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This application is a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/US98/07388, filed Apr. 14, 1998 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/971,188, filed on November 17, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,165, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/843,205, filed on Apr. 14, 1997, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cloned “basic helix loop helix -PER-ARNT-AhR-SIM” (bHLH-PAS) protein that is a juvenile hormone receptor (JHR), bHLH-PAS/JHR. In particular, this invention is directed to a bHLH-PAS/JHR gene isolated from Drosophila , termed the methoprene-tolerant (met) gene (Met-JHR). The present invention also is directed to in vitro and in vivo methods for screening insecticides using recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHRs. The present invention is further directed to methods for isolating polynucleotides encoding bHLH-PAS/JHRs from various insect species.
Worldwide insect damage to food and fiber costs billions of dollars annually. Although chemical insecticides are still the primary means of insect control, the use of chemicals has several drawbacks including high cost of discovery, potential environmental damage, and negative public opinion. One promising group of insecticides consists of analogues of insect hormones, such as juvenile hormone. Since vertebrates do not make juvenile hormone (JH), insecticides targeted to the JH system are highly toxic to certain insects, and have shown an extraordinary degree of environmental safety.
Juvenile hormones comprise a family of hormones that are secreted by the corpus allatum, and that play a role in a variety of critical functions in insects, including development, reproduction, and morphological differentiation. Riddiford, “Hormone Action at the Cellular Level,” in COMPREHENSIVE INSECT PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY, VOLUME 8, Kerkut et al. (eds.), pages 37-84 (Pergamon Press 1985); Nijhout et al., Q. Rev. Biol. 57:109 (1982). These hormones affect development in some insects by maintaining the larval stage and inhibiting metamorphosis. In adult insects, JH is involved in the regulation of reproductive physiology. Koeppe et al., “The Role of Juvenile Hormone in Reproduction,” in COMPREHENSIVE INSECT PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY, VOLUME 8, Kerkut et al. (eds.), pages 165-203 (Pergamon Press 1985).
The action of JH is mediated by at least several types of JH binding proteins: a hemolymph carrier protein, a cell membrane bound receptor, and an intracellular receptor. The transport of JH to target tissues is believed to be accomplished by proteins in the hemolymph which bind with the hormone. Hammock et al., Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 7:517 (1977); Goodman et al., “Juvenile Hormone Cellular and Hemolymph Binding Proteins,” in COMPREHENSIVE INSECT PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY, VOLUME 7, Kerkut et al. (eds.), pages 491-510 (Pergamon Press 1985). These JH binding proteins are thought to play roles both in the transport of JH and in the protection of JH from hemolymph esterases. Goodman et al., Am. Zool. 14:1289 1974; Kramer et al., J. Biol. Chem. 251:4979 (1974). Membrane bound receptors are known to bind ligand extracellularly and transmit a signal intracellularly. Wyatt et al. Adv. Insect Physiol. 26:1 (1996).
Cytosolic proteins that bind JH have been identified in numerous JH target tissues from a variety of insects. Van Mellaert et al., Insect Biochem. 15:655 (1985); Klages et al., Nature 286:282 (1980); Engelmann et al., Insect Biochem. 17:1045 (1987); Wisniewski et al., FEBS Lett. 171;127 (1984). One of the inventors, Thomas G. Wilson, directed a research team that identified a cytosolic juvenile hormone-binding protein in Drosophila melanogaster that is characterized by saturable, high-affinity binding specific for JH III. Shemshedini et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:1913 (1990). Shemshedini et al. also demonstrated for the first time in any insect a correlation between the binding of JH to the cytosolic protein and a biological response to the hormone. Interference with the binding of JH to cognate intracellular receptors, therefore, would inhibit physiological functions dependent upon the hormone.
Until recently, novel insecticides that interfere with JH action were primarily discovered by an almost random testing of thousands of chemical compounds for efficacy against insects. This bioassay approach is slow and expensive since a group of test insects would have to be treated with various doses of each test compound, and, typically, finding compounds that are effective is exceedingly rare.
Accordingly, a need exists for an efficient method for testing insecticides targeted for the JH system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide in vitro and in vivo assays for screening potential insecticides that are JH analogs and JR antagonists.
Another object of this invention is to provide methods for cloning bHLH-PAS/JHR genes from various insect species.
These and other objects are achieved, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention by the provision of an isolated polynucleotide that comprises an insect bHLH-PAS/JHR gene, the Met-JHR gene. A “polynucleotide” includes DNA, RNA, mRNA, and cDNA molecules. A genomic polynucleotide comprising the Met gene is the St-H fragment in FIG. 1 . This fragment is 6.234 Kb, and its sequence is shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:1). Within this 6.234 Kb segment, there is a DNA sequence of 3.011 Kb, which includes an open reading frame that is divided by one intron of 69 nucleotides (bases 1520 to 1588). This 3.011 Kb sequence is the genomic Met-JHR DNA sequence. FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:2).
The Met-JHR open reading frame lacking the intron codes for a protein of 716 amino acids and a having a molecular weight of about 78,720 daltons.
The nucleotide sequences of the genomic and cDNA Met-JHR differ; reflecting polymorphism. In FIG. 3 , SEQ ID NO:3 represents a Met-JHR cDNA sequence, which begins at nucleotide 4 of the genomic sequence. There is one “polymorphic” difference between the genomic and cDNA nucleotide sequences that results in a change at the amino acid level. The nucleotide at position 1043 (genomic)/1039 (cDNA) may be C or T, which results in different deduced amino acids, R and W, respectively.
In the sequence of the genomic DNA, there is one ambiguity that results in different deduced amino acids. Base number 875 in the genomic DNA is designated “R,” which signifies that the nucleotide may be the purine C or G. This results in two possible corresponding deduced amino acid sequences, G (Gly) or R (Arg) respectively. In the sequence of the cDNA, there is one ambiguity that results in a different deduced amino acids. Base number 526 in the genomic DNA is designated “M,” which signifies that the nucleotide may be the purine A or C. This results in two possible corresponding deduced amino acid sequences, T (Thr) or P (Pro) respectively.
As used herein, the term “juvenile hormone receptor” (JHR) is used to mean a polypeptide that is involved in binding JHIII. As used herein, a polypeptide that is “involved in binding” JHIII includes a polypeptide that directly binds JHIII, a polypeptide that is a partner to a polypeptide that directly binds JHIII, and a polypeptide that is a partner to a complex of polypeptides that bind JHIII. One or more of these polypeptides may be required for binding JHIII. The skilled artisan will recognize that heterodimeric receptors are known in the art, and that both polypeptide that form the heterodimer are required for hormone binding and activity in the target cell. For example, the ultraspiracle polypeptide is partner to the ecdysone receptor, which together bind the hormone ecdysone and mediate ecdysone activation of gene transcription. Yao, et al. Cell 71:63 (1992).
A multicomponent complex between bHLH-PAS polypeptide is and steroid receptors has been documented. For example, a bHLH-PAS polypeptide that functions a co-activator during ligand induction of estrogen steroid receptor is amplified in breast cancer-I (AIBC or ACTR) Anzick et al. Science, 277956 (1997); Chen et al. Cell 90;569 (1997). The JHR may involve a number of polypeptides that together form a ligand binding unit or functional signal transducing complex.
Thus, a suitable insect JHR gene encodes a polypeptide that directly binds to JHIII. Another suitable insect JHR gene encodes a polypeptide that is a heteromultimeric partner to a polypeptide that directly binds JHIII. A further suitable insect JHR gene encodes a polypeptide that forms a homomultimeric complex that binds JHIII. A suitable JHR is a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, i.e., a bHLH-PAS polypeptide that is involved in binding juvenile hormone III. Such a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide includes, but is not limited to, the Met-JHR polypeptide and the Met-JHR-erecta polypeptide.
As used herein, a “bHLH-PAS protein” is a member of a family of transcriptional activators known as the basic helix-loop-helix-Per-Arnt-Sim (bhlh-PAS) proteins. These proteins share homology in two domains. The first domain is located at the N-terminus of the protein and comprises a region of basic amino acids followed by a region of approximately 50 conserved amino acids that form two amphipathic α helices that are joined by a variable loop: the basic domain and the helix loop helix are collectively referred to as bHLH.
The second domain is located immediately C-terminal to the bHLH domain and consists of approximately 300 amino acids termed PAS homology domain (for their original observation in the Drosophila midline development protein single-minded (sim) and the Drosophila circadian oscillator Period (per)). The PAS domain contains two copies of an approximately 50-amino acid degenerate repeat, referred to as the PAS A and PAS B repeats.
Additionally, some members of the bHLH-PAS family have at their C-termini a transcriptional activator domain, also called transactivation domain (TAD), which has been divided into three distinct classes corresponding to amino acid composition: rich in glutamines (Q-rich); rich in acidic amino acids (i.e., aspartate and glutamate); or with a high concentration of prolines, serines, and/or threonines (P/S/T).
The basic region of a bHLH-PAS protein is associated with DNA binding, and the HLH and PAS domains are associated with DNA binding and dimerization functions. The founding member of this family is the aryl hydrocarbon nuclear receptor translation (ARNT), so named because it was considered to translocate the ligand-bound aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) to the nucleus. AhR is the only member in the bHLH-PAS family known to bind a ligand.
The ARNT receptor which is not bound to ligand is associated with two proteins, the 90 kDa heat shock protein and an unidentified 43 kDA protein, and ligand binding is concomitant with dissociation of these proteins. Association with these proteins and binding of the ligands has been mapped to the same region, the middle third portion of the AhR protein, which includes the PAS B domain approximately in the middle.
The formation of a heterodimeric complex between the ligand-bound AhR and ARNT permits the complex to bind its enhancers, i.e., the dioxin or xenobiotic response elements (DRE or XRE, respectively) and induces transcription of specific genes.
Another family member, the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha receptor (HIF-1α), which appears to sense low oxygen levels in the cell (hypoxia), also forms heterodimeric complexes with ARNT. In the presence of low oxygen, the HIF-1α/ARNT heterodimeric complex binds HIF-1α response elements (enhancers), and thereby induces gene transcription. sim also appears to heterodimerize with ARNT. The AhR/ARNT heterodimeric complex has been used as a model system to study the mechanism by which these family members transduce intracellular signals. Rowlands et al. Critical Reviews in Toxicology; 27: 109 (1997).
A suitable insect bHLH-PAS/JHR polynucleotide has a nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5. Other suitable bHLH-PAS/JHR polynucleotides comprise the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7. The present invention also contemplates host cells comprising such polynucleotides, and methods of using such host cells to produce bHLH-PAS/JHR.
Thus, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS polypeptide that is involved in binding JHIII, also designated bHLH-PAS/JHR. The invention also includes a polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that directly binds juvenile hormone III, and a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that directly binds juvenile hormone III as a monomer. The invention also includes a polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that directly binds juvenile hormone III as a homomultimer. The invention further includes an isolated polynucleotide encoding a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that is a heteromultimeric partner of a polypeptide that directly binds juvenile hormone III.
The invention includes an isolated polynucleotide encoding an insect bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, wherein the insect is selected from the group consisting of Coleoptera, Siphonoptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera , and Diptera . Members of Diptera may be selected from the group consisting of horn fly, fruit fly, screwworm fly, blow fly, mosquito, Mediterranean fruit fly, biting midge, black fly, horse fly, deer fly, stable fly, leaf miner, housefly, bot fly, warble fly, tiger mosquito, swamp marsh mosquito, Culex pipieus, Aedes aegypti , and Anopheles albopictus.
The invention includes an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:4 ( FIG. 4 ) and SEQ ID NO:5 (FIG. 4 ). The invention further includes an isolated polynucleotide that comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 (FIG. 3 ). The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide that comprises the nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7 (FIG. 5 ).
The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide which comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises the sequence of nucleotide 1 through nucleotide 1291 of SEQ ID NO:1, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises the sequence of nucleotide 1 through nucleotide 1513 of SEQ
ID NO:1, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises the sequence of nucleotide 3733 through nucleotide 6235 of SEQ ID NO:1, and an isolated polynucleotide which comprises the sequence of nucleotide 4302 through nucleotide 6235 of SEQ ID NO:1.
The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the St-H fragment in vector pSt-H, which was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, in Bethesda, Md., on Nov. 13, 1997.
The invention further comprises an isolated apolynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 (FIG. 5 ).
The invention includes an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is involved in binding JHIII, and that hybridizes under stringent conditions with a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:6. The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is involved in binding. JHIII, and that hybridizes under stringent conditions with a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is involved in binding JHIII, and that hybridizes under stringent conditions with a polynucleotide that encodes a protein having the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5.
The invention also includes an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is involved in binding JHIII and that hybridizes under stringent conditions with a riboprobe that is the reverse transcript of a polynucleotide having the sequence of nucleotide 1514 through 1845 of SEQ ID NO:1 (nucleotides 771 to 1102 of the Met-JHR open reading frame). The invention further includes an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is involved in binding JHIII, and that hybridizes with a riboprobe that is the reverse transcript of a polynucleotide having the sequence of nucleotide 1514 through 1845 of SEQ ID NO:1 (nucleotides 771 to 1102 of the Met-JHR open reading frame), wherein said hybridization is carried out in 5×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide, and 100 μg/ml yeast tRNA for about 15 to about 17 hours at 68° C.
The invention includes an expression vector comprising an isolated polynucleotide encoding an insect bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, and A cultured host cell comprising such an expression vector. The host cell is selected from the group consisting of bacterial cell, yeast cell, insect cell and mammalian cell.
The invention also includes a method of producing a polypeptide, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) culturing a host cell comprising an expression vector that comprises a bHLH-PAS/JHR gene, wherein said cultured host cell expresses said bHLH-PAS/JHR gene, and (b) isolating said polypeptide from said cultured host cell.
The invention also includes an isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a conservative amino acid variant of SEQ ID NO:4, (b) a functional fragment of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, (c) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, (d) a conservative amino acid variant of SEQ ID NO:5, (e) a functional fragment of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, (f) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and (g) a Met-JHR alternatively-spliced isoform.
The invention also includes the above-mentioned isolated polypeptides, wherein the conservative amino acid variant is a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that differs from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 by containing at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of (1) the substitution of an alkyl amino acid for an alkyl amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4, (2) the substitution of an aromatic amino acid for an aromatic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4, (3) the substitution of a sulfur-containing amino acid for a sulfur-containing amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4, (4) the substitution of a hydroxy-containing amino acid for a hydroxy-containing amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4, (5) the substitution of an acidic amino acid for an acidic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4, (6) the substitution of a basic amino acid for a basic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4, and (7) the substitution of a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid for a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:4.
The invention further includes the above-described isolated polypeptides, wherein the conservative amino acid variant is a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that differs from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 by containing at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of (1) the substitution of an alkyl amino acid for an alkyl amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5, (2) the substitution of an aromatic amino acid for an aromatic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5, (3) the substitution of a sulfur-containing amino acid for a sulfur-containing amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5, (4) the substitution of a hydroxy-containing amino acid for a hydroxy-containing amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5, (5) the substitution of an acidic amino acid for an acidic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5, (6) the substitution of a basic amino acid for a basic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5, and (7) the substitution of a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid for a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid in SEQ ID NO:5.
The invention further includes a method for screening compounds that specifically bind with a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, comprising:
(a) incubating a test compound in a solution that comprises an isolated recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, and (b) detecting the binding of said test compound with said polypeptide.
The invention includes a method for screening compounds that specifically bind with a complex comprising a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and a heteromultimeric partner of said polypeptide, comprising:
(a) incubating a test compound in a solution that comprises an isolated bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, and an isolated heteromultimeric partner of said polypeptide, and (b) detecting the binding of said test compound with said complex.
In such methods, the test compound may be detectably labeled. In addition, the binding of said test compound with said polypeptide may be detected in step (b) using a scintillation proximity assay. Furthermore, in such a method, the detectably labeled test compound may comprise a detectable label selected from the group consisting of radiolabel, fluorescent label, chemiluminescent label, and bioluminescent label.
Such binding methods also may further comprise the step of incubating the bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide with a detectably labeled ligand, wherein said detectably labeled ligand is added to said solution containing said receptor at a time selected from the group consisting of (i) prior to step (a), (ii) after step (a) and before step (b), and (iii) concomitantly with the addition of said test compound.
The detectably labeled ligand is these binding methods may be juvenile hormone or a juvenile hormone analog, and the detectable label may be selected from the group consisting of radiolabel, fluorescent label, chemiluminescent label, and bioluminescent label. Additionally, these methods may be carried out with [ 3 H]10R-juvenile hormone III or [ 3 H]methoprene.
These binding methods may also further comprise the step of incubating said bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide with a detectably labeled photoaffinity analog of juvenile hormone after step (a) and before step (b).
The binding methods of the invention may be carried out with a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a conservative amino acid variant of SEQ ID NO:4, (b) a functional fragment of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, (c) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, (d) a conservative amino acid variant of SEQ ID NO:5, (e) a functional fragment of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, (f) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and (g) a Met-JHR alternatively-spliced isoform.
The invention further comprises a nucleic acid probe for detecting RFLPs in an insect population, wherein said RFLPs discriminate between JH-sensitive and JH-resistant individuals, said probe comprising a genetic locus in a gene encoding a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is associated with JH analog sensitivity and resistance traits.
The invention also encompasses a method for detecting JH-resistant individuals in an insect population, said method comprising:
(a) obtaining a representative biological sample of said population; and (b) detecting a nucleic acid sequence in said sample that corresponds to a predetermined sequence within a gene encoding a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide that is altered in JH analog-resistant individuals.
The detection step (b) may method comprise:
(i) amplifying a nucleic acid sequence from said sample, wherein said sequence corresponds to a predetermined sequence within a gene sequence encoding a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and wherein said sequence comprises at least one RFLP characteristic of JH analog resistance; (ii) incubating said amplified nucleic acid with at least one predetermined restriction endonuclease, to form fragments; (iii) size-separating said fragments to form a detectable pattern; and (iv) comparing said pattern with a predetermined pattern obtained from J14 analog-resistant individuals to detect the appearance of one or more RFLP characteristic of JH analog resistance.
The invention provides an in vivo method for screening compounds that specifically bind with a bHLH-PAS/JHR, comprising:
(a) providing a host cell comprising (1) DNA encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and a second polypeptide comprising a DNA binding domain, and (2) a reporter gene under the control of a minimal promoter driven by the response element for said second polypeptide; (b) incubating a test compound with said host cell; and (c) detecting the binding of the test compound to said bHLH-PAS/JHR by monitoring expression of the reporter gene.
The invention further provides an in vivo method for screening compounds that specifically bind with a bHLH-PAS/JHR, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a host cell comprising (1) DNA encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and a second polypeptide comprising a DNA binding domain; (2) a reporter gene under the control of a minimal promoter driven by the response element for said second polypeptide; and (3) DNA encoding a polypeptide that is a heterodimeric partner of said bHLH-PAS/JHR; (b) incubating a test compound with said host cell; and (c) detecting the binding of the test compound to said bHLH-PAS/JHR by monitoring expression of the reporter gene.
The invention also provides an in vivo method for screening compounds that specifically bind to a multimeric complex comprising a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the heteromultimeric partner of said polypeptide, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a host cell comprising (1) DNA encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the DNA binding domain of a second polypeptide, (2) DNA encoding a heteromultimeric partner of said bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the activation domain of said second polypeptide, and (3) a reporter gene under the control of a minimal promoter driven by the response element for said second polypeptide; (b) incubating a test compound with said host cell; and (c) detecting the binding of the test compound to said complex by monitoring expression of the reporter gene.
The invention additionally provides an in vivo method for screening compounds that specifically bind to a multimeric complex comprising a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the heteromultimeric partner of said polypeptide, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a host cell comprising (1) DNA encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the activation domain of a second polypeptide, (2) DNA encoding a heteromultimeric partner of said bHLH-PAS/Jim polypeptide and the DNA binding domain of said second polypeptide, and (3) a reporter gene under the control of a minimal promoter driven by the response element for said second polypeptide; (b) incubating a test compound with said host cell; and (c) detecting the binding of the test compound to said complex by monitoring expression of the reporter gene.
The invention provides an in vivo method for screening compounds that specifically bind with a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide, comprising:
(a) providing a host cell comprising (1) DNA encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the DNA binding region of a second polypeptide, (2) DNA encoding a bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide and the activation domain of said second polypeptide, and (3) a reporter gene under the control of a minimal promoter driven by the response element for said second polypeptide; (b) incubating a test compound with said host cell; and (c) detecting the binding of the test compound with said bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide by monitoring expression of the reporter gene.
Any of the in vivo methods provided for by the invention may be employed using a host cell selected from the group of an insect cell, a yeast cell, and a mammalian cell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates the genomic region surrounding the P-element insertion sites in two mutant alleles, Met A3 and Met K17 , the sequence which encodes bHLH-PAS/JHR, and the transcripts observed for this region. The figure also shows DNA fragments used in transformation studies to rescue the Met phenotype, demonstrating that fragment St-H carries a functional copy of the Met gene. P-element insertional sites in the Met A3 and Met K17 alleles are shown at the arrows. The locations of the transcripts as deduced from cDNA sequencing and RT-PCR analysis are noted below the map. The genomic transformation fragments are indicated. Those that did not rescue the resistance phenotype are noted (−) and the fragment that produced methoprene susceptibility in transformant flies is noted (+). D=Hind III; S=Sal I; K=Kpn I; St=Stu I; B=Bam HI; X=Xho I; H=Hpa I.
FIG. 2 (parts A-B) (SEQ ID NO:1) shows the nucleotide sequence of the 6.234 Kb St-H segment shown in FIG. 1 . Base number 1514, A, is underlined and designates the first base of the Met-JHR open reading frame. Base number 3732, G, is underlined and designates the last base of the Met-JHR open reading frame. Base number 1292, C, is underlined and is the first base in the genomic DNA sequence in FIG. 3 . Base number 4301, T, is underlined and designates the last base in the genomic DNA sequence in FIG. 3 . The intron is shown in lower case letters.
FIGS. 3A to 3 F provide the nucleotide sequences for the Met-JHR genomic DNA (“MetGen”; SEQ ID NO:2) and cDNA (SEQ ID NO:3). Boxed residues are those in the cDNA that differ from the genomic DNA. Nucleotide 875 in the genomic DNA is designated as “R,” indicating that a G or a C may be present in this position. If it is G, the corresponding amino acid is Gly (G) and if it is C, the corresponding amino acid is Arg (R). Nucleotide 526 in the cDNA is designated as “M,” indicating that an A or a C may be present in this position. If the nucleotide is A, the corresponding amino acid is Thr (T), and if it is C, the corresponding amino acid is Pro (P).
FIG. 4 (parts A-B) provides the amino acid sequences deduced from the Met-JHR genomic DNA (SEQ ID NO:4) and cDNA (SEQ ID NO:5). “X” at amino acid 103 deduced from cDNA means that this residue may be Gly or Arg. “X” at amino acid 218 deduced from the genomic DNA means that Thr or Pro.
FIG. 5 shows a comparison of a portion of the Met-JHR gene from D. melanogaster (sequence A) (SEQ ID NO:6) and a nucleotide sequence from the Met gene from D. erecta (sequence B) (SEQ ID NO:7). Dash symbols (−) indicate spaces in the printed sequence that were added to show alignment of the A and B sequences.
FIG. 6 (parts A-H) provides a comparison of the amino acid sequence of the Met-JHR cDNA, Drosophila aromatic hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator protein (DARNT), human ARNT (HARNT) [Zelzer et al. Genes & Dev. 11:2079 (1997)], brain and muscle ARNT-like protein a (BmAl1) [Ikeda et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 233:258 (1997)] and human aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR-human). (SEQ ID NOS: 8-12). The motifs of bHLH-PAS proteins [Rowlands et al. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 27:109 (1997)] that are functionally characterized for ARNT are included at the top of the alignments. The residues of Met-JHR are boxed, and the residues in the other four proteins that match Met-JHR also are boxed. When an amino acid residue from all five proteins match, they form a consensus sequence which is included at the top of she alignments. The skilled artisan will recognize that additional matches can be generated by moving amino acids one or two positions. The position of the “LXXLL” motif in the Met-JHR gene is also shown, above the appropriate sequence, LMQLL (amino acids 129-133).
FIG. 7 shows in vitro transcription and translation of the Met-JHR cDNA to produce a protein band that migrates at about 78,000 daltons. The reaction uses T3 or T7 polymerase, in the presence (+) or absence (−) of microsomal membranes. The Met-JHR gene is transcribed only by the T7 polymerase (lanes 2 and 4) and it does not appear to be post-translationally modified (proteolytically processed or glycosylated) by the microsomal membranes (lane 2 vs. lane 4).
FIG. 8 shows the Northern blot of total RNA isolated from larvae homozygous for v or any of various other Met alleles, probed with a 331 bp riboprobe. Met, Met 2 , Met 3 are EMS-induced alleles, Met A3 and Met K17 are P-element alleles, and the remaining alleles were X-ray induced from methoprene-susceptible vermillion (v) flies.
FIG. 9 shows a developmental Northern of total RNA isolated from the methoprene-susceptible Oregon-RC strain at various times in development, probed with the 331 bp riboprobe. The indicated times for larvae are +/− 8 hours.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
1. Overview
Attempts have been made to rationally design a potent JR analog, but the structure-activity relationship was found to be extremely complex, and varied from species to species. Retnakaran et al., “Insect Growth Regulators,” in COMPREHENSIVE INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY, Volume 12, Kerkut et al. (eds.) pages 530-601 (Pergamon Press 1985). In retrospect, the chemical structures of many JH analogs were found to be totally unrelated to the structures of endogenous juvenile hormone. See, for example, Sláma, “Pharmacology of Insect Juvenile Hormones,” in COMPREHENSIVE INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY, Volume 11, Kerkut et al. (eds.) pages 357-394 (Pergamon Press 1985). Accordingly, novel insecticides that interfere with JH action were primarily discovered by an almost random testing of thousands of chemical compounds for efficacy against insects in bioassays.
JH analogs will maintain insects in an immature state. Thus, JH analog insecticides will be most useful in combatting insects that do not have a destructive immature stage (e.g. a larval stage), that will damage crops. On the other hand, some insects have highly destructive larval stages, such as caterpillars. Thus, it is not desirable to maintain such insects in the immature state. JH antagonists will be useful as insecticides. A JH antagonist will be lethal during the larval phase, “tricking” into entering pupation which the larva is not equipped to handle.
As described herein, a novel bHLH-PAS protein has been isolated from Drosophila , and is called Met-JHR. It is expected that the Met-JHR gene encodes a JH receptor.
Various features of the Met-JHR gene are consistent with all the features predicted by biochemical analysis of the JHR protein [Shemshedini et al. J. Biol. Chem. 265(4):1913 (1990)] and the Met-JHR gene product. The longest single open reading frame in the genomic Met-HR sequence encodes a protein of 78,720 daltons and has the structure of a bHLH-PAS nuclear transcriptional protein.
The Met-JHR gene is used to express polypeptide useful for in vitro and in vivo screening of insecticides. The gene also is useful for isolating related bHLH-PAS/JHR genes from a variety of insects, which in turn, can be used for species-specific screening assays. Having such genes permits a more detailed analysis of the mechanisms of ligand binding, and hence rational design of insecticides. Such genes also will permit monitoring insects for JHIII and JHIII analog resistance.
2. Definitions
In the description that follows, a number of terms are utilized extensively. Definitions are herein provided to facilitate understanding of the invention.
Structural gene. A DNA sequence that is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) which is then translated into a sequence of amino acids characteristic of a specific polypeptide (protein).
Promoter. A DNA sequence which directs the transcription of a structural gene to produce mRNA. Typically, a promoter is located in the 5′ region of a gene, proximal to the start codon of a structural gene. If a promoter is an inducible promoter, then the rate of transcription increases in response to an inducing agent. In contrast, the rate of transcription is not regulated by an inducing agent if the promoter is a constitutive promoter.
Enhancer. A genetic element related to transcription. An enhancer can increase the efficiency with which a particular gene is transcribed into mRNA irrespective of the distance or orientation of the enhancer relative to the start site of transcription. The enhancer effect is mediated through sequence-specific DNA binding proteins. An enhancer is also referred to as a “response element.”
Complementary DNA (cDNA). Complementary DNA is a single-stranded DNA molecule that can be formed from an mRNA template by the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Typically, a primer complementary to portions of mRNA is employed for the initiation of reverse transcription. Those skilled in the art also use the term “cDNA” to refer to a double-stranded DNA molecule derived from a single mRNA molecule.
Genomic DNA. Chromosomal DNA, including introns. An intron is an intervening sequence. It is a non-coding sequence of DNA within a gene that is transcribed into hnRNA but is then removed by RNA splicing in the nucleus, leaving a mature mRNA which is then translated in the cytoplasm. The regions at the ends of an intron are self-complementary, allowing a hairpin structure to form naturally in the hnRNA.
Expression. Expression is the process by which a polypeptide is produced from a structural gene. The process involves transcription of the gene into mRNA and the translation of such mRNA into polypeptide(s).
Cloning vector. A DNA molecule, such as a plasmid, cosmid, phagemid, or bacteriophage or other virally-derived entity, which has the capability of replicating autonomously in a host cell and which is used to transform cells for gene manipulation. Cloning vectors typically contain one or a small number of restriction endonuclease recognition sites at which foreign DNA sequences may be inserted in a determinable fashion without loss of an essential biological function of the vector, as well as a marker gene which is suitable for use in the identification and selection of cells transformed with the cloning vector. Marker genes typically include genes that provide tetracycline resistance or ampicillin resistance.
Drosophila mutants. The mutant gene that is responsible for methoprene resistance is termed Methoprene-tolerant, symbolized as Met. Various mutant alleles are given superscripts; for example, Met A3 . Met implies Met 1 , the original mutant allele recovered, when speaking of the mutant fly. The wild-type or normal gene is termed Met + and describes the genotype in flies that have a normally functioning bHLH-PAS/JHR protein.
Expression vector. A DNA molecule comprising a cloned structural gene encoding a foreign protein which provides the expression of the foreign protein in a recombinant host. Typically, the expression of the cloned gene is placed under the control of (i.e., operably linked to) certain regulatory sequences such as promoter and enhancer sequences. Promoter sequences may be either constitutive or inducible.
Recombinant Host. A recombinant host may be any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell which contains either a cloning vector or expression vector. This term is also meant to include those prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells that have been genetically engineered to contain the cloned gene(s) in the chromosome or genome of the host cell. For examples of suitable hosts, see Sambrook 3; et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989) [“Sambrook”].
As used herein, a “substantially pure protein” means that the desired purified protein is essentially free from contaminating cellular components, as evidenced by a single band following polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
The term “substantially pure” is further meant to describe a molecule which is homogeneous by one or more purity or homogeneity characteristics used by those of skill in the art. For example, a substantially pure bHLH-PAS/JHR will show constant and reproducible characteristics within standard experimental deviations for parameters such as the following: molecular weight, chromatographic migration, amino acid composition, amino acid sequence, blocked or unblocked N-terminus, HPLC elution profile, biological activity, and other such parameters. The term, however, is not meant to exclude artificial or synthetic mixtures of the molecule with other compounds. In addition, the term is not meant to exclude bHLH-PAS/JHR fusion proteins isolated from a recombinant host.
Juvenile Hormone. The members of the JH family are: JH I ([2R-[2α(2E,6E), 3α]]-7-ethyl-9-(3-ethyl-3-methyloxiranyl)-3-methyl-2,6-nonadienoic acid methyl ester; methyl (2E,6E,10R,11S)-10,11-epoxy-7-ethyl-3,11-dimethyl-2,6-tridecadienoate; C-18 JH), JH II ([2R-[[2α(2E,6E), 3α]]-9-(3-ethyl-3-methyloxiranyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienoic acid methyl ester; methyl (2E, 6E, 1R,11S)-10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-tridecadienoate; C-17 JH), and JH III ([R-(E,E)]-9-(3,3-dimethyloxiranyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienoic acid methyl ester; methyl (2E,6E,10R)-10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienoate; C-16 JH).
Juvenile Hormone Analog. A JH analog is a compound that is an agonist—it mimics JH and usually has insecticidal properties resulting from this activity.
Examples of JH analogs include: methoprene ([E,E]-1-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecadienoic acid 1-methylethyl ester) and pyriproxyfen (2-[1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxylpyridine).
Juvenile Hormone Antagonist. A compound that will block the activity of JH and that can have insecticidal properties resulting from this activity. An antagonist prevents JH agonists from eliciting their effects.
3. Isolation of DNA Sequences that Encode the Met Juvenile Hormone Receptor
To study the role of juvenile hormone, a genetic approach was used to identify an insensitive JH mutant. These studies took advantage of the high toxicity of methoprene, a JH analog insecticide to Drosophila . Wilson and Fabian, Dev. Biol. 118:190 (1986); Riddiford and Ashburner, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 82:172 (1991). Reasoning that the phenotype “resistance to methoprene” would produce a mutant that also would be resistant to JH, and that the primary lesion potentially could be in a JHR, progeny of Drosophila males that had been mutagenized by ethyl methanesulfonate (a chemical mutagen) or X-rays were screened on a dose of methoprene that is toxic to susceptible flies. Wilson and Fabian, “Selection of methoprene-resistant mutants of Drosophila melanogaster ,” in Law (ed.), MOLECULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY. UCLA SYMPOSIA ON MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY, NEW SERIES, Volume 49, pages 179-188 (1987). A total of eight dominant Drosophila lines with high resistance to methoprene were recovered, all of which proved to be alleles at a locus designated as Methoprene-tolerant (Met). Wilson and Fabian, (1986, 1987).
The mutant Met phenotype has been genetically characterized as follows: (1) Met results in as much as 100-fold resistance to both the toxic and morphogenetic effects of methoprene; (2) Met maps by recombination to 35.4 on the X-chromosome and by deficiency mapping to polytene chromosome bands 10C5-D2; (3) loss of wild-type Met gene function is expressed as a semidominant mutation; resistance is present in heterozygotes at a level intermediate between that in homozygotes and in wild-type; and (4) the Met gene mutation results in resistance to topical application of both the natural hormones, JH III and JH bisepoxide, as well as to two additional JR analogs, fenoxycarb and pyriproxyfen. Mutant Met flies are not resistant to other classes of insecticides that have different modes of action. The Met phenotype was also found to be expressed autonomously in genetic mosaics. This observation ruled out a circulating factor as the basis of Met resistance. Wilson and Fabian (1986).
The biochemistry of Met resistance has been studied extensively. Biochemical analysis of Met resistance has eliminated four, and identified one, possible mechanisms for resistance. Enhanced secretion or metabolism, tissue sequestration, and reduced cuticular penetration of JH were ruled out by direct experimentation. Shemshedini and Wilson, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 87:2072 (1990). However, when binding of JH to a target tissue was examined, Met flies were found to possess a JH cytosolic binding protein that has an apparent 10-fold lower binding affinity for JH III than that from Met + flies. Similar results with lowered affinity JH binding proteins were obtained upon examination of two additional Met alleles. Shemshedini and Wilson, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 87:2072 (1990).
An initial experiment was designed to clone the Met gene by transposon tagging with P-element transposable genetic elements. Bingham et al., Cell 25:693 (1981). This method required a P-element insertion either in or near the Met + (wild type) gene. A screen was devised to recover P-element insertional Met alleles following P-element-mediated mutagenesis, and four alleles were recovered. Two of these, designated Met A3 and Met K17 , were shown to be P-element insertions by both genetic reversion experiments and in situ hybridization of a P-element DNA probe to the expected cytogenetic region of Met at 10C expected for the Met + gene. Wilson et al., “Molecular analysis of Methoprene-tolerant, a gene in Drosophila involved in resistance to JH analog insect growth regulators,” in MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE; DIVERSITY AMONG INSECTS. AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM SERIES, Volume 505, Mullin et al. (eds), pages 99-112 (1992); Wilson, J.
Econ. Entomol. 86:645 (1993). Each of the Met A3 and Met K17 alleles conferred resistance to both the toxic and morphogenetic effects JR and methoprene, and susceptible revertants could be recovered by genetic means. Wilson, et al. Mol. Mech. of Insecticide Resistance (Am. Chem. Soc. Symp.) 505:99 (1993); Wilson, T. G. J. Econ. Entomol. 86:645 (1993). In a follow-up study, genomic libraries were constructed from these alleles to isolate a large region that likely contains the Met gene. Turner and Wilson, Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 30:133 (1995). cDNA molecules from a late-larval cDNA library were also obtained from this region. One transcriptional unit was found to be located very close to the P-element insertion site.
As described herein, cDNA molecules encoding the Met JHR gene were isolated from a Drosophila ovary cDNA library. The genomic DNA for the Met gene was found in a 6.234 Kb St-H fragment, which is shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:1).
By comparing the genomic DNA with a cDNA of 3.282 Kb, it was deduced that the genomic DNA sequence includes a 2.22 Kb open reading frame that is divided by one intron of 69 nucleotides (bases 1520 to 1588). SEQ ID NO:2. A 3.282 kB sequence that contains a Met JHR gene cDNA is shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO: 3). The cDNA was used to transcribe and translate a protein that approximates the predicted size of the Met cDNA open reading frame, as shown in FIG. 7 .
The 6.234 Kb segment comprises the intron (lower case letters; bases 2809-2878) and the Met-JHR open reading frame (base no. 1514 to base no. 3732). Also shown in FIG. 1 are the first (no. 1292) and last (no. 4301) bases of the genomic Met-JHR sequence in FIG. 3 . The invention thus comprises isolated polynucleotides comprising a DNA sequence from base no. 1 though base no. 1291 of SEQ ID NO:1, or a DNA sequence from base no. 1 though base no. 1513 of SEQ ID NO:1, or a DNA sequence from base no. 3733 through base no. 6235 of SEQ ID NO:1, or a DNA sequence from base no. 4302 through base no. 6235 of SEQ ID NO:1.
Polynucleotides encoding the Met-JHR protein are obtained by screening cDNA or genomic libraries with polynucleotide probes having nucleotide sequences based upon SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2. Drosophila melanogaster cDNA and genomic libraries are constructed according to standard methods. Optionally, libraries are obtained from commercial sources, such as the American Type Culture Collection (e.g., ATCC 37332 is a D. melanogaster genomic library).
Alternatively, the Met JHR gene is obtained by synthesizing polynucleotides using mutually priming long Ed oligonucleotides. See, for example, Ausubel et al., (eds.), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, pages 8.2.8 to 8.2.13 (1990) [“Ausubel”]. Also, see Wosnick et al., Gene 60:115 (1987); and Ausubel et al. (eds.), SHORT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 3rd Edition, pages 8—8 to 8-9 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995). Established techniques using the polymerase chain reaction provide the ability to synthesize polynucleotides at least 2 kilobases in length. Adang et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:1131 (1993); Bambot et al., PCR Methods and Applications 2:266 (1993); Dillon et al., “Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Rapid Construction of Synthetic Genes,” in METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Vol. 15: PCR PROTOCOLS: CURRENT METHODS AND APPLICATIONS, White (ed.), pages 263-268, (Humana Press, Inc. 1993); Holowachuk et al., PCR Methods Appl. 4:299 (1995).
The invention further comprise nucleotide sequences that hybridize with a Met-JHR polynucleotide of the invention under stringent conditions. Suitable hybridization conditions are discussed below.
“Hybridization” is used here to denote the pairing of complementary nucleotide sequences to produce a DNA—DNA hybrid or a DNA-RNA hybrid. Complementary base sequences are those sequences that are related by the base-pairing rules. In DNA, A pairs with T and C pairs with G. In RNA U pairs with A and C pairs with G.
Typically, nucleotide sequences to be compared by means of hybridization are analyzed using dot blotting, slot blotting, Northern or Southern blotting. Southern blotting is used to determine the complementarity of DNA sequences. Northern blotting determines complementarity of DNA and RNA sequences. Dot and Slot blotting can be used to analyze DNA/DNA or DNA/RNA complementarity. These techniques are well known by those of skill in the art. Typical procedures are described in CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (Ausubel, et al., eds.) (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995) at pages 2.9.1 through 2.9.20.
A probe is a biochemical labeled with a radioactive isotope or tagged in other ways for ease in identification. A probe is used to identify a gene, a gene product or a protein. Thus a polynucleotide probe can be used to identify complementary nucleotide sequences. An mRNA probe will hybridize with its corresponding DNA gene. An antisense “riboprobe” also will hybridize to is corresponding DNA gene.
Typically, the following general procedure is used to determine hybridization under stringent conditions. A Met-JHR polynucleotide according to the invention is immobilized on a membrane. A sample polynucleotide will be labeled and used as a “probe.” Using procedures well known to those skilled in the art for blotting described above, the ability of the probe to hybridize with a nucleotide sequence according to the invention can be analyzed. Conversely, the sample polynucleotide is immobilized and a Met-JHR polynucleotide is used as a probe.
One of skill in the art will recognize that various factors can influence the amount and detectability of the probe bound to the immobilized DNA. The specific activity of the probe must be sufficiently high to permit detection. Typically, a specific activity of at least 10 8 dpm/ug is necessary to avoid weak or undetectable hybridization signals when using a radioactive hybridization probe. A probe with a specific activity of 10 8 to 10 9 dpm/ug can detect approximately 0.5 pg of DNA. It is well known in the art that sufficient DNA must be immobilized on the membrane to permit detection. It is desirable to have excess immobilized DNA and spotting 10 ug of DNA is generally an acceptable amount that will permit optimum detection in most circumstances. Adding an inert polymer such as 10% (w/v) dextran sulfate (mol. wt. 500,000) or PEG 6000 to the hybridization solution can also increase the sensitivity of the hybridization. Adding these polymers has been known to increase the hybridization signal. See Ausubel, supra, at p 2.10.10.
To achieve meaningful results from hybridization between a first nucleotide sequence immobilized on a membrane and a second nucleotide sequence to be used as a hybridization probe, (1) sufficient probe must bind to the immobilized DNA to produce a detectable signal (sensitivity) and (2) following the washing procedure, the probe must be attached only to those immobilized sequences with the desired degree of complementarity to the probe sequence (specificity).
“Stringency,” as used in this specification, means the condition with regard to temperature, ionic strength and the presence of certain organic solvents, under which nucleic acid hybridizations are carried out. The higher the stringency used, the higher degree of complementarity between the probe and the immobilized DNA.
“Stringent conditions” designates those conditions under which only polynucleotides that have a high frequency of complementary base sequences will hybridize with each other.
Exemplary stringent conditions are (1) 0.75 M dibasic sodium phosphate/0.5 M monobasic sodium phosphate/i mM disodium EDTA/1% sarkosyl at about 42° C. for at least about 30 minutes, (2) 6.0M urea/0.4% sodium laurel sulfate/0.1% SSX at about 42° C. for at least about 30 minutes, (3) 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 68° C. for at least about 20 minutes, (4) 1×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 55° C. for about one hour, (5) 1×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 62° C. for about one hour, (6) 1×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 68° C. for about one hour, (7) 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 55° C. for about one hour, (8) 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 62° C. for about one hour, and (9) 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at about 68° C. for about one hour. See, e.g. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (Ausubel, et al., eds.) (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995), pages 2.10.1-2.10.16 of which are hereby incorporated by reference and Sambrook, et al., MOLECULAR CLONING. A LABORATORY MANUAL (Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989) at §§1.101-1.104.
While stringent washes are typically carried out at temperatures from about 42° C. to about 68° C., one of skill in the art will appreciate that other temperatures may be suitable for stringent conditions. Maximum hybridization typically occurs at about 20 to about 25° C. below the T m for DNA—DNA hybrids. It is well known in the art that T m is the melting temperature, or temperature at which two nucleotide sequences dissociate. Methods for estimating T m are well known in the art. See, e.g. Ausubel, supra, at page 2.10.8. Maximum hybridization typically occurs at about 10 to about 15° C. below the T m for DNA-RNA hybrids.
Naturally occurring variants of the Met-JHR gene and protein are included in the present invention. For example, variants of the Met-JHR gene are the result of naturally-occurring polymorphisms. For example, the genomic and cDNA for the Met-JHR differ by one amino acid residue due to polymorphism. Amino acid No. 274 is R in the genomic DNA and the corresponding amino acid in the cDNA is W. Other nucleotide differences between the genomic and cDNA are boxed in FIG. 3 .
Sequence ambiguities also give rise to variants of the Met-JHR. In this regard, amino acid no. 103 deduced from the Met-JHR cDNA can be T or P. In the corresponding genomic DNA, amino acid no. 218 can be G or R. In addition, variants of the Met gene result from intron diversity. As used herein, “a Met-JHR alternatively-spliced isoform” is used to designate an isoform of the Met-JHR gene that results from alternate splicing due to the presence of an intron in this gene. In one isoform, there is no splicing and there is read through to the first stop codon, to produce a 1320 nucleotide-long sequence. This encodes a 439 amino acid protein (439 amino acids+TAA stop codon).
The skilled artisan will recognize that potential introns can be identified using various computer programs. Using one system, potential donor sites were recognized at nucleotides 549, 1517, 1586, and 2147 of the Met-JHR genomic DNA (3011 nucleotides). Acceptor sites were recognized at positions 260, 278, 651, 875, 1071, and 1192. Using a second system, donor sites in the Met-JHR open reading frame were identified at positions 320-334, 1288-1302, 1357-1371, 1431-1445, 1546-1560, and 1918-1932. Acceptor sites were identified at 274-314, 436-476, 494-534, 829-869, 950-990, 1676-1716, 1716-1756, 2009-2049 and 2076-2116. Using data such as this, potential alternatively spliced isoforms of the Met-JHR gene can be identified using routine optimization.
Additionally, variants of the Met-JHR can be produced that contain conservative amino acid changes, compared with the parent receptor molecule. That is, variants can obtained that contain one or more amino acid substitutions of SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5, in which an alkyl amino acid is substituted for an alkyl amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence, an aromatic amino acid is substituted for an aromatic amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence, a sulfur-containing amino acid is substituted for a sulfur-containing amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence, a hydroxy-containing amino acid is substituted for a hydroxy-containing amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence, an acidic amino acid is substituted for an acidic amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence, a basic amino acid is substituted for a basic amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence, or a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid is substituted for a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid in the Met JHR amino acid sequence. Among the common amino acids, for example, a “conservative amino acid substitution” is illustrated by a substitution among amino acids within each of the following groups: (1) glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine, (2) phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, (3) cysteine and methionine, (4) serine and threonine, (5) aspartate and glutamate, (6) glutamine and asparagine, and (7) lysine, arginine and histidine. Of course other amino acid substitutions can be undertaken.
Conservative amino acid changes in the Met JHR can be introduced by substituting nucleotides for the nucleotides recited in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3. Such “conservative amino acid” variants can be obtained, for example, by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, linker-scanning mutagenesis, mutagenesis using the polymerase chain reaction, and the like. Ausubel et al., supra, at pages 8.0.3-8.5.9; Ausubel et al. (eds.), SHORT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 3rd Edition, pages 8-10 to 8-22 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995). Also see generally, McPherson (ed.), DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, IRL Press (1991). The ability of such variants to bind JH or an analog can be determined using any of the standard binding assays described herein.
In addition, routine deletion analyses can be performed to obtain “functional fragments” of the Met JHR. As an illustration, polynucleotides having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 3 can be digested with Bal31 nuclease to obtain a series of nested deletions. The fragments are then inserted into expression vectors in proper reading frame, and the expressed polypeptide are isolated and tested for the ability to bind JH or an analog using a standard assay. One alternative to exonuclease digestion is to use oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to introduce deletions or stop codons to specify production of a is desired fragment. Alternatively, particular fragments of a bHLH-PAS/JHR gene can be synthesized using the polymerase chain reaction. Standard techniques for functional analysis of proteins are described by, for example, Treuter et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 240:113 (1993); Content et al., “Expression and preliminary deletion analysis of the 42 kDa 2-SA synthetase induced by human interferon,” in BIOLOGICAL INTERFERON SYSTEMS, PROCEEDINGS OF ISIR-TNO MEETING ON INTERFERON SYSTEMS,
Cantell (ed.), pages 65-72 (Nijhoff 1987); Herschman, “The EGF Receptor,” in CONTROL OF ANIMAL CELL PROLIFERATION, Vol. 1, Boynton et al., (eds.) pages 169-199 (Academic Press 1985); Coumailleau et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:29270 (1995); Fukunaga et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:25291 (1995); Yamaguchi et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 50:1295 (1995); and Meisel et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 30:1 (1996).
The skilled artisan will recognize that it is a matter of routine optimization to perform deletion analysis of the Met-JHR gene to ascertain the functions that are associated with certain domains, and to obtain corresponding functional fragments. One way to identify such fragments is to create chimeric proteins by swapping functional domains between bHLH-PAS/JHR and other members of the bHLH-PAS family. As explained in Example 2, the Met-JHR gene contains structures (sequences) that are associated with conserved functions in other proteins. For example, the bHLH region is involved in DNA binding and heterodimerization. The P/S/T region is involved in transactivation. Other regions are described in Example 2. Thus, the invention encompasses fragments of the Met-JHR gene that encode proteins that have one or more of these functions.
The present invention also contemplates functional fragments of Met gene that have conservative amino acid changes.
4. Expression of the Cloned Met Juvenile Hormone Receptor
To express the polypeptide encoded by the Met JHR gene, the DNA sequence mist be operably linked to regulatory sequences controlling Transcriptional expression in an expression vector and then, introduced into either a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. In addition to transcriptional regulatory sequences, such as promoters and enhancers, expression vectors include translational regulatory sequences and a marker gene which is suitable for selection of cells that carry the expression vector.
Suitable promoters for expression in a prokaryotic host can be repressible, constitutive, or inducible. Suitable promoters are well-known to those of skill in the art and include promoters capable of recognizing the T4, T3, Sp6 and T7 polymerases, the P R and P L promoters of bacteriophage lambda, the trp, recA, heat shock, lacUV5, tac, lpp-lacλpr, phoA, and lacZ promoters of E. coli , the α-amylase and the σ 28 -specific promoters of B. subtilis , the promoters of the bacteriophages of Bacillus, Streptomyces promoters, the int promoter of bacteriophage lambda, the bla promoter of the β-lactamase gene of pBR322, and the CAT promoter of the chloram-phenicol acetyl transferase gene. Prokaryotic promoters are reviewed by Glick, J. Ind. Microbiol. 1:277 (1987); Watson et al., MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE GENE, 4th Ed., Benjamin Cummins (1987); Ausubel et al., supra, and Sambrook et al., supra.
A preferred prokaryotic host is E. coli . Suitable strains of E. coli include DH1, DH4α, DH5, DH5α, DH5αF′, DH5αMCR, DH10B, DH10B/p3, DH11S, C600, HB101, JM101, JM105, JM109, JM110, K38, RR1, Y1088, Y1089, CSH18, ER1451, and ER1647 (see, for example, Brown (Ed.), MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABFAX, Academic Press (1991)). An alternative preferred host is Bacillus subtilus , including such strains as BR151, YB886, M1119, MI120, and B170. See, for example, Hardy, “ Bacillus Cloning Methods,” in DNA CLONING: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, Glover (Ed.), IRL Press (1985).
Methods for expressing proteins in prokaryotic hosts are well-known to those of skill in the art. See, for example, Williams et al., “Expression of foreign proteins in E. coli using plasmid vectors and purification of specific polyclonal antibodies,” in DNA CLONING 2: EXPRESSION SYSTEMS, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 15-58 (Oxford University Press 1995). Also see, Ward et al., “Genetic Manipulation and Expression of Antibodies,” in MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS, pages 137-185 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1995); and Georgiou, “Expression of Proteins in Bacteria,” in PROTEIN ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 101-127 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996).
Expression vectors that are suitable for production of bHLH-PAS/JHR protein in eukaryotic cells typically contain (1) prokaryotic DNA elements coding for a bacterial replication origin and an antibiotic resistance marker to provide for the growth and selection of the expression vector in a bacterial host; (2) eukaryotic DNA elements that control initiation of transcription, such as a promoter; and (3) DNA elements that control the processing of transcripts, such as a transcription termination/polyadenylation sequence.
A bHLH-PAS/JHR protein of the present invention can be expressed in insect, mammalian, and yeast cells. Preferably, receptor protein is produced in insect cells using a baculovirus system. Recombinant proteins expressed by baculoviruses in insect cells undergo correct posttranslational modification, including glycosylation, phosphorylation, palmitylation, myristylation, signal peptide cleavage, and intracellular transport. Suitable expression vectors are based upon the Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), and contain well-known promoters such as Drosophila heat shock protein (hsp) 70 promoter, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus immediate-early gene promoter (ie-1) and the delayed early 39K promoter, baculovirus p10 promoter, baculovirus polyhedrin promoter, and the Drosophila metallothionein promoter. Suitable insect host cells include cell lines derived from IPLB-Sf-21, a Spodoptera frugiperda pupal ovarian cell line, such as Sf9 (ATCC CRL 1711), Sf21AE, and Sf21 (Invitrogen Corporation; San Diego, Calif.), as well as Tricoplusia ni 5B14 cells, and Drosophila Schneider-2 cells. Established techniques for producing recombinant proteins in baculovirus systems are provided by Bailey et al., “Manipulation of Baculovirus Vectors,” in METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Volume 7: GENE TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION PROTOCOLS, Murray (ed.), pages 147-168 (The Humana Press, Inc. 1991), by Patel et al., “The baculovirus expression system,” in DNA CLONING 2: EXPRESSION SYSTEMS, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 205-244 (Oxford University Press 1995), by Ausubel et al. (eds.), SHORT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 3rd Edition, pages 16-37 to 16-57 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995), by Richardson (ed.), BACULOVIRUS EXPRESSION PROTOCOLS (The Humana Press, Inc. 1995), and by Lucknow, “Insect Cell Expression Technology,” in PROTEIN ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 183-218 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996).
Suitable yeast expression vectors include, but are not limited to, YEp and YIp vectors. Hill et al. Yeast 2:163 (1986). Any suitable recombinant cloning vectors may be used for introducing foreign DNA sequences into yeast. Such vectors may include one or more replication systems for cloning or expression, one or more markers for selection in the host (e.g., prototrophy or antibiotic resistance) and one or more expression cassettes. Examples of yeast promoters include, but are not limited to, the metallothionein promoter (CUP1), triosephosphate dehydrogenase promoter (TDH3), 3-phosphoglycerate kinase promoter (PGK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) promoter, galactokinase (GALI) promoter, galactoepimerase promoter and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) promoter.
Yeast host cells may be transformed using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, methods that employ calcium phosphate, lithium salts, electroporation, and spheroplast formation. Sherman et al, Methods in Yeast Genetics , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1982). Suitable host cells include, but are not limited to, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Examples of mammalian host cells include human embryonic kidney cells (293-HEK; ATCC CRL 1573), baby hamster kidney cells (BHR-21; ATCC CRL 8544), canine kidney cells (MDCK; ATCC CCL 34), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1; ATCC CCL61), rat pituitary cells (GH 1 ; ATCC CCL82), HeLa S3 cells (ATCC CCL2.2), rat hepatoma cells (H-4-II-E; ATCC CRL 1548) SV40-transformed monkey kidney cells (COS-1; ATCC CRL 1650) and murine embryonic cells (NIH-3T3; ATCC CRL 1658).
For a mammalian host, the transcriptional and translational regulatory signals may be derived from viral sources, such as adenovirus, bovine papilloma virus, simian virus, or the like, in which the regulatory signals are associated with a particular gene which has a high level of expression. Suitable transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences also can be obtained from mammalian genes, such as actin, collagen, myosin, and metallothionein genes.
Transcriptional regulatory sequences include a promoter region sufficient to direct the initiation of RNA synthesis. Suitable eukaryotic promoters include the promoter of the mouse metallothionein I gene [Hamer et al., J. Molec. Appl. Genet. 1:273 (1982)], the TK promoter of Herpes virus (McKnight, Cell 31:355 (1982)], the SV40 early promoter [Benoist et al., Nature 290:304 (1981)], the Rous sarcoma virus promoter (Gorman et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 79:6777 (1982), the cytomegalovirus promoter [Foecking et al., Gene 45:101 (1980)], and the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. See, generally, Etcheverry, “Expression of Engineered Proteins in Mammalian Cell Culture,” in PROTEIN ENGINEERING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 163-181 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996).
Alternatively, a prokaryotic promoter, such as the bacteriophage T3 RNA polymerase promoter, can be used to control fusion gene expression if the prokaryotic promoter is regulated by a eukaryotic promoter. Zhou et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:4529 (1990); Kaufman et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 19:4485 (1991).
An expression vector can be introduced into host cells using a variety of techniques including calcium phosphate transfection, liposome-mediated transfection, electroporation, and the like. Preferably, transfected cells are selected and propagated wherein the expression vector is stably integrated in the host cell genome to produce stable transformants. Techniques for introducing vectors into eukaryotic cells and techniques for selecting stable transformants using a dominant selectable marker are described, for example, by Ausubel and by Murray (ed.), GENE TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION PROTOCOLS (Humana Press 1991).
5. Isolation of the Cloned Met Juvenile Hormone Receptor and Production of Anti-Receptor Antibodies
(a) Isolation of Recombinant Receptor Protein
General methods for recovering protein produced by a bacterial system is provided by, for example, Grisshammer et al., “Purification of over-produced proteins from E. coli cells,” in DNA CLONING 2: EXPRESSION SYSTEMS, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 59-92 (Oxford University Press 1995). Established techniques for isolating recombinant proteins from a baculovirus system are described by Richardson (ed.), BACULOVIRUS EXPRESSION PROTOCOLS (The Humana Press, Inc. 1995).
bHLH-PAS/JHR proteins can be purified using standard methods that have been used to purify JH binding proteins, including gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, isoelectric focusing, hydroxylapatite chromatography, and affinity chromatography. See, for example, Goodman et al., “Development of Affinity Chromatography for Juvenile Hormone Binding Proteins,” in JUVENILE HORMONE BIOCHEMISTRY, Pratt et al. (eds.), pages 365-374 (Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press 1981); Goodman et al., “Juvenile Hormone Cellular and Hemolymph Binding Proteins,” in COMPREHENSIVE INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY, Volume 7, Kerkut et al. (eds.) pages 491-510 (Pergamon Press 1985). Moreover, general affinity chromatography techniques are provided by, for example, Dean et al., AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (IRL Press 1985).
As an alternative, anti-Met JHR antibodies, obtained as described below, can be used to isolate large quantities of Met JHR by immunoaffinity purification.
(b) Preparation of Anti-Met Juvenile Hormone Receptor Antibodies and Fragments Thereof
Antibodies to Met JHR can be obtained using the product of an expression vector as an antigen. Polyclonal antibodies to such receptor protein can be prepared using methods well-known to those of skill in the art. See, for example, Green et al., “Production of Polyclonal Antisera,” in IMMUNOCHEMICAL PROTOCOLS (Manson, ed.), pages 1-5 (Humana Press 1992). Also see, Williams et al., “Expression of foreign proteins in E. coli using plasmid vectors and purification of specific polyclonal antibodies,” in DNA CLONING 2: EXPRESSION SYSTEMS, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 15-58 (Oxford University Press 1995).
Alternatively, an anti-Met JHR antibody can be derived from a rodent monoclonal antibody (MAb). Rodent monoclonal antibodies to specific antigens may be obtained by methods known to those skilled in the art.
See, for example, Kohler et al., Nature 256:495 (1975), and Coligan et al. (eds.), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, VOL. 1, pages 2.5.1-2.6.7 (John Wiley & Sons 1991) [“Coligan”]. Also see, Picksley et al., “Production of monoclonal antibodies against proteins expressed in E. coli , ” in DNA CLONING 2. EXPRESSION SYSTEMS, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 93-122 (Oxford University Press 1995)
Briefly, monoclonal antibodies can be obtained by injecting mice with a composition comprising an antigen, verifying the presence of antibody production by removing a serum sample, removing the spleen to obtain B-lymphocytes, fusing the E-lymphocytes with myeloma cells to produce hybridomas, cloning the hybridomas, selecting positive clones which produce antibodies to the antigen, culturing the clones that produce antibodies to the antigen, and isolating the antibodies from the hybridoma cultures.
MAbs can be isolated and purified from hybridoma cultures by a variety of well-established techniques. Such isolation techniques include affinity chromatography with Protein-A Sepharose, size-exclusion chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. See, for example, Coligan at pages 2.7.1-2.7.12 and pages 2.9.1-2.9.3. Also, see Baines et al., “Purification of Immunoglobulin G (IgG),” in METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, VOL. 10, pages 79-104 (The Humana Press, Inc. 1992).
For particular uses, it may be desirable to prepare fragments of anti-Met JHR antibodies. Such antibody fragments can be obtained, for example, by proteolytic hydrolysis of the antibody. Antibody fragments can be obtained by pepsin or papain digestion of whole antibodies by conventional methods. As an illustration, antibody fragments can be produced by enzymatic cleavage of antibodies with pepsin to provide a 5S fragment denoted F(ab′) 2 . This fragment can be further cleaved using a thiol reducing agent to produce 3.5S Fab′ monovalent fragments. Optionally, the cleavage reaction can be performed using a blocking group for the sulfhydryl groups that result from cleavage of disulfide linkages. As an alternative, an enzymatic cleavage using pepsin produces two monovalent Fab fragments and an Fc fragment directly. These methods are described, for example, by Goldenberg, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,036,945 and 4,331,647 and references contained therein. Also, see Nisonoff et al., Arch Biochem. Biophys. 89:230 (1960); Porter, Biochem. J. 73:119 (1959), Edelman et al., in METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY VOL. 1, page 422 (Academic Press 1967), and Coligan at pages 2.8.1-2.8.10 and 2.10.-2.10.4.
Other methods of cleaving antibodies, such as separation of heavy chains to form monovalent light-heavy chain fragments, further cleavage of fragments, or other enzymatic, chemical or genetic techniques may also be used, so long as the fragments bind to the antigen that is recognized by the intact antibody.
For example, Fv fragments comprise an association of V H and V L chains. This association can be noncovalent, as described in Inbar et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 69:2659 (1972). Alternatively, the variable chains can be linked by an intermolecular disulfide bond or cross-linked by chemicals such as glutaraldehyde. See, for example, Sandhu, Crit. Rev. Biotech. 12:437 (1992).
Preferably, the Fv fragments comprise V H and V L chains which are connected by a peptide linker. These single-chain antigen binding proteins (sFv) are prepared by constructing a structural gene comprising DNA sequences encoding the V H and V L domains which are connected by an oligonucleotide. The structural gene is inserted into an expression vector which is subsequently introduced into a host cell, such as E. coli . The recombinant host cells synthesize a single polypeptide chain with a linker peptide bridging the two V domains. Methods for producing sfvs are described, for example, by Whitlow et al., Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology 2:97 (1991). Also see Bird et al., Science 242:423 (1988), Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778, Pack et al., Bio/Technology 11:1271 (1993), and Sandhu, supra.
Another form of an antibody fragment is a peptide coding for a single complementarity-determining region (CDR). CDR peptides (“minimal recognition units”) can be obtained by constructing genes encoding the CDR of an antibody of interest. Such genes are prepared, for example, by using the polymerase chain reaction to synthesize the variable region from RNA of antibody-producing cells. See, for example, Larrick et al., Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology 2:106 (1991); Courtenay-Luck, “Genetic Manipulation of Monoclonal Antibodies,” in MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PRODUCTION, ENGINEERING AND CLINICAL APPLICATION, Ritter et al. (eds.), pages 166-179 (Cambridge University Press 1995); and Ward et al., “Genetic Manipulation and Expression of Antibodies,” in MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS, Birch et al., (eds.), pages 137-185 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1995).
Researchers have found that an anti-receptor monoclonal antibody can mimic the cognate ligand by binding with the ligand-binding domain of the receptor. For example, ligand-mimicking antibodies have been made that bind with a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, a very low-density lipoprotein receptor, and a receptor encoded by the c-erbB-2 gene. Von Feldt et al., Immunol. Res. 13:96 (1994); Shawver et al., Cancer Res. 54:1367 (1994); Pfistermueller et al., FEBS Lett. 396:14 (1996). Antibodies that mimic JH can be screened, for example, using a competition assay with radiolabeled ligand, such as juvenile hormone, and JHR, as described below.
6. Use of a bHLH-PAS/JHR Protein to Screen for Juvenile Hormone Analogs and Antagonists
a. In vitro binding assays
Potential insecticides can be tested in vitro by determining the ability of a test compound to displace detectably-labeled JH (or labeled JH analog) from a recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR. Assays designed to measure the binding of a ligand to a JH binding protein are well-established. See, for example, Ożyhar et al., Experientia 42:1276 (1986); Shemshedini and Wilson, Insect Biochem. 18:681 (1988); Shemshedini et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:1913 (1990); Shemshedini and Wilson, Proc. Nat 1 Acad. Sci. USA 87:2072 (1990); Chang et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 99C:15 (1991); Glinka et al., Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 25:775 (1995). However, the insecticide screening assay described herein uses a recombinantly-produced bHLH-PAS/JHR protein to test binding.
In one form of assay, a recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR is incubated with labeled ligand, and a potential juvenile hormone-type insecticide is tested by measuring the ability of the compound to displace the labeled ligand bound to the recombinant receptor protein. Ligands, such as JH III or an analog, can be detectably labeled with a radiolabel, fluorescent label, a chemiluminescent label, or a bioluminescent label. Examples of suitable radioligands include ligands having one or more atoms enriched in a radioisotope, and ligands that are covalently coupled to a radioisotope label. Examples of radioisotopes that can be used to enrich ligands include 3 H and 14 C. Examples of radioisotopes that may be used to covalently label ligands include 125 I, 131 I, 32 p, 35 S, 51 Cr, 36 Cl, 57 Co, 58 Co, 59 Fe, and 58 Se.
Suitable radiolabeled ligands include [ 3 H]10R-JH III and [ 3 H]methoprene. Radiolabeled JH III is commercially available. Radiolabeled ligands can also be obtained by chemical synthesis or biosynthesis, as described by Jennings et al., “Labeled Compounds in Juvenile Hormone Research,” in JUVENILE HORMONE BIOCHEMISTRY, Pratt et al. (eds.) pages 375-380 (Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press 1981).
As an illustration, an insecticide screening assay is performed in a physiologically-compatible buffer such as 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 100 mM KCl, 1 mM EDTA, 10% glycerol and 100 μg/ml bovine serum albumin. The test compound and labeled ligand (i.e., JH or an analog) is dissolved in an alcohol, such as methanol, or in dimethylsulfoxide and diluted with assay buffer.
Recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR is diluted with the assay buffer and incubated with [ 3 H]10R-JH III at room temperature for about thirty minutes. Two hundred microliters 200 μl of assay buffer is added to test tubes, followed by 100 μl of solution containing recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR bound with the radiolabeled ligand (about 12,000 dpm per tube or 0.03 pmol). As a control, aliquots of JH III, about 0.023 pmol to about 3 pmol, are added to parallel series of tubes. After mixing the solutions, the tubes are allowed to incubate for thirty minutes at room temperature. The skilled artisan will recognize that this assay also may be carried out with JHI, JHII and methoprene as binding competitors, at concentrations of 0.023 pmol to 30 pmol. This serves as a measure of the specificity and apparent affinity of the bHLH-PAS/JHR for binding JHIII.
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is used to separate bound radiolabeled ligand from free radiolabeled ligand, according to the procedure of Roberts et al., Molec. Cell. Endocrinol. 31:53 (1983), or a modification of the Roberts procedure. Briefly, 0.5 ml of 5% HAP (DNA-Grade HTP; Bio-Rad) suspension in HAP buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl [pH 8.0], 10 mM KH 2 PO 4 , 1 mM EDTA) was added. After gently vortexing the tubes, the solutions are incubated at 30 minutes at room temperature, and then filtered through glass fiber filters (e.g., Whatman 934-AH). The filters are rinsed four times with HAP buffer, placed in vials, and dried at 100° C. for about ten minutes. Scintillation fluid is then added to the tubes and allowed to incubate overnight before counting. Nonspecific binding is measured in the presence of 100-fold excess of unlabeled ligand (i.e., JR III in this example). The results of the competition binding assay are analyzed using established methods, such as Scatchard analysis. Scatchard, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 51.660 (1949).
Although the insecticide screening assay has been described in considerable detail, it will be obvious to the practitioner in the art that modifications can be practiced within the scope of this invention. For example, the pH and the solution components can be modified, the time and temperature values may be varied, and modifications can be made in the form and material (e.g., glass, plastic, etc.) of vessels used to perform the assay. Moreover, receptor-ligand complexes can be separated from unbound ligand by using centrifugation instead of filtering, or by using a suspension of charcoal-dextran instead of HAP. Alternatively, a “scintillation proximity assay” (SPA) can be used for screening insecticides. This technique provides sensitivity and minimal manipulation. The SPA involves the use of solid scintillant beads that emit photons when in proximity to a radioligand. Bosworth et al. Nature 341:167 (1989). Attachment of binding protein to the beads obviates the need for separating bound from free radioligand because the signal emitted by the free radioligand is quenched by aqueous surroundings. Only radioligand that is bound to its receptor will generate a signal. Amersham sells a variety of beads, such as beads coated with lectins (e.g., ConA, wheat germ agglutinin, and lecithin) that will bind receptor protein.
In one variation of the insecticide screening assay, recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR protein is preincubated with test compound, and then incubated with a labeled photoaffinity analog of juvenile hormone, such as epoxy farnesyl diazoacetate. In this assay, a test compound that binds with the bHLH-PAS/JHR protein will protect the protein from the photoaffinity label. Techniques for photoaffinity labeling of JH binding proteins are described, for example, by Shemshedini et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:1913 (1990), and by Prestwich et al., “Hot JH: Using Radioligands and Photoaffinity Labels to Decipher the Molecular Action of Juvenile Hormone,” in INSECT JUVENILE HORMONE RESEARCH: FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED APPROACHES, pages 247-256 (INRA 1992).
In a second variation of the insecticide screening assay, recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR protein is incubated with a detectably labeled test compound, such as a radiolabeled test compound. The objective of this assay is to measure the binding of the test compound to the bHLH-PAS/JHR.
In a third variation of the insecticide screening assay, a first recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHR protein and a second heterodimeric partner of bHLH-PAS/JHR are incubated with a labeled test compound. The objective of this assay is to measure the binding of the test compound to the bHLH-PAS/JHR—heterodimeric partner complex.
According to another approach to insecticide screening, antibodies or antibody fragments are used that mimic JH by binding to the ligand-binding domain of the bHLH-PAS/JHR. Competition assays can be performed in which either the antibody (or antibody fragment) or the test compound is detectably labeled. The production of such antibody ligand mimics is discussed above.
The skilled artisan will recognize that compounds that bind a bHLH-PAS/JHR protein, identified with the above-described in vitro assays, may be agonists or antagonists. The characterization of a compound as agonist or antagonist is carried out using the in vivo assays described below.
b. In vivo Binding Assays
In addition to such in vitro assays, recombinant bHLH-PAS/JHRs can be used to screen insecticides in in vivo systems. As an illustration, Arnold et al., Environ. Health Perspect. 104:544 (1996), describe a screening assay for xenoestrogens, such as o,p′-DDT, in which transfected yeast cells express the human estrogen receptor and contain a LacZ gene under the control of two estrogen response elements.
A suitable in vivo assay for screening insecticides comprised incubating test compounds with yeast strains engineered to contain a functionally expressed Met-JHR.
Functional expression can be achieved by using a one-hybrid or two-hybrid system. Luban et al. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol., 6:59 (1995); Rowlands et al. Pharmacol . & Toxicol. 76:328 (1995); Yamaguchi et al. Biochem. Pharmacol. 50(8):1295 (1995).
Suitable vectors for in vivo assays include, but are not limited to, yeast, mammalian, and insect expression vectors. See, for example, Mak et al. J. Biol. Chem. 264:21653 (1989) and McDonnell et al. Mol Cell. Biol. 9:3519 (1989). In yeast, recombinant protein is expressed as an in-frame fusion to ubiquitin and an endogenous yeast ubiquitinase cleaves the fusion protein to release mature recombinant protein. Promoter such as TDH (constitutive) and CUP1 (copper inducible) may be used. In mammalian cells, a two-hybrid system has been used to test candidate transcriptional activators. Boudjelal et al. Genes & Dev. 11:2502 (1997). Boudjelal expressed fusions of the GAL4 amino terminus (147 aa encode DNA BD, dimerization domain, and nuclear localization signal) or the estrogen receptor DNA BD, and candidate TADs. These constructs were expressed in COS cells containing a reporter construct.
Two-Hybrid Assays—Luban et al. Curr. Opin.
Biotechnol., 6:59 (1995) describes a two hybrid system. Any pair of proteins that interact with each other can be used to bring together separate DNA-binding (DNA BD) and transactivation domains (TAD) to reconstitute a transcriptional activator. The two-hybrid system is used to study protein—protein interactions. Thus, in a typical application, two DNA constructs are used: (1) encodes protein X fused to a DNA BD (e.g., from GAL4) (hybrid #1) and (2) encodes protein Y is fused to an AD (e.g., from GAL4) (hybrid #2). A third construct is included which comprises a reporter gene under the control of a corresponding response element (e.g., from GAL4). If proteins X and Y functionally interact, they will then bind to the GAL4 response element and stimulate expression of the reporter gene, by interacting with the GAL4 response element. If the reporter gene is not expressed, then a third (heteromultimeric partner) may be required.
In one version of a two-hybrid system, (1) Met-JHR is fused to one of the two-hybrid system proteins (DNA BP or a ADP) and (2) the heterodimeric partner of Met-JHR (which can be identified by a two-hybrid screen) is fused to the other protein of the two-hybrid system. Expression of the reporter gene, fused to the corresponding response element, will be effected if JH or a JH analog promotes the association between the Met-JHR protein and its heterodimeric receptor. See Ozenberger et al. Molecular Endocrinology, 9: 1321 (1995) and Lao et al. Mol. Endocrin. 11:366 (1997).
In another two hybrid system, a bHLH-PAS/JHR is expressed as a fusion protein with a DNA BP, a second plasmid expresses the bHLH-PAS/JHR protein as a fusion protein with an AD, and an appropriate reporter gene is also transfected into the cell. Treatment with JH would brings the two monomers to form an active homodimeric complex.
One-Hybrid Assays—In a one-hybrid system, there is only one hybrid protein comprising a candidate binding protein and all or part of a protein having a DNA BD and an AD. One variation of the 1-hybrid system involves the use of a small molecular weight molecule, such as Dioxin. Dioxin binds the AhR (also called the dioxin receptor) and will activate a GAL4-AhR construct. See Rowlands et al. Pharmacol . & Toxicol. 76:328 (1995). Rowlands' GAL4-AhR construct was “constitutively” active in yeast cells. In other words, the construct expressed a protein that turned on transcription of a LacZ reporter gene (LacZ fused to a GAL4 response element) in the absence of ligand. However, the addition of dioxin enhanced transactivation. Additionally, Whitelaw fused the DNA BD of the glucocorticoid receptor to the AhR and transformed CHO mammalian cells with this construct. Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:8343 (1991). The addition of dioxin to these cells induced expression of a reporter gene linked to a glucocorticoid response element. If a recombinant protein X comprises a TAD, then fusing X to a DNA BD may produce a constitutively active construct (e.g., GAL4 DNA BD/X-AD). Such a construct can be used to screen for antagonists. The addition of an antagonist will inhibit expression of a reporter gene linked to a GAL4 response element.
In another assay, the GAL4 DNA ED/X-AD is trascriptionally silent unless it is activated by another component. In a one-hybrid system, the heteromultimeric partner is consitutively expressed from another plasmid. A reporter plasmid contains a GAL4 response element linked to a reporter gene. Antagonists are screened for their ability to inhibit expression of the reporter gene.
Thus in another embodiment of the one-hybrid system, a bHLH-PAS/JHR is fused to the GAL4 DNA BD and an appropriate reporter plasmid is also transfected into the cell (e.g., GAL4 response element fused to a reporter gene). Treatment of the cell with JH results in induction of reporter gene expression if JH specifically binds bHLH-PAS/JHR.
If a heterodimeric partner is necessary for activation, it is expressed from a separate plasmid. The bHLH-PAS/JHR-GAL4 DNA BD fusion protein forms a heterodimer with the partner and upon addition of JH, the complex would activate transcription.
One- and Two-hybrid system components—Truncated forms of Met-JHR and chimeras of Met-JHR with other bHLH-PAS proteins can be made and expressed in the one- or two-hybrid system. For example, removal of the bHLH domains before making the fusions may be desirable. The skilled artisan will recognize that functional fragments, as described above, are suitable for use in the in vivo assays. For example, a DNA BD of a bHLH-PAS/JHR protein may be fused to the AD of a second protein. This allows screening compounds that interfere with DNA binding by a bHLH-PAS/JHR protein. Furthermore, truncated forms of heterodimeric partners may also be suitable for use in the above-described assays.
Suitable heterodimeric partners for a bHLH-PAS/JHR include, but are not limited to, DARNT (a bHLH-PAS protein) and ultraspiracle, a nuclear orphan/steroid receptor. Drosophila has at least three bHLH-PAS proteins, Sim, Trh, and DARNT. Zelzer et al. presented evidence that Sim and Trh each form heterodimenrs with DARNT. Genes & Dev. 11:2079 (1997).
Suitable reporter polypeptide for use in the above-described assays include, but are not limited to, S-galactosidase derived from E. coli (LacZ); genes conferring sensitivity to a chemical such as CYH2, cycloheximide sensitivity, and CAN1, canavanine sensitivity, arginine permease derived from S. cerevisiae (CAN1). The expression of these reporter genes in the presence of the toxic substrate (cycloheximide, etc.) results in the suppression of cell growth. This is convenient for looking for antagonist compounds, i.e., compounds that permit cell growth. This is referred to as a “rescue screen.” Other suitable reporter polypeptide include those involved in nucleoside and amino acid metabolism, such as the products of the URA3, LEU2, LYS2, HIS3, HIS4, TRP1, and ARG4 gene; polypeptide that confer resistance to drugs such as hygromycin, tunicamycin, cyclohexamide, and neomycin; and green fluroescence protein (GFP). Guthrie et al. Meth. Enzymol. vol. 194 (1991); Prasher, Trends Gen. 11:320 (1995). Detection of reporter gene expression is achieved using methods that are well-known to the skilled artisan.
Suitable transcription activation proteins include, but are not limited to, Gal4, Gcn4, Hap1, Ard1, Swi5, Ste12, Mem1, Yap1, Ace1, Ppr1, Arg81, Lac9, Qa1F, VP16, LexA, non-mammalian nuclear receptors (e.g., ecdysone) or mammalian nuclear receptors (e.g., estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, retinoic acid and progesterone. See also Picard et al. Gene 86:257 (1990)
Suitable TADs include, but are not limited to, those from GAL4, Gcn4 or Adr1. A DNA binding protein domain can be substituted for the DNA binding domain of the transactivational activation protein, if the recognition sequences operatively associated with the reporter gene are correspondingly engineered. For example, non-yeast DNA binding proteins are mammalian steroid receptors and bacterial LexA. See Wilson et al. Science 252:1296 (1990).
7. Isolation of Additional Juvenile Hormone Receptor Genes
The nucleotide sequences of the Met JHR gene and antibodies to the receptor provide a means to isolate additional bHLH-PAS/JHR genes from other insects. Such genes can encode receptors specific for JH molecules of various species, including insects of the orders Coleoptera (e.g., root worm, cigarette beetle, potato beetle, cotton boll weevil, and grain pests), Siphonaptera (fleas), Orthoptera (roaches), Isoptera (termites), Thysanoptera (thrips), Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Hemiptera (junebugs), Hymenoptera (ants), and Diptera (flies). In regard to the order Hemiptera , insects of the suborders Heteroptera (e.g., true bugs, stink bugs, and tarnished plant bug) and Homoptera (e.g., aphids, white flies, scale insects, and leaf hoppers) are of particular interest. Examples of suitable insects in the order Lepidoptera include species in the genera Spodoptera (e.g. S. lieeralis, S. exigua , and S. frugiperta ), Mamestra (e.g., M. brassica , the cabbage moth), Plutella (e.g., P. xylostella , the diamondback moth), Pieris (e.g., P. rapae , the cabbage butterfly), Heliothis (e.g., H. zea , the corn earworm, as well as the bollworm and tobacco budworm). Suitable insects of the order Diptera include flies, such as horn fly, fruit fly, screwworm fly, blow fly, mosquito, Mediterranean fruit fly, biting midge, black fly, horse fly, deer fly, leaf miner, housefly, bot fly and warble fly.
For example, bHLH-PAS/JHR genes can be isolated from agricultural pests, including insects of the genera Ceroplastes (e.g., Ceroplastes floridensis , Florida wax scale), Saissetia (e.g., Saissetia oleae , black scale), Aonidiella (e.g., Aonidiella aurantii , California red scale), Chrysomphalus (e.g., Chrysomphalus aonidum , Florida red scale), Dacus (e.g., Dacus oleae , olive fruit fly), Megaselia (e.g., Megaselia alterata , mushroom hump-backed fly), Lycoriella (e.g., Lycoriella auripila , mushroom fungus gnat), Schistocerca (e.g., Schistocerca gregaria , desert locust), Diatraea (e.g., Diatraea grandiosella , Southwestern corn borer), Achoea (e.g., Achoea janata , castor semi-looper), Spodoptera (e.g., Spodoptera littoralis , Egyptian cotton leaf worm), and Mamestra (e.g., Mamestra brassicae , cabbage armyworm). bHLH-PAS/JHR genes can also be isolated from stored product pests, including insects of the genera Tribolium (e.g., T. castaneum [red flour beetle], T. confusum [confused flour beetle]), Tenebrio (e.g., Tenebrio molitor , yellow mealworm), Rhyzopertha (e.g., Ryzopertha dominica , lesser grain borer), Sitophilus (e.g., Sitophilus oryzae , rice weevil), Oryzaephilus (e.g., Oryzaephilus surinamensis , saw-toothed grain beetle), Plodia (e.g., Plodia interpunctella , Indian meal moth), and Sitotroga (e.g., Sitotroga cerealella , angoumois grain moth). Suitable sources for bHLH-PAS/JHR genes also include forest insect pests, such as Choristoneura (e.g., Lamentria dispar (Gypsy moth), C. fumiferana [Eastern spruce budworm], C. occidentalis [Western spruce budworm]), Lambdina (e.g., Lambdina fiscellaria , Eastern hemlock looper), and Dendroctonus (e.g., D. pseudotsugae [Douglas fir beetle], D. frontalis [Southern pine beetle]).
bHLH-PAS/JHR genes can also be isolated from insects considered to be of public and veterinary significance, as well as insects simply considered as a nuisance. Examples include mosquito species (e.g., Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles albimanus , as well as A. albopictus (tiger mosquito) and C. tarsalis (swamp marsh mosquito)), blackfly species (e.g., Simulium venustum, Prosimulium mixtum ), dog ticks (e.g., Ctenocephalides canis and Dermacentor andersoni ), cattle ticks (e.g., Boophilus microplus ), lice (insects of the orders Mallophaga or Anoplura ), as well as insects of the genera Haematobia (e.g., Haematobia irritans , horn fly), Musca (e.g., M. autumnalis [face fly], M. domestica [house fly]), Glossina (e.g., G. palpalis, G. morsitanstsete [tsetse fly]), Melophagus (e.g., Melophagus ovinus , sheep ked), Monomorium (e.g., Monomorium pharaonis , Pharaoh's ant), Solenopsis (e.g., Solenopsis invicta , imported fire ant), and Reticulitermes (e.g., Reticulitermes flavipes , Eastern subterranean termite).
Lepidopteran species of interest include, but are not limited to: other Heliothia species, such as the American bollworm, H. armigera and the bollworm, H. punctigera ; lepidopteran species of the genus Spodoptera , e.g., the Egyptian cotton leafworm, s. litteralia , the best armyworm, s. exiga ; the fall armyworm, s. fruciperda ; the cutworm, B. litura , the rice swarming caterpillar, S. muritania and the southern armyworm, S. eridania ; and other miscellaneous lepidopterans, e.g., the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella ; the spiny bollworm, Barius insulana , the cotton leafworm, Alabama argillacea ; the leaf perforator, Bucculatris thurberiella ; the tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa sea ; the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella ; the cabbage looper, Trichoplasia ni ; the imported cabbageworms Hellula undalis and Hellula rogatalis ; the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon ; the corn earworm, Ostrinia nubalis ; the tomato pinworm, Keiferea; lycoersicella ; the tomato hornworm, Manduca sexta and Manduca guinquemaculata: the velvet bean caterpillar.
Anticarsia gemmatalis ; the green oliveworm, Plathypena scabra ; the soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens ; the saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea ; the leaf miner, Epinotia meritana ; the codling moth, cydia pomonella ; the oblique banded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana ; grape berry moth, Lobesia botrans ; currant tortrix, Pandemis cerasana ; spotted tentiform leaftminer, Phyllonocytes blancardella ; grape leafroller spargano-this pilleriana ; tufted bud apple moth, Platynota idacusalis ; red banded leaf roller, Argyrotaenea velutinana ; oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta ; Southwestern corn borer, Diatrea Qrandiosella ; rice leafrollers, Chaphalocrocis medinalis, Marasmia exicua and Marasmia patnalis ; striped borer, Chilo suppressalis ; dark headed stem-borer, Chilo polychrysis ; yellow stem borer, Scirophaga incatulae ; white stem borer, Scirophaga innotata ; and pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens.
Non-lepidopteran species include the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decimlineator , the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis ; the Southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata ; the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica ; plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar ; brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens ; green leafhopper, Naphotettix virescens ; potato leafhopper, Empoasca abrupta ; cotton aphid, Aphis gosspoii ; green peach aphid, Myzus persicae ; sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci ; imported fireant, Solenopsis invicta ; thrips, e.g., Thrips palini ; pear psylla, Psylla pyri ; two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae ; carmine mite. Tetranychus cinnabarinus ; citrus rus mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora ; German cockroach, Blatella germanica ; cat flea, Ctenocephatides felia ; yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti ; and salt marsh mosquito, Aedes sollioitans.
In one screening approach, polynucleotide molecules having nucleotide sequences disclosed herein can be used to screen genomic or cDNA libraries. Screening can be performed with Met gene polynucleotides that are either DNA or RNA molecules, using standard techniques. See, for example, Ausubel et al. (eds.), SHORT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, pages 6-1 to 6-11 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995). Insect genomic and cDNA libraries can be prepared using well-known methods. See, for example, Ausubel et al. (eds.), SHORT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, pages 5-1 to 5-6 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995).
Additional bHLH-PAS/JHR genes can also be obtained using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with oligonucleotide primers having nucleotide sequences that are based upon the Met JHR nucleotide sequences described herein. General methods for screening libraries with PCR are provided by, for example, Yu et al., “Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to Screen Phage Libraries,” in METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Vol. 15: PCR PROTOCOLS: CURRENT METHODS AND APPLICATIONS, White (ed.), pages 211-215 (Humana Press, Inc. 1993). Moreover, techniques for using PCR to isolate related genes are described by, for example, Preston, “Use of Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primers and the Polymerase Chain Reaction to Clone Gene Family Members,” in METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Vol. 15: PCR PROTOCOLS: CURRENT METHODS AND APPLICATIONS, White (ed.), pages 317-337 (Humana Press, Inc. 1993).
Anti-Met JHR antibodies can also be used to isolate DNA sequences that encode bHLH-PAS/JHRs from cDNA libraries. For example, the antibodies can be used to screen λgtll expression libraries, or the antibodies can be used for immunoscreening following hybrid selection and translation. See, for example, Ausubel et al. (eds.), SHORT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 3rd Edition, pages 6-12 to 6-16 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995); and Margolis et al., “Screening X expression libraries with antibody and protein probes,” in DNA CLONING 2: EXPRESSION SYSTEMS, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 1-14 (Oxford University Press 1995).
8. RFLP Analysis—Screening Populations for Resistance
Polynucleotides that encode bHLH-PAS/JHRs can be used to monitor an insect population for resistance to JR analog insecticides. For example, polynucleotides encoding Drosophila bHLH-PAS/JHRs from methoprene-sensitive and methoprene-resistant insects can be used to screen a pest insect population for an increase in methoprene resistance by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Similarly, Dong et al. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 24:647 (1994), have used RFLP analysis to examine the presence of knockdown resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in cockroach populations, Williamson et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 240:17 (1993), identified RFLPs associated with resistance to DDT and pyrethroid insecticides in the housefly, while Severini et al., J. Med. Entomol. 31:496 (1994), used RFLP analysis to examine a possible increase in the frequency of an insecticide resistance gene (esterase B) in populations of the disease-bearing mosquito, Culex pipiens . RFLP analysis has also been used to examine populations of various mosquito species and screwworms. Severson et al., Am. J. Trop. Hyg. 50:425 (1994); Taylor et al., Med. Vet. Entomol. 10:63 (1996).
In an analogous approach, researchers have used RFLP analysis to differentiate between non-aggressive and aggressive strains of fungi and bacteria that are plant pathogens. Koch et al., Mol. Plant - Microbe Inter. 4:341 (1991); Graham et al., PhytoPathology 80:829 (1990). Also, see generally, Miller et al., “Diagnostic Techniques for Plant Pathogens,” in BIOTECHNOLOGY IN PLANT DISEASE CONTROL, Chet (ed.), pages 321-339 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1993), Zilberstein et al., “Application of DNA Fingerprinting for Detecting Genetical Variation Among Isolates of the Wheat Pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola ,” in BIOTECHNOLOGY IN PLANT DISEASE CONTROL, Chet (ed.), pages 341-353 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1993), and Honeycutt et al., “Application of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to the Detection of Plant Pathogens,” in THE IMPACT OF PLANT MOLECULAR GENETICS, Sobral (ed.), pages 187-201 (Birkäuser 1996).
The identification of a genetic variant associated with juvenile hormone analog resistance (e.g., methoprene resistance) provides several avenues for testing to monitor the occurrence and frequency of insecticide resistance in a population at a very early stage when the frequency may be very low and/or difficult to detect by standard bioassays. This early detection facilitates informed judgments in the application of the relevant insecticide. For example, the gene Met encoding the juvenile hormone receptor (e.g., Met A3 ) provides the basis for RFLP analysis of an insect population to identify the presence of the resistance trait in a given population. T. Wilson J. Eccn. Ent. 86: 645-651 (1993).
Detection of the unique DNA associated with a resistance allele is diagnostic for the appearance of the resistance trait in the population sampled. This is determined by digesting genomic DNA collected from individuals of the target population in question with selected restriction enzyme(s) followed by probing a Southern blot with a detectably labelled DNA sequence that identifies a particular resistant trait, or a diagnostic portion thereof. By “diagnostic portion” thereof is meant any fragment of DNA from a bHLH-PAS JHR DNA sequence which differs sufficiently in sequence from the corresponding portion of the susceptible DNA sequence so as to be detectable in a Southern blot. A “diagnostic portion” may also be a unique DNA sequence genetically linked within one map unit of the trait that can be detected in a Southern blot analysis. DNA sequences flanking the resistance gene, as well as intervening sequences (introns) are particularly suited for identifying unique diagnostic RFLPs.
For example, the methoprene resistant alleles, Met K17 and Met A3 , contain 1300 kb P-element insertions within the 1200 bp Bam H1 fragment immediately upstream from the Met + gene transcriptional start site. In this technique, DNA from several individuals in the target population is digested with an appropriate restriction enzyme, and size separated by gel electrophoresis. The gel, or a blot derived therefrom, is then probed with labelled DNA, using either the whole gene or a diagnostic fragment. If there are both resistant and sensitive alleles within an individual in the population, there will appear on the gel at least two different sized restriction fragments. Segments each fragment will hybridize with the bHLH-PAS/JHR gene probe.
In this manner, large numbers of individuals in the population can be sampled, and the relative abundance of an allele can be determined. Identification of the specific DNA fragment associated with resistance, whether by Southern or RFLP analysis, will always be diagnostic.
The present invention, thus generally described, will be understood more readily by reference to the following examples, which are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 1
To isolate the Met JHR gene, genomic libraries were constructed from flies carrying either of two P-element alleles of Met, Met A3 and Met K17 . These alleles were recovered in separate screens from methoprene-resistant flies. Wilson et al. Molecular Mech. of Insecticide Resistance (Am. Chem. Soc. Symp.) 505:99 (1992). Each allele conferred resistance to both the toxic and morphogenetic effects of JH and methoprene, and susceptible revertants could be recovered by standard genetic means. A 50 kilobase region surrounding the P-element insertion site was cloned from each library, as described by Turner and Wilson, Arch. Insect Biochem. Biophys. 30:133 (1995).
DNA sequencing and analysis of the genomic region located within one kilobase of the insertion sites revealed an open reading frame (ORF) located 273 base pairs from the insertion site in the Met A3 allele and 424 base pairs in the Met K17 allele. See FIG. 1 . Transcription of this ORF occurs away from the P-element, suggesting possible interruption of transcription by the P-element, as has been found with other P-element mutations in Drosophila . Searles et al., Mol. Cell Biol. 6:3312 (1986); Kelley et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:1545 (1987).
P-element mediated germline transformation was carried out with DNA fragments isolated from phage clones derived from a wild-type genomic library. Genomic fragments were isolated following restriction enzyme digestions of phage obtained from the iso-i strain genomic library. (Tamkun et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:5140 (1984)). The locations of the restriction sites for each fragment are shown in FIG. 1 . Fragments were either subcloned into Bluescript (Stratagene Co., Ca.), then excised with an EcoRI-NotI double digest and subcloned into the pCaSpeR 4 transformation vector (Thummel et al. Drosophila Inform. Serv. 71:150 (1992)), or were subcloned directly into the pCaSpeR 4 vector. Purified plasmids together with pp25.1wc transformation “helper” DNA in a ratio of 2-3:1 were injected into dechorionated ywMet 3 embryos as described. (A. Spradling in Drosophila—A Practical Approach (D. B. Roberts, Ed. IRL, Oxford, 1986, page 175). Go progeny were individually crossed with y w Met 3 , and transformants recognized by restoration of eye color ranging from light orange to red. For each DNA fragment, 3-5 transformants from separate Go females were recovered and their progeny tested for methoprene resistance.
Files carrying Met 3 , a strong EMS-induced allele, were transformed with fragments shown in FIG. 1 . Progeny of transformants were tested on three diagnostic amounts of methoprene as described in Wilson, Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 32:641 (1996)). Resistant and susceptible animals were distinguished on the basis of survival as well as the presence of normal morphology of sternal bristle patterns and male genetalia.
When transformants with fragments St-X and K-H were tested for methoprene resistance, the level of resistance was undiminished compared with that of Met 3 , indicating no rescue of the mutant phenotype. However, when Met 3 was transformed with the 6.234 Kb St-H fragment, resistance was lost, indicating that a functional Met sequence is contained in this sequence. The DNA region contained in fragment St-H corresponds well with the size and location of the transcripts.
The nucleotide sequence of the 6.234 Kb St-H fragment of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:1). The St-H fragment comprises an intron (lower case letters) and an open reading frame from base no. 1514 to base no. 3732. Also shown in the Figure are the first (no. 1292) and last (no. 4301) bases of the genomic Met-JHR sequence in FIG. 3 .
The St-H fragment was cloned into the SmaI site of the Bluescript(ks) vector, and is designated pSt-H.
Vector pSt-H was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, in Bethesda, Md., on Nov. 13, 1997. The present invention includes a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of the St-H fragment in vector pSt-H.
EXAMPLE 2
A DNA probe to the ORF described above failed to identify any transcript(s) on a Northern blot of RNA from a methoprene-susceptible Oregon-RC late third-instar larvae, but a more sensitive RNA probe recognized a transcript of approximately 5.5 kilobases. Total RNA was isolated with TriReagent (Molecular Research Center, Inc., Ohio) from staged animals. Each lane was loaded with 40 mg of total RNA, subjected to denaturing gel electrophoresis on a formaldehyde-agarose gel, and blotted onto Hybond-N membrane. Following cross-linking, membranes were prehybridized in a solution containing SX SSPE, 5× Denhardt's, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide, and 100 μg/ml yeast tRNA for about 5 to about 7 hours at about 65° C.
Membranes were then hybridized in the same solution at about 68° C. for about 15 to about 17 hours with a [ 32 P]-UTP labeled riboprobe (Promega Co., WI) synthesized from a fragment of the Met-JHR gene. This fragment extended from nucleotide 771 through 1102 of the open reading frame, where nucleotide #1 is designated the base A in the ATG codon that begins the open reading frame. This corresponds to base no. 1514 through base no. 1845 in FIG. 2 . The 771-1102 fragment was produced by PCR amplification from a genomic clone from the iso-1 phage containing the Met region. The amplified fragment was subcloned into a T-vector (Invitrogen, Ca.), linearized with SST II, and transcribed from the T7 promoter to produce a 331 bp antisense RNA molecule (the reverse transcript of the 771-1102 DNA fragment). The membranes were washed with 2×SSC+0.1% SDS at about 22° C. for about 20 minutes, followed by two washes with 0.1×SSC+0.1% SDS at about 650 for about 15 minutes each. Each membrane was placed against X-ray film and subjected to autoradiography at about −70° C. for 24 hours and developed. Control loading was evaluated by stripping the blot and reprobing with a [ 32 -P]-dCTP random-primed cDNA for the ribosomal protein-49 gene (Rp 49, O'Connell et al. Nucl. Acid. Res. 12:5495 (1984)).
As shown in FIG. 8 , the level of the 5.5 kb transcript was undiminished in three EMS-induced alleles of Met (Met, Met 2 , and Met 3 ). The transcript was reduced in several alleles that were X-ray induced from methoprene-susceptible vermillion (v) flies (Met N6 , Met D29 , Met 11 , Met 27 Met 128 ), especially Met 27 , which appears as a null allele. Met A3 and Met K17 (P-element alleles) also showed a transcript that is approximately three kilobases larger than the 5.5 kilobase transcript, suggesting that transcriptional run-on of the 2.9 kilobase P-element is occurring in these flies. A similar transcriptional run-on observation has been seen with the P-element allele of yellow mutant.
The boundaries of the 5.5 kb transcript have not been precisely determined, but they have been inferred by RT-PCR to include a transcriptional start site about 1,100 bp upstream of the ATG site and an end site about 2,200 bp from the stop codon of the ORF. See FIG. 1 .
As shown in FIG. 9 , a Northern analysis was carried out to determine the abundance and temporal appearance of met-JHR transcripts. During the first half of embryonic development, a transcript of approximately 3.3 kilobases was detected in methoprene-susceptible Oregon-RC adult females. Total RNA was isolated from these females at various times during development. Each lane of the gel was loaded with with 40 mg of total RNA, and the blot was probed with the 331 bp Met-JHR riboprobe, followed by a DNA probe for the Rp49 gene, as described above. Embryos were collected from overnight cultures and either frozen in liquid nitrogen or maintained at 25° C. until the desired age (0-10 hours, 8-16 hours, 16-24 hours). Larvae were staged from timed embryo collections (2 days A+1-8 hrs;
3 days+/−8 hrs; 4 days+/−8 hrs; white prepupa). Pupas were staged from the white prepupal stage, which lasts about one hour (1 day, 2 day, 3 day, and 4 day). Adult males consistently show only the 5.5 Kb transcript. Females show both the 3.3 kb and the 5.5 kb transcript, and when fully gravid, show increased levels of the 3.3 kb transcript. The 3.3 Kb transcript is present only in embryos and adult ovary tissue. Additionally, since methoprene-sensitivity in fly development is found only in late larval-early pupal stage, the appearance of the 3.3 Kb transcript is not correlated with methoprene resistance.
EXAMPLE 3
cDNA molecules corresponding to the region containing the Met-JHR ORF, as well as to the smaller (3.3 kb) transcript, were isolated as apparent full-length cDNAs from a Drosophila wild-type Canton-S ovary cDNA library and were sequenced to establish a relationship of the transcript with the genomic nucleotide sequence. The probable transcription start site for this transcript begins 220 bp upstream from the start codon and the probably transcript ends 912 bp from the stop codon.
A comparison of the cDNA to the genomic sequence showed that the genomic ORF is 2.22 Kb and the cDNA ORF is 2.151 Kb. The difference between the two sequences is a 69 nucleotide intron, which corresponds to 23 codons, and does not change the open reading frame of the genomic and cDNA. The presence of the intron provides evidence for the possibility of alternatively spliced variants of Met-JHR and hence multiple isoform proteins of Met-JHR.
The longest single open reading frame in the cDNA in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:3) comprises a single open reading frame (ORF). The DNA sequence (CAAAATGGCA: SEQ ID NO:13) surrounding this ATG of the ORF is in good agreement with a Drosophila translation start site consensus sequence. Cavener Nucl. Acid. Res. 15:1353 (1987).
The first genomic exon is from position 224 to position 1543 (1296 bases). This is followed by a 69 bp intron, and a second exon, which extends from position 1589 to 2443 (855 bases). The remainder of the Met-JHR gene is from 2443 to 3011 (568 bases). The total length of the nucleotide sequence provided for the genomic DNA is 3011 nucleotides (SEQ ID NO:2), and that of the cDNA is 3282 nucleotides (SEQ ID NO:3).
Comparison of the Met-JHR ORF and with sequences deposited in the Genbank database showed three regions of homology to members of a family of transcriptional activators known as the basic helix-loop-helix-Per-Arnt-Sim (bhlh-PAS) proteins. See FIG. 6 . Three vertebrate members of this family include the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), muscle and brain ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL-1), and the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Three Drosophila family members include ARNT (DARNT), Trachealess (Trh) and Single-minded (Sin).
The ARNT and AHR proteins are involved as heterodimeric partners in binding a variety of environmental toxicants, including dioxin, and subsequently activating a variety of genes important in the degradation of these chemicals, such as the cytochrome P450 genes. FIG. 6 indicates that Met-JHR is neither DARNT nor AHR. However, Met-JHR shares considerable homology to human AHR in the ligand binding region of AHR, which is amino acids 200-400 of AHR. Rowlands et al. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 27:109 (1997). Another feature apparent from visual inspection of the Met-JHR sequence is that Met-JHR, like human ARH (HARH), has a high concentration of serine and threonine residues at its carboxyl terminus. This is the motif of a S/PIT transactivation domain, as noted above. In ARH, this domain has been shown to be a functional TAD.
These features support the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of Met-JHR is similar to AHR, i.e., Met-JHR binds the JH ligand. In addition, the Met-JHR may heterodimerize to DARNT or a DARNT-like protein in order to bind a JH response element and mediate JH action. The bHLH domain has been shown to be involved in dimerization and DNA binding. Rowlands et al. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 27: 109 (1997).
Met-JHR also contains the “LXXLL” motif which likens Met to steroid receptor co-activators. Although this motif is found in many proteins, it plays a significant role in proteins that interact with co-activators of steroid receptors. LXXLL also has been found in a bHLH-PAS protein that is a cofactor (ACTR) [Chen et al. Cell 90:569 (1997)] that is amplified in breast cancer-1 (AIBC). Anzisk et al. Science 277:965 (1977). This bHLH-PAS protein (ACTR/AIBC) interacts with a steroid receptor, and is part of the multi-protein complex that potentiates the signal from the steroid receptor ligand.
Met-JHR also has homology with Single Minded (Sin), a neurogenic transcriptional factor that has been identified as a Drosophila bHLH-PAS family member. However, Sim has not been identified as a ligand-binding protein.
EXAMPLE 4
A JHR Met nucleotide sequence was isolated from a cDNA library from D. erecta , Met-JER- erecta . A reverse oligonucleotide primer was based on the 5′ end of the PAS-A region of the Drosophila Met-JHR gene, TLMQLL (residues 128-133 of SEQ ID NOs:4, 5, and 11, respectively). Using this primer, standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used to amplify DNA sequences from D. erecta . The amplified DNA was subcloned into a plasmid and sequenced. The sequence obtained from D. erecta includes 232 nucleotides from the N-terminal portion of the Met- erecta -JHR ORF. As shown in FIG. 5 , there is high homology between the two genes, suggesting that the Met+gene may be conserved throughout Drosophila and the order Diptera.
Although the foregoing refers to particular preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the present invention is not so limited. It will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments and that such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the following claims.
All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those in the art to which the invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Promising groups of environmetally-safe insecticides consist of analogues of insect hormones, such as juvenile hormone, and antagonists of such hormones. The traditional bioassay approach for screening potential juvenile hormone analogs and antagonists is slow, expensive and inefficient. A recombinant bHLH-PAS-juvenile hormone receptor, isolated from the methoprene-tolerant locus on Drosophila , provides the basis of in vitro and in vivo binding assays that can be used to discover new juvenile hormone-type targeted insecticides. Moreover, the nucleotide sequence of the Drosophila bHLH-PAS/JHR polypeptide provides tools for isolating juvenile hormone receptor genes from other insect species.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The invention generally relates to the field of edible, hulled grain snack products. Specifically, the invention relates to a method of processing unpopped grain kernels such as popcorn kernels, whereby the popping mechanism is suppressed so that the resultant product is a partially-popped kernel that retains the desirable flavors of a fully popped kernel but provides a denser, richer food or snack food product.
[0005] 2. Background of the Invention
[0006] Cereal-based food products are a prevalent source of nutrition for humans and livestock, particularly, corn, wheat and rice-based products. The individual kernels of these and other cereal grains may be processed in a variety of ways to produce numerous foodstuffs, including many forms of snack products.
[0007] Grain kernels are generally comprised of a relatively strong outer hull, referred to as a pericarp, a starchy interior material, referred to as endosperm, and the germ, which, upon germination, is the genesis the underlying grain plant.
[0008] The hull/pericarp generally covers the exterior of the kernel. The endosperm comprises a large internal volume of the kernel and provides a source of energy for kernel germination and growth. Because the endosperm of the kernel is nutrient rich and comprises the majority of the kernel itself, food products derived from grain are primarily comprised of the endosperm material.
[0009] Popped corn is a well-know grain kernel-based snack food that is popular for both its flavor and texture. There is evidence that popcorn has been consumed by humans for over 5,400 years and it is believed that popcorn was brought to Western culture at least as early as the time of Christopher Columbus. It is estimated by the U.S. Popcorn Board that Americans consume approximately 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year.
[0010] Another popular snack item is flavored popcorn such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,842, “Internally Flavored Hulled Cereal Grain and Process for Preparation”, issued Feb. 3, 1987, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0011] Research has indicated that the “popping” mechanism associated with popcorn is the result of the cooperation of the moisture contained in the endosperm and the containment and rupture of the pericarp as is more fully discussed below.
[0012] Typically, commercially available popcorn available to consumers such as Orville Redenbacher or Jiffy Pop from ConAgra Foods, Inc., has moisture content within the endosperm of the kernel of about 13.5 to 14.5%. These kernels will further comprise a pericarp structure that is strong and lacking any damage such as fractures, fissures or weak spots.
[0013] When the kernel is exposed to a sufficiently high temperature, the moisture in the endosperm heats, boils and expands within the pericarp structure, which begins to function somewhat like a pressure-cooking vessel.
[0014] As the moisture in the endosperm continues to expand, pressure continues to increase upon and within the starchy endosperm contained within the pericarp. It is estimated that the internal pressure contained in a good quality pericarp structure can be in the range of nine atmospheres (ATMs) or about 130 PSI. When the pressure within the pericarp exceeds the capacity to retain it, the pericarp will rupture and explode. At that instant, the moisture distributed throughout the endosperm is immediately exposed to a lower atmospheric pressure and abruptly expands, turning the kernel inside out and generating a fluffy endosperm, which is what is typically referred to as popcorn.
[0015] When the pericarp of a kernel is weak or damaged, the kernel may not pop at all due to steam exiting the damaged pericarp or to the fact that the endosperm moisture is too high to allow the proper internal kernel popping conditions to exist.
[0016] An alternative result occurs when endosperm moisture content levels are greater than 14%. Under appropriate endosperm moisture conditions, the kernel will partially pop, where the endosperm only partially expands. These, or unpopped kernels are sometimes referred to as “Old Maids”.
[0017] Many popcorn consumers find the taste and texture of these partially popped kernels desirable. There is therefore a need to provide a method for making a partially popped grain kernel, such as from unpopped popcorn, that is both simple and low cost and which will produce a product that is flavorful and provides a texture that is appealing to consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The invention comprises a process whereby a grain kernel, such as a popcorn kernel, is modified so that the internal moisture of the endosperm is increased to a predetermined modified moisture content wherein the popping mechanism is suppressed or inhibited in order to produce a partially popped kernel.
[0019] Generally, the moisture content of the endosperm is increased, such as by boiling, soaking or steaming the kernels for a predetermined period to achieve a predetermined moisture content. The kernels are dried of exterior moisture, such as by air, in a manner that permits the predetermined moisture level to remain in the kernel prior to popping. The modified kernel is then exposed to a heated environment, such as a hot air stream in a hot air popper for a time sufficient to cause the modified endosperm to expand and rupture the pericarp.
[0020] The increased moisture in the endosperm suppresses, but does not prevent, the popping mechanism. This, in turn, results in a partially popped kernel with the desirable flavor and texture attributes noted above. A suitable flavorant may be added to the solution used to increase moisture content in the endosperm or, in an alternative embodiment, a flavorant may be added to surface of the popped kernel, such as salt, spices or the like.
[0021] While the claimed method is described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112.
[0022] The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as examples of the invention defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the invention as defined by the claims may be broader than the embodiments described below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a hulled grain kernel is provided comprising an outer hull or pericarp and having an interior volume comprising an endosperm material. In an alternative preferred embodiment, popcorn kernels are utilized, such as the commonly available Zea mays L. subsp. Mays variety. It is noted that the instant invention is not limited to the use of popcorn kernels and that the use of any variety grain kernel with the capacity to be popped can be incorporated into the process such as other corn varietals, wheat, or rice kernels.
[0024] A natural pericarp structure is a preferred structure for the grain kernel but it is noted that artificial means to create an exterior hull structure that functions in a manner of that of a naturally occurring pericarp during the popping process is considered within the scope of the invention. For instance, an artificially applied edible polymer or cellulous or their equivalent coating may be provided upon a grain kernel to replace, imitate or enhance a naturally occurring pericarp structure. This can provide the ability to pop certain grains not generally used to create a popped grain food or used to enhance the poppability of popcorn strains that do not have sufficiently strong pericarp structures to generate internal pressures necessary for the endosperm to rupture the pericarp upon heating.
[0025] The grain kernel is provided with a preexisting internal moisture content of the endosperm, which, in the case of popcorn, typically ranges from 13.5% to 14.5%. It is generally accepted that deviations as low as 1% to 2% below this range render the kernels too dry to pop.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the preexisting moisture content of the endosperm is increased to a predetermined modified level whereby the popping mechanism is inhibited or suppressed. It has been determined that, for popcorn, a modified moisture content of greater than about 20% but less than about 40% has produced acceptable results with a modified moisture content of about 25% to 38% providing a optimal product. Modified moisture contents greater than 40% can produce acceptable results depending on drying and popping process variables and all modified moisture levels greater than 18% are considered within the scope of the invention.
[0027] In the preferred mode, the moisture content is modified by introducing unprocessed popcorn kernels with a preexisting moisture content of about 13.5% to about 14.5% to boiling water with at temperature of about 212 degrees F. for a period of about 25 minutes to 40 minutes. The process step or equivalent may also introduce weakened areas, cracks or fractures into the pericarp structure which assists in suppressing the popping mechanism by causing the pericarp to rupture sooner that occurs in an unprocessed kernel.
[0028] Alternative embodiments include soaking of the kernels in water or processing the kernels in a pressurized vessel in heated water for a period sufficient to modify the moisture content to the preferred level. A flavorant may be added to the processing liquid if a flavored end product is desired.
[0029] Preferably, substantially all of the external moisture on the modified kernels is then removed as by air or mechanical drying but it is important that the drying process be controlled so that the modified moisture content is not substantially affected during drying. Over-drying of exterior moisture risks reducing interior moisture content to a level that will affect the popping process and result in a less than optimal end product. It has been determined that air drying for a period of about 2 hours to 5 hours provides good results with a period of less than three hours being preferred.
[0030] The modified kernels are then introduced into a heated environment such as heated air or oil until the modified moisture content of the endosperm boils and expands sufficient to rupture the pericarp, i.e., the kernel pops. It has been determined that hot air popping at about 330 degrees F. to about 360 degrees F. provides the best resulting product.
[0031] Once popped, the modified kernels have a rich, concentrated flavor of the underlying kernel and a dense, chewy texture.
[0032] The popped kernels may optionally be coated with a variety of flavorants, salts, spices, sweetened coatings and the like to provide a relatively low calorie, low cost snack food product.
[0033] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, by way of example and not by limitation, any suitable means of introducing modified moisture content into the endosperm to suppress but not eliminate popping of the kernel is within the scope of the invention.
[0034] Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purpose of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed even when not initially claimed in such combinations.
[0035] The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification, structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
[0036] The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are therefore defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
[0037] Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can, in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub combination.
[0038] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
[0039] The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the fundamental idea of the invention.
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A method for making a food product from a hulled grain kernel is provided. A hulled grain comprising a pericarp structure and interior endosperm having an internal moisture content is modified, such as by boiling, soaking or steaming, to achieve a predetermined moisture content sufficient to inhibit but not prevent popping of the kernel. The modified kernel is exposed to a heated environment, such as a hot air popper, until the modified endosperm expands and ruptures the endosperm, resulting in a partially popped kernel.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/842,371, filed Sep. 6, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to the synthesis of linear and hyperbranched polytriazoles by fast and region-selective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of organic azides and acetylenes by metal-free thermal methodology.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] The unique molecular structures of polytriazoles render them with novel features, such as for use with respect to photoresist and light emission. There are many publications that disclose linear polytriazoles, which were obtained by Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction (for examples: Helms, B.; Mynar, J. L.; Hawker, C. J.; Fréchet, J. M. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15020. (b) Englert, B. C.; Bakbak, S.; Bunz. H. F. Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 5868. (c) Binder, W. H.; Kluger, C. Macromolecules, 2004, 37, 9321. (d) Tsarevsky, N. V.; Sumerlin, B. S.; Matyjaszewski K. Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 3558). But when the conditions disclosed conditions are applied for the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers, partially soluble or totally insoluble materials are always obtained (Scheel, A. J.; Komber, H.; Voit, B. I. Macromol. Rapid. Commun. 2004, 25, 1175), which prohibits investigation of the resultant materials and their practical applications.
[0006] After Huisgen's comprehensive review in 1984 (Huisgen, R. In 1,3- Dipolar Cycloaddition Chemistry ; Padwa, A., Ed.; Wiley: New York, 1984), the research on 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions remained silent until Sharpless and coworkers recognized the potential application and found an efficient method to synthesize the regioselective 1,2,3-triazoles from organic azides and terminal acetylenes by Cu(I) catalysts. (V. V. Rostovtsev, L. G Green, V. V. okin, K. B. Sharpless Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 2596; and K. B. Shapless, US 2005/0222427 A1). Due to its high yield and high regioselectivity, they defined this methodology as “Click Chemistry”. This breakthrough aroused tremendous interest among scientists in particular for the construction of bio-conjugated materials and only limited reports have addressed electro-optical macromolecular materials (D. J. V. C. Steenis, O. R. P. David, G. P. F. Strijdonck, J. H. Maarseveen, J. N. H. Reek Chem. Commun. 2005, 4333).
[0007] Because of their substantially globular molecular architectures, hyperbranched polymers are envisioned to exhibit novel properties such as low viscosity and high thermal stability and serve as functional materials. Moreover, the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers can be done in a one-pot single-step procedure. Realization of the full potential of hyperbranched polymers calls for the exploration of new, versatile methods for their syntheses,
[0008] Schell, et al. reported for the first time hyperbranched polymers constructed by either Cu(I)-catalyzed or thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of AB 2 type monomers (where A represents one azide group and B 2 represents two acetylenes, all in one organic molecule; Scheel, A. J.; Komber, H.; Voit, B. I. Macromol. Rapid. Commun. 2004, 25, 1175). This methodology contains some disadvantages, which limit its practical applicability. Soluble hyperbranched polymers can only be obtained when the Cu(I) catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is performed in highly polar solvents (such as DMSO or DMF), which are difficult to remove after polymerization. Another problem is the self-polymerization of this type of monomer when stored for long time under ambient conditions.
[0009] Steenis et al. reported the light emission properties of linear polytriazoles prepared by Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with conjugated diazides and diacetylenes. However, this methodology requires a long reaction time (up to 170 h) and may hamper again its usage when employed in practical applications. Most of the other linear polymers containing 1,2,3-triazole moieties (B. Helms, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15020; B. C. Englert, Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 5868; W. H. Binder, Macromolecules, 2004, 37, 9321; N. V. Tsarevsky, Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 3558) are again only soluble in high polar solvents, such as DMF and DMSO, which is very inconvenient for investigations of their properties and further processing.
[0010] Wurziger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,059) reported the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azides and acetylenes groups of mainly low molecular weight compounds in microreactors. Manzara (U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,904) reported cross-linked polymers. The author adopted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between polymers containing azido groups either in the main chain or as pendants and diacetylenic esters or amides. The resulting polymers were insoluble and the inventor did not provide any information of the regioselectivity of the product.
[0011] It is known that aroylacetylenes can be cyclotrimerized when refluxed in DMF or in mixtures with other solvents such as toluene for a long time ( J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67, 4547). The inventors have abundant experiences on the polycyclotrimeriazation of aroylacetylene monomers (Dong, H. C.; Zheng, R. H.; Lam, J. W.-Y.; Haeussler, M.; Qin, A. J.; Tang, B. Z. Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 6382-6391).
[0012] Further, compounds with azido moieties can form active radicals when irradiated with UV light (Brase, S.; Gel, C.; Knepper, K.; Zimmermann, V. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 5188).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present subject matter addresses the above concerns by teaching the following processes and products.
[0014] The present disclosure includes a process for the synthesis of polytriazoles. The process includes reacting separate azide monomers and acetylene monomers by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Polymerization occurs by refluxing said monomers in an organic solvent for a set period of time.
[0015] In some aspects, the polytriazole is a hyperbranched polytriazole or a hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole) that is synthesized by the reaction of a di-monomer and a tri-monomer, where one of the azide monomers and acetylene monomers is a di-monomer and the other monomer is a tri-monomer.
[0016] In some aspects, the acetylene monomer used in the synthesis of the hyperbranched polytriazole or the hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole) is a diacetylene, an aromatic diacetylene, a conjugated diacetylene, a triyne, an aromatic triyne, a conjugated triyne, or an aroyldiacetylene. In some aspects, the acetylene monomer used in the synthesis of the hyperbranched polytriazole or the hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole) has formula I, II, III, or IV:
[0000]
These are non-limiting examples, however, and other acetylene monomers may be used.
[0017] In some aspects, the R 1 group of formula I or formula II is a
[0000]
In some aspects, the R 4 group of formula III or formula IV is a
[0018]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1.
[0019] In some aspects, the azide monomer used in the synthesis of the hyperbranched polytriazole or the hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole) is a diazide, a conjugated diazide, a nonconjugated diazide, a triazide, a conjugated triazide, nonconjugated triazide, a metal containing diazide, a metal containing conjugated diazide, a metal containing nonconjugated diazide, a metal containing triazide, a metal containing conjugated triazide, or a metal containing nonconjugated triazide. In some aspects, the azide monomer used in the synthesis of the hyperbranched polytriazole or the hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole) has formula V or VI:
[0000]
These are non-limiting examples, however, and other azide monomers may be used.
[0020] In some aspects, the R 2 group of formula V is a
[0000]
In some aspects, the Ar group is a
[0021]
In some aspects, m≧1.
[0022] In some aspects, the R 3 group of formula VI is a
[0000]
[0000] In some aspects, X is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, a heteroaryl, or a halogen. In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0023] In some aspects, the polytriazole is a hyperbranched polytriazole which has the formula VII:
[0000]
[0024] This is a non-limiting example, however, and other hyperbranched polytriazoles may be formed.
[0025] In some aspects, the R 1 group of formula VII is a
[0000]
In some aspects, the R 2 group of formula VII is a
[0026]
In some aspects, the Ar group is a
[0027]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0028] In some aspects, the polytriazole is a hyperbranched polytriazole which has the formula VIII:
[0000]
[0029] This is a non-limiting example, however, and other hyperbranched polytriazoles may be formed.
[0030] In some aspects, the R 3 group of formula VIII is a
[0000]
[0000] In some aspects, X is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, a heteroaryl, or a halogen. In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0031] In some aspects, the R 4 group of formula VIII is a
[0000]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0032] In some aspects, the polytriazole is a hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole) which has the formula IX or X:
[0000]
[0033] This is a non-limiting example, however, and other hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazoles) may be formed.
[0034] In some aspects, the R 1 group of formula IX is a
[0000]
In some aspects, the R 2 group of formula IX is a
[0035]
In some aspects, the Ar group is a
[0036]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0037] In some aspects, the R 3 group of formula X is a
[0000]
[0000] In some aspects, X is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, a heteroaryl, or a halogen. In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0038] In some aspects, the R 4 group of formula X is a
[0000]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0039] In some aspects, the polytriazole is a linear poly(aroyltriazole) that is synthesized by the reaction of a diazide monomer and an aroyldiacetylene monomer. In some aspects, the diazide monomer used in the synthesis of the linear poly(aroyltriazole) is a conjugated diazide, a nonconjugated diazide, a metal containing diazide, a metal containing conjugated diazide, or a metal containing nonconjugated diazide. In some aspects, the diazide monomer used in the synthesis of the linear poly(aroyltriazole) has formula XI:
[0000] N 3 —R 2 —N 3 (XI)
[0040] This is a non-limiting example, however, and other diazide monomers may be used. In some aspects, the R 2 group of formula XI is a
[0000]
In some aspects, the Ar group is a
[0041]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0042] In some aspects, the aroyldiacetylene monomer used in the synthesis of the linear poly(aroyltriazole) has formula XII:
[0000]
[0000] This is a non-limiting example, however, and other aroyldiacetylene monomers may be used. In some aspects, the R 4 group of formula XII is a
[0000]
[0000] In some aspects, the R group is hydrogen, an alkyl, a vinyl, an acetyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl. In some aspects, m≧1. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other groups may be used.
[0043] In some aspects, the organic solvent used in the synthesis of the polytriazoles is selected from 1,4-dioxane, dimethylformamide and toluene. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other organic solvents may be used.
[0044] In some aspects, the polymerization of the hyperbranched polytriazoles occurs within a time range of about 70 hours to about 90 hours, or from a range of about 82 to about 88 hours. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other ranges may be used.
[0045] In some aspects, the polymerization of the hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazoles) and the linear poly(aroyltriazoles) occurs within a time range of about 4 hours to about 6 hours, more particularly about 5 hours. This is a non-limiting example, however, and other ranges may be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0046] FIG. 1 shows the effect of monomer concentration [M] on the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene in 1,4-dioxane under reflux for 72 hours; the molar ratio of triyne and diazide is 2:3.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows the IR spectra of monomers (A) tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and (B) 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene and their hyperbranched polymers (C) PI and (D) PII.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows the 1 H NMR spectra of monomers (A) tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and (B) 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene, model compounds (C) tris(4-(1-(4-phenoxybutyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)amine and (D) tris(4-(3-(4-phenoxybutyl)-3H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)amine, and (E) hyperbranched polymer PI in DMSO-d 6 . The solvent and water peaks are marked with asterisks (*).
[0049] FIG. 4 shows the 1 H NMR spectra of monomers (A) tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and (B) 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene, model compounds (C) tris(4-(1-(6-phenoxyhexyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)amine and (D) tris(4-(3-(6-phenoxyhexyl)-3H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)amine, and (E) hyperbranched polymer PII in DMSO-d 6 . The solvent and water peaks are marked with asterisks (*)
[0050] FIG. 5 shows the TGA thermographs of hyperbranched polymers PI and PII recorded under nitrogen at a heating rate of 20° C./min.
[0051] FIG. 6 shows the absorption and emission spectra of DCM solutions (˜1.5×10 −3 mg/mL) and thin solid films of (A) PI and (B) PII. Excitation wavelength: 337 nm (DCM) and 340 (film).
[0052] FIG. 7 shows photoresist patterns generated by photo-cross-linking of PI for 5 min in air; images taken under (A) normal room lighting and (B) UV lamp illumination.
[0053] FIG. 8 shows the IR spectra of PI (A) before and (B) after UV irradiation for 5 min.
[0054] FIG. 9 shows the IR spectra of PII (A) before and (B) after UV irradiation for 5 min.
[0055] FIG. 10 shows the change of absorption spectra of (A) PI and (B) PII with time of UV irradiation (365 nm). Insert: plot of A/A 0 of (A) PI and (B) PII at ˜340 nm with irradiation time (t) (Ao=Absorbance intensity at 0 min).
[0056] FIG. 11 shows the UV and PL spectra of polymer PXII in different polar solvents (conc. 5.4 μg/mL). Excitation wavelength: 390 nm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] The present disclosure includes a process of producing novel readily soluble hyperbranched polytriazoles by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The soluble hyperbranched polytriazoles are constructed by diazides and triynes or diacetylenes and triazides monomers. When aroyldiacetylenes are reacted under metal-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition conditions with di- or tri-azide monomers, highly regioselective linear and hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole)s can be achieved in excellent yields and with high molecular weights. The separated acetylene and azide monomers efficiently prohibit undesired self-polymerization during monomer preparation and storage.
[0058] The present disclosure includes a process of preparing soluble, and therefore processible, hyperbranched poly(triazoles) and poly(aroyltriazoles) as shown in Schemes (i) and (ii) as well as linear poly(aroyltriazoles) from diacetylenes and diazides as shown in Scheme (iii).
[0000]
[0000]
[0000]
[0059] where R represents a proton (R═H) or any organic groups (e.g. R=alkyl, vinyl, acetyl, aryl, heteroaryl), and m≧1. X presents a proton (X═H), or any organic groups (e.g. X=alkyl, vinyl, acetyl, aryl, heteroaryl), or halogen atom (X═F, Cl, Br, I).
[0060] This subject matter is not limited to the monomer and polymer structures listed in schemes (i)-(iii). However, acetylene, especially the aroylacetylene groups, are preferentially connected to aromatic or other conjugated structural units. The azide monomers can be conjugated and nonconjugated compounds.
