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When constructing a new dwelling, a considerable amount of time and money is spent fitting out the kitchen. Indeed, the installation cost of kitchen fittings may be as high as around 50% of the overall cost of the kitchen.
Currently, kitchens are fitted using storage units, for example cupboard units and drawer units, and appliance units selected from a large number of available units. These units are located side by side and may be combined in many different ways to achieve a desired layout of the fitted kitchen. However, this means that many different items have to be ordered and fitted.
An aim of the present invention is to reduce the time taken to install a kitchen. A further aim of the present invention is to reduce the cost of the kitchen fittings.
A further aim of the present invention is to address the problems of the prior art as described herein or elsewhere.
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A communication system is formed, at a minimum, of a transmitter and a receiver interconnected by a communication channel. The communication system is operable at least to transmit communication signals, having an informational content, generated at, or applied to, the transmitter. The communication signals are transmitted to the receiver upon the communication channel. The receiver is operable to receive the transmitted, communication signal and to recreate the informational content of the communication signal.
A radio communication system is a communication system in which the communication channel is formed of one or more frequency bands of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum. A transmitter operable in a radio communication system generates a communication signal of characteristics permitting its transmission upon the communication channel, and the receiver operable in the radio communication system is operable to receive the communication signal transmitted upon the communication channel.
A radio communication system is advantageous for the reason that a fixed, or hard-wired, connection is not required to form the communication channel extending between a transmitter and a receiver. Communication can be effectuated between remotely-positioned transmitters and receivers without the need to form the hard-wired or other fixed connections therebetween.
A cellular communication system is a type of radio communication system. When the infrastructure, hereinafter referred to as the network, of the cellular communication system is installed in a geographical area, a subscriber to the cellular system is generally able to communicate telephonically in the system when positioned at any location in the geographical area encompassed by the system.
Cellular communication networks have been installed throughout significant portions of at least many of the world's population centers. Large numbers of subscribers to cellular communication systems formed of such cellular networks are able to communicate telephonically when positioned in areas encompassed by such cellular networks.
However, in some areas, terrestrial-cellular communication networks might not be installed or might not be commercially viable. For terrestrial-cellular communication networks which have already been installed, some may have been constructed pursuant to various different standards. A user terminal operable in one of the cellular communication systems may not be operable in others of the cellular communication systems.
Therefore, even in an area in which a cellular communication network has been installed, a user might not be able to communicate by way of the cellular communication network if the user attempts to utilize a user terminal constructed to be operable only with another one of the cellular communication networks.
Satellite-cellular communication systems have been proposed which, when implemented, shall permit a user, utilizing a user terminal operable therein, to communicate telephonically by way of the satellite-cellular communication system when positioned at almost any location. By transmitting down-link and up-link signals between a satellite-based transceiver and the user terminal, telephonic communication shall be possible between the user terminal and the satellite-based transceiver. By effectuating additional communication links between the satellite-based transceiver and a ground station, the user of the user terminal shall be able to communicate telephonically with another party by way of the ground station and the satellite-based transceiver.
In both satellite and terrestrial cellular communication systems, when a call is to be placed to a user terminal, a network station in a satellite-based system, or a base station in a terrestrial-cellular base system, transmits a paging signal to the user terminal. The paging signal includes the equipment identifier (EIN) of the user terminal and a random reference number.
Upon receipt of the paging signal, the user terminal sends to the base/network station a response signal base upon the random reference number. In a similar manner, the base/network station forms the same response signal and compares it to the user terminal response signal. These signals must substantially correlate in order for the base/network station to uniquely identify or authenticate the user terminal. Similarly, in both satellite and terrestrial cellular communication systems, when a user terminal is originating a call, an access request signal is sent to the base/network station from the user terminal. Typically the access request signal includes a call establish cause, the dial number information, and a random reference number.
Upon receipt of the access request signal, the base/network station sends to the user terminal a response signal based upon the random reference number. The user terminal forms the same response signal and compares it to the base/network station response signal. These signals must substantially correlate for call establishment to proceed.
Because communication systems are being developed in manners which attempt to minimize the bandwidth required to communicate between the base/network station and the user terminal, the available bandwidth for communication between the base/network station and the user terminal on the forward as well as the reverse channels is often limited.
When the paging data or the access request data being transmitted exceeds the available limited bandwidth, the limited bandwidth may prevent adequate paging communication or access request communication between the user terminal and the base/network station, thereby hindering proper communication.
Another problem encountered with the access request signal occurs as discussed above, the access request signal transmitted by the user terminal to the base/network station when originating a call typically includes a call establishment cause, the dial number information, and a random reference number. The number of bits of information used for the random reference number varies from two to five bits.
Typically five bits are used for random reference for the calls that occur most frequently or are of high priority, such as originating calls or emergency calls. Five bits are used to reduce the probability that two phones have an identical random reference number. In contrast two bits are typically used for the types of call which occur least frequently.
For the above mentioned problems, what is needed therefor, is a manner by which to reduce the size of the paging and access request signals to be transmitted between a base/network station and a user terminal to ensure that the signals will fit a limited bandwidth. What is also needed, is an access request signal of a fixed length or fixed format.
It is in light of this background information related to communications pursuant to a radio-telephonic communication system, such as a satellite-based or terrestrial-based cellular communication system, that the present invention has been developed.
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In high performance digital to analog converter (DAC) designs, manufacturers are continually striving to improve the dynamic range and noise performance while simultaneously increasing the bandwidth. However, due to nonlinear imperfections, DACs frequently produce out-of-band harmonic terms (e.g., second and third harmonics). Often, the worst harmonics are produced at higher signal frequencies. If the nonlinear distortion occurs in the DAC current sources prior to resampling in the DAC, the high frequency harmonics are aliased back in-band. These spurs are commonly referred to as folded harmonics, and are typically the most destructive spurious signals. As such, folded harmonics set a limit on the spurious free dynamic range of a DAC.
Thus, even though it is desirable in high performance DAC design to obtain both high modulation bandwidth and wide dynamic range, in a given DAC design, there is a limit on how high the sample clock frequency can be driven before the noise rises significantly along with the harmonic distortion. For example, the sample clock frequency in some conventional high performance DACs is approximately 1.25 GHz. In addition, it is difficult to deliver high amounts of digital data to a single DAC. Therefore, what is needed is a high performance DAC design that increases the output bandwidth without significantly degrading the analog performance.
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(a) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to processes for producing batches of rubber-based composition and articles made thereof, and more particularly to processes for producing batches of rubber-based composition and shaped made thereof.
(b) Description of Prior Art
Since the creation of the rubber industry over more than a century ago, rubber materials have been essentially produced through processes based on dienes vulcanization. In the early stages, dienes-based materials were produced through plant-latex obtained from particular tropical trees such as Para rubber-plant (Hevea). Synthetic rubbers have first been introduced during the second world war to obviate a shortage in natural rubber supply. Dienes-based rubbers, either natural or synthetic, are made of macromolecular compounds exhibiting significant flowing characteristic under tensile stress. Actually, such basic materials do not present great interest for industrial applications. To prevent macromolecular slipping for the purpose of providing a material capable of sustaining deformation while recovering its initial state after stressing, blocking of the macromolecular chains to one another is required. Such molecular chains blocking is obtained through a process known as vulcanization or curing, which typically consists of cross-linking macromolecular chains at double bond sites which are present along the chains, using sulfur as the linking element or an organic peroxide. Typically, curing occurs through heating diene-based rubber materials at a temperature between about 130.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. in the presence of about 7-10% of sulfur. Mechanical properties of sulfur-cured rubbers vary with cross-linking density which is proportional to the initial sulfur concentration. In practice, compositions of various virgin (uncured) rubber types, such as natural rubber, butyl rubber, polybutadiene and neoprene, with specific additives such as curing starting agents and curing accelerators, have been developed to obtain, after curing, rubber-based material exhibiting various mechanical properties such as tensile strength, maximum tensile elongation, tear strength, embrittlement temperature and resilience.
During the past years, due to the generally high cost of uncured rubbers, reclaimed cured rubber in the form of particles or dust has been used as raw material to form a variety of manufactured articles. Essentially, the technique usually consists of mixing rubber particles with 1%-5% sulfur and curing the obtained mix in a suitable mold heated at a temperature of about 180.degree. C. while applying a pressure between 500 pound/sq.in. to 2000 pound/sq.in. with a conventional hydraulic press. Processes using such technique are generally known to be more cost effective than processes using uncured rubber as raw material, which is significantly more expensive than reclaimed rubber. However, the mechanical properties exhibited by such reclaimed materials are generally inferior, typically characterized by a maximum tensile strength of about 300 pound/sq.in., a maximum tensile elongation of about 50%, and maximum tear strength of about 100 pound/in., which properties are significantly inferior than those exhibited by uncured rubber-based compositions. Such inferior mechanical behavior is mainly due to porosity characteristics and cross-linking level. Materials made of rubber particles or dust are characterized by a porosity which is generally responsible for the appearance of microfissures under mechanical strength. Furthermore, effective contact areas between adjacent particles of a reclaimed rubber material are reduced as compared to those observed in virgin raw material. Under such conditions, cross-linking between macromolecules of adjacent particles are reduced accordingly, since most free double links of adjacent particles are not in sufficiently close proximity to be bound, and accordingly the non-reacted curing agent rapidly becomes in excess. Microfissures appearing within the rubber material initiate flaws therein which rapidly grow toward material rupture, due to the weakness of internal forces binding rubber particles together, observed at low cross-linking level.
A known technique to reduce the inherent porosity of a material made of reclaimed rubber particles consists in adding a resin, preferably a thermoplastic resin, to bind the rubber particles and therefore reduce porosity. A certain amount of uncured rubber material can also be added to increase the number of free double bond available for curing. Additives such as compatibility agents may also be added. The resultant composition is used to produce rubber materials which have been found to exhibit improved mechanical properties in the range of 400 pound/sq.in. for tensile strength, 250% for maximum tensile elongation and 180 pound/in for maximum tear strength. However, such improved reclaimed rubber materials still exhibit lower mechanical properties as compared to materials essentially made of virgin rubber, since the cross-linking level remains substantially unchanged when a thermoplastic binding resin is used, and because the electrostatic forces acting between rubber particles and thermoplastic resin are also weak. Such an improved technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,419 issued Apr. 13, 1996, to Burgoyne et al., and it teaches to produce a polymer-modified rubber composition comprising reclaimed cured styrene-butadiene rubber particles, uncured rubber, a styrene-based thermoplastic resin, a homogenizing agent, to form a blend wherein the thermoplastic resin is substantially homogeneously mixed with the cured and uncured rubbers. Additives including plasticizers, lubricants, mold release agent or viscosity modifiers such as trans-polyoctanamer rubber may also be added. Use of a batch mixer such as the well known Moriyama or Bandbury high intensity mixers is proposed to produce a moldable composition showing a temperature between 120.degree. C. and 150.degree. C., which is then transferred to a mold which is preheated at a temperature above a vulcanizing temperature of about 120.degree. C. Another similar process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,904 issued Jun. 20, 1995, to Smits, which uses rubber latex to treat cured waste rubber particles with a curing agent to produce an activated moldable composition. Another similar approach is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,925 issued Mar. 24, 1981, to Freeguard, which consists of swelling reclaimed tire rubber with a monomer and then causing polymerization thereof.
In order to further improve mechanical properties of reclaimed rubber materials, the addition of various reactive cross-linking resin binders to the curing agent has been proposed. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,710 issued Jan. 13, 1970, to Bonotto et al., ethylene-based flexible resins reactive with a curing agent such as sulfur are mixed with reclaimed rubber particles in the presence of the curing agent using a high intensity batch mixer such as a Bandbury mixer. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,335 issued Nov. 6, 1984 to Stark, a liquid sulfur-curable polymeric binder, namely a homopolymer or copolymer of 1,4-butadiene and substituted butadiene, is blended with cured rubber scrap and sulfur to produce a treated rubber material which can be used in large proportion as a filler or extender for uncured rubbers. Although known prior art processes employing reclaimed rubber have heretofore proved to be capable of producing, at lesser cost, shaped rubber-based products of various quality in terms of mechanical properties, in order to be practiced on an industrial basis, these processes generally require the use of large and expensive high intensity mixing equipment, generally limited to long production cycles to provide a composition homogeneity which is required to obtain uniformity of physical properties, which requirement may affect the effective productivity of the process. Furthermore, known processes for mixing curable rubber-based compositions may not provide proper reduction of humidity within a batch to be formed, which may cause dangerous high pressure steam discharge upon removal from the mold. Therefore, there is still a need for a process for producing batches of rubber-based composition and articles made therefrom which overcome the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor structure having a metal gate and a method of forming the same, and more particular to a semiconductor structure having a broadened opening and a method of forming the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The performance of semiconductors has increased year after year with the critical dimensions and the advance of large-scale integrated circuits. In the field of semiconductor fabrication, since poly-silicon material has a strong heat resistance, the poly-silicon material is commonly used to fabricate the gate structure of the semiconductor structure, especially for the fabrication of the gate electrode of the metal oxide semiconductor transistor. In addition, the gate electrode made of poly-silicon may prevent dopings into the channel region during the ion implantation process. In addition, in the high-temperature environment, the poly-silicon gate electrode may endure high-temperature annealing processes, such that the self-aligned source region and drain region are formed. On the contrary, the poly-silicon gate still has many disadvantages which may not be conquered until now. Firstly, as compared with the poly-silicon material and most metal materials, poly-silicon material is a kind of semiconductor material having high electrical resistance, such that the operational speed of the poly-silicon gate electrode having high electrical resistance is still low with respect to the metal conducting line. In order to solve the problem of high electrical resistance and the corresponding low operational speed, the gate electrode made of poly-silicon material usually needs to utilize a silicide process step, such that the operational speed may be promoted to expected goals. Consequently, the forming of a semiconductor structure having the metal gate of the present invention becomes an important method for solving the aforementioned problems.
However, since line width of the semiconductor structure is minimized to a limitation, the integration process of the semiconductor structure having a metal gate has more challenges and problems. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating the forming method of the semiconductor structure having a metal gate. As illustrated in FIG. 1, firstly, a semiconductor substrate 10 is provided. Subsequently, a gate structure 12 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 10, wherein the gate structure 12 includes a dummy patterned poly-silicon layer 12a and a patterned gate dielectric layer 12b. Then, a light doping source region 13 and drain region 13 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 10. The offset spacer 14 and the spacer 16 are formed on the peripheral side wall of the gate structure 12. Afterwards, a source region 18a and a drain region 18b are formed. Finally, a interlayer dielectric layer 17 is formed and a portion of the interlayer dielectric layer 17 on top of the dummy patterned poly-silicon layer 12a is removed by virtue of a chemical mechanical polishing/planarization (CMP) process, such that the exposed dummy patterned poly-silicon layer 12a is disposed in the well 19 defined by the offset spacer 14 and the patterned gate dielectric layer 12b.
Afterwards, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the dummy patterned poly-silicon layer 12a is etched to expose the well 19, and a work function layer 21 and a gate conductive layer 20 are directly deposited in the well 19, such that the gate conductive layer 20 serving as a metal gate is electrically connected to other metal interconnect lines to form a transmission route of the gate electrode electrical signals. Because the aspect ratio of the well 19 of the gate structure 12 of the semiconductor structure is a limitation especially when minimized to 28 nm, a preferred step converge is not provided according to the method of depositing the metal gate conductive layer nowadays, such that the problems of overhang or void may occur to seriously influence the filling quality of the gate conductive layer.
In view of this, the metal gate conductive layer of the conventional semiconductor structure having a metal gate has non-ideal drawbacks. In addition, the problems of void and overhang may not be solved according to the present manufacturing techniques.
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A transmit continuous-time filter (TX-CTF) is a frequency-selective circuit that is typically included in the transmitter portion of some types of cellular telephones (also referred to as handsets). A TX-CTF typically receives the output of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and attenuates the DAC aliasing and noise. The output of the TX-CTF is typically provided to an active upconversion mixer that upconverts the signal from a baseband frequency to the desired radio frequency (RF) band for transmission.
Some tri-mode cellular handsets support Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) modulation, the Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation used in the Global System for Mobile telecommunication (GSM) standard, and the 8-Phase Shift Keying (8PSK) modulation used in the Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) standard (also known as the Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution standard). Enabling all three of the above modes in the same handset imposes stringent performance requirements on the TX-CTF, including high current drive capability, high linearity, low input referred noise, and low bandpass ripple. Designing a TX-CTF that meets all of these requirements can be problematic. Straightforward solutions to these challenges that may be proposed, such as increasing current, can introduce other problems. For example, high TX-CTF current consumption can lead to an undesirably high current drain on the cellular handset battery. Minimizing battery current drain is desirable so that talk time and standby time (i.e., the amount of time the handset can be used before the battery requires recharging) can be maximized and battery size can be minimized.
A typical TX-CTF 10 is shown in FIG. 1. As a typical cellular handset transmitter uses a form of quadrature modulation, TX-CTF 10 includes an in-phase (I) portion 12 and a quadrature (Q) portion 14. As portions 12 and 14 are essentially identical, only portion 12 is described in detail herein. Portion 12 includes two sections 16 and 18. Section 16 can be, for example, a 2nd-order biquadratic stage, and section 18 can be, for example, a 1st-order real pole stage. Section 16 includes a first amplifier 20 as well as passive circuitry that can include, for example, capacitors 22, 24 and 26, and resistors 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38. The passive circuitry can be selected and connected to first amplifier 20 in an arrangement that defines the desired filter parameters, such as the filter poles and/or zeroes that characterize a 2nd-order biquadratic filter. Similarly, section 18 includes a second amplifier 40 as well as passive circuitry that can include, for example, capacitors 42 and 44, and resistors 46, 48, 50 and 52. The passive circuitry of section 18 likewise can be selected and connected to second amplifier 40 in an arrangement that defines the desired filter parameters, such as the filter poles and/or zeroes that characterize a 1st-order real pole filter.
In operation, a differential input signal V1 (the negative side of which is represented in FIG. 1 as “V1_N,” and the positive side as “V1_P”) is provided to stage 16, which outputs a signal V2 (the negative side of which is represented as “V2_N,” and the positive side as “V2_P”). The signal V2 is in turn provided to stage 18, which outputs a signal V3 (the negative side of which is represented as “V3_N” and the positive as “V3_P”).
As in a typical cellular handset, the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) outputs of TX-CTF 10 are provided to active upconversion mixers 54 and 56, respectively. Each of upconversion mixers 54 and 56 is typically of the Gilbert cell type, which presents a high-impedance load to TX-CTF 10. The TX-CTF 10 is readily capable of driving the high impedance load with low current and maintaining the required linearity.
It would be desirable to provide a TX-CTF for a multi-mode cellular handset that can meet the above-described performance criteria or similar performance criteria without consuming excessive current.
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method of a graphene-based electrochemical sensor and to an electrochemical sensor. In particular, the electrochemical sensor is integrated in a microfluidic system, and is obtained simultaneously with the steps of production of the microfluidic system itself.
2. Description of the Related Art
Molecule detectors have in the last few years witnessed a considerable development, finding widespread use in a vast range of fields, such as environmental monitoring, food analysis, diagnostics and, more recently, detection of toxic gases and explosive materials.
Notwithstanding the extraordinary potential of use, a considerable limitation of the sensors most commonly used regards the fact that they do not guarantee a sensitivity such as to enable measurement or detection of the presence of single atoms and/or single molecules. One of the main causes that renders problematical achievement of a high resolution is linked to the intrinsic thermal fluctuation in the materials and instruments used during the detection process, which generates an intrinsic noise higher than the useful signal that is to be detected.
In general, a sensor is a device that supplies to the user information on the surrounding environment in which the sensor itself is immersed. It is typically formed by a sensitive element, a transducer, and a data-acquisition system.
There may be distinguished, on the basis of the fields of application, physical sensors, chemical sensors, and biological sensors. A chemical sensor, in particular, is a device able to transform chemical information (such as the concentration of particular elements in the analytes) into a measurable quantity. Following upon the interaction between the analyte (which may be in the gaseous phase or in solution) and the active layer of the sensor, the sensor exerts a receptor and transducer function. The receptor function, which is a consequence of the interaction between the molecules to be detected and the active layer, causes a variation of the chemical and/or physical properties of the material that constitutes the active layer. The transducer function, which is a consequence of the aforementioned variation of the physical/chemical properties, transduces the chemical/physical modification of the active layer into a signal that can be processed, for example an electrical or optical signal.
Preferably, chemical sensors have a number of characteristics that can be summarized in: contained dimensions, presence of a layer able to react in contact with the analyte, sufficiently high speed of response, high capacity of selection of the species, high chemical stability over time and reversibility of the reactions, good mechanical properties of resistance to stresses, and capacity for generating signals of high intensity in the presence of gases or else detectable signals in the presence of small amounts of analytes.
Recently, the development of nanotechnologies applied to sensor systems has opened up new horizons, in particular via the introduction of organic materials deriving from graphite (such as, for example, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene). Sensor technologies that use thin films, for example made of graphene, have proven particularly effective for this purpose. See, for example, Deepak K. Pandey, Gyan Prakash, and Suprem R. Das, “Graphene Based Sensor Development”—Apr. 28, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The electronic and mechanical properties of graphene are interesting for meeting the previous characteristics and implementing mechanisms of transduction that are particularly effective. The high chemical stability of the 2D lattice, the possibility of functionalizing the surface, the high mobility of the charge carriers (i.e., rapidity of response), the high surface-to-volume ratio, the high conductivity, a reduced defectiveness, and a considerable sensitivity to a wide range of analytes are some of the characteristics that render graphene a material of great interest for providing chemical and physical sensors.
Amongst the types of sensors based upon graphene, an interesting role is played by electrochemical sensors (in particular potentiometric, voltamperometric, conductometric sensors). For example, pH sensors exploit graphene as active channel of a FET, the gate terminal of which is controlled by an electrolytic solution, which plays the role of gate dielectric.
The ions present in the electrolyte cause a transfer of charge at the interface with the graphene that is reflected in a variation of the gate potential, thus modulating the passage of current in the transistor device.
Manufacture of a sensor in which the active layer is made of graphene presents considerably difficult aspects on account of the complexity of the process of synthesis and/or insulation of graphene, up to integration of the graphene layer in the architecture of the sensor.
Such a sensor can be used, for example, for the detection of molecules (analytes) in solution, and to determine the concentration of the molecules in a known volume of fluid. In this case, manufacture of the sensor integrated in a microfluidic system includes production of the sensing device, production of the microfluidic system, and bonding of the parts.
Typically, a microfluidic system is provided through the technique of soft lithography, which enables micro/nanostructured surfaces to be obtained with the use of elastomeric materials. This technique is very widespread and includes the production of a reference mold (master) structured in a way complementary to the fluidic structure that it is desired to obtain (replica) by transfer. The term “soft” regards the use of an elastomer that adapts to the mold replicating the structure thereof. Notwithstanding the great variety of materials available for said applications, the most widely used is PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) thanks to its particular properties of transparency, biocompatibility, resistance to chemical attacks and to oxidation processes, high dielectric constant, good adhesion on smooth surfaces, high mechanical strength.
Even though it is the technique most widely used, production of the microfluidic system using PDMS typically employs a process flow that is rather long and articulated since it first creates the master (lithographically or electromechanically) and then creates the replica by laying the elastomeric pre-polymer on the master and induces crosslinking thereof by means of thermal treatment that activates the crosslinking agent mixed to the pre-polymer; and finally, separates the replica from the master, taking care not to deform or damage the microfluidic channels. The PDMS mold thus obtained is bonded to a glass made of boron silicate that functions as support and is set on top of the electronic device by means of a technique that includes activation of the surfaces to be bonded by means of an oxygen plasma to favor adhesion thereof, alignment of the two parts, and final pressing. Activation of the surfaces with the oxygen plasma generally renders bonding between the fluidic system and the electronic device irreversible.
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This invention generally relates to a thermometer case and holder for use in housing thermometers of the type used for taking patient's temperatures such as in hospitals or other health care facilities. Cases of this general type have been known in the art and were developed to hold and protect thermometers that were issued to the various patients. Such cases are customarily filled with alcohol or some other disinfectant and kept at the patient's bed. In this way, a nurse is able to move from bed to bed taking temperatures with a patient's personal thermometer, thus eliminating the inconvenience of having to carry sterile thermometers with her when she makes her rounds.
The known thermometer cases of this general type have included an elongated container portion with some form of gripper device at the bottom for securing the bulb of the thermometer when placed therein, a spacer at the top for centering the top of the thermometer when placed therein, and a cap over the top of the thermometer for protection. Alcohol or the like is placed in the container by removal of the cap and spacer.
However, such prior art thermometer cases have certain disadvantages which have been eliminated by the improved thermometer case of this invention. With those cases known in the art, either the lid, or the spacer, or both, are unattached when removed or disengaged from the container portion, and have thus been susceptible to loss or misplacement, and posed problems of inconvenience in handling for the nurse or patient. These disadvantages have been overcome with the subject invention which provides a thermometer case of integral, one-piece plastic construction with both the spacer and cover permanently hinged to the container portion. Additionally, the novel design of this invention, and particularly that of the spacer itself, provides more ready access to the thermometer while maintaining a compact size and while further providing means for securing the cap in the closed position.
Generally, the thermometer case of this invention includes an elongated container portion for containing alcohol or the like and into which the major portion of a thermometer is housed when not in use. Grippers are located at the bottom of the container for securing the bulb portion of the thermometer. A spacer lid is located at the top of the container and is hinged along one edge to a top edge of the container for centering the thermometer near its top with a portion of the thermometer extending above the spacer. A cap fits over the upward extension of the thermometer and is also hinged along one edge so that it can be opened but not completely separated from the remaining portions of the case. The entire case, including the container, the spacer lid, and the cap are of integral, one-piece construction, and the spacer has a concave upper surface for easy access to the thermometer. In a preferred embodiment, the case is tapered for mounting in a holder having a correspondingly tapered pocket for support on a wall or the like.
Thus, the primary objects of this invention are to provide a thermometer case of the type generally described, which is of integral, one-piece construction, where all of the components of the case are permanently secured together, which provides easy access to the thermometer while maintaining a compact design, and which is readily mounted in a holder supported on a wall or the like. These and other objects of the invention are apparent from the drawings and detailed description to follow.
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Semiconductor devices include doping regions which need to be contacted, usually by metal layers. In many applications, aluminium or an aluminium alloy is used for the metal layers due to the low ohmic resistance of aluminium and the good contact resistance to semiconductors. However, the interface between the aluminium metal layer and the semiconductor substrate is prone to the formation of spikes. Such spikes form during annealing which is typically carried out after deposition of the aluminium metal layer, for example in a temperature range between 350° C. and 450° C. Spikes formed and extending into the semiconductor substrate may cause current filaments which could destroy the semiconductor device. Furthermore, spikes extending rather deep into the semiconductor substrate may reach pn-junctions or doping regions so that short circuits are generated.
One attempt to reduce generation of spikes is to lower the annealing temperature. This is, however, only possible in limited cases. Another attempt is the formation of a barrier layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metal layer. Such a barrier layer needs to be defect-free to function as barrier layer. Otherwise the barrier layer even enhances spike generation. Furthermore, barrier layers may affect the contact resistance between the metal layer and the semiconductor substrate.
In view of the above, there is a need for improvement.
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The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to tracing cables used in such systems.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
The present disclosure relates to connective cables, wires, pipes, flat ribbon cables, or tubes (hereinafter called cables), currently used to transmit an element such as energy, sound, light, liquids, gases, and/or data for purposes of power, audio, voice, communications, water, chemicals, or information transmission or distribution. More specifically, this disclosure describes tracing cables that allow users to visually follow the path from start to finish of a single cable placed in an obscure physical location or to distinguish one among multiple cables in a group.
In environments supporting increasing numbers of users, the need for more connective cables likewise grows. Whether the cabling system is designed to provide water or electric power to an office complex or to connect telephone systems, computer or storage networks, audio/video or animation control systems, or other element transmissions, the cabling system must be maintained to resolve any point of failure quickly and efficiently.
In existing cable designs, the only mechanism for individual cable identification is color-coding which can be difficult to use when more than one cable has the same color exterior sheath. Further, color-coded cables do not address the needs of users who have difficulty distinguishing one color from another. For this reason, a cable tracing solution is needed that produces a visual state change with user-controlled illumination along the length of a selected cable.
Because cabling needs vary greatly based on the specific installation, these cable systems are uniquely custom installed and maintained. If, for example, a cable system connects telephones or electric throughout an office building, a large number of wires are routed under the floor or above the ceiling. These cables run back to meet at electrical switch boxes, patch boards, or other control devices. These control devices are designed to route the voice signal or electrical power where it is needed, often at a great distance from the origin. As the cables converge, they are either run separately at random or tied together into increasingly large bundles. In either case, it can be nearly impossible to identify a single cable's start and end point simultaneously, due to their distance of separation.
Even if a cable's start and end point is in close proximity, it can still be difficult for a user to trace a single cable. For instance, this often happens with cabling systems providing the pathways for data transmission among computer or storage network devices stacked in one or more adjacent computer racks. In this type of cable installation, the sheer number of cable connecting devices can easily result in a disarray of unidentifiable cables, or thick bundles with some cables nearly hidden by others.
If one of the cables or connected devices in a cabling system experiences a compromise or interruption of the intended element flow, it must be located and corrected by human intervention. Almost always, this must happen as quickly as possible. If a cabling system supports a data network, the cost of that cabling system failing can mean very large revenue losses per second at large financial institutions. In many cabling systems, cabling failures can not be tolerated.
A remotely related method of tracing cables is to physically label both ends of every cable, which is time consuming and does not identify the entire cable length, only its end connectors. A very different technique is used when burying fiber optic cables underground. In that situation, the fiber optic cables could not be relocated easily after they have been buried because they are comprised of glass, insulating material, and an outer polymer sheath. To solve that problem, a metal wire (commonly described as a “tracer cable”) is run parallel to, and just above, the fiber optic cable to allow metal detector equipment to locate these buried cables. Such a solution only solves the problem of buried fiber optic cables, but not the problem of tracing cables of multiple types and purposes located inside buildings due to the large amount of metal used for building purposes. It also does not solve the problem of cables run outside above ground, such as electrical cable, or telephone cables that are attached to tall poles.
At present, there is no known device or method which provides for identifying and tracing a cable by manipulating the cable length and being able to trace the entire length of that cable.
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This invention relates to a protective covering for an electronic package and, more particularly, to a dielectric protective covering for an electronic package comprising a semiconductor chip, a substrate, and conductors which may be used within an information handling system (computer).
There have been previous attempts to apply coatings onto electronic packages, including attempts to encapsulate chips and conductors with the main emphasis of providing mechanical strength to the conductors. However, such efforts have not typically solved problems associated with moisture sensitivity.
In electronic chip carrier packages, moisture can cause various problems such as delamination, corrosion, formation of plated fiber shorts, chip cracking and debonding. This may result in yield loss and/or functional failure during assembly and reliability testing. Organic packages are particularly susceptible to moisture due to the hydrophilic nature of resins such as epoxies and polyimides when exposed to moisture, and are susceptible to the brittleness of glass reinforcement interfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,957 to Urushima shows a process for building/assembling a chip onto a flexible film member. The assembly process involves using a piece of resin, to encapsulate the wire bond leads and act to hold the chip to the film. While the purpose of this resin is in part to prevent corrosion/oxidation, and to mechanically protect the wire bond leads, it is used in an entirely different location and with a completely different purpose than the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,957 describes the use of a wire bond encapsulant which is applied only to the wire bond area. The present invention, on the other hand, involves using a protective coating over substantially the entire assembled package including, chip, wires (if used), or solder joints and the chip carrier.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,203 to Lin covers the concept of building an EMI shielded chip carrier package by shielding the chip and wire bonds. The bottom is shielded with a buried power plane or reference plane, and the top is shielded with a conductive encapsulate. The two shielding layers are electrically connected via plated thru holes. The chip and wire bonds are first covered with a non conductive encapsulant. Lin is different from the present invention for substantially the same reasons as Urushima above.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,775 to Brooks discloses using stacked and bonded metal balls as the electrical connection points. The chip is enclosed in an encapsulation material. The primary function of the encapsulant material appears to be to provide mechanical support for the chip and ball towers. The encapsulation is performed in two steps. First, a layer of encapsulant is formed within a mold or cavity. Next, the ball stacked chip is placed in the cavity and additional encapsulant is flooded into the mold and around the stacked ball towers. These two encapsulant layers form part of the chip package. The primary subject covered by Brooks appears to be the concept of using stacked metal balls as electrical leads, with the primary purpose of the encapsulant layer being to support and strengthen these leads.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,101 to Young shows a method of making connection to CCD (charged coupled device) chips. The method describes how metal pads are allowed to sink through a layer of uncured epoxy, via gravity, as an improvement over the previous method which involved hours of lapping (mechanical sanding).
U.S. Pat. No. 2,720,617 to Sardella covers a method of making a two-part case for early transistor packages, (circa 1955). The case consists of two pieces of TEFLON, (or other fluorocarbons), which are mechanically machined to form a hollow tube and a plug, both threaded. TEFLON is a trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Inc. The transistor is placed into the tube, the tube is filled with epoxy encapsulant and the plug is screwed into the tube. The transistors are covered for improved resistance to vibration, moisture and mechanical damage.
The glasses used in electronic packaging of semiconductor and other electronic devices may successfully provide hermetic packaging; however, such glasses may create problems. Conventional sealing glasses are usually brittle and glass sealed semiconductor packages require special care in handling both during and subsequent to processing. This is necessary to avoid fracture of the glass and resulting loss of package hermeticity. The methods of applying the glass to the components to be sealed are also generally somewhat tedious and costly. One known method of applying the glass is to mix finely powdered glass with a suitable vehicle. The mixture is then silk screened in place upon the components. Next, the glass applied component is fired to coalesce the individual glass particles into a continuous glass coating in the areas previously silk screened. At the same time, any residue from the vehicle used during silk screening is driven off.
The present invention comprises a product (electronic package) and a method for making said product, that contains a semiconductor chip wherein substantially the entire electronic package is encapsulated with a solution which forms a protective coating sufficient to protect the electronic package from exposure to moisture and other adverse environmental conditions.
It is an object of the present invention to enhance the art of information handling systems. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for mass producing electronic packages. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic package product.
In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a protective covering on an electronic package including a substrate, a semiconductor chip positioned and electrically coupled to the substrate, and a plurality of conductors on the substrate for electrically connecting the substrate to an external substrate. The method comprises covering substantially all of the external surfaces of the substrate, the semiconductor chip and a portion of the plurality of conductors with a protective covering.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a protective covering on an electronic package including a substrate, a semiconductor chip positioned on and electrically coupled to the substrate, and a plurality of conductors on the substrate for electrically coupling the substrate to an external substrate. In this aspect of the invention, substantially all of the external surfaces of the substrate, the semiconductor chip and the plurality of conductors are initially covered with the protective covering. Thereafter, a portion of the covering is removed from a portion of the external surfaces of the plurality of conductors.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic package comprising a first substrate, a semiconductor chip positioned on a first surface of the first substrate and electrically coupled to the substrate, a plurality of conductors located on a second surface of the first substrate for electrically coupling the first substrate to an external substrate, and a dielectric protective covering, substantially covering all of the external surfaces of the electronic package, except for a portion of the plurality of conductors.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic package comprising a substrate having first and second surfaces, a semiconductor chip positioned on the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the substrate, a plurality of conductors located on the second surface of the substrate for electrically coupling the substrate to an external substrate, and a dielectric protective covering, substantially covering the entire external surfaces of the electronic package.
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Computer and communications technologies have contributed significantly to the arrival of the Information Age. Massive amounts of data are continuously generated by and about electronic device users, and a percentage of the generated data is collected, processed, analyzed, exchanged, and utilized. Consequently, there is continuous effort to improve on the data management technologies, especially on the management of large quantities of data.
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An SDN is a new type of innovative network architecture, and a core technology OpenFlow thereof separates a control plane of a network device from a data plane, so as to implement flexible control over network traffic and provide a good platform for innovation of a core network and applications.
In an SDN network, each network device only retains a forwarding function, and all control functions are centralized in a controller. The SDN network includes a host, a forwarding device, and a controller. The host is a network endpoint, and is an initiator a terminator of communication; the forwarding device is responsible for sending a data packet, and has no independent control plane and shares a centralized control plane (that is, the controller in the SDN) with other devices; and the controller is a control center in the SDN, and is responsible for controlling and managing the forwarding device. When communication is performed between hosts, a communications channel is obtained by computation of the controller instead of negotiation of the forwarding device, and is delivered to each forwarding device.
The controller in the SDN implements control and management using software modules such as a software logic, a north bound interface, a Network Operating System (NOS), and a south bound interface. The control logic is a network application program or service, and interacts with the NOS using the North Bound Interface (NBI), so that the NOS controls the forwarding device through the South Bound Interface (SBI), thereby implementing functions, such as data forwarding, required by the control logic.
In the prior art, if a link is required to be established between two hosts that are registered in different controllers, it is necessary to use two switching devices, which are separately registered in different control devices, to perform an operation. When one controller needs to perform an operation for a host under the other control device, the operation is implemented using a broadcast mechanism such as subscription/notification, and all switching devices under the other control device may receive an event request and perform determining, resulting in low performance of service processing.
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The invention relates generally to planar boards of the type used to troll surface lines from behind a sport fishing boat and more particularly is directed to a planar board featuring multiple parallel elements which are collapsible into a compact package for storage.
In the art of sport fishing, planar boards are well-known. Planar boards normally comprise a buoyant, generally planar structure which is tethered from the side of the boat where it extends generally parallel to the boat when the boat is trolling to provide a taut rigging line extending between the boat and the planar board for spreading multiple trolling lines over a wide surface area behind the boat. Initially, such planar boards comprised a single buoyant board which was tethered from the side of the boat. However, eventually it was discovered that the stability of the plane and the surface area thereof could be advantageously increased by providing multiple, generally parallel planing boards. The increased tautness of the rigging line or tether facilitated the trolling of multiple lines therefrom. One problem with prior art planar boards employing multiple planing elements involves their size. Often space is at a premium in a sport fishing boat and when the target fish is feeding on the surface, it is normally desirable to use multiple planar boards.
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To better understand the advantages and improvements achieved with the present invention, a brief discussion of tire construction and building procedures follows. A pneumatic tire is typically constructed by applying various components, or plies of the tire as flat stock, upon a rotating tire building drum to form a hollow, toroidal shaped green or uncured tire. The order of applying the components is as follows: first, an innerliner is wrapped upon the tire building drum; the innerliner is followed by carcass plies containing tire reinforcement, the carcass plies are followed (not necessarily in the following order) by the beads, apexes, chaffers, side walls, belts and tread. The components are then expanded and formed into a toroidal shaped, green tire assembly, in a manner well known in the art. The green tire assembly is then removed from the tire building drum and placed into a shaping and vulcanizing mold having the shape of the finished tire.
In the conventional manner, the mold is sealed and the toroidal shaped green tire assembly is heated and expanded radially outward into the mold periphery by injecting pressurized gas or fluid into a curing bladder mounted within the mold and disposed within the green tire assembly. As the curing bladder expands, it forces the tread and sidewalls of the green tire assembly into contact with the heated mold walls to shape and vulcanize the green tire assembly into a fully vulcanized tire. During the radial expansion of the green tire assembly within the shaping and vulcanizing mold, the toroidally shaped plies expand radially outward to dimensions beyond those of the original green tire assembly. Therefore, the bladder is usually made of an expandable elastomeric material, such as butyl rubber, which also provides resistance to the steam or hot water used to force the tire against the mold surface.
During the production of tires on an assembly line, the curing bladder within the shaping and vulcanizing mold periodically wears out or fails. The tire industry has tried to eliminate the need for a curing bladder used in tire production. U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,883 discloses a method of forming a cured tire in a mold without a bladder. Instead of a bladder, the liner functions as the impervious layer. The liner is cured or partially cured to produce a steam- and water-resistant surface before the remainder of the tire is cured in a mold. The curing or partial curing is accomplished by electron irradiation.
In an effort to eliminate several steps involved in the tire building process, U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,740 discloses a method and apparatus for simultaneously forming, positioning, attaching and conveying a plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components to adjacent strips of tire components as they are conveyed. This “contoured calendaring” process produces a laminate suitable for use as a subassembly for a pneumatic tire. The apparatus employs a plurality of calender rollers and each tire component has a predetermined cross sectional profile formed by a component-forming depression on an associated calender roller. Each component of the subassembly is in an uncured state prior to the subassembly being placed in the shaping and vulcanizing mold.
