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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the present rail anchor remover is
generally designated 10 and is designed for mounting upon a railway
maintenance machine or base unit, generally designated 12. The machine 12
is preferably designed to be self-propelled on a railroad track 14,
however remote propulsion sources are contemplated. Included on the track
14 are a pair of rails 16 (only one pictured), and a plurality of rail
support members commonly referred to as ties 18. Rail anchors 20 are
attached to the rail base 22 on both sides of specified ties 18 to prevent
the rails 16 from moving perpendicular to the ties 18. The rail anchors 20
have a central blade portion 23, a curved end 24 which acts to hook the
rail base 22 on the field side 25 of the rail 16 and a knobbed end 26
which abuts the rail base 22 on the gage side 27.
The base unit 12 includes a frame 28 supported on a plurality of wheels 30
such that the frame 28 can be moved along the rails 16. The frame 28
preferably supports a source of motive power 32 such as an internal
combustion engine, which propels the unit 12 and also powers the fluid
power system, which in the preferred embodiment is hydraulic. Also
supported on the frame 28 is at least one operator's seat 34. At least one
of the operator's seats 34 is provided with at least one control joystick
36 having at least one trigger 37 and other functional controls such as
actuator buttons 38. The operator's seat 34 and the joystick 36 are
located in operational proximity to a central control panel 40. The
operator's seat 34 is positioned, relative to the rail anchor remover 10,
so that the operator is out of the line of action of the removal
operation. In this way, the operator is less likely to be injured by
objects which may be inadvertently propelled through the air during the
removal operation.
Included on the frame 28 are a pair of generally parallel main tubes 42.
The main tubes 42 are positioned to be approximately parallel to the rails
16 and are fixed at each end to generally rectangular portions 44, each of
the latter including a transversely positioned cross tube 46.
A centrally located, elevated portion 48 of the frame 28 is supported by
generally vertical columns 50 which are joined at their respective upper
ends by horizontal beams (not shown) to define a generally box-shaped
operational zone 52. The operational zone 52 is the area within which the
present rail anchor remover 10 is connected. As is common in such
equipment, the frame 28 is optionally provided with a rail clamp 29 which
secures the frame 28 to the rail 16 during the detaching process. Such
rail clamps are well known in the art, and a suitable example is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,061 which is incorporated by reference.
Located at the top of the elevated portion 48 is a spotting carriage 54 for
manipulating the rail anchor remover 10 in the directions both parallel
and transverse to the rails 16. The carriage 54 includes at least one
fluid power cylinder 56 for controlling movement of the rail anchor
remover 10 in each of the parallel and transverse directions. Greater
details of the construction and operation of the spotting carriage 54 are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,616 which is incorporated by reference
herein. If desired, the frame 28 may also be provided with a winch 58,
which in the preferred embodiment is mounted on a rear frame guard member
60 located behind the operator's seat 34. Rail anchor removing devices 10
may be provided on both sides of the railway maintenance machine 12 to
simultaneously remove rail anchors 20 from both rails 16. In instances
where both rails 16 are being de-anchored, additional operators may be
required.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4A-4E, the present rail anchor remover 10 is
shown in greater detail. The rail anchor remover 10 includes a pusher
cylinder 62 and a scraper cylinder 64 both of which are fluid power
cylinders and are preferably hydraulic. A pusher shaft 63 slidably extends
from a lower end of the pusher cylinder 62. A pusher insert 66 is
connected to the pusher shaft 63 and is designed for impacting and
dislodging rail anchors 20 from the rail 16. In the preferred embodiment,
the pusher insert 66 is elongated, and generally box-like in shape and has
a broad, flat hammering end 67 for impacting rail anchors. An advantage of
the present rail anchor remover is that the pusher insert 66 is configured
to have a larger hammering end 67 than the prior art workheads. An
advantage of the present insert 66 is a reduction in the number of faulty
detaching attempts. A scraper shaft 65 slidably extends from a lower end
of the scraper cylinder 64. A scraper 68 is connected to the scraper shaft
65 and is designed for removing dislodged rail anchors 20 from the rail
16. In the preferred embodiment, the scraper 68 is configured to have an
elongated hook end 69 opposite the scraper shaft connection for hooking
the curved end 24 of a rail anchor 20.
The pusher insert 66 is positioned on the field side 25 of the rail 16 and
the scraper 68 is positioned on the gage side 27 of the rail 16. The
pusher shaft 63 and the scraper shaft 65 are configured to respectively
vertically reciprocate the pusher insert 66 and the scraper 68.
The cylinders 62 and 64 are each connected to a plate 55 at the lower end
of the spotting carriage 54 by an attachment flange 57. In prior anchor
removers, the attachment flange 57 has been a structural weak point for
the device. During the anchor detaching process, torque forces on the
cylinders 62, 64 cause stress on the flanges 57 where they attach to the
plates 55 and have been the cause of failures at these points.
In an attempt to eliminate this problem, a generally vertically extending
pusher guide rod 70 is provided for guiding the vertical reciprocation of
the pusher shaft 63, and a generally vertically extending scraper guide
rod 72 is provided for guiding the vertical reciprocation of the scraper
shaft 65. By guiding shaft displacement in the vertical direction, the
guide rods 70, 72 counteract the damaging operational forces to lessen the
stress applied to the attachment flanges 57.
Both guide rods 70, 72 are disposed in a generally parallel relationship to
the pusher cylinder 62 and the scraper cylinder 64. The pusher guide rod
70 is connected to the pusher shaft 63 by a pusher guide rod mounting 74,
which is pinned to, and vertically reciprocates with, the pusher shaft 63.
The pusher guide rod 70 is also connected to the pusher cylinder 62 by a
pusher guide 75. The pusher guide 75 is preferably attached to a lower end
of the pusher cylinder 62 and is provided with a hollow barrel or sleeve
75a through which the pusher guide rod 70 reciprocates.
Similarly, the scraper guide rod 72 is connected to the scraper shaft 65 by
a guide support 76, and is configured to vertically reciprocate with the
scraper shaft 65. The guide support 76 is secured to the scraper guide rod
72 and is provided with a throughbore 76a through which the scraper shaft
65 reciprocates.
The scraper guide rod 72 is supported in a sleeve mount 73, and is
connected to the scraper 68 by a scraper link 78 and scraper pivot pins
80, 81. The scraper shaft 65 is connected to the scraper 68 by a pivot pin
83. A scraper guide stop 77 is provided for stopping the scraper guide rod
72 in the "down" position. In the preferred embodiment, the scraper guide
rod 72 is configured to have a threaded upper section 79 and the scraper
guide stop 77 is a pair of threaded nuts configured to screw onto the
threaded upper section 79. The scraper guide stop 77 is vertically
adjustable so that the scraper guide rod "down" position may be adjusted
to account for rail height variations.
In operation, the scraper guide rod 72 vertically reciprocates with the
scraper shaft 65 until the scraper guide rod 72 reaches a lowermost "down"
position. The scraper guide rod 72 reaches the "down" position when the
scraper guide stop 77 contacts the sleeve mount 73 stopping the scraper
guide rod 72. Next, the scraper shaft 65 continues to move vertically
downward to its eventual lowermost "down" position and the scraper link 78
causes the scraper 68 to rotate about pivot pin 83 in an arc indicated by
the arrow S substantially transverse to the rail 16.
A stabilizer bracket 82 is connected to the sleeve mount 73 to provide
additional stabilization for the scraper shaft 65. Such stabilizer
brackets are well known in the art, and a suitable example is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,885, which is incorporated by reference. A stabilizer
plate 86 connects the pusher guide 75 to the scraper cylinder 64 and the
sleeve mount 73. Respective mounting plates 85, 87 are provided on the
pusher guide 85 and the sleeve mount 73 for attachment to the stabilizer
plate 86. In the preferred embodiment, the stabilizer plate 86 is provided
with a plurality of elongated mounting slots 89 to accommodate relative
variations in the position of the cylinders 62, 64.
Provided on the guide support member 75 is a generally vertically extending
switch mounting bracket 91. The switch mounting bracket 91 is disposed in
a generally parallel relationship to the pusher guide rod 70 and the
pusher cylinder 62. In the preferred embodiment, two proximity limit
switches 88 and 90 are mounted to the switch mounting bracket 91 for
monitoring and controlling the vertical reciprocation Of the pusher shaft
63 and the pusher guide rod 70. The switch mounting bracket 91 has an
elongated mounting slot 93 for use in slidably adjusting the positions of
the proximity limit switches 88, 90. Therefore, the positions of the
proximity limit switches 88, 90 may be adjusted to compensate for
variations in rail height.
The upper proximity switch 88 is a "pusher work up/ready" proximity switch
which monitors and controls the vertical reciprocation of the pusher shaft
63 and pusher guide rod 70 between an uppermost "work up" position, and a
slightly lower "ready" position. In the preferred embodiment, there is an
approximate 4-6 inch displacement between the "work up" and "ready"
positions.
The lower proximity switch 90 is a "pusher down" proximity switch which
monitors and controls the vertical reciprocation of the pusher shaft 63
and pusher guide rod 70 between the "ready" and lowermost "down"
positions. The switches 88, 89 are mounted on the switch mounting bracket
91 to monitor the vertical displacement of the pusher guide rod 70, which
in turn is representative of the vertical displacement of the pusher shaft
63.
In the preferred embodiment, the "pusher work up/ready" proximity switch 88
and the "pusher down" proximity switch 90 are located about 4 to 6 inches
apart. By using the adjustable "pusher work up/ready" proximity switch 88,
it is possible to configure the rail anchor remover 10 so that the pusher
insert 66 rides closer to the rail 16, in the "ready" position as best
shown in FIG. 3. This decreases the amount of time an operator spends
positioning the pusher insert 66 between the "ready" and "down" positions.
Provided on the sleeve mount 73 is a "scraper work up/ready" proximity
switch 92 which monitors and controls the vertical reciprocation of the
scraper shaft 65 between the "work up" and "ready" positions. A generally
vertically extending scraper sensor arm 84 is connected to the guide
support 76 and is configured to extend vertically upward from the guide
support 76 to abut the "scraper workup/ready" proximity switch 92.
The scraper sensor arm 84 vertically reciprocates with the scraper shaft 65
and the scraper guide rod 72. The "scraper work up/ready" proximity switch
92 senses when the upper end of the sensor arm 84 passes the switch 92 and
stops and holds the scraper guide rod 74 and scraper shaft 65 in the
"ready" position.
Although the preferred embodiment employs proximity switches 88, 90, 92, it
is contemplated that mechanical limit switches or other equivalent
position sensors may be employed. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a
mechanical stop may be employed to stop the guide rods 72, 74 in the
lowermost "down" position instead of the "pusher down" proximity switch
90.
A generally vertically extending deflector plate 94 is connected to the
scraper cylinder 64 and to the stabilizer plate 86. The deflector plate 94
extends downward from the mounting plate 87 and is configured to prevent
the scraper 68 from contacting the rail 16. An angled deflector plate
support 98 is provided for securing the deflector plate 94 in position.
The deflector plate support 98 is connected to the mounting plate 87 and
the deflector plate 94.
In operation, the railway maintenance machine 12 is driven into position by
the operator. The rail anchor remover 10, in the "work up" position, is
positioned over a rail anchor 20 using the joystick 36 to adjust the
position of the spotting carriage 54. When the rail anchor remover 10 is
in place, the operator places the pusher shaft 63 and the scraper shaft 65
in the "ready" position by triggering the hand controller trigger 37.
The "pusher work up/ready" proximity switch 88 monitors and controls the
disposition of the pusher shaft 63 between the "work up" (best shown in
FIG. 2) and "ready" (best shown in FIG. 4A) positions. This is
accomplished by reading magnetic fields created by the pusher guide rod
70. The proximity switches 88, 90 sense when the upper end of the pusher
guide rod 70 pass the switches 88, 90. As the pusher shaft 63 extends
toward the rail 16, the "pusher work up/ready" proximity switch 88 detects
the upper end of the pusher guide rod 70, and the switch 88 sends a
"ready" signal to the master controller 96 (shown hidden in FIG. 1),
located in the control panel 40, which stops and holds the pusher shaft 63
and the pusher guide rod 72 in the "ready" position.
At the same time, the scraper "work up/ready" proximity switch 92 monitors
and controls the disposition of the scraper shaft 65 between the "work up"
(best shown in FIG. 2) and "ready" (best shown in FIG. 4A) positions. This
is accomplished by reading magnetic fields created by the scraper sensor
arm 84. The scraper proximity switch 92 senses when the upper end of the
scraper sensor arm 84 passes the switch 92. When the "scraper work
up/ready" proximity switch 92 detects the upper end of the scraper sensor
arm 84, the switch 92 sends a "ready" signal to the master controller 96
(shown hidden in FIG. 1), located in the control panel 40, which stops and
holds the scraper shaft 65 and the scraper guide rod 74 in the "ready"
position.
Once the rail anchor remover 10 is in the "ready" position, its position
may again be adjusted using the joystick 36 to adjust the position of the
spotting carriage 54. During this portion of the anchor detaching process,
in applications where a rail clamp 29 is provided, the rail clamp 29
secures the frame 28 to the rail 16. When the operator is satisfied that
the rail anchor remover 10 is properly positioned, he initiates the
detaching process by actuating one of the buttons 38 on the joystick 36,
which causes the work up/scraper shaft 65 and scraper guide rod 72 to mote
from the "ready" position (best shown in FIG. 4A) to the "down" position
(best shown in FIG. 4B). The scraper guide rod 72 reaches the "down"
position (best shown in FIG. 4B) when the scraper guide stop 77 contacts
the scraper sleeve 73 stopping the scraper guide rod 72. At this point the
scraper shaft 65 continues to move vertically downward to its eventual
lowermost "down" position.
The link 78 is configured to cause the scraper 68 to be actuated in the arc
S (best seen in FIG. 2) in the direction of the gage side 27 away from the
rail 16, when the scraper guide rod 72 is in the stopped "down" position
and the scraper shaft 65 continues downward past the scraper guide rod
stopping point. While rotating, the hook end 69 of the scraper 68 hooks
the curved end 24 of the rail anchor. When the elongated hooked end 69 of
the scraper 68 hooks the curved end 24 of the anchor, a horizontal force
is applied by the cylinder 64 as a preload 99 against the anchor (best
seen in FIG. 4B) to facilitate removal.
Once the preload 99 is applied to and maintained against the rail anchor
20, the operator actuates a second button 38 on joystick 36, which causes
the pusher cylinder 62 to extend the pusher shaft 63 to the "down"
position, during which the insert 66 impacts the knobbed end 26 of the
anchor on the field 25 side of the rail (best seen in FIG. 4C).
The pusher shaft 63 forces the pusher insert 66 onto the knobbed end 26 of
the rail anchor 20, detaching the rail anchor 20 from the rail 16 with
vertical pressure (best seen in FIG. 4D).
The "pusher down" proximity switch 90 monitors and controls the disposition
of the pusher shaft 63 between the "ready" and "down" positions (best
shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, respectively). This is accomplished by reading
magnetic fields created by the pusher guide rod 70. The "pusher down"
proximity switch 90 senses when the upper end of the pusher guide rod 70
passes the switch 90. When the "pusher down" proximity switch 90 detects
the upper end of the pusher guide rod 70, the switch 90 sends a "down"
signal to the master controller 96, which stops and holds the pusher shaft
93 and the pusher guide rod 70 in the "down" position.
After the rail anchor 20 becomes detached from the rail 16 by the pusher
insert 66, the anchor 20 is immediately and completely removed from the
rail by the scraper 68 (best shown in FIG. 4E) as a result of the
horizontal force.
When vertical pressure is applied to the rail anchor 20 without first
applying the preload 99, it has been found that the rail anchor becomes
overstressed and may bend, deform or break. The damage to the anchor 20 is
usually so severe that the anchor cannot be reused. The advantage of
applying the preload 99 prior to and during the application of vertical
pressure is that the preload 99 eliminates excessive loads and
overstressing on the anchor 20 during removal. By eliminating excessive
loads and overstressing, the anchor suffers minimal damage during its
removal and can be reused.
After the rail anchor 20 has been removed, the pusher shaft 63 and the
scraper shaft 65 are returned to the "work up" position, and the jail
clamp 29 is released from the rail 16. The operator then repositions the
railway maintenance machine 12 over the next rail anchor 20 to repeat the
anchor removal operation.
In order to speed the removal of rail anchors, it is contemplated that in
some applications, two rail anchor removers 10 maybe provided on each side
of the railway maintenance machine 12 for each rail, so that the rail
anchors 20 on both sides of a tie 18 may be removed simultaneously on each
of the two rails of the track. Thus, the machine may be provided with one,
two or four anchor removers 10.
While a particular embodiment of the rail anchor remover of the invention
has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in
the following claims. | 4E
| 01 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1 there is shown a production vessel or ship 3 operating in
association with a production or subsea module 100 at the seabed 1. Risers
or hoses 44 are extended from module 100 to the ship 3 at the sea surface
2. On the ship 3 there is purely schematically shown a processing unit 3A.
There is also shown an anchoring line 45 between unit 100 and mooring
means at the bow portion of the ship 1. An intermediate region of
anchoring line 45 is provided with a buoyancy element and likewise the
riser or risers 44 have buoyancy bodies at a lower portion for elevating
these risers from the seabed 1. This general arrangement is described more
thoroughly in the International patent application mentioned above.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show a template 5 which by means of foundation structures 13
as known per se, is installed at the seabed 1. In this example template 5
is shown with a square basic shape, but it is obvious that the basic shape
can have many variants. Centrally on template 5 there is shown a manifold
6 and at three sides of the template there are provided christmas trees
7,8 and 9. These are mechanically connected to or possibly supported by
the template by means of beams 7B, 8B, 9B. Moreover, in FIG. 3 there is
purely schematically shown a fluid connection 7C between christmas tree 7
and manifold 6. It is obvious that this connection can contain several
separate fluid paths or pipes.
At one (left-hand) side of template 5 there is furthermore shown a swivel
device 10 installed on a supporting frame 10A which in turn is
mechanically connected to template 5 by means of beam elements 10B or the
like. This supporting structure in the principle can correspond to the
supporting frame 7A for christmas tree 7 and beams 7B. Instead of being
completely supported or carried by the template 5, supporting frames 7A
for the christmas trees and/or the supporting frame 10A for swivel device
10, can have a direct foundation on seabed 1 by means of methods known per
se, such as piling.
Between swivel device 10 and manifold 6 there is shown a fluid connection
10C that like connection 7C can contain several fluid paths as well as
conduits for electric and/or hydraulic control. The various fluid paths
and control conduits comprised by connection 10C, are mainly passed
through swivel device 10 to risers 44 and an umbilical 43 being extended
upwards to the surface production vessel concerned, as generally
illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 also shows a yoke 46 to which the lower end of the vessel's mooring
line or lines 45 are attached. Details regarding the yoke design and
swivel device 10 will be explained more closely below with reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7.
In the alternative arrangements of FIGS. 4 and 5 there are shown relatively
larger templates 15 and 25, respectively, than what is contemplated in
FIG. 2. In both alternatives there is a manifold 16 and 26, respectively,
located centrally on the template. Moreover, both alternatives are
analogous in so far as both of them have four locations or positions for
christmas trees, namely 22, 27, 28 and 29 in FIG. 5 and 17-19 in FIG. 4,
whereby in this figure there is shown a swivel device 20 installed in a
christmas tree position. Thus, in FIG. 4 the components 16, 17-19 and 20
shown are intended to be located individually and being each separately
supported directly by the template or bottom frame 15.
Correspondingly in FIG. 5 manifold 26 and the four christmas trees 22,
27-29 are directly supported separately by template 26. In this embodiment
however, swivel device 30 is mounted on manifold 26 and extends upwards
therefrom. In certain conditions such a manifold can be superfluous, and
in such case the swivel device 30 is located centrally on template 26 and
is supported directly thereby.
In the more detailed example of a swivel device 10 as shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, several of the elements in FIG. 3 are found again, but as far as the
actual foundation is concerned, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a modification. A
supporting frame 70, which corresponds substantially to the supporting
frame 10A shown in FIG. 3, has its foundation directly on the seabed 1 by
using a suction anchor 80 or a similar anchor device. This modified
foundation as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, doe snot exclude however, that
swivel device 10 in these figures can be supported by the template 5, as
shown in FIG. 3. The foundation according to FIGS. 6 and 7 imply, among
other things, that mooring forces and other stresses to which the swivel
device is subjected, will not impose any load on the template to which the
swivel belongs.
Swivel device 10 has a stationary, central core member 35 with axially
through-running bores which communicate downwards with fluid connections
corresponding to connection 10C in FIG. 3. Around core member 35 there are
provided two or more annular fluid passages with associated seals and
bearing elements, as generally shown at 37. These elements of a fluid
swivel are previously known per se, e.g. from Norwegian patent No.
177.780, which shows an axially seperable swivel device, primarily
intended for other uses.
An outer swivel housing 34, adapted to rotate during turning movements of a
moored production vessel, is bolted at the lower part to a rotatable
housing or boss 60 being in its turn at 67 journalled as shown on a base
structure or underframe 69. This can consist of a number of vertical plate
parts the bottom of which is attached to the supporting frame 70.
As will be seen from FIG. 7, swivel 10 is provided with a connecting member
44A for each riser 44, which can suitably be in the form of flexible
hoses. See in this connection the general arrangement of FIG. 1. Whereas
connecting members 44A for fluid transfer are located relatively centrally
on swivel 10 and directed laterally, an upper connecting member 43A for an
umbilical 43 is located at an upper portion of swivel 10. A separate
swivel part 38 at the level of connecting member 43A serves for required
electrical and hydraulic communication for control purposes and the like,
between the umbilical 43 and control or actuator means being commonly
provided in subsea modules of the type in question here. A particular
casing 39 on top of swivel housing 10, serves essentially for enclosing
swivel part 38. For establishing connections corresponding to the
connection 10C in FIG. 3, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate connectors 91, 92 and
93 as well as an electric/hydraulic connector 94 which through swivel 10
communicates with umbilical 43. In each of the three fluid connections
there can be inserted an isolation valve 91A, 92A and 93A, respectively,
among other things for the purpose of emergency closing. From connector 93
with associated isolation valve 93A there is shown in FIG. 6 a pipe
connection 93B leading up to the bottom of swivel device 10. Corresponding
connections are of course established also for the other connectors 91, 92
and 94.
In the load-carrying structure comprising supporting frame 70 and
underframe 69, also bolt joints are incorporated as indicated at 77.
Besides there are shown guide pins 71 and 72 for use when installing or
retrieving the components above supporting frame 70, as in previously
known techniques and methods in subsea installations.
The strong, carousel-like housing 60 together with swivel housing 34 and
the rotatable inner devices therein, are rotatable about a central axis
10X as indicated in FIG. 7. Diametrically opposed attachment elements 61
in the form of projecting studs from housing 60, serve for pivotable
attachment of the lower ends of yoke limbs 46, the upper end 64 of which
is adapted to be connected to one or more mooring lines, as shown in FIG.
3. The two yoke limbs 46 are joined at the upper end 64, where there can
be provided a cross member between the upper ends of the yoke limbs. Yoke
46 can assume various angular positions by pivoting about the horizontal
axis running diametrically between attachment elements 61, whereby the
angular range of the yoke movement extends upwards at least to an
approximate vertical position, whereas in actual practice the lowest
angular position is restricted in view of umbilical 43 and/or risers 44.
It is a practical advantage to arrange umbilical 43 and risers 44 so that
they extend laterally from swivel 10 substantially centrally between the
two yoke limbs 46. Moreover, it is preferred in this connection that
risers 44 and possibly umbilical 43 during all operative conditions and
changing vessel positions as well as mooring forces, extend out from
swivel device 10 at a more horizontal angular position than the angular
position of yoke 46. With the illustrated relative height positions of the
attachment elements 61 for the yoke 46 at the one hand and connection
members 44A for risers 44 as well as connection member 43A for umbilical
on the other hand, the forces occurring during cooperation with a moored
production vessel, will be taken up in the structure in a favourable
manner. In the practical arrangement on or at a template the swivel device
with its associated lines, cables and pipes or hoses, should be so located
in relation to the remaining components on the template, that there is no
conflict with lines, cables or risers/hoses as mentioned. | 4E
| 21 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The toy and teething aid 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 Is formed of two
separate sheets 2, 3 of a flexible transparent nontoxic thermoplastic
material such as polyvinyl chloride which are sealed together along their
edges 4 so as form a tubular ring. The ends 4 are sealed together to
enclose an internal tubular cavity 5. The teething aid sealing may be
accomplished by a conventional dielectric sealing process. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4, the sheets 2, 3 are cut to form enlarged cells 6
interconnected by narrow necks 7. The internal cavity of the teething aid
is filled with liquid 8 through spout 15, which is then sealed, preferably
under pressure. The necks define fluid flow paths between adjacent cells
6.
Illustrations, such as decorative drawings and/or paintings 9b are placed
on the surface of the sheet 3 that faces the inner cavity of the cells 6
at the positions of the cells 6 before the edges are sealed. The painting
and/or drawing 9b is applied in a conventional manner. By applying the
illustration 9b to the inner surface of the lower sheet 3, it can be seen
that the drawing is visible to the user only through the liquid-filled
cell (assuming the user looks at the teething aid from an elevational view
with the upper sheet 2 facing upwards as is FIG. 1). Another set of
paintings and/or drawings 9a is applied to the inner surface of the
opposite sheet 2 (i.e., the upper sheet). The drawings applied to upper
sheet 2 are exposed to the user generally in front of the drawings applied
to sheet 3 again assuming an elevational view as in FIG. 1.
At each neck 7, spaced inwardly from the sealed edges of sheets 2, 3, a
pair of seals 10, 11 are provided to reduce the maximum height of the
passages or flow paths 12, 13, 14 from the plane of sheets 2, 3. The
reduced height of the passages 12, 13 relative to the plane of the sheet
material minimizes the stresses imposed on the material when the necks are
bent, reducing the likelihood of rupture and fluid leakage.
The juxtaposition of the decorative drawing and/or painting 9a on upper
sheet 2 with the decorative drawing and/or painting 9b on lower sheet 3
creates the illusion of a three dimensional scene, because the user sees
drawing 9b only through the liquid in the liquid-filled cell 6 (again
assuming the elevational view of FIG. 1). Thus, it is a critical aspect of
this invention that the lower sheet 3 include as illustration 9b which
faces upward toward the upper sheet 2 so that a viewer from a top
elevational view of the teething aid sees illustration 9b only through the
liquid contained in the cavity 5.
Other embodiments of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art
from the preceding detailed description of a preferred embodiment and the
accompanying drawings which are within the scope of the following claims. | 0A
| 61 | J |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings hereinafter.
A cylindrical outer casing 1 has its two ends sealed by blind plates 9, 10
to define a closed space therein. The blind plates 9, 10 are penetrated by
inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 respectively, with one end of each of the
pipes protruding inside the casing 1 and the other end being outside. The
inside of the casing 1 is divided by a partition wall 4 into spaces 5 and
6. The partition wall 4 is penetrated by a penetrating pipe 7, with the
ends thereof protruding into the spaces 5, 6. The penetrating pipe 7
contains a catalyzer 8 which removes NO.sub.x or SO.sub.x from the exhaust
gas passing therethrough. As the catalyzer, for example, deep root
neo-honeycomb catalysts or metal oxide catalysts may be used for removing
NO.sub.x or SO.sub.x.
In a catalyzer-containing muffler as described above, the exhaust gas flows
in the direction indicated by the arrows through the inlet pipe 2 into the
space 5 and flows through the penetrating pipe 7 into the space 6, and
then flows out of the casing 1 through the outlet pipe 3.
When the exhaust gas flows into and out of the casing 1 through the inlet
pipe 2 and outlet pipe 3, respectively, the volume of the exhaust gas is
rapidly expanded and reduced, respectively. Thus, the noise level of the
exhaust gas is substantially reduced.
The penetrating pipe 7 has two basic functions. One is to let the exhaust
gas flow from the space 5 to the space 6. The other is to rapidly restrict
the area through which the exhaust gas will flow and then allow this area
to be expanded, thus reducing the exhaust gas noise. A most efficient
noise reduction can be achieved by selecting a penetrating pipe 7 having
an appropriate width and length.
The catalyzer 8 provided in the penetrating pipe 7 cleans the exhaust gas
passing therethrough by removing toxic substances such as NO.sub.x or
SO.sub.x by promoting the chemical reactions of those substances.
Although, in the above embodiment, the inside of the casing 1 is divided by
one partition wall 4 into two spaces 5 and 6, the inside thereof may be
divided by two or more partition walls into three or more spaces, with
each of the partition walls 4 being provided with a penetrating pipe 7. In
such a case, the catalyzer 8 may be provided in either all or some of the
penetrating pipes 7. (FIG. 3) Also, one partition wall may carry two or
more penetrating pipes 7, and not necessarily only one as in this
embodiment. (FIG. 2)
Also, the outer casing 1 need not be cylindrical but may be any suitable
shape, such as columnar with rectangular, elliptical or the like cross
sections.
The inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 do not necessarily have to protrude into
the spaces 5, 6 respectively. The lengths of the protruding portions may
be adjusted to attain the best noise reduction.
Also, the inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 do not have to be located in the
blind plates 9, 10 at the ends of the casing 1 but may extend through the
side wall of the casing 1.
Further, the catalyzer in the penetrating pipe 7 is not limited to the ones
for removing NO.sub.x or SO.sub.x from the exhaust gas but may be ones for
removing other toxic substances from the exhaust gas.
As described above, a catalyzer-containing muffler according to the present
invention is able to perform both noise reduction and cleaning of
exhausted gas, such as removal of NO.sub.x or SO.sub.x. Thus, the required
installation space is greatly reduced since the exhaust gas cleaner, which
is conventionally separated from the muffler, is placed inside the muffler
in the present invention.
Also, the cost for providing the exhaust gas treatment device can be
greatly reduced since the catalyzer for treating the exhaust gas is
provided in the muffler. | 5F
| 01 | N |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a support bracket 10 which embodies the present
invention is an elongate channel-shaped bracket 131/2 inches long having a
main wall or web 11 connecting two side walls 13 which are about 6 3/16
inches apart. The side walls 13 extend in the same direction from the web
11 at approximately a 90.degree. angle thereto. The side walls 13 extend
from the web 11 to a height which is substantially smaller than the width
of the web 11 and which in particular is about 7/8 inches. The bracket 10
is formed from a single piece of thin yet strong metal.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the web 11 includes a base portion 14 and two
brace portions 17, the base portion 14 of web 11 having therein a
generally hourglass-shaped cut-out 15 extending lengthwise in the web 11.
The cut-out 15 is centered both longitudinally and transversely in the web
11. Disposed in the cut-out 15 are two brace portions 17 which as shown in
FIG. 1 extend toward each other lengthwise of the web from the respective
ends of cut-out 15 to a location near the center thereof. The brace
portions 17 include fixed ends 19 near the respective ends of the cut-out
15 and free ends 21 near the center of the cut-out 15. The lateral edges
of the brace portions 17 converge from the fixed ends 19 toward the free
ends 21 in conformity with the generally hourglass-shape of the cut-out
15.
The brace portions 17 are integrally connected to the base portion 14 of
the web 11 at their fixed ends 19, and the web 11 has a line of spaced,
elongated perforations 23 which extend transversely across the fixed end
19 of each of the brace portions 17 in parallel relationship with the
respective ends of the web 11. The rigidity of the material from which the
bracket 10 is constructed is sufficient, along with the connection to the
base portion 14 provided by the perforated segments 23, to hold the brace
portions 17 generally in the same plane with the base portion 14 of the
web 11.
The brace portions 17 are provided at their free ends 21 with tabs 25. The
tabs 25 are elongated transversely so as to be wider than the narrow free
ends 21 of the brace portions 17. The tabs 25 are rounded at their
transverse ends and are spaced from each other a small distance at the
longitudinal center of the web 11. Each tab 25 is integrally connected to
the respective brace portion 17 and a single transverse slot or
perforation 29 is provided at the conjunction thereof. The tabs 25 have
circular screw holes 27 formed therethrough at the geometric center
thereof. Because the tabs 25 are elongated in the transverse direction,
the generally hourglass-shaped cut-out 15 has a transversely extended
portion 31 at its center (FIG. 2).
The base portion 14 of the web 11 has formed therein four circular screw
holes 33, one on each side of each brace portion 17. The holes 33 are
located near the portion 31 of cut-out 15 so that each is the same
distance from a respective end of the web 11. The holes 33 are also
located so as to be equally distant from the respective side walls 13.
Thus, the holes 33 are symmetric with respect to the geometric center of
the web 11, and in particular define the corners of an imaginary square
having sides which are preferably 23/4 inches.
The base portion 14 of the web 11 also has therein four square finger holes
35, one on each side of each brace portion 17. The holes 35 are formed
adjacent the side walls 13 and are spaced equally from respective ends of
the web 11 so as to be symmetric with respect to the geometric center of
the web 11. The holes 35 are large enough for insertion of a finger
therethrough, as discussed below, and are slightly offset from the holes
33 toward the ends of the web 11. The base portion 14 of the web 11 has
further provided therein four circular screw holes 37, two between each
line of perforations 23 and the associated end of the web 11. The circular
holes 37 at each end are transversely aligned and preferably spaced from
each other by 23/4 inches.
Each upstanding side wall 13 has three longitudinally extending elongate
slots 39, 41 and 43 formed therein so as to be equally spaced between the
web 11 and the remote edge of the side wall 13. The slots 39 and 43 are
formed near the ends of the side walls 13 and are of equal length. The
middle slot 41 is substantially longer than the slots 39 and 43. The slots
39 and 43 are spaced equally from respective ends of the side wall 13, and
the slot 41 is centered between the slots 39 and 43.
The use of the inventive support bracket will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. When used with a horizontal support arm 101,
which is normally a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of wood, the bracket 10 is
arranged so that the web 11 is centered with respect to the width of the
arm 101 and one end of the web 11 is approximately flush with the end
surface 103 of the support arm 101. The bracket 10 is then secured to the
support arm 101 by four conventional wood screws (not shown) inserted
through the holes 37 in the web 11. For additional strength, the support
10 may also be fastened to the support arm 101 by appropriate conventional
screws (not shown) inserted through the holes 33 in the web 11.
After the bracket 10 is mounted on the support arm 101, a conventional
mailbox 102 is placed over the bracket 10 so that the side walls 13 of the
bracket 10 are disposed between the lower edge portions of the side walls
of the mailbox and are each closely adjacent a respective one of the side
walls of the mailbox. Appropriate holes (not shown) in the lower edge
portion of the side walls of the mailbox 102 are then aligned with the
slots 39 and 43 so that suitable fastening bolts 45 can be passed through
the aligned slots and holes to thereby fix the mailbox 102 to the support
bracket 10 through cooperation with nuts 47.
When the mailbox 102 is situated on the support bracket 10 as shown in FIG.
1, the bottom wall of the mailbox rests on the top edges of the side walls
13. Also, the mailbox 102 generally extends somewhat beyond the ends of
the bracket 10. Consequently, it is difficult to insert fingers into the
space between the web 11 and the bottom of the mailbox 102 in order to
fasten the nuts 47 on the bolts 45. For this purpose, the holes 35 (spaced
sufficiently from the center of the web 11 to avoid overlying the arm 101)
are provided so that a finger and/or a tool may be inserted at various
locations into the space between the web 11 and the bottom of the mailbox
for the purpose of holding the nuts 47 while the bolts 45 are tightened.
Although FIG. 1 shows only one side of the mailbox 102 being fixed to the
support bracket 10, it will be understood that the other side of the
mailbox 102 is secured to the bracket 10 in an identical fashion. Although
the middle slot 41 is not used in this illustrative example, the slot 41
may be necessary to fasten mailboxes with varying hole patterns to the
support bracket 10.
Referring to FIG. 2, attachment of the support bracket to the top portion
of a post 100 will now be described, the post 100 ordinarily being a 4
inch by 4 inch piece of wood. The brace portions 17 are bent at their
fixed ends 19 along the line of perforations 23 so as to pivot them to
extend out of the plane of the base portion 14 of the web 11 in the
direction of the side walls 13. The bracket 10 is then placed on the post
100 with the brace portions 17 extending downwardly and toward the post
100 and the side walls 13 extending downwardly. The support bracket 10 is
situated so that the transversely extended center portion 31 of the
hourglass-shaped cut-out 15 is approximately centered on the top surface
105 of the post 100. With the support bracket 10 in this position, the
holes 33 approximately symmetrically overlie the top surface of the post
100. The base portion 14 of the web 11 is then secured to the post 100 by
appropriate wood screws (not shown) inserted through the holes 33. The
brace portions 17 are then bent about their fixed ends 19 so that the tabs
25 contact the side surfaces 104 of the post 100. The tabs 25 are then
bent about the perforations 29 so that the surfaces of the tabs 25 are
flush against the side surfaces 104 of the post 100. Assuming the side
surfaces 104 of the post 100 are generally perpendicular to the top
surface 105 thereof, it should be clear that in order for the surfaces of
the tabs 25 to be flush against the side surfaces 104 of the post 100, the
tabs 25 must be bent about the perforations 29 so that they extend at a
different angle relative to the plane of the base portion 14 than do the
brace portions 17. The tabs 25 are then secured to the post 100 by
appropriate wood screws (not shown) inserted through the holes 27. The
mailbox 102 is then situated on the support bracket 10 so that the bottom
of the mailbox rests on the base portion 14 of the web 11 and the
depending lower edges of the mailbox side walls each extend downwardly
adjacent a respective side wall 13 of the bracket 10. The mailbox mounting
holes are then aligned with the slots 39 and 43, and the bolts 45 are
inserted through the aligned slots and holes to thereby fix the mailbox to
the support bracket 10. In this case, since the bracket has been inverted,
the nuts 47 are easily tightened on the bolts 45 without any interference
from the mailbox or bracket.
Referring to FIG. 3, plastic sleevelike spacers 49 are provided to allow
the support bracket 10 to be used with oversized mailboxes. The spacers 49
are cylindrical with circular holes formed longitudinally therethrough for
receiving the portion of bolt 45 in the region between the lower edge
portions of the side walls of the oversized mailbox 102 and the side walls
13 of the support bracket 10. The spacers 49 are preferably inserted
between the side walls 13 and mailbox 102 so as to be in snug abutment
with both as shown in FIG. 3. Although not shown in the drawing, the
spacers 49 may also be similarly employed when the bracket 10 is inverted
for the purpose of mounting an oversized mailbox on a horizontally
extending arm similar to that shown in FIG. 1.
Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been
disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that
variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the
rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention. | 0A
| 47 | G |
It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.
In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described hereafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the exemplary embodiments can be achieved in various ways by those skilled in the art and the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 1shows the configuration of a relief valve for an oil pump according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A relief valve1according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a plunger2that is operated by oil pressure from a main gallery of an engine and decreases discharging pressure of an oil pump, an elastic member7that elastically supports plunger2, a locator8that changes a modulus of elasticity by adjusting the height of the seat position of elastic member7by turning on/off a switch10a, a plug9that holds locator8, and a negative pressure supplier10that generates negative vacuum pressure in locator8through plug9.
Plunger2has a cylindrical plunger body3, an oil channel4formed through plunger body3, a spring groove5formed in the lower portion of plunger body3, and a spacer boss6protruding from the top of plunger body3.
At least one or more oil channels4are formed and four oil channels may be formed symmetrically at 90° intervals.
Elastic member7includes a main spring7aelastically supporting plunger2and locator8and a sub-spring7bthat elastically supports locator8and plug9.
Main spring7aand sub-spring7bhave different modulus of elasticity and the modulus of elasticity of main spring7ashould be set such that plunger2can be moved down even under smaller oil pressure Pa than normal oil pressure Pb of the main gallery of the engine.
The normal oil pressure Pb is oil pressure that is produced in the main gallery when the engine is fully warmed up and the smaller oil pressure Pa is oil pressure that is produced in the main gallery before the engine is fully warmed up and in cold start.
The smaller oil pressure Pa has a pressure value lower than the discharging pressure of the oil pump.
Locator8includes a stopper8adefining a vacuum negative pressure space and a tube8bthat is compressed or extended by movement of stopper8asuch that the height of stopper8achanges.
Tube8bis made of extendable rubber in a bellows shape.
Plug9has a cylindrical plug body9awith a seating boss9bprotruding from one side and a connecting portion9cprotruding from the opposite side and a stepped surface is formed coaxially with seating boss9bon the surface where seating boss9bis formed in plug body9a.
An axial hole9dis formed through the center of plug9.
Negative pressure supplier10includes a switch10athat is turned on/off, a vacuum tank10cthat generates negative vacuum pressure, and a valve10bthat makes the negative vacuum pressure of vacuum tank10ctransmitted in only one direction.
The negative vacuum pressure of vacuum tank10cis transmitted to plug9through a vacuum line.
FIG. 2shows the combination relationship of elastic member7, locator8, and plug9, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, sub-spring7bof elastic member7is coupled to seating boss9bof plug9, seating boss9bof plug9is accommodated in stopper8aof locator8, tube8bcoupled to stopper8aof locator8makes seal with plug9, in close contact with the stepped surface constructing a coaxial circle outside seating boss9b.
Locator8and plug9make seal, using tube8b, such that stopper8acan be smoothly moved by the negative vacuum pressure applied to locator8.
FIG. 3is an assembly cross-sectional view showing the inside of an oil pump housing of the relief valve according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, a relief space, which communicates with an outlet through which the pumped oil is discharged to the main gallery of the engine and bypasses some of the oil at high discharging pressure, is defined in housing20and relief valve1is disposed in the relief space.
The relief space includes an operational hole21that the oil pressure of the main gallery of the engine is applied to, a return hole22that the discharging pressure of the oil pump, which is supplied from the oil pump to the main gallery of the engine, is applied to, a bypass hole23that decreases the pressure at the outlet of the oil pump by bypassing the oil flowing in return hole22to the oil pump or the oil pan, and a space accommodating relief valve1, in which operational hole21, return hole22, and bypass hole23are formed in a housing cylinder24.
Return hole22is positioned between operational hole21and bypass hole23, the vertical height between operational hole21and bypass hole23is larger than the vertical height of oil channels4of plunger2, and the vertical length between operational hole21and return hole22is smaller than vertical height of oil channels4of plunger2.
In the exemplary embodiment, when relief valve1is inserted in the relief space of housing cylinder24, the relief space is divided into two chambers by the structure of plunger2of relief valve1.
That is, a housing chamber A using the upper portion of plunger2is defined at the upper portion of the relief space and a plunger chamber B is defined in the other space, except for housing chamber A, in the relief space.
Operational hole21is positioned in housing chamber A while return hole22and bypass hole23that communicate with oil channels4of plunger body3are positioned in plunger chamber B.
Accordingly, the oil pressure at the main gallery of the engine, which is applied to plunger2, is exerted in housing chamber A, while bypass flow allowing the oil at the outlet of the oil pump which is discharged to the main gallery to return to the oil pump or the oil pan is made in plunger chamber B, and elastic support force of elastic member7is applied to plunger2against the pressure in housing chamber A.
In the exemplary embodiment, a stopper cylinder25expanding coaxially with housing cylinder24is further formed at the lower portion of housing cylinder24. Further, stopper cylinder25provides a space for accommodating locator8and functions as a stopper that limits the maximum movement distance of locator8.
FIG. 3shows when relief valve1disposed in the relief space of housing2does not operate, that is, oil pressure is not applied and there is no negative vacuum pressure in locator8by turning-off of switch10.
Accordingly, only the elastic force of main spring7aof elastic member7is applied to plunger2of relief valve1and the position of plunger2has been fixed by the elastic force of main spring7a.
In this state, only the elastic force of sub-spring7bof elastic member7is applied to locator8.
With relief valve1in the position described above, housing chamber A communicates with the main gallery through operational hole21and plunger chamber B communicates with the outlet of the oil pump through return hole22, while bypass hole23is blocked by plunger2.
FIG. 4is a view showing the operation of the relief valve according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in cold start of the engine.
In the cold start, switch10ais turned on and the negative vacuum pressure of vacuum tank10cis applied to locator8, such that tube8bis compressed. Further, stopper8afixing tube8bmoves down to plug9and spaces locator8from stopper cylinder25.
This is because sub-spring7bof elastic member7accommodated inside stopper8ais compressed by the movement of stopper8aof locator8.
That is, locator8that has moved down, as described above, changes the initial seat position of elastic member7by moving down main spring7aon stopper8a, such that locator8moves away from stopper cylinder25and the modulus of elasticity of elastic member7is changed by the seat position that became lower than the initial state.
The change in seat position of main spring7acan make compression even under pressure lower than normal pressure Pb of the main gallery of the engine that has been fully warmed up.
The oil pressure of the main gallery gradually increases after the engine is cold-started, such that the pressure produced in housing chamber A is gradually increased by oil pressure Pa of the main gallery which is transmitted through operational hole21, and applied to plunger2, while only the elastic support force of main spring7athat elastically supports plunger2is exerted in plunger chamber B.
Therefore, plunger2moves only when the pressure in housing chamber A which increases with the increase in oil pressure of the main gallery is larger than the elastic support force of main spring7a, such that relief valve1does not operate when the pressure in housing chamber A is not larger than the elastic support force of main spring7a.
However, when oil pressure Pa above the modulus of elasticity of main spring7ais produced in the main gallery by continuous oil-sending of the oil pump, oil pressure Pa is applied to housing chamber A, such that plunger2moves down to plunger chamber B while compressing main spring7a.
As plunger2is moved by increase in oil pressure in housing chamber A, plunger chamber B extends to bypass hole23across return hole22.
In this state, the oil discharged through the outlet of the oil pump flows into plunger chamber B through return hole22together with the oil flow supplied to the main gallery, such that oil flow coming out through bypass hole23is formed.
The oil coming out through bypass hole23returns to the oil pump or the oil pan.
As described above, since plunger2moves while compressing main spring7awhen the oil pressure of the main gallery becomes higher to the oil pressure Pa above the modulus of elasticity of main spring7a, relief valve1returns some of the oil coming out through the outlet of the oil pump to the oil pump or the oil pan.
The oil pump can decrease the discharging pressure of the oil coming out of the oil pump by the bypass flow.
Therefore, relief valve1that operates in cold start of an engine can prevent the main gallery from being damaged by appropriately decreasing the discharging pressure of the oil pump which is relatively high in the cold start, and particularly, can largely decrease peak pressure of the oil pump, by generating bypass flow associated with the increase in oil pressure of the main gallery, by using the modulus of elasticity of main spring7awith the seat position changed by locator8generating the negative vacuum pressure.
FIG. 5shows when normal oil pressure Pb is also produced in the main gallery by warming up the engine after cold start, in which switch10has been turned off and negative vacuum pressure is not produced in locator8, such that locator8is in an inactive state.
As switch10ais turned off and the negative vacuum pressure pulling locator8is removed, stopper8awhere extension restoring force of sub spring7bis applied is spaced from plug9, together with tub8breturning to the initial state, and returns to the initial state where it comes in contact with stopper cylinder25.
Returning of locator8to the initial state makes the seat position higher by moving up main spring7asupported by the top of stopper8a, such that a spring coefficient relatively higher than when main spring7ahas moved down is achieved.
Therefore, the oil pressure in housing chamber A which compresses main spring7abecomes higher than the oil pressure in cold start.
The solid-line arrow inFIG. 5shows that the oil pressure in housing chamber A is not larger than the elastic force of main spring7aelastically supporting plunger2, such that plunger2does not move.
In this state, the oil is kept supplied to the main gallery from the oil pump and the supply continues until normal oil pressure Pb is produced in the main gallery.
However, as shown by a dotted-line arrow inFIG. 5, when oil pressure of the main gallery that is larger than normal oil pressure Pb is applied to housing chamber A through operational hole21, plunger2where the oil pressure in housing chamber A is applied moves while compressing main spring7aand sub-spring7b, such that plunger chamber B extends to bypass hole23across return hole22.
In this state, the oil discharged through the outlet of the oil pump flows into plunger chamber B through return hole22together with the oil flow supplied to the main gallery, such that oil flow coming out through bypass hole23is formed.
The oil coming out through bypass hole23returns to the oil pump or the oil pan.
As described above, since plunger2moves while compressing springs7aand7bwhen the oil pressure of the main gallery becomes higher than the modulus of elasticity of main spring7aand sub-spring7bwith the seat position changed, relief valve1returns some of the oil coming out through the outlet of the oil pump to the oil pump or the oil pan.
The oil pump can decrease the discharging pressure of the oil coming out of the oil pump by the bypass flow.
Therefore, relief valve1that operates when the engine is warmed up can prevent the main gallery from being damaged by high discharging pressure of the oil pump, by generating the bypass flow against the increase in oil pressure of the main gallery which is higher than normal oil pressure Pb, by using the modulus of elasticity of main spring7aand sub-spring7bof which the seat positions are changed by inactivity of locator8.
FIG. 6is a view showing the operation of the relief valve according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the engine has been fully warmed up.
In the state shown in the figure, as inFIG. 5showing warm-up, as switch10ais turned off and the negative vacuum pressure pulling locator8is removed, stopper8awhere extension restoring force of sub spring7bis applied is spaced from plug9, together with tub8breturning to the initial state, and returns to the initial state where it comes in contact with stopper cylinder25.
Therefore, the full warm-up state of the engine shown inFIG. 6is different from the non-full warm-up state only in oil pressure Pc of the main gallery which is applied to housing chamber A inFIG. 5, but all the operational conditions, the operation, and the effect are implemented in the same way.
As described above, relief valve1according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can control the oil pressure of the main gallery, which changes in accordance with the operational conditions of the engine, in a stable and optimum state, by changing the modulus of elasticity by heightening/lowering the seat positions of main spring7aand sub-spring7bwith locator8that is operated by the negative vacuum pressure in accordance with the oil pressure of the main gallery.
That is, it is possible to prevent the main gallery from being damaged in cold start of an engine by largely decreasing peak pressure of an oil pump, by using bypass flow generated by the oil pressure of the main gallery, and to control the discharging pressure of the oil pump at the optimum level when the engine is warmed up.
For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner” and “outer” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.
The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
| 5F
| 16 | K |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cylinder mold paper making machine 10
comprises a vat 11 containing paper stock, i.e., a suspension of paper
making fibers 12. The major portion of a horizontal cylinder mold 13 dips
into the vat 11. The surface of the cylinder 13 is provided by a wire mesh
which may be embossed and generally there are several layers of mesh
employed, the outermost being the finest. Liquid is drawn through the mesh
as the cylinder 13 is rotated causing paper making fibers to deposit on
the mesh and form wet paper 14. The wet paper 14 is couched from the
cylinder by couch roll 15 and conveyed away on a moving wire mesh 16.
The wet paper 14 then passes through a wet press 17 which squeezes the
paper 14 to remove excess water therefrom. The paper 14 is then dried over
heated cylinders 19.
Although the present invention is described with reference to a cylinder
mold paper making machine, which is the preferred method, the paper
forming process can be achieved in many other ways. The most common
alternative is the Fourdrinier system shown in FIG. 2. In this paper
making machine fibre stock is deposited from a stock applicator or flow
box 30 on to a continuous moving wire mesh 31. Water from the fibre stock
drains through the wire mesh 31 leaving a wet de-watered fibre mat 32. The
fibre mat 32 passes under a dandy roll 33 which can be used to apply an
embossed watermark. The wet paper then passes through a wet press 34
before being dried.
In a traditional paper making process the paper is impregnated with any one
of a variety of sizing resins such as polyvinylalcohol (PVOH) or gelatin,
to minimise the uptake of oily substances or organic solvents. The paper
sheet 14 is passed through a size bath 18 so that it becomes saturated
with size. The resulting paper is thus resistant to grease and has a lower
abosorbency and it is therefore more appropriate for use as banknote paper
and the like. The paper sheet 14 is then passed through an air float or
spar dryer 20 for further drying before passing to a calendering device 21
to give a smooth surface before reeling 22.
In the modified process according to the invention, a screen printing
process or other resin applicator is used to apply a transparentising
resin to the surface of the partially formed paper sheet 14 before it
enters the size bath 18. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. The
screen printer 23 is a rotary printer comprising a cylindrical screen 23
of flexible wire mesh mounted on a rigid steel rim covered by a stencil
24. The image required to be reproduced on the paper is formed in the
stencil by means of an opening 25. As the paper sheet 14 passes the
cylinder, the transparentising resin 26 is applied to the inside of the
wire mesh and forced through the mesh with a squeegee blade 27 onto the
paper sheet 14.
At this point the partially formed paper is at its most absorbent, thus
allowing good penetration of the transparentising resin. In one embodiment
of the invention, no curing process is used, and the sheet 14 is passed
directly into the size bath 18. This prevents smudging of the mobile
transparentising resin which is effectively frozen in position. This is an
unexpected effect. As soon as the sheet 14 enters the size bath 18, the
size fills the cells in the paper surrounding those containing the
transparentising resin, thus preventing migration of the latter. The
transparentising resin can thus be applied to a sharply defined region of
the paper so as to create a transparent patch or pattern that is capable
of contributing to the overall and counterfeitability of a security
document made from the paper. The security document may be a banknote, a
cheque, a passport, an identification card, a share certificate or the
like.
An example of a security document made by this process is illustrated in
FIG. 4 which shows a sharply defined translucentized area 28. It should be
noted that the transparentized area does not reflect as much light as the
non-transparentized paper. Therefore the outline of the transparentized
patch can be seen reasonably well in reflected light. This provides a
further enhancement of the anticounterfeit ability of a security document
as it shows benefits in reflected as well as transmitted light.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the resin can be "fixed" by
using EB or UV radiation cured resins whereby curing takes place shortly
after application and prior to entry of the sheet 14 into the size bath
18. These resins have the advantage that, once cured, they are fixed and
controlled.
Alternatively, the radiation cross-linking could take place between the air
float dryer and the calender thereby providing the transparentising resin
for a longer period of time to penetrate the paper 14.
When paper is produced using the process described, two additional
techniques can be applied to the process in order to increase the
receptivity of the paper sheet 14 to the transparentising resin.
The resin can be applied to a low grammage part of the paper created by the
well known processes of mold or dandy roll water marking. This results in
a very significant enhancement of the watermark as the contrast between
the light and dark areas in the watermark are significantly greater. In
the case of mold made watermarks, this also has the advantage of the
creating a local area low in opacifying pigment such as titanium dioxide
which further increases the transparentising effect of the
transparentising resin.
Instead of applying a resin to a plain low grammage part of the paper, the
transparentising resin can also be applied to a decorative watermark 29,
as shown in FIG. 4. This significantly extends the usefulness of the
transparentising features as a deterrent to counterfeiters by markedly
increasing its visual complexity and by generating within it an easily
recognizable yet difficult to copy image.
When the translucency is controlled to give an opacity not less than 50%,
an unexpected advantage is that the outline definition of the watermark is
noticably enhanced.
In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG.
5, the resin can be applied as an outline or frame 36 around a watermark
37 or a low grammage patch of the paper which has the effect of drawing
attention to the watermark.
Alternatively, or in addition to the use in relation to a watermark, the
transparentising resin can be applied to a streak in the paper. In the
manufacturing of paper using a cylinder mold machine 10, it is possible to
use a fibre locator to direct different types of fibers to certain places
on the mold thus causing a streaking effect in the resulting paper. These
different types of fibers may create a streak of more porous paper
structure. Where such a streak is created it has the effect of enabling
the transparentising resin to absorb into the area of streak better than
the surrounding paper and as such can therefore be used to enhance the
transparentising effect.
Alternatively, or in addition, a dye may be added to the transparentising
resin. This can provide a striking and aesthetically pleasing effect to
the transparentised areas. If the dye is fluorescent a very important
commercial advantage can be obtained since an ultra-violet lamp can give a
transmitted fluorescence which is normally only available in reflected
light.
Additionally the flourescent transparentising resin may be applied to a
decorative watermark. The result of the feature which, when viewed in UV
transmitted light, reveals the watermark of the shadows. This is an
unexpected effect and because of its striking appearance it is a useful
security feature.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the effect of the
transparentising resin can be enhanced by the known process of intaglio
printing which has the effect of embossing the paper. The combination of
heat and pressure used in the intaglio embossing process improves the
distribution of resin through the paper, except in the case of non-thermo
plastic resins such as the radiation cured type.
In order to maximise the transparentising effect of the resin, paper with a
minimum of titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2), added to make paper more opaque
and even out appearance, or other opacifying pigment needs to be used so
as to achieve satisfactory see-through and strike-through in
non-transparent areas.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the transparent features
applied in register with the watermark in both the machine and
cross-direction. Unregistered features have the inherrent advantage of
technical simplicity, but by the same token are considered by many to be
easier to counterfeit in quantity than registered features. Such a process
requires the use of optical detectors that identify the watermark position
and feeds this information back to the electronic unit that controls the
drive of the printing screen in the case of screen printing.
Alternatively, in the case of other printing methods, web tension control
may be the mechanism by which register is achieved.
Examples of materials and compositions suitable for use in making paper
according to the invention will be discussed as follows.
Paper-Making Fibers
Papers suitable for banknotes and security documentation are made from a
variety of fibers such as linen, abaca, wood pulp, cotton and blends
thereof. Wood pulp is commonly used in non-banknote security documents,
whilst cotton is the preferred fibre for banknotes. These cotton fibresare
often from waste materials, such as off-cuts from the textile industry.
The processed fibers have a ribbon-like profile which have a high
surface-to-surface contact area. However, to produce approprite cotton
fibers for manufacturing banknote paper and the like. The fibers must be
refined from their original tubular configuration by the mechanical
process of defribrillation. In order achieve a high quality base paper, it
is necessary to ensure that the preparation of the fibers is carefully
carried out and that they are manipulated and defibrillated to the most
appropriate length and orientation to achieve a good quality watermark,
whilst also maintaining the high strength needed for paper. Such paper
generally has a Schopper Riegler value of 45-70. Despite careful
processing, the fibers are natural fibers and can vary from batch to
batch, resulting in a variation of the porosity of the paper. Further
porosity variations result from different specification demanded by
different customers.
Sizing Resins
It should be noted that the sizing resins referred to are surface sizing
resins, as opposed to internal sizing resins. Preferably, traditional
sizing resins such as polyvinylalcohol (PVOH) or gelatin are used as
functionally these are generally the most successful. There are, however,
many other chemicals which can be used such as starch or emulsion based
polymers.
Because of the variation in the quality of the paper fibers, the
concentration of the size may also be varied during processing.
Transparentising Resins
As mentioned above, these may be known ultra violet (UV) curable,
non-curable and cross-linkable resins.
The process of screen printing the transparentising resin onto the paper
sheet 14 and the time taken for the resin to be absorbed into the paper
depends, amongst other things, on the viscosity of the resin. As paper
making machines run at different speeds and the properties of the base
paper fibers can vary, it is necessary to control the viscosity of the
resin in order to control the transparency of the paper. It is therefore
recommended that two resins are taken from different ends of the viscosity
spectrum, which can be blended to form a resin at an appropriate viscosity
for the machine speed, the level of transparency to be achieved, the rate
of absorbtion, and so on. Another option is also to add different levels
of a wetting agent such as FC-430 Fluorad (trade mark) supplied by 3M
which is a fluoroaliphatic polymericester. Thus if the base paper is of a
lower porosity than ideal, such a wetting agent can be mixed with the
resin and added at the screen printing stage.
UV-Curable Resins--The preferred resins are 100% resins with no solvent
incorporated. They have a Refraction Index in the region of 1.5 and a
viscosity in the region of 400-1500 centipoise at 23.degree. C. They
should preferably be non-yellowing and transparent. As curable resins
harden, it is also necessary that they should have appropriate physical
strength requirements. For example, they must not be brittle when they are
bent.
Examples of such resins are Photomer 4061 (trade mark) which is a
tripropylene glycol diacrylate and Photomer 5018 (trade mark) may be used,
which is a polyester tetrofunctional acrylate, both supplied by Harcros
Chemical (UK) Limited. These resins are generally at the opposite ends of
the viscosity spectrum and can be combined to provide a suitable
transparentising resin at an appropriate viscosity.
Non-curable resins--The physical criteria for a suitable non-curable resin
are basically the same as those of the UV curable resins. Suitable
materials include polybutene material such as Hyvis 7 (trade mark) which
is a polyisobutylene supplied by BP Chemicals or Hyvis 5 (trade mark)
which is also a polyisobutylene supplied by BP Chemicals. Hyvis 5 has a
higher viscosity than Hyvis 7.
It should be noted that the non-curable resins generally stay in the liquid
state and have no physical strength requirements.
Cross-linkable resins--It is suggested that resins such as epoxy and alkyd
resins may also be used. However, it is important that a number of these
take some considerable time to cure. If the change has not taken place by
the time the paper is reeled, the whole reel of paper is glued together or
resin transfer to adjacent sheets can occur.
When non-curable and cross-linkable resins are used, it is necessary that
the amount added is carefully controlled. Since these resins do not
actually cure, it is important that the paper is not saturated, which
could mark adjacent paper on the reel. | 3D
| 21 | H |
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Stackable chair C, as best shown in FIG. 1, comprises a ground supported
tubular base 10 to which fabric covered seat cushion 12 and fabric covered
back cushion 14 are secured. While the chair C is disclosed as being a
stackable chair, those skilled in the art will understand that the
invention may also be utilized in a bench, lounge chair or like seating
structure.
Ground supported base 10 has a rectangular tubular support 16 to which
tubular legs 18 and 20 are secured by welding or the like. Each of the
legs 18 and 20 is secured to an exterior surface of the tubular support
16. The support 16 has an upper planar surface 22 which is interrupted by
recessed portion 24 intermediate legs 18 and 20. I prefer that the base 10
be formed of tubular members in order to minimize weight.
Bracket 26, as best shown in FIG. 5, is L-shaped and has a first portion 28
and a second portion 30 integral therewith and extending generally
transverse thereto. First portion 28 has apertures 32 therethrough, while
apertures 34 are formed in second portion 30. The apertures 32 are for
securing the first portion 28 to lower surface 36 of seat cushion 12 by
bolts 38, as best shown in FIG. 2. Likewise, bolts extend through the
apertures 34 for securing back cushion 14 to second portion 30. While I
have disclosed the bracket 26 bolted to the rear cushion 14, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the bracket 26 could be integral with back
cushion 14, such as through a molding process.
The bracket 26, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, has a plurality of grooves
40 in major surface 42 thereof. Like grooves 44 are formed in the opposite
major surface 46. The grooves 40 and 44 are aligned, and a projecting
ridge 41 and 45 is thereby provided between each of the grooves 40 and 44,
respectively. The grooves 40 and 44 and the associated projecting ridges
41 and 45 provide strength for the bracket 26, particularly as the bracket
is flexed.
The bracket 26 is, preferably, formed of aluminum, Grade 6061. An
acceptable Grade 6061 aluminum is sold by Reynolds Metals Inc. I prefer
that the aluminum be tempered, preferably by a shot peening process. A T-6
temper is preferred. Also, the bracket should be approximately 0.25 inches
in thickness. Although I prefer that the bracket 26 be formed of aluminum,
it is within contemplation that it could be manufactured from a suitable
plastic material, or like metal having the desired strength and
flexibility characteristics.
Bracket 26, as best shown in FIG. 6, is arced between the ends 48 and 50
thereof, with the arc facing toward the lower surface 36 of seat cushion
12, and towards the rear surface 52 of cushion 14. In this way, the
bracket 26 is under tension when secured to the cushion 12 and 14, thereby
further tending to increase the strength and assure appropriate
flexibility.
Recessed portion 24 is formed in tubular support 16 through a punch and die
process. I prefer that the recessed portion 24 have a pair of oppositely
disposed parallel ribs 54 and 56 between which a downwardly disposed
arcuate portion 58 extends, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The flat upper
surface provided by the ribs 54 and 56 in combination with the arcuate
portion 58 assures that the recessed portion 24 has adequate strength for
supporting the rear cushion 14 and the bracket 26 during flexing thereof.
The recessed portion 24 is approximately 5 inches in length, and the
recess interrupts planar surface 22 and extends between inner surface 60
and outer surface 62 of the tubular support 16.
The distance between the coplanar surfaces 54 and 56 and the upper surface
22 is no less than the thickness of the bracket 26 between the major
surfaces 42 and 46 thereof. This assures that the lower surface 36 of
cushion 12 rests flat on upper surface 22 throughout its length, thereby
providing good attachment of the cushion 12 to the support 16. It can be
noted in FIG. 3 that a portion of the fabric covering the rear surface 52
is folded under portion 28 of bracket 26. The distance between the
surfaces 54 and 56 and the upper surface 22 is still sufficient to
maintain alignment of major surface 42 with the upper surface 22 as the
bracket is seated in the recess 24.
It can be appreciated from FIG. 3 that first portion 28 of bracket 26 is
nestled in recessed portion 24 and extends therethrough parallel to upper
surface 22. Second portion 30, on the other hand, extends upwardly
therefrom and generally transverse thereto for securing the back cushion
14. The support 16 has apertures 64 therein through which suitable
fastening means, such as bolts 66, extend for securing the cushion 12
thereto. This assures that the bracket 26 is firmly secured to the support
16, and yet permits some rocking action of the back cushion 14.
I have found that the aluminum bracket 26 decreases the weight of the chair
C by an amount sufficient to increase the usability thereof. The decreased
weight permits the stack to have a greater number of chairs than was
available before, and yet provides a chair of extreme comfort. This is
because the back cushion 14 may rock relative to the seat cushion 12, in a
firm manner.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is
understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or
adaptations following in general the principle of the invention, and
including such disclosure therefrom as fall within the relevant art and
within the scope of the claims appended hereto. | 0A
| 47 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter by reference to certain embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those who are skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without having some of these specific details. In other instances, well known details have not been described in detail hereinwith in order not to unnecessarily obscure the essential and core features of the present invention.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a Humidification apparatus (100) for being placed in an enclosed environment inside a humidor and illustrated respectively inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, which may comprise multiple interconnected segments that couple together to form an elongated body including a water reservoir (93); a housing (91); a high frequency transducer (82); a control circuitry (79); a coupler (92): wherein the water reservoir (93) has an open end (931) and a closed end (932), and a first accommodating space (933) formed therein between the two ends (931), (932) for receiving a volume of water (W); the housing (91) has a second accommodating space (910) formed therein, wherein a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor (not shown) are disposed in (inside or outside) the housing (91) for detecting humidity and temperature in a surrounding environment (SE) of the apparatus (100); an electronic display (88) is disposed on outside body of the housing (91) for displaying digital numeric values of identified setpoints of humidity and temperature values respectively; a plurality of power connectors (87) are disposed on symmetrical and opposing positions inside or outside the housing (91) for supplying power therethrough from a power source (such as an outlet or an internal power source like a battery installed to the apparatus (100) or an external power source installed outside the apparatus (100) to electronic elements of the apparatus (100); at least one User operable button (85) is disposed on the outside body of the housing (91) for allowing a User to set or adjust the setpoints of humidity and temperature values as well as to provide an access to a selectable menu items shown on the electronic display (88); the high frequency transducer (82) is disposed inside the housing (91) and is able to generate a high frequency oscillation thereon for atomizing water in contact therewith; the control circuitry (79) is disposed within the second accommodating space (910) and is electrically connected to the electronic display (88); the User operable button (85), the power connectors (87) and the sensors, respectively, and is able to activate the high frequency transducer (82) to generate high frequency oscillation in response to the humidity values and changes detected by the sensors and to act as an atomizing device for producing humidifying mist or vapor (HM); and the coupler (92) has one end removably coupled to the open end (931) of the water reservoir (93) by means of a watertight connection, and another end removably coupled to a first end of the housing (91) by means of a magnet (76) (which may include a magnet disk and a metal disk made of magnetic material, or two magnet disks, capable of attracting together with each other) for enabling the User to refill water (W) into the first accommodating space (933) of the water reservoir (93) or to do maintenance with respect to the electronic elements (such as the control circuitry (79), the frequency transducer (82), at least one User operable button (85), . . . etc.) installed inside the housing (91) or the elements formed or installed inside the coupler (92).
In other embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus (100) or the control circuitry (79) may further includes wireless circuitry (73) for wirelessly transmitting the humidity and temperature data detected by the sensors from the apparatus (100) or the control circuitry (79) to Internet connected equipment for effectively eliminating the loss of the humidity that is in the enclosed environment (SE) should the humidor have been opened by a User to manually check.
Again referring toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing (91) further comprises an outlet (86) formed thereon for conveying the humidifying mist or vapor (HM) produced by the transducer (82) from the coupler (92) out into the surrounding environment (SE); and a wire pass (75) formed thereon at a position adjacent to the outlet (86) for allowing the high frequency transducer (82) to be positioned inside the housing (91) as well as allowing the high frequency transducer (82) to be connected with the control circuitry (79).
Again referring toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in order to achieve the primary objective of the present invention for always maintaining the humidity inside an enclosure of the humidor to be in a consistent and desirable level, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupler (92) further includes at least one horizontal passage (or duct) (81) and a vertical passage (or duct) (78) formed therein, and a wicking element (83); wherein the vertical passage (78) is configured to intersect with the horizontal passage (81); the horizontal passage (81) is configured for creating a continuously regulated flow of water (W) from the first accommodating space (933) of the water reservoir (93) to the vertical passage (78); and the wicking element (83) is inserted in the vertical passage (78) with its lower end positioned within the coupler (92) corresponding to the intersection of the vertical passage (78) and the horizontal passage (81) for receiving liquid (W) flowing from the first accommodating space (933) of the water reservoir (93) to the vertical passage (78) of the coupler (92) through the horizontal passage (81) such that the wicking element (83) is able to continuously absorb said liquid (W) and then consistently move said liquid (W) upwards against gravity by the capillary action of the wicking element (83) to the upper end of the wicking element (83). In addition, since the upper or top end of the wicking element (83) is protruded out and above the vertical passage (78) it is able to be in contact with the base of the high frequency transducer (82) so that the upper or top end of the wicking element (83) is not only always located at a position being in contact with the base of the high frequency transducer (82), but is also always moistened by said liquid (W) received from the water reservoir (93).
Referring toFIGS. 1˜3,4,5and6, In some embodiments of the present invention, the coupler (92) may further comprise an extruded lower end (922) that can be mated to an oppositely extruded upper end (72) formed on the first end of the housing (91), so that the extruded lower end (922) of the coupler (92) can then be coupled and merged with the oppositely extruded upper end (72) of the housing (91) together to form a continuously circumferential elongated body, and the upper end of the wicking element (83) protruding out from the coupler (92) through the vertical passage (78) is then able to be in contact with the base of the high frequency transducer (82) installed in the housing (91) at the position corresponding to the outlet (86) formed on the oppositely extruded upper end (72) of the housing (91), such that when the high frequency transducer (82) is activated by the control circuitry (79), in response to the humidity values and changes detected by the sensors, the transducer will generate a high frequency oscillation and, in the meantime, apply the high frequency oscillation to the liquid contained in the upper end of the wicking element (83), the liquid will be atomized to produce humidifying mist or vapor (HM) and be dispersed through the outlet (86) out to the surrounding environment (SE), accordingly.
In some other embodiments of the present invention, again referring toFIGS. 2, and3, the corresponding two mating ends of the coupler (92) and housing (91) that coupled and merged together into a continuously circumferential body may be held together in the form of a magnet (or magnets) (76), so as to allow a User to easily separate the housing (91) from the coupler (92) for repairing or doing maintenance with respect to the elements installed inside the housing (91) or separate the water reservoir (93) from the coupler (92) for refilling water (W) into the water reservoir (93).
In still some other embodiments, as again referring toFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the humidification apparatus (100) claimed in the present invention may include a housing (91) compartmentally formed with two separate second accommodating spaces (910) at a second end thereof for receiving the control circuitry (79) and the wireless circuitry (73) therein, respectively, and the oppositely extruded upper end (72) of the housing (91) formed at the first end of the housing (91) comprising a disk shaped cavity (720) facing downwardly, where the high frequency transducer (82) can be mutually configured to “press-fit” into said disk shaped cavity (720) such that the high frequency transducer (82) is positioned with its base in contact with the top end of the wicking element (83) protruding out and above the top end of the vertical passage (78), so as to ensure that, when the high frequency transducer (82) is activated by the control circuitry (79), in response to the humidity or temperature value changes detected by the sensors, will generate the high frequency oscillation, and, in the meantime, applying the high frequency oscillation directly to the liquid contained in the upper end of the wicking element (83), thereby enabling the liquid to be atomized by the high frequency oscillation for producing humidifying mist or vapor (HM) and be dispersed through the outlet (86) out to the surrounding environment (SE); wherein the outlet (86) is situated at a position corresponding to the vertical passage (78) and centered to the high frequency transducer (82) which enables the humidifying mist or vapor (HM) to be dispersed from the apparatus (100) out to the surrounding environment (SE) away from the floor or other surface upon which the apparatus (100) is located so as to effectively prevent the humidifying mist or vapor (HM) from building up water on the surface of the apparatus (100).
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, as referring toFIGS. 2, 3 and 4the humidification apparatus (100) claimed in the present invention may comprise at least one high frequency transducer (82) that can be activated by the control circuitry (79) to produce the humidifying mist or vapor (HM), in response to the relative humidity detected by the humidity sensor, for increasing the relative humidity in the surrounding environment (SE) to the User preset and desired level. Generally speaking, the operation of the high frequency transducer (82) executed by the control circuitry (79) can be halted when the relative humidity detected by the humidity sensor is slightly higher than the desired level, and is reactivated when the detected relative humidity is slightly lower than the desired level. Thus, the high frequency transducer (82) is only needed to be periodically activated to maintain the detected relative humidity around the preset level until the water stored in the water reservoir (93) has been depleted or the humidification apparatus (100) is switched off, either manually by the User or automatically at the end of a preset period of time.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, as again referring toFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the humidification apparatus (100) claimed in the present invention further comprises a cap (90), which can be removably coupled to the second end of the housing (91) corresponding to the second accommodating space (910) and has a mesh member (84) positioned within an opening (901) thereof for promoting air in the surrounding environment (SE) to flow to the inside of the housing (91) for being detected by the sensors installed inside the housing (91), the mesh member (84) is configured to be placed over the temperature and humidity sensors and for concealing the sensors visually and protecting the sensors disposed inside the housing (91) by providing a visually pleasant quality to the apparatus (100), while simultaneously providing an airflow passage to the concealed sensors for detecting the temperature and humidity statuses and the changes of the surrounding environment (SE) effectively. In one embodiment, openings on the mesh member (84) may be pinhole-like openings that are covering substantially over the entire face of the mesh member (84). In the other embodiment the mesh member (84) may be formed from a material such as a plastic or other non-metallic material.
In one embodiment, the aforementioned sensors may be conveniently disposed inside the housing (91), but the sensor may also be disposed outside the housing (91), for example, being disposed at an end of a cable having the other end connected to the control circuitry (87) and affixed to the outside body of the housing (91).
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the humidification apparatus (100) may include a wireless circuitry coupled to the control circuitry (79), wherein the wireless circuitry is configured to cooperate with the control circuitry (79) for being connected to a network or internet and allowing the other equipment connected to the network or internet to utilize the humidification apparatus (100) in various technological circumstances for effectively broadening the operation of the apparatus and offering a rich variety of additional capabilities.
Although the invention herein has been described by reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that the embodiment is merely illustrative of the principles and application of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that various modifications may be made to the above-mentioned embodiment and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
| 0A
| 24 | F |
The invention is now illustrated with reference to the following non-limiting examples in which all parts are expressed by weight.
PREPARATION OF ACCELERATING ADMIXTURE ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION
The composition is as follows
water 26 parts formic acid 8 parts aluminium hydroxide 18 parts aluminium sulphate (17% grade) 42 parts diethanolamine (DEA) 6 parts Water, formic acid and aluminium sulphate are mixed and heated to 50 C. At this point, DEA is added slowly with stirring. This is followed by the addition of aluminium hydroxide, again with stirring. Stirring is continued and the temperature is raised to 85 C. and held there until a clear liquid is formed.
The accelerating admixture thus prepared is tested in cement paste and mortar against two high-performance commercially-available alkali-free accelerators.
Two different types of Portland cement are used, Siggenthal Normo 4 CEM I 42.5 (hereinafter Type A ) and Schwenk CEM I 42.5 (hereinafter Type B ).
Mortar Test
The mortar was made according to the European Standard EN 196-1 formulation, that is
cement 450 parts sand 1350 parts water 189 parts this giving a water/cement (w/c) ratio of 0.42.
To samples of the mortar composition are added the accelerating admixture prepared as hereinabove described (hereinafter Type I ) and two commercial alkali-free accelerators, these being
MEYCO (trade mark) SA 160 ex MBT (Schweiz) AG, Switzerland (hereinafter Type II )
F100 ex Giulini Chemie GmbH, Germany (hereinafter Type III )
These are used in a concentration of 5% (solids by weight of cement). There is additionally added 1.5% (weight solids on cement) of Rheobuild (trade mark) 1000 ex MBT (Schweiz) AG, a BNS-type water reducer. In this form the mortar has a flow of 17 cm as measured by German Industrial Standard DIN 18555.
The mortar is subjected to a setting test using Vicat needles according to European Standard EN 196, part 3. The results are shown in the following table.
Cement Accelerator type type I II III Initial setting Type A 1 9.5 2 (min) Type B 0.5 3 0.5 Time to 1 mm Type A 3 18 6.5 penetration Type B 2 17 2 (min) Final setting Type A 4.5 30 13 (min) Type B 2.5 20 3 The admixture according to the invention performs better than both accelerators.
Paste Test
The pastes have a w/c ratio of 0.27 and samples are dosed with 5% (solids on cement) of accelerators. The pastes additionally contain 1% (solids on cement) Rheobuild 1000.
The setting of the pastes is tested as per the mortar samples, and the results are shown in the following table.
Cement Accelerator type type I II III Initial setting Type A 2 12 (min) Type B 0.5 4 3 Final setting Type A 17 17 17 (min) Type B 3 16 13 Again, it can be seen that the overall performance of the accelerating admixture according to the invention is appreciably superior to the commercially-acceptable compositions.
| 2C
| 04 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns an injection cement that comprises micro
cement and at least one corrosion inhibitor. Besides of micro cement, the
binder can be a mixture of micro cement with portions of hydraulic and/or
latent hydraulic and/or inert fine material, whereby latent hydraulic or
inert fine material is preferred. Specific embodiments can be found in the
dependent claims. For the improvement of the pumpability water reducers,
high range water reducers or thixotropic agents can be added, for the
regulation of the setting time accelerators or retarders and for the
reduction of the contraction expansion agents. The injection cement
prepared for the specific application of the present invention is an
ultra-fine mineralic injection agent in which micro cement is colloidally
mixed with water and additives at high speed. Due to its excellent
penetration ability said micro suspension is able to intrude the finest
pores and defects of a building construction, and to enclose exposed
reinforcements thereby protecting them from further corrosion. The
corrosion inhibitor that comprises completely or partially neutralised
amino compounds and/or amino alcohols, additionally penetrates into the
surroundings of the place of injection, covers the reinforcing iron and
forms thereon a protective film against renewed corrosion.
The penetration behaviour of a corrosion inhibitor is represented in the
FIGURE.
Suitable micro cements include Portland cement, optionally mixed with at
least one of a hydraulic compound, a latent hydraulic compound or an inert
compound. The injection cement can be produced in that the corrosion
inhibitor is admixed prior or after the grinding of the cement or just
before the application of the injection cement.
Advantageous corrosion inhibitors of the present invention comprise and
preferably are the products of the at least partially performed acid-base
neutralisation reaction between amino compounds and acids.
Such corrosion inhibitors can be one amino compound or mixtures of amino
compounds, optionally neutralised with one acid or several acids.
Suitable amino compounds and/or amino alcohols are primary and/or secondary
and/or tertiary amines, in which aliphatic and/or aromatic and/or
cycloaliphatic residues are bound to the nitrogen atom or in which the
nitrogen atom of the amino compound is a part of a heterocyclic structure,
and whereby in the amino compound of the corrosion inhibitor one or
several amino groups are present. Suitable as well are amino alcohols such
as primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic amines that per molecule
comprise at least one alcanol amino group.
Especially suitable amino compounds or amino alcohols, respectively, are
selected from the group comprising the following amines:
cyclohexylamine
dicyclohexylamine
N-methyl cyclohexylamine
N,N-dimethyl cyclohexylamine
N-benzyl dimethylamine
hexamethylenetetramine
triethylenetetramine
diethylenetriamine
ethylenediamine
N,N-dimethylethanolamine
N-methyl-diethanolamine
mono-, di-, tri-ethanolamine
piperazine
morpholine
guanidine.
Preferred amino compounds are N,N-dimethylethanolamine,
N-methyldiethanolamine as well as mono-, di- and triethanolamine.
Suitable acids for the partial or complete neutralisation by means of
acid-base reactions are mono-basic or polybasic inorganic or organic
acids, in particular such acids that provide themselves a corrosion
reducing effect and/or a water-reducing effect. Especially suitable acids
are those that form with calcium ions hardly soluble or insoluble
compounds or complexes or chelates. In particular suitable acids are
phosphoric acid
pyrophosphoric acid
phosphonic acids
benzoic acid
caproic acid
caprylic acid
enanthic (heptanoic) acid
aminobenzoic acid
sulfanilic acid
salicylic acid
sebacic acid
oleic acid
linoleic acid
adipic acid
tetrahydroxi adipic acid
lactic acid
tartaric acid
citric acid
gluconic acid
glucoheptonic acid
heptonic acid and
ascorbic acid.
Preferred acids are phosphonic acids, benzoic acids, lactic acid, gluconic
acid, glucoheptonic acid, enanthic (heptanoic) acid and caprylic acid.
The concentration of amino compound or hydroxy amino compound usually is in
the range of 0.2% per weight to 2% per weight, preferably around about
0.6% by weight referred to the weight of the injection cement.
Neither the amines nor their salt-like products with acids affect the
stability of the injection cement suspension or its setting behaviour or
the final strength of the place to be repaired or the adhesion to the
walls of the sealed crack, respectively.
A preferred micro cement is or comprises Portland cement.
Further optionally present additives are setting reducing and/or water
reducing and/or thixotropic and/or expansively acting additives. Such
additives are known to the skilled person.
Compared to known methods for corrosion inhibition, for example by
importing a corrosion inhibitor on a solid support in previously made bore
holes, the corrosion inhibiting injection cement of the present invention
provides essential advantages. Any mechanic work on or treatment of the
building construction can be avoided since the injection cement is
directly applied to already present cracks or by means of perforated
injection hoses already distributed in the building construction. By the
direct injection of the corrosion inhibiting injection cement into cracks,
the corrosion inhibitor on the most direct way arrives at the most
endangered places and thus develops its primary effect where it is most
essential. By the extraordinary good penetration of the corrosion
inhibitor at the same time a corrosion protection is also achieved at
places relatively far away from such application places.
Besides its use for the restoration of building constructions comprising
reinforcing iron, the injection cement according to the present invention
is also suitable for the injection into encasing tubes of pre- and/or
subsequently stressed concrete. For the restoration of building
constructions the injection cement can be applied mixed with water
directly or via perforated injection hoses or injection profiles.
EXAMPLE 1
The penetration of the corrosion inhibitor was examined at a cured mortar
cube with the dimensions 20.times.20.times.12 cm. The mortar composition
was
______________________________________
CEN sand 4050 g
Portland cement 1500 g
water/cement ratio 0.49
______________________________________
The inhibitor was applied on the mortar surface in pure form. After 3, 7
and 28 days 2 mm holes were drilled and the dust generated from said
drilling was examined for the presence of said corrosion inhibitor. The
examination was performed at the institute for radio chemistry of the
University Heidelberg as well as in the Kernforschungszentrum (Nuclear
Research Center) Karlsruhe. As detection method SNMS (Secondary Neutron
Mass Spectroscopy) was applied. The penetration depths of the inhibitor
after 3, 7 and 28 days is represented in FIG. 1.
By the addition of a corrosion inhibitor to a binder mixture for injection,
a further corrosion of the reinforcements in a building construction can
be stopped or delayed. The corrosion inhibitor can be premixed with the
binder or added directly just prior to the application. Thereby undesired
side effects do not occur. The mixing process and the injection method are
not complicated and the desired economic aspect is also obtained.
EXAMPLE 2
The influence of the corrosion inhibitor on the workability of the
injection cement was examined, in that the flow times in a MARSH funnel
were measured after different times with a water content of 65% by weight
of cement (bwc) and under addition of 3% of a water reducer bwc without
and with 3% bwc aqueous corrosion inhibitor solution (the solution
comprised 20% dimethylethanolamine neutralised with lactic acid).
The results are shown in the following table:
______________________________________
time after mixture in
discharge time in seconds
minutes without inhibitor
with inhibitor
______________________________________
0 44 45
60 49 50
______________________________________
The corrosion inhibitor does not change the viscosity of the injection
cement slurry. | 2C
| 04 | B |
The arrangement shown on the Figures is described below.
In FIG. 1, the switching element of the controlled electronic, AC mains
switch is shown, which switching element is a triac Tk, this triac Tk is
connected in series with the load L to be controlled--such as a filament
lamp, or the divided pole induction motor, capacitance motor or universal
motor of a ventilator, kitchen machine, vacuum cleaner, or drill--the
power circuit of the triac Tk is surrounded with the usual protective and
noise suppression elements, which are not described here in detail since
they are wellknown. The gate electrode of the triac Tk is connected via
the filter circuit 1 to one of the AC inputs of the rectifier bridge 2.
The common point of the load L and the triac Tk is connected to the other
AC input of the rectifier bridge 2 in the control circuit. The DC outputs
of the rectifier bridge 2, indicated at + and -, serve as power supply for
the control circuits, where the rectified, and attenuated mains signal is
present, furthermore a low power SCR is connected between the mentioned DC
outputs, which SCR Ti short-circuits the DC outputs depending on its
electronic control, and provides gating pulses for the triac Tk in each
half-period of the supply network.
No extra forming step is needed for the trigger signals of the triac Tk,
since the SCR Ti provides appropriate gating signals through the rectifier
bridge 2. For this reason it is not necessary to use e.g., a diac in the
gate circuit of the triac Tk. On the other hand, in the gate circuit of
the low power SCR Ti a diac is connected serially, to ensure the
error-free opening of the SCR Ti, bringing that into conducting state. The
gate of the SCR Ti is connected via diac Dk to the output of amplifier
stage 6. The output of the amplifier stage 6 is fed back to its control
input I. Indirect feed-back via a resistive element can also be possible.
The amplifier stage 6 comprises a switch K, which is advantageously
connected in series with the control input of the amplifier stage 6. FIG.
2 illustrates circuit block diagram of the amplifier stage 6. The
amplifier stage 6 comprises a phase-shifting circuit 3, a switching and/or
amplifying circuit 4, and a filter stage 5. The inputs of the phase
shifting circuit 3 is connected between the DC outputs of the rectifier
bridge in the amplifier stage 6, the output of the phase shifting circuit
3 corresponds to the output of the amplifier stage 6 a diac Dk, connected
with one of its connection terminals to the gate of the SCR Ti, is
connected with its other connection terminal to the mentioned output of
the phase shifting circuit 3, which, as has also been mentioned,
corresponds to the output of the amplifier stage 6. This output of the
switching and/or amplifying circuit 4, which circuit is advantageously
built using transistors, is connected to the common point of the diac Dk
and the output of the phase shifting circuit 3, one of the two inputs of
the mentioned switching and/or amplifying circuit 4 is connected to the
negative DC output (-) of the rectifier bridge 2, the other input is
connected to the output of a filter stage 5, advantageously built of
passive components. One of the inputs of the filter stage 5 corresponds to
the control input I of the amplifier stage 6, while the other input of the
filter stage 5 is connected to the negative DC output (-) of the rectifier
bridge 2.
In FIG. 3, a possible arrangement of the filter stage 5 is shown for the
case when no power-control is required. The filter stage 5 comprising a
capacitor C, a fall-control resistor R1 and a rise-control resistor R2,
and advantageously a Zener-diode Z, has a switch K arranged in the
following manner. One of the two connection terminals of the capacitor C
and the anode of the Zener-diode Z connected in parallel with the
capacitor C, are connected to the negative DC output (-) of the rectifier
bridge 2. The other connection terminal of the capacitor C and the cathode
of the Zener-diode Z connected in parallel with the capacitor C are
connected to the common point of the fall-control resistor R1 and the
rise-control resistor R2, where fall-control resistor R1 and rise-control
resistor R2 are connected in series. The other connection terminal of
fall-control resistor R1 is connected to one of the two connection
terminals of the switch K. The other connection terminal of K corresponds
to the input of the filter stage 5, while the other connection terminal of
the rise-control resistor R2 corresponds to he output of the mentioned
filter stage 5.
In FIG. 4, a possible arrangement of the filter stage 5 is given for the
case when power-control is required. The filter stage 5 comprising a
capacitor C, a fall-control resistor R1 and a rise-control resistor R2,
and advantageously a Zener-diode Z, has a power control potentiometer P
and a switch K arranged in the following manner, a connection terminal of
the switch K together with the anode of the Zener-diode Z is connected to
the negative DC output of rectifier bridge 2. The other connection
terminal of the switch K is connected to an end point of the power control
potentiometer P, the middle terminal of the power control potentiometer P
is connected to the other connection terminal of the capacitor C and to a
connection terminal of the rise-control resistor R2. The other connection
terminal of the rise-control resistor R2 corresponds to the output of the
filter stage 5. The other end of the power control potentiometer P is
connected to the cathode of the Zener-diode Z and to a connection terminal
of the fall-control resistor R1.
The other connection terminal of the fall-control resistor R1 corresponds
to the input of the filter stage 5, the switch with controlled rise and
fall characteristics can be implemented as a hybrid or partially
monolithic IC.
The operation of the switch with controlled rise and fall characteristics
according to the invention is described below.
The amplifier stage 6 of FIG. 1 comprises phase shifting circuit, amplifier
and filter circuits, which circuits can be built of off-the-shelf
components. The arrangement of the amplifier stage 6 is detailed in FIG.
2.
If in the amplifier stage 6 the switch K is connected in serial with the
input, that is the arrangement according to FIG. 3 is used for the filter
stage 5 then the operation of the circuit is as follows. If the switch K
is steadily connected, then the controlled switch, that is the triac Tk is
in disconnected state. The reason for this situation is that, no current
flows through the loal, since the capacitor C in the filter stage 5 is
charged via resistor fall-control resistor R1 to the potential of the
Zener-diode Zr and so, as a consequence, the voltage present at the input
of the switching and/on amplifying circuit 4 is high enough to keep the
potential at its output, which is connected to the phase shifting circuit
3, and to diac Dk, low enough to keep the SCR Ti--via diac Dk--in a
disconnected state, that is, the SCR Ti will not be ignited and the triac
Tk is steadily in a disconnected state.
If we open the switch K, then the charging current of the capacitor C is
being stopped, but the discharging current keeps flowing through the
rise-control resistor R2 and the switching and/or amplifying circuit 4.
The potential of the capacitor C will decrease to such a low level after a
certain time, which time depends on the value of the rise-control resistor
R2, that the switching and/or amplifying circuit 4 disconnects, and bigger
and bigger portions of the halfperiods of the rectified mains voltage
appear at the output of the phase shifting circuit 3, that is impulses
resulting increased flow angle appear, and the diac Dk ignites the SCR Ti.
The SCR Ti after it has been fired connects the diagonal of the rectifier
bridge 2, and so impulse, with energy coming from the supply in both
halfperiods, appears the input of filter circuit 1 of the triac Tk, as a
consequence, increasing current is flowing through the load L, till the
triac Tk reaches the full on state. Varying the value of the resistor
rise-control resistor R2 the switching time of the triac Tk can be
controlled.
When we connect the switch K again (in order to disconnect the circuit of
the load L) the switching and/or amplifier circuit 4 reaches the on state
for longer and longer periods through the filter stage 5, as the voltage
over the capacitor C increases via the fall-control resistor R1. AS a
result, we disconnect the SCR Ti with the diac Dk in the following manner,
the impulses starting the SCR Ti appears later and later in the
consecutive mains halfperiods, and finally the impulses will totally
disappear, in the latter case the triac Tk will not fe, and the circuit of
the load L will reach a disconnected state. The time required to reach
this disconnected state can be controlled with the rise-control resistor
R2.
If the switch K of the filter stage 5 is in the arrangement according to
FIG. 4, that is the switch K is connected in series with the power control
P potentiometer the operation differs from the operation deserted afore in
the following details, the input voltage of the switching and or
amplifying circuit 4 can be set according to the position of the power
control potentiometer P. This results in a certain flow-angle, which is
constant in this manner it makes the control of the output power possible.
Obviously, the rise and the fall will be continues also in this case, and
the time required for the rise and the fall depends on the values of
fall-control resistor R1 and rise-control resistor R2.
The rise and the fall of the switch has a logarithmic characteristics,
which is apercipiated by the human eye--in the case of a light-source--as
a linear rise and fall. | 7H
| 01 | H |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
InFIG. 1, an internal combustion engine is designated generally with reference numeral10. It serves to drive a motor vehicle, which is not shown inFIG. 1. The internal combustion engine10is conceived as an engine with multiple cylinders, of which only one is shown inFIG. 1and which is designated with reference numeral12.
A combustion chamber14is associated with the cylinder12, which is delimited on one side by a back and forth-moving piston16. Via a piston rod18, the piston works on a crank shaft20, shown only symbolically, whose angular position is detected by a sensor21. Combustion air is admitted into the combustion chamber14via an inlet channel22and a hydraulically actuated inlet valve24. The amount of fresh air flowing through the inlet channel22into the combustion chamber14is detected by a sensor26. This operates as a hot-film air mass flow sensor, which is also designated as a “HFM-sensor”.
Fuel is metered into the combustion chamber14directly via an injector28. The fuel is supplied by a fuel system30. A fuel-air mixture provided in the combustion chamber14is ignited by a spark plug. The ignition energy is supplied by an ignition system34. Burned combustion gas or exhaust gas which is produced by the combustion process in the combustion chamber14is conducted via a hydraulically actuated outlet valve36into an exhaust tube38. The opening stroke or lift of a valve element of the outlet valve36(not visible inFIG. 1) is detected by a valve lift sensor40. It is observed that the internal combustion engine10in this exemplary embodiment does not apply a camshaft for the control of the valves24and36.
The hydraulic actuation of the outlet valve36is achieved by means of hydraulic lines42and44, which connect the outlet valve36or a hydraulic actuation device (not shown) associated with it to a hydraulic control device46. Essential elements of this hydraulic control device are fast-switching hydraulic valves (not shown), which control the opening- and closing processes of the outlet valve36. Sensors48and50are used to determine the temperature and the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, with which the outlet valve36is controlled. The inlet valve24is actuated analogously.
It should be noted that, in an actual embodiment of the system, individual elements or partial systems can be combined differently than in the schematic arrangement shown inFIG. 1. For example, the units36and46shown in the figure can be combined completely or partially into a structurally integrated component.
The operation of the internal combustion engine10is controlled or regulated by an electronic control unit52. This unit acquires input signals from the HFM sensor26, from a position sensor21of the crank shaft20, from the valve lift sensor40, and from the temperature sensor48and the pressure sensor50. The latter sensors measure temperature and pressure of the pressurized fluid which is used in the hydraulic control device46. The electronic control unit52controls the fuel system30, the ignition system34, and the hydraulic control device46of the outlet valve36.
In addition, the electronic control unit52also calculates further operating parameters on the basis of the input signals, such as, for example, a rotational speed of the crank shaft20, an exhaust gas pressure pabg in the exhaust tube38, and others.
With the internal combustion engine10shown inFIG. 1, the opening stroke or lift of the inlet valve24can be adapted to the respective operating point of the internal combustion engine10individually and in the same way as is done for the outlet valve36. For this purpose, a desired valve lift or target value hsol of a respective valve is determined on the basis of the actual operating point of the internal combustion engine10and converted into an actuation time tm of an electromagnetic switch valve within the hydraulic control device46.
For this conversion, essential influencing variables and/or forces which affect the opening process of the valve and, hence, the resulting valve lift are taken into consideration appropriately. These influencing variables include operating parameters of the internal combustion engine10relating to the hydraulic control device46, for example, a temperature Toil of the hydraulic fluid, which is detected by the temperature sensor48, a pressure Poil of the same hydraulic fluid, which is detected by the pressure sensor50, a rotational speed nmot of the crank shaft20, which is detected by the position sensor21, as well as the gas forces acting on the outlet valve36during its opening process due to the gas pressure in the combustion chamber14. These forces can, for example, be accounted for by determining an initial force value at the time of the opening of the outlet valve36, this initial value, in turn, being computed from the rotational speed nmot of the crank shaft20, the crank shaft position wao at the time of the opening of the outlet valve36, the back pressure pabg of the exhaust gas downstream the outlet valve at the time of the valve opening, and the pressure pao of the working gas in the combustion chamber14at the time of the valve opening.
It is evident that a respective value of the actuation time tm which is applied for the control of the opening process of the outlet valve36must be determined by the electronic control unit52prior to the corresponding actuation of the valve, hence, at a time when the actual value of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber14at the beginning the opening process of the valve can not yet be determined exactly or, in particular, can not yet be determined by measurement. Hence, a corresponding predicted value paopred of this gas pressure is calculated or estimated in advance. This estimation is performed on the basis of the respective values of the operating parameters of the combustion engine10which are demanded and controlled for the related future working stroke. These values comprise, for example, the masses of the air charge and of the residual gas in the combustion chamber, a fuel mass, and if necessary, an ignition angle and further parameters. The air mass is determined or estimated, for example, based on measured values recorded by means of the HFM sensor26. In this manner, a calculation of the actuation time tm as required for the control of an opening process of the outlet valve36is performed, based on a correlation as given in the following equation 1:
tm=func—tm(h, Toil, Poil, nmot, wao, pabg, pao) (1)
with h=hsol and pao=paopred.
For an optimal control and/or regulation of the operation of the internal combustion engine10, knowledge of the real, that is, the actual gas pressure in the combustion chamber14at the end of a working stroke is very important and useful. In order to determine the actual gas pressure in the combustion chamber14at the end of a working stroke of a respective cylinder12, or precisely, at the time of opening of the outlet valve36of the cylinder, the relation between the actuation time tm and the valve lift h as described in equation 1 is reversed to obtain a correlation as shown in equation 2:
h=func—hub(tm, Toil, Poil, nmot, wao, pabg, pao) (2)
The function func_hub describes in a general way the dependency of the resulting valve lift h on the actuation time tm and the operating parameters Toil, Poil, nmot, wao and so on. This correlation can be determined empirically, for example, by corresponding experiments on a running engine with a suitable variation of the operating conditions. A closer look at the dependency of the valve lift h on the gas pressure pao reveals that one can approximate this correlation with a very high accuracy by means of a polynomial of the second order.
This can be recognized well from the graphic illustration shown by way of example inFIG. 2. There, the variation of the valve lift h as a function of the gas pressure pao is plotted for three constant values of the actuation time tm and with fixed values of the angle wao and of the operating parameters Poil, Toil, nmot and pabg. The curves are approximately linear with a negative gradient and a slight curving, which can be described by means of a quadratic term in pao with a small negative coefficient. The quadratic approximation leads to equation 3:
h=C1*pao+C2*pao2(3)
wherein
C0=func—C0(tm, Toil, poil, nmot, wao, pabg) (4)
C1=func—C1(tm, Toil, poil, nmot, wao, pabg) (5)
C2=func—C2(tm, Toil, poil, nmot, wao, pabg) (6)
In special case, the coefficient C2 depends only weakly on the actual operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. It can then be treated in a good approximation as a constant, which has a negative value. Generally, the functions in equations 4 to 6 can be represented in a sufficiently good approximation by polynomials with linear and quadratic terms. In order to simplify these polynomials, it can be advantageous to describe the dependency on the angle wao of the crank shaft20at which the outlet valve36opens, by way of substitution, as a dependency on a combustion chamber volume Vbr which itself depends on the angular position wao. Also, a variable representing the (relative) rate of change of the combustion chamber volume Vbr with respect to the angular position, or crank angle, of the crank shaft20proves very suitable for a simplification of the above-mentioned polynomials. This functional dependency can be represented and calculated in a simple manner, for example, by way of a characteristic line or a polynomial approximation depending on the angle wao.
When the polynomial of the second order (equation 3 above) is related to a determined actual lift hact of the outlet valve36and a corresponding actual gas pressure paoact, this results in the following equation 7:
hact=C0+C1*paoact+C2*paoact2(7)
Solving this polynomial of the second order with respect to the actual gas pressure paoact leads to the following equation 8:paoact=-C12*C2+(C12*C2)2+hact-C0C2(8)
Equation 8 can be used to calculate the actual gas pressure paoact at the end of a working stroke of the cylinder12, provided that the actual lift hact of the outlet valve36and the actual values of a set of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine10are known or are determined, and the coefficients C0, C1, and C2 are determined based on these operating parameters. A corresponding method is explained in greater detail with reference toFIG. 3. The method is stored as a computer program on a storage medium54of the electronic control unit52.
After a starting block56, the actual valve lift hact of the outlet valve36in the actual working cycle is determined in a block58. In this calculation, measured values which are computed from the signal of the valve lift sensor40are used. In functional blocks60,61, and62, coefficients C0, C1, and C2 are determined. As explained above, this calculation can employ representations of the functions func_C0, func_C1, and func_C2, for example, based on polynomial expressions or characteristic maps, whose coefficients or values are determined by experiment. The functional blocks60through62therefore use data or information provided for the actual working cycle by a block63, wherein these data are determined from the signals of the position sensor21of the crank shaft20, the HFM sensor26, the valve lift sensor40, the temperature sensor48, the pressure sensor50, and possibly of additional sensors.
Accordingly, the coefficients C0, C1, and C2 are provided in the blocks64through68. The determined actual valve lift hact, as well as the computed values of the coefficients C0, C1, and C2 are delivered to a functional block70, in which the actual gas pressure paoact in the combustion chamber14at the time of the opening of the outlet valve36is determined according to the above-described equation 8. For calculating the square root function, for example, a tabular representation of this function as a characteristic line or a (piecewise) representation as a polynomial or rational function can be used.
Before the actual working cycle, a predicted value paopred (block72) for the gas pressure in the combustion chamber at the time of the opening of the outlet valve36in the actual working cycle is determined by means of a functional block74, based on a set of operating parameters BG of the internal combustion engine which are controlled and/or estimated for the actual working cycle by the electronic control unit52. The operating parameters include, for example, an ignition angle, an injected fuel mass, a time or crank angle where the outlet valve is required to start opening, a combustion air mass, and so on. In block75, a difference d between the predicted gas pressure paopred and the determined actual gas pressure paoact is formed. In block78, depending on the difference d, the function func_paopred which is used to predict the gas pressure paopred in block74, or more specifically and by way of example, a set of application or adaptation data employed in the computation of this function, is corrected or adapted in order to improve the prediction. This adaptation compensates for effects of a possible drift of engine parameters, typically caused by a wear of components, thereby guaranteeing that the absolute values of the deviation d will stay sufficiently small and, hence, the prediction paop red sufficiently precise in the course of time. In addition, depending on the difference d a piece of information INF is generated in block80. More specifically, this may encompass, for example, the generation of an entry in a fault code memory or the issuing of a warning signal, when the difference d exceeds a predetermined threshold. The exemplary representation of the method of the invention (as shown inFIG. 3) terminates in block82.
In an alternative embodiment, the calculation of paoact is performed using a quadratic approximation of the correlation of paoact and hact instead of equation (8). Hence the following equation (9) is employed in this case:
paoact=C1*(hact−C0)+C2*(hact−C0)2(9)
Herein, the new coefficients are equally named C0, C1, . . . for the sake of simplicity. They should not be mixed up, however, with the first set of coefficients C0, C1, . . . given above.
This alternative embodiment of the invention can be represented essentially in the same way as shown inFIG. 3, with the difference that, in the functional block70, paoact is determined according to equation (9) instead of equation (8).
In a further alternative embodiment, the actual valve lift hact of the outlet valve36is not detected by means of a valve lift sensor, but computed from the time required for the closing process of the outlet valve36. The beginning of the closing process is, for example, deduced directly from a corresponding actuation signal which triggers a hydraulic switching valve of the hydraulic control device46thereby initiating the closing of the valve actuator. The end of the closing process can in turn be detected, for example, by the noise that is released upon the impact of the valve element of the outlet valve36on a corresponding valve seat.
Further information which is required for this indirect method of computing the actual valve lift, like, for example, a delay time of the above-mentioned switching valve and a closing speed of the outlet valve can be determined empirically by means of measurements. The corresponding values can be stored, for example, in a tabular representation, that is, as a characteristic map depending on the operating parameters Poil and Toil, within a storage medium54of the electronic control unit52.
It should be further noted that the knowledge of the actual value paoact of a gas pressure, which is determined according to the present invention, and which is here used, for example, to adapt a computational method serving to determine a predicted value paopred of this same gas pressure which is used in the control of the valve lift, can also be used for additional purposes. In particular, the control of other engine variables like, for example, the ignition angle, which exert an influence on the actual gas pressure paoact can be adapted or improved analoguously to the procedure described above. Hence, the present invention can be used to achieve an optimal control of the internal combustion engine with respect to its performance as requested by the driver, its fuel consumption, exhaust quality, and/or running smoothness.
In the above-described embodiments, the inlet and outlet valves of an internal combustion engine are moved by means of electro-hydraulic valve actuators, which work with hydraulic auxiliary energy (pressure force). In this case the force flux is controlled electrically by means of fast switching hydraulic valves. In alternative embodiments of the invention, however, the engine valve actuator can operate according to a different principle, provided that this operating principle equally allows for an adjustment and control of a variable lift of the corresponding outlet valves. For example, instead of hydraulic energy, electric or pneumatic auxiliary energy can be used as well. Furthermore a completely variable engine valve actuation is only required for the outlet valves, whereas the inlet valves may, for example, be moved conventionally by means of a camshaft. In additional alternative embodiments the present invention can also be applied to a compression-ignited internal combustion engine and/or to an engine equipped with external mixture preparation, that is, with fuel injectors placed in the inlet channels.
It will be understood that each of the elements or features which are contained in the figures or are described in the text above or in the following claims, or any combination of these, may also find useful applications in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described herein as a method of operating an internal combustion engine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
| 1B
| 60 | T |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the
invention, reference will now be made to embodiment illustrated in the
drawings. Specific language will be used to describe same. It will,
nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
invention is thereby intended, such alternations and further modifications
in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7 and
10, the litter bin according to the present invention comprises a
container 1 formed with a pair of lugs 11 at the upper portion. Each of
the lugs 11 has a center opening 111, an upper hole 112 above the center
opening 111, a lower hole 113 below the center opening 111, and an
intermediate hole 113 between the upper hole 112 and the lower hole 113
and located at an outer side of the center opening 111. A tape holder 2 is
pivotally mounted on the lugs 11 of the container 1 and has an upwardly
extending arms 22 at both sides and a seat 21 at the lower portion. The
seat 21 is used receive a roller of tape 3. Beside the seat 21 there is a
cutter (not shown). The arm 22 has a cylindrical portion adapted to be
received in the center opening 111 of the lug 11 so that the arm 22 of the
tape holder 2 is pivotally connected with the lugs 11 of the container 1.
Further, the arm 22 is formed below the cylindrical portion 221 with a
protuberance 222 which will engage with the upper hole 112 when rotated to
an upper position (see FIG. 9), engage the intermediate hole 113 when
rotated to align with the lug 11 (see FIG. 4), and engage the lower hole
114 when rotated to a lower position (see FIG. 5).
When in use, first fold the upper portion of the waste paper 4 (such as
newspaper, catalogue, packaging paper, and recycled paper) downward to
form a collar 41 and wrap the paper 4 on the outer surface of the
container 1 to form the body of a litter bag (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Then,
turn the tape holder 2 to engage its protuberances 222 with container 1 as
shown in FIG. 4 thereby enabling the tape 3 to be severed conveniently and
cut off a piece of the tape 3 to fix the shape of the litter bag.
Thereafter, put the container 1 up side down and turn the tape holder 2 to
engage its protuberances 222 with the lower holes 114 of the lugs 11 of
the container 1 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) so as to form the bottom 42 of the
litter bag. Then, remove the litter bag 4 from the container 1 and insert
the litter bag 4 into the container 1 with its collar 41 enclosing the
lugs 11 and the tape holder 2 (see FIG. 8). Thereafter, turn the tape
holder 2 to engage its protuberances 222 with the upper holes 112 of the
lugs 11 of the container 1 and cut off a piece of tape 3 to close the
mouth of the litter bag (see FIGS. 9 and 10).