[0061] One objective of this subject matter is to prepare functional hyperbranched polytriazoles by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with functional monomers of azides and acetylenes in an optimized reaction condition ( FIG. 1 ). This method employs a strategy of separated azides and acetylenes functionalities in order to avoid undesired self-polymerization during monomer synthesis and storage. The obtained hyperbranched polytriazoles are readily soluble in common organic solvents, such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran and dichloromethane. The obtained hyperbranched polytriazoles possess both azide and acetylene periphery as observed from their IR spectra ( FIG. 2 ). The ratio of 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole are calculated from their proton NMR comparing with that of their model compounds ( FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 ). The obtained hyperbranched polytriazoles also have high thermal stabilities ( FIG. 5 ) and can emit light upon excitation ( FIG. 6 ). The polymers can be crosslinked by thermal and radiation methods. It is possible to take advantage of the crosslinkable properties of the unreacted azide groups on the periphery of the polymers. UV irradiation, through a negative mask and followed by dissolution of the unexposed materials, can generate light emissive patterns and thus, make the polymers ideal candidates for the application in the manufacture of integrated circuits and other high-tech utilities.
[0062] Furthermore, aroylacetylenes react with azides to produce highly regioselective linear and hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazole)s. The regioselectivity of the 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles (>9:1) is much higher than the normal ratio (1:1) obtained from conventional thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (Huisgen, R. In 1,3- Dipolar Cycloaddition Chemistry ; Padwa, A., Ed.; Wiley: New York, 1984)). There are three main features of this type of cycloaddition: (1) it requires a short reaction time, (2) it does not require strict experimental precautions in order to exclude oxygen and moisture from the reaction mixture, and (3) this reaction is a metal-free catalyzed system, which renders it environmental friendly, economically and without any catalyst residues left inside the polymer.
[0063] All the obtained polytriazoles exhibit interesting optical and thermal properties, which can be readily tuned by incorporating of functional features such as various types of chromophores into the linear and hyperbranched poly(aroyl)triazole structures. Such polymers may be useful as electro-optical materials.
[0064] This subject matter is concerned with two types of structural polymers, one of which are hyperbranched polytriazoles constructed from triyne and diazide monomers or triazide and diacetylene monomers, and the others are linear and hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazoles) prepared from the respective di- and tri-functionalized monomers.
[0065] The first part of this subject matter, the thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between triynes and diazides or triazides and diacetylenes can achieve soluble and processible hyperbranched polytriazoles with high yields (up to 75.7%) and molecular weights up to 20,000 Daltons under optimized reaction conditions, such as the comonomer ratios, monomer concentrations, reaction time, and reaction temperature. Upon UV excitation, the polymers PI and PII (Chart 1) can emit strong blue lights with high quantum yields in dichloromethane (the data are listed in Table 1). Further, the polytriazoles with strong acceptor units such as the 1,2,3-triazoles are potential candidates for electron transporting materials in electronic devices.
[0066] According to the proposed mechanism of this reaction, the second part of this subject matter is to capture the intermediates by reacting with more active azides compounds. A highly regioselective product is thus obtained when 1-phenylprop-2-yn-1-one is reacted with 1-(azidomethyl)benzene as a model reaction. The ratio of 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole is determined larger than 10/1. The isolated yield of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole compound is as high as 90.5%. The aroylacetylenes have some advantages over the pure acetylenes: shorter reaction time (4-6 h), higher regioselectivity and higher conversion of the monomers and, consequently, higher yield of the resulting polymers. Furthermore, this reaction does not require any precautions to exclude moisture or oxygen as other synthetic protocols for click chemistry. Different aroyldiacetylenes were treated with different diazides in a DMF/toluene solvent mixture. Delightfully, readily soluble linear poly(aroyltriazoles) are obtained in high yields (up to 92%) and with high molecular weight (the data are listed in Table 3). From the proton NMR spectra, the ratio of 1,4- to 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole inside the polymers are all deduced to about 9/1.
[0067] The luminescent polymers contain numerous of these functionalities on the periphery and thus were utilized for the fabrication of photoresist patterns. The polymers cross-link upon irradiation in air. After washing away the unexposed part, well-resolved 3-dimensional patterns were generated ( FIG. 7A ). When observed under fluorescence optical microscope, white light patterns were obtained at excitation wavelengths of 330-385 nm ( FIG. 7B ). The white emission can be attributed to the broad fluorescence spectrum of the cross-linked product.
[0068] The cross-linking mechanism was investigated by UV and IR spectroscopies. The UV spectra of PI and PII exhibit a peak at ˜340 nm associated with the π-π* transitions of tris(4-triazolylphenyl)amine chromophores ( FIG. 10 ). Their intensities decrease progressively with irradiation time, suggesting that part of the triazole rings of the polymer is opened. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the IR spectra of the polymer films before and after UV irradiation. After the experiment, the azide absorption becomes weaker and a new broad peak, which can be assigned to the carbonyl group stretching vibration, appears at 1720 cm −1 . This means that a fraction of the polymer chains is photo-oxidized. Thus, the mechanism can be proposed as follows: the azides groups are first decomposed upon UV irradiation and then crosslink with triazoles moieties, then part of the triazoles are oxidized after the ring-open.
[0069] Additionally, organometallic polytriazoles are easily obtained when the metal containing azido monomers or aroylacetylene monomers are reacted with aroylacetylenes or azido monomers, respectively, which will serve as precursors for magnetic ceramics when pyrolyzed at elevated temperatures.
[0070] Furthermore, the hyperbranched polytriazoles may act as fluorescent adhesive materials with large tensile strength between two metals, such as copper, iron, or alumina. These are non-limiting examples, however, and other metals may be used.
EXAMPLE 1
Hyperbranched polytriazole constructed from tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (PI)
[0071]
[0072] Into a 20 mL Schlenk tube with a stopcock in the sidearm were added tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine (0.126 g, 0.4 mmol) and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (0.183 g, 0.6 mmol). The tube was evacuated and refilled with nitrogen three times through the side arm. Then freshly distilled 1,4-dioxane (3.5 mL) was injected. The mixture was refluxed for 72 h. After cooled down to room temperature, the solution was diluted with small amount of chloroform and then added dropwise to 300 mL hexane/chloroform mixture (10:1, v/v) through a cotton filter under stirring. The precipitation was collected and dried to constant weight in vacuum.
[0073] Characterization data: Yellow powder; yield: 64.0%. M w 5500; M w /M n 2.0 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (53%). IR (KBr), ν (cm −1 ): 3283, 2097, 1606, 1557, 1506, 1227, 825. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ (ppm): 8.63, 8.00, 7.48, 7.21, 7.09, 6.93, 6.87, 4.54, 4.21, 4.00, 3.92, 2.08, 2.01, 1.74. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ (ppm): 152.5, 145.9, 136.9, 133.1, 132.5, 129.7, 127.0, 126.5, 125.5, 124.8, 123.8, 123.4, 122.6, 121.0, 115.2, 83.4, 80.1, 67.1, 50.4, 49.3, 47.5, 26.5, 26.2, 26.0, 25.8, 25.6, 25.1, 24.7. Elem. Anal.: calcd (%): C, 70.65; H, 6.27; N: 15.84. Found (%): C, 70.46; H, 5.79; N: 17.28.
EXAMPLE 2
Hyperbranched polytriazole by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and 1,4-Bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (PII)
[0074]
This hyperbranched polytriazole was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 1 with tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine (0.126 g, 0.4 mmol) and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (0.216 g, 0.6 mmol).
[0075] Characterization data: Yellow powder; yield: 75.7%. M w 11400; M w /M n 2.7 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (50%). IR (KBr), ν (cm −1 ): 3286, 2095, 1601, 1556, 1506, 1491, 1228, 824. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ (ppm): 8.60, 7.89, 7.51, 7.23, 7.09, 6.86, 4.47, 4.21, 3.88, 1.95, 1.83, 1.72, 1.63, 1.45, 1.39, 1.32. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ (ppm): 152.5, 147.4, 146.7, 146.0, 136.7, 132.7, 132.3, 129.2, 126.5, 126.4, 125.0, 124.5, 124.3, 123.8, 123.2, 123.0, 122.8, 118.6, 115.0, 82.9, 67.8, 56.3, 50.8, 49.7, 47.6, 29.7, 29.4, 28.6, 28.5, 28.2, 25.9, 25.7, 25.1, 24.9. Elem. Anal.: Calcd (%): C, 72.33; H, 7.18; N: 14.06. Found (%): C, 72.18; H, 6.42; N: 16.05.
EXAMPLE 3
Hyperbranched polytriazole by polymerization of 1,3,5-triethynyl-2-(hexyloxy)benzene and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (PIII)
[0076]
This hyperbranched polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 1 with 1,3,5-triethynyl-2-(hexyloxy)benzene (0.125, 0.5 mmol) and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (0.228 g, 0.75 mmol).
[0077] Characterization data: Orange power, yield: 47.9%. M w 10600; M w /M n 2.7 (GPC, polystyrene calibration).
EXAMPLE 4
Hyperbranched polytriazole by polymerization of 1,3,5-triethynyl-2-(hexyloxy)benzene and 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (PIV)
[0078]
This hyperbranched polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 1 with 1,3,5-triethynyl-2-(hexyloxy)benzene (0.125, 0.5 mmol) and 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (0.270 g, 0.75 mmol).
[0079] Characterization data: Orange power, yield: 62.8%. M w 23800; M w /M n 4.3 (GPC, polystyrene calibration).
EXAMPLE 5
Hyperbranched polytriazole by polymerization of 1,3,5-triethynyl-2-(hexyloxy)benzene and 1,4-bis(azidomethyl)benzene (V)
[0080]
This hyperbranched polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 1 with 1,3,5-triethynyl-2-(hexyloxy)benzene (0.050 g, 0.2 mmol) and 1,4-bis(azidomethyl)benzene (0.056 g, 0.3 mmol).
[0081] Characterization data: Orange power, yield: 71.7%. M w 7100; M w /M n 3.2 (GPC, polystyrene calibration).
EXAMPLE 6
Polytriazole by polymerization of 3,3′-(1,4-phenylenedimethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) with 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (PVI)
[0082]
[0083] 3,3′-(1,4-phenylenedimethoxy)bis(benzoylacetylene) (0.118 g, 0.3 mmol) and 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (0.108 g, 0.3 mmol) were added to a Schlenk tube, then 1 mL DMF and 1 mL toluene were added subsequently. After the monomers were totally dissolved and the solution became transparent, the mixture was heated up to 100° C. and reacted at that temperature for 6 h. The solution was then diluted with a small amount of chloroform and added dropwise into 200 mL hexane through a cotton filter under stirring. The precipitation was collected and dried to constant weight in vacuum.
[0084] Characterization data: Yellow powder, yield: 92.0%. M w 26700; M w /M n 2.0 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (88.5%). 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 8.23, 8.11, 8.03, 7.94, 7.48, 7.24, 6.78, 5.15, 4.75, 4.44, 3.87, 3.27, 1.99, 1.74, 1.43, 0.88. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 185.37, 158.82, 153.24, 148.19, 137.98, 136.70, 129.70, 128.46, 128.06, 123.94, 120.98, 115.80, 115.61, 70.18, 68.48, 50.87, 30.47, 29.46, 26.60, 25.94.
EXAMPLE 7
Polytriazole by polymerization of 3,3′-(1,4-phenylenedimethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) with 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (PVII)
[0085]
[0086] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 78.8 mg (0.2 mmol) of 3,3′-(1,4-phenylenedimethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) and 60.8 mg (0.2 mmol) of 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene in 0.6 mL DMF and 0.6 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0087] Characterization data: white power, yield: 89.6%. M w 15900; M w /M n 1.8 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (88.5%). 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 8.26, 8.07, 8.02, 7.94, 7.47, 7.23, 6.78, 5.14, 4.81, 4.52, 3.93, 2.16, 1.80. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 185.03, 158.49, 152.78, 147.87, 137.66, 136.39, 129.40, 128.29, 127.75, 123.59, 120.67, 115.51, 115.31, 69.87, 67.40, 50.35, 27.28, 26.24.
EXAMPLE 8
Polytriazole by polymerization of 3,3′-(1,6-hexylenedioxy)bis(benzoylacetylene) with 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (PVIII)
[0088]
[0089] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 0.112 g (0.3 mmol) of 3,3′-(1,4-1,6-hexylenedioxy)bis(benzoylacetylene) and 0.108 g (0.3 mmol) of 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene in 1 mL DMF and 1 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0090] Characterization data: yellow solid, yield: 83.7%. M w 19100; M w /M n 1.8 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (89.3%). 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 8.24, 8.06, 8.00, 7.92, 7.41, 7.15, 6.78, 4.75, 4.44, 4.06, 3.87, 3.27, 1.99, 1.74, 1.56, 1.44. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 185.22, 158.92, 152.92, 147.93, 137.59, 129.25, 128.10, 123.17, 120.37, 115.28, 115.10, 68.16, 68.04, 50.53, 30.15, 29.21, 29.15, 26.28, 25.94, 25.61.
EXAMPLE 9
Polytriazole by polymerization of 3,3′-(1,6-hexylenedioxy)bis(benzoylacetylene) with 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (PIX)
[0091]
[0092] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 74.9 mg (0.2 mmol) of 3,3′-(1,4-1,6-hexylenedioxy)bis(benzoylacetylene) and 60.8 mg (0.2 mmol) of 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene in 0.6 mL DMF and 0.6 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0093] Characterization data: yellow solid, yield: 91.2%. M w 23700; M w /M n 2.1 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (89.3%). 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 8.27, 8.04, 7.91, 7.40, 7.16, 6.79, 4.81, 4.52, 4.05, 3.93, 3.35, 2.17, 1.83, 1.56, 1.27, 0.88. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 185.52, 159.23, 153.09, 148.23, 137.90, 129.59, 128.58, 123.46, 120.68, 115.62, 115.54, 68.36, 67.71, 50.64, 29.53, 27.59, 26.55, 26.25.
EXAMPLE 10
[0094] Polytriazole by polymerization of 4,4′-(ethylenedioxydiethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) with 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (PX)
[0000]
[0095] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 0.122 g (0.3 mmol) of 4,4′-(ethylenedioxydiethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) and 0.108 g (0.3 mmol) of 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene in 1.0 mL DMF and 1.0 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0096] Characterization data: yellow solid, yield: 90.3%. M w 8800; M w /M n 1.6 (GPC, polystyrene calibration).
EXAMPLE 11
Polytriazole by polymerization of 4,4′-(ethylenedioxydiethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) with 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (PXI)
[0097]
[0098] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 81.3 mg (0.2 mmol) of 4,4′-(ethylenedioxydiethoxy) bis(benzoylacetylene) and 60.8 mg (0.2 mmol) of 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene in 0.6 mL DMF and 0.6 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0099] Characterization data: yellow solid, yield: 49.1%. M w 9100; M w /M n 1.7 (GPC, polystyrene calibration).
EXAMPLE 12
Polytriazole by polymerization of N,N-bis(4-ethynylcarbonylphenylene)aniline with 1,4-bis(azidomethyl)benzene (PXII)
[0100]
[0101] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 54.6 mg (0.15 mmol) of N,N-bis(4-ethynylcarbonylphenylene) aniline and 29 mg (0.15 mmol) of 1,4-bis(azidomethyl)benzene in 0.7 mL DMF and 0.7 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0102] Characterization data: yellow solid, yield: 93.3%. 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (89.3%). 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 8.36, 8.19, 8.04, 8.01, 7.74, 7.36, 7.17, 5.94, 5.61, 4.36, 3.38. Quantum yield in 1,4-dioxane: 45.3% (quinine sulfate in 0.1 NH 2 SO 4 is selected as calibrate).
EXAMPLE 13
Polytriazole by polymerization of N,N-bis(4-ethynylcarbonylphenyl)aniline with 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene (PXIII)
[0103]
[0104] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 70.0 mg (0.2 mmol) of N,N-bis(4-ethynylcarbonylphenyl)aniline and 60.8 mg (0.2 mmol) of 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene in 0.6 mL DMF and 0.6 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0105] Characterization data Yellow solid; 95.1% yield. M w 13 700; M w /M n 1.8 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (90.4%). IR (KBr), ν (cm −1 ): 2950, 2871, 2096, 1641, 1583, 1505, 1233, 1178. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (TMS, ppm): 8.45, 8.31, 8.01, 7.82, 7.37, 7.21, 6.80, 4.80, 4.54, 3.95, 3.35, 2.19, 1.82. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 183.82, 152.94, 151.19, 148.39, 145.74, 132.34, 130.85, 129.89, 128.13, 126.93, 122.30, 115.39, 115.31. Quantum yield in THF: 49% (quinine sulfate in 0.1 NH 2 SO 4 is selected as calibrate).
EXAMPLE 14
Polytriazole by polymerization of N,N-bis(4-ethynylcarbonylphenyl)aniline with 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (PXIV)
[0106]
[0000] This polymer was carried out in accordance with the same procedure as described in Example 6 with 70.0 mg (0.2 mmol) of N,N-bis(4-ethynylcarbonylphenyl)aniline and 72.1 mg (0.2 mmol) of 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene in 0.6 mL DMF and 0.6 mL toluene mixture solvents.
[0107] Characterization data: Yellow solid; 90.2% yield. M w 14 400; M w /M n 1.8 (GPC, polystyrene calibration). 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole content (88.4%). IR (KBr), ν (cm −1 ): 2939, 2862), 2095, 1638, 1583, 1505, 1233, 1177. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (TMS, ppm): 8.46, 8.25, 8.00, 7.83, 7.37, 7.19, 6.79, 4.73, 4.46, 3.89, 3.28, 2.01, 1.76, 1.45. 13 C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl 3 ), δ (ppm): 183.87, 153.07, 151.20, 148.40, 145.76, 132.37, 130.86, 129.89, 127.99, 126.94, 125.75, 122.32, 115.36, 68.15, 50.50, 30.10, 29.08, 26.21, 25.54. Quantum yield in THF: 53% (quinine sulfate in 0.1 N H 2 SO 4 is selected as calibrate).
EXAMPLE 15
[0108] Tensile test of hyperbranched polytriazoles between two metal plates.
[0109] Tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine (0.05 mmol) and 1,4-bis(6-azidohexyloxy)benzene (0.05 mmol) were dissolved in 0.1 mL of THF. The solution was then dropped onto the metal (copper, aluminum, iron) sample cell (1.2 inch) and then covered with another plate. The whole cells were put into oven to cure at 100° C. overnight. The area for loading cell is 25.4 mm×25.4 mm and the test speed is 2.0 mm/min. The mechanical data are shown in Table 4.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Effect of Solvent on Thermal Click Polymerization a
entry
solvent
time (h)
yield (%)
M w b
M w /M n b
1
toluene
90
trace
1 900
1.3
2
tetralin
90
31.0
5 100
2.1
3
chlorobenzene
77
39.2
3 900
1.7
4
o-DCB c
77
50.1
5 200
1.9
5
1,4-dioxane
77
79.7
5 800
2.3
a Carried out at 110° C. under nitrogen; the molar ratio of tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene is 2:3; the concentration of tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine is 0.067 M (entries 1 and 2) and 0.1 M (entries 3-5).
b Determined by GPC in THF on the basis of a polystyrene calibration.
c o-DCB = 1,2-dichlorobenzene.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Characterization of Hyperbranched Polytriazoles a
yield
monomers
(%)
M w b
M w /M n b
T d c (° C.)
Φ F d (%)
I
64.0
5 500 (8 200)
2.0 (2.3)
405
38
II
75.7
11 400 (16 000)
2.7 (4.3)
402
43
a Carried out in 1,4-dioxane at refluxing temperature under nitrogen for 72 hours; the monomers are tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine and 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene in a molar ratio of 2:3; the concentration of tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine is 0.12 M.
b Measured in THF by GPC and LS (data given in the parentheses).
c Temperature at which 10% weight loss was recorded by TGA.
d Fluorescence quantum yield measured in DCM using 9,10-diphenylanthracene in cyclohexane (Φ F = 90%) as standard.
[0000]
TABLE 3
Characterization of linear poly(aroyltriazole)s a
polymer
M w
M w /M n
yield (%)
1,4-conf. (%) b
PVI
26 700
1.99
92.0
88.5
PVII
15 900
1.77
89.6
88.5
PVIII
19 100
1.80
83.7
89.3
PIX
23 700
2.09
91.2
89.3
a Reacted at 100° C. for 6 hour; [M] = 0.15 M.
b 1,4-conf. means the percentage of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles inside the polymers.
[0000]
TABLE 4
Mechanical properties of metal plates adhered by hyperbranched
Polytriazoles.
Peak load
Peak stress
Strain at
Metal
(N)
(MPa)
break (mm/mm)
Modulus (MPa)
Cu
652.1
1.0
0.020
57.0
Al
360.8
0.6
0.038
16.4
Fe
295.0
0.5
0.028
22.6
|
A process of synthesizing hyperbranched polytriazoles, linear and hyperbranched poly(aroyltriazoles) by Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The polytriazoles were prepared by A 2 +B 3 method to avoid self-polymerization during monomer preparation and storage. The polymers are light emissive and can be crosslinked to generate well-resolution photopatterns upon UV irradiation. White light emission patterns were observed with fluorescence microscopy. The high molecular weight poly(aroyltriazoles) (up to 26000 Da) are prepared in high yields (up to 92.0%) and with high regioselectivity (the ratio of 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole is equal or larger than 9:1). The polycyclomerization is not moisture or oxygen sensitive and therefore, no special precautions are necessary before and during the reaction. All the polymers are processible, easily film-forming, and curable into thermosets by heat or irradiation. The hyperbranched polymers can act as fluorescent adhesive materials with large tensile strength.
| 2
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to foaming cleaning compositions, and in particular to an in situ foaming cleaning composition incorporating a bleach and which is formulated to have utility as a drain cleaner, or as a hard surface cleaner.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Published Japanese applications to Ishimatsu et al JP 59-24798 and JP 60-32497; JP 59-164399, to Miyano et al; and Sakuma, JP 57-74379 all disclose, describe and claim a binary foaming cleaner having utility as a drain opener. None of these references, however, teach, suggest or disclose a thickened formulation, nor any of the advantages and foam characteristics associated therewith.
[0005] A hypochlorite composition paired with a chelating agent/builder solution in a dual chamber container is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,055 to Choy et al.
[0006] Drain cleaners of the art have been formulated with a variety of actives in an effort to remove the variety of materials which can cause clogging or restriction of drains. Such actives may include acids, bases, enzymes, solvents, reducing agents, oxidants and thioorganic compounds. Tobiason, U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,146, Steer, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,833 and Taylor, Jr. et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,836 all disclose dry compounds which generate foam when mixed with water in a drain. Kuenn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,710 describes a dry in-sink garbage disposal cleaning composition which uses adipic acid and sodium bicarbonate to generate gas upon contact with water. This composition requires mechanical shearing from the disposal to assist in foam generation. Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,068 describes an exothermic drain opening composition comprising an oxidant and a reducing agent in a compartmentalized container.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] In view of the prior art, there remains a need for a cleaning composition capable of generating foam and heat in-situ. There further remains a need for foam-generating, exothermic composition which provides both chemical and physical cleaning especially on non-horizontal surfaces.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition capable of forming an active-carrying foam in situ.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition capable of generating a stable foaming active cleaner.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a triple component composition and containment means which isolates each component during storage.
[0011] It is another object to provide a drain opening composition which is formulated to be safe to store and use.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a foaming cleaning composition having utility as a drain cleaner by virtue of its rheology.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exothermic cleaning composition.
[0014] More specifically, the composition is a product of three liquids or reactants which are separately maintained prior to forming an admixture during delivery to a surface to be treated, whereupon the admixture generates a heated foam sufficient for cleaning efficacy and stability. A first liquid includes an oxidant, such as a hypohalite or a hypohalite generating agent (hereinafter “hypohalite”) a second liquid includes a gas generating agent, such as a peroxygen containing or releasing agent; and a third liquid includes a reducing agent, such as a thiosulfate compound. At least one of the liquids includes a surfactant. As the liquids are initially separated, each can be maintained in an environment free of reactants and otherwise conducive to their cleaning activity and stability up to the time of use. When the hypohalite and peroxygen compound are allowed to mix, for example, by simultaneously pouring into a drain, they liberate oxygen gas in accordance with the following reaction equation:
NaOCl+H 2 O 2 O 2 (g)+NaCl+H 2 O
[0015] Moreover the thiosulfate, e.g. sodium thiosulfate reacts with the hypohalite to generate heat. The following equation is illustrative:
4NaOCl+Na 2 S 2 O 4 +2NaOH 2Na 2 SO 4 +4NaCl+H 2 O+ΔH
[0016] The liberated gas contacts the surfactant in the solution, creating foam which expands to completely fill the drain pipe. The expanded foam contains an excess of the hypohalite, which acts to clean the drain. The resulting foam is sufficiently stable, a dense to remain in a vertical segment of the pipe to provide active cleaning. In one aspect of the invention, sufficient reactants are provided to yield a foam height sufficient to yield a greater than twelve centimeter column in the drain (as measured from the center, or lowest point of the P-trap, and for a 3.2 cm. diameter drain), more preferably greater than seventeen cm. and most preferably seventeen to thirty-one cm. Preferred in terms of foam volume and height in the drain, is an amount sufficient to reach the drain's stopper mechanism, a site of frequent hair and/or soap contamination. Such stopper mechanisms are typically positioned about twenty cm. up the vertical pipe. The foam would preferably contain greater than 0.1% active, more preferably greater than 0.5% active, and most preferably between about 0.75 and 3% active. An active contact time, or foam half life, should be at least twenty minutes. Foam half-life is the time elapsed between maximum foam volume development and a 50% volume reduction thereof, absent any external forces (other than gravity) acting upon the foam. The foam is self-generating, produced by reaction of composition components, and requires no mechanical agitation or other forms of physical activation. In addition to the foam generated, the reaction between hypohalite and reducing agent generates heat, which is imparted to both the foam and liquid phases. A preferred temperature within the foam is sufficient to insulate the liquid phase from surrounding cold regions, for example at least about 30° C. The elevated temperature within the foam may also be sufficient to contribute to the melting of grease in the vertical pipe. A preferred temperature within the liquid phase is sufficient to melt grease, for example 40° C. or greater.
[0017] In a one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the three liquids includes a thickening agent or system, present in an amount such that when the liquids form an admixture during delivery to a surface, the admixture results in a dense, stable heated foam sufficient for cleaning efficacy and stability. Thus, when the initially separated liquids are allowed to interact, the resulting liquid cleaning composition being delivered to the surface will have the cleaning or bleaching activity and heat delivery appropriate for the cleaning or bleaching of that surface. The term “liquid” as used herein may include homogeneous liquids, solutions, suspensions and slurrys. An aqueous liquid is contemplated; however, nonaqueous liquids are within the scope of the invention. The thickening agent or system may impart both a viscous component and an elastic component to the corresponding liquid.
[0018] The present invention also relates to a container which maintains the three liquids separately until delivery and provides for such delivery, during which the pH-maintained admixture is formed and delivered to a surface to be treated. The container includes a first compartment for the hypohalite containing liquid, a second compartment for the peroxygen-containing liquid, and a third compartment for the thiosulfate-containing liquid. One, two or all three of the liquids contained therein may contain the thickening system or agent, present in an amount sufficient to thicken and for stability of the liquid, as described above. According to one aspect of the invention, the container may have separate delivery channels for the liquid components for delivering the liquids, whereupon the admixture is formed. These delivery channels may be constructed to provide for the contemporaneous delivery of the liquids to the exterior of the container, whereupon the liquids meet to form the admixture. Alternately, the separate delivery channels may communicate with an admixing space in which the two liquids form the admixture and from which the admixture is delivered to the exterior of the container.
[0019] The present invention further includes a method of cleaning surfaces comprising drains which comprises the step of:
[0020] pouring into a drain at least one liquid which resolves into a heated liquid phase and a heated foam phase in situ, the foam characterized by a density and stability sufficient to impart cleaning and a temperature of at least 30° C., and wherein the foam contains a cleaning-effective amount of a drain cleaning active. The liquid phase provides a temperature of at least about 40° C. for cleaning efficiency. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a single solution capable of generating the heated foam upon release from its container, as by pouring into the drain.
[0021] Briefly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a stable cleaning composition comprising, in aqueous solution:
[0022] (a) a first liquid containing an oxidizing agent; and
[0023] (b) a second liquid containing a gas generating agent;
[0024] (c) a third liquid containing a reducing agent and wherein a first volume of the oxidizing agent and the gas generating agent react to generate a foam characterized by a density and stability sufficient to impart cleaning active, and a second volume of the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent further react to liberate heat, resulting in liquid phase having a temperature of at least about 40° C. and a temperature within the foam phase of at least 30° C., and wherein the foam contains a cleaning-effective amount of a drain cleaning active.
[0025] It should be noted that as used herein the term “cleaning” refers generally to a chemical, physical or enzymatic treatment resulting in the reduction or removal of unwanted material, and “cleaning composition” specifically includes drain openers, hard surface cleaners and bleaching compositions. The cleaning composition may consist of a variety of chemically, physically or enzymatically reactive active ingredients, including solvents, acids, bases, oxidants, reducing agents, enzymes, detergents and thioorganic compounds. Unless otherwise specified, all ingredient percentages are weight percentages.
[0026] For purposes of the discussion of the invention disclosed herein, a typical household sink drain comprises four sections: a vertical section, thence to a U-bend (or P-trap), thence to a 90-degree elbow, and finally a horizontal sewer arm.
[0027] A viscous rheology, preferably one with an elastic component, most preferably a viscoelastic rheology, may be imparted to the oxidant liquid, for example, by a binary surfactant system. One such system includes a betaine or sulfobetaine and an anionic organic counterion. Such systems are more fully described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,900,467 and 5,389,157 to Smith, and assigned to the assignee of the invention herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0028] The viscosity of the formulations of the present invention can range from slightly greater than that of water, to several thousand centipoise (cP). A preferred viscosity range for the first (oxidant-containing) liquid is about 250 to 2000 cP, alternatively about 500 to 1800 cP, or alternatively about 750-1500 cP. Preferred viscosity for both the second (gas generating) and third (reducing agent) liquids is about 0-50 cP, more preferred is 0-20 cP.
[0029] While some viscoelasticity is important to generate a stable, dense durable foam for chemical cleaning efficiency, too high a level of viscoelasticity will result in a reduction in the heat generation. Since the heat generation is optimized at a faster reaction rate, a less viscoelastic formulation will react faster, yielding a heat profile more effective at removing grease clogs. Thus the temperature will be elevated to a sufficient point and for a duration necessary to melt grease.
[0030] A second embodiment of the present invention is a composition and method for cleaning drains, the composition comprising separately maintained aqueous solutions of:
[0031] (a) a first liquid including a hypohalite compound and having a viscoelastic rheology;
[0032] (b) a second liquid including a peroxygen compound; and
[0033] (c) a third liquid including a reducing agent.
[0034] The liquids (a), (b), and (c) are maintained separately during storage, and combined concurrently with, or immediately prior to use. Preferably, the liquids (a), (b) and (c) are maintained in a triple chamber or compartment bottle, and poured simultaneously into the drain wherein a portion of (a) and (b) react to generate foam, and a portion of (a) and (c) react to liberate heat. The resulting foam is stable and dense, and contains a high percentage of cleaning active, especially hypohalite, which coats the vertical and upper P-trap portions of a drain. The rheology of each composition provides a favorable rate of foam generation and residence time, resulting in excellent cleaning efficacy. The reaction between components (a) and (c) is exothermic, generating sufficient heat to melt grease. The foam should remain stable for an extended period of time, i.e. at least twenty minutes. The viscoelastic rheology may be imparted by a thickener, preferably a surfactant thickener.
[0035] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention that the composition is chemically and phase-stable, and retains such stability at both high and low temperatures.
[0036] It is another advantage of the present invention that, when formulated as a drain cleaner the composition provides both chemical and physical cleaning, improving the efficacy of the cleaner.
[0037] It is another advantage of the present invention that heat is generated, to provide additional physical cleaning efficacy.
[0038] It is yet another advantage of the present invention that the composition generates a stable, active-containing foam in-situ.
[0039] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Oxidizing Agent
[0040] The oxidizing agent, or oxidant, may preferably be selected from various hypohalite-producing species, for example, halogen bleaches selected from the group consisting of the alkali metal and alkaline earth salts of hypohalite, haloamines, haloimines, haloimides and haloamides. All of these are believed to produce hypohalous bleaching species in situ. Preferably, the first oxidizing agent is a hypohalite or a hypohalite generator capable of generating hypohalous bleaching species. As used herein, the term “hypohalite” is used to describe both a hypohalite or a hypohalite generator, unless otherwise indicated. Hypochlorite and compounds producing hypochlorite in aqueous solution are preferred, although hypobromite is also suitable. Representative hypochlorite-producing compounds include sodium, potassium, lithium and calcium hypochlorite, chlorinated trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate, potassium and sodium dicholoroisocyanurate and trichlorocyanuric acid. Organic bleach sources suitable for use include heterocyclic N-bromo and N-chloro imides such as trichlorocyanuric and tribromo- cyanuric acid, dibromo- and dichlorocyanuric acid, and potassium and sodium salts thereof, N-brominated and N-chlorinated succinimide, malonimide, phthalimide and naphthalimide.
[0041] Also suitable are hydantoins, such as dibromo and dichloro dimethyl-hydantoin, chlorobromodimethyl hydantoin, N-chlorosulfamide (haloamide) and chloramine (haloamine). Particularly preferred in this invention is sodium hypochlorite having the chemical formula NaOCl, in an amount ranging from about 0.1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of the first liquid, more preferably about 0.1 to 10 weight percent, and most preferably about 1 to 8 weight percent. The oxidizing agent may be present in an stoichiometric amount to the gas generating agent for the generation of foam. If so, it is preferred that a separate cleaning active be included with either or both the first and second liquids. More preferred is that the oxidizing agent be present in a stoichiometric excess, to both generate foam and provide cleaning and drain opening activity.
Gas Generating Agent
[0042] The gas generating agent is a compound which can react with the oxidizing agent to generate a gas and is preferably a peroxide or peroxide-generator, such as hydrogen peroxide, or a peracid or persalt, including both organic and inorganic peracids and persalts, such as peracetic acid and monoperoxysulfate, respectively. A number of peroxides, peracids and persalts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,870, to Fong, et al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Hydrogen peroxide is normally supplied as a liquid, although other hydrogen peroxide sources may also function satisfactorily. For example, perborate and percarbonate also supply H 2 O 2 in solution. The gas generating agent is present in an amount of about 0.01 to 8 weight percent of the second liquid, preferably about 0.1 to 5 weight percent, most preferably about 0.2 to 3 weight percent.
[0043] Where peroxide is the gas generating agent and a hypohalite is the oxidizing agent, a weight ratio (to provide a stoichiometric excess) of hypohalite to peroxide is about 20:1 to 3:1, alternatively about 15:1 to 5:1, or 12:1 to 7.1. A mole ratio (to provide a stoichiometric excess) of hypohalite to peroxide is about to 30:1 to 10:1, or about 25:1 to 18:1.
Reducing Agent
[0044] The reducing agent can be any which react with the oxidizing agent to liberate heat. Where the oxidizing agent is a hypoholite, the preferred reducing agent is a thiosulfate, especially an alkali metal salt thereof. Generally suitable reducing agents are those which can react with a hypohalite to generate heat and may include reducing sugars, thio compounds such as thiourea and sulfur containing compounds such as sulfite and bisulfite, and others like borohydride, hydrazine and hypophosphite.
[0045] The reducing agent is present in a weight percent of 5 to 15%, preferably 7-13%. A mole ratio of oxidizing agent to reducing agent is about 8:1 to 3:1, or about 6:1 to 4:1. A mole ratio of reducing agent to gas generating agent is 5:1 to 1:1 or about 4:1 to 2:1.
Electrolyte/Buffer
[0046] An electrolyte/buffer may be included with either one or more of the liquids and preferably is included in the first, oxidant-containing liquid in a buffering-effective amount.
[0047] According to the present invention, suitable electrolytes/buffers may be selected from the group consisting of a carbonate, a phosphate, a pyrophosphate, an amino carboxylate, a polycarboxylate, a polyacrylate, a phosphonate, an amino phosphonate, a polyphosphonate, a salt thereof, and a mixture thereof. The electrolyte/buffer is present in an amount ranging from 0 to about 5 weight percent of the first liquid, preferably from about 0.01 to about 4 weight percent of the first liquid.
pH-Adjusting Agents
[0048] A pH-adjusting agent may be present in either one or more of the liquids, i.e., with the oxidant and/or gas generating agent. According to the present invention, the pH-adjusting agent maintains the pH of the liquid such that the active agent therein is stable and efficacious. The pH adjusting agent can be either alkaline or acidic in solution, and correspondingly serve to adjust and/or maintain either solution to an alkaline or acidic pH. In the present invention, each solution is maintained at a pH appropriate for the activity and stability of the oxidizing, gas generating agent, reducing agent and/or cleaning active therein. For an alkaline agents, such as a hypohalite and thiosulfate, the solution pH is alkaline. When the gas generating agent is peroxygen, and the pH is acidic. The pH-adjusting agent may be present in a pH adjusting effective amount, such as between about 0 and about 10 weight percent of one of the liquids.
[0049] For a peroxygen-containing liquid, especially hydrogen peroxide, it is preferred the pH be maintained below about 7, more preferably between 3 and 6 to maintain stability and efficacy of the peroxygen compound. An acidic pH-adjusting agent is present in an amount of from 0 to 5 weight percent to the second liquid, preferably from 0.001 to 2 weight percent.
[0050] When a hypohalite oxidizing agent is used, the pH of the solution is preferably maintained at above about 10, preferably above about 10.5, and more preferably above about 11. A solution pH of above about 11 is believed to be sufficient for both the cleaning efficacy and the stability of hypohalite. More particularly, this solution pH is believed to be sufficient to protect against the autocatalytic destruction of the hypohalite that might otherwise occur when the solution is formed. An alkaline pH-adjusting agent may be present in an amount of from 0 to 20 weight percent, preferably from 0.1 to 15 weight percent.
THICKENER
[0051] In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the first oxidant solution or liquid is thickened, preferably with a surfactant thickener. Suitable thickeners are as described in previously referenced Smith patents. Other suitable systems may be found in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,538 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,689 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,665 to Choy, et al., all commonly owned with the invention herein, and the disclosures of each of which are incorporated fully herein by reference. Additional thickeners such as polymers and gums are suitable as long as the desired foam characteristics and/or rheology is attained. Most preferred is a binary surfactant viscoelastic thickener comprising a betaine and anionic counterion.
[0052] Betaine
[0053] Operative betaines include the C 14-18 alkyl betaines and C 14-18 alkyl sulfobetaines. Especially preferred is a cetyl dimethyl betaine (CEDB) such as Amphosol CDB (a trademarked product of the Stepan Company), which is about 95% or greater C 16 , less than 5% C 12/14 and less than 1% C 18 . It is noted that when referring to carbon chain lengths of the betaine or any other compound herein, the commercial, polydisperse forms are contemplated (but not required). Thus, a given chain length within the preferred C 14-18 range will be predominately, but not exclusively, the specified length. As used herein in reference to the betaine or sulfobetaine, the term “alkyl” includes both saturated and unsaturated groups. Fully saturated alkyl groups are preferred in the presence of hypochlorite. C 10-18 alkylamido and alkylamino betaines, and sulfobetaines having C 14-18 alkyl, or C 10-18 alkylamino or alkylamido groups, are also suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.
[0054] The betaine is added at levels, which, when combined with the counterion, are thickening effective. Generally about 0.01 to 2 weight percent of the betaine is utilized for the oxidant liquid, or about 0.1 to 3% betaine, and preferred is about 0.5-2.0 percent betaine. The gas generating liquid contains betaine in an amount of between 0 and about 2%, or about 0.01 and 1%. The reducing agent liquid may contain 0 to about 4% betaine, or about 0.1to 3%.
[0055] Counterion
[0056] The counterion is an anionic organic counterion selected from the group consisting of C 2-6 alkyl carboxylates, aryl carboxylates, C 2-10 alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, sulfated C 2-10 alkyl alcohols, sulfated aryl alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The aryl compounds are derived from benzene or napthalene and may be substituted or not. The alkyls may be branched or straight chain, and preferred are those having two to eight carbon atoms. The counterions may be added in acid form and converted to the anionic form in situ, or may be added in anionic form. Suitable substituents for the alkyls or aryls are C 1-4 alkyl or alkoxy groups, halogens, nitro groups, and mixtures thereof. Substituents such as hydroxy or amine groups are suitable for use with some non-hypochlorite cleaning actives, such as solvents, surfactants and enzymes. If present, a substituent may be in any position on the rings. If benzene is used, the para (4) and meta (3) positions are preferred. In some circumstances the cleaning active itself may be within the class of thickening-effective counterions. For example, some carboxylic acid cleaning actives may be present in both the acid and conjugate base forms, the latter which could serve as the counterion. The C 2-6 alkyl carboxylates may act in this manner. The counterion is added in an amount sufficient to thicken and result in a viscoelastic rheology, and preferably between about 0.01 to 5 weight percent. A preferred mole ratio of betaine to counterion depends on the chain length and concentration of the betaine, type of counterion, and the ionic strength of the solution, as well as whether the primary object of the composition is phase stability or viscosity. Using CEDB and sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), a preferred mole ratio for the thickener components in the first, oxidant liquid is about 10:1 to 1:3, and more preferred is about 2:1 to 1:2. A preferred weight ratio of CEDB to SXS is about 3:1 to 1:1, and more preferred is 2:1 to 5:4.
[0057] The viscoelastic properties of a fluid can be measured with instruments such as a Bohlin VOR rheometer. A frequency sweep with a Bohlin rheometer can produce oscillation data which, when applied to a Maxwell model, result in parameters such as relaxation time (Tau) and static shear modulus (G0). The relaxation time of the oxidant containing formulation of the present invention are between about 3-15 seconds, alternatively between about 5-12 seconds. The ratio of relaxation time to static shear modulus (Tau/G0), previously defined as relative elasticity by Smith, may be between about 4-15 sec/Pascal (Pa,); alternatively between about 5-12 sec/Pa. Relative elasticity and relaxation times for the reducing agent liquid are about 3-10 sec/Pa and about 0.1-2 sec, respectively. Relative elasticity and relaxation times for the gas-generating liquid are 0 to about 0.5 sec/Pa and 0 to about 0.5 sec, respectively. While the thickeners described herein are effective to develop viscoelasticity over a range of solution ionic strengths, the ionic strength does influence rheology to some extent. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, the relaxation times relative elasticities and viscosity values used herein are calculated for a first (hypohalite-containing) liquid having an ionic strength of about 2.5 molal. The reducing agent liquid may have an ionic strength of about 4.9 molal.
ADJUNCTS
[0058] A number of classes of adjunct compounds are known and are compatible with the first and second liquids and components thereof. One such class are adjunct cleaning actives, which interact with their intended target materials either by chemical or enzymatic reaction or by physical interactions, hereinafter collectively referred to as reactions. It is noted that either the oxidant or gas generating agent can function as the cleaning active, particularly when one is present in a stoichiometric excess over the other. Preferably, the oxidant is present in a stoichiometric excess over the gas generating agent to yield cleaning effective oxidant; however, a cleaning active may be additionally included. Useful active compounds thus include acids, bases, oxidants, solvents, enzymes, surfactants (detergents) and mixtures thereof. Examples of enzymes include lipases, keratinases, proteases, amylases, and cellulases. Useful solvents include saturated hydrocarbons, ketones, carboxylic acid esters, terpenes, glycol ethers, and the like. Various nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants can be included, as known in the art, for their detergent properties. Examples include taurates, sarcosinates and phosphate esters. Other noncleaning active adjuncts as known in the art, such as corrosion inhibitors, dyes and fragrances, may also be included.
[0059] While compositions containing an oxidant liquid having a viscous rheology, especially a viscoelastic rheology, provide a benefit when applied to drains having porous or partial clogs (defined as one which causes the flow to diminish, but not to stop), the full benefit is obtained when the composition also possesses a density greater than water. This density may be attained without the need for a densifying material, however, when necessary to increase the density, a salt such as sodium chloride is preferred and may be added at levels of 0 to about 25 weight percent to the liquid, preferably 12-25 weight percent. With a porous or partial clog, foam generation occurs principally at the interface of the two liquids in the sink, and secondarily within the P-trap, permitting the foam to expand both upwards from the P-trap and downwards from the sink to contact fully the clogged portions of the drain, especially the vertical pipe. The expanding gas passes through the oxidant, entraining it into the foam and distributing it throughout the pipe. It is most preferred the first liquid (e.g. hypohalite) have a specific gravity of about 1.14; the third liquid (thiosulfate) have a specific gravity less than that of the first, for example, about 1.12; and the second liquid (peroxide) have a specific gravity of less than the third, or a specific gravity of about 1.05. Thus, for maximum effectiveness, the specific gravities are ordered hypohalite: thiosulfate: peroxide, i.e. hypohalite being the most dense, and peroxide the least dense.
[0060] The following table (Table I) illustrates the Theological characteristics of the components. The formulation used to obtain the results of Table I is shown below as Formulation I.
TABLE I Relative Viscosity Elasticity Relaxation Formula (cP) (sec/Pa) Time (sec.) hypochlorite (a) 1350 6.8 7.3 peroxide (b) 8 0 0 thiosulfate (c) 22 6.4 0.7
[0061] Viscosities were measured on a Brookfield Rheometer, model DV-II+, with a teflon®-coated number 2 spindle at 5 rpm after two minutes. Tau, G0 and relaxation times were measured on a Bohlin VOR at 25° C. in the oscillatory mode. Viscosity was measured weekly over a period of twenty weeks and after storage at room temperature (21 degrees C.). The formulations of the present invention are stable over time, and do not exhibit any marked fluctuations during storage. After a short period of viscosity development, the viscosity value remains within about 15-25 % of the initial viscosity.
[0062] Foam volume development was measured by pouring about 600 ml of a composition according to Example (a) above, into a 2 L graduated cylinder. Foam volume was visually measured at various intervals. Foam develops rapidly, such that after 3 seconds a 400 ml volume of foam has developed, and after 5 seconds the foam volume is 500 ml. Thereafter, foam volume remains constant at 500 ml through four minutes. Foam development is thus characterized by an initial phase which begins when the liquids are combined, for example in a drain or on a surface, at time zero (t 0 ). The initial phase generally lasts about 3-5 seconds from t 0 and displays a rate of foam generation of about 90-130 ml/sec.
[0063] Other foam properties of interest include foam density and stability. A dense, stable foam will allow longer contact time between cleaning actives and organic clog materials. A foam density range is about 0.07-0.15 g/mL. Foam stability is defined as the foam's resistance to a force tending to collapse or displace the foam. For the present invention, foam stability is determined by measuring the rate of travel of a standard object through a column of foam.
[0064] The foam is generated at a rate sufficient to permit a high column of foam preferably one which can rise to 10-30 cm in a standard 3.2 cm diameter drain pipe. Sufficient oxidant liquid remains, after reacting with gas-generating agent to generate foam, to react with the reducing agent to generate heat. The liquid oxidant and reducing agent remain in the U-bend (or P-trap) and react in the liquid phase generating heat. Because grease tends to deposit in the U-bend, the presence of the two heat generating liquids there concentrates heat generation at the point of grease build-up resulting in most efficacious grease removal.
[0065] Table II is a heat profile, showing temperatures attained both in the foam column, and in the liquid phase. The data were obtained by pouring 600 ml of formula 1 into a two liter graduated cylinder, and periodically measuring temperatures in the foam and liquid phases.
[0066] An elevated temperature is useful to aid in melting grease and fatty deposits, thus in one embodiment the reducing agent and oxidant react to liberate sufficient heat to raise the foam temperature to 30° C.; and/or to raise the temperature in the liquid solution below the foam to at least 40° C. and up to 50° C. The reaction between the hypohalite and reducing agent should be sufficient to yield a heat of 50-80 Kcal/mole of oxidant.
TABLE II Time (min:sec) Foam (C. °) Liquid (C. °) 0:50 40.0 41.7 1:10 39.4 44.9 1:52 40.1 47.8 2:15 40.1 49.7 2:34 39.3 51.3 3:04 38.8 51.7 4:03 38.8 51.1 5:01 39.1 50.4 6:06 39.4 49.9 7:06 37.9 49.9 8:30 38.2 49.0 9:30 35.7 49.2 11:08 35.7 49.2 15:00 35.1 47.6 20:00 33.4 46.8 25:00 32.7 45.6 30:00 32.6 43.6 40:00 32.2 43.1 50:00 30.2 40.9 60:00 30.2 39.0
[0067] Table III displays temperature data obtained in the drain pipe. Again, 600 ml of Formula 1 was poured into a sink, having a clear polyvinyl chloride drain pipe assembly. Temperatures were measured at the identified locations by means of an IR thermometer. It can be seen that the P-trap regions, where grease is most likely to collect, exhibited the highest temperatures. Generally, for greasy clogs, a temperature above about 40° C. is sufficient to melt the clog.
TABLE III Temperature (C°) Temperature (C°) Pipe Location 5 min 20 min 1 sink 30.0 25.0 2 1-3 cm down 36.7 31.1 vertical pipe 3 11-13 cm down 35.0 29.4 vertical pipe 4 16-18 cm down 40.6 37.8 vertical pipe 5 middle of p-trap, 41.1 41.7 lower surface 6 middle of p-trap 46.7 43.3 upper surface 7 3-5 cm below 90° 51.7 47.2 elbow 8 3-5 cm into sewer 52.2 45.6 arm 9 10-15 cm into 39.4 35.0 sewer arm
[0068] In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a drain opening formulation and method of use. The formulation includes a first liquid comprising:
[0069] (i) a hypohalite;
[0070] (ii) a corrosion inhibitor;
[0071] (iii) a buffer;
[0072] (iv) a pH adjusting agent, and
[0073] (v) a thickener
[0074] a second liquid comprising:
[0075] (i) a peroxide;
[0076] (ii) a pH adjusting agent; and
[0077] (iii) a densifying agent;
[0078] and a third liquid comprising:
[0079] (i) a thiosulfate
[0080] (ii) a thickener
[0081] and wherein the first and second and third liquids are separately maintained, for example, in separate chambers of a tri-chambered bottle, and admix upon, concurrently with or shortly after dispensing into a drain. A most preferred method of opening drains involves pouring the three liquids, simultaneously from a tri-chambered bottle, into a drain to be cleaned, and allowing a period of time for the heated foam to physically melt grease deposits, while the active entrained within the foam chemically or enzymatially decomposes the obstruction.
[0082] An example of a drain cleaning formulation includes a first aqueous composition comprising:
[0083] (i) a C 14-18 alkyl betaine or sulfobetaine;
[0084] (ii) an anionic organic counterion;
[0085] (iii) an alkali metal hydroxide;
[0086] (iv) an alkali metal silicate;
[0087] (v) an alkali metal carbonate; and
[0088] (vi) an alkali metal hypochlorite
[0089] a second aqueous composition comprising;
[0090] (i) hydrogen peroxide; and
[0091] (ii) sodium chloride;
[0092] and a third aqueous composition comprising; (i) a C 14-18 alkyl betaine or sulfobetaine; (ii) an anionic organic counterion; (iii) a thiosulfate
[0093] Components (i) and (ii) comprise the viscoelastic thickener and are as described previously. The alkali metal hydroxide is preferably potassium or sodium hydroxide, and is present in an amount of between about 0.5 and 20% percent. The alkali metal silicate is present in an amount of about 0 to 5 percent. The alkali metal carbonate e.g. sodium carbonate, is at levels of between about 0 and 5 percent. About 1 to 15 percent hypochlorite is present, preferably about 4 to 8 percent.
[0094] Generally, the preferred betaine for use with hypochlorite is an alkyl dimethyl betaine or sulfobetaine compound having a 12 to 18 carbon alkyl group, and most preferably the betaine is CEDB. The alkylamido betaines and alkylamino betaines are not preferred in the presence of hypochlorite. Substituted benzene sulfonic acids are preferred as the counterion with xylene sulfonic acid being most preferred.
FORMULATION EXAMPLES
Formulation Example 1
[0095] [0095] Weight Liquid 2—Gas Weight Liquid 3—Reducing Weight Liquid 1—Oxidant Percent Generator Percent Agent Percent Sodium hypochlorite 1-10 Hydrogen peroxide 0.1-10 Alkali metal 5-25 thiosulfate Sodium hydroxide 0.5-10 Sodium chloride 0-25 Surfactant thickener 0.1-3 Sodium carbonate 0-5 Sulfuric acid 0.001-5 Water balance Sodium silicate 0-5 Water Balance Surfactant 0.1-20 Water Balance
[0096] Hypochlorite chemical stability was measured after six weeks of at a storage temperature of 21 degrees C. After three weeks 96% active remained, and 91% after six weeks. Additionally, the formulation was phase stable after storage for 32 weeks at 1.7° C.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0097] A composition of the present invention comprising 100 mls of peroxide, 100 mls of thiosulfate and 400 mls of hypochlorite was tested repeatedly on full and partial hair clogs.
[0098] Table IV demonstrates the performance benefits of the present invention. Displayed are results on full and partial hair clogs, and full grease clogs. Partial hair clogs were made using 2 g of hair, dried and cut into approximately 15 cm length. This hair was then placed in a test sink, and rinsed into the drain. An unclogged drain was found to have a flow rate averaging about 15 liters/minute; a flow rate of about 12 l/minute or less was considered to be a slow, or partially clogged, drain. Full hair clogs were made by mixing 15 g of hair (cut into 15 cm lengths) with 7.5 g of soap. The mixture was rinsed down the test drain, and the effectiveness of the clog was evaluated by visually confirming the absence of water flow. Grease clogs were made by mixing equal parts of solid vegetable shortening, lard and tallow, melting the mixture, and pouring into the drain where it was allowed to solidify. Again the effectiveness of the clog was evaluated by visually confirming the absence of water flow.
TABLE IV Partial Hair Clog Full Hair Clogs Grease Clog % Hair Flow Rate Time to clear % Flow Rate Test Dissolved Imp. (min:sec) Imp. 1 58.8% 62.1% 1:00 28.6% 2 65.9% 67.9% 2:23 N/A 3 56.7% 104.5% 1:00 87.5% 4 69.9% 100.0% 2:00 162.5% 5 66.3% 168.8% 1:23 100.0% 6 40.5% 68.0% 10:48 333.3% 7 44.3% 126.3% 10:10 285.7% 8 64.9% 144.4% 1:23 144.4% 9 43.5% 100.0% Didn't Clear 90.0% 10 52.6% 145.05% 1:39 28.1% 11 40.5% 91.3% 1:31 140.0% 12 54.9% 107.1% 3:19 N/A Average 54.9% 107.1% 3:19 140.0%
[0099] Flow rates were measured as the time for 2 liters of water to drain from the sink. After the completion of each test wherein hair was the clog material, the remaining hair was rinsed, dried overnight at 25° C., and weighed. The present invention dissolved an average of 55% of the hair, and flow rates improved by an average of 107% (hair clogs), and 140% (grease clogs). For full hair clogs, improvement was measured by the time to clear (rather than flow rate improvement), since flow rate is restored to its normal value. It has been found that once a base amount of hair has been dissolved, the remaining hair has insufficient volume to clog the drain and will simply be rinsed away, thus restoring the drain to 100%. Thus all remaining hair after the treatment by the composition of the present invention was flushed completely out of the drain.
[0100] A most preferred method of opening drains involves pouring three liquids, as illustrated by Formulation Example 1, simultaneously from a tri-chambered bottle. A most preferred dual chamber bottle comprises one having side-by-side, equal capacity chambers and a single dispensing orifice.
[0101] A preferred bottle orientation during pouring results in both liquids exiting the dual chambered container such that optimum foam generation occurs in the drain pipe.
[0102] While described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various modifications and alterations will no doubt occur to one skilled in the art after having read the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all such modifications and alterations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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A composition is provided comprising three liquids which are separately maintained prior to forming an admixture during delivery to a surface to be treated, whereupon the admixture generates a heated foam sufficient for cleaning efficacy and stability. A first liquid preferably includes a hypohalite, or a hypohalite generating agent, a second liquid preferably includes a peroxygen agent and a third liquid includes a reducing agent, such as a thiosulfate. The first liquid is thickened to a specified rheology, resulting in the generation of a highly effective foam. As the liquids are initially separated, they can be maintained in an environment free of reactants and otherwise conducive to their activity and stability up to the time of use. When the liquids are allowed to mix, for example, by simultaneously pouring into a drain, the hypohalite and peroxygen react to liberate oxygen gas, while the hypohalite and thiosulfate react to generate heat. As foam generation occurs, the escaping gas contacts surfactant in the solution, and creates foam which expands to completely fill the drain pipe. The expanded foam is hot as a consequence of athe exothermic reaction, and further contains an excess of the hypohalite, both of which act to clean the drain.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a strobe camera with a strobe emission section which is movable between a light emission position and a storage position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Application No. 4-272478, for example, has proposed a camera with a strobe emission section. In this camera, the camera state is set to a release lock state in which its lens is stored in the camera body when the strobe emission section is manually pushed into the camera body, and is set to a photographing-permitted state when one of the switches other than a release switch is turned on.
Further, a technique for setting a strobe off mode and continuing a sequence of operation when the strobe emission section is pushed into the camera body has also been proposed.
However, even if, in the above-described techniques, the strobe emission section is unintentionally pushed down, the lens is stored, and accordingly a chance to take a good photograph may well be lost.
In addition, if the sequential operation is continued in the strobe off mode, it is highly possible that a blurred photograph will be taken, since the strobe off mode is kept even where strobe light is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been developed in light of the above, and aims to provide a strobe camera capable of enabling a chance to take a clear photograph without a blur, even when a strobe emission section is unintentionally pushed into the camera body.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a strobe camera with a strobe emission section movable between a first position in which strobe light can be emitted and a second position different from the first position, comprising: strobe state detection means for outputting a first strobe state signal when the strobe emission section is in the first position, and a second strobe state signal when the strobe emission section is in the second position; camera state detection means for outputting a first camera state signal when the camera is in a photographing-permitted state, and a second camera state signal when the camera is in a photographing-prohibited position; control means for outputting a warning signal when the camera state detection means outputs the first camera state signal, and the strobe state detection means outputs the second strobe state signal; and warning means for performing warning when the warning signal is output.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a strobe camera with a strobe emission section movable between a position in which strobe light can be emitted and a storage position in which the strobe emission section is stored in a body of the camera, comprising: strobe state detection section for outputting a strobe storage state signal indicating that the strobe emission section is stored in the body of the camera, when the strobe emission section is in the storage position; camera state detection section for outputting a photographing-permitted-state signal when the camera is in a photographing-permitted state; control section for outputting a warning signal when the camera state detection section outputs the photographing-permitted state signal, and the strobe storage state detection section outputs the strobe storage state signal; and warning section for performing warning when the warning signal is output.
According to a third aspect of the invention, where is provided a camera comprising: operable means for setting the camera to an operable state; a strobe unit for emitting illumination light to a target; drive means for moving at least emission part incorporated in the strobe unit, between a light emission position in which light can be emitted from the emission part and a storage position in which the at least emission part is stored in a body of the camera; detection means for detecting whether or not the emission part is in the light emission position; warning means for displaying a warning signal; and a microcomputer for inputting data from the operable means and the detection means to control the strobe unit, the drive means and the waning means, the microcomputer causing the warning means to display the warning signal, when the operable means sets the camera to an operable state and the detection means detects that the emission part is not in the light emission position.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram, showing a strobe camera according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2A is a front view, showing the state of the strobe camera of the first embodiment, assumed when a strobe emission section incorporated therein is closed;
FIG. 2B is a front view, showing the state of the strobe camera of the first embodiment, assumed when the strobe emission section is open;
FIG. 3A is a sectional view, showing the state of the strobe camera of the first embodiment, assumed when the strobe emission section is closed;
FIG. 3B is a front view, showing the state of the strobe camera of the first embodiment, assumed when the strobe emission section is open;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram, showing a strobe camera according to a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a view, useful in explaining a flag F -- 2 Hz;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a main sequence of operation performed by the camera of the second embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a sequence of "pop-down alarm" operation as a subroutine executed in a step S12 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a sequence of "pop-down alarm" operation as another subroutine executed in a step S12 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a sequence of "pop-down alarm" operation as a further subroutine executed in a step S12 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a sequence of "pop-down alarm" operation as a furthermore subroutine executed in a step S12 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a sequence of "pop-down alarm" operation as a yet another subroutine executed in a step S12 of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 12 is a flowchart, useful in explaining a sequence of "pop-down alarm" operation as another subroutine executed in a step S12 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a strobe camera according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described. In FIG. 1, a strobe state detecting section 1 detects whether or not a strobe emission section (not shown) incorporated in the camera is in a light emission enable state in which it can emit light. The strobe state detecting section 1 supplies a control section 3 with a first strobe state signal when the strobe emission section is in the light emission enable state, and with a second strobe state signal when the strobe emission section is stored in the camera. A camera state detecting section 2 detects whether or not the camera is in a photographing-enable state in which the camera can photograph a target. The section 2 supplies the control section 3 with a first camera state signal when the camera is in the photographing-enable state, and with a second camera state signal when the camera is in a photographing-disable state in which it cannot photograph a target. Thus, the control section 3 receives the first and second strobe state signals and the first and second camera state signals. When the control section 3 receives both the first camera state signal and the second strobe state signal, it outputs an alarm signal to an alarm section 4 to drive it.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are front views of the strobe camera of the first embodiment, showing in detail a driving mechanism incorporated in the camera for moving a (strobe) flash emission section. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows a case where the flash emission section is in a storage position, while FIG. 2B shows a case where the flash emission section is in a protrusion position.
As is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a barrier member 11A is provided on the front side of a camera body 11. While the camera is carried or stored, i.e. while the camera is not used, the barrier member 11A is situated in a position shown in FIG. 2A, thereby protecting the front side of the camera body 11. On the other hand, at the time of photographing an object, i.e. at the time of using the camera, the barrier member 11A is slided in a direction indicated by the arrow X2 in FIG. 2B, thereby turning on the power switch of the camera and opening a photographing optical system 12, a finder section 12A, etc. serving as photographing means and provided on the front side of the camera body 11. Thus, the camera is shifted to a photographing preparation state.
The photographing optical system 12 comprises a mirror frame holding a photographing lens. In the state shown in FIG. 2A in which the camera is not used, the optical system 12 receives an OFF signal from a power switch 41 (see FIG. 4) which operates in synchronism with the barrier member 11A, thereby performing a lens-retracting operation (a photographing-prohibiting operation) and shifting to a lens-retracted state (a photographing-prohibited state). On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 2B in which the camera is used, the optical system 12 receives an ON signal from the power switch 41, thereby performing a lens-protruding operation (a photographing-permitting operation) and shifting to a lens-protruded state (a photographing-permitted state).
A flash emission section 13 is supported by an upper end portion of the camera body 11 such that it can move between a protrusion position and a storage position. In the state shown in FIG. 2A in which the camera is not used, the flash emission section 13 is shifted to the storage position in which it is stored in the camera body 11.
On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 2B in which the camera is used, the flash emission section 13 is moved to the protrusion position and protrudes from the upper end portion of the camera body 11. In this embodiment, the flash emission section 13 is formed of a general strobe unit or a flash emission unit, which is constituted, for example, by an Xe discharge tube, a reflector, a window member, etc. Therefore, no detailed explanation will be given of the flash emission section 13.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged sectional views, showing the internal structure of the driving mechanism for moving the flash emission section. Specifically, FIG. 3A shows a case corresponding to FIG. 2A where the flash emission section is in the storage position, while FIG. 3B shows a case corresponding to FIG. 2B where the flash emission section is in the protrusion position.
As described above, the flash emission section 13 is supported by the camera body 11 such that it is movable between the protrusion position and the storage position. Referring then to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the structure of the section 13 will be described in detail.
As is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the flash emission section 13 has an end thereof movably coupled, by means of a shaft 15, with an end portion of a coupling member 14. Thus, the flash emission section 13 is movably supported. The shaft 15 is engaged with a closing spring 17 as urging means which always urges the flash emission section 13 toward the storage position. In other words, the spring 17 urges the flash emission section 13 toward the coupling member 14.
A shaft 16 is provided at the other end of the coupling member 14, thereby attaching the coupling member 14 to a fixing member (not shown) of the camera body 11 such that the member 14 can rotate relative to the fixing member.
A drive lever 18 is rotatably supported by a fixing member (not shown) such that it is engaged with the flash emission section 13 to move the same. Further, the drive lever 18 has cam surfaces 18a and 18b parallel to the optical axis, and a cam surface 18c formed of an inclined surface which connects the cam surfaces 18a and 18b to each other.
The lens frame of the photographing optical system 12 has a projecting portion 12a on its outer peripheral surface portion. The projecting portion 12a is brought into contact with the cam surface 18c of the drive lever 18 and presses it when the lens frame of the system 12 retracts or protrudes (i.e. when the lens frame linearly moves along the optical axis), thereby rotating the drive lever 18.
The drive lever 18 has an elastic opening spring 19, which is engaged with an arm portion 13a provided at an end of the flash emission section 13. By virtue of this structure, the flash emission section 13 is stored in the camera body 11 in synchronism with the photographing-prohibiting operation of the lens frame, and is protruded from the camera body 11 against the urging force of the closing spring 17 in synchronism with the photographing-permitting operation of the lens frame.
The arm portion 13a of the flash emission section 13 contains an electric wire 21, such as a lead wire, which is connected to the flash emission section 13. Where the flash emission section 13 is in the storage position, a predetermined clearance is defined between the opening spring 19 and the arm portion 13a of the flash emission section 13, thereby releasing the urging force of the opening spring 19 so that the urging force will not adversely affect the flash emission section 13 situated in the storage position.
That force of the opening spring 19 as the elastic member, which is applied to the arm portion 13b when they contact each other, is set greater than the maximum urging force of the closing spring 17 as the urging means.
The camera body 11 contains position limit members 11d and 11a as emission section limit means for limiting the angular movement of the flash emission section 13 between the protrusion position and the storage position, and position limit members 11b and 11c as coupling member limit means for limiting the angular movement of the coupling member 14 between positions corresponding to the protrusion position and the storage position.
A detection switch 22 as detection means for detecting whether the flash emission section 13 is in the protrusion position or in the storage position is provided in the camera body 11. The switch 22 is situated in the vicinity of the flash emission section 13 when the section 13 is stored in the camera body 11. Moreover, a projection 13c is provided at an end of the arm portion 13a of the flash emission section 13. The projection 13c moves in accordance with the movement of the flash emission section 13, thereby turning on or off the detection switch 22.
The contact of the detection switch 22 has its position adjusted so that the switch can be turned on or off when the operator of the camera pushes the flash emission section 13.
The driving mechanism of the flash emission section incorporated in the strobe camera of the first embodiment constructed as above will now be described.
First, the moving operation of the flash emission section 13 incorporated in the first embodiment will be described briefly. Where the section 13 is in the storage position in the camera body 11 (i.e. where it is in the state shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A), if the power switch, etc. is turned on in accordance, for example, with sliding of the barrier member 11A in its opening direction, the flash emission section 13 is shifted to the state shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B.
To shift the flash emission section 13 from the storage position to the protrusion position, a first operation and a second operation are successively performed. Specifically, first, in the first operation, only the coupling member 14 is moved from the position limited by the position limit member 11b to the position limited by the position limit member 11c, with the flash emission section 13 kept in the storage position limited by the position limit member 11a. Then, in the second operation, only the flash emission section 13 is shifted from the storage position to the protrusion position limited by the position limit member 11d, with the coupling member 14 kept in the position limited by the position limit member 11c.
In the state shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the projection 12a on the lens frame of the photographing optical system 12 is in contact with the cam surface 18a of the drive lever 18, thereby prohibiting the rotation of the drive lever 18.
At this time, the flash emission section 13 is urged clockwise (in FIG. 3A) about the shaft 15 by the closing spring 17, i.e. the section 13 is always urged toward the storage position. Further, the section 13 is in contact with the position limit member 11a as the emission section limit means, and kept in the storage position. Thus, the limit member 11a prevents the flash emission section 13 from entering a more inner portion of the camera body 11.
On the other hand, the coupling member 14 is urged counterclockwise (in FIG. 3A) about the shaft 16 by the closing spring 17 via the flash emission section 13. At this time, the coupling member 14 is in contact with the position limit member 11b as the coupling member limit means, and its further rotation is prevented by the limit member 11b. As a result, the flash emission section 13 is accurately situated in the storage position in the camera body 11.
Even if the flash emission section 13 is forcibly pulled out of the camera body 11, for example, by the hand of the operator, i.e. even if the section 13 is protruded from the camera body 11 against the urging force of the closing spring 17, no load will be applied to the components of the camera other than the closing spring 17. This means that the internal mechanism of the camera and/or the components of the driving mechanism of the section 13 will not be damaged. When the pulling force is released, the flash emission section 13 is returned to the storage position by the urging force of the closing spring 17.
Referring then to FIGS. 2B and 3B, the case where the flash emission section 13 is situated in the protrusion position will be described.
When the barrier member 11A is slided in the direction indicated by the arrow X2 in FIG. 2B, the photographing optical system 12 is opened, and the lens frame of the system 12 is protruded in accordance with the opening operation of the optical system.
After the lens frame of the optical system 12 is protruded, the projection 12a on the frame is brought into contact with the cam surface 18c of the drive lever 18. Further, in accordance with the linear movement of the lens frame of the optical system 12 along the optical axis, the drive lever 18 rotates clockwise about the shaft 20 until it is put into contact with the cam surface 18b as shown in FIG. 3B. Since as aforementioned, that force of the opening spring 19, which is applied to the arm portion 13b when they contact each other, is set greater than the maximum urging force of the closing spring 17, the drive lever 18 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3A.
In accordance with the clockwise rotation of the drive lever 18, the spring 19 of the lever 18 contacts the arm portion 13a, and pushes up the arm portion 13a. The flash emission section 13 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 15 from the position shown in FIG. 3A against the urging force of the closing spring 17. As a result, the projection 13b of the flash emission section 13 is put into contact with the position limit member 11d as the emission section limit means, and the flash emission section 13 is set in the protrusion position.
On the other hand, the coupling member 14 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 16 from the position shown in FIG. 3A, put into contact with the position limit member 11c as the coupling member limit means, and set in a position corresponding to the protrusion position of the flash emission section 13. As a result, the flash emission section 13 protrudes from the camera body 11.
When the lens frame of the optical system 12 has completely been protruded, the drive lever 18 has been rotated by the projection 12a and is situated in the position shown in FIG. 3B. As a result, the opening spring 19 is put into contact with the projection 13c and hence loaded.
If the section 13, which is in the protrusion position, is forced into the camera body 11, the opening spring 19 is further loaded. In this state, however, no load is applied to the inner components of the camera other than the spring 19.
Therefore, each element of the inner mechanism of the camera or that of the driving mechanism of the flash emission section 13 is protected. Further, if the force exerted upon the flash emission section 13 to force it into the camera body is released, the flash emission section 13 is returned to the protrusion position by the loaded opening spring 19.
If the lens frame of the optical system 12 is tried to protrude, with the flash emission section 13 kept in the storage position by the hand of the operator, the flash emission section 13 performs the above-described sequence of operations. In other words, the projection 12a on the lens frame is put into contact with the cam surface 18c of the drive lever 18, with the result that the drive lever 18 is rotated and the arm portion 13a of the flash emission section 13 is urged by the opening spring 19. In this state, however, the flash emission section 13 is forced not to protrude, and accordingly the opening spring 19 is loaded.
Since, thus, load is applied only to the opening spring 19, each element of the camera inner mechanism or that of the driving mechanism of the flash emission section 13 is prevented from being damaged.
If the force applied to the flash emission section 13 by the hand, etc. so as not to protrude is released after the lens frame is completely protruded, the flash emission section 13 is shifted to the protrusion position by the loaded opening spring 19.
Where the flash emission section 13 is in the storage position, the detection switch 22 is in the off-state as shown in FIG. 3A, and the control means determines that the flash emission section 13 is in the storage position. Then, the control means prohibits the flash emission section 13 from emitting light. On the other hand, where the flash emission section 13 is in the protrusion position, the detection switch 22 is in the on-state as shown in FIG. 3B.
When the flash emission section 13 is shifted from the storage position to the protrusion position, the projection 13c of the arm portion 13a of the section 13 is moved accordingly, thereby pressing the detection switch 22. As a result, the detection switch 22 is turned on in synchronism with the shift of the flash emission section 13 to the protrusion position.
Upon receiving a signal indicative of the on-state from the detection switch 22, the control means determines that the flash emission section 13 is in the protrusion state, and permits the section 13 to emit light.
Although in the first embodiment, the flash emission section 13 is supported by an end portion of the camera body 11, the flash emission section 13 may be supported, for example, by an enclosure member provided on the camera. Moreover, although the flash emission section 13 is moved in synchronism with the movement of the lens frame of the optical system 12 along the optical axis (i.e. in synchronism with the operation to protrude the lens frame), a similar advantage can be obtained by rotating the drive lever 18 in synchronism with the rotation of e.g. a helicoid, a cam ling, etc. generally used for the lens frame.
In addition, a similar result can be obtained by modifying the embodiment such that another switch, etc. for lighting the flash emission section 13 is employed to synchronize the shift of the section 13 between the protrusion position and the storage position, with the on/off signal of the switch, or to synchronize the barrier member 11A with the drive lever 18. In the latter case, the drive lever 18 as the emission section driving means is made to also serve as barrier opening/closing means.
Furthermore, a similar result can be obtained by providing, on a camera enclosure member, a handling member for manually handling the drive lever 18, and shifting the flash emission section 13 between the protrusion position and the storage position by directly handling the lever 18 with the handling member.
Although in the first embodiment, the flash emission section 13 is shifted between the protrusion position and the storage position by rotating the drive lever 18, the shift of the section 13 may be performed by sliding the drive lever 18.
Moreover, although in the first embodiment, the position limit members 11a and 11b as the emission section limit means and the position limit members 11b and 11c as the coupling member limit means are arranged in the camera body 11 with the flash emission section and the coupling member 14 interposed therebetween, they may be interposed between the camera body 11 and the flash emission section 13 or between the camera body 11, the flash emission section 13 and the shaft 15.
Although the positions of the flash emission section 13 and the coupling member 14 are limited by the position limit members 11a and 11b as the emission section limit means and the position limit members 11b and 11c as the coupling member limit means, the relative positions of the camera body 11 and the coupling member 14 and those of the flash emission section 13 and the coupling member 14 may be limited, respectively.
The positions of the opening spring as the elastic means and the closing spring as the urging means may be exchanged with each other, thereby urging the flash emission section 13 toward the storage position in synchronism with the retracting/protruding operation of the lens frame of the photographing optical system 12.
Although the on/off operation of the detection switch 22 is performed in synchronism with the shift of the flash emission section 13, the same result can be obtained by synchronizing the on/off operation of the switch 22 with the movement of the coupling member 14 or the opening spring 19.
Also, the arm portion 13a of the flash emission section 13 may be engaged with another member (not shown) via the opening spring 19. Similarly, the detection switch 22 may be pressed by another member (not shown) via the opening spring 19.
Referring then to FIG. 4, a strobe camera according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In FIG. 4, a CPU 30 controls the overall sequence of operations of the camera. The CPU 30 is connected to an LCD 32 as an external liquid crystal display for displaying photography data. An LED 38 and an LED 39 are arranged in the finder of the camera. The LED 38 displays a focusing state of an automatic focusing device (not shown), while the LED 39 displays a charged state of a strobe emission capacitor (not shown) which is charged by a strobe circuit 31.
The CPU 30 is connected to an E 2 PROM 40, which stores various adjustment values, camera states to be used for controlling a sequence of mechanism driving operations, AE operations, AF operations, etc. A switch 42 is a release switch. When the switch 42 is in the on-state, a distance to a target or the intensity of light is measured to thereby control a shutter unit (not shown) and perform exposure.
A PCV 33 is a voice unit for performing various types of warning. A switch 41 is an operable switch for making the CPU 30 recognize the on/off state of the power supply. When the switch 41 is in the on-state, the CPU 30 drives a motor drive circuit 34 to supply current to a motor 35 and move a lens frame unit 43.
The rotational speed of the motor 35 is converted to an electric signal by a PI 36, and further to pulses by a PI drive circuit 37, and then input to the CPU 30. Thus, the operation of the motor 35 is fed back, thereby shifting the state of the lens frame unit from the retracted state to the photographing standby state. At this time, as described above, the flash emission section 13 is shifted to the emission-permitted position, and the switch 22 is turned on to thereby make the CPU 30 recognize the shift of the section 13.
Referring now to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a main sequence of operations of the strobe camera according to the second embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU 30 initializes the camera. Specifically, RAM flags, etc. are initialized, and data stored in the E 2 PROM 40 is read and stored in the RAM of the CPU 30 (step S1).
Then, the CPU 30 detects the state of the switch 41 (step S2). If the switch is in the on-state, the program proceeds to a step S3, where the CPU 30 executes a "wide-set operation" to shift the lens frame unit 43 to the photographing standby state. Since the "wide-set operation" does not directly relate to the subject matter of the present invention, no detailed explanation is given thereof.
On the other hand, if the switch is in the off-state, the program proceeds to a step S4, where a retracting operation is performed for retracting the lens frame unit 43 which is in the photographing standby state. No detailed explanation is given to the retracting operation, too. The switch is turned on when the "wide-set operation" is performed, and turned off when the retracting operation is performed.
Subsequently, the CPU 30 counts time for controlling the time required for the overall main sequence of operations, and sets a flag F -- 2 Hz, which will be described later (step S5). Thereafter, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the lens frame unit is retracted (step S6).
If the camera is in the lens-frame-retracted state, the program returns to the step S1. The operations in the steps S1-S6 are repeated until the answer to the question in the step S2 becomes NO and the wide-set operation is executed. If, on the other hand, the camera is not in the lens-frame-retracted state, it is determined that the camera is in the photographing standby state, and the program proceeds to a step S7.
In the step S7, it is determined whether or not the switch 22 is in the on-state. If the switch 22 is in the on-state, it is determined that the flash emission section 13 is in the emission-permitted position, and the camera is in the photographing standby state. Since this means that the camera is in a normal state, the program proceeds to a step S8.
If the switch 22 is in the off-state, it is determined that the flash emission section 13 is in the storage state although the camera is in the photographing standby state, and hence that the flash emission section 13 is in an abnormal state. The program proceeds to a step S12, where a subroutine "pop-down warning" is executed for warning that the flash emission section 13 is abnormal. Then, the program returns to the step S2, thereby repeating the processing until the switch 22 is again turned on or until the switch 41 is turned off to shift the camera state to the storage state.
When it is determined in the step S7 that the switch 22 is turned on, the CPU 30 terminates the pop down warning executed in the step S12, thereby driving the strobe circuit 31 and charging the emission capacitor (not shown) (step S9). Subsequently, the CPU 30 determines the state of the switch 42 (step S10). If the switch 42 is in the on-state, an exposure operation is executed in a step S11, whereas if the switch 42 is in the off-state, the exposure operation is not executed and the program returns to the step S12, thereby repeating the processing until the switch 42 is turned on.
Referring to FIG. 5, the flag F -- 2 Hz set during the timer counting subroutine in the step S5 will be described. As is shown in FIG. 5, the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to 0 or 1 in a cycle of 2 Hz.
Referring then to FIGS. 7-12, the processing executed in the step S12 as the "pop down warning" subroutine will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 shows an example, in which warning is performed using LEDs 38 and 39 incorporated in the finder. If the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to "1", the LEDs 38 and 39 are turned on, whereas if the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to "0", the LEDs 38 and 39 are turned off. Thus, the LEDs are turned on and off in a cycle of 2Hz to perform warning. (Steps S20-S22)
FIG. 8 shows an example in which an LCD 22, i.e. an external liquid crystal display, is used as the warning means. In this case, the LCD 22 is turned off to perform warning (step S30).
FIG. 9 shows an example, in which the LCD 22 is repeatedly turned on and off in synchronism with the flag F -- 2 Hz to perform warning (steps S40-S42).
FIG. 10 shows an example, in which the warning methods illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 are employed. Specifically, if the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to "1", the LEDs 38 and 39 incorporated in the finder are turned on, whereas if the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to "0", the LEDs 38 and 39 are turned off. Thus, the LEDs are turned on and off in the cycle of 2 Hz, and further the LCD 22 is kept off, to thereby perform warning (steps S50-S53).
FIG. 11 shows another example, in which the warning methods illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 are employed. Specifically, if the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to "1", the LEDs 38 and 39 incorporated in the finder are turned on and the external LCD is turned on, whereas if the flag F -- 2 Hz is set to "0", the LEDs 38 and 39 are turned off and also the LCD is turned off. Thus, the LEDs and the LCD 22 are turned on and off in the cycle of 2Hz, to thereby perform warning (steps S60-S64).
FIG. 12 shows an example, in which a voice member PCV 23 is used as the warning means. A voice is output from the PCV 23 to perform warning (step S70).
Although in the above-described embodiments, warning is performed using the LEDs 38 and 39 incorporated in the finder, the external LCD 22 or the voice member PVC 23, it is a matter of course that warning may be given to the photographer by prohibiting the release operation, i.e. the exposure operation.
As described above, even when the operator erroneously has pushed the strobe (flash) emission section, he can be quickly aware of his erroneous operation since he is warned of the erroneous operation, and further he can take a good photograph with good timing since the camera is returned to the photographing standby state immediately after the strobe emission section is returned to the emission-permitted position.
The invention can provide a strobe camera capable of taking a chance to have a clear photograph without a blur even when the strobe emission section has been pushed down erroneously.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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A strobe camera with a strobe emission section movable between a first position in which strobe light can be emitted and a second position different from the first position. A strobe state detection unit outputs a first strobe state signal when the strobe emission section is in the first position, and a second strobe state signal when the strobe emission section is in the second position. A camera state detection unit outputs a first camera state signal when the camera is in a photographing-permitted state, and a second camera state signal when the camera is in a photographing-prohibited position. A control unit causes the camera to execute a warning operation when the camera state detection unit outputs the first camera state signal and the strobe state detection unit outputs the second strobe state signal, and causes the camera to stop execution of the warning operation and perform an exposure operation when the first strobe state signal is output instead of the second strobe stage signal.
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This is a continuation-in-part application of our copending application Ser. No. 197,420, filed Oct. 16, 1980, now abandoned.
The present invention relates to a method of producing vinyl compounds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,875 teaches pyrolyzing compounds having the general formulas ##STR2## to form compounds represented by the general formula ##STR3## where R f is F or a perfluoroalkyl radical having from 1-10 carbon atoms;
Y is F or a trifluoromethyl radical;
n is an integer of 1-3, inclusive;
M is F, hydroxyl radical, amino radical or OMe;
Me is an alkali metal or quaternary nitrogen radical; and
X is alkali metal.
Yields in the decarboxylation reaction of about 80 percent were obtained at high temperatures (about 300° C.) while yields of 20-30 percent were obtained at lower temperatures (about 200° C.). Also taught is the homo and copolymerization of the vinylether monomers to form useful polymers.
Fearn et al., Journal of Polymer Science, Volume 4, pp. 131-140, "Polymers and Terpolymers of Perfluoro-1,4-pentadiene" discloses that in the pyrolysis of sodium salts of carboxylic acids which contain fluorine and chlorine in the β position, sodium chloride is preferentially, but not exclusively eliminated. For example ##STR4##
German Pat. No. 1,238,458 teaches that useful polymers are made from compounds of the general structure ##STR5## where n=1-8, p=0-5 and m=0-5. Crosslinked halogenated olefin copolymers are produced making use of the iodine group as a reactive site.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,684 to Darby teaches reacting a fluorocarbon ether with hexafluoropropylene epoxide, followed by decarboxylation; as shown by the following illustrated reactions: ##STR6## where X is F, Cl, H, CF 2 H, CF 2 Cl or CF 3 ; n is at least 1.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,568 teaches the following reaction: ##STR7## where X=F or CF 3 .
R. D. Chambers, in his book Fluorine in Organic Chemistry, published by John Wiley & Sons, 1973, pages 211-212, teaches that carboxylic acid derivatives may be converted to olefins. The conversion involves the loss of carbon dioxide and formation of an intermediate carbon ion. The intermediate then loses NaF to form the resulting olefin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fluorovinyl compounds having the formula
TLCF═CF.sub.2
are prepared by reacting compounds having the formula ##STR8## for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the vinyl compound: where
X=Cl, Br or I;
Z=F, Cl, Br, OH, NRR', OA, or SA;
R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having one or more than one carbon atom, and aryl;
A=Alkali metal, alkali earth metal, quaternary nitrogen, or R;
L=oxygen or sulfur; and
T=an alkyl or aryl radical which does not interfere with the reaction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fluorovinyl compounds having the formula
TLCF═CF.sub.2
are prepared by reacting one or more compounds of the formula ##STR9## where X=Cl, Br or I;
Z=F, Cl, Br, OH, NRR', OA or SA;
R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having one or more than one carbon atom, and aryl;
A=Alkali metal, alkali earth metal, quaternary nitrogen, or R;
L=oxygen or sulfur; and
T=an alkyl or aryl radical which does not interfere with the reaction.
The present reaction method is a decarboxylation reaction conducted according to known methods, such as those taught by Chambers. The decarboxylation temperatures may be from about -50° C. to about 600° C. The decarboxylation reaction may be conducted in the presence of an activator to initiate and speed the reaction. The activator may be a base such as sodium carbonate or ZnO, silica or other known activators. It is particularly convenient to use Na 2 CO 3 as the activator for the present decarboxylation reactions particularly where Z=F.
Optionally, a dispersant may be used to enhance the decarboxylation reactions. Suitable dispersants should be unreactive with the reactants and the products and may include such things as tetraglyme, diglyme or glyme.
The unexpected results obtained by the present invention and the mechanism by which the reactions occur are not fully understood. However, it is thought that the results are caused by X being Cl, Br or I, instead of F as is taught in the prior art.
The present preparation method is relatively independent from T. In other words, if the terminal group ##STR10## is present, the preparation method works. However, for the sake of complete disclosure, examples of complete molecules will be shown and discussed. However, the discussion and the specific illustrations do not limit the type of compounds which may be reacted or prepared. Thus, T may be any alkyl or aryl radical which does not interfere with the reaction. T may be branched or linear, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having one or more carbon atoms or an aryl. T may contain oxygen in its structure. Preferably, T contains from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms.
In the present invention, L may be oxygen or sulfur. Preferably, L is oxygen. T, taken together with L, represents a nucleophile.
The general chemistry employed for preparing the intermediates or starting materials for the present invention is well known. Fluorocarbon epoxides are known to react with nucleophiles to form acid fluoride intermediates. The starting materials employed to prepare the fluorovinyl compounds of the present invention are conveniently prepared by reaction of 3-chloro or bromopentafluoropropylene oxide with a nucleophile: ##STR11## X=Cl, Br or I, Nuc=a nucleophile.
These acid fluoride intermediates may then be converted to other acid derivatives by well known reactions of acid fluorides with bases, water, alcohols, thiols, ammonia or amines, if desired, before decarboxylation. The acids themselves (Z=OH) are easily converted to acid chlorides or bromides by reaction with halogenating agents such as PCl 5 or PBr 5 .
This type chemistry is discussed in Chambers (pp. 230-232) and more extensively in P. Tarrant et al., Fluorine Chem. Revs., 5, pp. 85-93 (1971). In general, the chemistry taught for reactions of hexafluoropropylene oxide (X=F above) has been found to apply equally well to halogen (Cl, Br or I) substituted fluoropropylene oxides used to prepare the intermediates used in the present invention. Nucleophiles such as alcohols, thiols, alkoxides, thioalkoxides, phenols or phenoxides react readily with the center carbon of the epoxide to form an intermediate fluoroalkoxide which can then either lose fluoride to form an acid fluoride or react with additional epoxides which are subsequently terminated by loss of fluoride. ##STR12##
Decarboxylation reactions performed directly on the acid fluoride terminal group or derivatives have been shown to be relatively independent of the rest of the molecule and to offer an improvement over the common method of preparing fluorocarbon olefins by reacting nucleophiles with hexafluoropropylene oxide and then decarboxylating.
Conversion yields as high as 99+% are obtained with temperatures as low as 65°-70° C. However, excellent yields may be obtained using temperatures from about -50° C. to about 200° C.
The following examples illustrate the invention but in no way limit the scope of the invention to the compounds shown in the examples.
EXAMPLE 1
300 Ml of dry tetraglyme and 62.2 grams anhydrous Na 2 CO 3 were added to a 1000 ml 3-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and an inlet port. Two -78° C. cold traps were located in series downstream of the reflux condenser. 154 Grams of product containing 92.1 percent ##STR13## as identified by GCMS and VPC analyses were added dropwise. There was a slight temperature rise from 22° C. to about 35° C. over the period during the addition. Temperature of reactor was increased to 82° C. At this temperature there was obtained considerable reflux. The reflux condenser was removed and the product collected in the cold traps. The temperature was raised to 150° C. with the system under vacuum. 80.5 Grams of the product were collected in the first cold trap and 1 gm in the second. The product was analyzed by VPC and IR. Essentially, all of the starting material had reacted. The yield was 70.6 percent as a product analyzing 95 percent FSO 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF═CF 2 by VPC. IR analysis showed bands as follows:
______________________________________Vinyl Ether 1830 wave no.--SO.sub.2 F 1460 wave no.--SO.sub.2 F 1240 wave no.--SF 810 wave no.B.Pt. 75°-76° C.______________________________________
A direct titration of the unsaturation in the above product with Br 2 in CCl 4 was done to further confirm the structure. Twenty milliliters of CCl 4 solution containing 2 g Br 2 were made up as titrant. Two grams of the monomer were dissolved into 5 ml CCl 4 and titrated at ambient temperature to the point of color persistence. The titration required 10.9 ml of the bromine solution of 0.0068 mole of bromine. The apparent molecular weight of the monomer is then 2 g/0.0068 mole=293.6 or a difference from the proposed structure of (293.6-280)/280×100=5.4%. This value is in excellent agreement with the purity indicated by VPC analysis.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
100 Ml of tetraglyme and 9.84 gms anhydrous Na 2 CO 3 were added to a 500 ml 3-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, thermometer, -78° C. reflux condenser, and a dropping funnel. Two -78° C. cold traps were located in series downstream of the reflux condenser. 29.35 Grams of product analyzing 84.4 percent ##STR14## by VPC were added dropwise over a 3-hour period with evolution of CO 2 . The reflux condenser was removed. The reactor was heated to 78°-80° C. while maintaining a slight N 2 sweep through the reactor to remove the product. 15.69 Grams were recovered in the first cold trap and 0.6 gram in the second. The product was analyzed by VPC and IR. Conversion of the ##STR15## was essentially complete giving a yield of 77 percent to a product which was not a fluorosulfonylperfluoro vinyl ether. Following is the IR analysis:
______________________________________Wave No.______________________________________1360 ##STR16##1150 ##STR17##B. Pt. ˜80° C.______________________________________
Product was believed to be the sulfone. ##STR18## Described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,568.
EXAMPLE 2
17 Grams of a mixture containing 68 percent ##STR19## and higher homologs as analyzed by GC-mass spectroscopy were added dropwise to a stirred 3-neck reaction vessel containing 50 ml dried tetraglyme and 7.1 grams dried Na 2 CO 3 and fitted with a thermometer, heating mantle, and a stillhead with vacuum takeoff and double dry ice acetone trap under inert purge. Gas evolution was observed and a temperature rise from 25° C. up to 33° C. was observed during addition. After continued stirring for 1 hour, a 5 mm vacuum was applied and the temperature was raised slowly up to 100° C. in the vessel. Seven grams of material were collected in the primary collection receiver and identified as 97.1% ClCF 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF═CF 2 . Raising the temperature under vacuum, up to 145° C., resulted in collection of an additional 2 grams material which was analyzed by GC-mass spectroscopy and I.R. as 22.35% ClCF 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF═CF 2 representing an 81% yield of ClCF 2 CF.sub. 2 CF 2 OCF═CF 2 . VPC analysis of the solvent in the reaction vessel showed some ClCF 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF═CF 2 remaining along with higher homologs.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2
A mixture (35 gms) containing 31.7 percent of ##STR20## plus higher homologs was added to a mixture of 15.5 gms Na 2 CO 3 in 50 ml of tetraglyme at room temperature. After several hours and cessation of CO 2 evolution, the mixture was raised to 120° C. whereupon there were indications of some slow CO 2 evolution. After several hours at this condition, pulling a vacuum on the system to remove product resulted in little or no evidence, by VPC and I.R., of vinyl ether formation. The temperature of the reactor was then raised to 160°-170° C. under atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, boiling of the mixture resulted. The product collected (8 gms) showed a VPC peak at 0.74 min. retention time and absorption in the I.R. at 1840 cm -1 indicating formation of the vinyl ether.
EXAMPLE 3
15 Ml of tetraglyme and 1.0 gm of anhydrous Na 2 CO 3 were added to a 3-neck flask equipped with a thermometer, stirrer and reflux condenser. Cold traps (-78° C.) were downstream of the condenser and a slight back pressure of N 2 was maintained by means of a bubbler FSO 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF(CF 3 )CF 2 OCF(CF 2 Cl)CFO(3 gms) were added and after a brief evolution of CO 2 , the temperature was raised to 80° C. and held there for several hours until CO 2 evolution ceased. A vacuum was pulled on the reactor and the temperature was slowly increased to 136° C. while collecting 1.5 gms of product in the cold trap. The majority of the product was collected before the temperature reached 90° C. VPC analysis showed additional product remaining in the tetraglyme solvent. The product was confirmed as ##STR21## by mass spectroscopy, I.R. and F 19 NMR.
EXAMPLE 4
To a 100 ml 3-neck flask were added 50 ml of dry tetraglyme and 9.75 gms of anhydrous Na 2 CO 3 . The flask was equipped with a stirring bar, reflux condenser, thermometer, and inlet port. Two -78° C. cold traps in series were located downstream of the reflux condenser. A slight back pressure was maintained on the system with a dry N 2 bubbler. 15.95 Grams of ##STR22## were added slowly at room temperature. There was a small temperature rise to about 35° C., and an evolution of CO 2 , upon addition of the acid fluoride. The temperature was increased to 67°-68° C. and held there for 2.5 hours. The product was then distilled from the reactor. 12.59 Grams of product were collected which analyzed 97.37 percent as ClCF 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF═CF 2 . This represents a 99.3 percent yield to the vinyl ether.
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Fluorovinyl compounds having the formula
TLCF═CF.sub.2
are prepared by reacting compounds having the formula ##STR1## for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the vinyl compound: where
X=Cl, Br or I;
Z=F, Cl, Br, OH, NRR', OA, or SA;
R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl having one or more than one carbon atom, and aryl;
A=Alkali metal, alkali earth metal, quaternary nitrogen, or R;
L=oxygen or sulfur; and
T=an alkyl or aryl radical which does not interfere with the reaction.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to high speed graphic displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Applications for graphical displays, e.g., cathode ray tube and the like, in the last few years has witnessed explosive growth. Many of these displays are required to illustrate, simulate or display complex curves. The combination of the need for flicker-free displays coupled with the complexity in the patterns to be displayed has caused the devices used to drive the display to become more complex and costly. The only relief from this tendency has been to reduce resolutions or to employ approximations to the graphic actually desired to be displayed, so as to simplify the apparatus required to drive the display. In most instances the approximation or resolution reduction is required as a practical matter while the user still desires a high resolution, exact display. Unfortunately, however, high resolution, exact displays were often impossible to achieve because the concurrent requirements of flicker-free displays (requiring approximately 30 frames per second) coupled with the high computational load needed to determine many coordinate pairs (for example, at least 1000 per frame).
One other difficulty further multiplying the complexity has been the apparent necessity to employ unique circuits or circuit combinations for generating signals to display different graphics, i.e., a typical prior art display generator might employ a collection of circuits to display linear graphics, a different circuit or circuit combination to generate circular graphics and still further circuit combinations to generate ellipses. In some instances, some of the circuitry was employed in common, but still each different form of graphic required at least some unique circuitry. Obviously, complexity could be reduced if common circuitry could be employed to generate line, circle and ellipse (or ellipse portion) graphics.
As is well known to those skilled in the art, in many instances, complex circuits which are designed to solve specific forms of equations can also be replaced by a stored program processor with a program which simulates the operation of the circuit in random access logic rather than in fixed discrete logic. This ability of the prior art to substitute stored program processing power for discrete circuits does not result in the solution of the problems mentioned above since each of the various forms of graphic require different subroutines and therefore, generation of an entire frame may require a stored program processor to refer to a multiplicity of routines which result in a similar computational load.
The display of three-dimensional objects on a two dimensional display appears to require the ability to display circles, straight lines and ellipses. In particular, an isometric drawing of a circle, for example, is in the form of an ellipse, and therefore, many two dimensional displays of three-dimensional objects consist of straight lines and ellipses or portions of ellipses. If the object to be displayed is to be displayed as moving (e.g., rotating, translating and changing in overall size) a non-flickering display of 30 frames per second can require the sequential generation in tens of microseconds of each of the lines and/or ellipses comprising the figure. This may readily result in an uneconomical computational burden when the figures are composed of graphics which are described in polynomial form, the solution to which requires a complex operation such as multiplication, division and/or square rooting.
A typical example of a display device which can be improved in accordance with the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,956 issued Jan. 1, 1980 to Schwab et al entitled "Digital Indicia Generator Employing Compressed Data" and assigned to the assignee of this application. In the Schwab et al patent, a display generator for displaying straight lines is disclosed which employs a first order approximation to an exact straight line display, when used with a polar swept display, i.e., R-θ, rather than a Cartesian sweep. In order to produce a display illustrating a reasonably straight line, especially for indicia which are relatively long, the straight line desired to be displayed is broken up into segments within which the first order approximation employed is accurate within an acceptable tolerance. Since the display generator does not automatically segment the indicia sought to be displayed, this is a burden placed on the operator which would not at all be necessary if the display generator operated to produce the indicia actually sought to be displayed, i.e., a straight line, and this burden could be eliminated by a display generator operating with exact rather than approximate processes. In addition, the approximation produces a sequence of segments, each at an angle to its neighbors so that the straight line approximation is in reality a sawtooth type indicia.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a display generator which is capable of generating those signals necessary for use with a display having a predetermined sweep pattern, to display lines, circles and ellipses. It is a further object of the present invention to meet the foregoing object at the same time by the use of circuits and/or routines which do not require the complex processes such as multiplication, division or square rooting. It is a further object of the invention to provide a display generator capable of displaying straight lines, circles and ellipses which can be implemented with relatively simple digital circuitry or processes requiring only essentially the digital operations of shifting and addition and eliminating, almost entirely, the more complex operations of multiplication, division and/or square rooting. It is a further object of the invention to meet the foregoing objects in a device which is capable of use with different sweep patterns, e.g., Cartesian sweeps and/or polar sweeps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention meets these and other object by providing, in a display device for displaying selected indicia on a field swept in a predetermined pattern,
a processor for generating a sequence of signals, each representing coordinates of said selected indicia in response to indicia selection signals, said processor comprising:
an initiating processor responsive to said indicia selection signals for producing digital signals representing a first coordinate of said selected indicia and further digital signals representing rate of change of at least one component of said first coordinate,
a recursive processor responsive to said digital signals and to said further digital signals for producing a sequence of digital signals each representing different coordinates of said selected indicia, each said different coordinates spaced from adjacent coordinates by a predetermined distance,
and a comparator responsive to said recursive processor and to signals indicative of instantaneous sweep position for illuminating said display field when said sweep is in a position corresponding to a coordinate of said indicia.
In accordance with the invention, the initiating processor operates on indicia selection signals. The indicia selection signals can, for example, in the case of an ellipse, comprise signals definitive of the extent of the major and minor axes of the ellipse, as well as a further signal indicative of the orientation of the ellipse with respect to sweep coordinates. The initiating processor responds to those signals and produces the digital signals representative of a first coordinate of said indicia, along with the further digital signals representative of a rate of change of at least one component of the coordinate. As is disclosed herein, the initiating processor requires a multiplication operation. However, since the initiating processor need operate only once for each different graphic symbol, the burden of this multiplication process is limited.
The recursive processor responds to the digital signals and to the further digital signals produced by the initiating processor to generate a sequence of digital signals representing other coordinates of the selected indicia. The recursive processor employs only the processes of shifting and addition which digital processes can be accomplished with time expenditure in the nanosecond range with state of the art circuitry or processors.
Thus, in response to the indicia selection signals, the inventive processor will generate a sequence of signals representing coordinates of the desired indicia with a resolution which can be selected at the time the circuitry is designed or when the processing routines are written. Increasing the resolution will require an increase in the number of operations required to be performed, but since the unit time for processing a single coordinate is in the nanosecond range, thousands of operations can be performed in times measured in microseconds, thereby allowing adequate resolution without unduly long processing time.
As thus far explained, the inventive processor generates coordinates of the selected indicia which describe the indicia as centered at the origin of a display field. As those skilled in the art are aware, the indicia to be displayed can be located anywhere within the display field by simply adding a constant, or constants, to each of the signals representing the coordinates, the constant or constants representing the translation from the origin. Inasmuch as this feature is well known to those skilled in the art, and requires a negligible additional amount of processing time, at least for raster type sweeps, it will only be briefly referred to hereinafter.
In order to illustrate the advantages of the invention, consider the solution of a problem requiring display of an ellipse, centered at the origin. Inasmuch as circles and straight lines are degenerate forms of an ellipse, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same processes (i.e., circuitry and/or routines) which generate signals capable of displaying an ellipse, are also capable of generating those signals necessary to display circles and/or straight lines.
FIG. 2 illustrates an ellipse, centered at X 0 , Y 0 of a field, having a major axis 2A and a minor axis 2B, and inclined at an angle θ to the coordinate system. If the value of x on the ellipse is given, then the corresponding value y(x) on the ellipse is given by the following equations: ##EQU1## where A is half the major axis and B is half the minor axis.
To display this ellipse on a cathode ray tube (CRT), given its imputed parameters of inclination θ, major and minor axes 2A and 2B, and its center displacement X o and Y o , start with any X, which is the horizontal deflection of the CRT, and calculate the vertical deflection Y using Eq. 1-4. If the radical in Eq. 1 is imaginary, then the chosen X is outside the ellipse, and there exists no corresponding value of Y. When the radical is real, there are two values of Y, as is obvious from FIG. 2. A sequential scan of X for all real radicals covers the whole ellipse. Note that the determination of Y requires the functions of addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, and square rooting. For a display frame comprising many such ellipses per frame, each displayed in sequence, and the requirement of generating 30 such frames per second, the resultant computation burden becomes quite large.
However, by using a dummy (angle) variable φ equations 1-4 can be rewritten, as functions of φ as equations 5-12:
x(φ)=A" cos φ-B' sin φ (5)
x'(φ)=A" sin φ-B' cos φ (6)
y(φ)=A' cos φ+B" sin φ (7)
y'(φ)=-A' sin φ+B" cos φ (8)
where x'(φ) is the first derivative of x(φ) with respect to φ, and likewise for y'(φ) and y(φ), and where
A'=A sin θ (9)
A"=A cos θ (10)
B'=B sin θ (11)
B"=B cos θ (12)
However, merely rewriting the equations for the ellipse in the form shown as equations 5-12 does not reduce the computational burden, it merely requires a different form in that the square rooting, multiplication and division has now been reduced to multiple multiplications.
Significantly, however, we can also relate the coordinates of one point on the indicia at the dummy variable φ to its adjacent points at the dummy variable φ+u with the exact equations 13-16 as follows:
x(φ+u)=x(φ) cos u+x'(φ) sin u (13)
x'(φ+u)=x'(φ) cos u-x(φ) sin u (14)
y(φ+u)=+y(φ) cos u+y'(φ) sin u (15)
y'(φ+u)=y'(φ) cos u-y(φ) sin u (16)
where u represents an angular increment from φ to the adjacent coordinates φ+u.
Significantly, in respect of equations 13-16, is the fact that given x(φ) and y(φ) along with the associated quantities x'(φ) and y'(φ), we can determine the new coordinates x(φ+u) and y(φ+u) at the new angle φ+u. Note that the equations 13-16 are not approximations; they are exact. Furthermore, and also significant in connection with digital circuitry and/or digital processors, these are recurrence relationships in that given the "old" values x(φ), y(φ), x'(φ) and y'(φ), along with the incremental quantity or angle u, we can determine the "new" coordinates x(φ+u), y(φ+u) at the angle φ+u. The recurrent characteristic of these equations minimizes the required storage or memory since it is only necessary to store the preceding "old" coordinates at any φ in order to generate the "new" coordinates at φ+u. Note also that no higher derivatives of x and y, other than the first, are required to exactly determine the new coordinates at φ+u, given the coordinates at φ.
Although the value of u in equations 13-16 is unrestricted, in order to provide adequate display continuity, the augmenting parameter u is necessarily small. However, when u is small we can then, without significantly degrading the accuracy of the results, desirably employ the simplifying relation sin(u)=u and cos(u)=1-0.5u 2 . Furthermore, if we select u to correspond to a binary number 2 -b , we can relate the new with the adjacent "old" coordinates, designated by the subscripts 2 and 1, as follows:
x.sub.2 =x.sub.1 -x.sub.1 (2.sup.-2b-1)+x'.sub.1 (2.sup.-b) (17)
x'.sub.2 =x'.sub.1 -x'.sub.1 (2.sup.-2b-1)-x.sub.1 (2.sup.-b) (18)
A relationship similar to equations 17 and 18 can be written for the relationship between the other coordinate component y. To implement this relationship in digital form one obtains x 2 by beginning with x 1 , subtracting from it x 1 (after having shifted x 1 to the right by 2b+1 bit positions), and finally, adding to the result x' 1 (after having shifted it to the right by b bit positions). A similar process can be used to obtain y 2 and y' 2 from y 1 and y' 1 . The operations required in the solution of this relationship is merely shifting and adding, and can be accomplished in tens of nanoseconds. An ellipse, for example, with resolution requiring illumination of 1000 coordinate pairs, can be determined in tens of microseconds; this is many orders of magnitude smaller than the time required to process the same number of coordinates using relationships (1) through (4) requiring multiplication, division and square rooting.
Furthermore the computational burden, lightened in accordance with equations 17 and 18, can further be reduced by employing the relationship: ##EQU2##
Employing the relationships of equations 19 and 20, coordinates covering the entire ellipse can be determined by using equations 17 and 18 over a halfspan of the ellipse, i.e., (-π/2) to (+π/2), and then employing equations 19 and 20 for the span (+π/2) to (-π/2). The foregoing calculations of x(φ) are referenced to origin o 1 of the center of the ellipse in FIG. 2. Restoration to the coordinates of FIG. 2 comprise merely adding the shifts x o and y o between o 1 and 0.
Once the coordinates, representing points on the indicia sought to be displayed, are generated, the signals can be compared with the sweep signals and the display illuminated on an equal comparison, see in this regard FIGS. 1, 3 and 12 of the referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,956. In prior art display generators it was advisable to predetermine all the coordinates of the indicia to be displayed, store such results, and read out the stored information as the sweep is generated, rather than to compute each point on the indicia as the sweep is generated. It is however, a significant advantage of this invention that such function is not necessary. More particularly in conventional radar displays, in which 2048 azimuth positions are used, each with separately resolvable 2048 range positions, the sweep is displaced from one range cell to the next in about 40 nanoseconds. The present invention allows different coordinates to be determined in times of the same order of magnitude so that, if desired, different coordinates may be displayed in response to determinations made "on the fly", as the sweep is actually traced out. This eliminates the huge memory requirement and requires storage of only that information used to initially define the indicia to the recursive processor. In addition to the foregoing however, and as another aspect of the invention, use of coordinates representing indicia (such as straight lines, circles, ellipses, etc.) can be effected without displaying the indicia themselves. It can be desirable, for example, to select among certain information bearing signals based on a particular indicia. For example, a user may desire to display a portion of a waveform above a threshold, in which case the indicia could be a straight horizontal or vertical line and the information bearing signal is displayed only when it has a fixed relation (i.e. greater than) to the indicia. This is effected by comparing indicia coordinates; processed on the fly, with sweep position, and gating the display only when the desired relation exists. As another practical example, it may be desired, in connection with an airport radar capable of displaying taxiing aircraft, to display aircraft only within certain boundaries (indicia), which may be composed of straight lines, for example, corresponding to a runway or taxiway. The invention can be employed to select those information bearing signals which meet predetermined criteria relative to selected indicia, i.e. within runway boundaries. FIG. 12A shows a PPI of a radar illustrating a runway bounded by lines L1 and L2 (L1 extending between R11 and R12, and L2 extending between R21 and R22), extending in azimuth between φ1 and φ2. In this application the information in a video signal is contained in its timing, therefore the apparatus must determine, for a particular azimuth, whether the boundary is defined, and if so, whether the range corresponding to a particular video signal is within the boundary, at that azimuth. This is effected, by gating the recursive display generator on and off as the display sweep reaches the start and stop azimuths, respectively. A first coordinate (φ 1 and S 1 =1/r 1 ) is determined for each boundary, this (S) is compared with returned video, and if the desired relation exists the video is enabled, otherwise it is not. The display generator is clocked on the next azimuth clock to compute a new coordinate φ 2 =φ 1 +Δ, S 2 and this comparison is again made. In this fashion only video signals bearing the desired relation are displayed. Accordingly, another aspect of this invention comprises a display apparatus for displaying selected information bearing signals, selected by comparison with coordinates of selected indicia, which indicia are defined by compressed indicia defining data the display apparatus comprising:
a recursive processor responsive to said indicia defining information for producing a sequence of digital signals, each representing different coordinates of said selected indicia,
a clock, and two dimensional sweep means responsive to said clock for generating signals for sweeping a display field in two dimensions,
gating means for gating said information bearing signals,
visible signal generating means responsive to said sweep means and to said gating means for generating visible signals corresponding to information bearing signals passed by said gating means,
a first comparator for comparing one of said indicia defining signals with a first coordinate of said instantaneous sweep position,
second gating means for gating said recursive processor means in response to an equal comparison from said comparator,
and a second comparator responsive to a signal from said recursive processor and to a signal representative of instantaneous sweep position in said other coordinate for producing an output signal when said instantaneous sweep position representing signal bears a predetermined relation to a signal from said recursive processor means, and means coupling said second comparator means to said gating means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to more fully describe the invention so as to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, the invention is further described in the following portions of the specification when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which like reference characters identify identical apparatus or functions and:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display generator which can employ the inventive processor of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates the parameters of a typical ellipse in rectangular coordinates.
FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the inventive processor;
FIG. 3B is a detailed block diagram of the initiating processor of FIG. 3A;
FIGS. 3C and 3D are two different embodiments of the recursive processor of FIG. 3A;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are simulations of the operation of the processor of FIGS. 3D and 3C, respectively;
FIG. 6 is a representation of a straight line in a Cartesian and polar coordinates;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a processor useful for sweeps in polar form;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are detailed block diagrams of components of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 10 is a simulated output of the processor of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11A is a representation of an ellipse in polar form with either focus at the origin.
FIG. 11B is a representation of a parabola in polar form with its focus at the origin.
FIG. 12A illustrates the use of the processor in a radar displaying only those targets on a straight line airport landing strip.
FIG. 12B is an embodiment of the inventive processor to effect the display of FIG. 12A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1, a display device, such as CRT 10, with a raster scan deflection system including Y sweep generator 11 and X sweep generator 12, is arranged to display selected indicia and may also display, in connection with the selected indicia, information bearing signals. More particularly, a clock 13 drives the X sweep generator 12 and the Y sweep generator 11 through a divider 14. The signal source 15 represents a source of externally generated signals which can be displayed in the display field of the display device 10 along with the selected indicia. The signal source 15 is coupled through a mixer 16 to the unblanking control for the display 10 and also provides a triggering input for the clock 13. As one example, the signal source 15 may comprise the output of a radar system. The remaining apparatus of FIG. 1 is arranged to display a selected indicia, concurrent with the display of the signals from the source 15 and employing the same deflection system. As shown in FIG. 1, these other components include a memory arrangement 17 driving an indicia generator 18. The indicia generator 18 receives, in addition to the input provided by the memory 17, horizontal and vertical clock signals as well as horizontal and vertical sweep reset signals (not illustrated) and provides a second input to the mixer 16 for display purposes. The apparatus of FIG. 1, as well as an arrangement for displaying selected indicia with a display swept in polar coordinates, is more completely described in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,956 issued Jan. 1, 1980.
The present invention is more particularly related to an improved method and apparatus of generating data required for the indicia generator 18 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 of the referenced patent for use with raster or polar swept displays. FIG. 3A is a block diagram of one embodiment of the inventive processor including an initiating processor 30 and a recursive processor 31. As shown in FIG. 3A, initiating processor 30 responds to indicia selecting signals, i.e., those signals which identify the indicia to be displayed. Those signals comprise the parameters A,B, and θ, and φ, defining, respectively, the parameters as shown in FIG. 2. The initiating processor outputs signals which can be represented as four words, a first pair of words corresponding to a first coordinate of the indicia and comprising X 1 , Y 1 . In addition, two additional words comprising X' 1 and Y' 1' respectively, the rates of change of the indicia at the first coordinate. The recursive processor then provides a sequence of digital signals representing the indicia sought to be displayed, and defined by the initial indicia selecting signals input to the initiating processor. The sequence of signals output by the recursive processor include a sequence of X and Y signals, each pair defining a different point on the indicia, and these are coupled to comparators as is illustrated in the referred to patent for, at times, causing the mixer 16 to intensify the display to thereby illuminate a point on the display corresponding to the coordinate identified by the X and Y words. Alternatively, the output of the recursive processor may be buffered before being coupled to the comparators. As shown in FIG. 3A, and as is mentioned above, the indicia defined by the indicia selecting words may be displayed at any selected location in the display field by appropriately translating the indicia. To translate the indicia, the origin is translated by providing X 0 and Y 0 words input to adders 32 and 33, the other input of which comprises the sequence of X and Y words from the recursive processor 31. As a result, the output of the adders 32 and 33 provide a sequence of signals identifying the coordinates of the indicia, as displaced in accordance with X 0 and Y 0 .
FIG. 3B is a detailed block diagram of the initiating processor 30.
In order to implement equations 5-12 the trignomeric functions of θ and φ must be derived. As shown in FIG. 3B a trignometric ROM 39 is employed which sequentially is addressed by digital representations of θ and φ to produce the four outputs noted in the drawing. It should be apparent that ROM 39 could be replaced by any other device for deriving the desired quantities, for example the quantities could be calculated. The circuitry for applying the addressing inputs sequentially, and for buffering the outputs, comprising simple registers and gating circuitry, is omitted for clarity as such circuitry can be supplied by those skilled in the art.
Once the trig function representations are available, they and the representations of the parameters A and B are applied to a matrix of multipliers and adders, as shown in FIG. 3B. More particularly (digital) multipliers M1-M4, each with two inputs, produce the quantities A', B', A", B". This can be effected by gating all multipliers simultaneously when both the trig functions and parameters A and B are present. Following that operation the multipliers M5-M12, each with two inputs comprising the same trig functions and the result of the operation of M1-M4, operate to produce the eight parameters whose sum, in pairs, are X 1 , Y' 1 and X' 1 , Y 1' . This is effected by gating the multipliers M5-M12 simultaneously in the joint presence of the trig functions and the outputs of M1-M4. Accordingly, the eight parameters of the desired quantities are presented to the adders 34-37 with the polarity indicated. The timing circuitry to gate the various multipliers M1-M12 and buffers are, again, omitted as anyone skilled in the art could provide such apparatus.
FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate respectively two different embodiments of a recursive processor in accordance with the present invention. The processor of FIG. 3D is a first order processor which produces a close approximation to the exact ellipse; for small portions of an ellipse the output signals of the first order recursive processor shown in FIG. 3D may indeed be sufficient.
Reference is made, however, to FIG. 3C which illustrates a second order recursive processor producing signals which are very closely representative of the indicia sought to be displayed. The recursive processor of both FIGS. 3C and 3D can process signals necessary for one coordinate (i.e., X or Y), and therefore, normally two such recursive processors are required in any display. However, as those skilled in the art will understand, by appropriately adjusting timing and/or control signals, the single recursive processor of FIGS. 3C and 3D may be employed for both coordinates by suitably time sharing the same.
Referring now to FIG. 3C, it will be seen that the recursive processor comprises a plurality of gates, shifters and adders, and significantly, no multiplication, division or square rooting is performed. More particularly, a gate 40 has a pair of inputs and an output and a gate 41 also has a pair of inputs and an output. The output of gates 40 and 41 are coupled, respectively, to shifters 42 and 43, each providing for an equal b bit shift in the words presented at the input. Each of the shifters 42 and 43 has an output which is coupled, respectively, to inputs or further shifters 44 and 45. Each of the shifters 44 and 45 shift the input presented thereto by an equal amount of b+1 bits.
The output of shifters 42 and 43 is also coupled respectively to an inverting input of an adder 47 and a non-inverting input of an adder 46. The other inputs to adders 46 and 47 are derived, respectively, from the output of gates 40 and 41. The output of adders 46 and 47 are provided, respectively, as inputs to additional adders 48 and 49. Adders 48 and 49 have inverting inputs connected, respectively to the outputs of additional shifters 44 and 45. The output of adder 48 comprises a sequence of signals, each defining one coordinate of the display and thus the sequence defines a sequence of one coordinate of the indicia. The output of adder 49 comprises a sequence of signals each designating the rate of change of that coordinate and thus, the sequence of signals defines the sequential rate of change of the indicia coordinate. The outputs of adders 48 and 49 are coupled, respectively, as inputs to gates 40 and 41. The other input to gates 40 and 41 are derived from the initiating processor 30 for the corresponding coordinate and its rate of change.
Gates 40 and 41 are enabled to couple the initiating processor output to the shifting devices 42, 43 only at the beginning of the indicia generation process. Once the summing devices 48,49 produce their first output, that first output is coupled back to gates 40 and 41, and that output and succeeding outputs from the summing devices 48,49 are coupled by the gates to the shifting devices 42,43, respectively. For example, a simple monostable multivibrator, set to an astable state by the start signal from the initiating processor 30 can be used to control the gates 40, 41 to achieve the desired operation. When the monostable multivibrator times out, and switches to its rest state, gates 40 and 41 are controlled to couple the outputs of the summers to the shifting devices.
Those skilled in the art will understand how the various elements of FIG. 3C can be controlled by clocking signals, and therefore no description of such operation is provided.
While FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate single lines coupling various devices, it should be understood that this is not meant to imply serial data transfer. More particularly, each of the digital signals referred to herein are multibit signals, and while they can be transferred from one circuit element to another in a serial fashion, a transfer can also take place in parallel fashion in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
In operation, the circuit of FIG. 3C implements the solution of equations 17 and 18. That is, more particularly, the gate 40,41 couple coordinates, for example X old and X' old to the shifting devices 42,43. The use of subscripts old and new is, of course, relative since the recursive processor operates sequentially. An output of adder 48 is a "new" coordinate while that same signal, when fed back to gate 40, is an "old" coordinate. Each of the shifting devices provides for a b bit right shift, corresponding to a multiplication by 2 -b . Thus, adder 46 sums X old with X' old (2 -b ). That sum is coupled as one input to adder 48 whose other terminal receives, from the shifting device 44, a signal representing X old 2 -2b-1 . The latter input is inverted by the adder 48, and thus the difference produced corresponds to X new . In a like fashion, the combination of adder 47, shifting device 42, adder 49 and shifting device 45 derive a signal representing X' new . The signal X new is provided to the adder 32 and also fed back to become, on a next cycle of operation of the circuit of FIG. 3C X old . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the circuit of FIG. 3C may be duplicated to handle the other term for each coordinate or, on the other hand, the circuit of FIG. 3C can be time shared. Of course, time sharing the circuit of FIG. 3C requires the addition of buffers to store signals representing one of the coordinate parameters, for example, X and X', while the other coordinate parameter, Y and Y', was being operated on.
Accordingly, as explained above, the recursive processor responds to the output of the initiating processor and produces a sequence of digital signals, each signal in the sequence representing different coordinates of the selected indicia. Since the displacement between X n and X n+1 is related to u, the augmenting parameter, each coordinate is spaced from adjacent coordinates by a predetermined (angular) distance.
In a similar fashion, the circuit of FIG. 3D implements a first order equation which provides more approximate signals representing the coordinates of the selected indicia. In view of the discussion of FIG. 3C, no further discussion of FIG. 3D or its operation is believed necessary.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show, respectively, a simulation illustrating the output of the inventive processor for the first order recursive processor of FIG. 3D, and the second order recursive processor FIG. 3C. Each of the Figures shows one quadrant of a set of ellipses with one half axis A equal to 6 units, and the other half axis B ranging from 0 to 9, in steps of one unit. As shown, each of the ellipses is rotated 30° (hence θ=30°) with respect to the coordinate system. Each of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an exact ellipse for comparison with the simulated results from the inventive processor. Note that in FIG. 4 the difference between the exact ellipse and the result of the inventive processor is less than one line width, and that in FIG. 5, no difference can be ascertained. FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate that the circle and straight line are degenerate forms of ellipses; in particular, for the case B=0, the ellipse is degenerated into the straight line illustrated, and for B=A=6, the curve produced is a quadrant of a circle.
While the foregoing has considered the problem of generating a display in a Cartesian coordinate system, the inventive processor is by no means limited to such a particular sweep pattern. A popular alternative to the use of a raster sweep is the polar sweep and, as will now be described, the inventive processor can also be employed with display systems operating in a polar sweep.
Preferatory to describing the manner in which the inventive processor is so used, reference is again made to the referenced patent for an illustration of the manner in which the signals, representing coordinates of points on the indicia sought to be displayed, can be employed to actually cause the various points to be illuminated. That patent discloses that the computed values of the various coordinates are stored in scratch pad memories and read out in coordination with the sweep. Similar apparatus is employed with the inventive processor of the present invention as will be made clear hereinafter.
FIG. 6 illustrates a typical straight lines whose equation, in Cartesian coordinates, is y=Mx+b, as is shown in FIG. 6. In polar coordinates, the same equation can be written as
r=b/(sin φ-M cos φ) (21)
In equation 21, the parameters b and M have the same meaning as they do in the Cartesian expression, r represents the radial length of a vector from the origin to any point on the indicia, and φ represents the corresponding angle to the associated point.
The form of Eq. 21, makes it difficult to use r(φ) and derivative r'(φ) to recursively generate r(φ) data, as exemplified in the quoted patent. However, this difficulty is removed by using not r(φ) but its reciprocal s(φ)=1/r(φ). Thus, the inventive processor uses
s(φ)=1/r(φ)=(1/b) sin φ-(M/b) cos φ. (22)
In the referenced patent, the straight line of FIG. 6 is approximated in polar coordinates by computing an incremental Δ r for each fixed incremental Δ φ until the resultant curve deviates from the straight line beyond acceptable limits of accuracy of fit. Because the approximating graph r(φ) is a curved spiral, tangent to the straight line at the mid-span of fit, more than one spiral is required to yield a piece-wise fit to the straight line. The required number of approximating spirals increases in the region where the straight line approaches the origin of coordinates where the spirals have a large curvature. It is also required to store in memory the start/stop parameters and the Δ r's for approximating spirals, and to have computer logic functions which transfer from one spiral to the next as the azimuth parameter φ increases. In the inventive processor, the foregoing piece-wise segmentation and its required memory is not needed, and the saw-tooth residuals from the spiral approximation is eliminated, as will be shown later, resulting in an almost complete absence of error.
In this form the s(φ) vs. φ equations is of the form of Eq. (5), allowing the same advantageous inventive recursive development for s(φ) and s 1 (φ).
FIG. 6 illustrates two representative points 1, 2 on the indicia, associated with the radial vectors r 1 and r 2 ; the vectors are associated, respectively, with azimuth φ 1 and φ 2 . In order to relate adjacent other points r on the indicia, we note that ##EQU3## and so, as in Eq. 5 and 6 and Eq. 13 and 14 ##EQU4## Again, Eq. 27 and 28 are exact and hold for all values of u. For small values of u, using the second order approximation cos u=1-(u 2 /2) and sin u=u, equation 27 and 28 become, approximately ##EQU5##
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate, respectively, block diagrams of another embodiment of the inventive processor for generating signals necessary for display of straight line indicia in a polar coordinate system, a detailed block diagram of the initiating processor of FIG. 7 and a detailed block diagram of the recursive processor of FIG. 7.
In more detail, as shown in FIG. 7, the inventive processor includes an initiating processor 70 and a recursive processor 71. Inputs to the initiating processor comprise a pair of coordinates, each coordinate represented by a radius parameter and an azimuth or angular parameter which inputs are effective when gated by the start signal. The output of the initiating processor 70 comprises a single reciprocal radius parameter s, and a corresponding rate of change s', which are provided as inputs to the recursive processor 71. An additional input to the recursive processor 71 is the initial angular parameter φ 1 . Outputs of the recursive processor include a sequence of digital signals each representing a different coordinate on the indicia to be displayed, each coordinate comprising an s and an angular parameter φ. Desirably, the reciprocal radius parameter s is coupled through a reciprocal ROM 72 to output a corresponding radius parameter r. A sequence of such corresponding coordinates r, φ, when coupled to a display system, for example, as illustrated in the referenced patent, will result in the production of the display of the desired indicia.
The initiating processor 70 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The initiating processor of FIG. 8 implements equations 23-24. More particularly, the parameter r 1 is coupled as an input to a reciprocal ROM 81 as well as to one input of multipliers 84,85 and 86. Reciprocal ROM 81 correlates an input used as an address with the reciprocal quantity. Thus, input r 1 results in output s 1 where s 1 =1/r 1 . In a similar fashion, the r 2 parameter is coupled as an input to multipliers 91, 92 and 86. The initial azimuth parameter φ 1 is coupled as an input to sin ROM 82, cos ROM 83, and to a non-inverting input of summer 89. The other azimuth parameter φ 2 is coupled as an input to sin ROM 87, cos ROM 88 and to the inverting input of adder 89. The output of the sin ROM 82 is coupled as the other input to the multiplier 84, and also as and input to a multiplier 93. The output of the cos ROM 83 is coupled as the other input to multiplier 85, and as an input to a multiplier 94. Similarly, the output of sin ROM 87 is coupled as the other input to multiplier 91. The output of cos ROM 88 is coupled as the other input to multiplier 92. The output of the adder 89 is coupled as an input to the sin ROM 90. The output of multipliers 91 and 84 are summed in a summer 96, the output of which is coupled as one input to multiplier 98. The output of the sin ROM 90 is coupled as one input to a multiplier 80, the other input of which is provided by the multiplier 86. The output of the multiplier 80 is coupled as the input of the reciprocal ROM 100, the output of which is provided as the other input to multiplier 98 and one input to multiplier 99. The output of the multiplier 92 is coupled to a non-inverting input of summer 97. The inverting input of summer 97 is provided by the output of multiplier 85, and the output of the summer 97 is the other input to the multiplier 99.