The present invention is directed to a method for providing a pre-cured innerliner for use in a pneumatic tire subassembly in order to provide the advantages of use of a bladder-less shaping and vulcanizing mold. Although the methods described herein are applicable to any size of finished pneumatic tire, the invention is specifically directed to methods for forming off-road and farm tires having large nominal rim diameters. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that practices useful for passenger and light truck pneumatic tires are not always practical to apply to large off-the-road earthmover or farm vehicle tires.
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to one-piece fusible conductors for low-voltage fuses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fusible conductors of the above-type are known wherein the conductor has cutouts of substantially equal cross section for narrowing the path of the current. Such conductors also include at least one rivet shaped solder deposit disposed in the vicinity of an isthmus formed in the conductor. The purpose of the isthmus is to respond quickly in the case of an overload, while the other portions of the conductor melt only in the case of a short circuit.
In the design of such conductors the hottest zone is situated close to the solder so that the latter flows quickly into the isthmus during an overload.
It is an object of the present invention to enhance the aforesaid fusible conductors.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to linewidth measurement methods employed when fabricating microelectronic products. More particularly, the present invention relates to linewidth standard based linewidth measurement methods employed when fabricating microelectronic products.
2. Description of the Related Art
Significant in the microelectronic product fabrication art is a need to monitor and control dimensions (i.e., critical dimensions) of patterned layers and patterned structures which are employed when fabricating microelectronic products. Such monitoring and control of dimensions of patterned layers and patterned structures is in turn important insofar as performance characteristics of microelectronic products are often defined at least in part by dimensional characteristics of patterned layers and patterned structures which comprise the microelectronic products.
While patterned layer dimension monitoring and control is thus desirable and often essential in the microelectronic product fabrication art, such monitoring and control is nonetheless not entirely without problems. In that regard, it is often difficult to accurately monitor and control linewidth when fabricating microelectronic products.
It is thus desirable in the microelectronic product fabrication art to accurately monitor and control linewidth when fabricating microelectronic products.
It is towards the foregoing object that the present invention is directed.
Various apparatus and methods have been disclosed in the microelectronic product fabrication art for monitoring linewidth when fabricating microelectronic products.
Included but not limiting among the apparatus and methods are those disclosed within: (1) Archie et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,273 (an apparatus and method for critical dimension linewidth monitoring when fabricating microelectronic products by employing an edge width determination for a patterned layer); (2) Blatchford et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,610 (a method for patterned layer dimension determination within a microelectronic product while employing an auto-correlation); and (3) Choo et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,053 (a method for analyzing scanning electron microscopy measurements such as to determine scummed or closed structures or features within microelectronic products).
The teachings of each of the foregoing references are incorporated herein fully by reference.
Desirable in the microelectronic product fabrication art are additional apparatus and methods for linewidth monitoring when fabricating microelectronic products.
It is towards the foregoing object that the present invention is directed.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a route guiding apparatus, and particularly to a device employing a route search using public transportation routes in addition to vehicular routes.
2. Description of the Background Art
A navigation apparatus including map data, which searches for a route to a destination and presents the route to a user, is conventionally known. A significant technical object of such a navigation apparatus is to provide the user with a route that allows the user to reach a target destination in a short time.
One guiding technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 7-55484. According to this technique, a user designates a destination, and then inputs a target arrival time. The apparatus computes an estimated arrival time at the destination taking into account information such as traffic condition information, and compares the target arrival time and the estimated arrival time. When the estimated arrival time is later than the target arrival time, information on an alternative transportation, such as rail lines, is provided to the user. Specifically, the apparatus informs the user that xe2x80x9cAs is, it is impossible to reach by the target arrival timexe2x80x9d, and displays the rail option, the telephone number of the destination facility, and other such information. When the user selects the rail option, the time required to travel from the current location to a nearby station, and from a station near the destination to the destination, is calculated. Information such as the name of the transportation service, the departure station, the arrival station, and the transfer station are also offered.
According to the above technique, a route using alternative transportation, specifically, public transportation, is searched for when the estimated arrival time is later than the target arrival time. Such a method is disadvantageous in that the efficacy of the use of public transportation is not necessarily ensured. In the above conventional technique, it is further described that a ratio between the travel time required by driving a vehicle and the travel time required by public transportation is compared to a predetermined value, and, when the ratio is less than the predetermined value, guiding information concerning public transportation is not offered. However, it is difficult to determine which traveling means is more appropriate based only on the required travel time because other factors are concerned. For example, ticket fees are additionally necessary when using railway.
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which offers a route using public transportation when the advantage of using public transportation is ensured, thereby achieving enhanced user convenience and increased reliability of navigation systems.
Another object of the present invention is to conduct a search for a route using public transportation by employing the same search algorithm used for vehicular route searches, and to thereby provide an apparatus having a simplified configuration.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can precisely indicate the current location to the user when offering a route involving public transportation.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can safely guide the user when offering a route using public transportation.
To accomplish the above objects, a route guiding apparatus of the present invention comprises a calculation means for calculating a cost associated with a route using public transportation (also referred to as a public transportation route) and a cost associated with a vehicle only route (also referred to as a vehicular route), and a control means for indicating the route using public transportation when the cost of the route using public transportation is less than vehicle only route adjusted by a predetermined factor. The route using public transportation (public transportation route) is a route including, in at least one portion of the route, a service route of a public transportation service such as railway, subway, bus, ferry, and airplane, and may also include traveling on foot. The vehicle only route (vehicular route) is a route including no public transportation service route, and which therefore may be traveled by motor vehicle only. By comparing the public transportation route and the vehicular route using the associated costs, and indicating the public transportation route when the economy of the public transportation route exceeds a predetermined value, the public transportation route is offered when there actually exists a merit in its use. A cost of a route referred to herein comprises not only monetary costs, but includes weighted factors related to distance, time, and fees, which must be incurred when traveling from the current location to the destination. When a route involves greater distance, time, or fees, the cost of the route is increased. By reflecting the loads related to distance, time, and fees in the cost, a comprehensive comparison of a public transportation route and a route using vehicle only can be accomplished. The financial factor can be eliminated from the cost calculation when financial expenses are not relevant to the user.
In one aspect of the present invention, the distance load is converted into a time load, and the cost of the public transportation route and the cost of the vehicular route are compared in units of time. In conventional techniques, a vehicular route cost is calculated in units of distance based on the link cost (sum of the cost allotted to each link when the road data is configured using links and nodes) or node cost (sum of the cost allotted to each node when the road data is configured using links and nodes) designated according to distance and road type, and the route having the smallest cost is determined as the optimal route (when traffic is congested, the cost factor of the congested link is increased). However, as a public transportation service generally operates according to a predetermined service schedule or timetable, it is more appropriate to evaluate a public transportation route in units of time rather than in units of distance of the service route. Accordingly, a vehicular route is also calculated in units of time rather than distance, to facilitate judging which of the public transportation route or the vehicular route is more appropriate. To calculate the cost of the vehicular route in units of time in the present invention, the distance cost used in conventional route search techniques is divided by the vehicle velocity. The vehicle velocity is preferably a value in accordance with the road type, and may be the legal speed limit on the road or a statistically calculated average velocity.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the calculation means calculates, for the vehicular route, the estimated arrival time via a static route and the estimated arrival time via a dynamic route. When the estimated arrival time via the dynamic route exceeds the estimated arrival time via the static route by a predetermined time interval, the control means indicates the public transportation route. Vehicular routes may be classified into one of two types, a static route obtained based on the connection relationship in map data without considering the current traffic condition, or a dynamic route generated based on the connection relationship in map data while also considering traffic information that continually changes over time. When the estimated arrival time from the current location to the destination via the dynamic route exceeds the estimated arrival time from the current location to the destination via the static route by a predetermined interval, the road most likely cannot be smoothly traveled due to traffic congestion or other reasons. Accordingly, in such a case, the public transportation route is indicated. In this way, the public transportation route can be offered to the user when there exists additional merit in its use. The dynamic route can be indicated as the recommended route when the cost of the dynamic route is smaller than the cost of the public transportation route.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the route guiding apparatus further comprises a memory means for storing in advance a zone in which public transportation can be used, and the control means offers a route using public transportation when the current location and/or the destination is located within the zone in which public transportation can be used.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, a public transportation route is offered when there exists a plurality of public transportation services that can be used. When there is only one usable public transportation service to reach the destination, the certainty of arriving at the destination is determined to be lower than a case when a plurality of such public transportation services exist. Accordingly, the user can be reliably guided to the destination by indicating a public transportation route when there exists a plurality of public transportation services that can be used.
In another aspect of the present invention, the route guiding apparatus includes a detachable portable terminal device. The portable terminal device stores the guiding information for a public transportation route. The device guides the user to the destination based on the stored route guiding information when the user detaches and carries the portable terminal device to use public transportation.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the portable terminal device is prohibited from being detached during vehicle traveling. In addition, when the user dismounts from the vehicle, the route guiding apparatus urges the user to detach and carry the portable terminal device.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, for the purpose of conducting an efficient search for a public transportation route, the route guiding apparatus comprises a memory means for storing map data related to public transportation routes as link information and node information, and the calculation means calculates the cost of a public transportation route based on such link information and node information. The public transportation service routes are configured using links and nodes which are similar to the links and nodes constituting the vehicular routes, allowing the road data and the public transportation data to be treated seamlessly. With this arrangement, a public transportation route can be searched for by employing the same search algorithm used for vehicular route searches.
According to another aspect of the present invention, when configuring a service route of a public transportation service using links and nodes, the node information includes a node denoting the location of a parking lot near a boarding site of the public transportation service, and the link information includes a link connecting the nodes denoting the locations of the boarding site and the parking lot. When the public transportation service is railway, the node information includes nodes denoting the locations of the railway stations, and the link information includes links connecting between those nodes denoting the station locations. The node information may further include a node denoting the location of a railway station and a node denoting the location of a parking lot near the station, while the link information may further include a link connecting between those nodes. When a plurality of railway lines exist, such node information and link information may beconfigured for each railway line. Furthermore, the node information may include a node denoting a road near a station in addition to a node denoting the location of the station, and the link information may include a link connecting those nodes.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the memory means for storing public transportation service routes uses the link information and the node information to further store data related to walking routes as additional link and node information. The calculation means can calculate a route on foot based on the link information and the node information related to walking routes.
In another aspect of the present invention, the route guiding apparatus comprises a location detection means for detecting the current location, a memory means for storing map data, a traveling mode detection means for detecting the current traveling mode, and a correction means for correcting the detected current location by correlating the map data in accordance with the traveling mode. To determine the current location with a high precision, map matching (MM) processing is effective. In MM processing, the current location detected via GPS or other means is correlated with the map data and matched to an appropriate location within the map data. When traveling by vehicle, the current location can be accurately determined by referring to the road closest to the detected current location or the most appropriate point on the road (such as an intersection). However, such MM technique cannot be directly implemented when traveling via a public transportation route because the traveling mode is not by vehicle. Whereas the conventional MM technique can be used to correct the current location when traveling by vehicle, the railway service schedule is used to correct the current location when traveling via railway. When traveling on foot, MM may not be executed. In this way, the current location can be corrected using different processing algorithms in accordance with each traveling mode, allowing precise detection of the current location even when traveling using public transportation.
Still further, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium on which is recorded a program for searching a route leading to a destination. By executing the program, a computer performs the steps of (a) searching for a route using vehicle only to reach the destination, (b) calculating the cost of the route using vehicle only, (c) searching for a route using public transportation, (d) calculating the cost of the route using public transportation, and (e) outputting the route using public transportation when the cost of the route using public transportation is smaller by a predetermined value or more compared to the cost of the route using vehicle only. The medium may include any arbitrary medium that can store information electromagnetically, optically, or chemically, such as a CD-ROM, DVD, FD, hard-disk, and semiconductor memory. The program stored in the medium is installed in the computer and executed by the processor of the computer.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to brake control systems and more particularly, to an anti-lock brake system which includes as an operable part thereof a three way direct drive valve used for the control of the application of fluid under pressure to the brakes of an automotive vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various types of anti-skid brake systems (ABS) are in existence and operate quite satisfactorily for the purposes intended. Typical of such prior art systems is the utilization of a manually operated master cylinder in conjunction with an electrically controlled valving operation. The electrically controlled valve normally is not operable until a predetermined relationship exists between the pressure of the fluid in the master cylinder and that of the fluid in the electrically operated system.
In numerous such systems, solenoid-type valves are utilized as the electrical or electronically controlled portion of the ABS system.
Typical of such prior art systems are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,130,322; 4,838,313; 5,221,126 and 5,244,260.
As above indicated, such systems operate quite well for the purposes intended, however, they are relatively complex and expensive and the valves utilized therein add to the complexity and cost of the overall system.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention there is provided a limited angle rotary to linear direct drive automatic brake control valve for use in ABS systems on automotive vehicles. The valve includes a housing having a first bore longitudinally disposed therethrough and a second bore disposed transversely therethrough and intersecting the first bore. A spool is slidably disposed within the second bore for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure. A motor is disposed within the first bore and includes a limited angle rotary shaft having an eccentrically disposed pin extending therefrom into engagement with a slot in the spool. A spring is disposed within the second bore and continuously urges the spool into engagement with the pin. A source of fluid under pressure is applied to the second end of the spool and means is provided to apply an electrical signal to the motor to rotate the shaft so that the pin moves the spool to control the application of fluid under pressure to a brake within the automotive vehicle.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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In the development of track guided doors, such as upward acting residential and commercial garage doors, there is an ever present need to provide for quiet operation when moving the door between open and closed positions.
One source of objectionable noise generated by track guided doors pertains to the guide members which are connected to the door section or sections, are disposed in opposed guide tracks and guide and support the door for movement between open and closed positions. Conventional upward acting garage doors, for example, utilize guide members which include elongated stems or shafts disposed in support members mounted on the door panels, which support members are typically configured to provide bearing bores for the guide member stems or shafts. Guide member stems or shafts made of metal, in particular, and residing in formed metal support members or so-called roller brackets are particularly capable of generating noise when the door is moving between open and closed positions, and to some extent when the door is stationary and is subject to moderate vibrations generated by windloads and the like.
Accordingly, there has been a need to provide for reducing the noise generated by track guided door guide members and it is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
The present invention provides an improved track guided door which includes opposed sets of guide members for guiding the door for movement between open and closed positions within opposed guidetracks and wherein the guide members are supported for substantially reduced acoustic emissions.
The present invention also provides guide members with improved support stems or shafts for use with track guided doors wherein noise generated by the guide members and their support structure is substantially reduced or eliminated.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, guide members for track guided doors are provided with support shafts or stems which include means to retain the shafts or stems snugly fitted in bearing bores formed by guide member support parts mounted on the door panel or panels. In particular, the guide member stems or shafts are provided with one or more axially extending grooves circumferentially spaced apart and adapted to receive and support elongated leaf type springs which engage the wall of the bearing bore in which the stems are supported to bias the stems into engagement with the bore wall and reduce or eliminate noise generated by loosely fitted stems.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, guide members for track guided doors are provided which include plural circumferentially spaced noise reducing members mounted on the guide member support stems or shafts and are operable to prevent the noise reducing members from lodging in grooves formed in guide member support structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, guide member noise reducing or silencing devices are provided which are mounted on the guide member support brackets and provide projections which protrude into the support bracket bearing bores for biasing the guide member support stems or shafts into forcible engagement with the respective bearing bore walls to reduce noise generated by and between the support brackets and the guide member support stems.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the above-mentioned features of the present invention, together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawings.
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Conventionally, as a ceiling fan of this kind, a ceiling fan has been known in which stationary blades whose elevation/depression angle for changing the wind direction is rotatable are disposed at the downstream side of rotating blade plates radially arranged on the outer periphery of an electric motor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Hereinafter, the ceiling fan is described with reference to FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B. FIG. 17A is an external perspective view showing a conventional ceiling fan, and FIG. 17B is an external top view showing the ceiling fan. FIG. 18A is an external side view showing a principal part of the ceiling fan, and FIG. 18B is an external side view showing an air flow of the ceiling fan.
As shown in FIGS. 17A to 18B, a plurality of blade plates 107 are radially disposed on rotor 105 incorporating electric motor 104 (see FIG. 18B). A plurality of plate-shaped stationary blades 110 fixed to non-rotating portion 106 are disposed in a lower part of blade plates 107. With such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, since a pressure is increased by collecting the kinetic energy of circumferential direction component 114 of blown air 113 flown out of blade plate 107, the air blowing efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by changing the rate of circumferential direction component 114 and downward component 118 of blown air 113, the arrival range of blown air can be changed.
In this way, in a conventional ceiling fan, in order to adjust an air current from moving blades such as blade plates 107, a plurality of stationary blades 110 may be provided at the downstream side of the moving blades. In such a case, when elevation/depression angle θs of each stationary blade is changed, a plurality of driving motors are required. Alternatively, when one driving motor is used, a plurality of gears for converting and transmitting a rotation torque of one driving motor are required. Therefore, in any case, a number of components to be used for transmission is increased, thus complicating the structure. Furthermore, when repeated load of blown air is applied from the moving blade to stationary blade 110 for a long time, a fatigue failure occurs in the vicinity of the root of stationary blade 110, and the stationary blade may be broken. Thus, when the stationary blade is broken, stationary blade 110 may drop off. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2007-198337
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The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, and particularly pharmaceutical compositions incorporating compounds that are capable of affecting nicotinic cholinergic receptors. More particularly, the present invention relates to compounds capable of activating nicotinic cholinergic receptors, for example, as agonists of specific nicotinic receptor subtypes. The present invention also relates to methods for treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders, and particularly conditions and disorders associated with dysfunction of the central and autonomic nervous systems.
Nicotine has been proposed to have a number of pharmacological effects. See, for example, Pullan et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 330:811-815 (1994). Certain of those effects may be related to effects upon neurotransmitter release. See for example, Sjak-shie et al., Brain Res. 624:295 (1993), where neuroprotective effects of nicotine are proposed. Release of acetylcholine and dopamine by neurons upon administration of nicotine has been reported by Rowell et al., J. Neurochem. 43:1593 (1984); Rapier et al., J. Neurochem. 50:1123 (1988); Sandor et al., Brain Res. 567:313 (1991) and Vizi, Br. J. Pharmacol. 47:765 (1973). Release of norepinephrine by neurons upon administration of nicotine has been reported by Hall et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 21:1829 (1972). Release of serotonin by neurons upon administration of nicotine has been reported by Hery et al., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther. 296:91 (1977). Release of glutamate by neurons upon administration of nicotine has been reported by Toth et al., Neurochem Res. 17:265 (1992). In addition, nicotine reportedly potentiates the pharmacological behavior of certain pharmaceutical compositions used for the treatment of certain disorders. See, Sanberg et al., Pharmacol. Biochem. and Behavior 46:303 (1993); Harsing et al., J. Neurochem. 59:48 (1993) and Hughes, Proceedings from Intl. Symp. Nic. S40 (1994). Furthermore, various other beneficial pharmacological effects of nicotine have been proposed. See, Decina et al., Biol. Psychiatry 28:502 (1990); Wagner et al., Pharmacopsychiatry 21:301 (1988); Pomerleau et al., Addictive Behaviors 9:265 (1984); Onaivi et al., Life Sci. 54(3):193 (1994); Tripathi et al., JPET221: 91-96 (1982) and Hamon, Trends in Pharmacol. Res. 15:36.
Various nicotinic compounds have been reported as being useful for treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders. See, for example, Williams et al. DNandP 7(4):205-227 (1994), Arneric et al., CNS Drug Rev. 1(1):1-26 (1995), Arneric et al., Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 5(1):79-100 (1996), Bencherif et al., JPET 279:1413 (1996), Lippiello et al., JPET 279:1422 (1996), Damaj et al., Neuroscience (1997), Holladay et al., J. Med. Chem 40(28): 4169-4194 (1997), Bannon et al., Science 279: 77-80 (1998), PCT WO 94/08992, PCT WO 96/31475, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,583,140 to Bencherif et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,919 to Dull et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,231 to Smith et al. Nicotinic compounds are reported as being particularly useful for treating a wide variety of Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders.
CNS disorders are a type of neurological disorder. CNS disorders can be drug induced; can be attributed to genetic predisposition, infection or trauma; or can be of unknown etiology. CNS disorders comprise neuropsychiatric disorders, neurological diseases and mental illnesses; and include neurodegenerative diseases, behavioral disorders, cognitive disorders and cognitive affective disorders. There are several CNS disorders whose clinical manifestations have been attributed to CNS dysfunction (i.e., disorders resulting from inappropriate levels of neurotransmitter release, inappropriate properties of neurotransmitter receptors, and/or inappropriate interaction between neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors). Several CNS disorders can be attributed to a cholinergic deficiency, a dopaminergic deficiency, an adrenergic deficiency and/or a serotonergic deficiency. CNS disorders of relatively common occurrence include presenile dementia (early onset Alzheimer""s disease), senile dementia (dementia of the Alzheimer""s type), Parkinsonism including Parkinson""s disease, Huntington""s chorea, tardive dyskinesia, hyperkinesia, mania, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, dyslexia, schizophrenia and Teurette""s syndrome.
It would be desirable to provide a useful method for the prevention and treatment of a condition or disorder by administering a nicotinic compound to a patient susceptible to or suffering from such a condition or disorder. It would be highly beneficial to provide individuals suffering from certain disorders (e.g., CNS diseases) with interruption of the symptoms of those disorders by the administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing an active ingredient having nicotinic pharmacology and which has a beneficial effect (e.g., upon the functioning of the CNS), but which does not provide any significant associated side effects. It would be highly desirable to provide a pharmaceutical composition incorporating a compound which interacts with nicotinic receptors, such as those which have the potential to effect the functioning of the CNS, but which compound when employed in an amount sufficient to effect the functioning of the CNS, does not significantly effect those receptor subtypes which have the potential to induce undesirable side effects (e.g., appreciable activity at skeletal muscle sites).
The present invention relates aryloxyalkylamines, including pyridyloxylalkylamines and phenoxyalkylamines, such as (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine and (3-(5-bromo(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine.
The present invention also relates to methods for the prevention or treatment of a wide variety of conditions or disorders, and particularly those disorders characterized by disfunction of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission including disorders involving neuromodulation of neurotransmitter release, such as dopamine release. The present invention also relates to methods for the prevention or treatment of disorders, such as central nervous system (CNS) disorders, which are characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release. The present invention also relates to methods for the treatment of certain conditions (e.g., a method for alleviating pain). The methods involve administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound of the present invention.
The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of the present invention. Such a pharmaceutical composition incorporates a compound which, when employed in effective amounts, has the capability of interacting with relevant nicotinic receptor sites of a subject, and hence has the capability of acting as a therapeutic agent in the prevention or treatment of a wide variety of conditions and disorders, particularly those disorders characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions comprise compounds of the present invention.
The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of disorders, such as CNS disorders, which are characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release. The pharmaceutical compositions provide therapeutic benefit to individuals suffering from such disorders and exhibiting clinical manifestations of such disorders in that the compounds within those compositions, when employed in effective amounts, have the potential to (i) exhibit nicotinic pharmacology and affect relevant nicotinic receptors sites (e.g., act as a pharmacological agonist to activate nicotinic receptors), and (ii) elicit neurotransmitter secretion, and hence prevent and suppress the symptoms associated with those diseases. In addition, the compounds are expected to have the potential to (i) increase the number of nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the brain of the patient, (ii) exhibit neuroprotective effects and (iii) when employed in effective amounts do not cause appreciable adverse side effects (e.g., significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate, significant negative effects upon the gastrointestinal tract, and significant effects upon skeletal muscle). The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are believed to be safe and effective with regards to prevention and treatment of a wide variety of conditions and disorders.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the detailed description and examples set forth below.
The compounds of the present invention include compounds of the formula I:
where each of X and Xxe2x80x2 are individually nitrogen or carbon bonded to a substituent species characterized as having a sigma m value greater than 0, often greater than 0.1, and generally greater than 0.2, and even greater than 0.3; less than 0 and generally less than xe2x88x920.1; or 0; as determined in accordance with Hansch et al., Chem. Rev. 91:165 (1991); m is an integer and n is an integer such that the sum of m plus n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, preferably is 1, 2, or 3, and most preferably is 2 or 3; E, Exe2x80x2, Exe2x80x3 and Exe2x80x2xe2x80x3 individually represent hydrogen or lower alkyl (e.g., straight chain or branched alkyl including C1-C8, preferably C1-C5, such as methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl) or halo substituted lower alkyl (e.g., straight chain or branched alkyl including C1-C8, preferably C1-C5, such as trifluoromethyl or trichloromethyl), but preferably are H; and Zxe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x3 individually represent hydrogen or lower alkyl (e.g., straight chain or branched alkyl including C1-C8, preferably C1-C5, such as methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl), and preferably at least one of Zxe2x80x2 any Zxe2x80x3 is hydrogen, and most preferably Zxe2x80x2 is hydrogen and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl; alternatively Zxe2x80x2 is hydrogen and Zxe2x80x3 represents a ring structure (cycloalkyl or aromatic), such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, quinuclidinyl, pyridinyl, quinolinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenyl, benzyl (where any of the foregoing can be suitably substituted with at least one substituent group, such as alkyl, halo, or amino substituents); alternatively Zxe2x80x2, Zxe2x80x3, and the associated nitrogen atom can form a ring structure such as aziridinyl, azetidinyl, pyrollidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, or morpholinyl. More specifically, X and Xxe2x80x2 include N, Cxe2x80x94H, Cxe2x80x94F, Cxe2x80x94Cl, Cxe2x80x94Br, Cxe2x80x94I, Cxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94NRxe2x80x2Rxe2x80x3, Cxe2x80x94CF3, Cxe2x80x94OH, Cxe2x80x94CN, Cxe2x80x94NO2, Cxe2x80x94C2Rxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94SH, Cxe2x80x94SCH3, Cxe2x80x94N3, Cxe2x80x94SO2CH3, Cxe2x80x94ORxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94SRxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)NRxe2x80x2Rxe2x80x3, Cxe2x80x94NRxe2x80x2C(xe2x95x90O)Rxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)Rxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)ORxe2x80x2, C(CH2)qORxe2x80x2, Cxe2x80x94OC(xe2x95x90O)Rxe2x80x2, COC(xe2x95x90O)NRxe2x80x2Rxe2x80x3 and Cxe2x80x94NRxe2x80x2C(xe2x95x90O)ORxe2x80x2 where Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 are individually hydrogen or lower alkyl (e.g., C1-C10 alkyl, preferably C1-C5 alkyl, and more preferably methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or isobutyl), an aromatic group-containing species or a substituted aromatic group-containing species, and q is an integer from 1 to 6. Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 can be straight chain or branched alkyl, or Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 can form a cycloalkyl functionality (e.g., cyclopropyl cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, and quinuclidinyl). Representative aromatic group-containing species include pyridinyl, quinolinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenyl, and benzyl (where any of the foregoing can be suitably substituted with at least one substituent group, such as alkyl, halo, or amino substituents). Other representative aromatic ring systems are set forth in Gibson et J. Med. Chem. 39:4065 (1996). When X and Xxe2x80x2 represent a carbon atom bonded to a substituent species, that substituent species often has a sigma m value which is between about xe2x88x920.3 and about 0.75, and frequently between about xe2x88x920.25 and about 0.6. In certain circumstances the substituent species is characterized as having a sigma m value not equal to 0. A, Axe2x80x2 and Axe2x80x3 individually represent those species described as substituent species to the aromatic carbon atom previously described for X and Xxe2x80x2; and usually include hydrogen, halo (e.g., F, Cl, Br, or I), alkyl (e.g., lower straight chain or branched C1-8 alkyl, but preferably methyl or ethyl), or NXxe2x80x2Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x3 where Xxe2x80x3 and Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x3 are individually hydrogen or lower alkyl, including C1-C8, preferably C1-C5 alkyl. In addition, it is highly preferred that A is hydrogen, it is preferred that Axe2x80x2 is hydrogen, and normally Axe2x80x3 is hydrogen. Generally, both A and Axe2x80x2 are hydrogen; sometimes A and Axe2x80x2 are hydrogen, and Axe2x80x3 is amino, methyl or ethyl; and often A, Axe2x80x2 and Axe2x80x3 are all hydrogen. Depending upon the identity and positioning of each individual E, E, Exe2x80x3 and Exe2x80x2xe2x80x3, certain compounds can be optically active. Typically, the selection of E, Exe2x80x2, Exe2x80x3 and Exe2x80x2xe2x80x3 is such that up to about 4, and frequently up to 3, and usually 0, 1 or 2, of the substituents designated as E, Exe2x80x2, Exe2x80x3 and Exe2x80x2xe2x80x3 are non-hydrogen substituents (i.e., substituents such as lower alkyl or halo-substituted lower alkyl). Typically, X is CH, CBr or COR. Most preferably, Xxe2x80x2 is nitrogen.
One representative compound is (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative compound is (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)amine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3, and A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2, Zxe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x3 are each H. One representative compound is (3-(5-bromo-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is Cxe2x80x94Br, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative compound is (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 1, m is 2, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2, Exe2x80x3 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Exe2x80x2xe2x80x3 and Zxe2x80x3 are methyl. One representative compound is (3-(5-ethoxy-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is Cxe2x80x94OCH2CH3, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative compound is (3-(6-methyl-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Axe2x80x3 and Zxe2x80x3 each are methyl. One representative compound is (3-(5-chloro-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is Cxe2x80x94Cl, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3,A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative compound is (3-(2-bromo(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 3, A is Br, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative compound is (1-methyl-3-(5-methoxy-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl))methylamine, for which X is Cxe2x80x94OCH3, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 1, m is 2, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2, Exe2x80x3 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Exe2x80x2xe2x80x3 and Zxe2x80x3 are each methyl. One representative compound is (4-(3-pyridyloxy)butyl))methylamine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is N, n is 0, m is 4, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2, and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative example is (3-phenoxypropyl)methylamine, for which X and Xxe2x80x2 are each CH, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative example is (3-(3-aminophenoxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X is CH, Xxe2x80x2 is Cxe2x80x94NH2, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, Axe2x80x3, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl. One representative example is (3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)propyl)methylamine, for which X and Xxe2x80x2 are each CH, n is 0, m is 3, A, Axe2x80x2, E, Exe2x80x2 and Zxe2x80x2 are each H, Axe2x80x3 is OCH3, and Zxe2x80x3 is methyl.
The manner in which certain phenoxyalkylamine compounds of the present invention are provided can vary. Certain phenoxyalkylamine compounds can be prepared by the alkylation of phenol with a 1,3-dihalopropane, such as 1,3-dichloropropane, 1,3-dibromopropane, 1,3-diiodopropane, or 1-chloro-3-iodopropane, which are commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company, in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydride) in dry N,N-dimethylformamide. The resulting 3-halo-1-phenoxypropane can be converted to a phenoxyalkylamine, such as methyl(3-phenoxypropyl)amine, by treatment with methylamine in a solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran or aqueous methanol. The manner in which certain 3-substituted-phenyl analogs of (3-phenoxypropyl)methylamine of the present invention can be synthetically prepared is analogous to that described for the preparation of methyl(3-phenoxypropyl)amine with the exception that 3-substituted-phenols are employed rather than phenol. In some instances, protecting groups may be employed when necessary. For example, one representative compound, (3-(3-aminophenoxy)propyl)methylamine can be prepared by the alkylation of an N-phthalamido-protected phenol, 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione (prepared by treatment of 3-aminophenol with phthalic anhydride) with 1-chloro-3-iodopropane. The resulting intermediate, 2-(3-(3-chloropropoxy)-phenyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione can be converted to (3-(3-aminophenoxy)-propyl)methylamine by treatment with methanolic methylamine. The manner in which certain 4-substituted-phenyl analogs of methyl(3-phenoxypropyl)amine of the present invention can be synthetically prepared is analogous to that described for the preparation of methyl(3-phenoxypropyl)amine with the exception that 4-substituted-phenols are employed rather than phenol. For example, 4-methoxyphenol can be converted to (3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)propyl)methylamine.
The manner by which pyridyloxyalkylamine compounds of the present invention are provided can vary. Certain pyridyloxyalkylamine compounds can be prepared by the alkylation of 3-hydoxypyridine with a 1,3-dihalopropane, such as 1,3-dichloropropane, 1,3-dibromopropane, 1,3-diodopropane or 1-chloro-3-iodopropane, which are commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company, in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydride) in dry N,N-dimethylformamide. The resulting 3-halo-1-(3-pyridyloxy)propane can be converted to a pyridyloxyalkylamine, such as (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, by treatment with methylamine in a solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran or aqueous methanol. One representative compound, (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine is prepared by the reaction of 3-hydroxypyridine with 1.2 molar equivalents of 1-chloro-3-iodopropane and 1.6 molar equivalents of sodium hydride in dry N,N-dimethylformamide at ambient temperature. The resulting intermediate, 3-chloro-1-(3-pyridyloxy)propane, obtained in about 54% yield, is converted to (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine in about 40% yield, by treatment with an excess (25 molar equivalents) of aqueous methylamine in methanol, assisted by heating. Certain pyridyloxyalkylamine compounds, such as (4-(3-pyridyloxy)-butyl)methylamine, can be prepared by alkylating 3-hydoxypyridine with a 1,4-dihalobutane, such as 1,4-diiodobutane, 1,4-dibromobutane, 1,4-dichlorobutane or 1-chloro-4-iodobutane, which are commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company, in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydride) in N,N-dimethylformamide. The resulting 4-halo-1-(3-pyridyloxy)butane can be converted to a pyridyloxyalkylamine, such as (4-(3-pyridyloxy)butyl)methylamine, by treatment with methylamine in a solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran or aqueous methanol.
The manner by which certain 2-substituted-3-pyridyl analogs of (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine and certain 6-substituted-3-pyridyl analogs of (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine of the present invention can be synthetically prepared is analogous to that described for the preparation of (3-(3-pyridyloxy)-propyl)methylamine with the exception that 2-substituted-3-hydroxypyridines and 6-substituted-3-hydroxypyridines are employed rather than 3-hydroxypyridine. For example, using such methodology, commercially available 2-bromo-3-hydroxypyridine and 3-hydroxy-2-nitropyridine can be converted to 3-(2-bromo(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine and 3-(2-nitro(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine, respectively. Similarly, commercially available 3-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine can be converted to 3-(6-methyl(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine.
The manner by which certain 5-substituted-3-pyridyl analogs of (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine of the present invention can be synthesized is analogous to that described for (3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, with the exception that 5-substituted-3-hydroxypyridines are employed rather than 3-hydroxypyridine. For example, using such a methodology, 5-bromo-3-hydroxypyridine can be converted to the intermediate, 3-chloro-1-(5-bromo-3-pyridyloxy)propane, which is converted to 3-(5-bromo(3-pyridyloxy))-propyl)methylamine. 5-Bromo-3-hydroxypyridine can be prepared form 2-furfurylamine using the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,946 to Clauson-Kaas et al. the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In a similar manner, 5-chloro-3-hydroxypyridine, which is commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company, can be converted to 3-(5-chloro(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine. Similarly, 5-methoxy-3-hydroxypyridine, prepared according to the procedures set forth in Chen et al., Heterocycles 24(12): 3411 (1986), can be converted to 3-(5-methoxy(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine. Similarly, 5-ethoxy-3-hydroxypyridine can be converted to 3-(5-ethoxy(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine. Similarly, 5-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, prepared according to the procedures set forth in Tamura et al., Heterocycles 15(2): 871 (1981), can be converted to 3-(5-amino(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine. In a similar manner, 3-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethylpyridine and 2-fluoro-5-hydroxy-3-methylpyridine, each prepared using methods set forth in PCT WO 96/40682, can be converted to 3-(5-trifluoromethyl(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine and 3-(5-fluoro-5-methyl(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine, respectively.
A number of 5-substituted analogs, such as (3-(5-substituted(3-pyridyloxy))propyl)methylamine, can be synthesized from 5-substituted 3-hydroxypyridines, which can be prepared from 5-amino-3-hydroxypyridine via a diazonium salt intermediate. For example, 5-amino-3-hydroxypyridine can be converted to 5-fluoro-3-hydroxypyridine, 5-chloro-3-hydroxypyridine, 5-bromo-3-hydroxypyridine, 5-iodo-3-hydroxypyridine or 5-cyano-3-hydroxypyridine, using the general techniques set forth in Zwart et al., Recueil Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas 74: 1062 (1955). Futhermore, 5-hydroxy-substituted analogs can be prepared from the reaction of the corresponding 5-diazonium salt intermediate with water. The 5-Fluoro-substituted analogs can be prepared from the reaction of the 5-diazonium salt intermediate with fluoroboric acid. 5-Chloro-substituted analogs can be prepared from the reaction of 5-amino-3-hydroxypyridine with sodium nitrite and hydrochloric acid in the presence of copper chloride. The 5-cyano-substituted analogs can be prepared from the reaction of the corresponding diazonium salt intermediate with potassium copper cyanide. The 5-amino-substituted analogs can be converted to the corresponding 5-nitro analogs by reaction with fuming sulfuric acid and peroxide according to the general techniques described in Morisawa, J. Med. Chem. 20: 129 (1977), for converting an amino pyridine to a nitropyridine.
Certain pyridyloxyalklylamines that possess a branched side chain, such as (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, can be prepared by alkylating 3-hydroxypyridine with a protected 3-hydroxy-1-halobutane, such as 3-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-1-bromobutane (prepared according to the procedures set forth in Gerlach et al., Helv. Chim. Acta. 60(8): 2860 (1977)), thereby producing a (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl protected 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2-ol. The (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl group can be removed by treatment with ammonium fluoride or aqueous acetic acid to give 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2-ol. Mesylation or tosylation of that compound with methanesulfonyl chloride in triethylamine or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine, followed by treatment with methylamine in tetrahydrofuran or aqueous methanol, provides a compound having a methyl branched side chain (e.g., (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine).
Alternatively, pyridyloxyalkylamines possessing a branched side chain, such as (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine, can be synthesized by alkylating 3-hydroxypyridine with a protected 1-iodo-3-butanone, namely 2-methyl-2-(2-iodoethyl)-1,3-dioxolane, with is prepared according to the procedures set forth in Stowell et al., J. Org. Chem. 48: 5381 (1983). The resulting ketal, 3-(2-(1-methyl-2,5-dioxolanyl)ethoxy)pyridine, can be protected by treatment with aqueous acetic acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid in methanol to yield 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2-one. Reductive amination of the resulting ketone using methylamine and sodium cyanoborohydride according to the methodology set forth in Borch, Org. Syn. 52: 124 (1972) provides (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine. Alternatively, the intermediate, 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2-one, can be reduced with sodium borohydride to yield an alcohol, 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2-ol. Mesylation or tosylation of that alcohol, followed by mesylation or tosylation displacement using methylamine, provides the branched chain pyridyloxyalkylamine, (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine.
Chiral starting materials are available for the synthesis of the pure enantiomers of the branched chain pyridyloxyalkylamines, such a (1-methyl-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine. One approach can be carried out using either methyl (R)-(xe2x88x92)-3-hydroxybutyrate or the (+)-enantiomer, (S)-(+)-3-hydroxybutyrate, both of which are available from Aldrich Chemical Company. For example, (R)-(xe2x88x92)-3-hydroxybutyrate can be converted to (R)-(xe2x88x92)-3-tetrahydropyranyloxybutyl bromide, using the procedures set forth in Yuasa et al., J Chem. Soc., Perk. Trans. 1(5): 465 (1996). Alkylation of 3-hyroxypyridine with (R)-(xe2x88x92)-3-tetrahydropyranyloxybutyl bromide using sodium hydride in N,N-dimethylformamide produces the tetrahydropyranyl ether of 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2R-ol. Removal of the tetrahydropyranyl protecting group of that compound using p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in methanol affords 4-(3-pyridyloxy)butan-2R-ol. The resulting chiral alcohol can be elaborated to the chiral pyridyloxyalkylamine, (1S-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)methylamine using a two-step sequence involving tosylation and methylamine displacement of the intermediate tosylate. In a similar process, (S)-(+)-3-hydroxybutyrate can be converted to (S)-(+)-3-tetrahydropyranyloxybutyl bromide using the procedures set forth in Sakai et al., Agric. Biol. Chem. 50(6): 1621 (1986). This protected bromo alcohol can be converted to the corresponding chiral pyridyloxyalkylamine, methyl(1R-3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl)amine, using a sequence involving alkylation of 3-hydroxypyridine, removal of the tetrahydropyranyl group, tosylation, and methylamine displacement of the intermediate tosylate.