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate different embodiments of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the lugs 11 are replaced with a U-shaped
member 5 having two lugs 52 and fixedly mounted on the container 1 by
taper pins 51 extending through the holes 12 of the container 1.
The invention is naturally not limited in any sense to the particular
features specified in the forgoing or to the details of the particular
embodiment which has been chosen in order to illustrate the invention.
Consideration can be given to all kinds of variants of the particular
embodiment which has been described by way of example and of its
constituent elements without thereby departing from the scope of the
invention. This invention accordingly includes all the means constituting
technical equivalents of the means described as well as their
combinations. | 1B
| 65 | D |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a card game that allows two or more players to participate. Any suitable playing surface can be used (such as vertical or horizontal) as long as the playing surface formed from a magnetic element, such as iron. At the conclusion of the game, an esthetic, random image is created by the plurality of played cards.
A portion of a game kit200includes a number of cards, such as cards202–228. SeeFIG. 2A. Each card202–228is formed by a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has an arbitrary design which is superimposed with dotted-line configurations. The bottom layer is magnetized. Each card202–228is one of three types: a play card, a point card, or a blocker card. Cards202–210,214, and224are play cards. Cards212,216,218, and220are point cards. Card222is a blocker card. Play cards202–210,214, and224are superimposed by dotted-line configurations. Play card202has a superimposed dotted-line configuration shaped like a numeral 1. A dotted-line configuration shaped like a numeral 2 is superimposed over play card204. A numeral 3 dottted-line configuration shape superimposes over play card206. Play card208has a superimposed dotted-line configuration that shapes like a numeral 4. A dotted-line configuration shaped like a numeral 5 is superimposed over play card210. Play card214has a superimposed dotted-line configuration that shapes like a numeral 7. A dotted-line configuration in the shape of numeral 12 is superimposed over play card224. A dotted-line configuration shaped like a numeral 6 is superimposed over point card212. Point card216has a superimposed dotted-line configuration shaped like a numberal 8. A numeral 9 dotted-line configuration shape superimposes over point card218. A dotted-line configuration shaped like a numeral 0 is superimposed over point card220. A blocker card222has a single dot configuration. These dotted-line configurations for cards202–224are for illustrative purposes only and any suitable dotted-line configuration can be used.
Another portion of the game kit200includes a playing surface292that is preferrably formed from a magnetic element material, such as iron. SeeFIG. 2B. A third portion of the game kit200includes one or more point markers in varying shapes and sizes. A point marker274circular in shape is shown inFIG. 2B.
FIG. 2Billustrates a game in play. A deck290comprises cards204–212,216–220, and224that are facing down. Playing card214is drawn from the deck290and is placed on the playing surface292by a first player. A second player draws playing card202from the deck290and situates the dotted-line configuration of the play card202against the play card214to form an enclosed polygon272A and create an open polygon272B. Once a player forms an enclosed polygon, such a player scores a point by finding a point marker that can fit inside the enclosed polygon. The second player places the point marker274inside the enclosed polygon272A and the play passes next to the first player. The first player draws the blocker card222from the deck290. To prevent the second player from potentially creating another enclosed polygon from the open polygon272B and score more points, the first player situates the blocker card222to line up the single dot on the blocker card222and obstruct a portion of the dotted-line configuration of the playing card214that form a side of the open polygon272B. Each blocker card preferably has one dot on the face of the card. To block an opposing player's opportunity to create a shape on his next turn, a player places a blocker card to prevent a configuration that has the likelihood of becoming a shape. This is done in such a way that it breaks up one or more sides of an enclosable polygon and prevents the player's opponents from closing the shape in a single turn.
Each player plays preferably with a set of five point markers that are preferably of different sizes and shapes. The bigger the point marker is, the more points it represents. To score points in the game, players attempt to form polygons large enough to fit one of their five point markers. The playing surface292is preferably a magnetically attracting surface. This can be anything from a game board to the side of a refrigerator. There is a rule preference that all cards placed on the playing surface, in unison and individually, cannot in any way exceed the size and shape of the playing surface. This means that plays in the game will not only be influenced by whether there is the availability to create a shape, but also whether or not there is enough playable surface area on which to place a card. Narrow and smaller surfaces, as found on the sides of pick-up trucks and mini-refrigerators, would likely be more challenging to compete on than garage doors and full size refrigerators.
Multiple players can be accommodated by various embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 2B, the object of the game is for players to earn points by creating enclosed polygons from cards202–224that are large enough into which to fit one of the point markers. The player with the most points is the victor at the conclusion of a game.
FIGS. 3A–3Killustrate a method300for a strategy card game. From a start block, the method300proceeds to a set of method steps302, defined between a continuation terminal (“terminal A”) and an exit terminal (“terminal B”). The set of method steps302describes how the players set up the game and take turns to place cards on the playing surface to form polygons large enough into which the point markers will fit.
From terminal A (FIG. 3B), the method300proceeds to block312where the players choose a playing surface to play the game. See block312. For example, the players can choose to play on the door of a refrigerator. Next, the players determine the manner of dealing the cards. See block314. For example, the cards may be dealt by each player picking up a single card, per turn, from a face-down deck of cards. Finally, the players determine the order of their participation in the game. See block316. For example, the players can flip a coin to see who goes first. The winner of each coin flip will go first.
Then, the method300proceeds to a set of method steps318, defined between a continuation terminal (“terminal A1”) and an exit terminal (“terminal B1”). The set of method steps318describes how the players take turns to place cards on the playing surface to form polygons large enough to fit the point markers in.
From terminal Al (FIG. 3C), the method300proceeds to block320, where the active player (a player is an active player when it is his or her turn to pick and place a card) picks a card from the top of a card deck that is face down. See block320. Then the method300proceeds to a test to determine whether the card picked is a play card. See decision block322. If the answer to the test is NO, the method300proceeds to terminal A2. If the answer to the test is YES, the method300proceeds to another test to determine whether there is an open polygon on the playing surface. See decision block324. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to terminal A3. If the answer is YES, the method300proceeds to terminal A4.
From terminal A2(FIG. 3D), the method300proceeds to test if the card picked is a blocker card. See decision block326. If the answer is NO, then this card is a point card, and the active player may place this point card anywhere on the playing surface. See block328. The method300then proceeds to terminal B1.
If the answer to the test in decision block326is YES, then this card is a blocker card. The method300then proceeds to another test to determine whether the blocker card will be the first card on the playing surface. See decision block330. If the answer is NO, the active player may use this card as a blocker card or as a play card on the playing surface. See block332. The method300then proceeds to terminal B1. If the answer is YES, the active player may use the blocker card as a point card or a play card on the playing surface. See block334. The method300then proceeds to terminal B1.
From terminal A3(FIG. 3E), the active player places the card in an orientation such that a dot from a line of dots on the card aligns with a dot from another line of dots on another card. See block336. The method300then proceeds to terminal B1.
From terminal A4(FIG. 3F), the active player places the card in an orientation such that a dot from a line of dots on the card aligns with a dot from another line of dots on another card. See block338. The active player also places the card in such an orientation with other cards as to create a closed polygon. See block340. The method300then proceeds to terminal B1. From terminal B1, the method300enters terminal B.
From terminal B, the method300proceeds to a set of method steps304, defined between a continuation terminal (“terminal C”) and an exit terminal (“terminal D”). The set of method steps304describes the restrictions of the game that define valid and invalid placements of cards.
From terminal C (FIG. 3G), the method300proceeds to a series of tests. The first test is to determine whether the card is not placed parallel or perpendicular, nor touching other cards on the playing surface. See decision block342. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to the second test to determine whether the card, if a blocker card or a play card, is placed away from other cards already in play. See decision block344. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to the third test to determine whether any card overlaps more than 50% of the card underneath it. See decision block346. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to terminal C1. If the answer to any of these tests is YES, the method300proceeds to terminal C2.
From terminal C1(FIG. 3H), the method300proceeds to another series of tests. The first test is to determine whether any card overlaps any lines that form a polygon. See decision block348. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to the second test to determine whether any card is only partially on the playing surface. See decision block350. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to the third test to determine whether there is any hole in the puzzle. Undesired holes occur when the cards are placed in such a way that sections of the playing surface show through the puzzle. See decision block352. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to terminal C3. If the answer from any of these tests is YES, the method300proceeds to terminal C2.
From terminal C2(FIG. 3I), the method300proceeds to block354, where the active player corrects the mistake by picking up the most recently placed card, inserting it back into the deck of cards and passing the game to the next player in line. See block354. The method300then loops back to terminal A1where the next player starts his or her turn by picking a card from the deck of cards.
From terminal C3(FIG. 3J), the method300proceeds to test whether any newly formed shape(s) may fit the available point markers. See decision block356. If the answer to the test is YES, the active player places the proper point marker in the shape. See block358. The method300then proceeds to terminal D. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds directly to terminal D.
From terminal D, the method300proceeds to a set of method steps306, defined between a continuation terminal (“terminal E”) and an exit terminal (“terminal F”). The set of method steps306describes the process where the results of the game are determined and the game ends.
From terminal E (FIG. 3K), the method300proceeds to decide whether any player is out of point markers. See decision block362. If the answer is YES, that player is the winner, and the game concludes. See block368. If the answer is NO, the method300proceeds to decide whether the deck of cards or the playing surface has run out. See decision blocks364and366. If the answer to any of the tests in decision blocks364and366is YES, the game ends, and the player who has the highest points is the winner. There can be a tie if two or more players have same points. See block368. If the answers to all the three tests in decision blocks362,364, and366are NO, the game moves on with the next player. The method300proceeds to terminal A1where the next player picks a card to play the game. Various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented also as a video game or a software game that can be played on a computer or a cellular phone.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| 0A
| 63 | F |
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1to3show a circular knitting machine schematically, with a frame1which has a plurality of feet2,3and4(FIG. 3) on which a support ring5(FIGS. 1,2) is carried. The support ring5serves for example for rotational mounting of a needle cylinder6and stationary mounting of a thread guide ring7provided with a plurality of thread guides, a cam box ring8surrounding the needle cylinder6, a plurality of thread feed devices9for feeding threads10to the knitting needles fitted in the needle cylinder6and other components, which are denoted herein as a whole as means for producing hose knitwear.
The feet3and4are spaced angularly about 110° from the foot2in the embodiment while the angular spacing from one another of the feet3,4amounts to about 140° and the feet are arranged a sufficient radial distance from a central machine axis11(FIG. 1) The foot2is a main foot, which serves to receive a drive motor, not shown in detail, or other electrical or electronic components as well as operating elements for the circular knitting machine, while the feet3and4are side feet, which apart from an optionally provided switch unit are free from such components.
Below the support ring5and in the region bounded by the feet2,3and4the frame1comprises a lower support ring12(FIG.3), in which a revolving plate12is mounted rotatably. A take down and/or winding up device generally denoted by the reference numeral15is mounted on the revolving plate14, by means of which the knitwear can be taken down and wound up. In principle it is immaterial whether the knitwear is only taken down or only wound up or taken down and wound up by the device15. The device15can, therefore, also be simply said to be a “knit-wear receiving device” or the like.
A winding up roller16of the device15is shown schematically in each ofFIGS. 3to6and the knitwear produced in the circular knitting machine is wound up on this. Accordingly the angular spacing between the two side feet3,4is so selected at about 140° for example that the winding up roller16can, in the fully wound state, be withdrawn forwardly, for example in the relative position seen inFIG. 3substantially in the direction of an arrow x, i.e. perpendicular to the axos of roller16, between the side feet3,4, and replaced by a new winding up roller16.
The circular knitting machine is further provided with a protective cover17(FIG. 1) which essentially extends from the support ring5down to the lower ends of the feet2,3and4and covers the device15round its outer periphery, in order to avoid injuries to the operator by rotating parts during operation of the circular knitting machine. The protective cover includes, as is explained in more detail below, a plurality of segments18to23, which are movably mounted on a guide24fixed to the frame1(FIG.2).
Circular knitting machines of this kind are generally known to the man skilled in the art (e.g. EP 0 301 658 A2, DE 199 24 217 A1) and therefore do not need to be described in more detail.
In the embodiment of the invention shown schematically inFIGS. 3to6and so far regarded as the best, the protective cover17comprises 6 segments18to23. The two segments18and19are associated with a space25between the feet2and3, the two segments20and21with a space26between the feet3and4and the two segments22and23with a space27between the two feet4and2, in such a manner that these segments18to23completely cover the spaces25to27in question in a closed position seen in FIG.3. Longitudinal edges at the sides (e.g.19b,20aor20b,21a) are preferably opposed, asFIG. 3shows, so as to form such narrow vertical gaps45,46, that it is impossible inadvertently to insert a finger, foot or the like. Moreover the segments18to23are arranged at different radial distances from the machine axis11running perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and denoted by a dot in FIG.3. In particular, the arrangement in the embodiment is such that, starting from the main foot2and as regarded in the clockwise sense, the first, third, fourth and sixth segments18,20,21and23have a greater radial distance from the machine axis11than the second and fifth segments19,22.
The different radial distances of the segments18to23from the machine axis11are so selected that the segments18to23can be displaced relative to one another with at least partial mutual overlapping. By “mutual overlapping” is to be understood for example that the segment20, starting from the closed position according toFIG. 3, can be moved in the peripheral direction (arrow v) and anticlockwise into an open position seen inFIG. 4, in which it is not alongside but is disposed directly in front of the segment19, so that the longitudinal edges19a,19band20a,20bof the two segments19,20adjoin one another in substantially flush pairs. In this position the segment20therefore overlaps the segment19over its whole extent. In a corresponding manner the segment22inFIG. 4is completely overlapped or covered on the outside by the segment21after displacement of the segment21clockwise, i.e. in the direction of an arrow w (FIG.3).
The arrangement according to the invention and ability to shift of the segments18to23with different spacings from the machine axis11makes it possible to open up or cover the spaces25to27entirely as desired. In the closed position according toFIG. 3all three spaces25to27are hermetically closed. InFIG. 4the space26is completely opened, so that the fabric batch wound on the winding up roller16can be removed forwards.FIG. 5shows a position in which the space27is accessible over about half its width. This can be achieved if the segment23is shifted anticlockwise from the closed position according toFIG. 3, until it overlaps the adjacent segment22at least partially or, as shown inFIG. 5, completely. If it is desired to open up the space27over its whole width (FIG.6), the segment20is firstly pushed over the segment19in accordance with FIG.4. Then the segment21is moved in the anticlockwise sense, until it assumes that position which the segment20assumes in FIG.3. The two segments22and23are then shifted in the anticlockwise sense, individually one after the other or even in part together, until they are in that position according toFIG. 6which is shown inFIG. 3for the segment21. The space25can be wholly or partially opened up in analogous manner by shifting the segments18to21.
A high degree of flexibility in opening up or closing the spaces25to27is thus achieved through the arrangement and design according to the invention of the segments18to23of the protective cover17. Although the protective cover17extends right round the machine axis11, any region of the spaces25to27located between the feet2to4can be made partially halfway or completely accessible, depending on requirements. It is possible through this for the operator to create the space necessary for work on the circular knitting machine over the whole periphery of the circular knitting machine, by simple shifting of one of the segments18to23, in order to be able to get at the means necessary for the knitting, such as for example when it is necessary or desired to adjust cam box parts, for threading threads or the like. The free space can amount selectively to about a third or a sixth of the periphery for example.
AsFIGS. 3to6further shown, the arrangement in the embodiment is such that the radial spacings of all segments18to23from the machine axis11are greater than the radial spacings of the radial end surfaces3a,4a(FIG. 6) of the side feet3,4are from the machine axis11. It is thus possible to move the radially inner segments19and22in the peripheral direction past the side feet3,4. The inner segments are moved on a circular track whose radius is at least equal to a circumscribed circle defined by the end surfaces3a,4a. On the other hand it is not necessary in the arrangement shown in the embodiment to arrange the segments18to23with such large radial spacings that they can also be moved past the radially longer main foot2, although this would be possible if necessary.
The ability of the segments18to23to move in the peripheral direction (arrows v and w inFIG. 3) is preferably implemented with the aid of the guide24seen inFIGS. 1 and 2. This is circular and coaxial with the machine axis11and is arranged at such a height that it engages the upper ends of the segments18to23, while lower ends of the segments18to23are preferably supported on the floor by means of rotatable running rollers or wheels28. To this end the guide24, which for example directly adjoins the two side parts of the main foot2and terminates there, is fixed with the aid of support bars29radially arranged on the support ring5.
According toFIGS. 1 and 2the guide24includes a circularly arranged support30rung in the peripheral direction and fixed to the support bars29. This is for example in the form of an I or double T support provided with upper and lower guide parts30a,30beach extending in the peripheral direction. The upper guide part30aserves for mounting and guiding the radially outer segments18,20,21and23, the lower guide part30bcorrespondingly for mounting and guiding the radially inner segments19and22. To this end the radially inner segments19and22are provided at their upper ends with arms31(FIG. 2) projecting radially inwards. The arms31comprise slide elements32which are of U-shaped form, are pushed on to the lower guide part30band embrace this like a clamp. Correspondingly, the radially outer segments18,20,21and23are provided at their upper ends with radially inwardly projecting arms33, which come to lie above the arms31and also comprise U-shaped slide elements34which are pushed on to the upper guide part30aand embrace this like a clamp. The arms33and other sections of the outer segments19,20,21and23are so formed that they lie above the arms31and other sections of the inner segments19,22and can therefore run past these in the described displacement of the segments18to23. Correspondingly the guide elements32,34are so formed and arranged that they do not impede overlapped displacement of the segments18to23. Alternatively it would naturally be possible to arrange the segments18,20,21and22radially inside and the segments19,22radially outside, Moreover the running rollers28could be replaced by suitable guides.
FIG. 7shows schematically an electrical conductor36designed for automatic control of the circular knitting machine, with two terminals37and38. Six switches or contacts38to44are arranged in series circuit in the line36while each switch39to44is associated with one of the segments18to23. The switches39to44are closed, so that current flow through the line36is possible, when all associated segments18to23are in their closed position according to FIG.3. However, if one of the segments18to23is moved at least partially into an open position according toFIGS. 4to6, the switch39to44concerned is opened and current flow through the line36is not possible. The switch situation seen inFIG. 7for example corresponds to the state of the protective cover17shown in FIG.4. If the line36is for example a part of the supply line for the electric drive motor of the circular knitting machine, it is possible to ensure in a simple way that the drive motor can only be switched on when all segments18to23are in their closed position according toFIG. 3The switches39to44can be in the form of mechanical limit switches, magnetic proximity switches or any other.
The invention is not restricted to the described embodiment, which can be modified in many ways. For example it would be possible, in order to cover or open up all or selected spaces25to27between the feet2to4, to provide in each case only a single segment with a width corresponding to the width of the corresponding space. It would further be possible to give the segments19and22such a width in the peripheral direction that, in contrast toFIG. 3, they extend only up to the side feet3,4. However the overlapping shown inFIG. 3offers the additional advantage that no awkward gaps occur between the segments and the side feet, which could be the cause of injuries in the regions accessible to the hands or feet. It is further clear that other advantageous guides could be provided in place of the guide24shown by way of example. In particular, in order to improve the sliding properties of the segments, it is possible to mount the slide elements32,34with the aid of ball or roller bearings on the associated guide parts30a,30b. It would also be possible to arrange the segments at more than two different radial distances from the machine axis11and correspondingly to provide more than two associated guide parts. It would also be conceivable to associate each existing segment with its own guide, such that all segments can be shifted arbitrarily round the periphery of the circular knitting machine and not be limited by bumping into a segment sliding on the same guide part, but at most being restricted in their movement by bumping into the main foot2. Moreover it is clear that the individual segments preferably have an arcuate shape in their lower sections corresponding to a peripheral circle on which they are moved, especially running along cylindrical surfaces, whereas in their upper sections they preferably run along conical surfaces. Alternatively the segments could be provided below the arms31,33with largely vertical or obliquely extending flat sections, in which case the protective cover17.would have a substantially polygonal cross-section. Furthermore the segments could be of different widths, as seen in the peripheral direction, such as is shown inFIG. 3for the segments19to22which are wider as compared segments18and23, especially when the angular spacings of the feet from one another are of different sizes, while of course also more than three feet can naturally be provided. Apart from this, it would be possible to move the individual segments on a circular track whose radius is at the most equal to the radius of an inscribed circle limited by the radially inner lying end surfaces of the feet, insofar as sufficient space is left for this between the feet and the take down and/or winding up device15. Apart from this, solutions are also conceivable in this respect in which the guide24is not fixed or not solely fixed to the frame1. This applies especially in cases in which a circular knitting machine is installed in a separate, narrowly confined space, which is provided for example with pillars, columns or the like enabling fitting the guide, or in which the segments18to23are formed as parts of a barrier grille surrounding the circular knitting machine. Finally it is obvious that the various features could also be used in other than the illustrated and described combinations.
It will be understood, that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a circular knitting machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
| 3D
| 04 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like
components, FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 200, such
as time division multiple access (TDMA) digital radiotelephone system. One
such system is described in Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM),
incorporated herein by reference.
Fixed communication units such as base transceiver stations (BTS) 310, 312,
314 and 317 communicate with a mobile station 316, also referred to as a
mobile unit, operating in within area 320. Areas 322 and 324 are served by
BTSs 314 and 310, respectively while areas 320 and 326 are served by BTSs
312 and 317 respectively. BTSs 310 and 314 are coupled to a base station
controller (BSC), 351, which includes, among other things, a processor 262
and a memory 264, and which is in turn coupled to a mobile switching
center (MSC) 354, also including a processor 262 and a memory 264.
Similarly, BTSs 312 and 317 are coupled to BSC 350 which includes, among
other things, a processor 262 and a memory 264 which in turn is coupled to
MSC 354. BSC 350 is in communication with BSC 351 via MSC 354. BTSs 310,
312, 314, 317, and BSC 350 and 351 may be referred to as a base station
system (BSS). A BSS may also be defined as a single BSC and its associated
BTSs. BSS MSC 354 is coupled to public switched telephone network (PSTN)
380.
Wireless communication between BTSs 310, 312, 314, and 317 and mobile
station 316 occurs via radio frequency (RF) channels which provide
physical paths over which digital communication signals such as voice and
data are transmitted. Base-to-mobile station communications are said to
occur on a down-link channel, while mobile-to-base station communications
are referred to as being on an up-link channel.
As shown in FIG. 1, a communication signal, 313 has been transmitted on a
down-link channel such as a traffic channel, by base station 312 to mobile
station 316. Additionally, a communication signal 315, has been
transmitted on an up-link channel such as a traffic channel by mobile
station 316 in response to communication signal 313 from base station 312.
Wireless communication system 200 provides a number of logical channels
(not shown) which are separated into two categories, traffic channels and
signaling channels. The traffic channels are intended to carry encoded
speech and data. The signaling channels are intended for carrying
signaling information for circuit switching, mobile management, or channel
configuration management, and include broadcast control channels, common
control channels, and dedicated control channels which are defined as
point-to-point bi-directional control channels.
The dedicated control channels (DCCH) can be further broken down into
various types, based upon their bit rates, such as the stand-alone DCCH
(SDCCH) whose allocation is not linked to a traffic channel, and the slow
associated control channel (SACCH) which is allocated in conduction with a
traffic channel. The control channels are primarily used to provide active
mobile stations with a continuous means of communicating across the
base-station-to-mobile-unit interface.
The downlink SACCH messages include, among other things, information to
mobile units for the power level to be used to maintain the quality of the
communication links (RF power control) and ordered timing advance. The
up-link SACCH contains the actual mobile stations' power level, as well as
the actual timing advance.
Any change of channel, including handover, associated with communication
signals 313 or 315, is coordinated by BSC 350 based on measurements (not
shown) provided by BTS 312. These measurements are sent on a continuous
basis by mobile station 316 via the SACCH associated with the traffic
channel on the up-link communication signal 315 between mobile station 316
and BTS 312. When BSC 350 determines that handover of mobile station 316
may be required, it sends handover instructions (not shown) to mobile
station 316 via down-link communication signal 313. The handover
instructions generally include a Handover Command which contains a target
channel with associated channel characteristics as well as other handover
information. Mobile station 316 uses the handover instructions to handover
its communication signal(s), for example 313 and 315, from BTS 312 to a
target base station such as 310, handover execution being well know in the
art.
Under nominal conditions, the integrity on the down-link and up-link
channels is maintained long enough to facilitate normal handover of
communication signals 313 and 315 associated with mobile station 316 to a
new channel, for example, from a channel associated with base transceiver
station 312 to a channel associated with base transceiver station 310.
However, there may be periods of sustained communication link
interruption. Thus, if BTS 312 attempts to send handover instructions such
as a Handover Command, to mobile station 316, the command may fail to
reach mobile station 316 due to a systemized interruption
In general, the parameters that govern the failure of down-link and up-link
channels, are set such that release of a channel will not nominally occur
until the call has degraded to a quality below that which mobile station
316 would have released the channels. Thus, until the forced release
occurs, the mobile continues to transmit on the up-link channel.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, upon allocation of a
channel, including a down-link channel (not shown) associated with
communication signal 313 and an up-link channel (not shown) associated
with communication signal 315, between BTS 312 and mobile communication
unit 316, a list 370 is provided to mobile communication unit 316 by BTS
312. List 370 is composed of reserved traffic channels associated with
neighboring BTSs such as BTSs 310, 314 and 317.
List 370, may be initially provided by BSC 350 to BTS 312, which sends it
to mobile unit 316 on an as needed or asynchronous basis via the down-link
SACCH associated with the traffic channel conveying communication signal
313. List 370 may provide the identity of "source" BTS 312 as well as the
identity of reserved traffic channels associated with candidate target
BTSs such as 314, 317 and 310.
Mobile station 316 retains list 370 to be used if an inadvertent loss of a
communication link or signal, occurs between mobile station 316 and BTS
312. In the event of an inadvertent loss of communication signal 313
associated with the down-link channel between BTS 312 and mobile station
316, mobile station 316 may select a reserved traffic channel from list
370, the reserved traffic channel associated with a target base station
such as BTS 310.
As mobile unit 316 moves through wireless communication system 200, list
370 is updated to reflect desired neighboring BTSs as well as potential
reserved traffic channels associated with the preferred neighboring BTSs.
The preferred neighboring BTSs are, typically a subset of neighbor BTSs
proximate to a source BTS such as BTS 312. Therefore each BTS has a list
of neighboring BTSs as well as a corresponding list of reserved traffic
channels associated with each of the neighboring BTSs. List 370 is
periodically or asynchronously updated as the channel reservations change.
When mobile 316 is assigned a new source BTS, or when a reservation update
occurs which relates to mobile station 316 list of preferred neighbors, a
unique message (not shown) is sent to mobile station 316. The unique
message may be carried on the down-link channel and serves to provide
mobile station 316 with list 370 as well as the unique identity descubing
the call connection of it's current source BTS.
In an alternate embodiment, the list may be composed of the same traffic
channels reserved in all BTS's, or a single traffic channel consistently
reserved in each BTS, the reserved channels allocated to receive the
transferred communication signal from a source BTS, when the communication
signal is in jeopardy of dropping as described above.
The reserved traffic channels could be allocated by the base station system
or the MSC in order to provide mobile stations with alternate
communication channels in the event of an inadvertent loss of the
communication signal with a source base station.
In the event of a communication link interruption to mobile station 316
communication signals 313 or 315 on the down-link or up-link channels,
respectively, actions may be taken by the base station system and/or
mobile station 316 to mitigate a dropped call.
In the case of the communication link interruption being detected by the
base station system, BSC 350 may notify candidate target BTSs 310, 317 and
314 via base station controllers 350 or 351, to enable or key-up according
to well known methods, their reserved traffic channels included on list
370. The direction to key-up reserved traffic channels in anticipation of
receiving the communication signal associated with mobile unit 316 may
occur at the first sign of a significant interruption to communication
signal 315 or, after a predetermined time following the first sign of a
significant interruption to communication signal 315, the predetermined
time allowing for possible signal recovery. The significant signal
interruption to communication signal 315, could include, for example, an
inability to decode SACCH frames on the up-link and/or downlink, or a
signal-to-noise ratio which falls below a predetermined threshold.
The period of time between the first sign of a significant interruption to
communication signal 315 associated with the up-link, and the subsequent
transfer of communication signal 315 to a target BTS such as BTS 310, may
be monitored by a timer 360. Timer 360 may be located in BTS 312 or BSC
350, the construction and operation of suitable timers being well known in
the art. It is contemplated that timer 360 may be implemented in software
or hardware.
In the case of the communication link interruption being detected by mobile
station 316 via the down-link channel associated with communication signal
313, mobile station 316 monitors an interval beginning with the first sign
of a significant signal interruption. The interval is monitored using a
timer, such as timer 362, implemented according to well-known methods i n
hardware or software. After a predetermined period of time, mobile station
316 initiates the transfer of communication signal 313, from BTS 312 to
the preferred neighbor BTS having a keyed-up reserved traffic channel
selected from list 370. Mobile station 316 tunes to the selected reserved
traffic channel frequency and timeslot to establish a connection. If a
connection cannot be established on the first attempt, mobile station 316
will try tuning to other reserved traffic channel(s) associated with a
subset of preferred neighboring BTS's. It should be noted that the
predetermined period of time associated with timer 362 may be selected so
as to prevent premature transfer of communication signal 313 from a source
BTS such as BTS 312 to a target BTS such as BTS 310.
When the transfer of communication signal 313 from BTS 312 to BTS 310 or
another unique call identifier is successfully completed, mobile unit 316
will transmit the unique identity of BTS 312 to BTS 310. BTS 310 will
initiate, the tear down implemented according to methods well-known in the
art.
In a alternate embodiment, reserved traffic channels are permanently
keyed-up at each BTS when communication system 200 is enabled.
Consequently, as soon as mobile unit 316 experiences a significant signal
interruption, with or without signaling from BTS 312, it is able to
capture a reserved traffic channel, and handover communication signal 313
after a predetermined time. For example, in a TDMA system, a BCCH could be
used for the reserved traffic channel since this channel is keyed up
anyway.
The Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), a TDMA system has been
specifically referred to herein, but the present invention is applicable
to any digital system, including but not limited to all TDMA systems such
as, Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), a Japanese TDMA system, and Interim
standard 54 (IS-54), a U. S. TDMA system, and Interim Standard 95A (IS
95A), a CDMA system.
The principles of the present invention which apply to a cellular-based
digital communication system also apply to other types of communication
systems, including but not limited to personal communication systems,
trunked systems, satellite systems and data networks. Likewise, the
principles of the present invention which apply to all types of digital
radio frequency channels also apply to other types of communication
channels, such as electronic data buses, wireline channels, optical fiber
links and satellite links.
It will furthermore be apparent that other forms of the invention, and
embodiments other than the specific embodiments described above, may be
devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims
and their equivalents, and therefore it is intended that the scope of this
invention will only be governed by the following claims and their
equivalents. | 7H
| 04 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1shows the harvesting attachment of the present disclosure for a harvesting vehicle, which was fabricated of aluminum by means of a metal casting method. As can also be taken fromFIGS. 2 and 3, the harvesting attachment comprises a frame1which consists of a plurality of at least partly identical segments2. The entire frame1and also the individual segments2have an L-shaped angular shape, wherein the first, longer leg16is oriented in vertical direction and the second, shorter leg15extends in a horizontally extending plane. The segments2are mounted one beside the other in direction of the longitudinal axis of the entire frame1. At about the middle of the longitudinal extension of the frame1, a holding fixture4is disposed, which is characterized by a broad opening inside the surface of the longer leg16. The holding fixture4serves to mount the harvesting attachment on a corresponding counter-point of a suitable harvesting vehicle.
The front wall of the frame1furthermore includes a plurality of recesses3, which are required due to the employed casting method of the frame1or the segments2. In the interior of the frame1or the segments2a cavity is disposed, to which reference will be made in the succeeding part of the description with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5. Since the recesses3on the front wall9of the frame1can lead to disadvantages during the working operation, such as the accumulation of crops or small parts in the cavity of the segments2or the frame1, two sheets7mounted one beside the other are mounted on the front wall9of the frame1, as shown inFIG. 2. The attachment is effected via a rivet connection or screw connection8.
FIG. 3shows a perspective rear view of the harvesting attachment of the present disclosure. Reference numeral10indicates the rear wall of the frame1or the individual segments2. Each individual segment2comprises four orifices5laterally at the rear wall10, which serve for simplified assembly of two adjacent segments2. It is imaginable that the side walls14of the segments2are connected with each other via screw connections. The orifices5, which in simplified form represent a rectangular recess of the rear wall10or front wall9of the segments2or of the frame1, provide for easy access to the screw connection of two segments2.
To mount the harvesting attachment of the present disclosure to a corresponding harvesting vehicle, the frame1is held by the harvesting vehicle via the rear side10of the frame1by means of the corresponding holding fixture4and suitably fixed.
FIGS. 4a,4bshow detailed representations of an individual segment2in a perspective front and rear view. The L-shaped angular shape of the segment2mentioned above is illustrated again, wherein the front wall9of the segment2includes recesses3both in the region of the longer leg16and in the region of the shorter leg15. On the two side walls14of the segment2further recesses are also provided. In addition, each segment2includes tubular through openings11,12, wherein the first through opening11extends from one side wall14to the opposite side wall14of the leg15. The second tubular through opening12extends in the upper region of the longer leg16from one side wall14to the opposite side wall14. The through openings11,12additionally serve to accommodate all lines required for actuation of the harvesting attachment and the components arranged thereon by the harvesting machine. Through the recesses3, a first view of the cavity is offered, which is enclosed and defined by the entire outer wall of the L-shaped segment2. The struts contained therein will now be explained more concretely with reference toFIG. 5.
FIG. 5shows a two-dimensional side view of the L-shaped segment2. In detail, the Figure shows a view of the side wall14of the segment2, which in the upper region includes the tubular through opening12, a plurality of recesses3and in the lower part, i.e. in the shorter leg15, the second tubular through opening11. Furthermore, a plurality of bores13can be seen on each side wall14, which serve for accommodating the screw connection during the attachment of two segments2.
FIG. 5ashows a section along the cutting axis D-D. Said cutting axis extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the longer leg16. Reference numeral3symbolizes the recesses of the front wall9of the segment2. The cavity of the segment2, which is enclosed by the entire outer wall, i.e. front wall9, rear wall10and both side walls14, includes the cross struts20. These cross struts20extend substantially horizontal and vertical with respect to the side walls14from the rear wall10to the front wall9. Moreover, longitudinal struts30are additionally arranged in the cavity of the segment2, which extend substantially vertical, i.e. parallel to the side walls14, from the apex of the L-shaped segment2to the upper end of the longer leg16. The longitudinal struts30are configured with such a width that they likewise connect the front wall9and the rear wall10of the longer leg16with each other along their axis of extension.
FIG. 5bshows a section along the cutting line C-C ofFIG. 5. There are also shown the longitudinal struts30extending along the longitudinal axis of the longer leg16. In addition, further cross struts20are shown, which like the cross struts20fromFIG. 5aare disposed in the cavity with the same orientation. The cross struts20fromFIGS. 5aand5bcan either be regarded as an individual broad cross strut20, which extends between the side walls14and includes recesses, so that optically individual cross struts20are obtained, or they can be regarded as a plurality of, and in one embodiment three, individual cross struts20. This means that the cavity of the leg16each includes three cross struts20, which are located on different planes transverse to the vertical axis of extension of the longer leg16.
FIG. 5cshows a further cross-section along the cutting line B-B of the segment2, which extends through the lower, shorter leg15. Since no significant forces are built up in the lower leg15of the segment2during operation of the harvesting attachment, a system of struts inside the cavity for stabilizing the frame1can be omitted or neglected. In the sectional representation, the tubular through opening11is shown in detail, which extends continuously from one side wall14to the opposite side wall14of the segment.
A last sectional representation is shown inFIG. 5d, which shows a cross-section along the cutting axis F-F ofFIG. 5.FIG. 5din detail offers a view of the rear wall10of the longer leg16of the segment2. In the upper region of the rear wall10the tubular through opening12is disposed, which extends from the left side wall14to the right side wall14. Furthermore, three mounting surfaces5or orifices5each are shown on the side walls14, which ensure an easier assembly or connection of the individual segments2. Engagement in these mounting surfaces or orifices5is possible to release a screw connection of the two side faces14from two segments or fix the same. Likewise, the respective three cross struts20are shown again inFIG. 5d, which extend on different planes vertical to the vertical axis of extension of the leg or of the side walls14. Furthermore, exactly three longitudinal struts30are shown, which extend in the cavity of the longer leg16of the segment2from the lower region, i.e. the apex of the L-shape, to the upper end of the leg16parallel to the side face14. The longitudinal struts30are configured such that on the one hand they are arranged on the rear wall10and on the other hand are firmly connected with the front wall9not shown inFIG. 5d.
InFIG. 6, the frame1of the present disclosure is used to hold a cutting unit100for a non-illustrated combine-harvester. Due to the inventive construction of the frame1, as explained in detail in the preceding paragraph of the description, the cutting unit or the harvesting attachment can be dimensioned broader and larger, whereby a more efficient way of working is obtained for the user. The considerable reduction of weight of the harvesting attachment of the present disclosure on the one hand results in an essential advantage during use of the harvesting attachment, and on the other hand both the transport and the assembly and production of such harvesting attachment are greatly simplified. For example, the construction of the harvesting attachment in accordance with the present disclosure can provide a weight saving of about 40% as compared to a harvesting attachment known according to the prior art. Despite the considerable material savings, the construction in accordance with the present disclosure leads to no impairments with respect to the stability of the harvesting attachment. Moreover, the weight saving results in secondary aspects not to be underestimated. For example, the drive sources of the harvesting vehicle and the fuel reservoir thereof can be dimensioned smaller for operating the harvesting attachment of the present disclosure, which consequently involves further cost savings.
| 0A
| 01 | D |
Embodiments of the disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A low power receiver is provided that accommodates the receipt of a data signal that has a wide range of possible binary high voltages. For example, in one embodiment, a first binary state for the input signal (e.g., its binary high value) may range from 0.5 V to 0.9V. The following discussion will assume that the first binary state is a binary high (logic one) state but it will be appreciated that a positive voltage for the input signal may represent a logic zero value in alternative implementations. The binary high voltage (the voltage state representing a binary one) for the input signal is denoted herein as voltage input high (VIH), which may have a range of 2:1 (or more) from its lowest value in a low voltage signaling mode as compared to its highest value in a high voltage signaling mode. For example, a DRAM device may present such a wide VIH input voltage range when operating according to a low power double data rate (LPDDR) standard but it will be appreciated that the receiver disclosed herein is not limited to the receiving of an LPDDR input signal.
Given this wide input signal voltage range, one approach has been to receive such input signals using an inverter constructed of thick-oxide transistors. But the resulting input receiver has difficulty achieving a high speed of operation. Moreover, the PMOS transistor in the inverter in such conventional receivers (regardless of the oxide thickness) will tend to needlessly discharge current during a low voltage mode operation for the input signal (this mode of operation will be referred to herein as the low VIH mode for brevity). It is preferable to instead construct the inverter using thin-oxide transistors for high-speed operation but the resulting inverter may then be stressed by the high voltage mode of operation for the input signal (this mode of operation will be referred to herein as the high VIH mode for brevity). To prevent this stress, the disclosed receiver includes a pass transistor for passing the input signal to the inverter during the low VIH mode. A control circuit controls the gate of the pass transistor to control whether the pass transistor passes or blocks the input high signal. In particular, the control circuit maintains the pass transistor on while VIH is in the low VIH mode. Thus, during the low VIH mode in which VIH equals a low voltage, the pass transistor passes the input signal to the inverter. If the input signal switches to the high VIH mode in which VIH equals a high voltage, the control circuit switches the pass transistor off. The pass transistor functions to pass the input signal in both the low VIH mode and in the high VIH mode when the input signal is a binary zero (ground).
During the high VIH mode in which VIH equals the high voltage, the input signal instead drives the input of the inverter through the source of a source follower transistor. The source follower transistor introduces a threshold drop in its source voltage such that the thin-oxide devices in the inverter are not stressed despite the receipt of the high voltage input signal. The resulting receiver thus maintains the advantage of high-speed operation for its inverter without any voltage stress from the high VIH mode. An example input receiver100is shown inFIG. 1. An inverter125includes a thin-oxide PMOS transistor P2having its source tied to a power supply node for a receiver power supply voltage VDDIO that is independent of VIH for an input signal110. Inverter125also includes a thin-oxide NMOS transistor M4having its drain coupled to a drain for transistor P2. These drains form an output node for inverter125. The gates for transistors P2and M4form an input node for inverter125. The source of transistor M4couples to ground.
An NMOS pass transistor M1passes input signal110during the low VIH mode as controlled by a control circuit130. In one implementation, control circuit130includes an inverter formed by a PMOS transistor P1having its source coupled to a stable power supply voltage node supplying a stable power supply voltage VDDPX. An example of such a stable power supply voltage VDDPX is used by the LPDDR4 standard, in which case VDDPX is guaranteed to be approximately 1.1V. In an LPDDR embodiment, VDDPX may thus also be denoted as a stable LPDDR power supply voltage. This stable power supply voltage may be provided by, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) (not illustrated) to both input receiver100and to an external DRAM (also not illustrated) driving input signal110to receiver100. In general, VDDPX should be a stable power supply voltage that is as least as high as VIH is during the high VIH mode. The drain of transistor P1couples to an NMOS transistor M3having its source coupled to ground. The drains for transistors P1and M3are coupled to the gate of the pass transistor M1. During the low VIH mode, transistor P1is switched on such that the gate of pass transistor M1is charged to VDDPX. In the low VIH mode, pass transistor M1passes input signal110without any threshold voltage drop to the gates of transistors P2and M4in inverter125. Inverter125thus receives input signal110through pass transistor M1during the low VIH mode. Should VIH switch to the high VIH mode, transistor M3in control circuit130switches on to ground the gate of pass transistor M1to block pass transistor M1from passing input signal110to inverter125.
A source follower transistor such as an NMOS source follower transistor M2functions during the high VIH mode to drive inverter125with a threshold-voltage-reduced version of input signal110. In particular, a source of source follower transistor M2couples to the input of inverter125whereas its drain couples to a power supply node supplying the receiver power supply voltage VDDIO. Input signal110drives the gate of source follower transistor M2. During the low VIH mode, pass transistor M1functions to drive the source of source follower transistor M2with input signal110such that the gate-to-source voltage of source follower transistor M2is essentially zero during the low VIH mode. Source follower transistor M2is thus shut off during the low VIH mode. But during the high VIH mode, the gate-to-source voltage of source follower transistor M2exceeds its threshold voltage such that source follower transistor M2passes a threshold-voltage-reduced version of input signal110to the input of inverter125. In this fashion, the input of inverter125is never exposed to a voltage approximately greater than the low VIH value of VIH regardless of whether input signal110is driven in the low VIH mode or the high VIH mode. Transistor P2and M4in inverter125may thus comprise thin-oxide transistors (core devices), which advantageously enhances high-speed operation. Since transistors P1, M3, M1, and M2are exposed to the high VIH value and/or VDDPX, these transistors may comprise thick-oxide transistors. The gate oxide thickness for such transistors is greater than the gate oxide thickness used in thin-oxide transistors.
A second inverter105powered by VDDIO inverts the output from inverter125to produce an output signal120for receiver100. Inverter125may thus also be denoted as a first inverter. To assist the pull-up of the output for inverter125in either the low or high VIH mode, output signal120drives a gate of a half-latch PMOS transistor P3having its source coupled to the receiver power supply node supplying VDDIO and its drain coupled to the output of inverter125(and hence to the input of second inverter105). As output signal120discharges towards ground, half-latch transistor P3is thus switched on to charge the input of second inverter125towards VDDIO, which further reinforces the discharge of output signal120.
In one embodiment, pass transistor M1and control circuit130may be deemed to comprise a means for passing input signal110to an input of the inverter125responsive to a binary high value of input signal110equaling a low voltage and for blocking input signal110from passing to the input of the inverter125responsive to the binary high value of input signal110equaling a high voltage, wherein the high voltage is greater than the low voltage.
If the receiver power supply voltage VDDIO does not substantially exceed the low value for VIH, transistor P2will be firmly off when the input signal110is charged to VIH in the low VIH mode. But note that is conventional for a device such as an SOC including receiver100to have multiple operating modes in which the supply voltage is varied to save power. In particular, the receiver power supply voltage VDDIO may be roughly equal to the low value for VIH during a low power mode for receiver100whereas it may instead be roughly equal to the high value for VIH during a high power mode for receiver100. These modes of operation for receiver100are independent of whether the external source such as a DRAM drives input signal110according to the low VIH mode or the high VIH mode. It thus may be the case that receiver100is operating in a high power mode in which the receiver power supply voltage VDDIO is substantially greater than VIH during the VIH low mode. To prevent undesirable current discharge through PMOS transistor P2when VIH is in the binary high state in such a combination of modes, receiver100may be modified as shown for a receiver200inFIG. 2.
In particular, the source of PMOS transistor P2in receiver200couples to the VDDIO power supply node through an NMOS transistor M8having its gate driven by a VDDPX-level enable signal en. The enable signal en is driven high to VDDPX while receiver200operates in either the high power or low power modes. Thus, should receiver200be operating in the high power mode, transistor M8will drop this high value for VDDIO by its threshold voltage to drive the source of transistor P2with this reduced power supply voltage. In an embodiment in which the high power mode value for VDDIO is approximately 1.1 V and the low value for VIH in the low VIH mode is 0.5 V, the source of transistor P2in inverter125will thus be charged to approximately the low value of VIH due to the threshold drop across transistor M8. VIH in the low VIH mode will thus be a strong one to the gate of transistor P2such that transistor P2is fully off and not conducting current during the low VIH mode. Similarly, VIH in the high VIH mode will also be reduced by source follower transistor M2such that transistor P2is also fully off during the high VIH mode.
To ensure that the devices in receiver200are in known states during a reset or inactive period for receiver200in which the enable signal en is grounded, the drain of source follower transistor M2may couple to the VDDIO power supply node through an NMOS transistor M6having its gate also driven by the enable signal en. Thus when the enable signal en is grounded, source follower transistor M2is safely isolated from the receiver power supply node. Similarly, the enable signal also drives the gate of a PMOS transistor P5having its source tied to the receiver power supply node and its drain coupled to the input of second inverter105. Thus, when the enable signal en is discharged during an inactive period for receiver200, output signal120will always be discharged.
A complement of the enable signal en (enp) is charged to VDDPX during the inactive period and discharged while the enable signal en is charged to VDDPX. The complement enable signal enp drives a gate of an NMOS transistor M9having its source coupled to ground and its drain coupled to the gate of pass transistor M1. The pass transistor M1will thus be switched off during the inactive period due to its gate being discharged through transistor M9. Similarly, another NMOS transistor M7has its gate driven by the complement enable signal enp. The source of transistor M7couples to ground and its drain coupled to the input to inverter125. Thus, the input to inverter125is discharged through transistor M7during the inactive period. In addition, the complement enable signal enb drives a gate of a PMOS transistor P4having its source coupled to the VDDPX power supply node and its drain coupled to the source of transistor P1. Transistor P1will thus be isolated from the VDDPX power supply voltage during the inactive period.
To assist that a duty factor of output signal120achieves a desired 50/50 duty cycle when consecutive binary ones and zeroes are driven through receiver200, the source of transistor M4couples to ground through an NMOS transistor M5having its source coupled to ground. Transistor M5acts to provide a relatively small amount of resistance such that transistor M4cannot discharge the input to inverter105as strongly as it would if instead the source of transistor M4coupled directly to ground. This resistance improves the duty cycle of output signal120. The enable signal en drives the gate of transistor M4so that it is active during normal operation.
A method of operation of receiver100will now be discussed with regard to the flowchart ofFIG. 3, The method begins with act300of, responsive to a low voltage for an input signal, controlling a pass transistor to pass the input signal to an input of an inverter. The passing of input signal120through pass transistor M1during the low VIH mode of operation as discussed with regard to receiver100ofFIG. 1is an example of act300.
The method also includes an act305of, responsive to a high voltage for the input signal, switching off the pass transistor to prevent the pass transistor from passing the input signal to the input of the inverter. The switching off of pass transistor M1during the high VIH mode of operation as discussed with regard to receiver100ofFIG. 1is an example of act305.
Finally, the method includes an act310of further responsive to the high voltage for the input signal, switching on a source follower transistor to pass a threshold-voltage-reduced version of the input signal to the input of the inverter, wherein the high voltage is greater than the low voltage. The passing of a threshold-voltage-reduced version of the input signal by source follower transistor M2as discussed with regard to receiver100ofFIG. 1is an example of act310.
As those of some skill in this art will by now appreciate and depending on the particular application at hand, many modifications, substitutions and variations can be made in and to the materials, apparatus, configurations and methods of use of the devices of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. In light of this, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to that of the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein, as they are merely by way of some examples thereof, but rather, should be fully commensurate with that of the claims appended hereafter and their functional equivalents.
| 6G
| 11 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference toFIG. 1, there is shown the hook member1in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hook member1may be fabricated from any suitable material. Preferably, but not necessarily, the hook member1may be fabricated from ⅜ inch diameter stainless steel, which is fabricated to form a unique predetermined configuration.
The hook member1comprises a sharp or tapered end portion2at the end of a hook portion3leading to a corner portion4, which in turn is connected to a hook portion5, connected to a hook portion6extending to a handle corner portion7that is connected to a handle portion8, extending to a handle corner portion9, which in turn is connected to an end portion10.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the sharp or tapered end portion2has a tapered end in the range of a 30° to 45° taper.
It should also be noted that there is a predetermined angle between hook portion5and hook portion6.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the hook member is formed from a 13-inch long stainless steel rod having a ⅜ inch diameter. As such, the approximate distance between corner portions4and7is 5 inches; and the approximate distance between handle corner portions7and9is 4⅜ inches.
It is important to note that there is provided a predetermined opening11between the tapered end portion2and the end portion10.
With reference toFIG. 2, there is shown the strap member12, which preferably, but not necessarily, is fabricated from nylon. The end portions of the strap webbing are folded back and sewn at15,16,17,18,19,20,21and22to provide loops23and24in the end of the webbing for insertion therethrough of the handle portion8of the hook member1.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the strap member12is fabricated from a webbing which is approximately 21-inches in length, and approximately 2-inches in width. The stitching portions15,16,17,18,19,20,21and22aid in forming the two loops23and24to accommodate the passage therethrough of the handle portion8of the hook member1.
The tapered end portion2of the hook member1may be passed through the flesh of the nostril of the game30(as shown inFIG. 3) or large fish31(as shown inFIG. 8), or on heavier game, in the roof of the mouth up through the cartilage of the game.
The nylon strap member12acts as a handle, and also as an attachment to connect the hook member1to an ATV32(as shown inFIG. 4), and also to attach the hook member1to a meat pole33to hang the game thereon (as shown inFIG. 5), and also for attaching the hook member1to a saddle horn34for packing out meat (as shown inFIG. 7).
It should be noted that the foregoing description is for illustrative purposes only, and not for limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be understood, that various modifications will occur to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to others without departing from the scope of the present invention.
| 0A
| 01 | M |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1shows the illustration of an exemplary embodiment in which a filter element is upstream of the filling lines of pressure chambers of a pressure booster. From this illustration, a fuel injection system1can be seen, which is acted upon, via a high-pressure source, not shown inFIG. 1, with fuel that is at high pressure. The high-pressure source is connected to a high-pressure connection2of a high-pressure line3and acts directly upon a work chamber15of a pressure booster13, without throttling.
From the high-pressure line3, a line portion4in which a filter element5is received branches off. In comparison to the volumetric flow of fuel that flows through the high-pressure line3to the work chamber15of the pressure booster13, the fuel volume that passes through the line portion4is slight.
After passing through the filter element5, the volumetric flow of fuel passing through the line portion4flows to the parallel-connected flow conduits10,20and23.
Via the first flow conduit10, which includes a check valve11, there is a flow connection between the line portion4, containing the filter element5, and the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13. Via a second flow conduit20, in which a filling valve6is disposed, there is a flow connection between the line portion4, containing the filter element5, and a differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13. A restoring spring18is disposed in the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13and acts upon a pistonlike boosting element14, embodied in one piece in the illustration inFIG. 1. Connected parallel to the second flow conduit20is a third flow conduit23, which includes a throttle restriction12, so that the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13can be acted upon with fuel via the parallel-connected flow conduits20and23.
The pressure booster13, which is actuatable by means of a pressure relief of the differential pressure chamber16, is activated and deactivated via a switching valve21that can be embodied as a magnet valve. The switching valve21communicates with a low-pressure-side return24, which discharges into a fuel tank, not shown inFIG. 1, of a vehicle.
An inlet or outlet22, through which the flow can be in the inflow direction or the outflow direction—relative to a fuel injector26—extends from the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13. The inlet or outlet22changes over into a high-pressure line25with which the fuel, brought to an elevated pressure level in accordance with the dimensioning of the pressure booster13, is delivered to the fuel injector26.
From the high-pressure line25, an inlet throttle30that acts on a control chamber29of the fuel injector26branches off. The inlet throttle30is integrated with an injector body27of the fuel injector26. Through the inlet throttle30, the control chamber29of the fuel injector26is filled with fuel. A pressure relief of the control chamber29is effected via an outlet throttle31, whose closing member, not shown inFIG. 1, that closes the control chamber29can be actuated via a further switching valve32. The further switching valve32may be embodied as a magnet valve or as a piezoelectric actuator. The fuel entering the control chamber29via the inlet throttle30acts upon an end face33of an injection valve member28, which is received movably in the injector body27of the fuel injector26. The injection valve member28is preferably embodied as a nozzle needle. A nozzle spring chamber34is also disposed in the injector body27. A spring element35is received in the nozzle spring chamber34, which is formed on one side by the wall of the injector body27and on the other by an annular face36of the injection valve member28. From the nozzle spring chamber34of the injector body27, upon a vertically upward-oriented opening motion of the injection valve member28, a fuel volume flows via the differential pressure chamber34to the low-pressure side of the fuel injection system1.
The high-pressure line25, which can be acted upon via the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13, discharges at an orifice41into a nozzle chamber37, embodied in the injector body27of the fuel injector26. In the region of the nozzle chamber37, the injection valve member28includes a frustoconical pressure shoulder38. From the nozzle chamber37, the fuel, delivered to it via the orifice41, flows, via an annular gap embodied on the end toward the combustion chamber of the fuel injector26, to injection openings39, by way of which the fuel, which is at high pressure, is delivered to a combustion chamber40of an internal combustion engine. On the end of the fuel injector26toward the combustion chamber, one or more injection openings39may be embodied. The injection openings39may also be embodied annularly, in rings that are concentric to one another, on the end toward the combustion chamber of the fuel injector26, so that uniform atomization of the fuel that is at high pressure is assured upon injection into the combustion chamber40of the engine.
Via the fuel source, not shown inFIG. 1, communicating at the high-pressure connection2with the high-pressure line3, the fuel is present without throttling by a filter element in the work chamber15of the pressure booster13. The spring18integrated with the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13tends to keep the pistonlike boosting element14in its position of repose. The pressure booster13is activated by opening of the switching valve21. When the differential pressure chamber relief line19is made to communicate with the low-pressure-side return24, fuel flows out of the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13. Because of the high pressure prevailing in the work chamber15, the pistonlike boosting element14moves into the high-pressure chamber17. Because of the pistonlike boosting element14, in accordance with the design of the pressure booster13, an increased fuel pressure results in the high-pressure chamber17, and this fuel pressure is delivered via the inlet or outlet22, as applicable, to the fuel injector26or its control chamber29and its nozzle chamber37. During the injection event, the fuel flows unthrottled, without filtering, via the high-pressure line3to the work chamber15of the pressure booster13. The fuel compressed in the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13is injected. After the termination of the injection event, a restoring motion of the pistonlike boosting element14into its position of repose is effected, because of the actuation of the switching valve21and by means of the spring18that is let into the differential pressure chamber16. During the injection event, the check valve11disposed in the first flow conduit10prevents fuel, which is at elevated pressure, from flowing back into the line portion4, containing the filter element5, that branches off from the high-pressure line3. During the restoring motion of the pistonlike boosting element14, fuel flows into the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13to replenish it, via the first flow conduit10that is downstream of the filter element5. Simultaneously, via the second flow conduit20containing the filling valve6and via the third flow conduit23, containing the throttle restriction12and connected parallel to the second flow conduit20, fuel filtered by the filter element5in the line portion4flows into the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13to replenish it. Thus all the components of the fuel injector located downstream of the pressure booster13, and in particular both the inlet throttle30and the outlet throttle31, as well as the nozzle chamber37in the injector body27and the injection openings39on the end of the fuel injector26toward the combustion chamber are acted upon only by filtered fuel.
From the illustration inFIG. 2, a further exemplary embodiment can be seen, in which a filter element is disposed upstream of a switching valve that actuates the pressure booster.
In the variant embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the high-pressure line3is acted upon by fuel at high pressure from a high-pressure reservoir43(common rail). The fuel at high pressure enters the high-pressure line3at the high-pressure connection2and flows, unthrottled, via the high-pressure line to the work chamber15of the pressure booster13. A larger volumetric flow of fuel flows in the high-pressure line3from the common rail43to the work chamber15, compared to the volumetric flow of fuel that passes through the line portion4that receives the filter element5. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, the line portion4acts as the supply line to the switching valve21that activates the pressure booster13. The switching valve21includes a connection to the low-pressure-side return24on one side and an overflow line42on the other; as indicated by the double arrows inFIG. 2, fuel can flow through the overflow line in both directions, depending on the switching position of the switching valve21. In the view shown inFIG. 2, the pistonlike boosting element14of the pressure booster13is embodied in two parts. Via the overflow line42, the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13is acted upon by fuel at high pressure. The spring element18is let into the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13and keeps the pistonlike boosting element14in its position of repose. The pistonlike boosting element14acts with its end face remote from the work chamber15upon the high-pressure chamber17. From the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13, the high-pressure line25extends to the nozzle chamber37and discharges into it at the orifice41. In addition, the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13is in communication with a filling line44, via a refilling branch45. Via the filling line44, the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13and the control chamber29of the fuel injector26communicate fluidically with one another. Unlike the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, the spring element35is let into the control chamber29of the fuel injector26as shown inFIG. 2, the spring element is braced on a boundary face of the control chamber29and acts on the end face36of the injection valve member28, which can be embodied as a nozzle needle. The inlet throttle30is integrated with the filling line44, while the refilling branch, which connects the high-pressure chamber17with the filling line44, contains both the outlet throttle31, for pressure relief of the control chamber29, and a check valve serving to fill the high-pressure chamber17.
The fuel, at elevated fuel pressure flowing via the high-pressure line25into the nozzle chamber37at the orifice41flows from the nozzle chamber37toward injection openings39, via an annular gap embodied on the end toward the combustion chamber of the fuel injector26. Via the injection openings39, a plurality of which can be disposed on the end of the fuel injector26toward the combustion chamber, either in offset relationship to one another or in annular concentric circles, the fuel flowing in from the nozzle chamber37of the fuel injector26upon opening of the injection valve member28is injected into the combustion chamber40of the engine.
With the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 2, throttling losses during injection can be avoided, and thus extremely high pressures can be achieved in injection, since from the high-pressure reservoir43, fuel flows unthrottled into the work chamber15of the pressure booster13via the high-pressure line3. The volumetric flow of fuel in the high-pressure line during the injection of fuel through the fuel injector26is considerably higher than that which passes through the line portion4, containing the filter element5, that acts as a supply line to the switching valve21. Because of the disposition of the filter element5, which is upstream of the switching valve21in the second exemplary embodiment, all the parts of the pressure booster13—except for the work chamber15—downstream of the switching valve21are acted upon by fuel filtered via the filter element5. In particular the control valve21, which can have sealing seats and, in a servo-hydraulic version, small throttles with extremely small throttling cross sections, are protected against contaminants by the disposition according to the invention of the filter element5in a line—such as the supply line4—that carries a lesser volumetric flow of fuel.
The fuel injection system1shown inFIG. 2is shown in its deactivated state. Via the switching valve21, switched into its position of repose, fuel flows via the line portion4, acting as a supply line to the switching valve21and containing the filter element5, via the overflow line42into the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13. Simultaneously, its work chamber15is acted upon by the unthrottled fuel stream passing through the high-pressure line3. Via the spring18disposed in the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13, the pistonlike boosting element14, which divides the work chamber15from the differential pressure chamber16, is kept in its position of repose. Via the filling line44, the pressure level prevailing in the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13also prevails in the control chamber29of the fuel injector26. Filtered fuel flows to chamber29via the inlet throttle30. A refilling branch45, which contains the check valve11, branches off from the filling line44. By means of the refilling branch, the high-pressure chamber17is acted upon by filtered fuel that has been cleaned of contaminants. Via the high-pressure line25that branches off from the high-pressure chamber17, the pressure level prevailing in the high-pressure reservoir43prevails in the nozzle chamber37of the fuel injector26as well.
An actuation of the pressure booster13is effected by switching the switching valve21into its activated position, or in other words upon communication of the overflow line42with the low-pressure-side return24. As a result, the control volume contained in the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13flows away in the direction of the low-pressure-side return24. Because of the high pressure prevailing in the work chamber15, the pistonlike boosting element14, embodied in two parts as shown inFIG. 2, moves with its lower face end into the high-pressure chamber17. As a result, fuel flows from the high-pressure chamber17at an elevated pressure level to the nozzle chamber37via the high-pressure line25, while via the filling line44, fuel is positively displaced out of the control chamber29of the fuel injector. Because of the pressure level, boosted in accordance with the design of the pressure booster13, that prevails in the high-pressure chamber17, the hydraulic area of the pressure shoulder38on the injection valve28becomes operative there, so that with its face end36, the injection valve28moves into the control chamber29, and the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber40of the engine via the opened injection openings39.
A termination of the injection event is effected by moving the switching valve21into its closing position shown inFIG. 2, in which the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13is filled with fuel via the overflow line42via the line portion4and the filter element5contained in the line portion. This fuel has passed through the filter element5which is disposed in the line portion4and filters out contaminants from the fuel. The filling of the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13is effected by way of supplying fuel into the differential pressure chamber16. Via the filling line44that connects the differential pressure chamber16with the control chamber29of the fuel injector26, replenishing filtered fuel simultaneously flows into the high-pressure chamber17via the refilling branch45, which includes a throttle restriction31. The throttle restriction31limits the filling quantity flowing to the high-pressure chamber17. At the end of injection, the throttle restriction31assures a phase of overpressure in the control chamber29, which acts as a nozzle closing chamber, relative to the nozzle chamber37, and as a result an accelerated needle closure ensues.
The refilling of the differential pressure chamber16and the refilling of the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13are effected in parallel via the overflow line42and the filling line44as well as the refilling branch45between the high-pressure chamber17and the filling line44. The check valve11has the task of preventing a pressure drop in the high-pressure chamber17during the injection, so that the fuel volume, which is at an elevated pressure, that flows out of the high-pressure chamber enters the nozzle chamber37of the fuel injector via the high-pressure line25without losses. During the injection, the closing body, for instance embodied as a ball, of the check valve11is put into its valve seat and closes the refilling branch45.
Unlike the variant embodiment ofFIG. 1, in the embodiment ofFIG. 2the triggering of the fuel injection system1is done with a switching valve21. Because of the disposition of the filter element5in the line portion4, acting as a supply line, to the switching valve21, it is assured that the switching valve21and all the components of the pressure booster13located downstream of the switching valve21—with the exception of the work chamber15—as well as the components of the fuel injector26are acted upon by filtered fuel. The disposition of the filter element5in a line portion4, which carries a lesser fuel volume than the volumetric flow of fuel which flows through the high-pressure line3acting on the work chamber15of the pressure booster13during the injection, assures that no throttling losses occur at the filter element5during the injection. The volumetric flow of fuel for refilling the pressure chambers16and17of the pressure booster13can be considered slight, with respect to the volumetric flow that passes through the high-pressure line3to the work chamber15of the pressure booster13. This volumetric flow required to refill chambers16,17may be within the range of about one fifth (⅕) to about one twentieth ( 1/20) of the total flow through conduit3.
On the one hand, by the disposition of the filter element5proposed according to the invention, the throttling losses during the injection, which can cause an impairment in the maximum attainable injection pressure, can be reduced considerably; on the other hand, by the provisions proposed by the invention in the two variant embodiments described, it is assured that the vulnerable throttle cross sections and valve seats can be protected against the deposit of contaminants contained in the fuel, or contaminants that get into the fuel injection system1during assembly. As a result, the service life of a fuel injection system1configured according to the invention can be lengthened considerably, and its operating safety and reliability can be enhanced.
As an alternative to the disposition of the filter element5of the check valve11, the throttle restriction12, and the filling valve6, all located outside the pressure booster13inFIG. 1, these components and their flow connections, that is, the flow conduits10,20and23, may also be received inside the pistonlike boosting element14of the pressure booster13. This makes an especially space-saving embodiment of the fuel injection system possible. In the variant embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the pressure booster13of the fuel injection system1includes a pistonlike boosting element14in which both the filter element5and downstream of it in the first flow conduit10the filling valve6and in the third flow conduit the throttle restriction12are connected. Via the throttle restriction12integrated with the third flow conduit23, an imposition of pressure of a filling of the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13is effected. The filling valve6downstream of the filter element5is in communication, via a branch47, with the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13. A through conduit46, in which the check valve11is received, extends below the filling valve6. The through conduit46discharges at the lower face end, defining the high-pressure chamber17, of the pistonlike boosting element14. An actuation of the pressure booster13is effected by means of a pressure relief of the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13, by triggering the switching valve21into an open position, so that the fuel contained in the differential pressure chamber16flows out into the low-pressure-side return24.
Upon the motion of the pistonlike boosting element14inward into the high-pressure chamber17, the check valve11is forced into its closing position, so that no pressure loss occurs in the high-pressure chamber17of the pressure booster13. Accordingly, fuel compressed in the high-pressure chamber flows via the inlet22of the high-pressure line25to the nozzle chamber37. Via a line portion that branches off from the inlet22, the control chamber29of the fuel injector26is acted upon. A pressure relief of the control chamber29of the fuel injector26is effected by a triggering of the switching valve32into its open position, so that via the throttle restriction30, fuel flows out into the low-pressure-side return24, and the control chamber29of the fuel injector26is pressure-relieved. Because of the fuel, at extremely high pressure, flowing into the nozzle chamber37via the high-pressure line25, a pressure acting in the opening direction of the injection valve member28builds up at the pressure shoulder38of the injection valve member28. The injection valve member28moves upward, counter to the action of the spring35received in a nozzle spring chamber34, and uncovers the injection openings39on the end toward the combustion chamber.
If conversely the switching valve21that connects the differential pressure chamber16with the low-pressure-side return24is actuated into its closing position inFIG. 3, refilling of the differential pressure chamber16of the pressure booster13is effected via the flow conduits10and23, downstream of the filter element5, in which flow conduits the filling valve6and the throttle restriction12, respectively, are integrated. The refilling of the differential pressure chamber16is effected parallel via the third flow conduit23with the throttle restriction12and via the branch47from the filling valve6that discharges into the differential pressure chamber15. Simultaneously, the high-pressure chamber17is filled via the check valve11, which upon an upward motion of the pistonlike boosting element14—reinforced by the restoring spring18received in the differential pressure chamber16—fuel flows via the through conduit46into the high-pressure chamber46to refill it.
The foregoing relates to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that other variants and embodiments thereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, the latter being defined by the appended claims.
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THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Below is a description of the best mode for carrying out the present invention shown in the figures.
In reference to FIG.1throughFIG. 6, a bearing device for an axle shown in these figures is a type of device used in a driving wheel side and comprises a hub wheel1, a double row rolling bearing2and a constant velocity joint3.
The hub wheel1has a radially outward flange11to which a wheel not shown in a figure is mounted and a hollow shaft12wherein the double row rolling bearing2is fixed to a bearing engaging region in an outer periphery thereof.
A raceway surface22afor a group of balls22is formed closer to a vehicle outer side in an outer peripheral face of the hollow shaft12of the hub wheel1. A shaft end in a vehicle inner side of the hollow shaft12of the hub wheel1is bent in a radially outward direction so as to constitute a caulked portion12a, which is caulked to an outer end face of an inner ring25in the vehicle inner side of the double row rolling bearing2.
The double row rolling bearing2comprises a single outer ring21having double row raceway grooves, a plurality of balls22as a rolling element arranged in double rows and two crown-shaped cages23. Of originally required two inner rings, one utilizes the raceway surface22ain the vehicle outer side of the hub wheel1as previously described and the configuration thereof is that only the inner ring25in the vehicle inner side is equipped.
Additionally, a radially outward flange24which is bolt-fixed to a vehicle body6and the like is formed on the outer ring21.
A well-known, what is termed Zeppa type (bar field type) of constant velocity joint is designated for the constant velocity joint3, which comprises an outer ring31, an inner ring32, a ball33and a cage34and the like. The outer ring31comprises a cup-shaped cylindrical portion35wherein the outer ring31, the inner ring32, the ball33and the cage34are accommodated, and a shaft portion (an outer ring shaft portion)36which is arranged integral with the cup-shaped cylindrical portion35in a small diameter side thereof. An end side of a shaft (a driving shaft)7is fitted into the inner ring32by a spline fitting and fixed by a locating snap ring (symbol omitted) so as not to come off. Another end side of the shaft7is attached to a vehicle deferential device via another constant velocity joint not shown in a figure.
The double row rolling bearing2is mounted in an outer peripheral face of the hub wheel1and the constant velocity joint3is mounted to the hub wheel1in proximity to the double row rolling bearing2.
A bolt13to fix a disk rotor4of a disk brake device and a wheel (not shown in a figure) is penetrably inserted into a few positions in a circumference of the flange11.
In such a bearing device for an axle, a rotational motive power of the shaft7is conveyed to the wheel which is mounted to the hub wheel1(not shown in a figure) via the constant velocity joint3.
In the above-described bearing device for an axle, the caulked portion12awhich is formed by bending and deforming the shaft end in the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft12in a radially outward direction and the cup-shaped cylindrical portion35in the outer ring31of the constant velocity joint3are in a state of no contact or a slight contact with each other.
In the embodiment of the present invention, a held portion provided between an axial intermediate position12bof an inner periphery of the hollow shaft12of the hub wheel1and the vehicle outer side is sandwiched from an axial direction by an axial intermediate position36band the vehicle outer side in the outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion36of the constant velocity joint3, whereby the outer ring of the constant velocity joint3is joined with the hub wheel1in a state of being positioned in the axial direction.
As to the inner periphery of the hollow shaft12of the hub wheel1, a range between the caulked portion12athat is the shaft end in the vehicle inner side and the axial intermediate portion12bconstitutes a large diameter, and a range between the axial intermediate position12band the shaft end in the vehicle outer side constitutes a small diameter. The inner periphery has a first step obtained by the diameters, and a female spline12cis provided on the small diameter thereof.
As to the outer periphery of the shaft portion36of the outer ring31of the constant velocity joint3, a range between the shaft end36ain the vehicle inner side and the axial intermediate portion36bconstitutes a large diameter, and a range between the axial intermediate position36band the vehicle outer. side constitutes a small diameter. The outer periphery has a second step obtained by the diameters, and a male spline36cis provided on the small diameter thereof.
A peripheral groove12dto latch together with a snap ring50is provided on the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft12. The peripheral groove12dhas opposing inner walls12eand12fin the vehicle inner and outer sides in the axial direction. The inner wall12fin the vehicle outer side constitutes a slant face structure gradually inclining to the vehicle outer side toward a groove opening side from a groove bottom side.
A bolt hole36etoward the vehicle inner side is provided in the end face center of a shaft end36din the vehicle outer side in the outer ring shaft portion36of the constant velocity joint3. A bolt36fas a fastening member is screwed into the bolt hole36e.
In reference toFIG. 5A through C, a case of linking the outer ring31of the constant velocity joint3with the hollow shaft12of the hub wheel1is described.
As shown inFIG. 5A, an end face36gof the shaft end36din the vehicle outer side of the outer ring shaft portion36of the constant velocity joint3is in a state of a substantial concordance in a radial direction with an inner wall12ein the vehicle inner side of the peripheral groove12din the hollow shaft portion12of the hub wheel1, and the outer ring shaft portion36thereof is inserted into the hollow shaft portion12.
As shown inFIG. 5B, the snap ring50is an annular member latching together with the peripheral groove12dand extending in a radially inward direction and is compressed with a diameter thereof reduced from a length of the radial direction shown in a solid line in a free state to a length of the radial direction shown in a dashed line. Then, compression state of the snap ring50is released toward inside the peripheral groove12dof the hollow shaft portion12.
Subsequently, an outer diameter side of the snap ring50is extended in the radial direction by a diameter expanding elastic force thereof, and inserted into the peripheral groove12das shown in a phantom line.
Consequently, as inFIG. 5C, the bolt36fshown in a solid line is screwed into the bolt hole36eof the outer ring shaft portion36via the snap ring50as illustrated in a phantom line, and an inner peripheral side of the snap ring50is sandwiched between an end face36hinside a head portion of the bolt36fand an end face36gof the shaft end36din the vehicle outer side of the outer ring shaft portion36.
A description is given below of an action of the snap ring50which is sandwiched in this manner in reference to FIG.6.
The snap ring50presses the inner wall12fin the vehicle outer side of the peripheral groove12d, which is subject to a diameter expanding elastic force F of the snap ring50from an outer peripheral angle portion thereof.
The diameter expanding elastic force F is converted into a force to draw the outer ring shaft portion36to the vehicle outer side by an abutment of the peripheral groove against the inner wall in the vehicle outer side. More specifically, the diameter expanding elastic force F is divided into an axial load Fa and an axial load Fb.
The hollow shaft portion12intends to be displaced to the vehicle outer side by the axial load Fa. In this case, the hollow shaft portion12is fixed to a vehicle body6, therefore the outer ring portion36side is drawn to the hollow shaft portion12by the axial load Fa.
By this action, the outer ring shaft portion36is combined with the hollow shaft portion12so as to be positioned with no rattle in the axial direction.
In the described case, when the outer ring31of the constant velocity joint3is combined with the hub wheel1, because the caulked portion12aand the cup-shaped cylindrical portion35are in a state of no contact with each other, there is no excessive load imposed on the inner ring25of the double row rolling bearing2from the cup-shaped cylindrical portion35. Therefore, a preload with respect to the inner ring25can be maintained at an appropriate level. As a result, a rolling feature of the double row rolling bearing2can be maintained so as to achieve a designed and desired life.
A large axial load in the vehicle inner side direction is occasionally imposed on the outer ring shaft portion36. It is preferable to prevent the outer ring shaft portion36from coming off to the vehicle inner side direction by such an axial load. For the purpose, with respect to a gap δs between an inner diameter of the snap ring50and an outer diameter of the bolt36f, a gap δh (>δs) between an outer diameter of the snap ring50and an inner diameter of the hollow shaft portion is set to a large value.
According to the embodiment of the present invention as above, the outer ring shaft portion36is combined with the hollow shaft portion12with no rattle in the axial direction. Also, in this combination, the hollow shaft12is subject to no axial compression load, which could lead to a deformation of an inner ring raceway of the double row rolling bearing2.
Anotger Mode for Carrying out the Invention
1) In case of the above embodiment, the inner wall12fin the vehicle outer side of the peripheral groove12dof the hollow shaft12of the hub wheel1is configured in a slant face, and the inner wall12ein the vehicle inner side thereof is configured in a perpendicular face, while the snap ring50is of an usual form.
In contrast to this, as shown in FIG.7andFIG. 8, inner walls12eand12fmay both constitute a perpendicular face and a snap ring50may be of a different form.
In other words, the snap ring50is circumferentially corrugated in configuration and has an axial width ta (>ta, in a limited case th is an axial groove width of a peripheral groove12d). The snap ring50is inserted into the peripheral groove12din a state of being elastically compressed in an axial direction. Subsequent to that, an outer ring shaft portion36of a constant velocity3is drawn to a vehicle outer side by an action of an elasticity restoring force inside the peripheral groove12dof the snap ring50.
In this case, a small diameter screw-threaded shaft portion36iis provided in the shaft end36din the vehicle outer side of the outer ring shaft portion36, a nut51is screwed into the small diameter screw-threaded shaft portion36i. Then, the snap ring50is sandwiched between an inner end face36jof the nut51and an end face36gof the shaft end36din the vehicle outer side of the outer ring shaft portion36in order for a stable location in the axial direction.
In case of the above embodiment, a fine gap G exists between a caulked portion12awhich is bent and deformed in a radially outward direction in the shaft end in the vehicle outer side of a hollow shaft portion12of a hub wheel1and a cup-shaped cylindrical portion35of the outer ring31of the constant velocity joint3. There is a risk of an entry of muddy water into the fine gap, which may develop a corrosion therein caused by the muddy water remaining in a spline gap between an inner periphery of the hollow shaft portion12and an outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion36of the constant velocity joint3.
Preferably, in order to prevent the entry of muddy water, seals40and41shown inFIGS. 10 and 11may be provided.FIG. 10shows a side view of a longitudinal view of a bearing device for an axle, andFIG. 11shows respective enlarged views of a main potion inFIG. 10in order to illustrate a configuration example of the respective seals.
The seal40is made of an elastic body such as a rubber and the like and arranged between opposing faces in an axial direction of a caulked portion12aand of a cup-shaped cylindrical portion35. The seal40is inserted into an annular groove35aas a concave portion shown inFIG. 11A-Dor a cut out35bas a concave portion shown inFIG. 11Dso as to bung up the fine gap and prevent the entry of muddy water inside thereby.
The seal41is made of an elastic body such as a rubber and the like and arranged between opposing faces of an inner peripheral region of the hollow shaft12located closer to the vehicle inner side than splines12fand36fand of an outer peripheral region of the outer ring shaft portion36of the constant velocity joint3. The seal21is inserted into an annular groove36has a concave portion shown inFIG. 11A-Dso as to seal a space between the inner peripheral region of the hollow shaft portion12and the outer peripheral region of the outer ring shaft portion36. This insertion prevents the entry of muddy water into the seal device20and the splines12fand36fand a subsequent corrosion therein.
The seals40and41are not both indispensable and either of them may be used.
The seals40and41may comprise a seal lip which is fixed to an annular cored bar having been inserted into the annular grooves35aand36hand thecut out35b.
In the above embodiment, the caulked portion12aof the hub wheel1and the cup-shaped cylindrical portion35axially opposing thereto are referred to as being in a non-contact state. The present invention is not limited to the reference. The outer ring31of the constant velocity joint3may be combined with the hub wheel1in a state the caulked portion12aand the cup-shaped cylindrical portion35are in contact with each other.
In the above embodiment, as a radially inward annular member provided in the inner periphery in the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft portion12of the hub wheel1, the snap ring50, as a separate body therefrom, was mentioned. However, the annular member may be integrally configured with the hollow shaft portion12as a part thereof.
Possibility of Industrial Application
The present invention can be applied to a bearing device for an axle wherein a disk rotor of a disk brake device and wheels can be mounted.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
In general, the present subject matter is directed to a system for supplying pressurized fluid to a cap assembly of a gas turbine combustor. In particular, the present subject matter discloses a system including one or more flow conduits extending through an end cover of the combustor and into a cap chamber of the cap assembly. Each flow conduit may be in flow communication with a pressurized fluid source such that a pressurized fluid may be directed through each flow conduit and into the cap chamber. As a result, the pressure within the cap chamber may be increased, thereby increasing the pressure drop between the cap chamber and the combustion chamber. Such an increased pressure drop may generally enhance the cooling provided to a downstream wall of the cap assembly and may also prevent hot gases from being forced into and/or through the downstream wall during periods of high combustion dynamics.
Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a schematic depiction of one embodiment of a gas turbine10. In general, the gas turbine10includes a compressor12, a combustion section14, and a turbine16. The combustion section14may include a plurality of combustors100(one of which is illustrated inFIG. 2) disposed around an annular array about the axis of the gas turbine10. The compressor12and turbine16may be coupled by a shaft18. The shaft18may be a single shaft or a plurality of shaft segments coupled together to form the shaft18. During operation, the compressor12supplies compressed air to the combustion section14. The compressed air is mixed with fuel and burned within each combustor100(FIG. 2) and hot gases of combustion flow from the combustion section14to the turbine16, wherein energy is extracted from the hot gases to produce work.
Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3, one embodiment of a combustor100having a plurality of flow conduits102installed therein is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In particular,FIG. 2illustrates a cutaway, perspective view of the combustor100. Additionally,FIG. 3illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of a cap assembly104of the combustor100shown inFIG. 2, particularly illustrating one of the flow conduits102extending into the cap assembly104.
As shown, the combustor100generally includes a substantially cylindrical combustion casing106secured to a portion of a gas turbine casing108, such as a compressor discharge casing or a combustion wrapper casing. The gas turbine casing108may generally define a plenum (not shown) configured to receive pressurized air discharged from the compressor12(FIG. 1). Additionally, the combustor100may include an end cover110secured to an upstream end of the combustion casing106and a plurality of fuel nozzles112secured to and extending from the end cover110. Each fuel nozzle112may generally be configured to intake fuel supplied through the end cover110and mix the fuel with the pressurized air supplied from the compressor12. For purposes of clarity, the fuel nozzles112are illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3as cylinders without any detail with respect to the type, configuration and internal components of the nozzles112. It should be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed combustor100is not limited to any particular type, shape and/or configuration of the fuel nozzles112and, thus, any suitable fuel nozzle known in the art may be utilized within the scope of the present subject matter. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the combustor100may include any suitable number of fuel nozzles112.
The combustor100may also include a flow sleeve114and a combustion liner116substantially concentrically arranged within the flow sleeve114. As such, an annular passageway118may be defined between the flow sleeve114and the combustion liner116for directing the pressurized air flowing within the turbine casing108along the combustion liner116. For example, the flow sleeve114(and/or an impingement sleeve120of the combustor100) may define a plurality of holes configured to permit the pressurized air contained within the turbine casing108to enter the annular passageway118and flow upstream along the combustion liner116toward the fuel nozzles112. Additionally, the combustion liner116may generally define a substantially cylindrical combustion chamber122downstream of the fuel nozzles112, wherein the fuel and pressurized air mixed within the fuel nozzles112are injected and combusted to produce hot gases of combustion. Further, the downstream end of the combustion liner116may generally be coupled to a transition piece124extending to a first stage nozzle (not shown) of the turbine16(FIG. 1). As such, the combustion liner116and transition piece124may generally define a flowpath for the hot gases of combustion flowing from the combustor100to the turbine16.
As indicated above, the combustor100may also include a cap assembly104disposed upstream of the combustion chamber122. For example, in several embodiments, a portion of the cap assembly104may be secured to an upstream end of the combustion liner116in order to seal the hot gases of combustion within the combustion chamber122. As such, the cap assembly104may generally serve to shield or protect the upstream components of the combustor100(e.g., the end cover110and portions of the fuel nozzles112) from the hot gases of combustion generated within the combustion chamber122. Additionally, at least a portion of each fuel nozzle112may be configured to be received within and extend through the cap assembly104. Thus, as shown in.FIG. 3, a downstream end126of each fuel nozzle112(shown in a cut-away portion ofFIG. 3) may generally be in flow communication with the combustion chamber122, thereby allowing the fuel and air mixed within each fuel nozzle112to be injected into the combustion chamber122.
As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the cap assembly104may generally include a radially outer wall128, an upstream wall130and a downstream wall132. In general, the walls128,130,132of the cap assembly104may be spaced apart from one another so as to define a plenum or cap chamber134. Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the cap chamber134may extend axially a distance136(FIG. 3) defined between the upstream and downstream walls130,132and may extend radially a distance138(FIG. 2) defined between opposed sides of the radially outer wall128. As is generally understood, a portion of the pressurized air flowing within the annular passageway118may be diverted into the cap chamber134to provide cooling to the downstream wall132of the cap assembly104. For example, in several embodiments, a plurality of openings (not shown) may be defined through the radially outer wall126to permit pressurized air flowing within the annular passageway118to enter the cap chamber134.
The upstream wall130of the cap assembly104may generally comprise a plate (e.g., a baffle plate) defining a plurality of openings140(FIG. 4) for receiving the fuel nozzles112. As such, at least a portion of each fuel nozzle122may extend through the upstream wall130and into the cap chamber134. Additionally, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the upstream wall130may generally be positioned upstream of the downstream wall132of the cap assembly104. Accordingly, the upstream wall130may be spaced axially apart from both the combustion chamber122and the downstream ends126of the fuel nozzles112.
The downstream wall132of the cap assembly104may generally define the upstream end of the combustion chamber122and, thus, may be disposed proximate to both the combustion chamber122and the downstream ends126of the fuel nozzles112. For example, in several embodiments, the downstream wall132may define a plurality of openings142(FIG. 3) configured to receive the downstream end126of each fuel nozzle112. As such, the downstream ends126of the fuel nozzles112may extend through the downstream wall132to permit the nozzles112to be in direct flow communication with the combustion chamber122.
Additionally, in several embodiments, the downstream wall132may have a double-walled configuration. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the downstream wall132may include a first plate144and a second plate146disposed adjacent to and directly downstream of the first plate144. In several embodiments, the first and/or second plates144,146may include a plurality of holes. For instance, as particularly shown inFIG. 3, the first plate144may be configured as an impingement plate and may include a plurality of impingement holes148defined therein. As such, any pressurized fluid contained within the cap chamber134may be directed through the impingement holes148in order to provide impingement cooling against the second plate146. For example, as indicated above, pressurized air from the annular passageway118may be diverted into the cap chamber134, which may then be flow through the impingement holes148to providing cooling to the second plate146. Moreover, the second plate146may be configured as an effusion plate and may include a plurality of effusion holes150defined therein. For instance, the effusion holes150may be smaller than and angled with respect to the impingement holes148. As such, the pressurized fluid flowing through the impingement holes148may flow through the effusion holes150to provide film cooling to the combustion chamber side of the second plate146.
In alternative embodiments, it should be appreciated that the downstream wall132need not have double-walled configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the downstream wall132may simply comprise a single plate (e.g., an effusion plate) disposed proximate to both the combustion chamber122and the downstream ends126of the fuel nozzles112.
Referring still toFIGS. 2 and 3, as indicated above, the pressurized air flowing through the annular passageway118may experience pressure losses, which may result in a reduction in the maximum pressure that may be obtained within the cap chamber134. As such, the pressure drop between the cap chamber134and the combustion chamber122may be reduced, thereby decreasing the amount of cooling provided to the downstream wall132and increasing the likelihood that the hot gases contained within the combustion chamber122are forced into and/or through the downstream wall132(e.g., through the effusion holes150) during periods of high combustion dynamics. Thus, in accordance with several embodiments of the present subject matter, the combustor100may include one or more flow conduits102configured to supply a pressurized fluid into the cap chamber134in order to increase the pressure within the chamber134.
In general, each flow conduit102may be configured to extend through the end cover110and the upstream wall130of the cap assembly104such that a discharge end152of each flow conduit102terminates within the cap chamber134(i.e., at a location downstream of the upstream wall130and upstream of the downstream wall132). As such, each flow conduit102may generally define a fluid pathway for pressurized fluid to be directed through the end cover110and upstream wall130and into the cap chamber134. The pressurized fluid exiting the discharge end152of each conduit102may then be utilized to cool the downstream wall132(e.g., by being directed through the impingement holes148so as to provide impingement cooling to the second plate146) and/or otherwise to increase the pressure drop between the cap chamber134and the combustion chamber122.
It should be appreciated that the pressurized fluid supplied to the cap chamber134through the flow conduits102may be in addition to, or as an alternative to, the pressurized air diverted into the cap chamber134from the annular passageway118. For example, in one embodiment, the flow conduits102may be configured to provide pressurized fluid to the cap chamber134at a sufficient pressure and/or flow rate so as to eliminate the need of diverting a portion of the pressurized air from the annular passageway118. As a result, an increased amount of the pressurized air flowing through the annular passageway118may be supplied to the fuel nozzles112and mixed with fuel for subsequent combustion.
It should also be appreciated any number of flow conduits102may be configured to extend through the end cover110and into the cap chamber134. For example, in several embodiments, the number of flow conduits102may correspond to the number of fuel nozzles112contained within the combustor100. However, in alternative embodiments, the number of flow conduits112may be more or less than the number of fuel nozzles112(including a single flow conduit102).
Moreover, it should be appreciated that the flow conduits102may generally be configured as any suitable tube, pipe, hose, flow channel and/or the like known in the art that may be utilized to direct a pressurized fluid through the end cover110and into the cap chamber134. Similarly, the flow conduits102may be installed within and/or secured to a portion of the combustor100using any suitable means. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, each flow conduit102may be mounted to the end cover110, such as by securing an annular flange154of each flow conduit102to an outer surface156of the end cover110using any suitable attachment means (e.g., bolts, screws, pins and/or the like).
Additionally, as particularly shown inFIG. 2, each of the flow conduits102may be in flow communication with a pressurized fluid source158. In general, it should be appreciated that the pressurized fluid source158may comprise any suitable machine, device and/or object capable of supplying pressurized fluid to the flow conduits102. Thus, in one embodiment, the pressurized fluid source158may comprise the compressor12of the gas turbine10(FIG. 1). For example, a suitable coupling and/or manifold (not shown) may be utilized to couple the flow conduits102to a location downstream of the compressor112(e.g., at the compressor outlet, at a diffuser downstream of the compressor outlet or at a location on the gas turbine casing108) such that a portion of the pressurized air discharged by the compressor12may be directed into the flow conduits102. In other embodiments, the pressurized fluid source158may comprise a separate or secondary compressor of the gas turbine10or any other suitable pressurized fluid source (e.g., fluid filled tank).
It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the pressurized fluid may be passively supplied from the pressurized fluid source158to the flow conduits102, such as by continuously directing the pressurized fluid between the pressurized fluid source158and the fluid conduits102at a constant flow rate and pressure. Alternatively, the pressurized fluid supplied from the pressurized fluid source158to the flow conduits102may be actively controlled. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, one or more valves160may be disposed between the pressurized fluid source158and the discharge ends152of one or more of the flow conduits102to permit the flow rate and/or pressure of the pressurized fluid supplied to be controlled. In addition to the use of such valve(s)160or as alternative thereto, the pressurized fluid source158may be actively controlled in order to vary the characteristics of the pressurized fluid supplied to the flow conduits102. For example, the pressurized fluid source158may be controlled such that the pressure, flow rate and/or temperature of the pressurized fluid supplied to the flow conduits102may be varied as desired.
It should also be appreciated that the pressurized fluid may generally comprise any suitable fluid. For example, in several embodiments, the pressurized fluid may comprise air, steam and/or an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen). Additionally, it should be appreciated that each flow conduit102may be configured to supply the same fluid, or different fluids may be supplied through different flow conduits102, depending on operational needs and the availability of particular pressurized fluids.
Referring now toFIG. 4, there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flow conduit102shown inFIG. 3, particularly illustrating the portion of the flow conduit102extending through the upstream wall130of the cap assembly104. As shown, a seal162may be disposed between the upstream wall130and the flow conduit102to prevent fluid from leaking into and/or out of the cap chamber134through the opening140defined in the upstream wall130. It should be appreciated that the seal162may generally comprise any suitable sealing device and/or sealing mechanism known in the art. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the seal162comprises a ring seal (e.g., a piston ring seal or an O-ring seal) configured to be engaged within a seal groove164defined in the upstream wall130.
In another embodiment, the seal162may comprise a floating seal extending between the upstream wall130and the flow conduit102. In further embodiments, the seal162may comprise any other suitable sealing device and/or sealing mechanism, such as a face seal, a brush seal, a labyrinth seal, a friction seal, a slip joint, a compression seal, a gasket seal and/or the like.
It should be appreciated that a suitable seal (not shown) may also be disposed between the end cover110and the portion of each flow conduit102extending through the end cover110. For example, in one embodiment, a gasket seal or other suitable seal may be disposed between the end cover110and each flow conduit102to prevent the leakage of fluids through the end cover110.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
| 5F
| 23 | R |
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring toFIGS. 1 through 6, the system for relieving lateral stress placed on rods within a wellbore is disclosed. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the flexible sucker rod coupling10of present invention is disclosed. The flexible sucker rod coupling10comprises a top connecting member12, a ball shank housing36for receiving a ball shank32therein, and a bottom connecting member14. Referring toFIG. 2, the top connecting member12comprises a top end which, along the top edge defines a sucker rod connecting member16. Sucker rod connecting member16comprises a recessed shoulder (not shown) along the top portion thereof, which receives an adjacent sucker rod inwards towards the interior of top connecting member12, and terminates in a plurality of threads (not shown). The recess shoulder and threads of sucker rod connecting member16of top connecting member12are substantially similar to those shown as recessed shoulder20and threads defined buy sucker rod connecting member18of bottom connecting number14.
The shoulders of both top connecting member and bottom connecting member20are designed to receive the collared portion of an adjacent sucker rod above its external threads (not shown) to shoulder the load of the sucker rod with respect to the flexible sucker rod coupling10. Top connecting member12is substantially cylindrical shaped and is designed to fit within the tubing of the well bore (not shown) and to rotate therein while being pumped up hole and downhole by the pump jack (not shown). In fact, the entire flexible sucker rod coupling10of the present invention, it should be understood by one of skill in the art, is of a sufficient diameter to fit within the tubing of the well bore and still provide the lateral and swiveling movements as provided herein.
Top Connecting member12comprises a substantially cylindrical shaped outer surface which recesses along its middle portion to define wrench flat26. Wrench flat26comprises a plurality of flat surfaces along a recess portion of the outer surface of the top connecting member12, wherein the plurality of flat surfaces are adjacent to one another to receive a tool such as a wrench to grip top connecting member12to attach the flexible sucker rod coupling10of the present invention to adjacent sucker rods (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the wrench flats24and26form a cube like structure defined by four flat services which are substantially perpendicular and adjacent one another to form the cube like shape shown. However, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other designs or surfaces could be used to accommodate tools of different types to attach the flexible sucker rod coupling10of the present invention to adjacent sucker rods, and to threadedly attach the top connecting member12to the ball shank housing36, and the ball shank housing36to the bottom connecting member14.
Adjacently downhole from the wrench flats26of the top connecting member12, there is a lower portion46which is substantially cylindrical shaped, and of slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of ball shank housing36. The circumference of the lower portion46of top connecting member12is of an appropriate diameter to tightly threadedly attach to ball shank housing36. Lower portion46comprises external threads along a predefined portion thereof. The internal portion of the lower end46of the top connecting member12, along the lower edge thereof, comprises a socket50. The socket is substantially concave structure located at the end of portion46, and recesses within top connecting member12to provide a receiving site for the ball38of ball shank32.
As shown inFIG. 2, ball shank housing36comprises a top end42which comprises internal threads (not shown) the internal threads are designed and located appropriately to receive substantially all of the external threads48of top connecting member12. Ball shank housing36is a substantially cylindrically shaped hollow sleeve. The diameter of top end42of ball shank housing36is of the appropriate diameter such that the threads therein threadedly engage tightly with the external threads48of top connecting member12. When the threads of top connecting member12are fully engaged with the internal threads of ball shank housing36, the socket50of top connecting member12is located within ball shank housing36to receive ball38, thereby forming a ball and socket joint to provide swiveling and/or lateral rotation within ball shank housing, as described further hereinbelow.
Ball shank32comprises a ball38along its top portion which engages with socket50as described hereinabove. The ball38comprises at least one, and preferably more than one threaded aperture54. Threaded apertures54comprise internal threads which mate tightly with rotation screws52. As shown, rotation screws52comprise a head portion which is designed for an allen screws. The alien screwdrivers (not shown) are used to tighten the screws52into the threaded apertures54of the ball. However, pins or other connecting members may be used other than screws52. Furthermore, phillips or standard screw driving heads (not shown) can be used instead of alien heads for the screws52.
Ball shank32comprises an extended shaft portion adjacent the ball38which extends downhole, extending out of the ball shank housing36, while the ball shank32resides within ball shank housing36. The shaft adjacent the ball38defines a lower portion and comprises external threads34along the lower portion thereof, and terminates with a ball shank locking thread28. The ball shank locking thread28locks along a lock at a bottom internal surface of lower connecting member14(not shown).
Returning to the ball shank housing36, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3, 3A and 3B, along the lower middle portion with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ball shank housing36, a predefined number of slotted apertures40are disposed along the circumference thereof, and extending into the interior portion of the ball shank housing36. At least one slotted aperture40, but preferably more than one slotted aperture40may be located along the circumference of the ball shank housing36. The slotted apertures40corresponding in number to the number of threaded holes54and ball shank32and a corresponding number of screws52are inserted within the apertures40and screwed into the threaded holes54of the head38of the ball shank32. The screws52are designed to extend within the slotted apertures40. As the sucker rod string (not shown) rotates, thereby rotating the flexible sucker rod coupling10of the present invention within the tubing, the screws52ensure that the ball shank32rotates correspondingly with the rotation of the flexible sucker rod coupling10.
As shown most clearly inFIG. 1, the lower portion of ball shank32extends out of the lower end56of ball shank housing36. The lower portion of ball shank32is of a smaller diameter than the hollow portion of the lower end56of36, thereby defining a swivel gap to allow the ball shank to swivel and/or provide lateral movement with respect to top connecting member12. As swiveling or lateral motion occurs, the ball38of the ball shank32swivels within socket50of top connecting member12.
Returning toFIG. 2, the externally threaded portion34ball shank32threadedly attaches to lower connecting member14. Internal threads along the top end of lower connecting member14are designed to tightly receive the external threads34of ball shank32. Lower connecting member14is a substantially cylindrically shaped hollow tube with internal threads along the top portion thereof to receive and tightly engage with the external threads34ball shank32. The lower or bottom connecting member14comprises a sucker rod connecting member18along the lower portion thereof, which comprises a shoulder20which leads to internal threads for receiving adjacent sucker rod (not shown). Like top connecting member12, bottom connecting member14has a recessed portion defining wrench flats, which are the same or substantially the same shape, size and location of wrench flats26of top connecting member12.
Referring toFIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In the alternative embodiment, a central connecting member76has a recessed portion which provides a wrench flat similar to the wrench flats26and24of top connecting member12and bottom connecting member14, respectively. On each end of central connecting member76, external threads protrude there from (not shown) to engage internal threads (not shown) of ball shank housings36. Each ball shank housing36has a ball shank32as previously described, which is mated internally within a socket (not shown). The lower portion of each ball shank32comprises external threads and are of a lesser diameter than the diameter of the lower end of ball shank housing36to define a swivel gap as described hereinabove.
Furthermore, each ball shank housing36comprises a plurality of slotted apertures40and screws52therein which engage within threaded holes54of the ball38of ball socket32as described herein above. The external threads34of the ball socket32engage internal threads74of wrench box ends70to tightly engage wrench box end70with ball shank32. Wrench box ends70terminate with external threads72which are designed to engage pin sucker rod connectors, changed over boxes, or other couplings that may be attached to adjacent sucker rods (not shown).
Turning toFIGS. 5 and 6, in another aspect of the present invention, and adjustment rod adjuster100that provides easy adjustability and a swivel gap to alleviate lateral stresses on an adjustment rod is disclosed. The adjustment rod adjuster100comprises a load adjustment housing102along a portion of a pickup adjustment rod108. The load adjustment housing102is a substantially cylindrically shaped hollow tube which comprises at least one, and preferably more than one aperture there through for inserting pins106. Pickup adjustment rod108comprises a plurality of apertures104that correspond to the apertures of load adjustment housing102. The plurality of apertures104allow the load adjustment housing102to slide up and down the pickup adjustment rod108to the desired location and secured thereto with pins106. The load adjustment housing102engages with the pump jack (not shown) to raise and lower pickup adjustment rod108, thereby raising and lowering the polished rod and string of sucker rods (not shown).
Pickup adjustment rod108terminates along its lower portion with external threads112which are designed to engage internal threads118of an adjustment rod connector114. Adjustment rod connector114comprises along its upper portion internal threads118, and is substantially cylindrically shaped, and recesses in diameter along the lower portion thereof, defining external threads116thereon, and terminates with an internal socket120. In one embodiment, external threads116tightly engage with a polished rod (not shown) to engage the adjustment rod adjuster100to the string of sucker rods inside wellbore.
However, in another embodiment, the adjustment rod connector114is threadedly engaged with its external threads116to internal threads126within a ball shank housing122. Ball shank housing122has slotted apertures124and screws152as previously described herein to connect the ball138by engaging within threaded holes154of a ball shank128. Ball shank128is disposed within ball shank housing122, with the lower portion extended through the lower portion134. The lower portion of ball shank128is of a lesser circumference than lower end134of ball shank housing122, thereby defining a swivel gap as previously described hereinabove. Along its lower portion, ball shank128comprises a collar130which provides a connection site to a polished rod (not shown). The collar130terminates with internal threads132to threadedly attach the ball shank128to the polished rod, thereby providing lateral swivel with regard to the polished rod and the adjacent string of sucker rods.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and working examples herein, this description is not meant be construed in a limited sense various modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.
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| 21 | B |
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘ECOLOPIA2’ plants grown both outdoors and in a temperature controlled greenhouse in Oyama, Japan. Temperatures ranged from −7° C. to 25° C. at night to 3° C. to 50° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Plants were grown both outside research field with plowed soil supplemented with fertilizer containing 8% N, 8% P, and 8% K, and in temperature-controlled and uncontrolled greenhouses in a mixture of Kanuma soil, peat and vermiculite supplemented with the same fertilizer. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.Botanical classification:Lippia canescens×nodiflora‘ECOLOPIA2’.
PROPAGATION
Time to initiate roots: 3 to 7 days at approximately 23° C.Root description: Thin root stretching to downward reaching as deep as 3 feet or deeper with sandy soil.
PLANT
Age of plant described: Approximately 90 days from rooted cutting.Time of year: July 2014.Growth habit: Creeping, creating a dense mat.Planting description: Not in a pot, planted in the ground outside of greenhouse.Height: 4 to 5 cm.Plant spread: 136 cm diameter, maximum in a year.Growth rate: Vigorous.Branching characteristics: Dense.Length of primary lateral branches: 68 cm.Diameter of lateral branches: 5 mm.Quantity of primary lateral branches: Many, plant continuously forming branches, approximately 2 to 4 per linear cm.Characteristics of primary lateral branches:Form.—Round.Diameter.—5 mm.Color.—Near Green 137A. Some flushing Brown 200C.Texture.—Slightly scaly.Strength.—Very strong, difficult to break.Internode length: 3-4 cm.
FOLIAGE
Leaf:Arrangement.—Opposite.Average length.—1.2 cm.Average width.—0.7 cm.Shape of blade.—Very round obovateApex.—Broad acute.Base.—Attenuate.Margin.—Crenate.Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.Aspect.—Slightly upwardly cupped.Color.—Young foliage upper (front) Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Young foliage under (back) side: Near RHS Green 137D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137D.Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 139D. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 139D.Petiole.—Leaves sessile.
FLOWER
Natural flowering season: May to October.Days to flowering from rooted cutting: 1-2 months, depend on temperature and light conditions.Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Terminal umbel.Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent.Bud:Shape.—Oval.Length.—0.5 cm.Diameter.—0.5 cm.Color.—Near RHS Purple 77A.Inflorescence:Depth.—4.0 cm.Diameter.—1.8 cm.Average quantity of individual flowers per inflorescence.—55.Corolla:Individual flower.—Depth.—0.5 cm.Diameter.—0.3 cm.Petals/lobes.—Number: 1 fully formed petal. Length: 0.5 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Tube, flaring open at very end. Apex: Blunt round. Base: Fused. Margin: Ruffled at apex. Texture: Glabrous all surfaces. Color: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 75B. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple 75B. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Purple 75B. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple 75B 91D.Throat.—Color: Near RHS Purple 76D Texture: Glabrous.Tube.—Interior Tube color: Near RHS Purple 75B, base near Yellow-Orange 17A. Exterior Tube color: Near RHS Purple 75B. Texture: Glabrous.Calyx:Form.—Fused into a tube.Length.—0.2 cm.Diameter.—0.2 cm.Sepal texture.—Glabrous.Sepal color.—Upper surface: Near RHS Green 139C. Lower surface: Near RHS Green 139C.Fragrance: None.Pedicels: Not present.Peduncles:Length.—3.0 cm to 5.0 cm.Diameter.—0.1 cm.Color.—Near RHS Green 139C.Texture.—Glabrous.
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Stamens:Number(per flower).—4.Filament length.—0.05 cm.Anthers.—Shape: Linear. Length: 0.05 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 17A.Pollen.—Not present.Pistils:Quantity per flower.—1. Minute, not measurable.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Seeds and fruits: Not observed.Disease/pest resistance: Excellent resistance to common diseases ofLippia nodiflora. New variety has better resistance to disease under humid and hot conditions than parents. The most common pathogens found inLippiaare fungus, includingPucciniaandColletrotrichum. No particular pest resistance observed.Temperature tolerance: Plant of the new hybrid have shown excellent resistance to high and low temperature extremes, having been grown successfully under temperature conditions ranging from a gentle frost outdoors, just below 0 degrees Celsius, to 50 degrees Celsius in an uncontrolled greenhouse.Physical durability: New variety has excellent tolerance to be foot traffic.Soil ph: New variety has excellent tolerance to a range of soil pH from 4.0-12.0.
| 0A
| 01 | H |
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various
views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a ventilator apparatus generally designated 10 according
to the present invention for supplying air from a source of pressurized
air 12 between a dryer 14 and a web W supported by a felt F extending
around a roll 16 of a single tier drying section generally designated 18.
The apparatus 10 includes a housing generally designated 20 which is
connected to the source of pressurized air 12. The housing 20 defines a
nozzle 22 for directing a flow therethrough of a current of air as
indicated by the arrow 24. The flow 24 is directed from the nozzle 22
towards a diverging nip DN which is defined between the dryer 14 and the
web W supported by the felt F when the felt F diverges away from the dryer
14 prior to the felt F extending around the roll 16. The arrangement is
such that the flow of air 24 compensates for an underpressure generated by
the felt F when diverging away from the dryer 14 so that fluttering of the
web W is inhibited.
The housing 20 extends in a cross-machine direction as indicated by the
arrow CD across a full width of the felt F.
Additionally, the housing 20 includes a first portion 26 of generally
rectangular configuration and a second portion 28 of generally tapered
configuration. The second portion 28 is disposed between the first portion
26 and the diverging nip DN.
The first portion 26 provides rigidity to the housing 20.
The second portion 28 includes a first wall 30 which extends from the first
portion 26.
Also, a second wall 32 extends from the first portion 26. The second wall
32 converges towards the first wall 30 in a direction from the first
portion 26 towards the diverging nip DN.
The ventilator apparatus 10 as particularly shown in FIG. 1 includes a
baffle 34 which is disposed between the first and the second portion 26,
28, respectively. The baffle 34 defines a plurality of perforations 36,
37, 38. The arrangement is such that when the first portion 26 is
connected to the source of pressurized air 12, the perforated baffle 34
distributes the pressurized air into the second portion 28 prior to the
current of air 24 flowing through and from the nozzle 22.
The second wall 32 has a first and a second end 40, 42, respectively. The
first end 40 is disposed adjacent to the first portion 26 and the second
end 42 defines the nozzle 22.
The nozzle 22 is a slot 44 which extends in a cross-machine direction CD
along an entire width of the felt F.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3,
the nozzle 22A includes a plurality of holes 46, 47, 48 which extend in
the cross-machine direction CDa across an entire cross-machine directional
width of the felt Fa.
Additionally, the ventilator apparatus 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 further
includes a doctor 50 which cooperates with the dryer 14. The housing 20 is
disposed closely adjacent to the doctor 50 such that the doctor 50 and the
housing 20 cooperate together for directing the current of air 24 towards
the diverging nip DN as particularly shown in FIG. 2.
The tapered second portion 28 of the housing 20 permits guidance therepast
of broke (not shown) removed from the dryer 14 by the doctor 50 when the
doctor 50 is in the operative disposition thereof with a blade of the
doctor 50 in contact with a surface of the dryer 14.
The current of air 24 assists in urging the web W against the felt F during
travel of the felt F between the dryer 14 and the roll 16 thereby
stabilizing the web W relative to the felt F.
The current of air 24 flows from the nozzle 22 at a velocity of at least
4,000 feet per minute.