While FIG. 8 represents the second coordinates r 2 and φ 2 as "final", those skilled in the art will appreciate that choice is convenient but arbitrary, and any other intermediate coordinate can be selected. As was the case with the initiating processor of FIG. 3B, on application of the input parameters a single cycle of operation of the initiating processor produces the desired results, that is, more particularly, s 1 and s' 1 . With these parameters, the recursive processor will produce a sequence of digital signals, each representing in polar coordinate form, a plurality of points on the indicia desired to be displayed.
The recursive processor of FIG. 9 includes components identical to the recursive processor of FIG. 3C, and operates in a similar fashion to produce, from inputs labelled s old and s' old (derived from the initiating processor of FIG. 8) a sequence of quantities s new and s' new' the former of which form one of the parameters for coordinates of the indicia to be displayed.
The processor disclosed in connection with FIG. 3 implemented an equation in which the augmenting parameter u was a dummy variable, and as a result, a recursive processor or processing function was required for both the parameters which made up the coordinate. In contrast, the augmenting parameter of equations 29 and 30 is the angular coordinate itself. As a result, a recursive processor or processing function is not required to generate, from an old value of φ a new value of φ. Rather, the old value, i.e., φ 1' is coupled to a gate 111 (similar to gate 101 and 102). The output of gate 111 is provided to a summer 112, the other input to which is provided by a device 113 providing an ouput signal representing u. The result, i.e., the output of summer 112, is φ new' that is φ new =φ old +u (when φ old' φ new and u are expressed in radian measure). Accordingly, to generate a sequence of φ new , it is only necessary to feed back the prior φ new as the other input to gate 111. Thus, on the first operation of the initiating processor, the value φ 1 is coupled through gate 111 to the summer 112. Subsequently, however, the gate 111 passes the output of summer 112 back to its input to thereby produce a sequence of φ new values, each corresponding to an s new value. Of course, the cycling of the recursive processor of FIG. 9 requires that the s new values and φ new values be produced in synchronism so that corresponding s new and φ new values can be correlated. However, as mentioned above, the clocking and control circuits required to effect the synchronization is readily apparent to those skilled in the art and is not detailed herein.
FIG. 10 is a simulation of the operation of the processor of FIG. 7 arranged to draw a straight line. To illustrate the results of the processing operation, FIG. 10 illustrates each line (vector), from the origin to the desired indicia. Of course, on an actual display, the entire line is not displayed and only the end point is actually illuminated. The reader can verify the accuracy with which the simulated processor has functioned by noting that the end points lie quite accurately on a straight line.
Although the present description is that of a processor for displaying straight lines in polar coordinates, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize how the same techniques can be employed to display any other r,φ curves which have the same generic form as FIG. 2. Examples of such other curves are ellipses with one focus at the origin, and parabolas with its focus at the origin, such as shown in FIG. 11a and 11b, respectively. To effect this, only the initiating processor need be altered.
The foregoing description has been that of a display generator which, in response to indicia defining signals allow coordinates of the indicia to be generated more rapidly than in the prior art, and which may be rapid enough to eliminate the necessity for actually storing information respecting each coordinate to be displayed. However, the invention can be applied in a display generator in which the indicia, whose coordinates are determined by the inventive processor are not themselves displayed, but in which those coordinates are employed to select information bearing signals that ought to be displayed, from among a larger set of information bearing signals. Thus, for example, FIGS. 12A and 12B are useful in explaining another embodiment of the invention, which is used to display only those signals representing radar targets which are within a predetermined boundary, i.e., a particular runway of an airport. FIG. 12A represents a PPI of a radar in which it is desired to display only those targets within the shaded region lying between the parallel lines L1 and L2, which lines are defined from a start azimuth φ 1 to a stop azimuth φ 2 , the line L1 being associated with radial end points R11 and R12 and line L2 being associated with radial end points R21 and R22. These parameters, i.e., the start and stop azimuths φ 1 and φ 2 and the radial end points are sufficient to define each of the indicia (all boundaries) L1 and L2.
FIG. 12B is a block diagram of this embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 12B, a memory device 121 is arranged to store the information representing the indicia or boundary defining information referred to immediately above. When loaded, the indicia defining memory 121 makes these indicia available to an initiating processor 70' (which can comprise duplicate processors 70 illustrated in FIG. 8), so that the initiating processor 70' makes available, as output signals, information representing s 1 and s' 1 , and likewise with respect to line L2 makes available the signals s 2 and s' 2 . Before further describing the use of these signals, reference is made to the portions of FIG. 12B which illustrate conventional components for PPI display. More particularly, a clock 122 provides timing signals at a constant repetition rate to a divider 123 and a range counter 124. The divider 123 provides timing signals, synchronized with the output of clock 122 but at a lower rate, to an azimuth angle counter 124. At any point in time the output of the azimuth angle counter 124 is a representation of the present azimuth angle φ of the sweep. The outputs of the azimuth angle counter 124 and the range counter 125 are coupled to sweep circuits 126 and 127 respectively for generating deflection voltages for deflecting an electron beam of CRT 128, so as the voltages change the beam sweeps across the face of the CRT 128 in a polar swept format. A radar video source 130 represents any source of radar video signals representing targets which generate return radar signals, and this source of information signals is coupled to a gate 129. The output of the gate 129 is coupled to the control electrode of the CRT 128 such that, those information bearing signals provided by the source 130, which pass the gate 129, are displayed. The manner in which the control signals for the gate 129 are developed will now be discussed.
Comparators 140 are subjected to three inputs and provide an output; the comparators 140 are subjected to an input corresponding to the present azimuth angle φ, as well as to the start and stop azimuths φ 1 and φ 2 . The output of comparators 140 may be used to gate the outputs of initiating processor to the recursive processor from buffers which store the output of initiating processor. Alternatively, the output of comparators 140 may be used to gate the initiating processor 70' into operation. In either event the signals s 1 , s' 1 , s 2 and s' 2 are fed respectively to recursive processors 71-1 and 71-2. These recursive processors can take the form of that shown in FIG. 9. The outputs of each of the recursive processors, are respectively s 1 and s 2 . These quantities, of course, comprise a reciprocal radius corresponding to one of the two terminal points of each line. The range count output, from range counter 125 is also applied to a reciprocal ROM 141. Accordingly, the output of ROM 141 corresponds to a reciprocal of the range, at which the sweep is developed, in real time. This is applied to an input of comparators 142, the other inputs of which comprise the output of the recursive processors 71-1 and 71-2. When, and only when, the range sweep lies between the limits imposed by s 1 and s 2 , the comparators 142 produce an enabling signal to the gate 129. Accordingly, any radar video signals at the start azimuth (φ 1 ) and lying within the lines L 1 and L 2 , will be passed by the gate 129 and displayed.
As the azimuth is indexed, the azimuth counter, 124 changes state and accordingly the azimuth sweep 126 produces an altered deflection voltage to effect display of this azimuth. At the same time, the pulse producing the change in the azimuth angle counter state is coupled to the recursive processors 71-1 and 71-2 to initiate an operation of these processors to determine new quantities s 1 and s 2 corresponding to the new azimuth. A signal coupled from the divider 123 to the recursive processors 71-1 and 71-2 can be provided to the gating circuits 101 and 102 (see FIG. 9) to allow the representation of s new to be coupled to the recursive processor. Thus, in this range sweep new quantities s 1 and s 2 are employed by the comparators 142. In this fashion, for each azimuth which is displayed, the appropriate radial boundary points are determined and the gate 129 is enabled for only those radar video signals lying between the boundaries.
It should be noted that coordinates of the boundaries are determined "on the fly", are not stored anywhere, and are, in fact, computed as the display is being generated. Furthermore, these coordinates are not themselves displayed but only form the boundaries in order to select that radar information which is to be displayed.
It should be apparent that the memory 121, initiating processors 70', recursive processors 71-1 and 71-2 along with the comparators 142 can be duplicated a number of times for each different boundary condition, and thus plural boundaries can be active at any one time. It should also be apparent that the apparatus of FIG. 12B does not require the coordinates of the boundaries to be precomputed and stored, thus simplifying this equipment.
The preceding discussion has assumed that the azimuth change signal, representing azimuth change Δφ is equal to u, the incrementing variable of the recursive processor. This need not be required if n Δφ=u, where n is an integer greater than one, a counter can be used to divide the azimuth change pulses which are used to stimulate the recursive processor. If Δφ=nu, where n is an integer greater than one, a clock and preset counter can be used to stimulate the recursive processor n times for each azimuth change pulse, where the counter is preset to n, and the clock is used to count the counter down, each time the counter changes state the recursive processor is stimulated.
While the present description is of a discrete logic circuit embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that the logic operations performed by the discrete circuits illustrated in the drawings of this application can be performed instead by a stored program processor, by properly programming the same. Therefore, the claims appended hereto should not be limited to the forms of the invention specifically disclosed herein.
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A display processor for displaying complex curves includes an initiating processor, responsive to indicia selection signals for producing signals representing at least one coordinate on said indicia, and recursive processor means responsive to said initiating processor for generating a sequence of signals, each signal in the sequence representing different coordinates of said indicia, and for also generating a corresponding sequence of signals representing rate of change of at least one parameter of said coordinates, a comparator responsive to the output of said recursive processor and to instantaneous sweep position for, at times, illuminating the display field when the instantaneous sweep position matches one of the sequence of indicia coordinates. The recursive nature of the processor limits the memory required during the course of the processing, and since the recursive processor performs only the functions of shifting and adding, the processing time expended is materially reduced over that previously required.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a speed sensing assembly and, more particularly, to a sensor latch for ensuring proper positioning of a speed sensor within a speed sensing assembly.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Speed sensing assemblies, which measure the rate of rotation of a vehicle wheel, are critical components of vehicle anti-lock braking systems, traction control systems, and the like. Speed sensing assemblies may be made as a one-piece assembly, which consists of a rotor which is mounted for rotation with the vehicle wheel and a stator that is generally mounted to the structure of the vehicle. The stator includes a bearing assembly which is adapted to rotatably receive the rotor therein. The stator assembly further includes a wheel speed sensing head or sensor which cooperates with the rotor to generate a pulsed output signal representative of wheel speed. It is imperative that the sensor be maintained in proper positioning relative to the rotor in order to ensure proper operation of the wheel speed sensor.
Frequently, speed sensing assemblies are manufactured and assembled at a location apart from the final assembly of the vehicle. This method allows the various mechanical and electrical connections to be tested prior to installation on the vehicle. However, occasionally it becomes necessary to assemble the various parts of the speed sensing assembly during the final assembly of the vehicle. For instance, it has recently become necessary to install the sensing head of the speed sensing assembly following installation of the main body within the vehicle. As a result, it has become more difficult to ensure that the sensor is properly seated within the speed sensor assembly to maintain reliable output of the pulsed signal.
Accordingly, there is a need in the relevant art to provide a method of ensuring proper installation of the sensor within the main body of the speed sensing assembly. Furthermore, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a latching member which signals a positive connection with the main body of the speed sensor assembly. Still further, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a positive latching member for a speed sensing assembly that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.
In accordance with the broad teachings of this invention, a positive sensor latch having an advantageous construction and method of assembly is provided. The latch includes a main body having a collar section adapted for receiving the wheel speed sensor therethrough. The latch further includes a pair of bifurcated legs extending from the main body. The pair of bifurcated legs being engageable with a pair of latching members formed on the bearing cap such that the pair of latching members and the pair of bifurcated legs cooperate to secure the wheel speed sensor on the bearing cap.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle bearing assembly employing a sensor retaining latch according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor retaining latch according to the principles of the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the vehicle bearing assembly illustrating the sensor retaining latch in a latched position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
Referring now to the drawings, a vehicle bearing assembly 10 is shown having a solid rotating spindle or shaft 11 surrounded by a cylindrical hub 12 . Cylindrical hub 12 is fixed to the vehicle suspension via a plurality of threaded apertures 14 and corresponding fasteners (not shown). Vehicle bearing assembly 10 further includes an integrated wheel speed sensor assembly 16 having a wheel speed sensor 18 (FIG. 1 ), an optional spring clip 20 , a tone wheel 22 fixed to spindle 11 for rotation therewith, and a bearing cap 24 . Bearing cap 24 is generally dome shaped and includes an integrally-molded, sensor-receiving cavity 26 adapted to receive wheel speed sensor 18 therein. Sensor-receiving cavity 26 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a pair of external slots 28 formed orthogonally to a longitudinal axis A—A of sensor-receiving cavity 26 . Each of the pair of external slots 28 includes an elongated hole 30 (only one shown), which enables spring clip 20 to retain wheel speed sensor 18 within sensor-receiving cavity 26 , which will be described below.
As best seen in FIG. 1, wheel speed sensor 18 includes a sensor probe 32 , an O-ring seal 34 , and a pair of retaining slots 36 (only one shown) formed on opposing sides of wheel speed sensor 18 . During installation, a pair of retaining legs 38 of optional spring clip 20 extend through elongated holes 30 and are received within the pair of retaining slots 36 of wheel speed sensor 18 when wheel speed sensor 18 is disposed within sensor-receiving cavity 26 .
Tone wheel 22 cooperates with wheel speed sensor 18 in a manner conventional in the art to produce an output signal representative of the wheel speed. A cable 40 interconnects wheel speed sensor 18 with a control device (not shown) for delivering the wheel speed data to the control device (i.e. vehicle computer), which is then capable of determining wheel slippage for use in anti-lock braking systems, traction control systems, and the like.
Recently, it has been found that spring clip 20 may not provide feedback to an installer of a proper positioning of wheel speed sensor 18 relative to sensor-receiving cavity 26 or tone wheel 22 . That is, it has been found that in known designs wheel speed sensor 18 may be partially disposed within sensor-receiving cavity 26 , however, spring clip 20 is locked around a lower section of wheel speed sensor 18 than retaining slots 36 thereby appearing to be properly positioned and seated. Conversely, wheel speed sensor 18 may be fully disposed within sensor-receiving cavity 26 , yet not sufficiently retained by spring clip 20 .
On the other hand, wheel speed sensor 18 may be sufficiently retained by spring clip 20 , but improperly positioned in sensor-receiving cavity 26 . Accordingly, sensor retaining latch 42 is disposed about wheel speed sensor 18 so as to effect a positive latch condition. That is, sensor retaining latch 42 insures wheel speed sensor 18 is properly positioned and seated by preventing latching of sensor retaining latch 42 until wheel speed sensor 18 is properly positioned and seated, thereby providing positive feedback to an installer that wheel speed sensor 18 has been installed properly.
Sensor retaining latch 42 includes a base section 44 and an upwardly-extending collar section 46 . Sensor retaining latch 42 further includes a pair of downwardly-extending bifurcated legs 48 and a pair of downwardly-extending shoulders 50 . Preferably, sensor retaining latch 42 is made of a plastic material. More preferably, sensor retaining latch 42 is made of a plastic material containing approximately 15% glass for improved strength and flex capabilities. Sensor retaining latch 42 may be manufactured simply employing conventional injection molding techniques. To facilitate inspection and confirmation of installation, sensor retaining latch 42 is preferably yellow or any other bright color.
Base section 44 of sensor retaining latch 42 and upwardly-extending collar section 46 cooperate to define a through bore sufficiently sized to receive wheel speed sensor 18 therethrough. Specifically, collar section 46 is generally cylindrical in shape having a pair of opposing flat sections 52 . Flat sections 52 of collar section 46 are sized to cooperate with a corresponding pair of opposing flat sections 54 on wheel speed sensor 18 . Such flat sections 52 , 54 prevent rotation of sensor retaining latch 42 and wheel speed sensor 18 relative to each other.
As seen in the figures, downwardly-extending bifurcated legs 48 engage a pair of suitably sized latch nubs 58 extending from a lower exterior section of sensor-receiving cavity 26 . Specifically, bifurcated legs 48 each include a pair of side members 60 extending from base section 44 . Side members 60 terminate into an interconnecting member 62 . Interconnecting member 62 includes a generally flat top surface 64 for engaging a lower surface 66 of latch nub 58 . Likewise, interconnecting member 62 further includes a chamfered or otherwise inclined or tapered edge 68 , which is adapted to ride along a tapered top surface 70 of latch nub 58 during an engaging motion. When fastened, each latch nub 58 extends between side members 60 and engages generally flat top surface 64 of interconnecting member 62 .
As described above, bifurcated legs 48 are adapted to ride over latch nubs 58 during installation and, thus, must flex a sufficient distance to enable such passing. However, it should be appreciated that bifurcated legs 48 must also maintain sufficient bias to maintain a latch position once engaged.
During installation, wheel speed sensor 18 is inserted within sensor-receiving cavity 26 such that O-ring seal 34 of wheel speed sensor 18 is firmly seated within sensor-receiving cavity 26 . The pair of retaining slots 36 of wheel speed sensor 18 are aligned with the pair of external slots 28 and elongated holes 30 of sensor-receiving cavity 26 . Spring clip 20 may optionally be engaged with wheel speed sensor 18 such that retaining legs 38 of spring clip 20 extend through elongated holes 30 and lock within the pair of retaining slots 36 of wheel speed sensor. Sensor retaining latch 42 is then engaged with latch nubs 58 . Specifically, sensor retaining latch 42 is pressed downward such that tapered edge 68 of bifurcated legs 48 rides along tapered top surface 70 of latch nub 58 . This movement forces bifurcated legs 48 to flex outwardly until generally flat top surface 64 engages lower surface 66 of latch nub 58 and flexes inwardly to an engaged position. This latching motion produces a click or similar positive locking feedback to the installer to insure proper locking of wheel speed sensor 18 within sensor-receiving cavity 26 .
It has been found that the sensor retaining latch of the present invention provides simple and reliable latching of the wheel speed sensor within the sensor-receiving cavity even when only one bifurcated leg is engaged with the corresponding latch nub. Therefore, should the installer inadvertently latch only one side of the sensor retaining latch, the wheel speed sensor will remain in proper position for determining wheel speed and, thus, permits optimal signal generation.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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A wheel speed sensor latch for securing a wheel speed sensor to a bearing cap of a vehicle speed sensing assembly. The latch includes a main body having a collar section adapted for receiving the wheel speed sensor therethrough. The latch further includes a pair of bifurcated legs extending from the main body. The pair of bifurcated legs being engageable with a pair of latching members formed on the bearing cap such that the pair of latching members and the pair of bifurcated legs cooperate to secure the wheel speed sensor on the bearing cap.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to centrifugal separator apparatus for separating particulate material from an air stream, and especially to high efficiency, horizontal, twin-flow, two stage separator apparatus with minimum air pressure drop. The centrifugal separator apparatus is particularly useful for removing particulates from the gaseous discharge from drying equipment such as large capacity, multi-stage, horizontal rotary dryers before return of the dryer exhaust gases to the atmosphere.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It has long been the practice to remove the moisture from various agricultural, industrial and by-product materials by passing the moist material through a rotary drum dryer, either of the multiple stage, multiple pass or multiple stage single pass type. Burner gases at an elevated temperature are directed through the dryer to vaporize a substantial part of the product water content and to also serve as a conveying medium for the product along the length of the dryer. Often times, a certain proportion of the dried material is recycled back to the drum dryer in order to decrease the overall moisture content of the product input to the dryer, thus enhancing the dryer's efficiency.
[0005] The gaseous discharge from the rotary dryer must be treated before being returned to the atmosphere in order to lower the amount of particulates entrained in the air stream to meet regulatory standards. In recent years, governmental agencies have imposed increasingly stringent regulations on the amount of particulates that may be discharged into the surrounding atmosphere from large scale drying equipment. Particulate removal has been accomplished for the most part by directing the particulate bearing exhaust gases from large scale, industrial sized rotary dryers into one or more upright cyclones. Although cyclones are functionally capable of substantially reducing the particulate content of a gas stream containing entrained particulate materials before return of the gas stream to the atmosphere, upright cyclones of requisite efficiency are relatively expensive, require a significant footprint area in the vicinity of the horizontal dryer, and work most effectively when two substantially identical cyclones are employed in side-by-side serial air flow relationship.
[0006] An exemplary dryer and associated cyclone separator is shown and described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,208 of Mar. 18, 1980. As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the ′849 patent, a burner assembly is provided that burns natural gas or a similar fuel feed stock to produce hot products of combustion which are directed into the inlet end of an elongated, generally horizontal, hollow drum heat exchanger rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The negative pressure inlet of a centrifugal discharge and fan unit is connected to the outlet end of the drum dryer for inducing flow of relatively high volumes of air through the dryer in association with the hot products of combustion from the burner assembly. The positive pressure outlet end of the fan unit is connected to the inlet of an upright cyclone collector which discharges the substantially particulate-free air back into the atmosphere.
[0007] A conveyor at the discharge end of the dryer receives dried product and directs that product to a point of use or for further drying. Similarly, product removed from the air stream directed into the cyclone gravitates from the lower end of the cyclone vessel and may, if desired, be combined with the product output from the dryer.
[0008] Another exemplary horizontal rotary dryer, fan unit and cyclone separator is described and shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,849 issued Oct. 27, 1992.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention concerns a horizontal, negative pressure centrifugal separator for removing particulate material from an air stream that exhausts from the outlet end of a horizontal industrial size, rotary dryer. The centrifugal separator is adapted to be connected to the negative pressure inlet of a fan assembly which functions to pull large volumes of air through the dryer drum.
[0010] The centrifugal separator preferably comprises an essentially horizontal drum having wall structure presenting two side-by-side primary material separation plenum chambers of generally spiral configuration. The primary plenum chambers mutually communicate with a central plenum chamber therebetween which is also of spiral configuration.
[0011] In one form of the centrifugal separator, frusto-conical, opened-ended, pressure regain divider stacks are positioned between each of the separation plenum chambers and the central plenum chamber. In this embodiment of the centrifugal separator, each of the separation plenum chambers has an air inlet and the central plenum has an air discharge outlet. The divider stacks each have a generally conical section which is joined to an annular stack component presenting a central aperture. The divider stacks extend into the central plenum chamber with the apertures thereof in horizontal, generally axially aligned, facing relationship.
[0012] Air containing entrained particulate material entering the air inlets of the separation plenum chambers follows a generally serpentine path within respective separation plenum chambers and then exits the plenum chambers into the central plenum chamber via the apertures in corresponding divider stacks. The conical configuration of the divider stacks, along with the annular stack component coaxial with the axis of a respective stack, which causes each of the stacks to have pressure regain properties, serves to minimize the pressure drop in the air flow therefore preventing significant air pressure loss during operation of the separator. The air flow through the centrifugal separator of this invention is approximately 40% greater with substantially equal pressure drop as compared with conventional cylindrical stack separators.
[0013] Material removal plenums of generally spiral configuration are also provided at opposite ends of the separator drum and communicate with corresponding separation plenum chambers. Each of the material removal plenums is provided with a material discharge opening, preferably located at the lower portion of a respective material removal plenum. The centrifugal force exerted on the air streams during flow along respective spiral paths causes particulate material in the air streams to migrate toward the spiral inner surface of the separation plenum chambers. Particulate materials separated from the two air streams directed simultaneously into the separation plenum chambers collects in the outer material removal plenums and eventually is discharged from the outer material removal plenums through the material discharge openings in lower portions of respective material removal plenums.
[0014] In another form of the separator, the central spiral plenum chamber has either one or two air inlets while the spiral separation plenum chambers on opposite sides thereof each have an air discharge outlet. In this form of the separator, the divider stacks are oriented such that they extend away from each other and into corresponding separation plenums. An air stream containing particulate material that must be removed from the air before discharge of the air back into the atmosphere is directed into the air inlet of the central plenum chamber, commences flow in a generally spiral direction within the central plenum chamber, passes through the central aperture in respective divider stacks, flows along spiral paths within the separator plenums, and is discharged through the air outlet openings of the two separation plenum chambers. In this embodiment, particulate material displaced from the air streams by centrifugal force is received in the spiral material removal plenums and gravitates therefrom through the discharge openings of the material removal plenums.
[0015] The horizontal separator having side-by-side, simultaneously operable separation plenums which communicate with a central plenum provide a separator which is substantially as effective in removing particulate material from an air stream as a conventional upright cyclone, without occupying as much space as that cyclone and at an advantageous capital cost. In addition, the horizontal disposition of the separator permits air having particulate material entrained therein to be introduced into the separator at any one of a number of different circumferential locations, and to allow for discharge of cleaned air at any point around the circumference of the separator drum. This permits the separator to be connected between the outlet of the dryer and the primary fan at an optimal position, with a minimum overall footprint.
[0016] A horizontal separator in accordance with this invention, having side-by-side dual stage separator plenums with associated pressure regain stacks is capable of removing as much as 96% or more of particulate material in a stream of products of combustion and air discharged from a horizontal industrial size product dryer. Thus, by positioning the separator between the primary fan and the dryer, and connecting the fan to one or more conventional cyclones, the level of particulates ultimately discharged into the atmosphere may be maintained at a very low level and one that meets regulatory standards therefor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1 is an overall elevational view of material drying equipment incorporating horizontal, dual stage separator apparatus in accordance with this invention;
[0018] [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a separator apparatus having dual air inlets and a single air outlet;
[0019] [0019]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the separator apparatus as shown in FIG. 2;
[0020] [0020]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the separator apparatus of FIG. 2;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 and looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows;
[0022] [0022]FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are vertical cross-sectional views taken along the lines 6 - 6 , 7 - 7 and 8 - 8 , respectively, of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 4;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 9 is a schematic front elevational view of a second embodiment of the separator apparatus of this invention having dual air inlets and a single air outlet;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 10 is a schematic end elevational view of the separator apparatus as shown in FIG. 9;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the two spaced, open-ended, frusto-conical pressure regain divider members housed within the separator apparatus as shown schematically in FIG. 9;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 12 is a schematic front elevational view of a third embodiment of the separator apparatus of this invention having dual air inlets and dual air outlets of essentially equal area;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 13 - 13 of FIG. 12 and looking in the direction of arrows;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 14 is a schematic front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the separator apparatus of the invention having dual air inlets and dual air outlets in which each of the outlets is of a different areas;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 15 is a schematic end elevational view of the separator apparatus as shown in FIG. 14;
[0030] [0030]FIG. 16 is a schematic fragmentary plan view of the dryer equipment illustrating separator apparatus having a single central air inlet and dual air outlets outboard thereof, with the separator apparatus being shown in an operative position with the air outlets leading to primary fans connected to respective dual vessel cyclone separators;
[0031] [0031]FIG. 17 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational view of the dryer equipment ad depicted in FIG. 16;
[0032] [0032]FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of the separator apparatus as shown in FIG. 17 having a single central air inlet and dual air outlets with single sloped conical pressure regain divider member;
[0033] [0033]FIG. 19 is a schematic end elevational view of the separator apparatus as shown in FIG. 18; and
[0034] [0034]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of one of the two spaced, open-ended, frusto-conical pressure regain divider members housed within the separator apparatus as shown schematically in FIG. 18.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] The material drying equipment 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 incorporates improved horizontal, dual stage, negative pressure separator apparatus in accordance with this invention. Equipment 30 includes a rotary drum dryer 32 adapted to receive and dry a particulate material, such as distillers grain by-products, alfalfa, wood by-products, poultry by-products, fish by-products, and other agricultural and industrial particulate materials having a relatively high water content requiring drying to decrease the moisture levels thereof.
[0036] A furnace 34 and blending chamber 36 are provided at the inlet end of the rotary drum dryer 32 , while a rotary cooling drum 38 is located at the outlet end of the drum for receiving and cooling dried material. The equipment 30 further includes an air-handling unit 40 , including a primary fan 42 , upright recycle cyclone separator 44 , upright discharge cyclone separator 46 , horizontal, dual inlet, single outlet, dual stage centrifugal separator apparatus 48 in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, and ducting 50 interconnecting the cyclone separators 44 , 46 and fan 42 . An optional return air conduit 52 extending from the top of upright recycle cyclone separator 44 to the inlet of furnace 34 has an intermediate blending air conduit 54 leading to chamber 36 . A pair of tandem-mounted material recycle screw conveyors 56 , 58 which receive particulate material output from the lower ends of cyclone separators 44 , 46 extend along the length of drum 32 from the outlet end thereof to a horizontal material input conveyor 60 at the inlet end of the dryer 32 . Similarly, a dried material screw conveyor 62 extends from the outlet end of the dryer 32 to rotary cooling drum 38 . The furnace 34 is equipped with a gas-fired burner 64 as well as a gas recycle conduit 66 connected between burner 64 and blending chamber 36 . Alternatively, a boiler gas recycle duct 68 maybe provided for directing waste heat gases to the blending chamber 36 . Air discharge from the equipment 30 is accomplished via discharge duct 70 projecting from the upper end of cyclone separator 46 .
[0037] During use of the equipment 30 , the dryer 32 is rotated (typically at a speed of from about 3-12 rpm) by means of drum drive unit 72 associated with tracks trunnion drum support 74 . A track and trunnion drum support 76 rotatably carries the opposite end of the dryer drum 32 . Heated air is delivered to the input end of the drum by means of furnace 34 , blending chamber 36 and air handling unit 40 . A new charge of moist particulate material to be dried is introduced into the return conveyer 56 . In addition, a predetermined proportion of partially dried material is returned by conveyors 56 , 58 from the outlet end of the dryer back to conveyor 56 for recycling through the dryer. The air-handling unit 40 serves to move air throughout the equipment 30 , with exhaust gases being returned to the atmosphere through duct 70 . Similarly, particulate material collected in the separators 44 , 46 is directed into conveyors 56 , 58 , respectively, for return to the input conveyor 60 .
[0038] The drum dryer 32 preferably comprises a dryer of the type that is illustrated and described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 09/858,013, filed May 11, 2001, which is fully incorporated herein by specific reference thereto.
[0039] The drum separator apparatus 48 as shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2 - 8 inclusive. Referring to FIG. 2, the separator apparatus 48 includes two primary spiral separation plenum chambers 78 , 80 joined to an intermediate spiral discharge plenum chamber 82 . As best shown in exploded view of FIG. 3, each of the plenum chambers 78 , 80 has wall structure presenting a straight inlet duct portion 84 of square or rectangular cross-section and integral with a curvilinear scroll portion 86 that is tangential to a respective duct portion 84 . Each of the scroll portions 86 has a circular wall segment 88 connected to opposed upright wall sections 90 , 92 which progressively decrease in width around the perimeter of a respective scroll portion 86 . The wall sections 90 , 92 thereby each define arcuate openings 94 , 96 . The inlet duct portions 84 each have a square or rectangular inlet opening 98 (FIG. 7). It is therefore to be seen from the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 6 - 8 that the curvilinear inner surface 100 of wall segment 88 of each of the plenum chambers 78 , 80 causes the initially straight air stream designated by the arrows 102 containing entrained particulate materials which enters inlets 98 of inlet duct portions 84 of plenum chambers 78 , 80 to follow a spiral path designated by the arrows 104 within each of the plenum chambers 78 , 80 .
[0040] The air discharge plenum chamber 82 has a straight, air discharge duct portion 106 which is square or rectangular in cross-section. Chamber 82 has a curvilinear scroll portion 108 that is tangential to duct portion 106 . Scroll portion 108 has a circular wall segment 110 connected to opposed upright wall sections 112 , 114 which progressively decrease in width around the perimeter of the scroll portion 108 . Wall sections 112 , 114 thus define arcuate openings 114 , 116 . Discharge duct portion 106 has a square or rectangular discharge opening 118 (FIG. 8). It is to be understood that openings 94 , 96 of plenum chamber 78 , the openings 114 , 116 of plenum chamber 82 and the openings 94 , 96 of plenum chamber 80 are all of equal diameter and that chambers 78 , 82 and 80 are in side-by-side interconnected relationship as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. It is noteworthy in this respect though that the wall segment 110 of scroll portion 108 of discharge plenum chamber 82 is of arcuate configuration defining part of a circle that has a diameter less than the diameter of the curvilinear, partial circle defining wall segments 88 of plenum chamber 78 , 80 .
[0041] Vertically oriented, drum chamber divider members 122 , 124 are provided within each of the plenum chambers 78 , 80 on opposite sides of the discharge plenum chamber 82 . Viewing FIGS. 3 and 5, each of the drum divider members 122 , 124 comprises a frusto-conical open-ended pressure regain stack facing in opposite directions. Thus, each velocity recovery stack member 122 , 124 has flared conical segment 126 integrally joined to a cylindrical segment 128 . The pressure regain stack member 122 is housed within plenum chamber 78 while pressure regain stack member 124 is housed within plenum chamber 80 . From FIG. 5, it can further be seen that the cylindrical segments 128 , 138 of each of the pressure regain stack members 122 , 124 is of lesser diameter than the inner surfaces 100 of plenum chamber 78 , 80 so that a space 134 is presented between each of the members 122 , 124 , and surfaces 100 . The outermost circular edge 130 of the velocity recovery stack member 122 is joined to scroll portion 86 of plenum chamber 78 within opening 96 thereof and to scroll portion 108 of plenum chamber 82 within opening 114 . Similarly, the outermost circular edge 132 of the velocity recovery stack member 124 is joined to scroll portion 86 of plenum chamber 80 within opening 94 thereof and to scroll portion 108 of plenum chamber 82 within opening 116 . Divider members 122 , 124 , which project away from the discharge plenum chamber 82 in opposite direction, define apertures 136 , 138 respectively that are of the same diameter and are axially aligned horizontally of the drum structure.
[0042] Spiral path defining particulate material air discharge plenum chambers 140 , 142 are provided outboard of plenum chambers 78 , 80 , respectively. Each of the plenum chambers 140 , 142 has a closed end cylindrical housing section 144 as well as a particulate material delivery duct 146 depending therefrom for removal of collected product from chambers 140 , 142 which communicate directly with respective plenum chambers 78 , 80 . It can be seen from FIG. 6, for example, that each of the ducts 146 has an inclined wall 148 which is tangential with a respective outer cylindrical wall 150 of each of the plenum chambers 140 , 142 . In the normal operating orientation of separator apparatus 48 , the air inlet ducts 84 are upright at an angle of about 0° (18°) while the discharge ducts are horizontally offset from the inlet duct portions 84 of plenum chamber 78 , 80 as shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 . In this manner, the foot print of separator apparatus 48 is minimized in that a particulate bearing air stream may be directed vertically into the plenum chambers 78 , 80 while a cross conveyor 152 (FIG. 1) may be positioned in underlying relationship to the material delivery ducts 146 of plenum chambers 140 , 142 and air lock 153 (FIG. 1) allows material discharge from negative pressure separator apparatus 48 .
[0043] Separator apparatus 48 is especially adapted to be utilized in drying equipment as depicted for example in FIG. 1. The inlet ducts 84 of plenum chambers 78 , 80 are both connected to a common gravity separator duct 154 . The discharge duct 106 of discharge plenum chamber 82 is joined to a duct 156 connected to the negative pressure side of the primary fan 42 . The outlet duct 158 from fan 42 leads to the cyclone separators 44 , 46 . The combination air and dried particulate material output from dryer 32 is directed into gravity separator 154 . The heavy particles in the air stream gravitate downwardly in the separator and are collected in the cross conveyor 160 for delivery to the cooling drum 38 .
[0044] The air stream pulled upwardly in separator 154 by the negative pressure of fan 42 contains particulate material fines. The particulate material bearing air stream entering separator apparatus 48 via twin inlet ducts 84 follows respective serpentine path of travel as indicated by the arrows of FIGS. 5 and 7. The separate air streams also flow around the circumference of cylindrical segment 128 of each of the dividers 122 , 124 . The spiral path of the particulate bearing air streams flowing around corresponding drum dividers 122 , 124 causes the particles to be separated from the air stream by centrifugal action. The separated particles which tend to collect on the inner surface 100 of each of the wall segments 88 of plenum chambers 78 and 80 gravitate toward the discharge ducts 146 of discharge plenum chambers 140 , 142 for delivery into the cross conveyor 152 and air lock 153 that connects to duct work 162 also leading to conveyor 62 feeding the cooling drum 38 .
[0045] The air flowing around the divider members 122 , 124 within plenum chambers 78 , 80 enters the apertures 136 , 138 of members 122 , 124 and passes into the discharge plenum chamber 82 . The divider members 122 , 124 function as pressure regain stacks so that the air passing out of separator apparatus 48 through discharge duct portion 106 of discharge plenum chamber 82 regains a substantial fraction of the pressure loss that would otherwise occur in the air entering twin inlet ducts 84 of plenum chambers 78 , 80 . Pressure regain is accomplished by acceleration of the air streams to the radius of the outlets of stacks 136 , 138 .
[0046] A second embodiment of the separator apparatus and which is designated 248 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 - 11 . Separator apparatus 248 also has dual air inlets and a single air outlet but in this instance the outlet is in the upper part of the separator drum, and the pressure regain divider members within the separator are of a different configuration than drum divider members 122 , 124 of separator apparatus 38 . The spiral defining inlet plenum chambers 278 , 280 , of separator apparatus 248 are of construction similar to plenum chambers 78 , 80 and discharge plenum chambers 240 , 242 are similar to discharge plenum chambers 140 , 142 . The discharge plenum chamber 282 differs from plenum chamber 82 of separator apparatus 248 in the disposition of the air stream discharge duct portion 250 . It is to be seen though that the inlet duct portions 284 of plenum chambers 278 , 280 defining separate inlets 286 duct portion 250 defining outlet 288 are at 90° angles with respect to duct portion 250 and thereby outlet 288 . Thus, separator apparatus 248 is adapted to be connected to gravity separator 154 and a primary fan such as fan 42 in a manner similar to the connection of separator apparatus 48 to these components. Utilization of separator apparatus 248 instead of separator apparatus 48 will thus be dictated by the elevation of the duct 156 of a particular drying equipment installation.
[0047] The open ended pressure regain divider stacks or members 222 , 224 utilized in separator apparatus 248 differ from divider members 114 , 116 in that the members 222 , 224 are of overall general conical configuration having a frusto-conical inner segment 226 joined to a smaller diameter frusto-conical segment 228 . Viewing FIG. 9, it is to be observed that the pressure regain divider members 222 , 224 are positioned within respective plenum chambers 278 , 280 , are aligned horizontally and located with the smaller ends thereof facing away from one another. Removal of particulate material from the air stream is accomplished in separator apparatus 248 with an even greater fraction of the consequent pressure loss being regained as described with respect to separator apparatus 48 , with particulate material being discharged from separator apparatus 248 via discharge duct 290 having an outlet 292 .
[0048] The third embodiment of the separator apparatus as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and broadly designated 348 is of the same construction as separator apparatus 248 but in this instance has dual air inlets 384 , 386 leading to plenum chambers 378 , 380 respectively. The dual air stream outlets 306 , 308 , are each of the same cross sectional area. Open ended velocity recovery divider members 322 , 324 within plenum chambers 378 , 380 are of the same construction and orientation as divider members 122 , 124 of separator apparatus 48 . Separator apparatus 348 also has discharge plenum chambers 340 , 342 outboard of plenum chambers 378 , 380 for removal of particulate material separated from the air streams entering separator apparatus 348 through dual air inlets 384 , 386 . The dual air outlets 306 , 308 of apparatus 348 are oriented at an angle of 90° and 270° with respect to dual air inlets 384 , 386 .
[0049] [0049]FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the separator apparatus and which is designated 448 has dual rectangular air inlets 484 , 486 of substantially equal cross sectional area, as well as dual air outlets 406 , 408 . In this embodiment, outlet 406 is of approximately twice the cross sectional area of air outlet 408 . The pressure regain divider members 422 , 424 within plenum chambers 478 , 480 are of the same construction as open ended, generally conical pressure regain divider members 222 , 224 of separator apparatus 248 . It is to be seen from FIG. 15 that the air outlets 406 , 408 discharge horizontally in opposite, generally parallel directions.
[0050] A fifth embodiment of the separator apparatus and which is designated 548 in FIGS. 16 and 17 has a single central air inlet 584 and dual outboard discharge air outlets 506 , 508 . Outlet 506 is connected to the negative pressure side of a first primary fan 542 by duct work 550 while discharge opening 508 is connected to the negative pressure side of a second primary fan 544 by duct work 552 . The pressure regain divider members 522 , 524 are of the same construction as divider members 222 , 224 . Thus, separator apparatus 548 is especially adapted for use in drying equipment having dual cyclone separator units 554 , 556 . Duct 558 returns stack gas from cyclone separator unit 556 to the rotary drum dryer 560 while stack 562 connected to cyclone separator units 554 discharges to the atmosphere.
[0051] The sixth embodiment of the separator apparatus and which is designated 648 in FIGS. 19 and 20 has a single central air inlet and dual air outlets. The single central plenum separation chamber 278 extending across a majority of the width of the separator apparatus 648 has wall structure 280 presenting a substantial spiral defining wall surface as illustrated in FIG. 19 connected to inlet duct 684 presenting an inlet opening 686 which extends the full horizontal width of chamber 278 . Discharge plenum chambers 688 , 690 are provided on opposite sides of central plenum chamber 678 and are in direct communication with the latter. Each of the discharge plenum chambers 688 , 690 has a discharge duct portion 692 presenting an outlet opening 694 . Particulate material collected in separator apparatus 648 is discharged from plenum chamber 678 through discharge duct 696 extending substantially the full width of plenum chamber 678 and presenting a downwardly directed discharge opening 698 . It can be seen from FIG. 19, that air inlet opening 686 and air outlet opening 694 are located at substantially 90° angles with respect to one another. The facing, inwardly directed, directly opposed, open ended, frusto-conical, pressure regain divider stack members 622 , 624 located within plenum chamber 678 are in horizontal axial alignment. The divider member 622 of FIG. 20, which is illustrative of both of the divider members 622 , 624 , has a main open ended conical body 626 and an annular reinforcement flange 628 on the smallest diameter opening of the cone 626 .
[0052] The horizontally oriented, dual separation chamber apparatus of this invention is advantageous not only from the standpoint of a minimum foot print, but also provides an efficient transition with an economy of duct work from the discharge of the horizontal drum dryer to the primary fan or fans leading to cyclone separator units. In addition, the dual separation chamber apparatus readily accommodates a gravity separator directly connected to the output of the drum dryer and which feeds material into a conveyor coupled to a typical rotary cooler. The separators of FIGS. 9, 14 and 18 will allow approximately 20% to 25% greater flow than the separators of FIGS. 5 and 12.
[0053] When the dual separation chamber apparatus of this invention is properly sized in relationship to the design cubic feet per minute air flow through the horizontal drum dryer of drying equipment as shown in the drawings, and is located between a gravity separator such as separator 154 and the negative pressure side of a primary fan, at least about 96% of the fines in the air outflow from the gravity separator 154 may be removed from the air stream. In view of the fact that cyclone separator units such as units 44 , 46 can be at least 97% efficient, the level of particulates discharged into the atmosphere from the drying equipment may be maintained very low. The apertures in the pressure regain stack divider units are sized to minimize the air pressure drop through the dual chamber separator apparatus of this invention. Decreasing the diameter of the divider units increases the separating efficiency of the apparatus, which must be then balanced against the pressure drop. Use of conical divider members which function as pressure regain stacks permits recovery of a significant part of the air pressure that would otherwise be lost.
[0054] Horizontal dual separation chamber apparatus 48 ( 248 , 348 , 448 , 548 , 648 ) that typically may be for example 11 ′ in diameter and only 19 ′ long can handle the same air flow as two conventional vertical cyclone separators each of which is 11 ′ in diameter and 45 ′ high.
[0055] In a typical drying equipment installation of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, assuming 50 tons per hour of dried particulate material is introduced into the gravity separator 154 from drum dryer 32 , 96% or 48 tons per hour of particulate material typically gravitates to the lower end of separator 154 for collection in horizontal cross conveyor 160 and delivery into the rotary cooler 38 . Two tons per hour of particulate fines are therefor contained in the air stream(s) entering the separator apparatus 48 ( 248 , 348 , 448 , 548 , 648 ). Ninety-six percent (96%) of the fines are removed from the air stream in the horizontal dual chamber separator apparatus, resulting in only 0.8 tons per hour of particulates being directed to the inlet of the primary fan(s). When 97% efficient vertical cyclone separator units are used, only 4.8 pounds per hour of particulates are introduced into the atmosphere though the exhaust stack 70 . If 99% efficient vertical cyclone separators that are presently commercially available are employed, then the discharge emissions to the atmosphere are no more than about 1.6 pounds per hour.
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Horizontal, negative pressure centrifugal separator apparatus ( 48, 248, 348, 448, 548 ) is provided for separating particulate material from an air stream that exhausts from the outlet of a horizontal, industrial size, rotary drum dryer ( 32 ). The centrifugal separator is especially adapted to be connected to the negative pressure inlet of a primary fan ( 42 ) which pulls large volumes of air through the rotary drum dryer. The separator apparatus includes wall structure which defines two aligned primary spiral separation plenum chambers (e.g. 78, 80 ) joined to an intermediate spiral discharge plenum chamber (e.g. 82 ), all of which intercommunicate. A pair of oppositely facing plenum chamber divider members each having a central aperture therein are mounted in the plenum chambers on opposite sides of the discharge plenum chamber and function as pressure regain stacks. Air streams containing particulate materials which are introduced into the air inlets of the primary separation plenum chambers each follow a serpentine path in a respective primary chamber before flowing through a corresponding plenum chamber divider member spiral velocity regain stack into the spiral chamber of the discharge plenum chamber. Discharge openings are provided in the primary spiral plenum chambers in positions permitting particulate material separated from the air stream as a result of centrifugal force thereon, to gravitate to a collection point therebelow. The centrifugal separator apparatus will handle an approximately 40% greater air flow than a comparable, conventional cylindrical stack member with essentially the same pressure drop.
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This is a divisional of prior application Ser. No. 09/785,917 filed Feb. 17, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,826.
BACKGROUND
This invention relates generally to phosphorescent materials.
Materials that are phosphorescent glow in the dark after being exposed to an energy source generating sufficient energy to create phosphorescence. Phosphorescence is the result of electrons associated with molecules changing orbitals in a fashion, which results in the generation of light. Some phosphorescent materials glow after being exposed to energy in the ultraviolet range. Since sunlight may include sufficient ultraviolet energy, sunlight exposure may be sufficient to cause some materials, such as zinc sulfide, to glow.
As one example, zinc sulfide, after having been exposed to ultraviolet light, may emit a pale green light for a period of up to eight hours. Thus, zinc sulfide is utilized in a variety of products including children's glowing toys and dolls, as well as a variety of non-toy products including signs and safety equipment.
Phosphorescent materials may be provided in the forms of paints, pigments, and films. Many of these films are utilized as lambertian backgrounds to uniformly light displays while others may be used for foreground elements such as shapes or text. Phosphors are available that emit a wide variety of colored light when exposed to energy within a phosphor's absorption band.
Among the known phosphorescent materials are ZnS (green), CaAl 2 O 4 (blue), SR 4 Al 14 O 25 (blue-green), SRAl 2 O 4 (green), and Y 2 O 2 S (orange-yellow). Each of these phosphorescent materials may emit different wavelengths of light and yet may require different energy levels in order to initiate phosphorescence. Moreover, the period of time that they phosphoresce after being exposed to sufficient energy may vary.
Typically phosphorescent materials are considered “one way” materials—they may be turned on to phosphoresce. It is then generally considered that these materials will continue to phosphoresce until such time as they reach their ground state. Generally, it is believed that this period of phosphoresce is a function of the characteristics of the material.
Thus, there is a need for better ways to control phosphorescent materials and particularly better ways to control the way that these materials phosphoresce.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 2 — 2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a depiction of the display screen of the device shown in FIG. 1 in one situation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a depiction of the display screen shown in FIG. 3 in another situation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, one application of the principles set forth herein is in connection with a wide variety of toys. As a toy example, shown in FIG. 1, a drawing toy 10 may include a housing 12 with an inclined drawing surface 13 . A child may use an erasable marker 18 to draw on the drawing surface 13 . However, in this embodiment, the child's drawing may be guided by a pattern 14 that has been formed on the drawing surface 13 to guide the child's depiction of the object. Thereby, the child may simply trace over the pattern 14 to create a suitable design on the toy 10 .
Turning to FIG. 2, the child's eye, indicated as E, may view the drawing surface 13 from one side. On the opposite side of the surface 13 may be coated a phosphorescent layer or film 20 . In one embodiment, the layer 20 may be opaque. The layer 20 may be formed of any phosphorescent material that glows for an extended amount of time in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the surface 13 may be formed of a transparent material such as a plastic sheet having the phosphorescent layer 20 merely coated on one side.
When the phosphorescent layer 20 is exposed to a sufficient energy source, it will emit light as indicated at L. The layer 20 will continue to glow, enabling the surface 13 to glow in the dark. As one example, the layer 20 may be zinc sulfide.
An energy source 22 may include a laser 24 and a laser driver 26 , which positions the beam B of the laser 24 at a desired position on the surface 13 . The laser 24 may generate a light beam B of insufficient energy to cause the layer 20 to glow but of sufficient energy to actually discharge the layer 20 and to thereby terminate or accelerate the phosphorescence of the layer 20 . When exposed to energy of appropriate frequency characteristics, the glowing layer 20 may emit the remaining energy in the form of a flash of light, thereafter extinguishing the glowing light emission.
In this way, the laser beam B may be driven across the surface 13 by the laser driver 26 in two dimensions to draw features on the surface 13 in one embodiment. The laser 24 may do this by exposing the glowing layer 20 to energy that causes the glowing in the exposed spot to be extinguished. Thus, the surface 13 may continue to glow except for those regions exposed to the beam B which regions may go dark.
For example, referring to FIG. 3, the surface 13 a may be entirely glowing, having been exposed to a sufficient energy source to initiate phosphorescence. For example, in the case of a layer 20 of zinc sulfide, exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight, initiates phosphorescence. Thus, the entire surface 13 may glow.
However, when the layer 20 is exposed to the beam B produced by the laser 24 in a pattern 14 , the portions of the surface 13 b exposed to the light beam B no longer glow and appear relatively dark compared to the surrounding regions which continue to glow with pale green light.
In the case of a laser beam 24 that is a deep red laser having a wavelength of 6000 Angstroms, the phosphorescence may be caused to immediately discharge. It appears to discharge by emitting a flash of pale green light and then going dark. Thus, instead of continuing to glow for an extended period, such as eight hours as normally associated with zinc sulfide phosphorescence, the phosphorescence is caused to quickly or immediately terminate when the layer 20 is exposed to sufficient energy to discharge the energy responsible for phosphorescence.
It is believed that an energy source that does not deliver sufficient energy to cause phosphorescence but instead provides energy with the right frequency characteristics may immediately or substantially immediately terminate the phosphorescence of areas exposed to the energy source. If a relatively coherent light source is used to deliver the discharging energy, the phosphorescent layer 20 may be effectively written on since the unexposed regions of the phosphorescent layer 20 continue to phosphorescence while the exposed regions, which may be a relatively coherent dot, line or curve, may go dark.
In this way, the phosphorescence may be controlled to create a variety of visual effects. For example, in addition to children's toys, whiteboard images may be generated from a distance using a laser pointing device to write information on a glowing phosphorescent layer on the whiteboard. While relatively simple graphical symbols are illustrated in the figures in the present application, it may be possible in some applications to write relatively complex information including numbers and text using the discharging effect. For example, relatively low data rate displays may be implemented using the discharging technology.
With each phosphorescent material, a specific range or band of energy may be utilized to discharge the phosphorescence in the fashion described herein. That range or band will generally be less than the energy needed to initiate phosphorescence. It is believed that the discharging energy source “pushes” the remaining energized molecules over the activation energy barrier so that they quickly discharge, en masse, creating dark spots thereafter whose phosphorescence has been extinguished.
While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.
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A material that phosphoresces may be controlled and the phosphorescence may be terminated when desired. A phosphorescing material may be exposed to an energy source that causes the material to stop phosphorescing. Thus, a pattern may be written on a surface, which is phosphorescing using a coherent energy source. The written pattern, represented by darkened regions, may be recognized by users as a symbol, a graphics or text.
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/821,990 entitled Spillway Weir Gate, filed Aug. 10, 2006, the content of said application being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A device for diverting flow from a canal drop, small earthen dam or branch to an emergency spillway should a primary diversion fail unexpectedly was required at a small hydroelectric project being developed by the inventors. Several commercial products were available, such as the Obermeir Hydro, Inc. Pneumatically Operated Spillway Gate. This gate consists of a hinged plate held in place by an air bladder. In order to operate, this product includes a control valve, which could fail to operate. In the interest of providing a gate with no controls, a simple, economical alternative was required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device and method for directing or diverting a flow of water from a first water channel to an emergency spillway in the case of a spillover or other control event wherein water from a first water channel overflows. An automatic trip gate is installed in a gate support structure at a bank of an impounded body of water. The automatic trip gate controls a release of an overflow of water through the gate support structure upon the occurrence of an overflow event. The automatic trip gate includes a plate supported by a hinge assembly that attaches to the support structure. A trough attached to the plate catches and retains overflow water. When the level of overflow water in the trough reaches a tipping level, the plate pivots from a substantially vertical orientation wherein the impounded body of water is maintained behind the plate, to a tipped position wherein the impounded body of water is released through the gate support. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plunge pool is located below the automatic trip gate that absorbs the energy imparted by the plate when tripped.
In one embodiment, the automatic trip gate is installed or constructed in feed canal at a hydroelectric plant. The flow and head for the plant was developed at an intersection of two earthen irrigation canals. The plant took flow from a branch that dropped 38 feet from the upper canal to a lower canal. Flow normally passes through the plant turbines. When the plant is shutdown, flow is bypassed through an existing flume by opening two small radial gates via an automated control system. In the event that the bypass failed the canal would be over topped, and possibly wash out. In the described embodiment and installation, a separate spillway fitted with multiple automatic trip gates provided the solution to this concern.
The automatic trip gate and spillway of the present invention may be used at any impoundment, dam or canal where overtopping could cause failure of the structure due to erosion. In many cases, a lowered section in the dam acts as an emergency spillway and discharges into some form of channel. This, however, reduces head or storage behind the dam. With the automatic trip gate, the operating level can be higher, near the top of the gate, which will tip over and discharge into a channel when water level exceeds a set point.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an overhead plan view of an automatic trip gate system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an automatic trip gate system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an automatic trip gate according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross section of the automatic trip gate according to the present invention, showing upstream operating water level and the entrance to the spillway.
FIG. 5 is a cross section of the automatic trip gate according to the present invention, showing a tripping water level.
FIG. 6 is a cross section of the automatic trip gate according to the present invention, showing a post tripping water level.
FIG. 7 is a detailed part plan showing a seal for one side of the automatic trip gate.
FIG. 8 is an overhead plan view showing an installation of a single automatic trip gate.
FIG. 9 is a detailed side view of the bottom seal of the automatic trip gate.
FIG. 10 is an overhead plan view of an automatic trip gate according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 a typical installation of automatic trip gate system 50 including in this installation three separate automatic trip gates 20 A, 20 B and 20 C. In the instance represented in FIG. 1 , automatic trip gate system 50 is installed at a location on canal C, where a low head hydroelectric plant, (not shown), has been established. Intake structure IS provides a flow of water to the hydro-electric plant during generation. When the hydroelectric plant experiences an unexpected shut down, overflow of canal water is handled by automated bypass AB, which is controlled in conjunction with the control of operation of the hydroelectric plant such that while water is flowing through the intake structure IS to the turbine, (not shown), located in the hydroelectric plant, a controlled valve, (not shown), of the automated bypass AB is closed so that flow is diverted through the intake structure IS. When the hydro-electric plant is out of service or operation, the controlled valve of the automated bypass AB is opened so that flow is diverted to a stilling basin or canal, (not shown).
In the event that the hydro-electric plant experiences an unexpected shut down, i.e. no water flow is being diverted through the turbine, and the controlled valve of the automated bypass AB is inoperative and fails to open for any of a number of reasons, flow, in an overtopping situation, will be diverted by operation of the automatic trip gate system 50 to a stilling basin or canal through outlet pipe 46 .
FIGS. 1 and 2 show automatic trip gate system 50 is installed in a trip gate support structure, in this case spillway 40 which is constructed at a bank B of an impoundment of water W, in this case canal C. Each of the three separate automatic trip gates 20 A, 20 B and 20 C are installed between support structures of the spillway 40 . Automatic trip gate 20 A is installed between spillway sidewall 41 A and first pier 42 A. Similarly, automatic trip gate 20 B is installed between first and second piers 42 A and 42 B. Automatic trip gate 20 C is installed between spillway sidewall 41 B and second pier 42 B.
As shown in FIG. 2 , each of the automatic trip gates 20 A, 20 B and 20 C include a trough 21 A, 21 B and 21 C respectively. Spillway 40 is also constructed such that below each of the three separate automatic trip gates 20 A, 20 B and 20 C, a plunge pool is located. Thus plunge pool 45 A is formed below automatic trip gate 20 A, plunge pool 45 B is formed below automatic trip gate 20 B and plunge pool 45 C is formed below automatic trip gate 20 C. Each plunge pool 45 A, 45 B and 45 C is formed behind a retaining wall 43 A, 43 B and 43 C respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 automatic trip gate 20 A is shown supported by gate support structure 47 and installed against spillway sidewall 41 A. Plunge pool 45 A is shown formed below automatic trip gate 20 A and behind retaining wall 43 A. Automatic trip gate 20 A is shown including trough 21 A attached to plate 35 by gate top plate 22 . The top of the trough 21 A is covered by trash screen 27 which prevents trash and other debris from filling trough 21 A. Automatic trip gate 20 A is pivotably supported by hinged support arm assembly 30 . Hinged support arm assembly 30 is typical of the plurality of hinged support arm assemblies that pivotably support trough 21 A.
Referring to FIGS. 4 , 5 and 6 , hinged support arm assembly 30 includes foot 31 that extends between and is connected at one end to plate 35 and at a second end to hinge end support 34 by hinge pin 32 . Hinge end support 33 attaches to gate support structure 47 using hardware 36 . Hinge pin 32 is supported in hinge end support 34 by bushing 33 . In a preferred embodiment, bushing 33 is a nylon, molybdenum impregnated self-lubricating which provides low friction for the overturning action. Also in a preferred embodiment, foot 31 is welded to plate 35 .
FIGS. 4 , 5 and 6 show automatic trip gate 20 A as it goes from standby position wherein water W retained behind automatic trip gate 20 A is maintained at a desired operating level L 1 as shown in FIG. 4 , to tipped position as seen in FIG. 6 , wherein automatic trip gate 20 A is shown in a tripped position and water W is maintained at a post-trip level L 3 .
FIG. 5 shows water W behind automatic trip gate 20 A has reached an overflow level L 2 , wherein water W has crested plate 35 , and begins to flow over trip gate top plate 22 filling trough 21 A. In FIG. 5 , trough 21 A is shown retaining overflow water OF which, when it reaches a tripping level TL, causes trough 21 A and the attached trip gate top plate 22 and plate 35 to pivot at the axis of rotation A of hinge pin 32 along trip path P releasing water W through spillway 40 .
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 it will be noted that a plunge water level PL is controlled in plunge pool 45 A. At a desired operating level L 1 some splash will invariably come over the top of plate 35 , flowing over trip gate top plate 22 filling trough 21 A. Drain hole 23 in trough 21 A drains water from trough 21 A that has entered by casual wave action or precipitation so that the level of overflow water OF does not reach tripping level TL when an overflow event has not occurred. The speed at which overflow water OF drains from trough 21 A, and therefore also the speed at which the level of overflow water OF rises and reaches tripping level TL, can be regulated by the size and number of drain holes 23 incorporated in trough 21 A. Troughs 21 A, 21 B and 21 C may be constructed in such a manner that they reach a trip level substantially at the same time or in a sequence.
As the level of water W in canal C rises, more water W begins to come over plate 35 and trip gate top plate 22 filling trough 21 A. When the water level in trough 21 A reaches tripping level TL, plate 35 and the attached trip gate top plate 22 and trough 21 A tip rotating at the axis of rotation A of hinge pin 32 along path P. Plunge water level PL in plunge pool 45 A is high enough that the water contained in plunge pool 45 A acts to absorb the energy imparted by the plate 35 and the attached trip gate top plate 22 and trough 21 A. Plunge water level PL may be filled initially by diverting water from canal C, i.e. through a hose or other conduit, not shown. Alternately plunge water level PL is filled following a tripping of plate 35 . Plunge water level PL is maintained by precipitation or minor leakage around the seals. Excess plunge water level PL flows over the top of wall 43 A. Plunge pool 45 A may be drained by opening drain valve 44 .
Flow over the tripped automatic trip gate 20 A determines the length and height of automatic trip gate 20 A using the formula Q=KLH 3/2, using a K factor of 3.33 for a flat, broad-crested weir. The length of automatic trip gate 20 A can be selected first and the height can be calculated using the above formula. The converse is true, the height of automatic trip gate 20 A can be selected and the length is then a function of the formula. Referring to FIG. 5 , a desired water level L 1 is held approximately 7.62 centimeters, (three inches), below the top of plate 35 . This level can be selected based on the top of the canal or dam embankment. For example, the top of the embankment 48 can be approximately 22.86 centimeters, (nine inches), above the desired operating level L 1 to provide a safety factor for waves or other brief disturbances.
Plate 35 is made of a thick steel plate. Trough 21 A and trip gate top plate 22 are made of a thin steel plate. The weight of plate 35 and the length of foot 31 extending between plate 35 and hinge pin 32 provide the moment to resist the opposite hydraulic force from water W. As seen in FIG. 4 , trough 21 A is located at least partially behind or downstream from an axis of rotation A of hinge pin 32 so that as trough 21 A fills, it adds overturning moment.
FIG. 7 shows details of lower gate seal 26 which is of the solid bulb and tail seal type, as manufactured by Seals Unlimited of Beaverton, Oreg. Lower gate seal 26 is held in place by steel support angle 28 and pinch bar 29 . A compressive force is maintained between steel support bar 28 and pinch bar 29 by a plurality of screws 27 .
FIG. 8 is an overhead plan view showing an installation of a single automatic trip gate 120 installed between side structure 141 and 142 of spillway 140 . Automatic trip gate 120 is shown including trough 121 attached to plate 135 by gate top plate 122 . The top of trough 121 is covered by trash screen 127 which prevents trash and other debris from filling trough 121 . Trough 121 includes a plurality of drain holes 123 which regulate a water level maintained in trough 121 . Plunge pool 145 is shown formed below automatic trip gate 120 and behind retaining wall 143 . Automatic trip gate 120 is shown including lower gate seal 126 and lateral gate seal 125 respectively. Lateral gate seal 125 is typical of the lateral gate seals installed at either side of plate 135 . Plate 135 is manufactured having a clearance at either side with respect to side structure. For instance in one embodiment, a width of plate 135 is approximately 1.27 centimeters, (½ inch), less than a distance between side structure giving approximately 0.64 centimeters, (¼ inch), clearance on each side to prevent interference with side structure 141 and 142 .
FIG. 9 shows details of lateral gate seal 125 comprises solid bulb and tail seal 123 , as manufactured by Seals Unlimited of Beaverton, Oreg. Lateral gate seal 125 is typical of the seal fitted to both sides of plate 135 . Lateral gate seal 125 is held in position by steel support angle 126 and pinch bar 29 . A compressive force is maintained between steel support bar 124 and pinch bar 123 by a plurality of screws 126 .
FIG. 10 shows automatic trip gate 220 including trough 221 attached to plate 235 by gate top plate 222 . Automatic trip gate 220 is fabricated with integrated trip gate support structure, namely side plates 241 and 242 . Side plates 241 and 242 not only provide integrated support for hinged support arm assembly 230 and the pivotally attached plate 235 and trough 221 , but the side plates 241 and 242 also provide a smooth, flat surface that promotes the life of seals, (not shown in FIG. 10 . Side plates 241 and 242 also reduce if not eliminate the incidence of jamming during tipping. The top of trough 221 is covered by trash screen 227 . Automatic trip gate 220 is pivotably supported by hinged support arm assembly 230 . Hinged support arm assembly 230 is typical of the plurality of hinged support arm assemblies that pivotably support trough 221 .
The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or to exemplary embodiment(s) and implementation(s) disclosed. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Process steps described might be interchangeable with other steps in order to achieve the same result. At least one preferred embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and a best mode of practical application, thereby to enable others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather means “one or more.” Moreover, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the following claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . . . .”
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An automatic trip gate for installation in a gate support structure at a bank of an impounded body of water. The automatic trip gate controls a release of an overflow of water through the gate support structure upon the occurrence of an overflow event. The automatic trip gate includes a plate supported by a hinge assembly that attaches to the support structure. A trough attached to the plate catches and retains overflow water. When the level of overflow water in the trough reaches a tipping level, the plate pivots from a substantially vertical orientation wherein the impounded body of water is maintained behind the plate, to a tipped position wherein the impounded body of water is released o through the gate support. A plunge pool is located below the automatic trip gate that absorbs the energy imparted by the plate when tripped.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle humidity control apparatus comprising means for preventing the fogging or dimming of vehicle windows due to condensation of moisture on the window inner surfaces. Such fogging impairs the visibility of the vehicle operator and creates a potentially dangerous situation.
In the art developed thus far, the operator must manually control the various components of an interior air control system such as a heater, blower, cooler, defroster and the like to eliminate the fogging as it starts to occur. Such manual operation detracts from the ability of the operator to concentrate on road conditions which further invites the possibility of a tragic accident. When it starts to rain, the interior humidity increases and together therewith the tendency of the windows to fog. Such a condition is especially disadvantageous since the visibility is already reduced by the rain and the operator must control the windshield wipers along with taking measures to prevent fogging of the windows while continuing to drive the vehicle.
It has become popular recently to provide humidifiers in vehicles to prevent dehydration of the occupants and subsequent discomfort. However, when the windows begin to fog, the operator is confronted with yet another manual operation of turning off the humidifier. In summary, all of these manual operations for coping with rain and fogging of the vehicle windows are a nuisance and a potential safety hazzard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidity control apparatus for a vehicle interior comprising means for automatically controlling the interior humidity in such a manner as to prevent fogging of the vehicle windows due to condensation of moisture thereon caused by excess humidity and temperature differentials.
A vehicle interior humidity control apparatus embodying the present invention includes interior humidity sensor means for sensing an interior humidity, window inner surface humidity sensor means for sensing a window inner surface humidity and interior humidifying means, and is characterized by comprising system control means responsive to outputs of the interior humidity sensor means and inner surface humidity sensor means for controlling the humidifying means in such a manner that when the inner surface humidity is below a low predetermined value the humidifying means is operated to increase the interior humidity to within a predetermined range and when the inner surface humidity is above the low predetermined value the humidifying means is de-energized.
In accordance with the present invention, a sensor is provided to sense the humidity at the inner surface of a window of a vehicle interior. When the sensed surface humidity is above a certain value, the possibility of the window being fogged arises and a humidifier is de-energized. The humidifier is normally operated to increase the interior humidity to within a desirable range. When the surface humidity is above a higher value, the interior air control system is operated to reduce the interior humidity by turning on a defroster or the like in accordance with the outside air temperature.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a generally improved vehicle humidity control apparatus.
Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiments described in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an automotive air conditioning system to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart demonstrating the operation of a control circuit associated with the air conditioner;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of the control circuit;
FIGS. 4a to 4c show various characteristics explanatory of the operation of the control circuit; and
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microcomputer of which the control circuit may consist.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While the vehicle humidity control apparatus of the present invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments, depending upon the environment and requirements of use, substantial numbers of the herein shown and described embodiments have been made, tested and used, and all have performed in an eminently satisfactory manner.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an automotive air conditioning system of the so-called air mix type. The air conditioning system includes an evaporator 1 and a heater core 2 located in the system downstream of the evaporator 1. The evaporator 1 is adapted to cool air coming into the system and forms a closed loop fluid circuit together with a compressor 3, condenser 6, liquid receiver 7 and expansion valve 8. The evaporator 1 is driven by an electromagnetic clutch 4 which is in turn coupled and uncoupled by outputs of a control circuit or unit 5.
Adapted to heat incoming air, the heater core 2 is supplied with a controlled volume of hot engine coolant through a water cock 9 which is opened and closed also by the control circuit 5. In the illustrated embodiment, an actuator 11 associated with an air mix door 10 bifunctions to control the position of the water cock 9.
As shown, the air mix door 10 is positioned on the upstream side of the heater core 2 such that it suitably proportions the cooled and heated air and thereby the temperature of the inlet air in accordance with its angular position. The actuator 11 is controlled by an output of a temperature control device (not shown) to vary the angular position of the air mix door 10. Any desired type of actuator 11 is usable such as one operated by vacuum or electromagnetic force.
A blower 12 sucks outside air or recirculated air through an inlet 13 or 14 selected by an outside air/recirculated air selector door 15 and delivers it to the evaporator 1. The blower 12 is operated by the control circuit 5 to revolve at a speed ranging from zero to maximum. The door 15 is also controlled by the control circuit 5 through an actuator 16.
The downstream end of the air conditioner has branch passages 17 and 18 which individually lead to upper and lower air outlets 17' and 18'. A mode door 19 is disposed in the branch conduit 17 and a mode door 20 in the branch conduit 18. The mode door 19 is controlled by the control circuit 5 through an actuator 22 and, likewise, the mode door 20 is controlled by the control circuit 5 through an actuator 23. The mode door 20 is movable between a first position where it blocks the passage 18, a second position where it directs air to a defrost outlet 21 and a third position where it passes air to the lower outlet 18'.
In a cooler mode, the door 19 will be opened and the door 20 closed. In a heater mode, the door 19 will be closed and the door 20 opened. In a bi-level mode, both of the doors 19 and 20 will be opened. Furthermore, in a defroster mode, the door 19 will be closed and the door 20 will assume the second position for supplying air to the defrost outlet 21.
In this way, the operation of the automotive air conditioner is controlled by output signals of the control circuit 5. Usually, the control circuit 5 selects an operating mode of the air conditioner, determines the amount of inlet air flowing through the system and permits the entry of recirculated or outside air in response to signals fed thereto from a mode selecting unit 27 operatively connected with a mode lever, an inlet air amount control unit and a recirculated/outside air selector switch (not shown).
In an automotive air conditioner of the type described, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a first sensor 24 responsive to fogging of the inner glass surfaces, a second sensor 25 responsive to the humidity inside the passenger compartment, a third sensor 26 responsive to the temperature outside the passenger compartment, and the control circuit 5 to which output signals of the sensors 24-26 are coupled. Additionally provided in the system is a humidifying means 28. Output signals of the control circuit 5 actuate the mode doors 19 and 20, compressor 3 and humidifier 28 so that the system avoids fogging of the inner glass surfaces while humidifying the passenger compartment.
In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 24 comprises a humidity sensor mounted in intimate contact with the inner surface of a windowpane and designed to detect the possibility of fogging on the basis of the content of moisture in an air layer formed along the glass surface and the temperature of the glass surface. It should be born in mind, however, that the intimate contact of the sensor 24 with the glass inner surface is not essential. It may be located in any desired position as long as the selected position has correlation with fogging of inner surfaces, e.g. a position adjacent to an inner glass surface. Suppose that an output signal R HG of the humidity sensor 24 has a level α where there is no possibility of fogging against probable changes in ambient conditions such as a sharp change in the vehicle speed and a short period of rainfall (on the order of 80%-90% in terms of humidity for example), and that the signal level is β where fogging is quite liable (on the order of more than 90% in terms of humidity for example). The second sensor 25 is responsive to the relative humidity inside the passenger compartment and may be mounted in a position adjacent to the instrument panel which is free from insulation. An output signal R HR of this sensor 25 has a lower limit value A (on the order of 20% in terms of humidity for example) and an upper limit value B (on the order of 40% in terms of humidity for example). When the signal R HR is lower than the lower limit A, the vehicle occupant will feed uncomfortable due to low humidity. When the signal R HR reaches the upper limit B, the occupant will be free from the uncomfortableness.
The anti-fogging and humidifying operation will proceed as indicated by the flow chart of FIG. 2. When the output signal R HG of the sensor 24 remains lower than the level α, the humidity control inside the passenger compartment is permitted because fogging of the glass surfaces will not occur. If in this instance the output signal R HR of the sensor 25 is lower than the lower limit, the humidifying means 28 is activated to compensate for the low humidity. It will be noted here that the humidifying means implies not only a humidifier but introduction of humidifying outside air into the passenger compartment.
Where the humidifying means is the introduction of outside air, the actuator 16 for the selector door 15 will be supplied with an output signal from the control circuit 5. If the signal R HR is equal to or higher than the lower limit A but lower than the upper limit B, no actions take place because the occupant will not feel that the humidity is low within this range. If the signal R HR is equal to or higher than the upper limit B, humidification is unnecessary and, hence, the humidifying means 28 is turned off. If the signal R HG is equal to or higher than the level α, the humidity control and humidification inside the passenger compartment are de-energized and the means 28 is turned off because fogging is liable to occur. Furthermore, if the signal R HG is equal to or higher than the level α but lower than the level β, whether the humidifying means 28 has just been turned off is determined because fogging may occur but has not occurred yet. Though the existing conditions will be maintained if the humidifying means 28 has just been turned off (e.g. for two minutes or less), some anti-fogging actions need be performed if a predetermined time such as two minutes has passed since the turn-off of the humidifying means 28. Thus, where the outside air temperature t a is higher than a given value K (e.g. 0° C.), the compressor 3 will be turned on to cause dehumidification with the evaporator 1. Where the temperature t a is lower than the reference level K, a defroster mode will be established because in this situation the compressor 3 is inoperable due to the inherent characteristic of a cooling cycle and because the air conditioner will then be operating in a heater mode in an ordinary sense. When the signal R HG is equal to or higher than the level β needing a fogging preventive measure, the compressor 3 will be activated if the outside air temperature t a is equal to or higher than the reference level K while a defroster mode will be set up if the temperature t a is lower than the reference level K.
Referring to FIG. 3, a practical example of the control circuit 5 is shown. A comparator C-1 is adapted to compare an input voltage supplied from the inside humidity sensor 25 with a reference voltage. FIG. 4A shows the relationships between the input voltage R HR and output voltage S1 of the comparator C-1 and the humidity inside the passenger compartment. Comparators C-2 and C-3 compare an output voltage V HG of the glass humidity sensor 24 fed thereto with individual reference voltages. FIG. 4B indicates the relationships between the input voltage V HG and output voltages S2 and S3 of the comparators C-2 and C-3 and the humidity on the inner glass surfaces. A comparator C-4 compares an output voltage S4 of the outside air temperature sensor 26 with the reference voltage. FIG. 4C shows the relationships between the input voltage S4 and output voltage S5 of the comparator C-4 and the outside air temperature. If the signal R HG is lower than the level α making the output level of the comparator C-2 low or "L" and if the signal R HR is lower than the level A making the output level of the comparator C-1 also "L," turning on the humidifying means 28.
A switch SW constitutes the mode selector 27 and has four different positions C, BI, HE and D. In a cooler mode position C of the switch SW, its output signal moves the mode doors 19 and 20 to cooler mode positions through the individual actuators 22 and 23 and, at the same time, makes the output level of a NOR gate NOR 2 "L". Then the output level of an inverter IN 1 becomes "H", that of a NOR gate NOR 3 "L" and that of an inverter IN 2 "H" so that the electromagnetic clutch 4 is coupled to drive the compressor 3. In a bilevel mode position BI of the switch, a NAND gate NA 1 produces an "L" output which makes the output of an inverter IN 3 "H" and, hence, the actuators 22 and 23 shift the associated mode doors 19 and 20 to their bi-level mode positions. Additionally, the NOR gate NOR 2 produces an "L" output turning on the compressor 3 as in the cooler mode. In a heater mode position HE of the switch, the output of a NAND gate NA 2 becomes "L" and that of an inverter IN 4 "H" so that the actuators 22 and 23 move the mode doors 19 and 20 to the heater mode positions. In a defroster mode position D of the switch, a NOR gate NOR 4 produces an "L" output making the output level of an inverter IN 5 "H" and the actuators 22 and 23 therefore shift the mode doors 19 and 20 to defrosting mode positions.
As the signal R HR becomes equal to or higher than the level B causing the comparator C-1 to produce an "H" output, the output of the NOR gate NOR 1 becomes "L" to deactivate the humidifying means 28. The humidifying means 28 will also be turned off if the signal R HG is equal to or higher than the level α because, under this condition, the output of the comparator C-2 is "H" and that of the NOR gate NOR 1 is "L".
When the signal R HG is equal to or higher than α but lower than β making the output of the comparator "H," a timer T is triggered. If the output level of the comparator C-2 remains "H" even after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, the output of the timer T becomes "H" and that of a NOR gate NOR 5 "L". If in this instance the temperature t a is equal to or higher than the reference level K with the output of the comparator C-4 thus made "H," the output of an inverter IN 6 is "L", that of a NOR gate NOR 6 "H", that of the NOR gate NOR 3 "L" and that of the inverter IN 2 "H" whereby the compressor 3 is activated to dehumidify the air inside the passenger compartment. If however the temperature t a is lower than the reference level K rendering the output of the comparator C-4 "L" and the air conditioner is not in the cooler mode, a NOR gate NOR 7 produces an "H" output which makes the output of an inverter IN 7 "L" while the NOR gate NOR 4 produces an "L" output which makes the output of the inverter IN 5 "H". The air conditioner will then operate in a defroster mode. The operation of the air conditioner discussed in relation with the "H" output of the timer T will also occur when the signal R HG becomes equal to or higher than β and makes the output level of the comparator C-3 "H".
In this way, prevention of fogging and humidity control inside the vehicle cabin are performed automatically according to output signals of the fogging sensor 24, outside air temperature sensor 26 and compartment interior humidity sensor 25. Stated another way, the humidifying means 28 is controlled to maintain adequate humidity within the passenger compartment while fogging of windshield, rear window glass and others is avoided.
If desired, the fogging sensor 24 may be responsive to fogging or dewing on inner glass surfaces or to the temperature of inner glass surfaces and absolute humidity inside the vehicle cabin. As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 5 may comprise a microcomputer made up of a microprocessor 5a, input unit 5b and output unit 5c. In this case, the operating flow discussed will be stored in the microprocessor 5a and a predetermined processing will be performed according to input information to activate selected units on the basis of the flow stored in the microprocessor.
In summary, the present invention automatically controls the humidity inside a vehicle cabin while automatically preventing inner glass surfaces from becoming fogged and, thus, frees an operator from troublesome and sometimes dangerous manual operations of such controls.
Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
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A sensor (24) is provided to sense the humidity at the inner surface of a window of a vehicle interior. When the sensed surface humidity is above a certain value, the possibility of the window being fogged arises and a humidifier (28) is de-energized. The humidifier (28) is normally operated to increase the interior humidity to within a desirable range. When the surface humidity is above a higher value, the air interior air control system is operated to reduce the interior humidity by turning on a defroster or the like in accordance with the outside air temperature.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/069606 filed Oct. 4, 2012, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 11184118.5 filed Oct. 6, 2011. The entire disclosure contents of these applications are herewith incorporated by reference into the present application.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a display arrangement for a drug delivery device, and in particular to a display element to illustrate conditions of use or various states of a pen-type injector.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Drug delivery devices for setting and dispensing a single or multiple doses of a liquid medicament are as such well-known in the art. Generally, such devices have substantially a similar purpose as that of an ordinary syringe.
[0004] Drug delivery devices, in particular pen-type injectors have to meet a number of user-specific requirements. For instance, with patient's suffering chronic diseases, such like diabetes, the patient may be physically infirm and may also have impaired vision. Suitable drug delivery devices especially designed and intended for home medication therefore need to be robust in construction and should be easy to use. Furthermore, manipulation and general handling of the device and its components should be intelligible and easy understandable. In particular setting and dispensing of a dose of the medicament should be easy to conduct and has to be safe and reliable.
[0005] Typically, such drug delivery devices comprise a housing adapted to receive a cartridge at least partially filled with the medicament to be dispensed. The device further comprises a drive mechanism, typically having a displaceable piston rod which is adapted to operably engage with a piston of the cartridge. By means of the drive mechanism and its piston rod, the piston of the cartridge can be displaced in a distal or dispensing direction and may therefore expel a pre-defined amount of the medicament via a piercing assembly which is to be releasably coupled with a distal end section of the housing of the drug delivery device, e.g. with a cartridge holder.
[0006] In particular with users or patients being physically or visually impaired correct handling of the device is sometimes cumbersome. Moreover, especially prior or after replacement of an empty cartridge, the patient has to be informed, that an initial or final dose is to be set and dispensed or that an initiating priming procedure has to be conducted. Moreover, the device may provide visual or readable indicators or display elements in order to inform the user or patient of the actual status and configuration of the device. Such information should be clearly and unambiguously legible, even for visually impaired persons.
[0007] Document DE 101 06 367 A1 for instance discloses a pen-type injector comprising a magnifying optic to support reading of a dose scale.
[0008] Moreover, document WO 2010/020311 A1 discloses a first and a second lens arrangement mutually acting together to increase the legibility of a set dosage value, preferably to counteract false readings of a selected dosage setting.
[0009] Such optical aids may enhance secure and safe handling as well as operation of drug delivery devices. However, visual illustration of different device states always requires a comparatively large mutual displacement of optical aids and display members carrying the information to be displayed and/or magnified. Typically, spatial relative displacement of the various components is at least in the range of the size of the information to be displayed.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved display arrangement adapted to display different configurations or device states on the basis of a minimum displacement of a display member and an optical aid. Moreover, the display arrangement according to the present invention should be robust, reliable as well as cost efficient in terms of manufacturing and assembly. Also, the display arrangement should be easily legible and should visually provide different information with a large contrast.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention relates to a display arrangement for a drug delivery device. The display arrangement comprises a first display member having numerous surface portions that are preferably regularly arranged on the surface of the first display member. The various surface portions comprise at least two different but interrelated appearances and are further alternately arranged along a first direction on the visible surface of the first display member. The display arrangement further has a second display member comprising a light modulating structure to modulate visible light emanating from the first display member.
[0012] First and second display members are moveably disposed relative to each other along the first direction to simultaneously reveal and/or to simultaneously conceal at least two surface portions of interrelated appearance. In particular, the first display member comprises information or is imprinted with information to be displayed to a user while the second display member substantially acts as an optical aid.
[0013] In particular, the first display member comprises at least two different information carriers which reflect in interrelated surface portions. For instance, the first display member comprises two or more symbols that are imprinted on the first display member in a fragmented but regular, e.g. in a mutually staggered order. The light modulating structure of the second display member matches with the fragmented information and depending on a mutual position or movement of first and second display members, those fragments or surface portions that relate to a first symbol complement each other to reveal the first symbol while concealing the second symbol. Similarly, by displacing first and second display members relative to each other those surface portions that relate to the second symbol may be revealed at the expense of the visibility of the first symbol.
[0014] In particular, the first display member comprises spatially distributed surface portions at least a part of which being mutually interrelated and complement each other to illustrate a predefined, e.g. a first information. Other surface portions of the first display member may be arranged in a different way and may also interrelate to each other but serve to compose and/or to complement a different, e.g. second information. Alternate and selective revealing and/or concealing of interrelated surface portions, each of which referring to a particular information, only requires to displace or to move first and second display members relative to each other by a distance which is governed by the size of a single surface portion.
[0015] The total size of the information provided by the display arrangement may be multiple times larger compared to the size of a surface portion. Hence, already a rather small and minimal relative movement of first and second display members may effectuate to change the overall appearance of the entire display arrangement and/or of its first and/or second display members.
[0016] This way, a relative movement in the range of 1 to 2 mm or less may suffice to totally change the outer appearance of the entire display arrangement featuring a size in the range of several millimetres or even centimetres. This way, a minimal displacement of first and second display members can provide a rather large, clearly visible and contrast enhanced display modification.
[0017] According to a first embodiment, first and second display members are arranged at a distance from each other in a substantially overlapping configuration. Preferably, the surfaces of first and second display members are substantially equal. First and second display members may be of flat or even-shaped geometry. Alternatively, first and second display members may comprise an arc-shaped or cylindrical geometry. First and second display members are preferably arranged in a kind of overlapping configuration, such that their respective surface normals extend substantially parallel with respect to each other.
[0018] The distance between first and second display members may vary according to the design and geometry of the arrangement of surface portions of interrelated appearances of the first display member. The distance may further depend or may be correlated with the optical light modulating properties of the second display member.
[0019] According to a further aspect, the first and second display members are designed and/or are mutually arrangeable with respect to each other to selectively reveal and/or to selectively conceal all surface portions of the first display member that are interrelated to each other. This way, depending on the mutual position or orientation of first and second display members, preferably all surface portions belonging to a first information are revealed while those surface portions that relate to a different, second information are concealed. By displacing first and second display members relative to each other, an opposite configuration, in which the first information is concealed and the second information is revealed can be attained.
[0020] First and second display members may be slidably displaceable and/or rotatably displaceable with respect to each other depending on the overall geometry of the display arrangement and its display members.
[0021] According to a further embodiment, at least a portion of the first display member is substantially reflective or transmissive for light in the visible spectrum. In case the first display member is reflective, the entire display arrangement is designed to be operated in reflection geometry. In case the first display member is substantially or at least partially transmissive for light in the visible spectrum, the display arrangement may be also driven in transmission geometry. Moreover, the first display member may comprise selected surface portions being transmissive while other surface portions are substantially reflective. Transmissive display members and/or surface portions are of particular benefit in embodiments, where the drug delivery device and/or the display arrangement comprises an internal light source, e.g. to indicate a particular status or configuration of the drug delivery device.
[0022] When the first display member and/or its surface portions are substantially non-transparent and are therefore intended to be operated in reflection geometry only, the second display member is accordingly designed to allow bidirectional transmission of light in the visible spectrum. In such a configuration, a light source, e.g. ambient light, is provided externally, such that light for reading of the information provided on the first display element propagates through the second display member to become reflected on the surface of the first display member prior to become modulated by the second display member. This way, the second display member may serve to modulate an incident illumination as well as light being reflected from the first display member disposed underneath the second display member.
[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the surface portions of the first display member that are interrelated to each other are periodically arranged along the first direction. Also, depending on the number of different information to be displayed by the display arrangement, the first display member is divided into respective groups of surface portions or sections, wherein neighbouring or adjacently located surface portions are interrelated or assigned to the respective information in a periodic and/or alternating way. Preferably, surface portions are of substantially equal size, at least along the first direction. This way, equidistant displacement of first and second display members may entirely reveal or conceal respective information.
[0024] For instance, if the first display member is designed to provide three different information, e.g. in form of different colors or different symbols, first, second and third surface portions, each of which being interrelated to first, second and third information, respectively, are arranged in a repeating and periodic way along the first direction, e.g.: first, second, third; first, second, third; first, . . . .
[0025] In a further embodiment, the light modulating structure corresponds with the size and/or with the distance between interrelated surface portions of the first display member. In particular, mutual arrangement, in particular mutual distance and orientation of first and second display members as well as the individual design of first and second display members is chosen such, that the light modulating structure of the second display member is enabled to substantially reveal and/or to substantially conceal all surface portions of the first display member that are interrelated with each other in order to visually illustrate a particular information.
[0026] For this purpose and according to another preferred embodiment, a periodicity of the surface portions of the first display member matches with a periodicity of the light modulating structure of the second display member. The light modulating structures of the second display member may be substantially equal in size compared to the size of the surface portions of the first display member. However, depending on the optical path between first and second display members, geometric size or periodic structures of first and second display member may also vary.
[0027] According to a further embodiment, the light modulating structure of the second display member comprises at least two apertures arranged along the first direction according to a predefined distance-scheme. The apertures typically match in geometry and size with the geometry and arrangement of the surface portions of the first display member. In particular, the apertures of the light modulating structure are separated by light absorbing cover portions.
[0028] In a further preferred aspect, the light modulating structure of the second display member comprises at least two light diffracting and/or light reflecting portions arranged along the first direction. In particular, the light modulating arrangement may comprise a refractive or diffractive optical component, by way of which light emanating from the first display member can be spatially modulated to selectively conceal and/or reveal selected surface portions of the first display member. The light modulating arrangement may comprise amplitude- and/or phase-modulating means and may further provide either a static or dynamic and reconfigurable light modulating arrangement.
[0029] Preferably, the light modulating arrangement is of static type and therefore requires mutual displacement relative to the first and/or second display member in order to selectively reveal and/or conceal selected information provided on the first display member.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment the light modulating arrangement comprises at least two magnifying lens portions adjacently arranged along the first direction. Hence, the light modulating structure may comprise a lens-like component featuring a rippled or undulated surface preferably facing away from the first display member. The magnifying lens portions are typically of convex or plane-convex shape and provide magnification of the surface portion of the first display member positioned underneath.
[0031] In a further preferred embodiment, the surface portions of the first display member are interrelated to each other by their color, by a symbol, by a number and/or by a letter or by any other kind of visually displayable information. In particular, the first display member may comprise numerous stripes of red of green color periodically and alternately arranged along the first direction. Depending on a mutual position and/or orientation of first and second display members, the entire display arrangement may then appear entirely red or entirely green.
[0032] In still another embodiment, the first and/or the second display member is integrated into a housing component of the drug delivery device. Preferably, the second display member may be imprinted on the outer circumference of the drug delivery device and/or of a housing component thereof. Then, the second display member may be displaceably arranged along the first direction on the housing component to selectively reveal and/or to selectively conceal interrelated surface portions of the first display member. Depending on the overall geometry and design of the drug delivery device, the first direction may either point in axial direction or along the circumference of an e.g. tubular shaped pen-type injector.
[0033] Alternatively, the display arrangement may be designed as an add-on device to be releasably attached to the housing of a drug delivery device. The display arrangement may serve as an indicator to inform the user or patient to conduct a particular action, such as executing a priming procedure or to put a protective cap back onto a distal injection end of the device.
[0034] In a further but independent aspect, the invention also relates to a drug delivery device for dispensing of a dose of a medicament. The device comprises a housing and a drive mechanism arranged in said housing. The drive mechanism comprises at least a piston rod to operably engage with a piston of a cartridge. The cartridge is typically to be arranged in the housing or in a housing component, commonly denoted as cartridge holder. The drug delivery device further comprises a display arrangement as described above being visibly arranged in or on the housing.
[0035] In preferred embodiments, the display arrangement is adapted to provide at least one of a priming indication, a last stop indication and/or a cap closure indication. It is further of particular benefit, when at least one of first and/or second display members is operably connected with at least one functional ad/or displacable component of the drug delivery device and/or of its drive mechanism. If for instance the first display member is operably coupled with the drive mechanism, indication of a last dose can be automatically provided as soon as the drive mechanism and/or its piston rod reach a characteristic configuration or position after numerous doses have been set and dispensed.
[0036] Moreover, it is conceivable that displacement of first and second display members relative to each other is entirely conducted and effectuated by a user himself. For instance, the display arrangement may be used as a reminder device to indicate to a user if a prescribed dose of the medicament has already been taken or whether injection of a next dose is due.
[0037] The term “drug” or “medicament”, as used herein, means a pharmaceutical formulation containing at least one pharmaceutically active compound,
[0038] wherein in one embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound has a molecular weight up to 1500 Da and/or is a peptide, a proteine, a polysaccharide, a vaccine, a DNA, a RNA, an enzyme, an antibody or a fragment thereof, a hormone or an oligonucleotide, or a mixture of the above-mentioned pharmaceutically active compound,
[0039] wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound is useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy, thromboembolism disorders such as deep vein or pulmonary thromboembolism, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina, myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hay fever, atherosclerosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis,
[0040] wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound comprises at least one peptide for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy,
[0041] wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound comprises at least one human insulin or a human insulin analogue or derivative, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) or an analogue or derivative thereof, or exendin-3 or exendin-4 or an analogue or derivative of exendin-3 or exendin-4.
[0042] Insulin analogues are for example Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin; Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin; Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin; Asp(B28) human insulin; human insulin, wherein proline in position B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and wherein in position B29 Lys may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) human insulin.
[0043] Insulin derivates are for example B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N-(N-palmitoyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(N-lithocholyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(w-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N-(w-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.
[0044] Exendin-4 for example means Exendin-4(1-39), a peptide of the sequence H-His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2.
[0045] Exendin-4 derivatives are for example selected from the following list of compounds:
[0000]
H-(Lys)4-des Pro36, des Pro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-(Lys)5-des Pro36, des Pro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
des Pro36 Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4
(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28]
Exendin-4(1-39);
or
des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4
(1-39),
des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28]
Exendin-4(1-39),
[0046] wherein the group-Lys6-NH2 may be bound to the C-terminus of the Exendin-4 derivative;
[0047] or an Exendin-4 derivative of the sequence
[0000]
des Pro36 Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2 (AVE0010),
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2,
des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2,
H-des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2), Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2,
des Met(O)14 Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-desPro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5 des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-Lys6-des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2,
H-des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,
des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(S1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2,
H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)
6-NH2;
[0048] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one of the afore-mentioned Exendin-4 derivative.
[0049] Hormones are for example hypophysis hormones or hypothalamus hormones or regulatory active peptides and their antagonists as listed in Rote Liste, ed. 2008, Chapter 50, such as Gonadotropine (Follitropin, Lutropin, Choriongonadotropin, Menotropin), Somatropine (Somatropin), Desmopressin, Terlipressin, Gonadorelin, Triptorelin, Leuprorelin, Buserelin, Nafarelin, Goserelin.
[0050] A polysaccharide is for example a glucosaminoglycane, a hyaluronic acid, a heparin, a low molecular weight heparin or an ultra low molecular weight heparin or a derivative thereof, or a sulphated, e.g. a poly-sulphated form of the above-mentioned polysaccharides, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. An example of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a poly-sulphated low molecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium.
[0051] Antibodies are globular plasma proteins (˜150 kDa) that are also known as immunoglobulins which share a basic structure. As they have sugar chains added to amino acid residues, they are glycoproteins. The basic functional unit of each antibody is an immunoglobulin (Ig) monomer (containing only one Ig unit); secreted antibodies can also be dimeric with two Ig units as with IgA, tetrameric with four Ig units like teleost fish IgM, or pentameric with five Ig units, like mammalian IgM.
[0052] The Ig monomer is a “Y”-shaped molecule that consists of four polypeptide chains; two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains connected by disulfide bonds between cysteine residues. Each heavy chain is about 440 amino acids long; each light chain is about 220 amino acids long. Heavy and light chains each contain intrachain disulfide bonds which stabilize their folding. Each chain is composed of structural domains called Ig domains. These domains contain about 70-110 amino acids and are classified into different categories (for example, variable or V, and constant or C) according to their size and function. They have a characteristic immunoglobulin fold in which two β sheets create a “sandwich” shape, held together by interactions between conserved cysteines and other charged amino acids.
[0053] There are five types of mammalian Ig heavy chain denoted by α, δ, ε, γ, and μ. The type of heavy chain present defines the isotype of antibody; these chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively.
[0054] Distinct heavy chains differ in size and composition; α and γ contain approximately 450 amino acids and δ approximately 500 amino acids, while μ and ε have approximately 550 amino acids. Each heavy chain has two regions, the constant region (C H ) and the variable region (V H ). In one species, the constant region is essentially identical in all antibodies of the same isotype, but differs in antibodies of different isotypes. Heavy chains γ, α and δ have a constant region composed of three tandem Ig domains, and a hinge region for added flexibility; heavy chains μ and ε have a constant region composed of four immunoglobulin domains. The variable region of the heavy chain differs in antibodies produced by different B cells, but is the same for all antibodies produced by a single B cell or B cell clone. The variable region of each heavy chain is approximately 110 amino acids long and is composed of a single Ig domain.
[0055] In mammals, there are two types of immunoglobulin light chain denoted by λ and κ. A light chain has two successive domains: one constant domain (CL) and one variable domain (VL). The approximate length of a light chain is 211 to 217 amino acids. Each antibody contains two light chains that are always identical; only one type of light chain, κ or λ, is present per antibody in mammals.
[0056] Although the general structure of all antibodies is very similar, the unique property of a given antibody is determined by the variable (V) regions, as detailed above. More specifically, variable loops, three each the light (VL) and three on the heavy (VH) chain, are responsible for binding to the antigen, i.e. for its antigen specificity. These loops are referred to as the Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs). Because CDRs from both VH and VL domains contribute to the antigen-binding site, it is the combination of the heavy and the light chains, and not either alone, that determines the final antigen specificity.
[0057] An “antibody fragment” contains at least one antigen binding fragment as defined above, and exhibits essentially the same function and specificity as the complete antibody of which the fragment is derived from. Limited proteolytic digestion with papain cleaves the Ig prototype into three fragments. Two identical amino terminal fragments, each containing one entire L chain and about half an H chain, are the antigen binding fragments (Fab). The third fragment, similar in size but containing the carboxyl terminal half of both heavy chains with their interchain disulfide bond, is the crystallizable fragment (Fc). The Fc contains carbohydrates, complement-binding, and FcR-binding sites. Limited pepsin digestion yields a single F(ab′)2 fragment containing both Fab pieces and the hinge region, including the H—H interchain disulfide bond. F(ab′)2 is divalent for antigen binding. The disulfide bond of F(ab′)2 may be cleaved in order to obtain Fab′. Moreover, the variable regions of the heavy and light chains can be fused together to form a single chain variable fragment (scFv).
[0058] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are for example acid addition salts and basic salts. Acid addition salts are e.g. HCl or HBr salts. Basic salts are e.g. salts having a cation selected from alkali or alkaline, e.g. Na + , or K + , or Ca2+, or an ammonium ion N+(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4), wherein R1 to R4 independently of each other mean: hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6-alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C6-C10-aryl group, or an optionally substituted C6-C10-heteroaryl group. Further examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” 17. ed. Alfonso R. Gennaro (Ed.), Mark Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., U.S.A., 1985 and in Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology.
[0059] Pharmaceutically acceptable solvates are for example hydrates.
[0060] It will be further apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Further, it is to be noted, that any reference signs used in the appended claims are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0061] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail by making reference to the drawings in which:
[0062] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a display arrangement in a first configuration,
[0063] FIG. 2 shows the display element according to FIG. 1 in a second configuration,
[0064] FIG. 3 is illustrative of a display arrangement operating in transmission geometry,
[0065] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a display arrangement making use of numerous adjacently disposed lens portions in a first configuration and
[0066] FIG. 5 shows the display arrangement according to FIG. 4 in a second configuration and
[0067] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a pen-type injector equipped with a display arrangement according to the FIGS. 1 to 5 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0068] The display arrangement 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a first flat and even shaped display member 22 featuring alternately arranged surface portions 26 , 28 along a first direction 40 . As indicated, all surface portions 26 are interrelated to each other and may be adapted to reveal a first information, which may be a particular color or any kind of symbol, letter or number. In a similar way, also the surface portions 28 separated by surface portions 26 are all interrelated to each other to display a second information that differs from the first information.
[0069] For instance, all surface portions 26 may feature a green color and all surface portions 28 may feature a red color. On top of the first display member 22 there is provided a second display member 24 featuring numerous apertures 32 separated by light absorbing cover portions 30 . The second display member 24 may comprise a frame-like structure featuring regularly arranged slit-like apertures 32 .
[0070] The second display member 24 is arranged on top of the first display member 22 in a substantially overlapping manner. Mutual distance 50 between first and second display members 22 , 24 may be adapted to alternately reveal or conceal all surface portions 26 or all surface portions 28 of the first display member 22 , respectively. First and second display members 22 , 24 are overlaid in such a way, that only light 44 emanating from surface portions 28 may propagate through the regularly arranged apertures 32 of the second display member 24 while the light absorbing cover portions 30 of the second display member 24 serve as light absorbing shutters.
[0071] The embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed for reflection geometry. Hence, the second display member 24 also provides a kind of shutter function for the surface portion 26 and therefore substantially impedes that light being incident on the display member 20 hits the surface portions 26 .
[0072] The periodically arranged surface portions 28 are interrelated to each other in such a way, that all light beams 44 emanating therefrom form or establish a visual information, which may either be a particular and rather unstructured color or which may comprise a symbol, a letter or a number. Accordingly, various surface portions 26 may comprise single fragments of any kind of visually displayable information.
[0073] The configuration of the display arrangement 20 ′ according to FIG. 2 differs from the one illustrated in FIG. 1 , in that the second display member 24 ′ has been displaced along the direction 40 to the right-hand side in such a way, that light absorbing cover portions 30 of the second display member 24 ′ now substantially overlap with all surface portions 28 of the first display member 22 . In this configuration, all surface portions 26 are revealed while surface portions 28 of the first display member 22 are hidden and concealed.
[0074] As becomes apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2 mutual displacement of first and second display members 22 , 24 may be as small as the extension of a surface portion 26 , 28 along the first direction 40 . However, the total size of the information complemented by all light beams 44 emanating either form surface portions 26 or 28 exceeds the size of a single surface portion 26 , 28 multiple times. Therefore, already by way of a small and hardly visible displacement of first and second display members 22 , 24 a rather large, clearly and contrast-enriched visible information complemented by numerous regularly arranged surface portions 26 , 28 can be provided.
[0075] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 , the first display member 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has been replaced by a different first display member 42 featuring at least partially transparent alternately arranged surface portions 46 , 48 . In effect, this modified display arrangement 60 can be operated in transmission geometry, where a light source, not explicitly illustrated, is arranged on the side of the first display member 42 that faces away from the second display member 24 .
[0076] However, also alternative arrangements of first and second display members 42 , 24 are conceivable, wherein the second light modulating display member is arranged between the light source and the first display member carrying readable or visual information.
[0077] In an alternative configuration, it is also conceivable, that only selected surface portions 48 are transparent and light transmissive whereas other surface portions 46 are light absorbing and reflective. This way, the different configurations of the display arrangement 60 could be optically enhanced in that surface portions 48 as illustrated in FIG. 3 are actively illuminated by an internal light source whereas in a different configuration, in which the surface portions 46 substantially overlap with the apertures 32 of the second display member 24 substantially absorb the illumination provided from the internal light source and are thus only adapted to provide information in reflection mode.
[0078] FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative of a further embodiment of the display arrangement 70 . Here, the second display member 34 comprises numerous magnifying lens portions 36 featuring a periodicity along the first direction 40 that matches with the periodicity of alternately arranged surface portions 26 , 28 . In the configuration according to FIG. 4 , the plane-convex-shaped lens portions 36 of the second display member 34 substantially overlap with the surface portion 28 , which will be illustrated to a user in form of a magnified image 52 .
[0079] The gap portions 38 located between neighbouring or adjacent lens portions 36 substantially overlap with the surface portions 26 . Optical rays 44 emanating from the surface portions 26 will be diffracted and/or reflected by the second display member 34 in such a way, that light from those surface portions 26 is almost not visible to a user. This way, surface portions 26 are effectively concealed.
[0080] By shifting or displacing first and second display elements 34 , 22 relative to each other, e.g. by shifting the second display member 34 to the left as depicted in FIG. 5 , light beams 44 emanating from surface portions 26 will be magnified and may result in an enlarge image 54 as shown in FIG. 5 . The embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5 can be driven both, in reflection and transmission geometry. However, vertical distance 50 and periodicity of surface portions 26 , 28 and the geometry of the light modulating structure 36 are typically optimized and interrelate to each other in such a way, that by relative displacement of first and second display members 22 , 34 either all surface portions 26 or all surface portions 28 are revealed or concealed, or vice versa.
[0081] The embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5 is further beneficial in that it provides magnification of the fragmentized information located on and spatially distributed across the various surface portions 26 , 28 .
[0082] Even though, only a one-dimensional relative displacement of first and second display members 22 , 24 is illustrated here, the invention can be also generally extended to a two-dimensional displacement of first and second display members, preferably in the plane of their surface portions. Depending on mutual displacement of first and second display members, the first display member may comprise different surface portions arranged e.g. in a chess-board like pattern. Accordingly, the light modulating structure of the second display member may comprise a respective pattern or grating structure.
[0083] FIG. 6 is further indicative of a drug delivery device 10 of pen-injector type. The device comprises a housing component 12 that serves to accommodate a drive mechanism 11 being not further illustrated here. Distally, that is to the left-hand side in FIG. 6 , the drug delivery device 10 comprises a cartridge holder 14 that serves to receive a cartridge 16 filled with a medicament to be dispensed by the device 10 . A distal end portion of the cartridge holder 14 comprises a threaded socket 18 in order to threadedly and releasably receive a piercing assembly, by way of which, the medicament contained in the cartridge 16 can be injected into biological tissue.
[0084] At an opposite, hence proximal end portion 15 , the device 10 comprises a dose dial and/or an injection button, by way of which a user may individually set and/or dispense a dose of the medicament.
[0085] As further indicated in FIG. 6 , the drug delivery device 10 comprises a display arrangement 20 as illustrated in any one of the preceding FIGS. 1 to 5 in order to visually indicate at least two different configurations of the drug delivery device 10 .
[0086] Even though only two different surface portions 26 , 28 representing different information are described in the various embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 5 , the invention is not limited to illustration of only two different types of information. It is generally conceivable, that numerous, even three, four or even more types of interrelated surface portions are provided on the first display member in order to selectively reveal a respective number of different information.
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The present invention relates to a display arrangement for a drug delivery device, comprising: a first display member comprising numerous surface portions having at least two different but interrelated appearances and being alternately arranged along a first direction, and a second display member comprising a light modulating structure to modulate visible light emanating from the first display member, wherein first and second display members are movably disposed relative to each other along the first direction to simultaneously reveal and/or to conceal at least two surface portions of interrelated appearance.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to GB 1117434.9 filed Oct. 10, 2011 which is incorporated herein by specific reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to syringes, and particular to connection systems for syringes, and especially for enteral syringes.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART KNOWN TO THE APPLICANT
[0003] For many years, a 6% taper has been used on medical connectors to connect syringes with needles and other fluid-transporting devices such as intravenous catheters, valves and filters. This 6% taper is commonly described as a “Luer” connection, named after the century German medical instrument maker Hermann Wülfing Luer, the 6% taper having previously been used successfully for tapered glass stoppers for bottles. A typical Luer connection uses an externally-tapered male connection for syringes, and a corresponding 6% internal taper for needles. The Luer standard (and its specification is enshrined in international standard ISO 594:1986 “Conical fittings with a 6% (Luer) taper for syringes, needles and certain other medical equipment”) has been so successful that it became the connection of choice for all kinds of delivery systems including enteral, intravenous and intrathecal.
[0004] However, it became apparent that this standard allowed inadvertent misconnection of drug-filled syringes and other fluid-containing devices causing misadministration of medicaments into the wrong part of the body, sometimes with fatal consequences.
[0005] One reaction to this has been the development of separate “standards” for enteral connectors—i.e., for connectors destined to be used on syringes, tubes and other medical devices to deliver drugs, nutritional formulations and other fluids into the gastrointestinal tract.
[0006] One such system, described in U.S. Patent Application U.S. 2007/0076401 in the name of Vygon, typically uses a 5% taper connection. In the Vygon system, syringes are usually provided with female (internal) tapered connections (as opposed to the male 6% taper in the Luer system); a smaller diameter than the standard Luer diameter is also typically used.
[0007] In another system, sold by Fresenius Kabi, a larger 2% taper connection is used, with syringes being provided with an external taper—i.e., a “male” fitting.
[0008] In yet further systems, a so-called “catheter tip connector” is used, having a yet larger tapered connection, but again using an external taper—a “male” fitting—on syringe elements.
[0009] Whilst these systems have been successful in preventing misadministration of enteral formulations by other routes (and vice-versa), the presence of different enteral systems can cause problems in health-care settings where more than one of the different enteral standards are used. This can occur even in the same hospital where, for example, one system might be used on a paediatric ward, and another system on general wards. This can lead to situations where a patient is transferred from one ward to another, and appropriately-connecting syringes are unavailable to connect with medical devices already attached to a patient.
[0010] It is amongst the objects of the present invention to attempt a solution to this and other problems.
[0011] At the time of writing, the applicant acknowledges the following prior art documents:
[0000] WO2009/144583A1 BECTON, WO2010/14019A1 BECTON, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,584A GETTIG, U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,561A MEYER, and WO8805668A1 MEYER.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the invention provides a syringe tip for a syringe and the like in which the bore of said tip tapers so as to increase in diameter from the proximal end of the tip (adjacent the barrel of said syringe) towards the distal end of the tip; and the outside diameter of said tip tapers so as to decrease in diameter from the proximal end of the tip (adjacent the barrel of said syringe) towards the distal end of the tip.
[0013] Preferably, a syringe tip for a syringe and the like where the syringe tip extends from the barrel of a syringe; said syringe tip comprises an internal bore and an outside diameter; said internal bore incorporating a taper at the distal most portion of the tip; said taper continuously increasing in diameter from the proximal end of the tip which is adjacent the barrel of the syringe towards the distal end of the tip; whereby said taper facilitates a liquid-tight connection to any appropriately mating connector; and the outside diameter of the tip tapers so as to decrease in diameter in the distal most portion of the tip towards the distal end of the tip; whereby said taper facilitates a liquid tight connection to any appropriately mating connector.
[0014] Preferably the external taper of said tip is not 6%.
[0015] Preferably also, the taper of the bore of said tip is not 6%.
[0016] In either case, it is preferable that the external taper of said tip is between 1% and 4%.
[0017] It is also preferable that the taper of the bore of said tip is less than 6%, and preferably between 3% and 5.5%.
[0018] In any aspect of the invention the syringe tip further comprises an externally-projecting locking portion on the outside of said tip.
[0019] In a further aspect, the invention provides a syringe wherein a portion of the outside surface of the syringe barrel adjacent the syringe tip is tapered, having an outside diameter that decreases towards the syringe tip, thereby being capable of forming a fluid-tight connection with a correspondingly internally tapered connector.
[0020] Preferably said tapered portion of the barrel is graduated.
[0021] More preferably said syringe further comprises a syringe tip as described above.
[0022] Also included within the scope of the invention is a syringe tip or a syringe substantially as described herein with reference to any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.
[0023] Also included within the scope of the invention is a syringe comprising a syringe barrel and a syringe tip as described herein.
[0024] In a further independent aspect, the invention provides a syringe tip and connector assembly comprising, a syringe tip for a syringe and the like where the syringe tip extends from the barrel of a syringe; said syringe tip comprising an internal bore and an outside diameter; said internal bore incorporating a taper at the distal most portion of the tip; said taper continuously increasing in diameter from the proximal end of the tip which is adjacent the barrel of the syringe towards the distal end of the tip; and the outside diameter of the tip tapers so as to decrease in diameter in the distal most portion of the tip towards the distal end of the tip; and a connector body with at least one of an outer diameter to facilitate a liquid-tight connection with said internal bore of said syringe tip; and an inner diameter configured to facilitate a liquid-tight connection with said external diameter of said syringe tip.
[0025] In a subsidiary aspect, the connector body comprises an outer diameter and an inner diameter both configured to facilitate a liquid-tight connection with both said outside diameter and said internal bore of said tip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sections of syringe tips of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a syringe tip and syringe of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a syringe tip and syringe of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a syringe of the invention; and
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cut-away perspective view of a syringe of the invention.
[0032] FIGS. 7 , 8 and 9 are cross-sections of assemblies of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show, in cross-sectional view, a syringe tip, generally indicated by 1 , according to the invention. In this tip, the bore 2 of the tip 1 is tapered, such that the internal diameter of the bore adjacent the discharge end of the tip 3 is larger than the internal diameter at the end of the tip 4 adjacent the barrel of the syringe. The internal taper, indicated by angle A in FIG. 2 , is arranged to be at an angle that is incompatible with a male Luer connector, i.e. it is not a 6% taper. Preferably, the taper is configured to be less than 6%. The taper is preferably between 3% and 5.5%. This prevents interconnectivity with Luer fittings destined for use with medicaments not intended to be delivered enterally, and vice-versa. Most preferably, a 5% internal taper is used. In this way, the internal bore of the syringe tip will fluidly mate with a Vygon connector as described above.
[0034] The external surface 5 of the syringe tip 1 is also provided with a taper such that the external diameter of syringe tip at the discharge end is smaller than the diameter at the end of the tip adjacent a syringe barrel. The external taper, indicated by B in FIG. 2 , is again configured not to fluidly mate with a Luer connector, i.e., it is not a 6% taper. In preferred embodiments, the external taper B is between 1% and 4%, and preferably the taper is 2%. A 2% taper is equivalent to a taper of 3.43° (i.e., 1.74° for each side). In this way, the external surface will mate with Fresenius fittings as described above.
[0035] Whilst it is especially and preferably envisaged that such syringe tips will form part of a syringe, it is also envisaged that the tips could be used as a general connector for enteral lines, for example as part of enteral “giving sets”, being fluidly-connected e.g., to the end of a tube. In this case, references to “adjacent the syringe barrel” and like terms may be construed as “adjacent the tube”, and most generally meaning upstream of the fluid connection.
[0036] At FIG. 1 it can clearly be seen that the bore 2 of the tip 1 comprises a continuous taper from end 24 inwards. This allows for a continuous, single, uninterrupted contact between the bore 3 and a suitably disposed connector. This contact forms an internal fluid tight (water tight) attachment between a connector and the tip of the syringe. The external surface 5 of the syringe tip 1 comprises a continuous taper 20 along the majority of its length for a similar continuous, uninterrupted contact with a suitably disposed connector (not shown). This contact facilitates an external fluid tight attachment between a connector and the external surface of the syringe tip. However, in this preferred embodiment there is also shown a step 21 which splits the taper of the external surface into a first side 22 and a second side 23 —thus along the whole of its length the taper of the external surface 5 of the syringe tip 1 is discontinuous although it is the case that each of first side 22 and second side 23 is linear (like the taper of bore 3 ) in its taper. Indeed in particularly preferred embodiments, the taper of the first side 22 and the taper of the second side 23 run along notionally parallel linear paths, sharing as they do the same angle. In other words, the first portion of the tip both externally and internally, starting from the distal most extremity 24 of the syringe tip comprises a continuous taper which facilitates in a first mode of use an external liquid tight attachment to a connector and in a second mode of use an internal liquid tight attachment to a connector.
[0037] Whilst the syringe tip 1 as illustrated comprises an end 24 wherein the end comprises a squared off outer edge 25 and a squared off inner edge 26 , in an alternative embodiment the edges of the distal or discharge end 3 of the tip may be rounded or chamfered.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates, in perspective view, a further syringe tip, generally indicated by 1 , forming part of a syringe, generally indicated by 6 . In this embodiment, the syringe tip 1 has a first externally tapered portion 7 at the end distal from the syringe barrel 8 . The configuration of this portion is as described above for the syringe tip of FIGS. 1 and 2 . The bore of this syringe tip portion 7 is also internally tapered, again as described above for the syringe tip of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
[0039] The syringe tip also has a second externally tapered portion 9 located adjacent the syringe barrel 8 . This second tapered portion 9 has a taper such that the external diameter of the portion decreases in a direction away from the end proximal to the barrel 8 and towards the discharge end of the tip 1 . The taper in this portion is configured to be that of a catheter taper, i.e., preferably a taper of 2°.
[0040] In this embodiment, outwardly-projecting lugs 10 are provided between the two externally tapered portions 7 and 9 . The lugs are preferably configured to form part of a helix. The lugs may be used to lock the end of the syringe tip to a connector having a corresponding internal thread arrangement, such as is found in the Vygon connector described above.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates in cut-away perspective view, the syringe tip and syringe of FIG. 3 . The cutaway view illustrates that the internal bore 2 of the first tapered portion 7 is also tapered, as described for the tip illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of an aspect of the invention in perspective view. This embodiment comprises a syringe, generally indicated by 11 in which a portion 12 of the external surface of the syringe barrel 8 is provided with a taper, in which the outside diameter of the barrel 8 decreases towards the discharge end of the syringe. Preferably the taper is 2°, such that it can function as a catheter tip connector.
[0043] At the end of the syringe is a syringe tip 13 . In preferred embodiments, this tip is provided with an external, and preferably an internal taper, as described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
[0044] The external body of the barrel 8 is also marked with graduations 14 to indicate volume. This configuration of syringe is particularly suited to small volume syringes, and particularly those having a volume of about 1 ml.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows the syringe of FIG. 5 in cross-sectional view, also including a plunger 15 , slideably sealed within the barrel 8 of the syringe 11 . It can be seen that the sealing end of the plunger 16 extends into the portion of the barrel 12 that is tapered, i.e. it extends completely into the connector portion. In this way, dead space in the connector is effectively eliminated.
[0046] At FIG. 7 , an assembly 50 is shown. The assembly comprises a syringe tip 52 and a connector 54 . The syringe tip 52 comprises an internal bore 56 with the taper of the type described in the foregoing paragraphs. The syringe tip also comprises an outer diameter 58 with a taper also so described in the foregoing paragraphs. The taper of the internal bore 56 comprises a first syringe tip contact surface 60 , whilst the outer diameter 58 comprises a second syringe tip contact surface 62 . In this assembly, the connector 54 is so sized that the forward most portion of the syringe tip 52 fits inside it thereby forming a liquid tight (e.g., water tight) connection. The connector 54 comprises a tube 64 with a taper which decreases in diameter from its distal extremity inwards. The syringe 52 and the connector 54 are shown mated with one another and as such the taper on the inner diameter 66 of the tube which comprises a first tube contact surface is at a complementary angle to that of the outer diameter 58 of the syringe tip 52 , mating with it and forming a continuous, linear, uninterrupted, liquid tight connection.
[0047] At FIG. 8 , a second assembly 70 is shown—whilst syringe tip 52 remains essentially the same, the connector 72 here fits inside the bore 56 of the syringe tip 52 . The connector 72 comprising a tube 74 and having an outer diameter 76 which itself has a taper, the taper decreasing the outer diameter 76 of the tube 74 prior to the termination of the tube 74 at its tip. The taper of the outer diameter 76 of the tube 74 matches the taper of the bore 56 of the syringe tip 52 . The taper of the outer diameter 76 , the tube 74 defines a second tube contact surface 78 which mates with and forms a continuous, linear, uninterrupted liquid tight connection with first syringe tip contact surface 84 .
[0048] At FIG. 9 , a third assembly 90 is shown, wherein the syringe tip 52 comprises an inner bore with a taper comprising a first syringe tip contact surface 94 and an outer diameter 96 , comprising a second syringe contact surface 98 . The syringe tip mates with connector 100 comprising a bifurcated tube 102 which fits on both the inside and outside of syringe tip 92 , having a first tube contact surface 104 and a second tube contact surface 106 , each of those contact surfaces 104 , 106 having a taper corresponding to the mating contact surfaces 60 , 62 of the syringe tip. In this configuration, there is provided a succession of an internal fluid tight connection and an external fluid tight connection.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment of any of the FIGS. 1-9 , the Syringe tip 1 may be an integrally formed part of the syringe 6 .
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A syringe tip for a syringe and the like in which the bore of the tip tapers so as to increase in diameter from the end of the tip adjacent the barrel of a syringe towards the distal end of the tip; and the outside diameter of said tip tapers so as to decrease in diameter from the proximal end of the tip (adjacent the barrel of said syringe) towards the distal end of the tip.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application 60/503,494, filed Sep. 17, 2003, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. ) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive pin having a head asymmetrically mounted on its shank and, more particularly, to an asymmetric drive pin used in combination with a wall anchor.
2. ) Description of the Prior Art
Back clip assemblies are usually used for mounting shelves on walls and include a body with a wall anchor extending therefrom and a rod engaging hook formed in it. Several back clip models are available on the market and some of them comprise a wall anchor with laterally expandable fingers to increase the anchoring strength. These fingers are expanded against the back side of a wall when a drive pin is inserted through the wall anchor as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,264,047; 4,669,936; and 4,722,648.
Shelves for wall mounting typically comprise back and front rods extending the length of the shelf, parallel to each other, and regularly spaced parallel cross rods, perpendicular to the back and front rods. The cross rods have a rear and a front ends. The rear and frond ends are respectively mounted on the upper side of the back and front rods. The cross rods are sufficiently close to each other to support articles, even small ones, on them.
For mounting a shelf on a wall, at least two back clips are mounted on the wall, at the same height with respect to the ground. The back rod of the shelf is inserted in the rod engaging hooks of the back clips.
Two major problems occur with this type of fastening device. On one hand, the back rod is often released from the rod engaging hook due to a pressure applied on the shelf. On the other hand, the drive pin is sometimes released from the wall anchor due to a pressure applied on the expandable fingers. To overcome these problems, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,936 discloses a back clip with a stop member, having a recess in it, and pivotally mounted on the upper part of the clip. Once the back rod of the shelf is inserted in the hook, the stop member is pivoted downwardly and the head of the drive pin is covered by the stop member, inside its recess portion. In this position, the stop member blocks the release of the shelf back rod from the hook and, at the same time, covers the head of the drive pin. However, interference frequently occurs between the stop member and the cross rods since the back clips are often installed without prior consideration for the cross rod location, and the stop member is significantly wide. When interference occurs, the stop member then cannot be pivoted downwardly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,648 solved a part of this problem by providing recesses and notches on opposite sides of the stop member. These notches and recesses allow the stop member to clear some cross rods that otherwise would interfere with the stop member. However, this solution requires more steps to be performed by the installer for mounting a shelf and cannot be applied if some cross rods are thicker than others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a object of the present invention to provide a new wall anchor assembly, having a drive pin, which addresses the above concerns and which can be used in a back clip assembly.
One aspect of the invention provides a drive pin comprising a shank having a trailing end and a leading end; and a head asymmetrically disposed relative to the trailing end of the shank.
Another aspect of the invention provides a wall anchor assembly comprising: a body section having a back face for abutment against a wall and a front face, a wall anchor extending from the back face, a passageway defined along the wall anchor and through the body, the wall anchor being adapted to be inserted in the wall for firmly maintaining said wall anchor assembly thereon, and a support member extending from the front face and transversally spaced from the passageway; and a drive pin adapted to be inserted in said passageway and having a head providing, upon rotating said drive pin in said passageway, a variable distance between the periphery of said head and the support member.
Another aspect of the invention provides a back clip in combination with a drive pin, the back clip comprising: a wall anchor for mounting the back clip to a wall, the wall anchor having a passageway adapted to receive the drive pin therein and a support member for mounting an object to the back clip; and the drive pin having a head providing, upon rotating the drive pin in the passageway, a variable free spacing between the periphery of the head and the support member.
Another aspect of the invention provides a drive pin adapted to be inserted into a wall anchor. The drive pin and the wall anchor comprise at least one groove and at least one protruding member, the at least one groove being adapted to receive at least one protruding member in a mating engagement for firmly maintaining the drive pin in the wall anchor.
A further aspect of the invention provides a wall anchor assembly comprising: an insert defining a passageway therealong and having at least one finger member pivotally mounted; and a drive pin being adapted to provide an outward pivotal movement of the at least one finger member when inserted in the passageway. The insert and the drive bin have at least one female member and at least one male member engaging one another when the drive pin is inserted in the passageway to firmly maintain the drive pin therein.
Another aspect of the invention provides a wall anchor adapted to be inserted into a wall in combination with a drive pin having a shank. The wall anchor comprises a passageway therealong for inserting the drive pin therein; and at least one finger member pivoting outwardly when the drive pin is inserted in the passageway. The wall anchor and the drive pin include at least one groove and at least one protruding member engaging one another when the drive pin is inserted in the passageway to firmly maintain the drive pin therein.
Another aspect of the invention provides a shelf support assembly comprising: a back clip having a body with a back face and a front face, an upper portion and a lower portion, a wall anchor extending from the back face, in the upper portion, and a shelf-receiving hook extending from the front face, in the lower portion, and a passageway traversing the body and the wall anchor; and a drive pin having a shank for insertion into the passageway, and a head having an off centered portion relative to the shank, the drive pin being rotatable in the passageway for rotating the off-centered portion from a shelf-engagement orientation, away from the hook, to a shelf-locking orientation, towards the hook, when a portion of the shelf is engaged in the hook.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive pin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a back clip assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the drive pin is partially inserted in the passageway;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIG. 2 , wherein the drive pin is partially inserted in the passageway;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2 and 3 , wherein the shank of the drive pin is completely inserted;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2 and 4 , wherein the shank of the drive pin is completely inserted;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2-5 , wherein the head of the drive pin is in a first position;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2-5 , wherein the head of the drive pin is in a second position;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2-5 , wherein the head of the drive pin is in a third position;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2-5 , wherein a cross rod of a shelf abuts the back clip assembly and the head of the drive pin is in the first position; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back clip assembly of the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2-5 , wherein a cross rod of a shelf abuts the back clip assembly and the head of the drive pin is in the third position.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 , it will be seen that an asymmetric drive pin 20 according to the invention has a shank 22 , with a trailing end 24 and a leading end 26 , and a head 28 with an inner face 30 and an outer face 32 opposed to the inner face 30 . The inner face 30 of the head 28 is asymmetrically mounted to the trailing end 24 of the shank 22 . As shown on FIG. 1 , the periphery of the head 28 has a semi-circular shape with a straight edge 34 and a semi-circular edge 36 . The straight edge 34 is mounted contiguous to the shank 22 . Even if a semi-circular shaped head 28 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the head 28 can have any predetermined shape provided it is not symmetrically mounted to the shank 22 in all directions. For example, a circular shaped head (not shown) can be asymmetrically mounted to the shank.
The head 28 includes a slot 38 along its outer face 32 and above the shank 22 for inserting a screw driver (not shown) or any other object having a rigid flat narrow surface to facilitate the rotation of the drive pin 20 . The slot 38 divides the head 28 into two portions which can have a similar surface area as shown in FIG. 1 or different surface areas as shown in FIG. 2 . One skilled the art will appreciate that the slot 38 is not essential and that other means could be provided for allowing the drive pin 20 to be rotated.