The present invention relates to a method for providing prevention of a condition or disorder to a subject susceptible to such a condition or disorder, and for providing treatment to a subject suffering therefrom. For example, the method comprises administering to a patient an amount of a compound effective for providing some degree of prevention of the progression of a CNS disorder (i.e., provide protective effects), amelioration of the symptoms of a CNS disorder, and amelioration of the reoccurrence of a CNS disorder. The method involves administering an effective amount of a compound selected from the general formulae which are set forth hereinbefore. The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition incorporating a compound selected from the general formulae which are set forth hereinbefore. The compounds normally are not optically active. However, certain compounds can possess substituent groups of a character so that those compounds possess optical activity. Optically active compounds can be employed as racemic mixtures or as enantiomers. The compounds can be employed in a free base form or in a salt form (e.g., as pharmaceutically acceptable salts). Examples of suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include inorganic acid addition salts such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate; organic acid addition salts such as acetate, galactarate, propionate, succinate, lactate, glycolate, malate, tartrate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, methanesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, and ascorbate; salts with acidic amino acid such as aspartate and glutamate; alkali metal salts such as sodium salt and potassium salt; alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium salt and calcium salt; ammonium salt; organic basic salts such as trimethylamine salt, triethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, and N,Nxe2x80x2-dibenzylethylenediamine salt; and salts with basic amino acid such as lysine salt and arginine salt. The salts may be in some cases hydrates or ethanol solvates.
Compounds of the present invention are useful for treating those types of conditions and disorders for which other types of nicotinic compounds have been proposed as therapeutics. See, for example, Williams et al. DNandP 7(4):205-227 (1994), Arneric et al., CNS Drug Rev. 1(1): 1-26 (1995), Arneric et al., Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 5(1):79-100 (1996), Bencherif et al., JPET279:1413 (1996), Lippiello et al., JPET 279:1422 (1996), Damaj et al., Neuroscience (1997), Holladay et al., J. Med Chem 40(28): 4169-4194 (1997), Bannon et al., Science 279: 77-80 (1998), PCT WO 94/08992, PCT WO 96/31475, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,140 to Bencherif et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,919 to Dull et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,231 to Smith et al the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Compounds of the present invention can be used as analgesics, to treat ulcerative colitis, and to treat convulsions such as those that are symtematic of epilepsy. CNS disorders which can be treated in accordance with the present invention include presenile dementia (early onset Alzheimer""s disease), senile dementia (dementia of the Alzheimer""s type), Parkinsonism including Parkinson""s disease, Huntington""s chorea, tardive dyskinesia, hyperkinesia, mania, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, dyslexia, schizophrenia and Tourette""s syndrome.
The pharmaceutical composition also can include various other components as additives or adjuncts. Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable components or adjuncts which are employed in relevant circumstances include antioxidants, free radical scavenging agents, peptides, growth factors, antibiotics, bacteriostatic agents, immunosuppressives, anticoagulants, buffering agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-pyretics, time release binders, anaesthetics, steroids and corticosteroids. Such components can provide additional therapeutic benefit, act to affect the therapeutic action of the pharmaceutical composition, or act towards preventing any potential side effects which may be posed as a result of administration of the pharmaceutical composition. In certain circumstances, a compound of the present invention can be employed as part of a pharmaceutical composition with other compounds intended to prevent or treat a particular disorder.
The manner in which the compounds are administered can vary. The compounds can be administered by inhalation (e.g., in the form of an aerosol either nasally or using delivery articles of the type set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety); topically (e.g., in lotion form); orally (e.g., in liquid form within a solvent such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or within a solid carrier); intravenously (e.g., within a dextrose or saline solution); as an infusion or injection (e.g., as a suspension or as an emulsion in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid or mixture of liquids); intrathecally; intracerebro ventricularly; or transdermally (e.g., using a transdermal patch). Although it is possible to administer the compounds in the form of a bulk active chemical, it is preferred to present each compound in the form of a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for efficient and effective administration. Exemplary methods for administering such compounds will be apparent to the skilled artisan. For example, the compounds can be administered in the form of a tablet, a hard gelatin capsule or as a time release capsule. As another example, the compounds can be delivered transdermally using the types of patch technologies available from Novartis and Alza Corporation. The administration of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be intermittent, or at a gradual, continuous, constant or controlled rate to a warm-blooded animal, (e.g., a mammal such as a mouse, rat, cat, rabbit, dog, pig, cow, or monkey); but advantageously is preferably administered to a human being. In addition, the time of day and the number of times per day that the pharmaceutical formulation is administered can vary. Administration preferably is such that the active ingredients of the pharmaceutical formulation interact with receptor sites within the body of the subject that effect the functioning of the CNS. More specifically, in treating a CNS disorder administration preferably is such so as to optimize the effect upon those relevant receptor subtypes which have an effect upon the functioning of the CNS, while minimizing the effects upon muscle-type receptor subtypes. Other suitable methods for administering the compounds of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,231 to Smith et al.
The appropriate dose of the compound is that amount effective to prevent occurrence of the symptoms of the disorder or to treat some symptoms of the disorder from which the patient suffers. By xe2x80x9ceffective amountxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9ctherapeutic amountxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ceffective dosexe2x80x9d is meant that amount sufficient to elicit the desired pharmacological or therapeutic effects, thus resulting in effective prevention or treatment of the disorder. Thus, when treating a CNS disorder, an effective amount of compound is an amount sufficient to pass across the blood-brain barrier of the subject, to bind to relevant receptor sites in the brain of the subject, and to activatie relevant nicotinic receptor subtypes (e.g., provide neurotransmitter secretion, thus resulting in effective prevention or treatment of the disorder). Prevention of the disorder is manifested by delaying the onset of the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment of the disorder is manifested by a decrease in the symptoms associated with the disorder or an amelioration of the reoccurrence of the symptoms of the disorder.
The effective dose can vary, depending upon factors such as the condition of the patient, the severity of the symptoms of the disorder, and the manner in which the pharmaceutical composition is administered. For human patients, the effective dose of typical compounds generally requires administering the compound in an amount sufficient to activate relevant receptors to effect neurotransmitter (e.g., dopamine) release but the amount should be insufficient to induce effects on skeletal muscles and ganglia to any significant degree. The effective dose of compounds will of course differ from patient to patient but in general includes amounts starting where CNS effects or other desired therapeutic effects occur, but below the amount where muscular effects are observed.
Typically, the effective dose of compounds generally requires administering the compound in an amount of less than 1 ug/kg of patient weight. Often, the compounds of the present invention are administered in an amount from 10 ng to less than 1 ug/kg of patient weight, frequently between about 0.1 ug to less than 1 ug/kg of patient weight, and preferably between about 0.1 ug to about 0.5 ug/kg of patient weight. Compounds of the present invention can be administered in an amount of 0.3 to 0.5 ug/kg of patient weight. For compounds of the present invention that do not induce effects on muscle type nicotinic receptors at low concentrations, the effective dose is less than 50 ug/kg of patient weight; and often such compounds are administered in an amount from 0.5 ug to less than 50 ug/kg of patient weight. The foregoing effective doses typically represent that amount administered as a single dose, or as one or more doses administered over a 24 hour period.
For human patients, the effective dose of typical compounds generally requires administering the compound in an amount of at least about 1, often at least about 10, and frequently at least about 25 ug/24 hr./patient. For human patients, the effective dose of typical compounds requires administering the compound which generally does not exceed about 500, often does not exceed about 400, and frequently does not exceed about 300 ug/24 hr./patient. In addition, administration of the effective dose is such that the concentration of the compound within the plasma of the patient normally does not exceed 500 ng/ml, and frequently does not exceed 100 ng/ml.
The compounds useful according to the method of the present invention have the ability to pass across the blood-brain barrier of the patient. As such, such compounds have the ability to enter the central nervous system of the patient. The log P values of typical compounds, which are useful in carrying out the present invention are generally greater than about xe2x88x920.5, often are greater than about 0, and frequently are greater than about 0.5. The log P values of such typical compounds generally are less than about 3, often are less than about 2, and frequently are less than about 1. Log P values provide a measure of the ability of a compound to pass across a diffusion barrier, such as a biological membrane. See, Hansch, et al., J. Med. Chem. 11:1(1968).
The compounds useful according to the method of the present invention have the ability to bind to, and in most circumstances, cause activation of, nicotinic dopaminergic receptors of the brain of the patient. As such, such compounds have the ability to express nicotinic pharmacology, and in particular, to act as nicotinic agonists. The receptor binding constants of typical compounds useful in carrying out the present invention generally exceed about 0.1 nM, often exceed about 1 nM, and frequently exceed about 10 nM. The receptor binding constants of such typical compounds generally are less than about 1 uM, often are less than about 100 nM, and frequently are less than about 50 nM. Receptor binding constants provide a measure of the ability of the compound to bind to half of the relevant receptor sites of certain brain cells of the patient. See, Cheng, et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 22:3099 (1973).
The compounds useful according to the method of the present invention have the ability to demonstrate a nicotinic function by effectively activating neurotransmitter secretion from nerve ending preparations (i.e., synaptosomes). As such, such compounds have the ability to activate relevant neurons to release or secrete acetylcholine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters. Generally, typical compounds useful in carrying out the present invention provide for the activation of dopamine secretion in amounts of at least one third, typically at least about 10 times less, frequently at least about 100 times less, and sometimes at least about 1,000 times less, than those required for activation of muscle-type nicotinic receptors. Certain compounds of the present invention can provide secretion of dopamine in an amount which is comparable to that elicited by an equal molar amount of (S)-(xe2x88x92)-nicotine.
The compounds of the present invention, when employed in effective amounts in accordance with the method of the present invention, are selective to certain relevant nicotinic receptors, but do not cause significant activation of receptors associated with undesirable side effects at concentrations at least greater than those required for activation of dopamine release. By this is meant that a particular dose of compound resulting in prevention and/or treatment of a CNS disorder, is essentially ineffective in eliciting activation of certain muscle-type nicotinic receptors at concentration higher than 5 times, preferably higher than 100 times, and more preferably higher than 1,000 times, than those required for activation of dopamine release. This selectivity of certain compounds of the present invention against those ganglia-type receptors responsible for cardiovascular side effects is demonstrated by a lack of the ability of those compounds to activate nicotinic function of adrenal chromaffin tissue at concentrations greater than those required for activation of dopamine release.
Compounds of the present invention, when employed in effective amounts in accordance with the method of the present invention, are effective towards providing some degree of prevention of the progression of CNS disorders, amelioration of the symptoms of CNS disorders, an amelioration to some degree of the reoccurrence of CNS disorders. However, such effective amounts of those compounds are not sufficient to elicit any appreciable side effects, as demonstrated by increased effects relating to skeletal muscle. As such, administration of certain compounds of the present invention provides a therapeutic window in which treatment of certain CNS disorders is provided, and certain side effects are avoided. That is, an effective dose of a compound of the present invention is sufficient to provide the desired effects upon the CNS, but is insufficient (i.e., is not at a high enough level) to provide undesirable side effects. Preferably, effective administration of a compound of the present invention resulting in treatment of CNS disorders occurs upon administration of less than ⅕, and often less than {fraction (1/10)} that amount sufficient to cause certain side effects to any significant degree.
The following examples are provided to illustrate the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting thereof. In these examples, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise noted.
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In computing, one type of data storage scheme using multiple hard drives to share or replicate data among the drives is referred to as a RAID system. The acronym RAID stands for redundant array of inexpensive disks, or redundant array of independent disks. Depending on the configuration of the RAID system, typically referred to as the RAID level, the benefit of RAID can include one or more of increased data integrity, fault tolerance, throughput or capacity when compared to single drives. One of the most popular RAID levels is RAID5. RAID5 has achieved popularity due to its low cost of redundancy. RAID systems can combine multiple low cost older technology devices into an array that offers greater capacity, reliability, speed, or a combination thereof, than is affordably available in a single device using the latest technology.
At the simplest level, a RAID system combines multiple hard drives into a single logical unit (or drive). The operating system sees a single logical drive instead of multiple different hard drives. RAID is typically used on server computers and is usually, but not necessarily, implemented with disk drives having the same size. With decreases in hard drive prices and wider availability of RAID options built into motherboard chip sets, RAID can also be found as an option in more advanced personal computers, especially in computers dedicated to storage intensive tasks such as video and audio editing. RAID5 writes are expensive in terms of disk operation and traffic between the disks and the controller.
It would be desirable to have an error recovery scheme for a RAID5 system that reduces the number of IOs and can handle multiple errors on different drives at different sectors.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the distribution of power in an automated data storage system.
2. Background Art
Current automated libraries for tape cartridges typically include arrays of multiple storage cells housing the tape cartridges, as well as multiple media drives. Multiple automated robotic devices may be used to move tape cartridges between the various storage cells and media drives within a library.
The use of multiple robotic devices in automated tape cartridge libraries raises various problems concerning the distribution of power to such robotic devices. More particularly, robotic devices used in automated tape cartridge libraries require power for operation thereof. In prior art automated tape cartridge libraries, the movement of the robotic devices is restricted by wire cable connections used for providing such power. That is, such cabling can prevent the robotic devices from crossing paths, or from continuous movement in one direction around the library without the necessity of ultimately reversing direction.
Power cabling can be eliminated through the use of conductors running along tracks which support the robotic devices. Brushes on the robotic devices contact the conductors to supply power to the robotic devices. Alternatively, brushes may be part of a pickup assembly for supplying power to the robotic devices. For example, wheels may contact the conductors with brushes contacting the wheels.
The effects of use and age can cause brushes to wear down or otherwise degrade, resulting in reduced performance or failure of the robotic device. What is needed is to detect brush failure so that the defective brush can be replaced. Preferably, failure detection of brushes should occur in a manner which permits the robotic device to continue operating until such time as the defective brush can be easily repaired.
Brush failure detection is accomplished through the use of two brushes drawing power from the same conductor.
A method of detecting brush failure for a robotic device traveling along at least one rail associated with a data storage library is provided. The rail includes a first conductor and a second conductor for supplying power to the robotic device. Current is sensed through each of a first brush and a second brush passing current between the first conductor and the robotic device. Similarly, current is sensed through each of a third brush and a fourth brush passing current between the second conductor and the robotic device. At least one motor is driven with at least one of a first current and a second current from the first and second brushes, respectively, and at least one of a third current and a fourth current from the third and fourth brushes, respectively. The motor propels the robotic device along the rail permitting access to a plurality of data storage media devices, such as cartridges, cassettes, media packages, media access equipment, identification devices, access ports and the like, held within the library. A failure of at least one of the brushes is determined by sensing the first current, second current, third current and fourth current.
In embodiments of the present invention, failure is determined based on the difference between the first current and the second current or the difference between the third current and the fourth current. The first brush and second brush may be spaced apart along the first conductor in the direction of travel of the robotic device. The first and second brush may form a parallel path to drive the motor. Similarly, the third brush and the fourth brush may be spaced apart along the second conductor in the direction of travel of the robotic device. The third and fourth brush may also form a parallel path for current driving the motor.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the determined brush failure is transmitted from the robotic device to a control device. This transmission may occur along at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor.
A data storage library is also provided. The library includes storage locations for holding data storage media disposed within the library. At least one rail is located within the library to provide access to the storage locations. At least one conductor for carrying electric current is along each rail. At least one robotic device is mounted to travel along each rail. Each robotic device accesses storage media held in the storage locations. Each robotic device has at least one pair of brushes. Each brush conducts electrical current between the robotic device and the conductor. Electronics within each robotic device determine operating status of each brush based on a measurement of at least one electrical parameter associated with each brush in the pair of brushes.
A mechanism for accessing data storage media in a data storage media devices library by traveling along a rail having an electrical conductor is also provided. A first brush conducts current between the conductor and the mechanism when the first brush is properly operating. A second brush conducts current between the conductor and the mechanism when the second brush is properly operating. Electronics determine a difference signal as the difference in current conducted by the first brush and by the second brush. Control logic determines an operative condition of the first brush and the second brush based on the difference signal.
The above features, and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed descriptions thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Phonograph records are conventionally sold within cardboard storage jackets of square shapes having two cardboard pieces joined at three edges and open at a fourth edge to permit the record to be inserted into and pulled out of the jacket through an elongated slit. The cardobard is of a sufficient thickness to help prevent record breakage during the storage. Before being inserted into the jacket, the record is first inserted into an envelope or sleeve that also has only one open edge. By inserting the record with the open envelope edge positioned alongside one of the closed jacket edges, the stored record is enclosed so as to prevent atmospheric dust from accumulating on it. Paper or ordinary plastic film is normally used to make the storage envelope which is much more flexible than the cardboard jacket. Use of the envelope also eliminates wear on the record surfaces during insertion into the jacket and as the record is pulled out of the envelope. Since the envelope is much more flexible than the jacket, the envelope can be opened in a manner that permits record insertion with very little, if any, wear.
Paper and ordinary plastic film record envelopes create a static electrical charge on the record as it is inserted into or pulled out of the envelope. The charge created is greater for plastic film envelopes than for paper envelopes. However, paper envelopes tend to deposit pulp particles onto the record. Static electrical charge on the record retains the pulp particles as well as attracting dust accumulation from the atmosphere as the record is being used. Any static electrical charge on the record either due to its insertion into and pulling out of the envelope or due to any charge accumulated during use is usually concentrated in what is known as "hot spots" which attract and retain the greatest amount of the accumulation. During storage, neither the paper nor the ordinary plactic film envelope dissipate any of the accumulated static electricity on the record. Tests have shown that the static electrical charges which accumulate on the record can reach 8,000 volts or more. This high voltage collects and retains the paper particles and the dust which cause accelerated record wear during use as well as a loss of the record fidelity.
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Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, an apparatus for receiving broadcast signals and methods for transmitting and receiving broadcast signals.
Discussion of the Related Art
As analog broadcast signal transmission comes to an end, various technologies for transmitting/receiving digital broadcast signals are being developed. A digital broadcast signal may include a larger amount of video/audio data than an analog broadcast signal and further include various types of additional data in addition to the video/audio data.
That is, a digital broadcast system can provide HD (high definition) images, multi-channel audio and various additional services. However, data transmission efficiency for transmission of large amounts of data, robustness of transmission/reception networks and network flexibility in consideration of mobile reception equipment need to be improved for digital broadcast.
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The present invention relates to lumbar systems and, more particularly, to zone lumbar massage systems.
Mechanical, pneumatic, and vibration lumbar systems are used in seats (e.g., car seats, airplane seats, train seats, etc.) to increase comfort for seat occupants while sitting. However, such lumbar systems typically have limited variable motion control and, if the systems are designed to provide massaging effects, the massaging motions are usually in a symmetrical direction. In addition, existing lumbar systems typically do not allow seat occupants to vary the timing, speed, or direction of travel of the massaging motions.
Existing lumbar systems are also difficult to position within seats due to packaging constraints. Lumbar systems commonly include several separate components or parts that must each be individually positioned within the seats, increasing the cost of installation and reducing design flexibility.
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Cryogranulation equipment is commercially available for the manufacture of frozen product pellets in the food industry. In particular, cryogranulation systems used in the food industry are suitable for preparing frozen foods, such as ice cream. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,216,470; 7,062,924, and 7,475,554, for example, disclose systems used for cryogranulation, which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
Cryogranulation systems may include a tray or channel carrying a flow of a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen. A material to be cryogranulated is introduced into the flow of liquid nitrogen from a dispenser positioned above the tray. The material is frozen by the liquid nitrogen into pellets or granules. At the end of the tray, the liquid nitrogen and the frozen pellets are separated, typically using a screen. The liquid nitrogen is returned to the upper end of the tray to form a closed loop circulation of liquid nitrogen. The frozen pellets may be used as is or subjected to further processing. The terms “cryogranulating” and “cryopelletizing” are used more or less interchangeably.
Some processes, such as manufacturing of pharmaceutical formulations, require precise control and repeatable results. Prior art cryogranulation systems have not heretofore been suitable for manufacturing of pharmaceutical formulations. Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in the design and manufacture of cryogranulation systems and methods for use in manufacturing of pharmaceutical formulations.
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In a typical backup process, data at a server is backed up at a storage node. However, if a backup is interrupted before the process is completed, then the data that has been saved at the storage node is discarded for being potentially corrupt or inconsistent. Sometimes, large amounts (e.g., giga bytes or tera bytes) of data are discarded. Also, the backup is typically restarted from the beginning, regardless of how close the previous backup process was to completion. Discarding the less than full set of backup data and restarting backup from the beginning can be inefficient. In addition, the short window of time that administrators usually reserve for a backup process does not typically permit for a re-running of the entire backup.
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Ticlopidine hydrochloride is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,592 as a platelet aggregation inhibitor, is marketed in the U.S. under the name Ticlid.RTM. by Roche Laboratories, and has the chemical name 5-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine hydrochloride and the structure ##STR1##
Clopidogrel is a thieno-[3,2-c]pyridine derivative which has the chemical name methyl (4)-(S)-.alpha.-(o-chloro-phenyl)-6,7-dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine-5-aceta te and the formula ##STR2##
including pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, preferably the hydrogen sulfate salt, and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,529,596 to Aubert et al and U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,265 to Badorc et al as having blood platelet aggregation inhibiting activity and anti-thrombotic activity and thus useful in inhibiting or preventing arterial and venous thrombosis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,328 to Herbert et al discloses that clopidogrel may be employed in secondary prevention of ischemic events such as myocardial infarction, unstable or stable angina, acute reocclusion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), restenosis after PTCA, thrombotic stroke, transient ischemic attack, reversible ischemic neurological deficit, and intermittent claudication.
The above Aubert et al, Badorc et al and Herbert et al patents are incorporated herein by reference.
WO 97/29753 published Aug. 21, 1997, discloses a pharmaceutical composition containing clopidogrel and aspirin.
Bernhart et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,317 disclose a series of N-substituted heterocyclic derivatives which possess angiotensin II antagonist activity. Bernhart et al disclose that such compounds can be used in the treatment of various cardiovascular complaints, especially hypertension, heart failure, and venous insufficiency, as well as in the treatment of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and various complaints of the central nervous system. It is also disclosed that such compound can be used in combination with other active agents such as tranquilizers, beta-blocking compounds, a calcium antagonist, or a diuretic.
Selective neutral endopeptidase inhibitors are taught by Delaney et al in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,722,810 and 5,223,516 and the use of selective neutral endopeptidase inhibitors alone or in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to treat hypertension are disclosed by Delaney et al U.K. Patent Application 2,207,351 and by Haslanger et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,688. The treatment of congestive heart failure by administration of a combination of a selective neutral endopeptidase inhibitor and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is disclosed by Seymour in U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,401.
Compounds possessing both neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition activity are disclosed by Flynn et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,973, European Patent Application 481,522 and PCT Patent Applications WO 93/16103, and WO 94/10193, Warshawsky et al European Patent Applications 534,363, 534,396 and 534,492, Fournie-Zaluski European Patent Application 524,553, Barrish et al European Patent Application 599,444, Karanewsky European Patent Application 595,610, Robl et al, European Patent Application 629,627, Robl U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,727 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 153,854 filed Nov. 18, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,723.
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Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base games are well known. Gaming machines generally require the player to place or make a wager to activate the primary or base game. In many of these gaming machines, the award is based on the player obtaining a winning symbol or symbol combination and on the amount of the wager (e.g., the higher the wager, the higher the award). Generally, symbols or symbol combinations which are less likely to occur provide higher awards. In such known gaming machines, the amount of the wager made on the base game by the player can vary.
Gaming machines which provide cascading symbol or tumbling reel games are also known. In one such cascading symbol or tumbling reel game, a gaming machine generates and displays a plurality of symbols in a symbol display position matrix or grid. This symbol display position matrix includes a plurality of symbol display positions. Each symbol display position is associated with a specific row and a specific column of the symbol display position matrix. In such a cascading symbol game, the gaming machine evaluates the displayed symbols and provides an award for each winning symbol combination formed. The gaming machine then removes the displayed symbols that form any winning symbol combination to create one or more empty symbol display positions. The gaming machine shifts zero, one, or more of the remaining displayed symbols downward into zero, one, or more of the created empty symbol display positions. If any empty symbol display positions remain, the gaming machine generates and displays a symbol for each remaining empty symbol display position. The gaming machine then evaluates the displayed symbols and provides any award for any winning symbol combinations formed. If winning symbol combinations continue to be formed, the gaming machine repeats the steps of removing generated symbols, shifting generated symbols, generating new symbols, and evaluating generated symbols until no winning symbol combinations remain.
There is a continuing need to increase the level of excitement and entertainment for people playing gaming machines. There is a further need for increasing the number of winning symbol combinations generated and awards provided to a player for a single wager on a play of a game.
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Field
The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to narrowband single tone uplink transmissions.
Background
Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.
These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). LTE is designed to support mobile broadband access through improved spectral efficiency, lowered costs, and improved services using OFDMA on the downlink, SC-FDMA on the uplink, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, there exists a need for further improvements in LTE technology. These improvements may also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ these technologies.
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It is known in the art to arrange an internal combustion engine to perform the combustion of a fresh charge of fuel in two separate sequential working cycles having separate stages of combustion and each yielding an output of work to the engine output shaft.
The general method of operation of such engines, which I refer to as staged combustion engines, involves the admission of a rich air-fuel charge to an engine combustion chamber wherein it is passed through a first stage working cycle including compression, combustion and expansion steps. This cycle results in the delivery of power to the engine output shaft and leaves a residual charge of combustion products and incompletely burned combustibles. To this charge, air is added to form a second and preferably somewhat lean combustible mixture heavily diluted with burned gases. This mixture is passed through a second stage cycle of compression, combustion and expansion, again yielding work to the engine output shaft.
Such a process is capable of being performed sequentially in the same engine combustion chamber. However, it is presently believed preferable to utilize separate combustion chambers of the same engine for performance of the two combustion cycles and to transfer the products resulting from the first stage combustion cycle to the second stage combustion chamber through a connecting interstage passage, conduit or manifold in which the necessary secondary combustion air is added.
Various forms of staged combustion engines have been proposed. Among these are the arrangements disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,113,601 and 2,113,602, both granted April 12, 1938 to N. P. Pratt. Additional forms and methods of operation of such engines are disclosed in my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 282,390, filed Aug. 21, 1972.
FUEL-AIR EXPERIMENTAL WORK WITH STAGED COMBUSTION ENGINES OPERATING WITH GASOLINE FULE-AIR MIXTURES, I have preferred to utilize conventional spark ignition for initiating first stage combustion. However, I have found that satisfactory engine operation may be obtained under properly controlled conditions utilizing either compression ignition or conventional spark ignition for initiation of second stage combustion.
Both methods of operation have been shown to require some degree of temperature control of the interstage gases in order to maintain engine operation and efficiency under the varying loads and speeds required of automotive type engines. For example, my copending U.S. application Ser. No. 282,390 discloses that interstage gas temperatures must be controlled within predetermined ranges which are functions of other engine variables such as engine speed, load and second stage compression ratio, in order to realize efficient timing of second stage ignition when compression or auto-ignition is utilized. The use of spark ignition in the second stage reduces the criticality but does not eliminate the need for interstage temperature control; since, if the temperature of gas admitted to the second stage is too low, misfiring may occur; while if the temperature is too high, pre-ignition will occur, resulting in overadvanced timing and inefficient operation. In addition, some degree of interstage temperature control is necessary to prevent inefficient thermal reaction in the interstage manifold.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to neutron-capture, primarily in boron-10, therapy (hereinafter BNCT) treatment of cancerous tumors, and more particularly to apparatus and method for conducting such therapy.
It is desirable that BNCT be accomplished effectively at a low cost of generation of neutron beams with minimal side effects such as caused by gamma (.gamma.) rays or "thermal", "epithermal", and "fast" neutrons. Typical energy ranges of these three neutron groups are: thermal .ltoreq.1 eV, epithermal 1 eV to 50 keV, fast .gtoreq.50 keV.
In my view, this can be achieved by providing a low-power reactor, with patients placed close to the reactor to have adequate beam intensity, notwithstanding the low power. Neutron beam optimization over a short distance between the reactor core and the patient is then required. The neutrons emerging from the reactor/moderator assembly should already be what is needed for the BNCT.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Boron-neutron-capture therapy (BNCT) has been known as having potential for treatment of cancerous tumors for more than thirty years. In such therapy, there are two primary components, both of which need to be optimized during the development of the procedure.
The first is a chemical boron (B-10) compound which is preferentially deposited in tumors. The second is a beam of neutrons which preferentially reacts with B-10 in the tumor.
Capture of a neutron in B-10 splits the compound nucleus B-11 boron-11) into two nuclei, He-4 (helium-4) and Li-7 (lithium-7), with energies of 1.5 and 1.0 MeV, respectively. Both nuclei lose their energy over a short distance, largely within a single cell. The damage through ionization during the slowing down of these two nuclei destroys the tumor cell with a high probability. For the destroyed cell to be, again with a high probability, a cancer cell, requires the combined maximization of the preferential deposition of boron in tumors and the preferential exposure of the tumor to neutrons of the right energy.
Alternatives to boron capture are also being considered. One alternative is the fissioning of a U-235 (uranium-235) nucleus, resulting in two fission products which can also destroy the host cell.
Some background and recent thinking on the subject of BNCT are described in two articles which have recently appeared in the publication entitled Nuclear Science and Engineering. One of them (hereinafter referred to as "Ref. 1.") is by Otto K. Harling et al., Volume 110 (1992), pages 330-348. The other (hereinafter referred to as "Ref. 2.") is by Manfred Papaspyrou and Ludwig E. Feinendegen in Volume 110, pages 349-354. The Harling et al. article has a FIG. 1 illustration of the five megawatt Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor (MITR) arranged for medical therapy. The Papaspyrou/Feinendegen article describes the basic principles of BNCT, and the possible use of cold neutrons. While the Harling et al. article indicates that the reactor shown in the article is an upgraded model, I believe it is possible to provide apparatus which will make such therapy accessible to more people at less cost and with consider:ably lower side effects than appears possible with the MITR-II equipment, for example.
The current BNCT experimental applications by others of which I am aware do beam optimization outside of the reactor, starting with a neutron leakage spectrum, which by itself is inadequate for BNCT. A beam modifying "filter" is then applied to prepare the beam for BNCT. According to my concept, neutronics optimization is to be accomplished within the reactor vessel itself, resulting in a simpler and more compact design, while minimizing at the same time the side effects. An additional, more specific design criterion for minimizing side effects has been identified during the preparation of this application, which, to my knowledge, has not appeared in the literature in this form: the minimization of the overall number of neutrons in the beam, say n.sub.t. This criterion is also considered in the conceptual design of this application.
Some additional papers, Refs. 3 to 10, also describe nuclear reactor application for BNCT. These papers are as follows:
Ref. 1 "Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and Radiation Synovectomy Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor", Nuclear Science and Engineering, Otto K. Harling et al., Vol 110, pgs. 330-348, Apr. 1992.
Ref. 2 "Possible Use of Cold Neutrons for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy", Nuclear Science and Engineering, M. Papaspyrou and L. E. Feinendegen, Vol 110, pgs. 349-354, Apr. 1992.
Ref. 3. "Performance of the Currently Available Epithermal Neutron Beam at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR-II)", Progress In Neutron Capture Therapy for Cancer, Edited by B. J. Allen et al., Plenum Press, New York, 1992, pgs. 53-56.
Ref. 4. "Installation and Testing of an Optimized Epithermal Neutron Beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR)", R. G. Fairchild et al., Neutron Beam, Development, and Performance for Neutron Capture Therapy, Edited by O. K. Harling et al., Plenum Press, New York, 1990, pgs. 185-199.
Ref. 5. "Epithermal Neutron Beam Design for Neutron Capture Therapy at the Power Burst Facility and the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor", Floyd J. Wheeler et al., Nuclear Technology, Vol. 92, October, 1990, pgs. 106-117.
Ref. 6. "Demonstration of three-dimensional deterministic radiation transport theory dose distribution analysis for boron neutron capture therapy", by David W. Nigget al., Medical Physics, Vol. 18(1), Jan/Feb 1991, pgs. 43-53.
Ref. 7. "Reactor physics design for an epithermal neutron beam at the Power Burst reactor Facility", F. J. Wheeler et al., Strohlenther. Onkol., Vol. 165, 1989, pgs. 69-71.
Ref. 8. "Conceptual Physics Design of an Epithermal-Neutron Facility for Neutron Capture Therapy at the Georgia Tech Research Reactor", David W. Nigg and Floyd J. Wheeler, published by Idaho National Engineering Laboratory according to its INEL BNCT Program, under U.S. Government DOE Contract No. DE-AC07-761DO1570.
Ref. 9. "Conceptual Design of a Medical Reactor for Neutron Capture Therapy", William A. Neuman and James L. Jones, Nuclear Technology, Vol. 92, Oct. 1990, pgs. 77-92.
Ref. 10. "Investigation of a Nuclear Reactor for Cancer Therapy", Yutaka Mishima, Report by the Special Institute for Cancer Neutron Capture Therapy, Kobe University, Japan, March 1990.
Most of these papers describe beam preparation activities at four reactors:
MITR-II (Ref. 3; this is a different version of Ref. 1) PA1 BMRR (Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor, Refs. 4 to 6) PA1 PBF (Power Burst Facility, Refs. 5 and 7) PA1 GTRR (Georgia Tech Research Reactor, Ref. 8)
Beam Optimisation at a fifth reactor (the European High Flux Reactor in Petten, Netherlands) follows the same principles; see Ref. 9, p. 78. The Ref. 9 paper describes a concept for a multiple treatment room facility associated with a reactor using a low-enriched uranium-zirconium hydrite fuel and associated filters using solid plates, non-circulating D.sub.2 O, and water for coolant. The concept is to provide a low power reactor and use "power cycling" such as 10 minutes at full power and 50 minutes standby at 1% power, for example. Simultaneous treatment of patients in several treatment rooms would be accomplished during all or part of the full power mode, the duration being selectable to tailor treatment to each patient's need, and controlled by beam shutters.
What all these efforts have in common is that they start with an unsuitable neutron spectrum, consisting primarily of thermal neutrons, and then employ bulky external "filters" to shape the neutron spectrum for BNCT application. The primary task of these arrangements is to "filter" out the undesirable thermal neutron and to reduce the fast neutron and .gamma.-ray components of the leakage spectra.
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This invention relates generally to vehicle rearview mirror systems and, more particularly, to digital electrochromic rearview mirror systems.
Digital electrochromic mirror systems are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,721 entitled DIGITAL ELECTROCHROMIC MIRROR SYSTEM and U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,410 entitled DIGITAL ELECTROCHROMIC MIRROR SYSTEM, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Such systems are capable of controlling the reflectance level of an electrochromic element from the output of a microcomputer.
Various forms of vehicle communication systems have been developed including wired networks, or busses, operating one of several known protocols. These include a LIN (Local Interconnect Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a CAN (Car or Controlled Area Network), and the like. An advantage of such vehicle networks is that the wire harness to the mirror can be minimized to as few as three wires or so, yet provide a variety of functions. Wireless communication networks utilizing radio frequency and/or infrared communication for vehicles have also been proposed, such as those utilizing the BLUETOOTH protocol. Such wireless communication and the BLUETOOTH protocol are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Trainable garage door openers, such as a universal garage door opener available from Johnson Controls/Prince Corporation, Holland, Mich. under the trade name HOMELINK(trademark), include a transmitter for a universal home access system, which replaces the switch in a household garage door opener that opens/closes the garage door. A garage door opener communicating with a smart switch that is programmable to a household specific code that is of the rolling code type, such as is available from TRW Automotive, Farmington Hills, Mich. under the trade name KWIKLINK(trademark), is known to be mounted within vehicles. As described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613 B1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, the universal garage door opener HOMELINK(trademark) unit or the universal home access KWIKLINK(trademark) unit may be mounted at, within, or on an interior rearview mirror assembly. The KWIKLINK(trademark) system is a low-current device that can, optionally, be operated off of a battery source, such as a long-life lithium battery. It is also compact and lightweight as executed on a single- or double-sided printed circuit board.
The present invention provides a new and unique combination of a digital electrochromic mirror system, a vehicle accessory and a vehicle network, and, more particularly, a combination of a digital electrochromic mirror system, a garage door opener and a vehicle network. According to an aspect of the invention, a vehicular rearview mirror system includes a digital electrochromic mirror system having a digital drive circuit and an electrochromic reflective element. The reflective element assumes a partial reflectance level in response to a drive signal. The drive circuit provides a drive signal to the reflectance element. The mirror system further includes a garage door opener including a transmitter and a logic circuit. The logic circuit supplies signals to the transmitter for transmitting garage door opening signals. The mirror system further includes a microcontroller which defines, at least in part, the digital drive circuit and the logic circuit. In this manner, the digital electrochromic mirror system has components in common with the garage door opener. According to this aspect of the invention, the microcontroller communicates over a vehicle network with at least a module performing at least one other vehicle function. The vehicle network may have at least wired network connections and may further have wireless connections. The vehicle network may have a protocol selected from the group consisting of a LIN, a CAN, or a LAN.
According to this aspect of the invention, the digital drive circuit and the logic circuit may be mounted on a common circuit board. Power to the digital drive circuit and logic circuit may be supplied from a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery, that is separate from the vehicle ignition. The battery may be charged from a solar power system.
According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror system made up of an electrochromic reflective element, a housing for the electrochromic reflective element and a circuit board in the housing. The electrochromic reflective element assumes a partial reflectance level in response to a drive signal. A digital electrochromic drive circuit is provided on the circuit board and supplies a drive signal to the reflective element. The mirror system further includes a garage door opener. The garage door opener includes a transmitter and a logic circuit, at least one of which (and preferably, both) is on the circuit board, and share components with, the electrochromic drive circuit. The logic circuit supplies signals to the transmitter for transmitting garage door opening signals. The garage door opener may, optionally and preferably, also serve as a receiver or a transceiver for a tire pressure status monitoring/display system, such as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/513,941, filed Feb. 28, 2000, entitled TIRE INFLATION ASSISTANCE MONITORING SYSTEM, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/710,016, filed Nov. 10, 2000, entitled TIRE INFLATION ASSISTANCE MONITORING SYSTEM, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and thus have a dual tire pressure monitoring/display and garage door opener function. The mirror system further includes a microcontroller which defines, at least in part, the digital drive circuit and the logic circuit. The digital electrochromic mirror system has components in common with the garage door opener. The microcontroller communicates over a vehicle network with at least one module performing at least one other vehicle function.
These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art conventional Delay Locked Loop (DLL) 100. The main function of a DLL is to synchronize two clock signals by aligning their rising edges. An externally supplied clock signal CK is buffered by clock buffer 101 to provide a reference clock signal CKref that is coupled to a voltage controlled delay line (VCDL) 102 and a phase detector (PD) 104. The voltage controlled delay line 102 produces a DLL output clock signal CKout, which is a delayed version of CKref and is routed to various circuits within a device through a buffering structure referred to as a clock tree.
A feedback clock signal CKf is tapped at a terminal node of a branch of the clock tree or obtained by applying the output clock signal CKout to a replica of the clock tree branch, that is, a replica delay circuit 103 and fed back to the PD 104. The replica delay circuit 103 also known as a delay model or a clock tree branch replica, reproduces all delays added to the output clock signal CKout by the multi-stage buffering structure of the clock tree. The delays include all propagation delays through the logical gates and version of the feedback clock signal CKf is output at the end of every branch of the clock tree. The delay produced by the VCDL 102 is variable and controllable through a variable control voltage Vc applied to the VCDL 102. The ability to vary the delay produced by the VCDL 102 is used by the DLL 100 to synchronize the reference clock signal CKref and the feedback clock signal CKf by aligning the rising edges of the clock signals (CKref, CKf).
The phase detector 104 typically generates variable width pulses on the UP and DOWN output signals dependent on the phase difference between the reference clock signal CKref and the feedback clock signal CKf. The variable width pulses on the UP and DOWN output signals are integrated by a charge pump 105 and a loop filter 106 coupled to the output of the charge pump 105 in order to provide the variable control voltage Vc for the VCDL 102. The control voltage Vc determines the delay to be added to the reference clock signal CKref by the VCDL 102 to align the rising edges of the feedback clock signal CKf and reference clock signal CKref. Together, charge pump 105 and loop filter 106 constitute a control voltage generator 107.
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a typical control voltage Vc vs. controlled delay characteristic. The characteristic is non-linear and includes a flat region 202, an optimum region 200 and a steep region 204. In the flat region 202, a wide variation in the control voltage Vc is required for a relatively small delay range.
