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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to the use of location data in a wireless communication network and, more particularly, to a system and method for sharing location data in a wireless communication network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication is common today. Although basic wireless communication has been available for some time, additional features are constantly being added by service providers. One such technical feature is the addition of location-based services. Through a variety of techniques, it is possible to determine the location of an individual wireless communication device with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Based on the location of the device, the service provider may send additional information to the wireless device, such as a map indicating the location of the device, retail information (e.g., a nearby restaurant), and the like.
Location data may be derived through various known techniques using the communication network. In addition, wireless communication devices may include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. As is known in the art, a GPS receiver can determine the location of the device with a high degree of accuracy. In other circumstances, such as a poor GPS signal, network sometimes use a combination of GPS data and network-derived data to determine the location of a wireless communication device. Thus, there are a number of conventional techniques that may be used to derive location data.
As more individuals utilize devices capable of determining location data, there is an increasing need to be able to control one's own visibility to others and thus enable (or disable) visibility based on who the user wants to be able to determine the user's location. One current solution to this problem is to allow each device to act independently and download location data in order to compare their location. This approach requires explicit authorization by the user of each wireless communication device. With such explicit permission requirements, enabling or disabling visibility of location data can be cumbersome.
In another approach, the wireless communication devices are organized in a hierarchical manner. Specifically, one user must have supervisory control over both wireless communication devices. The individual having hierarchical control may use a third device to track the two other devices. Unfortunately, this approach provides no mechanism to allow a device owner to remove the tag enabling visibility on his or her device. Consequently, any exchange of location information is on a quasi-permanent basis.
Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a significant need for a system and method that allows simple techniques for enabling or disabling location data visibility among wireless communication devices. The present invention provides this, and other advantages, as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to compounds that act as agonists and antagonists of the progesterone receptor, their preparation, and utility.
Intracellular receptors (IR) form a class of structurally related genetic regulators known as xe2x80x9cligand dependent transcription factorsxe2x80x9d (R. M. Evans, Science, 240, 889, 1988). The steroid receptor family is a subset of the IR family, including progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR).
The natural hormone, or ligand, for the PR is the steroid progesterone, but synthetic compounds, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate or levonorgestrel, have been made which also serve as ligands. Once a ligand is present in the fluid surrounding a cell, it passes through the membrane via passive diffusion, and binds to the IR to create a receptor/ligand complex. This complex then translocates to the nucleus of the cell where it binds to a specific gene or genes present in the cell""s DNA. Once bound to a specific DNA sequence the complex modulates the production of the MRNA and protein encoded by that gene.
A compound that binds to an IR and mimics the action of the natural hormone is termed an agonist, whilst a compound which inhibits the effect of the hormone is an antagonist.
PR agonists (natural and synthetic) are known to play an important role in the health of women. PR agonists are used in birth control formulations, typically in the presence of an ER agonist. ER agonists are used to treat the symptoms of menopause, but have been associated with a proliferative effect on the uterus (in non-hysterectomized women) which can lead to an increased risk of uterine cancers. Co-administration of a PR agonist reduces or ablates that risk.
PR antagonists may also be used in contraception. In this context they may be administered alone (Ulmann, et al, Ann. N Y. Acad Sci., 261, 248, 1995), in combination with a PR agonist (Kekkonen, et al, Fertility and Sterility, 60, 610, 1993) or in combination with a partial ER antagonist such as tamoxifen (WO 96/19997 A1 Jul. 4, 1996).
PR antagonists may also be useful for the treatment of hormone dependent breast cancers (Horwitz, et al, Horm. Cancer, 283, pub: Birkhaeuser, Boston, Mass., ed. Vedeckis) as well as uterine and ovarian cancers. PR antagonists may also be useful for the treatment of non-malignant chronic conditions such as fibroids (Murphy, et al, J. Clin. Endo. Metab., 76, 513, 1993) and endometriosis (Kettel, et al, Fertility and Sterility, 56, 402, 1991).
PR antagonists may also be useful in hormone replacement therapy for post-menopausal patients in combination with a partial ER antagonist such as tamoxifen (U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,136). PR antagonists such as Mifepristone have also been shown to have bone sparing effects in rodents, and as such may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis associated with the menopause (Barengolts, et al, Bone, 17, 21, 1995).
PR antagonists, such as mifepristone and onapristone, have been shown to be effective in a model of hormone dependent prostate cancer, which may indicate their utility in the treatment of this condition in men (Michna, et al, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 761, 224, 1995).
Jones, et al, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,810) described the PR antagonist dihydroquinoline 1.
Jones, et al, described the enol ether 2 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,646) as a PR ligand.
Jones, et al, described compound 3 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,127) as a PR ligand.
Zhi, et al, described lactones 4, 5 and 6 as PR antagonists (J. Med. Chem., 41, 291, 1998).
Zhi, et al, described the ether 7 as a PR antagonist (J. Med. Chem., 41, 291, 1998).
Combs, et aL, disclosed the aide 8 as a ligand for the PR (J. Med. Chem., 38, 4880, 1995).
Perlman, et al, described the vitamin D analog 9 as a PR ligand (Tet. Letters, 35, 2295, 1994).
Hamann, etal, described the PR antagonist 10 (Ann. N.Y Acad Sci., 761, 383, 1995).
Chen, et al, described the PR antagonist 11 (Chen, et al, POI-37, 16th Int. Cong. Het. Chem., Montana, 1997).
Kurihari, et. al., described the PR ligand 12 (J. Antibiotics, 50, 360, 1997).
This invention provides compounds of Formula I:
wherein:
A and B are independent substituents selected from S, CH or N;
Provided that when A is S, B is CH or N; provided that when B is S,A is CH or N;
and A and B cannot both be CH;
and when A and B both equal N, one N may be optionally substituted with an C1 to C6 alkyl group;
R1 and R2 are independent substituents selected from the group of H, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C2 to C6 alkenyl, substituted C2 to C6 alkenyl, C2 to C6 alkynyl, substituted C2 to C6 alkynyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, CORA, or NRBCORA;
or R1 and R2 are fused to form:
a) an optionally substituted 3 to 8 membered spirocyclic alkyl ring, preferably a 3 to 6 membered spirocyclic alkyl ring; or
b) an optionally substituted 3 to 8 membered spirocyclic alkenyl ring, preferably a 3 to 6 membered spirocyclic alkenyl ring; or
c) an optionally substituted 3 to 8 membered spirocyclic ring containing one to three heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, preferably a 3 to 6 membered spirocyclic ring containing one to three heteroatoms;
RA is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl;
RB is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 alkyl;
R3 is H, OH, NH2, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C6 alkenyl, substituted C, to C6 alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkynyl, or CORC;
RC is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl;
R4 is a trisubstituted benzene ring containing the substituents X, Y and Z as shown below,
X is selected from halogen, CN, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 thioalkyl, substituted C1 to C3 thioalkyl, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, NO2, C1 to C3 perfluoroalkyl, 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms, CORD, OCORD, or NRECORD;
RD is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl;
RE is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 alkyl;
Y and Z are independent independently selected from H, halogen, CN, NO2, C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 alkyl, or C1 to C3 thioalkyl; or
R4 is a five or six membered ring with 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms from the group including O S, SO, SO2 or NR5 and containing one or two independent substituents from the group including H, halogen, CN, NO2 and C1 to C3 alkyl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, CORF, or NRGCORF;
RF is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl;
RG is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 alkyl;
R5 is H, or C1 to C3 alkyl;
Q is O, S, NR6, or CR7R8;
R6 is from the group including CN, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, or SO2CF3;
R7 and R8 are independent substituents from the group including H, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, NO2, or CN CO2R9;
R9 is C1 to C3 alkyl; or CR7R8 may comprise a six membered ring of the structure below:
W is O or a chemical bond
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Among the preferred compounds of this invention are those of Formula I wherein:
A and B are independent substituents S, CH or N,
provided that when A is S, B is CH or N; and
when B is S, A is CH or N; and
A and B cannot both be CH; and
when A and B both equal N, one N may be optionally substituted with an C1 to C6 alkyl group;
R1 is H, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, CORA, or NRBCORA;
R2 is H, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C2 to C6 alkenyl, substituted C2 to C6 alkenyl, C2 to C6 alkynyl, substituted C2 to C6 alkynyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, CORA, or NRBCORA;
or R1 and R2 are fused to form:
a) an optionally substituted 3 to 8 membered spirocyclic alkyl ring; or
b) an optionally substituted 3 to 8 membered spirocyclic alkenyl ring; or
c) an optionally substituted 3 to 8 membered spirocyclic ring containing one to three heteroatoms selected from the group of O, S and N;
RA is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl;
RB is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 alkyl;
R3 is H, OH, NH2, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C6 alkenyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkynyl, or CORC;
RC is H, C1 to C4 alkyl, substituted C1 to C4 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C4 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C4 alkoxy, C1 to C4 aminoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C4 aminoalkyl;
R4 is a trisubstituted benzene ring containing the substituents X, Y and Z as shown below:
X is taken from the group including halogen, CN, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 thioalkyl, substituted C1 to C3 thioalkyl, C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl, NO2, C1 to C3 perfluoroalkyl, 5-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms, CORD, OCORD, or NRECORD;
RD is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, C1 to C3 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 amninoalkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 aminoalkyl;
RE is H, C1 to C3 alkyl, or substituted C1 to C3 alkyl;
Y and Z are independent substituents taken from the group including H, halogen, CN, NO2, C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 alkyl, or C1 to C3 thioalkyl; or
R4 is a five or six membered ring with 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms from the group including O, S, SO, SO2 or NR5 and containing one or two independent substituents from the group including H, halogen, CN, NO2 and C1 to C3 alkyl, or C1 to C3 alkoxy;
R5 is H or C1 to C3 alkyl;
Q is O, S, NR6, or CR7R8;
R6 is from the group including CN, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, or SO2CF3;
R7 and R8 are independent substituents from the group including H, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, NO2, or CN CO2R9;
R9 is C1 to C3 alkyl; or CR8R9 comprise a six membered ring as shown by the structure below
W is O or a chemical bond
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Further preferred compounds are those of Formula I wherein:
A and B are independent substituents from the group including S, CH or N;
provided that when A is S, B is CH or N; and
when B is S, A is CH or N; and
A and B cannot both be CH;
R1=R2 and are selected from the group which includes C1 to C3 alkyl, substituted C1 to C3 alkyl, or spirocyclic alkyl constructed by fusing R1 and R2 to form a 3 to 6 membered spirocyclic ring;
R3 is H, OH, NH2, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, or CORC;
RC is H, C1 to C4 alkyl, or C1 to C4 alkoxy;
R4 is a disubstituted benzene ring containing the substituents X and Y as shown below:
X is selected from the group including halogen, CN, C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C3 alkyl, NO2, C1 to C3 perfluoroalkyl, 5 membered heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms, or C1 to C3 thioalkyl;
Y is a substituent on the 4xe2x80x2 or 5xe2x80x2 position selected from the group of H, halogen, CN, NO2, C1 to C3 alkoxy, C1 to C4 alkyl, or C1 to C3 thioalkyl; or
R4 is a five membered ring with the structure shown below:
U is O, S, or NR5;
R5 is H, or C1 to C3 alkyl, or C1 to C4 CO2alkyl;
Xxe2x80x2 is selected from halogen, CN, NO2, C1 to C3 alkyl or C1 to C3 alkoxy;
Yxe2x80x2 is H or C1 to C4 alkyl; or
R4 is a six membered ring with the structure:
X1 is N or CX2,
X2 is halogen, CN or NO2;
Q is O, S, NR6, or CR7R8;
R6 is selected from the group including CN, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, or SO2CF3;
R7 and R8 are independent substituents selected from the group of H, C1 to C6 alkyl, substituted C1 to C6 alkyl, C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, substituted C3 to C8 cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, NO2, or CN CO2R9;
R9 is C1 to C3 alkyl; or CR7R8 comprise a six membered ring of the structure:
W is O or a chemical bond;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Each of the generic and subgeneric groups of compounds herein may further be divided into two further subgroups, one in which Q is oxygen and another wherein Q is selected from S, NR6, or CR7R5.
The compounds of this invention have been shown to bind to the PR and act as agonists and/or antagonists in functional models, either in-vitro and/or in-vivo. These compounds may be used for contraception, in the treatment of fibroids, endometriosis, breast, uterine, ovarian and prostate cancer, osteoporosis and post menopausal hormone replacement therapy.
The compounds in the present invention contain a pendent aromatic substituent which may consist of aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl or substituted heteroaryl groups.
The compounds of this invention may contain an asymmetric carbon atom and some of the compounds of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to optical isomers and diastereomers. While shown without respect to stereochemistry in Formula I, II, and III, the present invention includes such optical isomers and diastereomers; as well as the racemic and resolved, enantiomerically pure R and S stereoisomers; as well as other mixtures of the R and S stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
The term xe2x80x9calkylxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to both straight- and branched-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having from one to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; xe2x80x9calkenylxe2x80x9d is intended to include both straight- and branched-chain alkyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, with at least one carbon-carbon double bond; xe2x80x9calkynylxe2x80x9d group is intended to cover both straight- and branched-chain alkyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, with at least one carbon-carbon triple bond.
The terms xe2x80x9csubstituted alkylxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9csubstituted alkenylxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9csubstituted alkynylxe2x80x9d refer to alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl as just described having one or more substituents from the group including halogen, CN, OH, NO2, amino, aryl, heterocyclic, substituted aryl, substituted heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, substituted alkyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarboxy, alkylamino, arylthio. These substituents may be attached to any carbon of alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group provided that the attachment constitutes a stable chemical moiety.
The term xe2x80x9carylxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to an aromatic system which may be a single ring or multiple aromatic rings fused or linked together as such that at least one part of the fused or linked rings forms the conjugated aromatic system. The aryl groups include but not limited to phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, anthryl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenanthryl.
The term xe2x80x9csubstituted arylxe2x80x9d refers to aryl as just defined having one or more substituents from the group including halogen, CN, OH, NO2, amino, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, substituted alkyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarboxy, alkylamino, or arylthio.
The term xe2x80x9cheterocyclicxe2x80x9d is used herein to describe a stable 4- to 7-membered monocyclic or a stable multicyclic heterocyclic ring which is saturated, partially unsaturated, or unsaturated, and which consists of carbon atoms and from one to four heteroatoms selected from the group including N, O, and S atoms. The N and S atoms may be oxidized. The heterocyclic ring also includes any multicyclic ring in which any of above defined heterocyclic rings is fused to an aryl ring. The heterocyclic ring may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom provided the resultant structure is chemically stable. Such heterocyclic groups include, for example, tetrahydrofuran, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, azepinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, morpholinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, thienyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl sulfoxide, and isoquinolinyl.
The term xe2x80x9csubstituted heterocyclicxe2x80x9d is used herein to describe the heterocyclic just defined having one or more substituents selected from the group which includes halogen, CN, OH, NO2, amino, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, substituted alkyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarboxy, alkylamino, or arylthio. The term xe2x80x9calkoxyxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to the OR group, where R is alkyl or substituted alkyl. The term xe2x80x9caryloxyxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to the OR group, where R is aryl or substituted aryl. The term xe2x80x9calkylcarbonylxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to the RCO group, where R is alkyl or substituted alkyl. The term xe2x80x9calkylcarboxyxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to the COOR group, where R is alkyl or substituted alkyl. The term xe2x80x9caminoalkylxe2x80x9d refers to both secondary and tertiary amines wherein the alkyl or substituted alkyl groups may be either same or different and the point of attachment is on the nitrogen atom. The term xe2x80x9cthioalkylxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to the SR group, where R is alkyl or substituted alkyl. The term xe2x80x9chalogenxe2x80x9d refers to Cl, Br, F, and I element.
The compounds of this invention can be prepared following the Schemes illustrated below:
A. Methods for synthesizing the thiophene cyclocarbamate compounds depicted in Scheme 1 are described below:
Thus the amino thiophene ester 2 was prepared according to a literature procedure involving the Gewald reaction (see Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II. A Review of the Literature 1982-1995. A. R. Katritsky et al. Vol. 2 page 639), i.e. the reaction of a suitably substituted aromatic acetaldehyde with sulfur and methyl cyanoacetate in refluxing methanol (Scheme 1). Reaction of the 2-amino group with a suitable chloroformate or carbonate affords the protected amine 3. This can be accomplished by allowing 2 to react with a chloroformate or carbonate derivative such as methyl chloroformate, ethyl chloroformate, allyl chloroformate, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl chloroformate or di-tert-butyldicarbonate in a solvent such as benzene, toluene, xylene, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or pyridine. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent and may require the presence of a base such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, pyridine or di-isopropyl ethylamine. Treatment of the protected amino compound 3 with an organo-metallic reagent such as a Grignard reagent, an alkyl or aryl-zinc reagent, an alkyl or aryl lithium reagent in an inert solvent (tetrahydrofuran, diethylether) under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a suitable temperature from 0xc2x0 C. up to reflux temperature of the solvent will then provide the tertiary alcohol 4. Compound 4 may then be subjected to basic conditions to effect ring closure to give the cyclocarbamate derivative 5. Suitable conditions would involve treatment of 4 with a base such as potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as ethanol or potassium t-butoxide in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
Alternatively the carbamate protecting group present in 4 may be removed under conditions appropriate for its removal to afford 6 (Scheme 2). Subsequent ring closure of 6 with a reagent such as phosgene, carbonyldimidazole or dimethyl carbonate in an appropriate solvent (tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, benzene, etc.) also will provide access to 5.
Alternatively, compound 4 may be dehydrated to afford the isopropene derivative 7 (Scheme 3). Suitable conditions for the dehydration would be the use of a reagent such as acetic anhydride, methanesulfonyl chloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride or trifluoromethane sulfonyl chloride or anhydride, in a solvent such as pyridine, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or benzene. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent and may require the presence of a base such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, pyridine or di-isopropyl ethylamine. Exposure of 7 to acidic conditions would then afford ring closure to give 5. Suitable conditions would be the use of an acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid or camphorsulfonic acid in a solvent such as dichloromethane, benzene, toluene or tetrahydrofuran. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
An alternative route to 5 is shown in Scheme 4. Treatment of the previously described compound 8 (M. Sugiyama, T. Sakamoto, K. Tabata, K. Endo, K. Ito, M. Kobayashi, H. Fukiumi, Chem. Pharm. Bull., 37(8): 2091 (1989)) with an organo-metallic reagent such as a Grignard reagent, an alkyl or aryl zinc reagent, an alkyl or aryl lithium reagent in an inert solvent (tetrahydrofuran, diethylether) under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a suitable temperature from 0xc2x0 C. up to reflux temperature of the solvent will then provide the tertiary alcohol 9. Compound 9 may then be subjected to basic conditions to effect ring closure to give the cyclocarbamate derivative 10. Suitable conditions would involve treatment of 10 with a base such as potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as ethanol or potassium t-butoxide in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent. Compound 10 may then be converted to the brominated derivative 11. Suitable conditions would be treatment with bromine or N-bromosuccinimide in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or acetic acid. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent in the presence of an additive such as silica gel. Subsequent reaction of 11 with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid, boronic acid anhydride or trialkyl stannane then provides access to the desired biaryl compound 5. The reaction can be carried out in a solvent such as acetone, ethanol, benzene, toluene or tetrahydrofuran, under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent, in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate.
Alternatively, 10 (Scheme 5) may be treated at low temperature with a reagent such as an alkyl lithium or lithium amide in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, and then converted to a boronic acid 12 (M=B(OH)2) under the action of trimethyl or triisopropyl borate, or into a stannane via reaction with trimethyltin chloride or bis(trimethyltin). Subsequent reaction of 12 with an aryl or heteroaryl bromide or iodide in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate, would then effect conversion into the desired thiophene cyclocarbamate 5.
B. Methods for synthesizing the thiophene cyclocarbamate compounds depicted in Scheme 6 are described below:
The amino thiophene compounds 15 (Scheme 6) are prepared according to a literature procedure (Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II. A Review of the Literature 1982-1995. A. R. Katrisky et al., Vol. 2, page 639) which involves treating a suitably substituted aromatic methyl ketone 13 with phosphorus oxychloride in N,N-dimethyl formamide to afford the chloro cyano olefin derivative 14. Allowing 14 to react with methyl mercaptoacetate in methanol containing sodium methoxide affords the key aminothiophene carboxylate starting material. Reaction of the 2-amino group with a suitable chloroformate or carbonate affords the protected amine 16. This can be accomplished by allowing 15 to react with a chloroformate or carbonate derivative such as methyl chloroformate, ethyl chloroformate, allyl chloroformate, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl chloroformate or di-tert-butyldicarbonate in a solvent such as benzene, toluene, xylene, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or pyridine. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent and may require the presence of a base such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, pyridine or di-isopropyl ethylamine. Treatment of the protected amino compound 16 with an organo-metallic reagent such as a Grignard reagent, an alkyl or aryl-zinc reagent, an alkyl or aryl lithium reagent in an inert solvent (tetrahydrofuran, diethylether) under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a suitable temperature from 0xc2x0 C. up to reflux temperature of the solvent will then provide the tertiary alcohol 17. Compound 17 may then be subjected to basic conditions to effect ring closure to give the cyclocarbamate derivative 18. Suitable conditions would involve treatment of 4 with a base such as potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as ethanol or potassium t-butoxide in tetrahydrofuran. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
Alternatively the carbamate protecting group present in 17 may be removed under conditions appropriate for its removal to afford 19 (Scheme 7). Subsequent ring closure of 19 with a reagent such as phosgene, carbonyldiimidazole or dimethyl carbonate in an appropriate solvent (tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, benzene, etc.) also will provide access to 18.
Alternatively, compound 17 may be dehydrated to afford the isopropene derivative 20 (Scheme 8). Suitable conditions for the dehydration would be the use of a reagent such as acetic anhydride, methanesulfonyl chloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride or trifluoromethane sulfonyl chloride or anhydride, in a solvent such as pyridine, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or benzene. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent and may require the presence of a base such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, pyridine or di-isopropyl ethylamine. Exposure of 20 to acidic conditions would then afford ring closure to give 18. Suitable conditions would be the use of an acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid or camphorsulfonic acid in a solvent such as dichloromethane, benzene, toluene or tetrahydrofuran. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
An alternative route to 18 is shown in Scheme 9. Treatment of the previously described compound 21, as taught by H. Fukiumi, M. Sugiyama, T. Sakamoto, Chem. Pharm. Bull., 37(5):1197 (1989), with an organo-metallic reagent such as a Grignard reagent, an alkyl or aryl zinc reagent, an alkyl or aryl lithium reagent in an inert solvent (tetrahydrofuran, diethylether) under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a suitable temperature from 0xc2x0 C. up to reflux temperature of the solvent will then provide the tertiary alcohol 22. Compound 22 may then be subjected to basic conditions to effect ring closure to give the cyclocarbamate derivative 23. Suitable conditions would involve treatment of 22 with a base such as potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as ethanol or potassium t-butoxide in tetrahydrofuran. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent. Compound 23 may then be converted to the brominated derivative 24. Suitable conditions would be treatment with bromine or N-bromosuccinimide in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or acetic acid. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent in the presence of an additive such as silica gel. Subsequent reaction of 24 with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid boronic acid anhydride or trialkyl stannane then provides access to the desired biaryl compound 18. The reaction can be carried out in a solvent such as acetone, ethanol, benzene, toluene or tetrahydrofuran, under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent, in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate.
Alternatively, 23 (Scheme 10) may be treated at low temperature with a reagent such as an alkyl lithium or lithium amide in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, and then converted to a boronic acid 25 (M=B(OH)2) under the action of trimethyl or triisopropyl borate, or into a stannane via reaction with trimethyltin chloride or bis(trimethyltin). Subsequent reaction of 25 with an aryl or heteroaryl bromide or iodide in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate, would then effect conversion into the desired thiophene cyclocarbamate 18.
C. Method for synthesizing the thiophene thiocyclocarbamate compounds 26 and 27 depicted in Scheme 11 are described below:
Thiophene thiocyclocarbamates 26 and 27 may be obtained directly by treating 5 and 18 respectively with phosphorus pentasulfide in refluxing pyridine. Alternatively 5 and 18 may be treated with Lawesson""s reagent ([2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dithia-2,4-diphosphetane-2,4-disulfide]) in refluxing pyridine to afford 26 and 27, respectively.
Methods for preparing the thiazole cyclocarbamate compounds are described below.
Thus the thiazole 28 was prepared according to a literature procedure, scheme 12 by B. Golankiewicz and P. Januszczyk, Tetrahedron, 41:5989 (1985). Reaction of the amine 28 with a suitable chloroformate or carbonate then gives the protected amine 29. This may be accomplished by reacting compound 28 with a chloroformate or carbonate derivative such as methylchloroformate, ethylchloroformate, allylchloroformate, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethylchloroformate or di-tert-butyldicarbonate in a solvent such as dichloromethane, THF, benzene, xylene or pyridine. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent and may require the presence of a base such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, pyridine or di-isopropyl ethylaamine. Exposure of compound 29 to an organo-metallic reagent such as a Grignard reagent, an alkyl or aryl-zinc reagent, an alkyl or aryl lithium reagent in an inert solvent (THF, diethyl ether) under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a suitable temperature from 0 xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent will then provide the alcohol 30. Compound 30 may then be exposed to basic conditions to effect ring closure to give the cyclocarbamate derivative 31. Suitable conditions would involve treatment of compound 30 with a base such as potassium hydroxide in a solvent such as ethanol. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
Alternatively the carbamate protecting group present in compound 30 may be removed under conditions appropriate for its removal to afford compound 32 as taught by T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, second ed., Wiley-Interscience (1991). Subsequent ring closure of compound 32 with a reagent such as phosgene, carbonyl duimidazole or dimethyl carbonate in an appropriate solvent (THF, dichloromethane, benzene, etc) will also provide access to compound 31.
Alternatively, if compound 30 is a tertiary alcohol then it may be dehydrated to afford the isopropene derivative 33, scheme 3. Suitable conditions for the dehydration would the use of a reagent such as acetic anhydride, methanesulfonyl chloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride or trifluoromethane sulfonyl chloride or anhydride, in a solvent such as pyridine, THF, dichloromethane or benzene. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent and may require the presence of a base such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, pyridine or di-isopropyl ethylamine. Exposure of compound 33 to acidic conditions would then afford ring closure to give compound 31. Suitable conditions would be the use of an acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid or camphorsulfonic acid in a solvent such as dichloromethane, benzene, toluene or THF and the reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
Compound 31 may then be converted into the bromide 34, scheme 15. Suitable conditions would be exposure to bromine or N-bromosuccinimide in a solvent such as dichloromethane, THF or acetic acid, the reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent in the presence of an additive such as silica gel. Subsequent reaction of compound 34 with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid, boronic acid anhydride or trialkyl stannane then provides access to the desired biaryl compound 35. The reaction can be carried out in a solvent such as acetone, ethanol, benzene, toluene or THF, under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent, in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate.
Alternatively compound 31 may be treated at low temperature with a reagent such as an alkyl lithium or lithium amide in an inert solvent such as THF, and then converted into a boronic acid (M=B(OH)2) 36 under the action of trimethyl or triisopropyl borate, or into a stannane under the action of trimethyltin chloride or bis(trimethyltin), Scheme 16. Subsequent reaction with an aryl or heteroaryl bromide or iodide in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate would then effect conversion into the desired compound 35.
A method for preparing thiophene derivatives is described below, scheme 17.
Thus the amine 37 is converted into a carbamate, such as a tert-butyl carbamate as described in scheme 1 for the preparation of compound 2. Hydrolysis of the ester 38 under basic conditions, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide in THF or methanol at room temperature then gives the acid 39. Conversion of the acid 39 into the acid chloride 40 is accomplished under standard conditions, thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride either neat or in the presence of a solvent such as dichloromethane and an additive such as a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylformamide. Compound 40 is then reacted with diazomethane or trimethylsilyldiazomethane in an inert solvent such as THF or dichloromethane, and the product diazoketone 41 is then rearranged in the presence of silver (I) oxide to afford the acid 42. Treatment of compound 42 under conditions that specifically remove the protecting carbamate functionality, for example acidic conditions, will then affect cyclization to give compound 43. Reaction of compound 43 with an alkylating agent such as an alkyl iodide, bromide, tosylate or mesylate, or a bis-alkyl iodide, bromide, tosylate or mesylate, under basic conditions, for example butyl lithium in the presence of N,N,N,N-tetramethylene diamine in a solvent such as THF under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a temperature between xe2x88x9278xc2x0 C. and the boiling point of the solvent, will then afford the alkylated derivative 44.
A method for preparing thiazole derivatives is described below, scheme 18.
Hydrolysis of the ester 29 under basic conditions, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide in THF or methanol at room temperature then gives the acid 45. Conversion of the acid 45 into the acid chloride 46 is accomplished under standard conditions, for example thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride either neat or in the presence of a solvent such as dichloromethane and an additive such as a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylformamide. Compound 46 is then reacted with diazomethane or trimethylsilyldiazomethane in an inert solvent such as THF or dichloromethane, and the product diazoketone 47 is then rearranged in the presence of silver (I) oxide to afford the acid 48. Treatment of compound 48 under conditions that specifically remove the protecting carbamate functionality, for example acidic conditions, will then affect cyclization to give the heterocycle 49. Reaction of compound 49 with an alkylating agent such as an alkyl iodide, bromide, tosylate or mesylate, or a bis-alkyl iodide, bromide, tosylate or mesylate, under basic conditions, for example butyl lithium in the presence of N,N,N,N-tetramethylene diamine in a solvent such as THF under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) at a temperature between xe2x88x9278xc2x0 C. and the boiling point of the solvent, will then afford the alkylated heterocycle 50. Compound 50 may then be converted into the bromide 51. Suitable conditions would be exposure to bromine or N-bromosuccinimide in a solvent such as dichloromethane, THF or acetic acid, the reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent in the presence of an additive such as silica gel. Subsequent reaction of compound 51 with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid, boronic acid anhydride or trialkyl stannane then provides access to the desired biaryl compound 52. The reaction can be carried out in a solvent such as acetone, ethanol, benzene, toluene or THF, under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) from 0xc2x0 C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent, in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) or palladium acetate and may require an additive such as sodium carbonate, cesium fluoride or potassium phosphate. The thione derivative, compound 53, may be obtained directly by treating 52 with phosphorus pentasulfide in refluxing pyridine. Alternatively 52 may be treated with Lawesson""s reagent in refluxing pyridine to afford 53.
The compounds of the present invention can be used in the form of salts derived from pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable acids or bases. These salts include, but are not limited to, the following salts with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and, as the case may be, such organic acids as acetic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, and maleic acid. Other salts include salts with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium in the form of esters, carbamates and other conventional xe2x80x9cpro-drugxe2x80x9d forms, which, when administered in such form, convert to the active moiety in vivo.
This invention includes pharmaceutical compositions and treatments which comprise administering to a mammal a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more compounds as described above wherein Q is oxygen as antagonists of the progesterone receptor. The invention further provides comparable methods and compositions which utilize one or more compounds herein wherein Q is S, NR6, or CR7R8 as agonists of the progesterone receptor.
The progesterone receptor antagonists of this invention, used alone or in combination, can be utilized in methods of contraception and the treatment and/or prevention of benign and malignant neoplastic disease. Specific uses of the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of invention include the treatment and/or prevention of uterine myometrial fibroids, endometriosis, benign prostatic hypertrophy; carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, prostate, pituitary, meningioma and other hormone-dependent tumors. Additional uses of the present progesterone receptor antagonists include the synchronization of the estrus in livestock.
The progesterone receptor agonists of this invention, used alone or in combination, can be utilized in methods of contraception and the treatment and/or prevention of dysfunctional bleeding, uterine leiomyomata, endometriosis; polycystic ovary syndrome, carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, prostate. Additional uses of the invention include stimulation of food intake.
This invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of this invention with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. When the compounds are employed for the above utilities, they may be combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, for example, solvents, diluents and the like, and may be administered orally in such forms as tablets, capsules, dispersible powders, granules, or suspensions containing, for example, from about 0.05 to 5% of suspending agent, syrups containing, for example, from about 10 to 50% of sugar, and elixirs containing, for example, from about 20 to 50% ethanol, and the like, or parenterally in the form of sterile injectable solutions or suspensions containing from about 0.05 to 5% suspending agent in an isotonic medium. Such pharmaceutical preparations may contain, for example, from about 25 to about 90% of the active ingredient in combination with the carrier, more usually between about 5% and 60% by weight.
The effective dosage of active ingredient employed may vary depending on the particular compound employed, the mode of administration and the severity of the condition being treated. However, in general, satisfactory results are obtained when the compounds of the invention are administered at a daily dosage of from about 0.5 to about 500 mg/kg of animal body weight, preferably given in divided doses two to four times a day, or in a sustained release form. For most large mammals, the total daily dosage is from about 1 to 100 mg, preferably from about 2 to 80 mg. Dosage forms suitable for internal use comprise from about 0.5 to 500 mg of the active compound in intimate admixture with a solid or liquid pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response. For example, several divided doses may be administered daily or the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation.
These active compounds may be administered orally as well as by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes. Solid carriers include starch, lactose, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, sucrose and kaolin, while liquid carriers include sterile water, polyethylene glycols, non-ionic surfactants and edible oils such as corn, peanut and sesame oils, as are appropriate to the nature of the active ingredient and the particular form of administration desired. Adjuvents customarily employed in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions may be advantageously included, such as flavoring agents, coloring agents, preserving agents, and antioxidants, for example, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, BHT and BHA.
The preferred pharmaceutical compositions from the standpoint of ease of preparation and administration are solid compositions, particularly tablets and hard-filled or liquid-filled capsules. Oral administration of the compounds is preferred.
These active compounds may also be administered parenterally or intraperitoneally. Solutions or suspensions of these active compounds as a free base or pharmacologically acceptable salt can be prepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant such as hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid, polyethylene glycols and mixtures thereof in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases, the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy syringe ability exits. It must be stable under conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacterial and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable oil.
The following non-limiting examples are illustrative of exemplary compound 5. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing xylooligosaccharide from a lignocellulose pulp.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that oligosaccharides are useful as a saccharide material for lactic acid bacteria-containing beverages and chocolate-containing food which are classified as specific healthful foods having an effect of promoting the selective propagation of lactic acid bacteria and of contributing to keeping the stomach and intestines in good condition, and are utilized as emulsifying agents and skin-moisturizing agents for drugs and sanitary materials. Also, the oligosaccharides are used as additives not only for foods for human beings but also for feed for livestock.
Generally, almost all of the oligosaccharides used in the specific healthful goods have an intestine-controlling activity for decreasing the colon bacteria which are undesirable bacteria in the intestines and clostridium bacteria which are putrefaction fermentation bacteria in the intestines and on the contrary for increasing bifid bacteria which are known as desirable bacteria in the intestines. For example, the mold bran of wheat are polysaccharides comprising hemicellulose having, as a backbone drum, xylane groups, are scont-decomposible vegetable fibers, and are used as an additive for food having intestine-controlling activity.
The intestine-controlling activity of the wheat mold bran is assumed to be derived from xylooligosaccharides produced by decomposing the wheat mold bran by the intestinal bacteria in the intestine. Also, it is assumed that the xylooligosaccharides derived from the wheat mold bran promotes the selective increase of the bifid bacteria which are desirable bacteria in the intestines, and also causes the colon bacteria which are undesirable bacteria in the intestines to be decreased. The colon bacteria and the putrefaction fermentation bacteria in the intestines are known to produce carcinogenic substance which then are increased in the intestines, and thus to keep good health over a long period it is important that the numbers of the colon bacteria and the putrefaction fermentation bacteria are decreased in the intestine.
It is assumed that the longer the chain length of the xylooligosaccharides, the higher the promotion effect on the selective propagation of the xylooligosaccharides ingested by the human body. Particularly, the xylooligosaccharides in the form of tri-or more-mers contribute the selective propagation of the bacteria.
The xylooligosaccharides available in trade at the present time, are produced from a material made from herbages, for example, wheat mold bran or corn-cob. In the material made from the herbages, the xylan backborn chain has branched side chains made from saccharide other than xylan, for example, glucuronic acid. When an oligosaccharide consisting of only the xylan is produced from the xylan having many side chains, only oligosaccharide having a relatively low degree of polymerization can be produced. At the present, in almost all of the xylooligosaccharides now in trade, the oligosaccharides from which the xylooligosaccharides are formed are in the form of dimers. Accordingly, the xylooligosaccharides having a higher degree of polymerization than that the dimer are strongly demanded.
The xylooligosaccharide is produced from xylan which is one of the principal components for forming plants. As a xylan in the form of a straight chain and consisting of xylose only, stalks of esparto and tabacco are known. As xylan in the form applicable for industry, arabinoxylan contained in wheat mold bran and corn cob which are produced as a by-product in the corn production, glucuronoarabinoxylan contained in softwoods and glucuronoxylan contained in hardwoods are known. In the saccharides contained in these xylans applicable for industry, arabinose, glucuronic acid, 4-O-methyl glucuronic acid, glucose and galactose are contained in addition to the xylose. The proportions of the xylose and the other saccharides are variable depending on the type of the plants.
Japanese Patent No. 146,374 discloses a method of producing xylan in which bagasse and other grasses, leguminous plants, and linaceace plants which contain pentosan in a high content are digested in the presence of an organic acid such as acetic acid under high pressure, to make the scant water-soluble protosan contained in the starting material soluble in water and to make the tissues other than fibrovascular bundles weak and brittle; the digested material is ground and washed; and the resultant fiber bundle is subjected to a known pulping procedure by, for example, soda method, alkali sulfite method or sulfate salt method, to separate and collect pentosan from the pulped material.
The xylose is contained in a high content in wood, and the content of xylose based on the total weight of the wood is about 6 to 10% in softwood, and about 20% in hardwood, and thus the xylose is an important component of the wood. (Migita Nobuhiko et al. “Wood Chemistry” published by Kyoritsu Shuppan, page 73 (1968)). It is known that xylan is extracted from wood and is used to produce xylooligosaccharide, xylose, and xylitol, in practice.
At the present time, the pulp is produced mainly from wood chips by chemical treatment or mechanical treatment. When the pulp is produced and collected from the wood. Lignocellulose material, particularly the residual component of the wood chips after the pulp comprising cellulose collected from the wood chips mainly comprises lignin and hemicellulose which are contained in the waste liquid from the pulp-producing procedure.
Various technologies of isolating specific components from the waste liquid of the pulp-producing procedure and utilizing the isolated components for woods or food additives have been used in practice. In an old technology, vanillin had been produced by oxidizing a waste liquid from a sulfite pulp-producing procedure with air or oxygen in an alkaline reaction system at a temperature of about 160° C.
Also, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 43-731 discloses a method of producing xylose from hemicellulose contained in a waste liquid delivered from a pulping procedure by a pre-hydrolysis method in a kraft pulp-production.
Also, production of a seasoning matter has been practically carried out by preparing yeast by using, as a culture medium, saccharide contained in a large amount in the waste liquid delivered from the sulfite pulp producing procedure, and collecting the seasoning matter such as nucleic acid from the yeast per se or yeast-containing composition. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 51-101,193 discloses a method of producing a protein from the waste liquid discharged from the sulfite pulp-producing procedure, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-144,742 discloses a method of producing ethyl alcohol from the waste liquid from the sulfite pulp-producing procedure.
L. Viikari et al., Biotechnol, Pulp Paper Ind. (Stockholm) pp 67 to 69 (1986) reports when a pulp is treated with xylanase and the whiteness of the pulp is improved by this treatment. Also, Mora et al. report, in F. Mora et al., J. Wood Chem. Technol., Vol. 6, pp 147-165 (1986), that the mechanical strength of pulp can be enhanced by treating the pulp with xylanase. This report further discloses that a filtrate of a reaction mixture produced by treating a kraft pulp of birch wood with xylanase contains, xylose and xylooligosaccharides including di- to octa-mers of xylose. Further, D. J. Senior et al., Biotechol, Lett., vol. 10, pp 907-912 (1922) discloses that a filtrate obtained from a reaction mixture prepared by treating a kraft pulp of aspen wood with xylanase contains xylose and xylooligosaccharides. However, the above-mentioned reports are quite silent as to a recovery of xylooligosaccharides from a filtrate of an enzyme treatment reaction mixture.
As a method of producing xylooligosacccharides, U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,796 (corresponding to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-35,005) discloses a method in which a botanical material is treated, together with acetic acid, with saturated steam at a temperature of from 160° C. to 230° C. under pressure, and water-extractable xylan and xylan fragments are separated from monosaccharide and other impurities. In accordance with this method, the xylan and xylan fragments can be refined by a treatment with an OH-type strong basic ion-exchange resin and by an ultra-filtration with a high efficiency.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-242,592 discloses a biochemical method in which xylan is treated with xylanase produced by microorganism in Bacillus group, and xylooligosaccharides are produced from a filtrate prepared from the reaction mixture of the xylanase treatment, by collecting a clear filtrate from the reaction mixture after the xylanase is heat-deactivated, and concentrating the clear filtrate to provide a syrup of xylooligosaccharide, and optionally freeze-drying the syrup to provide a powder of xylooligosaccharide
Also, according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-112,979, in a method of recovering xylooligosaccharide from a filtrate of a reaction mixture prepared by treating hardwood xylan with xylanase derived from Trichoderma, the filtrate is decolored by activated carbon, the activated carbon is removed from the filtrate by using a filter press, the saccharide absorbed in the activated carbon is recovered by using a 15% ethanol, the recovered saccharide is treated with an ion-exchange resins (trademark: AMBERLITE IR-120B and AMBERLITE IR-410, to remove salts, and then is concentrated by a reverse osmosis membrane to obtain xylooligosaccharide containing xylobiose in a high content.
These publications are, however, quite silent as to the recovery and refining of xylooligosaccharides from a filtrate prepared from a reaction mixture in which a chemical pulp is treated with hemicellulase.
When the xylooligosaccharide contained in the filtrate of the reaction mixture in which the pulp is treated with hemicellulase, is recovered and refined by the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-112,979, the necessary cost is too high and thus this method is not utilized in practice. The reasons for the uselessness are in that the waste liquid delivered from the enzyme-treatment procedure for the pulp is in too large a volume, and contains the saccharide in a low content, and the content of impurities, for example, various organic acids generated during the pulping and oxygen-bleaching procedures for lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, in the filtrate is very high. Namely, in this case, the activated carbon and the ion-exchange resins must be employed in a large amount for the recovery and refining; the concentration procedure of the filtrate by the reverse osmosis membrane causes the waste liquid to be generated in a large amount; the waste liquid contains water-insoluble components, for example, lignin, in a high content; and thus a large scale of production apparatus is necessary for the method of the Japanese publication.
In the conventional process for producing xylooligosaccharide, generally, arabinoxylan which is contained in wheat mold bran and corn cob obtained, as a by-product, from the production of corn foods, and glucuronoxylan of hardwood, are employed, as starting xylan materials applicable in industry. These materials are extracted by the above-mentioned method, and extract is treated with hemicellulase such as xylanase, to produce xylooligosaccharide comprising mono- to deca-mers of xylase, preferably mono-to penta-mers of xylose. The xylan containing material applicable for industry contains, in addition to xylose, arabinose, glucuronic acid, 4-O-methylglucuronic acid, glucose and glactose, and other mono-saccharides (as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-53,801). To obtain xylooligosaccharide consisting of pure xylose only, the resultant xylooligosaccharide must be further refined in an accurate manner. Thus, a low cost process for producing the xylooligosaccharide is strongly demanded.
It is known that the xylanase treatment applied to the kraft pulp enables the necessary amount of bleaching chemicals for the bleaching process for the pulp with the bleaching chemical to be reduced. In the xylanase treatment, since the xylan contained in the pulp is hydrolyzed with xylanase, the resultant waste water discharged from the bleaching system contains xylose and xylooligosaccharide separated from the pulp in large amount. In paper industry, to reduce the amount of process water used, an amount of water used in a step of the bleaching procedure is returned to and utilized in another step before the above-mentioned step. Therefore, the water used in a step before the enzyme treatment step contains xylan-decomposition products, for example, xylose and xylooligosaccharide, isolated by xylanase.
The above-mentioned xylose and xylooligosaccharide have reducing terminal groups, for example, aldehyde groups, the reducing terminal groups are oxidized in the oxidation-bleaching procedure, for example, an oxygen-bleaching procedure and the xylose and xylooligosaccharide are converted to carboxylic acids and further to oxidized furan derivatives and then to colored furan condensation products, to consume the bleaching chemicals. Thus, in this case, the bleaching agents consumed due to the presence of the saccharides must be supplemented. Also, in the oxygen bleaching procedure under a high alkaline condition, the aldehyde groups are oxidized and the resultant carboxylic acid causes the pH value of the bleaching system to be reduced. Thus the pH values of the bleaching system must be controlled to a desired level by increasing the amount of alkali to be added to the bleaching system to compensate the reduction in pH.
In an attempted method in which xylose and xylooligosaccharide produced by the xylanase treatment is not returned to a preceeding bleaching step, the reducing saccharides are removed from the waste water discharged from the enzyme treatment system, and the resultant saccharide-free waste water is returned to a preceeding bleaching step. However, the waste water from the pulp production is generated in a large amount, and thus the removal of the saccharide by a conventional method, for example, the reverse osmosis membrane method, causes a very large scale of apparatus to be provided. Therefore, the above-mentioned removal of saccharide has not yet been carried out at a low cost. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a backlight unit which uses light emitting diode (LED) modules.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, with the rapid development of semiconductor technology, the performance of products is further enhanced while the size and weight thereof is reduced. Cathode ray tubes (CRT), which are still used for information display devices, have many advantages in terms of performance and price, but have a limit in miniaturization and portability. As a device for overcoming such a disadvantage, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device has been proposed. Since the LCD device can be reduced in size and weight and has low power consumption, the LCD device is being recognized as a substitute which can overcome the disadvantages of CRT. Currently, almost every information processing equipment requiring a display device includes the LCD device mounted thereon.
In the LCD device, a voltage is applied to a specific molecular arrangement of liquid crystal such that the molecular arrangement is converted into another molecular arrangement, and changes in optical characteristics of a liquid crystal cell, which emits light through the converted molecular arrangement, such as birefringence, rotatory power, two-color property, and diffusion, are converted into visual changes. That is, the LCD device is such a display device that uses the modulation of light by the liquid crystal cell.
Since the LCD device is a passive element which cannot emit light for itself, a backlight unit attached to the rear surface of a liquid crystal panel is used to illuminate the liquid crystal panel. The light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel is adjusted by an applied electrical signal, and still or moving images are displayed on the liquid crystal panel.
As for a lamp used in the backlight unit which supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) has been widely used. Recently, however, a backlight unit using LEDs are frequently used for a variety of display devices such as a portable device and a field sequential color LCD device.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional backlight unit using LEDs will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional backlight unit.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional backlight unit is positioned under a display panel (not shown) and includes a plurality of LEDs 110, a plurality of LED modules 120 having a printed circuit board (PCB) which supports and drives the plurality of LEDs 110, an optical sheet 140 which is provided above the plurality of LED modules 120 so as to be spaced at a predetermined distance from the LED modules 120, and a heat radiating pad 130 which is provided on the rear surface of the LED modules 120.
The conventional backlight unit is constructed in such a manner that the optical sheet 140 disposed above the plurality of LED modules 120 is spaced at a predetermined distance from the LED modules 120, and one optical sheet 140 covers all the LED modules 120. In this case, the heat radiating pad 130 on the rear surface of the LED modules 180 may be divided in accordance with the number of LED modules 120 so as to be individually attached to each of the LED modules 120, or one heat radiating pad 130 may be attached so as to cover the overall LED modules 120.
However, when the optical sheet of the backlight unit is formed so as to be spaced from the LED modules, there are difficulties in achieving a reduction in size and thickness of a display device using the backlight unit.