A circular flange 40 is fixedly mounted around the shank 22 , below the head 28 . The flange 40 prevents the insertion of the drive pin 20 into a passageway, a hole or a wall since its diameter is wider than the one of the drive pin 20 . The flange 40 is connected to the head 28 through three side connecting members 42 provided at a regular spacing around the semi-circular edge 36 of the head 28 . The side connecting members 42 reinforce the connection between the head 28 and the flange 40 , especially during the drive pin insertion and rotation. One skilled the art will appreciate that the drive pin 20 can be provided without the flange 40 and the connecting members 42 . The insertion of the drive pin 20 can also be stopped by the head 28 .
The leading end 26 of the shank 22 is wedge-shaped, creating two wedge-shaped faces 46 . The wedge-shaped faces 46 facilitate the insertion of drive pin 20 in a back clip 48 ( FIG. 2 ) or in any other object or surface such as a wall by reducing the stresses applied thereon. The leading end 26 can also be provided with any other shape such as a conical, a round, or a rectangular shape.
A groove 50 , or a female member, surrounds the shank 22 , proximate to the leading end 26 . When the drive pin 20 is inserted into an anchoring device such as a wall anchor 52 ( FIG. 2 ) having fingers 54 ( FIG. 2 ), the groove 50 maintains drive pin 20 in the anchoring device, even when pressure is applied, as it will be explained more in details later.
The drive pin 20 is preferably cast or extruded in one piece. However, it is understood that different pieces could be assembled by welding, with glue or by any other technique known to one skilled in the art. The drive pin 20 can be made of plastic, metal or any other material known to one skilled in the art.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 , it will be seen that, for supporting an object such as a shelf (not shown) on a wall (not shown), a back clip assembly 47 including a back clip 48 and the drive pin 20 can be used. The back clip 48 has a rectangular body 56 with a wall anchor 52 , or an insert, extending therefrom and a rod engaging hook 58 projecting in the opposite direction. The body 56 has a back face 60 abutting the wall once mounted thereon and a front face 62 . The wall anchor 52 preferably extends from the upper portion of back face 60 while the lower portion of front face 62 leads to the engaging hook 58 . The body 56 of the back clip is not limited to a rectangular shape and can have any desired shape.
The engaging hook 58 has an upward U-shaped face 66 ending with an upward edge 68 . A shelf (not shown) to be mounted on the back clip 48 has a back rod 70 which is inserted into the U-shaped face 66 of the engaging hook 58 . The upward edge 68 has a groove 72 , preferably in the middle thereof, for insertion of a cross rod 76 ( FIG. 6 ) of the shelf.
A reinforcing member 80 can surround the engaging hook 58 , in the middle and below thereof, as shown in FIG. 2 . The reinforcing member 80 connects the engaging hook 58 to the body 56 and reinforces the back clip 48 when heavy furniture is disposed on the shelf or heavy objects are mounted thereto.
The back clip 48 is mounted to the wall with the wall anchor 52 , which cooperates with the drive pin 20 . The wall anchor 52 includes a straight tubular section 84 and a finger section 86 . A passageway 88 extends along the straight tubular section 84 , midway thereof. The passageway 88 has an aperture 90 on the front face 62 of the body 56 and another aperture 92 at the junction of the tubular and finger sections 84 , 86 . The diameter of the passageway 88 allows the insertion of the drive pin 20 therein. The front face 62 preferably has a cavity 94 surrounding the aperture 90 for insertion of the flange 40 therein. The insertion of drive pin 20 in the passageway 88 stops when the flange 40 abuts the bottom of the cavity 94 .
The finger section 86 includes two parallel and laterally expandable fingers 54 . Both fingers 54 have a trailing end 98 and a leading end 100 . The fingers 54 have an outer face 102 and an opposite inner face 104 . The fingers 54 are connected to straight tubular section 84 with hinges 106 allowing an outward pivoting of the fingers 54 . The trailing ends 98 of the fingers 54 have a protuberance 108 , or a male member, on their inner face 104 to avoid the release of the drive pin 20 as it will be described more in details later. The straight tubular section 84 and the outer face 102 of the fingers 54 can be covered with scales 110 . The scales 110 reinforce the anchoring of the wall anchor 52 into the wall.
As for drive pin 20 , the back clip 48 is preferably cast or extruded in one piece. Alternatively, the different pieces can be assembled by welding, with glue or by any other technique known to one skilled in the art. The back clip 48 can be made of plastic, metal or any other material known to one skilled in the art.
For mounting the back clip 48 to a wall, a hole (not shown) is preferably first made into the wall. Thereafter, the wall anchor 52 of the back clip 48 is inserted therein. Then, the back rod 70 of the shelf is inserted into the engaging hook 58 . To increase the anchoring strength of back clip 48 onto the wall and securing the back rod 70 into the engaging hook 58 , a drive pin 20 is slid into the passageway 88 . The drive pin 20 is preferably inserted in such a manner that the wedge-shaped faces 46 are parallel to the fingers 54 . Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is shown that the fingers 54 pivot outwardly when the drive pin 20 is slid into the finger section 86 . The wedge-shaped faces 46 first penetrate into the finger section 86 , between the fingers 54 , making easier the insertion and reducing the stresses thereon. The insertion of the drive pin 20 stops when the flange 40 abuts the bottom of the cavity 94 and the protuberances 108 are inserted into the groove 50 surrounding the shank 22 . As mentioned above, the insertion of the protuberances 108 into the groove 50 in a male-female engagement prevents the drive pin 20 from being released from the wall anchor 52 . The protuberances 108 are not compulsory since the provision of hinges 106 on the trailing end 98 of the fingers 54 typically creates narrow edges that can also be inserted into the groove 50 to prevent the drive pin 20 from being released from the wall anchor 52 .
Referring now to FIGS. 6 , 7 , and 8 , it will be seen that the head 28 of the drive pin 20 can be rotated for securing the back rod 70 into the engaging hook 58 . The rotation of head 28 reduces the free spacing over the engaging hook 58 and prevents the back rod 70 from being released when stresses are applied on the shelf. The head 28 of the drive pin 20 allows several width of free spacing over the engaging hook 58 . The position of the head 28 is adjusted depending on the position of the cross rods 76 of the shelf. Referring to FIG. 6 , there is shown a first position wherein the free spacing over the engaging hook 58 is minimized. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second and a third position of the head 28 providing respectively a maximum and a medium spacing over the engaging hook 58 .
Referring to FIG. 9 , there is shown that it is impossible to turn the head 28 into its narrowest position, i.e. the first position shown on FIG. 6 , when the cross rod 76 of the shelf is engaged into the groove 72 . The head 28 interferes with the cross rod 76 . Now referring to FIG. 10 , it will be seen that the medium position, i.e. the third position shown on FIG. 8 , is preferable. Even with the head 28 in the medium position, the free spacing over the engaging hook 58 is too small for release of the back rod 70 .
Depending on the shape and the size of the head 28 and its position over the shank 22 , different free spacings can be achieved over the engaging hook 58 or any other object mounted proximate. The free spacing over the engaging hook 58 can thus be adjusted by rotating the head 22 of the drive pin 20 . For the shelf, the free spacing adjustment prevents the release of the back rod 70 , even when there is interference between the back clip 48 and the cross rod 76 .
Even if the drive pin has been described in combination with a back clip in, it is understood that it can be used with any wall anchor.
The insertion of the protuberance 108 into the groove 50 of the drive pin 20 when the latter is inserted into the passageway 88 of the wall anchor 52 prevents the drive pin 20 to be released from the passageway 88 even when stresses are applied on the wall anchor 82 .
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the drive pin 20 can include none or more than one groove. A drive pin having more than one groove can have more than one insertion depth into the passageway of the wall anchor 52 and still be firmly maintained therein even if stresses are applied thereon.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to back clip assemblies as described in the embodiment hereinabove. It can also applied to wall anchor assemblies including a body section abutting a surface, a wall anchor extending from the body section and being adapted to be inserted into the surface, a passageway extending between the body section and the wall anchor, and a drive pin adapted to be inserted into the passageway.
The wall anchor assemblies can be adapted to support any object and does not necessarily include the engaging hook.
The back clip assembly and the wall anchor assembly are easy and fast to mount on a surface.
The length of the different parts of the back clip and the wall anchor assemblies can vary in accordance with the user's needs. For example, the length of the wall anchor and the drive pin can vary in accordance with the thickness of the wall where they are inserted.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. For example, the support member such as the engaging hook can have any shape or be positioned above the wall anchor. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
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The present invention relates to a drive pin having a shank and a head asymmetrically disposed relatively to said shank. It also relates to a wall anchor assembly comprising a wall anchor adapted to be inserted in a wall for firmly maintaining the wall anchor assembly thereon; a passageway along the wall anchor; and a drive pin adapted to be inserted in the passageway and having a head providing, upon rotating the drive pin inserted in the passageway, a variable distance between the periphery of the head and an object mounted proximate thereto.
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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to medical implantable devices and more particularly to the test of medical lead impedance of implantable neurostimulators used for paraplegic people.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] It is a reality that either for natural reasons or consecutively to a malady or a traumatism, nerves or muscles of the human body may be affected and suffer from lack of stimulation or at least from a deficient stimulation. Electronic solutions to replace such deficiencies use Functional Electrical Stimulation devices (FES). State of the art of such devices mainly address the crucial problem of the heart attack with the well-known pacemakers. However, another important concern in which research of implantable solution is very active is the paraplegia domain in which the muscles are inert due to spinal injury.
[0005] Contrary to some devices like pacemakers which run continuously and need real time measurements, the implantable devices for paraplegic alternate active and inactive time periods which offer room for different measurements. Furthermore, as the generation of human walking is a complex algorithm, a great number of medical leads are used at the same time to activate the muscles of the inactivated legs (typically 16 or more leads are used as compared to two leads for cardiac pacemaker). In case some of the leads break, the device may be still active, and it is less vital that a real time integrity measurement be made for paraplegia devices than for pacemakers. Therefore, implantable devices for paraplegic do not need to be tested in real time, and checking can be done either at the system setup or during an active stimulation.
[0006] Generally, an implantable device performs two main functions: stimulation and telemetry. The stimulation is obtained by the generation of electrical pulses in order to deliver a current through a network of electrodes and medical leads in contact with the part of the body to be stimulated (muscle or nerve). The telemetry function is a feedback operation which allows to get information onto the integrity of the implantable device, such as measuring the level of power supply of the component or testing the value of the lead impedance formed by the association of the stimulated tissue plus the electrode in contact with it plus the wire connecting the electrode to the implantable device.
[0007] A first problem arises when the network of electrodes is placed within the body of a patient because several damages may affect the integrity of the leads such as partial or a total fracture in the electrical wires. However, the leads may be tested during the surgical operation which is not the purpose of the present invention.
[0008] Moreover, such kind of injury and others such as fibrosis may also appear during the time period the patient is using the stimulation system. It is therefore mandatory that these elements be tested regularly to be sure that stimulation pulses are sent with efficiency. Because of the non-accessibility of the F.E.S. device which is embedded within the patient body, the testing of the components is not easy. However, the testing of lead impedance has been addressed in many patents and only a few are described immediately hereinafter.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,720 discloses an apparatus for measuring the lead impedance in a pacemaker. The invention includes a large number of FET transistors operated in parallel to discharge a capacitor though the heart tissue. Pacer lead current is monitored by measuring the current through a small number of these transistors. The current monitoring function is performed by a current-to-voltage converter coupled to an analog-to-digital converter which may make one or more voltage measurements during the output pulse.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,131 disclose an apparatus for stimulating body tissue and in particular the heart, as including a device or circuit responsive to the initiation of stimulation and/or to the failure or pending failure of a component of the stimulating apparatus to provide the patient with a perceivable stimulation to a second, different portion of body tissue. There is disclosed an impedance level detector for sensing the impedance presented between the outputs of the stimulation apparatus to provide a warning signal indicating that the output impedance falls outside a predetermined range. In particular, the impedance level detector output is sensed by stimulation control logic to apply a first train of pulses at a first rate to an auxiliary electrode for stimulating the second portion of tissue. Further, there is included a voltage level detector for sensing when the power source voltage depletes below a predetermined level, to actuate the stimulation control logic to provide a second train of warning pulses to the auxiliary electrode, at a second, different rate than that of the first train. In this fashion, the patient not only is warned as to the pending failure or failure of a component of his pacemaker, but also is able to identify the failing component.
[0011] With these solutions, either the voltage (V) or the current (I) are measured across the lead impedance (R) and the final value of the impedance is obtained by computing the well-known Ohm's equation: V=R×I.
[0012] Another approach to determine the integrity of the leads consists in measuring a stimulation capacitor voltage and to deduce the impedance lead value from a well-known general equation: V=V 0 ×e (−T/RC) , wherein V 0 is the initial voltage of the stimulation capacitor and (1/RC) is the time constant. Such method is illustrated in the two following patents: In U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,179 from Er et al., a real-time impedance monitoring system is provided for use with an implantable medical device having an implantable electrical lead. The impedance monitoring system includes components for determining the electrical impedance of the lead as a function of time, with the determination being made substantially in real-time, and components for graphically displaying the electrical impedance of the lead as a function of time, with the display also being generated substantially in real-time.
[0013] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,865 from Kuehn, a method and apparatus for measuring lead impedance during pre selected test mode operation of an implantable body tissue stimulator is presented. Analysis circuitry is periodically triggered into operation, such as on each reprogramming by the physician or periodically as a function of elapsed time or number of stimulation events counted from the preceding measurement. The actual lead impedance, measured from the output circuit from the body tissue-stimulator pulse generator, and taking into account impedance of the interconnection between the lead connector pin and the pulse generator connector block, the lead electrical conductor and its connections with the electrode and the connector pin and the electrode-tissue interface, is calculated as a function of the ratio of the elapsed times that it takes to discharge a capacitor from a first reference voltage to a second reference voltage through a precision resistor and through the lead impedance itself. The calculated lead impedance may be stored in memory with a suitable time tag, employed to automatically effect a change in operating modes or change a lead and electrode selection, if measured lead impedance falls outside normal high and low impedance boundary values. In the pacing context, calculated lead impedance may be employed to adjust sense amplifier sensitivity and pacing output pulse parameters. The method and apparatus may also be employed to calculate cardioversion/defibrillation lead impedance through selective partial discharge of high voltage output capacitors.
[0014] The '179 solution implies that the voltage measurement be picked at the end of the impedance path and thus that an extra-wire from the implant is required. Then, in case of paraplegia where a great number of electrodes are required, such solution is not acceptable due to the number of extra-wires that would be required.
[0015] Furthermore, in paraplegic application, the leads are not necessarily proximate to the FES device and the wiring may be long and difficult to access, thereby rejecting a solution as the aforementioned one.
[0016] In the '865 patent, the reader may assume that all the circuitry is powered with a unique common voltage VDD. In the case a high power voltage (i.e. 40 volts) is used for the stimulation capacitor and a lower voltage (5 volts) is used for the rest of the circuitry, this prior art solution is not acceptable as such because the circuitry must be adapted.
[0017] An important constraint of paraplegia is the need of interconnection of low powered components (the implant is powered less than 5 v) with high power output stages (high voltage over 40V and high current over 20 mA ) which are needed for the stimulations.
[0018] Therefore, even if the cited pacemakers solutions are convenient for the measurement of lead impedance in the cardiology context, none of the aforementioned patents offers a complete solution for testing the functionality of leads impedance in paraplegic implantable device.
[0019] Thus, there is still a need for a simple, short time functional testing solution for paraplegic implantable stimulator.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0020] It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus for testing the impedance of a medical lead connecting an implantable stimulation device to a nerve or a muscle. The implantable device is of the type comprising a capacitor for stimulating the nerve or the muscle. The system of the invention comprises a current generator for generating a testing current “I” during a calibrated testing pulse and a power circuit coupled to the capacitor and to the current generator for determining if the capacitor is charged by the testing current during the calibrated testing pulse.
[0021] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] [0022]FIG. 1 shows an implantable FES using the circuit of the present invention.
[0023] [0023]FIG. 2 shows a general block diagram of the relevant circuits of the present invention.
[0024] [0024]FIG. 3 shows a preferred implementation of control circuit of the present invention.
[0025] [0025]FIG. 4 is a timing diagram representing the main signals flowing in the circuits of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the current generator comprises a pulse generator for generating the calibrated testing pulse. According to the type of test, i.e. the test of a nerve or of a muscle, a respective resistive path allows to maintain an adapted voltage at the output of the pulse generator.
[0027] A determination device preferably in the form of a power transistor is base-connected to the output of the pulse generator. A measure of the voltage resulting at the emitter point of the power transistor is made to determine if the testing current is provided by the collector path of the transistor or by the base path. If the tested channel is connected, the testing current flows from the high voltage of the muscle or nerve to the current generator, thereby charging the stimulation capacitor. In case the tested channel is disconnected, the current sunk by the current generator must be provided by one of the resistive path, thereby generating a characteristic voltage drop at the output of the pulse generator. The chosen voltage drops are such that no stimulation may be applied to the muscle or nerve.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary implantable device 100 to be implanted in a paraplegic patient is described. To the extent that certain components of device 100 are conventional for stimulation application in their design and operation, such components (a conventional programmer for example) will not be described here and only the circuits operating in conjunction with the present invention are now described. The implantable device 100 comprises an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (generally ASIC) 102 powered at a VDD voltage. The ASIC to be detailed later receives input data on a “DATA” line from external circuitry to be operated either for stimulation or for measurements. The measured data are outputted on a “MEASURE” line. A controllable switch component having a command line 104 allows to discharge a stimulation capacitor 106 after each stimulation operation. The stimulation capacitor 106 is connected between an electrode 108 and a power transistor 110 in which flows a stimulation current I. The electrode 108 is connected to a muscle 112 . It is to be understood that the electrode could be connected to a nerve for neural stimulation. As already explained, muscle and neural stimulation for paraplegia require a high power voltage VPP due to the intrinsic impedance of the muscle or the nerve.
[0029] The details of the relevant circuits which make up the testing device of the present invention are shown in block circuit form in FIG. 2 with reference numerals being the same for circuits identical to FIG. 1. For sake of clarity, only two electrodes are shown on the figure but one of ordinary skill could easily extend the concept of the invention to a plurality of electrodes either connected to muscle or nerve.
[0030] A first Digital to Analog current converter 200 provides a first programmable calibrated stimulation current “I” to feed epymisial channels, depending on the value of intensity weights on the D/A converter input. A second Digital to Analog current converter (not shown for clarity reason) provides a second programmable calibrated stimulation current to feed neural channels. Each DAC may be conventional n-bits converter. Both DACs may be respectively activated by a command signal “CO” which enables the stimulation current “I” to be sunk only when the input data (the binary intensity weights) have reached stable values. In the preferred embodiment, the first DAC 200 is a 8-bits converter for muscle stimulation while the second DAC is a 6-bits converter for neural stimulation, and the stimulation current I 1 is in the range of 0 to 25 mA for the epymisial case while the stimulation current I 2 is in the range of 0 to 3 mA for the neural case.
[0031] A control circuit 202 inputting epymisial and neural selection signals “EPY” and “NEU” is coupled to power transistor 110 . Preferably, one control circuit is associated to each electrode 108 and one circuit is active at a time. The selection of the active control circuit may be realized by common address decoding circuits (illustrated as address bits A 0 -An on FIG. 2). In response to a pulsed input signal “PW”, control circuit 202 generates a calibrated command stimulation signal “STI” on base of power transistor 110 .
[0032] One preferred implementation of control circuit 202 is shown on FIG. 3, with circuit 300 being composed of five transistors of FET type. However, the person skilled in the art will easily devise other circuit design required by other technology such as bipolar transistors for example. Transistor T 1 receives on its gate the “EPY” signal and having its drain connected to power voltage VDD. Similarly transistor T 3 receives on its gate the “NEU” signal and having its drain connected to power voltage VDD. The source of T 1 is connected to the drain of transistor T 2 . The source of T 3 is connected to the drain of transistor T 4 . Transistors T 2 and T 4 are gate connected to receive the pulsed command signal “PW”. The sources of T 2 and T 4 are connected to the drain of transistor T 5 which also inputs on its gate pulsed command signal “PW”. The source of T 5 is connected to low voltage (ground voltage VG). The output “STI” of control circuit 300 is available on the output line 302 .
[0033] During testing operation, a pulse signal “PW” is applied to the gate of transistors (T 2 ,T 4 ) to turn them ON and to the gate of transistor T 5 to turn OFF. According to the active selection signal “EPY” or “NEU”, one of the transistor T 1 or T 3 is ON, which means testing of a nerve channel or a muscle channel. The initial high voltage (VDD) on output line 302 is lowered by the voltage drop due to the resistive path made by either T 1 and T 2 or by T 3 and T 4 . If there is no electrical discontinuity in the tested channel, the voltage on output line 302 (i.e. the base voltage of power transistor 110 ) remains high, and the current sunk in the emitter of power transistor 110 is provided by the collector of this latter. If there is an electrical discontinuity in the tested channel, the voltage on output line 302 decreases significantly as the current sunk in the emitter of transistor 110 is provided by the resistive path of control circuit 300 through the base of power transistor 110 . The value of each resistive path is chosen such that the current for epymisial testing or neural testing allows a significant voltage drop while avoiding a stimulation effect of the nerve or muscle.
[0034] In the preferred implementation, for a power voltage VDD of 5V, the voltage drop is around 2V with a current of 2 mA for epymisial testing and a current of 200 uA for neural testing.
[0035] Coming back to FIG. 2, the circuits to measure the voltage on the emitter of power transistor 110 will now be described.
[0036] A voltage Analog to Digital Converter 204 is connected to the emitter of power transistor 110 . A sampling clock signal “SC” is applied to the input of the converter 204 to sample the voltage of the emitter. The voltage is converted in a well-known manner into parallel bits. The parallel bits are stored in a register circuit 206 . Register 206 is a common shift register which swaps the parallel bits into serial bits. The serial bits are outputted at a predetermined cycle time defined by a register clock “RC”.
[0037] In an alternate embodiment, a selector circuit may be connected between the emitter of transistor 110 and A/D converter 204 in order to sample other analog data such as battery voltage level, power supplies measurement. A selector signal can be easily designed by a person skilled in the art to determine the selected type of data to be measured.
[0038] On top of FIG. 2, an electrical representation of the muscle or the nerve is shown. The muscle or nerve is generally represented as a resistor 112 . The electrode plus the lead is schematically illustrated by connection point 108 . Stimulation capacitor 106 is in series between the lead connection point 108 and the collector of power transistor 110 . A switch circuit is connected between the collector of power transistor 110 and the high power voltage VPP. The switch is closed in inactive mode (no stimulation, no test) to allow the stimulation capacitor 106 to be discharged through the impedance path ( 108 , 112 ).
[0039] The switch is open in stimulation or testing mode, and a controlled current is sunk through the power transistor 110 during a calibrated time window “STI” as previously explained. The capacitor is thus charged at a constant current I. In a preferred embodiment, the high power voltage is 40V in order to get a sufficient current (>20 mA ) to the muscle, which offers a resistive value in the range of 1500 ohms.
[0040] To restate, the principle of impedance testing is to detect if a current is flowing from the muscle or nerve through the stimulation capacitor Cs. If the electrode is connected to the muscle (or the nerve) there is a current flowing in the muscle (or the nerve), but if no current is flowing it means that the electrode is disconnected from the muscle (or the nerve) or broken.
[0041] Reference is now made to the timing diagram of FIG. 4. To operate in test mode the circuit of the invention, a DC current is first determined by the settings of the intensity weights on the D/A converter inputs, which are validated by the “CO” command.
[0042] Then the type of stimulation is selected by activation of one of the selection signals “EPY” or “NEU”. The stimulation signal “STI” is generated on the output of the control circuit and one power transistor 110 becomes active as already explained. During the duration of the stimulation signal “STI”, the sampling clock “SC” is running in order to convert the emitter voltage of the active power transistor 110 into P-binary data. Finally, the P-binary data are stored into a P-bits register 206 . The stored data are then serially outputted as shown on last line “MEASURE” of FIG. 4 during P clock cycles “RC”. The output pattern is thus representative of the voltage emitter status.
[0043] One advantage the solution is that the test is completely performed internally to the implantable device. Other advantages include that only a few devices are required, no extra I/Os are required for the ASIC, and no extra feed through wires for the implant are required. Still other advantages include no extra external components are required for the implant, implant is simpler (no extra wiring), the power consumption is optimized (the ASIC is low powered), there is no limitation of the number of lead connections, and the solution offers flexibility on the timings as the impedance test can be performed either during a normal stimulation or during a test mode without any stimulation of the muscle or the nerve.
[0044] It is to be understood that the provided illustrative examples are by no means exhaustive of the many possible uses for my invention.
[0045] 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.
[0046] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims:
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An apparatus for testing the impedance of a medical lead connecting an implantable stimulation device to a nerve or a muscle. The implantable device is of the type comprising a capacitor for stimulating the nerve or the muscle. The system of the invention comprises a current generator for generating a testing current “I” during a calibrated testing pulse and a power circuit coupled to the capacitor and to the current generator for determining if the capacitor is charged by the testing current during the calibrated testing pulse.
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[0001] Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 102004014322.6, filed Mar. 22, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for correlating altitude and/or grade information with route points of a digital map.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Document JP-2001-305953-A1 describes the correlation of altitude information of a geographic map with routes of a two-dimensional map. It is described there that the actual altitudes of the road types “tunnels” and “bridges” differ from the geographic altitudes of the corresponding points. The actual altitudes of the route points on roads of this type are then to be determined by interpolation from the start and end points of the roads of this type.
[0004] From U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0005810-A1 it is known to combine information of a two-dimensional map including the courses of routes with a corresponding three-dimensional map in order to infer information about the altitude profile of the routes in question. Thus, here too, altitude information is correlated with information about the route.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the meaningfulness of altitude and/or grade information that is correlated with individual points of a route.
[0006] Apart from navigation, digital road maps are also increasingly used as a source of information for driver assistance systems. In conjunction with the vehicle positioning system, the digital road map makes it possible to generate a route preview, allowing information about specific route characteristics that are relevant for the driving task (such as narrow curves, changes in speed limit) to be provided to the driver at an early point in time, or allowing various vehicle systems, such as headlamp adjustment, open- and closed-loop control systems for automatic cruise control (ACC), to be pre-controlled or adapted in terms of their performance to the upcoming driving environment.
[0007] However, grade data in digital maps are of great use for predictive driving features, especially in a commercial vehicle for various features such as the shifting of the transmission, the operation of the cruise control, and the torque selection. In particular, in the case of heavily loaded commercial vehicles, already small changes in grade require the shifting of gears in the transmission. Since each gear change involves an interruption of the tractive force for several seconds, which results in a loss of speed, it is particularly important to select the optimum gear change points. However, customary automatic transmissions in commercial vehicles are controlled without any knowledge about the grade profile that is coming up next and are therefore not able to respond to changes in grade in a predictive manner. In certain cases, this leads to a wrong gear selection, which, in addition, results in increased fuel consumption.
[0008] This problem can be overcome by providing a map-based route preview that includes grade information as well.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a correction operation is performed, the correction being accomplished by approximating the course of a road, in terms of its altitude data, to the correlated geographic information by smoothing its altitude data derived from the correlated geographic information; the smoothing being carried out as a function of the attributes of the road.
[0010] Thus, there are different types of roads, including, for example, bridges or tunnels. In these types of roads, there is no direct, intrinsic correlation between the geographic altitude profile of the landscape and the altitude profile of the road of the type in question.
[0011] The attributes of the roads are to be distinguished from this. The purpose of the road attributes is to define whether the altitude profile of the road matches at least almost completely the profile of the landscape, or whether and to what degree earth is being moved during road construction in an appropriate way according to the attributes in order to avoid, or at least reduce, changes in the altitude profile of the road.
[0012] Exemplary attributes include the following:
road class, speed limits, average traffic load, in particular that caused by heavy truck traffic, traffic load at peak times, in particular that caused by heavy truck traffic, number of lanes in one direction of travel, completion date, national territory of the road in question.
[0020] The road class relates to the attribute of whether the road in question is an expressway, a national highway, a state road, or a country road. The degree to which the road in question is designed also for heavy truck traffic can be deduced from this accordingly. The fact of whether higher-class roads following at least approximately the same directional course exist in the vicinity may optionally be taken into account for this purpose. It is known from experience that national highways are constructed to a lower standard when there is an expressway running in parallel. However, if there is no parallel expressway, long-distance traffic is via the national highway, so that it may be expected that this national highway is constructed to an appropriate standard. In connection with the individual road classes, it is, of course, also possible to distinguish whether or not the national highway in question is important for long-distance traffic. The same applies here to other road classes. The greater the importance of the road for long-distance traffic, the greater the probability that earth was moved during the construction of the route in order to reduce differences in altitude. The more important the route, the higher the degree of smoothing that should be carried out in the present method.
[0021] A further attribute may be, for example, the existence of speed limits on the route. Apart from the criterion that an appropriate speed limit may be imposed for reasons of traffic safety when a certain traffic load is exceeded, such a speed limit may also be related to the conditions of the route. In addition to junctions and bends, these conditions may also include the grade of the route. Therefore, if a speed limit can be correlated with the grade of the route in a certain section, smoothing is conveniently performed only to a lesser degree because a certain grade has just been ascertained.
[0022] Other criteria may include, for example, the average traffic load, in particular that caused by heavy truck traffic, or also the traffic load at peak times, in particular that caused by heavy truck traffic. The more pronounced the traffic load, the greater the probability that the route in question was constructed to a higher standard. Then, stronger smoothing should be employed when carrying out the method of the present invention.
[0023] Another criterion may be the number of lanes in one direction of travel. Especially when in the case of a grade ascertained on the basis of the geographic altitude information, an additional uphill lane is detected, it may be inferred that the additional uphill lane is intended to facilitate passing. In this situation, a lower degree of smoothing may be used. If, on a section of a national highway, there are always several lanes in each direction, it may be inferred that the national highway is of importance for long-distance traffic and is therefore constructed to an appropriate standard. In this case, a correspondingly higher level of smoothing is then to be used for carrying out the method.
[0024] Another criterion may be the date of completion of the road in question. In accordance with the guidelines for the course of relevant roads, it may be that the guidelines have changed. Therefore, if a smoothing is performed under the aspect that a boundary condition for the resulting routing of the road is that it must comply with the guidelines, it is useful for this boundary condition to be based on the guidelines that were in force at the time when the road was planned and/or completed. It is obvious that, for this purpose, the date must not necessarily be indicated with an accuracy of one day.
[0025] A further criterion may be the national territory of the road in question. The guidelines and practices used in construction planning and execution for the routing of the roads in question may differ in the various countries. This may advantageously be taken into account.
[0026] In an embodiment, in addition, the road type is taken into account in that for the road types “tunnel” and/or “bridge” the information along this road type is correctively correlated as a function of the correlated geographic information at the start and end points of the road type in question; the correlated geographic information not being taken into account in this correction.
[0027] Unlike with the road attributes, where the assumed altitude profile of the road is approximated to the geographic altitude profile in accordance with certain criteria, in the case of these road types, the altitude profile is determined independently of the geographic altitudes along the route.
[0028] In an embodiment, the smoothing is carried out in such a manner that certain maximum values of the grade and/or of the change in grade of the roads are not exceeded. This advantageously allows predefined boundary conditions to be taken into account when carrying out the method.
[0029] In an embodiment, the smoothing is carried out in such a manner that certain maximum values of the grade and/or of the change in grade of the roads are not exceeded, depending on the particular road attributes.
[0030] In comparison with the previously described embodiment, it turns out to be advantageous here that the boundary conditions may be taken into account in a better-adapted form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below and illustrated in the drawings.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an example of a contour line pattern in a grid representation.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a representation of a functional block diagram.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Using the method described herein, grade data can be obtained from digital terrain models in an inexpensive manner on an area-wide basis. Digital terrain models (DTM) describe the surface of the earth by a three-dimensional grid of equidistant grid points, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 . Each grid point contains altitude information. During the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in the year 2000, NASA recorded, for example, altitude information from which a nearly worldwide DTM having a grid point spacing of 30 m and an absolute altitude accuracy of 16 m was generated. This DTM altitude data is available, for example, for the method described herein.
[0035] The German Guideline for Road Construction (RAS) stipulates, at least for the Federal Republic of Germany, the requirement that the routing of a road in terms of altitude should be such that it is adapted to the natural terrain to the best extent possible. Since the natural terrain is represented by the DTM, the altitude profile of the road can be determined by blending the (two-dimensional) digital map with the (three-dimensional) DTM, and the grade profile can be determined in a further processing step.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the method. In a first step 201 , a polyline describing the (two-dimensional) geometry of the road is extracted from the digital road map. In this connection, the position of each polygon point is defined by a longitude coordinate and a latitude coordinate. Additional information (attributes) about each polygon segment may also be obtained from the digital map. This includes, for example, the road class (expressway, national highway, etc.). Other attributes, such as those described above, may be obtained. Also obtainable is the road type, which indicates, in particular, whether the segment in question is a tunnel or a bridge. This additional information turns out to be very helpful for carrying out the method of the present invention.
[0037] For example, as explained earlier, the road class is indicative of the extent to which a road matches the natural terrain and of the rate at which the grade may change along the road.
[0038] For example, expressways and national highways are designed for high traveling speeds and heavy trucks. Therefore, normally, a separate route is constructed for these roads in order to avoid, to the extent possible, heavy grades and changes in grade. In contrast, small state and country roads do not have a separate route throughout and are therefore more likely to directly follow the terrain. Consequently, heavy grades and sudden changes in grade may occur on these routes.
[0039] Bridges and tunnels are in turn route sections on which there are naturally greater differences in altitude between the natural terrain and the road.
[0040] Then, in a following step 202 , the two-dimensional polyline is blended with the three-dimensional DTM. To this end, preferably equidistant intermediate points are determined along the polyline. For each of these intermediate points, the surrounding grid points of the DTM are selected based on its coordinates. The DTM altitude at the intermediate point in question is determined from the altitude values of these grid points using a suitable method (such as averaging or interpolation).
[0041] This results in the DTM altitude profile along the polyline.
[0042] Then, in a following step 203 , the evaluation of tunnels and bridges is carried out. In the area of bridges and tunnels, as explained earlier, there are, naturally, differences between the altitude of the natural terrain and that of the road. In order to correct the DTM altitude profile accordingly, the start and end points of bridges and tunnels are determined from the attributes of the polygon segments, and new altitude values are determined for the segments located therebetween by linear interpolation between the altitudes at the respective start and end points.
[0043] In a further step 204 , the DTM altitude profile is smoothed. This takes into account the fact that the altitude profile of a road can be differentiated continuously and twice throughout, i.e., that there are no sudden changes in the altitude value or grade. The smoothing of the altitude profile also allows calculation of the grade by differentiation.
[0044] Smoothing can be accomplished using various methods, such as classical low-pass filters or smoothing splines. In any case, the smoothing parameter used may be adapted to the road class or also to other attributes to obtain optimum results. As explained earlier, expressways normally do not exhibit any abrupt changes in grade because of their specific routing. Therefore, the DTM altitude data may be strongly smoothed for this road class. In contrast, small country roads follow the natural terrain much more directly, so that the smoothing parameter should be set here to allow greater dynamics in the altitude profile.
[0045] Compared to a smoothing of the DTM altitude data without taking the attributes into account in accordance with the present invention, the present invention provides the advantage of being able to take into account that there are no extreme grades, which, according to the German Guideline for Road Construction (RAS), are not permissible for real roads.
[0046] It has turned out to be advantageous to proceed in such a manner when carrying out the method that the altitude profile of the road is described by the design elements specified in the Guideline for Road Construction for the grade map:
straight lines for route sections having a constant grade; and parabolas for crests and troughs.
[0049] In this procedure, first the apex positions of crests and troughs and the corresponding radii of curvature are estimated from the DTM altitude data. Then, using a nonlinear optimization method, the parameters of the grade map, that is, the number, positions and radii of curvature of the parabolas, are improved until an objective function reaches its minimum.
[0050] Various criteria are taken into account in this objective function:
the difference in altitude between the DTM and the grade map, the occurring grades, and the occurring curvatures.
[0054] The objective function to be minimized allows the boundary conditions specified in the Guideline for Road Construction for grades and curvatures to be complied with by “penalizing” deviations from the permissible range of values with high function values. The grade map constructed from parabolas and straight lines has the further advantage that its grade profile can be represented by a small number of interpolation points between which the grade changes linearly. As a result of this, the map enhanced with grade data requires a small amount of memory, and the grade information can be easily processed further.
[0055] Finally, in a last processing step 205 , the grades are derived from the smoothed altitude data by differentiation.
[0056] The grade data may be stored in the digital map in different ways. For example, the entire grade profile may be represented by a series of polynomials having the same or different degrees. A polynomial of degree 0 means that the grade is constant on some sections. A polynomial of degree 1 means that the grade changes linearly within a section of the route. This is the case, for example, when crests and troughs are represented by the parabolas mentioned herein above. Higher-degree polynomials can be used to describe the grade profile of larger route sections by a single polynomial and to thereby save memory space.
[0057] However, for some driving features, it may be sufficient if only certain characteristic points in the grade profile are marked in the digital map. Such points may be, for example, the apices of the crests and troughs or points of abrupt change in grade.
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A method for method for correlating altitude and/or grade information with route points of a digital map includes correlating geographic altitude information and/or grade information of a digital geographic map with route points of a digital map. Altitude data of a road is derived from the correlated geographic information. The correlated geographic information is corrected by smoothing the derived altitude data so as to approximate a course of a road to the correlated geographic information. The smoothing is performed as a function of at least one attribute of the road.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to space frames. More particularly, it relates to space frames of the double layer flat grid type having longitudinal and transverse chords interconnected by a plurality of web members.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Space frames are well known and extensively used in the construction of buildings such as exhibition halls, theatres and the like where large areas are required to be covered, free of supporting columns. For such purposes, architects commonly favor space frames of the double-layer flat grid type, such a structure having an upper square grid assembly of longitudinal and transverse chord members spaced above a lower square grid assembly of longitudinal and transverse chord members, intersections of the upper and lower grids being interconnected by diagonal struts or web members so that the space frame consists of a combination of square-base pyramidal shapes.
The economy of space frames of this type is particularly sensitive to the cost of the nodal connections of the members comprising the grid. A variety of connector components have been devised for interconnecting: at each node of the structure, the longitudinal and lateral chord members, and the diagonal struts.
A typical way to make a space frame is to fabricate members and joints as unique parts and bolt them together in the field. Some systems use pyramidal modules which are field assembled.
There are three main disadvantages to those systems:
1. Costs--Where you have a node and member connection, hardware costs are high.
2. Erection Time and Difficulty--The more pieces you have, the more field assembly time required.
3. Exposed Fasteners--They are unsightly and tend to corrode.
The space frame of the present invention solves these problems by utilizing a prefabricates truss module in conjunction with transverse chords thereby reducing field assembly time by minimizing the number of parts. By concealing the few fasteners inside the truss module chord connections, corrosion of the fasteners has been minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved space frame comprises a combination of truss modules and transverse chords which are interconnected by transverse fasteners.
The transverse chords are parallel to each other and the truss modules are alternatingly arranged in two parallel planes.
Each truss module comprises a plurality of web members, connecting members, and split longitudinal chords. The connecting members and the split longitudinal chords have first interface surfaces. The web members and the connecting members are affixed to the split longitudinal chords to form the truss modules.
The truss modules are connected to each other at the interface surfaces of the split longitudinal chords of each truss module by the transverse fastening means located within the truss modules interconnected with the transverse chords. Each truss module is also connected to the transverse chords at the interface surfaces of the connecting members of each truss module by the transverse fastening means to form the space frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a space frame of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view looking along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view looking along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame shown in FIG. 1 showing the truss module and transverse chord arrangement;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame encircled at 4 in FIG. 1 showing one manner of assembling web sections, split longitudinal chords, and a truss alinement member to form a truss module;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame encircled at 4 in FIG. 1, showing one manner of assembling a transverse chord and two truss modules with a fastener;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space encircled at 4 in FIG. 1 showing one manner of assembling a second transverse chord to the two truss modules and transverse chord shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame encircled at 4 in FIG. 1 showing the completed assembly of the space frame components in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of another embodiment of the space frame encircled at 4 in FIG. 1 showing a transverse chord, two truss modules and a transverse fastener arrangement.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims in connection with the above-described drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Shown in FIG. 1 is a space frame 10 comprising a combination of truss modules 20, 21 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and transverse chords 30.
Shown in FIG. 4 truss module 20 has a plurality of web members 40, 41, split longitudinal chords 50, 51 and connecting members 60, 61. Also shown in FIG. 4 is truss module 21 which has a plurality of web members 42, 43, split longitudinal chords 52, 53 and connecting members 62, 63. Shown in FIG. 5 are web members 40, 41, split longitudinal chords 50, connecting members 60, 61 truss alinement member 70, longitudinal fasteners 71, 72 such as treaded rods with corresponding nuts 80, 81, 82, 83. The split longitudinal chords 50, such as "U" shaped channels, have first interface surfaces 90 and inside surfaces 100. Connecting plates 110, 111 which have two apertures each are affixed and perpendicular to the inside surfaces 100 of the split longitudinal chords 50.
The connecting members 60 and 61 have foreshorted split transverse chord portions 140, 141 and foreshortened split longitudinal chord portions 120, 121 which have affixed to them alinement members 130, 131 each having two apertures. The foreshortened split transverse chord portions 140, 141 are affixed perpendicularly to the foreshortened split longitudinal chord portions 120, 121 so that the foreshortened split longitudinal chord portions 120, 121 will aline with the split longitudinal chords 50 and the foreshortened split transverse chord portions 140, 141 will aline with the transverse chord 30 shown in FIG. 6. The truss alinement member 70 has positioning sleeves 150 and 160. Positioning sleeve 160 coacts with the two connecting members 60 and 61 which have half moon openings 170, 171 respectively to receive the positioning sleeve 160. The connecting members 60, 61 have first interface surfaces 180, 181 and second interface surfaces 190, 191.
Shown in FIG. 6, the two split longitudinal chords 50; the two connecting members 60, 61 with webs members 40, 41 affixed to the connecting members 60, 61 and the truss alinement member 70 are assembled and interconnected by the longitudinal fasteners 71, 72 and their corresponding nuts 80, 81, 82, 83 to form a partial section of the truss module 20. Also shown in FIG. 6 is a partial section of another truss module 21 made up of split longitudinal chords 52 web members 42, 43, connecting members 62, 63 and a truss alinement member 73. The split longitudinal chords 52 have first interface surfaces 92 and the connecting members 62, 63 have first interface surfaces 182, 183 respectively.
The two truss modules 20, 21 are interconnected to each other and the transverse chord 30 is interconnected to the truss module 20 by coacting transverse fastener 200 with treads 31 of transverse chord 30 shown in FIG. 6. Hex nut 210 welded to transverse fastener 200 provides a means for turning transverse fastener 200 to engage treads 31 with an appropriate tool. Positioning sleeve 150 of truss alinement member 70 provides a stop for hex nut 210 since hex nut 210 can not pass between longitudinal fasteners 71, 72 because there is not enough clearance between the longitudinal fasteners 71, 72 and hex nut 210.. Once transverse chord 30 is secured to truss module 20 by transverse fastener 200, truss module 21 is positioned to abut matching interface surfaces 90, 180, 181 with interface surfaces 92, 182, 183 by sliding transverse fastener 200 through positioning sleeves 151, 161 of truss alinement member 73 and coacting truss alinement member 70 with truss alinement member 73 and securing truss module 21 by applying nut 220 to transverse fastener 200.
Shown in FIG. 7 is the engaging of a second transverse chord 30 to the assembly of the first transverse chord 30, truss module 20 and truss module 21 by rotating the second transverse chord 30 to engage treads 240 of the second transverse chord 30 with transverse fastener 200 until the second transverse chord positioning sleeve 250 coacts with truss module 21 forming a completed assembly shown in FIG. 8.
Shown in FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the present invention. Truss modules 300, 310 interconnect with two transverse chords 30 to form a space frame 10. Two of the transverse chords 30 interconnect with truss module 300 and truss module 310 by the engagement of transverse fastener 500 having an affixed nut 510 to transverse chord 30 and the engagement of affixed nut 510 with truss module 300 followed by the engagement of nut 520 with truss module 310 and finally the engagement of the second transverse chord 30 with the transverse fastener 500 as shown in FIG. 9.
Truss module 300 comprises split longitudinal chords 305 which have foreshortened transverse chords 320 affixed perpendicular to them, and two web members 400, 410 affixed to split longitudinal chords 305.
Truss module 310 comprises split longitudinal chords 315 which have foreshortened transverse chords 330 affixed perpendicular to them, and web members 420, 430 affixed to split longitudinal chords 315.
The transverse fastener 500 has a nut 510 affixed to it so when transverse fastener 500 engages transverse chord 30 the affixed nut 510 engages the split longitudinal chord 305 forcing the first interface 350 of foreshortened transverse chord 320 to engage transverse chord 30.
Truss module 310 engages truss module 300 at their respective first interface surfaces 330, 340 by the engagement of nut 520 against the split longitudinal chord 315 thereby forcing the two truss modules 300, 310 together and the second transverse chord 30 is attached rotating transverse chord 30 to engage threads 530 of the second transverse chord 30 with the transverse fastener 500 until the second transverse chord 30 is positioned to form a completed assembly.
The space frame of the present invention eliminates most of the connecting hardware (bolts, nodes, pins, field welds) typically required in other space frame systems.
The space frame truss modules of the present invention can be pre-assembled by welding the parts together to form a truss of desired length followed by painting to obtain a high quality paint finish or the truss parts can be painted before shop assembling into the desired truss module lengths. These truss modules can be conveniently stacked for shipment thereby reducing shipping costs.
Typically, the truss of the present invention would have separate parts painted prior to assembly comprising the split longitudinal chords, truss alinement members and web member welded to the connecting members as one piece web sections each having one web and two connecting members, as illustrated in FIG. 4, or the web members can be affixed to the connecting members by other means such as bolts after they are painted.
All the separate parts would then be assembled to make the desired truss module.
The transverse chord positioning sleeve is designed to prevent damage to the painted surfaces of the truss module while assembling the pre-painted transverse chord as shown in FIG. 7 by providing a slight gap (1/16") between the interface surface of the transverse chord and the second interface surfaces of the connecting member of the truss module. The transverse chord positioning sleeve is only required at one end of the transverse chord since the other end of the transverse chord not having the positioning sleeve as illustrated in FIG. 6 interconnects with the truss module without turning the transverse chord as is required during the final assembly shown in FIG. 7.
The longitudinal fasteners such as threaded rods, "U" bolts, turn buckets, etc. and the transverse fasteners are hidden from view once the parts are assembled as shown in FIG. 7.
The space frame end portions can be finished off by bolting end channels having recessed bolt holes to achieve a space frame having an ethically pleasing appearance for less cost while maintaining the ability to carry the same applied loads as other space frame systems.
The material of construction of the present invention can be of any suitable structural material such as steel, aluminum, magnesium, wood, etc.
The shape of the chords and web members can vary depending upon the structural and esthetic needs, i.e., such as round, square, elliptical, etc.
While there has been shown and described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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A space frame is made from a plurality of truss modules and transverse chords. The truss modules and transverse chords are interconnected by fasteners contained therein. The truss modules have split longitudinal chords which are abutted to interconnect the truss modules. The transverse chords interconnect with the truss modules which are alternatingly arranged in two parallel planes to form the space frame matrix.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a competitive game including a container in the form of a simulated mustard jar and playing pieces in the form of simulated hotdogs. The container has a lower receiver portion which is downwardly displaceable relative to an upper portion of the container. The upper and lower portions of the container are held together by a pair of magnets. The simulated hotdogs are inserted individually into the container through a neck in the upper portion by the players of the game until the weight thereof is greater than the attractive force of the magnets, forcing the two container portions to separate. The player who deposited the last hotdog into the container at the time of the separation then must accept all of the hotdogs therewithin and proceed with the play of the game in an attempt to rid himself of all the hotdogs in his possession.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game of the present invention, showing the two portions of the jar in mating contact and a plurality of weights in the shape of simulated hotdogs alongside the container;
FIG. 2 shows the jar of FIG. 1 with the lower portion of the jar separated and falling away from the upper portion, with the weights lying therein;
FIG. 3 is a vertical, generally central sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the container taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a plan view of three playing cards used with the game apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, the game of the present invention, generally designated 10, comprises a container, generally designated 12, simulating a mustard jar and a plurality of playing pieces 14 in the form of simulated hotdogs. The jar 12 comprises an upper portion 16 and a lower cup-shaped portion 18. The lower portion 18 is held in place to the upper portion 16 by a pair of mutually attracted permanent magnets 20, one each mounted to a respective jar portion and in abutting contact with each other in a magnetically attractive mode as opposed to a repelling mode. The hotdogs 14 are deposited, in turn, into the container 12 by a plurality of players seriatim during play of the game. When the weight of the hotdogs 14 laying in the lower portion 18 becomes greater than the magnetic attractive force of the magnets 20, the lower portion 18 will fall away from the upper portion 16 and the player who last deposited a hotdog into the container is penalized by having to accept all of the hotdogs within the container or jar at that time. The objective of the game is for a player to rid himself of all his hotdogs, thereby winning the game.
More specifically, the simulated mustard container 12 comprises a hollow generally cylindrical frame closed off by a bottom wall 22 of the lower container portion 18. The upper end of the container 12 tapers inwardly into a narrower open neck 24.
An inside peripheral flange 32 is disposed inwardly and extends downwardly from the lowermost portion of the upper jar portion 16, to form a male member of a complementary mating fit with the upper peripheral wall of the lower jar portion 18.
A pair of bosses 34 are diametrically disposed along the inner surface of the upper jar portion 16 and extend inwardly therefrom, with a shaft 36 extending therebetween and rigidly mounted thereto within appropriate concentrical holes therein. A vertical rod 38 depends from the center of shaft 36. The lower end of the rod 38 is circularly formed to captivate a ring 40. The ring 40 is appropriately attached to and centrally located upon a circular cap 42. The cap 42 comprises a central circular disc with a downward extending peripheral annular flange 44 forming a circular recess 46 therein.
One of the magnets 20 is fixed within the recess 46. When the upper jar portion 16 is mounted to the lower jar portion 18, the cap 42 and its respective magnet 20 extend within the lower jar portion 18.
A boss 48 extends concentrically upwardly from the inside surface of the bottom wall 22 of the lower jar portion and has a concentric circular recess 50 for fixedly receiving the lower magnet 20. When the upper jar portion 16 and the lower jar portion 18 forms a mating fit with the flange 32, and the upper magnet 20 within the cap 42 abuttingly contacts the lower magnet 20 within the boss 48 in an attracting polarity.
The attractive force between the magnets 20 provide the coupling force for maintaining the fitted relationship between the upper and lower jar portions.
When the quantity of simulated hotdogs 14 are tossed or placed into the neck 24 and rest upon the bottom wall 22, the cumulative weight of the hotdogs 14 will at some point be greater than the attractive force of the magnets 20 causing the lower portion 18 to separate from the upper portion 16 under the influence of gravity and fall away therefrom in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 2. The size of the magnets used depends upon the weight that they are required to support.
FIG. 5 shows three of a plurality of playing cards 60 utilized with the game apparatus of the present invention. A set of such playing cards are provided with numerical indicating means 62 on one side thereof. These playing cards are shuffled and placed face down near the play area and the players, in turn, take a card and are required to place the number of playing pieces shown on the card into the container.
In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least some of the playing pieces in the form of the simulated hotdog 14 are of different sizes and thus different weights than other of the playing pieces. This adds a considerable amount of intrigue to the game as well as calculation by the various players.
One scheme of playing the game of the present invention is that the container 12 is emptied to start the play of the game. Any means, such as chance devices (dice) can be used to determine which player is to first take his turn. The players initially are given a predetermined number of the hotdog playing pieces, preferably each player having the same number of different sizes of playing pieces. The first player then takes his turn and draws a card 60 from the set thereof and is required to deposit into the container the given number of playing pieces indicated by the card. In doing so, the container can be positioned on a table, or the like, and be lifted by that player after he has deposited his number of playing pieces. In the alternative, the players might be required to hold the upper container portion 16 as he deposits his playing pieces thereinto. With different sizes and thus weights of the playing pieces, various strategies would be involved during the play of the game. The first player to deposit a playing piece into the container which is sufficient to raise the accumulated weight of the playing pieces therein so as to cause the magnets to release and drop the lower container portion 18 as seen in FIG. 2. That player must then accept all of the playing pieces in the lower container portion to add to his own collection. The object of the game is for a player to be the first to rid himself of all of the playing pieces in his possession. Of course, other schemes of play are contemplated by the present invention.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
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A competitive game including a jar with separable upper and lower portions and weighted playing pieces for insertion thereinto. The two portions of the jar are held together against the force of gravity upon the lower portion by magnetic means therebetween. When the cumulative weight of the playing pieces inserted and lying within the lower portion of the jar exceeds the attractive magnetic force of the magnetic means, the lower portion will separate from the upper portion and thereby penalize the last player to insert a playing piece into the container.
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This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/739,098, filed Dec. 19, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,030, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to balanced positioning systems. More particularly, the invention relates to such systems in lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
a radiation system for supplying a projection beam of radiation;
a first object table for holding a mask;
a second object table for holding a substrate; and
a projection system for imaging an irradiated portion of the mask onto a target portion of the substrate.
2. Discussion of Related Art
For the sake of simplicity, the projection system may hereinafter be referred to as the “lens”; however, this term should be broadly interpreted as encompassing various types of projection system, including refractive optics, reflective optics, catadioptric systems, and charged particle optics, for example. The radiation system may also include elements operating according to any of these principles for directing, shaping or controlling the projection beam of radiation, and such elements may also be referred to below, collectively or singularly, as a “lens”. In addition, the first and second object tables may be referred to as the “mask table” and the “substrate table”, respectively. Further, the lithographic apparatus may be of a type having two or more mask tables and/or two or more substrate tables. In such “multiple stage” devices the additional tables may be used in parallel, or preparatory steps may be carried out on one or more stages while one or more other stages are being used for exposures. Twin stage lithographic apparatus are described in International Patent Applications WO 98/28665 and WO 98/40791, for example.
Lithographic projection apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In such a case, the mask (reticle) may contain a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (comprising one or more dies) on a substrate (silicon wafer) which has been coated with a layer of photosensitive material (resist). In general, a single wafer will contain a whole network of adjacent target portions which are successively irradiated via the mask, one at a time. In one type of lithographic projection apparatus, each target portion is irradiated by exposing the entire mask pattern onto the target portion at once; such an apparatus is commonly referred to as a wafer stepper. In an alternative apparatus—which is commonly referred to as a step-and-scan apparatus—each target portion is irradiated by progressively scanning the mask pattern under the projection beam in a given reference direction (the “scanning” direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate table parallel or anti-parallel to this direction; since, in general, the projection system will have a magnification factor M (generally<1), the speed V at which the substrate table is scanned will be a factor M times that at which the mask table is scanned. More information with regard to lithographic devices as here described can be gleaned from International Patent Application WO 97/33205.
In a lithographic apparatus, reactions on the machine frame to acceleration forces used to position the mask (reticle) and substrate (wafer) to nanometer accuracies are a major cause of vibration, impairing the accuracy of the apparatus. To minimise the effects of vibrations, it is possible to provide an isolated metrology frame on which all position sensing devices are mounted, and to channel all reaction forces to a so-called force or reaction frame that is separated from the remainder of the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,497 describes a system in which the reaction of the driving force is channeled to a balance mass which is normally heavier than the driven mass and which is free to move relative to the remainder of the apparatus. The reaction force is spent in accelerating the balance mass and does not significantly affect the remainder of the apparatus. However, the concept disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,497 is only effective for reaction forces in one direction and is not readily extendable to systems having multiple degrees of freedom. Balance masses moveable in three degrees of freedom in a plane are described in WO 98/40791 and WO 98/28665 (mentioned above).
EP-A-0,557,100 describes a system which relies on actively driving two masses in opposite directions so that the reaction forces are equal and opposite and so cancel out. The system described operates in two dimensions but the active positioning of the balance mass necessitates a second positioning system of equal quality and capability to that driving the primary object.
None of the above systems is particularly effective at counteracting yawing moments which may be induced by adjustments of the rotational position of the driven mass or because of misalignment between the line of action of forces exerted on the driven body and its center of mass.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,246 discloses a positioning system having a first balance mass free to move in an XY plane, i.e. to translate in X and Y and rotate about axes parallel to the Z direction. To control rotation of the first balance mass, a fly wheel, forming a second balance mass, is driven by a rotation motor mounted on the first balance mass to exert a counter-acting torque. Controlling rotation of the first balance mass therefore requires accurate control of the rotation and the flywheel. Any delay in this control or imbalance of the flywheel will cause vibration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved balanced positioning system for counteracting yawing moments in the driven mass and preferably also force balancing in at least two translational degrees of freedom.
According to the present invention there is provided a lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
a radiation system for supplying a projection beam of radiation;
a first object table for holding a mask;
a second object table for holding a substrate;
a projection system for imaging irradiated portions of the mask onto target portions of the substrate; characterized by:
a balanced positioning system for positioning at least one of said object tables and comprising:
first and second balance masses;
bearing means for supporting said first and second balance masses so as to be substantially free to translate in at least one direction; and
driving means for acting directly between said one object table and said first and second balance masses to rotate said object table about an axis perpendicular to said one direction, said driving means being arranged to exert linear forces on said first and second balance masses in opposite directions to effect said rotation of said object table.
By providing two balance masses that can translate in at least one direction, the torque required to drive the object table to adjust its rotational position, or to compensate for torques induced by other driving forces can be provided as the sum of two linearly acting forces acting between the object table and the two balance masses. The reaction forces on the two balance masses will cause them to move linearly, which can easily be accommodated. In other words, the reaction to a torque exerted on the driven object table is converted to translations of the two balance masses and no rotational movement of the balance mass occurs. It will be appreciated that if a rotational motion of the object table is combined with a linear motion, the net forces acting on each balance mass may be in the same direction, though different in magnitude.
According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a device using a lithographic projection apparatus comprising:
a radiation system for supplying a projection beam of radiation;
a first object table for holding a mask;
a second object table for holding a substrate; and
a projection system for imaging irradiated portions of the mask onto target portions of the substrate; the method comprising the steps of:
providing a mask bearing a pattern to said first object table;
providing a substrate provided with a radiation-sensitive layer to said second object table;
irradiating portions of the mask and imaging said irradiated portions of the mask onto said target portions of said substrate; characterized in that:
at least one of said object tables is positioned using a positioning system which includes first and second balance masses free to move in at least one direction and drive means acting between said one object table and said balance masses; and
during or prior to said irradiating step said one object table is rotated by exerting oppositely directed forces between it and said first and second balance masses.
In a manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus according to the invention a pattern in a mask is imaged onto a substrate which is at least partially covered by a layer of energy-sensitive material (resist). Prior to this imaging step, the substrate may undergo various procedures, such as priming, resist coating and a soft bake. After exposure, the substrate may be subjected to other procedures, such as a post-exposure bake (PEB), development, a hard bake and measurement/inspection of the imaged features. This array of procedures is used as a basis to pattern an individual layer of a device, e.g. an IC. Such a patterned layer may then undergo various processes such as etching, ion-implantation (doping), metallisation, oxidation, chemo-mechanical polishing, etc., all intended to finish off an individual layer. If several layers are required, then the whole procedure, or a variant thereof, will have to be repeated for each new layer. Eventually, an array of devices will be present on the substrate (wafer). These devices are then separated from one another by a technique such as dicing or sawing, whence the individual devices can be mounted on a carrier, connected to pins, etc. Further information regarding such processes can be obtained, for example, from the book “Microchip Fabrication: A Practical Guide to Semiconductor Processing”, Third Edition, by Peter van Zant, McGraw Hill Publishing Co., 1997, ISBN 0-07-067250-4.
Although specific reference may be made in this text to the use of the apparatus according to the invention in the manufacture of ICs, it should be explicitly understood that such an apparatus has many other possible applications. For example, it may be employed in the manufacture of integrated optical systems, guidance and detection patterns for magnetic domain memories, liquid-crystal display panels, thin-film magnetic heads, etc. The skilled artisan will appreciate that, in the context of such alternative applications, any use of the terms “reticle”, “wafer” or “die” in this text should be considered as being replaced by the more general terms “mask”, “substrate” and “target portion”, respectively.
In the present document, the terms “radiation” and “beam” are used to encompass all types of electromagnetic radiation or particle flux, including, but not limited to, ultraviolet radiation (e.g. at a wavelength of 365 nm, 248 nm, 193 nm, 157 nm or 126 nm), EUV, X-rays, electrons and ions.
Embodiments of the present invention are described below making reference to a Cartesian coordinate system with axes denoted X, Y and Z in which the XY plane is parallel to the nominal substrate and reticle surfaces. The notation Ri is used to denote rotation about an axis parallel to the I direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a lithographic projection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the reticle stage of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the reticle stage of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a servo control mechanism used in the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reticle stage of a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is an end view of the reticle stage of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the reticle stage of a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is an end view of the reticle stage of the third embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 9 and 9A show a cable ducting device useable in embodiments of the invention.
In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 schematically depicts a lithographic projection apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises:
a radiation system LA, IL for supplying a projection beam PB of radiation (e.g. UV or EUV radiation, x-rays, electrons or ions);
a first object table (mask table) MT for holding a mask MA (e.g. a reticle), and connected to first positioning means for accurately positioning the mask with respect to item PL;
a second object table (substrate table) WT for holding a substrate W (e.g. a resist-coated silicon wafer), and connected to second positioning means for accurately positioning the substrate with respect to item PL;
a projection system (“lens”) PL (e.g. a refractive or catadioptric system, a mirror group or an array of field deflectors) for imaging an irradiated portion of the mask MA onto a target portion C (comprising one or more dies) of the substrate W. As here depicted, the apparatus is of a transmissive type (i.e. has a transmissive mask). However, in general, it may also be of a reflective type, for example.
The radiation system comprises a source LA (e.g. a Hg lamp, excimer laser, an undulator provided around the path of an electron beam in a storage ring or synchrotron, or an electron or ion beam source) which produces a beam of radiation. This beam is caused to traverse various optical components comprised in the illumination system IL, —e.g. beam shaping optics Ex, an integrator IN and a condenser CO—so that the resultant beam PB has a desired shape and intensity throughout its cross-section.
The beam PB subsequently intercepts the mask MA which held on a mask table MT. Having traversed the mask MA, the beam PB is caused to traverse the lens PL, which focuses the beam PB onto a target portion C of the substrate W. With the aid of the interferometric displacement measuring means IF, the substrate table WT can be moved accurately, e.g. so as to position different target portions C in the path of the beam PB. Similarly, the first positioning means can be used to accurately position the mask MA with respect to the path of the beam PB, e.g. after mechanical retrieval of the mask MA from a mask library. The reference signs M 1 , M 2 correspond to reticle alignment marks and the references P 1 and P 2 correspond to wafer alignment marks. These marks are used to align the wafer and the reticle respective to each other. In general, movement of the object tables MT, WT can be realized with the aid of a long stroke module (coarse positioning) and a short stroke module (fine positioning), which are not explicitly depicted in FIG. 1 .
The depicted apparatus can be used in two different modes:
1. In step mode, the mask table MT is kept essentially stationary, and an entire mask image is projected at once (i.e. a single “flash”) onto a target portion C. The substrate table WT is then shifted in the x and/or y directions so that a different target portion C can be irradiated by the beam PB;
2. In scan mode, essentially the same scenario applies, except that a given target portion C is not exposed in a single “flash”. Instead, the mask table MT is movable in a given reference direction (the so-called “scan direction”, e.g. the Y direction) with a speed v, so that the projection beam PB is caused to scan over a mask image; concurrently, the substrate table WT is simultaneously moved in the same or opposite direction at a speed V=Mv, in which M is the magnification of the lens PL (typically, M=¼ or ⅕). In this manner, a relatively large target portion C can be exposed, without having to compromise on resolution.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the reticle (mask) stage of the first embodiment of the invention in greater detail. The mask MA (not shown in FIG. 2 ), whose pattern is to be imaged onto the wafer, is held on mask table MT. To accommodate the scan mode of the apparatus the mask must be positioned accurately over a relatively wide range of movement (stroke) in the Y direction but only over much smaller ranges of movement in the other degrees of freedom. This large Y-direction stroke, as well as a more limited stroke in the X-direction and some Rz movement, is effected by the long stroke (coarse positioning) module described below. Fine positioning in all six degrees of freedom is accomplished by shortstroke position actuators included in the mask table.
Mask table MT depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 is intended for use with transmissive masks which means that the space above and below it must be kept clear. Accordingly, mask table MT is supported from two balance masses 20 , 30 positioned either side of a clear space extending in the Y-direction. In the present embodiment, three beams 11 , 12 , 13 , which extend transversely from mask table MT, are provided for this purpose but the beams may alternatively be formed integrally with the body of mask table MT or the mask table may itself extend over the balance masses 20 , 30 . Balance masses 20 , 30 have parallel planar upper surfaces against which table bearings 14 , 15 , 16 provided on the ends of beams 11 , 12 , 13 act to support the mask table. Table bearings 14 , 15 , 16 allow mask table MT to move in the XY plane relative to balance masses 20 , 30 substantially without friction. Table bearings 14 , 15 , 16 may, for example, be gas bearings. Z-direction actuators may also be included in these bearings for coarse positioning in Z, Rx and Ry.
Balance masses 20 , 30 are supported by substantially frictionless Z-bearings 21 , 22 , 23 , 31 , 32 , 33 on parallel rails 40 , 50 which extend in the Y-direction and may be part of or connected to the main machine frame, or base plate, BP. Rails 40 , 50 have substantially flat horizontal upper surfaces 41 , 51 against which Z-bearings 21 , 22 , 23 , 31 , 32 , 33 act so that the balance masses 20 , 30 are free to move in the Y-direction over a relatively wide range of motion. Z-bearings 21 , 22 , 23 , 31 , 32 , 33 may be compliant, i.e. have a low stiffness, in the Z-direction so that the balance masses 20 , 30 are also substantially free to move in the Z-direction, though over a much smaller range of movement. Freedom for the balance masses to move in the X-direction may be similarly provided by compliant X-bearings 24 , 25 , 34 , 35 acting against substantially planar vertical walls 42 , 52 of the rails 40 , 50 . X-bearings 24 , 25 , 34 , 25 may be preloaded or opposed pad bearings to exert forces in both directions. Z-bearings 21 , 22 , 23 , 31 , 32 , 33 and X-bearings 24 , 25 , 34 , 35 may be, for example, gas bearings. The balance masses 20 , 30 are thus free to move in all three translational degrees of freedom and so provide balancing to the mask table in those directions. Rotational balancing in Rx and Ry is provided because the Z-bearings 21 , 22 , 23 , 31 , 32 , 33 can be moved independently and are spaced apart. Balancing for Ry movements is provided by differentially driving the two balance masses 20 , 30 , as is discussed below.
If the ranges of movement of the mask table in the degrees of freedom other than Y translation are small, as is the case in the present embodiment, the necessary freedom of movement of the balance masses can also be accommodated by leaf spring arrangements, compliant bearings or other stiff bearings in combination with a gravity compensator. It is also possible to arrange that reaction forces in some or all of the other degrees of freedom are only transmitted to one of the balance masses so that only that balance mass needs to be supported with controlled compliance in the relevant degrees of freedom.
The stiffness of the bearings or supports in the other degrees of freedom and the mass of the balance mass(es) form a mass-spring system that acts as a low-pass filter, i.e. only low frequency forces are transmitted to the machine frame. Significant attenuation of the reaction forces can be obtained if the natural frequency of this mass-spring system is substantially, for example 5 to 50 times, lower than the fundamental frequency of the actuation forces.
As will be described below, the mask table MT is driven by actuators acting against the balance masses 20 , 30 so that they accelerate in the opposite direction to the mask table MT. The magnitudes of the accelerations of the balance masses and the mask table MT will be proportional to their masses and so the ranges of movement of the balance masses and the mask table in the various directions must be in the ratio of their masses. To reduce the ranges of movement that must be provided for the balance masses 20 , 30 to accommodate the desired ranges of movement of the mask table MT, the balance masses 20 , 30 are made relatively massive, e.g. each 2 to 10 times the mass of the mask table MT. The centers of mass of the balancing masses 20 , 30 and mask table MT are preferably as close as possible in the Z-direction, e.g. substantially less than 100 mm, in order to minimise pitching or rolling moments.
In the present embodiment, the mask table MT is driven in the Y-direction by Y1-drive 18 acting between it and balance mass 20 and Y2-drive 17 acting between it and balance mass 30 . Y1- and Y2-drives 17 , 18 may, for example, comprise linear motors with an armature mounted to the mask table MT and an elongate stator mounted to the respective balance mass. Yi-drive exerts, in operation, a force F yi on the mask table MT and an equal and opposite reaction force R yi on the respective balance mass.
Positioning in the X-direction is effected by a single X-actuator 19 acting against balance mass 30 . X-actuator 19 may also be a linear motor with armature mounted to the mask table and stator mounted to the balance mass or may be an elongated voice-coil motor free to displace in the Y-direction, or a cylindrical voice-coil motor coupled to an aerostatic bearing that bears against a surface parallel to the YZ plane. To enable the mask table to be driven in the X-direction whatever the relative Y position of the mask table MT and balance mass 30 , if X-actuator is a linear motor, the stator must extend the whole of the combined range of movement of the balance mass and mask table in the Y direction. The line of action of the X-actuator 19 is preferably arranged to pass through at least the Y-position of the center of gravity CG MT of the mask table MT so as to minimise the generation of Rz moments.
It follows from Newton's laws that if there is no rotational movement of the mask table, the displacements Δy b1 , Δy b2 and Δy MT of the balance masses 20 , 30 and mask table MT satisfy the following conditions: Δ y MT Δ y b1 = - m b1 m MT · l 1 + l 2 l 2 ; Δ y MT Δ y b2 = - m b2 m MT · l 1 + l 2 l 2 [ 1 ]
where:
l 1 and l 2 are respectively the distances in the X-direction between the centers of gravity CG B1 , CG B2 of the balance masses 20 , 30 and the center of gravity CG MT of the mask table MT; and
m b1 , m b2 and m MT are the masses of the balance masses 20 , 30 and mask table MT.
If m b1 =m b2 =m b and l 1 =l 2 , then equation 1 can be reduced to: Δ y b1 = Δ y b2 = - Δ y MT · m MT 2 m b [ 2 ]
To effect a yawing (Rz) movement of the mask stage whilst still containing the reaction forces within the balance mass system, the forces applied by Y1- and Y2-drives 17 , 18 are controlled to take advantage of D'Alambert forces by moving the balance masses in opposite directions. Note that if the yawing motion is effected at the same time as a movement in Y, the balance masses may move in the same direction but by differing amounts, thus the movement in opposite directions is relative rather than absolute. For a counter-clockwise movement of the mask stage by an angle θ MT the necessary relative movements of the balance masses are given by: Δ y b1 = - J MT · θ MT ( l 1 + l 2 ) · m 1 ; Δ y b2 = - J MT · θ MT ( l 1 + l 2 ) · m 2 [ 3 ]
where J MT is the moment of inertia of the mask table MT.
It should be noted that the present invention does not require the masses of the first and second balance masses to be equal nor that they be disposed equidistantly about the centre of gravity of the mask table.
In a perfect, closed system, the combined center of mass of the mask table MT and balance masses 20 , 30 will be stationary, however it is preferable to provide a negative feedback servo system to correct long-term cumulative translations (drift) of the balance masses that might arise from such factors as: cabling to the mask table and drives, misalignment of the drives, minute friction in the bearings, the apparatus not being perfectly horizontal, etc. As an alternative to the active drift control system described below, a passive system, e.g. based on low-stiffness springs, may be used.
FIG. 4 shows the control loop of the servo system 130 . The Y and Rz setpoints of the balance masses with respect to the machine frame are supplied to the positive input of subtractor 131 , whose output is passed to the servo controller 132 . Feedback to the negative input of subtractor 131 is provided by one or more multiple-degree-of-freedom measurement systems 134 which measure the positions of the balance masses and driven mass (mask table). The servo controller controls a two-degree-of-freedom actuator system 133 which applies the necessary corrections to the balance masses 20 , 30 . The positions of both balance masses and driven mass may be measured relative to a fixed frame of reference. Alternatively, the position of one, e.g the balance masses, may be measured relative to the reference frame and the position of the driven mass measured relative to the balance masses. In the latter case the relative position data can be transformed to absolute position data either in software or by hardware. Particularly in the Y-direction, the position measurement may be performed by a linear encoder with a high tolerance to residual relative movements in the other degrees of freedom, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,730, for example.
The set points of the servo system 130 are determined so as to ensure that the combined center of mass of the mask table MT and balance masses 20 , 30 remains unchanged in the X, Y, Rz plane. This defines the condition: m MT · u → MT ( t ) + m b1 · u → b1 ( t ) + m b2 · u → b2 ( t ) = m MT · u → MT ( 0 ) + m b1 · u → b1 ( 0 ) + m b2 · u → b2 ( 0 ) [ 4 ]
where {right arrow over (u)} i (t) is the vector position of mass i in the X-Y plane at time t relative to a fixed reference point. The error signal between the calculated (using equation [4]) and measured positions is provided to the actuation system 133 which applies appropriate correction forces to the balance masses 20 , 30 . The lowest resonance mode of the balancing frame and/or machine base is preferably at least a factor of five higher than the servo bandwidth of the drift control system.
The above described servo system can be used in the Y-direction only with drift control in the other degrees of freedom being performed by the low stiffness of the supports for the balance masses in those degrees of freedom.
Embodiment 2
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is essentially the same as the first embodiment except as noted below.
The second embodiment is particularly applicable to lithographic apparatus employing reflective masks so that the space underneath the mask table MT does not need to be kept clear. Advantage is taken of this fact to support the mask table MT over a third balance mass 60 . Third balance mass 60 has a planar, horizontal upper surface over which is guided the mask table MT supported by bearings 71 , 72 , 73 . These bearings may be, for example, gas bearings. Third balance mass 60 is in turn supported over the machine base frame by compliant bearings 61 , 62 , 63 , which may comprise low stiffness springs. The third balance mass does not move in the XY plane so can alternatively be supported by leaf springs or gas cylinders without actual bearings. As illustrated, the second embodiment uses cylindrical voice coils 74 , 75 in combination with X-bearings 76 , 77 acting against the side of the second balance mass 30 for X-direction actuation. The X-bearings 76 , 77 may be opposed pad bearings or preloaded so that forces in both directions can be exerted.
Embodiment 3
In a third embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and which is the same as the first embodiment save as described below, the longstroke module positions a short, stroke frame 80 in Y and Rz only. Mask table MT is driven relative to the short stroke frame 80 to position the mask in six degrees of freedom to a high precision. Such positioning is effected by short stroke Z-actuators 81 , 82 , 83 , X-actuator 84 and Y-actuators 85 , 86 . The short stroke frame 80 is supported over first and second balance masses 20 , 30 by stiff Z-bearings 14 ′, 15 ′ 16 ′, which may be gas bearings acting on the planar upper surface of the balance masses. Short stroke frame 80 is also constrained in X by bearing 78 relative to only one of the balance masses, in this case the second balance mass 30 .
In the Y and Rz directions, the mask table MT moves with the short, stroke frame 80 so that in equations 2 and 3 the mass and moment of inertia, m MT and J MT , should be replaced by the combined mass and moment of inertia of the mask table MT and short stroke frame 80 . However, in the other degrees of freedom the short stroke frame 80 is constrained to move with the balance mass and so increases the effective balancing mass, reducing its stroke. The center of gravity of the mask table MT is preferably coplanar, or close to coplanar, with that of the short stroke frame 80 and balance masses 20 , 30 .
Embodiment 4
A cable ducting device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A. Two cable ducts 151 a , 151 b are used to carry cables and other conduits for utilities, such as control signals and power, required by the mask table. The two cable ducts 151 a , 151 b are laid out in opposite directions between a terminal 152 mounted on the mask table and a terminal 153 mounted on the machine frame so that as the mask table moves in the Y direction, one cable duct is rolling up and the other is unrolling. The total length of cable duct moving with the mask table therefore remains constant, whatever the Y position of the mask table. The moving mass therefore remains constant. Also, any residual tendencies of the cable ducts to roll up or unroll will counteract each other. The cable ducts 151 a , 151 b have a slightly curved cross-section, shown in FIG. 9A which is a cross-sectional view along the line A—A, in the same manner as a measuring tape. This prevents sagging and helps maintain a neat “U-shape” as the mask table moves.
Whilst we have described above specific embodiments of the invention it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than described. The description is not intended to limit the invention. In particular it will be appreciated that the invention may be used in the reticle or mask table of a lithographic apparatus and in any other type of apparatus where fast and accurate positioning of an object in a plane is desirable.
Although this text has concentrated on lithographic apparatus and methods whereby a mask is used to pattern the radiation beam entering the projection system, it should be noted that the invention presented here should be seen in the broader context of lithographic apparatus and methods employing generic “patterning means” to pattern the said radiation beam. The term “patterning means” as here employed refers broadly to means that can be used to endow an incoming radiation beam with a patterned cross-section, corresponding to a pattern that is to be created in a target portion of the substrate; the term “light valve” has also been used in this context. Generally, the said pattern will correspond to a particular functional layer in a device being created in the target portion, such as an integrated circuit or other device. Besides a mask on a mask table, such patterning means include the following exemplary embodiments:
A programmable mirror array. An example of such a device is a matrix-addressable surface having a viscoelastic control layer and a reflective surface. The basic principle behind such an apparatus is that (for example) addressed areas of the reflective surface reflect incident light as diffracted light, whereas unaddressed areas reflect incident light as undiffracted light. Using an appropriate filter, the said undiffracted light can be filtered out of the reflected beam, leaving only the diffracted light behind; in this manner, the beam becomes patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-adressable surface. The required matrix addressing can be performed using suitable electronic means. More information on such mirror arrays can be gleaned, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,891 and 5,523,193, which are incorporated herein by reference.
A programmable LCD array. An example of such a construction is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,872, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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A balanced positioning system for use in lithographic apparatus having a pair of balance masses which are supported so as to be moveable in at least one degree of freedom, such as Y translation. Oppositely directed drive forces in this degree of freedom act directly between the driven body and the balance masses to rotate the driven body about an axis perpendicular to the one direction. Reaction forces arising from positioning movements result in linear movements of the balance masses and all reaction forces are kept within the balanced positioning system.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-047535, filed on Feb. 23, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an optical disc record/reproduction apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for demodulating a wobble address in a periodic position (WAP) that is used to read address information recorded as a wobbling pattern on an HD-DVD disc.
[0003] The demand for larger-capacity optical discs has-been increasing in recent years. To meet this demand, HD-DVD discs have been developed as next-generation optical discs. An HD-DVD-rewritable disc has a disc surface on which grooves and lands are formed. The disc has wobble signals, recorded on the side walls of the grooves in a wobbling manner. Each wobble signal is modulated and recorded as preformat data, such as address information. This recording technique enables efficient use of the data recording area of the disc, and increases the recording capacity of the disc.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an optical disc record/reproduction apparatus 100 . The optical disc record/reproduction apparatus 100 reproduces the WAP before performing a data write operation. The operation of the apparatus 100 for reproducing a WAP will now be described.
[0005] In a WAP reproduction mode, a read channel unit 3 reads a wobble signal from a disc 1 with a pickup 2 and generates a binary wobble signal, which is provided to a controller 4 with a clock signal CLK. The controller 4 is controlled by a CPU 5 . The read channel unit 3 is controlled by the controller 4 .
[0006] The controller 4 includes a WAP reproduction unit 6 . The WAP reproduction unit 6 reproduces a WAP using a wobble signal normal phase wobble (NPW) and a wobble signal invert phase wobble (IPW), which are provided from the read channel unit 3 in accordance with the clock signal CLK, to specify a recording position using the WAP.
[0007] Record tracks are spirally formed on the disc 1 . The record tracks are divided into a plurality of physical segments having predetermined lengths. Each physical segment has a WAP, which is written as preformat data. One record track includes ten to several tens of physical segments.
[0008] To ensure the recording capacity of the disc, the preformat data is recorded as wobble signals in accordance with the wobbling of the grooves. The wobble signal IPW has a phase opposite to the phase of the wobble signal NPW.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows the layout of a WAP, which is used to specify the recording position of each physical segment. The WAP is configured by 17 wobble data units (WDUs) that are divided into a SYNC field 8 , an address field 9 , and a unity field 10 .
[0010] One WDU is assigned to the SYNC field 8 . Thirteen WDUs are assigned to the address field 9 . Three WDUs are assigned to the unity field 10 .
[0011] FIG. 6 shows information recorded in the address field 9 . The address field 9 includes three bits of segment information, six bits of a segment address, five bits of a zone address, one bit of an address parity, twelve bits of a group track address, and twelve bits of a land track address.
[0012] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-303395 describes information stored in the address field 9 .
[0013] FIG. 7 ( a ) shows the layout of WDU 0 , which configures the SYNC field 8 . One WDU includes 84 wobbles. The SYNC field 8 includes six wobbles of IPW, four wobbles of NPW, six wobbles of IPW, and sixty-eight wobbles of NPW. IPW represents “1 b”, and NPW represents “0 b”. Bits are modulated incompliance with a rule. At the outer and inner circumferential sides of the disc, NPW is defined if reading is started at the point indicated in FIG. 8 ( a ) and the wobble signals shift, and IPW is defined if reading is started at the point indicated in FIG. 8 ( b ) and wobble signals shift.
[0014] FIG. 7 ( b ) shows the layout of one of WDUs 1 to 13 that configure the address field 9 . Four wobbles of IPW, four wobbles of bit 2 , four wobbles of bit 1 , four wobbles of bit 0 , and sixty-eight wobbles of NPW are included at the head of the address field 9 . In other words, one WDU stores address information of three bits, which are bits 2 , 1 , and 0 . As shown in FIG. 7 ( c ), one WDU of the unity field 10 is configured by 84 wobbles of NPW.
[0015] WDU 1 stores three bits of address information as segment information, and WDUs 2 and 3 store six bits of address information as segment addresses. Accordingly, in WDUs 1 to 13 , 39 bits of address information are stored from the segment information shown in FIG. 6 as land track address.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the WAP reproduction unit 6 of the prior art. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a basic operation of the WAP reproduction unit 6 . The WDUs of the WAP are sequentially provided to a shift register 11 . Each WDU is obtained by reading the wobble signals NPW and IPW from the disc 1 with the pickup 2 and generating binary wobble signals NPW and IPW. The wobble signals (WDUs) are provided to a SYNC detector 12 and to a data converter 13 in units of a predetermined number of bits.
[0017] The SYNC detector 12 detects the SYNC field 8 , to which the first WDU of the WAP is assigned. In detail, the SYNC detector 12 detects a SYNC pattern of “1111 1100 0011 1111” by dividing the six wobbles of IPW, four wobbles of NPW, and six wobbles of IPW included in WDU 0 of the SYNC field 8 into sections of four bits. Upon detection of the pattern, the SYNC detector 12 provides a WDU/WAP counter 14 and a non-detection counter 17 with a detection signal X 1 .
[0018] The WDU/WAP counter 14 counts 17 WDUs of one WAP in response to the detection signal X 1 and counts 84 wobble signals of each WDU. Based on the count values resulting from the count operations, the WDU/WAP counter 14 provides the data converter 13 and a data latch circuit 15 with a demodulation signal Y 1 at a predetermined timing.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3 , the WDU/WAP counter 14 generates the demodulation signal Y 1 when counting the sixteenth wobble signal of each of WDUs 1 to 13 included in the address field 9 (i.e., when wobble signals, each having four wobbles, corresponding to bits 2 , 1 , and 0 are provided to the data converter 13 after four wobbles of IPW). The demodulation signal Y 1 is generated in a locked state at the same timing as the 84 wobble signals of each WDU.
[0020] In response to the demodulation signal Y 1 , the data converter 13 recognizes the wobble signal provided from the shift register 11 as the first IPW of each of WDUs 1 to 13 , and recognizes the wobble signal following the first IPW as address information stored in bits 2 to 0 . The data converter 13 then demodulates the wobble signals. In the demodulation process, the data converter 13 performs majority determination on each of the wobble signals read from bits 2 to 0 to generate three bits of address information.
[0021] In accordance with the demodulation signal Y 1 , the data latch circuit 15 sequentially latches address information of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 provided from the data converter 13 . When completing the reading of one WAP, the data latch circuit 15 provides a parity check circuit 16 with the segment information, the segment address, the zone address, and the track address.
[0022] The parity check circuit 16 performs a parity check on the address information stored in the data latch circuit 15 . When detecting an error in the address information, the parity check circuit 16 generates an error signal.
[0023] The data converter 13 provides the non-detection counter 17 with a non-detection signal Z 1 when the IPW of the first four wobbles of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 included in the address field 9 is not detectable.
[0024] The non-detection counter 17 counts the non-detection signal Z 1 . When the count value reaches a predetermined value, the non-detection counter 17 recognizes that the read operation of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 is anomalous, and generates an error signal. An address at which data is written is determined using the segment information, the segment address, the zone address, and the track address, which are read in the WAP read operation.
[0025] When the SYNC detector 12 detects the SYNC pattern of the WDU 0 , the SYNC detector 12 usually reads the wobble signal “0000” prior to the SYNC pattern. It is preferable that the SYNC detector 12 detect in full bits the pattern “1111 1100 0011 1111 0000” following the wobble signal “0000”. However, this decreases the read rate. As a result, it is highly likely that the address information stored in the address field 9 cannot be properly demodulated.
[0026] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 ( a ), the SYNC detector 12 is set to generate the detection signal X 1 even when two or less of the four bits located at x in the pattern “0000 x111 1x00 00x1 111x 0000” are not detected.
[0027] The data converter 13 detects the first IPW “1111” of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 . Before doing so, it is preferable that the data converter 13 reads the wobble signal “0000” and then detects in full bits the signals “0000 1111”. However, this would lower the read rate, and the count value of the non-detection counter 17 would increase quickly. Thus, it may become impossible to read the WDUs 1 to 13 .
[0028] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 ( b ), the SYNC detector 12 is set not to generate the non-detection signal Z 1 even if “1” cannot be detected at one of the two bits located to the positions of x in pattern “0000 x11x”.
[0029] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-303395 describes an information recording method that sets the start position of a data segment, which is set based on address information, at the position of an NPW in the SYNC field.
[0030] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-213870 describes an address reproduction circuit that improves the reliability of the read address information, which is obtained by performing A/D conversion on a wobble signal and performing a maximum likelihood decoding process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The SYNC detector 12 and the data converter 13 perform the read operation on the SYNC field 8 and the address field 9 with lowered detection accuracy to ensure the read rate. To ensure the read rate, the data converter 13 performs the read operation of the WDUs 1 to 13 included in the address field 9 . More specifically, the data converter 13 lowers the detection accuracy of the IPW for the first four wobbles. Further, when reading each of the wobble signals of bits 2 to 0 , the data converter 13 performs majority determination for every four bits of the wobble signal, and demodulates an address signal of one bit. In this case, when reading the WDUs 1 to 13 in the address field 9 , reading is enabled even when data is read at a timing deviated from the clock signal CLK. As a result, correct address information cannot be obtained.
[0032] As one such example, referring to FIG. 9 , when demodulating IPW and bits 2 to 0 , even if demodulation is performed in a state in which a deviation corresponding to one wobble occurs, the data converter 13 determines that the IPW has been properly read, performs majority determination on bits 2 to 0 , and demodulates the address information. However, this demodulation operation does not detect an error contained in the demodulated address information. As a result, the address used to write data is not properly demodulated.
[0033] The present invention provides a method for demodulating a WAP of an optical disc that ensures the read rate of address information and improves the reading accuracy.
[0034] One aspect of the present invention is a method for demodulating an address from a wobble signal recorded on a disc. The disc records a SYNC field and an address field that are configured by a plurality of wobble data units including a first wobble data unit of the SYNC field and a second wobble data unit of the address field. The firs wobble data unit includes a synchronization signal. The second wobble data unit includes a head invert phase wobble, having a plurality of bits, and an address. The method includes generating a plurality of wobble data units using the wobble signal recorded on the disc, detecting the synchronization signal from the first wobble data unit of the SYNC field, counting the plurality of wobble data units based on the detection of the synchronization signal, generating a demodulation signal for setting a timing at which the address in the second wobble data unit of the address field is demodulated based on a count value of the plurality of wobble data units, detecting the head invert phase wobble from the second wobble data unit of the address field in response to the demodulation signal and checking whether the plurality of wobble data units are properly readable, and demodulating the address in the second wobble data unit of the address field in response to the demodulation signal. Detection accuracy of the synchronization signal and the head invert phase wobble is set relatively low to improve read rate of the address. The method further includes detecting in full bit the head invert phase wobble in the second wobble data unit of the address field in parallel with the detection of the head invert phase wobble, and correcting generation timing of the demodulation signal based on the full bit detection result so that the head invert phase wobble is properly detected.
[0035] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for demodulating an address from a wobble signal recorded on a disc. The disc records a SYNC field and an address field that are configured by a plurality of wobble data units including a first wobble data unit of the SYNC field and a second wobble data unit of the address field. The firs wobble data unit includes a synchronization signal. The second wobble data unit includes a head invert phase wobble, having a plurality of bits, and an address. The method includes generating a plurality of wobble data units using wobble signal recorded on the disc, detecting the synchronization signal from the firs wobble data unit of the SYNC field, counting the plurality of wobble data units based on the detection of the synchronization signal, continuously generating a plurality of demodulation signals for setting a timing at which the address in the second wobble data unit of the address field is demodulated based on a count value of the plurality of wobble data units, detecting the head invert phase wobble from the second wobble data unit of the address field and checking whether the plurality of wobble data units are properly readable, demodulating a plurality of addresses in the second wobble data unit of the address field in response to each of the plurality of demodulation signals, wherein detection accuracy of the synchronization signal and the head invert phase wobble is set relatively low to improve read rate of the plurality of addresses, detecting whether the plurality of addresses that are demodulated in response to the demodulation signals are proper, and correcting, when detecting that the plurality of addresses are proper, generation timing of one of the plurality of demodulation signals so as to be synchronized with generation timings of the demodulation signal that demodulates the proper plurality of addresses.
[0036] A further aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for demodulating an address from a wobble signal recorded on a disc. The disc records a SYNC field and an address field that are configured by a plurality of wobble data units including a first wobble data unit of the SYNC field and a second wobble data unit of the address field. The first wobble data unit includes a synchronization signal. The second wobble data unit includes a head invert phase wobble, having a plurality of bits, and an address. The apparatus includes a SYNC detector for detecting the synchronization signal from the first wobble data unit of the SYNC field and generating a first detection signal. A counter counts the plurality of wobble data units in response to the first detection signal from the SYNC detector and generates a demodulation signal for setting a timing at which the address in the second wobble data unit of the address field is demodulated based on a count value of the plurality of wobble data units. An address demodulator detects the head invert phase wobble in the second wobble data unit of the address field in response to the demodulation signal and demodulates the address in the second wobble data unit of the address field. An IPW monitor detects in full bit the head invert phase wobble of the second wobble data unit of the address field in parallel with the detection of the head invert phase wobble and generates a second detection signal when properly detecting the head invert phase wobble. The counter corrects the count value in response to the second detection signal so that the demodulation signal is generated at a timing in which the head invert phase wobble is properly detectable in full bits.
[0037] Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for demodulating an address from a wobble signal recorded on a disc. The disc records a SYNC field and an address field that are configured by a plurality of wobble data units including a first wobble data unit of the SYNC field and a second wobble data unit of the address field. The first wobble data unit includes a synchronization signal. The second wobble data unit includes a head invert phase wobble, having a plurality of bits, and an address. The apparatus includes a SYNC detector for detecting the synchronization signal from the first wobble data unit of the SYNC field and generating a first detection signal. A counter counts the plurality of wobble data units in response to the detection signal from the SYNC detector and continuously generates a plurality of demodulation signals for setting a timing at which the address in the second wobble data unit of the address field is demodulated based on a count value of the plurality of wobble data units. An address demodulator detects the head invert phase wobble from the second wobble data unit of the address field in response to each of the plurality of demodulation signals and demodulates a plurality of addresses in the second wobble data unit of the address field. An address comparator detects whether the plurality of addresses are proper, and when detecting that the plurality of addresses are proper, provides the counter with a correction signal for correcting generation timing of one of the plurality of demodulation signals so as to be synchronized with generation timings of the demodulation signal that demodulates the proper plurality of normal addresses.
[0038] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an optical disc record/reproduction apparatus of the prior art;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a WAP reproduction unit included in the optical disc record/reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
[0042] FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of the WAP reproduction unit of FIG. 2 ;
[0043] FIGS. 4 ( a ) and 4 ( b ) are diagrams showing an operation for lowering the detection accuracy of wobble signals;
[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a WAP;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an address field in the WAP of FIG. 5 ;
[0046] FIG. 7 ( a ) is a diagram showing the configuration of a SYNC field in the WAP of FIG. 5 ;
[0047] FIG. 7 ( b ) is a diagram showing the configuration of one WDU in the address field of the WAP of FIG. 5 ;
[0048] FIG. 7 ( c ) is a diagram showing the configuration of one WDU in a unity field of the WAP of FIG. 5 ;
[0049] FIGS. 8 ( a ) and 8 ( b ) are diagrams showing the demodulating rule for wobble signals;
[0050] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an erroneous demodulation operation;
[0051] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a WAP reproduction unit of an optical disc record/reproduction apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation of the WAP reproduction unit of FIG. 10 ;
[0053] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram showing a WAP reproduction unit of an optical disc record/reproduction apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0054] FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the operation of the WAP reproduction unit of FIG. 12 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] In the drawings, like numerals are used for like elements throughout.
[0056] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a WAP reproduction unit 50 in an optical disc record/reproduction apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The WAP reproduction unit 50 is incorporated in the controller 4 of the optical disc record/reproduction apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 . The optical disc record/reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment is configured in the same manner as the optical disc record/reproduction apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 except for the WAP reproduction unit 50 and is thus not shown in the drawings. A WAP (wobble address in a periodic position) having the same configuration as the WAP described in the prior art is recorded on a disc 1 as preformat information.
[0057] The WAP reproduction unit 50 includes a shift register 11 , a SYNC detector 12 , a data converter 13 , a data latch circuit 15 , a parity check circuit 16 , a non-detection counter 17 , an IPW monitor 21 , and a WDU/WAP counter 22 . The WDU/WAP counter 22 operates in cooperation with the IPW monitor 21 .
[0058] The WDUs of the WAP are sequentially provided to the shift register 11 . Further, wobble signals are provided to the SYNC detector 12 and to the data converter 13 in units of predetermined number of bits.
[0059] The SYNC detector 12 detects a SYNC field 8 (i.e., six wobbles of IPW, four wobbles of NPW, and six wobbles of IPW configuring the SYNC field 8 ) as a synchronization signal. Upon detection of the SYNC field 8 , the SYNC detector 12 provides the WDU/WAP counter 22 and the non-detection counter 17 with a detection signal X 1 . The SYNC detector 12 is designed to generate the detection signal X 1 when detecting the SYNC pattern of “1111 1100 0011 1111” or when “1” cannot be detected at locations indicated by x in two or less of the four bits in the pattern “x111 1x00 00x1 111x 0000”.
[0060] The WDU/WAP counter 22 counts seventeen WDUs 0 to 16 of one WAP in response to the detection signal X 1 and counts eighty-four wobble signals (binary signals) of each WDU. Based on the count values resulting from the count operations, the WDU/WAP counter 22 provides the data converter 13 and the data latch circuit 15 with a demodulation signal Y 2 at a predetermined timing.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 11 , the WDU/WAP counter 22 generates the demodulation signal Y 2 when counting the sixteenth wobble signal of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 in the address field 9 (i.e., when the four wobbles of the wobble signals corresponding to bits 2 to 0 are input into the data converter 13 after the four wobbles of the IPW). The demodulation signal Y 2 is generated in a locked state at the same timing as the 84 wobble signals of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 .
[0062] In response to the demodulation signal Y 2 , the data converter 13 recognizes the wobble signal provided from the shift register 11 as the first IPW of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 and recognizes the wobble signal following the first IPW as address information stored in bits 2 to 0 . The data converter 13 then demodulates the wobble signals. In the demodulation process, the data converter 13 performs majority determination on each of the wobble signals read from bits 2 to 0 to generate address information. The address information is provided to the data latch circuit 15 . The data converter 13 provides the non-detection counter 17 with a non-detection signal Z 1 when the IPW of “0000 x11x” cannot be detected.
[0063] In accordance with the demodulation signal Y 2 , the data latch circuit 15 sequentially latches the address information of each of WDUs 1 to 13 . Upon completion of the read operation of one WAP, the data latch circuit 15 provides the parity check circuit 16 with segment information, a segment address, a zone address, and a track address.
[0064] The parity check circuit 16 performs a parity check on the address information stored in the data latch circuit 15 . When detecting an error in the address information, the parity check circuit 16 generates an error signal.
[0065] The non-detection counter 17 counts the non-detection signal Z 1 . When the count value reaches a predetermined value, the non-detection counter 17 recognizes that the read operation of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 is anomalous and generates an error signal.
[0066] The IPW monitor 21 receives the count value of the wobble signals of each of the WDUs 1 to 84 , which is provided from the WDU/WAP counter 22 , and the wobble signals of each WDU, which are provided from the data converter 13 . As shown in FIG. 11 , the IPW monitor 21 sets an IPW monitoring window CW for a period from a first timing, which is one clock pulse before the timing the demodulation signal Y 2 is generated, to a second timing, which is one clock pulse after the timing the demodulation signal Y 2 is generated. The IPW monitor 21 detects full bits of the head IPW with the IPW monitoring window CW. In other words, the IPW monitor 21 sets the IPW monitoring window CW for a period expanded around the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 , and detects full bits of the head IPW using the IPW monitoring window CW.
[0067] For example, when the count value of the counter 14 is “15”, the IPW monitor 21 checks in full bits whether the head IPW “1111” can be detected for the wobble signal corresponding to count values “84” to “3”. When the count value of the counter 14 is “16”, the IPW monitor 21 checks in full bits whether the head IPW “1111” can be detected for the wobble signal corresponding to count values “1” to “4”. When the count value of the counter 14 is “17”, the IPW monitor 21 checks in full bits whether the head IPW “1111” can be detected for the wobble signal corresponding to count values “2” to “5”. When detecting the head IPW “1111” in full bits, the IPW monitor 21 provides the WDU/WAP counter 22 with a detection signal W 1 .
[0068] When performing such a check, the wobble signal preceding the head IPW must be zero, and the wobble signal of bit 2 following the head IPW must all be zero. The wobble signal preceding the head IPW is an NPW for over 68 wobbles, that is, zero, and thus does not cause any problems. Although the chances of bit 2 being detected may increase or decrease depending on the values of the segment address, the zone address, etc., such increase and decrease in average do not cause any problems.
[0069] The WDU/WAP counter 22 counts a plurality of detection signals W 1 . When the count value reaches a predetermined value, the WDU/WAP counter 22 corrects the count value of the wobble signal. As shown in FIG. 11 , the WDU/WAP counter 22 receives a detection signal W 1 when the count value reaches “17”. When receiving the detection signal W 1 over a predetermined number of WDUs, the WDU/WAP counter 22 suspends counting for a period of one clock pulse and decreases the count value by a value corresponding to one clock pulse. With this operation, the count value of the WDU/WAP counter 22 is corrected based on the assumption that the timing at which the head IPW “1111” can be detected in full bits is normal.
[0070] In the operation shown in FIG. 11 , the timing for generating the demodulation signal Y 2 is corrected to the timing for generating the detection signal W 1 . In other words, for subsequent WDUs, the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 is delayed by one clock pulse. For subsequent WDUs, demodulation is performed on the address information of bits 2 to 0 based on the demodulation signal Y 2 delayed by one clock pulse. As a result, address information A is generated based on the demodulation signal Y 2 prior to correction, and address information Aaj is generated based on the demodulation signal Y 2 subsequent to correction.
[0071] The WAP reproduction unit 50 of the optical disc record/reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment has the advantages described below.
[0072] (1) The SYNC detector 12 and the data converter 13 perform the read operation of the IPW in each of the SYNC field 8 and the address field 9 with lowered detection accuracy. This ensures the read rate of address information.
[0073] (2) The IPW monitor 21 sets the IPW monitoring window CW for a period from the first timing, which is before the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 , to the second timing, which is after the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 . The IPW monitor 21 detects in full bits the head IPW of the address field 9 during the IPW monitoring window CW. Thus, even when the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 is deviated due to the lowered detection accuracy of the SYNC detector 12 and the data converter 13 , the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 is corrected to the timing at which the full bits of the head IPW are detectable. Further, accurate address information is demodulated based on the demodulation signal Y 2 of which generation timing has been corrected.
[0074] (3) The WDU/WAP counter 22 corrects the count value when receiving a plurality of detection signals W 1 . Thus, even when the IPW monitor 21 erroneously detects the head IPW and generates one detection signal W 1 , the count value is prevented from being corrected in an unnecessary manner as long as erroneous detection does not occur a number of times in succession.
[0075] (4) The read rate of the SYNC field 8 and the address field 9 is ensured, and the accuracy of the demodulated address information is improved.
[0076] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram showing a WAP reproduction unit 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The WAP reproduction unit 60 is incorporated in the controller 4 shown in FIG. 1 . The optical disc record/reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the optical disc record/reproduction apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 except for the WAP reproduction unit 60 and is thus not shown in the drawings. A WAP having the same configuration as the WAP described in the prior art is recorded on a disc 1 as preformat information.
[0077] The WAP reproduction unit 60 includes a shift register 11 , a SYNC detector 12 , a data converter 13 , a data latch circuit 15 , a parity check circuit 16 , a non-detection counter 17 , an address comparator 23 , and a WDU/WAP counter 24 . The WDU/WAP counter 24 operates in cooperation with the address comparator 23 .
[0078] The WDUs of the WAP are sequentially provided to the shift register 11 . The wobble signals are provided to the SYNC detector 12 and to the data converter 13 in units of predetermined number of bits.
[0079] The operations of the SYNC detector 12 , the data converter 13 , the data latch circuit 15 , the parity check circuit 16 , and the non-detection counter 17 are the same as the operations described in the first embodiment.
[0080] The WDU/WAP counter 24 counts seventeen WDUs 0 to 16 of one WAP in response to the detection signal X 1 and counts eighty-four wobble signals of each WDU. Based on the count values resulting from the count operations, the WDU/WAP counter 24 provides the data converter 13 and the data latch circuit 15 with demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc at predetermined timings.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 13 , the WDU/WAP counter 24 generates demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc over three clock pulses at timings when respectively counting the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth wobble signals of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 included in the address field 9 (i.e., the timing when the four wobbles of wobble signals corresponding to bits 2 to 0 are provided to the data converter 13 after four wobbles of an IPW is provided). The demodulation signals Ya to Yc are generated in a locked state at the same timing for the 84 wobble signals of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 .
[0082] In response to the demodulation signals Ya to Yc, the data converter 13 recognizes the wobble signal output from the shift register 11 as the first IPW of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 , and recognizes the wobble signal following the first IPW as address information stored in bits 2 to 0 . The data converter 13 then demodulates the wobble signals. In the demodulation process, the data converter 13 performs majority determination on each of the signals read from bits 2 to 0 to generate three sets of address information. The three sets of address information are provided to the data latch circuit 15 . The data converter 13 provides the non-detection counter 17 with a non-detection signal Z 1 when the IPW of “0000 x11x” cannot be detected at any one of the generation timings of the demodulation signals Ya to Yc.
[0083] According to the demodulation signals Ya to Yc, the data latch circuit 15 sequentially latches address information of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 . At the timing when completing the read operation of one WAP, the data latch circuit 15 provides the parity check circuit 16 with three sets of segment information, segment address, zone address, and track address, as addresses A, B, and C.
[0084] The parity check circuit 16 performs parity check of the address information stored in the data latch circuit 15 . When detecting an error, the parity check circuit 16 generates an error signal.
[0085] The non-detection counter 17 counts the non-detection signal Z 1 . When the count value reaches a predetermined value, the non-detection counter 17 recognizes that the read operation of each of the WDUs 1 to 13 is anomalous and generates an error signal.
[0086] The WDU/WAP counter 24 provides the address comparator 23 with an address comparison window ACW following the demodulation signals Ya to Yc. The address comparator 23 retrieves the addresses A to C in accordance with the address comparison window ACW. The address comparator 23 determines the continuity between the address values (na, nb, and nc) of the three addresses A, B, and C, which are demodulated respectively at the generation timings of the demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc in the read operation of the present WAP, and the address values (na- 1 , nb- 1 , and nc- 1 ) of the three addresses A, B, and C, which are demodulated respectively at the generation timings of the demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc in the read operation of the immediately preceding WAP.
[0087] The address comparator 23 determines that the demodulation timing of the address having the highest continuity of the addresses A, B, and C is normal, and provides the WDU/WAP counter 24 with a timing correction signal Q.
[0088] FIG. 13 shows the case in which the address value na demodulated at the generation timing of the demodulation signal Ya has the highest continuity. In this case, the WDU/WAP counter 24 increases the count value by a value corresponding to one clock pulse. For subsequent WAPs, the demodulation signals Ya to Yc are generated based on the corrected count value. The demodulation operation and the address comparing operation described above are repeated.
[0089] When the address value nb demodulated at the generation timing of the demodulation signal Yb has the highest continuity in the address comparing operation, the count value of the WDU/WAP counter 24 is not corrected. When the address value nc demodulated at the generation timing of the demodulation signal Yc has the highest continuity in the address comparing operation, the count value of the WDU/WAP counter 24 is decreased by a value corresponding to one clock pulse.
[0090] In this way, the demodulation signal Yb is generated based on the uncorrected or corrected count value, and an address at which data is written is specified based on an address demodulated at the generation timing of the demodulation signal Yb.
[0091] The WAP reproduction unit 60 of the optical disc record/reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment has the advantages described below.
[0092] (1) The SYNC detector 12 and the data converter 13 perform the read operation of the IPW in each of the SYNC field 8 and the address field 9 with lowered detection accuracy. This ensures the read rate of address information.
[0093] (2) The WDU/WAP counter 24 continuously outputs the demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc. Based on the demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc, three sets of address information respectively corresponding to the generation timings of the demodulation signals Ya, Yb, and Yc are demodulated in each of the WDUs 1 to 13 of the address field 9 , and three address values are demodulated in one WAP. For the three address values demodulated in each WAP, the address comparator 23 determines the continuity of the address values corresponding to the demodulation signals Ya to Yc. The address comparator 23 corrects the count value of the WDU/WAP counter 24 in a manner that the demodulation signal Yb is set as a signal that demodulates the address value having the highest continuity. This operation enables accurate address information to be demodulated based on the demodulation signal of which output timing has been corrected.
[0094] (3) The read rate of the SYNC field 8 and the address field 9 is ensured and the accuracy of the demodulated address information is improved.
[0095] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.
[0096] In the first embodiment, the IPW monitoring window CW may be set for a period from a first timing that is one or more clock pulses before the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 to a second timing that is one or more clock pulses after the generation timing of the demodulation signal Y 2 as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 11 .
[0097] The application of the present invention should not be limited to a rewritable disc. The present invention may be applied to other types of disc having WDUs, such as a HD-DVD-recordable disc.
[0098] The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
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A method for demodulating a WAP of an optical disc that ensures the read rate of address information while improving the reading accuracy. The method includes detecting in full bits a head invert phase wobble of each wobble data unit in an address field, and correcting generation timing of a demodulation signal based on the detection result so that the head invert phase wobble is properly detected.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to non-load-bearing curtain walls or wall-paneling systems, and more particularly to an improved wall-paneling or skin system for easy application to an exposed face of an existing wall structure,
The application of decorative panels, skins and coverings to improve or modernize the aesthetics of an old or beat-up wall is well and familiarly known in the art. Wall-paneling systems and/or partition walls which employ upper caps and lower sills of channel-form to support a number of wall panels in side-by-side relation are also well known in the art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,462,208 issued July 17, 1923 to Mayo; 3,017,672 issued Jan. 23, 1962 to Vaughan and 3,300,926 issued Jan. 31, 1967 to Heirich disclose wall constructions and wall-paneling systems which are typical of the prior art, and these patents represent the most pertinent art known to the applicant.
The primary difficulties and expenses encountered in applying decorative and/or functional paneling to an old existing wall stem from dimensional variations in the old wall, out of plumb, unlevel and non-parallel floors and ceilings, etc. Such dimensional variations in the old wall and adjacent floors and ceilings often make it necessary to apply furring strips or planks to the old wall surface and/or leveling shims or strips to the adjacent floor and ceiling surfaces prior to applying wall panels or other decorative skin materials to the old wall. All of this requires considerable labor and greatly increases the expense of paneling and redcorating an old wall.
While channel-form cap and sill members have heretofore been used to contain and hold the upper and lower edge portions of vertical wall boards and panels, such cap and sill members or channels have usually been attached to the ceiling and floor adjacent the wall to be covered, rather than to the wall itself. As will be readily understood, the floors and ceilings of older buildings are seldom level or truly parallel to one another. Thus, when channel-form cap and sill strips are attached to the ceiling and floor of a room, it is usually necessary to either cut the panels or wall boards to different lengths, or install leveling blocks or shims between the strips and the adjoining ceiling or floor to insure that the ceiling-attached cap strip is parallel to and uniformly spaced above the associated floor-attached, sill strip. Also, the use of floor and ceiling-attached channel strips to frame the upper and lower edges of wall paneling makes it necessary to either preassemble the wall paneling within the cap and sill frame channels prior to securing the frame channels to the ceiling and floor, or attach removable side plates or strips to the cap or sill frame member to retain the panels therein. All of this greatly increases the labor and expense attendant to the erection or installation of a neat and attractive curtain or panel wall.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved curtain or panel wall designed for easy and expeditious application to either an old, or a newly constructed wall and which utilizes a pair of upper and lower channel-form frame members or strips which are nailed, screwed, or otherwise rigidly secured, in vertically spaced apart, parallel and coplanar relation, to the existing wall, and which are arranged to detachably receive and support therebetween a plurality of preformed metallic studs and decorative, rectangular panels. The lengths of the metallic studs and decorative panels is correlated to the vertical spacing between the upper and lower channel-form frame members so that the studs and panels may be readily installed within the frame members simply by tilting the studs and panels slightly and inserting their upper ends into the upper channel-form frame member and then lifting the lower ends of the studs and panels over the outer lip of the lower channel-form frame member and dropping them into the channel of the lower frame member. The preformed metallic studs are formed or otherwise provided with longitudinally coextensive, outwardly projecting separator ribs which function to support and slightly separate the adjacent longitudinal side edges of a pair of rectangular panel members. The preformed metallic studs are also provided with internal, perforated bracket attachment strips or bars which are accessible by way of an outwardly opening channel or slot formed between the panel separator ribs of the stud, and which are adapted to receive and support the hooked base end portion of one or more shelf brackets, or cantilever-type support arms disposed in outwardly projecting relation to the studs and wall panels.
Optionally, the preformed metallic studs may also include a substantially concealed, manually operable panel-locking or latching device which is selectively engageable with a catch on an adjacent panel to firmly lock an intermediate portion of the panel to the stud to thereby prevent outward bowing or flexing of the panel.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a curtain wall or wall-paneling system which may be installed in covering relation to either a new or old structural wall with a minimum of labor and erection expense.
Another object is to provide a wall-paneling system whose supporting frame is composed of vertically spaced apart, horizontally extending upper and lower channel members nailed or otherwise fastened to an existing wall to define upper and lower coplanar channels into which a system of preformed metallic studs and decorative rectangular panels may be readily inserted to cover and decorate the existing wall.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wall according to this invention being applied to an adjacent, existing wall of a building;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the lower channel frame member and an adjoining stud member of the present wall;
FIG. 3 is a segmental front elevational view of a wall according to this invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken approximately along the section line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a similar view taken through one of the studs along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a lock or latch element removed from an associated stud;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a stud showing the panel lock or latch in extended position;
FIG. 9 is a detailed, horizontal sectional view taken through the panel lock and a pair of adjacent panel members; and
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 10--10 of FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the present invention provides a curtain wall, or wall-paneling system for covering and decorating an existing wall 12 within a building or room which also includes a floor surface 13 and a ceiling 14. Advantageously, the present wall-paneling system may be employed to remodel and redecorate the interior vertical walls of a retail sales room or other merchandise display room, although it may be used with equal facility to decorate a newly constructed wall.
Toward this end, the present wall-paneling system comprises a pair of upper and lower channel-form frame members 15 and 16, respectively, which are rigidly secured to the wall 12 in horizontally extending order and in relatively vertically spaced apart, coplanar, parallel relationship. Each of the frame members 15 and 16 are formed at longitudinally spaced intervals with fastener-receiving openings 17 through which nails, bolts, rivets and/or screws 18 may be driven to secure the frame members to the adjacent wall surface. In rooms and/or buildings where the floor surface 13 is substantially level and horizontal, the lower channel-form frame member 16 may be positioned in direct abutment with the floor surface 13 adjacent the wall 12. However, when an uneven floor surface 13 is encountered, the lower frame member 16 is leveled independently of the floor surface. Likewise, the upper frame member 15 is installed in exacting horizontal disposition parallel to the lower frame member 16. The vertical spacing between the frame members 15 and 16 is predetermined by the height or length of the panels 19 used to form the curtain wall or paneling.
It will be understood that in redecorating certain relatively older rooms or buildings having unusually high ceilings, it may be desirable to limit the height of the present curtain wall, so that its upper edge terminates a distance below the actual ceiling of the room in which it is positioned, and a valance board or cornice, not shown, may be used in combination with the curtain wall to cover or hide the area of the wall 12 above the curtain wall.
As best seen in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, each of the upper and lower frame members 15 and 16 possesses a generally J-shaped cross section and is arranged to define a pair of longitudinally extending, opposed channels opening toward one another. The outer, downturned web or lip 20 of the upper frame member 15 is substantially wider (deeper) than the corresponding outer, upturned web or lip 21 of the lower frame member 16, whereby to define a deeper channel 22 in the upper frame member 15 and a relatively shallower channel 23 within the lower frame member 16. The inner flanges or webs 24 of the upper and lower frame members are of substantially the same width, and are formed at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong with the fastener-receiving openings 17. The fastener-receiving openings 17 are preferably located at a level below the outer flange 20 of the upper frame member 15 and above the outer flange 21 of the lower frame member 16 to provide ample access and clearance to drive the fasteners 18 without interference from the outer channel forming lips 20 and 21.
Each of the upper and lower frame members 15 and 16 are provided at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong with sets of horizontally spaced, stud-locating fingers or clips 25 which may be either welded to, or lanced integrally from the inner flanges 24 of the frame members. The relatively opposing end portions of the stud-locating fingers or clips 25 are spaced slightly outwardly from the rear or inner flanges 24 of the frame members 15 and 16 to provide vertically opening sockets to receive and hold the laterally outwardly projecting base flanges 26 of a preformed, metallic pilaster or stud 27.
Each of the studs 27 possesses the cross sectional configuration shown particularly in FIG. 4 and comprises a generally hollow-form, vertically elongated body of extruded metal formed with a relatively wide, T-shaped internal chamber 28 which extends the full length of the stud. Each of the studs 27 is also formed with a pair of longitudinally coextensive, horizontally spaced apart, and outwardly projecting ribs 29 which define a relatively narrow, outwardly opening continuous channel or slot 30 communicating with the internal chamber 28 of the stud.
Removably positioned in the internal chamber 28 of each of the studs 27 is an elongated, substantially flat, bracket attachment strip or bar 31. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the bracket attachment bar or strip 31 carried in each stud 27 is formed with a multiplicity of vertically spaced, elongated slots or perforations 32 which are sized and shaped to receive the base hooks or lugs 33 formed on shelf brackets or other outwardly projecting article-supporting arms, as indicated by broken lines at 34 in FIG. 6.
As illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the height or length dimensions of the preformed studs 27 is slightly less than the spacing between the top and bottom walls of the upper and lower frame members 15 and 16. The depth of the upper channel 22 is such that the upper end of the studs 27 may be raised (lifted) within the upper channel 22 a distance sufficient to permit the lower ends of the studs 27 to be lifted over the lip 21 and the stud-locating clips 25 of the lower frame member 16. In this elevated position, the lower ends of the studs 27 may be lifted into and out of the channel 23 of the lower frame member 16. When it is desired to introduce a stud member 27 into the channel-form frame members, the upper end portion of the stud member 27 is angled into the channel 22 of the upper frame member 15 to engage its base flanges 26 with the stud-locating clips 25 of the upper frame member, and then the stud member is lifted so that its lower end clears the lip 21 and clips 25 of the lower frame member 16. The vertically positioned stud member 27 is then lowered to engage the side flanges 26 with the stud-locating clips or fingers 25 of the lower frame member. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the stud members 27 in their lowermost, fixed positions within the upper and lower frame members 15 and 16, but it will be seen that the depth of the upper channel 22 is such as to permit the lower end of the stud member 27 to be lifted vertically to a position at which its lower end will clear the lower stud-locating clips 25 and the upper edge of the lip 21, in which position the lower end of the stud may be swung outwardly to disengage the stud entirely from the frame members 15 and 16.
As indicated particularly in FIG. 4, the outwardly projecting, longitudinally coextensive ribs 29 define on each of the studs 27 a pair of longitudinally coextensive, right-angular, entrant corner seats 35 to receive the longitudinal side edges of the adjacent wall panels 19. The thickness of each of the panels 19, at least along its opposite side edges, is approximately equal to the depth of the entrant corner seats 35, so that the outer surfaces of the panels 19 are disposed in substantially flush, coplanar relation to the outer edges of the ribs 29 of the studs 27. Thus, the relatively spaced apart ribs 29 of the studs function to separate the longitudinal side edges of a pair of adjacent panels 19, thereby providing easy access to the bracket attachment strip 31 by way of the outwardly opening channel 30 formed between each pair of ribs 29.
As previously indicated, the length of the wall panels 19 corresponds to the length of the studs 27, so that the wall panels 19 may be inserted into the upper and lower channels 22 and 23 of the frame members 15 and 16 in substantially the same manner as the studs 27, that is, by first inserting the upper edges of the panels within the upper channel 22 and then elevating the panel 19 to a position at which its lower edge clears the lip 21 of the lower frame member 16, and then lowering the lower end of the panel 19 into the lower channel 23.
The horizontal spacing between the sets of stud-locating clips 25 on each frame member 15 and 16 is preferably predetermined, so that the studs 27 may be arranged to receive panels 19 of different widths. For example, if the clips 25 are spaced on 12 inch centers, the studs may be positioned to receive and support panels varying in width from approximately 12-60 inches. Regardless of the particular preselected spacing between the sets of clips 25, the studs 27 may be located to receive and support a group of panels 19 of either uniform or varying widths.
It will also be understood that the wall panels 19 may vary widely not only in width, but in their appearance and composition. For example, the panels 19 may be formed from colored or mirrored glass, perforated peg boards, plain or slat surface plywood, sheet metal laminates, plaster board, or combinations of such materials. Further, the decoration and composition of alternating or adjacent panels 19 may be varied to provide alternating colors and surface finishes according to the choice and taste of the interior designer.
As will be noted particularly in FIGS. 4 and 8, the transverse or cross portion of the internal chamber 28 of the stud includes two relatively adjoining passages or slots 28a and 28b of different widths to accomodate two different sizes of bracket attachment strips or bars 31. Thus, when the thickness or rigidity of the relatively thin and wide strip 31 is insufficient to support a given heavy load or bending moment, a relatively thicker, but narrower attachment strip (not shown) may be substituted for the strip 31. The relatively thicker substitute strip will have a width substantially equal to that of the narrower slot 28b of the channel 28 and its thickness may be substantially equal to the combined depths of the slots 28a and 28b.
In some instances, the length and thickness dimensions, as well as the composition, of the panels 19 may be such that the panels will tend to bow outwardly from the studs 27 in their unsupported intermediate regions. In such instance, the panels 19 may be provided along their back sides, and a distance inwardly from their outer side edges with one or more longitudinally extending catch strips 36 which are formed with grooves or recesses 37 opening toward an adjacent metallic stud 27. The studs 27, in turn, may be provided with a manually-operated latch or lock mechanism, such as illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 inclusive, to engage with the catch strips 36 and hold the intermediate regions of the panels 19 in tight fitting engagement with the entrant corner seats 35 of the stud. The lock or latch, generally indicated at 38, is composed of a pair of superposed, substantially flat, but relatively rotatable rectangular plates 39 and 40. The width of the plates 39 and 40 correspond to the widths of the slots 28a and 28b, respectively, formed in the studs 27. The foremost or stationary plate 39 is formed with a central circular opening 41 which rotatably receives an outwardly pressed, circular, disk-like boss 42 formed in the central portion of the movable latch plate 40. The central disk-like boss 42 of the movable latch plate 40 is formed with a rectangular opening or slot 43 into which the tip of a screwdriver or similar flat headed tool may be inserted and twisted to rotate the latch plate 40 relative to the plate 39.
The lock or latch assembly 38 is sized to be slidably received within the slots 28a and 28b of the stud 27 when the front and rear plates 39 and 40 occupy their superposed but parallel positions as indicated by full lines in FIG. 7. The lock assembly 38 is supported within the stud 27 in registry with a pair of laterally opening slots 44 formed in the side walls 45 of the central portion of the stud. As indicated in FIG. 10, the relatively stationary, forward plate 39 of the latch assembly 38 is held in position with respect to the side slots 44 of the stud 27 by being sandwiched between two segments of the perforated bracket attachment strip or bar 31. In other words, in its unlocked condition with the forward and rear plates 39 and 40 disposed in superposed parallel relation, the latch assembly 38 may be slidably received in the internal chamber or channel 28 of the stud and stacked between two segments of the bracket attachment bar 31 in registry with the laterally opening slots 44 of the stud 27. In operation, the movable latch plate 40 of the lock assembly 38 may be rotated or pivoted to extend its ends through the slots 44 and into locking engagement with the catch strips 36 of the panels simply by introducing the blade portion of a screwdriver through the access slot or channel 30 of the stud and into the rectangular slot 43 of the latch plate 40, and rotating the blade of the screwdriver 90°. Conversely, the latch plate 40 of the lock assembly 38 may be moved to its unlocked position in parallelism with the stationary face plate 39, so as to disengage the latch plate 40 from the catch strips 36 of the panels 19.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a versatile, easily installed curtain wall or wall-paneling system which features readily insertable and removable panel sections and vertical studs.
While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that various modifications in details of construction and design may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.
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A curtain wall or paneling system for concealing and beautifying an existing structural wall features a pair of elongated, upper cap and lower sill-forming channel members which are attached in predetermined, vertically spaced relation on the existing wall and which support and hold a plurality of transversely spaced apart, vertically elongated metallic studs or pilasters and decorative wall panels. The length of the studs and wall panels are correlated to the spacing between and depth of the upper cap and lower sill channel members, so that they may be easily lifted into and out of engagement with the cap and sill channel members.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to aluminosilicates, more particularly to amorphous sodium aluminosilicates of especial use in detergent compositions.
It has been known for many years that aluminosilicates are useful in removing hardness ions from aqueous systems and, more recently, a large number of patent specifications have been published concerning various crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicate-containing detergent compositions. In these compositions the aluminosilicate is intended to replace, in part or in whole, the phosphate compositions which have hitherto been used.
The zeolites, or crystalline aluminosilicates, have long been known and are relatively stable materials which readily remove calcium ions from aqueous systems. The preferred type "A" zeolites do not, however, have a very significant effect on magnesium ions and it has previously been noted that amorphous aluminosilicates have the benefit of removing both calcium and magnesium ions from aqueous systems.
However, known amorphous aluminosilicates have one significant defect, namely that they react with sodium silicate, which is an important constituent of most detergent compositions. The mechanism of the reaction between amorphous aluminosilicate and sodium silicate is not fully understood, but its effect is to lessen the effectiveness of the aluminosilicate as a detergent builder in that it slows down the removal of hardness ions and may also reduce the capacity of the aluminosilicate for such ions.
Efforts have been made to overcome this deficiency in amorphous aluminosilicates by modifying the production process of detergent compositions containing these two materials. For example, British Patent Specification No. 2 013 707 suggests an alternative route for manufacturing detergent compositions in which the sodium silicate is added to the detergent composition in such a way as to minimise the reaction between the sodium silicate and the sodium aluminosilicate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide an amorphous aluminosilicate which can be used in the preparation of detergent compositions, using orthodox spray-drying equipment and not requiring special techniques to prevent the interaction between the sodium silicate and amorphous sodium aluminosilicate. A further aim is the production of such an amorphous aluminosilicate in a particle size which preferably is such that it can be used in detergent compositions without further size reduction and, also, in a sufficiently high solids content that excessive quantities of water do not have to be removed from the aluminosilicate and, hence, from a detergent slurry composition containing the aluminosilicate, making it commercially less attractive.
Another aim of the invention is the preparation of a stable slurry of the aluminosilicate in the presence of suitable dispersing agents and the production of size reduced aluminosilicate by grinding or milling a slurry of aluminosilicate and dispersing agent.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an amorphous hydrated sodium aluminosilicate of chemical composition calculated on an anhydrous basis:
0.8-1.4 Na 2 O:Al 2 O 3 :2.2-3.6 SiO 2 ,
having, calculated on a dry basis, a calcium ion-exchange capacity greater than 100 mg CaO/g, a magnesium capacity greater than 50 mg MgO/g, an average particle size in the range 2 to 20 μm, and the ability to form a filter cake having a solids content in the range 35-50%, in a filter press with a closing pressure of 5.62 kg/cm 2 , which filter cake can be converted into a pumpable slurry in said solids range, and having a silicate resistance (as hereinafter defined) such that the second order rate constant k s for the calcium exchange process is greater than 0.2° H -1 min -1 and a residual water hardness after 10 minutes of less than 1.5° H and which after drying at 50° C. to 80% solids has a rate constant k d (as hereinafter defined) greater than 0.42° H -1 min -1 and a residual water hardness after 10 minutes of less than 1° H.
References to °H in this specification and claims are to French degrees hardness defined as:
1° H Ca=10.sup.-4 molar Ca.sup.++.
Preferably the amorphous hydrated sodium aluminosilicate has a chemical composition of:
0.8-1.4 Na 2 O:Al 2 O 3 :2.4-3.2 SiO 2
and may optionally contain an inert soluble salt such as sodium sulphate.