In the steep region 204, a small variation in the control voltage Vc provides a large delay range. Thus, the VCDL has a very high sensitivity in the steep region 204 because a small noise disturbance on the control voltage Vc results in a large variation in delay resulting in an increase in clock jitter. It is also more difficult to provide stable, non-oscillating loop operation with such a high sensitivity.
In the “optimum region” 200, the change in delay with respect to change in control voltage is moderate. Thus, the DLL 100 operates in the “optimum region” without oscillating, drifting or accumulating noise.
A lock point is any point in the characteristic to which a DLL can lock. There can be a plurality of lock points on the characteristic. The operating point is the lock point to which the DLL is locked during normal operation. One important aspect in designing a DLL is choosing the correct operating point in the characteristic and steering the DLL to reach and lock to that operating point quickly after power-up or reset. This process is typically referred to as DLL initialization. Proper initialization of the DLL ensures good DLL performance and a steady lock.
Selecting the correct operating point sets the control voltage Vc to a target voltage level related to a stable operation region. To ensure stable DLL operation, the DLL should be initialized to an operating point in the “optimum region” 200 of the VCDL delay vs. control voltage characteristic.
After the DLL has reached the operating point, the operating point can move due to changes in operating conditions such as temperature and power supply. Thus, another important aspect of DLL design is to keep the operating point within predetermined limits of the lock point on the delay vs. voltage characteristic while operating conditions change. The variation in the control voltage Vc is limited to the variation in power supply voltage at most, often the variation in the control voltage Vc is smaller than the variation in the power supply voltage. Therefore, the delay vs. control voltage characteristic shown in FIG. 2 is not infinite on both ends and it is possible that as operating conditions change, the operating point can drift to either the left or right limit of the characteristic and the DLL will eventually lose lock. This has a particularly high probability of occurring if the DLL is initialized to an operating point that is too close to either of the two ends of the characteristic.
It is preferable to lock the operating point to a lock point on the left side of the characteristic because this is the region with better noise immunity. However, if the operating point is too close to the left end of the characteristic, it is possible for the DLL to reach the left limit of the characteristic due to changes in operating conditions. This situation is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
FIG. 3A is a graph illustrating a lock point 300 that is close to the left end of the control voltage v. delay characteristic. FIG. 3B is a clock signal timing diagram corresponding to the control voltage v. delay characteristic in FIG. 3A. The operating point is at lock point 300 in nominal conditions. A range of delay 302 in the VCDL is required to compensate for variations in operating conditions. Referring to the clock signal timing diagram, the drift in the rising edge of the feedback clock signal CKf 304 corresponds to the range of delay 302 shown in the graph in FIG. 3A. The minimum delay 306 in the delay range 302 is beyond the full range of delays produced by the VCDL 310 as illustrated by the gap in the delay range 308. Thus, the operating point can move to the end of the VCDL range causing the DLL to lose lock.
Another potential risk is for the DLL to start searching for a lock point from a random point on the characteristic during start-up with no restriction on the search direction. As the externally supplied clock signal CK is free running, the initial phase relationship between the feedback clock signal CKf and the reference clock signal CKref after a reset or power-up is not known. Also, after power-up or reset, the position of the initial DLL unlocked operating point is unknown and can be anywhere on the characteristic. Thus, the VCDL delay can be initially increased or decreased dependent on whether the rising edge of the feedback clock signal CKf or the rising edge of the reference clock signal CKref is detected first by the PD 104 (FIG. 1). Therefore, the direction in which the VCDL delay is initially adjusted is unpredictable.
FIG. 4A is a graph illustrating an initial search for a lock point in a search direction that results in hitting the delay limit of the VCDL 102 (FIG. 1) before lock can be reached. FIG. 4B is a clock signal timing diagram corresponding to the search shown in FIG. 4A. The search for the lock point begins at random search point 400. If the DLL starts from a point close to an end of the characteristic and proceeds towards that end, it can hit the delay limit of the VCDL before lock can be reached. In the example shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, during initialization, the DLL unpredictably moves toward the nearest lock point 402 which is beyond the VCDL range and cannot be reached. For example, this situation can occur if the phase detector 104 (FIG. 1) initially produces UP/DOWN pulses that steer the DLL 100 in the direction of the closest lock point 402 that is beyond the VCDL range 310.
The range of the variable VCDL delay in a DLL is also important. Normally, the range of variable VCDL delay is calculated so that the smallest delay corresponds to a clock frequency somewhat higher than that which the DLL specification requires and the largest delay corresponds to a somewhat lower clock frequency. The variable VCDL delay is calculated in order to ensure margins. For a DLL that is designed to operate over a wide clock frequency range, that is, when the clock period is not a constant value and all the possible values are to be accommodated by the same VCDL, the VCDL has to produce an even wider range of delays. As a result, typically there are a number of possible lock points on the VCDL characteristic for a clock signal having a particular frequency. For higher clock frequencies, the VCDL can produce a delay that is longer than a multiple of the clock period. The goal is to lock to the point that can ensure a stable lock condition and low output clock jitter. In most cases, the delay range for the VCDL is chosen so that the number of possible lock points on the DLL characteristic is more than 2 but not more than about 3 to 5. If there are too many lock points they will co-exist together closely on the characteristic and, if disturbed by noise, the DLL can start to jump from one lock point to another, thereby temporarily losing lock.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid-liquid separating method for separating a slurry of a kind containing a mixture, of a liquid processing agent and solid particulate wastes, produced during a machining of metals, or of a kind produced during the wood working, into a solid component and a liquid component, and for solidifying the solid component to provide a compressed solidified product. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the solid-liquid separation referred to above and to the compressed solidified product so obtained from the solid-liquid separation and the subsequent compressing of the solid component.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is well known to those skilled in the art, during the practice of the various grinding processes such as, for example, honing, super processing and lapping, pulverized particles such as finely ground wastes are produced. Such pulverized particles are generally mixed with a processing liquid such as, for example, a liquid coolant to form a slurry or sludge, which is discharged out of the processing machine. The sludge so discharged is, in most cases, subjected to a solid-liquid separation with a filtering apparatus or a low pressure filter press so that the processing liquid separated from the pulverized particles can be recovered for reuse.
The solid-liquid separating method utilizing the filter or the low pressure filter press has been recognized to generate a processed sludge still having high content of liquid, resulting in such problems that not only can a sufficient amount of the processing liquid be recovered, but the sludge concentrated as a result of the solid-liquid separation cannot be recycled and is generally disposed of in land reclamation.
In order to alleviate the foregoing problems, the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-300597, published Oct. 30, 2001, for example, discloses formation of a solid briquette of the ground sludge. Specifically, this published patent document discloses, as shown schematically in FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings, supplying the concentrated sludge S′ into a cylindrical mold unit 51 and subsequently compressing the concentrated sludge S′ with a pressing rod 53 to provide a solid briquette. During the squeezing, one of opposite open ends of the mold 51 remote from the pressing rod 53 inserted into the mold unit 51 is closed by a gate 52, which is moved to an open position when the resultant solid briquette is to be discharged out of the mold unit 51. The sludge solidifying apparatus so discloses is currently utilized in practice.
The sludge solidifying apparatus including the cylindrical mold unit 51 and the pressing rod 53 such as disclosed in the above mentioned published patent document can work satisfactorily with the ground sludge made up of thread-like ground wastes that are relatively easy to entangle. However, such known sludge solidifying apparatus cannot work sufficiently with such sludge as sludge produced during honing, sludge produced during super-processing, sludge produced during lapping, and sludge produced during grinding of rolling elements such as, for example, bearing rollers and steel balls, because of the following reason.
Particulate wastes produced during those processes referred to above are finely divided and are so generally rounded as to render them to be difficult to entangle and, therefore, during the compression, some of them tend to flow out together with a liquid component through mechanical gaps δ1 and δ2 delimited between the mold unit 51 and the pressing rod 53 and between the mold unit 51 and the gate 52. In other words, while the standard ground wastes are so relatively large in particle size or represent such a thread-like shape as to render them to be easy to entangle, solidification of those standard ground wastes is easy to achieve without appreciably flowing out through the mechanical gaps δ1 and δ2 of the equipment, the sludge produced during the honing process contain the ground wastes so generally rounded as to render them to be difficult to entangle and, on the other hand, the sludge produced during the super processing and the lapping process are very finely divided. The sludge produced during the grinding of bearing rolling elements also contain finely divided ground wastes. For this reason, the conventional sludge solidifying apparatus referred to above cannot be satisfactorily used for solidifying or briquetting those sludge.
Not only does the flow of the ground wastes outwardly of the mold unit 51 through the mechanical gaps δ1 and δ2 discussed above render solidification or briquetting to be difficult to achieve, but the eventually recovered liquid component is still mixed with some of the ground wastes and, therefore, the processing liquid recovered cannot be reused satisfactorily, requiring the recovered processing liquid to be filtered even after the recovery thereof.
When it comes to the use of the ground sludge solidifying apparatus for solidifying or briquetting ground wastes such as produced during the honing process, an attempt is made to use a metallic filter held at a fixed position to thereby minimize or substantially avoid the undesirable flow of some of the ground waste outwardly through the mechanical gaps in the processing machine. However, it has been found that once the metallic filter is clogged, filtering no longer occurs and the metallic filter must be regularly replaced with a fresh one, requiring a complicated and time-consuming maintenance work.
As a method of treating the sludge other than that produced during the honing process, methods are known, in which a low pressure filter press and a sedimentation apparatus are used respectively. In the practice of the method using the low pressure filter press, a generally belt-shaped filter is used, through which the sludge is passed across the filter by the aid of a compressed air supplied into a sealed chamber.
However, both of those methods are incapable of reducing the liquid content of the sludge sufficiently. Specifically, the use of the sedimentation apparatus can barely reduce the liquid content down to about 50 to 80%. For these reasons, the efficiency of recovery of the processing liquid is so insufficient as to result in incapability of recycling the remaining concentrated sludge.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a method thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In business organizations, educational institutions, and administrative organizations, activities such as presentations, lessons, conferences, and lectures are performed on a daily basis by using a projection device such as a projector. A user of the projection device normally performs, for example, a presentation by projecting various images onto a white screen. However, if the images are projected while, for example, there are dirt or stains on the screen, the image projected onto the contaminated portion appears in a color different from the original color.
In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H11-313346 discloses a device for inspecting a projected video image that measures an optical quantity of a projected video image by comparing an optical quantity obtained by optical sensors arranged on a screen with an optical quantity of captured data of the video image, creates correction data by comparing chromaticity and illuminance values with reference data, and corrects the chromaticity and illuminance values of a video image projection device.
However, there has been the following problem. Whether the projected image projected onto the screen is corrected in lightness in a natural manner depends on a subjective judgment of a user. The device as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H11-313346 corrects the chromaticity and illuminance values by comparing the chromaticity and illuminance values with the reference data in a standardized manner. There has been a problem that the user cannot check whether the actually performed illuminance correction is really useful. In addition, the visibility of the projected image is low.
Therefore, there is a need for an image processing apparatus which is capable of improving a usability in lightness correction of a projected image and of improving the visibility of the projected image.
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A. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of wheels and push rings for wheelchairs. More particularly, this invention relates to a lightweight wheelchair including an injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic push rim
B. The Background Art
Typical prior art rear wheelchair wheels typically include a steel rim, a steel push ring, a steel hub, steel spokes, a rubber tire and tube, and a lever positionable against the tire to serve as a brake. Prior art wheelchair wheel assembles typically weigh 12 to 14 pounds per pair. Because users of wheelchairs frequently suffer from a weakened physical condition, this weight can be a great burden to both the user of the wheelchair and to other persons pushing or lifting the wheelchair. As a result, wheel assemblies have become a target for those interested in designing a lighter wheelchair. Aluminum alloy wheels including an aluminum push ring, an aluminum rim, an aluminum hub, steel spokes, a rubber tire and tube and brass nipples are the preferred light weight prior art wheel chair wheel assembly, usually weighing 71/2 to 9 pounds per pair. The wheelchair wheel assembly of the-present invention weighs only 5.5 pounds per pair, a 61% reduction in weight over prior art steel wheels assemblies and a 39% reduction in weight over aluminum alloy wheel assemblies. This weight reduction can result in substantial gains in mobility for the wheelchair user, not only in the use of the wheelchair, but also in lifting the wheelchair to place it into an automobile.
Another problem with prior art wheelchair wheel assemblies is that they transmit most vibrations and shock from the ground over which the wheelchair is travelling to the wheelchair rider, doing little to absorb such shock or vibration, particularly if a solid rather than a pneumatic tire is used. Vibrations and shocks are transmitted from the ground through the wheelchair wheel assembly and into the wheelchair frame jostling, shaking, vibrating and bouncing the rider in the wheelchair. Users of wheelchairs often suffer from pre-existing spinal injuries, pressure sores, skin abrasions, and other maladies and discomforts, as well as being generally injury-prone, and cannot tolerate the additional trauma of riding in a wheelchair that provides a bumpy, vibrating ride. The trauma of such a ride can aggravate existing conditions and cause further injury. The wheelchair wheels of this invention reduce the transmission of vibrations and shocks through a dampening action inherent in some materials such as fiber-reinforced plastic or composite materials.
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The present invention relates to a heat appliance and, more particularly, to a switching assembly for a heating appliance which operates in response to the door opening and closing operations of a heating appliance such as a microwave oven.
A conventional switching assembly for a heating appliance is as shown in FIG. 8, and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,269, entitled "COOKING APPLIANCE WITH SWITCHING ASSEMBLY" by Yasuhiro Sakoda.
Movable latch heads 20 and 21 are, respectively, held by pins 23 and 24, to allow free movement. The latch heads 20 and 21 are connected to a connector lever 25 by pins 26 and 27, respectively. The connector lever 25 is constantly biassed by a spring 28 in the direction of arrow A, and is movable vertically. A door handle 22 is coupled to the latch heads 20 and 21 with pins 29 and 30. When the door handle 22 is pulled in the direction of arrow B, the latch heads 20 and 21 turn counterclockwise around pivot pins 23 and 24. As a result, fingers 31 and 32 at the tips of the latch heads 20 and 21, respectively, moved in the direction of arrow C. Openings 33 and 34 which are provided on the front panel 35, allow the latch heads 20 and 21 to freely enter or leave the space behind the front panel 35. First and second switch base plates 37 and 38 are respectively secured to the upper and lower parts of the bent side wall 36 of the front panel 35. Latch hooks 39 and 40, engageable with the latch heads 20 and 21, are integrally secured to the first and second switch base plates 37 and 38 respectively. When the oven door 2 is closed, the latch heads 39 and 40, respectively, engage the fingers 31 and 32 of the latch heads 20 and 21, thus securely locking the oven door 2 of the microwave oven. The first switch base plate 37 is provided with a first safety switch 41 of a normally open type and a monitor switch 42 of a normally close type. The second switch base plate 38 is provided with a second safety switch 43 of a normally open type. The second safety switch 43 is a control switch and also functions as a heating switch in cooperation with a heating lever or operating lever 44. These switches 41, 42, and 43 are respectively built into the door locking mechanism so that they can be activated in conjunction with the latch heads 20 and 21, respectively. Thus, the monitor switch 42 is under the control of the L-shaped switch lever 45 which is movable by the depressing movement of the point of the latch head 20. A conventional door mechanism is, also, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,409, entitled "DOOR LATCHING ASSEMBLY", by Yasuhiro Sakoda.
In the conventional switching assembly, the L-shaped switching lever is additionally required for switching the first safety switch 41 and the monitor switch 42, thus requiring much labor during assembly, and making it difficult to reduce the cost and make the compact switching assembly.
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Environmental sensors in the form of optical fibers having a hollow core are known in the prior art. The hollow core of the fibers used for such sensors typically conducts light by way of a photonic band gap structure (PBG) surrounding the hollow core having a “forbidden frequency range” which corresponds to the wavelength of the light transmitted through the fiber, although hollow core fibers that conduct light via total internal reflection (TIR) for a specific range of wavelengths are also known. Such sensors may be used to sense the presence of a particular gas or liquid in the ambient environment, for example a threshold amount of carbon dioxide in the ambient air which may be indicative of a fire or other unsafe condition. In one prior art design, the hollow core of the optical fiber is exposed to the ambient atmosphere at one or both of the ends of the fiber to allow gases from the ambient atmosphere to continuously flow into a hollow core of the fiber. In operation, laser light having a wavelength which would be absorbed by the particular gas composition to be a detected is continuously conducted through the hollow core of the fiber. When such a gas is introduced into the open end of the fiber from the ambient atmosphere, it begins to flow through the hollow core, and the amplitude of the laser light transmitted through the core diminishes due to absorption of the light by the gas. In the case light transmitted through the core diminishes due to absorption of the light by the gas. In the case of the carbon dioxide example referred to earlier, the diminishment of the amplitude of the light below a certain threshold may be used to generate a signal that triggers a fire alarm circuit.
Such environmental sensors may be used to detect a broad variety of different gas compositions in the atmosphere, organic and inorganic particulates or vapor droplets, and even different liquid compositions when the fiber is immersed in a liquid. Hence such sensors have a broad applicability as detectors of not only combustion products or polluting or potentially toxic substances, but also as control or monitoring sensors in industrial manufacturing processes where the control of the composition of a particular gas or liquid is required.
Unfortunately, there are a number of shortcomings associated with such prior art optical fiber environmental sensors. As previously pointed out, access to the ambient environment is provided only at one or both of the ends of the fiber, where the relatively tiny diameter of the hollow portion is exposed to the outside atmosphere. Such restricted access to the hollow core of the sensor fiber results in a relatively long response time for such a sensor to detect a particular “target” gas or liquid. For example, for a known optical fiber sensor having a length of 21 cm, a response time of 2 minutes is required from the time that the target gas or liquid is first introduced into the hollow core of the fiber before the fiber sensor generates a signal indicating that the target gas or liquid is present. Such a long response time substantially limits the usefulness of such sensors in many applications, such as chemical manufacturing applications, where a 2 minute delay may result in the irretrievable ruin of a production run of an expensive composition.
Thus far, no satisfactory way to shorten the response time for such sensors has been found. Of course, the length of the optical fiber sensor could be shortened, but such shortening not only reduces the sensitivity of the sensor (as sensitivity is proportional to the total volume of the hollow core) but also makes it apt to generate false positives (as a single tendril of cigarette smoke curling around a 1 cm smoke detector may trigger it).
Another solution to shorten the response time might be to make the diameter of the fiber air core larger. Such a solution might be implemented by using capillary tubes with hollow cores having a diameter on the order of 1.0 mm that conduct light via grazing incidence scattering rather than by the use of TIR or a PBG. However, such capillary tube optical waveguides have high light losses of over 1 dB/m, which imposes practical limits on the length of such a sensor, and are also relatively stiff and inflexible, which prevents them from being installed in space-limited situations where a sharp bending or tight coiling of the sensor is desired. To reduce the losses associated with such a capillary tube design, the hollow interior of the tube might be coated with alternating layers of materials having sharply different indexes of refraction, thereby creating a Bragg reflector, or a single layer of a material having an index of refraction less than air. However, such coated capillary tubes would be substantially more expensive to manufacture than drawn optical fibers. Additionally, the losses would still be greater than 0.5 dB/m, and the problems associated with stiffness and inflexibility would remain. In addition, many optical sensing operations rely on nonlinear optical effects (Raman spectroscopy, for example) for which the sensitivity is proportional to the intensity (power per area) of the optical signal. A larger optical core will cause the intensity of the light in the core to decrease by a factor proportional to the square of the diameter of the core thereby reducing the device sensitivity by the same factor.
Finally, it has been proposed to laser drill a plurality of circular side holes in the fiber to better expose the hollow core to the ambient atmosphere. While such a solution may shorten the response time of the fiber sensor, the resulting response time would still be unacceptably long due the fact that access to the hollow core is still quite limited. Additionally, there is a concern in the prior art that such radially-oriented side openings create “light leaks” that limit the number of side openings that can be fabricated in such a fiber before the resulting losses become unacceptably high.
Clearly, what is needed is an optical waveguide environmental sensor that maintains the low losses, flexibility and ease of manufacture associated with optical fibers, but which substantially reduces the response time associated with fiber-based environmental sensors that rely upon a relatively small number of end or side holes to expose the hollow core of the fiber to the ambient environment.
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To diagnose a disease, a physician often looks for the appearance of a chemical marker in a patient. The chemical marker is a specific compound that is expressed in either abnormally high or low amounts during the course of an illness. A clinician examines a patient's plasma and/or cerebrospinal fluid using an assay specifically designed to quantitatively determine the concentration of the marker. A physician observing unusual concentrations of the marker understands that the patient may be suffering from an associated illness.
L-lactate is a chemical marker that is associated with a number of pathological states which result from a reduced oxygenation of biological fluids. Shock, pneumonia and congestive heart failure produce increased levels of L-lactate in plasma. One observes abnormally high cerebrospinal fluid levels of L-lactate as the result of bacterial meningitis, hypocapnia and cerebral ischemia.
Scientists have developed a number of enzymatic assays for the quantitative determination of L-lactate in biological solutions. The most commonly used assay is based on the enzymatic conversion of lactate to pyruvate (Scheme 1). See U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,763. L-lactate is oxidized to pyruvate by lactate oxidase (LOD). The resulting hydrogen peroxide is utilized by peroxidase (POD), which induces the coupling of a hydrogen donor and a coupling agent; a colored dye (chromogen) is formed. The concentration of the chromogen is measured spectrophotometrically. Because the concentration of chromogen is directly proportional to the concentration of lactate in the initial solution, one can calculate an observed lactate concentration. ##EQU1##
Clinical L-lactate assays are primarily performed by technicians in hospital laboratories. These assays are usually not run as part of a routine panel of tests. Where a patient is suffering from a reduced oxygenation of biological fluids, there is a critical need for an immediate diagnosis. Accordingly, a technician must be able determine L-lactate concentrations as quickly and efficiently as possible.
There are several steps that a technician takes to run an enzyme based, spectrophotometric assay for L-lactate. First a proper wavelength for the spectrophotometric measurement of the chromogen is chosen. Second, a "calibration factor" is established that allows the mathematical conversion of the spectrophotometric measurement of the chromogen to an observed L-lactate concentration. Plasma or cerebrospinal fluid sample from a patient is collected and prepared for testing. Finally, the prepared sample is mixed with the proper enzymatic reagents and there is a spectrophotometric measurement of the absorbence of radiation by the chromogen.
The technician establishes the calibration factor for L-lactate concentration by correlating the original concentration of L-lactate in a sample with the amount of radiation absorbed by the resulting chromogen. To establish this correlation, one has to be able to separate out the absorbence of the chromogen from the absorbence of other components in the assay system. This process can be represented by Scheme 2. ##EQU2##
The technician combines known concentrations of the assay reagents: lactate oxidase, peroxidase, a hydrogen donor, a coupling agent, and any other chemical element needed to perform the spectrophotometric determination. An aliquot is removed from the reagent combination and absorbence is read on a spectrophotometer. To the stock reagent solution, the technician adds a predetermined amount of L-lactate and allows the enzymatic reactions providing the chromogen to proceed until they are essentially complete. An aliquot of the chromogen containing solution is then removed and a second absorbence reading on the spectrophotometer is taken. The difference between the technician's final and initial spectrophotometric readings is the "calibration factor."
A technician can employ a single set of reagents over an extended period of time; 90 days is not unusual where the technician refrigerates the open containers. Because the reagents are not stable, the calibration factor must be determined frequently during this time period. If one could calculate the calibration factor for a reagent set once, and then use that number for every spectrophotometric assay run with the reagent set, a substantial amount of time in performing an L-lactate assay would be saved. This time savings would allow a physician to more quickly and efficiently interpret the assay results and render a diagnosis.
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German Published Patent Application No. 31 18 425 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,981) describes a method and a device for controlling an internal combustion engine, in the case of which the fuel quantity injected into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine and the supply onset (start of pump delivery) or the onset of injection is detected by means of a pressure sensor. If the differentiated output signal exceeds a threshold value, the onset of injection is recognized. In the case of zero passage for the twice differentiated pressure signal, end of injection is recognized. A fuel-quantity signal results on the basis of the difference between the onset of injection and the end of injection.
An arrangement for detecting the beginning of injection in the case of a diesel internal-combustion engine is likewise known from German Published Patent Application No. 36 12 808 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,700). It describes detecting the beginning of injection when the output signal from a pressure sensor exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is formed in dependence upon the peak value of the pressure signal from the preceding injections.
A disadvantage of these methods and devices is that the interference pulses in the pressure signal are recognized as injection-onset or as end-of-injection signals. This, in turn, leads to faulty fuel metering or, in devices where the fuel-quantity signal is used as an injection-duration signal for additional control devices, leads to faulty controlling of the additional devices, such as, for example, of the exhaust-gas recirculation rate.
An object of the present invention, in the case of a method and a device for controlling an internal combustion engine, is to distinguish interference pulses from the useful signal.
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The present invention relates to secondary containment systems for above-ground tanks for holding hazardous and non-hazardous materials such as petroleum products, solvents, paint thinners or any other liquid which would cause an environmental problem if released into the ground. It is particularly useful for flammable liquids; that is, those with a flashpoint below 100.degree. F.
Recently-adopted regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency require that above-ground tanks be provided with a secondary containment device to catch and retain any spills or leaks from the primary above-ground tank. Known products for this purpose have taken the form of a large open-topped tub, usually called a dike, into which the primary tank is placed. While this arrangement permits leaks and overfills to be caught and prevented from contaminating the ground, such leaks and overspills are exposed to the atmosphere and may be contaminated by rain, snow or trash thrown into the open tub. If the leaked or overfilled product is otherwise usable, such contamination would render it not usable, such that it must be treated as hazardous waste, rather than valuable, usable product. For waste products, such contamination may make the purification, recycling or other handling of the products more difficult.
In addition, exposing such leaked or spilled products to the atmosphere in an open tank may contribute to atmospheric pollution, since many such products are volatile and will evaporate from an open-topped dike, thereby contributing to smog and other air pollution. Furthermore, spilled volatiles held in an open-topped dike pose an explosion hazard. In one case, in which gasoline leaked from a tank into an open-topped dike evaporated, the vapor travelled in the prevailing wind a mile to a mobile home park, where a water heater pilot light caused an explosive ignition. The flame travelled the route back to the storage tank on a trail of vapor, engulfing the tank in flames. Even when evaporation does not lead to such tragic circumstances, economic loss due to the simple loss of product through vaporization is an undesirable feature of open-topped dike secondary containment devices.
The safety aspect of the storage of flammable materials has long been regulated. Materials are classed as flammable by the National Fire Protection Association if they have a flashpoint below 100.degree. F. Examples are gasoline and kerosene. Materials with a flashpoint at or above 100.degree. F. such as motor oils, transmission fluids, hydraulic oil, paraffin or synthetic base lubricating oils, No. 2 fuel oil, No. 4 fuel oil and cutting oil are classed as combustible materials since they have flashpoints above 100.degree. F. The lower flashpoints of flammable materials makes them more likely to ignite with explosive or burning results than combustible materials. Also, the lower flashpoints usually mean that the vapor pressure of a flammable material will be higher at a given temperature than for a combustible material. These two attributes of flammable materials, capability of exploding and increased vapor pressure, have caused safety agencies such as the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) to adopt well-recognized standards applicable to tanks for holding flammable materials. That is, in order to be approved for such use by those agencies (and regulatory authorities such as OSHA, U.S.D.O.T., and local building codes which have adopted NFPA Standard 30 and UL Standard 142 as their own), the tanks must be tested to withstand 5 to 7 psig, among other requirements. Thus, a tank for holding flammable liquids must be designed and constructed to meet those standards in order to be commercially practical for holding flammable liquids.
Accordingly, there is an need in the art for a secondary containment device for above-ground primary holding tanks for both raw materials and hazardous waste, which overcomes the problems of contamination of product, undue exposure of the atmosphere to polluting or hazardous volatiles and vapor spilled product.
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The present embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance antenna.
Magnetic resonance devices may operate with a plurality of different antennas (e.g., coils) for emitting radio-frequency pulses for the purpose of exciting nuclear magnetic resonance and/or for receiving induced magnetic resonance signals. A magnetic resonance device may include a relatively large, permanently installed coil (e.g., a whole-body coil) and a plurality of small local coils (e.g., surface coils). In contrast to the whole-body coil, the local coils serve to provide detailed imaging of parts of the body and/or organs of a patient that are located relatively close to the surface of the body. The local coils are applied directly at a region of the patient that is to be examined.
When such a local coil is used, radio-frequency pulses may be transmitted using the whole-body coil permanently installed in the magnetic resonance device, and the induced magnetic resonance signals are received using the local coil. In order to enable an interaction between the individual coils to be suppressed, the receive coil may be detuned in the transmit phase, and the transmit coil may be detuned in the receive phase. Detuning entails shifting a natural resonance frequency of the respective coil or antenna in such a way that the shifted resonance frequency lies outside a range of an operating magnetic resonance frequency. An antenna detuned in this manner ideally behaves neutrally, with the result that the antenna is transparent to the radio-frequency pulses emitted by the other coil and/or to the induced magnetic resonance signals.
Magnetic resonance antennas having a birdcage structure are widely used as a whole-body coil. Such an antenna has a plurality of parallel-running longitudinal antenna rods arranged on a cylinder-like surface. The parallel-running longitudinal antenna rods are interconnected in radio-frequency terms at ends of the parallel-running longitudinal antenna using antenna ferrules or rings. The longitudinal antenna rods and antenna ferrules may be embodied in an arbitrary shape. The longitudinal antenna rods and antenna ferrules may be formed, for example, by conductor tracks that may be applied on a flexible conductor track foil and arranged in a cylinder shape around a measurement space, in which an examination subject is contained during an examination. In the case of a whole-body coil, for example, the birdcage structure encloses a patient-receiving chamber, in which a patient is positioned during a measurement.
An antenna having a birdcage structure may be detuned by detuning the antenna ferrules, the longitudinal antenna rods, or both. In such a detuning process, a resonant inductance is interrupted or a resonant capacitance bridged and/or short-circuited, for example, using a suitable radio-frequency switching element.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,551 that radio-frequency switching elements are used in order to detune radio-frequency switching elements inside a magnetic resonance antenna, the radio-frequency switching elements being arranged in a region of a geometric center along a length of longitudinal antenna rods of the magnetic resonance antenna.
It is also known that a transformation of a short-circuit via radio-frequency feed cables to an antenna ferrule is effected in order to detune the natural resonance of the magnetic resonance antenna.
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Electric motors can generate considerable heat, thereby making motor cooling difficult, especially if the electric motor in question is used as the traction motor of an electric or hybrid vehicle where size and weight constraints are coupled with the need for high motor output. In addition to being efficient, the means used to cool the motor must be capable of operating in a variety of environments since the motor in a vehicle is typically subjected to a wide range of ambient temperatures, humidity levels and dust/dirt levels. Lastly, in order to avoid excessive wear due to differential thermal expansion, it is important to cool the internal motor components, such as the rotor, as well as the outer motor components, such as the casing and stator.
A variety of approaches have been taken to meet the cooling demands placed on a vehicle's electric motor. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,511 discloses using a closed loop, liquid cooling circuit to try and achieve a temperature balance within the motor, the cooling circuit passing the coolant through both the stator and a hollow rotor shaft. Within the hollow rotor shaft is a stationary injection tube, the injection tube fixed to the stator flange. The coolant is pumped through the injection tube to the end of the rotor shaft where it is driven back between the injection tube and the hollow rotor. The coolant then passes through a cylindrical cooling chamber extending over the length and periphery of the stator before cooling the stator structure and being returned to the injection tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,731 discloses a liquid cooled electric motor in which one of the main elements of the planetary gear drives the displacement pump of the cooling circuit. The coolant is driven through a stationary tube about which the hollow rotor shaft rotates. The coolant then passes between the stationary tube and the hollow rotor shaft before passing through a radiator incorporated into the motor and planetary gear casing.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,195 discloses an electric motor in which the liquid coolant is collected within the reduction gear case, not the motor case, thus avoiding deterioration and alteration of the motor magnets. The coolant from the reservoir is pumped through the end of a passage in the drive shaft where it flows toward the motor. Part of the coolant is sprayed onto the reduction gears while the rest of the coolant is pumped between the drive shaft and the reduction gear shaft and the motor output shaft.
Co-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,489,057 and 7,579,725 disclose a cooling system and method of use, respectively, utilizing a hollow rotor shaft. A coolant feed tube, rigidly attached to the hollow rotor shaft, pumps coolant into the rotor while rotating at the same rate as the rotor shaft. When the coolant exits the end of the feed tube it flows against the inside surface of the closed end of the rotor shaft where it is forced to change direction and flow back through the space between the outer surface of the feed tube and the inner surface of the hollow rotor shaft. After passing through the rotor shaft, the coolant is expelled through the open end of the rotor.
While the prior art discloses a number of techniques for cooling an electric motor, specifically the rotor of an electric motor, a robust, reliable, high efficiency cooling system that is straightforward and cost effective to manufacture and install is desired. The present invention provides such a rotor and cooling assembly.
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Various strategies are employed by corporations to generate sales. Most typically, a corporation makes known its ability to produce certain goods through advertisements such as, newspaper ads, television ads, magazine ads, internet ads and directed mailings, among others. Once an initial sales lead is developed and/or a first sale finalized, maintaining customer relationships is critical to the continuation of the sales process. Therefore, an individual within a corporation's sales staff is typically assigned the task of supporting an individual customer. While at least one salesperson is typically assigned to each active customer, a customer may be supported by multiple salespersons. In addition, each salesperson may support zero, one, or multiple individual customers at any given time.
Throughout the customer relationship, salespersons may periodically notify assigned customers of established services, new service offers and general interest information, thereby maintaining open lines of communication and facilitating potential sales. Salespersons may also provide customers with status reports concerning customer-initiated requests and completed reports in reply to such requests. However, manually collating and tracking each of these customer-salesperson interactions is problematic, as the customer may deal with various salespersons from time-to-time, each of whom would have coordinate their efforts. Further, a customer may interact with various other representatives of the sales corporation, compounding the effort needed to collate and track customer-corporate representative interactions.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications offer sales corporations improved sales performance and management of customer relationships as compared to manual tracking of customer-corporate representative interactions. Conventional CRM applications gather, collate and store data from corporate records created during customer-corporate representative interactions, such as, service telephone calls to a customer assistance center, sales transactions, and web site registration and usage. These conventional sales-force automation applications utilize the data that has been stored in corporate records to generate customized sales letters and facilitate access by salespersons to the stored information. Conventional sales-force automation applications also assist in the development of new sales leads, the sharing of information among/across sales staff, marketing staff and other corporate staff, and the storing of a customer's personal information. Analytical CRM Applications mine the data stored in corporate records for patterns and suggest appropriate, targeted marketing campaigns and sales pitches.
However, customers may communicate with a sales corporation in ever increasing manners via ever increasing methods, such as, e-mail, asynchronous on-line discussion groups (i.e., bulletin-boards/netnews and list servs), synchronous on-line discussion groups (a.k.a., real-time chat rooms), and on-line instant messaging, among others. Conventional CRM applications do not make provisions for the collection of customer data communicated via these on-line communication channels. Further, on-line requests for information from a customer may be responded to automatically by an electronic agent operated by the corporation. Accordingly, a salesperson assigned to a customer that communicates via such an on-line channel may be unaware of numerous customer interactions with the corporation. Such a lack of information may lead to gaps in corporate knowledge, resulting in non-existent communication or repetitive, unfocused communications with customers by salespersons. As a result customer relationships may be damaged and sales opportunities lost.
As such, it is important that a corporation and its sales force have the ability to automatically monitor communication to and from the corporation's customers across all communication channels. In this way, salespersons can remain knowledgeable of customers' interests and concerns, thereby increasing sales and marketing efficiency.
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1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to object serialization. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and computer program products to serialize custom user interface objects in custom serialization formats.
2. Background and Related Art
In a broad sense, serialization is the conversion of an object from one representation or format to another. Serialization generally implies a two way process: converting an object from an initial representation to some other representation, and then converting that other representation back to the initial representation. Although at times, converting back to the initial representation may be referred to as deserialization, serialization is a generic term that encompasses both the initial conversion of the initial representation and the subsequent conversion back to the initial representation.
For example, in-memory or live objects may be serialized to persistent or transient objects that are suitable for durable storage or transmission over a network. Currently, it is common practice to use eXtensible Markup Language (XML) as a serialization format for both storage and data transmission. Once stored or transmitted, the XML representation of the object may be serialized (or deserialized) from the XML representation back to an in-memory or live object. The software that performs serialization typically is called a serializer.
Code generation is another example of serialization. FIG. 1 illustrates an example visual user interface designer 100 with an in-memory or live user interface object 110. Visual user interface designer 100 allows a user to define the visual appearance of a user interface object and then generate a source code representation of the user interface object that can be compiled and included within a program. In this example, user interface object 110 is a simple about box, with a title 112 that identifies the object as an about box, window controls 114 for minimizing, maximizing and closing the about box, text 116, and an OK button 118 for dismissing the about box. Typical visual user interface designers generate code similar to the pseudo code that is shown in Table I.
TABLE IClass About : form {label text;Button OK;public About( ) {text = new label( );OK = new Button( );text.location = new Point(0,0);text.text = “. . .”;OK.location = new Point (100, 130);OK.text = “OK”Controls.Add(OK);Controls.Add(Text);}}
The pseudo code in Table I illustrates several problems with conventional serialization within a visual user interface designer. First, conventional serialization within a visual user interface designer typically is limited to a single serialization format, such as code generation. While code generation is certainly a significant purpose for the visual user interface designer, other types of serialization may be desired. For example, an XML representation of the About box may be desirable, perhaps as a universal format that allows user interface objects created in one visual user interface designer to be imported into another visual user interface designer. However, conventional serialization within a visual user interface designer has been tightly coupled with a single format and has not allowed for different serialization formats.
A second problem illustrated by the pseudo code in Table I is that conventional serialization within a visual user interface designer typically produces a new class, like the new About class shown in Table I. For code generation, this is generally the desired behavior because it allows for straightforward interaction with member objects within the new class. However, for many operations, creating a new class when serializing leads to inefficiencies. For example, during much of the design time, only the visual representation of an object is relevant or is most relevant—source code is only necessary when the visual representation is saved to disk. Table It illustrates an equivalent representation for the pseudo code shown in Table I. The difference being that Table I creates a new type, whereas Table II configures an existing type. This second representation may not be useful as finished source code, but can be used within the visual designer as a generic way to persist live object state for features such as undo or copy and paste.
TABLE IIForm About = new form( );label text = new label( );Button OK = new Button( );text.location = new Point(0,0);text.text = “. . .”;OK.location = new Point (100, 130);OK.text = “OK”About.Controls.Add(OK);About.Controls.Add(Text);
A third problem is that conventional serialization within a visual user interface designer generally is limited in how serializers are extended for new types and/or new serialization formats. While it was possible to call a serialization provider for a new type or format, conventional serialization required a metadata attribute to be compiled into a type for the serialization provider to be known. Accordingly, recompilation is required to provide new serialization formats and to serialize new object types that were not preconceived by an object's developer. Aside from being inconvenient, recompilation may not be possible in some circumstances, such as when third party objects are serialized.
Of course, it should be noted that a visual user interface designer is merely one example of software that generates code for a graph of objects. In many circumstances, code generation may be the fastest and most efficient way to recreate a graph of objects. As illustrated above, however, conventional serialization, particularly where code generation is concerned, suffers from various shortcomings that limit its usefulness.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a cartridge which can be mounted in the image forming apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
A tandem type image forming apparatus has photoconductors, exposure units, developing units, and transfer units, each corresponding to the number of colors (for example, four colors of magenta, cyan, yellow and black). When the photoconductors, the developing units, and the like are replaced and maintained, or when a jam process is performed, it is necessary to remove the photoconductors, the developing units, and the like from an image forming apparatus body.
An image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2001-272899 has processing units constituted corresponding to the number of colors and guides for sliding the process units. Each processing unit has photoconductors, a developing unit, and the like. Each processing unit is slidable horizontally along each guide to be quickly attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus body. At the time of maintenance or replacement, only a necessary processing unit which requires maintenance or replacement may be removed.
However, in the image forming apparatus, in case of performing a maintenance of a member located inside the processing unit when, for example, a conveying belt for conveying a paper sheet is replaced or a jam process is performed, it is necessary to draw out the processing unit entirely from the image forming apparatus body. Accordingly, the efficiency of the maintenance is low.
Further, the guide is formed to move the processing unit in parallel with the front surface of the conveying belt, etc. Accordingly, in some cases, the photoconductor or the like provided in the processing unit and the conveying belt or the like are slidably contacted with each other to be damaged.
