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This invention relates generally to circuit testing devices, and more particularly concerns apparatus to test for voltages and electrical continuity. The invention enables the use of two tester probes to change from continuity testing to voltage testing, no switching devices being required and with the further advantage that no damage or injury can occur to the device or the user. In addition, the presence of 110 and 220 volts can be determined using a single probe, with sound or light indicators being activated, the use of a neutral or ground not being required. A sound indicator is usable to indicate continuity.
Electrical contractors and electricians must frequently determine whether or not voltage is present at a terminal, lead or line, as for example 110, 220 to 440 volts. If the outlet or terminal being tested is difficult to reach, the running of a separate ground line to accomplish the test becomes very difficult. Such workmen also frequently need to know if there is electrical continuity between two terminals; for example, if such continuity is lacking as between neutral and ground terminals at a receptacle, there is the possibility of a break in the neutral wire. Prior devices for resolving these questions have lacked the many unusual advantages in construction, mode of operation and results as are provided by the present invention.
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"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common cancer diagnosis in women and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among women (Ries L A G, et al. (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2003, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md.). Major advances in breast cancer treatment over the last 20 years have led to significant improvement in the rate of disease-free survival (DFS). For example, therapies utilizing antibodies reactive against tumor-related antigens have been used to block specific cellular processes in order to slow disease progress or prevent disease recurrence. Despite the recent advances in breast cancer treatment, a significant number of patients will ultimately die from recurrent disease.
Vaccines are an attractive model for preventing, slowing, or prohibiting the development of recurrent disease due to their ease of administration, and because of their high rate of success observed for infectious diseases. The basic concept of constructing a cancer vaccine is straightforward in theory. The development of effective cancer vaccines for solid tumors in practice, however, has met with limited success. For example, one group attempting to administer a peptide vaccine directed against metastatic melanoma observed an objective response rate of only 2.6% (Rosenberg S A et al. (2004) Nat. Med. 10:909-15).
There are many potential explanations for this low success rate (Campoli M et al. (2005) Cancer Treat. Res. 123:61-88). For example, even if an antigen is specifically associated with a particular type of tumor cell, the tumor cells may express only low levels of the antigen, or it may be located in a cryptic site or otherwise shielded from immune detection. In addition, tumors often change their antigenic profile by shedding antigens as they develop. Also contributing to the low success rate is the fact that tumor cells may express very low levels of MHC proteins and other co-stimulatory proteins necessary to generate an immune response.
Additional problems facing attempts at vaccination against tumors arise in patients with advanced-stage cancers. Such patients tend to have larger primary and metastatic tumors, and the cells on the interior of the tumor may not be accessible due to poor blood flow. This is consistent with the observation that vaccine strategies have tended to be more successful for the treatment of hematologic malignancies (Radford K J et al. (2005) Pathology 37:534-50; and, Molldrem J J (2006) Biol. Bone Marrow Transplant. 12:13-8). In addition, as tumors become metastatic, they may develop the ability to release immunosuppressive factors into their microenvironment (Campoli, 2005; and, Kortylewski M et al. (2005) Nature Med. 11:1314-21). Metastatic tumors have also been associated with a decrease in the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and dendritic cell dysfunction (Gillanders W E et al. (2006) Breast Diseases: A Year Book and Quarterly 17:26-8).
While some or all of these factors may contribute to the difficulty in developing an effective preventative or therapeutic vaccine, the major underlying challenge is that most tumor antigens are self antigens or have a high degree of homology with self antigens, and are thus expected to be subject to stringent immune tolerance. Thus, it is clear that many peptide-based cancer vaccines, with or without immune-stimulating adjuncts, may be doomed to only limited success in clinical practice due to low immunogenicity and lack of specificity.
Prototype breast cancer vaccines based on single antigens have been moderately successful in inducing a measurable immune response in animal experiments and in clinical tests with breast cancer patients. The observed immune response, however, has not translated into a clinically-significant protective immunity against recurrence of disease put in remission by standard therapy (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy).
HER2/neu is a proto-oncogene expressed in many epithelial malignancies (Slamon D J et al. (1989) Science 244:707-12). HER2/neu is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family and encodes a 185-kd tyrosine kinase receptor involved in regulating cell growth and proliferation. (Popescu N C et al. (1989) Genomics 4:362-366; Yarden Y et al. (2001) Nat Rev Mol Cell Bio 2:127-137.) Over-expression and/or amplification of HER2/neu is found in 25-30% of invasive breast cancers (BCa) and is associated with more aggressive tumors and a poorer clinical outcome. (Slamon D J et al. Science (1987) 235:177-182; Slamon D J et al. Science (1989) 244:707-12; Toikkanen S et al. J Clin Oncol (1992) 10:1044-1048; Pritchard K I et al. (2006) N. Engl. J. Med. 354:2103-11.)
Determining HER2/neu status is performed predominately via two tests, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). IHC detects over-expression of HER2/neu protein and is reported on a semi-quantitative scale of 0 to 3+(0=negative, 1+=low expression, 2+=intermediate, and 3+=over-expression). FISH on the other hand detects amplification (excess copies) of the HER2/neu gene and is expressed as a ratio of HER2/neu gene copies to chromosome 17 gene copies and interpreted as “over-expression” if FISH is ≧2.0 copies. (Hicks D G et al. Hum Pathol (2005) 36:250-261.) Concurrence rate of IHC and FISH is approximately 90%. (Jacobs et al. J Clin Oncol (1999) 17:1533-1541.) FISH is considered the gold standard, as retrospective analysis reveals it is a better predictor of trastuzumab (Tz) response; it is more objective and reproducible. (Press M F et al. J Clin Oncol (2002) 14:3095-3105; Bartlett J et al. J Pathol (2003) 199:411-417; Wolff A C et al. J Clin Oncol (2007) 25:118-145.)
Identification and quantification of HER2/neu as a proto-oncogene has led to humoral or antibody-based passive immunotherapy, including the use of trastuzumab (Herceptin® Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, Calif.). Trastuzumab is a recombinant, humanized monoclonal antibody that binds the extracellular juxtamembrane domain of HER2/neu protein. (Plosker G L et al. Drugs (2006) 66:449-475.) Tz is indicated for HER2/neu over-expressing (IHC 3+ or FISH≧2.0) node-positive (NP) and metastatic BCa patients, (Vogel C L et al. J Clin Oncol (2002) 20:719-726; Piccart-Gebhart M J et al. N Engl J Med (2005) 353:1659-1672) and shows very limited activity in patients with low to intermediate HER2/neu expression. (Herceptin® (Trastuzumab), prescription product insert, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, Calif.: revised September 2000.)
Another form of immunotherapy being pursued is vaccination and active immunotherapy targeting a cellular immune response to epitopes on tumor associated antigens, such as HER2/neu. HER2/neu is a source of several immunogenic peptides that can stimulate the immune system to recognize and kill HER2/neu-expressing cancer cells. (Fisk B et al. J Exp Med (1995) 181:2109-2117.) Two such peptides are termed E75 and GP2. E75 and GP2 are both nine amino-acid peptides that are human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted and stimulate CTL to recognize and lyse HER2/neu-expressing cancer cells (Fisk B et al. J Exp Med (1995) 181:2109-2117; Peoples G E et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1995) 92:432-436).
E75 is derived from the extracellular domain of the HER2/neu protein and corresponds to amino acids 369-377 (KIFGSLAFL)(SEQ ID NO:3) of the HER2/neu amino acid sequence and is disclosed as SEQ ID NO:11 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,942, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The full length HER2/neu protein sequence is set forth below and is disclosed as SEQ ID NO:2 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,445, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
(SEQ ID NO: 1)MKLRLPASPETHLDMLRHLYQGCQVVQGNLELTYLPTNASLSFLQDIQEV QGYVLIAHNQVRQVPLQRLRIVRGTQLFEDNYALAVLDNGDPLNNTTPVT GASPGGLRELQLRSLTEILKGGVLIQRNPQLCYQDTILWKDIFHKNNQLA LTLIDTNRSRACHPCSPMCKGSRCWGESSEDCQSLTRTVCAGGCARCKGP LPTDCCHEQCAAGCTGPKHSDCLACLHFNHSGICELHCPALVTYNTDTFE SMPNPEGRYTFGASCVTACPYNYLSTDVGSCTLVCPLHNQEVTAEDGTQR CEKCSKPCARVCYGLGMEHLREVRAVTSANIQEFAGCKKIFGSLAFLPES FDGDPASNTAPLQPEQLQVFETLEEITGYLYISAWPDSLPDLSVFQNLQV IRGRILHNGAYSLTLQGLGISWLGLRSLRELGSGLALIHHNTHLCFVHTV PWDQLFRNPHQALLHTANRPEDECVGEGLACHQLCARGHCWGPGPTQCVN CSQFLRGQECVEECRVLQGLPREYVNARHCLPCHPECQPQNGSVTCFGPE ADQCVACAHYKDPPFCVARCPSGVKPDLSYMPIWKFPDEEGACQPCPINC THSCVDLDDKGCPAEQRASPLTSIISAVVGILLVVVLGVVFGILIKRRQQ KIRKYTMRRLLQETELVEPLTPSGAMPNQAQMRILKETELRKVKVLGSGA FGTVYKGIWIPDGENVKIPVAIKVLRENTSPKANKEILDEAYVMAGVGSP YVSRLLGICLTSTVQLVTQLMPYGCLLDHVRENRGRLGSQDLLNWCMQIA KGMSYLEDVRLVHRDLAARNVLVKSPNHVKITDFGLARLLDIDETEYHAD GGKVPIKWMALESILRRRFTHQSDVWSYGVTVWELMTFGAKPYDGIPARE IPDLLEKGERLPQPPICTIDVYMIMVKCWMIDSECRPRFRELVSEFSRMA RDPQRFVVIQNEDLGPASPLDSTFYRSLLEDDDMGDLVDAEEYLVPQQGF FCPDPAPGAGGMVHHRHRSSSTRSGGGDLTLGLEPSEEEAPRSPLAPSEG AGSDVFDGDLGMGAAKGLQSLPTHDPSPLQRYSEDPTVPLPSETDGYVAP LTCSPQPEYVNQPDVRPQPPSPREGPLPAARPAGATLERPKTLSPGKNGV VKDVFAFGGAVENPEYLTPQGGAAPQPHPPPAFSPAFDNLYYWDQDPPER GAPPSTFKGTPTAENPEYLGLDVPV
Attempts have been made to utilize E75 as an anti-cancer vaccine, for example, as a single peptide vaccine combined with different immunoadjuvants in patients with advanced cancer who overexpress the HER2/neu protein (Zaks T Z et al. (1998) Cancer Res. 58:4902-8; Knutson K L et al. (2002) Clin. Cancer Res. 8:1014-8; and, Murray J L et al. (2002) Clin. Cancer Res. 8:3407-18); loaded on to autologous dendritic cells and reinfused (Brossart P et al. (2000) Blood 96:3102-8; and, Kono K et al. (2002) Clin. Cancer Res. 8:3394-3400); or embedded in longer peptides capable of binding HLA class II molecules in order to recruit CD4 helper T-cells (Disis M L et al. (1999) Clin. Cancer Res. 5:1289-97; and, Disis M L et al. (2002) J. Clin. Oncol. 20:2624-32). Each approach has stimulated an E75-specific cytotoxic T cell-mediated immune response, but none has demonstrated a clinically significant therapeutic or protective immunity in women with advanced stage breast cancer. The inability of others to show a meaningful clinical benefit using E75 vaccine preparations stems in part from the fact that E75 is derived from a “self” tumor antigen. Cancer vaccines targeting “self” tumor antigens, like those derived from HER2/neu, present unique challenges because of the immunologic tolerance characteristic of self proteins. Furthermore, the previous studies have focused on cancer patients with advanced disease, such as Stage III or IV cancer, rather than patients who are disease-free following standard therapies. As such, none of these attempts to use E75 as an anti-cancer vaccine has demonstrated the vaccine's ability to prevent or delay recurrence of disease following remission. Building on these E75 studies, others have more recently conducted clinical trials to determine if E75-induced immunity conveys a clinical benefit by preventing the recurrence in high-risk breast cancer patients. Peoples G E et al., J. Clin. Oncol. (2005) 23:7536-45; Peoples G E et al., Clin Cancer Res (2008) 14(3):797-803; Holmes et al., Cancer (2008) 113:1666-75. The data from these studies indicate that increased in vivo E75-induced DTH responses correlate with reduced recurrence and increased survival time for those who did recur.
GP2, initially described by Peoples et al., is a nine amino acid peptide derived from the transmembrane portion of the HER2/neu protein corresponding to amino acids 654-662 of the full length sequence (i.e., IISAVVGIL: SEQ ID NO:2) (Peoples G E et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1995) 92:432-436, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). The peptide was isolated using tumor-associated lymphocytes from patients with breast and ovarian cancer, and later found to be shared amongst several epithelial malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer (Linehan D C et al., J Immunol (1995) 155:4486-4491; Peiper M et al., Surgery (1997) 122:235-242; Yoshino I et al., Cancer Res (1994) 54:3387-3390; Peiper M et al., Eur J Immunol (1997) 27:1115-1123).
E75 has a high binding affinity for the HLA-A2 molecule and is considered the immunodominant peptide of the HER2/neu protein. As such it is the most studied HER2/neu-derived peptide in laboratory and clinical studies. Peoples et al., J. Clin. Oncol. (2005) 23:7536-45. As the immunodominant peptide, E75 is also expected to induce a more potent immune response. GP2, on the other hand, has a relatively poor binding affinity to HLA-A2 and is considered a subdominant epitope. (Fisk B, et al. J Exp Med (1995) 181:2109-2117.) This is one of the reasons that vaccine strategies targeting a cellular immune response to HER-2/neu epitopes have focused on E75 rather than GP2.
Previous studies of GP2 have used autologous dendritic cells pulsed with GP2 (and other peptides) ex vivo and re-injected subcutaneously (Brossart P et al. Blood (2000) 96:3102-3108) or intravenously (Dees E C et al. Cancer Immunol Immunother (2004) 53:777-785) into HER2/neu+ patients with metastatic breast or ovarian cancer to induce a CTL response. Brossart et al. detected a peptide-specific (GP2 and E75) CTL response in vivo, and they noted that both peptides showed a similar immune response despite known differences in HLA-A2 binding affinities. Dees et al. evaluated GP2-pulsed dendritic cells in metastatic breast cancer patients and were able to document clinically stable disease in two patients. Importantly, however, neither study used GP2 as a peptide vaccine. Rather in both studies, patients were injected with dendritic cells that had been pulsed with GP2. Furthermore, as with the E75 studies, the GP2 studies were limited to patients with advanced cancer. Therefore, neither Brossart nor Dees demonstrated the ability of GP2-pulsed dendritic cells to prevent or delay recurrence of disease following remission. As with E75, cancer vaccines targeting “self” tumor antigens, like HER2/neu from which GP2 is derived, present unique challenges because of the immunologic tolerance characteristic of self proteins.
Peoples et al. have previously evaluated the use of GP2 for a peptide-based breast cancer vaccine trial by conducting in vitro cytotoxicity assays with GP2-pulsed dendritic cells and CD8 T cells obtained from breast cancer patients. (Mittendorf E A et al. Cancer (2006) 106:2309-2317.) While the results from these in vitro experiments confirmed the presence of GP2-specific precursor cytotoxic T lymphocytes in women with HER2/neu+ breast cancer, it was concluded that because of the variability of response to a given peptide and the heterogeneity of antigen expression in vivo, vaccination with multiple different peptides, including the immunodominant peptide E75, will be required to provide an adequate immune response. (Mittendorf E A et al. Cancer (2006) 106:2309-2317.)
As noted above, trastuzumab is indicated for HER2/neu over-expressing (IHC 3+ or FISH≧2.0), node-positive (NP), metastatic breast cancer patients, and shows very limited activity in patients with low to intermediate HER2/neu expression. Similarly, in the studies discussed above, patients receiving the E75 and GP2-based vaccines were selected, in part, based on the presence of tumors that over-expressed HER2/neu. Accordingly, a GP2 peptide vaccine would not be expected to be effective in cancer patients with low and intermediate levels of HER2/neu tumor expression.
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"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Landscapers must often prepare lawns, landscaping, etc. This work often requires removal of rocks from the soil. Manual removal of rocks is labor intensive and is partially ineffective since some rocks will be buried just below the surface where they can inhibit growth of grass but on the other hand are not easily seen by workers. If mechanical equipment is used, often as much or more dirt as rocks are picked up for disposal. This obviously increases the time required, it also increases disposal cost since to the debris collected will be dirt that is hauled away with the rocks. Prior art devices, such as that disclosed in prior patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,404 enables the landscaper to grade, work and scarify soil and the grading of soil inherently removes some rocks.
The present invention provides an implement that may be mounted, preferably, on the lift arms of a front end loader through an appropriate hitch, so that the implement may be pivoted to change the angle of the implement with respect to the ground and also to enable raising and lowering of the implement to dump rocks therefrom as will hereinafter be described. Accordingly, the front end loader (or similar drive vehicle such as a tractor) is used to move the implement over soil having rocks to be removed. A frame is mounted on the forward edge of a bucket connected to the lift arms by a conventional hitch assembly. The frame has opposite transverse edges, one of which is attached to the open end of the bucket and the other terminates in a tined member carrying multiple spaced tines, which penetrate the soil as the implement is moved. The frame supports multiple removable and replaceable grates. Accordingly, the tines engage rocks either on the surface of the soil or buried just below the surface such that movement of the vehicle in the forward direction forces rocks to move along the tines and into the grating assembly. The grates are sized to retain rocks in excess of a predetermined size on the grate while the dirt and other debris falls through the grates and back onto the ground. When the grates become full, the operator rotates the implement to cause the rocks to move from the grates and into the bucket. Preferably, the floor of the bucket is perforated such that the rocks that remain in the bucket any dirt remaining on the rocks is discharged after it is shaken off the rocks by normal movement of the vehicle through the perforations in the floor of the bucket. When the bucket is full or nearly fully, the operator dumps the bucket in a debris pile or in a truck for debris removal. Accordingly, rocks are quickly and efficiently removed from the soil, but most if not all of the dirt is shaken from the rocks during normal movement of the vehicle and falls through the grates and/or the perforations in the floor of the bucket back onto the ground.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The disclosed invention is generally in the field of nucleic acid characterization and analysis, and specifically in the area of analysis and comparison of gene expression patterns and genomes.
The study of differences in gene-expression patterns is one of the most promising approaches for understanding mechanisms of differentiation and development. In addition, the identification of disease-related target molecules opens new avenues for rational pharmaceutical intervention. Currently, there are two main approaches to the analysis of molecular expression patterns: (1) the generation of mRNA-expression maps and (2) examination of the xe2x80x98proteomexe2x80x99, in which the expression profile of proteins is analyzed by techniques such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry [matrix-assisted-desorption-ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) or electrospray] and by the ability to sequence sub-picomole amounts of protein. Classical approaches to transcript imaging, such as northern blotting or plaque hybridization, are time-consuming and material-intensive ways to analyze mRNA-expression patterns. For these reasons, other methods for high-throughput screening in industrial and clinical research have been developed.
A breakthrough in the analysis of gene expression was the development of the northern-blot technique in 1977 (Alwine et al., Proc. NatL. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74:5350-5354 (1977)). With this technique, labeled cDNA or RNA probes are hybridized to RNA blots to study the expression patterns of mRNA transcripts. Alternatively, RNase-protection assays can detect the expression of specific RNAs. These assays allow the expression of mRNA subsets to be determined in a parallel manner. For RNase-protection assays, the sequence of the analyzed mRna has to be known in order to synthesize a labeled cDNA that forms a hybrid with the selected mRNA; such hybrids resist RNA degradation by a single-strand-specific nuclease and can be detected by gel electrophoresis. As a third approach, differential plaque-filter hybridization allows the identification of specific differences in the expression of cloned cDNAs (Maniatis et al Cell 15:687-701 (1978)). Although all of these techniques are excellent tools for studying differences in gene expression, the limiting factor of these classical methods is that expression patterns can be analyzed only for known genes.
The analysis of gene-expression patterns made a significant advance with the development of subtractive cDNA libraries, which are generated by hybridizing an mRna pool of one origin to an mRNA pool of a different origin. Transcripts that do not find a complementary strand in the hybridization step are then used for the construction of a cDNA library (Hedrick et al., Nature 308:149-153 (1984)). A variety of refinements to this method have been developed to identify specific mRNAs (Swaroop et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25:1954 (1991); Diatchenko et at, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 93:6025-6030 (1996)). One of these is the selective amplification of differentially expressed mRNAs via biotin- and restriction-mediated enrichment (SABRE; Lavery et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:6831-6836 (1997)), cDNAs derived from a tester population are hybridized against the cDNAs of a driver (control) population. After a purification step specific for tester-cDNA-containing hybrids, testerxe2x80x94tester homohybrids are specifically amplified using an added linker, thus allowing the isolation of previously unknown genes.
The technique of differential display of eukaryotic mRNA was the first one-tube method to analyze and compare transcribed genes systematically in a bi-directional fashion; subtractive and differential hybridization techniques have only been adapted for the unidirectional identification of differentially expressed genes (Liang and Pardee, Science 257:967-971 (1992)). Refinements have been proposed to strengthen reproducibility, efficiency, and performance of differential display (Bauer et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 11:4272-4280 (1993); Liang and Pardee, Curr. Opin. Immunol 7:274-280 (1995); Ito and Sakaki, Methods Mol. Biol. 85:37-44 (1997); Praschar and Weissman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.S.A. 93;659-663 (1996)). Although these approaches are more reproducible and precise than traditional PCR-based differential display, they still require the use of gel electrophoresis, and often implies the exclusion of certain DNA fragments from analysis.
Originally developed to identify differences between two complex genomes, representational difference analysis (RDA) was adapted to analyze differential gene expression by taking advantage of both subtractive hybridization and PCR (Lisitsyn et al., Science 259:946-951 (1993); Hubank and Schatz, Nucleic Acids Res. 22:5640-5648 (1994)). In the first step, mRNA derived from two different populations, the tester and the driver (control), is reverse transcribed; the tester cDNA represents the cDNA population in which differential gene expression is expected to occur. Following digestion with a frequently cutting restriction endonuclease, linkers are ligated to both ends of the cDNA. A PCR step then generates the initial representation of the different gene pools. The linkers of the tester and driver cDNA are digested and a new linker is ligated to the ends of the tester cDNA. The tester and driver cDNAs are then mixed in a 1:100 ratio with an excess of driver cDNA in order to promote hybridization between single-stranded cDNAs common in both tester and driver cDNA pools. Following hybridization of the cDNAs, a PCR exponentially amplifies only those homoduplexes generated by the tester cDNA, via the priming sites on both ends of the double-stranded cDNA (O""Neill and Sinclair, Nucleic Acids Res. 25:2681-2682 (1997); Wada et al., Kidney Int. 51:1629-1638 (1997); Edman et al., J. 323:113-118 (1997)).
The gene-expression pattern of a cell or organism determines its basic biological characteristics. In order to accelerate the discovery and characterization of mRNA-encoding sequences, the idea emerged to sequence fragments of cDNA randomly, direct from a variety of tissues (Adams et al., Science 252:1651-1656 (1991); Adams et al., Nature 377:3-16 (1995)). These expressed sequence tags (ESTs) allow the identification of coding regions in genome-derived sequences. Publicly available EST databases allow the comparative analysis of gene expression by computer. Differentially expressed genes can be identified by comparing the databases of expressed sequence tags of a given organ or cell type with sequence information from a different origin (Lee et al., Proc. NatL. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92:8303-8307 (1995); Vasmatzis et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95:300-304 (1998)). A drawback to sequencing of ESTs is the requirement for large-scale sequencing facilities.
Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) is a sequence-based approach to the identification of differentially expressed genes through comparative analyses (Velculescu et al., Science 270:484-487 (1995)). It allows the simultaneous analysis of sequences that derive from different cell population or tissues. Three steps form the molecular basis for SAGE: (1) generation of a sequence tag (10-14 bp) to identify expressed transcripts; (2) ligation of sequence tags to obtain concatemers that can be cloned and sequenced; and (3) comparison of the sequence data to determine differences in expression of genes that have been identified by the tags. This procedure is performed for every mRNA population to be analyzed. A major drawback of SAGE is the fact that corresponding genes can be identified only for those tags that are deposited in gene banks, thus making the efficiency of SAGE dependent on the extent of available databases. Alternatively, a major sequencing effort is required to complete a SAGE data set capable of providing 95% coverage of any given mRNA population, simply because most of the sequencing work yields repetitive reads on those tags that are present in high frequency in cellular mRNA. In other words, SAGE sequencing experiments yield diminishing returns for rare mRNAs, whose unique tags will begin to accumulate in the database only after many weeks of sequencing effort.
A different approach to the study of gene-expression profiles and genome composition is the use of DNA microarrays. Current DNA microarrays are systematically gridded at high density. Such microarrays are generated by using cDNAs (for example, ESTs), PCR products or cloned DNA, which are linked to the surface of nylon filters, glass slides or silicon chips (Schena et al., Science 270, 467-470 (1995)). DNA arrays can also be assembled from synthetic oligonucleotides, either by directly applying the synthesized oligonucleotides, either by directly applying the synthesized oligonucleotides to the matrix or by a more sophisticated method that combines photolithography and solid-phase chemical synthesis (Fodor et al., Nature 364:555-556 (1993)). To determine differences in gene-expression, labeled cDNAs or oligonucleotides are hybridized to the DNA- or oligomer-carrying arrays. When using different fluorophores for labeling cDNAs or oligonucleotides, two probes can be applied simultaneously to the array and compared at different wavelengths. The expression of 10,000 genes and more can be analyzed on a single chip (Chee et al., Science 274:610-614 (1996)). However, depending on the sensitivity of both cDNA and oligonucleotide arrays, the intensity of hybridization signals can leave the linear range when either weakly or abundantly expressed genes are analyzed. Thus, individual optimization steps are required to ensure the accurate detection of differentially expressed genes. While such microarray methods may be used to address a number of interesting biological questions, they are not suitable for the discovery of new genes.
There is a need for a method that combines the power and convenience of array hybridization technology with the capability for gene discovery inherent in differential display or SAGE. Such a method would be most attractive if it could enable comprehensive gene expression analysis without the use of gel electrophoresis, and without the need for a redundant DNA sequencing effort.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the comprehensive analysis of nucleic acid sequence tags.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a detector composition that allows indexing of nucleic acid sequence tags.
Disclosed is a method for the comprehensive analysis of nucleic acid samples and a detector composition for use in the method. The method, referred to as Fixed Address Analysis of Sequence Tags (FAAST), involves generation of a set of nucleic acid fragments having a variety of sticky end sequences; indexing of the fragments into sets based on the sequence of sticky ends; associating a detector sequence with the fragments; sequence-based capture of the indexed fragments on a detector array; and detection of the fragment labels. Generation of the multiple sticky end sequences is accomplished by incubating the nucleic acid sample with one or more nucleic acid cleaving reagents. Preferably this is accomplished by subjecting the nucleic acid sample to digestion by a restriction endonuclease that cleaves at a site different from the recognition sequence, or by multiple restriction endonucleases. The indexed fragments are captured by hybridization and coupling, preferably by ligation, to a probe. The probe is preferably immobilized in an array or on sortable beads.
The method allows detection of the indexed fragments where detection provides some sequence information for the fragments including the sequence of the original sticky end of each fragment, the recognition sequence of the restriction endonuclease (if different from the sticky end sequence), and the sequence corresponding to the probe. The method allows a complex sample of nucleic acid to be cataloged quickly and easily in a reproducible and sequence-specific manner.
One form of the FAAST method, referred to as variable address analysis of sequence tags (VAAST) allows determination of associations, in a nucleic acid molecule, of different combinations of known or potential sequences. For example, particular combinations of joining and variable regions in immunoglobulins or T cell receptors can be determined. Another form of the FAAST method, referred to as modification assisted analysis of sequence tags (MAAST), assesses modification of sequences in nucleic acid molecules by basing cleavage of the molecules on the presence or absence of modification. For example, a site that is methylated in a nucleic acid molecule will not be cut by a restriction enzyme that is sensitive to methylation at that site. A restriction enzyme that is insensitive to methylation will cleave at that site, thus producing a different pattern of sequence tags.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
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The present invention relates generally to steganography and, in particular, to techniques for embedding data in a video signal and for detecting the presence of such embedded data in a video signal.
Steganographic techniques, as known in the art, generally attempt to hide one piece of information within another. Within the broad field of steganography, the ability to embed ancillary data in analog or digital data representing video or graphics has a number of uses. Such systems ideally hide authentication or other data in a data stream or store in such a way as to allow the data stream or store (for example a graphics file on a floppy disk or a video-tape) to function normally and without indicating the presence or absence of the embedded data. Toward the end of aiding in the identification of copyright infringement or source identification, technology that allows authentication data to be carried by the data itself is useful. Employing a video image or stream of images to serve as a xe2x80x9ccarrierxe2x80x9d for embedded data is also useful for annotating and indexing the carrier data itself. An example, called digital watermarking, is a technique that modifies data representing a video image or stream of images in such a way that the modifications are essentially undetectable.
Various methods have been used in the past to xe2x80x9chidexe2x80x9d digital information in a video signal. In many cases, the added data is associated with the video, but is not part of the video image itself For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,026 issued Lu et. al., the added data is encoded in an overscan region of the video signal, and therefore can be removed without affecting the video images. Such systems are clearly unsuitable for copyright protection where the added data must be substantially indelible. In other cases, the watermark data is encoded into the video in such a simple manner that straightforward methods may be used to detect and remove the data thereby destroying the watermark. For example, the xe2x80x9cfingerprintxe2x80x9d apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,603 issued to Copeland et al. communicates each bit by raising or lowering the video set-up by 0.5 IRE for a complete field.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,624 issued to Waggener et al., data is added to the video signal in randomized positions, making the data difficult to remove. However, no attempt is made in this case to hide the video data from the viewer, and the digital signature therefore impairs the video to some degree. A method for hiding data in a video data stream is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,041 issued to O""Grady, et al. A low-level waveform is added to the video signal during the active video portion of the video signal. The low-level waveform can be any unique waveform, such as a set of random noise waveforms that are unlikely to occur in a normal video signal, each of which represents a unique digital data word. The low-level waveform to be embedded in the video signal has levels significantly below the noise level of the video signal. The low-level waveform is detected by correlating the video signal with all of the unique waveforms, or with a desired one of the unique waveforms if a particular data word is sought. The video signal is multiplied by each waveform, or with the desired waveform, and the result is compared with a threshold value to determine a correlation coefficient for each waveform. This technique, however, is vulnerable to attack in that the video image can be modified in such a way as to make the signal uncorrelatable with the standard waveforms. For example, an adverse party could zoom the video images to distort the embedded signal to the point that it is no longer recognizable without destroying the image.
While the foregoing discussion of prior art techniques does not represent an exhaustive review of the state of the prior art, it does point out the shortcomings of current techniques. In particular, a need exists for a simple technique for embedding data in a video signal that minimizes the impact on the quality of the video signal, that is substantially impervious to attempts to remove or obscure the embedded data, and that provides for straightforward detection of the embedded data.
These needs and others are substantially met by the present invention. Generally, the present invention provides a technique for embedding data (a xe2x80x9cwatermarkxe2x80x9d) in a video signal. The watermark may be used to identify the source and/or the owner of the information in the video signal. The encoded video signal meets all broadcast and studio specifications, and has no visible impairments. Attempts to obscure or remove the embedded data by adding noise, coring, cropping or warping the image will damage the video to an unacceptable degree before the watermark is eliminated. The method is cascadable, and survives digital compression and/or conversion to analogue.
A low-level digital signal is added to a parameter defining the video signal. The watermark data consists of known two-dimensional codeword patterns that are added to portions of each video frame, and covering a large proportion of the frame. The portions can be, for example, alternate lines or alternate fields. The codeword patterns consist of relatively few bits per frame so that each bit of a codeword covers a significant portion of the frame. Therefore only low spatial frequencies are present in the codeword patterns. Limited randomization of the spatial position of the codeword pattern is also employed. By altering a polarity of a codeword pattern, binary data can be communicated on a per frame basis.
Detection of the codeword pattern is accomplished by a two step process. In the first step, a predictor is employed that continuously estimates the current value of the modified parameter. In one embodiment of the present invention, the predictor employs video samples taken from unmodified areas of the frame (areas to which no data has been added, e.g., alternate lines or fields) to provide the estimates. The estimated parameter values are then subtracted from the actual parameter values constituting the video signal, thereby producing a low-amplitude noise-like signal containing the embedded watermark data. In the second step, multiple correlators attempt to detect the presence of the codeword pattern in a range of spatial locations surrounding its nominal position in the image frame. The use of multiple detectors (spatially offset from the original codeword location) provides immunity to feasible attacks aimed at damaging the watermark, i.e., levels of zoom, cropping or warping of the signal (short of destroying the video signal) do not materially affect the delectability of the mark.
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It is now common for mobile devices to store content and software applications, such as images, videos, music and other audio files, games and documents. A user of a mobile device commonly will be able to store their multimedia files on a personal computer as well as on a mobile device and to transfer files between the device and computer. A user may also be able to download multimedia from an external source to their mobile device, computer or both.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning at least one side of a sheet material, a silver halide photosensitive material where an image is exposed, a cleaning device used in a developing processing apparatus for forming an image on the silver halide photosensitive material by using a processing sheet containing a chemical, which is attached with the silver halide photosensitive material and applied with heat so as to form an image on the silver halide photosensitive material, and a drying device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a lith film (photosensitive material) has been used for printing newspapers or magazines. The lith film indicates the density of each picture element by the density of black dots (dot processing) . In the case of color printing, a film where the shade of each color is expressed is produced for obtaining a color image.