The calcium and magnesium ion-exchange capacities are determined as follows.
Sodium aluminosilicate (equivalent to 1.00 g anhydrous solids determined as the residue after heating to constant weight at 700° C.) is added to 1 liter of 5.0×10 -3 M CaCl 2 solution and stirred for 15 minutes at 20° C. The aluminosilicate is then removed by millipore filtration and the residual calcium concentration (X×10 -3 M) of the filtrate is determined by complexometric titration or atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
The calcium exchange capacity is calculated as 56(5.0-X) mg CaO/g aluminosilicate.
Magnesium ion-exchange capacity is measured in a similar fashion using a 5×10 -3 M MgCl 2 stock solution and a pH in the range 9.5-10.5.
To quantify the water softening performance of the sodium aluminosilicates provided by this invention and to compare them with known amorphous aluminosilicates and the known zeolites, the following test is used.
The test is designed to simulate some of the conditions which prevail when sodium aluminosilicate is used in a detergent system.
The response of a Radiometer calcium ion specific electrode is determined by the addition of aliquots (0-20 mls) of calcium chloride (3×10 -2 M) to a solution of 5 mls M NaCl in 175 mls of water at 50° C. The resulting solution is 0.025 M in Na + and 3×10 -3 M in Ca ++ . To this is added sufficient aluminosilicate to give 2.5 g/liter (anhydrous basis) and stirring is maintained throughout the water softening measurement. The electrode response is measured over the next 10 minutes and, using the calibration data, is calculated as Ca ++ concentration (°H) versus time. Water softening may be conveniently summarised by the hardness remaining after 1 and 10 minutes.
The electrode test is applied to filter cake, dried powders and to the slurries produced by the silicate resistance test.
To test the resistance of the various aluminosilicates to sodium silicate a sample of the aluminosilicate under test is mixed with sodium silicate, sodium sulphate and water to form a homogeneous slurry having the composition:
Sodium aluminosilicate: 22.5 parts (anhydrous basis)
Sodium sulphate: 11.0 parts (anhydrous basis)
Sodium silicate Na 2 O:3.4SiO 2 :6.0 parts (38% liquor)
Water*: 51.0 parts
A sample of this slurry is tested for water softening activity by the calcium ion specific electrode method, allowance being made for the fact that 4.0 grams of slurry contains 1.0 g of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis). The slurry is heated at 80° C. for 1 hour in a water bath and the electrode measurement repeated on the further sample. Differences in the two water softening measurements indicate the adverse interaction between the components. For convenience this can be summarised in terms of the calcium hardness values attained in 1 and 10 minutes.
If the aluminosilicate sample is of very low solids, eg less than 30%, or if extra water must be added to the mix to enable a fluid slurry to be produced, the test may still be performed provided allowance is made when weighing samples for the ion-exchange measurement.
The water softening kinetics involved in the determination of the rate constant k involve the use of data obtained using the calcium ion specific electrode as described above.
The water softening curve, °H Ca versus time (minutes), is summarised by a second order rate equation of the form:
-dCa/dt=k(Ca-Ca.sub.eq).sup.2
which on integration becomes: ##EQU1## where
Ca o is the initial hardness, (30° H);
Ca eq is the equilibrium hardness at t=∞;
k is the rate constant having dimensions of minute -1 ° H Ca -1 ;
k s is the rate constant for exchange after the silicate treatment;
k d is the rate constant for the filter cake or stabilised slurry dried in the absence of silicate;
t is the time in minutes.
A convenient method of evaluating these constants in the case where exchange is virtually complete in 10 minutes is to select the hardness remaining after 1 minute and 10 minutes and solve the equation. ##EQU2##
This contains the approximation that Ca o -Ca eq =30 (i.e. Ca eq =0), but in practice this does not significantly affect the result.
The equilibrium hardness is determined from: ##EQU3##
In situations where it is evident that significant exchange is still occurring after 10 minutes, albeit slowly, the test period should be extended until virtually no further exchange is occurring and a measured value of Ca equilibrium can be obtained. The k value can then be determined from the above equilibrium hardness equation.
The most effective sodium aluminosilicates for use according to this invention have a rate constant k s greater than 2 and an equilibrium calcium concentration (Ca eq ) less than 1° H after silicate treatment.
This invention also provides a process for the preparation of the novel amorphous aluminosilicates, which will yield, economically, a filter cake of relatively high solids content containing an aluminosilicate at a particle size suitable for inclusion in detergent compositions and having the benefits of silicate resistance previously spelt out.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of amorphous aluminosilicate as previously defined, in which aqueous sodium silicate, having a composition Na 2 O 2-4 SiO 2 and a concentration in the range 1-4 moles/liter SiO 2 ; an aqueous aluminate having a composition 1-2 Na 2 O Al 2 O 3 and a concentration in the range 0.5 to 2.0 moles/liter Al 2 O 3 , are intimately mixed together at a temperature of up to 45° C. in a mixing device to produce a sodium aluminosilicate composition which is immediately subjected to high shear in a disintegrator to produce a particle size of aluminosilicate less than 20 μm and subsequently aged.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The intimate mixing of the aluminate and silicate solutions can conveniently be achieved using a mixer such as that described in Handbook of Chemical Engineering by Perry & Chilton, 5th Edition, Chapter 21, ref 21-4, under the heading "Jet Mixers".
The objective of such mixers is to ensure a rapid and intimate mixing of the two solutions.
This is achieved by applying a positive pressure, for example, by pumping each of the solutions and forcing one through a small nozzle or orifice into a flowing stream of the other solution.
Suitable disintegrators for use in reducing the particle size of the sodium aluminosilicate include devices designed to impart high shear, such as the Waring blender supplied by Waring Products Division, Dynamics Corporation of America, New Hartford, Conn., USA, and Greaves SM mixer, as supplied by Joshua Greaves & Sons Limited, Ramsbottom, Lancashire, England. Various other devices can be used but it is believed that where the shear is provided by rotation of a stirrer blade in the reaction mixture, no such device will be satisfactory unless the tip speed of the rotor exceeds 300 m/min. Preferably the tip speed is in the range 1000-3000 m/min.
The processing subsequent to the high shear treatment can comprise an ageing step for the free-flowing slurry which typically extends for a period of 1-2 hours, but can be longer. The precipitate formation and ageing can take place in the presence of an inert salt such as sodium sulphate. The aged slurry can also be treated with a dilute mineral acid such as sulphuric acid to reduce its pH to about 10.0 or 11.0 prior to washing and filtering.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the following examples of the invention and comparative experiments indicating the products of some prior art were carried out.
Using the Waring blender the following general method of preparation was followed. 5 liters of aluminate and silicate were prepared by adjusting commercial liquors to suitable concentration and temperature. These were each pumped at 0.5 liter/min to a mixing device (jet) and the resultant stream passed through a vessel of 4 liter capacity where it was subjected to intense agitation. The volume of product in the stirred reactor was maintained around 2 liters by adjusting overflow rate. The reaction product was collected and allowed to age, with mild agitation, for typically 2 hours before the aluminosilicate was recovered on a filter and washed free of the alkaline reaction liquor.
The filter cake may be processed so as to produce a stable, pumpable aqueous suspension by incorporating a suitable dispersing agent and optionally reducing the particle size of the aluminosilicate by milling or grinding the aluminosilicate in an aqueous medium containing the said dispersing agent, all in accordance with the teaching of British Patent Specification No 1 051 336.
Additionally, the filter cake, or the suspension as prepared above, can be converted into dry powder form by a variety of drying techniques. In order to preserve the ion exchange properties it is important that the residual moisture content (loss on ignition) is not less than about 20% by weight. Filter cakes can be conveniently dried in an oven at a temperature of 50° C. for the purpose of testing the preservation of the ion exchange properties and the determination of the k d value.
In Table I there is set out data concerning the Examples of the invention and comparative Experiments. Under the heading "Agitation" reference is made to the intense stirring devices used. Intense stirring is required to (a) prevent gelation which would lead to low solids content filter cakes and (b) control the particle size of the aluminosilicate. For these examples either a Waring blender (Model CB 6 "1 gallon capacity") or a Greaves SM mixer was used.
They both have high speed impellers, about 13000 rpm and about 3000 rpm respectively, producing tip speeds of about 2800 and 1975 m/min.
The Greaves mixer employed has a vessel capacity of 30 liters. The reagent feed rate was 7 liters/min and the product volume residing in the vessel during the run was 17 liters.
TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________ Example 1 Example 2 Example 3__________________________________________________________________________Aluminate composition 1.47 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.51 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.42 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in 0.5 M Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4Silicate composition Na.sub.2 O:3.45 SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O:2.6 SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O:3.56 SiO.sub.2 in 0.5 M Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4Reaction Mixture (moles)Na.sub.2 O 2.2 2.4 2.1Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.0 1.0 1.0SiO.sub.2 2.5 2.4 2.35H.sub.2 O 255 111 74Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 2.4 -- --Reaction temperature (°C.) 25 25 25Agitation Waring Waring WaringFilter cake solids 35.7 41.8 38.5Average particle size (μm) 2.8 6.4 6.4Composition of NAS 1.0 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :2.6 SiO.sub.2 1.1 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :2.6 SiO.sub.2 1.2 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :3.0 SiO.sub.2Ion exchange performance - Ca electrode method (°HCa)Filter cake activity (1/10 min) 0.2/0.2 0.5/0.4 0.4/0.3Silicate test(1 min/10 min) 1.5/0.19 4.1/1.2 0.8/0.7(k.sub.s value) 1.65 0.28 >5Drying test(1 min/10 min) 0.5/0.4 0.4/0.3 0.4/0.4(k.sub.d value) 6.4 >10 >10Ca capacity (mgm CaO/gm) 141 137 159Mg capacity (mgm MgO/gm) 68 58 86__________________________________________________________________________ Example 4 Example 5 Experiment 1 Experiment__________________________________________________________________________ 2Aluminate composition 1.51 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.4 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.5 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.5 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in 0.5 M Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4Silicate composition Na.sub.2 O:3.41 SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O:3.32 SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O:3.4 SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O:3.4 SiO.sub.2 in 0.5 M Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4Reaction Mixture (moles)Na.sub.2 O 2.2 2.1 2.3 2.3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0SiO.sub.2 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3H.sub.2 O 110 54 75 140Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 1.0 -- -- --Reaction temperature (°C.) 25 30 25 25Agitation Waring Greaves Silverson SilversonFilter cake solids 39.0 48.4 45.9 47.0Average particle size (μm) 4.9 11.8 7.7 4.2Composition of NAS 1.1 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub. 3 :2.8 SiO.sub.2 1.0 Na.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :2.6 --O.sub.2 --Ion exchange performance - Ca electrode method (°HCa)Filter cake activ (1/10 min) 0.2/0.2 0.5/0.3 0.3/0.2 0.3/0.2Silicate test(1 min/10 min) 1.0/0.9 4.0/0.5 8.4/0.3 10.7/1.5(k.sub.s value) >5 0.22 0.08 0.065Drying test(1 min/10 min) 0.4/0.3 0.8/0.2 24/14 0.6/0.2(k.sub.d value) >10 1.54 0.06 2.1Ca capacity (mgm CaO/gm) 151 158 -- --Mg capacity (mgm CaO/gm) 72 -- -- --__________________________________________________________________________
Comparative Experiments 1 and 2 in Table 1 illustrate the products of the two prior processes, and employed an alternative high shear, Silverson mixer model L2R, which was found more practically suitable to these processes.
EXPERIMENT 1
This experiment follows the general teaching of British Patent No. 1 232 429 to Swiss Aluminium and involves the slow addition of silicate to aluminate.
The product has good ion-exchange properties but is affected by silicate as can be seen in Table I and is very sensitive to drying.
EXPERIMENT 2
A further experiment involving the simultaneous metering of silicate and aluminate to the high shear zone of a reaction vessel produced a material with high solids filter cake and good ion-exchange. The aluminosilicate could be dried but was badly affected by silicate as can be seen in Table I.
This experiment illustrates the problem if the reagents are not first intimately mixed with each other in a jet mixer or similar device.
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This invention provides novel amorphous aluminosilicates having useful ion exchange properties and resistance to reaction with sodium silicate when used in detergent compositions. The invention also discloses routes to manufacture of the novel aluminosilicates.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a control chain connection on the drive unit of a controllable drive wheel of an industrial vehicle. The invention is an improvement over the state of the art, as it is for example known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,367.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The control chain can be either a chain which is closed or endless and which engages a chain sprocket on a drive unit, or an open or finite length chain, the end links of which are fastened to the drive unit. In the latter case, it often happens that during the assembly to the vehicle, chain locks have been welded approximately on the side of a suitable housing part of the pivotal drive unit, which side lies opposite the chain sprocket, into which chain locks the control chain was placed. Or radially directed tapped holes were provided in the housing part, into which tapped holes screws were screwed and which were placed through the two bolts of a chain link. The area for mounting the chain locks or the threads results from the respective position of the chain sprocket relative to the drive unit and depends on the type of construction of the vehicle or the arrangement of the drive unit (left or right wheel or only single-wheel drive). The mounting of the fastening elements during the installation makes the installation sequence more difficult, in particular when, for example, the entire drive unit must be exchanged by the operator of the vehicle, and at a location whereat suitable shop equipment often does not exist. Also in particular welding on a finish mounted gearing arrangement requires particular skill and precautions in order to avoid damage to the bearings and/or the gears.
For tensioning or retensioning the control chain, the chain sprocket is supported on a readjustable rocker arm or the like. The structural expense for this is significant.
Therefore, the basic purpose of the present invention is to provide a control chain connection, which can be used independent of the position of the chain sprocket relative to the drive unit, without having to carry out any reworking on the drive unit, and which permits a simple tensioning or retensioning of the chain.
To attain the purpose, a control chain connection utilizes an arrangement of several holes in a cricle, into which a chain holder is mounted and which engages selectively directly or indirectly the chain ends, to facilitate an easy insertion of the drive unit without having to carry out subsequent operations and without having to take into consideration specific vehicle structural conditions. At the same time, the combination with a chain tensioning means makes possible a simplification for the arrangement of the chain sprocket or of the control motor.
The invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to two exemplary embodiments illustrated in six figures. More specifically:
FIG. 1 illustrates a drive unit and a control mechanism for a drive wheel of an industrial vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the control chain connection;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control chain connection taken approximately along the line III--III of 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holding piece of the chain-tensioning means taken along the line IV--IV;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the control chain taken along the line V--V; and
FIG. 6 illustrates finally yet another type of the control chain arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A gearing arrangement is identified generally by the reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 and is supported for rotary movement about an upright axis 6 on a mounting ring 2 on a frame 3 of a vehicle which is not illustrated in detail. A wheel 7 is secured to the driven output shaft 1A of the gearing arrangement 1, which wheel 7 engages the ground 8. A drive motor 9 is secured to the gearing arrangement 1, the not shown shaft of which drive motor 9 is connected to the gearing of the gearing arrangement. Drive motor 9, gearing arrangement 1 and wheel 7 form a drive unit 10. The drive unit 10 can be pivoted about the vertical axis 6 by means of a control chain 5 which is driven by a motor 4 secured to the frame 3 to facilitate a steering control of the vehicle.
The gearing arrangement 1 has a mounted housing part 11 illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The housing part 11 has formed thereon an internal ring 12 (FIG. 3) forming a part of the mounting ring 2.
An external ring 13 is secured to the vehicle frame 3 and forms another part of the mounting ring 2. The housing part 11 has on its upper face 21 plural holes 15 distributed equidistantly from one another in a circle 14 arranged concentrically with respect to the axis 6. The illustrated example provides sixteen holes 15, which is to be considered as sufficient at the specified diameter D of the circle. In the case of larger diameter circles, more holes may possibly have to be provided. A pin 20 of a chain holder 16 extends into one of the holes. The chain holder 16 has, as shown in the top view of FIG. 2, approximately the form of a Y, the three arms of which are identified hereinafter as sections 17, 18 and 19. The section 17 of the chain holder 16, which also is pivotally mounted to the pin 20, engages or rests on the face 21 of the housing part 11. Compared with the section 17, the section 18 is offset lower and has two holes 22 and 23 therein extending parallel to the pin 20. The third section 19 extends even in height with the section 17 as shown in FIG. 3. The section 19 has a hole 24 therein which extends transversely therethrough as shown in FIG. 2. A barlike projection 25 is, in addition, provided on the section 18 and extends into a circumferentially extending groove 26 on the outside of the housing part 11. The distance a of the recess 26 below the face 21 corresponds approximately with the inside diameter b 1 of the inner links 33 of the control chain 5. The links 33 partially embrace the top and bottom edges, namely, at the distance a on the housing part 11 (FIG. 5). To mount the chain holder 16 on the support surface 21, it is rotated counterclockwise relative to the position which is illustrated in FIG. 2. If then the pin 20 is placed into the corresponding hole 15, the bar 25 passes on the outside of the housing part 11 and is then, by rotating the chain holder 16 into the illustrated position, guided into the recess 26, through which a locking of the chain holder 16 is created. A bolt 31 of an end link 30 of the control chain 5 is placed through the hole 22 in the section 18. The end link 30 is an external link, the one plate of which is secured with split pins 32. The thickness of the section 18 corresponds approximately with the width b 2 of the associated inner links 33.
The other end link 35 of the control chain 5 is also an external link, the one plate of which is secured with split pins 37. Its last bolt 36 is placed through a hole 42 in a holding piece 41 which hole extends, like the holes 22 and 23, parallel with respect to the pin 20. A tightening screw 40 is screwed into a tapped hole 43 which extends perpendicularly with respect to the hole 42. The tightening screw is placed through the hole 24 in the section 19 of the chain holder 16, the countersunk enlarged head of which rests on the section 19. To tension the control chain 5, the tightening screw 40 is screwed further into the tapped hole 43 in the holding piece 41. The tightening screw 40 and the holding piece 41 form in this manner a chain-tensioning means 39. To secure against an unintended release of the tightening screw 40, a lock nut 44 is provided. If the available screw-in depth t at the chain-tensioning means 39 is no longer sufficient for retightening, the end link 30 can be hung instead of in the hole 22, in the hole 23. For this reason the end link 30 has longer plates 34 than the other chain links. If desired, it is possible to also provide, aside from the holes 22 and 23, one or more further holes in the section 18; however, as a rule one will shorten the chain by one link--if a substantial retightening of the link chain should be necessary.
The holding piece 41 is constructed as a rectangular block, the cross section of which has a width B and a height H (FIG. 4), both corresponding with the width b 2 of each of the inner links of two different chain sizes. In the present exemplary embodiment, the width B corresponds with the next larger chain. Thus--if a hole 42' which is suited for this was provided--the holding piece can, through a simple 90° rotation, be used for two different chain sizes.
Drive units 10, which have a housing part 11, with holes 15 therein as it has been described above, can also be used in those cases in which an endless control chain 5 is used. A chain sprocket 46 is mounted in these cases (FIG. 6) to the housing part 11 and is held thereto by screws 47 and square nuts 48, one edge of which extends into the recess 26. Adapter sleeves 49 extend into the holes 15 and are provided for preventing relative rotation between the housing part 11 and the sprocket 46.
The inventive control chain connection assures a simple mounting and servicing. An additional advantage is the universal possibility of use of the correspondingly designed drive units for all cases of use with an open or finite length control chain and also for those with a closed or endless control chain. The invention is thereby not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The holes 15, for example, do not necessarily have to be arranged at equal distances from one another; if it is advantageous with respect to the construction, irregular spacing between the holes is possible. The chain holder 16 can also be designed in a mirror image form.
The identification b 2 for the width of the inner links was chosen depending on German standard DIN 8187.
Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have 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.
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To fasten the control chain on a drive unit of a controllable drive wheel of an industrial vehicle, a housing part is provided on the top thereof with holes which are arranged in a circle. A chain holder is placed into one of the holes, which chain holder is engaged with both the endmost bolt of one end link and also a tensioning mechanism which in turn is engaged with a further endmost bolt of another end link. Various alternate constructions are provided for the design of the chain holder and the tensioning mechanism.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT
The present invention relates to an impact type dot printer head using needles.
A conventional example is shown in FIG. 14. As illustrated therein, in a yoke 51 held by a head frame 50 and having an annular circumferential wall 51a, a plurality of cores 53 which hold electromagnetic coils 52 are arranged and integrally formed inside the circumferential wall 51a. A yoke plate 54 fixed to the circumferential wall 51a of the yoke 51 has a plurality of openings for fitting therein of intermediate and rear end portions of plural armatures 55, and between adjacent such openings there is formed a side magnetic path which is for magnetic coupling between adjacent armatures 55. Needles 57 which are urged in a returning direction by springs 56 are in abutment with the inner ends of the armatures 55. The needles 57 are held slidably by guide portions 58, 59 and 60 of the head frame 50. Further, a head cover 61 fixed to the head frame 50 is formed with cutouts 62 for holding the rear ends of the armatures 55 and also formed with lugs 63 for guiding both sides of an intermediate portion of each armature 55. Also held by the head cover 61 are a plate spring 64 which presses the rear end of each armature 55 against an end face of the circumferential wall 51a of the yoke 50, and a damper 65 which abuts the back of each armature 55.
Under the above construction, upon energization of an electromagnetic coil 52, the corresponding armature 55 is attracted by the core 53, causing the needle 57 to strike paper on the platen. Then, the armature returns to its home position by virtue of the urging force of the needle 57 which returns to its home position under a reaction force induced by the said collision and the restoring force of the spring 56. The returning movement of the armature 55 is stopped by the damper 65.
Since there is a recent demand for the reduction of size even in a dot printer head having an increased number of needles 57 to enhance the dot density, the increase in sectional area of the core 53 and the circumferential wall 51a of the yoke 51 is limited even when it is intended to improve the flow of magnetic flux. More particularly, in order to set the stroke of the needle 57 at a certain length or longer, it is necessary to ensure a certain distance for the armature 55 from the portion opposed to the core 53 up to the front end on the needle 57 side, and thus a limit is encountered in reducing the arrangement diameter of the cores 53. Therefore, as shown in phantom line in FIG. 15, in order to enlarge the sectional area of the cores 53 it is required to lengthen the cores radially outwards. Consequently, if the outside diameter of the yoke 51 is limited, the sectional area of the circumferential wall 51a becomes smaller and magnetic saturation is created between the circumferential wall 51a and the armature 55, resulting in that the magnetic efficiency is deteriorated and the energy consumed increases.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the first object of the present invention to enlarge the sectional area of each core without enlarging the yoke diameter.
It is the second object of the present invention to reduce the entire size.
It is the third object of the present invention to enlarge the sectional area of a magnetic circuit.
It is the fourth object of the present invention to decrease the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit and thereby reduce the power consumption.
According to the present invention, a plurality of cores for holding electromagnetic coils are erected annularly on one side of a polygonal plate-like yoke, and needles are connected to inner ends of plural armatures opposed to end faces of the cores. Further, there is provided a guide member for arranging those needles in order and holding them slidably, and a side magnetic path is formed between adjacent such armatures. Additionally, a polygonal side magnetic path plate which holds the armatures for rising and falling motions is provided, and support rods which are magnetically coupled to the corners of the said side magnetic path plate are erected on the corners of the yoke. Consequently, upon energization of an electromagnetic coil, magnetic flux flows through the corresponding core and armature, side magnetic paths, adjacent armatures and the cores opposed thereto, and yoke, and also flows through the cores, armatures, side magnetic path plate, support rods and yoke. Since the support rods which form a magnetic circuit between the side magnetic path plate and the yoke are formed at the corners of the yoke, it is not necessary that a circumferential wall for magnetic coupling between the yoke and the side magnetic path plate be formed in the arranged direction of the cores, whereby while the yoke diameter is restricted, the sectional area of each core and that of the magnetic circuit formed between the yoke and the side magnetic path plate can be enlarged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away plan view;
FIG. 2 is a side view in vertical section taken on line A--A in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which cores and support rod portions are formed on one side of a yoke;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a side magnetic path plate;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an inner surface of a head cover;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an armature;
FIG. 7 is a side view in vertical section of the armature;
FIG. 8(a) is a plan view showing part of the yoke;
FIG. 8(b) is a partial side view in vertical section showing a relation between the core on the yoke and the armature;
FIG. 9 is a partial side view in vertical section showing the flow of magnetic flux upon energization of a specific electromagnetic coil;
FIG. 10 is a front view in vertical section thereof;
FIG. 11 is a partial side view in vertical section showing the flow of magnetic flux upon energization of all electromagnetic coils;
FIG. 12 is a front view in vertical section thereof;
FIGS. 13(a), (b) and (c) are sectional views showing the ratio of the sectional area of the yoke to that of cores at different external shapes;
FIG. 14 is a partially cut-away side view showing a conventional example;
FIG. 15(a) is a plan view showing part of the yoke; and
FIG. 15(i b) is a side view in vertical section thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinunder with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.
FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away plan view and FIG. 2 is a side view in vertical section taken on line A--A in FIG. 1. Successively from the above, a head cover 1 formed of a synthetic resin, a side magnetic path plate 2 and a yoke 3 both formed of a magnetic material, a PC plate 4 and a guide member 5 formed of a synthetic resin are coupled together in a laminated state through pins 6 formed of a magnetic material. The yoke 3 is in the form of a square plate and on one side thereof are integrally formed annularly a plurality of cores 8 which hold electromagnetic coils 7. And on the four corners of the yoke 3 there are integrally formed support rod portions 9 which are in contact with the corners of the side magnetic path plate 2 (see FIG. 3). The pins 6 extend through two support rod portions 9 which are opposed to each other in a diagonal direction. A plurality of needles 11 which are biased with needle springs 10 are slidably held by guide chips 12 and 13 fixed to the guide member 5. Further, a plurality of armatures 14 are mounted to the side magnetic path plate 2 so that they can rise and fall in opposed relation to the cores 8. Caps at the rear ends of the needles 11 are in abutment with the inner ends of the armatures 14. Moreover, a disc-like armature stopper 16 fixed to the center of the guide member 5 with a bolt 15 is fitted in the head cover 1. The armature stopper 16 is formed of aluminum, and to the inner surface thereof rubber is fusion-bonded with which the armatures 14 are brought into abutment. Further, a petal-like plate spring 18 which presses the rear ends of the armatures 14 against the side magnetic path plate 2 is held on the inner surface of the head cover 1. As shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, moreover, a projecting portion 21 projecting toward the core 8 is formed at the central part of each armature 14. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in the side magnetic path plate 2 there are formed openings 19 in which are fitted the projecting portions 21 of the armatures 14, and also formed are side magnetic paths 20 each forming a magnetic circuit between adjacent armatures 8.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the inner surface of the head cover 1. On the inner surface of the head cover 1 there are integrally formed bosses 22 extending through the plate spring 18 to position and fix the latter, a plurality of pins 23 on which is fitted the inner peripheral surface of the ring 17 and which hold the outer peripheral portion of the plate spring 18 displaceably, and a plurality of ribs 24 for guiding both side faces of the armatures 14. The pins 23 are also fitted in small holes 25 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) formed in the rear ends of the armatures 14.
In such construction, when a specific electromagnetic coil 7 is energized, the corresponding armature 14 is attracted by the core 8 while being turned around the portion thereof in abutment with the side magnetic path plate 2 by the pressure of the ring 17, thus causing the needle 11 to strike the paper on the platen. Then, the armature 14 returns to its home position while being pushed by both a reaction force induced in the said collision of the needle with the paper and the restoring force of the spring 18. The returned position is defined by the armature stopper 16. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, magnetic flux flows through the core 8 which holds the energized electromagnetic coil 7, the armature 14 opposed to the core 8, side magnetic paths 20 in the side magnetic path plate 2, the adjacent armatures 14 on both sides, the cores 8 opposed to the adjacent armatures, and the yoke 3 in this order. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 9, magnetic flux flows successively through the cores 8, armatures 14, side magnetic path plate 2, support rod portions 9 and yoke 3.
A comparison is here made between the portion where there is a side wall of the yoke 3 and the portion where there is not. The magnetic path length of the magnetic flux flowing through the side magnetic path in the side magnetic path plate 2 is larger at the side wall-free portion, but there arises no problem because the side magnetic path is of a ferromagnetic material and so the magnetic resistance is very low. Between the side wall-present and -free portions there is a difference of whether there is leakage flux from the side wall to the cores 8. According to experiments, however, the ratio of such leakage flux to the main magnetic flux is as small as 5% or less and thus the actual printing is little influenced thereby.
By connecting the electromagnetic coils 7 to a power source in such a manner that adjacent coils 7 are opposite in polarity to each other, adjacent cores 8 become opposite to each other in the direction of magnetic flux, whereby even when all the electromagnetic coils 7 are energized, magnetic flux can flow successively through each of the cores 8, the armature 14 opposed thereto, side magnetic paths 20 in the side magnetic path plate 2, the adjacent armatures 14 on both sides, the cores 8 opposed to those armatures 14, and the yoke 3, as shown in FIG. 12. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to let magnetic flux flow through cores 8, armatures 14, side magnetic path plate 2, support rod portions 9 and yoke 3 in this order. Thus, even when all the electromagnetic coils 7 are energized, it is not that all the magnetic fluxes pass through the support rod portions 9, but a portion thereof flows through the magnetic circuit formed by adjacent armatures 14 and cores 8, so the support rod portions 9 will never assume the state of magnetic saturation.
Since the support rod portions 9 forming a magnetic circuit between the side magnetic path plate 2 and the yoke 3 are formed at the corners of the yoke 3, it is not necessary that a circumferential wall for magnetic coupling between the yoke 3 and the side magnetic path plate 2 be formed in the arranged direction of the cores 8. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to enlarge each core 8 in the arrowed direction as indicated by a solid line from the state thereof indicated by a phantom line to thereby enlarge its sectional area while restricting the diameter of the yoke 3. Besides, since the cores 8 are arranged annularly and the yoke 3 is square, it is possible to form the support rod portions 9 of a large sectional area at the four corners of the yoke 3, and a magnetic circuit between the yoke 3 and the side magnetic path plate 2 by those support rod portions 9. Consequently, it is possible to prevent magnetic saturation and also possible to increase the permeance between the armatures 14 and the cores 8, whereby it is made possible to diminish the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit, improve the magnetic efficiency and decrease the power consumption required for energizing the electromagnetic coils 7. Further, the size of the yoke 3 can be reduced and hence it is possible to reduce the size of all the components coupled to the yoke 3, i.e., the side magnetic path plate 2, head cover 1, guide member 5, PC plate 4.
Although this effect is exhibited most outstandingly in the case of a square yoke, even when there is used a polygonal yoke other than a square yoke, the same purpose can be attained by forming the support rod portions 9 at the corners of the yoke. This state will be explained below with reference to FIG. 13.
FIG. 13(a) shows an example in which there is used a yoke 3 having a circular external form, and the total sectional area of cores 8 and the sectional area of the side wall of the yoke 3 are equal to each other. According to a concrete example, in the case where the size of the external shape is 30.0 mm, the sectional area of the side wall of the yoke 3 is 126 mm 2 .
FIG. 13(b) shows an example in which there is used a yoke 3 having a hexagonal external shape, and the sectional area of the side wall of the yoke 3 is 144 mm 2 . Thus, the sectional area can be taken 1.14 times as large as the circular yoke.
FIG. 13(c) shows an example in which there is used a yoke 3 having a square external shape, and the sectional area of the side wall of the yoke 3 is 180 mm 2 . Thus, the sectional area can be taken 1.43 times as large as the circular yoke. Now it is seen that the yoke 3 having a square external shape is most effective from the standpoint of space.
Since the present invention is constructed as above, when an electromagnetic coil is energized, magnetic flux flows through the corresponding core and armature, side magnetic paths, adjacent armatures, cores opposed to the armatures, and yoke. At the same time, magnetic flux can flow through the cores, armatures, side magnetic path plate, support rod portions and yoke. Moreover, since the support rod portions forming a magnetic circuit between the side magnetic path plate and the yoke are formed at the corners of the yoke, it is not necessary that a circumferential wall for magnetic coupling between the yoke and the side magnetic path plate be formed in the arranged direction of the cores. Consequently, while restricting the yoke diameter, it is possible to enlarge the sectional area of the cores and that of the magnetic circuit formed between the yoke and the side magnetic path plate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent magnetic saturation, diminish the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit and decrease the power consumption required for energizing the electromagnetic coils. Further, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the yoke and thereby reduce the size of the whole of the dot printer head.
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According to the present invention, a plurality of cores with electromagnetic coils wound thereon are arranged annularly on one side of a polygonal plate-like yoke; a plurality of armatures with needles connected thereto are opposed to end faces of the cores; there is provided a polygonal, side magnetic path plate which has side magnetic paths each positioned between adjacent such armatures and which holds the armatures so as to permit the armatures to rise and fall; support rod portions coupled magnetically to the corners of the side magnetic path plate are formed on the yoke; and magnetic flux is passed through the support rod portions and the corners of the side magnetic path plate.
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This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/421,793, filed Apr. 24, 2003, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser scanning control apparatus for forming a latent image on a latent image bearing member by scanning the latent image bearing member with a laser beam emitted from a laser light source.
2. Related Background Art
In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a digital copying machine, a semiconductor laser is driven with a laser beam driving circuit, a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser is modulated with an image signal, and a photosensitive drum is raster-scanned with the laser beam after the modulation using a rotating polygon mirror to thereby form a latent image.
At this time, in the apparatus having a plurality of semiconductor lasers, there is a problem in that the magnification of a latent image differs depending on the position on a photosensitive drum illuminated with the laser beams emitted from the respective semiconductor lasers. In addition, in the double-sided printable image forming apparatus, there is a problem in that heat of a fixing unit evaporates moisture contained in a sheet material so that a paper after fixing contracts in size, whereby even if ratios of the latent images on both the surfaces are identical to each other, the image sizes after printing are different from each other.
In contrast, there has been proposed a method in which, in order to obtain adjustment between them, an image clock signal with which image data is transferred is added at an arbitrary point to control the length between the image data to thereby correct the size of the image to be printed (refer to for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-238342).
However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a possibility that since the image clock signal is corrected, the image data to be interpolated is fixed, and hence a space is generated in the position where the image clock signal is minutely lengthened to impair the printing quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the light of the foregoing, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art, and it is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a laser scanning control apparatus which is capable of correcting suitably the main scanning magnification and the sub scanning magnification without impairing the printing quality. In addition, the present invention aims at increasing the number of image PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals and the number of high-frequency clock signals constituting image clock signals to extend the period for a predetermined number of pixels, determined by controlling a pixel counter, of latent image pixels formed with a laser beam, and aims at changing a rotational speed of a rotating polygon mirror to increase or decrease the number of lines in a sub scanning direction to thereby remove a difference in magnification between an image read using an image reading portion which has been conventionally provided with no correction means, and an image outputted from the image forming apparatus, or a difference in magnification between a front surface image and a rear surface image during the double-sided printing in order to realize the high picture quality of an image.
In order to attain the above-mentioned first object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser scanning control apparatus for driving a light source adapted to emit a laser beam in accordance with image data defined in pixels to scan an image bearing member in a main scanning direction with the laser beam emitted from the light source through a rotating polygon mirror. The laser scanning control apparatus is characterized by including a correction portion for, every one or more correction points on a main scanning line of the image bearing member to be scanned with the laser beam, extending the pixel length for each pixel located in the correction point concerned to thereby correct the scanning magnification of the main scanning line, and for changing the rotational speed of the rotating polygon mirror to correct the magnification in a sub scanning direction to thereby correct the output magnification.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a construction of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing schematically a construction of an exposure control portion of an image forming apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram, partly in block diagram, showing a construction of a laser scanning control apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram, partly in circuit diagram, showing a construction of an image processing circuit and its peripheral circuit;
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of generation of a PWM signal in the image processing circuit;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation for selecting a pixel width extension pixel;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a construction of a control portion of a scanner motor;
FIG. 8 is a diagram useful in explaining PWM image data;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table of extension pixel number data and a reference period;
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram, partly in block diagram, showing a construction of a modulation circuit, and an output circuit; and
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a difference in magnification between an original image and an image outputted from the image forming apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof. In the drawings, elements and parts which are identical throughout the views are designated by identical reference numeral, and duplicate description thereof is omitted.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section showing schematic construction of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes an original sheet feeding apparatus 1 which can be loaded with a plurality of sheets of originals, and a scanner unit 4 adapted to be moved in a sub scanning direction. The original sheet feeding apparatus 1 conveys a plurality of sheets of originals with which the original sheet feeding apparatus 1 is loaded from the head onto an original base glass 2 one sheet by one sheet. The scanner unit 4 is loaded with a lamp 3 for illuminating the original conveyed onto the original base glass 2 , and a reflecting mirror 5 for introducing the reflected light from the original on the original base glass 2 into a reflecting mirror 6 . The reflecting mirror 6 introduces the reflected light from the reflecting mirror in conjunction with a reflecting mirror 7 into a lens 8 . Then, the lens 8 images the reflected light on an image sensor portion 9 . The image sensor portion 9 converts the light thus imaged thereon into an electrical signal which is in turn subjected to a predetermined processing to be inputted as an image signal to an exposure control portion 10 .
The exposure control portion 10 emits a laser beam on the basis of the image data inputted thereto and scans a photosensitive drum 11 with the laser beam for exposure. A latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 through the scanning for exposure with the laser beam. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 can be formed into a visible image as a toner image by a toner supplied from a developing device 13 .
In addition, a sheet is fed from a cassette 14 or a cassette 15 at a timing synchronized with the start of illumination with the laser beam, and the sheet is conveyed towards a transferring portion through a conveying path. A toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred onto the conveyed sheet by a transferring portion 16 . The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is then conveyed to a fixing portion 17 .
In the fixing portion 17 , the toner image on the sheet is fixed on the sheet through the thermal pressing. The sheet which has passed through the fixing portion 17 is discharged to the outside through a pair of sheet discharging rollers 18 . The surface of the photosensitive drum 11 , after the transferring of the toner image, is cleaned by a cleaner 25 , and then the electric charges thereon are removed by an auxiliary electrifier 26 . Then, the remaining electric charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 are erased by a pre-exposure lamp 27 to provide the state in which the satisfactory electrostatic charge is obtained in a primary electrifier 28 . Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is electrified by the primary electrifier 28 .
The above-mentioned series of processes are repeatedly carried out to allow the images to be formed on a plurality of sheets.
In addition, in this image forming apparatus, there is provided a double-sided path 29 adapted to make a double-sided printing possible. During the double-sided printing, a sheet after the one side printing is reversed to be introduced into the double-sided path 29 . This sheet is then conveyed again to the photosensitive drum 11 through the double-sided path 29 . Then, on the other surface of the sheet, similarly to the foregoing, the corresponding image is formed.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the exposure control portion 10 shown in FIG. 1 . The exposure control portion 10 includes an image processing circuit 36 for pixel-modulating image data inputted from the outside to output the pixel-modulated image signal synchronously with an image clock signal, and a laser driver 31 for driving a semiconductor laser 43 on the basis of the pixel-modulated image data outputted from the image processing circuit 36 . A photodiode sensor (PD sensor (not shown)) for detecting a part of the laser beam is provided inside the semiconductor laser 43 . The laser driver 31 carries out the APC (Auto Power Control) of the semiconductor laser 43 using a detection signal of the PD sensor. The laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 43 becomes substantially a parallel beam through the optical system having a collimator lens, an iris and the like to be made incident to a polygon mirror (rotating polygon mirror) 33 with a predetermined beam diameter being held. The polygon mirror 33 is being rotated in a predetermined direction at an equal angular velocity. Then, along with this rotation, the laser beam made incident to the polygon mirror 33 is reflected in the form of a deflecting beam the angle of which is continuously changed. The laser beam reflected in the form of a deflecting beam suffers a condensing function of an f-θ lens 34 . At the same time, since the f-θ lens 34 carries out such a correction for the distortion aberration as to ensure the time linearlity of a scanning, the laser beam which passed through the f-θ lens 34 is coupled onto the photosensitive drum 11 for the scanning in a predetermined direction at an equal velocity. A beam detection sensor 37 for detecting the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 33 is provided in the vicinity of one end portion of the photosensitive drum 11 , and a detection signal of this sensor 37 is used as a synchronous signal in accordance with which the rotation of the polygon mirror 33 is synchronized with the operation for writing the data.
In such a laser driver 31 , for the purpose of holding a fixed amount of light of the laser beam during one scanning, there is adopted a driving system in which the output of the laser beam is detected at the light detection interval during one scanning to hold the driving current for the semiconductor laser 43 for one scanning.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram, partly in block diagram showing a construction of a laser driver shown in FIG. 2 . There is used a laser chip 43 constituted by one laser 43 A and one photodiode (hereinafter referred to as “PD”) sensor 43 B. Then, two current sources of a bias current source 41 and a pulse current source 42 are applied to the laser chip 43 to thereby improve the emission characteristics of the laser 43 A. In addition, for the stabilization of the emission of the laser 43 A, an output signal from the PD sensor 43 B is fed back to the bias current source 41 to carry out the automatic control for an amount of bias current.
That is, a logical element 40 outputs an ON signal to a switch 49 in accordance with a full lighting signal from a sequence controller 47 , whereby the sum of currents from the bias current source 41 and the pulse current source 42 is caused to flow through the laser chip 43 , and an output signal at this time from the PD sensor 43 B is inputted to a current-to-voltage converter 44 , and then is amplified in an amplifier 45 to be inputted to an APC circuit 46 to thereby be supplied as a control signal from the APC circuit 46 to the bias current source 41 . This circuit system is called the APC (Auto power Control) circuit system which is currently generally known as the circuit system for driving a laser.
A laser has temperature characteristics, and hence an amount of current required to obtain a fixed amount of light is further increased as the temperature rises. In addition, since the laser is heated by itself, when the fixed current is only supplied, the fixed amount of light cannot be obtained, which exerts a serious influence on the image formation. As the means for solving this problem, the fixed amount of current to be caused to flow is controlled each scanning using the above-mentioned APC circuit system each scanning so that emission characteristics for each scanning become fixed. Thus, a switch 49 is turned ON/OFF in accordance with the data modulated by an image processing circuit 36 to form an image using the laser beam of which the amount of light is controlled to become fixed.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a construction of the image processing circuit shown in FIG. 3 and its peripheral circuit. A high-frequency clock signal which is to be inputted to an output circuit 63 is outputted from a PLL 60 and has a frequency N times as large as that of a basic clock signal. A modulation circuit 62 of the above-mentioned image processing circuit 36 modulates image data. Since a lighting time within a unit time is often controlled with a PWM modulation in order to evaluate the gradation of a laser, the description here will now be given as the description concerned with the PWM modulation (in particular, the digital PWM modulator). When input data having A bits, for example, is subjected to the PWM modulation, it is converted into a pulse width signal having 2 A bits. Here, a constant is determined so as to meet the relationship of 2 A =n.
The modulation circuit 62 generates the pulse width signal from the image data inputted thereto to transmit the pulse width signal to an output circuit 63 . The output circuit 63 outputs therethrough a PWM signal synchronized with a high-frequency clock signal outputted from the PLL circuit 60 and an image clock signal synchronized with the high-frequency clock signal, in accordance with the pulse width signal obtained from the modulation circuit 62 , to transmit the PWM signal and the image clock signal to the laser driver and the image data generating portion 85 , respectively.
FIG. 5 shows the situation in which 3-bits data is inputted as the image data to the modulation circuit 62 , and the 3-bits data is in turn outputted in the form of a pulse width data of 8 bits, and then, the PWM signal is outputted through the output circuit 63 on the basis of the pulse width data.
A count value of a counter circuit 65 is incremented in an image enable signal (the image enable signal of FIG. 6 is at the level Low, i.e., resides in an image effective area) generated in an image enable signal generation circuit 90 on the basis of an input of an image clock signal. In addition, the count value of the counter circuit 65 is reset in an invalid image area (the image enable signal is at the level Hi) on the basis of an output signal BD of the BD sensor 36 through an OR gate 68 , while it is reset in an effective image area on the basis of an output signal CP of a comparator 67 . Extension pixel number data, as an information of the number of pixels, stored in a register 91 and used to extend a width on a scanning line is converted into a value REF_CNT which is obtained by dividing the number of pixels on one scanning line by a value obtained by adding 1 to the extension pixel number data in a conversion table 66 .
For example, in the case where an extension pixel number data table of FIG. 9 is present in an extension pixel number data table register 91 , a sheet type A therein is selected by an operation portion 92 of FIG. 4 , and 7,200 pixels are present on one scanning line. If 2 is set as the extension pixel number data and an image is intended to be formed on a surface of a sheet material, the value REF_CNT=2400 which is set as the value corresponding to this set value in the conversion table 65 is outputted. A comparator 67 compares CNT to REF_CNT. If CNT and REF_CNT agree with each other, then the comparator 67 outputs an agreement output signal CP at the level Hi. This output signal CP is transmitted as a modulation pixel selection signal to the output circuit 63 . During a formation of an image on a back surface of a sheet material at this time, 0 is set as data of the back surface of the extension pixel number data table shown in FIG. 9 so that the image is prevented from being extended.
Note that, for the extension pixel number data, a procedure may also be adopted such that a value is set which is obtained by dividing a difference Xc of the image in the main scanning direction shown in FIG. 1 by an extension width per pixel after an amount of moisture contained in the sheet material of the sheet materials having several kinds of materials as shown in table of FIG. 9 when the image read by the image reading portion, or the double-sided printing is outputted by the image forming apparatus is detected by a humidity sensor or the like, and a difference in line length between a sheet original and an output image is detected by a CCD or the like.
When a modulation pixel selection portion 64 is transmitting a modulation pixel selection signal to the output circuit 63 , the operation of the output circuit is different from the normal operation thereof. Normally, the output circuit 63 generates one period (of the image PWM signal and the image clock signal) with n high-frequency clock signals, whereas only at this time, the output circuit 63 outputs the PWM data and the clock signal which is different from that period. In this embodiment, a construction in which one period is generated with (n+1) high-frequency clocks will be shown hereinbelow.
Next, FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram, partly in block diagram, showing a construction of the modulation circuit 62 and the output circuit 63 . The image data is inputted to the modulation circuit 62 to be modulated into pulse width data of 8 bits in the figure, and the bits are inputted to one of terminals of 2-inputs AND circuits 72 - 1 to 72 - 8 . In addition, the same data as that inputted to the 2-inputs AND circuit 72 - 8 is inputted to one terminal of the 2-inputs AND circuit 72 - 9 . Reference numerals 71 - 1 to 71 - 9 designate D type flip-flops, and each of them serves to output an input signal at a terminal D at a rising edge of the high-frequency clock to a terminal Q. These D type flip-flops 71 - 1 to 71 - 9 are connected to the other input terminals of the 2-inputs AND circuits 72 - 1 to 72 - 9 , respectively. Then, the flip-flops 71 - 1 to 71 - 8 are connected in such a cascade style that the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 71 - 1 is connected to the input terminal D of the flip-flop 71 - 2 , the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 71 - 2 is connected to the input terminal D of the flip-flop 71 - 3 , and so forth. In addition, the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 71 - 8 is also connected to one terminals of a 2-inputs selector circuit 73 and a 2-inputs selector circuit 74 . The output terminal Q of the flip-flop 71 - 9 is also connected to the other terminal of the 2-inputs selector circuit 73 .
The output terminals of the 2-inputs AND circuits 72 - 1 to 72 - 9 are connected to a 9-inputs OR circuit 76 , which serves to output an output signal as the PWM signal. The 2-inputs selector circuit 73 selects between the output signals of the flip-flops 71 - 8 and 71 - 9 in accordance with an output signal of the modulation control portion 80 and its output terminal is connected to one of input terminals of a 2-inputs OR circuit 77 . The other input terminal of the 2-inputs selector circuit 74 is connected to GND. In the case of the 2-inputs selector circuit 74 , whether or not an output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 8 should be inputted to the flip-flop 71 - 9 is controlled in accordance with the output signal of a modulation control portion 70 . The modulation control portion 70 switches the selectors of the selector circuits 73 and 74 over to predetermined values on the basis of a modulator pixel selection signal outputted from the comparator 67 .
Reference numeral 78 designates a flip-flop for outputting a clock signal. Then, the flip-flop 78 latches a power supply voltage at the level Hi of a power supply at a rising edge of the pulse outputted by the flip-flop 71 - 1 to reset the level Hi to the level Low on the basis of the output pulse of the flip-flop 71 - 5 to thereby generate the clock signal (for 8 high-frequency clock signals or 9 high-frequency clock signals) having the same period as that for which the data circularly passes through the flip-flops 71 - 1 to 71 - 8 or 71 - 9 . A timing signal is inputted to the other input terminal of the 2-inputs OR circuit 77 of which the output signal is in turn inputted to the flip-flop 71 - 1 .
Next, the operation of the output circuit 63 will hereinbelow be described. The output circuit 63 receives as its input a signal, in the form of a timing signal, which has been outputted from a timing signal generation circuit 93 synchronously with the high-frequency clock signal inputted to each of the flip-flops 71 - 1 to 71 - 9 , and which has a width for one high-frequency clock signal. As a result, a level of one of the output signals of the ring-like shift registers constituted by the flip-flops 71 - 1 to 71 - 9 always goes “1”. The modulation control portion receives as its input a pixel selection signal outputted from the modulation pixel selection portion 64 to switch the selector circuits 73 and 74 over to each other so as to control the size of the above-mentioned ring-like shift registers. In the case where one pixel is composed of the 8 high-frequency clock signals, the selector circuit 73 selects the output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 8 , and the selector circuit 74 selects GND.
In the case of composing one pixel, the selector circuit 73 selects the output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 9 or the output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 8 , and the selector circuit 74 selects the output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 8 or GND. “1” is outputted every 9 or 8 high-frequency clocks from the flip-flops 71 - 1 to 71 - 9 through these switching operations. The 2-inputs AND circuits 72 - 1 to 72 - 9 have the PWM image data set therein and change the data every pixel. The 2-inputs AND circuits 72 - 1 to 72 - 9 subject the data set therein and “1” outputted every 8 or 9 high-frequency clocks to the AND arithmetic operation to subject the AND output signals to the OR arithmetic operation to thereby allow the PWM signal composed of the 8 or 9 high frequency clocks to be outputted.
Here, the PWM image data will hereinbelow be described by giving an example using FIGS. 8 and 10 . It is assumed that the image data of one pixel is started from the data outputted from the flip-flop 71 - 5 (the AND circuit 72 - 5 ). A waveform of the input image data of one pixel is shown in a part ( 1 ) of FIG. 8 . Let us consider the case where the PWM image data having a waveform as shown in a part ( 1 ) of FIG. 8 is inputted to the 2-inputs AND circuits 72 - 1 to 72 - 8 . In the case where the pixel length is extended, the selector circuit 74 is operated so that the output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 8 is inputted to the flip-flop 71 - 9 , whereby as in the waveform shown in a part ( 2 ) of FIG. 8 , the image data of the image data number 4 of the flip-flop 71 - 8 is outputted again right after the image data outputted from the flip-flop 71 - 8 .
As a result, the image data of the image data number 4 is inputted to one pixel by two so that the image data is obtained for which the pixel extension has been carried out. On the other hand, in the case where no pixel length is extended, the selector circuit 74 is operated so that the output signal of the flip-flop 71 - 8 is prevented from being inputted to the flip-flop 71 - 9 , whereby the image data of the image data number 4 is inputted to one pixel by only one. As a result, the image data is obtained for which no pixel extension has been carried out.
FIG. 6 shows a timing chart useful in explaining an operation for correcting the scanning line length in the modulation portion configured as described above. In FIG. 6 , it is assumed that 2 is set as a modulation pixel number data, and REF_CNT=2400 is outputted from the conversion table. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the output value CNT of a counter 65 has reached 2,400 in the effective image area of one scanning, a level of an agreement output signal CP of the comparator 67 goes Hi, and the output CNT is reset by the subsequent input of the clock signal. The counter 65 repeatedly carries out this operation, and thus the agreement output signal CP at the level Hi is transmitted two times as the modulation pixel selection signal to the output circuit 63 so that the pixels located substantially at even intervals on one scanning line are extended. The output circuit 63 , only when the agreement output signal CP at the level Hi is transmitted thereto, carries out the setting so that the constitution of one pixel becomes the width for the 9 high-frequency clock signals, while it carries out the control in other cases so that the constitution of one pixel becomes the width for the 8 high-frequency clock signals. Thus, the magnification difference between an original image in magnification Xa and an image on the sheet material outputted from the image forming apparatus in magnification Xb of FIG. 11 can be electrically corrected to make Xa and Xb equal to each other.
Next, the description will hereinbelow be given with respect to the basic operation of the rotating polygon mirror with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 . The rotating polygon mirror 33 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed by a motor (not shown). For an operation of the motor, a scanner motor control portion shown in FIG. 7 carries out the control so that a period of a BD signal which is detected every line by a BD sensor 36 is compared with a reference period generated by a reference period generation portion 83 in a period comparison portion 82 , and an acceleration/deceleration signal is outputted from a calculation portion 81 so as for the period to become the target period in order to rotate the motor stably.
The reference period table shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the reference period generation portion 83 . Then, for example, it is assumed that when a BD signal reference period for forming an image on a sheet of a type which does not contract after fixing the toner image thereon is 100.00%, a sheet type A is selected by the operation portion 92 shown in FIG. 4 . When an image is formed on the front surface of the sheet at this time, the BD signal reference period (front surface) of the sheet type A in the table shown in FIG. 9 is referred to make the BD signal reference period 100.03%. Subsequently, when an image is formed on the back surface of the sheet, the BD signal reference period (back surface) of the sheet type A in the table of FIG. 9 is referred to make the BD signal reference period 100.00%. Thus, the scanner motor is controlled to form the image. That is, the scanner motor is controlled so that the target period for the BD signal is shortened to increase the rotational speed of the rotating polygon mirror, whereby the image is extended in the sub scanning direction.
Note that, in this embodiment, the description has been given with respect to the double-sided printable image forming apparatus. However, even in an image forming apparatus which is capable of scanning simultaneously different lines with a plurality of laser beams, e.g., two laser beams, the scanning magnifications due to each laser beam can be corrected so as to become identical to each other through the above-mentioned scanning magnification correction processing. In this case, out of the laser beams, the scanning magnification due to one laser beam may be corrected so that the scanning magnification due to the one laser beam agrees with the scanning magnification due to the other laser beam, or the scanning magnification due to the respective laser beams may be individually corrected. In addition, it is to be understood that the above-mentioned scanning magnification correction processing may be applied to the correction for the scanning magnifications among colors in an image forming apparatus having exposure means (photosensitive drums) for yellow, magenta, cyanogen and black.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment and the specific change thereof, it will be understood that other changes and various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and true spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is, therefore, to be determined solely by the appended claims.
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To provide a laser scanning control apparatus for driving a light source adapted to emit a laser beam in accordance with image data defined in pixels to scan an image bearing member in a main scanning direction with the laser beam emitted from the light source through a rotating polygon mirror, the laser scanning control apparatus being characterized by including a correction portion for, every one or more correction points on a main scanning line of the image bearing member to be scanned with the laser beam, extending the pixel length for each pixel located in the correction point concerned to thereby correct the scanning magnification of the main scanning line, and for changing the rotational speed of the rotating polygon mirror to correct the magnification in a sub scanning direction to thereby correct the output magnification.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/346,648 entitled, “Method and Apparatus for Crystal Growth from the Vapor Phase using a Semi-Closed Reactor” filed 2010 May 20 by the present inventor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to the use of vapor phase epitaxy to grow a crystal layer on a surface, specifically to the growth of a nitride semiconductor crystal ingot in a hydride vapor phase epitaxy reactor.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art
[0005] Epitaxy is the growth of a mono-crystalline layer on a mono-crystalline substrate. Vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) achieves this by reacting one or more source gases, or “precursors” on the substrate.
[0006] Hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) is a form of VPE in which the vapor-phase precursors typically comprise a halide of a group III metal (IUPAC group 13), and a hydride of a group V element (IUPAC group 15) resulting in a “III-V” material. HVPE has been widely used in fabricating an important subgroup of the III-V materials called the “III-nitrides.” The III-nitride materials include gallium nitride (GaN), aluminum nitride (AlN), indium nitride (InN) and combinations formed from these three that may be doped with additional elements to customize their band-gap or lattice parameters. III-nitride semiconductors are used as substrates and as component layers in high-brightness light emitting diodes (HB-LEDs) and blue laser diodes (LDs). HB-LEDs are expected to replace compact fluorescent lights and traditional incandescent lighting over the next few years. The III-nitride substrate also has great advantages for a variety of high-power, high-frequency, and high-temperature integrated circuit applications. The ongoing problem is that the III-nitride substrates are very expensive and difficult to produce.
[0007] In epitaxy, the growing crystal layer indexes its structure to the crystal structure of the substrate. If the unit cells of the growing crystal layer have length or width dimension that differ from those of the substrate crystal, they may deform in those dimensions to force a match between crystal lattices at the layer-substrate interface. The resulting deformation accumulates in the plane of the interface until a crystal growth dislocation, or “defect,” is generated to relieve some of the strain in the layer. Such defects are replicated in subsequent layers, propagating from the substrate interface upward through the many layers of the grown crystal, until the crystal accumulates enough volume to absorb the strain, at which point the defect is sometimes absorbed or grown over. Similar defects may also form as a result of variations in the growth conditions across the substrate, in which case they are continually generated during growth.
[0008] A III-nitride substrate is cut from a thick single-crystal ingot. Ideally, it is cut from an area where there are fewer defects, far enough from the substrate interface so that the defects from lattice mismatch are at a minimum. Unfortunately, thick III-nitride ingots have proven to be very difficult to grow. The internal stress and defects, induced during initial ingot growth on lattice-mismatched substrates and further generated by non-uniform reactor growth conditions, have limited practical ingot width to about 50 mm (2″). Furthermore, the low material efficiency inherent to the prior art HVPE technology has added to their high cost.
[0009] In conventional HVPE, flowing halide and hydride source vapors, or “precursors,” are heated and mixed upstream from a substrate, then flowed downstream to cross the substrate and finally exit through an exhaust port. As the precursor mixture flows across the substrate, the precursors react on the surface to form the III-nitride crystal layer. At the same time, this reaction releases hydrogen (H 2 ) and hydrogen chloride (HCl). In the case of GaN HVPE, used here as illustrative example, the surface reaction is described by the following relation:
[0000] NH 3 (gas) +GaCl (gas) →GaN (solid) +HCl (gas) +H 2 (gas) Eq. 1
[0010] Hydrogen chloride and H 2 gas evolved in the reaction are entrained in the gas stream as it crosses the surface. Within the flow-induced boundary layer, which forms between the growth surface and the main gas stream, the gas composition is continuously depleted of NH 3 and GaCl, and enriched with the reaction byproduct gases, HCl and H 2 . Additionally, this boundary layer goes through a transition from laminar to turbulent flow and gets thicker with distance. The changing structure and composition of the flowing boundary layer generates a non-uniformity of growth conditions across the surface. This non-uniformity of growth conditions leads to a non-uniformity of growth kinetics and the accumulation of internal strain, which contributes to defect generation and reduced crystal stability.
[0011] In FIG. 1A , the effects described above are illustrated. A gas stream flowing from the left to the right across a surface at first exhibits laminar flow, but when the boundary layer reaches a critical thickness, drag begins to force the gas stream to rotate near the substrate, and flow becomes turbulent. The overall flow continues rightward, while the boundary layer gets thicker and accumulates more HCl and H 2 .
[0012] In FIG. 1B , the effect of no lateral gas flow is illustrated. As the surface reaction of Eq. 1 proceeds, the thin layer of gas mixture near the growth surface become depleted of NH 3 and GaCl, and enriched with the reaction byproduct gases, HCl and H 2 . This causes the layer to become buoyant, and it breaks up into small volumes of gases that move upward. These rising “micro-plumes” are replaced by downward falling plugs of heavier gas that is still rich with NH 3 and GaCl. The resulting turbulence averages out within a short lateral distance, and results in highly uniform average conditions across the substrate.
[0013] Current HVPE reactor technology is classified according to the way precursors are flowed in relation to the substrate. Horizontal flow reactors flow the gas mixture parallel to and across the substrate surface, while vertical reactors flow the gas mixture at 90 degrees to the substrate surface, forcing flow to be diverted across and around the substrate.
[0014] Examples of horizontal flow reactors are described by G. M. Jacob and J. P. Hallais in U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,116, issued Nov. 8, 1983, and by T. Shibata et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,439 B2, issued Apr. 25, 2006. In horizontal flow HVPE reactors, the substrate is oriented approximately parallel to the gas stream, and may be rotated to help even out the effect of gas stream composition changes. Nonetheless, surface elements at the center of the substrate do not experience the same process environment as surface elements radially displaced toward the edge, the H 2 and HCl content increases toward the center, and this effect gets more pronounced as the diameter of the substrate is increased. This issue grows as substrate size increases, since the boundary layer grows thicker as it flows further across a substrate. The changing concentration of HCl and H 2 in the flow-induced boundary layer causes a variation in growth conditions across the substrate, and results in lateral internal strain within the growing layer [S. Karpov et al., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 743, 2003]. Increasing substrate size increases the distance over which these effects accumulate, and conventional HVPE has therefore been unsuccessful in scaling GaN growth process wider than about 50 or 60 mm (2-2.5″).
[0015] In the continuous flow of precursor gas past a substrate, only a small portion is reacted at the surface, while the rest is swept downstream unused. In the case of horizontal flow GaN HVPE, about 95% of the GaCl passes through the reactor without contributing to crystal growth at the substrate. Some of the unused precursor gas mixture forms “parasitic deposits” of polycrystalline GaN on the reactor walls, the rest exits through an exhaust duct and must be treated and have its gallium reclaimed. This inefficiency is expensive, and contributes to the high cost of even small GaN substrates.
[0016] An example of a vertical flow HVPE reactor is described by G. B. Stringfellow and H. T. Hall in U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,571, issued Apr. 3, 1979. Vertical flow HVPE reactors position the substrate facing the gas flow, causing variations in pressure and velocity as the gas mixture is redirected around the substrate. In vertical flow, the boundary layer is compressed and the H 2 and HCl content increases toward the periphery. A compressed boundary layer is a lower barrier to diffusion mass transport, and the vertical flow orientation intersects more of the gas stream. These two factors help vertical flow HVPE reactors to operate at better efficiency than horizontal flow versions, getting 5-12% gallium utilization, compared to 2-7% in horizontal flow designs. As with the horizontal flow, however, radial difference in growth conditions lead to ingots with high internal strain and defects, limiting the size and quality of crystals that can be grown to about 50 mm (2″).
[0017] Both horizontal and vertical HVPE reactors are considered “open” designs; gases flow in at one end and out at the other. A “closed” reactor re-circulates reactants within a closed container, and so has the potential to be extremely efficient. In the case of GaN growth, closed reactor designs are typically not vapor-phase reactors, but liquid-phase ammonothermal designs. In ammonothermal growth, an autoclave is used to contain the high pressure and temperature needed for liquid-phase GaN growth, and crystals grown this way are reported to have very low defect densities. The growth rate is slow, however, and the crystals are small, irregularly shaped, and often contain high levels of unintended dopants. An example of ammonothermal GaN growth is taught by M. P. D' evelyn et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,487, issued Aug. 29, 2006.
[0018] A closed HVPE reactor design is disclosed by Jai-yong Han in U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,515, issued Jan. 1, 2008. Han claims that gas flow to the substrate is driven by thermal convection, since he maintains the lower portion of his reactor at a higher temperature than the upper portion: hot gases rise up the walls, cool and become denser in the upper portion, and descend down the central axis past a downward-facing substrate. Han reports growth rates roughly half of conventional HVPE, but claims the efficiency of his reactor is about 20-25%, with 75-80% of the gallium being consumed in parasitic depositions. Still, this is twice the efficiency of even the most efficient vertical open flow reactor designs.
[0019] Like most conventional HVPE reactors, Han's contains a receptacle for holding liquid gallium (Ga) metal. HCl gas reacts with the Ga surface and creates the GaCl precursor according to the following equation:
[0000] HCl (gas) +Ga (liquid) →GaCl (gas) +½H 2 (gas) Eq. 2
[0000] This is the source of GaCl needed for the growth reaction described by Eq. 1. The initial production of GaCl within a closed HVPE reactor is “primed” by the injection of HCl, and then sustained by the HCl released and recycled during GaN growth. Recycling HCl in this application involves the consumption of NH 3 , per Eq. 1, and Eq. 2 indicates that an overpressure of H 2 is continuously created by the HCl cycle. The increasing H 2 content within Han's closed reactor changes the balance of Eq.s 1 and 2 and also leads to continuously increasing gas pressure.
[0020] In a closed HVPE reactor where no material is added or released, all reactions stop when either the hydride (i.e., NH 3 ) or the metal (i.e., Ga) are used up. During this time, the reactor's internal pressure will have increased 25% due to the evolution of H 2 gas. Further input of NH 3 will restart the growth reactions, but the addition of one unit of NH 3 will result in a pressure increase proportional not only to the one unit, but to another half unit from H 2 production.
[0021] If Han's closed reactor is operated at 10 atmospheres of pressure, the upper limit cited by Han, then the enclosed gas volume at 800° C. must be 6100 times the finished ingot volume (at 25% efficiency, as defined by Han). For example, to grow an ingot 50 mm (2″) in diameter and 10 mm (⅜″) thick, the reactor must be roughly 60 cm (24″) in diameter and 60 cm (24″) tall. To grow an ingot that would yield about 40 wafer substrates 100 mm (4″) in diameter would require a reactor 1.2 meters (4′) tall and 1.2 meters (4′) wide. Considering the temperature and pressure requirements, this would be a very expensive and potentially dangerous quartz vessel. Scaling it to grow ingots for state-of-the-art production (for example, 80 wafers at 200 mm diameter) would require a chamber over 4 meters (12′) tall and 2.2 meters (7′) in diameter, heated to 800° C. and containing 10 atmospheres (140 p.s.i.) of pressure for 40 days! Unless large and inexpensive hyperbaric reactor vessels become available, closed reactor HVPE is not going to be an economical or practical solution.
[0022] It has been assumed that nitrogen gas (N 2 ) is generated within a closed or open GaN HVPE reactor, though in smaller volumes than H 2 . Several potential NH 3 and N 2 producing reactions have been proposed in the literature, including the following:
[0000] GaN (solid) +HCl (gas) →GaCl (gas) +½H 2 (gas) +½N 2 (gas) Eq. 3
[0000] 2NH 3 (gas) →N 2 (gas) +3H 2 (gas) Eq. 4
[0000] 2GaN (solid) +3H 2 (gas) →Ga (liquid) +2NH 3 (gas) Eq. 5
[0000] GaN (solid) +HCl (gas) +H 2 (gas) →GaCl (gas) +NH 3 (gas) Eq. 6
[0023] Han sees no parasitic GaN growth in the hotter (lower) part of his reactor, asserting that the reaction described in Eq. 3, above, dominates at higher temperatures, and prevents it.
[0024] Han's assertion is not well-supported by the reports of others, however, and he does not report measuring any N 2 in his reactor. In fact, no reports of N 2 generation in actual GaN HVPE environments have been found. This inconsistency may lie in the assumption that reactions such as those described in Eq. 3, 4, and 5, though valid as stand-alone reactions, are unaffected by the presence of other HVPE gases. For instance, M. A. Mastro et al. [J. Crystal Growth 274 (2005)] confirmed that HCl alone (Eq. 3) would etch a GaN sample, and M. Furtado and G. Jacob [J. Crystal Growth 64 (1983)] showed that a mixture of HCl+H 2 (Eq. 6) will even more aggressively etch a GaN sample, but A. Trassoudaine et al. [J. Crystal Growth 260 (2004)] showed that the etching of GaN by HCl alone (Eq. 3) did not occur in an HVPE environment where NH 3 was present.
[0025] On the contrary, Trassoudaine shows that additional HCl could enhance epitaxial GaN growth rates on the (001) plane while reducing parasitic GaN growth on reactor walls in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,725 B2, issued Oct. 14, 2003. The enhanced (001) growth was attributed by Trassoudaine to a de-chlorination mechanism, while the reduction in parasitic GaN growth with excess HCl may have more to do with the exposure of highly reactive non-(001) GaN crystal planes exposed in polycrystalline GaN (i.e., parasitic deposits) growing on non-epitaxial reactor walls. This theory is supported by Mastro, who reports variations in GaN crystal plane reactivity, especially in the presence of HCl. Furthermore, Furtado's work indicates that the reduction of parasitic GaN growth is most correctly explained by HCl+H 2 , not HCl alone, and results in the production of GaCl+NH 3 , as in Eq. 6, which is just the reverse of Eq. 1. Thus, the production of N 2 in a GaN HVPE environment is undetected and unlikely, and the only significant non-recyclable gas byproduct of GaN HVPE is H 2 .
[0026] Han's closed reactor reportedly grows a very high quality, low defect GaN ingot without flowing precursors, and infers that this is due to the use of GaN substrates. Han claims a convection flow driven by the temperature difference between the lower and upper portions of his reactor, the lower portion being hot enough to suppress parasitic nucleation and the upper portion maintained 100° C. to 200° C. cooler. This infers that GaN growth will occur at the substrate and on all surfaces within the upper, cooler portion. Although he claims that the gases within his reactor circulate in a torroidal flow patter, this circulation may be insignificant: the reactions (Eq. 1) at the cooler top of his reactor increase the buoyancy of the local gas mixture (by replacing NH 3 and GaCl with HCl and H 2 ), even as cooling is reducing it.
[0027] Because Han orients the growth surface downward in his closed reactor, he fails to capture the benefit of uniform growth conditions illustrated in FIG. 1B . Instead, the buoyant reaction products must flow laterally across the surface, perhaps even generating a flow-induced boundary layer and building up HCl and H 2 toward the periphery.
[0028] What is needed is 1) an HVPE reactor that can eliminate the non-uniform effect of a flow-induced boundary layer so that large III-V crystals can be grown, and 2) a way to conserve and recycle precursor gases within the HVPE reactor and grow large ingots without requiring large, expensive reactors.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0029] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(a) to provide an HVPE crystal growth environment that is free of flow-induced boundary layer formation; (b) to provide a mechanism for the selective removal of H 2 from the HVPE growth reactor without the removal of metal-containing precursor gases or interruption of the growth process; (c) to provide a III-nitride HVPE reactor and method capable of growing large low stress ingots from which large wafer substrates with low defects and internal strain can be fabricated; (d) to provide a III-nitride HVPE crystal growth reactor and method that advantageously uses less energy to operate than the prior art by flowing less heated gas out of the reactor; (e) to provide a III-nitride HVPE crystal growth reactor with little or no dangerous ammonia or chloride exhaust emissions, so that it requires little or no special waste disposal effort and may be more easily permitted for use;
[0035] A further object is to provide large high-quality GaN wafer substrates to the makers of HB-LEDs so that the performance of these important light sources may be greatly improved, their cost greatly reduced, and their advantageous adoption for general illumination enabled. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from the consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY
[0036] The present disclosure describes a membrane-assisted semi-closed HVPE reactor and method of use that provides sustained and efficient steady-state crystal growth without a flow-induced boundary layer. A uniformly turbulent boundary layer is instead generated by chemical concentration gradients and buoyancy-induced updrafts and downdrafts. A selectively permeable membrane provides part of the reactor enclosure, and the internal pressure, temperature, and gas composition may be maintained at steady average values throughout extended periods of crystal growth because of the selective removal of hydrogen gas through the permeable membrane.
DRAWINGS
Figures
[0037] FIG. 1A is a representation of the gas stream profile of horizontal gas flow across a substrate.
[0038] FIG. 1B depicts the turbulent micro-plume gas updrafts and downdrafts generated by changes in gas buoyancy at the growth surface in a flow-free environment.
[0039] FIG. 2 schematically represents a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0040]
[0000]
DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS
04
GaN Crystal Ingot
10
Reactor Volume
12
Membrane
13
Membrane Support
14
Base
16
Pedestal
18
Substrate
20
Edge Clamp
22
Heater
24
Hole
26
Crucible
28
Port
30
Exhaust Valve
32
Foreline Valve
34
Gas Entry Port
36
Gas Entry Port
38
Collar
40
Quartz Bell Jar
42
Gap
44
Sweep Gas Port
46
Valve
48
Exit Pathway
50
Heat Lamp
52
Lamp Support
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Preferred Embodiment—FIG. 2
[0041] A preferred embodiment of the membrane-assisted semi-closed (MASC) reactor of the present invention is schematically illustrated in the cross-sectional side view of FIG. 2 . The reactor volume 10 is enclosed by a hydrogen-permeable membrane 12 and a base 14 . The membrane 12 is selectively permeable to hydrogen gas and forms the walls and ceiling of the volume 10 , while the base 14 forms the floor. The base 14 may be made of quartz, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, or other suitable ceramic. The membrane is attached to or formed or deposited onto a porous membrane support 13 that is permeable to all gases, not prone to react with the membrane 12 under normal operating conditions, and thick enough to structurally support the membrane 12 .
[0042] The membrane support 13 may be made of a porous ceramic from the group that includes aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and any other suitable ceramics that can be formed as porous structural shapes. The membrane support 13 may also be made of a porous metal suitable for high temperature use from the group that includes porous stainless steel, porous titanium, porous palladium, or an alloy. A suitable barrier film may be applied to the support and the walls of its pores and channels to separate the support 13 from the membrane 12 . Suitable barrier films may be applied to the support 13 by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using precursors and techniques familiar to those practiced in the art. Barrier films include coatings from the group that includes titanium nitride and tungsten nitride, or a cermet coating from the group that includes palladium aluminum oxide and palladium zirconium oxide, or a proton conductive ceramic from the group that includes barium titanium oxide, strontium cerium oxide, barium zirconium oxide, and their yttrium-doped variations.
[0043] At this time, I prefer a high-fired aluminum oxide porous ceramic material available from Soilmoisture Equipment Corporation, of Goleta CA for use as a membrane support 13 . The ceramic variety that I presently prefer, called “BO1M3” has porosity of about 45% by volume, with an average pore size of 2.5 microns, and is available in standard shapes. Although FIG. 2 shows a preferred domed membrane support 13 , the reactor volume 10 may instead have separate walls and a ceiling, either of which or both may serve as the membrane support component. The membrane support may also be a tubular appendage to the reactor. In the range of conceivable reactor geometries, there is little limitation on the location or shape of the membrane support, as long as function is preserved. The preferred method for sealing the joint between the membrane support 13 and the base 14 in the preferred embodiment ( FIG. 2 ) is by palladium metal gasket. Other better gasket materials may become available and more easily used, such as palladium-gallium alloys.
[0044] The hydrogen-permeable membrane 12 may be constructed in a number of ways. At this time, I most prefer that it is made from a high-temperature proton conducting (HTPC) ceramic. The preferred HTPC material can be deposited as a continuous film onto the membrane support 13 using a sol-gel synthesis technique, which will be described.
[0045] Although there are several candidate HTPC materials that may be formed into membranes by the sol-gel technique, at this time I most prefer yttrium-doped barium zirconium-oxide. This HTPC material has the chemical formulation BaZr 0.8 Y 0.2 O 3-δ , and is referred to as “BZY.”
[0046] The BZY coating solution is made by mixing the correct proportions of barium, zirconium, and yttrium (i.e., Ba:Zr:Y in the ratio 5:4:1), using their commercially-available metal nitrates. These can be purchased from Alfa Aesar, a Johnson Matthey company. Citric acid is used as a chelating agent, and added to the metal nitrate mixture to achieve a molar ratio of 2:1 between citric acid and the total number of metal atoms (Ba+Zr+Y). This mixture is dissolved in slightly more than enough ethylene glycol to produce a transparent solution. The solution is heated to 150° C. and stirred until it becomes slightly viscous. This “sol-gel” solution is applied to one side of the membrane support 13 and allowed to air dry for 24 hours.
[0047] Application of the sol-gel to the membrane support 13 is effectively accomplished by mounting the support 13 so that it forms one wall of a vacuum chamber, with the side to be coated facing away from the vacuum. This allows a pressure difference to pull the sol-gel partly into the porous membrane support 13 . The dry coating and support 13 are then heated slowly to between 1200° C. and 1400° C. in an atmosphere of air or nitrogen with 10% oxygen, and held at temperature for more than 5 hours to form a single-phase BZY coating. This process may be repeated until a continuous BZY film, with no pin holes, is formed on the support 13 .
[0048] This technique of sol-gel synthesis can be used with virtually any of the HTPC materials now known, with only small variations to the process. It can also be used to deposit cermets, such as palladium-alumina and palladium-zirconia which have shown great promise as selective hydrogen-permeable materials [“DENSE CERAMIC MEMBRANES FOR HYDROGEN SEPARATION,” U. Balachandran, et al., Proceedings of the 16 th Annual Conference on Fossil Energy Materials , Baltimore, Apr. 22-24, 2002].
[0049] Many varieties of HTPC membrane 12 material may be made more robust, though less permeable to H 2 , by the application of a thin, but continuous, silicon dioxide “cap” layer, This cap layer may be only a few tens of angstroms thick, and is most easily applied using conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques and the decomposition of a single precursor gas, tetraethyl orthosilicate, or “TEOS.” This process is familiar to anyone practiced in the art.
[0050] The hydrogen-permeable membrane 12 may also be formed from palladium (Pd) or a Pd alloy. Because of its delicacy and expense, the Pd membrane is not preferred over the dense HTPC ceramic. It requires very careful programming of the initiation sequence to prevent poisoning or embrittlement of the Pd, but if done carefully, provides an excellent and highly permeable hydrogen-specific membrane. In the case of the foil or film of the hydrogen-permeable metal Pd, an alloy of Pd involving silver (Ag) or other metal may work as well or better. A Pd membrane 12 may be applied to the porous membrane support 13 by CVD, electroless plating, evaporation, sputtering, or combinations of these techniques, which are well-known and familiar to those practiced in the art.
[0051] The base 14 has formed into it a central pedestal 16 onto which a substrate 18 is held by edge clamps 20 . Thermal contact between the substrate 18 and the pedestal 16 may be enhanced by machining the pedestal surface to be slightly convex, thus forcing the substrate to make firm contact over the entire contact area when the substrate edges are forced down by the edge clamp 20 . The substrate 18 may be most preferably a single-crystal GaN wafer, but may also be a silicon-carbide (SiC) or sapphire wafer. A SiC or sapphire substrate 18 may preferably be improved by applying a sputtered aluminum nitride (AlN) film onto it prior to use.
[0052] A GaN crystal ingot 04 grows on the substrate 18 . A heater 22 delivers heat to the base 14 , pedestal 16 , the substrate 18 , and the ingot 04 . A central hole 24 in the base 14 , behind the substrate 18 provides optical and physical access to the back of the substrate 18 . This allows the substrate's temperature to be directly measured by optical pyrometry or a thermocouple, for instance.
[0053] A crucible 26 for holding a Group III metal is proximal to the pedestal 16 , in the exemplary embodiment holding liquid gallium metal. The crucible 26 is preferably made from quartz and forms an annular trough surrounding the pedestal 16 and substrate 18 .
[0054] A pressure control port 28 provides a gas conducting pathway to an exhaust valve 30 , which may be in the form of an automatic pressure-relief valve that preferably allows gas to escape from the reactor volume 10 if the internal pressure exceeds a chosen value between 1 and 10 atm, more preferably between 1 and 5 atm, but most preferably between 1 and 2 atm. The pressure control port 28 is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump (not shown) through foreline valve 32 , so that the reactor volume 10 may be evacuated and “degassed” prior to operation.
[0055] A valved gas entry port 34 for regulated flow of halides, hydrogen, and inert gases is in fluid communication with the reactor volume 10 through the pressure control port 28 . A hydride gas entry port 36 is provided in the base 14 for regulated flow of a hydride gas, such as NH 3 , into the reactor volume 10 . Hydride, halide and inert gas flow flow may be regulated by mass flow controllers.
[0056] The base 14 is supported and surrounded around its periphery by a collar 38 that also supports a clear quartz bell jar 40 that generally surrounds the membrane 12 . A gap 42 separates the membrane 12 and the quartz bell jar 40 . A sweep gas port 44 is provided in the collar 38 , through which a regulated flow of sweep gas may enter the gap 42 and bathe the permeate side of the membrane 12 . Sweep gas may be clean dry air, but is preferably an inert gas such as N 2 , mixed with some O 2 . The O 2 in the sweep gas permeates the membrane support and reacts with the H 2 emerging from the permeate side of the membrane 12 . This reaction forms H 2 O. In addition, the O 2 reacts with any free metal (i.e., aluminum) at the interface between the membrane 12 and the membrane support 13 to reform a metal oxide. The O 2 content in the sweep gas may preferably be less than 5% or greater than 20%, but more preferably the O 2 content in the sweep gas is between 5% and 20%. A sweep gas shutoff valve 46 is provided to shut the flow of sweep gas into the gap 42 , as needed.
[0057] An opening 48 at the top of the clear quartz bell jar provides an exit pathway for sweep gas, gases that permeate the membrane 12 , and any gases produced by reactions between these. The exit pathway 48 may be contiguously enclosed by a pathway that leads to an external exhaust, vacuum pump, and/or means for gas processing (not shown). The exit pathway 48 also provides optical and physical access to the membrane support 13 by optical pyrometry or a thermocouple, or other temperature measurement means (not shown).
[0058] A radiant heating system is provided to maintain the membrane 12 at an appropriate operating temperature. The radiant heating system may be comprised of heat lamps 50 illuminating the membrane support 13 with radiant energy through the clear quartz bell jar 40 . A lamp support 52 that holds the heat lamps 50 in position to effect uniform heating of the membrane 12 and membrane support 13 may have an inner surface formed, coated, and/or polished in such a way that it reflects infrared (IR) radiation through the clear quartz bell jar 40 toward the membrane 12 , thereby improving the efficiency and uniformity of the radiant heating system. Room temperature air may circulate through the lamp support to maintain it and the quartz bell jar 40 at a temperature cooler enough to allow the use of elastomer seals, i.e., below about 250° C.
Operation
Preferred Embodiment—FIG. 2
[0059] The membrane assisted semi-closed (MASC) HVPE reactor in FIG. 2 may be operated according to the following procedure. First, the base 14 and collar 38 are sealed to one another using a high-temperature ceramic cement, such as are available commercially. The substrate 18 is secured to the pedestal 16 using an edge clamp 20 . The crucible 26 is then filled with liquid gallium metal and placed on the base 14 . The membrane support 13 with membrane 12 is put in place as shown in FIG. 2 , and a seal is made between the base 14 and the membrane support 13 using, for instance, a Pd metal gasket.
[0060] The foreline valve 32 is now opened, providing fluid communication between the reactor volume 10 and a vacuum pump, and the air and gases within volume 10 are removed. A leak check is performed to insure that a) the reactor volume 10 is sealed, and b) gases other than H 2 cannot permeate the membrane 12 .
[0061] The clear quartz bell jar 40 is put in place as shown in FIG. 2 , and a seal is made between the collar 38 and the clear quartz bell jar 40 using, for instance, an o-ring made of a suitable high-temperature elastomer, such as commercially-available under the trade name Chemraz 653 . The heat lamp support 52 with its heat lamps 50 is put in place surrounding the clear quartz bell jar, as shown in FIG. 2 . The lamps 50 and the base heater 22 are turned on and the temperature of the substrate 18 and the membrane support 13 are ramped to appropriate operating temperatures.
[0062] The membrane support 13 is heated to a temperature between 850° C. and 1000° C. The substrate 18 is heated to a temperature between 600° C. and 750° C. Most preferably, the membrane support 13 is heated to 900° C. and the substrate 18 to 700° C.
[0063] Flowing sweep gas comprising 90% N 2 and 10% O 2 is introduced into the gap 42 between the membrane support 13 and the clear quartz bell jar 40 . This flow is adjusted to approximately 5× whatever the operating NH 3 flow is, to adequately balance H 2 output.
[0064] HCl and NH 3 are introduced into the previously evacuated reactor volume 10 through ports 28 and 36 . HCl reacts with the gallium (Ga) in the crucible 26 , forming GaCl precursor gas, and thereafter GaN, HCl and H 2 are generated according to Eq. 1. Only a small amount of HCl is needed to sustain the reaction, since it is recycled, so the flow of HCl is shut off after a volume roughly equal to about 20% of the reactor's volume 10 capacity has been introduced.
[0065] A preferred pressure value is reached as NH 3 continues to flow into the reactor volume 10 . This preferred value is between 0.1 atmosphere (1.4 p.s.i.) and 5 atmospheres (70 p.s.i), more preferably between 0.2 and 2 atmosphere, and most preferably between 0.5 and 1 atmosphere. Once the setpoint pressure value is reached, the NH 3 flow is used to maintain it, for instance using output from a pressure gauge or pressure sensor as feedback to PID microprocessor control of the NH 3 mass flow controller.
[0066] As GaN is generated, NH 3 is consumed and H 2 is produced. As the partial pressure of H 2 rises, it begins to permeate through the membrane 12 and react with O 2 in the sweep gas within the pores of the substrate support 13 . Depending on the thickness of the membrane 12 , it may be expected to pass H 2 at a rate between 0.25 and 10 standard cubic centimeters per minute (SCCM) per square centimeter of membrane area. This translates into a capacity of 0.62 to over 25 liters per minute for a hemispherical membrane with a radius of 20 centimeters. A 150 mm (6″) GaN ingot grown at a rate of 50 microns per hour at 25% efficiency will produce about 150 SCCM of H 2 . Even at 0.25 SCCM per square centimeter, the membrane would be adequate up to a growth rate of 200 microns per hour.
[0067] This reaction between H 2 and O 2 generates heat within the porous substrate support 13 , and thereby reduces the power required by the lamps 50 to maintain the membrane support 13 at the desired operating temperature. This reaction of H 2 increases its concentration gradient between the volume 10 side and the gap 42 side of the membrane 12 , which is what drives the H 2 diffusion. The H 2 O generated in this reaction is entrained in the sweep gas flow and exits to a flume, or scrubber, or vacuum pump through the exit pathway 48 .
[0068] The generation of GaN, and the growth of a GaN ingot 04 , may proceed until all of the Ga in the crucible 26 is consumed. At this point, the reaction described in Eq. 2 stops and the GaN growth reaction described in Eq. 1 is starved of GaCl, so it stops too. This stops the consumption of NH 3 , and so the reactor volume 10 pressure can only be maintained by shutting off NH 3 flow.
[0069] Once NH 3 flow is stopped by the PID controller using pressure feedback, the GaN growth process is finished. If additional Ga metal is added to the crucible 26 , preferably without stopping the growth process, then the GaN growth process may be extended.
[0070] When the GaN growth process stops, the ingot 04 , membrane support 13 , and base 14 may be allowed to cool slowly, preferably at about 1-3° C. per minute. For larger ingots, slower cooling is preferred to avoid thermal shock and fracturing. When the system reaches a reasonable handling temperature, it may be opened to retrieve the ingot 01 and any GaN parasitic growth. The process may be turned around and started once again with a new substrate 18 very quickly.
[0071] The MASC HVPE reactor described here may grow GaN ingots 150 mm (6″) in diameter and 2 cm thick within a reactor volume 10 roughly 40 cm (16″) wide and 20 cm (8″) tall. A closed reactor operating at 10 ATM would require a reactor volume roughly 140 cm (55″) wide and 140 cm (55″) tall, would have almost 25 times the heated inner surface area, and much more expensive construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Alternative Embodiments
[0072] Pd membranes are extensively used for hydrogen separation in the petrochemical industry. The following are a few arguments against the use of a Pd membrane in HVPE, and the counter-arguments for its potential feasibility.
[0073] First, the manufacturers of Pd membranes (Johnson-Matthey, for example) caution against their use at temperatures higher than about 500° C., to avoid reactions between the Pd and the underlying support material. They also caution against their use in environments that contain chlorine, since the Pd membrane may be ruined by the formation of palladium chloride (PdCl 2 ). HVPE reactors typically run at temperatures as high as 1050° C., and contain chlorides.
[0074] The Pd:Cl phase diagram [Bell, W. E., Merten, U., Tagami, M.: J. Phys. Chem. 65 (1961) 510] indicates that PdCl 2 is readily formed at the reactor temperatures common in the petrochemical industry, i.e., 300-500° C. It also indicates that this compound is known to begin decomposing into Pd and Cl 2 at 738° C., and at temperatures above 980° C. there exists only Pd metal and Cl 2 gas. Thus, a Pd membrane that is exposed to chlorine only at temperatures higher than 738° C. would not react with it.
[0075] The presence of HCl in the reactor may also be considered, but HCl ceases to be adsorbed on Pd surfaces at temperatures higher than about 300° C. [Hunka, D. E., Herman, D. C., Lopez, L. I., Lormand, K. D., and Land, D. P., J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 4973-4978]. Despite the affinity of hydrogen for Pd, the sticking coefficient of HCl is reportedly close to zero above 300° C.
[0076] Gallium is soluble in Pd, but only GaCl would come into contact with Pd within the HVPE reactor. Any reactions would require an initial Pd—GaCl adsorption bond to form, and that would be similar to the formation of Pd—HCl or Pd—ClH, or even Pd—ClGa, none of which can apparently occur at the temperatures of interest.
[0077] Another problematic scenario to consider is GaN whisker growth from the Pd surface, as was seen by Nam and coworkers [Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 1058, (2008) Paper #1058-JJ04-03]. In that report, a gallium oxide precursor, Ga 2 O 3 , is reduced to Ga 2 O+O 2 by heating. Ga 2 O was adsorbed on an AuPd alloy surface, where H 2 was able to react with it, resulting in the following:
[0000] Ga 2 O (gas) +H 2 (gas) +(AuPd) alloy →H 2 O (gas) +(GaAuPd) alloy Eq. 9
[0078] Since there is no Ga 2 O in a normal HVPE environment, the analog of this reaction involving GaCl would require free H or Cl (vs. H 2 or Cl 2 ) in the vicinity of the surface, and only the former is a possibility, considering that the diffusion mechanism for H 2 through Pd splits H 2 into 2H + +2e − . If a free H atom diffuses out of the Pd surface at a point coincident with an adsorbed Cl—Ga molecule, one might consider the following possibility:
[0000] GaCl (gas) +(HPd) alloy →HCl (gas) +(GaPd) alloy Eq. 10
[0079] But this requires free atomic hydrogen to be available for reaction at the Pd surface. Since the diffusion of hydrogen through Pd is driven by the concentration gradient across the thickness of the Pd membrane, this is unlikely. In other words, if hydrogen recombination at the permeate side drives hydrogen adsorption and dissociation at the retentate side, the only available surface monatomic hydrogen is on the permeate side. On the retentate side of the Pd membrane, where GaCl exists, there is only diatomic hydrogen (H 2 ).
[0080] Another potential issue to consider with a Pd membrane is the production of highly reactive H 2 at the permeate side of the Pd membrane, and how this may affect the porous Al 2 O 3 support. At temperatures above about 600° C., the highly active hydrogen is reported to reduce the Al 2 O 3 support material at the Pd—Al 2 O 3 interface and leave Al atoms free to migrate into and poison the Pd membrane [Okazaki et al., Journal of Membrane Science 366 (2011) 212-219]. This issue is avoided altogether by introducing O 2 into the sweep gas on the permeate side of the porous membrane support. The O 2 gas not only reacts with the free atomic hydrogen to form H 2 O, it also oxidizes any free Al atoms, pinning them and limiting their diffusion and reversing the effect of Al 2 O 3 reduction. The heat generated by this exothermic reaction also helps reduce the required external heat input, and eliminates the dangerous buildup of hydrogen gas in the reactor exhaust.
[0081] Thus it is feasible to use Pd as the membrane 12 in a MASC HVPE reactor. The Pd membrane 12 preferably has a thickness between 0.1 μm and 25 μm, more preferably between 0.5 μm and 10 μm, most preferably between 1 μm and 5 μm.
[0082] In the range of membrane hydrogen selectivities, from complete (100%) to zero, there exists a spectrum in which all the gases may escape in a ratio to one another. For instance, a porous membrane may allow H 2 to permeate at several times the volume rate of a heavier gas. Even such partial selectivity would provide an advantage by reducing the loss of GaCl and maintaining H 2 partial pressure at reasonable levels. It is therefore not the intent of this disclosure to confine the invention to preferable cases of 100% hydrogen selectivity, but to include all cases that provide the advantages of selectively removing H 2 and reducing precursor loss through the use of an H 2 -selective exhaust.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0083] Accordingly, the reader will see that I have provided a method for performing HVPE growth that greatly reduces reactor size and cost, and reduces wasted materials relative to the prior art. Furthermore, according to the present invention, I have provided a technique that simplifies control of the thermodynamic and chemical reaction uniformity across a substrate during crystal growth, thus making scaling and the use of larger diameter substrates possible with a reduced risk of cracking. Also, according to the present invention, I have provided an HVPE crystal growth method and apparatus with the potential of greatly reducing power consumption costs and eliminating waste disposal costs compared to conventional prior art techniques.
[0084] While the above description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the invention.
[0000] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.
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A method and apparatus for depositing III-V material is provided. The apparatus includes a reactor partially enclosed by a selectively permeable membrane 12 . A means is provided for generating source vapors, such as a vapor-phase halide of a group III element (IUPAC group 13) within the reactor volume 10 , and an additional means is also provided for introducing a vapor-phase hydride of a group V element (IUPAC group 15) into the volume 10 . The reaction of the group III halide and the group V hydride on a temperature-controlled substrate 18 within the reactor volume 10 produces crystalline III-V material and hydrogen gas. The hydrogen is preferentially removed from the reactor through the selectively permeable membrane 12 , thus avoiding pressure buildup and reaction imbalance. Other gases within the reactor are unable to pass through the selectively permeable membrane.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a lug cart and support table assembly for use with food processing equipment and, more particularly, a lug cart and support table assembly for supporting one or more food product breading machines, a lug cart assembly adapted for releasably docking to the support table assembly wherein the lug cart assembly includes a latching system for releasably locking the lug cart assembly from a selected one of a front and rear side of the support table assembly.
BACKGROUND
Food product breading machines are widely used in restaurants and food processing industry to coat food items such as chicken tenders, fish filets, onion rings, etc., with breading and/or batter prior to frying or baking the items. An example of a food product breading machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,170, issued on Jun. 12, 2001 to Whited. The '170 patent is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The '170 patent discloses a breading/battering machine that provides a battering unit disposed vertically above breading unit. The product follows a generally horizontal C-shaped path. The raw product is input at a first end of the machine and moves generally horizontally through the upper battering unit toward an opposite, second or back end of the machine. After completion of battering the product is conveyed downwardly to the breading unit. The product moves generally horizontally through the breading unit back toward the first end where the finished product is discharged from the machine.
Another food product breading machine is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/235,299, filed Sep. 26, 2005 to Muniga, Whited & Bettcher. The '299 application is also assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The '299 application discloses a high volume breading/battering machine having two parallel breading/battering units driven by a drive unit positioned between the two units.
Generally, breading machines are placed on a flat support table. The finished products are discharged into a breading lug, commonly referred to in the industry as a lug or bus tub, positioned near a product discharge or first end of the breading machine. Depending on the food item being processed, a perforated metal basket may be supported within the lug with the finished product being discharged into the basket. This may be done, for example, so that excess breading or grease may drip off the finished product falling through openings in the basket into the lug as the finished product sits in the basket.
Typically, the lug is placed in a lug cart which can be wheeled from the breading machine when the lug is full or sufficient finished product has been produced by the breading machine. Additionally, at periodic intervals, the breading machine must be cleaned which involves cleaning out the breading in a breading reservoir of the breading unit. Typically, access to the breading reservoir is from a second or back end of the breading machine. Again, a lug placed in a lug cart is used to catch the breading during the cleaning operation.
The support table poses a number of difficulties. The table must be sturdy enough to support the significant weight of the breading machine. In breading machines used in restaurants, space is typically very limited and the breading machine will be placed with the second or back end against a wall. When cleaning the machine, the support table (with the breading machine positioned on the table) must be pulled away from the wall to access the back end of the machine. Pulling a table across the floor stresses the legs of the table.
Utilizing the lug carts is also problematic. The lug carts are often top heavy and pose a tipping hazard. Because the carts are wheeled, they also tend to move easily when bumped or jostled or simply from vibration of the breading machine. If the cart moves with respect to the support table, finished product can miss the lug and fall onto the floor, thereby increasing waste and posing a slipping hazard. Further, when a lug is full, an employee has to bend over and remove the lug from the cart. This exposes the employee to back strain from lifting a heavy lug from the low height of the cart. Finally, lug carts do not provide a surface surrounding the lugs to direct material into the lug. This is especially problematic with respect to cleaning out the breading from the breading machine. Because the support table is generally wider than the lug and the lug cart, breading often spills from the machine and table over the sides of the lug and the lug cart resulting in breading falling on the floor and causing an unsanitary work area. Employees sometimes improvise with a sheet pan propped against the back end of the breading machine to direct the breading from the machine to the lug, which requires additional work and slows the cleaning process. Additionally, the sheet pan then also has to be cleaned and stored.
SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a lug cart and support table assembly for a food product breading machine. In one aspect, the present invention concerns a support table having an upper support surface for supporting a breading machine; a lug cart supporting a tub-shaped lug; and a latching system affixed to the lug cart to removably attach the lug cart to a selected one of a front side and a rear side of the support table; in a first position of the lug cart, the lug cart being removably attached by the latching system to a pair of front legs of the support table and, in the second position of the lug cart, the lug cart being removably attached by the latching system to a pair of rear legs of the support table.
In one exemplary embodiment, the latching system includes a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly affixed to an end of the lug cart in spaced apart relation, each of the first and second latch assemblies includes a support body, a pivoting arm coupled to the support body and pivoting in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis between a locking position and a release position, the pivoting arm including first and second openings and an arcuate engagement face to engage a portion of a respective leg of the support table in a locking position, and a locking pin extending through the support body and including a distal end extending beyond the support body and received into a selected one of the first and second openings, the locking pin distal end being received into the first opening of the pivoting arm in the locking position, the locking pin distal end pin distal end being received into the second opening of the pivoting arm in the release position.
In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second latch assemblies are in a locking position, for each of the first and second latch assemblies, an arc, facing in a direction of the support body, defined by a first point of contact between the lug cart and a respective leg of the support table and a second point of contact between the pivoting arm and the respective leg being less than 180 degrees such that if one of the first and second latch assemblies is in the locking position and the other of the first and second latch assemblies is in the release position, the lug cart may detached and moved away from the support table.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the exemplary embodiment of the invention are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise described throughout the drawings and in which:
FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a breading system including a lug cart assembly attached to a support table for supporting a food product breading machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1 b is a second perspective view of a breading system of FIG. 1 a , including a lug cart assembly attached to a support table for supporting a food product breading machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a magnified perspective view of latching arm assembly of a latching system of the lug cart assembly secured to a leg of the support table assembly of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the lug cart assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure having a latching system comprising first and second latching arm assemblies secured to legs of a support table assembly of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b;
FIG. 4 is a partial-top plan view of one latching arm assembly of the lug cart of FIG. 3 in an unsecured position;
FIG. 5 is a partial-front elevation view of one latching arm assembly of the lug cart of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 6 is a partial-side elevation view of one latching arm assembly of the lug cart of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 7 is a sectional-front elevation view of one latching arm assembly of the lug cart of FIG. 3 ; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lug cart assembly constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure adapted to support a sifter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a lug cart and support table assembly for use with food processing equipment and, more particularly, a support table assembly for supporting one or more breading machines and a lug cart assembly adapted for releasably docking to a selected one of a front side and a rear side of the support table assembly.
When the lug cart assembly is docked or locked to the front side of the support table assembly, the lug cart assembly is positioned to receive finished breaded products from a product discharge of first end or ends of the one or more breading machines. When the lug cart assembly is docked or locked to the rear or back side of the support table assembly, the lug cart assembly is positioned to receive used breading discharge from a breading reservoir of the one or more breading machines during a cleaning operation. The discharge from the breading reservoir is from a back end of the breading machine opposite the product discharge end. Convenient docking and undocking of the lug cart assembly from either the front or rear sides of the support table assembly is advantageously provided by a latching system of the lug cart assembly.
Lug Cart Assembly
Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , a breading system 10 comprising the lug cart and support table assembly 11 of the present invention is shown. The lug cart and support table assembly 11 includes the support table assembly 12 and the lug cart assembly 14 . The lug cart assembly 14 includes the latching assembly 15 to releasably attach the lug cart assembly 14 to the support table assembly 12 . The support table assembly 12 is adapted to support one or more food product breading machines 100 a , 100 b . While the lug cart assembly 14 is described as being used with a food product breading machine, the lug cart assembly can be used with any food processing equipment without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
Support Table Assembly
The support table 12 comprises a support or mounting surface 16 for supporting the breading machines 100 a , 100 b , along with a plurality of flanges 18 for securing sheet pans (not shown) to the mounting surface 16 .
Extending downward from the underside of the support table 12 , and more specifically, mounting surface 16 are pair of first legs 20 and second pair of legs 22 . In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , the support table assembly 12 is adapted for movement by the attachment of a caster 24 to each of the pair of legs 20 , 22 , respectively. The casters 24 can be any combination of locking, unlocking, swivel, or non-swivel as best suited for the environment and/or application.
In an alternative embodiment, the support table assembly 12 is stationary such that the legs 20 , 22 extend to the ground without casters 24 . The support table assembly 12 in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b further comprises a shelf 26 for storing various containers just below the mounting surface 16 . The shelf 26 is fixedly attached to first and second pairs of legs 20 , 22 , providing support and stability to the support table assembly 12 .
The lug cart assembly 14 includes an operating surface 28 that in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b comprises first and second openings 30 and 32 , respectively. Installed within the first and second opening 30 , 32 , are support lugs 34 a , 34 b , sometimes referred to as breading lugs or bus tubs and are tub-shaped containers, normally fabricated of high impact plastic that receive finished products from the food processing equipment, and in the illustrated embodiment from a food product breading machine. The support lugs 34 a , 34 b are aligned with a corresponding conveyor of the breading machine 100 a , 100 b that transport the finished products such that the products are received in the respective lugs without contacting the edge of the support table 12 .
Extending downward from the underside of lug cart assembly 14 , and more specifically, the operating surface 28 are pair of first legs 36 and pair of second legs 38 . In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , the lug cart assembly 14 is adapted for movement by the attachment of a caster 40 to each of the pair of legs 36 , 38 , respectively. The casters 40 can be any combination of locking, unlocking, swivel, or non-swivel as best suited for the environment and/or application. Adding support and stability to the lug cart assembly 14 legs are longitudinal braces 42 that connect pair of first legs 36 to the second pair of legs 38 . Support and stability is further added by a lateral brace 44 that provides a connection between the pair of second legs 38 , as best seen in FIG. 1 a.
Latching Arm Assembly
Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a magnified perspective view of one latching arm assembly 46 of a latching system 48 comprising a pair of latching arm assemblies fixedly attached to the lug cart assembly 14 , as better seen in the plan view of FIG. 3 . The plan view of FIG. 3 further shows latching assemblies 46 , forming a mirror image of each other in a secured docked position around first pair of legs 20 of the support table 12 . The mirror image construction of spaced latching assemblies 46 facilitates a one-step release process, further discussed below in more detail. While the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 depicts the latching system 48 being attached to the pair of first legs 20 of the support table 12 , the latching assembly 48 is equally capable of attaching the lug cart assembly 14 to the pair of second legs 22 of the support table.
The latching assemblies 46 each include an arcuate pivoting arm 50 rotatably connected and horizontally extending from a support body 52 . The support body 52 includes a pivot opening 54 and a pivot pin 56 which extends into a pivot aperture 60 located in the arcuate pivoting arm 50 about which the arm rotates to latched or secured positions illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 - 6 to an unlatched or unsecured position illustrated in FIG. 4 . The rotation of the arcuate pivoting arm 50 is further facilitated by bushings 62 , 64 , located in the arm 50 and support body 52 , respectively. The support body 52 is secured to the lug cart 14 by a plurality of welded connections (“W”) (see FIG. 6 ) to the underside 53 and front 55 of operating surface 28 , but could also be secured by any known attachment process, including for example, conventional threaded fasteners.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 , the pivoting pin 56 is a threaded fastener such as a shoulder bolt, but could equally be any other type of known pivoting connection, including for example, a dowel pin, and the like. The arcuate pivoting arm 50 further comprises locating apertures 66 that assist in holding the pivoting arm 50 in position when rotating is not desired by the passing of a locking pin 68 through the locating apertures 66 . The locking pin 68 is held into position by a threaded connection formed by a tapped opening 69 in the support body 52 . A locking nut 71 is advanced downward toward and onto the surface of the support body 52 on the locking pin 68 once the pin is oriented at its desired height. A first locating aperture 66 a is engaged by the locating pin 68 when the arcuate pivoting arm 50 is rotated to an unlatched or released position illustrated in FIG. 4 . A second locating aperture 66 b is engaged by the locking pin 68 when the arcuate pivoting arm 50 is rotated to a latched or secure position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 - 6 .
In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 , the locking pin 68 is a spring plunger pin, having a spring biased nose or engagement portion 70 at a distal end of the locking pin that is retractable by pulling a T-handle 72 at an end of the locking pin opposite the distal end. The nose 70 is normally biased by a spring (not shown) internal to the spring plunger locking pin 68 such that the nose is in contact with the arcuate pivoting arm 50 and passes through either of the locating apertures 66 a , 66 b , when aligned with the pin. The various positions of the locking pin 68 are best seen in FIG. 7 in which the pin is in a locking position (“L”), spring biased to pass through one of the locating apertures 66 b of the arcuate pivoting arm 50 for a latching condition and similarly is spring biased to pass through locating aperture 66 a of the arm for an unlatching condition. The locking pin 68 is further shown (in phantom) in an upward unlocking position (“U”) such that the arcuate pivoting arm 50 can freely rotate about pivoting pin 56 to latched and unlatched positions. The upward unlocking position (U) is achieved by the operator engaging the T-handle 72 and pulling the locking pin 68 upward when its desired to move the arcuate pivoting arm to a latched or unlatched position. The T-handle 72 is adapted to remain in the upward (U) position absent assistance by the user by rotating the T-handle 90 degrees and releasing it into a ridge 78 .
While any rigid plastic, polymers, or metals could be used for the construction and components of the lug cart assembly, the components in the illustrated embodiment are made from 300 and 400 series stainless steel to help resists corrosion during steam and pressure washing conditions. The spring plunger 68 is a known mechanical fastener available through, for example, MSC Industrial Supply of Melville, N.Y. under part number 62124391 made from 300 series stainless steel approximately two (2″) inches in overall length and having a three-eighths of an inch (⅜″) bolt diameter at 16 threads-per-inch, ⅜-16, and is available online at micdirect.com.
Docking and Undocking of the Lug Cart Assembly
In operation, the lug cart assembly 14 is advanced by a user for a latching connection with a support table 12 by the latching system 48 of the present disclosure. More specifically, first and second latching arm assemblies 46 for attaching to the pair of first legs 20 on a front side 74 of the support table 1 2 (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b ). Alternatively, the latching arm assemblies 46 can be spaced apart such that the latching arm assemblies 46 can attached to a rear side 76 of the support table 12 to the pair of second legs 22 . As the lug cart assembly 14 is advanced, the operating surface 28 assumes an unobstructed position beneath the underside 80 of the mounting surface 16 of the support table 12 (as best seen in FIG. 2 ) until the front side 55 of the cart 14 engages the first pair of legs 20 to form a first contact point (“A”). The arcuate pivoting arms 50 of both arm assemblies 46 are then rotated about their respective pivot pins 56 to form second respective contact points (“B”) between the inner arcs 82 of the arms. The latching pin 68 is then released to the locked position (L) such that the nose 70 extends through the locating aperture 66 b of the arcuate pivoting arm 50 , thereby completing the formation of a latched or docked position of the lug cart 14 with the support table 12 .
In yet another embodiment, the latching arm assemblies 46 are oversized such that the inner arc 82 or front side 55 of the lug cart 14 do not necessarily form simultaneous contact at point A and point B, but may engage only at one point A or B, or neither point. Instead the legs 20 or 22 are surrounded by the latching arm assemblies 46 prevent substantial movement from the support table 12 . Substantial movement includes any movement that would prevent the food products from falling into the lugs 34 a or 34 b.
The process for undocking or releasing the lug cart assembly 14 from the support table 12 can advantageously be achieved by unlocking only one of the two latching assemblies 46 . As such, the operator reduces the time and effort of walking to both ends of the lug cart assembly 14 . The current design of the latching assemblies 46 and in particular, the subtended construct of the inner arc 82 of the arcuate pivoting arm 50 (see FIG. 3 ) and the respective leg 20 or 22 of the support cart that form contact points (A) and (B) are less than 180 degrees, allowing only one of the two latching assemblies 46 to be released for the lug cart assembly 14 to move. This one-step release process is further facilitated by the face-to-face or mirror image of the latching arm assemblies 46 as depicted in FIG. 3 .
The process of obtaining a released position of the lug cart assembly 14 of FIG. 4 from that of the latched or docked position of FIGS. 1-3 and 5 - 6 , requires the operator to pull the locking pin 68 to the unlocked position (U) on one of the of the latching arm assemblies ( 46 ) (the one-step release) and rotating the arcuate pivoting arm 50 about the pivoting pin 56 . If so desired, the operator can further advance the arcuate pivoting arm 50 so that the latching pin 68 engages locating aperture 66 a to secure an unlocked position in the pivoting arm. It should be further mentioned that the pivoting arms 50 can be rotated beyond locating aperture 66 a in an unlocked position, allowing the front 55 of the lug cart assembly to be clear from any portion of the pivoting arms 50 . Once the pivoting arm of one of the two latching arm assemblies 46 is in the released position described above and shown in FIG. 4 , the operator can shift the lug cart 14 laterally (see arrows L in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b ), then pull the cart away longitudinally (see arrow ◯ in FIG. 1 ) once the remaining secured arcuate pivoting arm 50 clears corresponding secured leg 20 or 22 , hence the one-step release process is complete.
Referring now to FIG. 8 is another example embodiment of the present disclosure in which a sifter 84 is located below one (illustrated) or both (not shown) of the lugs 34 a and 34 b of the lug cart 14 . The sifter 84 is used to recycle materials such as flour used during breading operations. In yet another example embodiment, only one lug 34 a or 34 b is present and a working surface is provided adjacent the lug (not shown). In another example embodiment, covers 86 and 88 are positioned over the top of lugs 34 a and 34 b lugs.
What have been described above are examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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A lug cart and support table assembly is disclosed comprising a support table having an upper support surface for supporting a breading machine. A lug tub-shaped lug located in the lug cart and a latching system affixed to the lug cart to removably attach the lug cart to a selected one of a front side and a rear side of the table assembly. The latching system includes a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly affixed to an end of the cart in spaced apart relation, each of the first and second latch assemblies includes a support body, a pivoting arm coupled to the support body and pivoting in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis between a locking position and a release position.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/063,632, filed Feb. 5, 2008 and entitled “Weight Activated Restraining Pillow”.
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to pillows or cushions for adults, children, infants, or animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to pillows having peripheral guards for restraining adults, children, infants, or animals.
Pillows have a wide variety of uses. For example, pillows are used almost universally when sleeping to support the head. Pillows may also be used to support other things as well. A variety of cushions, pillows, and pads have been used by both infants and adults which can be conveniently transported and placed on the ground or on a bed to provide a comfortable resting. Because small infants and even toddlers tend to roll off the edge of a bed or other surface without some kind of guard around the periphery, pillows designed especially for use by infants preferably include a raised edge which will block the baby from rolling off the pillow and onto the floor. Rolled up blankets, towels, or pillows are often placed around a small child to prevent the child from falling off a bed unequipped with rails, or similar surface. Traditional adult pillows used singularly are ill suited for such a task and are not recommended for use with babies.
SUMMARY
An embodiment of the present invention is a weight activated restraining pillow including a peripheral cushion area, fill material located within the peripheral cushion area, and a central sling holding area located inside of the peripheral area. The cushion has a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel and extend between the top and the bottom. The sling is defined in part by a first seam extending substantially parallel to the first side and a second seam extending substantially parallel to the second side. The first seam and the second seam separate the sling from the cushion so that when a weighted object is received into the sling, the first side and the second side of the cushion area draw inward toward the weighted object within the sling.
Another embodiment of the present invention is weight activated restraining pillow including a cushion having a padded region and an unpadded region. The padded region generally surrounds the unpadded region. A first longitudinal seam defines a first side of the unpadded region and a second longitudinal seam defines a second side of the unpadded region. When a weighted object is placed centrally within the unpadded region, it draws the first longitudinal seam and second longitudinal seam inwards toward one another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weight activated restraining pillow with an infant placed on its back therein.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a weight activated restraining pillow with an infant placed on its stomach therein.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of a weight activated restraining pillow.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pillow illustrated in FIG. 3 covered with a case.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the pillow illustrated in FIG. 3 .
FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a side of the pillow illustrated in FIG. 3 .
FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an end of the pillow generally perpendicular to the side illustrated in FIG. 6 .
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of a weight activated restraining pillow.
DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of weight activated restraining pillow 12 with infant B placed on its back therein. Depicted in FIG. 1 are: infant B, pillow 12 having cushion 14 and sling 16 . When infant B is placed on its back in sling 16 , cushion 14 moves inward such that pillow 12 gently contacts and comforts infant B.
In the embodiment depicted, infant B is lying on its back on top of weight activated restraining pillow 12 . Together, peripheral cushion area 14 and central sling area 16 form pillow 12 , which can be used as a positioning device and/or a sensory stimulant for infant B. Peripheral cushion area 14 is approximately oval shaped, although the invention is not so limited. In FIG. 1 , pillow 12 is sized for an infant such that sling 16 is located mainly beneath infant B and cushion 14 is drawn slightly inward and surrounding infant B. Cushion or padded area 14 is stuffed with fill material such as but not limited to poly fill. In an alternate embodiment, cushion 14 is a vinyl tube that is inflated with air or filled with common pillow contents such as feathers or Styrofoam beads, which may be flame retardant. Sling or unpadded area 16 is not stuffed with fill and therefore, provides a relatively flat holding area for placement of infant B. When infant B is placed on top of pillow 12 , the weight of infant B causes sling 16 to deform downwards and cushion 14 to move centrally to contact infant B. As depicted in FIG. 1 , pillow 12 promotes spinal alignment of infant B and can also provide physical comfort through light touch of cushion 14 to infant B.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of weight activated restraining pillow 12 , with infant B placed on its stomach therein. Depicted in FIG. 2 are: infant B, pillow 12 , cushion 14 and sling 16 . When infant B is placed on its stomach in sling 16 , cushion 14 is pulled inwards toward infant B such that pillow 12 gently contacts and comforts infant B.
Cushion 14 and sling 16 remain in the arrangement described above with reference to FIG. 1 where peripheral cushion area 14 surrounds central sling area 16 . Infant B, however, is now depicted on its stomach, otherwise known as “tummy time” position. When placed on its stomach, a portion of infant B extends over a top of cushion 14 while a remaining portion of infant B is located on top of sling 16 . Less weight is centrally located over sling 16 and therefore, sling 16 deforms less than when infant B is placed completely within sling 16 . Since infant B extends over cushion 14 , cushion 14 also deforms or compresses slightly under infant B. Compression of cushion 14 keeps back of infant B at an angle less than about 45 degrees and therefore, not strained or compressed. Deformation of cushion 14 also keeps infant B close to a surface or floor located beneath pillow 12 , which can be less frightening than being elevated at a great distance above a surface.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top of weight activated restraining pillow 12 . Depicted in FIG. 3 are components of pillow 12 as seen from the top: cushion 14 , sling 16 , top 18 , bottom 20 , first side 22 , second side 24 , first seam 26 , second seam 26 and third seam 30 . Pillow 12 is configured to cradle an infant, child, adult, or non-human animal such as a pet.
Pillow 12 includes peripheral cushion 14 and center sling 16 . For descriptive purposes, pillow 12 can be divided into top 18 , bottom 20 , first side 22 and second side 24 . As depicted, first side 22 and second side 24 are substantially parallel to each other yet spaced apart and extending between top 18 and bottom 20 . Sling 16 is surrounded by cushion 14 and at least partially defined by first seam 26 extending substantially parallel to first side 22 and second seam 28 extending substantially parallel to second side 24 . First seam 26 and second seam 28 separate sling 16 from cushion 14 so that the fill located within cushion 14 does not significantly spread out into sling 16 . In the embodiment depicted, no seaming separates top 18 and bottom 20 from sling 16 , thereby ensuring that the fill forms a gentle slope between cushion 14 and sling 16 at top 18 and bottom 20 . Located in a center of sling, in between and substantially parallel to first seam 26 and second seam 28 , is third seam 30 . In the depicted embodiment, third seam 30 is slightly longer than first seam 26 and second seam 30 , which have similar lengths. In other embodiments, first seam 26 , second seam 28 , and third seam 30 can have approximately equal lengths.
When a weighted object is placed approximately over third seam 30 , first seam 26 and second seam 28 draw inward toward third seam 30 . Depending on the size and weight of the object placed in sling 16 , first side 22 and second side 24 of cushion 14 can be pulled centrally or horizontally such that they hug, cuddle, or cradle the weighted object located in sling 16 . The sensory stimulation provided by contact with cushion 14 can be a source of comfort to fussy and/or premature infants, humans with autism or dementia, and even household pets. Furthermore, the cradling effect or U-shaped nature of sling 16 restricts movement such that objects placed within sling 16 cannot easily turn over or roll out of pillow 12 onto a surrounding surface. The amount of pressure exerted on an object by the sling effect is proportional to the size and weight of the object.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of weight activated restraining pillow 12 covered with case 24 . Case 24 completely surrounds and encloses pillow 12 , thereby protecting pillow 12 from spills and stains. Case 24 is easily removed for cleaning. Both pillow 12 and case 24 are washable. Furthermore, case 24 can provide a desired surface texture or design for pillow 12 .
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom of weight activated restraining pillow 12 . Depicted in FIG. 5 are components of pillow 12 as seen from the bottom: cushion 14 B, sling 16 B, top 18 B, bottom 20 B, first side 22 B, second side 24 B, first seam 26 B, second seam 26 B and third seam 30 B. Pillow 12 is configured to place slight peripheral pressure on an infant, child, adult, or non-human animal such as a pet located on top of pillow 12 .
Bottom of pillow 12 is similar to top of pillow 12 and thus, cushion 14 B, sling 16 B, top 18 B, bottom 20 B, first side 22 B, second side 24 B, first seam 26 B, second seam 26 B and third seam 30 B are arranged as described above. Pillow 12 can be constructed from a singular piece of cloth material, or alternately two pieces of material such as a top sheet and bottom sheet that are mirror patterns of one another. The cloth or textile material is stitched to create perimeter cushion area 14 and seams 26 , 28 and 30 . In the embodiment depicted, first seam 26 and second seam 28 have similar lengths between about 10 inches and about 15 inches, more preferably between about 12 inches and 14 inches. Third seam 30 is longer than first seam 26 and second seam 28 . Third seam 30 has a length between about 15 inches and about 20 inches, more preferably between about 16 inches and about 18 inches. A space between third seam 30 and first seam 28 , as well as a space between third seam 30 and second seam 26 , is between about 2 inches and about 5 inches, more preferably between about 3 inches and 4 inches. A small gap is left to stuff perimeter 14 with appropriate fill. Alternately, fill is placed in position and then the material is stitched to create the desired shape. The construction of pillow 12 is described further below with reference to FIGS. 6-8 .
FIG. 6 is an elevation view of first side 22 of pillow 12 and FIG. 7 is an elevation view of top 18 of the pillow generally perpendicular to the first side 22 . Depicted in FIG. 6 are: pillow 12 , top 18 , bottom 20 , first side 22 and fourth seam 32 . Depicted in FIG. 7 are: pillow 12 , top 18 , first side 22 , second side 24 and fourth seam 32 . Pillow 12 cradles objects that are placed centrally on a top surface of pillow 12 .
Described below are dimensions of pillow 12 preferable for use with infants, although the invention is not so limited. Top 18 and bottom 20 are substantially parallel to each other and have similar lengths between about 15 inches and about 20 inches, more preferably between about 16 inches and about 18 inches. Since top 18 is similar to bottom 20 , only top 18 is shown in FIG. 7 although the below discussion relates similarly to bottom 20 . First side 22 and second side 24 are substantially parallel to each other and have similar lengths between about 20 inches and about 30 inches, more preferably between about 24 inches and about 28 inches. Since first side 22 is similar to second side 24 , only first side 22 is shown in FIG. 6 although the below discussion relates similarly to second side 24 . As shown in FIG. 6 , fourth seam 32 extends around an approximate center of first side 22 from top 18 to bottom 20 . As shown in FIG. 7 , fourth seam 32 continues around top 18 . In fact, forth seam 32 extends the length of second side 24 from top 18 to bottom 20 and continues around bottom 20 , such that fourth seam 32 is continuous around an entire perimeter of pillow 12 . Stitching pattern, including fourth seam 32 , keeps filling within cushion 14 and out of sling 16 . In alternative embodiments, fourth seam 32 is partially or wholly omitted. Fourth seam 32 is substantially parallel to a surface on which pillow 12 is resting and maintains fill within cushion 14 . Together, top 18 , bottom 20 , first side 22 and second side 24 are continuous and defined at the periphery by fourth seam 32 , which aids in formation of cushion 14 or the “guard rail” portion of pillow 12 .
FIG. 8A is a cross section of pillow 12 in an un-weighted position. FIG. 8B is a cross section of pillow 12 in a weight activated position. Depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B are pillow 12 , cushion 14 , sling 16 , first side 22 , second side 24 , first seam 26 , second seam 28 , third seam 30 and fill 34 . Additionally depicted in FIG. 8B is weight W.
As described above, pillow 12 includes cushion region 14 surrounding sling region 16 . Cushion 14 is stuffed with fill 34 and is approximately circular in cross section. When pillow 12 is sized for use with infant B, the following dimensions are preferable, although the invention is not so limited and pillow 12 can be sized differently depending on intended use. Cushion 14 can have a diameter between about 3 inches and about 6 inches, more preferably between about 4 inches and about 5 inches. In contrast, sling 16 is not stuffed and is substantially flat. In FIG. 8A , sling 16 is un-weighted and suspended above a surface on which cushion 14 is resting. Without weight activation from weight W, sling 16 is between about 1 inch and about 4 inches above a surface, more preferably between about 2 inches and about 3 inches. In FIG. 8B , sling is weighted by weight W, and since weight W is sufficient to deform sling 16 into contact with a surface upon which cushion 14 is resting, there is no longer any vertical distance between sling 16 and the surface. The amount which sling 16 is deformed toward the surface is proportional to the size and weight of weight W.
When weight W is placed into and deforming sling 16 , cushion 14 moves centrally or horizontally inwards toward weight W. Usually, weight W is centrally located approximately over third seam 30 such that first seam 26 and second seam 28 place approximately equal tension on first side 22 and second side 24 , respectively. Sling 16 dips in the center when weighted by weight W such that it forms a U-shape. The vertical location of an intersection between first seam 26 and first side 22 , as well as the vertical location of an intersection between second seam 28 and second side 24 , are essentially unchanged between FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B . Maintaining vertical location of first seam 26 and second seam 28 regardless of weight activation ensures that cushion 14 is not moving vertically and therefore, not smothering weight W. The distance that is changed between FIGS. 8A and 8B , however, is the horizontal distance between first side 22 and second side 24 . In FIG. 8A , the horizontal distance between first seam 26 and second seam 28 is between about 5 and about 10 inches, more preferably between about 6 and about 8 inches. In contrast, FIG. 8B shows a substantially reduced horizontal distance between first seam 26 and second seam, which is between about 2 inches and about 8 inches, more preferably between about 4 inches and about 6 inches. Thus, weight W causes sling 16 to deform downwardly toward a surface on which cushion 14 is resting, thereby bringing first side 22 and second side 24 horizontally closer to one another. Lowering of sling 16 and inward movement of cushion 14 produces a sensory stimulus similar to cuddling, snuggling, or cradling within sling 16 .
Pillow 12 can be sized to cradle anyone from a premature infant to a full-sized adult. Furthermore, pillow 12 can be configured to provide the same sensory stimulation to non-human animals such as, but not limited, household pets. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Weight restraining pillow has a filled outer perimeter area encompassing a central sling area. The sling is defined in part by two generally parallel outer seams adjacent the outer perimeter, and an inner seam located between the outer seams which help hold the fill of the perimeter in place. When a weighted object is placed on the sling, the perimeter is drawn inward toward the object placed therein.
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FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates to baffles capable of reducing noise transmission while admitting airflow, for use in air passages such as an inlet or exit of a duct, housing, enclosure or partition.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Briefly, the present disclosure provides a baffle assembly, such as for use in an inlet or exit of a duct, housing, enclosure or partition, comprising an S-shaped baffle section comprising two curved baffle units arranged so as to provide an S-shaped passage. Typically the baffle assembly comprises at least two S-shaped baffle sections each comprising two curved baffle units arranged so as to provide an S-shaped passage. In some embodiments, at least two S-shaped baffle sections are arranged front-to-back in an “SS” configuration, in some, at least two S-shaped baffle sections are arranged front-to-front in “SZ” configuration, and in some, at least two S-shaped baffle sections are arranged back-to-back in “ZS” configuration. In some embodiments, the curved baffle units bear an acoustically absorbing material, e.g., an acoustically absorbing non-woven material or an acoustically absorbing foam material. Typically the curved baffle units bear an acoustically absorbing material on their concave face, and in some embodiments the curved baffle units bear an acoustically absorbing material on their concave face only. In some embodiments the curved baffle units include a curved portion and at least one flange portion. In various embodiments, the curved portion may have a cross-section that is semi-circular, nearly semi-circular, parabolic, nearly parabolic, hyperbolic, or nearly hyperbolic. In some embodiments, the curved baffle units have a shape capable of manufacture by a continuous extrusion process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of exemplary Baffle Assembly A according to the present disclosure, as described in the Examples herein.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section of exemplary Baffle Assembly B according to the present disclosure, as described in the Examples herein.
[0005] FIGS. 3 a , 3 b and 3 c are schematic cross-sections of comparative baffle assemblies, as described in the Examples herein.
[0006] FIGS. 4-7 are graphs representing insertion loss values measured at ⅓ octave intervals across the frequency range 100-20 kHz, for exemplary baffle assemblies according to the present disclosure and comparative baffle assemblies, as described in the Examples herein.