To solve such a problem, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2003-015378 has a cartridge which is configured of integrated processing units provided corresponding to the number of colors, and is attachable and detachable. According to this image forming apparatus, all of the processing units can be drawn out at a time by drawing the cartridge from the image forming apparatus body. Therefore, its maintenance efficiency is better as compared with the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2001-272899.
Furthermore, after the cartridge is once moved in a direction separating the photoconductor from the belt, the cartridge is drawn out from the image forming apparatus body by sliding the cartridge horizontally with the body. Accordingly, it can prevent the photoconductor and the conveying belt or the like from being brought into slidable contact with each other.
However, since in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2003-015378, a guiding mechanism, or the like for guiding the cartridge is complicated, its cost is high. Further, since an operation is necessary to separate the photoconductor from the belt before the cartridge is drawn out, its operability or maintenance efficiency is not good.
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The present invention generally relates to a switching arrangement, and more particularly, to a switch unit including a first switch mechanism and a second switch mechanism which are respectively controlled for opening and closing by corresponding two kinds of operating members.
Generally, in motor vehicles for example, when a windshield washer solution is discharged, with driving of windshield wipers interrupted, it is preferable that the windshield wipers are immediately started to be driven for efficient wiping. However, if a switch for discharing the windshield washer solution is provided separately from a switch for driving the windshield wipers as in the conventional arrangements, it becomes necessary to operate the windshield wiper driving switch after having manipulated the windshield washer solution discharging switch, and thus, the operations of the switches are complicated, and moreover, spaces occupied by these switches become considerably large. For overcoming the disadvantages as described above, there has conventionally been proposed an arrangement in which the windshield wiper driving switch is associated in its function with the windshield washer solution discharging switch. The known arrangement as described above, however, still has such drawbacks that not only the mechanism required for the associated function complicates the construction of the switch unit, with a consequent high cost, but the spaces occupied by the respective switches are undesirably increased.
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Many mobile computing devices include computing processors that can download and execute applications. Some mobile computing devices include sensors that can take sensor measurements. Example sensors include a location sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or the like. Some applications may monitor sensor measurements to determine context. For example, an application may monitor the location sensor to determine a location of the mobile computing device. An application may monitor the accelerometer to determine a number of steps that a user of the device may have traversed during a day. Some application developers spend vast amounts of time writing code, so that their applications can determine context.
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Extruded pipes made from polyolefin polymers are well known for a variety of industrial applications. Typically they are used in the building industry for domestic (e.g. potable) water pipes, radiator pipes, floor-heating pipes and for similar applications in ship building etc. Such pipes can also be used as district heating pipes and as process pipes in the food industry etc. Other applications include the conveyance of gaseous fluids and slurries.
The polyolefin used in extruded pipes is often crosslinked, as this provides a number of advantages. Such advantages include, but are not limited to, long term stability including oxidation resistance, which assists in meeting current codes and standards for potable water applications, flexibility in installation including a “memory effect”, etc. Crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) is commonly used for plastic pipes. There are several varieties of PEX that utilize a number of different crosslinking chemistries and processing technologies. Various PEX grades further contain other additives such as antioxidants and/or stabilizer packages in different concentrations and combinations. Three known varieties of PEX for pipe applications are PEX-a, PEX-b, and PEX-c.
In the PEX-a process (“Engel Method”), the cross-linking is induced by peroxide under the influence of heat and high pressure. The resultant PEX-a composition is crosslinked through carbon-carbon bonds to form the cross-linked polymer network. The PEX-a crosslinking process occurs in the melted stage, as opposed to the primary crosslinking processes for PEX-b and PEX-c. The primary reaction is the formation of free radicals upon decomposition of the peroxide, which has to be present by definition for PEX-a, and subsequently, the free radical abstracts hydrogens from the PE polymer chains. The latter gives new carbon radicals, which next combines with neighboring PE chains to form stable carbon-carbon bonds, i.e., crosslinks. The crosslinking, which is considered to be homogeneous and uniform for PEX-a, gives degrees of crosslinking (typically referred to as CCL) in the range of 70-90% for practical applications. Requirement for CCL is to be above 70% for PEX-a as defined in ASTM International Standard for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing, F 876-10 (approved Feb. 1, 2010). The PEX-a process may therefore be used to produce good quality pipes.
In the PEX-b process, the crosslinking is induced by moisture and heat over extended pre-determined times typically conducted in a “Sauna atmosphere”. The most commonly used methods are referred to as the Sioplas (two-steps), and the Monosil (one step) methods, respectively. In the Sioplas method, a silane, such as for example a vinylsilane is grafted to a HDPE resin prior to pipe extrusion. In the Monosil method, a silane is blended with the HDPE resin during pipe extrusion. In both methods, which are chemically different in the pre-crosslinking steps, the fundamental principle for the actual crosslinking are practically identical, i.e., the crosslinking occurs in a secondary post-extrusion process that is accelerated by a combination of heat and moisture. The latter combination is the active “reagent”, which is involved in the primary hydrolysis and condensation reaction. In principle, the extruded pipe is exposed to hot water and a steam bath. A fundamental difference to PEX-a, is that for PEX-b, the resultant crosslinks are not between carbon-carbon bonds, but instead, oxygen-silicon covalent bonds (siloxane “bridges”) are formed. In comparison with PEX-a, the crosslink density (CCL) are somewhat lower for PEX-b (65-70%), and the crosslinking is also less uniform.
In the PEX-c process, the crosslinking is commonly referred to as a “cold” method. In the PEX-c process, no chemicals are needed in order to facilitate the crosslinking process, but instead high energy electron beam (EB) irradiation is utilized to create the free radicals necessary for the hydrogen abstraction and subsequent crosslinking to take place. The high energy electron beams are non-selective, i.e., chemical bonds are cleaved in an un-controlled fashion. The latter has the consequence of creating side reactions, together with the reaction aimed for, i.e., the crosslinking of HDPE. The crosslinking density for PEX-c is typically in the 70-75% range, and caution has to be taken with irradiation time since a too long exposure may give discolored products and/or brittleness. PEX-c has been successfully used for many years despite the somewhat challenging production conditions.
Another possible crosslinking process is ultra violet (UV) curing, i.e., photoinduced crosslinking, where a pipe formulation comprising a combination of a polyolefinic polymer such for example polyethylene, a photoinitiator, a co-agent, and a stabilizer package, is exposed to UV radiation to form a crosslinked polymer. In the case where polyethylene is utilized, the final product is a PEX pipe. UV curing is generally considered to be a “green” and environmentally friendly technology, since no solvents are used in the process and no emission of volatile chemicals takes place.
One major challenge that occurs with all extruded pipes used for drinking water applications is the potential issue with leaching of the various additives from the polymer pipe matrix. The various additives which include initiators, stabilisers, co-agents, processing aids, antioxidants, etc. may leach from the polymer matrix over time and can become available to contaminate the fluid contents flowing within the pipe. This problem is a particular issue in cases such as drinking water applications and industry standards exist which quantify the allowable safe levels of leaching of materials from the pipe over a period of time for such applications. The various additives are required to be present in the pipe when manufacturing it in order to facilitate processing of the pipe when extruding the raw material polymer and also to ensure structural integrity and resistance to ageing etc. of the finished pipe. At the same time, the very presence of these materials presents a challenge since these materials may leach from the polymer matrix over a period of time.
The use of plastics pipes in drinking water applications is a challenge as described above. One difficulty is the requirement to find the right stabiliser or combination of stabilizers that gives sufficient long-term stability. One measure of this stability is chlorine resistance according to the standard ASTM F2023. At the same time, the stabilizers, anti-oxidants, photoinitiators, co-agents, and other additives, should not generate too high levels of remaining residuals in the final pipe products, which would make it impossible to meet the standards required for drinking water pipes (in North America this is the NSF 61 standard). However, we have found a novel combination of a specific processing method, i.e., co-rotating twin screw technology and photo-induced crosslinking, which if combined with the novel chemical approach presented in the present invention, produces crosslinked polyolefinic pipes that meets and exceeds the current standards applied for plastic pipes utilized for drinking water applications, such as crosslinked polyethylene (PEX).
A stabiliser package is typically needed to ensure the pipes have practical utility. However, stabilisers also have a tendency to leach from plastics pipes over a period of time. Stabilisation of thermoplastic polymers is usually accomplished by melt blending with one or more stabilisers. In this way a heterophase polymer/stabiliser system is formed, which may be best described as a physical dispersion of a low molecular weight stabiliser in a polymer matrix. The vast majority of commercial stabiliser compounds have very different chemical structure from that of the non-polar host thermoplastic polymer. For this reason, the compatibility of various conventional stabilisers with polyolefins is generally poor, thereby leading to migration i.e. leaching of admixed stabilisers across the boundary of the polyolefin with neighbouring fluids, liquids, gases or solid materials. This loss of stabiliser substantially shortens the lifetime of the polyolefin. Of more concern is the fact that the migration of stabilisers into drinking water (potable water) can also have unpredictable and potentially toxic effects on consumers. We have previously developed a stabiliser package that is suitable for use in drinking water pipes, as is described in WO 2010/138816.
A method for studying stabiliser migration involves immersing the pipe in boiling water with subsequent measurement of the oxidation induction time (OIT) level, which gives an indication of how much active stabiliser is remaining in the pipe and measures how easily the stabiliser is able to leach out of the pipe wall.
Similarly, other additives such as crosslinking agents are required in order to ensure the structural integrity of the pipes in the senses of both their immediate ability to withstand pressure from fluid being transported within, and to ensure their overall long-term performance. The long-term performance of plastics pipes is typically evaluated using the Standard Extrapolation Method (SEM) test of ISO 9080 (e.g. in Europe) or the ASTM D 2837 method (e.g. in North America). These methods involve testing pipes that are pressurised at elevated temperatures and measures the time to burst at different stress levels. Considerable research effort has been focused on so-called stage III ruptures, which take place when the stabiliser package has ceased to be effective or if the degree of crosslinking is insufficient.
EP 0 490 854 B1 describes the use of double screw extruders in combination with UV irradiation to produce crosslinked polyethylene pipes such as those intended for hot water applications. This document discloses specific photoinitiators for achieving crosslinking to enable the fast processing of polymeric materials. A series of benzophenone derivatives is disclosed which are said to be compatible with polyethylene. However, this document does not address the issue of leaching of such materials from the polymer matrix.
The polymer materials of EP 0 490 854 B1 may be prepared using a twin screw extruder. However, the patent is more concerned with the nature of the photoinitiators and does not actually describe the features of the extruder other than its ability to mix and extrude material. The line speeds achievable with the process claimed in that patent are also quite low and were in the range of 1 m/min or less. This is not ideal for a commercial process.
It is apparent that known extruded pipes and methods of making such pipes are subject to a number of limitations. There is therefore a need for new methods of production and/or new combinations of chemical components to improve the methods of production and/or properties of polyolefin pipes.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide materials for forming pipes that can be used in domestic cold and/or hot water application. It is also an aim to provide materials for producing pipes for industrial application. It is an aim to produce pipes which are resistant to the leaching out over time of one or more of the additive components. A further aim is to produce pipes for domestic applications which meet or exceed current standards for one or more of burst strength, pressure resistance, degradation, leaching of additives over time, discolouration, and resistance to chlorine. The present invention satisfied some or all of these aims.
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To provide anesthesia to a patient during surgery, an anesthesia system is employed that includes a plurality of components. The primary component is an anesthesia machine, that regulates the flow of anesthesia gas and air to and from the patient. A carbon dioxide absorber may be attached to the anesthesia machine to remove carbon dioxide from the exhaled breath of the patient in a rebreathing circuit.
On the patient end, a face mask or an endo-tracheal tube is provided that can be coupled to the patient for delivering gas to the patient. Examples of face masks can be viewed at the assignee's web-site, www.KingSystems.com, or in Hinkle U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,666. Examples of tracheal tubes are shown in Frasse, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,625; and Bertram, U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,733. These patient-coupled devices (the face mask and/or the endo-tracheal tube) are connected to the anesthesia machine in fluid (gaseous) communication via a breathing circuit that extends between the patient-coupled devices and anesthesia machine.
Several different types of breathing circuits exist. Two primary types of breathing circuits are dual limb circuits and unilimb circuits.
Dual limb circuits comprise a pair of separated tubes that include an inspiratory tube for delivering gas from the anesthesia machine to the patient, and an expiratory tube that delivers exhaled gas from the patient to the anesthesia machine. In a dual limb circuit, the two tubes comprise separate tubes that, at the patient end are typically fluidly coupled together by a “Y” or “T” tube. The machine ends of the tubes of a unilimb circuit are separate, with the machine end of the inspiratory tube being connected to the “outflow” port of the anesthesia machine, and the machine end of the expiratory tube being connected to the “inflow” port of the anesthesia machine. An example of a schematic representation of a dual-limb circuit can be seen in FIG. 1c of Fukunaga et al., Published U.S. Patent Application No. US2003/0183232A1 (2 Oct. 2003).
The second type of circuit is a unilimb circuit, wherein inspiratory tube are joined together. An example of a unilimb breathing circuit is shown in Leagre et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,873; Fukunaga, U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,235 and Fukunaga et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,778,872; 5,983,891; 5,983,894; 5,983,896; 6,003,511; 6,564,799; Fukunaga et al, Published U.S. Patent Applications Nos 2003/0075176 and US2003/0183231; and Sikora, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,746.
As best shown in the Leagre '873 patent, a unilimb circuit typically includes a relatively rigid machine end (proximal) connector through which the circuit is coupled to an anesthesia machine; and a relatively rigid patient end (distal) connector that can be coupled to a face mask or tracheal tube, for coupling the breathing circuit to a patient. A relatively flexible expiratory tube extends between the patient end connector and the machine end connector. A relatively flexible, inspiratory tube is disposed co-axially with the expiratory tube. To promote better heat exchange to warm inspiratory gasses, the inspiratory tube typically has a smaller diameter than the relatively larger diameter expiratory tube so that the inspiratory tube can reside internally of the expiratory tube. The breathing circuit shown in the Leagre et al., '873 patent is sold commercially by the Assignee of the instant application, KING SYSTEMS CORPORATION, under the trademark of the UNIVERSAL F® breathing circuit.
Other breathing circuits sold by the Assignee of the present invention, KING SYSTEMS CORPORATION are shown, at least schematically, in the Fukunaga et al., '872; '894; 896; '511; and '799 patents discussed above.
The breathing circuits illustrated in the Fukunaga and Leagre patents are drawn as unilimb breathing circuits wherein the expiratory and inspiratory tubes are disposed co-axially with each other. Typically, the inner, relatively smaller diameter tube is used as an inspiratory tube, and the outer, relatively larger diameter tube is employed as the expiratory tube. A noteworthy difference between the breathing circuit shown in the Leagre patent and those shown in the Fukunaga patents resides in the differences in the machine end couplers of the circuits.
The inspiratory and expiratory tube of the Leagre and Fukunaga devices, as embodied in the UNIVERSAL F® and UNIVERSAL F2® are similar, as both employ a corrugated inspiratory tube and a corrugated expiratory tube. The corrugated inspiratory tubes and corrugated expiratory tubes are corrugated to have a single rest length, while permitting the length of the tube to be expanded, or contracted.
The variability of the length of the corrugated inspiratory and expiratory tubes is engineered into the UNIVERSAL F® and UNIVERSAL F1® circuits, to permit the length of the tubes to be stretched (lengthened) and compressed (shortened) for short periods of time. This variation in length often occurs when the relative position of the patient and the anesthesia machine is changed, and usually involves the need to stretch the tube during this change in relative position. However, as the expiratory and inspiratory tubes are designed to have a fixed rest length, any change in the length of the inspiratory and expiratory tubes from their fixed rest length exerts “stress” on the expiratory tubes, and causes the expiratory tube to exert either a compressive or an expansive force, (as appropriate) to enable the tube to return back to its unitary rest length.
During the stretching of the expiratory tube, the inspiratory tube typically does not stretch as it is only connected to the machine end connector in the UNIVERSAL F® and UNIVERSAL F2® breathing circuits. However, both the inspiratory and expiratory tubes are likely to stretch in breathing circuits such as one sold by Meridian Medical Systems, as the Meridian Medical breathing circuit employs an the inspiratory tube that is connected to both the machine end and patient end connectors.
Another reason for employing single rest length corrugated tubes is to prevent the tubes from becoming kinked. It is highly desirable to prevent such kinking, because such kinking can result in the obstruction or blockage of flow of gas in the tube, in much the same way that the flow of water is obstructed or blocked through a garden hose when it becomes kinked.
Another unilimb breathing circuit is shown in Sikora, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,746. The Sikora device employs a unilimb circuit, wherein an expiratory and inspiratory tube are joined at a common wall, to give the breathing circuit a θ like configuration. The tubing shown in the Sikora patent also appears to be corrugated, no doubt, for many of the same reasons as a corrugated tube is employed in the UNIVERSAL F® and UNIVERSAL F2® devices described above.
Although the devices described above, and in particular the UNIVERSAL F® and UNIVERSAL F2® devices perform their intended functions quite admirably, room for improvements exists.
One source of difficulties resides in the unitary rest length of the breathing circuit the unitary rest length requires multiple lengths of tubing to be manufactured, to accommodate different situations and preferences. Some medical professionals prefer relatively shorter (e.g. 44 inch, 112 cm) length tubes, whereas other medical professionals prefer to move the anesthesia machine further away from the patient so that it is less obtrusive, thereby requiring relatively longer (e.g. 88 inch, 224 cm) breathing circuits.
From a manufacturer's standpoint, this desire for different circuit lengths requires the manufacturer to manufacture breathing circuits in a variety of lengths. From the viewpoint of a user (e.g. hospital or surgical center), these different desired lengths require the end user to inventory several different circuit lengths.
Another difficulty is encountered in shipping. Because unitary rest length circuits using corrugated tubing have a single rest length, the tube must normally be sized to have a relatively long (e.g. 44 or 88 inches; 112 or 224 cm) rest length, so that when the device is in use, it is long enough to serve its purpose while being neither stretched nor compressed. Because of the elasticity of the single rest length corrugated tube, the tubing when stretched exerts a compressive force, that tends to compressively shorten the tube back to its rest length.
It is not recommended that the device be used when stretched, as the compressive force exerted by the tube can help facilitate both external disconnects, wherein the breathing circuit is pulled away from its coupling to either the machine or the patient; or internal disconnects wherein the corrugated breathing tubing is pulled away from one of the machine or patient end couplings. It is desirable to avoid both internal and external disconnect inducing situations.
As a result of this, a 44 inch (112 cm) breathing circuit, for example, has a 44 inch (112 cm) rest length that ordinarily cannot be compressed (and thereby made smaller for shipping) for any significant length of time without the exertion of an external clamping force. The inability to change the rest length to shorten it, without the imposition of external clamping forces, requires the manufacturer to provide enough storage space in a container or box, to accommodate the entire 44 inch (112 cm) length of the hypothetical 44 inch (112 cm) breathing tube. Additionally, it requires the hospital or surgical center user to provide storage space sufficient to accommodate the entire 44 inch (112 cm) length of the breathing circuit.
From the foregoing discussion, it will be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a breathing circuit, that could be compressed, to take up less space during shipment. Additionally, it would be desirable to construct a breathing circuit including a plurality of sustainable rest lengths, so that, for example, a single device could be extended from its fully compressed (shipment) length, to, for example, a partially extended “short tube length” having an overall length of about 44 inches (112 cm), and stretched further into a fully extended (fully decompressed) position wherein it would have a rest length equal to that of a longer breathing circuit, such as an 88 inch (224 cm) breathing circuit.
One object of the present invention is to provide such a breathing circuit having a plurality of fixed rest lengths, so that the device can be placed in a fully compressed position, to reduce the length for shipping, storage and some anesthesia applications, but also be extended, and sustainably be maintained in a plurality of extended rest length positions, to provide a desired greater length than the compressed position. Preferably, the device is also sustainable in a variety of rest lengths that vary in length between the fully compressed position and the fully extended position of the breathing circuit.
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A variety of analytical techniques are used to characterize interactions between molecules, particularly in the context of assays directed to the detection and interaction of biomolecules. For example, antibody-antigen interactions are of fundamental importance in many fields, including biology, immunology and pharmacology. In this context, many analytical techniques involve binding of a "ligand" (such as an antibody) to a solid support, followed by contacting the ligand with an "analyte" (such as an antigen). Following contact of the ligand and analyte, some characteristic is measured which is indicative of the interaction, such as the ability of the ligand to bind the analyte. After measurement of the interaction, the ligand-analyte pair must be disrupted in order to "regenerate" free ligand for a further analytical measurement.
A number of techniques have been employed to regenerate surface-bound ligands. Most commonly, regeneration involves a series of trial and error attempts to remove the analyte from the ligand, while minimizing loss of ligand from the solid support. Care must also be taken not to use a regeneration solution that is too aggressive in order to avoid partial or complete loss of ligand activity. Furthermore, regeneration must not influence the ligand with regard to subsequent measurements, otherwise results from assay-to-assay will not be truly comparable. These problems may be avoided by simply discarding the solid support after each assay. However, this is undesirable since generation of the solid support having bound ligand can be both costly and time consuming, and very often the researcher has only limited quantities of the ligand and/or solid support. Accordingly, improved techniques for regenerating such surfaces are desired.
The need to effectively regenerate a solid surface may be illustrated in the context of biosensors which use surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to monitor the interactions between an analyte and a ligand bound to a solid support. In this regard, a representative class of biosensor instrumentation is sold by Biacore AB (Uppsala, Sweden) under the trade name BIAcore.RTM. (hereinafter referred to as "the BIAcore instrument"). The BIAcore instrument includes a light emitting diode, a sensor chip covered with a thin gold film, an integrated fluid cartridge and photo detector. Incoming light from the diode is reflected in the gold film and detected by the photo detector. At a certain angle of incidence ("the SPR angle"), a surface plasmon wave is set up in the gold layer, which is detected as an intensity loss or "dip" in the reflected light.
The SPR angle depends on the refractive index of the medium close to the gold layer. In the BIAcore instrument, dextran is typically coupled to the gold surface, and a ligand is bound to the dextran layer. The analyte of interest is injected in solution form onto the sensor surface through a fluid cartridge. Since the refractive index in the proximity of the gold film depends upon (1) the refractive index of the solution (which is constant) and, (2) the amount of material bound to the surface, the interaction between the bound ligand and analyte can be monitored as a function of the change in SPR angle.
A typical output from the BIAcore instrument is a "sensorgram," which is a plot of response (measured in "resonance units" or "RU") as a function of time. An increase of 1000 RU corresponds to an increase of mass on the sensor surface of approximately 1 ng/mm.sup.2. As sample containing an analyte contacts the sensor surface, the ligand bound to the sensor surface interacts with the analyte in a step referred to as "association." This step is indicated on the sensorgram by an increase in RU as the sample is initially brought into contact with the sensor surface. Conversely, "dissociation" normally occurs when sample flow is replaced by, for example, a buffer flow. This step is indicted on the sensorgram by a drop in RU over time as analyte dissociates from the surface-bound ligand.
A representative sensorgram for the BIAcore instrument is presented in FIG. 1, which depicts an antibody surface interacting with analyte in a sample. During sample injection, an increase in signal is observed due to binding of the analyte (i.e., association) to a steady state condition where the resonance signal plateaus. At the end of sample injection, the sample is replaced with a continuous flow of buffer and decrease in signal reflects the dissociation of analyte from the surface. The slope of the association/dissociation curves provide valuable information regarding the reaction kinetics, and the height of the resonance signal represents surface concentration (i.e., the response resulting from an interaction is related to the change in mass concentration on the surface). While dissociation will naturally tend to regenerate some portion of the sensor surface, only a very small portion of the sensor surface is typically regenerated in this manner, especially when their is a strong interaction between the ligand and analyte. Thus, some further regeneration step is often needed in order to effectively remove analyte from the sensor surface and ready the surface for contact with a new sample.
Numerous articles have been published directed to the use of the BIAcore instrument in the analysis of biomolecular interactions. In these articles, researchers have reported a variety of regeneration agents and techniques for regenerating the sensor surface prior to contact with a new sample. In general, these articles had main goals other than surface regeneration; however, three papers discussed systematic investigations of regeneration practices concerning antibody-antigen assays (Brigham & O'Shannessy, Chromatographia 35:45-49, 1993; Brigham et al., Analytical Biochemisty 205:125-131, 1992; Minunni et al., Analytical Letters 26:1441-60, 1992), with perhaps the most extensive treatment being that of Burke & O'Shannesy (1993). In that reference, a sCR1-MAb YZ1 system was regenerated using various regeneration agents. The results of this study indicated that, among several common regeneration agents, only a few had a high regeneration effect for the sCR1-MAb YZ1 system. The authors reported that the choice of acid can be more important than the choice of pH (e.g., 0.1M phosphoric acid, pH 1.3, worked better than 0.1M HCl, pH 1.0), and that combinations of agents in some cases are favorable (e.g., 50% ethyleneglycol/0.1M triethylamine, pH 10.5, was more favorable than 0.1M triethylamine, pH 10.5).
More generally, the above-noted articles disclose that various classes of ligand-analyte systems may be regenerated under the following conditions:
Antibody-antigen assays--to varying degrees with hydrochloric acid (HCl) of different concentrations (Malmborg et al, Scandinavial Journal of Immunology 35:643-50, 1992; Ward et al., Biochemistry International 26:559-65, 1992) or with weaker acids, typically phosphoric or formic (Corr et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine 178:1877-92, 1993; VanCott et al., Journal of Immunological Methods 183:103-17, 1995), or with detergent or chaotropic solutions (Tanchou et al., AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 10:983-93 1994; End et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 268:10066-75, 1993);
Receptor-transmitter assays--with acids (Morelock et al., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 38:1309-18, 1995), bases (Lemmon et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 269:31653-58, 1994), under chaotropic conditions and high ion strength (Stitt et al., Cell 80:661-70, 1995), or under natural dissociation conditions (Ma et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 39:24430-36, 1994);
Assays containing DNA--under very mild regeneration conditions using detergents, EDTA, or under natural dissociation conditions (Cheskis et al., Molecular Endocrinology 1996; Casasnovas Journal of Biological Chemistry 270:13216-24, 1995); and
Assays containing glycoproteins--under acid conditions or using sugar solutions (Okazaki et al., Journal of Molecular Recognition 8:95-99 1995).
While these articles disclose a variety of regeneration techniques, those techniques are system dependent and are not particularly effective beyond the parameters of the specific system reported in each paper. Thus, anytime a researcher investigates a new ligand-analyte system, a great deal of time and effort may be spent identifying regeneration conditions suitable for the system at hand, often with varying degrees of success. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved techniques for regenerating the surface of an affinity biosensor.
There is also a need in the art for techniques to characterize the analyte and/or ligand associated with the surface of an affinity biosensor. Such characterization can occur either prior to the regeneration of the biosensor surface (e.g., during association or dissociation) or can occur during regeneration. Further, the ability to predict structure-activity relationships ("SAR") has become an important goal in a variety of fields. For example, as the number of known protein structures has increased, researchers have tried, with limited success, to predict SAR for such proteins. In the context of monoclonal antibodies, one goal has been to design a MAb that binds specifically to a given antigen, in advance of laboratory experiments. Accordingly, a need exists for techniques that can predict SAR for new analytes and/or ligands, such as proteins, and thus characterize their activity in advance of laboratory analysis of the same.
There is also a need to characterize analytes and/or ligands with respect to changing chemical environments. For example, in developing quantitative assays for determination of vitamin concentration in food, researchers are often interested in knowing how sensitive a specific molecule, typically a MAb, is to variations in its chemical environment. An aqueous solution having a known amount of vitamin, for example, may be more sensitive than a crude sample (e.g., infant formulas, cereals, etc.) having the same concentration of vitamin. Therefore, the measured concentration of vitamin from the crude sample may be different than its true concentration. Similarly, when determining drug and/or hormone residues in animals (e.g., in urine), researchers are also often interested in knowing how sensitive a specific molecule is to variations in its chemical environment. Accordingly, a need exists for techniques that can predict the performance of a specific molecule in a crude sample. Such techniques may also be useful in developing quantitative assays.
Furthermore, there is also a need in the art to detect and characterize minor structural differences in, for example, proteins. Researchers often desire to verify that manufactured proteins have their expected structures, and are not point-mutated or post modified (i.e., by substitutions by carbohydrates, fatty acids, etc.). Accordingly, a need exists for methods useful for detecting minor structural differences in proteins.
The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides further related advantages.
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Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of optical analysis of fluorescent particles in fluid streams.
Description of Related Art
Flow-type particle analyzers, such as flow cytometers, are well known analytical tools that enable the characterization of particles on the basis of optical parameters such as light scatter and fluorescence. In a flow cytometer, for example, particles, such as molecules, analyte-bound beads, or individual cells, in a fluid suspension are passed by a detection region in which the particles are exposed to an excitation light, typically from one or more lasers, and the light scattering and fluorescence properties of the particles are measured. Particles or components thereof typically are labeled with fluorescent dyes to facilitate detection, and a multiplicity of different particles or components may be simultaneously detected by using spectrally distinct fluorescent dyes to label the different particles or components. Typically, a multiplicity of plmotodetectors, one for each of the scatter parameters to be measured, and one for each of the distinct dyes to be detected. The data obtained comprise the signals measured for each of the light scatter parameters and the fluorescence emissions.
Cytometers further comprise means for recording the measured data and analyzing the data. For example, typically, data storage and analysis is carried out using a computer connected to the detection electronics. The data typically are stored in tabular form, wherein each row corresponds to data for one particle, and the columns correspond to each of the measured parameters. The use of standard tile formats, such as an “FCS” file format, for storing data from a flow cytometer facilitates analyzing data using separate programs and machines. Using current analysis methods, the data typically are displayed in 2-dimensional (2D) plots for ease of visualization, but other methods may be used to visualize multidimensional data.
The parameters measured using a flow cytometer typically include the excitation light that is scattered by the particle along a mostly forward direction, referred to as forward scatter (FSC), the excitation light that is scattered by the particle in a mostly sideways direction, referred to as side scatter (SSC), and the light emitted from fluorescent molecules in one or more channels (range of frequencies) of the spectrum, referred to as FL1, FL2, etc., or by the fluorescent dye that is primarily detected in that channel. Different cell types can be identified by the scatter parameters and the fluorescence emissions resulting from labeling various cell proteins with dye-labeled antibodies.
Flow cytometers are commercially available from, for example, BD Biosciences (San Jose, Calif.). Flow cytometry is described at length in the extensive literature in this field, including, for example, Landy et al. (eds.), Clinical Flow Cytometry, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Volume 677 (1993); Bauer et al. (eds), Clinical Flow Cytometry: Principles and Applications, Williams Wilkins (1993); Ormerod (ed.), Flow Cytometry: A Practical Approach, Oxford Univ. Press (1997); Jaroszeski et al. (eds.), Flow Cytometry Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology No. 91, Humana Press (1997); and Shapiro, Practical Flow Cytometry, 4th ed., Wiley-Liss (2003); all incorporated herein by reference. The data obtained from an analysis of cells (or other particles) by multi-color flow cytometry are multidimensional, wherein each cell corresponds to a point in a multidimensional space defined by the parameters measured. Populations of cells or particles are identified as clusters of points in the data space. The identification of clusters and, thereby, populations can be carried out manually by drawing a gate around a population displayed in one or more 2-dimensional plots, referred to as “scatter plots” or “dot plots, of the data. Alternatively, clusters can be identified, and gates that define the limits of the populations, can be determined automatically. A number of methods for automated gating have been described in the literature. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,653; 5,627,040; 5,739,000; 5,795,727; 5,962,238; 6,014,904; 6,944,338, each incorporated herein by reference.
In a typical laser-based flow cytometer, the excitation wavelengths available are limited by the availability of a suitable laser. Wavelength-selectable, single-wavelength excitation sources have been described for use in flow cytometry. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,286 (Sage) describes a flow cytometer that uses a dispersion prism to select a wavelength from a spectrally rich light source for use as the excitation source. The light source is dispersed by the prism such that the wavelength can be selected using a slit to allow only light of essentially a single wavelength through, block all other wavelengths. The desired wavelength can be selected by physically moving the slit to correspond to the desired wavelength in the spectrum.
Telford et al, 2009, Cytometry A 75(5):450-459, describes the use of a supercontinuum white light laser as an excitation source in flow cytometry. The supercontinuum white light laser emits continuously over a wide bandwidth ranging from the near-ultraviolet to the infrared, thus appearing white to the human eye. Telford et al. describe interposing an acoustooptical filter or a coated bandpass filter in front of the beam to isolate particular wavelength ranges, permitting the user to select bandwidths of interest from the supercontinuum. The resulting excitation source can be used to select any single excitation wavelength and bandwidth by using a filter with the desired color transmission requirements.
In a typical flow cytometer, fluorescence emissions are measured in a multiplicity of detection channels (each defined as a range of frequencies within the spectrum), wherein the emissions in each channel are measured using a single photodetector. Thus, each detector provides a single measure of a range of frequencies. Typically, the detector channels are selected such that each channel is optimized to detect emissions from one of the distinct dyes. Alternatively, the emission light can be measured using an array of detection channels such that each dye emissions are measured in more than one channel.
Robinson et al., in Advanced Biomedical and Clinical Diagnostic Systems III, edited by Tuan Vo-Dinh et al., Proc. of SPIE Vol. 5692 (SPIE, Bellingham, Wash., 2005): 3579-365, describes a flow cytometer detection system in which the emitted light is dispersed by diffraction grating onto a 32 channel PMT detector. Thus, fluorescence emissions are measured in 32 narrow, adjacent detection channels that together span a region of the spectrum. Instead of a single fluorescence intensity value for each dye, the data obtained using this system comprise, for each dye, intensity values fbr a multiplicity of adjacent detection channels. The set of measurements obtained from a dye across a multiplicity of spectrally adjacent detection channels depends on the emission spectrum of a dye.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to passive target location and more specifically to the location of targets by determining the time difference of arrival of electromagnetic emissions between a master station and two stations linearly positioned on either side thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Early in the history of the radar art passive systems, e.g. systems that utilize target generated transmissions as signal sources, were employed to determine the location of radiating sources. Angles to the radiating sources at the two locations, a known distance apart, were determined with receiving antennas having cardioid patterns. The angle to the source being determined when the apex of the cusp of the cardioid was in the direction of the radiating source. The two measured angles and the known distance between the antenna locations were then triangulated to establish the position of the target. Since the angular range of the cardioid pattern cusp were relatively broad, inaccurate angular measurements resulted giving rise to relatively imprecise target location determinations.
Additionally, these systems were operative only in a single source environment. If two or more sources at different locations were emitting signals within the frequency reception band of the system, the system performance was seriously impaired.
Improved accuracy was realized with the advent of monopulse receiving systems. These systems provided significant improvements in the measurement of the angle to the radiated source, thus permitting a more accurate determination of the target location. In a multiple simultaneous signal environment operating within a monopulse beamwidth and within the bandwidth of the system, however, monopulse systems will provide an indication of a single target at a location determined by the angular centroid of the radiating sources. Thus these systems provide useful information of the location of emitters radiating time overlapping signals and operating within the receiver bandwidth only when one emitter is within the monopulse beamwidth. Though monopulse systems may provide target location information when the received signals are time separated, target location ambiguities exist when only two receivers are employed on a baseline.
In addition to the multiple target limitations, prior art systems do not have broadband capabilities and operate only within relatively narrow frequencies band.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an angle sensor for musical tone control which can control a musical tone in response to changing angles at an articulation of the human body.
2. Prior Art
A musical tone is usually generated by playing piano, violin, or the like, or by the vocal cords of a singer. Such a musical tone can also be produced by a musical control apparatus which converts the movement of the human body into a musical tone in response to a performed motion of such as in aerobic dancing.
However, when a performer moves vigorously, the musical control apparatus can not produce a desirable musical tone because of interference by vigorous movement.
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A charge pump voltage generator is an important circuit for numerous systems and applications for its ability to increase voltage beyond the voltage received from an external power supply. One of the important application is to boost the performance and/or reduce the power of circuits using back-gate bias. However, to generate back-gate bias beyond the supply and ground voltages, a highly efficient charge pump is required so that its power and area overhead does not offset the advantage of the performance boost and power savings.
A conventional charge pump voltage generator circuit design implemented in a bulk complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, wherein the bulk (or back-gate) of a transistor switch is grounded is shown in FIG. 1A. Adverting to FIG. 1A, a switch capacitor charge pump 100 includes a plurality of stages, e.g., four stages 101, 103, 105 and 107. Each of these four stages includes a top half and a bottom half. The top half and the bottom half of each stage includes an n-type field-effect transistor (NFET), a p-type field-effect transistor (PFET) and a capacitor. The back-gate of each NFET (e.g., 109, 113, 117, 121, 125, 129, 133 and 137) is grounded as depicted by the arrow symbol, and the back-gate of each PFET (e.g., 111, 115, 119, 123, 127, 131, 135 and 139) is connected to the drain of each PFET as depicted by the right angle connection. Therefore, the threshold voltage and the “on” state resistance of the transistor switch is higher due to the back-gate effect, especially for switches in the stages that operate at higher generated voltages. This results in higher equivalent resistance, lower output voltage, and lower efficiency when sourcing current. Moreover, the threshold voltage of each transistor switch increases as the source to bulk voltage of each transistor switch increases from one stage to the next stage in a multi-stage charge pump.
A conventional charge pump voltage generator circuit design implemented in isolated well process technology, wherein the isolated well (or back-gate) of transistor switch can be connected to the source is shown in FIG. 1B. Referring to FIG. 1B, the switch capacitor charge pump 140 like the switch capacitor charge pump 100 of FIG. 1A also includes a plurality of stages, e.g., four stages 141, 143, 145 and 147. Each of these four stages includes a top half and a bottom half. The top half and the bottom half of each stage includes an NFET, a PFET and a capacitor. The back-gate of each NFET and PFET (e.g., 149 through 179) is connected to the source of each NFET and PFET, respectively, as depicted by the right angle connection. While the source voltage provides the back-gate bias to reduce the threshold voltage during the “on” state, it is not dynamically switched to a lower voltage during “off” state, hence, the design of FIG. 1B does not provide the other benefit of having higher “off” state resistance and lower leakage. Moreover, the isolated well (or back-gate) can only be connected to the source terminal to avoid the unintended forward biased of the well-diffusion junction diode.
A need therefore exists for methodology enabling the back-gates of a transistor switch of a charge pump voltage generator implemented in an isolated well process technology to be biased with the same voltage generated for the front-gate of each switch.
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Conventionally, various kinds of variable power optical systems that can be used in video cameras, broadcasting TV cameras, and similar devices, have been proposed. In particular, such devices have been proposed that include imaging lenses that include, in order from the object side, lens groups having positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive power, with the lens group having negative refractive power, the second lens group from the object side, moving toward the image side in order to perform zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. Such devices with such imaging lenses are shown, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 2001-194590 and 2003-121737.
A varifocal lens is also known in a variable power optical system that does not use an interlocking mechanism in order to coordinate angle of view adjustment and focusing. Rather, the angle of view is adjusted by moving the variable power lens in the direction of the optical axis by rotating a varifocal ring installed on the lens barrel, and focusing error caused by the angle of view adjustment is corrected by moving a focusing lens in the optical axis direction by rotating a focus ring installed on the lens barrel, as shown, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application H07-113942.
Recently, the demand for monitoring cameras for monitoring various kinds of facilities and roads has been increasing, especially the demand for the development of a variable power optical system that can be operated both day and night and that has a large range of variable focal lengths.
Because many conventional variable power optical systems vary the focal length by moving the second lens group from the object side along the optical axis toward the image side and correct the movement of the focal plane by moving the fourth lens group from the object side in an interlocked and coordinated manner with the second lens group, a mechanism to interlock the second lens group with the fourth lens group has become necessary. Such a mechanism is complex and prevents making the optical system as small as desired.
Simplifying the mechanism for moving the two lens groups by not using an interlocking mechanism between the second lens group and the fourth lens group in a variable power optical system may be considered, thus allowing the mechanism and the lens barrel generally to be made smaller. However, conventional variable power optical systems and varifocal lenses are not generally designed for use both during the day and at night, and, therefore, adequate correction of chromatic aberration in the range from the visible light region to the near-infrared light region is not made. Consequently, when the varifocal lens is focused in the visible light region, in order to use it in the near-infrared light region, focusing had to be performed again, complicating the operation. Also, in attempting to make the operation more versatile, expensive functions, such as autofocus functions, have had to be added.
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This invention relates to a carton construction, and more particularly, a theft-proof carton construction used to house and display a replacement wheel assembly.