Since an image is formed with a lith film in processes including development and fixation (wet processing) as in conventional photographic film, processes in the developing processing are complicated. Besides, since each processing is conducted by soaking lith films successively in a processing vessel containing a treating liquid (such as developer and fixer) , the management thereof is troublesome as well as having the problem of accelerating the deterioration rate of the developing processing apparatus itself through unclean developing processing devices, and the like.
On the other hand, there exists a developing processing apparatus for the developing processing in a photosensitive material where an image is formed, such as a lith film without conducting complicated processes such as development and fixation (wet processing). In the developing processing apparatus, two kinds of materials, a heat developing photosensitive material and a treating material containing a chemical for forming an image on the heat developing photosensitive material are used. The developing processing of the heat developing photosensitive material is conducted by placing the heat developing photosensitive material where an image is exposed face to face with the treating material, applying heat thereto for a predetermined time and then separating the heat developing photosensitive material from the treating material, and drying (the so-called dry processing).
In such a developing processing apparatus, since a liquid containing a chemical, such as a treating liquid is not used, the user need not be concerned with storage of the liquid, supplement management, or cleaning of the apparatus. In addition, apparatus maintenance can be improved.
However, in conducting heat development using a heat developing photosensitive material, a salt contained in the heat developing photosensitive material itself or a salt generated in the developing process may have adverse effects. The salt herein denotes an inorganic or organic water-washable compound. It includes water-soluble compounds used in a material, and salts generated in the developing process.
That is, it is characteristic of a salt to get sticky by absorbing moisture depending upon the environment humidity due to its high hygroscopic property so that if it is left after the heat development, a phenomenon of high hygroscopic adhesion may occur. Although the high hygroscopic adhesion property can be eliminated by washing, it involves a problem in that the surface to be developed cannot be contacted with a transporting system, and the like until the drying process is completed after washing.
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The invention relates to a chain member assembly for a tire chain that comprises a chain member in the form of link having at least one receiving opening that is delimited by a wall and in which a ring member is received.
The invention further relates to a chain member in the form of a link for use in such a chain member assembly. Such a link comprises a wear part provided at its wear face with terminal wear stays and a central wear stay wherein the wear stays are separated from one another by recesses in the wear face.
Tire chains, in particular protective tire chains, are usually comprised of chain members in the form of links and ring members linked with each other. Particularly under extreme conditions of use, for example, in underground mining operations, the chain members of the tire chain are subjected to high stress and high wear. The wear of the chain members not only occurs in the area where the wear faces of the links contact the ground but also in the engagement areas between the ring members and the links. Moreover, the ring members of known tire chains are subjected to enormous bending loads as the tire rolls across them. Since the links are relatively narrow, there is the risk that they tilt and therefore subject the linked ring members to a high bending force that may cause them to break.
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Electrophotographic machines, such as, for example, copiers and printers, produce images by forming a latent image charge pattern on a dielectric member. The dielectric member carries the latent image through a developing station wherein pigmented toner particles are drawn by electrostatic attraction onto the latent image charge pattern. An electric field is applied to transfer the image from the dielectric member onto either an intermediate transfer member and then to an image substrate, such as, for example, a piece of paper, or directly from the dielectric member onto the image substrate.
The image substrate is then separated from the dielectric member or intermediate transfer member and transported to a fixing station wherein the image is fixed, such as, for example, by fusing, to the image substrate. The fixing station generally includes one or more heated fusing rollers and one or more opposing pressure rollers which are rotated to pass the image substrate through a nip formed between the rollers. Under the heat and pressure within the nip, the toner particles are fused to the image substrate. The image substrate is then separated from the fusing and/or pressure rollers.
In some electrophotographic machines, particularly machines capable of producing multi-color images, the image substrate carrying the fused image may then be carried to a glossing station wherein the surface finish and/or image gloss are enhanced or manipulated by a glossing process. Generally, the glossing process includes a glossing or finishing belt carrying the image substrate through a nip formed between a heated “glossing roller” and an opposing pressure roller. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the term “glossing roller” is not used to indicate that the glossing roller itself provides gloss or finish to the image substrate, but rather is used to indicate the roller is part of or located within the glossing station.
The image carrying substrate and the belt are cooled after the nip and before a release roller in order to prevent offset of the toner or marking particles from the image substrate to the finishing belt. The finishing belt carrying the image substrate typically has a surface with a very smooth and shiny coating that produces image substrates with a similar smooth and shiny surface. Alternatively, the finishing belt carrying the image substrate may have a surface with a textured coating that produces image substrates having a similarly textured surface. The glossing station may be onboard or integral with a particular electrophotographic machine or it may be an off-board accessory.
Release fluid (typically silicon oil) may be applied to the fusing and/or pressure rollers of the fixing station in order to facilitate release of the image substrate from and in order to ensure toner does not adhere to the rollers. The release oil, however, occasionally spreads onto an image substrate and contaminates the image thereon. When the image substrate is processed through the glossing station, release fluid on the image may result in undesirable image artifacts, such as, for example, haze, ghosting, rivers. The release fluid may also cause ripples or wrinkles in the image substrate due to reduced friction in the glossing nip.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is an electrophotographic machine that reduces the likelihood of undesirable image artifacts caused by glossing of an image contaminated with release oil.
Furthermore, what is needed in the art is a process for reducing undesirable image artifacts caused by glossing of an image contaminated with release oil.
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There is a growing movement directed toward finding more energy efficient ways to operate computer systems. This is known generally as green computing. As used herein, the term computer system includes any collection of hardware and software that can be used to processes information. Examples of hardware which may be included in a computer system are one or more servers, personal computers (PCs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), telephones, storage devices (e.g., disk arrays), networking devices (e.g., switches and routers), input/output (I/O) devices (e.g., keyboards and monitors), and other devices, such as power supplies and cooling systems. Examples of software that may be included in a computer system are system software (e.g., file systems, backup systems, and operating systems (OSs)), applications (e.g., word processors), as well as utilities, drivers, and other types of software. There are many techniques available to reduce the amount of energy consumed by a computer system. Most current approaches focus on hardware improvements. Several examples of efforts to reduce energy consumption through hardware optimization are: building hardware which is more efficient; consolidating multiple systems into a single system; and powering down systems when they are idle. There are several groups and initiatives directed toward evaluating computer hardware in terms of energy consumption.
A computer system's energy usage depends on the software application (hereinafter “application”) being run on the system. An application, as used herein, includes any type of computer program which can be used to process information in a meaningful way, including but not limited to, system software (e.g., backup systems, operating systems, file managers), application software (e.g., word processors, spreadsheet, media players), and other types of software (e.g., utilities, drivers). An application is not limited to running on one device, but may be distributed across multiple devices. Some applications require a computer system to consume more energy than other applications. Currently there is no way of knowing in advance how a given application will affect a computer system's energy consumption. For someone managing large numbers of computer systems, this could be a serious problem, as deciding which applications to use can have dramatic consequences in terms of energy consumption.
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Torsional vibration damping mechanisms have long been used to reduce the adverse effects of torsional vibrations or fluctuating torques in vehicle drivelines. Such torsional vibrations or fluctuating torques, hereinafter referred to as torsionals, emanate primarily from engine power pulses and torque spikes, and from abrupt changes in driveline torque due primarily to rapid engine acceleration/deceleration and transmission ratio changes.
Such mechanisms commonly employ a spring(s) to attenuate torsionals and transmit positive and negative torque between the vehicle engine and wheels, and employ a damper assembly to control the rate of flexing of the springs. Examples of such mechanisms may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,874,074 and 4,690,256; and French patent application 2,611,013. These documents are incorporated herein by reference.
The mechanisms in the U.S. documents each employ a nested pair of spiral wound springs formed of steel; these springs are designed to withstand flexing of forty or more degrees, flex radially inward and outward in response to increasing positive and negative torque, and are symmetrically balanced when paired.
The mechanism in the French Patent document employs a single spiral wound spring formed of a composite material including a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments bonded together by a plastic material; this spring has an unknown flex design limit, flexes radially inward and outward in response to increasing positive and negative torque, and is not per se symmetrically balanced.
The steel spiral wound springs in the mechanism of the U.S. patent documents have the disadvantage of increasing the inertia of the damping mechanism. The composite spring in the mechanism of the French patent document has the disadvantage of being per se symmetrically unbalanced, is difficult to install in a damper mechanism for flexing in only one direction, and is prone to delamination failure of the reinforcing filaments due to flexing in both directions.
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This invention relates to valves.
Straight-through flow is a well-known characteristic of gate valves, which have only two conditions: wide-open and closed. In globe valves, in which flow is variable between those two conditions, in the wide-open condition there is neither straight-through flow nor a seat which does not obtrude into the flow passage to act as a source of friction and turbulence. In McMullen U.S. Pat. No. 2,445,885, flow is generally straight-through, but an angled seat obtrudes into and thereby narrows the flow passage. In Baker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 668,946, the seat and passage diameters are about the same, but the seat and seat support so obtrude into the flow passage that flow must be diverted upward and then downward from its normal straight-line axis. Green U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,820 shows straight-through flow in a valve capable of metering, but the stem is perpendicular to the flow passage, as in a gate valve.
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The use of machine read encoded information systems is prevalent in all aspects of our market dominated society. We find encoded data on products of industry, documents and living beings. The information encoded can be identification, demographics or machine functions and is carried by magnetic tapes or stripes, optical disks or cards, or printed labels. There is a demand to store greater amounts of information using a machine read encoded information system.
One common form of encoding information is by bar code. The bar code is a pattern of bars of various widths distanced apart from each other by varying widths of spaces. The bar and space have different light reflective properties thereby allowing a binary code to be digitally encoded. A typical binary bar code is eight spaces in size which allows encoding two choices (bar or no bar) in eight spaces arranged successively. This yields an 8 bit number or 256 choices to encode information in 1 byte. Bar codes have been modified and improved on in many ways but still lack an adequate data packing density to meet industry needs.
A one-dimensional code is read only linearly. The one-dimensional bar code format allows a machine read encoded information system to access a database using the code it has read. The database holds the information that is sought. Reading a one-dimensional bar code only allows for further processing in some database. A two-dimensional code is read vertically and horizontally. This allows for greater packing density within a bar code sequence and therefore can contain the information that is to be accessed without further processing.
A common method for achieving a two-dimensional code is by stacking a bar code in rows and columns. This however can lead to the loss of vertical synchronization. The loss of vertical synchronization is overcome by using row and column identifiers but at an obvious reduction in information density.
One approach for achieving great packing density while maintaining a simple syntax and overcoming any loss in vertical synchronization would be the use of colors for encoding.
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FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional control circuit for a passive OLED panel. As shown in FIG. 1, a circuit 10 includes n OLEDs OLED1-OLEDn, which are placed in channels 11-1n, respectively, and the conduction of the channels 11-1n are controlled by corresponding row signals RS1-RSn. In the passive OLED panel, the raw signals RS1-RSn turn ON the channels in turn so as to form a perceivable image by vision persistence. The brightness of the OLEDs OLED1-OLEDn correspond to the current amounts flowing in the channels 11-1n, respectively. Each of the channels 11-1n is controlled by a corresponding digital to analog converter DAC1-DACn. For simplicity, each of the digital to analog converter circuits DAC1-DACn is shown to be connected to only one OLED in FIG. 1, but more than one OLEDs may be connected to each of the digital to analog converter circuits in a real panel. The digital to analog converter circuits DAC1-DACn may be the simple type shown in FIG. 2 or the cascoded type shown in FIG. 3.
Specifically, the brightness of each of the OLEDs OLED1-OLEDn is controlled in the following manner. The current amount of a current source CS is proportionally mirrored into the digital to analog converter circuits DAC1-DACn by current mirrors consisting of a transistor Q and transistors in the respective digital to analog converter circuits DAC1-DACn. A digital switch control signal SW (also called as column signal or segment signal) determines which transistors in the digital to analog converters should be conducted. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the conduction current amounts in the transistors may be designed as 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8×, respectively, and accordingly a 16-level brightness can be generated based on the switch control signal SW.
As sizes of OLED panels increase, the number of OLEDs used therein increase. As a consequence, the number of channels of OLEDs in one OLED panel may be more than several hundred or even up to several thousand. Such increasing number of channels causes a problem that current channels can not be easily matched with one another in current amount, and accordingly the brightness across the panel is not uniform. Such non-uniformness can sometimes be perceivable, in a worse case. One approach for solving such a problem is to provide respective matching control circuits dedicated to respective channels and to sequentially conduct a matching check and calibration procedure by sample-and-hold for every channel. However, such an approach is not practical because it requires an enormous sophisticated circuit and a time-consuming check procedure. Therefore, a circuit and a method to efficiently match the plurality of channels with one another in current amount are desired.
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1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a power generation input device which can generate power according to an operating force from the outside, and to an electronic apparatus where a transmitting operation or the like is performed according to the electromotive force of the power generation input device when it is operated.
2. Description of the Related Art
In FIG. 7 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-199961, a basic structure of a self-power generating type key input device is disclosed.
The key input device includes a core forming a magnetic path and a coil portion wound on the core. Both ends of the core are opposed to each other via a space and a rod-shaped magnet can be interposed in the space. The electromotive force is generated in the coil from the change of magnetic flux in the core when the magnet is interposed in the space and change of the magnetic flux in the core when the magnet is withdrawn from the space.
The key input device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-199961 is moved in or out of the space without changing the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet. Thus, the orientation of the magnetic flux in the core is not reversed, an amount of change of the magnetic flux in the core is small and the power generation efficiency is poor.
In the structure, when the magnet is inserted in the space, the magnet is attracted to an end of the core and moves at a relatively fast speed; however, when the magnet is withdrawn from the space, since a force acts in an orientation where the magnet is prevented from withdrawing from the magnet, there is a limit to the speed up the withdrawal. Since the electromotive force is proportional to the change per unit time of the magnetic flux in the core, the electromotive force that is induced when the magnet is withdrawn from the space decreases greatly compared to the electromotive force that is induced when the magnet is moved into the space. In order to increase the electromotive force, a return spring is required to exert a strong force to withdraw the magnet from the space; however, the force of the return spring acts as a resistance against the operating force and the device is hard to operate.
The transducer disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0091984 A1, is provided with stop points opposed to each other at both ends of the soft-magnetic member on which the coil is wound. A permanent magnet is supported so as to rotate freely around its axis between the soft-magnetic members, and a first magnet layer and a second magnet layer are stacked on both surfaces of the permanent magnet. Both ends of the first magnet layer and both ends of the second magnet layer are opposed to each other in parallel, and the stop points of the soft magnetic element are inserted therebetween.
When the permanent magnet rotates in the clockwise direction, one end of the first magnet layer and one end of the second magnet layer are magnetically attracted and fixed to the stop points of the soft magnetic member, and when the permanent magnet rotates counterclockwise, the other end of the first magnet layer and the other end of the second magnet layer are magnetically attracted and fixed to the stop points of the soft magnetic member. The transducer also generates the electromotive force to the coil with the change of the magnetic flux in the soft magnetic member when the permanent magnet rotates in the clockwise direction and with the change of the magnetic flux in the soft magnetic member when the permanent magnet rotates in the counterclockwise direction.
Since the first magnet layer and the second magnet layer are attracted and fixed to the soft magnetic member in both directions when the permanent magnet rotates in the clockwise direction and in the counterclockwise direction, the transducer disclosed in U.S. Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0091984 A1, requires an excessively large force to rotate the permanent magnet from the attracted and fixed state in the reverse direction. The transducer is provided with a return spring for returning the permanent magnet to the same posture, and in this regard, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0091984 A1 describes that a return spring has to be used which exerts a force greater than the magnetic holding force at the stop point. Accordingly, when the permanent magnet rotates, a force is required which combines a force that is required to separate the first magnet layer and the second magnet layer from the stop point and a force that resists the return spring. If an excessive operating force is not provided, the device cannot be operated.
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It has been a long recognized problem that during production of hydrocarbons, particularly from gas wells, liquids, primarily water, accumulate in the wellbore. As the liquid builds at the bottom of the well, a hydrostatic pressure head is built which can become so great as to overcome the natural pressure of the formation or reservoir below, eventually “killing” the well.
A fluid effluent, including liquid and gas, flows from the formation and through perforations in the casing. Liquid accumulates as a result of condensation falling out of the upwardly flowing stream of gas or from seepage of liquids from the formation itself. To further complicate the process the formation pressure typically declines over time. Once the pressure has declined sufficiently so that production has been adversely affected, or stopped entirely, the well must either be abandoned or rehabilitated. Most often the choice becomes one of economics, wherein the well is only rehabilitated if the value of the unrecovered resource is greater than the costs to recover it.
Many techniques have been utilized to attempt to remove liquids which have accumulated in the wellbore. Of these many techniques some are focused on lifting liquids uphole to the surface, such as in gas or plunger lift systems. Other techniques have been focused on pumping water below the producing zone and into a lower portion of the formation that can act as a reservoir to accommodate the pumped water. These techniques are typified by arrangements that collect liquids below a conventional uphole-pumping pump, pump them slightly uphole and them route them back downhole through bypass tubing. These arrangements are subject to loss of head pumping failures in attempting to establish suction under low head conditions to pump uphole.
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Instrument panels for vehicles are generally configured with a variety of openings that accommodate different finish options and accessories that may be selected by the consumer. An accessory may be installed in an opening of the instrument panel and a decorative bezel, accessory panel or accessory cover inserted in the opening to obscure the accessory attachment points and provide a transition between the surface of the instrument panel and the accessory. The decorative bezel, accessory panel or accessory cover is generally secured to the instrument panel using clips extending from the underside of the cover which connect with a corresponding fastener located in the opening in the instrument panel. When the opening in the vehicle instrument panel is completely surrounded by the instrument panel, the cover is prevented from moving and, as such, the clips remain engaged with the corresponding connectors in the opening in the instrument panel.
However, when an opening in an instrument panel is located along an edge or edges of the instrument panel, an instrument panel cover inserted into the opening may not be bound by the instrument panel along the entire perimeter of the opening. Under these conditions, the instrument panel cover may be free to move along the unbounded portion of the opening causing an undesirable gap between the instrument panel and the corresponding cover.
Accordingly, the need exists for a system of securing an instrument panel cover in the opening of an instrument panel where at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening is not bound.
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One might postulate a document feeder comprising a feed wheel urging the foremost documents in a first direction, while also using a separator wheel W to cooperate therewith by restraining all following documents (e.g. rotating counter to W to drive documents oppositely) so that only a single document is fed at any one time.
It would often be preferable to make wheel W of large radius to be able to thrust the foremost document along a relatively straight path, a path that is along the document's original stacked-plane or close to it (e.g. note tangent to wheel tends to become so as the wheel radius increases).
If two documents are in the feedwheel/separator nip, there will invariably be some overlap. Hopefully this overlap will be small enough so that the interdocument space creating device can correct it.
To avoid any overlap at all, the feedwheel and separator should work together to prevent more than one document from entering the feedwheel/separator nip. I am not aware that any workers have addressed this issue. Picture a simple model was formulated to investigate the effects of two documents entering the feedwheel/separator nip. FIG. A-1 illustrates this, with sheet stack ST, and foremost sheet d-1, and following sheet d-2. Feed wheel W will be understood as urging d-1 in the "Go" direction (arrow) while non-rotating separator wheel roll R urges d-2 not to follow d-1 (see force F on R)
As a "first-order" approximation, nudger friction force is neglected here, and it is assumed that the documents d-1, d-2 are just slightly in to the nip between W and R, while feedwheel W is trying to drive both documents the rest of the way into the nip.
For this situation, two parameters are calculated. Each is the ratio of the sliding friction force to the non-sliding tangential force between the document and the component. They are called "feed margin" and "separator margin". The higher their values, the more margin there is for successful feeding (allowing sheet d-1 to move into the nip) and separation (preventing sheet d-2 from moving into the nip).
Typical input parameters are suggested in Table I; they might be (all units in the inch-pound-second system):
TABLE I feeder radius: RF = 1.000 separator radius: RS = 1.000 doc1 thickness: T1 = .004 doc2 thickness: T2 = .004 normal force: NS = 4.000 force sharing: C = 1.000 feed/doc1 fric coef: CFF1 = 1.000 sep/doc2 fric coef: CFS2 = .800 doc1/doc2 fric coef: CF12 = .400
The results for several runs changing feedwheel and separator radii, areas follows in Table II:
TABLE II change to above data feed margin separator margin None 1.969 2.671 RF = 2.000 2.168 2.812 RF = 4.000 2.309 2.922 RF = 8.000 2.396 2.993 RS = .500 2.424 3.815 RS = .250 2.445 6.087
Conclusion: Having a large feedwheel radius and/or a small separator-roll radius improves margins for feeding and especially for separating.
FIG. A-2 shows a feeder used to verify the foregoing. Here, a document stack ST is served by a nudge-roll 1-N periodically urging the foremost document into the nip between a feedwheel 1-F and a separator belt SB driven by rollers 1-S and 1-R, to advance this document in direction (Go) of arrow. Here, separator belt velocity is kept relatively low, to greatly favor separation. Here, the velocity of leading edges is slightly higher than the separator belt velocity, giving greater probability to producing "feedchecks". I find that one solves the feedcheck problem by moving the entire separator mechanism toward the front of the machine as far as possible without having to change adjacent parts. This effectively decreases the separator radius due to a subtle position relationship between the feedwheel and the separator mechanism.
FIG. A-2 illustrates this subtle relationship. The feedwheel 1-F contacts the separator belt SB between two rollers. Therefore, the effective radius of the separator near the nip is larger than the roller radius near the nip. The actual value of this radius is a complex function of the elastic properties of the separator belt, the forces applied by the separator mechanism springs, and geometry of the separator mechanism. However, moving the entire separator mechanism to the right (towards the feed-direction) reduces this effective radius at the nip. This is precisely what one should do to improve the feedcheck rate.
Ideally, minimal separator radius is obtained in FIG. A-2 when the entire separator mechanism is moved far enough to the right so that, when a line is drawn through the centerlines of the feedwheel and the belt separator belt drive roller 1-S, the nip lies on this line. This is additional evidence confirming the conclusion arrived at from FIG. A-1.
The reasons for preferring minimal separator radius and maximal feedwheel radius may be argued intuitively. Ideally, the separator should present as blunt a surface as possible to the second and subsequent documents in the stack. This means a "zero radius" object: a rectangular block, would be ideal, though it would be difficult to implement a moving separator under these conditions. The feedwheel wants to be a large radius so as to minimize the vertical component of force that drives against the separator, leaving all the available force for feeding the document. Ideally, a flat (infinite radius) "feedwheel" is desired.
Consequences of Optimal Geometry Conditions
Having a "small-radius" separator is also inimical to long service life. To achieve long separator service life, a belt should be used for the separator to increase surface area, while still being able to maintain small separator radius near the feedwheel/separator nip.
Having a large feedwheel radius is conducive to extended service life. However, large feedwheel radius results in larger drive torque, requiring larger motors. Also, large feedwheel radius results in much, much larger feedwheel inertia. With the trend now towards quickly accelerating and decelerating feedwheels to achieve "constant-separation" feed, interdocument space correction, smart feeders, etc., it might seem that large radius feedwheels are not desirable; or that. Feed margins should be achieved by other means, such as higher feedwheel/document friction coefficient, and driving the nudger faster than the feedwheel.
Normal Forces:
The process for specifying normal forces is rather complex. The basic process that I contemplate is illustrated in FIG. A-3.
As a first order approximation, the value of the separator normal force (e.g. F.sub.1, FIG. A-1) does not affect feeding and separation. However, experimental friction measurements with currently used separators and feed tires suggest that the separator normal force should be kept small to increase friction coefficients. Small separator normal forces should also improve the service life of the feed tire and separator, provided there is enough wear to remove contaminants.
But, small separator normal force may also negatively affect the interdocument space creation process. FIG. A-4 illustrates this (e.g. in an array used for high-speed and medium speed sorting).
In FIG. A-4, after document d-1 leaves the feeder, a higher speed, accelerator roller DR accelerates d-1 to a higher speed via the friction force between roller DR and the document. While this acceleration is taking place, and while the next document d-2 is still in the feedwheel/separator nip, an interdocument space (between d-1 and d-2) is created because document d-l has now been accelerated is at a greater velocity. Interdocument space continues to increase until document d-2 leaves the feedwheel/separator nip and is accelerated to the same speed as document d-1.
If the drive force of the accelerator roller DR is greater than the slip force at the feedwheel/separator nip, the accelerator roller DR will pull the document out of the feeder. This could have negative effects on the interdocument space consistency and it can cause excessive wear of the feed tire and separator.
Although the accelerator roller DR is the first roller after the feed wheel (e.g. as in some high and medium speed sorters) it does not need to be the "first". If the interdocument space creation process were placed further downstream, of the feed wheel, it would not be a factor in feeder design.
Complex Model
As artisans will agree, such a feeder is a complex system. A complete analysis is very complex. Because of the statistical nature of friction and document lengths, Monte Carlo simulation is required to perform the analysis. Also, there are many different kinds of document positions that must be considered: two documents in the nip, one document approaching the nip, two documents approaching the nip, etc. A related computer program analysis will contain many "if-then-else" routines.
Novel Feature:
As a salient feature hereof, this invention presents an "effectively-large-radius" (or "pseudo-large" radius) feedwheel in the area of a feedwheel/separator nip, without having to actually use a complete (full circle) large radius feedwheel. In this way, it can improve document feeding reliability without requiring the space, weight, etc. of a complete large radius feedwheel.
What is New or Different:
With such a feature, a feeder belt (e.g. as in FIG. 1) can be provided, to slide over a low friction, large radius block, or the like--as a sheet-feeder, so that the "large radius" is effectively obtained locally at the feedwheel/separator nip. This gives the advantages of large radius feedwheel in a small space and without large inertia.
Thus, it is an object hereof the address (at least some of the aforementioned problems, and to provide the hereincited, and related, advantages and functions. A related object is to provide such in an automatic, large-radius feeder unit of a sheet-sorting machine.
The methods and means discussed herein, will generally be understood as constructed and operating as presently known in the art, except where otherwise specified; with all materials, methods and devices and apparatus herein understood as implemented by known expedients according to present good practice.
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{
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The invention relates to a method to assemble a steam generator, whose tube walls form a gas pass and that are suspended in a boiler steel structure, as well as such a steam generator.
Large steam generators are large structures containing a substantial amount of material, and various methods have been suggested and are used to assemble them. For example, JP 04257602 A proposes an assembly method for steam generators in which crossbeams are provided in the boiler steel structure that extend outward so that hoistable platforms can be suspended on them to improve the efficiency and safety of assembling tube walls. Furthermore, the cited document discloses the simultaneous assembly of buckstays, internal components, and tube walls for different height zones and hoisting them into installation position as soon as the module is completed.
In addition, an assembly method is known from DE 690 00 992 T2 for a steam generator in which the boiler steel structure and an outer part of the boiler top main grid is erected first. Then the main beams are assembled on the boiler base as well as additional beams for the subsequent boiler top main grid that form a grid. The main beams of this grid then lie inside the subsequent boiler. The boiler top main grid formed in this manner is successively hoisted, and the boiler including the internal components, tube wall and buckstays are gradually lifted.
In this assembly method, boiler assembly can only begin after the boiler steel structure is already in place.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,783, another steam generator is disclosed that is constructed as a tube wall boiler. The outer boiler steel structure bears internal components that are constructed on the boiler base after the boiler wall is erected, and then gradually hoisted and mounted there.
In this assembly procedure, the internal components can be assembled only after the boiler steel structure and boiler wall are finished.
In addition, DE 100 14 758 A1 discloses the simultaneous construction of the top boiler walls and internal components in the nearly finished boiler steel structure when constructing a steam generator. The top boiler walls are inserted by a crane from above through the still-open boiler top main grid into the boiler steel structure. During this process, the inner part of the boiler top main grid can be assembled on the boiler base and gradually hoisted, and then the internal components can be assembled. These are hoisted through the finished top part of the boiler wall by cable hoisting systems, and then the inner part of the boiler top main grid is connected to the outer part.
This system substantially accelerates the construction speed and hence shortens the construction time. However, the outer parts of the boiler top main grid are shifted far outside in order to lift the tube walls from above. Tie rods that are used to suspend the tube walls from the main beams of the boiler top main grid then sit on the brackets of the main beams. The resulting extra steel is 200 to 350 tons depending on the size of the boiler.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Software defined networks are based on providing an application programmable interface for forwarding devices, for example switches or routers enabling programmability of these forwarding devices and therefore the entire network. Recently information centric networking was introduced, wherein communication within information centric networks is based on requests and responses: Requestors send requests to the information centric network, asking for named data objects that have been published before and that are available in one or many copies in the information centric network. Networking elements, for example forwarding elements receiving a request decide where to forward the requests to, for example which interface to use for forwarding the request. Once a request has been forwarded and reached the object source, for example a named data object copy in a cache, a corresponding response message is relayed back to the requestor.
Conventional methods for providing an information centric network use internet based protocols for the physical network tailored to support host to host communication using IP and TCP/UDP with additional mechanisms. For example an overlay network is created on top of the existing physical network and additional routing and forwarding mechanisms are implemented in the overlay network by certain applications. However, one of the disadvantages of these conventional methods is, that both hosts need to have special support for these mechanisms causing overhead for the overlay management and encapsulation inside the internet protocol.
Another conventional method for providing an information centric network, for example is described in N. Blefari-Melazzi, A. Detti, G. Mazza, G. Morabito, S. Salsano, L. Veltri, An OpenFlow-based Testbed for Information Centric Networking, Future Network & Mobile Summit 2012, with border nodes performing name-to-location mapping with help by an external means of location lookup for requested named data objects. An IP option is defined to include the name of the requested named data object and an information centric network specific transport protocol is used. The border nodes encapsulate the original request in a new packet of the information centric network specific transport protocol. A flow identifier representing the object's name with a one-to-one mapping will be embedded in the transport protocol port numbers. The software defined network in form of an open flow control network then uses these port numbers to forward the packet to the appropriate location or locations. The border node keeps a pending interest table enabling reversing the encapsulation and sending the response to the original requestor.
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{
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to digital electronic watches, and more particularly to a digital watch having battery select circuitry which connects the first battery to the digital watch's oscillator and high frequency dividers to power same during the A.M. period and connects a second battery to the digital watch's oscillator and high frequency dividers during the P.M. period and connects both batteries to the digital watch's oscillator and high frequency dividers when the user of the watch desires to display the horological information.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the art, the LED digital watch and the Liquid Crystal Display digital watch with an illumination light have employed two batteries (each supplying 1.5 volts) to power said watch's oscillators and electronic circuitry. Use of two batteries wasted power, i.e., only one battery, 1.5 volts, was needed to power the watch's oscillator and electronic circuitry when the LED display elements were not illuminated. These prior art digital watches were using two batteries to supply the voltage to the oscillator and electronic circuitry all of the time when the voltage from only one battery would have been sufficient. One solution to this problem was described in patent application Ser. No. 576,760 filed May 12, 1975, entitled, "Digital Watch with Oscillator/Divider Power Selection Circuitry," by Norman E. Moyer. The "Power Selection Circuitry" as described in Ser. No. 576,760 powers the digital watch's oscillator and electronic circuitry with one particular battery and then when the display is interrogated both batteries are used. The drawback with this invention is that it wore out the one particular battery that was being used all the time to power the oscillator and the electronic circuitry of the digital watch. That is, one battery was constantly being used and therefore wore out much sooner than the other battery. The present invention solves this problem by switching the batteries; the first battery is used to power the oscillator and high frequency dividers during the A.M. period and the second battery is used to power the oscillator and electronic circuitry during the P.M. period, naturally if the user interrogates the horological information during either period both batteries will be used to power the oscillator and high frequency dividers because one battery when under load cannot supply enough voltage to operate the oscillator and high frequency dividers.
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{
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Cables, used for shipping crafts and offshore structures at an early stage, was used without any difficulty if they have predetermined levels of flexibility and durability in combination with electrical properties in use environments. However, many offshore structures have been installed for oil well drilling as an amount of used crude petroleum increases in recent years. Such offshore structures were installed mainly in the sea near the coast, but have been located in the see remote from hot regions such as Africa in recent years. Also, structures have been generally installed in isolated severe cold regions, for example the structures have been installed and operated in very low temperature regions such as near coastal regions of Siberia, Russia.
The cables used in such severe environments should essentially have suitable characteristics for the use environments, and standard requirements according to the conventional standards have been reinforced as uses of the cables increase in the severe environments. For example, there was required a cable having a cold resistance at −15˜−30° C. in prior art, but there has been required a cable having a cold resistance at a temperature of −40° C. or below in recent years in order to meet specific test standards. In addition, there have been many difficult attempts to develop materials and cables that meet desired characteristics including specific standards in addition to the conventional standards.
In recent years, since the offshore structures are installed and operated in the isolated severe cold regions as described above, the offshore structures should be equipped with means capable of solving problems by themselves in an emergency, particularly when a fire breaks out. Accordingly, there has been required a cable having a high flame retardancy, which has been used for the offshore structures in recent years, in order to ensure stability of the cable on firing.