DESCRIPTION
[0007] The present disclosure provides a sound absorbing apparatus for use in air inlet and outlets found in equipment such as generators sets, air compressors, HVAC ducting or housing/enclosures where air is moved in and out of inlets and exits and where reduction of noise level is required. The apparatus is a modular design consisting of the basic element, a “S” curved baffles supporting sound absorption material, that is stackable to accommodate any size of air inlet and outlets. The devise is scalable both in size and noise attenuation and accommodates many types of acoustic absorbing material to tune for precise sound attenuation. In some embodiments (such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the “S” curved baffles ( 50 ) are arranged front-to-back in “SS” configurations (see, e.g., the “SSS” configuration of FIG. 2 .). In some embodiments, the “S” curved baffles ( 10 ) are arranged front-to-front or back-to-back in “SZ” or “ZS” configurations (see, e.g., the “SZS” configuration of FIG. 1 .). In some embodiments, “SS” and “SZ” configurations are combined.
[0008] Typically each S-shaped baffle section comprises two curved baffle units. The curved baffle units include at least one curved portion. In some embodiments (such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) the curved baffle units ( 20 ) include a curved portion ( 30 ) and at least one flange portion ( 40 ). In some embodiments (such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) a single flange portion ( 40 ) bisects the curved portion ( 30 ). In some embodiments the curved portions are semi-circular in cross-section. In some embodiments the curved portions are nearly semi-circular in cross-section, departing from true circularity by no more than 10% over at least 80% of their curved portion. In some embodiments the curved portions are parabolic in cross-section. In some embodiments the curved portions are nearly parabolic in cross-section, departing from a true parabola by no more than 10% over at least 80% of their curved portion. In some embodiments the curved portions are hyperbolic in cross-section. In some embodiments the curved portions are nearly hyperbolic in cross-section, departing from a true hyperbola by no more than 10% over at least 80% of their curved portion. Baffles may be constructed of any suitable material, including metal, composite, polymer or ceramic materials or natural materials such as wood. In some embodiments baffles are made by a continuous extrusion process. In some embodiments baffles are made by a vacuum forming process. Baffles may be bare or may be covered with any suitable sound-absorbing or acoustic insulating material.
[0009] Objects and advantages of this disclosure are further illustrated by the following examples, but the particular materials and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this disclosure.
EXAMPLES
[0010] The following abbreviations are used to describe the examples:
dB: decibel ft: foot Hz: Hertz mm: meter mil: 10 −3 inches mm: millimeter μm: micrometer
[0018] SPL: sound pressure level
[0019] Acoustic Materials.
[0020] H-100PSM: A 1 mil (25.4 μm) aluminized polyester film faced 1-inch (25.4 mm) acoustical foam, obtained under the trade designation “TUFCOTE H-100PSM” from Aearo Technologies, LLC, Indianapolis, Ind.
[0021] TC2303: A 1.06-inch (26.9 mm) nonwoven acoustic insulating material, obtained under the trade designation “THINSULATE ACOUSTIC INSULATION TC2303” from 3M Company.
[0022] MA-4700: A 1-inch (25.4 mm) nonwoven hydrophobic microfiber acoustical insulation mat, obtained under the trade designation “THINSULATE MARINE INSULATION MA4700” from 3M Company.
[0023] The following baffle assemblies were constructed as follows:
[0024] Baffle Assembly A A length of extruded semi-circular, 5 inch (127 mm) radius, 150 mil (3.81 mm), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) extruded plastic, was cut into six, 24 inch (609.6 mm) elongate baffles. Bifurcating the concave face of each baffle was a flange, extending outward approximately 1-inch (25.4 mm) Baffles 1-6 were then cemented, by means of an adhesive acrylic foam tape, within a 24.5 by 32.0 by 15.5 inch (622.3 by 812.8 by 393.7 mm) plywood frame according to the following orientation: Baffles 1 and 2 were positioned centrally within the frame, with the collinearly opposed concave faces offset by 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) Baffles 3 and 4 were cemented, convex face to convex face opposite their respective flange, to Baffles 1 and 2, respectively. Baffles 5 and 6 were positioned with the concave face collinearly opposed, and offset by 2.5 inches (63.5 mm), to the concave face of Baffles 3 and 4, respectively. A plan view of the resulting baffle orientation is shown in FIG. 1 .
[0025] Baffle Assembly B
[0026] A baffle assembly was constructed according to the procedure generally described in Baffle Assembly A, according to the following orientation: Baffles 1 and 2 were cemented centrally within the frame, with the collinearly opposed concave faces offset by 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) Baffles 3 and 4 were positioned diagonally opposite and then cemented, convex face to convex face and offset by 2.5 inches (63.5 mm), to Baffles 1 and 2, respectively. Baffles 5 and 6 were positioned with the concave face collinearly opposed, and offset by 2.5 inches (63.5 mm), to the concave face of Baffles 3 and 4, respectively. A plan view of the resulting baffle orientation is shown in FIG. 2 .
[0027] Comparative Baffle Assemblies C 1 , C2 and C3
[0028] Plan views of Baffle Assemblies C1- C3 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 a -3 c , respectively.
[0029] Baffle Assembly C1
[0030] A baffle assembly was constructed according to the procedure generally described in Baffle Assembly A, wherein the six concave baffles were replaced with seven 24.5 by 10.0 inch by 150 mil (609.6 by 254.0 by 3.81 mm) plywood panels. The panels were cemented equidistantly within, and orientated parallel to, the sides of the frame.
Baffle Assembly C2
[0031] A baffle assembly was constructed according to the general procedure described in C1, wherein the plywood panels were orientated at an angle of 20 degrees relative to those in C1.
Baffle Assembly C3
[0032] A baffle assembly was constructed according to the general procedure described in C1, wherein the plywood panels were orientated at an angle of 30 degrees relative to those in C1.
Examples and Comparatives
[0033] The baffle assemblies were subsequently covered with the acoustic materials described above by means of an adhesive acrylic foam tape, With respect to Baffle Assemblies A and B, the acoustic material was cemented to the concave face of the baffles, while for Comparative Baffle Assemblies C1-C3 the acoustic material cemented to both sides of the plywood panels.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Sample
Baffle Assembly
Acoustic Material
Example 1
A
None
Example 2
B
None
Example 3
A
H-100PSM
Example 4
B
H-100PSM
Example 5
A
TC2303
Example 6
B
TC2303
Example 7
A
MA-4700
Example 8
B
MA-4700
Comparative A
C1
None
Comparative B
C2
None
Comparative C
C3
None
Comparative D
C1
H-100PSM
Comparative E
C2
H-100PSM
Comparative F
C3
H-100PSM
Comparative G
C1
TC2303
Comparative H
C2
TC2303
Comparative I
C3
TC2303
Comparative J
C1
MA-4700
Comparative K
C2
MA-4700
Comparative L
C3
MA-4700
Test Methods
Sound Attenuation
[0034] The baffle assembly was installed in a wall cavity between a reverberation room and an anechoic room. The reverberation room was sound pressurized by a speakers providing balanced spectrum of “white noise” at approximately 104 dB SPL from 100-20 kHz. Sound attenuation (Insertion Loss) provided by the baffle assemblies were measured across a frequency range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz, at 1.5 meters from the baffle face, relative to the open wall cavity, according to the test procedure generally described in SAE J1400. Average Insertion Loss values are listed in Table 2. Insertion Loss values across the frequency range 100-20 kHz, measured at ⅓ octave intervals, are illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 :
[0035] FIG. 4 : No acoustic material
[0036] FIG. 5 : Baffles covered with H-100SM
[0037] FIG. 6 : Baffles covered with TC2303
[0038] FIG. 7 : Baffles covered with MA-4700
[0000]
TABLE 2
Average Insertion
Loss @ 1.5m
Sample
Baffle Assembly
Baffle Covering
SPL (dB)
Control
None
None
15.5
Example 1
A
None
21.1
Example 2
B
None
21.1
Example 3
A
H-100PSM
35.0
Example 4
B
H-100PSM
35.0
Example 5
A
TC2303
43.2
Example 6
B
TC2303
42.5
Example 7
A
MA-4700
40.2
Example 8
B
MA-4700
39.9
Comparative A
C1
None
17.7
Comparative B
C2
None
16.2
Comparative C
C3
None
16.7
Comparative D
C1
H-100PSM
21.8
Comparative E
C2
H-100PSM
22.3
Comparative F
C3
H-100PSM
23.2
Comparative G
C1
TC2303
20.9
Comparative H
C2
TC2303
21.5
Comparative I
C3
TC2303
23.0
Comparative J
C1
MA-4700
19.9
Comparative K
C2
MA-4700
20.6
Comparative L
C3
MA-4700
22.6
[0039] Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and principles of this disclosure, and it should be understood that this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth hereinabove.
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Baffle assemblies capable of reducing noise transmission while admitting airflow are provided, for use in air passages such as an inlet or exit of a duct, housing, enclosure or partition. The baffle assemblies comprise S-shaped baffle sections comprising two curved baffle units arranged so as to provide an S-shaped passage. In some embodiments the curved baffle units include a curved portion and at least one flange portion. In some embodiments the curved baffle units have a shape capable of manufacture by a continuous extrusion process.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to compositions for and methods of treating, preventing or ameliorating cancer and other proliferative diseases as well as methods of inducing wound healing, treating cutaneous ulcers, treating gastrointestinal disorders, treating blood disorders such as anemias, immunomodulation, enhancing recombinant gene expression, treating insulin-dependent patients, treating cystic fibrosis patients, inhibiting telomerase activity, treating virus-associated tumors, especially EBV-associated tumors, augmenting expression of tumor suppressor genes and inducing tolerance to antigens. The methods of the invention use tricarboxylic acid substituted oxyalkyl esters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Butyric acid (BA) is a natural product. It is supplied to mammals from two main sources: 1) the diet, mainly from dairy fat, and 2) from the bacterial fermentation of unabsorbed carbohydrates in the colon, where it reaches mM concentrations (Cummings, Gut 22:763-779, 1982; Leder et al., Cell 5:319-322, 1975).
BA has been known for nearly the last three decades to be a potent differentiating and antiproliferative agent in a wide spectra of neoplastic cells in vitro (Prasad, Life Sci. 27:1351-1358, 1980). In cancer cells, BA has been reported to induce cellular and biochemical changes, e.g., in cell morphology, enzyme activity, receptor expression and cell-surface antigens (Nordenberg et al., Exp. Cell Res. 162:77-85, 1986; Nordenberg et al., Br. J. Cancer 56:493-497, 1987; and Fishman et al., J. Biol. Chem. 254:4342-4344, 1979).
Although BA or its sodium salt (sodium butyrate, SB) has been the subject of numerous studies, its mode of action is unclear. The most specific effect of butyric acid is inhibition of nuclear deacetylase(s), resulting in hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4 (Riggs, et al., Nature 263:462-464, 1977). Increased histone acetylation following treatment with BA has been correlated with changes in transcriptional activity and the differentiated state of cells (Thorne et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 193:701-713, 1990). BA also exerts other nuclear actions, including modifications in the extent of phosphorylation (Boffa et al., J. Biol. Chem. 256:9612-9621, 1981) and methylation (Haan et al., Cancer Res. 46:713-716, 1986). Other cellular organelles, e.g., cytoskeleton and membrane composition and function, have been shown to be affected by BA (Bourgeade et al., J. Interferon Res. 1:323-332, 1981). Modulations in the expression of oncogenes and suppressor genes by BA were demonstrated in several cell types. Toscani et al., reported alterations in c-myc, p53 thymidine kinase, c-fos and AP2 in 3T3 fibroblasts (Oncogene Res. 3:223-238, 1988). A decrease in the expression of c-myc and H-ras oncogenes in B16 melanoma and in c-myc in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia was also reported (Prasad et al., Biochem. Cell Biol. 68:1250-1255, 1992; and Rabizadeh et al., FEBS Lett. 328:225-229, 1993).
BA has been reported to induce apoptosis, i.e., programmed cell death. SB has been shown to produce apoptosis in vitro in human colon carcinoma, leukemia and retinoblastoma cell lines (Bhatia et al., Cell Growth Diff. 6:937-944, 1995; Conway et al., Oncol. Res. 7:289-297, 1993; Hague et al.; Int. J. Cancer 60:400-406, 1995). Apoptosis is the physiological mechanism for the elimination of cells in a controlled and timely manner. Organisms maintain a delicate balance between cell proliferation and cell death, which when disrupted can tip the balance between cancer, in the case of over accumulation of cells, and degenerative diseases, in the case of premature cell losses. Hence, inhibition of apoptosis can contribute to tumor growth and promote progression of neoplastic conditions.
The promising in vitro antitumor effects of BA and BA salts led to the initiation of clinical trials for the treatment of cancer patients with observed minimal or transient efficacy. [Novogrodsky et al., Cancer 51:9-14, 1983; Rephaeli et al., Intl. J. Oncol. 4:1387-1391, 1994; Miller et al., Eur. J. Cancer Clin. Oncol. 23:1283-1287, 1987].
Clinical trials have been conducted for the treatment of β-globin disorders (e.g., β-thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia) using BA salts. The BA salts elevated expression of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), normally repressed in adults, and favorably modified the disease symptoms in these patients (Stamatoyannopouos et al., Ann. Rev. Med. 43:497-521, 1992). In this regard, arginine butyrate (AB) has been used in clinical trials with moderate efficacy (Perrine et al., N. Eng. J. Med. 328:81-86, 1993; Sher et al., N. Eng. J. Med. 332:1606-1610, 1995). The reported side effects of AB included hypokalemia, headache, nausea and vomiting in β-thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia patients.
Butyric acid derivatives with antitumor activity and immunomodulatory properties have been reported in U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,553 and by Nudelman et al., 1992, J. Med. Chem. 35:687-694. The most active butyric acid prodrug reported in these references was pivaloyloxymethyl butyrate (AN-9). None of the compounds disclosed in these references included carboxylic acid-containing oxyalkyl compounds of this invention.
BA and/or its analogues have also been reported to increase the expression of transfected DNA (Carstea et al., 1993, Biophys. Biohem. Res. Comm. 192:649; Cheng et al., 1995, Am. J. Physical 268:L615-L624) and to induce tumor-restricted gene expression by adenovirus vectors (Tang et al., 1994, Cancer Gene Therapy 1:15-20). Tributyrin has been reported to enhance the expression of a reporter gene in primary and immortalized cell lines (Smith et al., 1995, Biotechniques 18:852-835).
However, BA and its salts are normally metabolized rapidly and have very short half-lives in vivo, thus the achievement and maintenance of effective plasma concentrations are problems associated with BA and BA salts, particularly for in vivo uses. BA and BA salts have required large doses to achieve even minimal therapeutic effects. Because of the high dosage, fluid overload and mild alkalosis may occur. Patients receiving BA emanate an unpleasant odor that is socially unacceptable.
While BA salts have been shown to increase HbF expression, and appear to hold therapeutic promise with low toxicity in cancer patients, they nevertheless have shown low potency in in vitro assays and clinical trials. There also remains a need to identify compounds as effective or more effective than BA or BA salts as differentiating or anti-proliferating agents for the treatment of cancers. Such compounds need to have higher potency than BA without the problems associated with BA (such as bad odor). Consequently, there remains a need for therapeutic compounds that either deliver BA to cells in a longer acting form or which have similar activity as BA but a longer duration of effectiveness in vivo.
The compounds of this invention address these needs and are more potent than BA or BA salts for treating cancers and other proliferative diseases, for treating gastrointestinal disorders, for wound healing and for treating blood disorders such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and other anemias, for modulating an immune response, for enhancing recombinant gene expression, for treating insulin-dependent patients, for treating cystic fibrosis patients, for inhibiting telomerase activity, for detecting cancerous or malignant cells, for treating virus-associated tumors, especially EBV-associated tumors, for augmenting expression of a tumor suppressor gene and for inducing tolerance to an antigen. For example, one of the advantages of the compounds of the invention is increased water solubility of the free carboxylic acids compounds of the invention and their salts, and easier administration, especially for intravenous administration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of treating preventing or ameliorating cancer and other proliferative disorders using compounds represented by Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is benzyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, or C 3 to C 10 alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, any of which can be optionally substituted with halo, trifluoromethyl, amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, carbonyl, aryl or heteroaryl;
R 1 and R 2 are independently H, lower alkyl or lower alkenyl;
A is aryl, heteroaryl, or C 1 to C 8 alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, wherein alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl are optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxy, halo, lower alkyl, alkoxy, carbonyl, thiol, lower alkylthio, aryl or heteroaryl;
R 3 is H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or --CR 1 R 2 --O--C(O)--R; and
pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.
The above compounds can be used in all the methods of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds used in this and the other methods of the invention are those of Formula I, wherein
R is n-propyl; benzyl; 3-(phenyl)propyl; 2-chloroethyl; 2-propenyl; 2-(3-pyridyl)ethyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylmethyl; or 3-(2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl)propyl;
A is C 2 to C 6 alkyl with up to three methyl substituents;
R 3 is H or lower alkyl, or --CR 1 R 2 --O--C(O)--R; and
pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.
In a more preferred embodiment, the compounds used in this and the other methods of the invention are mono-(butyroyloxymethyl)glutarate (GOMB), bis-(butyroyloxymethyl)glutarate (bisGOMB), mono-(1-butyroyloxyethyl)glutarate, bis-(1-butyroyloxyethyl)glutarate, and most preferably, GOMB.
The methods of the present invention are particularly useful for treating, preventing or ameliorating the effects of cancer and other proliferative disorders by acting as anti-proliferative or differentiating agents in subjects afflicted with such anomalies. Such disorders include but are not limited to leukemias, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute myelomonocytic leukemia; other myelodysplastic syndromes, multiple myeloma such as but not limited to breast carcinomas, cervical cancers, melanomas, colon cancers, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), Kaposi's sarcoma, ovarian cancers, pancreatic cancers, hepatocarcinomas, prostate cancers, squamous carcinomas, other dermatologic malignancies, teratocarcinomas, T-cell lymphomas, lung tumors, gliomas, neuroblastomas, peripheral neuroectodermal tumors, rhabdomyosarcomas, and prostate tumors and other solid tumors. It is also possible that compounds of Formula (I) have anti-proliferative effects on non-cancerous cells as well, and may be of use to treat benign tumors and other proliferative disorders such as psoriasis. Preferred is the method for treating or ameliorating leukemia, squamous cell carcinoma and neuroblastoma.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to methods of treating, preventing or ameliorating cancer and other proliferative disorders by administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) to a subject suffering from such disorders together with a pharmaceutical agent (e.g., a known antiproliferative, differentiating or oncostatic agents) to thereby enhance the action of these agents. Such agents include but are not limited to, cytokines, interleukins, anti-cancer agents, chemotherapeutic agents, antibodies, conjugated antibodies, immune stimulants, antibiotics, hormone antagonists, and growth stimulants. The compounds of the invention can be administered prior to, after or concurrently with any of the agents.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of ameliorating the effects of a cytotoxic agent which comprises adminstering a therapeutically-effective amount of an cytotoxic agent with a compound of Formula I to a mammalian patient for a time and in an amount to induce growth arrest of rapidly-proliferating epithelial cells of the patient and thereby protect those cells from the cytotoxic effects of the agent. The cytotoxic agent can be a chemotherapeutic agent, an anticancer agent, or radiation therapy. Rapidly proliferating rapidly-proliferating epithelial cells are found in hair follicles, the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder and the bone marrow, for example. Such cells include bone marrow stem cells, hair follicle cells, or intestinal cryt cells. In accordance with the invention the cytotoxic agent and the compound of Formula I can be administered simultanously, or the cytotoxic agent can be administered prior to or after the compound of the invention. Administration (simulataneously or separately) can be done systemically or topically as determined by the indication. In addition, when the cytotoxic agent is radiation therapy, the compounds of the invention can be administered to a cancer patient pre- or post-radiation therapy to treat or ameliorate the effects of cancer.
A still further embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of inducing wound healing, treating cutaneous ulcers or treating a gastrointestinal disorder by administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) to a subject in need of such treatment. The cutaneous ulcers which can be treated in accordance with the methods of the invention include leg and decubitus ulcers, stasis ulcers, diabetic ulcers and atherosclerotic ulcers. With respect to wound healing, the compounds are useful in treating abrasions, incisions, burns, and other wounds. Gastrointestinal disorders treatable by the methods of the invention include colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The invention is further directed to a method of treating blood disorders by administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) to a patient. The blood disorders treatable in accordance with the invention include, but are not limited to, thalassemias, sickle cell anemias, infectious anemias, aplastic anemias, hypoplastic and hypoproliferative anemias, sideroblastic anemias, myelophthisic anemias, antibody-mediated anemias, anemias due to chronic diseases and enzyme-deficiencies, and anemias due to blood loss, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In this regard, these methods can include increasing hemoglobin content in blood by administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) to a subject.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of modulating an immune response in a host by administering an amount of a compound of Formula I effective to modulate said immune response. Modulation of the immune response includes enhancing cytokine secretion, inhibiting or delaying apoptosis in polymorphonuclear cells, enhancing polymorphonuclear cell function by augmenting hematopoietic growth factor secretion, inducing expression of cell surface antigens in tumor cells, and enhancing progenitor cell recovery after bone marrow transplantation.
A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method of enhancing recombinant gene expression by treating a recombinant host cell containing an expression system for a mammalian gene product of interest with an expression-enhancing amount of a compound of Formula I, wherein said gene product is encoded by a butyric acid-responsive gene. The host cells can be mammalian cells, insect cells, yeast cells or bacterial cells and the correspondingly known expression systems for each of these host cells. The gene product can be any protein or peptide of interest expression of which can be regulated or altered by butyric acid or a butyric acid salt. A butyric acid-responsive gene is a gene that has a promoter, enhancer element or other regulon that modulates expression of the gene under its control in response to butyric acid or a salt of butyric acid. For example, gene products contemplated for regulation in accordance with the invention include but are not limited to tumor suppressor genes (such as p53) and the γ-globin chain of fetal hemoglobin.
Yet a further embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of treating, preventing or ameliorating symptoms in insulin-dependent patients by administering an amount of a compound of Formula I effective to enhance insulin expression.
Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of treating, preventing or ameliorating symptoms in cystic fibrosis patients by administering an amount of a compound of Formula I effective to enhance chloride channel expression.
Still another method of the invention is directed to a method of inhibiting telomerase activity in cancer cells by administering a telomerase-inhibiting amount of a compound of Formula I to the cells, wherein the amount is effective to decrease the telomerase activity of the cells and thereby inhibit the malignant progression of the cells. This method can be applied to in vivo or in vitro cells.
Another embodiment of this invention is directed to a method of treating, preventing or ameliorating virus-associated tumors by pre-, post or co-administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I with a therapeutically-effective amount of an antiviral agent. Antiviral agents contemplated for use in the invention include ganciclovir, acyclovir and famciclovir, and preferably ganciclovir. The virus-associated tumors which can be treated, prevented or ameliorated in accordance with the invention include, but are not limited to, EBV-associated malignancy, Kaposi's sarcoma, AIDS-related lymphoma, hepatitis B-associated malignancy or hepatitis C associated malignancy. EBV-associated malignancies include nasopharyngeal carcinoma and non-Hodgkins' lymphoma and are preferred embodiments of the invention.
Further still the invention is directed to a method of augmenting gene expression, especially of a tumor suppressor gene, a butyric acid-responsive gene or a fetal hemoglobin gene, by treating a host or host cells with an expression-enhancing amount of a compound of Formula I. Preferably the host is a cancer patient. This method of the invention thus includes augmenting tumor suppressor gene expression in conjunction with ex vivo or in vivo gene therapy, i.e., the compound of the invention can be co-administered to the host during administration of gene therapy vectors or administration of the ex vivo transfected cells. Similarly, the compounds of the invention can be used to treat cells during the transfection step of ex vivo gene therapy. The hosts of the method therefore include cancer patients or other patients under going gene therapy. The host cells of the invention include hematopoietic cells such as stem cells and progenitor cells, e.g., or any other cell type used in ex vivo gene therapy.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of inducing tolerance to an antigen which comprises administering a therapeutically-effective amount of compound of Formula I. Preferably the antigen is a self-antigen.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R is n-propyl, isopropyl, 1-methylpropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-amyl, isoamyl, 1-, 2- or 3-methylamyl, 2-ethylbutyl, benzyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, or 4-pyridylmethyl, any of which can be optionally substituted with halo, trifluoromethyl, amino, alkoxy, aryl, or heteroaryl; or R is C 3 to C 5 linear alkenyl, optionally substituted with halo, trifluoromethyl, amino, alkoxy, aryl, or heteroaryl;
R 1 and R 2 are independently H, lower alkyl or lower alkenyl;
A is aryl, heteroaryl, or C 1 to C 8 alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, wherein alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl are optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxy, halo, lower alkyl, alkoxy, carbonyl, thiol, lower alkylthio, aryl or heteroaryl;
R 3 is H, lower alkyl, aryl, or --CR 1 R 2 --O--C(O)--R; and
pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the compounds of the invention are those of Formula II,
wherein
R is n-propyl, 3-(phenyl)propyl, 2-propenyl, benzyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, or 4-pyridylmethyl or 3-(2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl)propyl;
A is C 1 to C 8 alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl, optionally substituted with halo, alkoxy, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, or substituted heteroaryl;
R 3 is H, lower alkyl, or --CR 1 R 2 --O--C(O)--R; and
pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.
In a more preferred embodiment, the compounds of the invention are GOMB, bisGOMB, mono-(1-butyroyloxyethyl)glutarate and bis-(1-butyroyloxyethyl)glutarate, and most preferably, GOMB.
Another embodiment of the present invention is drawn to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula (II) and a pharmaceutically-effective carrier or diluent.
A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula (II) with a pharmaceutical agent and a pharmaceutically-effective carrier or diluent. The pharmaceutical agents of the invention include but are not limited to cytokines, interleukins, anti-cancer agents, chemotherapeutic agents, antibodies, conjugated antibodies, immune stimulants, antibiotics, hormone antagonists or growth stimulants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a graphic illustration showing the in vitro inhibition of cellular growth (clonogenicity) by GOMB and AB on established human neuroblastoma cell lines as a function of concentration (in μM).
FIG. 2 is a graphic illustration showing the average in vitro inhibition of growth by GOMB and AB on 53 primary human tumor cells as a function of concentration (in μM).
FIG. 3 is a graphic illustration showing growth inhibition measured by reduction of [ 3 H]-thymidine uptake in EBV-transformed cell line as a function of concentration of ganciclovir (GC)(panel A), GC and AB (panel B) and GC and GOMB (panel C). In panels B and C, the GC concentration is indicated in the inset.
FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing the percentage of NBT-positive human leukemia cells for cells treated with AB, AN-9 and GOMB.
FIG. 5 is a bar graph comparing the IC50 and IC90 values of GOMB and AN-9 on the indicated cell lines treated in the SRB assay.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The compounds herein described may have asymmetric centers. All chiral, diastereomeric, and racemic forms are included in the present invention. Many geometric isomers of olefins and the like can also be present in the compounds described herein, and all such stable isomers are contemplated in the present invention.
By "stable compound" or "stable structure" is meant herein a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.
As used herein, "alkyl" means both branched- and straight-chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms. As used herein "lower alkyl" means an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkenyl" means hydrocarbon chains of either a straight or branched configuration and one or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, such as ethenyl, propenyl, and the like. Lower alkenyl is an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkynyl" means hydrocarbon chains of either a straight or branched configuration and one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds, such as ethynyl, propynyl and the like.
When alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl, or a variation thereof such as lower alkyl, are used to define the A moiety of Formulas I and II (or any other group that has two appendages) then these groups have the meanings as defined herein except that each term refers to a hydrocarbon chain having the specified number of carbon atoms. Similarly, when aryl and heteroaryl are used to define the A moiety of Formulas I and II, then these groups have the meanings defined herein except that there are two attachment points on the aromatic ring. When A is an alkyl chain, one preferred A moiety has up to three lower alkyl substituents and, even more preferably, up to three methyl groups.
As used herein, "aryl" includes "aryl" and "substituted aryl." Thus "aryl" of this invention means any stable 6- to 14-membered monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic ring, containing at least one aromatic carbon ring, for example, phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, tetrahydronaphthyl (tetralin) and the like, optionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, nitro, amino or acylamino.
As used herein, the term "heteroaryl" includes "heteroaryl" and "substituted heteroaryl." Thus "heteroaryl" of this invention means a stable 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic ring which is aromatic, and which consists of carbon atoms and from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S and wherein the nitrogen may optionally be quaternized, and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heteroaryl rings is fused to a benzene ring. The heteroaryl ring may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in a stable structure. The heteroaryl rings described herein may be optionally substituted on carbon, on a nitrogen atom or other heteroatom if the resulting compound is stable and all the valencies of the atoms have been satisfied. The substituents of the substituted heteroaryl groups are as for the substituted aryl groups (see above). Examples of heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, indolenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl and benzimidazolyl.
As used herein and in the claim, "aralkyl", and "heteroaralkyl" refer to an aryl or heteroaryl group, respectively, as described above attached to an alkyl group as described above. Examples of heteroaralkyl groups include but are not limited to 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridylmethyl and 3-(2-, 3- or 4- pyridyl)propyl and the like.
The term "substituted", as used herein, means that one or more hydrogens on the designated atom are replaced with a selection from the indicated substituents, provided that the designated atom's normal valency is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound.
The substituents of the invention include, as indicated, halo, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, amino, acylamino, carboxy, carbonyl, cyano, nitro, and trifluoromethyl groups. These groups can be substituents for alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, and saturated heterocyclic groups as indicated in accordance with the invention. A halo group is a halogen, and includes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo groups. The alkyl moiety of alkoxy, acyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl and the like is lower alkyl unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, "therapeutically-effective amount" refers to that amount necessary to administer to a host to achieve an anti-tumor effect; to induce differentiation and/or inhibition of proliferation of malignant cancer cells, benign tumor cells or other proliferative cells; to aid in the chemoprevention of cancer; to promote wound healing; to treat a gastrointestinal disorder; to treat a blood disorder or increase the hemoglobin content of blood; to modulate an immune response; to enhance gene expression; to augment expression of tumor suppressor genes; to enhance insulin expression; to enhance chloride channel expression or to induce tolerance to an antigen. Methods of determining therapeutically-effective amounts are well known.
As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds that are modified by making acid or base salts. Examples include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids, and the like.
Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally, nonaqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile are preferred. The salts of the invention can also be prepared by ion exchange, for example. Lists of suitable salts are found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 1418, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The "pharmaceutical agents" for use in the methods of the invention related to the coadministration of compounds of Formula I and Formula II, include but are not limited to anticancer agents as well as differentiating agents. For example, the pharmaceutical agent can be a cytokine, an interleukin, an anti-cancer agent or anti-neoplastic agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, an antibody, a conjugated antibody, an immune stimulant, an antibiotic, a hormone antagonist or a growth stimulant. The pharmaceutical agent can also be a cytotoxic agent. Cytotoxic agents include antiviral nucleoside antibiotic such as ganciclovir, acyclovir, and famciclovir.
As used herein, the "chemotherapeutic agents" include but are not limited to alkylating agents, purine and pyrimidine analogs, vinca and vinca-like alkaloids, etoposide and etoposide-like drugs, corticosteroids, nitrosoureas, antimetabolites, platinum-based cytotoxic drugs, hormonal antagonists, anti-androgens and antiestrogens.
The "cytokines" for use herein include but are not limited to interferon, preferably α, β or γ interferon, as well as IL-2, IL-3, G-CSF, GM-CSF and EPO.
As used herein, an "immune stimulant" is a substance such as C. parvum or sarcolectin which stimulates a humoral or cellular component of the immune system.
The chemotherapeutic agents of the invention include but are not limited to tamoxifen, doxorubicin, 1-asparaginase, decarbazine, amacrine, procarbazine, hexamethylmelamine, mitosantrone and gemcitabine.
Synthetic Methods
The compounds of the present invention can generally be prepared by any method known in the art. For example, the compounds of the invention can be made by reacting the acid form of the RCOOH with a reagent of the formula ##STR3## or by similar reactions between any of the appropriate acids and the appropriate alkyl halides, in the presence of a base, where Y is a leaving group such as halogen, methane sulfonate or p-toulenesulfonate and R, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined herein. The above reagents are readily prepared according to literature procedures, see for example, Nudelman et al., J. Med. Chem. 35:687-694, 1992, and Japanese patent 07033709 (1995). The base can be a trialkylamine, pyridine, an alkali metal carbonate or other suitable base. The reaction can be carried out in the presence or absence of an inert solvent. Suitable solvents include, for example, acetone, benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, chloroform, dioxan or 1,2-dichloroethane.
The procedures outlined above can be improved by one skilled in the art by, for instance, changing the temperature, duration, stoichiometry or other parameters of the reactions. Any such changes are intended to fall within the scope of this invention.
Activity
The activities of the compounds of the invention can be measured using generally-accepted techniques known to those skilled in the art consistent with the activity of interest. For example, the activity of compounds useful as differentiating agents can be measured using standard methodology of the nitro-blue tetrazolium reduction assay (e.g., Rabizadeh et al., FEBS Lett. 328:225-229, 1993; Chomienne et al., Leuk. Res. 10:631, 1986; and Breitman et al. in Methods for Serum-free Culture of Neuronal and Lymphoid Cells, Alan R. Liss, New York, p. 215-236, 1984 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety) and as described below. This in vitro assay has been deemed to be predictive and in fact correlative with in vivo efficacy (Castaigne et al., Blood 76:1704-1709, 1990).
Another assay which is predictive of differentiating activity is the morphological examination for the presence of Auer rods and/or specific differentiation cell surface antigens in cells collected from treatment groups, as described in Chomienne et al., (Blood 76:1710-1717, 1990 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) and as described below.
The compounds of the present invention also have anti-proliferative and anti-tumor activity. The anti-proliferation activity of compounds of the present invention can be determined by methods generally known to those skilled in the art. Generally-accepted assays for measuring viability and anti-proliferative activity are the trypan blue exclusion test and incorporation of tritiated thymidine, also as described by Chomienne, et al., above, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other assays which predict and correlate antitumor activity and in vivo efficacy are the human tumor colony forming assay described in Shoemaker et al., Can. Res. 45:2145-2153, 1985, and inhibition of telomerase activity as described by Hiyayama et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 87:895-908, 1995, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These assays are described in further detail below.
Cell Cultures
Human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60), human pancreatic carcinoma cells (PaCa-2) and human breast adenocarcinoma cells, pleural effusion cells (MCF-7) can be cultured as follows. Cells are grown in RPMI media with 10% FCS, supplemented with 2 mM glutamine and incubated at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO 2 incubator. Alternatively, cells can be grown in any other appropriate growth medium and conditions which supports the growth of the cell line under investigation. Viability can be determined by trypan blue exclusion. Cells are exposed to a test compound, cultures are harvested at various time points following treatment and stained with trypan blue.
Cellular Staining to Detect Differentiation
Lipid staining and/or immunochemical staining of casein can be used as a marker for cellular differentiation of breast cancer cells (Bacus et al., Md. Carcin. 3:350-362, 1990). Casein detection can be done by histochemical staining of breast cancer cells using a human antibody to human casein as described by Cheung et al., J. Clin. Invest. 75:1722-1728, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) Assay
Cell differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells can be evaluated, for example, by NBT reduction activity as follows. Cell cultures are grown in the presence of a test compound for the desired time period. The culture medium is then brought to 0.1% NBT and the cells are 21 stimulated with 400 mM of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). After incubation for 30 min at 37° C., the cells are examined microscopically by scoring at least 200 cells. The capacity for cells to reduce NBT is assessed as the percentage of cells containing intracellular reduced black formazan deposits and corrected for viability.
Cell Surface Antigen Immunophenotyping
Cell surface antigen immunotyping can be conducted using dual-color fluorescence of cells gated according to size. The expression of a panel of antigens from early myeloid (CD33) to late myeloid can be determined as described in Warrell, Jr. et al., New Engl. J. Med. 324:1385-1392, 1992, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Apoptosis Evaluation
Apoptosis can be evaluated by DNA fragmentation, visible changes in nuclear structure or immunocytochemical analysis of Bcl-2 expression.
DNA fragmentation can be monitored by the appearance of a DNA ladder on an agarose gel. For example, cellular DNA is isolated and analyzed by the method of Martin et al., J. Immunol., 145:1859-1867, 1990 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Changes in nuclear structure can be assessed, for example, by acridine orange staining method of Hare et al., J. Hist. Cyt., 34:215-220, 1986 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Immunological detection of Bcl-2 can be performed on untreated cells and cells treated with the test compound. HL-60 cells are preferred but other cell lines capable of expressing Bcl-2 can be used. Cytospins are prepared and the cells are fixed with ethanol. Fixed cells are reacted overnight at 4° C. with the primary monoclonal antibody, anti-Bcl-2 at a dilution of 1:50. Staining is completed to visualize antibody binding, for example, using Strep A-B Universal Kit (Sigma) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Identically-treated cells which received no primary antibody can serve as a non-specific binding control. Commercial kits are also available and can be used for detecting apoptosis, for example, Oncor's Apop Tag®.
Modulation of Gene Expression
The levels of expression from oncogene and tumor suppressor genes can be evaluated by routine methods known in the art such as Northern blotting of RNA, immunoblotting of protein and PCR amplification.
Mouse Cancer Model
Compounds can be examined for their ability to increase the life span of animals bearing B16 melanomas, Lewis lung carcinomas and myelomonocytic leukemias as described in Nudelman et al., J. Med. Chem. 35:687-694, 1992, or Rephaeli et al., Int. J. Cancer 49:66-72, 1991, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
For example, the efficacy of compounds of the present invention in a leukemia model can be tested as follows: Balb/c mice are injected with WEHI cells and a test compound or control solution is administered the following day. The life span of the treated animals is compared to that of untreated animals.
The efficacy of compounds of the present invention on primary tumors can also be tested with subcutaneously implanted lung carcinoma or B16 melanoma by measuring the mass of the tumor at the site of implantation every two weeks in control and treated animals.
The efficacy of compounds in xenografts can be determined by implanting the human tumor cells subcutaneously into athymic mice. Human tumor cell lines which can be used include, but are not limited to, prostate carcinoma (human Pc-3 cells), pancreatic carcinoma (human Mia PaCa cells), colon adenocarcinoma (human HCT-15 cells) and mammary adenocarcinoma (human MX-1 cells). Treatment with control solution or a test compound of the invention begins, for example, when tumors are approximately 100 mg. Anti-tumor activity is assessed by measuring the delay in tumor growth, and/or tumor shrinking and/or increased survival of the treated animals relative to control animals.
Telomerase Activity
High levels of telomerase activity is associated with the high proliferation rate found in cancer cells. Compounds which inhibit telomerase activity results in inhibition of cancer cell growth and de-differentiation. Commercially available telomerase assays can thus be used to assess the anticancer activities of compounds on cancer cell lines.
Chemoprevention
The chemoprevention activity of the compounds of the invention can be determined in the two-stage mouse carcinogenesis model of Nishimo et al. (supra).
Assay of Compounds
Compounds of the invention, their salts or metabolites, can be measured in a biological sample by any method known to those skilled in the art of pharmacology, clinical chemistry or the like. Such methods for measuring these compounds are standard methods and include, but are not limited to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and others.
Dosage and Formulation
The compounds of the present invention can be administered to a mammalian patient to treat cancer or in any other method of the invention which involves treating a patient by any means that produces contact of the active agent with the agent's site of action in the body of the subject. Mammalian patients include humans and domestic animals. The compounds of the invention can be administered by any conventional means available for use in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, either as individual therapeutic agents or in a combination of therapeutic agents. The compounds can be administered alone, but are generally administered with a pharmaceutical carrier selected on the basis of the chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be adapted for oral, parenteral, transdermal, transmucosal, rectal or intranasal administration, and may be in unit dosage form, as is well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical art. The term "parenteral" as used herein includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, or intrasternal injection or infusion techniques.
The appropriate dosage administered in any given case will, of course, vary depending upon known factors, such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the particular agent and its mode and route of administration; the age, general health, metabolism, weight of the recipient and other factors which influence response to the compound; the nature and extent of the symptoms; the kind of concurrent treatment; the frequency of treatment; and the effect desired. A daily dosage of active ingredient can be expected to be about 10 to 10,000 milligrams per meter 2 of body mass (mg/m 2 ), with the preferred dose being 50-5,000 mg/M 2 body mass.
Dosage forms (compositions suitable for administration) contain from about 1 mg to about 1 g of active ingredient per unit. In these pharmaceutical compositions the active ingredient will ordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.5-95% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
The active ingredient can be administered orally in solid or semi-solid dosage forms, such as for example hard or soft-gelatin capsules, tablets, and powders, or in liquid dosage forms, such as elixirs, syrups, disperse powders or granules, emulsions, and aqueous or oily suspensions. It can also be administered parenterally, in sterile liquid dosage forms. Other dosage forms include transdermal administration via a patch mechanism or ointment.
Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any methods known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents including sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents, and preserving agents in order to provide a pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparation.
Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. Such excipients may include, for example, inert diluents, such as calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, or lactose; granulating disintegrating agents, for example, maize starch or alginic acid; binding agents, such as starch, gelatin, or acacia; and lubricating agents, for example, magnesium stearate, stearic acids or talc. Compressed tablets may be uncoated or may be sugar coated or film coated by known techniques to mask any unpleasant taste and protect the tablet from the atmosphere, or enteric coated for selective disintegration and adsorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Hard gelatin capsules or liquid filled soft gelatin capsules contain the active ingredient and inert powdered or liquid carriers, such as, but not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, kaolin, lactose, lecithin starch, cellulose derivatives, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, arachis oil, liquid paraffin, olive oil, pharmaceutically-accepted synthetic oils and other diluents suitable for the manufacture of capsules. Both tablets and capsules can be manufactured as sustained release-products to provide for continuous release of medication over a period of hours.
Aqueous suspensions contain the active compound in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, e.g., sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth, and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents, such as a naturally occurring phosphatide, e.g., lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or a condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, e.g., heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol, e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or a condensation product of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions can also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, n-propyl, or p-hydroxy benzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose, saccharin, or sodium or calcium cyclamate.
Dispersable powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example, sweetening, flavoring, and coloring agents, can also be present.
Syrups and elixirs can be formulated with sweetening agents, such as glycerol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloring agents.
The pharmaceutical compositions can be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation, for example, as a sterile injectable aqueous suspension. This suspension can be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a nontoxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butane diol.
In general, water, a suitable oil, saline, aqueous dextrose (glucose), polysorbate and related sugar solutions, emulsions, such as Intralipid® (Cutter Laboratories, Inc., Berkley Calif.) and glycols such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycols are suitable carriers for parenteral solutions. Antioxidizing agents, such as but not limited to sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite, or ascorbic acid, either alone or combined, are suitable stabilizing agents. Also used can be citric acid and its salts and sodium EDTA. In addition, parenteral solutions can contain preservatives, such as but not limited to benzalkonium chloride, methyl- or propyl-paraben, and chlorobutanol.
The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention also include compositions for delivery across cutaneous or mucosal epithelia including transdermal, intranasal, sublingual, buccal, and rectal administration. Such compositions may be part of a transdermal device, patch, topical formulation, gel, etc., with appropriate excipients. Thus, the compounds of the present invention can be compounded with a penetration-enhancing agent such as 1-n-dodecylazacyclopentan-2-one or the other penetration-enhancing agents disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,991,203 and 4,122,170 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to describe penetration-enhancing agents which can be included in the transdermal or intranasal compositions of this invention.
Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, a standard reference text in this field, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
The foregoing disclosure includes all the information deemed essential to enable those skilled in the art to practice the claimed invention. Because the cited patents or publications may provide further useful information these cited materials are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
EXAMPLE 1
Synthesis of GOMB and bis-GOMB
GOMB has the following structure ##STR4## and was synthesized as follows. To a stirred solution of chloromethyl butyrate (8.16g, 60 mmol) in acetone (50 mL), glutaric acid (7.9 g, 60 mmol) was added, followed by the dropwise addition of triethylamine (16 mL, 11.6 g, 120 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at 70° C. for 2 h, and was further stirred at room temperature for 60 h, after which a large amount of precipitate was obtained. The precipitate was filtered, washed with acetone and the filtrate was partitioned between water (20 mL) and ethyl acetate (20 mL). The aqueous phase was brought to pH 8 with 1 M K 2 CO 3 and washed with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was extracted 3 more times with basic water (pH 8), and the washings were added to the aqueous phase. The washed organic phase (Solution A) was saved for isolation of bisGOMB. The combined aqueous phase was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate (4×20 mL). This second organic phase was collected, dried and evaporated to give the crude residue (3.44 g) which was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and evaporated to give the pure GOMB, 3 g (22% yield).
To prepare bisGOMB, Solution A was dried and evaporated to give an oily residue(76 g) of crude bisGOMB. This residue was Kugelrohr distilled (190° C./0.5 mm Hg) to give 70 g (0.20 moles, 20% yield) of pure bisGOMB.
The compounds of Table 1 are those of Formula I having the specified groups and can be synthesized in a manner similar to that described above using the appropriate reagents.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Additional Formula I Compounds of the InventionR R.sup.1 R.sup.2 A R.sup.3__________________________________________________________________________n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 -- CH.sub.3 H ##STR5## --C.sub.2 H.sub.5n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 -- CH.sub.3 H ##STR6## ##STR7##C.sub.6 H.sub.5 (CH.sub.2).sub.3 -- CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- --H4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 -- H H --CH═CH-- --CH.sub.32-pyridyl H H ##STR8## --H3-pyridyl H H ##STR9## ##STR10## ##STR11## H H --CH.sub.2 C.tbd.C--CH.sub.2 -- --H ##STR12## CH.sub.3 C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --(CH.sub.2).sub.8 -- --CH.sub.3ClCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- H H ##STR13## --C.sub.6 H.sub.5CH.sub.2 ═CHCH.sub.2 -- H CH.sub.3 --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -- --HCH.sub.3 --CH═CH.sub.2 -- n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 H ##STR14## Hn-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 -- CH.sub.3 H ##STR15## ##STR16##C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2 -- C.sub.4 H.sub.9 H ##STR17## ##STR18##__________________________________________________________________________
EXAMPLE 2
Clonogenicity of Established Tumor Cell Lines
Inhibition of tumor growth was tested using cell lines as follows:
The cell lines listed in Table 2 were grown to 70-80% confluence in complete media. Cells were harvested, washed in complete media, and counted. Cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion. The cells were placed into soft agar (0.12% in media) and plated at 5,000 viable cells per well onto an agarose underlayer (0.4%) in 24-well plates. After overnight culture, AB or GOMB was added at the indicated concentration. Control cells received media alone. As a control for cell death, cells were treated with a superlethal dose of 10 μg/ml of cisplatin. The dosage of AB or GOMB which inhibited fifty percent (or ninety percent) of cell proliferation (IC 50 or IC 90 ) was calculated using the Chou Analysis' Median Effective Dose equation.
The clonogenicity is determined as the percentage of clones in treated cultures relative to clones in media-treated controls cultures. A representative clonogenicity titration curve for AB and GOMB is shown with four neuroblastoma cell lines in FIG. 1. The IC 50 and IC 90 values of GOMB and AB for cancer cell lines are provided in Table 3.
The results demonstrate that GOMB is more a potent growth inhibitor than AB. The data show that GOMB and AB inhibit cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner but that the cells are an order of magnitude more sensitive to GOMB. The ratio of IC 50 AB:IC 50 GOMB ranges between 6- to 460-fold with a median of 28.5 μM. Similarly the ratio of IC 90 AB:IC 90 , GOMB ranges between 26-342-fold with a median value of 53 μM. The IC 90 values are clinically important for assessing eradication of residual cancer disease.
TABLE 2______________________________________Human Tumor Cell LinesCell Lines Origin______________________________________MCF7-WT Breast CarcinomaMCF7-40F Breast CarcinomaPC3 Prostate CarcinomaLNCaP Prostate CarcinomaK562 ErytholeukemiaSK-N-SH NeuroblastomaNBAS-5 NeuroblastomaIMR-32 NeuroblastomaLA1-5S NeuroblastomaNBL-W-N NeuroblastomaSMS-KAN NeuroblastomaSK-N-MC Neuroblastoma______________________________________
TABLE 3______________________________________Inhibition of Established and Primary TumorCell Lines by AB and GOMB AB/GOMB AB GOMB IC.sub.50 IC.sub.90Cell Line IC.sub.50 .sup.(a) IC.sub.90 IC.sub.50 IC.sub.90 Ratio Ratio______________________________________MCF7-WT 1500 9473 43.5 97 34.5 97.7MCF7-40F 817 3183 65.9 85.3 12.4 37.3PC3 226 447 34.9 96.1 6.48 46.6LNCaP 780 6703 68.1 107 11.4 63K562 772 665 43.3 97 17.8 68.6SK-N-SH 998 3397 28 95 35.6 37.8NBAS-5 883 13030 16 38 23.2 343SK-N-MC 215 1314 16 35 13.4 37.5IMR-32 881 3566 23 41 38 87LA1-5S 1627 2675 39 59 42 45NBL-W-N 489 3074 25 70 19.6 44SMS-KAN 1138 2079 27 80 42 26Primary.sup.(b) 4645 2120 34 78 13.9 27.3______________________________________ .sup.(a) All concentrations are in μM. .sup.(b) Data from 53 primary tumor cell lines treated with AB and GOMB a described in Example 3.
EXAMPLE 3
Inhibition of Clonogenicity of Primary Tumor Cells
The effect of GOMB was compared to that of AB on a variety of primary tumor cells as described in Example 2, except that,cells were seeded at 30,000 cells per well. The average IC50 value, IC 90 value, AB/GOMB IC 50 ratio and AB/GOMB IC90 ratio are provided in Table 3. The tested tumor cells were from 11 non-small cell lung carcinomas, 10 breast carcinomas, 10 gastric carcinomas, 10 ovarian carcinomas, and 10 CNS tumors. FIG. 2 shows the average tumor cell clonogenicity as a function of AB and GOMB for all 53 lines of tumor cells; GOMB is a more potent inhibitor of cell proliferation than is AB.
EXAMPLE 4
Synergy of AB and GOMB with Antiviral Agent
The effect of GOMB to AB was compared on EBV virus-associated tumors. EBV-positive cells from P3HR-1, a human lymphoma cell line, were incubated in growth medium with the specified concentration of GOMB, AB, ganciclovir (GC), or combination of these, for 72 hours, seeded in 96-well plates and pulsed with 1 μCi [ 3 H]-thymidine/well during the last 16 hours of exposure to the compounds. Cells were harvested with a cell harvester, using glass microfiber filters. The incorporation of [ 3 H]-thymidine was determined by retention of the acid insoluble fraction on filters and is expressed as CPM. The results of a representative experiment are shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3A shows a titration curve using GC; FIG. 3B shows titration curves using GC and AB; and FIG. 3C shows similar titration curves for GC and GOMB; the GC concentration is indicated in the inset for panels B and C.
The results show that GOMB is 10-fold more potent than AB in inhibiting EBV-positive lymphoma cells, and importantly, that AB and GOMB interact synergistically with GC to inhibit proliferation of an EBV-associated tumor cell line.
EXAMPLE 5
Inducing Differentiation
Cancer cell differentiation was evaluated in a human leukemia cell line by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (NBT) activity (Koeffler, Blood, 62: 709-721, 1983) or in a breast carcinoma cell line by lipid staining (Bacus et al., Mol. Carcinog. 3:350-362, 1990).
The differentiation ability of AB and GOMB with the human leukemia cell line HL-60 was compared to pivaloyoxylmethyl butyrate (AN-9). Briefly, HL-60 cells were incubated with the indicated concentration of AB, GOMB or AN-9 for three days, washed, resuspended in saline containing 0.1% NBT and stimulated with 0.4 μM phorbol ester for 30 minutes at 37° C. The cells were examined microscopically and at least 200 cells were scored. The results are provided graphically in FIG. 4 and demonstrate that GOMB is more active at inducing differentiation than either AB or AN-9.
In the case of the human breast carcinoma cell line Au565, 100%. Of the cells treated with 10 μM GOMB were positive for lipid staining whereas less than 1% of cells treated with the same concentration of AB were positive for lipid staining.
EXAMPLE 6
Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation Assessed by the SRB Assay
The inhibition of cell proliferation was measured in the indicated cancer cell lines using the sulforhoamine B (SRB) assay as described by Monks et al., J. Natl. Can. Inst. 83:757-766. The SRB assay is used to screen for anti-cancer drugs. A comparison of GOMB, AB and AN-9 demonstrates that GOMB exerts at least 100-fold greater activity than AB as measured by the IC 50 and IC 90 values (Table 4). GOMB also was 1.4- to 2.2-fold more active than AN-9 in 6 out of 8 of the IC 50 and IC 90 determinations. (Table 4 and FIG. 5).
TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________Comparison of AB, GOMB and AN-9 in the SRB AssayCELL LINESCFPAC HL-60 HT-29 MCF7AGENT IC.sub.50 IC.sub.90 IC.sub.50 IC.sub.90 IC.sub.50 IC.sub.90 IC.sub.50 IC.sub.90__________________________________________________________________________AB >4.0 >4.0 1.644 3.455 >4.0 >4.0 >4.0 >4.0GOMB 0.0325 0.0410 0.0245 0.0536 0.0982 0.123 0.109 0.218AN-9 0.0559 0.0898 0.0390 0.0599 0.144 0.231 0.180 0.238GOMB/ 1.72 2.2 1.6 1.11 1.4 1.9 1.65 1.01AN9__________________________________________________________________________
EXAMPLE 7
Induction of Apoptosis
Apoptosis was measured as described by Telford et al., 1991, Cell Physiol. 24:447-459, in HL-60 cells and in the human erthroblastic cell line, K-562. Cells were treated with COMB for 3 days, fixed, stained with propidium iodine and analyzed by flow cytometrly for cell cycle distribution. A distinct subpopulation of cells was observed in a region below the G0-G1 cells. This region consisted of cells with fragmented DNA. The increase in apoptotic cells in HL-60 and K-562 cells lines treated with varying concentrations of COMB is shown in Table 5.
Induction of apoptosis by COMB and AB in MCF-7 cells was evaluated by staining cells with the WAF antibody and by Western blot analysis as described by Bacus et al., 1996, Oncogene 12:2535-2547. The percentage of cells expressing WAF was 13% in the controls and increased 623% in GOMB-treated cells. The results demonstrate that GOMB induces apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and that COMB induces apoptosis at a 10-fold lower concentration than does AB(Table 6).
TABLE 5______________________________________Induction of Apaptosis in Human Leukemia CellsGOMB % apoptotic cells % apoptotic cells(μM) HL-60 K-562______________________________________ 5.0 9.4 ND*12.5 14.9 925.0 15.8 1837.5 36.3 ND______________________________________ *ND, not determined.
TABLE 6______________________________________Apoptosis in Breast Cancer CellsConcentration % Cells Expressing WAF(μM) AB GOMB______________________________________10 ND* 3625 ND 3450 ND 79100 23 81______________________________________ *ND, not detected.
EXAMPLE 8
Induction of Hemoglobin Synthesis
Hb Measurement: HB was measured by benzidine staining of K562 cells after 5 days exposure to GOMB or AB according to the procedure of Fibach et al. (1989) [full cite]. Quantitative measurement of HbF in K562 culture or human erythroid cultures was determined by ion-exchange high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as described by Fibach et al., Blood 81:1630-1635, 1993.
K562 cells: K562 is an erthroblast cell line that develops some properties of erythroid, megakaryocyte or monocyte cells, depending on the specific stimulus, when induced by different chemicals. K562 cells were grown in RPMI with 10% FCS, supplemented with 2 mM glutamine. Cells were incubated at 37° C. in a humidified, 5% CO 2 incubator.
Treatment of K562 cells with GOMB and AG showed that, on a molar basis, GOMB has a higher activity in inducing erythroid differentiation (hemoglobin accumulation) than does AB. This was evident from the higher proportion of Hb-containing cells per the total cell population (Table 7) as well as the total Hb content of the cultures (Tables 8). The extent of differentiation of the treated cultures was directly related to the drug dose. The diluents, DMF and water, had no effect on cell growth, cell viability or differentiation.
Erythroid cells: Erythroid cells were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy individuals by the method of Fibach (1993). The results showed that 0.2 mM GOMB increased HbF by 49.5% in cultured erythroid cells relative to untreated control cultures.
TABLE 7______________________________________Percentage K562 Cells Containing HbFConcentration (mM) GOMB AB______________________________________0.01 6.3 ± 1.15 ND0.05 12.3 ± 5.3 3 ± 20.10 29 ND______________________________________
TABLE 8______________________________________HbF Synthesis in K562 CellsConcentration (mM) GOMB AB______________________________________0.01 1.54* 0.960.05 3.21 0.950.10 5.0 1.80.50 -- 3.69______________________________________ *HbF in μg/ml
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This invention relates to compositions for and methods of treating, preventing or ameliorating cancer and other proliferative diseases as well as methods of inducing wound healing, treating cutaneous ulcers, treating gastrointestinal disorders, treating blood disorders such as anemias, immunomodulation, enhancing recombinant gene expression, treating insulin-dependent patients, treating cystic fibrosis patients, inhibiting telomerase activity, treating virus-associated tumors, especially EBV-associated tumors, augmenting expression of a tumor suppressor gene and inducing tolerance to an antigen. The methods of the invention use tricarboxylic acid substituted oxyalkyl esters.
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[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/334,446, filed Dec. 31, 2002.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] The present application is related to the following application with a common assignee:
[0003] U.S. Ser. No. 10/334,421 (Dkt. No. AUS920020621US1), filed Dec. 31, 2002, titled “Method and system for morphing honeypot with computer security incident correlation.”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to an improved data processing system and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for computer security.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art
[0007] The connectivity of the Internet provides malicious users with the ability to probe data processing systems and to launch attacks against computer networks around the world. While computer security tools provide defensive mechanisms for limiting the ability of malicious users to cause harm to a computer system, computer administrators are legally limited in their ability to employ offensive mechanisms. Although an intrusion detection system can alert an administrator to suspicious activity so that the administrator can take actions to track the suspicious activity and to modify systems and networks to prevent security breaches, these systems can typically only gather information about possible security incidents.
[0008] Honeypots have been developed as a tool to help computer security analysts and administrators in coping to a small degree with malicious computer activity. A honeypot has been defined as a resource that has value in being probed, attacked, or compromised. A resource may be an application, an object, a document, a page, a file, other data, executable code, other computational resource, or some other type of communication-type resource. For example, a honeypot may comprise a network of servers; a honeypot server is sometimes called a decoy server.
[0009] A typical honeypot is a computer server that has limited or no production value; in other words, a typical honeypot performs no significant work within an enterprise other than monitoring for activity. Since the honeypot has no significant production value, its significant value lies in the fact that it acts as a decoy to lure malicious users or hackers to probing or attacking it. In the meantime, it is hoped that a malicious user would ignore production systems that have true value within an enterprise. In addition, the honeypot collects information about probes or attacks. From this perspective, a honeypot provides a tool with a small offensive capability. Ideally, the honeypot maintains a malicious user's interest so that significant information can be gathered about the methods of operation of the malicious user and whether any computer security flaws are discovered that require immediate administrative attention.
[0010] Preventive measures are usually taken so that a malicious user does not discover the true nature of the honeypot; otherwise, the malicious user would ignore the honeypot and begin probing other systems. For example, steps are usually taken to hide any administrative information within a computer network about the existence of a honeypot so that a malicious user does not capture and read about the configuration of a honeypot, e.g., activity logs or special file names. Hence, it is common practice to configure honeypots as relatively simple systems with little activity so that sophisticated, malicious users do not detect any activity that might lead this type of user to suspect that a system that is being probed is a honeypot. For this reason, honeypots are typically taken offline to be administratively analyzed and manually reconfigured. While providing some utility, a typical honeypot remains a passive tool with limited utility.
[0011] Therefore, it would be advantageous to employ a honeypot in a more offensive role for assisting a system administrator in detecting malicious activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A method, system, apparatus, or computer program product is presented for morphing a honeypot system on a dynamic and configurable basis. The morphing honeypot emulates a variety of services while falsely presenting information about potential vulnerabilities within the system that supports the honeypot. The morphing honeypot has the ability to dynamically change its personality or displayed characteristics using a variety of algorithms and a database of known operating system and service vulnerabilities. The morphing honeypot's personality can be changed on a timed or scheduled basis, on the basis of activity that is generated by the presented honeypot personality, or on some other basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A depicts a typical distributed data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented;
[0015] FIG. 1B depicts a typical computer architecture that may be used within a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented;
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts a set of dimensions for a database of known vulnerabilities;
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a diagram of a set of modes of operation for a typical honeypot;
[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of a set of modes of operation for the morphing honeypot of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of a set of components or modules that may be used within a morphing honeypot in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for dynamically determining when to alter the information that indicates that the honeypot has vulnerable characteristics in accordance with monitored conditions; and
[0021] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart that shows some of the monitored conditions that might be considered by a morphing honeypot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In general, the devices that may comprise or relate to the present invention include a wide variety of data processing technology. Therefore, as background, a typical organization of hardware and software components within a distributed data processing system is described prior to describing the present invention in more detail.
[0023] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1A depicts a typical network of data processing systems, each of which may implement a portion of the present invention. Distributed data processing system 100 contains network 101 , which is a medium that may be used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within distributed data processing system 100 . Network 101 may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, or temporary connections made through telephone or wireless communications. In the depicted example, server 102 and server 103 are connected to network 101 along with storage unit 104 . In addition, clients 105 - 107 also are connected to network 101 . Clients 105 - 107 and servers 102 - 103 may be represented by a variety of computing devices, such as mainframes, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Distributed data processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients, routers, other devices, and peer-to-peer architectures that are not shown.
[0024] In the depicted example, distributed data processing system 100 may include the Internet with network 101 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use various protocols to communicate with one another, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc. Of course, distributed data processing system 100 may also include a number of different types of networks, such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). For example, server 102 directly supports client 109 and network 110 , which incorporates wireless communication links. Network-enabled phone 111 connects to network 110 through wireless link 112 , and PDA 113 connects to network 110 through wireless link 114 . Phone 111 and PDA 113 can also directly transfer data between themselves across wireless link 115 using an appropriate technology, such as Bluetooth™ wireless technology, to create so-called personal area networks (PAN) or personal ad-hoc networks. In a similar manner, PDA 113 can transfer data to PDA 107 via wireless communication link 116 .
[0025] The present invention could be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms; FIG. 1A is intended as an example of a heterogeneous computing environment and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention.
[0026] With reference now to FIG. 1B , a diagram depicts a typical computer architecture of a data processing system, such as those shown in FIG. 1A , in which the present invention may be implemented. Data processing system 120 contains one or more central processing units (CPUs) 122 connected to internal system bus 123 , which interconnects random access memory (RAM) 124 , read-only memory 126 , and input/output adapter 128 , which supports various I/O devices, such as printer 130 , disk units 132 , or other devices not shown, such as a audio output system, etc. System bus 123 also connects communication adapter 134 that provides access to communication link 136 . User interface adapter 148 connects various user devices, such as keyboard 140 and mouse 142 , or other devices not shown, such as a touch screen, stylus, microphone, etc. Display adapter 144 connects system bus 123 to display device 146 .
[0027] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 1B may vary depending on the system implementation. For example, the system may have one or more processors, such as an Intel® Pentium®-based processor and a digital signal processor (DSP), and one or more types of volatile and non-volatile memory. Other peripheral devices may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 1B . The depicted examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention.
[0028] In addition to being able to be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms, the present invention may be implemented in a variety of software environments. A typical operating system may be used to control program execution within each data processing system. For example, one device may run a Unix® operating system, while another device contains a simple Java® runtime environment. A representative computer platform may include a browser, which is a well known software application for accessing hypertext documents in a variety of formats, such as graphic files, word processing files, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), and various other formats and types of files.
[0029] The present invention may be implemented on a variety of hardware and software platforms, as described above with respect to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B . More specifically, though, the present invention is directed to operating a morphing honeypot, as described in more detail below with respect to the remaining figures.
[0030] With reference now to FIG. 2 , a diagram depicts a set of dimensions for a typical database of known vulnerabilities. As is well-known, a database of known vulnerabilities can be compiled through empirical observation. Information about multiple operating systems 202 can be stored in the vulnerability database along with a set of associated services 204 that execute with support from an operating system. A particular type of service, such as an FTP server, is implemented under different operating systems using different code libraries, and each implementation of a particular type of service has its own set of known vulnerabilities 206 . A vulnerability in a service is typically discovered by accident, by trial and error via a legitimate testing procedure, or by trial and error via malicious attempts to break the service. Information about these vulnerabilities are stored, compiled, and shared amongst various groups of users or organizations; persons who attempt to secure systems against vulnerabilities are often termed “whitehats”, while persons who attempt to harm systems by exploiting vulnerabilities are often termed “blackhats”.
[0031] For example, a vulnerability might be discovered, either accidentally or maliciously, when an invalid value for a particular parameter (or a set of values for multiple parameters in which the combination of values is somehow invalid) is sent within a request message or a data packet to a particular service. When the service attempts to process the message or data packet containing the invalid value, the service may behave erratically or erroneously, possibly because it has not been programmed to handle the exception that is posed by the invalid value. The improper behavior of the service causes some form of problem within the operating system or the system in general, possibly forcing the operating system into some form of exception processing. In some cases, the vulnerability exploits a buffer overflow technique in which a service accepts a large amount of data that overflows the memory buffer into which the service is capturing the incoming data. The incoming data, however, is actually executable code for the receiving system, and the system is manipulated into executing the received executable code. In some cases, the system can be manipulated into recognizing the received executable code as the service's own executable code. Given the fact that the service often executes at a higher level of priority or with special privileges under the operating system because it is a system-level service, the received executable code can thereafter perform a wide range of operations with system-level privileges, which can have devastating consequences. From that point forward, a malicious user may copy confidential information, destroy data, reconfigure systems, hide so-called back-door programs, and perform a variety of other nefarious activities.
[0032] A particular vulnerability exists within a particular operating system and service. More specifically, since operating systems and services are continually improved through patches to fix vulnerabilities or updated to comprise new features, a particular vulnerability exists within a particular version of an operating system and/or a particular version of a service. Hence, a particular technique for exploiting a vulnerability is successful against a limited number of configurations of operating systems and services, possibly only a unique combination of a particular version of a service on a particular version of an operating system.
[0033] Given that a particular technique for exploiting a known vulnerability is successful only against certain system configurations, a malicious user usually attempts to probe a particular service. A service is typically probed by sending the service a set of messages or malformed data packets and then observing and analyzing the responses in an attempt to identify the particular version of an operating system, the particular version of a service at the probed system, or other information. In some cases, this information is explicitly provided in the response. In other cases, this information is gleaned from the values of parameters that are returned from the system by matching these values with values that are known to be returned by particular services or versions of services. In any case, the information that is returned in the responses from a particular system provides information about the configuration of that system, and given the fact that a particular configuration of an operating system and/or an associated service may have a vulnerability, the information that is returned in the responses from a particular system also provides information about the vulnerable characteristics of that system. A group of vulnerable characteristics of a system can be termed the system's “personality”; in other words, the manner in which the system exhibits certain behaviors in response to certain requests comprises the system's personality.
[0034] The process of matching content from the service responses with known values is termed “fingerprinting”. These known values have also been compiled into databases, and various utilities exist for fingerprinting a system. These fingerprinting utilities can be used for legitimate purposes in order to identify the fact that a system is providing information about its vulnerable characteristics, or these fingerprinting utilities can be used for nefarious activities in order to gather information about systems that a malicious user desires to attack. Given that a malicious user usually desires to escape detection and prosecution for illegal activities, a malicious user typically probes a system prior to attacking it so that the malicious user can determine if the system has a vulnerability that can be exploited. Otherwise, the malicious user risks detection and prosecution for launching an attack that cannot succeed. After receiving information about particular vulnerable characteristics of a system, the malicious user can choose particular techniques for exploiting the vulnerable characteristics of the system through an attack on the system.
[0035] Rather than actively fingerprinting a system by sending it particular requests, a system can also be passively fingerprinted by observing or tracing responses to legitimate requests. In addition, fingerprinting can also work in the opposite manner through a process of reverse fingerprinting in which requests from a system are traced. By analyzing the values of parameters within the incoming request messages or data packets, it may be possible to identify configuration information about the requesting system. Moreover, since the manner in which a given, publicly available, fingerprinting utility operates is well-known, it is also possible to identify a fingerprinting utility through the manner in which it generates malformed requests or data packets during its fingerprinting operations.
[0036] With reference now to FIG. 3 , a diagram depicts a set of modes of operation for a typical honeypot. A typical lifecycle for a honeypot can be categorized as a series of operational phases or a series of modes of operation. An administrative user configures a honeypot during a configuration phase (step 302 ), which may comprise a variety of steps that depend upon the particular honeypot that will be operated. After initialization, the honeypot begins operating within an emulation phase (step 304 ) during which one or more services are emulated while information about requests to those services are collected and logged. After a period of time, the honeypot is brought offline, and the logged information is then examined during an analysis phase (step 306 ). The analysis may include a determination that the system was probed during the emulation phase. In any case, an administrative user determines whether the configuration of the honeypot should be changed during a reconfiguration phase (step 308 ), e.g., in response to previous probes. After performing any required or desired reconfigurations, the honeypot is again brought online, and the cycle repeats as long as deemed necessary by the administrator.
[0037] With reference now to FIG. 4 , a diagram depicts a set of modes of operation for the morphing honeypot of the present invention. In a manner similar to the process that is shown in FIG. 3 , the morphing honeypot undergoes a configuration phase (step 402 ). In contrast to the process that is shown in FIG. 3 , however, an morphing emulation phase with the present invention (step 404 ) continues while analysis operations (step 406 ) are automatically conducted along with automatic reconfiguration operations (step 408 ), as explained in more detail below.
[0038] With reference now to FIG. 5 , a block diagram depicts a set of components or modules that may be used within a morphing honeypot in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Malicious user 500 acts to probe, to attack, or to compromise morphing honeypot 502 , which emulates two different services in this example: dynamically configurable emulated service 504 and dynamically configurable emulated service 506 . The set of services that are emulated by the morphing honeypot represent a type of facade on the underlying system. The facade may include virtual directories and files that are available for retrieval and/or manipulation by a malicious user. For each request that is received by an emulated service, the emulated service generates a response containing information about morphing honeypot 502 . In a manner that would be expected for a production system, the emulated services of the morphing honeypot present information about vulnerable characteristics of the morphing honeypot as if it were a production system that is supporting a particular version of an operating system along with particular versions of the services that are executing on that operating system. In other words, the information that is returned by the emulated services in response to requests that are received by those emulated services allows malicious user 500 to fingerprint the emulated service. In response to fingerprinting an emulated service at morphing honeypot 502 , the malicious user would determine one or more vulnerabilities that are typically possessed by other systems with similar fingerprints, after which malicious user 500 may launch attacks that are directed at those vulnerabilities.
[0039] Morphing honeypot 502 may or may not truly possess any of the indicated vulnerabilities, depending upon the operating system and associated set of services that are executing on morphing honeypot 502 . However, the returned information should be interpreted by a malicious user as indicating a set of vulnerable characteristics at the morphing honeypot.
[0040] Each emulated service is configured through a set of parameters, such as configuration dataset 508 for emulated service 504 and configuration dataset 510 for emulated service 506 ; each set instructs the behavior of the associated emulated service. As each emulated service responds to requests, the activities of the service are logged, either locally into a local dataset, such as activity log dataset 512 for emulated service 504 and activity log dataset 514 for emulated service 506 , or system-wide into activity log database 516 through activity logging module 518 . An activity log or dataset may have information about the content of any requests that were received by any service supported by morphing honeypot 502 , including emulated services 504 and 506 , the time and conditions of the receipt of those requests, and information about the actions that were taken by the emulated services or the morphing honeypot as a whole, including the response that was returned for a given request. Other activity may be logged, such as any operations that are performed on behalf of an administrative user through administrative management interface module 520 , which may be simply an interface to a management utility that controls morphing honeypot 502 or may comprise the functionality for acting as a management utility to control morphing honeypot 502 .
[0041] Administrative management interface module 520 allows an administrative user to manage the operations of morphing honeypot 502 and the information that is stored within any databases that used by morphing honeypot 502 , such as activity log database 516 , vulnerability database 522 , and morphing honeypot configuration database 524 . Vulnerability database 522 may be created by morphing honeypot 502 , or vulnerability database 522 may be obtained through other means; for example, as described above, vulnerability databases may be generated through other utilities or tools, or a vulnerability database may be obtained from a user group or possibly a security information center that disseminates information about computer security advisories, such as the CERT® Coordination Center (CERT/CC) operated by Carnegie Mellon University. A vulnerability database may have various forms of information; vulnerability database is organized to contain vulnerability tuples 526 , each of which includes an indication of a version of an operating system 528 , an indication of a version of computer service 530 , and an indication of a known vulnerability 532 for the associated version of the operating system and the associated version of a computer service.
[0042] Morphing honeypot configuration database 524 contains monitoring condition rules 534 , vulnerability alteration rules 536 , and user-selected parameters 538 , which are used in conjunction with the rules within the database or in some other manner by the morphing honeypot. Monitoring condition rules 534 and vulnerability alteration rules 536 may be manipulated, created, or deleted by an administrative user through administrative management interface module 520 . Monitoring manager 540 uses rules engine 542 to evaluate the expressions within monitoring condition rules 534 to detect user-specified monitoring conditions within the emulated services. After a user-specified monitoring condition is detected, monitoring manager 540 uses rules engine 542 to evaluate the expressions within vulnerability alteration rules 536 to determine the next set of vulnerable characteristics that should be presented by the emulated services. Monitoring manager 540 obtains information from vulnerability database 522 for that set of vulnerable characteristics, i.e. the information that should be presented by an emulated service to indicate that morphing honeypot 502 possesses a particular vulnerability. The information is written into the appropriate configuration dataset for the appropriate emulated service; the emulated service then places the configurable information into the responses that it returns for the requests that it receives.
[0043] With reference now to FIG. 6 , a flowchart depicts a process for dynamically determining when to alter the information that indicates that the honeypot has vulnerable characteristics in accordance with monitored conditions. The process begins by obtaining a monitoring rule, e.g., from a monitoring rule database or some other database associated with the morphing honeypot (step 602 ). The retrieved monitoring rule may be applicable to one or more emulated services, but assuming that the retrieved monitoring rule is applicable to one particular type of emulated service, then the operational condition of the appropriate emulated service, as indicated in the monitoring rule, is retrieved (step 604 ). The operational condition may include an activity log for the emulated service, but the operational condition may also include information that is maintained by the emulated service or by a monitoring manager that communicates with the emulated service. For example, the operational condition may include a timestamp for the most recent reconfiguration of the emulated service or for other operations that are internal to the morphing honeypot; in contrast, the activity log may indicate only actions that have occurred with respect to entities external to the morphing honeypot.
[0044] Any user-specified parameters that may be applicable to the retrieved monitoring rule are also retrieved (step 606 ). The monitoring rule may be configured as an expression with variables, and the user-specified parameters may be used as input into the expression prior to evaluating the expression. In this manner, a set of monitoring rules may be stored like a template, and the user-specified parameters configure the monitoring rules for a particular honeypot.
[0045] A determination is then made as to whether the operational condition of the emulated service satisfies the retrieved monitoring rule as evaluated (step 608 ). If not, then the process is complete.
[0046] It may be assumed that the process that is shown in FIG. 6 is only a portion of a larger process. For example, a set of monitoring rules from a monitoring rule database may be loaded during the initialization of the morphing honeypot. Thereafter, the monitoring rules are updated within the database, and the morphing honeypot may dynamically update its copy of the monitoring rules as necessary. For example, an administrative user may be allowed to dynamically add or delete monitoring rules through an appropriate interface.
[0047] In addition, the morphing honeypot may continually cycle through all of the monitoring rules, thereby performing the process that is shown in FIG. 6 for all of the monitoring rules. Moreover, rather than inserting and deleting monitoring rules from the database when the monitoring rules are active, the morphing honeypot may provide an interface for setting or resetting activation flags that are associated with the monitoring rules and that indicate whether a particular monitoring rule is active or inactive.
[0048] If the operational condition of the emulated service satisfies the retrieved monitoring rule at step 608 , then an appropriate vulnerability alteration rule is retrieved (step 610 ). A vulnerability alteration rule directs the morphing activities of the morphing honeypot such that the morphing honeypot moves from presenting one personality to another personality. More specifically, a vulnerability alteration rule guides the selection of the next set of vulnerability information that should be presented by an emulated service. Whenever an operational condition of an emulated service is detected, as indicated by a monitoring rule, then the emulated service changes its personality in accordance with a vulnerability alteration rule.
[0049] Alternatively, rather than using a single vulnerability alteration rule, a plurality of vulnerability alteration rules may be associated with the previously retrieved monitoring rule; in other words, the previously retrieved monitoring rule also indicates a set of rules that should be used when the monitoring rule is satisfied. If a set of vulnerability alteration rules are indicated, then the set of vulnerability alteration rules may be evaluated in accordance with user-specified parameters and/or other information to select the vulnerability alteration rule that has a highest relevancy value, i.e. each vulnerability alteration rule may also have an expression that evaluates to indicate the appropriateness of choosing that particular vulnerability alteration rule.
[0050] In a manner similar to the monitoring rules, each vulnerability alteration rule may be configured as an expression with variables, and the user-specified parameters may be used as input into the expression prior to evaluating the expression. In this manner, there may be an expression to select a vulnerability alteration rule along with an expression that indicates the next vulnerability that should be used by the emulated service.
[0051] The user-specified parameters that are applicable to the selected vulnerability alteration rule are retrieved (step 612 ), and the next vulnerability is selected from the vulnerability database in accordance with the selected vulnerability alteration rule (step 614 ). The emulated service is then reconfigured in accordance with the new vulnerability (step 616 ), and the process is complete with respect to a particular monitoring rule.
[0052] With reference now to FIG. 7 , a flowchart depicts some of the monitored conditions that might be considered by a morphing honeypot. The process that is shown in FIG. 6 performs an evaluation of a monitoring rule followed by the evaluation of a vulnerability alteration rule. FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 in that FIG. 7 provides examples of morphing conditions; the description of the processing of these conditions combines aspects of evaluating monitoring conditions along with aspects of selecting a new vulnerability to be presented by the morphing honeypot.
[0053] The process begins with a determination of whether or not a point in time has been reached when a scheduled reconfiguration should be triggered (step 702 ). For example, an administrative user may select many options within an administrative management utility for the morphing honeypot. Some of these options may provide the ability to select various temporal parameters for the morphing conditions; examples of temporal parameters may include: a repeatable cycle for changing the personality of the morphing honeypot; particular dates and times when the morphing honeypot will alter its behavior; a schedule of multiple dates and times for presenting new vulnerabilities; or some other time-related value. The condition may be triggered by the expiration of a previously created software timer. If a scheduling condition for a monitoring rule is matched, then an associated timer is reset if necessary (step 704 ), and a next vulnerability is obtained (step 706 ). The scheduling condition may have a vulnerability alteration rule that iterates through a set of selected or pre-determined vulnerabilities. The appropriate service is then reconfigured to present information reflecting a different vulnerability (step 708 ), and the process is complete.
[0054] If a scheduled reconfiguration has not been triggered at step 702 , then a determination is made as to whether a condition has been triggered in which the morphing honeypot determines that logged activity by the morphing honeypot is below a previously configured threshold value for a previously configured amount of time (step 710 ). In this scenario, the amount of logged activity is relied upon by an administrative user as an indicator of the attractiveness of the morphing honeypot to malicious users. In addition, it is assumed that the morphing honeypot can experience more probes, more attempted attacks, or more actual attacks if the vulnerable characteristics of the honeypot are changed to match the vulnerabilities that are sought by a malicious user. The condition may be triggered by the expiration of a previously created software timer, at which time the morphing honeypot reviews the activities of all emulated services, a subset of emulated services, or a single emulated service. Various heuristics may be employed to determine whether or not the level of activity is insufficient, thereby triggering the reconfiguration operation; these heuristics may also be stored in the form of expressions, wherein activity-related parameters from one or more activity logs are used to evaluate the expression. If the condition is matched, then a timer value may be reset if necessary at step 704 , and a next vulnerability is obtained at step 706 . The appropriate service is then reconfigured to present information reflecting a different vulnerability at step 708 , and the process is complete.
[0055] If an inactivity threshold is not violated at step 710 , then a determination is made as to whether or not a probe has been detected from a particular client system (step 712 ). In this scenario, the morphing honeypot may track suspicious requests over time from a particular client system. For example, a client system may be identified by an IP address, and an emulated service can be configured to scan for the particular IP address. If a subsequent request is received from the previously identified IP address, then the emulated service can notify the monitoring engine within the morphing honeypot, which then determines whether a monitoring rule is triggered by the receipt of a request from the particular client system. After this particular monitoring rule is triggered, the morphing honeypot may attempt to present the same vulnerability that was previously presented to the client system in an effort to entice a malicious user into thinking that the emulated service has not changed its behavior since a previous probe. In the process shown in FIG. 7 , the morphing honeypot sets the next vulnerability to the vulnerability that was previously presented to this particular client system (step 714 ), which may have been stored within the activity log database when the previous probe was logged. Thereafter, the morphing honeypot gets the next vulnerability at step 706 , and the appropriate service is then reconfigured to present information reflecting a different vulnerability at step 708 , and the process is complete.
[0056] Alternatively, rather than attempting to present the same vulnerability that was previously presented to the client system, the morphing honeypot may present vulnerability information to the client system in an effort to entice a malicious user into thinking that the emulated service has specifically changed its behavior in response to a previous probe or attack.
[0057] For example, a malicious user might attempt to attack a typical production system from a particular client system based on a discovered vulnerability in the production system. In response, an administrative user might install a particular operating system patch that is known to fix the vulnerability. However, the newly installed operating system patch may have a different vulnerability that could be exploited by the malicious user, and the malicious user might expect to participate in a series of actions and counteractions in which a production system is updated in response to probes or attacks by the malicious user.
[0058] The morphing honeypot may be configured to play to the expectations of the malicious user; the morphing honeypot can lure the malicious user into thinking that a previously presented vulnerability was specifically fixed in response to activities by the malicious user. The morphing honeypot can be configured such that a series of vulnerability alteration rules can follow a particular chain of known vulnerabilities and fixes. In this manner, the morphing honeypot appears to the malicious user to be a constantly upgraded system, thereby luring the malicious user into activities at the morphing honeypot while concealing the true nature of the honeypot.
[0059] If a probe by a particular client system is not detected at step 714 , then a determination is made as to whether or not a particular type of probe is detected (step 716 ). If not, the process is complete, after which the morphing honeypot may perform other duties, such as storing activity logs, and the process of evaluating monitoring rules would be started again at some later point in time. In addition, the morphing honeypot may be multithreaded such that various monitoring conditions are constantly evaluated through dedicated threads.
[0060] A particular type of probe may be detected at step 716 through the use of reverse fingerprinting, as mentioned above. By analyzing one or more requests or one or more data packets, the morphing honeypot may determine that a client system is probing for a particular form of vulnerability, particularly in a scenario in which the morphing honeypot is not implemented on a production system and should not be receiving any legitimate data traffic.
[0061] If a particular type of probe is detected, then the morphing honeypot searches for and locates a next vulnerability that may appeal to a malicious user or tool that is associated with the detected type of probe (step 718 ). Thereafter, the morphing honeypot gets the next vulnerability at step 706 , and the appropriate service is then reconfigured to present information reflecting a different vulnerability at step 708 , and the process is complete.
[0062] The advantages of the present invention should be apparent in view of the detailed description that is provided above. The morphing honeypot of the present invention increases the likelihood that a malicious user will identify the honeypot as a vulnerable system that seems ripe for nefarious activity. The overall security of a distributed data processing system or network is increased if a computer administrator is able to keep a malicious user interested in the honeypot system while providing time to determine appropriate responses to the actions of the malicious user. Moreover, if an outright attack is made on the honeypot by a malicious user, an administrator may be able keep the attack shunted to particular systems within an enterprise, thereby limiting any damage that might be caused or any information that might be compromised.
[0063] It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some of the processes associated with the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of instructions in a computer readable medium and a variety of other forms, regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include media such as EPROM, ROM, tape, paper, floppy disc, hard disk drive, RAM, and CD-ROMs and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications links.
[0064] The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments were chosen to explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention in order to implement various embodiments with various modifications as might be suited to other contemplated uses.
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A method, system, apparatus, or computer program product is presented for morphing a honeypot system on a dynamic and configurable basis. The morphing honeypot emulates a variety of services while falsely presenting information about potential vulnerabilities within the system that supports the honeypot. The morphing honeypot has the ability to dynamically change its personality or displayed characteristics using a variety of algorithms and a database of known operating system and service vulnerabilities. The morphing honeypot's personality can be changed on a timed or scheduled basis, on the basis of activity that is generated by the presented honeypot personality, or on some other basis.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a rotating locking or positioning mechanism and method for locking or positioning a plate or sheet-like member by placing it in tension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-tensioning device for securing a printing plate to a printing cylinder in a rotary printing press.
It is common practice in the printing industry to use flexible metallic plastic or paper printing plates having a raised or planographic image on one side thereof attached to a printing cylinder in a rotary printing press. The raised image on the printing plate is transferred to the paper as the printing cylinder rotates and the paper is moved through the rotary printing press.
Printing plates are typically changed relatively often whenever a different image is desired. Because the rotary printing press must be shut down in order to change printing plates, printing plates must be easily changeable so as to reduce costly downtime.
As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,197 to Dulin, efforts to devise low cost printing plates have resulted in printing plates which are dimensionally unstable when exposed to different humidity and temperature levels. The resulting variation in printing plate dimensions creates a need for a self-tensioning printing plate locking mechanism to maintain tension on the printing plate to closely fit the periphery of the press cylinder.
Because the press operator must change the printing plates frequently, it is important that the locking mechanism be simple to operate. Moreover, the operators must work in very close spaces with great possibility of injury to the operator or marring the printing due to excessive handling. Thus, simplicity of the operation of a locking mechanism for rotary printing presses is paramount.
Because printing plate locking mechanisms are often difficult to access for repair, it is important that they require infrequent repair to minimize expensive downtime. Thus, it is desirable to construct such a mechanism with as few moving parts as possible so as to minimize breakdowns.
A number of printing plate locking mechanisms are found in the art. These mechanisms are relatively complicated mechanically and expensive to build and maintain.
Thus, there has been a need in the field of printing plate locking devices for such a device which is easily operated, inexpensive to construct and maintain, and which provides constant tension on printing plates of varying lengths.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a rotating locking mechanism for locking a plate or sheet-like member by placing it in tension. The present invention is a mechanism having a first member and a second member rotatable with respect thereto, one member having means to attach to an object to be positioned or locked, and both members having means for magnetically urging rotation therebetween. The present invention also contemplates a method of applying tension to an object by securing the object to a rotatably mounted member and magnetically urging that member to rotate.
In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a first member having a first magnetic field provided therein, and a second member having means for securing the object to be locked and having a second magnetic field provided therein, which is of the same polarity as the first magnetic field. The mutual repulsion of the like first and second magnetic fields urges relative rotation between the first and second members, which are arranged to rotate with respect to each other. When the first and second members are arranged so that the first and second magnetic fields are proximate, the repulsion force is relatively large. When members are arranged so that the magnetic fields are not proximate, the repulsion force is relatively small. Thus, after aligning the magnetic fields so they are adjacent, release of the members allows relative rotation therebetween so that the means for securing the object to be locked is rotationally displaced. This rotational displacement acts to lock the object in tension.
In an alternate embodiment, either member may have, instead of its associated magnetic field of like polarity to the magnetic field of the other, an element that is magnetically conductive or that has a magnetic field of opposite polarity such that the element is attracted by the magnetic field of the other member. The object may be attached to the second member while the second member is in a rotational orientation with respect to the first member such that the magnetic attraction urges relative rotation therebetween so that the means for securing the object to the locked is rotationally displaced. This rotational displacement acts to lock the object in tension.
In an alternate embodiment, either or both members may be provided with a plurality of discrete magnetic fields proximate the other member, the respective magnetic fields of each member occupying a spaced relation. To engage the object to be locked with the second member, the operator rotates the second member with respect to the first member so that the second magnetic fields are brought closer to the first magnetic fields of like polarity, thereby increasing the magnetic repulsion acting to resist such rotation of the respective members. Once the object is engaged, the operator releases the second member, thereby allowing it to rotate away from the aligned position, urged by the magnetic repulsion into a locking relation. This magnetic repulsion is augmented by magnetic attraction between magnetic fields of unlike polarity.
The present invention is advantageously employed in conjunction with a rotary printing cylinder for locking thereon a printing plate. In one embodiment, the printing cylinder has attached thereto a base provided with a plurality of magnetic fields therein and a bar rotatably received by the base, which also has a plurality of magnetic fields arranged therein. The bar and base magnetic fields are arranged so that the bar magnetic fields are attracted to the base magnetic fields at a first angular position of the bar with respect to the base and are repelled by the base magnetic fields at a second angular position of the bar with respect to the base. The bar has provided therein a groove at other means for securing the end of an object to be locked. The operator rotates the bar toward the position at which the magnetic fields of like polarity are aligned and inserts the free end of the printing plate in the groove of the bar. The operator then releases the bar, which is rotatably urged toward the position at which the bar magnetic fields are attracted to the base magnetic fields. The magnetically-induced rotational force locks the printing plate snugly against the outer surface of the printing cylinder.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic fields are provided by a plurality of spaced, parallel, magnetiferous strips oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the bar. The base and bar contain three conductive strips, with a magnet between the first and second strips of both the base and bar and with another magnet between the second and third strips of both the base and bar. This arrangement provides first and third conductive strips having a first polarity and a central, second conductive strip having a second polarity. When aligned in a parallel relation, this arrangement causes the magnetic fields of the strips to repel, thereby urging the bar to rotate away from this aligned position. Urging the bar in a rotational direction away from the aligned position causes the attached printing plate or other object to be placed in tension, thereby locking it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing cylinder for a rotary printing press.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a printing cylinder, printing plate, and the magnetic rotary lock bar of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the magnetic rotary locking mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail of the locking mechanism, printing plate, and printing cylinder.
FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an insert which may be used with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention utilized with the insert of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a printing cylinder 10 such as is commonly used with rotary printing presses. Located on the periphery of cylinder 10 are grooves 12. As shown, a printing cylinder may be made in sections so that the grooves 12 are not aligned.
As shown in FIG. 2, mounted on the periphery of printing cylinder 10 is printing plate 14. Each end of printing plate 14 is formed into a hook 16. One hook 16 may be conveniently registered in the groove 12 as shown in the bottom of FIG. 2. The other end of printing plate 14 is secured and printing plate 14 is tightly wrapped around the periphery of printing cylinder 10 by means of magnetic rotary locking mechanism assembly 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, magnetic rotary locking mechanism assembly 20 comprises bar 22, base members 24, and retaining members 26.
Referring the FIG. 5, bar 22 is generally cylindrical, and may be provided with neck portion 30 of reduced diameter. A collar 32 of reduced diameter is provided on base 24. The interior surface 34 is sized to rotatably receive bar neck portion 30 therein. Bar 22 may be rotatably secured to base member 24 by means of retaining member 26, which also has an interior surface 36 sized to rotatably receive bar neck portion 30. Retaining member 26 may be conveniently affixed to base collar 32, for example, by means of retaining screws 40. Retaining member interior surface 36 and base collar interior surface 34 may advantageously form with bar neck portion 30 a fairly tight running fit. The remainder of bar 22 preferably forms with the base member 24 a relatively loose running fit so as to provide clearance therebetween. This clearance facilitates rotation of the bar 22 and prevents binding caused by the magnetic attraction between bar 22 and base 24. It will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to use with this type of rotational coupling. For example, this invention may be used advantageously with bearings of many kinds.
Base member 24 has provided therethrough mounting holes 50 for acceptance of mounting screws 52, which are used to affix base member 24 to printing cylinder 10. Base mounting screws 52 are shown as socket head cap screws, but any suitable form of registering and locking mechanism may be utilized.
Base member 24 is provided with recesses 60 for receiving magnet assembly 62. Magnet assembly 62 is composed of magnetiferous strips 70, 72, and 74. First magnetiferous strip 70 may be conveniently provided with a beveled top edge 76 to increase the surface area closely proximate bar 22. Likewise, the top edge 78 of third magnetiferous strip 74 is beveled in the direction opposite that of beveled top edge 76 of first magnetiferous strip 70.
First, second and third base magnetiferous strips 70, 72 and 74 may be magnets. However, the inventor has found it more convenient to form these base magnetiferous strips of material that conducts magnetism and place between these strips two magnets 80, 82. This arrangement allows use of standard-sized magnet materials and obviates the need to machine a bevel into the magnetic material, which may substantially decrease or eliminate the magnetic property of the magnet.
Bar magnet assembly 84 may be conveniently formed identical to base magnet assembly 62. Bar magnet assembly 84 is received by bar magnet recess 86, which may conveniently be formed in the same fashion as base magnet recess 60.
Bar magnet assembly 84 comprises first, second, and third magnetiferous strips 90, 92, and 94. First and third magnetiferous strips 90, 94 may be conveniently provided with a beveled bottom edge to increase the surface area closely proximate the corresponding base magnetiferous strips 70, 74. As in the base magnet assembly 62, first, second, and third bar magnetiferous strips 90, 92, and 94 may be magnets. However, the inventor has found it more convenient to form these bar magnetiferous strips of material that conducts magnetism and place between these strips two bar magnets 96, 98 for the same reason advanced above regarding the base magnet assembly 62.
Bar 22 has formed in the top thereof printing plate receiving slot 100, which is shown in the form of an inverted V-shape. The free end or hook 16 of printing plate 14 may be hooked over the edge of printing plate receiving slot 100 as shown in FIG. 4. Rotation of bar 22 in a clockwise direction causes printing plate 14 to be pulled in tension and tightly wrapped around the periphery of printing cylinder 10.
In order to rotate the bar 22 to a position where printing plate hook 16 may be engaged in printing plate receiving slot 100, the operator rotates bar 22 toward the position shown in FIG. 4 by means of a tool placed in either central manipulation hole 102 or end manipulation hole 104. Grooves 12 in printing cylinder 10 may be arranged so as to preclude access from the ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 1. In such case, the operator would have to use central manipulation hole 102. The operator rotates the bar 22 from its rest position, which may be clockwise or counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 4, until receiving slot 100 accepts printing plate hook 16. The position of bar 22 when aligned to accept hook 16 depends on the particular configuration of slot 100 and hook 16.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. Base member 24 is shown fixed to the bottom of printing cylinder groove 12. Arranged within base member 24 in spaced parallel relation are first, second and third base magnetiferous strips 70, 72 and 74. Disposed between first and second base magnetiferous strips 70, 72 is first base magnet 80. Disposed between second and third base magnetiferous strips 72, 74 is second base magnet 82. The corresponding poles of first and second base magnets 80, 82, shown marked N in FIG. 4, are placed adjacent the common magnetiferous strip 72. The magnetic field of the polarity N is induced into second base magnetiferous strip 72. Likewise, the proximity between first and third base magnetiferous strips 70, 74 and first and second base magnets 80, 82 result in a magnetic field of the polarity S being induced in first and third magnetiferous strips 70, 74.
The first, second, and third magnetiferous strips 70, 72, 74 and first and second base magnets 80, 82 may be conveniently affixed in base member 24 by means of epoxy resin 106. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of suitable means may be used to secure the strips and magnets into the base member 24.
Within bar magnet recess 86 are disposed first, second, and third bar magnetiferous strips 90, 92, 94 and first and second bar magnets 96 and 98. As with the base magnet assembly 62, bar magnet assembly 84 may be secured within bar magnet recess 86 by any suitable means, including epoxy resin 106 as shown. Similar to base magnet assembly 62, bar magnet assembly 84 is arranged so that the polarities N of first and second magnets 96, 98 are adjacent to second bar magnetiferous strip 92. Thus, first and second magnets 96, 98 induce a magnetic field of polarity N into second bar magnetiferous strip 92. On the other hand, the polarities S of first and second bar magnets 96, 98 are placed adjacent first and third bar magnetiferous strips 90, 94, respectively. Accordingly, first and third bar magnetiferous strips 90, 94 have induced therein a magnetic field of polarity S.
In the position shown in FIG. 4, bar 22 is in a metastable position. That is, any rotational force will cause bar 22 to rotate as repelled by the magnetic fields of like polarity of first base magnetiferous strips 70 and first bar magnetiferous strips 90, second base magnetiferous strip 72 and second base magnetiferous strip 92, and third base magnetiferous strip 74 and third bar magnetiferous strip 94. For example, if the operator has placed the printing plate hook 16 into printing plate receiving slot 100 as shown in FIG. 4, he can then urge the magnetic rotary lock bar 20 into the locked position, as shown in phantom, by urging the bar in a clockwise direction. The operator may urge the bar in a clockwise position by inserting a tool into central manipulation hole 102 or in end manipulation hole 104. Once the bar 22 is rotationally disposed in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field of polarity S of third bar magnetiferous strip 94 is repelled from that of third base magnetiferous strip 74 toward the magnetic field of polarity N of second base magnetiferous strip 72. Similarly, the magnetic field of polarity N of second bar magnetiferous strip 92 is repelled from the same of second base magnetiferous strip 72 and toward the magnetic field of polarity S of first base magnetiferous strip 70. The magnetic field of polarity S of first bar magnetiferous 90 is repelled by that of first base magnetiferous 70. The respective attraction and repulsion of the magnetic fields of opposite and like polarity urges bar 22 in the clockwise direction, which places printing plate 14 in tension and snugly wraps it around the outer periphery of printing cylinder 10. After locking the printing plate 14 in place with the magnetic rotary lock bar 20, the operator removes the tool from the central or end manipulation hole 102, 104. Another printing plate 14 may be hooked against the exposed side of groove 12 and locked by means of another magnetic rotary lock bar fixed in a groove 12 on the opposite side of the printing cylinder 10.
In order to remove the printing plate 14 from its locked relationship with the printing cylinder 10, the operator simply places a tool into the central or end manipulation holes 102, 104 and rotates bar 22 in the counterclockwise direction until it reaches the configuration shown in FIG. 4. Upon passing through that metastable position, the magnetic field of polarity S of third bar magnetiferous strip 94 will be repelled by that of third base magnetiferous strip 74. Likewise, the magnetic field of polarity N of second bar magnetiferous strip 92 will be repelled by that of second base magnetiferous strip 72 and attracted by the magnetic field of polarity S of third base magnetiferous strip 74. Finally, the magnetic field of polarity S of first bar magnetiferous strip 90 will be repelled by that of first base magnetiferous strip 70 and attracted by the magnetic field of polarity N of second base magnetiferous strip 72. These magnetic attractions and repulsions will urge bar 22 in a counterclockwise direction once bar 22 is rotated beyond the metastable position of FIG. 4, thereby freeing printing plate hook 16 from printing plate receiving slot 100 and allowing removal of printing plate 14 from printing cylinder 10.
Referring to FIG. 4, the distance between the side of groove 12 and the apex 110 of the outer periphery of bar 22 defines an area of printing plate 14 which is radially unsupported. The absence of support from this section of printing plate 14 precludes application of pressure sufficient to cause transfer of a printed image. The unprinted space due to this gap, however, may be reduced by use of an insert 112 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Insert 112 is a generally rectangular bar having a convex top surface 114 of a radius substantially equal to that of the outer surface of printing cylinder 10. Insert top surface 114 has provided therein recess 115 formed by insert sidewalls 116, insert recess bottom 118, and insert shelf 120. The top surface 114 of insert 112 is extended over bar 22 so that shelves 120 project inward from insert sidewalls 116 and provide additional support and increase the effective area of the printing cylinder 10. Use of insert 112 substantially reduces the amount of unprinted space. For example, where the locking assembly is approximately 3/4" wide, the unprinted space without the insert will be slightly greater than 3/4". Using an insert with shelves 120 undercut at a 30° angle, the unprinted space is reduced to less than 1/2". Use of sharper angles will provide a smaller unprinted width. However, sharper angles also reduce the amount of support imparted to the shelves 120 and make such shelves relatively fragile. The inventor has found shelves undercut to an angle of 30° to be relatively rugged and to provide suitable support for printing purposes.
Insert 112 may be conveniently mounted to printing cylinder groove 12 by many suitable means, including screws. Base member 24 and bar 22 may be slid endwise into insert 112 and affixed by many suitable means, including screws.
This invention has been described in detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, but these are examples only and this invention is not restricted thereto. It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications can be easily made. For example, the polarities of magnets 80, 82, 96, 98 could be reversed. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to use of six magnetiferous strips, but could be employed, for example, with four--either two magnets or one magnet plus two conductive strips in each member. It will also be easily understood that a similar effect may be achieved by using a single magnetic field in one member and a magnetic field of like polarity in the other member. Further, the polarities of magnets 80, 82 only could be reversed, causing the mechanism to be drawn to the position shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, a single magnet could be used in one member and a conductive strip or magnet of unlike polarity could be used in the other. It will also be easily understood by those skilled in the art that this invention may be applied to applications other than rotary printing presses.
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A magnetic rotary locking mechanism for locking a plate or sheet-like member by placing it in tension which may be adapted to provide a self-tensioning locking device for securing a printing plate to a printing cylinder in a rotary printing press. The base and rotatable bar each have formed therein a plurality of magnetic strips which generate a plurality of magnetic fields so that the bar magnetic fields are attracted to the base magnetic fields at a first angular position of the bar with respect to the base and are repelled by the base magnetic fields at a second angular position of the bar with respect to the base.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2011/005562 filed on Jul. 28, 2011, which claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0073142 filed on Jul. 29, 2010 and Korean Application No. 10-2011-0072967 filed on Jul. 22, 2011, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to apparatuses for turning steel products and, more particularly, to apparatuses for turning a steel product such as equilateral L-shape, inequilateral L-shape, I-shape, or H-shape steel products.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Generally, in iron-foundry plants, rolling processes are conducted to produce rolled substances. A rolling process includes inserting a slab, a bloom, or a billet, etc., which has been formed by a continuous casting process, into a space between rollers, thus forming it into a variety of shapes.
[0004] Shape steel is structural rolled steel, referring to a rod-shaped rolled substance having various shapes, and is mainly used to form a steel frame structure. Such shape steel is produced in such a way that molten steel is poured into a rectangular cylindrical mold to form a steel ingot, impurities are removed from the steel ingot to make it dense, the steel ingot is re-heated in a heating furnace and introduced into a rolling mill, and then processed by subjecting it to several steps of rolling.
[0005] Shape steel is classified into equilateral L-shape steel, inequilateral L-shape steel, H-shape steel, I-shape steel, U-shape steel, Z-shape steel, T-shape steel, etc.
[0006] Shape steel is placed onto a chain conveyor by a turning apparatus and transferred to a subsequent processing area while being cooled.
SUMMARY
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steel product turning apparatus which can appropriately change its structure depending on the shape of a steel product (shape steel) so that the operation of turning the steel product can be effectively conducted.
[0008] The object of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned object. Other objects of the present invention will be clearly understood by those skilled in this art from the following description.
[0009] In order to accomplish the objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for turning steel products, including: a rotating shaft; a first turning plate fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft with a longitudinal axis of the first turning plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft, such that the first turning plate can rotate along with the rotating shaft; and a second turning plate movably mounted to the rotating shaft with a longitudinal axis of the second turning plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft, such that the second turning plate can move on the rotating shaft forwardly or backwardly in a longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft.
[0010] One of the first turning plate and the second turning plate may be provided with one or more insert protrusions at a predetermined position or positions and the other of the first turning plate and the second turning plate may be provided with one or more insert holes at a position or positions corresponding to the predetermined position or positions such that the first turning plate can be coupled to or uncoupled from the second turning plate by engagement or disengagement between the one or more insert protrusions and the one or more insert holes.
[0011] One of the first turning plate and the second turning plate may be provided with two insert protrusions spaced apart in a row and the other of the first turning plate and the second turning plate may be provided with four insert holes, first two of which insert holes may be spaced apart in a row, the other two of which insert holes may be spaced apart in a row perpendicular to the row of the first two, such that the first turning plate and the second turning plate can be coupled to be perpendicular or parallel to each other.
[0012] The second turning plate may be rotatably installed on a movable member that is provided on the rotating shaft and can move on the rotating shaft forwardly or backwardly in a longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft, whereby the second turning plate can move on the rotating shaft forwardly or backwardly in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft.
[0013] The movable member may be moved on the rotating shaft by at least one of a hydraulic force, a pneumatic force, and mechanical force.
[0014] The first turning plate, the second turning plate, the insert protrusion, the insert hole and the movable member may form a set, wherein the set may comprise a plurality of sets provided on the rotating shaft.
[0015] The rotating shaft may include multiple sections, each of the multiple sections configured to be rotated independently.
[0016] The apparatus may further including a support for supporting the rotating shaft.
[0017] As described above, the present invention can change its structure depending on the shape of a steel product. Therefore, the operation of turning the steel product can be effectively conducted. Thereby, the workability and productivity can be markedly enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a steel product turning apparatus installed in a roller table, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view showing the steel product turning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 1 .
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a first turning plate and a second turning plate according to the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 5 through 7 are views successively showing the operation principle of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a view showing the operation of turning comparatively long H-shape steel using the steel product turning apparatus according to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a view showing the operation of turning comparatively short H-shape steel using the steel product turning apparatus according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components. If, in the specification, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations would unnecessarily obfuscate the gist of the present invention, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an apparatus for turning steel products according to an embodiment of the present invention. The steel product turning apparatus includes a rotating shaft 110 , first turning plates 120 and second turning plates 130 .
[0027] The rotating shaft 110 is oriented in a direction in which a steel product 1 is transferred by a roller table 10 . The roller table 10 rotates rollers, which are provided in a table at positions spaced apart from each other, and transfers the steel product 1 , which has been rolled, such as equilateral L-shape steel, inequilateral L-shape steel, H-shape steel, I-shape steel, U-shape steel, Z-shape steel, T-shape steel, etc. in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 110 .
[0028] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , each first turning plate 120 and the corresponding second turning plate 130 may form one set S. A plurality of sets S are arranged along the rotating shaft 110 to effectively turn the steel product 1 having a predetermined length.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first turning plates 120 are fixed on the rotating shaft 110 and rotated along with the rotating shaft 110 . The rotating shaft 110 passes through medial portions of the first turning plates 120 and is firmly fixed thereto.
[0030] The second turning plates 130 are provided in the lateral direction of the rotating shaft 110 such that they are perpendicular to the rotating shaft 110 . Each second turning plate 130 moves to the left or the right along the rotating shaft 110 . Each second turning plate 130 is coupled to the corresponding first turning plate 120 and is rotated along with the first turning plate 120 .
[0031] The first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 have, at corresponding positions, insert holes 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 and insert protrusions 131 and 132 which are removably inserted into the insert holes 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 . The first turning plate 120 is coupled to the second turning plate 130 by inserting the insert protrusions 131 and 132 into the insert hole 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 .
[0032] In some embodiments, for example, the insert holes 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 may be formed in the first turning plate 120 , and the insert protrusions 131 and 132 may be provided on the second turning plate 130 , as shown in FIG. 4 .
[0033] Here, the four insert holes 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 are formed at positions corresponding to the four directions. The two insert protrusions 131 and 132 are disposed in a row. In detail, the four insert holes 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 are formed at positions spaced apart from each other at intervals of 90° around a through hole 125 , in which the rotating shaft 110 is disposed. The two insert protrusions 131 and 132 are provided in a row along the length of the second turning plate 130 on opposite sides of a through hole 133 , in which the rotating shaft 110 is disposed.
[0034] When the insert protrusions 131 and 132 are respectively inserted into the insert holes 122 and 124 that are arranged in the lateral direction of the first turning plate 120 , the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 are coupled to each other to have a crisscross shape. When the insert protrusions 131 and 132 are respectively inserted into the insert holes 121 and 123 that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the first turning plate 120 , the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 are coupled parallel to each other to have a shape of numeral 11.
[0035] Each second turning plate 130 is installed on a corresponding cylindrical movable member 141 which is movably provided on the rotating shaft 110 , so that the second turning plate 130 can move relative to the rotating shaft 110 . Furthermore, the second turning plate 130 is rotatably provided on the cylindrical movable member 141 so that it can rotate along with the first turning plate 120 . For instance, a bearing may be interposed between the second turning plate 130 and the movable member 141 to enable the second turning plate 130 to rotate relative to the movable member 141 . The movable member 141 is moved to the left or the right along the rotating shaft 110 by hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure or rotational force of a motor.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3 , two arms 153 and 155 which are rotatably connected to each other by a hinge connect the movable member 141 to a cylinder 151 which is operated by pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure. The arms 153 and 155 are folded or stretched by extension or contraction of the cylinder 151 , whereby the movable member 141 is moved to the left or the right.
[0037] In some embodiments, although it is not shown in the drawings, the movable member 141 may be connected to a motor by a gear train. In this case, when the motor rotates in the normal or reverse direction, the movable member 141 is moved to the left or the right.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5 , conversion of the crisscross coupled state of the first and second turning plates 120 and 130 into the 11-shaped coupled state begins by stopping the rotating shaft 110 that is rotating to conduct the turning operation.
[0039] When the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 is stopped, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure or rotational force of the motor is applied to the movable member 141 . Thereby, the movable member 141 moves away from the first turning plate 120 . Then, the insert protrusions 131 and 132 are removed from the insert holes 122 and 124 , so that the second turning plate 130 is separated from the first turning plate 120 .
[0040] As shown in FIG. 6 , after the second turning plate 130 is separated from the first turning plate 120 , the rotating shaft 110 is rotated so that the first turning plate 120 that has been vertically oriented enters a horizontal state. The rotating shaft 110 rotates until the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 form a shape of numeral 11. In other words, the rotating shaft 110 rotates until the insert protrusions 131 and 132 respectively face the insert holes 121 and 123 .
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7 , after the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 form a shape of numeral 11, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure or rotational force of the motor is applied to the movable member 141 . Thereby, the movable member 141 is moved towards the first turning plate 120 . Then, the insert protrusions 131 and 132 are respectively inserted to the insert holes 121 and 123 so that the second turning plate 130 is coupled to the first turning plate 120 .
[0042] In the process of FIG. 6 , if the rotating shaft 110 is rotated to orient the first turning plate 120 in the vertical direction such that the insert protrusions 131 and 132 respectively face the insert holes 122 and 124 , the 11-shaped coupled state is converted into the crisscross coupled state.
[0043] After the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 are coupled to each other in a crisscross shape or a shape of numeral 11, the rotating shaft 110 rotates to turn the steel product 1 . In the case where the steel product 1 is H-shape steel, the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 form the crisscross shape and turn the steel product 1 .
[0044] In the case where the steel product 1 is inequilateral shape steel, such as inequilateral L-shape steel, or inequality-sign-shape steel which has a structure that makes the turning operation difficult, the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 form a shape of numeral 11 and stop to allow the steel product 1 to pass over the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 .
[0045] As such, the structure which couples the first turning plate 120 and the second turning plate 130 to each other can be changed depending on the shape of the steel product 1 before the turning operation is conducted. Therefore, the turning operation can be effectively conducted, thus markedly enhancing the workability and productivity.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3 , supports 161 are provided on a base surface and disposed on opposite sides of the first and second turning plates 120 and 130 . The rotating shaft 110 is installed in such a way that it passes through the supports 161 , thus being supported by the supports 161 . Each support 161 has a bearing in a portion through which the rotating shaft 110 passes, so that the rotating shaft 110 can be smoothly rotated.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1 , chain conveyors 171 are installed among the sets S including the first and second turning plates 120 and 130 . The chain conveyors 171 transfer the steel product 1 , which has been transferred by the roller table 10 , to the first and second turning plates 120 and 130 . The chain conveyors 171 receive the steel product 1 , which has been turned by the first and second turning plates 120 and 130 , and transfer the steel product 1 to a target location.
[0048] The roller table 10 is moved downwards before the chain conveyors 171 are operated, so that the steel product 1 can be smoothly placed onto the chain conveyors 171 and then be transferred by the chain conveyors 171 .
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2 , the rotating shaft 110 is rotated by power of a drive unit 181 which includes a motor and is connected to an end of the rotating shaft 110 . The rotating shaft 110 may be divided into two parts. The two parts of the rotating shaft 110 may be respectively connected to two drive units 181 so that they are separately rotated by power of the two drive units 181 .
[0050] As shown in FIG. 8 , in the case where the steel product 1 is comparatively long, the two parts of the rotating shaft 110 are operated at the same time to turn the steel product 1 . As shown in FIG. 9 , in the case where the steel product 1 is comparatively short, either of the two parts of the rotating shaft 110 is operated to turn the steel product 1 . Further, the two parts of the rotating shaft 110 may be independently operated to turn steel products 1 .
[0051] As such, the rotating shaft 110 is divided into several parts and is operated in such a way that the several parts are selectively operated depending on the length of the steel product 1 , thus enhancing the work efficiency, thereby reducing energy consumption.
[0052] Although embodiments of the present invention has been disclosed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the present invention must be defined by the accompanying claims, and all technical spirits that are in the equivalent range to the claims must be regarded as falling within the scope of the present invention.
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The present invention relates to an apparatus for turning steel products. The apparatus comprises a rotating shaft, a first turning plate, and a second turning plate. The first turning plate is fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft with a longitudinal axis of the first turning plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft. The second turning plate is movably mounted to the rotating shaft with a longitudinal axis of the second turning plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for forming apertures in optical systems and more specifically to apparatus for forming a nearly circular variable aperture using linearly movable elements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Apparatus for forming apertures in an optical path are disclosed in the prior art. Conventionally, most apparatus employ blades which are rotated to position the blades toward or away from an opening to vary its size. While such apparatus effectively produce variable apertures, they do not achieve the precise incremental resolution required in systems employing digital processing of images in a video system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of aperture blades having surfaces which cooperate to define a variable aperture are mounted for rectilinear movement to change the size of the aperture. Means are provided to move said blades simultaneously in predetermined increments to incrementally vary the size of the aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of apparatus for supporting a lens and including apparatus for defining a variable aperture in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the aperture blades shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sector gear driver and one of the aperture blades shown in FIG. 1 illustrating how open and closed positions of the aperture blade are achieved; and
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the aperture blades in overlapping relationship to form a six-sided aperture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a lens mount of the type used for example in a film-to-video display apparatus. The lens mount includes a flat circular plate 10 having a cylindrical central extension 8 provided with a central opening 12 adapted to receive a lens assembly 14. An upper cover plate 16 is mounted on the plate 10 in spaced relationship therewith by two pairs of spacers 18 and 19 extending upwardly from the lower plate 10. The two upper spacers 18 each comprise two parallel cylindrical portions (a) and (b). The larger portion (a) is bored and threaded, and the smaller portion (b) is provided with a locater pin (c) which is received by a complimental hole (d) in the plate 16 and mounting flanges of stepper motor 40 to support the latter. When the plate 16 is placed on the spacers 18, it is positioned angulary until the pins (c) of spacers 18 enter their complimental holes (d) whereupon the upper plate 16 will seat against the spacers 18. The remaining two spacers 19 comprise only the larger portion (a) which is bored and threaded. Screws (not shown) will then be inserted into holes (e) which will be aligned with the portions (a) and tightened to firmly attach the upper plate 16 to the lower plate 10 to enclose the assembly. An opening 20 in the upper plate 16 is aligned with the optical path to permit light to reach the lens assembly 14.
A variable aperture for the optical path is defined by a plurality of (in this case 3) aperture blades 24, one of which is depicted in detail in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, each blade 24 comprises an elongated flat blade member having a guide slot 27 in each end, a cam slot 28 adjacent one end and an aperture opening 30 in the center.
As shown in FIG. 2, each aperture opening 30 comprises a generally rectangular opening having a V-shaped side 32. The three blades are positioned with their respective longitudinal axis at 60 degree angles with each other so that their respective V-shaped aperture sides 32 cooperate to form a six-sided aperture as shown in FIG. 4. Movement of the three blades simultaneously along their respective longitudinal axis will increase or decrease the aperture size depending on the direction of movement.
The aperture blades 24 are positioned by an aperture driver 31 comprising a ring like structure adapted to be rotatably mounted on cylindrical extension 8. The driver 31 has an intergral arm 34 on which is formed a sector gear 36 adapted to be engaged by a pinion 38 of a stepper motor 40 mounted on the upper surface of plate 16 by pins (d). Upon energization of the stepper motor 40, pinion 38 will rotate and drive sector gear 36 to angularly position the aperture blade driver 31 on the cylindrical extension 8 to effect rectilinear displacement of the aperture blade as now will be described.
The aperture blade driver 31 is provided with three cam pins 44 which are received by the cam slots 28 respectively when the aperture blades 24 are placed on the aperture blade driver 31. A plurality (in this case six) of equally radially spaced guide pins 46 are mounted in cylindrical extensions 48 of the lower plate 10 respectively. The extensions 48 are shorter in height than the spacers 18. The other end of each guide pin is received by a complimentally spaced bore (f) in the cover plate 16.
Each diametrically opposed pair of guide pins 46 are received by the elongated guide slots 27 respectively of an aperture blade. Each blade is thus restricted to rectilinear movement for a distance determined by the length of its guide slots.
The operation of the apparatus will be apparent from FIG. 3 which illustrates the aperture blade driver 31 displacing one of the aperture blades 24. The maximum open position of the aperture is depicted by the solid lines. In this position, the pin 44 will be at one end of cam slot 28. If the stepper motor is activated to rotate the driver 31 counterclockwise, the pin 44 will rotate to displace aperture blade 24 to the right in a rectilinear path defined by the shape of the cam slot 28 and by two of the pins 46, the dashed lines indicating the maximum or closed condition of the aperture. The other two blades will move in an identical manner. Thus a variable aperture is established by actuation of the stepper motor 40.
It will now be apparent that the disclosed embodiment comprises an efficient low cost apparatus for providing a six-sided aperture utilizing three rectilinearly movable blades activated by cam action.
The present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.
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A plurality of aperture blades are each provided with an opening having a V-shaped edge, such that when the blades are superimposed they cooperate to define a six-sided aperture. The blades are each mounted for rectilinear movement by a pair of guide pins. Cam pins supported on a driver rotated by a stepper motor engage cam slots in the blades and position them rectilinearly to change the aperture size.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing technique for forming dots on a printing medium with multiple print heads.
2. Description of the Related Art
Color printers that make several color inks ejected from a print head to form ink dots on a printing medium have become widely used. High-speed printing apparatuses with multiple print heads have also been proposed. One proposed technique for the improved printing quality equips a temperature sensor to each print head to reduce variations in size and ejecting position of ink drops, due to a temperature variation among the print heads.
The increase in number of print heads used for printing causes an increase in number of working temperature sensors. The temperature may, however, not be varied among all the print heads, but some print heads may have a substantially similar temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is thus to solve the drawback of the prior art technique and to provide a technique of controlling ejection of ink drops with a less number of temperature sensors than the number of print heads.
In order to attain the above and the other objects of the present invention, there is provided an printing apparatus for printing by ejecting ink drops onto a print medium. The printing apparatus comprises N print heads, M temperature sensors, and an ejection controller. The N print heads have a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting at least one color of same ink. N is an integer of at least two. The M temperature sensors are allocated in the printing apparatus. M is an integer of at least one. The ejection controller configured to control the ejection of the ink drops from at least part of the N print heads in response to an output of the M temperature sensors. The integer M is smaller than the integer N.
The printing apparatus of the present invention uses the less number of temperature sensors than the number of print heads to control ejection of ink drops in response to the temperature variation among the print heads. This arrangement implements the control by the simpler structure than the prior art structure where a temperature sensor is attached to each print head.
In one preferable arrangement of the printing apparatus, the ejection controller is configured to control the ejection of the ink drops in order to compensate for a variation in ejection of the ink drops due to a temperature variation of the N print heads.
This arrangement desirably compensates for the variation in ejection of ink drops due to the temperature variation among the print heads. The variation in ejection of ink drops due to the temperature variation among the print heads is, for example, a variation in size of ink drops or a variation in ejecting position of ink drops.
In another preferable arrangement of the printing apparatus, the ejection controller is configured to stop the ejection of ink drops from the N print heads, when output of at least part of the M temperature sensors exceed a specific value representing a preset temperature.
This arrangement effectively prevents any significant deterioration of the printing quality due to the temperature variation among the print heads, and desirably protects the printing apparatus from the severe hot environment.
In one preferable embodiment of the printing apparatus, the nozzle array has a plurality of ejection drive elements for ejecting ink drops from the plurality of nozzles. The ejection controller comprises: an original drive signal generator configured to generate an original drive signal for driving the ejection drive elements; and an original drive waveform generator configured to generate an original drive waveform which is a waveform of the original drive signal. The original drive waveform generator determines the original drive waveform to be supplied to at least part of the N print heads, in response to the output of the M temperature sensors.
This arrangement generates a driving signal according to the properties of each print head, thus attaining fine control.
In one preferable application, the printing apparatus has a plurality of print modes of different printing resolutions and is capable of selecting one of the plurality of print modes for printing. The ejection controller controls the ejection of ink drops from at least part of the N print heads in response to the output of the M temperature sensors and the selected print mode.
This arrangement controls ejection of ink drops from the multiple print heads according to the output of the temperature sensors and the selected print mode, instead of the output of the temperature sensors alone, thus ensuring optimum adjustment for each printing resolution.
In one preferable arrangement of the printing apparatus, the N print heads are located at a plurality of positions of different elevations in an operation of the printing apparatus. The temperature sensor is disposed on at least one of the plurality of positions of different elevations.
When the multiple print heads are located at the multiple positions of different elevations in the working state of the printing apparatus, a heat pool may be present at a high position to increase the temperature variation among the print heads. The technique of the invention accordingly has significant effects on this structure.
In the case where the printing apparatus has only one temperature sensor, it is preferable that the temperature sensor is disposed at a highest position among the plurality of positions of different elevations.
In another preferable arrangement of the printing apparatus, the N print heads are located at a plurality of positions of different elevations in an operation of the printing apparatus. A print head having a relatively high ink ejection speed in the case of ejecting an ink drop of a same weight at a same temperature is located at a relatively high position.
This arrangement enhances the hitting accuracy of the ink drop, simultaneously with compensation for the quantity of ink ejection.
In another preferable embodiment of the printing apparatus, each print head has three nozzle arrays for ejecting at least three inks of cyan, magenta, and yellow. The three nozzle arrays are restricted such that variations in driving voltages for ejecting an ink drop of a same weight at a same temperature within a preset allowable range.
A second application of the present invention is directed to a printing apparatus for printing by ejecting ink drops onto a print medium. The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of print heads, a plurality of temperature sensors, and an ejection controller. The plurality of print heads have a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting at least one color of same ink. The plurality of temperature sensors are allocated in the printing apparatus. The ejection controller are configured to control the ejection of the ink drops from at least part of the plurality of print heads in response to an output of the plurality of temperature sensors in order to compensate for a variation in ejection of the ink drops due to a temperature variation of the plurality of print heads. The plurality of print heads are located at a plurality of positions of different elevations in an operation of the printing apparatus. The print head have a relatively high ink ejection speed in the case of ejecting an ink drop of a same weight at a same temperature is located at a relatively high position.
In the printing apparatus of this application, it is preferable that the print head having a relatively high driving voltage for ejecting an ink drop of a fixed weight at a fixed temperature is regarded as the print head having a relatively high ejection speed of the ink drop and is located at the relatively high position.
This arrangement allows for easy application of the invention without measuring the ink ejection speed.
The printing apparatus may have a cleaning unit that carries out cleaning of the multiple nozzles with regard to each print head. In this configuration, the cleaning unit is preferably designed to specify a cleaning process of each print head according to the output of the temperature sensor.
A third application of the present invention is directed to a printing apparatus for printing by ejecting ink drops onto a print medium. The printing apparatus comprises N print heads and M temperature sensors. N print heads have a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting at least one color of same ink. N is an integer of at least two. M temperature sensors are allocated in the printing apparatus. M is an integer of at least one. The integer M is smaller than the integer N. The printing apparatus is configured to stop the ejection of ink drops from the N print heads, when output of at least part of the M temperature sensors exceeds a specific value representing a preset temperature.
This arrangement effectively prevents any significant deterioration of the printing quality due to the temperature variation among the print heads, and desirably protects the printing apparatus from the severe hot environment.
The printing apparatus may be arranged to stop the printing when at least a preset number of temperature sensors have the output exceeding the specific value.
The technique of the inventions may be actualized by a variety of other applications, for example, a printing method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of a color printer 20 in one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the structure of a printing unit 22 ;
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating the printing unit 22 including a carriage 30 ;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the carriage 30 ;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a bottom face of a print head 28 a;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the primary structure of head driving circuits 52 a , 52 b , and 52 f in the first embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a generable by an original drive signal generator 220 a;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the relation between the location in a print head assembly 28 and the temperature;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing two curves CRV 28 a and CRV 28 e respectively representing the relations between the driving voltages of print heads 28 a and 28 e and the ink ejection speed;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing a difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e , when the print head 28 a is located at a higher position than the print head 28 e ; and
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing a difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e , when the print head 28 a is located at a lower position than the print head 28 e.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is explained in the following sequence based on embodiments.
A. Outline of Apparatus B. First Embodiment of the Invention C. Second Embodiment of the Invention D. Modifications
A. Outline of Apparatus
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of a color printer 20 in one embodiment of the present invention. The color printer 20 is suitably used for relatively large-sized printing paper P, such as size A 0 or B 0 paper in conformity with the JIS standards (Japanese Industrial Standards) or roll paper. The printing paper P is fed from a paper feed unit 21 to a printing unit 22 . The printing unit 22 ejects ink for printing on the fed printing paper P and delivers the printing paper P with the print to a paper delivery unit 25 .
The paper feed unit 21 has a roll paper holder 27 on which roll paper as the printing paper P is settable. The roll paper holder 27 is held by two support columns 26 of the color printer 20 . The paper delivery unit 25 has a windup holder 23 , on which the roll paper is windable. Like the roll paper holder 27 , the windup holder 23 is held by the two support columns 26 and is rotatable by a non-illustrated drive unit.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the structure of the printing unit 22 . The printing unit 22 has a carriage 30 , on which multiple print heads discussed later are mounted. The carriage 30 is linked with a drive belt 101 actuated by a carriage motor 24 , and is guided by a main scan guide member 102 to be movable in a main scan direction.