As with automobile tires, wheel assemblies for garden vehicles or implements such as lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, spreaders and the like come in all sizes and tread designs dependent on the use and terrain on which the garden vehicle will be used. Heretofore, it has been common to market such replacement wheel assemblies either in fully enclosed packages or cartons or loosely in a hardware store or repair shop. Of course, decided advantages are obtained by marketing such replacement wheel assemblies in a carton or package. The size of the wheel assembly can be prominently displayed along with instructions on how to replace the wheel assembly. However, it would also be desirable when marketing such a replacement wheel assembly in a carton or package to display the tire tread design and hub assembly through windows in the carton or package so that a purchaser could select the correct wheel assembly for optimum use dependent on the garden vehicle or implement with which it will be used and the terrain to be traversed by that vehicle.
Accordingly, this invention relates to a carton for a replacement wheel assembly wherein portions of the diameter of the tire on the wheel assembly protrude beyond the carton sides so that the tread on the tire can be readily inspected prior to purchase. The carton is provided with an opposed pair of sidewall panels which contain cutouts so that the tire can protrude beyond the carton sides enabling a purchaser to view and feel the wheel tire prior to selecting the wheel assembly for purchase. Each sidewall panel has a tuck end panel inserted into the carton and secured in place by a tuck lock flap pivotably connected to the rear wall panel of the carton. The tuck lock flap includes a plurality of creases intermediate its side edges so that it can be folded and positioned between the wheel assembly and a tuck end panel within the carton adjacent to the rear wall panel of the carton, between the rear wall panel and the wheel assembly. This precludes unauthorized opening of the carton and removal of the wheel assembly while on display.
The tuck lock flaps can also serve as a cushion for the wheel assembly as they urge and clamp it between the front wall panel and the tuck lock flaps. A central opening in the front and rear wall panels are aligned to receive the wheel axle and to enable the wheel hub, axle and wheel bearing assemblies to also be viewed prior to purchase.
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{
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In an information processing apparatus capable of reproducing a plurality of kinds of electronic content including images, music, broadcasting, games, web pages, and the like by utilizing a screen of a television receiver, a game operation controller is basically used as a user's input apparatus. In order to allow a user to operate such a game operation controller to cause an information processing apparatus to execute desired information processing, the information processing apparatus is configured to output data of a screen for guiding the user to the desired processing, such as an operation menu screen, to a television receiver for displaying the data on a screen thereof (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).
Further, there is known a technology of receiving data through two input paths and displaying images obtained from that data on the television receiver in such a manner that the images overlap each other. In particular, in Patent Literature 2, an image of a broadcast program input through one of the input paths and a game image from a game console are combined and displayed on a single screen.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hydrostatic bearings for rotating journals, and is particularly concerned with journals used in high pressure turbopumps.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydrostatic bearings are employed in turbomachinery to provide rotor support and damping by maintaining a thin film of fluid under pressure in the space between the journal and the bearing member to avoid physical contact between these solid parts during operation.
Many designs of hydrostatic bearings exist, most of which use radially fed fluids to the center of the bearing and employ seals in the bearing sump area to maintain the fluid under pressure between the journal and the bearing member. The bearing may come in contact with the journal particularly during start up and shut down of the turbomachine. The resultant rubbing wears the contacting surfaces resulting in an ever increasing gap, which decreases the performance of the hydrostatic bearing.
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This invention relates to devices for transporting or otherwise carrying small animals about, and more specifically to an apparatus for supporting the trunk of a small animal while the animal is picked up and carried about.
In densely populated sections of major metropolitan areas, high-rise apartment and condominium complexes do not provide lawns or garden areas in which owners of pets (specifically small dogs) may take these small animals on occasional walks outdoors. In order to walk the dog, the owner must take the dog to a nearby park or recreational area, sometimes a few blocks away, frequently crossing vehicular traffic intersections, and occasionally during inclement weather, necessitating that the small animal be carried at least a part of the way to and from the "walking" area. Heretofore, owners of small pets almost invariably soiled their own clothing by picking up the small pet in the conventional manner, (i.e., by grasping the small pet around its trunk and carrying the pet upon the pet owner's bosom or attempting to cradle the pet, feet down, in one arm while holding the pet with the opposite hand) after the pet had walked around the park or other recreational area or otherwise soiled its feet in wet or muddy areas of the walkway.
Accordingly, it has been considered highly desirable to provide a device that enables the pet owner to pick up the pet and carry the pet about conveniently and easily in a manner such that the pet's soiled feet never need come in contact with the pet owner's clothing. More importantly, however, it has been desirable to provide a device which provides even support across the entire underside of the trunk of a small pet while the pet is being transported about, in order to avoid the lifting or carrying force from being concentrated in a number of small contact areas along the pet's underside. It has also been highly desirable to provide a device in which the pet may be comfortably carried about, which device also enables th pet owner to easily restrain the pet from attacking other pets when a number of small animals are in close proximity (i.e., in a veterinary clinic waiting room).
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The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having an integrated child seat and in particular to an integrated child seat with a detachable booster seat for use by a child who is too large for the child seat but not yet large enough for the seat assembly without the use of a raised seat cushion.
Vehicle seats having a child seat contained therein, commonly referred to as an integrated child seat, have been growing in popularity in recent years. An increasing number of vehicles are available with an integrated child seat option. However, an integrated child seat is only useful during a short portion of a child's life. An integrated child seat cannot be used with a newborn infant. Newborn infants require a rearward facing seat to provide the necessary head support. Furthermore, a child will typically outgrow an integrated child seat and its restraint system prior to being large enough to sit in the vehicle seat and be tall enough to use an adult restraint system properly. Accordingly, after market booster seats are available which provide a raised seat cushion for a child, raising the child to a proper height for use of an adult shoulder belt restraint. In addition, the raised height makes it easier for the child to see out of the vehicle and generally results in a more contented child traveler. However, the purchase of an after market booster seat is an added expense to the vehicle owner.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat having both an integrated child seat as well as a booster seat to avoid the need for an after market booster seat.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an integrated child seat and a booster seat which enables use of the child seat by one child and simultaneous use of the booster seat by a larger child.
The integrated child seat of the present invention includes a pair of panels which are attached to the vehicle seat back and are stowed within a recess in the seat back. When stowed, the panels form a part of the seat back contact surface allowing an adult to use the seat at the location of the child seat. The two panels are attached to one another in an end-to-end relationship with a first panel being rotatably mounted to the seat back at a proximal end adjacent the lower end of the seat back. The second panel is coupled to the distal end of the first panel and is positioned above the first panel when the two panels are stowed in the seat back. In use as a child seat, the first and second panels are rotated forward and downward so as to extend forward from the seat back and overly the seat bottom. The first panel forms a seat cushion for a child occupant while the second panel, which extends forward from the first panel, can be used as a footrest for the child occupant.
The footrest panel is releasably coupled to the seat cushion panel so it can be removed therefrom. When removed, the integrated child seat is still usable, only without a footrest. The footrest panel can be attached to the seat assembly at another seating position and placed upon the adult seat bottom. The panel now serves as a booster seat to raise the child and enable proper use of an adult shoulder belt restraint.
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U.S. Letters Pat. Nos. 1,827,636, 1,875,804, 725,963, 3,650,794, 3,762,630.
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Large quantities of H2S-containing gases are commonly produced in the natural gas and petroleum industry and concentrated by amine treating units and sour water stripping units. Claus sulfur recovery plants (“Claus plants”) are in widespread use to convert this environmentally hazardous H2S to useful elemental sulfur by oxidation according to the overall or net equationH2S+½O2→1/xSx+H2O (1)wherein x=2, 6 or 8, depending on the particular conditions of temperature and pressure. The net production of elemental sulfur is usually accomplished as a series of process steps carried out according to a conventional plant flow scheme. A conventional Claus unit comprises a free flame combustion/reaction furnace stage and a catalytic stage.
The free flame combustion step takes place by burning ⅓ of the H2S in burner according to the equation:H2S+ 3/2O2→SO2+H2O (2).Oxygen for the combustion stage is usually supplied by air from an air compressor or blower. The combustion stage is followed by the stages in which the “Claus reaction” takes place according to the equation2H2S+SO23/xSx+2H2O (3)wherein x=2, 6 or 8, depending on the particular conditions of temperature and pressure.
The Claus reaction initially takes place in the reaction furnace immediately following the burner, and while the gases are at near-flame temperatures. After the gases exit the reaction furnace they are cooled in a waste heat boiler (WHB), usually with boiling water circulating in the waste heat boiler and being converted to medium to high-pressure steam. After cooling, the gases are cooled further in a sulfur condenser, in which boiling water is circulated to make low pressure steam. At this stage in the process about 50-70% of the incoming H2S will typically have been converted to elemental sulfur. The actual amount depends on such factors as inlet H2S concentration, flame temperature, residence time in the reaction furnace following the burner, and the presence and amount of other chemicals such as other combustibles or carbon dioxide. Condensed liquid sulfur product is usually recovered at this point in the process.
A 70% level of conversion is insufficient by today's standards to allow the effluent from the Claus furnace to be emitted to the atmosphere or to make tail gas treatment economical at this point. An increase in the overall level of conversion is usually achieved by removing one of the reaction products from the mixture (e.g., by condensing and removing liquid elemental sulfur), and then allowing the remaining gases to continue reacting until equilibrium is reached (Equation 3). After the reaction furnace, the reacted gases are cooled in a WHB against boiling water. The gases can be cooled to allow condensation of sulfur in this WHB, or, more typically, the cooled gases from the WHB are further cooled in a separate sulfur condenser to facilitate condensation of the sulfur formed in the first reaction stage.
In modified Claus plants, further recovery of sulfur is accomplished by taking the gases from the first condenser, reheating, and then passing the gases over a high surface area Claus catalyst in a packed bed reactor. The Claus reaction (Equation 3) takes place on the catalyst up to the equilibrium limit of the reaction. Some well-known Claus catalysts are bauxite, alumina and titania. The Claus catalytic reactors are normally operated in the gas phase to prevent condensed sulfur from plugging the pores of the catalyst. To enhance recovery of sulfur via the Claus reaction, the elemental sulfur is conventionally removed by condensation in a sulfur condenser which follows the catalytic reactor. Similar reheat, reaction and condensation steps are commonly repeated two to three times in order to maximize sulfur yield of the plant. Because of the equilibrium restraints inherent in the Claus reaction (Equation 3), adding more catalytic Claus reactors becomes ineffective beyond a total of three or four units, so other measures must be taken in order to further increase sulfur recovery beyond about 98 vol. % of the initial H2S and to complete the recovery of the remaining sulfur before the effluent is released to the atmosphere.
The addition of equipment needed to improve recovery almost invariably decreases the capacity of the plant by adding resistance to flow from additional friction. Thus the addition of each reheater, catalytic Claus reactor, sulfur condenser and tail gas treatment unit is accompanied by a reduction in operating pressure. Moreover, as demand for sulfur recovery capacity grows in an existing facility, the flows of O2-containing gas and H2S-containing gas into the Claus plant will increase. This increase in flow causes an increase in pressure drop through the system approximated by the relationshipDP2/DP1=(Q2/Q1)2 (4)where DP is pressure drop, Q is volumetric flow rate, 1 is the initial flow condition, and 2 is the new flow condition. In any given system, at a certain flow rate of H2S-containing gas the pressure drop due to friction from flow will exceed the available pressure drop through the unit. At that point, the unit is capacity constrained. Conventional Claus plants operate at low pressure, usually 20-30 psia at the front of the plant. In almost every case, a conventional sulfur recovery plant with a burner, reaction furnace, multiple reheat, catalytic Claus reactor, and condenser stages, and single tail gas treatment unit is limited to 5 to 15 psi of available pressure drop. Many existing Claus plants suffer from a severe constraint in capacity.
Following LeChatelier's principle, the flame and reaction furnace section of the furnace should be operated at the highest temperature possible to drive the equilibrium conversion of sulfur. This temperature is usually regulated by the incoming reactant temperatures, by the concentration of H2S and other combustible gases, such as light hydrocarbons, and the presence of inerts in either the H2S-containing gas or in the air. It is assumed in Claus design that as the reaction mixture cools in the waste heat boiler following the reaction furnace, the mixture will be at or near equilibrium and the mixture will retain this composition by the rapid cooling in the waste heat boiler “quenching” the reaction.
Another assumption is that the formation of sulfur in the reaction furnace/waste heat boiler will inhibit the formation of sulfur in subsequent catalytic stages according to LeChatelier's principle; that is, sulfur is a reaction product, so having sulfur in this stream will shift the reaction equilibrium the wrong direction if kept in the process stream. Therefore, the waste heat boiler is normally built with extra heat transfer capability to condense the bulk of the sulfur vapor formed, or a sulfur condenser after the waste heat exchanger is added. It is also typical to reduce the temperature of the gases from the condenser to get the maximum amount of sulfur out of the gas stream before proceeding to the next conversion stage. Simplification of the Claus process by removing pieces of equipment in the apparatus and process flow can be beneficial by reducing the cost of equipment and by decreasing the frictional resistance to flow thereby increasing unit capacity.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a masonry project kit for use in connection with construction. The masonry project kit has particular utility in connection with building basements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Masonry project kits are desirable for building basements. In the course of building a basement, it is frequently necessary to climb over and lift equipment over walls. It is also desirable to be able to access the floor of a basement without standing on it so that footprints will not be created. Masonry project kits provide a convenient mechanism for climbing walls and hoisting objects over walls. Furthermore, a platform attached to the ladder portion of the masonry project kit allows the user to finish a floor without contacting it with their feet. The hoist portion of the masonry project kit allows one or two people to lift equipment, such as a power trowel, easily.
The use of portable, collapsible hoist apparatuses is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,742 to Stenger et al. discloses a portable, collapsible hoist apparatus. However, the Stenger et al. '742 patent does not have a V-shaped wall support, and has further drawbacks of lacking a base shaped like two rectangles perpendicular to one another with one overlapping corner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,300 to Fox discloses a parapet-mounted hoist that is made from an elongated cradle. However, the Fox '300 patent does not have a V-shaped wall support, and additionally does not have a base shaped like two rectangles perpendicular to one another with one overlapping corner.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,989 to Avila, Jr. discloses an extensible and collapsible portable derrick that can be disassembled and arranged in compact units. However, the Avila, Jr. '989 patent does not have a V-shaped wall support, and does not have a base shaped like two rectangles perpendicular to one another with one overlapping corner.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 391,034 to Fukutomi discloses a roof car. However, the Fukutomi '034 patent does not have a V-shaped wall support, and also does not have a base shaped like two rectangles perpendicular to one another with one overlapping corner.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,741 to Boon discloses a readily disassembleable portable roof hoist mounted on the roof of a building for lifting heavy products to the roof from below that has a winch drum driven by a hydraulic motor. However, the Boon '741 patent does not have a V-shaped wall support, and further lacks a base shaped like two rectangles perpendicular to one another with one overlapping corner.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,920 to Gronbeck et al. discloses a collapsible ladder that includes a plurality of platforms suspended from several rope segments. However, the Gronbeck et al. '920 patent does not have a hingedly attached platform, and has the additional deficiency of lacking a wall hanger.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a masonry project kit that allows building basements. The Stenger et al. '742 patent, the Fox '300 patent, the Avila, Jr. '989 patent, the Fukutomi '034 patent, and the Boon '741 patent make no provision for a V-shaped wall support or a base shaped like two rectangles perpendicular to one another with one overlapping corner. The Gronbeck et al. '920 patent does not have a hingedly attached platform, and has the additional deficiency of lacking a wall hanger.
Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved masonry project kit that can be used for building basements. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the masonry project kit according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of building basements.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compositions and methods utilizing split polymerases composed of at least two discrete polypeptides that stably associate to form a single polymerase. The invention further relates to nucleic acid constructs for expressing the split polymerases of the invention, and methods for making the split polymerases of the invention. The enzymes of the invention are useful in many applications calling for DNA synthesis.
2. Description of Related Art
Detectable labeling of nucleic acids is required for many applications in molecular biology, including applications for research as well as clinical diagnostic techniques. A commonly used method of labeling nucleic acids uses one or more unconventional nucleotides and a polymerase enzyme that catalyzes the template-dependent incorporation of the unconventional nucleotide(s) into the newly synthesized complementary strand.
The ability of a DNA polymerase to incorporate the correct deoxynucleotide is the basis for high fidelity DNA replication in vivo. Amino acids within the active site of polymerases form a specific binding pocket that favors the placement of the correct complementary nucleotide opposite the template nucleotide. If a mismatched nucleotide, ribonucleotide, or nucleotide analog fills that position, the precise alignment of the amino acids contacting the incoming nucleotide may be distorted into a position unfavorable for DNA polymerization. Because of this, the unconventional nucleotides or nucleotide analogs used to label DNA tend to be incorporated into the elongated strand less efficiently than do the standard deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs; the so-called “standard” dNTPs include deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP), deoxycytosine triphosphate (dCTP), deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP), and thymidine triphosphate (dTTP, also called TTP)).
The reduced efficiency with which unconventional nucleotides are incorporated by the polymerase increases the amount of the unconventional nucleotide necessary for DNA labeling. The reduced efficiency of incorporation of a particular nucleotide can also adversely affect the performance of techniques or assays, such as DNA sequencing, which depend upon unbiased incorporation of unconventional nucleotides for homogeneous signal strength.
The identity and exact arrangement of the amino acids of a DNA polymerase that contact an incoming nucleotide triphosphate determine the nature of the nucleotides, both conventional and unconventional, that may be incorporated by that polymerase enzyme. Changes in the exact placement of the amino acids that contact the incoming nucleotide triphosphate at any stage of binding or chain elongation can dramatically alter the polymerase's capacity for utilization of unusual or unconventional nucleotides. Sometimes changes in distant amino acids can influence the incorporation of nucleotide analogs due to indirect global or structural effects. Polymerases with increased capacity to incorporate nucleotide analogs are useful for labeling DNA or RNA strands with nucleotides modified with signal moieties such as dyes, reactive groups or unstable isotopes.
In addition to labeled nucleotides, an extremely important class of modified nucleotides is the dideoxynucleotides. The so-called “Sanger” or “dideoxy” DNA sequencing method (Sanger et al., 1977, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74: 5463, which is incorporated herein by reference) relies upon the template-directed incorporation of nucleotides onto an annealed primer by a DNA polymerase from a mixture containing deoxy- and dideoxynucleotides. The incorporation of a dideoxynucleotide results in chain termination, the inability of the enzyme to catalyze further extension of that strand. Electrophoretic separation of reaction products results in a “ladder” of extension products wherein each extension product ends in a particular dideoxynucleotide complementary to the nucleotide opposite it in the template. The distance of the dideoxynucleotide analog from the primer is indicated by the length of the extension product. When four reactions, each containing one of the four dideoxynucleotide analogs ddA, ddC, ddG, or ddT (ddNTPs) are separated on the same gel, the sequence of the template may be read directly from the ladder patterns. Extension products may be detected in several ways, including for example, the inclusion of isotopically- or fluorescently-labeled primers, deoxynucleotide triphosphates or dideoxynucleotide triphosphates in the reaction.
Fluorescent labeling has the advantages of faster data collection, since detection may be performed while the gel is running, and longer reads of sequence data from a single reaction and gel are possible. Further, fluorescent sequence detection has allowed sequencing to be performed in a single reaction tube containing four differentially-labeled fluorescent dye terminators (the so-called dye-terminator method, Lee et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res. 20: 2471, incorporated herein by reference).
A desirable quality of a polymerase useful for DNA sequencing is improved incorporation of dideoxynucleotides. Improved incorporation of dideoxynucleotides can make processes such as DNA sequencing more cost effective by reducing the requirement for expensive radioactive or fluorescent dye-labeled dideoxynucleotides. Moreover, unbiased dideoxynucleotide incorporation provides improved signal uniformity, leading to increased accuracy of base determination. The even signal output further allows subtle sequence differences caused by factors like allelic variation to be detected. Allelic variation, which produces two different half strength signals at the position of relevance, can easily be concealed by the varied signal strengths caused by polymerases with non-uniform ddNTP utilization.
Dual-labeled nucleotide analogs (see, e.g., US Patent Publication 20040014096) are nucleotide analogs that have both fluorescent and quenching groups attached, resulting in a molecule that is non-fluorescent before it is incorporated, whereby the fluorescent group is cleaved off of the nucleotide. Dual-labeled nucleotide analogs containing both a fluorescent moiety and a quencher moiety can be used as chain terminators in place of dideoxynucleotide chain terminators commonly used in the art. A chain terminating dual-labeled nucleotide analog has a sugar moiety which is, or is equivalent to a 2′,3′-dideoxypyrofuranose molecule. The dual-labeled nucleotide analogs have the advantage of reduced background fluorescence compared with more traditionally labeled chain terminating nucleotide analogs. Since the dual-labeled nucleotide analogs do not emit a fluorescent signal unless they are incorporated into a polynucleotide chain, background fluorescence resulting from unincorporated analogs is significantly reduced. Dual-labeled nucleotide analogs are also useful for monitoring progress of real time amplification in quantitative PCR (QPCR) methods.
The use of such dual-labeled analogs is limited by the low utilization of such analogs by polymerases. In order to promote incorporation of the analogs into the growing strand, relatively high concentrations of the analogs must be used. The analogs are expensive and decrease the rate of extension, potentially decreasing processivity of the polymerase. High concentrations of the dual-labeled analogs can also result in increased background signal and inter-molecular quenching. A polymerase with reduced discrimination towards dual-labeled nucleotide analogs could result in decreased cost by decreasing the amount of analog required per reaction, while increasing fluorescent signal and sensitivity in both QPCR and sequencing reactions.
Incorporation of ribonucleotides by the native form of DNA polymerase is a rare event. Mutants that incorporate higher levels of ribonucleotides can be used for applications such as sequencing by partial ribosubstitution. In this system, a mixture of ribonucleotides and deoxynucleotides corresponding to the same base are incorporated by the mutant polymerase (Barnes, 1978 J. Mol. Biol. 119:83-99). When the ribosequencing reactions are exposed to alkaline conditions and heat, fragmentation of the extended strand occurs. If the reactions for all four bases are separated on a denaturing acrylamide gel, they produce a sequencing ladder. The applicants of the present patent application have realized that there is a need in the art for polymerase mutants with higher utilization of ribonucleotides for this alternative method of sequencing.
Alternatively, the incorporation of ribonucleotides followed by alkaline hydrolysis can be utilized in a system that requires random cleavage of DNA molecules such as DNA shuffling ((Stemmer, 1994, Nature, 370: 389-391), which has also been called molecular breeding, sexual PCR, and directed evolution.
Another desirable quality in a DNA labeling enzyme is thermal stability. DNA polymerases exhibiting thermal stability have revolutionized many aspects of molecular biology and clinical diagnostics since the development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which uses cycles of thermal denaturation, primer annealing, and enzymatic primer extension to amplify DNA templates. The prototype thermostable DNA polymerase is Taq polymerase, originally isolated from the thermophilic eubacterium Thermus aquaticus. So-called “cycle sequencing” reactions using thermostable DNA polymerases have the advantage of requiring smaller amounts of starting template relative to conventional (i.e., non-cycle) sequencing reactions.
There are three major families of DNA polymerases, termed families A, B, and C. The classification of a polymerase into one of these three families is based on structural similarity of a given polymerase to E. coli DNA polymerase I (Family A), II (Family B) or III (Family C). As examples, Family A DNA polymerases include, but are not limited to Klenow DNA polymerase, Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I (Taq polymerase) and bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase; Family B DNA polymerases, formerly known as α-family polymerases (Braithwaite and Ito, 1991, Nuc. Acids Res. 19:4045), include, but are not limited to human α, δ and ε DNA polymerases, T4, RB69, and Φ29 bacteriophage DNA polymerases, and Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase (Pfu polymerase); and family C DNA polymerases include, but are not limited to Bacillus subtilis DNA polymerase III, and E. coli DNA polymerase III α and ε subunits (listed as products of the dnaE and dnaQ genes, respectively, by Braithwaite and Ito, 1993, Nucleic Acids Res. 21: 787). An alignment of DNA polymerase protein sequences of each family across a broad spectrum of archaeal, bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic organisms is presented in Braithwaite and Ito (1993, supra), which is incorporated herein by reference.
As shown in Braithwaite and Ito (1993, supra), within regions I, II, and III, a set of highly conserved residues form three chemically distinct clusters consisting of exposed, aromatic residues (RB69 numbering, Y416, Y567, and Y391), negatively charged residues (D621, D623, D41 1, D684, and E686), and a positively charged cluster (K560, R481, and K486). Comparison with a Taq polymerase-DNA complex suggests that these three clusters encompass the region in which the primer terminus and the incoming dNTP would be expected to bind. Modeling of the dNTP and primer template complex in RB69 was carried out using the atomic coordinates of the reverse transcriptase c-DNA co-crystal. The model predicts the RB69 Y416 packs under the deoxyribose portion of the dNTP. Tyrosine at this position has been implicated in ribose selectivity, contributing to polymerase discrimination between ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides in mammalian reverse transcriptases (Y115) (Gao et al., 1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:407; Joyce, 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:1619).
Region III of the Family B polymerases (also referred to as motif B) has also been demonstrated to play a role in nucleotide recognition. This region, which corresponds to AA 487 to 495 of JDF-3 Family B DNA polymerase, has a consensus sequence KX3 NSXYG (SEQ ID NO:1) (Jung et al., 1990, supra; Blasco et al., 1992, supra; Dong et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:21163; Zhu et al., 1994, Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1219:260; Dong and Wang, 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:2 1563), and is functionally, but not structurally (Wang et al., 1997, supra), analogous to KX3 (F/Y)GX2 YG (SEQ ID NO: 2) in helix O of the Family A DNA polymerases. In Family A DNA polymerases, such as the fragment and Taq DNA polymerases, the O helix contains amino acids that play a major role in dNTP binding (Astatke al., 1998, J. Mol. Biol. 278:147; Astatke et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:1945; Polesky et al., 1992, 1. Biol. Chem. 267:8417; Polesky et al., 1990, J. Biol. Chem. 265:14579; Pandey et al., 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269:13259; Kaushik et al., 1996, Biochem. 35:7256). Specifically, helix O contains the F (F763 in the fragment; F667 in Taq) which confers ddNTP discrimination in Family A DNA polymerases (KX3(F/Y)GX2YG; SEQ ID NO: 2) (Tabor and Richardson, 1995, supra).
The term used to describe the tendency of DNA polymerases to not incorporate unnatural nucleotides into the nascent DNA polymer is “discrimination”. In Family A DNA polymerases, the effective discrimination against incorporation of dideoxynucleotide analogs is largely associated with a single amino acid residue. The majority of enzymes from the Family A DNA polymerases have a phenylalanine (phe or F) residue at the position equivalent to F762 in E. coli fragment of DNA polymerase and demonstrate a strong discrimination against dideoxynucleotides. A few polymerases (e.g. T7 DNA polymerase) have a tyrosine (tyr or Y) residue at the corresponding position and exhibit relatively weak discrimination against dideoxynucleotides. Family A polymerases with tyrosine at this position readily incorporate dideoxynucleotides at levels equal to or only slightly different from the levels at which they incorporate deoxynucleotides. Conversion of the tyrosine or phenylalanine residues in the site responsible for discrimination reverses the dideoxynucleotide discrimination profile of the Family A enzymes (Tabor and Richardson, 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:6449).
Among the thermostable DNA polymerases, a mutant form of the Family A DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus, known as AmpliTaq FS® (Perkin Elmer), contains a F667Y mutation at the position equivalent to F762 of DNA polymerase and exhibits increased dideoxynucleotide uptake (i.e., reduced discrimination against ddNTPs) relative to the wild-type enzyme. The reduced discrimination for dideoxynucleotide uptake makes it more useful for fluorescent and labeled dideoxynucleotide sequencing than the wild-type enzyme.
The F667Y mutant of Taq DNA polymerase is not suited for use with fluorescein-labeled dideoxynucleotides, necessitating the use of rhodamine dye terminators. Rhodamine dye terminators that are currently utilized with Taq sequencing reactions stabilize DNA secondary structure, causing compression of signal. Efforts to eliminate compression problems have resulted in systems that use high amounts of the nucleotide analog deoxyinosine triphosphate (dITP) in place of deoxyguanosine triphosphate. While incorporation of (dITP) reduces the compression of the signal, the presence of dITP in the reaction produces additional complications including lowered reaction temperatures and increased reaction times. Additionally, the use of rhodamine dyes in sequencing requires undesirable post-reaction purification (Brandis, 1999 Nuc. Acid Res. 27:1912). In the Family A E. coli DNA polymerase I fragment, modification of a conserved glutamate residue (E7 10) reduces discrimination against ribonucleotides (Astatke et al., 1998, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:3402).
In Family A DNA polymerases, such as the Klenow fragment and Taq DNA polymerases, the O helix contains amino acids that play a major role in dNTP binding (Astatke et al., 1998, J. Mol. Biol. 278:147; Astatke et al., 1995, 1 Biol. Chem. 270:1945; Polesky et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267:84 17; Polesky et al., 1990, J. Biol. Chem. 265:14579; Pandey et al., 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269:13259; Kaushik et al., 1996, Biochem. 35:7256). Specifically, helix O contains the F (F763 in the Klenow fragment; F667 in Taq) which confers ddNTP discrimination in Family A DNA polymerases (KX3(F/Y)GX2YG; SEQ ID NO: 2) (Tabor and Richardson, 1995, supra).
With the exception of the position of acidic residues involved in catalysis in the so-called palm domain, Family B DNA polymerases exhibit substantially different structure compared to Family A DNA polymerases (Wang et al., 1997, Cell 89:1087; Hopfner et al., 1999, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:3600). The unique structure of Family B DNA polymerases may permit a completely different spectrum of interactions with nucleotide analogs, perhaps allowing utilization of analogs that are unsuitable for use with Family A DNA polymerases due to structural constraints. Thermostable Family B DNA polymerases have been identified in hyperthermophilic archaea. These organisms grow at temperatures higher than 91° C. and their enzymes demonstrate greater thermostability (Mathur et al., 1992, Stratagies 5:11) than the thermophilic eubacterial Family A DNA polymerases. Alignments of a number of Family B DNA polymerases can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 6.
Structural analysis of A family polymerases, Pol β, HIV reverse transcriptase, and the B family polymerase gp43 demonstrate that all share a functional polymerase structure which resembles a right hand built by the palm, fingers, and thumb domains (see Brautigman and Steitz, 1998, Curr Opin Struc Biol 8:54 for review, incorporated herein by reference). The palm domains show a similar topology among all families, except Pol β. The fingers and thumb domain are highly diverse among the different families, and although the thumb domains are mainly alpha-helical, the detailed structures of the domains are not related. Perhaps surprisingly, the fingers and thumb domains in all four families have arisen from different ancestors.
As polymerases are used for many laboratory applications, a number of polymerases have been developed to have properties that are desirable for a variety of laboratory applications. For example, mutations at sites corresponding to amino acids E141 and D143 in Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) (SEQ ID NO: 3) are known to eliminate 3 ‘to 5’ exonuclease activity. Mutations at sites corresponding to amino acids L409, Y410, P411, R461, K465, Q472, A486, R488, L490, A491, N492, Y495, and Y497 are known to reduce nucleotide discrimination in polymerases (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,273, U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,183, U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,904, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,716, Yang et al. 1999 Biochemistry 38:8094, Gardner and Jack, 1999 Nucleic Acids Research 27:2545, incorporated herein by reference). A mutation at amino acid V93, specifically V93R, (Pfu numbering) is known to disrupt uracil detection. A non-sequence-specific DNA binding domain, such as the DNA binding domain of Sso7d, can be incorporated into a polymerase to increase the processivity of the polymerase. Moreover, sites corresponding to the amino acids provided in Pfu DNA polymerase can be easily mapped onto other Family B polymerase sequences using published sequence alignments (e.g., Braithwaite and Ito, 1993, supra; Brautigman and Steitz, 1998, supra; and Hopfner et al., 1999, supra; Biles and Connolly, 2004, supra; Gardner and Jack, 1999, supra; Edgell et al., 1997. J. Bacteriol. 179:2632) or any of a number of sequence alignment programs such as BLAST).
Introducing splits into enzymes as a strategy to broaden substrate utilization is very different from currently used approaches, which are based on amino acid replacements. There are four examples of natural splits in the polymerase family. The T4-phage family includes five members that contain splits within the fingers domain (Petrov et al (2006) J Mol Biol. 361:46-68). These splits occur naturally and it is unknown whether the split enzymes exhibit unique characteristics such as broader substrate utilization compared to non-split T4-like phage DNA polymerases. The second natural split is the one reported in the archaeal Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum DNA polymerase (Kelman et al (99) JBC 274:28751-61). This split also occurs naturally and is found downstream (outside) of the fingers domain. This split has also not been characterized in terms of whether it exhibits broader substrate utilization compared to non-split archaeal DNA polymerases. In the two examples of natural splits, the polymerase fragments are encoded by distinct genes that are separated by anywhere from 2 bp to 3 kb (T4-like phage) to 85 Kbp (Mth) in the genome. The third example of a natural split is in the archaeal DNA polymerase gene. However, this split occurs within a mini-intein of N. equitans DNA polymerase, where the polymerase is expressed as two separate polypeptides, which are then spliced together (trans-splicing) to create a full length polymerase. The split is located outside of the fingers domain and has additional sequence (inteins) to stabilize the protein until the splicing event is complete (Choi et al. (06) J. Mol. Biol. 356:1093-1106) The fourth example of a natural split is found in the archael Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA polymerase B1 (Savino et al. (2004) Structure. 12:2001-2008). In this case, the polymerase is proteolytically cleaved to produce two active fragments, a 50 kD fragment with DNA polymerase activity and a 40 kD fragment with exonuclease activity. However, the authors do not state whether these activities are reduced relative to wild type nor have the proteolytic fragments been tested for alternative or improved activities. The split in this example is also found outside the fingers domain.
Polymerases having reduced discrimination are useful for applications that require incorporation of non-conventional nucleic acids. Such applications include the labeling of nucleic acid arrays, often referred to as nucleic acid or DNA “chips”, in the simultaneous analyses of multiple different nucleic acid sequences. Many of these applications, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,904 (Riedl et al.), will benefit from DNA polymerases exhibiting reduced discrimination against the incorporation of non-conventional nucleotides, particularly fluorescently-labeled non-conventional nucleotides. Applications being addressed in the chip format include DNA sequencing and mutation detection, among others. Examples include the “mini-sequencing” methods (e.g., Pastinen et al., 1997, Genome Res. 7: 606; Syvanen, 1999, Human Mutation 13: 1-10) and the arrayed primer extension (APEX) mutation detection method (Shumaker et al., 1996, Hum. Mutat. 7: 346).
The present applicants have recognized that there is a need in the art for a non-discriminating DNA polymerase for use in chip or gel based mini-sequencing systems. Such a system would advantageously permit detection of multiplexed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and allow for quantitative genotyping. Identification of sequence variation permits the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders, predisposition to multifactorial diseases, and sensitivity to new or existing pharmaceutical products.
Additionally, the applicants have recognized that there is a need in the art for DNA polymerases with reduced discrimination against unconventional nucleotides. They have realized that there is particularly a need in the art for thermostable DNA polymerases exhibiting reduced discrimination against dideoxynucleotides, and further, for DNA polymerases exhibiting reduced discrimination against fluorescently labeled dideoxynucleotides. They have also recognized that there is a particular need for thermostable DNA polymerases exhibiting reduced discrimination against nucleotide analogs containing modifications in the polyphosphate portion of a nucleotide, especially dual-labeled oligonucleotides.
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The present invention relates to a field effect transistor (FET) mounted on a high frequency LSI for use in multimedia equipment or mobile communication equipment. More particularly, it relates to a structure for realizing a low noise figure and a high maximum oscillation frequency.
Recently, the market of multimedia equipment and mobile communication equipment has been remarkably extended in accordance with increasing needs of consumers, highly developed systems resulting from the development of related arts, and newly found application of mobile communication technology. In the latest prospects, the market scale of the mobile communication service and equipment is estimated to extend to 4.5 trillion yen in 2000 and to 11 trillion yen in 2010. In accordance with such an extension of the market, more practical improvement is desired in transistors and LSIs which can deal with signals in a frequency band of the GHz area suitable to use in communication equipment, a mobile radio communication base station, satellite communication and a broadcasting station.
Conventionally, GaAs ICs, silicon bipolar ICs and BiCMOS LSIs are mainly used as devices for high frequency analog signals meeting such use. However, for example, in the field of the mobile communication, in view of realization of a low cost and small power consumption desired by users or realization of a compact system using a one-chip analog/digital LSI, a high frequency LSI which can deal with both an analog signal and a digital signal by using an FET, in particular, a MOSFET will be a prospective choice.
When a MOSFET is used as a device for a high frequency analog signal, the MOSFET has the following advantages as compared with a bipolar transistor (hereinafter referred to as BJT):
(1) High integration:
Since a MOSFET is applicable to more refinement as compared with a BJT, an area occupied by the transistor on a chip is smaller.
(2) Low distortion characteristic:
The current-voltage characteristic is exhibited as an exponential characteristic in a BJT, whereas it is exhibited as a square characteristic in a MOSFET. Accordingly, adjacency harmonics such as 2f1.+-.f2 and 2f2.+-.f1 do not appear in the MOSFET.
(3) High gain and high efficiency:
The optimization of the dimension (the gate width and the gate length) of a MOSFET results in a high gain and high efficiency. Thus, the number of stages in a module can be decreased, and hence, a compact and inexpensive LSI can be realized.
On the other hand, when a MOSFET is used as a device for a high frequency analog signal, the MOSFET is desired to be further improved in its several characteristics.
FIG. 20 is an equivalent circuit diagram for showing the relationship in characteristics among respective portions of a MOSFET. Now, the characteristic improvements demanded of a MOSFET will be described with reference to FIG. 20.
(1) Improvement in a transconductance gm:
In order to use a MOSFET as a device for a high frequency analog signal, it is necessary to increase a transconductance gm in order to attain a high gain.
A drain current Id of a MOSFET is represented by the following formula (1): EQU Id=(W/2L).multidot..mu.n.multidot.Cox.multidot.(Vgs-Vt).sup.2(1)
wherein .mu.n indicates mobility of electrons, Cox indicates a capacitance of a gate oxide film in a unit area, W and L respectively indicate a gate width and a gate length, Vgs indicates a gate-source voltage and Vt indicates a threshold voltage.
Also, a transconductance gm is represented by the following formula (2): EQU gm=dI/dV=(2.mu.n.multidot.Cox.multidot.Id.multidot.W/L).sup.0.5(2)
As is understood from the formula (2), when the current Id is constant, it is necessary to increase W/L, namely, a ratio between the gate width and the gate length, in order to increase a transconductance gm.
(2) Improvement of cut-off frequency f.sub.T :
A cut-off frequency f.sub.T corresponds to a frequency at which the current gain becomes 1, and is one of indexes for showing the high frequency characteristics of a device. In the cut-off frequency, a margin approximately ten times as large as that of an operation frequency is required.
A cut-off frequency f.sub.T of an FET is represented by the following formula (3): EQU f.sub.T =gm/.pi.(Cgs+Cgd) (3)
wherein Cgs indicates a gate-source capacitance and Cgd indicates a gate-drain capacitance.
As is understood from the formula (3), a cut-off frequency f.sub.T is in proportion to a transconductance gm, and is in inverse proportion to a sum of a gate-source capacitance Cgs and a gate-drain capacitance Cgd. Accordingly, a cut-off frequency f.sub.T can be improved simply by decreasing a gate length L, which also leads to a compact and inexpensive system.
(3) Decrease of noise:
When a MOSFET is used as a device for a high frequency analog signal, it is necessary to decrease noise of the FET itself, so that a weak signal cannot be buried in noise.
In an area where a sum (Rg+Rs) of a gate resistance Rg and a source resistance Rs is large, a minimum noise figure NFmin can be approximated by the following formula (4): EQU NFmin=1+2.pi..multidot.f.multidot.K.multidot.Cgs.sqroot.{(Rg+Rs)/gm}(4)
The formula (4) is designated as Fukui's equation, wherein K is a constant.
As is understood from the formula (4), noise is lower in a transistor having a larger transconductance gm and smaller gate resistance Rg and source resistance Rs.
(4) Improvement of maximum oscillation frequency fmax:
A maximum oscillation frequency fmax corresponds to a frequency at which the power gain becomes 1, and is represented by the following formula (5): EQU fmax=f.sub.T/ 2.sqroot.{Rg(1/W).multidot.(Rds+2.pi.f.multidot.Cgd+Cgs(Ri+Rs)}(5)
wherein Ri indicates a channel resistance.