In operation of a conventional Bel-Champ single tier drying section,
instability of the web in the area directly following the contact of the
web with the dryer has been observed. Depending on the type of paper being
made and the machine speed, the web or sheet would have the tendency to
follow the surface of the dryer and then be pulled back to the dryer
fabric or felt and vacuum roll. The realignment of the sheet to the felt
path at times can result in the edges of the paper web fluttering. Such
flutter or sheet separation has occasionally resulted in a sheet flutter
that has created web breaks and machine downtime.
Analysis of the mechanics involved in the point of separation of the dryer
and web reveal that a slight underpressure is generated at the diverging
nip. Such underpressure combined with the inherent cohesion of the web to
the dryer surface results in the tendency of the web to follow the dryer.
However, as the web moves away from the dryer, the diverging nip must be
filled with ambient air. Such inflow of ambient air near the web causes
air movement in a direction opposite to that of the web and/or at right
angles to the sheet from the edges thereof. The right angle edge flow
causes a lifting or fluttering of the sheet edges.
The ventilator apparatus according to the present invention provides a
directional forced air supply that can be adjusted to fill the void or
underpressure as it is generated. Another objective of the present
invention is that of providing a slight overpressure in the divergent nip
area where the sheet contacts the felt between the dryer and the following
vacuum felt roll. The positive pressure applied to the web generates a
normal force between the sheet and the dryer fabric. With the application
of such normal forces, the sheet is stabilized relative to the fabric and
therefore the web remains in contact with the fabric or felt between the
dryer and the vacuum felt roll. | 3D
| 21 | F |
The invention works by treating the activated carbon, either before or
after loading it with caffeine, prior to thermal caffeine recovery
processes, in order to reduce the caffeine destroying activity of the
activated carbon.
The treatment of the activated carbon with the agent for reducing the
caffein destroying activity can be carried out, for instance, in an
apparatus as it is shown in FIG. 1. The meanings of the numerals in FIG. 1
are 1 a jacketed activated carbon treatment column, 2 the activated carbon
to be treated, 3 the inlet for the treatment solution and 4 the outlet for
the treatment solution. 5 and 6 are the inlet and outlet for a heating
medium optionally to be used.
As already mentioned above, the most varied treatment agents have proven to
be useful. That gives rise to the assumption that the caffeine destroying
activity of activated carbon is to be attributed to various causes. Acids,
buffers, complexing agents, redox substances and also the additional
loading with caffeine or other xanthine derivatives have proven to be
useful.
Inorganic and/or organic acids come under consideration as suitable acids
for carrying out the process of the invention. For instance, phosphoric
acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, citric
acid, gluconic acid, formic acid, perchloric acid, phytic acid, lactic
acid, ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, etc., are suitable.
The strength of the acids used as well as their amounts vary depending both
on the type of activated carbon to be treated as well as the contacting
apparatus used. Acid concentration will generally vary between 0.001N to
10N and more, preferably be between 0.01 and 5N. Usage ratios will be 0.5
to 30 1/1 of carbon and more, preferably between 1 and 10.
The increase in the caffeine yield with the recovery from caffeine-loaded
activated carbon by means of the treatment according to the invention with
acid is surprising because other tests in respect of the recovery of
caffeine had shown that pure caffeine readily sublimes, on the other hand,
crude caffeine from coffee decaffeination decomposes but can readily be
brought to sublimation when it is made alkaline with CaO or MgO.
A possible explanation for the mode of operation of the acids could
possibly be seen in that the metal content of the carbon has a causal
influence on the decomposition of the caffeine and the treatment according
to the invention with acid leads to a reduction in the metal content of
the activated carbon.
For instance, practically the most diverse buffers which regulate pH in the
acid range (as, for example, HCl/KCl, citric acid/NaCl, citric acid/NaOH,
acetic acid/Na acetate, etc.) and especially those on the basis of the
aforementioned acids and their salts, especially some of their
combinations with ammonia (as, for example, citric acid/NH.sub.4 OH,
acetic acid/NH.sub.4 OH, etc.), can be quoted as buffers suitable
according to the invention. Strengths and amounts correspond to those used
for acids. Solutions based on metaphosphates, pyrophosphates,
polyphosphates and other phosphates are also suitable.
The sodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTANa.sub.2),
phytates, gluconic acid, and practically all the numerous well-known heavy
and transition metal complexing agents, under also well-known suitable
conditions, are to be quoted as complexing agents suitable according to
the invention.
Suitable redox compounds are, for example, nitric acid, perchloric acid,
ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, etc. Strengths and amounts of complexing
agents and redox compounds correspond to the ones to be used for the
acids.
Combinations of acids and/or buffers and/or complexing agents and/or redox
compounds can also be used within the scope of the invention.
Even caffeine itself showed a positive effect on recovery yields. A more
fully loaded carbon shows not only-a definitive yield improvement in
percent but also an absolute lower caffeine loss. The same effect was able
to be achieved by "uploading" the carbon before subjecting it to the
recovery process. Xanthine derivatives other than caffeine can also be
used successfully.
The carbon coming from the decaffeination process as a rule has a degreee
of caffeine loading of 15 to 19% by weight (dry basis). In accordance with
the invention, the carbon 20% should be loaded to the extent that the
loading is at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 24% by weight,
caffeine and optionally other xanthine derivatives
Uploading the activated carbon with caffeine and other xanthine derivatives
can be effected in very diverse forms. One of the preferred ways is to
reload the used activated carbon into the adsorber section of the
decaffeination plant in such a way that it is in contact with the caffeine
rich stream just prior to its separation from caffeine with fresh carbon.
Another possibility for effecting the uploading is to contact it with a
partial caffeine solution recycle just prior to the recovery unit or with
a xanthine derivative solution. This, of course, has the disadvantage of
increase in the content of water which has to be dried off in the
immediately following step, but avoids the need for a larger (for example,
high-pressure) adsorbing unit in the decaffeination plant.
Xanthine derivatives which can be used here are compounds with chemical,
structural and behavioral similarity to caffeine. Examples are
isocaffeine, all dimethylxanthines (theobromine, theophylline,
paraxanthine), diverse monomethylxanthines, etc., all very similar in
their chemical structure, adsorption behavior with respect to activated
carbon, sublimability, etc.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the activated carbon is treated
with acids, buffers, complexing agents and/or redox compounds and
additionally--either fully high level loaded or uploaded--with caffeine or
other xanthine derivatives.
As already mentioned, the treatment according to the invention can be
carried out in a simple batch vessel as shown in FIG. 1, stirrer or
pumping devices optionally being used to improve intimate contact between
the treatment agents and the activated carbon.
The treatment duration can be from a few to several hours and preferably
from 10 minutes to 3 hours. The treatment normally takes place at room
temperature but can also be at elevated temperatures, for instance in the
range from 40.degree. to 180.degree. C., preferably in the range from
60.degree. to 110.degree. C.
After the treatment according to the invention, the activated carbon can
optionally be washed with water in order to remove excess treatment agents
(acid, buffer, etc.).
In the case of treatment with HCl, there should at any event be washing
with water. It has proven necessary that chloride ions be removed as far
as possible. Washing is preferably at elevated temperatures of, for
example, 80.degree. to 100.degree. C. The disturbing chloride ions can,
however, also be removed by displacement with other ions, e.g. NO.sub.3
--or OH--. A thermal treatment in an oven at about 500.degree. to
700.degree. C. can also be used for this purpose.
The treatment of the activated carbon according to the invention can take
place before or after loading it with caffeine within the scope of the
decaffeination process. The caffeine adsorbing properties (loading levels
and kinetics) are not negatively influenced by a treatment beforehand. To
the contrary, unusually high caffeine recovery yields are possible with
the process of the invention. The process thereby has the additional
advantage that the activated carbon can be used again immediately after
the recovery of the caffeine without need of a reactivation of the
activated carbon.
EXAMPLE
The treatment according to the invention was carried out with an apparatus
as shown in FIG. 1. 500 g of activated carbon were washed with 3250 ml of
0.1N agents (H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, HCl, EDTANa.sub.2) in a one-way through
fashion at a flow rate of 2.5 1/hr followed by removing excess agents by a
2 hr hot (80.degree. C.) water wash.
The activated carbon treated by this means was then introduced into an
apparatus as it is shown in FIG. 2. That apparatus works according to the
process which is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/092,339
(filed Jul. 15, 1993). and is similar to the apparatus described there but
has a fluidized bed (with externally heated walls). With that process, the
activated carbon loaded with caffeine and treated according to the
invention is, as already mentioned above, rapidly brought to a uniform
temperature suitable for the desorption of the caffeine from the activated
carbon with the aid of an external heating and a hot inert gas sweeping
stream before desorption of the caffeine is commenced.
The individual reference numerals in FIG. 2 have the following meanings:
1. activated carbon desorption vessel with electrically heated walls, an
internal diameter of 100 mm, perforated plates for producing a fluidized
bed and with a total height of about 900 mm.
2. fluidized carbon bed (static bed heights 100 to 120 mm)
3. inert gas sweeping stream (N.sub.2), 380.degree. C., 9 st m.sub.3 /hr
4. gas heater
5. gas source
6. caffeine-loaded inert gas sweeping stream, 380.degree. C., exiting from
1
7. caffeine-loaded inert gas sweeping stream, 380.degree. C., entering the
caffeine collection vessel 8
8. caffeine collection vessel
9. 20 .mu. sintered metal filter
10. caffeine solution wash sprays (aqueous, 60.degree. C.)
11. caffeine solution
12. recirculation pump
13. heat exchanger
14. exiting inert gas sweeping stream freed of caffeine
15. caffeine solution drain
16. make-up water.
The desorption vessel 1 was in each experiment first filled with 500 g of
material and rapidly brought to a temperature of 380.degree. C. with the
aid of external heating and the inert gas sweeping stream. The flow rate
of the inert gas sweeping stream (N.sub.2) was 9 st m.sub.3 /hr, and its
temperature was 380.degree. C. The residence time was 3 hrs in all cases.
All carbon samples had been loaded with caffeine in an industrial
supercritical CO.sub.2 decaffeination plant, except the EDTANa.sub.2 one
which was loaded in a respective pilot plant.
The results of the experiments are set forth in the following Tables 1 to
4. The treatment process according to the invention, the caffeine loading
of the activated carbon at the beginning of the experiments and the
recovery yield are quoted. Absolute loss values are additionally contained
in Table 2.
The results of experiments with activated carbon treated according to the
invention (H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, HCl) and untreated activated carbon are
compared in Table 1. The recovery yield values show that considerable
increases are possible with the process of the invention.
The result of an experiment is given in Table 2 with which the caffeine
loading of the activated carbon had been purposively increased, and it is
shown that substantially higher recovery yields, namely about twice as
high, are possible in comparison with normally loaded activated carbon.
Experiments are described in Table 3 with which two measures according to
the invention have been combined, namely, on the one hand, the treatment
with acid or, resp., complexing agent and, on the other hand, a purposive
additional caffeine loading, with yields of more than twice as high,
reaching to almost 100%, being possible.
It is shown in Table 4 that the activated carbon treated according to the
process of the invention has reattained its original adsorbing properties
after recovery of the caffeine so that a reactivation of the activated
carbons prior to their renewed use is not necessary. The caffeine
adsorbing activity was measured according to a test where a certain amount
of activated carbon adsorbs pure caffeine from a standard aqueous
solution, two different caffeine/carbon contact times (2 and 16 hours)
being used to represent both the kinetics of adsorption influence and the
maximum absolute loading capacity of the material. The test is run at
25.degree. C. and the results are expressed as percentage caffeine on dry
caffeine + carbon basis. From the two values, it is possible to infer the
behavior of the activated carbon under super-critical CO.sub.2
decaffeination conditions, as experience shows.
TABLE 1
______________________________________
Effects of carbon pretreatment on recovery yield
Caffeine load on
Experiment
Carbon carbon at start,
Recovery
No. Quality % dry basis yield
______________________________________
1 untreated 15.2 43%
2 H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 /H.sub.2 O
14.6 67%
3 HCl/H.sub.2 O/temp.*)
14.3 74%
______________________________________
*)temp. means a treatment of the HCl treated carbon in an oven at a
temperature between 500.degree. and 700.degree. C.
TABLE 2
______________________________________
Effects of caffeine levels (uploading) on recovery
yields, also illustrating absolute caffeine losses.
Caffeine load on
Re-
Exper.
Carbon carbon at start,
covery Absolute
No. Quality % dry basis yield loss
______________________________________
1 untreated
15.2 43% 38 g from 80 g
4 untreated
21.8 82% 17 g from 96 g
______________________________________
TABLE 3
______________________________________
Effects of both treatments and caffeine
levels (uploading) on recovery yields
Caffeine load on
Experiment
Carbon carbon at start,
Recovery
No. Quality % dry basis yield
______________________________________
1 untreated 15.2 43%
5 H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 /H.sub.2 O
24.1 99%
6 HCl/H.sub.2 O/temp.
23.3 94%
7 EDTANa.sub.2 /H.sub.2 O
21.0 97%
______________________________________
TABLE 4
______________________________________
Caffeine adsorbing properties of activated carbon
after caffeine loading in an industrial supercritical
CO.sub.2 decaffeination plant and subsequent thermal
desorption/sublimation with inert gas sweeping stream
Experiment
Carbon Caffeine adsorbing activity
No. Quality in 2 hrs in 16 hrs
______________________________________
typical untreated fresh
20-22 28-29
typical treated fresh
20-22 28-29
1 untreated 19.7 28.2
5 H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 /H.sub.2 O
21.2 29.4
6 HCl/H.sub.2 O/temp.
20.8 28.6
______________________________________ | 2C
| 07 | D |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.
The term “mil” and “mils” is used throughout the disclosure as a unit of measurement that refers to a thousandth of an inch. For example, 20 mils refers to 20 thousandths of an inch.
FIG. 1illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a railway track100. The railway track100can include rails102, railway ties104, and ballast106, such as crushed rock or gravel. The rails102are installed on the railway ties104and positioned on the ballast106. The railway track100is supported on a railway bed108, such as packed earth, concrete, asphalt, concrete and steel rail bridge structures, tunnels, and other structures. The illustrated embodiment shows one embodiment of a railway system, other railway systems are also contemplated, including railroad, light rail, subway systems, and elevated rail structures. A railway protection system is disposed between the railway bed108and the ballast106. The railway protection system includes a waterproof membrane116and an integrated ballast mat110.
A more detailed view of the railway protection system is illustrated inFIG. 2. The waterproof membrane is applied to the railway bed108. The waterproof membrane116is an elastomeric coating that can be a polyurea, such as Bridge Deck Top Coat™ available from Bridge Preservation a division of Versaflex Inc. of Kansas City, Mo. Preferably, the waterproof membrane116is formed from a material that can protect against water, salts, chemicals, and other corrosive elements. The waterproof membrane116can be applied by spraying the material while it is in a substantially fluid state. The waterproof membrane116can be applied along any length of the railway bed106. The waterproof membrane116can be uniformly applied over irregular surfaces and can be applied horizontally, vertically and overhead. The thickness of each the layer of waterproof membrane116can be between 10 and 150 mils thick, and can be between 60 and 120 mils thick. In one embodiment, the waterproof membrane116can be 80 mils thick. In some embodiments one or more layers of the waterproof membrane116can be applied on top of each other. In one embodiment a first layer of the waterproof membrane116is 40 mils thick and a second layer of the membrane116is 40 mils thick. The waterproof membrane116can be applied so that it has a substantially uniform thickness. In some embodiments the waterproof membrane116can be applied having varying thicknesses.
The waterproof membrane116can cover all or part of railway bed108. For example on a bridge, the waterproof membrane116can cover the entire surface of the bridge deck. In some instances the waterproof membrane will extend out to a predetermined position or location, such as a drainage area. Preferably, the waterproof membrane116defines a fluid tight seal on the surface of the railway bed108. Preferably, the waterproof membrane116can cover the railway bed without seams, which can reduce weak points in the fluid tight seal.
In some embodiments an adhesive or primer layer can be installed (not shown). The adhesive layer can be a primer application and can be applied prior to the placement of the waterproof membrane110. The adhesive layer can be the same material as all or part of the waterproof membrane110, such as a polyurea. The adhesive layer can be applied by spraying or rolling the material while it is in a substantially fluid state. In some embodiments the adhesive layer can be between 2 mils and 10 mils thick.
The integrated ballast mat110includes a ballast protection coating114and a seal coat112. The ballast protection coating114is applied directly to the waterproof membrane116and the seal coat is applied to the ballast protection coating114. The ballast protection coating114provides a ballast protection course for the waterproofing membrane116. The ballast protection coating114is an elastomeric coating, which can be composed of a rubber compound, such as styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber, and resin as well as other materials that will absorb the weight of the train when the train is compressing the ballast. In one specific implementation, a 40 mil layer of resin, then a layer of broadcast rubber or other filler material, then another 40 mil layer of broadcast rubber, then optionally a seal coat can be used to form a coating thicker 250 to 300 mil system. In some embodiments the ballast protection coating114can be applied by spraying the material while it is in a substantially fluid state. In other embodiments the ballast protection coating114can be broadcast in a dry form, such as ground up tires, and a resin coating applied over the dry layer. The ballast protection coating114is applied on top of the waterproof membrane116. The ballast protection coating114can cover substantially all of the waterproof membrane116. In some embodiments the ballast protection coating114covers only a portion of the waterproof coating114. Preferably, the ballast protection coating114covers all of the waterproof membrane116where ballast is positioned above the waterproof membrane116.
One or more layers of the ballast protection coating114can be applied. Or, alternatively, repeated layers of resin and filler can then be applied to achieve a desired thickness at which point the seal coat can be applied. The thickness of each the layer of the ballast protection coating114can be between 10 and 150 mils thick, and can be between 30 and 50 mils thick. In one embodiment the ballast protection coating114has two layers that are 40 mils thick. In another embodiment the ballast protection coating114has three layers that are 40 mils thick. In one embodiment, the combined thickness of the layers of the ballast protection coating114can be 250 mils. The thicknesses can vary depending upon the application.
The ballast protection coating114protects the waterproof membrane116from damage caused by operation of the railway as it absorbs the compressive forces of the ballast as the train travels over the structure. The ballast protection coating114can also provide additional waterproofing protection. By protecting the waterproof membrane116, the ballast protection coating114protects the underlying structure from water infiltration which can cause corrosion and structural deterioration over prolonged periods of time. Moreover, the resin and filler may also inhibit water intrusion. Preferably, the ballast protection coating114can be used for concrete, steel, and other rail structures.
The seal coat112is applied to the ballast protection coating114. The seal coat112binds and seals the ballast protection layer114. The seal coat can be any type of sealant. The seal coat112can be applied by spraying the material while it is in a substantially fluid state. The seal coat112substantially covers the ballast protection layer114. The thickness of the seal coat112can be between 10 and 150 mils. In one embodiment the seal coat can be 40 mils. In one embodiment the seal coat112can be the same material as all or part of the waterproof membrane116, such as a polyurea. The seal coat can be applied on top of the layers of resin and filler or may also be intermixed in the layers.
The ballast mat110and waterproof membrane116provide increased dielectric resistance between railway tracks and the underlying railway structure108. The dielectric resistance helps insulate the underlying railway structure108from stray current emanating from the railway tracks, such as light-rail tracks, that can cause accelerated corrosion on unprotected structures. The ballast mat114can also dampen noise and vibration that comes from the operation of the railway. The ballast mat can absorb and reduce vibrations that come from the rails through the ballast.
FIG. 3illustrates an alternate embodiment of the ballast protection coating114A. The layers of the ballast protection coating114A can be applied to shape the profile of the ballast mat110. Different profiles are formed by applying different numbers of layers of the ballast protection coating114. In the embodiment inFIG. 3the ballast protection coating114A has been formed so that it slopes downward from the apex to the outer edges. The shape of the ballast protection coating114A can help direct the flow of water down the sides and away from the center of the railway bed108. The ballast protection coating114can be shaped into other profiles depending on the specific application. For example, the ballast protection coating114can be applied at varying thickness to provide slop on a flat bridge deck. In another example, the ballast mat110can be shaped to direct runoff to a specific location, or the ballast mat110can be shaped to avoid pooling of water caused by irregular or uneven surfaces. Illustratively, the ballast protection coating can be applied to irregular or uneven surfaces at varying thicknesses to form level or uniformly sloped surfaces.
FIG. 4is an illustrative flowchart showing the application the railway protection coating to a railway structure400. At block402, a primer or adhesive layer can be optionally applied to a railway structure, such as a bridge deck, prior to the application of the waterproof membrane. The adhesive layer can be applied by spraying the primer when it is in a substantially fluid state. The adhesive layer can also be applied by roller or other equipment. In some embodiments the primer can be between 2 mils and 10 mils. The primer can help seal surfaces prior to the application of the waterproof membrane.
At block404, the waterproof membrane is applied to the railway structure. The waterproof membrane can be applied by spraying the waterproof membrane when it is in a substantially fluid state. The waterproof membrane can be applied as a specified thickness in one continuous application. In one embodiment the waterproof membrane is 80 mils. The waterproof membrane can be used to coat the entire railway structure and can be sprayed horizontally, vertically, and overhead. Preferably the waterproof membrane is applied to provide a continuous seamless waterproofing membrane on the railway structure. Illustratively, on a bridge deck, a substantially uniform waterproof membrane could be applied to the entire bridge deck. Preferably, the waterproof membrane creates a substantially seamless protective coating between the bridge deck and water, salts, chemicals, and other corrosive elements.
At block406, a ballast protection coating is applied over the waterproof membrane. The ballast protection coating can be applied in one or more layers. The ballast protection coating can be applied by spraying the ballast protection coating when it is in a substantially fluid state. The ballast protection coating provides protection against ballast impact to the waterproof membrane. The ballast protection coating also provides additional seamless waterproofing protection. The ballast protection coating can be applied as a series of layers of resin, then filler, then resin, etc. The layers can be applied to the railway structure non-uniformly. For example, layers of the ballast protection coating can be applied to shape or slope the surface of the railway structure. The ballast protection coating can also be used to fill in and level uneven and irregular surfaces. In some embodiments the ballast protection coating can be a uniform thickness. In one embodiment the ballast protection coating has a thickness between 230 mils and 260 mils.
At block408a seal coat is applied over the ballast protection coating. The seal coat can be applied by spraying the material while it is in a substantially fluid state. The seal coat seals the ballast protection coating and helps create a protective finish coating on the ballast mat. The seal coat can be applied as a substantially uniform layer over the entire ballast protection coating.
As discussed above, the ballast protection coating includes a filler material that can be ground up rubber. But other fillers such as rock, plastic, synthetic fiber can also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The foregoing description details certain embodiments. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. The scope of the invention should therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.
| 4E
| 01 | D |
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
As seen in FIG. 1 a latch according to the invention has a housing 24 which
is mounted on an edge of a door illustrated schematically at 25 and in
which a fork 1 is pivotal about an axis 1A so as to trap and hold a bolt
14 extending from an unillustrated door post. A pawl 2 can secure the fork
1 in the illustrated holding position or can be pivoted about an axis 2A
to allow the fork 1 to pivot clockwise and release the bolt 14. This pawl
2 carries a pin 2a projecting through a slot in the housing 24.
The housing 24 carries a release lever 3a pivotal about an axis 3A'
parallel to the axes 1A and 2A, a guide 3b also pivoted on this axis 3A',
a lever 3c pivoted about another parallel axis 3A", a link 3d pivoted at
3A'" on an end of the lever 3c, and an L-shaped lever 3e pivoted at an
axis 3A"" on the housing 24. The lever 3e is acted on by an inside
actuating lever 4 intended to move the latch between the latched and
unlatched positions, respectively retaining and releasing the bolt 14. The
lever 3c is acted on a by an inside locking lever 5 that displaces it
between a locked and unlocked position. In the locked position actuation
of the lever 3e by the locking lever 4 is not effective to release the
bolt. Virtually identical structure is shown and described in detail in
copending applications 08/184,247 and 08/184,250.
More specifically, the lower end of the link 3d carries a coupling part or
pin 3d' which slides in a slot 3b' of the guide 3b and is engageable with
an entrainment tab 3a' of the lever 3a. The lower end of the lever 3e
carries a pin 3e' which rides in the slot 3b' above the pin 3d. Thus when
the lever 3c, which forms a locking mechanism with the lever 5 and pin 3d,
is in the locked position of FIG. 1, the pin 3d is below the tab 3a' and
clockwise pivoting of the lever 3e will pivot the guide 3b and pin 3d
counterclockwise, but since the pin 3d' is below the tab 3a', this
pivoting will not be transmitted to the lever 3a and the lock will remain
latched.
When, however, as shown in FIG. 2 the lever 3c is pivoted somewhat
clockwise into the unlocked position, the link 3d and pin 3d' are raised,
putting this pin 3d' next to the tab 3a'. Subsequent clockwise pivoting of
the lever 3e, which forms with the levers 4 and 3b and the pin 3e' an
actuating mechanism, will therefore move the pin 3d' toward the left so
that the lever 3a will act on the pin 2a and push the pawl 2 down as shown
in FIG. 3, unlatching the latch and releasing the bolt 14.
FIG. 4 shows how the locking lever 5 is actually part of a central-locking
element 6 pivotal on the housing 24 about an axis 15 perpendicular to the
axes 1A and 2A. An outer end of this lever 5 is connected via a rod 16 to
an inside locking button 26. A reversible electric motor 27 operated by a
controller 28 can rotate a drive element 7 on the housing 24 about an axis
7A parallel to the axis 15. The element 7 carries a pair of diametrically
opposite eccentric pins 8' and 8" movable through an orbit 9. The part 5,
6 is formed with a radially outwardly open cutout 10 having a pair of
flank surfaces 11' and 11" engageable by the pins 8' and 8" and directed
generally oppositely of a normal displacement direction D extending
tangentially of an imaginary circle centered on the axis 15. The orbit 9
of these pins 8' and 8" extends partially through the cutout 10 and the
part 5, 6 is formed to each side of the cutout 10 with radially directed
stop surfaces 12' and 12" which are normally cushioned somewhat and that
are engageable with the respective pins 8' and 8" also. The controller 28
operates the reversible motor 27 and monitors its current consumption to
deenergize it when this current consumption exceeds a predetermined limit,
indicating that the motor's rotation is blocked.
With this system, therefore, starting from the position of FIG. 4 the
controller 28 sets the motor 27 to rotate the element 7 counterclockwise
to unlock the door 25. This action will bring the pin 8' into contact with
the unlocking flank 11" to pivot the part 5, 6 clockwise and push down the
end of the lever 3c, thereby pulling up the pin 3d'. Almost immediately
after the pin 8' engages the flank 11" and actuates the part 5, 6, the
other pin 8" will engage the other stop surface 12' and further rotation
of the element 7 will be blocked. The current consumption of the motor 27
will peak and the controller 28 will shut down the motor 27.
For locking the door the controller 28 reverses rotation of the motor 27 so
that the blocked pin 8" moves back while the other pin 8' engages the
locking flank 11' and pivots the part 5, 6 clockwise, reversing the
sequence described above until the pin 8" returns to engagement with the
surface 12" as shown in FIG. 4. This drops the pin 3d' and locks the
latch.
The system of FIG. 5 works similarly except that the cutout 10a is a hole
so that its flanks 11a' and 11a" as well as the stop surfaces 12a' and
12a" are directed radially inward.
In FIG. 6 a slide 13 is displaceable linearly on a guide 28 of the housing
24 and is connected via a coupling 27 to the part 5. This slide 13 is
formed with a cutout 10c having a pair of flanks 11c' and 11c" and a pair
of stop surfaces 12c' and 12c". Once again, the orbit 9 extends mainly
outside the cutout 10c but here the element 7 carries only one eccentric
pin 8. Thus instead of a two-pin formation giving an angular stroke of
about 180.degree. between end positions of the drive element 7, the stroke
is some 540.degree., in which case the sole pin 8 first engages the
appropriate flank 11c' or 11c" and thereafter moves on to come to rest
against the other stop surface 12c' or 12c".
FIG. 7 also shows how the motor-vehicle door latch has a pivotal fork 1', a
release pawl 2', and a release lever 3'. In addition it is provided with
an actuating-lever system and a locking-lever system. The actuating-lever
system more particularly has an inside actuating lever 4' and an outside
actuating lever 18. The locking-lever system has an inside locking lever
5' as well as an outside locking lever 14'. The outside locking lever 14'
as well as the inside locking lever 4' are pivotal about a common axis
15'. Also mounted on the pivot axis 15' is a transmission lever 16' which
connects the locking lever system with the actuating lever system. The
transmission lever 16' is connected via a spring element 17 with the
inside locking lever 5'. This force-transmitting connection via the spring
element 17 is set up such that the motor-vehicle door latch can be locked
even if the outside actuating lever 18 and/or the inside actuating lever
4' are locked. In particular the release lever 3' is pivoted on the
transmission lever 16'. The outside actuating lever 18 has a generally
L-shaped cutout 19 and the inside actuating lever 4' has a longitudinally
extending slot 20. The release lever 3 is provided with a guide pin 21
projecting through both the L-shaped cutout 19 and the slot 20. A cam edge
22 on the release lever 3 serves for releasing the release pawl 2. The cam
edge 22 stays in the unlocked position of the transmission lever 16' in
operative engagement with a release pin 23 of the pawl 2. On the other
hand the cam edge 22 in the unlocked position of the transmission lever 16
is clear of the pin 23 of the pawl 2. In this manner the outside actuating
lever 18 is disconnected in the locked position of the transmission lever
16, that is its actuation does not move the pawl 3'.
The motor-vehicle door latch shown in FIGS. 7 through 9 is further equipped
with a central locking drive as well as with a central-locking element 6'
connected to the locking lever system. The central locking drive is
constituted as a reversible electric-motor drive which has an output
element 7' with an eccentric control pin 8. The control pin is movable
along an orbit 9 left and right to displace the central locking element 6'
between the unlocked and locked positions. The central-locking element 6'
has in particular a cutout 10 with lateral control surfaces 11 directed
into the cutout 10 and confronting the control pin 8. The inside locking
lever 5' and the central locking element 6' are connected to each other
physically via an emergency unlocking connecting element 13' constituted
as a spring clip on the element 6' and a pin on the lever 5'. A part of
the orbit of the control pin 8 lies outside the cutout 10 of the
central-locking element 6'. The central-locking element 6' has to each
side of the cutout 1 a respective abutment surface 12 for the control pin
8. The positions of the control pin 8 are limited by running up of the
control pin 8 against one of the abutment surfaces whereupon the
electric-motor drive is cut off. This can be done by position-detecting
switches and also by monitoring the increased current consumption of the
motor when the pin 8 engages the abutment 12. The inside-locking lever 5'
is also in this embodiment pivotal about the axis 15'. The cutout 10 of
the central locking element 6' is open radially inwardly relative to the
axis 15'.
In this embodiment the emergency-unlocking/connecting element 13' is formed
as a force-transmitting snap connection so that the connection between the
inside-locking lever 5' and the central-locking element 6' is releasable
only toward the unlocked position of the inside locking lever 5'. As can
be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8 the inside-locking lever 5' and
the central-locking element 6' under normal conditions, that is with no
out-of the ordinary outside influences, act like a single part. Comparing
FIGS. 7 and 8 with FIG. 9 shows however that in the case of an accidental
blocking of the locked position of the central-locking element 6' it is
still possible to effect an emergency unlocking. A sufficiently strong
actuation of the inside-locking lever 5' will disconnect the
emergency-unlocking/connecting element 13' and will unlock the
motor-vehicle door latch even if the central-locking element 6' is set in
the locked position. A strong subsequent actuation of the inside-locking
lever 5' into the locked position again connects up the emergency element
13'. After restoration of the functionality of the motor drive (for
example by charging of the vehicle's battery) the motor-vehicle door latch
according to the invention is thus once again operational. | 4E
| 05 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present teaching relates to optimization of energy consumption in communication systems, and in particular to optimization of energy consumption in microwave radio links implementing data transmission by adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) or adaptive coding and modulation and baudrate (ACMB).
A main idea of the present disclosure relates to regulating an output power of a power amplifier (PA) used for data transmission based on a buffer state of a data buffer. The output power regulation is done such that PA output power is decreased when there is only little data, or data having a lower priority level, to be transmitted, and increased as the buffer fills up or when the buffer contains high priority data.
This results in that the ACM system automatically responds to the changed power level by regulating spectral efficiency of data transmission to match the current power level, whereby transmission errors are avoided despite the reduction in output power. Power consumption by the microwave transceiver is reduced due to the controlling of output power of the PA, which leads to reduced total cost of ownership (TCO). Another advantage of the present technique is that spectral efficiency need not be controlled specifically, since this is handled by the existing ACM system, which enables an efficient implementation of the proposed techniques.
Also, by the proposed technique, a spectral efficiency suitable for current traffic conditions is selected, leading to reduced processing requirements on the microwave transceiver, and thus to a further reduction in power consumption by the microwave transceiver.
An issue with almost any electronic device is component wear or component aging, leading eventually to malfunction of the device. A measure of component aging is its mean-time-before-failure (MTBF). It is known that a hot component operating in high load conditions often ages faster than a component allowed to operate under less stress, i.e., operating in a colder state. Thus, the reduction in power consumption obtained by the present technique also affects MTBF in a positive way as components, in particular the PA, are running colder.
Hereby, radio interference to neighboring communication systems is also reduced, due to the controlling of output power of the PA.
A further advantage stemming from transmission at reduced spectral efficiency is an increased resilience of the microwave transceiver to external interference.
Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The apparatus, computer program and methods disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only, and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
FIG. 1illustrates a radio link according to the present disclosure. In particular, there is shown a microwave transceiver100, comprising a data buffer110, an adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) module120, a power amplifier (PA)130and an antenna140. The microwave transceiver100is arranged to communicate over a point-to-point link170with a remote microwave transceiver180. Thus, data input to the data input port111is transmitted over the radio link and output from the remote microwave transceiver180on an output data port181. The microwave transceiver100constitutes one point of a point-to-point microwave radio link170, and the remote microwave transceiver180constitutes another point of said point-to-point microwave radio link170.
The microwave transceiver100shown inFIG. 1, and discussed herein, only shows a transmitter chain ending with the PA130and antenna140. However, it is appreciated that a transceiver normally also comprises a receiver chain for receiving data over the point-to-point link170. This is indicated by the double direction arrows of the point-to-point link170.
The microwave transceiver100implements ACM, or, according to some aspects, implements adaptive coding, modulation, and baudrate (ACMB). ACM is a mechanism which adjusts a spectral efficiency, usually measured in bits/sec/Hz, of data transmission according to current transmission conditions. Thus, as attenuation over the hop and/or interference increases the spectral efficiency of transmission is reduced, and increased when transmission conditions improve. Since reducing spectral efficiency leads to improvements in detection resilience, low error rates can be maintained throughout periods of reduced transmission conditions. ACM usually involves feedback, via an ACM feedback channel121, from a receiver of the transmitted data which is used to determine a suitable level of modulation and/or coding, i.e., a modulation format and a channel code, which together determine the spectral efficiency of data transmission. ACMB, in addition to varying spectral efficiency of the transmitted signal, further varies a baudrate of the transmitted signal, thereby varying an occupied channel frequency bandwidth of the transmitted signal.
Thus, the ACM module120is configured to receive buffered data from the data buffer110and to modulate the buffered data at a modulation format having a spectral efficiency. The PA130is configured to receive modulated buffered data from the ACM module120, and to transmit amplified modulated buffered data, via the antenna140, to a remote microwave transceiver180at an output power.
The modulation format is selected from a plurality of modulation formats based on a feedback signal from the remote microwave transceiver180. Examples of modulation formats include different orders of quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), phase shift keying (M-PSK). Further examples include various modulation formats used together with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
The microwave transceiver100further comprises a control module150configured to monitor a buffer state of the data buffer110, and to control the output power of the PA130based on the monitored buffer state.
By monitoring the buffer state, e.g., a buffer fill level, a buffer read/write pointer, a buffer fill rate, or similar, and controlling PA output power based on the monitored state, a sequence of events is started. This sequence of events will be further discussed below in connection toFIG. 3, but suppose for instance that the buffer fill level is such as to allow transmission at a reduced spectral efficiency without risking buffer overflow. In this case the PA output power is reduced at the transmitter. The receiver180then detects a corresponding drop in received signal quality, which prompts an ACM feedback signal121from the receiver requesting a modulation format and/or coding with reduced spectral efficiency to account for the drop in received signal quality. Consequently, the reduction in output power results in an automatic adjustment in transmission rate, by the ACM system, to maintain data transmission at low error rate but using a reduced output power.
Herein, signal quality is to construed broadly, comprising e.g., signal power, signal to noise ratio (SNR), signal to noise and interference ratio (SNIR), mean squared detection error (MSE), and the like which can be used to determine the ACM feedback signal121.
Consequently, according to some aspects, the control module150is configured to decrease the output power of the PA130when the buffer fill level is below a first pre-determined threshold.
According to further aspects, the control module150is configured to regulate output power continuously according to a pre-determined or configured function of buffer fill level. According to some other aspects, the control module150is configured to increase the output power of the PA130when the buffer fill level is above a second pre-determined threshold.
As already mentioned above, not only buffer fill level can be of interest when controlling PA output power, but also buffer fill rate, or properties of currently buffered data. One such example is a priority level of buffered data, e.g., a priority level indicated in a data header of a data packet, such as an internet protocol (IP) packet. Thus, according to some aspects, the buffer state comprises a priority level of data currently in the data buffer, and the control module150is configured to increase the output power of the PA130when the priority level of data currently in the data buffer meets pre-determined criteria, and to decrease the output power of the PA130when the priority level of data currently in the data buffer meets other pre-determined criteria.
Examples of said pre-determined criteria include priority levels, different packet types, packet size, or information indicating different data streams which are to be given priority. One reason behind the controlling of output power based on priority level is that some data types may be sensitive to delay, in which case this data should preferably be transmitted at high rate to minimize transmission delay regardless of buffer state in general.
It is, in some cases, possible to predict future buffer states based on past buffer states. One example is by extrapolating buffer fill levels as function of time, in which case future buffer fill levels can be estimated. In other words, according to some aspects, the buffer state comprises a predicted future buffer fill level, and the control module150is configured to control the output power of the PA130based on the predicted future buffer fill level. Another example is storing arrival times of high priority data, from which a pattern of arrival times can be deduced, for instance, high priority video streams may only occur during office hours. Yet another example is to simply mark the first arrival occurrence of high priority data, reasoning that this single occurrence indicates a possibility of more high priority data arriving in near future in which case transmission rates should be maintained high.
Control of PA output power can be actuated in different ways, according to different aspects, some of which will now be described. According to some such aspects, the control module150is configured to control the output power of the PA130over a continuous range of output powers between a minimum and a maximum output power level.
According to some other such aspects, the control module150is configured to select an output power of the PA130from a plurality of discrete output powers.
It is furthermore appreciated that the output power of the PA130should preferably not be changed abruptly in too large steps, since such large abrupt changes in output power can lead to detection error at the receiver side, due to bandwidth limitation in automatic gain control (AGC) at the receiver180. Thus, the output power of the PA is, according to some aspects, changed at a pre-determined rate of change, given in W/sec, and/or according to a pre-determined maximum step-size, given in W/step.
The output power of the PA130can be set in a number of different ways, for instance, according to some aspects, the control module150is configured to select an output power of the PA130from a look-up-table (LUT) of power levels indexed by buffer state.
According to some aspects, the microwave transceiver100comprises a limiter module160. The limiter module160is configured to limit the control of the output power of the PA130to output powers above a minimum output power and/or to output powers below a pre-determined maximum output power. It is appreciated that this type of limiter module can be integrated with an automatic transmit power control (ATPC) system, wherein the limiter module limits the output power within an acceptable range where data transmission at a given error rate performance is possible.
According to some aspects, the ACM module120is further configured to select a channel code, and/or a corresponding code rate from a plurality of channel codes and/or code rates, and to apply said channel code in modulating the buffered data, said spectral efficiency being determined by the selected modulation format and by the selected channel code and/or code rate.
FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit according to the present disclosure, comprising an input data port111′, a data buffer110and an adaptive coding and modulation, ACM, module120. The data buffer110being configured to receive data on the input data port111′ and to output buffered data to the ACM module120on an output data port112. The ACM module is configured to receive and to modulate the buffered data at a modulation format having a spectral efficiency, and to output the modulated buffered data on an output port122′ of the DSP circuit200, wherein the modulation format is selected from a plurality of modulation formats based on a feedback signal121received on an ACM feedback port121′ of the DSP circuit200. The DSP circuit200further comprises a control module150configured to monitor a buffer state of the data buffer110, and to output a power control signal151,151bon a power control port151b′ of the DSP circuit200for controlling an output power of a power amplifier, PA, connectable to the DSP circuit200based on the monitored buffer state.
According to aspects, the DSP circuit200further comprises a limiter module160. The limiter module160is configured to limit the power control signal151,151bto correspond to output powers above a pre-determined minimum output power of the PA and/or to correspond to output powers below a pre-determined maximum output power of the PA.
The DSP circuit provides functionality corresponding to the above discussion related to microwave transceivers. In fact, according to one embodiment, the microwave transceiver100shown inFIG. 1comprises the DSP circuit200. For reasons of brevity, the DSP circuit200or other devices comprising said DSP circuit200, will not be further discussed here, instead referring to the discussion on the microwave transceivers above.
FIG. 3shows graphs illustrating an example sequence of events according to the present disclosure, in order to provide a better understanding of the proposed technique. According to the illustrated scenario, the traffic influx to the data buffer varies over time. First there is a rise in buffer fill level, followed by a period of relatively stable buffer fill level, and ending with a decline in buffer fill level. Buffer fill level is here measured in percentage of total buffer capacity. Aligned in time with the graph on buffer fill level are shown output power by the PA, and spectral efficiency by the ACM. Output power is here measured in percentage of maximum total output power. ACM efficiency is here measured in percentage of maximum available spectral efficiency. Four events, A-D, are marked by dashed lines.
At event ‘A’ the monitored buffer fill level percentage rises above a first threshold T1. This results in that PA output power is increased, here according to a ramp function. The increase in output power results in improved reception conditions at the receiver, which in turn prompts an increase in spectral efficiency of data transmission by the ACM system. At event ‘B’ the buffer fill level rises above a second threshold T2, which prompts a further increase in PA output power, followed by a further increase in spectral efficiency of data transmission. This spectral efficiency is maintained until event ‘C’ occurs, where the buffer fill level again goes below the second threshold T2, whereupon output power is reduced, resulting in a decrease in spectral efficiency of data transmission. At event ‘D’, the buffer fill level goes below the first threshold T1, resulting in a further decrease in spectral efficiency of data transmission.
In terms of power consumption, a lower power consumption can be expected prior to event ‘A’, and following even ‘D’, compared to the period in between event ‘B’ and ‘C’, where a high output power is used.
FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating methods according to the present disclosure. In particular, there is illustrated a method in a DSP circuit200for controlling a spectral efficiency of data transmission by the DSP circuit. The DSP circuit200corresponds to the DSP circuit shown inFIG. 2and discussed above, i.e., it comprises a data buffer110and an adaptive coding and modulation, ACM, module120. The ACM module120is configured to modulate buffered data received from the data buffer110at a modulation format having a spectral efficiency. The method comprises monitoring S1a buffer state of the data buffer110and generating S3a power control signal151,151bfor controlling an output power of a PA130connectable to the DSP circuit200, based on the monitored buffer state.
According to aspects, the monitoring S1comprises monitoring S11a buffer fill level of the data buffer110.
According to aspects, the monitoring S1comprises predicting S12a future buffer fill level of the data buffer110.
According to aspects, the monitoring S1comprises monitoring S13a priority level of data currently in the data buffer110.
According to aspects, the generating S3further comprises generating a power control signal for decreasing S31the output power of the PA130when the buffer fill level, or predicted future buffer fill level, is below a first pre-determined threshold.
According to aspects, the generating S3further comprises generating a power control signal for increasing S32the output power of the PA130when the buffer fill level, or predicted future buffer fill level, is above a second pre-determined threshold.
According to aspects, the generating S3further comprises generating S35the power control signal based on the predicted future buffer fill level.
According to aspects, the generating S3further comprises generating a power control signal for increasing S33the output power of the PA130when the priority level of data currently in the data buffer is above a priority threshold, and wherein the generating S3further comprises generating a power control signal for decreasing S34the output power of the PA130when the priority level of data currently in the data buffer is below a priority threshold.
Above aspects of the disclosed method have already been discussed in connection with corresponding functions and features of the DSP circuits and microwave transceivers, and will therefore not be discussed again here.
FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a DSP circuit for controlling a spectral efficiency of data transmission by the DSP circuit according to the present disclosure. The DSP circuit comprises a buffer monitoring module SX1configured to monitor a buffer state of a data buffer110of the DSP circuit, and a power control module SX3configured to generate a power control signal of the DSP circuit for controlling an output power of a PA130connectable to the DSP circuit200, based on the monitored buffer state.
In addition to the buffer monitoring and power control modules, the DSP circuit, according to some aspects, comprises further modules SX11-SX13, and SX31-SX35. These modules are configured to perform functions corresponding to method steps discussed above in connection toFIG. 4.
The various aspects of the methods described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.
| 7H
| 04 | L |
EXAMPLES
Comparative Example I
Preparation of a Prepolymer Containing Isocyanate Groups and Based on
1,5-NDI
1.000 parts by weight (0.5 mol) of a poly(ethanediol(0.5
mol)-1,4-butanediol(0.5 mol) adipate(1 mol)) having an average molecular
weight of 2,000 (calculated from the experimentally determined hydroxyl
number) were heated to 140.degree. C. and at this temperature admixed and
reacted while stirring vigorously with 240 parts by weight (1.14 mol) of
solid 1,5-NDI.
This gave a prepolymer having an NCO content of 4.32% by weight and a
viscosity at 90.degree. C. of 2,800 mPa.s (measured using a rotation
viscometer from Haake, by means of which the viscosities in the following
comparative examples and examples were also measured).
b) Production of Cellular Moldings
The crosslinker component comprised
20,7 parts by weight of 2,2',6,6'-tetraisopropyldiphenyl-carbodiimide,
2,9 parts by weight of a mixture of ethoxylated oleic and ricinoleic acid
containing an average of 9 oxyethylene units,
3,8 parts by weight of the monoethanolamine salt of n-alkylbenzenesulfonic
acid containing C.sub.9 -C.sub.15 -alkyl radicals,
36,3 parts by weight of the sodium salt of sulfated castor oil,
36,3 parts by weight of water and
0,03 parts by weight of a mixture of 30% by weight of
pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and 70% by weight of
N-methyl-N'-(dimethylaminomethyl)piperazine.
100 parts by weight of the isocyanate prepolymer prepared as described in
Comparative Example Ia and heated to 90.degree. C. were stirred vigorously
with 2.4 parts by weight of the crosslinker component for about 8 seconds.
The reaction mixture was then introduced into a closable, metallic mold
heated to 80.degree. C., the mold was closed and the reaction mixture was
allowed to cure. After 25 minutes, the microcellular molding was removed
from the mold and heated at 110.degree. C. for 16 hours for further
thermal curing.
Comparative Example II
a) Preparation of a Prepolymer Containing Isocyanate Groups and Based on
4,4'-MDI
The procedure of Comparative Example Ia was repeated, but using 380 parts
by weight (1.52 mol) of 4,4'-MDI heated to 50.degree. C. in place of the
1,5-NDI.
This gave a prepolymer having an NCO content of 6.19% by weight and a
viscosity at 90.degree. C. of 1,600 mPa.s (measured using a rotation
viscometer).
b) Production of a Cellular Test Plate
100 parts by weight of the prepolymer as described in Comparative Example
IIa and 3.42 parts by weight of the crosslinker component as described in
Comparative Example Ib were reacted as described in Comparative Example I
and the reaction mixture was molded to form test plates. The reaction
mixture could not be processed into test springs for the dynamic test.
Comparative Example III
a) Preparation of a Prepolymer Containing Isocyanate Groups and Based on
4,4'-MDI
A mixture of 1,000 parts by weight of the poly(ethanediol-1,4-butanediol
adipate) described in Comparative Example I and 3 parts by weight of
trimethylolpropane were reacted with 380 parts by weight (1.52 mol) of
4,4'-MDI heated to 50.degree. C. as described in Comparative Example II.
This gave a prepolymer having an NCO content of 5.80% by weight and a
viscosity at 90.degree. C. of 1,750 mPa.s (measured using a rotation
viscometer).
b) Production of Cellular Moldings
Moldings were produced by a method similar to that described in Comparative
Example I from 100 parts by weight of the prepolymer as described in
Comparative Example IIIa and 3.1 parts by weight of the crosslinker
component as described in Comparative Example Ib.
Comparative Example IV
a) Preparation of a Prepolymer Containing Isocyanate Groups and Based on
p-PDI
1000 parts by weight (0.5 mol) of a poly(ethanediol(0.5
mol)-1,4-butanediol(0.5 mol) adipate(l mol)) having an average molecular
weight of 2000 (calculated from the experimentally determined hydroxyl
number) were heated to 100.degree. C. and at this temperature admixed and
reacted while stirring vigorously with 183 parts by weight (1.14 mol) of
solid p-PDI.
This gave a prepolymer having an NCO content of 4.40% by weight and a
viscosity at 80.degree. C. of 2900 mPas (measured using a rotation
viscometer).
b) Production of Cellular Moldings
Moldings were produced by a method similar to that described in Comparative
Example I from 100 parts by weight of the prepolymer as described in
Comparative Example IVa and 2.43 parts by weight of the crosslinker
component as described in Comparative Example Ib, but the isocyanate
prepolymer from Comparative Example IVa was heated to 80.degree. C. The
moldings were only removed from the mold after 60 minutes and were heated
at 110.degree. C. for 16 hours for further thermal curing.
Example 1
a) Preparation of a Prepolymer Containing Isocyanate Groups and Based on
4,4'-MDI/p-PDI
1000 parts by weight (0.5 mol) of a poly(ethanediol(0.5
mol)-1,4-butanediol(0.5 mol) adipate(1 mol)) having an average molecular
weight of 2000 (calculated from the experimentally determined hydroxyl
number) were heated to 130.degree. C. and, while stirring vigorously, 174
parts by weight (0.696 mol) of 4,4'-MDI heated to 50.degree. C. and
immediately thereafter 55.75 parts by weight (0.348 mol) of solid p-PDI
were added thereto. This gave, after a reaction time of about 15 minutes,
a polyaddition product containing urethane and isocyanate groups and
having an NCO content of 3.7% by weight. This polyaddition product was
reacted at 97.degree. C. with an additional 55.75 parts by weight (0.348
mol) of solid p-PDI and was cooled to 80.degree. C. over about 30 minutes
while stirring.
This gave a prepolymer having an NCO content of 5.77% and a viscosity at
80.degree. C. of 3000 mPas (measured using a rotation viscometer).
b) Production of Cellular Moldings
100 parts by weight of the isocyanate prepolymer based on 4,4'-MDI/p-PDI
and heated to 80.degree. C., prepared as described in Example 1a, were
mixed while stirring vigorously with 3.21 parts by weight of the
crosslinker component, prepared as described in Comparative Example Ib.
After a stirring time of about 8 seconds, the reaction mixture was
introduced into a closable metallic mold heated to 80.degree. C., the mold
was closed and the reaction mixture was allowed to cure. After 60 minutes,
the microcellular molding was removed from the mold and heated at
110.degree. C. for 16 hours for further thermal curing.
Example 2
a) Preparation of a Prepolymer Containing Isocyanate Groups and Based on
4,4'-MDI/p-PDI
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, but the 1000 parts by weight (0.5
mol) of the poly(ethanediol-1,4-butanediol adipate) were admixed first
with 174 parts by weight (0.696 mol) of 4,4'-MDI and immediately
thereafter with 111.5 parts by weight (0.696 mol) of p-PDI.
A reaction time of about 60 minutes in a temperature range of
130-90.degree. C. gave a prepolymer having an NCO content of 5.70% by
weight and a viscosity at 80.degree. C. of 3000 mPas (measured using a
rotation viscometer).
b) Production of Cellular Moldings
The cellular moldings were produced by a method similar to that described
in Example Ib using the prepolymer as described in Example 2a.
The static and dynamic mechanical properties of the microcellular PU
elastomers were measured on the cellular moldings produced as described in
Comparative Examples Ib to IVb and Examples 1 and 2.
The static mechanical properties measured were the tensile strength in
accordance with DIN 53 571, the elongation at break in accordance with DIN
53 571, the tear propagation resistance in accordance with DIN 53 515 and
the compressive set at 80.degree. C. by a modification of DIN 53 572 using
spacers 18 mm high and test specimens having a base area of 40.times.40 mm
and a height of 30.+-.1 mm. The compressive set (CS) was calculated
according to the equation
##EQU1##
where
H.sub.0 is the original height of the test specimen in mm,
H.sub.1 is the height of the test specimen in the deformed state in mm and
H.sub.2 is the height of the test specimen after release of the pressure in
mm.
The dynamic mechanical properties determined are the displacement increase
(DI) under the action of maximum force and the consolidation (CON)
(Figure). The molding for measuring the consolidation was a cylindrical
test spring having 3 segment constrictions and a height of 100 mm, an
external diameter of 50 mm and an internal diameter of 10 mm. After
stressing the spring over 100,000 load cycles at a force of 6 kN and a
frequency of 1.2 Hz, the CON is measured as the difference between initial
and final values of the test spring height and given in percent. The
consolidation is a measure of the permanent deformation of the cellular PU
elastomer during the long-term vibration test. The smaller the
consolidation, the greater is the dynamic performance capability of the
material.
The height H.sub.R for determining the consolidation after the dynamic test
is determined after recording the characteristic curve of the spring:
H.sub.0 is the initial height; the molding is precompressed 3 times under
maximum force (maximum force as per characteristic curves), then the
characteristic curve is recorded in a 4th cycle at a compression rate of
V=50 mm/min. After 10 minutes, H.sub.1, viz. the height of the component
after recording the characteristic curve, is determined. Only then is the
dynamic test commenced.
H.sub.R =Final height after the dynamic test measured after storage for 24
hours at 23.degree. C./50% relative atmospheric humidity after the end of
the dynamic test. However, the reference point (=initial height) used for
determining the permanent consolidation after the dynamic test is H.sub.0,
the height of the spring in the completely "new" state, without any
compression:
##EQU2##
The dynamic test is carried out without additional cooling in an
air-conditioned room at 23.degree. C. and 50% relative atmospheric
humidity. The mechanical properties measured on the test specimens are
summarized in the table below.
TABLE
Static and dynamic mechanical properties of the cellular
PU-elastomers prepared as described in Comparative Examples I to
IV and Examples 1 and 2
Example
Comparative Example I II III IV 1 2
Diisocyanate basis of isocyanate NDI MDI MDI p-PDI MDI/
MDI/
prepolymer p-PDI p-PDI
NCO content [%] 4.32 6.19 5.8 4.40 5.77 5.70
Viscosity at 90.degree. C. [mPa's] 2800 1600 1750 2900 3000
3000
(80.degree. C.)
(80.degree. C.) (80.degree. C.)
Static mechanical properties
Compressive set [80.degree. C.,%] 20 43 20 17 20
22
Tensile strength [N/mm.sup.2 ] 3.6 4.5 4.3 4.1 4.5 4.6
Elongation [%] 350 510 460 630 600 610
Tear propagation resistance [N/mm] 16.2 19.9 17.3 17.4 17.5
17.3
Dynamic mechanical properties
Consolidation [%] 8 -- 16-18 6.2-7.2 12 11.7
Displacement increase [mm] 1.4-2.1 -- 5.0-5.7 1.8-2.1 3.0 2.9 | 2C
| 08 | J |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The various features of the invention will now be described with respect to the figures, in which like parts are identified with the same reference characters.
A careful investigation by the present inventors has revealed that, even when the ΔΣ-modulator noise is designed to fall outside the loop passband, a higher-than-expected PLL phase noise is obtained. A further analysis by the present inventors has shown that this excess noise can be attributed to charge-pump asymmetry (e.g., due to transistor mismatches in the charge pump—see, for example,FIG. 7). This asymmetry can be seen inFIG. 9, which shows a graph of a phase-detector transfer function. In particular, it can be seen that the rate of change in the average PLL output current (ie—avg) is different for positive phase differences than it is for negative phase differences. This asymmetry causes a fraction of the ΔΣ-modulator noise to be recited by the charge pump (i.e., an even-order nonlinearity). This nonlinear process centers the rectified ΔΣ-modulator noise around DC (zero frequency) and at twice its bandwidth. This can be seen inFIG. 10, which is a graph of the noise density spectrum at the output of a conventional PLL. Loop transfer is indicated by a dotted line1001and down-converted noise is indicated by a dot-dashed line1003. As the figure shows, noise generated at frequencies that normally fall outside the loop bandwidth are folded back into the loop bandwidth due to rectification. This, in turn, modulates the VCO, thereby resulting in excess VCO phase noise. This rectification process has always been present in charge-pump-based phase detectors. It is, however, the use of ΔΣ-modulators that aggravates this problem because ΔΣ-modulators cause a much larger instantaneous phase error (since they shape the fractional-N spurious tones to contain more high-frequency components) than regulator integer-N, or non-ΔΣ-modulator fractional-N, loops. When the frequency synthesizer PLL is used to generator phase or frequency modulation, for example in a GSM transmitter, problems with the error-signal magnitude may be further aggravated.
The present invention solves the charge-pump asymmetry problem by shifting the operating point of the phase-detector charge pumps so that both positive and negative phase differences will keep the charge-pump operating in a linear region.FIG. 11depicts a charge-pump transfer function. It can be seen that by shifting the operating point to, for example, a steady state point1101, the phase error can be made small enough so as not to traverse the nonlinearity at the origin1103. By staying away from the origin1103, only one segment of the (mostly) piece-wise linear charge-pump transfer will be active and a much more linear phase-detector response is achieved. When a large error occurs, for example due to a frequency change, the phase detector works in the normal fashion. Only during locked conditions will the operating-point offset be significant.
A phase-detector offset can be implemented in any of a number of alternative ways, and the particular way selected is not essential to the invention. In one embodiment, this is achieved by adding a constant leakage current in the PLL, for example, in the loop filter Z(s). It is, however, desirable to have this leakage current be independent of the loop filter.
In an alternative embodiment, the dead-band delay is shifted so that it acts only on one of the two latch outputs. For example,FIG. 12(a) depicts a linear dead-band-free digital phase detector1200in which a delay circuit1201is interposed between the “up” signal and a first input of the logical AND gate1203.
In an alternative embodiment, shown inFIG. 12(b), a linear dead-band-free digital phase detector1225is arranged such that a delay circuit1205is interposed between the “down” signal and a second input of the logical AND gate1203.
In yet another alternative embodiment, shown inFIG. 12(c), a linear dead-band-free digital phase detector1250is arranged such that a first delay circuit1201is interposed between the “up” signal and the first input of the logical AND gate1203, and a second delay circuit1205is interposed between the “down” signal and the second input of the logical AND gate1203. In this embodiment, the delay imparted by the first delay circuit1201should not be equal to the delay imparted by the second delay circuit1203.
In each of the alternative embodiments shown inFIGS. 12(a),12(b) and12(c), the delay is asymmetric with respect to the “up” and “down” signals supplied to the logical AND gate that generates the reset signal for the phase detector. By letting the delay asymmetry be close to, or larger than, M/ƒo, (i.e., an amount of time equal to M cycles of the VCO output frequency) all ΔΣ noise will be confined to one side of the phase-detector output-current zero crossing. The delay will cause ƒRand ƒoto have a constant phase offset corresponding to the delay asymmetry, but this is not a problem in typical frequency synthesizer applications.
The invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the preferred embodiment described above. This may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention.
For example, phase-locked loops have been illustrated that employ voltage controlled oscillators. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that this aspect is not essential to the invention, and that the inventive concepts relating to phase detection can also be employed in phase-locked loops that utilize current controlled oscillators instead of voltage controlled oscillators, and that in each case, these components can be considered to be a circuit that generates a phase-locked loop output signal that has a frequency that is controlled by a frequency control signal generated by a loop filter.
Furthermore, the illustrated embodiments described above employ charge pumps, and generate an output current that varies as a substantially linear function of the phase difference between two signals. However, alternative embodiments of the invention can also be devised to generate an output voltage rather than an output current, wherein the output voltage varies as a substantially linear function of the phase difference between the two signals. In such cases, voltage generators rather than charge pumps can be employed. The output voltage can serve as the source signal for controlling a VCO in a phase-locked loop, or the output voltage can alternatively be converted to a varying current for those embodiments that utilize a current controlled oscillator instead of a VCO.
Thus, the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is given by the appended claims, rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
| 7H
| 03 | D |
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It should be noted at this point that the reference characters of identical or corresponding components differ from one another only in their first digit.
It should also be noted that embodiments described in the following merely represent a restricted selection of possible embodiment variants of the invention. In particular, it is possible to combine the features of individual embodiments with each other in a suitable manner so that, for the person skilled in the art, a plurality of different embodiments is to be regarded as obviously disclosed with the embodiment variants explicitly illustrated here.
FIG. 1shows the installation of a shielding device150into a substrate110of a smoke alarm100. The substrate110comprises a mechanical support element110aand a printed circuit board, whereby the printed circuit board is not visible in the perspective view shown inFIG. 1.
On the mechanical support element110aare formed snap hooks112which are provided for holding a cover (not shown) of the smoke alarm100. The cover serves in a known manner to avoid any contamination of the smoke alarm and to keep away insects which may trigger false alarms if they intrude into the interior of the smoke alarm100.
Also formed on the mechanical support element110aare snap hooks114which serve in a known manner to secure the smoke alarm100on an adapter plate (not shown inFIG. 1). The adapter plate can for example be secured on the wall or in particular on the ceiling of a room to be monitored. Thereafter the smoke alarm100only needs to be latched into the adapter plate by means of the snap hooks114.
The smoke alarm100based on the optical scattered light principle comprises a first light emitting device120and a second light emitting device130. The light emitting devices120,130each comprise a light source and an optical system. The light source of the first light emitting device120can emit light having a first wavelength and the light source of the second light emitting device130can emit light having a second wavelength. Since the construction of the spectrally different light emitting devices120,130is known and is of no further relevance to the invention described in this application, this application will not expand further on the technical details of the light emitting devices120,130.
As can be seen fromFIG. 1, the smoke alarm100also comprises a light receiver device140. The light receiver device140comprises a light receiver142taking the form of a photodiode and a receiver lens144. Since the scattered light intensity in particular in the case of a low smoke concentration is normally not very great, a shielding device150which at least partially attenuates the intensity of electromagnetic interference radiation impinging on the light receiver device140from outside is provided for the light receiver device140. The sensitivity of the light receiver device140and with it the sensitivity of the entire smoke alarm100are thus considerably improved by the shielding device150and the probability of false alarms occurring is considerably reduced at the same time.
FIG. 1shows the shielding device150shortly prior to assembly on the substrate110. With respect to the light receiver device140, the shielding device150is therefore not yet situated at the point at which the shielding device150is able to exert its shielding effect for the light receiver device140and in particular for the photodiode142.
According to the exemplary embodiment described here, the shielding device150comprises a front shielding unit152and a rear shielding unit154. In the installed state, which will be described in more detail in the following, the front shielding unit152serves to shield against electromagnetic interference radiation which inFIG. 1impinges on the light receiver device140from above or laterally from above. The rear shielding unit154serves to shield against electromagnetic interference radiation which inFIG. 1impinges on the light receiver device140from below or laterally from below through the substrate110.
According to the exemplary embodiment described here, the rear shielding unit takes the form of a metal strip154. In order to increase the stiffness of the metal strip154two bulges are provided, a first bulge156aand a second bulge157a. Between the two bulges156a,157athe metal strip154has a narrowing which, as will be described in detail in the following, is intended to facilitate a bending of the metal strip154bat the end of assembly of the shielding device350.
The assembly of the shielding device150on the substrate110takes place according to the exemplary embodiment described here in a simple manner by pressing the metal strip154exhibiting a certain stiffness through the substrate110. In this situation, it is not necessary to pre-drill or form a through-hole in the substrate110. At the end of the push-in operation the shielding device150is fixed in self-retaining fashion in the substrate110. The self-retaining fixing of the shielding device150can be improved for example by means of barbs (not shown) which lock into the substrate material.
FIG. 2ashows the back side of the substrate illustrated inFIG. 1a, which henceforth is provided with the reference character210. Only the printed circuit board210bof the substrate210can be seen in the perspective view shown inFIG. 2a. The snap hooks for the adapter plate (not shown) are provided with the reference character214. Also illustrated above the printed circuit board level is a connector strip270which serves to provide electrical contact for the smoke alarm.
Only connector pins242aand242bof the photodiode which protrude through the substrate210and thus through the printed circuit board210bcan be seen inFIG. 2a. Furthermore, a terminal contact260is shown which serves to provide contact and in particular grounding for the shielding device.
FIG. 2ashows the shielding device in a state in which it is fixed after the rear shielding unit254or the metal strip254has been pushed through the substrate210. Only a part of the rear shielding unit254can therefore be seen on the back side of the substrate210. This part comprises a part of the first bulge256a, the narrowing255and the second bulge257a.
FIG. 2bshows a cross-sectional view of the shielding device250installed in the substrate210. The printed circuit board210band the mechanical support element210acan be seen, constituting the components of the substrate210according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here. Furthermore, the front shielding unit252of the shielding device which protects the actual photodiode against electromagnetic interference radiation can also be seen.
FIGS. 3aand3bshow the installed shielding device after a section of the rear shielding unit354of the shielding device has been bent over, whereFIG. 3ais a perspective view andFIG. 3bis a cross-sectional view.
The snap hooks for the adapter plate (not shown) are provided with the reference character314. Also illustrated above the printed circuit board level is a connector strip370which serves to provide electrical contact for the smoke alarm.
Only connector pins342aand342bof the photodiode which protrude through the substrate310and thus through the printed circuit board310bcan be seen inFIG. 3a. Furthermore, a terminal contact360is shown which serves to provide contact and in particular grounding for the shielding device.
The front shielding unit352of the shielding device can be seen inFIG. 3b. The shielding device is fixed in self-retaining fashion in the substrate310. The substrate310comprises the mechanical support element310aand the printed circuit board310b.
As can be seen fromFIGS. 3aand3b, the rear shielding unit or the metal strip354has been bent over in the region of the narrowing355. The bend355aproduced thereby then demarcates a first section356having the first bulge356afrom a second section357having the second bulge357a. According to the exemplary embodiment described here, the first section356essentially extends perpendicular to the substrate surface, whereas the second section357essentially extends parallel to the substrate surface. The second section of the rear shielding unit354thereby in particular protects the photodiode against the effects of electromagnetic interference radiation which impinges on the photodiode from above through the substrate or only from above on the terminal contacts342a,342bof the photodiode.
It should be noted that in order to improve the shielding effect of the rear shielding unit354, the second section357can also be connected electrically conductively with the terminal contact342bof the photodiode. This is useful especially when the terminal contact342bis in any case connected with the electrical potential 0. In this situation, the electrically conductive connection can be effected simply by means of a defined mechanical contact between the front end of the second section357and/or by means of a soldered connection.
In this context it should be noted that the bulge357acan serve not only to improve the mechanical stiffness of the rear shielding unit354. As can be seen in particular fromFIG. 3b, the upwardly formed bulge in the rear shielding unit354also helps to ensure that when the section357is bent over no electrical contact is accidentally established between the connector pin342aof the photodiode and the rear shielding unit354or the entire shielding device. This is because such a contact would result in a short-circuit between the terminal contacts342aand342b.
The shielding device described in this application has the advantage that it can offer comprehensive protection against electromagnetic interference radiation with a minimum space requirement. This protection relates to the interference radiation which impinges on the photodiode from a front side of the substrate or from a rear side of the substrate (through the substrate). A further important advantage of the shielding device described is the simple and thereby also cost-effective assembly on or in a substrate.
It should be noted that the embodiments described here merely represent a restricted selection of possible embodiment variants of the invention. It is thus possible to combine the features of individual embodiments in a suitable manner with one another so that for the person skilled in the art a plurality of different embodiments is to be seen as obviously disclosed by the explicit embodiment variants here.
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
100Smoke alarm (without cover)110Substrate110aMechanical support element112Snap hook (for cover)114Snap hook (for adapter plate)120First light emitting device130Second light emitting device140Light receiver device142Light receiver/photodiode144Receiver lens150Shielding device152Front shielding unit154Rear shielding unit/metal strip155Narrowing156aFirst bulge157aSecond bulge210Substrate210aMechanical support element210bPrinted circuit board214Snap hook (for adapter plate)242aTerminal contact of photodiode242bTerminal contact of photodiode252Front shielding unit254Rear shielding unit/metal strip255Narrowing256aFirst bulge257aSecond bulge260Terminal contact270Connector strip310Substrate310aMechanical support element310bPrinted circuit board314Snap hook (for adapter plate)342aTerminal contact of photodiode342bTerminal contact of photodiode352Front shielding unit354Rear shielding unit/metal strip355Narrowing355aBend356First section356aFirst bulge357Second section357aSecond bulge360Terminal contact370Connector strip
| 6G
| 08 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
FIG. 1is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic device1including a 3D viewing angle adjustment system10. In the embodiment, the electronic device1may be a computer, a notebook, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, or other computing devices having a 3D image display functionality. The camera device1may further include a distance sensor11, a camera lens12, a 3D display screen13, a storage system14, and at least one processor15. Each of the components can communicate with the 3D viewing angle adjustment system10included in the electronic device1. It is understood thatFIG. 1is only one example of the electronic device1that includes more or fewer components than those shown in the embodiment, or have a different configuration of the various components.
The 3D viewing angle adjustment system10may include a plurality of functional modules that are implemented by the electronic device1to automatically adjust a viewing angle of 3D images to be displayed on the 3D display screen13, so as to adapt to a viewing angle of the viewer in front of the 3D display screen13. It is understood that the viewing angle is the maximum angle at which the 3D display screen13can be viewed by a viewer with acceptable visual performance.
The distance sensor11is an optical sensor that can sense a distance between the viewer (e.g., a head or a body of the viewer) and the 3D display screen13. The camera lens12is an optical lens which can capture digital images of a subject, such as the viewer of the embodiment. The 3D display screen13is operable to display 3D images to the viewer based on different viewing angles of the viewer. In one embodiment, the storage system14may be an internal storage system, such as a random access memory (RAM) for the temporary storage of information, and/or a read only memory (ROM) for the permanent storage of information. In some embodiments, the storage system14may also be an external storage system, such as an external hard disk, a storage card, or a data storage medium. The processor15may be a central processing unit or a micro control unit, for example.
The storage system14stores a predefined face feature value, and a predefined eyes feature value. In the embodiment, the face feature value may be a face similarity coefficient (e.g., a 80% similarity) that represents a part of the digital image which is most likely to contain to contain a face of a person, and the eyes feature value may be an eyes similarity coefficient (e.g., a 90% similarity) that represents a part of the digital image which is most likely to contain eyes of the person.
In one embodiment, the 3D viewing angle adjustment system10includes an initialization module101, an image detection module102, a viewing angle calculation module103, and a viewing angle adjustment module104. The modules101-104may comprise computerized instructions in the form of one or more programs that are stored in the storage system14and executed by the processor15to provide functions for implementing the modules. In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language. In one embodiment, the program language may be Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as in an EPROM. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other storage device. Some non-limiting examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CDs, DVDs, flash memory, and hard disk drives. A detailed descriptions of each module will be given inFIG. 2as described in the following paragraphs.
FIG. 2is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for automatically adjusting a viewing angle of 3D images using the electronic device1ofFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the method can automatically adjust a viewing angle of a 3D image to be displayed on the 3D display screen13, so as to adapt to a viewing angle of the viewer positioned in front of the 3D display screen13. Depending on the embodiment, additional blocks may be added, others removed, and the ordering of the blocks may be changed.
In block S201, the initialization module101sets an imaging ratio of the camera lens12, and initializes a center point of the 3D display screen13. When the viewer starts a 3D image display function of the electronic device1, the initialization module101may initialize the distance sensor11to invoke a distance sensing function, and the camera lens12to invoke an image capturing function. In one embodiment, the imaging ratio may be set as 50:1 for the viewer and a digital image of the viewer captured by the camera lens12. The initialization module101may initialize the coordinates of the center point of the 3D display screen13. In one example with respect toFIG. 3, the point “O” is regards as the center point of the 3D display screen13, and the coordinates of the center point “O” may be initialize as (0, 0).
In block S202, the image detection module102controls the distance sensor11to sense a distance between the viewer and the 3D display screen13. Referring toFIG. 3, the line segment “OP” is sensed as the distance between the viewer and the 3D display screen13, and the distance may be represented by “Y”. In block5203, the image detection module102controls the camera lens12to capture a digital image of the viewer.
In block S204, the image detection module102detects a face area (i.e., an area of a face of the viewer) from the digital image of the viewer according to a face feature value, and detects a center point of two eyes from the face area according to an eyes feature value. As mentioned above, the face feature value may be predefined as a face similarity coefficient (e.g., a 80% similarity), and is stored in the storage system14. The eyes feature value may be predefined as an eyes similarity coefficient (e.g., a 90% similarity), and is stored in the storage system14. In one example with respect toFIG. 3, the point “P” may be regards as the center point of the two eyes.
In block S205, the viewing angle calculation module103calculates a first displacement between the center point “O” of the 3D display screen13and the center point “P” of the two eyes. Referring toFIG. 3, the first displacement “PP0” is a relative distance between the center point “O” and the center point “P0” in horizontal level, and may be represented by “X0”.
In block S206, the viewing angle calculation module103calculates a second displacement between the viewer and the 3D display screen13according to the first displacement and the imaging ratio of the camera lens12. Referring toFIG. 3, the second displacement “QP” is an actual distance between the viewer and the 3D display screen13in horizontal level, and may be represented by “X”.
In block S207, the viewing angle calculation module103calculates a viewing angle “θ” of the viewer according to the distance “Y” and the second displacement “X”. In one embodiment, the viewing angle of the viewer is calculated by a formula: θ=Arcsin (X/Y), where “θ” is the viewing angle as shown inFIG. 3, and “Arcsin” is an inverse trigonometric function.
In block S208, the viewing angle adjustment module104determines whether the viewing angle of the viewer exceeds a viewing angle range of the 3D display screen13. In one embodiment, the viewing angle range may be predefined by a manufacturer of the 3D display screen13. Referring toFIG. 3, the viewing angle rang may be predefined as an angle range “β” between −15 degrees and +15 degrees, i.e., represented by [−150, +150]. If the viewing angle of the viewer exceeds the viewing angle range, block S209is implemented. Otherwise, if the viewing angle of the viewer does not exceed the viewing angle range, block S211is implemented.
In block S209, the viewing angle adjustment module104calculates an angle difference between the viewing angle of the viewer and the viewing angle range. In block S210, the viewing angle adjustment module104automatically adjusts a viewing angle of a 3D image to be displayed on the 3D display screen13according to the angle difference. In block S211, the viewing angle adjustment module104displays the 3D image on the 3D display screen13according to the viewing angle of the 3D image.
All of the processes described above may be embodied in, and fully automated via, functional code modules executed by one or more general purpose processors of electronic devices. The code modules may be stored in any type of non-transitory readable medium or other storage device. Some or all of the methods may alternatively be embodied in specialized hardware. Depending on the embodiment, the non-transitory readable medium may be a hard disk drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, a tape drive or other suitable storage medium.
Although certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure have been specifically described, the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
| 7H
| 04 | N |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, the gate valve mechanism
illustrated generally at 10 consists of a body structure 12 forming a
valve chamber 14 and having aligned flow passages 16 and 18 disposed in
intersecting relation with the valve chamber and adapted to conduct the
flow of fluid through the valve mechanism. The flow passages 16 and 18 are
formed by aligned hubs 20 and 22 which are disposed for connection by
welding, bolting or by any other suitable means of connection, with
adjacent piping to which the valve is to be assembled. Within the valve
body is disposed a gate member 24 which is typically formed of flat plate
material and defines parallel planar working surfaces 26 and 28 which are
engaged by seat assemblies 30 and 32 for establishment of a fluid-tight
seal between the gate and the valve body structure. The gate member 24
typically forms a port 34 through which fluid flows when the valve
mechanism is in its open position with the port 34 disposed in registry
with the flow passages 16 and 18. The valve mechanism 10 also includes a
bonnet assembly 36 having a packing gland disposed therein which
establishes a seal between the valve body and a gate operating stem 38
that extends upwardly from the gate member 24. Any suitable valve actuator
may be connected to the bonnet assembly 36 for imparting vertical movement
to the valve stem 38 for movement of the gate member between its open and
closed positions.
The fragmentary sectional view of FIG. 2 illustrates one of the seat
assemblies of the valve mechanism of FIG. 1 and discloses the manner by
which the seat assemblies are carried by the valve body. As illustrated in
FIG. 2, the valve body structure 12 forms intersecting cylindrical and
circular surfaces 40 and 42 which cooperate to define a circular seat
recess 44 which receives the seat assembly generally shown at 46 in
movable relation therein. The seat assembly is defined by a circular seat
body or ring 48 having an outer peripheral seal groove 50 formed therein
and receiving a circular resilient sealing element 52 that establishes
sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the
seat recess 44.
The seat assembly defines a sealing face shown generally at 54
incorporating metal and elastomeric sealing means for establishment of
sealing engagement with one of the working surfaces 56 of the gate member
24. The sealing means 54 forms an important aspect of the present
invention and will be discussed in detail hereinbelow.
The seat assembly also incorporates a spring energizing feature illustrated
generally at 58 and incorporating a plurality of compression springs which
urge the seat assembly into sealing engagement with the valve element. The
seat assembly further includes means for efficiently positioning the
compression springs in substantially equally spaced relation about the
outer periphery of the seat body. The spring spacer and positioner and its
locking element is also an important aspect of the present invention and
will be described in detail hereinbelow.
With reference now to FIG. 3, the sealing face assembly 54 includes an
outer peripheral, planar sealing face surface 60 which establishes a
reference surface. The sealing face surface 60 will establish
metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the working surface 56 of the gate
member under extremely high pressure conditions when the resilient sealing
member of the sealing face assembly will have been displaced to its
maximum extent by the force of high pressure typically acting on the valve
element and forcing it against the downstream seat. The face portion of
the seat body 48 is machined to form a circular seal recess illustrated
generally at 62 which is located at the inner periphery of the circular
reference surface 60 of the sealing face and which incorporates a seal
groove 64 forming the inner peripheral portion of the seal recess and a
seal retainer groove 66 forming the radially inner portion of the seat
recess. The seat body defines an internal circular retainer ridge 68
within the seat recess which forms a partition for the inner portion of
the seat recess so that the inner retainer groove 66 is defined. Within
the seal groove 64 the seat body structure 48 is machined to form a
circular outer peripheral undercut area 70 which provides an interlocking
feature for mechanical retention of the outer peripheral portion of a
circular resilient sealing element 72.
The sealing element 72 may be composed of any one of a number of suitable
polymer sealing materials such as Nylon, Teflon, Kel-F, etc. having
efficient structural integrity for the intended service and also providing
for efficient sealing capability at virtually all pressure ranges to which
the valve will be subjected. The sealing element 72 may also be composed
of any one of a number of elastomeric sealing materials such as synthetic
or natural rubber having a durometer sufficient for resistance of seal
displacement at the particular pressure range for which the valve
mechanism is designed.
The bottom or inner surface 74 of the circular seal groove surface 64 is of
arcuate cross-sectional configuration and receives the inner portion of
the sealing element 72 in intimately fitting engagement therewith. The
radially inner portion of the sealing element 72 also defines an arcuate
surface 76 which is disposed in intimately interfitting relation with a
circular seal retainer element 78 and cooperates with the seal retainer to
insure that the seal ring is secured at its fully seated position within
the seal retainer groove 66. The seal retainer may be composed of any one
of a number of sealing materials, including various polymer materials and
various elastomer materials that are suitable for the service that is
intended. For example, the seal retainer may be composed of natural or
synthetic rubber, or it may be composed of suitable polymers such as
Nylon, Teflon, Kel-F, etc.
The seal retainer groove 66 is typically formed by projecting a cutting
tool into the seal recess such that the cutting tool forms a tapered inner
surface 80 which is disposed in intersecting relation with a cylindrical
surface 82. These intersecting surfaces cooperate with the curved inner
peripheral surface 76 of the sealing element 72 to form a restriction
between the seal ring and the inner peripheral surface 82 of the seat
recess that insures against pressure induced displacement of the seal
retainer 78 from its retainer groove 66. A forward portion 84 of the seal
retainer element projects from the retainer groove 66 and extends along
the inner peripheral surface of the sealing element 72. This forwardly
extending portion of the retainer element projects slightly beyond the
forward portion of the sealing element 72 such that initial contact of the
sealing assembly with the working surface of the gate or other valve
member occurs at an inner peripheral sealing rim 86 which forms the inner
periphery of the seal that is ultimately established between the seat ring
and valve element. The forwardly projecting portion 84 of the retainer
element is also formed to define a tapered outer peripheral surface 88
which is inclined in the range of from about 10.degree. to about
30.degree. from the cylindrical surface 82, thus minimizing the
cross-sectional dimension of the forwardly projecting portion 84 of the
seal retainer element and forming a seal retainer configuration that
resists pressure induced blow-out.
The sealing element 72 and the seal retainer element therefore cooperate to
provide for better adhesion of the sealing assembly to the seat body and
resist pressure induced blowout of the seal and seal retainer. These
features are efficiently accomplished by forming the sealing element such
that steps are formed in the face portions thereof and to locate the seal
retainer such that it defines a step in relation to the inner step of the
sealing element. The stepped sealing faces of the seal ring 72 and the
seal retainer 66 are typically formed by a machining operation after the
seal ring and seal retainer have been press fitted within the seat recess
72.
As shown in detail in FIG. 3, a radially outer sealing face surface 90 of
the sealing element 72 is located in forwardly spaced relation with
respect to the plane of the sealing face reference surface 60. For
example, in one gate valve application of the present invention, the
planar sealing surface 90 is located 0.005 inches forwardly of the
reference surface 60. The sealing element 72 further defines an outer
peripheral planar sealing surface 92 which, in one gate valve application
is located in parallel relation with sealing face surfaces 60 and 90 and
is located in the range of 0.005 inches forwardly of the sealing surface
90. The stepped sealing surfaces 90 and 92 are interconnected by a tapered
surface 94 which is located intermediate the inner and outer peripheral
portions of the sealing face of the sealing element. The surface 94, in
the valve application mentioned above, has a taper in the range of about
30.degree. in relation to the plane of the outer peripheral sealing
surface 92. It should also be born in mind that the seal retainer element
78 defines a circular sealing rim 86 which is projected forwardly in
relation to the plane formed by the outer peripheral sealing surface 92 of
the sealing element. The sealing rim 86 in the valve application mentioned
above, extends approximately 0.005 inches forwardly of the plane of the
sealing surface 92. The sealing rim may also form a tapered surface
portion 96 which intersects the planar surfaces 86 and 92.
Radially inwardly of the seal retainer element 78 the seat body 48 is
formed to define a planar surface 98 and a cylindrical surface 100 which
cooperate to form a circular groove or recess 101 which is located
immediately radially inwardly of the forward portion of the seal retainer
and into which material of the sealing element 72 and seal retainer 78 may
be displaced by the pressure induced mechanical force between the valve
element and seat assembly during high pressure conditions. As the seal and
retainer are displaced by force between the seat ring and the valve
element, the displaced material is received in protected relation by the
circular groove 101. Since the seal and retainer material is not extruded
between contacting surfaces of the seat ring and valve element, the
materials is protected against excessive erosion, abrasion or cutting. The
seat assembly is therefore effective at very high pressures.
The seat ring 48 forms a relieved inner peripheral surface 102 which is
intersected by the cylindrical surface 98 and which extends to the inner
periphery 104 of the seat body. The relieved surface 102 in the case of
the example described above is in the form of a planar surface which is
located rearwardly of the reference sealing face 60. Thus, when the
sealing face 60 is disposed in metal-to-metal contact with the planar
working surface of the gate member, the planar surface 102 will be
disposed in spaced relation with the working surface of the valve element.
In the example described above, the surface 102 is relieved in the range
of 0.010 inches rearwardly of the plane established by the reference
sealing face 60.
With reference to FIG. 4, the relative positions of the seat assembly and
gate are depicted as would occur during zero or low pressure conditions.
In this case, the mechanical force established by the compression springs
and urging the seat assembly toward the working surface of the gate member
is sufficient to deform only the material of the circular sealing rim 86,
thus causing the working surface of the gate to be in sealing engagement
not only with the resilient material of the seal retainer element 78 but
also in sealing engagement with the planar sealing surface 92 of the
sealing element.
As mentioned above, each of the seat assemblies of the valve mechanism are
urged toward respective working surfaces of the valve element by the force
of a plurality of compression springs. In the past, the valve seat body of
a typical valve was machined to form a plurality of equally spaced blind
bores which open toward the rear face of the seat element and form spring
pockets. When the seat assembly is positioned within its respective seat
pocket, these springs contact a stop shoulder located internally of the
valve body and thus permit the seat assembly to be urged forwardly toward
the working surface of the valve element. It is well known the machining
operations necessary to form multiple spring pockets is quite expensive.
In order to minimize the expense of the machining operations for the seat
assembly and to thus enhance the competitive nature of the resulting valve
product, the present invention incorporates multiple compression springs
as have been employed in the past but provides for efficiently and simply
positioning the springs in equally spaced relation about a cylindrical
spring retainer groove. As is evident from FIG. 2, the seat body or ring
48 is machined to form a circular spring retainer groove 106 at the outer
peripheral portion of the seat ring. The cylindrical groove 106 extends
forwardly and forms a cylindrical undercut end 108 which forms a
rearwardly projecting circular spring retainer rim 110. At its forward end
the spring recess defines a circular stop shoulder 112 having an outer
diameter less than that of the spring retainer rim 110.
A plurality of compression springs 114 are located within the spring recess
with the respective ends thereof interposed between surfaces 108 and 112
such that the springs are linearly confined. It is desirable to insure
equally spaced positioning of the springs 114 about the cylindrical
surface 106 so that the seat assembly is urged forwardly with equally
distributed force toward the working surface of the valve element.
According to one of the important principles of the present invention, a
spring retainer and positioner element 116 of generally circular form is
located about the cylindrical surface 106 forming the spring retainer
groove.
As shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7 the seat retainer element 116 is
typically formed of an elongate strip of sheet material, typically a metal
such as stainless steel, although it may be formed of any other suitable
material appropriate for the service conditions for which the valve
mechanism is designed. The spring retainer and positioner element forms a
plurality of spring positioner receptacles 118 which are equally spaced
along the length thereof. Each of the receptacles 118 is formed by a
section of the strip material having an arcuate configuration defining a
portion of a circle having a diameter slightly larger than the external
diameter of the compression spring. Between each spring receptacle 18 is
located a retainer section 120 having a configuration closely
approximating the configuration of the cylindrical surface 106 such that
each of the segments 120 of the spring retainer will be positioned in
substantial contact or in closely spaced relation with the cylindrical
surface 106. When so positioned, each of the compression springs will be
located in touching or in juxtaposed relation with the cylindrical surface
106 and will be positioned and guided by the respective inner arcuate
surface of the spring receptacle 118 within which it is retained.
In the manufacture of the spring retainer 116 a length of strip material,
formed such as shown in FIG. 6, is cut to appropriate length and then
formed to define the circular spring retainer of FIG. 7 such that the
respective ends of the spring retainer strip are brought into contacting
or overlapping engagement or are fixed to one another such as by spot
welding riveting or by other suitable means. Alternatively, the spring
spacer and retainer device 116 may be composed of a material having a
spring like characteristic such that it may be deformed for placement
about the cylindrical surface 106 and it will return to its normal
circular configuration even though the respective ends are not maintained
in fixed assembly. The use of the spring positioner and spacer 116
therefore permits the cylindrical groove formed by the surfaces 106, 108
and 112 to be formed by a single rotational machining operation thus
eliminating the necessity for drilling multiple blind bores for spring
retention. This feature effectively minimizes the overall cost of the seat
assembly and thus materially enhances the competitive nature of the
resulting valve product. Through use of the spring retainer and spacer,
each of the compression springs is properly positioned at all times such
that balanced force is applied collectively by the springs to all portions
of the seat assembly. This feature insures that the seat assembly is urged
toward the working surface 56 of the gate member in a manner that
maintains the face portion of the seat assembly in precisely parallel
relation with the working surface during any seat movement that occurs as
the gate or other valve member is shifted by changes in pressure.
Referring now to FIG. 8 the spring retainer and positioner 116 set forth in
FIGS. 6 and 7 is secured within the spring retainer groove 106 by means of
a locking clip member 121 having an elongated curved portion which extends
over one of the retainer sections 120 of the spring positioner and spacer
116 to thus position the retainer section 120 in a relation of engaging or
close proximity to the cylindrical surface 106. The spring positioner and
spacer may be secured in position about the cylindrical surface 106 by one
or several locking clips 121 thus ensuring that the springs 114 and the
spring retainer and positioner 116 remain properly positioned during
operation of the valve mechanism.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in the form of a spring energized seat assembly
for a ball valve. As shown in FIG. 9, the fragmentary sectional view
illustrates a body structure 130 which is formed to define an internal
annular seat recess 132 within which is located a seat assembly shown
generally at 134 which is of generally circular form and defines a central
opening 136 which is disposed in registry with the flow passage 138 of the
valve body and which is adapted for registry with the flow port 140 of a
valve ball 142 in the open position of the valve. The seat assembly 134
basically incorporates a rigid annular seat body or ring 144 which is
sealed with respect to the valve body 130 by means of an annular sealing
element 146 which is retained within an annular seal groove formed in the
seat ring and establishes sealing engagement with a cylindrical surface
148 of the seat recess 142.
The seat assembly 134 is urged in a direction toward the working surface
150 of the valve ball element 142 by means of a plurality of compression
springs 152 which are retained within a cylindrical spring recess 154 by
means of a spring spacer and positioner 156. The spring spacer and
positioner is secured with respect to the spring recess by means of one or
more spring clips such as that shown at 121 of FIG. 8. The spring recess,
compression springs and spring spacer may conveniently take the form
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. Accordingly, the discussion set forth
above in relation to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 as regards the compression spring,
spring recess, spring spacer and locking clips are equally applicable to
the seat assembly 134 of FIG. 9.
Referring now to FIG. 10, the seat assembly 134 is provided with a sealing
assembly having a similar construction and function as compared with the
sealing assembly of FIG. 3. The seat ring 144 is formed to define a
circular seal recess 158 within which is located a sealing assembly
comprising a stepped circular sealing element 160 and a seal retainer
element 162. The seat ring 144 forms a circular internal retainer ridge
164 which separates the inner portion of the seal recess into a circular
seal groove and a circular seal retainer groove. The seal retainer groove
is located adjacent the inner peripheral portion of the seal groove and
thus provides for location of the seal retainer element 162 in supporting
and retaining relation with the inner peripheral portion of the circular
seal member 160. The construction of the sealing assembly, including inner
and outer stepped sealing surfaces 166 and 168 and the relationship of the
seal retainer element 162, are of the general character, form and function
as described above in connection with FIG. 3. Accordingly, the discussion
set forth above in connection with FIG. 3 and the claimed subject matter
hereof are equally applicable to ball valves as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10
and to other types of valves as well.
The seat assembly, including the seat ring with its sealing element and
seal retainer element are typically manufactured as follows: After the
seat ring has been machined to form the reference surface 60 the circular
recess 101, the planar relieved surface 102 and the seat recess 62 lengths
of polymer sealing material and resilient sealing material are formed to a
circle and forced into the seat recess under pressure. The polymer sealing
material is initially of circular cross-sectional configuration with a
central passage formed along the length thereof. The elastomer sealing
material is in the form of a strip which is positioned within the seal
retainer groove. The polymer sealing element is forced into the seat
recess 62 under sufficient mechanical pressure as to deform it essentially
to the configuration of the seat recess. This seal deforming activity
develops a mechanically interlocked relation between the sealing element
and the seat ring and securely locks the seal retainer element within its
groove. Thereafter, the face of the sealing element is machined to form
the planar surfaces 90 and 92 and the intermediate tapered surface 94. The
forwardly projecting rim of the seat retainer element is also formed by
this face machining operation, after which any sharp edges are removed by
sanding so that a smooth contour is developed at the intersecting surfaces
thereof. The then finished seat assembly is placed in the seat pocket of
the valve and is retained in spaced relation by compressing the seat
springs while the valve element is positioned between the opposed seat
assemblies between the opposed seat assemblies. The seats are then
released, thus allowing the compression springs to urge the seats into
engaging relation with the working surface of the valve element.
In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention is one
well adapted to attain all of the objects and features hereinabove set
forth, together with other objects and features which are inherent in the
apparatus disclosed herein.
As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present
invention may be produced in other specific forms without departing from
its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment, is
therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope
of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of
the equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced
therein. | 5F
| 16 | K |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As may be seen in FIG. 1, the no-tillage in-line sub-surface seeding,
fertilizing and watering device of the present invention is depicted in
one preferred embodiment as opening blade 10. Opening blade 10 has an
upper, ported, mounting block 12 rigidly mounted atop a generally planar
blade structure 14. Blade structure 14 has a trunk 16 depending generally
vertically beneath the upper ported mounting block 12. Formed as part of
the lower end of trunk 16 is a foot structure generally indicated by
numeral 18.
As also seen in FIGS. 2-5, mounting block 12 and blade 14, including trunk
16 and foot 18, are elongate in a generally vertical first plane A. The
first plane includes longitudinal axis A'. With the exception of wings 20
and 22, as better described below, the outer surface of trunk 16 smoothly
merges into, so as to truncate in cross-section as, a waisted or shoe sole
shaped foot lower surface 24. In one embodiment access panels 26 and 28,
which conformally mount onto the lateral side walls of trunk 16, are
symmetrically shaped relative to the plane of symmetry of trunk 16. The
plane of symmetry of trunk 16 coincides with the first plane.
Upper ported mounting block 12 has ports 30, 32 and 34 formed in its upper
surface. The ports extend downwardly through block 12 in cooperative
alignment with corresponding channels 36, 38 and 40 extending downwardly
in generally parallel spaced apart array through trunk 16. Channel 40 also
extends downwardly through foot 18.
Channels 36 and 38 may, in one preferred embodiment not intended to be
limiting, be formed by the alignment and snug adjacency of flanges 42 and
44 on the inner sides of access panels 26 and 28 respectively when the
access panels are mounted conformally in opposed relation, to the lateral
sides of trunk 16 so as to cover cavity 46 in trunk 16. Access panel 26
may be mounted onto the port side of trunk 16 by means of tab 48 slidably
engaging corresponding slot 50 formed in the lower surface defining cavity
46, so as to protrude downwardly into foot 18. In a similar fashion, tab
52 on access panel 28 also slidably engages slot 50 when mounting access
panel 28 onto the starboard side of trunk 16. The upper ends of access
panels 26 and 28 may be secured by releasable fasteners, for example a
cooperating, flush-mounted nut and bolt pair (not shown) journalled
through apertures 56.
With access panels 26 and 28 mounted onto trunk 16, so as to cooperatively
align and abut flanges 42 and 44, thereby completing forming and
separation of channels 36 and 38, channels 36 and 38 form a pair of chutes
in cooperative alignment between ports 30 and 32 in mounting block 12 and
corresponding lower outlet ports 58 and 60. Lower outlet ports 58 and 60
are directed laterally oppositely and open into the respective interior
ducts 62 and 64 formed within respective wings 20 and 22. Interior ducts
62 and 64 open out into corresponding aft-facing apertures from under
their respective wings 20 and 22 as better hereinafter described.
Toe 66, which may be of a different and hardened material relative to the
material forming mounting block 12, trunk 16 and foot 18, is rigidly
mounted, by bolting or other means known in the art, to the forward
portion of foot 18 so as to form a forwardly extending point or snout 68,
forwardly facing in the direction of forward translation B when the blade
is translated in use. Advantageously, mounting block 12, trunk 16 and foot
18 may be made of austempered ductile iron (hereinafter ADI) and toe 66
may be made of a chrome alloy. Access panels 26 and 28 and wings 20 and 22
may also be made of ADI.
Channel 40 is formed within and along the rear or aft edge of trunk 16 and
foot 18 so as to form a continuous generally linear conduit between port
34 and rear aperture 70. Advantageously, the rear-most end of foot lower
surface 24 is upturned for example as to provide aperture 70 with an
opening generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of channel 40.
Further advantageously, channels 36, 38 and 40 are generally parallel so
as to be raked aft in a downward direction from ports 30, 32 and 34.
Wings 20 and 22 are each shaped as truncated wedges or otherwise as what
may be described as irregular pyramid shapes wherein the vertex of each
wedge or pyramid is aligned so as to be forward facing (in direction B)
with the wedge diverging aft so as to form correspondingly shaped interior
ducts 62 and 64 opening aft through the base of the wedges. In one
preferred embodiment, the acute angles alpha (.alpha.)and beta (.beta.),
formed at the vertex of the wedges forming wings 20 and 22, are each
approximately 5 degrees. In the preferred embodiment upper surfaces 20a
and 22a, lateral surfaces 20b and 22b, and lower surfaces 20c and 22c of
wings 20 and 22 respectively are each generally planar. In one embodiment
such as seen in FIG. 3a, the upper surfaces 20a and 22a are inclined
forwardly further downwardly relative to the plane containing foot lower
surface 24. Thus, a plane H bisecting angle .beta. would in this
embodiment advantageously form an angle of approximately 5.degree.
relative to the plane F containing foot lower surface 24.
Upper surfaces 20a and 22a extend aft and are cantilevered outwardly over
the aft apertures of interior ducts 62 and 64. The aft apertures of
interior ducts 62 and 64 are advantageously formed by reducing the
longitudinal length of lateral side walls 20b and 22b and raking the
rearmost edge of lower surfaces 20c and 22c so as to extend them
contiguously aft from the rear edge of lateral side walls 20b and 22b
respectively to blend with foot 18.
In the preferred embodiment, foot 18 is curvaceously waisted along its
longitudinal length so as to form between curved side walls a forward
expanded lateral dimension 72 smoothly tapering into a reduced lateral
dimension 74 corresponding to the waisting and, progressing aft, a gentle
flaring to an aft expanded lateral dimension 76. In the preferred
embodiment the waist of foot 18 approximately corresponds, in the
longitudinal direction of axis A', to the position of the forward ends of
wings 20 and 22.
In use, blade 16 is translated in direction B through soil 78. As seen in
FIG. 6, blade 16 is driven forwardly and positioned so as to maintain
wings 20 and 22 submerged at a shallow depth below the surface of soil 78.
Such motion opens the soil upwardly from point 68 on toe 66, upwardly
along the leading edge of foot 18 and blade 16 causing a small lifting and
separating of soil 78 in opposite directions C. As blade 16 translates
through the soil, material fed into ports 30, 32 and 34 flows under the
force of gravity through respective channels 36, 38 and 40. Material
flowing through channel 40 exits through aperture 70 at the lowermost
position of the narrow furrow 80 seen in FIG. 7 formed in soil 78 by the
passing of blade 14 therethrough. The passing of wings 20 and 22 through
soil 78 form shelves 82 in the soil as the soil is displaced by the wings
so as to form shoulders 84 approximated in the illustration of FIG. 7.
The forward movement in direction B of blade 14 through soil 78 draws
material such as fertilizer 86 from aperture 70, and also draws material
such as seeds 88 from ducts 62 and 64 as the seeds are fed from channels
36 and 38 through outlet ports 58 and 60 respectively.
It has been found that the passing of wings 20 and 22 and the passing of
foot 18 in their form as described herein, causes a fluid-like circulation
in direction D of soil 78 aft of wings 20 and 22. It is understood that
the view of FIG. 7 is an approximation of the cross-section through the
soil immediately behind blade 14 as it is translating through the soil.
The soil, acting in a fluid manner, collapses so as to drop down shoulders
84 as the soil beneath shelves 82 is circulated in counter-rotation in
direction D. Applicant has found that this circulation transports seeds 88
laterally outwardly along shelves 82 so as to facilitate advantageous
lateral spacing apart of seeds on either side of furrow 80 separated both
laterally and vertically from fertilizer 86 so as to inhibit chemical
burning of the seeds for example by reason of the spacial relationship
approximated by the illustration of FIG. 8.
It is understood that the order and type of materials introduced into ports
30, 32 and 34 may be changed as would be known to one skilled in the art
so as to introduce, for example, seeds through ports 30 and 32 and water
through port 34. A person skilled in the art would also understand that
ports 30, 32 and 34 would have to be attached by appropriate conduits to
corresponding hoppers or reservoirs.
In the preferred embodiment, although not intended to be limiting, certain
planes assist in defining the relationship of the elements of the present
invention relative to one another as described above and claimed
hereinbelow. Firstly, blade structure 14 is generally bisected by a first
plane A, referred to above as coinciding with the plane of symmetry of
trunk 16, which contains both the axis A' and the cross-sectional view
reference line 2--2 seen in FIG. 1. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 is
a view through a cutaway along first plane A. A second plane E is the
plane containing the edges of aperture 70 at the lowermost end of channel
40. A third plane F is the plane containing foot lower surface 24. A
fourth plane G is the plane containing the upper surface of mounting block
12. Lastly, a wing bisecting plane H bisects wing 20 by bisecting angle
beta and a corresponding parallel wing bisecting plane bisects wing 22 by
bisecting the corresponding angle on wing 22.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the
foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in
the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope
thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in
accordance with the substance defined by the following claims. | 0A
| 01 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure can be described by the embodiments given below. It is understood, however, that the embodiments below are not necessarily limitations to the present disclosure, but are used to describe a typical implementation of the invention.
The present invention provides an improved unique system and method of providing bandwidth on demand for an end user and/or enterprise. It is understood, however, that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components, signals, messages, protocols, and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims. Well known elements are presented without detailed description in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, details unnecessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention have been omitted inasmuch as such details are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Details regarding control circuitry described herein are omitted, as such control circuits are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
The invention involves taking a distributed approach to handling bearer packets, with a physically separated controller and managed portal platform. The Controller handles signaling, routing, dynamic bandwidth admission control, codec (video and/or voice) negotiation, end-to-end quality assurance, session management, subscriber data, billing, provisioning and associated operational functions. The Portal handles the packet bearer transport with the admission control and routing instructions given by the separate physical Controller. The invention fits at the access and/or in the core network. Connections can be made between consumers, enterprises and/or content providers. For example, consumer to business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer, business to business, consumer to content provider, business to content provider, content provider to consumer, content provider to business, and content provider to content provider.
Now referring toFIG. 7, the current services, comprising legacy public switched voice700, video702and best-effort internet access704will continue to be served by the existing network components, interconnected to the access networks706as they are today via ATM, IP or IP/MPLS routers708and optical multiplexing solutions710. The Controller712and Portal714are introduced at the central office716, in similar locations as edge IP/MPLS aggregation routers708. The Controller712and Portal714delivers high quality bandwidth on demand services705. For example, video and gaming applications, can interconnect to the consumers718via the access network706.
The Controller712accepts requests from an originating end-point to access the network with a high quality connection dynamically. The Controller712then negotiates across the network with the terminating end-point(s) to set up the connection, and ensures interoperability of service type (if used) and video codec type, and quality bandwidth reservation end-to-end.
Instead of trying to introduce a new class of service type for each additional high quality service and content provider at the access edge (SeeFIG. 6), one class of service type is introduced to cover all high quality services (SeeFIG. 7). Then all traffic requesting this service type is routed to an access Controller712and Portal714for handling. Alternatively, if the broadband access provider does not want to provision a specific class of service for the Controller and Portal for handling, a consumer may signal directly to the Controller and Portal.
Now referring toFIG. 8, when one dynamic video or bandwidth user wants to connect to another, they simply dial a directory number or IP address or web page to request a connection on demand. The Controller800will receive the request, including bandwidth required and if video, a video codec type and a service type tag (if applicable) for billing purposes, and determine from its embedded subscriber database whether the user is authorized to use the bandwidth, video type and service or not, how to bill them, and whether the destination party can be reached.
The Controller800and Portal802are interconnected to each other and to content providers. The Controller800and Portal802also interconnect consumers, businesses and/or content providers. The control signaling connects using protocols directly to consumers, businesses, and/or content providers. The bearer between consumers, businesses, and/or content providers is connected through the Portal platforms802.
In order to ensure quality, the Controller800inter-works with network protocols to dynamically provision a dedicated path, including required route and bandwidth, on demand through the network. The Controller800directs its associated Portal platform802to allocate local port resources, and then signals any destination party's Controller to reserve far-end resources.
The Controller800enables each bandwidth on demand user, originator and terminator, to negotiate with the network. The negotiation includes information elements necessary to ensure an end-to-end video connection free from video codec conversion in the core if possible. This avoids interoperability issues between user systems, and enables all application end-points to communicate freely.
Now referring toFIG. 9, the Controller900and Portals1102can be physically located in the same location or in separate locations. The Controller900communicates and controls the portals1102via a link—the distance from the Controller900to the Portals1102can be close or very far. This allows network owners to optimize transmission utilization to keep high bandwidth traffic closest to the user, while centralizing routing, maintenance, operations and control functions in a single regional location.
The invention takes distributed switching control concepts from the low-bandwidth voice domain, and extends them to the variable-bandwidth packet routing domain. Moreover, the Portal902is under the direct management of the Controller900. It only accepts traffic on its ports when authorized by the Controller900in real-time, and notifies the Controller900if a user's traffic terminates or exceeds allowance. The Portal902does not perform new routing on any packet, and only acts on the information provided by the controller900. If any packets are received on any port at the Portal902, which are arriving from a user that has not been authorized to use it, then those packets are discarded without prejudice. If an authorized user should exceed the limit authorized, the Controller900is informed, and an alarm is raised. The Controller900determines whether the user who is exceeding their limit should be disconnected, or allowed to continue, and instructs the Portal902according to a pre-set time limit. The Controller900contains a completely integrated bandwidth/portal admission control, routing and element management solution, which tracks, manages, and bills for all usage (Controller900plus its subordinate Portals902). Furthermore, the maximum limit of Portals902to Controller900is determined based on the aggregate subscriber usage capacity across all Portals902.
Now referring toFIG. 10, the Controller1000and Portals1002serve the access networks at the access locations, which are near consumers, businesses, and/or near to content providers. The Controller1000and Portal1002interconnect to each other and any other platforms, which could be via existing IP/MPLS routers or multiplexing equipment or other transport connection mechanisms. The consumers1004,1006are connected directly to the Controller1000and Portal1002across the access. Content providers, back-office provisioning, billing and element management systems interconnect to the Controller1000and Portals1002. The best-effort internet is bypassed completely for any high quality broadband connections. In addition, all provisioning, element management and routing is managed at the Controller1000, and is visible via a remote connection. Furthermore, the Controller supports flexible charging arrangements that can be based on any combination of or single element of service type, time elapsed, codec type and bandwidth used on the network; and this can be billed for either after the session has terminated, or in real-time through a pre-paid billing mechanism which allows for termination of the session at any time based on available credit(s). Originating and terminating party records are issued, or both, including information about route used for transport charging purposes. If users are connecting across regions, states, nations or carriers, the information is recorded for billing purposes.