In the color printer 20 having the hardware construction discussed above, while the paper P is fed via the windup holder 23 , the carriage 30 is reciprocated by the carriage motor 24 . Simultaneously, ejection drive elements of print heads, which will be discussed later, are actuated to eject ink drops of the respective color inks and form ink dots, thus forming a multi-color, multi-tone image on the printing paper P.
B. First Embodiment of the Invention
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view illustrating the printing unit 22 including the carriage 30 in the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing paper P fed from the paper feed unit 21 ( FIG. 1 ) is subjected to printing on a printing stage 108 , which is located between a paper feed guide assembly 61 and a paper delivery guide assembly 65 , and is wound up onto the windup holder 23 . The printing stage 108 is arranged in an inclined manner to face the carriage 30 .
The paper feed guide assembly 61 has a paper feed guide 105 that guides the printing paper P toward the printing stage 108 , on which ink ejection is carried out, and two paper feed rollers 106 and a driven roller 107 to hold the printing paper P between them. The paper delivery guide assembly 65 has a paper delivery guide 109 that guides the printing paper P away from the printing stage 108 and a paper delivery roller 110 .
The carriage 30 has two-stepped sub tank plates 30 A and 30 B. Multiple sub tanks 3 are mounted on each of the sub tank plates 30 A and 30 B. Each of the sub tanks 3 is connected to an ink supply conduit 5 via a valve 4 . The ink supply conduit 5 is connected with each of multiple print heads 28 a , 28 b , . . . , 28 t . An ink supply path 103 ( FIG. 2 ) connects each sub tank 3 with a main tank 9 . The main tank 9 stores six different color inks, black K, cyan C, light cyan LC, magenta M, light magenta LM, and yellow Y ejected from the multiple print heads 28 a , 28 b , . . . 28 t . Temperatures sensors 29 a , 29 b , . . . 29 e are discussed later.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the carriage 30 in a direction of an arrow A ( FIG. 3 ). The carriage 30 includes a print head assembly 28 consisting of the multiple print heads 28 a , 28 b , . . . 28 t . The temperature sensors 29 a , 29 b , . . . , 29 e are attached respectively to the print heads 28 a , 28 b , . . . , 28 e in the print head assembly 28 .
Attachment of the temperature sensors 29 a , 29 b , . . . , 29 e to only the print heads 28 a , 28 b , . . . , 28 e aligned in a sub-scan direction is ascribed to the expectation that there is a significant temperature variation in the sub-scan direction but there is a negligibly small temperature variation in a main scan direction. A significant temperature variation in the sub-scan direction is expected, since the air warmed by the working print heads tends to flow up to make the temperature of the print head 28 a higher than the temperature of the print head 28 e . A small temperature variation in the main scan direction is expected, on the other hand, since the carriage 30 continually moves back and forth in the main scan direction at a high speed in the course of printing. The expression ‘negligibly small temperature variation’ means that the temperature variation is of the small level and hardly affects the quantity of ink ejection.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a bottom face of the print head 28 a . The print head 28 a has three nozzle plates 2 a , 2 b , and 2 c . Two nozzle arrays, which are capable of ejecting different inks, are provided on the lower face of each nozzle plate. The print head 28 a thus totally has six nozzle arrays. The six color inks, black (K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y), are ejected respectively from the nozzles on the six nozzle arrays. All the print heads 28 a , 28 b , . . . , 28 t have an identical structure.
Each nozzle has a piezoelectric element(discussed later) as an ejection drive element to make ink drops ejected from each nozzle. In the course of printing, ink drops are ejected from the respective nozzles, while the print head assembly 28 moves in the main scan direction.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the primary structure of head driving circuits 52 a , 52 b , and 52 f in the first embodiment of the invention. The head driving circuits 52 a , 52 b , and 52 f drive piezoelectric elements PE included in the corresponding print heads 28 a , 28 b , and 28 f for ink ejection. A temperature measurement unit 230 is connected to the head driving circuits 52 a , 52 b , and 52 f . This explanatory view shows only part of a group of head driving circuits 52 a , 52 b , . . . , 52 t that respectively drive the print heads 28 a , 28 b , 28 t.
The head driving circuit 52 a includes an original drive signal generator 220 a and plural mask circuits 222 . The original drive signal generator 220 a generates an original drive signal COMDRVa, which is shared by multiple nozzles included in the print head 28 a , and supplies the generated original drive signal COMDRVa to the plural mask circuits 222 . The original drive signal COMDRVa functions to drive the piezoelectric elements PE for ink ejection. The plural mask circuits 222 are provided corresponding to respective nozzles # 1 , # 2 , . . . , on the print head 28 a . Similarly, each of the other head driving circuits 52 b and 52 f includes an original drive signal generator 220 b or 220 f and plural mask circuits 222 .
For example, actuation of an i-th nozzle on the print head 28 a is controlled in response to a print signal PRT(i) in the following manner. An i-th mask circuit 222 provided corresponding to the i-th nozzle controls on/off the original drive signal COMDRVa according to the level of the serial print signal PRT(i) for the i-th nozzle. The mask circuit 222 allows passage of the original drive signal COMDRVa at a level ‘1’ of the print signal PRT(i); while blocking passage of the original drive signal COMDRVa at a level ‘0’ of the print signal PRT(i).
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing multiple original drive waveforms generable by the original drive signal generator 220 a . FIG. 7A is an explanatory view showing original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a generated by the original drive signal generator 220 a to be available for the drive of the print head 28 a . The original drive signal COMDRVa is generated by successively outputting selected waveforms among the original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a . The original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a have mutually different amplitudes (voltages). Voltages V 1 a , V 2 a , and V 3 a are set respectively to peak voltages of the original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a.
FIG. 7B is an explanatory view showing a method of setting the peak voltages, V 1 a , V 2 a , and V 3 a . The peak voltages V 1 a , V 2 a , and V 3 a are set according to the characteristics of the print head 28 a , to which the original drive signal COMDRVa is supplied. The procedure determines the settings to make the quantities of ink ejection from the print head 28 a substantially equal to a preset reference value Ai at three reference temperatures t 1 , t 2 , and t 3 . For example, at the reference temperature t 1 , the peak voltage V 1 a is set to make the quantity of ink ejection substantially equal to the preset reference value Ai. Similarly the peak voltages V 2 a and V 3 a are set at the reference temperatures t 1 and t 2 , respectively. The three reference temperatures t 1 , t 2 , and t 3 are commonly used as criteria for all the print heads in the print head assembly 28 .
These settings generate a resulting driving signal DRV, such that the quantity of ink ejection by actuation of the print head 28 a with the original drive waveform W 1 a is substantially equal to the quantity of ink ejection by actuation of the print head 28 b with an original drive waveform W 1 b (that is, the reference value Ai), for example, at the reference temperature t 1 .
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the relation between the location in the print head assembly 28 and the temperature. The abscissa of this graph shows a location L in the print head assembly 28 on the carriage 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ). For the simplicity of illustration, the print heads 28 g to 28 t are omitted.
Observed temperatures of the respective print heads 28 a to 28 f are plotted on the ordinate of FIG. 8 . A maximum temperature tmax represents an expected highest operation temperature of the respective print heads 28 a to 28 f in the color printer 20 . A minimum temperature tmin represents an expected lowest operation temperature of the respective print heads 28 a to 28 f in the color printer 20 . It is expected that the color printer 20 is used for printing in a working temperature range between the minimum temperature tmin and the maximum temperature tmax.
The working temperature range is divided into three temperature zones Z 1 , Z 2 , and Z 3 . The temperature zones Z 1 , Z 2 , and Z 3 are set as criteria for selection of the original drive waveforms. For example, in the case of the print head 28 a , the three temperature zones Z 1 , Z 2 , and Z 3 respectively correspond to the original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a . In the illustrated example, the observed temperature of the print head 28 a is included in the temperature zone Z 3 , so that the, original drive waveform W 3 a is selected among the original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a.
The details of this selection process are discussed. The temperature sensor 29 a ( FIG. 6 ) attached to the print head 28 a generates an electric signal according to the temperature of the print head 28 a and outputs the electric signal to the temperature measurement unit 230 . The temperature measurement unit 230 actually measures the temperature of the print head 28 a in response to this electric signal and inputs the observed temperature into an original drive waveform generator 221 a . The original drive waveform generator 221 a specifies one of the temperature zones Z 1 , Z 2 , and Z 3 , in which the input observed temperature is included, and selects a corresponding original drive waveform among the original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a.
The original drive signal is selected for the print head 28 f without the temperature sensor according to the following procedure. The temperature measurement unit 230 creates an approximate curve CRV according to the outputs of the respective temperature sensors 29 a to 29 e ( FIG. 6 ) attached to the print heads 28 a to 28 e . The temperature of the print head 28 f is estimated from the approximate curve CRV and a location Lf of the print head 28 f on the carriage 30 . An original drive waveform generator 221 f specifies one of the temperature zones Z 1 , Z 2 , and Z 3 , in which the estimated temperature input from the temperature measurement unit 230 is included, and selects a corresponding original drive waveform among original drive waveforms W 1 f , W 2 f , and W 3 f (not shown). In the illustrated example, the original drive waveform W 3 f is selected.
The arrangement of this embodiment estimates the temperature of each print head without the temperature sensor and thereby enables the less number of temperature sensors than the number of print heads to effectively compensate for a variation in ejection of ink drops, due to a temperature variation. The temperature measurement unit 230 , the group of original drive signal generators 220 , and the plural mask circuits 222 function as the ‘ejection controller’ of the claims.
C. Second Embodiment of the Invention
FIGS. 9 through 11B are explanatory views showing a method of preventing a variation of the ink ejection speed in the print head assembly 28 in a second embodiment of the invention. This method adequately selects the locations of the respective print heads 28 a through 28 t on the carriage 30 to prevent the variation of the ink ejection speed. The variation of the ink ejection speed in the print head assembly 28 is ascribed to the different properties of the respective print heads included in the print head assembly 28 .
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing two curves CRV 28 a and CRV 28 e respectively representing the relations between the driving voltages of the print heads 28 a and 28 e and the ink ejection speed. The two curves CRV 28 a and CRV 28 e are created by making ink drops ejected from the respective print heads 28 a and 28 e and joining the plots of the observed ejection speeds of the ink drops. In the case of the print head 28 a , for example, the original drive waveforms W 1 a , W 2 a , and W 3 a are used for ejection of ink drops at the respective reference temperatures t 1 , t 2 , and t 3 .
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing a difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e , when the print head 28 a is located at a higher position than the print head 28 e . In this example, since the print head 28 a is located at a higher position than the print head 28 e as shown in FIG. 3 , the temperature of the print head 28 a tends to be higher than the temperature of the print head 28 e in the course of printing. Combinations shown in FIG. 10A are thus expected with regard to the temperatures of the print heads 28 a and 28 e.
As clearly understood from the graph of FIG. 9 , the ink ejection speed of the print head 28 a is higher than the ink ejection speed of the print head 28 e . Namely the print head having a relatively high ink ejection speed is located at the position having a relatively large temperature variation in this example.
FIG. 10B is an explanatory view showing a difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e at the temperatures assumed in the layout of this example. This graph is extraction of part of the plots from the graph of FIG. 9 . As shown in FIG. 10B , in this example, while the temperature of the print head 28 e remains in the temperature zone Z 1 shown in FIG. 8 , the temperature of the print head 28 a is shifted from the temperature zone Z 1 to the temperature zone Z 3 .
As clearly understood from the graph of FIG. 10B , the ink ejection speed of the print head 28 a located at the position having a relatively large temperature variation decreases with a temperature increase, because of the accompanied variation of the driving signal. The ink ejection speed of the print head 28 a is, on the other hand, higher than the ink ejection speed of the print head 28 e at a fixed temperature. The difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e is thus diminished, as the driving signal varies to compensate for the quantity of ink ejection. The variation of the driving signal to compensate for the quantity of ink ejection is similar to that discussed in the first embodiment.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing a difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e , when the print head 28 a is located at a lower position than the print head 28 e . The layout of the print heads in this example is reverse to that in the example of FIGS. 10A and 10B . Combinations shown in FIG. 11A are thus expected with regard to the temperatures of the print heads 28 a and 28 e . Contrary to the example of FIGS. 10A and 10B , the print head having a relatively low ink ejection speed is located at the position having a relatively large temperature variation in this example.
As shown in the graph of FIG. 11B , in this example, the relatively low ink ejection speed of the print head 28 e further decreases with a temperature increase. The technique of compensating for the quantity of ink ejection thus expands the difference in ink ejection speed between the print heads 28 a and 28 e.
As described above, the print head having a higher ink ejection speed in the case of ejecting an ink drop of a fixed weight at a fixed temperature is located at the position having a relatively large temperature variation (that is, at a higher position). The technique of compensating for the quantity of ink ejection due to the temperature variation among the print heads thus simultaneously prevents the variation of the ink ejection speed. This results in desirably reducing a variation in hitting position of ink dots and thus further improves the printing quality.
In the structure of the second embodiment, the print head having a higher ink ejection speed is located at the position having a relatively large temperature variation. The layout of the print heads may be determined by regarding the print head having a relatively high driving voltage for ejecting an ink drop of a fixed weight at a fixed temperature as the print head having a higher ink ejection speed. The ink ejection speed and the driving voltage generally have a positive correlation. The advantage of this arrangement allows for easy application of the invention without requiring measurement of the ink ejection speed.
In the structure of the second embodiment, the print head having a higher ink ejection speed is located at the position having a relatively large temperature variation. In the case where multiple print heads are located at multiple positions of different elevations in the operation of a printing apparatus, the layout of the print heads may be determined by regarding a relatively high position as the position having a relatively large temperature variation. This is because the relatively high position has a larger temperature variation.
In this case, the layout of the print heads is determined, such that the print head having a higher driving voltage (peak voltage), for example, at the reference temperature t 1 is located at a higher position.
D. Modifications
The above embodiments and applications are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. There may be many modifications, changes, and alterations without departing from the scope or spirit of the main characteristics of the present invention. Some examples of possible modification are given below.
D-1. In the embodiments discussed above, the multiple print heads are located at multiple positions of different elevations in the operation of the printing apparatus. All the print heads may alternatively be located at an identical elevation. The technique of the present invention, however, has significant effects on the former structure, since the temperature of the print head located at a higher position tends to be higher than the temperature of the print head located at a lower position.
D-2. In the embodiments discussed above, plural (for example, 5) temperature sensors are used for multiple (for example, 20) print heads. This number of temperature sensors is, however, not restrictive, and only one temperature sensor may be used. The general requirement of the invention is that the number of temperature sensors is less than the number of print heads. It is not necessary to attach the temperature sensor directly to the print head. The temperature sensor is to be located sufficiently close to the print head to allow for measurement of the temperature of the print head.
When only one temperature sensor is used, it is preferable that the temperature sensor is disposed on the print head having a largest possible temperature variation. The print head having a largest possible temperature variation is the print head located at the highest position, in the case where the multiple print heads are located at multiple positions of different elevations in the operation of the printing apparatus.
D-3. In the embodiments discussed above, the original drive waveform generator selects one among the driving waveforms having different peak voltages, corresponding to the temperature of the print head. One modified arrangement may continuously adjust the shape of the driving waveform according to the temperature of the print head. Another modified arrangement may regulate the width in the time direction as well as the amplitude of the driving waveform.
In the embodiments discussed above, the driving waveform is set for each print head. One possible modification may set only the original drive waveform to be supplied to part of the print heads having larger temperature variations, while fixing the original drive waveform supplied to the other print heads. In general, the original drive waveform generator of the present invention is required to set the original drive waveform supplied to at least part of the multiple print heads, according to the output of the temperature sensors.
D-4. In the embodiments discussed above, the original drive waveform supplied to at least part of the multiple print heads is determined according to the output of the temperature sensors. One possible modification incorporates a circuit of raising a resistance with a temperature rise in the print head to reduce a variation in quantity of ink ejection with the temperature rise.
In the embodiments discussed above, ejection of ink drops is controlled to compensate for the variation in ejection of ink drops due to the temperature variation among the multiple print heads. The ejection controller may be constructed to stop ejection of ink drops according to the output of the temperature sensors.
The ejection controller may be designed, for example, to cease ejection of ink drops, for example, when a preset or greater number of temperature sensors among the plural temperature sensors detect the temperature exceeding a preset level. This arrangement effectively prevents any significant deterioration of the printing quality due to the temperature variation among the print heads, and desirably protects the printing apparatus from the severe hot environment.
The printing apparatus is preferably constructed to stop not only ejection of ink drops but all the printing processes in such circumstances. Another preferable arrangement of the printing apparatus is to output an alarm signal when a given or greater number of temperature sensors among the plural temperature sensors detect the temperature exceeding a specific level, which is lower than the preset level.
In general, the ejection controller of the invention is constructed to control ejection of ink drops from at least part of the multiple print heads according to the output of the temperature sensors. The technique of setting the original drive waveform as discussed above, however, advantageously attains the finer control.
D-5. In the embodiments discussed above, each print head has six nozzle arrays for ejecting six different color inks. Each print head may alternatively have a single nozzle array for ejecting one identical color ink. The print head of the invention is generally required to have a nozzle array including multiple nozzles for ejecting at least one identical color ink.
In the case where each print head has multiple nozzle arrays, it is desirable that the respective nozzle arrays have similar properties. For example, when each print head has three nozzle arrays for ejecting three different color inks, cyan, magenta, and yellow, the three nozzle arrays are preferably designed to restrict a variation in driving voltage for ejecting an ink drop of a fixed weight within a preset allowable range.
D-6. The technique of the invention is applicable to a printing apparatus that has plural print modes of different printing resolutions and is capable of selecting one among the plural print modes to carry out printing. In this structure, it is preferable to control the ejection of ink drops from the multiple print heads according to both the output of the temperature sensors and the selected print mode, in place of the output of the temperature sensors alone.
D-7. The technique of the invention is not restricted to color printing but is also applicable to monochrome printing. The invention may also be applied to a printing system that forms multiple dots in each pixel to express multiple tones, as well as to drum printers. In the drum printers, a drum rotating direction and a carriage moving direction respectively correspond to the main scan direction and the sub-scan direction. The technique of the invention is not limited to ink jet printers but is applicable in general to dot recording apparatuses that record dots on the surface of a printing medium with a record head having multiple nozzle arrays.
D-8. In the embodiments discussed above, part of the construction actualized by the hardware may be replaced by software. On the contrary, part of the configuration actualized by the software may be replaced by the hardware. For example, part or all of the functions of the printer driver 96 shown in FIG. 1 may be executed by the control circuit 40 in the printer 20 . In this case, part or all of the functions of the computer 90 as the print control apparatus of generating print data are executed by the control circuit 40 of the printer.
When part or all of the functions of the invention are actualized by the software configuration, the software may be provided in the form of storage in a computer readable recording medium. In the description of the present invention, the ‘computer readable recording medium’ is not restricted to portable recording media, such as flexible disks and CD-ROMs, but includes internal storage devices of the computer like various RAMs and ROMs as well as external storage devices fixed to the computer like hard disks.
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Controlling ejection of ink drops with a less number of temperature sensors than the number of print heads.
The present invention is an printing apparatus for printing by ejecting ink drops onto a print medium. The printing apparatus comprises N print heads, M temperature sensors, and an ejection controller. M temperature sensors are allocated in the printing apparatus. An ejection controller is configured to control the ejection of he ink drops from at least part of the N print heads in response to an output of the M temperature sensors. The integer M is smaller than the integer N.
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This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 317,151, filed Feb. 27, 1989, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing web products, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling web flutter during the manufacturing process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the manufacture of web based products, such as paper, textiles and certain plastics, a web of material is moved along a serpentine path through various stations wherein a different manufacturing operation is performed on the web at each station. A web moving through such a path can measure several hundred feet in length and can measure several feet in width. Should the web break during the manufacturing process, significant downtime can occur while the web is rethreaded through the different stations. As will be appreciated, such downtime can result in substantial cost to the manufacturer. An additional consequence of a web break is the detrimental effect on product quality if breaks are occurring too frequently.
Therefore, a need exists in the manufacture of web based products for methods and apparatus for preventing web breaks. One invention directed towards this problem is described and claimed in a copending application entitled, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING WEB FLUTTER, Ser. No. 192,255, filed May 10, 1988, owned by the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference. While that invention was primarily concerned with the detection of web flutter and the production of a signal representative of the amplitude and frequency of such flutter, the present invention applies that signal in an apparatus and method for the suppression of web flutter and thus the prevention of web breaks.
Flutter is that phenomenon where the web moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, which movement has one or more amplitudes and frequencies. Since touching the web during production is to be avoided, if possible, it would be desirable to detect and control web flutter in a fashion which does not contact the web. While copending application Ser. No. 192,255 detects web flutter in a non-contact fashion, the present invention suppresses web flutter in a non-contact fashion.
Devices have been previously disclosed for the determination only of web flutter in a non-contact fashion, while flutter suppression was attempted through direct contact with the web. U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,428--Wells and related U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,642--Wells discuss the use of reflected light in order to determine the amplitude and frequency of web flutter during paper manufacture. Such information is thereafter used to change the movement or location of various rollers, i.e. modification of the web drive roller velocity or the reciprocation of a piston connected web contacting roller, so that tension in the paper web can be maintained at some desired level. Although this patent suggests the use of radar or ultrasonic devices for determining flutter, no method or apparatus is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,727--Ahola et al. also discusses the use of light to make a non-contact determination of web flutter, however, no discussion appears as to how such flutter could be controlled. It is said in that patent that the minimization of flutter results in the probability of a web break being smaller. Basically, it appears that flutter amplitude and frequency are determined through the use of a high frequency distance measuring scheme. A light pulse is reflected off a moving paper web and directed onto a photodiode. The time it takes the light to travel from its source to the photodiode is measured. Over a period of time, sufficient measurements can be made to determine the frequency and amplitude of web flutter. This patent also suggests the use of capacitance or ultrasound to determine web flutter; however, for different reasons each of these techniques is rejected in favor of the light based technique.
One problem with these previously described devices is that they do not appear to be practical in the manufacturing environment. For example, in the manufacture of paper it will be necessary to determine flutter within web pockets where temperatures can reach 180° F. or higher. Also, if a web break occurs in or around the region where flutter is being determined the device being used can be struck either by the advancing web or by the end of the web, i.e. the break tail. The forces involved in such contacts can be significant enough to damage light based devices.
It is also a practice in web manufacturing that if flutter appears to be too severe such that a web break or excessive wrinkling is feared, the flutter is reduced by slowing the movement of the web through the machinery. As will be appreciated, the slowing of the web results in the manufacturing equipment being operated at less than capacity, which is economically undesirable.
Consequently, a need exists for method and apparatus to control web flutter in a manufacturing environment in a non-contact fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus and method for suppressing flutter of a moving web in a web manufacturing operation is shown to include a sensor for sensing the pressure of air in a region proximate the web, which sensor generates a pressure signal representative of the air pressure, a signal processor connected to receive said pressure signal, for determining the amplitude and frequency of the flutter from the pressure signal and for generating a suppression signal representative of a second amplitude and frequency necessary to attenuate the air pressure; and an air modulator, positioned to modulate the air in the region proximate the web, which modulator receives the suppression signal and modulates air in response thereto in relation to the second amplitude and frequency so that flutter is attenuated. The modulator can be a speaker which is positioned to modulate the air proximate the web. In one embodiment the speaker is placed in an air supply duct and in another embodiment is placed in a web pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of a dryer used in a paper manufacturing operation;
FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a graph of the amplitude and frequency of typical paper web flutter;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a dryer incorporating an alternate embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a section view along the line 5--5 shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although the present invention may be used to determine flutter in industries involved with web processing technology, for the purposes of illustration the invention will be described as used in a paper manufacturing operation.
In a paper manufacturing process a number of different operations are performed on a moving web at various stations. Although flutter can be measured in any one of those stations, the description will be limited herein to the determination and suppression of flutter in the dryer portion of a paper manufacturing process. In the dryer portion the objective is to evaporate residual moisture in the pressed web at an efficient rate and at low steam usage. Any edge cracks or wrinkles formed during such evaporation in the dryer can be the cause of web breaks in subsequent processing sections. Since web wrinkles are believed to be related to flutter, the characterization of the amplitude and frequency of flutter in the dryer can provide valuable web break prevention information.
As shown in FIG. 1, a wet paper web 10, which has been previously pressed and now contains approximately 60 percent moisture, is passed over a series of steam heated drying cylinders or cans 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Typically, the cans are approximately 60 to 72 inches in diameter. Web 10 is held tightly against the cans 11-16 by a synthetic permeable fabric, so-called dryer felt 17a and 17b. Felt 17a presses web 10 against the surface of cans 12, 14 and 16 and passes over felt drying rolls 18 and 19. Likewise felt 17b presses web 10 against cans 11, 13 and 15 and passes over felt drying rolls 20 and 21. Although cans 11-16 and 18-21 are shown to be disposed on spindles, it will be understood that several techniques for rotational mounting are known and can be used.
In the drying operation, water is removed via a process whereby web 10 picks up sensible heat while in contact with steam heated cans 11-16 and thereafter flashes off steam in the so-called draw portion 22. This steam or water vapor is vented away within dryer pockets 24. Typically the venting of pockets 24 is achieved by passing heated dry air into a pocket through air permeable felts 17a and 17b. As shown in FIG. 1, air from a source not shown is supplied via duct 26 to a so-called box type vent 28. Vent 28 in turn directs the air onto and through felt 17a and into pocket 24. Although a box type vent is shown, it is within the scope of the present invention to use other known vent arrangements such as nozzle or roll type vents.
As web 10 passes through the dryer portion shown in FIG. 1, draw portion 22 will flutter within dryer pockets 24. A sensor 30, which may be mounted on an extension rod for relative stationary positioning, is shown to be mounted on frame 32 protruding into dryer pocket 24 in order to generate an electrical signal reflective of the amplitude and frequency of the flutter of the 13-14 draw, i.e., draw portion 22. The electrical signal is carried by leads 34 to processing components described in reference to FIG. 2.
While previous discussions of techniques to determine the amplitude and frequency of flutter have described complex and relatively delicate optical devices or have suggested other transmitting and receiving type equipment, it has been found that one can passively determine flutter without contacting the web by sensing the fluctuating or modulating air pressure in the region proximate the web. Since modulation of the air pressure in pocket 24 can originate from various sources other than web flutter, it may also be desirable to cancel out the effects of such other sources within the pocket where the amplitude and frequency of web flutter is being determined. In such situations two sensors can be utilized, wherein one sensor is positioned proximate web 10 and the other sensor is merely positioned within pocket 24 sensing the ambient air pressure within the pocket. To this end a second sensor 36 is illustrated mounted on frame 28 protruding into dryer pocket 24, in order to generate an electrical signal reflective of the amplitude and frequency of the air pressure within the dryer pocket. The electrical signal is carried by leads 38 to the processing components described in reference to FIG. 2, where the signal from sensor 36 is subtracted from the sensor 30 signal, so that the resulting signal is representative of sheet flutter. As discussed hereinbelow, this difference sensor signal provides a signal that is essentially proportional to acceleration of the sheet in the plane normal to its path of travel.
Referring now to FIG. 2, as web 10 flutters the air pressure in the region proximate to the web will modulate in proportion to such flutter. Sensor 30 senses the air pressure in the region proximate to the web and generates an electrical signal which is reflective of the modulating air pressure, which signal in turn is also reflective of the amplitude and frequency of the flutter. In the preferred embodiment sensor 30 includes a low differential pressure transducer such as the DP45 sold by Validyne Engineering Corporation of Northridge, Calif. Although such transducers are particularly specified for determining low differential air pressure conditions, such as that found in so-called "clean room" applications, it has been discovered that this transducer is also useful to detect modulating air pressure in one of the pockets of a paper manufacturing dryer, where flutter frequency is believed not to exceed approximately 100 Hz. This transducer is also preferred because of its ability to withstand not only the environment in a paper manufacturing operation, but also its believed ability to withstand the consequences of a web break. For a more detailed description of the specific structure of the sensors, reference is again made to copending application Ser. No. 192,255.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the signal generated by sensor 30, from which the signal from sensor 36 is subtracted, is a modulated electrical signal which is connected to demodulator 40, which demodulates the difference sensor signal. Thus, the signal from demodulator 40 is a real time analog signal which represents the time varying air pressure produced by the web flutter pocket 24. In the preferred embodiment, demodulator 40 is a CD12 Transducer Indicator sold by Validyne Engineering Corporation of Northridge, Calif.
In order to inspect the characteristics of the demodulator output circuit, I have analyzed it with the diagnostic processing equipment indicated at blocks 42, 44 of FIG. 3. Interface 42 is a R300 Digital Signal Processor interface board sold by Rapid Systems, Inc. of Seattle, Wash. Such interface boards are designed for insertion into so-called "desk top" computers such as those made by IBM Corporation of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. or so-called "IBM compatible" computers with 640 kBytes of random access memory. Processor 44 in the preferred embodiment can be such a computer operated with the R360 Real time Spectrum Analyzer software, also sold by Rapid Systems, Inc. Processor 44 can be replaced by any dedicated vibration analyzer capable of processing low frequency vibrations, i.e. vibration frequencies as low as 0.10 Hz. Processor 44 is used to perform a fast Fourier transformation on the demodulated signal passing through interface 42, transforming the signal from the time domain to the frequency domain. Such a transformation provides an output which is directly indicative of frequency and sheet acceleration. Since the sensor signal input is essentially proportional to web acceleration, it is necessary to integrate this signal twice to convert the acceleration-based signal to displacement, or true amplitude. For a periodic signal, this mathematical operation can be achieved simply by dividing the voltage signal by the square of the corresponding frequency.
Processor 44 is thus utilized to perform the transformation and generate an indication signal, similar to that shown in FIG. 3, representative of the amplitude and frequency of the sensed flutter over a predetermined time period. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flutter is seen to have a number of frequencies (shown along the X axis), with each frequency having a corresponding amplitude. From this the objective of the invention is derived, namely to produce a feedback signal which corresponds in its frequency transform, but which has the energy at each frequency shifted in phase so as to oppose the flutter.
Referring back to FIG. 2, in the actual practice of this invention the analog signal from demodulator 40 is connected to phase shifter 46, which suitably is a combined amplifier-phase shifter. Phase shifter 46 is designed to modify its received signal to generate a negative feedback signal for attenuating the flutter. As seen from FIG. 3, most of the frequencies involved are below normal audio range, and thus phase shifter 46 must be adapted to process a frequency range of about DC to 12-20 Hz, and must be tunable to provide an optimum phase shift at each frequency. Such amplifiers are well known in the art. Theoretically the signal would shifted about 180° at each frequency, to generate a signal to attenuate the flutter. However, there are numerous factors which contribute to the amount of phase shift necessary to generate a signal which can attenuate the web flutter. The signal generated by phase shifter 46 should be sufficiently out of phase that when the air in pocket 24 is modulated in relation to this signal, the flutter-caused air modulation is substantially cancelled or attenuated, thereby minimizing the web flutter. In other words, phase shifter 46 is adjusted to provide a signal which yields substantially a 180° closed loop feedback at each significant frequency. In order to aid this objective, a graphic equalizer 48 may also be utilized. Additional amplification can also be added as needed.
In order to modulate the air in pocket 24 in a negative fashion with respect to the air modulation caused by web flutter, the feedback signal is connected to a suitable speaker, or horn 50. Signal speaker 50 can be of any design able to handle low frequencies up to about 100 Hz, and also must be capable of use in the manufacturing environment. The purpose of the speaker is to transform the feedback signal into air pressure variations which counter those produced by the flutter, and thus dampen the flutter. By positioning speaker 50 in fluid communication with duct 26, the air moving through duct 26 can be modulated in accordance with the feedback signal. Since the air in duct 26 is supplied to pocket 24, it serves to modulate the air in pocket 24 in a fashion which either attenuates or cancels flutter caused modulation, thereby attenuating or suppressing web flutter. In operation it may be necessary to adjust the feedback signal connected to horn 50, in order to take into account other phase shifts around the loop, so as to achieve maximum suppression of web flutter. For example, any phase shift between the air waves generated at the horn and the air waves at the web must be accounted for.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate placement of speaker 50 is depicted. In this embodiment, speaker 50 is mounted to frame 52 and positioned so that the output of speaker 50 directly modulates the air in pocket 24. In this embodiment it is important to select a speaker which can withstand the dryer environment as well as the consequences of a web break, i.e. being struck by the web.
In either of the previously described embodiments it can be seen that during operation the signals from the sensors serve to provide an error signal. It thus becomes the objective of the phase shifter and/or equalizer or equivalent feedback signal generating means, to generate a signal which minimizes the error signal. In practice, the phase shift introduced by the feedback signal generating means, as well as the amplitude of the feedback signal, are adjusted to minimize the sensor error signal.
While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the principles of the invention as described herein above and set forth in the following claims.
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An apparatus and method for suppressing flutter of a moving web manufacturing operation to include a sensor for sensing the pressure of air in a region proximate the web, which sensor generates a pressure signal representative of the air pressure, a signal processor, connected to receive the pressure signal and to derive therefrom a negative feedback suppression signal phase-shifted to attenuate the air pressure, and an air modulator, positioned to modulate the air in the region proximate the web, which modulator receives the suppression signal and modulates air in response thereto so that flutter is attenuated. The modulator can be a speaker placed in an air supply duct, and in another embodiment it is placed directly in a web pocket.
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FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to gels including colloidal particles used as greases in filled cable compounds, general greases, and field responsive fluids (electro-rheological). The gels in filled cables minimize the intrusion of water and other harmful compounds into filled information transmission cables such as optical fiber cables. The gels along with the cable sheath protect the internal wires, fibers etc. from stresses applied to the cables sheath.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically optical fiber cables, which are mainly used by the communications industry, contain a bundle of glass fibers encased in a polymeric sheathing. During manufacture a non-aqueous jelly like substance (optical fiber gel) is introduced in the spacing between the fibers and the polymeric sheathing. The function of the gel is to provide shock absorption, provide protection to the fiber from bending and twisting stress and provide water repellency. The gel fills the interstices and also prevents entry of water ingression from other mechanisms such as ingress when the water vapor pressure outside the cable is greater than inside the cable.
[0003] A variety of configurations of optical fibers bunched together within the polymeric sheathing exist. Also, a variety of polymeric sheathing materials are used such as polypropylene, polyethylene. The optical fiber gel must meet certain performance specifications defined by an OEM (original equipment manufacturer, of the optical fiber cable). Typically the gels are thixotropic as this facilitates cable filling and prevents some low stress migration later in cable use. Typical specifications include viscosity, yield stress, oxidative stability, low temperature performance and compatibility with the polymer sheathing. Product consistency with respect to specifications is critical for an optical fiber gel.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,016 summarizes many of the aspects of manufacturing both gels with appropriate properties for fiber optic cables and fiber optic cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A critical feature in manufacturing gels for fiber optic cables and the fiber optic cables is batch-to-batch uniformity in the physical properties of the gels. Typically the colloidal material is difficult to disperse uniformly as small particles and forms aggregates of colloidal material that are difficult to subsequently disperse. The quality of the colloidal material dispersion dramatically affects the various moduli of the gel, as aggregates of colloidal material do not have the same viscosity modifying effect as dispersed particles. Similarly the high molecular weight polymers have a disproportionate effect based on their weight percent on the viscosity of the oil and consequently the gel modulus. The resulting gels typically are thixotropic having a critical yield stress above which the material flows and below which it is generally rigid.
[0006] A process is disclosed of using a rotor and stator mixer in combination with more conventional mixing blades (such as a slow speed anchor blade in combination with a high shear emulsifier blade) to form a sequential composition of consistent viscosity and low batch-to-batch variation. Also disclosed are optimized compositions for gels for fiber optic cables derived from oil, colloidal silica filler, a high molecular weight polymer and optional functional additives. Gel compositions were developed based on various basestocks and thickeners, which are compatible with conventional polymeric sheathings (e.g. they do not soften or deteriorate the sheath material).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The attached FIGURE illustrates a desirable configuration for the mixing equipment for the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The gel composition generally comprises a base oil, a high molecular weight polymer, a colloidal silica, and optionally coupling agents and additives such as antioxidants, antiwear agents, antifoam, and hydrogen absorbing agents.
[0000] Base Oil
[0009] The base oil can be any of the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV, or Group V basestock. Typical base oils include mineral oils, hydrotreated mineral oils, PAOs, vegetable oils and synthetic esters. Specific examples of this type of component include hydrocracked mineral oils, poly (alpha olefin), vegetable oils and other synthetic oils such as esters, glycols and polybutene.
[0010] The amounts of base oil in the compositions of the present invention are generally from about 80 to about 96 weight percent, more desirably from about 86 to about 95 and more preferably from about 88 to about 93 weight percent.
[0000] High Molecular Weight Polymer
[0011] The high molecular weight polymer can be selected from a variety of known oil soluble polymers above 1000 number average molecular weight as determined by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards. The high molecular weight polymer needs to have solubility at 20° C. in a SAE 5 mineral oil of at least 50 grams per liter. These polymers can be various homopolymer and copolymers (including block copolymers) of styrene, conjugated dienes (e.g. butadiene), alpha olefins etc. including repeat units from other less oil soluble monomers in smaller amounts that do not result in insufficient oil solubility of the resulting polymer. Block copolymers are particularly preferred for bleed resistant gels. Specific examples of this type of component include Kraton from Shell Chemical and Ketjenlube from Akzo Nobel as well as equivalent products from other manufacturers. Preferably the amount of high molecular weight polymer is from about 3 to about 10 weight percent, more desirably from about 3 to about 8, and preferably from about 3 to about 5 weight percent.
[0012] The high molecular weight polymer provides a particular viscosity modification to the gel. The polymer swells with the oil and if adjacent polymer molecules touch each other or interpenetrate each other, they contribute significantly higher viscosity to the gel. If the polymers interpenetrate they have a tendency to want to return back to their original position after being deformed, as is well known to the art. This is called elastic memory and can be desirable or undesirable, depending on a variety of factors. Viscosity modification with high molecular weight polymers tends to be less sensitive to temperature changes than particulate viscosity modification and thus is used to minimize or prevent bleeding of oil from the gel at higher use or installation temperatures.
[0000] Colloidal Particulate e.g. Colloidal Silica
[0013] Colloidal hydrophobic and hydrophilic silica used individually or in combination. The colloidal particulate can be hydrophobic and or hydrophilic fumed silica or other particles such as iron and other inorganic particulate materials. Specific examples of this type of component include Aerosil and Cabosil silicas from DeGussa and Cabot corporations. The amounts of colloidal particulate in the compositions of the present invention are desirably from about 1 to 50 weight percent, more desirably from about 2 to 10 weight percent, and preferably from about 4 to about 8 weight percent.
[0014] The colloidal particulate provides a particular type of viscosity modification to the gel not available from high molecular weight soluble polymers. When sufficient colloidal material is present, the surfaces of adjacent particulate materials can hydrogen bond to adjacent particles forming a network that is resistant to stress. This provides thixotropic behavior, high yield stress values, and bleed reistance (anti-drip). Above a certain stress value these hydrogen bonds are broken and the gel deforms without memory of its previous shape and the hydrogen bonds between adjacent particles reform to re-establish a rigid network.
[0000] Coupling Agent(s)
[0015] Coupling agents are optional and function to couple the particulate material into a more continuous network building viscosity or modulus without adding more particulate material. Coupling agents generally are capable of hydrogen bonding with hydroxyl groups on the colloidal particulate material. Coupling agents with hydroxyl groups are preferred (e.g. monofunctional and polyfunctional alcohols. They can be monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric. Specific examples of this type of component include polyglycols (including but not limited to poly (alkylene oxide) and other polyols.
[0016] The amounts of coupling agents are generally up to 2 or 5 weight percent, more desirably from about 0.1 to about 2, and preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.5, and preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.3 weight percent.
[0000] Other Optional Additives Such as Antioxidants, Antiwear Additives, Extreme Pressure Additives (EP), Antifoam, and Hydrogen Absorbing Agents.
[0017] Other additives include antioxidants, hydrogen absorbing agents, surfactants, antiwear (including EP) agents, and antifoam agents. These may or may not be necessary depending upon the particular application of the gel and transmission cable. The antioxidants help increase oxidative induction time, ameliorate changes in the molecular weight of the oil and high molecular weight polymer, and reduce adverse color changes in the gel. Without them, depending on the resistance of the oil and polymer to oxidation, the oil and polymer might degrade into lower molecular weight components (possibly volatile), or higher molecular weight components (possibly sludge), and or a combination of lower and higher molecular weights (generating both more volatility and more sludge). The antifoam agents would help reduce the inclusion of gas bubbles in the gel and reduce foaming above the surface of the gel.
[0018] The amounts of optional functional components in the compositions of the present invention are generally up to 5 weight percent, more desirably from about 0.1 to about 1, and preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent.
[0019] The particular relationship between the amounts and types of the above components is by weight.
[0000] Equipment
[0020] The attached figure shows features of the equipment for the preferred embodiment. The equipment is labeled 1 . An shaft 2 for the optional high speed emulsifier/dispersator 14 is mounted so that it does not collide with shaft 3 of a low speed anchor (e.g. planetary) mixer 15 . A jacketed mixing tank 17 is used to contain the gel 20 (contents of the mixing tank) and control the mix temperature through a temperature control fluid 4 . A shaft 5 to the rotor is mounted near the additive addition area. An liquid or solid additive 7 is stored in a reservoir 8 for said additive and can be added to the rotor 46 stator 47 mixer via the valve 32 to control addition of liquid or solid additives and the tube 26 to add the same near the suction side of the rotor and stator. A hasp 11 is used to secure the lid 22 of the mixing tank to the tank. The mixing tank has a fluid inlet 12 and exit 34 . The stator is shown with two arms 44 to hold it in a fixed position relative to the rotating rotor.
[0000] The Process
[0021] The composition described above is preferably prepared using the process set forth below and a mixer with at least a rotor and stator mixer, optionally equipped with a vacuum or tube delivery system (SLIM system from Ross) for the colloidal particulate that results in the colloidal particulate being added below the surface of the components to the gel and desirably directly into a flow of gel into the rotor and stator mixer. It is also desirable to have an inert gas (such as N 2 ) input and in the headspace of the mixer and a heating/cooling jacket at least partially contacting the mixing surface. Such a mixer is available from Ross and is called a Versamix. The Ross Versamix has a low speed anchor type mixer to keep the contents of the batch stirred, a higher speed emulsifier capable of forming emulsions, and a rotor and stator mixer capable of dispersing and in some cases fracturing particles.
[0022] A preferred method is to use a mixer, which has three mixing blades: planetary anchor blade, high-speed disperser (Cowles blade), and rotor-stator which can be separately controlled and/or operated simultaneously in one mixing tank. A jacketed mixing tank further enhances the system as it allows temperature control (e.g. heating to help dissolve the high molecular weight polymer and cooling to bring the temperature of the components or gel down before adding the antioxidant. A suction device built into the rotor-stator disperser is a further enhancement which enables incorporation of solids (e.g. colloidal particulate silica) into the mixing tank immediately before the rotor and stator where effective dispersing can be achieved in the first few seconds after the colloidal particulate is added to the components.
[0023] Using this mixer a typical process for manufacturing of optical fiber gels according to the following examples is:
1. Mix the base oil with a high molecular weight polymer and heat the mixture to 120-132° C. for at least one hour. Use all three blades for 5-10 minutes after which only the anchor blade is used. Check sample to ensure that all solid materials appear to have been incorporated and dispersed. 2. Cool mixture to about 60° C. and add the antioxidant and other optional functional additives and stir for at least five minutes to assure reasonable dispersion within the oil. 3. Charge the silica through the vacuum suction device. Run all three blades at high speed for at least 20 minutes. Temperature is maintained at about 49° C. but increases to 65° C. due to heat of mixing. 4. Add coupler and mix using all three blades for at least 30 minutes with the temperature of at least 49° C. 5. Cool to about 38° C. and deaerate mixture using a vacuum pump.
[0029] 6. Transfer mixture out of mixing tank using a platen press or a positive displacement pump.
Recipe I: Synthetic Oil Based Recipe Ingredient Manufacturer Quantity Wt. Percent PAO-8 (base oil) BP-Amoco 61.987 88.5 Kraton 1701 (polymer) Shell Chemical 3.419 4.9 Irganox L135 (antioxidant) Ciba 0.199 0.3 Aerosil 974 - Hydrophobic Degussa 2.907 4.2 Silica Aerosil 300VS - Hydrophilic Degussa 1.211 1.7 Silica Polyglycol 2000 (coupling Dow Chemical 0.285 0.4 agent) Total 70.01 100
[0030]
Recipe II: Mineral Oil Based Recipe
Ingredient
Manufacturer
Quantity
Wt. Percent
Conoco 70N (base oil)
Conoco
62.0
88.6
Kraton 1701 (polymer)
Shell Chemical
6.13
8.8
Irganox L135 (antioxidant)
Ciba
0.197
0.3
Aerosil 300VS - Hydrophilic
Degussa
1.404
2.0
Silica
Polyglycol 2000 (coupling
Dow Chemical
0.285
0.4
agent)
Total
70.02
100.1
[0031] The process used with the triple mixer configuration yields a homogenous, well dispersed product. Product is used at an optical fiber gel as a buffer for shocks and as a water repellent
[0032] While the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
[0033] Each of the documents referred to above is incorporated herein by reference. Except in the Examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description specifying amounts of materials, reaction conditions, molecular weights, number of carbon atoms, and the like, are to be understood as modified by the word “about.” Unless otherwise indicated, each chemical or composition referred to herein should be interpreted as being a commercial grade material which may contain the isomers, by-products, derivatives, and other such materials which are normally understood to be present in the commercial grade. However, the amount of each chemical component is presented exclusive of any solvent or diluent oil, which may be customarily present in the commercial material, unless otherwise indicated. It is to be understood that the upper and lower amount, range, and ratio limits set forth herein may be independently combined. While ranges are given for most of the elements of the invention independent of the ranges for other elements, it is anticipated that in more preferred embodiments of the invention, the elements of the invention are to be combined with the various (assorted) desired or preferred ranges for each element of the invention in various combinations.
[0034] As used herein, the expression “consisting essentially of” permits the inclusion of substances that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the composition under consideration. Comprising means having at least the listed elements and optionally a variety of other unnamed elements that might affect the basic characteristics of the composition.
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A process of forming a gel for gel packed transmission cable comprising the steps of dissolving a high molecular weight polymer in oil and thereafter through the use of a rotor and stator mixer effectively incorporating a colloidal silica(s) into the polymer in oil composition. Compositions made from this process having optimized viscosity are also claimed.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to vehicle clutches and in particular to a system for monitoring the rotational speeds of both a clutch brake and a flywheel within a friction clutch assembly and for generating a visual or audible indication when a predetermined condition occurs, such as frictional engagement of the clutch brake or slippage within the friction clutch assembly.
Manual transmissions are widely used in various types of vehicles. In such vehicles, a friction clutch assembly is generally utilized to selectively connect the vehicle engine to the vehicle transmission. The friction clutch assembly includes a plurality of driving input members (including a flywheel) which are connected to the engine, and a plurality of driven output members (including an output shaft) which are connected to the transmission. Means are provided for selectively frictionally engaging the driving input members to the driven output members. When so connected, the flywheel is connected to the output shaft for rotation together. Therefore, the engine is connected to the transmission for supplying power thereto. When the friction clutch assembly is disengaged, the transmission is not driven by the engine, and the transmission may be shifted smoothly from one gear ratio to another before re-engaging the friction clutch assembly.
A release mechanism is provided in the friction clutch assembly to accomplish the selective frictional engagement and disengagement thereof. Typically, the release mechanism includes a bearing which is disposed about the output shaft. The release bearing is axially movable along the output shaft between engaged and disengaged positions. In non-synchronized transmissions, it is well known to further provide a clutch brake about the output shaft to stop the output shaft from rotating when the release bearing is moved to the disengaged position. The clutch brake is disposed about the output shaft (to which it is connected for rotation therewith) between the release bearing and a housing for the friction clutch assembly. When the release bearing is moved to the disengaged position, the clutch brake is frictionally engaged between the release bearing and the housing. Such frictional engagement slows the rotation of the output shaft of the friction clutch assembly so that a smooth gear shifting operation may be effected within the transmission.
The clutch brake is intended to be used only for the limited purpose of stopping the rotation of the output shaft prior to a gear shifting operation. Therefore, the clutch brake should be frictionally engaged only for relatively short periods of time. Unfortunately, because of lengthy and unnecessary frictional engagement, known clutch brake structures are prone to premature wear and failure. Such excessive engagement is commonly referred to as "riding" the clutch brake during a gear shifting operation. Such a situation can occur if the clutch brake is frictionally engaged while upshifting or while the vehicle is rolling to a stop when the transmission is in gear. During such situations, the clutch brake is subjected to significant heat and mechanical loading resulting from the lengthy frictional engagement. Although some experienced vehicle operators can determine by feel when the clutch brake is applied and, therefore, are able to avoid such undesirable excessive frictional engagement, many other vehicle operators are not so skilled. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a monitoring system which alerts the vehicle operator when the clutch brake is frictionally engaged in order to prevent premature failure thereof resulting from excessive engagement. It would also be desirable to provide such a monitoring system which alerts the vehicle operator when an undesirable amount of slippage occurs within the friction clutch assembly when it is engaged, indicating that maintenance for the friction clutch assembly is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic system for monitoring the operation of a vehicle friction clutch assembly and for generating a visual or audible indication when the clutch brake of the assembly is frictionally engaged. The system includes means for generating an electrical signal which is representative of the rotational speed of the clutch brake. In a first embodiment, such means for generating includes a plurality of magnets attached to the clutch brake. In a second embodiment, such means for generating includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth formed on the clutch brake. In both embodiments, a sensor is disposed near the clutch brake which is responsive to the passage of the magnets and teeth rotating thereby. The sensor generates an electrical pulse train signal having a frequency which is proportional to the rotational speed of the clutch brake. An electronic control circuit is provided for generating a visual or audible indication when the value of the clutch brake rotational speed signal approaches zero, indicating that the clutch brake is frictionally engaged. A similar sensing means can be provided for determining the rotational speed of the flywheel of the friction clutch assembly. The control circuit compares the flywheel rotational speed signal with the clutch brake rotational speed signal and generates a visual or audible indication when the values of the two signals are not equal or when they differ by more than a predetermined amount. Such a situation would occur when there is slippage in the friction clutch assembly which requires maintenance. The flywheel rotational speed signal can also be displayed separately as an analog or digital representation of the engine speed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic system for monitoring the operation of a clutch brake and flywheel in a friction clutch assembly so as to alert a vehicle operator to the occurrence of predetermined conditions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a monitoring system which is simple and inexpensive to install and operate.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevational view of a friction clutch assembly including a monitoring system in accordance the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevational view of a first embodiment of a clutch brake adapted for use in the friction clutch assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is enlarged sectional side elevational view of a second embodiment of a clutch brake adapted for use in the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic control circuit for the monitoring system of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A through 5J are is a series of wave form diagrams showing various electrical signals generated within the electronic control system illustrated in FIG. 4 when the rotational speed of the clutch brake is less than a predetermined threshold level.
FIGS. 6A through 6J are a series of wave form diagrams similar to FIGS. 5A through 5J showing the various electrical signals generated within the electronic control system illustrated in FIG. 4 when the rotational speed of the clutch brake is greater than the predetermined threshold level.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a multiple disc friction clutch assembly, indicated generally at 10, adapted for use in a vehicle. The clutch assembly 10 is conventional in the art and includes a flywheel 11 connected to a crankshaft (not shown) of an engine of the vehicle. Rotational movement of the crankshaft by the vehicle engine, therefore, causes corresponding rotational movement of the flywheel 11. A plurality of tooth-like projections 11a are provided about the outer periphery of the flywheel 11. The projections 11a extend radially outwardly from the flywheel 11 and form a portion of a means for generating an electrical signal representing the rotational speed of the flywheel 11, as will be described in detail below.
The friction clutch assembly 10 further includes forward and rearward annular clutch discs 12 and 13, respectively. Each of the clutch discs 12 and 13 includes one or more pairs of friction facings 12a and 13a respectively, attached to the opposed faces thereof. The clutch discs 12 and 13 are connected to respective hubs 15 and 16 for rotation therewith. The hubs 15 and 16 are splined onto an output shaft 17 and are axially movable thereon. The output shaft 17 is piloted at its forward end in a bearing 18 retained in the flywheel 11. The rearward end of the output shaft 17 is supported in a bearing 20 located at the forward end of the vehicle transmission (not shown). As is well known, the output shaft 17 is connected to one or more input gears (not shown) disposed within the transmission for supplying power from the engine through the friction clutch assembly 10 to the transmission.
An intermediate plate 21 and a pressure plate 22 are rotatably and co-axially supported about the output shaft 17. The intermediate plate 21 is disposed between the forward and rearward clutch discs 12 and 13, respectively, while the pressure plate 22 is disposed rearwardly of the rearward clutch disc 13. A clutch cover 23 is attached to the flywheel 11 through an adapter or spacer ring 25 by a plurality of threaded fasteners 26 (only one is illustrated) or any other suitable means. A first plurality of drive strap assemblies, one of which is indicated generally at 27, is provided to connect the clutch cover 23 to the pressure plate 22 for rotation therewith. Similarly, a second plurality of drive strap assemblies, one of which is indicated generally at 28, is provided to connect the clutch cover 23 to the intermediate plate 21 for rotation therewith. Thus, it can be seen that the flywheel 11, the spacer ring 25, the clutch cover 23, the pressure plate 22, and the intermediate plate 21 (the driving components) all rotate together as a unit, while the forward and rearward clutch discs 12 and 13 and the output shaft 17 (the driven components) all rotate together as a separate unit.
A plurality of radially extending clutch levers 30 are disposed about the output shaft 17 to provide, in a known manner, a means for selective frictional engagement and disengagement of the forward and rearward clutch discs 12 and 13 by the flywheel 11, the intermediate plate 21, and the pressure plate 22. A plurality of return springs 31 (only one is illustrated) cooperate with a release bearing 32 in a conventional manner for providing such engaging and disengaging movement of the clutch levers 30, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. In general, however, the release bearing 32 is moved toward the flywheel 11 to cause the frictional engagement of the clutch discs 12 and 13, and is moved away from the flywheel 11 to release such frictional engagement. The structure of the friction clutch assembly 10 thus far described is conventional in the art.
A clutch brake, indicated generally at 33, is splined onto the output shaft 17 for rotation therewith. The general structure and operation of the clutch brake 33 are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,763,977 to Sink and 4,657,124 to Flotow, both owned by the assignee of the present invention. The disclosures of those two patents are incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 2, the basic structure of the clutch brake 33 is conventional. However, a plurality of relatively small magnets 34 (only two are illustrated) are attached to the outer peripheral edge of the clutch brake 33. The magnets 34 are spaced equidistantly about such outer peripheral edge. Although any convenient number of such magnets 34 may be utilized, it has been found that two of such magnets 34 function satisfactorily to generate an electrical signal representing the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33, as will be described in detail below. FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the clutch brake, indicated generally at 33', wherein a plurality of relatively small metallic tangs 34' (only two are illustrated) are formed integrally with one of the components of the clutch brake 33'. The number and spacing of the tangs 34' can be the same as that described above in connection with the magnets 34.
A bell housing 35 encloses the rearward end of the friction clutch assembly 10. The bell housing 35 is secured to a rearward extension 36 of an engine block (not shown) of the vehicle by any suitable means, such as by a plurality of bolts 37 (only one is illustrated) spaced about the periphery of the bell housing 35. A first sensor 40 is attached to the inner surface of the rearward extension 36. The first sensor 40 is disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral edge of the flywheel 11. As the flywheel 11 is rotated by the vehicle engine, the flywheel projections 11a are moved past the stationary first sensor 40. In a similar manner, a second sensor 41 is attached to the inner surface of the bell housing 35. The second sensor 41 is disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral edge of the clutch brake 33. Thus, as the clutch brake 33 is rotated by the vehicle engine (when the friction clutch assembly 10 is engaged), the clutch brake magnets 34 or tangs 34' are moved past the stationary second sensor 41. The first and second sensors 40 and 41 are conventional magnetic pick-up or similar devices which are responsive to the movement of a magnetic or ferrous material thereby for generating an electrical signal related to such movement.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of an electronic control circuit, indicated generally at 45, for monitoring the operation of the friction clutch assembly 10. FIGS. 5A through 5J and FIGS. 6A through 6J are wave form diagrams which schematically illustrate electrical signals generated by various components of the control circuit 45 at the points indicated by the corresponding capital letters illustrated in FIG. 4. FIGS. 5A through 5J illustrate electrical signals which are generated when the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is less than a predetermined speed, while FIGS. 6A through 6J illustrate electrical signals which are generated when the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is greater than the predetermined speed, as will be described in detail below.
As shown in both FIGS. 5A and 6A, the output signal from the second sensor 41 is a generally sinusoidal wave form having a period which is proportional to the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33. When the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is relatively slow, the period of the sinusoidal wave form generated by the second sensor 41 is relatively long, as shown in FIG. 5A. When the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is relatively fast, however, the period of the sinusoidal wave form generated by the second sensor 41 is relatively short, as shown in FIG. 6A. The output signal from the first sensor 40 (not shown) is also a generally sinusoidal wave form which is similar in appearance to the output signal from the second sensor 41. However, the frequency of the output signal from the first sensor 40 is, of course, related to the rotational speed of the flywheel 11 and, therefore, to the rotational speed of the vehicle engine.
The output signal from the second sensor 41 is fed through a preamplifier 46 to a frequency to voltage converter 47. The frequency to voltage converter 47 is conventional in the art and generates an output signal having a voltage which is proportional to the frequency of the output signal from the second sensor 41. The output signal from the converter 47 is fed to a first input of a differential amplifier 48. Similarly, the output signal from the first sensor 40 is fed through a preamplifier 50 to a frequency to voltage converter 51. The output signal from the converter 51 is fed to a second input of the differential amplifier 48. The output signal from the preamplifier 50 is also fed to a tachometer 52. The tachometer 52 is conventional in the art and includes means for generating a visual indication or display of the rotational speed of the flywheel 11 (and, hence, of the vehicle engine) in response to the output signal from the preamplifier 50.
The differential amplifier 48 is also conventional in the art and generates an output signal which is representative of the difference between the voltage levels of the inputs signals from the first and second sensors 40 and 41. Thus, the voltage level of the output signal from the differential amplifier 48 is representative of the difference between the rotational speeds of the flywheel 11 and the clutch brake 33. Ideally, such rotational speeds are equal when the friction clutch assembly 10 is engaged, thereby indicating that there is no slippage between the driving and driven components. However, when wear occurs from usage of the friction clutch assembly 10, or when some abnormal condition occurs, the partial loss of the frictional engagement of the driven components by the driving components will cause the flywheel 11 to rotate faster than the clutch brake 33. The magnitude of that relative difference in rotational speeds is reflected in the output signal from the differential amplifier 48.
The output signal from the differential amplifier 48 is fed to a meter 53 and to a threshold detector 55. The meter 53 provides a continuous visual indication of the magnitude of the rotational speed differential between the flywheel 11 and the clutch brake 33. The threshold detector 55 generates an output signal to an indicator 56 whenever the magnitude of the output signal from the differential amplifier 48 exceeds a predetermined value. Thus, the indicator 56 is activated only when the amount of slippage within the friction clutch assembly 10 is greater than the predetermined value. The structure and operation of the meter 53 and the threshold detector 55 are conventional in the art. Thus, the control circuit 45 monitors the operation of the friction clutch assembly 10 and generates a first indication of the amount of slippage occurring therein during use and a second indication when the amount of such slippage exceeds a predetermined value.
The control circuit 45 also provides an indication when the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is less than a predetermined speed. Typically, this predetermined speed is relatively close to zero rotational speed. The clutch brake 33 would normally approach such zero rotational speed only when it is frictionally engaged between the release bearing 32 and the rearward end of the bell housing 35. At other times, the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is greater than this predetermined speed For example, the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 will obviously be relatively fast when the friction clutch assembly 10 is engaged, since the vehicle engine is connected to rotate the output shaft 17. The rotational speed of the output shaft 17 will continue to rotate at a relatively fast speed even after the friction clutch assembly 10 has been disengaged, because the momentum of the components in the transmission will tend to keep them rotating for a period of time after the clutch assembly 10 has been disengaged. Generally, therefore, the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 will fall below the predetermined speed only when the rotation thereof has been affirmatively stopped by the frictional engagement of the clutch brake 33.
In order to determine when the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 falls below the predetermined speed, the output signal from the preamplifier 46 is also fed to the input of a Schmitt trigger circuit 57. The Schmitt trigger circuit 57 is conventional in the art and generates a square wave output signal, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B. The square wave output signal moves from approximately zero volts to a positive voltage when the sinusoidal wave form from the preamplifier 46 is positive, and moves back to approximately zero volts when the sinusoidal wave form is negative. The period of the output signal from the Schmitt trigger circuit 57 is equal to the period of the output signal from the second sensor 41 and, therefore, is representative of the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33.
The output signal from the Schmitt trigger circuit 57 is fed to a first pulse amplifier circuit 58. The first pulse amplifier circuit 58 is conventional in the art and is responsive to the positive moving edge (in this case, the leading edge) of each of the output pulses from the Schmitt trigger circuit 57 for initiating the generation of a positive output pulse. However, each of the output pulses generated by the first pulse amplifier 58 is relatively short in time duration. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 6C, the period between adjacent output pulses from the first pulse amplifier 58 is the same as the period between adjacent output pulses from the Schmitt trigger circuit 57.
The output signals from the first pulse amplifier 58 are fed through an inverter circuit 60 to a second pulse amplifier circuit 61. The inverter circuit 60 inverts the polarity of the output pulses generated by the first pulse amplifier circuit 58, as shown in FIGS. 5D and 6D. The second pulse amplifier circuit 61 is responsive to the positive moving edge (in this case, the trailing edge) of each of the output pulses from the inverter circuit 60 for initiating the generation of a positive output pulse, as shown in FIGS. 5E and 6E. Each of the output pulses generated by the second pulse amplifier 58 is also relatively short in time duration. Thus, it can be seen that the combination of the inverter circuit 60 and the second pulse amplifier 61 provide a means for generating a pulse train which is similar in appearance to the output pulse train generated by the first pulse amplifier 58, but which is delayed in time by a certain amount.
The output pulses from the second pulse amplifier 61 are fed to the input to a first monostable multivibrator circuit 62. The first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 is responsive to the positive moving edge (in this case, the leading edge) of each of the pulses generated by the second pulse amplifier 61 for generating an output pulse at a positive voltage having a predetermined time duration. As is well known in the art, the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 includes an internal timing circuit (not shown), which typically includes an interacting combination of a resistor and a capacitor. The values of the resistor and the capacitor determine the length of the time duration of the output pulses generated by the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62.
Once the generation of an output pulse is initiated, the internal timing circuit of the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 is reset to zero and begins to re-charge according to an exponential rate determined by the values of the resistor and the capacitor, as shown in FIGS. 5F and 6F. If the internal re-charging level crosses above a predetermined threshold level (indicated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 5F and 6F), the output signal from the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 is reset to approximately zero volts, as shown in FIG. 5G. In order for this to occur, the output pulses from the second pulse amplifier 61 must be spaced apart in time by an amount which is greater than the re-charging time constant of the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62. In other words, the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 must be slower than a predetermined speed. Thus, when this condition occurs, the output signal from the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 will oscillate between approximately zero volts and a positive voltage. Those portions of the output signal from the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 at a positive voltage have uniform time durations based upon the values of the internal resistor and the capacitor. The period of the output signal from the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 is equal to the period of the output signal from the second sensor 41.
If the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is faster than the predetermined speed, however, the internal re-charging of the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 will be repeatedly reset to zero before it crosses above the threshold level. In other words, the internal re-charging of the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 will not occur at a fast enough rate to permit it to cross above the threshold level indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 6F. As a result, the output signal from the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 is not reset to approximately zero volts and, consequently, remains at a positive voltage, as shown in FIG. 6G. By varying the values of the resistor and the capacitor in the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62, the re-charging rate (and, hence, the value of the predetermined speed) can be adjusted to a desired value. As mentioned above, this predetermined speed is generally set to represent a relatively slow rotational speed of the clutch brake 33.
The output signal from the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 is fed to a first input of an AND gate 63. The output from the first pulse amplifier 58 is fed to a second input of the AND gate 63. The AND gate 63 generates a positive voltage output only when both of the inputs thereto are simultaneously positive. When the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is less than the predetermined speed, the output signal from the AND gate 63 is always zero, as shown in FIG. 5H. This occurs as a result of the time delay generated by the combination of the inverter 60 and the second pulse amplifier 61. Because of such time delay, the output pulses from the first pulse amplifier 58 and the first monostable multivibrator circuit 62 never occur at the same time. Thus, the output signal from the AND gate 63 is always zero. When the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is greater than the predetermined speed, however, the first input to the AND gate 63 is always a positive voltage, as described above. Therefore, the output signal from the AND gate 63 follows the output signal from the first pulse amplifier 58, as shown in FIG. 6H, when the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is greater than the predetermined speed.
The output signal from the AND gate 63 is fed to the input of a second monostable multivibrator circuit 65. When the output signal from the AND gate 63 is maintained at approximately zero volts (such as would occur when the rotational speed of the clutch brake is less than the predetermined speed), no triggering pulses are fed to the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65. Thus, the internal re-charging of the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65 is never reset to zero, as shown in FIG. 5I. Therefore, the output signal from the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65 remains at approximately zero volts, as shown in FIG. 5J.
When the output signal from the AND gate 63 is a pulse train signal (such as would occur when the rotational speed of the clutch brake is greater than the predetermined speed), a series of triggering pulses are fed to the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65. As shown in FIG. 6I, the internal re-charging of the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65 is repeatedly reset to zero. Such resetting occurs at a rate which is faster than the time which is necessary for the internal re-charging of the second monostable multivibrator 65 to cross above the threshold level, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 6I. Thus, the output signal from the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65 remains at a positive voltage, as shown in FIG. 6J.
The output signal from the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65 is fed to an indicator 66, which is energized when a zero output signal is generated by the second monostable multivibrator circuit 65. Thus, it can be seen that the indicator 66 will be energized only when the rotational speed of the clutch brake 33 is less than the predetermined speed. As mentioned above, such a condition will generally occur only when the clutch brake 33 is frictionally engaged. The indicator 66 can provide a visual or audible indication to the operator of the vehicle of the occurrence of such frictional engagement. In this manner, the vehicle operator will be alerted as to when the clutch brake 33 is frictionally engaged and will be reminded to release such engagement before an undue period of time has elapsed.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of the present invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
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An electronic system for monitoring the operation of a vehicle friction clutch assembly and for generating an indication when the clutch brake of the assembly is frictionally engaged is disclosed. The system generates an electrical signal which is representative of the rotational speed of the clutch brake. To accomplish this, a plurality of magnets or a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth are secured to the clutch brake. A sensor is disposed near the clutch brake which is responsive to the passage of the magnets and teeth rotating thereby. The sensor generates an electrical pulse train signal having a frequency which is proportional to the rotational speed of the clutch brake. An electronic control circuit is provided for generating an indication when the value of the clutch brake rotational speed signal approaches zero, indicating that the clutch brake is frictionally engaged. A similar sensor be provided for determining the rotational speed of the flywheel of the friction clutch assembly. The control circuit compares the flywheel rotational speed signal with the clutch brake rotational speed signal and generates an indication when the values of the two signals are not equal or when they differ by more than a predetermined amount. Such a situation would occur when there is slippage in the friction clutch assembly which requires maintenance. The flywheel rotational speed signal can also be displayed separately as an analog or digital representation of the engine speed.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/180,405, filed by Mark Beste, et al., on May 21, 2009, entitled “Comprehensive HVAC Control System,” and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application is directed, in general, to heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and, more specifically, to configuring HVAC systems to include a customer profile.
BACKGROUND
[0003] HVAC systems can be used to regulate the environment within an enclosed space. Typically, an air blower is used to pull air from the enclosed space into the HVAC system through ducts and push the air back into the enclosed space through additional ducts after conditioning the air (e.g., heating, cooling or dehumidifying the air). Various types of HVAC systems, such as roof top units, may be used to provide conditioned air for enclosed spaces.
[0004] Many HVAC systems have been improved with various options to provide higher efficiency and better comfort. Accordingly, HVAC systems have typically become more complex resulting in a cost increase for installation and service.
[0005] For example, set-up of commercial rooftop units can require over a hundred configuration changes and a high level of technical expertise. For installations and service, technicians need to know the unique settings required to properly configure an HVAC unit. The settings may affect operation of the HVAC unit such as cooling, heating, communications, alarms, set points and other additional parameters associated with the HVAC unit. In some installations having multiple rooftop units, additional labor may be required even if some of the rooftop units are to be configured the same.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, an HVAC controller is disclosed that includes: (1) an interface configured to receive and transmit a customer equipment profile for the HVAC equipment, the customer equipment profile associated with a customer of the HVAC equipment, (2) a memory coupled to the interface and configured to store the customer equipment profile and (3) a processor configured to employ the customer equipment profile to configure the HVAC equipment, the customer equipment profile uniquely tailored for the HVAC equipment and an application of the HVAC equipment for the customer.
[0007] In another aspect, a method for configuring HVAC equipment is disclosed that includes: (1) receiving a customer equipment profile for the HVAC equipment, the customer equipment profile associated with a customer of the HVAC equipment, (2) storing the customer equipment profile in a memory of an HVAC controller and (3) configuring the HVAC equipment employing the customer equipment profile, the customer equipment profile uniquely tailored for the HVAC equipment and an application of the HVAC equipment for the customer.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a HVAC system is provided that includes: (1) a refrigeration circuit having at least one compressor, a corresponding evaporator coil and a corresponding condenser coil, (2) an indoor air blower configured to move air across the evaporator coil, (3) an outdoor fan configured to move air across the condenser coil and (4) a controller coupled to the refrigeration circuit, the indoor air blower and the outdoor fan. The controller including: (4A) an interface configured to receive and transmit a customer equipment profile for the HVAC system, the customer equipment profile associated with a customer of the HVAC system, (4B) a memory coupled to the interface and configured to store the customer equipment profile and (4C) a processor configured to employ the customer equipment profile to configure the HVAC system, the customer equipment profile uniquely tailored for the HVAC system and an application of the HVAC system for the customer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0009] Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an HVAC system constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system having various components for delivering customer equipment profiles to an embodiment of a multi-unit HVAC system having HVAC controllers constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a HVAC controller constructed according to the principles of the disclosure; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for configuring HVAC equipment carried out according to the principles of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] This disclosure provides embodiments for configuring HVAC equipment during manufacturing, installation, service or repair. By employing the disclosed embodiments, the amount of time needed to configure HVAC equipment and the number of errors associated therewith may be reduced. As disclosed in different embodiments herein, configuration data for one HVAC unit may be used to configure other HVAC units at the same installation. Additionally, HVAC units may be at least partially pre-configured before being installed at a particular site. In other words, at least some configuration of HVAC units may be performed at the manufacturers. Furthermore, the HVAC units may be easily restored after an outage or after maintenance by employing stored configuration profiles located on an HVAC controller associated with the HVAC units. Accordingly, the cost for installation or service labor may be reduced.
[0015] For configuring HVAC equipment, customer equipment profiles are employed that are uniquely tailored for the HVAC equipment and an application of the HVAC equipment for a customer. An application is an installation of the HVAC equipment at a site for the customer. For example, the application may be for a school, restaurant, grocery store, factory, etc.
[0016] The customer equipment profiles include application-specific data for configuring HVAC equipment. The customer equipment profiles may include, for example, operating parameters, serial numbers and settings for the various components of an HVAC unit. As such, the customer equipment profiles may be unique profiles associated with a specific HVAC unit and a specific application of the HVAC unit for a customer.
[0017] A controller for a HVAC unit is configured to receive, store and employ the customer equipment profiles for the HVAC unit. The profile data may be stored using encryption and accessed with security password or software keys. In addition to operating parameters and serial numbers, the customer equipment profiles may include: customer contact and preferred service information; factory installed options; field installed option list; setpoints related to heating cooling and unit controls; unit operating modes, sensor communications and network interface settings; date, time, author for last profile change; and overall notes for application usage.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a HVAC system 100 constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The HVAC system 100 includes a return duct 102 , a return plenum 104 , a supply duct 106 and a supply plenum 108 . Additionally, the HVAC system 100 includes a refrigeration circuit 110 , an indoor air blower 120 , an outdoor fan 130 and a HVAC controller 140 . The refrigeration circuit 110 includes a compressor system 112 , evaporator coils 114 and condenser coils 116 . Each of the components of the refrigeration circuit 110 is fluidly coupled together. The compressor system 112 , the evaporator coils 114 , and the condenser coils 116 each include two units as denoted by the numbers 1 - 2 in FIG. 1 . The multiple units of the refrigeration system 110 represent two cooling stages of the HVAC system 100 . One skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure also applies to other HVAC embodiments having a single cooling stage or more than two cooling stages.
[0019] One skilled in the art will also understand that the HVAC system 100 may include additional components and devices that are not presently illustrated or discussed but are typically included in an HVAC system, such as, a power supply, an expansion valve, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc. A thermostat (not shown) is also typically employed with the HVAC system 100 and used as a user interface. The various illustrated components of the HVAC system 100 may be contained within a single enclosure (e.g., a cabinet). In one embodiment, the HVAC system 100 is a rooftop unit.
[0020] The refrigeration circuit 110 , the indoor air blower 120 , the outdoor fan system 130 and the humidity sensor 140 may be conventional devices that are typically employed in HVAC systems. At least some of the operation of the HVAC system 100 can be controlled by the HVAC controller 140 based on inputs from various sensors of the HVAC system 100 including a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor. For example, the HVAC controller 140 can cause the indoor air blower 120 to move air across the evaporator coils 114 and into an enclosed space.
[0021] The HVAC controller 140 may include a processor, such as a microprocessor, configured to direct the operation of the HVAC system 100 . Additionally, the HVAC controller 140 may include an interface and a memory section coupled thereto. The interface and memory section may be configured to communicate (i.e., receive and transmit) and store a customer equipment profile for the HVAC system. The customer profile is associated with a customer of the HVAC system 100 and uniquely tailored for the HVAC system 100 and an application of the HVAC system 100 for the customer. The processor employs the customer equipment profile from the memory section to configure the HVAC system 100 .
[0022] The interface may include multiple ports for transmitting and receiving data. The ports may be conventional receptacles for communicating data via various means such as, a portable memory device, a PC or portable computer or a communications network. The interface is coupled to the memory section, which may be a conventional memory that is constructed to store data and computer programs.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the HVAC controller 140 is coupled to the various components of the HVAC system 100 . In some embodiments, the connections therebetween are through a wired-connection. A conventional cable and contacts may be used to couple the HVAC controller 140 to the various components of the HVAC system 100 . In other embodiments, a wireless connection may also be employed to provide at least some of the connections.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system 200 having various components for delivering customer equipment profiles to an embodiment of a multi-unit (i.e., N units) HVAC system having HVAC controllers constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. Each HVAC unit of the HVAC system 200 includes a designated controller as represented by unit controller # 1 , unit controller # 2 and unit controller #N in FIG. 2 . The illustrated system 200 may be used to deliver customer equipment profiles during manufacturing (i.e., while still at the factory), during installation at an application for a customer, while performing service upgrades or during replacement repairs. The system 200 may be used to deliver the customer equipment profiles to only one controller of the HVAC system (such as unit controller # 1 in FIG. 2 ). However, the illustrated connections for unit controller # 1 may apply to multiple of the HVAC controllers of the HVAC system to allow delivery of the customer equipment profile to multiple HVAC controllers of the HVAC system. As such, each specific unit controller of the HVAC system may have similar connections as those coupled to unit controller # 1 .
[0025] The various components of the system 200 allow a customer to pre-configure the HVAC system using access to a customer profile database 210 . The customer can access the customer profile database 210 via a communications network, such as through an Internet server 220 , or through a direct connection, such as through a PC or portable computer 230 .
[0026] The customer can generate a profile for the HVAC system that can be stored at the customer profile database 210 . Additionally, the customer may employ a profile from a set of general profiles. The general profiles may be stored on the customer profile database 210 . The customer can then either select the generated profile or a general profile for the HVAC system. The general profiles may be developed for typical customer applications and designed for improved efficiency or comfort. Example profiles include schools, grocery stores, malls or a mall store, a big box store, a restaurant, a factory, a retail store, etc. During a manufacturing stage, a factory programmer 240 (e.g., a computer) may be used to program at least one of the controllers (e.g., unit controller # 1 ) of the HVAC system with the selected customer equipment profile. Of course, all or multiple of the HVAC controllers for the HVAC system may be programmed during manufacturing. A final test performance may then be performed before shipping. If an HVAC system is in inventory, the corresponding HVAC controller or controllers can be reprogrammed with the selected customer equipment profile prior to shipping. An example of programming during manufacturing is represented by the darkened arrows of FIG. 2 .
[0027] During installation at the customer's site, testing of the HVAC system may be performed to assure proper operation if the customer equipment profile has already been programmed at the factory. Since factory programming was performed, the testing can be brief. Even if loaded at the factory, the customer equipment profile may be updated. The profile may be updated by employing a network controller 250 of a communications network, such as the Internet, to check a website of the customer for updates. The website may be a specific and secure website of the customer that is designated for such a purpose. Updates may be generated by the manufacturer or customer and provided to an HVAC controller, for example, via a modem 260 , or a service office 270 . E-mail may be used to provide update notices.
[0028] If a customer equipment profile is unknown during installation, a service technician can configure one HVAC unit, record the profile to an external or removable device, such as, a PC or portable computer 280 , a portable memory device 290 , or the server 230 . The portable memory device 290 may be a “pen drive.” As is widely known, a pen drive, also called a “memory stick” or a “jump drive,” is a solid-state device containing nonvolatile computer memory, typically flash random-access memory (RAM), and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port that allows external access to the nonvolatile memory.
[0029] The customer equipment profile can then be used to program the additional HVAC controllers (i.e., unit controller # 2 through unit controller #N) at the specific customer application and may be used for similar future construction sites. By replicating the customer equipment profile, labor and errors may be reduced. Through the various interfaces of the HVAC controllers, a technician, customer or other authorized user may add notes to a customer equipment profile to assist with installation, identify service personnel, provide customer name, or provide reasons for settings of the customer equipment profile.
[0030] While providing service, a manufacturer or customer can employ the various interfaces with the HVAC controller to improve an existing profile to provide, for example, better comfort or performance. Updated customer equipment profiles may be stored in the customer profile database 210 and retrieved for service. A notification may be sent to alert a service technician of an available upgrade. Retrieval of the upgrade may be through the illustrated system via an Internet download, a portable computer 280 , a portable memory device 290 , etc. The customer profile database 210 can be unit specific based on, for example, the serial number of the unit. As such, phone help assistants and service personnel can view unit specific settings and a history of changes. The unit specific information can assist in correctly solving problems in a minimum period of time.
[0031] While performing replacement repairs, the customer equipment profile can be used to quickly change settings in a replacement part. The changes can be made at a manufacturer's parts warehouse, a supplier, service personnel offices or onsite at the HVAC unit. Programming in advance may reduce costs and the need for highly skilled service personnel at the site. Additionally, advance programming can reduce the exposure of service personnel to weather extremes while at the site. In the instance when an entire HVAC unit or controller is replaced, the customer equipment profile can be used to restore the previous configuration.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a HVAC controller 300 constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The HVAC controller 300 is configured to control operations of an HVAC system. The HVAC controller 300 includes a communications interface 310 , a memory 320 , and a processor 330 . The HVAC controller 300 may also include additional components typically included within a controller for a HVAC system, such as a power supply or power port.
[0033] The communications interface 310 may be a conventional device for transmitting and receiving data. The communications interface 310 may include an input port and an output port. In some embodiments, the input and output port may be separate ports. The input and output port, however, may be a single receptacle such as a universal serial bus connection (USB port). The communications interface 310 may include multiple communications ports that are configured to transmit and receive data via different modes. As noted, in one embodiment, the communications interface 310 may include a USB port. In another embodiment, the communications interface 310 may include a direct laptop connection. The communications interface 310 may also include a port for a communications network connection. The communications interface 310 may also include multiple types of communication ports. For example, the communications interface 310 may include a USB connection, a direct laptop connection and a communications network connection. Other combinations and other types of communications ports may also be included.
[0034] The memory 320 may be a conventional memory. The memory 320 is coupled to the communications interface and is constructed to store at least one customer equipment profile. The memory 320 may also include a series of operating instructions that direct the operation of the processor 330 when initiated thereby. The series of operating instructions may represent algorithms that are used by the processor 330 to direct configuration of the HVAC system employing the customer equipment profile. The HVAC system may be a rooftop unit. The algorithm may be represented by the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 .
[0035] The memory 320 may be partitioned into sections for storing various profiles for the HVAC equipment. A first memory section 322 is for a default factory profile. Service personnel may decide to revert to the settings of this profile if the settings of other profiles are suspect. A second memory section 324 is for a customer equipment profile. This is the profile that is used or was used for installation (i.e., the as installed profile). The customer equipment profile may be created during installation using, for example, the HVAC controller 300 or portable computer 280 . The HVAC controller 300 may automatically revert to the settings of this profile if memory corruption occurs. Additionally, a technician may select the customer equipment profile 324 . A third memory section 326 is for an operational profile. The HVAC controller 300 employs the operational profiles to determine operations for the HVAC system. In some embodiments, the customer equipment profile is the profile that is modified when needed. At reset, the customer equipment profile may then be loaded into the third memory section 326 and be used as the operational profile. Thus, the second and third memory sections 324 , 326 , may include the same profile. As such, the operational profile may also reflect what is set at the customer location during installation and include settings that are unique to that unit's operation.
[0036] The various profiles may be selected from a remote location employing network connections, such as, the Internet. Other networks may also be employed, such as a Building Automation and Control Network (BACnet) developed via the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), or a network that employs the LonTalk protocol from Echelon Corporation of San Jose, Calif.
[0037] The processor 330 is configured to employ the customer equipment profile to configure the HVAC equipment. The customer equipment profile is uniquely tailored for the HVAC equipment and an application of the HVAC equipment for the customer. Configuration parameters and instructions may be transmitted via the output port of the communication interface 310 .
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 400 for configuring an HVAC unit carried out according to the principles of the disclosure. The HVAC unit includes a refrigeration circuit, an indoor air blower system and an outdoor fan system. An HVAC controller such as described with respect to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 may be used to perform the method 400 . The method 400 may represent an algorithm that is stored on a computer readable medium, such as a memory of an HVAC controller (e.g., the memory 320 of FIG. 3 ) as a series of operating instructions that can direct the operation of a processor (e.g., the processor 330 of FIG. 3 ) to configure the HVAC unit. The method 400 begins in a step 405 .
[0039] In a step 410 , a customer equipment profile is received for the HVAC equipment. The customer equipment profile may be received at an HVAC controller via an interface of the controller. The customer equipment profile may be received by the HVAC controller before shipping of the HVAC equipment from a manufacturer. The HVAC equipment, therefore, can be configured for a particular installation before being shipped from the manufacturer. Alternatively, the HVAC controller is ready to configure the HVAC equipment during installation. Either way, configuration time for the HVAC equipment can be greatly reduced during installation.
[0040] At least a portion of the customer equipment profile may be generated by the customer. Thus, the customer can provide details that are pertinent to their particular application. The customer equipment profile may be received from a HVAC equipment profile database. The customer equipment profile may be received via a factory controller programmer or a personal computer. In one embodiment, the customer equipment profile may be received over a computer network (i.e., a communications network). Alternatively, the customer equipment profile may be received from a portable memory device.
[0041] Installation information for the application is also received in a step 420 . The installation information may be included as part of the customer equipment profile. The installation information may include customer contact information, overall notes for application usage, preferred service information, etc.
[0042] In a step 430 , the customer equipment profile is stored in a memory of the HVAC controller. The memory may be coupled to the interface of the HVAC controller and store the customer equipment profile when received therefrom. The customer equipment profile may be stored in the memory including the installation information.
[0043] The HVAC equipment is configured in a step 440 employing the customer equipment profile. The customer equipment profile is uniquely tailored for the HVAC equipment and an application of the HVAC equipment for the customer. The method 400 then ends in a step 450 .
[0044] The above-described methods may be embodied in or performed by various conventional digital data processors, microprocessors or computing devices, wherein these devices are programmed or store executable programs of sequences of software instructions to perform one or more of the steps of the methods, e.g., steps of the method of FIG. 4 . The software instructions of such programs may be encoded in machine-executable form on conventional digital data storage media, e.g., magnetic or optical disks, random-access memory (RAM), magnetic hard disks, flash memories, and/or read-only memory (ROM), to enable various types of digital data processors or computing devices to perform one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more of the above-described methods, e.g., one or more of the steps of the method of FIG. 4 . Additionally, an apparatus, such as dedicated HVAC controller, may be designed to include the necessary circuitry to perform each step of the methods of FIG. 4 .
[0045] Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.
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Disclosed herein is a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and controller with memory provisions for storing, receiving, and transmitting customer equipment profiles. The controller may include a plurality of profiles that allows a selection thereof for restoration. A method for configuring HVAC equipment, including a customer profile database and efficiently transmitting unique customer and factory profiles, is also disclosed.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to devices for manipulating food waste in and around sink mounted garbage disposer units, and more particularly to devices for feeding the food waste into the garbage disposer unit.
2. Description of Related Art
Garbage disposers which mount below the drain outlet of sinks for grinding up food waste are common in today's modern kitchen. Such waste food might include waste food from food preparation such as potato peelings, trimmed fat from meat, and carrot tops, or waste food left over from the meal on the dinner plates. Such uneaten food waste is typically pushed through the drain outlet into the housing of the garbage disposer for grinding using a sponge, dish rag, or sometimes even using one's own hands.
The food waste is fed to the rotatable blades at the bottom of the housing using a flow of water from the sink in conjunction with gravity once the food waste has been pushed into the housing of the garbage disposer. The garbage disposer can be quite slow at times using this method, especially with light weight food waste which tends to form an air pocket above the rotatable blades. Likewise, harder waste food such as bones tends to resist being contacted with the rotatable blades since such contact violently throws the bone away from the blades, sometimes even propelling the bone completely out of the garbage disposer. While pushing down on the food waste can overcome such grinding problems, such can also be very dangerous. If a long spoon or other such kitchen implement is used to manipulate and push the food waste, it can become jammed in the blades or thrown from the garbage disposer. Even worse is the use of one's hands to manipulate and push the food waste, which can possibly contact the blades causing injury. Ideally, the food waste is pushed into the housing of the garbage disposer and the drain opening leading to the housing is covered using a plug prior to starting and during the entire time during which the garbage disposer is being run.
Various devices have been designed for manipulating such food waste from the kitchen sink into the garbage disposer. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,761 issued to Loos is disclosed a multi-purpose garbage disposal utensil for sweeping garbage into a garbage disposer. The utensil includes a unitary plug and downwardly disposed blade. The plug prevents the end of the blade from contacting the rotatable blades and plugs the drain hole above a garbage disposer to prevent food waste from exiting the garbage disposer during use. The utensil permits agitating the food waste to speed up and unclog the feed of garbage into a garbage disposer. A problem with the utensil is that while it facilitates rotational and lateral movement of the food waste within the housing of the garbage disposer, the thin vertically disposed blade provides little horizontal surface area for pushing the food waste downwardly towards the rotatable blades for grinding.
Another example of a manual tool for feeding food waste into a garbage disposer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,080 issued to Lindley. The tool includes a unitary body with a gripping head at one end of the body. A plurality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending ribs extend downwardly from the head whereby the tool may be more easily grasped in-hand. A generally cylindrical shaft also extends downwardly from the head and ribs of such a size as to be insertable into the housing of the garbage disposer. The lower end surface of the shaft includes a pair of horizontally disposed curved surfaces with a central downwardly disposed projection therebetween for manual manipulation of the food waste within the housing of the garbage disposer. The ribs limit the depth to which the shaft of the tool may be inserted in the garbage disposer to prevent contact with the rotatable blades. The tool apparently would allow some pushing of the food waste downwardly due to the larger surface area of the cylindrical shaft. However, the tool still must be manipulated manually and does not have enough surface area to simultaneously contact the entire surface of the food waste in the garbage disposer.
Yet another example of a manual tool for feeding refuse to a garbage disposer, but which also facilitates cleaning of the sink to which the garbage disposer is attached is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,749 issued to Pearce et al. The tool includes a handle having a scraper extending from a first end thereof for scraping food from a surface of the sink. A plunger extends from a second end of the handle for facilitating positioning of food debris into the garbage disposer. A projection extends from the end of the plunger to aid in preventing the plunger from contacting the rotating blades of the garbage disposer. The tool still must be manipulated manually and does not have enough surface area to simultaneously contact the entire surface of the food waste in the garbage disposer.
There is a need for a tool for use with a sink mounted garbage disposer which automatically feeds the food waste within a garbage disposer to the rotating blades for grinding.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
1. Advantages of the Invention
One of the advantages of the present invention is that it utilizes the slight vacuum created by a garbage disposer while grinding and disposing food waste to automatically feed the food waste contained within the garbage disposer to the rotating blades for grinding.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it stores liquid soap and automatically sprays a predetermined amount of the liquid soap into the garbage disposer while feeding the waste food.
Another advantage of the present invention is its ability to act as a conventional plunger to unclog the garbage disposer and the drain pipe connected thereto.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is its ability to spray liquid soap independently of feeding food waste by compressing the bellows of the handle.
A further advantage of the present invention is its modular design wherein the handle, the piston member, and the plunger can be designed to fit the particular garbage disposer application.
These and other advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract.
2. Brief Description of the Invention
The present invention comprises a waste disposal assist tool for pushing food waste through the drain hole of a sink and through the housing of a sink-mounted garbage disposer having a plurality of rotatable blades to chop the food waste into particles and deposit them into a waste drain pipe. The tool includes a resilient plunger having an annular top portion and a downwardly dependent annular side wall terminating in an annular rim adapted to fit and seal around the drain hole of the sink above the garbage disposer, the top portion and side wall defining a plunging chamber. A handle is secured to a top of the top portion, the handle extending vertically upwardly from the plunger and adapted for being grasped and manipulated manually in-hand. A piston member of round cross-section is secured to the handle and to a bottom of the portion, the piston extending vertically downwardly from the plunger opposite the handle. The piston is of a size for inserting through the drain hole of the sink and into the garbage disposer so as to reach most of the volume enclosed within the housing of the garbage disposer when the plunger is compressed against the sink coaxially about the drain hole by manually pushing downwardly on the handle. The piston is adapted for urging food waste through the drain hole and the housing of the garbage disposer for chopping into particles against the plurality of rotatable blades and depositing the particles into the waste drain pipe. The plunger is adapted for plunging to alternately create a pressure above and below ambient to unclog the garbage disposer and the drain pipe.
In a preferred embodiment of the tool, the piston member is of such a size as to closely fit to an inner surface of the housing of the garbage disposer. The outer circumference of the piston member sealingly engages the inner surface of the garbage disposer to form a substantially airtight seal thereagainst. When the garbage disposer is activated, ambient air pressure above the plunger forces the piston member downward toward the rotatable blades due to the below ambient air pressure created by the plurality of rotatable blades chopping the food waste into particles and depositing them into the waste drain pipe. The waste food is pushed against the rotatable blades in an automatic feed fashion. The tool also preferably includes automatic spraying of soap into the garbage disposer.
The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective view of a waste disposal assist tool according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is substantially an exploded perspective view of the waste disposal assist tool;
FIG. 3 is substantially a partial longitudinal sectional view of the waste disposal assist tool;
FIG. 4 is substantially a partial longitudinal sectional view of the waste disposal assist tool as assembled in a first operative position to the bowl of a kitchen sink with attached garbage disposer also shown in partial longitudinal section;
FIG. 5 is substantially a partial longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, but with the waste disposal assist tool shown in a second operative position; and
FIG. 6 is substantially a partial longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5, but showing the flows of the liquid soap and pressure compensating air.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides a waste disposal assist tool, generally shown at 20 , which comprises a handle assembly 23 , a plunger 26 , and a piston member 29 .
Handle Assembly
The handle assembly 23 includes a thin-walled, hollow handle 32 and a screw cap 35 . The handle 32 comprises a single thin annular wall 38 forming respective externally threaded upper and lower ends 41 and 44 , a bellows 47 , a straight stem 50 , and a flange 53 of the handle 32 . A reservoir 56 for containing liquid soap (not shown) extends completely longitudinally therethrough. Cap 35 includes a disk 59 and a downwardly dependent annular rim 62 which is internally threaded to threadably engage the upper end 41 of the handle 32 . The handle 32 and the cap 35 are made of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene, with the thickness of the wall 38 being thick enough so as to resist kinking while being used as a handle, but thin enough such that the bellows 47 can be compressed relatively easily by applying hand-pressure. Handle 32 is typically manufactured by a blow molding process to produce a substantially constant thickness for the wall 38 whereas the cap 35 is typically molded by an injection or pressure molding process.
Plunger
The plunger 26 is of a single piece, thin-walled construction, comprising a single thin annular wall 65 forming an upper disk 68 having an upwardly dependent flange 71 with a central hole 74 which extends therethrough, and a lower annular sealing bead 77 interconnected by a bellows 80 . A plunging chamber 83 is defined within the plunger 26 by the wall 65 . The plunger 26 is made of rubber or plastic, for example polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene, with the thickness of the wall 65 of the plunger 26 being thin enough that the bellows 80 can be compressed relatively easily by applying a slight pressure to the upper disk 68 with the sealing bead 77 retained, but thick enough so as to return to an undeformed shape after releasing the pressure. The plunger 26 is typically manufactured by a blow molding process to produce a substantially constant wall thickness.
Piston Member
Piston member 29 is of a single piece, thin-walled construction, comprising a single thin annular wall 86 forming a generally spool-like configuration with an upper flange 89 and a lower piston 92 interconnected by a stem 95 . Piston 92 includes an annular groove 93 at the outer circumference thereof in which an O-ring or a rectangular cross-section sealing ring 94 is disposed. An internally threaded tubular extension 98 extends upwardly from upper flange 89 , being of such size as to closely fit within the central hole 74 of the plunger 26 . The tubular extension 98 has a hole 101 which extends into a reservoir 104 of the piston member 29 which is internally threaded to threadably engage the externally threaded lower end 44 of the handle 32 . An air inlet pin hole 107 extends through the wall 86 at the stem 95 into the reservoir 104 . A soap outlet pin hole 110 extends through wall 86 at the lower piston 92 of the stem 95 . The piston member 29 is made of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, with the wall thickness of the piston member 29 being thick enough so as to act as a piston to push waste without kinking. Piston member 29 is typically manufactured by a blow molding process.
Automatic Feed of Food Waste
Referring to FIG. 4, the waste disposal assist tool 20 is shown in an upermost operative position as used in a standard kitchen sink 113 having a stainless steel bowl 116 with a drain hole 119 , and a garbage disposer 122 . The garbage disposer 122 includes a cylindrical housing 125 affixed at the drain hole 119 . and a rotatable chopping disk 128 having a plurality of blades 131 , the chopping disk 128 being driven by an electric motor 134 . The waste disposal assist tool 20 fits coaxially with the drain hole 119 and the housing 125 , the plunger 92 sealingly engaging an inner surface 137 of housing 125 . Rim 77 of the plunger 26 sealingly engages a flat inner surface 140 of the bowl 116 , with food waste 143 to be ground up by the blades 131 and disposed of through a drain pipe 146 disposed below the piston 92 . In such first operative position, the relative pressures “Pa” (ambient pressure), “Pp” (pressure in the plunging chamber 83 ), “Ph” (pressure in the housing 125 ), and “Ps” (pressure of the liquid soap in the respective handle and piston member reservoirs 56 and 104 ) are about equal.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the waste disposal assist tool 20 is shown in a lowermost operative position wherein the garbage disposer has been turned on such that the food waste 143 is caused to be rotated in the direction of the blades 131 , ground up, and thrown outwardly by centrifugal force along with the flushing water (not shown) originally contained within the housing 125 to exit through the drain pipe 146 as shown at arrow “A” to the household plumbing (not shown). The flushing water and finely ground food waste form a seal between the pressure “Ph” within the housing 125 and the ambient pressure “Pa” in the drain pipe 146 . Therefore, the exiting of the food waste 143 and flushing water causes the pressure “Ph” within the housing 125 to drop slightly below the ambient pressure “Pa”. The ambient air pressure “Pa” pushing downwardly against the disk 69 of the plunger 26 causes downward movement thereof as shown at arrows “B” and forces upper flange 89 of the piston member 29 downwardly. This action pushes the food waste 143 downwardly against the rotating blades 131 to automatically feed the food waste 143 without the need for manual force to be applied by a user. The process continues as more of the food waste 143 is ground up and exits through the drain pipe 146 until the piston 92 is in a lowermost position with the bellows 80 fully collapsed as shown in the FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that the piston 92 is prevented from further movement and from contacting the rotating blades 131 by the bellows 80 being fully collapsed against the inner surface 140 of the bowl 116 .
Automatic Spraying of Soap
Again referring to FIGS. 4-6, liquid soap 149 is contained within the respective handle and piston member reservoirs 56 and 104 , being introduced thereinto by unscrewing the screw cap 35 . The liquid soap 149 is introduced through the soap outlet pin hole 110 into the housing 125 of the garbage disposer 122 as a spray 152 as shown at the arrow “C” by the pressure differential between the pressures “Pp”, “Ps”, and “Ph” caused during the automatic feed of the food waste 143 . The pressure in the plunging chamber 83 “Pp” increases slightly over the ambient pressure “Pa” as the bellows 80 compress as shown by the arrows “B” whereas the pressure in the housing “Ph” is lower than “Pp”, which air to enter the reservoir 104 of the piston member 29 through the air inlet pinhole 107 as shown at arrow “D” raising the pressure “Ps” such that the liquid soap 149 continues the spray 152 out of the soap outlet pinhole 110 in an attempt to raise the pressure in the housing “Ph”. However, so long as there is soap 149 remaining and the garbage disposer 122 continues to grind and expel the food waste 143 into the drain pipe 146 , the pressure differential will cause the spray 152 to continue. When the pressures “Pp”, “Ps”, and “Ph” equalize such as after the garbage disposer 122 is turned off, then the spray 152 of the liquid soap 149 ceases. The total amount and the rate of spray of the soap can be controlled by the design of the tool 20 including the relative diameters of the plunger 26 , the air inlet pin hole 107 , and the soap outlet pin hole 110 .
Manual Spraying of Liquid Soap
The liquid soap 149 can also be sprayed through the soap outlet pin hole 110 by manually compressing the bellows 47 of the handle 32 . This is useful for adding extra liquid soap into the garbage disposer 122 and for use while washing dishes following disposal of the food waste 143 .
CONCLUSION
It can now be seen that the present invention solves many of the problems associated with the prior art. The present invention provides a tool that utilizes the slight vacuum created by a garbage disposer while grinding and disposing food waste to automatically feed the food waste contained within the garbage disposer to the rotating blades for grinding. The present invention provides a tool that stores liquid soap and automatically sprays a predetermined amount of the liquid soap into the garbage disposer while feeding the waste food. The present invention provides a tool that can act as a conventional plunger to unclog the garbage disposer and the drain pipe connected thereto. The present invention provides a tool that can spray liquid soap independently of feeding food waste by compressing the bellows of the handle. The present invention provides a tool that has a modular design wherein the handle, the piston member, and the plunger can be designed to fit the particular garbage disposer application.
Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of presently preferred embodiments of this invention. The specification, for instance, makes reference to a round or circular cross-section for the handle, the plunger, and the piston. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to only circular cross-sections. Rather it is intended that the present invention can have any cross-section or other such configuration which accomplishes the functions of the tool. Likewise, while a three piece with a separate handle, plunger, and piston member which threadably connect together is preferred, the present invention can be a unitary piece, two piece, or any number of pieces. Likewise, the closure of the handle can be a pressfit plug or other such device which retains the liquid soap therein. Also, while the present invention can be used to automatically feed the food waste in garbage disposers which have a housing with a cylindrical inner surface which is the same diameter or greater than the drain opening, the invention can be adapted for use with other types of garbage disposers which have smaller drain openings. Finally, while manual and automatic soap dispensing are preferred, the invention need not have such features. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.
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A waste disposer assist tool for automatically feeding waste food contained within the housing of a standard kitchen electric food disposer and for spraying liquid soap. The tool includes a hollow handle and a piston which screw together through a central hole of a flexible plunger. The plunger is held between respective flanges ofthe handle and the piston with the piston slightly protruding from within the plunger. The tool is positioned over the opening of the sink above the garbage disposer with the piston fitted within and in a substantially air-tight seal with the interior of the housing of the disposer unit. The plunger fits in a substantially air-tight seal against the bottom interior of the sink. The slight vacuum created by the outflow of ground food waste and water by the garbage disposer blades below the piston causes the higher ambient pressure against the upper side of the plunger to force the piston downward against he waste food in an automatic feed fashion.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a U.S. National Stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP00/05339, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119 and 365 of PCT/EP00/05339, filed Jun. 9, 2000, in the European Patent Office, and DE 199 27 790.7, filed Jun. 18, 1999, in the German Patent Office.
This invention relates to the use of a film with anchoring elements for mechanically fixing a coherent layer to a substrate.
One such use is known. Thus, DE 7029524 describes a device for fixing wall, ceiling, floor or other surface coverings which consists of an intermediate support with anchoring elements and of a nonwoven to which nonfibrous covering materials, for example paper, plastic films, plastic moldings, wood and metals, are fixed. This device has the major advantage that the connections can be easily and completely broken at a certain place. However, it also has the disadvantage that the joined substrates are very difficult to reposition relative to one another. This applies in particular to substrates of large surface area. In addition, coverings which level out uneven surfaces are not possible.
Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to find a way of reversibly joining two substrates which would not have any of these disadvantages and which in addition would provide a composite material that would be able to withstand routine tensile shear stresses while allowing easy and almost complete separation. In addition, the substrates would be reusable after separation.
The solution to this problem as provided by the invention is defined in the claims and is essentially characterized in that a fibrous layer is not used for mechanical anchoring with the anchoring elements of a film.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a liquid substance is directly applied to and solidified on the film with the anchoring elements. Minimal adhesion should occur between the film with the anchoring elements and the solidified liquid substance. Cohesion should be largely provided by the mechanical anchorage of the solidified liquid substance. In addition, tearing off of the anchoring elements during separation of the solidified liquid substance from the film with the anchoring elements should largely be avoided by a suitable choice a) of deformable materials and b) slidable forms of the anchoring elements. The anchoring elements should withstand separation without damage (see FIG. 1 ).
The present invention relates to the use of a film with projecting and/or embedded anchoring elements for mechanically fixing a coherent layer to a substrate, the coherent layer being nonfibrous. The preferred embodiments can be found in the characterizing features of the claims.
The present invention also relates to a double-sided adhesive tape of a film with anchoring elements on at least one side instead of an otherwise typical smooth film, a woven fabric or a nonwoven, the adhesion of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the film on one side of the film being so low that it can be peeled off intact.
The present invention also relates to a film with embedded anchoring elements.
The present invention further relates to a velcro tape of elastomers, more particularly thermoplastic elastomers.
Films in the context of the invention are understood to be thin, flat flexible webs of metals, glass, ceramic and, above all, plastics. Their thickness is preferably in the range from 0.04 to 2 mm. However, they may also be considerably thicker in cases where the flexibility of the webs and their ability to be rolled up easily are not important criteria. More particularly, moldings provided with anchoring elements during their actual production, for example plates or bars, may be used.
The surface of the film is appropriate and, in particular, may be round or strip-like with a width of 0.2 to 1,000 and more particularly 1 to 500 cm for a length of 0.05 to 5,000 and more particularly 0.1 to 4,000 m. The film is generally compact, i.e. has no pores or holes or only small pores or holes. The sum of the holes makes up at most 10% of the total surface area. The shape, size and number of holes should be such that, although the desired permeability to gases and vapors is achieved, none of the still liquid phase strikes through during the production of the coherent layer.
The material of the film is either metal or plastic, preferably plastic, more particularly a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, a fluorine-containing polymer, silicone or a polyurethane elastomer or utility articles coated therewith. In one particular embodiment, the films and anchoring elements consist of the same material. However, they may also consist of a combination of materials.
Corresponding films are known in large numbers. When choosing the film, the deformability and adhesion of the nonfibrous coherent layer should be taken into consideration. Adhesion should be low and the deformability of the anchoring elements and/or the nonfibrous coherent layer should be so high that the anchoring elements largely retain their function, i.e. are not tom off, during separation of the layers.
The low adhesion between the film and the nonfibrous coherent layer may emanate from the nature of the materials used. However, it may also be obtained by a pretreatment before application of the liquid nonfibrous layer, for example by spraying with water or by coating with wax or similar materials that are difficult to bond.
The deformability of the anchoring elements or the coherent nonfibrous layer may also emanate from the nature of the materials used or may be attributed to physical measures, for example porosity.
The shape of the anchoring elements is of course also important. If, for example, the nonfibrous coherent layer consists of a non-deformable material such as, for example, cement- or gypsum-based binders or a two-component epoxide, the anchoring elements should be relatively readily deformable and elastic both in their constituent material and in their shape, for example should consist of plastics, such as PE, PP, silicone or rubber.
One side of the film is generally smooth so that it may readily be fixed to the substrate either by a covered adhesive layer or by nails and screws. It may also have anchoring elements on both sides, particularly when the substrate is fibrous or when the same adhesive is to be used both for fixing the film to the substrate and for fixing to the substrate.
The number of anchoring elements depends inter alia on the required level of adhesion and is generally between 0.1 and 2,000 and preferably between 1 and 500 g per cm 2 .
The film has anchoring elements an at least one side. Their length is at least 0.05 mm and preferably at least 0.2 mm and only rarely exceeds 10 mm. The anchoring elements may be embedded In the film, but preferably project beyond the plane of the film. In the latter case, the film may be a typical velcro tape, an antislip tape or a “stubble” film, for example a flocked film. However, not all forms of anchoring elements of typical velcro tapes are equally suitable. Thus, anchoring elements with undercuts (acute angle between pin and hook) or with loop-like spirals or closed loops are unfavorable. The same applies to anchoring elements with such an intensive anchoring effect that they are torn out during separation. Thus, in the case of a mushroom-shaped anchoring element, the cross-sectional diameter of the cap should be less than 10 times the value of the stalk of the mushroom. Anchoring elements with loops are of course particularly unfavorable (see FIG. 2 ). The shapes of the anchoring elements are favorable when they allow sliding out from the coherent layer without losing their function Or being torn off (see FIG. 3 ). Particularly favorable forms are characterized in that the angle between the pin and the hook is 90° or larger (see FIG. 4 ). However, it must be smaller than 180° because otherwise no hooking occurs unless the pin is oblique rather than vertical in relation to the film. If then the pins still point in different directions, they also effect anchorage of the nonfibrous coherence layer. In contrast to conventional velcro tapes, the anchoring elements or their pins may also form an angle of less than 90° and preferably less than 45° to the film. Which angle is the most favorable will depend inter alia on the deformability of the coherent layer.
In general, the ends of the anchoring elements are not pin-like, but thickened (heads), angled or bent downwards (hooks) or flattened off (mushroom shape). FIGS. 1 a , 1 b and 1 c schematically illustrate the change in the cross-sectional form of a readily deformable anchoring element ( 1 ), a) during the first coating with the coherent layer, b) during its separation in the hardened state and c) before the second coating. The cap of the mushroom is deformed during separation. Recovery may not be 100% (compare 1 c ) with 1 a )).
FIGS. 2 a ) to 2 f ) show schematic cross-sections of the shapes of anchoring elements which are unsuitable for nondestructive separation, even when the nonfibrous coherent layer is readily deformable. This is because they have undercuts (see 2 a ) and 2 b )) or even loops ( 2 c ), 2 d ) and 2 e )). The shape 2 f ) is unfavorable on account of the size ratio of mushroom cap to mushroom stalk.
FIGS. 3 a ), b ), c ), d ) and e ) are schematic cross-sections through the shapes of readily deformable anchoring elements which are favourable for nondestructive separation.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section through a shape of an anchoring element of a material that does not readily deform a) during coating and b) during separation.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section through the film ( 2 ) with (a) only embedded anchoring elements and (b) a combination of embedded and projecting anchoring elements.
Where the nonfibrous coherent layer is completely or substantially nondeformable, the anchoring elements preferably consist of a material which is barely deformable, if at all, in a thin layer of 0.05 to 10 mm.
The composite material produced in accordance with the invention withstands tensile stresses comparable with those known for the particular application, but is weaker in its peel strength by a factor of at least 2 and preferably by a factor of >5 by comparison with peel strengths on typical substrates without the film with anchoring elements. Accordingly, relatively little force has to be applied for separation. Separation takes place specifically on the film, the anchoring elements remaining largely intact and being available for reuse.
Other advantages of the fixing according to the invention are: repositionability of the substrates providing the nonfibrous layer has not solidified, substantially complete separation and gap bridging at any level. Leveling of uneven substrates is readily possible through the variable thickness of the nonfibrous layer.
The nonfibrous coherent layer is formed on the film with the anchoring elements by the application in liquid form of a solidifiable substance as a layer in the required thickness—preferably thicker than corresponds to the height of the projecting anchoring elements, even in the set state. In the case of the embedded anchoring elements, it has to be so liquid that it penetrates at least partly into the voids. In the case of the projecting anchoring elements, it may be pasta-like or kneadable, for example a surfacing compound or kneading compound. A paste-like compound is understood to be one with a Brookfield viscosity in the range from 20,000 to 1,000,000 mPas, as measured at the application temperature of −100 to 300° C. and preferably −31 to 200° C. High-viscosity pastes may also be used, particularly for horizontal application. In their case, the viscosity is in the range from 2,000 to 20,000 mPas. Compounds with viscosities of more than 1,000,000 mPas may also be used providing they can be incorporated in the anchoring elements, for example by kneading.
When the film is being coated with the anchoring elements, it is of course important to ensure that the anchoring elements are not destroyed either by mechanical forces or by melting where, for example, heated compounds, such as hotmelt adhesives, are applied.
The initially liquid nonfibrous layer sets and solidifies, such high cohesion being developed that the nonfibrous layer can be separated intact and almost completely from the film despite the anchoring elements. This solid coherent layer is generally compact, but may also be porous.
The usual inorganic and organic binders are used including, for example, hydraulic binders (for example cement), lime mortar, gypsum, waterglass, polymer dispersions, polymer melts, polymer solutions, reactive one- or two-component polymer-based systems with the usual additives. Nonfibrous setting layers are plasters, lacquers, paints, road markings, PU foams, sealing compounds. Adhesives of any kind with which the substrates or elements can be joined, even without films, are preferred.
In the hardened state, the coherent nonfibrous layer is nonadhesive or only slightly adhesive towards the film with the anchoring elements, the adhesion level amounting to at most 100% and preferably to at most 50% of the mechanical anchorage value. It is crucial that, when the layer is subsequently peeled off, its inner strength is higher than the sum of the adhesive strength and the mechanical anchorage.
The coherent nonfibrous layer is preferably an adhesive or contains binders typical of adhesives, i.e. it joins the substrate to a surface layer.
The surface layer or the substrate is generally a protective or decorative layer, for example wall, ceiling or floor coverings for buildings or vehicles, for example wallpapers, inlaid floors, laminates, insulating boards, protective films, tiles, floor tiles, marble tiles, clay tiles, roof panels, carpets, pictures, shelves, panes of glass, bricks, coverings, claddings, etc.
The substrate may consist of masonry, plasters, concrete, screeds, surfacing fillers, metal, wood and plastic surfaces, tiles, glass.
The film seals the substrate in the usual way, depending on its thickness and its constituent material. However, its permeability to air, water vapor and other gases may be improved by a certain porosity.
By virtue of these advantages, the invention is suitable for many applications of which some are mentioned by way of example in the following drawings:
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-section through a known composite material. The composite material contains the following layers:
a) decorative layer ( 3 ), b) adhesive layer ( 4 ), c) textile layer ( 5 ), d) film ( 2 ) with anchoring elements ( 1 ), e) adhesive layer ( 4 ) and f) substrate ( 6 ).
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section through a composite material according to the invention of the following layers:
a) decorative layer ( 3 ), b) adhesive layer ( 4 ), c) film ( 2 ) with anchoring elements ( 1 ), d) adhesive layer ( 4 ) and e) substrate ( 6 ).
This composite material is typical of many applications in the domestic sector; the decorative layer may consist, for example, of wood blocks or tiles.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-section through a composite material according to the invention comprising the following layers:
a) decorative layer ( 3 ), b) film ( 2 ) with anchoring elements ( 1 ) on both sides c) adhesive layer ( 4 ) and d) carpet as the fibrous substrate ( 6 ).
This composite material is typical of many applications where the set nonfibrous coherent layer is sufficient, for example plaster optionally augmented by a paint.
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-section through an angled composite material according to the invention consisting of
a) a joint sealing compound as the coherent layer ( 4 ), b) a film ( 2 ) with anchoring elements ( 1 ), c) an adhesive layer ( 4 ) and d) the substrate ( 6 ).
This composite material is particularly suitable for sealing gaps between walls and bathtubs because it seals very effectively in the long term and because the joint sealing compound can be easily replaced when its appearance has deteriorated.
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-section through a composite material according to the invention comprising relatively many layers, namely:
a) a covering ( 2 ) with anchoring elements ( 2 ), b) an adhesive ( 4 ), c) a film ( 2 ) with anchoring elements ( 1 ) on both sides, d) an adhesive ( 4 ) and e) a substrate ( 6 ) with anchoring elements ( 1 ).
This composite material is useful, for example, when the film with anchoring elements is to be joined on the one hand to the substrate and on the other hand to a covering with one and the same adhesive.
List of reference numerals
1 anchoring element
2 film
3 decorative layer
4 adhesive layer or nonfibrous coherent layer
5 textile layer
6 substrate
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A method of nondestructive, reversible fixing of a coherent layer to a substrate, comprising the steps of anchoring a nonfibrous coherent layer to a film having either or both of projecting or embedded anchoring elements, wherein the anchoring elements provide mechanical anchorage of the coherent layer to the film, and fixing the coherent layer and film to the substrate. The coherent layer is anchored by applying a liquid or paste form material to the substrate that sets on the substrate to form the coherent layer, which is nonadhesive or only slightly adhesive to the film.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a method of mechanically extracting milk in the case of which a substantially constant milking vacuum is applied below the teat while the milk is being milked, the milk being discharged with the aid of a small, substantially constant stream of air introduced in the milk discharge line and the pressure in a pulsator chamber, which is formed between the teat rubber surrounding the teat and a teat cup, being respectively controlled in such a way that, during a teat relief phase, a pressure difference with regard to the milking vacuum applied below the teat will be established.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A mechanical milking method of this type is nowadays used in many stables. In the case of this method a so-called teat cup is applied to the teats for milking. The teat cup consists of an outer stiff teat cup sleeve and an elastic tubular insert, the so-called teat rubber. The teat projects into the elastic hose member of the teat rubber during milking. Between the outer surface of the hose member of the teat rubber and the inner surface of the teat cup sleeve a so-called pulsator chamber is defined, which, during milking, has alternately applied thereto a vacuum in a so-called milking phase and atmospheric pressure in a so-called teat relief phase by means of a pulsator. The lower end of the teat is connected via a short hose to a so-called collecting piece, the short lines of the normally four teat cups, which are applied to the respective teats, ending in said collecting piece. The collecting piece communicates with a milk discharge line via a so-called long milk hose. A so-called milking vacuum is applied below the teat via the milk discharge line, the long milk hose and the respective short hoses. Discharge of the milk is achieved by continuously introducing a small stream of air under atmospheric pressure below the teat into the short hose or, in most cases, into the collecting piece.
The discharge of the milk depends to a decisive extent also on the interior cross-section of the hoses used, which have the milking vacuum applied thereto. Hoses having a small interior diameter of approx. 10 to 12 mm here offer the advantage of a particularly smooth discharge of the milk. Milk transport lines with a small interior diameter have, however, the disadvantage that the milking vacuum decreases strongly along the lines so that the vacuum which is actually applied below the teat becomes so low that the teat cups may perhaps fall off the teat, the milking time may become substantially longer, or sufficient emptying of the udder may no longer be guaranteed. In view of these and other reasons, hoses having a larger interior diameter and collecting pieces having larger volumes are increasingly used today so as to guarantee in this way that vacuum losses along the milk hoses are avoided as far as possible so that the nominal milking vacuum is actually applied below the teat without essential variations of the vacuum occurring below the teat.
Although varying milking vacuums, which have hitherto been used successfully, viz. e.g. vacuums between 35 kPa and 50 kPa, were not used in these systems having larger interior cross-sections of the milk transport hoses and a larger volume of the collecting piece, modifications of the teat ends occur when the new system is used. Contrary to all expectations, it has been found that the teat ends turn inside out and remain also in this condition when a prescribed milking unit is used for a prolonged period of time, i.e. it turned out that the teat ends were no longer capable of automatically closing completely, but remained open. Such a teat end is, however, exposed to extreme danger insofar as it may easily be attacked by bacteria whereby undesirable diseases of the udder will be caused. One of the consequences of the modification of the teat end and of the higher susceptibility to bateria resulting therefrom is that milk containing a higher percentage of somatic cells is delivered. Since the quality of the milk is, however, judged by the respective customers buying the milk according to the amount of cells contained in the milk, this will result in a reduction of the quality of the milk which will find expression in substantially lower milk prices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has therefore been the object of the present invention to avoid teat end modifications in the case of the known milking systems described at the beginning.
Taking as a basis a method of the type mentioned at the beginning, this object has been achieved according to the present invention by the features that the pressure difference during the teat relief phase is chosen such that, with due regard to a pressure which is required for folding in the teat rubber and which depends on the respective teat rubber used, a pressure difference between 5 kPa and 35 kPa acts on the teat.
It has been found that, apparently, an excessively high pressure difference acts on the teat end in the teat relief phase, said pressure difference having, in the final analysis, the effect that the teat end turns inside out. Such a modification of the teats was especially detected in cases where the newly developed milking systems having hoses with a large interior diameter were used and the vacuum below the teat virtually corresponded to the nominal milking vacuum and the pressure in the pulsator chamber was controlled such that atmospheric pressure prevailed in the pulsator chamber during the relief phase.
The improvements with regard to less severe modifications of the teat end became increasingly better when the pressure difference acting on the teat was only in the range between 5 kPa and 30 kPa and especially when it was only in the range between 5 kPa and 20 kPa. A particularly advantageous value of the pressure difference, which guaranteed a good and sufficient pressure relief of the teat end on the one hand and which offered the best possible guarantee for preserving the health of the teat end on the other, was approx. 20 kPa.
Upon determining the pressure difference which actually acts on the teat, it must be taken into account that this pressure difference must not be equated with the pressure difference existing between the pressure in the pulsator chamber during the teat relief phase and the vacuum applied below the teat end. It should be taken into consideration that, on the contrary, a certain percentage of the last-mentioned pressure difference is necessary for collapsing the tubular part of the teat rubber, i.e. for causing it to fold in. This is referred to as the so-called fold-in pressure, which may vary depending on the respective material used for the teat rubber in question and on the dimensions of said teat rubber. The fold-in pressures of so-called stiff teat rubbers lie between 12 kPa and 24 kPa, whereas the fold-in pressures of soft teat rubbers approx. lie between 5 kPa and 11 kPa. It follows that this respective fold-in pressure of the teat rubber must be taken into account when, assuming a constant milking vacuum below the teat end, the maximum pressure in the pulsator chamber during the teat relief phase is adjusted; this maximum pressure is intended to result in a pressure difference acting on the teat, which lies in the respective pressure range indicated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further embodiments described in the claims are explicitly included in the description.
In the following, the present invention will be explained in detail on the basis of the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1a shows schematically a teat cup attached to a teat,
FIG. 1b shows a so-called collecting piece, to which the cup of FIG. 1a is connected,
FIG. 2 shows schematically a teat encompassed by the tubular part of a so-called stiff teat rubber in the teat relief cycle,
FIG. 3 shows a similar representation as in FIG. 2, the teat rubber consisting of a so-called soft rubber,
FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the development of the pressure in the pulsator chamber for a milking unit according to the hitherto known prior art and, in comparison therewith, the characteristic of the curve representative of the pressure in the pulsator chamber according to the present invention, and
FIG. 5 shows a representation of the development of the pressure in the pulsator chamber according to the present invention, the maximum negative pressure in the pulsator chamber being not coincident with the milking vacuum.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 1a and 1b, a teat cup attached to a teat is designated by reference numeral 1, said teat cup being connected via a short hose 2 to an inlet 3 of the collecting piece 4, which is schematically represented. The other teat cups, not shown, used for the other teats, are connected to the inlets 5, 6 and 7, which is not shown in detail, and these inlets communicate with the interior of the collecting piece 4. The collecting piece 4 is connected via an outlet 8 to the so-called long milk hose, which, in turn, is connected to the milk discharge line having the nominal milking vacuum applied thereto. In the present embodiment, the collecting piece 4 has provided thereon a valve, which is only schematically shown, said valve admitting a continuous small stream of air under atmospheric pressure into the collecting piece 4 for discharging the milk.
The teat cup 1 consists of an essentially cylindrical teat cup sleeve 10 provided with an opening 11 of reduced width at the lower end thereof, the lower end 12 of the teat rubber 13 being clamped in position in said opening 11 with the aid of a connecting piece 14. The connecting piece 14 is connected to the short milk hose 2. The teat rubber 13 consists of a head 114 with a central opening 15 having the teat 16 inserted therein. The head 114, which sealingly abuts on the outer surface of the teat cup sleeve 10 via projections 17, is followed by a tubular part 18 surrounding especially the lower end 19 of the teat. Between the outer surface of the tubular part 18 of the teat rubber and the inner wall of the teat cup sleeve 10, an annular pulsator chamber 20 is formed. This pulsator chamber communicates via a line 21 with a pulsator, which is not shown in detail and which cyclically controls the pulsator chamber 20 such that it varies between two pressure limit values. In FIG. 1a the teat cup is shown in the condition in which the milking cycle is in the suction phase. In this condition, the pressure in the pulsator chamber 20 has been reduced relative to the milking vacuum applied below the teat to such a value that the tubular part 18 of the teat rubber 13 is in its tubular, i.e. non-collapsed condition.
FIGS. 2 and 3 each show a teat end 29 and 39, respectively, and the tubular part of the teat rubber 28 and 38, respectively, is schematically shown in each of said figures in the collapsed, i.e. folded-in condition. At this time, the pressure prevailing in the pulsator chamber is higher than the vacuum effective below the teat so that the tubular part of the teat rubber loses its tubular shape and collapses in the form of a squashed tube. FIGS. 2 and 3 differ insofar as a so-called stiff rubber has been used in FIG. 2, whereas in FIG. 3 the behaviour of a so-called soft rubber is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 2 very clearly, the opposing lateral surfaces 26 and 27 of the teat rubber 28 contact each other approximately proximately at point 25 which is located below the teat end 29 at a comparatively large distance therefrom. In this case, the lateral surfaces 26 and 27 define an acute triangle starting from the vertex 25 and the two legs of this triangle press in a virtually wedge-shaped configuration onto the opposing sides of the teat end 29 approximately in the form of rigid legs.
In the case of the soft rubber shown in FIG. 3, the tubular teat rubber 38 is squashed in the collapsed state in such a way that the opposing lateral surfaces 36 and 37 abut on one another over a substantially longer distance. The soft teat rubber 38 virtually clings softly to the lower teat end over a larger surface of said teat end. In this way, a uniform pressure is applied to the surface of the lower teat from the end of the stroke passage.
From a comparison between FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be derived why, in cases in which soft teat rubbers are used, even higher pressures in the teat relief cycle apparently do not result in damage of the udder which is as severe as that caused by stiffer teat rubbers. When, as shown in FIG. 2, a stiffer teat rubber is used, the collapsing tubular part 28 of the teat rubber produces an effect which can practically be compared to that of a pair of pliers whose fulcrum is the point 25 and whose legs 26 and 27 press onto two opposing sides of the teat; in the case of higher pressures this will inevitably have the effect that the lower end of the stroke passage is squeezed out and turned inside out, whereas, as can be seen from FIG. 3, a soft teat rubber will encompass the whole lower end of the teat in a supporting manner in the teat relief cycle so that pressures can be applied to the teat which are even higher than those applied in connection with a stiff teat rubber without any permanent damage being caused.