Further, when the optical sheet for controlling light orientation is received and fixed as one sheet which covers the overall LED modules, the optical sheet above the LED modules should be entirely removed if any one of the LED modules is damaged. Therefore, a rework process of the backlight unit becomes complicated. | {
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This invention relates to multiple stage mass spectrometers which have two mass analyzers, and this invention is more particularly concerned with both a method of and an apparatus for providing multiple stages of mass spectrometry (MSn) capabilities in such spectrometers.
Tandem mass spectrometry is widely used for trace analysis and for the determination of the structures of ions. In tandem mass spectrometry a first mass analyzer selects ions of one particular mass to charge ratio (or range of mass to charge ratios) from ions supplied by an ion source, the ions are fragmented and a second mass analyzer records the mass spectrum of the fragment ions. In a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer system, this effects MS/MS. For example, ions produced in an atmospheric pressure source, pass through a region of dry nitrogen and then pass through a small orifice, into a region at a pressure of about 5 torr (0.7 kPa). Ions then pass through a quadrupole ion guide, operated at a pressure of about 7xc3x9710xe2x88x923 torr (9.1xc3x9710xe2x88x924 kPa) into a first quadrupole mass filter, operated at a pressure of about 2xc3x9710xe2x88x925 torr (2.6xc3x9710xe2x88x926 kPa). Precursor ions mass selected in the first quadrupole are injected into a collision cell filled with gas, such as argon, to a pressure of 10xe2x88x924 to 10xe2x88x922 torr (1.3xc3x9710xe2x88x925 to 1.3xc3x9710xe2x88x923 kPa). The collision cell contains a second quadrupole ion guide, to confine ions to the axis. Ions gain internal energy through collisions with the gas and then fragment. The fragment ions and any undissociated precursor ions then pass into a second mass analyzer, and then to a detector, where the mass spectrum is recorded.
Triple quadrupole systems are widely used for tandem mass spectrometry. One limitation is that recording a fragment mass spectrum can be time consuming because the second mass analyzer must step through many masses to record a complete spectrum. To overcome these limitations, QqTOF systems have been developed. This system is similar to the triple quadrupole system but the second mass analyzer is replaced by a time-of-flight mass analyzer, TOF. The advantage of the TOF is that it can record 104 or more complete mass spectra in one second. Thus for applications where a complete mass spectrum of fragment ions is desired the duty cycle is greatly improved with a TOF mass analyzer and spectra can be acquired more quickly. Alternatively for a given measurement time, spectra can be acquired on a smaller amount of sample.
A further known technique is the coupling of electrospray ionization (ESI) to time-of-flight mass spectrometers (TOFMS), and this is an attractive technique for mass spectrometry. ESI is a soft ionization technique capable of forming ions from a broad range of biomolecules, while TOFMS has the well known advantages of rapid mass scanning, high sensitivity, and a theoretically limitless mass range. However, ESI and TOFMS are, in one way, incompatible as a source/analyzer pair: ESI creates a continuous stream of ions and TOFMS requires pulsed operation. Thus in the simplest coupling of ESI to TOFMS there is a very poor duty cycle, with less than 1% of the ions formed being detected and early work in this field was predominantly concerned with increasing the duty cycle.
Within the past two years, literature on ESI-TOFMS has begun to focus on tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with hybrid instruments. The fragmentation of ions in these systems is achieved via traditional methods for collision induced dissociation (CID). Tandem-in-space systems termed quadrupole-TOF""s or xe2x80x9cQq-TOF""sxe2x80x9d, as noted above, are analogous to triple quadrupole mass spectrometersxe2x80x94the precursor ion is selected in a quadrupole mass filter, dissociated in a radiofrequency- (RF-) only multipole collision cell, and the resultant fragments are analyzed in a TOFMS. Tandem-in-time systems use a 3-D ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) for selecting and fragmenting the precursor ion, but pulse the fragment ions out of the trap and into a TOFMS for mass analysis.
It is sometimes desirable to perform multiple stages of tandem spectrometry termed MSn. In MS3 for example, a precursor ion is selected in a first mass analyzer and dissociated to produce fragment ions. A fragment ion of a particular mass to charge ratio is then isolated and dissociated again to produce fragments of the fragment. The mass spectrum of these is then recorded. Multiple stages of MS are useful when insufficient dissociation can be produced in a first stage of MS/MS or to elucidate dissociation pathways of complex ions. The latter for example is especially useful to sequence peptides and other biomolecules by mass spectrometry.
The triple quadrupole system and QqTOF system described above provide only one stage of MS/MS and do not allow MSn. In particular such systems do not provide for trapping of ions.
In one known proposal, in PCT application WO 98/06481 from Analytica of Brantford, there is a described system including ion trapping. Ions from a source are injected into a multipole ion guide, and ions of one m/z or range of m/z are then isolated in the ion guide by applying resonant excitation or AC/DC voltages to the ion guide and trapping voltages at either end. The ion is then fragmented in the same ion guide, which can be operated as a linear ion trap (LM. No mass analyzer is placed before the ion guide. This is a distinct disadvantage, since a multipole ion guide used both for ion isolation and mass analysis has a relatively low resolution. For example, the present inventors have found that using a LIT as described by Analytica the resolution in isolating an ion is ca. 100. With a separate quadrupole mass filter or other mass analyzer before the ion trap the resolution can be many thousand. The relatively low resolution for ions introduced into the multipole ion trap may derive from at least two sources: (1) the pressure is relatively high (10xe2x88x923-10xe2x88x921 torr (1.3xc3x9710xe2x88x924 to 1.3xc3x9710xe2x88x922 kPa) as described in the PCT application); and (2) in the system described in the PCT application the gas is either nitrogen or air that flows in from the ion source. This has a greater damping effect on ion motion in the LIT than lighter gases such as helium, and gives relatively poor resolution for resonant excitation of ions. Such a system does not readily enable the pressure and type of gas in the LIT to be adjusted to provide optimum conditions for MSn.
Additionally, there have been some recent examples of proposals using resonant excitation in RF-only quadrupoles for CID with fragment mass analysis by TOFMS. Dodonov et al (Rap. Comm. Mass Spectrometry 11, 1649-1656 (1997)) introduced a molecular ion reactor (MIR) consisting of a segmented RF-only quadrupole with a longitudinal electrical field which is operated at a high pressure. Depending on the mode of operation, CID was accomplished through either increasing the RF or DC voltages along the segments. However, no trapping of ions was demonstrated.
Loboda et al (proceedings of the 46th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Orlando, Fla., May 31-Jun. 4, 1998, MOD. 11: 55) modified the RF drive of the collision cell in a Q-TOFMS to apply quadrupolar excitation to ions flowing through the cell, inducing fragmentation. No trapping of ions was demonstrated. It was suggested that a 2D trap might be formed to isolate precursor ions, but it was not stated if this was to be done before or after a stage of mass analysis.
B. A. Thomson et al, in PCT application PCT/CA96/00541, describes a method and apparatus for speeding up the passage of ions through various stages of a mass spectrometer, such as the ion guide and the collision cell. The increase in ion speed is achieved via an axial DC field which can be created through various multipole rod configurations. The axial DC field also aids in the dissociation of ions in collision cells by oscillating the ions axially about their equilibrium positions. However, Thomson states that there is no need to operate at the resonant frequency of the ions or even at a harmonic of the resonant frequency of the ions.
J. D. Watson et al, in an article entitled xe2x80x9cA Technique for Mass Selective Ion Rejection in a Quadrupole Reaction Chamberxe2x80x9d (International Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Ion Processes, 93, 225-235, 1989) described trapping and resonant ejection of an ion from the quadrupole collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The intent was to study reaction kinetics of trapped ions. While there is no specific teaching of resonant excitation of trapped ions without ejection, there is speculation that this might be possible.
In mass spectrometry, the linear ion trap has remained relatively unexplored. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,755,670 and 5,420,425, both assigned to the Finnigan Corporation, relate to a Fourier transform quadrupole and new ion trap geometries respectively, and they both mention a LIT. U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,278 (D. J. Douglas) suggests using a LIT as an xe2x80x9cion bottlexe2x80x9d to improve the duty cycle of a 3D ITMS.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of analyzing a stream of ions, the method comprising:
(1) subjecting a stream of ions to a first mass analysis step, to select ions having a mass-to-charge ratio in a first desired range;
(2) passing ions in the selected range into a radio frequency linear ion trap containing gas;
(3) trapping the selected ions in the linear ion trap and exciting the ions to cause collisions with the ambient gas and fragmentation;
(4) subjecting the fragmented ions to a secondary excitation, different from the first excitation, to cause excitation and fragmentation of selected fragment ions; and
(5) passing the ions out of the linear ion trap and subjecting the ions to a further mass analysis step to determine the mass spectrum of the ions.
Passing the ions, in step (2) into the radio frequency ion trap can be done either: with a relatively low energy, so no fragmentation occurs in the LIT until additional excitation is applied; or with a relatively high energy in the axial direction, so that fragmentation occurs simply due to the high energy of the ions entering the LIT and colliding with the gas.
Thus a variant of the basic method of the present invention comprises passing the ions into the linear ion trap with sufficient energy to promote collision induced dissociation, said energy providing the excitation of (3), whereby step (3) comprises applying a signal to the linear ion trap to trap ions, before subjecting the ions to the further mass analysis of step (5).
In either case, once the ions have entered the LIT, have been excited, by either technique, to cause fragmentation, one then has fragmentions, with any remaining precursor ions trapped in the LIT. These ions can then be discharged for further mass analysis, or subject to multiple steps of mass selection and excitation to cause fragmentation, before being discharged for the final mass analysis step.
Thus, the method advantageously includes, in step (4), subjecting the fragmented ions to a secondary excitation, different from the first excitation, to cause excitation and fragmentation of selected fragment ions (MS3). This can be repeated to achieve further steps of MSn (n greater than 3). Further, prior to the additional step of secondary excitation, applying a signal to the linear ion trap, to select ions having a mass-to-charge ratio in a second desired range, wherein the secondary excitation step comprises exciting ions in the second desired range.
Thus, the method can include, while trapping the ions in the linear ion trap, effecting multiple cycles of:
(1) selecting ions having a mass-to-charge ratio in a desired range; and
(2) exciting the selected ions to cause fragmentation.
The ions can be excited in the linear ion trap by providing an additional signal to the linear ion trap.
The further mass analysis step of step (5) can be carried out either in a quadrupole mass analyzer, or in a time of flight mass analyzer. For a time of flight mass analyzer, this can be arranged with its axis perpendicular to the axis of the linear ion trap.
Preferably, the first mass analysis step is carried out in a quadrupole mass analyzer which is coaxial with the linear ion trap.
More preferably; the method includes, prior to exciting the ions in step (3), subjecting the trapped ions to a signal comprising a plurality of excitation signals uniformly spaced in the frequency domain and having a notch, wherein the notch covers a desired frequency band and there are no excitation signals in the frequency band of the notch, and wherein the excitation signals have sufficient magnitude to excite and eject ions except for ions having an excitation frequency falling within the frequency band of the notch. For the case where the frequency of the trapping RF signal is 1.0 MHz, this can be achieved by applying a combination of signals having sine waves with frequencies in the range 10 to 500 kHz and spaced at 500 Hz intervals, and the frequency band of the notch then has a width of typically 1-10 kHz and is centered on the resonant frequency of an ion of interest. More generally, where the trapping RF frequency is f, then the auxiliary frequencies should be up to f/2.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, for effecting mass analysis and fragmentation of an ion stream, the apparatus comprising:
an input for an ion stream;
a first mass analyzer;
a radio frequency linear ion trap; and
a final mass analyzer.
Preferably, the first mass analyzer comprises a quadrupole mass analyzer, and the final mass analyzer comprises a quadrupole mass analyzer, and the first mass analyzer, the linear ion trap and the final mass analyzer are axially aligned with one another.
The Radio frequency linear ion trap (LIT) could be formed in a number of ways. It could have aperture plates or lens at either end serving to provide the necessary D.C. potential gradient, to keep ions within the trap. Alternatively, where the ion trap is a multipole rod set, the rods can be segmented to permit different D.C. potentials to be applied to different segments. A segmented rods set also enables an axial D.C. field to be established.
For the final mass analyzer of the apparatus just defined and for the mass analysis step (4) of the method defined previously, the mass analyzer could be any suitable analyzer. Such an analyzer could be: a linear quadrupole, a linear or reflection TOF, a single magnetic sector analyzer; a double focusing two sector mass analyzer (having electric and magnetic sectors), a Paul trap (3D trap), a Wien filter, a Mattauch-Herzog spectrograph, a Thomson parabolic mass spectrometer, an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer, etc.
The linear ion trap can be a multipole trap, but preferably includes a quadrupole rod set and the rods of the mass analyzers and of the linear ion trap preferably have substantially similar radii and substantially similar spacings.
The linear ion trap can have a pair of opposed x rods and a pair of opposed y rods, and then a main RF drive is connected to the x and y rods of the linear ion trap and an auxiliary drive is connected to at least one pair of rods of the linear ion trap. For example, the auxiliary drive is connected between the x and the y rods of the linear ion trap through a transformer, and the main RF drive is connected directly to the x rods of the linear ion trap and, through a coil of the transformer to the y rods. Alternatively, the auxiliary drive can be connected between the x rods. The apparatus preferably then includes an arbitrary waveform generator connected to the auxiliary drive, for applying a selected waveform to the linear ion trap to excite ions therein. | {
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This invention relates to a computer system including one or more storage systems, in particular, data copy in a virtualized environment in which a storage area is virtualized.
A storage system allocates a storage area having a predetermined capacity to a computer using the storage system. In order to effectively use a storage capacity of the storage system, it is desirable to allocate a storage area having a capacity required by the computer. With the increase in the amount of data handled by the computer, however, the capacity of the allocated storage area is sometimes found insufficient. On the other hand, if a storage area having a sufficiently large capacity is allocated in advance, the storage system can be prevented from suffering from a shortage of capacity. However, when the computer does not handle a large amount of data in practice, a part of the allocated storage area is not used to lower the usage efficiency of the storage capacity.
JP 2005-11316 A discloses a computer system including a virtualization system connected to a computer and a plurality of storage systems connected to the virtualization system. The virtualization system allocates a virtual volume of a predetermined size to the computer. Upon reception of an access request to the virtual volume from the computer, the virtualization system allocates an actual storage area (real area) of the storage system to the virtual volume according to the access request. When the size of the virtual volume is set sufficiently large, the virtual volume allows for the increase in the amount of data processed by the computer. Moreover, since a necessary real area is allocated when the virtual volume actually receives an access request from the computer, the storage capacity of the storage system can be efficiently used.
On the other hand, as techniques of protecting data stored in a storage system from system failures, disasters, or the like to continue operations, a local copy technique and a remote copy technique are known. The local copy is a technique of copying data in a storage area in a storage system to another storage area in the same storage system. The remote copy is a technique of copying data in a storage area in a storage system to a storage area in another storage system. The remote copy technique is described in JP 2003-122509 A, for example. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for connecting a floppy disk drive (FDD) to a computer having a card interface and, more particularly, to an interface device capable of connecting an FDD via an IC card slot to computer equipment having a card interface to which an IC card can be connected as an external storage device.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has heretofore been known that a data storage device, such as a floppy disk drive (FDD) or a magnetic tape drive, is incorporated as an external storage device in computer equipment, such as a personal computer, a word processor or a video game machine, for the purpose of saving various kinds of data files or exchanging data files with other equipment.
In recent years, the computer equipment, such as a personal computer, has been smaller and smaller, and the current trend in the field of portable computer equipment (for example, a small computer called xe2x80x9csubnotexe2x80x9d or a pen-input type personal computer) is to use an IC memory card rather than a large FDD.
However, since IC memory cards are considerably expensive, if such an IC memory card is to be used in an application in which storage of a large amount of data is needed, it is necessary to prepare an expensive IC memory card having a large memory capacity. In contrast, although floppy disks (FDs) are inexpensive and suited for applications in which storage of a large amount of data is needed, it is necessary to furnish the computer equipment, such as a personal computer, with a dedicated connector for external connection to an FDD. This makes it difficult to design a personal computer of reduced size.
IC memory cards in general have a memory capacity of several megabytes and can be employed similarly to FDs. However, since the price of an IC memory card is two hundred to three hundred times as high as that of an FD, it is strongly demanded to provide an arrangement which enables an FDD, instead of an IC memory card, to be connected to the IC memory card slot of a small computer having the aforementioned card interface.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an interface device which enables an FDD to be connected to a card interface of a computer of the type which has a card interface.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a data converting device which enables a storage device other than a card to be connected to a card interface of a computer of the type which has a card interface, and which is capable of performing data conversion between the card interface and the storage device.
To achieve the above objects, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interface device for connecting an external storage device to a host computer to which a card form of storage device can be connected, the external storage device differing in data format from the card form of storage device. The interface device comprises a connection unit for connecting the external storage device to the host computer, the connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in the host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device, and converting means for converting data, which is to be outputted from the host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into a data format conforming to the external storage device, as well as for converting data read out from the external storage device into the data format conforming to the card form of storage device.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a data converting device having an interface for connecting an FDD to computer equipment provided with a card interface.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an interface device for connecting an FDD to a card slot of computer equipment provided with a card interface in which the information required to operate the card interface is stored, that is, an interface and a computer system both of which are capable of automatically enabling the card interface when the interface device is connected to computer equipment, thereby reducing burdens to be imposed on the computer equipment and an operator and realizing good operability.
To achieve the fourth object, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interface device for connecting an external storage device to a host computer to which a card form of storage device can be connected, the external storage device differing in data format from the card form of storage device. The interface device comprises a connection unit for connecting the external storage device to the host computer, the connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in the host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device, converting means for converting data, which is to be outputted from the host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into a data format conforming to the external storage device, as well as for converting data read out from the external storage device into the data format conforming to the card form of storage device, and a nonvolatile memory in which are stored a plurality of pieces of discrimination information for allowing the external storage device to be controlled by the host computer.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system which comprises a host computer to which a card form of storage device is connectable, an external storage device which differs in data format from the card form of storage device, and an interface which includes a connection unit for connecting the card form of storage device to the host computer, the connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in the host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device, and controlling means for converting control information, which is to be outputted from the host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into a data format conforming to the external storage device, and enabling the external storage device to be controlled.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card device to be disposed between an FDD and a host system having a card interface in order to connect the FDD to the host system. The card device comprises an FD controller for controlling the FDD, a memory in which CIS/CCR indicative of card information is stored, and a card input/output controller to be connected to a card controller of the host system.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. | {
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The present invention is in the field of data processing systems and, in particular, to systems, methods, media, and apparatuses for disabling camera functionality in a portable device such as a mobile phone.
Portable electronic devices have become ubiquitous in modern society. Mobile phones, in particular, continue to dramatically increase in usage as costs are lowered, functionality is improved, and the availability of alternatives such as pay phones has decreased. These mobile phones (also known as cell phones) allow users to have greater mobility while still maintaining communication with friends, co-workers, or others. Many users carry their mobile phones with them at all times, including while at work, at home, on vacation, or anywhere else. The mobile phone market is highly competitive and manufacturers and providers continually add new features, and enhance existing ones, to make mobile phones an all-in-one communication and media device.
One specific feature that is now common on most mobile phones is a digital camera and/or camcorder to record still or video pictures. The amount of photographs or video that can be recorded is typically only limited by the memory of the device. Camera resolution is also being enhanced, with many models delivering high-resolution photographs of two megapixels (2 MP) or more. By using additional memory cards, a user can now capture hours of video or hundreds of photographs using their mobile phone or other portable electronic device.
The ability of users to easily record photographs and/or video on handheld devices presents a significant new kind of security challenge for businesses, corporate facilities, or other locations where picture taking is typically strictly prohibited or otherwise limited. These types of locations may include museums, factories, government facilities, or office buildings as typical examples. For many of these locations, the security risk is that portable device users can easily copy and misappropriate trade secret or other corporate proprietary information. For other locations, security personnel may be concerned that users threaten the privacy of others, present a terrorism threat, threaten a commercial interest or copyright interest because of misappropriation of images (e.g., concert venues or museums), or other risk. The increasing prevalence and variety of camera-enabled portable devices presents security personnel with a constantly changing security threat.
Currently, security personnel must determine which devices may present a security threat and which devices are permissible, a process which may prove difficult as more and more devices become enabled with still or video cameras. Security personnel often collect those devices which they determine to present a security threat at a front entrance or security desk and allow the owner to pick up their confiscated device when they leave the secure facility. This prevents users of confiscated devices from using their cameras in the secured facility. This approach can be flawed from a security standpoint, however, as security personnel may not catch all cameras entering the facility. From the standpoint of users, this approach is also flawed as the user must remember to pick up their camera-enabled device when the leave the facility. More importantly for some users, they must also be without their camera-enabled device and all of its other functionality while they are in the facility. For a user that relies on their mobile phone for many purposes, the requirement to leave their mobile phone at the security desk can be onerous as the user cannot make or receive calls from the phone, may be without calendaring functions or contact lists, or may lose access to other features embedded in the device. The burden on the user may encourage some users to attempt to smuggle their mobile phones in the facility, increasing the security risk. There is, therefore, a need for an effective and efficient solution for securing camera-enabled portable devices in certain locations. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Modern companies and organizations use a variety of technologies to manage and organize contact with customers, employees, and members. For example, a company may use a contact center as a primary touch point for customers to reach out to the company with a variety of requests and needs (e.g., customer support, product information, etc.). In addition, the same company may also use a customer-relationship management system (or CRM system) to maintain and organize the company's interaction with current and potential customers. While modern CRM systems can receive and use data from a contact center, often there is a disconnect between the two systems that complicates or prevents the use of data from the CRM system to perform actions in the contact center.
One example of this disconnect is contact routing (e.g., call routing) within a contact center. While many contact centers offer various options to set up contact routing within the contact center itself, the process of setting contact routing within a contact center can be time consuming because the proper routing often depends on data within the company's CRM system. In the past, many attempts have been made to integrate CRM data into a contact center routing. However, typically, setting up contact center routing integrated with CRM data is a time consuming process that takes weeks and months of engineering time and large amounts of resources. Moreover, the end solution is often inflexible, difficult to navigate, and requires significant training and expertise to successfully use. Moreover, the result is often a separate application that does not easily achieve contact routing in a simple way that an agent, call center supervisor, or administrator can do on their own. Thus, there are several disadvantages with regard to conventional communication management systems. | {
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Within the past decade, the use of contact lenses has increased dramatically. Contact lenses are not only now a completely acceptable alternative to conventional frame-type eyeglasses, but many people also regard contact lenses as a preferred alternative because of relative safety and improved cosmetic appearance. With the continuing improvement in lens quality, in addition to a wider public acceptance and willingness to put up with the initial inconvenience of adjusting to the lenses, practioners in the contact lens field have become increasingly skilled and experienced at proper fitting of the lenses. Accordingly, some users will purchase several different pairs of lenses having different colors to enhance their appearance in addition to correcting their vision.
Most users apply the lenses one-at-a-time by placing a wetting solution on the lens, placing the lens on the tip of a finger, and moving the lens toward the eye while holding the eyelids apart with the opposite hand. The lenses are removed by manipulating the eyelids in a manner that will lift the lens away from the eye, thereby releasing the capillary attraction which holds the lens to the eye.
While most contact lens users can insert and remove lenses in accordance with this technique, others have great difficulty in acclimating themselves to placing things on their eyes with their fingers. Others have problems in developing sufficient dexterity to place the lenses on their eyes without damaging or dropping them. Women who use makeup will frequently have small quantities of foreign substances on their hands or near their eyes which may coat the lens, thereby necessitating its removal for cleaning and reinsertion. An especially difficult insertion and removal problem is encountered by older people, especially those who have had cataract surgery, who have unsteady hands.
In recognition of some of the difficulties in applying and removing lenses, the prior art is replete with devices to assist the user in inserting and/or removing lenses. Many of these devices comprise suction cups which communicate with squeeze bulb members to create a slight vacuum in the suction cup to hold the lens in place. The device is then moved toward the eye and, when the lens is nearly in place, the squeeze bulb is actuated to release the lens from the suction cup. These devices are generally handheld small units which are intended for insertion of one lens at a time. Typical examples of such a device are found in Carruthers, U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,914, and Koblar, U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,971. In each case the sides of a flexible tube are squeezed to propel the lens from the suction cup. Devices functioning in the same manner are also disclosed in Hutchison, U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,113, and Drdlik, U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,272. These devices also have a light-carrying tube communicating with the suction cup which illuminates the lens when it is in place, thereby assisting the user in orienting the lens toward the eye. Updegraff, U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,025, discloses a similar device wherein the suction cup communicates through a flexible tube with a mouth piece, so that the user may adjust the pressure at the suction cup by sucking or blowing with his mouth. In Henning, U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,028, a lens inserting and removing device is disclosed wherein a suction creating means at the suction cup operates in response to a slight axial movement of the sleeve supporting the suction cup.
These suction-creating devices have not gained general acceptance with contact lens practioners for various reasons. Some regard these devices as being unsafe, in that if the suction device accidentally contacts the surface of the eye and a vacuum is created, damage could occur to the eye. On the other hand, if the force with which the lens is released is even slightly excessive, such that the lens is propelled into the eye, corneal damage could also result.
Various other devices exist for placement of a lens in the eye which involve simple movement of the device toward the eye. Price, U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,866, and Wagstaff, U.S. Pat. No. 2,924,481 each disclose hand-held devices having a suction cup mounted on a slideable plunger which the user can move toward his eye. Massenz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,618, and Rinaldy, U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,696, disclose similar devices which also have large resilient cups surrounding the plungers which serve to maintain the eyelids in an open position. Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,968 discloses a suction cup mounted on a hollow stem which communicates with an aerosol which can cause retention or release of a lens held in the suction cup. All of the aforementioned devices require that the device be moved manually by the user toward the eye. This requires a steady hand and substantial confidence on the part of the user, who normally uses one hand to hold his eyelids apart while moving the device toward his eye. In addition, all of these devices require individual insertion of the lenses, thereby necessitating repetition of the insertion or removal process for each eye. A contact lens insertion device which allows the user to orient his head with respect to lens holding members is disclosed in Parrent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,109. In this device, contact lenses are held by surface tension on horizontally extending tubes, and the user brings his eyes into alignment with the tubes while resting his chin on a horizontal plate. The user then slides the tubes toward his eye until contact is made between the lens and the eye. No provision is made for removal of lenses with this device, and the pull of gravity could dislodge one of the lenses from the holding device prior to insertion.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for insertion or removal of contact lenses with which the lenses can be inserted or removed from both eyes simultaneously. It is another object of the invention to provide a device having adjustable headresting features which allow the user to firmly fix his head relative to the device prior to actuation of the device. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus having separate lens holding members for insertion and removal of lenses, moved into or out of position as required.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a device for insertion and removal of contact lenses which has minimal potential for misuse or injury, and which is virtually foolproof in its operation. These and other objects of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for providing a non-durable flame-retardant finish to fabrics, and in particular, to synthetic fabrics such as polyesters and blends of polyesters with natural fabrics such as cotton.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Much work has been done in the field of providing fabrics with a treatment that will render them flame-retardant. In early work, it was learned that it would be possible to provide a fabric with flame-retardant characteristics by treating it with boric acid, borax, or mixtures thereof, alone or with an added diammonium phosphate. Such compositions provide a non-durable flame-retardant coating, i.e., the treatment is effective only until the fabric is laundered. Some of such compositions impart to the fabric so treated an undesirably harsh feel or "hand". Moreover, in some instances, the amount that it is necessary to use of the flame-retardant material is sufficiently great that the fabric is discolored by the powdery, flame-retardant material remaining on the fabric after it has been treated and dried, and powder tends to come off the fabric; this is obviously undesirable in connection with providing flame-retardant characteristics to garments intended to be worn. Considerable work has been done in the direction of providing a flame-retardant finish which will be durable, i.e., will survive a few washings or a few dozen washings. Recently, relatively little attention has been paid to the area of providing non-durable flame-retardant finishes for fabrics, despite the fact that the "durable treatment" tends to be relatively expensive while at the same time it is often questionable, after a few washings, how much of the desired flame-retardant effect remains. There has been need for a method of treating fabrics to impart flame-retardant properties to them which is easy to practice and relatively inexpensive.
In the last twenty or thirty years, synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon or blends of such synthetic fabrics with cotton have replaced cotton and wool in garments commonly worn by the public. This has made it substantially more difficult to solve the problem of providing a satisfactory non-durable flame-retardant finish which can be applied to such fabrics. From the standpoint of avoiding expense in providing a fabric with a flame-retardant finish, it is certainly desirable to have a composition which is based upon water, so that the fabric, as a final step of a laundering operation, can be immersed in an aqueous composition and then wrung or spin-dried to leave an adequate proportion (add-on) of treatment material in the fabric. Unfortunately, the synthetic fabrics are, in comparison with natural fabrics such as cotton or wool, relatively water-repellent or hydrophobic. Many treatments which are known to be quite satisfactory for use with cotton simply do not work with polyester or nylon. In point of fact, the applicants are not aware of any treatment, known prior to the present invention, which uses an aqueous solution and provides a satisfactory non-durable flame-retardant finish to polyester, nylon, or blends of cotton with synthetic fiber. | {
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Elastic cushions are employed in a wide variety of devices from seats for children's toys to dock fenders. In the fabrication of children's toys, particularly those having a straddle type seat, it is desirable to have a reasonably inexpensive elastic seat which is adjustable to accommodate various size users. Children's swings employing staddle type seats are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,391,932 and 3,684,282. The seats are adjustable for and aft and may be padded or upholstered to make them more comfortable. The fabrication of the comfortable padded seat is a significant portion of the cost of fabricating children's toy and it was an object of the present invention to develop an inexpensive alternative seat design which could be used by a wide range of different size persons without the necessity for seat adjustment in a straddle type swing.
The elastic cushion which is the object of this invention is useful in countless situations and it is not limited merely to show children's toys. Elastic cushions are useful in dock fenders as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,189--Pemper, as used, in truck loading dock and marine situations. The dock fender of Pemper is formed of a elastic-closed tubular section having a flat surface providing one side wall and an oppositely disposed curvilinear-shaped contact surface. Another prior art elastic cushion is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,998--Anderson, where an auto bumper formed of a pair of elastic tubes of different diameter located one inside the other along the common vertical line. The tubes are riveted or otherwise mechanically fastened to a support bracket attached to the vehicle along the line of tangency. The enclosed tube elastically deforms when loaded on the side generally opposite that of the point of attachment to the vehicle. | {
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This invention relates in general to electromagnetic coordinate switching devices and more particularly to those of the type including a magnetic shunt plate or plates, an array of magnetically responsive switching elements inserted in said shunt plate in rows and columns at respective points of intersection of row and column signal lines extended substantially at right angles, and excitation coils or windings applied to the switching elements. As is well known, this type of electromagnetic coordinate switching device is well suited for use as a speech-path switching network in an automatic telephone exchange, a hybrid electronic computer or the like apparatus, and the present invention is particularly concerned with improvements in construction of the type of coordinate switching device.
Electromagnetic coordinate switches of the general type including switching elements arranged in rows and columns are known in the prior art as exemplified by a technical article entitled "The Ferreed" and published in the Bell System Technical Journal, Vol. 43, No. 1 (January 1964). As disclosed therein, each of the switching elements used includes a hollow dielectric spool molded into a shunt plate and extending on both sides therefrom at right angles thereto, at least one reed switch and magnetic core means disposed within the spool, and a plurality of pairs of windings wound around the spool on the top and bottom sides of the shunt plate. In this form the spools of the switching elements in each row and column must be spaced sufficiently from each other to permit a winding bit, in forming each of the windings on the individual spools, to pass freely around the latter without damaging adjacent windings. In space division electronic switching systems, coordinate switches, which provide for the selection of speech paths, constitute about sixty percent of the whole apparatus. Therefore, not only are the magnetic switches important in the functioning of the system but their bulk, weight and cost are critical factors in the economy of the entire switching system.
As described above, the excitation coils are conventionally formed on each of the spools mounted on the shunt plate, making it difficult to reduce the spacing between switching elements in attempting to reduce the size of the coordinate switch. Under this situation, formation of windings having any increased number of turns on the individual spools is troublesome and hardly practicable because the separate spool configuration involves a substantial increase in winding time and hence in fabrication cost of the switching device. However, it is desirable to increase the number of turns of the windings because this allows a reduction in the driving power required to operate the switches. It has further been found that it is extremely difficult to decrease the magnitude of driving current while using high-speed solid state circuits for the driving of such electro-magnetic coordinate switching device.
To cope with these difficulties, a coordinate switching device, including improvements in coil configuration and in aligned formation of crosspoints, has been proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,344 issued to Takamura et al. on Dec. 30, 1969. Here sets of crosspoints, each including a plurality of crosspoint elements, are fixedly arranged on respective elongate magnetic shunt plates and are wrapped with primary windings. The shunt plates are arranged parallel to each other to form respective columns of crosspoints and thereafter, secondary windings are applied to the respective rows of crosspoints, each surrounding all the crosspoints in the associated row as a winding common to such crosspoints.
Further, with this arrangement, featuring a segmental array formation and secondary windings common to respective rows of crosspoints, since selection of the crosspoints is effected by coincidence of the direction logic of magnetic fields applied, as will be described later, two sets of excitation coils arranged in rows and columns are energized at the same time to produce a magnetomotive force of substantial magnitude as required for the closing of a switching element selected. This involves a material rise in coil impedance, having a tendency to cause increase the magnitude of the driving power required for the operation of the system.
Further with this arrangement, when only excitation coils associated with row control lines or with column control lines are energized, all the switching elements are opened. Accordingly, when a switching element at any crosspoint is operated to close, the switching elements in the same row and column are all automatically opened and this makes multiple connection of the switching elements in any particular row or column impossible.
Moreover, in previous forms of coordinate switching device, cores of semihard magnetic material are required at the respective crosspoints as means for magnetically holding the switching elements and fitted in the coil spools. Insertion of the cores in the respective coil spools, however, can hardly be automated as the cores must be combined preliminarily with the respective associated switching elements. A further difficulty encountered in the prior art is that the wrapping connection of input and output lines to the coordinate switching device has made its maintenance rather difficult. | {
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Digital photography makes it possible for people to take hundreds, even thousands, of digital photographs, without the time and expense of developing negatives and prints from film. However, organizing a large volume of digital photographs has become a challenge. Systems exist which organize digital photographs by date, by categories assigned by users, or by faces detected in photographs. Examples of such systems include Apple, Inc.'s IPHOTO® software application and Google, Inc.'s PICASA® photo service, and Facebook, Inc.'s FACEBOOK® social media service.
However, these systems and services do not dynamically and automatically provide users with curated collections of photographs relevant to the then-current location of the user nor based on and relevant to personal and publicly recognized anniversaries and holidays (with dates obtained directly from the users and from online sources, such as social networks), nor based on specific people or locations associated with dates and events, nor do such services present intelligently organized location-based collections which users can re-organize and which then respond to the user's re-organization.
Needed is a system which addresses the shortcomings discussed above. | {
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Some caching servers are a network servers that save network content in network-accessible storage locations. By storing network content that was previously requested in these caching servers, access to the network content may be faster for subsequent requests for the same content. The demand on the bandwidth of a server that hosts the content may also be reduced. Since a caching server serves as a mechanism for the temporary storage of information, a request for information may typically be satisfied from the caching server. However, oftentimes a caching server may not store the requested information. As such challenges exist while managing caching servers and network content requests. | {
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Metal oxide semiconductors are well known in the art. With the rapid integration of elements in the device, the thickness of the silicon oxide gate dielectric layer has approached the 2 nm thickness level. Such thin gate oxide layers require stringent protocols during fabrication especially in the gate etching process. In addition, concomitant with this reduction in the thickness of the gate oxide layer is the device's high leakage current caused by direct tunneling effects.
Shinriki et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,673 describes a MOSFET that contains a tantalum pentoxide gate insulating film. Although the patent asserts that the device exhibits improved electrical characteristics, nevertheless, it is believed that the device suffers from, among other things, high leakage currents because of the silicon oxide layer, which is formed by reoxidation between the tantalum pentoxide gate insulating film and the silicon substrate, has defects including non-uniformity. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to an array substrate for a gate-in-panel (GIP) type liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method of fabricating the array substrate.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As information age progresses, flat panel display (FPD) devices having light weight, thin profile, and low power consumption have been substituted for cathode ray tube (CRT) devices. Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, plasma display panel (PDP) devices, field emission display (FED) devices, and electroluminescent display (ELD) devices are examples of the FPD devices. Since the LCD devices have excellent characteristics in resolution, contrast ratio, color display and display quality, the LCD devices have been widely used in a notebook computer, a monitor and a television.
In general, an LCD device includes two substrates spaced apart and facing each other and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates. Each of the two substrates includes an electrode on a surface facing the other of the two substrates. A voltage is applied to each electrode to induce an electric field between the electrodes. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules as well as the transmittance of light through the liquid crystal layer is controlled by varying the intensity of the electric field, thereby the LCD device displaying images using the change in light transmittance.
The LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel having two substrates and a liquid crystal layer between the two substrates, a backlight unit under the liquid crystal panel and a driving circuit unit connected to the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit. The driving circuit unit includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a gate driving circuit supplying a gate signal to a gate line of the liquid crystal panel and a data circuit supplying a data signal to a data line of the liquid crystal panel. The gate driving circuit and the data driving circuit are formed as a tape carrier package (TCP) connected to the liquid crystal panel. For example, the gate TCP including the gate driving IC may be connected to a gate pad on the liquid crystal panel and the data TCP including the data driving IC may be connected to a data pad on the liquid crystal panel. The gate and data pads are connected to the gate and data lines, respectively.
Since weight and volume of the LCD device increase due to the gate TCP and the data TCP, a gate-in-panel (GIP) type LCD device where the gate driving circuit is formed in the liquid crystal panel and only the data TCP is connected to the liquid crystal panel has been suggested.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a gate-in-panel type liquid crystal display device according to the related art.
In FIG. 1, a gate-in-panel (GIP) type liquid crystal display (LCD) device 1 includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 50 and a liquid crystal layer 70. The first and second substrates 10 and 50 face and are spaced apart from each other, and the liquid crystal layer 70 is interposed between the first and second substrates 10 and 50. The first and second substrates 10 and 50 include an active area AA displaying images and a non-active area NA surrounding the active area AA.
A gate line (not shown) and a data line 28 are formed on an inner surface of the first substrate 10 in the active area AA. The gate line and the data line 28 cross each other to define a pixel region P. A pixel thin film transistor (TFT) Tp connected to the gate line and the data line 28 is formed in each pixel region P. The pixel TFT Tp includes a gate electrode 15, a gate insulating layer 21, a semiconductor layer 23, a source electrode 30 and a drain electrode 32. The gate electrode 15 is connected to the gate line, and the gate insulating layer 21 is formed on the gate electrode 15. The semiconductor layer 23 on the gate insulating layer 21 includes an active layer 23a and an ohmic contact layer 23b, and the source and drain electrodes 30 and 32 on the semiconductor layer 23 are spaced apart from each other. The source electrode 30 is connected to the data line 28. A passivation layer 38 is formed on the data line 28, the source electrode 30 and the drain electrode 32, and a pixel electrode 43 is formed on the passivation layer 38. The passivation layer 38 includes a drain contact hole 41 exposing the drain electrode 32 and the pixel electrode 43 is connected to the drain electrode 32 of the pixel TFT Tp through the drain contact hole 41.
A gate driving circuit (not shown) including a plurality of circuit units (not shown) and an electrostatic discharge circuit between the adjacent circuit units are formed on the inner surface of the first substrate 10 in the non-active area NA. Each of the plurality of circuit units and the electrostatic discharge circuit includes a driving TFT Td having a gate electrode 16, the gate insulating layer 21, a semiconductor layer 24, a source electrode 34 and a drain electrode 36. The passivation layer 38 is formed on the driving TFT Td.
In addition, a black matrix 53 is formed on an inner surface of the second substrate 50. The black matrix 53 includes a first black matrix 53a having openings in the active area AA and a second black matrix 53b in the non-active area NA. A color filter layer 58 including red, green and blue color filters 58a, 58b and 58c is formed on the inner surface of the second substrate 50 and the first black matrix 53a in the active area AA such that the red, green and blue color filters 58a, 58b and 58c correspond to openings of the first black matrix 53a. A common electrode 60 is formed on the second black matrix 53b in the non-active area NA and the color filter layer 58 in the active area AA.
The liquid crystal layer 70 is formed between the pixel electrode 43 and the common electrode 60. Further, a seal pattern 80 is formed between the passivation layer 38 and the common electrode 60 in the non-active area NA, and a column spacer 63 is formed between the passivation layer 38 and the common electrode 60 in the active area AA to correspond to the first black matrix 53a.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a driving thin film transistor of a gate-in-panel type liquid crystal display device according to the related art.
In FIG. 2, a driving thin film transistor (TFT) Td of each of a plurality of circuit units and an electrostatic discharge circuit in a non-active area NA includes a gate electrode 16, a semiconductor layer 24, a source electrode 34 and a drain electrode 36. Each of the gate electrode 16 and the semiconductor layer 24 has a plate shape. In addition, each of the source electrode 34 and the drain electrode 36 has a comb shape including a horizontal portion 34a and 36a and a plurality of vertical protrusions 34b and 36b extending from the horizontal portion 34a and 36a. The plurality of vertical portions 34b of the source electrode 34 alternate with the plurality of vertical portions 36b of the drain electrode 36. Furthermore, the plurality of vertical portions 34b of the source electrode 34 are spaced apart from the plurality of vertical portions 36b of the drain electrode 36 to define a channel region CH as a current path. The channel region CH has a channel width W and a channel length L. Since the driving TFT Td in the non-active area NA is required to have a relatively high on-current, the driving TFT Td is formed to have a relatively great channel width W of the channel region CH and have a relatively great size of the gate electrode 16 covering the channel region CH. As a result, most of the non-active area NA is occupied with the driving TFT Td having a relatively great size.
The GIP type LCD device 1 is fabricated through a first process of forming the pixel TFT Tp, the driving TFT Td and the pixel electrode 43 on the first substrate 10, a second process of forming the black matrix 53, the color filter layer 58 and the common electrode 60 on the second substrate 50, and a third process of attaching the first and second substrates 10 and 50 and forming the liquid crystal layer 70 between the first and second substrates 10 and 50. The third process may be referred to as a cell process. For example, the cell process may include a step of forming alignment layer on each of inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 10 and 50, a step of forming a cell gap by attaching the first and second substrates 10 and 50, a step of cutting the attached first and second substrates 10 and 50 into unit cells, and a step of injecting liquid crystal materials into each unit cells.
After the first and second substrates 10 and 50 are attached to each other using the seal pattern 80 and the attached first and second substrates 10 and 50 are cut into the unit cells, the liquid crystal materials may be injected into each unit cell in a vacuum state cell through an injecting method using a capillary phenomenon. However, the process time for forming the liquid crystal layer by the injecting method may be over about 10 hours.
To reduce the process time for forming the liquid crystal layer, a method using a vacuum dispensing and attaching apparatus has been suggested. In the method using the vacuum dispensing and attaching apparatus, the steps of dispensing and attaching are performed under a vacuum state. For example, after a seal pattern of ultra violet (UV) curable sealant is formed on one of the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal materials are dispensed onto the one of the first and second substrates. Next, the first and second substrates are aligned and attached, and a UV ray is irradiated onto the seal pattern for curing or hardening. Next, the attached first and second substrates are cut into a plurality of unit cells. Since the liquid crystal layer is formed by a dispensing method instead of an injection method, the process time for forming the liquid crystal layer is reduced. In addition, the seal pattern has a closed loop shape without an injection hole for the liquid crystal materials.
After the first and second substrates are attached, the UV ray is irradiated through the first substrate because the second substrate has a blocking pattern such as a black matrix at a portion corresponding to the seal pattern for preventing light leakage. For example, the ratio of an open area that does not include the blocking pattern to the whole area of the first substrate corresponding to the seal pattern may be required to be over about 50% for curing the seal pattern by the UV ray. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the driving TFT Td in the non-active area NA of the first substrate 10 of the GIP type LCD device 1 has a relatively great size, the UV ray does not passing through the non-active area NA of the first substrate 10 corresponding to the gate driving circuit. As a result, when the seal pattern 80 and the liquid crystal layer 70 is formed through the method using the vacuum dispensing and attaching apparatus in the GIP type LCD device 1, the seal pattern 80 is insufficiently cured. The insufficiently cured seal pattern 80 contacts and contaminates the liquid crystal layer 70. | {
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Security of a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a mobile player, an Apple® iPhone®, etc.) may be of concern to a user. Furthermore, the user may utilize the mobile device in manner similar to a personal computer (e.g., browse the Internet, access email, etc.). Consequently, the mobile device may include confidential information (e.g., a web browser history, an email account, a past call history, a text message, a voice message, etc.). Due to the nature of this type of information, a security breach may be costly to the user or his/her organization (e.g., a difficulty in recreating lost information).
A design of the mobile device may make it problematic to implement an additional security protocol. For example, the mobile device may utilize a touchscreen (e.g., a display which can detect a location of patterns in a display area) for user input rather than a physical keypad. The user may be able to access the mobile device utilizing the touchscreen simply by tapping a surface of the touchscreen in an arbitrary manner and/or performing a templated gesture (e.g., a pattern such as movement from left to right) on a surface of the touch screen. As a result, confidential information may be accessed by anyone merely in physical possession of the mobile device.
The touchscreen mobile device may include a virtual keypad (e.g., a form of a template to guide the user, an alpha-numeric virtual key pad, etc.). The user may use the virtual keypad to enter a pass code to access information. This process may be slow and/or cumbersome (e.g., a fingertip of the user may be of comparatively same size as an area of a virtual keypad symbol, the virtual keypad may not have the same tactile feel as the physical keypad, etc.). Use of a virtual keypad may also be inconvenient and/or dangerous when an attention of the user is diverted (e.g., walking, working, eating, etc.). A handicapped user (e.g., a sight-impaired person, a person with out fingers or hands, a person with impaired dexterity, etc.) may have difficulty inputting information with the virtual keypad. Furthermore, the alpha-numeric pass code may be difficult to remember for a primary user and/or secondary users of the mobile device. Thus, security of the mobile device may be breached resulting in theft and/or misappropriation of the confidential information that may be stored in the mobile device. | {
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Ink jet printing is a standard and preferred method for printing onto a substrate, wherein a stream of ink droplets are directed from a printing device to a surface of the substrate. The direction of the stream is controlled electronically in causing the droplets to print the desired image or information on the substrate surface without requiring contact between the printing device and the surface to which the ink is applied. Ink jet printing may be applied to a variety of substrates including, but not limited to, metals, glass, synthetic resins, plastics, rubber, paper, and the like. Objects, comprising substrates to which ink jet printing is well suited, include, but are not limited to, containers for consumer products, currency, draft checks, envelopes, letterhead, identification cards, bank cards (debit, credit, and the like), identification strips (e.g., comprising barcodes), and the like.
Fluorescent inks have been developed for printing a “security mark” on articles such that the mark is invisible to the unaided eye, but that can be detected as fluorescence upon excitation with an activating light of a suitable excitation wavelength spectrum. More particularly, security marks are applied to articles in efforts to prevent forgery, theft, and fraud; wherein such articles are known to include, but are not limited to, identification cards, passports, currency, checks, securities, and other types of commercial paper. The security mark may be in the form of a barcode which encodes information, or may comprise a recognizable pattern for identification and verification purposes. Prior art fluorescent inks are known in the art to include: a fluorescent colorant, a solvent, and a binder resin; an organic laser dye that is excited by a wavelength spectrum in the near infrared range and fluoresces in an infrared range; a phenoxazine derivative dye fluorescing in the near infrared range; a rare earth metal, an organic ink carrier, and may further comprise a chelating agent; and a near infrared fluorophore and a water-dissipatable polyester. Generally, such fluorescent inks comprising fluorescent dyes or pigments, present with several disadvantages. For example, there is a relatively narrow margin between the amount of a fluorescent dye which is sufficient to give good fluorescent color intensity, and an amount wherein the dye molecules begin to aggregate and thus reduce the amount of fluorescence by quenching. A limitation in intensity can also limit the density of information encoded on a security mark (such as a barcode) by a fluorescent ink composition.