Also, conventional flame-retardant cables may satisfy other desired characteristics and easily ensure flame retardancy by using various rubbers and polymeric resins containing halogen as a halogen content of the cables is regulated to 18% or less. For example, the halogen-containing rubbers such as polychloroprene or chlorosulfonated polyethylene have been used to develop suitable materials and cables for their special purposes. However, these halogen components emit many toxic gases on firing, which cause a loss of lives, as well as do damage to enormous properties, for example corroding expensive equipments used in the offshore structures. In recent years, there have, therefore, been increasing attempts to develop a technique for inhibiting emission of corrosive gases, particularly halogen gas during the combustion by basically regulating a halogen content to 5% or less according to IEC754-1. In addition, the halogen-containing materials are deteriorated in an oil resistance against specific oils such as gasoline or oil containing aliphatic compounds as a main component, and therefore there is a limit to their uses.
There have been attempts to solve basic problems on the halogen content in the prior art by employing non-halogen materials, but the non-halogen materials may not be used for specific applications since they are so expensive and it is difficult to meet desired characteristics except for the basic standards.
The oil resistance of an ocean cable was required to just satisfy durability against specific gasoline components or general water based muds in the prior art, but wide long-term durabilities against specific water based muds such as ester based mud, oil based mud, cement slurry, synthetic oil based mud and the like have been required in recent years.
As described above, there have been attempts to develop a cable that satisfies various standards by developing novel materials that satisfy oil resistance, cold resistance, low toxicity and flame retardancy together. However, there have been many technical limits that a cable meets low toxicity and cold resistance in addition to the basic properties such as oil resistance and flame retardancy, etc., and particularly it was increasingly difficult to ensure a cable covering material that satisfies a cold resistance at −40° C. or below, an oxygen index of 30 or more and IEC 60332-3 Cat.A for flame retardancy together due to conflicting properties of the flame retardancy and the cold resistance.
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{
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Urea is commonly used as a fertiliser, supplying nitrogen to plants. Many soils also require sulphur as a plant nutrient, so fertilisers containing both urea and elemental sulphur have been developed. Desirably the elemental sulphur needs to be present as small dispersed particles to allow its oxidation in the soil to the plant available sulphate ion.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,698 discloses a urea-sulphur fertiliser that is made by combining molten urea and molten sulphur and subjecting the mixed melt to a prilling process. The mixed melt can also be prepared by adding solid urea prills to molten sulphur, or by adding solid sulphur to molten urea.
Melting sulphur and melting urea can be an energy intensive and therefore costly process, and can require sizeable equipment. Additionally, if melting of urea is not done quickly and in a controlled manner (i.e. the temperature is controlled such that it does not significantly exceed the melting point of urea), there is a risk of urea degradation. In particular, there is a risk of biuret production. Biuret is a phytotoxin (a material that is toxic to plants) and can be formed when urea is heated. Biuret interferes with nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis in plants. It is desirable to reduce the amount of biuret in fertilisers.
The present inventors have sought to provide an improved process for the preparation of urea-sulphur fertiliser which is desirably simpler and more energy efficient than known processes. Preferably the process will allow for rapid yet controlled melting of fertiliser constituents, thereby reducing the risk of impurity formation whilst enabling the size reduction of sulphur to yield finely dispersed sulphur particles in the final product.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a filter substrate that is used in a micro analysis device, such as a microreactor, a chemical-chip, a bio-chip, or a nano-chip, which has a micro structure as part of its constituent members, such as a flow passage, a reaction tube, a reaction tank, an electrophoresis column, a chromatographic column, or a membrane separation mechanism.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a micro chemical device that includes two members bonded together in which a groove or comparable recessed portion is formed on a substrate surface of one member.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to devices that can be manufactured by using the above methods. For example, the present invention relates to an inkjet recording head used to perform recording with a droplet of ink or other liquid discharged onto a paper or other recording material, and also relates to a manufacturing method for the inkjet recording head.
2. Description of the Related Art
A micro analysis device, which uses a very small amount of solution to cause a reaction or to perform separation or analysis, is composed of a smooth substrate overlaid with a member having a micro flow passage formed therein. The smooth substrate has an inlet and an outlet for the solution. The micro flow passage is formed on the member by chemical processing or energy ray treatment. Then, the smooth substrate and the member are bonded together by using ultrasonic wave, heat, pressure, or chemical processing.
In general, the substrate is made of an inorganic material, such as silicon, silica glass, boron silicate glass or ceramic, or an organic material, such as plastic materials including polycarbonate and polyacrylamide, silicone rubber, or silicon resin. A typical chemical processing is a dry etching or a wet etching. An energy ray treatment can be realized by using a laser or ion beam. The flow passage width of a micro flow passage is generally in a range from 40 μm to 500 μm, although it is dependent on the usage of the device. The depth of the flow passage is in a range from 0.6 μm to 500 μm.
In a structural body having such a flow passage formed therein, it is necessary to provide a filter in the flow passage so as to remove or separate foreign particles contained in the solution flowing in the flow passage or so as to separate such substances by electrophoresis. As a method for forming a filter, it is possible to employ a method of filling a part of the flow passage with gel, polymer, or zeolite with reference to the size of substances to be separated, or a method of providing a plurality of columnar structural bodies in the flow passage that are formed by dry etching or wet etching so as to arrange a physical filter.
An inkjet recording head is a structural body that requires a filter formed in the liquid passage. In general, the inkjet recording head has a plurality of discharge pressure generating portions, each including a fine discharge port (i.e., an orifice), a liquid flow passage connected to the discharge port, and a discharge pressure generating element provided partly in the liquid flow passage. The discharge pressure generating element is constructed from, for example, an electrothermal transducer.
Japanese Patent No. 3143307 discloses a related manufacturing method for an inkjet recording head. According to this manufacturing method, a mold of a liquid flow passage is formed with a dissoluble resin on a substrate on which a discharge pressure generating element is formed. Subsequently, a coating resin containing an epoxy resin that is in a solid state at ordinary temperatures is dissolved in a solvent. This solution is coated on the dissoluble resin layer by solvent coating techniques. Thus, a coating resin layer that forms a flow passage wall separating liquid flow passages is molded. Subsequently, a discharge port is formed in the coating resin layer. Finally, the dissoluble resin layer is eluted and removed.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-95119 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-34928 disclose an inkjet recording head and its manufacturing method, according to which the height of a flow passage located close to a supply port is set to be greater than the height of a flow passage located close to a discharge pressure generating element. According to these conventional manufacturing methods, a portion of a substrate corresponding to an area extending from the vicinity of the supply port to the vicinity of the discharge pressure generating element is recessed to assure a sufficient height of the flow passage in the vicinity of the supply port. As a result, the liquid flow passage has a large cross-sectional area. Accordingly, even if the discharge frequency (i.e., driving frequency) is increased, ink can be surely refilled into the flow passage after a droplet is discharged.
It is a recent trend that a higher resolution image and a higher quality image are demanded. To this end, the density of arrangement of discharge ports on an inkjet recording head tends to increase. Accordingly, if the cross-sectional area of the liquid flow passage is increased, the height of the liquid flow passage becomes greater than the diameter of the discharge port. Therefore, very fine foreign particles may enter the liquid flow passage and may clog the discharge port. On the other hand, it is conventionally known that a columnar filter can be provided between an ink supply port and a liquid flow passage.
Japanese Patent No. 3143307 discloses a manufacturing method for easily manufacturing this kind of columnar filter. However, this columnar filter cannot bring about sufficient filtering effects regarding a direction perpendicular to the direction of the liquid flow passage.
On the other hand, according to a filter forming method that requires a step of filling a part of the flow passage with gel, polymer, or zeolite, some time is necessary for such a filling step in each operation of the device. In addition, such a filler has nonuniformity in the molecular structure of holes. This brings about differences in the separation function, and, accordingly, it is difficult to obtain a desired size for the filler. Such a problem is not limited to the above-described inkjet recording head, and a similar problem will arise even in a micro analysis device.
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{
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The present invention relates to subterranean treatments and, more particularly, in one or more embodiments, to introducing a hydrophobically and cationically modified relative permeability modifier into a subterranean interval to reduce the effective permeability of the subterranean interval to aqueous-based fluids.
The production of water with hydrocarbons, oil and/or gas, from wells constitutes a major problem and expense in the production of the hydrocarbons. While hydrocarbon producing wells are usually completed in hydrocarbon producing formations, the formations frequently contain layers of water or may be located adjacent to water producing zones. The high mobility of the water often allows it to flow into the wellbore by way of natural fractures and/or high permeability streaks present in the formation. Over the life of such wells, the ratio of water to hydrocarbons recovered often becomes so high that the cost of producing the water, separating it from the hydrocarbons and disposing of it represents a significant economic loss.
Chemicals referred to as relative permeability modifiers have been utilized to decrease the production of water with hydrocarbons. That is, water permeability modifying chemicals such as polyacrylamide have been introduced into hydrocarbon and water producing formations so that the chemicals attach to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formations. The presence of the chemicals in the formations has the effect of reducing the flow of water through the formations. The use of water permeability modifying chemicals in hydrocarbon and water producing formations to decrease the production of water involves less risk than other techniques such as blocking the flow of water with cross-linked polymers, and has the advantage that they do not require expensive zonal isolation techniques. However, the use of hydrophilic water permeability modifying chemicals, e.g., polyacrylamides, have heretofore resulted in only small temporary reductions in water production and/or unacceptable levels of reduction in hydrocarbon production.
Hydrophobically modified polymers have recently been used as relative permeability modifiers. Hydrophobically modified polymers may also be used in operations to assist in leak off control, clay stabilization, fines control, cement fluid loss control, and the diversion of treatment fluids. However, under certain pH and temperature conditions (e.g., at temperatures above 140° F. and at pH's above 7) these polymers may precipitate out of solution limiting their effectiveness as relative permeability modifiers.
Thus, improvements are necessary in the methods and compositions used to reduce water permeability in water and hydrocarbon producing subterranean formations. Additionally, improved formation stimulation methods capable of stimulating production while also reducing the production of water from a formation with temperatures above 140° F. and/or while using treatment fluids that have pH's above 7 are necessary.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Relay stations (hereinafter “RS”) are added to wireless communication networks to increase the coverage range, user data rates, or both, at the periphery of the cellular coverage area. A multi-hop network facilities communication occurs between a base station (hereinafter “BS”) and subscriber stations (also referred to as mobile stations, “MS”) in the extended coverage area provided by a relay station. In a multi-hop network, a signal from a source may reach its destination in multiple hops through the use of the Relay stations. Relay stations typically boost the downlink (base station to the subscriber station) and uplink (subscriber station to the base station) signals regardless of whether the relay station is a fixed relay station (hereinafter “RS”) or a mobile relay station. Current systems fail to effectively increase relay system coverage while employing power saving mechanisms for the relay station. Moreover, no procedures are currently available for effectively managing load conditions, such as the number of received and transmitted data and acknowledgment packets
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{
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State-of-the-art blades and vanes that are employed in modern, high efficiency power generation combustion turbine engines rely on high quality materials such as single crystal alloys and precise control of the part's internal and external dimensions. Because of the large size of these parts, cost-effective manufacturing is being pursued by several routes.
Land-based gas turbines, such as the advanced turbine system (ATS) which is under development, require cost-effective high performance components fabricated from advanced materials. First and second row turbine blades and vanes include complex internal and external geometries, and should be fabricated from defect-free materials. Although components with such features have been developed for aircraft engines, the larger size of power generation turbine components provides a crucial challenge. To date, casting trials have been unable to produce defect-free large components in any significant yields.
An alternative manufacturing approach would be to cast defect-free smaller subcomponents and to subsequently join them using a high quality bonding process. Currently, however, the required bonding technology for advanced superalloys, including single crystal materials such as CMSX-4 that are targeted for use in ATS-class engines, is not available.
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{
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Inkjet recording methods enable simple and inexpensive image production and have therefore been used for printing of, for example, paints, adhesives, printing inks, circuit board materials, and electrical insulating materials on plastics, paper, woodwork, inorganic materials and other materials. As the inkjet recording method, UV-curable inkjet method is known wherein droplets of ink are landed on a recording medium and then cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays to form an image. Recently, the UV-curable inkjet method has been attracting attention for its capability of forming images having high rubfastness and adhesiveness even on recording media which lack ink absorbing properties.
As UV-curable inkjet inks having high pinning properties, for example, inks have been proposed which contain a gelling agent and undergo temperature-induced sol-gel phase transition (see, e.g., PTL 1). Specifically, ink droplets that are in liquid state at high temperatures are discharged and landed on a recording medium, and at the same time are cooled for gelation on the recording medium, whereby combining of dots can be prevented.
On the other hand, as a light source for irradiating gelling agent-free UV-curable inks or radically polymerizable curable wax-containing UV-curable inks with ultraviolet rays, ultraviolet ray-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) have been proposed (see e.g., PTLs 2 and 3).
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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It is sometimes necessary to apply paint or sealant while on an inclined roof or other surface. In these situations it is preferable to have an apparatus to hold the container containing the material being applied. Furthermore, it is more convenient and productive to apply paint or sealant directly from a five gallon bucket, rather than from a pan. Alternately, it is sometimes necessary to provide a container for tools and/or materials while working on an inclined roof or other surface. This requires a method of restraining a heavy bucket and current mechanisms for holding containers on inclined surfaces are limited.
A number of mechanisms have been proposed to hold paint cans or buckets on sloped roofs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,906 discloses a paint can holder for supporting a can in an upright position on a sloped surface. This device can only accommodate a single can having a specific size of handle bosses. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,193 also discloses a paint can holder for an inclined roof. This device requires manual adjustment for accommodating the slope of the roof. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,227 discloses an apparatus that attaches to a can and can be used to hold a can in an upright position if adjusted according to the slope of the roof. None of these three patents incorporate a flat level working surface. Such a surface is useful, for example, for striking a paint roller to reposition the roller on its handle (a frequent problem with paint rollers).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,397 discloses a platform that can be used to create a flat surface by manually adjusting the legs to accommodate the slope of the roof. This device does not restrain a can or bucket, but only creates a flat surface if properly adjusted. U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,306 discloses a platform incorporating a paint can holder for use on a sloped roof. This device requires manual adjustment according to the slope of the roof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,773 also discloses a bucket holding apparatus incorporating a device that attaches to the crest of a roof and a cable attached platform for holding a paint can. This device is complex and cumbersome to operate. It also does not have a flat level surface.
None of the six patents discussed in the preceding two paragraphs position a container above the crest of a roof or provide the simplicity of a single piece construction.
Accordingly, the need exists for an improved container restraining system that doesn't have the limitations of the mechanisms described above. What is needed is a simple and inexpensive apparatus for holding containers at the crest of a roof and also that can easily accommodate roofs of differing pitches.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Multilayer composite films having conductive metal patterns on at least one surface have been described for use in making sensors and/or test strips in biomedical and other applications. For example U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,246 describes a biosensor that includes an electrically conductive material on a polymeric base layer and electrode patterns formed on the base, with the patterns having different feature sizes. The patterns are formed by partially removing conductive material from the base using broad field laser ablation so that less than 90% of the conductive material remains on the base and the electrode pattern has an edge extending between two points. Other layers and features are also present, and such a device may be used, for example, in measuring blood glucose levels. In this and other applications, it is often preferred or required that the polymeric base layer be opaque for aesthetic reasons and/or to hide the internal circuitry of the strip. Suitable opaque polymeric films are known in the art, and typically contain a pigment and/or a voiding agent to produce the opacity. It is also preferred that the base material be flexible for ease of converting and production of strips, but also of adequate stiffness to allow easy insertion by the patient into the test meter. It will be apparent that the resulting product should be robust enough to withstand handling in the manufacturing process, sometimes under less than careful conditions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to resistor inks that are normally applied as a paste coating to an insulative substrate and fired to form a resistor film. More particularly this invention relates to resistor ink additives that are intended to effect a desired modification in the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the fired resistor film.
Such resistor inks may consist of metal particles mixed with glass frit in a liquid vehicle. Others contain metal resinates, with or without glass frit, which resinates decompose at firing leaving a deposit of metal or metal oxide either in a glass matrix or as an all metal (including metal oxides) film. A survey of resinate film technology including resistor films is provided in Electrical Applications of Thin Films Produced by Metallo Organic Deposition by C. Y. Kuo, International Microelectronics Symposium 1973 -- Oct. 22-24.
The electrical conductive path through such resistor films is through the metal and/or metal oxides. The temperature coefficient of resistance of these films tends to be positive when the path is predominantly metal and negative when predominantly metal oxide. It is well known to choose the ratios of particular metals and metal oxides in the film to achieve a desired TCR. Adjustments in the metal and metal oxide content of the film for purposes of adjusting the TCR are normally accompanied by corresponding changes in sheet resistivity, and current noise level. It thus becomes necessary when so adjusting the TCR to make other compensating adjustments, for example in film thickness or glass frit content. This involves an arduous and difficult procedure requiring extensive experimentation and evaluation in the formulation and processing of any new ink system for a particular application.
Many high resistivity ink systems that are suitable for making small high ohmic value (e.g. greater than 50,000 ohms per square) resistors, exhibit a negative TCR. The sheet resistivity of such resistors is particularly sensitive to additives that may be appropriate for an upward (positive) adjustment of their TCR. Most known additives have the effect of a downward (negative) adjustment of TCR as well as significantly increasing the resistivity.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an additive in a resistance material that adjusts the TCR in a positive direction.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an additive that adjusts the TCR in a positive direction and simultaneously either has a minor effect on the resistivity or causes the resistivity to decrease by a small amount.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a resistor having a resistivity of greater than 50,000 ohms per square and a near zero temperature coefficient of resistance.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In prior-art travelator arrangements people are moved on consecutive pallets, which form a continuous moving track. The pallets are connected to each other with a transmission chain, by which the pallets are moved. The chain is connected to a pallet with, for instance, a pin in the center part of the pallet, which pin is mounted on a bearing that allows the palette to rotate in relation to the pin. A problem in known arrangements is the sag of the transmission chain. The transmission chain sags between the fixing points of the consecutive pallets owing to the weight of the transmission chain. This sag is dependent on the tightening force of the transmission chain, which in turn is dependent on the number of people on the travelator and their distribution in the longitudinal direction of the travelator. The tightening force therefore can be of a different magnitude at different points of the transmission chain. That being the case, the sag is also of a different magnitude at different points of the conveyor. In addition, the tightening force varies as a consequence of the change in loading state as a result of the moving of the load. Passengers often walk along the conveyor and thus move from one pallet to another. When a passenger moves from one pallet to another, the rolling friction of both pallets changes. Likewise if a passenger happens to jump, a large backwards-and-forwards variation occurs in the rolling friction. In addition, when a passenger steps onto a pallet at the end of a travelator, the tightening force increases along the entire length of the travelator. Correspondingly, a passenger can step off the palette track of the travelator at either end of the track. The sag of the transmission chain of the travelator enables a small change in the distance between the pallets when the loading changes. Thus jerking in the longitudinal direction of the travelator is produced as a consequence of the aforementioned changes occurring in the loading. Such jerking impairs ride comfort.
In some situations the sag of the transmission chain can be hazardous because a sagging chain can reach to touch the stationary parts of the travelator, which causes noise and wear of the parts.
An object of the invention, among others, is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of known arrangements. Other objects of the invention are to produce a more advanced people mover, preferably a travelator or the like, a more advanced method in the use of a people mover and a more advanced transmission chain. A further purpose of the invention is to produce a people mover with a more advanced transmission.
Advantages of the invention include, but are not limited to, a people mover in which the sag of the transmission chain is reduced; ride comfort is improved; noise is reduced; wear of parts is reduced and service life of the parts improved.
Furthermore, a travelator and a method may be achieved in which movement between the pallets, in the longitudinal direction of the travelator, can be reduced.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) is a technology for enabling high-speed packet communications. Many schemes have been proposed for the LTE objective including those that aim to reduce user and provider costs, improve service quality, and expand and improve coverage and system capacity. The 3GPP LTE requires reduced cost per bit, increased service availability, flexible use of a frequency band, a simple structure, an open interface, and adequate power consumption of a terminal as an upper-level requirement.
In the future versions of the LTE-A, it has been considered to configure low-cost/low-end (or, low-complexity) user equipments (UEs) focusing on the data communication, such as meter reading, water level measurement, use of security camera, vending machine inventory report, etc. For convenience, these UEs may be called machine type communication (MTC) UEs. Since MTC UEs have small amount of transmission data and have occasional uplink data transmission/downlink data reception, it is efficient to reduce the cost and battery consumption of the UE according to a low data rate. Specifically, the cost and battery consumption of the UE may be reduced by decreasing radio frequency (RF)/baseband complexity of the MTC UE significantly by making the operating frequency bandwidth of the MTC UE smaller.
In addition, there is a substantial market for the M2M use cases of devices deployed deep inside buildings which would require coverage enhancement in comparison to the defined LTE cell coverage footprint. Various methods for supporting coverage enhancement have been discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates generally to an article including a thermal interface element and method of preparing the article.
Over the last decades, power densities of high performance semiconductor devices have been constantly on the rise. Thermal management of these electronics, more specifically the performance of Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs), has not advanced at the same rate as the semiconductor devices. Hence, today's high performance semiconductors are either run at only a fraction of their capacity or are prone to thermal related failures. Although TIMs have progressed during the last decade, they are still the thermal bottleneck in most high power applications.
TIMs play a key role in the thermal management of electronic systems by providing a path of low thermal resistance between the heat generating devices and the heat spreader/sink. A second function that a TIM performs is to reduce stresses resulting from global CTE mismatch between die, heat-sink, and substrate during power cycling. Typical TIM solutions include adhesives, greases, gels, phase change materials, pads, and solder alloys. Most traditional TIMs consist of a polymer matrix, such as an epoxy or silicone resin, and thermally conductive fillers such as boron nitride, alumina, aluminum, zinc oxide, and silver. However, these traditional TIM systems have either high thermal resistance or low compliance.
An ideal TIM is expected to have optimal thermal and mechanical properties and to be compatible with the present standard electronics assembly processes. Desirable properties of TIM include low bulk and interface thermal resistances, sufficient compliance to absorb thermally induced strain without causing early fatigue failure and silicon die fracture, sufficient conformability to accommodate warpage and surface roughness of the die and heat-sink surfaces, processability at relatively low temperatures, robustness during storage and operation, and reworkability.
Therefore, there is a need for providing a compatible, highly heat dissipating material, design and processes for conducting heat away from the heat producing components in the electronic industry.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to controlling dust and other contaminants on paper machinery or similar apparatus.
A necessary step in presently known paper making, tissue making and similar machinery is the drying of the moist paper web on a drum, known as a xe2x80x9cYankee dryer.xe2x80x9d The heated Yankee dryer rotates constantly, with wet paper web being taken up at one spot on the rotation, and being dried before being scraped off the dryer at another spot in the rotation. After being scraped off the dryer, the web usually passes through a sensor, measuring the moisture and thickness of the web, and then is taken up by a reel drum.
The paper web is scraped off the Yankee dryer by a blade known as a xe2x80x9ccreping doctor.xe2x80x9d Usually following the creping doctor is a xe2x80x9ccleaning doctor,xe2x80x9d which removes any stray material that was left after the paper web is scraped off the dryer. Finally, the dryer is sprayed with a coating prior to taking up a new section of paper web.
The creping and cleaning operations create dust, in the form of fibers, tendrils, tiny scraps of paper, etc. Other locations in the machinery also create dust as a byproduct of the operation. The greatest quantity of dust is usually generated below the paper web sheet because of the action of the creping doctor and the cleaning doctor. Controlling the dust is important. Dust can detrimentally affect workers"" health, create a fire hazard, ruin the machinery, and interfere with the sensor ""s operation.
The dust is not the only undesirable byproduct of the operation. Excess moisture, released from the drying, the cleaning and coating solutions or other sources can also adversely affect the operation.
The prior art has attempted to control dust by a variety of methods. The majority of these methods involve attempting to collect dust at or very near the creping doctor. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,953. However, almost invariably, the means used are ineffective because the prior art devices make no allowance for the moisture generated by the paper making procedure. This moisture will clog the dust control devices used by the prior art and so interfere with the dust take-up. A clogged device cannot remove dust from the machinery. This is especially true for the prior art devices which attempt to control the dust at the creping doctor blade. These devices are impractical and quickly fail because of the moisture in the creping doctor blade area which quickly clogs an exhaust hood or other dust control method. Thus, the prior art has failed to solve the problem of moisture-associated clogging in paper making and similar machinery.
Moreover, a substantial amount of dust and other contaminants is carried by one or more xe2x80x9cboundary layersxe2x80x9d along the web, after the web has been creped off the Yankee dryer. A boundary layer is usually from four to six inches thick, and located along the top and bottom of the web, with the bottom boundary layer usually carrying the majority of the dust and contaminants. Heretofore, boundary layer dust has not been adequately captured or eliminated from the system. Nor has the prior art adequately controlled dust that originally was carried by a boundary layer and subsequently sloughs off the boundary layer as the web travels towards the reel drum.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to control both dust and moisture in paper machinery and the like.
It is a further object of the present invention to control both dust and moisture simply and efficiently.
It is a further object of the present invention to control both dust and moisture through apparatus and methods that can be added to already existing machinery.
It is a further object of the present invention to control boundary layer dust and moisture.
The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for controlling dust. In the preferred embodiments, a foil, an air ramp, a baffle, and exhaust hood are provided to the underside of the web after it is creped off the Yankee dryer. The foil separates the boundary layer air containing dust and moisture and, at the same time, provides web stability. The foil directs the air to an air ramp, which in turn directs the air along the baffle into an exhaust hood. A cleaning jet prevents the dust from sticking to the interior surface of the exhaust hood and an external exhaust system may then remove the moist dust from the exhaust hood.
In especially preferred embodiments, the foil is comprised of porous metal, and is internally pressurized. That pressurization provides air flow through the porous metal and creates an xe2x80x9cair lubricantxe2x80x9d for the web.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus, and more particularly, to an optical beams scanning apparatus configured to be capable of adjusting the curve and the inclination of a scanning line for a latent image and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus.
2. Related Art
An image forming apparatus of the electrophotgraphic method, such as a laser printer, a digital copying machine, and a laser facsimile machine, is equipped with an optical beam scanning apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum by irradiating a laser beam (optical beam) on the surface of the photoconductive drum and scanning the laser beam thereon.
Recently, a method of increasing the number of laser beams scanned by a single optical deflector (polygon mirror) has been proposed for a tandem color machine. According to this method, plural beams of respective color components (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) emitted from the corresponding light sources undergo processing in the pre-deflection optical systems, while they are combined into a single beam to go incident on the polygon mirror. The beam deflected on the polygon mirror passes through the fθ lens forming the post-deflection optical system, after which it is separated into beams of the respective color components that are irradiated onto the photoconductive drums of the respective color components.
Incidentally, it is desirable for the optical beam scanning apparatus that the position (loci) of a scanning line in a specific scanning line region on the photoconductive drum always stays at a specific position (loci). However, because of the accuracy of the geometrical arrangement and deformation of the respective optical elements within the optical beam scanning apparatus (for example, a shape error and a posture error of the fθ lens in the post-deflection optical system, and a shape error and a posture error of the post-deflection bending mirror, and so forth), as is shown in FIG. 1A, a scanning line actually curves in the sub-scanning direction as is shown by the scanning line b indicated by a broken line with respect to the ideal scanning line a indicated by a solid line. This phenomenon is referred to as “the curve of the scanning line”.
Herein, “main scanning direction” means a direction in which each laser beam is deflected (scanned) by the optical defector in the optical beam scanning apparatus, and “sub-scanning direction” means a direction orthogonal to both the main scanning direction and the optical axis direction used as the reference of deflection operations provided to a laser beam by the optical deflector for a laser beam deflected (scanned) by the optical deflector to travel in the main scanning direction.
In addition, as is shown in FIG. 1B, the actual scanning line d indicated by a broken line is inclined in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the ideal scanning line c indicated by a solid line. This phenomenon is referred to as “inclination of the scanning line”.
The curve and the inclination of the scanning line as described above have a considerable influence on the image quality of an image to be formed. In particular, they give a significant influence on the quality of an image to be formed in an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus for a 4-consecutive tandem color machine, because the curve and the inclination of the scanning line differ from color to color.
Such being the case, an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus including adjusting means for adjusting the inclination and the curve of the scanning line have been proposed.
According to an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus proposed in JP-A-2004-12596, the center portion of the correction optical element is deformed to be twisted within a plane defined by the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, while one end of the correction optical element is rotated about the fulcrum parallel to the optical axis direction on the other end. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the scanning line and the curve of the scanning line.
Also, according to an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus proposed in JP-A-2006-17881, adjusting means for the curve of the scanning line is provided in the center portion of a reflection mirror, which is one of optical members disposed on the optical path of each laser beam. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the curve of the scanning line by a laser beam emitted from the light source with ease.
Further, according to an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus proposed in JP-A-2002-182145, a dell screw is provided to the lens holder to adjust the curve of the scanning line by forcedly bending two long plastic lenses in the sub-scanning direction of a laser beam, and an adjusting screw to correct the inclination of the scanning line by causing the two long plastic lenses to incline integrally with the lens holder is also provided. This configuration makes it possible to adjust both the curves and the inclinations of plural scanning lines.
According to the techniques proposed in JP-A-2004-12596, and JP-A-2002-182145, the optical element of a shape having the curvature in the main scanning direction is deformed. This configuration, however, raises a problem that an influence is provided on the fθ characteristic or the like. In addition, a pressure is applied by the adjusting screw and the dell screw used to twist or bend the long plastic lenses. This configuration, however, poses a problem that the lenses are susceptible to deformation induced by internal stress because they are made of a plastic material.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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During conventional bending and tempering of heated glass sheets, wherein the glass sheet is transported between bending and quenching stations, maintaining a sufficient glass temperature for optimal processing is difficult.
If the temperature of the heated glass sheet falls off before and/or during the bending, premature cooling sets up stresses which inhibit bending and sometimes cause the glass sheet to break during bending. This premature cooling is the result of a partial tempering and if the glass sheet is bent, without breaking, and quenched, the tempered glass sheet is not strengthened properly and the improved mechanical characteristics sought by the tempering of the bent glass sheet are not achieved.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The dead time of a nuclear imaging system is the time during which the system processes a single event (i.e., the interaction of a particle or stimulus from a radiation field with the system) and is not available to process a succeeding event. It arises because of the multitude of electronic circuits in a nuclear imaging system, each with its own dead time, and the complex interaction between such circuits. Furthermore, the count rate losses of a system are a function of the number of particles produced by the radiation field under investigation which lie outside the energy window of the single channel analyzer of the system because the interactions of such particles occupy the circuitry of the system while a decision is being reached with regard to further processing. Thus, the dead time of a nuclear imaging system depends on the nature of the system and the type of field interacting therewith.
As a consequence of the dead time phenomenon in nuclear imaging systems, the rate at which events are processed by the system is a non-linear function of the rate of incoming events. For a typical conventional gamma camera, the curve relating events processed to incoming events peaks at about 200,000 counts per second which defines the so-called foldback point of the curve. At such point, the typical camera processes only about 50% of the incoming events; while at greater counting rates, the efficiency of the camera drops below 50%. Thus, if a radiation field produces particles that interact with the camera at rates in excess of 200,000 per second, less than half of these events will be processed by the camera and appear in a map of the radiation field.
The inherent variable dead time losses in a gamma camera do not significantly degrade images of static radiation fields. For example, it is conventional to obtain an image of an organ such as the liver or thyroid by injecting a patient with a radioactive pharmaceutical that gravitates to the organ of interest and remains there for a relatively long time as compared to the time required to obtain an image of the organ using the nuclear imaging system. In this case, the intensity distribution of counts over an area is desired and the efficiency of the camera in processing events has no significant importance.
However, where physiological dynamic mechanisms are being studied, such as the rate at which blood is washed out of the brain or kidney, or the quantity of blood pumped by the heart in each cycle, the quantity/time behaviour of the incoming events presented to the camera becomes crucial because the quantitative information indicates the degree of abnormality in the function of an organ. For example, a radiopharmaceutical injected into the vascular system of a patient will reach the heart essentially as a substantially undiluted bolus. The initial contraction of the heart will draw this bolus into the heart pool which, as a result will have an activity that will produce, say, 500,000 particles per second that interact with the camera, but only for a few seconds before a portion of the pool is expelled by the contraction of the heart. The radiopharmaceutical remaining in the heart is diluted by the next cycle of the heart, reducing further the radioactivity, and thus reducing the number of events presented to the camera. After five or six contractions, the amount of radiopharmaceutical remaining in the blood pool in the heart is so reduced that coming events to the camera are reduced to, say, 50,000 particles per second.
If the above described process were imaged with a conventional gamma camera uncompensated for its dead time, its inefficiency due to the dead time phenomena would suppress the processing of events in direct proportion to the rate at which these events are presented to the camera. That is to say, the greater the rate of nuclear activity in the heart, the higher the losses in the gamma camera which, as a consequence, would yield distorted data that conceals the true situation. Any diagnosis based on such data is likely to be incorrect.
One approach to compensating for the dead time of a gamma camera in order to take into account the dependency of the efficiency of the camera on the rate of incoming events is to assume an analytical approximation of the statistical probability of an event that encounters an electronic component in the camera will be operated on by such component. As indicated previously, dead time is extremely complicated and is dependent not only on the inherent limitations of the camera itself but on the nuclear spectra which the camera is associated. As a consequence, the use of an analytical function to compensate for dead time yields high error.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of and means for compensating for the dead time of a gamma camera which is less complex than the techniques of the prior art and more likely to produce accurate results.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Lung transplantation is often the only treatment option for individuals with end-stage lung diseases. However, chronic allograft rejection, which manifests as bronchiolitis obliterans (OB), is the major cause of death beyond the first year following transplantation, and a major contributor to the currently low 5 year survival rate (55%). OB is characterized by airflow limitation that is not reversible and is often progressive. It is also associated with lesions in the smallest airways (˜1 mm). Despite advancements in immunosuppression and management of these patients, OB remains a major obstacle in the survival of lung transplant recipients. Thus, there is an unmet need to define immunomodulatory strategies in the lung transplant population which can be provided at a low systemic toxicity risk, yet be delivered to specific target regions at high therapeutic concentrations.