Now referring toFIG. 11, a Controller1100and Portal1102serve the access networks at the access locations1104. The Controller1100and Portal1102interconnect to each other and any other platforms1106, which could be via existing IP/MPLS routers1108and/or multiplexing equipment and/or any other transport mechanisms. In addition, the consumers1110, businesses1112and or content providers1114are connected, for control signaling via path1116and via path1118for bearer path, directly to the Controller1100and Portal1102across the access domain. The Controller1100includes I/O ports1120,1122, and1124connecting a signaling/security function1126to a message distribution function1128that handles distributing all control signaling to the subscriber data function1130, session management function1132, routing/bandwidth admission and quality assurance management function1134, and handles all functions including billing/OA&M1136, necessary for the broadband services to be dynamically connected and managed with quality. The Portal1102includes I/O ports1138on line cards1140for the bearer connections, a switching matrix1142and a portal connectivity processing element1144. The content services1114interconnects to the Controller1100and Portal1102. The back-office provisioning, billing and element management systems1132interconnect to the Controller1100and Portal1102. The best-effort internet1146is bypassed completely for any high quality broadband connections.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
| 6G
| 01 | R |
WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION
The binder illustrated in the figures has a front binder cover composed,
for the most part, of a transparent plastic sheet 1, and a rear binder
cover formed from part of a nontransparent plastic sheet 2. An edge
section of the plastic sheet 2 is folded four times and forms the binder
spine 3, a covering strip 4 and a clamping strip 5. The transparent
plastic sheet 1 is joined to the clamping strip 5 via a weld 6. The front
leg 8 of a clamping spring 9, which is preferably made of steel sheet,
grips through an opening 7 extending from the binder spine 3 into the
region of the covering strip 4, and the rear leg 10 of said clamping
spring 9 bears against the rear side of the plastic sheet 2 forming the
rear binder cover. The clamping spring 9 can be pushed to and fro,
transversely to the binder spine 3, by amounts which are delimited by
stops. The stops are formed in this case by a folding crease 11, which
forms the transition between the covering strip 4 and the clamping strip
5, and a folding crease 12, the latter crease 12 being assigned a
counter-stop comprising an edge strip 13, bent at an acute angle, of the
front leg 8 of the clamping spring 9.
In order to make it possible to subdivide the document to be filed in the
binder in a manner which takes specific organizational aspects into
consideration, the binder is equipped with a plurality of index sheets 14,
15, 16, 17 and 18, of which the index sheets 14-17 have tabs 19, 20, 21
and 22, which are cut in one piece therewith.
As can be seen best with reference to the index sheet 14 in FIG. 2, each of
the index sheets is provided, on its edge facing the binder spine 3, with
a U-shaped punched-out portion 23. Adjoining the punched-out portion 23,
upwards and downwards, are folding strips 24 and 25 which, as can be seen
in FIG. 3, grip in a hook-like manner behind the clamping strip 5. The
illustrated manner of how the index sheets 14 to 18 are fixed ensures, on
the one hand, that they are held securely and, on the other hand, creates
adequate space for stacks of sheets of differing amounts to be placed
between the individual index sheets. In this connection, it proves to be
expedient if the distance A between the clamping strip 5 and the binder
spine 3 is at least equal to twice the thickness D of the stack of index
sheets, and if the width b.sub.F of the folding strip 24, 25, adjacent to
the punched-out portion 23, of the index sheets 14 to 18 is essentially
equal to the sum of the width b.sub.K of the clamping strip 5 and the
abovementioned distance a. | 1B
| 42 | F |
The invention is based on the object to provide a filter medium, which is robust on the one hand and can also be used for fine filtration on the other hand.
According to the invention the object is achieved by a filter medium having the features of claim1. Preferred embodiments of the filter medium according to the invention are stated in the dependent claims.
According to the invention the filter medium is characterized in that the filter fabric has a pore count of 4,000/cm2and greater, preferably 5,000/cm2.
According to the invention a double-weave fabric having an extremely fine filter fabric with at least 4,000 pores/cm2is created. Thus, the filter medium can also be employed for ultra-fine filtration. By designing the filter fabric with the supporting fabric as a double-weave fabric a high stability is achieved without requiring any adhesives for this. Within the meaning of the invention, filter and filtration are to be understood in a broad sense and are not limited to a cake-forming filtration. In fact, a sieving or classification are also included for example.
A preferred embodiment of the invention resides in the fact that the density of the warp threads of the filter fabric is higher at least by the factor of 5, preferably by the factor of 10, than a density of the warp threads of the supporting fabric. Hence, two warp thread systems are provided, in which case the warp thread system of the filter fabric has more than five times as many warp threads per length unit than the warp thread system of the supporting fabric. This permits, on the one hand, an extremely fine design of the filter fabric and, on the other hand, the arrangement of a highly robust supporting fabric.
According to the invention it is particularly preferred that a ratio of the diameter of the warp threads of the supporting fabric to the diameter of the warp threads of the filter fabric is ≧3.5. The diameters of the warp threads of the supporting fabric are therefore at least 3.5 times as large as the diameters of the warp threads of the filter fabric. By preference, at least 70% of the thickness of the filter medium are accounted for by the supporting fabric while the remaining proportion of thickness is constituted by the fine fabric. This ensures that the influence of the supporting fabric on the filtration performance, i.e. on a flow resistance of the filter medium, remains at a low level.
According to a further embodiment variant a particularly advantageous design of the filter medium results from the fact that a ratio of the diameter of the weft thread of the supporting fabric to the diameter of the weft thread of the filter fabric is ≧2.5. Hence, the weft thread of the supporting fabric is also considerably larger than the weft thread of the filter fabric. In principle, the warp threads and the weft threads in the supporting fabric or in the filter fabric can each be designed with the same diameter. By preference, however, the warp threads in the respective fabric section are in each case larger than the diameters of the weft threads in the respective thread section.
To reach a high pore count in the filter fabric, in a further embodiment variant according to the invention it is preferred that the filter fabric and the supporting fabric are connected by way of a further thread system as binding weft or binding warp. In this manner, the larger diameter threads of the supporting fabric are prevented from extending into the upper area of the double-weave fabric and thereby having a negative effect on the fineness and thus the pore count of the filter fabric. The further thread system can be a binding weft or a binding warp that extends between the two partial fabrics of the double-weave fabric. For an especially stable connection a binding weft and a binding warp are also possible as a further thread system. The size of the thread of the further thread system can in particular range between the diameter size of the threads of the filter fabric and the threads of the supporting fabric. By preference, the thread of the further thread system corresponds in size to the size of the warp thread or the weft thread of the filter fabric.
According to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention an especially stable and fine design of the filter fabric is achieved in that the filter fabric has a twill weave or a satin weave. With regard to the supporting fabric, it is preferred in accordance with the invention that the supporting fabric has a twill weave or a plain weave.
Furthermore, a particularly useful design is achieved in that the supporting fabric is exclusively formed of monofilament yarns and that the filter fabric is formed of multifilament yarns and/or monofilament yarns. The yarns or threads are preferably produced of a plastic material, such as polyester. The design of the supporting fabric from the wire-type monofilament yarns offers the advantage that these ensure a high degree of stability and do not fray even when being in long-term use. Depending on the purpose of application the filter fabric can also be formed of monofilament yarns, in which case preferably a design consisting in part or in its entirety of multifilament yarns proves to be of advantage. For instance when used on circulating belt filters the yarn structure consisting of a plurality of fibers can bring about an improved adaptability in the deflecting areas due to the deformation of the multifilament yarns.
In line with the purpose of application of the filter medium advantageous provision is made according to the invention in that the further thread system has a multifilament yarn or a monofilament yarn.
Another advantageous design of the invention resides in the fact that the filter medium has a weight of 300 g/m2and greater. As a result, a particularly stable design of the filter medium is achieved.
By preference, the mesh width of the fine fabric amounts to 5 to 100 μm, by particular preference 5 to 150 μm. On the one hand, this ensures a sufficiently high mechanical stability of the filter fabric and on the other hand media having a sufficiently small solids content can also be filtered. Furthermore, it is useful if the thread count of the fine fabric amounts to 10 to 240, especially advantageous being 40 to 240 threads/cm in the weft and/or warp direction. Preferably, for the filter fabric thread diameters ranging from 20 to 100 μm are used which are especially easy to process from a manufacturing standpoint. Moreover, sufficiently small mesh widths of up to 5 μm can be reached. Furthermore, it is preferred if the fabric thickness of the fine fabric amounts to 40 to 140 μm. This fabric thickness ensures the necessary mechanical strength of the fine fabric along with a minimum possible pressure loss. By comparison, a mesh width of the supporting fabric can lie between 300 and 1,500 μm.
In principle, the filter medium can be fabricated as required for a wide range of different applications. According to the invention it is especially advantageous that the filter medium is provided for a belt filter, with the ends of the elongate, belt-shaped filter medium being connected to form an endless belt. Such belt filters driven in a circulating manner are exposed to high loads due to their dynamic strain. The robust construction of the filter medium according to the invention permits the use on belt filter systems, in which ultra-fine particles have to be separated, for instance when treating cooling liquid in grinding systems.
| 3D
| 03 | D |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a typical microporous structure of this invention as recorded by a scanning electron microscope. The schematic represents the structure enlarged by 500 . The micro-porous structure 10 has an outer wall 11 defining an inner diameter 12 that encircles a plurality of internal walls 13 . Internal walls 13 define a plurality of singular microporous passages 14 that provide an open area of a pore field bordered by inner diameter 12 . The actual micro-passages have a high degree of uniformity and their total open area equal about 28% of the pore field. A high degree of integral bonding is created between the walls separating the micro-passages.
The structure represented by FIG. 1 contains a total of 599 micro-passages. The structure represented by FIG. 1 was formed using a preform assembled in accordance with packing approach that employs the previously defined equation, N 3n 2 3n 1, to fill the circular inside of the large tube with smaller individual circles that initially define the pore forming conduits and to set the inner diameter of the outer tube with the relationship D K*d. The first several layers formed by the rings of conduits approximate a hex pack configuration but as the layers of rings get larger (n>6) the layers appear to form a circle with some void space.
As an example of a forming technique for the capillary tubes of this invention, the multi-capillary represented by FIG. 1 was formed by the following method. The outer tube and 217 inner conduits had the following properties.
outer tube I.D./O.D. 12.9/15.3 mm inner tube I.D./O.D. 400/790 m glass material aluminosilicate glass glass melting point 1120 C. The smaller tubes protrude past the outer tube by approximately 25 mm and have their top ends capped to inhibit gas flow in the tubing. This prevents the tubes from collapsing and forming a solid rod during the drawing process. The structure for the drawing stock is assembled one row of conduits at a time using glue or rubber bands to hold each row in place. The assembly is mounted in the drawing tower and allowed to slowly equilibrate at the softening temperature of the glass. This begins to establish the surface forces on the initial part of the assembly and corrects for slight packing errors. The tip of the preform is then dropped and a tractor is used to draw the preform structure from the furnace.
The drawing furnace was operated in the following manner:
top feed rate 14.7 mm/min bottom feed rate 8 M/min carrier gas flow (He) 30% r 70% 6 L/min furnace temperature 983 C. Capillaries of other sizes may be produced in varying numbers using the formula or a suitable packing arrangement. The finished size of the micro-passages will usually be in a size range of from 0.5 through 5 m. The outer wall of the structure can vary in size from 2 mm to 0.1 mm.
While not confirming any particular theory about the manner in which the method forms the tubes, it is believed that during the drawing process of the assembly, surface tension of the outer structure forces the assembly to conform to its least geometric energy state, relying on a symmetrical distribution of surface tensions of both the outer surface of the assembly and the inner surfaces of the bores coupled with bore pressurization to form a uniform pattern of holes with no void space.
Some additional forming techniques and material properties can improve the uniformity and performance of the microporous structure. Drawing the structure from conduits that themselves having very uniform bores and wall enhances the uniformity of the resulting structure. Uniformity of the individual conduits may be enhanced by drawing the starting conduits down in several stages from large conduits. Uniformity of the resulting capillaries also improves as the alignment of the conduits in the drawing stock becomes more parallel.
The microporous structure of this invention is suited for chromatography applications including the CEC arrangement of the prior art. FIG. 2 shows a typical connection arrangement that uses microporous structure of this invention as a frit. An end 21 of a connector 20 in the form of a fused silica sleeve retains an end 22 of capillary tubing 24 in contact with the microporous structure 26 . Typical dimensions for the fused silica sleeve include an outer diameter (A) of 1400 m, an inner diameter (B) of 370 m, and a length of 3300 m. Structure 26 has an outside diameter of 365 m, a pore field diameter (C) of 125 m that contains 599 micro-passages having an average diameter of 2.9 m, and a length of 800 m. A suitable detection or assembly may communicate with the outer end of the structure 36 through end 28 of connector 22 .
The connection is assembled by placing the structure over the end of the capillary and inserting the capillary into the sleeve with the capillary bottomed out against the microporous structure. An appropriate bonding agent such as a UV curing acrylate may be used to retain the capillary and the structure in the sleeve.
In addition to its use as a replacement for frits and screens, the microporous structure of this invention has a variety of applications. Its use as a flow restrictor for regulating the discharge of hazardous fluids presents a simple application for the assembly outside the field of chromatography. In terms of broad applications, the micro-passages may serve as mini-conduits for retaining, conveying, or separating fluids.
The structure provided by this also provides unique length-to-diameter properties. The aspect ratio (L/D ratio) for the conduit structure of this invention provides extremely long length relative to the small diameters of the pores or micro-passages. A draw of the structure with a length of only 10 mm can provide 0.5 m pores with an aspect ratio of 20,000. The same length draw to obtain 10 nm pores will provide an aspect ratio of over one million. Therefore, the structure of this invention can provide long relative path lengths in a very short device.
| 5F
| 15 | D |
Referring to the figures, a piston pressure-type vacuum breaker 10 of the
invention has a housing 12 which defines an inlet 14, an outlet 16 and a
vent opening 18. The housing 12 further defines a central bore 17 within
which is disposed a piston assembly 40. The vent opening 18 is partially
obstructed by a bonnet 20 (FIG. 1a).
The bonnet 20 has a threaded annular portion 22 which engages corresponding
threads in the wall of the central bore 17 of housing 12 adjacent the vent
opening 18. The threads 22 permit the bonnet 20 to be removed, e.g. for
maintenance of piston assembly 40, and then replaced. A strut 26 extends
fixedly across diameter of the bonnet 20 and defines two openings 28, 28'
which permit air to pass through the bonnet 20 into the central bore 17
and which permit liquid to pass from the bore 17 out through the bonnet
20. At the center of the strut 26 is a piston spring retaining neck 30,
about which more will be said shortly.
The piston assembly 40 is located within the housing 12, and retained there
by the bonnet 20. The piston assembly consists of an outer piston assembly
42 and an inner piston assembly 60. The outer piston assembly 42 includes
an upper vent valve 44, piston supports 48, an annular seal gasket
retainer 50 and an annular valve gasket 52. The ends 49 of several piston
supports 48 are attached adjacent to the edge of the upper vent valve 44
and extend perpendicularly from the surface of the upper vent valve 44,
which faces into the central bore 17. An inner piston guide 70 extends
from the surface of the upper vent valve 44, which faces the inner piston
assembly 60. The annular gasket retainer 50 is attached to the other end
of the piston supports 48, and the annular valve gasket 52 is removably
attached to the valve gasket retainer 50. Together, the upper vent valve
44, piston supports 48, annular gasket retainer 50 and annular valve
gasket 52 define a piston assembly of generally cylindrical shape, with an
axis concentric with the central bore 17 of the housing 12. The piston
assembly 40 is shorter in length than length of the central bore 17 of the
housing 12 and so may move within the housing 12 in an axial direction
(arrow A).
When the piston assembly 40 is in its lowest position, adjacent to inlet
14, the annular valve gasket 52 bears against the wall of the central bore
17 of the housing 12 adjacent the inlet 14 to prevent water from passing
through the inlet and between the piston assembly 40 and the wall of the
central bore. When the piston assembly 40 is in its highest position,
adjacent the bonnet 20, the upper vent valve 44 abuts the bonnet valve
seat 56, with o-ring seal 45 (FIG. 2) disposed therebetween to provide a
seal to prevent water from passing through the vent 18, either from the
inlet 14 or the outlet 16.
The inner piston assembly 60 consists of a check valve 80 and an inner
piston compression spring 84. Assembly 60 is disposed concentric with the
outer piston assembly 40 and moves along the axis of the outer piston
assembly 40 (arrow A). In its lowest position, adjacent the valve gasket
retainer 50, the inner check valve 80 abuts the valve gasket retainer 50
with o-ring seal 81 disposed therebetween to provide a seal and prevent
water from flowing between the valve gasket retainer 50 and the inner
check valve 80. The combination of inner check valve 80, valve gasket
retainer 50 and annular valve gasket 52 prevents water from flowing from
the inlet 14 into the central bore 17 when the inner check valve 80 is
adjacent to the valve gasket retainer 50. An annular cylinder 82 extends
from the surface of the inner check valve 80, which faces the upper vent
valve 44, and is slidably mounted upon the inner check valve guide 70. The
inner piston compression spring 84 is positioned concentric with the inner
check valve guide 70 and serves to bias the inner check valve 80 toward
the valve gasket retainer 50.
A piston spring 90 is retained within the piston spring retaining neck 30,
between the bonnet 20 and the upper vent valve 44. The piston spring is a
compression spring having a compression constant less than the inner
piston compression spring 84, and serves to bias the piston assembly 40
toward the inlet 14.
The operation of a pressure-type vacuum breaker of the invention will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 3a-3d.
Referring first to FIG. 3a, under a condition of no pressure at the inlet
14, the piston spring 90 biases the piston assembly 40 to the lowest
position in the central bore 17, adjacent the inlet 14. The inner piston
compression spring 84 biases the inner check valve 80 against the valve
gasket retainer 50. The position of the piston assembly 40 and the inner
check valve 80 results in the inlet 14 being closed and the vent 18 open,
with the outlet 16 at atmospheric pressure.
As the pressure at the inlet 14 rises (FIG. 3b), the piston spring 90
compresses, thereby permitting the piston assembly 40 to move toward the
vent 18 (arrow U). The compression constant for the piston spring 90 is
less than the compression constant for the compression spring 84, so the
compression spring 84 does not compress, but instead keeps the check valve
80 biased against the valve gasket retainer 50. Therefore, as the piston
assembly 40 moves toward the vent 18, the seal between the annular valve
gasket 52/valve gasket retainer 50 and the wall of the bore 17 (e.g., an
o-ring seal or a rolling diaphragm-type seal, not shown), and the o-ring
seal 81 between the check valve 80 and the valve gasket retainer 50
prevent water from the inlet 14 from flowing either to the outlet 16 or
the vent 18.
When the pressure in the inlet 14 is high enough to compress the piston
spring 90 fully, the upper vent valve 44 of the piston assembly 40 abuts
against the bonnet valve seat 56 and closes the vent 18, thereby isolating
the inlet 14, the outlet 16 and the vent 18 from one another. As the
pressure in the inlet 14 increases further (FIG. 3c), the compression
spring 84 begins to compress, allowing the check valve 80 to move away
from the valve gasket retainer 52, permitting water to flow from the inlet
14 to the outlet 16, while still preventing flow through the vent 18.
In the event of a loss of pressure in the inlet 14, the force compressing
both springs 84, 90 is removed. The inner piston compression spring 84
biases the inner check valve 80 back against the valve gasket retainer 50,
which along with the annular valve gasket 52 prevents liquid from the
outlet 16 from flowing back into the inlet 14. Simultaneously, the piston
spring 90 biases the piston assembly 40 back toward the inlet 14, thereby
moving the upper vent valve 44 away from the bonnet valve seat 56 and
opening vent 18. If the pressure in the outlet 16 is higher than
atmospheric pressure, liquid will discharge from the outlet 16 out the
vent 18. Once the pressure in the outlet 16 has been reduced to
atmospheric pressure, the venting of liquid ceases.
When the pressure at inlet 14 exceeds the pressure at the outlet 16 to a
degree sufficient to cause piston spring 90 to compress, the vent 18 is
closed and the pressurization steps shown in FIGS. 3a-3c are repeated.
Other embodiments are within the following claims. | 4E
| 03 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, preferred illustrative embodiments are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.
Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary biopsy device10in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. A separate and optional introducer assembly12is also illustrated.
As shown, biopsy device10is a handheld device and includes a housing14to which a stylet16is attached. Biopsy device10includes several release members18,20, and22, to be explained in further detail below.
Referring toFIG. 2, an exploded view of biopsy device10is illustrated. As shown, in the exemplary embodiment housing14is a two piece member, including a first housing member14aand a second housing member14b. In one embodiment, first and second housing members14aand14bare configured snap together to house actuation components of biopsy device10. For example, first housing member14aincludes one or more slot members24positioned on top and bottom portions of first housing member14a. Slot members24cooperate with and receive latch members26that are positioned on top and bottom portions of second housing member14b. An interior of housing14is generally hollow to receive the actuation components.
While housing14has been described as snapping together, it is also understood that first and second housing members14may alternatively be secured together using fastening elements.
A top portion of each housing member14aand14bincludes a holder28for securing a portion of a resilient bridge member30. Each holder28extends upwardly from the top portion32and includes a groove34(best seen inFIG. 12) that receives mounting knobs36of a mounting member38positioned on a first end35of resilient bridge member30.
An actuating lever40is pivotally attached to housing14by pivot arm42at a proximal end44of biopsy device10. A forward end46of actuating lever40may rise upwardly from a top surface of housing14due to pivot arm42. A lever release assembly48that carries a release mechanism18is attached to actuating lever40. Lever release assembly48includes a downwardly extending latch arm46that selectively engages with a portion of a retaining member50disposed on a cam member52carried by a pickup carriage54(shown inFIGS. 3-5). A spring mechanism53serves to bias release mechanism18to an actuation position.
Pickup carriage54includes a pair of holders56that extend upwardly from a top surface thereof. Housing14includes an open channel58formed in the top surface thereof. When pickup carriage54is positioned within housing14, holders56extend through channel58(seen inFIG. 12). Each holder56includes a groove60that receives a mounting knob36from a mounting member38positioned on a second end62of resilient bridge member30.
Referring toFIG. 10, resilient bridge member30includes a plurality of sections that are separated by hinge members64aand64b. Hinge members64aand64bare created by V-shaped notches that form thinned sections.
First end35of resilient bridge member30is secured to holders28and second end62is secured to holders56such that resilient bridge member30is positioned directly below actuation lever40when biopsy device10is assembled. Due to the configuration of resilient bridge member30, when actuation lever40is depressed, actuation lever40pushes down on resilient bridge member30. The pushing action flattens out resilient bridge member30, thereby sliding pickup carriage member54away from a distal end of biopsy device10.
Secured to a top portion of housing14is an actuation button carrier66that carries release mechanisms20and22. Release mechanism20includes a downwardly extending latch arm68that extends downwardly into first housing member14athough an opening70formed therein. As will be explained in further detail below, release mechanism20is actuated to release stylet16. More specifically, an end of latch arm68is configured to grip a retaining arm72of stylet16. When release mechanism20is depressed, the end of latch arm68is biased upwardly, thereby releasing its grip on retaining arm72of stylet16and permitting stylet to advance forward.
Release mechanism22also includes a downwardly extending latch arm (not shown). As will be explained n further detail below, the latch arm of release mechanism22releases an outer cutting cannula74. More specifically, when release mechanism22is depressed, the end of the latch arm of release mechanism22is biased upwardly, thereby releasing outer cutting cannula74and permitting outer cannula74to advance forward.
Other components of biopsy device10includes a stylet assembly76, an outer cannula assembly78, a cam member assembly80, a support rib82, and a piston member84. Each element will be discussed in turn below.
Stylet assembly76is shown inFIG. 7. Stylet assembly76includes stylet16, a first arm sub-assembly86, and a second arm sub-assembly88. Stylet16extends between a distal end90and an open proximal end92. Adjacent distal end90is a tissue opening94. Distal end90may further include a trocar piercing tip95. Stylet76further defines an inner lumen96that extends between tissue opening94and proximal end92. Positioned adjacent proximal end92are first and second seal members98,100, respectively. First seal member98is attached a first cap member102that is attached to second arm sub-assembly88. Second seal member100positioned adjacent to a chamber wall member103, which is positioned adjacent second end cap104. Second end cap104is fixedly secured to stylet16. Second seal member100(seeFIG. 2) is disposed between first end cap102and chamber wall member103. Thus, first end cap102, chamber wall member103, and first and second seal members98,100cooperate with a cylinder106to define a vacuum chamber108, to be explained in further detail below.
A notch110is cut into stylet16, between first end cap102and chamber wall member103. Notch110is in communication with inner lumen96, which, in turn, is in communication with tissue opening94. A one-way valve member109(to be discussed in further detail below) is attached to open proximal end92(see, e.g.,FIG. 2).
First arm sub-assembly86includes is generally L-shaped and includes a leg member112and a carrier member114. Carrier member114is fixedly secured to stylet16. Carrier member114includes a fitting member116that cooperative engages a side of complimentary member118that is disposed on a carrier member120that is part of second arm sub-assembly88.
Second arm sub-assembly88includes a long leg member122and a short leg member124that are connected together by carrier member120. When assembled (and as best seen inFIG. 7), short leg member124is disposed beneath leg member112of first arm sub-assembly86, with carrier member114being positioned above carrier member120. First cap member102is attached to carrier member120. First cap member120is fixedly secured to cylinder106. Thus, as vacuum chamber108moves, so does second arm sub-assembly88.
Referring toFIG. 9, outer cannula assembly74includes an outer cutting cannula126that is fixedly attached to an outer cannula hub128at its proximal end. Outer cannula hub128includes a positioning member130on one side and a retaining member132on another. Retaining member132includes a retaining finger134. A distal end136of outer cannula126is sharpened to sever tissue.
Referring toFIG. 2, outer cannula assembly74is assembled to stylet assembly76as follows. First, a bumper member138is positioned over stylet16and into contact with a mounting face140. Support rib82is next slid onto stylet16. Support rib82(best seen inFIG. 2) includes first and second mounting grooves142,144. First mounting groove142is configured to receive short leg member124of second arm sub-assembly86and leg member112of first arm sub-assembly86. Second mounting groove144is configured to receive long leg member122of second arm sub-assembly86. An outwardly extending spring mount146is formed on support rib82. A biasing member148, such as a spring is positioned on spring mount146. Outer cannula hub128includes a spring mount150that receives and end of biasing member148.
Referring now toFIGS. 3-6, pickup carriage54and cam member52will be described. Pickup carriage54includes a first elongated groove152and a second shortened groove154. A mounting hole156is positioned opposite second groove154. An access opening158.
Cam member52includes a mounting member160that is received within mounting hole156. A first pivot member162from cam member52is positioned within first groove152of pickup carriage54. A second pivot member164from cam member52(seen inFIG. 2) is positioned within second groove154. Retaining member50is positioned on an end of cam member52and is received within access opening158.
A biasing member166received on a mounting portion168of pickup carriage54. A distal end170of biasing member166contacts first pivot member162and biases first pivot member162toward a first end172of first groove152. Pickup carriage54may further include a tang member174that partially retains a portion of biasing member166.
A proximal end176of pickup carriage54includes a mounting post178. A biasing member180is received on mounting post178. An end of biasing member180engages an internal wall182formed by first and second housing members14aand14bwhen pickup carriage54is installed therewithin. When pickup carriage54is installed, holders56are oriented to extend upwardly through channel58formed through housing14. Cam member52is installed on a bottom surface184of pickup carriage54as shown inFIG. 3.
Referring toFIGS. 12-20, operation of biopsy device10will now be described. Assuming biopsy device10is packaged in the fired position (seeFIG. 12), biopsy device10must first be moved into the cocked position. To move biopsy device10into the cocked position, first release latch18is actuated to release actuation lever40from housing14(seeFIG. 12). Actuation lever40is then depressed, pushing down on bridge member30, which is attached to holders56of pickup carriage54. Accordingly, when bridge member30is depressed, pickup carriage54is moved toward proximal end44of biopsy device10.
As pickup carriage54moves toward proximal end44of biopsy device10, a first pickup member186contacts a first tang member188that is carried on carrier member120that is part of second arm sub-assembly88, and retracts vacuum chamber108proximally, as shown inFIG. 13. A first piston spring member190that is at least partially positioned over vacuum chamber108, is compressed between a proximal face192of carrier member120and a first lower internal face194positioned within housing14. A second spring member196is compressed between second end cap104and a second lower internal face198positioned within housing14. This action also collapses the vacuum chamber108, moving first end cap102towards chamber wall member103. Air within vacuum chamber108is directed out through seal member109that is secured to proximal end92of stylet16.
In one embodiment, seal member109is a configured as a duck-bill style valve member109(FIG. 2). Valve member109includes a body member103having an open distal end105that is connected to a tapered, duck bill, normally closed proximal end107. Proximal end107includes a slit which is forced open when positive pressure is generated within stylet16. Open distal end105is secured to proximal end92of stylet16.
An alternative embodiment of seal member109′ is shown inFIGS. 21A-21D. Seal member109′ includes a body member111having an open distal end119and a normally closed proximal end. Adjacent to the proximal end of seal member109′ is a slit113that cooperates with a land member115to form a flap member117. Slit113extends along a substantial portion of body member111such that land member115acts as a hinge for flap member117. In operation, as positive pressure is generated within the system, flap member117will be forced open.
Spring member180biases pickup carriage54back toward a distal end of biopsy device10. Actuation lever40is depressed again. The second depression of actuation lever40causes pickup carriage54to move in the proximal direction again. As pickup carriage54moves, a second pickup member200positioned on cam member54contacts a second tang member202that is carried on outer cannula hub128. Such action retracts outer cannula assembly74, moving distal end136thereof away from distal end90of stylet16. Retaining member132is compressed inwardly until retaining finger134grips an internal ledge (not shown) formed in first housing member14a. Retraction of outer cannula assembly74causes biasing member148to compress between a proximal face204of outer cannula hub128and a distal face206of support rib82.
Spring member180biases pickup carriage54once again and actuation lever40is depressed a third time. The third depression of actuation lever40causes pickup carriage54to move proximally once again. As pick up carriage54moves proximally, first pickup member186engages with fitting member116that is carried on carrier member114of first arm sub-assembly86and pulls first arm sub-assembly86towards second arm sub-assembly88. Once carrier114of first arm sub-assembly86reaches carrier120of second arm sub-assembly88, stylet16is pulled into outer cannula126and stylet16is locked into the cocked position. On the third depression, actuation lever40locks down and latch release assembly48retains lever40against housing14(seeFIG. 15), thereby providing a tactile indicator that biopsy device is in the cocked position.
Biopsy device may also include a visual indicator to indicate that biopsy device10is in the cocked position. In one embodiment, at least leg member112of first arm sub-assembly86may be constructed of a particular color that is different than the color of housing14and that will be visible through a window208only when biopsy device10is in the cocked position. For example, leg member112may be formed from a green material such that a portion of the green material is visible through window208when biopsy device10is in the cocked position so as to be in the “biopsy ready position.” In contrast, when stylet16is in a non biopsy ready position, leg member112will be positioned away from indicator window208.
Once in the cocked position, or biopsy ready position, a biopsy may be performed. The operation will now be explained.
Typically, before a biopsy is performed, a targeted area must be identified. Any suitable method may be used to identify a targeted area for biopsy. Such methods include, but are not limited to, the methods and use of the devices described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/649,068, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Next, the entry site is prepared, as required (such as applying anesthesia, cleaning the biopsy area, etc.). During this step, an introducer assembly12(seeFIG. 1) may be positioned over outer cannula112to provide a pathway to the target area. Introducer assembly12will be explained in further detail below.
Next, a tip of stylet16is placed at the targeted area. In one embodiment, stylet16may be fired prior to inserting biopsy device10into the patient. In another embodiment, stylet16is not fired until after biopsy device10is inserted into the patient. In one embodiment, the position and orientation of biopsy device10is maintained during the firing process.
A stylet release or firing member20is depressed, thereby releasing stylet assembly76from its cocked position into the fired position (FIG. 16). Such action exposes tissue opening94into which tissue may prolapse. Tissue receiving opening94is connected to inner lumen96. Inner lumen96is connected to vacuum chamber108.
To differentiate between stylet release member20and an outer cannula release member22, stylet release member20may be a different color than housing14or outer cannula release member22(to be described below) to allow a user to visually differentiate between the two release members. In one embodiment, one of stylet and outer cannula release members20,22may alternatively include a tactile indicator, such as a raised bump210on the release member, to allow a user to feel the differences between the two release members (see, e.g.,FIGS. 1 and 11).
After stylet release member20is actuated, outer cannula release member22is then actuated. This action will release outer cannula assembly78. Outer cannula assembly78is forced over stylet16by biasing members/springs148,190, and196, such that outer cannula assembly78rapidly fires forward. As outer cannula assembly78is fired forward, vacuum chamber108is expanded so as to create a vacuum by drawing air through tissue opening94and lumen96, and entering into vacuum chamber108through notch110. A further explanation of the vacuum chamber may be found in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/389,274, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In one embodiment (not shown), a vacuum valve having a slit that creates a flap may be provided that selectively covers the notch. When stylet16is fired forward, positive pressure generated inside vacuum chamber108closes the valve flap to prevent pressure from reaching the inside of lumen96. When outer cannula74fires forward, the negative pressure inside vacuum chamber108opens the valve, allowing vacuum to be delivered to tissue opening94in stylet16, through lumen96.
As outer cannula assembly78is fired and vacuum is generated by the expansion of vacuum chamber108, the vacuum biases tissue toward tissue opening94and holds tissue in place while outer cannula74slides over tissue opening94. As outer cannula74slides, sharpened distal end136slices through the tissue, thereby severing the tissue so as to leave a biopsy core212within tissue opening94.
Once biopsy core212is acquired, to retrieve biopsy core212from biopsy device10, biopsy device10is removed from the patient. If an introducer assembly12is used, it is kept in position within the patient. Once removed from the patient, release member18is depressed once again to release latch member26. Latch member26is depressed twice to pull back outer cannula74so as to expose tissue opening94(seeFIGS. 18-20) and biopsy core212. To obtain additional biopsy cores212, the latch member26is depressed a third time (FIG. 20) to retract stylet16into the biopsy ready position.
Referring toFIGS. 1 and 11, introducer assembly12will now be explained. Introducer assembly12includes an introducer cannula214that is fixedly connected to an introducer hub216. Introducer cannula214is hollow and is sized to slide over outer cannula74so as to be spaced proximally from distal end of outer cannula74. Introducer hub216may include a normally closed valve (not shown) and includes an opening that is in communication with introducer cannula214. Disposed on introducer hub216is a selectively releasable latch member218that includes a connecting member220and a releasing member222. Releasing member222is received within an opening224to secure introducer assembly12to biopsy device10.
In operation, introducer assembly12is positioned over outer cannula74and slid along outer cannula74until connecting member220of latch member218is received within opening224, thereby connecting introducer assembly12to biopsy device10. Introducer assembly12may be connected to biopsy device10either before or after biopsy device is placed in the biopsy ready position. Once connected, biopsy device10is inserted into the patient with introducer cannula214. Introducer cannula214operates to maintain a pathway to the biopsy site.
Once biopsy cores212are taken, biopsy device10may be detached from introducer assembly12by depressing releasing member222such that connecting member220is released from opening224. Once freed, introducer cannula214remains within the patient's body, to maintain the pathway to the biopsy site. Use of introducer assembly12minimizes trauma to the patient and eliminates the need for multiple reinsertions of biopsy device10, as well as permits access to the biopsy site for treatment and other post biopsy activities. As such, after the biopsy cores212are removed from tissue opening94, biopsy device10may be reinserted into introducer cannula214to take addition biopsy cores212.
Alternatively, if desired, a biopsy marker (not shown) may be deployed into the biopsy cavity after biopsy cores212have been taken. In such a case, a site marker deployment device may be inserted within introducer assembly12after biopsy device10is removed therefrom. Once such example of a site marker deployment device is disclosed in commonly owned and co-pending application Ser. No. 11/238,295, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Referring now toFIGS. 22 and 23, another embodiment of a biopsy device300is illustrated. Biopsy device300includes the same components as biopsy device10, except that distal end301of stylet316is formed with a blunt tip302rather than a trocar tip, as shown with stylet16.
Blunt tip302is useful for those instances where a lesion to be biopsied is close to the chest wall. More specifically, the length of blunt tip302is shorter than the length required for a trocar tip, thereby permitting access to a lesion close to a chest wall.
However, because there is no trocar tip, to position biopsy device300at a target area within the body, a separate trocar device (not shown) must be used to create a pathway for the stylet316and cutting cannula74. An example of a trocar device is shown and described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,829, the contents of which are incorporated in its entirety. As may be seen, the trocar device is defined by an elongated body having a sharp distal end. The proximal end of the trocar device may also include handle.
In operation, once the target area is defined, the trocar device is inserted into the patient to create a pathway to the target site. In one arrangement, introducer assembly12is used with the trocar device. More specifically, and as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,829, trocar device is inserted into the introducer cannula214prior to insertion of the trocar device into the patient's body. A target confirmation device (as described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,829) may then be used to verify that the pathway created by the trocar device has reached the target site. In one embodiment, the trocar device may be used as the target confirmation device. In another embodiment, the target confirmation device is a separate component that may inserted into the pathway after removal of the trocar device. When the trocar device is removed from the patient's body, the introducer cannula214will remain within the patient's body to hold open the pathway to the target area.
Once the pathway to the target site is defined, the distal end301of the biopsy device300is inserted into the introducer cannula214until distal end301extends outwardly from a distal end of the introducer cannula214. Releasing member222may be inserted into the opening224formed on the housing of biopsy device300in a similar fashion as described in connection with the biopsy device10. Once inserted through the introducer cannula214, the biopsy device300may be operated in the same manner as described in connection with biopsy device300.
While the embodiments of the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention embodiments within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. The foregoing embodiment is illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
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| 61 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2 are top plan and front elevation views, respectively, of an interactive play system 100 having features and advantages in accordance with the present invention. This particular play system 100 is provided in the theme of an outer space battle comprising multiple themed space ship play structures 110 , 120 , 130 disposed around a central target 150 . Thus, play participants 160 can imagine they are aboard the Starship Enterprise or any other similar imaginary or real space vessel. Of course, any one of a number of alternative themes may be used with efficacy, such as one or more fire engines, pirate ships, battle ships, or the like.
In accordance with the particular Star Trek theme illustrated, for example, play participants 160 can imagine that their ships 110 , 120 , 130 are locked in a face-to-face dual to the death battle with one another. One or more of the ships may be themed as Klingon battle cruisers or the like, as desired. Each space ship is manned by a team of play participants 160 , which assume the imaginary roles of highly skilled technical personnel, helmsmen and weapons systems operators and the like. As each ship falls under increasing attack, critical systems begin to falter and then fail. Play participants must think quickly and work effectively with fellow shipmates in order to thwart the opposing ships' attacks, execute necessary countermeasures, make appropriate repairs, and launch counter-attacks, in order to avert ultimate disaster. The mission may be to destroy (or incapacitate) the enemy ships before they destroy (or incapacitate) your ship.
Basic Play Structure
Three multilevel play structures 110 , 120 , 130 themed as space vessels are situated in a water play area and arranged in a three-way face-off (e.g. FIG. 1 ). At least a portion of each play structure is generally simulative of the bridge or command center 200 of a space vessel and contains various interactive play areas simulating, for example, weapons systems controls 210 , helm controls 220 , shields control 230 , propulsion and maneuvering and communications. An engineering section 240 might also be provided in each play structure for allowing play participants to direct and maintain operating power (water flow) to the various systems on each ship (e.g. FIG. 2 ).
For example, the engineering section might allow play participants to actuate various switches, valves, and/or the like in order to divert power (water flow or other simulated power source) away from failed systems or less critical systems and to increase power (water flow) to more critical systems as appropriate under the particular situation or scenario being played out. The various interactive devices can be either wet or dry or both.
The primary resource for driving virtually all of the various systems is preferably water, although various other play media may be used, including foam balls, simulated crystals, or any other tangible or intangible (e.g. created by software) play media. If water is used, it can be pumped to the various system components by play participants 160 in the engineering section or in a particular portion of the bridge by actuating various pumping devices and the like. Alternatively, water may be provided by a central circulation pump. Water flow can be used to feed the weapon systems, the shields, propulsion systems and the like.
Each play structure 110 , 120 , 130 may either be fixed or movable (either up/down and/or rotationally). For example, each play structure (or portion thereof) may be rotatable such that play participants can rotate the angle of their ship in order to gain strategic defensive or offensive advantage and also to simulate the maneuvering of their craft. Optionally, hydraulic lifting up and down of the ship or portion thereof may also be provided so that the ships cannot only rotate back and forth but can also be lifted hydraulically up and down from the ground in order to again simulate maneuverability of the ship. This can be provided, for example, by hydraulic cylinders or other means. Only a few feet of maneuverability need be provided. The play structure 110 can be connected to the ground surface or additional adjacent play surface by a rope netting, cargo netting, or other kind of flexible connector device that facilitates such movement. The hydraulic cylinders can also be pulsed or periodically actuated to provide vibration and/or other effects simulating the sound and vibration of a large spacecraft under various power loading conditions. Jolting or vibrations can also simulate impacts caused by enemy fire.
A computer software program is preferably used to provide a voice on each bridge continuously announcing various events as they occur and the status of various shipboard systems and components. The computer voice may announce, for example, shield strength down to 40%, weapons down to 20%, core containment field down to 15%, core breach imminent, and the like. Sound can either be provided using water-proof speakers and the like or using a remote sound system with sound piped in using hollow pipes extending down into each play structure, as is well-known in the art. One or more computers and associated software can also be used to track and announce the various events and operate additional interactive effects.
Additional effects are also preferably provided to help simulate the experience of being in a space ship battle. For example, shields/deflectors 250 can be provided in the form of water curtains that fall down over the front of certain targets 260 . The targets are sized and arranged so as to be actuated by a stream of water or other play media propelled from an opposing ship. The shields can be created, for example, by pumping water to a reservoir and over a weir to cause water to fall down in a cascade of smooth sheet water flow which visually and/or physically blocks associated target areas. There can be multiple shields provided to help block access to various portions of the ship and/or its occupants.
Optionally, the shields 250 can be rotated or transferred from one area of the strip to another to help block access to those target areas that are most critical. The operation of the shields or other systems can be directed by a play panel control in the bridge or engineering section of the ship. For example, various valves/actuators may be provided so that play participants can direct water resources to various shield effects, as warranted. More sophisticated effects may also be provided. For example, each shield on each ship may be assigned a code at random (e.g. by the computer) and play participants on the other ships may attempt to crack the code by pressing buttons in a certain order in order to periodically effect or disrupt the operation of those shields on the other ship to allow easier targeting of critical target areas on that ship. Thus, play participants work together on one ship to provide maximum effectiveness in their targeting of the other ships.
Communication tubes 270 are preferably provided between different areas of each ship so that play participants 160 may communicate with one another. Optionally, communication tubes may also be provided between adjacent ships so that two or more ships can cooperate with another to attack the other ship or multiple ships can cooperate with one another to achieve a mutually desired result such as hitting a central target 150 to achieve a desired effect and which requires the cooperation of all three ships (and perhaps others) to achieve.
For example, the central target may comprise an out-of-control spraybot 300 from the planet Zenon (e.g. FIG. 3 ). Play participants can imagine, for example, that the spraybot has commandeered a critical Earth defense weapons space station 305 and attempting to crack the weapons launch code so that it can mount an all-out attack against the planet Earth.
Optionally, the spraybot has one or more sensors on its head or other parts of its body that can detect the presence and location of play participants 160 . Play participants attempt to sneak up and disable the spraybot by entering a particular secret self-destruct sequence into a console 310 on the space station 305 . But as the play participants are detected, the spraybot quickly turns his head/body around, aims and fires his water cannons 320 directly at the would-be assailant while preferably simultaneously scrambling the self-destruct sequence. Play participants 160 must then figure out the new self-destruct sequence and attempt to divert the robot's attention long enough to allow one or more other play participants 160 to sneak up and enter the correct sequence of buttons/targets that will ultimately blow up or deactivate the robot.
A similar central themed target 400 is illustrated in FIG. 4 . In this case, a Spiderbot 400 provides an exciting and formidable opponent for play participants 160 . The Spiderbot preferably has eight legs 410 , all independently movable. Each leg 410 is able to move toward play participants 160 as they are sensed by various sensors 420 . For example, the spiderbot 400 may be configured to gnash its pinchers 430 at any play participants 160 who dare to come near the spider's web 440 and/or it sprays them with a jet of spider-web water 450 . Play participants 160 attempt to reach and activate a kill-switch 470 while avoiding being sprayed with water. The legs preferably remain safely elevated above the play participants 160 , however, so there is no danger of injury to the play participants. Suitable sensors can be motion sensors, heat/infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, beam sensors and the like.
Another complimentary play effect in and/or around each space ship play structure may be automated doors 500 ( FIG. 5 ) provided by a smooth sheet of water 510 which stream down in a doorway. A sensor 520 mounted adjacent the door entry can sense when a play participant 160 is near the door and the water curtain 510 can be automatically shut off to allow dry or semi-dry entry and exiting through the door. Similarly, this effect can also be used to provide a simulated force field containment system, for example, for containing play-participant prisoners within a brig on the ship. The force field can be activated or deactivated from one side, but not from the other such that once a play participant is locked in the brig, the force field cannot be deactivated from inside. The play participant either stays in the brig or gets wet walking through the force-field.
While the play structures and elements described above are discussed in the context of a wet play environment with water being used as the primary play medium, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the various systems and components can also be adapted for dry or semi-dry play environments using a variety of play media, such as water, slime, foam balls, plastic balls, Styrofoam and the like.
Example Simulation Sequence
The play simulation begins with each ship coming under attack by the other ships (and/or other unseen ships). Weapons systems are manned by play participants on each ship in order to execute suitable counter measures and launch counter-attacks. Weapons may include, for example, pump guns ( phasers ), water bombs ( photon torpedoes ), spray guns, ball launchers, and the like. The various weapon controls direct water and/or other impact-safe projectiles to be launched at strategic targets located on opposing ships. These strategic targets may include, for example, critical weapons systems, shield/deflector systems, thrusters and, most critical of all, the core containment field. As each target is successfully struck, an impact event is simulated (e.g. noise, vibration, flashing lights, etc.) and a damage report is announced on the target ship (e.g. phasers inoperable, hull damage, forward shields down, etc.).
Simulated impact/damage effects may be provided by, for example, sound effects, vibration, spraying/bursting pipe effects, smoke (water or CO2 vapor), light flashes, simulated explosions, and the like. The number and/or intensity of the damage effects may escalate or progress from simple decreases in the available strength, power or effectiveness of the affected system(s), to complete depletion of the affected system(s) strength, power, or effectiveness, to ultimate catastrophic failure, such as simulated water explosions, dumping water and/or spraying of water/vapor from pipes, and the like.
As successive attacks are launched and targets are successfully hit, the affected systems and components sustain more and more damage. Of course, the ultimate failure mode is a core breach. As this condition is approached by successive direct target hits, the computer announces core containment field compromised core containment field unstable, core containment field down, and, the ultimate failure mode, core breach imminent. The same or similar effects may be provided for individual weapons systems, various shield defenses, force fields, propulsion systems, life support systems, and the like. Thus, a contest is created between play participants on one ship versus play participants on the other ship to see who can hit the targets faster and better.
As damage is incurred to each ship, other play participants (e.g., in an engineering portion of each ship) attempt to counteract and repair the damage to the various critical systems by turning cranks, flipping switches, pushing buttons and the like in order to divert limited power resources (water flow) away from failing or less critical systems to more critical components as requested by other play participants on the bridge. Play participants can make repairs to affected systems by carrying out a predetermined sequence of steps, solving a puzzle, pumping a handle, or the like to restore the system back to full-operational. Anticipation and excitement builds as play participants race to shut down and repair damaged systems while diverting precious water resources to more critical operational systems.
Once the ultimate failure mode occurs (e.g., a core breach), the entire ship is disabled while various catastrophic damage effects take place, e.g., splashing/dumping water, spraying water, smoke vapors, etc. After that, the ship shuts down for a predetermined period while it recharges all of its necessary systems to full capacity. Once it is recharged, it is allowed to come online again as a fully charged ship ready to do battle. The other ships can continue to operate on a continual basis, or all three ships can be shut down and periodically recharged so as to provide discrete play intervals as desired.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
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| 63 | G |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2of the drawings, an initiator constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral10. While the initiator10is illustrated as being a detonator-type initiator, the initiator10may be any type of initiator and may be configured to initiate a combustion event, a deflagration event and/or a detonation event. The initiator10may include a plurality of electrical contacts12, an initiator chip14, a housing16, a pellet assembly18.
With additional reference toFIG. 3, the electrical contacts12may be formed as a portion of a lead frame24. The lead frame24may be configured to support the initiator chip14during the fabrication of the initiator10and may be formed from any appropriate material. In the particular example provided, the initiator chip14is electronically-actuated and as such, the lead frame24may be fully or partially formed of an electrically conductive material, such as an iron, nickel and cobalt alloy that is allowed per ASTM F15, a copper material, such as beryllium copper or gold-plated beryllium copper.
The lead frame24may include a frame structure28to which the electrical contacts12are coupled and extend inwardly from. Each of the electrical contacts12may include a base portion30and one or more deflectable spring arms32. Each of the spring arms32may include a first, distal end36and a second, proximal end38that is coupled to an associated base portion30. The spring arms32may terminate in a plane that is parallel to and spaced apart from a plane in which the base portions30are disposed. In the example provided, the first end36of each spring arm32is reflexed toward an associated base portion30. The spring arms32may merge with one or more other spring arms32prior to intersecting an associated base portion30.
In the example provided, the lead frame24is formed in a progressive die (not shown) such that a plurality of locating apertures40are pierced through the frame structure28, the electrical contacts12are blanked and the spring arms32are formed. Although the lead frame24is illustrated as being a singularly formed article, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the lead frame24may be fabricated so that a plurality of the lead frames24may be joined to one another (e.g., in a progressive-type die that does not sever the individual lead frames24).
Returning toFIGS. 1 and 2, the initiator chip14may be any type of chip-like device for initiating a combustion event, a deflagration event, an explosion event or a detonation event and may be electronically-actuated or passively activated. Examples of suitable chip-like devices may include exploding foil initiators, exploding bridge wire initiators, squibs, SCB semi-conductor bridge devices and thin film bridge initiators. In the example provided, the initiator chip14is a type of exploding foil initiator14athat includes a substrate50, a bridge52and a flyer54. The substrate50may be formed of a ceramic material and serves as a base upon which the bridge52and the flyer54are disposed. The bridge52is disposed between the substrate50and the flyer54and includes with first and second contacts60and62. As exploding foil initiators are generally well known in the art, a detailed discussion of their construction and operation need not be provided herein. While the exploding foil initiator14amay optionally include a barrel (not shown), i.e., a discrete layer that is disposed about the flyer54with a hole through which the flyer54is launched upon activation of the exploding foil initiator14a, the initiator chip14in the example provided does not include a conventional barrel. Rather, the barrel may be formed by the housing16, as will be described in detail, below.
With reference toFIG. 4, the spring arms32may be electrically coupled to the first and second contacts60and62of the bridge52on the exploding foil initiator14a. In the example provided, the spring arms32are soldered to the first and second contacts60and62, but other coupling means, such as adhesives, may be additionally or alternatively employed. Thus coupled, the spring arms32resiliently couple the initiator chip14to the base portions30of the electrical contacts12. As each spring arm32has a reflexed configuration in the example provided, the initiator chip14is elevated above the base portions30. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosure that the lead frame24or portions thereof may be formed with features (not shown) that provide additional support to the initiator chip14during the fabrication of the initiator10and/or help to precisely locate (i.e., register) the initiator chip14relative to the spring arms32.
Returning toFIG. 2, the housing16may be unitarily formed of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate, acrylic or ABS. The plastic material may be selected on the basis of its material characteristics, such as strength, density and/or coefficient of thermal expansion. For example, where the initiator10may be exposed to a wide range of temperatures, the plastic material may be selected such that its coefficient of thermal expansion closely matches that of the substrate50of the initiator chip14. The plastic material may be a transparent (e.g., clear transparent) material that permits the contents of the housing16to be visually inspected after the initiator10has been assembled. The housing16may be formed to fully or partially encapsulate the initiator chip14and may include a cavity70for at least partially housing the pellet assembly18, and an attachment feature72. The attachment feature72may be any feature that is formed into or onto the housing16that facilitates that coupling of the cover20to the housing16and may include a flange74that is formed about the circumference of the housing16. In the example provided, the housing16also defines a barrel76that is disposed between the initiator chip14and the cavity70.
As the barrel76is defined by the tooling that is employed to fabricate the housing16and as the tooling may position the initiator chip14in a predetermined manner, we have found that securing the initiator chip14to the housing16via encapsulation and integrally forming the barrel76with the housing16permits the flyer54to be positioned relative to (i.e., spaced apart from) the pellet assembly18with improved accuracy and reliability.
For other known exploding foil initiators (EFI), the amount of energy that was supplied to the EFI to initiate its actuation was increased to compensate for the variance in the positioning of a flyer relative to a charge of energetic material. Essentially, the amount of energy that was supplied to an EFI to initiate its activation was based on a worst-case scenario wherein the flyer and the energetic material were spaced apart by a maximum permissible distance. The formation of the housing16an integrally-formed barrel76as detailed herein permits the flyer54to be more accurately and reliably positioned relative to the pellet assembly18so that a reduction of up to 75% in the tolerance that is associated with the dimension by which the flyer and the pellet assembly are spaced apart is possible. This reduction in the tolerance significantly improves the worst-case scenario, so that initiators constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention may be reliably activated with less electrical energy.
The pellet assembly18may include a structural sleeve80, a first pellet82and a second pellet84. The structural sleeve80may be employed to structurally support the first pellet82during its fabrication and/or initiation and may be formed of a suitable material, such as 6061 T6 anodized aluminum. The first pellet82may be pressed into the structural sleeve80at pressures that may exceed 50,000 psi or more. In the example provided, the initiator10is configured to initiate a detonation event and as such, the first pellet82may be formed of a fine particle size secondary explosive, such as RSI-007, which may be obtained from Reynolds Systems, Inc. of Middletown, Calif., HNS-IV (hexanitrostilbene), PETN (pentaerithrytol tetranitrate) or NONA (nonanitroterphenyl), while the second pellet84may be formed of a suitable energetic material that may be tailored to a specific situation in a manner that is within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art.
With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, the pellet assembly18may also include a first member90, which is disposed between the initiator chip14and the structural sleeve80, and a second member92that is disposed between the first and second pellets82and84. The first member90may be an electrically-insulating material, such as polyamide, and may be relatively thin, such as about 0.001 inch in thickness. As the initiator10′ that is illustrated also employs an exploding foil initiator14a, the first member90includes a hole94that permits the flyer54to travel through the barrel76and against the first pellet82when the initiator10′ is activated. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the structural sleeve80may be formed of a structural insulating material to thereby eliminate any need for the first member90.
The second member92may be a material, such as 0.002 inch thick aluminum, that forms a barrier between the first and second pellets82and84to inhibit the first and second pellets82and84from chemically reacting with one another. Additionally or alternatively, the second member92may be employed to enhance or attenuate the shock wave that is created by the combustion, deflagration or detonation of the first pellet82, and/or to form a barrier that combusts in response to the combustion, deflagration or detonation of the first pellet82and thereby ignites the second pellet84.
Returning toFIGS. 1 and 2, the cover20may be formed from an appropriate material, such as aluminum that conforms to ASTM B209-2 and/or QQ-A-250/2B. The cover20may be configured to close and environmentally seal the cavity70and/or to retain one or more of the components of the pellet assembly18in intimate contact with another component of the initiator10(e.g., the first pellet82in intimate contact with the barrel76). In the example provided, a predetermined force is applied to the cover20to drive the cover20toward the pellet assembly18and a crimp100is formed in the cover20to fixedly couple the cover20to the housing16. The crimp100may extend about the entire perimeter of the cover20and abut the flange74on the housing16. Alternatively, the crimp100may be comprised of a series of circumferentially spaced-apart deformations. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the crimp100permits the cover20to engage the housing16so that the cavity70is environmentally sealed. Additionally or alternatively, sealants and/or seals may be employed to seal or aid in sealing the cover20to the housing16. The cover20may also be employed to generate a secondary flyer54that may be propelled by the pellet assembly18to initiate a detonation event in a main charge (not shown).
With reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, an exemplary mold120for forming the housing16(FIG. 1) and at least partially encapsulating the initiator chip14(FIG. 1) is illustrated. The mold120may include an upper mold portion122and a lower mold portion124that cooperate to define a mold cavity126. The upper mold portion122may include components, such as slides, which may facilitate the formation of the attachment feature72(FIG. 1) in a manner that permits the housing16(FIG. 1) to be removed from the cavity70, and/or core pins, which permit various portions of the mold cavity126, such as the portion that defines the barrel76(FIG. 2) to be easily changed. Pins (not shown) or other locators may be employed to locate the lead frame24(FIG. 3) relative to the mold cavity126. In the example provided, a round pin (not shown) and a diamond-shaped pin (not shown) extend through the locating apertures40(FIG. 3) in the lead frame24(FIG. 3) to partially locate the initiator chip14(FIG. 1) in the mold cavity126.
In the example provided, the upper mold portion122includes a protrusion150that defines the barrel76(FIG. 2), while the lower mold portion124includes a positioning member152that is configured to position the initiator chip14(FIG. 2) against the protrusion150. The positioning member152is movable relative to the mold cavity126and in the example provided, is biased upwardly toward the upper mold portion122by a spring154.
With reference toFIG. 8, the lead frame24and initiator chip14may be loaded between the upper and lower mold portions122and124and the mold120may be closed. In this condition, the electrical contacts12may be clamped between the upper and lower mold portions122and124and the initiator chip14may be disposed in the mold cavity126and abutted against the protrusion150by the positioning member152. Molten plastic may be injected into the mold cavity126, thereby filling the void space in the mold cavity126. Optionally, the positioning member152may be moved away from the initiator chip14while the plastic is being injected into the mold cavity126to thereby form the portion of the housing16(FIG. 1) that is located on a side of the initiator chip14opposite the protrusion150.
From the foregoing, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the electrical contacts12may be clamped between the upper and lower mold portions122and124while the initiator chip14may be drive away from the base portions30of the electrical contacts12by the positioning member152or toward the base portions30of the electrical contacts12by the protrusion150. The resilient nature of the spring arms32permits the initiator chip14to move relative to the base portions30and thereby reduces the risk that the electrical contacts12will separate from the first and second contacts60and62(FIG. 1) when the lead frame24and initiator chip14are loaded into the mold cavity126. Moreover, that the positioning member152forces the initiator chip14toward the protrusion150(and also toward the first end36of the spring arms32) improves the likelihood that the initiator10will be operable (i.e., electrically actuatable) in those situations where the connection between the electrical contacts12and one or both of the first and second contacts60and62fails.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the mold120and housing16(FIG. 1) may be configured somewhat differently. For example, the positioning member152may be configured to move as the upper and lower mold portions122and124are being closed and not move at any point during the injection of plastic into the mold cavity126. When removed from the mold cavity126, the housing16(FIG. 1) would include a hole (not shown) where the positioning member152had been located. In some situations, the presence of this hole is not detrimental and thus, cost savings may be realized through the simplification of the mold120in the initiator10(FIG. 1) through reduced consumption of plastic. Alternatively, the hole may be filled in a subsequent over-molding operation (i.e., such that the housing is loaded into another mold and plastic is injected into the hole to fill it) or with a suitable material, such as an epoxy. Where the hole is to be filled, the filling material (e.g., plastic, epoxy) may be colored to thereby visually indicate one or more characteristics of the initiator10(FIG. 1) or one or more portions thereof (e.g., the housing16(FIG. 1) and/or the initiator chip14(FIG. 1)).
With reference toFIG. 9, the electrical contacts12′ may be formed with apertures170that permit the plastic material of the housing16to flow therethrough during the molding of the housing16and/or to further lock the electrical contacts12′ to the housing16. The lead frame24′ may include one or more stabilization arms174that intersect and are partially encapsulated by the housing16. The stabilization arms174may be provided to further stabilize the housing16relative to the lead frame24′ during the fabrication of the initiator10.
FIG. 10illustrates the housing16as encapsulating portions of the initiator chip14and the electrical contacts12. The housing16may remain coupled to the lead frame24during one or more of the remaining initiator assembly steps, or may be immediately severed from the lead frame24. In the example provided, the housing16remains joined to the lead frame24throughout the assembly process as is illustrated inFIG. 11, wherein the initiator10is illustrated in a completely assembled condition, and the initiator10is subsequently severed from the lead frame24as is shown inFIG. 12.
With reference toFIGS. 13 and 14, the initiator10may be positioned in a main charge200of an explosive material. The main charge200may be formed of any suitable energetic material, such as PBXN-5, PBXN-7, PBXN-11, CH-6, PAX-41, PBXN-9, C-4, RDX, AFX-221, PBXN-110, PBXN-112, COMPB, and/or OCTOL for example. The initiator10may be disposed within the main charge200such that the material that forms the main charge200is uniformly distributed about the initiator10(i.e., without voids). Pressed plastic explosives and cast charges (e.g., melt-pour) are particularly well suited, but those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other materials and techniques may also be employed. A detonation wave204, which may be generated via the detonation of another energetic material (not shown), is illustrated to be traveling through the main charge200and the initiator10. As the detonation wave204travels through the initiator10, the different materials that make up the initiator10, along with the geometry of the components of the initiator10and the direction from which the detonation wave204approaches the initiator10affect the detonation wave204, causing discrete areas of the detonation wave204to become non-planar. The configuration of the initiator10greatly minimizes the non-planar perturbations208in the detonation wave204through the use of a housing16with a density that approximates the density of the main charge200and reduced use of relatively dense materials, such as ceramics and stainless steels. Accordingly, the detonation wave204may pass through the initiator10with perturbations208that are relatively fewer in number and lower in amplitude as compared with prior art initiators.
While the initiator10has been described thus far as including a pellet assembly18that includes two pellets of energetic material, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention, in its broader aspects, may be constructed somewhat differently. For example, the initiator may include a pellet assembly with a single pellet of energetic material as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. In this arrangement, the initiator10″ includes a pellet assembly18″ that is comprised of a single pellet82″ of energetic material, such as RSI-007. As the structural sleeve80(FIG. 5) and second pellet84(FIG. 5) are not employed in this embodiment, the first and second members90and92(FIG. 5) may be omitted. Consequently, the initiator10″ may be less costly to fabricate than the initiator10ofFIG. 1or5.
While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
| 5F
| 42 | C |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a thermal printer 10 constructed
in accordance with the present invention. Printer 10 comprises an optical
head 14 which produces a laser beam 16 that is modulated in accordance
with an information signal. Beam 16 is directed to a galvanometer 20
through a collimating lens 22, beam shaping optics 24, and a turning
mirror 23. Beam shaping optics 24 includes a pair of cylindrical lenses 25
and 26. Galvanometer 20 is adapted to scan the beam onto a thermal print
medium 30. The beam 16 from galvanometer 20 passes through an f.theta.
lens 32 which functions in a well-known manner to maintain a flat field
and a constant velocity of the scanned spot on the thermal print medium.
The thermal print medium 30 is of a type in which a dye is transferred by
sublimation from a donor element 34 to a receiver element 36 as a result
of heating the dye in the donor. As shown in FIG. 1, receiver element 36
is attached to a rotatable drum 40 for movement therewith, and donor
element 34 is in the form of a web which extends between a supply roll 42
and a take-up roll 44. Receiver element 36 can be removably attached to
drum 40 by any suitable means, for example, by means of a vacuum. Drum 40
and rolls 42 and 44 can be driven, for example, by stepper motors (not
shown) which are actuated in timed relation to the movement of
galvanometer 20 to advance the medium 30 in a cross-scan direction.
A thermal print medium which can be used to produce a transferred image in
printer 10 can be, for example, a medium disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,833,124, entitled "Process of Increasing the Density of Images Obtained
by Thermal Dye Transfer," granted May 23, 1989. This patent is assigned to
the assignee of the present invention. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,833,124, the thermal print medium includes a donor element having a
material which strongly absorbs at the wavelength of the laser. When the
donor element is irradiated, this absorbing material converts light energy
to thermal energy and transfers the heat to the dye in the immediate
vicinity, thereby heating the dye to its vaporization temperature for
transfer to the receiver element. The absorbing material may be present in
a layer beneath the dye or it may be admixed with the dye. The laser beam
is modulated by electronic signals, which are representative of the shape
and color of the original image, so that each dye is heated to cause
volatilization only in those areas in which its presence is required on
the receiver element to reconstuct the color of the original object.
A thermal print medium of the type which produces a retained image can also
be used in printer 10. In such a medium, no donor element is used, and a
receiver element contains a dye layer. An image is formed by using the
laser beam 16 to remove dye from selected areas on the receiver element.
Optical head 14 can be constructed as shown in FIG. 2. Such a head is
disclosed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 238,225, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,948,221, entitled "Athermalized Optical Head," filed Aug. 30, 1988,
in the name of Thomas E. Yates. The disclosure in application Ser. No.
239,225, U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,221, is expressly incorporated herein by
reference. Optical head 14 comprises a light source 52 and an optical
device 54, both of which are supported in a tubular support 56. Light
source 52 includes a diode laser 58, a thermal transfer plate 60, a
thermoelectric cooling element 62, and a heat sink 64. Diode laser 58 is
surrounded at an output side 66 by a cover 68 which is formed of an
insulator material, such as No. 106 silicone, obtainable from the RTV
Corp. Diode laser 58 is mounted by means of fasteners 26 to an insulator
ring 70 which is made of glass-filled polycarbonate, for example, such a
material sold under the trademark Lexan 3414 by General Electric Co.
Insulator ring 70 is mounted to an annular laser mount 71 by means of
fasteners (not shown). Laser mount 71 can be, for example, copper. Set
screws 74 in support 56 are screws 74 in support 56 are threaded into
contact with insulator ring 70 to align light source 52 relative to
optical device 54. Heat from diode laser 58 is transferred to heat sink 64
which expels the excess heat through a finned radiator (now shown) to the
environment.
Optical device 54 includes a lens housing 85 which is adapted to receive
collimating lens 22 and a threaded lens retainer 87. Diode laser 58 and
lens 22 are mounted in optical head 14 such that the distance between the
diode laser and the lens is maintained constant over a predetermined
temperature range.
A control system 89 for printer 10 are shown in FIG. 3. Control system 89
comprises a frame store 90 for storing image data received from an image
scanner (not shown) or from an image storage medium (not shown). The data
stored in frame store 90 includes, for example, three 8-bit values for
each pixel, each value representing the red, green, or blue input for the
pixel. A matrix multiplication circuit 92 multiplies the 8-bit red, green,
and blue values by 3.times.3 matrix in order to effect desired color
corrections.
The output from circuit 92 is applied to RAM lookup tables 91 which perform
the necessary scaling for linearization and calibration. Updated values
for the lookup tables 91 can be provided by a central processing unit 93.
The digital outputs from lookup tables 91 are provided to a
digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 94, and the outputs from the D/A
converter drive the voltage-to-current driver 96 for the diode laser 58. A
thermoelectric cooler for the diode laser 58 is controlled by a
thermoelectric cooler servo 99.
A control and timing logic circuit 100 is provided to manage the data flow
during the operation of printer 10 and to control the printer timing.
Circuit 100 accepts timing signals from a drum servo 112, a galvanometer
servo 110, and an optical fiber line start sensor 102, and uses these
signals to synchronize the printing operations. These timing signals
include a once-per-revolution pulse from drum servo 112 which receives
inputs from an encoder 104, a once-per-cycle pulse from servo 110 which
receives inputs from an encoder 106, and a line-start pulse that is
generated when the laser beam crosses an optical fiber (not shown) in line
start sensor 102. Upon receipt of these signals, a pixel clock is started
and the data is clocked through the data circuits. Also included in
circuit 100 are a pixels-per-line counter for line length control and a
counter for controlling the addressing of the lookup tables 91.
In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, diode laser 58 is
a Model No. HL8351E, obtainable from the Hitachi Corp.; this laser is a 50
mw single transverse mode coherent laser which emits radiation at 830 nm.
Collimating lens 22 is an NRC Model F-L20; lens 22 has a focal length of
8.6 mm and a numerical aperture of 0.5. Cylindrical lens 25 has a focal
length of -80.0 mm and is a No. 01LCN135, obtainable from Melles Griot Co.
Cylindrical lens 26 has a focal length of 250.0 mm, and is a No. 01LCP135,
obtainable from Melles Griot Co. Galvanometer 20 is a Model No. 325DT,
manufactured by General Scanning Co. F.theta. lens 32 has a focal length
of 71 mm, and is a No. I-4921, made by D.O. Industries.
As noted above, diode laser 58 delivers 50 mw of coherent radiation in a
single transverse mode. The Gaussian output of the laser 58 can be focused
to a diffraction limited spot. This optical characteristic of the laser
along with the disclosed optics makes it possible to obtain very high
resolution in printer 10. A very high resolution is needed in
transparencies in order to obtain a desired sharpness in a projected
image. In one exemplary use of the present invention, where the laser beam
16 is focused to a 7 .mu.m (FWHM) spot on the medium 30 and the spots are
written at a pitch of 6 .mu.m, a resolution of 4000 spots per inch can be
obtained. Since the spot size can be varied, a higher or lower resolution
can be obtained, if desired. It is also contemplated that lasers having a
higher output could be used in the printer of the present invention, for
example, lasers having an output of between 50 mw and 100 mw.
After an image has been formed on a receiver as described herein, it is
desirable for certain mediums to apply heat to the receiver to fuse the
image. One suitable way to fuse the image is to apply hot air at
120.degree. C. to the image for approximately two minutes.
Printer 10 can be used to form slide transparencies in a number of
different ways. In the use of a medium of a type which forms a transferred
image, a monochrome image can be produced by passing donor 34 in contact
with receiver 36 during a single pass, that is, during one revolution of
drum 40. The receiver 36, which in this case is a transparent film, would
than be removed from drum 40 and mounted in a suitable slide mount. If a
color image is desired, the donor 34 would include separate spaced
sections, for example, cyan, magenta, and yellow sections, and these
sections would successively contact receiver 36 in separate passes of the
drum 40. In the use of a medium of the type which forms a retained image,
an monochrome image can be formed by one revolution of drum 40. It is also
possible to make a color image using either type of medium by forming
three separate images, one for cyan, one for yellow, and one for magenta,
on three separate receivers 36; the three receivers would then be
laminated to form a slide.
This invention has been described in detail with particular reference to
the preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that
variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope
of the invention: | 6G
| 01 | D |
FIG. 1 illustrates the last drying cylinder 10 of a multi-cylinder dryer in
a paper machine belonging to the upper row of drying cylinders. A doctor
blade 11 is disposed in proximity to the lower periphery of the drying
cylinder 10.
Before using the apparatus according to the invention, the threading strip
R and the part of the web from which the strip has been cut are conducted
towards the pulper, this direction being designated by arrow A in FIG. 1.
The threading strip R, which is cut from the edge of the web, is to be
conducted, for instance, into the first nip of a calender. This is partly
achieved by using the guiding and cutting means of the threading strip
according to the invention which is explained below in more detail.
The device according to the invention for guiding and cutting off the
threading strip R shown in FIG. 1 comprises guiding plate elements 14a,
14b, which are supported by the frame structure at point 15a, 15b. The
guiding plate element 14 includes rows of nozzles 16, which blow in the
length direction of element 14. A device 20 for cutting and guiding the
threading strip R is attached to the guiding plate element 14. The device
20 includes a first guiding plate 21, which is immediately followed by the
guiding plate element 14. The device 20 further includes a cutting member
22, preferably a sharp saw blade 22, by means of which the strip R is cut
off.
The function of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 is now described. The rows
of nozzles 16 blowing in the length direction of the guiding plate element
14 are connected to a compressed-air line. By `pocket blowing` F.sub.o the
strip R is brought close to guiding plate 14.
According to the invention, a roll 23 is disposed in connection with the
guiding plate element 14, which is preferably coated with rubber or some
other similar material. The roll 23 forms a nip with a driven paper
leading roll 24 located above it, in such a way that it is pressed against
the leading roll by means of an air cylinder. Further, release blowing
means 25 are attached to both sides of the guiding plate 14, by means of
which the strip is released from the cylinder 10.
When the strip R is released from the cylinder 10, it is conducted through
a nip functioning as a draw-press according to the invention. This
draw-press arrangement pulls the strip against the blade 22 of the cutting
device 20 in such a way that the strip is cut off.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 comprises guiding plate element 14 to which a
cutting device 20 with blade 22 is attached, as described above. In this
embodiment, a conveyor, preferably a belt conveyor, along with the paper
leading roll forms a nip and functions as a draw-press. The apparatus
according to FIG. 3 has the same operating principle as that of FIG. 1,
i.e., the strip R is released by means of release blowers 25 and conducted
by pocket blowing and guiding plate 14 into the nip which pulls the strip
against the blade 22 of the cutting device 20 in such a way that the strip
is cut off.
By using solutions according to FIGS. 1 and 3, the strip is cut and
conducted further without forming a detrimental `tail` which would fall in
the basement below the machine.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cutting device 20. The figure shows a
threading strip R, which is usually 150-200 mm wide, release blowers 25,
the blade 22 of the cutting device and the pocket blowing pipes, by means
of which a bag is formed and blown into the nip.
The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 functions also as a pick-up means apart
from functioning as a cutting and guiding device. The device comprises a
guiding plate element 14 described above. The device is pivotable about a
horizontal Cardan shaft by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 28
or some similar actuator.
In the following the patent claims are presented, which define the
inventional concept within the scope of which the details of the invention
may vary. | 3D
| 21 | F |
In order to better illustrate the present invention without limiting it, the following examples are now given.
Boroxine used in the experiments described herein after was prepared according to the procedures described in WO2005097809. The characterization of boroxine by1H-NMR,13C-NMR and IR spectra is reported inFIGS. 1,2and3.
For the acquisition of the NMR spectra a Varian Gemini VXR 200S 200 MHz spectrometer was used by using DMSO-d6as solvent, while for the IR spectra a FT-IR ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance) Perkin Elmer Spectrum Two was used under the following conditions:
Source: MIR
Detector: LiTaO3
Crystal: diamond
Beansplitter: OpTKBr
Window: KBr
Scan range: (4500-400) cm−1
Resolution: 4 cm−1
Scan speed: 0.2 cm/s
Number scan: 4
Background: AIR
The DSC were carried out under the following conditions:
Type of instrument: STA 409 OC Luxx® Netzsch
Heating and cooling speed: 0.01 K/min . . . 50 K/min
TG resolution: up to 0.00002%
DSC resolution: <1 μW (K sensor)
DSC sensitivity: 8 μV/mW (K sensor)
Atmosphere: inert (nitrogen)
Gas flow control: 2 cleaning gasses and 1 protecting gas
Cleaning gas: nitrogen
Cleaning gas speed: 60 ml/min
Protecting gas: nitrogen
Protecting gas speed: 20 ml/min
Melting pan: DSC/TG pan Al
Heating rate: 10° C./min
DSC heating ramp: from 25° C. to 400° C.
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of (6+6) bis-bortezomib L-tartrate IV from sodium L-tartrate
In a 250 ml flask, 2.0 g bortezomib as boroxine were charged and dissolved in 40 ml methanol. Then a solution of 1.2 g disodium L-tartrate in 10 ml water was prepared and such solution was added dropwise in 10 minutes to the methanolic solution of bortezomib, obtaining a solution which was concentrated under vacuum (30 mmHg) at 50° C. up to a solid, which was collected and dried for 10 hours at 50° C., obtaining 3.0 g of product. Such product was then re-suspended in 50 ml acetone and heated under reflux (55° C.). Then the resultant mixture was filtered on gooch to remove the unreacted tartrate which was separated as a solid and the filtrate was heated again under reflux. Then, 25 ml acetone was distilled off and the mixture was cooled to room temperature. The obtained suspension was cooled at 5° C. and kept under these conditions for 2 hours, then filtered on gooch to obtain 2.0 g of wet product, which was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours. In this way 1.4 g of the desired product were obtained. InFIGS. 4,5and6the1H-NMR,13C-NMR and IR spectra, respectively, of the resultant product are reported.
MS ESI ionization in positive: (M+H+) 848.13 (2%), (M+Na+) 869, (100%); ionization in negative: 846 (M−1) (100%).
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of (5+5) Bis-Bortezomib L-Tartrate III from L-Tartaric Acid
In a 500 ml flask, 10.0 g bortezomib as boroxine and 1.9 g L-tartaric acid were charged and dissolved in 250 ml methanol. Then the mixture was concentrated under vacuum (30 mmHg) at 50° C. up to a solid, which was collected and dried for 10 hours at 45° C. and 1 mmHg, obtaining 12.0 g of product. Such product was then re-dissolved in 50 ml acetone and this solution was added dropwise in 2 hours to 400 ml n-heptane under stirring at 25° C. During the addition a white solid precipitated. The mixture was kept under stirring for 3 hours at 25° C. and then filtered on gooch, obtaining 13.0 g of wet product. This product was dried at 50° C. for 18 hours, obtaining 9.4 g of the desired product. InFIGS. 7,8and9the1H-NMR,13C-NMR and IR spectra, respectively, of the resultant product are reported.
MS ESI ionization in positive: (M+H+) 848.13 (2%), (M+Na+) 869, (100%); ionization in negative: 846 (M−1) (100%).
InFIG. 10the graph related to the PXRD diffractogram of the resultant product is reported.
EXAMPLE 3
Preparation of (5+5) Bis-Bortezomib L-Tartrate III in Admixture with Monobasic Phosphate-Dibasic Phosphate
100 mg of the product prepared as described in example 2, 150 mg anhydrous monobasic sodium phosphate and 850 mg anhydrous dibasic sodium phosphate were charged into a mortar. The powders were mixed in the mortar for 5 minutes up to obtain an uniform white product. The resultant product, dissolved at 1% into a 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution, showed a dissolution time of about 120 seconds. The pH of the resultant solution was 7.5.
EXAMPLE 4
Preparation of (5+5) Bis-Bortezomib L-Tartrate III in Admixture with Monobasic Phosphate-Dibasic Phosphate
100 mg of the product prepared as described in example 2, 350 mg anhydrous monobasic sodium phosphate and 650 mg anhydrous dibasic sodium phosphate were charged into a mortar. The powders were mixed in the mortar for 5 minutes up to obtain a uniform white product. The resultant product, dissolved at 1% into a 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution, showed a dissolution time of about 120 seconds. The pH of the resultant solution was 6.8.
EXAMPLE 5
Preparation of (6+6) Bis-Bortezomib L-Tartrate IV in Crystalline Form A
In a 250 ml flask, 2.0 g bortezomib as boroxine were charged and dissolved in 40 ml methanol. Then a solution of 0.6 g disodium L-tartrate in 10 ml water was prepared and such solution was added dropwise in 10 minutes to the methanolic solution of bortezomib, obtaining a solution which was concentrated under vacuum (30 mmHg) at 50° C. up to a solid, which was collected and dried for 10 hours at 50° C., obtaining 2.1 g of product. Such product was then re-suspended in 5 ml acetone and heated under reflux (55° C.). The resultant mixture became a solution. Then 10 ml n-heptane were added dropwise. The obtained suspension was cooled at 25° C. and kept under these conditions for 2 hours, then filtered on gooch to obtain 1.5 g of wet product, which was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours.
InFIG. 11the graph related to the PXRD diffractogram of the resultant product is reported.
EXAMPLE 6
Preparation of (6+6) bis-bortezomib L-tartrate IV in crystalline form B In a 250 ml flask, 2.5 g bortezomib as boroxine were charged and dissolved in 50 ml methanol. Then a solution of 0.75 g disodium L-tartrate in 10 ml water was prepared and such solution was added dropwise in 10 minutes to a methanolic solution of bortezomib, obtaining a solution which was concentrated under vacuum (30 mmHg) at 50° C. up to a solid, which was collected and dried for 10 hours at 50° C., obtaining 3.0 g of product. Such product was then re-suspended in 33 ml acetone and heated under reflux (55° C.). The resultant mixture became a solution. Then 65 ml n-heptane were added dropwise. The obtained suspension was cooled at 25° C. and kept under these conditions for 2 hours, then filtered on gooch to obtain 4.2 g of wet product, which was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours.
InFIG. 12the graph related the PXRD diffractogram of the resultant product is reported.
EXAMPLE 7
Preparation of (6+6) Bis-Bortezomib L-Tartrate IV in Amorphous Form
In a 250 ml flask, 2.0 g bortezomib as boroxine were charged and dissolved in 40 ml methanol. Then a solution of 0.6 g disodium L-tartrate in 10 ml water was prepared and such solution was added dropwise in 10 minutes to the methanolic solution of bortezomib, obtaining a solution which was concentrated under vacuum (30 mmHg) at 50° C. up to a solid, which was collected and dried for 10 hours at 50° C., obtaining 2.1 g of product. Such product was then re-dissolved in 5 ml acetone and heated under reflux (55° C.). The resultant mixture became a solution and was added dropwise to 40 ml n-heptane in about 30 minutes. The suspension was kept under stirring at 25° C. for 2 hours, then filtered on gooch to obtain 3.8 g of wet product, which was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours.
InFIG. 13the graph related to the PXRD diffractogram of the resultant product is reported.
EXAMPLE 8
Preparation of (5+5) bis-bortezomib D-tartrate III from D-tartaric acid
In a 250 ml flask 5.0 g bortezomib as boroxine and 0.95 g D-tartaric acid were charged and dissolved in 120 ml methanol. The mixture was concentrated under vacuum (30 mmHg) at 50° C. up to a solid which was collected and dried for 10 hours at 45° C. and 1 mmHg, obtaining 12.0 g product. Such product was then re-dissolved in 25 ml acetone; this solution was added dropwise in 2 hours to 200 ml n-heptane under stirring at 25° C. During the addition a white solid precipitated. The mixture was kept under stirring for 3 hours at 25° C. and then filtered on gooch, obtaining 6.2 g of wet product. This was dried at 50° C. for 18 hours obtaining 4.8 g of the desired product.
EXAMPLE 9
Stability Tests of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib Tartrate III in Solid Form
(5+5) Bis-bortezomib tartrate III, prepared as described in example 2, and the solid formulations containing (5+5) bis-bortezomib tartrate III, prepared as described in examples 3 and 4, were put into glass vials with screw plug and hermetic closure and undergone stability tests under the following conditions:
temperature 25° C. and 60% relative humidity
temperature 40° C. and 75% relative humidity
The HPLC method used for the purity analysis was the following:
Operative Conditions
Instrument: HPLC SHIMADZU LC-10AD
UV Detector: SPD 10AVPauto-sampler: SIL-ADVP
Wavelength: 270 nm
Column: Biobasic-18-Peek Bio-inertlength: 250 mmI.D.: 2.1 mmParticle size: 5 μm(thermo scientific Cat.N.72105-252168 or equivalent)
Injection: 3 μl
Column temperature: room
Sampler temperature: room
Flow rate: 0.3 ml/min
Mobile phase: eluent A: 95% gradientEluent B: 5%
Analysis time: 60 minutes
Eluent A: 0.1% v/v formic acid in water for HPLC
Eluent B: 0.1% v/v formic acid in acetonitrile for gradient
Diluent: acetonitrile:water for HPLC=80:20
Blank: diluent
Gradient program:
TimeEluent AEluent B(min)% (v/v)% (v/v)0955109554020804520804695560955(run end)
Sample Solution:
Weigh about 50 mg sample and transfer the substance into a 100 ml flask. Dissolve and bring to volume with diluent. Sonicate up to complete dissolution (analyte content about 0.5 mg/ml).
Purity Calculation
Calculate the percentage of each known and unknown impurity as percentage area by using the following formula (peaks of the blank and peaks with area <0.05% to be ignored).
%impurity=Axc*100Atot
Axc: peak area of the impurity in the sample
Atot: total area of the peaks of the chromatogram
Purity(A%)=100−Σ1Imp(i)
The peak corresponding to bortezomib is eluted at 28 minutes±2.
In the following tables the data obtained from the stability tests after two and four weeks are reported.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07Example 2t00.020.0799.90NQ0.012 weeks0.020.0299.94NQ0.0125° C.2 weeks0.1899.82NQ0.0140° C.Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.3725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.940.951.001.0371.07example 3t00.040.0199.93NQ0.022 weeks0.020.0599.89NQ0.0425° C.2 weeks0.040.0599.86NQ0.0440° C.4 weeks0.010.010.020.0399.90NQ0.0325° C.4 weeks0.040.2599.630.030.0540° C.example 4t00.0199.97NQ0.022 weeks0.010.0499.90NQ0.0325° C.2 weeks0.020.1299.83NQ0.0440° C.4 weeks0.010.0199.94NQ0.0425° C.4 weeks0.040.1599.77NQ0.0440° C.
EXAMPLE 10
Stability Tests of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib Tartrate III in Solution
3.8 g (5+5) bis-bortezomib tartrate III, prepared as described in example 2, were dissolved in 100 ml DMSO (mother solution). An aliquot of 1 ml of such solution was diluted with 1 ml DMSO.
The mother solution (38 g/1) and the diluted 1:1 solution (19 g/1) were put into glass vials with screw cap and hermetic closure and undergone stability tests under the following conditions:
temperature 25° C. and 60% relative humidity
temperature 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.
In the following table the data obtained from the stability tests after two weeks are reported.
The HPLC method used for the purity analysis was the same as described in example 9.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07Mothert099.97NQ0.03solution2 weeks0.0299.93NQ0.05(38 g/l)25° C.2 weeks0.0299.93NQ0.0540° C.1:1t099.97NQ0.03solution2 weeks0.010.0299.91NQ0.0619 g/l25° C.2 weeks0.0299.93NQ0.0540° C.
EXAMPLE 11
Preparation of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III Crystalline Form A from Acetone/Heptane
In a 4-neck 250 ml flask, equipped with mechanical stirrer, thermometer and cooler, 5.0 g bortezomib-boroxine, 0.95 g L tartaric acid and 50 ml acetone were charged. The mixture was heated to 45° C. under stirring and under nitrogen, obtaining complete dissolution of the solid after 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was kept under these conditions for 1 hour, then was cooled to 20-25° C. and poured onto 200 m I n-heptane in about 1 hour. The development of a gummy white solid was observed which tended to become powder in 2 hours. After keeping for 18 hours under stirring at 20-25° C., it was filtered on gooch and washed with 20 ml n-heptane. 6.9 g of wet product were obtained. After drying for 24 hours at 50° C. and 30 mmHg, 4.8 g of dry product were obtained which show the PXRD reported inFIG. 15.
EXAMPLE 12
Stability Tests of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III Crystalline Form A from Acetone/Heptane
Samples of the powder obtained in example 11 were stored in glass vials with screw cap and hermetic closure and undergone stability tests at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity. Their purity was checked during the time. In the following table the purity data of the samples under stability test obtained by using the HPLC method described in example 9 are reported.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07t099.990.012 months0.1599.670.020.0440° C.3 months0.660.0798.720.380.1840° C.
EXAMPLE 13
Preparation of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III Amorphous Form from Ethyl Acetate/MTBE
In a 4-neck 250 ml flask, equipped with mechanical stirrer, thermometer and cooler, 5.1 g bortezomib-boroxine, 0.97 g L tartaric acid and 50 ml ethyl acetate were charged. The mixture was heated to 45° C. under stirring and under nitrogen, obtaining partial dissolution of the solid after 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was kept at 45° C. for 1 hour without reaching complete dissolution. Then 200 ml MTBE were added in about 1 hour, the reaction mixture was cooled to 20-25° C. and kept under stirring for 18 hours. It was filtered on gooch and washed with 20 ml MTBE. 6.5 g of wet product were obtained. After drying for 18 hours at 50° C. and 30 mmHg, 4.4 g of dry product were obtained which show PXRD similar to those reported inFIG. 10.
EXAMPLE 14
Stability Tests of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III Amorphous Form from Ethyl Acetate/MTBE
Samples of the powder obtained in example 13 were stored in glass vials with screw cap and hermetic closure and undergone stability tests at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity. In the following table the purity data obtained by using the HPLC method described in example 9 are reported.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07t00.0299.940.021 month0.0599.930.0240° C.2 months0.610.0798.850.340.1340° C.3 months0.070.0499.850.0240° C.
EXAMPLE 15
Preparation of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III Crystalline Form a from Nitromethane
4 ml nitromethane were saturated at 25° C. with (5+5) bis bortezomib L-tartrate III prepared as described in example 2. The resultant solution was filtered on Whatman 0.45 mm filter and kept at 0-4° C. up to obtain a precipitate. The resultant solid product was filtered on buchner, dried and analyzed by PXRD (FIG. 16) and DSC (FIG. 17).
EXAMPLE 16
Preparation of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III Crystalline Form A from Ethyl Acetate/Diethylether
150 mg (5+5) bis bortezomib L-tartrate III prepared as described in example 2 were dissolved in 2 ml ethyl acetate. The resultant solution was filtered on Whatman 0.45 mm filter and added with 8 ml diethylether up to obtain a precipitate. The resultant solid product was filtered on buchner, dried and analyzed by PXRD (FIG. 18) and DSC (FIG. 19).
EXAMPLE 17
Preparation of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III in Admixture with Disodium Tartrate
100 mg (5+5) bis bortezomib L-tartrate III prepared as described in example 2 and 1 g disodium tartrate were weighed in a mortar. The powders were mixed with the pestle into the mortar for 5 minutes up to a uniform white solid mixture. The resultant product, if dissolved at 1% in a 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution, showed a dissolution time of about 120 seconds. The pH of the resultant solution was 5.2.
In the following table the data of the HPLC purity analysis of the powder at time 0 and after 1 month, 2 months and 3 months of storage in glass vials with screw plug and hermetic closure at 40° C. are reported.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07t099.990.011 month0.0799.9340° C.2 months0.050.0899.860.0140° C.3 months0.070.0499.850.0240° C.
EXAMPLE 18
Preparation of Micronized (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III
40 mg (5+5) bis bortezomib L-tartrate III prepared as described in example 2 were micronized in a suitable equipment.
The micronized product was analyzed by using mastersizer Microplus (Malvern) through LALLS technique using silicone oil as dispersing medium.
The results expressed as particle size of the powder are reported in the following table.
Residual = 0.683%Concentration = 0.009%Obscuration = 26.34%d(0.5) = 2.09 μmd(0.1) = 1.06 μmd(0.9) = 3.95 μmD[4, 3] = 2.33 μmSpan = 1.38d(0.95) = 4.62 μmSauter meanMode = 2.34D[3, 2] = 1.83 μm
The product was analyzed with the method reported in example 9, obtaining the following HPLC purity data.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07t00.03%99.72%0.06%0.03%
EXAMPLE 19
Solubility Test of Solid Mixture of Micronized (5+5) Bis Bortezomib L-Tartrate III with Inorganic Salts
A micronized product prepared as described in example 18 was mixed with NaH2PO4/Na2HPO4and with disodium tartrate.
In the following table the solubility results of said solid mixtures are reported.
MicronizedBortezomib:ex-HomogenizationDiluentsample (mg)Excipientcipient ratiomethod(5 ml)Solubility5NaH2PO4/1:10PowdersNaCl 0.9%>300 secNa2HPO4separately1:1 micronizedweighed in vial5Micronized1:10With pestle andNaCl 0.9%120 secdisodiummortartartrate5Micronized1:10With pestle andNaCl 0.9% +120 secdisodiummortarphosphatetartratebufferpH = 7.3
EXAMPLE 20
Stability Tests of (5+5) Bis Bortezomib Tartrate III in DMSO Solution with Acid Stabilizers
Preparation of sample A:
In a 10 ml flask 400 mg (5+5) Bis-bortezomib tartrate III, prepared as described in example 2, and 10 mg L-tartaric acid were weighed. The mixture was dissolved and brought to volume with DMSO (pharmaceutical grade).
Preparation sample B:
In a 10 ml flask 400 mg (5+5) Bis-bortezomib tartrate III, prepared as described in example 2, and 7 μl 85% phosphoric acid acid were weighed. The mixture was dissolved and brought to volume with DMSO (pharmaceutical grade).
In the following table the data of the HPLC purity analysis of the solution at time 0 and after 1 month, 2 months and 3 months of storage in glass vials with screw cap and hermetic closure at 40° C. are reported.
Retention time (min)23.5824.5725.7827.0028.0028.77Relative retention timeSample0.870.910.951.001.0371.07At099.990.011 month0.0399.8440° C.2 months0.030.0299.850.0140° C.3 months0.0399.950.0240° C.Bt099.990.011 month99.950.020.0340° C.2 months0.020.0299.860.0140° C.3 months0.1399.740.020.0640° C.
| 2C
| 07 | K |
Referring now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 generally
designates a pouch made in accordance with the present invention. Looking
to FIG. 6, the pouch 10 is made from a piece of fabric or similarly
flexible material, wherein the fabric is folded over at both ends toward
the center so that the opposing ends 20, 22 of the fabric overlap slightly
at the center of the fabric piece thus forming a tubular shape.
Since the fabric is preferably somewhat flexible, this tubular shape may be
collapsed to form a top layer and a bottom layer of cloth connected along
the lateral edges by folds. As is best shown in FIG. 5, the top and bottom
layers of fabric are permanently affixed to one another, preferably by
stitching, along the longitudinal end edges 12, 14 of the fabric layers.
It is noted that the overlap of the opposing ends 20,22 is maintained due
to this fixing of the edges 12, 14. It is preferred that the corners of
the longitudinal ends are removed prior to fixing to form angled portions
16 adjacent the lateral edges. The angled portions are preferably about a
45.degree. angle, and arranged to be spaced from each other along the
longitudinal ends by a distance at least equal to the overlap of the
opposed ends 20,22.
As is best shown in FIG. 6, the pouch thus defines a first concave portion
24 and a second concave portion 26, each having an opening defined by the
respective opposed edge 20 or 22 and the portion of the fabric there
beneath, and a rear wall portion defined by those portions within the
lateral extent of the corner portions 16. The openings of these two
portions substantially abut to define a single closed cavity.
As noted above, the opposing ends 20, 22 of fabric overlap at the center of
the top fabric layer of the pouch to define a slit or opening for access
to the cavity. Corresponding fasteners such as that sold under the
tradename VELCRO, are affixed to the underside of the overlapping end 20
and the upperside of the underlying end 22 to provide a means for securing
the two ends of the fabric for temporary closure of the pouch. Other
fastening devices such as a slide fastener, snaps or buttons could
alternatively be used to releasably secure the two ends 20, 22 together.
Looking now to FIGS. 1-4, the pouch can be placed in a compact
configuration. To accomplish this, the folded lateral edges of the pouch
are moved toward the center of the pouch, reversely folded in the process,
and placed in a spaced overlapping position. As such, in this
configuration the lateral sides of the pouch substantially corresponding
to the rear wall portions of the first concave portion 24 and second
concave portion 26 are inversely folded toward the center of the pouch in
a convex configuration. This convex folding is aided by the removal of
corner material to form the corner portions 16. The convex rear wall
segment of the first portion 24 overlies the convex rear wall segment 26
of the second portion. As best shown in FIG. 4, the pouch takes on an
accordion fold configuration when compacted in this manner. The compacted
pouch is relatively thin and flat, thus providing a non-obtrusive article
when empty.
The pouch can be detachably affixed to a band 28 adapted to retain the
pouch to the user's body or to some other structure. Band 28 is elongated
with the longitudinal ends having a fastening device 30, preferably that
sold under the tradename VELCRO, for releasably connecting such ends
together. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the band can be secured in a circular
configuration to fit around a person's wrist, waist or ankle for example.
As shown in FIG. 6 the pouch 10 can be attached to the band by providing a
tunnel loop 32 along the bottom center of the pouch, beneath the opposed
ends 20,22. This loop 32 preferably comprises a separate strip of fabric
or similarly flexible material affixed along the bottom center portion of
the pouch to form a loop through which the band 28 is threaded. The pouch
could be affixed to the band by any other method known such as by
fastening the pouch to the band with snaps, buttons, or materials such as
that sold under the tradename VELCRO. Alternatively, the pouch can be
permanently affixed to a band by stitching or other means. The pouch could
be provided on any type of band or strap such as a wrist, ankle or waist
band for releasably securing the pouch to the body. The pouch could also
be affixed to an article of clothing such as to a belt loop by tying the
pouch to the loop, by snap loops provided on the bottom of the pouch or
through the use of fasteners such as that sold under the tradename VELCRO.
The pouch can be made from any flexible material and is preferably made of
a tightly woven fabric-like material. Preferably the fabric will be
lightweight, relatively waterproof and sturdy. Particularly suitable
materials include lightweight and quick drying fabrics such as those sold
under the tradenames NYLON and TASLYN.
While the present invention has been described with regard to a specific
embodiment, it should be apparent that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the pouch
need not be formed of a single pieces of fabric, but may be formed of two
or more pieces fixed together to provide the proper configuration.
Additionally, the means for attaching the pouch to the user's body or
other structure may be any type commonly known in the art.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted
to attain all ends and objects herein above set forth together with the
other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent in the
structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of
utility and may be employed without reference to other features and
subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the
claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without
departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter
herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. | 1B
| 65 | D |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 9 show one embodiment of a ventilation line opening/closing
means in which a ball is used for a roll-over type valve for closing a
ventilation line from a tank to a canister, for example, when a vehicle is
turned over. The ball detects an inclination of the vehicle and moves. As
shown in FIG. 1, this means is installed on a ventilation line on an upper
wall of a fuel tank 2 by means of a flange portion 1a formed on the outer
periphery of a cylindrical valve casing 1.
The cylindrical valve casing 1 is closed except for an upper vent hole 3, a
return-passage hole 4, a vent hole 1b formed in an upper portion of a side
wall, and a vent hole formed in a bottom casing 24. The vent hole 3
communicates with the ventilation line for releasing fuel vapor from the
tank to the canister. The return-passage hole 4 is designed such that
return fuel returning from the engine side can pass therethrough. Valve
guide plates 5 are provided on the inner surface of an upper portion of
the valve casing 1, projecting downwardly in four directions to surround
the vent hole 3.
A vent shut-off valve 6 including a check valve 9, and a ball roll-over
type valve consisting of a first valve body 7 and a second valve body 8
which interlock with each other, are received in the valve casing 1.
The vent shut-off valve 6 is in the form of a conical tube with a vertical
communication hole 28 formed in the apex, and the outer surface of the
conical tube is a seal surface 11 to abut against an opposite tapered
valve seat 10 and to seal a gap therefrom. As shown in FIG. 1, the vent
shut-off valve 6 is integrally supported on an upper portion of a valve
support member 6a of a complicated shape. The valve support member 6a
extends over a cylindrical portion 24a of the bottom casing. A fuel
receiving portion 13 is formed on the outer periphery of the valve support
member 6a. An upper portion of the valve support member 6a is decreased in
diameter and shaped into a top end portion for attachment to the vent
shut-off valve 6. A portion further extending from this top end portion is
bent inwardly to define a communication passage 17. A valve seat 12 of the
roll-over valve is formed at a bottom portion of the communication passage
17. In order to close the vent shut-off valve 6 during an engine stop, a
spring 15 is provided between a top plate 24b of the bottom casing
cylindrical portion 24a and the inner surface of the top end portion for
attachment to the vent shut-off valve 6 so that these two members will be
repulsive from each other.
The check valve 9 is located in an inner middle portion of the vent
shut-off valve 6, i.e., on the top end portion of the valve support member
6a. As shown in FIG. 9, this check valve 9 is of an umbrella-like shape to
close a vent hole 21 which is formed in a middle portion of the
communication passage 17 inside of the vent shut-off valve 6. When a cap
of a fuel filling port is closed, the tank internal pressure is decreased
due to an influence of, for example, the return fuel of a high
temperature, and when this tank internal pressure exceeds a predetermined
pressure of the check valve 9, as shown in FIG. 9, the check valve 9 is
opened to discharge gas of the tank into the canister.
The fuel receiving portion 13 is an annular vessel, in a bottom portion of
which escape holes 20 for liquid fuel are formed. These escape holes 20
are designed such that an amount of liquid fuel which returns from the
engine to the fuel receiving portion 13 is larger than an amount of liquid
fuel which is released from the fuel receiving portion 13 through these
holes during operation of the engine.
As shown in FIG. 8, the roll-over valve is arranged such that the second
valve body 8 is covered with the first valve body 7, each of the valve
bodies being of a cylindrical shape with a conical upper portion. The
outer surface of the first valve body 7 is a seal surface 16 to abut
against the tapered valve seat 12 provided in the communication passage 17
and to seal a gap therefrom. A slit 14 is formed in a conical side wall of
the first valve body 7, and an engaging portion 19 is provided on the
lowermost portion of the first valve body 7. The inner surface of the
first valve body 7 is shaped into a valve seat against which a seal
surface of the second valve body 8 abuts. A communication hole 18
communicating with the communication passage 17 is formed in the apex of
the second valve body 8.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the second valve body 8 has a structure in which
a tapered valve portion 27 and an engaging projection 26 are provided on a
circular function plate 23 which moves vertically inside of the
cylindrical portion 24a erected from the bottom casing 24. The valve
portion 27 has an upper portion to which the second valve body 8 is
connected, and the engaging projection 26 which can be engaged with the
engaging portion 19 of the first valve body 7 is provided on the outer
periphery of the valve portion 27. The valve portion 27 is covered with
the first valve body 7, these two members being integral with each other
to move relatively vertically.
For the roll-over valve, a metallic ball 22 which detects an inclination of
a vehicle and changes the position is used. This ball 22 is mounted on a
ball rolling base 25 of a funnel-like shape whose center is low and whose
outer periphery is high. The ball rolling base 25 is attached on the
bottom casing 24. A ball receiving frame 23a of a cross shape is attached
to a lower portion of the circular function plate 23 as a bottom cover so
that the ball 22 will not come off. Directions of movement of the circular
function plate 23 is restricted only to vertical directions by sliding
each end of the ball receiving frame 23a in a groove formed in an inner
side wall of the cylindrical portion 24a. Thus, when the ball 22 rolls on
the surface of the ball rolling base 25 and exerts a pressure on the
circular function plate 23, the second valve body 8 can be moved
vertically.
When the vehicle is not inclined but stays horizontal and the engine is
stopped, as shown in FIG. 1, no fuel returns from the return-passage hole
4, and consequently, liquid fuel does not accumulate in the fuel receiving
portion 13. Therefore, the vent shut-off valve 6 is pressed upwardly by
the spring 15 so as to bring the seal surface 11 into contact with the
valve seat 10, thereby closing the vent hole 3. At this time, since the
tank internal pressure is not very high, the check valve 9 is closed, and
the ventilation line is completely closed, so that restriction of the fuel
level when the tank is full can be adequately performed.
However, both the first valve body 7 and the second valve body 8 of the
roll-over valve portion are open. In consequence, if the tank internal
pressure is abnormally raised while the above-mentioned ventilation line
is completely closed, the tank internal pressure is exerted, through the
communication passage 17, on the check valve 9 to open it and to keep the
ventilation line open until the tank internal pressure is lowered to an
appropriate level. Thus, breakage of the tank owing to abnormal increase
of the tank internal pressure can be prevented.
When the engine is operated and the vehicle is traveling normally, as shown
in FIG. 6, return fuel from the engine returns via the return-passage hole
4 and accumulates in the fuel receiving portion 13 so as to press the vent
shut-off valve 6 downwardly with its weight, thereby opening the
ventilation line. In this condition, if the vehicle slalom-drives or is
turned over in some situation, as shown in FIG. 7, the ball 22 which has
rolled on the surface of the ball rolling base 25 toward the outer
periphery lifts the circular function plate 23 relatively upwardly. As a
result, both the roll-over valve portion and the vent shut-off valve 6
abut against the respective valve seats and close the ventilation line,
thus preventing liquid fuel from flowing back to the canister.
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, it is difficult for the
umbrella-like check valve and the roll-over valve with the ball to follow
up a small change because they do not respond to an outside change unless
it is large to a certain degree. Besides, provision of such valves
increases the dimensions of the entire means. FIGS. 10 to 14 show one
embodiment of a ventilation line opening/closing means of a double-float
type according to the present invention, which includes a roll-over type
valve with a float in order to make the means compact and to improve the
responsiveness. The structure of this means will now be described while
referring to operational points of the roll-over valve with the float to
which attentions must be paid.
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a valve casing 30 is of a cylindrical shape
such that it is attached to an upper portion of a fuel tank 2 through a
flange 34. A ventilation line extends horizontally in an upper portion of
the valve casing 30, so that a vent hole 31 communicates with the inside
of the valve casing 30, and that a return-passage hole 32 communicates
with the outer periphery of the upper portion of the valve casing. A vent
hole 35 is formed in a side wall of the valve casing 30. A disk-like
bottom casing 36 is attached to the bottom surface of the valve casing 30,
with gaps 37 being defined in three positions on the outer periphery of
the bottom casing 36. This bottom casing 36 further includes a fuel
discharge hole 38 formed in the center and four fuel circulation holes 39
formed around the fuel discharge hole 38. The gaps 37 and the fuel
discharge hole 38 are provided for quickly discharging liquid fuel from
the inside of the valve casing 30 in order to function the float valve
body. On the other hand, the fuel circulation holes 39 not only function
in substantially the same manner as this but also serve to introduce the
liquid fuel into the valve casing 30 so as to function the float valve
body.
A relief valve 40 is provided in an upper portion of the valve casing 30.
The relief valve 40 prevents a difference between inside and outside
pressures of the tank from increasing to suppress the movement of a float
valve 50. The relief valve 40 contains, as a valve, a ball 42 which is
slightly pressed by a spring 41. If a pressure higher than a predetermined
level is exerted on the ball 42, it is moved to open the valve. A portion
of a side wall of the relief valve 40 communicates with the vent hole 31.
As shown in FIG. 10, a valve support member 43 of a cylindrical shape
having a side wall of a double structure is vertically movably provided in
the valve casing 30. A cylindrical portion of an inner shell 44 is divided
into upper and lower sections by a partition 46 having a valve seat 52 of
the float valve 50 formed in the center, these upper and lower sections
being open upwardly and downwardly, respectively. A fuel receiving portion
47 is formed between the inner shell 44 and an outer shell 45, and an
upper portion 48 of the fuel receiving portion 47 is closely sealed except
for communication with the return-passage hole 32. Thus, liquid fuel will
not accidentally splash to the vent hole 31 owing to a relative increase
in an inflow amount of return fuel in accordance with downsizing of the
means. As shown in FIG. 11, the return-passage hole 32 is also designed
such that an opening 49 is enlarged downwardly, to thereby prevent splash
of the liquid fuel. An escape hole 60 communicating with the valve casing
30 is formed in the outer shell 45 on a lower part of the fuel receiving
portion 47. A spring 61 is provided around the outer side surface of the
inner shell 44 of the valve support member 43 so that the valve support
member and the bottom casing 36 will be repulsive from each other.
A vent shut-off valve 53, a check valve 54 and the float valve 50 are of
circular or cylindrical shapes, and are operated in the inner shell 44 of
the valve support member 43. The vent hole 31 tapered to be enlarged
downwardly is opened in an upper portion of the valve casing 30 which is
coaxial with these valves. The vent shut-off valve 53 includes a conical
projecting portion 55 having a seal surface 56 which abuts against the
tapered surface of the vent hole 31. The conical projecting portion 55 is
formed in the center of a facing-down cover in sliding contact with the
inner side surface of the inner shell 44 of the valve support member 43.
The vent shut-off valve 53 is integral with the valve support member 43
with a doughnut-like packing 57 being interposed between the vent shut-off
valve and the contacted partition 46. A large-diameter vertical
communication hole 58 is formed in the conical projecting portion 55 in
order to moderate the difference between inside and outside pressures of
the tank easily.
The disk-like check valve 54 is received in the space defined by the vent
shut-off valve 53 and the partition 46, and a spring 59 is provided
between the vent shut-off valve 53 and the check valve 54 so that these
two members will be repulsive from each other. Consequently, the check
valve 54 is usually pressed downwardly so that a ring 62 formed on the
outer periphery of the lower surface of the check valve 54 is closely
contacted with the packing 57, thereby obtaining sealing closeness when
the ventilation line is closed. Further, in order to raise the responding
speed of the check valve 54, an area of the sliding contact between the
inner side surface of the vent shut-off valve 53 and the outer side
surface of the check valve 54 is decreased by forming eight thin ribs 63
vertically on the outer side surface of the check valve 54 at the same
intervals, as shown in FIG. 11.
The float valve 50 is an integral molding of a structure in which an axial
rod 65 having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a hollow
portion of a thick cylinder 64 is fixed in the cylinder 64 opened
downwardly. A valve portion 51 having a substantially conical
cross-sectional configuration is provided in the center of the upper
surface of the float valve 50 so as to project upwardly. This valve
portion 51 serves as a valve corresponding to a valve seat 52. A spring
66, which is attached to the bottom casing 36 so that the float valve and
the bottom casing are repulsive from each other, is provided to be
internally contacted with a side surface 68 of the above-mentioned
cylinder. Usually, the float valve 50 is lowered by its own weight,
withstanding the force of the spring 66. However, when the vehicle
receives a shock or the like, the pressure of liquid fuel from the fuel
circulation holes 39 and this spring 66 quickly raise the float valve 50,
to thereby close the ventilation line. As shown in FIG. 12, eight thick
ribs 67 are formed vertically on the outer side surface of the float valve
50 in order to steady the course of vertical movement of the float valve
50.