Thus, there exists a need for fluorescent ink compositions suitable for printing on substrates, wherein (a) the fluorescent component of the fluorescent ink composition is water-soluble; (b) the fluorescent component is excited by a wavelength spectrum comprising UV light, and preferably in a spectral range of from about 300 nanometers (nm) to about 400 nm, and emits an narrow emission peak in a wavelength spectrum primarily in the visible range, and preferably in a spectral range of from about 410 nm to about 750 nm; (c) a plurality of fluorescent ink compositions (each containing a fluorescent component that can be detectably distinguished (e.g., by fluorescent color and/or intensity) from that of other fluorescent ink compositions of the plurality of fluorescent ink compositions) may be utilized for multicolor fluorescence by excitation with a single wavelength spectrum of light resulting in simultaneous detection of fluorescence of high quantum yield and with discrete peak emission spectra; (d) a fluorescent component that resists photobleaching (and therefore can be used for signal integration); and (e) a fluorescent component that is not susceptible to quenching. | {
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This invention relates to exercise apparatus, more particularly, to a system for providing additional cooling to a treadmill motor and its electronics.
In an effort to generally improve one""s health, many people regularly exercise on treadmills by walking, jogging, and running along a traveling surface. There have been many improvements and new developments in treadmills over the years, including motorized treadmills. With motorized treadmills the user may adjust the speed of the treadmill belt to the pace he/she wishes to run or walk. Motorized treadmills, however, require sufficient cooling for the circuitry and motor to operate efficiently. Although motorized exercise treadmills have proven to be useful, the treadmills of the prior art incorporate several inherent disadvantages.
One disadvantage of motorized treadmills is that they require electric motors and control systems that create heat that must be removed in order for the treadmill to operate efficiently. Excessive heat in a motorized treadmill will cause the efficiency of the electric motor to decrease as well as electronic control circuitry to overheat. In order to remove the heat produced by the motor and control circuitry treadmills incorporate a cooling fan that is attached to the motor shaft. The amount of cooling provided by the fan, therefore, is directly proportional to the speed of the treadmill belt. A drawback to this cooling system is that at low treadmill speeds the fan may not provide sufficient cooling.
If the motor becomes too hot, it cannot produce enough current to generate a sufficient amount of torque from the motor to drive the treadmill belt. This occurs because the amount of heat generated in the motor is proportional to the amount of current applied to the motor. At high treadmill belt speeds the cooling of the motor is not a problem because the motor shaft is rotating at sufficient revolutions per minute to sufficiently cool the motor. This cooling allows the motor to increase its torque output by increasing its current.
The problem of overheating is especially evident, for instance, when a heavy person is walking (rather than running) on a treadmill. As the weight of the person on the treadmill increases, the amount of torque required to keep the treadmill belt moving at a constant speed increases. Therefore, since the amount of torque generated by a treadmill motor is generally in proportion to the current applied to the motor, and since also the amount of heat generated in the motor is proportional to the amount of current that can be applied to motor, problems arise at low speeds. At low speeds, the cooling fan does not function as effectively, and therefore less current can be applied to the motor, resulting in less torque output from the motor. At high speeds, however, overheating is typically not a problem because the cooling fan, which is mounted on the motor shaft, rotates sufficiently to cool the motor to move the belt.
Another disadvantage with treadmills is that sufficient cooling is not provided for the electronic control circuitry required for motorized treadmills. This is especially true, if the electronic components are being cooled by a fan located on the motor shaft. Since the amount of cooling available is directly proportional to the motor shaft speed, the electronic circuitry does not get sufficient cooling while the treadmill belt is moving at lower speeds. Electronic circuitry operates at a better efficiency when it is cooler. Additionally, the hotter the circuitry becomes, the hotter the motor will become due to the proximity of the circuitry to the motor. The heating from the circuitry causes the motor to generate even less torque because of this additional heating source.
It would therefore be advantageous to overcome the limitations in the prior art treadmills, it would be desirable to provide a cooling system that would sufficiently cool treadmill motors and electronic components at low speeds such that that the motor may generate more current resulting in higher torque output to move the treadmill belt at constant speeds.
The present invention provides additional cooling to treadmill motors and motor control circuitry. An auxiliary fan, that is electronically powered, is placed in close proximity to the treadmill motor and electronic control system to provide airflow over these components. The additional cooling allows the treadmill motor to operate more efficiently than if it was hotter. A cooler treadmill motor is able to utilize a higher level of current, which in turn increases the torque output of the motor, thereby allowing a treadmill belt to move at a constant speed, even while the treadmill is being operated at low speeds by the user. | {
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The modern automobile is being increasingly equipped with various accessories, some of which make driving easier and offer passenger comfort. Accessories can include the engine fan, alternator for the battery, air conditioning, and pumps for the engine cooling fluid and for servo-operations such as automatic transmission operation, power steering, power brakes and the like. Accessories are designed to operate at high and top engine speeds; however, most accessories have an optimum operating speed for a given condition. At low engine speeds the loss of efficiency or power by operating accessories is generally low. At high speeds, the loss of horsepower because of the operations of the accessories is much greater.
Accessory drive systems have been suggested which respond only to engine speed; which change the drive to a lower accessory ratio with increasing engine rpm, thereby maintaining accessory speeds essentially uniform over a large portion of the driving speed of the vehicle. Such drive systems are not generally sensitive to the demand or output of functions of the accessories, nor are they sensitive to the demand placed upon the vehicle engine. For example, in an accessory drive system responsive to speed of the engine, the power drain by the accessories can make acceleration of the vehicle sluggish or nonexistent.
Current stock accessory drive systems can be designed for adequate output for the worst operating conditions. For example, the engine fan must spin sufficiently fast to cool an air conditioning equipped vehicle at idle on a 95.degree. F. day. Thus, the fan is rotated much faster than is actually required for cooling for the average conditions. It thus consumes more power--and fuel--than is generally necessary. Generally all the accessories share the characteristic of actually wasting energy to provide adequate output for extreme conditions. The ideal accessory drive system then can be envisioned as being a combination of separate power packs for each accessory, each individually controllable to provide ideal operation of the accessory. One can imagine the added cost for such system and also the space requirement for such system when the trend is toward more compact and lighter systems in smaller spaces. | {
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Various techniques have been devised to maintain the temperature of turbine engine components below critical levels. As an example, coolant air from the engine compressor is often directed through the component, along one or more component surfaces. Such flow is understood in the art as “backside air flow,” where coolant air is directed at a surface of an engine component that is not directly exposed to high temperature gases from combustion. In combination with backside air flow, “turbulators” have been used to enhance heat transfer. Turbulators are protuberances or “bumps” on selected sections of the surface of the component, which function to increase the heat transfer with the use of a coolant medium that is passed along the surface.
Turbulators are generally formed by casting. However, casting cannot readily be used to apply turbulation to certain areas of a component. For example, it is very difficult to cast protuberances on some portions of the turbine engine parts, such as on certain sections of internal cavities; in locations where there is restricted molten metal flow; or in areas where mold sections are separated during fabrication. It may also be difficult to provide turbulation to some of the external surfaces of turbine parts, such as the outer platforms of an engine nozzle.
In some instances, the turbulation on the surfaces of engine components has to be repaired or modified while the engine is in service. In other instances, it may be necessary to add turbulation to engine components during service or repair, to improve the heat transfer and cooling effectiveness at specific locations within the component. The addition and repair of turbulation cannot be achieved by the casting process.
One known technique of applying turbulation to an already formed component, is to wire-spray turbulation onto a surface of the substrate. A deficiency associated with such type of turbulation is oxidation of the coating, which reduces heat transfer effectiveness. In cased of severe oxidation, coating spallation may result with subsequent complete loss of heat transfer benefits.
Further methods for applying turbulation to various types of metal substrates would be welcome in the art. There is a need for methods that are capable of providing turbulation on surfaces that lie within cavities, and on any other surface that is not easily accessible. There is a need for methods that are capable of applying protuberances of different sizes and shapes, and in patterns. In addition, there is a need for articles having turbulation provided thereon having desirable heat transfer characteristics and durability. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fuel oil systems generally, and particularly to emergency generator fuel oil systems and a new method for fully automated operation thereof.
2. Prior Art
Conventional emergency generator fuel oil delivery systems consist of an assembly of mechanical parts including holding tanks, a piping system, and control valves all of which delivers fuel oil to one or more fuel oil emergency generators. Until fairly recently operation of such systems was manual requiring the system operator to physically throw switches and turn valves on or off. By the mid-1990s, in order to ensure the operational integrity of emergency generator fuel oil systems, owners were requiring monthly or even weekly testing and certification by qualified facility engineers or by fuel oil service contractors.
In the mid-2000s owners and end users began requiring that systems be fully automated and capable of being integrated into building management systems, requesting features such as remote monitoring and troubleshooting, and the ability to adjust equipment function through computer systems connected to the system via local and wide area computer networks. Unfortunately, no systems or equipment had by then been developed that complied with those requirements.
Even though some prior art systems have been provided with an automatic operating mode, entering into the automatic operating mode requires performing a manual operation such as flipping a switch or pressing a button in an control panel. Moreover, the extent to which such systems have been automated is limited to the use of electronic monitoring panels that merely read or sense fluid levels, fluid loss or leakage, and loss of testing vacuum. These preexisting monitoring devices are programmed and designed to generate audible and visual warnings, print alarm reports, and alert end users to call a physical plant engineer to respond to the problem, but they do not automatically react or respond to such alerts with appropriate corrective action. No prior art emergency generator fuel oil delivery systems provides hands-free fully automated operation, the ability to program the system for remote operation and management, or the capacity to return unused fuel to storage tanks for cleaning and reuse. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of automatic faucets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control arrangement for automatic faucets that interprets detailed information about the location and motion of objects to determine the intentions of a user, thereby providing an automatic faucet that is easier and more efficient to use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automatic faucets have become popular for a variety of reasons. They save water, because water can be run only when needed. For example, with a conventional sink faucet, when a user washes their hands the user tends to turn on the water and let it run continuously, rather than turning the water on to wet their hands, turning it off to lather, then turning it back on to rinse. In public bathrooms the ability to shut off the water when the user has departed can both save water and help prevent vandalism.
One early version of an automatic faucet was simply a spring-controlled faucet, which returned to the “off” position either immediately, or shortly after, the handle was released. The former were unsatisfactory because a user could only wash one hand at a time, while the later proved to be mechanically unreliable.
A better solution was hands-free faucets. These faucets employed a proximity detector and an electric power source to activate water flow without the need for a handle. In addition to helping to conserve water and prevent vandalism, hands-free faucets also had additional advantages, some of which began to make them popular in homes, as well as public bathrooms. For example, there is no need to touch the faucet to activate it; with a conventional faucet, a user with dirty hands may need to wash the faucet after washing their hands. Non-contact operation is also more sanitary, especially in public facilities. Hands-free faucets also provide superior accessibility for the disabled, or for the elderly, or those who need assisted care.
Typically, these faucets use active infrared (“IR”) detectors in the form of photodiode pairs to detect the user's hands (or other objects positioned in the sink for washing). Pulses of IR light are emitted by one diode. When an object enters the detection zone, the other diode detects reflections of the emitted light off the object. Different designs use different locations on the spout for the photodiodes, including placing them at the head of the spout, farther down the spout near its base, or even at positions entirely separate from the spout.
Examples of hands-free faucets are given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,702 to Philippe, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,394 to Vincent, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,549 to Humpert, which are hereby incorporated in their entireties.
One shortcoming of typical automatic hands-free faucets is the potential for their activation by false detections. A stray object in the sink, such as a toppled bottle, or dishes left to dry, may trip the IR detectors and activate the water. Potentially, the faucet can become “stuck” on, leaving the water running indefinitely until a user returns and notices the running water, and clears the stray object. A number of control systems have been developed to attempt to combat this shortcoming, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,702 to Philippe.
This shortcoming is merely one example of the ways in which existing hands-free faucets imperfectly respond to the intentions of the user. Ideally, the natural and reflexive actions of the user in positioning objects under the spout of the faucet will activate water flow when it is desired, and at no other time.
Thus, what is needed is a control arrangement that can receive and interpret more detailed information about what the user is doing, and use that information to more accurately determine the intentions of the user. In particular, a control arrangement is needed that reduces or eliminates the potential false detections caused by stray objects, and which is therefore less prone to being stuck in an on state. A control arrangement is also needed that can better discriminate between objects left in the sink basin, such as dishes left to dry, and the hands of a user who is actively using the sink. A control arrangement is needed that can achieve these goals without requiring excessive power consumption, resulting in the need for frequent changing of batteries. The present invention is directed towards meeting these needs, among others. | {
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Fluent products include liquid products and/or pourable solid products. In various embodiments, a container can be used to receive, contain, and dispense one or more fluent products. And, in various embodiments, a container can be used to receive, contain, and/or dispense individual articles or separately packaged portions of a product. A container can include one or more product volumes. A product volume can be configured to be filled with one or more fluent products. A container receives a fluent product when its product volume is filled. Once filled to a desired volume, a container can be configured to contain the fluent product in its product volume, until the fluent product is dispensed. A container contains a fluent product by providing a barrier around the fluent product. The barrier prevents the fluent product from escaping the product volume. The barrier can also protect the fluent product from the environment outside of the container. A filled product volume is typically closed off by a cap or a seal. A container can be configured to dispense one or more fluent products contained in its product volume(s). Once dispensed, an end user can consume, apply, or otherwise use the fluent product(s), as appropriate. In various embodiments, a container may be configured to be refilled and reused or a container may be configured to be disposed of after a single fill or even after a single use. A container should be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that it can receive, contain, and dispense its fluent product(s), as intended, without failure.
A container for fluent product(s) can be handled, displayed for sale, and put into use. A container can be handled in many different ways as it is made, filled, decorated, packaged, shipped, and unpacked. A container can experience a wide range of external forces and environmental conditions as it is handled by machines and people, moved by equipment and vehicles, and contacted by other containers and various packaging materials. A container for fluent product(s) should be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that it can be handled in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.
A container can also be displayed for sale in many different ways as it is offered for purchase. A container can be offered for sale as an individual article of commerce or packaged with one or more other containers or products, which together form an article of commerce. A container can be offered for sale as a primary package with or without a secondary package. A container can be decorated to display characters, graphics, branding, and/or other visual elements when the container is displayed for sale. A container can be configured to be displayed for sale while laying down or standing up on a store shelf, while presented in a merchandising display, while hanging on a display hanger, or while loaded into a display rack or a vending machine. A container for fluent product(s) should be configured with a structure that allows it to be displayed in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.
A container can also be put into use in many different ways, by its end user. A container can be configured to be held and/or gripped by an end user, so a container should be appropriately sized and shaped for human hands; and for this purpose, a container can include useful structural features such as a handle and/or a gripping surface. A container can be stored while laying down or standing up on a support surface, while hanging on or from a projection such as a hook or a clip, or while supported by a product holder, or (for refillable or rechargeable containers) positioned in a refilling or recharging station. A container can be configured to dispense fluent product(s) while in any of these storage positions or while being held by the user. A container can be configured to dispense fluent product(s) through the use of gravity, and/or pressure, and/or a dispensing mechanism, such as a pump, or a straw, or through the use of other kinds of dispensers known in the art. Some containers can be configured to be filled and/or refilled by a seller (e.g. a merchant or retailer) or by an end user. A container for fluent product(s) should be configured with a structure that allows it to be put to use in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure. A container can also be configured to be disposed of by the end user, as waste and/or recyclable material, in various ways.
One conventional type of container for fluent products is a rigid container made from solid material(s). Examples of conventional rigid containers include molded plastic bottles, glass jars, metal cans, cardboard boxes, etc. These conventional rigid containers are well-known and generally useful; however their designs do present several notable difficulties.
First, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be expensive to make. Some rigid containers are made by a process shaping one or more solid materials. Other rigid containers are made with a phase change process, where container materials are heated (to soften/melt), then shaped, then cooled (to harden/solidify). Both kinds of making are energy intensive processes, which can require complex equipment.
Second, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can require significant amounts of material. Rigid containers that are designed to stand up on a support surface require solid walls that are thick enough to support the containers when they are filled. This can require significant amounts of material, which adds to the cost of the containers and can contribute to difficulties with their disposal.
Third, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be difficult to decorate. The sizes, shapes, (e.g. curved surfaces) and/or materials of some rigid containers, make it difficult to print directly on their outside surfaces. Labeling requires additional materials and processing, and limits the size and shape of the decoration. Overwrapping provides larger decoration areas, but also requires additional materials and processing, often at significant expense.
Fourth, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be prone to certain kinds of damage. If a rigid container is pushed against a rough surface, then the container can become scuffed, which may obscure printing on the container. If a rigid container is pressed against a hard object, then the container can become dented, which may look unsightly. And if a rigid container is dropped, then the container can rupture, which may cause its fluent product to be lost.
Fifth, some fluent products in conventional rigid containers can be difficult to dispense. When an end user squeezes a rigid container to dispense its fluent product, the end user must overcome the resistance of the rigid sides, to deform the container. Some users may lack the hand strength to easily overcome that resistance; these users may dispense less than their desired amount of fluent product. Other users may need to apply so much of their hand strength, that they cannot easily control how much they deform the container; these users may dispense more than their desired amount of fluent product. | {
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The present invention relates to a magnetic sensor for detecting the steering angle of a steering wheel.
Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art magnetic sensor 101 includes four magnetic resistors 111 to 114, which configure a Wheatstone bridge. When a preferred or high performance magnetic sensor is arranged in an electric field of a predetermined direction, the voltage difference of a node Q1, between the magnetic resistors 111 and 112, and a node Q2, between the magnetic resistors 113 and 114, is close to zero volts. The voltage difference is an offset voltage, which is the difference between median potentials E1 and E2 of the bridge. When the electric resistances of the magnetic resistors 111, 112, 113, and 114 are respectively represented by R11, R12, R13, and R14, the preferred or high performance magnetic sensor satisfies equation (1).R11×R14=R12×R13 (1)
FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagram showing the four magnetic resistors 111 to 114. Each of the magnetic resistors 111 to 114 is a thin film having a certain pattern and is formed on a substrate 110 of the magnetic sensor 101. The magnetic resistor 111 includes a magnetic detection portion 121, a rough adjustment portion 131, and a fine adjustment portion 141. The magnetic detection portion 121 is extremely narrow. The rough adjustment portion 131 is narrow and ladder-like. The fine adjustment portion 141 is extremely wide. The other magnetic resistors 112, 113, and 114 each have the same configuration as the magnetic resistor 111 and respectively include magnetic detection portions 122, 123, and 124, rough adjustment portions 132, 133, and 134, and fine adjustment portions 142, 143, and 144.
The procedures for manufacturing the prior art magnetic sensor 101 will now be described. In the magnetic sensor 101, the patterns of the magnetic resistors 111 to 114 are determined so as to equalize the electric resistances R11 to R14. When the electric resistances R11 to R14 are equal to one another, the offset voltage E12 is close to zero volts, and equation (1) is satisfied. However, the electric resistances R11 to R14 tend to differ from each other. Factors causing such differences include the formation accuracy of thin films and the etching accuracy for patterning the magnetic resistors 111 to 114. However, even if the thin film formation accuracy and etching accuracy for patterning the magnetic resistors 111 to 114 were to be improved, it would still be difficult to satisfy equation (1).
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 05-034224 proposes laser trimming in which the magnetic resistors 111 to 114 are partially cut with a laser beam to finely adjust the electric resistances R11 to R14.
The laser trimming partially cuts one of the four magnetic resistors 111 to 114. This increases the resistance of the partially cut magnetic resistor and satisfies equation (1).
The laser trimming performed in the prior art will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. Laser trimming is performed to cut part of the rough adjustment portion 132 (trimming section 132b) and part of the fine adjustment portion 142 (trimming section 142b). The magnetic resistor 112 receives the heat generated by irradiation of the laser beam. The magnetic resistors 111, 113, and 114 do not receive the heat of the laser beam irradiation. Change in the electric resistances R11 and R14 subsequent to laser trimming differs between the magnetic resistor 112, which is irradiated with a laser beam, and the magnetic resistors 111, 113, and 114, which are not irradiated with a laser beam. Thus, even when performing the laser trimming to satisfy equation (1), the electric resistance R12 of the magnetic resistor 112 changes at a rate that differs from the rate at which the electric resistances R11, R13, and R14 of the magnetic resistors 111, 113, and 114 change as time elapses. Thus, the equilibrium of the Wheatstone bridge (equation 1) cannot be maintained as time elapses. Thus, the offset voltage E12 changes from zero volts, immediately after the laser trimming, to a level that cannot be ignored in regard with the capacity of the magnetic sensor 101 (refer to FIG. 3). | {
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The present invention relates to a water-dilutable coating composition that is particularly suitable for the coating of metals and plastics.
In the context of the painting of automobile bodies in particular it is nowadays necessary to carry out coating operations with a very wide variety of coatings. For example, automobiles that are provided with metallic paints are given a further coat of clearcoat material. On the other hand, nonmetallic paints must also be applied in the paint shops. For economic reasons, the clearcoat materials applied to the metallic paints, and the single-coat nonmetallic paints, are nowadays applied to the bodies in the same plants. This leads continually to painting defects, such as color entrainment from the colored single-coat paint into a clearcoat batch.
Nowadays, parts made of plastic are increasingly being used in automotive construction. Consequently, there is a desire on the part of the customer to paint these plastic parts as well. The coating materials at present on the market are incapable of coating metal and plastic equally without loss of quality.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a water-dilutable coating composition comprising polyester, polyurethane, amino resins and further customary coatings additives and auxiliaries, the use of said composition preventing the painting defects which have occurred to date on the painting lines, and said composition being equally suitable, moreover, for the coating of metal parts and plastic parts.
This object is achieved by the polyurethane used being a mixture consisting of two or more, preferably two different, polyurethane compounds, (A, B) which preferably have a molecular weight of from 1000 to 30000 and preferably an acid number of from 5 to 20 mg KOH/g and are preferably preparable by reacting prepolymers containing isocyanate groups.
As binders it is preferred to use water-dilutable or water-dispersible amino resins, polyester resins and polyurethane resins which can be prepared in organic solution, and mixtures thereof.
The polyurethane resins used as binders in the base paints are known in principle. Examples of suitable polyurethane resins are those described in the literature for use in water-based coating materials, provided these polyurethane resinsxe2x80x94in modification of the preparation described in the respective literaturexe2x80x94are preparable in the form of organic solutions.
Examples of suitable polyurethane resins are the resins described in the following documents:
EP-A-355433, DE-A-3545618, DE-A 3813866 and DE-A 4005961.8
For further details of the preparation of the polyurethane resins and examples of suitable compounds, therefore, refer to these documents. Unlike the polyurethane resins described in these documents, however, the polyurethane resins are employed not as an aqueous dispersion but rather as solutions in one or more organic solvents. This means that the preparation process of the polyurethane resins used in accordance with the invention has been modified in relation to the processes described in these documents in so far as, instead of the preparation of a secondary dispersion, the polyurethane resins are dissolved in organic solvents.
It is preferred to use water-dilutable polyurethane resins which have a number-average molecular weight (determined by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene as standard) of from 1000 to 30000, preferably of from 1500 to 20000, and an acid number of from 5 to 70 mg KOH/g, preferably of from 10 to 30 mg KOH/g, and are preparable by reaction, preferably chain extension, of prepolymers containing isocyanate groups.
The isocyanato-containing prepolymer may be prepared by reacting polyols having a hydroxyl number of from 10 to 1800, preferably of from 50 to 1200 mg KOH/g with excess polyisocyanates at temperatures of up to 150xc2x0 C., preferably from 50 to 130xc2x0 C., in organic solvents which are not able to react with isocyanates. The equivalents ratio of NCO groups to OH groups is between 2.0:1.0 and greater than 1.0:1.0, preferably between 1.4:1 and 1.1:1.
The polyols used to prepare the prepolymer may be of low molecular mass and/or high molecular mass and they may contain anionic groups which are slow to react. In order to increase the hardness of the polyurethane, it is possible to use low molecular weight polyols. They have a molecular weight of from 60 up to about 400, and may contain aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic groups. Amounts used in this context are up to 30% by weight of the total polyol constituents, preferably from about 2 to 20% by weight.
In order to obtain NCO prepolymer of high flexibility, a high proportion of a predominantly linear polyol having a preferred OH number of from 30 to 150 mg KOH/g should be added. Up to 97% by weight of the total polyol may consist of saturated and unsaturated polyesters and/or polyethers having a molar mass Mn of from 400 to 5000. The polyetherdiols selected should not introduce excessive amounts of ether groups, since otherwise the polymers formed undergo incipient swelling in water. Polyesterdiols are prepared by esterifying organic dicarboxylic acids or their anhydrides with organic diols, or are derived from a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a lactone. In order to prepare branched polyester polyols, it is possible to use, to a small extent, polyols or polycarboxylic acids having a higher functionality.
Typical polyfunctional isocyanates used are aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic polyisocyanates having at least two isocyanate groups per molecule. The isomers or isomer mixtures of organic diisocyanates are preferred. Owing to their good resistance to ultraviolet light, (cyclo)aliphatic diisocyanates give rise to products having little tendency to yellow.
The polyisocyanate component used to form the prepolymer may also contain a fraction of polyisocyanates of higher functionality, provided that this does not cause any gelling. Products which have proven suitable as triisocyanates are those formed by trimerization or oligomerization of diisocyanates or by reaction of diisocyanates with polyfunctional compounds containing OH or NH groups. The average functionality may be lowered, where appropriate, by adding monoiso-cyanates. | {
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(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an iron-type golf club head such as an iron, sand wedge or pitching golf club head.
(b) Description of Prior Art
For this kind of golf club head, there is proposed a golf club head disclosed in Japanese U.M.Appln Laid-Open No. 60-177867, which discloses in FIG. 2, a golf club head having multiple cavities at its back. The prior golf club head aimed at decreasing air resistance when swinging the same by forming multiple cavities at the back of the head body which had been conventionally formed smooth. Futher, there is also proposed another golf club head disclosed in Japanese Patent Appln Laid-Open No.2-241469, which discloses in FIG. 1, a wood-type golf club head having small cavities formed along a peripheral portion of the head body by cutting process. According to the latter prior golf club head, the said small cavities could enchance a sense of beauty.
Whereas, it is widely recognized that for enlargement of so-called sweet area, iron-type golf club head (hereinafter called head) should have an elongated distance between the CG of the head body and the face, or otherwise, should have the weight distribution dispersed toward the periphery thereof by thickening an edge of the face. However, according to the prior golf club heads, the face must be formed to a preset thickness because of requirement for the strength at the time of striking balls, therefore, a predetermined weight would be inevitably required for the ensuring of the thickness of the face. As a result, there has been a problem such that a golf club head can not be formed as you like. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a novel N-sulfonyloxyimide compound suitable as a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent component of radiation-sensitive resin compositions used as chemically amplified resists suited for fine processing made by various radiations such as ultraviolet radiations, far-ultraviolet radiations, X-raditions and charged particles. It also relates to chemically amplified positive and negative radiation-sensitive resin compositions making use of such an N-sulfonyloxyimide compound.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the field of fine processing as typified by the fabrication of integrated-circuit devices, the size of processing in lithography is being made finer in order to achieve a higher degree of integration. In recent years, lithographic processes that enables stable fine processing in a size of 0.5 xcexcm or finer is powerfully being developed.
However, in conventional processes making use of visible radiations (wavelength: 400 to 700 nm) or near ultraviolet radiations (300 to 400 nm), it is difficult to form such fine patterns in a high precision. Accordingly, proposed are lithographic processes that can achieve a wider focal depth and make use of radiations having a short wavelength (wavelength: 300 nm or shorter) effective for making design rules finer.
Radiations having such a short wavelength may include, e.g., far-ultraviolet radiations of KrF excimer lasers (wavelength: 248 nm) or ArF excimer lasers (wavelength: 193 nm), X-radiations such as synchrotron radiations, and charged-particle radiations such as electron radiations. Then, as a high-resolution resist adaptable to these short-wavelength radiations, xe2x80x9cchemically amplified resist resistxe2x80x9d is proposed by International Business Machine (IBM) Corp. At present, improvements of this chemically amplified resist are being energetically made.
Chemically amplified resists are resists with which a resist pattern is formed by generating an acid by irradiation with radiations (hereinafter xe2x80x9cexposurexe2x80x9d) to a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent contained therein to cause a chemical change (e.g., change in polarity, destruction of chemical bonds, or cross-linking reaction) in resist film by the catalytic action of this acid and utilize a phenomenon that the solubility to a developing solution changes at the exposed areas.
In such chemically amplified resists, the radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent is known to have a great influence on the function as a resist, and is commonly grouped into an ionic one and a nonionic one. Radiation-sensitive acid-generating agents comprised of N-sulfonyloxyimides, which are nonionic, have a good solubility in non-polar or medium-polar solvents which are widely used in resists, and products formed after exposure are well soluble in water-based alkaline developing solutions. Radiation-sensitive acid-generating agents for chemically amplified resists are widely used in the form of a single agent or a mixture with other photo-acid-generating agent.
Now, N-sulfonyloxyimides are grouped into the following three types by the types of sulfonic acids corresponding thereto.
Sulfonyloxyimides generated from superacids (3-1) and (3-2):
Sulfonyloxyimides generated from aromatic sulfonic acids (3- 3) and (3-4):
Sulfonyloxyimides generated from aliphatic sulfonic acids (3-5) and (3-6):
It, however, does not follow that these N-sulfonyloxyimides can satisfy all performances required in chemically amplified resists. More specifically, sulfonyloxyimides generated from superacids are fluorine-substituted and hence the acid generated has so low a boiling point as to have a possibility that the acid volatilizes at the time of baking to corrode an exposure assembly, and also has so high a chemical activity as to make it difficult to control side reaction at the time of protective group elimination reaction and cross-linking reaction. They have such disadvantages or besides, since they are esters of superacids, have a poor stability. Also, the sulfonyloxyimides generated from aromatic sulfonic acids have is disadvantages that they show so great a absorption in the wavelength region of far-ultraviolet radiations as to tend to cause a lowering of resolution performance.
On the other hand, the sulfonyloxyimides generated from aliphatic sulfonic acids have a relatively high transparency to far-ultraviolet radiations and the acid generated has an appropriate strength to enable relatively easy control of side reaction. Hence, they are especially useful among N-sulfonyloxyimide type radiation-sensitive acid-generating agents, as a component that compensates their disadvantages when used alone or in the form of a mixture with other radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent(s).
However, known aliphatic sulfonic acids, in particular, commercially readily available aliphatic sulfonic acids are limited, and hence no energetic studies have ever been made on the aliphatic sulfonyloxyimides. As an exception, N-sulfonyloxyimide compounds of a long-chain alkylsulfonic acid type and of a camphor sulfonic acid type are available. These compounds, however, have the following disadvantages. That is, the long-chain alkylsulfonic acid type sulfonyloxyimide compound greatly differs in polarity between sulfonyloxyimide moiety and long-chain alkyl moiety. Hence, it acts like a surface-active agent and, when added in a usual quantity as the radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent, microscopic air bubbles may be formed in the resist to bring about a possibility of greatly causing faulty coating or faulty development (or development defects). As for the camphor sulfonic acid type sulfonyloxyimide compound, it does not have such a problem, but a problem on stability remains unsettled. Since N-sulfonyloxyimide compounds are highly reactive sulfonyl esters, nucleophilic substitution reaction tends to take place. They may react with nucleophilic groups of other components in the resin, as exemplified by phenolic hydroxyl groups in a resin component and hydroxyl groups in a solvent component, or with water or the like remaining in a trace quantity in the resist, to become decomposed to cause a change in performance such as sensitivity of the resist. Even the camphor sulfonic acid type N-sulfonyloxyimide compound has such a disadvantage.
Accordingly, it has been earnestly sought to bring forth an N-sulfonyloxyimide compound which has a structure suited for commercial-scale manufacture, has no problem of volatilization or side reaction, can keep dark reaction from taking place during the storage of resist solutions and also is suitable as a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent component of chemically amplified resists having a high resolution suited for fine processing.
Taking account of the above circumstances in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel N-sulfonyloxyimide compound which has a structure suited for commercial-scale manufacture, especially can generate an acid in a good efficiency as having a high sensitivity (low exposure energy quantity) to far-ultraviolet radiations and charged-particle radiations, has no problem of volatilization or side reaction, can keep dark reaction from taking place during the storage of resist solutions and also is suitable as a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent component of radiation-sensitive resin compositions used as chemically amplified resists having a high resolution suited for fine processing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide superior chemically amplified positive and negative radiation-sensitive resin compositions making use of such an N-sulfonyloxyimide compound.
According to the present invention, the above objects can firstly be achieved by an N-sulfonyloxyimide compound represented by the following general formula (1):
wherein in the general formula (1), X represents a single bond or a double bond, Y and Z each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or Y and Z combine to form an alicyclic structure or heterocyclic structure; and R is a group represented by the following general formula (2):
wherein in the general formula (2), X1 represents an organic group having an ester linkage, having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and, when X1 is present in plurality, X1""s may be the same with or different from each other; R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkoxyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and, when R1 is present in plurality, R1""s may be the same with or different from each other; and m is an integer of 1 to 11 and n is an integer of 0 to 10, satisfying m+n xe2x89xa611.
(Hereinafter often xe2x80x9cfirst inventionxe2x80x9d).
According to the present invention, the above objects can secondly be achieved by a chemically amplified positive radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent comprising the N-sulfonyloxyimide compound represented by the above general formula (1), and (B) an alkali-insoluble or alkali-slightly-soluble resin protected with an acid-cleavable group, the resin being capable of turning soluble in alkali upon cleavage of the acid-cleavable group (hereinafter often xe2x80x9csecond inventionxe2x80x9d).
According to the present invention, the above objects can thirdly be achieved by a chemically amplified negative radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent comprising the N-sulfonyloxyimide compound represented by the above general formula (1), (C) an alkali-soluble resin and (D) a compound capable of cross-linking the alkali-soluble resin in the presence of an acid (hereinafter often xe2x80x9cthird inventionxe2x80x9d) | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a compressing device for a pneumatic massager, which is provided with a plurality of airtight cells adapted to be inflated and contracted by the supply and discharge of compressed air.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional compressing device for a pneumatic massager generally has a plurality of airtight cells arranged parallel so as to form a compressing bag with a sheetlike wall and permits the massager to be used by having the compressing bag wrapped fast around an arm or a leg.
In this case, the compressing bag, to which compressed air inlets and outlets and compressed air sources disposed in the airtight cells are connected via air hoses, produces a massaging action by inflating and contracting the airtight cells sequentially in the direction from the peripheral to the central side by effecting the supply and discharge of compressed air in the relevant airtight cells.
The massager of this construction, therefore, requires as many air hoses as airtight cells and, at the same time, requires distributors for supplying compressed air from a compressed air supply source such as a compressor to the plurality of airtight cells and discharging compressed air from the interior of the airtight cells. Particularly, the distributors tend to boost the cost of the massager because of their complicated structure.
Further, the conventional compressing bag, when attached to a leg or an arm, inevitably covers the joints of the leg or arm and compels the user to incur difficulty in bending the joints. As a measure to abate this difficulty, it has been proposed to form separate bags and attach the bags separately to the thigh and the lower leg. In this case, the number of sites of attachment are increased, the time spent for attachment is longer, and the number of component parts is increased, possibly causing additions to the cost of the massager itself.
A distributing valve intended to handle compressed air is expensive as mentioned above, because of its complicated structure, and poses the problem of inevitably boosting the cost of the pneumatic massager. Under the circumstances, the desirability of developing a compressing device for a pneumatic massager using inexpensive distributing valves simple in structure, or requiring no distributing valve, that produces the same effect as the conventional compressing device, has been finding recognition.
This invention has been perfected in consequence of a diligent study conducted with a view to solving the problems encountered by the conventional compressing device for the pneumatic massager as described above. It has for an object thereof the provision of a compressing device for a pneumatic massager which is capable of sequentially inflating airtight cells in a direction from a peripheral to a central portion of the body along a venous stream without using a distributing valve and, even when the user wearing this compressing device operates the massager while keeping the joints in a bent state, ensuring a satisfactory flow of compressed air in spite of the presence of bends in the communicating paths, and enabling the compressed air to be supplied sequentially from the airtight cells on the peripheral side onward and consequently causing the airtight cells to be inflated sequentially in the direction from the peripheral end of an appendage (peripheral part of the body); to the central end of the appendage at the central portion (central part of body). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heating device having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor plate as the heating element and having current supply electrodes and at least one insulating body, the individual portions of the device being held together by pressure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A heating device having an optimized heating element consisting of PTC resistor material is known in the art, particularly from the German published application No. 27 43 880, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,375. The PTC resistor heating element, as essential features, has a thickness of only 0.5-2 mm given a specific electrical resistance of the PTC resistor material kept within a relatively narrow range, the PTC resistor material having, in addition, a Curie temperature which is at least 50.degree. higher than the shutdown temperature provided for the heating device.
Particularly in the German published applications P No. 28 06 159, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,935 and P No. 28 16 076, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,208, measures for installing such a PTC resistor heating device are set forth in which the PTC resistor plate is held under pressure between the heat-dissipating plates.
In all previous instances, current supply electrodes have been provided for the current supply into the PTC resistor plate on the PTC resistor material itself. Surface metalizations of aluminum, of In-Ga-Ag multiple layers and, recently, also of enameling silver have been employed.
Wide areas of employment for heating devices having PTC resistor plates have been opened up. For the practical introduction of such heating devices, the decisive matter is the technical expense which is reflected in the price and which, for mass production, of course, is to be held to a minimum. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
There are several metabolic disorders of human and animal metabolism, e.g., hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia and insulin insensitivity, hyperamylinemia, excess adiposity, and hyperlipidemia. Some or all of the above disorders may occur in the following disease states: non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), obesity, hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Hyperglycemia is a condition where the blood glucose level is above the normal level in the fasting state, following ingestion of a meal, or during a provocative diagnostic procedure, e.g., a glucose tolerance test. It can occur in NIDDM as well as obesity. Hyperglycemia can occur without a diagnosis of NIDDM. This condition is called impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance occurs when the rate of metabolic clearance of glucose from the blood is less than that commonly occurring in the general population after a standard dose of glucose has been orally or parenterally administered. It can occur in NIDDM as well as obesity, pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Hyperinsulinemia is defined as having a blood insulin level that is above normal level in the fasting state, following ingestion of a meal or during a provocative diagnostic procedure. It can be seen in NIDDM or obesity and can be associated with or causal in hypertension or atherosclerosis. Hyperinsulinemia can occur without a diagnosis of diabetes. It may occur prior to the onset of NIDDM. Insulin insensitivity, also called insulin resistance, occurs when the insulin-dependent glucose clearance rate is less than that commonly occurring in the general population during diagnostic procedures such as a hyperinsulinemic clamp or a minimal model test. See, e.g., Bergman, R. N. et al., J. Clin. Invest. 68:1456-1467 (1981). Insulin insensitivity is considered also t occur when the blood glucose concentration is higher than that commonly occurring in the general population after intravenous administration of insulin (insulin tolerance test) or when the ratio of serum insulin-to-glucose concentration is higher than that commonly occurring in the general population after a 10-16 hour fast. Insulin insensitivity may be found in NIDDM or obesity and can also be associated with or causal to hypertension or atherosclerosis.
Hyperamylinemia is defined as having an abnormally high blood amylin level. Amylin is also known as diabetes associated peptide (DAP) and insulinoma associated polypeptide (IAP). Hyperamylinemia can be seen in NIDDM or obesity.
Excess adiposity can be seen in NIDDM associated with obesity and obesity without NIDDM. It is defined as a higher fat body mass-to-lean body mass ratio than that commonly occurring in the general population as measured by whole body specific gravity or other generally accepted means.
Hyperlipidemia is defined as having an abnormal level of lipids in the blood. Hyperlipidemia exists when the serum concentration of total cholesterol or total triglycerides or the serum concentration of LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol is higher than that commonly occurring in the general population. It can be seen in NIDDM or atherosclerosis.
The above disease states could be treated by either ameliorating or preventing the metabolic and biochemical disorders. In addition, humans and animals, which have not been diagnosed as having one of the above disease states but evidencing some or all of the disorders described above, could be benefited by preventing the development of a currently recognized disease state. Therefore, a compound that is useful in the treatment of hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, insulin insensitivity, hyperamylinemia, excess adiposity or hyperlipidemia could also be used to treat or prevent NIDDM, obesity, hypertension or atherosclerosis.
3-Guanidinopropionic acid (3-GPA) is an endogenous metabolite found in animals and humans, See, e.g., Hiraga, Y. et al., J. Chromatography 342:269-275 (1985) and Watanabe, Y. et al., Guanidines, edited by Mori et al., Plenum, New York, pp. 49-38 (1983). The compound, which is available from Sigma Chemical Co., has been used extensively in the study of creatine metabolism and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor function. See, e.g., Bowery, R. et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 50:205-218 (1974). Except as noted below, these studies do not relate to 3-GPA's utility in treating human or animal disease.
Guanidine, monoguanidine and diguanidine compounds have been shown to produce hypoglycemia. See, e.g., Watanabe, C., J. Biol. Chem. 33:253-265 (1918); Bischoff, F. et al., Guanidine structure and hypoglycemia 81:325-349 (1929). However, these compounds were observed to be toxic. In 1957, biguanide derivatives, e.g. phenformin and metformin, were used clinically as anti-diabetic agents. Some members of this class continue to be used today while others have been withdrawn from the market or banned in the United States and most Western countries. See, e.g., Schafer, G., Diabete Metabol. (Paris) 9:148-163 (1983).
Gamma-guandinobutyramide also known as Tyformin, and the HC1 salt of Tyformin, known as Augmentin, were investigated as potential anti-diabetic agents from the mid-1960's until the mid-1970's. Thile Augmentin produced hypoglycemia, it was reported to produce hypertension in dogs and respiratory and circulatory collapse in rats and rabbits. See, e.g., Buckle, A. et al., Horm. Metab. Res. 3:76-81 (1971). The free acid of the amide was said to lack hypoglycemic activity.
British patent 1,153,424 discloses the use of certain esters and amides of guanidino-aliphatic acids in the treatment of diabetes mellitus where hyperuremia is present. The patent does not disclose that these compounds have an effect on hyperglycemia or any other symptom or pathological state related to diabetes. In a Canadian patent, 891509, the use of esters and amides of guanidinoalphatic acids were disclosed for treating hyperuremia and hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus. As noted above, the biologic activity of a guanidino alkanoic acid was known to be different and less favorable so as to be ineffective compared to its amide for treating hyperglycemia.
British patent, 1,195,199 discloses the use of guanidino alkanoic acids or their amides or esters in an insulin-containing, parenterally-administered composition for the treatment of hyperglycemia occurring in diabetes. According to this patent, the combining of a guanidino alkanoic acid, amide or ester with insulin reduces the risk of hypoglycemia as compared to insulin alone. British patent 1,195,200 discloses the use of guanidino alkanoic acids in a composition containing a guanidino alkanoic acid amide or esters derivative for the treatment of hyperglycemia occurring in diabetes. In a subsequent British patent, 1,552,179, the use of guanidino alkanoic acids, their salts, amides or esters in combination with a gluconeogenesis inhibitor for treating hyperglycemic conditions was disclosed. Metformin was cited as an inhibitor of gluconeogenesis. Biological data indicated that HL 523, the preferred guanidino alkanoic acid derivative, was inactive as a single agent in six of seven experiments where blood glucose concentration was measured in alloxan diabetic mice and only weakly active in the seventh study. Most notably, British patents 1,195,199, 1,195,200 and 1,552,179 do not claim utility for guanidino alkanoic acids, as the sole active component, in compositions for treating hyperglycemic symptoms in diabetes. Among the guanidino alkanoic acids tested, several were inactive as a single agent. Thus, a variety of guanidino alkanoic acids lack significant anti-diabetic activity and combination of these compounds with an agent of known anti-diabetic activity, e.g., metformin, is necessary to show beneficial activity.
Aynsley-Green and Alberti injected rats intravenously with 3-GPA, arginine, guanidine, 4-guanidinobutyramide, and 4-guanidinobutyric acid. Arginine and 3-GPA stimulated insulin secretion transiently, but did not affect the blood glucose concentration while the other compounds stimulated insulin secretion but produced a rise in blood glucose concentration. See, e.g., Aynsley-Green, A. et al., Horm. Metab. Res. 6:115-120 (1974). Blachier, et al., observed that 10 mM 3-GPA stimulated insulin secretion by isolated rat islets in vitro. See, e.g., Blachier, F. et al., Endocrinology 124:134-141 (1989). The insulin response induced by 3-GPA was 55% of that occurring when arginine was tested at the same concentration. In rats fed a died supplemented with 10 mg/g 3-GPA for 30-60 days, the heart glycogen content was increased. See, e.g., Roberts, J. et al., Am. J. Physiol. 243:H911-H916 (1982). Similarly, skeletal muscle glycogen content was increased in rats fed chow supplemented with 10 mg/g of 3 -GPA for 6-10 weeks. Mice fed a diet supplemented with 3-GPA at 20 mg/g and supplied with drinking water containing 5 mg/ml 3-GA for 7-12 weeks had serum glucose concentrations that did not differ significantly from mice receiving unsupplemented chow and water. See, e.g., Moerland, T. et al., Am. J. Physiol. 257:C810-C816 (1989).
With respect to adiposity, it is known that in some, but not all cases, supplementation of the diet with 10-20 mg/g 3-GPA results in decreased body weight. See, e.g., Moerland, supra and Mahanna, D. et. al., Exper. Neurol. 68:114-121 (1980). This effect has been attributed to decreased skeletal muscle mass and has not been attributed to reduced adiposity or decreased lipid storage. See, e.g., Mahanna, supra and Shields, R. et al., Lab. Invest. 33:151-158 (1975).
What is needed in the art is a sole therapy to treat or prevent the underlying metabolic disorders in these conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates generally to weight training devices and, more particularly, to a weightlifting device that may be used individually as a dumbbell or in combination with other similar devices on a barbell.
2. Description Of The Related Art
In the past decade, people have become more health conscious. This health consciousness has prompted people to drastically alter their lifestyles. For instance, people are exercising more and continuing to exercise into their later years.
As a result of this trend, sporting goods, and particularly sporting goods relating to more rigorotis activities, have experienced a tremendous upswing in demand. Health clubs and sporting facilities are springing up at an ever increasing rate. Golf courses, softball clubs, gymnasiums, aerobic studios, and bodybuilding gyms are but a few examples.
With respect to weight training, not only are people flocking to health clubs that include weight training facilities, but they are also purchasing weight training devices for use in their homes. A full service health club may include exercise bikes, stair climbers, weight machines, and, of course, free weights, and many of the devices found in a full service health club are also available to consumers for home use.
Regardless of where these devices are used, space is always at a premium and purchasers wish to get the most versatile weight device for their money. While great strides have been made in the area of weight training machines, free weights have improved little over the years. Free weights typically include a 45 pound barbell with olympic sized collars, disc-like weight plates having standardized weights (such as 21/2, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 45 pounds), and assorted dumbbells. Free weights, with the help of specialized benches and simple mechanical devices, can be used to develop virtually every muscle in the body. Although barbells may be useful for some of these development exercises, dumbbells are preferred for others. Therefore, when a health club or home user purchases tree weights, they must typically purchase barbell sets which include the bars and disc-like weight plates that slide onto them, as well as a variety of dumbbells. Typically, dumbbell type exercises cannot be performed with the weight plates, and, often, barbell type exercises cannot be performed with dumbbells. Therefore, consumers are faced with the prospect of purchasing a complete barbell set and a complete dumbbell set in order to have an adequate free weight training facility.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects, one or more of the problems set forth above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In computer systems, a storage sub-system may include a storage stack that includes multiple hardware and software components. For example, a typical stack may include a filesystem as a top component in the stack, one or more storage devices as bottom component(s) of the stack, and one or more filters between the filesystem and the storage device(s). Storage areas may be represented differently at different levels of the storage stack. For example, a storage stack may include a storage device stack that represents storage areas in terms of storage device addresses (e.g., using logical block addressing or cylinder-head-sector addressing), whether the storage devices are disks or other types of storage devices. On top of the storage device stack, the storage stack may include a volume stack that represents storage areas in terms of locations in one or more logical disks or volumes. A volume may cover a portion of a storage device, all of a storage device, or all or part of multiple storage devices.