Cell-based therapy shows considerable potential as an immunomodulatory strategy for a variety of lung diseases. Novel techniques to target delivery of these therapies by inhaled aerosol would avoid first-pass metabolism, prevent systemic toxicity, and allow for localized treatment in the small airways at the site of OB.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The goal of hybrid development is to combine, in a single hybrid, various desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may include resistance to diseases and insects, resistance to heat and drought, reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomic quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant characteristics such as germination, stand establishment, growth rate, maturity, and plant and ear height is important. Traditional plant breeding is an important tool in developing new and improved commercial crops.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention relates to a combined cooling plant and heat pump, especially for the heating and cooling of the passenger compartments of motor vehicles.
Cooling plants and heat pumps are used to cool or heat rooms of buildings. The varying weather conditions caused by the sequence of seasons frequently require a heating system in winter and transitional periods, and a cooling system in summer.
The state-of-the-art includes, apart from the monofunctional use of cooling plants and heat pumps, the combination of these devices, for example, to alternatively heat or cool rooms such-as habitable or-office rooms and storerooms as well, or to cool and heat the passenger compartments of motor vehicles.
This application clearly indicates the potential of the combination and mutual completion of cooling plants and heat pumps.
Future vehicle engines are expected to yield sufficient amounts of heat to heat the passenger compartments, but not at the required temperature level. Therefore, in some diesel-driven vehicles, supplementary heating systems with heater plugs, resistance heating or fuel-fired burners, have been provided.
This is due to the fact that modern combustion engines or electric motors tend to produce smaller amounts of waste heat at lower temperatures and hence, can no longer make available the amounts of heat at the temperature level required to heat the passenger compartments. Particularly in winter, the cold-start phase is a problem.
More and more motor vehicles are equipped with cooling plants to air condition the passenger compartments in summer.
Another possibility to enhance the heating situation in motor vehicles is to utilize the provided cooling plant as a heat pump in summer.
It is know from the state-of-the-art to combine cooling plants and heat pumps for the use in motor vehicles.
Use of various blocking devices and supplementary connection lines enables to change the heat input and output functions of the heat exchangers in such a system. The heat exchanger for cooling the passenger compartment is the evaporator of the cooling system and becomes the condenser/gas cooler of the heat pump in the heating mode.
The technical problem is essentially the economic acceptability of the approaches that can be technically realized.
In providing a cooling system for a passenger compartment it is, first, necessary to have a minimum of additional components, which are needed for heating operation and second, to design these components as useful and multifunctional as possible.
According to the concept of EP 0 945 290 A2, a cooling system of a combustion engine drive vehicle is modified in such a way that by means of an additional waste gas heat exchanger and two additional multiway blocking devices piped according to the invention, both the cooling system and heating operational modes are possible dependent on the temperature requirements inside the passenger compartment.
It is a specific disadvantage of this known state-of-the-art that the solution, according to EP 0 945 290 A2, that a combined cooling heating operation requires expensive circuitry and increases the cost of the device by making it necessary to use several multiway valves, or mode selectors, respectively, and a sophisticated expansion valve that can be passed in different directions of flow, or even two expansion valves with the necessary connection lines and blocking devices.
The concept according to the invention is that the combined cooling and heat pump plant has a decompression device that fulfills the functions of a decompression device and of a mode switch, or of a 3/2-directional valve for the cooling plant or heat pump modes, and the function of a safety device as well.
Therefore the decompression device according to the invention has three connections for coolant conduits and is entered by the high pressure coolant, depending on cooling or heat pump operational mode, at one side in each case. Depending on the entering direction of the coolant, different flow paths are provided, whereby these different flow paths are defined by a mechanically acting channel element which, actuated by the pressure of the flowing coolant automatically, takes two positions in the decompression device dependent on the entering direction of the coolant.
In the cooling mode position of the channel element, two connections of the coolant conduits are low pressure, namely, the glycol heat exchanger and the evaporator. In this operational mode, all three connections are connected to each other via the channel element.
In the heat pump mode position of the channel element, the connection leading to the glycol heat exchanger is low pressure and the connection leading to the outside heat exchanger is blocked.
The advantage of the invention is that dependent on the direction of flow, and thus on the operational mode of the device, the decompression function and the blocking function, or the pressure relief function are realized by only one component, namely the decompression device.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In a battery module for electric automobiles or hybrid automobiles, a plurality of flat electric cells having positive and negative electrode terminals are aligned in a short-length direction of a surface having the electrode terminals. The electrode terminals of adjacent electric cells are connected by connection members (bus bars), and thus, the plurality of electric cells are connected in series or in parallel (refer to Patent Literature 1).
Then, in order to simplify work to attach connection members, it has been considered that, as shown in Patent Literature 2, the connection members be housed in a plurality of resin connection units and a cell connection assembly connecting the connection units be integrally attached to a plurality of electric cells.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the structure of a semiconductor memory element and, more particularly, to memory cells for DRAMs (dynamic random access memories) and a method of making the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The storage capacity of DRAMs, one of the highly sophisticated high-density storage elements, has increased at a multiplication of 4 in three years, and it is suspected that the DRAMs would be designed to have a storage capacitor increasing from 4M, 16M, 64M and so on with passage of time. In order to accomplish the fabrication of high-density RAMs, memory cells used in the DRAM as storage elements must have a reduced size. On the other hand, in order to obtain an immunity against soft error which would result from radiations and also to secure signals of sufficient S/N ratio, the charge storage capacitance of each memory cell must be of a value higher than a certain minimum value. Because of this, it is not possible to form a charge storage capacitor on a semiconductor surface in DRAMs having a storage capacity higher than 4M. Instead, it is a recent trend to fabricate a three-dimensional memory cell structure wherein the charge storage capacitor is formed in a hole or a groove defined in a semiconductor substrate or over a MOS transistor formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
The technique in which the charge storage capacitor is formed in the hole or groove defined in the semiconductor substrate, that is, inside a trench, is advantageous in that, because the charge storage capacitance can be increased depending on the depth of the trench, the memory cell can be reduced in size. However, this technique has a disadvantage in that it is not technically easy to form a relatively deep trench with good reproducibility.
On the other hand, a stacked memory cell, which has the charge storage capacitor formed over the MOS transistor, is relatively suited for production. However, when compared with the capacitance of the memory cell utilizing the trench, the stacked memory cell has a limited capacitance and is not suited for use in DRAMs where the latter are desired to have an increased storage capacity of from 16M towards 64M. This is because a reduction in cell size tends to result in an abrupt decrease of the charge storage capacitance because the polycrystalline silicon film forming charge storage electrodes in the stacked memory cell has a relatively small thickness, for example, about 0.3 .mu.m, which allows most of the charges to be accumulated on surface areas of the electrodes.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 10-339,860, filed Nov. 30, 1998.
The present invention generally relates to engine compartment ventilation systems for personal watercraft. More particularly, the present invention relates ventilation systems having air outlets strategically positioned within engine compartments of personal watercraft.
As is well known, engines powered by internal combustion engines that are mounted inboard of the hull and within an engine compartment require adequate ventilation of the engine compartment. It is desirable to ensure that adequate air can reach the engine for combustion and also to purge the engine compartment from unwanted vapors. This problem, although easily handled with larger watercraft, presents a number of problems in conjunction with a smaller type of watercraft known as a xe2x80x9cpersonal watercraft.xe2x80x9d
Personal watercraft are a relatively small type of watercraft wherein the rider sits more upon than in the watercraft. This type of watercraft is designed to be operated primarily by a single rider, although accommodations are frequently made for one or more passengers in addition to the operators. With this type of watercraft, the engine compartment is frequently formed below the rider""s area or immediately forwardly of it.
This type of watercraft is quite sporting in nature and thus the rider and passengers frequently wear swimming suits when riding this type of watercraft. Thus, they expect to receive a fairly large amount of water spray during the watercraft operation. Because of this, there is a fair amount of water spray around the environment of the watercraft and this can easily enter the engine compartment through the ventilating system. Additionally, the watercraft can be easily overturned and at least partially submerged (and the occupants and users recognize that this is a distinct possibility) which further increases the risk of water intrusion. Of course, it is desirable to protect the engine and its auxiliaries from this water. Various arrangements have been proposed, therefore, for providing ventilation of the engine compartment while, at the same time, precluding water ingestion.
With the small type of watercraft involved, it is important to ensure adequate ventilating airflow but also to ensure that water will not enter the engine compartment through the ventilating system. Moreover, engine compartment temperature is also a prominent concern. For the reasons aforenoted, properly structuring a ventilation system that addresses each of these considerations is particularly difficult with personal-type watercraft.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved engine compartment ventilating system for a personal watercraft. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilating arrangement for a personal watercraft that will provide adequate ventilation and also will provide good assurance that water will not be inadvertently drawn into the engine compartment along with the ventilating air. Moreover, because engines operating in enclosed environments are prone to overheating without adequate air circulation about them, another object of the present invention is to direct cooling air flow to specific high temperature components to increase heat transfer away from the same components.
With this type of watercraft, the hull is generally made up of two major components, a lower hull under portion and an upper deck portion. The engine compartment is normally formed between these two hull portions and the two portions are generally sealed together to form an enclosed chamber. Because of this type of construction, it is relatively difficult to provide a good ventilating system that will achieve the aforenoted effects.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention involves a personal watercraft having a hull defining an engine compartment. An internal combustion engine is positioned in the engine compartment and a seat is positioned above at least a portion of the engine. A pedestal supports the seat. The watercraft includes a water propulsion device and the engine has an output shaft arranged to power the water propulsion device. At least one pedestal air duct, which is disposed on a sidewall of the pedestal, is in communication with the engine compartment. The duct has a first end extending through the pedestal, and a second end positioned within the engine compartment.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a personal watercraft comprising a hull defining an engine compartment. An internal combustion engine is mounted within the engine compartment and has a crankshaft. A lubrication system is associated with the engine and includes a lubricant reservoir that is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the engine. A seat is removably attached to the hull and is positioned above at least a portion of the engine. A ventilation duct extends between an exterior of the watercraft and the engine compartment. The ventilation duct has an end disposed within the engine compartment proximate a portion of the engine to which the lubricant reservoir is attached. The end of the ventilation duct is oriented in the engine compartment to direct a flow of ventilating air toward the portion of the engine supporting the lubricant reservoir.
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Examples of analysis methods that require temperature changes during the process of sample preparation include isothermal gene amplification techniques such as NASBA, LAMP, and TMA. Such gene amplification techniques necessitate a process of changing nucleic acid conformation via heating prior to the amplification reaction, in order to attain stable analysis results. Since a nucleic acid amplifying enzyme is likely to lose activity at high temperatures, a process of cooling the heated reaction solution to at least the reaction temperature for enzyme amplification is further required. Also, the speed of such temperature changes is associated with analysis duration or efficiency of a nucleic acid conformational change. Accordingly, it is preferable that such temperature changes be completed rapidly.
The aforementioned analysis methods generally involve the use of the Peltier device in order to realize rapid temperature changes, and these methods realize rapid temperature changes using voltage shifts. In order to efficiently realize such temperature changes for a plurality of samples, further, it was general practice to prepare samples by a batch process that collectively treats a plurality of samples.
JP Patent Publication (kokai) No. 06-281655 A (1994) or 08-271524 A (1996) discloses an automatic analyzer that analyzes blood or the like with the use of an antigen-antibody reaction and comprises a plurality of incubators.
JP Patent Publication (kokai) No. 06-277036 A (1994) discloses an incubator that controls the temperature of a nucleic acid sample by transporting a reaction block carrying a plurality of tubes between a heating block and a cooling block and bringing the lower surface of the reaction block into contact with the heating or cooling block.
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Electrochromic devices include electrochromic materials that are known to change their optical properties, such as coloration, in response to the application of an electrical potential, thereby making the device more or less transparent or more or less reflective. Typical prior art electrochromic devices include a counter electrode layer, an electrochromic material layer which is deposited substantially parallel to the counter electrode layer, and an ionically conductive layer separating the counter electrode layer from the electrochromic layer respectively. In addition, two transparent conductive layers respectively are substantially parallel to and in contact with the counter electrode layer and the electrochromic layer. Materials for making the counter electrode layer, the electrochromic material layer, the ionically conductive layer and the conductive layers are known and described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0169185, incorporated by reference herein, and desirably are substantially transparent oxides or nitrides. When an electric potential is applied across the layered structure of the electrochromic device, such as by connecting the respective conductive layers to a low voltage electrical source, ions, such as Li+ ions stored in the counter electrode layer, flow from the counter electrode layer, through the ion conductor layer and to the electrochromic layer. In addition, electrons flow from the counter electrode layer, around an external circuit including a low voltage electrical source, to the electrochromic layer so as to maintain charge neutrality in the counter electrode layer and the electrochromic layer. The transfer of ions and electrons to the electrochromic layer causes the optical characteristics of the electrochromic layer, and optionally the counter electrode layer in a complementary EC device, to change, thereby changing the coloration and, thus, the transparency of the electrochromic device.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a typical prior art electrochromic device 20. The device 20 includes isolated transparent conductive layer regions 26A and 26B that have been formed on a substrate 34, such as glass. In addition, the device 20 includes a counter electrode layer 28, an ion conductive layer 32, an electrochromic layer 30 and a transparent conductive layer 24, which have been deposited in sequence over the conductive layer regions 26. It is to be understood that the relative positions of the electrochromic and counter electrode layers of the device 20 may be interchanged. Further, the device 20 includes a bus bar 40 which is in contact only with the conductive layer region 26A, and a bus bar 42 which may be formed on the conductive layer region 26B and is in contact with the conductive layer 24. The conductive layer region 26A is physically isolated from the conductive layer region 26B and the bus bar 42, and the conductive layer 24 is physically isolated from the bus bar 40. Although an electrochromic device may have a variety of shapes, such as including curved sides, the illustrative, exemplary device 20 is a rectangular device with the bus bars 40 and 42 extending parallel to each other, adjacent to respective opposing sides 25, 27 of the device 20, and separated from each other by a distance W. Further, the bus bars 40 and 42 are connected by wires to positive and negative terminals, respectively, of a low voltage electrical source 22 (the wires and the source 22 together constituting an “external circuit”).
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the source 22 is operated to apply an electrical potential across the bus bars 40, 42, electrons, and thus a current, flows from the bus bar 42, across the transparent conductive layer 24 and into the electrochromic layer 30. In addition, if the ion conductive layer 32 is an imperfect electronic insulator as is the case in many thin film EC devices, a small current, commonly referred to as a leakage current, flows from the bus bar 42, through the conductive layer 24 and the electrochromic layer 30, and into the ion conductive layer 32. Further, ions flow from the counter electrode layer 28, through the ion conductive layer 32, and to the electrochromic layer 30, and a charge balance is maintained by electrons being extracted from the counter electrode layer 28, and then being inserted into the electrochromic layer 30 via the external circuit. As the current flows away from the bus bar 42 across the conductive layer 24 and towards the bus bar 40, voltage is dropped by virtue of the finite sheet resistance of the conductive layer 24, which is typically about 10-20 Ohms/square. In addition, current flowing across the conductive layer 24 is incrementally reduced, as current is drawn through the combination of the layers 30, 32 and 28 (“stack”) to produce the electrochromic coloration in the device 20. Consequently, if the device 20 is considered to be formed from successive adjacent segments arranged between the bus bars 40, 42 and extending between the transparent conductor layer 24 and the conductive layer region 26B, the amount of current flowing through the stack at the segment of the conductive layer 24 closest to the bus bar 40 will be close to zero, as the majority of the current will have passed down through the stack. Assuming that the sheet resistance of the transparent conductive layer 24 is substantially uniform between the bus bars 40 and 42, the voltage drop across the transparent conductive layer 24 extending between the bus bars 40, 42, will be proportional to the current flowing through each successive segment of the device 20. Thus, the rate of voltage drop in the transparent conductive layer with respect to distance away from the bus bar 42 will be at a maximum closest to the bus bar 42 and practically zero close to the bus bar 40. A substantially mirrored image of the current flow occurs with respect to the flow of current from the bus bar 40 across the conductive layer region 26A and toward the bus bar 42, in that the current flow across the device 20 in the conductive layer region 26A increases from the bus bar 40 to the bus bar 42 as a result of contributions from successive segments of the device 20. The difference between the voltage profiles for the conductive layer 24 and the conductive layer region 26A, across the width of the device between the bus bars 40, 42, is the potential difference between the conductive layer 24 and the conductive layer region 26A across the width of the electrochromic device extending between the bus bars 40, 42. The potential difference determines the maximum rate of current flow through each segment from the counter electrode layer 28 to the electrochromic layer 30 causing the device 20 to transform to a colored state and, thus, causing coloring of the device 20. Current will flow at a rate proportional to the potential difference across the segments of the device, provided there is a ready supply of charge, in the form of lithium ions and electrons, to satisfy the requirements. The net result is that a non-uniform coloration is initially produced, with the regions closest to the bus-bars, where the potential difference between the transparent conductors is largest, coloring faster than the region in the middle of the device. In an ideal device, which would not have any leakage current, this non-uniformity will even out as the supply of available charge in the counter electrode layer is exhausted, first closest to the bus-bars, and then in the center of the device, as the electrochromic device attains a fully colored state, thereby yielding uniform coloration across the entire area of the device.
After a voltage is initially applied across the bus bars 40, 42 of the electrochromic device 20, the current flowing through the device 20 will drop towards zero, and thus the voltage drops across each of the transparent conductive layers will also approach zero. Whether the voltage between the conductive layer 24 and the conductive layer region 26A, across the width of the electrochromic device 20 extending between the bus bars 40, 42, will become equal or substantially equal to a constant, such as about the applied voltage, in the fully colored state, thereby ultimately yielding a relatively uniform coloration in the electrochromic device 20, however, depends in part upon the width of the conductive layer 24 and the conductive layer region 26A of the electrochromic device 20 extending between the bus bars 40, 42 across which the current flows and the magnitude of the leakage current through the device.
In large sized electrochromic devices having a construction similar to that of the device 20, where the current flows a relatively large distance, such as in excess of about 40 inches, across the conductive layers of the electrochromic device between the opposing bus bars, non-uniform coloration of the device may persist even at full coloration, because a large and non-uniform voltage drop occurs through the stack across the width of the conductive layers extending from the opposing bus bars. This non-uniform voltage drop is caused by the effects of leakage current through the device, which is typically present in electrochromic devices because of the thin-film construction of the layers of the stack. Leakage current flows through the stack, such that a potential difference variation is created across the width of the electrochromic device extending between the bus bars. If the leakage current is significantly large, the potential difference variation becomes sufficiently large to cause a non-uniform coloration in the electrochromic device that may be visible to the naked eye. The non-uniform coloration in the electrochromic device typically results in a lighter area near a region midway between the opposing bus bars (“middle region”), than at regions of the electrochromic device near the bus bars. In other words, the middle region of the electrochromic device does not experience the same color change, or the same amount of darkening or consistency of darkening, as those regions closer to the bus bars at the sides of the electrochromic device. It is has been observed that when electrochromic devices constructed similar to the device 20 are operated at normal operating voltages, such as between around 2.5V and 4.0V, the leakage current is on the order of 50-500 mA/m2, such that non-uniform coloration across the electrochromic device may become visible to a naked eye when the distance between the opposing bus bars is at least about 30 inches. For typical leakage current levels, color non-uniformity is not readily apparent to the naked eye when the electrochromic device is in the fully colored state and has bus-bar separations less than about 30 inches.
Referring to FIG. 1A, it is highly desirable to position the bus bars 40, 42 very close to the sides 25, 27 of the device 20 to maximize the region of the device 20, which is between the bus bars 40, 42 and, thus, in which coloration can be controlled. Also, by positioning the bus bars near the sides of the device 20, the bus bars, which typically have a thickness of not more than about 0.25 inches, are not visible or are minimally visible, such that the device is aesthetically pleasing when installed in a typical window frame. Large sized electrochromic devices, in which the distance between the bus bars, which typically are at opposing sides of the device, is in excess of about 40 inches, are desirable for many applications, such as a window of an office building or a glass windshield of a car. Thus, in the operation of such large sized electrochromic devices, non-uniform coloration may occur due to the effects of leakage currents, as discussed above, which is not desirable.
One prior art approach for minimizing non-uniformity of coloration in a large sized electrochromic device is to include a bus bar at the central region of the device, in addition to the bus bars disposed at the opposing sides of the device, to form a so-called triple bus bar device. For example, referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary prior art device 200 may include a central bus bar 242 and bus bars 240A and 240B at the opposing sides (“outside bus bars”). The device 200 has a construction of two electrochromic devices 200A, 200B, each being of the type of device 20 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are connected in parallel, and where the central bus bar 242 is common to both of the electrochromic devices 200A, 200B. Referring to FIG. 2, a first device 20 is disposed adjacent to and in mirror image to a second device 20, such that the bus bars 42 of the respective first and second devices 20 contact each other. The adjacent bus bars 42 are formed into a single, central bus bar 242 of the device 200. The bus bar 242 is connected to the negative terminal of the source 22 for coloring, or alternatively the positive terminal of the source 22 for bleaching, and the bus bars 240A and 240B at the respective opposing sides of the device 200 are connected to the positive, or alternatively the negative, terminal of the source 22. The electrochromic device 200, thus, includes electrochromic devices 200A and 200B that operate in parallel.
If it is assumed that, in the device 200, the bus bars 240A and 240B are separated by the same distance W as the bus bars 40 and 42 of the device 20, each of the parallel devices 200A and 200B individually behaves as if it had a bus bar separation of W/2, leading to a relatively undetectable non-uniformity in the fully colored state. Therefore, when the same voltage is applied to the devices 20 and 200, the voltage difference between the conductive layers at the middle region of each of the devices 200A and 200B is increased in relation to that of the device 20, such that uniform or more uniform coloration may be achieved for the electrochromic device 200 as compared to the device 20 at the same applied voltage.
Although including a central bus bar in an electrochromic device, such as illustrated in the device 200, may result in more uniform coloration for a large sized electrochromic device, the construction of the device 200 with such central bus bar is not desirable. The central bus bar typically is relatively thick, such as about 0.25 inches, and extends across the middle region of the device, which may be a window of a building, thereby being visible to a naked eye as a dark line, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Such thickness of the central bus bar is typical because the central bus bar has to carry all of the current for both halves of the composite device. It is generally desirable, however, that the bus bars of the electrochromic device are deposited to have as narrow a width as possible, so as to allow them to be hidden, such as in the window frames when installed, as much as possible. Consequently, the bus bars themselves have a finite resistance, which may lead to voltage drops along their length during operation of the electrochromic device, which in turn may lead to an end-to-end non-uniformity if significant voltage is dropped in the bus bars themselves. The typical resistance of suitable bus-bar material may be as much as 0.1 Ohm/linear foot, which may lead to significant resistance, and hence voltage drop, when the device is operated to change its optical properties (“switching”) and current is flowing along the length of the bus-bars. In the case of the triple bus bar device, the center bus bar has to carry current for both halves of the device, and therefore will yield twice the voltage drop if it is the same width as the outside bus-bars. In order to minimize the voltage drop, and hence the end-to-end non-uniformity between outside bus bars, it is desirable to make the center bus bar wider than the outside bus bars. Widening the central bus bar, however, will result in an even more undesirable intrusion in the visible area of the electrochromic device.
Also, it has been observed that, in large sized electrochromic devices similar to the device 20, the regions of the device adjacent to the opposing bus bars change color or darken more quickly than at a middle region between the bus bars. Further, it has been observed that these same large sized electrochromic devices may change transmission state (or color) more slowly than electrochromic devices having smaller distances between opposing bus bars. This phenomenon is largely due to the current draw in the larger device being larger, and therefore leading to a larger voltage drop in the transparent conductor layers, thereby reducing the net potential applied to the stack relative to an electrochromic device having a smaller width between opposing bus bars. Also, the slower change in coloration is based, in part, on the application of a voltage to the electrochromic device which is below a maximum level, such as 3V, to avoid overdriving of the electrochromic device at the portions near the bus bars, which may cause damage to the layers of the stack. For example, for a prior art electrochromic device similar to the device 20 having opposing bus bars separated by about six inches, the typical time for the device to change from a full transmission state (fully clear) to a colored state where only five percent of light is transmitted through the device is about 100 seconds, whereas for an electrochromic device similar to the device 20 having bus bars separated by about thirty inches the typical time for obtaining the same coloration change may be about as much as 400 seconds.
Smaller voltage drops across the transparent conductive layers of an electrochromic device also may lead to more uniform coloration during coloration, as well as at full coloration. Therefore, the apparent non-uniformity seen during coloration will be less for an electrochromic device having a smaller width between opposing bus bars than that of a larger electrochromic device.
Therefore, there exists a need for an electrochromic device that is aesthetically pleasing, both in the fully colored state as well as during transition between the colored and clear states, may provide for uniform coloration where current flows over a relatively large distance through the conductive layers of the device, and may provide for a decrease in the time necessary to obtain a desired change in coloration.
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Aprotinin (also known as bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, BPTI) is a basic protein present in several bovine organs and tissues, such as the lymph nodes, pancreas, lungs, parotid gland, spleen and liver. It is a single-chain polypeptide of 58 amino acid residues with the following amino acid sequence ##STR1##
The amino acid chain is cross-linked by three disulphide bridges formed between Cys(5) and Cys(55), Cys(14) and Cys(38) and Cys(30) and Cys(51), respectively.
The isoelectric point of aprotinin is quite high (approximately 10.5). This is mainly caused by a relatively high content of the positively charged amino acids lysine and arginine. The three-dimensional structure of the aprotinin molecule is very compact which makes it highly stable against denaturation at high temperatures, or by acids, alkalis or organic solvents, or against proteolytic degradation (cf. B. Kassell, Meth. Enzym. 19, 1970, pp. 844-852).
Aprotinin is known to inhibit various serine proteases, including trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin and kallikrein, and is used therapeutically in the treatment of acute pancreatitis, various states of shock syndrome, hyperfibrinolytic hemorrhage and myocardial infarction (cf., for instance, J. E. Trapnell et al, Brit. J. Surg. 61, 1974, p. 177; J. McMichan et al., Circulatory shock 9, 1982, p. 107; L. M. Auer et al., Acta Neurochir. 49, 1979, p. 207; G. Sher, Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol, 129, 1977, p. 164; and B. Schneider, Artzneim.-Forsch. 26, 1976, p. 1606). Administration of aprotinin in high doses significantly reduces blood loss in connection with cardiac surgery, including cardiopulmonary bypass operations (cf., for instance, B. P. Bidstrup et al., J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 97, 1989, pp. 364-372; W. van Oeveren et al., Ann. Thorac. Surg. 44, 1987, pp. 640-645).
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact excimer laser useful for both research and industrial applications. Although the excimer laser of the present invention is compact in size, it still has high overall reliability and long operational life when compared with prior art lasers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art lasers may be of many different types but the type of laser of interest in the present application is generally referred to as an excimer or rare gas halide type laser. Various types of commercially available excimer lasers are constructed to use a wide variety of rare gas halides such as XeCl, KrCl, ArF, KrF, XeF, etc. The use of the different rare gas halides provides for the production of output energy at particular wavelengths. As an example, an excimer laser using KrF as the gas produces output energy at the wavelength of two hundred and forty eight nanometers (248 nm).
The repetition rate of an excimer laser is generally limited to a low rate. This is because, in a static gas system, the same gas volume cannot be excited repeatedly to produce output radiation pulses of high energy. The production of the high energy output pulses can only occur if the gas is allowed to return to the initial thermal state between excitations. This return can take considerable time, on the order of a second. Therefore, the pulse rate for successive high energy pulses may be limited to about one pulse per second.
In order to overcome this pulse rate limitation in an excimer laser, prior art excimer lasers use a dynamic gas system where the gas flows through the excited area. The gas volume is exchanged a number of times between excitations so as to allow a higher repetition rate for the high energy pulses. The pulse repetition rate can, therefore, be increased by flowing the gas through the discharged area at relatively high speeds.
Prior art excimer lasers are also not very reliable. One problem with prior art excimer lasers is that they generally incorporate plastic insulating material within the internal structure of the laser. Unfortunately, the plastic insulation material tends to degrade and break down in the presence of the laser gas and ultraviolet photons, thereby producing contaminants within the laser. Ultimately, these contaminants degrade the performance of the laser and the laser must be shut down for gas replenishment.
One prior art technique employed to lengthen the life of the laser before the laser must be shut down for replenishment is to utilize an external gas reprocessor to constantly provide cleaned gas to the interior of the laser. The external gas reprocessor, for example, may include a sophisticated filtering system to provide for the cleaning of dirty gas from the laser to thereby provide for the clean filtered gas to be reintroduced into the laser, and in particular to crucial areas within the laser.
Because of the various difficulties with the prior art lasers described above, the prior art excimer lasers tend to be fairly large in size. This is because of the complexities of structures located within the laser and because of the necessity for external equipment which must be provided with the laser in order to insure a relatively long operational life for the use of the laser.
Excimer lasers are increasingly located within or near clean rooms since one large use of excimer lasers is for semiconductor applications. Since the cost of providing space within a clean room is relatively high, the large, prior art, excimer lasers are often not cost effective. It is therefore desirable to provide for excimer lasers of as small a size as possible. In addition, it is desirable to produce improvements in the performance and reliability of these prior art lasers. The present invention is therefore directed to provide size, performance and reliability improvements in an excimer laser.
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In conventional project management solutions, dependencies among project plans and required resource are not represented. Also, project plans must use a specific data format designated by a project management solution. Consequently, it is difficult to change a project plan and changing the project plan is more prone to cause unexpected delay in performing a task dependent on certain resources. Moreover, project plans described in a different data format cannot participate in a master project plan for a distributed project plan.
Thus, there is a need for a method and associated system that overcomes at least one of the preceding disadvantages of current methods and systems for discovering dependencies in distributed project plans.
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In the production conveyance of articles by continuous conveyor systems wherein the articles are being moved as a continuous stream in overlapped or shingled or separated condition, it is necessary or at least highly desirable, to be able to count the number of articles while they are being conveyed. In the past, various types of counters have been used for determining the number of shingled articles passing a pre-selected location where the counting is effected. Some of these counters have utilized physical contact between the articles and the counting element while others have accomplished the counting through non-contact sensing means. The present invention is principally concerned with means for determining the number of newspapers that are being produced from a printing press and conveyed by a continuous conveyor to the mailroom facilities where the papers are stacked and collected into bundles of pre-selected numbers of paper.
Previously described counters from counting a flowing stream of newspapers are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,414,732, Stegena, 3,737,666, Dutro, 4,027,155, Rappaport and 3,834,289, Behrens et al. These patents are typical of some of the devices that have been used previously to count the papers in a travelling stream. They show, for example, that papers have been counted by physically contacting the newspapers in such a way that a beam of light existing between an emitter and a sensor is interrupted during passage of the papers. Specifically, see the Behrens et al and Dutro patents. The Rappaport patent also requires physical contact with the articles being conveyed and operates on the basis of a difference in the vertical height between the sensors and the light reflecting surface. The apparatus of Stegena on the other hand requires no physical contact, but, rather, depends upon a sensor which is capable of determining the differences between the light and the shaded areas present as the overlapped articles pass beneath the detector element.
It is a principle object of the present invention to provide an improved newspaper counter of the non-contact variety.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved newspaper counter that is less susceptible to variations in printing density than has been the case with previous sensors.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improved newspaper counter in which a multiplicity of non-contacting energy sensors are used to receive energy reflected from the surfaces of the travelling newspapers.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be in part obvious and in part explained by reference to the accompanying specification and drawings in which:
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This invention relates to machining.
A machining system typically includes a precision cutting instrument, such as high-speed spindle, for processing a work piece to produce a mechanical part. A control unit within the machining system interprets a xe2x80x9cpart programxe2x80x9d that includes a series of machine movement commands for directing the cutting instrument to traverse the work piece and ultimately produce the desired part. The control unit processes each command sequentially until the end of the program has been reached.
For each command, the control unit moves the cutting instrument within a space defined by a three-dimensional coordinate system noted as X, Y and Z. The X and Y-axis are typically oriented to form a horizontal plane while the Z-axis represents the vertical axis perpendicular to the X, Y plane. The machining system is designed to position its cutting instrument at any coordinate point within the area bounded by the X and Y axes. Additional commands operate other functions of the machining system such as tool selection, speed and coolant flow.
The cutting instrument starts at an initial starting position, typically location 0,0,0, and moves along the three axes sequentially, command by command, until all of the commands are executed. Three-dimensional parts are produced by placing the work piece on the X, Y plane and removing a portion of the work piece with the cutting instrument as it traverses along the X, Y plane. Continued repeated moves in the X direction, the Y direction and the Z-axis allow the cutting mechanism to traverse any three-dimensional profile until the part is fully achieved. The motion of the cutting instrument over the work piece is referred to as a tool path, collectively formed by as series of tool path segments. When the end of a specific tool path segment is reached, the cutting instrument is typically commanded to xe2x80x9cstep-overxe2x80x9d an offset in the X direction or the Y direction. This offset is referred to as the distance between the tool paths. The cutting instrument then makes another pass over the work piece along an adjacent tool path segment. At specific locations along the tool paths, the commands direct the cutting instrument to traverse in the X, Y plane and also move along the Z-axis. This process continues until all of the tool path segments have been traversed and the part has been produced.