When the vehicle is not inclined but stays horizontal and the engine is
stopped, as shown in FIG. 10, no fuel returns from the return-passage hole
32, and the fuel receiving portion 47 is empty. Therefore, the valve
support member 43 is pressed upwardly by the spring 61 so as to close the
vent shut-off valve 53, thus closing the vent hole 31. At this time, since
the tank internal pressure is not very high, the check valve 54 is closed,
and consequently, the ventilation line is completely closed, so that the
fuel level restriction can be adequately performed.
However, the float valve 50 is open with its bottom surface abutting
against the bottom casing 36. In consequence, if the tank internal
pressure is abnormally raised while the above-mentioned ventilation line
is completely closed, the tank internal pressure directly presses the
check valve 54 open, and the ventilation line is kept open until the tank
internal pressure is lowered to an appropriate level. Thus, breakage of
the tank owing to abnormal increase of the tank internal pressure can be
prevented. Moreover, if the function of the float valve 50 is hindered by
an increase in the tank internal pressure, the relief valve 40 is operated
to lower the passage resistance with respect to the ventilation line to a
further degree, so that the tank internal pressure can be controlled
without hindering the operation of the float valve 50.
When the engine is operated and the vehicle is traveling normally, as shown
in FIG. 13, return fuel from the engine returns via the return-passage
hole 32 and accumulates in the fuel receiving portion 47 so as to press
the vent shut-off valve 53 downwardly with its weight, thereby opening the
ventilation line. In this condition, if the vehicle slalom-drives or is
turned over in some situation, as shown in FIG. 14, the float valve 50,
which has pressed the spring 66 by its weight during stable operation, is
lifted not only by the force of the spring 66 but also by buoyancy
produced by liquid fuel which has flowed in through the fuel circulation
holes 39 in response to a shock when the vehicle is turned over. Then, the
float valve 50 is brought into close contact with the valve seat 52, and
the roll-over valve is closed, to thereby prevent liquid fuel from flowing
back to the canister unnecessarily. At this time, if the tank internal
pressure is increased, the tank may be broken, and also, the operation of
the float valve 50 may be hindered from returning. Therefore, the relief
valve 40 is operated to decrease the tank internal pressure.
With the above-described function, the ventilation line to the canister is
interrupted during fuel supply so as to restrict the fuel level when the
tank is full, and an increase of the tank internal pressure due to
vaporization of fuel is suppressed during traveling of the vehicle,
thereby effectively preventing diffusion of vaporized fuel into the
atmosphere. | 5F
| 16 | K |
EXAMPLE I
A Stein Hall paste was made using a blend of spent flake and pearl starch
in the primary and secondary mixers. The amount of flake substituted for
pearl starch was 10% based on total starch in the paste.
Primary Mixer
Add
______________________________________
.cndot.
Water 10 liters @ 140.degree. F.
.cndot.
Pre-mix of 10% ground spent
4 lbs.
flake and 90% 3005
pearl starch
______________________________________
Mix for 5 minutes
Add
______________________________________
.cndot. Caustic 544 grams
.cndot. Water 2 liters
______________________________________
Mix for 15 minutes
Add
______________________________________
.cndot. cooling water 5.5 liters
Drop Time - 30 minutes
______________________________________
Secondary Mixer
Add
______________________________________
.cndot.
Water 30 liters @ 104.degree. F.
.cndot.
Pre-mix of 10% ground spent
38.5 lbs.
flake and 90% 3005
pearl starch
.cndot.
Borax 100 grams
______________________________________
Mix for 5 minutes
Add
______________________________________
.cndot. Water 8 liters
______________________________________
The carrier phase from the primary mixer is gradually added to the
suspended starch phase in the secondary mixer with continuous mixing
______________________________________
Finish viscosity 3 minutes Stein-Hall
Finish gel temperature
152.degree. F.
______________________________________
TABLE I
______________________________________
Test Results
Single-Facer Trial
Single-Face Dry
Edge Crush.sup.1
Flat Crush.sup.1
Pin Adhesion.sup.1
(#/In) (PSI) #/24 Ln In
Sample Identification
Avg. S.D. Avg. S.D. Avg. Std. Dev.
______________________________________
912-S7-KRH-12
300 21.1 1.4 30.6 0.9 110.7
3.3
500 19.3 1.8 34.6 0.7 109.1
3.5
700 20.7 1.3 32.7 0.6 89.5 4.5
912-S7-HPL-12
300 26.1 1.5 35.3 0.5 107.3
5.3
500 25.2 1.3 38.5 0.9 71.2 6.0
700 23.3 1.4 36.3 0.8 22.8 2.5
______________________________________
.sup.1 TAPPI Test Methods 1989, available from TAPPI, One Dunwoody Park,
Atlanta, GA 30351, U.S.A. (Edge Crush TAPPI 811, Flat Crush TAPPI 824
and Dry Pin Adhesion TAPPI 821)
EXAMPLE II
Two paste formulations were prepared and used in corrugating trials to
evaluate finished paste and greenbond. Edge Crush, Flat Crush and Dry Pin
Adhesion results are set forth in Table II.
Paste WB Formula (with borax)
Primary Portion
______________________________________
Water, Liters 10.32
Heat to 145.degree. F.
Add pre-mixture, lb 3.04
Mix, minutes 5
Add caustic (50%), g 447.2
Mix, minutes 20
______________________________________
Secondary Portion
______________________________________
Add water @ 90.degree. F., Liters
24.1
Add Borax (10 mol), g
12
Add pre-mixture, lb.
21.64
Drop Time, min. 20
Final Mix Time, min.
10
______________________________________
IPST Adhesive Results
______________________________________
Final Temperature, .degree.F.
91
Viscosity, sec. (S-H)
41
Gel Temperature, .degree.F.
154
______________________________________
Greenbond Results (unofficial)
WB-Kraft High Temperature (KRH)--12 mil glue roll gap setting =575 Feet per
minute (FPM)
WB-KRH-20 mil glue roll gap setting =500 FPM
Paste WO Formula (without borax)
Primary Portion
______________________________________
Water, Liters 10.32
Heat to 145.degree. F.
Add Preblend, lb 3.04
Mix, minutes 5
Add caustic (50%), g 447.2
Mix, minutes 20
______________________________________
Secondary Portion
______________________________________
Add water @ 90.degree. F., Liters
24.1
Add Preblend, lb. 21.64
Drop Time, min. 20
Final Mix Time, min.
10
______________________________________
IPST Adhesive Results
______________________________________
Final Temperature, .degree.F.
96
Viscosity, sec. (S-H)
33
Gel Temperature, .degree.F.
150
______________________________________
Greenbond Results (unofficial)
WO-KRH-12=500 FPM
WO-KRH-20=550 FPM
WO-High Performance Low Temperature (HPL)-12=550 FPM
TABLE II
__________________________________________________________________________
Test Results
Single-Facer Trial
Edge Crush
Flat Crush
Single-Face Dry
(#/In)
(PSI) Pin Adhesion (#/24 Ln In)
Fiber Pull
Sample Identification
Avg.
S.D.
Avg.
S.D.
Average
Std. Dev.
(%)
__________________________________________________________________________
62A-WB-KRH-12-300
21.4
1.4
28.3
0.9
99.7 5.1 0**
500 20.1
1.8
29.1
0.5
89.8 4.2 0
700 19.6
1.4
29.8
1.0
66.3 4.7 0
624-WB-KRH-20-300
21.8
2.0
26.5
1.0
116.8 6.4 0*
500 19.3
1.6
28.3
0.4
78.0 7.4 0
700 18.9
1.2
28.2
0.4
54.4 6.9 0
624-WO-KRH-12-300
22.8
1.2
28.7
0.4
84.3 3.0 0
500 22.7
1.4
28.3
0.7
88.3 2.6 0
700 23.6
2.1
29.0
0.6
68.0 9.6 0
624-WO-KRH-20-300
23.3
1.8
28.3
1.3
101.1 2.7 0
500 22.4
1.2
28.1
0.4
87.8 3.8 0
700 21.7
2.2
28.3
0.6
59.5 8.4 0
624-WO-HPL-12-300
22.3
1.2
31.7
0.8
81.0 5.6 0
500 22.1
1.5
33.1
1.6
78.3 6.6 0
700 21.2
1.4
33.2
1.6
54.1 8.7 0
__________________________________________________________________________
Note:
*is slight,
**is moderate | 2C
| 09 | J |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
As reported in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/183,746, magnetic
treatment was found to be very effective in removing toner inks and, in
particular, the visible particles (>60 .mu.m diameter). In the pulp and
paper industry, pulp consistency (in water) is described generally as high
(>15%), medium (7-15%), or low (<7%). Obviously, at medium and high
consistency ink particle pathways toward a magnetic field may be hindered.
Therefore, the invention method may be beneficially employed usually at
low consistency. Also, the process achieves beneficial results under acid
conditions above a pH of 4, although it is preferably employed at a
neutral to alkaline pH. The preferred conditions for the magnetic
treatment of the repulped mixed office waste is at from about 25.degree.
to about 65.degree. C., at a pH of from about 7.0 to about 11.0 and at a
pulp slurry consistency of from about 0.3 to 2.0%.
As magnetic separation is a physical rather than a chemical process and
only particulate material is susceptible thereto, efficient magnetic ink
removal should involve a pretreatment to separate any fused or bound inks
from the repulped fibers, such as adsorption, coagulation/flocculation,
and/or precipitation. Also, the particles to be magnetically separated
must be attracted to the magnetic field of the magnet. Since many
nonimpact inks are carbon-based rather than iron-based, in order to
achieve acceptable (i.e., highly efficient) ink removal by magnetic
separation, this improved deinking process involves addition of a magnetic
carrier material for attachment to (and subsequent removal of) the
non-iron based particulates. Use of a magnetic carrier permits consistent
high efficiency ink removal in waste papers containing xerographic and
laser inks consisting of various levels of carbon-based and iron-based
inks.
The understood mechanism by which the agglomerant functions is that even
though both inks and magnetite particles are mutually hydrophobic and,
therefore, mutually attractive, the resultant attractive forces are not
strong enough to withstand the mechanical agitation in the repulper. The
addition of the agglomerant serves to modify the surface chemistry of the
system such that the presumably large hydrophobic tail of the agglomerant
migrates and attaches itself to the surface of each hydrophobic particle
(ink and magnetite) in the system. The resultant increase in attractive
forces between particles promotes agglomeration. Also, the ink particles
become soft and tacky at temperatures above 60.degree. C. which
contributes to agglomeration. Then, on lowering the temperature to below
60.degree. C., and preferably below 50.degree. C., by pulp dilution, the
formed agglomerates become hard and rigid; and as they contain some
magnetic field susceptible material, they can be removed effectively by
magnetic separation.
Possible polymers useful in the invention deinking process include polymers
and copolymers of: (1) styrene or substituted styrenes, such as
.alpha.-methylstyrene or vinyltoluene; (2) esters of acrylic or
methacrylic acid of the form CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHRCOOR', where R is hydrogen
or methyl and R' is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl group, such as methyl
methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, isodecyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate,
and 2-ethyl hexylacrylate; and (3) hydroxyesters of (2) above where R' is
--R"OH, where R" is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene group, such as
hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hdroxyethyl methacrylate,
and hydroxypropyl methacrylate, where the polymer/copolymer has a Ring and
Ball softening point from 70.degree. to 105.degree. C., preferably from
70.degree. to 95.degree. C. and a weight average molecular weight from
1,000 to 10,000, preferably from 2,000 to 8,000. The preferred copolymers
for use in the invention process are styrene/hydoxyethyl methacrylate and
styrene 2-ethyl hexylacrylate.
The following examples describe such treatment, as well as studies of
selected variables, such as temperature, pH, and consistency, and provide
an evaluation of the combination of flotation and magnetic deinking. These
examples are provided for purposes of illustration and are not to be
construed as limiting the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
Recovered nonimpact printed white ledger paper was repulped (at 10%
consistency and 50.degree. C. for 15 minutes) in a Lamort laboratory
hydrapulper using a helical rotor. The resulting pulp was homogenized in a
Hobart Mixer and then evaluated for moisture content. This pulp was used
in a series of experiments to determine the benefits of substituting an
80/20 styrene/hydroxyethyl methacrylate (SHEMA) for agglomerant additive
in a magnetic deinking process.
Constant charges of 0.8% caustic and 0.05% magnetite were added to 100 gm
oven-dried (OD) repulped furnish at 6% consistency along with variable
charges of an agglomerant (Betz Paperchem's CDI-230 was used in this
example) and SHEMA. The resulting pulp slurry was heated in a microwave
oven to 75.degree. C.-77.degree. C. After treatment of the slurry and
additives in a British Disintegrator, a pulp slurry corresponding to 6 gm
OD pulp was withdrawn and diluted to 0.3% consistency for subsequent
magnetic separation of ink from fiber. Deinking was performed by
suspending a permanent magnet into the vortex of a constantly stirred
slurry (at ambient temperature for 10 minutes). The deinked pulp was made
into TAPPI brightness sheets for ink analysis. Ink analysis was performed
on an Optomax V Image Analyzer. The results are shown in Table I.
TABLE I
__________________________________________________________________________
Total Ink.sup.3
TAPPI Ink.sup.4
Agglomerant
Magnetite
SHEMA.sup.1
SHEMAG.sup.2
ppm ppm Ink Removal.sup.5
Run #
% % % % (feed = 3000)
(feed = 2750)
%
__________________________________________________________________________
1 0 0 -- -- 870 850 71.0
2 1 0 -- -- 67 20 92.3
3 1 0.05 -- -- 2 0 >99.9
4 0.5 0.05 -- -- 5 3 99.8
5 0.25 0.05 -- -- 15 11 99.5
6 0.1 0.05 -- -- 40 32 98.7
7 0.25 0.05 0.5 -- 1 0 >99.9
8 0.15 0.05 0.5 -- 3 2 99.9
9 0.1 0.05 0.5 -- 4 1 99.9
10 0.25 0.05 0.1 -- 3 0 99.9
11 0.15 0.05 0.1 -- 46 21 98.5
12 0.1 0.05 0.1 -- 39 24 98.7
13 0.15 0.05 0.25 -- 12 5 99.6
14 0.25 -- -- 0.15 5 4 99.8
__________________________________________________________________________
.sup.1 SHEMA (80/20 styrene/hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer)
.sup.2 SHEMAG50, a 50/50 mixture of SHEMA and magnetite
.sup.3 Total Ink, area of ink particles >80 microns in diameter
.sup.4 TAPPI Ink, area of ink particles >220 microns in diameter
.sup.5 Percent ink removal based on the total ink content in the feed
Comparison of runs 1 and 2 (no chemical pretreatment (1) and no magnetite
ion (2) prior to magnetic deinking) and runs 3-6 (pretreatment with
agglomerant and magnetite) exhibit the necessity for pretreatment before
magnetic deinking. A total ink content of less than 20 ppm or TAPPI
content of less than 5 ppm is currently considered acceptable for
high-quality papers. Thus, at 0.05% magnetite addition, at least 0.50%
agglomerant is required for acceptable (TAPPI) pulp.
The additional data evidence that the use of SHEMA as seed material in the
chemical pretreatment at 0.5% addition level allowed for a reduction of
agglomerant charge from 0.25% to 0.10% without any negative impact on ink
removal. The total ink contents at agglomerant levels of 0.25%, 0.15%, and
0.1% were 1 ppm, 3 ppm, and 4 ppm, respectively (runs 7, 8, and 9). For
comparison, the final visible ink content after deinking at 0.1%
agglomerant without the SHEMA addition was 40 ppm (run 6).
When the SHEMA charge was reduced to 0.1% at agglomerant charges of 0.25%,
0.15%, and 0.1%, only at 0.25% agglomerant was acceptable paper produced
(run 10 vs. runs 11 and 12). Additionally, when 0.25% SHEMA charge was
attempted in combination with 0.15% agglomerant, acceptable deinking was
achieved (run 12).
EXAMPLE 2
In another set of experiments, SHEMA was mixed with magnetite in the ratio
of 1:1 to determine whether an effective single, two-component system
could be obtained. The SHEMA and magnetite mixture was prepared by heating
the SHEMA above its melting point, and the resulting mixture was cooled
and ground to a powder. The pretreatment/magnetic deinking conducted with
the SHEMA/magnetite blend provided similar ink removal as compared to when
SHEMA and magnetite were added separately (compare run 14 with run 10 in
Table I).
EXAMPLE 3
An experiment similar to Examples 1 and 2 were conducted wherein SHEMA was
substituted for by 94/6 styrene/2-ethyl hexylacrylate (SEHA). Again pulp
from waste papers containing 100% non-magnetic inks was prepared as in
Example 1. And a constant charge of 0.5% caustic was added to 100 gm of
the OD repulped furnish at 6% consistency along with variable charges of
magnetite, agglomerant, and SEHA. The resulting pulp slurry was treated as
that in Example 1. The magnetically deinked pulp was made into TAPPI
brightness sheets for ink analysis. The results are shown in Table II.
TABLE II
______________________________________
Magnetite
Run # Agglomerant (%)
SEHA.sup.6 (%)
(%) Ink Removal.sup.7 (%)
______________________________________
15 1.0 0.07 0.03 99.9
16 0.75 0.07 0.03 99.7
17 0.5 0.1 0.05 96.9
18 1.0 0 0 0
______________________________________
.sup.6 SEHA (94/6 styrene/2ethyl hexylacrylate copolymer)
.sup.7 Percent ink removal based on the total ink content in the feed
The date in Table II show the effectiveness of the process using SEHA. Note
that in run 18 where only the agglomeration chemical was used in the
absence of magetite and SEHA, little or no ink removal was observed after
magnetic separation. For comparison, run 15 and 16 with agglomerant in
combination with SEHA and magnetite gave nearly complete ink removal.
Examples of placements within the deinking process of the magnetic removal
step are shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the application of the invention method by applying a magnetic
flux source (i.e., magnet) immediately external to a conventional conical
forward cleaner, such that the flux, or magnetic field, is effective
internal to the cleaner. The magnetic flux will provide an additional
force on the ink particles pulling them toward the wall of the cleaner
body. This action pulls additional ink particles into the reject stream,
improving deinking efficiency.
FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, show a magnetic rotating drum or disk filter
arrangement employed to attract magnetically susceptible ink particles
from the upper portion of a tank of waste paper slurry. This approach
would be appropriate any time after the ink is detached from the fiber.
The magnetic ink removal equipment should be positioned to remove the ink
which tends to concentrate in the vortex area of a stirred tank.
FIG. 4 shows a holding tank configured with a magnetic rotating drum
situated in a weir. All stock must pass though the narrow channel in which
the drum is positioned. The ink becomes attached to the surface of the
drum as it rotates through the slurry and is detached and removed outside
the slurry.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention
may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit
or essential attributes thereof; and, accordingly, reference should be
made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification,
as indicating the scope of the invention. | 3D
| 21 | C |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the attached drawings, there is shown a drilling vessel having
a marine riser or conductor 10 extending up through a moon pool 11. The
marine conductor 10 surrounds the drill pipe (not shown) and the annulus
between the marine conductor 10 and the drill pipe is used for conveying
the drilling fluid and the drill bit cuttings from the bottom of the
borehole back to the drilling vessel. These conductors are usually quite
large since the casing which is used for casing the well must be passed
through the interior of the marine conductor. Thus, the conductors are
normally 16 inches or more in diameter. The marine conductor 10 is
maintained under tension to prevent it from buckling or otherwise
distorting as the vessel moves in response to wave action by a tensioning
means 13. The tensioning means 13 is attached to the marine conductor 10
by clamp means 14 so that the tensioning means 13 can maintain a constant
tension on the marine conductor 10.
While the above description refers to a drilling riser, the invention can
be used with any riser extending from a floating platform to the ocean
floor. For example, the invention can be used with a production riser when
it is moved to the center of the moon pool of the platform to perform
workover operations on the well. Likewise the invention can be used with
export risers when they require centering over the moon pool. Further,
while the invention is described as installed in the moon pool, it can be
installed at any location on the platform where there is space available
for positioning the spider arms described below.
A collar member 20 is secured to the clamp means 14 of the tensioning means
13 so that it tracks the vertical movement of the marine conductor 10. The
collar member 20 may be a split or two-piece collar which is clamped to
the tensioning means 13 by bolts placed through ears 29 projecting
radially from the split collar 20 as shown in the drawings. While the
collar 20 can be clamped to the riser it is preferable to provide a
bearing means between the collar and the riser. This will permit the
collar to rotate as described below without causing the riser to rotate.
The bearing is preferably a spherical bearing that, in addition to
allowing the collar to rotate, would allow the riser to tilt with respect
to the plane of the collar. Rotary bearing 19 is illustrated schematically
in FIGS. 2 and 4. The spherical bearing can be of the same type as shown
in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 and described in detail below. The collar 20 is
provided with four stud-like projections, 21, 22, 23 and 24. These stud
projections provide the mounting means for one end of the spider arms 30,
31, 32 and 33 that are utilized in the present invention. The spider arms
are preferably positioned with the axis of rotation of the bearing
parallel to the horizontal plane. Normally, the angle of rotation of the
collar 20 around the riser 10 will exceed the angle of rotation of the
spider arms as a result of vertical movement of the riser. The positioning
of the spider arms with the axis of rotation of the bearing parallel to
the horizontal plane will ensure that the major rotation of the spherical
bearing will be around its normal rotational axis. The limiting of tilt
rotation outside of the normal rotational axis allows the use of simpler
and lower cost spherical bearings. The inner end of each spider arm is
coupled to the end of the stud members by a spherical bearing 25 or 26 as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The opposite end of each spider arm is coupled to
mounting bracket 40, 41, 42 and 43 that are secured to the walls 12 of the
moon pool 11. The spider arms are coupled to the mounting brackets on the
walls of the moon pool by spherical bearings 25 or 26. It should be noted
that the attachment points between the spider arms and the mounting
brackets all lie in a plane that is perpendicular to the normal axis of
the conductor.
While the use of four spider arms are described above, three arms can also
be used to centralize the riser. Likewise, more than four can be used, but
the added complication of additional arms would not improve the operation
of the invention. The use of four arms is preferred since it permits the
removal of one arm for service without taking the complete unit out of
service.
The movement of the spherical bearings is limited to a relatively narrow
range and therefore, true spherical bearings which would provide
360-degrees of rotational movement are not required. Thus, spherical
bearings 26 shown in FIG. 7 formed from a composite of inner-leaved
deformable material 27, such as rubber or plastic, and metallic plates 28
can be used. This type of spherical bearings are used extensively in flex
couplings that are utilized in offshore environments for connecting
various conductors and pipe-like members to the movable floating
platforms. This type of member is supplied by various manufacturers, for
example, Oil States Industries Division of LTV Energy Products, located in
Arlington, Texas. It is likewise possible to use conventional spherical
bearings 25 such as those supplied by various bearing manufacturers.
It should be noted in FIGS. 2 and 4 that the spider arms are not
perpendicular to the walls of the moon pool but rather, are set at an
angle. All of the spider arms are positioned at the same angle with
respect to the wall of the moon pool. This provides the necessary freedom
of movement of the spider arms as the marine conductor rises or falls as
shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5 and maintains the marine conductor
centered.
Since the spider arms have a fixed length and are pivotally secured at each
end, they will cause the collar 20 to rotate as the marine conductor rises
and falls in response to movement of the floating structure. The rotation
of the collar is clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 wherein spider arms are
horizontal in FIG. 2 and inclined at an angle in FIG. 4 in response to
vertical movement of the marine conductor as shown in FIG. 5. Rotation of
the collar 20 allows the distance between the point at which the spider
arms are attached to the walls of the moon pool 11 and the center of the
collar to lengthen while the arms remain a fixed length. The configuration
of the collar and mounting of the spider arms can be varied to provide the
desired vertical movement of the marine conductor.
From the above description it can be appreciated that the present invention
provides a centering apparatus that maintains the marine conductor 10
centered in the moon pool 11 without requiring any sliding movement along
the conductor. Therefore, wear on the conductor is eliminated and the
system will function with a minimum of maintenance. This is especially the
case when the spherical bearings are formed from a composite of deformable
material such as rubber and steel inner-leaves as used in flexible pipe
joints. | 4E
| 21 | B |
EXAMPLE 1
Enzyme Kinetics for Tyrosinase and Monoamineoxidase
Mushroom tyrosinase (400 units/mg) and plasma MAO (1000 units/gm) were
obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, Mo., USA). A reaction mixture
consisted of a substrate of 7 to 8 different concentrations (40 to 500
.mu.M for mushroom tyrosinase and 20 to 200 .mu.M for MAO) and of either
mushroom tyrosinase (2.5 .mu.g) or MAO (10 .mu.g) in 1.0 mL of 0.05M
sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.8 and 7.4 respectively. The reactions were
carried out at 37.degree. C. in a shaking water bath, and stopped by
taking 100 .mu.L of the reaction mixture and adding it to 900 .mu.L of
0.4M HCLO.sub.4. The disappearance of substrate was followed using HPLC
(high pressure liquid chromatography) Km and Vmax values were calculated
from the Lineweaver-Burk plots.
Similar to 4-S-CAP, N-acetyl-4-S-CAP is also a tyrosinase substrate as
demonstrated in the following Table 1.
TABLE 1
______________________________________
ENZYME KINETICS OF 4-S-CAP AND N-Ac-4-S-CAP
WITH TYROSINASE AND MONOAMINEOXIDASE (MAO)
Tyrosinase.sup.a
MAO.sup.b
Substrate Km V max Km V max
______________________________________
4-S-CAP 117 7.97 52.6 143
N-Ac-4-S-CAP 1000 10.1 -- 0.0
______________________________________
.sup.a mushroom tyrosinase; 11 unit/ml of tyrosinase was used. One enzyme
unit will cause an increase in A280 of 0.001 per min at pH 6.8 at
25.degree. C. using Ltyrosine as substrate.
.sup.b plasma monoamine oxidase: 0.005 unit/ml of MAO was used. One enzym
unit will oxidize 1.0 .mu.M of benzylamine to benzaldehyde per min at pH
7.6 at 25.degree. C.
The maximum rate of reaction with tyrosinase is much higher with
N-Ac-4-S-CAP than 4-S-CAP. N-Ac-4-S-CAP is not, however, a substrate for
plasma MAO, whereas 4-S-CAP is a substrate for both plasma MAO and
tyrosinase.
EXAMPLE 2
Administration of Compound of this Invention to Determine Toxicity Levels
Compared to 4-S-CAP
Details of experimental chemotherapy with synthetic compounds have been
outlined in the protocol of Geran et al "Protocols for Screening Chemical
Agents and Natural Products Against Animal Tumours and Other Biological
Systems" (3rd ed.), Cancer Chemother Rep. 3:1-85 1972. In accordance with
this Protocol, ten to fifteen mice were used in each test group. They were
weighed and randomized at day one after s.c. inoculation of B16 melanoma
cells. From day five, the phenolic melanin precursors were administered
i.p. daily for nine days. The test compounds were dissolved in normal
saline, and sterilized by heating to 100.degree. C. for 2 minutes. They
were stable under this treatment as judged by HPLC assay (Muira et al,
"Synthesis of Cysteinylphenol, Cysteaminylphenol, and Related Compounds,
and In Vivo Evaluation of Antimelanoma Effect" supra). They were
administered j.p. with the following doses: 400 mg/Kg - 4-S-CAP; 200 to
300 mg/Kg - 4-S-CAP; and 200 to 1200 mg/Kg - N-Ac-4-S-CAP. A catalytic
amount of L-dopa, 25 mg/Kg and antidecarboxylase, carbidopa, 400 mg/Kg,
were also administered. Carbidopa was given one hour prior to L-dopa
administration. DTIC (NSC 4538) was used as a control drug at a dose of 60
mg/Kg. Acute toxicity of 4-S-CP and 4-S-CAP was evaluated from 100 to 1600
mg/Kg. The lethal dose was found to be 600 mg/Kg and 400 mg/Kg in 4-S-CP
and 4-S-CAP respectively (Miura et al, "Synthesis of Cysteinylphenol,
Cysteaminylphenol, and Related Compounds, and In Vivo Evaluation of
Antimelanoma Effect" supra). The homologue, N-Ac-4-S-CAP, was 1400 mg/Kg.
EXAMPLE 3
Evaluation of In Vivo Inhibition of B16 Melanoma between 4-S-CAP and
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
In accordance with Example 2, the maximum tolerable dose of 4-S-CAP and
N-Ac-4-S-CAP by single i.p. injection is in the range of 200 to 300 ml/Kg
and 1200 ml/Kg of body weight respectively. The B16 mouse melanoma was
maintained by s.c. inoculation of tumour cells into the back of C57BL7J
mice (5 to 6 weeks, female). The details of tumour preparation and growth
characteristics have been previously reported in Miura et al, "Synthesis
of Cysteinylphenol, Cysteaminylphenol, and Related Compounds, and In Vivo
Evaluation of Antimelanoma Effect" (supra). Briefly, excised tumours were
homogenized in normal saline. The homogenized tumour cells were then
passed through a sterile 80 mesh stainless steel screen, washed with
normal saline, centrifuged (500 g. for 10 minutes) and resuspended in
normal saline. Suspensions of viable melanoma cells at the concentration
of 1.times.10.sup.6 per 0.1 ml were inoculated s.c. into both the right
and left inguinal areas of C57BL/6J mice (female, 5 to 6 weeks old, 18 to
20 gm).
The in vivo antimelanoma effect of the compounds were evaluated by percent
growth inhibition of inoculated tumour (% g.i.). The percent g.i. was
computed from the mean tumour volume at day 12 or 13 of the experiments;
i.e., 100.times. (1- treated group/control group). Tumour volume was
calculated by the following formula:
EQU tumour volume=long axis.times.(short axis).sup.2 .times.1/2.
N-Ac-4-S-CAP showed a dose-dependent linear growth inhibition (Table 2). In
one experiment (experiment I) 4-S-CAP showed a greater anti-melanoma
effect at 200 mg/Kg than N-Ac-4-S-CAP. To further examine whether a
minimal does of N-Ac-4-S-CAP, 200 mg/Kg has an antimelanoma effect, three
groups of mice were treated with N-Ac-4-S-CAP. All of the test groups
revealed a significant reduction in size of s.c. inoculated melanoma as
compared to that treated with normal saline. One of the advantages of
N-Ac-4-S-CAP over 4-S-CAP was that it had much higher LD.sup.50 (as high
as 1400 mg/Kg of body weight, and therefore a greater range of safety).
TABLE 2
______________________________________
IN VIVO GROWTH INHIBITION (GI) OF B16 MELANOMA
BY N-ACETYL-4-S-CYSTEAMINYLPHENOL (N-Ac-4-S-CAP)
Dose Number Tumour
(mg/ of Volume %
COMPOUNDS Kg) animals (mm.sup.3)
Gi T-Test
______________________________________
EXPERIMENT I
Normal saline
-- 10 520 .+-. 76
-- --
4-S-CAP 200 10 239 .+-. 39
54.0 p < 0.05
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
200 10 313 .+-. 83
39.8 NS
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
400 10 222 .+-. 13
57.3 p < 0.01
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
600 10 192 .+-. 48
63.18
p < 0.01
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
800 11 133 .+-. 11
74.4 p0.001
EXPERIMENT II
Normal saline
-- 10 544 .+-. 54
-- --
4-S-CAP 200 10 405 .+-. 61
25.1 NS
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
200 10 370 .+-. 37
32.0 p < 0.01
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
400 10 359 .+-. 52
34.0 p < 0.05
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
800 11 199 .+-. 26
63.4 P < 0.01
N-Ac-4-S-CAP
1200 8 159 .+-. 23
70.7 p < 0.001
______________________________________
EXAMPLE 4
Assay of Melanoma-Colony Formation in the Lungs Impact of 4-S-CAP and
N-Acetyl-4-S-CAP
Murine B16F10 melanoma cell line with a strong metastatic property to form
tumour colonies in the lungs was obtained from Dr. Longenecker, Department
of Immunology, University of Alberta. Such cell line is well recognized
and readily available as reported in Miura et al, supra. The cells were
grown in T-75 flasks in dulbecco's MEM available from Gipco Lab Inc.,
Grand Island, N.Y., supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, also obtained
from Gipco, penicillin (100 .mu./ml) and streptomycin (100 .mu.g/ml). The
cells were incubated at 37.degree. C. in humidified atmosphere of 5%
CO.sub.2 in air. The cells were harvested by applying a thin layer of
0.25% trypsin solution in EDTA, washed and resuspended in cold N saline
solution. Viable cells were identified by trypan blue dye exclusion and
counted. The cell suspension was diluted to the desired concentration.
Three groups of mice were studied using a control 4-S-CAP and N-Ac-4-S-CAP
as the active agents in the treatment. On day zero, the mice were
inoculated via the lateral tail vein with 5.times.10.sup.4 cells in 0.2 ml
of N saline. The test drugs were dissolved in normal saline, sterilized by
membrane filtration, and administered in a dose of 300 mg/Kg (4 -S-CAP) or
900 mg/Kg (N-Ac-4-S-CAP); starting on day five, the control solution or
drug was injected i.p. daily for 14 days. On day 26, the mice were killed
by cervical dislocation, their lungs were removed, and the number of
melanoma colonies was counted under a dissecting microscope. The results
were expressed as percentage reduction in the number of colonies:
[a-b/a].times.100, where a=colonies in control group and b=colonies in
experimental group.
The numbers of B16F10 melanoma colonies were significantly reduced after
treatment with N-Ac-4-S-CAP and 4-S-CAP as shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3
______________________________________
ANTIMELANOMA EFFECTS OF 4-S-CYSTEAMINYL-
PHENOL AND N-ACETYL-4-S-CYSTEAMINYLPHENOL
ON THE FORMATION OF B16F10 MELANOMA COLONIES
IN MOUSE LUNGS EXCISED 26 DAYS AFTER INJECTION
OF THE CELL SUSPENSION
No. of Colonies
No. of per pair t Test
Compound Mice of lungs % control
(P)
______________________________________
Normal saline
10 86.5 .+-. 32.9
100.0 --
soln (control)
4-S-CAP, 300
10 28.0 .+-. 14.5
32.4 <0.001
mg/kg
N-Ac-4-S-CAP,
10 21.5 .+-. 10.8
24.9 <0.001
900 mg/kg
______________________________________
Examination under a dissecting microscope revealed marked reduction in size
of those tumours remaining (diameter 1.5-1.7 mm vs. 2.5-3.1 mm in
controls) and marked depigmentation or melanosis of some of the tumours.
The only side effects in this administration as noted were briefly apathy
and mild hyperthermia immediately after i.p. injection. Average body
weight was the same on day zero and at time of death.
EXAMPLE 5
Metabolic Assays for 4-S-CAP and N-Ac-4-S-CAP
Fifteen mice randomly divided into three groups of five were injected i.p.
with a test agent (300 mg/kg) dissolved in N saline solution. Group 1 were
injected with 4-S-CAP, group 2 with N-Ac-4-S-CAP, group 3 were controls.
The mice are kept in metabolic cages; their urine is collected 3, 8 and 24
hr after injection, and the 4-S-CAP and N-Ac-4-S-CAP content is measured
by HPLC in a system consisting of a Waters 600E liquid chromatography,
with a Bondapak C18 column (3.0.times.300 mm; particle size, 10 .mu.m) and
a Waters 460 electrochemical detector. Mobile phase: 0.1M potassium
phosphate buffer, pH 2.1, containing 0.1 mM Na.sub.2 EDTA methanol, 80:20
(v/v); column temperature, 60.degree. C.; flow rate 1.0 ml/min. Urine
samples are hydrolysed with 0.1M HCl before assay, and the phenols are
detected at 850 mV against an Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
Urinary excretion of the unchanged compounds, without conversion or
degradation, was maximal 3 h after i.p. injection (5.2 mg/mouse), this was
7.7% (0.399.+-.0.018 mg) for 4-S-CAP and 13.9% (0.723.+-.0.027 ng) for
N-Ac-4-S-CAP. Later excretion of these two compounds, respectively, was as
follows: at 8 h, 8.5% (0.443.+-.0.023 mg) and 19.8% (1.034.+-.0.033 mg);
and at 24 h, 8.8% (0.458.+-.0.021 mg) and 20.4% (1.089.+-.0.028 mg). Most
notably, 1.3% (0.066.+-.0.003 mg) of the N-Ac-4-S-CAP i.p. dose was
excreted as 4-S-CAP, indicating conversion to the mother compound of part
of this homolog administered by this route.
EXAMPLE 6
Depigmentation and Melanomacytotoxicity Characteristics
Breeding pairs of C57BL/6J black mice were purchased from Jackson
Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Ma. Female progeny were used in this testing when
approximately 8 weeks old and weighing 17 grams.
Black hairs were plucked manually from the back of the mice to initiate new
anagen growth and activate follicular melanocytes with increased
tyrosinase activity. Thirty mice were randomized into 6 groups of 5 (1
control and 1 for each compound). Starting on day 1, daily for 14 days the
agent was injected i.p. or was infiltrated s.c. in an area where hair
follicles had been plucked; the dose was 300 mg/kg body weight.
In the same 30 mice, hair follicles were harvested on day 22 (early telogen
phase) and their eumelanin content analyzed. Details of the assay,
including chemical degration of melanin and high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) were as described in Ito et al, "Quantitative
Analysis of Eumelanin and Pheomelanin in Hair and Melanosomes" J. Invest.
Dermatol 80:268-272, 1983. Briefly, a 10-mg hair sample is homogenized in
water at a concentration of 10 mg/ml; the 200-.mu.l homogenate is
transferred to a screw-capped test tube, mixed with 1M H.sub.2 SO.sub.4
(800 .mu.L) and oxidized with 3% KMnO.sub.4. The product,
pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (PTCA), is analyzed by HPLC with a UVL
detector; samples are measured in duplicate. The eumelanin content is
expressed as PTCA (ng/mg) against the | 0A
| 61 | F |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.
FIG. 1is a block diagram of a rate-7/8 MTR encoding and decoding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring toFIG. 1, a rate-7/8 MTR encoding apparatus10includes a 7/8 encoder100, a first MTR violation checking & converting unit110, a parallel-to-serial converter120, and a precoder130.
The 7/8 encoder100generates a rate 7/8 MTR code for outputting a predetermined 8-bit codeword from 7-bit data. The first MTR violation checking & converting unit110checks whether codewords satisfy a predetermined constraint condition by connecting the 8-bit codeword and a subsequent 8-bit codeword, converts specific bits of the codewords if the codewords violate the MTR constraint condition, and does not convert the codewords if the codewords do not violate the constraint condition.
The parallel-to-serial converter120converts parallel codewords of the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110to serial data. The precoder130changes a signal level of the serial data in order to record the serial data in a channel.
Also, a rate-7/8 MTR decoding apparatus20includes a fourth order partial response equalizer140, a Viterbi decoder with combined trellis150, a serial-to-parallel converter160, a second MTR violation checking & converting unit170, and a 7/8 decoder180.
Assuming that a currently input 8-bit codeword is c(k) and a subsequently input 8-bit codeword is c(k+1), the second MTR violation checking & converting unit170checks whether the codewords satisfy a predetermined MTR constraint condition by connecting c(k) and c(k+1), converts the codewords if the codewords violate the MTR constraint condition, and does not convert the codewords if the codewords do not violate the MTR constraint condition. The 7/8 decoder180decodes each 8-bit codeword output from the second MTR violation checking & converting unit170into 7-bit data using a predetermined MTR code. The fourth order partial response equalizer140equalizes data received through the channel to compensate for the reproducing characteristic of the channel. The Viterbi decoder with combined trellis150includes a combined trellis and performs Viterbi decoding. The serial-to-parallel converter160converts serial data of the Viterbi decoder with combined trellis150to parallel data.
Operations of the rate-7/8 MTR encoding apparatus10and the rate-7/8 MTR decoding apparatus20will now be described. First, 7-bit user data is input to the 7/8 encoder100and an 8-bit codeword Ck+1is output from the 7/8 encoder100. In the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110is checked whether the output codeword Ck+1and a previously changed codeword {tilde over (C)}kviolate an MTR constraint condition, and if they violate the MTR constraint condition, specific bits of the codewords are converted, and the previously changed codeword {tilde over (C)}k=nkis output. Here, the codeword Ck+1input from the 7/8 encoder100and converted by the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110is input to a temporary memory to be checked whether the MTR constraint condition is violated along with a subsequent codeword. The output codeword {tilde over (C)}k=nkis passed through the parallel-to-serial converter120and the precoder130and written in a magnetic write channel30.
In a process of reproducing the recorded data, an output of a read channel40must be passed through an equalizer. Here, the fourth order partial response equalizer140is used as the equalizer, and the equalized output is input to the Viterbi decoder with combined trellis150having a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention and undergoes a detection process. The detected data is input to the serial-to-parallel converter160and converted to an 8-bit codeword unit. The converted 8-bit codeword unit is input to the second MTR violation checking & converting unit170and a previous codeword ck is recovered. The previous codeword ckis decoded by the 7/8 decoder180and original data is output from the 7/8 decoder180.
FIG. 2is a codeword table of a rate-7/8 MTR code according to an embodiment of the present invention. A method of building a codeword table of a rate-7/8 MTR code will now be described.
When the length of a codeword is 8 bits and a k-constraint condition is not considered (k=∞), the number of valid codewords in which the maximum number of consecutive transitions (j) is equal to or less than 2 is 105. Each codeword includes at most one ‘1’ in each of the first two bits and the last two bits so that a j=2 condition is satisfied when codewords are consecutively input. However, since 128 (=27) codewords are required to encode 7-bit input data into an 8-bit codeword, at least 23 additional codewords are needed. This can be solved by adding codewords beginning with “110” and codewords ending with “011.” There exist 44 codewords beginning with “110” or ending with “011.” Here, 13 codewords beginning with “1100” are excluded so that the number of consecutive transitions at a boundary is limited to equal to or less than 3 using the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110. The number of remaining available codewords is 136(=105+(44−13)). To satisfy the k-constraint condition (k=7), 2 codewords beginning with 7 or 8 consecutive ‘0’s, 5 codewords ending with 5 or more consecutive ‘0’s, and a codeword violating the k-constraint condition (k=7) when the codeword is changed by the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110, that is, ‘00000000’, ‘00000001’, ‘00100000’, ‘01000000’, ‘01100000’, ‘10000000’, ‘10100000’, and ‘11010000’, are additionally excluded from the 136 codewords. Therefore, a code according to an embodiment of the present invention is an MTR code having a code rate of 7/8, accepts that the maximum number of consecutive transitions is equal to or less than 2 in each codeword, and accepts that the maximum number of consecutive transitions is equal to or less than 3 in each boundary between codewords. However, if codewords corresponding to each input are simply found using the code table, the j=3 condition is not always satisfied in each boundary between codewords, and the k-constraint condition (k=7) may not be satisfied. Accordingly, a code, which can satisfy the conditions, is generated using the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110.
FIG. 3illustrates an MTR condition violation check and conversion process for encoding and decoding. Unlike a conventional rate 4/5, 5/6, or 6/7 MTR code, when a code rate is 7/8, since j=2 coding is impossible for entire codewords, in the embodiment of the present invention, j=3 can be accepted only in boundaries between codewords.
In an MTR violation check & conversion process for encoding, to satisfy the k-constraint condition (k=7) and allow up to j=3 in boundaries between codewords, specific codewords are converted as follows:. . . 00,0000 . . .. . . 01,1100 . . .. . . 11,1101 . . .. . . 10,1100 . . .
Here, since the k-constraint condition becomes 9 by converting “ . . . 11,11010000,0001 . . . ” to “ . . . 10,11000000,0001 . . . ”, use of the codeword ‘11010000’ is excluded. When it is assumed that a current codeword is ckε{x7(MSB), x6, . . . , x0(LSB)} and a subsequent codeword is ck+1ε{y7(MSB), y6, . . . , y0(LSB)}, if the conversion process described above is performed, cases where x1, x0, and y7are simultaneously ‘1’ and cases where x0, y7, and y6are simultaneously ‘1’ are generated. Otherwise, all codewords satisfy the j=2 constraint condition. That is, with respect to the last two bits (x1, x0) of a current codeword and the first four bits (y7, y6, y5, y4) of a subsequent codeword, it is determined whether the MTR constraint condition is violated. Also, assuming that z0indicates a parameter for determining whether the number of consecutive ‘0’s (k) is equal to or less than 7 and z1indicates a parameter for determining whether codewords satisfy the constraint condition (j=3), the codeword conversion in the first MTR violation checking & converting unit110is achieved by calculating z0 and z1 using z0=x1+x0+y7+y6+y5+y4, z1=x1·x0·y7·y6·y4(here, +indicates a modular-2 add operation), converting x0, y7, and y6to 1 to satisfy k=7 when z0=0, and converting x0and y4to 0 so that j does not exceed 3 when z1=1.
The above steps are performed in reverse order in an MTR violation check & conversion process for decoding. That is, when a codeword is connected to one of the 128 codewords and it is assumed that c(k) represents a current codeword to be checked to determine whether or not the constraint condition is violated and c(k+1) represents a subsequent codeword, the checking of the MTR constraint condition in the second MTR violation checking & converting unit170is achieved by determining whether the last 2 bits (x1, x0) of c(k) and the first 4 bits (y7, y6, y5, y4) of c(k+1) violate the MTR constraint condition. Assuming that z0indicates a parameter for determining whether the number of consecutive ‘0’s is equal to or less than 7 and z1indicates a parameter for determining whether codewords satisfy the constraint condition (j=3), the codeword conversion in the second MTR violation checking & converting unit170is achieved by calculating z0and z1using z0=x0·y6·{overscore (y4)}, z1=x1·y7·y6·{overscore (y4)}, converting x0, y7, and y6to 0 to satisfy k=7 when z0=0, and converting x0and y4to 1 so that j does not exceed 3 when z1=1.
FIG. 4shows trellis diagrams of a conventional MTR (j=2) code and a conventional MTR (j=3) code.
Referring toFIG. 4, in a conventional Viterbi detector for a fourth order partial response (PR) equalized MTR (j=2) code, 6 branches where 3 or more consecutive data transitions are generated are removed from a trellis diagram for obtaining branch metrics (BMs). As a result, in a high density magnetic recording channel, partial response most likelihood (PRML) detection performance for the MTR (j=2) code is dramatically improved compared to conventional PRML detection performance. However, the PRML detection performance for the MTR (j=2) code shows a relatively low code rate compared to an MTR (j=3) code.
On the other hand, in a fourth order PR equalized MTR (j=3) code, a code rate is improved. However, since only 2 branches where 4 or more consecutive data transitions are generated are removed in a Viterbi detector, PRML detection performance for the MTR (j=3) code is improved compared to conventional PRML detection performance but is inferior compared to the PRML detection performance for the MTR (j=2) code.
FIG. 5is a trellis diagram of an MTR code where an MTR (j=2) code and an MTR (j=3) code are combined.
A PRML detecting method of an MTR coding technology according to an embodiment of the present invention can be realized by combining a j=2 trellis and a j=3 trellis. In this case, before a codeword boundary, a Viterbi detection technology using the j=2 trellis is applied to codeword conversion, and for 3 consecutive bits from the codeword boundary, a Viterbi detection technology using the j=3 trellis is applied to the codeword conversion in order to accept j=3 codewords. For example, bits from a fourth bit (x4) to an LSB (x0) of a current codeword can be detected using the j=2 trellis. However, since an MSB (y7) and a subsequent bit (y6) accept the j=3 constraint condition, it is necessary to change the trellis. Therefore, in a trellis corresponding to y7, an additional BM must be calculated in a conventional j=2 trellis for the following cases:
BM(αk=+1|αk−1=−1, αk−2=+1, αk−3=−1, αk−4=−1)
BM(αk=−1|αk−1=+1, αk−2=−1, αk−3=+1, αk−4=+1)
Also, in a case of the subsequent bit (y6), a BM of a conventional j=3 trellis is calculated due to the trellis corresponding to the previous bit (y7). That is, an additional BM must be calculated in the conventional j=2 trellis for the following cases:
BM(αk=+1|αk−1=−1, αk−2=+1, αk−3=−1, αk−4=−1)
BM(αk=+1|αk−1=+1, αk−2=−1, αk−3=+1, αk−4=−1)
BM(αk=−1|αk−1=−1, αk−2=+1, αk−3=−1, αk−4=+1)
BM(αk=−1|αk−1=+1, αk−2=−1, αk−3=+1, αk−4=+1)
Finally, for bits after y6, since the j=2 constraint condition is applied to the bits, the trellis needs to be changed to allow only the j=2 constraint condition for a subsequent bit y5. Therefore, in the trellis corresponding to y5, an additional BM must be calculated in the conventional j=2 trellis for the following cases:
BM(αk=+1|αk−1=+1, αk−2=−1, αk−3=+1, αk−4=−1)
BM(αk=−1|αk−1=−1, αk−2=+1, αk−3=−1, αk−4=+1)
FIG. 6is a graph used to compare BER performances in a linear horizontal magnetic write channel.
Referring toFIG. 6, the detection performance of a fourth order PRML detector having a rate 7/8 MTR code and a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention and the detection performance of a rate 8/9 modulation code used for a conventional linear horizontal magnetic recording system are compared to each other. In a horizontal magnetic write channel used in this embodiment, a Lorentzian pulse where amplitude is normalized to 1 is used, and an EEPR4ML detector is used for a case where normalized density of a user bit is 2.5. As shown inFIG. 6, on the basis of a BER of 10−5in high write density, the detection performance of the rate 8/9 code is deteriorated by more than 0.5 dB compared to the detection performance of the 7/8 code according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, in a case of the 8/9 code, since consecutive transitions can be generated for up to 12 bits, interference between neighboring symbols becomes severe if write density becomes higher, thereby decreasing detection performance. When a conventional j=3 trellis is used for the 7/8 code, performance is improved by around 0.3 dB. Also, a Viterbi detector having a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention can obtain a performance gain of more than 0.6 dB compared to a conventional EEPR4ML detector having the 7/8 code.
FIG. 7is a graph used to compare BER performances in a linear vertical magnetic write channel.
Referring toFIG. 7, the performance of a fourth order PRML detector having a rate 7/8 MTR code and a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention and the detection performance of a rate 8/9 modulation code used for a conventional linear vertical magnetic recording system are compared to each other. In a vertical magnetic write channel used in this embodiment, a channel model disclosed in “Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials/2001, P265–272” presented by H. Sawaguchi, Y. Nishida, H. Takano, and H. Aoi is used, and a PR(12321)ML detector is used for a case where normalized density of a user bit is 1.5. As shown inFIG. 7, on the basis of a BER of 10−5in high write density, the detection performance of the rate 8/9 code is deteriorated by more than 0.8 dB compared to the performance of the 7/8 code according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a conventional j=3 trellis is used for the 7/8 code, performance is improved by around 1.3 dB. Also, a Viterbi detector having a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention can obtain a performance gain of about 2 dB compared to a conventional PR(12321)ML detector having the 7/8 code.
FIG. 8is a graph used to compare BER performances in a non-linear horizontal magnetic write channel.
Referring toFIG. 8, the performance of a fourth order PRML detector having a rate 7/8 MTR code and a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention and the detection performance of a rate 8/9 modulation code used for a conventional non-linear vertical magnetic recording system are compared to each other. In a non-linear vertical magnetic write channel used in this embodiment, a channel model including non-linear noise (for example, Jitter and DC-offset) is used, wherein a proportion of DC-offset noise is fixed to 10% of the entire noise and the proportions of Jitter noise and white Gaussian noise are fixed to 15% and 85% of the remaining noise, respectively, and a PR(12321)ML detector is used when normalized density of a user bit is 1.5. As shown inFIG. 8, on the basis of a BER of 10−5in high write density, the detection performance of the rate 8/9 code is deteriorated by more than 0.8 dB compared to the performance of the 7/8 code according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a conventional j=3 trellis is used for the 7/8 code, performance is improved by around 0.8 dB. Also, a Viterbi detector having a combined trellis according to an embodiment of the present invention can obtain a performance gain of about 2 dB compared to a conventional PR(12321)ML detector having the 7/8 code.
As described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, since the number of data transitions is limited to 2 or less in each codeword and the maximum number of allowed data transitions is 3 at boundaries between codewords when the codewords are consecutive, detection performance is improved compared to conventional general modulation codes, and a relatively higher code rate than conventional MTR codes where the number of data transitions is 2 or less is achieved.
Also, since data can be reliably reproduced with high write density, a large amount of data can be stored in and reproduced from a magnetic recording information storage medium.
Also, since PRML detection with a combined trellis is performed to fit characteristics of a coding technology according to an embodiment of the present invention, detection performance is improved compared to a conventional PRML technology.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
| 7H
| 03 | M |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is illustrated but not restricted by reference to the preferred embodiments. It is well known that austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic, and almost impossible to detect using metal detectors, which rely on distortion of an oscillating electromagnetic field. The reason is that non-magnetic stainless steel is a relatively poor conductor of electric current and has no magnetic properties and therefore not detectable. The stainless steel used in hypodermic needles is typically austenitic 304 stainless steel, and therefore not detectable.
Austenitic stainless steels are iron-chromium-nickel alloys with specified but variable carbon content, which are not hardenable by heat treatment, and are regarded as non-magnetic due to the nickel present. Martensitic stainless steels are iron-chromium alloys with no or little nickel content (less than 1%), hardenable by heat treatment, and regarded as magnetic. Ferritic stainless steels are iron-chromium alloys with no or little nickel content (less than 1%), are not hardenable by heat treatment, and regarded as magnetic. Ferritic stainless steels have a lower carbon content than martensitic stainless steels. These terms are well known to those skilled in the art. 304 stainless steel is the most common grade of austenitic stainless steel. 420 stainless steel, a martensitic stainless steel, has a higher carbon content than 410 stainless steel, the most common grade of martensitic stainless steel. 430 stainless steel is the most common grade of ferritic stainless steel.
Since stainless steel disposable needles are desirable, applicant decided to test other stainless steels to see if they could be detected. Applicant had no prior knowledge of whether magnetic stainless steel disposable needles would be detected by metal detectors in meat packing plants. A martensitic 420 stainless steel welding rod was reduced to approximately the size of a 20 gauge inch needle for test purposes. It was then placed in meat and run through Loma and Safeline brand name metal detectors on meat production lines and easily detected, unexpectedly and to the surprise of applicant and to the amazement of everyone else. No one at the meat plants believed that the experimental rods of stainless steel that size could be detected. The experiment was repeated in 2 and 4 kilogram pork butts with bone, as bone is believed to affect metal detection, to convince both applicant and observer (packer). The 20 gauge inch rod was detected on every trial. It was decided to manufacture a batch of needles for further testing. Unfortunately not only did 420 stainless prove impossible to obtain in the tubular form necessary for needle manufacture, but so did other martensitic stainless steels.
Ferritic stainless steel which is similar in composition, but not structure, was considered as a possible alternative. Ferritic 430 stainless steel was available in suitable tubular form. A small sample of 20 gauge 1 inch disposable cannulae (needles without hubs) were made up from this material and were similarly tested and detected. Again, applicant could not be certain before testing that the needles would be detectable, and nobody else had any inkling that they would be detectable. First 1 inch needles were tested in 2 and 4 kilogram pork butts with bone on meat production lines using Loma and Safeline brand name metal detectors and detected on every trial. Needles were then cut in half to simulate 20 gauge inch needles, which were then tested in 2 and 4 kilogram pork butts with bone. Again, the needles were easily detected on every trial, to the amazement of observers.
Ferritic cannulae, 20 gauge 1 inch, were made up with chromium plated brass hubs as needles for injection testing. Generally, 430 stainless has lower tensile strength than 304 stainless so the question whether ferritic needles were as effective as austenitic needles arose. The ferritic needles were fitted onto a hypodermic syringe and tested by jabbing into a pork cadaver. Since the skin of pork cadavers toughens after death, the needles were tested about twenty-four hours after death. Forty-one punctures were made in the cadaver, using a single needle. When the 20 gauge needle deformed, it was finger straightened. The needle deformed with use, breaking at the forty first puncture. As far as applicant is aware this performance is comparable to existing 304 stainless needles. Since 430 stainless has less tensile strength than 304 stainless, the needle may deform and break with less use, but the practical difference is small.
There was no prior reason to believe that martensitic or ferritic stainless steel in the dimensions of disposable hypodermic needles would be detectable by metal detectors in meat production lines. There was thus no inkling or useful intention to combine martensitic or ferritic steel and the form of disposable hypodermic needles, which would be easily and routinely detected by metal detectors in meat processing lines. These detectors are set at high sensitivity to attempt (unsuccessfully) to detect the austenitic needles. Applicant was not faced with ignorance but active disbelief in the meat packing industry. Hearsay was not enough, demonstration was and is required to convince people.
The production batch of ferritic 430 stainless steel needles was made by cold drawing through a die from 2 inch diameter inch wall thickness tubular stock. Some needles were fitted with brass hubs, some with plastic hubs. The hubs can be brass, aluminum, plastic (often polypropylene). Generally, several iterations of cold drawing are required. In the particular method used six were necessary.
By selecting magnetic stainless steel for disposable hypodermic needles applicant has solved a long standing problem in the meat industry.
As those skilled in the art would realize these preferred described details and materials and components can be subjected to substantial variation, modification, change, alteration, and substitution without affecting or modifying the function of the described embodiments.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
| 0A
| 61 | M |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Such as illustrated byFIG. 1, a system for anchoring a pole in the ground according to the invention comprises:an anchoring base1intended to be inserted and coupled in the ground;at least one interface2likely to be assembled or disassembled from the anchoring base and intended to receive and hold a pole.
The anchoring base comprises, more specifically, a central cylindrical part10exhibiting a high, flush end, formed by a sleeve11. This high, flush end is thus intended to be flush with the ground, once the anchoring base is anchored in the ground.
Preferably, the sleeve11extends around the anchoring base so as to keep the part of the anchoring base intended to receive the interface unobstructed. This sleeve thus enables to avoid the development and/or the positioning of foreign bodies (grass, dirt, etc.) between the anchoring base and an interface brought opposite the anchoring base to be assembled on top.
This anchoring base can, in particular, take a spiral form. In this case, the central cylindrical part10is extended by a threaded cone12. Such an anchoring base can thus be screwed into the ground along a screwing axis. This anchoring base can also be sealed in the ground if the user deems it necessary.
Preferably, the central cylindrical part and the threaded cone are made of aluminium.
According to the principle of the invention and such as illustrated byFIGS. 2 and 3, the anchoring system comprises means for assembling/disassembling3the interface2on the anchoring base1, and means for actuating the interface22coupled with the assembly/disassembly means3.
These assembly/disassembly means in particular comprise mortises30and additional teeth31.
According to the present embodiment, the mortises are located on the anchoring base1and the additional teeth31are located on the interface2.
The assembly/disassembly means also comprises an additional male cylindrical part32of a female cylindrical cavity33. More specifically, the female cylindrical cavity33is formed by the central cylindrical part10of the anchoring base1. In itself, the male cylindrical part is formed by the interface2or by a pole crossing the interface such as subsequently explained in more detail.
Thus, to carry out the assembly of the interface on the anchoring base, the male cylindrical part is first inserted into the female cylindrical cavity along an insertion axis of the interface in the anchoring base, then the teeth cooperate with the mortises to finalise the assembly.
The means for actuating the interface22are exhibited by the interface2, and, such as will be subsequently defined in more detail, in particular take the form of buttons located on either side of the interface. These means for actuating the interface are mobile between at least three positions:a position for releasing the interface;a position for locking and inserting the interface;a position for locking and rotating the interface.
In the releasing position, the interface can be freely removed from the anchoring base.
In the position for locking, inserting and rotating the interface, the assembly/disassembly means thus lock the interface moving forward in the anchoring base along the insertion axis, but also rotating the interface around the insertion axis.
Finally, the locking and inserting position is an intermediary position between the two preceding positions, in this position, the assembly/disassembly means only lock the interface2moving forward in the anchoring base1along the insertion axis.
Such as can be observed inFIGS. 3 and 7, the means for actuating the interface22are thus buttons located on either side of the interface, these buttons carrying teeth31. These buttons are radially mobile in a shell23of the interface and exhibit underlying springs220which enable them to be returned, with there being no external stress, in a position distant from the centre of the interface.
According toFIG. 3, the button on the left-hand part of the figure is in a locking, inserting and rotating position which is a rest position, and the button on the right-hand part of the figure is in a releasing position.
It can be observed inFIGS. 3 and 7, that the teeth31exhibit a first bevel310intended to come into contact with the sleeve11. Thus, when the interface2is inserted on the anchoring base, the teeth31come into contact with the sleeve11. Consequently, by continuing the insertion of the interface, the first bevel of the teeth leads to a centripetal deformation of the buttons. Once the teeth have crossed the thickness of the sleeve, the buttons can return to a distant position and the teeth thus enable to clip the interface in position on the anchoring base.
According to the present embodiment illustrated byFIGS. 2, 7 and 8:the additional mortises30of the teeth31are separated by indexing platforms300and/or rotating blocking stoppers301, andeach tooth31can cooperate with two adjacent mortises30and exhibits a central notch312, additional to the indexing platforms and the rotating blocking stoppers.
Thus, when the teeth are completely sunken into the mortises30, and when they cooperate with the rotating blocking stoppers, the interface is locked and inserted along the insertion axis and rotated around the insertion axis.
Such as can be observed inFIGS. 2, 6 and 8, the mortises30, the indexing platforms and/or the rotating blocking stoppers are exhibited by a grooved wheel located inside the anchoring base1, on the sleeve11or in the immediate proximity of the sleeve.
When the means for actuating the interface are in the intermediary locking and inserting position, the interface can rotate around the insertion axis and the central notches of the teeth can thus cooperate with the indexing platforms so as to give rotating markers of the interface in relation to the anchoring base.
Such as illustrated byFIG. 8, the indexing platforms300have a curved form, capable of exerting a resistance to teeth passing, without for all that, blocking them from rotating when they cooperate with the central notch of the teeth. According to the same figure, it is observed that the rotating blocking stoppers301have a protruding form, capable of being fitted with the central notch of the teeth.
According to the preferred embodiment illustrated byFIG. 7, the teeth31exhibit second bevels311, located on the side of the teeth, capable of cooperating with the indexing platforms. These second bevels enable the teeth to facilitate crossing the indexing platforms without a user pressing the buttons. The indexing is thus felt by the user, who feels an immediate resistance to the rotation of the interface around the insertion axis when the teeth cross the indexing platforms.
The second bevels311are also capable of cooperating with the rotating blocking stoppers. Thus, the teeth31can cross a rotating blocking stopper301without a user having to press the buttons. During the crossing of a rotating blocking stopper, the central notch312of the tooth will thus come opposite the rotating blocking stopper and will thus be fitted with it. Thanks to this fitting and to the additional forms of the central notch and of the rotating blocking stopper, the interface can thus no longer turn in rotation around the insertion axis, if a user does not press the buttons at the same time.
For example, the indexing platforms can be designed so as to create markers every 10° or 22° angle.
According to a characteristic of the invention, illustrate in particular byFIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the interface2exhibits a housing20which is capable of and intended to hold a pole to be anchored. The interface also comprises means for holding21the pole held in the housing.
According to a first embodiment, illustrated, for example, byFIGS. 9 and 10, the interface2is installed permanently on a pole6. It thus takes the form of a ring, constituted by the shell23of the interface. The housing20exhibited by the interface is thus of the through-bore type. The interface2can thus be threaded or assembled on the pole6to be anchored. In this case, such as can be observed inFIG. 10, the male cylindrical part32is formed by the end of the pole6which crosses the ring. Also, the holding means take the form of lugs213extending towards the inside of the housing, intended to cooperate with the additional bored holes214made in the pole6.
Such as can be observed inFIG. 10, the shell23of the interface2made of two parts to be assembled around the pole. To carry out the assembly, the screws230are intended to be screwed through these two parts.
According to a second embodiment illustrated byFIGS. 1 to 4, the interface2is a module for poles with variable diameters. In other words, the interface enables to anchor poles of which the diameter is within a range of predetermined values. According to this embodiment, the means for holding21the interface2take the form of a cylindrical body210exhibiting the housing20. The cylindrical body also comprises, in an upper part, a holding ring211which is radially deformable so as to surround a pole, and a means for actuating the holding ring212.
The means for actuating the holding ring212can take the form of a screwed cap, enabling to radially deform the holding ring. This deformation occurs by screwing the cap on the cylindrical body, compressing in this way, the holding ring to deform it centripetally.
Preferably, and such as illustrated byFIGS. 2 to 4, the cylindrical body210extends towards the bottom so as to form the male cylindrical part32. The interface2thus also comprises the shell form23in annular form. This shell23is intended to be assembled on an intermediary section of the cylindrical body210. Lugs213are found, which thus enable to hold the shell23in position on the intermediary section of the cylindrical body210.
According to this latter preferred embodiment, it is understood that the shell of the interface can thus be used to produce an interface “to be installed permanently on a pole” or an interface of the “module for poles with variable diameters” type. In this way, the production of the anchoring system is simplified, and the production costs can be limited.
Such as illustrated byFIG. 5, the anchoring system also comprises a shutter cover4.
This shutter cover can be coupled on the anchoring base instead of an interface. This shutter cover thus enables to close the anchoring base when the latter is not assembled with an interface to anchor a pole.
When this shutter cover is coupled with the anchoring base, it is intended, in a closing position, to be flush with the ground, stable in the sleeve11.
According to the present embodiment, this shutter cover exhibits more specifically a body40intended to cooperate with the female cylindrical cavity of the anchoring base.
In the case where the anchoring base must be screwed into the ground, the shutter cover4thus comprises a retractable handle, enabling to facilitate the screwing, and a spirit level41enabling to make sure that the anchoring base is screwed straight into the ground.
This retractable handle is more specifically constituted by a through bore400exhibited by the body40of the shutter cover4and by a screwing bar being inserted in the through bore. More specifically, the through bore extends orthogonally in relation to the axis for screwing the anchoring base into the ground. Thus, the screwing bar inserted in the through bore itself also extends orthogonally in relation to the screwing axis, thus facilitating said screwing of the anchoring base into the ground.
Preferably, the screwing bar exhibits a flat spot, capable of blocking the screwing bar rotating inside the through bore. The screwing bar thus designed enables to increase the holding of the anchoring base when screwing by a user, and in particular, it enables to avoid the anchoring base being offset from the screwing axis by the force exerted by a user during the very first occasions of screwing.
Such as can be observed inFIG. 6, the screwing bar is a telescopic screwing bar5, which can be stored inside the anchoring base1, within a storage housing100. Such a design enables the processing and packaging of an anchoring base to be simplified for the commercialisation thereof.
According to this design, if a person wishes to proceed with screwing the anchoring base into the ground, and to close it, they can proceed in the following way:remove the shutter cover;remove the screwing bar from the storage housing;couple the shutter cover on the anchoring base, according to a screwing position wherein the body of the shutter cover emerges from the anchoring base;insert the screwing bar in the through bore exhibited by the body of the shutter cover;screw the anchoring base using the retractable handle (the screwing bar) until the sleeve (high, flush end) of the anchoring base is flush with the ground;remove the screwing bar and the shutter cover;couple the shutter cover on the anchoring base according to the closing position wherein the shutter cover is stable in the sleeve and itself is flush with the ground.
Incidentally, if the interface and the pole(s) which will be coupled on the anchoring base are hollow and compatible, the screwing bar can thus be reinserted in the storage housing. However, preferably, and to avoid any incompatibility with the interface or the solid poles, the screwing bar is not reinserted in the storage housing after the anchoring base has been screwed into the ground.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure and/or the appended claims.
| 4E
| 04 | H |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred manner of practicing the present invention will be described
below. The inventor has obtained excellent results, compared to the other
conventional methods. The key is to isolate a sufficiently large amount of
the immunoglobulin compounds in order to accurately determine the presence
of antigens and/or antibodies. The different immunoglobulin compounds,
namely, IgAs, IgMs, IgD, IgG, IgG.sub.1, IgG.sub.2, IgG.sub.3 and
IgG.sub.4, which are collectively referred to as the immunoglobulin
compounds. The first step is to obtain the feces, human or animal, and
place them in a container with a buffer solution. This buffer solution can
be implemented with the use of a water base solution that includes a
phosphate and sodium chloride, such as conventionally known PBS (phosphate
buffer saline) solution. Preferably, a 0.010 molar solution is used with a
pH of 7.6. In the preferred manner contemplated by the inventor, 10% of
the weight will be the feces and the remaining 90% will be the buffer
solution. This is not critical and in practice the buffer solution is
estimated by volume and the feces by weight, equating the densities of the
feces and the buffer solution. Also, merthiolate (0.1% concentration) is
added to kill any bacteria and to minimize the odor of the feces.
The second step involves the homogenization of the feces in the buffer
solution and this is accomplished with an homogenizer rotating its blades
at 28,000 R.P.M. in the preferred embodiment. This is done for
approximately 5 minutes. The resulting liquid is typically brown and the
lympho cells are destroyed.
Then, the homogenizer is stopped (allowed to settle) for 5 minutes and
after that it is started again for another 5 minutes. Again, it is stopped
once more and started once again for the final 5 minutes. After that, the
liquid is centrifuged to separate the solids from the liquid and depending
on the particular constitution of the feces (fiber content, etc.)
sufficient time is allowed for the liquid to clear. It has been
empirically determined that three cycles of homogenzation and settlement
are sufficient for the destruction of the lymphocytes cells and the
freeing up of the immunoglobulin compounds contained therein.
The next step is to add protamine (at 1% concentration, a fish extract
typically) so that everything precipitates except the immunoglobulin
compounds which remains either in solution (conjugated with the protamine)
or in suspension. In the preferred case, about 1 mg. in 1% concentration
is added to about 6 or 7 cc of the clear liquid after decanting. In a
typical case, the inventor herein has been able to obtain samples in the
order of hundreds of milligram of the immunoglobulin compounds which are
enough for accurate analysis using the conventional enzyme methods
described above (ELISA, RIA, and others). The immunoglobin compounds can
be detected and classified usgin conventional methods.
The production of immunoglobulin compounds in sufficient quantities makes
it possible not only to properly diagnose the patients' immulogical
deficiencies but also to produce these compounds in sufficiently large
quantifies to administer it conjugated with the pertinent allergens to
rebuild the patients' immunity.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
It is apparent from the previous paragraphs that an improvement of the type
for such a method is quite desirable for detecting, identifying
qualitatively and quantitatively the presence of antigens and antibodies
in a person or animal and is reliable and does not present inconveniences
to the user.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives
and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made
of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that
all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative,
and not in a limiting sense. | 0A
| 61 | K |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows, in fragmentary sectional elevation, building wall 10 of this
invention, at the location of one of a succession of supporting posts 12,
with the exterior at the left and the interior at the right of the view.
Concrete footing 13 extends from underground upward to the exterior ground
(or grade) level 15, and continues at that level underneath the wall to
the interior, where it steps up to slab or floor level 4. Embedded in the
footing is the base of upright post 12, which (as shown in subsequent
views) is H-shaped in plan, such as is often called an I-beam (or H-beam).
In this view the central stem or web 11 of the post is readily visible
parallel to the drawing sheet and perpendicular to pair of mutually
parallel flanges 14 (edge-on here), which run the entire length of the
post.
Panel 20 extends from its bottom edge at the grade level upward to the top
end of the post. The left or exterior face of the panel has horizontal
grooves therein filled with courses of brick 30, with mortar-like beading
31 of silicone or similar material intervening. The right or interior face
of the panel is covered with coating 39. Channel-shaped bottom reinforcing
member 28 fits with its sidewalls upright in slots (49, v. FIGS. 5, 7) in
the bottom edge of the panel between overlapping post flanges 14 fitting
in slots (45, v. FIGS. 5-7) in the panel vertical edge(s). Channel-shaped
top reinforcing member 22 fits with its sidewalls inverted in slots (41,
v. FIGS. 5, 6) in the top edge of the panel and just outside and
overlapping post flanges 14 fitting in the panel vertical slots as noted.
Overhead member 17 rests on the top of the post and may connect to or
carry a floor or roof truss or similar structure (not shown).
FIG. 2 shows, in plan just under overlying member 17, building wall 10 of
the preceding view, here oriented with its brick-covered exterior face
upward and its smooth-coated interior face downward. Adjacent pair of
posts 12 (shown in broken lines because underneath reinforcing member 22)
are oriented with pairs of spaced flanges aligned parallel to both of the
wall faces, and with panel 20 intervening (partly broken away to conserve
space). Portions of similar panels extend leftward and rightward from the
respective posts, with the flanges of the posts received in vertical edge
slots of the panels. Only a small slit 25 intervenes between adjacent ends
of the panels flanking a single post--which therefore is substantially
concealed from view even before addition of brick 30 and intervening
beading 31 to the exterior face, and addition of coating 39 to the
interior face, of either panel. The sidewalls and intervening bed portion
of inverted channel-shaped upper reinforcing member 22 overlap the top
ends of the post flanges and fit downward into slots in the panel top
edge.
FIG. 3 shows building wall 10, in sectional plan just above the level of
floor 4. This view differs from FIG. 3 by showing panel 20 in section
(shaded for foamed plastic) and showing posts 12 in solid because lower
reinforcing member 28 is oriented with its sidewalls upright between and
contiguous with overlapping post flanges 14.
FIG. 4 shows, in perspective from above and at the left, the exterior face
of the building wall 10 of this invention, revealing spaced rows of
horizontal grooves 24, partly filled with brick 30, and intervening ridges
26 partly filled with beading 31. Overhead member 17 is the only other
associated building member in this view. Also visible are flange-receiving
slots 45 spaced apart from each other and from the faces in the vertical
side edges of the panel.
FIG. 5 shows panel 20 face-on, in fragmentary elevation, including
especially the upper left corner and the lower right corner. In addition
to its solid rectangular outline this view shows (in dashed lines) slot(s)
into and along its edges, as follows: 41 at a given depth into the
horizontal top edge, and 49 at a given depth into the horizontal bottom
edge, and 45 at another given depth into the vertical edges of the panel,
at both the left and the right sides.
FIG. 6 shows, in top plan, the upper left corner of the panel of FIG. 5,
including pair of slots 41 flanking the center line (not indicated) of the
panel top edge and spaced remotely from the faces. These slots accommodate
the downturned sidewalls of the upper inverted channel-like reinforcing
member (22, not shown here). Just within the left edge of the panel the
slotting widens evenly inward (narrowing the central part or tenon of the
panel) at the junction with vertical side edge slots 45 to accommodate
spaced flanges (14) of the supporting posts, which the bed of the channel
overlaps as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 7 shows, in bottom plan, the lower right corner of that panel,
including pair of slots 49 flanking the omitted center line of the panel
bottom edge and spaced remotely from the faces. Just within the right
edge, the slotting widens evenly outward, at the junction with vertical
side edge slots 45 to accommodate the spaced flanges (14) of the
supporting posts, which lap laterally about the upturned sidewalls of the
upright channel-like reinforcing member (28, not shown here) as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3.
FIG. 8 is a sectional plan of a building wall of this invention at a
corner, viewed at an intermediate level (between the upper and lower
reinforcing members of intersecting panels 20 at the left and 20' at the
right. Two C-shaped (in plan) uprights standing end-on replace the
previously shown I-beam (or H-beam)--which itself may be viewed as (or
actually comprise) two such C-shaped members joined back-to back. However,
here the bed of the left C-shaped upright is juxtaposed to a sidewall of
the like right upright, spaced apart by the thickness of interposed spacer
48 and retained so juxtaposed by rivet 44 through them and the spacer. The
spacer thickness equals the thickness of a down-turned sidewall of
channel-shaped upper reinforcing member, to allow the bed of the channel
to overlap the top of the right C-shaped upright--next to the end of the
left C-shaped upright. For the sake of clarity the respective downturned
sidewalls of the respective upper reinforcing members (22) are
superimposed in broken lines onto this view.
Also in FIG. 8 (as in FIG. 4), the walls forming the outside of the corner
are grooved and faced with brick 30, whereas the inside of the corner is
covered with coating 39, as in FIGS. 1 to 3. For the correct spacing, the
inside wall of right panel 20' is relieved to accommodate the inside wall
of the right panel. Also, as the corner perimeter exceeds the
corresponding inside dimension, the panel at the left does not extend far
enough to the right to cover the end of the panel at the right, piece of
panel material 46 is added at the right panel, flush with the outside wall
of the left panel.
The materials used in constructing the building walls of this invention are
conventional and readily available in the marketplace. Thus, the posts are
conveniently metallic, usually galvanized steel. Such posts are suitable
in 18 gauge up to about 6 feet in height and 10 feet in post length
(including base portion), and in suitably heavier gauges (such as 8 to 16)
to as much as 10 feet of exposed height and 16 feet in length. At the
ground floor the base of each post is embedded in a concrete footing whose
depth depends upon such factors as weight to be supported, wind load, and
freezing depth. The horizontal reinforcing members are similarly usually
metallic and of comparable gauge for their lengths. They can--but often
need not--be secured to the panels by adhesive, by dielectric heating, or
other suitable method.
The panels are made of suitable foamed polymeric composition, such as
expanded polystyrene or polyurethane (more expensive). In the absence of
brick or other ceramic or equivalent facing material, the exterior panel
surface is preferably coated with a protective material, usually mainly a
cementitious grout, with a low-alkali portland cement base, plus admixture
of a substantial part of elastomeric polymer, such as a vinyl-acrylic or
an epoxy resin. Coatings are preferably reinforced by fibrous material
mixed thereinto, such as glass or polyalkylene fibers, plus an expansible
siliceous or other mineral aggregate capable of reducing the overall
density. A coating-reinforcing fabric may be added, made of glass,
metallic wire, or polymeric composition, preferably in open-mesh form.
In overall appearance, the building walls of this invention are as
attractive as those made in any other way. They require less maintenance
because they do not crack in the manner of concrete block walls (when the
ground supporting them shifts underneath). The weight of the walls of this
invention is carried by the posts, which are in footings massive and
extensive enough not to shift.
In performance, the building walls of this invention meet and usually
exceed the customary requirements for impact strength, wind resistance,
and other physical characteristics. Insulation requirements are readily
met as the R-factor per inch of thickness is about 2.6, so that a 4-inch
thickness is at least an R10, a 6-inch thickness an R15, and an 8-inch
thickness at least an R20.
Other advantages of these building walls will become apparent and will
accrue to the benefit of persons who build, occupy, and maintain them.
They can be installed in much less time than a more conventional cinder or
concrete block wall can be laid, and in much less time than a frame wall
can be constructed and sheathed. Even if the material costs were the
same--instead of less as they should be--the saving in labor cost is so
great that this new building wall is much more economical.
Although exterior walls have been emphasized in the foregoing description,
this invention is applicable to interior walls as well. Similarly, though
only a single storey is described and illustrated, the invention is
adapted also to multi-storey buildings. Posts can be secured to a plate at
floor or subfloor level for either ground floor or higher floors, although
for ground floors at least some of the posts for exterior walls are
preferably set in concrete footings as described and illustrated.
Variants on the basic building wall structure of this invention have been
suggested. Other modifications made be made, as by adding, combining, or
subdividing parts or steps while retaining some of the advantages and
benefits of the invention, which itself is defined in the following
claims. | 4E
| 04 | H |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For a clear understanding of the technical features, objectives and effects of the heat dissipating device according to the present application, specific embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the heat dissipating device and the electronic device having the heat dissipating device according to the present application are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Among them, like or similar reference numerals refer to like or similar elements, or elements having the same or similar functions, throughout the following description.
In the description of the heat dissipating device and the electronic device having the heat dissipating device according to the present application, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “front”, “rear”, “above”, “below”, “upper end”, “lower end”, “upper portion” and “lower portion” are based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are solely for the convenience in describing the heat dissipating device according to the present application and simplifying the description. These terms do not indicate or imply that the device or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, these terms should not be interpreted as limitations of the present application. In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are for illustrative purpose only and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying the relative importance.
FIGS. 1 to 5are the schematic views of the first embodiment of the heat dissipating device according to the present application. The heat dissipating device of the present application is an active liquid cooling heat dissipating device. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipating device includes two variable volume units100aand100b; driving units200aand200bfor driving the variable volume units100aand100bso as to vary the volume of the variable volume units100aand100b; and a fluid passage300having one end connected to the first variable volume unit100aand another end connected to the second variable volume unit100b. The fluid passage300and the variable volume units100aand100bare filled with a liquid coolant. The fluid passage300includes two heat dissipating sections310aand310b, and a heat absorbing section320, wherein the heat dissipating section310ais adjacent to the first variable volume unit100a, and the heat dissipating section310bis adjacent to the second variable volume unit100b. Air flow passages400a,400bformed by heat dissipating fins410aand410bare disposed on the heat dissipating sections310aand310b. When the air flows through the air flow passages400aand400b, heat exchange with the heat dissipating fins410aand410bwill be performed to remove heat.
Referring toFIG. 3toFIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the structures of the first variable volume unit100aand the second variable volume unit100bare the same. The structure of the variable volume units100aand100bare now described by taking the first variable volume unit100aas an example. In the present embodiment, the first variable volume unit100ahas an accordion box structure including a side wall110composed of a plurality of folded portions111. An interior of the first variable volume unit100ais partitioned by a partition wall121to form two chambers120and130of which the volumes are variable. The first chamber120is for accommodating a liquid coolant, and the second chamber130is for accommodating air, wherein the first chamber120is connected to the fluid passage300, and the second chamber130is connected to the air flow passage400through an air duct420. When the first variable volume unit100ais driven by the driving units200aand200b, the volume is changed from large to small. That is, when the first variable volume unit100ais compressed, the liquid coolant in the first chamber120is discharged into the fluid passage300. The liquid coolant flows through the heat dissipating section310a, the heat absorbing section320and the heat dissipating section310bto the second variable volume unit100b. When the liquid coolant flows through the heat dissipating sections310aand310b, the heat is conducted outward. In the present embodiment, when the heat is conducted to the heat dissipating fins410aand410band the liquid coolant flows through the heat absorbing section320, the heat is absorbed from the exterior. The heat absorbing section320is usually disposed near a heat generating component that needs heat dissipation. For better heat absorption, the heat absorbing section320may be provided with heat absorbing plate500in order to increase a contact area with the heat generating component that requires heat dissipation, which facilitates heat transfer from the heat generating component to the heat absorbing plate500and the liquid coolant. The variable volume units100a,100bmay be made of materials such as flexible plastic and silicone. The liquid coolant may be water or other conventionally suitable aqueous solutions or liquids.
Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the first variable volume unit100aand the second variable volume unit100bare interlocked under the drive of the driving units200aand200b. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the variable volume units100aand100bfurther include front end plates140aand140b, and a common rear end plate150. The driving units200aand200binclude stepper motors210aand210b, and screw mechanisms220aand220bdriven by the stepper motors210aand210b. The screw mechanisms220aand220bpass through the rear end plate150. When the rear end plate150moves toward the front end plate140aof the first variable volume unit100a, the volume of the first variable volume unit100abecomes smaller, and the volume of the second variable volume unit100bbecomes larger. The liquid coolant flows from the first chamber120of the first variable volume unit100ato the first chamber of the second variable volume unit100b. The air in the second chamber130of the first variable volume unit100aflows through the air duct420to the air flow passage400a, while the air is drawn into the second chamber of the second variable volume unit100bfrom the air flow passage400bthrough the air duct420. When the air flows through the flow passages400aand400b, the heat is exchanged between the air and the heat dissipating fins410aand410b. When the rear end plate150moves toward the front end plate140bof the second variable volume unit100b, the volume of the first variable volume unit100abecomes larger, and the volume of the second variable volume unit100bbecomes smaller. The liquid coolant flows from the first chamber of the second variable volume unit100bto the first chamber120of the first variable volume unit100a, while the air is drawn into the second chamber130of the first variable volume unit100afrom the air flow passage400athrough the air duct420. The air in the second chamber of the second variable volume unit100bflows to the air flow passage400bthrough the air duct420. When the air flows through the flow passages400aand400b, the heat is exchanged between the air and the heat dissipating fins410aand410b. When the liquid coolant flows back and forth, the heat is conducted to the heat dissipating fins410aand410bon the heat dissipating sections310aand310b, while the external heat is absorbed by the heat absorbing section320through the heat absorbing plate500.
Comparing to the existing liquid cooling heat dissipating device in which the liquid coolant circulates in a closed loop, the heat dissipating device according to the present embodiment is different in that the liquid coolant flows back and forth between the first variable volume unit100aand the second variable volume unit100bvia the fluid passage300, without forming a closed circulation loop. Since a fluid pump is not required, the size of the heat dissipating device may be effectively reduced. In particular, the entire heat dissipating device may be made to be very thin in order to be adopted into thin and portable electronic devices, e.g. the heat dissipating device may be applied to consumer electronics such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
It should be understood that in the heat dissipating device of the present application, there may be one or more variable volume units, and the number of variable volume units is not limited to two. Moreover, the two or more variable volume units do not have to be interlocked. In addition, the variable volume unit does not have to be an accordion box structure, but may also be a piston and a piston chamber mechanism in which the volume is changed by changing the position of the piston.
It should be understood that, in the heat dissipating device of the present application, the driving unit for driving the variable volume unit is not limited to the stepping motor and the screw mechanism described in the above embodiment, but may be other conventionally applicable linear driving components such as hydraulic cylinder. In addition, the air flow passage formed by the heat dissipating fins on the heat dissipating section of the fluid passage may also be replaced by carbon nanotubes or other heat exchange combinations, and may be any other conventional applicable heat dissipating structure, but is not limited to the specific structures described in the above embodiment.
FIG. 6shows the schematic view of the second embodiment of the heat dissipating device according to the present application. The present embodiment is further improved on the basis of the first embodiment. Specifically, the heat absorbing section320of the fluid passage300is composed of a plurality of parallel heat absorbing passages321. In this way, the heat exchange area is increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat exchange. The other structures of the heat dissipating device of the present embodiment is the same as those of the heat dissipating device of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.
FIGS. 7 and 8show the schematic view of the third embodiment of the heat dissipating device according to the present application. The present embodiment is further improved on the basis of the first embodiment. Specifically, the heat dissipating fins410aand410bare in contact with a housing430of the electronic device to form the air flow passages400aand400b. This is advantageous for dissipating heat to the exterior through the housing of the electronic device, particularly a metal housing, thereby facilitating better outward heat conduction when the liquid coolant flows through the heat dissipating sections310aand310bof the fluid passage300.
FIGS. 9 and 10are schematic views of the fourth embodiment of the heat dissipating device according to the present application. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipating device includes two interlocked variable volume units100aand100b, and a fluid passage300connected to the two variable volume units100aand100b. The fluid passage300includes two heat dissipating sections310aand310b, and a heat absorbing section320. The heat absorbing section320is provided with a heat absorbing plate500. The heat dissipating sections310aand310bare provided with air flow passages400aand400bformed by heat dissipating fins410aand410b. One side of the air flow passage400ais provided with a fan assembly600for facilitating air flow through the air flow passages400aand400b, thereby performing heat exchange between the air and the heat dissipating fins410aand410band increasing efficiency of heat dissipation. In the present embodiment, since a fan is adopted for dissipating heat from the heat dissipating fins410aand410b, the second chamber for accommodating the air is no longer provided in the variable volume units100aand100b.
FIGS. 11-13show the schematic views of the fifth embodiment of the heat dissipating device according to the present application. The present embodiment is further improved on the basis of the fourth embodiment. A fan assembly600bis added to one side of the heat dissipating section310bof the fluid passage300. Moreover, solid state cooling components700aand700bare also added to the heat dissipating sections310aand310b. The cool end of the solid state cooling components700aand700bis disposed against the heat dissipating sections310aand310bof the fluid passage300. The hot end of the solid state cooling components700aand700bis disposed against the air flow passages400aand400b. The solid state cooling components700aand700bmay be a semiconductor cooling component, a magnetocaloric cooling component or an electrothermal cooling component. The solid state cooling components700aand700bmay further lower the temperature of the liquid coolant flowing through the heat dissipating sections310aand310b, and may enhance the heat dissipating effect of the heat dissipating device. However, due to the presence of the solid state cooling components and the fan assembly, the size of the heat dissipating device may increase.
FIGS. 14-16show the schematic views of the sixth embodiment of the heat dissipating device according to the present application. The structure of the heat dissipating device of the present embodiment is more compact. In the present embodiment, the driving unit200drives the first variable volume unit100aand the second variable volume unit100bin a single motor driving manner. The first variable volume unit100aand the second variable volume unit100bare interlocked. Specifically, the motor210of the driving unit200drives the two screw mechanisms220aand220bthrough a gear set, wherein the first screw mechanism220ais used for driving the first variable volume unit100a, and the second screw mechanism220bis used for driving the second variable volume unit100b. The first variable volume unit100ais taken as an example to illustrate the structure of the variable volume unit. The first variable volume unit100aincludes two independent chambers, namely the first chamber120and the second chamber130. Both the first chamber120and the second chamber130are formed by a foldable cylinder with an annularly folded wall, wherein the first chamber120is filled with a liquid coolant, and the second chamber130is filled with air. The first chamber120is connected to the fluid passage300. The second chamber130is connected to the air flow passage400. The air flow passage400is formed by the heat dissipating fins410. In the present embodiment, the two heat dissipating sections310aand310bof the fluid passage300are disposed in parallel, and the heat absorbing section320of the fluid passage300is directly formed inside the heat absorbing plate500in order to facilitate heat exchange.
The heat dissipating device of the present application may be applied to various consumer electronics, such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops. The heat dissipating devices of the fourth and fifth embodiments have improved heat dissipating capability due to the addition of the fan assembly, but the size will be increased. The heat dissipating devices of the fourth and fifth embodiments are suitable for electronic devices with relatively high power and high heat generation. The heat dissipation devices of the first to third embodiments are suitable for use in electronic devices having lower power but higher requirements for lightweight and thinness.
In addition to the above heat dissipating devices, the present application further provides an electronic device having the above heat dissipating devices.
According to an embodiment of the electronic device of the present application, the electronic device is internally provided with the heat dissipating device as described above. The heat absorbing section of the fluid passage is disposed in close proximity to the heat generating component of the electronic device.
According to an embodiment of the heat dissipating device of the present application, the electronic device is a consumer electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet or a laptop. The heat generating component is a microprocessor, a power source, a wireless charging component or an internal memory of the electronic device, which generates a relatively large amount of heat. The components, however, is not limited to the above components and may also be other heat generating components that require heat dissipation.
It should be understood that the heat dissipating device of the present application is not limited to being disposed inside the electronic device, but may also be disposed outside the electronic device.
While the embodiments of the present application have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present application and the scope as defined by the appended claims, which are within the scope of the present application.
| 7H
| 1 | L |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(s)
Referring now to FIG. 1 which is an illustration of an energy absorbing bumper system in accordance with the present invention. The energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 is illustrated mounted on an automobile 12 . Although the energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 is described in relation to use on an automobile 12 , it should be understood that the energy absorbing bumper mechanism 10 may be used in a wide variety of applications, including non-automotive applications
Referring now to FIG. 2 , which is a cross-sectional illustration of the energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 1 , the cross-section being taken along the line 2 2 in the direction of the arrows. The energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 includes a tube member 14 . Although the tube member 14 is illustrated as a typical box beam, it should be understood that a wide variety of shapes and configurations of the tube member 14 are contemplated by the present invention. A first energy absorbing element 16 is positioned within the tube member 14 . The first energy absorbing member 16 includes at least one flange portion 18 capable of dispersing collision energy through vertical displacement within tube member 14 .
The energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 may additionally include a secondary energy absorbing element 20 , such as a foam energy absorber. Foam energy absorbers, often low density foam, are well known in the prior art In addition, the energy absorbing bumper assembly lQ may include a bumper cover 22 (facia)
It should be understood, however, that alternate embodiments may not utilize a secondary energy absorbing element 20 or may utilize multiple secondary energy absorber elements 20 . In a similar fashion, some embodiments may not utilize a bumper cover 22 .
Referring now to FIG. 3 , which is a cross-sectional view of the energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 2 shown reacting to a collision. The energy absorbing bumper assembly 10 dissipates energy from the collision in a plurality of ways. Some energy is dissipated through the horizontal deformation of the tube member 14 . Additional collision energy is dissipated by the horizontal deformation of the energy absorbing member 16 . The vertical deformation of the flange element(s) 18 also reduces and dissipates the collision energy. Finally, additional energy may be dissipated through any additional energy dissipating elements, such as the foam energy absorber 20 .
The first energy absorbing element 16 is illustrated in FIG. 3 with two flange elements 18 that displace in opposite vertical directions 24 when absorbing impact energy. It could be understood, however, that in alternate embodiments, the two flange elements 18 may move in a vertical direction towards each other, may both move in the same vertical direction 25 (see FIG. 2 .), or only one flange element may move 26 (see FIG. 8 ). The general shape of both the energy absorbing element 16 and the flange element(s) 18 may be modified into a variety of configurations.
In addition to the shapes and configurations of the first energy absorbing element 16 , a variety of configurations are contemplated to attach the energy absorbing element 16 to the tube member 14 . In one embodiment one flange element 19 is permanently affixed to the tube member 14 allowing the opposing flange element 18 to displace vertically during collision (see FIG. 8 ).In another embodiment, connection elements 30 , such as spot or tack welds, are used to connect the flange elements 18 are to the tube member 14 on only a few locations (see FIG. 4 ) allowing the majority of flange elements 18 (i.e. portions of the flange elements not in the immediate area of the welds) to displace vertically during impact. In another embodiment, the connection elements 30 may be low strength welds, adhesives, or other bonds utilized to attach flange elements 18 to the tube member 14 such that during collision , these low strengthebonds break free and allowvertical displacement of the flange elements 18 . In still another embodiment, the connection elements 30 may be mechanical fastener such as bolts, slips, or other devices used to attach flange elements 18 to the tube member 14 . In one final alternate embodiment, the face 28 of the first energy absorbing element 16 may be affixed to the tube member 14 and the flange elements(s) 18 may only contact the tube member 14 during collision.
In addition to the shapes and configurations of the first energy absorbing element 16 , a variety of configurations are contemplated to attach the energy absorbing element 16 to the tube member 14 . In one embodiment (not shown) one flange element 18 is permanently affixed to the tube member 14 allowing the opposing flange element 18 to displace vertically during collision. In another embodiment, the flange elements 18 are spot welded to the tube member 14 in only a few locations 30 (see FIG. 4 ) allowing the majority of flange elements 18 (i.e. portions of the flange elements not in the immediate area of the welds) to displace vertically during impact. In another embodiment (not shown) low strength welds or adhesives may be utilized to attach flange elements 18 to the tube member 14 such that during collision, these low strength attachments break free and allow vertical displacement of the flange elements 18 . In still another embodiment, mechanical fasteners (not shown) such as bolts, clips, or other devices may be used to attach flange elements 18 to the tube member 14 . In one final alternate embodiment, the face 28 of the first energy absorbing element 16 may be affixed to the tube member 14 and the flange element(s) 18 may only contact the tube member 14 during collision.
Finally, it is contemplated that the first energy absorbing element 16 may be utilized without the tube member 14 . In these embodiments (not shown) the first energy absorbing element 16 may be used in conjunction with other energy absorbing elements 20 , or may be used alone. The first energy absorbing element 16 may be mounted to any available surface in a fashion similar to the described mounting on the tube member 14 .
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.
| 1B
| 60 | R |
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Each component of the optical glass provided by the invention is described hereunder, and the content thereof is represented by wt % unless otherwise stated.
SiO2, an oxide forming glass, forms irregular continuous network with the structural units of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron and acts as the frame of optical glass. Besides, SiO2can maintain the devitrification resistance of glass. When the content of SiO2exceeds 10%, the meltability of optical glass will reduce and the softening temperature will increase. Therefore, the content of SiO2is 0.1 to 10%, preferably 3 to 7%.
B2O3, also an oxide forming glass network, is the major component to obtain stable glass especially in high-refractivity and low-dispersion lanthanide optical glass. When the content of B2O3is less than 9%, it is difficult to obtain stable glass and the devitrification resistance is unsatisfactory; but when the content of B2O3is higher than 20%, the refractive index of glass cannot reach the design goal and the chemical stability of glass will be reduced. Therefore, the content of B2O3is 9 to 20%, preferably 14 to 18%.
La2O3, as a main component of high-refractivity and low-dispersion optical glass, can increase the refractive index of glass and not obviously increase the dispersion of glass. In the formulation provided in the invention, the combination of B2O3and La2O3may effectively improve the devitrification resistance and strengthen the chemical stability of glass. However, when the content of La2O3is less than 20%, such effect cannot be achieved; while when the content exceeds 35%, the devitrification resistance of glass is liable to be poor. Therefore, the content of La2O3is 20 to 35%, preferably 27 to 32%.
ZrO2can improve the viscosity, hardness, flexibility, refractive index and chemical stability of glass and lower the coefficient of thermal expansion of glass. When the content of ZrO2exceeds 8%, devitrified phenomenon will occur and the devitrification resistance of the glass will be weakened. Therefore, the content of ZrO2is 1 to 8%, preferably 2 to 6%.
ZnO, as a key component to form low-melting-point optical glass, can reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of glass and improve the chemical stability, thermal stability and refractive index of glass. When the content of ZnO is greater than 20%, the devitrification of optical glass increases and dispersion is obviously enlarged, so it will be difficult to obtain the Abbe number (vd) above 40; while when the content of ZnO is less than 5%, the transition temperature of optical glass increases, so it will be difficult to obtain the transition temperature under 600° C. Therefore, the content of ZnO is preferably 5 to 20%, more preferably 12 to 17%.
Ta2O5can effectively improve the refractive index, chemical stability and devitrification resistance of glass. However, if its content is too little, the effects are not obvious; while if its content is excessive, it will be hard to maintain the optical constant as shown in the present invention. Therefore, Ta2O5is preferably 1 to 10%, more preferably 2 to 7% in terms of cost.
Gd2O3can enhance the refractive index of glass and not obviously increase the dispersion of glass. In addition, Gd2O3can effectively improve the devitrification resistance and strengthen the chemical stability of glass. The devitrification resistance of glass can be improved by mixing certain amount of Gd2O3and La2O3. When the content of Gd2O3is less than 5%, the effects are not obvious; while when the content of Gd2O3exceeds 15%, the devitrification resistance of glass is liable to be poor. Therefore, the content of Gd2O3is 5 to 15%, more preferably greater than 10% but less than 15%.
Y2O3is a high-refractivity and low-dispersion component, but it may significantly enhance the transition temperature of glass and is easily to raise the upper limit of devitrification temperature of glass. As rare-earth oxide raw materials, the price ration of Y2O3, La2O3and Gd2O3is approximately 1:1:3.5. Through researches, the inventor found that by using certain amount of Y2O3to replace Gd2O3, when the weight percentage ratio of Y2O3, Gd2O3and La2O3is 1:(1.5-2.5):(5-6) and especially when such ratio is around 1:2:6, low cost can be better achieved, the transition temperature and upper limit of devitrification temperature of glass will not be significantly increased, and the effects required by high-precision molding can be realized. Therefore, the content of Y2O3is preferably 1 to 10%, more preferably 4 to 8%.
TiO2can effectively increase the refractive index of glass. In the present invention, adding a certain amount of TiO2can also prevent the glass from discoloration due to sun exposure, but if the content is too high, the glass will be stained and the devitrification of glass tends to be increased significantly. Therefore, the content of TiO2is 0 to 2%, preferably 0.2 to 0.5%.
WO3is mainly used to maintain the optical constant in glass and improve glass devitrification, but if the content of WO3is too high, the transmissivity of glass will reduce, staining degree will increase and devitrification property is liable to be poor. Therefore, the content of WO3is preferably 1 to 12%, more preferably 4 to 7%.
In order to better obtain the optical glass provided in the invention, the total content of SiO2, B2O3, La2O3, ZrO2, ZnO, Ta2O5, Gd2O3, Y2O3and WO3is preferably greater than 97%, and La2O3/La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3preferably less than 0.67 in the invention.
Li2O can effectively reduce the transition temperature of glass and melting temperature during glass production. If the content of Li2O is too high, the devitrification resistance is liable to be degraded and it will be difficult to achieve the target optical constants. Therefore, the content of Li2O is preferably 0 to 3%, more preferably 0.1 to 1%.
Optionally, Sb2O3can be added as fining agent of glass in the glass melting process, usually with content at 0 to 1%. If the content of Sb2O3is too high, the platinum vessel will be greatly damaged.
In the following paragraphs, the performance of optical glass provided in this invention will be described:
Refractive index (nd) refers to annealing value from −2° C./h to −6° C./h. The refractive index and Abbe number are measured as per theTest Methods of Colorless Optical Glass—Refractive Index and Coefficient of Dispersion(GB/T7962.1-1987).
Transition temperature (Tg) is tested as perTest Methods of Colorless Optical Glass—Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient, Transition Temperature and Yield Point Temperature(GB/T7962.16-1987), namely, placing the tested sample in a certain temperature range, extending straight lines of a low-temperature region and a high-temperature region on an expansion curve of the tested sample for each 1 degree centigrade rise in temperature, intersecting the straight lines, wherein the temperature corresponding to the intersection point is the Tg.
Density is tested as perColorless Optical Glass Test Methods—Density(GB/T7962.20-1987).
The glass is processed into a sample which is 10 mm plus or minus 0.1 mm thick to test the wavelength λ80corresponding to the transmissivity of 80%.
The devitrification property of the glass is measured by gradient-furnace method which comprises the following steps: processing the glass into samples (180*10*10 mm), polishing lateral sides, placing the samples into a furnace with temperature gradient, taking out the samples after keeping the temperature for 4 hours, and observing the devitrification of glass under a microscope, wherein the maximum temperature corresponding to the appearance of crystals is the upper limit of devitrification temperature of glass. The lower the upper limit of devitrification temperature of glass is, the stronger the stability of glass under high temperature will be and the better production process performance will achieve.
The test shows that the optical glass provided by the invention has the following properties that the density is less than 5.0 g/cm3, refractive index (nd) ranges from 1.80 to 1.85, Abbe number (vd) ranges from 40 to 45, transition temperature (Tg) is lower than 600° C., the wavelength λ80corresponding to the transmissivity of 80% is less than 415 nm, and the upper limit of devitrification temperature below 1110° C.
EMBODIMENTS
In the following paragraphs, the embodiments of high-precision molding optical glass provided in the present invention will be described. What shall be noted is that these embodiments do not limit the scope of this invention.
The optical glasses (embodiments 1-40) shown in Tables 1 to 4 are formed by weighting based on the proportions of each embodiment in Tables 1 to 4, mixing the ordinary raw materials for optical glass (such as oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate and fluoride), placing the mixed raw materials in a platinum crucible, melting under the temperature of 1100 to 1300° C., obtaining homogeneous molten glass without bubbles and undissolved substances after melting, clarification, stirring and homogenization, shaping the molten glass in a mould and perform annealing.
Tables 1 to 4 indicate the composition, refractive index (nd), Abbe number (vd), density (ρ) and glass transition temperature (Tg) of embodiments 1˜40 of the invention. The composition of each component is represented by wt % in such tables.
TABLE 1EmbodimentsComposition12345678910SiO20.129.887.363.036.876.28.325.946.344.35B2O319.979.0316.9717.8615.215.412.4115.0516.5417.32La2O329.4634.8623.0329.831.8728.529.831.2528.9828.22ZrO27.881.116.212.125.864.75.74.393.284.85ZnO5.1219.7818.5616.9111.2315.116.215.4712.2216.1Ta2O59.781.138.692.766.764.54.395.644.916.25TiO21.860.450.480.210.350.210.36Gd2O314.855.0513.4514.8410.0512.511.3310.2612.5411.09Y2O38.865.453.047.894.126.04.66.377.525.34WO31.1211.851.044.066.926.66.54.586.315.97Li2O2.841.20.250.910.50.40.840.60.51Sb2O30.020.030.010.040.010.020.030.010.05nd1.8351.8491.8021.8311.8281.8221.8211.8281.8201.824vd44.840.145.043.343.042.542.343.142.242.3Tg(° C.)597585550598588596597572598591λ80386412395392396397395390398396Devitrification1100108511051070110010901085110010851085temperature(° C.)ρ (g/cm3)4.994.934.804.954.894.904.894.924.904.90
TABLE 2EmbodimentsComposition11121314151617181920SiO22.128.386.646.815.876.164.916.345.26.05B2O317.3710.8314.7717.117.0616.3417.0316.9316.716.38La2O330.5228.692926.8827.6229.1428.1726.6326.4526.28ZrO26.87.15.393.334.094.083.72.695.085.39ZnO15.1217.5514.6715.215.4716.2214.8215.6214.3515.71Ta2O53.785.386.275.384.392.916.225.336.084.35TiO20.460.270.370.290.350.410.440.28Gd2O313.529.511.2812.3514.1613.7112.3713.2813.8212.08Y2O38.343.683.456.576.444.336.515.386.926.34WO31.628.357.315.673.916.485.386.744.396.47Li2O0.810.540.760.440.620.340.540.650.570.67Sb2O30.020.010.020.030.020.040.020.010.030.02nd1.8411.8411.8421.8011.8131.8091.8251.8081.8191.813vd44.140.540.541.643.542.142.341.943.042.8Tg(° C.)575582580592595594590581593580λ80390395406392391398394396392395Devitrification1100110011001085109510851090109010901100temperature(° C.)ρ (g/cm3)4.964.944.954.904.874.854.894.854.884.86
TABLE 3EmbodimentsComposition21222324252627282930SiO25.14.855.15.025.125.135.224.885.115.2B2O317.216.1115.8316.0415.9916.215.8716.1716.1516.49La2O329.0729.9230.5129.4830.1829.429.8229.7429.6329.49ZrO24.013.964.264.034.254.084.324.084.313.88ZnO15.3415.2114.8815.1114.9215.0314.9515.0214.9815.2Ta2O55.225.464.865.044.875.144.955.124.885.1TiO20.250.310.270.320.380.360.280.330.290.34Gd2O312.312.2412.2512.6111.9612.5512.5212.5312.5112.39Y2O35.866.045.936.226.316.26.046.146.055.84WO35.125.325.65.615.485.425.485.515.625.56Li2O0.530.60.510.520.540.490.550.480.470.51Sb2O30.020.010.020.020.030.010.010.030.020.02nd1.8161.8301.8291.8281.8271.8241.8301.8291.8271.821vd42.542.642.742.642.842.642.742.742.742.4Tg(° C.)593591595595594596594596597594λ80389395396395396394395396395393Devitrification1090109510901090109010901090109010901090temperature(° C.)ρ (g/cm3)4.864.924.924.914.914.914.924.924.914.90
TABLE 4EmbodimentsComposition31323334353637383940SiO25.04.845.05.05.35.25.454.95.105.0B2O317.216.1015.9516.0515.816.015.916.216.1516.7La2O331.830.032.5532.232.431.030.030.028.9534.8ZrO24.003.954.264.054.253.95.304.004.303.04ZnO15.3515.2014.915.1014.8015.0514.9513.8515.014.2Ta2O55.005.654.855.14.855.06.55.04.94.0TiO20.250.300.270.320.380.350.280.240.290.35Gd2O310.612.010.259.6510.811.8510.015.013.7511.6Y2O35.36.05.856.45.45.956.05.55.8WO35.005.355.65.605.455.256.064.45.544.0Li2O0.500.60.500.510.550.490.550.40.500.50Sb2O30.010.020.020.020.010.010.010.020.01nd1.8191.8311.8301.8281.8271.8231.8241.8301.8261.830vd42.642.642.442.342.842.642.742.942.743.1Tg(° C.)595590595595594596593599596598λ80389395396395396393395385395390Devitrification1080109010901090108510851080108510851095temperature(° C.)ρ (g/cm3)4.874.924.924.914.914.904.904.934.904.93
As illustrated in the above embodiments, the optical glass provided by the invention is characterized by density (ρ) less than 5.0 g/cm3, refractive index (nd) ranging from 1.80 to 1.85, Abbe number (vd) ranging from 40 to 45, transition temperature (Tg) lower than 600° C., wavelength λ80corresponding to the transmissivity of 80% below 415 nm and upper limit of devitrification temperature below 1110° C., and is applicable to high-precision molding.
| 2C
| 03 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and it is to be understood that structural changes may be made and equivalent structures substituted for those shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, external pins provided on a memory storage device are used to dynamically set the burst length or hard set the burst length. An exemplary memory device200which may employ the invention is shown inFIG. 2, and is a256Mb double data rate synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM). As can be seen, memory device200has a plurality of control pins (for example, pins21,22,23,24are control pins). While the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to a 256 Mb DDR SDRAM, the present invention can be implemented with any memory storage device having external pins.