Filters within the storage stack can provide added functionality. For example, a snapshot filter can manage snapshots of a volume. As another example, a write aggregation filter can aggregate data to be written to primary locations in one or more storage devices in a set of lazy writes (i.e., writes that are delayed until an idle or less busy time). As another example, the stack may include a disk verification filter that produces checksums of data as the data is written to a storage device. The disk verification filter can also compare those checksums with checksums of the same data as the data is read from the device, thereby verifying the integrity of the data being read. As yet another example, the stack may include a performance-boosting filter that caches data on some alternative storage media, such as RAM, a USB storage device, or flash media, that is faster than a main storage media. That cached data can be used to enhance computer performance, such as to more quickly boot a computer system.
File deletion happens frequently in computer systems. Operating system processes, such as formatting, defragmentation, recycling, temporary file deletion, and paging can produce a considerable amount of deleted file data. However, the information identifying deleted files is typically kept in the filesystem, and is not communicated to a storage device that stores the deleted file. As a result, the storage device treats both valid data and invalid data (data considered deleted by the filesystem) in its storage media the same way. Thus, the device performs all necessary operations to maintain the data, even if the data is considered invalid by the filesystem. For example, background defect management and error recovery processes may be used for hard disk drives. Merge, wear leveling and erase may be applied to solid state devices.
It has been known to send delete notifications, or trim commands, from a filesystem to a storage device to inform the storage device that particular blocks or ranges of data have been “deleted” (i.e., the blocks or ranges are now considered to be invalid data). Using this information, storage devices may be able to reduce internal operations on invalid data as a self-optimization. It has also been known to inform a storage driver when files are deleted. For example, handshake operations between a storage driver and a filesystem could involve the filesystem informing the storage driver when files get deleted, where the driver works with flash storage and does wear leveling operations for the storage. The driver could use such notifications to avoid read-modify-writes on deleted files. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to projectile firing weapons, specifically a weapon having a replaceable firing mechanism actuator cassette which contains the trigger and firing mechanism.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Projectile firing weapons such as pistols and rifles have, of course, been known for many years, and have progressed from the basic manually actuated bolt to modern weapons having fully automatic firing capabilities. Some of the modern weapons have the capability of switching from semi-automatic to fully automatic firing and vice versa.
Although the muzzle velocities, accuracy and versatility of the weapons have improved over the years, the basic construction of the weapon has remained rather stagnant. Even the most modern of today's hand carried weapons are relatively heavy and cumbersome, and quickly induce fatigue when carried or manipulated for any length of time by the operator. Today's weapons also utilize a rather complex trigger and firing mechanism, especially those weapons capable of operating in a semi-automatic, a fully automatic, or combination modes. This complexity introduces an inherent unreliability factor in the operation of these weapons, which could prove catastrophic to the user. In addition, such complexity renders the weapons difficult and expensive to manufacture, as well as being extremely difficult, if not impossible, to repair in the field. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This application relates generally to the field of batteries. More specifically, this application relates to element sleeves for pro-assembly of battery plates into cells having a desired compression state.
Lead-acid batteries use electrochemical materials, namely materials that produce electrical energy when exposed to certain electrolytes, to generate electrical current. In lead-acid batteries, lead is formed into plates or strips that are soldered together to form positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes are interleaved to make up a complete battery cell. Separators are placed between the electrodes, and the complete cell is placed in a container along with other cells connected, in series or parallel, to provide a battery having the desired current and voltage capabilities. The electrolyte is placed in the container with the cells.
Lead-acid batteries use reactive sponge lead for the negative electrode, lead dioxide for the positive electrode, and dilute sulfuric acid for the electrolyte. During discharge of a lead-acid battery, the electro-chemical material is converted into lead sulfate by the acid, producing an electric charge. The amount of lead sulfate formed on the plates and the amount of acid lost from the electrolyte are in exact proportion to the rate of discharge. The reverse action takes place when the battery is recharged. Lead-acid batteries are typically classified by the manner in which the electrolyte is stored with in the battery. For example, lead-acid batteries include: (1) flooded lead-acid batteries; (2) gel lead-acid batteries; and (3) absorbed glass mat (hereinafter AGM) lead-acid batteries.
Flooded lead-acid batteries provide electrolyte to the plates in a liquid form. Gel lead-acid batteries provide electrolyte to the plates in a gelatinous state. AGM batteries provide electrolyte to the plates saturated in absorbent glass mats. AGM batteries are normally sealed, but they often times includes a valve that allows the escape of gas if the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined value. In this configuration, AGM batteries are also known as valve regulated lead acid or VRLA batteries.
The plates within an AGM battery are typically arranged so that they alternate in charge to form the battery cell. The absorbent glass mats separate the plates from adjacent plates to electrically insulate each plate from adjacent plates. The absorbent glass mats also provide multiple gas channels between the plates through which oxygen can migrate from the positive electrode when generated there to the negative electrode where it can be recombined with hydrogen, according to the oxygen cycle.
The battery cell, namely the plates and the separators, are maintained under compression to provide constant contact between the plates and the separators, respectively. Thus, AGM batteries require a state of constant compression of the plates and separators in each cell in order to function properly. The required compression is conventionally achieved by assembling the cell components into a stack having a given thickness, physically compressing the cell stack, and inserting the compressed cell stack in a battery case which is sized, relative to the size of the stack, to maintain the components of the cell stack under compression. Thus, the battery case is a stressed structural member of traditional AGM batteries and provides the required rigidity to the cells to maintain the necessary compression. However, this conventional method of using the battery case as a stressed member has numerous disadvantages.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an element sleeve, which not only provides the required structural and rigidity to the battery cell, but also aids in the assembly of the battery cell and the battery.
It is an object to provide an element sleeve for a compressible stack of battery elements. The element sleeve has a body defining a cavity for receiving the compressible stack of battery elements. The cavity has a height that is smaller than an uncompressed height of the compressible stack of battery elements by about 5% to 50%. A means compresses the compressible stack of battery elements to about the height of the cavity.
It is yet another object to provide a battery cell having a plurality of positive plates each having a positive lug, a plurality of separators, and a plurality of negative plates each having a negative lug. The positive plates, separators, and negative plates are configured into a compressible stack. A casing receives the compressible stack. The casing has an interior height smaller by about 5% to 50% than an uncompressed height of the compressible stack. A cover mated with the casing compresses the compressible stack to about the interior height of the casing.
It is another object to provide an absorbed glass mat lead-acid battery. The battery has one or more battery cells connected to one another in series and/or parallel to provide a predetermined current capability and a predetermined voltage capability. The battery cells each have a plurality of positive plates, a plurality of absorbed glass mat separators and a plurality of negative plates configured into a compressible stack. The compressible stack is compressed in a casing by a cover to about an interior height of the casing. The interior height of the casing is smaller than an uncompressed height of the stack by about 20%.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Tire sensor modules or transponders, which are arranged, for example, in the interior of a tire, are known for the purpose of monitoring tire states, in particular a tire pressure, of tires of a commercial vehicle. Such tire sensor modules are designed to capture a tire pressure, mechanical stress states in the tire and a tire temperature on the basis of a fixed position, to process them and to transmit them by radio-frequency (RF) radio signal to an electronic control unit (ECU) of a monitoring system using a data message. The control unit receives the data message via a receiving module of the monitoring system and, on the basis of limit values, outputs a status signal to the driver, for example if it has been established that there is a tire pressure below a limit value at one of the tires. DE 102 43 441 A1 discloses an example of such a tire sensor module. Furthermore, a tire sensor module can use the data message to transmit a tire sensor module state to the control unit, for example a sensor fault or the presence of a loose tire sensor module, and said tire sensor module state can be output to the driver using the status signal.
When the tires of a two-part commercial vehicle or commercial-vehicle/trailer combination comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer vehicle, that is to say a semi-trailer or trailer, are monitored, the tire sensor modules of the towing vehicle are already stored in advance in the control unit by means of a sensor identifier or a sensor identification, the respective tire sensor module being uniquely associated with a tire of the towing vehicle. When a trailer vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle for a relatively long period, the tire sensor modules of this trailer vehicle can likewise be stored in the control unit and uniquely associated with the individual tires. However, when the trailer vehicle is frequently changed, the tire sensor modules of the trailer vehicle are incorporated by the monitoring system by means of automatic trailer detection. As a result, in the event of the trailer vehicle being changed, there is no need for manual storage, but the respective tire sensor modules of the tires of the trailer vehicle cannot be associated with a particular tire on the basis of a fixed position.
For automatic trailer detection, the monitoring system in a moving commercial vehicle monitors a monitoring region for data messages from arbitrary tire sensor modules that are not yet known to the control unit. If a new or unknown tire sensor module is detected, it is established, and the plausibility thereof is checked, over a relatively long period of up to 30 minutes for example, whether or not the unknown tire sensor module belongs to the driver's own trailer vehicle. This is carried out, for example, by checking whether or not the tire sensor module moves concomitantly with the towing vehicle over this period by monitoring whether a particular number of data messages are transmitted by this unknown tire sensor module over this period. Once the trailer detection has concluded, i.e. affiliation of the tire sensor module or else of multiple tire sensor modules to the driver's own trailer vehicle has been established, the monitoring system is ready to also process and evaluate the corresponding data messages of the tire sensor module and to output status signals, for example, on the basis of the captured tire states and/or tire sensor module states.
A disadvantage in this case is that the tire states and/or tire sensor module states cannot be output on the basis of a fixed position, since, after conclusion of the trailer detection, the control unit does not know at which tire the tire sensor modules are arranged. Since the number of wheels is also unknown, it is also not possible to establish whether data messages are also actually received from every tire of the vehicle or possibly one of the tire sensor modules is faulty and no longer transmits data messages. In addition, the incorporation of all tire sensor modules detected in the monitoring region and associated with the driver's own trailer vehicle takes a very long time and, until the trailer identification is complete, the driver of the commercial vehicle is provided with no acknowledgement about the state of the tires of his trailer or about the state of the tire sensor module, for example in the event of a faulty sensor. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates in general to security systems, and more specifically to methods and systems for verifying that a potential user is authorized to access a particular item or system.
The phrase “access control” refers generally to security techniques that are used to regulate who or what can view or use resources. In some configurations of an access control of a system, an integrated circuit security system controls access by comparing external signals received by the system to a known list of signals and determining whether to allow access based on the comparison. In many fields, access to technology, including semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, computer systems, and the like, are restricted from unauthorized use. As an example, the export of sensitive technologies to selected locations is severely limited by many governments. However, if such a technology makes its way into a restricted region, there is little that can be done once it arrives. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to polyphenylene oligomers and polymers and processes for preparing and using the same. Such oligomers and polymers may be useful as dielectric resins in microelectronics fabrication.
Polymer dielectrics may be used as insulating layers between various circuits and layers within circuits in microelectronic devices such as integrated circuits, multichip modules, laminated circuit boards and the like. The microelectronics fabrication industry is moving toward smaller geometries in its devices to enable lower power and faster speeds. As the conductor lines become finer and more closely packed, the requirements of the dielectrics between such conductors become more stringent.
While polymer dielectrics often provide lower dielectric constants than inorganic dielectrics such as silicon dioxide, they often present challenges to process integration during fabrication. For example, to replace silicon dioxide as a dielectric in integrated circuits, the dielectric must be able to withstand processing temperatures during metallization and annealing steps of the process. Preferably, the dielectric material should have a glass transition temperature greater than the processing temperature. The dielectric must also retain the desirable properties under device use conditions. For example, the dielectric should not absorb water which may cause an increase in the dielectric constant and potential corrosion of metal conductors.
For some integration schemes, the oligomer should preferably planarize and gap fill a patterned surface when applied by conventional application techniques such as spin coating.
Currently, polyimide resins are one class of materials which are employed as thin film dielectrics in the electronics industry. However, polyimide resins may absorb water and hydrolyze which can lead to circuit corrosion. Metal ions may migrate into the dielectric polyimide layer requiring a barrier layer between the metal lines and polyimide dielectric. Polyimides may exhibit poor planarization and gap fill properties. Non-fluorinated polyimides may exhibit undesirably high dielectric constants.
Kumar and Neenan, in Macromolecules, 1995, 28, pp 124-130, disclose numerous polyphenylenes made from biscyclopentadienones and bisacetylenes. They teach that the polyphenylenes have potential as photodefineable organic dielectrics. Wrasidlo and Augl, in J. Polym. Sci., Part B (1969), 7(7), 519-523, disclose the copolymerization of 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene with 3,3'-(1,4-phenylene)-bis(2,4,5-triphenylpentadienone). They report a soluble, yellow, infusible polymer was obtained.
The materials described in Kumar and Wrasidlo are soluble but may not be suitable for some uses such as spin coating to fill gaps because the materials were polymerized to exhaustion of the cyclopentadienone moieties which provides relatively high molecular weights. The molecular weight may be too high to permit application by spin coating over a patterned surface containing gaps to be filled by the dielectric. Based on the reported glass transition temperatures, such materials may not be able to withstand the processing desired for interlayer dielectrics in integrated circuits.
In U. S. Pat. No. 5,334,668; 5,236,686; 5,169,929; and 5,338,823, Tour describes several methods of preparing cross-linkable polyphenylene compositions for the preparation of glassy carbon. The polyphenylenes are made by polymerizing 1-bromo-4-lithiobenzene to form a brominated polyphenylene and then coupling substituted phenylacetylenes, such as, phenylacetylenyl phenyl acetylene, to the residual bromines. The polyphenylenes have melting points around 200.degree. C. prior to crosslinking.
It would be desirable to provide a polymer dielectric to the microelectronics fabrication industry which provides a reliably low dielectric constant, high thermal stability and a high glass transition temperature and which preferably, permits application by spin coating to planarize and fill gaps on a patterned surface. | {
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The present invention relates to an aircraft including an apparatus for measuring the load sustained by an aircraft component and to a method of measuring such a load. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for determining the load sustained by an aircraft when braking and/or maneuvering the aircraft on the ground.
When an aircraft maneuvers on the ground (including, for example, immediately after touch down), the aircraft is subjected to various loads including vertical wheel to ground loads and horizontal drag loads including, for example, loads caused by friction between the tires of the wheels of the aircraft and the ground. The landing gear is subjected to significant horizontal loads on braking. The landing gear and other components of the aircraft have to be carefully designed in order for the aircraft to be able to withstand such loads, and other operational loads, but without unduly increasing the mass of the aircraft.
By using a load measuring device as part of a feedback braking system it is possible to limit, at least in part, the maximum load sustained by the airframe, landing gear, or a part thereof and/or to facilitate efficient braking of the wheels. It may also be advantageous to use load measuring devices during the testing and development of new aircraft.
It is known to use strain gauges as part of such load measuring devices. These, however, have disadvantages associated with them. For example, strain gauges may have to be bonded to the structure being monitored, may require specialist maintenance, may only be able to provide a local load measurement, may be easily damaged, may be susceptible to noise and/or may require temperature compensation. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Today's mobile devices are designed to optimize their power consumption, and specifically to avoid power loss during standby or shutdown. Generally, silicon integrated circuits (ICs) have significant current leakage, which is consumed when they are connected to a power source, even if they are not operational. To mitigate the leakage, mobile devices include a power management IC that controls the power to other ICs in the device, and cuts off power to the other ICs when the device is in standby or shutdown mode. Detection of a wakeup event by the power management IC, serves to power the device on or off. A wakeup event is either a button press and release, or a switch being closed and released thereby changing its logical level from 1 to 0 and back to 1. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Single-use flexible containers are used for transportation and storage of materials such as biologics. Such containers are flexible bags that are typically made out of plastic film. The bags may be used for storage and particularly in cryopreservation applications. The bags are typically disposable and intended to reduce risk of cross contamination and the need for cleaning validation.
In the cryopreservation application, biologic bulk drug substances are stored and transported frozen in the storage bags. This maintains protein stability over storage time. Current bags have certain drawbacks, including durability at freezing temperatures (which can be as low as −80° C.) and during warm-up and usage of the bags. There is also the risk of plastic extractables interacting with the drug substances in existing storage bags. Moreover, existing bags tend to have leakage problems, particularly at the ends and corners of the bags.
A storage bag particularly for cryogenic applications with improved durability with low extractables and reduced leakage is therefore desirable. | {
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In typical spreadsheet applications, references to one or more cells can be inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell. Clicking on a series of cells and/or ranges of cells while holding down the control (Ctrl) key of a keyboard results in the automatic insertion of references to the clicked cells and/or ranges of cells in the formula with the references delimited by commas as depicted in FIG. 1. In such cases, if other delimiters are desired in the formula between one or more of the inserted references, a user has to change the commas manually into the desired delimiters. | {
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The present invention relates to shape cutting machines and more particularly, to shape cutting machines having improved tracing capabilities.
Shape cutting machines have been utilized for many years to cut predetermined patterns in metal plates by means of oxygen-fuel flames or plasma arcs. Typically, one or more torches which are adapted to issue such flames are secured to an assembly which is mounted for translation along a transverse beam. A pair of carriages are typically utilized to support the beam together with appropriate gas and electrical control devices and are effective to translate the beam longitudinally along a set of rails. A tracing assembly, which may be mounted on a cantilever portion of the transverse beam, is effective to follow a template or the like and generate electrical signals indicative of the line or edge of the template being followed. A servomotor is provided for driving the tracer holder assembly along the transverse beam in an orthogonal direction with respect to the rails.
Torch holder assemblies are mounted for translation on the transverse beam and are mechanically connected to the tracer holder assembly. Thus the torch holder assemblies are driven along the transverse beam by the servomotor mounted on the tracer holder assembly. Prior art flame cutting machines have generally utilized a single drive motor mounted on one of the carriages for translating both carriages and the transverse beam assembly longitudinally to enable cutting of metal plate or the like in the two-dimensional pattern. As a consequence of the center of gravity of the transverse beam assembly being noticeably displaced from the drive motor mounted on a carriage, the transverse beam assembly tends to twist or skew when driven by a single side mounted carriage drive and consequently, "squareness" between the beam and rails, etc. is lost. This skewing effect tends to degrade the ability of the tracing assembly to follow a given line or edge which results in less than desirable cutting performance. More specifically, upon a tracing head "seeing" or following a corner on a template or the like, the tracer holder assembly is caused to undergo a sharp change in direction to follow such corner and the resulting twisting or skewing causes the tracer assembly to overshoot or undershoot the line it is intended to follow. Oscillations may be induced in the beam and cause degradation of tracing performance. Thus, prior art flame cutting systems utilizing a single carriage drive have not been effective to enable a satisfactory degree of tracer accuracy during cornering at relatively high speeds which decreases the economic benefits potentially obtainable from flame cutting systems. For example, such prior art flame cutting systems have been limited to cutting speeds of approximately 50-60 i.p.m. and attempts to increase speeds have led to significant degradation of cutting performance.
One approach to the foregoing problems of improving flame cutting machine operation is to simply stiffen or rigidify the structural components of the system such as the transverse beam assembly, carriages, etc. Although such an approach will enable improved tracer and flame cutting machine operation, the cost thereof becomes exorbitant in comparison to the improved performance.
In addition to the foregoing attempts to improve flame cutting operation, it is well known to provide tracing systems with a "lead" compensation such that the tracer effectively views the line or edge ahead of its actual position and generates appropriate electrical signals for driving the system servomotors accordingly. By anticipating changes in the line or edge to be followed, improved machine operation will be attained; however, in the event the lead distance is too short, the tracer will tend to overshoot the line to be followed and should the lead distance be too long, the tracing assembly will tend to inscribe a corner. If the system is capable of following a radius no greater than the kerf radius the resultant part will have a sharp corner. However, even with lead compensation, adequately rigidified machine frames must be provided to enable the benefits of such compensation to be obtained.
Thus, traditional prior art approaches to improving cutting machine operation have been a compromise of system performance with rigidity which has limited the degree to which machine performance can be improved at any reasonable cost.
It has been proposed to provide drive motors with each carriage of a shape cutting machine and certain systems incorporating this concept have been constructed. Typically, such systems utilize extremely rigid machine frames and/or relatively expensive synchrosystems in which a phase locked loop circuit is utilized to control the phases of signals supplied to each motor and thereby maintain the motors in precise synchronism with one another. In addition, it has been found necessary with such prior art dual side drive systems to utilize a pair of precision rack and pinion drives for translation of the carriages in a longitudinal direction. The additional cost of such sophisticated electronic circuitry and precision racks renders these prior art dual side drive systems extremely expensive. Other cutting systems utilizing a motor for driving each of a pair of carriages are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,389,585 and 3,912,242. Each of the systems described therein is utilized for simply effecting longitudinal cuts in metal slabs and neither machine is capable much less suitable for use in following two dimensional templates as neither machine is provided with any mechanism for driving torch assemblies along a transverse beam. Furthermore, each assembly described in the foregoing patents specifically utilizes a swivel mechanism for enabling a transverse beam to rotate to an out of square position during such cutting, which operation is to be avoided by cutting machine systems in accordance with the present invention.
Accordingly, there exists a clear need for shape cutting machines which perform in accordance with industrial standards and operate at higher cutting speeds but do not require extensive structural stiffening, sophisticated electronic control circuitry or precision rack and pinion drives. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates generally to solenoid actuated valve assemblies and more specifically to a plunger assembly therefor having a preset spring force pre-load.
A problem frequently encountered concerning solenoid actuated valve assemblies is uniformly providing a preset spring force pre-load of the plunger therewithin due to physical inconsistencies among xe2x80x9cidenticalxe2x80x9d springs. It is difficult and expensive to provide springs which all have perfectly consistent spring stiffness, in that the spring constant and/or the spring length may be different over a range related to spring manufacturing tolerances. Yet, solenoid actuated valve assemblies control hydraulic fluid flow based upon regulation of a balance of forces acting on the plunger: the hydraulic fluid force and the magnetic field force of the solenoid versus the spring force. Unless the spring force pre-load can be consistently set, an unacceptably wide range of valve seat operational characteristics will result among xe2x80x9cidenticalxe2x80x9d valve assemblies. Therefore, the problem of uniformly providing preset spring force pre-load among all identical valve assemblies must be solved.
There are several previously known ways of solving the problem of non-uniform spring force pre-load.
A first known method uses a setscrew to adjust spring force pre-load. The spring compression is varied by turning the setscrew to change the spring pocket length. The disadvantage to this method is that the setscrew increases the size of the valve assembly, introduces a potential leak path, negatively affects the magnetic circuit, can unthread over time, and typically requires an end-of-line adjustment.
A second known method uses shims to adjust spring force pre-load. Shims are placed in an oversized spring pocket to shorten the length of the spring pocket and thereby vary the spring force pre-load. The shims do not affect the magnetic circuit, do not change with time, nor introduce new leak paths. However, shims are difficult to work with and the adjustment process is time consuming because of the discrete steps of inserting shims until the target spring force pre-load is met.
A third known method uses in-line precision machining to create a spring pocket which will create the correct spring force pre-load for a specific spring. Precision machining is expensive and time consuming.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for providing valve assemblies all having uniform spring force pre-load which has none of the aforementioned disadvantages.
The present invention provides a uniformly preset spring force pre-load among a number of identical solenoid actuated valve assemblies by uniquely adjusting the spring pocket length of each respective plunger to accommodate a respective spring which is mated thereto. This adjustment is accomplished using a two-component plunger consisting of a plunger body having a central bore and a rod slidably located within the central bore. The rod is press-fit such that slidable movement of the rod relative to the plunger body can only occur if a predetermined minimum of force is applied, which force is considerably more than that capable of being exerted by the compression force of the spring.
The spring pocket includes a portion of the central bore unoccupied by the rod. Accordingly, by pressing the rod a selected distance into the central bore, a spring pocket is obtained which is uniquely correct for a selected spring, in that the selected spring is compressed to a precisely preset spring force pre-load. The adjusted plunger and spring are uniquely assigned to each other to collectively form a customized plunger assembly having a preset spring force pre-load, whereupon a valve assembly is manufacturable therewith having the precisely preset spring force pre-load.
In carrying-out the adjustment of the plunger with respect to a specific spring, the rod is pressed into the central bore by a controllable source of force, such as for example provided by a stepper motor, and the spring force pre-load is monitored to ascertain when the desired spring force pre-load is achieved. Monitoring and force control is preferably automatic, but may be manual.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plunger assembly which has a preset spring force pre-load.
This and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates generally to a concave assembly for a rotary combine, and in particular, to an adjustable concave assembly having removable concaves.
Agricultural combines are well know in the art for harvesting and threshing a number of various agricultural crops, including for example corn, wheat, soybeans, etc. Typically, agricultural combines include a harvesting apparatus, an infeed mechanism and a separating apparatus. In operation, the harvesting apparatus reaps the crop, which is planted in the ground, with the infeed mechanism thereafter feeding the crop to the separating apparatus.
Typically, the separating apparatus in a rotary combine includes a rotor, which can extend axially or transversely within the body of the combine, and which is surrounded at least in part by a perforated cage having a plurality of apertures. As shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,239, issued Feb. 6, 1996 to Case Corporation, the same assignee as for the present application, the cage can include a series of concaves arranged in a side-by-side configuration, with each concave extending partially circumferentially around the rotor. Usually, it is desirable to provide for an adjustment of the concaves, wherein the spacing between the concaves and the rotor can be altered to provide for the threshing of different crops in different conditions. For example, it is known to pivotally support one end of the concave about an axis, with the other end thereof being adjustable for movement of the concave toward and away from the rotor as it pivots about the one end. As such, concaves typically are easily and readily adjustable only along one end thereof, and are adjustable only with relative difficulty at the other end, which is typically pivotally attached. Moreover, the adjustment of the concaves can be time consuming, which can lead to compromises in reaching optimum settings.
In addition to adjusting the position of the concaves, it also can be desirable to have the ability to remove and/or replace one or more concaves positioned along the length of the rotor. For example, the user may desire to select the size and shape of the apertures defined by the concave such that the concave is suitable for harvesting a different crop having a smaller or larger grain. It may also be desirable to replace a concave if, for example, one or more of the concaves becomes damaged by the introduction of a foreign object, such as a rock, between the rotor and the concave.
Concaves arranged in a side-by-side configuration can be removed sideways from the combine in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the rotor, as illustrated for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,383. Often, however, concaves include a heavy integral frame designed to withstand the substantial forces imparted by the threshing operation. As such, concaves typically are of a robust construction, which can thereby lead to the concaves being relatively heavy and difficult to handle. Moreover, each concave typically spans the entire circumferential span of the threshing area defined around the rotor, which typically is on the order of about 120 to 130 degrees measured around the axis of the rotor. The relatively large size and weight of the concaves associated with this span further contribute to difficulties with the handling and installation thereof.
Briefly stated, one aspect of the invention is directed to an improved rotary combine having a rotor with a longitudinal axis of rotation and a support structure disposed adjacent the rotor. A longitudinally extending frame has first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is moveably mounted to the support structure such that each of the sides is moveable relative to the support structure in a transverse direction. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame, with the concave insert being removable therefrom in an outward, transverse direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second sides of the frame are pivotally connected to a first and second shaft respectively. Preferably, a first and second arm extend radially from the first and second shafts respectively. A link has a first:end pivotally connected to the second arm and a second end pivotally connected to the second side of the frame. The first arm is pivotally connected to the first side of the frame.
In another aspect of the invention, a first and second concave each have a first and second end spaced circumferentially around the rotor respectively. The first end of each of the first and second concaves are releasably mounted to a frame. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first and second concaves is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis, which axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor and is spaced circumferentially around the rotor. In an alternative embodiment, both of the first and second concaves are pivotally mounted about a first and second pivot axes respectively, with both axes being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor and spaced circumferentially around the rotor. The first and second concaves are outwardly pivotable about the first and second pivot axis respectively in opposite directions relative to each other.
In another aspect of the invention, the rotary combine includes a longitudinally extending frame having at least a first and second rib member extending transversely between the first and second side of the frame. The first and second rib members are longitudinally spaced apart and define an opening therebetween. Each of the first and second concave inserts is dimensioned to be removed from the first and second sides of the frame through the opening in a transverse direction.
In another aspect of the invention, a concave is releasably and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A locking member is pivotable between an engaged position, wherein the locking member engages a first end of the concave, and a disengaged position, wherein the locking member is disengaged from the first end of the concave. In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the concave includes a pivot shaft and the locking member comprises a hook member that engages the pivot shaft.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the support structure includes an upper portion having two intersecting, inclined surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion defines and/or supports a floor of a grain bin thereabove.
In yet another aspect, a method is provided for replacing a concave in a rotary combine having at least a first and second concave each with a first and second end spaced circumferentially around the rotor respectively. The first ends of each of the first and second concaves are releasably mounted to the frame. In a preferred embodiment, at least the first end of the first concave is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis. In an alternative embodiment, the first end of each of the first and second concave are pivotally mounted about parallel first and second pivot axes respectively. The method includes pivoting the first concave in an outwardly, transverse direction about a first pivot axis and disengaging a first end thereof from the support structure. The method further includes engaging a first end of a replacement concave with the support structure and pivoting the replacement concave about the first pivot axis in an inwardly, transverse direction.
In yet another aspect, a method for replacing a concave insert in a rotary combine includes removing the concave insert through an opening defined between a first and second rib member of a frame. A replacement concave insert is thereafter inserted through the same opening.
The present invention provides significant advantages over other rotary combines. In particular, a concave assembly having a first and second side both moveable in a transverse direction, and preferably including movement in a transverse lateral direction, allows for a quick and easy adjustment of the concave relative to the rotor, and also provides the user with more flexibility in controlling the space between the concave assembly and the rotor. For example, as the concave assembly is moved in a transverse lateral direction, the concave assembly can also be rotated independently thereof so as to maintain a desired spacing between the rotor and concave assembly along the entire circumferential span of the concave assembly. In this way, the user can better control the pinching that can occur between the concave and the rotor.
In addition, by providing a frame that is mounted to a support structure, the concave inserts, which are removably mounted thereto, can be made with smaller and lighter structure, since the concave insert is not alone required to carry the loads applied by the threshing operation. Rather, that function primarily is left to the underlying frame. Accordingly, the concave inserts can be made lighter and therefore can be more easily handled and manipulated by the user. Similarly, by providing at least a first and second concave insert defining the circumferential span of the concave assembly, both the size and weight of the concave inserts can be greatly reduced, so as to again facilitate the removal and replacement thereof. Moreover, as a result, the overall combined circumferential span of each of the at least first and second concave inserts can be increased. For example, the combined threshing span can be approximately 180 degrees, with each of a first and second concave insert each having a span of approximately 90 degrees. In this way, the overall threshing area of the concave assembly can be increased without increasing the size and weight of the concave inserts, and the attendant difficulty in the handling thereof. Indeed, the size and weight of each concave insert can actually be reduced, while at the same time increasing the overall circumferential span of the concave assembly.
In addition, the frame, with its openings, allows for the easy removal and installation of concaves in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor, for example, from the side of a combine having an axially extending rotor. As such, the user can easily install one or more concaves as needed, without disturbing the position of the remaining concaves. For example, a first and second concave can be releasably attached at circumferentially spaced ends, so as to thereby allow the user to remove one or more of the concaves in an outwardly transverse direction without disturbing the other of the concaves. Furthermore, the pivotable locking member allows the user to quickly and securely engage and disengage at least one end of the concave.
In addition, the overall construction of the assembly and the interchangeability of the concaves, which can be made smaller and at less cost, allows the user to replace the various concaves in a more cost-effective manner than is presently realized in the industry.
The support structure with its inclined upper surfaces also provides significant advantages. In particular, the construction of the support structure provides increased structural strength and stability, while at the same time providing a inclined floor for the grain bin, which can facilitate the emptying thereof. | {
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The present invention relates to a thermal protector built into a transformer, a motor, or the like. More particularly, it relates to a self-holding type thermal protector that incorporates a heating resistor consisting of a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) element to maintain the open state by means of heat generated in the heating resistor.
There has been proposed a thermal protector that incorporates a PTC element such as a positive thermistor as a heating resistor to maintain the open state by means of heat generated in the heating resistor.
FIG. 12 shows a thermal protector of this type proposed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 7-282701.
In this thermal protector, a load current flows in the order of a terminal a for external connection, a bimetal b, a movable contact c, a fixed contact d, a fixed electrode e, and a terminal f for external connection or in the order reverse to the above.
When the temperature of the bimetal b is increased to a predetermined operating temperature by overcurrent or heat applied from a load, the bimetal b performs a reversing operation, so that the movable contact c separates from the fixed contact d, by which the current flowing to the load is interrupted.
Between the proximal portion of the bimetal b and the fixed electrode e, a positive thermistor g, which is a PTC element, is disposed. When the movable contact c separates from the fixed contact d, the voltage across the terminals a and f is applied to the thermistor g, so that the thermistor g becomes in an energized state to generate heat.
When the thermistor g generates heat, the heat is transmitted to the bimetal b, whereby the reversed state of the bimetal b is maintained.
The above-described conventional thermal protector, in which the lower face of the proximal end portion of the bimetal b is in direct contact with the thermistor g, offers an advantage that the heat generated by the thermistor g is transmitted efficiently to the bimetal b. However, it has the disadvantages described below.
The face on the highly expanded side (lower face) of the bimetal b has a bad surface condition due to oxidation etc., and also has a high electrical resistance. In the conventional thermal protector, in which the face on the highly expanded side of the bimetal b is in contact with the electrode face of the thermistor g, the stability of electrical contact of the bimetal b with the thermistor g is insufficient. Therefore, there is a possibility that a proper heating current does not flow in the thermistor g after the bimetal b is reversed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and accordingly an object thereof is to provide a thermal protector in which the electrical conductivity of a heating resistor consisting of a PTC element is not impaired, and the heat generated in the heating resistor can be transmitted efficiently to a bimetal.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a thermal protector comprising: a conductive fixed plate having a fixed contact at one end and formed with a first terminal for external connection at the other end; a movable plate having elasticity and conductivity provided with a movable contact at one end, the movable contact being brought into contact with the fixed contact by the elastic force; a second terminal for external connection connected to the movable plate; a bimetal performing a reversing operation when the temperature thereof exceeds a predetermined value, whereby the movable plate is displaced by the reversing force of the bimetal to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact; and a heating resistor, consisting of a PTC element, interposed between the fixed plate and the movable plate, wherein the central portion of the movable plate is cut into a U shape to form a tongue provided along the longitudinal axis of the movable plate, the tongue is brought into close contact with an upper electrode face of the heating resistor, a lower electrode face of the resistor is brought into contact with the fixed plate, and portions of the movable plate located on both sides of the cut operate as an elastic arm.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the bimetal is arranged in parallel above the movable plate so that one end portion thereof is engaged with the front end of the movable plate and the other end portion thereof is engaged above the tongue, and the front end height of the movable plate in a state in which the bimetal is not reversed is set at a height such that a part of the bimetal can be brought into contact with the upper face of the tongue when the bimetal is reversed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the front end height of the movable plate in a state in which the bimetal is not reversed is set not higher than the height of the upper electrode face of the heating resistor.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion serving as a reversing fulcrum for the bimetal is provided on the tongue.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an elastic raised portion with a wavelike cross section is formed at a portion contacting with the lower electrode face of the heating resistor on the fixed plate so that the raised portion is elastically brought into contact with the lower electrode face.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the raised portions are formed in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate, and the height of the lower end of a trough portion formed between the raised portions is set not lower than the upper face height of a flat portion of the fixed plate.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the trough portion is formed flat.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the contact surface of the tongue with the upper electrode face of the heating resistor and the contact surface of the fixed plate with the lower electrode face of the heating resistor are subjected to surface treatment to improve the electrical contact stability.
In an embodiment of the present invention, conductive paste is interposed between the upper electrode face of the heating resistor and the tongue and between the lower electrode face of the heating resistor and the fixed plate to improve the electrical contact stability.
In an embodiment of the present invention, in a first mode of the invention, the bimetal is arranged in parallel above the movable plate so that one end portion thereof is engaged with the front end of the movable plate and the other end portion thereof is engaged above the tongue, and a protrusion brought into contact with the reversed bimetal is provided on the tongue.
The present invention achieves the following effects.
(1) A new part for incorporating the heating resistor consisting of a PTC element need not be added, so that the thermal protector can be constructed with an equal number of parts to the number of parts for the conventional thermal protector using the movable plate.
(2) Since electricity is conducted to the heating resistor via the movable plate, the electrical conductivity of the heating resistor is improved.
(3) Since the heating resistor is carried by a part of the movable plate to which the bimetal is attached, there is provided an advantage on the heat transfer surface that the heating efficiency of the bimetal is increased.
(4) Since the narrow arm portions are formed on both sides of the tongue provided on the movable plate, the movable plate is displaced easily. Therefore, a load at the time when the bimetal is reversed is reduced, so that the operating characteristics of the bimetal are stabilized.
(5) When the bimetal is reversed, the bimetal can be brought into contact with the tongue of the movable plate in close contact with the heating resistor, so that the heat generated in the heating resistor is transmitted efficiently to the bimetal. As a result, the reversed state of the bimetal can be held stably.
(6) Since the elastic raised portion with a wavelike cross section is formed on the fixed plate, any dimensional error of the heating resistor is absorbed, so that the upper electrode face of the heating resistor can be pressed on the lower face of the tongue of the movable plate, which is a reference plane. Therefore, the electrical contact stability of the heating resistor is improved. Also, since the contact area of the fixed plate with the heating resistor decreases, the outflow of heating energy of the heating resistor to the fixed plate is restrained to the utmost. As a result, a loss of heating energy of the heating resistor is reduced. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Helical end mills and face mills are well known in the industry. Conventional helical end mills include those shown on pages 182-216 in Kennametal's Milling Catalog No. 5040, copyright 1995.
One form of helical mill that has been in use for years is a helical mill where the cutting edge of each insert is axially spaced apart from the cutting edge of the next adjacent insert and where the inserts in each helix are staggered such that two or more rows are necessary to produce one complete or "all effective" cutting edge. Such a design is shown by the Kennametal 0.degree. Lead--Helical End Mills, as shown on page 188 of the above referenced Milling Catalog. One of the disadvantages of such design is that the lead insert in at least one helix must either be of a different length or offset inward and thus incapable of face milling. This is a result of the need to stagger the inserts in each helix. As a result, all of the inserts are generally not the same and thus not interchangeable, thus requiring the manufacture and inventory of multiple inserts.
These staggered helix and other conventional mills are sufficient for their intended purposes and thus many cutting processes; however, it is desirable to eliminate the need for differing inserts on a given mill.
One such solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,887. In this solution, the cutting inserts are disposed in a helical array in which the cutting edge of each insert, with respect to the cutting tool, is spaced in the circumferential direction from the seat of the next adjacent insert and is in overlapping relationship in the axial direction with the cutting edge of the next adjacent insert, and the radially extending edges of each insert are in overlapping relation with the radially extending edges of the adjacent inserts, such that the cutting edge of all of the inserts in any one flute define a continuous, non-interrupted, cutting line of stepped configuration. This solution has become known as single flute "all-effective" milling.
Although this single flute "all effective" mill provides a helical end mill using only one type of insert and needing only one flute for "all effective" cutting, the industry continues to strive for improved "all effective" milling whether it be single flute or double flute "all effective". In particular the industry continues to strive for even better surface finishing, smoother cutting action, reduced vibrations, reduced hammering, reduced chattering, more economical cutters, more durable cutters, longer lasting cutters, and more simplistic designs for easier and faster manufacture and insert replacement. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Currently, the propylene oxide production is mainly conducted worldwide by means of the hydrochlorin route method and the co-oxidation method. The hydrochlorin route method will be gradually eliminated due to the pollution problem. The co-oxidation method seems hardly to be developed to a further large scale due to the limited use of its byproducts. Therefore, the production of propylene oxide is greatly limited by the above production methods. In recent years, a new route for preparing propylene oxide comes out. According to this new route, propylene is epoxidated with an oxidant H2O2 under the titanium silicate catalysis to become propylene oxide. This route has the advantages such as the mild reaction condition and the environmentally friendly process without pollution, and therefore becomes a new green technology for producing propylene oxide.
CN1671678A discloses an epoxidation method with two fixed bed reactors, wherein the first reactor is an isothermal fixed bed reactor, and the second reactor is a thermal insulation fixed bed reactor. The disadvantage of this method includes the conversion of H2O2 used in the reaction is not completely, and the unreacted H2O2 will decompose in the separation column to produce oxygen, which causes a safety concern and even an explosion when badly managed.
CN1449392A discloses a method for preparing an alkylene oxide with a peroxidized compound. In this method, the alkylene oxide is prepared by reacting an olefin and the peroxidized compound in at least two reactors in series (in each of the reactors, a part of catalyst is loaded) in the presence of catalyst and solvent. According to this method, the peroxidized compound is only supplied to the first reactor, and none of the fresh peroxidized compound is added to the subsequent one or more reactors, to each of which the unconsumed peroxidized compound from the preceding reactor is supplied so as to completely convert H2O2 in the reaction. The reactor used in this method is fixed bed reactor or moving bed reactor. According to this method, at least two reactors are used, preferably three reactors in series. The disadvantages of this method include: if using two reactors at a minimum, the conversion of H2O2 is still not completely; if using more than two reactors in series, the device cost will increase remarkably and the reaction period of multiple reactors in series is long and the uncontrollable factors in the reaction process are overmuch.
Therefore, there is an urgent need in the prior art to develop a process for producing alkylene oxide by olefin epoxidation, which can completely convert H2O2 used in the reaction and has a high selectivity for the target alkylene oxide (e.g. propylene oxide). | {
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In recent years, orientation toward low-price personal computers (hereinafter, abbreviated as “PC”) is becoming strong. In order to reduce the price of a PC, the prices of parts used in the PC are reduced, and the performance of the PC is reduced accordingly. For example, in low-price laptop personal computers (hereinafter, abbreviated as “laptop PC”), for example, a 1.6 GHz CPU which is far from a high speed CPU in recent years is used as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which executes a program.
Here, it is assumed that a moving image content, which has 1280×720, 4:2:2 format and 30 frames and is a high-definition moving image content for distribution on the Internet, is reproduced. When the moving image content of this level is processed by, for example, a 2.2 GHz CPU, the CPU utilization is about 81%, and this is close to the limit in view of the entire system. When the moving image content is reproduced by a low-spec laptop PC as described above, the CPU utilization is about 111% by simple calculation in the case of a 1.6 GHz CPU. Thus, the CPU may not keep up with processing, and the moving image content is displayed with dropping frames, or a video image is not outputted but frozen.
In order to avoid occurrence of this defect, it has been proposed that a part of an inverse DCT process of an MPEG image data is skipped in accordance with a reproduction processing load and the load is suppressed, thereby reducing the possibility of dropping frames. However, in this case, when the load is reduced, the image resolution is reduced and a reproduced image may be blurred.
Moreover, it has been proposed that image data in multiple formats, such as YUV 4:2:4, YUV 4:2:2, and YUV 4:2:0, whose data volumes of color data are different from each other, are prepared, and, out of image data in these multiple formats, image data which is a target to be transformed to image data for display is changed for each one frame in accordance with a load. In this case, the color resolution of a video image may be reduced when the load is reduced, but the video image itself is reproduced with high resolution remained. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare image data in multiple formats. Thus, this may cause an increase in communication traffic of the Internet or an increase in necessary storage capacity. In addition, for image data distributed on the Internet or the like, data in such multiple formats are not prepared in parallel (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1999-146398 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-181438). | {
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A deformable container of this generic type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,778. The deformable container comprises in this case a pump-free squeeze flask of the container, a cap-shaped sealing cap, provided with a dispensing nozzle and a ventilating valve, being able to be twisted with a snap seat, on a lid inserted by means of a snap seat in the flask neck, between a closed setting and an open setting.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,299, a dispensing seal for containers is known, comprising a sealing element which can be screwed onto the container and in the top side of which there is provided a through opening for the container contents, which opening, in dependence upon a sealing cap disposed rotatably on the sealing element, can be brought into contact with, in each case, one of a plurality of openings of different diameter in the sealing cap.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,633, a dispenser is described for dispensing liquid antiseptics in the form of a spray, drops or by pouring, depending upon the wound and the purpose for which the antiseptic is to be used. In the neck of a squeeze flask there is inserted a valve-holding device 17, a valve being disposed, in turn, within the valve-holding device 17. The valve-holding device exhibits a lateral outlet opening. The valve 18 has a latch handle 20, which is movable on the top side of the valve mounting and is provided on handle wings with indications displaying the different positions of the valve and its openings in relation to the dispensing opening. The valve has four radial positions about the valve axis, so that the valve is rotated by 90.degree. each time into a further setting corresponding to the spray, drop, flow and "closed" positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,270 describes a spraying device for a squeeze flask, which device is designed to dispense a spray jet of a current and to seal the flask. A sealing element for the flask exhibits through ducts, a through duct for air being provided close to a mixing chamber. The liquid is conducted through an immersion tube and supply ducts and then into the side of an air current, so that the liquid is broken up by the generated turbulence. Following mixing, the spray jet flows through an opening into a ring. The ring can be adjusted in order to seal the mixing chamber and align the outlet opening with a liquid duct, so that a constant current of liquid is dispensed from the container, or the ring can be adjusted such that all the ducts are shut off.
From WO 91/13 003, a squeeze flask having a bag for liquids disposed therein is known, a ventilating device being connected to the space between the squeeze flask and the flexible bag.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,790 there is derived a squeeze flask having a neck onto which there is screwed a cap, which cap is provided with a ventilating valve. An outlet extends through the cap, there being disposed in the outlet a one-way valve which allows liquid to be dispensed through the outlet. A projection of the cap extends into the flask neck and contains a part of the outlet duct and is connected to an immersion tube. A neck of the flexible bag is firmly connected to the immersion tube, in which openings are contained, in order to facilitate the passage of the liquid from the bag into the immersion tube.
From German Offenlegungsschrift 40 27 539, a squeeze flask having an inner bag is known, the seal of which seals the space located between the inner and outer container and also seals the contents against the external atmosphere and against the interspace. The seal contains a dispensing valve and a ventilating valve for the interspace. The neck of the inner bag is supported by a sleeve in the container neck, which sleeve exhibits recesses through which the interspace between the inner and outer container is connected to the ventilating valve. | {
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The present invention generally relates to an electrochemical battery cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to battery cells with improved pressure relief vents.
Increasing the discharge capacity of electrochemical cells is an ongoing objective of manufacturers of electrochemical cells and batteries. Often there are certain maximum external dimensions that place constraints on the volume of a given type of cell or battery. These maximum dimensions may be imposed through industry standards or by the amount of space available into which the cells or batteries can be put. These dimensions limit maximum cell and battery volumes. Only a portion of the volume is available for the materials (electrochemically active materials and electrolyte) necessary for the electrochemical discharge reactions, because other essential, but inert, components (e.g., containers, seals, terminals, current collectors, and separators) also take up volume. A certain amount of void volume may also be necessary inside the cells to accommodate reaction products and increases in material volumes due to other factors, such as high temperature. To maximize discharge capacity in a cell or battery with a limited volume, it is desirable to minimize the volumes of inert components.
Electrochemical cells are capable of generating gas, during storage, during normal operation, and, especially, under common abusive conditions, such as forced deep discharging and, for primary cells, charging. Cells are designed to release internal pressure in a controlled manner. A common approach is to provide a pressure relief mechanism, or vent, which releases gases from the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined level. Pressure relief vents often take up additional internal volume because clearance is generally needed between the vent and other cell or battery components in order to insure proper mechanical operation of the mechanism.