Many conventional machining systems operate in this manner to produce three-dimensional parts one at a time. Some machining systems have more than one cutting mechanism fixed to the Z-axis on a common beam and can produce several copies of a three-dimensional part at the same time.
Generally, the invention is directed to a machining system having a plurality of independently movable precision cutting instruments configured to simultaneously generate a number of different parts. In one embodiment, the cutting instruments are capable of independent motion along the Z-axis and are mounted on a common beam that traverses the parts in an X, Y plane. Merge software modules merge a number of part programs into a single master program. A control unit interprets the master program and controls the machining system to generate the parts. The software modules generate the master program such that all of the Z-axis move commands within the separate part programs are sequenced along a single X, Y traverse path based on a defined cutting strategy and cutting direction. In this manner, the machining system simultaneously produces a number of different parts.
According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a method in which a plurality of part programs are merged into a master part program. The machining system is controlled according to the master part program in order to simultaneously produce a plurality of parts. To merge the part programs, a group starting point is calculated for all of the cutting instruments. All Z-axis move commands within the part programs are identified and modified such that an X, Y location in the master part program for each Z-axis move command is computed relative to the calculated starting point. A set of X, Y master program move commands is then generated to sequentially move the cutting instruments to the modified X, Y locations of the combined Z-axis move commands.
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Floor lamps, desk lamps and table lamps are all very well known in the lighting industry. Many of such lamps contain multi-position switches for changing the level of illumination provided by the general area lighting means incorporated within such lamps. Low light level lamps, commonly referred to as night lights, are also well known in the lighting industry and are constructed having many different configurations. It is also known in the prior art to incorporate a low light level light bulb into a table lamp, floor lamp or desk lamp. In many instances, the incorporation of the low light level light bulb accomplishes the additional function of providing a more decorative appearance to the body of the lamp. The present invention is specifically directed to a lamp, which can be a desk lamp, table lamp or floor lamp, of the type which also incorporates as an integral part thereof a low light level bulb housed within the body of the lamp to provide decoration as well as a night light function. In such prior art structures, it is extremely difficult to replace the low light level light bulb when it has burned out. Prior art lamps of this type generally require extensive dismantling of the lamp to gain access to the interior of the lamp to replace the low light level light bulb. In one such prior art lamp the base had to be removed to replace the bulb.
Therefore, there is need in the lighting industry for a floor lamp which incorporates both a general area lighting means and a low light level light bulb (night light) which also provides a means for ready access to the low light level light bulb so that it may be easily changed when such is required.
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The present invention relates to the production of metal strip, typically steel strip, which has a corrosion-resistant metallic coating that contains aluminium-zinc-silicon-magnesium as the main elements, although not necessarily the only elements, in the coating alloy, and is hereinafter referred to as an “Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy” on this basis.
In particular, the present invention relates to a hot-dip coating method of forming a metallic coating on a strip that includes dipping uncoated strip into a bath of molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a coating of the alloy on the strip.
Typically, the composition of the molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy comprises the following ranges in % by weight of the elements Al, Zn, Si, and Mg:
Zn: 30 to 60%Si:0.3 to 3% Mg:0.3 to 10%BalanceAl and unavoidable impurities.
More typically, the composition of the molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy comprises the following ranges in % by weight of the elements Al, Zn, Si, and Mg:
Zn:35 to 50%Si:1.2 to 2.5%Mg1.0 to 3.0%BalanceAl and unavoidable impurities.
The composition of the molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy may contain other elements that are present in the molten alloy as deliberate alloying additions or as unavoidable impurities. Hence, the phrase “Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy” is understood herein to cover alloys that contain such other elements as deliberate alloying additions or as unavoidable impurities. The other elements may include by way of example any one or more of Fe, Sr, Cr, and V.
Depending on the end-use application, the metallic coated strip may be painted, for example with a polymeric paint, on one or both surfaces of the strip. In this regard, the metallic coated strip may be sold as an end product itself or may have a paint coating applied to one or both surfaces and be sold as a painted end product.
The present invention relates particularly but not exclusively to steel strip that has a metallic coating formed from the above-described molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy composition and is also optionally coated with a paint and thereafter is cold formed (e.g. by roll forming) into an end-use product, such as building products (e.g. profiled wall and roofing sheets).
One corrosion resistant metal coating bath composition that is used widely in Australia and elsewhere for building products, particularly profiled wall and roofing sheets, is a 55% Al—Zn alloy coating composition that also contains Si. The profiled sheets are usually manufactured by cold forming painted, metal alloy coated strip. Typically, the profiled sheets are manufactured by roll-forming the painted strip.
The addition of Mg to this known composition of 55% Al—Zn—Si alloy coating composition has been proposed in the patent literature for a number of years, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,359 in the name of Nippon Steel Corporation, but Al—Zn—Si—Mg coatings on steel strip are not commercially available in Australia.
It has been established that when Mg is included in a 55% Al—Zn—Si alloy coating composition, Mg brings about certain beneficial effects on product performance, such as improved cut-edge protection.
The applicant has carried out extensive research and development work in relation to Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coatings on strip such as steel strip. The present invention is the result of part of this research and development work.
The above discussion is not to be taken as an admission of the common general knowledge in Australia and elsewhere.
The present invention is based on a finding of the applicant during the course of the research and development work that forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating on a steel strip so that there is an intermediate alloy layer having a selected composition and preferably a selected crystal structure between an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating overlay layer and the steel strip can improve the corrosion performance of the coated strip. The research and development work also found that the selected composition and preferred crystal structure of the intermediate alloy layer that can improve corrosion performance of the coated strip is not an inevitable outcome of the selection of the Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy composition for use in a hot dip coating bath, and a number of factors such as but not limited to molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy bath composition and hot dip process conditions, typically strip immersion time and coating pot temperature, are relevant factors to forming the intermediate alloy layer having the required composition and the preferred crystal structure.
According to the present invention there is provided a metallic coated steel strip that includes a steel strip and a metallic coating on at least one side of the strip, with the metallic coating including an Al—Zn—Si—Mg overlay alloy layer and an intermediate alloy layer between the steel strip and the overlay alloy layer, and wherein the intermediate alloy layer has a composition of, by weight, 4.0-12.0% Zn, 6.0-17.0% Si, 20.0-40.0% Fe, 0.02-0.50% Mg, and balance Al and unavoidable impurities.
The intermediate alloy layer may be formed as an intermetallic phase of elements in the compositions of the molten Al—Zn—Mg—Si alloy and the steel strip.
Alternatively, the intermediate alloy layer and the Al—Zn—Mg—Si overlay alloy layer may be formed as separate layers.
The intermediate alloy layer may include, by weight, 5.0-10.0% Zn, 7.0-14.0% Si (typically 6.5-14.0% Si), 25.0-37.0% Fe, 0.03-0.25% Mg, balance Al and unavoidable impurities.
The intermediate alloy layer may include, by weight, 6.0-9.0% Zn, 8.0-12.0% Si, 28.0-35.0% Fe, 0.05-0.15% Mg, balance Al and unavoidable impurities.
The intermediate alloy layer may include, by weight, 0.01-0.2% Ca.
The intermediate alloy layer may include, by weight, 0.1-3.0% Cr.
The intermediate alloy layer may include, by weight, 0.1-13.0% Mn.
The intermediate alloy layer may include, by weight, 0.1-2.0% V.
The intermediate alloy layer may have a thickness of 0.1-5.0 μm as measured on a cross-section through the thickness of the coating.
The intermediate alloy layer may have a thickness of 0.3-2.0 μm as measured on a cross-section through the thickness of the coating.
The intermediate alloy layer may have a thickness of 0.5-1.0 μm as measured on a cross-section through the thickness of the coating.
The intermediate alloy layer may include substantially columnar crystals measuring 50-1000 nm in a short diameter as measured on a cross section through the thickness of the coating.
The intermediate alloy layer may include substantially equiaxial crystals measuring 50-4000 nm in a long diameter as measured on a cross section through the thickness of the coating.
The intermediate alloy layer may include a mixture of columnar crystals and equiaxial crystals.
The intermediate alloy layer may include body centred cubic crystals.
The Al, Zn, Si and Fe concentrations of the intermediate alloy layer may satisfy the formula Fe10Al32Si5Zn3.
The Al, Zn, Si and Fe concentrations of the intermediate alloy layer may satisfy the formula Fe10Al34Si4Zn2.
The strip may be a passivated strip, for example using a Cr-containing or Cr-free passivation system.
The strip may include a resin coating on an exposed surface of the Al—Zn—Mg—Si alloy coating.
A molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include more than 0.3% by weight Mg.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include more than 1.0% by weight Mg.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include more than 1.3% by weight Mg.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include more than 1.5% by weight Mg.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include less than 3% by weight Mg.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include less than 2.5% by weight Mg.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include more than 1.2% by weight Si.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include less than 2.5% by weight Si.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include the following ranges in % by weight of the elements Al, Zn, Si, and Mg:
Zn: 30 to 60%Si:0.3 to 3% Mg:0.3 to 10%BalanceAl and unavoidable impurities
In particular, the molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy for forming the metallic coating may include the following ranges in % by weight of the elements Al, Zn, Si, and Mg:
Zn:35 to 50%Si:1.2 to 2.5%Mg1.0 to 3.0%BalanceAl and unavoidable impurities.
The steel may be a low carbon steel.
According to the present invention there is also provided a method of forming a metallic coating on a steel strip to form the above-described metallic coated steel strip, the method including dipping steel strip into a bath of a molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a metallic coating of the alloy on exposed surfaces of the steel strip, and the method including controlling any one or more of the composition of the molten alloy bath, the temperature of the molten alloy bath, and the immersion time of the steel strip in the molten alloy bath to form the intermediate alloy layer between the steel strip and the Al—Zn—Mg—Si overlay alloy layer.
The molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy may have the composition described above. For example, the molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy may include the following ranges in % by weight of the elements Al, Zn, Si, and Mg:
Zn: 30 to 60%Si:0.3 to 3% Mg:0.3 to 10%BalanceAl and unavoidable impurities.
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Hue refers to a qualitative appearance that can be assumed by a color, is the primary feature of the color and is the most accurate standard to distinguish different colors. Determination of image hue is an operation widely applied in the field of image processing. After the image hue is determined, suitable elements, such as a background and a frame can be added to an image. For example, the color of a light spot background in the background is painted according to a hue value of an image in the foreground, thereby increasing visual uniformity and integrity of the image.
At present, the process of determining image hue is simple. A method of weighted averaging is usually adopted, and the process thereof specifically includes: adding RGB (red, green, blue) values of colors of all pixels in the image and calculating an average value, so as to obtain hue of the image; or, adding hue values of all pixels in the image and calculating an average value, so as to obtain hue of the image.
The image hue calculated by the method of weighted averaging is inaccurate. For example, for an image that is half pure red and half pure green, the calculated average value is pure yellow, so the image hue is distorted.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a compact Gauss type photographic lens.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gauss type photographic lenses have been used since early days and numerous examples of the design of the Gauss type photographic lens having a high performance are known. However, it is very difficult to design a Gauss type lens having a certain extent of wide angle of view and bright and yet having a sufficiently long back focal length but having a short entire length (the length from the foremost surface of the lens to the film surface), and how to make the lens compact while maintaining a good image forming performance has been a great task to be solved in the photographic lens of this type.
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{
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a lightly-doped drain (LDD) type MOS (broadly, MIS) device and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing an LDD type CMOS device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a fine-structured MOS device, in order to avoid deterioration of characteristics due to hot carriers, an LDD structure has been broadly used.
In a prior art method for manufacturing an LDD type CMOS device, after gate electrodes are formed on a PMOS area and an NMOS area of a semiconductor substrate, a shallow P type region is formed in the PMOS area by using a photoresist mask covering the NMOS area, and a shallow N type region is formed in the NMOS area using a photoresist mask covering the PMOS area. Also, after sidewall insulating layers are formed on sidewalls of the gate electrodes, a deep P type region is formed in the PMOS area by using a photoresist mask covering the NMOS area, and a deep N type region is formed in the NMOS area using a photoresist mask covering the PMOS area. This will be explained later in detail.
In the above-described prior art manufacturing method, however, four photolithography processes are required for an LDD structure, which increases the manufacturing cost.
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{
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Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and 3GPP2 are considering long term evolution (LTE) for radio interface and network architecture. Currently, receivers use a common reference signal for channel estimation, decide the precoding matrix based on the estimated common channel and feedback the information about the preceding matrix to the transmitter. The transmitter then uses the signaled precoding matrix and multiplies it with the data signal to be transmitted. Due to the feedback error the precoding matrix used by the transmitter may be different from the precoding matrix signaled from receiver. Also due to network flexibility, the transmitter may decide to use a different precoding matrix than the one that is signaled from receiver even if there is no feedback error. Therefore the information about the precoding matrix used by the transmitter has to be signaled to the receiver via control channel. The receiver is then able to decode the control channel to obtain the preceding information and use this precoding information to demodulate the precoded data signal.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a data transmission scheme where the data is split into smaller streams and each stream is transmitted using a sub-carrier with a smaller bandwidth than the total available transmission bandwidth. The efficiency of OFDM is a result of the fact that the sub-carriers are selected so that they are orthogonal to each other. In other words, the sub-carriers do not interfere with each other while each is carrying a portion of the total user data.
Multiple Input—Multiple Output Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO OFDM) and MIMO Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) are air interface technologies used for high data throughput (HT) services. Various forms of transmit beamforming are currently being considered for these technologies, including eigen-beamforming, spatial multiplexing, and space time coding. Each of these techniques, though, requires channel state information to be available at the transmitter in order to enable the maximum achievable capacity. Because the amount of information required for feedback may be excessive for a practical system, methods to reduce the amount of required feedback have been developed. Methods for reducing feedback include codebook methods, phase quantization methods, open loop methods including channel sounding, and statistical prefiltering.
Efficient signaling of precoding information or antenna weights from the transmitter (NodeB) to the receiver (UE) are essential to multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system for evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA), especially for both SU and MU MIMO using precoding or beamforming.
As such a method and apparatus are needed to provide efficient communications between transmitter and receiver for precoding information and antenna weights and improved effective channel estimation at the receiver (or UE).
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{
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pontoon lifts and more specifically it relates to an underdeck pontoon lift system for supporting pontoons of various sizes in a stable manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pontoon lifts have been in use for years. Many pontoon lifts utilize a cantilever structure for lifting a pontoon above a water surface. There are also vertical lifts that are capable of elevating a pontoon. Pontoon lifts may either engage the underdeck or the floats for elevating the pontoon.
One of the problems with underdeck pontoon lifts is that they are not suitable for the newer pontoons that have larger diameter floats (e.g. 25 or 27 inches). Conventional underdeck pontoon lifts have a support bed that is typically 48 inches wide which may engage and damage the interior surfaces of the floats. In addition, conventional support beds for pontoon lifts merely have a straight structure and do not provide a tapered loading area to assist in guiding the pontoon upon the support bed.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for supporting pontoons of various sizes in a stable manner. Conventional pontoon lifts are not suitable for supporting newer pontoons that have larger diameter floats.
In these respects, the underdeck pontoon lift system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of supporting pontoons of various sizes in a stable manner.
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{
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Municipal authorities are under pressure to improve energy efficiency in order to comply with legislation and environmental objectives. They are also facing calls to address the issue of light pollution, specifically for the sake of night and nature preservation. Yet, at the same time, safety remains a paramount concern. Therefore, research has been conducted on systems that provide light only where and when it is needed. Such systems need to be designed to minimize waste of light without compromising people's safety. For instance, such systems sense activities around individual light sources, adjust the lighting to a maximum level when there is activity and to extremely low levels when there is no activity. Such a system may save up to 80% of energy costs while maintaining safety on the streets.
In such light-on-demand systems, for instance realized with the applicant's LumiMotion, it is required for a node (e.g. a street light) to react to the detection of a street user at a neighboring node located within a certain range. Accordingly, when a node receives a detection message from another node, it needs to know whether to react to this message or not. In other words, the node needs to know whether it is only in hearing range without the need of any action, or whether the message originates from a relevant neighbor node and an action has to be taken (e.g. switching on a lamp). In order to make this distinction, a light-on-demand system generally keeps a table of neighbor nodes and decides, based on the position of the transmitting node in a table, whether it should react or not.
In current systems, the table is created by using the identity of the transmitting node and the averaged RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value of the messages of said transmitting node and ranking the table from strong to weak RSSI. However, the relationship between RSSI values and distances is a questionable one, and it is possible for nodes to be in a wrong position in a table. In certain cases, this may lead to unacceptable behavior of the system and, thus, a correction of the table is required. That means the table has to be manually adapted on-the-spot by a field engineer, for instance using a mobile computer. This adaptation that is required for each node that does not behave as required leads to inconvenience and increased costs.
WO 2007/029186 describes a method for lighting commissioning, which determines a location of a lighting device from the identification number of said lighting device. The location is determined by transmitting an indicator command including the first identification number to the lighting device in question and detecting the response of the lighting device to said indicator command. The lighting device location is then entered manually or automatically on a map.
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{
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For evaluating a toxicity of a chemical substance using algae, it is necessary to prepare algal cells by performing primary and passage cultures based on cells maintained in a liquid culture, an agar medium, or the like, add the test substance to the prepared algal cells, and conduct a test. However, it is cumbersome and inconvenient to maintain algal cells and perform a passage culture for each test.
For eliminating this cumbersomeness, frozen algal cells (Non Patent Literatures 1 and 2, etc.) can be utilized. Thawing frozen algal cells immediately before a test and using the thawed algal cells can rapidly subject the algal cells to a test without passage cultures.
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{
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There is no end item nondestructive test which will verify actual localized attachment joint strength. Current nondestructive inspection such as ultrasonic flaw detection, ultrasonic resonance, and eddy sonic methods are capable of detecting voids (areas of zero adhesion) and some strength conditions relatable to the cohesive properties of the joining material but not to adhesion properties at the joint interface. This results in undetectable weak adhesion conditions commonly known as kissing bonds and grazing bonds. Present manufacturing technology practice is to accept the bond adhesion strength based on process control methods such as: raw material control, cleaning and pretreatment of substrates, interface dimensional fit, cure cycle time-temperature and pressure controls, destructive evaluation of representative coupons, and destructive test of actual structure. The present method of detecting weak adhesion bondlines is for in-service failure to occur or to perform a destructive analysis of structure suspected of weak joints. This results in extensive repairs or scrap structure. Improved nondestructive testing apparatus and methods must be developed to allow inspection to verify the existence of attachment strength.
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{
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There are existing solutions to the problem of finding the point or the object or more specific the part of an object's surface that a (possibly moving) person gazes at. Such solutions are described below and can be split into separate parts.
At first the gaze direction of the person (or a representation thereof like a pupil/CR combination, cornea center and pupil/limbus etc.) is to be found.
For determining the gaze direction eye trackers can be used. Eye Trackers observe features of the eye like the pupil, the limbus, blood vessels on the sclera, the eyeball or reflections of light sources (corneal reflections) in order to calculate the direction of the gaze.
This gaze direction is then mapped to an image of the scene captured by a head-mounted scene camera or a scene camera at any fixed location. The head-mounted scene camera is fixed with respect to the head, and therefore such a mapping can be performed, once a corresponding calibration has been executed. For performing the calibration a user may have to gaze at several defined points in the scene image captured by the head-mounted camera. By using the correspondingly detected gaze directions the calibration can be performed resulting in a transformation which maps a gaze direction to a corresponding point in the scene image. In this approach any kind of eye tracker can be used if it allows mapping the gaze direction into images of a head-mounted scene camera.
This approach enables the determination of a gaze point in the scene image as taken by the head-mounted scene camera.
As a next step it can be of interest to map the gaze point in the scene image as captured by the head-mounted scene camera, which can change due to the movement of the subject, to a point in a (stable) reference image which does not move and which corresponds to a “real world” object or an image thereof. The reference image thereby typically is taken from a different camera position than the scene image taken by the head-mounted scene camera, because the scene camera may move together with the head of the user.
For such a case where the head moves, there are known approaches for determining the gaze point in a reference image which does not move based on the detection of the gaze direction with respect to a certain scene image as taken by the head-mounted scene camera even after the head has moved.
One possible approach of determining the point gazed at is to intersect the gaze direction with a virtual scene plane defined relative to the eye tracker. WO 2010/083853 A1 discloses to use active IR markers for that purpose, which are fixed at certain locations, e.g. attached to a bookshelf. The locations of these markers are first detected with respect to a “test scene” which acts as a “reference” image obtained by the head-mounted camera, by use of two orthogonal IR line detectors which detect the two orthogonal angles by detecting the maximum intensity of the two line sensors. The detected angles of an IR source correspond to its location in the reference image. Then the angles of the markers are detected for a later detected scene taken by the head-mounted camera from a different position, thereby detecting the location of the IR sources in the later scene image. Then there is determined the “perspective projection”, which is the mapping that transforms the locations of the IR sources as detected in an image taken later (a scene image), when the head-mounted camera is at a different location, to the locations of the IR light sources in the test image (or reference image). With this transformation a gaze point as determined later for the scene image can also be transformed into the corresponding (actual) gaze point in the test image.
The mapping of the gaze point from the actual “scene image” to a stable reference image which is time invariant becomes possible by defining the plane on which the gaze point is mapped in relation to scene stable markers instead of to the eye tracker (ET). This way the plane of the reference image becomes stable over time and gazes of other participants can also be mapped onto it so that the gaze point information can be aggregated over time as well as over participants like it could only be done before with eye trackers located at a fixed position.
For that purpose the prior art as disclosed in WO 2010/083853 A1 uses IR sources as artificial markers the locations of which can be detected by orthogonal IR line detectors to detect the angles of maximum emission.
The usage of using IR sources as markers for determining the transform of the gaze point from a scene image to a reference image is complicated and inconvenient.
In the European Patent application no. EP11158922.2 titled Method and Apparatus for Gaze Point Mapping and filed by SensoMotoric Instruments Gesellschaft far innovative Sensorik mbH which is incorporated herein by reference there is described a different approach. In this approach there is provided an apparatus for mapping a gaze point of a subject on a scene image to a gaze point in a reference image, wherein said scene image and said reference image have been taken by a camera from a different position, said apparatus comprising: A module for executing a feature detection algorithm on said reference image to identify a plurality of characteristic features and their locations in said reference image; a module for executing said feature detection algorithm on said scene image to re-identify said plurality of characteristic features and their locations in said scene image; a module for determining a point transfer mapping that transforms point positions between said scene image and said reference image based on the locations of said plurality of characteristic features detected in said reference image and said scene image; a module for using said point transfer mapping to map a gaze point which has been determined in said scene image to its corresponding point in said reference image.
This enables the implementation of gaze point mapping which does not need any artificial IR sources and IR detectors. It can operate on normal and unamended images of natural scenes taken by normal CCD-cameras operating in the visible frequency range. For a detailed description of this approach reference is made to European Patent application no. EP11158922.2.
But even with this approach it is only possible to map a gaze of a moving subject to a certain predefined static plane, however, the determination of a gaze endpoint at any arbitrary object in 3D space is not possible.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an approach which can determine the gaze endpoint at any arbitrary three-dimensional object in 3D-space.
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The present invention relates to a suction device for aspirating blood during a surgical procedure and, more particularly, to a device for adding and mixing an anticoagulant with blood as it is sucked into the device.
During surgical procedures, especially those involving the abdominal or chest cavities, a great deal of bleeding occurs normally and conventional practice has been to simply aspirate the blood and other fluids to keep the surgical site clear and subsequently dispose of the fluids so removed.
A relatively recent development in this area has been to convey the blood and other fluids which are aspirated during surgery to a centrifuge, extract the red blood cells and serum and return the thus purified fractions to the patient during the surgical procedure. Since the blood begins to clot immediately upon contact with air, it is necessary to add an anticoagulant to the fluids aspirated, preferably as they are removed from the patient.
During this type of procedure, it is common to provide the operator with a on/off switch or clamp to terminate the suction and flow of the anticoagulant when the aspirator is not needed. Besides being somewhat awkward, it is not uncommon for the operator not to turn off the flow of anticoagulant, particularly in an emergency situation. As a result, an excess of anticoagulant may be added to the aspirated blood, thus increasing the rate of bleeding as the blood is returned to the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,186 to Bartlett discloses a device for automatically introducing an anticoagulant into aspirated blood. In this device a bag of anticoagulant is provided for supplying anticoagulant at the point of aspiration as well as at a point along the blood flow line between the suction nozzle and the collection bag. However, the anticoagulant bag must be positioned at a particular height relative to the suction nozzle for the system to operate properly. Thus, it can be seen that this system requires a certain amount of calibration prior to use which may prove to be inconvenient in emergency situations.
Another system for metering anticoagulant during aspiration of blood is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,406 to Miles in which anticoagulant may be accurately metered to a suction nozzle regardless of the height difference between the nozzle and the anticoagulant supply. The suction nozzle of this device requires that the operator place his or her finger over an opening in the nozzle side in order to actuate the suction. While this device provides an improved amount of control over termination of the suction, the operator is required to give additional attention to accurate placement of his or her finger over the opening in the suction nozzle and as such introduces an increased amount of inconvenience into the aspiration procedure.
Accordingly, what is needed is a device for aspirating fluids from a patient during a surgical procedure which is capable of accurately metering anticoagulant for mixing with the aspirated fluids. In addition, the device must be capable of initiating and terminating flow of anticoagulant upon initiation and termination of the flow of fluids through the suction device such that a minimum of attention from the operator is required during use of the device.
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{
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to method for preparing particles of pyrithione salts, and more specifically to methods of preparing particles of pyrithione salts having non-spherical or non-platelet forms, particularly needle or rod forms, in the presence of ionic surfactants or a combination of ionic and nonionic surfactants. The present invention also relates to products made with the non-spherical or non-platelet particles of pyrithione salts.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polyvalent metal salts of pyrithione (also known as 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione; 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide; 2-pyridinethione; 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide; pyridinethione; and pyridinethione-N-oxide) are known to be effective biocidal agents, and are widely used as fungicides and bacteriocides in paints and personal care products such as anti-dandruff shampoos. The polyvalent metal salts of pyrithione are only sparingly soluble in water and include magnesium pyrithione, barium pyrithione, bismuth pyrithione, strontium pyrithione, copper pyrithione, zinc pyrithione, cadmium pyrithione, and zirconium pyrithione. The most widely used divalent pyrithione salts are zinc pyrithione and copper pyrithione.
Zinc and copper pyrithione are useful as antimicrobial agents active against gram-positive and negative bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Zinc pyrithione is used as an antidandruff component in shampoos, while technical suspensions of zinc pyrithione and/or copper pyrithione are used as preservatives in paints and polymers. Synthesis of polyvalent pyrithione salts are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,971 to Berstein et al. Other patents disclosing similar compounds and processes for making them include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,786,847; 3,589,999; 3,590,035; 3,773,770.
Known methods for producing insoluble polyvalent salts of pyrithione result in platelet-shaped large particles having an average size greater than 2 micrometers (.mu.m). These particles are either used directly, or converted into smaller spherical particles. Such small spherical particles of pyrithione salts are usually generated by a separate mechanical manipulation step (e.g., grinding or crushing) on larger particles or crystals that are made by conventional processes. For example, European Patent Application No. 70046 describes preparation of zinc pyrithione using organic solvents. This process results in production of large crystals of zinc pyrithione. A separate, optional grinding step is used to grind the large crystals and produce zinc pyrithione particles of smaller size. Small spherical particles of zinc pyrithione more easily form suspensions and provide a larger surface area for enhanced biocidal activity. However, grinding larger particles to produce smaller particles, as described in the prior art, generally results in substantial loss of useful product and are costly in terms of equipment, time, and energy required. In addition, alternative forms of pyrithione particles, such as rods, needles, or other shapes, cannot be produced by grinding.
Alternative forms of insoluble polyvalent pyrithione particles are often desirable because they offer certain physical properties that are not inherent in platelet or spherical forms. Elongated particles of pyrithione salts, such as rods, needles, ellipsoids, and the like offer advantages such as a large and/or flat surface area for use in shampoos, soaps and paints. In addition, elongated particles are more easily isolable by conventional filtration methods than the platelet particles of the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,860 to Hosseini et al. discloses a general method for producing several forms of copper pyrithione particles, such as rods, spheres, needles, platelets, and combinations thereof at processing temperatures of about 70.degree. C. or greater by using a variety of surfactants including POLYTERGENT 2A-1L, POLYTERGENT SLF-18, and TRITON X-100 surfactants. However, a general method of producing non-platelet or non-spherical forms of pyrithione salts at lower temperatures and with other salts is not disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,095 to Hosseini et al. also discloses a general method for producing several forms of copper pyrithione particles, such as rods, spheres, needles, platelets, and combinations thereof at processing temperatures between 25 and 90.degree. C. and in a pH range from 3 to 8 by using a variety of surfactants including POLYTERGENT 2A-1L, POLYTERGENT SLF-18, and TRITON X-100 surfactants. However, like the '860 patent above, this patent does not disclose a general method of producing non-platelet or non-spherical forms of pyrithione salts.
Thus, what is needed in the art is a general method of generating non-spherical or non-platelet particles of pyrithione salts in a single step production process at low temperatures. The present invention is believed to be an answer to that need.
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As it is known in the art, effective traffic planning for a geographic area requires an understanding of actual traffic conditions in the area. Information about traffic patterns and volumes, including types of traffic, speed, purpose of the trip, duration of the trip, trip frequency, etc. are used by traffic planners to design traffic systems. Such information is useful for municipalities engaged in town and city planning; traffic engineers designing roadways, subways, or other traffic systems; law enforcement agencies that wish to create targeted traffic enforcement policies; and many others.
Traffic survey data is typically collected via devices placed on or near a roadway. Such devices include but are not limited to weight activated bending plates embedded in the road, pneumatic road tubes, piezo-electric sensors, and the like. Traffic data is also collected by travelers filling out surveys about their travel and by human observation. The data from these various sources, when viewed together, can provide a picture of traffic patterns for a particular area. However, these methods of gathering traffic data are expensive to perform. Also, such methods provide a limited view of the traffic that can quickly become out of date because the methods provide only a snapshot in time of the traffic patterns and do not provide continuous data collection.
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Known door lock apparatus for a vehicle controls a vehicle door in a locked state so as to prevent an unintended door opening during the vehicle running state when the door lock apparatus detects the vehicle in a running state by a vehicle speed sensor. Under a normal running condition of the vehicle, the door lock apparatus controls the vehicle door in the locked state when detecting the vehicle speed reaching or exceeding a predetermined vehicle speed.
In addition, when impact is applied to the vehicle due to a collision and the like, the door lock apparatus is configured not to control the door in the locked state by the vehicle speed sensor so that an occupant is prevented from being trapped in the vehicle even if the vehicle starts running after the collision due to the effect of a downhill road and the like. Such vehicle door lock apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2657874.
According to the disclosed door lock apparatus, when the vehicle door is permitted to open after the vehicle collision is detected, a door handle might be operated to open erroneously in case of an occurrence of the rollover after the collision.
Thus, a need exists for a door lock apparatus for a vehicle which can prevent an unintended door opening in case that the impact is applied to the vehicle.
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{
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This invention relates to a machine for filling flexible pouches with product and particularly with a solid food product such as meat chunks or the like. The invention more specifically relates to a machine for filling the pouches while the pouches are advanced along a predetermined path with high speed continuous motion as opposed to slower intermittent motion. A machine with a continuous motion filling mechanism is disclosed in Nutting et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,230,687.
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The present invention relates to vehicle suspension systems, and more particularly to suspension systems that include an auxiliary spring on which a vehicle rides when lightly loaded.
Vehicles that are intended to carry heavy loads have suspension systems with appropriately high spring rates. When the vehicle is empty or only lightly loaded, the relatively small forces acting on the springs are not sufficient to produce significant deflections and the vehicle has an extremely rigid ride. The lack of effective spring action is not only jarring and uncomfortable, but is dangerous because an unsprung axle has poor traction.
While the above problems of heavy duty suspension systems are most commonly associated with trucks and semi-trailers, they are shared by other types of vehicles as well. Off-the-road vehicles, such as dune buggies, for example, are usually provided with very rigid springs in relation to their weight to withstand the rough treatment for which they are intended. When driven on smooth paved highways, their suspension systems are largely ineffective.
To overcome the above problems, some heavy duty suspension systems have been provided with auxiliary springs having a relatively low spring rate that are positioned between the frame of the vehicle and the main leaf springs. When the vehicle is lightly loaded, it is given a resilient ride by the auxiliary springs while the mainsprings remain relatively rigid. When heavily loaded, however, the auxiliary springs assume a fully flexed position and the vehicle rides on the mainsprings.
A suspension system, known as the "Empty Ride System" that includes generally U-shaped auxiliary springs for lightly loaded conditions is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,580, issued to B. C. Hamlet on July 13, 1965. That system, however, requires specially designed hangers for the main leaf springs and, therefore, is not well suited for attachment to the many existing vehicles that are not equippped with auxiliary springs. Moreover, Hamlet's system, while used on many trucks, has not been adapted for use on off-the-road vehicles. Another problem associated with the Hamlet suspension system is that the configuration of the auxiliary springs includes a reverse bend, and the stresses on those springs are concentrated at the bend, thereby limiting their useful life.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a suspension system having improved and longer lasting auxiliary springs that can be readily added to a variety of existing vehicles despite variations in the configuration of the frames and springs of theose vehicles. Another objective is to provide a suspension system having auxiliary springs that is compact and requires a minimum space under the vehicle frame so as not to interfere with the action of the mainspring when the vehicle is heavily loaded or subjected to high shock loads.