Memory storage device200can be configured to use a single external pin to toggle between two possible burst lengths or a plurality of external pins if a larger number of burst lengths is desired. In most memory chip designs, there are many external pins that are not connected (“NC”) and can be turned into control pins. As a result, the present invention can be easily incorporated into most chip designs. One or more of the NC pins can be used as burst length toggle pins. For example, if two possible burst lengths are desired, pin17of memory storage device200, which is labeled NC inFIG. 2, can be used. If the two possible burst lengths are 4 bytes and 8 bytes, then when pin17is high, the burst length is e.g. 4 bytes; when pin17is low, the burst length is e.g. 8 bytes, or vice versa. If a burst length of 2 bytes is also desirable, NC pin25can also be used as up to four burst lengths can be programmed with two control pins. Although the description discusses several different burst lengths, the number of dynamically defined burst lengths is determined based on the number of available external pins.
FIG. 3is a block diagram of theFIG. 2256 M×16 DDR SDRAM. Control logic310, as shown inFIG. 3, receives a data signal on the burst length input pin (e.g. external pin17) as an input. One or more external pins can be used to input burst length data. A command decode circuit312, which is part of the memory device control logic310, determines what the burst length is based on the data signals applied to the external burst control pin(s). For example, if the external burst pin is a single pin17(i.e. for 2 possible burst lengths), the command decode determines if the voltage on pin17is set to Vcc indicating a first burst length or Vss indicating a second burst length. The status of the one or more burst length pins sets appropriate internal burst codes (FIG. 4, decode circuits75,77) within the command and decode circuit312.
Implementation of the present invention requires very little internal change to existing memory devices. Thus, where the burst length would previously be output from mode register100(FIG. 1) to other circuits within control logic310(FIG. 2) to set burst length, in the present invention, it is output to the other circuits from one or more decode circuits or data latches75,77(FIG. 4) within command decode circuit312which now contains this data. In both the conventional memory device ofFIG. 2and one in accordance with the present invention, the burst length data is used by the control logic310to set burst length. Accordingly, nothing outside of the control logic310needs to be changed to implement the present invention, and very little change within control logic310is required.
By using external control pins to control the burst length instead of the mode register100, the burst length can be controlled dynamically from the exterior of the memory device100. The burst length also can be changed simultaneously with a READ or WRITE command.
In addition to using the external control pins to determine the burst length, the burst type can also be set using external control pins. This allows the burst type to also be set dynamically. As with using the external control pins to adjust burst length, using the external control pins to determine the burst type can be easily incorporated into most existing memory storage device designs by using another one of the NC pins. For example, referring toFIG. 2, external pin53could be used to determine burst type of the memory device200. If burst type pin53is e.g. high, the burst type is interleaved; if burst type pin53is e.g. low, the burst type is sequential.
The same type of modifications necessary to change control of the burst length from mode register100to the external pin17are necessary to change control of the burst type from mode register100to external pin53. Thus, a decode circuit79(FIG. 5) within the column decode and burst counter circuit312receives a data signal applied to external pin53and the output of this circuit79goes to the same circuitry within the control logic312which processes burst type data previously set in the mode register100. Thus, controlling burst type with an external control pin only requires a small internal change within control logic310.
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses the address pins to set burst length and/or burst type. As shown inFIG. 3, thirteen external pins (e.g. A0-A12) are input into address register320for addressing. Both row and column addresses use the same 13 pins. During column addressing, however, only 10 (A0, . . . , A9) of the 13 pins are needed. The remaining three pins (A10. . . A12) can be used to determine burst length and/or burst type.
In this embodiment burst length data is applied to one or more of address pins A10. . . A12.FIG. 6shows two such address lines (A10, A11) being used for this purpose. A decode circuit81decodes this data and supplies the burst length information to the column address counter/latch330(FIG. 3). If less than all of the unused address lines are required for setting burst length, any remaining lines, e.g. A12inFIG. 6, can be used to set burst type decode circuit77(FIG. 5).
It should be noted that althoughFIG. 6shows a decoder81for the burst length signal(s) which is external to the column address counter/latch330, decoder81may also be incorporated within the column address counter/latch330.
The mode register for a memory device implementing embodiments of the present invention does not require the bit positions A0-A2illustrated in mode register100for setting burst length and/or bit position A3for setting burst type and can therefore be made shorter in length, or the unused bit positions may be used for other functions.
The invention may be used in many types of memory devices in addition to the DDR SDRAM memory device illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 7shows a processor system, such as, for example, a computer system in which the invention may be used. The processor system generally comprises a central processing unit (CPU)710, for example, a microprocessor, that communicates with one or more input/output (I/O) devices740,750over a bus770. The system700also includes random access memory (RAM)760, a read only memory (ROM)780and, in the case of a computer system may include a permanent data storage device708and peripheral devices such as a floppy disk drive720and a compact disk (CD) ROM drive730which also communicates with CPU710over the bus770. The random access memory (RAM)760may incorporate external pin control of burst length and/or burst type in accordance with the invention. In addition, one or more of memory devices760,780may be fabricated as an integral part with CPU710. WhileFIG. 7represents one processor system architecture, many others are also possible.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiments various additions, deletions, substitutions, or other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
| 6G
| 06 | F |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Reference is made toFIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of apparatus20for restoring at least partial vision in a subject, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. Apparatus20comprises an extraocular device40and an intraocular device60.
Extraocular device40typically comprises an eyeglasses frame4022, configured to be placed in front of an eye28of a subject, and a power source, typically a non-visible light source4024, coupled to the eyeglasses frame and configured to emit an infrared light beam26toward eye28of the subject. Additionally, coupled to eyeglasses frame4022, is an imaging device4080which typically comprises a wide-angle lens80which captures a wide-field image of the subject's environment (indicated by light rays4082).
Intraocular device60is implanted entirely in eye28, typically, in an epiretinal position. Intraocular device60comprises an energy receiver6020(FIGS. 3 and 5), which receives light beam26from power source4024to power components of intraocular device60. Intraocular device60further comprises a photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensors, a plurality of stimulating electrodes, and driving circuitry configured to utilize the energy from the energy receiver to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina (components of intraocular device60are illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 5). Stimulation of the retina elicits action potentials in the retinal ganglion cells, restoring some vision by activating the intact mechanisms of the eye.
In general, apparatus20captures the wide-field image using imaging device4080and processes the wide-field image such that only a representation of a sub-portion of the wide-field image (the sub-portion being the portion of the image that is in the gaze direction of the subject) is ultimately applied to the retina by the electrodes of intraocular device60.
Processing of the wide-field image into a sub-portion of the image that corresponds to an image in the gaze direction of the subject is typically accomplished by communication between extraocular device40and intraocular device60as described herein below with reference toFIGS. 2A-5.
Reference is now made toFIGS. 2A-CandFIG. 3, which depict apparatus20in accordance with some applications of the present invention. More specifically, in the applications described with reference toFIGS. 2A-3, apparatus20performs image registration in which two separate sets of image data (one from extraocular imaging device4080and another from internal imaging photosensor array6050) are integrated into a coordinate system.
Reference is first made toFIGS. 2A-B. As described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 1, apparatus20comprises an extraocular device40and an intraocular device60. Extraocular device40comprises imaging device4080which typically captures a wide field of view (FOV), i.e., a wide field image, that is in the subject's environment. It is noted that although there are typically movements of eye28, these eye movements do not change the field of view of imaging device4080. The wide field of view captured by imaging device4080is represented by rays4082inFIGS. 2A-B.
Independently of external imaging device4080, photosensor array6050of intraocular device60captures a visual scene represented by rays6082. Photosensor array6050is typically an intraocular imager that is implanted on retina16of the subject as part of implantable intraocular device60, to replace the functionality of the native photosensor cells. Placing the imager intraocularly typically mimics the natural visual path, and as such supports natural ocular phenomena, for example, eye movement.
Since intraocular device60is typically fixed to retina16, photosensor array6050is typically affected by movements of eye28such that the visual scene captured by photosensor array6050is a visual scene in a gaze direction of the subject. Due to implant-size limitations, photosensor array6050typically captures a field of view that is smaller than the field of view captured by external imaging device4080. As shown inFIGS. 2A-B, the image captured by photosensor array6050and indicated by rays6082, is a sub-portion of the wide field image captured by imaging device4080and indicated by rays4082. Typically, rays6082represent a visual scene that is in the direction of the gaze of the subject, therefore representing a region of interest to the subject.
Apparatus20performs an image registration process using the two separate sets of data (i.e., the image captured by imaging device4080and the image captured by photosensor array6050) to generate a unified coordinate system, essentially achieving the same functionality as an eye tracking system which provides information regarding a gaze direction of the subject. Thus, the image from imaging device4080may be cropped in accordance with the gaze direction of the subject to include a sub-portion of the wide-field image that is in the gaze direction of the subject. The data from the processed image from imaging device4080is subsequently transmitted to intraocular device60such that electrodes6060apply currents to retina16based on the processed image from extraocular device40.
Reference is now made toFIG. 2C. Typically, the processed image that is derived from extraocular imaging device4080is of a wider field of view than that available based on data from photosensor array6050in intraocular device60. As shown inFIG. 2Cand described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 2A-B, the image captured by photosensor array6050and indicated by rays6082, is a sub-portion of the wide field image captured by imaging device4080and indicated by rays4082. Typically, rays6082represent a visual scene captured by photosensor array6050and in the direction of the gaze of the subject, therefore representing a region of interest to the subject. However, due to implant-size limitations, photosensor array6050typically captures a relatively small field of view in the gaze direction of the subject.
As described herein, apparatus20performs an image registration process using two separate sets of data (i.e., the image captured by imaging device4080and the image captured by photosensor array6050) to generate a processed image of the externally-captured image. As described hereinabove and shown inFIG. 2C, the processed image includes a sub-portion of the wide-field image captured by extraocular imaging device4080(indicated by rays4082). Additionally, as shown inFIG. 2C, the processed image derived from the extraocular imaging device4080, indicated by box9040, is of a wider field of view than that of photosensor array6050, indicated by rays6082. Electrical stimulation based on the data from the processed image from imaging device4080is subsequently applied to retina16, thus providing an enhanced sensation of an image by combining advantages of both an extraocular imager and an intraocular imager. Namely, providing a sensation of an image that is both (a) in a region of interest to the subject, and (b) is of a larger field of view and higher quality than would have been possible using only the intraocular imager.
Reference is now made toFIG. 3, which is a block diagram of the transmission of energy and image data between extraocular device40and intraocular device60to achieve image registration in apparatus20, in accordance with some applications of the present invention.
As shown and described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2A-B, extraocular device40comprises imaging device4080which is configured to capture a wide field of view (FOV).
Extraocular device40additionally comprises a power source, shown as IR transmitter4024. IR transmitter4024is typically a laser which emits beam of light26to power components of intraocular device60. Beam of light26is typically outside of the visible light range, e.g., outside 380-750 nm. Beam of light transmitted to intraocular device60is received by energy receiver6020. Intraocular device60additionally comprises a voltage regulator6022configured to maintain a generally constant voltage level to power the components of intraocular device60.
Intraocular device60further comprises photosensor array6050which comprises a plurality of photosensors. Photosensor array6050detects photons of visible light and by doing so, captures a visual scene in a gaze direction of the subject (as noted above, since photosensor array6050is placed and secured within the eye, the subject can naturally scan a scene by moving his eyes). The image captured by photosensor array6050is typically transmitted upstream to extraocular device40via data transmitter6040, for registration with the image captured by imaging device4080as described hereinabove. For some applications, instead of the entire image captured by photosensor array6050being transmitted to extraocular device40, the image is processed by processing circuitry6074of intraocular device60(in particular the image is processed by an image processor6090of intraocular device60) so that principle features are extracted from the image (such as straight lines, or areas of high contrast). The set of features is then transmitted via data transmitter6040to extraocular device40for registration with the image captured by imaging device4080. The image data from data transmitter6040(the captured image or the features of the image) are received in extraocular device40by data receiver4036and transferred to processing circuitry4074in extraocular device40. In particular, the image data is processed by extraocular control circuitry4070and image processor4072for registration with the image captured by imaging device4080. Based on the image data from intraocular device60, the wide field image captured by imaging device4080is processed by image processor4072. The image data from intraocular device60provides information regarding the gaze direction of the subject, and based on that information, the image captured by imaging device4080is cropped such that a sub-portion of the wide-field image which is in the gaze direction of the subject is included in the cropped image. The processed image is transmitted back to intraocular device60via data transmitter4034and received in intraocular device60by data receiver6030and intraocular control circuitry6070. Control circuitry6070transmits data in response to the received processed image to driving circuitry6080, which in turn drives electrodes6060to apply currents to retina16.
Reference is still made toFIG. 3. For some applications, total image data of the image captured by extraocular imaging device4080are transmitted downstream to intraocular device60via data transmitter4034, for registration with the image captured by photosensor array6050.
For such applications, the image data from data transmitter4034are received in intraocular device60by data receiver6030and transferred to processing circuitry6074in intraocular device60for processing. In particular, the image data are processed by intraocular control circuitry6070and image processor6090for registration with the image captured by photosensor array6050. Based on registration of the data from the extraocular device4080and intraocular photosensor array6050, the wide field image captured by imaging device4080is cropped by image processor6090. The image data from intraocular device60provide information regarding the gaze direction of the subject, and based on that information, the image captured by imaging device4080is processed (e.g., cropped) such that a sub-portion of the wide-field image which is in the gaze direction of the subject is included in the processed image. Control circuitry6070transmits data based on the processed image to driving circuitry6080, which in turn drives electrodes6060to apply currents to retina16.
Typically, the processed image that is derived from the extraocular imaging device4080is of a wider field of view and/or of higher quality than that available based on data from photosensor array6050in intraocular device60.
Reference is still made toFIG. 3. For some applications, IR transmitter4024and data transmitter4034are a common element, configured to transmit both (a) data representative of an image and (b) power for operation of intraocular device60. Typically, for such applications, IR beam26is modulated by a suitable modulation protocol to transmit data representative of the image captured by imaging device4080, in addition to power. Additionally, for such applications, energy receiver6020and data receiver6030are a common element.
Reference is now made toFIGS. 4A-Band5. In the applications shown inFIGS. 4A-Band5, apparatus20detects a gaze direction of the subject based on a manner in which non-visible light beam26from IR transmitter4024is received by intraocular device60.
Components of extraocular device40shown inFIGS. 4A-Band5are generally analogous to those already described herein with reference toFIGS. 2A-Band3, except as described hereinbelow. As shown, extraocular device40comprises imaging device4080which typically captures a wide field of view (FOV) that is in the subject's environment (indicated by rays4082inFIGS. 4A-B). Imaging device4080is coupled to eyeglass4022, which are placed in front of the eye of the subject.
Additionally, coupled to eyeglass4022, is IR transmitter4024which emits non-visible infrared light beam26toward eye28. IR transmitter4024is typically fixed to eyeglass4022in a known location with respect to imaging device4080. Infrared light beam26emitted from IR transmitter4024is used to power the components of intraocular device60. Typically, infrared light beam26is a non-uniform light source having a stable intensity profile; for example, infrared light beam26may be brighter at the center than at the edges. It is noted that typically the infrared light emitted from IR transmitter4024does not contain data representative of an image. (For applications in which IR transmitter4024and data transmitter4034are a common element, however, the infrared light emitted from IR transmitter4024typically contains data representative of an image.)
Intraocular device60illustrated inFIGS. 4A-Btypically comprises energy receiver6020configured to receive infrared light beam26from IR transmitter4024. Intraocular device60further comprises a voltage regulator6022configured to maintain a generally constant voltage level to power the components of intraocular device60.
Intraocular device60additionally comprises photosensor array6052. Since intraocular device60is fixed to retina16, photosensor array6052moves in correspondence with movements of eye28. Additionally, photosensor array6052is typically sensitive to infrared light beam26from IR transmitter4024. Unlike photosensor array6050described herein with reference toFIGS. 2A-BandFIG. 3, photosensor array6052is generally not sensitive to visible ambient light and does not capture an ambient image in the subject's environment. Instead, light beam26from IR transmitter4024reaches photosensor array6052, and photosensor array6052generates a signal in response to a parameter of the beam of light, the parameter being indicative of a gaze direction of the subject, as described hereinbelow. Based on the indication of the gaze direction of the subject, the wide-field image captured by external imaging device4080is cropped to include a sub-portion of the wide-field image (the sub-portion corresponding to an image that is in the gaze direction of the subject).
For some applications, the parameter of light beam26comprises an intensity of light beam26. IR sensitive photosensor array6052receives light beam26, and generates a signal in response to an intensity profile of light beam26. The signal generated by photosensor array6052is processed by intraocular control circuitry6070to determine the position of intraocular device60with respect to IR transmitter4024. Based on determining the position of intraocular device60with respect to IR transmitter4024, the direction of the gaze of the subject is established and the image captured by imaging device4080is processed. For example,FIG. 4Ashows a Gaussian curve graph representing the distribution of light beam26from IR transmitter4024when intraocular device60is centered with light beam26. In such cases the Gaussian peak is measured in the center of the X and Y axes of the photosensor array6050. InFIG. 4B, eye28is rotated such that the measured Gaussian peak shifts in the X and Y axes. By measuring the shift of the peak (or the profile curve in general) in the X and Y axes, the position of the implant can once again be evaluated relative to the beam.
FIG. 5is a block diagram of the transmission of energy and image data between extraocular device40and intraocular device60in accordance with some applications of the present invention. Extraocular device40is typically powered by an external power source4030, e.g., a battery. Extraocular device40comprises imaging device4080which is configured to capture a wide field of view (FOV). Extraocular device40additionally comprises a power source, shown as a non-visible light source, such as IR transmitter4024. IR transmitter4024is typically a laser which emits beam of light26to power components of intraocular device60. Beam of light26is typically outside of the visible light range, e.g., outside 380-750 nm. Beam of light26transmitted to intraocular device60is received by energy receiver6020. Intraocular device60additionally comprises a voltage regulator6022configured to maintain a constant voltage level to power the components of intraocular device60.
As described with references toFIGS. 4A-B, intraocular device60further comprises photosensor array6052, which comprises a plurality of photosensors. Photosensor array6052receives light beam26, and generates a signal in response to an intensity profile of light beam26. The signal generated by photosensor array6052is processed by intraocular control circuitry6070to determine the position of intraocular device60with respect to IR transmitter4024. The data from intraocular control circuitry6070is transmitted upstream to extraocular device40via data transmitter6040to data receiver4036in extraocular device40. The data received by data receiver4036are transferred to processing circuitry4074(extraocular control circuitry4070and image processor4072). Image processor4072processes the image captured by imaging device4080, based on the information from intraocular device60with regard to the gaze direction of the subject (that was determined based on determining the position of intraocular device60with respect to IR transmitter4024), and the image captured by imaging device4080is cropped such that a sub-portion of the wide-field image which is in the gaze direction of the subject is included in the image. The processed image is transmitted back to intraocular device60via data transmitter4034and received in intraocular device60by data receiver6030and intraocular control circuitry6070. Control circuitry6070generates a signal in response to the received processed image, and the signal is transmitted to driving circuitry6080, which drives the electrode6060to apply currents to retina16.
Reference is still made toFIG. 5. For some applications, total image data of the image captured by extraocular imaging device4080are transmitted downstream to intraocular device60via data transmitter4034, for processing by intraocular processing circuitry6074in accordance with the position and orientation of intraocular device60with respect to IR transmitter4024. That is, the image captured by imaging device4080is processed (e.g., cropped) such that a sub-portion of the wide-field image which is in the gaze direction of the subject is included in the processed image. Control circuitry6070transmits data based on the processed image to driving circuitry6080, which in turn drives electrodes6060to apply currents to retina16.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.
| 0A
| 61 | F |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to the description of the prior art and FIGS. 4 to 11
relate to the description of the invention. Like elements in the drawings
are denoted by like reference designators.
In addition to constant-impedance .lambda./4 transmission line resonators,
an impedance step resonator, schematically depicted in FIG. 3, is employed
by certain filters designed for mobile phone applications. The .lambda./4
resonator in the figure comprises two consecutive transmission lines TL1
and TL2, and the impedances of its open and short-circuited ends are
unequal. In prior art arrangements, the use of impedance step resonators
aims at shortening the physical length of the resonator construction
and/or improving the harmonic attenuation characteristics of the filter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4 506 241 discloses how a first odd harmonic resonating
frequency (fs1) can be shifted further up from frequency 3*f0 so that the
harmonic attenuation requirements of a filter in a system in the frequency
range f0 can be met. As is known, the construction is also used in a
filter where one dielectric block comprises several resonators. U.S. Pat.
No. 4 733 208 discloses how the impedance step construction is applied to
the adjustment of electromagnetic coupling between such resonators.
In the arrangement according to the invention, the impedance step resonator
has such specifications that its fundamental resonating frequency, marked
f0 below, is at the lower operating frequency of the dual band or dual
mode apparatus and the odd harmonic resonating frequency (fs1) is at the
higher operating frequency of the apparatus. Then that resonator can be
used for filtering in both systems.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of a known implementation of the impedance
step resonator. A dielectric body block 1 is bounded by two parallel end
surfaces 3 and 4, which customarily are called an upper surface (3) and a
lower surface (4) without any restrictions to the operating position of
the construction. The block is further bounded by side surfaces 2, which
are perpendicular to the end surfaces and most often parallel in pairs,
thereby making the block 1 a rectangular prism. The block has a
cylindrical hole for a resonator, and a first section 5 of the hole has a
diameter greater than that of a second section 6. The length of section 5
is denoted by L1 and the length of section 6 by L2.
Of the block surfaces at least one side surface 2, the inner surfaces of
the holes 5, 6 and at least part of the lower surface 4 are coated with an
electrically conductive material. The resonator hole 6 opening to the
upper surface 3 is disconnected from the coating, either so that the
entire upper surface 3 is uncoated or so that there is an electrically
non-conductive area around the hole. It is also possible to form the
resonator hole so that it does not open to the upper surface buth the
resonator hole is closed on the side of the upper surface 3. The coating
on the lower surface 4 is formed in such a manner that it is connected to
the resonator hole coating and hence to the side surface coating, thereby
forming a short-circuited end for the resonator. In the application shown
in FIG. 4, the impedance step is formed by making a step in the resonator
hole in such a manner that the diameter of the hole facing the filter's
upper surface 3 is smaller than that of the hole facing the lower surface
4. Thus, the holes with different diameters have different impedances. In
this case, the impedance of the hole 5 facing the short-circuited end is
smaller than that of the hole 6 facing the open end. The resonator is
physically a little longer in the horizontal direction of the drawing than
a constant-impedance transmission line resonator.
The invention is not limited to a dielectric resonator arrangement like the
one described above but it can be applied in many ways. Impedance step
resonators can also be strip line resonators, for example. In a dielectric
resonator, the impedance step need not necessarily be achieved by means of
a step in the inner conductor but the step may also be located on the
plated outer surface of the body block.
Mathematics found in "A design method of band-pass filters using
dielectric-filled coaxial resonators. IEEE TMTT No. 2 February 1985" can
be used for the dimensioning of the resonator. Let us examine a resonator
to be used in the filtering of the receive branches of the GSM system and
the DCS 1800 system, for instance. The fundamental resonating frequency f0
must then be about 950 MHz and fs1 must be about 2*f0. To simplify the
dimensioning, the physical lengths of the resonator's upper and lower
parts are made equal (L1=L2). According to the aforementioned scientific
publication, fs1 is given as the function of f0 and K by the formula
##EQU1##
where K represents the ratio of impedance Z2 to impedance Z1. K can be
solved by writing the formula (1) as follows:
##EQU2##
Considering that fs1=2*f0, we get K=3. So, in our example Z2/Z1=K=3, ie.
the transmission line upper end impedance Z2=3*Z1.
Let us next calculate the physical lengths (L1=L2) of the resonator's lower
and upper parts.
##EQU3##
Above we established that K=3, and .epsilon..sub.96 is a constant depending
on the material used, so formula (3) gives us the length of the resonator
parts 5 and 6 which only depends on the frequency f0. One should note that
the same formulas apply to any ratio of the frequencies f0 and fs1.
Substituting the desired frequency values in formula (2) we get a value
for K which together with frequency fo determines the length of the
resonator parts according to formula (3).
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a band pass filter wherein the impedances of
the parts of impedance step resonators Ra and Rb are chosen such that Z2=3
*Z1. FIG. 6 shows the simulated frequency response of such a filter. We
can see that the filter has two obvious pass bands the first of which is
at frequency f0 and the second is at a frequency two times higher.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a band pass filter wherein the impedances of
the parts of impedance step resonators Ra and Rb are again chosen such
that Z2=3 *Z1. FIG. 8 shows the simulated frequency response of such a
filter. We can see that the filter has two obvious stop bands the first of
which is at frequency f0 and the second is at a frequency two times
higher.
It is easy to arrange in the filters shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 separate ports
for the higher and lower frequency band systems. Furthermore, the
specifications of the different systems, which set minimum requirements
for the attenuation of certain frequency bands, may require additional
filtering at the ports. FIG. 9 shows a filter according to an advanced
embodiment of the invention, where the basic element is a filter according
to FIG. 5. The port (in) depicted as an input port in FIG. 5 is an antenna
port (port 1) in the filter shown in FIG. 9. From an output port (out)
according to FIG. 5 the signal path branches into a lower frequency band
branch (port 2) and higher frequency band branch (port 3). In the lower
frequency band branch (port 2) there is a known LC circuit LC1 comprising
an inductive and a capacitive element connected in parallel, which
attenuates signals propagating at frequency 2*f0. In the higher frequency
band branch (port 3) there is an LC high pass chain LC2 according to a
known construction to provide sufficient attenuation in this branch at
frequency f0 and to provide the necessary isolation between ports 2 and 3.
FIG. 10 illustrates simulated pass attenuation between ports 1 and 2 for a
filter according to FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 illustrates simulated pass
attenuation between ports 1 and 3 for the same filter. According to FIG.
10, the filter has between ports 1 and 2 a pass band at f0 and a narrow
stop band at a frequency two times higher. The attenuation at both sides
of the narrow stop band is at least -25 dB. According to FIG. 11, the
filter has between ports 1 and 3 a pass band at the higher operating
frequency and an attenuation of at least -28 dB at f0.
Although an impedance step resonator, in the direction of its longitudinal
axis, is usually longer than a single-frequency constant-impedance
resonator corresponding to either of its operating frequencies, the
arrangement according to the invention saves space in a radio apparatus
because one resonator replaces two separate resonators. If a whole filter
can be implemented with single resonators instead of two parallel
resonator groups, the saving of space is considerable. | 7H
| 01 | P |
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIGS. 1 and 2, a
photographic negative film scanning apparatus for scanning and digitizing
images on frames of the film is designated generally by the numeral 10.
The apparatus 10 includes a board support member or 11 on which are
mounted conventional film transport 12, 13, a capstan drive 14, an
integrating cavity 15, a conventional imager with imaging board designated
generally by the numeral 16, a DX bar code reader 17 for determining the
type of film being scanned, a film cleaning apparatus 18, a bar code
reader 24 for reading order processing data, and spring-biased tension
rollers 19, 20 to maintain the film at a substantially constant tension
during the high resolution scanning pass. In addition, other idler rollers
21, 22, 23 and 25 are mounted on the board 11 to maintain a smooth but
tight path for the film F shown in long and short dash lines. A gate 100
mounted on an optical chassis 400 and seen in more detail in FIG. 3-9, is
rotated, during the high resolution scanning pass in an arc of about
61/2.degree. on both sides of a vertical axis constituting an initializing
position in which the gate assumes during the low resolution operation.
The film F which is supplied from reel 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is
advanced by the capstan mechanism 14 by pulling the film F from the supply
reel 12 over the gate 100 and onto the take-up reel 13. It will be
understood, of course, that the capstan mechanism 14 can be disposed on
the right-hand side of the scanning apparatus to push the film F over the
gate 100 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A lens protector device 200 is provided in close proximity to the LCM
optical scanning mechanism to protect its lens from dust and the like as
more fully described in co-pending application Ser. No. 943,424 entitled
LENS PROTECTOR DEVICE, filed in the names of Tomi Lahcanski, et al. on
Sep. 14, 1992. Inasmuch as the details of the lens protecting device 200
are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, further
details with respect thereto are dispensed with and the contents of said
application are incorporated by reference herein for background as to the
overall construction of the scanning apparatus.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the optical chassis 400 can be in the form of, for
example, a cast aluminum part in which the mounting for the integrating
cavity 15, the mountings 402, 403 for the gate sensors, and the mountings
408, 409 for the bearings 404, 405 (FIG. 7), respectively for registration
with a wear plate on the gate 100 are formed integrally with the vertical
base 411 of the optical chassis 400. Thus, the reinforced optical chassis
serves as a precision bearing mounting surface to maintain the most
precise alignment of the gate with the imaging unit 16 possible.
A circular aperture 401 is provided in vertical base 411 (and through a
mounting portion 414, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) for rotatably
accommodating a shaft (502, as shown in FIG. 9) of a drive system for
moving the gate 100 in a pendulum-like manner. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a
set of mounts 410A, 410B, and 410C, integral with vertical base 411, for
holding an optical system of the scanning apparatus, generally designated
at 16 in FIG. 1.
On the rear portion of the optical chassis base 411 as shown in FIG. 6, a
mounting 414 for the gate drive system can also be integrally cast into
the base as well as a continuous rib 413 whose purpose is to isolate the
scanning apparatus 10, to which the chasis 400 is attached, as shown in
FIG. 1, for example, from the remaining components of the cabinet by being
tuned to a higher natural frequency than the scanning frequency. Moreover,
any cabinet vibration caused by non-scanning apparatus will not be
transmitted to the scanning apparatus to distort the image being scanned
and digitized. One of ordinary skill will know the techniques used to
configure and construct the rib which in this embodiment is a continuous
rib in a roughly A-shape. It will be appreciated, of course, that
depending upon the exact design of the optical chassis 400, the materials
used in the scanning apparatus 10 and other variables that the shape and
size of the rib 413 may change to achieve the higher natural frequency for
achieving vibration isolation. The essential criteria are that the rib
provide the tuning to the higher natural frequency while giving
reinforcement to the chassis to permit the latter to be made less massive.
The less massive chassis, in turn, reaches an equilibrium thermal state
much more quickly after start-up and thus allows a steady state operation
of the scanning apparatus during virtually its entire operation.
It will be further understood that the rib 413, as with the previously
mentioned mounting components, is integrally cast into the vertical base
411 of the optical chassis. For ease of illustration, only certain of the
components have been shown as being filleted to designate integral casting
with the understanding, however, that all the parts shown on the optical
chassis of FIGS. 5 and 6 are integrally cast. The overall integral chassis
unit thus achieves a stiffness which maintains the focus necessary for
high resolution while the less massive chassis allows this focus to be
maintained over the span of operations of the scanning apparatus which can
be for several hours at a time.
FIG. 7 shows in somewhat more detail how gate wear plate bearings 404, 405
and respective eccentric bearing shafts 406, 407 are mounted on the
optical chassis with retaining plates 412 being screwed or bolted into the
mounting surface. FIG. 8 shows how the gate drive system 500, the details
of operation of which are not here relevant, is mounted compactly on the
optical chassis 400 on the rear surface at the mounting portion 414. An
aperture 415 in the vertical base of the optical chassis 400 is provided
to accommodate the solenoid and solenoid mounting plate for the clamp
mechanism 300 mounted on the gate 100 for clamping the film to the gate
100 for transportation with the gate. Details of the gate 100 are
disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 943,425 entitled
ARC-SEGMENT-SHAPED GATE FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM SCANNING APATUS filed in
the names of Eric P. Hochreiter, et al. on Sep. 14, 1992, a description of
which is incorporated by reference herein. Likewise, details of the
operation of the clamp are described in application Ser. No. 943,423
entitled CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT FOR FILM SCANNING APATUS filed in the
names of Tomi Lahcanski, et al. on Sep. 14, 1992, a description of which
is incorporated by reference herein. The details of the gate drive system
are further described in application Ser. No. 943,427 entitled SCANNING
APATUS GATE DRIVE SYSTEM filed in the names of Eric P. Hochreiter, et
al. on Sep. 14, 1992, the details of which are incorporated by reference
herein, although not necessary for a full understanding of the optical
chassis 400 itself.
FIG. 9 shows the bearing eccentric shafts 406, 407 and their bearings
(bearing 406 being visible in FIG. 9) fully mounted on the optical chassis
400, as well as the gate 100 sensors 402S, 403S which detect the end of
movement of the gate in a pendulum-like manner during normal scanning
operations. Furthermore, the shaft 502 upon which a spherical bearing of
the gate 100 is mounted also extends through the front portion of the
optical chassis and is part of the gate drive system 500.
Finally, FIG. 10 shows the optical chassis 400 with the gate (except for
idler rollers), integrating cavity 15 which contains a heat generating
lamp, imager 16 and imaging board 16' mounted thereon. Thermal isolation
of the lamp of the integrating cavity 15 from the chassis 400 is achieved
with a phenolic block 416 mounted to the chassis. It will be apparent from
this view that the optical chassis 400, in addition to providing superior
reinforcement for the scanning apparatus cabinet, provides an integral
module which permits prealignment of the scanning apparatus optics prior
to insertion of the chassis into the scanning cabinet and also provides
interchangeability of the entire scanning apparatus for easier servicing
and repair.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is
to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and
example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope
of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the
appended claims. | 6G
| 03 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now toFIGS. 1 to 3the assembled watercraft10includes a hull or flotation platform12and a bicycle frame14adapted to be mounted to the hull platform12. In the depicted embodiment, the flotation platform comprises a mono-hull; however the floatation platform could also be a multi-hull such as a catamaran or trimaran.
The hull12has a bow B, a stern S, a starboard side St and a port side P. The hull12includes a longitudinal slot16as best seen inFIG. 4. The slot16may have different shapes. The hull12is light weight, buoyant and has dimensions that are only sufficient, depending on the material used, to float while supporting a person mounted to the bicycle frame14. The hull12may have larger dimensions; however the speed of travel will be compromised as the wettable area is increased. The material can be any known mouldable material used for floats, and formed by blow-moulding or by a mould known as Rotomould™. The hull could also be formed with a porous core and a fibreglass skin or other buoyant material. The material must be of sufficient structural strength to support the bicycle frame in an upright position.
The bicycle frame14is mounted to a beam42that is adapted to fit in the slot16of the hull12. If the slot16has a different shape than the elongated slot shown in the drawings, the bicycle frame14and beam42will have a corresponding shape. The beam42will include fasteners (not shown) to lock the bicycle frame14in a fixed position to the hull12when assembled. The bicycle frame14includes a post32mounting a cantilevered beam15extending aft, above and parallel to the beam42as well as a tubular base member43attached to the beam42. A brace34may be provided between the column32and the beam15, as shown. A seat18is mounted to a carriage18athat slides on track18cthat is fixed to the beam15. A backrest19is mounted to the carriage18aby means of a vertical support36. Thus the seat18can slide on the beam15in order to adjust the position of the seat18.
The forward portion of beam15mounts a bushing20athat supports steering column20for rotation about the axis of the bushing20a. A handle bar28is fixed to the upper reaches of the steering column20. In the present embodiment the steering column20is made up of a pair of parallel tubes as shown.
Referring toFIGS. 4 and 7, a further cantilevered beam30extends forward of the column32and mounts a pedal assembly22. The frame also includes a base tube43for added structural support, which extends rearwardly from the column32and is mounted to beam42. The pedal assembly includes a sprocket24and a chain26. The chain26drives a sprocket37in the gearbox49formed in the keel38. An elongated bore62extends within the keel from the gearbox49to the propeller40. A worm and sprocket gear combination50is associated with the sprocket37to drive the shafts51,54and56. The segmented shafts51,54and56are joined by universal joints52and55. A plastic bearing60completes the support for the shaft. In this case the pedal assembly22is mounted on the upper part of the bicycle frame but it could also form part of the keel.
It is also contemplated that instead of an elongated slot, a bore could extend through the hull12. The bicycle module could be in the form of a vertical pod mounted on a rotatable plate seated on the hull12over the bore. Thus the steering of the watercraft could be provided by the person operating the watercraft by simply rotating to the new direction of movement desired.
The upper part of the bicycle frame14may be made of lightweight metal tubing such as extruded aluminium, or other well known materials for constructing road-bicycle frames.
The keel38is one piece with the beam42and is adapted to extend below the hull12as shown inFIG. 2. The keel38and beam42may be moulded as one-piece by thermoforming, by a Rotomould™ process or other inflatable based technology. In the present embodiment the keel38is moulded fibreglass. A rudder39is pivotally mounted to the beam42as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5. As shown inFIG. 5, the rudder39is controlled by Bowden cables21extending between a sprocket42and the steering column20.
As can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5the bicycle frame14including the keel38is an integral unit. As shown inFIG. 4, the bicycle frame14including the keel38is presented as a one-piece, narrow module, which can be inserted through the slot16in the hull12. During shipping, the two modules: the bicycle frame14and the hull12are packaged independently to occupy minimum volume. The two modules are easily assembled for use, by merely placing the hull12in shallow water and then inserting the bicycle frame14through the slot and fastening the beam42to the hull12when it is coincident with the slot. When it is required to transport the watercraft10after use, the bicycle frame14module is removed and stored in the luggage space of a vehicle while the hull12module may be strapped to the roof of the vehicle. To reduce the possibility of the propeller40interfering when the bicycle frame14module is being removed, an arrow44or other indicator may be located near the pedal crankshaft22ato coincide with the alignment of the propeller with the keel to allow removal of the module14through the slot16.
In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6, the sprocket137includes parallel sidewalls137ato prevent the chain from derailing.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary. Those skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the forgoing description is illustrative only, and that various alternatives and modifications can be devised without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
| 1B
| 63 | H |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates signal patterns A to G and a binary value sequence H for
an exemplary section of an RDS signal on the receiving side of an RDS
system consisting of a transmitter and receivers.
The phase pattern E of the RDS signal is substantially sinusoidal due to
low-pass filtering. The drawing shows three bits, (n-1), n and (n+1). The
time axis shown in a dot-dash line constitutes simultaneously the line of
the phase angle 0. Each bit can be subdivided into two half-bits, with the
phase angle of the RDS signal being positive during one half-bit and
negative during the other half-bit. In bit (n-1), the phase pattern is
positive in the first half-bit and negative in the second half-bit. In
bits n and (n+1) it is vice versa. This means that a phase shift occurs
between the bits (n-1) and n, which signals a transition from the one
binary value to the other binary value.
On the basis of the presentation according to H in FIG. 1 it shall be
assumed by way of example that the binary value "1" is associated with a
bit having a positive phase pattern during the first half-bit and a
negative phase pattern during the second half-bit, whereas the binary
value "0" is associated with bits of opposite phase pattern. On the basis
of this assumption, the section of the RDS signal shown in FIG. 1
represents the bit sequence 1 0 0.
The sinusoidal pattern of the RDS signal E was created by low-pass
filtering of a digital signal as shown as signal pattern G in FIG. 1.
Between each half-bit of every single RDS bit (i.e., at the center of the
bit), signal G changes phase. In case of a bit sequence of identical
binary values, no phase shift occurs between the bits. Where two
successive bits have different binary values, a phase shift occurs between
the bits. For example, in signal pattern G, the first half-bit of bit n
has the same phase value as the second half-bit of bit (n-1).
Pattern D in FIG. 1 shows an exemplary phase error pattern of the 57 kHz
carrier regenerated on the receiving side. If the conventional method were
employed for recovering the binary values of the RDS bit sequence, in
which the RDS phase pattern is compared in each half-bit of every bit with
the erroneous phase position of the regenerated carrier wave, correct
results would be obtained for bits (n-1) and n, but not for bit (n+1).
For, in case of the latter bit, because of phase errors, the RDS phase
pattern during both half-bits is below the phase angle of the regenerated
carrier. The phase reversal of the RDS phase pattern between the first and
second half-bits is thus not recognized and as a consequence thereof the
demodulation of the RDS bit sequence becomes erroneous.
In contrast thereto, the demodulation method according to the present
invention employs the formation and assessment of the relationship between
the RDS phase pattern during the first half-bit and the RDS phase pattern
during the second half-bit. To this end a reference phase pattern F is
utilized, which is created by shifting the regenerated carrier by a
predetermined shift phase angle of preferably 180.degree.. Since the RDS
phase pattern is approximately sinusoidal due to said low-pass filtering
operation, an integration method is used for ascertaining this relative
relationship. In particular, the areas present during the two half-bits
between the reference phase pattern F and the RDS phase pattern E are
ascertained by integration in separate manners for the first half-bit and
the second half-bit each, and are compared with each other at the end of
the associated bit. This is shown in FIG. 1 for bit n. By such
integration, the two areas A and B (shown in a hatched manner) are
ascertained and compared with each other at the end of bit n. When area A
is smaller than area B, the binary value "0" is presumed for bit n, as in
the case of the binary value association assumed in FIG. 1. When, however,
area A is greater than area B, binary value "1" is associated, which would
be the case for the bit (n-1).
As long as the phase distance between the zero phase of the RDS signal E
and the reference phase pattern F is selected to be sufficiently large in
consideration of the maximum phase deviation of the RDS signal and the
maximum occurring errors, this method will always result in the recovery
of the correct binary value, completely independent of the instantaneous
phase error.
FIG. 1 illustrates furthermore signals A to C generated on the receiving
side and all formed by division from an oscillator frequency of 8.664 MHz
generated on the receiving side. Signal A depicts an RDS clock having a
frequency of 1187.5 Hz which corresponds to the bit repetition rate of the
RDS bit sequence. Signal A also serves as an up/down switching signal for
a counter 25 (FIG. 4). Signal B depicts a blocking window signal PCE2.
Signal C depicts a reset signal RPC for counter 25. The function of these
signals will be elucidated further hereinafter.
FIG. 2 shows signal patterns A to G. Signal A illustrates the
aforementioned oscillator signal having a frequency of 8.664 MHz. By
dividing the oscillator signal A down, square-wave signals according to
patterns B and C with a frequency of 114 kHz and 57 kHz, respectively, are
formed. Signal C with the frequency 57 kHz constitutes the carrier that is
regenerated on the receiving side. Signal pattern D shows a time window
signal PCE1 having the carrier frequency of 57 kHz, but being
phase-shifted by 90.degree. with respect to said regenerated carrier C.
Finally, FIG. 2 shows signal patterns E to G which correspond to signal
patterns A to C in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows sections of the two half-bits of one single RDS bit for
various phase positions of the received RDS signal in comparison with the
57 kHz RDS carrier.
Signal pattern A shows the RDS carrier. Due to the fact that the 57 kHz of
the RDS carrier are 48 times the 1187.5 Hz of the RDS bit repetition rate,
there are for each half-bit 24 periods of the RDS carrier. FIG. 3 shows
little less than three periods in each half-bit.
Signal pattern B in FIG. 3 illustrates the time window signal PCEI which
has the same frequency as the RDS carrier but is phase-shifted therefrom
by 90.degree.. Signal patterns C, E and G of FIG. 3 show three examples of
RDS signals having, in comparison with the RDS carrier, a phase difference
of +45.degree., 0.degree. and -45.degree., respectively, in the first
half-bit and a phase shift of -45.degree., 0.degree. and +45.degree.,
respectively, in the second half-bit. The phase shifts of +45.degree. and
-45.degree. in FIG. 3 were chosen for the sole reason that these phase
angles are easy to draw. As was already mentioned, phase shifts of at the
most +32.degree. and -32.degree., respectively, occur when ARI modulation
is present in addition to RDS modulation.
FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of an RDS demodulator operating in
accordance with the principles of this invention. An AND circuit 11
comprises four inputs 13, 15, 17, and 19. An output 21 of the AND circuit
11 is connected to a counting clock input 23 of an up and down counter 25.
Counter 25 additionally comprises a switching control input 27 (to select
between up and down) and a resetting input 29. An output 31 of the counter
25 has an assessment means 33 connected thereto, with the demodulated RDS
bit sequence being available at the output 35 of said assessment means.
Inputs 13, 15, 17, and 19 of AND circuit 11 are fed with the time window
signal PCEI, the blocking window signal PCE2, the oscillator signal CLosc,
and with the received RDS signal, respectively. The blocking window signal
PCE2, in accordance with signal pattern B in FIG. 1, temporarily assumes a
low signal value during the bit changes and half-bit changes, so that the
AND circuit 11 is blocked during these times and so that no counting clock
signals can reach the counter 25. Outside of the blocking window times,
PCE2 has a high signal value, so that the AND circuit is released during
these times.
As can be seen from the signal pattern B in FIG. 3, the time window signal
PCE1 opens the AND circuit 11 each time 90.degree. before until 90.degree.
after the beginning of a new period of the RDS carrier. The time window
signal PCE1 releases the AND circuit 11 during these time intervals. The
clock pulses Closc of the oscillator on the receiving side, which are not
shown in FIG. 3, thus pass the AND circuit outside of the blocking window
times and then reach counting input 23 of counter 25 when both the time
window signal PCE1 and the RDS signal have a high potential value. The
time ranges during which the time window signal PCE1 permits counting are
indicated in FIG. 3 in hatched manner. FIG. 3 shows furthermore in
representations D, F and H hatched portions which indicate at what time
the counter 25 receives, in the three examples C, E and G for the RDS
signal, clock pulses Closc as pulses to be counted. As can be seen in FIG.
3, the counting times in both half-bits are alike only in the event that
the RDS signal does not have a phase difference with respect to the
regenerated RDS carrier. In other cases, however, the counting times in
both half-bits are different. When the phase shift of the RDS signal with
respect to the RDS carrier is +45.degree. in the first half-bit and, thus,
-45.degree. in the second half-bit, a counting duration results according
to representation D during each bit period in the first half-bit, which is
three times as large as the counting duration during a bit period of the
second half-bit. Thus, per RDS period the counter 25 counts in the first
half-bit three times as many counting pulses as in the second half-bit.
Representation H in FIG. 3 leads to the opposite result, since it is part
of an example of an RDS signal in which a phase shift of -45.degree. with
respect to the recovered RDS carrier is present in the first half-bit and
a phase shift of +45.degree. with respect to the recovered RDS carrier is
present in the second half-bit.
The counting pulses reaching the counter 25 during the individual RDS
periods are counted for each half-bit in accumulating manner, with up
counting being carried out in accumulating manner for the first half-bit
and down counting being carried out in accumulating manner for the second
half-bit. The ratio of up counted to down counted pulses is of course the
same as if counting had been carried out in each half-bit during one
single RDS period only.
At the moment of change from the first half-bit to the second half-bit, the
counter 25 is switched from up counting to down counting, with the aid of
the RDS clock supplied to its switching control input 27. At the end of
the second half-bit and thus at the end of the associated bit, the counter
25 is reset with the aid of the reset signal RPC supplied to its resetting
input 29. Before the counter 25 is reset, the count thereof reached at the
bit end is delivered via its output 31 to the assessment means 33. It is
merely necessary there to ascertain whether the final counting value is
positive or negative. When the final counting value is positive, this is
an indication of the fact that area A in FIG. 1 was greater than area B,
which in the example assumed in FIG. 1 would mean that the associated RDS
bit has the binary value "1". When, however, the final counting value of
the counter 25 is negative, this means that area B was greater than area
A, so that binary value "0" is to be assigned. The RDS bit sequence
modulated upon the signal on the transmitting side is thus available at
the output of the assessment means 33. | 7H
| 04 | L |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to several exemplary embodiments, methods are provided for coating solid particulates used in wellbore applications. The methods use inorganic sol-gels as the base material for the coating. Organic components can be incorporated in the inorganic sol-gel matrix, producing inorganic-organic composites that provide interesting properties and surface tuning.
According to several exemplary embodiments, methods are provided for reducing abrasiveness of weighting agents by using a sol-gel process to coat the weighting agents. According to several exemplary embodiments, methods are provided for preventing sedimentation of weighting agents by using a sol-gel process to coat the weighting agents.
The term “sol-gel” relates to the formation of inorganic networks through the formation of a colloidal suspension (sol) and gelation of the sol to form a network in a continuous liquid phase (gel). The sol-gel process may be described as the formation of an oxide network through polycondensation reactions of a molecular precursor in a liquid. In this process, the sol (or solution) evolves gradually towards the formation of a gel-like network containing both a liquid phase and a solid phase. Typical precursors of the sol-gel are metal alkoxides and metal chlorides, which undergo hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions to form a colloid.
The most famous version of the sol-gel process is based on the processes of controlled hydrolysis of compounds, usually alkoxides M(OR)x(M=Si, Ti, Zr, V, Zn, Al, Sn, Ge, Mo, W, etc.) or corresponding chlorides, in an aqueous or organic medium, usually alcohol.
The hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions lead to the formation of a colloidal solution, i.e. sol, of hydroxide particles. Increasing bulk concentration of the dispersed phase or other changes in external conditions (pH, solvent substitution, etc.) leads to the intense formation of contacts between particles and the formation of a monolithic gel, in which the solvent molecules are enclosed in a flexible, but fairly stable, three-dimensional grid formed by particles of hydroxides. Upon curing, the liquid phase of the sol-gel is removed to provide a solid material.
According to several exemplary embodiments, a method for coating solid particulates used in wellbore fluids includes the sol-gel process. A first solution that includes at least one inorganic sol precursor and at least one solvent is provided. The at least one inorganic sol precursor may be a metal oxide (or metal alkoxide), such as aluminum, silicon, titanium, or zirconium oxides (or alkoxides). One or more organic solvents can be used such as ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, formamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide.
Generally, a catalyst for the hydrolysis and/or condensation reactions that ultimately result in the coating layer can be included into the solution. The catalyst can be an acid, a base, or a complexing agent that interacts with the oxygen, metal atom, a carbon bound to the oxygen of the sol precursor, or the oxygen, metal atom, or hydrogen of the hydrolysis product of the sol precursor such that one or more of the reactions that result in the formation of the coating is catalyzed.
Next, a solution including water (e.g., water, or an acid or base solution) is added to the first solution to form the inorganic sol that develops into an inorganic sol-gel. The water can be generally added at any rate and at any temperature. In general, the water is added slowly.
The inorganic sol-gel is then applied to the solid particulates, and the solid particulates are cured/dried to form an inorganic sol-gel coating on the solid particulates. The coated solid particulates can then be mixed with a wellbore fluid.
According to several exemplary embodiments, the inorganic sol-gel can be used to coat solid particulates using the steps described below. In a specified volume of the prepared sol precursor, a specified amount of the solid particulate may be added and mixed for a couple of second to minutes. The resulting suspension may then be filtered via vacuum filtration or gravity filtration, and the coated solid residue collected. The filtrate can be recollected and can be reused for coating another batch of solid particulates. The coated solid is then dried in an oven at a specified temperature (e.g., 100-400° C.). The drying temperature depends on the application. For example, higher temperatures can be used to obtain harder coatings and lower temperatures can be used for simply just drying off the alcohol solvent.
Advantageously, the coating thickness can be easily controlled based on the concentration of the sol precursor and/or the amount of time the solid particulates are in contact with the inorganic sol-gel. The sol precursor can be easily diluted with the solvent to adjust the concentration.
According to several exemplary embodiments, organic components can be added to the inorganic sol-gel depending on the property that needs to be incorporated into the coating. The inorganic sol-gel can be chemically modified by incorporating organic components in the inorganic sol-gel matrix, producing inorganic-organic composites that provide other properties and surface tuning. The organic components are any suitable compounds that will react with the hydroxyl group in the sol-gel (e.g., compounds having ester and/or ether functionalities), and in several exemplary embodiments, form a covalent bond with the hydroxide groups of the inorganic sol-gel. The organic components can react with the inorganic sol-gel to form a new material with different properties.
Advantageously, the methods and compositions described herein allow for the readily tailoring of the chemical properties of the coating depending on a desired application. By reacting the inorganic sol-gel with organic compounds, it is possible to convert the coating from hydrophilic to lipophilic. For example, to render the coating oil-wetting or hydrophobic, the inorganic sol-gel can be reacted with an organic polymer having hydrophobic groups. If the desired coating is water-wetting or hydrophilic, an organic polymer having hydrophilic groups can be selected. Thus, the chemical properties of the coating can be tuned or adjusted by chemical reaction of the inorganic sol-gel.
According to several exemplary embodiments, organosilanes are incorporated into the inorganic sol-gel matrix and form covalent bonds with the sol-gel. Suitable organosilane compounds include, but are not limited to, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GTMS). Other suitable organosilanes for making the sol-gel coating include, but are not limited to, tetraethylorthosilicate, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxy-propyltriethoxysilane, p-aminophenylsilane, p or m-aminophenylsilane, allyltrimethoxysilane, n-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyldiisopropylethoxysilane, (3-glycidoxypropyl)methyldiethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltriethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, n-phenylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane, vinylmethyldiethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane and combinations thereof.
According to several exemplary embodiments, polymeric organic binders can be added to the inorganic sol-gel matrix. Examples of suitable polymeric organic binders include, but are not limited to, polyacrylates, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, and combinations thereof.
Advantageously, the methods for coating surfaces of solid particulates described herein are simple and quick and use relatively inexpensive starting materials. The inorganic sol-gel formulations can be reused and tuned for different applications. The methods provide versatility in incorporating organic components, and the sol-gel readily coats solid particulates by simply drying on the surface of the particulates. The coatings form a stable network when dried and are applicable to all types of solid surfaces.
Solid particulates that may be coated using the sol-gel process described herein include weighting agents, loss circulation materials, bridging agents, and lubricating beads. For example, the solid particulates may include for example, barium sulfate (barite), calcium carbonate, dolomite, ilmenite, hematite, olivine, siderite, manganese oxide, iron oxide, strontium sulfate, and combinations thereof, as well as any other suitable materials that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. These solid materials may be used, for example, as weighting agents in a wellbore fluid. The weighting agents used may include a variety of compounds well known to one of skill in the art.
The coated solid particulates described herein may be used in any wellbore fluid such as drilling, cementing, completion, packing, work-over (repairing), stimulation, well killing, spacer fluids, and other uses of high density fluids. According to several exemplary embodiments, solid particulates that have been coated using the sol-gel process disclosed herein may be included as an additive in a wellbore fluid. The wellbore fluids may include an oleaginous phase or a non-oleaginous phase. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that functionalization of the coating may depend upon the fluid phase of the wellbore fluid, in which the coated solid particulates are incorporated. For example, if the coated solid particulates are to be incorporated in an oil-based or oleaginous fluid, the functional groups may include grease chains or fatty acids to increase the lipophilicity of the coated solid particulates and/or allow the coated solid particulates to behave as a surfactant, which may allow for additional surfactants present in an oil-based wellbore fluid to be reduced or eliminated. The wellbore fluid may be a water-based fluid, an invert emulsion or an oil-based fluid.
Water-based wellbore fluids may have an aqueous fluid as the base solvent. The aqueous fluid may include at least one of fresh water, sea water, brine, mixtures of water and water-soluble organic compounds and mixtures thereof. For example, the aqueous fluid may be formulated with mixtures of desired salts in fresh water. Such salts may include, but are not limited to alkali metal chlorides, hydroxides, or carboxylates, for example. In various embodiments, the brine may include seawater, aqueous solutions wherein the salt concentration is less than that of sea water, or aqueous solutions wherein the salt concentration is greater than that of sea water. Salts that may be found in seawater include, but are not limited to, sodium, calcium, sulfur, aluminum, magnesium, potassium, strontium, silicon, lithium, and phosphorus salts of chlorides, bromides, carbonates, iodides, chlorates, bromates, fonnates, nitrates, oxides, and fluorides. Salts that may be incorporated in a given brine include any one or more of those present in natural seawater or any other organic or inorganic dissolved salts. Additionally, brines that may be used may be natural or synthetic, with synthetic brines tending to be much simpler in constitution. In one embodiment, the density of the drilling fluid may be controlled by increasing the salt concentration in the brine (up to saturation). In a particular embodiment, a brine may include halide or carboxylate salts of mono- or divalent cations of metals, such as cesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and/or sodium.
The oil-based/invert emulsion wellbore fluids may include an oleaginous continuous phase and a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase. The oleaginous fluid may be a liquid and may be a natural or synthetic oil. In one embodiment, the oleaginous fluid is selected from the group including diesel oil, mineral oil, a synthetic oil, such as hydrogenated and unhydrogenated olefins including poly(alpha-olefins), linear and branch olefins and the like, polydiorganosiloxanes, sitoxanes, or organosiloxanes, esters of fatty acids, specifically straight chain, branched and cyclical alkyl ethers of fatty acids, mixtures thereof and similar compounds known to one of skill in the art, and mixtures thereof.
The non-oleaginous fluid used in the formulation of the invert emulsion fluid is a liquid and may be an aqueous liquid. In one embodiment, the non-oleaginous liquid may be selected from the group including sea water, a brine containing organic and/or inorganic dissolved salts, liquids containing water-miscible organic compounds and combinations thereof. The amount of the non-oleaginous fluid is typically less than the theoretical limit needed for forming an invert emulsion.
The wellbore fluids are especially useful in the drilling, completion and working over of subterranean oil and gas wells. In particular the wellbore fluids may find use in formulating drilling muds and completion fluids.
Conventional methods can be used to prepare the wellbore fluids disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a desired quantity of water-based fluid and a suitable amount of the coated solid particulates are mixed together and the remaining components of the wellbore fluid are added sequentially with continuous mixing. In another embodiment, a desired quantity of oleaginous fluid such as a base oil, a non-oleaginous fluid and a suitable amount of the coated solid particulates are mixed together and the remaining components are added sequentially with continuous mixing. An invert emulsion may be formed by vigorously agitating, mixing or shearing the oleaginous fluid and the non-oleaginous fluid.
Other additives that may be included in the wellbore fluids include for example, wetting agents, organophilic clays, viscosifiers, fluid loss control agents, surfactants, dispersants, interfacial tension reducers, pH buffers, mutual solvents, thinners, thinning agents and cleaning agents. The addition of such agents is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art of formulating drilling fluids and muds.
The properties of the wellbore fluids may allow for the wellbore fluid to meet the requirements of low sag during drilling, including horizontal drilling, and low settling of drilled solids and weighting agents when the wellbore fluid is static. The wellbore fluids also provide for decreased abrasiveness when drilling.
Reduced Abrasion
Abrasiveness may be defined as the property of a material to remove matter from another surface by friction. Weighted wellbore fluids are abrasive in nature due to the weighting agents suspended therein. As these wellbore fluids are pumped through the drilling assembly, the weighting agents scour and abrade all surfaces with which they come in contact. The drill solids suspended in the fluids also abrade all surfaces with which they come in contact. These surfaces include, for example, the drill pipes, downhole tools, and pumps. This continuous abrasion by the circulating fluid causes erosive wear of the drill assembly. This wear may result in failure of the drill bit, or other parts of the drill assembly. Drilling activity may be halted to replace the worn parts. This downtime may prove expensive, both in terms of lost time and lost productivity. Reducing the abrasive wear of downhole tools may reduce downtime for repair. This would prolong the time spent drilling and therefore increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the drilling operation.
The incorporation of coatings on the surface of weighting agents is one way of addressing abrasiveness. According to several exemplary embodiments, methods of reducing abrasiveness of weighting agents are provided. The methods include coating the weighting agents using a sol-gel process as described herein. The coated weighted agents can then be added to a wellbore fluid, and introduced into a subterranean formation.
The wellbore fluid containing the coated weighting agent exhibits a reduced abrasiveness compared to the wellbore fluid containing the uncoated weighting agent. That is, a wellbore fluid containing weighting agent A that is coated using the sol-gel process has a reduced abrasiveness compared to a wellbore fluid containing uncoated weighting agent A. According to several exemplary embodiments, the coated weighting agents exhibit a reduced abrasiveness of 40% or more compared to the same weighting agents that are uncoated. The coated weighting agents can reduce the non-production time (NPT) significantly by preventing erosion of drilling equipment such as pumps, drill pipe, and drill bits during the drilling operation.
According to several exemplary embodiments, any type of weighting agents may be coated in the manner described herein to prevent abrasion. The coated weighting agents are easily dispersible and stable.
Reduced Sedimentation
One demand on a typical particulate weighting agent is that it should form a stable suspension that does not readily settle out or sag. Secondarily, the suspension should exhibit a low viscosity to facilitate pumping and minimize the generation of high pressures.
Sag is the settling of particulate weighting agents that can occur when a treatment fluid is static or being circulated. Sag is particularly problematic when it occurs to a static fluid in the annulus of a wellbore. If settling is prolonged, the upper part of a wellbore may lose mud density, which lessens the hydrostatic pressure in the hole, potentially causing an influx of formation fluid into the well. While sub-micron particulate weighting agents may serve to prevent sag, other issues with their use arise related to increased plastic viscosity and transferability properties.
The incorporation of coatings on the surface of weighting agents is one way of addressing sag. According to several exemplary embodiments, methods of reducing sedimentation of weighting agents in a wellbore fluid are provided. The methods include coating the weighting agents using a sol-gel process as described herein. The coated weighted agents can then be added to a wellbore fluid, and introduced into a subterranean formation. The wellbore fluid containing the coated weighted agent exhibits a reduced sedimentation compared to the wellbore fluid with the uncoated weighting agent.
Moreover, the coated weighting agents do not have a significant effect on the fluid properties of the wellbore fluid. That is, the coated weighting agents do not adversely affect the viscosity the wellbore fluid.
The following examples are illustrative of the compositions and methods discussed above and are not intended to be limiting.
Example 1
Coating Hematite Particles for Reduced Abrasion and Sag
An alumina sol precursor was prepared by the following method. Two mL of aluminum sec-butoxide (Al(O-sec-Bu)3) was mixed with 10 mL of isopropanol for an hour at room temperature. One mL of ethyl acetoacetate was added to the mixture and stirred for another three hours at room temperature. Water in isopropanol (0.56 mL in 1 mL) was added to the mixture and stirred for another hour. The resulting sol was then diluted to 50% of its volume with isopropanol and a sol-gel developed. The prepared sol-gel was stable and did not gel out for months.
The prepared sol-gel was then used to coat a hematite weighting agent. In a glass container, a specified amount of hematite was added, followed by adding just enough volume of the sol-gel to wet the materials. The mixture was mixed for a couple of seconds using a spatula until all the particles were wetted with the sol-gel. The remaining sol-gel was decanted, and then the coated hematite was air dried or placed in an oven at a specified temperature.
To test the effectiveness of the alumina coated hematite in preventing abrasion, a standard API abrasion test was performed. The test measures weight loss of a specially shaped and coated stainless steel mixer blade after 20 minutes at 11,000 rpm running in a laboratory prepared fluid sample containing bentonite. Abrasiveness is quantified by the rate of weight loss, reported in mg/min.
Table I presents the abrasion test results obtained for the coated and uncoated hematite.FIG. 1illustrates the results in a bar graph. Clearly, the coated hematite produced a reduced abrasiveness of about 40% compared to the uncoated hematite. In addition, the coated hematite showed an improved dispersion in base various oils compared to the uncoated hematite.
TABLE IAbrasion Test Results for Hematite Coated ParticlesUncoated HematiteCoated HematiteMass of Impeller before testing12342.612344.4(mg)Mass of impeller after testing12264.512294.5(mg)Time of testing (min)2020Abrasion (mg/min)4.02.5
To test the effectiveness of the alumina-coated hematite in preventing sedimentation, a turbiscan of an unmodified hematite and alumina-modified hematite in various base oils (SARALINE 185, ESCAID 110, and XP 07™ base oils) were acquired. Specifically, 3.5 g of the coated and uncoated hematite were exposed to 30 mL of base oil for 30 minutes. To delay the sedimentation of the coated and uncoated hematite prior to data acquisition, a drop of RM-63™ rheology modifier was added to each mixture.FIGS. 2-4show the turbiscan plots of the mixtures in different base oils.
It is evident that the modified hematite showed a significantly lower sedimentation rate than the unmodified hematite. In all the base oils tested, the uncoated hematite settled faster than the alumina coated hematite. In SARALINE 185 base oil, the coated hematite showed 50% less sedimentation than the uncoated hematite after the 30 minute test. In ESCAID 110 base oil, the coated hematite showed 40% less sedimentation that the uncoated hematite after the first 15 minutes of the test. In XP 07™ base oil, the coated hematite showed 25% less sedimentation than the uncoated hematite after the 30 minute test.
Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
| 2C
| 9 | K |
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown in Leamington, Ontario, Canada during the summer in a glass-covered greenhouse and under conditions and practices which approximate those generally used in commercial pot-typeChrysanthemumproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from about 21° C. to 27° C., night temperatures ranged from about 17° C. to 19° C. and light levels ranged from 4,000 to 6,000 foot candles. Four unrooted cuttings were directly stuck in 15-containers, exposed to long day/short night conditions, and pinched about three weeks later. At the time of the pinch, the photoinductive short day/long night treatments were started. Plants used in the photographs and for the description were center-budded and were about eleven weeks old. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.Botanical classification:Chrysanthemum×morifoliumcultivar Regal Yoirvine.Parentage: Naturally occurring whole plant mutation of theChrysanthemum×morifoliumcultivar Yoirvine, not patented.Propagation:Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.Time to initiate roots.—About four days at temperatures of about 21° C.Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About ten days at temperatures of about 21< C.Root description.—Fine to thick, fibrous; white in color.Rooting habit.—Freely branching; moderately dense.Plant description:Appearance.—Herbaceous daisy pot-typeChrysanthemumtypically grown as a center-budded or as a natural spray type. Stems upright and outwardly spreading giving a uniformly mounded appearance to the plant. Freely branching habit, about four to five lateral branches develop after removal of terminal apex (pinching); dense and full plant habit. Strong and vigorous growth habit.Plant height.—About 28 cm.Plant width.—About 44 cm.Lateral branches.—Length: About 24 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Internode length: About 2 cm. Strength: Strong Texture: Pubescent. Color: Between 144A and 146B.Foliage description:Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.Length.—About 7.5 cm.Width.—About 5.4 cm.Shape.—Palmately lobed.Apex.—Cuspidate to mucronate.Base.—Attenuate with truncate tendencies.Margin.—Palmately lobed, sinuses between lateral lobes parallel to divergent.Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Fine pubescence; veins prominent on lower surface.Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Darker than 147A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Darker than 147B. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 147A; venation, close to 147A to 147B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B; venation, close to 147B.Petiole.—Length: About 1.6 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper surface: Close to 147B. Color, lower surface: Close to 147B to 147C.Inflorescence description:Appearance.—Daisy-type inflorescence form with elongated oblong-shaped ray florets. Inflorescences borne on terminals above foliage. Disk and ray florets arranged acropetally on a capitulum. Inflorescence not fragrant. Typically grown as a natural spray type.Flowering response.—Under natural conditions, plants flower in the autumn/winter in the Northern Hemisphere. At other times of the year, inflorescence initiation and development can be induced under short day/long night conditions (at least 13.5 hours of darkness). Early flowering habit; plants exposed to three weeks of long day/short night conditions followed by photoinductive short day/long night conditions flower about eight weeks later.Postproduction longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good color and substance for about four weeks in an interior environment.Quantity of inflorescences.—Freely flowering, about 15 inflorescences develop per lateral stem.Inflorescence bud.—Height: About 6 mm. Diameter: About 8 mm. Shape: Oblate. Color: Close to 147A.Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 7.5 cm. Depth (height): About 1.25 cm. Diameter of disc: About 1.1 cm. Receptacle height: About 6 mm. Receptacle diameter: About 6 mm. Receptacle color: Close to 144B.Ray florets.—Shape: Elongated oblong. Orientation: Initially upright, then with development, close to perpendicular from vertical. Aspect: Initially incurved, then mostly flat. Length: About 3.4 cm. Width: About 1 cm. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate; short corolla tube. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; satiny. Number of ray florets per inflorescence: About 32 arranged in about two or three whorls. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 155D overlain with close to 71A. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 155D underlain with close to between 71A and 77A.Disc florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of receptacle. Shape: Tubular, elongated. Apex: Five-pointed. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Number of disc florets per inflorescence: About 175. Color, immature: Apex: Close to 154B. Mid-section and base: Close to 155D. Color, mature: Apex: Close to 6A. Mid-section: Close to 154A. Base: Close to 155D.Phyllaries.—Number of phyllaries per inflorescence: About 16 arranged in about two whorls. Length: About 9 mm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Smooth, waxy. Texture, lower surface: Pubescent. Color, upper surface: Close to 146A. Color, lower surface: Close to 147A.Peduncles.—Length: First peduncle: About 5.5 cm. Fourth peduncle: About 7.5 cm. Seventh peduncle: About 11 cm. Diameter (first peduncle): About 2.5 mm. Angle: About 45° from vertical. Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to between 144A to 146B.Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets only. Stamen length: About 4 mm. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament color: Close to 154D. Anther shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther length: Less than 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 6A. Pollen amount: None observed. Gynoecium: Present on both ray and disc florets. Pistil length: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Bi-parted. Stigma color: Close to 4A. Style length: About 4 mm. Style color: Close to 4A. Ovary color: Close to 155D.Seed/fruit.—Seed and fruit production has not been observed.Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common toChrysanthemumshas not been observed on plants grown under commercial conditions.Temperature tolerance: Plants of the newChrysanthemumtolerate temperatures ranging from about 5° C. to about 38° C.
| 0A
| 01 | H |
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to the figures and in conventional manner, the installation
comprises a rotary filling platform 1 onto which receptacles 2 are loaded
by a transfer member 3 from a transport member 4. At the outlet from the
filling platform, the receptacles are transferred by a transfer member 5
onto a rotary stoppering platform, and they are then removed from the
installation by a transfer member 7.
The installation of the invention is designed for packaging receptacles
each having a base that is generally rectangular with a long side and a
short side. On the transport member 4, the receptacles are disposed with
their long sides extending in the receptacle displacement direction.
According to the invention, the installation includes a means for
positioning the receptacles on the transfer member so that their long
sides extend substantially radially.
In the first embodiment of the invention, said means comprises a swivelling
member given general reference 8 and comprising two wormscrews 9 and 10
having threads 11 which, relative to the receptacle displacement
direction, comprise: first portions A in which the threads face each other
and are of increasing thickness, thereby progressively moving the
receptacles 2 further apart from one another; second portions B in which
the threads become increasingly offset, thereby causing the receptacles to
swivel until their long sides extend in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the initial direction, with the new direction
corresponding to a radius of the transfer member at the point where the
receptacles are applied to the transfer member; and third portions C in
which the threads face each other again so as to displace the receptacles
while maintaining substantially constant orientation.
To ensure positive drive of the receptacles on the transfer member while
avoiding interference when loading or unloading the receptacles, the
transfer members 3, 5, and 7 of the invention preferably include moving
flaps 12 mounted to pivot on axes 13 that are secured to the moving
portion of the transfer member 25 so as to move in circular manner as
shown by the chain- dotted line in FIG. 4. The pivoting motion of each
flap 12 about its pivot axis 13 is designed to pivot flaps 12 away
immediately prior to loading and unloading and pivot toward the
receptacles during the loading and unloading operations. This operation is
controlled by a control wheel 14 that is offset from the pivot axis 13 and
that is disposed to co-operate with a stationary cam 15 which, in the
embodiment shown, comprises a groove 16 in which the wheel 14 slides.
Wheel 14 moves in groove 16 in a stable position until it traverses a
recess 26 causing the flaps 12 to pivot. During rotation of the moving
portion 25 of the transfer member, the receptacles driven by the flaps 12
slide over a stationary support plate 23. For improved receptacle
stability during transfer, the transfer member also includes a plate 17
secured to the moving portion 25 and serving to hold the necks of the
receptacles. The moving portion 25 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and in a
fragmentary view in FIG. 4.
In an advantageous aspect of the invention for an installation that
includes a rotary stoppering platform 6 disposed downstream from the
filling platform, the transfer member 5 for transferring receptacles from
the filling platform 1 to the stoppering platform 6 is preferably
analogous in structure to the transfer member 3 so that the receptacles
are held contiguously with their long sides extending substantially
radially, thereby minimizing the volume generally occupied by the
installation.
In order to enable the stoppers to be tightened while also enabling the
receptacles to be inserted and removed easily relative to the stoppering
platform, the stoppering platform includes retractable holding studs 18
that pass through a rotary supporting turntable 24. A pair of holding
studs 18 is disposed diagonally on opposite sides of each receptacle
location, and least pair of holding studs 18 is carried by a turntable 19
secured to a control wheel 20 that rests against the top edge of a
stationary cam 21. The profile of the stationary cam 21 is designed so
that the holding studs 18 are retracted at the moment a receptacle 2 is
applied to the support turntable 24 and also at the moment a receptacle is
unloaded from the stoppering platform 6, and they are raised on opposite
sides of a receptacle 2 during the stoppering stage between insertion and
removal of the receptacle. As before with respect to the transfer member,
the stoppering platform includes a plate 22 for holding the necks of the
receptacles.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment which differs from the embodiment of FIG.
1 only in the means that position the receptacles on the transfer member
so that their long sides extend radially. In this second embodiment, said
means is constituted by a swivelling member comprising a curvilinear guide
27 extending a lateral guide wall of the transport member 4 so that the
receptacles 2 follow a curved path that brings the long sides of the
receptacles progressively into a direction that is substantially radial
relative to the transfer member so that the receptacles are applied to the
transfer member successively by being pushed thereon by the following
receptacles that are driven by the transport member 4.
In the first and second embodiments, the transport member 4 extends in a
direction that is substantially tangential to the transfer member 3,
thereby minimizing the ground area occupied by the installation. If ground
area constraints are not a problem, it is also possible to cause the
transport member 4 to lead directly to the transfer member, with the means
for positioning the receptacles with their long sides extending radially
then being constituted by the radial disposition of the transport member
4, as shown in FIG. 6, the remainder of the installation being analogous
to that of FIG. 1.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and
variants can be applied thereto without going beyond the ambit of the
invention as defined by the claims.
In particular, although the member for swivelling the receptacles in the
first embodiment is described as being in the form of two wormscrews, it
is possible to use other swivelling systems to cause the receptacles to
pivot so as to be presented with their long sides extending substantially
radially at the moment they are loaded onto the transfer member.
Similarly, although the wormscrews of the first embodiment are shown as
having threads in three portions, given that the third portion is designed
to stabilize the receptacles during a final positioning stage prior to
loading on the transfer member, it would be possible to provide wormscrews
having threads with two portions only, with loading onto the transfer
member being performed at the instants at which the receptacles have been
swivelled into the desired direction.
When the installation includes a linear filling device followed by a rotary
stoppering platform, the swivelling device of the invention will naturally
be disposed downstream from the filling device prior to receptacles being
applied to the transfer member associated with the stoppering platform.
Although the installation is described above with reference to receptacles
each having a base that is substantially rectangular, an installation of
the invention may advantageously be likewise applied to receptacles each
having a non-regular base that is curvilinear or polygonal. | 1B
| 65 | B |
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout
the several views. The exemplifications set out therein illustrate
preferred embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not
to be construed as limiting in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one
embodiment of an operable flexible shade according to the present
invention. Operable shade system 10 is installed within wall opening 11,
illustrated here as a window. Wall opening 11 has top edge 12, bottom edge
13 opposite top edge 12, and first and second opposing edges 14 and 15.
Operable shade system 10 includes top casing 18, bottom casing 19, first
and second side casings 20 and 21 (see FIG. 2), each casing mounted to the
respective edge of wall opening 11, and a shade including sheet 16.
Flexible sheet 16 is raised and lowered from top casing 18 such that the
edges of sheet 16 (see FIG. 2) are slidably movable within first channel
22 of first casing 20 and second channel 23 of second casing 21 (see FIGS.
2 and 5). In this embodiment, the bottom edge of sheet 16 is defined by
weight bar 17 which, when sheet 16 is fully lowered to engage bottom
casing 19, resides within bottom channel 40 of bottom casing 19. Sheet 16
is sized to substantially cover wall opening 11.
FIG. 2 shows a partial cut-away view of the operable flexible shade system
of the embodiment of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, top edge 28 of sheet 16
is attached to roller 24. Roller 24 is operatively connected to motor 25
such that roller 24 rotates about its longitudinal axis in response to the
operation of motor 25. In this manner, rotation of roller 24 by motor 25
causes sheet 16 to be raised and lowered with respect to top casing 18.
Thus, sheet 16 is movable between a rolled condition in which sheet 16 is
rolled about roller 24 and an unrolled condition in which sheet 16
substantially covers wall opening 11.
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that wall opening 11
need not be restricted to comprise a window as illustrated in FIG. 1. The
wall opening may comprise a skylight or any other opening in a wall,
ceiling and the like. It will also be appreciated that other mechanisms,
such as a hand crank or a bi-directional clutch, may be utilized for
raising and lowering the shade, and that such mechanisms are within the
scope of the invention disclosed herein.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of one embodiment of a flexible shade according
to the present invention. In this embodiment, the shade includes sheet 16,
stays 31, fabric strips 32, and grommets 33. Specifically, vertically
spaced along the length of sheet 16 on one of the opposing (front or back)
surfaces of sheet 16 are a plurality of spring steel stays 31. In the
embodiment of FIG. 3, stays 31 extend to opposing side edges 26 and 27 of
sheet 16, i.e., the width of sheet 16, and are aligned generally parallel
with top and bottom edges 28 and 17 (see FIG. 2) of sheet 16. Stays 31 may
comprise, for example, 1075-1095 blue tempered and polished spring steel
of approximately 0.005 to 0.030 inch in thickness. In a preferred
embodiment, stays 31 have a thickness of 0.015 inch. At each end of each
stay 31 is grommet 33 which is inserted through stay 31 and sheet 16 at
each of the opposing ends of stays 31. Thus, stays 31 are secured to sheet
16 by way of grommets 31. In this embodiment, stays 31 are each
substantially covered with fabric covering 32 in the form of a strip for
aesthetic reasons and to result in a smoother surface for rolling and
unrolling sheet 16. Fabric covering 32 does not cover grommets 33 and is
adhered to sheet 16 and stay 31 with an appropriate fastener, such as
double-sided adhesive tape.
Unlike a prior art embodiment in which stays alone were utilized to retain
sheet 16 within side casings 20 and 21, stay 31 according to the present
invention is secured to sheet 16 via grommets 33. Specifically, stays 31
are more rigidly secured to sheet 16 than are the stays of the prior art
wherein stays are secured to the shade by use of an adhesive. As a result,
stays 31 of the present invention are not prone to becoming unattached
from the shade during rolling and unrolling of the sheet 16, and, more
importantly, the combination of stays 31 adding rigidity to sheet 16
together with grommets 33 slidably movable within side casings 20 and 21
is able to withstand the application of greater pressure to sheet 16
without pulling first and second opposing edges 26 and 27 of sheet 16 from
outside casings 20 and 21, respectively. Also, because grommets 33 are
inserted through both sheet 16 and stay 31, grommets 33 are less likely to
weaken or tear the fabric of sheet 16 than are known systems wherein
grommets alone are used. Further, due to the fact that sheet 16 is able to
withstand greater pressures exerted thereon without causing sheet 16 to be
pulled from side casings 20 and 21, it has been demonstrated that stays 31
of FIG. 3 may be spaced further apart than when used without grommets 33
and that stays 31 of FIG. 3 may be made of a thinner material (about 0.005
to about 0.030 inch in thickness) than stays used without grommets 33.
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that overall costs
associated with manufacture of the shade illustrated in FIG. 3 are less
than those for a shade which simply utilizes stays adhesively affixed to a
shade. Though the implementation of grommets together with the stays
increases some costs, the increase in cost is offset by the fact that
fewer stays and stays of lesser thickness may be used together with the
elimination of an adhesive between the stays and the shade.
The implementation of grommets together with the stays provides an
arrangement that is better able to withstand the application of pressure
to the shade than are the use of either stays or grommets alone. In the
embodiment of FIG. 3, the stays resist the deformation of the shade, and
the grommets and stays resist movement of the edges of the shade from
within the channels of the side casings.
The use of stays in conjunction with the grommets is advantageous over the
use of grommets alone for many of the same reasons the combination is
advantageous over the use of stays alone. Further, because the grommets
are securely fastened through the stays in addition to the shade's fabric,
the grommets are not likely to tear the shade's fabric, either during
installation of the grommets or upon the application of pressure to the
shade when the edges of the shade reside within an operable shade system's
side casings.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a front view of a second embodiment of
a flexible shade according to the present invention. In this embodiment,
stays 31 are secured to sheet 16 at spaced intervals along the length of
sheet 16 with an appropriate fastener, such as a double-sided adhesive
tape. The ends of stays 31 extend beyond side edges 26 and 27 of sheet 16.
As in the embodiment of FIG. 3, grommet 33 is inserted in each end of each
stay 31. In this embodiment, grommets 33 are not, however, inserted
through the fabric of shade 16. For aesthetic reasons and to result in a
smoother shade surface, stay 31 is substantially covered with fabric
covering 32 extending the entire width of sheet 16 (extending between
opposing side edges 26 and 27 of sheet 16). Fabric covering 32 may be
affixed with a double-sided adhesive tape to both sheet 16 and stay 31.
As in the embodiment of FIG. 3, stays 31 of FIG. 4 may be made of thinner
material than when used without grommets 33. For example, spring steel
stays of only 0.015 inch in thickness may be used with the embodiment of
FIG. 4 where spring steel stays of a like composition of 0.060 inch in
thickness may be required for prior art systems. Also, because grommets 33
are not inserted through sheet 16, the likelihood of weakening or tearing
the fabric of sheet 16 is minimized. As with the embodiment of FIG. 3,
fewer stays 31 are required than are required in the prior art embodiments
wherein stays alone are utilized to ensure that sheet 16 remains within
the channel. Finally, sheet 16 of FIG. 4 may be slightly narrower than the
shades of the prior art wherein grommets alone or stays alone are used.
Consequently, overall manufacturing costs of the system may be reduced by
the use of fewer, thinner stays, and a narrower shade, offsetting the
increase in cost introduced by the implementation of stays and grommets in
combination when compared to the implementation of either stays or
grommets alone.
FIG. 5 shows a top cross-sectional view of a side casing of an operable
shade system used to secure the edges of the embodiment of the shade of
FIG. 3. Second side casing 21 serves each embodiment of the present
invention and in this illustration, the shade, including sheet 16, stays
31, fabric coverings 32 and grommets 33, utilizes the retention system of
FIG. 3. Second side casing 21 may be divided into two separate channels 23
and 34--internal channel 34 for the provision of additional clearance for
sheet 16 and second channel 23 for the insertion of second side edge 27 of
shade 16 therein. Attached to first and second opposing surfaces 35 and 36
of second side casing 21 are first and second fabric retainers 37 and 38,
respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, fabric retainers 37 and 38 define a
border for second channel 23 and are arranged such that fabric retainers
37 and 38 define a space therebetween. Second edge 27 of sheet 16 extends
into second channel 23 past the border defined by retainers 37 and 38 and
in the space between retainers 37 and 38. Grommet 33 is of a larger
dimension than the space between fabric retainers 37 and 38 such that
grommet 33 is maintained within second channel 23 when sheet 16 is
unrolled, even when pressure is applied to one of the opposing surfaces of
sheet 16. The fabric retainers are of a material which substantially
retards the removal of the sheet from the channels by interengagement
between the grommets and the fabric retainers. Thus, first and second
fabric retainers 37 and 38 and grommet 33 collectively serve as a means
for retaining stay 31 within second channel 23 of second side casing 21.
In this embodiment, the retaining means also assists in retaining second
edge 27 of sheet 16 within second channel 23. Similarly, grommets 33
positioned in first channel 22 of first side casing 21 are sized to be
maintained within first channel 22 when sheet 16 is in its unrolled
condition.
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the retention
system of the present invention results in a side casing 21 having a
narrower channel than is required for use with the prior art. The rigidity
of the shade provided by stays 31 coupled with the use of grommets 33 is
more resistive to positive pressure applied to the shade than is known in
the art. Therefore, the present invention does not necessitate a channel
width of the same magnitude as that of prior art systems as the width of
the channel in the prior art accommodates the edges of the shade by
providing room to compensate for the shade's flexibility. It has also been
demonstrated that the resistivity of the shade to pressure applied thereon
allows side casings having a channel of a particular width to be used for
a wide range of shade widths. Whereas, prior art channels may typically be
three (3) inches in width for shade widths up to 72 inches, four (4)
inches for shade widths from 72 inches to 96 inches, and five (5) inches
for shade widths greater than 96 inches, second casing 21 may be
approximately 2.75 inches for shades of virtually any width, including
those beyond 96 inches.
While this invention has been described as having preferred designs, the
present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of
this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any
variations, uses or adaptations of the invention using its general
principles. Further, the application is intended to cover such departures
from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in
the art to which this invention pertains and which falls within the limits
of the appended claims. | 4E
| 06 | B |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The nursing center is comprised of a housing or chassis 1 having a front
panel 4, a handle 5 at the back, a top work surface 6 and a plurality of
drawers 10. Preferably, the drawers are available in two sizes, small
individual patient drawers 11 and large drawers 12 to carry on demand
drugs and supplies. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 we also provide a large
bottom drawer 13. Although the patient drawers 11 and larger drawers 12
are normally locked, the bottom drawer 13 is not.
On top of the chassis 1 we provide a display 7 having a touch screen 17
through which data is entered. We also prefer to provide a printer 8 and
storage wells 9 which can hold medication dispensing cups. The chassis is
carried on casters 2 and is sized for ease of use. We prefer that the unit
be 36 inches long including the handle, 20 inches wide and the top surface
be 36 inches from the floor. For such a housing we provide small drawers
11 which are 10 inches wide by 18 inches long by 4 inches deep. Larger
drawers 12 are 20 inches wide, 18 inches long and 4 inches deep.
A second preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. This embodiment
is comprised of a chassis 1 having the same dimensions as the embodiment
of FIG. 1. In this embodiment the cabinet is mounted on casters 22. A
handle 25 is provided adjacent top 26. On the top we provide a display
screen 27. Data is entered through keyboard 23 or bar code reader 24. We
also prefer to provide an equipment holder 30 on top 26. The equipment
holder 30 has a slot 35 sized to hold the base of a clip board. In
addition, there is a well 37 for holding cups and connected smaller wells
36 for holding a pen or pencil. As can be seen in FIG. 4 the length of
drawer 10 is less than the width of the chassis. Therefore, there is open
space between the back 102 of the drawer 10 and the left side 14 of the
cabinet 1. Consequently, we are able to provide a battery or set of
batteries 32 and a transmitter 34. We also prefer, to provide a data part
38 on the front 4 of the cabinet. This port can be used to input data from
hospital monitoring equipment. Alternatively, it can be used to download
data into an external computer.
Referring again to FIG. 2 we prefer that each drawer be numbered. We also
provide a space 18 on each drawer for entry of a patient name.
Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6 we provide three drawer locks 40 across each
drawer level. Thus, there is one drawer lock for each patient drawer 10. A
hook or tab 42 is provided at the back 102 of each drawer 10. Each drawer
lock has a hook 41 which engages locking surface 43 of hook 42. Each
drawer is spring loaded by spring 44. Thus, when hook 41 is turned away
from locking surface 43 springs 44 will push the drawer slightly outward
as shown in FIG. 5. We prefer to provide removable dividers 50 between the
drawers. Hence, we are able to substitute a larger drawer 12 for two or
three smaller drawers 11. The larger drawers will have two or three locks
which are engaged by the hooks 41 of door locks 40. Locks 40 can be simple
solenoid plungers which turn or retract to unlock the drawer.
The present nursing center is quite durable and easy to use. First, the
drawers 11 and 12 are stocked. Normally this will be done on a daily basis
in accordance with the schedule established by the pharmacy. The nurse
pushes the nursing center to a patient's room near a patient's bedside.
She then enters an access code using a computer keyboard, touch screen or
bar code reader. Then she identifies the patient to be treated an the
medication which is required. The nursing center has been programmed so
that in memory 21 there will be an identification of the patients to which
each patient drawer 11 corresponds. There will also be information as to
what is contained in the larger on demand drawers 12. Thus, when the
processing unit sees the patient identification and medication begin
requested it will cause a drawer lock 40 to unlock the appropriate patient
drawer. The nurse removes the patient medication from the drawings,
administrators it to the patient and recloses the drawer. At that point
the display will request the nurse to confirm that ht medication has been
dispensed to the patient. Upon receiving that information the nursing
station may either store the information in memory or transmit it to an
external computer through a transmitter/receiver 34. If the information is
stored it can be later downloaded through input/output port 36.
The nursing center can also be used to receive information about the
patient which is contained in memory or received from transmitter/receiver
34. Thus, after entering an access code and patient information the nurse
could enter diagnostic information, view medical history or receive other
information which is not required for dispensing medicine. Hence, the
nursing center becomes a focal point for patient treatment.
It should be noted that no special wiring is required to be installed for a
hospital to use this portable nursing station. The unit is sufficiently
large to accommodate drawers for a maximum number of patients normally
assigned to one nurse. Hence, our portable nursing station could be
assigned to an individual nurse on each shift. The nurse could store her
stethoscope, thermometer or other equipment in any of the larger drawers.
Although we have shown present preferred embodiments of our nursing center
it should be particularly understood that the invention is not limited
thereto, but may be variously embodied within the scope of the following
claims. | 4E
| 05 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring toFIG. 2, a portion of a subsea tree26in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the subsea tree26is being operated in a production mode. The subsea tree26has a fixed junction30. A removable junction32is secured to the fixed junction30. The removable junction12is provided to couple a production umbilical34to the fixed junction30. The umbilical34is configured to provide both hydraulic control fluid and electrical signals during normal production operations in the illustrated embodiment. The production umbilical34may extend from a production tree or a remote platform (not shown).
In this embodiment, a tree exhaust line36is provided that is routed to reoute hydraulic fluid to sea through the fixed junction30and the removable junction32. The production umbilical34connected to the fixed junction30via the removable junction32provides at least one solenoid operated control valve38of a Subsea Control Module (SCM)50with hydraulic fluid via SCM hydraulic supply line54. In this embodiment, the SCM has a small accumulator39with pressurized hydraulic fluid. The SCM50solenoid operated control valves38control hydraulic fluid pressure for opening and closing at least one subsea tree valve51. In one mode, the solenoid-operated control valves38direct pressurized fluid to the subsea valve51. In another mode, the solenoid-operated control valves38vent hydraulic fluid used to operate the subsea tree valves51to sea through the fixed junction30and removable junction32. As with all the components described herein, the subsea tree26is shown schematically and not scaled relative to other components. An electrical connection52on the SCM50allows an electrical umbilical58to serve the electrical requirements of the SCM50and the subsea tree26.
Referring toFIG. 3, when a well installation, workover, or intervention is desired, an ROV70may be deployed from a vessel (not shown) and navigated towards the subsea tree26. The ROV70is typically controlled by an operator on the vessel. In this embodiment, the ROV70carries an ROV umbilical or flying lead72from the vessel down to the subsea tree. The ROV70has facilities allowing it to disconnect and pickup the production umbilical34(FIG. 2) from the fixed junction30and park the production umbilical34on a seabed parking (not shown) until the installation/workover operations are complete. This assures that the production umbilical34(FIG. 2) will not accidentally operate the SCM50or subsea tree26accidentally during installation/workover operations.
With the production umbilical34(FIG. 2) out of the way, the ROV70then connects the flying lead72to the fixed junction30. The ROV70may comprise a hydraulic skid71adapted to interface with the fixed junction30to thereby establish hydraulic communication between the ROV70and the SCM50. The hydraulic skid71in this embodiment may further comprise a removable junction73that interfaces with the fixed junction30to establish communication with both the hydraulic supply line54and the exhaust line36of the SCM50, which are both routed to the fixed junction30. An electrical line76may also be provided to the ROV70via ROV umbilical72to provide electrical control signals or power for equipment such as such as valves, lights, pumps, or cameras. The electrical line76may connect to an electrical module78on the hydraulic skid71from where an electrical distribution line80may be connected to the electrical connection52on the SCM50. In this embodiment, the connection73on the hydraulic skid71further establishes communication between internal piping within the skid71and the hydraulic supply line54and the exhaust line36of the SCM50, to form a closed-loop system. In this embodiment, a pump82is located on the hydraulic skid71and is connected to the internal piping to form part of the loop. A reservoir83may be used at the tee connection formed by lines92and line84connected to an intake on the pump82to facilitate fluid supply in the loop. The pump82is used to repressurize the hydraulic fluid fed to the SCM50to thereby allow reuse of the control fluid by the SCM50.
In an example of operation of this installation/workover embodiment, the ROV flying lead72provide the ROV70with hydraulic fluid and electrical power supplied from a vessel on the surface. The hydraulic fluid will be introduced into a connection hydraulic line90via hydraulic line74and will be supplied to the SCM50via hydraulic supply line54. Hydraulic fluid vented from the subsea valves51is directed via exhaust line36from the SCM50back to the return line92. Both lines90and92are coupled to the fixed junction30via removable junction73. The return line92will allow the vented hydraulic fluid to circulate into the ROV skid section71for repressurization by the pump82. The pump82discharges the pressurized control fluid into the hydraulic line90in the skid71and back into the hydraulic supply line54for reintroduction to the SCM50. In operation, the electrical portion of the ROV umbilical72further supplies power to the pump82.
In another embodiment schematically shown inFIG. 4, the hydraulic skid71of the ROV70has an SEM (Subsea Electronic Module)100that may receive power and electrical signals from the flying lead72and convert it to power and signal for the subsea tree SEM200, which may be located on the SCM50. A control line (not shown) communicates the SEMS100,200while a power line (not shown) allows the ROV SEM100to supply converted power to the subtree SEM200. A portable master control station (not shown) could also be used in the surface control room on the vessel to control the ROV70.
The system eliminates the capital and installation cost problems associated with the traditional IWOCS system. The plumbing arrangement between the ROV hydraulic skid71, the fixed junction30, and the SCM50allows vented hydraulic fluid to be captured and repressurized for re-use in the SCM50. Further, the proposed arrangement reduces the control fluid discharge to seawater.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
| 4E
| 21 | B |
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a furnace for preparing glass, of
rectangular shape 1, includes a trap for loading the charge located above
the side of the upstream zone 2 and a bottom opening for extracting
refined glass at the downstream end 3. Wide tapping holes 4 and 5 are
provided at the upstream end 2 with positioning of the aero-combustible
burners not represented .producing heating flames with introduction of
combustion air through the tapping holes 4 and 5, and this in alternate
fashion by starting first in tapping hole 4 only (circulation of the fumes
according to outline 6--6' towards tapping hole 5 which serves as an
evacuator and heat recuperator) followed by tapping hole 5 only
(circulation of the fumes according to this same outline 6--6' towards the
tapping hole 4 then serving as heat evacuator-recuperator). In the
downstream zone 3, there are provided two burners 11 and 12 for oxygen and
combustible material through two wall openings 13 and 14, each burner
being inclined at an angle A in the upstream direction and at an angle B
towards the surface of the bath.
There is thus produced in the upstream portion of the furnace a wide
melting zone 16 which is separated from a refining zone 17 at the
downstream portion thereof by means of a so-called narrow whirling zone
18.
The two burners 11 and 12 operate with alternate pulsating combustion, so
that a single flame 15 only is produced, alternately originating from the
burner 11 then at 15' from burner 12, with a rest period as soon as some
flame 15--15' is out. For example, burner 11 produces a flame for a period
of 20 to 40 seconds, which is followed by a stop or rest period of 10 to
20 seconds, after which burner 12 produces a flame for a period of 20 to
40 seconds, etc...
In the arrangement described, the following advantages have been achieved:
an increase of the surface of impact with better radiating transfer (heat
action);
an increase of the time of residence of the non molten products which float
at the surface as a result of a decrease of their transit speed
(mechanical action of the flame;
a notable decrease of the heat loss as compared to the technique of burners
with continuous heating, while obtaining identical heat and mechanical
effects.
It should be noted that these improvements are obtained without exceeding
the critical heat values of operation of the process (in particular vault
temperature).
In addition, it has been established that the quantities of nitrogen oxide
formed by heat effect were substantially reduced by adjusting the
frequencies and dephasing of the fluids, all the other conditions
remaining identical (power, heat losses and air introduced).
EXAMPLE OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION
The industrial application is carried out in a glass loop furnace drawing
200 t/d.
______________________________________
type of furnace loop type with a frequency of
inversion of the air-gas
burners every 20 minutes
aero-fuel power 10.1 MW
electrical power
1027 KW (immersed
resistances)
surface 60 m.sup.2
type of glass white
nomical capacity
220 t/d
______________________________________
In this known furnace two burners oriented towards the melting zone, as
illustrated in the drawings, have been placed at the level of the refining
zone: Characteristics of the oxy-combustible burners:
Adjustable precombustion chamber;
Power adjusted at the limit of detachment of the flame;
Sonic speed in the precombustion chamber close to 400 m/s;
Operation of the burners alternating with periods of stop to measure the
power introduced.
The invention is applicable to different fields such as, for example:
Rotary furnace: cement, cast iron, ceramic, zinc, wastes, etc... to locally
modify the melt speed and displacements of the materials at the surface;
Glass loop furnace of the type "Unit melter" with traverse burners to
locally modify the melt speeds and displacements of the materials at the
surface;
Arc furnace: the interest of this technique for this type of furnace is
immediate, since it is intended in this application to associate strong
modulating impulses with controlled heat transfers in order to decrease
cost;
Hearth furnace with flat bath: possibility to use this technique in
aluminum, cast iron, special steels, copper furnaces, etc... to locally
modify the concentrations and heat profiles;
Rotary waste furnace: the high impulse enables to provide heat conditions
at a distance, in order to modify the curve of axial temperatures without
introducing too much energy in the furnace.
Heat treatment for homogenization of an atmosphere or for the remote
modification of the compositions. | 2C
| 03 | B |
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates the m=3 shift register stages (bits 1, 2 and 3) and taps
into the modulo 2 summation register needed to generate a 2.sup.m -1
element Maximum Length Sequence (MLS). Initially all bits are set to 1 to
start the sequence. Arrows indicate the bit flow and the output tap is
indicated with the MLS sequence for m=3. MLS sequences are, by definition,
the longest codes that can be generated by a given shift register sequence
generator. A shift register sequence generator consists of a shift
register working in conjunction with appropriate logic, which feeds back a
logical combination of the state of two or more of its stages to its
input. The output of a sequence generator, and the contents of its m
stages at any sample (clock) time, is a function of the outputs of the
stages fed back at the preceding sample time. Feedback connections have
been tabulated for MLS codes from 3 to 100 stages.
EXAMPLE
MLS sequences consist of a series of the numbers 0 and 1. They contain
2.sup.m -1 elements, where m=0,1,2,3 . . . . For m=3 we have 7 elements.
For m=4 we have 15 elements and for m=5 we have 31 elements, etc.
Two-dimensional Binary Amplitude Diffusor (BAD) panels can be constructed
from the following methodology: Determine a value of m which gives a
desired sequence length of 2.sup.m -1 elements. Determine if 2.sup.m -1
can be factored into two relative-prime factors, i.e., factors that are
not multiples of one another. Factor the one-dimensional (1D) sequence
into its two relative primes. For example, m=4 yields 15 elements for
which the relative co-primes are 3 and 5. Fill a 3.times.5 array (FIG. 3)
with the 1D sequence starting along the main diagonal and jumping across
the array whenever an array boundary is encountered. This is accomplished
because the sequence is periodic and we can take advantage of the
translational periodicity of the array. Thus, for a sequence a1 . . . a15,
the corresponding two dimensional array is shown in FIG. 2.
As shown, the main diagonal of the array with a bold perimeter in FIG. 2 is
first filled with array elements a1 through a3. The fourth array element,
a4, lies outside the 3.times.5 array (bold), so it is translated to the
fourth element of the first row and the diagonalization continued with
element a5 until the right boundary of the array is encountered. Element
a6 is then translated to the first element of the third row, with which it
is equivalent. Array element a7 falls outside the 3.times.5 array so it is
translated to the second element of the first row, which it is equivalent
to. Diagonalization continues with elements a8 and a9. Element a10 falls
outside the 3.times.5 array so it is translated to the fifth element of
the first row, which it is equivalent with. Array element "all" falls
outside the 3.times.5 array so it is translated to the first element of
the second row, which it is equivalent with, and diagonal element a12 is
added. Element a13 falls outside the array and it is translated to the
third element of the first row, which it is equivalent to and
diagonalization continues up to element a15.
As an example, the maximum length sequence for m=4 (000100110101111)
produces the 2D sequence in FIG. 3.
It should be seen that the array blocks cannot attain a square aspect ratio
and are always rectangular. To achieve a relatively square aspect ratio
and to achieve the required high frequency cutoff, we can select an m=6
(FIG. 4), m=8 (FIG. 5) or m=10 (FIG. 6) sequence. The cutoff frequency is
related to that frequency whose wavelength is equal to twice the width of
the 2D element (c/2w), where c is the speed of sound (13560 in/sec) and w
is the width of the 2D element. Thus for a 235/8.times.235/8 panel we can
use a 15.times.17 (m=8) 255 element array, with 1.575.times.1.3897
(roughly 4 kHz cutoff) or 31.times.33 (m=10) 1023 element array, with
0.762.times.0.716 cells (9 kHz cutoff) could be selected. For a
471/4.times.471/4 panel we could select a 4095 array with 63.times.65
elements (with 9 kHz cutoff).
An example of the 255 array is shown in FIG. 5. The upper numeral of each
cell is the well number 1-255 and the lower numeral of each cell is the
MLS binary bit (0 for absorption or 1 for reflection). To achieve an upper
frequency limit of 9 kHz for a 235/8.times.235/8 panel, a 1023 array, FIG.
6, and cell size of 0.762.times.0.716 is necessary. The 1023 elements and
co-primes 31 and 33 with a rectangular aspect ration of 33/31=1.0645 were
selected to form a substantially square array which is necessary for
ceiling grids and modular wall panels. We have the liberty to attach a
zero or one to either the absorptive or reflective patches, since the
magnitude of the frequency response is identical. Therefore, we can
describe two panels, a normal panel as shown in FIG. 7, and an inverted
panel as shown in FIG. 8. These can be used later in the discussion to
minimize lobing which occurs when any scattering element is arranged in a
one or two dimensional periodic array.
From the above description of the method for generating Maximum Length
Sequences (MLS), and the examples thereof described herein and illustrated
in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, one skilled in the art can generate an MLS of any
desired length and which can be factored into two relative-prime factors.
Applicant has performed experimentation concerning BAD panel design. To
determine the diffusion response of the inventive BAD panel, Applicant has
utilized the DISC measuring technique. As shown in FIG. 9, the technique
consists of a 37 microphone semicircle and additionally, computerized
stimulus and response system (not shown). Under the direction of the
measurement computer (not shown), a maximum length stimulus is emitted and
detected by each microphone in turn. After 37 identical stimuli are
emitted and stored, the data are processed to determine the impulse
response at all scattering angles in 5 degree increments about the
semicircle for a given angle of incidence. These data are transformed into
a graph of frequency response versus scattering angle. Polar responses are
determined at 1/3-octave frequency centers. To determine the diffusion
response, the standard deviation of the 1/3-octave polar responses is
determined and plotted versus frequency. The data in this curve are
normalized by the theoretical standard deviation of an infinite reflector
and subtracted from the number one. The diffusion response for a 5.sup.th
scale panel based on m=4, measuring 7.5 wide with 0.5 elements, is
illustrated in FIG. 10. At full scale this amounts to a diffusion
bandwidth between 363 Hz to 2712 Hz. It can be seen in FIG. 10 that the
BAD panel is better in performance than the Variable Impedance Array (VIP)
and reflective panel (REF) over this range. In FIG. 11, the frequency
responses are compared and a completely absorptive panel (ABS) is included
for comparison. Thus, it is demonstrated that the BAD panel both absorbs
and diffuses. The sound that is not absorbed is diffused uniformly. The
BAD panel falls between the limits of a reflective (REF) and absorptive
panel (ABS) as demonstrated in FIG. 11.
To fabricate a BAD panel, Applicant must generate an array of reflective
and absorptive rectangular patches as described hereinabove. There are
numerous ways to fabricate such a panel, but three preferred approaches
are as follows:
APPROACH 1
RESIN HARDENING
Using a negative mask, one can spray a water based resin over the surface
of a porous material such as fiberglass or open cell foam. The panel would
be upholstered with an open weave fabric to provide a decorative
appearance.
APPROACH 2
APPLICATION OF RESORPTIVE MASK
One can apply a positive mask, consisting of reflective areas and open
areas based on the MLS theory, to the surface of a porous absorber. The
open areas in the mask expose the absorptive material below. A pressure
sensitive adhesive can be used to bond the mask to the porous panel. This
mask can be cut from a plastic or metal film using several techniques
including die cutting or CNC routing. The CNC approach is quite versatile
and can easily be adapted to different patterns by simply changing a
software program.
APPROACH 3
COMPRESSION MOLDING
The absorptive/reflective pattern can be formed by compression molding a
pre-impregnated uncured low density fiberglass matte. A "male" tool with
the reflective pattern is used to compress the matte forming areas of high
density. Under pressure and temperature, the impregnated resin cures to
form the intended matrix of low and high density fiberglass patches.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BINARY ABSORPTION DIFFUSOR (BAD)
The invention may be applied to, but is not limited to, several classes of
BAD products:
A. FLAT PANELS
The BAD panels may be constructed of a series of reflective and absorptive
rectangular patches. To economically manufacture such panels, any of the
three approaches previously mentioned can be used.
B. FLAT PANELS WITH REAR BASS ABSORBING MEMBRANE
The BAD panel, however manufactured, can be attached to the face of a
diaphragmatic membrane absorber to simultaneously provide mid-high
frequency absorption and diffusion to complement the low frequency
absorption of the membrane.
C. VARIABLE ACOUSTIC "TRIFFUSOR"
Applicant describes a triangular column with a reflective side, an
absorptive and a "BAD" side. Thus, one panel can offer all of the
acoustical control possible. These columns rotate about their vertical
axis on a bearing or lazy-Suzan bearing. Several such columns are
contiguously mounted along a wall or flush mounted into a wall. The array
is such that all panels can be rotated so the same acoustical surface
faces the room or panels can be oriented with different surfaces selected,
as desired.
D. VARIABLE ACOUSTIC BIFFUSOR
This is essentially a two-sided version of the TRIFFUSOR in which either an
absorptive or "BAD" surface can face the room. These panels typically can
be applied with hook and loop fastener or placed between two fixed
horizontal tracks allowing the panels to be removed and rotated.
E. HANGING BAFFLES
The BAD surface can be applied to one or two sides of a hanging baffle to
offer a combination of absorption and diffusion.
PREFERRED APPLICATIONS
1. HOME THEATER
New home theater "5.1" discrete digital formats offer the ability to
provide 5 separate digital outputs for the left, center, right, left
surround, right surround and low frequency effects sub woofer, for an
unparalleled realistic listening experience. In many residential settings
it is not always possible to provide the appropriate acoustical treatment
due to aesthetic reasons. Thus in many cases upholstered absorptive panels
are used with compromised results. The "BAD" panel can be upholstered in
an attractive range of fabrics and thus can be used anywhere traditional
fabric upholstered absorptive panels are used. The "BAD" surfaces provide
the proper amount of attenuation and ambiance to provide reflection
control without removing all of the room's ambiance. The depth of the
absorptive panel backing can be adjusted to control the reverberation time
or decay time in the room. The binary sequence can be adjusted to suit the
width of the reflective/absorptive elements to control the high frequency
limit of the BAD panels.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a typical home theater application of BAD panels on
walls and ceiling.
2. MUSIC REHEARSAL ROOMS
Reflection control in individual practice rooms and larger band rooms has
traditionally been accomplished with fabric upholstered panels. This often
creates a dead space in which it is difficult to perform musically. The
"BAD" panel provides an excellent balance between absorption and diffusion
to provide a musically ambient space for musical practice or performance.
3. CONFERENCE ROOMS
Reflection control in conference rooms has traditionally been accomplished
by total or partial coverage using fabric upholstered absorptive panels.