Dimensions of consumer cylindrical alkaline batteries are specified in an international standard (International Electrical Commission Publication 60086-2). Such cells have a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide, a negative electrode containing zinc, and an alkaline aqueous electrolyte typically containing potassium hydroxide. They often have a cylindrical steel can that serves as the cell container, with the positive electrode (cathode) formed in a hollow cylindrical shape against the interior surface of the can. A gelled negative electrode (anode) is centrally disposed within the cylindrical cavity in the cathode. An ion-permeable, electrically insulating separator is placed between the anode and adjacent surfaces of both the cathode and the bottom of the can. Electrolyte solution is contained within both the anode and the cathode. The can, which is in direct contact with the cathode, serves as the cathode current collector. The open top portion of the can is closed with a closing element, typically including an annular polymeric seal. An outer cover is generally placed over the seal to serve as a negative terminal for the cell. In addition to closing the can, the seal also electrically insulates the negative terminal from the can. An anode current collector, usually in the form of a brass nail or wire, extends through an aperture in the center of the seal and into the anode within the cell. The end of the anode current collector on the outside of the cell makes electrical contact with the negative terminal. The bottom of the can may be flat, or it may be formed to have a central protruding nubbin that serves as the positive terminal of the cell. If the can bottom is flat, a separate metal cover is normally affixed to the can bottom as the positive terminal. A jacket, often an electrically insulating, adhesive film label, is generally placed around the side walls of the can. Cells may include additional features. For example, an inner cover or a bushing may be disposed between the seal and the negative terminal to provide a rigid member for maintaining a compressive seal between the seal and the surface of the can and/or anode current collector. In such cells the seal also typically contains a pressure relief vent. This feature usually includes a thinned area, which is designed to rupture when the internal pressure goes above a predetermined level. Examples of cells with seal designs of this type can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,227,261 and 6,312,850. However, this type of seal requires a relatively large amount of volume in order for the pressure relief vent to function as intended.
In order to increase the amount of active materials in cylindrical alkaline cells, more volume efficient cell designs have been developed. In some of these, the pressure relief vent has been taken out of the seal and put into either a metal cover outside the seal or into the bottom of the can. Many different designs are possible for pressure relief vents formed in metal plates, whether covers or can bottoms, for electrochemical cells. Some of these include raised ridges or depressed troughs, projecting outward or inward, respectively, from the surface of the vent-containing plate. Examples of cells with such pressure relief vent designs can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,831,822; 3,918,610; 4,484,691; 4,601,959; 4,789,608; 5,042,675; and 5,197,622. Each of these references suffers from one or more disadvantages. For example, they may rely on deformation of the plate at the ridges/troughs to concentrate stress in a weakened portion of the plate for the vent to open. This may require a relatively large deflection in the surface of the plate, which is counter-productive when maximizing the internal volume of the cell for active materials is an objective. Such designs may also be relatively complicated and difficult to manufacture, which can make precise, reliable control of the pressure at which the vent opens difficult.
Other pressure relief designs do not have ridges or troughs. Some of these have grooves, or scores, of reduced thickness in the surface of the vent-containing plate. These grooves create weak spots in the plate that are designed to tear or rupture when the pressure differential between the two sides of the plate becomes too great. A variety of such grooves can be used. For example, the groove may be in the form of: a circle, a partial circle, one or more curved lines, one or more straight lines, or two or more intersecting straight and/or curved lines. The grooves may be formed in the plate in any of a number of possible ways, such as by stamping, coining, scoring, and etching. It may be possible to combine the step of forming the pressure relief vent for an electrochemical cell with the process of making the component in which it is formed. The grooves may be formed when a cover or a can is formed, for example by stamping and/or drawing, using punches and dies, such as in a multiple-stage progressive die set or transfer press tooling. One or more steps of such a process can be modified and/or added to include the formation of the vent grooves.
Information relevant to previous attempts to address the above problems by using a cell design with a grooved pressure relief vent in a metal cell cover or the bottom of the can may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,074,602; 4,010,044; 4,256,812; 4,698,282; 4,803,136; 4,842,965; 6,265,101; 6,303,246; 6,346,342; and 6,348,281. Additional examples may be found in Japanese unexamined patent publication numbers 01-309,253 A; 09-139,197 A; 10-092,397 A; 11-213,978 A; and 11-250,886 A. However, each of these references suffers from one or more of the disadvantages described below.
Some grooved vent designs are expensive because they are complex and require more expensive tooling. Some designs require tooling that is more difficult to maintain. Others add unnecessarily to the difficulty and cost of manufacturing because the designs are not symmetrical, placing more stresses on the equipment and tooling, and increasing the frequency and cost of maintenance and replacement. Other grooved vent designs may be unsuitable for use in an electrochemical cell because, when the vent operates, a portion of the vent-containing plate may be ejected from the cell. Yet other grooved vent designs require too much clearance for the vent to function, making less internal volume available for active materials, or do not open a large enough area to relieve the internal cell pressure quickly enough to avoid damage or injury.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a high-capacity electrochemical battery cell having a reliable, low-volume, cost-effective pressure relief vent. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket connector, and more particularly to a socket connector with loosening-proof structure for electrically connecting with a mating connector steadily.
2. The Related Art
As rapid development of electrical technology, many electrical connectors are used in variety of electric devices for electrically connecting with electric devices. A conventional electrical connector includes a socket connector and a mating connector. In order to make a secure connection between the socket connector and the mating connector, a lock mechanism is defined in the art of the electrical connector.
Refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,183, which discloses an electrical connector with a lock mechanism, including a casing, a pair of lock members and a pair of release buttons. The lock member has a lock arm and a pawl extending from the lock arm. The pawls project beyond a front surface of the casing and are located on opposite sides of a front portion of the casing. The release buttons are detachably supported by opposite inner sides of the casing. The electrical connector engages with a mating connector, and the pawl engages with a counterpart lock portion of the mating connector to secure the electrical connector to the mating connector. Depress the release buttons inwardly to disengage the electrical connector from the mating connector.
As mentioned above, the electrical connector adds two lock members to secure the electrical connector to the mating connector. The structure of the design is complicated and the manufacture cost is increased. Therefore, an improved loosening-proof electrical connector needs to be designed to overcome the shortcomings of the described electrical connector. | {
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With the advent of the DVD in conjunction with the Internet, systems have been developed that attempt to synchronize the video content from a DVD-Video with HyperText Markup Language (HTML) text from the Internet. One application of such a system, which can be displayed on a computer monitor or a television screen, could be a movie being displayed from the DVD-Video, while an Internet browser application displays HTML text, which could include subtitles or background information related to the movie.
One example of such a system is the WebDVD system by MICROSOFT®. FIG. 1 illustrates a monitor screen of a WebDVD system. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates computer monitor screen 100 that includes DVD screen 104 and Internet browser screen 106. Additionally, computer monitor screen 100 is attached to a computer (not shown), which includes a DVD drive (not shown). In addition to video content, a DVD-Video includes text sections for different usages. The WebDVD system inserts Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addresses associated with different web content located on the Internet into these text sections of a particular DVD-Video. In operation, the DVD drive displays the video content located thereon onto DVD screen 104. Moreover, when the DVD disc drive encounters a URL address, the drive transmits this address to an Internet browser application running on the computer. Subsequently, the Internet browser application retrieves the HTML text associated with this URL address and displays such content in Internet browser screen 106.
However, such systems suffer from limitations. One such limitation is the lack of a tight integration between the video content from the DVD-Video and the HTML content from the Internet, due in part to the design of a DVD-Video, as the number of text sections to place the URL addresses therein on a given DVD-Video is limited. Accordingly, updates to Internet browser screen 106 may not be able to occur as frequently as some applications need or desire.
Moreover, such systems lack a full integration between the video content from the DVD-Video and the HTML content from the Internet. In particular as illustrated in FIG. 1, computer monitor screen 100 includes two separate windows to display the video content and the HTML content.
A further limitation in such a system is that the URL address is burnt onto the DVD-Video, thereby precluding any dynamic modification of such addresses. Therefore if a given URL address stored on the DVD-Video needs to be modified, a new DVD-Video must be created to include this modification. Accordingly, these types of modifications can be costly and time-consuming.
In another system that synchronizes video content from a DVD-Video with HTML text, the sector numbers of the DVD-Video are employed to provide for such synchronization. In such a system, numbers of the sectors containing the video content of the DVD-Video are associated with certain HTML text. Accordingly, video is displayed such that when certain sectors of the DVD-Video are played by the DVD drive, HTML text is displayed in a separate window for the number for the given sector. However, such a system also suffers from certain limitations. One such limitation is due in part to the modification of the sector locations on a DVD-Video each time a DVD-Video is burnt. Accordingly, the association between the sector numbers and the HTML text needs to be modified each time a DVD-Video is created. | {
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Generally, in zoom lenses used as projection lenses in projection display devices, an aperture diameter corresponding to a liquid crystal projector for providing a bright projected image is desired. Compactness of the zoom lens in order to make the projection-type display device small is also desired. In addition, these zoom lenses need to define optical systems that are telecentric, or nearly telecentric, on the reducing side where the display element, such as a liquid crystal display element, is positioned, and that have appropriately large back focal lengths so that there is sufficient room for a color synthesizing optical system (which would operate as a color separating optical system in the reverse direction) for combining information from different display elements.
In addition, in recent years, with these zoom lenses for use in projection display devices, in accordance with the desire to project large images, for example, large video images, at close range to a large screen, wide-angle projection has been desired. Also, during the past several years, there has been strong demand for making projection display devices compact, and in order to do this, the zoom lens itself must be made compact, as well as shortening the overall length of the zoom lens in order to assure projection of a bright image.
These types of zoom lenses are known, as described, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 2001-91829, 2004-20765, 2000-137165, 2001-100100, and 2001-324677, and 2002-72094. These applications describe five-group zoom lenses. In order to achieve continuous variations in focal length and simultaneously compensate for movement of the image plane that would otherwise occur, three lens groups undergo coordinated movements along the optical axis. In the above mentioned Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 2001-91829 and 2004-20765, the lens groups, from the enlarging side, have negative, positive, positive, positive, and positive refractive powers. In the above mentioned Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 2000-137165, 2001-100100, 2001-324677, and 2002-72094, the lens groups, from the enlarging side, have negative, positive, positive, negative, and positive refractive powers.
The zoom lenses described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2001-91829 have an f-number of 2.0 at maximum aperture diameter at the wide-angle end, which is relatively dark, and overall lengths that fail to satisfy the demand of recent years for shortening the lens system. Also, it is desirable that the projection angle, that is, the field angle on the enlarging side, be larger.
The zoom lenses of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2004-20765 do provide for a brighter image with an f-number of 1.73 at the wide-angle end. However, the overall length of the lens system fails to sufficiently satisfy the requirements of recent years of shortening the lens system.
With regard to zoom lenses of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2000-137165, when an f-number of 2.0 is provided at the wide-angle end, the images are relatively dark. In addition, when an f-number of 1.7 at the wide-angle end is provided, the requirements of recent years of shortening the lens system are not adequately satisfied. Furthermore, it is desirable that the picture angle, that is, the field angle on the enlarging side, be larger than the fifty degrees taught in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2000-137165.
With regard to zoom lenses of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2001-100100, when an f-number of 2.0 at the wide-angle end is provided, the images are relatively dark. In addition, when an f-number of 1.84 is provided, the requirements of recent years of shortening the lens system are not adequately satisfied.
With regard to zoom lenses of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2001-324677, the f-number at the wide-angle end is 1.5. However, the requirements of recent years of shortening the lens system are not adequately satisfied. Furthermore, it is desirable that the picture angle, that is, the field angle on the enlarging side, be larger than the forty-eight degrees taught in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2001-324677.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2002-72094 achieves superior compactness in terms of the overall length of the zoom lenses described, but includes the use of an aspheric surface. Additionally, the zoom lenses are relatively dark with an f-number at maximum aperture at the wide-angle end of 1.73, and it is desirable that a wider picture angle, that is, field angle on the enlarging side be provided.
As can be understood from these conventional examples, it is extremely difficult to shorten the overall length of such zoom lenses while simultaneously achieving a bright image and a large angle of projection of a projected image, which is defined by the field angle, or picture angle, on the enlarging side of the zoom lens. | {
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This invention relates to the fields of multi-processor architectures and arrangements suitable for distributed and parallel processing of data such as signal and image processing.
Not applicable.
This invention was not developed in conjunction with any Federally sponsored contract.
There are many applications of image and signal processing which require more microprocessing bandwidth than is available in a single processor at any given time. As microprocessors are improved and their operating speeds increase, so too are the application demands continuing to meet or exceed the ability of a single processor. For example, there are certain size, weight and power requirements to be met by processor modules or cards which are deployed in military, medical and commercial end-use applications, such as a line replaceable unit (LRU) for use in a signal processing system onboard a military aircraft. These requirements typically limit a module or card to a maximum number of microprocessors and support circuits which may be incorporated onto the module due to the power consumption and physical packaging dimensions of the available microprocessors and their support circuits (memories, power regulators, bus interfaces, etc.).
As such, a given module design or configuration with a given number of processors operating at a certain execution speed will determine the total bandwidth and processing capability of the module for parallel and distributed processing applications such as image or signal processing. Thus, as a matter of practicality, it is determined whether a particular application can be ported to a specific module based upon these parameters. Any applications which cannot be successfully be ported to the module, usually due to requiring a higher processing bandwidth level than available on the module, are implemented elsewhere such as on mini-super computers.
As processor execution rates are increased, microprocessing system component integration is improved, and memory densities are improved, each successive multi-processor module is redesigned to incorporate a similar number of improved processors and support circuits. So, for example, a doubling of a processor speed may lead to the doubling of the processing bandwidth available on a particular module. This typically allows twice as many xe2x80x9ccopiesxe2x80x9d or instances of applications to be run on the new module than were previously executable by the older, lower bandwidth module. Further, the increase in processing bandwidth may allow a single module to run applications which were previously too demanding to be handled by a single, lower bandwidth module.
The architectural challenges of maximizing processor utilization, communication and organization on a multi-processor module remains constant, even though processor and their associated circuits and devices tend to increase in capability dramatically from year to year.
For many years, this led the military to design specialized multi-processor modules which were optimized for a particular application or class of applications, such as radar signal processing, infrared sensor image processing, or communications signal decoding. A module designed for one class of applications, such as a radar signal processing module, may not be suitable for use in another application, such as signal decoding, due to architecture optimizations for the one application which are detrimental to other applications.
In recent years, the military has adopted an approach of specifying and purchasing computing modules and platforms which are more general purpose in nature and useful for a wider array of applications in order to reduce the number of unique units being purchased. Under this approach, known as xe2x80x9cCommercial-Off-The-Shelfxe2x80x9d (COTS), the military may specify certain software applications to be developed or ported to these common module designs, thereby reducing their lifecycle costs of ownership of the module.
This has given rise to a new market within the military hardware suppliers industry, causing competition to develop and offer improved generalized multi-processor architectures which are capable of hosting a wide range of software applications. In order to develop an effective general hardware architecture for a multi-processor board for multiple applications, one first examines the common needs or nature of the array of applications. Most of these types of applications work on two-dimensional data. For example, in one application, the source data may represent a 2-D radar image, and in another application, it may represent 2-D magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, it is common to break the data set into portions for processing by each microprocessor. Take an image which is represented by an array of data consisting of 128 rows and 128 columns of samples. When a feature recognition application is ported to a quad processor module, each processor may be first assigned to process 32 rows of data, and then to process 32 columns of data. In signal processing parlance this is known as xe2x80x9ccorner turningxe2x80x9d. Comer turning is a characteristic of many algorithms and applications, and therefore is a common issue to be addressed in the interprocessor communications and memory arrangements for multi-processor boards and modules.
One microprocessor which has found widespread acceptance in the COTS market is the Motorola PowerPC [TM]. Available modules may contain one, two, or even four PowerPC processors and support circuits. The four-processor modules, or xe2x80x9cquad PowerPCxe2x80x9d modules, are of particular interest to many military clients as they represent a maximum processing bandwidth capability in a single module. There are three fundamentally different quad Power PC board or module architectures on the market, which are are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture known as the xe2x80x9cdistributed memory architecturexe2x80x9d, while both FIGS. 2 and 3 represent xe2x80x9cdual memoryxe2x80x9d architectures. These architectures, though, could be employed well with other types and models of processors, inheriting the strengths and weaknesses of each architecture somewhat independently of the processor chosen for the module.
One advantage of distributed memory architectures as shown in FIG. 1 is that input data received at a central crossbar (15) can be xe2x80x9cfarmed outxe2x80x9d via local crossbars (100 and 101) to multiple processors xe2x80x9ccoresxe2x80x9d (16, 17, 18 and 19) that perform the processing of the data in parallel and simultaneously. Quad PowerPC cards such as this are offered by companies such as CSP Inc., Mercury Computer Systems Inc., and Sky Computers Inc.
For example, during the first phase of processing a hypothetical two-dimensional (2-D) data set of 128 rows by 128 columns shown in TABLE 1 on a distributed memory dual processor card, a first set of 32 rows (rows 0-31) of data may be sent to a first processor core (16), a second set of 32 rows (rows 32-63) of data would be sent to a second processor core (17), a third set of 32 rows (rows 64 to 95) of data to the third processor core (18), and the fourth set of 32 rows (rows 96 to 127) of data to the fourth processor core (19). Then, in preparation for a second phase of processing data by columns, a corner turning operation is performed in which the first processor core would receive data for the first 32 columns, the second processor core would receive the data for the second 32 columns, and so forth.
Regardless of the type of bus used to interconnect the processor cores, high speed parallel or serial, this architecture requires movement of significant data during a corner turning operation during which data that was initially needed for row processing by one processor core is transferred to another processor core for column processing. As such, the distributed memory architecture has a disadvantage with respect to efficiency of performing corner turning. Corner turning on multi-processor modules of this architecture type consumes processing bandwidth to move the data from one processor core to another, bandwidth which cannot be used for other computations such as processing the data to extract features or performing filtering algorithms.
Turning to the second architecture type commonly available in the COTS market, the advantage of shared memory architectures is that all data resides in one central memory, as illustrated in FIG. 2. COTS modules having architectures such as this are commonly available from Thales Computers Corp., DNA Computing Solutions Inc., and Synergy Microsystems. In this example, four processor cores (21, 22, 23, and 24) may operate on data stored in a global memory (26) such as via bridges (25) between processor-specific buses to a standard bus (PowerPC bus to Peripheral Component Interconnect xe2x80x9cPCIxe2x80x9d bus in this example).
The bridges (25) are responsible for arbitrating simultaneous attempts to access the global memory (26) from the processor cores. Additionally, common modules available today may provide expansion slots or daughterboard connectors such as PCI Mezzanine Connector (PMC) sites (27 and 28), which may also provide data access to the global memory (26). This architecture allows for xe2x80x9cequal accessxe2x80x9d to the global data store, including the processor(s) which may be present on the expansion sites, and thus eases the decisions made during porting of large applications to specific processor cores because each xe2x80x9cjobxe2x80x9d to be ported runs equally well on any of the processor cores.
Due to the centralized memory in this architecture, corner turning can be performed by addressing the shared memory (26) with a pointer that increments by one when processing row data, and increments by the number of data samples in a row when processing column data. This avoids the need to ship or move data from one processor core to another following initial row-data processing, and thereby eliminates wasted processor cycles moving that data.
However, the disadvantage of this arrangement is that all four processors must access data from the same shared memory, which often leads to a xe2x80x9cmemory bottleneckxe2x80x9d that slows execution times due to some processor core requests being arbitrated, e.g. forced to wait, while another processor accesses the global memory. Thus, what was gained in eliminating the wasted processor cycles for moving data from core to core may be lost to wait states or polling loops caused by arbitration logic for accesses to shared memory.
Turning to the third architecture type commonly found in modules available on the COTS market, dual memory architectures are designed to utilize the best features of distributed and shared memory architectures, to facilitate fast processing and reduce corner turning overhead. As shown in FIG. 3, both memory schemes are adopted, providing the module with a global memory (34) accessible by all processor cores, and local memory (31, 38) for each processor or subset of processor cores. This addresses the arbitration losses in accessing a single shared global memory by allowing processor core to move or copy data which is needed for intense accesses from global memory to local memory. Some data which is not so intensely needed by a processor is left in the global memory, which reduces the overhead costs associated with corner turning. D 4 Systems offers a module having an architecture such as this.
In some respects, the architecture of FIG. 2 can be viewed as a dual memory architecture as well, and not strictly a shared memory architecture, as the local cache memory for each processor core may perform the functions of local memory shown in FIG. 1.
Most modem processors have increased their internal clock rate and computational capabilities per clock (or per cycle) faster than their ability to accept the data they need to process. In other words, most modern processors can now process data faster than they can read or write the data to be processed due to I/O speed limitations on busses and memory devices.
As a result, xe2x80x9coperations/secondxe2x80x9d is no longer the chief concern when determining whether a particular processor or processor core is capable of executing a particular application. This concern has been replaced by data movement bandwidth as the driving consideration in measuring the performance of single processors, processor cores and arrays of processors. TABLE 2 summarizes data movement capabilities of several currently available distributed architecture boards, including the Race++ [TM] from Mercury Computer Systems Inc., the Sky Bolt II [TM] from Sky Computers Inc., and the Myranet 2841 [TM] from CSP Inc.
As can be seen from this comparison, each architecture has strong points and weak points. For example, the Race ++ [TM] and SkyBolt II [TM] architectures have nearly twice the performance for processor to local memory data movement than for core to core or module I/O data movement. For applications which utilize local memory heavily and do not need intense core-to-core movement or board I/O data flow, these may be adequate. But, this imbalance among data movement paths can eliminate these two boards from candidacy for many applications. On the contrary, the Myranet [TM] board has a good balance between the data movement paths, but at the cost of efficient local memory accesses. For example, the Myranet [TM] board appears to be approximately 50% faster transferring data in and out of the module and between cores than the SkyBolt II [TM], but 28% slower accessing local memory.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a multiprocessor architecture for distributed and parallel processing of data which provides optimal data transfer performance between processors and their local memories, from processor to processor, and from processors to module inputs and outputs. In particular, there is a need in the art for this new arrangement to provide maximum performance when accessing local memory as well as nominal performance across other data transfer paths. Further, there is a need in the art for this new architecture to be useful and advantageous for realization with any high speed microprocessor family or combination of microprocessor models, and especially those which are commonly used for control or signal processing applications and which exhibit I/O data transfer constraints relative to processing bandwidth.
The new module and architecture provides a quad-processor arrangement having 6 communications paths, one direct communication path between each of the two possible pairs of processors. Each processor is provided with a local memory which can be accessed by the local processor as well as by the other processors via the communications paths. This allows for efficient data movement from one processor""s local memory to another processor""s local memory, such as commonly done during signal processing corner turning operations. The communications paths are controlled and interfaced to the processors through field programmable logic, which allows the board to be configured both statically and dynamically to optimize the data transfer characteristics of the module to match the requirements of the application software. In an additional advantage of the module architecture, the programmable logic may be configured so that the module emulates other existing board architectures in order to support legacy applications. | {
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This invention relates to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (hereinafter referred to as ICP-MS) that makes it possible to perform identification and measurement of infinitesimal impurity quantities in a sample solution.
The prior art will be described with reference to FIG. 2 which shows a sample introduction portion of an ICP-MS. In FIG. 2, numeral 1 is a sample solution, numeral 2 is a capillary tube, numeral 3 is a nebulizer, or sprayer for creating a fine spray, numeral 4 is an adapter, numeral 5 is a spray chamber, numeral 6 is a drain receptacle, numeral 7 is a plasma torch, numeral 8 is a work coil, numeral 9 is a gas flow controller, numeral 10 is a high frequency power source, numeral 11 is a plasma and numeral 12 is a mass detector.
The sample solution 1 to be analyzed is introduced into the nebulizer 3 through the thin tube-shaped capillary tube 2. At the center of the nebulizer 3, there exists a thin tube which is connected to the capillary tube 2. In nebulizer 3, a gas (hereinafter called nebulizer gas) is caused to flow around the thin tube from the gas flow controller 9. When the nebulizer gas flows through the nebulizer 3, the sample solution 1 is sprayed in the form of a mist into chamber 5 via the top end of chamber 5. Nebulizer 3 has an outlet end which faces into chamber 5 and is provided with an outlet nozzle which forms the sample solution spray. This nebulizer 3 is called a coaxial type nebulizer, but so-called cross-flow type nebulizers also exist. The output end of the nebulizer 3 is connected to the spray chamber 5 by way of the adapter 4. Thus, the sample solution 1 is sprayed into the spray chamber 5. The spray chamber 5 introduces particles having diameters in a specific limited portion of this range. The mist sprayed into spray chamber 5 consists of sample solution particles having a range of diameters to the plasma torch 7 together with the nebulizer gas (this process is called classification). The other mist particles are discharged to the drain 6.
The plasma torch 7 has a triple tube structure, i.e., three tubes nested within one another. The center tube of the plasma torch 7 is connected to the spray chamber 5, and a plasma gas and an assist gas are supplied respectively to the outer tube and the middle tube from the Gas flow controller 9. The plasma gas and assist gas are usually argon.
The work coil 8 is would around the output end of plasma torch 7 so that high frequency power is supplied from high frequency power source 10. The high frequency power is usually supplied at a power level of between 0.8 and 2.0 Kw. When high frequency power is supplied to the work coil 8, and gas flows through plasma torch 7, the plasma 11 is generated and maintained because the gas is inductively coupled with an alternating magnetic field near the work coil 8. The sample solution 1 in the form of a mist introduced into the plasma torch 7 along its axis is ionized in the plasma 11. The ionized sample solution is then introduced into mass detector 12.
The mass detector 12 functions to separate the introduced ions according to mass and to detect the separated ions. Infinitesimal impurity amounts in the sample solution 1 are identified from the detected mass of ions and measured by the detected mass count of the ions.
The structure of such an ICP-MS is disclosed in, for example "The base and application of the ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometer" by Haraguchi, published by Kodansha Scientific.
In the prior art, the gas (argon) and elements of the sample solution, which constitute the plasma, are combined with each other and become molecular ions. The molecular ions are, for example, ArO ions (mass number is 56), or ArH ions (mass number is 39), etc. Therefore, the analytical performance for impurity elements, for example 56Fe, 39K, that have the same mass number as the molecular ions, is decreased a great deal by the influence of interference. | {
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Poker is a well known card game that comes in many variations. One of the most common variations of poker is Five Card Draw poker. In general, in Five Card Draw poker, a player receives an initial hand of five cards dealt from a fifty-two card deck of playing cards. A standard deck of playing cards has four suits: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs; and each suit has thirteen ranks: Deuce, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, in order from lowest to highest.
Once the initial hand is dealt to a player, the player can discard none, one, a plurality, or all of the five cards of the initial hand. Each discarded card is replaced with another card from the remaining cards of the deck. After the replacement, the player then has a final hand and the five cards of the final hand are evaluated for winning combinations.
A feature common to most poker games is that the ranking of the final hands is based on poker hand ranking. For a five card poker game, the poker hand ranking, from highest to lowest by poker hand category, is: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four-of-a-Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and Highest Card in Hand.
Within each poker hand ranking category, hands are ranked according to the rank of individual cards, with an Ace being the highest card and a Deuce being the lowest card. There is no difference in poker hand ranking between the four suits of cards.
Numerous variations of poker exist, including Five Card Draw poker, Five Card Stud poker, Seven Card Stud poker, Hold 'Em poker (also called Texas Hold 'Em poker), Omaha poker (also called Omaha Hold 'Em poker), and Pai-Gow poker. The variations in these games generally differ in the manner in which cards are dealt and in the manner and frequency in which bets are placed. The number of cards dealt and the ability to draw or replace cards depends on the particular variation of poker being played. Various criteria may also be used to determine the winning hand, including highest ranking hand, lowest ranking hand (Lo-Ball), and those games in which the high and low hands each win half of the pot (High-Low).
Video-based Five Card Draw poker has proven to be a very popular wagering game. Typically, video poker games that are single player games in which a player plays one or more poker hands against a pay table, and not against a dealer's hand. The player attempts to achieve final hand card combinations that are based on poker hand rankings Typically an initial hand is dealt to the player and the player is allowed to discard unwanted cards and to replace the unwanted cards with replacement cards. The final poker hand is compared to a pay table to determine winning and losing hands.
The conventional winning poker hand rankings that are used in video poker in order from highest to lowest by poker hand category are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair and a Pair of Jacks or Better. Any hand having less than a Pair of Jacks or Better is a losing hand. These winning poker hand ranking categories are used in the Jacks or Better Draw poker format as well as many of the other draw poker formats.
Any suitable pay table can be used, and a typical pay table for a Jacks or Better Draw poker format return would be:
TABLE 1JACKS OR BETTER DRAW POKERNUMBER OF COINS BETPOKER HAND CATEGORY12345ROYAL FLUSH25050075010004000STRAIGHT FLUSH50100150200250FOUR-OF-A-KIND255075100125FULL HOUSE816243240FLUSH612182430STRAIGHT48121620THREE-OF-A-KIND3691215TWO PAIR246810JACKS OR BETTER12345
Video poker as a draw poker game using the Jacks or Better Draw poker format has been played in gaming casinos for many years. Variations of video draw poker using formats other than Jacks or Better have evolved and include video draw poker using Jokers as wild cards and video draw poker using Deuces (or even other cards, such as Sevens) as wild cards. Most of the more recent modifications to video draw poker involve the use of different draw poker formats such as Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double-Double Bonus Poker and even Triple Bonus Poker. Different draw poker formats involve changes to the pay table and often involve using different poker hand rankings as winning hand combinations.
Many video poker gaming machines are provided with a menu so that the player can indicate his choice of the poker game format that the player wishes to play and the player then makes his wager based on upon that choice of poker game format. Each poker format has its own pay table associated therewith.
Newer video poker gaming machines allow the player to play multiple hands of video poker at the same time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873 (Moody) (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference) describes a video gaming machine and method in which the player may play multiple hands at the same time. The player makes a wager for each separate hand to be played by the player. A first initial hand of five cards is dealt all face up. The player selects none, one, a plurality or all of the face up cards from the first hand as cards to be held. The cards that are held are reused from the first hand into all of the other hands. Replacement cards for the non-selected cards are dealt into the first hand so that the first hand has five cards. Additional cards are also dealt to all of the other hands so that each hand is a final five card hand. The poker hand ranking of each final five card hand is determined. The player is then paid for any winning poker hands based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager.
Another method of playing multiple hand video poker is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,568 (Hachquet) (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein). In this method, two or more identical starting hands are displayed to the player. The player has the option of holding and discarding from each of these hands independently. The player is not required to hold the same cards in each hand. After the player has selected which cards to hold in each hand, replacement cards are displayed for the unheld cards and the poker hand ranking of each final hand is determined. Winning poker hand combinations are paid in accordance with a pay table and the amount wagered by the player.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,074 (Moody et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, also discloses a method of playing multiple hand video poker in which each hand is played independently of the other hands.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,377 (Moody et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, also discloses a method of playing multiple hand video poker in which the displayed cards are shown in a 5×3 matrix and the various five card hands are formed by pay lines similar to the pay lines that are used in a slot machine game.
In typical video-based Five Card Draw poker games, a player receives five cards from a virtual deck of playing cards to form an initial player hand. The virtual deck of playing card replicates a traditional fifty-two card deck of playing cards. The player is able to discard none, any, or all of the cards and the replacement cards for the discarded cards are drawn and displayed from the remaining cards of the virtual deck of cards. In a Five Card Draw poker game, a player selects a hold input associated with a particular card to signify that they would like to keep that card. Any cards that are unheld are discarded. The discarded cards are replaced with cards from the remaining cards in the virtual deck to form the final player hand. The final player hand is compared to a pay table and the gaming system provides awards for a winning final hand based on the poker hand ranking of the player's final hand and the amount wagered.
Other variations of Five Card Draw poker exist which use jokers or wild cards, such as Deuces Wild poker and Jokers Wild poker. In Deuces Wild poker, any deuce in a player's hand functions as a wild card. Typically in Jokers Wild poker, when one or more jokers are added to a fifty-two card deck of cards, each joker also acts as a wild card.
It is well known how to calculate the highest Expected Value (EV) for each starting hand dealt to the player. In one embodiment, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,989 (Wood et al.) a detailed discussion of determining the Expected Value of each initially dealt hand is described. The disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by this reference.
A player makes a wager, determines the number of hands the player wishes to play and a first starting five card video poker hand is displayed to the player to be played against a preselected video poker game format. The computer controls of the gaming machine calculate the Expected Value (EV) for the five card hand displayed. | {
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Secondary, or rechargeable, lithium ion batteries are often used in many stationary and portable devices, such as those encountered in the consumer electronic, automobile, and aerospace industries. The lithium class of batteries has gained popularity for various reasons, including a relatively high energy density, a general nonappearance of any memory effect when compared to other kinds of rechargeable batteries, a relatively low internal resistance, and a low self-discharge rate when not in use. The ability of lithium batteries to undergo repeated power cycling over their useful lifetimes makes them an attractive and dependable power source. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to helicopter rotor blades and more particularly to selectively shaped ramp tabs for use therewith to eliminate or reduce to within acceptable limits blade pitching moment dynamic unbalance and being bonded thereto so as to be totally within the blade chord dimension to avoid trailing edge damage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the fixed wing and rotary wing art, trailing edge trim tabs have been used to reduce rotor unbalance, however, all known types of trim tabs are either bolted or riveted to the blade as in Howard U.S. Pat. No. 2,656,132, and such a connection subjects the blade proper to risk of fatigue failure. Trim tabs have also been installed so as to extend rearwardly beyond the trailing edge of the blade, such as in Stulen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,951,542 or British Pat. No 1,150,123 to Young dated Apr. 30, 1969, or metallic trailing edge pockets of blades are selectively bent to shape at their trailing edges for balance purposes. Experience has shown that blade trailing edges so deformeed and trim tabs extending beyond the blade trailing edge are highly susceptible to damage during blade handling thereby throwing the blade out of balance. Pivotable aileron-type tabs have been used in helicopter blades, such as the Verhage et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,745 and Stevens U.S. Pat. No. 2,994,384, however, these devices add the complication of requiring actuating mechanism with its attendant weight and mechanical failure possibilities. The trim tab in Prewitt et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,053 is apparently also of the aileron type. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a firing jig assembling apparatus, a firing jig disassembling apparatus, a circulating apparatus, a method for firing a ceramic molded body, and a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure.
2. Discussion of the Background
In recent years, particulates such as soot contained in exhaust gases that are discharged from internal combustion engines of vehicles, such as buses and trucks, and construction machines, have raised serious problems as contaminants harmful to the environment and the human body.
Various honeycomb filters using honeycomb structural bodies as filters that collect particulates in exhaust gases to purify the exhaust gases have been proposed.
Conventionally, upon manufacturing a honeycomb structure, first, a wet mixture is prepared by mixing ceramic powder, a binder and a dispersant solution or the like with one another. Moreover, the wet mixture is continuously extrusion-molded through a die, and the extrusion-molded body is cut into a predetermined length so that a pillar-shaped honeycomb molded body is manufactured.
Next, the resulting honeycomb molded body is dried by using a microwave dryer or a hot-air dryer.
Thereafter, the end portions of this honeycomb molded body are plugged by a plug material paste mainly composed of the ceramic powder into a diced pattern, and then respective degreasing and firing processes are carried out so that a honeycomb fired body is manufactured.
Thereafter, a sealing material paste is applied to the side faces of the honeycomb fired body, and the honeycomb fired bodies are mutually bonded by using an adhesive so that an aggregate of the honeycomb fired bodies in which a number of the honeycomb fired bodies are bound to one another through the sealing material layers (adhesive layers) is manufactured. Next, the resulting aggregate of the honeycomb fired bodies is cut and machined into a predetermined shape, such as a cylindrical shape and an cylindroid shape, by using a cutting machine or the like so that a honeycomb block is formed. Lastly, a sealing material paste is applied onto the periphery of the honeycomb block to form a sealing material layer (coat layer); thus, the manufacturing of the honeycomb structure is completed.
In such a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, the firing process is normally carried out on a honeycomb molded body that is mounted on a firing jig, with a lid member being attached to the firing jig. Here, these firing jig and lid member are normally used repeatedly.
For example, WO 2005/024326 A1 has disclosed a method for circulating a receiving base on which the honeycomb molded body is placed so as to use the receiving base repeatedly.
The contents of WO 2005/024326 A1 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. | {
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This invention relates generally to a relatively firm eye cover that is adapted for use in the treatment of eye problems caused by disease, injury, etc.; more specifically, it relates to a mostly metal eyeshield that is adapted to shield either one of a wearer's eyes from errant contact with undesirable objects--as well as to foster wearer comfort while an eye is healing.
During the medical treatment of many kinds of eye problems, including injuries and the like, a patient is often required to wear a protective eyeshield over the eye that is healing or being treated. Obviously, the eyeshield is intended to protect the eye while it is healing without causing additional risk or discomfort for the wearer. Unfortunately, quite a few of the eyeshields that are currently being used are not only uncomfortable but they are also somewhat awkward to wear. And many of these devices are not constructed in such a way as to foster the kind of cleanliness that is preferred by medical personnel; and although many eyeshields of the prior art can be sterilized, the task of doing so is often rather time-consuming.
One such eyeshield is made from a thin piece of metal, typically aluminum about 0.027 inch thick; it is generally elliptical in shape, with its length being about three inches and its height being about two and three-eighths inches. Because its very thin edge can be felt by the sensitive area around a person's eye, and the sensation is that of skin being pressed by something that is relatively sharp, a kind of thin cloth "cushion" in the form of a narrow edge guard (somewhat like a garter) is often used to surround the periphery of the shield. Another form of peripheral "cushion" is a strip of foamed plastic tape, typically about an inch wide, that is manually folded over the edge of the metal shield before it is installed over the eye. The combination of a metal shield and some kind of attached cushion is strapped to a person's head in such a way as to securely hold the eyeshield in a fixed position over the injured eye. It will be readily apparent that with this system of eye protection, two distinct and separable pieces are required to create the total eyeshield. In terms of cleaning (or sterilizing) the eyeshield, such a two-piece system is not ideal, because the metal shield and separable cushion cannot be thoroughly cleaned as a unit. That is, a cloth edge guard or "garter" must generally be cleaned in a washing machine or the like, and then dried in a dryer, before it can be used again. Of course, the metal shield could not be conveniently cleaned in the same way; instead, a shield must generally be separately sterilized by steam autoclaving or the like. Furthermore, after the two pieces have been separately cleaned, significant manual handling of the shield in order to install a peripheral cushion can introduce the risk of again contaminating the shield--a shield that is supposed to be kept as clean as possible.
One other problem with a separable, two-piece eyeshield is that the metal shield is susceptible to being rotated inside its smooth cloth sheath; that is, when an elliptical shield is subjected to a glancing blow, there is nothing to prevent the shield from becoming repositioned so as to allow its edge to escape the cloth sheath in such a way as to cause wearer discomfort or injury. Furthermore, if such a metal eyeshield were accidentally pushed forcefully against the wearer's face, it is questionable that a thin cloth sheath could provide enough protection to preclude the sharp metal rim from pressing uncomfortably against or causing injury to the wearer's flesh.
Another eyeshield that is sometimes used in the treatment of eye injuries is referred to as the "Universal Eye Shield." It is made of a rigid polycarbonate material and is available from Trident Medical Products Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas. Although this type of eyeshield (having a thickness of about 0.065 inch) may be used without peripheral cushions or the like, it has not found widespread acceptance--apparently because it cannot be bent or manipulated in order to make it conform to the individual bone structure of the patient who is to wear it. And a rigid, plastic eyeshield is considered by some persons to be uncomfortable if it does not provide a peripheral structure that is adapted to flex so that it can be shaped to bear gently against the soft and supple flesh around the eye.
An additional problem with a polycarbonate (or other rigid plastic) eyeshield is that it will sometimes tend to slide with respect to the skin around a person's eye--when subjected to lateral loads. When compared to materials such as soft rubber, the relatively low coefficient of friction between the hard plastic material and the smooth (and often oily) facial skin that surrounds an eye would not effectively tend to inhibit sideward movement of the eyeshield over the skin. Under sideward impact, such an eyeshield might readily slip over the wearer's skin and fail to remain in place where it is supposed to protect the wearer's eye.
While the above-described eyeshields might be useful in the treatment of some eye problems, it seems that the designers of these prior art eyeshields have neglected the importance of easy sterilization or cleaning, as well as wearer comfort. Accordingly, there has remained a need for a unitary eyeshield which may be conveniently and thoroughly sterilized without disassembly, and which also has a border that is adapted to lie directly--and more comfortably--against the skin surrounding an eye. It is an object of this invention to provide such a protective eyeshield.
Another object is to provide a unitary and integrally formed eyeshield that is made from two different materials: one material being adapted to provide a suitable compromise between rigidity (for protecting the eye) and moldability (for matching the geometry of the face), and the second material being adapted to provide an adequately soft border to make comfortable contact with the wearer's face, while not comprising hygiene.
It is a further object to provide a protective eyeshield that is formed from two pieces that are permanently interlocked in such a way that they cannot be moved relative to each other, either deliberately or accidently.
Still a further object is to provide a two-piece eyeshield that is integrally formed in such a way that the seams between the two pieces are essentially gapless, so as to foster sanitation by minimizing the possibility of accumulating significant quantities of dirt, debris, facial oils, etc., on the eyeshield.
Another object is to provide a protective eyeshield having a border (i.e., a face-to-shield interface) that may be contoured and configured so as to lie in intimate contact with the facial area surrounding an eye, said border being formed from a material having a coefficient of friction that inhibits unwanted sliding movement of the eyeshield over the wearer's skin.
These and other objects will be apparent from a reading of the specification and the claims appended thereto, together with reference to the figures of the drawing provided herewith. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a charged particle beam drawing apparatus having a cleaning mechanism, and an article manufacturing method using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, as micronization of elements, increasingly complex circuit patterns, or a higher capacity of pattern data advance, the drawing accuracy as well as drawing throughput of charged particle beam drawing apparatuses for use in the manufacturing of devices such as semiconductor integrated circuits needs to be improved. However, if an electron lens positioned above a substrate to be treated is formed with, for example, fine apertures (holes), secondary electrons emitted from a resist and an out gas act with each other, and thus, contamination (decomposition product) adheres to the surface of and inside the apertures. Accumulations of such contamination may significantly affect on the drawing position accuracy, aberration, and the like of the electron lens. Thus, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-139010 discloses a charged beam apparatus that has a gas generation unit for generating gas for removing internal contamination consisting at least one of the plasma or radicals (active species) and cleans a portion of an interior of the apparatus using the generated plasma or radicals.
However, in the charged beam apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-139010, the conductance of fine apertures provided in the electron lens is small, and thus, radicals may be deactivated or radicals may not sufficiently reach such contamination. Consequently, such contamination may not be sufficiently cleaned. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to printers, and more particularly, to an inkjet printer having a removable paper tray with integrated platen and capping stations.
2. Related Art
Digital set-top boxes (e.g., cable television boxes, Internet terminal boxes etc.) are being used increasingly with consumer home entertainment equipment such as television sets, video cassette recorders, digital video disc (DVD) players and the like. In many cases, it is desirable for a user to obtain a hard copy of information displayed on the screen of their television sets. Specifically, users typically want to print e-mail messages, maps, recipes and information-rich content, such as still or captured scenes from live broadcasts, DVD players, movie cameras, video recorders etc.
Currently, if a user wants to have a hardcopy of the displayed information, the user has to use a conventional printer. Most conventional printers, however, are bulky, and thus require large amounts of space in user' home entertainment units. Hence, a printer specifically designed for use in home entertainment units is needed (i.e., a living room printer).
The living room printer should be of low height (i.e., low profile) and relatively narrow in width to blend in with other home entertainment equipment. In addition, since home entertainment equipment is usually stacked one atop another in home entertainment units, user access to the living room printer should preferably be through a front plane of the printer.
Designing a low profile, narrow width printer with user front plane access presents some technical difficulties. For example, conventional inkjet print engines contain three primary components, which are generally organized in series. Some of these components include the platen and service station. The platen has a printing area where print media (i.e., paper) are printed upon. The service station includes a spittoon receptacle in which print drops are disposed to clear the nozzles. The service station also contains a wiper to wipe clean the printhead during use and a cap to prevent the printhead from drying out during periods of non-use.
Further, many conventional inkjet print engines contain two or more printheads mounted side by side on a transversing carriage. Consequently, two or more service stations, including each a wiper and cap, are used. The caps are spaced at a center to center distance of the printheads so that each printhead can be simultaneously capped during periods of inactivity. The wipers are mounted to allow the printheads to be wiped clean during use. Ordinarily, only one spittoon is used. However, sometimes because of ink incompatibility more than one spittoon is used. Thus, the total width of conventional printers typically depends on the width of the service stations, the platen (which is at least the width of the print media), the width of one or more spittoons and the excursion of the printhead carriage.
Obviously therefore, if the capping stations can be located at the center of the platen rather than at either of its sides, the width of the printer can accordingly be reduced. But due to the requirement that user access be from the front plane of the printer, if the capping stations are placed at the center of the platen, the input tray will have to slide in and out of the printer underneath the capping stations. Having the input tray slide underneath the capping stations will result in a printer of a greater height; thus, violating the low profile requirement of the living room printer.
Consequently, what is needed is a printer that has a front access removable input paper tray with integrated platen and capping stations to keep the printer's height and width to a minimum. | {
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The present invention relates to a heat appliance such as a microwave oven, a convection cooking apparatus, etc. and, more particularly, to a heating appliance which heats a food by infrared rays, especially, far-infrared rays.
In a microwave oven, although a heating period can be reduced because microwaves have large energy, a food may be unevenly heated because a wave length of the microwaves is long. In a convection heating appliance, heat from a convection heating means may not be introduced into the interior of the food, so that the food may be uniformly heated. | {
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The present invention relates to a cramping terminal fitting or an insulation displacement terminal fitting and to a production method therefor.
A prior art cramping terminal fitting is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 6-333613 and is identified by the numeral 100 in FIGS. 11 and 12 of this application. A middle portion of the prior art cramping terminal fitting 100 is provided with insulation displacement contact (IDC) portions 101 for making cuts in an insulation coating of an unillustrated insulated wire. Each IDC portion 101 is substantially U-shaped and opens upwardly as shown in FIG. 12. Cutting blades 102 are provided at the opening edge of the IDC portion 101 for cutting the insulation coating of the wire, and a contact portion 103 is provided below the cutting blades 102 for contacting the core of the wire.
The cramping terminal fitting is formed from an electrically conductive plate material that is plated for anticorrosion purposes before being pressed. However, the plating comes off the prior art cramping terminal fitting 100 during the formation of cut ends, including the cut ends that define the cutting blades 102 and the contact portion 103. As a result, a second plating needs to be applied after the prior art cramping terminal fitting 100 is shaped by a press. The second plating plates the cut ends that define the cutting blades 102 and the contact portion 103, and thus ensures that a satisfactory contact state is maintained between the contact portion 103 and the wire.
Another prior art electrical connection member is disclosed in EP 0 352 966 B1. The prior art electrical connection member shown in EP 0 352 966 B 1 has a channel into which a wire can be inserted and in which insulation severing edge surfaces are provided. The insulation severing edge surfaces converge toward each other and are dimensioned to contact the wire inserted into the channel. As a result, the insulation severing edge surfaces displace the insulation coating on the wire. This prior art electrical connection member further includes arcuate dimples in the walls of the channel. The arcuate dimples define bowed portions that have crests. Further insertion of the wire into the channel causes the crests of the bowed portions to enter the incisions made by the insulation severing edge surfaces. Thus, the crests of these bowed portions on the prior art electrical connection member contact the core of the wire. However, the core of the wire may be contacted improperly by the bowed portions when the wire is not oriented completely and/or properly.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a terminal fitting which comprises an improved cutting blade that can maintain a satisfactory contact state with a wire without applying a second plating after the terminal fitting is shaped by a press.