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{
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As is known, in many fields of application and particularly in the field of cosmetics it is desirable to have two separate products to be dispensed simultaneously or, optionally, at successive times, depending on the criterion of application of the product.
To solve this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,040 already disclosed a container for dispensing cosmetic products that is substantially constituted by two separate container members that are joined one another by a coupling plate.
The containers can be used simultaneously or separately and have proved to be effective very valid from a functional standpoint, but suffer the drawback of being considerably expensive due to the need to assemble a plurality components.
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{
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation detection apparatus and imaging system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A radiation detection apparatus can include a scintillator which converts radiation into light, and a sensor panel which detects the light. Recently, a back-side irradiation radiation detection apparatus has been examined, in which radiation is emitted from a side of the sensor panel opposite to a side on which the scintillator is arranged, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-262134. A radiation detection apparatus of this type needs to resist an externally applied load. For example, when the radiation detection apparatus is used while a subject to be examined (for example, a patient) lies down on it, the radiation detection apparatus should be designed to satisfactorily stand his weight.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of a back-side irradiation radiation detection apparatus D1. The radiation detection apparatus D1 includes, for example, a housing 10, scintillator 20, and sensor panel 30. The scintillator 20 may be covered with a protection layer. The scintillator 20 is supported by a supporting portion 40 arranged on the side of a plate portion 12 in the housing 10. The sensor panel 30 is interposed between a plate portion 11 and the scintillator 20.
In order to arrange a peripheral circuit, electrode, and the like, the sensor panel 30 is larger in dimensions than the scintillator 20, and has a portion P where the sensor panel 30 and scintillator 20 do not contact each other. In this structure, a stress can be applied to the portion P of the sensor panel 30 owing to an externally applied load mentioned above, damaging the sensor panel 30.
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{
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The invention relates generally to a memory device, and more particularly, to a memory device that emulates dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is a new class of non-volatile memory. Unlike volatile memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that loses the stored information when power is interrupted, non-volatile memory can retain the stored information even when powered off.
An MRAM device normally comprises an array of memory cells, each of which includes at least a magnetic memory element and a selection element or transistor coupled in series between appropriate electrodes. Upon application of an appropriate current or voltage to the magnetic memory element in the programming step, the electrical resistance of the magnetic memory element would change accordingly, thereby switching the stored logic in the respective memory cell.
The magnetic memory element typically includes at least a magnetic reference layer and a magnetic free layer with a non-magnetic tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ). The magnetic reference layer has a fixed magnetization direction and may be anti-ferromagnetically exchange coupled to a magnetic pinned layer, which has a fixed but opposite or anti-parallel magnetization direction. Upon the application of an appropriate current through the MTJ, the magnetization direction of the magnetic free layer can be switched between two directions: parallel and antiparallel with respect to the magnetization direction of the magnetic reference layer. The non-magnetic tunnel junction layer is normally made of an insulating material with a thickness ranging from a few to a few tens of angstroms. When the magnetization directions of the magnetic free and reference layers are substantially parallel, electrons polarized by the magnetic reference layer can tunnel through the insulating tunnel junction layer, thereby decreasing the electrical resistance of the MTJ. Conversely, the electrical resistance of the MTJ is high when the magnetization directions of the magnetic reference and free layers are substantially anti-parallel. Accordingly, the stored logic in the magnetic memory element can be switched by changing the magnetization direction of the magnetic free layer.
Based on the relative orientation between the magnetic reference and free layers and the magnetization directions thereof, an MTJ can be classified as in-plane MTJ or perpendicular MTJ. The magnetic reference and free layers of an in-plane MTJ have magnetization directions that lie in planes substantially parallel to layer planes thereof, whereas the magnetic reference and free layers of a perpendicular MTJ have magnetization directions that are substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof.
The stability of the magnetic free layer in the MTJ enables an MRAM device to have years of data retention but may prevent the same device to program at a high speed comparable to that of DRAM, thereby limiting MRAM's usage in memory applications.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a memory device that includes MRAM and emulates DRAM by operating at a high input/output (I/O) speed while retaining the non-volatility characteristic of the MRAM.
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Cemeteries and different burial places have been contemplated from the beginning of time. The human race has always desired the best ways to respect and bury their dead. The type of burial has changed over the centuries to include burning, burying, sending out to sea, building elaborate burial structures and the like.
The two most common types of burial methods today are cremation and casket burial. In more recent times, cremation has become more prevalent and is a little less expensive as it does not require acquiring a plot, or tombstone/gravestone. However, what is actually done with the cremation remains is often up to the families or the deceased. Many wish their ashes to be spread or placed at certain locations and others are stored by loved ones. The second traditional method of burial includes the use of a casket, plot and gravestone/mausoleum. The dead are prepared for burial, placed in a casket, and lowered into the ground. A gravestone or mausoleum is placed on top of the burial site to mark where the deceased is located. Typically, prior art cemeteries are parks with trees, grass and other park-like structures. Some prior art cemeteries are located on church grounds or other holy sites. Cremation remains are also sometimes found at these similar locations.
However, no significant developments have been made in the cemetery industry for some time. One way of denoting the interests and hobbies of the deceased individual is to carve the information directly onto the deceased headstone or gravestone. The information provided may give some idea of the individual's personal life, hobbies or other information that may immediately denote some characteristic or personal trait of the individual. Outside the markings of a headstone or gravestone, it is often very difficult to identify characteristics about the individual that may have identified their personal traits, interests or hobbies.
Therefore, a need exists for a new and unique cemetery theme that may allow the deceased some options when considering where and how to be buried. Additionally, a need exists for an improved cemetery which may provide greater deference and options to individuals that may be dictated by personal interests and hobbies while still giving the options for the type of burial ceremony, including cremation and/or traditional casket burial. Moreover, a need exists for an improved themed cemetery system that may celebrate the common passion in the memorialization process, yet still give diverse burial options.
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{
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Current methods and apparatus for the testing of groundwater for contamination are both time consuming and relatively expensive. Samples must be collected using methods which preserve their integrity, transported without affecting the composition of the sample and then analyzed in laboratories using equipment which is often more sensitive and elaborate than necessary to determine whether contamination exists. In addition such equipment is typically much more expensive to operate and the laboratories involved must pass on portions of their overhead when assessing charges for testing groundwater.
One alternative to collecting samples for laboratory analysis involves testing the air above groundwater, known as the headspace, for indications of hydrocarbon contamination. Typically, however, the level of groundwater contamination necessary to cause a measurable level of hydrocarbons in the headspace far exceeds acceptable groundwater contamination levels, this making this test method effective for only gross levels of contamination.
As a result, the testing of groundwater for contamination at acceptable levels is more expensive than is necessary and/or is also difficult from a logistic standpoint when using known techniques and equipment.
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{
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Field of the Invention
This invention relates to crop harvesting and, more particularly, to an apparatus through which usable crop can be separated from debris such as dirt, rocks, vines, corn stalks, crowns, etc. This invention is also directed to a method of using such an apparatus.
Background Art
Efficient and effective separation of a usable crop from field debris remains an ongoing challenge in the agricultural industry. Apparatus used for crop separation are generally developed with the following design objectives: a) maximum separation of debris from usable crop while minimizing crop damage; b) accommodating different types of debris that might be encountered in different geographical areas and with different field makeups—namely, dirt and clay, small and potentially large rocks, vines, corn stalks, crowns, etc.; c) accumulating separated debris in a controlled manner so that staged debris can be appropriately handled after a field operation is concluded, as by onsite disposal or relocation; d) providing an overall system that is affordable to users with a range of different volume requirements; e) providing an overall system that has components capable of being transported to different sites, as within a user's field and between fields using public right-of-ways; and f) providing an overall system that can be easily and efficiently operated by a limited number of personnel in a manner that is safe for the operators and so that there is a minimal impact on the environment around the system.
Many existing systems have been designed that focus on one or more of the above objectives. However, after many decades of evolution, improvements remain necessary. This is particularly the case since competition challenges all in the agricultural industry to effect crop separation more effectively and efficiently while controlling overall operational costs.
Some of the specific design challenges can be identified relative to the harvesting of potatoes. Mixed potatoes and debris that are delivered for separation may contain: a) dirt, sand, clay, etc., that may be in different forms with different consistencies and adhered to the potatoes with different tenacity; b) vines; and c) rocks of different size, shape, and composition, with sizes ranging from small pebbles to large boulders. Conventional systems generally are not capable of accommodating all different types of debris and, as a result, generally either the fully processed crop remains intermixed with a significant amount of debris and/or system operators must manually perform steps during the separation process to maximize results. The latter may necessitate interruption of the processing, which compromises efficiency.
Systems not equipped to accommodate certain types of debris, such as large boulders, may become jammed or, in a worst case, damaged during normal operations. In either case, processing may be interrupted for potentially significant time periods to allow the problems to be alleviated. Undue progressive wear may lead to more regular maintenance and potentially extensive repairs.
Certain prior systems have utilized pressurized fluid and vacuum to reposition crop and debris during a separation process. These systems create their own inherent challenges, particularly integrating the same with conventional separation components. Further, such systems entrain dust particles in the air around the system which must be controlled to create a safe environment for operators and also allow an appropriate accumulation and/or disposal.
The challenges to equipment designers in the agricultural industry continue to even a greater extent to this day.
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{
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The present invention relates to applicators for forming a hole in note book paper or the like and applying a hole reinforcing tape thereabout.
Heretofore, such units have encountered difficulties in effectively punching and applying tape because of jamming and alignment problems. By the present invention it is proposed to provide a device of the character which overcomes the problems encountered heretofore.
This is accomplished generally by portable apparatus including a housing having a paper and tape support ledge, means for supporting a roll of pressure sensitive tape in the housing, a strip of the tape being trained over a tape drive roll and thence over a piece of paper to be punched on the support ledge. A hole punch means is then actuated to pierce the tape and paper while the tape is being pressed and bonded to the paper, and a blade cuts off the end of the tape which is pressed and bonded to the paper.
In accordance with the present invention the drive roller is formed with a peripheral concave groove which is shaped to coact with a circumferential rib received therein to curl the tape in a manner so that it is stiffened lengthwise.
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{
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Belt conveyors are commonly used for the transfer of material. The material to be transferred is fed at one end of the belt of the belt conveyor, and when moving forward, the belt transfers the material for the length of the belt conveyor to the other end of the conveyor where the material is discharged from the belt. The lengths of belt conveyors vary according to the required transfer distance of bulk material, ranging from conveyors with a length of less than two meters to conveyors with lengths of even several kilometers.
In certain applications, it is advantageous that the length of the belt conveyor can be made shorter than its working length during its use. For example, during transportation of the belt conveyor from one place to another, it is advantageous that the conveyor can be made shorter to ease the transportation. Particularly when the belt conveyor is connected to a mobile apparatus for the transfer or processing of a material, the possibility of making the belt conveyor shorter is of primary importance, because it enables the flexible transportation of the apparatus to a new location.
Mobile material processing apparatuses are used, for example, for the feeding, transfer, crushing, screening, or washing of mineral materials. Typically, such a processing apparatus comprises a frame and at least one processing unit suitable for the processing of mineral materials, for example a feeder, a belt conveyor, a crusher, a screen, or a corresponding apparatus for transferring, refining or sorting mineral material. Two or more different processing units are often integrated in the same frame to attain an apparatus that is suitable for the versatile processing of mineral material. For the transportation of the apparatus between different working sites or at least within one working site, the frame of the processing apparatus is equipped with runners, wheels or tracks. In many cases, mineral material processing apparatuses are also provided with an independent power source, for example a diesel engine, for moving the apparatus.
There are various solutions of prior art for changing the length of the belt conveyor to the transport position and to the work position again. The essence in these solutions is the method of varying the length of the frame of the belt conveyor. One such solution is to use a telescopic frame construction with pipes which can be placed within each other, so-called slide pipes. The slide pipes have a rectangular cross-section. The frame construction has the shape of a ladder, where the telescopic frame beams of the conveyor consist of slide pipes, between which supporting beams are mounted at both ends at a straight angle to the frame beams. Idlers supporting the conveyor belt from below are mounted on the supporting beams. The shifting of the conveyor to its work position is effected by one or more hydraulic cylinders which are connected, at one end, to the end of the conveyor mounted on the frame of the processing apparatus, and at the other end to the outermost supporting beam of the discharge end of the conveyor. The hydraulic cylinder always extends the conveyor to its full length, and the piston stroke of the cylinder thus determines the length of the conveyor in its work position. In the work position, extended in the full length, the slide pipes carry the weight of the conveyor, and the cylinders take care of the extension of the conveyor. For the tensioning of the conveyor belt, separate belt tensioning means are installed in the frame of the conveyor.
A problem with belt conveyors of the above-described kind is that they are short, having a maximum length of about four meters only. The length of the conveyors is limited by the length and the price of the conveyor extending cylinders.
The frame of the conveyor in mobile mineral material processing apparatuses can also be made of frame blocks connected to each other. Various turning members are installed at the joints. For moving the processing apparatus, the frame blocks of the conveyor are turned to a transport position by means of the turning members.
Document EP 641 607 discloses one such mobile mineral material processing apparatus, in which the belt conveyors which transfer the material from a processing apparatus, for example a screen, and which are, in their work position, extended to the side of the apparatus, are turned onto the top and along the sides of the processing apparatus when the apparatus is prepared for the transport position. For this purpose, the belt conveyor frames are equipped with joints between the frame blocks.
A problem with such turnable belt conveyors is that the preparation of the conveyors to the transport position is cumbersome and time-consuming. Furthermore, in some cases it may require that the operator of the processing apparatus climbs onto the processing apparatus when the conveyor is being turned, which involves the risk of falling of the operator. Another problem is the transport width and height of such processing apparatus and belt conveyors, which may be so great that it is impossible to transfer the combination under narrow transport conditions.
For transferring material, separate conveyor units are also used, which are mobile on transport platforms of their own by means of wheels or rollers, and are provided with belt conveyors intended for the transfer of material only. These conveyor units are moved to the vicinity of the processing apparatus, and they transfer material that comes either directly from the processing apparatus or from a first conveyor arranged in the same frame with the same. Such conveyor units are disclosed, for example, in publications EP 1108661 and WO 99/50091, in which the conveyors can be extended to a work position and shortened for the transport of the conveyor unit. The frame construction of the conveyors is telescopic, wherein for transferring to the transport position, at least a part of the length of the conveyor can be shortened into the structure of the conveyor. The telescopic frame construction of the conveyor consists of a welded and folded profile and has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
These belt conveyors, whose frame construction is made of telescopic parts with a primarily rectangular cross-section, are difficult and expensive to manufacture. The chamfering of the profiles is labour and time consuming. It is particularly cumbersome to manufacture the frame parts sliding in each other with accurate clearances, because in the solutions presented in the prior art publications, the length of the telescopic frame parts is relatively long and the clearances must be held constant over the whole length of the frame part.
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Many different conditions and parameters contribute to the overall quality of a resulting weld. Consequently, manufacturers of electric arc welders have attempted to monitor operation of the welder to determine the quality of the weld and the efficiency of the welder during operation in a manufacturing facility. One attempt to monitor an electric arc welder is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,805 to Vaidya (hereinafter “Vaidya”) where a computer or other programmed instrument is employed to monitor average current and the efficiency of the welding operation, which efficiency is expressed as a ratio of the time welding is performed to the total time of the work shift. In accordance with standard technology, this disclosed monitoring system includes a first control circuit which is in the form of a central processing unit with standard accessories such as RAM and EPROM. A second control circuit is connected to the first circuit to input and output information during the monitoring procedure. The monitor gathers information over a period of time which is disclosed as extending over a few hours or up to 999 hours. The monitor determines welding efficiency and monitors time to determine average current and accumulated arc welding time for overall efficiency.
Vaidya discloses a capability of monitoring the current and wire feed speed, as well as gas flow during the welding procedure. All of this information is stored in appropriate memory devices for subsequent retrieval of the operating characteristics of the welder during the welding process. In this way, the productivity of the welder can be measured to calculate cost efficiency and other parameters. Monitoring of the electric arc welder, as suggested in Vaidya, has been attempted by other manufacturers to measure average current during a welding process. However, measuring average current, voltage, wire feed speed or other parameters during a welding process and using this data for recording the performance of the welding operation has not been satisfactory. In the past, monitoring devices have had no pre-knowledge of the parameters being monitored.
Consequently, monitoring of parameters such as current, voltage and even wire feed speed in the past, even using the technology set forth in Vaidya, has been chaotic in response and incapable of determining the actual stability of the electric arc or whether the welding process is above or below desired parameter values. This information must be known for the purpose of rejecting a welding cycle and/or determining the quality of the weld performed during the welding cycle with desired accuracy. In summary, monitoring the operation of an electric arc welder when used for a variety of welding processes has not been satisfactory because there is no prior knowledge which can be used for the purposes of evaluating the welding process during its implementation.
Overcoming these drawbacks, U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,342 to Hsu (hereinafter “Hsu”) discloses a monitor and method of monitoring an electric arc welder as the welder performs a selected arc welding process that creates information on the operation of the welder. Accordingly, use of standard, high power computer technology can be used on equally precise and intelligent data generated by the monitor. The monitor and monitoring system of Hsu employs known information during the welding process. The information is fixed and not varying. The monitor concentrates on specific aspects of the welding process to employ prior knowledge which is compared to actual performance. Thus, the stability and acceptable magnitudes or levels of a selected parameter is determined during a specific aspect of the welding process. The weld process is separated into fixed time segments with known desired parameters before monitoring. Then this data can be processed by known computer techniques to evaluate aspects of the weld cycles.
Hsu discloses that the welding process is carried out by an electric arc welder generating a series of rapidly repeating wave shapes. Each wave shape constitutes a weld cycle with a cycle time. Each weld cycle (i.e., wave shape) is created by a known wave shape generator used to control the operation of the welder. These wave shapes are divided into states, such as in a pulse welding process, a state of background current, ramp up, peak current, ramp down, and then back to background current. By dividing the known driving wave shape into states defined as time segments of the generated arc characteristics, any selected one of the states can be monitored. Indeed, many states can be multiplexed. For instance, in the pulse welding process the state related to the peak current can be monitored. Hsu discloses that the state of the welding process is monitored by being read at a high rate preferably exceeding 1.0 kHz. Each of the actual welding parameters, such as current, voltage or even wire feed speed is detected many times during each peak current state of the wave shape used in the pulse welding process. In this manner, the ramp up, ramp down, and background current are ignored during the monitoring process of the peak current state.
Consequently, the peak current is compared with a known peak current. A function of the peak current can be used to detect variations in the actual peak current output from the electric arc welder. In Hsu, a minimum level and a maximum level on the lower and higher side of the command peak current are used to determine the level of the peak current many times during each peak current state of the pulse weld wave shape. Whenever the current exceeds the maximum, or is less than the minimum, this event is counted during each wave shape. The total deviations or events are counted for a weld time (i.e., a time during which a welding process or some significant portion thereof is carried out). If this count is beyond a set number per wave shape or during the weld time, a warning may be given that this particular welding process experienced unwanted weld conditions. Indeed, if the count exceeds a maximum level the weld is rejected. This same capability is used with a statistical standard deviation program to read the peak current many times during each peak current state of the wave shape to sense the magnitude of the standard deviation. In practice, the standard deviation is the root-mean-square (RMS) deviation calculation by the computer program. In Hsu, the average peak current is calculated and recorded as well as the level conditions and the stability characteristics. The RMS of the current or voltage is also determined for each of the states being monitored, for example, the peak current state of a pulse wave shape. While the peak current level or standard elevation is monitored, the background current stage can be monitored by current level and duration.
Hsu discloses selecting a state in the wave shape and comparing the desired and known command signals for that state to the actual parameters of the welding process during that monitored state. The selection is based on prior knowledge of the waveform generator. For example, at a specific wire feed speed WFS1, the waveform generator is programmed to adjust peak current to control arc length. The “informed” monitor then selects the peak current segment as the monitored state, when welding at this wire feed speed WFS1. At another wire feed speed WFS2, however, the waveform generator is programmed to adjust background time to control arc length (and not peak current). The “informed” monitor then selects the background time as the monitored state and parameter, when welding at this wire feed speed WFS2. In contrast, a posteriori monitor has no idea that at different wire feed speeds, different aspects of the waveform should be monitored to detect arc stability. Monitoring background time at wire feed speed WFS1 or monitoring peak current at wire feed speed WFS2, in this example, would be very ineffective. Thus, Hsu discloses using a time segment of the wave shape for monitoring this segment of the wave shape using prior knowledge of the desired values. This allows actual monitoring of the electric arc welding process and not merely an averaging over the total wave shape.
In Hsu, the monitor is characterized by the use of prior knowledge, as opposed to the normal process of merely reading the output parameters experienced during the welding process. Consequently, the monitoring greatly simplifies the task of detecting normal behavior of a welder when the normal behavior is a function of time and differs during only one aspect of the welding process. The teachings of Hsu are not as applicable to monitoring voltage in a constant voltage process, because the desired level of voltage is a known characteristic during the total weld cycle. However, in other welding processes when both the voltage and current vary during different segments of the wave shape, the method of Hsu gives accurate readings of stability, RMS, standard deviation, average, below minimum and above maximum before the actual parameter being monitored during selected segments of the wave shape.
According to Hsu, the time varying welding processes, such as pulse welding and short circuit welding, are monitored with precise accuracy and not by reading general output information. The monitor is activated at a selected time in each wave form which is the selected state or segment of the wave shape. The monitor compares actual parameters to the desired parameters in the form of command signals directed to a power supply of the welder. In Hsu, monitoring can occur during only specific segments of the wave shape; however, in exceptional events, such as when the arc is extinguished or when there is a short circuit, a computerized subroutine is implemented by either voltage sensing or current sensing to restart the arc and/or correct the short. The subroutines for these events run parallel to the monitoring program. Consequently, these exceptions do not affect the overall operation of the monitor. These subroutines are constructed as exceptional states or time segments. The parameters or signals within these exceptional states are monitored in a similar fashion as described above.
In Hsu, production information over a calendar time, shift or even by operator can be accumulated for the purposes of evaluating the operation or efficiency of a welder. The monitoring of each weld cycle by monitoring a specific segment or state of the wave shape allows accumulation of undesired events experienced over time. This also allows a trend analysis so that the operator can take corrective actions before the welding process actually produces defective production welds. Trend analysis, defect analysis, accumulated defects, logging of all of these items and related real time monitoring of the electric arc welder allows direct intervention in a timely manner to take preventive actions as opposed to corrective actions.
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A wide variety of systems are in use today for cleaning or disinfecting residential, industrial, commercial, hospital, food processing, and restaurant facilities, such as surfaces and other substrates, and for cleaning or disinfecting various items, such as food products or other articles.
For example, hard floor surface scrubbing machines are widely used to clean the floors of industrial and commercial buildings. They range in size from a small model, which is controlled by an operator walking behind it, to a large model, which is controlled by an operator riding on the machine. Such machines in general are wheeled vehicles with suitable operator controls. Their bodies contain power and drive elements, a solution tank to hold a cleaning liquid, and a recovery tank to hold soiled solution recovered from the floor being scrubbed. A scrub head, which contains one or more scrubbing brushes and associated drive elements are attached to the vehicle and may be located in front of, under or behind it. A solution distribution system dispenses cleaning liquid from the solution tank to the floor in the vicinity of the scrubbing brush or brushes.
Soft floor cleaning machines can be implemented as small mobile machines that are handled by an operator or can be implemented in a truck-mounted system having a cleaning wand connected to the truck. The truck carries a cleaning liquid solution tank, a wastewater recovery tank and a powerful vacuum extractor.
Typical cleaning liquids used in hard and soft floor cleaning systems include water and a chemically based detergent. The detergent typically includes a solvent, a builder, and a surfactant. While these detergents increase cleaning effectiveness for a variety of different soil types, such as dirt and oils, these detergents also have a tendency to leave unwanted residue on the cleaned surface. Such residue can adversely affect the appearance of the surface and the tendency of the surface to re-soil and, depending on the detergent, can potentially cause adverse health or environment effects. Similar disadvantages apply to cleaning systems for other types of surfaces and items.
Improved cleaning systems are desired for reducing the use of typical detergents and/or reducing the residue left on the surface after cleaning while maintaining desired cleaning and/or disinfecting properties.
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{
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The present invention relates to a razor head, especially a razor blade unit of a wet safety razor, with the razor head being disposed at the front end of a handle and including a plastic housing that has a front guide strip, and with a razor blade means in the form of a single or double razor blade resting in a fixed manner on a blade platform of the housing, whereby if the razor blade means is a double razor blade, a spacer is disposed between the two razor blades.
With disposable wet safety razors, a single or double razor blade is fixedly embedded in the razor head in a plastic housing. If the razor head is a separate component and can be secured to a handle, for which purpose the handle as well as the razor head are provided with cooperating locking mechanisms, the razor head is known as a so-called razor blade unit.
A razor head in the form of a razor blade unit of the aforementioned general type is known from GB-PS 2 087 287. This known razor blade unit has a one-piece plastic housing in which is fixedly secured either a single or double razor blade, which rests upon a blade platform of the plastic housing. If a double razor blade is used, a spacer is disposed between the two razor blades, which merely rest upon the spacer and are not fixedly connected therewith. This has the drawback that during shaving the razor blades wobble and hence adversely affect the shaving characteristics of the razor. To secure the razor blades, which rest against both sides of the spacer, within the plastic housing, fingers are formed onto the housing and extend towards the front, with these fingers at the same time forming a cover and together with the front guide strip of the razor blade unit defining the razor geometry. To effect securement, the unit comprised of the razor blades as well as the spacer is pushed from the front between the blade platform and the upper fingers, which press from above onto the razor blades as well as the spacer and thus fix the same within the plastic housing. Furthermore, projections are provided in the side walls of the plastic housing, with lateral recesses of the spacer catching in these projections when the unit is inserted The single blade is secured within the plastic housing in a manner similar to the securement of the double blade by again clamping the razor blade in place between the upper fingers and the lower blade platform.
With this heretofore known razor blade unit, the securement of the razor blade or blades within the plastic housing is complicated and expensive. On the one hand, when double razor blades are used, they can very easily slide on the spacer. On the other hand, the insertion of the unit comprised of the razor blades and the spacer disposed therebetween requires much skill. Furthermore, during the insertion process it is very easy for the cutting edges of the razor blades to become damaged.
Proceeding from a razor head of the aforementioned general type, it is an object of the present invention to improve such a razor head in such a way that the razor blade or blades can be secured within the plastic housing in a simpler manner.
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and composition for the treatment and alleviation of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prevention of prostate cancer.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death among men. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 180,400 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during 2000. An estimated 31,900 men will die in the year 2000, making prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. Eighty-nine percent of men with prostate cancer live at least five years, and 63% survive at least 10 years. However, if the cancer is found before it has spread outside the prostate, the five year relative survival rate is 100%. If the cancer has spread to tissue near the prostate, the survival rate is 94%. If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body when it is found, only about 31% will live at least five years.
Studies have shown a correlation between BPH and prostate cancer. Physicians have used the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test to test their patients for prostate cancer. The PSA blood test measures the prostate specific antigen made by prostate cells. PSA blood test results are reported as ng/ml. Results under 4 ng/ml are usually considered normal. Results over 10 ng/ml are high and values between 4-10 ng/ml are considered borderline. Conditions such as BPH and inflammation of the prostate (prostatis) can cause high PSA values. In one study to determine the correlation between BPH and prostate cancer, Perrin et al., state that an increase in serum levels of PSA correlates with similar increased levels of PSA in prostate cancers [Perrin P, Francois O, Maquet J H, Bringeon G, Duteil P, Devonec M, (1991) Presse Med 20(28):1313-1319]. Another study states that urethra blockage caused by BPH is responsible for cysts observed in prostate cancer [Harvey, H, (1995) Pathol Res Prac 191(9):924-934]. Therefore, studies support the proposition that treatments to reduce BPH will also reduce the incidence of prostate cancer.
Some of the most common symptoms of BPH include: 1) a need to urinate often (especially disturbing at night); 2) a weak or interrupted urinary stream; 3) a feeling that you cannot empty your bladder completely; 4) a feeling of delay or hesitation when you start to urinate; 5) a feeling that you must urinate right away; and 6) continuing pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs. These symptoms are caused by the way in which BPH affects the urethra and, later, the bladder. If a urinary tract infection develops, there may also be burning or pain during urination. In the early phase of prostatic enlargement, the bladder muscle has to force urine through the narrowed urethra by contracting more forcefully. Over a period of time, the forcing causes the bladder muscle to become stronger, thicker, and overly sensitive. In some cases, as prostate enlargement progresses and the urethra is squeezed more tightly, the bladder cannot overcome the problems created by the greatly narrowed urethra. If this happens, the bladder can not empty completely. This situation creates a need to urinate more frequently. In a small percentage of men, incomplete emptying of the bladder may lead to repeated urinary track infections, sudden inability to urinate, or gradual bladder and/or kidney damage. An enlarged prostate can even result in total blockage of the urethra, a very serious condition.
Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include: 1) having trouble having or keeping an erection; 2) blood in the urine; 3) swollen lymph nodes in the groin area; and 4) pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, or ribs. Known risk factors for prostate cancers include age, family history, diet and race. After the age of 50, both incidence and mortality from a prostate cancer increase at a nearly exponential rate. For example, more than 75% of all cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. Kupelian et al., have shown that the younger age of an onset of the disease is associated with family history of prostate cancer [Kupelian P A, Klein E A, Witte J S, Kupelian V A, Suh J H, (1997) J of Urol 158(6):2197-2201]. Their studies showed that 18% of patients under age of 65 at the onset of the disease have a positive family history, compared to 6% of those diagnosed with the disease over age 65. Carter et al., showed that the risk of developing the disease increases with the number of affected first-degree relatives [Carter B S, Beaty T H, Steinberg G D, Childs B, Walsh P C, (1992) Proc Natl Academy Science USA 89:3367-3371]. Family history also suggests that a high penetrant allele is responsible for this inherited form of prostate cancer [Carter et al., supra; Walsh P C, Partin A W, (1997) Cancer 80:1871-74; Cooney K A, McCarthy J D, Lange E, Huang L, Miesfeldt S, Montie J E, Oesterling J E, Sandier H M, Lange K, (1997) Natl Cancer Inst 89:955-959]. Moreover, the inherited high penetrant allele suggests an explanation for the higher incidence of prostate cancer among African Americans, compared to other race groups. Prostate cancer is about twice as common among African-American men as it is among white American men. Increased incidence of the disease also exists in North America and northwestern Europe, but the incidence is very low in Asian countries, such as China and Japan, and in Central and South America. A diet high in fat may also play a part in causing prostate cancer.
Recent studies have shown that DNA mutations in certain genes may predispose persons to the disease. One candidate gene, Hereditary Prostate Cancer Gene 1 (HPC1), is situated on the long arm of chromosome 1 [Smith J R, Freije D, Carpten J D, Gronberg H, Xu J, Isaacs S D, Brownstein M J, Bova G S, Guo H, Bujnovszky P, Nusskern D R, Damber J E, Bergh A, Emanueisson M, Kallioniemi O P, Walker-Daniels J, Bailey-Wilson J E, Beaty T H, Meyers D A, Walsh P C, Collins F S, Trent J M, Isaacs W, (1996) Science 274:1371-1374]. This gene has been shown to contribute to prostate cancer [Smith et al., supra; Gronberg H, Smith J, Emanuelsson M, Jonsson B A, Bergh A, Carpten J, Isaacs W, Xu J, Meyers D, Trent J, Damber J E, (1999) Am J of Hum Genet 65(1):134-140]. Another candidate gene is PTEN, a putative protein tyrosine phosphatase. Mutations of PTEN have been detected in various cancer cell lines, including prostate cancer cells lines [Li J, Yen C, Liaw D, Podsypanina K, Bose S, Wang S I, Puc J, Miliaresis C, Rodgers L, McCombie R, Bigner S H, Giovanella B C, Ittmann M, Tycko B, Hibshoosh H, Wigler M H, Parsons R, (1997) Science 275:1943-1947]. Research on HPC1, PTEN, and related genes, is still preliminary and genetic tests and are not known to be available. Therefore, in the absence of a genetic test, early detection, treatment and prevention are the best therapies for prostate cancer.
There is also evidence that the development of prostate cancer is linked to increased levels of hormones, or androgens. Androgens are known to be important in promoting the growth of both normal and cancerous prostate cells. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial is a study (currently underway) to determine whether medications to lower androgen levels can reduce prostate cancer. Previous studies have shown that high levels of androgens, more specifically testosterone and conversion of its more active metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), stimulate BPH. BPH is considered to be normal after the age of 45, however, it becomes problematic when the benign tumor begins to obstruct sections of the urethra and interferes with normal urinary discharge.
The use of herbal medicines to treat cancers is an alternative method of treatment. Certain herbal medications tend to have an affinity for particular tumor types and can therefore be selected based on their specific indications. It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of the thousands of drugs commonly used and prescribed today are either derived from a plant source or contain chemical imitations of a plant compound [Mindell, E., Earl Mindell""s Herb Bible, A Fireside Book (1992)]. Currently, a number of medicinal formulations contain herbal components or extracts from herbs. Many chemotherapeutic agents such as taxol and vincrinstine are derivatives of botanical or herbal medicines that have successfully treated cancers.