This compromise either makes the room too dead for conversation or
teleconferencing or contains reflective hot spots that introduce
interfering reflections and decrease gain before feedback in
teleconferencing applications.
4. | 4E
| 04 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the several views of the drawings, there is depicted a quick
stop mass retail system generally denoted by the reference numeral 10, for
enabling a customer 12 to order and purchase articles from a remote
location for subsequent pickup at an article pickup area 14 associated
with an automated store 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the system generally
comprises an interactive communications system 18, a central computer 20,
a system 22 for retrieving articles to be purchased from a plurality of
storage locations, and a customer identification station 24 for processing
the customer's order to facilitate pickup of purchased articles at the
article pickup area 14.
The interactive communications system 18 enables communication of
customers' purchase orders and payment information for articles to be
purchased to the central computer 20. The interactive communications
system 18 may be of any of a variety of types, including an interactive
telephone system comprised of interactive voice response units IVRUs and a
central controller. Such systems enable a person to enter specific
commands through a touch-tone keypad of the telephone in response to
pre-programmed queries by the system. It is to be understood that such
systems encompass those in which the purchaser manually keys responses
into the touch-tone keypad, as well as configurations having voice
activated circuitry and the like. The interactive telephone system of this
type is typically associated with a standard public switched telephone
network, although it is anticipated that cellular networks may be utilized
as well. These arrangements are well known in the art and need not be
described in detail herein.
Customer communications with the central computer 20 may also be
implemented over a data network communicating with the customer's computer
in accordance with conventional practice, Orders may be submitted via
e-mail or over the World Wide Web by making the appropriate selections on
a web page associated with the automated store 16. The customer is queried
for order and payment information in the same manner as over the
interactive telephone network. To ensure that payment information is not
compromised over the data network, it is anticipated that various
cryptographic protocols may be employed as are currently being used to
ensure the integrity of credit card numbers over the Internet and World
Wide Web. In either of the data or telephone network embodiments, the
customer 12 establishes an account with the automated store 16 including
customer specific identification information and preferred methods of
payment, i.e., credit card, debit from checking account, etc. The customer
12's credit card number may be used as his or her unique identifier to be
later verified at the time the purchased article or articles are picked up
at the article pickup area 14. Payment for the purchase can be made either
at the time of ordering or the time of pickup. The customer specific
information is stored in an order data base 26 which includes a plurality
of fields such as Customer ID/Data 28, Article(s) Ordered 30, Payment Info
32, and Pickup Date 34. The central computer 20 may be programmed to
delete a specific order if the ordered items(s) are not picked up within a
specified time period e.g., 8 hours, or a particular end-date. It is to be
understood that this arrangement is merely exemplary, and that the data
structure for implementing such functions can take on a variety of forms
which are well known in the art of sales practices. Similarly, the central
computer 20 may be constructed in a variety of configurations, and it is
not necessary for the purpose of the invention to describe the same in
detail. With respect to the inventive functions, computer 20 includes
software which is executed to enable the central computer 20 to receive
the customer's purchase orders, process the customer's purchase order, and
store the same in the order database 26. Similarly, the central computer
20 maintains an inventory database 36 which tracks the articles stored in
the various article storage locations to be described below. The inventory
database 36 is constantly updated as articles are retrieved from the
article storage locations and transported to the article pickup area 14.
In this connection, the central computer 20 can be programmed such that as
each customer order is filled, the inventory database 36 is updated as a
result and additional articles are ordered as required. The removal of
articles from their respective storage locations is tracked as described
below, and a signal is sent to the central computer 20 each time an
article is removed and transported to the checkout area 14.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a plurality of article retrieval stations 38 are
shown. The article retrieval station 38 is comprised of a release
mechanism 40, inventory control sensor 42 and conveyor 44. Conveyor 44 may
consist of an endless belt be common to a plurality of article retrieval
stations 38. A plurality of articles are stored in a storage area 46,
shown in the exemplary embodiment as an array containing twelve articles,
A1-A12. When articles are to be dispensed from the storage area 46, the
release mechanism 40 under the control of central computer 20 is enabled
to cause the particular article that resides in its specific area to drop
into retrieval basket 46 and eventually be transported to article pickup
area 14. The central computer 20 contains in memory the specific addresses
of the respective articles in each storage area 46 and thereby signals the
appropriate release mechanism 40 to cause that storage area 46 to dispense
the particular article into the retrieval basket 38 when the customer is
verified by the system prior to pickup at the article pickup 14. The
inventory control sensor 42 communicates a signal to the central computer
20 indicating that a particular article has, in fact, been dispensed from
the storage area 46. If the customer orders a plurality of different
articles, the central computer 20 signals the appropriate release
mechanisms 40 associated with the storage areas 46 for those articles that
are ordered, and the retrieval basket 48 is transported on the conveyor 44
to the different article retrieval stations until the customer's purchase
order is filled. This process may take place rapidly upon verification of
the customer 12's purchase order, such that ordered articles are quickly
collected and delivered to the article pickup area 14. It is to be
understood that this example is merely exemplary. FIG. 6 depicts an
automated store 16 having a single article storage area 46' where all
article retrieval stations 38 are combined. It is well known in the art to
provide automatic retrieval and transportation of articles in a store to a
shipping location, and a large number of permutations of this concept may
be implemented in accordance with the invention. An example of a prior art
automated system for providing such a function is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
3,746,130 to Bullas, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
The customer identification station 24 communicates with central computer
20 to enable customer identification and order checkout to be made at the
time of article pickup. The customer identification station 24 may also be
adapted for receiving walk-up or drive-up purchase requests, and
implementing instant credit card authorization or debits from a debit card
in a conventional manner. The customer identification station 24 may
comprise a cardreader, fingerprint scanner, voice identification unit and
the like. The customer identification station 24 in the preferred
embodiment encompasses a cardreader which reads unique customer
information from, for example, a credit card or special identification
card 27, to enable the customer to be verified at the pickup location.
This verification may comprise reading the customer 12's credit card
number and some additional information unique to the customer 12 and
comparing the same to information for that customer in the order database
26. Alternatively, the customer identification station 24 may include a
display and keyboard to respectively enable the customer 12 to input
identification information such as a unique identifier or a code
associated with that customer. It can also implement a challenge/response
sequence using various cryptographic protocols to authenticate a
particular consumer and match that consumer to the ordered articles if
security is desired. The customer identification station 24 may be
disposed outside the automated store 16 in various locations, and may be
adapted for drive up access as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In any variation,
it is possible for a customer to come directly to the identification
station 24, select an article to be purchased and have a credit card
verification or payment made through a debit card on the spot. The order
is then processed and the article is rapidly delivered to the article
pickup area 14. All collateral functions associated with the operation of
the automated system may be implemented in a separate office building
identified generally at 17,
In accordance with the present invention, there is described method for
ordering and purchasing articles from a remote location for pickup at an
article pickup area 14 at an automated store 16, comprising:
(a) communicating a customer 12's purchase order for at least one article
via an interactive communications network;
(b) receiving a customer 12's purchase order at central computer 20 in
communication with interactive communications network 18;
(c) processing the customer 12's purchase order and storing the purchase
order in the order database 26;
(d) retrieving identification information from an identification card or a
code at the customer identification station 24 associated with the
customer 12 and communicating the identification information to the
central computer 20; and
(e) retrieving the article(s) ordered by the customer 12 from a storage
area 46 for the article(s) at the automated store 16 via the article
retrieval station device 38 and delivering the articles via a retrieval
basket 48 to the article pickup area 14.
The method is schematically described in accordance with the flow chart
shown in FIG. 3. Step 100 is a customer handshake sequence whereby the
customer 12 establishes communications with the central computer 20 as
described above. At step 102, the system provides a menu-driven order
selection process for the customer 12 to select the article(s) to be
purchased. Such articles are described in a separate catalog provided to
the customer, or depicted on a web page being browsed on the customer 12's
computer. At step 104, credit/payment authorization is made by the
customer providing his or her credit card number or other authorization
for payment. If credit is authorized at step 106, the customer 12's order
proceeds at step 108 and if confirmed, the customer is either told that
the articles are ready for pickup or that they will be available at some
future date. If credit is not authorized at step 106, the transaction is
terminated at step 110.
FIG. 4 shows a flow chart depicting an article pickup sequence. At step
112, the customer 12's identification is verified at the customer
identification station 24. At step 114, the customer provides the order
number corresponding to the transaction and enters the same into the
customer identification station 24 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. At step 116
the central computer 20 verifies the customer 12's order by checking the
order database 26 and the customer's submitted information with the
information on file for that order. If the customer order is verified at
step 118, then the central computer 20 enables the release mechanism 40 at
step 120 associated with the article retrieval station 38 for the articles
ordered to cause the articles to be rapidly dispensed into the retrieval
basket 48 at step 122 and thereafter transported via the conveyor 44 to
the article pickup area 14. If the customer order is not verified at step
118, the transaction is terminated at step 119. This process repeats for
as many articles that were ordered by the customer until the order is
filled at the step 124 and the articles are transported to the article
pickup area 14 at step 126. The inventory control sensor 42 at each
respective article retrieval station signals the central computer 20 that
the articles dispensed have been removed from their respective storage
areas 46. The central computer 20 may be programmed to automatically order
additional inventory as purchased articles are withdrawn from the
respective storage areas 46.
The present invention has been shown and described in what are considered
to be the most preferred and practical embodiments. It is anticipated,
however, that the purchase may be made therefrom and yet obvious
modifications will be implemented by persons skilled in the art. | 6G
| 06 | F |
EXAMPLE 1
A C 4 fraction at the outlet of the steam-cracking device has the composition that is indicated in Table 1 (flow 1). In this table, the abbreviations have the following meanings:
MAPD methylacetylene propadiene,
BBV butadiene-1,2 butyne-1 vinylacetylene.
The C 4 fraction that is to be treated is first subjected to a hydrogenation and hydroisomerization treatment. It is introduced continuously, with the mass flow rate indicated in Table 1, and under a pressure of 2 MPa, in a first reactor that comprises a fixed bed of 2.6 T of a catalyst that consists of palladium on alumina that was sulfurized in advance. Hydrogen (mixed with methane) is also injected into this reactor, as indicated in Table 1 (flow 2). To limit the temperature increase in the catalytic bed, the feedstock is mixed with the effluent of the reactor in a ratio of 1 per 20 before treatment. The effluent of this first reactor is then treated in a finishing reactor that is loaded with 2.5 T of the same catalyst. At the outlet (Table 1, flow 3), acetylenic compounds are removed from the fraction, and the butadiene was transformed essentially into butenes, which are for the most part butenes-2, butene-1 having been isomerized. The fraction is then treated in a stabilization column, where the residual hydrogen and the methane are separated. After this treatment, the fraction has the composition of flow 4 (Table 1).
In the second stage, the hydroisomerized C 4 fraction is subjected to a fractionation in a column that integrates the hydroisomerization of the n-butenes (whereby butene-1 remains after stage 1 in butenes-2). This column comprises 130 plates, is fed at plate 90, and is equipped with three coupled reactors that are loaded with the same catalyst as the one that is used in the first stage and whose inlet and outlet are connected directly to the column, respectively at the level of plates 10-11, 25-26 and 39-40. The reflux rate and the temperatures are adjusted to obtain an almost pure isobutene flow at the top.
In the third stage, the bottom distillation fraction that contains primarily butene-2 is reacted with ethylene (overall composition: flows 6 and 7 of Table 1) on a metathesis catalyst that consists of rhenium oxide on gamma-alumina (8% by weight of metal rhenium), prepared according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,734. The C 4 fraction is mixed at the inlet of the metathesis reactor with make-up ethylene, as well as with ethylene and butene recycling flows. This reactor operates in a moving bed, as described in Patent FR-B-2 608 595, at a temperature of 35 C. and under a pressure of 3.5 MPa, and it is coupled with a regenerator that operates at 550 C. under atmospheric pressure. The catalyst is drawn off at regular intervals at the bottom of the reactor and transferred to the regenerator, from where it is sent to the top of the reactor, whereby the transfers are made through buffer locks. At the outlet of the reactor, the unconverted ethylene is fractionated in a first distillation column and recycled. A second distillation column separates the propylene and the unconverted C 4 hydrocarbons that are also recycled. The composition of the metathesis effluent is indicated in Table 1, flow 8.
The overall balance of the transformation is therefore found to be as follows. Per 100 parts by weight (pp) of the C 4 fraction that has left the steam-cracking device, 1.6 pp of hydrogen and 28 pp of ethylene are consumed, and 27 pp of high-purity isobutene and 83 pp of polymerization -quality propylene are produced.
EXAMPLE 2
The first two stages of Example 1 are repeated.
In the third stage, the bottom distillation fraction that contains primarily butene-2 (composition: flow 6 of Table 2) is reacted with ethylene (overall composition: flows 6 and 7 of Table 2) on a metathesis catalyst that consists of rhenium oxide on gamma-alumina (8% by weight of metal rhenium), prepared according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,734. The C 4 fraction is mixed at the inlet of the metathesis reactor with make-up ethylene, as well as with ethylene and butene recycling flows. This reactor operates in a moving bed, as described in Patent FR-B-2 608 595, at a temperature of 35 C. and under a pressure of 3.5 MPa, and it is coupled with a regenerator that operates at 550 C. under atmospheric pressure. The catalyst is drawn off at regular intervals at the bottom of the reactor and transferred to the regenerator, from where it is sent to the top of the reactor, whereby the transfers are made through buffer locks. At the outlet of the reactor, the unconverted ethylene is fractionated in a first distillation column and recycled. A second distillation column separates the propylene and the unconverted C 4 hydrocarbons that are also recycled. The composition of the metathesis effluent is indicated in Table 2, flow 8.
The overall balance of the transformation is found to be as follows. Per 100 parts by weight (pp) of the C 4 fraction that has left the steam-cracking device, 1.6 pp of hydrogen and 29.5 pp of ethylene are consumed, and 27 pp of high-purity isobutene and 88.5 pp of polymerization -quality propylene are produced.
TABLE 1 N de flux 1 2 3 5 6 (FIG. 1) 1 Charge Sortie 4 T te colonne Pied colonne 6 7 8 Composition Charge Hydro- Hydro- C4 Sortie catalytique catalytique Entr e Sortie (kg/h) C4 Isom risation Isom risation Stabilisation Isobut {grave over ( )}ne Isobut {grave over ( )}ne M {acute over ( )}tath {grave over ( )}se M {acute over ( )}tath {grave over ( )}se (C3 C3 ) 10 10 41 MAPD 31 31 Isobutane 446 446 449 434 434 n-Butane 545 545 988 981 981 981 981 Isobut ne 5741 5741 5738 5667 5575 92 92 57 But ne-1 3407 3407 1003 951 40 40 30 But nes-2 2250 2250 12737 12686 12777 12777 1270 Butadi ne-1,3 8095 8095 BBV 104 104 Hydrog ne 343 16 M thane 197 197 Ethyl ne 5753 58 Propyl ne 17162 Pent nes 85 Total 20629 21169 21169 20719 6009 13890 19643 19643 Key to TABLE 1: N de flux Flow No. Charge C 4 C 4 feedstock Charge Hydro-Isom risation Hydroisomerization feedstock Sortie Hydro-Isom risation Hydroisomerisation outlet C4 Sortie Stabilisation C4 Stabilization outlet T te colonne catalytique Isobut ne Isobutene catalytic column head Pied colonne catalytique Isobut ne Bottom of the isobutene catalytic column Entr e M tath se Metathesis inlet Sortie M tate se Metathesis outlet TABLE 2 N de flux 1 2 3 5 6 (FIG. 1) 1 Charge Sortie 4 T te colonne Pied colonne 6 7 8 Composition Charge Hydro- Hydro- C4 Sortie catalytique catalytique Entr e Sortie (kg/h) C4 Isom risation Isom risation Stabilisation Isobut {grave over ( )}ne Isobut {grave over ( )}ne M {acute over ( )}tath {grave over ( )}se M {acute over ( )}tath {grave over ( )}se (C3 C3 ) 10 10 41 MAPD 31 31 Isobutane 446 446 449 434 434 n-Butane 545 545 988 981 981 981 981 Isobut ne 5741 5741 5738 5667 5575 92 92 57 But ne-1 3407 3407 1003 951 40 40 30 But nes-2 2250 2250 12737 12686 13597 13597 1351 Butadi ne-1,3 8095 8095 BBV 104 104 Hydrog ne 343 16 M thane 197 197 Ethyl ne 6122 62 Propyl ne 18263 Pent nes 88 Total 20629 21169 21169 20719 6009 14710 20832 20832 Key to TABLE 2: N de flux Flow No. Charge C 4 C 4 feedstock Charge Hydro-Isom risation Hydroisomerization feedstock Sortie Hydro-Isom risation Hydroisomerisation outlet C4 Sortie Stabilisation C4 Stabilization outlet T te colonne catalytique Isobut ne Isobutene catalytic column head Pied colonne catalytique Isobut ne Bottom of the isobutene catalytic column Entr e M tath se Metathesis inlet Sortie M tate se Metathesis outlet The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples. Also, the preceding specific embodiments are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.
The entire disclosure of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, and of corresponding French application 99/16.507, are hereby incorporated by reference.
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
| 2C
| 07 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As can be seen in FIG. 1, a tubular foil 1 is provided with perforations 2
ranging from 50 to 250 .mu.m in size.
The perforations form a pattern of parallel lines (A) in the lengthwise
direction of the tubular plastic foil 1, and in the transverse direction
of the tubular plastic foil the perforations 2 form lines (B) which run at
an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the foil. These lines A and
B are shown as dashed lines.
FIG. 3 shows a plastic bag 3 made from a tubular plastic foil perforated by
the process according to the invention, with a transverse seal forming a
bottom 3, and a filling aperture 5 bounded by a peripheral edge 6.
FIG. 2 shows an installation for carrying out the process according to the
invention. This installation comprises a stock reel 7 for tubular plastic
foil 1, tubular foil conveying means in the form of feed rollers 8 for
conveying a tubular foil, tubular plastic foil discharge means in the form
of discharge rollers 9, and a storage reel 10 for storing perforated
tubular plastic foil 1. The tubular foil can be conveyed continuously by
means of the feed rollers 8 and discharge rollers 9.
The installation is also provided with a laser beam source 11 and a number
of lenses 12 placed next to each other, and each set to make the laser
beam act on a perforation forming plane 13, 13' where a tubular foil wall
1a, 1b is being conveyed tautly. The perforation forming plane 13 and 13'
is formed by a support 14 placed in the tubular foil 1, with tubular foil
wall 1a, 1b being conveyed tautly over this support 14. The support 14 is
held fixed by supporting rollers 19.
The above-mentioned perforations 2 are obtained by fitting a number of
lenses 12 arranged across the width of the tubular foil, and making the
laser beam act upon the adjacent lenses 12. Through working with several
lenses 12 and a moving lens beam-directing means, it is possible to make
do with one laser beam source 11.
Since the intermittent laser beam, which alternately directs a beam on one
lens 12 at a time by means of lens beam-directing means 18, is always
focused here by the lens 12 in question on the perforation forming plane
13, 13', perforations of the desired size of 50 to 250 .mu.m are obtained
in the correct place.
It is expedient to work with mirrors 18, in particular with beam-directing
means designed with one or more rotatable mirrors 18 in order to be able
to direct the laser beam towards one lens 12 of a number of adjacent
lenses, and subsequently on the perforation forming planes 13, 13' which
always lie at the focal point of the lenses 12. The rotation facilities of
the mirrors 18 are shown schematically by the curve 20. A laser beam
emitted by the laser beam source 11 is directed by rotating mirror 18 onto
one of the lenses 12 and then by this lens 12 onto the perforation forming
plane 13 or 13', where the tubular foil is conveyed tautly. The path of a
laser beam is indicated by dashed line 21.
Although two laser beam sources 11 are shown in the figure, it is also
possible to work with one source 11.
The pattern of the perforations shown in FIG. 1 is obtained by focusing one
laser beam onto a continuously conveyed tubular foil above which a set of
lenses 12 is set up at regular intervals from each other over the width of
the foil web. The laser source works intermittently in such a way that the
laser beam acts successively on a next lens 12 in the transverse
direction. In view of the conveyance of the tubular foil in the period of
time in which the laser beam acts on the first lens and subsequently on
the lens following in the transverse direction of the foil, the
perforation 2" formed by a following lens 12 will lie lower, as seen in
the lengthwise direction, than the perforation 2'. In the finished foil
the perforations 2' to 2'"" consequently lie on an imaginary line B which
runs at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular foil.
The perforations are preferably made slightly tapered, with a minimum
aperture at the inside of the tubular foil. | 1B
| 23 | K |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
A pressurized white liquid filter according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and in cross section in FIG. 2 . The pressurized filter vessel 1 is fed with unfiltered liquid in the form of white liquor mixed with lime sludge via the inlet 8 . The unfiltered liquid forms a liquid level inside the filter which reaches a level just below the shaft 5 of the filter, and not above the inlet opening of a receiving chute for the lime sludge, which is described below.
Arranged on the shaft is a number of disc-shaped filter elements 2 which are each covered with a filter medium, in most cases in the form of a fine-meshed cloth. The filter consists of at least two discs covered with filter medium and arranged on a hollow rotating shaft. In certain applications, as many as fourteen discs may be used. FIG. 1 shows 3 discs, one of which is concealed. White liquor is separated from the lime sludge by withdrawal through the filter medium of the disc filter element and is conveyed out of the filter via the hollow shaft, each disc filter element comprising stripping means interacting with the filter medium for freeing lime sludge accumulated on the filter medium, and a receiving chute being arranged with a receiving opening under each stripping means, and between two discs, so that each receiving opening collects lime sludge from two filter surfaces.
The white liquor is separated during filtration through the filter medium and is conducted via the inside of the filter element down to the hollow shaft 5 and onward to the gas separation vessel 6 . The hollow shaft 5 can preferably be divided into sections, so that the hollow space in the shaft is made up of cake-slice-shaped spaces, seen in cross section through the axis.
A blower 7 is connected to the top of the vessel 6 and conducts gas back to the filter vessel 1 for pressurization of the process. Agitation (not shown) of unfiltered liquid also takes place in the filter for the purpose of preventing sedimentation. The agitation can be effected by means of, for example, blowing in air or liquid, and with or without ejectors.
The shaft 5 is rotated continuously by a motor, a deposit of lime sludge being built up gradually on the filter medium as the white liquor passes through the filter medium. The filter normally operates with a precoat layer which is maintained intact during the majority of the operating time. However, the invention also functions on filters which operate without a precoat covering.
The lime sludge, which is deposited on the precoat or directly on the filter medium, is scraped off by a knife 3 (doctor) which is arranged above the level of the unfiltered liquid, and it then drops down into a receiving chute 4 which likewise has its opening above the level of the unfiltered liquid. Located in the receiving chute are nozzles for dilution liquid 10 , which dilute the stripped dry lime sludge to a dry content of at least 15%, preferably more than 20%, and typically in the range 25-30%. Dilution makes it possible to counteract to a certain extent clogging of the receiving chute.
In conventional white liquor filters, the receiving chute opens, via a sloping collecting pipe, in a storage vessel of considerable volume, in which a mechanical agitator is also arranged, in most cases in the form of a motor-driven propeller, which is driven continuously so as to avoid sedimentation and therefore keep the lime sludge in solution. In these conventional systems as well, a certain amount of the lime sludge being mechanically agitated is recirculated to the collecting pipe in order that the latter does not become clogged by sedimented lime sludge.
In accordance with the invention, the storage vessel receiving the lime sludge is thus replaced by a pipe system 11 which is common to the receiving chutes 4 and has a flow cross section which maintains a good flow rate and in which there is no need for mechanical agitators. Each receiving chute has a flow cross section 1 , hereinafter referred to as the first flow cross section. The pipe system is arranged below the filter vessel 1 and connected to the respective receiving chutes, so that these chutes lead to the lime sludge dropping down vertically through the receiving chutes, without deflections and with contact with the walls in the chute being minimized, and on down to the pipe system 11 . The connecting portion of the pipe system, the collecting pipe, to which the receiving chutes 4 are connected, is arranged essentially parallel to the shaft 5 of the filter, but with its downstream end, seen in the feed-out direction of the lime sludge, slightly lower than its upstream end. This connecting portion of the pipe system preferably has a circular cross section with a flow cross section 2 , hereinafter referred to as the second flow cross section. By virtue of this design, a natural drop for the collected lime sludge out towards the outlet is obtained.
The pipe system is designed in such a manner that, from the connection of the receiving chutes to the feed-out opening 30 of the pipe system, it has a flow cross section which maintains a good flow rate in the lime sludge, so that sedimentation of the lime sludge does not occur.
In the embodiment shown, the connecting portion in the pipe system for the receiving chutes has the same diameter d 2 over its extent, but variants with gradually increasing diameter can be used as, from each new receiving chute connected, seen in the feed-out direction of the lime sludge, a flow of diluted lime sludge is added. In this way, a good high flow rate can be maintained, and sedimentation can be avoided.
The connecting portion of the pipe system, which preferably has a circular flow cross section 2 , ends in a small downpipe 14 at its downstream end. The downpipe is suitably a vertically upright downpipe with a local increase in the flow area in the pipe system in the downpipe corresponding to the flow cross section 3 . However, the flow cross sections of the pipe system in other parts, which other parts constitute at least 75%, preferably at least 90%, of the total length of the pipe system between its inlet and outlet, are preferably designed in such a manner that these other parts have a flow cross section which does not exceed the flow cross section 2 . The total length of the downpipe, L 1 , in the vertical direction is:
L 1 2.0 d 2 and L 1 1.5 d 3 .
In a suitable embodiment of a relatively large pressurized disc filter with fourteen discs of a diameter of 3 m, where the maximum flow of lime sludge is 0.095 m 3 /s, the collecting pipe has a diameter of roughly 700 mm, the downpipe has a diameter of roughly 900 mm, and the outlet has a diameter of roughly 200 mm. In the case of smaller filters with a lower capacity, in particular the diameter of the downpipe can be reduced further according to the table below:
Number of discs 3 m 6 8 10 12 14 Max. 0.041 0.054 0.068 0.081 0.095 flow lime sludge (m 3 /s) Downpipe 600 700 800 900 900 (mm) The height of the downpipe is suitably greater than its diameter, appropriately between 1800 and 2200 mm for a 900 mm diameter, and 1000 and 1500 for a 600 mm diameter. When smaller filters are used, with smaller diameters, the collecting pipe and the outlet pipe can of course be made smaller, but with essentially the same proportions as in the case with 3 m discs.
However, the pipe system does not have to have a circular cross section in all its parts, but can also have an oval or rectangular cross section.
In order to avoid the lime sludge sedimenting in the outlet from the downpipe, the lower part of the downpipe is designed with an essentially continuous conical transition from the third flow cross section 3 of the downpipe to the fourth flow cross section 4 in the feed-out opening which follows for the lime sludge received.
A level meter 21 is suitably connected to the downpipe, which meter is in turn coupled to a regulating unit 22 which is finally connected to the regulating valve 20 . In this way, the level of the lime sludge can be regulated depending on the signal from the level meter, or alternatively with regulation by an adjustable pump. The pump can be adjusted by, for example, either displacement regulation or speed regulation.
The valve 22 , or alternatively a pump (not shown), forms a counterpressure-generating means t in the feed-out opening 30 from the filter for the purpose of maintaining the pressure in the filter.
In order to maintain a uniform and continuous flow in a minimized system without mechanical agitators, the relationship between the third flow cross section 3 in the downpipe and the second flow cross section 2 of the collecting pipe is:
3 4.5 2 and preferably 3 4 2 .
At the same time, the relationship between the fourth flow cross section 4 in the outlet and the second flow cross section 2 is:
4 0.3 2 and preferably 4 0.2 2 2 2 .
In order to reduce the risk of sedimentation in the pipe system further, a conventional recirculation system 12 is connected to the pipe system, the inlet 12 a of the recirculation system being arranged after the connection of the last chute to the pipe system, seen in the feed-out direction of the lime sludge through the pipe system, and an outlet 12 b being arranged in front of the connection of the first chute to the pipe system. A pump 12 c is arranged in the recirculation system for recirculation of a part quantity of diluted lime sludge from its inlet to its outlet. The inlet 12 a of the recirculation system is suitably arranged at the lowest point of the pipe system, which is after the level measuring tank 14 in the embodiment shown.
The pump 12 c , preferably a sludge pump resistant to wearing material, is preferably driven continuously at constant speed during the majority of the operating time of the filter, the diluted lime sludge being kept in boosted circulation so that sedimentation is counteracted more effectively.
FIG. 3 shows a second variant of a pressurized white liquor filter according to the invention in cross section. Those components of the filter which have the same function as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same reference numbers, and are not described further. In this variant, the pipe system is adapted so that the counterpressure-generating means in the pipe system feed-out opening 30 b of the pressure filter instead consists of a rising pipe which opens at a level above the level of the unfiltered white liquor mixed with lime sludge in the filter. By regulating the pressure in the filter, it is possible to maintain the desired level of lime sludge in the receiving chutes 4 a . The level measuring tank 14 from FIG. 1 is thus omitted. In FIG. 3 , the level is instead measured in the receiving chutes 4 a via a level meter 21 b , the signal A from which is sent to a regulating unit 22 b . The regulating unit acts on valves 26 a / 26 b , by which the overpressure in the filter and thus the filtration flow through the filter can be regulated. The level 30 b at which the lime sludge can be fed out in the variant with a rising pipe corresponds to a raised level relative to the level of the unfiltered liquid in the filter. The maximum raised level corresponds to the maximum pressure level inside the filter minus the pressure losses in the pipe system.
A modified recirculation system 12 in FIG. 3 is connected to the pipe system, the inlet 12 a of the recirculation system being arranged after the connection of the last chute to the pipe system, seen in the feed-out direction of the lime sludge through the pipe system, and an outlet 12 b being arranged in front of the connection of the first chute to the pipe system. A pump 12 c is arranged in the recirculation system for recirculation of a part quantity of diluted lime sludge from its inlet to its outlet. The inlet 12 a of the recirculation system is arranged at the lowest point of the pipe system, which is after the level measuring tank 14 in the embodiment shown. In contrast to the recirculation system shown in FIG. 1 , at least one second outlet 12 e is also arranged so as to open in each receiving chute 4 a at a level between its receiving opening 4 and its connection to the pipe system. Each outlet 12 e is provided with recirculated diluted lime sludge via the branch 12 from the pressure side of the pump 12 c . In this way, a boosted flow is obtained through the receiving chutes as well, as a result of which the risks of sedimentation and clogging in the receiving chutes are also reduced.
The invention can be modified in a number of ways within the scope of the accompanying patent claims, among which the following modifications may be considered.
For example, the recirculation system may comprise only the outlet 12 e in each receiving chute, the outlet 12 b being omitted. Control of the desired quantities in each outlet is preferably effected by suitable dimensioning of the cross section of the flow ducts in the recirculation system.
The most upstream receiving chute, seen in the feed-out direction of the lime sludge, or the outlet 12 b , can also be provided with a flow duct of maximum cross section, so that a strong basic flow of recirculated lime sludge is developed at the start of the pipe system.
In the variant with a rising pipe 24 , the inlet 12 c can be connected directly below this rising pipe, as some sedimentation of the lime sludge can take place during onward transport upwards in the rising pipe 24 .
The recirculation system shown can also be supplemented with air or water, and also air/water mixtures, being intermixed or substituted.
The circulation flow of lime sludge does not necessarily have to be taken from the lowest point in the system either, although this is preferable.
In the variant shown in FIG. 3 , the rising pipe 24 can be replaced by a regulating valve (or pump) in the same manner as in FIG. 1 .
Depending on the nature of following systems, the level regulation in FIG. 3 with pressure regulation 26 a / 26 b can also be used in the system shown in FIG. 1 .
| 3D
| 21 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The dye compositions of the present invention combining with red and yellow dyestuffs form a three-primary-color composition, which overcomes the color fading and discoloration problems, and exhibits outstanding properties of light fastness and perspiration-light fastness.
wherein Y′ is —CH═CH2or —CH2CH2OSO3H. Most preferably it is the blue anthraquinone dye of the following formula (I-1)
The synthesis of formula (II) may refer to UK Patent No. 1,162,144. Preferably the compound of formula (II) is the gray-black azo dye of the following formula (IIa)
wherein Y is —CH═CH2, —CH2CH2Cl, or —CH2CH2OSO3H. More preferably it is the gray-black azo dye of the following formula (IIb)
wherein Y′ is —CH═CH2or —CH2CH2OSO3H. Most preferably it is the gray-black azo dye of the following formula (II-1)
The compositions of the present invention can be prepared in several ways. For example, the dye components can be prepared separately and then mixed together to make powder, granular and liquid forms, or a number of individual dyes may be mixed according to the dyeing recipes in a dyehouse. The dye mixtures of the present invention can be prepared, for example, by mixing the individual dyes. The mixing process is carried out, for example, in a suitable mill, such as a ball mill or a pin mill, or kneaders or mixers.
If necessary, the dye composition of the present invention may contain inorganic salts (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium sulfate), dispersants (e.g. β-naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensation products, methylnaphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensation products, acetylaminonaphthol based compounds, etc.), non-dusting agents (e.g. di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate, etc.), pH buffering agents (e.g. sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, etc.), water softeners (e.g. polyphosphate, etc.), well-known dyeing assistants, etc.
The form of the dye composition of the present invention is not critical. The dye composition can be powders, granules or liquids form.
For the convenience of description, the compounds are depicted as free acids in the specification. When the dyestuffs of the present invention are manufactured, purified or used, they exist in the form of water soluble salts, especially alkaline metallic salts, such as sodium salts, lithium salts, potassium salts or ammonium salts.
The dye compositions of the present invention can be used to dye a wide range of fiber materials, especially for cellulose fiber materials. These dye compositions can also be used to dye natural cellulose fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers, such as cotton, linen, jute, ramie, mucilage rayon, as well as cellulose based fibers.
The dyeing by using the dye compositions of the present invention can be any generally used process. Take exhaustion dyeing for example, it utilizes either inorganic neutral salts such as sodium sulfate anhydride and sodium chloride, or acid chelating agents such as sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide, or both of them. The amount of inorganic neutral salts or base is not of concern, and can be added once or separately. In addition to that, it is optional to add traditionally used dyeing assistants, such as leveling agents and retarding agents. The temperature of dyeing ranges from 40° C. to 90° C., and preferably 50° C. to 70° C.
A cold batch-up dyeing method firstly carried out pad-dyeing by using inorganic neutral salts such as sodium sulfate anhydride and sodium chloride, and acid chelating agents such as sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide, and then the materials were rolled up to start dyeing.
Continuous dyeing is single batch-up dyeing, which mixes a well-known acid chelating agent such as sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate with a pad-dyeing liquor, and pad-dyeing is carried out. After that, the dyed materials are dried or evaporated to fix the color, and then the dyed materials are treated with well-known inorganic neutral salts such as sodium sulfate anhydride and sodium chloride, and acid chelating agents such as sodium hydroxide or sodium silicate. Preferably, the treated materials are dried or evaporated again by common methods to finally fix the color.
Among textile printing methods, a one-way printing method utilizes a printing paste containing an acid chelating agent such as sodium bicarbonate to print the materials, thereafter the printed materials are dried or evaporated to fix the color. However, a two-phase printing method includes printing by printing paste and fixing color by soaking the printed materials in high temperature (90° C. or above) solution containing inorganic neutral salts (like sodium chloride) and acid chelating agents (like sodium hydroxide or sodium silicate). The dyeing methods of the present invention are not restricted to the aforementioned methods.
The dye compositions of the present invention not only have excellent fixative ability and build up, but are also provided with good properties in darkness of colors, levelness, cleaning, solubility, and exhausting and fixative extent. Therefore, exhaustion dyeing at a low temperature and pad dyeing can be carried out in a short period of time. The dyed products are highly fixative and minimally damaged after soap cleaning.
The dye composition of the present invention exhibits superior hue and excellent cellulose-dyestuff combination stability in dyeing cellulose fiber materials, no matter the dyeing environment is acid or base. Besides, the dyed cellulose fiber materials have good properties of light fastness, perspiration-light fastness, and wet fastness, e.g. clean fastness, water fastness, sea water fastness, cross-dyeing fastness, and perspiration fastness, as well as fastness of wrinkling, ironing, and friction. Therefore, it is a valuable reactive navy blue dye for cellulose fibers in the dyeing industry. The dye compositions have the materials dyed with excellent properties and resulted in outstanding light fastness and perspiration-light fastness. Owing to the change of the demand of the market, the general reactive dyestuff will not meet the requirements of the extremely light color and mélange market any more. The dye compositions of the present invention exhibit better perspiration-light fastness in light color, and particularly in mélange of extremely light color, which leads to fit in with the requirements and expectations of market.
Many examples have been used to illustrate the present invention. The examples sited below should not be taken as a limit to the scope of the invention. In these examples, the compounds are represented in the form of dissolved acid. However, in practice, they will exist as alkali salts for mixing and salts for dyeing.
In the following examples, quantities are given as parts by weight (%) if there is no indication. The relationship between weight parts and volume parts are the same as that between kilogram and liter.
EXAMPLE 1
The blue anthraquinone dye of formula (I) (55 weight parts) and the gray-black azo dye of formula (II) (45 weight parts) were prepared, which were then mixed completely to form a dye composition.
EXAMPLE 2-3
The preparation methods of Examples 2 and 3 were the same as Example 1, except the ratios of raw material were different, which are listed in table 1 below.
TABLE 1ExampleDye of formula (I-1)Dye of formula (II-1)Example 230 parts70 partsExample 370 parts30 parts
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1-4
Compare the dyeing properties of the dye compositions of the present invention with the prior dyestuffs, which have large sales volume and wide purpose in the marketplace, like reactive black B, reactive blue BRF, or reactive navy blue FBN.
The preparation methods of Comparative examples 1 to 4 were the same as Example 1, except the kinds of raw materials and the ratios of each raw material were different, which are listed in table 2 below.
TABLE 2Dye ofDye ofReactiveformulaformulaReactiveReactiveNavy BlueExample(I-1)(II-1)Black BBlue BRFFBNComparative60 parts—40 parts——example 1Comparative——40 parts60 parts—example 2Comparative—100 parts———example 3Comparative————100 partsexample 4
The dye of comparative Example 3 is fully composed of the dye of formula (II-1) in order to show the dyeing properties without the existence of the dye of formula (I-1). Besides, use of reactive navy blue FBN acts as the dye of Comparative example 4 to demonstrate the perspiration-light fastness of the present invention in ultra-light color mixing.
TESTING EXAMPLE 1
Light Fastness Testing by Exhaustion Dyeing
The light fastness of each dye composition of Example 1 and Comparative example 1-4 was tested. Also their mixtures composed of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue, were tested. The detailed description is as the following.
First, three dye liquors were prepared, wherein each respectively had a concentration of 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% on the weight of the fabric (o.w.f). After that, inorganic neutral salt was added, and then dyeing of the un-mercerized cloths made of pure cotton was started. The un-mercerized cotton cloths were soaked in the dye liquors. At the same time, dyeing of the dyestuffs was started at 60° C. and then the dyestuffs started diffusing to adhere the cloths with the aid of a horizontal shaker, which is followed by adding an alkali agent that made the dyestuffs react with fiber completely to achieve firm adherence. The resulting dyed cloths were water cleaned, soap washed, and tumble-dried to form finished products.
The obtained products aforementioned were tested in a light fastness machine, in which the samples and blue color labels were put and illuminated by a Xenon-Arc Lamp Light (ISO 105-B02), wherein the blue color labels were classified into eight degrees, i.e. L1 to L8. When the color fading of DE=1.7±0.3 occurred on the sample, the illuminating of the samples was stopped. The results are summarized in table 3 below.
TABLE 3Concentration ofDegree ofExampledye liquors (o.w.f)color labelsExample 10.1%40.5%4-51.0%5-6Comparative example 10.1%30.5%3-41.0%4Comparative example 20.1%2-30.5%2-31.0%3Comparative example 30.1%3-40.5%41.0%5Comparative example 40.1%30.5%3-41.0%4
Currently, the red dyestuff-Everzol Red LF-2BL™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC) and the yellow dyestuff-Everzol Yellow 3RS™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC) have large sales volumes and wide purposes in the marketplace, and are the main products for color mixing. In the present invention, Everzol Red LF-2BL™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC) and Everzol Yellow 3RS™(Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC) were chosen to be mixed with the navy blue dye compositions of the present invention to show the performance of color mixing of the three primary colors, i.e., yellow, red, and blue of the present invention. The resulted are listed in table 4.
TABLE 4The composition of dyemixture composed ofthree primary colorsConcentration ofDegree of color(yellow, red, and blue)dye liquors (o.w.f)labels{circle around (1)}Example 10.1%4-5{circle around (2)}Everzol Red LF-2BL ™0.5%5-6{circle around (3)}Everzol Yellow 3RS ™1.0%6
After the illuminating testing, the cloths were measured by a DATA MATCH computer metering system to find the difference of dyeing degree and color fading. The higher degree of dyeing and the lesser extent of color fading are preferred. Under high energy illumination, the light fastness of the dye composition of example 1, i.e. the dye composition of the present invention, is above degree 5, which proves that the dye compositions of the present invention have a high degree of dyeing, a low extent of color fading, and good light fastness. Also, among the color mixing compositions containing the yellow, red, and blue dyes, the light fastness of the composition containing the dye of example 1 attains degree 5, which shows that the dye composition of the present invention has higher degree of dyeing, a lesser extent of color fading, and better light fastness than the existing art.
TESTING EXAMPLE 2
Perspiration-Light Fastness Testing by Exhaustion Dyeing
The dyeing steps were the same as testing example 1, except that the dyed cloths were soaked in artificial perspiration solution (ISO-105-E04), in which the acid solution and alkali solution are prepared as listed in table 5 below.
TABLE 5Artificial perspiration solution (ISO-105-E04)Acid solutionAlkali solutionC6H9O2N3.HCl.H2O0.5 g/lC6H9O2N3.HCl.H2O0.5 g/lNaCl5.0 g/lNaCl5.0 g/lNaH2PO4.2H2O2.2 g/lNa2HPO4.2H2O2.5 g/lAdjusting pH to 5.5Adjusting pH to 8.0
After the dyed cloths were fully moistened in the artificial perspiration solution, the pick up of the dyed cloths was controlled to be 100%, and then the Xenon-Arc Lamp Light (ISO 105-B02) illuminating test was proceeded with. The eight-degree blue labels and cloth samples were put into the light fastness machine together to be illuminated, wherein the cloth samples were illuminated from L1 to L8. The illuminations were stopped when a color fading of DE=1.7±0.3 occurred on the cloth samples. The results are summarized in tables 6 and 7 below.
TABLE 6Acid perspiration lightAlkali perspiration lightConcentration of dyeConcentration of dyeliquors (o.w.f)liquors (o.w.f)0.1%0.5%1.0%0.1%0.5%1.0%Example 13-4452-333-4Comparative2-333-41-222-3example 1Comparative222-31-21-22example 2Comparative33-44-5222-3example 3Comparative333-4222-3example 4
TABLE 7Acid PerspirationAlkali PerspirationColor mixing compositionLightLightcomposed of the threeConcentration ofConcentration of dyeprimary colors-yellow, red,dye liquors (o.w.f)liquors (o.w.f)and blue0.1%0.5%1.0%0.1%0.5%1.0%{circle around (1)}Example 14-555444-5{circle around (2)}Everzol Red LF-2BL ™{circle around (3)}Everzol Yellow 3RS ™
The samples dyed by the above-mentioned Example 1, Comparative examples 1 to 4, and mixture compositions of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue, were illuminated by light and then the difference of dyeing ability and the extent of color fading were compared by using the DATA MATCH computer metering system. The higher degree of dyeing and the lesser extent of color fading are preferred. By illuminating at a high energy level, the perspiration-light fastness of the dye composition of example 1, i.e. the dye composition of the present invention, is above degree 3, which means that the dye composition of the present invention has a higher degree of dyeing, a lesser extent of color fading, and a better perspiration-light fastness compared to prior arts. Also, among the color mixing compositions composed of dyes of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue, the perspiration-light fastness of the composition containing the dye of example 1 achieved degree 4, which revealed that the dye composition of the present invention has higher degree of dyeing, a lesser extent of color fading, and a better perspiration-light fastness than the prior art.
TESTING EXAMPLE 3
Perspiration-Light Fastness Testing by Using the Cold Printed Batch-Up (C.P.B.) Dyeing Method
The dye composition of example 1 was further proceeded with cold printed batch-up dyeing. Similarly, the C.P.B dyeing test was carried out by using the single color dye and the mixing color dyes composed of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue. The preparing method and the results will be described in the following description.
First, four dye liquors were prepared, wherein each of dye liquor respectively had a concentration of 5, 10, 20, and 40 g/l, and a volume of 80 ml, which was followed by adding 20 ml of an alkali solution and high-speed mixing. The amounts of the alkali solutions are listed in the following table 8.
TABLE 8Concentration of dye liquor, g/lAmount of alkali solution1-2020-4040-7070NaOH(38° B'e), ml/l15202530Na2SiO3(48° B'e), g/l100
The mercerized cotton twill was dyed with the above-mentioned dye liquors, wherein the twill was soaked in the dye liquors to achieve the adhesion and diffusion of the dyestuffs. The pick up of the mercerized cotton twill was controlled to be 70% and the temperature of dye liquors was controlled to be 25° C. After that, pad-dye in a printed dyeing testing machine was carried out, and then the pad-dyed cloths were rolled up at room temperature for 4 hours. Afterwards, the dyed cloths were water cleaned, soap washed, and tumble-dried to become finished products.
The dyed materials were soaked individually in an artificial perspiration solution prepared as listed in table 5. After the dyed materials were completely damped, the Xenon-Arc Lamp Light (ISO 105-B02) illumination test was proceeded with at a controlled pick up of 100%. The eight-degree blue labels and dyed samples were illuminated in a light fastness machine, wherein the blue labels were classified into degrees ranging from L1 to L8. When the color fading of DE=1.7±0.3 occurred on the samples, illuminating of the samples was stopped. The results are summarized in tables 9 and 10 below.
TABLE 9AcidAlkaliperspiration lightperspiration lightConcentration ofConcentration ofdye liquors (g/l)dye liquors (g/l)5102051020Example 14-555-63-445
TABLE 10Acid PerspirationAlkali PerspirationColor mixing compositionLightLightcomposed of the threeConcentration ofConcentration ofprimary colors-yellow,dye liquors (g/l)dye liquors (g/l)red, and blue102040102040{circle around (1)}Example 14-555455{circle around (2)}Everzol Red LF-2BL ™{circle around (3)}Everzol Yellow 3RS ™
The cloth samples dyed by the above-mentioned example 1 and mixture compositions of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue, were soaked in artificial perspiration solutions, and tested by illuminating using the DATA MATCH computer metering system in order to compare the difference of dyeing ability and the extent of color fading. The higher degree of dyeing and the lesser extent of color fading are preferred. By illuminating at a high energy level, the perspiration-light fastness of the dye composition of example 1, i.e. the dye composition of the present invention, is above degree 4, which means that the dye composition of the present invention has a higher degree of dyeing, a lesser extent of color fading, and better perspiration-light fastness than the prior art. Also, among the color mixing compositions composed of dyes of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue, the perspiration-light fastness of the composition containing the dye of example 1 was above degree 5, which exhibited that the dye composition of the present invention has a higher degree of dyeing, a lesser extent of color fading, and a better perspiration-light fastness than the prior art.
Generally speaking, the color matching of the dyestuffs is through mixing of the three primary colors, i.e. yellow, red, and blue. In particular, for the color matching of the middle to dark colors, the navy blue component faded and changed quite obviously after exposure to light in the prior art due to the lower light fastness of the navy blue component comparing with that of yellow and red ones. The dye compositions of the present invention have improved the light fastness of the navy blue dyestuff. In particularly, the ultra-light color collocated by the dye compositions of the present invention, the red dyestuff-Everzol Red LF-2BL™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC), and the yellow dyestuff-Everzol Yellow 3RS™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC) is qualified to have less variation in color after exposure to light. Besides, the color fading of the sample having the ultra-light color above-mentioned is the same as its variation in color. As the dye compositions of the present invention are used with the red dyestuff-Everzol Red LF-2BL™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC) and the yellow dyestuff-Everzol Yellow 3RS™ (Everlight Chemical Inc., Taiwan, ROC), the dye mixture not only achieves a fastness above 4, but also exhibits the outstanding properties of the present invention as well as the higher efficiency thereof.
The testing results of Examples 2 and 3 of the present invention in the tests referring to testing Examples 1 to 3 above-mentioned are also compatible with those of Example 1.
The dye compositions of the present invention are suitable for common uses and have excellent properties. They can be applied to cellulose fibers by general dyeing methods, such as exhaustion dyeing, printed-dyeing, or continuous dyeing that are commonly used in the dyeing of reactive dyestuffs
The dye compositions of the present invention are water-soluble dyestuffs that have a highly commercial value. The dye compositions of the present invention can manufacture dyed materials that exhibit excellent properties in all aspects, especially in cleaning, darkness of colors, levelness, light fastness, and perspiration-light fastness.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
| 3D
| 06 | P |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF
Referring now to the drawings, showing various illustrative embodiments of
the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hybridization
incubator 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.
The hybridization incubator 100 comprises a main incubator module 102 and
an electronics/control module 104 which is operatively coupled to the main
incubator module 102 for operation of the unit in an automatic and
controllable manner.
The main incubator module 102 as shown comprises a housing 106 defining
therewithin an incubator chamber 128. The housing suitably may be of
doubled-walled construction, having an insulative medium between the
respective inner and outer walls, e.g., a multilayer foil/paper
superinsulation material, or a low conductivity (insulative) medium such
as perlite, fiberglass batting, or the like.
The outer wall of the incubator housing comprises the vertical, upwardly
extending side walls 108 and 110, which may be joined at their lower edges
to a suitable bottom wall (not shown), or alternatively the housing 106
may be open on its bottom portion, and having a recessed bottom wall in
close proximity to the chamber 128, by way of accommodating the air
blower, heating means, and the like which are disposed beneath the chamber
128 within the housing below the chamber floor 116 and any associated
floor or wall beneath such chamber floor member.
The lower portion of housing 106 includes front panel 138 having a grill
140 therein to accommodate exhaust from the air blower, as hereinafter
more fully described.
Joined to the upper ends of side walls 108 and 110 are convergent wall
segments 112 and 154. Walls 112 and 154 extend convergently toward the
upper extremity of housing 106, and are joined at their upper and inner
edges with top wall 114, whereby the housing has the polygonal
configuration shown.
As indicated, the housing 106 may be of doubled-walled character, and in
the embodiment shown the incubator chamber 128 is bounded by interior wall
members or wall segments, including floor 116, side wall 118, and upper
wall segment 120.
As shown in the front elevation view of FIG. 2, wherein the carousel shown
in FIG. 1 has been omitted for clarity of description, the bounding walls
of the chamber 128 include top horizontal wall 152, angular upper wall
121, and vertical side wall 150, in addition to angular upper wall 120,
vertical side wall 118 and floor 116 shown and described with reference to
FIG. 1.
At the rear wall 139 of the chamber 128, as shown in FIG. 2, a cutout
opening 160 is provided for accommodating the drive means employed for
driving the carousel 131 (see FIG. 1).
The carousel 131 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a front circular disk member
132 and has a series of openings therein to accommodate insertion
thereinto of hybridization containers 134 and 136, whereby varying
hybridization medium volumes can be accommodated in the carousel. The
carousel 131 is mounted on vertical support 130 at its lower end, in a
manner allowing free rotation of the carousel in a desired direction of
rotation (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise).
The support 130 at its lower portion includes suitable bearing means
whereby the main central shaft (not shown) of the carousel is journaled or
otherwise disposed in such bearing to accommodate a low friction
rotational movement of the carousel in operation.
At the lower right-hand portion of the chamber 128 as best shown in FIG. 2,
is provided a heated gas discharge unit 133 which is operatively coupled
to suitable gas heating and supply means (not shown). Unit 133 is suitably
louvered, vented, or otherwise provided with gas discharge ports for
discharging gas in a selected flow path configuration, as for example in
the directions indicated by arrows A, B, and C in the drawing.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the discharge
unit 133 is suitably configured to discharge gas in multiple directions,
as for example predominantly in the directions indicated by arrows A and
C, whereby heated gas flow around the periphery of the carousel is
produced, to thereby minimize temperature gradients, and to ensure a
temperature uniformity and stability to a tolerance of within about
.+-.0.5.degree. C.
In respect of the foregoing, the polygonal bounding wall configuration of
chamber 128 enhances the aforementioned temperature uniformity and
stability characteristics of the hybridization apparatus. Gas flows, e.g.,
those directed predominantly in the directions indicted by arrows A and C
are directed along the respective wall surfaces of vertical side wall 150
(resulting from the flow stream of gas generally along the direction of
arrow A) and floor 116 (resulting from the flow of gas from the discharge
unit 133 in the direction indicated generally by arrow C. The directed gas
flows of heated gas, e.g., air, then travel circumferentially about the
inner bounding wall surfaces of the chamber 128, and the generally domed
upper portion of the apparatus causes the gas to be broken up from its
uniform flow direction and induces a highly effective internal circulation
of heated gas which further minimizes the occurrence of temperature
gradients within the interior volume of chamber 128, and provides enhanced
temperature stability and uniformity within the aforementioned tolerance
level (about .+-.0.5.degree. C.).
For the purpose of inducing the highly efficient internal circulation of
heated gas throughout the interior volume and the carousel disposed
therein use, it is desirable to construct the housing so that the bounding
walls of chamber 128 include at least one obtuse included angle between
adjacent wall segments, as in the polygonal upper wall structure shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
Thus, the invention contemplates a highly efficient hybridization apparatus
wherein the chamber structure and geometry produce a highly efficient
circulation of heated gas in the chamber of the apparatus, and in the
practice of the invention, heated gas preferably is introduced in such a
manner as to enhance such internal circulatory flows of gas, for
maintenance of constant temperature conditions at a selected temperature
value within the aforementioned low tolerance level.
It will be recognized that the geometry and configuration of the incubator
chamber may be widely varied in the broad practice of the present
invention, as an alternative to the specific polygonal structures shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, and that independently, heated gas may be introduced to the
chamber in any suitable manner which is productive of enhanced flow and
circulation of gas within the interior volume of the chamber.
For example, depending on the size and character of the incubator
apparatus, it may be satisfactory in some instances to provide only a
unidirectional introduction of gas into the incubator chamber. For
example, referring to FIG. 2, it may be satisfactory in some instances to
introduce a heated gas stream predominantly or even solely in the
direction indicated by arrow A, and with the carousel 131 (see FIG. 1)
being rotated in a clockwise direction, opposite to the direction of gas
flow introduction along vertical side wall 150. By this opposing
arrangement, the movement of the carousel opposes the flowed direction of
the influent gas and creates an increased dispersion of the heated gas in
the incubator chamber and enhanced temperature uniformity and stability,
relative to a chamber lacking such "opposed direction" arrangement of the
heated gas introduction means and the carousel.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the incubator chamber 128 is bounded at its
front face by the door 122 which comprises a frame 124 and a transparent
window 126, which may be of tempered glass, either single pane or
preferably double pane, of a suitable heat resistance character. The door
122 may be hingedly joined to the associated housing wall 106, as for
example by means of the hinge members 107 and 109 shown in FIG. 2, to
provide a front-loading capability for the appartus. Correspondingly, the
door 122 may be equipped with latch or securement means on its right-hand
portion, such as a magnetic latch disposed on the inner side surface of
the frame at the right-hand portion thereof, and matable with a
corresponding magnetic strike plate or other suitable closure means
cooperatively therewith.
The door 122 preferably is constructed and arranged to fit leak-tightly or
at least to have a low gas leakage character with respect to the joint
between the door and the housing when the door is closed and the
hybridization apparatus is in operation.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and electronics/control module 104 is
mounted in side-by-side relation to the main incubator module 102. The
electronic/control module 104 may be constructed as a separate or
separable unit, or alternatively it may be fixedly secured to the vertical
wall 108 of housing 106 to form a conjoint or unitary structure therewith.
The electronics/control module 104 includes a housing comprising side wall
142, main front wall 144, upper front wall 146, and top wall 147 featuring
an electronics monitoring and control display 148 at the upper portion
thereof, as shown. The monitoring and control display 148 is suitably
joined to electronics and circuitry means disposed within the housing of
module 104, and connected by suitable signal transmission and control
signal transmission to the appertaining elements in housing 106, which as
mentioned may be disposed within housing 106 in the lower portion thereof
behind front panel 138. On the main front wall 144 of the
electronic/control module 104 is provided a grill 145 behind which is
provided an exhaust fan, for cooling of the monitoring and control
elements disposed within the electronics/control module housing.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the incubator apparatus of FIGS. 1-2,
showing the configuration and details thereof. As shown, the
electronics/control module 104 features a side wall 142 joined at its
front edge to front main wall 144 and upper front wall 146. The module 104
includes an upper rear wall 149 and upper front wall 147 having the
monitoring/control display 148 mounted thereon. The door 122 frontally
encloses the incubator chamber (not shown in FIG. 3), with the door frame
124 providing a close fit with the housing 106, by means of insulation
seal 111 on the inner circumferential surface of frame 124.
At the rear wall 171 of the housing 106 is joined a sub-housing 170 which
accommodates the drive means employed to motively rotate the carousel, as
hereinafter more fully described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 hereof.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG. 4 is a front elevation view, and FIG.
5 a side elevation view, of the incubator apparatus of FIGS. 1-3, showing
the details of the internal structure thereof, in a simplified, partially
schematic fashion.
The corresponding parts and elements in FIGS. 4 and 5 are numbered
correspondingly with respect to the same or corresponding features of
FIGS. 1-3.
As shown in FIG. 4, the main incubator module 100 features carousel 131
mounted by means of cylindrical spindle assembly 172 at the lower portion
of support 130, with the shaft 217 of the carousel spindle being generally
horizontally aligned and extending through the bearing 219 at the rear
wall 171 of housing 106, the shaft within the sub-housing 170 being joined
to a driven pulley 221 fixedly mounted on shaft 217 and driven by drive
belt 178 secured in turn to pulley 223 mounted on drive shaft 225, such
drive shaft being connected to the drive motor 182 for driving of shaft
217 in a selected direction of rotation and at a selected rotational
speed.
The carousel 131 as shown in FIG. 4 comprises a front, generally
circular-shaped disk 132 having openings 174, of relatively larger
diameter, and 176, of relatively smaller diameter, therein in a
geometrically regular pattern about its periphery. The carousel also, as
shown in FIG. 5 comprises a corresponding rear, generally circular disk
135 which is correspondingly constructed and is secured to the cylindrical
spindle 172 in the same manner as disk member 132. The carousel provides a
three-mode movement of the sample container during rotation of the
carousel-rotation of the sample container about its own axis, rotation
about the axis of the carousel spindle, and back-and-forth movement.
By this arrangement, the carousel 131 is constructed to accommodate the
mounting of hybridization medium containers in the correspondingly sized
openings 174, 176 of the carousel disks, so that containers, such as
container 241 shown in FIG. 5 can be supportively maintained in the
carousel and subjected to rotation during the rotary movement of the
carousel to effect intimate mixing of the hybridization medium, as for
example nucleic acid blots and buffer medium, or other reagents and
hybridization components, as retained in such containers. The container
241 is shown as having a cylindrical body 243 and an enlarged cap 247
which is leak-tightly secured thereto.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a blower 184 is mounted in the plenum space 251
of housing 106, and this blower is joined in gas outflow relationship to
the gas discharge unit 133 for introduction of heated gas into the
interior volume 128 of the chamber bounded by interior wall surfaces of
wall members 116, 118, 120, 150, 121, and 152. The discharge unit 133 may
be suitably ported, vented, louvered, or otherwise constructed for
appropriate gas discharge flow, and as previously discussed, this unit
preferably is constructed to produce a multidirectional flow of the
discharge gas, preferably including main directed flows along each of the
associated (adjacent) wall surfaces (of wall members 116 and 150).
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the drive belt 178 is connected at one end to
drive shaft 225 of drive motor 182, and is connected at its other end to
the cylindrical spindle 172 and driven spindle shaft 217.
As also shown in FIG. 5, the housing may be further vented in any suitable
manner, as for example is shown with reference to the side vents 261 and
263.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a monitoring/control display panel 148,
of a type which may be used in connection with the electronics/control
module 104 shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 hereof.
As shown in FIG. 6, the monitoring/control display 148 on panel 190
features an on-off pressure switch 192, which may be a membrane switch or
other suitable switch device which is manually actuatable. At the upper
portion of the on-off switch 192 is a display light 291 which is
illuminated when the electronic/control module is turned on. At the
left-hand portion of the display is a digital temperature display 194 and
to the right of such digital temperature display are temperature set point
switches 196 and 198, switch 196 upon application of manual pressure
thereto upwardly or increasingly incrementing the set point temperature by
a predetermined increment, e.g., 1.degree. C., and the switch 198
corresponding decreasing or decrementing the set point temperature value,
as display on display 194.
On the right-hand portion of display 148 is provided a temperature/time
readout display 200, and to the left of such readout display are time
switch 214 and temperature 212, which may be selectively depressed to
choose the display modality of display 200, as showing the time or the
temperature, as desired.
Below temperature/time display 200 are sets switches 216 and 218. Switch
216 is a time set switch which is adapted for fast incrementing of the
time, to select a rough time setting value, and switch 218 is a
corresponding slow set switch for more closely selecting the desired time,
so that switches 216 and 218 are in effect "rough" and "fine" time set
switches.
In use, the display 148 may be actuated by the on-off switch 192, and the
set point temperature for the incubation chamber may be set by means of
set point switches 196 and 198 to display the desired set point
temperature on display 194.
Subsequent to establishment of a desired set point temperature for the
hybridization chamber, the time parameter of the hybridization operation
and any appropriate time-temperature schedule (in the event the
hybridization is carried out under more than one temperature value) is set
by means of the time set switches 216 and 218, and the temperature is
correspondingly reset for different phases of the multi-temperature
hybridization sequence, by means of temperature set switches 196 and 198.
During the subsequent operation of the hybridization apparatus, the time
switch 214 and temperature switch 212 may be alternatively actuated to
display the actual temperature and elapsed time.
The display 148 shown in FIG. 6 may be associated with suitable
microprocessor and microcircuitry elements of a type well known and within
the skill of the art and the field of biomedical instrumentation. The
temperature settings and time selections may thus be stored in the
microprocessor and employed during the hybridization to selectively adjust
the intensity of heating in the heating element associated with gas
delivery means 184 (see FIG. 4), as for example a resistance heating
element disposed in the inlet or outlet passage of the blower.
While the invention has been shown with respect to specific embodiments,
features, and elements, it will be recognized that the invention may be
widely varied and that other variations, modifications, and embodiments
are possible within the broad scope of the invention, and accordingly all
such variations modifications and embodiments are to be regarded as being
within the spirit and scope of the invention. | 2C
| 12 | M |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a bollard 10 installed into the ground G into a concrete
base 16 located below grade level. The bollard 10 is located near to for
example a drive-up window 17 of a store or a bank, or a food service 18 to
protect the window 17 from impact from a vehicle 19. The bollard is
composed of a pipe 20, typically 3" in diameter and made of steel,
extending vertically upward. The base 16 is advantageously 2 foot by 2
foot by 1 foot thick, although the pipe can also be installed with a
concrete cylindrical socket instead. A bollard cap 26 overfits a top end
28 of the pipe 20 to complete the installation.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 the bollard cap includes a dome portion 30
which continues into a sleeve portion 32. The sleeve portion 32 has an
inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the pipe 20
and a length of about 3 inches. A reflective band 34 made of spring steel
can be snap engaged around a circumference of the sleeve 32. The
reflective band can be painted with a luminescent paint or reflective
coating for traffic safety at night to prevent collisions with the
bollard. The band is about 2" long. The cap can be formed of 1/4" aluminum
for lightweightedness, aesthetic appeal and formability.
As shown in FIG. 4, the dome 30 can be closed by a circular floor plate 35.
Protruding from the floor plate 35 is an anchor shaft 36 which is
typically 6" long and protrudes 5" into concrete 40 which fills the pipe
20. An anchor plate 37 is attached to an end of the shaft 36. The shaft
can be made of 1/2 diameter solid aluminum with 1/4" flat plate by 1" by
1" affixed at the bottom, by welding or screw threading. The shaft is
welded to a bottom surface of the floor plate 35.
Compared to prior art bollard top formations, the present invention
provides an easily installed cap which can be placed down into the wet
concrete without need for hand forming or welding. The reflective band
increases visibility for traffic safety.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 illustrate an alternate embodiment demonstrating further
advantages of the bollard cap of the present invention.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an alternate cap 26a includes a sleeve 50
proceeding downwardly from the dome 30 providing an enclosed volume V
which can hold electronics and sensors. The sleeve 50 includes hardened
plastic, transparent strips 52a,b covering openings or windows 53a,b
behind which is located motion detectors or optical detectors such as a
beam generator or receiver to transform the bollard into a security
device. A sensor control box 58 can be provided which, when the bollard
cap 26a is placed down into the pipe 20, registers with a conduit 60
having electrical conductors and/or optical conductors 62 therein for
providing power to the bollard or for transporting signals to-and-from the
bollard, such as sensor signals. Additionally, the bollard cap can include
an audio component 66 such as a small loudspeaker for providing warnings,
alarms, verbal instructions to persons near the bollard, etc. A reflective
band 70 can be applied below the electronics compartment as described
above.
The dome can be made of transparent material and can be provided with a
light therein for aesthetic purposes or for traffic safety. The shaft 36
and anchor plate 37 are attached to a subfloor plate 35a which is secured
to the sleeve 50.
The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 5 is not necessary for all applications but
is particularly suited for use around secured facilities or areas such as
federal buildings, banks, police stations, or other locations where
security is essential. A video camera, or still camera, 74a or a pair of
cameras 74a,b can be placed behind the strips 52a,b to monitor areas
projecting outward from the bollard. The windows 53a, 53b each wrap around
the sleeve slightly less than 180.degree. to allow for two remaining
vertical pieces 80a, 80b of the sleeve 50 for structural strength. Thus
the camera or cameras can monitor substantially all around the bollard.
The cameras 74a,b can monitor continuously and a video signal therefrom
sent to a security station with video monitors or to a video recorder.
Alternatively, the camera can be triggered to begin monitoring only when a
security breach occurs. This breach can be triggered by a motion detector
82 located within the volume V or by an optical sensor 83 producing an
optical beam interrupt signal between two spaced apart bollards. In that
case, one bollard would contain a beam emitter and the other a beam
receiver.
Also, a vehicle weight triggered cable-and-switch 86 can be provided
beneath the paving adjacent the bollard 10' as shown in FIG. 1. The switch
86 is a known device which closes a switch when subjected to pressure from
a vehicle weight. The weight of a vehicle above the cable-and-switch 86
sends a signal to trigger the cameras. In addition to triggering the
cameras 74a, 74b, the optical sensor 83, motion detector 82, the
cable-and-switch 86 or other disturbance sensor can activate the audio
transducer 66 to produce an alarm, audible instructions ("sorry this is a
restricted area please stay out"), or other communication. One or both
strips 52a, 52b can be made sound transparent if necessary, by
perforations for example, to pass sound through the bollard cap.
The sleeve 50 is threaded onto the sub floor plate 35a by engaging threads
90a,b applied onto an outside diameter of the plate 35a and the inside
diameter of the sleeve 50 respectively. Thus the cap 26a can be opened for
maintenance by unscrewing the sleeve 50 from the plate 35a which remains
anchored into the concrete 40 by the shaft 36. Special security screws 92,
removable only by a specialized tool, positively fix the sleeve 50 to the
plate 35a and prevent unauthorized tampering. The electronic components
are mounted to the plate 35a, and can be serviced when the dome 30 and
sleeve 50 are removed. The conductor(s) 62 can terminate in a
multiconductor plug 94 which connects to a compatible plug 95 during
installation of the cap 26a.
The embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 advantageously employs an 8 inches
nominal diameter D steel pipe, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Five no. 5
rebar are spaced equally around the inside, running the full length of the
pipe. The rebar are held together by No. 4 re-bar rings, spaced 12 inches
apart. The cap 26a can be made of brass, aluminum, copper or steel, or
other materials appropriate for the service. The strips 52a, 52b are
advantageously 2 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a
specific embodiment, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes
may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims. | 4E
| 01 | F |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated inFIG. 1a specific embodiment of the stake installation tool generally designated as26. The stake installation tool26is useful to install a stake (150) into a strata20, e.g., earth strata. There should be an appreciation that the stake150can be of a wide variety of materials. The stake can be metallic, which includes magnetizable metallic materials and non-magnetizable metallic materials. The stake can be non-magnetic, which includes plastic or biodegradable materials. The stake can also present such a geometry and composition to be suitable for different soil conditions found in different geological and geographic regions.
One typical environment to install stakes (150) is in connection with the installation of a sod, erosion control blanket or seed blanket (22) over the ground or earth strata20. One typical environment is in an excavation situations, such in highway construction, wherein the earth strata is disturbed and left exposed to the elements. The stake150passes through the sod, erosion control blanket or seed blanket22and enters into the earth strata20thereby securing the sod, erosion control blanket or seed blanket22to the earth strata20. Although only one stake150is shown, the typical application uses many stakes sometimes into the hundreds or even into the thousands.
The stake installation tool26includes an elongate driver (or handle)28, which has a proximate end30and a distal end32. The stake installation26further includes a stake retention assembly36, which is connected or attached to the driver28at the proximate end30thereof. Here, the driver28is shown broken. As one could appreciate, the length and dimension of the driver28can be of any suitable magnitude to accommodate the worker. Along this line, the driver28has an axial length between the proximate end30and the distal end32. The axial length is adjustable to accommodate workers of different statures (e.g., heights).
The stake retention assembly36comprises a retention body42, which has a top surface44and a bottom surface46. The stake retention body42can be of a wear-resistant material such as, for example, acetal. A screw48, with a distal end50, projects from the top surface44. In the case of a wooden driver28, the screw48extends into the driver28to secure the stake retention assembly36to the driver.
In reference to the connection of the stake retention assembly36to the driver, as illustrated inFIG. 7, another embodiment of the stake retention assembly generally designated as248has a stake retention body250. Stake retention body250has a top surface252and a bottom surface254wherein a brush assembly256attaches to the bottom surface254. An integral neck258projects away from the top surface252. The integral neck258contains a threaded bore260, which is adapted to receive the threaded end of a handle or driver.
The stake retention assembly36further includes one bracket52. The one bracket52has a flange54and a retention bracket56with a retention bracket slot58. As shown inFIG. 6, the flange54of the bracket52contains a pair of spaced apart slots60, which have a longitudinal axis A-A. The actual dimensions d magnitude of the slots60could vary depending upon the extent one desires to adjust the bracket. When the bracket52is affixed to the stake retention body42, screws63pass through the slots60and into corresponding holes61in the stake retention body42. The screws63, when tightened affix the bracket52to the stake retention body42. The ability of the bracket52to be adjustable and the advantages provided thereby will be discussed hereinafter.
Referring toFIG. 5, the retention bracket slot58is defined by a side member62of the retention bracket56, a bottom member64of the retention bracket56, a top member66of the retention bracket56, and a pair of projections68and70between which there is a gap71. The stake retention assembly36further includes another bracket72. The other bracket72has a flange74and a retention bracket76with a retention bracket slot78. Although not illustrated in the same fashion, the other bracket72also has slots in the flange thereof that provide for an adjustability feature like of bracket52. Referring toFIG. 5, the retention bracket slot78is defined by a side member82of the retention bracket76, a bottom member84of the retention bracket76, a top member86of the retention bracket76, and a pair of projections88and90between which there is a gap92.
The retention body42of the stake retention assembly36contains a retention passageway98. The retention passageway98is open at opposite ends and further includes one (or a first) side surface100, another (or a second) side surface102, wherein the side surfaces (100,102) join to a bottom surface104. The retention passageway98has a central longitudinal axis B-B (seeFIG. 5).
The stake retention assembly36further includes a brush assembly120(see, e.g.,FIGS. 2 and 5) or flexible holder. The brush assembly120comprises one brush holder122and a plurality of brushes124. The brushes124have a proximate end126and a distal end128. The brush holder122contains a notch129, to which the plurality brushes124connects or attaches at their proximate ends126. The brush assembly120further comprises another brush holder132and a plurality of brushes134. The brushes134have a proximate end136and a distal end138. The brush holder132contains a notch139, to which the plurality brushes134connects or attaches at their proximate ends136. As shown inFIG. 5, the distal ends128,138of the brushes124,134, respectively, overlap and engage one another in the region pointed out by reference numeral142.
As is apparent, the flexible holder comprises a first retention bracket adjacent to the first side of the retention passageway and a second retention bracket adjacent to the second side of the retention passageway. There is a first retention brush set attached to the first retention bracket and extending over at least a portion of the retention passageway. There is a second retention brush set attached to the second retention bracket and extending over at least a portion of the retention passageway.
The stake150comprises a head152, which has a top surface154, a side surface156and a bottom surface160. A pair of prongs162project out of the bottom surface160wherein the prongs162are joined at their proximate ends164to the bottom surface160of the head152. The prongs162each have a distal end166, which defines a point (or strata penetrator)168.
In operation, the operator or worker inserts the head152of the stake150into the retention passageway98(seeFIG. 3A) until the stake150is approximately midway between the opposite open ends of the retention passageway98(seeFIG. 3B). It is apparent that the head152has a dimension such that it can enter and pass along the retention passageway98. At this point, the flexible holder120engages the head152of the stake150to operatively retain the stake150. More specifically, the brushes (124,134) impinge and abut against the bottom surface160of the head152of the stake150to essentially restrain (or retain) the stake150from falling out of the retention passageway98. This kind of restraint is a mechanical resistance. In other words, the stiffness of the brushes is such to retain the stake. What this means is that the brushes (124,134) must be of a certain minimum level of stiffness to be able to retain the stake150within the retention passageway98. Once the stake150has been positioned within the retention passageway98(seeFIG. 4A), the worker presses or drives the stake installation tool26into the strata20whereby the stake150penetrates the strata20.FIG. 4Bshows the stake in the strata20. Here, the head152is not fully driven into the strata20. However, it is apparent that the strata could allow the stake installation tool to fully drive the stake into the strata.
Once the stake150is secured into the strata20, the worker then lifts up (see arrow “Z” inFIG. 4C) on the stake installation tool26thereby disengaging the stake installation tool26from the embedded stake150. The brushes (124,134) must not exceed a certain maximum level of stiffness so that when the stake installation tool26is lifted upward, the stake150stays in the strata20and is not pulled out of the strata20. Thus, it is apparent that the brushes must exhibit a stiffness within a minimum stiffness level sufficient to retain the stake within the retention passageway and not greater than a maximum stiffness level so as to not pull the stake out of the strata when the stake installation tool is removed after installation of the stake. What this means is the brushes should have a stiffness level between a minimum stiffness level stiff enough to operatively retain the stake within the retention passageway when the stake is within the retention passageway and a maximum stiffness level flexible enough to allow the stake installation tool to move away from the stake after installation of the stake in the strata without lifting the stake out of the strata.
As mentioned hereinabove, via the slots60, the brackets52,72are adjustable in the direction E-E (seeFIG. 6), which is transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (B-B) of the retention passageway. By being adjustable in the way they are, the brackets can vary the position of the brushes (124,134) with respect to one another. More specifically, by positioning the brackets closer to the retention passageway, the brushes are closer to one another. When the brushers are closer to one another, more of the brushes overlap and engage one another so that the region that impinges and abuts against the bottom surface160of the head152of the stake150exhibits a higher stiffness level. It is apparent that as the degree of the overlap of the brushes increases the level of stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake will increase.
FIG. 5shows the brackets52at one position wherein the distal ends of the brushes overlap and engage one another. In the position shown inFIG. 5, the brackets are a distance “C” away from one another. To illustrate the adjustability feature,FIG. 5Ashows the brackets52at another position wherein the distal ends of the brushes just touch or abut one another. In the position shown inFIG. 5A, the brackets are a distance “D” away from one another. It is apparent that the degree of stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake is higher for the arrangement shown inFIG. 5than for the arrangement shown inFIG. 5A.
Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B, the flexible holder or brush assembly can vary in that the stiffness of the brushes can be different between different brush assemblies. Thus, the different brush assemblies can accommodate stakes of different weights. For example, a brush assembly120with lighter brushes (124,134), which do not exhibit a great stiffness level, can accommodate stakes that are lighter weight. A brush assembly200with heavier brushes (206,208), which do exhibit a greater stiffness level, can accommodate stakes that are heavier. Brush assembly120comprises a pair of brushes124,134, which are relatively lighter, while the brush assembly200comprises a pair of brushes206,208, which are relatively heavier. Further, referring toFIG. 6B, the brush assembly200includes brush holders202,204that connect to brushes206,208, respectively.
As shown inFIG. 5in combination withFIGS. 6A and 6B, a brush assembly can be inserted into the corresponding bracket slot. It thus becomes apparent that the brush assemblies can be selectively connected to the stake retention assembly. The worker can thus make a selection from one set of brushes exhibiting a first level of stiffness and a second set of brushes exhibiting a second level of stiffness, and then install the desired set of brushes. Furthermore, as shown by the adjustability of the brackets, the worker can also vary the level of stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake by adjusting the position of the brackets.
What this means is that the worker has two ways to fine tune the stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake. The worker can either select brushes with a specific stiffness or vary the position of the brackets (and hence, the position of the brushes with respect to one another) to achieve a certain desired degree of stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake. The worker can also perform both in that the worker can select brushes with a specific stiffness and vary the position of the brackets to achieve a certain desired degree of stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake. The present invention provides a very advantageous feature by allowing the worker to make such fine tuned adjustments to achieve the desired degree of stiffness provided by the brushes engaging the stake. This feature also permits the present invention to accommodate a variety of stakes wherein some stakes may have a greater weight than others.
It becomes apparent that the present invention provides a stake installation tool that is an improvement over the use of a hammer to install stakes into the earth strata, and yet, is not a complex machine. The present invention provides a stake installation tool that does not require the worker to bend over repeatedly to install the stake into the earth strata. The present invention provides a stake installation tool that permits the worker to easily position the stake with reference to the tool prior to installation. The present invention provides a stake installation tool that is simple to use. The present invention provides a stake installation tool that can accommodate a variety of different kinds of stakes including metallic stakes (both magnetizable and non-magnetizable metallic stakes) and non-metallic stakes including without limitation plastic or biodegradable stakes. The present invention provides a stake installation tool that the worker can repair easily in the field.
The patents and other documents identified herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or a practice of the invention disclosed herein. There is the intention that the specification and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. The following claims indicate the true scope and spirit of the invention.
| 1B
| 25 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, therein is illustrated a
new and improved vertical tube type heat exchanger 10 designed to use
fluidized solid particulates 12 as a heat transfer medium in a fluidized
bed 14 contained within an upstanding insulated housing generally
indicated by the reference numeral 16. The housing 16 includes pairs of
inner and outer vertical side walls 18 and 20, respectively, separated
from one another by a space containing high quality, heat insulating
material 22.
At the lower end, the housing 16 is provided with a bottom wall 24 and at
the upper end a top wall 26 is joined to the outer side walls 20. As best
shown in FIG. 2, upper ends of the inner side walls 18 are joined to an
inner top wall 28 and at an intermediate level above the bottom wall 24,
the housing 16 is provided with a dividing wall 30 which separates the
interior of the housing 60 into a lower gas plenum chamber 32 and an
upper, heat exchange chamber 36 which contains the fluidized solids bed 14
in a lower half portion thereof above the floor 30 of the plenum chamber.
As viewed in FIG. 1, a flow of solid particulates 12 is introduced into the
fluidized bed 14 in the lower portion of the heat exchange chamber 34
through an inlet opening 36 having an outer flange 38 and adapted to
contain a flow of solid particulates moving from left to right as
indicated by the arrow "A". On an opposite side, the housing 16 is
provided with a discharge or outlet opening 40 and an insulated outlet
discharge duct 42 is connected to the outlet opening 40 to contain a
downward flow of solid particulates 12 as indicated by the arrow "B" (FIG.
1).
In accordance with the present invention, the vertical tube heat exchanger
10 is provided with a bank of vertically extending fluid tubes 44
containing gas and/or liquid such as steam and water to be heated. The
fluid moves upwardly in the tubes from an elongated lower supply header 46
mounted in the plenum chamber 32 and upper ends of the tubes are connected
to an upper header tank 48 at the center of the top walls 26 and 28 of the
housing 16 as best shown in FIG. 2.
The header tank 48 includes a pair of centrally aligned, upstanding support
brackets 49 which can be used for hanging the entire heat exchanger 10
from a structural member (not shown). The brackets 49 support the upper
header tank 48, lower header 46 and the bank of tubes 44 independently of
lower portions of the housing 16 and other components in the lower end
portion therein. Water, steam and/or a mixture thereof enters into the
system through the lower supply header 46 and passes upwardly through the
spaced apart fluid tubes 44 for heat absorption through the tube walls.
The heated fluid from the tubes 44 eventually moves into the upper
collection header 48 for distribution to other components remote
therefrom. As the fluid moves upwardly in the tubes 44 in heat transfer
relationship with the wall surfaces thereof, heat is picked up from the
hot fluidized solids 12 in the fluid solids bed 14, thus raising the
temperature of the water, steam and/or mixture of fluid as it rises in the
tubes.
Heat may be extracted from the tubes or further heating of the fluids
flowing in the tubes may be obtained in an upper portion of the heat
exchange chamber 34 of the housing 16 which is relatively open above the
upper level of the fluidized solids bed 14. For this purpose, an inlet
fitting 50 with a flange on the outer end is provided on the right hand
side wall structure as viewed in FIG. 1 to accommodate the inward flow of
gaseous fluids as indicated by the arrow "C". This gaseous fluid flows
across the matrix of tubes 44 and, depending upon the relative
temperatures, may pick up or discharge heat to the inner fluids flowing in
the interior of the tubes 44. Eventually, the gases entering the upper
portion of the heat exchange chamber 34 pass outwardly through an outlet
opening 54 on the left hand wall structure of the housing 16 as viewed in
FIG. 1 and eventually flow upwardly via an outlet fitting 56 having a
flange 58 at the upper end and as indicated by the arrow "D".
In accordance with the present invention, each of the fluid tubes 44 is
provided with a bubble cap assembly 60 in concentric alignment with and at
a level adjacent the housing divider wall or floor 30. The bubble cap
assemblies 60 serve to permit fluidizing gas from the lower plenum chamber
32 to be injected upwardly into the bed 14 of fluidized solid particulates
1 2 contained in the lower portion of the heat exchange chamber 34. As
best shown in FIG. 3, the floor or dividing wall 30 which separates the
plenum chamber 32 from the heat exchange chamber 34 is formed with a
plurality of circular openings 62 concentrically disposed with a vertical
tube 44.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the circular openings 62 are somewhat larger in
diameter than the outer diameter (O.D.) of the tubes 44 in order to form
an annular air passage 64 around each tube for the injection of gas from
the plenum chamber 32 upwardly into the solids bed 14 as illustrated by
the arrows "E". In order to prevent solid particulates 12 in the bed 14
from passing downwardly into the plenum chamber 32 at any time and when
the plenum chamber is depressurized and not supplied with fluidizing gas,
each opening 62 is provided with an upstanding inner cylindrical tube
section 66 secured to the floor 30 by welding or the like and terminating
at an upper level 68 spaced downwardly of the underside of a radial, upper
wall 72 of a bubble cap 70. The annular upper wall 72 is secured to the
tube 44 by welding or other means and extends radially outward thereof at
a level spaced above the upper end 68 of the inner tube member 66. The
bubble cap also includes a downwardly depending, outer skirt wall 74.
Preferably the outer skirt wall 74 and the radial wall 72 of the bubble
cap 70 are integrally joined in one piece as illustrated in FIG. 3. The
outer skirt wall has a lower end 76 spaced at a level well below the upper
end 68 of the inner tube 66 so as to provide a tortuous path for the
injection gas moving upwardly as indicated by the arrow "E". In addition,
the lower edge 76 of the outer annular skirt 74 provides a dam, which in
cooperation with the inner tube member 66 prevents solid particulates 12
from flowing into the plenum chamber 32 around each tube 44 through the
openings 62, especially when injection gas is not present during periods
of shutdown or the like. Normally, during operation, the presence of high
velocity fluidizing gas in the bubble caps 60 helps to prevent the
downward flow of any of the solid particulates 12 into the plenum chamber
32.
Injected fluidizing gas from the lower plenum chamber 32 moves upwardly
around the individual tubes 44 and fluidizes the solid particulates 12 so
that they can float or slide and move laterally or horizontally around the
tubes to transfer heat to the steam and/or water flowing upwardly in the
interior of the tubes. Because the tubes 44 are normally cooled from the
interior by the water and/or steam moving therethrough, a considerably
lower temperature is normally obtained in the metal of the tubes 44 than
is present in the surrounding walls 18 and divider wall or floor 30 of the
heat exchanger 10.
The differential in temperature between the tubes 44 and the floor 30 and
walls 18 varies between high operating ranges and low operating ranges and
these differences tend to cause great divergence in the amount of relative
contraction and expansion between the tubes 44 and the floor 30. If the
tubes 44 were welded to the floor 30, stresses would tend to build up
because of differential thermal expansion and contraction during operation
and during periods of shut down. However, these stresses do not develop
because the bubble caps 60 permit the tubes 44 to float relative to the
openings 62 in the floor 30 and the surrounding walls 18 of the housing 16
so that few, if any, relative expansion and contraction stress are built
up between these components because of differential thermal expansion and
contraction.
The bubble caps 60 thus provide a dual function of injecting fluidizing gas
while preventing a reverse flow of solid particulates 12 and also provide
a means for accommodating differential expansion and contraction between
the normally cooler, elongated fluid containing vertical tubes 44 and the
hot floor 30 at the regions where the tubes pass through the openings 62
in the floor 30.
At a level above the solids bed 14, the side walls 18 and 20 on at least
one side of the housing 16 are provided with a rectangular discharge
opening 78 so that fluidizing gas reaching the upper level of the solids
bed 14 can pass readily out of the housing 16 through a separate
fluidizing gas outlet duct 80 having a flange 82 at the outer end as
indicated by the arrow "F" in FIG. 2.
Initially, fluidizing gas such as air is supplied to the plenum chamber 32
through an inlet opening 84 and inlet duct 86 having a flange 88 at the
outer end as indicated by the arrow "G", FIG. 2. Generally, the fluidizing
gas is under pressure from a fan or blower (not shown) so that when the
heat exchanger 10 is in operation, the plenum chamber 32 is pressurized.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood
that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described above. | 5F
| 28 | C |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As will be discussed later in more details in relation toFIGS. 1-7the present invention relates to a system for processing carcass parts. The carcass parts may be, but are not limited to, the frontend parts of the pork, e.g. the picnic or whole shoulder parts, and/or the leg parts, e.g. shank end or the ham, of the pork.
For simplicity, in the following it will be assumed that the carcass parts are the picnic or whole shoulder parts of pork.
In an embodiment the system comprises a hock/shank incision and removal system including an overhead main conveyor having a plurality of shackles attached to the conveyor. A picnic or whole shoulder is loaded on the main conveyor, which as will be discussed in more detail below is an overhead conveyor, by securing the foot of the shoulder to the shackle.
The shoulder is then transported by the main conveyor to an incision module. The incision module has a conveyor having a plurality of flights, cleats or pins that extend outwardly from the conveyor to form a pocket that receives the shoulder to position and stabilize the shoulder in preparation of an incision. The speed of conveyor matches the overhead conveyor so that the flights remain positioned in relation to the shackles. The incision module also has a cutting assembly that includes a frame having a pair of retractable arms and that have rotatable blades and mounted to the ends of arms. Also, connected to the frame is a guide rod that is angled downwardly from the entry end of the module toward the exit end of module. The height of the frame, and thus the cutting plane of the blades and is adjustable.
As the shoulder enters the incision module, the meat side of the picnic engages the guide rod such that the jowl or breast flap is pushed down preventing any type of meat to bunch up in the plane of the cutting blades. The guide rod also stabilizes the shoulder and prevents swinging.
As the shoulder passes the cutting assembly, a clean and level precut incision is made through the skin and meat around the ulna/radius of the shoulder. More specifically, the first cutting arm on the outer side of the shoulder makes a 180° skin and meat cut while the second cutting arm finishes the 360° cut by making a 180° cut on the inside of the hock/shank. The depth of the cut is achieved with air pressure applied to arms and guides positioned around the rims of the blades.
Once the precut incision is made, the shoulder is transported from the incision module to a trimming station by the main conveyor. At the trimming station, the shoulder is trimmed, left bone in or deboned which leaves just the elbow attached.
The elbow is then transported by the main conveyor to a saw module. The saw module includes a cam rod that engages and positions the elbow at approximately a 45° angle in relation to the main conveyor. The elbow is then supported by a positioning conveyor. The positioning conveyor rotates at a speed similar to the main conveyor so that the elbow matches the shackles. As the elbow approaches a cutting mechanism, a weighted rod engages the top of the elbow to push the hock down into flights on the conveyor to ensure proper loading. There are two sets of flights to support the elbow with one on each side of the round blade of the cutting mechanism. One flight is positioned close to the part of the shank to prevent any meat to be folded or pushed into the path of the blade. The blade is rotatably mounted to an adjustable support and is set based upon hock specifications. As the elbow is transported past blade, the hock/shank is supported by a fixed plate or anvil throughout the entire cut to ensure proper positioning. The hock/foot remains attached to the shackle until it exits the saw module where it is transported to a foot removal station.
FIG. 1depicts an embodiment of the saw module100of the system according to the present invention for processing carcass parts that are secured to the plurality of shackles attached to the overhead conveyor.
The saw module100comprises a supporting means101,112, a positioning conveyor102and a rotating saw blade108driven by a motor109.
As depicted here, the supporting means comprises two cam rods or bars101, but the number does not have to be limited to only two cam rods having first and second sets of free ends. The first sets of free ends is the one that initially physically interacts with the freely hanging shoulder parts (or any type of carcass parts) and change their angular position from being vertical to an angular position that may be, but is not limited to, 1° to 90°, preferably between 20° to 70°, more preferably between 40° to 50°, most preferably around 45°.
The second sets of free ends shown here are positioned slightly above the receiving end of the positioning conveyor102such that incoming shoulder parts slide from the second sets of free ends onto the positioning conveyor102.
The supporting means in this embodiment further comprises a plate structure112to provide a further support to the shoulder parts after being released from the two cam rods or bars101onto the positioning conveyor102.
The positioning conveyor102comprises a conveyor belt and a plurality of spaced apart positioning pair structures105arranged on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is preferably driven at substantially the same speed as the overhead conveyor with the side of the conveyor belt facing the overhead conveyor moving in the same direction as the overhead conveyor. This will be illustrated further in relation toFIG. 2. The position of the plurality of spaced apart positioning pair structures105is synchronized to the position of the incoming shoulder parts such that the shoulder parts become guided in a pre-set position within the positioning pair structures.
The conveyor belt comprises a first and a second separated endless chains103,104arranged opposite to the cutting plane of the rotating saw blade108, where the second separated endless chain104is position distally away from the overhead conveyor (not shown) compared to the first endless chain103.
In the embodiment shown here each of the positioning pair structures comprise an upwardly extending structure113positioned at the downstream side in relation to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt as indicated by an arrow114, and an elongated structure107having a first end115mounted to the conveyor belt and a second upwardly extending free end116facing the upwardly extending structure113. The upwardly extending structure113is as shown here a simple thin plate structure, e.g. of few centimeters width and height, and acts as a kind of a stopper for the shoulder parts (the carcass parts), whereas the second upwardly extending free end116of the elongated structure107provides a pushing force onto the shoulder parts towards the upwardly extending structure113and thus ensures that the shoulder part will be fixed within the positioning pair structure105.
The plurality of spaced apart positioning pair structures shown here are mounted to the first endless chain103, whereas a plurality of elongated structures117are arranged on the second endless chain104with the free ends pointing in the same direction as the plurality of the elongated structures on the first endless chain.
The internal position of the elongated structures107,117may be such that the elongated structures on the first and the second endless belts that participate in guiding a single carcass part in a pre-set position are arranged opposite to each other such that a reference line extending between the oppositely arranged positioning pair structures is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the positioning conveyor. This internal position may also be such that the sawing through the bone of the shoulder part forms an angle.
Also, the endless chains103and104may be operated separately, e.g. be arranged on separate driving wheels with associated driving mechanism119, so as to allow adjusting internal position between the elongated structures107,117, which could e.g. be the case if both right foot and left foot are present in the system at the same time.
FIG. 2shows the saw module100inFIG. 1and additionally shows the overhead conveyor201comprising a plurality of shackles203slideably attached to the overhead conveyor via trolleys on guide rail202, where the shackles203are adapted to carry the carcass parts during the processing by means of securing the carcass parts to the shackles. Shown is also a driving chain205that keeps the shackles internally fixed but provides movement of the shackles in the conveying direction as indicated by the arrow206.
Shown are two forends of pork200a,bat two different positions, forend200ahas just been guided in a pre-set position within the positioning pair structures, whereas forend200bis undergoing the sawing process.
Shown is also the 360° cuts207that has been done at an incision module, that will be discussed in more details later. The position of the rotating saw blade108is such that the sawing plane intersects with the plane of the 360° cut207when sawing there through.
FIG. 3ashow an example of a shackle that may be implemented and that is attached to an overhead conveyor, andFIG. 3bshows a forend of a pork being placed into the shackle. More details for such a shackles overhead transport-conveyor system may be found in WO2011/074969, e.g. on p. p. 59 1. 26-p. 60 1.12 and figure, and p. 65 1. 17-p. 69 1.7 andFIGS. 25-25, hereby incorporated by reference.
FIG. 4shows on embodiment of an incision module400according to the present invention for performing the above mentioned 360° cuts. The incision module comprises two rotatable circular cutting blades401,402mounted on arms403,404adapted to perform the 360° cuts of the carcass parts while the carcass parts are conveyed through the incision module400by the overhead conveyor. The 360° cuts are performed at a pre-set position and before the incoming carcass parts undergo at least one subsequent processing step. In this embodiment, the cutting blades mounted to retractable arms and are placed in a coplanar way.
The incision module400further comprises a horizontal arranged conveyor405having a plurality of flights, cleats or pins406extending outwardly from the conveyor to form a pocket for receiving the carcass parts so as to position and stabilize the carcass parts in preparation of an incision. The speed of the conveyor405preferably matches with the speed of the overhead conveyor so that the flights remain positioned with the shackles.
FIG. 5shows the incision module inFIG. 4, and further shows three forends of pork200a,b,c, two of which have undergone the 360° cutting process resulting in the360° cuts501a,b.
FIG. 6shows a cross-sectional view of the incision module inFIG. 5, and shows additionally the rail/track401of the overhead conveyor and the shackle203mounted by a suspension element601slideably mounted thereto.
FIG. 7A-Ddepicts graphically the cutting process, showing that the respective one of the cutting blades cuts approximately 180° cut which results in the above mentioned 360° cut.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
| 0A
| 22 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The formation of the capacitor described herein includes many process steps
that are well known in the art. For example, the processes of
photolithography masking and etching are well known in the art and are
used extensively herein without a related discussion of these well known
technologies.
Referring to FIG. 1, a P-type single crystal silicon substrate 2 with a
<100> crystallographic orientation is provided. An isolation region 4 is
formed using any suitable technique such as thick field oxide (FOX) or
trench isolation technology. In the present invention, a thick field oxide
(FOX) region 4 is formed to provide isolation between devices on the
substrate 2. The FOX region 4 is created in a conventional manner. For
example, the FOX region 4 can be formed via photolithography and dry
etching steps to etch a silicon nitride-silicon dioxide composition layer.
After the photoresist is removed and wet cleaned, thermal oxidation in an
oxygen-steam environment is used to grow the FOX region 4 to a thickness
of about 3000-8000 angstroms.
Next, a silicon dioxide layer 6 is created on the top surface of the
substrate 2 to serve as the gate oxide for subsequently formed Metal Oxide
Silicon Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs). In one embodiment, the silicon
dioxide layer 6 is formed by using an oxygen ambient, at a temperature of
about 800.degree. to 1100.degree. C. Alternatively, the oxide layer 6 may
be formed using any suitable oxide chemical compositions and procedures.
In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the silicon dioxide layer 6
is approximately 30-200 angstroms.
A doped first polysilicon layer 8 is then formed over the FOX region 4 and
the silicon dioxide layer 6 using a Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition
(LPCVD) process. In this embodiment, the first polysilicon layer 8 has a
thickness of about 2000-4000 angstroms. A capped oxide layer 10 is formed
on the first polysilicon layer 8. Next, standard photolithography and
etching steps are used to form a gate structure 12 and a word line 14.
Then a LDD (lightly doped drain) structure 16 is formed by light ion
implantation. Sidewall spacers 18 are generated by using well known
techniques, and, subsequently, active regions 20 (i.e. the source and the
drain) are formed by using well known processes to implant appropriate
impurities in those regions.
Turning next to FIG. 2, an undoped oxide layer 22 is deposited using a CVD
process on the gate structure 12, the word line 14, and the substrate 2. A
first dielectric layer 24 is then formed on the undoped oxide layer 22.
The first dielectric layer 24 can be formed by using any suitable material
such as borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) or TEOS-oxide.
As shown in FIG. 3, a contact hole 26 is formed in the first dielectric
layer 24 and the oxide layer 22 to the active regions 20 by using
conventional patterning and etching. A first conductive layer 28 is then
formed over and in the contact hole 26 and on the first dielectric layer
24. The first conductive layer 28 is preferably formed using conventional
LPCVD processing. The thickness of the first conductive layer 28, as
measured over the first dielectric layer 24, is optimally 2000-6000
angstroms. The first conductive layer 28 is preferably chosen from doped
polysilicon or in-situ doped polysilicon.
Subsequently, a dot silicon layer 30 is formed on the first conductive
layer 28. Preferably, the dot silicon layer 30 consists of a Hemispherical
Grained Silicon (HSG-Si) layer 30 that is formed by the "initial phase"
technique. The HSG-Si layer 30 serves as an etching mask for subsequent
processes. Other techniques currently available or developed in the future
may also be used to form the dot silicon layer 30. The advantage of using
dot silicon layer 30 is that the dot silicon layer 30 can be deposited
with a resolution that is beyond the limitation of current
photolithography techniques. The HSG-Si layer 30 is formed with a
thickness about 50-1000 angstroms.
Turning next to FIG. 4, oxygen is implanted at an oblique angle into the
dot silicon layer 30. The angle of the implant is from 0 degrees to 45
degrees. The advantage of the oblique implant is that the HSG-Si 30 acts
as a mask to prevent the first conductive layer 28 from being bombarded by
the implant. Therefore, only the HSG-Si 30 is implanted by oxygen. Next, a
thermal anneal process is carried out in inert gas ambient to convert the
HSG-Si 30 into dot silicon oxide 30a.
Next, as seen in FIG. 5, the first conductive layer 28 is etched using the
silicon oxide 30a as an etching mask. The present invention uses the high
etching selectivity between the silicon oxide 30a and the polysilicon 28
to create cavities 32 in the first conductive layer 28. Any suitable
etchant can be used for this etching, such as C.sub.2 F.sub.6, SF.sub.6,
CF.sub.4 +O.sub.2, CF.sub.4 +Cl.sub.2, CF.sub.4 +HBr, HBr/Cl.sub.2
/O.sub.2, Cl.sub.2, HBr/O.sub.2, BCl.sub.3 /Cl.sub.2, SiCl.sub.4
/Cl.sub.2, SF.sub.6, SF.sub.6 /Br.sub.2, CCl.sub.4 /Cl.sub.2, or CH.sub.3
F/Cl.sub.2. The etching is preferably reactive ion etching (RIE) or
chemical dry etching (CDE). The CDE is an isotropic etching that can
provide a rounded bottom surface of the cavities 32.
Referring to FIG. 6, the silicon oxide 30a is removed by wet etching. In
preferred embodiment, buffer oxide etching (BOE), vapor HF or diluted HF
solution is used as an etchant. Then, a photoresist is patterned on the
first conductive layer 28 to define a capacitor bottom storage node.
Subsequently, an etching process is performed to etch the first conductive
layer 28 using the photoresist as a mask. The photoresist is then removed
after the capacitor bottom storage node is formed.
Turning now to FIG. 7, a second dielectric layer 34 is deposited along the
surface of the first conductive layer 28. The second dielectric layer 34
is preferably formed of either a double-film of nitride/oxide film, a
triple-film of oxide/nitride/oxide, or any other high dielectric film such
as tantalum oxide (Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5), BST.
Finally, as is shown in FIG. 8, a second conductive layer 36 is deposited
using a conventional LPCVD process over the second dielectric layer 34.
The second conductive layer 36 provides a top storage electrode and is
formed of doped polysilicon, in-situ doped polysilicon, aluminum, copper,
tungsten or titanium. Thus, a semiconductor capacitor is formed which
comprises a second conductive layer 36 as its top storage electrode, a
dielectric 34, and a first conductive layer 28 as the bottom storage
electrode.
As will be understood by persons skilled in the art, the foregoing
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrative of the
present invention rather than limiting the present invention. For example,
the method of the present invention can also be used in a COB (capacitor
over bit line) structure. Thus, the invention is not to be limited to this
embodiment, but rather the invention is intended to cover various
modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
similar structures.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. | 7H
| 01 | L |
EXAMPLE 1
Filaments 1-7 were prepared by first forming aluminum glitter particles by
die-cutting 0.5 mil (12.7 micron) thick aluminum foil coated with 6% by
weight, based on the weight of the aluminum foil, of an acrylic polymer
coating to 4.times.4 mil (101.6.times.1.01.6 micron) sized flake
particles. The polymer used is Nylon 6,12 (polyhexamethylene
dodecanoamide) having an inherent viscosity of 1.15-1.25 measured in
m-cresol according to ASTM D-2857. Colorants were used in the filaments as
shown in Table 1. Filament 7 used 5% by weight of aluminum silicate having
a particle size of 0.5-10.0 microns as an abrasive.
7 different filaments were prepared having a diameters of 6.0, 7.0, 8.0,
8.5 mils containing different colorants, percentages of aluminum flake
particles. A 28 mm W&P extruder having six zones heated to about 230-250
.degree. C. was used in which the polyamide, glitter particles of aluminum
flake, colorant and abrasive are separately fed into the extruder and
mixed. The resulting mixture is metered into a spin pack with a die plate
and filaments are extruded into a water quench bath which is at room
temperature and then transported over a series of draw rolls for
stretching the filaments at a draw ratio of 3.5-4. The filaments are then
passed through a heat set oven to heat set the filaments and are wound
onto a spool.
Each of the above Filaments 1-7 had an excellent appearance. The glitter of
the filaments was attractive and when used as bristles in a tooth brush
gave the tooth brush an outstanding appearance. The filaments had the
following properties shown in the table and each was formed into a tooth
brush and the brush tested for wear and the bristles of the brush were
measured for tuft retention.
TABLE 1
Tuft
Fila- % % Wear Retention
ment Diameter Glitter Abrasive Colorant Test (kg)
Ex-
ample
1
1. 6 mils 1.25 M 0 Pigment 62% 1.68
(152.4 Red 220
microns)
2. 7 mils 1.25 Al 0 Pigment 47% 1.64
(177.8 Red 177
microns)
3. 7.5 mils 0.6 A1 0 Pigment 69% 1.77
(190.5 Blue 15
microns)
4. 8.5 mils 0.8 Al 0 Pigment 69% 2.09
(216 Red 220
microns)
5. 8 mils 1.25 Al 0 Pigment 49% 1.59
(203.2 Blue 151
microns)
6. 8 mils 1.5 Al 0 Solvent 35% 1.64
(203.2 Red 52/
microns) Pigment
Green 7
7. 8 mils 2.0 Al 5.0 No 32% 1.77
(203.2 colorant
microns)
The Wear Test is a Jordan Wear Test wherein a Jordan wear tester is used
having 5 brush clamps arranged side by side in which brushes are mounted
with the long axis perpendicular to the contact surface. The contact
surface is made up of five 1 cm diameter stainless steel rods set adjacent
and parallel to each other. The motion of the brushes, from a position
clear of the contact surface is to move across the 5 cm surface (across
the 5 rods) and completely off the other side. The return stroke moves the
brushes back across the contact surface to the starting position. The
machine runs about 79 strokes (back and forth) each minute. The height of
the base of the toothbrush above the contact surface is about 2 mm above
the contact surface to insure the brush holder does not hit the surface.
Each brush clamp is mounted in a "floating" assembly with a holder for
weights so the load on each brush can be set independently. An auxiliary
water temperature control unit is used to maintain water temperature and
to pump water to nozzles in the wear tester which direct streams of water
to each brush position. While in operation, the contact surfaces is
flooded with water.
Test conditions are as follows: 5 brushes per sample of filament are
positioned in the holders to alternate with a control sample, 500 grams
are applied per brush, 90 minutes scrub cycles are used with the water at
35.degree. C. The width of the brush is measured before the scrub cycle
and again after the scrub cycle after an overnight recover at 23.degree.
C. and 50% relative humidity.
% Wear is calculated as follows: final width of the brush minus initial
width divided by the initial width times 100.
To be commercially acceptable, a brush can have a maximum % Wear as
determined above of 80% and must have a Tuft Retention of 1.4 kg. Each of
the Filaments tested above have less than 80% Wear and a Tuft Retention
over 1.4 kg and were considered to be commercially acceptable brushes.
EXAMPLE 2
0.5 mil (12.7 micron) thick green and red colored uncoated cellophane sheet
was ground and screened between 80-170 mesh screens (88-190 microns). The
cellophane flakes were then pre-compounded with colorant (titanium dioxide
pigment) and nylon 6,12 resin using an extruder and then cut into small
pellets. Filaments were prepared as in Example 1 using the same procedure
and tested as in Example 1 except the above pellets were used to form the
filaments. The filaments had a white background which contrasted with the
colored cellophane and had an excellent appearance. The larger cellophane
flakes resulted in enlarged localized filament cross-sections providing a
mildly abrasive filament. Tooth bushes formed from the filaments had an
outstanding appearance and the brushes were tested for Wear and for Tuft
Retention as in Example 1 and the results are shown in Table 2. The
brushes had acceptable % Wear and Tuft Retention and were considered
commercially acceptable brushes.
Filaments were made as above using a dark blue colorant with white
cellophane flakes and when formed into a tooth brush gave a brush with an
attractive appearance.
TABLE 2
Tuft
Fila- % % Wear Retention
ment Diameter Glitter Abrasive Colorant Test (kg)
Ex-
ample
2
8. 8 mils 1.2 0 Titanium 35% 1.91
(203.2 Cello- dioxide
microns) phane pigment
9. 8.5 mils 0.8 0 Titanium 51% 1.86
(216 Cello- Dioxide
microns) phane Pigment
10. 7.0 mils 1.2 0 Titanium 47% 1.41
(177.8 Cello- Dioxide
microns) phane Pigment
EXAMPLE 3
Comparative Example
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film 0.5 mils (12.7 microns) was die cut
into flakes the same size as those in Example 1. Filaments were prepared
using the same procedure as in Example 1 except the above prepared PET
flake was substituted for the aluminum flake. Each of the filaments had a
poor appearance since the flakes melted or were deformed in the extrusion
process and there was discoloration of the filament.
EXAMPLE 4
Comparative Example
A screened sample of mica flakes ("Dekorflake" Silver 125 having an average
particle size of 125 microns, but the particle size range was 40-300
microns) was substituted for the aluminum glitter of Example 1 at a 1% by
weight level and a 2% orange colorant was used. An 8 mil (203.2 micron)
filament was extruded using the process of Example 1. Processing of the
filament was not satisfactory since the large size of flakes caused
excessive strand breakage in the orientation step. Certain flake particles
were larger in diameter than the filament and caused breakage problems.
The resulting filament that was produced did not have an attractive
appearance since the mica particles gave the filament a gray appearance
and did not adequately reflect light to provide a glitter appearance. | 3D
| 01 | F |
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following
examples. There are, of course, many other forms of this invention which
will become obvious to one skilled in the art, once the invention has been
fully disclosed, and it will accordingly be recognized that these examples
are given for the purpose of illustration only, and are not to be
construed as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.