The subject invention is directed to a terminal fitting for a wire that has an electrically conductive core and an insulation coating. The terminal fitting is formed from an electrically conductive plate member that has been plated on one surface. The plate member is formed to define sidewalls. At least one insulation displacement contact portion is formed between the sidewalls and is open to one side of the terminal fitting. Thus, the wire can be pushed transversely into the insulation displacement contact portion of the terminal fitting. The insulation displacement contact portion comprises cutting blades for cutting the insulation coating and at least one contact portion for contacting the core. The contact portion is below the cutting blades along the insertion direction of the insulated wire, and is defined by an inward embossment on at least one sidewall. The embossment may be of substantially triangular cross section and may be dimensioned for tightly holding the core of the wire. least one sidewall. The embossment may be of substantially triangular cross section and may be dimensioned for tightly holding the core of the wire.
Accordingly, the cutting blades cut the insulation coating and the contact portion, which is provided below the cutting blades, is brought into contact with the core as the insulated wire is pushed further into the insulation displacement contact portion. The contact portion is formed by inward embossments on the sidewalls of the terminal fitting. As a result, a satisfactory contact state can be maintained without peeling the plating on the front surface.
The terminal fitting may further comprise a guide portion above the cutting blades for guiding the wire to the cutting blades. Accordingly, the insulation coating of the wire is cut smoothly since the wire is guided to the cutting blades by the guide portion. The guide portion may have an inclined portion with an inclination angle that is substantially the same as an inclination angle of the cutting blades.
The cutting blades are formed by edges of cut ends that are obtained when the electrically conductive plate member is bent. End positions of the edges are aligned with an upper end of the contact portion.
At least one opening may be formed in a portion of the bottom of the terminal fitting where the insulation displacement contact portion is formed. The opening avoids distortion of the terminal fitting, which could occur when the insulation displacement contact portion is formed by embossing.
According to the invention, there is further provided a method for producing a terminal fitting. The method comprises providing at least one insulation displacement contact portion that is electrically connectable with a core of an insulated wire by making cuts in an insulation coating as the insulated wire is pushed into the insulation displacement contact portion. The insulation displacement contact portion may be formed by embossing one or more opposed sidewalls of the terminal fitting inwardly such that the embossed portions have a substantially triangular cross section. The embossments form one or more cutting blades for making cuts in the insulation coating of the insulated wire and one or more contact portions which are provided below or behind the cutting blades as seen in an insertion direction of the insulated wire. The contact portions then may be brought into contact with the core.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the method further comprises a step of bending an electrically conductive plate member and/or plating a front surface thereof.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. | {
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As an anonymous information providing method (communication method in which an information providing source is hidden) in which an information provider provides information to, for example, a research company which is an information provided destination by utilizing a computer system, while anonymity is maintained, there has conventionally been used a method in general in which a reliability confirming person is set as a third party that verifies an information provider's identification and BBS (stored public information service) for offering public services of stored information is also set, and after the information provider requests the information provider's identification to the reliability confirming person to verify the identification, the information provider transmits the information to the research company via an anonymous communication channel, while in the research company, if it is necessary to specify the information provider after receiving the information from the information provider, inquiry for verifying the identification of the information provider is made to the reliability confirming person, and thus, the information provider can be specified.
In this method, however, difficulty to build a reliable third party causes serious problems on actual operation.
Various proposals and product developments for preserving communication contents from tapping, alteration, or the like of malicious users have been made with the spread of the Internet.
Meanwhile, necessity for hiding not only the communication contents but also the destination or the source is often pointed out. Addresses of the destination and the source can be traced by tapping header information or tracing information on a router through which the information has routed.
Hence, necessity of hiding the header information, such as an IP address or the like, arises, but when a hiding technique, such as encryption or the like, is directly applied to the header, it will become impossible for the information to pass through telecommunication equipment, such as a router and the like. In order to solve such problems, various techniques have been increasingly proposed in these days.
Accordingly, an anonymity communication method using onion routing has been proposed as a devised representative method (Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, this method will be described briefly.
FIG. 1 is a flow chart for explaining the anonymity communication method in which the onion routing is used. Adr1 to AdrN−1 used at each step from S0 to S5 are addresses (destinations) of communication apparatuses (they are hereinafter referred to as servers) in a route for connecting an information provider and an information provided destination. The information providing source is represented as Adr0, while the information provided destination is represented as AdrN.
In this Figure, contents enclosed with parentheses ( ) are encrypted, and each server has a key that can decrypt the encryption within the parentheses ( ). This key is represented as KyJ. It is to be noted that symbols I and J are counters for explaining this flow chart, and are not required for actual communication.
At Step S0, the address (destination) of Adr0 is an address of the information providing source. The information providing source transmits (Adr2 (Adr3 . . . (AdrN) . . . )) which is onion routing information to the server of address Adr1 to be first sent, together with providing information which is desired to be provided to the information provided destination.
In a state of I=N−1 and J=1 which is a first step of Step S1, the destination is the server of the address Adr1, and the Adr1 server has a decryption key Ky1 and decrypts the encryption within the parentheses ( ) using this Ky1 to thereby acquire information indicating that Adr2 is the next destination.
Subsequently, at Step S2, (Adr3 (Adr4 . . . (AdrN) . . . )) which is the next onion routing information is sent to the next Adr2 server, together with the received providing information. Step S3 and Step S4 are a counter addition/subtraction, which is set for explanation of this flow chart, and its determination, respectively.
As described above, the providing information is hereinafter sent to Adr3 and Adr4 sequentially, and is finally transmitted to the apparatus of the address AdrN.
At this time, Adr1 to AdrN are encrypted so as for the decryption keys Ky1 to KyN to decrypt them, respectively. As a result of performing such information transmission, the intermediate server knows only the addresses of its previous and following servers. In order to specify Adr0 of the information providing source, the information must be acquired from all the servers, and as the result, the information providing source is hidden. Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2004-229071 | {
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This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2000-013236, filed Jan. 21, 2000; No. 2000-015419, filed Jan. 25, 2000; No. 2000-131610, filed Apr. 28, 2000; and No. 2000-400361, filed Dec. 28, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for detecting a magnetic resonance signal of a nuclear spin in an object to be examined and imaging the interior of the object.
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (to be referred to as an MRI hereinafter) used as a medical diagnosing apparatus is an apparatus for imaging the interior of an object by detecting a magnetic resonance signal (to be referred to as an MR signal hereinafter) of a nuclear spin in the object. The MRI apparatus can noninvasively image the interior of an object without any radiation exposure, and hence exhibits high clinical utility.
In general, the MRI apparatus has a substantially cylindrical gantry forming an measurement space. In this gantry, a magnetic unit (e.g., superconductive magnet), a gradient field coil, an RF coil, and the like are concentrically arranged. The magnetic unit generates a static field having a very high strength of about several kilogauss to 10 kilogauss (1 tesla) in the measurement space. The gradient field coil generates a linear gradient field superimposed on this static field such that the gradient field changes over time. The RF coil transmits a high-frequency pulse and receives a high-frequency MR signal obtained from the object.
Note that the gradient field coil is comprised of coils of three channels to generate gradient fields in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions. An measurement space is formed in the central portion of these coils, and an object is carried into the space while being laid on the top of a bed. In a static field, a spatial homogeneity of several 10 PPM or less is required. An imaging area in an measurement space requiring this homogeneity often takes a spherical shape having a diameter of about 500 mm.
In imaging operation of obtaining an MR image by the MRI apparatus, the above magnetic unit, gradient field coil, and RF coil are driven in accordance with a desired pulse sequence. More specifically, linear gradient fields in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions are superimposed on an object placed in a static field in accordance with a pulse sequence, and a nuclear spin in the object is magnetically excited by a high-frequency signal having a Larmor frequency. Upon this excitation, an MR signal is generated. This MR signal is detected by the RF coil. By reconstructing the detected MR signal, an MR image of the object is obtained as, for example, a two-dimensional tomographic image.
Recently, there has been a growing need to shorten the time required for imaging in such an MRI apparatus, and a pulse sequence for switching gradient fields of high strength at high speed (inverting polarity at high speed), e.g., a high-speed EPI (Echo Planar Imaging) method, has been put into practice.
When a pulse current flows in the gradient field coil, an electromagnetic force acts on the gradient field coil at the leading edge of a pulse or polarity inversion to make the coil unit mechanically deform owing to the interaction between the electromagnetic force and a static field. As described above, the gradient field coil has coils of three channels which generate gradient fields in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions, and these three gradient field coils are frequently switched at high speed.
The overall coil unit including the gradient field coil and a magnetic vessel for supporting the coil vibrates due to the mechanical distortion of the coil unit. This vibration generates aerial vibration to cause noise. The vibration also generates an impulsive sound. When a gradient field pulse is inverted at high speed, in particular, this vibration increases. As the operation speed increases, therefore, noise increases. The level of this noise becomes 100 dB(A) or more. The noise reverberates in the housing of the gantry in which the object lies or the sealed vessel to produce a larger impulsive sound. This makes the object (patient) feel fear, insecure, and unpleasant.
To prevent an object from being hearing-impaired by this noise, the object is made to wear earplugs or headphones. However, it is troublesome for the patient to wear the earphones or headphones, and they may interfere with imaging operation depending on the imaging position. There have been various proposals for the suppression of the occurrence of such noise. The present applicant has proposed an MRI apparatus designed to prevent air-born or solid-born propagation of noise or vibration by housing a gradient field coil in a sealed vessel with high airtightness as disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 63-256146, U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,210, Jpn. Pat. No. 2642348, and Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-118043.
In the conventional MRI apparatus having a silencing mechanism, no measures are taken against a case wherein the silencing function is impaired for some reason. For example, the sealed vessel housing the gradient field coil can prevent propagation of noise caused by the gradient field coil because a vacuum is held in the vessel. If the vacuum in the sealed vessel is lost while an MR image of an object (patient) is taken, large noise is produced abruptly. This makes the object feel fear, insecure, and unpleasant, and may impair the hearing of the object.
The vacuum in this sealed vessel can be maintained by reducing the leak amount to zero. In practice, however, current leads for supplying driving currents to the gradient field coil and a cooling system extend through the sealed vessel, and the vessel has many joint portions. External air flows little by little into the sealed vessel mainly through these portions, and hence the vacuum cannot be maintained for a very long period of time. For this reason, a relatively inexpensive rotary vacuum pump is continuously driven to always exhaust internal air to maintain a vacuum in the sealed vessel.
If, however, the vacuum pump is continuously driven, oil and parts deteriorate quickly. This makes it necessary to frequently perform maintenance. In addition, the service life of the vacuum pump is shortened. Furthermore, the power consumption becomes high, and the running cost becomes high.
It is an object of the present invention to reduce noise in imaging operation.
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus generates an MR signal from an object by applying a gradient field pulse generated by a gradient field coil and a high-frequency magnetic field pulse generated by a high-frequency coil to the object in a static field, and reconstructs an image on the basis of the MR signal. The gradient field coil is housed in a sealed vessel. The internal air in the sealed vessel is exhausted by the pump to prevent noise. By controlling the operation of the pump using a control circuit, noise in imaging operation can be reduced more effectively.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. | {
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Bent glass sheets are used extensively for vehicle windshields, side windows, and rear windows, as well as in various architectural applications. The bent sheets are also frequently tempered to improve the mechanical strength of the glass. In the United States, tempered bent glass sheets are used on vehicle side and rear windows while annealed bent glass sheets laminated to each other by polyvinyl butyryal are used for vehicle windshields. In other countries, tempered bent glass sheets are used for vehicle windshields as well as for side and rear windows.
Glass sheet press bending is typically performed by pressing a heated glass sheet on a mold, or between complementary curved molds so that the heated glass sheet is bent to conform to the curved shape of the mold or molds. One type of press bending system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,141, which discloses a glass sheet press bending system including a horizontal conveyor on which glass sheets are conveyed in a generally horizontally extending orientation for heating, and also includes an upper mold having a downwardly facing curved shape located above the conveyor at a bending station. When a glass sheet is conveyed into the bending station, a vacuum drawn at the upper mold and/or upward gas flow from below the conveyor provide a preferred means for supplying a differential gas pressure to the heated glass sheet so as to lift the glass sheet upwardly off the conveyor against the downwardly facing surface of the mold and, preferably, to provide some or all of the bending required to conform the glass sheet to the shape of the mold surface. A lower mold having an upwardly facing, complementary curved shape is typically mounted for movement into position directly below the upper mold, and for subsequent movement upwardly to press bend the heated glass sheet between the upper and lower mold. A transfer mold is thereafter moved horizontally under the upper mold and receives the press bent glass for subsequent transfer therefrom. Normally, the transfer mold is formed as an open-center ring and transfers the press bent glass to a quench station where tempering is performed. This type of press bending system can be utilized with either a gas hearth or a roller-type conveyor.
These systems typically employed a gas jet system generally of the type illustrated in FIG. 8 for providing positive gas pressure on the underside of the glass sheet for lifting the glass from the conveyor and blowing it to the upper forming mold. A control signal opened a "cold valve" solenoid which supplied pressurized air to a heat exchanger (not shown) in the furnace. The pressure level for the pressurized air was set on a pressure regulator. The heated high pressure air was then released to the lift jets by opening a "hot valve" solenoid, thereby lifting the glass from the rolls and blowing it to the forming mold.
This system provided adequate though minimal control of the lift jet forces by providing one or more pre-set forced levels of pressurized air to the system. However, since the action of the lift jets could be controlled only by turning on and off the hot valve or cold valve, the system operated at a single, pre-set pressure. To change the lifting force for bending a different shape, the regulator required adjustment during initial set-up of the system for that shape.
Another problem with the previous system was that upon opening the cold valve, and prior to opening the hot valve, significant excess pressure often built-up in the pressurized gas in the heat exchanger so that, upon opening the hot valve to lift up the glass sheet, the initial surge of pressurized gas was greater than the desired force, causing damage to the protective covering on the mold or breakage of the glass sheet.
Also, if a different lifting force was needed during a different stage in a glass sheet press bending cycle, a second bypass regulator and bypass cold valve would need to be installed. Likewise, additional bypass regulators and bypass cold valves (shown as phantom lines in FIG. 8) would need to be installed for each different lifting force required during the process. | {
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In the related art, as a bearing used for a high-speed rotating body, a radial bearing is known which is used in a state of encircling a rotary shaft. As such a radial bearing, a radial foil bearing is well known which includes a thin sheet-shaped top foil forming a bearing surface, a back foil resiliently supporting the top foil, and a cylindrical bearing housing accommodating the top foil and the back foil. A bump foil, in which a thin sheet is formed in a wave sheet shape, is mainly employed as the back foil of the radial foil bearing.
As such a radial foil bearing, Patent Document 1, particularly FIG. 4 thereof, or FIG. 2 of Patent Document 2 discloses a structure including a bar-shaped locking member (a limiting member) which limits the movement of the back foil in the axial direction in order to prevent detachment of the back foil from the bearing housing.
In the structure of Patent Document 1 or 2, in order to fix the locking member to the bearing housing, two side surfaces (end surfaces in the axial direction) of the bearing housing are provided with engagement portions (engagement recesses, engagement grooves), and the engagement portions are engaged with engagement portions (engagement arms, engagement legs) of the locking member. The locking member holds the back foil, whereby the movement of the back foil in the axial direction is limited, and the detachment of the back foil from the bearing housing is prevented.
Patent Documents 3 to 5 disclose a radial foil bearing which includes a top foil (an upper foil) and a back foil (a back spring, an under foil). | {
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For the manufacture of metallic molding products such as automotive bodies and household electrical appliances, metallic materials such as steel sheets, galvanized steel sheets, etc. are formd to metallic molding articles, coated, and assembled. Coating of such metallic molding parts is generally carried out by a serial process which comprises degreasing, surface conditioning, chemical treatment, electrodeposition coating, etc.
The coating of a metallic molding products (hereinafter referred to briefly as a metallic article or, more briefly, an article) is carried out in a serial line comprising a degreasing stage for degreasing the surface of the article, a surface conditioning stage in which the degreasing agent is eliminated from the article surface, a chemical conversion treatment stage, and an electrodeposition coating stage.
This each process of the coating process generally comprises a combination of dipping, circulating spray, and mist spray systems. The dipping system consists in dipping the article in a treating agent in a dip bath. The dipping system is particularly advantageous for the treatment of an article having an internal "pocket" structure because metal particles deposited in the pocket portion can he effectively eliminated. However, when the article is large, the equipment has to be proportionally large-sized so that not only the initial cost is high but the amount of treating agents are large, thus increasing the burden on work for effluent disposal.
The circulating spray system is a system for cleaning an article by ejecting a large amount of treating solution against the article at the rate of, for example, not less than 3 L, usually about 5 L, per 1 m.sup.2 of the article. This circulating spray system reuses the recycled treating solution and, therefore is advantageous over the dipping system in that, inter alia, the amount of the treating solution and that of the effluent can both be reduced. Although this system insures a sufficient cleaning of the article surface, it has the disadvantage that the internal pocket portion of the article cannot be thoroughly treated.
The mist spray system is a system which comprises ejecting a treating solution against the article at the rate of, for example, not more than 3 L, usually about 2 L, per 1 m.sup.2 of the article. This mist spray system is advantageous in that the required amount of treating solution and the amount of effluent are comparatively small and the size of equipment required is smaller. However, just like the above-mentioned circulating spray system, this system cannot effectively treat the internal pocket structure, although it treats the surface well.
As shown in FIG. 4, the conventional process for coating a metallic molding article utilizing a combination of the above-mentioned systems comprises a step of rinsing the article with warm water using a warm water rinse sprayer 51 and/or a warm water rinse dip bath 52, a degreasing step using a degreasing sprayer 53 and/or a degreasing dip bath 54, and a rinsing step using a water rinse sprayer 55 and/or a water rinse dip bath 56. The article is thence dipped in a surface conditioning bath 57 and a chemical conversion treatment bath 58 in series. The thus-treated article is rinsed with a water rinse sprayer 59 and/or a water rinse dip bath 60, further rinsed with a pure water rinse sprayer 61, and finally electrocoated by dipping in an electrodeposition coating bath 62.
In the above series, the rate of elimination of metal particles is about 35% at the warm water rinse stage, about 65 cumulative % until the degreasing stage, and about 90 cumulative % until the rinse stage just before the electrodeposition coating bath 62. Thus, about 90% of the metal particles are eliminated uutil the electrodeposition coating bath 62 and the remainder or about 10% is carried over into the electrodeposition coating bath 62. The metal particles carried over to the electrodeposition coating stage are comparatively large, sized 80 to 200 .mu.m in diameter, and smaller particles sized less than 80 .mu.m, have been eliminated from the article surface by the treatments such as dipping treatments preceding the electrodeposition coating bath 62.
However, since comparatively large particles sized 80 to 200 .mu.m in diameter are not completely eliminated by the above-mentioned dipping treatments, they remain in the interior of the article and when the article is dipped in the electrodeposition coating bath 62, the solution in which has a relatively high specific gravity, they are dislodged from the article, float on the bath, and are deposited on the surface of the electrostatic coating film to cause film spots. Therefore, in order that the incidence of spot in electrodeposition coating may be precluded, it is necessary to remove metal particles of comparatively large size, namely 80 to 200 .mu.m in diameter, in the course up to the electrodeposition coating bath 62.
Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-6-23332 discloses an apparatus adapted to wash the surface-treated metallic article with a non-pressurized water surge shower and, in addition, bubble air through the cleaning bath solution.
Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-5-339766 discloses a cleaning equipment in which a bubbling device is used to generate microfine air bubbles in the cleaning bath. Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-5-110232 discloses a cleaning method which comprises cleaning a metallic article with air bubbles in the cleaning solution. Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-6-179987 discloses an aeration equipment in which an excess of oxygen is introduced into the cleaning water to clean the surface of a metallic article with microfine gas-phase oxygen.
However, by any of these technologies involving the use of air bubbles formed in the cleaning bath to clean a metallic article, it is difficult to dislodge sufficiently the metal particles deposited in the inner cavity or pocket of the metallic article.
Japanese Kokoku Publication Hei-6-71544 discloses a system for surface treatment and cleaning of a metallic article by means of an ultravibrator.
However, since this technology consists in the mere use of an ultravibrator, neither the surface treatment system nor the cleaning system is sufficiently effective in removing the metal particles deposited in the interior of the metallic article. Moreover, metal particles cannot be removed from the interior of the article at its emergence from the cleaning bath. Thus, metal particles remaining in the interior of the article, particularly particles from 80 to 200 .mu.m in diameter, float up on entry into the electrodeposition coating bath to become copresipitated on the electrodeposition film surface, thus giving rise to film spots.
Aside from the above technologies, a method of controlling the angles of immersion and emergence of the article with respect to a treating bath, such as a cleaning bath, has been proposed. However, with this angle control procedure alone, the metal particles once dislodged from the interior of the article upon immersion are deposited on the interior of the article, so that the particles are hardly removed at emergence of the article from the bath. Therefore, the metal particles floating up upon immersion of the article into the electrodeposition coating bath become coprecipitated on the electrodeposition film. | {
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Molecules labeled with radioactive isotopes have been used as both imaging agents in medical diagnosis as well as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer. Both radiolabeled small molecules and radiolabeled peptides and nucleosides have been used to diagnose tumors. In addition to their use as diagnostic tools, radiolabeled nucleotides have been used to treat tumors in mammals by injecting or infusing radiolabeled nucleosides directly to the affected site.
One practical issue associated with the use of radioisotopes is the means by which the radioactive isotope is bound to the delivery molecule. This is important because it is often the case that a molecule with special binding properties will be used to deliver a radioactive isotope to a specific location ill an organism. Hence, it is critical that the functional groups used to bind the radioisotope do not alter the binding specificity of the delivery molecule. Furthermore, the radioisotope should be strongly bound to the delivery molecule because inadvertent release of the radioisotope would unnecessarily subject healthy tissue to radiation.
One common method of labeling molecules with radioactive isotopes for medical use is a stannylation process. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,185. Although this process yields isotopically pure products, toxic tin by-products often remain and must be separated before the radiolabeled molecules can be used. In addition, the unstable nature of radiolabeled molecules and their precursors lead to a short shelf-life. Hence, a method for attaching the radioisotope to a wide variety of molecules that avoids toxic side products would be highly desirable.
Radiolabeling of biosequences may also be achieved with activated esters. This method presents a similar problem of chemical purity and isotopic purity. While it is possible to attach a radioactive agent, for example, a benzamide, to a protein or peptide, only a small fraction of the resulting proteins or peptides actually bear the radioactive tag. Separation of the radiolabeled material from non-radiolabeled material is particularly difficult since the protein or peptide is very large and the tag represents only a minor structural modification.
One technique used to simplify the purification of compounds is to attach the desired molecule to a solid support. This approach allows one to simply wash away unwanted contaminants leaving the essentially pure compound attached to the solid support. This technique can be advantageous when the desired product and the contaminants are difficult to separate using standard separation procedures such as extraction or chromatography. See WO 02/070020 and WO 99/18053 for additional discussion of the advantages relating to solid-phase synthesis.
In addition, organic synthesis on insoluble supports is a rapidly developing methodology which offers several advantages compared to traditional synthesis in solution. In recent years many new synthetic methods for solid-phase synthesis have been developed, and this technique is becoming a valuable alternative to traditional synthesis. Solid-phase synthesis is particularly useful when large numbers of different compounds in small quantities are needed for screening assays. Combinatorial chemistry and the production of compound libraries are usually based on solid-phase synthesis.
Therefore, the need exists for a procedure to prepare radiolabeled molecules and biosequences in high chemical purity and isotopic purity. Furthermore, there is a need for precursors to radiolabeled molecules that have a long shelf-life. The present invention fulfills the above-mentioned needs and has other related advantages. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to improved methods for producing methylene malonate monomers and to the use and/or application of methylene malonate monomers prepared by the methods of the invention as commercial products and compositions, including, for example, monomer-based products (e.g., inks, adhesives, coatings, sealants or reactive molding) and polymer-based products (e.g., fibers, films, sheets, medical polymers, composite polymers and surfactants).
2. Background
Methylene malonates are compounds having the general formula (I):
wherein R and R′ may be the same or different and may represent nearly any substituent or side-chain. Such compounds have been known since 1886 where the formation of diethyl methylene malonate was first demonstrated by W. H. Perkin, Jr. (Perkin, Ber. 19, 1053 (1886)).
These compounds have the potential to form the basis of a highly valuable novel large-scale platform for the chemical synthesis of a new order of raw materials for the generation of a wide variety of new chemical products, including inks, adhesives, coatings, sealants, molding, fibers, films, sheets, medical polymers, composites, surfactants and the like. While the potential is there for such materials, methylene malonates or materials made therefrom have found very limited commercial success owing to the difficulty of their production, including poor and erratic yields, lack of reactivity, and general instability of the monomer products. These difficulties stem from the deficiencies in the methods developed over the years which have proposed various schemes for synthesizing methylene malonates.
However, while such earlier methods for producing methylene malonates have been known for many years, these prior methods suffer significant deficiencies which preclude their use in obtaining commercially viable monomers. Such deficiencies include unwanted polymerization of the monomers during synthesis (e.g., formation of polymers or oligomers or alternative complexes), formation of undesirable side products (e.g., ketals or other latent acid-forming species which impede rapid polymerization), degradation of the product, insufficient and/or low yields, and ineffective and/or poorly functioning monomer product (e.g., poor adhesive characteristics, stability, or other functional characteristics), among other problems. The overall poorer yield, quality, and chemical performance of the monomer products formed by prior methods has impinged on their practical use in the production of the above commercial and industrial products. No viable solutions to solve the aforementioned problems have yet been proposed, accepted and/or recognized and certainly do not exist currently in the industry.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,330,033 to Gaetano D'Alelio (“the '033 patent”), methylene malonic esters are prepared by condensing a malonic ester with formaldehyde under alkaline conditions, acidifying with acetic acid and dehydrating the mass and distilling the methylene malonic ester. In each example of the '033 patent, the condensation reaction is acidified using acetic acid. Furthermore, the ester is described as polymerizing spontaneously in the absence of inhibitors. Thus, the reaction conditions described in the '033 patent would have led to the undesirable premature polymerization of the monomer and the production of deleterious side products. Further, the reference does not even recognize the formation of such deleterious side products, let alone does it provide any teachings or suggestions as to how to avoid or eliminate the formation of these impurities. Accordingly, the methylene malonates purportedly formed by this process are impractical for use in the production of viable commercial and industrial products.
Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,313,501 to Bachman et al. (“the '501 patent”), methylene dialkyl malonates are prepared by the reaction of dialkyl malonates with formaldehyde in the presence of an alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid in a substantially anhydrous carboxylic acid solvent. The method of the '501 patent purports to provide higher yields than the prior methods of condensing formaldehyde with a dialkyl malonate in the presence of a base. In the '501 patent, methylene diethyl malonate is distilled directly from the reaction mixture under sub-atmospheric pressure. The ester is described as forming a soft waxy white polymer upon standing, indicating the presence of a high degree of deleterious side products. The '501 patent does not even recognize the formation of such deleterious side products, let alone does it provide any teachings or suggestions as to how to avoid or eliminate the formation of such impurities. Thus, the methylene malonates purportedly formed by this process are highly unstable and are impractical for use in the production of viable commercial and industrial products.
Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,318 to Halpern et al. (“the '318 patent”), dialkyl methylene malonic acid esters are prepared by condensing dimethylmalonate with formaldehyde in the presence of acetic acid and an acetate of a heavy metal at 100-110° C. The reaction mixture is directly distilled under reduced pressure. The '318 patent states that in the anhydrous composition, the reaction either fails to occur or is greatly delayed by the inhibitor up to the time when the effectiveness of the inhibitor is reduced by contact of moisture therewith (from occluded surface water on glass, metal or the like). The unfavorable reaction conditions described in this reference would have led to the production of deleterious side products. The '318 patent does not even recognize the formation or presence of these impurities, let alone offer teachings or suggestions as to how to avoid or eliminate their formation. Accordingly, the methylene malonates purportedly formed by the process of the '318 patent would have been impractical for their use in the production of viable commercial products.
Also, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,745 to Coover et al. (“the '745 patent”), monomeric dialkyl esters of methylene malonic acid are purportedly prepared in high purity because even with small amounts of impurities that influence polymerization the adhesive utility will be impaired. The '745 patent describes removing all impurities to levels below 100 parts-per-million preferably below 10 parts-per-million. The monomers are prepared by hydrogenating the olefinic bond of a dialkyl alkoxy-methylenemalonate in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and pyrolyzing the reaction product. The '745 patent states that these high purity materials polymerize and form firm bonds in situ rapidly, within seconds. Indeed, the '745 patent, like related U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,097 to Coover et al. (“the '097 patent”), requires the use of an acidic stabilizer to enhance shelf-life and to prevent premature polymerization. However, the high temperature conditions of the pyrolysis reaction invariably results in the formation of unwanted and deleterious side products and is a much more expensive and difficult synthesis process for preparing methylene malonate as compared to the Knovenagel reaction with formaldehyde. Thus, the monomer purportedly formed by the processes of the '745 and '097 patents is impractical for use in the production of viable commercial and industrial products.
Still further, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,550 to Eck et al. (“the 550 patent”) report on a general process for producing methylene malonic esters of the general formula CH2═C(—CO2R)2, by reacting paraformaldehyde in glacial acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a product in the form of a “gel” which is then “cracked” at high temperature distillation. The reaction is conducted over long periods of time, including up to 15 hours, and produces a substantial amount of deleterious side products, as evidenced by the gelatinous characteristics of the product. Further, the '550 patent contains no support showing the functionality of the monomers produced. Due to the likely presence of high levels of impurities, the functionality of the monomers produced by the '550 patent would likely be substantially compromised.
Citing numerous disadvantages of the foregoing processes, which disadvantages were said to make them difficult, if not impossible, to provide commercially viable monomers, Bru-Magniez et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,584 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,098) (“the '584 and '098 patents”) developed a process whereby anthracene adducts were prepared by reacting mono- or di-malonic acid ester with formaldehyde in the presence of anthracene, most preferably in a non-aqueous solvent medium in the presence of select catalysts. According to these patents, the anthracene adducts were said to be readily produced in high yields with the desired methylene malonates obtained by stripping them from the anthracene adduct by any of the known methods including heat treatment, thermolysis, pyrolysis or hydrolysis; preferably heat treatment in the presence of maleic anhydride. The resultant crude products were then subjected to multiple distillations, preferably lower temperature distillations under vacuum, to recover the purified methylene malonates. Despite the claim to high yields, their crude yields were generally in the range of 21-71%, and more importantly, nothing is taught with respect to the purity of the material obtained.
While the use of intermediate adducts promoted higher yields and allowed greater versatility, particularly with respect to the broader variety of methylene malonates capable of being produced, lingering problems persisted, namely batch-to-batch inconsistency and the general instability of the process as well as the so-formed crude and final products, especially in bulk storage, and of formulated products, such as adhesives, made with the same. Additionally, the adduct routes involve considerable added expense, particularly in light of the need for the additional reactants and other materials, added production steps and time, new energy requirements and environmental concerns, and the like. Furthermore, despite their advances, these processes have yet to fully or even adequately address, particularly from a commercial viability standpoint, the underlying and critical problems evidenced by the continuing inconsistency in the production of the methylidene malonates, particularly as reflected by the ongoing instability of the reaction mix particularly during the distillation and recovery of the desired product as well as of the recovered product. It is this erratic nature of the production process and resultant product and the attendant costs associated therewith that compromises and overshadows the commercial value and opportunity for these products.
Similar conclusions may be drawn from other representative prior references that purport to teach the synthesis of methylene malonates, including, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,557,185; 3,975,422; 4,049,698; 4,056,543; 4,160,864; and 6,106,807. None of these references, however, recognize the same problems discussed above, including the formation of deleterious side products, such as, ketals and other latent acid-forming species which impede monomer performance, the occurrence of unwanted polymerization (e.g., unintended formation of polymers, oligomers or alternative complexes) and the general degradation and instability of the monomer products which together substantially impedes the production of high-quality methylene malonate monomers having commercial viability.
In view of the above art, there remains no known single viable commercially suitable method or process for the chemical synthesis of methylene malonate monomers which may be utilized to produce these important raw materials for the generation of a wide variety of commercial and industrial products. Thus, a need exists for improved methods for synthesizing methylene malonate monomers that are capable of being viably used in commercial and industrial applications.
The present invention solves the aforementioned problems in the synthesis of methylene malonate monomers and paves the way to a commercially viable source of an important raw material. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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At present, in the high frequency switch power supply system, the industrial frequency alternating current (ac) is generally converted to the direct current by the rectifying device and then is delivered to the subsequent circuit. The most commonly used rectifier device is the bridge rectifier circuit, because the subsequent circuit usually contains a filter capacitor with large capacitance, a anti-surge circuit must be added into the input circuit to avoid the surge current caused by quick charge of the filter capacitor during the starting of electrical equipment which leads to a damage of the rectifying device, filter capacitor or other device. To this, the simplest method of preventing a surge is implemented by adding a current limiting resistor (it is usually a negative temperature coefficient thermistor) in series with the input circuit, in order to prevent the influence of the current limiting resistor on the conversion efficiency, usually a switching device (it can be a relay or semiconductor switch) is connected to the current limiting resistor in parallel.
In FIG. 1, the circuit with the reference number 100 is the bridge rectifier and surge control circuit in the prior art. At the starting moment of the electric equipment, the alternating current (ac) flows through the fuse F1, EMI filter network 200 in the electric equipment, then is limited by a current-limiting resistor Rt (the control switch 101 is off), is rectified by the rectifier bridge BD, and charges a filter capacitor C. When the electric equipment enters into the stable working state, control switch in parallel with the current limiting resistor Rt is closed to eliminate the influence of the current limiting resistor Rt on the conversion efficiency.
During rectifier procedure, the bridge rectifier and surge control circuit in the prior art rectifies the current through two series rectifier diode in each half cycle. Because the rectifier diode has high positive voltage drop (typically about 1.2 V), so the power loss brought by the bridge rectifier takes a larger proportion in the whole power consumption, which increases the power consumption of the entire circuit. In addition, the cost of the control switch in parallel with the current limiting resistor is high, if the control switch is a semiconductor switch, it will bring a large extra power consumption, and if the control switch is a relay, although the relay has small power consumption which can be ignored, the large volume of the relay leads to an increase of the entire volume of the bridge rectifier and surge control circuit, which goes against the miniaturization of the circuit. Therefore, the bridge rectifier and surge control circuit in the prior art has the problem of high power consumption, high cost and large volume. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Malaria is a common and still increasing infectious disease in many countries. Malaria affects the red blood cells in a complex system of propagation of the mosquito Anopheles. Sporozoites invade the red blood cells (erythrocytes) and eventually rapture the red blood cells. The effect of malaria is, among others, the destruction of the red blood cells causing anemia in the patient.
Today, microscopy is the gold standard for determination of malaria burden and the effect of treatment thereof. The microscopy methods used are so-called thin layer and thick layer methods. The thin layer method is defined by a single layer of red blood cells, whereas the thick layer method uses hemolyzed red blood cells corresponding to 10-20 layers of red blood cells.
Thin layer microscopy by a skilled operator can morphologically identify the parasite to the species level and determine the percentage of the red blood cells that are infected. The number of such red blood cells containing parasites, as seen as “black dots”, in relation to the total number of red blood cells is calculated and used as degree of malaria or malaria burden.
The thick layer method is considered to be the more sensitive method. A defined layer or volume of blood is hemolyzed and the free parasites in a certain area or portion of the blood sample are counted. The disadvantage of this method is that red blood cells cannot be counted due to the hemolyzation. In order to get a measure or estimate of the malaria burden and to follow the effect of any malaria treatment, it is necessary to determine the concentration of the red blood cells.
The above described so-called thin or thick layer methods for determining the degree of the malaria burden require usage of a microscope and a skillful user. In addition, both methods are furthermore quite time consuming.
Malaria diagnosis can furthermore be done by immunological point-of-care (POC) rapid in vitro diagnostic tests. These tests are more costly and are generally not able to directly give information of the degree of malaria burden. Hence, the microscopy methods are the preferred methods in those countries where malaria is most frequent.
WO 2011/123070 discloses determination of the percentage of the red blood cells in a blood sample that are infected by malaria parasites. The disclosed technique uses a flow cytometer together with nucleic acid dyes that react with DNA or react with DNA and RNA and antibodies coupled to a fluorophore and capable of selectively binding to a marker present on leukocytes.
The prior art method of determining a parasitemia value in WO 2011/123070 is marred by a rather complex set-up requiring several chemicals and cumbersome detection equipment.
Hence, there is a need for an efficient solution to determine, preferably automatically determine, parasitemia values for patients infected by malaria parasites and that can be used outside of clinical laboratories. | {
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The rewritable memories described in the context of this invention are known as EEPROMs, electrically erasable programmable read-only memories, or so-called flash memories. One characteristic of an EEPROM or flash memory is that the stored data is retained even with the supply voltage turned off. Depending on the technology employed, the physical parameters of the memory elements change due to repeated writing. Depending on the number of memory accesses, a so-called threshold voltage provided by the respective memory element changes. Connected with this is change in the current yield of the respective memory cell. A very high number of write accesses can lead to a total failure of individual memory elements due to oxide breakdown.
Another characteristic of EEPROMs or flash memories is the dependence of the drain-source current of a memory cell on its supply voltage. At a low supply voltage, the drain-source current sharply decreases and, for example, hinders or slows the reading of a memory cell.
Readout circuits, known as sense-amplifiers, evaluate the logic state of a memory cell. In the design of EEPROMs or flash memory, readout circuits are a particular challenge. On the one hand, the readout circuits must be very fast and space-efficient but on the other, they should reflect the changes of the memory cells due to multiple writing and read out the correct value even at low supply voltages. In addition, the readout circuits and the structure of a rewritable memory must be adapted to the specific requirements of an application.
A known readout circuit for EEPROMs or flash memories is based on a fully differential sense-amplifier for low supply voltages. In this case the current of a bit cell is compared in a comparator to the current of a reference cell and stored in a downstream latch. The on-time of the circuit must be set in such a manner that the sense-amplifier has made its decision with respect to the value stored in the bit cell before the readout circuit is turned off again. The reserve for the on-time must be sufficiently large to account for process variations of high-voltage and low-voltage transistors. The time span from the decision of the measuring amplifier to the switching-off of the readout circuit entails an increased power consumption.
In another known readout circuit, an optimal reading reserve is realized by realizing one data bit using two memory cells. The two memory cells here are programmed oppositely to one another. This achieves a doubled reading certainty. On the other hand, the number of memory cells doubles. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to an imaging lens, a camera, and a portable information terminal device.
An imaging lens of the present invention is provided as a photographing optical system of a silver-halide camera, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and a portable information terminal device. A camera of the present invention is provided as a silver-halide camera, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and a portable information terminal device.
The use of digital cameras has become commonplace, and there have been various requests from users regarding digital camera functions. Among them, a high-quality compact camera with a relatively large image sensor having a diagonal length of approximately 20-45 mm and a high-performance single focus lens has gained great attention.
As to such a compact camera, in addition to having high performance and a large diameter, excellent portability, that is, miniaturization is in great demand.
In terms of high quality, in addition to having resolution corresponding to an image sensor of at least 12-24 megapixels, less comatic flare, high contrast, and no point image distortion in a peripheral part of an angle of view at an open aperture, less chromatic aberration and no occurrence of unnecessary coloring in a part having a large brightness difference, less distortion, and capability of drawing a straight line as a straight line, and so on are at least needed.
In terms of the large diameter, due to the necessity to make different from a general compact camera with a zoom lens, an F-number of less than F3 at least is needed.
In terms of miniaturization, in a high-resolution compact camera, since a large image sensor is used relative to the size of the camera body, an actual focus length is longer than that of a compact camera having a small image sensor. Therefore, in order to achieve miniaturization of the design while having the high-resolution image sensor, it is necessary to shorten the entire length of the imaging lens in the camera.
Additionally, in terms of an angle of view of a photographing lens, many users demand a rather wide angle, and it is preferable that a half angle of view of an imaging lens be equal to or more than 35 degrees. The half angle of view of 35 degrees is equivalent to a focal length of about 31 mm in a 35-mm silver-halide camera using traditional 35-mm silver-halide film (so-called Leica format silver-halide film).
An image sensor of a digital camera has a color filter and a microlens per pixel, and therefore, it is preferable that a position of an exit pupil be distant from an image plane, and a peripheral light beam be approximately vertically incident onto an imaging plane.
In order to achieve this object, retrofocus-type imaging lenses are suitable, and conventionally many of those have been employed. However, when a retrofocus lens is employed, an entire length of an imaging lens (a length from a surface on a most object side to an image plane) tends to be longer.
Recently, in a relatively large image sensor having a diagonal length of 20-45 mm, due to improvement and optimization of an on-chip microlens, development of image processing, and the like, a slightly inclined incident state has been allowable as a state where a peripheral light beam is incident onto an imaging plane.
That is, in particular, a system capable of sufficiently accepting an angle between a principal ray and an optical axis at a maximum image height of about 35-45 degrees is constructible, and it is possible to choose types of lenses more suitable for miniaturization without restricting a condition of vertical incidence of a peripheral light beam.
From the above viewpoint, as types of lenses more suitable for miniaturization than the retrofocus-type, there are an approximately-symmetric-type, and a telephoto-type in which a lens group having a negative refractive power is arranged on an image side. Conventional examples of imaging lenses of this kind are disclosed in the following patent documents.
Japanese Patent Application Publication Number H08-313802 discloses an imaging lens of an approximately-symmetric-type wide lens having a sufficiently large diameter. However, an entire length of the lens, or an entire thickness of the lens (length from a surface on a most object side to a surface on a most image side of a lens system) is large, and therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of miniaturization.
Japanese Patent Application Publication Number H11-326756 discloses an imaging lens having a constitution close to an approximately-symmetric-type, and achieves a wide angle that exceeds a half angle of view of 50 degrees; however, its smallest F-number is F4-4.5, which is large.
Japanese Patent Application Publication Number 2005-352060 discloses an imaging lens having a small entire length/thickness of the lens; however, since a back focal distance is short, a diameter of a lens close to an image plane is large. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of miniaturization.
Japanese Patent Application Publication Number 2012-008347 discloses an imaging lens that excels in an angle of view, an F-number, and imaging performance; however, a feature of a retrofocus lens strongly remains, and therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of miniaturization. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to communication link circuits, and more particularly, to digital signal transmitters having selectable drive capability and power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
Interfaces between present-day system devices and also between circuits have increased in operating frequency and complexity. In particular, high-speed serial interfaces include transmitters and receivers that typically consume relatively large amounts of the power budget of an integrated circuit. However, depending on channel conditions and parameters, the maximum output signal level of a transmission circuit may not be required for proper signal reception at the remote end of the interface. For example, the channel physical length may be shorter in some applications than in others, reducing signal degradation and thereby reducing transmit power requirements for the same receiver complexity.
Due to limited design resources and the need to satisfy the requirements of multiple interface applications, customers and channel conditions, transmitters and receivers within above-described interfaces are typically designed for the worst-case bit error rates and environmental conditions, leading to relatively complex receivers and high power transmitters. As a result, it is not always possible to provide a transmitter having lower power consumption when a high channel quality is available.
The above-incorporated Patent Application discloses an interface in which the transmitters and receivers have adjustable and/or adaptive parameters for finely tuning an interface to manage power consumption. One of the controllable parameters is the transmitter power level of the interface driver circuit(s). However, typical transmit power adjustment performed by changing the driver voltage and/or current levels is not always a preferable mechanism to adjust transmit power. Communications links within and between computer subsystems have reached bandwidths of between 5 gHz and 10 gHz and interface frequencies can be expected to increase in the future. Driver circuits operating at such high frequencies do not typically scale operation well over voltage or bias current adjustments, as internal impedances change with such adjustments causing mismatch and loss of power. Delay also typically increases with reduced transmitter power, compromising the integrity of the data window.
Transmitter drivers as described above are not generally simple digital buffers or inverters that switch power rail levels using an effectively near-zero impedance onto the interface line, but are typically linear driver circuits providing multiple stages of amplification or switches having progressively increasing and controlled signal current levels. The cascaded driver circuits progressively raise the power level of the signals internal to an integrated circuit or subsystem to the level required for transmission across the interface channel. Such complex circuits are susceptible to impedance changes due to power level adjustment and therefore such adjustment may not result in optimum performance for a given power consumption level. For example, if the mismatch between stages and at the input of the driver circuit increases when the transmit power level is dropped, the transmit power decrease will not be linear. Such non-linearity indicates an inefficiency of the driver at the lower power level. Similarly, if the transmitter is designed so that impedance matching is ideal at the lower power level, then at higher power consumption levels, the output power will not provide a linear increase with the consumption level. Delay necessarily increases with decreased signal levels through the stages due to device capacitance changes and charge effects relative to the reduced signal strength.
It is therefore desirable to provide an interface transmitter circuit having selectable power consumption that is efficient in both high and low power modes. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Modern computers usually contain circuit boards, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) on which a number of processors and accompanying peripheral components are mounted. A blade system includes an enclosure, with the enclosure containing a number of bays and each bay is capable of holding a printed circuit board that may be a blade. For example, some enclosures are capable of holding 20 blades. A rack that may be a server rack may contain a number of enclosures, with each enclosure containing a number of blades.
One type of server that employs an architecture similar to the one described above is an enclosure that includes server blades. A server blade includes a holder for holding a printed circuit board that has a generally rectangular dimension capable of fitting into a bay of a server blade enclosure. A server blade generally has a relatively thin width w that gives the server blade a razor-blade like appearance.
Each server blade includes a processor or processors and a number of components such as memory modules, disk drives, network interface controllers (NICs), heat sinks, and so forth. These components are placed on the PCB of the server blade in such a way so that they fit within the width of the server blade. Because of the narrow width of the server blade, many standard components that may be available from component suppliers may not be used. Also, due to the narrow width, the density of components (e.g., memory devices) or size of components (e.g., heat sinks) may have to be reduced. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to the control of weed growth in lawns and gardens and, more particularly, to chemical control of weed growth.
Weed control by the application of chemicals in lawns and gardens has been widely used, and has been found to be the most effective and convenient method for controlling weeds. In such method, chemical compounds called herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid are deposited by spraying onto the weeds. The herbicides will cause the weeds to defoliate and eventually to die, yet the herbicides are not harmful to grass.
Chemical herbicides are commonly provided to the user in the form of concentrated aqueous solutions. The user must dilute the aqueous solution into a workable solution of a predetermined concentration, and the dilute solution is sprayed over the entire lawn or in selected areas where weeds are growing actively. However, the herbicidal solution thus prepared cannot be applied to the lawn in rainy weather since it will either be highly diluted by the rain or be washed away thereby. Heavy dew will also weaken the effectiveness of the herbicidal solution. Also, it cannot be used in windy conditions even when the wind is moderate, because the spray and fume of the herbicidal solution can be easily carried away by the wind. The spray and fume of the herbicides carried by the wind are harmful to human as well as to other ornamental plants located in the neighbourhood, thus this presents a large problem to the effective application of such herbicides.
In order to avoid breathing in the fume and vapour of the herbicide, the user may drag the applicator behind him so that the harmful fume and vapour are blown away from him. This common practice also enables the user to avoid walking over the treated area so that the herbicidal solution of the applied area cannot cause contamination to his clothing. However, in doing so the user would not have a clear view of the area being treated and the applicator is not under his full control.
Furthermore, the herbicidal solution must be prepared carefully according to the recommended concentration and applied to the lawn evenly in a correct quantity. An excess amount of herbicides used will cause the grass to wilt or brown; a condition which is referred to as "burning" of the grass, making the lawn very unsightly and resulting in unhealthy grass growth. Also, herbicides are poisonous, and it is thus hazardous for the user to handle the concentrated aqueous solution of the herbicides in preparing the solution for use.
Attempts have been made to alleviate the problems of using liquid herbicides by admixing the herbicides with a solid base to form a solid herbicidal composition which can be applied by rubbing it on the weed plants. It does not require the user to prepare the solution and it can be used in a windy condition without the danger of spreading the herbicides to neighbouring trees and ornamental plants in herbaceous borders. However, known solid herbicidal compositions suffer the main drawback that they have a low melting point and they are readily melted by the solar heat after application to weeds such that they would run off into the soil or be diluted or washed away by rain or dew as in using liquid herbicidal compositions. Moreover, known solid herbicidal compositions when melted by the solar heat release the herbicides at an excessive rate to a point causing damage to the grass in the treated areas. This is mainly due to the fact that natural waxes have been used as the base carrier which have a low melting point. Also such solid herbicidal compositions often become very soft and tacky in summertime and the herbicides can be exuded from the composition due to the ambient heat. The exuded herbicides are then lost by volatilization into vapour which is harmful and may also cause contamination to other material placed nearby.