In Europe the use of herbal supplements comprising Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) to treat BPH and prostatic cancer is widespread. Serenoa repens is a small shrubby palm tree found in the southeastern coastal United States. A recent review of studies completed by Harvard researchers concluded that saw palmetto extract was effective as Proscar(copyright) in the treatment of BPH. Many studies have reported Serenoa repens acts as a major inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase [Bayne C W, Donnelly F, Ross M, Habib F K, (1999) Prostate 40(4):232-241; Wilt T J, Ishani A, Stark G, MacDonald R, Lau J, Muirow C, (1998) JAMA 280(18):1604-1609; Delos S, Carsol J L, Ghazarossian E, Raynaud J P, Martin P M, (1995) J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 55(3-4):375-383; Schroder F, (1994) Clin Endocrinol 41(2):139-147]. 5-alpha-reductase is an enzyme which cleaves testosterone to form 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT levels in BPH are significantly higher compared to controls. In a recent study, Bayne et al., (supra) showed that a commercial form of Serenoa repens, Permixon, was an effective inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase. This study supports a previous study by Delos et al., (supra) which showed that Serenoa repens (Permixon) alone was able to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase activities in both normal primary cultures of epithelial cells and in fibroblasts separated from BPH and prostate cancer tissues. Furthermore, the Bayne et al. study showed that the activity of Serenoa repens does not influence the secretion of prostate specific antigen (PSA), permitting the continued use of PSA blood measurements for prostate cancer screening. Additionally, treatments of BPH with Serenoa repens in Europe are documented to be well tolerated and appear to have few, if any, significant adverse side effects [Wilt et al., supra].
Many studies have also shown that increased beta-carotenoids reduce the incidences of BPH and prostate cancer. These studies also support the proposition that treatments to reduce BPH will also reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. [Gann P H, Ma J, Giovannucci E, Willett W, Sacks F M, Hennekens C H, Stampfer M J, (1999) Cancer Res 59(6):1225-1230; Giovannucci E, (1999) J Natl Cancer Inst 91(4):317-331; Rao A V, Fleshner N, Agarwal S, (1999) Nutr Cancer 33(2):159-164; Pastori M, Pfander H, Boscoboinik D, Azzi A, (1998) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 250(3):582-585]. Carotenoids are naturally-occurring compounds found abundantly in many plants including tomatoes and tomato products. The major carotenoids are beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthis, and lycopene. Many studies show that of the major carotenoids, lycopene is the most effective and significant in quenching free oxygen radicals [Gann et al., (supra); Rao et al., (supra); Pastori, et al., (supra); Giovannucci, et al., (supra)]. Free radicals are thought to be involved in the process of many human diseases. Although they may not singly cause the disease, free radicals may predispose conditions for occurrences of such diseases. Free radicals are produced as normal by-products of metabolic processes. They can also originate from environmental pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, heavy metals, ionizing radiation, and cigarette smoke. They are highly reactive and can damage the structure and functions of cell membranes, nucleic acids and proteins. These damages can result in cell death and mutations of cells, potentially leading to a cancer type situation. Treatment with lycopene, an antioxidant, will reduce free oxygen radicals and therefore reduce BPH, to prevent prostate cancer.
Men with BPH suffer a variety of micturitional disorders, as discussed above. When prostatic tissue becomes enlarged and inflamed there is increased pressure on the urethra, causing micturition dysfunction such as weak or interrupted urine discharge. An herbal supplement from a tree called Pygeum africanum has been shown to alleviate many of these symptoms and restore function, as compared to a control group [Barlet A, Albrecht J, Aubert A, Fischer M, Grof F, Grothuesmann H G, Masson J C, Mazeman E, Mermon R, Reichelt H, (1990) Wien Klin Wochenschr 22:667-673; Carani C, Salvioli V, Scuteri A, Borelli A, Baidini A, Granata A R, Marrama P, (1991) Arch Ital Urol Nefrol Androl 63:341-345]. Pygeum africanum contains three groups of active lipid-soluble substances: phystosterols, pentacyclic triterpenoids and ferulic esters of fatty acid alcohols. Physterols, particularly, beta-isoterols have been shown to reduce elevated levels of prostaglandins in those suffering from BPH. Reduction in prostaglandins helps to reduce the size of prostate adenomas. The triterpenoids are effective anti edema agents. Lastly, the ferulic esters of fatty acid alcohols help to inhibit the absorption and metabolism of cholesterol. Levels of cholesterol in men suffering from BPH is higher as compared to levels from normal healthy individuals. Additionally, treatments using both Pygeum africanum and Serenoa repens have been documented in the literature, but each may have different mechanisms of action.
Another symptom of BPH is increased fluid retention. To alleviate this symptom, Urtica dioica (common stinging nettle) has been used in the herbal treatment of BPH and prostate cancer. Utica dioica has diuretic properties which make it useful for treatment [Varro, T. Herbs of Choice, (1994) Pharmaceutical Press]. Also, Urtica dioica produces a lectin which to binds to human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) [Schottner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G, (1997) Planta Med 63(6):529-532; Hryb D J, Khan M S, Romas N A, Rosner W, (1995) Planta Med 61(1):31-32]. SHBG is a plasma glycoprotein that binds to circulating plasma steroids (i.e., testosterone, DHT and estradiol), thus regulating plasma levels of free steroids [Rosner W, Hryb D J, Khan M S, Nakhla A M, Romas N A, (1999) J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 69(1-6):481-485]. Urtica dioica lectins binding to SHBG prevents SHBG from binding to its receptors on various sex glands, including the prostate and testes. In the absence of the SHBG ligand, hormone up-take is prevented by glandular cells. Therefore, Urtica dioica lectins effectively reduce plasma testosterone. High levels of testosterone and DHT are observed in both BPH and prostate cancer.
The amino acids glycine, alanine and glutamine in combination have also been used successfully to alleviate the urinary symptoms associated with BPH [Damrau, F. (1958) J. Maine Medical Association 49:99-102]. In that study, three months of treatment with this combination resulted in 43-66% improvements in urgency, nocturia, delay in starting the flow, maintenance of flow and frequency. Similar improvements were seen in a Japanese study (Aito, K and Iwatsubo, E (1972) Hinyokika Kiyoxe2x80x94Acta Urologica Japonica. 18(1):41-4), and a single blind study that compared the combination with placebo [Feinblatt, H M and Gant, J (1958), J Maine Medical Assoc. 49:99-124].
Zinc supplementation has been well-established as beneficial to male sexual function. Mahajan, S K, Prasad, A S, Rabbani, P, Briggs, W A and McDonald, F D (1982), Amer J Clin Nutr 36: 1177-1183; Leake, Chisholm and Harib (1984), J Steroid Biochem 20:651-655; Fahim, Wang Sutcu and Fahim (1993), Andrologia 25:369-75, Antoniou, Sudhakar, Shalhoub and Smith (1977), Lancet Oct.: 895-898. Zinc has also been shown to have an inverse relationship with 5 alpha-reductase activity in human prostatic tissue. Wallace, A M, and Grant, J K (1975) Biochemical Society Transactions 3:540-542.
Prostatitis and protatodynia have been treated successfully with bee pollen, Buck A C, Rees, R W M, Ebeling, L (1989), Brit J Urology 64:496-499, Rugendorff, E W et.al. (1993), Brit J. Urology 71:433-438. In vitro studies on the inhibition of cancerous cell growths have demonstrated a beneficial effect of bee pollen. Habib, F K (1990), Brit J Urology 66:393-397; Zhang, X (1995) J Med Chem 38:735-738. Hydrangea arborescens and Panax ginseng extracts have been used in maintaining the health of the prostate, Simon, H B, (2000) Harvard Mens Health Watch. 4(9):8. Panax ginseng has also been shown to reduce the prostatic weight in male rats while increasing blood testosterone levels. Fahim M S. Fahim Z. Harman J M. Clevenger T E. Mullins W. Hafez E S. (1982) Archives of Andrology. 8(4):261-3, 1982 June.
Vitamin B6, along with zinc has been associated with a reduced risk of prostatic cancer. Key T J. Silcocks P B. Davey G K. Appleby P N. Bishop D T. (1997) Brit. J. Cancer. 76(5):678-87. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 may be associated with increased prostatic estradiol, that is known to sensitize it to steroidal hormonal effects. Bender D A, Ghartey-Sam K, Singh A. (1989) Brit. J. Nutrition, 61(3):619-28. Vitamin A is also believed to be a useful in the prevention of prostate cancer, Olson K B and Pienta K J. (1998) J. Nat. Cancer Institute. 90(6):414-5. Copper has been shown to reduce levels of plasma testosterone and several of the enzymes involved in its production. Chattopadhyay A. Sarkar M. Sengupta R. Roychowdhury G. Biswas N M. (1999) J. Toxicological Sciences. 24(5):393-7.
Currently, methods of treatment for BPH and prostatic cancers include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The two most common operations for prostate cancer are radical prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland and some tissue around it and carries a high risk of impotence and incontinence following surgery. The radical prostatectomy operation lasts from 1.5 to 4 hours, followed by an average hospital stay of three days and an average time away from work of three to five weeks. The TURP procedure last about 1 hours, followed by an average hospital stay of 1-2 days and 1-2 weeks time away from work and also has the adverse side effect of loss of bladder control. The side effects of radiation therapy can include diarrhea and irritated intestines, frequent urination, burning while urinating and blood in the urine, and a feeling of tiredness. Side effects of chemotherapy can include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Chemotherapy can also effect blood cells, which can increase the chance of infection, bleeding or bruising after minor injuries, as well as tiredness. Thus, alternative, non-invasive, treatments of BPH and prevention of prostate cancer are needed which have low toxicity and few side effects.
The present invention provides a composition of herbs and their extracts for treatments of BPH and the symptoms thereof and the prevention of prostate cancer. The present invention also provides a composition to effectively reduce micturitional disorders including prostate volume, residual urine, frequency of urination, and to improve urine flow rate, and balance hormone levels. This invention can also be used as a dietary supplement to prevent BPH and prostate cancer.
The composition comprises lycopene, Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, and Urtica dioica, or extracts thereof. The composition to be administered may be prepared with any dose preparation in the art, including alcohol extracts, powders, mixing and encapsulation, and is not limited to any particular form. The components of the composition may be added in any order without limitation. More preferably the composition of the present invention comprises, by weight,: lycopene in an amount from about 0.1 to 10%, Serenoa repens in an amount from about 30 to 60%, Pygeum africanum in an amount from about 4 to 25%, and Urtica dioica in an amount from about 30 to 60%.
The invention further provides a method of treating BPH and prostate cancer or at least alleviate their symptoms in an subject in need thereof which comprises administering a therapeutic amount of the composition described herein.
The present invention ameliorates at least some of the disadvantages or the prior art therapies and methods, or at least provides a useful alternative. The availability of the herbs and the ease of formulation (powdering, extractions, etc) provides a less costly alternative medicament. The treatment may also be individualized as well as prepared by standard formulation, making the treatment more broadly applicable and effective over both short and long term administration.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description and accompanying claims.
The composition of this invention includes a combination of the herbs, Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, and Urtica dioica, or extracts thereof, and the pytochemical lycopene, which were specifically chosen and combined according to their biological activities. The term xe2x80x9cherbxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to the whole herb or tuber, or to the seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, berries, bark, or any other plant parts that are used for healing.
The lycopene component of the composition was obtained is available commercially from Hoffman La Roche, of Nutley, N.J., U.S.A, as a synthetic chemical available at a 5% strength that is chemically identical to the lycopene extracted from tomato fruit using standard methods. The natural standardized extract is available from many sources well known to those of ordinary skill in the art at a strength of 3%, including Brainway, Inc., Senovazne 23, Praha 1, 110 Czech Republic.
The Serenoa repens component of the composition is available commercially around the world, through distributors such as Amira, Box 1717, Alachua Fla., U.S.A. The component is obtained from the Berry portion of the herb and the component is preferably powdered but may also be cut, and preferably contains about 40% fatty acids.
The Pygeum africanum component of the composition is available commercially around the world, through distributors, such as Advanced Alternatives for Better Health, 1344 Lansing Avenue, Lansing Mich., U.S.A. Preferably, the powdered bark is used and contains about 2.0-2.5% steroids.
The Urtica dioca component of the composition is available commercially around the world, through distributors such as Advanced Alternatives for Better Health, 1344 Lansing Avenue, Lansing Mich. 48915 and Amira, Box 1717, Alachua Fla., U.S.A. The preferred embodiment of the invention contains the component from the powdered root, with 0.8% sterols, but alternatively the root may be cut or powdered or cut leaves may be utilized.
The methods for combining the herbs, extracts, and vitamins are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be accomplished at a number of commercial production laboratories around the world.
Each herbal component selected in this group has been well characterized and used individually before for the treatment of BPH and for the prevention of prostate cancer. However, they have not, to date, been used together as is disclosed in this invention. It is the synergism between all of the herbs that renders the administration of a combination containing each of the herbs desirable. As a holistic approach to combating the treatment of BPH and prevention of prostate cancer, herbs were selected which possess the following biological activities: (1) anti-tumor activity; (2) immune stimulating activity; (3) anti-androgen activity; (4) anti-BPH activity; and (5) activities to restore micturitional disorders. Most of the herbs have multi functional activities.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises between 0.1 and 180 mg lycopene, an amount that will comprise from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 1800 mg, between 30 and 1080 mg Serenoa repens, an amount that will comprise from 30 to 60% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 1800 mg, between 4 and 450 mg Pygeum africanum, and amount that will comprise from 4 to 25% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 1800 mg, and between 30 and 1080 mg Urtica dioica, an amount that will comprise from 30 to 60% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 1800 mg.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises between 0.1 and 60 mg lycopene, an amount that will comprise from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 600 mg, between 30 and 360 mg Serenoa repens, an amount that will comprise from 30 to 60% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 600 mg, between 4 and 150 mg Pygeum africanum, and amount that will comprise from 4 to 25% by weight of a tablet of capsule having a total weight of 100 to 600 mg, and between 30 and 360 mg Urtica dioica, an amount that will comprise from 30 to 60% by weight of a tablet or capsule having a total weight of 100 to 600 mg. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises about 50 mg lycopene, about 150 mg Serenoa repens, about 50 mg Pygeum africanum, and about 150 mg Urtica diocia.
In a preferred embodiment, the composition further comprises between about 3 and 3 mg Vitamin A; between about 5 and 150 mg Vitamin B6; between about 1 mg and 25 mg zinc; between about .1 and 5 mg copper; between about 10 mg and 600 mg bee pollen powder; between about 10 mg and 1800 mg each of the amino acids alanine, glutamine, and glycine; between about 5 mg and 500 mg Panax ginseng extract; and between about 1 and 100 mg Hydrangea arborescens extract. In yet another embodiment, the composition further comprises between 1 and 2 mg Vitamin A, between 5 and 50 mg Vitamin B6, between 1 and 15 mg zinc, between 0.1 and 2 mg copper, between 10 mg and 240 mg Bee pollen powder, between 10 and 600 mg each of alanine, glutamine, and glycine, between 5 and 100 mg Panax ginseng extract and between 1 and 25 mg Hydrangea arborescens extract. In yet another embodiment, the composition further comprises about 1.5 mg Vitamin A, about 15 mg Vitamin B6, about 5 mg Zinc, about 0.5 mg Copper; about 60 mg Bee pollen powder, about 60 mg each of Alanine, Glutamine, and Glycine, about 10 mg Panax ginseng extract, and about 5 mg Hydrangea arborescens extract.
In a more preferred embodiment the composition is present in a 500 mg tablet or capsule containing about 50 mg lycopene, an amount that will comprise about 10% by weight of the tablet or capsule, about 150 mg Serenoa repens, and amount that will comprise about 30% by weight of the tablet or capsule, about 50 mg Pygeum africanum, an amount that will comprise about 10% by weight of the tablet or capsule, and about 150 mg Urtica dioica, and amount that will comprise about 30% by weight of the tablet or capsule, and about 1.5 mg Vitamin A, about 15 mg Vitamin B6, about 5 mg Zinc, about 0.5 mg Copper, about 60 mg bee pollen powder, about 60 mg each of alanine, glutamine, and glycine, about 10 mg Panax ginseng extract, and about 5 mg Hydrangea arborescens extract.
In a further embodiment, the composition is administered in four tablets, each comprising about 500 mg red yeast rice, about 15 mg coenzyme Q10, about 50 mcg chromium, about 13 mg inositol, about 50 mcg selenium, and about 20 IU mixed tocopherols to provide a total daily dose of about 2 gm red yeast rice, about 60 mg Coenzyme Q10, about 200 mcg chromium, about 52 mg inositol, about 200 mcg selenium and about 80 IU mixed tocopherols.
Preferably, the compositions of the present invention are prepared in a tablet dosage form, however it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other dosage forms may also be suitably prepared by known methods, for example, capsules, caplets, powders, pastes, liquids and similar dosage forms. Also, it will be understood that the compositions may also contain one or more conventional pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, adjuvants, solvents or carriers and may also include flavors, colorings, coatings, etc.
One dose of the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of BPH, for example one tablet or one capsule, may contain, for example 100-600 mg of the composition of the present invention. One dose of the pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of prostatic cancers may contain, for example, 600-1800 mg of the composition of the present invention. The compositions are preferably administered in spaced dosages throughout the day, for example, administered every three to six hours, so as to maintain the level of active ingredients in the system of the mammal. The dose may be administered in single or divided doses throughout the day and is preferably taken with food.
A person skilled in the art will understand that the therapeutic effects of the compositions result from a plurality of active agents in each herb which when combined, act synergistically to enhance efficacy. It will also be understood that the compositions comprising all agents, are also contemplated herein, as are liquid or slow release formulations of the composition. Thus, it will be understood that the compositions of the invention can be administered orally, rectally (as suppositories), intravenously, topically or by other known means. As a capsule, the formulation should be stored at a temperature of 80xc2x0 or less.
The administration of the composition would be in accordance with a predetermined regimen, which would be at least once daily and over an extended period of time as a chronic treatment, and could last for one year or more, including the life of the host. The dosage administered will depend upon the frequency of the administration, the blood level desired, other concurrent therapeutic treatments, the severity of the condition, whether the treatment is for prophylaxis or therapy, the age of the patient, the levels of LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in the patient, and the like.
The following examples will serve to further typify the nature of the invention, but is not limited on the scope thereof, which is defined solely by the appended claims.
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Commercial buildings are commonly made with horizontal beams and vertical studs which are connected together and which permit the stud to have vertical movement. That is, a connector extends between the beam and the stud and is a slip type connector which provides for the desired vertical movement relative between the beam and the stud. The prior art is already aware of connectors for building framing or structures and which permit vertical movement between the beam and the vertical stud. One example of the prior art is found in the type of vertical slide clip utilized by a corporation named Inryco, Inc., and a print filed with the present document shows that prior art clip which is angled and has a slot therein. Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,452,559 and 1,824,631 and 1,879,459 and 1,984,028 and 3,238,684 show connectors or joints relative to structural pieces.
However, the prior art is different from the present invention in that the present invention relates to a slip-connector which snugly receives the edge of the vertical stud which is channel-shaped and which therefore restricts the stud but permits the relative vertical movement between the beam and the stud. An important feature is that the present invention provides for a plate which forms the joint between the beam and the stud and which is arranged so that the plate can be readily and easily welded or otherwise connected to the beam, and the connection can be securely and easily made on the job site.
Still further, the present invention differs from the prior art in that the connector forming the joint of the present invention can be installed at the desired locations between the horizontally extending beams and when the beams are already in place, and therefore there is no requirement for sliding a connector from the end of the stud and down to the particular beam in order to have one connector at each beam. That is, the connector of the present invention can be installed between every two beams and after the beams are in position, rather than sliding the connector down the stud in sequence with the installation of each and every beam. In that manner, it is always possible to properly position the connector, and the likely error of omitting the positioning of one connector between every two beams is avoided.
Still further, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for a slip-connector type of joint for a structure having a beam and a vertical stud adjacent thereto wherein the joint provides a secure connection and properly laterally restricts the stud while permitting the vertical slip connection between the beam and the stud, and also the joint of this invention is easily and accurately installed on the job site. With regard to installation, the present invention provides the advantage of avoiding the requirement for any welding on the confined vertical stud, and the only welding or like attachment can be performed with respect to the accessible horizontal beam. The present invention also distinguishes over the prior art in that it provides a stronger joint.
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The use of steel to reinforce other structures is well known. For example, steel rods known as rebar (reinforcing bar) are used as a tension device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures to strengthen and hold the concrete in tension.
Common rebar is made of unfinished tempered steel, making it susceptible to rusting. Normally the concrete cover is able to provide a pH value higher than 12 avoiding the corrosion reaction. However, too little concrete cover can compromise this guard through carbonation from the surface, and salt penetration. Too much concrete cover can cause bigger crack widths which also compromises the local guard.
As rust takes up greater volume than the steel from which it was formed, it causes severe internal pressure on the surrounding concrete, leading to cracking, spalling, and ultimately, structural failure. This phenomenon is known as oxide jacking. This is a particular problem where the concrete is exposed to salt water, as in bridges where salt is applied to roadways in winter, or in marine applications.
Accordingly, uncoated, corrosion-resistant low carbon/chromium (micro-composite), epoxy-coated, galvanized or stainless steel rebars may be employed in these situations. However, these rebars greatly increase costs. Further, extra care must be taken during the transport, fabrication, handling, installation, and concrete placement process when working with epoxy-coated rebar, because damage will reduce the long-term corrosion resistance of these bars. Accordingly, systems and methods for preventing corrosion in steel bars such as rebar without requiring expensive modifications or types of rebars is desired.
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Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are non-selective cation channels that are activated by a variety of stimuli. Numerous members of the ion channel family have been identified to date, including the cold-menthol receptor, also called TRPM8 (McKemy D. D., et al., Nature 2002, 416(6876), 52-58). Collectively, the TRP channels and related TRP-like receptors connote sensory responsivity to the entire continuum of thermal exposure, selectively responding to threshold temperatures ranging from noxious hot through noxious cold as well as to certain chemicals that mimic these sensations. Specifically, TRPM8 is known to be stimulated by cool to cold temperatures as well as by chemical agents such as menthol and icilin, which may be responsible for the therapeutic cooling sensation that these agents provoke.
TRPM8 is located on primary nociceptive neurons (A-delta and C-fibers) and is also modulated by inflammation-mediated second messenger signals (Abe, J., et al., Neurosci Lett 2006, 397(1-2), 140-144; Premkumar, L. S., et al., J. Neurosci, 2005, 25(49), 11322-11329). The localization of TRPM8 on both A-delta and C-fibers may provide a basis for abnormal cold sensitivity in pathologic conditions wherein these neurons are altered, resulting in pain, often of a burning nature (Kobayashi, K., et al., J Comp Neurol, 2005, 493(4), 596-606; Roza, C., et al., Pain, 2006, 120(1-2), 24-35; and Xing, H., et al., J Neurophysiol, 2006, 95(2), 1221-30). Cold intolerance and paradoxical burning sensations induced by chemical or thermal cooling closely parallel symptoms seen in a wide range of clinical disorders and thus provide a strong rationale for the development of TRPM8 modulators as novel antihyperalgesic or antiallodynic agents. TRPM8 is also known to be expressed in the brain, lung, bladder, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, prostate and immune cells, thereby providing the possibility for therapeutic modulation in a wide range of maladies.
International patent application WO 2006/040136 Alfrom Bayer Healthcare AG purportedly describes substituted 4-benzyloxy-phenylmethylamide derivatives as cold menthol receptor-1 (CMR-1) antagonists for the treatment of urological disorders. International patent application WO 2006/040103 A1 from Bayer Healthcare AG purportedly describes methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treatment and/or prophylaxis of respiratory diseases or disorders. International patent applications WO 2007/017092A1, WO 2007/017093A1 and WO 2007/017094A1, from Bayer Healthcare AG, purportedly describe benzyloxyphenylmethyl carbamate, substituted 2-benzyloxybenzoic acid amide and substituted 4-benzyloxybenzoic acid amide derivatives for the treatment of diseases associated with the cold menthol receptor (CMR), a.k.a. TRPM8.
There is a need in the art for TRPM8 antagonists that can be used to treat a disease, syndrome, or condition in a mammal in which the disease, syndrome, or condition is affected by the modulation of TRPM8 receptors, such as pain, the diseases that lead to such pain, and pulmonary or vascular dysfunction.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an authentication device using anatomical information and a method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a variety of authentication devices using anatomical information, such as finger print information, voice print information, iris information, face information, etc., have been sold. Authentication systems using such an authentication device on a network have also been widely used. In the case of an authentication system on a network, an apparatus called an authentication server often manages registration data collectively. For example, in the case of an authentication by a finger print, finger print feature information is collected on a client side provided with a finger print input device and is transferred to an authentication server. A server side performs collation based on the finger print feature information and confirms that the user is authenticated. Then, the server side performs processes, such as access permission, etc.
The assurance of confidentiality in transferring anatomical information to an authentication server is a major problem in improving the security of these systems.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional authentication system using anatomical information.
The conventional authentication system using anatomical information comprises a terminal device 1 for obtaining the finger print information of a user to be authenticated, encrypting the information and transmitting the information to a central device via a network 3 together with time information specifying when the finger print information has been obtained, and a central device 2 for deciphering both the encrypted finger print information and time information received via the network 3 based on registered finger print information and performing the authentication of the received finger print information together with the receiving time information.
The finger print information obtaining unit 11 of the terminal device 1 obtains the finger print information of a user to be authenticated by a user pressing his/her finger print on a predetermined place. An encrypting unit 12 encrypts the obtained finger print information under a predetermined procedure. A clock unit 13 generates first real time information. A packet generation/transmitting unit 14 combines the encrypted finger print information and the first real time information into packet data and transmits the data. A modulation unit 15 modulates the packet data at a transmission speed corresponding to the network 3 and transmits the packet data to the network 3 via a line interface unit 16. The demodulation unit 22 of the central device 2 demodulates the modulated packet data received from the network 3 via the line interface unit 21. The demodulated packet data, for example, are assembled and decrypted in a packet data receiving/assembly unit 23 if the data are divided into cells and are transmitted as in an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network. A decrypting unit 24 decrypts the encrypted finger print information in the assembled packet data. A finger print information registering/storage unit 25 registers the finger print information of a plurality of users. A finger print information decrypting unit 26 reads registration information from the finger print information registering/storage unit 25, collates the read registration information with the received and decrypted finger print information and judges whether the received finger print information matches the registration information. A clock unit 27 generates second real time information. If the finger print information decrypting unit 26 judges that the received finger print information matches the registration information, an authentication unit 28 compares the first real time information included in the received packet data with the second real time information, and if the time difference is not unnaturally large, the authentication unit 28 authenticates the received finger print information.
FIG. 2 shows the structure of packet data.
First, a user to be authenticated presses his/her finger on a predetermined position of the finger print information obtaining unit 11 of the terminal device 1. The finger print information obtaining unit 11 generates finger print information based on the finger print by a predetermined method and transmits the information to the encrypting unit 12. The encrypting unit 12 encrypts the received finger print information under the predetermined procedure and generates finger print information. The packet data generating/transmitting unit 14 receives time information from the clock unit 13, generates packet data 4 composed of the encrypted finger print information 41 and time information 42 as shown in FIG. 2 and transmits the information. As described above, according to the conventional authentication system using anatomical information, only anatomical information (finger print information) is encrypted.
The modulation unit 15 modulates the packet information at a transmission speed corresponding to the network 3 and transmits the information to the network 3 via the line interface 16. In the central device, the demodulation unit 22 demodulates the modulated packet data received from the network 3 via the line interface unit 21.
The packet data receiving/assembly unit 23 assembles the demodulated packet data (if they are divided and transmitted as ATM cells) as packet information and transmits the information to the decrypting unit 24. The decrypting unit 24 decrypts the received packet information under the predetermined procedure and obtains the original finger print information.
The finger print information decrypting unit 26 collates the received finger print information with a plurality of pieces of finger print information registered in the finger print information registering/storage unit 25, and if the received information and registered information match, the finger print information decrypting unit 26 transmits the information to the authentication unit 28. The authentication unit 28 compares actual time information announced by the clock unit 27 with the time information 42 included in the received packet data, and if it is judged that there is no unnatural time difference (total time period obtained by totaling the respective process time of the terminal device 1 and central device 2 and the transmission time of the network 3 is judged to be a natural time), the authentication unit 28 judges that the received finger print information belongs to the user to be authenticated. As a result, access to the place related to the authentication, such as a computer center, etc., of the user to be authenticated is allowed and the user can enter the computer center, can obtain financial information, etc.
As described above, according to even the conventional method, finger print information can be prevented from being stolen and thereby a third party can be prevented from successfully impersonating a legal user to some extent since the finger print information of a user to be authenticated is encrypted and transmitted by the terminal device 1 and the information is checked by the central device 2 together with time information about when the finger was printed for reading.
However, the conventional method has a disadvantage in that the encrypted finger print information 41 and time information 42 of packet data 4 can be easily separated and thereby a third party can successfully impersonate a legal user by generating new time information, replacing the old time information with the new time information and transmitting the finger print encryption information together with the new time information, which is a problem.
As described above, the conventional authentication system using anatomical information has a problem that a third party cannot be completely prevented from successfully impersonating a legal user and the security of highly confidential information cannot be ensured.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system, and in particular, to a method for detecting changes in end-user transaction performance and availability caused by transaction server configuration changes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Performance monitoring is often used in optimizing the use of software in a system. A performance monitor is generally regarded as a facility incorporated into a processor to assist in analyzing selected characteristics of a system by determining the state of the machine at a particular point in time. One method of monitoring system performance is to monitor the system using a transactional-based view. The execution path of a transaction as it passes through an array of hosts, systems, application, Web and proxy servers, Web application servers, middleware, database management software, and legacy back-office software, may be monitored and performance characteristic data compiled and stored in a data repository for historical analysis and long-term planning. Sources of performance and availability problems may be isolated as they occur so that these problems can be corrected before they produce expensive outages and lost revenue.
One way in which this data may be compiled in order to test the performance of a system is to simulate customer transactions and collect performance data to help assess the health of electronic business components and configurations. Some performance monitors permit electronic business owners who need to ensure that their Web sites are available and meet performance targets to simulate customer transactions occurring on their Web sites by recording and playing back the transactions. A recording component captures performance data about actual user transactions that are executed against elements (e.g., Web servers or Web application servers) of the business environment. A playback component executes the recorded transactions to simulate actual user activity. These simulated transactions are known as synthetic transactions. Recording/playback of transactions allows a business owner to determine the manner by which transactions are processed by the various elements of the electronic business, and thus, which processes are causing problems and where the processes may be improved.
Change management, which is the process of developing a planned approach to change in an organization, is a critical piece of a customer's enterprise system. When a performance or availability problem with a critical e-business transaction is detected, a customer typically wants to know what changes have been made to the infrastructure that could be the source of the problem. As one example, if there is a problem in a Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE) transaction in a WebSphere Application Server (WAS), the system administrators are queried and asked to identify any configuration changes that have been made to WebSphere. Consequently, the particular configuration changes which may have negatively impacted the J2EE transaction may then be identified. Websphere applications, such as WAS, are available from International Business Machines Corporation. WAS is a J2EE application server that provides an operating environment for e-business applications that perform transactions over the Internet. Thus, as the configuration and applications deployed to WebSphere and other J2EE servers comprise a critical piece of a customer's infrastructure, it would be advantageous to minimize impacts caused by changes to WebSphere configurations.
Upon identifying configuration changes made to the system, however, there is currently no way to automatically isolate the specific transactions that are affected by a given configuration change. For example, if the configuration of a particular Java Message Service (JMS) server is changed in a customer's infrastructure, a system administrator has no way of determining which of the customer's transactions could be negatively impacted based on this change. In addition, these configuration changes are typically performed at night, when fewer transactions that rely on the resource are generated. For example, an administrator may enter the desired configuration changes into a maintenance window at 2:00 am. However, the administrator will not know if the configuration change has caused any performance or availability issues until a later time, such as when the end-users start to use the system again at 8:00 am in the morning.
Thus, the current art does not provide real-time results of the impact a configuration change will have on the end user's transactions. Furthermore, although some of the e-business applications may be identified and regression tested with the infrastructure changes, it is difficult to assess the full potential impact of the changes. As a result, changes to a customer's infrastructure may be under-tested before deployment.
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In a photovoltaic power generation system from which high output is required, typically strings composed of a large number of series-connected modules are connected in parallel. For efficient power generation, Maximum Power Peak Tracking (MPPT) control has been increasingly applied by a power conditioner (PCS) or the like. Consider detecting a string with an abnormal module in the case where power generation output data is measured only in the string-basis.
A method has been proposed for detecting abnormal modules only from data on past output performance without the use of a special abnormality detection circuit or a solar radiation sensor. This method groups power generation systems beforehand according to similarity of geographic proximity and/or installation conditions, and compares the amounts of power generation within a group with each other to find a system with relatively low generation output as an abnormality.
It is conceivable to apply this existing technique to compare power generation output data for individual strings in a photovoltaic power generation system to detect a string including an abnormal module. The technique, however, is not intended for a photovoltaic power generation system with strings controlled at the same voltage by a power conditioner according to Maximum Power Peak Tracking (MPPT), and thus it can make an erroneous determination as a result of output power comparison.
When power generation output data is measured only in the string basis in a photovoltaic power generation system, it will be more difficult to identify a string including an abnormal module as the level of serialization increases. Also, when one PCS performs MPPT control on multiple arrays of parallel-connected strings, the difference in output power becomes smaller at a higher level of parallelism, leading to an error of abnormality determination.
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In medical diagnosis and treatment of a subject, it is often necessary to assess one or more physiological characteristics; particularly, respiratory characteristics. A key respiratory characteristic is respiratory air volume (or tidal volume).