EXAMPLES
In the following examples the test procedures listed below were used in
evaluating the analytical properties of the polyolefins herein.
a) Density is determined according to ASTM D-4883 from a plaque made
according to ASTM D1928;
b) Melt Index (MI), I.sub.2, is determined in accord with ASTM D-1238,
condition E, measured at 190.degree. C., and reported as decigrams per
minute;
c) High Load Melt Index (HLMI), I.sub.21, is measured in accord with ASTM
D-1238, Condition F, measured at 10.0 times the weight used in the melt
index test (MI) above;
d) Melt Flow Ratio (MFR)=.sub.21 /I.sub.2 or High Load Melt Index/Melt
Index;
e) Residual Titanium Content in the Product. The residual titanium content
in the product is measured by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) using
a Philips Sequential X-Ray Spectrometer Model PW 1480. The samples of the
polymer to be evaluated were compression molded into a circular shaped
plaque approximately 43 mm in diameter so as to fit the sample holder on
the spectrometer and 3 to 5 mm in thickness and having a smooth flat
surface. The molded test specimens were then placed in the XRF unit and
the x-ray fluorescence arising from the titanium in the test specimen was
measured. The residual titanium content was then determined based on a
calibration curve obtained by measurements from polyethylene calibration
specimens containing a known amount of titanium. The residual titanium
content is reported as parts per million (ppm) relative to the polymer
matrix.
The Ziegler-Natta catalyst used in Example 1 was prepared in accordance
with Example 1-a of European Patent Application EP 0 703 246 A1. The
catalyst was used in prepolymer form and was prepared in accordance with
Example 1-b of European Patent Application EP 0 703 246 A1. A prepolymer
containing about 34 grams of polyethylene per millimole of titanium was
thus obtained.
Polymerization Process
The polymerization process utilized in Example 1 herein was carried out in
a fluidized-bed reactor for gas-phase polymerization, consisting of a
vertical cylinder of diameter 0.74 meters and height 7 meters and
surmounted by a velocity reduction chamber. The reactor is provided in its
lower part with a fluidization grid and with an external line for
recycling gas, which connects the top of the velocity reduction chamber to
the lower part of the reactor, at a point below the fluidization grid. The
recycling line is equipped with a compressor for circulating gas and a
heat transfer means such as a heat exchanger. In particular the lines for
supplying ethylene, 1-hexene, hydrogen and nitrogen, which represent the
main constituents of the gaseous reaction mixture passing through the
fluidized bed, feed into the recycling line. Above the fluidization grid,
the reactor contains a fluidized bed consisting of a polyethylene powder
made up of particles with a weight-average diameter of about 0.5 mm to
about 1.4 mm. The gaseous reaction mixture, which contains ethylene,
olefin comonomer, hydrogen, nitrogen and minor amounts of other
components, passes through the fluidized bed under a pressure ranging from
about 280 psig to about 300 psig with an ascending fluidization speed,
referred to herein as fluidization velocity, ranging from about 1.6 feet
per second to about 2.1 feet per second.
In Example 1 the Ziegler-Natta catalyst, as described above in prepolymer
form, was introduced intermittently into the reactor. The said catalyst
contained magnesium, chlorine and titanium. The prepolymer form contained
about 34 grams of polyethylene per millimole of titanium and an amount of
tri-n-octylaluminum (TnOA) such that the molar ratio, Al/Ti, was about
1.1:1. The rate of introduction of the prepolymer into the reactor was
adjusted to achieve the desired production rate. During the polymerization
the additional co-catalyst, when utilized, was introduced continuously
into the line for recycling the gaseous reaction mixture, at a point
situated downstream of the heat transfer means. The feed rate of
additional co-catalyst is expressed as a molar ratio of trialkylaluminum
to titanium (Al/Ti), and is defined as the ratio of the co-catalyst feed
rate (in moles of trialkylaluminum per hour) to the prepolymer feed rate
(in moles of titanium per hour). A solution of chloroform (CHCl.sub.3) in
n-hexane, at a concentration of about 0.5 weight percent, was introduced
continuously into the line for recycling the gaseous reaction mixture. The
feed rate of the optional halogenated hydrocarbon is expressed as a molar
ratio of CHCl.sub.3 to titanium (CHCl.sub.3 /Ti), and is defined as the
ratio of the CHCl.sub.3 feed rate (in moles of CHCl.sub.3 per hour) to the
catalyst or prepolymer feed rate (in moles of titanium per hour).
Dinitrogen monoxide (N.sub.2 O), when utilized in the following examples,
was utilized to reduce the electrostatic charge in the polymerization
medium. The gaseous dinitrogen monoxide was introduced continuously into
the line for recycling the gaseous reaction mixture. The concentration of
dinitrogen monoxide in the polymerization medium is expressed in units of
ppm by volume.
The electrostatic charge of the fluidized bed was measured by a Correflow
Model 3400 Electrostatic Monitor (ESM) supplied by Auburn International,
Inc. of Danvers, Massachusetts. The electrostatic probe was installed in
the vertical cylindrical section of the reactor at a height such as to be
within the fluidized bed of polymer particles. The electrostatic probe
measures the current flow between the polymerization medium and the
ground. A reduction in electrostatic charge is defined as a reduction in
the absolute magnitude of the measured current and/or a reduction in the
variability of the measured current.
Example 1
The initial process conditions are given in Table 1. The polymerization
reactor was lined out producing a interpolymer of ethylene and 1-hexene
having a melt index of 0.6 dg/min and a density of 0.920 g/cc. The level
of electrostatic charge was measured. Thereafter, dinitrogen monoxide was
added to the reactor loop at a level of 60 ppm by volume.
Trimethylaluminum was added to maintain the production rate at 160 pounds
per hour. The level of electrostatic charge in the polymerization reactor
was measured and it was found that the level of electrostatic charge was
reduced as a result of adding the dinitrogen monoxide.
TABLE 1
Initial Reactor Conditions for Example 1
Reactor Pressure (psig) 296
Reactor Temperature (.degree. C.) 86
Fluidization Velocity (ft/sec) 2.1
Fluidized Bulk Density (lb/ft.sub.3) 16.1
Reactor Bed Height (ft) 10.9
Ethylene (mole %) 26
H.sub.2 /C.sub.2 (molar ratio) 0.145
C.sub.6 /C.sub.2 (molar ratio) 0.146
CHCl.sub.3 /Ti 0.04
Prepolymer Rate (lb/h) 0.8
Production Rate (lb/h) 160
Residual Titanium (ppm) 8.5
Density (g/cc) 0.920
Melt Index, I.sub.2 (dg/min) 0.6
Melt Flow Ratio (I.sub.21 /I.sub.2) 29
Example 2
The process of Example 1 is followed with the following exceptions. The
Ziegler-Natta catalyst used in Example 2 is obtained from Toho Titanium
Company, Limited under the product name THC-C. The catalyst is a
titanium-based catalyst supported on magnesium chloride. This catalyst is
added directly to the polymerization medium. Trimethylaluminum is added as
co-catalyst to the polymerization medium. The catalyst addition rate and
the co-catalyst addition rate are adjusted to produce about 200 pounds of
polymeric product per hour having a residual titanium content of about 1
ppm.
Furthermore the C.sub.6 /C.sub.2 and the H.sub.2 /C.sub.2 molar ratios are
adjusted to produce an ethylene/1-hexene interpolymer having a target melt
index of about 0.6 dg/min and a target density of about 0.920 g/cc.
The level of electrostatic charge in the polymerization reactor is
measured. Thereafter, dinitrogen monoxide is added to the polymerization
medium and the level of electrostatic charge is expected to be reduced.
Example 3
The process of Example 1 is followed with the following exceptions. The
Ziegler-Natta catalyst used in Example 3 is obtained from Grace Davison,
Baltimore, Maryland under the product name XPO-502 1. The catalyst is a
titanium-based catalyst supported on silica. This catalyst is added
directly to the polymerization medium. Triethylaluminum is added as
co-catalyst to the polymerization medium. The catalyst addition rate and
the co-catalyst addition rate are adjusted to produce about 200 pounds of
polymeric product per hour having a residual titanium content of about 1
ppm.
Furthermore the C.sub.6 /C.sub.2 and the H.sub.2 /C.sub.2 molar ratios are
adjusted to produce an ethylene/1-hexene interpolymer having a target melt
index of about 0.6 dg/min and a target density of about 0.920 g/cc.
The level of electrostatic charge in the polymerization reactor is
measured. Thereafter, dinitrogen monoxide is added to the polymerization
medium and the level of electrostatic charge is expected to be reduced.
Films can be prepared from the polyolefins of the present invention.
Articles such as molded items can also be prepared from the polyolefins of
the present invention.
It should be clearly understood that the forms of the invention herein
described are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of
the invention. The present invention includes all modifications falling
within the scope of the following claims. | 2C
| 08 | F |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Shown in FIG. 1 is a prior art structure which includes ties, or tieback
elements T to connect the spandrel wall to the arch element A. As can be
best seen in FIG. 1A, arch element A has no curb or any other means for
horizontally supporting the spandrel wall; therefore, the ties T are
needed.
Shown in FIGS. 2 through 4C is an earth overfilled arch structure 10 which
includes a foundation 12 supporting a plurality of curved arch elements,
such as element 14 and arch end element 16, as well as wingwalls 18, that
can include a plurality of segments, such as wingwall segment 20. Earth
backfill 22 is also included to stabilize the structure.
With regard to the present invention, structure 10 includes a multisegment
spandrel wall 26 supported on arch end element 16. Spandrel wall 26
includes a plurality of segments which can be formed and/or shipped and/or
erected separately. Each segment of spandrel wall 26 is a one-piece
monolithic unit in and of itself and can be totally independent of the
other segments of the spandrel wall. Thus, spandrel wall 26 is a
multisegment wall as opposed to a one-piece monolithic wall of the prior
art. Each segment of wall 26 is one-piece monolithic however.
Specifically, spandrel wall 26 includes a center segment 30 and two lateral
segments 32 and 34. Lateral segments 32 and 34 are mirror images of each
other whereby they can be formed in a single form as will be understood
from the following disclosure. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 through 4C,
arch end element 16 includes a curb 36 located at end edge 38 thereof,
with the other end edge 38' thereof, adapted to abut an adjacent arch
element, such as element 17 in a manner necessary to build overall
structure 10. Curb element 36 extends upwardly from outer surface 40 of
the arch element and has a top end edge 42 as well as a front surface 44
and a rear surface 46. Front surface 44 forms the end edge 38 of arch end
element 16, and outer surface 40 extends for essentially the entire length
of the arch end element from adjacent to rear surface 46 of the curb
element to end 38'. The curb element has a height H measured between
surface 40 and top edge 42 and a thickness T measured between surfaces 44
and 46. Curb element 36 is cast as part of the arch end element so arch
end element 16, including curb element 36, is a monolithic element.
Generally, arch element 16 is precast concrete. The form used for casting
prior art arch elements needs to be modified only slightly to form the
curb element as will occur to those skilled in the art based on the
teaching of the disclosure herein. In the preferred form of the invention,
curb element 36 extends for the entire distance of the outer end edge of
arch element 16 to extend from one foot 50 of the arch element to the
other foot 52 of the arch element.
The segments of the spandrel wall, such as center segment 30 and lateral
segments 32 and 34 abut the curb as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Center segment
30 is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes an arcuate edge 54 having a
curvature matching the curvature of arch end element 16 whereby center
segment 30 will rest stably on the arch end element. As can be understood
from FIG. 4, the arch element forms the entire vertical support for the
center segment, and the curb forms essentially the entire horizontal
support for the center segment so the above-mentioned ties needed in the
prior art are not needed for the structure of this invention. The center
segment also includes two linear side edges 56 and 58 and a linear top
edge 60. One form of the center segment has a width as measured between
edges 54 and 60 that varies from approximately twenty inches at its
narrowest location on centerline CL.sub.30 to approximately 53 adjacent to
side edges 56 and 58. As can be seen, the width of the center segment is
smallest at the centerline CL.sub.30. In the case just described, curb
height H needs to be only four and one-half inches to adequately support
the spandrel wall with a sufficient safety factor because the overturning
moment applied to the center segment is a summation of the overturning
moment applied to each section of the center segment. Thus, even though
the overturning moment, that is the force applied to the center segment
that tends to tip that segment over end edge 38, on the section of the
center segment closest to centerline CL.sub.30 is greater than the forces
tending to prevent such tipping at that location, since the center segment
is a one-piece monolithic element, the total forces acting thereon are a
summation of the forces and moments acting on any section thereof. As will
be discussed below with regard to FIGS. 12-15F, a force analysis on the
center section reveals that this summation, when the sections adjacent to
sides 56 and 58 are summed into the overall relationship, is well within a
safety factor that prevents the overturning of the spandrel wall or any
segment thereof even though the curb is twenty percent of the height of
the narrowest section of the center segment. This same size curb will
support the lateral sections as well. Curb 36 abuts center segment 30
adjacent to side 54 in area 61 on front surface 62, with the rear surface
64 (not shown in FIG. 5, see FIG. 2) being exposed to earth overfill 22.
The lateral segments are best shown in FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B and 8. As mentioned
above, the lateral segments 32 and 34 are mirror images of each other and
are both L-shaped. Since the lateral segments are mirror images, only
segment 32 will be discussed. Segment 32 includes a bottom end 70 and a
top end 72 connected by linear side 74 and side 76 which includes a linear
portion 78 and an arcuate portion 80. Arcuate portion 80 has a curvature
that matches that of the arch end element whereby the lateral segment fits
snugly against the arch end element. The curb 36 abuts lateral segment 32
adjacent to arcuate side 80 in area 82. Lateral segment 32 includes a
front surface 84 which is abutted by the curb, and a rear surface 86 (see
FIG. 2) that is exposed to earth backfill 22. As can be understood from
FIG. 4, vertical support for the lateral segments is provided by the arch
element and the foundation, as indicated by arrow V, and horizontal
support for the lateral segments is provided by the curb, as indicated by
arrow H. Due to the abutting contact between the curb and the lateral
segments, the lateral segments need not be tied to the arch element by
ties such as is the case with the prior art.
Since the lateral segments are mirror images of each other, they can be
formed in a single form that is roughly T-shaped as shown in FIG. 7. The
form can be divided in the middle along centerline CL whereby one-half of
the form forms segment 32 and the other half forms segment 34. If one
single segment is desired, as will be discussed below, the division is
omitted and one single T-shaped segment is formed. This feature provides
versatility to the spandrel wall of the present invention.
Erection of the spandrel wall is indicated in FIG. 4. After the arch
elements, including arch end element 16, have been positioned, central
segment 30 is placed on arch end element 16 with front surface 62 abutting
the curb rear surface 46, then the lateral segments 32 and 34 are placed
on the arch end element 16 with the front surfaces thereof in abutting
contact with the rear surface of the curb. For safety reasons, lateral
segments 32 and 34 need to be fixed to the arch end element by some means
such as adhesive G (see FIG. 4A). This means is only temporary until the
backfill is added so the means can deteriorate over time and need not be
monitored. Once the spandrel wall segments are in the desired position on
arch element 16, the wingwalls 20 are placed and abut the lateral segments
adjacent to their outer end edges as shown in FIG. 2 and support them
horizontally. In order to guarantee a linear abutting contact between the
lateral segments and the wingwalls, some temporary means is used to tie
them together. As the spandrel wall in turn also supports the wingwall,
abutting contact between the central segment and the lateral segments is
also needed.
To further stabilize the spandrel wall, the end edges of the segments can
include means for coupling the segments to adjacent elements. Thus, shown
in FIG. 9, center segment 30 has a groove 90 defined lengthwise thereof in
end 56 and lateral segment 34 has a projection 92 on end 78' thereof to
extend the total length of end section 78'. Projection 92 is received in
groove 90 to couple lateral segment 34 to center segment 30. Similar and
corresponding coupling means are on the other end edge of the center
segment and on the other lateral segment 32 whereby the center segment is
coupled to both lateral segments.
A coupling means is also on the lateral segments for coupling each of the
lateral segments to a corresponding wingwall. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4,
7A and 7B, lateral segment 34 includes a groove 94 that extends for a
portion or the whole of the length of side 74' (see also, FIGS. 7 and 8).
As shown in FIG. 3, proximal end 98 of wingwall 20 abuts this groove in
the corresponding lateral segment 32. The wingwall includes a projection
95 that engages groove 94 if desired.
Thus, in the finished structure, vertical support for the center and
lateral segments is provided by the arch element 16 and foundation 12, and
horizontal support is provided by the curb 36 and the wingwalls 20 with
the back fill and coupling means providing stability to the spandrel wall,
and the ties needed in prior art walls are not necessary. Also, as was
discussed above, vertical support for the center segment is entirely
provided by the arch element as can be understood by reference to FIG.
2-4B, and horizontal support for the center segment is essentially
entirely provided by the curb. Some additional horizontal support for the
center segment can be provided under some conditions when desired by the
contact between the center segment and the lateral segments, but this is
not absolutely necessary. However, under any configuration, the ties
needed in the prior art are not needed for the structure of the present
invention.
As above discussed, certain conditions generate requirements for a variety
of shapes for the arch structures. One such variation is a side-by-side
structure 10' shown in FIG. 10 with two structures 10" and 10'" extending
side-by-side and parallel to each other. A single spandrel wall 26'
includes two center segments 30, that are identical to each other and to
the above-described center segment 30, and three lateral segments: segment
32, segment 34, which are identical to the above-described lateral
segments 32 and 34, and a joining spandrel segment 100 on a central
foundation 102. Each of the central and lateral segments of structure 10'
are identical to the above-described corresponding segments and thus will
not be discussed again. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the combined L-shapes
of lateral segments 32 and 34 define a T-shape for joining spandrel
segment 100. Therefore, lateral segments and joining segments can be
formed in a single form, using a division and form blocks 102 and 104 for
forming lateral segments 32 and 34. As can be seen in FIG. 10, joining
spandrel segment 100 includes two arcuate sides each of which snugly fits
against the outside surface of a corresponding arch end element 16" and
16'", while the joining spandrel segment also includes two linear sides
110 which correspond to sides 78 described above and which abut the sides
of the central segment as above described. Coupling means are included in
the sides 110 and the sides of the central segment to couple the joining
spandrel segment to the central segments of structures 10" and 10"' in the
manner described above. Structure 10' is assembled and erected in a manner
similar to that described above with reference to structure 10, and thus
will not be described again. As with structure 10, the spandrel wall 26'
is supported vertically by the arch elements 16" and 16'" and the
foundations and horizontally by the curbs 36" and 36'" on each of those
arch elements respectively and the wingwalls, with the backfill providing
stability.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, top edges 60 and 72 of the segments of spandrel
wall 26 are co-planar, and co-linear. However, there are certain
situations, such as a very tall arch end element, in which this is not
desirable. In those situations, the central segment of the spandrel wall
can be modified as shown for central segment 120 in FIG. 11 for structure
10.sup.IV. Segment 120 is identical in all respects to segment 30
described above, except that linear edge 60 of segment 30 is replaced by
arcuate edge 122 on segment 120. Spandrel wall 26" on tall arch end
element 16"" includes lateral segments 32 and 34 similar to the
above-described lateral segments. Spandrel wall 26" is assembled and
erected in a manner that is identical to that described above, and those
skilled in the art will understand how this is effected therefore, such
process will not be described. Structure 10.sup.IV can also include
side-by-side structures in the manner shown in FIG. 10. It is noted that
side-by-side structures of different arch shapes are also feasible;
special joining segments must be prepared for this form of the invention.
As discussed above, the curb acts as horizontal support for the center
segment and the lateral segments. The curb has a height H above the outer
surface 40 of the arch element, with the outer surface extending for a
substantial portion of the overall length of the arch element as can be
seen in FIGS. 2-4. This height H is selected whereby the center segment
will not overturn when it is supported on the arch element, without the
need for ties. However, the curb need not be excessively high, and the
precise height of the curb is selected as a balance between the competing
factors of sufficient height and more height than is economical. FIGS. 12
through 15F illustrate how the center segment is stabilized by the
backfill. FIG. 12 shows one half of the center segment. Since the center
segment is bilaterally symmetric, only one half of the center segment is
discussed. For the stability analysis, the segment is divided into
sections 1-6. FIG. 12 also shows the overturning axis with the lowest
safety factor for the center segment. In FIGS. 13A and 13B the two
loadcases considered for the analysis can be seen. FIGS. 14A through 14F
and 15A through 15F give the overturning and the retentive moments for
each section relative to the overturning axis. Even though the overturning
moments for sections 1 and 2 (and 3 for loadcase B) exceed the respective
retentive moments, the center segment as a whole is stable, since the
total of the retentive moments acting on Sections 1-6 is larger than the
total of the overturning moments acting on these sections. Therefore, the
height of the curb can be selected so that the overturning moment acting
on the centermost section of the center segment is greater than the
positive moment acting on this centermost section, with the positive
moments acting on the outermost sections of the center segment more than
offsetting this. A similar analysis shows that the net positive moment
acting on the lateral segments more than offsets the overturning moments
acting on those segments even though the curb has a height that is less
than the height at which a centermost section of the center segment would
have a net negative moment.
It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have
been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the
specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown. | 4E
| 01 | F |
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a cathode arc source 10 comprises a target 11 , in electrical contact with a target plate 12 and a cathode body 13 , itself connected to a cathode bottom 14 . The combination of a target plate 12 and a cathode body 13 are also referred to as a cathode station ie for location of a cathode target thereon.
In use, cooling of the target is achieved via flow of cooling water into the inlet 15 and exiting via the outlet 16 .
The so-called reversing field is provided by permanent magnet 17 mounted on liner motion feedthrough 18 and flange 19 . In the source shown in FIG. 2 , the permanent magnet 17 is replaced by an alternative electromagnet 40 , in which case wires (not shown) supplying power to the electromagnet 40 exit through the flange 19 .
Around the target 11 is provided a shield composed of a shield body 21 , a ceramic circle 23 and shield cap 22 . Other components of the cathode arc source are teflon insulator 24 and means for mounting and location within a cathode arc source made up of steel washer 26 , flange 27 , teflon seal 28 , centring ring 29 , spacer ring 30 , rubber O-ring 31 and teflon seal 32 .
Permanent magnet 17 is mounted for movement upwards and downwards, and can be moved so as to vary the location of the null point in the magnetic field resultant from the reversing field and the field for steering plasma (not shown) through a single bend or double bend or other filter apparatus.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , an anode liner 50 is shown fitted tightly inside and in electrical contact with anode wall 52 . Cooling is provided by flow of water through the cooling water housing 51 and observation of the arc is through view port 54 . The target is not shown in these two figures though coil 60 for generating the reversing field is shown and is below or at about the level of the target when in place. FIG. 3 shows a linear striker 71 and FIG. 4 shows a rotary striker 70 .
The anode liner 50 is made of graphite and is in the form of two interconnecting halves which when connected fit snugly inside and against the anode wall 52 . The halves can be separated for ease of removal from the anode liner, permitting rapid replacement of the liner, when worn or when contaminated, by a fresh liner.
Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a cathode arc source of the invention 100 is shown having first target 11 and second target 56 . Both are cooled by water flowing through inlet 15 and outlet 16 in the usual manner. Targets are located within insulating shroud 57 and are connected to an arc power supply (not shown). Coils for electromagnet 60 and electromagnet 61 provide, respectively, the reversing field below the targets and the field for steering plasma from the arc source towards the substrate, optionally via a single or double bend or other filtering apparatus (not shown). Linear striker 71 is mounted at the side of the cathode arc source, and in this particular source there are two such linear strikers. Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the striker has a body 72 and a tip 73 in electrical connection with the power supply for striking an arc at target 11 or 56 .
The body 72 is mounted on arm 74 which projects into vacuum bellows 75 so that the striker can be used by an operator outside the vacuum chamber of the source. In operation, the striker is initially retracted inside recess 84 in the position shown in FIG. 7 . When it is desired to strike an arc at one of the targets, the arm 74 , by action of an operator on the vacuum bellows 75 , advances the linear striker towards the target. On the arm 74 there is pivotally mounted an actuator 77 pivotally connected via connector 79 to the body 72 of the striker. Spring 76 holds the body and tip of the striker in the position shown in FIG. 7 . When actuator 77 abuts projection 78 , further advancement of the arm 74 pivots the striker about pivot 80 , moving the tip 73 downwardly towards the target so that arc striking can occur. After striking of the arc, retraction of the arm 74 and contraction of spring 76 pulls the striker back into the position shown in FIG. 7 and the striker can then be retracted into recess 84 out of the way of the arc and so as not to interfere with or contaminate plasma from the arc.
Referring to FIG. 8 , a plasma gun 110 comprises target 111 in electrical connection with cathode 112 , cooled by flow of water through inlet 114 and an outlet (not shown). Anode surface 113 is in electrical connection to a power supply via either cooling water inlet 115 or outlet 116 . Coils or permanent magnets 17 are located below the target to provide a reversing field and similar coils or magnets 118 above the target provide a guiding field. A protective structure such as collar 119 is located around the source, preventing damage e.g. whilst installing the plasma gun into a vacuum chamber. A metal or ceramic shield 120 is mounted on top of the collar, held to the collar by screw 121 . The shield can also act as support structure for a grid to be mounted on the plasma gun so it also functions as an ion gun.
Ceramic insulator 122 separates the anode from the cathode, and a fixed arc trigger (not shown) is located within the gun for arc striking. Gas may be introduced into plasma emitted from the plasma gun by gas inlet 123 . Conventional vacuum seals 124 are used for feethroughs of water, gas and power conduits (not all seals are shown).
The gun is mounted on flange 125 with locating holes 126 for installation into a vacuum chamber. In use, the gun is connected to conventional power, water and gas supplies or lines, converting a vacuum chamber into a cathode arc source.
The invention enables production of thin films, and multi layer thin films, containing fewer macroparticles, and enables long term and industrial use of a cathode arc source in deposition apparatus.
| 2C
| 25 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments of preferred fan filter mounting frames according to the invention are generally shown in the drawing figures and discussed below. More specifically, a first alternative embodiment of the inventive concept is shown in the drawing atFIGS. 1-6. The context of the invention generally includes a suspension frame100, a piece of mechanical equipment200that is to be suspended, and a frame insert300. The frame insert may be said to adapt one of the suspension frame and the mechanical unit for mounting with the other of the mechanical unit and the suspension frame, respectively.
Various ceiling suspension grid systems100and the like are known and useful for suspending mechanical units200, including fans, filters, lighting, and the like, as is known by one having ordinary skill in the art. Suspension frame systems typically include a series of parallel rails102and cross rails104(FIG. 3), which install to define the rectangular grid framework100that is comprised of an array of included cells.
A casual observer may be most familiar with relatively light duty suspension frame grid systems that are commonly found in offices and homes and the like as suspended ceilings. With regard to light weight equipment components such as acoustical ceiling tiles, some lighting fixtures, and some ventilation grills, the various components may be selectively sequentially placed so the tiles, fixtures, or grills may be modularly sized and rest directly upon suspension grid rails and cross rails. As noted above, the components of each of the suspended ceiling and the equipment are relatively easily handled and manipulated in installation and maintenance. Thus, the light weight components of each of the ceiling system and the equipment may be selectively sequentially manipulated and placed with relative ease.
One having ordinary skill in the art is also familiar with heavier duty suspended grid frame systems that support heavier equipment units200, including ventilation air moving and conditioning equipment, for example, which may commonly be excessively heavy for convenient manipulation, handling, or placement by an installer or service person. The size or weight of heavier equipment components preclude easy or convenient manipulation of the heavy equipment near an installed position, while suspension frame rail components are selectively removed, positioned, or replaced. Thus, an alternative and safer situation with regard to heavy equipment placement is desired and provided by the invention, in which the suspension frame grid frame system100may preferably be undisturbed in its finished design condition; the suspension frame grid and the heavy equipment unit are compatibly sized so the equipment unit slips through a selected cell of the grid, between the rails102and cross rails104that define the cell; spacers, or inserts,300are adapted to insert between the equipment and the grid frame rails and cross rails.
More specifically, the grid rails102are commonly spaced and define an uniform or modular opening length106, while the grid cross rails104are spaced and define an uniform or modular opening width108, for example, of each cell. The cooperating equipment200has a housing, a mounting frame, or other outside dimensions that are slightly smaller than the suspension grid opening length and width. Thus, the equipment may slip fit through the suspension grid opening of a pre-selected cell without disturbing the grid frame (FIG. 3).
Once through the grid frame opening, the equipment may be positioned into a selected corner of the grid cell, which is commonly defined by a rail102and an adjacent cross rail104. The equipment unit is set to rest upon rail and cross rail support surfaces106of the frame components that define the selected corner (FIGS. 4,1, &2).
As is generally shown in the drawing and known in the art, the rails102and cross rails104of the suspension grid frame100commonly define modular uniform cells that are typically rectangular and may include the special geometry of the equilateral rectangle that is known as a square. Thus, the geometry of each cell includes having four corners and having 180 degree rotation symmetry. The square is noted to have 90 degree rotation symmetry as well. Thus, the particular corner of the grid cell that is chosen for supporting the unit200as disclosed above is substantially immaterial relative to the invention because the inherent symmetries of the geometry of the rectangular cell. Placement of the unit200in a selected corner of the cell leaves a gap between the equipment and the diagonally opposing cell corner, including the adjacent rail and cross rail102and104that define the opposing cell corner.
The adapting spacers300, including legs or discrete inserts302and304, of the invention come into play to bridge the gaps between the unit200and the adjoining rail and cross rail. The adapting spacers are configured to interconnect between the equipment200and the frame rail102and cross rail104, providing support surfaces for two adjacent sides of the equipment that are not supported by the diagonally opposing grid frame rail and cross rail. As shown, the inserts302and304may be adapted with and abut at mitered ends (FIG. 4). The mitered joint122may optionally be fixed with welding or the like as may be appropriate to the structural material selected for fabrication of the inserts. Alternatively, the inserts may remain separate parts that extend along adjacent sides of the grid opening and merely abut at the mitered corner122.
In an optional alternative, ended inserts306and308may meet in the corner at a simple butt joint124(FIG. 5). One having ordinary skill in the art will notice that the mitering of the inserts302and304more readily lend them to a strong fixed joint of a one piece insert with legs302and304. On the other hand, the square end inserts306and308maintain flexibility without regard to which corner of the cell the unit200is placed.
The various inserts302-306are preferably clamped with their respective rail102and cross rail104. Thus, a clamp400that cooperates with the grid rails and cross rails may be provided and fasten the adapting spacers to the grid rails, supporting the equipment (FIGS. 1,2,4, and5). In an exemplary embodiment, the inserts302-306may be configured as a stylized L-section angle with legs312and314(FIGS. 1 & 2). One having ordinary skill in the art knows that suspension grid frame rails are typically lengths of T-shaped members, having a flange112that is commonly exposed and a stem114that commonly extends upward from the flange to a terminal end (FIG. 2). As shown, an insert300may be positioned against the rail with the leg312against the stem114and the leg314against and extending beyond the flange112. The clamp400may then be provided in one embodiment with a clamp leg402against the insert leg312and capturing the insert leg between the clamp leg and the rail stem114. The clamp may further have a flange404that abuts a terminal end of the stem. A self taping screw or bolt406or the like may be used to secure the clamp in position as one having ordinary skill in the art will understand. In various installation circumstances, the clamp may be alternatively configured, including fabrication as a J-channel and as a U-channel.
For various structural and other design consideration, the insert300may preferably include a stiffening or locking rib316along leg312, that may key into a cooperating groove116in the rail stem114(FIG. 2). The insert leg314may preferably be styled to be flush with an exposed surface of the rail flange112. The leg314may also include a stabilizing rib318, which may strengthen the insert300or may position the unit200. Alternatively, the insert300may desirably be fastened with the equipment, rather than the suspension grid frame rail as is discussed further below.
Various of the rails or cross rails may optionally be adapted to cooperate with a lighting fixture or the like (FIG. 6). The rail flange may be modified with a pair of parallel legs118that may extend downward from the flange as shown and define the flange portion as a downward opening U-channel. The legs118may extend to terminal ends that are adapted to support a cooperating light fixture120. Further the leg ends may include adaptation to support a cooperating light shade122.
In a second alternative embodiment of an example of the invention, the suspension frame grid rails and cross rails (either130) may have a modified T-section that is adapted with a flange136to cooperate with a modified spacer330(FIGS. 7-9). The T-rail130has a flange132and a stem134. The stem is provided with the downward extending flange136that defines a groove138, which extends along a length of the stem134.
The insert330includes a generally horizontal leg334that extends along and beyond the T-rail flange132, from the stem134, to support the unit200. An offset outer end335of leg334positions the support surface of leg334at the same plane as flanges132of T-rails130. The insert330may be said to be a modification of the insert300in that the insert300leg312is foreshortened to the insert330leg332. The leg332interconnects with the flange136and seats in the groove138in interlocking engagement. The leg332may preferably be configured with a grooved terminal end as shown, which grooved terminal enhancing alignment, placement, and stability of the insert330.
An advantage of the insert330having the lip or leg332instead of the short leg312is that the stem134of the suspension frame rail may be relatively shorter. The shorter stem134has various architectural and structural advantages, including requiring less overhead space and requiring less material in fabrication.
The modified rail130may optionally be adapted to include incorporation of a lighting fixture (FIG. 9), similar to the discussion above regarding the rail102or cross rail104(FIG. 6). The rail flange132may be modified with a pair of parallel legs138that may extend downward from the flange as shown and define the flange portion as a downward opening U-channel. The legs138may extend to terminal ends that are adapted to support a cooperating light fixture120. Further the leg ends may include adaptation to support a cooperating light shade122.
In a third alternative configuration of the invention, adapting spacers or inserts360are structurally secured with the equipment200, rather than with the suspension frame grid rail160(FIGS. 10-13). More specifically, a downward extending flange232may be provided on the equipment housing and adapted to define a downward opening groove234along the unit200. A corresponding insert360may be configured generally as an angle, a U-channel or a J-channel as shown.
The insert360has a bight portion362with generally parallel legs364and366extending in the same direction, upward as shown, from opposite edges of the bight portion302. The leg364is captured in the groove234in the example. The insert360so positioned, extends to overlay the flange112of the respective rail100, with the bight portion362and leg366. As discussed above relative to the spacer300of the first alternative embodiment, the spacer360may be one piece with two legs that extend along adjacent lengths of rail102and cross rail104, and may also be implemented as two inserts that abut at a common corner of a suspension grid frame cell. The legs of the insert360may meet at a mitered corner as shown and may alternatively meet at a simple butt joint as noted above regarding the insert300.
Various rails or cross rails may optionally be adapted to cooperate with a lighting fixture or the like (FIG. 13). The rail flange may be modified with a pair of parallel legs118that may extend downward from the flange as shown in the drawing, and define the flange portion as a downward opening U-channel. The legs118may extend to terminal ends that are adapted to support a cooperating light fixture120. Further, the leg ends may include adaptation to support a cooperating light shade122, all as discussed above relative to the first alternative embodiment.
One having ordinary skill in the art and those who practice the invention will understand from this disclosure that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed inventive concept. One will also understand that various relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top, and bottom, for example, are used in the detailed description of the invention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning of various elements of the claimed invention.
| 4E
| 04 | G |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A solid-state storage subsystem, and associated processes that may be implemented by multiple host computing systems, will now be described with reference to the drawings. This description is intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and not limit the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.
FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating multiple host systems110and111coupled to a solid-state storage subsystem100according to one embodiment. Although two host systems110and111are shown, any number of host systems may be coupled with storage subsystem100according to different embodiments. Each host system110and111may comprise a computer such as a personal computer, workstation, recording device, router, blade server or any other type of computing device. The host systems110and111store data on the storage subsystem100. In some embodiments, operating system functionality and a boot process may be provided by the storage subsystem100. The host systems110and111execute driver programs170and171that provide functionality for communicating with the subsystem100, such as by issuing commands in accordance with an ATA signal interface or some other interface. In certain embodiments, the drivers170and171may communicate with, or be part of, one or more software applications that are specifically configured to use the storage subsystem100.
In one embodiment shown, host systems110and111further comprise interfaces120and121respectively. Each interface120and121may comprise a controller, bus structure, and physical connector corresponding to any industry standard signal interface or any unique signal interface used by the host systems110and111, including but not limited to IDE/PATA, SATA, RS232/423, PCMCIA, USB, Firewire (IEEE-1394), FibreChannel, PCI Express bus, or any wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth or IEEE-802.11. In other embodiments, each host system110or111may include multiple interfaces.
Storage subsystem100is connected to interfaces120and121of host systems110and111. Storage subsystem100comprises physical connectors125and126, bus structures127and128, the controllers130and131, a data arbiter140, and a storage150. In the embodiment shown, the interfaces120and121are specifically connected to the physical connectors125and126and transmit data to controllers130and131of the storage subsystem100over bus structures127and128. Storage subsystem100may comprise at least as many controllers as physical connectors. In other embodiments, the number of controllers included in the storage subsystem100may be less than the number of physical connectors of the storage subsystem100.
Each controller130and131may be configured to write data to, and read data from, the storage150in response to memory/storage access commands from hosts110and111. Controllers130and131may operate to receive data from interfaces120and121of host computers110and111over bus structures127and128. Controllers130and131may then translate control, address, and data signals into storage access commands to storage150. Controllers130and131may also access and transmit data from storage150to host systems110and111through interfaces120and121. The Controllers130and131may comprise USB, IEEE-1394, IDE, or SATA controllers in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the controllers130and131may be combined and implemented using a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In some embodiments, the controllers130and131may comprise multiple distinct devices. Further, although the controllers130and131preferably execute firmware, a controller that does not execute a firmware program may be used.
The storage subsystem100further comprises a storage150. In preferred embodiments, storage150is a non-volatile memory (NVM) array. Storage150may, but need not, be implemented using NAND memory components. Storage150may comprise a plurality of solid-state storage devices coupled to controllers130and131through data arbiter140. The solid-state storage devices may comprise, for example, flash integrated circuits, Chalcogenide RAM (C-RAM), Phase Change Memory (PC-RAM or PRAM), Programmable Metallization Cell RAM (PMC-RAM or PMCm), Ovonic Unified Memory (OUM), Resistance RAM (RRAM), NAND memory, NOR memory, EEPROM, Ferroelectric Memory (FeRAM), or other discrete NVM chips. The solid-state storage devices may be physically divided into blocks, pages and sectors, as is known in the art.
In certain embodiments, storage150may be formatted into separate partitions. For example, the storage subsystem100may create partitions using the systems and methods disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/480,303 titled “Systems and Methods for Segmenting and Protecting a Storage Subsystem” filed on Jun. 30, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In alternative embodiments, each partition may support any number of host systems.
In the embodiment shown, storage150is accessed through data arbiter140by controllers130and131responding to commands from either host110or111. Controllers130and131, which may be configured to communicate with storage150, may nonetheless be connected to data arbiter140. In certain embodiments, the data arbiter140may be implemented using an ASIC, field programmable gate array (FPGA), or may comprise multiple distinct devices. In some embodiments, data arbiter140may be implemented with additional components in a single device. Further, although the data arbiter140also preferably executes firmware, a data arbiter140that does not execute a firmware program may also be used.
Data arbiter140is responsible for prioritizing read/write commands received simultaneously from multiple controllers130and131in one embodiment. If data arbiter140receives concurrent read/write commands, then according to certain embodiments the data arbiter140processes the commands serially according to a priority ranking. For example, data arbiter140may first process the command with the highest priority. Once that first command is processed, data arbiter140may process a command with the highest remaining priority.
In one embodiment, a restricted memory area152of the storage150stores priority control parameters160which may be used to configure the order in which concurrent storage access commands are processed by the storage subsystem100via the data arbiter140. For instance, the data arbiter140may determine that the priority control parameters160designate that commands received from the first host system110are of highest priority, and are therefore processed before commands received from the second host system111. In different embodiments, priority control parameters160may designate that the priority of a received command be determined based on the host system sending the command, the type of command received, information in the command itself, or some combination of these or other factors.
The restricted memory area152, and thus the priority control parameters160, may be accessible via one or more vendor-specific commands, and thus may not be exposed to any host system's operating system. A host system, such as host system110, may include a driver170that may be configured to execute such vendor-specific commands. In some embodiments, a host system using these vendor-specific commands may modify the priority control parameters160stored in the restricted memory area152. The vendor-specific commands may indicate that the priority control parameters160should be changed to determine a priority based on the host system transmitting the command, a type of command received, information in the command, or some combination of these or other factors.
In one embodiment, control parameters160are stored in a restricted 512-byte block of storage150. However, the priority control parameters160may be stored in any type of non-volatile storage, including register storage that is separate from storage150. Priority control parameters160may advantageously be stored in a predetermined location within restricted area152so that data arbiter140may be preconfigured to locate priority control parameters160when necessary.
By storing priority control parameters160in restricted area152, certain embodiments avoid inadvertent or intentional altering of the control parameters160due to the generally inaccessible nature of restricted area152. For example, a user of either host system110or111cannot inadvertently copy over the priority control parameters160using conventional tools that do not have access to restricted area152. Other types of information may additionally or alternatively be stored in restricted area152and may be accessible using vendor-specific commands.
In certain other embodiments, the priority control parameters160may be stored in the user data memory area151that is generally accessible by the operating systems of host systems110and111. In one such embodiment, host system110further comprises driver113, which may generate priority control parameters160. In these embodiments, controls modifying priority control parameters160stored in storage150may include additional information instructing data arbiter140on the location of priority control parameters160.
FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment including an audio recording system210, a video recording system211, and an instrument recording system212. Each system may utilize a different signal interface to communicate with storage subsystem100. For example, the system may transfer audio information from an audio recording system210with a USB interface220selected because of its low cost and throughput, video information from a video recorder system211with an IEEE-1394 interface221selected for its high throughput to support video data transfer rates, and instrumentation information from an instrument recording system212with an IDE interface222selected because it was the most cost effective method for use with a Single Board Computer.
Each recording system may be connected to the storage subsystem100with a corresponding physical connector233,234, and235and over a bus structure236,237, and238. The recording systems may be connected to corresponding controllers230,231, and232. In the embodiment shown, audio recording system210is connected to USB controller230, video recording system211is connected to IEEE-1394 controller231, and instrument recording system212is connected to IDE controller232. Accordingly, physical connector233may be a USB mini-A connector, physical connector234may be a four-pin Firewire connector, and physical connector235may be a CompactFlash card connector. Bus structures236,237, and238may then correspond to USB, IEEE-1394, and PATA bus structures, respectively. Each controller may receive storage access commands from a host system and translate these signals to access storage150. Any of the controllers attempting to access storage150may send such control, address, and data signals to data arbiter140. Data arbiter140may then forward the signals to storage150or may return a busy signal to the originating host system through the controller depending on conditions such as what other signals are being received concurrently and the priority of the signals.
FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating a sample process300utilized by a data arbiter140of a storage subsystem100to handle a storage access command received from a host system according to one embodiment. Reference is made to the storage subsystem shown inFIG. 2, but the process shown or a variation may also be utilized by other embodiments. The flow chart shown inFIG. 3is applicable both to embodiments using a restricted storage area152of the storage subsystem100to store the priority control parameters160as shown inFIG. 2, and to embodiments that use a non-restricted storage area151of the storage subsystem100. Furthermore, the flow chart is applicable to both solid-state storage subsystems and non-solid-state storage subsystems. A skilled artisan will recognize that certain steps of the process300may be omitted, modified, or performed in a different order in other embodiments.
First, at step301, a storage subsystem100including a data arbiter140is connected to at least one host system. For example, the storage subsystem100may be concurrently connected to the USB interface220of the audio recording system210, to the IEEE-1394 interface221of the video recording system211, and the IDE interface222of the instrument recording system212as shown inFIG. 2.
Next, in step302, the storage subsystem100receives a first read/write command from at least one host system. For example, the storage subsystem100may receive a write command from audio recording system210through USB interface220. USB controller230translates the command and attempts to access storage150. This signal is therefore received by data arbiter140from controller230.
In step303, the data arbiter140determines if this signal was received approximately simultaneously with another signal. For example, other signals that might have been received include a write command from video recording system211through the IEEE-1394 interface221and IEEE-1394 controller231, or a write command from instrumentation recording system212through the IDE interface222and IDE controller232. A concurrent signal may include signals received by the storage subsystem100at approximately the same time as well as earlier received signals still being processed. If no other signal was received concurrently with the first read/write command, then the data arbiter140proceeds to step304and allows that signal to be processed by storage150of storage subsystem100. If another signal was received, then the data arbiter140proceeds to step305.
At step305, the data arbiter140of the storage subsystem100reads the priority control parameters160from the storage150of the storage subsystem100. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the priority control parameters160are stored in and read from the restricted memory area152. The priority control parameters160may designate a priority for processing the concurrently received signals. In one embodiment of the system ofFIG. 2, this may comprise giving the video recording system211highest priority, the audio recording system210second highest priority, and instrument recording system212lowest priority.
At decision step306, the data arbiter140uses the priority control parameters160to determine whether the pending read/write command is the highest priority command. For example, if the priority control parameters160designate that a concurrently received write command for video data from the IEEE-1394 interface221would be considered highest priority, then the write command for audio data from the USB interface220would not be the highest priority signal and data arbiter140would handle the audio data signal by proceeding to step307. At step307, the data arbiter140provides a busy signal to the host system from which the signal originated. Alternatively, if the priority control parameters160designate that the audio signal was the highest priority signal of those received, then the data arbiter140would proceed to step304and the signal would be processed.
Steps304and307describe alternatively processing a received command or returning a busy signal. The step of processing a command may include additional actions such as performing handshake procedures to verify the receipt and handling of the signal in certain embodiments depending on the communication protocol used. Similarly, the step of returning a busy signal may not require an actual return signal be sent in some embodiments where the communications protocol requires the data be resent by the host system until received and confirmed.
FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a single host system410linked via two interfaces420and421to a storage subsystem100containing two controllers430and431according to one embodiment of the invention. The embodiment illustrated is advantageously configured for redundancy in case a primary interface should cease operation. Without redundancy, critical data may be lost if the primary interface were to cease operation. For example, if the interface420connected to the controller430ceased operating, then the host system410could alternatively use the interface421connected to the second controller431without significant downtime or loss of data.
FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a storage subsystem100connected to three computing systems510,511, and512in an aircraft system. The computing systems include instrumentation recorder system510, a video recorder system511, and an audio recorder system512. Storage subsystem100comprises a portable memory device having a card type form factor. As shown inFIG. 5, storage subsystem100has a PC Card form factor. Storage subsystem100thus is inserted into a PC Card slot connector in instrumentation recorder system510and is connected to the CPU580through a chipset597of the instrumentation recorder system510via an IDE bus structure520. Instrumentation recorder system510collects panel instrumentation readings591, which are processed by I/O control594. I/O control594communicates with CPU580. CPU580may store data in volatile storage DRAM570, and may also transmit storage access commands over IDE bus structure520to storage subsystem100. For example, panel instrumentation readings591may be stored on storage subsystem100.
Storage subsystem100is further connected to the video recorder system511via an IEEE-1394 cable and bus structure521. A video feed592is processed by video card595. Video data is transmitted to CPU581. Video recorder system511further comprises DRAM571connected to CPU581, and video data may be temporarily stored in DRAM571or some other storage of the video recorder system511. CPU581transmits storage access commands over IEEE-1394 bus structure521to storage subsystem100. For example, video recorder system511may store recorded video data on storage subsystem100.
Storage subsystem100is further connected to audio recorder system512via a USB cable and USB bus structure522. Audio recorder system512collects audio data593from the cockpit which is encoded by codec596and transferred to CPU582. CPU582may store data on DRAM572and may transmit storage access commands and data to storage subsystem100. Storage subsystem100may therefore store audio data593.
Accordingly, storage subsystem100, comprising a PC Card form factor having at least three physical connectors and bus structures for utilizing at least three signal interfaces, may be connected to a first instrument recorder system510while simultaneously recording data from a video recorder system511and audio recorder system512. As discussed in more detail above, storage subsystem100may be configured to prioritize data received concurrently from the three recording systems510,511, and512. For example, because video data may require more memory and may not be easily stored on DRAM570of instrument recorder system511, video data captured by video recorder system511and transferred to storage subsystem100may have priority over instrumentation readings and audio recordings.
FIG. 6shows storage subsystem100after it has been disconnected from the aircraft recording system shown inFIG. 5. Storage subsystem100may now be connected to a data analysis system610. For example, data analysis system610may be a personal computer having software installed for the analysis of recorded flight data. Data analysis system610connects to storage subsystem100using USB bus structure620. Data analysis system610comprises a chipset693configured to interpret USB signal interface data collected from storage subsystem100, chipset693may also handle keyboard and mouse input691. Chipset693transmits data to CPU680. Data analysis system610may further comprise volatile storage DRAM670and additional non-volatile storage (not shown). Data analysis system610may further comprise video card692. Monitor690may be connected to video card692of data analysis system610.
Data collected from the audio recording system512, video recording system511, and instrument recording system510as shown inFIG. 5may be stored on data analysis system610. By collecting all the information on the single storage subsystem100, the data may be easily transferred to data analysis system610and analyzed together. Transfer of data from storage subsystem100may utilize whichever signal interface is available, convenient, and efficient for data analysis system610.
FIG. 7shows one embodiment of a storage subsystem100having a PC Card form factor. Storage subsystem100is shown with a PC Card housing700. Storage subsystem100shown inFIG. 7includes three physical connectors701,702, and703. Physical connector701comprises a PC Card connector, and is connected with a PC Card bus structure to a controller. Physical connector702comprises a USB mini-A connector and is connected to a USB connector over a USB bus structure. Physical connector793comprises an IEEE-1394 four-pin connector, and is connected to an IEEE-1394 controller using IEEE-1394 bus structure. The storage subsystem100is advantageously configured to be inserted into a PC Card slot on a host system. When storage subsystem100is inserted into a PC Card slot, PC Card physical connector701connects the storage subsystem100with the host system. Physical connector702and703are further accessible to be connected to USB and IEEE-1394 cable connections from additional host systems.
FIG. 8shows a storage subsystem100having a CompactFlash form factor. Storage subsystem100has a CompactFlash card housing800. Storage subsystem100further comprises a physical connector801, comprising a CompactFlash physical connector. An ATA bus structure is connected between the physical connector801and an IDE controller. Additional physical connectors are shown on the opposite side of the CompactFlash card housing of storage subsystem100. For example, the physical connectors may comprise USB or IEEE-1394 connectors. In other embodiments, different connectors may be accessible on the opposite side of the storage subsystem100. For example, an SATA connector802may be available. The physical connectors are connected to controllers via bus structures configured to transmit data using the corresponding signal interfaces of the physical connectors. A data arbiter is connected between the controllers and a memory of the storage subsystem100in order to prioritize concurrently received storage access commands.
Different embodiments of the system may employ a variety of form factors in addition to those described above. In some embodiments, the storage subsystem100may comprise a CompactFlash Card form factor storage solution. This storage subsystem may utilize, for example, non-volatile memory devices, volatile memory devices, or an electro-mechanical hard disk drive. In one such embodiment, the storage subsystem comprises a CompactFlash connector using a PATA signal interface along with a SATA connector and signal interface in a single product in an industry standard CompactFlash form factor. In another such embodiment, the storage subsystem may comprise a CompactFlash connector and PATA signal interface along with an IEEE-1394 connector and interface in an industry standard CompactFlash form factor. Other embodiments using a CompactFlash form factor may alternatively or additionally include a USB connector and signal interface.
Other embodiments of storage subsystem100may comprise a PC Card form factor storage solution comprising non-volatile memory devices, volatile memory devices, or an electro-mechanical hard disk drive. In this embodiment, the storage subsystem100may comprise a PC Card connector using a PATA signal interface and a SATA connector and signal interface in a single product in an industry standard PC Card form factor. Other such embodiments may alternatively or additionally comprise an IEEE-1394 connector and signal interface or a USB connector and signal interface.
In other embodiments, storage subsystem100may comprise another form factor storage solution, such as a hard disk form factor (e.g. 3.5″, 2.5″, 1.8″, etc.) storage solution, a custom form factor storage solution, or some other form factor storage solution. Connectors and signal interfaces utilized in a given embodiment of storage subsystem100may be adapted to comprise some combination of signal interfaces such as PATA, SATA, RS232/423, PCMCIA, USB, Firewire (IEEE-1394), FibreChannel, PCI Express bus, or any wireless interface. In further embodiments, other combinations and greater numbers of signal interfaces and controllers may be used within a single storage subsystem.
In some embodiments, the storage subsystem100may, for example, be a solid-state memory card that connects to an interface of each host system110and111with at least one of the following card specifications: CompactFlash, PCMCIA, SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, SecureDigital, Memory Stick, ATA/ATAPI. The storage subsystem100may, for example, have a housing and signal interfaces that comply with one of the following specifications: sub 1 inch hard disk drive, 1.8 inch hard disk drive, 2.5 inch hard disk drive and 3.5 inch hard disk drive. A custom form factor and/or signal interface may alternatively be used.
While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
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EXAMPLES
Urethane Acrylate Oligomer Synthesis
A urethane acrylate oligomer (Oligomer 1) for secondary coating according to the present invention was prepared by reacting 0.01 mol of C14-polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTHF; average molecular weight: 1000) with 0.02 mol of 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HDMI; average molecular weight: 262) in the presence of dibutyl tin dilaurate as catalyst (0.02 wt % of the total weight of the reaction mixture). The reaction mixture was heated at 70° C. for 2 h. 0.02 mol of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) were then added to the reaction mixture. The resulting mixture was then heated at 70-80° C. for 4 h to complete the polymerization reaction. The structure of Oligomer 1 is given in Formula 1 below:
For comparative purposes Oligomer 2 was prepared as described for Oligomer 1 above using toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) instead of HDMI. The structure of Oligomer 2 obtained is given in Formula 2 below:
A urethane acrylate oligomer (Oligomer 3) for buffer coating according to
the present invention was prepared by reacting 0.01 mol of C27-polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTHF; average molecular weight: 2000) with 0.02 mol of 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HDMI; average molecular weight: 262) in the presence of dibutyl tin dilaurate as catalyst (0.02 wt % of the total weight of the reaction mixture). The reaction mixture was heated at 70° C. for 2 h. 0.02 mol of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) were then added to the reaction mixture. The resulting mixture was then heated at 70-80° C. for 4 h to complete the polymerization reaction. The structure of Oligomer 3 is given in Formula 3 below:
A urethane acrylate oligomer (Oligomer 4) for buffer coating according to the present invention was prepared by reacting 0.01 mol of C40-polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTHF; average molecular weight: 2900) with 0.02 mol of 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HDMI; average molecular weight: 262) in the presence of dibutyl tin dilaurate as catalyst (0.02 wt % of the total weight of the reaction mixture). The reaction mixture was heated at 70° C. for 2 h. 0.02 mol of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) were then added to the reaction mixture. The resulting mixture was then heated at 70-80° C. for 4 h to complete the polymerization reaction. The structure of Oligomer 4 is given in Formula 4 below:
Formulation of the Polymerizable Compositions
The polymerizable compositions for secondary coatings (Table 1a) and buffer coating (Table 1b) were formulated by mixing the oligomer, the reactive diacrylate monomer, photoinitiators and other additives in the amount listed in Table 1 (amounts expressed as weight percentages with respect to the total weight of the formulation). The polymerizable compositions were formulated in a dark bottle heated at 70° C. under a stream of nitrogen and high-speed mixing.
TABLE 1aSample23451*Oligomer 136.2559.9450.0037.00Oligomer 236.25BAGDA27.0027.0028.79IPCA28.79PEA18.13MEA18.1320.0020.00HDA24.26BA12.8012.8013.0012.80LA2.132.13Lucirin TPO1.052.002.002.001.05IRG1840.851.001.001.000.85
TABLE 1bSample67Oligomer 359.84Oligomer 466.92BAGDA21.6817.88HDA16.0913.26Lucirin TPO1.591.30IRG1840.800.64
BAGDA: bisphenol A glycerolate diacrylate
IPCA: isopropylendicycloehexyl-4,4′-diacrylate;
PEA: phenoxyethylacrylate;
MEA: mentylacrylate;
HDA: hexamethylene diacrylate;
BA: isobornyl acrylate;
LA: lauryl acrylate;
Lucirin TPO: diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide;
IRG184: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184).
The sample with the asterisk is a comparative one.
Preparation of Samples and Tests.
Films of polymer material were prepared by depositing a layer of the polymerizable compositions on a glass plate. The compositions were cured using a D bulb UV lamp at dose of about 850 mJ/cm2.
Elastic moduli (E′) at 100° C. of the film samples were determined through DMTA analysis.
Tg and weight loss of each polymer material was determined through TGA analysis (temperature range 20-800° C.; temperature ramp 20° C./min). For each polymer material three to four main steps of weight loss were generally observed.
The results of the experimental tests are reported in Tables 2a and 2b. Where a value range is provided, this refers to measurements taken on different samples of the same composition.
TABLE 2aSampleParameter23451*E’ at14-30182526.812-20100° C.(MPa)Tg (° C.)80-9069.7177.0083.3865.50TGA% weightloss1Step I2.4 (200)18.5 (320)3.9 (290)3.2 (290)3.0 (220)Step II53.3 (320)79.0 (420)21.6 (380)25.0 (380)24.0 (300)Step III42.9 (420)———66.3 (420)1The temperature at which the weight loss occurred is indicated between parentheses (° C.).
TABLE 2bSampleParameter678*E' at 100° C. (MPa)336-1013Tg (° C.)81.0385-9082.94TGA% weight loss1Step I21.39 (390)19.14 (400)11.6 (300)Step II———Step III———1The temperature at which the weight loss occurred is indicated between parentheses (° C.).
The sample with the asterisk is a comparative one.
The experimental results show that coating materials according to the present invention exhibit a reduced weight loss, i.e. lower than 10% at a temperature of or higher than 300° C., with respect to the comparative material having an aromatic acrylate.
A reduced weight loss under heating is indicative of thermal stability. In Table 2a, the comparative sample 1*lost 3% of weight at 220° C., but the next weight loss at 300° C. is of 24%, the total weight loss of the sample being of 27% at 300° C. The polymeric materials according to the invention showed a remarkable thermal stability (in term of weight loss below 10%) at a temperature of 300° C. and even higher. For example, sample 3 had no weight loss up to 320° C. (when a weight loss of 18.5% occurred), while sample 4 had a negligible weight loss (3.9%) at 290° C. and remained stable up to 380° C. (when a weight loss of 21.6% occurred, the total weight loss of the sample being of 25.5% at 380° C.).
In Table 2b, the comparative sample 8* is a commercially available acrylate material for buffer coating (Bufferlite™ DU-2008 by DSM). Sample 8* had a weight loss of 11.6% at 300° C., while samples 6 and 7 according to the invention had a weight loss at temperature higher than 350° C. only.
Crystalline Evaluation
The X-ray scattering patterns of selected samples of the cured polymer material were recorded on a X-Pert PRO PANalytical diffractometer using a Cu Kα radiation (λ=1.5418 Å, 2θ=5-80). The collected XRD data were used to calculate the degree of cristallinity (FWHM of the main peak having a maximum at about 2θ=18-20).
The degree of cristallinity of sample 5 was also measured after thermal aging of the material at 180° C. and 210° C. The degree of cristallinity for the measured samples is listed in Table 3.
TABLE 3SampleDegree of cristallinity (FWHM)451*At 25° C.9.311.413.6After aging 43 hours at 180° C.10.6——After aging 20 hours at 210° C.11.0——After aging 19 hours at 210° C.10.3——
The high temperature resistance observed appears to be correlated with the higher degree of crystallinity of the polymer materials according to the present invention as indicated by the lower FWHM values (higher crystallite size) compared to the FWHM value of the comparative sample. Moreover the degree of cristallinity of the polymer materials of the present invention does not vary substantially upon thermal aging of the material at 180-210° C.
The disclosure can be further appreciated through the below alternative or additional embodiments. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure include a polymerizable composition comprising: (A) a radiation-curable urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer obtained by reacting a cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, a C40-C180polyoxyalkylene ether glycol and a hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylate monomer; (B) at least one reactive diacrylate monomer; and (C) at least one photoinitiator.
For another example, the C40-C180polyoxyalkylene ether glycol is a C40-C64polyoxyalkylene ether glycol of general formula (Ia):
HO[[—CH2]nO—]mH (Ia)
wherein:
n is an integer selected from 2 to 6;
m is an integer selected from 7 to 32;
with the proviso that n multiplied by m is a value of from 40 to 64.
For a further example, the C40-C180polyoxyalkylene ether glycol is a C80-C180polyoxyalkylene ether glycol of general formula (Ib)
HO[[—CH2]nO—]mH (Ib)
wherein:
n is an integer selected from 2 to 6;
m is an integer selected from 20 to 45;
with the proviso that n multiplied by m is a value of from 80 to 180.
For a further example, the hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylate monomer is selected from: hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, hydroxyaryl(meth)acrylate monomer, hydroxycycloalkyl(meth)acrylate monomer and mixture thereof.
For another example, the cycloaliphatic polyisocianate is selected from: methylenebis(4-ciclohexyl)isocyanate, isophoronediisocyanate and mixture thereof. In embodiments,
For a further example, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, comprising: forming a first coating surrounding an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide including a core surrounded by a cladding; and forming a second coating surrounding the first coating, the second coating including a polyurethane acrylate polymer and having a degree of crystallinity of at most 12, the forming the second coating including: applying a polymerizable composition including a urethane (meth)acrylate compound on a surface of the first coating; and radiation curing the polymerizable composition.
For another example, the method further comprises producing the polymerizable composition by mixing: (A) the urethane (meth)acrylate compound, which is a radiation-curable urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer; (B) at least one reactive diacrylate monomer; and (C) at least one photoinitiator.
For another example, the method further comprises producing the radiation-curable urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer by reacting a cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, a C40-C180polyoxyalkylene ether glycol, and a hydroxyl-containing (meth)acrylate monomer.
For a further example, the radiation-curable urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer (A) is present in the polymerizable composition in an amount of from 20 wt % to 90 wt %; the at least one reactive diacrylate monomer (B) is present in the polymerizable composition in an amount of from 20 wt % to 80 wt %; and the at least one photoinitiator (C) is present in the polymerizable composition in an amount of from 0.3 wt % to 8 wt %.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.
Materials (e.g., silicon dioxide) may be referred to by their formal and/or common names, as well as by their chemical formula. Regarding chemical formulas, numbers may be presented in normal font rather than as subscripts. For example, silicon dioxide may be referred simply as “oxide”, chemical formula SiO2.
In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not necessarily be interpreted as limiting. They are generally included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.
In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.
FIG. 1shows a small portion of an integrated circuit (IC)100comprising a semiconductor substrate (wafer)102. A gate dielectric (isolation) layer106is disposed atop the wafer102. The gate dielectric layer106is typically silicon dioxide (SiO2) or a combination silicon oxynitride (SiON), and suitably has a thickness of approximately 9–12 Angstroms.
A gate electrode (gate)108is disposed atop the gate dielectric layer106. The gate108typically comprises polysilicon (poly). The gate108can be made using soft mask (resist) or a dielectric (oxide) hard mask. The gate108may have an exemplary width of approximately 30 to 60 nm and an exemplary height of of approximately 80 to 150 nm. This is the first step (“gate formation”) of the overall process described herein. The present invention advantageously utilizes standard gate formation and isolation techniques. The gate dielectric layer106is disposed underneath the gate108.
FIG. 2illustrates a next step (“spacer deposition”) in the process, and shows the gate108surrounded with low-k or medium-k (collectively, “reduced dielectric constant”) materials110which are deposited as a film using any suitable spacer deposition method, such as CVD or spin-on.
The reduced dielectric constant material110comprises any of the materials specified above. Of particular interest are:PECVD materials such as CORAL and Black Diamond, or TERA and BloK. These materials can easily be made porous, after spacer etching, as discussed below, resulting in a dielectric constant of less than 2.Spin-On materials such as SiLK and JSR or similar material which has lower dielectric constant than commonly used silicon nitride.
It is advantageous that the dielectric material110can be made porous, as discussed below. In this regard, the spin-on materials are generally more difficult to make porous, because typically the entire material is organic. PECVD materials can withstand higher temperatures which is important in the context of a subsequent spike anneal process which can expose the dielectric material to temperatures of 1100 degrees C. Spin-on materials will generally reflow at such elevated temperatures.
This reduced dielectric constant material110will form the spacers (112and114, below). The thickness of the spacer, hence the thickness of the reduced dielectric constant material will be determined by source and drain implant geometry. For example, the reduced dielectric constant material110may be deposited to a thickness of 50 nm, and post etch have a spacer thickness of 35 40 nm. The exact dimensions will depend on the desired device characteristics.
The thickness of the spacer is limited by the pitch of the gates and how many spacers are put in place. In contrast with the '748 patent, the spacers of the present invention can be made thicker, since the materials are generally etch resistant to silicon dioxide (e.g., gate oxide). That is to say, the width of the spacer may actually be larger than the distance between the gate and a silicide layer, although it may also be shorter.
The reduced dielectric constant material110covers the top (as viewed) of the gate electrode108, the two (left and right, as viewed) sides of the gate electrode108, and the top surface of the gate oxide layer106.
FIG. 3illustrates a next step (“etch”) in the process. The reduced dielectric constant material110is etched with a chlorine (Cl2) or fluorine (F2) plasma. In this step, the reduced dielectric constant material110is removed from atop the gate108, and from the surface of the gate dielectric layer106, but substantially remains on the sides of the gate108. The gate oxide106can act as an etch stop.
This etch step is preferably anisotropic (essentially uni-directional), etching from top down (as viewed) with little effect in the lateral (as viewed) direction. The greater the degree of isotropy (omni-directional) etch used, the greater the initial thickness of the material110would have to be to account for significant thinning of the material110on the sides of the gate electrode108. If too isotropic the spacer etch would remove all of the material and a spacer would not form.
The resulting structure is a gate108with spacers112and114on both sides of the gate108. The spacers112, and114have a thickness of approximately 20 nm, and extend to the height of the gate108which is exposed in this etch step. For non-porous reduced dielectric constant spacers, the resulting gate structure is complete.
For example, with a standard oxide gate dielectric, the spacers can be any of the medium-k dielectric materials listed above, providing good selectivity during etch.
Preferably, the spacers are made porous. This is generally done by exposing the spacers to an oxygen plasma which will remove the organic materials (e.g., carbon, nitrogen). For example, In the case of Si—O—C—N type of low-k materials (e.g., Coral, Black Diamond, TERA, Blok)110the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) atom may be removed from the film during the etching. Oxygen atoms are able to extract nearly all of the carbon and nitrogen from these materials with an oxygen (O2) plasma, leaving a stoichiometric SiO2 layer. It is expected that this SiO2 layer will be porous, which should provide even a lower dielectric constant. By forming pores during the spacer etch, the underlying layers are not subject to attack during the spacer etch as would occur if material was porous after deposition (ab initio).
FIG. 4illustrates a next step (“deposition”) in the process. After spacer etch, a thin layer of material120is deposited to cover the porous film112,114. The material120is suitably oxide. The deposition process is suitably PECVD. The thin oxide layer120suitably has a thickness of less than 5 nm, such as approximately 1 to 2 nm. Any material120which can act as a moisture barrier may be used to seal the porous film112,114. This would include materials such as amorphous silicon or nitride.
The purpose of this thin layer of oxide120is to prevent moisture absorption by the low-k (or medium-k) porous spacers112,114. This step can utilize the same platform for etch chamber and DVD chamber as in the etch step, so that the low-k (or medium-k) film will be kept in vacuum between etch and deposition processes. This deposition step would not be required for non-porous applications of reduced dielectric constant (e.g., medium-k) materials.
FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary MOSFET formed in accordance with the present invention. It is presented as being structurally (geometrically) similar to the MOSFET described in the aforementioned '748 patent. Hence, similar numbers are used.
A transistor512is disposed on a semiconductor substrate514(compare102), such as, a single crystal silicon wafer. Transistor512is part of a portion of an integrated circuit (IC) manufactured on a wafer (such as, a silicon wafer). Substrate514can be any semiconductor material, including gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), or other material. Alternatively, substrate514can be a thin-film layer that is part of a silicon-on-insulator substrate.
Transistor512includes a gate stack or structure518(compare108), a source region522, and a drain region524. Source region522and drain region524also include a source extension523and a drain extension525, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, source region522and drain region524have deep contact regions517and519, respectively.
Transistor512can be an N-channel or a P-channel field effect transistor (FET). Transistor512can be subject to two-dimensional channel-doping engineering and includes pocket or halo implant regions. Regions522and524can be planar, as shown inFIG. 5, or can be raised or elevated source and drain regions.
The transistor512includes a pair of low-k dielectric spacers538(compare112and114). The low-k dielectric spacers538can be 1,000–2,000 Angstroms thick and 30–40 nm wide. The low-k spacers538are preferably less than half of the width of extensions523and525. The low-k spacers538can be manufactured from a variety of low-k materials, as described above.
A silicide layer570is formed over drain region524and source region522of transistor512. A portion560of silicide layer570is provided over source region522, and a portion562of silicide layer570is provided over drain region524.
Transistor512can be substantially formed by conventional semiconductor processing techniques to form gate structure18, including gate oxide or dielectric layer534, source region522, and drain region524. Transistor512is provided between structures558.
The example ofFIG. 5is shown using a porous spacer538which is covered by a thin oxide layer520(compare120,FIG. 4).
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.FIG. 1shows a simplified block diagram of a plasma processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As seen in this figure, a plasma processing system100includes a plasma processing chamber10, an upper assembly20, an electrode plate24, a substrate holder30for supporting a substrate35, and a pumping duct40coupled to a vacuum pump (not shown) for providing a reduced pressure atmosphere11in plasma processing chamber10. Plasma processing chamber10can facilitate the formation of processing plasma in a process space12adjacent substrate35. The plasma processing system100can be configured to process 200 mm substrates, 300 mm substrates, or larger.
In the illustrated embodiment, the upper assembly20can include at least one of a cover, a gas injection assembly, and an upper electrode impedance match network. For example, the electrode plate24can be coupled to an RF source. In another alternate embodiment, the upper assembly20includes a cover and an electrode plate24, wherein the electrode plate24is maintained at an electrical potential equivalent to that of the plasma processing chamber10. For example, the plasma processing chamber10, the upper assembly20, and the electrode plate24can be electrically connected to ground potential.
Plasma processing chamber10can, for example, further include a deposition shield14for protecting the plasma processing chamber10from the processing plasma in the process space12, and an optical viewport16. Optical viewport16can include an optical window17coupled to the backside of an optical window deposition shield18, and an optical window clamp19can be configured to couple optical window17to the optical window deposition shield18. Sealing members, such as O-rings (not shown), can be provided between the optical window clamp19and the optical window17, between the optical window17and the optical window deposition shield18, and between the optical window deposition shield18and the plasma processing chamber10. Optical viewport16can, for example, permit monitoring of optical emission from the processing plasma in process space12.
Substrate holder30can, for example, further include a vertical translational device50surrounded by a bellows52coupled to the substrate holder30and the plasma processing chamber10, and configured to seal the vertical translational device50from the reduced pressure atmosphere11in plasma processing chamber10. Additionally, a bellows shield54can, for example, be coupled to the substrate holder30and configured to protect the bellows52from the processing plasma. Substrate holder30can, for example, further be coupled to at least one of a focus ring60, and a shield ring62. Furthermore, a baffle plate64can extend about a periphery of the substrate holder30.
Substrate35can be, for example, transferred into and out of plasma processing chamber10through a slot valve (not shown) and chamber feed-through (not shown) via robotic substrate transfer system where it is received by substrate lift pins (not shown) housed within substrate holder30and mechanically translated by devices housed therein. Once substrate35is received from substrate transfer system, it is lowered to an upper surface of substrate holder30.
Substrate35can be, for example, affixed to the substrate holder30via an electrostatic clamping system. Furthermore, substrate holder30can, for example, further include a cooling system including a re-circulating coolant flow that receives heat from substrate holder30and transfers heat to a heat exchanger system (not shown), or when heating, transfers heat from the heat exchanger system. Moreover, gas can, for example, be delivered to the back-side of substrate35via a backside gas system to improve the gas-gap thermal conductance between substrate35and substrate holder30. Such a system can be utilized when temperature control of the substrate is required at elevated or reduced temperatures. In other embodiments, heating elements, such as resistive heating elements, or thermo-electric heaters/coolers can be included.
In the illustrated embodiment, shown inFIG. 1, substrate holder30can include an electrode through which RF power is coupled to the processing plasma in process space12. For example, substrate holder30can be electrically biased at a RF voltage via the transmission of RF power from a RF generator (not shown) through an impedance match network (not shown) to substrate holder30. The RF bias can serve to heat electrons to form and maintain plasma. In this configuration, the system can operate as a reactive ion etch (RIE) reactor, wherein the chamber and upper gas injection electrode serve as ground surfaces. A typical frequency for the RF bias can range from 1 MHz to 100 MHz and is preferably 13.56 MHz. RF systems for plasma processing are well known to those skilled in the art.
Alternately, the processing plasma formed in process space12can be formed using a parallel-plate, capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) source, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source, any combination thereof, and with and without DC magnet systems. Alternately, the processing plasma in process space12can be formed using electron cyclotron resonance (ECR). In yet another embodiment, the processing plasma in process space12is formed from the launching of a Helicon wave. In yet another embodiment, the processing plasma in process space12is formed from a propagating surface wave.
FIG. 2is an illustration of a chamber liner having an optical window deposition shield in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The chamber liner14may form a deposition shield for the entire portion of a plasma processing chamber such as that shown inFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, the optical window deposition shield18is shown by way of a partial cross-sectional view of the chamber liner14. The optical window deposition shield18includes a honeycomb structure80that allows optical viewing of a plasma (not shown) on the interior of the chamber liner14, while impeding the plasma contacting a chamber window (not shown) that is aligned with the optical window deposition shield18on the exterior of the chamber liner14. The optical window deposition shield18also includes a backing plate82that couples the honeycomb structure80with the chamber liner14. Details of alternative configurations of the optical window deposition shield18in relation to the chamber liner14are shown inFIGS. 3A,4A,4B and4C.
FIG. 3Ais an enlarged cross-sectional top view of a chamber liner having an optical window deposition shield in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.3B is an orthogonal plan view andFIG. 3Cis an orthogonal side view of the optical window deposition shield shown inFIG. 3A. As seen in these figures, the chamber liner14includes an inner annular portion142and an outer annular portion144. The chamber liner14is fastened to the upper assembly20and the electrode plate24by way of a connecting device146.
As best seen in the cross-sectional portion ofFIG. 3A, the chamber liner14also includes a through hole having a small opening148facing the interior of the chamber liner14, and an enlarged opening149at the exterior of the chamber liner14so as to form a retaining surface or lip150in the chamber liner14. As seen inFIG. 3A, the backing plate82of the optical window deposition shield18fits within the enlarged opening149in flush contact with the lip150, while the honeycomb structure80fits within the smaller opening148. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, the small opening148includes a front portion151that engages the honeycomb structure80to prevent the honeycomb structure80from dropping into the process space12and to assist in maintaing the honeycomb structure80in a fixed position. Preferably, the honeycomb structure80snugly engages the sidewalls of the smaller opening148to be held in contact with the front portion151. In this regard, the honeycomb structure80preferably has an expansion quality that allows it to be slightly compressed when placed within the smaller opening148, and then expand to engage the sidewalls of the opening148.
In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, the backing plate82engages the lip150to assist in substantially maintaining the honeycomb structure80in a fixed position within the chamber liner14. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, the backing plate82includes a fastening device147such as screws to fix the backing plate82to the chamber liner14so as to assist in maintaining the honeycomb structure80in a fixed position. However, other mechanisms for holding the backing plate within the large opening149may be used. For example, the periphery of the backing plate82and/or sidewall of the opening149may include an elastic material or device that deforms when the backing plate82is inserted into the opening149, but maintains tension contact between the backing plate82and sidewall such that the backing plate is substantially held in a fixed position within the opening149. The backing plate82may or may not be in contact with the lip150, but should substantially contact the fixed backing plate to remain within the opening148.
In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, coupling between the honeycomb structure80and the backing plate82is provided by mere contact held between these two objects due to their fixed positioning within the openings148and149. Specifically, coupling between the honeycomb structure80and the backing plate82is provided by way of the front portion151and the side walls of the smaller opening148holding the honeycomb structure in place, while the backing plate82is held in contact with the honeycomb structure80by the fastening device147holding the backing plate against the honeycomb structure80and the lip150. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, however, it is only necessary for the honeycomb structure80to be held within the small opening148by either the front portion, or snug engagement with the side walls of the opening148, or any other known method for holding the honeycomb structure80within the opening148. A backing plate may not be necessary where the honeycomb structure is configured to maintain a fixed position within the opening148, such as with the honeycomb expansion feature described above, but the backing plate is preferred to ensure the structure80remains in a substantially fixed position.
FIG. 3Dshows a plan view of the optical window deposition shield18with details of the honeycomb structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3Dthe backing plate82is substantially rectangular in shape and has a rounded edge rectangular opening81occupied by the honeycomb structure80. The backing plate82is preferably made of aluminum sheet metal having an anodized coating thereon, however, other suitable materials may be used. As seen inFIG. 3D, a periphery portion84of the honeycomb core80is in planer contact with the backing plate82. Thus, the periphery portion84of the honeycomb core80may conceal the edge of the opening81, which is shown in phantom in the figure. In one embodiment of the invention, the opening81and the shape of the honeycomb core80both match the shape of the opening in the chamber liner14. However, it is only necessary that the honeycomb core80substantially match the shape of the through hole in the chamber liner14so as to impede the plasma from reaching the chamber window when the optical window deposition shield18is installed in a plasma chamber.
InFIG. 3D, the honeycomb core80is made of a plurality of corrugated sheets of material90that are connected to each other at connection points92and connected to the backing plate82to form a plurality of cells94. The connecting points92may be metal welds or adhesive connections. If adhesive connections are used, however, adhesive that does not break down when exposed to a plasma process is preferably selected to avoid particle contamination in the plasma chamber. As also seen inFIG. 3D, the honeycomb material80can optionally be welded to the backing plate82by welds95. Each cell94may have a ratio length to diameter of four or greater. However, it is sufficient that each cell94has an aspect ratio sufficient to impede, and preferably substantially prevent, a plasma from traveling the longitudinal distance of the cell to a chamber window. The use of a plurality of adjacent cells allows viewing of the interior of the plasma chamber through the honeycomb core material80. Many variations in the thickness of the sheet material90and the size and number of cells94are possible. In one embodiment of the invention, the honeycomb core structure80is formed of the sheet material90having a thickness of between 0.002 to 0.005 inches. Moreover, the honeycomb core structure80, shown inFIG. 3D, is a schematic representation and, thus, not all connecting points are represented and the cell sizes vary widely.
The honeycomb core material80is preferably made of aluminum and may be coated with a protective coating. Alternatively, the honeycomb core material80can also be made of one of titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, nickel alloys, stainless alloys and carbon steel alloys. In one embodiment of the invention, the honeycomb core material80is made of 3003 Aluminum alloy or 5056 aluminum alloy. Also, a laser welded honeycomb core available from BENECOR, INC of Parson, Kans. can be used as the honeycomb core material80. The protective coating can include a compound including an oxide of aluminum such as Al2O3. In another embodiment of the invention, the protective coating can include a mixture of Al2O3and Y2O3. In still another embodiment of the invention, the protective coating can include at least one of a III-column element (i.e., column 3 of the Periodic Table) and a lanthanon element. In another embodiment of the invention, the III-column element can comprise at least one of yttrium, scandium, and lanthanum. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the lanthanon element can comprise at least one of cerium, dysprosium, and europium. In another embodiment of the invention, the compound forming the protective layer can include at least one of yttria (Y2O3), Sc2O3, Sc2F3, YF3, LA2O3, CeO2, Eu2O3, DyO3.
The above-described structure of the optical window deposition shield18can provide several advantages over the prior art shields such as that shown inFIG. 6. First, the relatively thin walled cells94of the honeycomb core80provide a large ratio of viewing area to metal region, thereby facilitating viewing of the interior of a plasma chamber through the optical window deposition shield18. Moreover, the honeycomb core structure80is inexpensive to manufacture and, therefore, can be periodically replaced rather than performing labor-intensive maintenance that causes machine downtime. In this regard, because the honeycomb core80is detachably coupled to the backing plate82, the honeycomb core80can be easily and quickly removed and replaced, while the backing plate82is generally unexposed to plasma and can therefore be reused. Still further, the structure of the honeycomb core80allows it to be easily crushed (such as by hand) to a small volume for safe and easy disposal.
While the embodiment ofFIGS. 3A and 3Dshow the honeycomb core80detachably coupled to the backing plate82, alternative ways of coupling the honeycomb core80to the backing plate82may be used.FIGS. 4A–4Cshow partial cross-sectional views of the chamber liner14, depicting the coupling of the honeycomb core80to the backing plate, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.FIGS. 4A through 4Cemphasize alternative ways of coupling the honeycomb structure to the backing plate and, therefore, full details of the optical window deposition shield are not shown in these figures.
FIG. 4Ashows an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the honeycomb core material801is connected to the backing plate821by way of at least one spot weld841. The spot welds are located adjacent to the central opening of the backing plate821. Details of one possible location of the spot welds841are shown by the optional weld areas ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bdiscussed above. Thus, with the embodiment ofFIG. 4A, when replacement of the optical window deposition shield181is required, the entire core801and sheet metal backing plate assembly821must be removed and replaced.
FIG. 4Bshows an embodiment of the present invention similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 3Ain that the honeycomb core is detachably coupled to the backing plate. Specifically, in the embodiment ofFIG. 4B, the backing plate823includes at least one retaining pin843positioned at an edge of the through hole in the backing plate823. The retaining pin843may be connected to the backing plate823by way of an interference fit, threads, set screws for any similar mechanism for attaching a pin to the backing plate. To install the honeycomb core803to the sheet metal backing plate823, the core is simply pushed over the pins843. Each pin843will engage a cell of the honeycomb core803, deforming it slightly as the pin is inserted into the cell. This deformation and the associated friction force retains the core803to the sheet metal backing plate823. The honeycomb core803is replaced by simply removing the core from the pins843of the backing plate, and placing a new honeycomb core onto the pins843of the backing plate823. Thus, the pins843and the backing plate823are preferably reusable. As the pins843may be exposed to a plasma, these pins are preferably coated with a protective coating such as anodized aluminum, to prolong the life of the pins. Nevertheless, the pin843may reach its end of life before the backing plate823because the backing plate823is substantially protected from exposure to the plasma. Thus, it may be necessary to replace the pins843along with the honeycomb core803. In an alternative embodiment of the optical window deposition shield183shown inFIG. 4B, the pins843do not substantially deform the cell of the honeycomb core803.
FIG. 4Cshows an optical window deposition shield184wherein a honeycomb core804is detachably coupled to the sheet metal backing plate824by way of threaded fasteners844. A shaft of the threaded fastener may be connected to the sheet metal backing plate824by interference fit, threading, etc. The honeycomb core804is installed over the threaded shaft844such that the threaded shaft extends through a cell of the honeycomb core804. A nut then fixes the honeycomb core to the backing plate824. When the honeycomb core804reaches end of life, the nut is removed and the honeycomb core is replaced by removing the used honeycomb core804from the threaded shaft and placing a new honeycomb core on the threaded shaft and fixing the new core with the nut. As described with the pin of the embodiment ofFIG. 4B, the threaded shaft and nut are exposed to plasma and therefore, are preferably coated with a protective coating. However, the threaded shaft and nut may be replaced periodically without replacement of the sheet metal backing plate824.
FIG. 5illustrates a semiconductor processing chamber having an optical window deposition shield that connects upper and lower chamber liners in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the semiconductor processing chamber500includes an exterior wall502and an interior portion504. The exterior wall502is protected from the interior504by way of an upper chamber liner14A and a lower chamber liner14B. One or more optical viewing windows may be placed in the exterior wall502between the position of the upper chamber liner14A and the lower chamber liner14B. Thus, the optical window deposition shield185includes a relatively long piece of substantially planar honeycomb core185that is fashioned into an annular ring and held in place in the process chamber500, between the upper and lower chamber liners14A and14B, respectively. The honeycomb ring185may be held together with metallic clips (not shown) before installation between the liners14A and14B. Moreover, the honeycomb core185can be made of aluminum and covered with a protective coating as previously described. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the honeycomb core805can protect one or more optical windows at the same time. As with the previously described embodiments, when maintenance requires changing of the core material805, the honeycomb core material805is simply removed and a new core is inserted in its place. Further, as with other embodiments, the core material can be crushed, bagged, tagged, and safely disposed of.
Any of the above methods may also optionally include machining anodized (or otherwise coated) surfaces that are not exposed surfaces (e.g., to obtain a bare metal connection where the machined surface will mate with another part).
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
| 2C
| 23 | C |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in
detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the
invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used
herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment 100 of the leggings 115
assembled over a straight type pants leg 102 and boot 106. FIG. 2A shows a
front view of the leggings 115 of FIG. 1 along arrow A in an unassembled
position. FIG. 2B shows a rear view of the leggings 115 of FIG. 1 along
arrow B in an unassembled position. A description of the components of the
leggings 115 will now be described.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, leggings 115 comprises a molded flexible
rubber type leg material section 110 connected to a molded flexible rubber
shoe coupling material 120. Waterproof rubber materials such as pure
natural rubber, latex, neoprene, vinyl, PVC, plastic and the like.
Alternatively, both the leg material section and the shoe material section
can be molded or cut from one piece of material such as one being
approximately 36" long by 10" wide and approximately 1/64 to 3/32 inches
thick. Useful molding techniques include but are not limited to injection
molding and the like. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the entire legging
115 can be sleek black in color or transparent in pans.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pocket and receptacle section 124 can be
formed from various molds to approximate the front portions of various
size ranges of boots, shoes, sneakers, and the like, in order to make a
conforming fit. For example, a men's shoe sizes of 8.5" to 10.5" can be a
medium, a small can include shoe sizes less than 8.5", and a large can
include shoe sizes larger than 10.5", and the like. Pocket and receptacle
section 124 covers and protects the front of the rider's shoes which
because of their position by a cycle rider are most exposed to weather
conditions. Further, section 124 restricts air flow from getting under and
lifting leggings 115. Leggings 115 and pocket 124 can be shaped to
approximate left and fight shoes.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the leggings 115 can alternatively be cut
from a rectangular piece of flexible waterproof material. Referring to
FIG. 2C, a jig or block of wood 117 approximately 6" long, 4" wide and 3"
high, can be laid down on a flat sheet of waterproof material 111 of
approximately 36 inches by 10 inches and approximately 1/64 to 1/16 inches
thick. Triangular shaped pieces 118, (sometimes called darts) can be cut
from sides of the material 111, where the vertical knee portion meets the
shoe portion of the material and two more areas 119 to round the toe area.
Material 123 to form the bottom of the shoe portion can be folded over the
jig 117. Edges 113 and 114 can be trimmed around knee portion 112. Then
material for sides 122(See FIG. 2B) can be connected to bottom side 123
and top side 121 by staples, rivets, tape and sewing stitches to form the
pocket and receptacle portion 124.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, pocket and receptacle portion 124 can include
a thicker material layer 150 of approximately 1/64 to 3/16 inches of
material at the bottom to be adjacent the sole area of one's shoes to aid
in traction. Alternatively, a roughened pad, canvass or nonrusting
grommets such as brass, stainless steel and the like can be used for
enhancing traction and product durability for walking and for stopping the
cycle.
Optionally, the top 121 of receptacle and pocket portion 124 can include a
thicker area of material 140 approximately an inch or more wide between
approximately 1/64 and 1/8 inches thick stretching across the top towards
the toe area formed from materials such as rubber or canvass and the like.
This additional material is to primarily aid a motorcyclist when shifting
gears since the gear shift is normally located adjacent the top of the
left pedal of a motorcycle.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, straps 132, 135 and 138 include hook section
fasteners 133, 136, 139 respectively, and loop section fasteners 131,134
and 137, respectively. Straps 132, 135 and 138 can be approximately one to
two inches thick and up to approximately eight inches and longer with
enough material to wrap completely around the leg as needed. Straps 132,
135, and 138 are formed from flexible material such as but not limited to
rubber, plastic, vinyl, nylon, dipped cloth material, leather, or other
elastic materials and combinations thereof. Straps 132, 135 and 138 can be
attached to the pant leg material 1 10 and to the shoe portion material
120 by adhesives such as glue, sewing stitches, and the like. The
preferred location of strap 132 can be approximately under the knee and
over the calf section of the user. The suggested location of strap 135 can
be just above the ankle of the user. Finally, the approximate location of
strap 138 can be square to rear of pocket 120 and forward of the arch and
over the instep of a user. These locations can vary according to the
alternative sizes that are made.
Assembling the leggings 115 of FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B will now be described.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the straps 132, 135, and 138 of leggings 115
are initially disconnected. Referring to FIG. 1, the cycle rider initially
puts the toe portion of their shoe or boot 108 into the receptacle or
pocket portion 124 while leaving the heel portion 107 of the shoe or boot
106 exposed. Next, the legging 115 is adjusted so that the pant leg
portion 110 is positioned in from of the pants leg 102 up to and coveting
the knee area 104. Alternatively, the knee area 112 of the pants leg
portion 110 can be cut as desired for use by shorter people, etc. Next,
straps 132, 135 and 138 are wrapped around the rear of pants leg 102 and
fastened in their respective hooks and loops.
FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of an alternative button strap 230 with
button hole 231 and button 232 that can be substituted for some or all of
the straps 132, 135, and 138 of FIG. 1.
Similarly, FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of an alternative continuous
elastic band strap 330 that can be substituted for some or all of the
straps 132, 135, and 138 of FIG. 1.
While the preferred embodiment depicts three straps for securing the
leggings, more or less straps can used as needed.
While the preferred embodiment describes using molded rubber as the
material for the invention, other types of molded materials are also
applicable. For example, welded plastics, vinyl, cloth dip molded in PVC
or neoprene rubber,molded synthetic composites, and the like.
Preferably, the material used in the leggings should be flexible, pliable
and durable so as to permit folding or rolling of the material for ease in
carrying in pants pockets, jacket pockets, purses, knapsacks, tool kits,
saddle bags and the like.
While the molded flexible material used in the preferred embodiment of the
legging is described as being sleek black or transparent, the color of the
material used can include other colors such as red, yellow, brown, blue,
glow in the dark shades and the like. Additionally, various colored
reflector stickers with tape backings can be added for safety. Further, a
portion of the leggings can include space for manufacturer logos 199 FIG.
2A and the like.
Although the preferred embodiment is described for molding about straight
type pants legs, the type of pant's legs can further include form fitting
pants and bell bottoms.
Although the embodiments have been described as molding the shoe portion
about shoes, boots and sneakers, other types of shoes can also be used
such as sandals, moccasins and the like.
Although the preferred embodiment has been described using straps with hook
and loop fasteners such as Velcro, buttons, and elastic bands, other types
of fasteners can be used such as but not limited to snaps, buckles and the
like.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in
various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has
presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,
nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other
modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein
are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and
scope of the claims here appended. | 0A
| 43 | B |
Having described the invention broadly, the following specific examples
will illustrate it. It should be understood that the Examples are
illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
Premium unleaded gasoline containing various quantities of a
polyisobutylene succinimide, polyalkylene, and a mineral oil mixed in the
ratios shown below were evaluated in a single cylinder CLR engine using a
10 W-30 mineral oil lubricant. After 40 hours of operation at 1100 rpm and
10 to 12 inches manifold vacuum, the intake valve was removed, its
combustion chamber side cleaned and the gross weight determined. Deposits
were then removed mechanically and the valve's tare weight was measured in
order to calculate the net weight of the deposits.
The table below presents the results for several runs with premium unleaded
gasoline containing various additive package components alone and in
specific combinations. As indicated, use of polyisobutylenesuccinimide
alone at 50 pounds per 1000 barrels (Run B) increased ITV deposits 171%
compared to Run A in which no additives were present in the fuel. The use
of 60 pounds of mineral oil per 1000 barrels (Run D) also increased ITV
deposits, but only slightly. Polyalkylene alone at 100 pounds per thousand
barrels (Run C) did reduce intake valve deposits to 37% of Run A. However,
significant further reductions in deposits were obtained when packages of
the type described herein were used (Runs E and F).
TABLE I
__________________________________________________________________________
CLR Intake Valve Cleanliness Test Results
Concentration,
Pounds Per 1000 Barrels Of Fuel
100 SUS
700 SUS
Poly-
Mineral
Mineral
Intake Valve Deposits
Pkg.
PIB-Succinimide
alkylene
Oil Oil Weight, Mgs.
Percent of Base
__________________________________________________________________________
A -- -- -- -- .sup. 298.sup.1
--
B 50 -- -- -- 511 171
C -- 100 -- -- 109 37
D -- -- 60 -- 351 117
E 50 90 60 -- 54 18
F 56 133 -- 111 10 3
__________________________________________________________________________
.sup.1 Average of 8 runs
Premium unleaded gasoline, for example, Phillips J alone and containing
additive packages C and E were evaluated in the standard CRC carburetor
cleanliness test. After 20 hours of operation with the standard cycle, the
tared carburetor sleeve was removed and weighed to determine the weight of
deposits thereon. Table II below presents the results of several runs. Use
of a polyalkylene package in C provided no carburetor keep-clean
performance. The package E embodying this invention provided significant
improvements in carburetor cleanliness.
TABLE II
__________________________________________________________________________
Carburetor Cleanliness Test Results
Concentration,
Pounds Per 1000 Barrels Of Fuel
Light
PIB- Poly Mineral
Carburetor Sleeve Deposit
Pkg.
SUCCINIMIDE
Alkylene
Oil Weight, Mgs.
Percent of Base
__________________________________________________________________________
A -- -- -- 24 --
C -- 100 -- 23 96
E 50 90 60 2 8
__________________________________________________________________________
Although the present invention has been described with preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may
be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention,
as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications
and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the
amended claims. | 2C
| 10 | L |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the practice of this invention, referring to FIG. 1, a canister 16 or
molded tool body containing a propellant is placed into a wellbore 12
which penetrates a hydrocarbonaceous fluid producing formation 10 near the
formation's productive interval. Wellbore 12 contains perforations 28
which communicate with the formation's productive interval. Canister 16 or
molded tool body is suspended into wellbore 12 in close proximity to the
productive interval via a retrieval means, which generally will be a cable
18. A fluid 22 is directed into wellbore 12 thereby immersing canister 16
for some vertical distance above the tool. Fluid 22 in wellbore 12 is of a
height sufficient to balance the pressure in formation 10. Generally, this
height will be at least about 500 feet above the tool. Wellbore 12 is
thereby filled with fluid 22 above the tool. When filled in this manner,
fluid 22 serves as a tamp for the propellant contained in canister 16. In
order to ignite the propellant contained in the canister 16 or molded
tool, a means for igniting the propellant is connected to the tool.
Canister 16 or the molded tool will be collectively referred to as a
propellant housing means. The other end of the means for ignition is
connected or affixed to a location at or above ground level above wellbore
12. Said means for ignition will generally be a conduit 20 containing an
electrical wire which wire can be used to generate an electrical spark
within canister 16 containing the propellant. Both retrieval means, 18 and
ignition means 20 proceed to the surface and through the cap (not shown)
on wellbore 12.
Upon ignition of the propellant, heat and pressure are released within
wellbore 12. The sudden movement of fluid 22 following the ignition of the
propellant tends to drive cable 18 and the remnant of canister 16 upwards.
However, the characteristics of fluid 22 are such that compared to
conventional tamp fluids containing no polymer, it reduces the frictional
forces which tend to drive cable 18 and canister remnant 16 upwards. Since
substantially less movement is experienced by cable 18 and canister 16,
damage to this equipment is lessened.
Polymers which can be used to make fluid 22 can be made from solutions of
xanthan gum, guar gum, hydroxycellulose and its derivatives, poly(ethylene
oxide), polyisobutylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyacrylamide,
carboxymethycellulose, poly(acrylic acid), potassium polyphosphate,
polystyrene and mixtures of the above. The concentration of the polymers
used herein should be from about 1 to about 10,000 ppm. Drag reduction can
be obtained in both aqueous and oleic or oil media. In lieu of the aqueous
solutions, oil-based fluids can be used if the reservoir is water
sensitive. U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,966 mentions the use of a pumpable gel for
use in increasing the vertical drag. This patent is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
Polymers particularly useful in oil based applications include
polyisobutylene, polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene. These polymers
can be used in a concentration of about 10 to about 10,000 ppm. The
preferred concentrations of polymer are: polyethylene oxide, about 10 to
about 500 ppm; polymethylmetacrylate, about 10 to about 500 ppm;
polyisobutylene, about 10 to about 1,000 ppm; and polystyrene, about 100
to about 2,000 ppm.
The concentration of polymers utilized should be adjusted to produce the
maximum drag-reducing effect for the flow conditions anticipated in a
specific CPF application. Therefore, the concentration of polymer utilized
will be about 1 to about 1,000 for biopolymers such as xanthan,
carboxymethycellulose, and guar gum. Of course, as will be understood by
those skilled in the art, the concentration of polymer will depend upon
the composition of the polymer utilized. Any concentration of polymer used
should impart a drag reducing effect along the fluid/solid interfaces in a
well flow system where CPF downhole equipment is utilized. Any increase in
concentration of polymer sufficient to impart an increase in vertical drag
should be avoided.
Once ignited, heat and pressure created by the propellant causes a total or
partial disintegration of canister 26 which contained the propellant.
However, as is shown in FIG. 2, cable 18 and ignition line 20 remain
intact having sustained minimum damage. Once the pressure on wellbore 12
has dissipated, retrieval cable 18, and ignition line 20, along with
remnants of canister 26 are removed from the wellbore.
Fluid 22, after ignition, flows into wellbore 12 where it can be removed by
any suitable physical means such as pumping to the surface. After any
debris and viscous fluid have been removed from the wellbore,
hydrocarbonaceous fluids can be produced from a formation when the created
fractures intersect a natural hydrocarbonaceous fluid containing fracture.
Although the present invention has been described with preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may
be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such
modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and
scope of the appended claims. | 4E
| 21 | B |
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color
terminology in accordance with the Royal Horticultural Society Colour
Chart (R.H.S.C.C.) except where general color terms of ordinary meaning
are used as is clear from the context.
The specimens described were grown at Havelock North, New Zealand. The
observations were made in the 1989 season on trees which were three years
old at the time.
The fruit ripened for eating towards mid-season. Specifically harvest
commences about February 15 and ends about March 5 in New Zealand. The
trees flowered commencing about October 12 and were in full bloom occurs
by October 20 in New Zealand.
Trees: Medium-large; spreading habit; bearing, on spurs; vigor medium with
annual growth for eight year old trees with MM106 rootstock being about
400 mm; spurs occurring at a rate of 3 per 10 cm. on three year old
growth.
Trunk: Smooth, size, large; the bark is RHSCC 176A when new and RHSCC 201C
when old.
Branches: Moderately thick; smooth; multibranching; the angle of branching
being commonly 25 degrees above the horizontal; the spread-to-height ratio
being about 1 to 1.5.
Lenticels: Average; small.
Leaves:
Length.--31/4 inches.
Width.--1 6/8 inches; medium size; upward pose; medium length/width ratio
of blades; concave to straight shape in cross section; serrate indentation
of margin; medium glossiness of upper sides; medium pubescence on lower
side; medium petiole length; medium stipule size; medium time of bud
burst; the color of the blade is RHCSS 137C, the stems are RHSCC 163C and
182B, and the veins are RHSCC 160C.
Flowers: Medium time of beginning of flowering (10% flowers); medium size;
flat shape; margins of petals touching; colour of bud just before flower
opens, pink.
Fruit: Examined at peak maturity.
Soluble solids.--14.42.
Size.--Medium; axial diameter, 21/4 inches; transverse diameter 21/2
inches.
Shape.--Uniform; medium to long conical; symmetrical in side view; ribbing
present; medium crowning at distal end.
Cavity.--Medium depth; medium width.
Basin.--Shallow to medium depth; medium to broad width; ribbing present.
Stem.--Medium thickness (comparable to Cox's Orange Pippin); long length
(comparable to Red Delicious).
Calyx.--Closed; calyx tube length, short; calyx tube width, medium; calyx
tube shape, Y shaped.
Sepal.--Length, long; spacing, touching.
Eye.--Size, medium; aperture, open.
Skin.--Medium-thick; smooth; bloom of skin, present; greasiness of skin,
present; cracking tendency of skin, absent; background colour,
yellow-green RHSCC 10B.
Over-colour.--Approximately eighty percent of over-colour of skin; red
RHSCC 46A; solid flush; weak russet about stem cavity.
Flesh.--Juicy; firm; cream; crisp, melting; Penetrometer equals 8.25 kg.
Texture.--Fine.
Flavour.--Strong sweetness; medium acidity (pH about 4.06); sweet with acid
balance; similar acid than Gala, more aromatic than Gala.
Weight of fruit.--150 gm.
Quality.--Excellent.
Core.--Distinctness of coreline in cross section (median through locules),
weak; aperture of locules in cross-section, open; central cavity (in cross
section) absent.
Sinus.--Closed.
Seeds.--Five locules; 8 to 10 seeds total, 2 seeds per locule maximum; seed
length 8 mm.; seed width 4 mm.; form obtuse; color RHSCC 200B.
Use: Market; dessert.
Keeping quality: Very good; no disorders after 98 days.
Resistance to:
Insects.--Good.
Diseases.--Good.
Production: Early and regular cropping.
Growth habit: Standard, fruit bourne on short spurs.
Management: Trees require pruning in winter and fruit thinning in early
summer. Trees in test plot trained as center leader trees. Natural habit
is a rounded crown with many branches. | 0A
| 01 | H |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front-end loader 10 mounted on a
tractor 12, shown in outline fashion. The loader 10 includes right- and
left-hand masts or posts (only the right-hand mast 14 is shown) disposed
at opposite sides of and mounted to the frame of the tractor in a well
known manner, not shown. A loader boom comprises parallel transversely
spaced arms 16 located at opposite sides of the tractor and having their
respective rear ends pivotally attached to the masts 14 by respective pins
18 spaced below top ends of the masts. Coupled between each mast 14 and
each arm 16 is a hydraulic lift cylinder 20. A pair of transversely spaced
brackets (only the right bracket 22 is shown) are fixed to the back side
of an implement or attachment here shown as a bucket 24. In lieu of the
brackets 22, a pair of transversely spaced, interconnected holders 25 (see
FIG. 2) of an implement or attachment carrier 26 may be used. In either
case, the pair of brackets 22 or holders 25 are respectively coupled to
the forward ends of the pair of loader arms 16, in a manner described in
more detail below. Coupled between the tops of the pair of masts 14 and to
the pair of brackets 22 (FIG. 1) or holders 25 of the carrier 26 (FIG. 2)
is a linkage train including a leveling linkage 27 and a tilt linkage 28.
Specifically, the leveling linkage 27 comprises a rear leveling link 30
having its rear end pivotally attached, as at pin 32, to the top of the
mast 14 and having its front end pivotally attached, as at pin 34, to a
rear corner of a knee plate assembly 36 comprising a pair of identical
transversely spaced triangular plates, with a bottom corner of the
assembly 36 being pivotally attached, as by a pin 38, to a bend or knee
location of a respective boom arm 16. Referring now also to FIG. 2, it can
be seen that a forward corner of the knee plate assembly 36 is connected,
as at a pin 40, to a rear end of a front leveling link 42 including a
bifurcated forward end section defined by right and left straps 44 and 46,
respectively, disposed on opposite sides of a parallelogram-shaped plate
assembly 48 comprising a pair of identical transversely spaced right and
left plates 50 and 52, respectively, with the forward end of the right
strap 44 being coupled, as at pin 54, to an upper center corner of the
right plate 50, and with the forward end of the left strap 46 being
coupled, as at a pin 56, to a corresponding upper center corner of the
left plate 52. The plates 50 and 52 straddle and are coupled to the
forward end of the loader boom arm 16 by a connection pin 58 extending
through the plates at respective lower center corners. The forward ends of
the spaced plates 50 and 52 of each parallelogram-shaped plate assembly 48
are disposed in straddling relationship to a respective one of the bucket
brackets 22 (FIG. 1) or attachment carrier holders 26 (FIG. 2) and have
their respective forward corners pivotally attached to a lower location of
the bracket or holder by a pin 60.
The plate assembly 48 at one side of the loader serves as the connection
between the leveling linkage 27 and tilt linkage 28 located on that side.
Specifically, each tilt linkage 28 comprises right and left rear tilt
links 64 and 66, respectively, and right and left front tilt links 68 and
70, respectively. The rear pair of tilt links 64 and 66 have rear ends
disposed inside and pinned to respective rear corners of the
parallelogram-shaped plates 50 and 52, with only a pin 72 coupling the
plate 52 and link 66 being shown. The front pair of tilt links 68 and 70
have their front ends coupled to the adjacent bracket 22 or holder 25 by a
pin 74. The front ends of the rear pair of tilt links 64 and 66
respectively overlap the rear ends of the front pair of tilt links 68 and
70 and are pivotally received on trunnions 76 projecting outwardly from a
collar 78 welded to the barrel of a hydraulic tilt cylinder 80, the
cylinder having a rod end located centrally between and pivotally coupled,
as by a pin 82, to the plates 50 and 52 of the plate assembly 48.
As shown in FIG. 2, each carrier holder 25 is designed for being quickly
coupled to a loader attachment and for that purpose a rod 84 extends
between and through upper locations of the holders 25, the latter each
having an angle member 86 welded to a lower forward corner and having an
upright leg forming a lower forward abutment face, the upright leg being
provided with a centrally located aperture. Provided at the back side of
the bucket 24 for cooperating with the rod 84 joining the holders 25 at
locations adjacent opposite sides of each holder 25 are a pair of
downwardly opening hooks 88 snugly receiving the carrier rod 84, and a
rearwardly projecting tapered pin 90 located in the apertured leg of angle
member 86.
A brief description of the operation follows. Assuming the bucket 24 to be
in its level condition with the boom arms 16 lowered, as shown in broken
lines in FIG. 1, or as shown in FIG. 2, the bucket 24 may be lifted by
extending the boom lift cylinders 20. During such lifting, the leveling
linkage 27 will act to maintain a true level attitude of the bucket 24 due
to the pivot points 18, 32, 34, and 38 describing a first true
parallelogram and due to the pivot points 38, 40, 56 and 58 describing a
second true parallelogram. With the attitude of the parallelogram-shaped
plate assembly 48 remaining constant throughout the lift range of the
boom, it will be appreciated that a full range of movement of the bucket
24 is possible for any position of the boom within its range of movement.
If desired, roll back may be accomplished by extending the cylinders 80 to
cause the attachment points 72 and 74 to move toward each other with the
result that the bucket 24 is tilted rearwardly about the pair of
connection pins 60 respectively coupling the pair of brackets 22 (FIG. 1)
or carrier holders 25 (FIG. 2) to the parallelogram-shaped plate assembly
48. In the intermediate position of the arms 16 shown in dashed lines in
FIG. 1, the cylinders 80 are shown fully extended with the bucket 24 being
rolled back about 43.degree. to the horizontal to a full, rolled back
position. Of course the bucket may be so rolled back in any position of
the arms. In fact it is a common practice to roll back the bucket 24 while
powering the tractor into a pile of material being moved in order to fill
the bucket with such material. It is important to note that the power
requirement for such a "break out" operation may be quite high and that
the disposition of the tilt cylinders 80 is such that fluid pressure is
routed to the cylinder 80 so as to act on the full area of the piston and
generate maximum force for this operation. On the other hand, dumping of
the bucket 24 requires substantially less power, due to the weight of the
material aiding this motion, and is accomplished by retracting the
cylinders 80 so that the bucket 24 rotates downwardly about the pin 60
connecting the bucket to the parallelogram-shaped plate assembly 48, the
retraction of the cylinder occurring at maximum speed as is desired. The
bucket 24 is shown in a fully-dumped position in the solid line raised
position of the arms 16 shown in FIG. 1, this position illustrating a
maximum dump angle of 90.degree. to the horizontal. This position may be
accomplished at any position of the arms 16 which is high enough to permit
the bucket 24 to pivot downwardly about its connection with the plate
assembly 48 without engaging the ground or an obstacle therebeneath. | 4E
| 02 | F |