As is understood from the formula (5), a maximum oscillation frequency fmax is higher as a gate resistance Rg and a source resistance Rs are smaller. Furthermore, although not expressed in the formula (5), it is known that a maximum oscillation frequency fmax is higher as a source inductance Ls is smaller.
Therefore, in a MOSFET disposed in a conventional high frequency LSI, a finger-shaped gate electrode structure is adopted for improving these high frequency characteristics.
FIGS. 21(a) through 21(c) are schematic plan views for showing exemplified layouts of a MOSFET having finger-shaped gate electrodes. Specifically, for example, as is shown in FIG. 21(a), on an active area 101 surrounded with an isolation 100, a large number of gate electrodes 102 are disposed in the shape of fingers. The active areas at both sides of each gate electrode 102 function as a source region 103 or a drain region 104. In each of the source region 103 and the drain region 104, a large number of contacts 106 or 107 are formed so as to decrease a source resistance Rs or a drain resistance Rd. A contact portion 102a of each gate electrode 102 extending over the isolation 100 is provided with a gate contact 105. FIG. 21(b) is a plan view of a MOSFET in which the number of fingers is increased so as to further decrease the gate resistance Rg. FIG. 21(c) is a plan view of a MOSFET in which contact portions 102a are provided at both ends of each gate electrode 102 so as to decrease an equivalent gate resistance Rg.
As is shown in FIG. 22, as a finger length of a gate electrode in one unit cell is increased, the minimum noise figure NFmin is increased. Therefore, in the MOSFET having the layout as shown in FIG. 21(b), while retaining the total gate width constant, the minimum noise figure NFmin is decreased by increasing the number of fingers.
Furthermore, in each of the layouts shown in FIGS. 21(a) through 21(c), a salicide process which can simultaneously decrease a gate resistance Rg, a source resistance Rs and a drain resistance Rd, or a polycide process which can decrease a gate resistance Rg alone is conventionally adopted.
On the other hand, as a device for attaining both a high operation speed and small power consumption demanded of a high frequency semiconductor device, a CMOS device having an SOI (silicon-on-insulator) structure is attracting notice.
FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a conventional SOI-MOSFET including a buried oxide film. As is shown in FIG. 23, a buried oxide film 112 is disposed at a predetermined depth from the top surface of a silicon substrate 111, and an area above the buried oxide film 112 works as an active area (semiconductor area). On the active area, a gate oxide film 117 and a gate electrode 118 are formed, and an impurity at a high concentration is introduced into the active area at both sides of the gate electrode 118, so as to form a source region 113 and a drain region 114. The active area below the gate electrode 118, namely, an area between the source region 113 and the drain region 114, is doped with an impurity having a conductivity type different from that of the impurity included in the source region 113 and the drain region 114 at a concentration on a level for controlling the threshold voltage, and this area works as a channel region 115.
In such an SOI structure, a diffused layer where a current flows in the active area is separated from the silicon substrate 111 by the buried oxide film 112, that is, an insulator. Therefore, as compared with a general bulk MOSFET, a capacitance between the diffused layer and the silicon substrate 111 can be remarkably decreased. Accordingly, a MOS device formed on an SOI substrate can attain both a high speed operation and small power consumption owing to its small parasitic capacitance. As a result, such a MOS device exhibits the following satisfactory characteristics, which cannot be attained by a bulk MOS device.
First, since a substrate bias effect is small, the MOS device can be operated with ease at a low voltage. Second, since the parasitic capacitance is small, the MOS device can be operated at a high speed at a low voltage in accordance with a high frequency signal. Third, since fewer defects are caused by radiation and the like and a soft error hardly occurs, the MOS device has high reliability. Fourthly, the MOS device having a simple structure and high integration can be manufactured through a simple process.
In a MOSFET having a thin film SOI structure including a buried oxide film formed on a semiconductor substrate, two operation modes, that is, a fully depleted (FD) mode in which a Si layer in the channel region is fully depleted in an operation of the transistor and a partially depleted (PD) mode in which a portion not depleted remains in the SOI substrate in the operation, are available. Now, a substrate floating effect, which cannot be negligible for practical use of an SOI device in both modes, will be considered.
In the structure of an SOI transistor, the channel region is floated and a substrate potential cannot be fixed, which is a large difference from a bulk transistor. The most significant problem caused by the substrate floating effect is decrease of a source-drain breakdown voltage. This decrease is brought because holes generated through impact ionization in a high electric field area in the vicinity of the drain region 114 of FIG. 23 are stored below the channel region 115 and increase the potential of the channel region 115, so as to allow a parasitic bipolar transistor to be operated.
In order to suppress this parasitic bipolar transistor effect, various countermeasures have been adopted. The most reliable one among these countermeasures is to fix the substrate potential as in a bulk device (which is a so-called body contact method). FIGS. 24(a) through 24(c) illustrate typical body contact methods. The method shown in FIG. 24(a) is designated as an H-shaped gate method, in which the potential of the channel region is fixed by extending the active area from below the gate electrode 118 at the side of the channel region. The method shown in FIG. 24(b) is designated as a source-tie method, in which a P.sup.+ area is formed in the source region 113, that is, an N.sup.+ area in an NMOS transistor, so that the substrate potential can be prevented from increasing by collecting the generated holes in this P area. The method shown in FIG. 24(c) is designated as a field shield method, in which a field shield electrode is formed in addition to the gate electrode 118, so as to separate adjacent transistors from each other and extract the holes from a separated portion below the field shield electrode.
However, such a MOSFET having the finger-shaped electrodes used as the conventional device for a high frequency analog signal has the following problems:
(1) Decrease of maximum oscillation frequency fmax due to increase of a source inductance:
When the number of the gate fingers is increased as is shown in FIG. 21(b), although the minimum noise figure NFmin is decreased, wires connected with the drain region and the source region are unavoidably formed also in the shape of fingers, and hence, the inductance of these regions is increased owing to the wires. As described above, since a maximum oscillation frequency fmax is in inverse proportion to a source inductance, the increase of the number of fingers leads to the decrease of the maximum oscillation frequency fmax. Accordingly, in a higher frequency region, it is difficult to improve the minimum noise figure NFmin.
(2) In addition, when the number of fingers is increased for realizing low noise, the area occupied by the active area of the semiconductor device is unavoidably increased.
(3) Increased cost resulting from application of a process for decreasing the resistance of the gate electrode and the like:
When the polycide process or the salicide process is adopted in order to decrease the resistance of the gate electrode and the like, the number of procedures is naturally increased, resulting in a high manufacturing cost. Thus, an LSI unit price is increased as compared with a device manufactured through a general process.
(4) Problem in system LSI:
In the case where a high frequency system LSI is to be manufactured by forming plural circuits having a variety of functions on a common substrate, large noise of a part of the circuits largely affects the other circuits, and hence, the aforementioned disadvantages are more noticeably revealed. Accordingly, particularly a circuit desired to have a low noise characteristic is difficult to integrate. As a result, a high frequency system LSI including all circuits mounted on one chip cannot be realized.
(5) Problem in SOI structure:
The conventional body contact methods shown in FIGS. 24(a) through 24(c) have the following problems: A pattern area is increased; the hole extracting effect depends upon a channel width; and a direction of current flow is limited.
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates specifically to a phase modulation apparatus, polar modulation transmission apparatus, wireless transmission apparatus and wireless communication apparatus that perform phase modulation utilizing the PLL (Phase Locked Loop).
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, phase modulation apparatuses utilizing the PLL have been widely used to modulate carrier signals by baseband modulation signals and form transmission signals (that is, to up-convert baseband modulation signals to radio frequency). Generally, phase modulation apparatuses of this type are expected to realize low costs, low power consumption, excellent noise characteristics, and high modulation accuracy. To modulate signals using the PLL, and, in particular, to improve modulation accuracy using the PLL, the PLL frequency bandwidth (i.e. PLL bandwidth) is preferably wider than the frequency bandwidth of the modulation signal (i.e. modulation bandwidth).
However, widening the PLL bandwidth has the risk of deteriorating noise characteristics. So, the technology called “two-point modulation” is presently proposed whereby the PLL bandwidth is set narrower than the modulation bandwidth, and the modulation within the PLL bandwidth and the modulation outside the PLL bandwidth are performed at two different points (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,508).
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a phase modulation apparatus utilizing conventional two-point modulation PLL. Phase modulation apparatus 10 has: a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 1 that changes the oscillation frequency in accordance with the voltage in the control voltage terminal; frequency divider 2 that divides the frequency of an RF phase modulation signal outputted from VCO 1; phase detector 3 that compares the phase of the output signal of frequency divider 2 with the phase of a reference signal and outputs a signal in accordance with the phase different between the two signals; and loop filter 4 that equalizes the output signal of phase detector 3 and outputs the result. Phase modulation apparatus 10 adds a phase modulation signal generated in modulation signal generator 5 to carrier frequency data and supplies the result as the frequency division ratio in frequency divider 2, thereby performing modulation at the first point.
In addition, phase modulation apparatus 10 lets the phase modulation signal pass through post filter 6 and thereafter adds the phase modulation signal to the output of loop filter 4, and supplies the result to the control voltage terminal of VCO 1, thereby performing modulation at the second point.
The use of the two-point frequency modulation technology such as described above makes it possible to output wideband RF modulation signals that stretch outside the PLL bandwidth, even when the PLL bandwidth is set narrower than the modulation bandwidth. As a result, the deterioration in noise characteristics due to the PLL is minimized.
FIG. 2 shows frequency characteristics in baseband domain for explanation of the operation of two-point modulation PLL. H(s) is a transfer function that indicates the frequency characteristics of the PLL, where s=jω. H(s) has low pass characteristics, such as shown in FIG. 2. The modulation signal added to the frequency division ratio set in frequency divider 2 is low pass filtered by the transfer function H(s) by the PLL. On the other hand, the modulation signal outputted from post filter 6 is added to the control voltage terminal of VCO 1 and thereby high pass filtered by the transfer function 1-H(s), such as shown in FIG. 2. That is, if the modulation signal is Φ (s), the baseband component in the RF modulation signal outputted from VCO 1 bears no relationship to the frequency characteristics of the PLL, as shown by the following formula:H(s)Φ(s)+{1−H(s)}Φ(s)=Φ(s) (1)
Applying two-point modulation thus to the PLL makes it possible to output wideband RF modulation signals that stretch outside the PLL bandwidth, from VCO 1. Incidentally, fs is the sampling frequency.
However, when the kind of configuration disclosed in the specification of above U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,508 is employed, if VCO 1 is integrated in LSI, element values vary due to the nature of manufacturing. As a result, modulation sensitivity varies in each LSI. The modulation sensitivity varies also by temperature. When the modulation sensitivity of VCO 1 varies, this makes it difficult to obtain desired output signals (i.e. RF modulation signals). Now, FIG. 3 illustrates an ideal VCO output signal, and FIG. 4 illustrates a VCO output signal where the modulation sensitivity varies.
As a solution to the above-noted problem, there is a phase modulation apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,895. This phase modulation apparatus is also one of the two point modulation PLL type and yet differs from the configuration disclosed in patent document 1 in that the modulation at the first point is performed by modulating a reference signal.
FIG. 5 illustrates the configuration of the phase modulation apparatus disclosed in patent document 2. Phase modulation apparatus 20 has: a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 21 that changes the oscillation frequency in accordance with the voltage in the control voltage terminal; down converter 25 comprised of mixer 22, synthesizer 23 and low pass filter (LPF) 24; frequency divider 26 that divides the frequency of a down-converted RF phase modulation signal; phase detector (PD) 27 that compares the phase of the output signal of frequency divider 26 with the phase of a reference signal and outputs a signal in accordance with the phase difference between the two signals; and loop filter (LPF: Low Pass Filter) 28 that equalizes the output signal of phase detector 27.
In addition, phase modulation apparatus 20 has direct digital synthesizer (DDS) 30. Based on a baseband input phase modulation signal, direct digital synthesizer 30 forms a phase modulation signal having the reference frequency at the center frequency, and sends this phase modulation signal to phase comparator 27 as a reference signal, thereby performing modulation at the first point.
In addition, phase modulation apparatus 20 adds the input phase modulation signal to the output of loop filter 28 by adder 31 and supplies the voltage of the signal after the addition to the control voltage terminal of VCO 101, thereby performing modulation at the second point.
Furthermore, phase modulation apparatus 20 has: phase detector 32 that performs phase detection with respect to the phase modulation signal outputted from low pass filter 24; comparator 33 that compares the detected signal with the baseband phase modulation signal and outputs the difference; and variable gain amplifier 34 that controls the gain of the baseband phase modulation signal based on the output of comparator 33 and supplies the gain-controlled baseband phase modulation signal to voltage controlled oscillator 21 in later stage of loop filter 28. In actuality, the baseband phase modulation signal subjected to gain control in variable gain amplifier 34 is added to the output of loop filter 28 in adder 31 and the result is supplied to voltage controlled oscillator 21.
Thus, in the above configuration, when a compassion result is obtained in comparator 33 that the signal level of the phase modulation signal is greater than the signal level of the phase detection signal, variable gain amplifier 34 increases the gain according to the difference value. If, in comparator 33, a comparison result is obtained that the signal level of the phase modulation signal is lower than the signal level of the phase detection signal, variable gain amplifier 34 lowers the gain according to the difference value.
As a result, phase modulation apparatus 20 makes it possible to adjust the modulation level automatically even when the modulation sensitivity of voltage controlled oscillator 21 varies.
However, to achieve good modulation accuracy characteristics in phase modulation apparatus 20 having the configuration of FIG. 5, the resolution of DDS 30 needs to be set high. However, increasing the resolution requires high speed clock, which gives a rise to another problem of increased power consumption.
In addition, the tradeoff with power consumption and the maximum operation frequency of the circuit set further limitations to increasing the clock, and so, in reality, the DDS output frequency cannot be heightened much. As a result, the PLL bandwidth needs to be made narrow, which gives a rise to yet another problem of increased PLL lock up time.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pickup truck load bed cap and structure for mounting the cap from the load bed in a manner such that the cap is readily removable from the bed and may be hinged upwardly toward an open position from either side of the load bed.
2. Description of Related Art
Various different forms of pickup truck and other load bed side opening compartments heretofore have been provided such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,551,239, 2,886,375, 3,180,674, 4,051,746, 4,101,162, 4,261,611, 4,429,491 and 4,489,975. However, these previously known devices do not include the overall structural and operational features of the instant invention which particularly well adapt a downwardly opening cap for ready removable support from a pickup truck load bed and selective opening from either side of the load bed.
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This invention relates to pull-outs in tubing and duct systems for conveying gaseous and liquid fluids, and more particularly, to tubing and duct parts made of materials exhibiting superplastic properties and having integral protrusion formations, formed by superplastic forming, by which other matching parts can be attached to produce a fluid-tight system.
Tubing and duct systems for conveying gaseous and liquid fluids are in widespread use in many industries. In the aerospace industry, welded ducts are used in the environmental control system and in the wing de-icing system for conveying heated air from the engine to the leading edges and nacelle inlet nose to prevent ice from forming on those critical surfaces in icing conditions in flight. These and other duct systems have elbows, xe2x80x9cTxe2x80x9d ducts, flanges and other components used to assemble the complete system. A xe2x80x9cT-ductxe2x80x9d is a short length of tubing having an integral tubular protrusion from the duct side wall by which a side duct can be attached, as by welding or coupling hardware, into a duct line. This protrusion is commonly known as a xe2x80x9cpull-outxe2x80x9d.
Two methods for making a tubular part, such as a xe2x80x9cTxe2x80x9d duct, with an integral pull-out are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,439 issued on Jul. 22, 1997 to David W. Schulz and entitled xe2x80x9cTool for Sealing Superplastic Tubexe2x80x9d. Both methods use gas pressure to superplastically form a portion of a side wall of an end-sealed tube, heated to superplastic temperature in a die, into a side pocket of the die to form the pull-out. The formed tube is cooled and removed from the die, and the end of the pull-out is trimmed off to remove the cap and to give the pull-out a planar lip.
These methods reliably and repeatably produce parts as designed, but have one shortcoming that, in aerospace applications in particular, has significant economic consequences. Since the end cap of the pull-out bulge must remain intact to contain the pressurized forming gas, the material in the cap is not available for use in the pull-out side wall. Accordingly, to prevent excessive thinning of the pull-out, a thicker tube than is required by the engineering specifications for that duct system must be used. That thicker tube, carried just to avoid the excessive thinout of the pull-out lip, can add several pounds to an airplane de-icing duct system, for example. In the aerospace industry, in particular, wherein weight is an important factor in the design of any system, even a few pounds of weight in excess of that required by the engineering specifications is looked upon with disfavor.
Another problem with excessive thinning of the pull-out on a tubular part occurs when the mating duct is welded to the pull-out. Welding of thin-wall ducts and tubing requires careful control of the welding power and speed to obtain a weld bead with the desired penetration and mass, and to avoid burn-through or other over heating problems. Welding a pull-out joint that has been thinned, to a fresh section of straight tubing with a thicker wall, presents a difficult challenge that requires the skills of a master welder. Oftentimes even the best welders are unable to manage keeping an even weld bead or avoid blow-through holes because of the difference in the amount of parent material being melted around the pull-out. Many parts are scrapped because of non-conforming weld bead width, insufficient weld penetration, blow holes, weld-line porosity, inclusions and other defects that can be attributed to the variation of thickness surrounding the pull-out.
The radius area where the pull-out joins the tube is always a high stress area on an airplane de-icing duct system due to bending stresses caused by movement of the wings in flight, thermal stresses and sonic fatigue. All of these factors generate stresses that are transmitted along the spurs of the duct to the joint at the formed pull-out radius where the pull-out meets the mainline section of the straight tube. For this reason, there is a structural benefit in locating the weld bead of the tube welded to the pull-out as far as possible from the pull-out radius, so the stresses that are concentrated at the pull-out radius are not concentrated at the weld bead, since the welding process introduces defects such as porosity, etc. in the weld and decreases the structural load capacity of the duct around the weld.
Another existing tube pull-out production technique is a ball pulling process that is used to produce the same type of aerospace ducting tee""s and joints. A round hole is cut in the sidewall of a tube in a position where the pull-out is to be formed. A ball that is slightly larger in diameter than the hole is pulled through the hole to form a pull-out with the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of the ball. The process is designed in such a way that the ram of a hydraulic actuator can be run up inside the tube through the hole, a ball screwed onto the threaded end of the ram, and the ball pulled through the hole using the hydraulic action of the actuator. The pull-out shape is controlled by a die which has a machine cut draw radius around which the pull-out forms as the ball stretches the material outward.
An enhanced pull-out method has been used wherein the ball is first heated to a temperature of about 1000xc2x0 F. When the pulling process commences, heat from the hot ball is conducted to the tubing material in the region that will be stretched into the pull-out, heating it to an elevated temperature, near the temperature of the ball. A slight increase in ductility is realized by heating the ducting material. For example, the possible elongation of commercially pure titanium made in accordance with Mil Standard Mil-T-9046J, CP-1 at room temperature is about 25%; at 1000xc2x0 F. its possible elongation is about 28%.
The problem with the conventional heated ball pull-out process is cracking and excessive thinout around the lip of the pull-out. The forming stresses and elongations that result during forming are very high and often surpass the formability limits of the material. The strain needed to form the pull-out causes a high scrap rate due to cracking. Aerospace ducting systems are usually designed to approach the minimum thickness to save weight, hence thinout at the lip of the pull-out can reduce the lip thickness below the acceptable minimum. Many parts are scrapped because the pull-out lip is thinner than this engineering designed minimum thickness.
The conventional pull-out forming process has many variables that contribute to the high scrap rate problem. The ductility of alloys used in ducting systems can vary from lot to lot. Elongation differences of only 1 or 2% in the raw material properties can have a significant impact on cracking and thinout.
In addition to variations in the material, it is difficult to precisely locate the hole cut in the tube relative to the position and linear path that the ball travels when the pull-out is made. A misalignment of even 0.005xe2x80x3 can have a significant effect on the elongation of the pull-out sidewalls. Many process failures occur in which the pull-out depth is slightly short on one side and is longer and cracked on the opposite side, resulting from slight misalignment of the hole with the ball travel path.
Because the conventional pull-out forming process causes thinout in the same location that is the most highly stressed, welded duct systems in airplanes have always been designed with thicker tube walls than would otherwise be necessary, thereby increasing the weight of the airplane duct system. The weight is especially undesirable in wing de-icing systems because there is a multiplier effect of weight in the wings.
Thus, there has long been an unsatisfied need in the industry for a process for making pull-outs that does not suffer from excessive thinning of the rim of the pull-out and which avoids cracking or bursting in the highly strained regions around the rim on the pull-out. The benefits of producing a flange, pull-out, or T-duct with reduced thickness variation would extend to both aerospace manufacturing and design capabilities, and also to commercial and industrial applications.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method of making a tubular part having a tubular body and a superplastically formed tubular protrusion extending at an obtuse angle from the tubular body and in fluid tight communication therewith. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved reliable method with a low scrap rate of making a tubular pull-out on a duct or other tubular body of superplastic material by which the duct can be connected to adjacent ducts or other tubular members in a fluid conduction system. A further object of this invention is to provide an improved tubular part having an integral pull-out formed by superplastic forming and having an acceptable degree of thin-out at the rim of the pull-out to facilitate connection of ducts or other tubular members to the tubular in an assembly. A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for superplastic forming of tubular pull-outs on a tubular part.
These and other objects of the invention are attained in a method of making a superplastically formed integral tubular protrusion in a side wall of tubes for making parts such as tubular elbows and tees, including the steps of inserting the tube in a cavity of a die base and heating the die to a temperature at which the material of which the tube is made exhibits superplastic properties. A distal end of a rod is extended through an opening in the die base and through a hole in the side wall of the tube aligned with the opening in the die. A pull die, having a cross section larger than the hole and about equal to the desired internal cross section of the tubular protrusion, is attached to the distal end of the rod, the pull die is heated to about the superplastic temperature and is pulled through the hole, superplastically forming the tubing material in marginal regions around the hole against surfaces defining the opening in the die base into the tubular protrusion integrally joined to the tube with an integral junction region. Optimal elongations are achieved using optimal strain rates that minimize grain growth and achieve economical production rates. Material thinout around the rim of the pull-out is significantly reduced, and the process enables the use of more extreme pull-out designs. Variations of the process include formed pull-outs on flat or contoured flanges for joining ducting components that are non-circular in cross-section.
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The use of Hall-effect sensors or sensors with magneto-resistance in devices for determination of angular position is well known in the prior art, in particular for the purpose of controlling certain rotary electrical machines which are used in the automobile industry.
An example of these devices is given in international patent application WO2006/010864 by the company VALEO EQUIPEMENTS ELECTRIQUES MOTEUR.
The signals which are provided by the sensors, generally comprising a high level of harmonics, must sometimes be processed in order to obtain sinusoidal signals which permit better control of a multiphase electrical machine.
According to the teaching of the aforementioned application, certain particular linear combinations of unprocessed signals obtained from the sensors are free from harmonics, and close to the ideal sine wave form.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,763, which also describes a resolver, a magnetic target, consisting of a multi-polar magnetic ring or disc, appears to create in the vicinity of the sensors a magnetic field which can produce as output sinusoidal signals without additional processing.
However, no precise information concerning the degree of purity of the sinusoidal signals obtained is disclosed.
In addition, it has been found experimentally by the applicant that this degree of purity, or the levels of harmonics of these signals were sensitive to the dispersions of assembly and mechanical tolerances of the different elements of the device, to the dispersions of the characteristics of the magnetic material of the target, and to the functioning temperature.
The aforementioned American patent also contains nothing about these points, which are crucial for the purpose of an industrial application.
A device is also known for angular determination, also known by the name of “resolver”, which is placed at the end of the rotor shaft of an alternator starter, and provides signals which are representative of the angular position of this rotor.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to transgenic fish, particularly red transgenic fish.
2. Description of Related Art
Transgenic technology involves the transfer of a foreign gene into a host organism enabling the host to acquire a new and inheritable trait. Transgenic technology has many potential applications. For example, it can be used to introduce a transgene into a fish in order to create new varieties of fish. There are many ways of introducing a foreign gene into fish, including: microinjection (e.g., Zhu et al., 1985; Du et al., 1992), electroporation (Powers et al., 1992), sperm-mediated gene transfer (Khoo et al., 1992; Sin et al., 1993), gene bombardment or gene gun (Zelenin et al., 1991), liposome-mediated gene transfer (Szelei et al., 1994), and the direct injection of DNA into muscle tissue (Xu et al., 1999). The first transgenic fish report was published by Zhu et al., (1985) using a chimeric gene construct consisting of a mouse metallothionein gene promoter and a human growth hormone gene. Most of the early transgenic fish studies have concentrated on growth hormone gene transfer with an aim of generating fast growing fish. While a majority of early attempts used heterologous growth hormone genes and promoters and failed to produce these fish (e.g. Chourrout et al., 1986; Penman et al., 1990; Brem et al., 1988; Gross et al., 1992), enhanced growth of transgenic fish has been demonstrated in several fish species including Atlantic salmon, several species of Pacific salmons, and loach (e.g. Du et al., 1992; Delvin et al., 1994, 1995; Tsai et al., 1995).
The black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) has been commercially cultured in the United States at least as early as 1950 (Innes, 1950). However, for the ornamental fish industry the dark striped pigmentation of the adult black skirt tetra does not aid in the efficient display of the various colors. The albino black skirt tetra, or “white tetra” is a variant that arose during domestication and shows decreased pigmentation. The availability of such fish having modified pigmentation for transgenesis with fluorescent proteins would result in better products for the ornamental fish industry due to better visualization of the various colors.
Many fluorescent proteins are known in the art and have been used to investigate various cellular processes, including fluorescent proteins exhibiting various green, red, pink, yellow, orange, blue, or purple colors. Although transgenic experiments involving fluorescent proteins have provided new markers and reporters for transgenesis, progress in the field of developing and producing ornamental fish that express such proteins has been limited.
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Due to primarily federal regulations, engine manufacturers are being forced to reduce the amount of harmful compounds in the combustion exhaust. To effectively reduce the NOx concentrations in the exhaust stream of lean burning engines--including diesel and certain spark ignited engines--the present technology of NOx catalysts requires a sufficient concentration of hydrocarbon (HC) species to be present. In other words, in combustion exhaust purification systems having an oxygen environment above 3% concentration, some type of reducing agent, usually a hydrocarbon compound, must be introduced into the exhaust in order to achieve acceptable reduction levels of NOx compounds. Different means of adding the HC into the exhaust stream have been developed including the addition of HC injectors to continuously or periodically inject HC into the exhaust stream. Unfortunately, these methods of introduction of HC into the exhaust increase system complexity and cost and do not allow for optimum atomization and vaporization of the HC.
What is needed is an exhaust gas purification system that is easily controlled, performs effectively across a complete operating range of the engine, and achieves satisfactory reduction of NOx compounds in the exhaust while reducing the overall system complexity and eliminating the need for additional HC injectors.
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The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Today, a variety of computing devices, including many portable devices, support software applications that display interactive digital maps. A user using one of these computing devices may operate a software application, such as a web browser, to visit a digital map provider to view an interactive digital map. Further, many providers of web content, such as for example retailers that operate brick-and-mortar stores, include digital maps in their content. To this end, the instructions on a web site can invoke an application programming interface (API) of the digital map provider. Still further, a user sometimes may wish to share his or her geographic location with another user, and embed a digital map in an email message, for example. In these and similar situations, a digital map is usually centered around a certain location and has a certain zoom level, i.e., level of magnification.
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Ultrasonic scanning systems acquire data and provide medical images of the interior of patients using the acquired data. In general the systems use transducers to transmit ultrasonic waves in the order of several megahertz in frequency into a subject or a patient. "Echo" signals are received and used as the data for the images. In general the transducer is positioned juxtaposed to the patient's body. The intensities of the received echo signals are measured. The location of the echo generating material (i.e. boundaries of organs and the like) is determined by the time required for the echo to return after the original signal is transmitted. The acquisition of the intensity data correlated to location in the body enables obtaining intensity values for image pixels corresponding to body locations as is required for providing images.
A long standing problem encountered in the acquisition of ultrasonic imaging data is the attenuation of the signals due to the distance traversed by the signals. Therefore, echoes received from further within the body have much less intensity than echoes received from the same type of tissue boundaries which are close to the surface of the body. For imaging purposes the echoes coming from the same type of tissue boundaries should have the same intensity without regard to the distance. The attenuation thus amounts to a distortion. Normally to overcome this distortion, ultrasonic systems are provided with TGC equipment to correct the intensity of the echoes so that the intensities are the same for echoes received from tissues deep within the body as they are for similiar tissues close to the surface of the body.
The echo signals are relatively weak and require amplification. In practice the gain of the amplifier is varied by the TGC equipment to overcome the effect of the attenuation of the echo signal due to depth. Care has to be taken in the use of the TGC equipment to prevent or at least minimize the adverse effect of the varying gain on actual data.
The prior art TGC equipment requires the doctor to make the adjustments of the amplifier gain by eye based on his view of the image. Thus, the doctor attempts to vary the amplifier gain while looking at the image to overcome the depth caused attenuation. Originally the attempt at compensating the image intensity for depth was accomplished with analog signals used to control the amplifier gain. More recently the amplifier gain has been controlled using digital signals stored as preprogrammed charts. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,731 which issued on Nov. 2, 1982 and teaches a method for generating TGC signals for use in ultrasonic scanners and the like. More particularly the patent teaches utilizing a preprogrammed chart stored in a RAM to define the amplifier gain function. Thus, the doctor operates the control panel to generate address signals causing the preprogrammed chart of the RAM to provide the amplification factor on a digital basis in order to compensate for the depth caused attenuation.
A problem with the prior art systems is that the operator of the system (i.e. the doctor or clinician making the test) has to manipulate the ultrasound scanner while operating manual controls to vary the amplification gain to obtain intensity signals independent of distance. Thus, the doctor has to operate the scanner, operate control buttons and observe the image all at the same time. Accordingly with the prior art systems it is difficult to make gain corrections speedily and in a reliable manner.
Therefore there is a need for ultrasound imaging systems which automatically provide TGC for ultrasound imaging without the necessity of operating controls to correct for the changes in the intensity of the echo signal due to the depth travelled by the transmitted ultrasound signals.
A related problem faced by all TGC circuits and methods used with ultrasound systems is to assure that the time gain compensation does not destroy or adversely effect the data which after all comprises signals of varying intensity.
Accordingly improved TGC circuits and methods are required which can vary the ultrasound system amplification on a real time basis to compensate for attenuation caused by the distance travelled through the subject's body while preserving the actual data.
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This invention relates to devices for overcoming male impotence and more particularly to a device applied externally to the shaft of the penis that inflates to constrict the shaft to enhance rigidity.
With advancing age, and also in certain pathological conditions, men may not be able to achieve an erection with sufficient rigidity for satisfactory coitis. Various devices of the prior art for overcoming the problem are surgically implanted within the penis. Some are permanently rigid and hinged. Others provide a flaccid inflatable chamber which becomes rigid when inflated with fluid. The inflating apparatus is also implanted within the body. These invasive procedures destroy normal tissue, they are attended by the usual surgical risks, such as infection and hemorrhage, and they are not always successful. There is little chance of restoring normal function when they are removed.
There is no way to temporarily try the devices to predict success following the operation. It is devastating to go through the expense, trauma, and risk of an irreversible procedure and then find out that it does not improve function. It is also discouraging to the physician to deal with the dissatisfied patient for whom he has recommended the procedure. Non surgical treatments includes use of a vacuum chamber to expand the penis followed by a constrive cuff at the base.
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Many current enterprises have large and sophisticated networks comprising switches, hubs, routers, servers, workstations and other networked devices, which support a variety of connections, applications and systems. The increased sophistication of computer networking, including virtual machine migration, dynamic workloads, multi-tenancy, and customer specific quality of service and security configurations require a better paradigm for network control. Networks have traditionally been managed through low-level configuration of individual components. Network configurations often depend on the underlying network: for example, blocking a user's access with an access control list (“ACL”) entry requires knowing the user's current IP address. More complicated tasks require more extensive network knowledge: forcing guest users' port 80 traffic to traverse an HTTP proxy requires knowing the current network topology and the location of each guest. This process is of increased difficulty where the network switching elements are shared across multiple users.
In response, there is a growing movement towards a new network control paradigm called Software-Defined Networking (SDN). In the SDN paradigm, a network controller, running on one or more servers in a network, controls, maintains, and implements control logic that governs the forwarding behavior of shared network switching elements on a per user basis. Making network management decisions often requires knowledge of the network state. To facilitate management decision-making, the network controller creates and maintains a view of the network state and provides an application programming interface upon which management applications may access a view of the network state.
Some of the primary goals of maintaining large networks (including both datacenters and enterprise networks) are scalability, mobility, and multi-tenancy. Many approaches taken to address one of these goals results in hampering at least one of the others. For instance, one can easily provide network mobility for virtual machines within an L2 domain, but L2 domains cannot scale to large sizes. Furthermore, retaining user isolation greatly complicates mobility. As such, improved solutions that can satisfy the scalability, mobility, and multi-tenancy goals are needed.
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Recently, the fuel cell has been attracting attention as a power generating device of the next generation, which can contribute to solution of the problems related to environments and energy, now having been increasingly becoming serious social problems, because of its high power generation efficiency and compatibility with the environments.
Fuel cells generally fall into several categories by electrolyte type. Of these, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (sometimes referred to as PEFC), being more compact and generating higher output than any other type, is considered to be a leading fuel cell type in the future for various purposes, e.g., small-size on-site facilities, and as power sources for movable applications (e.g., vehicles) and portable applications.
Thus, PEFCs have inherent advantages in principle, and are being extensively developed for commercialization. PEFCs normally use hydrogen as the fuel. Hydrogen is dissociated into proton (hydrogen ion) and electron in the presence of catalyst provided on the anode side. Of these, the electron is passed to the outside, where it is used as electricity, and circulated back to the system on PEFC's cathode side. On the other hand, the proton is passed to the proton conducting membrane (electrolyte membrane), through which it moves towards the cathode side. On the cathode side, the proton, electron recycled back from the outside and oxygen supplied from the outside are bonded to each other in the presence of catalyst, to produce water. Thus, a PEFC by itself is a very clean energy source which generates power while it is producing water from hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell is normally produced by an adequate method, e.g., methanol reforming to extract hydrogen. However, the direct fuel type fuel cell has been also extensively developed. It is directly supplied with methanol or the like, from which the proton and electron are produced in the presence of catalyst, where water is normally used together with methanol.
In the fuel cell, the proton conducting membrane is responsible for transferring the proton produced on the anode to the cathode side. As described above, flow of the proton takes place in concert with that of the electron. It is therefore necessary to conduct a sufficient quantity of the proton at high speed, for the PEFC to produce high output (or high current density). Therefore, it is not too much to say that performance of the proton conducting membrane is a key to performance of the PEFC. The proton conducting membrane also works as the insulation film which electrically insulates the anode and cathode from each other and as the fuel barrier membrane which prevents the fuel to be supplied to the anode side from leaking to the cathode side, in addition to transferring the proton.
The proton conducting membranes for the current PEFCs are mainly of fluorine resin-based ones, with a perfluoroalkylene as the main skeleton, and partly with sulfonic acid group at the terminal of the perfluorovinyl ether side chains. Several types of these sulfonated fluorine resin-based membranes have been proposed, e.g., Nafion® membrane (Du Pont, U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,654), Dow membrane (Dow Chemical, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.4-366137), Aciplex® membrane (Asahi Chemical Industries, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.6-342665), and Flemion® membrane (Asahi Glass).
These fluorine resin-based membranes are considered to have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of around 130° C. under a humidified condition, under which they work. The so-called creep phenomenon occurs as temperature increases from the above level to cause problems, e.g., changed proton conducting structure in the membrane to prevent the membrane from stably exhibiting the proton conducting performance, and modification of the membrane to a swollen morphology, or jelly-like morphology to make it very fragile and possibly cause failure of the fuel cell.
For these reasons, the maximum allowable temperature for stable operation for extended periods is normally considered to be 80° C.
A fuel cell, depending on the chemical reaction for its working principle, has a higher energy efficiency when it operates at higher temperature. In other words, a fuel cell operating at higher temperature becomes more compact and lighter for the same output. Moreover, a fuel cell operating at high temperature allows utilization of its waste heat for cogeneration to produce power and heat, thus drastically enhancing its total energy efficiency. It is therefore considered that operating temperature of a fuel cell is desirably increased to a certain level, normally to 100° C. or higher, in particular 120° C. or higher.
The catalyst in service on the anode side may be deactivated by impurities in the hydrogen fuel (e.g., carbon monoxide), a phenomenon known as catalyst poisoning, when it is not sufficiently purified. This is a serious problem which can determine lifetime of the PEFC itself. It is known that the catalyst poisoning can be avoided when the fuel cell operates at sufficiently high temperature, and the cell is preferably operated at high temperature also from this point of view. Moreover, the active metals for the catalyst itself will not be limited to pure noble metals, e.g., platinum, but can be extended to alloys of various metals, when the fuel cell can operate at sufficiently high temperature. Therefore, operability at high temperature is advantageous also viewed from reducing cost and widening applicable resources.
For the direct fuel type fuel cell, various approaches to extract the proton and electron from the fuel directly and efficiently have been studied. It is a consensus that production of sufficient power is difficult at low temperature, and possible when temperature is increased to, e.g., 150° C. or higher.
Thus, operability of PEFCs at high temperature is demanded from various aspects. Nevertheless, however, its operating temperature is limited to 80° C. by the heat resistance consideration of the proton conducting membrane, as discussed above at present.
The reaction taking place in a fuel cell is exothermic in nature, by which is meant that temperature within the cell spontaneously increases as the cell starts to work. However, the PEFC must be cooled so as not to be exposed to high temperature of 80° C. or higher, as limited by the resistance of the proton conducting membrane to heat. It is normally cooled by a water-cooling system, and the PEFC's bipolar plate is devised to include such a system. This tends to increase size and weight of the PEFC as a whole, preventing it to fully exhibit its inherent characteristics of compactness and lightness. In particular, it is difficult for a water-cooling system as the simplest cooling means to effectively cool the cell, when its maximum allowable operating temperature is set at 80° C. If it is operable at 100° C. or higher, it should be effectively cooled by use of heat of vaporization of water, and water could be recycled for cooling to drastically reduce its quantity, leading to reduced size and weight of the cell. When a PEFC is used as the energy source for a vehicle, the radiator size and cooling water volume could be greatly reduced when the cell is controlled at 100° C. or higher, compared to when it is controlled at 80° C. Therefore, the PEFC operable at 100° C. or higher, i.e., the proton conducting membrane having a heat resistance of 100° C. or higher, is strongly in demand.
As described above, the PEFC operable at higher temperature, i.e., increased heat resistance of the proton conducting membrane, is strongly in demand viewed from various aspects, e.g., power generation efficiency, cogeneration efficiency, cost, resources and cooling efficiency. Nevertheless, however, the proton conducting membrane having a sufficient proton conductivity and resistance to heat has not been developed so far.
With these circumstances as the background, a variety of heat-resistant proton conducting membrane materials have been studied and proposed to increase operating temperature of PEFCs.
Some of more representative ones are heat-resistant aromatic-based polymers to replace the conventional fluorine-based membranes. These include polybenzimidazole (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.9-110982), polyether sulfone (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.10-21943 and 10-45913), and polyetheretherketone (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.9-87510).
These aromatic-based polymers have an advantage of limited structural changes at high temperature. However, many of them have the aromatic structure directly incorporated with sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid group. They tend to suffer notable desulfonation or decarboxylation at high temperature, and are unsuitable for the membranes working at high temperature.
Moreover, many of these aromatic-based polymers have no ion-channel structure, as is the case with fluorine resin-based membranes. As a result, it is necessary to incorporate a large number of acid groups in these polymers, for them to sufficiently exhibit proton conductivity, causing problems, e.g., deterioration of membrane stability and stability to hot water, and, in some cases, dissolution of these polymers in hot water. Moreover, the membranes of these polymers tend to be notably swollen as a whole in the presence of water, causing various problems, e.g., high possibility of separation of the membrane from the electrode joint and broken membrane due to the stress produced at the joint in the membrane-electrode assembly, resulting from the dry and wet conditional cycles which change the membrane size, and possibility of deteriorated strength of the water-swollen membrane, leading to its failure. In addition, each of the aromatic polymers is very rigid in a dry condition, possibly causing damages and other problems while the membrane-electrode assembly is formed.