Various conventional methods and systems have thus been employed to measure (or determine) tidal volume. One method includes having the patient or subject breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a flow rate measuring device. Flow rate is then integrated to provide air volume change.
As is well known in the art, there are several drawbacks and disadvantages associated with employing a mouthpiece. A significant drawback associated with a mouthpiece and nose-clip measuring device is that the noted items cause changes in the monitored subject's respiratory pattern (i.e. rate and volume). Tidal volume determinations based on a mouthpiece and nose-clip are, thus, often inaccurate.
Other conventional devices for determining tidal volume include respiration monitors. Illustrative are the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,831,586 and 4,033,332.
Although the noted systems eliminate many of the disadvantages associated with a mouthpiece, the systems do not, in general, provide an accurate measurement of tidal volume. Further, the systems are typically only used to signal an attendant when a subject's breathing activity changes sharply or stops.
A further means for determining tidal volume is to measure the change in size (or displacement) of the rib cage and abdomen, as it is well known that lung volume is a function of these two parameters. A number of systems and devices have been employed to measure the change in size (i.e. circumference) of the rib cage (and/or abdomen), including pneumobelts and respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) belts.
RIP belts are a common means employed to measure changes in the cross-sectional areas of the rib cage and abdomen. RIP belts include conductive loops of wire that are coiled and sewed into an elastic belt. As the coil stretches and contracts in response to changes in a subject's chest cavity size, a magnetic field generated by the wire changes. The output voltage of an RIP belt is generally related to changes in the expanded length of the belt and, thus, changes in the enclosed cross-sectional area.
In practice, measuring changes in the cross-sectional areas of the abdomen can increase the accuracy of RIP belt systems. To measure changes in the cross-sectional areas of the rib cage and abdomen, one belt is typically secured around the mid-thorax and a second belt is typically placed around the mid-abdomen.
RIP belts can also be embedded in a garment, such as a shirt or vest, and appropriately positioned therein to measure rib cage and abdominal displacements, and other anatomical and physiological parameters. Illustrative is the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,252.
There are, however, several drawbacks associated with most RIP belt systems. A major drawback is that RIP belts are typically expensive in terms of material construction and in terms of the electrical and computing power required to operate them.
In an attempt to rectify the drawbacks associated with RIP belt systems, various magnetometer-based systems have been recently developed to measure displacements of the rib cage and abdomen and, thereby, various respiratory parameters. The noted magnetometer-based systems typically comprise at least one pair of tuned air-core magnetometers or electromagnetic coils. The paired magnetometers are responsive to changes in a spaced distance therebetween; the changes being reflected in the difference between the strength of the magnetic field between the paired magnetometers.
To measure changes in (or displacement of) the anteroposterior diameter of the rib cage, a first magnetometer is typically placed over the sternum at the level proximate the 4th intercostal space and the second magnetometer is placed over the spine at the same level.
In some magnetometer-based systems, additional magnetometers are employed to increase the accuracy of the system. For example, to measure changes in the anteroposterior diameter of the abdomen, a third magnetometer can be placed on the abdomen at the level of the umbilicus and a fourth magnetometer can be placed over the spine at the same level. Illustrative is the magnetometer-based system disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0054271.
Over the operational range of distances, the output voltage is linearly related to the distance between two magnetometers; provided, the axes of the magnetometers remain substantially parallel to each other. As rotation of the axes can change the voltage, the magnetometers are typically secured to the subject's skin in a parallel fashion, whereby rotation due to the motion of underlying soft tissue is minimized.
To overcome the problems associated with direct attachment of magnetometers to the skin of a subject, some magnetometer-based systems are configured to embed or carry the magnetometers (and associated physiological sensors) in a wearable garment, such as a shirt or vest. The wearable monitoring garment also facilitates repeated and convenient positioning of magnetometers at virtually any appropriate (or desired) position on a subject's torso.
A major drawback and disadvantage associated with many garment based magnetometer systems is that the wires that are employed to effectuate communication by and between the magnetometers and other electronic components, e.g., sensors, are typically disposed outside of the garment or disposed partially or wholly within the garment seams. As a result, the wires can, and often will, catch and tangle on objects. The wires also reduce mobility and add weight. Further, the wires are not, in general, washable or resistant to corrosion. Such a design is, thus, not very robust.
In an effort to overcome the drawbacks associated with exposed wires, various systems have been developed that employ conductive garment fabrics, wherein electronic circuits and/or data and power conductors are integrated within the garment itself. Illustrative are the garment based systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,080,690 and 5,906,004.
There are, however, several drawbacks associated with such systems. For example, routing of the data or power between electronic components is limited without extensive formation of electrical junctions in the fabric—a very cumbersome manufacturing process. In addition, such garments are also uncomfortable and cannot withstand repeated wash cycles.
A further drawback and disadvantage of systems employing conductive garment fabrics, as well as exposed wiring, is that it is difficult to achieve an effective or secure mechanical and electrical interconnection between external or portable modules or sub-systems, e.g., processing or control unit, and the integrated circuitry and/or electronic components.
It would thus be desirable to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that (i) accurately measures one or more respiration parameters or characteristics associated with a user or wearer, (ii) does not require the user to secure electrodes to their body or to use any conductive gels, (iii) does not include any exposed electrical circuitry, (iv) does not include any wires that must be connected or routed by the wearer, (v) does not interfere with the activities of or duties carried out by the user, and (vi) is aesthetically pleasing.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that accurately (i) determines three dimensional displacement of the spine of a subject (or wearer of a monitoring system) with respect to the axial displacement of the subject's chest wall, (ii) process the three dimensional anatomical data, (iii) determine at least one respiration parameter associated with the monitored subject as a function of the three dimensional anatomical data, and (iv) generate at least one respiration parameter signal representing the respiration parameter.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that accurately measures multiple respiration parameters associated with a user or wearer, while minimizing inference from external sources, such as electromagnetic radiation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that does not require the user to secure electrodes to his/her body or to use any conductive gels.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that does not include any exposed electrical circuitry.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that does not include any wires that must be connected or routed by the wearer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that includes reliable and effective means to connect external modules, e.g. processing units.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration monitoring system and method that does not interfere with the activities of or duties carried out by the user.
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The present invention relates generally to the field of borehole gravity gradiometers. Specifically an apparatus for measuring borehole gravity gradient is provided with means for selectively tuning the gravity gradient detection sensitivity of the apparatus.
Variations in the gravitational field and gravity gradient can provide an estimate of various subterranean formations. Additionally, gravity gradient measurements from a borehole are of interest to exploration geophysicists due to their simple, direct relationship with the subterranean formation density surrounding the borehole.
Presently, a variety of apparatuses are available to measure borehole gravity gradients. First, a borehole gravity meter, e.g., LaCoste-Romberg, as described by A. R. Brown and T. V. Lautzenhiser, Geophysics, v. 47, January, 1982, p. 25-30, can be employed to measure gravity at selected depths within a borehole from which an average gravity gradient can be computed. Second, a borehole gravity gradient can be obtained directly from a suspended dipole mass gravity gradiometer.
Looking to FIG. 1, a suspended dipole mass gravity gradiometer A comprising a dipole mass system D having a pair of symmetrically distributed masses m attached to a beam B is shown. The beam B is suspended from its midpoint with a suspension ribbon R such that the beam B is free to rotate about a horizontal axis, e.g., x or y axis. A gravity gradient, for example, ##EQU1## can produce a measurable torque N.sub.g and angular displacement .theta. of the dipole mass system D from a reference or equilibrium position can be sensed and recorded.
The angular displacement .theta. of the dipole mass system D from its equilibrium or reference position is proportional to the square of the period of the natural oscillation for the dipole mass system D about the rotational axis and the torque N.sub.g applied to the dipole masses m by the gravity gradient G.sub.zx. Hence, the sensitivity of the suspended dipole mass gravity gradiometer A can be characterized by its natural period.
Since the dipole mass system D is suspended by a fine metallic ribbon R, a resistive torque N.sub.r is developed due to the resistance of the metallic ribbon R to flexure or bending. As such, the actual sensitivity of the suspended dipole mass gravity gradiometer A is significantly reduced because the torque required to bend metallic ribbon R tends to reduce the angle of displacement .theta. from the equilibrium or reference position.
One way to decrease the resistive torque N.sub.r for bending the metallic ribbon R is to reduce the cross-sectional area of metallic ribbon R, i.e., a thinner ribbon. However, this also has the effect of decreasing the load-bearing capabilities of the metallic ribbon R and as well as the moment of inertia of the dipole mass system D which is counterproductive to increasing the sensitivity of the gravity gradiometer A.
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The invention is generally related to bow string releases and is specifically directed to a strap for a release.
Bow string releases are well known in the industry. Typically, a bow string release is designed to engage and lock a bow string in a mechanical sear for allowing the archer to pull the bow to its maximum draw. A trigger mechanism is then used to unlock the sear mechanism and release the string to fire the arrow.
As is typical, most bow string releases are secured to the wrist of the archer, permitting the release to be held in an at ready position while, freeing the fingers of the hand for other tasks. Also, by attaching the release to the archer at the wrist area, the amount of strain on the hand is greatly decreased when high draw weight bows are utilized, which is typical in archery hunting and archery tournaments. Many various straps and harnesses are available for bow string releases. An example of a widely accepted V-type strap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,997 entitled: Wrist Strap, issued to Greene, on May 23, 1989. The strap has two ends that are placed around the wrist and then attached to secure the release strap and release to the wrist of the archer.
One mechanism to couple the strap about the archer's wrist is to provide a receiver on a first end of the strap. The archer then must manipulate the second end of the strap through the receiver, and then place a pin on the receiver through a hole provided on the second end of the strap, similar to operation of a belt worn around a waist.
Many currently available straps for bow string releases are difficult for the archer to couple about their wrist. This is because the strap remains proximal to the archers shooting hand, preventing the archer from using their shooting hand to assist the archer's off-hand in manipulating the strap. It has proven difficult for archers to one-handedly manipulate the second end of the strap through the receiver, and then place the pin on the receiver through the hole provided on the second end of the strap.
Additionally, repeated placement of the pin on the receiver through the hole provided on the second end of the strap cause the hole to stretch during repeated drawing of the bow during use. This stretch causes the hole on the second end of the strap to disadvantageously expand.
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Sensors which respond to changes in inductive reactance are well-known. Such sensors may include one or more relatively stationary elements such as a coil of wire that constitutes an inductor characterized by inductive impedance or reactance, and a movable member which moves in the field or interacts with the stationary part in accordance with the physical position of the moving part to change the inductive reactance of the electrical connections to the sensor elements. Among these are eddy current type inductive sensors where the variation in inductive reactance and the variation in the effective series resistance of the sensor are related to the position of a moving conductive cylinder or spoiler.
Such sensors are especially useful because they are not typically subject to wear as are those sensors in which the moving and stationary parts are in contact. For example, in a simple potentiometer having a wiper blade which moves along and contacts a resistance winding, the constant moving, frictional contact between the wiper blade and the resistance winding will cause wear on the parts and so limit the useful lifetime and long term accuracy of the apparatus. Such sensors are also useful for measurements made in very high temperature environments. A coil of wire can easily be fashioned in a way so as to withstand extremely high temperatures. Moreover, such sensors are inherently very reliable on account of their simple construction involving only a single length of wire and the requirement of only two electrical connections to the sensor element.
The utility of such inductive sensors can be furthered in connection with electronic circuits that connect such sensors to a fixed capacitor to form a resonant circuit. Benefits of such a resonant circuit arrangement follow from the ability of such resonant circuit elements to store and accumulate energy in alternating electric and magnetic fields in the two reactive circuit elements of the circuit. Because of this ability to accumulate the excitation necessary to develop a useful signal level a sensor indication can be developed with lower power consumption.
Moreover, there are also advantages in designing inductive sensors that work with higher frequencies of electrical excitation. This is so because as the reactive impedance of the inductor increases in direct proportion to the frequency of operation. The advantages of operating inductive sensors at higher frequencies include lower operation power requirements, lower cost of manufacture due to fewer turns of wire required to develop the necessary inductance, and faster and more accurate position measurement response because of the higher frequency of the information signal.
Operating such sensors at higher frequencies is not without compromise however. Implementing inductive sensor circuits that operate at higher frequencies and in conjunction with a capacitor often result in sensitivity of the position function to various extraneous capacitances. These extraneous capacitances can include the capacitance in lead wires to the sensor, the equivalent capacitive couplings to the sensor element between the sensor and its surroundings, and even the reflection of the oscillator circuit gain's lag time in the input of the oscillator's gain stage.
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The invention relates to a decoratively covered blind structure. The blind structure can, for example, be either a valance employed across the top of a window blind or a slat member, typically a vertical slat member, of a window blind.
For aesthetic, functional, and comfort reasons it is sometimes desirable to cover a valance with a fabric type of material which either matches or is complimentary to the blinds of the window covering. Similarly, vertical slats of a vertical window blind construction are covered with a fabric like material. In either case, a presently accepted arrangement for effecting this result is to construct the valance or the vertical slat with grooves along its edge. These grooves are used to hold the fabric or fabric like material, which is slid into the valance or vertical slat and retained along its edges by the grooves. With this type of construction the grooves, which are formed by bending over the edges of the valance or slat, remain exposed.
Where the underlining structure of the valance or blind is opaque, the bent over edges usually produce an exposed strip of color which is contrasting with the fabric material attached to the valance or slat. To avoid this contrasting color, valances and vertical slats today are typically formed with transparent bent over edges for forming the grooves. This is done by co-extruding the valance or slat from plastic material with the major portion of the structure being formed from opaque material and just the bent over edges from clear plastic material. Constructions of this type still, however, result in visible exposed edges; and where the fabric material is a soft, non-shiny material, these edges are in contrast.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Without limiting the scope of the present invention in general, the background of the invention is described by way of example in its application to hearing aids.
A person's ability to hear speech and other sounds well enough to understand them is clearly important in employment and many other daily life activities. Improvements in hearing aids which are intended to compensate or ameliorate hearing deficiencies of hearing impaired persons are consequently important not only to these persons but also to the community at large.
Electronic hearing aids and methods are discussed in coassigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,082 by Engebretson (an inventor herein), Morley (an inventor herein) and Popelka, which is hereby also incorporated herein by reference as an example of an electronic system in which the present invention can be used.
An article on electronic hearing aid problems by one of the present inventors (Morley) is "Breaking the frequency barrier" IEEE Potentials, February 1987, pp. 32-35.
"Digital Filtering Using Logarithmic Arithmetic" by N. G. Kingsbury et al., Electronics Letters 7:56-58 (1971) discusses multiplication by adding logarithms, and using a read-only-memory to do addition and subtraction. Logarithmic analog-to-digital and digital-analog conversion are mentioned.
"RC Logarithmic Analog-to-Digital (LAD) Conversion" by E. J. Duke, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, February, 1971, utilizes an RC circuit approach to conversion.
"All-MOS Charge Redistribution Analog-to-Digital Conversion Techniques--Part II" by R. E. Suarez et al., IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. SC-10, pp. 379-385, Dec. 1975, describes a two-capacitor successive approximation technique for linear conversion of each bit in a digital word.
Moser U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,413 describes a hearing aid with a finite impulse response (FIR) filter and states that it can be implemented using only one multiplier in a time multiplexed configuration.
Steager U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,940 suggests a hearing aid based on sampled-data analog circuits which has a plurality of parallel signal channels each including a bandpass filter, controlled gain amplifier with volume control, circuits for non-linear signal processing and bandpass filter.
Conventionally, a microphone in the hearing aid generates an electrical output from external sounds. An amplifying circuit in the aid provides a filtered version of the electrical output corresponding to the sounds picked up by the microphone. The filtering can be due to an inherent characteristic of the amplifying circuit or may be deliberately introduced. The amplified and filtered output of the hearing aid is fed to an electrically driven "receiver" for emitting sound into the ear of the user of the hearing aid. (In the hearing aid field, a receiver is the name of an electronic element analogous to a loudspeaker or other electroacoustic transducer.) Some of the sound emitted by the receiver returns to the microphone to add a feedback contribution to the electrical output of the microphone. The feedback is amplified by the hearing aid, and ringing or squealing often arise in an endlessly circular feedback process.
The commercial viability of a hearing aid having sophisticated performance features as described in coassigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,082 is strongly tied to the premise that electronic circuits can be realized in which the total power consumption does not exceed a few milliwatts. Given the computationally intensive nature of the signal processing required to implement filtering used in shaping the desired frequency selective response as well as the power needed by numerous circuits needed for signal conversion and amplification, this is an extremely difficult task. Only a few hundred microwatts are available for the filtering in a viable hearing aid.
Sophisticated performance requirements imply a massive computational burden. It is believed that millions of arithmetic calculations per second are probably needed in a sophisticated hearing aid. Generally speaking, electronic circuitry dissipates more power as performance increases, unless basic improvements can be found.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Associated with advancing high performance technologies in recent years, electronic element components such as integrated circuits and semiconductor elements have been applied to drive units, semiconductor units, power devices, various electronic equipments and the like used in automobile, robot and other industries. In these units and equipment, an improvement in heat radiating properties has been a major issue. In electronic element components in general, a portion of electric energy is converted into heat energy. Associated with advancement of performance in units and equipments, the amount of the converted heat energy increases, which results in heat generation. Electronic element components are susceptible to heat and may possibly be led to malfunctions and the like by the heat. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate the heat by means of heat radiation, cooling and others.
In electronic equipments and the like with casing, it is possible to effectively eliminate heat by enhancing the thermal conductivity of heat energy generated in the electronic element components to the casing and also scaling up the heat radiating properties of the casing, i.e., a tendency to lose heat by convection and/or radiation. As means to scale up the heat radiating properties of the casing, means applying convection have been primarily used where heat is removed by air sent by use of, for example, a fan. However, associated with downsizing of electronic equipments in recent years, such means are often difficult to be provided in many cases. As a result, a means, for example, has been given attention, in expectation of its radiation effect, where a coating film having excellent heat radiating properties is formed by coating a heat radiating coating material on casings. However, a conventional heat radiating coating material generally includes carbon black or graphite having high radiation rate. Such a heat radiating coating material includes black colored carbon black or graphite, and therefore it is inferior in design and may often cause a problem in designing products of electronic equipments.
Meanwhile, with a view to improving design, heat radiating coating materials colored other than black have been studied. For example, JP H10-279845A (Patent Document 1) describes a far infrared radiation coating material containing metal oxide ceramics such as Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2. These metal oxide ceramics are in white, thus making the coating material more flexible in color designing as compared with those containing black ingredients and imparting an advantage in improving design. On the other hand, the far infrared radiation coating material described in Patent Document 1 is in white and is opaque. As a result, in the case where an article to be coated is a metal substrate, for example, the coating material is inadequate to be used in expressing the gloss of the metal substrate itself.
JP 2003-309383A (Patent Document 2) describes a heat radiating body having a coating film containing sodium silicate, potassium silicate and metal oxides such as silicon oxide and aluminum oxide. Because the coating film disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a mineral coating material, there is a possibility that its adhesiveness to an article to be coated may be insufficient.
JP 2006-124597A (Patent Document 3) describes a heat radiating material containing a powder of a metal compound selected from a hydrotalcite-series compound, zirconium silicate and zirconium carbide, and a resin ingredient. On the other hand, while Patent Document 3 describes obtaining a transparent coating film, the degree of transparency of the coating film is not disclosed. The degree of transparency of a coating film greatly affects the appearance of a coated article and has a direct effect on design, thus it is an important factor in designing a product.
JP 2004-043612A (Patent Document 4) describes a heat releasing coating material containing SnO2—Sb2O5-based semiconductor particles in a coating material vehicle. The SnO2—Sb2O5-based semiconductor particles used in the patent document are also in white, thus a coating film to be obtained is opaque and imposes a restriction on design.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a puzzle, its pieces and the method of solution therefore.
2. Discussion of Background Information
There presently exist certain puzzle-type games, e.g. Rubik's Cube (TM), in which one cubic piece is composed of a number of smaller cubic pieces. The small cubic pieces often have faces of different colors so that, through a series of rotations of the smaller pieces, the larger cubic can be oriented so as to have monochromatic sides. Other such puzzle-type games are made up of small cubes, some of which are permanently fixed in unique parts. These parts are disassembled, and then reassembled in a particular fashion to reform the cube. Usually in this second group of games, the cube can only be formed in one combination of the parts.
The present invention is akin to both types of games, in that a parallelepiped can be disassembled into a number of pieces, and in that the orientation of the particular faces is crucial to the solution, as in the former. One of the unique aspects of the present invention is that the puzzle can itself be formed in a multiple number of ways, but only one orientation of the outer faces permits attachment of the legs, nose and mouth and achievement of the solution orientation of the character. This particular puzzle design provides another distinction from the prior art by providing for a relatively large number of dead ends in the puzzle. Meaning that the attachment for the blocks and the apertures for receiving the dowels of the character parts (legs, nose, and mouth) are less valuable as indicators of progress toward the solution, since any two blocks can be attached together in at least two ways, and extra apertures are included which are capable of receiving the dowel of the legs, nose and mouth, that in the solution orientation are positioned on one of the unexposed faces of one of the blocks.
This invention has a number of uses beyond that of a pleasant pastime. The puzzle can be utilized to instruct children in better hand-eye coordination, or to help victims of neurological disorders in re-education of their muscles and the development of motor skills. Since the solution is manually as well as visually perceivable, this puzzle can be used by the blind as well as the sighted. Finally, as with all of the puzzles mentioned, this invention can be used to sharpen analytical skills.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing sponge iron from iron-oxide-containing material in lump form by direct reduction in a reduction shaft using a reducing gas.
When producing sponge iron, also referred to as direct reduction iron, by direct reduction, the reduction shaft is charged from above with iron oxides in lump form, such as pellets and/or lump ores, through which a rising reducing gas is made to flow on the basis of the counterflow principle. The reducing gas that is introduced into the reduction shaft, preferably being at a temperature of 750 to 900° C., containing dust and rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in particular containing 70 to 90% CO and H2, is preferably produced in a fusion gasifier or in some other gas generator. In this way, the iron oxide in lump form is reduced completely or partially to sponge iron and a degree of metallization of from 80% to over 95% of the sponge iron can be achieved.
In the apparatuses and processes that are known from the prior art, the reducing gas is introduced at the circumference of the reduction shaft, for example by means of an annular duct that is formed by refractory bricks, known as a bustle duct. When the reducing gas is introduced by means of such a bustle duct, however, less reducing gas reaches the middle of the reduction shaft, and so the degree of metallization in the outer region is higher than it is toward the middle of the reduction shaft. Since a poured fill with a lower degree of metallization has a greater bulk weight than such a fill with a higher degree of metallization, and also breaks down to a greater extent, the motion of the filling process is concentrated toward the middle of the reduction shaft. This centrally concentrated motion has the effect that the uneven distribution of the specific amount of reducing gas is further exacerbated. The uneven distribution of the reducing gas is all the greater the larger the diameter of the reduction shaft and the greater the amount of dust contained in the reducing gas. Furthermore, the bustle duct formed by refractory bricks requires a lining, which is costly, susceptible to wear and therefore keeps having to be renewed.
In DE2628447A1, in addition to the bustle duct, a central feeding device below the level of the bustle duct is described. According to EP0904415A1, additional reducing gas inlets in the form of downwardly open ducts or obliquely downwardly directed lines with an open inner end are likewise located below the level of a bustle duct.
Although these apparatuses provide a better supply of reducing gas toward the middle, the reduction shaft with the bustle duct and gas distribution ducts in the middle is costly and still has the disadvantage that the reducing gas is introduced at the same pressure at two different levels, as a specific result of which more reducing gas per m2 is introduced through the higher inlet, since the upward path of the gas is shorter there. Less reducing gas specifically means, however, a lower degree of metallization of the fill in the middle of the reduction shaft.
DE 28 10 657 discloses a reduction shaft which has in addition to a bustle pipe devices for the introduction of process gases, such as for example natural gas. Disadvantages in this case are the uneven introduction of the reducing gas via the bustle pipe and the high cost of the apparatus.
WO 00/36159 describes a reduction shaft in which reducing gas is introduced at two levels or in two zones. Disadvantages are, in particular, the great technical cost of the plant and the high requirements for controlling the introduction of the reducing gas.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
|
In a processing system, conveyors are used to carry materials from one operation to the next. For operations to be performed effectively, the conveyed materials must meet some standard of purity. This requirement has produced various methods of separating flow elements in a conveyor system.
For example, in the forest products industry, machines operate on wood. The presence of harder substances such as metal can be dangerous to both the machines and the people operating them.
Conventionally, metal detectors are deployed along conveyors to stop the flow when metal is detected. The operators must then manually search for the metal and remove it. This method can disrupt production schedules.
When setting the sensitivity of the metal detector, the operator must strike a fine balance. A sensitive detector gives early warning and covers a large conveyor surface area. However, a sensitive detector needlessly disrupts flow when trace amounts of metal appear. Manual location and removal of these trace amounts is laborious.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical apparatus including an end effector assembly having a pair of jaw members that provide a mechanical advantage at the end effector.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrosurgical instruments, e.g., electrosurgical forceps (open or closed type), are well known in the medical arts and typically include a housing, a handle assembly, a shaft and an end effector assembly attached to a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes jaw members that are configured to manipulate tissue (e.g., grasp and seal tissue). Typically, the electro surgical forceps utilizes both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize, seal, cut, desiccate, and/or fulgurate tissue. Typically, one or more driving mechanisms, e.g., a drive assembly including a drive element, is utilized to cooperate with one or more components operatively associated with the end effector to impart movement to one or both of the jaw members.
To facilitate moving the jaw members from an open position for grasping tissue to a closed position for clamping tissue (or vice versa) such that a consistent, uniform tissue effect (e.g., tissue seal) is achieved, one or more types of suitable devices may be operably associated with the electrosurgical forceps. For example, in some instances, one or more cam members, e.g., a cam pin, may operably couple to the drive element, e.g., a drive rod, wire, cable, etc., and operably couple to a cam slot that is operably associated with one or both of the jaw members. Typically, the cam slots are operably disposed on proximal ends of the jaw members. In certain instances, the proximal ends of the jaw members are configured to extend outside of the shaft profile. In the extended position, the proximal ends of the jaw members are commonly referred to as “flags.”
In certain instances, the shaft may bend or deform during the course of an electrosurgical procedure. For example, under certain circumstances, a clinician may intentionally bend or articulate the shaft to gain desired mechanical advantage at the surgical site. Or, under certain circumstances, the surgical environment may cause unintentional or unwanted bending or flexing of the shaft, such as, for example, in the instance where the shaft is a component of a catheter-based electrosurgical forceps. More particularly, shafts associated with catheter-based electrosurgical forceps are typically designed to function with relatively small jaw members, e.g., jaw members that are configured to pass through openings that are 3 mm or less in diameter. Accordingly, the shaft and operative components associated therewith, e.g., a drive rod, are proportioned appropriately. That is, the shaft and drive rod are relatively small.
As can be appreciated, when the shaft is bent or deformed (either intentionally or unintentionally) any forces or frictional losses at the distal end of the shaft including those caused by the “flags” extending through the shaft profile and having to displace the flexible insulation may be transferred to the drive rod, drive element, and/or a spring operably associated with the drive assembly, which, in turn, may diminish, impede and/or prevent effective transfer of the desired closure force that is needed at the jaw members. Moreover, the frictional losses may also lessen the operative life of the spring, which, in turn, ultimately lessens the operative life of the electrosurgical instrument.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
|
This invention relates to denture cleanser tablets and, more particularly, is directed to an improved completely water-soluble denture cleanser tablet containing enzymatic cleansing agents.
Denture cleanser tablets, in general, contain citric and tartaric acids and sodium bicarbonate, the interaction of of which generates carbon dioxide bubbles as the tablet dissolves when it is placed in water and thereby providing a mechanical cleansing action. Usually, to prevent the generated carbon dioxide bubbles from adhering to the dissolving tablet, they also contain an anti-foam silicone such as dimethyl polysiloxane thereby assuring that the tablet is continually acted upon by the water in which it is placed.
Denture cleanser tablets usually also have included therein one or more active oxygen compounds such as sodium perborate monohydrate, potassium persulfate, sodium carbonate peroxide, potassium peroxydiphosphate, diperisophthalic acid and the like, which cause the tablets to evolve micro-bubbles of active oxygen as they are dissolved in water and provide an oxidizing cleansing action. Generally, they also contain a surfactant to lower the surface tension and to enhance the cleansing action.
To form the dry active ingredients of the foregoing types into denture cleanser tablets of convenient size and compaction or of desired color and flavor, various other relatively inactive ingredients such as fillers, extenders, binders, colors or dyes and flavors, etc. are incorporated. Formulations for denture cleanser tablets also contain a lubricant system to facilitate smooth and even flow of the dry granular materials of the formulations during tabletting operations. In the past, such lubricant systems have generally been water insoluble substances such as magnesium stearate or talc; recently a more desirable water-soluble lubricant system consisting of an admixture of a spray dried magnesium lauryl sulfate powder and micronized polyethylene glycol polymer has been discovered and forms the subject matter of copending U.S. Application Ser. No. 482,403 filed June 24, 1974.
It has also been proposed in the past to include in denture cleanser tablets enzymatic cleansing agents to attack particularly the proteinaceous materials that are loosely bonded to the mucin and plaque that adhere to dentures in normal use. However, such enzymatic cleansing agents have not been usefully incorporated in denture cleanser formulations because of the inactivating effect of the active oxygen compounds on the enzyme during the shelf life period as well as in the water solution when the tablet is placed in water with the dentures to be cleaned.
Thus, it is apparent that a need exists for a denture cleanser tablet which will provide not only the usual cleansing abilities provided by the effervescence of carbon dioxide bubbles in water and the free active oxygen micro-bubbles but also an enzymatic cleansing action provided to attack the proteins, carbohydrates and fats that are loosely bound to the mucin and plaque adhering to dentures during normal use, and preferably to remove the plaque itself.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
|
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device manufactured with the use of the laser welding technique and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device.
As a power converter, such as an industrial converter, a semiconductor device incorporating a semiconductor element, such as an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), has been used (for example, see JP-A-2005-116702). FIG. 16 is a schematic cross section of the major portion of a semiconductor device. In a semiconductor device 100, a Cu (copper) base 102 is joined to the bottom of an insulating substrate 101 via a solder 103, and a resin case 105 molded to enclose an IGBT element 104 is bonded to the Cu (copper) base 102 along the upper edge 102a thereof.
An emitter terminal 106 and a collector terminal 107 serving as external connection terminals are provided to the inner wall of the resin case 105, and electrically connected to a circuit pattern 110 formed by the DCB (Direct Copper Bonding) method on the insulating substrate 101 via plural aluminum wires 108 and 109, respectively.
Although it is not shown in the drawing, the surface electrode of the IGBT element 104 is formed by aluminum (Al) deposition. However, because Au-plating processing is applied onto the uppermost surface, solder joining is enabled. A heat spreader 111 is joined to the surface electrode positioned on the top surface of the IGBT element 104 via a solder 112. In other words, the heat spreader 111 is connected to an emitter electrode formed on the surface of the IGBT element 104. One ends of aluminum wires 113 are attached to the top surface of the heat spreader 111 by bonding, and the other ends thereof are connected to the circuit pattern 110 formed on the insulating substrate 101. An emitter current thus flows into the circuit pattern 110 from the heat spreader 111 via the aluminum wires 113.
A collector electrode is formed on the bottom surface of the IGBT element 104 and connected to the circuit pattern 110 on the insulating substrate 101 via a solder 114. Although it is not shown in the drawing, a gate electrode is also formed on the surface of the IGBT element 104, and an aluminum wire 115a to electrically connect the gate electrode to the circuit pattern 110 is attached to the gate electrode by bonding. Further, an aluminum wire 115b extends from a portion corresponding to the circuit pattern 110 that is electrically connected to the gate electrode, and the tip end thereof is connected to an unillustrated gate terminal provided to the inner wall of the resin case 105.
Furthermore, in order to protect the IGBT element 104 and other elements inside the resin case 105 from moisture, humidity, dust, and so forth, the inside of the resin case 105 is encapsulated with gel 116.
As has been described, bonding using the wires is performed to ensure electrical connections among respective portions in the semiconductor device 100 incorporating the IGBT element 104 and the like.
In the semiconductor device 100 as is shown in FIG. 16, because the emitter current and the collector current have a large current capacity, it is necessary to increase the number of aluminum wires 108, 109, and 113 for the currents of a large capacity to flow at a time. However, because individual wires have to be welded one by one, there arises a problem that the manufacturing process takes too long a time.
In addition, in order to achieve downsizing and greater packaging density, respective members forming a semiconductor device are disposed intricately in a semiconductor device in recent years. Moreover, because the number of wires increases with an increase in capacity of the semiconductor device, there is another problem that it takes considerable time and labor until the bonding of all the wires is completed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure is related to information handling systems. In particular, embodiments disclosed herein are related to Fibre Channel switches in a storage area network.
2. Discussion of Related Art
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.
Currently, information handling system may include a wide variety of network implementations, with implementations varying in size and function. Storage area networks have become widespread for providing efficient access to large amounts of data storage. Fibre Channel technologies have gained in popularity in large part due to their effective use in storage area networks. However, in Fibre Channel systems there is a limited amount of domain space. Adding Fibre Channel ports into an existing domain in order to avoid using more of the domain space can be accomplished, but requires the use of “director-class” systems that are bulky and expensive. In this and in other respects, Fibre Channel has not proven to be entirely satisfactory.
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{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
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