta and the distal segment 3b of the left anterior artery. The operation requires access to the heart, which means that the chest cavity must be opened completely.
The coronary bypass surgery requires a length of vein or artery for the graft. It is preferred to use a vein taken from the patient undergoing the bypass surgery. The patient is a ready source of suitable veins that will not be rejected by the body after transplantation and grafting onto the aorta and coronary artery. The saphenous vein in the leg is the best substitute for small arteries such as the coronary arteries, and it is the preferred vein for use in coronary bypass surgery. This is because the saphenous vein is typically 3 to 5 mm in diameter, about the same size as the coronary arteries. Also, the venous system of the legs is sufficiently redundant so that after removal of the saphenous vein, other veins that remain in the leg are adequate to provide return blood flow. The cephalic vein in the arm is an alternative that is sometimes used.
A typical operation previously required to harvest the saphenous vein is illustrated in FIG. 2. The surgeon cuts into the leg to allow access to the saphenous vein and cuts the vein from the leg. To expose the saphenous vein 6, the surgeon makes a series of incisions from the groin 7 to the knee 8 or the ankle 9, leaving one or more skin bridges 10 along the line of the incisions. Some surgeons make one continuous incision from the groin to the knee or ankle. Handling of the vein must be kept to a minimum, but the vein must be dissected free from connective tissue. After exposing the vein, the surgeon grasps it with his fingers while stripping off the surrounding tissues with dissecting scissors or other scraping instruments. The surgeon uses his fingers and blunt dissection tools to pull and lift (or mobilize) the vein from the surrounding tissue. The vein is mobilized or pulled as far as possible through each incision. To reach under the skin bridges, the surgeon lifts the skin with retractors and digs the vein free. While stripping the vein, the surgeon will encounter the various tributary veins that feed into the saphenous vein. These tributaries must be ligated and divided. To ligate and divide tributaries that lie under the skin bridges, the surgeon may need to cut one end of the saphenous vein and pull it under the skin bridge to gently pull the vein out from under the skin bridge until the tributary is sufficiently exposed so that it may be ligated and divided. When the vein has been completely mobilized, the surgeon cuts the proximal and distal ends of the vein and removes the vein from the leg. After removal, the vein is prepared for implantation into the graft site, and the long incisions made in the leg are stitched closed.
The procedure described above can be used to harvest veins for a femoral popliteal bypass, in which an occluded femoral artery is bypassed from above the occlusion to the popliteal artery near the level of the knee. The procedure can also be used to harvest veins for the revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery which supplies blood to the abdominal cavity and intestines. In this case, the harvested vein is inserted between the aorta to the distal and patent (unblocked) section of the mesenteric artery. For bypass grafts of the lower popliteal branches in the calf, the procedure can be used to harvest the umbilical vein. The harvested vein can also be used for a vein loop in the arm (for dialysis) between the cephalic vein and brachial artery.
As can be seen from the description above, the vein harvesting operation is very traumatic in its own right. In the case of coronary artery bypass, this operation is carried out immediately before the open chest operation required to graft the harvested vein into the coronary arteries. The vein harvesting operation is often the most troublesome part of the operation. The long incisions created in the leg can be slow to heal and very painful. Complications resulting from the vein harvesting operation can also hinder the patient's recovery from the entire operation.
The method of vein harvesting presented herein is accomplished with laparoscopic procedures. This allows the veins to be harvested in an operation that requires only a few small incisions. Endoscopic surgical techniques for operations such as gall bladder removal and hernia repair are now common. The surgeon performing the operation makes a few small incisions and inserts long tools, including forceps, scissors, and staplers, into the incision and deep into the body. Viewing the tools through a laparoscope or a video display from the laparoscope, the surgeon can perform a wide variety of maneuvers, including cutting and suturing operations, necessary for a wide variety of surgical procedures and operations.
Minimally invasive procedures for vein removal have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,840 to Knighton, entitled, "Endoscope and Method for Vein Removal," shows a method of cutting the saphenous vein at one end, and grasping the vein with graspers or forceps, then sliding a ring over the vein while holding it. Knighton uses a dissecting tool with an annular cutting ring, and requires that the saphenous vein be overrun or progressively surrounded with the dissecting tool and the endoscope, so that after the endoscope has been inserted as far as it will go, the entire dissected portion of the vein has been pulled into the lumen of the endoscope. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 of Knighton, the method requires deployment of forceps inside the annular dissection loop, and it requires deployment of the loop and graspers inside the endoscope lumen. The blood vessel must be cut and grasped by the forceps before it can be dissected by the dissecting ring.


Embodiments include systems, methods, and products for prevention and treatment of orthostatic hypotension, edema, and nocturia. Aspects include a tubular compression sleeve having an adjustable effective radius. Aspects also include a position sensor. Aspects also include an actuator in communication with the position sensor, wherein the actuator is capable of modifying the effective radius of the tubular compression sleeve.

The present invention relates generally to active adaptable compression structures, and more specifically to methods, systems, and products including active adaptable compression structures for applying variable compression to a body part for treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disorders, such as orthostatic hypotension, edema, or nocturia.
Orthostatic hypotension is a medical condition in which a person's blood pressure falls upon transition to an upright position, such as when a person transitions from lying down to sitting or standing or from sitting to standing. The decrease in blood pressure can be accompanied by other adverse symptoms, such as dizziness, light-headedness, palpitations, falling, or loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, this loss in blood pressure can result in stroke or angina. Moreover, up to 20% of individuals aged 65 or older experience orthostatic hypotension to some degree. In this population, orthostatic hypotension involves an increased level of complications from falls, for example due to an increased risk for fractures because of reduced bone mass and an increased risk of bleeding because of capillary fragility, increased use of anti-aggregation agents and anticoagulants.

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