In spite of the low melting point, known solid herbicidal compositions have a low adhesiveness and they must be rubbed with a considerable pressing force so as to apply a satisfactory amount of the compositions on weed plants, and they are not adherent to wet weed plants.
Moreover, natural waxes break down readily in exposure to solar heat and atmosphere. Thus, they remain in the weed plants for a relatively short period without permitting the herbicides to act effectively on the weed plants. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present inventive concept herein relates to wireless communication receivers, and more particularly, to a sub-sampling receiver that can digitally process noise signals near to a wanted signal.
An RF integrated circuit uses an LC resonant circuit to amplify a wanted signal and the LC resonant circuit has a band filter characteristic. However, since a resonant circuit of integrated circuit has a quality factor which is not good, it is inadequate to filter a wanted signal in a wanted RF band. Thus, at the front of receiver integrated circuit of high-end application field, to increase a selectivity of signal, it is necessary to use a pre-filter that can greatly reduce out-of-band signal components while having a high selectivity for in-band signals.
When realizing a sub-sampling receiver including an RF-to-digital converter that directly converts an RF signal into a digital signal, since the sub-sampling receiver is advantageous for a multiple band multiple mode, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) and a carrier aggregation (CA), a high-end application is possible. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Images captured with CMOS sensors and/or other sensors use a rolling shutter that exposes rows of pixels to light at slightly different times during image capture. This slight temporal shift between each row start may result in a deformed image caused by image capture device motion. Some image correction solutions may not account for high frequency image capture device motion and require dedicated hardware. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to apparatus for measuring angular movement of a body and has as its object the provision of such apparatus in a convenient form. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Mechanical seal assemblies generate a significant amount of heat, and a liquid coolant is typically circulated through the seal cavity of the assembly to remove the seal-generated heat. This coolant is typically circulated through an external circuit having a heat exchanger associated therewith to effect removal of the heat from the coolant. When dealing with a conventional single mechanical seal assembly, the coolant is typically provided by continuously bypassing part of the pump fluid through the seal cavity inasmuch as the cooling demands are generally of less severity, although in some instances a wholly separate coolant is required. When dealing with double mechanical seals, however, the seal-generated heat is typically a much more severe problem, and the pressure within the seal cavity is normally significantly different from the pressure of the pumped fluid, whereby the coolant for a double seal is usually different from the pumped fluid. Further, with ever-increasing operational demands and expectations, and specifically higher rotational speeds, the heat generated by such mechanical seals increases significantly, and thus the cooling demands for mechanical seals have and continue to present a formidable problem.
In view of the above, it has been generally recognized that coolant circulating devices are needed to ensure that the coolant can be properly supplied to and through the seal cavity to effect desired cooling of the mechanical seal and thus ensure control over the temperature thereof. At present, mechanical seal manufacturers typically utilize four different types of devices to effect circulation of coolant within a substantially closed loop (which includes the seal cavity) in an attempt to cool the mechanical seal assembly.
One of the most common and still extensively utilized types of fluid circulating devices consists of an external pump, a reservoir, a pressure regulator, a heat exchanger, pertinent piping and associated gauging and valving. The piping defines a closed loop which connects to and includes the seal cavity, and the external pump forcibly pressurizes and drives the coolant in a circulatory manner around the closed loop. This type of coolant circulating device, however, is obviously structurally and operationally complex, requires an unnecessary and undesirable amount of space, and is costly to install and maintain.
In view of the obvious disadvantages associated with the above type of coolant circulating device, manufacturers have obviously sought less costly and simpler devices, and three such devices have been developed in an attempt to facilitate circulation of coolant, particularly in conjunction with a double seal. These latter three devices are known in the industry as a pumping ring, a cut vane and a pumping screw.
As to a pumping ring, it consists of a serrated ring or similar device attached to the pump shaft for rotation therewith. A fluid exit hole is located through the housing so as to project over the pumping ring, which hole exits either radially or tangentially from the seal cavity. With this type device, the centrifugal force generated by the pumping ring is used to throw the coolant outwardly through the exit hole and thus pump the coolant through the closed loop without requiring external pumps or the like. This type arrangement, however, provides proper cooling only under very limited operational conditions inasmuch as the flow rate of the coolant with this type device is small in relationship to the pressure within the seal cavity, and hence this device has limited capability for extracting seal-generated heat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,619, as owned by the assignee of this application, illustrates one type of fluid circulating device employing a pumping ring.
To improve upon the operation or performance of the pumping ring, there has also been developed a cut vane for effecting fluid circulation of the coolant. The cut vane also typically uses a serrated ring like the pumping ring to spin or circulate the fluid within the seal cavity. A stationary housing ring typically closely surrounds the pumping ring. This housing ring defines therein an enlarged channel or space which extends around the pumping ring from an inlet hole to an exit hole, with the region extending from the exit hole to the inlet hole (in the flow direction) being generally closed by a structure which is referred to as the "cut vane". This type device functions by using both the centrifugal force generated by the pumping ring and the velocity head developed as a result of the coolant's peripheral speed. Due to the provision of the cut vane between the exit and inlet holes, the circulating fluid within the enlarged channel is given a significant velocity prior to its striking the cut vane adjacent the exit hole, which cut vane then forces the fluid out the exit hole so that it circulates through a closed loop, passes through a heat exchanger, and is thence resupplied through the inlet hole. With this cut vane fluid circulating device, satisfactory cooling of a mechanical seal can generally be achieved only under limited operating conditions since the rate of coolant flow is relatively small in relationship to the coolant pressure developed within the seal cavity. U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,173, owned by the assignee of this application, illustrates a cut vane in conjunction with a mechanical seal.
The other type of fluid circulating device which has been rather extensively used is a pumping screw. With this arrangement, an elongated pumping sleeve is fixedly and concentrically secured within the rotor in surrounding relationship to the rotatable shaft. The pumping sleeve typically has a spiral pumping groove formed in the periphery thereof so as to screw or "auger" coolant axially along the shaft. With this arrangement, however, the spiral pumping groove and its small cross section creates a severe restriction on the quantity of fluid which can be pumped or recirculated, and hence the effectiveness of this arrangement is seriously questionable. Further, the pumping sleeve occupies substantial space both axially and radially, whereby the overall seal construction oftentimes becomes of undesirably great size, whereby the space and excessive cost of this type arrangement is undesirable. Still further, the effectiveness of this device is wholly dependent on the viscous friction between the spinning screw and the stationary housing, and experience indicates that the performance of this device increases only as the viscous drag increases. This type device works most efficiently with thicker or more viscous fluids, or by increasing the drag at the stationary wall, the latter being accomplished by machining an internal screw thread into the stationary bore in such manner as to be counter to the rotating thread. Such arrangement is also obviously complex and costly. Such pumping screws hence are most efficient only when working with high viscosity fluids, and have only minimal effectiveness when working with low viscosity fluids. Since most mechanical seal assemblies involve low viscosity fluids, the pumping screw has little or only minimal effectiveness in a great majority of use applications.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved fluid circulating device used in conjunction with a mechanical seal, and particularly for use when handling low viscosity fluids, for permitting effective dissipation of seal-generated heat by effecting improved circulation and specifically rate of flow of coolant within a substantially closed circuit.
According to the present invention, the mechanical seal assembly can be provided with a seal cavity which is significantly larger than the rotating seal parts, thereby providing a diametral clearance around the seal parts which is of significantly greater extent than can typically be utilized, which clearance functions as a chamber in which a substantial quantity of coolant can be circulated around the seal parts. A coolant circulation tube (i.e., an exit tube) projects through the housing into the seal cavity and is provided with a window-shaped opening in the sidewall thereof opposing the direction of coolant circulation. The lower end of the tube is preferably closed off by a bottom wall which is inclined outwardly away from the rotating seal parts in the direction of fluid circulation, and this bottom wall has its lower free edge defining not only the lower edge of the window but also disposed closely adjacent the periphery of the rotating seal parts. The substantial quantity of circulating or spinning coolant, and the substantial velocity head thereof, passes through the window into the inner end of the tube so that the velocity head is converted into a significant static pressure head, whereupon the liquid is confined and is effectively pumped or forced radially outwardly of the tube through a closed circuit having a heat exchanger associated therewith. This circuit at its other end connects to an inlet hole (such as another tube if desired) which communicates with the seal cavity at a location which is circumferentially spaced slightly downstream from the exit tube. The exit tube enables a much greater mass of coolant to be spun around the seal parts by virtue of the larger radial space required as compared to an axial pumping screw and causes a greater mass of coolant to be circulated through the coolant system, thereby permitting creation of a significantly greater flow rate of coolant in relationship to the pressure created within the seal cavity.
Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons familiar with structures of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to an inside nitride spacer for deep trench device DRAM cells.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
The development of deep trench dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells has led to fast chips having smaller critical dimensions and greater storage capacity. Among various memory types, deep trench DRAM cells in particular need space, and therefore high-density deep trench DRAM cells have been difficult to achieve. One problem is that deep trench DRAM cells can be prone to wordline (WL) to bitline (BL) shorts.
A wordline can be protected by a nitride spacer and cap as in prior planar array device DRAM cells. In the trench-sidewall vertical device DRAM cell the WL runs directly over the gate poly of the vertical device, which is buried in the top part of the trench. Since the WL is typically about 30% narrower then the top width of the trench, the WL does not cap the trench completely. Even after the spacer is put in place, and assuming a perfect WL to deep trench alignment, the top of the vertical gate poly is unprotected and can connect to the contact bitline.
Planar array device technologies include nitride spacers to protect the sidewall of the gate conductor line and prevent shorts. The top deep trench width is typically larger than the gate conductor line width. Therefore, only a deep trench top spacer, which has a good overlap to the gate conductor spacer, can provide continuous protection against a bitline contact.
Gate conductor shorts caused by stringers are a particular problem in deep trench cells within vertical devices. The stringers are poly Si stringers along the isolation trench boundaries within the trench, along the short axis of the trench. The shorts are typically created during the isolation trench process and can be fixed after the active area (AA) structuring process. Specific failures result from poly stringers being left after gate etch, vias, or contacts that did not open.
Therefore, a need exists for an inside nitride spacer for deep trench device DRAM cells for isolating bitline contacts from wordlines. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Various implementations of interconnect technologies (e.g., an optical/electrical interconnect technology) provide an interface that enables data communication between a computer and peripheral devices. The interconnect technologies may also enable the communication of data between computing devices (i.e., nodes) via cables/connectors. Optical data communication, for example, is in general any form of telecommunication that uses light as a transmission medium. Light in general requires less energy than copper cables and produce less heat than electrical telecommunication.
INTEL® Thunderbolt™ (which may be also known as Light Peak™) and SEAMICRO® SM10000™ represent types of a converged interconnect fabric technology that is connection-oriented and/or bus protocol independent and may use electrical or optical cables. INTEL® Thunderbolt™ is an interoperable standard that can deliver a bandwidth that exceeds Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Serial ATA and replace the multitudinous connector types (e.g., USB, FireWire, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort) with a single connector. INTEL® Thunderbolt™ chips interconnect two or more computing devices/peripheral devices and transmit and receive information for both PCI Express™ (PCIe) and DisplayPort™ protocols. The INTEL® Thunderbolt™ chip switches between the two protocols to support communications over a single electrical or optical cable. Because certain interconnect technologies, such as INTEL® Thunderbolt™, have not been accepted by a significant number of computer/peripheral device manufacturers that rely on USB or application software developers that rely on existing networking standards, an average consumer may have to wait several years before taking advantage of such a technology. | {
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An automatic Physical Cell Identifier (PCID) allocation scheme for configuring a Self-Organization Network (SON) in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) system is under development. In the automatic PCID allocation scheme, a new Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node-B (eNB, also referred to as a base station (BS)) collects neighbor cell information to select a PCID to be allocated to its own cell. In the LTE system, various cells may be freely established/removed by users. Also, the cell establishment requires a complicated cell driving process using many initial configuration parameters. A scheme is needed in which the eNB automatically determines the initial configuration parameters in such SON environments without the help of an operator. In particular, a scheme is needed that allocates a PCID used by a physical layer for cell identification, among the initial configuration parameters of a new cell. In the LTE system, a plurality of cells reuse five hundred four (‘504’) PCIDs.
Meanwhile, the eNB should consider collision-free conditions and confusion-free conditions for PCID allocation.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate collision-free conditions and confusion-free conditions for Physical Cell Identifier (PCID) allocation.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a collision may occur when cells 100 and 102 neighboring each other (hereinafter also referred to as neighbor cells) use the same PCID to interfere with each other. When the collision occurs, a user terminal 104 cannot discriminate between the cells 100 and 102 and thus experiences difficulty in communicating with the cells 100 and 102. Thus, the collision-free conditions are to restrict the use of the same PCID by the neighbor cells.
Referring to FIG. 1B, cells 110 and 112 use different PCIDs A and B and do not interfere with each other. However, when a cell 114 neighboring the cell 112 uses the same PCID A as the cell 110, a user terminal in the cell 112 may have encounter confusion as to which of the cells 110 and 114 it has to be handed over.
That is, a handover problem may occur when different cells neighboring a common cell use the same PCID. Thus, the confusion-free conditions are to restrict the use of the same PCID by the different cells neighboring the cell.
PCID allocation for an eNB is performed in two stages. First, a candidate PCID list capable of preventing collision/confusion is determined. A new cell may remove a collision/confusion causing PCID from an available PCID list to make the candidate PCID list. Thereafter, the eNB randomly selects a PCID from the candidate PCID list and allocates the selected PCID to the new cell.
Such a random PCID selection method has low complexity. However, the random PCID selection method cannot achieve a system performance gain because PCIDs are randomly allocated to cells.
For example, a WCDMA system allocates a scrambling code. Thus, a scrambling code planning is performed for the efficient use of limited scrambling codes.
In other words, in a CDMA system, because an operator knows coverage information such as antenna patterns and locations of cells to be installed in a cell planning stage, a user may determine a distance between cells capable of using the same scrambling code (i.e., a code reuse distance), in consideration of a cell coverage and a path loss. A code reuse pattern satisfying the determined code reuse distance is predefined in the cell planning stage to allocate a scrambling code to each cell. This method is efficient because a system operation is possible by the available minimum code number when the code reuse distance is determined.
However, a code reuse pattern is difficult to use in the LTE SON environments because cells of various coverages are occasionally established and removed at random locations.
What is therefore needed is a method and apparatus for efficiently allocating a PCID in a wireless communication system by using a code reuse pattern. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to precharge circuits and, more particularly, relates to precharge-circuits using microprocessor-based firing angle control circuitry.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Precharge circuits are well known for precharging a DC bus capacitor in AC to DC converters. The bus capacitor is used to decrease the ripple voltage of an AC to DC rectifier output. The bus capacitor must be precharged before full power is applied to the converter, otherwise severe transients will occur.
In FIG. 1, a simple AC to DC converter without a precharge circuit is shown. In FIG. 2, a simple AC to DC converter with a precharge circuit is shown. In FIGS. 3 and 4, commonly used AC to DC converters with precharge circuits incorporating additional features are shown. In FIG. 5, an AC to DC converter comprised of Silicon Controlled Thyristors (SCRs) and utilizing a conventional linear phase control scheme is shown.
Referring to FIG. 1, a simple AC to DC converter 10 without a precharge circuit is shown. Converter 10 has a three phase AC supply 11 which is engaged when the utility customer closes a connect/disconnect switch 12. The AC supply flows through drive fuses 14 and is rectified by a three phase diode bridge rectifier 16. Link current flows from rectifier 16 through link inductor 18 and charges DC bus capacitor 19. A DC bus output 17 of the converter 10 is typically connected to an inverter (not shown), which converts the DC output power back to AC power.
A first problem with this converter design is that the application of full line voltage to the converter during power start-up results in a large peak surge current to charge the bus capacitor, initially at zero voltage. More specifically, the surge current can be approximated as the peak line voltage divided by the surge impedance Z.sub.o, where Z.sub.o is equal to the square root of the link inductance divided by the bus capacitance. The surge current is usually above the semiconductor diode maximum allowable rating, causing the diode to be unduly stressed and to have a decreased number of life turn-on cycles before failure. The large peak AC current will also cause unacceptable fuse fatigue and possibly cause the fuses to blow. The large precharge DC current through link inductor 18 will typically saturate the link inductor 18, which is 150% the size needed for steady state operation. The saturated link inductor impedance is reduced to an air core winding inductance value, further increasing precharge current stress. Link inductor saturation can be prevented and current stress reduced with a link inductor magnitude approximately ten times the size needed for steady state operation. However, an oversized inductor will increase the size and cost of the converter.
A second problem with this design is that the application of full line voltage to the converter during power start-up results in large voltage overshoots (approaching twice peak line voltage) in the capacitor 19. This problem is caused by the resonant nature of the inductor-capacitor combination, and is particularly severe given that the inductor-capacitor circuit is nearly undamped.
A third problem is that, in the event of a faulted DC bus, precharge operation will result in an unacceptably large current flowing into the fault. There is nothing in the line to limit the current caused by a ground fault (node 15 shorted to ground or node 13 shorted to ground) or a bus fault (node 15 shorted to node 13). The resulting link fault current will typically saturate the link inductor 18 to low inductance values. Thus, link fault current will see little impedance as it flows through the saturated link inductor directly into a ground fault or bus fault.
Referring to FIG. 2, an AC to DC converter 20 is shown which comprises a precharge circuit 23. A three phase AC supply 21 is engaged when the utility customer closes customer connect/disconnect switch 22. Current from phase A flows through a drive fuse 30a and into a three phase diode bridge rectifier 24. Link current from the rectifier 24 then flows through a DC link inductor 26 and charges a bus capacitor 28. The circuit is completed by precharge damping resistor 32 which is connected to phase C through precharge fuse 36b.
Control circuitry supply transformer 34 is connected to phases B and C through precharge fuses 36a and 36b. Transformer 34 supplies AC power to an AC to DC converter 38. Converter 38 supplies DC power to power supply 40, which outputs standard +5 v, +15 v, and -15 v voltage sources. These voltage sources are supplied to control circuitry 42. Control circuitry 42 uses differential amplifier 37 to sense when bus capacitor 28 is fully charged, and then responds by closing power contactor 44. In addition to phase A current, current from phases B and C will now flow through the rectifier 24 as well, and DC bus output 29 will be on-line.
The addition of a precharge circuit improves the performance of converter 20 as compared to converter 10. The resonant inductor-capacitor circuit is now damped by precharge resistor 32, which lessens the severity of the voltage and current transient characteristics.
With regard to current transients in particular, the addition of the precharge resistor will improve transient performance by limiting current. However, if the value of the precharge resistor is low, the majority of the peak surge current is now taken as a single pulse of current in phase A and C devices rather than being spread out over a number of 60.degree. intervals. Increasing the precharge resistor values will decrease the peak surge current and spread device heating over a number of 60.degree. charging intervals, as well as reducing the fuse 36b current rating and cost. However, a larger precharge resistor will also result in a longer time required for capacitor precharge.
Additionally, the problem incurred when operating into a faulted DC bus still exists. Finally, this circuit has a new disadvantage: additional parts are needed including power contactor 44 which is expensive and adds significant cost to the converter.
Referring to FIG. 3, a converter circuit 50 is shown which comprises a precharge circuit 55. A three phase AC supply 51 is engaged when a connect/disconnect switch 53 is closed. However, application of power through the disconnect switch 53 does not immediately charge bus capacitor 60. Instead, the customer must first depress push button 73 which is located in a converter cabinet down-line from the disconnect switch. Also, control circuitry 78 will verify that there are no faults and that phase loss relay 68 has the correct voltage. When push button 73 is depressed and there are no line faults, control circuitry 78 will cause precharge relays 62 and 66 to close.
Current from phase A will then flow through drive fuse 52a, precharge fuse 70, precharge relay 66, precharge damping resistor 64, and into a three phase diode bridge rectifier 56. Rectifier 56 converts the AC power to DC power. Link current then flows from rectifier 56 through the DC link inductor 58 and into DC bus capacitor 60. The circuit is then completed by relay 62, precharge fuse 71b, and drive fuse 52c.
A control circuitry supply transformer 72, AC to DC converter 74, and power supply 76 work to supply control circuitry 78 with power in a manner similar to the corresponding elements in converter 20.
The voltage E.sub.f across the bus capacitor 60 is measured by differential amplifier 77. When the control circuitry 78 senses that the DC bus capacitor 60 is fully charged, it will engage power contactor 54. Alternatively, a timer (not shown) which will automatically cause the contactor to close may be used. This is commonly done to avoid having to use sensing circuitry. Once the contactor 54 is closed, the DC bus will be on-line.
Converter 50 has the same transient, faulted DC bus, and power contactor problems encountered with converter 20. Converter 50 is an improvement over converter 20 in that it detects line faults before attempting to charge the DC bus capacitor.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a converter 80 is shown which comprises a precharge circuit 85. This converter design is typically used in Japan. A three phase AC supply 83 is engaged when the customer closes a connect/disconnect switch 81.
Current will flow through drive fuses 82 into a three phase diode bridge rectifier 84. During precharge operation, power contactor 88 is open. DC current flows from rectifier 84 through a precharge resistor 86, a precharge fuse 92, and a DC link inductor 90 to charge DC bus capacitor 94. Control circuitry 104 will sense when capacitor 94 is charged using differential amplifier 103 and respond by closing power contactor 88.
A control circuitry supply transformer 96 is connected to phases B and C through the fuses 98a and 98b. The control circuitry supply transformer 96, AC to DC converter 100, and power supply 102 operate to supply control circuitry 104 with power in a manner similar to the corresponding elements in precharge circuit 20.
Converter 80 has transient, faulted DC bus, and power contactor problems similar to those encountered with converters 20 and 50. Converter 80 has the additional disadvantage that it requires a large contactor rated to break DC inductive current. This requirement will further increase the cost as compared to the AC supply contactor system and is also difficult to procure at high power levels.
Referring to FIG. 5, an AC to DC converter 110 is shown which comprises a precharge circuit 115. The precharge circuit is further comprised of linear phase control electronics 134 and a three phase SCR rectifier 123 which implement a linear phase control scheme.
A three phase AC supply 112 is engaged when the utility customer closes a customer disconnect switch 114. Current from the AC supply flows through drive fuses 116a, 116b, 116c and into the three phase SCR rectifier 123. Link current from the rectifier 123 flows into a link inductor 128 and charges a DC bus capacitor 130. The SCR rectifier 123 selectively controls when current from each phase of the three phase AC supply 112 will be used to charge the bus capacitor 130. A snubber circuit comprised of a resistor 124 in series with a capacitor 126 prevents nuisance firing of the SCRs in rectifier 123.
The firing times of the SCRs in rectifier 123 are controlled by the electronics 134. The electronics 134 receive line-to-line voltage measurement inputs and a bus capacitor voltage measurement input. Line-to-line voltages are measured by differential amplifiers 132a and 132b, passed through filters 118a and 118b, and input to the electronics 134 at inputs 120a and 120b. Filters 118a and 118b are used to remove the effects of SCR commutation line notches. The voltage E.sub.f across the bus capacitor 130 is measured by differential amplifier 138, passed through filter 136, and finally input to the electronics 134. The electronics 134 outputs control signals to the SCR rectifier 123 at outputs 133a through 133f.
A control circuitry supply transformer 120 is connected to phases B and C through the fuses 119a and 119b. The control circuitry supply transformer 120, AC to DC converter 122, and power supply 124 operate to supply electronics 134 with power in a manner similar to the corresponding elements in precharge circuit 20.
A standard equation which might form the basis of a linear phase control scheme is given in equation 1. ##EQU1## where V.sub.1-1(rms) is the line to line voltage of the input
V.sub.d is the DC link voltage at the SCR rectifier output PA1 V.sub.dio is the DC link voltage at the SCR rectifier output when .alpha.=0 radians PA1 .alpha. is the SCR control firing angle in radians PA1 V(.alpha.) is an SCR control voltage which corresponds to the radian firing angle and is generated by the cosine rider scheme.
The firing angle is defined as the phase angle at which the SCR is turned on by the precharge circuit. The firing angle is equivalent to a firing time, except that it is specified in terms of the phase angle of a line-to-line voltage (and shifted by 60 degrees), rather than in terms of time. Typically, .alpha. is defined such that .alpha.=0 when the line-to-line phase angle .theta.=60.
A conventional linear cosine rider scheme can be used to control link current. For information on linear cosine rider schemes, see Richard Pearlman, "Power Electronics and Solid State Motor Control," Prentice Hall (1980) and Albert Kloss, "A Basic Guide to Power Electronics," John Wiley and Sons (1984), both of which are incorporated herein by reference. If a linear cosine rider scheme is used, then equation 1 can be implemented as given in equation 2. ##EQU2## where E.sub.f is the feedback voltage measured across the DC bus capacitor,
The SCR firing angle versus time is adjusted with V(.alpha.) by feeding back the bus capacitor voltage E.sub.f and measuring the line-to-line voltage V.sub.1-1. The resulting voltage difference between V.sub.d and E.sub.f across the link inductor limits the peak DC link current.
A major drawback to converter 110 is that the system will function properly only when the performance of its elements is linear. Thus, if the performance of one of its elements becomes non-linear, then equations 1 and 2 will no longer apply and the system will cease to function properly. Performance can become non-linear in at least three situations.
First, the link inductor 128 may saturate and its performance become non-linear. System components are commonly chosen based on optimal steady state operation. However, the minimum allowable controlled link current during precharge with this conventional control scheme is much greater than the steady-state link current, causing the link inductor to saturate. The inductor may be oversized, but this will add to the cost and size of the system, and the inductor will no longer be optimal for steady state operation. The higher precharge current also requires the input fuses 116a-116c to be increased, thereby providing a non-optimal fuse coordination for SCR short circuit protection.
A second instance where system performance is nonlinear is at the limit of link current discontinuity. Charge is preferably supplied to the capacitors over several 60 degree cycles to avoid stress problems caused by large peak currents. At the endpoint of each 60 degree cycle, however, the current is discontinuous. A linear phase control system will not be able to maintain linear operation through these discontinuities, resulting in non-controlled discontinuous current pulses of high peak magnitude.
A third instance where system performance is non-linear is when the peak magnitudes of the line-to-line voltages are varying as the capacitor is charging (e.g., as in the case of line transients on the AC supply). Once the alpha firing angle in a linear system is set, there is no more control and the system can not handle varying voltages. A linear system can not handle non-linear variations in the line-to-line voltages.
In addition to its inability to operate in a non-linear environment, the linear precharge control converter suffers from the same high peak current, non-controlled ground/bus fault current, and bus voltage overshoot problems as the converters described above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to silicone composition, process for making silicone composition and various end-use applications formed therefrom.
(2) Description of Related Art
Silicone gel, can be prepared using a variety of organosiloxane oligomers and polymers, and fillers. The choice of a particular combination of organosiloxane, and filler, and reaction conditions is governed at least in part, by the physical properties desired in the silicone gel. Particular end-use applications could benefit from an improved hysteretic silicone gel.
The formulations employed to prepare silicone gel range in viscosity from pourable liquids to non-flowable gums, which can be processed only under the high level of shear, achieved using a two- or three-roll rubber mill. Silicone gel currently can only be used in various hysteretic end-use applications as uncured silicone gel wrapped under a silicone rubber sleeve, and as a result the gel will leak out once the sleeve is broken. Alternatively, cured silicone gel currently available cannot achieve the desired hysteretic properties for various end-use applications.
The prior art discloses polyorganosiloxanes and fillers exhibiting various combinations of properties, however silicone gel exhibiting certain desirable hysteretic properties has not heretofore been provided for various desired end-use applications. This disclosure concerns hysteretic silicone gel exhibiting such desirable properties. | {
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A conventional electric power steering system (EPS) assists a steering operation of a steering wheel in a vehicle by drive force of a motor as disclosed in the following patent documents. [Patent document 1] JP 2003-182598A [Patent document 2] JP 2009-248885A
In the EPS disclosed in patent document 1, a failure diagnosis is performed to check whether a power relay, a motor relay and a motor drive circuit are operable normally before starting a normal control operation for assisting a steering operation of a steering wheel in a vehicle after an ignition switch is turned on. In the EPS disclosed in patent document 2, a diagnosis is performed to check whether a power relay has a short-circuit failure during a normal control operation by supplying a motor with electric power from an auxiliary power source provided in a circuit, which supplies power to the motor, without through the power relay.
According to the EPS of patent document 1, however, when the failure diagnosis for the power relay or the motor relay is performed in the normal control operation, it becomes impossible to supply power to the motor and assist the steering operation of the steering wheel. For this reason, the failure diagnosis is not performed during the normal control operation. According to the EPS of patent document 2, the auxiliary power source and the power circuit are provided additionally to perform the failure diagnosis of the power relay. As a result, the EPS becomes large in physical size, the number of parts increases and a manufacturing cost increases. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The spin rate of golf balls is the end result of many variables, one of which is the distribution of the density or specific gravity within the ball. Spin rate is an important characteristic of golf balls for both skilled and recreational golfers. High spin rate allows the more skilled players, such as PGA professionals and low handicapped players, to maximize control of the golf ball. A high spin rate golf ball is advantageous for an approach shot to the green. The ability to produce and control back spin to stop the ball on the green and side spin to draw or fade the ball substantially improves the player's control over the ball. Hence, the more skilled players generally prefer a golf ball that exhibits high spin rate.
On the other hand, recreational players who cannot intentionally control the spin of the ball generally do not prefer a high spin rate golf ball. For these players, slicing and hooking are the more immediate obstacles. When a club head strikes a ball, an unintentional side spin is often imparted to the ball, which sends the ball off its intended course. The side spin reduces the player's control over the ball, as well as the distance the ball will travel. A golf ball that spins less tends not to drift off-line erratically if the shot is not hit squarely off the club face. The low spin ball will not cure the hook or the slice, but will reduce the adverse effects of the side spin. Hence, recreational players prefer a golf ball that exhibits low spin rate.
Aerodynamic forces acting on a golf ball are typically resolved into orthogonal components of lift and drag. Lift is defined as the aerodynamic force component acting perpendicular to the flight path. It results from a difference in pressure that is created by a distortion in the air flow that results from the back spin of the ball. A boundary layer forms at the stagnation point of the ball, B, then grows and separates at points S1 and S2, as shown in FIG. 1. Due to the ball backspin, the top of the ball moves in the direction of the airflow, which retards the separation of the boundary layer. In contrast, the bottom of the ball moves against the direction of airflow, thus advancing the separation of the boundary layer at the bottom of the ball. Therefore, the position of separation of the boundary layer at the top of the ball, S1, is further back than the position of separation of the boundary layer at the bottom of the ball, S2. This asymmetrical separation creates an arch in the flow pattern, requiring the air over the top of the ball to move faster and, thus, have lower pressure than the air underneath the ball.
Drag is defined as the aerodynamic force component acting parallel to the ball flight direction. As the ball travels through the air, the air surrounding the ball has different velocities and, accordingly, different pressures. The air exerts maximum pressure at the stagnation point, B, on the front of the ball, as shown in FIG. 1. The air then flows over the sides of the ball and has increased velocity and reduced pressure. The air separates from the surface of the ball at points S1 and S2, leaving a large turbulent flow area with low pressure, i.e., the wake. The difference between the high pressure in front of the ball and the low pressure behind the ball reduces the ball speed and acts as the primary source of drag for a golf ball.
An average professional can generally drive a golf ball at a speed of approximately 235 feet per second (ft/s) or 160 miles per hour (mph). Most amateur golfers, however, have a “lower swing-speed,” i.e., slower club head speed at impact compared to a professional golfer, and are able to drive the ball at a speed of about 130 mph and a distance of less than about 200 to about 240 yards. When compared to a ball hit by a high swing-speed player, a similar ball that is hit by a low swing-speed player travels along a more ballistic trajectory than the trajectory typically achieved by tour caliber players.
For example, when a player strikes a ball, a portion of the energy from the club head is transferred to the ball as ball speed, and another portion of the energy is transferred to the ball as ball spin. Players with low swing-speed will have less energy available to transfer to both ball speed and ball spin. When club speed becomes very low, the resulting ball speed can be low enough that the effect of ball spin does not significantly increase lift (FL), which, in turn, generates a low ball speed (V) and low lift (FL). Thus, the advantages of a golf ball designed to have beneficial flight properties, such as high spin and high lift, are minimized when hit by a low swing-speed player.
Low weight golf balls have been made in an attempt to increase the lift to weight ratio of the golf ball, thereby increasing the effects of the lift on ball trajectory, and also to produce a greater initial velocity upon impact than a heavier ball. It is generally known that low weight golf balls slow down faster than normal weight golf balls due to drag, an effect that is magnified at higher speeds. As a result, these low weight balls have not been effectively designed to decrease the effect of drag. Several attempts have been made in the past to minimize drag, but these attempts have been focused only in combination with a player having a higher swing-speed.
The dimples on a golf ball are used to adjust drag and lift properties of a golf ball and, therefore, the majority of golf ball manufacturers research dimple patterns, shape, volume, and cross-section in order to improve overall flight distance of a golf ball. The dimples create a thin turbulent boundary layer around the ball. The turbulence energizes the boundary layer and aids in maintaining attachment to and around the ball to reduce the area of the wake. The pressure behind the ball is increased and the drag is substantially reduced.
A high degree of dimple coverage is beneficial to flight distance, but only if the dimples are of a reasonable size. Dimple coverage gained by filling spaces with tiny dimples is not very effective, since tiny dimples are not good turbulence generators. Most balls today still have many large spaces between dimples or have filled in these spaces with very small dimples that do not create enough turbulence at average golf ball velocities. Generally, as the lift of a dimple pattern increases, drag also increases. Conventional dimple designs tend to be aerodynamically optimized for higher swing speeds than low swing-speed players can achieve.
The construction of the golf ball may also play an important role in the optimization of the flight characteristics of a golf ball. Over the past decade, advances in core and cover chemistry and layer construction have led to golf balls with improved in-play characteristics, such as initial velocity, spin rate and feel. Golf balls are typically constructed of a single or multilayer core, solid or wound, that is tightly surrounded by a single or multilayer cover formed of polymeric materials, e.g., polyurethane, balata rubber, ionomers, or a combination thereof. Golf balls with a low modulus thermoset polyurethane cover, for example, have inherent high spin rates, high drag levels, and manufacturing difficulties.
While past research has been focused on either on the optimization of golf ball aerodynamic properties or golf ball construction to make slight improvements in flight characteristics, most advances have benefited high swing speed players. In addition, most long distance prior art golf balls possess low spin at high launch angles and low lift coefficients, while most short distance prior art golf balls possess high spin at low launch angles and high lift coefficients. Both types of golf balls typically have high drag coefficients.
There is minimal prior art disclosing preferred aerodynamic characteristics for golf balls. U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,023 discloses preferred lift and drag coefficients for a single speed with a functional dependence on spin ratio. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,898 and 6,290,615 disclose golf ball dimple patterns that reduce high-speed drag and increase low speed lift. It has now been discovered, contrary to the disclosures of these patents, that reduced high-speed drag and increased low speed lift does not necessarily result in improved flight performance. For example, excessive high-speed lift or excessive low-speed drag may result in undesirable flight performance characteristics. The prior art is largely silent, however, as to the combination of several aerodynamic features that influence other portions of golf ball flight, such as moment of inertia and flight consistency, as well as enhanced aerodynamic lift and drag coefficients for balls of varying size and weight.
A need thus exists for optimization of golf ball flight characteristics for all types of golfer swing speed, ability, or technique. In particular, a need exists in the art for a golf ball having a unique combination of lift and drag coefficients and spin rates. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
In an optoelectronic component, emitted radiation is coupled out depending on the desired application. In this case, it may be relevant whether scattered light is emitted from the optoelectronic component or whether the radiation is intended to be oriented in one direction. In many applications it is important for the radiation to be emitted in a manner focused as much as possible in one direction. This is important in the case of emitters, for example, such as an automobile headlight or a flashlight. In the case, moreover, where the emitted radiation is coupled into an optical waveguide, accurate focusing of the radiation is desirable in order to avoid losses as a result of scattering or absorption. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates generally to agent and contaminant detection and identification, and more specifically, to an integrated parafoil threat agent sensor system and the methods associated therewith.
While detection and identification of agents and contaminants in ground-based situations is a fairly mature science, detection and identification of airborne agents and contaminants is not as mature. Particularly, there have been no systems promulgated that solve the problem of collecting and detection of agents and contaminants in a column of air, in real time. More particularly, some of these agents/contaminants may have the potential to contain threatening or contaminating materials such as aerosol or particulate chemicals or biological agents or other contaminants. The detection and identification problem is especially challenging when persistent measurements across a large column of air are attempted. This is in part due to the transient and vaporous nature of aerosols and particulates in free space. Sensors to detect such agents have response time constraints, sensitivity to various interferences and concentration threshold sensitivities.
Previous efforts to sense, identify, and discriminate on a standoff basis have had a limitation in their overall effectiveness in one or both of size and range, false alarms, specificity, sensitivity and persistence. Such problems limit the effectiveness of free space discriminating and sensing of threat agents across the spectrum of their characteristic behaviors in free space. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Fluid flow control through microfluidic and capillary devices has been problematic. Application of macro-scale flow control techniques, such as, e.g., mechanical valving and discrete pumping, can be complex, expensive, difficult to manufacture, and poorly functional in micro-scale applications. Some micro-scale cartridges address flow control issues using wicking, centrifugation, hydrophobic treated surfaces, electrowetting, and the like, to influence flow of fluids through cartridge channels. Still, problems arise or remain in many micro-flow applications.
Many samples of interest, e.g., in bioassays include substantial amounts of particulate that must be removed to prevent interference in the assay reactions and to avoid clogging of assay device channels. The use of filter materials to remove particulate is known in the prior art. For example, in one configuration, filters are provided with a long lateral flow path, such as is described in “Devices for Incorporating Filters for Filtering Fluid Samples”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,265, to Buechler, et al. Buechler applies sample fluid to one end of a planar filter and collects filtrate at the other end of the same filter. However, this single filter technology has the disadvantage the same filter dealing with the gross particulate of the sample also has to handle the final fine filtration. Moreover, the long filter path can cause undue delay in filtration and loss of sample to excess dead volume.
Another issue often encountered in assay cartridges concerns how to control residence time in reaction chambers. It can be desirable to have sample flow quickly into contact with analytical reagents, but then linger for adequate mixing and completion of reaction kinetics. In some embodiments, flows can be stopped by increasing the contact angle of the fluid at the surface (e.g., by increasing the channel diameter or by coating the channel surface with a hydrophobic material), but the flows are not readily resumed without application of an external force. For example, electrowetting forces can be applied to resume flow, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,807. Electro-capillarity or electrowetting (EW) is based on the observation that electrostatic forces can change surface tension of a fluid at a near-by surface. However, such control requires incorporation of electrodes and control electronics into the assay system. Alternately, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,882, a flow from a reaction chamber can be delayed by a time gate made up of a hydrophobic surface at the exit port of the chamber. Reaction product is released from the reaction chamber when the hydrophobic stop surface is rendered hydrophilic by constituents of the reaction liquid. However, consistent flow delay can require unchanging fluid compositions, consistent temperatures, consistent manufacturing, etc.
Retention of reagents on plastic surfaces of analytical cartridges can be a problem. The surfaces, e.g., of polystyrene, can have insufficient reagent concentration and too brief a residence time as analyte solutions flow past. In some cases reaction or detection regions have been stuffed full of capillary materials, however, this can overly inhibit flow and block viewing angles for detection devices.
Many assay cartridges are assembled by fusing several layered components. With such devices, it can be difficult to control leakage between layers or to control capillary creeping along interfaces of imperfectly fitting layers. Moreover, bubbles or particles in narrow channels between the layers can cause blockage.
Multi-assay concepts exist, but they are not optimized for the small sample size commonly encountered in the microfluidic or massive screening environments. For example in the multi-assay system of U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,972, completion of five different assays requires five times as much sample as one assay. In U.S. Patent application 2005/0249633, multiple assays require sample fluid to flow to multiple dead end arms of a branched channel system, requiring additional sample for each arm and setting the stage for problematic or impossible filling, rinsing and scanning for the isolated analytical regions of the cartridge.
In view of the above, a need exists for capillary/microfluidic cartridges that can readily and efficiently provide sample for analysis without particles. It would be desirable to have assay cartridges that can efficiently provide multiple analysis results from one small sample. It would be desirable to have restrictive flow channels that are not sensitive to blockage by bubbles. There would be benefits in cartridges with high reagent concentrations without flow restriction. A simple reaction chamber residence time controller that is easy to manufacture, without the need for high assembly tolerances, and without the need for input of external timing forces, would be appreciated in the art. The present invention provides these and other features that will be apparent upon review of the following. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to novel tricyclic vasopressin receptor antagonists. More particularly, the compounds of the present invention interrupt the binding of the peptide hormone vasopressin to its receptors and are therefore useful for treating conditions involving increased vascular resistance and cardiac insufficiency.
Vasopressin is a nonapeptide hormone that is secreted primarily from the posterior pituitary gland. The hormone effects its actions through membrane-bound V-1 and V-2 receptor subtypes. The functions of vasopressin include contraction of uterine, bladder, and smooth muscle; stimulation of glycogen breakdown in the liver; release of corticotropin from the anterior pituitary; induction of platelet aggregation; and central nervous system modulation of behaviors and stress responses. The V-1 receptor mediates the contraction of smooth muscle, and hepatic glycogenolytic and central nervous system effects of vasopressin. The V-2 receptor, presumably found only in the kidney, effects the antidiuretic actions of vasopressin via stimulation of adenylate cyclase.
Elevated plasma vasopressin levels appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (P. A. Van Zwieten, Progr. Pharmacol. Clin. Pharmacol. 1990, 7, 49). As progress toward the treatment of congestive heart failure, nonapeptide vasopressin V-2 receptor antagonists have induced low osmolality aquaresis and decreased peripheral resistance in conscious dogs with congestive heart failure (H. Ogawa, J. Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 3547). In certain pathological states, plasma vasopressin levels may be inappropriately elevated for a given osmolality, thereby resulting in renal water retention and hyponatremia. Hyponatremia, associated with edematous conditions (cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, renal failure), can be accompanied by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Treatment of SIADH-compromised rats with a vasopressin V-2 antagonist has corrected their existing hyponatremia (G. Fujisawa, Kidney Int. 1993, 44(1), 19). Due in part to the contractile actions of vasopressin at the V-1 receptor in the vasculature, vasopressin V-1 antagonists have reduced blood pressure as a potential treatment for hypertension. Thus, vasopressin receptor antagonists could be useful as therapeutics in the conditions of hypertension, congestive heart failure/cardiac insufficiency, coronary vasospasm, cardiac ischemia, liver cirrhosis, renal vasospasm, renal failure, cerebral edema and ischemia, stroke, thrombosis, and water retention.
The present invention is directed to compounds represented by the following general formulas (I) and (II):
wherein m is an integer from 0 to 1 such that xe2x80x9cHETxe2x80x9d in the compound of formula (II) is a stable five- or six-membered monocyclic aromatic ring system composed of carbon atoms and one heteroatom, wherein the heteroatom is selected from N, O or S which may occupy any position in the ring whereby the resulting ring system is stable; for example, thiophene, furan, pyrrole or pyridine;
A is selected from xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94, SO2 or CH2, preferably, A is xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94;
Y is selected from CH2 or CH as part of an olefin;
X is selected from CH2, CH as part of an olefin, NR3, S or O;
with the proviso that if Y is CH as part of an olefin, then X is CH as part of an olefin;
Z is selected from N or CH;
R1 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, aminoalkyl, oxo or nitro;
Ar is selected from naphthyl, wherein naphthyl is optionally substituted with from one to four (or one to three) substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl (preferably trifluoromethyl), fluorinated C1-C8 alkoxy (preferably trifluoromethoxy), halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino (preferably xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94C1-C4 alkyl) or C1-C4 dialkylamino (preferably xe2x80x94Nxe2x80x94(C1-C4 alkyl)2, wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different); or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally substituted with from one to four (or one to three) substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 aralkyl (wherein optionally the alkyl or aryl portions are independently substituted and the alkyl portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxyl), C1-C8 aralkoxy (wherein optionally the alkoxy or aryl portions are independently substituted and the alkoxy portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxyl), halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C8 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), (halo)1-3(C1-C8)alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C8 alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfinyl, heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl) or phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio, or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl);
R2 is selected from NR4COAr, NR4CO-heteroaryl, NR4Ar, CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94Ar, CFxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94Ar, CHxe2x95x90CFxe2x80x94Ar, CClxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94Ar, CHxe2x95x90CClxe2x80x94Ar, CHxe2x95x90CH-heteroaryl, CFxe2x95x90CH-heteroaryl, CHxe2x95x90CF-heteroaryl, xe2x80x94CClxe2x95x90CH-heteroaryl, CHxe2x95x90CCl-heteroaryl, OCH2xe2x80x94Ar, OCH2-heteroaryl, SCH2xe2x80x94Ar or NR4CH2Ar;
preferably, R2 is selected from NR4COAr, NR4CO-heteroaryl, NR4Ar, CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94Ar, CFxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94Ar, CHxe2x95x90CFxe2x80x94Ar, CClxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94Ar, CHxe2x95x90CClxe2x80x94Ar, CHxe2x95x90CH-heteroaryl, CFxe2x95x90CH-heteroaryl, CHxe2x95x90CF-heteroaryl, xe2x80x94CClxe2x95x90CH-heteroaryl or CHxe2x95x90CCl-heteroaryl; more preferably, R2 is NR4COAr; most preferably, R2 is NHCOAr;
R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl;
R4 is selected from hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; preferably, R4 is hydrogen or methyl; most preferably, R4 is hydrogen; and
R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxy, dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
The compounds of the present invention are vasopressin receptor antagonists useful as aquaretics and, in general, for treating cardiovascular disease.