On the other hand, the following inorganic materials have been also proposed as the proton conducting materials. For example, Minami et al. incorporate a variety of acids in hydrolyzable silyl compounds to prepare inorganic proton conducting materials (Solid State Ionics, 74 (1994), pp.105). They stably show proton conductivity even at high temperature, but involve several problems; e.g., they tend to be cracked when made into a thin film, and difficult to handle and make them into a membrane-electrode assembly.
Several methods have been proposed to overcome these problems. For example, the proton conducting inorganic material is crushed to be mixed with an elastomer (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.8-249923) or with a polymer containing sulfonic acid group (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-69817). However, these methods have their own problems. For example, the polymer as the binder for each of these methods is merely mixed with an inorganic crosslinked compound, and has basic thermal properties not much different from those of the polymer itself, with the result that it undergoes structural changes in a high temperature range, failing to stably exhibit proton conductivity, and its proton conductivity is generally not high.
A number of R & D efforts have been made for various electrolyte membranes to solve these problems involved in the conventional PEFCs. None of them, however, have succeeded in developing proton conducting membranes showing sufficient durability at high temperature (e.g., 100° C. or higher) and satisfying the mechanical and other properties.
In the direct methanol type fuel cell (sometimes referred to as DMFC) which works on methanol as the fuel in place of hydrogen, on the other hand, methanol directly comes into contact with the membrane. The sulfonated fluorine resin-based membrane, e.g., Nafion® membrane, now being used has a strong affinity for methanol, possibly causing problems which can lead to failure of the fuel cell when it absorbs methanol, e.g., swelling to a great extent and dissolution in methanol in some cases. Crossover of methanol to the oxygen electrode side can greatly reduce cell output. These problems are common also with the electrolyte membranes containing an aromatic ring. Therefore, the membranes developed so far are neither efficient nor durable also for DMFCs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a proton conducting membrane, excellent in heat resistance, durability, dimensional stability and fuel barrier characteristics, and showing excellent proton conductivity at high temperature. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for producing the same. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell using the same.
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Epitaxial silicon is used in a variety of semiconductor devices when a pure silicon layer is required. Epitaxial silicon is generally grown on a substrate and exhibits the same crystal structure as the substrate on which it is grown. Epitaxial silicon layers may have their doping type or concentration controlled independently from the substrate on which the layers are grown. Generally, the substrate on which epitaxial silicon is to be grown must be cleaned prior to the growth to remove impurities and ensure that the epitaxial silicon layer is of a high quality.
One approach to cleaning substrates prior to epitaxial silicon growth is to wash the substrate using hydrofluoric acid and to subsequently hydrogen bake the substrate at high temperatures. However, epitaxial silicon growth on silicon areas cleaned in this manner may exhibit a high degree of unwanted lateral growth. Additionally, dielectric layers that are subsequently exposed to epitaxial silicon growth by chemical vapor deposition may exhibit unwanted epitaxial silicon growth in areas of nucleation in the dielectric layers. Thus, the selectivity of the epitaxial silicon growth process may be low.
Therefore, there remains a need in the art for epitaxial silicon growth methods that do not exhibit a high degree of lateral growth. Additionally, there remains a need in the art for epitaxial silicon growth methods that are selective.
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The invention relates to a method suitable for placing at least one component in a desired position on at least one substrate by means of a device. The invention further relates to a device for performing such a method.
In such a method known from international patent application WO 97/38567, an image recording device records an image of a reference element of a substrate, whereupon the desired position of the component with respect to the location of the reference element on the substrate is calculated from the image. At the same time, the position of the component with respect to a placement device is determined by a second image recording device after a component has been picked up from a component feeder device by the placement device. Then the placement device places the component in the desired position on the substrate.
The method of WO97/38567 has the disadvantage that at any given moment either only a component is placed by the placement device or only an image is made of a substrate.
A component placement device is also known from WO97/38567; this placement device is provided with an arm on which a single placement device and a single image recording device are situated, and with a transport belt located below the arm by means of which the substrates are displaced. The component placement device according to the prior art is furthermore provided with a further image recording device.
A disadvantage of the component placement device in WO97/38567 is that it has a limited capacity, i.e., comparatively few components per unit time can be placed by the component placement device.
An object of the invention is to provide a method by which more components can be placed in a given amount of time. Another object of the invention to increase capacity.
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A station may establish a connection to a wireless communications network. The wireless communications network may include cellular networks, WiFi networks, etc. With WiFi networks, there may be credentials used for the station to establish a connection thereto. For example, a user name and/or a password may be required to be provided. To expedite subsequent connections to a WiFi network that the station has already connected, the station may store this credential information and associate the credential information with identifying information of the WiFi network such as a basic service set identifier (BSSID). Thus, subsequent attempts to connect to this WiFi network enable an automatic connection (requiring no user intervention) to be established when the station is within an operating area of the WiFi network. The station may store respective credential information for a plurality of WiFi networks. For example, the credential information for each WiFi network may be stored for those that are known (e.g., discovered with a prior connection thereto), is indicated as preferred (manually indicated or determined automatically), etc. Accordingly, the station may perform the automatic connection functionality for stored WiFi networks when within the respective operating area thereof.
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The present invention relates to packages in general, and to thermoformed plastic clamshell packages in particular.
Packages intended for the retail display of merchandise must meet several demanding requirements: they should be easily loaded with product, readily mounted for display, and attractive in appearance. In addition, it is desirable that the customer be able to see the product directly.
The clamshell package has long provided a satisfactory solution to these needs. Typically thermoformed from a thin sheet of transparent thermoplastic material, the conventional clamshell package has a cover with a frontwardly protruding product bubble which receives the merchandise, and a base which is pivotally connected to the base by a molded hinge. Because the base is permanently connected to the cover, all the elements needed to close the package remain connected from the time of manufacture of the blister to the final closure of the package after product loading. Often a printed card is enclosed between the cover and the base to provide descriptive and identifying information about the product contents. The base may be sealed to the cover by heat sealing, adhesive, or ultrasonic sealing, or, if ready opening of the package is required, the base may be releasably secured in the closed position on the cover by interengaging tabs and detents.
However, distinctive and eye-catching packages can help to make a particular product stand out from other goods. Furthermore, volume for display of goods is in short reply, giving an advantage to products which can be compactly displayed. What is needed is an attractive clam shell package which is economically loaded with product, and which effectively makes use of retail volume to maximize consumer attention.
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to mutants of the tegument protein of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) known as CMVpp65. The mutants desirably do not exhibit the protein kinase activity which is associated with the native pp65 protein but retain its desirable immunologic target characteristics.
2. Description of the Background Art
The CMV genome is relatively large (about 235k base pairs) and has the capacity to encode more than two hundred proteins. CMV is composed of a nuclear complex of double-stranded DNA surrounded by capsid proteins having structural or enzymatic functions, and an external glycopeptide- and glycolipid-containing membrane envelope. CMV is a member of the herpes virus family and has been associated with a number of clinical syndromes.
Human cytomegalovirus is not only a significant cause of morbidity in persons undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, but remains the major infectious cause of congenital malformations and mental retardation (26, 38, 53) (see the appended list of References for the identification of references cited throughout this specification). Although improved antiviral chemotherapy is becoming available for management of CMV infection, the large number of congenital infections (approximately 35,000 newborns per years in the U.S. (9)) underscores the need for an effective CMV vaccine (37), especially one which can be used safely in healthy persons. Attenuated and recombinant live virus vaccine approaches have been proposed, but safe use of these types of vaccines in healthy populations remains to be shown. Subunit vaccines are attractive because they have the potential to boost the immune system against certain viral proteins without risking viral infection or viral recombination.
CMV infection is widespread and persistent, and can become reactivated and clinically evident in the immunosuppressed patient. Because human cytomegalovirus is relatively common, yet is associated with extremely serious health conditions, a considerable effort has been made to study the biology of the virus with the aims of improving diagnosis of the disease as well as developing preventative and therapeutic strategies.
It would be highly desirable to deliver an effective vaccine derived from CMV that would impart immunity to persons at risk of CMV disease such as a bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipient, a solid organ recipient, a heart patient, an AIDS patient or a woman of child-bearing years. No such vaccine presently is commercially available, however.
Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) plays an essential role in recovery from acute CMV infection and in the control of persistent CMV infection. The generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is a most important factor in limiting CMV disease. Several proteins encoded by CMV are known to be recognized by the cellular immune system and elicit CTL. Borysiewicz et al. (2) first described the role of specific CMV proteins in CTL induction. The non-virion, immediate early proteins of CMV (CMV-IE), as well as the envelope glycoprotein, CMVgB, activate CTL function, however, the internal matrix proteins of the virus, CMVpp65 and CMVpp150, are more prevalent immune targets. CMVpp65 is the immunodominant protein: 70-90% of all CMV-specific CTL recognize this protein.
CMVpp65 is not essential for virus replication, therefore it may function to facilitate host cell changes important to virus spread. CMVpp65 has emerged as the primary target of CMV-specific CTL. Because it is a structural virus protein, it is available as an immune target immediately after infection, in the absence of virus replication. Thus, CMVpp65 is a preferred target for the cellular immune system.
CMVpp65 is known to interact with the cellular polo-like kinase-1 that is present at high levels during cellular mitosis (15). It contains redundant nuclear localization signals (17, 43) and becomes associated with nuclear lamina and condensed chromosomes during infection (8, 42). Thus, CMVpp65 clearly has nuclear and chromosomal trafficking ability that could represent an unknown risk if the protein were expressed in normal cells.
CMVpp65 also has been reported to have endogenous serine/threonine phosphotransferase activity (2, 3, 31, 32, 35, 41), however, it lacks several of the recognizable protein kinase (PK) consensus domains (21) (see FIG. 1). The kinase activity of CMVpp65 remains incompletely understood, but certain consensus sequences conserved threonine/serine/tyrosine PK catalytic domain are found within the 173 amino acid carboxy-terminal region of CMVpp65 (45). Only three subdomains align properly with these conserved residues of the catalytic domain (21) but two other subdomains are present. These CMVpp65 motifs consist of the catalytic subdomain I (amino acids 422-427; EXEXXE; SEQ. ID NO: 1), subdomain II (amino acid 436; K), and subdomain VIB (amino acids 543-545; RDL. See FIG. 1. The sequences not in precise alignment are subdomain VIII (amino acids 463-465; APE, upstream from subdomain VIB and subdomain XI (carboxyl terminal amino acid 460; R).
PK activity plays an important role in the regulation of normal and transformed cell growth (7, 11, 25) and is important in viral regulation of cellular functions (29) and in regulation of virus transcription, DNA synthesis, and virion assembly (18, 36, 47, 51, 52). Because Protein kinases play an important role in the regulation of both normal and malignant cell growth (46), DNA vaccines (13, 34) that depend on the expression of intact CMVpp65 also could pose problems associated with introduction of PK activity into normal cells. The growth effects of increased kinase activity in healthy cells could limit the use of intact CMVpp65 as a vaccine, especially in children and women of child-bearing age. Therefore, new CMVpp65-derived sequences which could be used in DNA vaccines, yet which lack the undesired activities of the native protein would be highly useful.
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The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, method, and system. For example, the present invention may be applied to a short range wireless network such as a sensor network.
In the short range wireless network such as the sensor network, sometimes a wireless terminal constituting the wireless network is often added or deleted. In addition, since there are many wireless terminals, it is highly possible that some wireless terminal breaks down.
Therefore, the wireless terminal has to perform routing while constantly recognizing breakdowns of surrounding wireless terminals serving as transmission destinations. Accordingly, various kinds of method for recognizing a breakdown state of a wireless terminal in a wireless network environment have been proposed.
For example, JP 2008-182409A1 proposes a method for suspecting a breakdown because packets (existence notification message in JP 2008-182409A1) periodically exchanged between wireless terminals have not been received, transmitting a diagnosis message to a suspected terminal via various kinds of paths, and detecting the breakdown from a response from the terminal.
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The present disclosure relates to the use of one or more ion beams to prepare materials for microscopic observation or spectroscopic analysis. Microscopic observational techniques include, but are not limited to, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), reflection electron microscopy (REM). Spectroscopic analysis techniques include, but are not limited to, x-ray micro-analysis, reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Materials to be viewed under any microscopic technique may require processing to produce a sample suitable for microscopic examination.
Ion beam milling of a material can produce samples that are well suited for microscopic examination. An ion beam irradiating device may generate, accelerate, and direct a beam of ions toward a sample. The impact of ions on the sample sputters material away from the area of ion impact. Furthermore the sample surface may be polished by the ion beam to a substantially smooth condition further enhancing observational properties of the sample. Regions of interest in the sample may be exposed and polished by the use of ion beams thus making a suitable observational sample from the material under investigation.
Broad Ion Beam Slope-Cutting (BIBSC), also known as cross-section cutting using broad ion beam sources or cross-section polishing using broad ion beam sources, is a rapid method for removing sample material to expose a smooth and substantially artifact-free cross-sectional surface for ultimate analysis by various microscopies and spectroscopies. A notable advantage of the BIBSC technique is high rates of surface preparation that can exceed tens or hundreds or thousands of square microns per hour, often over sample milling times of tens or hundreds of minutes.
Important considerations to users of the BIBSC technique include: reducing or minimizing the time and effort the user is occupied in processing the sample; reducing or minimizing the number of steps where delicate samples are directly handled and at risk for damage, such as during mounting to sample holders for processing or analysis; reducing or minimizing the time and effort the user is occupied transferring the sample into the ultimate analysis equipment (imaging or spectroscopy), and aligning the coordinates of the prepared sample region to the ultimate analysis equipment prior to analysis; ensuring high quality and high probability of success in processing and imaging the sample; reducing or minimizing the time that the BIBSC ion milling equipment and sample mounting equipment is occupied for each sample; and ensuring high-quality microscopy observation of the sample during sample mounting and ultimate analysis by reducing the working distance required between the sample and the objective or probe forming lens used for observation.
While a sample is being prepared in the ion beam it may experience heating. Heating may alter the sample in a ways that are undesirable. It may be the case, for example, that heating the sample softens or melts the sample thereby causing alterations in the sample that would not happen if the temperature were maintained in a desirable range. Embodiments of the present disclosure teach apparatus and methods of using that apparatus to manage the thermal environment of a sample while it is being prepared in the ion beam sample preparation apparatus.
In consideration of the foregoing points it is clear that embodiments of the present disclosure confer numerous advantages and are therefore highly desirable.
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A rotorcraft may include one or more rotor systems. Examples of rotor systems include main rotor systems and tail rotor systems. A main rotor system may generate aerodynamic lift to support the weight of the rotorcraft in flight, and thrust to counteract aerodynamic drag and to move the rotorcraft in forward flight. A tail rotor system may generate thrust in correspondence to the main rotor system's rotation in order to counter torque created by the main rotor system.
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{
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Implantable pulse generators, such as pacemakers, defibrillators or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (“ICD”) provide electrotherapy to cardiac tissue via implantable cardiac electrotherapy leads. Delivery devices, such as delivery catheters or sheaths, are used to place leads in specific cardiac anatomies during implantation of the pulse generator. The delivery devices also navigate the venous system and cardiac anatomy to locate specific anatomical locations and serve as a conduit through which leads and other cardiac surgical devices are delivered. Upon placement of the lead, the delivery catheter is removed and care is taken to not disrupt the position of the implanted lead. Non-disruptive removal is also advantageous when the delivery devices are used to deliver other cardiac surgical devices, such as inner catheters, outer sheaths, guidewires and other accessories.
A common technique for accomplishing the non-disruptive removal of the delivery device involves slitting or otherwise cutting the catheter over the lead or other cardiac surgical device using a small blade known as a slitter. A typical catheter used in this technique is designed such that the force required to slit the sheath is as low and as consistent as possible. However, the hub of the delivery catheter typically requires considerably more force to slit through than is required for the shaft. That is, when slitting the catheter, the user begins by generating enough force to slit through the hub. As the slitter transitions from the hub to shaft, this force is excessively high and results in an acceleration or jerk. In the context of an implantable cardiac lead, if this jerk is severe, it may tear the cardiac tissue or disrupt lead placement, which results in a major procedural delay. Similarly, disruption of other cardiac surgical tools, such as an inner catheter, may cause damage to cardiac tissue or major procedural delays.
In order to prevent vascular bleedback, delivery devices may have a hemostasis valve coupled thereto to provide hemostasis sealing around the cardiac surgical devices. Leads or other devices to be passed through the hemostasis valve are often soft and flimsy. As a result, a valve bypass tool may be required to facilitate the passage of leads or other devices through the hemostasis valve. Employing valve bypass tools known in the art can increase the time associated with a medical procedure such as the implantation of a lead. Also, the removal of valve bypass tools known in the art from about an implanted lead can disrupt lead placement.
There is a need in the art for a slittable delivery device assembly for a cardiac surgical device that will reduce or eliminate the hub-to-shaft transitional jerk and reduce the potential for lead or cardiac surgical device displacement or dislodgement during removal of a delivery device assembly. There is also a need in the art for a valve bypass tool that reduces the time and complexity associated with the passage of a lead or cardiac surgical device through a hemostasis valve and reduces the potential for lead or cardiac surgical device displacement or dislodgement during the removal of the valve bypass tool. There is also a need in the art for methods of manufacturing the slittable delivery assembly, the valve bypass tool, and kits including the delivery device assembly and/or valve bypass tool.
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{
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pruning shears, and more particularly to a multifunctional pruning shears for one step cutting and step by step cutting.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pruning shears are a cutting tool for trimming plant trunks. Pruning shears available on the market can be divided into two types, one step cutting or step by step cutting, wherein the one step cutting type is formed at first lever type. Since applied force imposes an equal resisting force, the advantage is a quick single motion cut off and can be suitable for easily cutting softer trunks or thinner trunks. Cutting thicker, hard trunks requires greater force. If applied force is insufficient, the trunks may not be cut off in one motion and the shears must repeatedly cut at the same cutting point to gradually cut off the trunk. Consequently, physical effort may be exhausted, and trimming efficiency is reduced. If step by step cutting type is performed, proper locations can be selected to perform step by step cutting during a stop block among many stop positions. The foregoing manner can save force to achieve the effect of convenient cutting. However, when the stop block is powerfully pressed to move among the stop positions, the pruning shears may be easily damaged due to the pressing location that is momently displaced among stop positions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to lift trucks, and more particularly to a motor driven hydraulic system for a power steering unit of a battery powered lift truck.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Lift trucks, and in particular higher volume range battery powered lift trucks, have generally not made use of power steering units because of the high costs of installing and operating such units and because of the heavy drain on the power of the battery.
Part of the expense is the requirement of an additional electric motor and its controls for use just for power for the power steering unit. When the vehicle is in operation, the additional electric motor and pump must be driven at full speed at all times, whether or not there is a demand for the fluid for steering purposes. It is necessary that the continuous pumping of oil through the open center power steering unit be maintained readily available for instant steering. The additional electric motor and pump affects approximately a ten percent drain on the battery capacity for the purposes of operating the power steering unit.
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{
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Certain peptides are capable of self assembly when incubated in the presence of a low concentration of monovalent metal cation (U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,483; 6,548,630). Assembly results in the formation of a gel-like membrane that is non-toxic, non-immunogenic and relatively stable to proteases. Once formed, membranes are stable in serum, aqueous solutions and cell culture medium. They can be made under sterile conditions, are capable of supporting the growth of cells and are slowly digested when implanted in an animal's body. These characteristics make the membranes well suited as devices for the delivery of therapeutic agents. Among the most promising of such agents is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).
PDGF is a mitogen for connective tissue cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. It has been implicated as contributing to malignant transformation (Clarke, et al., Nature 308:464 (1984); Gazit, et al., Cell 39:89 (1984); Beckmann, et al., Science 241:1346 (1998); Smits, et al., Am. J. Pathol. 140:639 (1992)); and, by promoting the growth of endothelial cells, may contribute to the angiogenesis needed to sustain tumor growth. There is also evidence that PDGF contributes to the restenosis that often occurs after angioplasty (Ferns, et al., Science 253:1129-1132 (1991); Rutherford et al., Atherosclerosis 130:45-51 (1997); Jawien et al. J. Clin. Invest. 89:507-511 (1992)) and to the development of fibrotic lesions in several different organs (Experimental Pharmacology, Peptide Growth Factors and Their Receptors, Sporn & Roberts, eds., pp. 173-262, Springer, Heidelberg).
From a therapeutic perspective, PDGF appears to play a role in promoting the growth of neuronal tissue and in wound healing (Deuel, et al., J. Clin. Invest. 69:1046-1049 (1981); Siegbhan, et. al., J. Clin. Invest. 85:916-920 (1990); Smits, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 88:8159-8163 (1991); Yeh, et al., Cell 64:209-216 (1991); Robson, et al., Lancet 339:23-25 (1992)). There are also indications that PDGF may be used to help preserve cardiac function in patients following a myocardial infarction.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a design cooperation system for items of design for use in design as viewed from a plurality of standpoints such as desired reliability, producibility and operatability and for determining product specifications. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system for cooperated design for obtaining optimum design values as viewed from overall standpoints by evaluating a plurality of design items as viewed from the overall standpoints and supporting collaboration work among sections designing the design items.
So far, a number of analysis techniques and systems for evaluating and determining design specifications of a product have been announced.
A representative example of such analysis techniques and systems is an analysis and evaluation technique and system for performing flow and cooling analyses in the design of a molding die. This analysis and evaluation technique and system are discussed on pages 16 to 19 of Chapter 2, Edition No. 11, Volume 2 of "Die Technologies" published by Nikkan Kogyo Newspaper Company on Oct. 20, 1987. According to this representative example of the conventional technologies, in a typical conventional technology, in order to design a die, it is necessary to carry out, among other analyses, flow, thermal-stress and structure analyses one after another in accordance with the molding process and then to verify design specifications individually by utilizing results of the analyses. In this case, the example is a tool for building a product. Accordingly, specifications of the product naturally have to be derived from combined results of both an analysis of product specifications performed by another design section and an analysis of die specifications carried out by the die-design section. In the conventional technology, however, there is no system that can be used to make an overall decision based on fusion of results of analyses performed in a variety of design aspects by a plurality of design sections.
Points listed below are not taken into consideration by the conventional technology described above. Accordingly, the conventional technology cannot be used for performing total evaluation viewed from a plurality of different standpoints on design specifications of a product which undergoes a design process involving a plurality of design items.
(1) The conventional technology cannot be used for carrying out total evaluation based on relations among results of specific analyses for a plurality of evaluation items. Note that the analyses can be done accurately and by merely displaying their results as graphics, their relations can be observed for evaluation.
(2) When a section in charge of certain design items kicks off design activities, at an early design step, design parameters or input data are not all gathered due to a lack of uniformity in design progress among design sections which is, in some cases, caused by other design sections not starting design work yet. The uncomplete design parameters do not allow analyses to be done. Accordingly, with the conventional technique, if interdependent design activities are not carried forward until all design parameters required for analyses are gathered, neither evaluation nor analyses can be performed, resulting in a slip in the design schedule. In some cases, results of an analysis based on design parameters set under conditions desirable for preceding design items or based on design parameters set temporarily must be collated with results of another analysis based on design parameters set by a succeeding design section in order to carry out evaluation. As a result, there is normally a lack of consistency of data for ordinary evaluation.
(3) The conventional technique makes use of an analysis program which utilizes only design parameters determined by a preceding design section. In this case, an attempt is made to perform optimization based only on the design parameters which determine results. Accordingly, design margins on design parameters used in a succeeding design section hardly exist or evaluation results of succeeding design items are very likely to be inadequate or to exceed a desirable limit.
In addition, in the past, a large number of data management policies of a CAD system were announced as a method for managing design data of a product. As is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2-4153, for example, design data for a product and related information required for design and manufacturing are systematically administered and three-dimensional data for FEM (Finite Element method), numerical control, analyses and other purposes is treated by relating it to its design object. In addition, in a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent laid-open No. 2-48774, information on correction such as a flag to indicate correctability and the names of correctors is added to design data for each part unit as part of the administration of the design data. In this way, design work can be carried out by a plurality of designers concurrently designing a product by sharing part data.
In the conventional techniques cited above, however, points described below are not taken into consideration. Accordingly, the techniques cannot cope easily with changes in specification resulting from study of specifications conducted by a plurality of design sections which frequently repeat the work of prototyping a product. The points not taken into consideration include the fact that in design parameters, design constraints set by estimating certain safety factors or design margins do exist. The work of setting the design constraints is based on tests and prior manufacturing experience and knowhow. Each constraint is set by a design section having the duty of determining parameter values associated with the constraint. Total evaluation from a plurality of points of view such as reliability and producibility is carried out at the prototyping stage of the product. From results of the total evaluation, an attempt may be made to change a specific design parameter. In this case, it is necessary to also modify other related design parameters which are in the domains of other design sections. If a modified design parameter exceeds its constraint value, the judgement of its merits and demerits or the possibility of eliminating its margins is left to the other section having the duty of determining the design-parameter value. When conducting a study of specifications for a plurality of design parameters, it is thus necessary for a plurality of design sections to scramble for the aforementioned margins by utilizing base data for setting the constraints.
In the conventional techniques described above, conditions of constraints mentioned above and the constraint setting base data associated with design parameters of a product are not controlled. In addition, a means for supporting the study of constraint relaxation or margin elimination is not provided either. Accordingly, the conventional techniques cannot cope with a study of specifications involving a plurality of design sections. Moreover, effects of modifying a design parameter on other design parameters in the domains of other design sections cannot be identified. As a result, the fact that a plurality of design sections or designers cannot conduct a study of specifications for a product at the same time is an undenyable reality.
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{
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Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Symphoricarpos albus cultivar Bokrabright.
The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Symphoricarpos plant, botanically known as Symphoricarpos albus, commercially used as cut stems with fruits, and hereinafter referred to by the name xe2x80x98Bokrabrightxe2x80x99.
The new Symphoricarpos is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Boskoop, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop cut Symphoricarpos cultivars with attractive fruit coloration.
The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the Inventor in 1996 of two unidentified proprietary seedling selections, not patented. The cultivar Bokrabright was discovered and selected by the Inventor in 1998 as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Boskoop, The Netherlands.
Asexual reproduction of the new Symphoricarpos by terminal cuttings taken at Boskoop, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this new Symphoricarpos are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of xe2x80x98Bokrabrightxe2x80x99. These characteristics in combination distinguish xe2x80x98Bokrabrightxe2x80x99 as a new. and distinct cultivar:
1. Upright and outwardly spreading plant habit.
2. Freely branching growth habit.
3. Whitish-colored fruits.
4. Good postproduction longevity.
Plants of the new Symphoricarpos differ from plants of the parent seedling selections primarily in growth habit and fruit coloration.
Plants of the new Symphoricarpos can be compared to plants of the Symphoricarpos cultivar White Hedge, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Boskoop, The Netherlands, plants of the new Symphoricarpos differed from plants of the cultivar White Hedge in the following characteristics:
1. Plant of the new Symphoricarpos were more upright than plants of the cultivar White Hedge.
2. Plants of the new Symphoricarpos had larger fruits than plants of the cultivar White Hedge.
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{
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Emulsions and dispersions of many natural and synthetic waxes are used as additives in a variety of applications. U.S. Pat. No. 2,045,455 teaches how to prepare fine particle size emulsions of carnauba wax in water with the aid of surfactant. Since the emulsification process is practiced at temperatures greater than the melt temperature of the wax, the resultant fine particle dispersions are often referred to as "wax emulsions" rather than "wax dispersions." This distinction reflects the fact that the system was prepared by combining two immiscible liquids. However, when cooled, the wax droplets become dispersed solid particles. Wax emulsions are referred to as nonionic, anionic, or cationic, depending on the nature of the surfactant used to prepare the emulsion.
In the floor polish industry, it is desirable to use wax emulsions having both fine particle size and narrow size distribution of the dispersed wax as additives in floor polish formulations to improve the durability, buffability, scuff resistance, and slip resistance of a dried film of the end floor polish product on a floor. Fine particle wax emulsions, especially emulsions of functionalized synthetic polyolefin waxes, are common additives in floor polish formulations.
Functionalized polyolefin waxes which are easily emulsified into the particles having fine size and narrow size distribution are prepared by functionalizing the wax according to methods such as oxidation and maleation to make the wax more hydrophilic. "Functionalized polyolefin waxes" as used herein refers to either a homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyolefin molecule which has been altered by the free radical or other type of addition or grafting of a hydrophilic side chain onto the hydrophobic polyolefin backbone, wherein the side chain group could be derived from a single molecule or an oligomer of an acid or anhydride functional species such as acrylic acid or maleic anhydride, and the like. Heteropolymeric polyolefin molecules are copolymers which typically contain one alpha-olefin copolymerized with another polyolefin, usually a minor amount, such as a copolymer of ethylene containing up to 10 weight percent of another alpha-olefin. Functionalized waxes, prepared either through air oxidation with or without a catalyst, or by reaction with acid or arthydride functional species such as acrylic acid or maleic anhydride, are easily emulsified as fine sized particles in water with the aid of surfactants. Air oxidation results in the formation of polar carboxylic acid groups covalently bound to the wax. Examples of air oxidized polyolefins and air oxidation processes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,879,239; 3,519,588 and 3,329,667. Reaction with maleic anhydride, commonly called "maleation," results in the formation of hydrophilic dicarboxylic acid/anhydride groups covalently bound to the wax. Examples of maleated polyolefins are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,480,580 and 3,642,722. The functionality of the synthetic waxes used to prepare wax emulsions is crucial for determining end-product application performance of the emulsion.
Emulsions having the application performance properties required for use as floor polish additives or similar coating applications contain functionalized polyolefin wax typically having a molecular weight greater than 1,000. A problem commonly encountered with functionalized wax emulsions, especially emulsions of functionalized polyolefin wax having a molecular weight greater than 1,000, is undesirable yellowish-brown color. Floor polish products having a substantially colorless or water-white color are generally preferred by consumers. Even a lightly colored emulsion that merely appears dirty or dingy is considered to be colored since it is aesthetically unpleasant. Since color of individual ingredients in a formulation can affect the overall color of the end floor polish product, emulsion color is a critical criterion for marketability of a wax emulsion as a floor polish additive. Strictly controlled emulsification conditions and the addition of sodium metabisulfite, a reducing agent, are known to somewhat minimize the color of wax emulsions. However, even with strictly controlled conditions, the functionalized polyolefin wax emulsion is still colored, too highly colored for general consumer acceptance.
An approximately 25 percent solids non-ionic emulsion of AC-540, an ethylene/acrylic copolymer wax from Allied Signal, Inc., has a bluish-white translucent appearance. Yet this emulsion of an ethylene/acrylic copolymer wax does not produce a dried film having the durability, buffability, scuff resistance and slip resistance properties associated with emulsions of funstionalized polyolefin waxes.
The recipes for successfully preparing fine particle size, narrow size distribution emulsions are very well defined. Large deviations from the recipes will result in significant increases in average particle size resulting in emulsions with poor application performance properties and having limited commercial use.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,496,150 (polymaleates); U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,366 (polymaleates); U.S. Pat. No.4,959,468 (glycosides);U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,540 (thermoplastics); 5,292,864 (polyaspartic acid) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,580 (glyoosides) require that the colored polymer be dissolved in either an aqueous solution or an organic solution prior to contact with an aqueous bleaching agent. These disclosed processes for reducing the color of non-polyolefin polymers require that the polymer be in a single-phase system, such as a molten polymer or a polymer dissolved in an inert solvent, prior to the bleaching process. None of these processes are suitable for reducing the color of a two-phase wax emulsion.
In light of the above, it would be very desirable to be able to reduce the color of emulsions of functionalized polyolefin waxes without reducing their application performance properties.
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{
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The present invention provides novel prostacyclin analogs. Particularly, the present invention relates to prostacyclin analogs substituted at the C-19 position by hydroxy.
Particularly, the present invention relates to 2-decarboxy-2-hydroxymethyl-19-hydroxy-6a-carba-PGI.sub.2 compounds. The novel prostacyclin analogs are useful for pharmacological purposes, e.g., as anti-asthmatic agents. The preparation and use of these compounds is incorporated here by reference from U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,508.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Extended surface area substrate particles, such as activated carbon, alumina, zeolites, and the like, are widely used in air filtration because of their ability to remove a wide range of contaminants from the air. The highly porous structure of these materials provides a high surface area that is very suitable for filtration purposes. In the case of activated carbon, the porosity results from controlled oxidation during the “activation” stage of manufacture.
The ability of such carbon to remove contaminants from air generally involves direct absorption and depends on molecular-scale interactions between a gaseous molecule and the carbon surface. The extent of this interaction may depend upon factors including the physical and chemical surface characteristics of the carbon, the molecular shape and size of the gaseous compound, the concentration of the gaseous compound in the gas stream to be filtered, residence time in the carbon bed, temperature, pressure, and the presence of other chemicals. As a rule of thumb, for a single contaminant, the extent of adsorption is primarily dependent on boiling point. In general, the higher the boiling point, the greater the capacity of carbon to remove the chemical.
Accordingly, unimpregnated carbon does not have a great capacity by itself for removal of lower boiling point gases (including reactive gases) or vapors from air. Treatments have been devised in which chemicals are incorporated into the carbon to provide improved contaminant removal capabilities. These treatments are generally known as “impregnation” methods, and the result of such treatment is an “impregnated” carbon.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sets standards for respirators and respiratory protection from Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Agents. NIOSH CBRN standards for operational and escape type filters typically require that an approved device remove biological and other particulates, as well as a list of 10 gases selected to represent families of toxic compounds. The 10 NIOSH gases are sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), formaldehyde (H2CO), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), cyanogen chloride (ClCN, or CK), phosgene (COCl2), cyclohexane (C6H12), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and phosphine (PH3). Typically, filters meeting NIOSH standards have been constructed using a carbon capable of removing all such gases, or by using layers of carbons that collectively remove all of the listed classes of compounds. Usually one of the listed gases drives the need for increased amounts of granular sorbent material. In the case of current carbon technologies, this gas is often ammonia or sulfur dioxide.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Additive manufacturing devices produce three-dimensional parts from feedstock by, according to part creation instructions, sequentially adding materials to a part being formed. Additive manufacturing enables quick, easy, precise, and repeatable creation of a variety of objects.
Fused filament fabrication additive manufacturing devices, also known as fused deposition modeling printers, create parts via depositing melting filament in a raster pattern. Such devices can generally only produce parts having a resolution of 150 to 300 microns at sizes fewer than two feet per side. At such scales, part creation times are significant due to the raster movement of the filament extruder. Furthermore, such filaments are not suitable for well-known techniques such as lost wax casting and also produce a part which is prone to losing portions of itself due to strands of filament coming off because of poor bonding between adjacent strands of filament.
Photopolymer-based additive manufacturing devices are capable of generating parts having a higher feature resolution, often measured in the 10s of microns. Such parts may also be used in lost wax casting processes. Photopolymer-based additive manufacturing devices typically comprise a movable build plate, a controllable light source, a photopolymer supply (e.g., a vat of photopolymer) and a build area where photopolymer from the photopolymer supply is selectively cured, forming portions of the part being created. The part is connected to the build plate as it is created. Each newly created portion of the part (e.g., a layer) adheres to the build area as it is created, necessitating separation of the part from the build area by applying a separation force. This may be accomplished by peeling, pulling, sliding or other movements. In some cases, the separation force is strong enough to distort or destroy fragile portions of a part because the fragile portion is stretched, strained, and even completely separated from the part as the part is repositioned to form the next layer of the part. Because this separation force destroys or damages fine detailing in a desired part design, quality is limited.
Each newly formed layer must be separated from the build area surface before additional photopolymer material may be deposited (by flowing, deposition or otherwise supplying the material), exposed to electromagnetic radiation and added to the part. Bonding and/or vacuum forces may connect the newly formed portion of the part to the build area surface. These forces must be overcome in a manner which does not damage the part being created, thereby establishing a minimum feature size and maximum print speed.
Many prior art additive manufacturing devices use either at least a slide motion or tilt motion to release a part being built during the build process to separate it from a build table so that a next layer to the part may be applied. These motions are required to minimize destructive forces on the part being built. One known prior art approach uses both a lift and slide motion that occurs at a same time, or simultaneously, to assist in release of the part from the build table. Providing any of these motions requires an additional powered release mechanism to be a part of the additive manufacturing device and increases the length of time required to form the part.
Pulling a part being formed vertically upward from a build area is known and a need for an additional powered release mechanism is not needed. Prior art attempts to only vertically lift the part have proven to take longer when compared to employing a slide or tilt motion. How far to lift the part and at what rate to lift the part to reliably produce a part are unknown. To compensate, such prior art systems that utilize vertical lift only compromise to avoid damage by providing a slow lift rate to a high height to ensure no damage occurred where rate and height are static for any part build.
Though the additive manufacturing process described above is considered rapid manufacturing, there are several inefficiencies in the process and known additive manufacturing devices which could be improved upon to further enhance the processing speed. Given the foregoing, users of such devices would benefit from an additive manufacturing device which facilitates a more rapid and efficient operation that would result in improved manufacturing time.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Processing large amounts of data is a common practice for small and large enterprises alike. There are multiple ways to process “big data,” including writing a single monolithic program that takes input from one or more sources, performs a series of operations on the input and on intermediate results, and generates a final result. However, such an approach may take a long time to implement, especially if the operations are many and complex.
Another approach involves implementing a workflow that comprises multiple computer jobs. A computer job (or simply “job”) is a unit of work. A component of a job is called a task or step. Each job corresponds to a different set of one or more operations that is required to finally generate a valid output at the end of the workflow.
An advantage of this approach is that each job may be implemented by a different person or different group of people. Each job needs to be able to read input data and write output data in a format that a consumer of the output data (e.g., another job in the workflow) is expecting.
One approach for implementing a workflow is for a job scheduler to start each job in the workflow when the input for that job is assured of being ready to read and process. The job scheduler detects when the job completes and, in response, initiates the next job in the workflow. For example, the job notifies the job scheduler that the job is finished. This ensures that a job reads complete and consistent data. Otherwise, each subsequent job in the workflow is likely to crash/fail altogether or, worse, produce incomplete and inconsistent output that is difficult to locate during a debug of the workflow, presuming a problem in the data is eventually identified, in which case much damage may have already been done.
Thus, current approaches to implementing workflows rely on a sequential paradigm where each iteration of a workflow requires the last job in a prior execution to complete before the first job in a current execution begins. Another approach is to run multiple executions of a workflow in parallel. However, this has disadvantages that are not easily handled. For example, job B in a first execution of a workflow is taking a relatively long time to execute, then job A (which precedes job B in the workflow) in a second execution of the workflow might write partial data that job B is not expecting or that job B ends up reading, which may cause job B to crash or (in potentially worse scenarios) produce invalid output for job C.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In an aircraft gas turbine (jet) engine, air is drawn into the front of the engine, compressed by a shaft-mounted compressor, and mixed with fuel. The mixture is burned, and the hot combustion gases are passed through a turbine mounted on the same shaft. The flow of combustion gas turns the turbine by impingement against an airfoil section of the turbine blades and vanes, which turns the shaft and provides power to the compressor. The hot exhaust gases flow from the back of the engine, driving it and the aircraft forwardly.
The hotter the combustion and exhaust gases, the more efficient is the operation of the jet engine. There is thus an incentive to raise the combustion and exhaust gas temperatures. The maximum temperature of the combustion gases is normally limited by the materials used to fabricate the airfoils of the turbine vanes and turbine blades, upon which the hot combustion gases impinge. In current engines, the turbine vanes and blades are made of nickel-based superalloys, and can operate at temperatures of up to about 1800-2100° F.
Many approaches have been used to increase the operating temperature limit of the turbine blades and vanes to their current levels. For example, the composition and processing of the base materials themselves have been improved. Solidification is controlled to produce directionally oriented structures that orient the grain boundaries parallel to the major stress axis or eliminate the grain boundaries entirely, and also take advantage of the most suitable crystallographic orientations of the metal. Physical cooling techniques are used, such as providing internal cooling passages through which cooling air is passed.
In another approach, protective coatings are applied to the internal and external surfaces of the airfoils of the turbine blades and vanes. Aluminide diffusion coatings are used for the internal surfaces, and aluminide diffusion coatings or overlay coatings are used on the external surfaces. A ceramic thermal barrier coating layer may also overlie the aluminum-containing coating on the external surfaces.
Although these internal and external protective layers provide improved resistance to environmental damage of the turbine components and the ability to operate at higher temperatures, there is an opportunity for improvement. Thus, there is a need for improved protective coating systems and methods for their application that extend the capabilities of the turbine components even further. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
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