In one embodiment of the present invention is a compound of the formula (III):
wherein
Y is selected from CH2 or CH as part of an olefin;
X is selected from CH2, CH as part of an olefin, NR3, S or O;
with the proviso that if Y is CH as part of an olefin, then X is CH as part of an olefin;
R1 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, amino C1-C4 alkyl, oxo or nitro;
R2 is NHCOAr;
R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl; and
R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxy, dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;
all other variables are as defined previously; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
In a class of the invention is a compound wherein
Y is selected from CH2 or CH as part of an olefin;
X is selected from CH2, CH as part of an olefin, S or O;
with the proviso that if Y is CH as part of an olefin, then X is CH as part of an olefin;
A is xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94;
Z is CH;
Ar is phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally substituted with from one to four (or one to three) substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 aralkyl (wherein optionally the alkyl or aryl portions are independently substituted and the alkyl portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxyl), C1-C8 aralkoxy (wherein optionally the alkoxy or aryl portions are independently substituted and the alkoxy portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxyl), halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C8 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), (halo)1-3(C1-C8)alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C8 alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfinyl, heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl) or phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino {wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio, or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl);
and all other variables are as defined previously;
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention is a compound of the formula (IV):
wherein
X is selected from CH2, S or O;
R1 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, amino C1-C4 alkyl, oxo or nitro;
R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxy, dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;
R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, phenyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio, or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl); aralkyl (wherein the alkyl or aryl portions are optionally independently substituted and the alkyl portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine (preferably one) and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine), C1-C4 alkyl (preferably C1-C2 alkyl), C1-C6 alkylthio (preferably a C1-C4) or hydroxyl), aralkoxy (wherein the alkoxy or aryl portions are optionally independently substituted and the alkoxy portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine (preferably one) and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine), C1-C4 alkyl (preferably C1-C2 alkyl), C1-C6 alkylthio (preferably a C1-C4) or hydroxyl), heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl or halogen), heteroaryl(C1-C8)alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with one to two substituents selected from C1-C5 alkyl), (halo)1-3(C1-C4)alkylthio and halogen; and
R7 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkyl (preferably C1-C4, and more preferably C1-C2), C1-C6 alkoxy (preferably C1-C4 and more preferably C1-C2), fluorinated C1-C6 alkyl (preferably C1-C4 and more preferably C1-C2) and combinations thereof, wherein R7 may be one to four independently selected groups;
all other variables are as defined previously; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention is a compound of the formula (IVa):
wherein
Y is selected from CH2 or CH as part of an olefin;
X is selected from CH2, CH as part of an olefin, S or O;
with the proviso that if Y is CH as part of an olefin, then X is CH as part of an olefin;
R5 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups may be the same or different), trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
The following compounds are additional embodiments of the present invention:
10-[4-[[(2-Biphenyl)carbonyl]amino]benzoyl]-10,11-dihydro-5H-piperidino[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine;
10-[4-[[(2-Biphenyl)carbonyl]amino]benzoyl]-10,11-dihydro-5H-(tetrahydropyridino)[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-Phenyl-4-hydroxy-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-(3-Hydroxyphenyl )-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-Phenyl-5-hydroxy-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl)-4-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H -[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,6-Dimethyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,3-Dimethyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(R)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[2-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,3,4,5-Tetrafluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Fluoro-3-chloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(Difluoromethylthio)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-5-oxo-benzodiazepin-11 (12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-hydroxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[3-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[3-fluoro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(8-methoxy-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(8-fluoro-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(8,9-dimethoxy-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(9-chloro-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(8,9-difluoro-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(8-methyl-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(8-chloro-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(8-fluoro-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(10-methyl-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(10-methoxy-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-3,5-Dimethyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Iodo-3-methyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-3,5-Dichloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4, 12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-3-iodo-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-dimethylamino-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(S)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Additional exemplified embodiments of the present invention include the compounds:
10-[4-[[(2-Biphenyl)carbonyl]amino]benzoyl]-10,11-dihydro-1,2-methanopyrrolidino[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine;
(RS)-2-(3-Thienyl)-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(3-Thienyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(3-Thienyl)-N-[3-fluoro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(2-Thienyl)-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl)-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl)-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2,2-dioxo-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-benzyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-formyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-isopropyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,3-Dimethyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,6-Dimethyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Fluoro-3-chloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-fluoro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[2-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[2-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[2-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-trifluoromethyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-trifluoromethyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[3-trifluoromethyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[2-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[2-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[2-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[2,6-dimethyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[2,6-dimethyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[2,6-dimethyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methyl-phenyl)-N-[3-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-fluoro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Chloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,3,4,5-Tetrafluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-5-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-3-chloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Fluoro-5-methyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,3-Dichloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,6-Dichloro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,6-Difluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-5-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-2-methyl-6H-[1,4]pyrazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-5-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-5-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-4-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-fluoro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-methyl-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-methoxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-hydroxy-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]thiazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Methyl-5-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-5-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl )-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-4-fluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-4-methoxy-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
(RS)-2-Phenyl-5-methoxy-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide;
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Another embodiment of the present invention is an intermediate compound of the formula (V):
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an intermediate compound of the formula (VI):
Illustrative of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any of the compounds described above. Illustrating the invention is a pharmaceutical composition made by mixing any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. An illustration of the invention is a process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising mixing any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
An example of the invention is a method of treating congestive heart failure in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or pharmaceutical compositions described above.
Further exemplifying the invention is the method of treating congestive heart failure, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the compound is about 0.1 to about 300 mg/kg/day.
An additional illustration of the invention is a method of treating a condition selected from hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiac insufficiency, coronary vasospasm, cardiac ischemia, liver cirrhosis, renal vasospasm, renal failure, cerebral edema and ischemia, stroke, thrombosis, or water retention in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or pharmaceutical compositions described above. Preferably, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound administered for treating any of these conditions is about 0.1 to about 300 mg/kg/day.
Also included in the invention is the use of any of the compounds described above for the preparation of a medicament for treating a condition selected from hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiac insufficiency, coronary vasospasm, cardiac ischemia, liver cirrhosis, renal vasospasm, renal failure, cerebral edema and ischemia, stroke, thrombosis, or water retention in a subject in need thereof.
The present invention provides tricyclic benzodiazepine compounds which are useful as antagonists of vasopressin. More particularly, the compounds of formula (I) and (II) inhibit the binding of vasopressin to V-1 and V-2 receptors, and are therefore useful in treating conditions with increased vascular resistance. Examples of conditions with increased vascular resistance include, but are not limited to, congestive heart failure, edema, water retaining states, etc. More particularly, the present invention is directed to compounds of the formulas (I) and (II):
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; wherein HET, A, X, Y, Z, R1, R2, R5 and m are as previously defined.
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (I) wherein Y is selected from CH2 or CH as part of an olefin; X is selected from CH2, CH as part of an olefin, NR3, S, O or SO2; with the proviso that if Y is CH as part of an olefin, then X is CH as part of an olefin.
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (I) wherein, preferably, R1 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen or oxo.
More preferably, R1 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, chlorine, fluorine or oxo.
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (I) wherein, preferably, Ar is phenyl optionally substituted with from one to four substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 aralkyl (wherein the alkyl portion is optionally substituted with at least one fluorine and the aryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxy), C1-C8 aralkoxy (wherein the alkoxy portion is optionally substituted with at least one fluorine and the aryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxy), halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C8 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C8 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C8 alkylthio, (halo)1-3(C1-C8)alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfinyl, heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl or halogen), heteroaryl(C1-C8)alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl) or phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl).
More preferably, Ar is phenyl optionally substituted with from one to four substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, (halo)1-3(C1-C8)alkylthio, heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl or halogen) or phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen or hydroxy).
Most preferably, Ar is phenyl optionally substituted with from one to four substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, (halo)1-3(C1-C4)alkylthio, heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl or halogen) or phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen or hydroxy).
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (I) wherein, R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, fluorinated alkyl or arylsulfonyl.
Preferably, R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, C1-C8 alkyl, ar(C1-C8)alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C8 alkylsulfonyl, fluorinated(C1-C8) alkyl or arylsulfonyl.
More preferably, R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, C1-C4 alkyl, ar(C1-C4)alkyl or trifluoro(C1-C4)alkyl.
Most preferably, R3 is selected from hydrogen, formyl, methyl, isopropyl, benzyl or trifluoroethyl.
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (I) wherein, preferably, R5 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxy, dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;
More preferably, R5 is one to two substituents independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxy, dimethylamino or trifluoromethyl.
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (IV) wherein, preferably, R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, phenyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio, or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl); heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl or halogen), heteroaryl(C1-C8)alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl), (halo)1-3(C1-C4)alkylthio and halogen.
More preferably, R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen or hydroxy), heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl), (halo)1-3(C1-C4)alkylthio and halogen.
Most preferably, R6 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from methyl, methoxy, fluorine or hydroxy), thienyl (optionally substituted with methyl), difluoromethylthio, fluorine, chlorine or iodine.
Embodiments of compounds of the present invention further include those compounds of formula (IV) wherein R7 is one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C6 alkyl.
Preferably, R7 is one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl.
More preferably, R7 is one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, hydroxy, C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkyl.
Most preferably, R7 is one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy or trifluoromethyl.
Embodiments of the present invention further include an intermediate compound of the formula (VII):
Embodiments of the present invention further include an intermediate compound of the formula (VIII):
Embodiments of the present invention further include an intermediate compound of the formula (IX):
wherein R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, fluorinated alkyl or arylsulfonyl.
Preferably, R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, aralkyl or trifluoroalkyl.
More preferably, R3 is selected from hydrogen, formyl, methyl, isopropyl, benzyl or trifluoroethyl.
The tricyclic benzodiazepine compounds of the present invention are vasopressin receptor antagonists, in a preferred embodiment, the compounds are orally active. As demonstrated by the results of the pharmacological studies described hereinafter, the compounds show the ability to block vasopressin binding to recombinant V-1 and V-2, and decrease arginine vasopressin-elevated blood pressure in animal models.
The compounds of the present invention may also be present in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. For use in medicine, the salts of the compounds of this invention refer to non-toxic xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptable salts.xe2x80x9d Other salts may, however, be useful in the preparation of compounds according to this invention or of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Representative organic or inorganic acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, perchloric, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, acetic, propionic, glycolic, lactic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, benzoic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, hydroxyethanesulfonic, benezenesulfonic, oxalic, pamoic, 2-naphthalenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclohexanesulfamic, salicylic, saccharinic or trifluoroacetic acid.
Where the compounds according to this invention have at least one chiral center, they may accordingly exist as enantiomers. Where the compounds possess two or more chiral centers, they may additionally exist as diastereomers. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms for the compounds may exist as polymorphs and as such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water (i.e., hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention.
The term xe2x80x9csubjectxe2x80x9d as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a human, who has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment.
The term xe2x80x9ctherapeutically effective amountxe2x80x9d as used herein, means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated.
As used herein, unless otherwise noted alkyl and alkoxy whether used alone or as part of a substituent group, include straight and branched chains having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or any number within this range. For example, alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-(2-methyl)butyl, 2-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, 2-hexyl and 2-methylpentyl. Alkoxy radicals are oxygen ethers formed from the previously described straight and branched chain or cyclic alkyl groups. Cycloalkyl and cycloalkoxy groups contain 3 to 8 ring carbons and preferably 5 to 7 ring carbons. Similarly, alkenyl and alkynyl groups include straight and branched chains having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, or any number within this range. Cycloalkenyl and cycloalkynyl groups contain 3 to 8 ring carbons, or any number within this range.
The terms xe2x80x9cArxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9carylxe2x80x9d as used herein are synonymous and refer to an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic group such as phenyl and naphthyl. When the Ar or aryl group is substituted, it may have one to four substituents, which are independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), fluorinated C1-C8 alkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino (i.e., xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94C1-C4 alkyl), C1-C4 dialkylamino (i.e., xe2x80x94Nxe2x80x94(C1-C4 alkyl)2 wherein the alkyl groups on the amino can be the same or different). When Ar is phenyl, the phenyl is optionally substituted with from one to four substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C8 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 aralkyl (wherein optionally the alkyl or aryl portions are independently substituted and the alkyl portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxyl), C1-C8 aralkoxy (wherein optionally the alkoxy or aryl portions are independently substituted and the alkoxy portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkylthio or hydroxyl), halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C8 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), (halo)3(C1-C8)alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C8 alkylthio, C1-C8 alkylsulfinyl, heteroaryl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl) or phenyl (optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups on the amino may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio, or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl);
The term xe2x80x9cHETxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cheteroarylxe2x80x9d as used herein represents a stable unsubstituted or substituted five- or six-membered monocyclic aromatic ring system or a nine- or ten-membered benzo-fused heteroaromatic ring system which consists of carbon atoms and from one to three heteroatoms selected from N, O or S. The heteroaryl group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom, which results in the creation of a stable structure. Examples of heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, thiophenyl (also referred to as thienyl), furanyl (also referred to as furyl), imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzotriazolyl or quinolinyl. Preferred heteroaryl groups include pyridinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl and quinolinyl. When the heteroaryl group is substituted, the heteroaryl group may have one to three substituents, which are independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl, halogen, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, nitro, hydroxy.
The term xe2x80x9caralkylxe2x80x9d means an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyl, phenylethyl). Similarly, the term xe2x80x9caralkoxyxe2x80x9d indicates an alkoxy group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyloxy). The term aminoalkyl refers to an alkyl group substituted with an amino group (i.e., -alkyl-NH2). The term xe2x80x9calkylaminoxe2x80x9d refers to an amino group substituted with an alkyl group (i.e., xe2x80x94NH-alkyl). The term xe2x80x9cdialkylaminoxe2x80x9d refers to an amino group which is disubstituted with alkyl groups wherein the alkyl groups can be the same or different (i.e., xe2x80x94N-(alkyl)2). The term xe2x80x9calkylthioxe2x80x9d means an alkyl thiol ether group (i.e. xe2x80x94S-alkyl).
The term xe2x80x9cacylxe2x80x9d as used herein means an organic radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms (branched or straight chain) derived from an organic acid by removal of the hydroxyl group.
The term xe2x80x9chydroxylxe2x80x9d is used equivalently with the term xe2x80x9chydroxyxe2x80x9d and herein refers to the organic xe2x80x94OH radical.
The term xe2x80x9chalogenxe2x80x9d shall include iodine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine.
Whenever the term xe2x80x9calkylxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9carylxe2x80x9d or either of their prefix roots appear in a name of a substituent (e.g., aralkyl, dialkylamino) it shall be interpreted as including those limitations given above for xe2x80x9calkylxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9caryl.xe2x80x9d Designated numbers of carbon atoms (e.g., C1-C6) shall refer independently to the number of carbon atoms in an alkyl or cycloalkyl moiety or to the alkyl portion of a larger substituent in which alkyl appears as its prefix root.
It is intended that the definition of any substituent or variable at a particular location in a molecule be independent of its definitions elsewhere in that molecule. It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds of this invention can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques know in the art as well as those methods set forth herein.
In one embodiment of the present invention is a compound of the formula (IV):
wherein
R6 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted with from one to two substituents independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups may be the same or different), C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C4 alkylthio, or C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl); aralkyl (wherein the alkyl or aryl portions are optionally independently substituted and the alkyl portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine (preferably one) and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine), C1-C4 alkyl (preferably C1-C2 alkyl), C1-C6 alkylthio (preferably a C1-C4) or hydroxyl),and aralkoxy (wherein the alkoxy or aryl portions are optionally independently substituted and the alkoxy portion may be substituted with at least one fluorine (preferably one) and/or the aryl portion may be independently substituted with from one to two substituents selected from halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine), C1-C4 alkyl (preferably C1-C2 alkyl), C1-C6 alkylthio (preferably a C1-C4) or hydroxyl); and
R7 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkyl (preferably C1-C4, and more preferably C1-C2), C1-C6 alkoxy (preferably C1-C4 and more preferably C1-C2) and combinations thereof, wherein R7 maybe one to four independently selected groups.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9ccompositionxe2x80x9d is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.
The utility of the compounds to treat disorders of increased vascular resistance can be determined according to the procedures described herein. The present invention, therefore provides, a method of treating vascular resistance disorders in a subject in need thereof which comprises administering any of the compounds as defined herein in a quantity effective to treat vascular resistance disorders. A compound may be administered to a patient in need of treatment by any conventional route of administration including, but not limited to oral, nasal, sublingual, ocular, transdermal, rectal, vaginal and parenteral (i.e. subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intravenous etc.).
The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of this invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, one or more compounds of formula (I) or (II) or salt thereof as the active ingredient, is intimately admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending of the form of preparation desired for administration (e.g. oral or parenteral such as intramuscular). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art. Descriptions of some of these pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be found in The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, published by the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Methods of formulating pharmaceutical compositions have been described in numerous publications such as Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, Volumes 1-3, edited by Lieberman et al; Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, Volumes 1-2, edited by Avis et al; and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems, Volumes 1-2, edited by Lieberman et al; published by Marcel Dekker, Inc.
In preparing a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention in liquid dosage form for oral, topical and parenteral administration, any of the usual pharmaceutical media or excipients may be employed. Thus, for liquid dosage forms, such as suspensions (i.e. colloids, emulsions and dispersions) and solutions, suitable carriers and additives include but are not limited to pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents, dispersants, flocculation agents, thickeners, pH control agents (i.e. buffers), osmotic agents, coloring agents, flavors, fragrances, preservatives (i.e. to control microbial growth, etc.) and a liquid vehicle may be employed. Not all of the components listed above will be required for each liquid dosage form.
In solid oral preparations such as, for example, powders, granules, capsules, caplets, gelcaps, pills and tablets (each including immediate release, timed release and sustained release formulations), suitable carriers and additives include but are not limited to diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, glidants, disintegrating agents and the like. Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar coated, gelatin coated, film coated or enteric coated by standard techniques.
The pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, teaspoonful and the like, an amount of the active ingredient necessary to deliver an effective dose as described above. The pharmaceutical compositions herein will contain, per unit dosage unit, e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, suppository, teaspoonful and the like, of from about 0.03 mg to 100 mg/kg (preferably from about 0.1-30 mg/kg) and may be given at a dosage of from about 0.1-300 mg/kg/day (preferably about 1-50 mg/kg/day and more preferably about 0.03 to 10 mg/kg/day). Preferably, for the method of treating vascular resistance disorders described in the present invention using any of the compounds as defined herein, the dosage form will contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing between about 0.01 mg and 100 mg, more preferably about 5 to 50 mg, of the compound, and may be constituted into any form suitable for the mode of administration selected. The dosages, however, may be varied depending upon the requirement of the patients, the severity of the condition being treated and the compound being employed. The use of either daily administration or post-periodic dosing may be employed.
Preferably these compositions are in unit dosage forms from such as tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, lozenges, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid sprays, drops, ampoules, autoinjector devices or suppositories; for administration by oral, intranasal, sublingual, intraocular, transdermal, parenteral, rectal, vaginal, inhalation or insufflation means. Alternatively, the composition may be presented in a form suitable for once-weekly or once-monthly administration; for example, an insoluble salt of the active compound, such as the decanoate salt, may be adapted to provide a depot preparation for intramuscular injection.
For preparing solid pharmaceutical compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier, e.g. conventional tableting ingredients such as diluents, binders, adhesives, disintegrants, lubricants, antiadherents and glidants. Suitable diluents include, but are not limited to, starch (i.e. corn, wheat, or potato starch, which may be hydrolized), lactose (granulated, spray dried or anhydrous), sucrose, sucrose-based diluents (confectioner""s sugar; sucrose plus about 7 to 10 weight percent invert sugar; sucrose plus about 3 weight percent modified dextrins; sucrose plus invert sugar, about 4 weight percent invert sugar, about 0.1 to 0.2 weight percent cornstarch and magnesium stearate), dextrose, inositol, mannitol, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose (i.e. AVICEL(trademark) microcrystalline cellulose available from FMC Corp.), dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium lactate trihydrate and the like. Suitable binders and adhesives include, but are not limited to accacia gum, guar gum, tragacanth gum, sucrose, gelatin, glucose, starch, and cellulosics (i.e. methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethycellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and the like), water soluble or dispersible binders (i.e. alginic acid and salts thereof, magnesium aluminum silicate, hydroxyethylcellulose (i.e. TYLOSE(trademark) available from Hoechst Celanese), polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide acids, bentonites, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethacrylates and pregelatinized starch) and the like. Suitable disintegrants include, but are not limited to, starches (corn, potato, etc.), sodium starch glycolates, pregelatinized starches, clays (magnesium aluminum silicate), celluloses (such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose and microcrystalline cellulose), alginates, pregelatinized starches (i.e. corn starch, etc.), gums (i.e. agar, guar, locust bean, karaya, pectin, and tragacanth gum), cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like. Suitable lubricants and antiadherents include, but are not limited to, stearates (magnesium, calcium and sodium), stearic acid, talc waxes, stearowet, boric acid, sodium chloride, DL-leucine, carbowax 4000, carbowax 6000, sodium oleate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate and the like. Suitable gildants include, but are not limited to, talc, cornstarch, silica (i.e. CAB-O-SIL(trademark) silica available from Cabot, SYLOID(trademark) silica available from W. R. Grace/Davison, and AEROSIL(trademark) silica available from Degussa) and the like. Sweeteners and flavorants may be added to chewable solid dosage forms to improve the palatability of the oral dosage form. Additionally, colorants and coatings may be added or applied to the solid dosage form for ease of identification of the drug or for aesthetic purposes. These carriers are formulated with the pharmaceutical active to provide a accurate, appropriate dose of the pharmaceutical active with a therapeutic release profile.
Generally these carriers are mixed with the pharmaceutical active to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of the pharmaceutical active of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Generally the preformulation will be formed by one of three common methods: (a) wet granulation, (b) dry granulation and (c) dry blending. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from about 0.1 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention. The tablets or pills containing the novel compositions may also be formulated in multilayer tablets or pills to provide a sustained or provide dual-release products. For example, a dual release tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer, which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric materials such as shellac, cellulose acetate (i.e. cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate trimetllitate), polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, methacrylate and ethylacrylate copolymers, methacrylate and methyl methacrylate copolymers and the like. Sustained release tablets may also be made by film coating or wet granulation using slightly soluble or insoluble substances in solution (which for a wet granulation acts as the binding agents) or low melting solids a molten form (which in a wet granulation may incorporate the active ingredient). These materials include natural and synthetic polymers waxes, hydrogenated oils, fatty acids and alcohols (i.e. beeswax, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, cetylstearyl alcohol, and the like), esters of fatty acids metallic soaps, and other acceptable materials that can be used to granulate, coat, entrap or otherwise limit the solubility of an active ingredient to achieve a prolonged or sustained release product.
The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include, but are not limited to aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Suitable suspending agents for aqueous suspensions, include synthetic and natural gums such as, acacia, agar, alginate (i.e. propylene alginate, sodium alginate and the like), guar, karaya, locust bean, pectin, tragacanth, and xanthan gum, cellulosics such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and combinations thereof, synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbomer (i.e. carboxypolymethylene), and polyethylene glycol; clays such as bentonite, hectorite, attapulgite or sepiolite; and other pharmaceutically acceptable suspending agents such as lecithin, gelatin or the like. Suitable surfactants include but are not limited to sodium docusate, sodium lauryl sulfate, polysorbate, octoxynol-9, nonoxynol-10, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, polyoxamer 188, polyoxamer 235 and combinations thereof. Suitable deflocculating or dispersing agent include pharmaceutical grade lecithins. Suitable flocculating agent include but are not limited to simple neutral electrolytes (i.e. sodium chloride, potassium, chloride, and the like), highly charged insoluble polymers and polyelectrolyte species, water soluble divalent or trivalent ions (i.e. calcium salts, alums or sulfates, citrates and phosphates (which can be used jointly in formulations as pH buffers and flocculating agents). Suitable preservatives include but are not limited to parabens (i.e. methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl), sorbic acid, thimerosal, quaternary ammonium salts, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, chlorhexidine gluconate, phenylethanol and the like. There are many liquid vehicles that may be used in liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms, however, the liquid vehicle that is used in a particular dosage form must be compatible with the suspending agent(s). For example, nonpolar liquid vehicles such as fatty esters and oils liquid vehicles are best used with suspending agents such as low HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) surfactants, stearalkonium hectorite, water insoluble resins, water insoluble film forming polymers and the like. Conversely, polar liquids such as water, alcohols, polyols and glycols are best used with suspending agents such as higher HLB surfactants, clays silicates, gums, water soluble cellulosics, water soluble polymers and the like. For parenteral administration, sterile suspensions and solutions are desired. Liquid forms useful for parenteral administration include sterile solutions, emulsions and suspensions. Isotonic preparations which generally contain suitable preservatives are employed when intravenous administration is desired.
Furthermore, compounds of the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal skin patches the composition of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the administration of a therapeutic dose will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.
Compounds of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, multilamellar vesicles and the like. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine, phosphatidylcholines and the like.
Compounds of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compound molecules are coupled. The compounds of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers. Such polymers can include, but are not limited to polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, polyhydroxy-ethylaspartamidephenol, or polyethyl eneoxidepolylysine substituted with palmitoyl residue. Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, to homopolymers and copolymers (which means polymers containing two or more chemically distinguishable repeating units) of lactide (which includes lactic acid d-, l- and meso lactide), glycolide (including glycolic acid), xcex5-caprolactone, p-dioxanone (1,4-dioxan-2-one), trimethylene carbonate (1,3-dioxan-2-one), alkyl derivatives of trimethylene carbonate, xcex4-valerolactone, xcex2-butyrolactone, xcex3-butyrolactone, xcex5-decalactone, hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one (including its dimer 1,5,8,12-tetraoxacyclotetradecane-7,14-dione), 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels and blends thereof.
Where the processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention give rise to mixtures of stereoisomers, these isomers may be separated by conventional techniques such as preparative chromatography. The compounds may be prepared in racemic form or individual enantiomers may be prepared either by enantiospecific synthesis or by resolution. The compounds may, for example, be resolved into their component enantiomers by standard techniques, such as the formation of diastereomeric pairs by salt formation. The compounds may also be resolved by formation of diastereomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic separation and removal of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the compounds may be resolved using a chiral HPLC column.
During any of the processes for preparation of the compounds of the present invention, it may be necessary and/or desirable to protect sensitive or reactive groups on any of the molecules concerned. This may be achieved by means of conventional protecting groups, such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, ed. J. F. W. McOmie, Plenum Press, 1973; and T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, 1991. The protecting groups may be removed at a convenient subsequent stage using methods known in the art.
Compounds of this invention may be administered in any of the foregoing compositions and according to dosage regimens established in the art whenever treatment of disorders of vascular resistance is required for a subject.
The daily dose of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be varied over a wide range from about 0.01 to 30,000 mg per adult human per day, however the dose will preferably be in the range of from about 0.01 to about 1,000 mg per adult human per day. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the subject to be treated. An effective amount of the drug is ordinarily supplied at a dosage level of from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg of body weight per day. Preferably, the range is from about 0.03 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day, most preferably, from about 0.03 to about 10 mg/kg of body weight per day. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day.
Optimal dosages to be administered may be readily determined by those skilled in the art, and will vary with the particular compound used, the mode of administration, the strength of the preparation, and the advancement of the disease condition. In addition, factors associated with the particular subject being treated, including subject age, weight, diet and time of administration, will result in the need to adjust the dose to an appropriate therapeutic level.
Abbreviations used in the instant specification, particularly the Schemes and Examples, are as follows:
The method of naming compounds of the present invention follow accepted nomenclature rules. Where it is noted, the letter xe2x80x9cRxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cSxe2x80x9d indicates the absolute configuration (Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules). For example, structure names are generally derived according to the following system:
Thus, the name representing Compound 4 is:
(S)-2-Phenyl-N-[3-chloro-4-(1,3,4,12a-tetrahydro-6H-[1,4]oxazino[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepin-11(12H)-yl-carbonyl)phenyl]benzamide.
Particularly preferred compounds of the present invention include those compounds of formula (IVa) shown in Table I.
As in Table I, the compounds of the invention of formula (IVa), wherein X and Y are methylene may be prepared as shown in Scheme AA. Isatoic anhydride AA2 and pipecolic acid AA1 were condensed at high temperature in DMF to afford intermediate amide AA3. Amide AA3 was reduced with lithium aluminum hydride in refluxing THF, and then coupled with acid chloride AA5 to afford 4-nitrobenzamide AA6. The nitro group can be reduced to the corresponding amine AA7 with zinc, and then coupled with acid chloride AA8 to afford the final product AA9.
As shown in Tables II and III, for compounds of formula (IV), wherein X is O or S and Y is methylene, the cyclic amino acid intermediate corresponding to AA1 can be prepared as published (U. Larsson and R. Carlson, Acta Chimica Scandinavica 1994, 48, 517-525).
As shown in Table IV, for compounds of formula (X), wherein X is NR3 and Y is methylene, the carboxylate intermediate corresponding to AD1 can be prepared as published (Bigge, C. F.; Hays, S. J.; Novak, P. M.; Drummond, J. T.; Johnson, G.; Bobovski, T. P.; Tet Lett., 1989, 30(39), 5193).
As shown in Table I, for compounds of formula (IVa), wherein X is CH and Y is CH (olefin), the cyclic amino acid intermediate corresponding to AA1 can be prepared as published (F. Rutjes, Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 677-680).
The compounds of formula (II) can be prepared as with (I) using the anthranilic acid derivatives, i.e. 2-amino-3-thiophene-carboxylic acid for five-membered H ET rings or 2-amino-3-pyridine-carboxylic acid for six-membered HET rings, and regioisomers thereof. The anthranilic acid derivatives can be converted to the corresponding isatoic anhydride derivatives by standard methods (condensation with carbonylduimidazole), and then used as shown in Scheme AA.
The compounds of the invention wherein X is O, Y is methylene and Q is an appropriate protecting substituent may be prepared as shown in Scheme AB. Aziridine AB1 was protected by the action of benzyl chloroformate to afford AB2, and then reacted with 2-chloroethanol to give serine derivative AB3. Compound AB3 was deprotected by hydrogenolysis and then cyclized in the presence of triethylamine to give morpholine AB5. Acylation of AB5 with 2-nitrobenzoyl chloride followed by iron-mediated reductive cyclization afforded benzodiazepinedione AB7. This bis-lactam was reduced with lithium aluminum hydride, resolved as its di-toluoyl tartrate salt, and acylated with 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoyl chloride to produce AB9. Reduction of AB9 with zinc dust followed by acylation with 2-biphenyl carbonyl chloride afforded oxazine 4.
The compounds of the invention wherein X is S and Y is methylene may be prepared as shown in Scheme AC. Aminoethanethiol and 3-bromopyruvate were condensed and cyclized to produce AC1. This imine was reduced by sodium cyanoborhydride to give thiazine AC2. Acylation of AC2 with 2-nitrobenzoyl chloride followed by iron-mediated reduction afforded bis-lactam AC4. The intermediate AC4 may be carried forward as exemplified in Scheme AB to give the final, thiazine target compounds.
The compounds of the invention wherein X is NR3, Y is methylene and Q is an appropriate protecting substituent may be prepared as shown in Scheme AD. Bis-protected piperazine AD1 was deprotected to produce AD2. Piperazine AD2 was reductively alkylated with formaldehyde to give N-methylpiperazine AD3. Deprotection using catalytic hydrogenation of AD3 provided piperazine AD4. Acylation of AD4 with 2-nitrobenzoyl chloride followed by iron-mediated reduction afforded bis-lactam AD6. The intermediate AD6 may be carried forward as exemplified in Scheme AB to give the final piperazine target compounds.
Reagents were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company. High field 1H NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AC-360 spectrometer at 360 MHz, and coupling constants are given in Hertz. Melting points were determined on a Mel-Temp II melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Microanalyses were performed at Robertson Microlit Laboratories, Inc., Madison, N.J. and are expressed in percentage by weight of each element per total molecular weight. In those cases where the product is obtained as a salt, the free base is obtained by methods known to those skilled in the art, e.g. by basic ion exchange purification. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for hydrogen atoms were measured in the indicated solvent with tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the internal standard on a Bruker AM-360 (360 MHz) spectrometer. The values are expressed in parts per million down field from TMS. The mass spectra (MS) were determined on a Micromass/Hewlett Packard Series 1050 spectrometer (MH+), using electrospray ionization techniques. Unless otherwise noted, the materials used in the examples were obtained from readily available commercial suppliers or synthesized by standard methods known to anyone skilled in the art of chemical synthesis. The substituent groups, which vary between examples, are hydrogen unless otherwise noted. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A network packet processor may input a stream of network packets, manipulate the contents of the network packets, and output another stream of modified network packets. The manipulations may implement a protocol for processing network packets. For example, the network packet processor may implement a protocol layer of a communication protocol, and for a high-level packet received from a higher protocol layer and delivered to a lower protocol layer for eventual transmission on the communication media, the manipulations may encapsulate the high-level packet within a low-level packet of the lower protocol layer.
A protocol designer may develop a specification of the processing of network packets by a network packet processor. A hardware designer, such as an integrated circuit designer, may create a hardware implementation of a network packet processor that complies with the requirements specified by the protocol designer. Thus, development of a network packet processor implemented in hardware may require the specialized knowledge and skills of at least two separate fields of expertise. Because multiple fields of expertise may be required during development of a hardware implementation of a network packet processor, development of a network packet processor may be time consuming and expensive.
Rapid development of the protocol or implementation of a network packet processor may improve the timeliness and/or quality of the network packet processor. For example, if a hardware implementation can be generated quickly given a specification of the processing of network packets, deficiencies discovered in an initial implementation may be addressed by modifying the specification and generating an improved implementation. Additional iterations of improvement may be possible if the hardware implementation can be generated quickly from a protocol specification.
The present invention may address one or more of the above issues. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of invention relate generally to optical devices and, more specifically but not exclusively relate to amplifying and/or attenuating optical power in optical beams.
2. Background Information
The need for fast and efficient optical-based technologies is increasing as Internet data traffic growth rate is overtaking voice traffic pushing the need for fiber optical communications. Transmission of multiple optical channels over the same fiber in the dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) system provides a simple way to use the unprecedented capacity (signal bandwidth) offered by fiber optics. Commonly used optical components in the system include wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmitters and receivers, optical filter such as diffraction gratings, thin-film filters, fiber Bragg gratings, arrayed-waveguide gratings, optical add/drop multiplexers, optical amplifiers and optical attenuators.
An optical amplifier is a device that can be used to increase the optical intensity or power of an optical beam while an optical power attenuator is a device that can be used to limit the intensity of light transmitted by the device to some value. An optical amplifier can be useful to for example increase the intensity of an optical beam to compensate for power loss before or after being transmitted from a source to a destination. Optical power attenuators can be useful for a number of purposes including protecting human eyes, photodetectors or the like from high intensity light. Known optical power attenuators include solid-state optical power attenuators based on photoconductivity and the electro-optic effect has been observed in electro-optic crystals. Other known materials used for optical power limiting include molecular materials such as matallophthalocyanines and metallonaphthalocyanines, which exhibit relatively low linear absorption and high ratios of exited-state to ground-state absorption. Christiansen filters have also been utilized in optical power attenuator applications to limit the maximum power transmitted by a device to some fixed value. Christiansen filters include for example small grains of crushed glass mixed with a liquid exhibiting a precise linear refractive index such that the glass grains disappear into the host liquid. An index mismatch between the liquid and glass components is induced by exposure to high intensity light, which therefore results in the optical power attenuator behavior in the device. Use of the known optical power attenuators such as those summarized above has been limited due to their complexity and the challenges involved with integrating and combining these technologies with other optical technologies into practical solutions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to liquid crystal displays (LCDs). More specifically, the present invention relates large-pixel multi-domain vertical alignment LCDs, which can be manufactured with smooth substrates.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which were first used for simple monochrome displays, such as calculators and digital watches, have become the dominant display technology. LCDs are used routinely in place of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for both computer displays and television displays. Various drawbacks of LCDs have been overcome to improve the quality of LCDs. For example, active matrix displays, which have largely replaced passive matrix displays, reduce ghosting and improve resolution, color gradation, viewing angle, contrast ratios, and response time as compared to passive matrix displays.
However, the primary drawback of conventional twisted nematic LCDs is the viewing angle is very narrow and the contrast ratio is low. Even the viewing angle of active matrixes is much smaller than the viewing angle for CRT. Specifically, while a viewer directly in front of an LCD receives a high quality image, other viewers to the side of the LCD would not receive a high quality image. Multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays (MVA LCDs) were developed to improve the viewing angle and contrast ratio of LCDs. FIGS. 1(a)-1(c) illustrate the basic functionality of a pixel of a vertical alignment LCD 100. For clarity, the LCD of FIG. 1 uses only a single domain. Furthermore, for clarity, the LCDs of FIGS. 1(a)-1(c) (and FIG. 2) described in terms of gray scale operation.
LCD 100 has a first polarizer 105, a first substrate 110, a first electrode 120, a first alignment layer 125, liquid crystals 130, a second alignment layer 140, a second electrode 145, a second substrate 150, and a second polarizer 155. Generally, first substrate 110 and second substrate 150 are made of a transparent glass. First electrode 120 and second electrode 145 are made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). First alignment layer 125 and second alignment layer 140, which are typically made of a polyimide (PI) layer, align liquid crystals 130 vertically in a resting state. In operation, a light source (not shown) sends light from beneath first polarizer 105, which is attached to first substrate 110. First polarizer 105 is generally polarized in a first direction and second polarizer 155, which is attached to second substrate 150, is polarized perpendicularly to first polarizer 105. Thus, light from the light source would not pass through both first polarizer 105 and second polarizer 155 unless the light polarization were to be rotated by 90 degrees between first polarizer 105 and second polarizer 155. For clarity, very few liquid crystals are shown. In actual displays, liquid crystals are rod like molecules, which are approximately 5 angstroms in diameter and 20-25 angstroms in length. Thus, there are over 10 million liquid crystal molecules in a pixel that is 100 μm width by 300 μm length by 3 μm height.
In FIG. 1(a), liquid crystals 130 are vertically aligned. In the vertical alignment, liquid crystals 130 would not rotate light polarization from the light source. Thus, light from the light source would not pass through LCD 100 and gives a completely optical black state and a very high contrast ratio for all color and all cell gap. Consequently MVA LCDs provide a big improvement on the contrast ratio over the conventional low contrast twisted nematic LCDs. However, as illustrated in FIG. 1(b), when an electric field is applied between first electrode 120 and second electrode 145, liquid crystals 130 reorientate to a tilted position. Liquid crystals in the tilted position rotate the polarization of the polarized light coming through first polarizer 105 by ninety degrees so that the light can then pass through second polarizer 155. The amount of tilting, which controls the amount of light passing through the LCD (i.e., brightness of the pixel), is proportional to the strength of the electric field. Generally, a single thin-film-transistor (TFT) is used for each pixel. However for color displays, a separate TFT is used for each color component (typically, Red, Green, and Blue)
However, the light passing through LCD 100 is not uniform to viewers at different viewing angles. As illustrated in FIG. 1(c), a viewer 210 that is left of center would see a bright pixel because the broad (light rotating) side of liquid crystals 130 face viewer 210. A viewer 220 that is centered on the pixel would see a gray pixel because the broad side of liquid crystals 130 is only partially facing viewer 220. A viewer 230 that is right of center would see a dark pixel because the broad side of liquid crystals 130 is barely facing viewer 230.
Multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays (MVA LCDs) were developed to improve the viewing angle problems of single-domain vertical alignment LCDs. FIG. 2 illustrates a pixel of a multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display (MVA LCD) 200. MVA LCD 200 includes a first polarizer 205, a first substrate 210, a first electrode 220, a first alignment layer 225, liquid crystals 235, liquid crystals 237, protrusions 260s, a second alignment layer 240, a second electrode 245, a second substrate 250, and a second polarizer 255. Liquid crystals 235 form the first domain of the pixel and liquid crystals 237 form the second domain of the pixel. When an electric field is applied between first electrode 220 and second electrode 245, protrusions 260 cause liquid crystals 235 to tilt in a different direction than liquid crystals 237. Thus, a viewer 272 that is left of center would see the left domain (liquid crystals 235) as black and the right domain (liquid crystals 237) as white. A viewer 274 that is centered would see both domains as gray. A viewer 276 that is right of center would see the left domain as white and the right domain as black. However, because the individual pixels are small, all three viewers would perceive the pixel as being gray. As explained above, the amount of tilting of the liquid crystals is controlled by the strength of the electric field between electrodes 220 and 245. The level of grayness perceived by the viewer directly related to the amount of tilting of the liquid crystals. MVA LCDs can also be extended to use four domains so that the LC orientation in a pixel is divided into 4 major domains to provide wide symmetrical viewing angles both vertically and horizontally.
Thus, multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays, provide wide symmetrical viewing angles, however, the cost of manufacturing MVA LCDs are very high due to the difficulty of adding protrusions to the top and bottom substrates and the difficulty of properly aligning the protrusions on the top and bottom substrates. Specifically, a protrusion on the bottom substrate must be located at the center of two protrusions on the top substrate; any misalignment between the top and bottom substrates will reduce the product yield. Other techniques of using physical features to the substrates, such as ITO slits, which have been used in place of or in combination with the protrusions, are also very expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the protrusions and ITO slits inhibit light transmission and thus reduce the brightness of the MVA LCDs. Hence, there is a need for a method or system that can provide multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal displays, without the need for difficult to manufacture physical features such as protrusions and ITO-slits, and without the need to have ultra precise alignment of the top and bottom substrates. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of computer architecture. More particularly, the present invention relates to signal communications within a computer system with particular emphasis on the use of buses for the exchanging of information between computer components.
(2) Art Background
Modern computer architectures place heavy emphasis on the use of buses for the exchanging of information between components of computer systems. A bus is a collection of common wires or signal lines to which a plurality of components may be coupled for exchanging information with one another. Often, peripheral and other devices are coupled to an input/output (I/O) bus such as the well-known EISA bus for shared communication by peripheral devices to the system's processing unit. Such peripherals may be external to the computer system or housed in an integral unit with the computer system but separate from the integrated circuit or circuits comprising the system's processing unit.
Another bus frequently found in modern computer architectures is the high speed memory bus. Such a bus is frequently used to provide communications between a processing unit, memory modules and other modules which benefit from much higher speed communication with the processing unit than that provided by a standard I/O bus. Other modules which might advantageously reside on the memory bus rather than the I/O bus include such things as video processing modules which require high data exchange rates and computation power from the system processing unit.
When a processing unit requires the services of another module situated on the memory bus, the processing unit will signal the address of the desired memory bus module which will acknowledge the address and respond accordingly. Traditionally this procedure may be carried out in two distinct manners. One is by using a centralized decoding mechanism. In this approach, a decoding module resides on the memory bus. Addresses propagated by the processing unit are decoded by the centralized decoder which then selects the appropriate resource on the memory bus for communication with the processor. During system initialization, the decoder's logic determines which resources correspond to which addresses. The advantage of this approach is that resources on the memory bus need not be provided with decoding logic in order to watch for addresses being propagated by the processing unit. In such a mechanism, the decoding module controls the direction of signal propagation over the select lines to the memory bus resources. The disadvantage of such a scheme is that it is not easily extensible for building modular systems. If the system needs to be expanded, the decoder must be redesigned.
An alternative mechanism to the one described above is to use a distributed decoding scheme. In a distributed decoding scheme, each resource or module on the memory bus monitors the bus for addresses being propagated by the processing unit. When an address is propagated on the memory bus by the processing unit, each resource or module, through its own decoding logic, determines if it is the resource being addressed by the processor. If a given resource is the target resource then that module controls the activation of its own select lines for communication to the processor. Obviously, a disadvantage to such a mechanism is that the modules on the memory bus must each be incorporated with decoding logic for responding to addresses propagated by the processing unit. This mechanism however, does allow for processing unit. much more modular systems where additional resources may be plugged into a memory bus without having to modify a centralized decoder.
It would be an advantage, and is, therefore, an object of the present invention to be able to incorporate favorable aspects of both types of address decoding means for use on a high speed memory bus without having to increase the number of signal lines for communication between a processor and modules on the high speed memory bus.
Another disadvantage to current computer architectures is that I/O address space is generally reserved for specific slots or locations on the system I/O bus. Often times, this I/O space goes unused. Because the I/O address space is limited, locking up unused space prevents placing high performance I/O devices on the memory bus. It would be a great advantage and is, therefore, another object of the present invention to provide for the reassignment of I/O space originally dedicated for use by I/O devices on the I/O bus to be selectively provided to resources on the memory bus during system initialization to eliminate the problems described above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Computer systems are often advertised according to various characteristics of the processor, particularly the internal clock frequency of the processor. Typically, the processor clock has a frequency that is an integer multiple of the bus clock frequency. Although a processor is usually capable of performing internal operations at the advertised fast clock speeds, in many cases the processor clock is too fast for the bus and peripheral devices. Therefore, the processor communicates with the peripheral devices only at the slower speed of the interface bus clock. Even in a system-on-chip (SOC) device, the processor is limited to the slower clock frequency during data transfers.
From a timing perspective, the difference between frequencies can cause problems if the processor is not informed of the timing characteristics of the slower bus clock. Assume, for example, that a processor clock is running at a speed of four times the speed of a bus clock. In this case, the processor would be capable of transferring data at any one of the four active edges during the one clock cycle of the bus clock. However, the bus would expect to begin communications when the processor clock and bus clock are synchronized, or, in other words, when their active or leading edges are aligned. To utilize the entire bus clock cycle, the processor should begin data transmissions at the start of the bus clock cycle. If this relationship between clock cycles is not taken into account, then timing issues for other peripheral devices communicating on the bus can arise, thereby slowing down the operation of the computer system. Therefore, it is desirable for the processor to transfer information in synchronization with the leading edge of the bus clock.
To handle the timing of the processor clock with respect to the bus clock, the processor must know the location of the leading edge of the bus clock in order to synchronize to this edge. One conventional solution has been to determine the ratio between the bus clock and the processor clock during power up. Then, this ratio is maintained during operation from that point forward. A problem with this methodology is that the computer system is confined to this single clock ratio. The clocks cannot be adjusted dynamically as necessary in order to reduce power or enhance performance.
Another solution for synchronizing a processor clock to a bus clock has been to provide a phased locked loop (PLL) device in the processor to constantly resynchronize the processor clock to the bus clock. The PLL device receives a low frequency signal, which is used for the bus clock. From the low frequency signal, the PLL device generates a higher frequency signal, which is used for the processor clock. The downside of PLL devices is that it is difficult to design a PLL circuit effectively in this configuration. Also, PLL devices are expensive and take up a relatively large area on the silicon chip.
A third solution to locating the edge of the bus clock has been to provide a centralized clock control circuit. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a clocking system 10, such as one that may be configured on a system-on-chip (SOC) device. The clocking system 10 includes a centralized clock control circuit 12 for generating a processor clock intended for a processor 14 and a bus clock intended for peripheral devices 16. The bus clock is supplied along path 18 and the processor clock is supplied along path 20. The centralized clock control circuit 12 also provides a control signal along path 22. The control signal is configured to indicate which clock edge of the processor clock is associated with the next rising edge of the bus clock.
In reality, the bus clock and processor clock are distributed to thousands of destinations. Since it would be impractical to design a single driver to drive this large number of elements, an industry standard clock tree insertion tool is used to create a clock tree 24. The clock tree 24 includes several branches, and smaller branches branching from the larger branches, and so on, branching out to thousands of flip-flops (not shown) or other sequential elements having clock inputs driven by the clock signals. Each branch includes one or more buffers for properly driving the clock signals to the flip-flops, or “leaves” of the clock tree.
The buffers, however, inherently cause a delay from the centralized clock control circuit 12 to the flip-flops. Therefore, the clock tree 24 is also designed to balance the delays of the bus clock and processor clock from the centralized clock control circuit 12 to the destination devices. This delay is referred to as the “insertion time”. The bus clock supplied along path 18 reaches the leaf level of the clock tree 24 along path 26, which carries the insertion-delayed bus clock signal. Also, the insertion-delayed processor signal is carried along path 28.
The problem with this technique, however, is that the clock tree insertion tool for inserting the branches and buffers typically cannot manage to create a similar delay structure for the control signal along path 22. If there is a skew in the phase of the control signal with respect to the processor clock and bus clock at the leaves of the clock tree, then the control signal will not properly indicate the start of the bus clock cycle as intended. Normally, the control signal typically experiences fewer delays. Thus, after running the insertion tool, a chip designer must manually insert delay elements in the layout to match the control signal with the clocks. The problem with this technique is that this modification to the layout can be difficult and time-consuming. Also, manual adjustments are subject to human error, which is typically greater than the error of automated insertion tools.
FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing the timing of the signals in FIG. 1. The first three signals are the bus clock, processor clock, and control signal, each generated by the centralized clock control circuit 12 at the root of the clock tree 24. In this example, the frequency of the processor clock is four times greater than the bus clock. The centralized clock control circuit 12 may count down the cycles of the processor clock with respect to one cycle of the bus clock, e.g. from 3 to 0 in this example. The bus clock pulse is high on the 3 and 2 counts and is low on the 1 and 0 counts. On cycle 0 of the processor clock, the control signal is generated to indicate the start of the new bus clock cycle. The control signal then goes low fairly quickly after the start of the new bus clock.
FIG. 2 also includes fourth and fifth timing signals showing the bus clock and processor clock delayed by the insertion time. These clocks are seen by the flip-flops at the leaves of the clock tree 24. A downside of this prior art technique using the centralized clock control circuit 12 is that the control signal can be skewed from the bus clock and processor clock at the leaves and fail to properly synchronize the clocks. As mentioned above, manual adjustments must be made to deskew the control signal.
Thus, a need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies of the prior art. More specifically, a need exists to provide a circuit that requires less design effort to deskew the control signal, eliminates the element of human error, and operates more effectively for synchronizing the processor clock with the bus clock. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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