In FIG. 4, the curve 40 represented by the solid line shows the development of the pressure with time in the pulsator chamber 20, which normally occurs in the above-described milking systems. In this example, the milking vacuum below the teat corresponds to a negative pressure of 50 kPa. This milking vacuum, which is, in principle, comparatively constant, is represented by the broken line 41. On the time axis the cyclically alternating phases, viz. the suction cycle "S" and the relief cycle "E", are shown in their time intervals. During the suction cycle the negative pressure increases from virtually atmospheric pressure or the negative pressure zero to a negative pressure of 50 kPa and maintains this value during a prolonged period of time prior to dropping again to the negative pressure zero at the end of the suction cycle. At least during the period of time in which the negative pressure in the pulsator chamber is 50 kPa and is therefore equal to the milking vacuum, identical pressures act on the inner and on the outer surface of the tubular part of the teat rubber so that this part of the teat rubber will assume its tubular shape, which means that the milk extracted can flow off unhindered. During the relief cycle "E" the negative pressure in the pulsator chamber is equal to zero, i.e. atmospheric pressure prevails in the pulsator chamber. During this period of time, the pressure difference between the milking vacuum below the teat and the interior of the pulsator chamber is highest, i.e. it amounts to 50 kPa in the case of the present embodiment. When the fold-in pressure of the respective teat rubber used is deducted from this value, said fold-in pressure being approx. 5 to 11 kPa in the case of soft rubbers and 12 to 24 kPa in the case of stiff rubbers, a pressure of 38 to 45 kPa is obtained in the case of soft rubbers and a pressure of 26 to 38 kPa in the case of stiff rubbers. These pressures acting on the teat are too high. This applies especially to the new breeds of cattle. The breeding aimed at cows giving large amounts of milk and having a high flow of milk during milking. This resulted in cows having comparatively short teats with comparatively thin teat ends in contrast to the former comparatively fleshy teat ends, said thin teat ends being so to speak completely unpadded. Apparently, these very thin teat ends are particularly susceptible to damage caused by excessive pressure loads.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, a teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of 12 kPa has now been chosen for a milking system of the type described at the beginning. When teat rubbers having fold-in pressures in a range between 12 kPa and approx. 24 kPa are referred to as stiff teat rubbers, this fold-in pressure corresponds to a teat rubber at the lower end of the range of stiff teat rubbers. Teat rubbers having a fold-in pressure in the range between 5 kPa and 11 kPa then are to be regarded as soft teat rubbers. With a milking vacuum below the teat of approx. 50 kPa, the pressure in the pulsator chamber was controlled in such a way that during the suction phase "S" the vacuum in the pulsator chamber increased up to a maximum value of 50 kPa, whereas in the relief phase "E" the vacuum decreased to only 18 kPa in accordance with the broken line 42 shown in FIG. 4 and increased then, in the next cycle, again to 50 kPa in the suction phase. Hence, a pressure difference of 32 kPa between the pressure in the pulsator chamber and the milking vacuum below the teat has been obtained for the relief cycle. Taking into account that a pressure of 12 kPa is necessary for collapsing the tubular part of the teat rubber in the relief cycle, it turns out that, in the relief cycle, a maximum pressure difference of 20 kPa between the outer surface of the tubular teat rubber and the pressure below the teat end was effective and applied to the teat end. It turnd out that, under these conditions, modifications of the teat end were prevented also in the case of prolonged milking, precisely when the milked teats were very thin.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the solid curve 50 is representative of the development of the pressure in the pulsator chamber as a function of time. In this embodiment, a teat rubber was used which may be described as extremely soft and which had a fold-in pressure of only 5 kPa. Furthermore, a milking vacuum below the teat of approx. 40 kPa, which could be considered to be substantially constant, was used in this embodiment. For this reason, the milking vacuum in FIG. 5 is represented as a broken line on a constant level. In addition, a higher negative pressure of 50 kPa in comparison with the milking vacuum of 40 kPa was used in the pulsator chamber during the suction phase "S" in the case of this example. During the suction phase maximum, this resulted in an outwardly directed tension acting on the tubular part of the teat rubber, which tended to inflate the teat rubber still further.
In the relief phase "E", the vacuum in the pulsator chamber was only reduced to a negative pressure of 10 kPa (cf. line 52 of the pressure characteristic). Hence, there was a pressure difference of 30 kPa between the pulsator chamber and the milking vacuum below the teat in the relief phase. Taking into account that a pressure of 5 kPa was necessary for bringing the teat rubber to the collapsed condition, there was a remaining pressure difference of 25 kPa which acted as pressure on the teat in the relief phase.
Quite generally it has been found that, in cases where the milking vacuum below the teat is 40 kPa and where stiff teat rubbers having a fold-in pressure between 12 and 24 kPa are used, a pressure of 20 to 10 kPa on the teats in the relief cycle proved to be acceptable. A pressure of 20 kPa is in this case used for a teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of approx. 12 kPa, whereas a pressure of 10 kPa is used for a very stiff teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of 24 kPa. This reflects the tendency that, the stiffer the teat rubbers are, i.e. the higher their fold-in pressure is, the stronger their plier-like effect on the teat will be. It follows that, the stiffer a teat rubber is, the smaller the still tolerable pressure difference, which may act on the teat in the relief phase, will be. Choosing again a milking vacuum of 40 kPa, it turns out in a similar way that, for the so-called soft teat rubbers, i.e. teat rubbers having a fold-in pressure between 5 and 11 kPa, the pressure difference should preferably lie between 25 and 20 kPa, i.e. approx. 25 kPa for teat rubbers having a fold-in pressure of 5 kPa and 20 kPa for teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of 11 kPa. This again reflects the tendency that, the softer the teat rubber is, the higher the pressure difference can be chosen; the softer the teat rubber is, the more closely can it cling to the teat, which will have the effect that a uniform pressure will be applied to the largest possible area of the teat end, if possible up to the stroke passage.
When a higher milking vacuum is used, e.g. 50 kPa, it turned out that, for obtaining a better relief from a higher milking vacuum which is effective below the teat, a higher pressure difference is here apparently admissible and possibly also desirable. Using stiff teat rubbers having a fold-in pressure between 12 and 24 kPa, the acceptable range for the pressure difference acting on the teat was therefore between 30 kPa and 20 kPa, again with regard to the lowest and highest fold-in pressure of the teat rubber.
Using again a milking vacuum of 50 kPa, a still acceptable range of 35 kPa to 30 kPa for the pressure difference acting on the teat end in the relief cycle was in the same way obtained for so-called soft teat rubbers having a fold-in pressure between 5 and 11 kPa.
When a milking vacuum of 35 kPa is used below the teat, the maximum admissible pressure differences are between 20 and 10 kPa, preferably, however, 15 to 5 kPa, when the teat rubbers used have a fold-in pressure between 12 and 24 kPa. When the teat rubbers used have a fold-in pressure between 5 and 11 kPa, the maximum pressure difference amounts to 25 to 20 kPa, preferably, however, to 20 to 15 kPa, when a milking vacuum of 35 kPa is used.
As has already been mentioned hereinbefore, a higher milking vacuum below the teat also permits the use of higher maximum pressure differences. Only for the purpose of revealing how the changes of the maximum admissible pressure difference depend on the milking vacuum, ranges for three different teat rubbers with different fold-in pressures will be indicated hereinbelow. If the milking vacuum is chosen in a range between 35 and 50 kPa and if a teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of 24 kPa is used, the maximum admissible pressure difference will be between 5 and 20 kPa depending on the respective milking vacuum, if a teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of 11 kPa is used, it will be between 20 and 30 kPa, and preferably between 15 and 30 kPa, and if a teat rubber having a fold-in pressure of 5 kPa is used, it will be between a maximum pressure difference of 25 and 35 kPa, and preferably 20 and 35 kPa. The lower values of a range are in this case associated with the respective low milking vacuum of 35 kPa and the upper values of the range are associated with a milking vacuum of 50 kPa, whereas the intermediate values are to be associated with the milking vacuums lying between 35 and 50 kPa.
The disclosed values for the pressure differences under the conditions indicated essentially refer to the maximum pressure differences, which, if used for a prolonged period of time, should not be exceeded, if possible. It goes without saying that, in all cases, also lower pressure differences are admissible, provided that the pressure difference will always be higher than approx. 5 kPa.
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In a method for mechanically extracting milk, the pressure in the pulsator chamber of a teat cup is, with regard to the milking vacuum effective below the teat, controlled in such a way that, with due regard to a pressure which is required for folding in a teat rubber and which depends on the respective teat rubber used, a pressure difference between 5 kPa and 35 kPa will act on the teat in order to avoid pathological modifications of the teats.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device to substantially reduce or eliminate brake squeal of a brake when applying tension to an industrial continuous material, for example: a paper web, wire, etc. from an unwind stand of an industrial process machine for example: a printing press, coating machine, etc. and, more particularly, to a friction pad having a backplate structure to eliminate that squeal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In printing press operations a variety of pneumatic brakes have been employed in an unwind stand of the press. Such brakes may be standard dual disc brakes, universal actuator brakes, single disc brakes, pod-style brakes, and caliper brakes. Typically, these brakes, when used to brake an unwinding roll of paper installed on the unwind stand, squeal adding noise to the surrounding environment making conservation difficult and operator discomfort a problem.
Therefore what is needed is a friction pad that reduces squeal to minimize noise pollution, resulting from such brakes, in the environment surrounding a printing press.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems and drawbacks associated with the prior art designs.
One object of the invention is to provide a friction pad that reduces brake squeal in printing press environs.
Another object of the invention is to improve safety and fatigue of a printing press operators by providing squeal free brake-pads to reduce environmental noise and pollution.
According to the invention, there is provided an anti-squeal friction pad assembly, for an unwind stand tension brake of a printing press, comprising: a backplate having a mounting surface, a pad support body having a brake pad attached thereto, said support body being fast with said mounting surface at discrete locations of said support body.
Also according to the invention there is provided an unwind stand of a printing press having a tension disk brake including an anti-squeal friction pad assembly; the assembly comprising; a backplate having a mounting surface, a pad support body having a brake pad attached thereto, said support body being fast with said mounting surface at discrete locations of said support body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an diagrammatic exploded view a preferred embodiment of a friction pad back plate structure according to the present invention;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrammatic views of a preferred embodiment of a friction pad assembly according to the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a brake assembly used with an unwind stand and using a brake pad assembly according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a detailed description concerning the present invention will be provided.
FIG. 1 shows a friction pad back plate structure 2 according to the present invention. A flat backplate 4 is provided with a pad locating opening 6 . Further provided on the backplate, opposed from the opening hole 6 , is a pad locating cutout 8 . Both the opening 6 and the cutout 8 have a diameter of about 0.50 to 0.55 inch. The structure 2 is further provided with a flat circular support plate 10 that is mounted to a mounting surface 12 of the backplate 4 . The support plate 10 is spot-welded to the backplate 4 at four locations 14 evenly spaced circumferentially around the plate 10 about ⅛ to ¼ inch from the outer edge of the plate 10 . The support plate 10 is provided with a cutout 16 sized to correspond with the cutout 8 of the backplate body 4 . The backplate body and the support plate are provided with aligned throughbores 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 . The diameter of each throughbore is about 0.50 to 0.55 inch. The throughbores consist of central throughbores 19 , 21 , aligned along axis X, with four matching satellite throughbores 18 , 20 evenly spaced about axis X. Further, it is to be appreciated that brake pad friction material (not shown in FIG. 1) is mounted to the support surface 22 of the support plate 10 to complete the friction pad assembly 24 .
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an assembled anti-squeal friction-pad assembly 24 with friction pad 26 in the form of a brake pad friction material 26 fast therewith. Although an optional feature, the material 26 covers a perimeter portion 28 encasing support plate 10 (see FIG. 2 B). It is to be appreciated that when the material 26 is affixed to the perimeter portion 28 of the backplate 4 , the opening 6 and cutouts 8 , 16 are unobstructed so that two appropriately sized studs 29 (see FIG. 3 ), by using opening 6 and cutouts 8 , 16 prevent rotation of the friction pad assembly 24 relative to a structure of an unwind stand (see FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, the backplate 4 and support plate 10 have an thickness t 1 and t 2 of about 0.05 to 0.1 inch, giving the friction pad assembly 24 a thickness t 3 of about 0.3 to 0.5 inch.
Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a diagrammatic sectional view of a printing press unwind stand 30 illustrating a disk brake having a friction pad of the present invention. A stationary machine frame 32 of the unwind stand 30 supports, via a bolts and spacer 34 , 36 (one only being shown), an backing plate 38 . The plate 38 supports a pneumatic cylinder housing 40 having a piston 42 . Restrained, by the opening 6 and cutouts 8 , 16 on guide studs 29 , the friction pad assembly 24 is moveable into frictional engagement with a brake disk 48 . It is to be appreciated that a pressurized air supply 44 , via a supply port 46 provided in the actuator plate 38 , operates the air cylinder assembly 40 , 42 to move the friction material 26 of the friction pad assembly 24 to engage the brake disk 48 . The brake disk 48 is connected, via a hub assembly 50 , to a rotatable shaft 52 of the unwind stand. When the friction pad assembly 24 engages the braking disk 48 and the shaft 52 of the unwind stand 30 supporting a roll of paper (not shown) is braked to apply a desired tension to a web of the paper in dependence on the pressure derived from the air supply and the friction of the pad engagement with the disk. By the construction here described, the presence of brake squeal in brakes found in the prior art of such apparatus is greatly reduced or eliminated.
It is to be appreciated that the pad support plate 10 to which the brake pad friction material 26 is attached may be attached to the mounting surface 12 of the backplate 4 as described above to provide the mounting at discrete locations using any number of methods well known to those skilled in the art, e.g. spot welding, brazing, adhesives, including epoxy adhesives, rivets, etc. . . Also that such mounting methods may be utilized generally anywhere on the support plate 10 including around at least a portion or the entirety of its perimeter. Furthermore, that such above mentioned methods of mounting the support plate 10 to the backplate 4 result in the support plate 10 being fast with but acoustically decoupled from the backplate 4 .
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A friction pad assembly having a backplate fast with a pad support body for use in a brake of an unwind stand of a printing press to reduce or eliminate brake squeal. The friction pad reduces brake squeal by the method of affixing the backplate to the mounting body so that the friction pad and pad support are accoustically decoupled from the backplate.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 08/746,822, filed Nov. 18, 1996; which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 08/462,092, filed Jun. 5, 1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,399, issued Mar. 25, 1997; which was a divisional application of Ser. No. 08/296,268, filed Aug. 25, 1994 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,474, issued Apr. 23, 1996); which was a continuation application of Ser. No. 08/191,134, filed Feb. 3, 1994 (now abandoned); which was a continuation application of Ser. No. 08/076,363, filed Jun. 11, 1993 (now abandoned); which was a continuation application of Ser. No. 07/670,496; filed Mar. 15, 1991 (now abandoned); and which was a continuation application of Ser. No. 07/194,824, filed May 17, 1988 (now abandoned).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is in the area of plant molecular biology and concerns plant genetic engineering by recombinant DNA technology. The identification and characterization of a segment of DNA from the upstream nontranscribed region of a plant ubiquitin gene are described. This segment is capable of initiating and driving the transcription of nearby plant expressible genes in recombinant DNA-containing tissue from both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. The described DNA segment will enable the selective expression and regulation of desired structural genes in plant tissue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ubiquitin is an 8.5 kDa protein found in eukaryotic cells in either the free, monomeric state or covalently joined to various cytoplasmic, nuclear or membrane proteins. This protein contains 76 amino acid residues and its amino acid sequence is conserved to an unusually high extent. The sequence of ubiquitin is identical between species as diverse as human, cow, Mediterranean fruit fly, Xenopus and chicken (U. Bond and M. Schlesinger (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:949-956). Yeast and human ubiquitin differ by only three different amino acids (K. Ozkaynak et al. (1984) Nature 312:663-666), while plant ubiquitin differs from that of yeast by two amino acids. Based on this two or three amino acid difference in sequence, there appear to be at least 3 types of ubiquitin--animal, plant and yeast.
Ubiquitin is found in three major cellular compartments--the cytoplasmic membrane, the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This protein is required for ATP--dependent degradation of intracellular proteins, a non-lysosomal pathway to eliminate from the cell those proteins that are damaged or abnormal as well as normal proteins having a short half-life (A. Hershko et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:1619-1623; D. Finley et al. (1985) Trends Biol. Sci. 10:343-347). Ubiquitin binds to a target protein, tagging it for degradation. The covalent attachment is through isopeptide linkages between the carboxyl-terminus (glycine) in ubiquitin and the ε-amino group of lysyl side chains in the target proteins.
Ubiquitin also plays a role in the cellular response to stresses, such as heat shock and increase in metal (arsenite) concentration (D. Finley et al. (1985) supra). Most living cells respond to stress (for example, exposure to temperatures a few degrees above normal physiological temperatures orI to elevated concentrations of heavy metals, ethanol, oxidants and amino acid analogs) by activating a small set of genes to selectively synthesize stress proteins, also called heat shock proteins. In most organisms these stress proteins were found to have subunit molecular weights of 89, 70 and 24 kDa (U. Bond and M. Schlesinger (1985) supra). Ubiquitin, with a molecular weight of approximately 8.5 kDa, also responds to stress, since in different species (yeast, mouse, gerbil and chicken embryo fibroblasts) the levels of ubiquitin mRNA and ubiquitin protein increase as a result of different stress conditions.
In eukaryotic systems the expression of genes is directed by a region of the DNA sequence called the promoter. In general, the promoter is considered to be that portion of the DNA, upstream from the coding region, that contains the binding site for RNA polymerase II and initiates transcription of the DNA. The promoter region also comprises other elements that act as regulators of gene expression. These include a TATA box consensus sequence in the vicinity of about -30, and often a CAAT box consensus sequence at about -75 bp 5' relative to the transcription start site, or cap site, which is defined as +1 (R. Breathnach and P. Chambon (1981) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 50:349-383; J. Messing et al. (1983) in Genetic Engineering of Plants, eds. T. Kosuge, C. P. Meredith and A. Hollaender, pp. 211-227). In plants the CAAT box may be substituted by the AGGA box (J. Messing et al. (1983) supra). Other regulatory elements that may be present are those that affect gene expression in response to environmental stimuli, such as illumination or nutrient availability, or to adverse conditions, such as heat shock, anaerobiosis or the presence of heavy metal. In addition, there may be present DNA sequences which control gene expression during development, or in a tissue-specific fashion. Other regulatory elements that have been found are the enhancers (in animal systems) or the upstream activating sequences (in yeast), that act to elevate the overall expression of nearby genes in a manner that is independent of position and orientation with respect to the nearby gene. Sequences homologous to the animal enhancer core consensus sequence, 5'-GGTGTGGAAA(orTTT)G-3', have been described in plants, for example, in the pea legumin gene at about position -180 relative to the transcription start site (G. Lycett et al. (1984) Nucleic Acids Res. 12:4493-4506) and in the maize Adh1 and Adh2 genes at about -200 and -170 bp, respectively, from the transcription start site. In general, promoters are found 5', or upstream, relative to the start of the coding region of the corresponding gene and this promoter region, comprising all the ancillary regulatory elements, may contain between 100 and 1000 or more nucleotides.
Of the regulatory elements controlling gene expression, the heat shock element is perhaps one of the most widely studied. Although the universality of cellular response to heat shock has been known for almost a decade, very little is known yet about the function of the heat shock proteins selectively synthesized by the stressed cell. The induction of stress protein synthesis occurs at a transcriptional level and the response has been found to be similar in bacteria, fungi, insects and mammals (E. Craig (1985) CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem. 18:239-280). In addition to the synthesis and accumulation of the classic heat shock proteins in response to stress, cells that are stressed also synthesize proteases and ubiquitin. In E. coli, a 94 kDa enzyme that has an ATP-dependent proteolytic activity is encoded by the lon (cap R) gene whose expression is under control of the heat shock regulon (E. Ozkaynak et al. (1984) Nature 312:663-666). In chicken embryo fibroblasts (U. Bond M. Schlesinger. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:949-956) the ubiquitin mRNA level increased five fold after heat shock or after exposure to 50 μM arsenite. Each mRNA comprises sequences encoding tandemly repeated identical polypeptides which, upon translation as a polyubiquitin molecule, gives rise to multiple ubiquitin molecules, offering a distinctive mechanism for amplifying genetic information. This elevated level of ubiquitin mRNA does not persist during the recovery phase after heat shock, indicating a transient role for free ubiquitin during the stress response.
It has been postulated (J. Ananthan et al. (1986) Science 232:522-524) that metabolic stresses that trigger the activation of heat shock protein genes act through a common mechanism. The metabolic stresses that activate heat shock genes cause denaturation of intracellular proteins; the accumulation of abnormal proteins acts as a signal to activate heat shock genes. A role for ubiquitin in targeting abnormal proteins for degradation, as well as for different proteolytic enzymes, would be compatible with such a model of heat shock protein gene regulation.
Most of the early work on heat shock genes was done with Drosophila species. In particular, the Drosophila hsp70 gene was used widely in recombinant studies. In homologous systems, the Drosophila hsp70 gene was fused to the E. coli β-galactosidase structural gene to allow the activity of the hybrid gene to be distinguished from the five resident hsp70 heat shock genes in the recipient Drosophila. Drosophila heat shock genes were also introduced into heterologous systems, e.g., in monkey COS cells and mouse cells (H. Pelham (1982) Cell 30:517-528). Regulation by heat shock was observed in the hybrid hsp70-lac Z gene which was integrated into the Drosophila germ line and into which a 7 kb E. coli β-galactosidase DNA fragment was inserted into the middle of the hsp70 structural gene. The resultant β-galactosidase activity in the transformants was shown (J. Lis et al. (1983) Cell 35:403-410) to be regulated by heat shock.
The DNA sequence conferring heat shock response was identified by deletion analysis of the Drosophila hsp70 heat shock promoter to be 5'-CTGGAATNTTCTAGA-3'(where N=A, T, C, or G) (H. Pelham et al. (1982) in Heat Shock From Bacteria to Man, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, pp. 43-48) and is generally located in the -66 through -47 region of the gene or approximately 26 bases upstream of the TATA box. It was further demonstrated that a chemically synthesized copy of this element, when placed upstream of the TATA box of the herpes virus thymidine kinase gene in place of the normal upstream promoter element, was sufficient to confer heat inducibility upon the thymidine kinase gene in monkey COS cells and in Xenopus oocytes. (The thymidine kinase gene is normally not heat inducible.) These heat shock sequences interact with heat shock specific transcription factor(s) which allow the induction of heat shock proteins (C. Parker et al. (1984) Cell 37:273-283). Inducers of heat shock genes could be factors that alter (decrease) the concentration of heat shock proteins within the cell and, thus, control the transcription and translation of heat shock genes.
In higher plants, the stress response was demonstrated by increased protein synthesis in response to heat shock in soybean, pea, millet, corn, sunflower, cotton and wheat (T. Barnett et al. (1980) Dev. Genet. 1:331-340; J. Key et al. (1981) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 78:3526-3530). The major differences in heat shock response seen among plant species are: (a) the amount of total protein synthesized in response to stress, (b) the size distribution of the different proteins synthesized, (c) the optimum temperature of induction of heat shock proteins and (d) the lethal (breakpoint) temperature. High molecular weight proteins are found to be electrophoretically similar among different species. The low molecular weight (15-27 kDa) heat shock proteins show more electrophoretic heterogeneity between species. In plants, the higher molecular weight proteins resemble those produced in Drosophila. There is a marked difference, however, in the complexity of the low molecular weight heat shock proteins between plants and Drosophila. Four heat shock proteins, 22,23,26 and 27 kDa, are synthesized in Drosophila, whereas soybean produces over 20 heat shock proteins having molecular weights in the range of 15-18 kDa. The low molecular weight protein genes in soybeans are the most actively expressed and coordinately regulated genes under heat shock conditions (F. Schoffl et al. (1982) J. Mol. Appl. Genet. 1:301-314).
Key et al. (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 599,993, filed Apr. 13, 1984) have studied the promoter region of plant heat shock genes. Four soybean heat shock genes (three genes coding for 15-18 kDa heat shock proteins and one gene coding for a 17.3 kDa heat shock protein) were cloned and sequenced. The coding sequences and flanking sequences of the four heat shock genes were determined. The promoter regions of these four genes were subcloned, linked to a T-DNA shuttle vector and transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens. One of the recombinant clones of a soybean heat shock gene coding for a 15-18 kDa protein contained an open reading frame of 462 nucleotides and a 291 nucleotide promoter region upstream of the ATG translation initiation codon. The promoter included the TATA box, the CAAT box, the transcription initiation site and a heat shock consensus sequence 131-144 nucleotides upstream of the ATG translation start codon with the sequence 5'-CTNGAANNTTCNAG-3' (where N=A, T, C, or G). Only three of the four clones showed substantial homology in the promoter region, but there were strong similarities between the heat shock consensus sequences of all four clones. Significantly, the coding sequence, the upstream promoter region and the downstream flanking region of the four soybean heat shock genes had almost no resemblance to the corresponding regions of Drosophila heat shock genes. Although there were similarities between the consensus sequence of the promoter region from Drosophila and soybean heat shock genes, the promoter regions of soybean heat shock genes did not possess the inverted repeat sequences characteristic of Drosophila genes.
The promoter region from the soybean heat shock genes was used to activate a soybean gene and a foreign gene (one normally not found in soybean) and to show regulation of the response by stress (Key et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 599,993, filed Apr. 13, 1984). The promoter was isolated from the soybean SB 13 heat shock gene as a DNA fragment extending 65 bp downstream from the start of transcription to include a major portion of the untranslated leader sequence but not the start codon for translation. A β-galactosidase gene was placed under the control of the heat shock promoter within the T-DNA of the Ti-plasmid in a stable form within A. tumefaciens and then was transferred to a plant or plant cell culture. The actuality of DNA transfer was recognized by the expression of the β-galactosidase gene as the production of a blue color after heat treatment in a medium containing the 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactoside substrate molecule (M. Rose et al. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2460-2464).
Experimentation with cross expression wherein a gene from one plant species is examined for expression in a different species adds a further dimension to the understanding of specific function. These experiments may embody, the insertion of a gene under the control of its own promoter or of a gene artificially fused to a different or unnatural promoter. In 1983 Murai et al. (Science 222:476-482) obtained expression of the phaseolin gene from Phaseolus vulgaris L. in sunflower (Helianthus) tissue under two sets of conditions: (i) when the Phaseolin gene was under the control of its own promoter and (ii) when the gene was spliced to, and under the control of a T-DNA promoter. In subsequent experiments it was shown that the phaseolin structural gene under the control of its natural promoter could be expressed in tobacco and that the tissue-specific expression in the heterologous host (tobacco) was similar to that in the native host (bean) (C. Sengupta-Gopalan et al. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3320-3324).
In later experiments (J. Jones et al. (1985) EMBO J. 4:2411-2418) the expression of the octopine synthetase gene (ocs) was described in both regenerated transformed homologous (petunia) and heterologous (tobacco) plants. In this study the ocs gene was fused to the promoter of a petunia chlorophyll a/b binding protein. Cross-expression was also obtained by W. Gurley et al. (1986) (Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:559-565) and Key et al. (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 599,993, filed Apr. 13, 1984), who reported strong transcription in sunflower tumor tissue of a soybean heat shock gene under control of its own promoter. In this case functional activity was measured as the correct thermal induction response.
The first evidence for transcription initiated from a monocotyledon promoter in a dicotyledon host plant was published by Matzke et al. (1984) (EMBO J. 3:1525-1531). These workers cloned the maize zein Z4 gene and introduced it on a Ti-derived vector into sunflower stemlets. The ensuing zein mRNA could then be translated in a wheat germ system but not in the transformed sunflower calli.
In a later study the wheat gene whAB1.6 encoding the major chlorophyll a/b binding protein was cloned into a T-DNA-containing vector and transferred to both petunia and tobacco (G. Lamppa et al. (1985) Nature 316:750-752). Expression was obtained in the dicotyledon hosts and was determined to be light-induced and tissue-specific. In a more recent study, Rochester et al. (1986) (EMBO J. 5:451-458) obtained expression of the maize heat shock hsp70 gene in transgenic petunia. The maize hsp70 mRNA was synthesized only in response to thermal stress. So far, these three studies constitute the total number of published reports describing successful expression of monocot genes in transgenic dicot plants. However, there are also negative reports describing minimal or no expression of maize alcohol dehydrogenase genes in tobacco hosts (Llewellyn et al. (1985) in Molecular Form and Function of the Plant Genome, L. van Vloten-Doting, G. S. Groot and T. Hall (eds), Plenum Publishing Corp., pp 593-608; J. G. Ellis et al. (1987) Embo J. 6:11-16), suggesting a possible inherent species-specific difference between monocot and dicot promoters.
The heat shock response is believed to provide thermal protection or thermotolerance to otherwise nonpermissive temperatures (M. Schlesinger et al. (1982) in Heat Shock from Bacteria to Man, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., p. 329). A permissive heat shock temperature is a temperature which is high enough to induce the heat shock response but not high enough to be lethal. Thermotolerance in plant seedlings can be attained by different treatment regimes: (a) a 1 to 2 hour exposure to continuous heat shock at 40° C. followed by a 45° C. incubation, (b) a 30 min heat shock at 40° C. followed by 2 to 3 hours at 28° C. prior to the shift to 45° C., (c) a 10 min heat shock at 45° C. followed by about 2 hours at 28° C. prior to the shift to 45° C. and (d) treatment of seedlings with 50 μM arsenite at 28° C. for 3 hours or more prior to the shift to 45° C. During the pretreatment prior to incubation at the potentially lethal temperature, heat shock proteins are synthesized and accumulated. Also, heat shock mRNA and protein synthesis occur at 45° C., if the plant seedling is preconditioned as described above. When the temperature is shifted back to physiological levels (e.g., 28° C.), normal transcription and translation are resumed and after 3 to 4 hours at normal temperature, there is no longer detectable synthesis of heat shock proteins (J. Key et al. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:3526-3530; M. Schlesinger et al. (1982) Trends Biochem. Sci. 1:222-225). The heat shock proteins that were synthesized during the 40° C. heat shock treatment are very stable and are not immediately degraded.
Although ubiquitin is regulated in response to environmental stress, including heat shock, the regulation of ubiquitin transcription differs from that of classical heat shock protein transcripts. Both ubiquitin and heat shock protein mRNA levels are elevated in response to cellular stress. However, whereas classical heat shock proteins accumulate during heat shock and persist during the recovery phase, ubiquitin mRNAs accumulated during heat shock are rapidly degraded within hours after stress treatment. This unstable mRNA transcript suggests a specialized but transient role for ubiquitin during heat shock, and implicates a unique DNA sequence in the ubiquitin gene promoter region, specifying specialized regulatory control during cellular response to stress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to provide novel DNA segments and constructions comprising a regulatory promoter system which will enable those skilled in the art to express selectively structural genes in plant tissue. The promoter comprises the DNA sequences from the 5' nontranscribed regions of plant ubiquitin genes that initiate and regulate the transcription of genes placed under its control. In its preferred embodiment, the promoter sequence is derived from the upstream region of the ubiquitin gene from maize.
The isolation and characterization of a promoter system which is active in plants to control and regulate the expression of a downstream gene is described in the present work. This DNA sequence is found as a naturally occurring region upstream of the ubiquitin structural gene isolated from a maize genomic library. The transcription start site or cap site as determined by S1 nuclease mapping is designated as base 1 and the sequences embodied within about 899 bases 5' of the transcription start site plus about 1093 bases 3' of the cap site but 5' of the translation start site constitute the ubiquitin promoter. Located within this approximately 2 kb promoter region are a TATA box (-30), two overlapping heat shock consensus elements (-204 and -214), an 83 nucleotide leader sequence immediately adjacent to the transcription start site and an intron extending from base 84 to base 1093.
A further object of this invention is to provide a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a plant expressible promoter and a plant expressible structural gene, wherein the structural gene is placed under the regulatory control of all transcription initiating and activating elements of the promoter. In particular, the plant ubiquitin promoter can be combined with a variety of DNA sequences, typically structural genes, to provide DNA constructions for regulated transcription and translation of said DNA sequences and which will allow for regulated control of expression when stressed with elevated temperatures.
Such recombinant DNA molecules are introduced into plant tissue so that the promoter/structural gene combination is expressed. It is contemplated that the method of the present invention is generally applicable to the expression of structural genes in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is an analysis of a maize ubiquitin genomic clone. (A) Restriction map of ubiquitin gene 1, lambda,7.2b1. (B) Restriction map of two subcloned Pst1 fragments of ubiquitin gene 1. (C) Schematic representation of maize ubiquitin gene 1 organization. The 5' untranslated exon is indicated by the open box and the tandem ubiquitin coding regions are indicated by the numbered boxes. E, EcoRI; S, SacI; P, PstI; SAI, SalI; H, HindIII; X, XhoI; PV, PvuII.
FIGS. 2-1 through 2-7 document the DNA sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence of ubiquitin gene 1. The start of transcription as determined by S1 nuclease mapping is denoted as base 1. Sequences representing the putative "TATA" box (-30) and the overlapping heat shock consensus sequences (-214 and -204) are underlined. The intron extends from base 84 to base 1093 and the polyubiquitin protein coding sequence extends from base 1094 to 2693.
FIG. 3 demonstrates that all seven of the ubiquitin coding repeats encode an identical amino acid sequence. The nucleotide sequence of the seven repeats is shown aligned under the derived amino acid sequence. An additional 77th amino acid, glutamine, is present in the 7th repeat preceding the stop codon. A polyadenylation signal, AATAAT, is present in the 3' untranslated region, 113 bp from the stop codon.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic presentation of the procedure used for the construction of the maize ubiquitin promoter region-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene fusion.
FIG. 5 presents an assay for the ubiquitin promoter. CaMV-CAT, cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter--CAT gene fusion; UBQ-CAT, maize ubiquitin promoter--CAT gene fusion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES
SEQ ID NO: 1 is the nucleotide of ubiquitin gene 1.
SEQ ID NO: 2 is the deduced amino acid sequence encoded by ubiquitin gene 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following definitions are provided in order to remove ambiguities as to the intent or scope of their usage in the specification and claims.
Expression refers to the transcription and/or translation of a structural gene.
Promoter refers to the nucleotide sequences at the 5' end of a structural gene which direct the initiation of transcription. Promoter sequences are necessary, but not always sufficient, to drive the expression of a downstream gene. In general, eukaryotic promoters include a characteristic DNA sequence homologous to the consensus 5'-TATAAT-3' (TATA) box about 10-30 bp 5' to the transcription start (cap) site, which, by convention, is numbered +1. Bases 3' to the cap site are given positive numbers, whereas bases 5' to the cap site receive negative numbers, reflecting their distance from the cap site. Another promoter component, the CAAT box, is often found about 30 to 70 bp 5' to the TATA box and has homology to the canonical form 5'-CCAAT-3' (R. Breathnach and P. Chambon (1981) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 50:349-383). In plants the CAAT box is sometimes replaced by a sequence known as the AGGA box, a region having adenine residues symmetrically flanking the triplet G(orT)NG (J. Messing et al. (1983), in Genetic Engineering of Plants, T. Kosuge, C. Meredith and A. Hollaender (eds.), Plenum Press, pp. 211-227). Other sequences conferring regulatory influences on transcription can be found within the promoter region and extending as far as 1000 bp or more 5' from the cap site.
Regulatory Control refers to the modulation of gene expression induced by DNA sequence elements located primarily, but not exclusively, upstream of (5' to) the transcription start site. Regulation may result in an all-or-nothing response to environmental stimuli, or it may result in variations in the level of gene expression. In this invention, the heat shock regulatory elements function to enhance transiently the level of downstream gene expression in response to sudden temperature elevation.
Placing a structural gene under the regulatory control of a promoter or a regulatory element means positioning the structural gene such that the expression of the gene is controlled by these sequences. In general, promoters are found positioned 5' (upstream) to the genes that they control. Thus, in the construction of heterologous promoter/structural gene combinations, the promoter is preferably positioned upstream to the gene and at a distance from the transcription start site that approximates the distance between the promoter and the gene it controls in its natural setting. As is known in the art, some variation in this distance can be tolerated without loss of promoter function. Similarly, the preferred positioning of a regulatory element with respect to a heterologous gene placed under its control reflects its natural position relative to the structural gene it naturally regulates. Again, as is known in the art, some variation in this distance can be accommodated.
Promoter function during expression of a structural gene under its regulatory control can be tested at the transcriptional stage using DNA-RNA hybridization assays ("Northern" blots) and at the translational stage using specific functional assays for the protein synthesized (for example, by enzymatic activity or by immunoassay of the protein).
Structural gene is that portion of a gene comprising a DNA segment encoding a protein, polypeptide or a portion thereof, and excluding the 5' sequence which drives the initiation of transcription. The structural gene may be one which is normally found in the cell or one which is not normally found in the cellular location wherein it is introduced, in which case it is termed a heterologous gene. A heterologous gene may be derived in whole or in part from any source known to the art, including a bacterial genome or episome, eukaryotic, nuclear or plasmid DNA, cDNA, viral DNA or chemically synthesized DNA. A structural gene may contain one or more modifications in either the coding or the untranslated regions which could affect the biological activity or the chemical structure of the expression product, the rate of expression or the manner of expression control. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, mutations, insertions, deletions and substitutions of one or more nucleotides. The structural gene may constitute an uninterrupted coding sequence or it may include one or more introns, bound by the appropriate splice junctions. The structural gene may be a composite of segments derived from a plurality of sources, naturally occurring or synthetic. The structural gene may also encode a fusion protein. It is contemplated that the introduction into plant tissue of recombinant DNA molecules containing the promoter/structural gene/polyadenylation signal complex will include constructions wherein the structural gene and its promoter are each derived from different plant species.
Plant Ubiquitin Regulatory System refers to the approximately 2 kb nucleotide sequence 5' to the translation start site of the maize ubiquitin gene and comprises sequences that direct initiation of transcription, regulation of transcription, control of expression level, induction of stress genes and enhancement of expression in response to stress. The regulatory system, comprising both promoter and regulatory functions, is the DNA sequence providing regulatory control or modulation of gene expression. A structural gene placed under the regulatory control of the plant ubiquitin regulatory system means that a structural gene is positioned such that the regulated expression of the gene is controlled by the sequences comprising the ubiquitin regulatory system.
Polyadenylation signal refers to any nucleic acid sequence capable of effecting mRNA processing, usually characterized by the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3'-ends of the mRNA precursors. The polyadenylation signal DNA segment may itself be a composite of segments derived from several sources, naturally occurring or synthetic, and may be from a genomic DNA or an RNA-derived cDNA. Polyadenylation signals are commonly recognized by the presence of homology to the canonical form 5'-AATAA-3', although variation of distance, partial "readthrough", and multiple tandem canonical sequences are not uncommon (J. Messing et al. supra). It should be recognized that a canonical "polyadenylation signal" may in fact cause transcriptional termination and not polyadenylation per se (C. Montell et al. (1983) Nature 305:600-605).
Plant tissue includes differentiated and undifferentiated tissues of plants, including, but not limited to roots, shoots, leaves, pollen, seeds, tumor tissue and various forms of cells in culture, such as single cells, protoplasts, embryos and callus tissue. The plant tissue may be in planta or in organ, tissue or cell culture.
Homology, as used herein, refers to identity or near identity of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences. As is understood in the art, nucleotide mismatches can occur at the third or wobble base in the codon without causing amino acid substitutions in the final polypeptide sequence. Also, minor nucleotide modifications (e.g., substitutions, insertions or deletions) in certain regions of the gene sequence can be tolerated and considered insignificant whenever such modifications result in changes in amino acid sequence that do not alter the functionality of the final product. It has been shown that chemically synthesized copies of whole, or parts of, gene sequences can replace the corresponding regions in the natural gene without loss of gene function. Homologs of specific DNA sequences may be identified by those skilled in the art using the test of cross-hybridization of nucleic acids under conditions of stringency as is well understood in the art (as described in Hames and Higgins (eds.) (1985) Nucleic Acid Hybridization, IRL Press, Oxford, UK). Extent of homology is often measured in terms of percentage of identity between the sequences compared. Thus, in this disclosure it will be understood that minor sequence variation can exist within homologous sequences.
Derived from is used herein to mean taken, obtained, received, traced, replicated or descended from a source (chemical and/or biological). A derivative may be produced by chemical or biological manipulation (including but not limited to substitution, addition, insertion, deletion, extraction, isolation, mutation and replication) of the original source.
Chemically synthesized, as related to a sequence of DNA, means that the component nucleotides were assembled in vitro. Manual chemical synthesis of DNA may be accomplished using well established procedures (M. Caruthers (1983) in Methodology of DNA and RNA Sequencing, Weissman (ed.), Praeger Publishers (New York) Chapter 1), or automated chemical synthesis can be performed using one of a number of commercially available machines.
Heat shock elements refer to DNA sequences that regulate gene expression in response to the stress of sudden temperature elevations. The response is seen as an immediate albeit transitory enhancement in level of expression of a downstream gene. The original work on heat shock genes was done with Drosophila but many other species including plants (T. Barnett et al. (1980) Dev. Genet. 1:331-340) exhibited analogous responses to stress. The essential primary component of the heat shock element was described in Drosophila to have the consensus sequence 5'-CTGGAATNTTCTAGA-3' (where N=A, T, C, or G) and to be located in the region between residues -66 through -47 bp upstream to the transcriptional start site (H. Pelham and et al. (1982) supra). A chemically synthesized oligonucleotide copy of this consensus sequence can replace the natural sequence in conferring heat shock inducibility. In other systems, multiple heat shock elements were identified within the promoter region. For example, Rochester et al. (1986) supra recognized two heat shock elements in the maize hsp 70 gene.
Leader sequence refers to a DNA sequence comprising about 100 nucleotides located between the transcription start site and the translation start site. Embodied within the leader sequence is a region that specifies the ribosome binding site.
Introns or intervening sequences refer in this work to those regions of DNA sequence that are transcribed along with the coding sequences (exons) but are then removed in the formation of the mature mRNA. Introns may occur anywhere within a transcribed sequence--between coding sequences of the same or different genes, within the coding sequence of a gene, interrupting and splitting its amino acid sequences, and within the promoter region (5' to the translation start site). Introns in the primary transcript are excised and the coding sequences are simultaneously and precisely ligated to form the mature mRNA. The junctions of introns and exons form the splice sites. The base sequence of an intron begins with GU and ends with AG. The same splicing signal is found in many higher eukaryotes.
The present invention relates to the development of a recombinant vector useful for the expression of DNA coding segments in plant cells. The vector herein described employs a maize ubiquitin promoter to control expression of an inserted DNA coding segment. The transcriptional regulatory sequences may be combined with an extrachromosomal replication system for a predetermined host. Other DNA sequences having restriction sites for gene insertion may be added to provide a vector for the regulated transcription and translation of the inserted genes in said host. The vector may also include a prokaryotic replication system allowing amplification in a prokaryotic host, markers for selection and other DNA regions. This would allow large quantities of the vector to be grown in well characterized bacterial systems prior to transforming a plant or mammalian host. The principles for construction of a vector having proper orientation of the promoter and coding sequences with respect to each other are matters well-known to those skilled in the art. In some situations it may be desirable to join the promoter system to a desired structural gene and to introduce the resultant construct DNA directly into a host. Methods for such direct transfers include, but are not limited to, protoplast transformation, electroporation, direct injection of DNA into nuclei and co-transformation by calcium precipitation.
This invention comprises the first report of an isolated and characterized plant ubiquitin promoter. The maize ubiquitin promoter system as described in the present work includes the RNA polymerase recognition and binding sites, the transcriptional initiation sequence (cap site), regulatory sequences responsible for inducible transcription and an untranslatable intervening sequence (intron) between the transcriptional start site and the translational initiation site. Two overlapping heat shock consensus promoter sequences are situated 5' (-214 and -204) of the transcriptional start site. An untranslated exon of 83 nucleotides is located immediately adjacent to the cap site and is followed by a large (approximately 1 kb) intron.
The ubiquitin promoter system along with the ubiquitin structural gene can be isolated on two approximately 2 kb Pst1 fragments of the maize genome (FIG. 1). The entire fragment can be used to show promoter function by monitoring expression of mRNA or protein. Introduction of a heterologous gene downstream of the ubiquitin translation initiation codon will result in the expression of a fused protein. Insertion of a heterologous gene (having its own start and stop codons) between the ubiquitin promoter and translation initiation codon will result in the expression of the native polypeptide corresponding to the inserted gene. The insertion of the desired structural gene is most conveniently accomplished with the use of blunt-ended linkers at the ends of the gene.
Alternatively, the ubiquitin gene fragment may be restricted, particularly at a site immediately preceding the start of the structural gene or at a site preceding the transcription start site. For example, in the present invention the promoter fragment was derived from the ubiquitin gene as an approximately 2 kb Pst1 fragment. To ensure that the promoter fragment is devoid of the translational initiation codon, the fragment containing the 5' flanking region may be selectively digested with double stranded exonuclease under controlled conditions to remove a desired number of nucleotide pairs. It is desirable to remove the ubiquitin translation initiation codon so that translation of the inserted gene will commence at its own start site. The isolated (and shortened) promoter fragment may then be inserted into the vector using linkers or homopolymer tailing to introduce desired restriction sites compatible with the remaining regions of the vector. In general, the promoter fragment may be cleaved with specific restriction enzymes and the resultant shortened DNA fragments tested for promoter function and compared to that of the intact promoter. In addition, DNA codons may be added and/or existing sequences may be modified to give derivative DNA fragments retaining promoter functions.
The resulting DNA constructs may be useful as cloning vehicles for a structural gene of interest in a plant host. In this invention, the structural gene encoding CAT under control of either the maize ubiquitin promoter or the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter was expressed in both oat and tobacco cells. When the ubiquitin promoter was employed, a greater degree of expression was obtained with the monocot host than with the dicot host; however, a higher level of expression was obtained with dicot than with monocot host when the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter was utilized. The differential in expression levels reflects the inherent inequality of different promoters as well as basic cellular differences in regulation of expression and processing between monocots and dicots. To date, it is not predictable, routine or obvious that a monocot promoter will operate in a dicot host cell.
A wide variety of structural genes may be introduced into the subject DNA cloning vectors for the production of desired proteins, such as enzymes, hormones and the like. In addition, DNA constructs of this type can be used for the enhanced production of DNA derived from a particular gene, as well as for enhanced production of mRNA which can be used to produce cDNA. Such vectors carrying specific DNA sequences find wide application and are quite versatile; for example, they can be used for amplification in bacteria as well as for expression in higher cells which allow for additional cellular functions. An advantage of utilizing higher eukaryotic recombinant systems to produce commercially medical and agriculturally desirable proteins is that they ensure correct post-translational modifications which may otherwise be difficult to duplicate in prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic hosts.
In this invention the maize ubiquitin promoter was shown to function in oat and tobacco, as examples of monocots and dicots, respectively, and it is conceivable that this promoter can function in yet other cells. Such systems include, by way of example, and without limitation, other cells from which ubiquitin genes have been isolated and found to be highly conserved, for example, other monocots in addition to maize, dicots other than tobacco, lower eukaryotic organisms such as yeast and mammalian cells. The screening of cellular systems suitable for use with the maize ubiquitin promoter can be accomplished according to the teaching herein, without undue experimentation. The construction of vectors suitable for the expression of a DNA coding segment in individual systems has been well documented. Shuttle vectors capable of replication in more than one host have also been described, for example, shuttle expression vectors for both yeast and mammalian cells, for plants and animal cells and for plants and bacterial cells. In addition, it will be understood that ubiquitin genes from any other system, that are similar to the maize ubiquitin gene in functioning as a plant promoter, may be employed as the source for the ubiquitin promoter sequence.
The present invention also relates to the utilization of the maize ubiquitin promoter system as a heat shock promoter. Two heat shock consensus sequences are located upstream of the maize ubiquitin gene at positions -214 and -204. In many eukaryotes, naturally occurring and chemically-synthesized sequences homologous to the heat shock consensus sequence have been shown to regulate the induction of gene expression. Although the ubiquitin promoter system contains sequences that are identified as being those of heat shock elements, the promoter is distinguished from classical heat shock promoters (1) in having a nontranslated intron 3' to the transcription start site and (2) in regulating ubiquitin expression constitutively as well as inductively. The functional relationship between heat shock elements and the presence of a large intron within the promoter region is unknown to prior art. The nucleotide distance between these characteristic features and also the directionality and orientation of one element with respect to the other are presumed in the present work to be variable, as long as the basic promoter function of the derivative regulatory fragments remains active.
The presence of an intron in the promoter system has been related to the relative stability of the unprocessed mRNA transcript and, indirectly, to the level of protein synthesized (Callis et al. (1987) Genes and Development 1:1183-1200). Constitutively expressed ubiquitin mRNA has been reported to be maintained at stable levels in chicken embryo fibroblasts, whereas ubiquitin mRNA formed in response to stress has a half-life of approximately 1.5 to 2 h.
In yeast four distinct ubiquitin-coding loci have been described. Constitutively expressed ubiquitin is encoded by one or more of three of the ubiquitin genes, two of which contain an approximately 400 bp intron immediately within the coding region. The fourth ubiquitin gene, devoid of a nontranslated intron but comprising multiple heat shock elements, functions primarily in inducing ubiquitin expression in response to stress. It has been shown that the latter ubiquitin gene does not act constitutively but rather is turned on in response to heat shock or stress signal (E. Ozkaynak et al. (1987) EMBO J. 6:1429-1439).
In maize, ubiquitin is encoded by a small multigene family. In this invention is presented the nucleotide sequence of one of the ubiquitin genes. A large (approximately 1 kb) intron between the transcriptional and the translational start sites as well as nucleotide sequences corresponding to consensus heat shock sequences are found within the maize ubiquitin promoter system. These two regions of specialization most probably are involved in ubiquitin synthesis and in regulating the ubiquitin level in response to external influences. The functional relationship between the intron and the heat shock elements encompassed within the ubiquitin promoter system is unknown. It is reported in this invention that the maize ubiquitin promoter system regulates the synthesis of mRNA both under normal and under heat shock conditions and that changes in the regulation of transcription account for the enhancement in ubiquitin synthesis after heat shock.
The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Isolation and Characterization of the Maize Ubiquitin Gene
A. Growth of Plants
Zea mays Inbred line B73 was grown in moist vermiculite for 4 to 5 days at 25° C. in the dark. The portion of the seedlings from the mesocotyl node to the shoot tip was harvested, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80° C.
B. RNA Isolation and Analysis
Total cellular RNA was extracted from frozen tissue using the guanidine thiocyanate procedure. Poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from total cellular RNA by passage over a poly U-Sephadex (Bethesda Research Laboratories, Gaithersburg, Md.) column. Total or poly(A)+ RNA was electrophoresed in 1.5% agarose gels containing 3% (wt/vol) formaldehyde. RNA was transferred to Gene screen™ (DuPont) by capillary blotting using 25 mM sodium phosphate (pH6.5).
Blots were prehybridized in 50% formamide, 5× SSC, 100 μg denatured salmon DNA, 40 mM sodium phosphate (pH6.8), 0.5% BSA and 1% SDS. Blots were hybridized in 50% formamide, 5× SSC, 100 μg/ml denatured salmon DNA, 40 mM sodium phosphate (pH6.8) and 10% dextran sulfate.
C. cDNA Library Construction
Double stranded CDNA was synthesized from poly(A)+ RNA by a modification of the method of Murray et al. (1983) Plant Mol. Biol. 2:75-84. Oligo(dC)-tailing of the double-stranded cDNA and annealing of oligo(dC)-tailed cDNA with oligo(dG)-tailed pBR322 were performed using standard technology. The annealed DNA was transformed into E. coli HB101 and plated directly onto nitrocellulose filters (Millipore, HATF; 0.45 μm) on L-agar plates containing tetracycline (15 μg/ml).
D. Identification of Ubiquitin cDNA
A number of cDNAs representing potentially light-regulated mRNAs were obtained by screening a cDNA library by differential hybridization. Several of these cDNAs were selected and further screened by RNA blot analysis to confirm light regulation. One cDNA clone, p6T7.2bl, while not representing a red-light regulated mRNA, was of interest because it hybridized with three poly(A)+ RNAs of different size and abundance. Nick translated p6T7.2b1 hybridized strongly with the 2100 nucleotide and 1600 nucleotide mRNAs, but only weakly with the 800 nucleotide transcript. However, hybridization of Northern blots with a single stranded 32 P-labeled RNA generated by SP6 polymerase transcription of linearized pCA210, a plasmid constructed by subcloning the cDNA insert of p6T7.2b1 into pSP64, readily detected all three transcripts.
Since RNA-RNA hybrids are known to be more thermally stable than DNA-RNA hybrids, single stranded RNA probes rather than nick translated DNA probes were used in Northern blot hybridizations. Again, the 1600 base transcript was found to be about 3 fold less abundant than the 2100 base transcript as determined from Northern blots, regardless of whether the blot was hybridized with nick translated DNA or single strand RNA probes. The smallest transcript was about half as abundant as the 2100 base mRNA in blots hybridized with RNA probes.
Restriction fragments were subcloned into M13mp18 and/or mp19 and sequenced by the dideoxynucleotide chain termination method. Analysis of the sequence of the clone revealed a single long open reading frame of 818 bp terminating in a TAA stop codon. The National Biomedical Research Foundation library was searched using the D fast P program for protein sequences homologous with the deduced amino acid sequence. Greater than 95% homology was found between the deduced amino acid sequence of the maize cDNA clone and the sequences of bovine and human ubiquitin.
E. Genomic Library Construction and Screening
High molecular weight maize DNA was isolated from frozen maize seedlings. DNA was partially digested with Sau3A, size fractionated and cloned into the BamHl sites of Charon 35 (Loenen et al. (1983) Gene 26:171-179). A library of about 2×10 6 pfu was screened for recombinant phage containing sequences homologous to the ubiquitin cDNA clone by in situ plaque hybridization using a ubiquitin cDNA clone as a hybridization probe. Recombinant phage were purified from broth lysates and phage DNA was isolated using standard techniques. Restriction endonuclease digestions were carried out according to manufacturers' specifications.
F. Genomic Southern Blot Analysis
Isolated, high molecular weight maize DNA was digested with EcoR1, Hind111 and Sac1, fractionated on 0.7% agarose gels and the DNA fragments were transferred to Gene Screen Plus™ (DuPont). Filters were prehybridized for 6-8 h at 65° C. in 6× SSC (1× SSC=0.15M NaCl, 0.025M Na Citrate), 5× Denhardt's medium, 100 μg/ml denatured, sonicated Salmon DNA, 20 μg/ml polyadenylic acid, 10 mM disodium EDTA and 0.5% SDS. Filters were hybridized at 65° C. in fresh buffer with 32 P labeled plasmid DNA (pCA210). Autoradiography was carried out at -80° C. using Kodak X-OMAT AR Film and one DuPont Cronex LightningPlus intensifying screen. In each digest, 8 to 10 restriction fragments hybridized with the nick translated pCA210 probe, suggesting that ubiquitin is coded by a small multigene family. Evidence that ubiquitin is encoded by a small multigene family has also been reported for Xenopus, barley and yeast.
Two or three fragments in each digest hybridized strongly with the probe, whereas the remainder of the fragments hybridized weakly. The differences in hybridization intensities may reflect different sequence homology such that the cDNA probe hybridizes preferentially to the gene from which it was derived.
Ubiquitin genes from yeast and Xenopus have been characterized and have six and at least twelve ubiquitin repeats, respectively. Maize genes corresponding to the three transcripts detected on Northern blots may have seven, five and one or two ubiquitin repeats in the 2.1, 1.6 and 0.8 kb mRNAs, respectively. The maize ubiquitin gene described in this invention codes for seven repeats. Thus, the difference in hybridization intensity observed on Southern blots may be a result of the restriction fragments containing a different number of ubiquitin repeats.
The ubiquitin cDNA clone did not contain EcoR1 and Hind111 sites. However, the maize ubiquitin genes may contain introns which are cut by the restriction endonucleases used in the genomic digests. This could result in ubiquitin exons being on different fragments and could account for the differential hybridization intensities observed in the Southern blots.
G. Ubiquitin Sequence Analysis and Transcription Start Site Analysis
Dideoxynucleotide chain termination sequencing was performed using Klenow fragments of DNA polymerase 1 (Boehringer Mannheim). A 1.85 kb Pst1 fragment of the genomic clone lambda 7.2bl (see FIG. 1b) homologous to the cDNA clone p6T7.2b.1 and the 2 kb Pst1 fragment immediately upstream, termed AC3#9M13RF, were subcloned in both orientations into M13mp19. Recombinant phage RF DNA was prepared as for plasmid DNA. Unidirectional progressive deletion clones for sequencing both strands of these Pst1 fragments were prepared. Exonuclease 111 and Exonuclease V11 were obtained from New England Biolabs and Bethesda Research Laboratories, respectively. Computer analysis of DNA sequences was performed using programs made available by the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group.
The transcription start site of the ubiquitin gene and the 3' junction of the intron and exon in the 5' untranslated region of the gene were determined by S1 nuclease mapping. Fragments suitable for S1 probes were prepared as follows. The ubiquitin DNA was digested with either Bgl11 or Xho1. These were then labeled with 32 P using gamma - 32 P ATP (6000 Ci/mmole, New England Nuclear, Boston, Mass.) and T4 polynucleotide kinase (New England Biolabs). Subsequent digestion of the Bgl11 and Xho1kinased fragments with Pst1 and EcoR1, respectively, generated a 946 bp Pst1-Bgl11 fragment and a 643 bp EcoR1-Xho1 fragment. These fragments were separated from the other end-labeled fragments by electrophoresis through a 5% polyacrylamide gel. Slices containing the 946 bp Pst1-Bgl11 and the 643 bp EcoR1-Xho1 fragments were cut out of the gel and the labeled DNAs were eluted from the gel. End-labeled DNA fragment (10-20 fmole) was hybridized with 2 μg of poly(A)+ RNA in 30 μl of buffer containing 80% deionized formamide, 0.4M sodium chloride, 40 mM PIPES (pH6.4) and 1 mM EDTA (pH8.0). The nucleic acid solution was heated to 80° C. for 15 min to denature the DNA and then incubated at 42° C. for about 16 h. Ice-cold S1 digestion buffer (300 μl) containing 280 mM sodium chloride, 50 mM sodium acetate (pH4.6), 4.5 mM zinc sulfate and 20 μg/ml single stranded DNA was added and the DNA digested with 250 units/ml of S1 nuclease (New England Nuclear). The reaction was stopped with 75 μl of S1 termination mix containing 2.5M ammonium acetate and 50 mM EDTA. The products of the S1 nuclease digestion were then separated on a 6% polyacrylamide/8M urea gel and visualized by autoradiography. The end points of the S1 protected fragments in the ubiquitin sequence were determined by comparison with a sequence ladder generated by Maxam/Gilbert base modification-cleavage reactions carried out on the end labeled fragments used as S1 probes.
The DNA sequence of the maize ubiquitin-1 gene, lambda 7.2b1, is shown in FIG. 2. The sequence is composed of 899 bases upstream of the transcription start site, 1992 bases of 5' untranslated and intron sequences, and 1999 bases encoding seven ubiquitin protein repeats preceding 249 bases of 3' sequence. A "TATA" box is located at -30 and two overlapping heat shock elements are located at -214 and -204. The DNA sequence of the coding and 3' regions of the ubiquitin-1 gene from maize, lambda 7.2b1, is also presented in FIG. 3. The derived amino acid sequence of maize ubiquitin is shown at the top and the nucleotide sequence of the seven ubiquitin repeats is aligned underneath. A schematic of the organization of the seven complete ubiquitin units in the genomic DNA is shown in FIG. 1C.
The derived amino acid sequences of all of the ubiquitin repeats are identical (FIG. 3). The terminal (seventh) ubiquitin repeat contains an additional 77th amino acid, glutamine, prior to the TAA stop codon. This additional amino acid is not found in mature ubiquitin, and is apparently removed during processing. The 77th amino acid of the final repeat in the human gene is valine, while in the two chicken genes, it is tyrosine and asparagine. Yeast and barley also have an extra amino acid, asparagine and lysine, respectively; however, an extra amino acid was not found in the Xenopus gene. This extra amino acid has been proposed to function as a block to conjugation of unprocessed polyubiquitin to target proteins. A polyadenylation signal (5'AATAAT-3') is present in the 3' untranslated sequence, 113 bp from the stop codon.
All seven repeats encode the identical amino acid sequence, whereas the nucleotide sequence of the repeats varies by as many as 39 nucleotides. This is similar to what has been reported for the nucleotide sequence homologies between ubiquitin coding repeats of other ubiquitin genes. About 80% of the nucleotide mismatches between ubiquitin repeats are at the third (wobble) base in the codon. Alternate codon usage for leucine (5 codons), serine (3 codons) and arginine (3 codons) account for the remaining nucleotide mismatches.
The amino acid sequence for maize ubiquitin is identical to that determined for two other higher plants, oat and barley. The sequence differs from the sequence reported for yeast by two amino acids; alanine for serine substitutions at positions 28 and 57. The maize sequence is also slightly different from that reported for ubiquitin from all animals; substitutions by serine for proline at position 19, aspartate for glutamate at position 24 and alanine for serine at position 57. Thus, based on sequence, there appear to be three types of ubiquitin: plant, animal and yeast.
Example 2
Construction of Plasmid PUB-CAT Comprising the Maize Ubiquitin Promoter System and a Structural Gene
A. Promoter Isolation and Construction of pUB-CAT
The procedure used for construction of the ubiquitin gene upstream region-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene fusion is outlined in FIG. 4. The BamH1-Hind111 restriction fragment containing the CAT gene and the nopaline synthase (NOS) 3' untranslated region and polyadenylation signal of pNOS-CAT (Fromm et al. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 82:5824-5828) was subcloned into BamH1 and Hind111 digested pUC18. This construct was termed puC18-CAT.
An approximately 2.0 kb Pst1 fragment immediately upstream of the ubiquitin polyprotein coding region of the maize ubiquitin gene lambda 7.2b1 was subcloned into M13mp19. This segment of DNA spans nucleotides -899 to 1092 of the maize ubiquitin sequence documented in FIG. 2. This recombinant. DNA was termed AC3#9M13RF and contains the ubiquitin promoter, 5' untranslated leader sequence and about 1 kb intron, labeled UBI-5' in FIG. 4.
The ubiquitin promoter-CAT reporter gene fusion was constructed by blunt ending with T 4 DNA polymerase the 2.0 kb Pst1 fragment of AC3#9M13RF and cloning this fragment into Sma1-digested pUC18-CAT. This construct was termed pUB-CAT.
B. Introduction of Recombinant DNA into Oat and Tobacco Protoplast
Leaves (2 g) of 5- to 6- day old etiolated oat seedlings were finely chopped with a razor blade. The tissue was rinsed several times with digestion medium (3 mM MES, pH5.7, 10 mM calcium chloride, 0.5M mannitol and 2 mg/ml arginine) and then incubated for 4 h at room temperature with 20 ml digestion medium containing 2% cellulose. The tissue was shaken occasionally to release protoplasts. The material was filtered through a 63 μm mesh and centrifuged 5 min at 50×g. The supernatant fluid was removed and the protoplasts were washed two times with digestion medium and then resuspended in electroporation buffer to give 0.5 ml of protoplast suspension per electroporation. The electroporation buffer consisted of: 10 mM HEPES, pH7.2, 150 mM sodium chloride, 4 mM calcium chloride and 0.5M mannitol.
Protoplasts (0.5 ml) in electroporation buffer were mixed on ice with 0.5 ml of electroporation buffer containing 40 μg plasmid DNA plus 100 μg sonicated salmon DNA. The protoplasts were electroporated on ice with a 350 volt, 70 msec pulse. The protoplasts were incubated another 10 min on ice, then diluted into 10 ml Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium and incubated at room temperature for 24 h.
Protoplasts were pelleted by centrifugation for 5 min at 50×g. The supernatant fluid was removed and the protoplasts washed once with MS medium. The protoplast pellet was resuspended in 200 μl Buffer A (0.25M Tris, pH7.8, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM β-mercaptoethanol) and transferred to a microcentrifuge tube. Protoplasts were disrupted by sonication for 5-10 sec at the lowest setting. Protoplast debris was pelleted by centrifugation for 5 min at 4° C. The supernatant fluid was removed, heated to 65° C. for 10 min and stored at -20° C.
C. Assay for CAT activity in Transformed Protoplasts
Aliquots (100 μl) of the electroporated protoplast extract (extract of cells transformed with recombinant DNA) were added to 80 μl of Buffer A and 20 μl of a mix of 20 μl 14 C-chloramphenicol (40-60 mCi/mM), 2 mg acetyl CoA and 230 μl Buffer A. The reaction was incubated for 90 min at 37° C. The reaction products were extracted with 600 μl ethyl acetate and were concentrated by evaporating the ethyl acetate and resuspending in 10 μl ethyl acetate. The reaction products were separated by thin layer chromatography using chloroform:methanol (95:5, v/v) solvent and were detected by autoradiography.
Transformation of host cells was determined by measuring the amount of enzymatic activity expressed by the structural gene contained within the promoter-gene fusion construct. In this example, the structural gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyl transferase was employed in the DNA construct. To test the efficacy of the promoter utilized in the recombinant DNA fusion construct, parallel electroporations were carried out, utilizing either the maize ubiquitin promoter-CAT gene fusion pUC-CAT (described herein and in FIG. 4) and pCaMV-CAT, a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter-CAT gene fusion (Fromm et al. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:5824-5828) obtained from V. Walbot, Stanford University. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in oat protoplasts the ubiquitin promoter is "stronger" than the CaMV promoter, as judged by the amount of enzymatic activity expressed.
Example 3
Heat Shock Response
A. Heat Shock Treatment
To heat shock, 4 to 5 day old etiolated seedlings were transferred to an incubator at 42° C. and harvested 1, 3 and 8 h after transfer. Total RNA (7 μg) was isolated, denatured and electrophoresed through a 1.5% agarose 3% formaldehyde gel. The RNA was transferred to Gene Screen and probed with single stranded RNA transcribed from linearized pCA210 using SP6 RNA polymerase. (The recombinant plasmid, pCA210, was constructed by subcloning the 975 bp insert of p6T7.2b1 into pSP64 (Pronega) so that SP6 RNA polymerase synthesized a RNA probe specific for hybridization with ubiquitin mRNA.) After autoradiography, the bands were cut out and the amount of radioactivity bound to the filter was determined by liquid scintillation. From analysis of the Northern blots, levels of three ubiquitin transcripts were determined.
One hour after transfer to 42° C., the level of the 2.1 kb transcript increased 2.5 to 3 fold. An approximately 2 fold increase was observed for the 1.6 kb transcript, however, no increase was seen for the 0.8 kb transcript. By three hours after transfer of the seedlings to elevated temperature, the levels of the two largest ubiquitin transcripts had returned to the level observed in unshocked tissue and remained at those levels for at least another five hours. The transitory nature of ubiquitin during the heat shock response in maize may indicate that ubiquitin has a specialized role in heat shock and that only brief periods of increased levels of ubiquitin are required.
B. Heat Shock Sequences
The nucleotide sequence of the maize ubiquitin gene is presented in FIG. 2. Within the promoter region are nucleotide sequences homologous to the consensus heat shock sequence that has been shown to confer stress inducibility when placed upstream of heterologous promoters (Pelham (1982) supra). The consensus sequence for the Drosophila heat shock element is
5'-CTGGAATNTTCTAGA-3' (where N=A, T, C, or G)
and is generally found approximately 26 bases upstream of the transcriptional start site.
Located within 900 bases 5' to the transcriptional start site of the maize ubiquitin promoter are two overlapping heat shock sequences:
5'-CTGGA CCCCTCTCGA-3' starting at nucleotide -214, and
5'-CTCGA GAGTTCCGCT-3' starting at nucleotide -204.
The ubiquitin promoter from chicken embryo fibroblasts was also found to contain two overlapping heat shock consensus promoter sequences:
5'-CTCGA ATCTTCCAG-3' starting at nucleotide -369, and
5'-CCAGA GCTTTCTTTT-3' starting at nucleotide -359.
The 5' flanking region of the yeast ubiquitin gene UB14 (E.
Ozkaynak et al. (1987) supra) comprises an 18 kb, rotationally symmetric (palindromic) sequence, 5'-TTCTAGAACGTTCTAGAA-3', 365 bases upstream of the translation start site. The middle 14 bases (underlined) of this 18 bp sequence contain an exact homology to the rotationally symmetric consensus `heat shock box` nucleotide sequence starting at approximately 284 nucleotides upstream of the presumed transcription start site.
The relative position of the heat shock sequence with respect to the transcriptional initiation codon and its ultimate consequence on the magnitude of the induction response to heat shock or other stress remains largely unknown, although it has been suggested (U. Bond and M. Schlesinger (1986) supra) that the further a heat shock element is located 5' from the transcriptional start site, the smaller is the level of induction in response to stress.
In this invention it is assumed that a heat shock sequence may be arbitrarily positioned at different loci within the ubiquitin promoter and that it may be chemically altered in sequence or be replaced with a synthetic homologous sequence, so long as the modified promoter sequence retains ubiquitin promoter function, which comprises the initiation, direction and regulation of transcription under stress and non-stress conditions. Biochemical techniques required to insert and/or delete nucleotides and to manipulate the resultant DNA fragments are well known to those skilled in the art of genetic redesigning.
Example 4
Presence of Heat Shock Sequence(s) and a Large Intron Within the Ubiquitin Promoter System
The ubiquitin promoter system from maize is characterized structurally by the presence of two overlapping heat shock sequences approximately two hundred bp upstream of the transcriptional start site and that of a large (approximately 1 kb) intron between the transcriptional start site and the translational initiation codon. This promoter structure is very similar to that reported (U. Bond et al. (1986) supra) for the ubiquitin promoter from chicken embryo fibroblasts in which two overlapping heat shock sequences are located approximately 350 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site and a 674 bp intron is contained between the transcriptional and translational initiation codons. Recently (E. Ozkaynak et al. (1987) supra), the nucleotide sequence of the promoter region from yeast ubiquitin UB14 gene was determined and found to contain a heat shock sequence approximately 280 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site, but this yeast ubiquitin promoter was devoid of a large intron between the transcription and translation initiation sites. However, two other yeast ubiquitin genes, which did contain introns, were found to be lacking sequences homologous to the Pelham "heat shock box" sequence.
Ubiquitin promoters have been shown to up-regulate expression of ubiquitin in response to heat shock in yeast, chicken embryo fibroblasts and maize. In all three systems, the level of ubiquitin mRNA is elevated after heat shock treatment and the increase in ubiquitin level was determined in maize and chicken embryo fibroblasts to be approximately 3 fold. This enhancement in ubiquitin expression in response to heat shock is significantly less than that obtained with other heat shock genes. It was found in chicken embryo fibroblasts that the levels of ubiquitin MRNA in cells exposed to 45° C. increased by 2.5 fold over a 2.5 h period, whereas the levels of HSP70 mRNA increased 10 fold under the same heat shock conditions. Moreover, the relative instability of ubiquitin mRNA during recovery of cells from a 3 h heat shock (half-life of approximately 1.5 to 2 h) was also found to differ significantly from that of HSP70 mRNAs which were found to be stable.
It is interesting to note that in contrast to ubiquitin promoters, HSP70 genes do not contain large introns between the transcriptional and translational initiation codons. Another difference between the ubiquitin promoter and other heat shock promoters is that ubiquitin is expressed both constitutively and inductively, whereas expression of classical heat shock proteins occurs predominantly in response to heat shock or other stress. This invention allows skilled workers knowledgeable in the art to modify ubiquitin promoter with respect to the composition/sequence and position of both the intron and the heat shock sequences in order to alter constitutive and/or inductive expression of ubiquitin. Also, standard recombinant technology may be employed to reposition, as well as to chemically alter the nucleotide sequences within the maize ubiquitin promoter region in such a fashion as to retain or improve the promoter function of the resultant modified DNA. Testing for ubiquitin promoter function may be carried out as taught in example 2.
__________________________________________________________________________# SEQUENCE LISTING - - - - (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: - - (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 2 - - - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: - - (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 3840 base - #pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear - - (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) - - (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) - - (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 1993..3591 - - (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: - - CTGCAGTGCA GCGTGACCCG GTCGTGCCCC TCTCTAGAGA TAATGAGCAT TG -#CATGTCTA 60 - - AGTTATAAAA AATTACCACA TATTTTTTTT GTCACACTTG TTTGAAGTGC AG -#TTTATCTA 120 - - TCTTTATACA TATATTTAAA CTTTACTCTA CGAATAATAT AATCTATAGT AC -#TACAATAA 180 - - TATCAGTGTT TTAGAGAATC ATATAAATGA ACAGTTAGAC ATGGTCTAAA GG -#ACAATTGA 240 - - GTATTTTGAC AACAGGACTC TACAGTTTTA TCTTTTTAGT GTGCATGTGT TC -#TCCTTTTT 300 - - TTTTGCAAAT AGCTTCACCT ATATAATACT TCATCCATTT TATTAGTACA TC -#CATTTAGG 360 - - GTTTAGGGTT AATGGTTTTT ATAGACTAAT TTTTTTAGTA CATCTATTTT AT -#TCTATTTT 420 - - AGCCTCTAAA TTAAGAAAAC TAAAACTCTA TTTTAGTTTT TTTATTTAAT AA -#TTTAGATA 480 - - TAAAATAGAA TAAAATAAAG TGACTAAAAA TTAAACAAAT ACCCTTTAAG AA -#ATTAAAAA 540 - - AACTAAGGAA ACATTTTTCT TGTTTCGAGT AGATAATGCC AGCCTGTTAA AC -#GCCGTCGA 600 - - CGAGTCTAAC GGACACCAAC CAGCGAACCA GCAGCGTCGC GTCGGGCCAA GC -#GAAGCAGA 660 - - CGGCACGGCA TCTCTGTCGC TGCCTCTGGA CCCCTCTCGA GAGTTCCGCT CC -#ACCGTTGG 720 - - ACTTGCTCCG CTGTCGGCAT CCAGAAATTG CGTGGCGGAG CGGCAGACGT GA -#GCCGGCAC 780 - - GGCAGGCGGC CTCCTCCTCC TCTCACGGCA CGGCAGCTAC GGGGGATTCC TT -#TCCCACCG 840 - - CTCCTTCGCT TTCCCTTCCT CGCCCGCCGT AATAAATAGA CACCCCCTCC AC -#ACCCTCTT 900 - - TCCCCAACCT CGTGTTGTTC GGAGCGCACA CACACACAAC CAGATCTCCC CC -#AAATCCAC 960 - - CCGTCGGCAC CTCCGCTTCA AGGTACGCCG CTCGTCCTCC CCCCCCCCCC CT -#CTCTACCT 1020 - - TCTCTAGATC GGCGTTCCGG TCCATGGTTA GGGCCCGGTA GTTCTACTTC TG -#TTCATGTT 1080 - - TGTGTTAGAT CCGTGTTTGT GTTAGATCCG TGCTGCTAGC GTTCGTACAC GG -#ATGCGACC 1140 - - TGTACGTCAG ACACGTTCTG ATTGCTAACT TGCCAGTGTT TCTCTTTGGG GA -#ATCCTGGG 1200 - - ATGGCTCTAG CCGTTCCGCA GACGGGATCG ATTTCATGAT TTTTTTTGTT TC -#GTTGCATA 1260 - - GGGTTTGGTT TGCCCTTTTC CTTTATTTCA ATATATGCCG TGCACTTGTT TG -#TCGGGTCA 1320 - - TCTTTTCATG CTTTTTTTTG TCTTGGTTGT GATGATGTGG TCTGGTTGGG CG -#GTCGTTCT 1380 - - AGATCGGAGT AGAATTCTGT TTCAAACTAC CTGGTGGATT TATTAATTTT GG -#ATCTGTAT 1440 - - GTGTGTGCCA TACATATTCA TAGTTACGAA TTGAAGATGA TGGATGGAAA TA -#TCGATCTA 1500 - - GGATAGGTAT ACATGTTGAT GCGGGTTTTA CTGATGCATA TACAGAGATG CT -#TTTTGTTC 1560 - - GCTTGGTTGT GATGATGTGG TGTGGTTGGG CGGTCGTTCA TTCGTTCTAG AT -#CGGAGTAG 1620 - - AATACTGTTT CAAACTACCT GGTGTATTTA TTAATTTTGG AACTGTATGT GT -#GTGTCATA 1680 - - CATCTTCATA GTTACGAGTT TAAGATGGAT GGAAATATCG ATCTAGGATA GG -#TATACATG 1740 - - TTGATGTGGG TTTTACTGAT GCATATACAT GATGGCATAT GCAGCATCTA TT -#CATATGCT 1800 - - CTAACCTTGA GTACCTATCT ATTATAATAA ACAAGTATGT TTTATAATTA TT -#TTGATCTT 1860 - - GATATACTTG GATGATGGCA TATGCAGCAG CTATATGTGG ATTTTTTTAG CC -#CTGCCTTC 1920 - - ATACGCTATT TATTTGCTTG GTACTGTTTC TTTTGTCGAT GCTCACCCTG TT -#GTTTGGTG 1980 - - TTACTTCTGC AG ATG CAG ATC TTT GTG AAA ACC CTG - # ACT GGC AAG ACT2028 Met Gln Il - #e Phe Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr 1 - # 5 - # 10 - - ATC ACC CTC GAG GTG GAG TCG TCT GAC ACC AT - #T GAC AAC GTT AAG GCC 2076 Ile Thr Leu Glu Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Il - #e Asp Asn Val Lys Ala 15 - # 20 - # 25 - - AAG ATC CAG GAC AAG GAG GGC ATC CCC CCA GA - #C CAG CAG CGG CTC ATC 2124 Lys Ile Gln Asp Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro As - #p Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile 30 - # 35 - # 40 - - TTT GCT GGC AAA CAG CTT GAG GAC GGG CGC AC - #G CTT GCT GAC TAC AAC 2172 Phe Ala Gly Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Th - #r Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn 45 - # 50 - # 55 - # 60 - - ATC CAG AAG GAG AGC ACC CTC CAC CTT GTG CT - #C CGT CTC AGG GGA GGC 2220 Ile Gln Lys Glu Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Le - #u Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly 65 - # 70 - # 75 - - ATG CAG ATC TTT GTG AAA ACC CTG ACC GGC AA - #G ACT ATC ACC CTC GAG 2268 Met Gln Ile Phe Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Ly - #s Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu 80 - # 85 - # 90 - - GTG GAG TCC TCT GAC ACC ATT GAC AAC GTC AA - #G GCC AAG ATC CAG GAC 2316 Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Ly - #s Ala Lys Ile Gln Asp 95 - # 100 - # 105 - - AAG GAG GGC ATC CCT CCA GAC CAG CAG CGG CT - #C ATC TTT GCT GGG AAG 2364 Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Le - #u Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys110 - # 115 - # 120 - - CAG CTT GAG GAC GGG CGC ACG CTT GCC GAC TA - #C AAC ATC CAG AAG GAG 2412 Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Ty - #r Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu 125 1 - #30 1 - #35 1 -#40 - - AGC ACC CTC CAC TTG GTG CTG CGC CTC AGG GG - #A GGC ATG CAG ATCTTC 2460 Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gl - #y Gly Met Gln Ile Phe 145 - # 150 - # 155 - - GTG AAG ACC CTG ACC GGC AAG ACT ATC ACC CT - #C GAG GTG GAG TCT TCA 2508 Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Le - #u Glu Val Glu Ser Ser 160 - # 165 - # 170 - - GAC ACC ATC GAC AAC GTC AAG GCC AAG ATC CA - #G GAC AAG GAG GGC ATT 2556 Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gl - #n Asp Lys Glu Gly Ile 175 - # 180 - # 185 - - CCC CCA GAC CAG CAG CGG CTC ATC TTT GCT GG - #A AAG CAG CTT GAG GAC 2604 Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gl - #y Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp190 - # 195 - # 200 - - GGG CGC ACG CTT GCC GAC TAC AAC ATC CAG AA - #G GAG AGC ACC CTC CAC 2652 Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Ly - #s Glu Ser Thr Leu His 205 2 - #10 2 - #15 2 -#20 - - TTG GTG CTG CGC CTC AGG GGA GGC ATG CAG AT - #C TTC GTG AAG ACCCTG 2700 Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly Met Gln Il - #e Phe Val Lys Thr Leu 225 - # 230 - # 235 - - ACC GGC AAG ACT ATC ACC CTC GAG GTG GAG TC - #T TCA GAC ACC ATC GAC 2748 Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu Val Glu Se - #r Ser Asp Thr Ile Asp 240 - # 245 - # 250 - - AAT GTC AAG GCC AAG ATC CAG GAC AAG GAG GG - #C ATC CCA CCG GAC CAG 2796 Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gln Asp Lys Glu Gl - #y Ile Pro Pro Asp Gln 255 - # 260 - # 265 - - CAG CGT TTG ATC TTC GCT GGC AAG CAG CTG GA - #G GAT GGC CGC ACC CTT 2844 Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys Gln Leu Gl - #u Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu270 - # 275 - # 280 - - GCG GAT TAC AAC ATC CAG AAG GAG AGC ACC CT - #C CAC CTG GTG CTC CGT 2892 Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu Ser Thr Le - #u His Leu Val Leu Arg 285 2 - #90 2 - #95 3 -#00 - - CTC AGG GGT GGT ATG CAG ATC TTT GTG AAG AC - #A CTC ACT GGC AAGACA 2940 Leu Arg Gly Gly Met Gln Ile Phe Val Lys Th - #r Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr 305 - # 310 - # 315 - - ATC ACC CTT GAG GTG GAG TCT TCG GAT ACC AT - #T GAC AAT GTC AAG GCC 2988 Ile Thr Leu Glu Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Il - #e Asp Asn Val Lys Ala 320 - # 325 - # 330 - - AAG ATC CAG GAC AAG GAG GGC ATC CCA CCC GA - #C CAG CAG CGC CTC ATC 3036 Lys Ile Gln Asp Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro As - #p Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile 335 - # 340 - # 345 - - TTC GCC GGC AAG CAG CTG GAG GAT GGC CGC AC - #C CTG GCG GAT TAC AAC 3084 Phe Ala Gly Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Th - #r Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn350 - # 355 - # 360 - - ATC CAG AAG GAG AGC ACT CTC CAC CTG GTG CT - #C CGC CTC AGG GGT GGC 3132 Ile Gln Lys Glu Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Le - #u Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly 365 3 - #70 3 - #75 3 -#80 - - ATG CAG ATT TTT GTG AAG ACA TTG ACT GGC AA - #G ACC ATC ACC TTGGAG 3180 Met Gln Ile Phe Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Ly - #s Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu 385 - # 390 - # 395 - - GTG GAG AGC TCT GAC ACC ATT GAC AAT GTG AA - #G GCC AAG ATC CAG GAC 3228 Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Ly - #s Ala Lys Ile Gln Asp 400 - # 405 - # 410 - - AAG GAG GGC ATT CCC CCA GAC CAG CAG CGT CT - #G ATC TTT GCG GGC AAG 3276 Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Le - #u Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys 415 - # 420 - # 425 - - CAG CTG GAG GAT GGC CGC ACT CTC GCG GAC TA - #C AAC ATC CAG AAG GAG 3324 Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Ty - #r Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu430 - # 435 - # 440 - - AGC ACC CTT CAC CTT GTT CTC CGC CTC AGA GG - #T GGT ATG CAG ATC TTT 3372 Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gl - #y Gly Met Gln Ile Phe 445 4 - #50 4 - #55 4 -#60 - - GTA AAG ACC CTG ACT GGA AAA ACC ATA ACC CT - #G GAG GTT GAG AGCTCG 3420 Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Le - #u Glu Val Glu Ser Ser 465 - # 470 - # 475 - - GAC ACC ATC GAC AAT GTG AAG GCG AAG ATC CA - #G GAC AAG GAG GGC ATC 3468 Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gl - #n Asp Lys Glu Gly Ile 480 - # 485 - # 490 - - CCC CCG GAC CAG CAG CGT CTG ATC TTC GCC GG - #C AAA CAG CTG GAG GAT 3516 Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gl - #y Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp 495 - # 500 - # 505 - - GGC CGC ACC CTA GCA GAC TAC AAC ATC CAA AA - #G GAG AGC ACC CTC CAC 3564 Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Ly - #s Glu Ser Thr Leu His510 - # 515 - # 520 - - CTT GTG CTC CGT CTC CGT GGT GGT CAG TAAGTCATG - #G GTCGTTTAAG 3611 Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly Gln 525 5 - #30 - - CTGCCGATGT GCCTGCGTCG TCTGGTGCCC TCTCTCCATA TGGAGGTTGT CA -#AAGTATCT 3671 - - GCTGTTCGTG TCATGAGTCG TGTCAGTGTT GGTTTAATAA TGGACCGGTT GT -#GTTGTGTG 3731 - - TGCGTACTAC CCAGAACTAT GACAAATCAT GAATAAGTTT GATGTTTGAA AT -#TAAAGCCT 3791 - - GTGCTCATTA TGTTCTGTCT TTCAGTTGTC TCCTAATATT TGCCTGCAG - # 3840 - - - - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: - - (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 533 amino - #acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear - - (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein - - (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: - - Met Gln Ile Phe Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Ly - #s Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu 1 5 - # 10 - # 15 - - Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Ly - #s Ala Lys Ile Gln Asp 20 - # 25 - # 30 - - Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Le - #u Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys 35 - # 40 - # 45 - - Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Ty - #r Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu 50 - # 55 - # 60 - - Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gl - #y Gly Met Gln Ile Phe 65 - # 70 - # 75 - # 80 - - Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Le - #u Glu Val Glu Ser Ser 85 - # 90 - # 95 - - Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gl - #n Asp Lys Glu Gly Ile 100 - # 105 - # 110 - - Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gl - #y Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp 115 - # 120 - # 125 - - Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Ly - #s Glu Ser Thr Leu His130 - # 135 - # 140 - - Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly Met Gln Il - #e Phe Val Lys Thr Leu 145 1 - #50 1 - #55 1 -#60 - - Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu Val Glu Se - #r Ser Asp Thr IleAsp 165 - # 170 - # 175 - - Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gln Asp Lys Glu Gl - #y Ile Pro Pro Asp Gln 180 - # 185 - # 190 - - Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys Gln Leu Gl - #u Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu 195 - # 200 - # 205 - - Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu Ser Thr Le - #u His Leu Val Leu Arg210 - # 215 - # 220 - - Leu Arg Gly Gly Met Gln Ile Phe Val Lys Th - #r Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr 225 2 - #30 2 - #35 2 -#40 - - Ile Thr Leu Glu Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Il - #e Asp Asn Val LysAla 245 - # 250 - # 255 - - Lys Ile Gln Asp Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro As - #p Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile 260 - # 265 - # 270 - - Phe Ala Gly Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Th - #r Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn 275 - # 280 - # 285 - - Ile Gln Lys Glu Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Le - #u Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly290 - # 295 - # 300 - - Met Gln Ile Phe Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Ly - #s Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu 305 3 - #10 3 - #15 3 -#20 - - Val Glu Ser Ser Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Ly - #s Ala Lys Ile GlnAsp 325 - # 330 - # 335 - - Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Le - #u Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys 340 - # 345 - # 350 - - Gln Leu Glu Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Ty - #r Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu 355 - # 360 - # 365 - - Ser Thr Leu His Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gl - #y Gly Met Gln Ile Phe370 - # 375 - # 380 - - Val Lys Thr Leu Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Le - #u Glu Val Glu Ser Ser 385 3 - #90 3 - #95 4 -#00 - - Asp Thr Ile Asp Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gl - #n Asp Lys Glu GlyIle 405 - # 410 - # 415 - - Pro Pro Asp Gln Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gl - #y Lys Gln Leu Glu Asp 420 - # 425 - # 430 - - Gly Arg Thr Leu Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Ly - #s Glu Ser Thr Leu His 435 - # 440 - # 445 - - Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Arg Gly Gly Met Gln Il - #e Phe Val Lys Thr Leu450 - # 455 - # 460 - - Thr Gly Lys Thr Ile Thr Leu Glu Val Glu Se - #r Ser Asp Thr Ile Asp 465 4 - #70 4 - #75 4 -#80 - - Asn Val Lys Ala Lys Ile Gln Asp Lys Glu Gl - #y Ile Pro Pro AspGln 485 - # 490 - # 495 - - Gln Arg Leu Ile Phe Ala Gly Lys Gln Leu Gl - #u Asp Gly Arg Thr Leu 500 - # 505 - # 510 - - Ala Asp Tyr Asn Ile Gln Lys Glu Ser Thr Le - #u His Leu Val Leu Arg 515 - # 520 - # 525 - - Leu Arg Gly Gly Gln530__________________________________________________________________________
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A DNA segment from the upstream untranscribed region of a maize ubiquitin gene is disclosed. This ubiquitin promoter region, which comprises heat shock consensus elements, initiates and regulates the transcription of genes placed under its control. Recombinant DNA molecules are also described in which a ubiquitin promoter is combined with a plant expressible structural gene for regulated expression of the structral gene and for regulated control of expression when stressed with clevated temperatures. Such recombinant DNA molecules are introduced into plant tissue so that the promoter/stuctural gene combination is expressed.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and more particularly, to a thin-film transistor (TFT), an LCD panel and method for manufacturing the same where a transparent conducting layer is directly connected to a data line and a switch unit.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] An advanced monitor with multiple functions is an important feature for use in current consumer electronic products. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) which are colorful monitors with high resolution are widely used in various electronic products such as monitors for mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, laptop computers, and notebook computers.
[0005] An LCD panel of a conventional LCD comprises a plurality of pixels. Each pixel comprises three pixel units representing the three primary colors of light—Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B). Referring to FIG. 1 showing a schematic diagram of a pixel unit 10 of a conventional LCD panel, when a gate driver (not shown) outputs a scan signal through scan line 11 to activate each thin film transistor (TFT) of the pixel units 10 in each row in sequence, a source driver outputs corresponding data signals through data lines 12 to the pixel units in a straight row. The pixel units 10 are charged to obtain required voltage and display different gray levels. The gate driver outputs a scan signal row by row to turn on each TFT 13 of the pixel units in each row. Then, the source driver charges/discharges the turned-on pixel units in each row. Based on this sequence, all of the pixel units 10 on the LCD panel are charged. After all of the pixel units are completely charged, the pixel units 10 in the first row start to be charged again.
[0006] Refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 1 simultaneously. FIG. 2 is a cross section view along a line from point A to point B to point C in FIG. 1 . As FIG. 2 shows, between point A and point B, a gate 131 of a TFT 13 is formed by a first metal layer, and source 132 , and a drain 133 of a TFT 13 are formed by a second metal layer. A bottom electrode plate 141 of a storage capacitor Cst is also formed by a first metal layer between point B and point C. A transparent conducting layer 15 between the TFT 13 and the storage capacitor Cst serves as a pixel electrode.
[0007] Please refer to FIGS. 3 to 7 , which illustrate diagrams of the manufacturing process for completing the structure shown in FIG. 2 . Each of the figures represents a mask process. In other words, it requires five mask processes to complete the structure illustrated in FIG. 2 .
[0008] Refer to FIG. 3 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, the first metal layer (not shown) is deposited on a glass substrate 101 . Meanwhile, a developing process is conducted through a first mask. The developing process contains the following steps: coating a photoresist (not shown) on the first metal layer, exposing the photoresist through the first mask having a specific pattern, and then washing out the exposed photoresist with a developer. Afterwards, the first metal layer undergoes an etching process. The etching process includes the steps of: removing the first metal layer which is not covered by the photoresist by using strong acid, forming a bottom electrode plate 141 used as the gate 131 and the storage capacitor Cst of the TFT 13 as shown in FIG. 3 by reserving the first metal layer covered by the photoresist (roughly showing the specific pattern), and washing out the remaining photoresist.
[0009] Refer to FIG. 4 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, an isolation layer 16 is deposited. Secondly, an active layer 17 is deposited thirdly, an n+ layer 18 are deposited. Finally, a developing process is conducted through a second mask. Meanwhile, the active layer 17 and the ohmic contact layer 18 undergo an etching process.
[0010] Refer to FIG. 5 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, the second metal layer (not shown) is deposited. Next, a developing process is conducted through a third mask. Meanwhile, the second metal layer and the ohmic contact layer 18 undergo an etching process to form the drain 132 and the source 133 of the TFT 13 and a data line 12 .
[0011] Refer to FIG. 6 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a passivation layer 19 is deposited. Next, a developing process is conducted through a fourth mask. Meanwhile, the passivation layer 19 undergoes an etching process in order to form a via 20 on top of the source 133 .
[0012] At last, refer to FIG. 7 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, the transparent conducting layer 15 is deposited. Next, a developing process is conducted through a fifth mask. Meanwhile, transparent conducting layer 15 undergoes an etching process in order to form a structure as shown in FIG. 7 . The basic structure of the LCD panel 10 up to here is complete.
[0013] However, the structure of the LCD panel 10 and its related process technology still has room to improve. For instance, an increase in an aperture rate of the pixel is necessary to increase the overall transmittance of a panel.
SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An objective of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an LCD panel and a thin film transistor thereof to raising an aperture ratio of the LCD panel to improve a transmittance of the LCD panel.
[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprises: a glass substrate is provided; a first metal layer formed on the glass substrate is etched to form a data line; a first passivation layer and a second metal layer are deposited on the glass substrate and on the first metal layer in order; the second metal layer is etched to form a control electrode of a switch unit; an isolation layer and an active layer are deposited on the first passivation layer and on the second metal layer in order; the active layer is etched simultaneously for reserving the active layer above the control electrode, and the active layer serves as a channel of the switch unit; the first passivation layer and the isolation layer above the data line are etched to form a via hole on top of the data line; a transparent conducting layer is deposited on the isolation layer, the data line, and the active layer; and the transparent conducting layer is etched to divide the transparent conducting layer into a first transparent conducting layer and a second transparent conducting layer, wherein the data line is electrically connected to the active layer through the first transparent conducting layer on the via hole, and the active layer is electrically connected to the second transparent conducting layer.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, an LCD panel comprises: a glass substrate; a first metal layer, disposed on the glass substrate, for forming a data line; a first passivation layer, disposed on the glass substrate and on the first metal layer; a second metal layer, disposed on the first passivation layer, for forming a control electrode of a switch unit; an isolation layer, disposed on the first passivation layer and the second metal layer; an active layer, disposed on the isolation layer, for functioning as a channel of the switch unit; a via hole, formed on top of the data line; and a transparent conducting layer, disposed on the isolation layer and on the via hole, comprising a first transparent conducting layer and a second transparent conducting layer, the first transparent conducting layer electrically connected to the data line, the second transparent conducting layer functioning as a pixel electrode. Upon receiving a scan voltage by the control electrode, a data voltage from the data line is transmitted to the second transparent conducting layer through the first transparent conducting layer and the active layer.
[0017] In still another aspect of the present invention, a transistor formed on a glass substrate comprises: a first passivation layer disposed on the glass substrate; a metal layer disposed on the first passivation layer and the substrate, for forming a gate of the transistor; an isolation layer, disposed on the metal layer; an active layer, disposed on the isolation layer, for functioning as a channel of the transistor; and a transparent conducting layer with an opening thereon to divide a first transparent conducting layer and a second transparent conducting layer. The first transparent conducting layer functions as a first electrode for inputting or outputting an electrical signal while the second transparent conducting layer functions as a second electrode for inputting or outputting the electrical signal.
[0018] In still another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprises: a glass substrate is provided; a first metal layer formed on the glass substrate is etched to form a control electrode of a switch unit; a first passivation layer and a second metal layer are deposited on the glass substrate and on the first metal layer in order; the second metal layer is etched to form a data line; an isolation layer and an active layer are deposited on the first passivation layer and on the second metal layer in order; the active layer is etched simultaneously for reserving the active layer above the control electrode, and the active layer serves as a channel of the switch unit; the first passivation layer and the isolation layer above the data line are etched to form a via hole on top of the data line; a transparent conducting layer is deposited on the isolation layer, the data line, and the active layer; and the transparent conducting layer is etched to divide the transparent conducting layer into a first transparent conducting layer and a second transparent conducting layer, wherein the data line is electrically connected to the active layer through the first transparent conducting layer on the via hole, and the active layer is electrically connected to the second transparent conducting layer.
[0019] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a LCD panel comprises: a glass substrate; a first metal layer, disposed on the glass substrate, for functioning as a control electrode of a switch unit; a first passivation layer, disposed on the glass substrate and on the first metal layer; a second metal layer, disposed on the first passivation layer, for forming a data line; an isolation layer, disposed on the first passivation layer and the second metal layer; an active layer, disposed on the isolation layer, for functioning as a channel of the switch unit; a via hole, formed on top of the data line; and a transparent conducting layer, disposed on the isolation layer and on the via hole, comprising a first transparent conducting layer and a second transparent conducting layer, the first transparent conducting layer electrically connected to the data line, the second transparent conducting layer functioning as a pixel electrode. Upon receiving a scan voltage by the control electrode, a data voltage from the data line is transmitted to the second transparent conducting layer through the first transparent conducting layer and the active layer.
[0020] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a transistor formed on a glass substrate comprises: a metal layer disposed on the glass substrate for forming a gate of the transistor; a first passivation layer disposed on the first passivation layer and the glass substrate; an isolation layer, disposed on the metal layer; an active layer, disposed on the isolation layer, for functioning as a channel of the transistor; and a transparent conducting layer with an opening thereon to divide a first transparent conducting layer and a second transparent conducting layer. The first transparent conducting layer functions as a first electrode for inputting or outputting an electrical signal while the second transparent conducting layer functions as a second electrode for inputting or outputting the electrical signal.
[0021] In contrast to the prior art, the LCD panel and method for manufacturing the same of the present invention can produce LCD panels with a new TFT structure using a five-mask process. In the LCD panel, a transparent conducting layer forms a first electrode and a second electrode of a TFT directly. Meanwhile, the transparent conducting layer also serves as a connecting line between a TFT and a data line and between a TFT and an LC capacitor, without forming a via hole over the TFT to link the TFT and the transparent conducting layer. In this way, an area of a pixel electrode can be further extended, and the aperture rate of an LCD panel can be also increased, raising a transmittance of light from light sources passing through the pixel electrode.
[0022] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a pixel unit of a conventional LCD panel.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross section view along a line from point A to point B to point C in FIG. 1 .
[0025] FIGS. 3 to 7 illustrate diagrams of the manufacturing process for completing the structure shown in FIG. 2 .
[0026] FIGS. 8 to 16 illustrate schematic diagram of the LCD panel manufacturing process according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a structure diagram of an LCD panel according to the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 18 to 26 are schematic diagrams of the LCD panel manufacturing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 27 is a structure diagram of an LCD panel according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
[0031] Refer to FIGS. 8 to 16 , which illustrate schematic diagram of the LCD panel manufacturing process according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, refer to FIG. 8 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a first metal layer (not shown) is deposited on a glass substrate 201 . Meanwhile, a developing process is conducted through a first mask. The developing process contains the following steps: coating a photoresist (not shown) on the first metal layer, exposing the photoresist through the first mask having a specific pattern, and then washing out the exposed photoresist with a developer. Afterwards, the first metal layer undergoes an etching process. The etching process includes the steps of: removing the first metal layer which is not covered by the photoresist with a strong producing a data line 22 on the first metal layer covered by the photoresist (roughly showing the specific pattern), and washing out the remaining photoresist.
[0032] Refer to FIG. 9 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a first passivation layer 24 is deposited on the glass substrate 201 and the first metal layer. Next, a second metal layer (not shown) is deposited on the first passivation layer 24 . Next, a developing process is conducted through a second mask. Meanwhile, the second metal layer undergoes an etching process in order to generate a control electrode 261 .
[0033] Refer to FIG. 10 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, an isolation layer 28 is deposited on the control electrode 261 and the first passivation layer 24 . Next, an active layer and an ohmic contact layer are deposited on the isolation layer 28 in order. Subsequently, a developing process is conducted through a third mask. Meanwhile, the active layer 30 and the ohmic contact layer 32 undergo an etching process in order to reserve the active layer 30 and the ohmic contact layer 32 corresponding to the top of the control electrode 261 .
[0034] Refer to FIG. 11 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, a developing process is conducted through a fourth mask. Meanwhile, the isolation layer 28 and the first passivation layer 24 undergo an etching process until the data line 22 is exposed and a via hole 34 is formed.
[0035] Refer to FIG. 12 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a transparent conducting layer 36 is deposited. Next, a layer of photoresist 38 is coated on top of the transparent conducting layer 36 .
[0036] Refer to FIG. 13 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, the photoresist 38 is exposed through a fifth mask 40 . After the photoresist 38 is radiated by the ultraviolet light, part of photoresist 38 which is not covered by the fifth mask 40 changes its solubility to a developer. So the exposed photoresist 38 can be easily washed out with the developer.
[0037] Refer to FIG. 14 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, part of the transparent conducting layer 36 and the ohmic contact layer 32 , where the photoresist 38 does not cover, is removed by performing an etching process to form an opening 42 . The opening 42 is formed on top of the control electrode 261 . The ohmic contact layer 32 at both sides of the opening 42 forms a first ohmic contact layer 321 and a second ohmic contact layer 322 , respectively.
[0038] Refer to FIG. 15 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, a second passivation layer 44 is deposited on the remaining photoresist 38 and inside the opening 42 before the rest of photoresist 38 is removed.
[0039] Refer to FIG. 16 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, both of the photoresist 38 and the second passivation layer 44 deposited on the photoresist 38 are lifted off. The second passivation layer 44 inside the opening 42 is prevented from being lifted off because it does not adhere to the photoresist 38 . Thus, the second passivation layer 44 adheres to the inner surface of the opening 42 and to the top of the active layer 30 corresponding to the opening 42 .
[0040] Refer to FIG. 17 , which is a structure diagram of an LCD panel 50 according to the present invention. The LCD panel 50 comprises a glass substrate 201 and a glass substrate 202 . An LC layer 250 is injected onto the glass substrate 201 on which the data line 22 and the switch unit 52 are arranged, and then the glass substrate 202 having a black matrix 242 and a color filter 244 covers the LC layer 250 . Another transparent electrode layer 240 covers the black matrix 242 and the color filter 244 . A common voltage is applied to the transparent electrode layer 240 functioning as a common voltage electrode layer. The transparent conducting layer 36 is divided into a first transparent conducting layer 36 a and a second transparent conducting layer 36 b by the opening 42 . The switch unit 52 can equivalently act as the TFT which controls data signals transmitted from the data line 22 . In other words, the control electrode 261 of the switch unit 52 can act as a gate of the TFT. Practically, the first transparent conducting layer 36 a and the second transparent conducting layer 36 b serve as a first electrode and a second electrode of the switch unit 52 , respectively. The first transparent conducting layer 36 a and the second transparent conducting layer 36 b can also serve as a source (a drain) of the TFT and a drain (a source) of the TFT, respectively. The active layer 30 serves as a channel between the drain of the switch unit 52 and the source of the switch unit 52 . The first transparent conducting layer 36 a, functioning as a first electrode, is capable of outputting or inputting electrical signals. Correspondingly, the second transparent conducting layer 36 b, functioning as a second electrode, is capable of inputting or outputting electrical signals. An object of the second passivation layer 44 adhering to the opening 42 is to separate the ohmic contact layer 32 from the active layer 30 functioning as a channel, so that the active layer 30 and the ohmic contact layer 32 are prevented from approaching the LC layer 250 directly and further from affecting the alignment of LC molecules. According to this embodiment, the second transparent conducting layer 36 b serves as not only a second electrode of the TFT 52 but also, practically, a pixel electrode. Practically, an LC capacitor 56 is formed by an overlap of the pixel electrode and the transparent conducting layer 240 . Upon receiving a scanning voltage with the control electrode 52 , a data voltage transmitted from the data line 22 is transmitted to the second transparent conducting layer 36 b (i.e., the pixel electrode) through the first transparent conducting layer 36 a and the switch unit 52 . The alignment of the LC molecules of the LC layer 250 are adjusted according to a voltage difference between the data voltage applied on the second transparent conducting layer 36 b and the common voltage applied on the transparent electrode layer 240 , which decides the transmittance of light beams.
[0041] Refer to FIG. 16 . The TFT 52 is formed on the glass substrate 201 according to the present embodiment. The TFT 52 comprises the first passivation layer 24 disposed on the glass substrate 201 , the gate 261 disposed on the first passivation layer 24 , the isolation layer 28 disposed on the gate 261 , the active layer 30 disposed on the isolation layer 28 and functioning as a channel of the TFT 52 , and the ohmic contact layer 32 disposed on the active layer 30 and having the opening 42 . The ohmic contact layer 32 at both sides of the opening 42 forms the first ohmic contact layer 321 and the second ohmic contact layer 322 , respectively. The transparent conducting layer 36 at both sides of the opening 42 forms the first transparent conducting layer 36 a and the second transparent conducting layer 36 b , respectively. The first transparent conducting layer 36 a is connected to the first ohmic contact layer 321 and serves as the first electrode for outputting or inputting electrical signals. The second transparent conducting layer 36 b is connected to the second ohmic contact layer 322 and serves as the second electrode for outputting or inputting electrical signals.
[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the first ohmic contact layer 321 and the second ohmic contact layer 322 of the ohmic contact layer 32 is used for decreasing the resistance of the TFT 52 . According to another embodiment, the ohmic contact layer 32 is unnecessary during the manufacturing process, so the first ohmic contact layer 321 and the second ohmic contact layer 322 are not necessary for the LCD panel 50 and the TFT 52 .
[0043] Refer to FIGS. 18 to 26 , which are schematic diagrams of the LCD panel manufacturing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, refer to FIG. 18 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a first metal layer (not shown) is deposited on a glass substrate 601 . Meanwhile, a developing process is conducted through a first mask. Afterwards, the first metal layer is etched to generate a control electrode 661 of a switch unit.
[0044] Refer to FIG. 19 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a first passivation layer 64 is deposited on the glass substrate 601 and the first metal layer. Next, a second metal layer (not shown) is deposited on the first passivation layer 64 . Next, a developing process is conducted through a second mask. Meanwhile, the second metal layer undergoes an etching process in order to generate a data line 62 .
[0045] Refer to FIG. 20 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, an isolation layer 68 is deposited on the control electrode 661 and the first passivation layer 64 . Next, an active layer and an ohmic contact layer are deposited on the isolation layer 68 in order. Subsequently, a developing process is conducted through a third mask. Meanwhile, the active layer and the ohmic contact layer undergo an etching process in order to reserve the active layer 70 and the ohmic contact layer 72 corresponding to the top of the control electrode 661 .
[0046] Refer to FIG. 21 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, a developing process is conducted through a fourth mask. Meanwhile, the isolation layer 68 undergo an etching process until the data line 62 is exposed and a via hole 74 is formed.
[0047] Refer to FIG. 22 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, firstly, a transparent conducting layer 76 is deposited. Next, a layer of photoresist 78 is coated on top of the transparent conducting layer 76 .
[0048] Refer to FIG. 23 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, the photoresist 78 is exposed through a fifth mask 90 . After the photoresist 78 is radiated by the ultraviolet light, part of photoresist 78 which is not covered by the fifth mask 90 changes its solubility to a developer. So the exposed photoresist 78 can be easily washed out with the developer.
[0049] Refer to FIG. 24 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, part of the transparent conducting layer 76 and the ohmic contact layer 72 , which is not shielded by the non-exposed photoresist 78 , is removed by performing an etching process to form an opening 82 . The opening 82 is formed on top of the control electrode 661 . The ohmic contact layer 72 at both sides of the opening 82 forms a first ohmic contact layer 721 and a second ohmic contact layer 722 , respectively.
[0050] Refer to FIG. 25 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, a second passivation layer 84 is deposited on the remaining photoresist 78 and inside the opening 82 before the remaining photoresist 78 is removed.
[0051] Refer to FIG. 26 . During this stage of the manufacturing process, both of the photoresist 78 and the second passivation layer 84 deposited on the photoresist 78 are lifted off. The second passivation layer 84 inside the opening 82 is prevented from being lifted off because it does not adhere to the photoresist 78 . Thus, the second passivation layer 84 adheres to the inner surface of the opening 82 and to the top of the active layer 70 corresponding to the opening 82 , for isolating the active layer 70 from liquid crystal molecules.
[0052] Refer to FIG. 27 , which is a structure diagram of an LCD panel 90 according to the present invention. The LCD panel 90 comprises a glass substrate 601 and a glass substrate 602 . An LC layer 650 is injected on the glass substrate 601 on which the data line 62 and the switch unit 92 are arranged, and then the glass substrate 602 having a black matrix 642 and a color filter 644 covers the LC layer 650 . Another transparent electrode layer 640 covers the black matrix 642 and the color filter 644 . A common voltage is applied to the transparent electrode layer 640 functioning as a common voltage electrode layer. The transparent conducting layer 76 is divided into a first transparent conducting layer 76 a and a second transparent conducting layer 76 b by the opening 82 . The switch unit 92 can equivalently act as the TFT which controls data signals transmitted from the data line 62 . In other words, the control electrode 661 of the switch unit 92 can act as a gate of the TFT. Practically, the first transparent conducting layer 76 a and the second transparent conducting layer 76 b serve as a first electrode and a second electrode of the switch unit 92 , respectively. The first transparent conducting layer 76 a and the second transparent conducting layer 76 b can also serve as a source (a drain) of the TFT and a drain (a source) of the TFT, respectively. The active layer 70 serves as a channel between the drain of the switch unit 92 and the source of the switch unit 92 . The first transparent conducting layer 76 a, functioning as a first electrode, is capable of outputting or inputting electrical signals. Correspondingly, the second transparent conducting layer 76 b, functioning as a second electrode, is capable of outputting or inputting electrical signals. An object of the second passivation layer 84 adhering to the opening 82 is to separate the ohmic contact layer 72 from the active layer 70 functioning as the channel, so that the active layer 70 and the ohmic contact layer 72 are prevented from approaching the LC layer 650 directly and further from affecting the alignment of LC molecules. According to this embodiment, the second transparent conducting layer 76 b serves as not only a second electrode of the TFT 92 but also, practically, a pixel electrode. Practically, an LC capacitor 96 is formed by an overlap of the pixel electrode and the transparent conducting layer 640 . Upon receiving a scanning voltage with the control electrode 661 , a data voltage transmitted from the data line 62 is transmitted to the second transparent conducting layer 76 b (i.e., the pixel electrode) through the first transparent conducting layer 76 a and the switch unit 92 . The alignment of the LC molecules of the LC layer 650 are adjusted according to a voltage difference between the data voltage applied on the second transparent conducting layer 76 b and the common voltage applied on the transparent electrode layer 640 , which decides the transmittance of light beams.
[0053] Refer to FIG. 26 . The TFT 92 is formed on the glass substrate 601 according to the present embodiment. The TFT 92 comprises the first passivation layer 64 disposed on the glass substrate 601 , the gate 661 disposed on the first passivation layer 64 , the isolation layer 68 disposed on the gate 661 , the active layer 70 disposed on the isolation layer 68 and functioning as a channel of the TFT 92 , and the ohmic contact layer 72 disposed on the active layer 70 and having the opening 82 . The ohmic contact layer 72 at both sides of the opening 82 forms the first ohmic contact layer 721 and the second ohmic contact layer 722 , respectively. The transparent conducting layer 76 at both sides of the opening 82 forms the first transparent conducting layer 76 a and the second transparent conducting layer 76 b , respectively. The first transparent conducting layer 76 a is connected to the first ohmic contact layer 721 and serves as the first electrode for outputting or inputting electrical signals. The second transparent conducting layer 76 b is connected to the second ohmic contact layer 722 and serves as the second electrode for outputting or inputting electrical signals.
[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the first ohmic contact layer 721 and the second ohmic contact layer 722 of the ohmic contact layer 72 is used for decreasing the resistance of the TFT 92 . According to another embodiment, the ohmic contact layer 72 is unnecessary during the manufacturing process, so the first ohmic contact layer 721 and the second ohmic contact layer 722 are not necessary for the LCD panel 90 and the TFT 92 .
[0055] Although the present invention has been explained by the embodiments shown in the drawings described above, it should be understood to the ordinary skilled person in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments, but rather various changes or modifications thereof are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shall be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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The present invention discloses a thin-film transistor (TFT), a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and method for manufacturing the same. In the LCD panel, a transparent conducting layer forms a first electrode of a TFT and a second electrode of a TFT directly, and the transparent conducting layer also serves as a connecting line between a TFT and a data line and between a TFT and an LC capacitor. So it is not necessary to form a via hole over the TFT to link the TFT and the transparent conducting layer. In this way, an area of a pixel electrode can be further extended, and the aperture rate of an LCD panel can be also increased, raising a transmittance of light from light sources passing through the pixel electrode In this way, not only a design in pixels becomes more flexible but also the aperture rate of an LCD panel becomes higher.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mass flow meters and in particular to a mass air flow meter used to measure the mass air flow through an internal combustion engine's intake manifold.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a microcomputer is used to control the air/fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine or used to control other parameters affected by the rate of air/fuel mixture burned, it is necessary to measure the mass air flow through the engine's intake manifold. The measurement can be made indirectly by measuring ambient air pressure, intake manifold air pressure, intake manifold air temperature, and throttle angle, but a direct measurement can be made more precisely and is therefore more desirable. Many current engine control systems make the direct measurement of mass air flow by measuring the electrical resistance of a heated wire placed in the intake manifold. The wire must have a high thermal coefficient of resistance where a change in the resistance of the wire is directly proportional to a change in its temperature. Heat is removed from the wire in direct proportion to the mass of the air flowing past the wire. In one method, heat, in the form of electrical power, is supplied to the wire to maintain the wire at a constant temperature/resistance. Typically, an analog-to-digital converter is used to measure the resistance of the wire, and a digital output is used to calculate the mass air flow.
Examples of these prior art mass air flow meters are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
A General Motors Corporation publication entitled, "Mass Airflow Sensor: Ambient Temperature Compensation Design Considerations", by G. Gurtcheff et al., teaches an air flow measurement circuit as shown in FIG. 1. In the circuit of FIG. 1, resistor R s is the sensing element, resistor R t is a resistor element which compensates for changes in ambient temperature, and resistors R a , R b and R c are resistors with very low temperature coefficients of resistance. Resistors R s , R t , R a , R b and R c are arranged to form a bridge circuit, and a feedback means, comprising operational amplifier 10 and transistor 20, is designed to keep the resistance of resistor R s at a fixed resistance/temperature to balance the bridge. The feedback means is purely analog and produces a voltage V b at the emitter of transistor 20, which is applied to the bridge at point A and balances the bridge. Voltage V b is also coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator (not shown) to produce a frequency proportional to voltage V b . This frequency is then used as a measurement of mass air flow.
A Japanese publication entitled, Electronic Controlled Gasoline Injector, by H. Fujisawa et al, publisher: Kouichirou Ojima, Tokyo, 1987, teaches an air flow measuring circuit, shown in FIG. 2, which is similar to the General Motors sensor described above, wherein the output of operational amplifier 30 is an analog voltage which is applied to the bridge circuit to keep the temperature and resistance of sense element 40 constant. The voltage measured at point A on the bridge circuit, which is proportional to the analog output of operational amplifier 30, is then used to measure the air flow over sense element 40.
A paper entitled "Bosch Mass Air Flow Meter: Status and Further Aspects", by Sumal and Sauer, contained in the compendium of papers entitled, "Sensors and Actuators SP-567" (SAE, 1984), teaches a circuit, shown in FIG. 3, similar to the above-mentioned circuits, for measuring mass air flow. In FIG. 3, sense element R H and element R K are incorporated in a bridge circuit, where element R K is a temperature compensation sensor. As in the above-mentioned prior art, operational amplifier 50, having inputs coupled to bridge terminals A and B, provides an output voltage, coupled to bridge terminals C and D, which keep the resistance and temperature of sense element R H constant. The voltage U M measured across fixed resistor R 3 is thus proportional to the output voltage of operational amplifier 50. Only analog voltage is generated in the circuit as in the above-mentioned prior art.
Engine design engineers are now asking for analog to digital (A/D) converters with ten or twelve bits of precision. A/D converters of this precision are expensive, especially if they must be designed to operate in the harsh environment of an automobile engine compartment. As seen, prior art air flow measurement circuits do not provide for the inexpensive generation of digital signals corresponding to the mass air flow over a sense element. In addition to requiring a separate A/D converter, these prior art mass air flow circuits must perform a squaring of the voltage applied to the bridge circuit, since it is the power dissipated by the sense element which is substantially proportional to mass air flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mass air flow meter is disclosed herein which measures mass air flow to a high precision and provides a digital output without using a separate analog to digital (A/D) converter. The invention is based upon the principle of making the entire mass air flow system, including a sensor and a microcomputer, a very high precision tracking A/D converter. This mass air flow measurement circuit includes a bridge circuit, wherein voltage is supplied to the bridge to control the current through a sense element in order to keep the temperature and resistance of the sense element constant and balance the bridge. A window comparator is used to sense the balance of the bridge, and the output of the comparator is applied to a designated input port of the microcomputer. The microcomputer generates a rectangular wave pulsewidth modulated (PWM) signal at an output which has a duty cycle proportional to the voltage needed to be applied to the bridge for balancing the bridge. The duty cycle is also proportional to the power suppled to the bridge, since the PWM signal results in a predetermined power supplied to the bridge when the PWM signal is high and zero power supplied to the bridge when the PWM signal is low. The PWM signal is then amplified and applied to the bridge circuit, balancing the bridge circuit. Additional output ports of the microcomputer directly provide a digital readout corresponding to the duty cycle of the PWM signal. Thus, reading the mass air flow over the sense element is simply a matter of reading the duty cycle register of the microcomputer and multiplying the result by a proportionality constant. As seen, our circuit provides a highly accurate reading of mass air flow over a sense element which is directly generated in digital format without the need of a relatively expensive A/D converter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a prior art mass air flow meter using analog voltages exclusively.
FIG. 2 shows a second prior art mass air flow meter circuit using analog voltages exclusively.
FIG. 3 shows a third prior art mass air flow meter using analog voltages exclusively.
FIG. 4a is a schematic of the preferred embodiment of our inventive mass air flow meter.
FIG. 4b is a schematic of an alternate embodiment of our inventive mass air flow meter.
FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an algorithm used in one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 4a shows a schematic of a preferred embodiment of our mass air flow meter wherein resistors R1 and R2 are coupled with sense elements R s1 and R s2 to form a bridge circuit. Resistors R1 and R2 are fixed resistors having very low temperature coefficients of resistance so as to maintain their resistance under a wide range of temperatures. Sense elements R s1 and R s2 have relatively high temperature coefficients of resistance and are located within the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine so that the mass air flow through the manifold acts to remove heat from sense elements R s1 and R s2 and influence their resistance.
In FIG. 4a, a voltage is applied to an input of the bridge circuit at point A (the common node of resistor R1 and sense element R s2 ) with a reference voltage, for example, ground voltage, applied at point B (the common node of resistor R2 and sense element R s1 ). The output of the bridge circuit is measured as the voltage difference between point C (the common node of resistor R1 and sense element R s1 ) and point D (the common node of resistor R2 and sense element R s2 ). The bridge circuit is balanced (i.e., voltage at point C equals voltage at point D) when the ratio of the resistance of resistor R1 to the resistance of sense element R s1 equals the ratio of the resistance of sense element R s2 to the resistance of resistor R2. Or expressed mathematically, the bridge is balanced when ##EQU1##
Ideally, the resistors R1 and R2 are identical and sense elements R s1 and R s2 are identical so that the voltage at points C and D will change equally but in opposite directions due to a common change in the resistances of sense elements R s1 and R s2 . Thus, a high degree of common mode rejection is obtained. A fixed resistor R3 may be substituted for R s2 as in FIG. 4b, but common mode rejection would be reduced as well as the sensitivity of the mass air flow meter to changes in mass air flow.
The voltage at point A is controlled to increase or decrease the current through sense elements R s1 and R s2 , as air flows over sense elements R s1 and R s2 and removes heat from sense elements R s1 and R s2 , so as to maintain the balanced relationship of equation 1. Thus, the resistance/temperature of sense elements R s1 and R s2 is maintained at a constant value. The heat removed from sense elements R s1 and R s2 is substantially proportional to the mass air flow and, consequently, also substantially proportional to the power supplied to sense elements R s1 and R s2 to maintain sense elements R s1 and R s2 at a constant temperature.
In the embodiment of FIG. 4b, Resistors R2 and R3 together provide a relatively high resistance so that little current flows through resistors R2 and R3 and any current induced resistance changes will be negligible.
Further discussion of the relationship between mass air flow and power dissipated by a sensing element is found in the General Motors publication entitled, "Mass Airflow Sensor: Ambient Temperature Compensation Design Consideration" by G. Gurtcheff et al., discussed supra and incorporated herein by reference.
In FIG. 4a, sense elements R s1 and R s2 , in one embodiment, may be a platinum wire with a relatively high (0.003) thermal coefficient of resistance so that an increase of temperature will raise the resistances of sense elements R s1 and R s2 in accordance with the formula
R.sub.sb =R.sub.sa [1+pΔT], (2)
where
R sa is the resistance of sense elements R s1 and R s2 before the change in temperature;
R sb is the resistance of sense elements R s1 and R s2 after the change in temperature;
ΔT is the change in temperature in degrees centigrade; and
p is the temperature coefficient of resistance, which, in the example of the platinum wire, is approximately 0.003.
As seen from equation 2, the change in resistance of sense elements R s1 and R s2 is proportional to temperature.
In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4a, R s1 , R s2 , R1, and R 2 are contained in an integrated circuit (IC) sensor. In this preferred embodiment, R s1 and R s2 use the resistance/temperature characteristics of silicon to achieve a relationship between air flow and the power supplied to the bridge circuit to balance the bridge. One model of IC sensor which may be used is the AWM 2000 Series mass air flow sensor by Micro Switch, Fremont, IL. By using an IC sensor, all resistors will be at identical temperatures as well as be very accurate and track well over time and a wide range of temperatures.
In FIG. 4a, the voltages at C and D are applied to the noninverting and inverting ports, respectively, of window comparator 60. Window comparator 60 detects whether the difference between the voltages between points C and D are within a certain range. Hence, if the voltage at point C is sufficiently higher than the voltage at point D, the output of comparator 60 will be high, and, conversely, if the voltage at point C is sufficiently lower than the voltage at point D, the output of comparator 60 will be low. A low output of comparator 60 indicates that the resistances of sense elements R s1 and R s2 are too low and that the power supplied to sense elements R s1 and R s2 must be raised to increase the resistances of sense elements R s1 and R s2 and balance the bridge. Conversely, a high output of comparator 60 indicates the power supplied to sense elements R s1 and R s2 must be lowered to balance the bridge.
In an alternative embodiment, comparator 60 need not be a window comparator but may be a single operational amplifier operating at full gain, which provides a high signal at its output if the voltage at point C is greater than the voltage at point D and provides a low signal if the voltage at point C is less than the voltage at point D.
The output of comparator 60 is applied to appropriate input ports of microcomputer 70, where microcomputer 70 processes this high or low output of comparator 60 and generates a rectangular wave pulsewidth modulated (PWM) signal whose duty cycle is determined by the output of comparator 60 in conjunction with a tracking algorithm which makes repeated small changes in the duty cycle of the PWM signal until the output of comparator 60 changes. The duty cycle of the PWM signal may be expressed digitally at output ports 75 of microcomputer 70 in either parallel or serial format, hence providing direct digital measurement of the duty cycle of the PWM signal, and/or used internal to microprocessor 70 to control other parameters in the engine's operation.
The PWM signal is applied to amplifier 80 which amplifies the PWM signal to a predetermined level signal to sufficiently control the resistances of sense elements R s1 and R s2 over the entire range f mass air flow. The amplified PWM output of amplifier 80 is applied to point A of the bridge circuit and either increases or decreases the power supplied to sense elements R s1 and R s2 depending on the duty cycle of the PWM signal. The period of the PWM signal is so small relative to the time required to measurably change the resistance of sense elements R s1 and R s2 that the rectangular wave PWM output of amplifier 80 can be considered as a constant voltage of amplitude V peak ×DC, where V peak is the peak voltage of the PWM output of amplifier 80 and DC is the duty cycle of the PWM output. Hence, the power supplied to sense elements R s1 and R s2 can be considered as
DC×A, (3)
where A is a proportionality constant encompassing, inter alia, the constant V 2 peak . Therefore, since the digital readout of the duty cycle at output ports 75 is proportional to the power supplied to sense elements R s1 and R s2 required to balance the bridge, reading the mass air flow over sense elements R s1 and R s2 is simply a matter of reading the duty cycle register of microcomputer 70 and multiplying the result by a proportionality constant.
Ideally, the tracking, or update, algorithm incorporated in microcomputer 70 makes changes in the duty cycle of the PWM signal until a one bit change in the duty cycle, as measured at output ports 75, produces a change in the state of the output of comparator 60. The algorithm then maintains the voltage difference between points C and D within the desired range. Thus, the duty cycle output at output ports 75 will be adjusted at a rate determined by the update algorithm to maintain the balanced relationship of equation 1. The precision of the measurement is limited by the precision of comparator 60, the precision of the PWM duty cycle, and the stability of the resistors used in the bridge circuit.
Microcomputer 70, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is Model μPD78312, manufactured by NEC Corporation. The NEC microcomputer provides a PWM output port for connection to the input port of amplifier 80 of FIGS. 4a and 4b.
FIG. 5 shows a basic flowchart of an update algorithm used to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal. As seen, the algorithm uses a control loop and raises or lowers the duty cycle of the PWM signal in response to the output of comparator 60.
Embodiments other than those shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 5 will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art while still incorporating the inventive concepts of my invention. Thus, my invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
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A mass air flow measurement circuit is disclosed which provides a digital output without using a separate analog to digital (A/D) converter. This air flow measurement circuit includes a bridge circuit, wherein voltage is supplied to the bridge to control current through one or more sense elements in order to keep the temperature and resistances of the sense elements constant and balance the bridge. An electrical comparator is used to sense the balance of the bridge, and the output of the comparator is applied to an input port of a microcomputer. The microcomputer generates a rectangular wave pulse width modulated (PWM) signal whose duty cycle is increased or decreased in response to the output of the comparator. The PWM signal is then amplified and applied to the bridge to balance the bridge. Mass air flow is then calculated by multiplying the duty cycle of the PWM signal by a proportionally constant.
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to wireless networks and, more specifically, to methods and apparatuses for interworking CDMA2000 wireless networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Businesses and consumers use a wide variety of fixed and mobile wireless terminals, including cell phones, pagers, Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems, and fixed wireless access devices (i.e., vending machine with cellular capability). Wireless service providers continually try to create new markets for wireless devices and expand existing markets by making wireless devices and services cheaper and more reliable. The price of wireless devices has decreased to the point where these devices are affordable to nearly everyone.
A conventional public wide area network (WAN), such as a CDMA cellular network, covers a large geographical area (on the order of 1 to 100 plus square miles), but has a relatively low bit-rate between each mobile station and each base station. These public wireless networks use regulated portions of the radio spectrum and are shared by many users. The infrastructure costs of public wireless networks are relatively high due to the size and complexity of the base station equipment.
Newer wireless networks, such as CDMA2000-EV-DO/DV networks, offer higher bit-rates (on the order to 2.4 MBps) and enhanced data services, such as web browsing. These networks pack many users into a relatively small portion of the regulated spectrum. Other types of radio networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), try to improve spectral efficiency and to increase bit-rates by using unregulated frequencies and smaller coverage areas. For example, an IEEE 802.xx wireless LAN (i.e., a WI-FI network) may transmit at speeds up to 11 MBps in Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) mode or at speeds up to 54 MBps in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) mode.
An access point (or base station) in an IEEE 802.xx (e.g., IEEE 802.11) network may cover an area only a few hundred feet in diameter. Each access point is connected to the core network (e.g., Internet). In order to cover the same geographical area as a base station of a public wireless network, a large number of IEEE 802.xx network access points and a large wireline back haul network are required. Thus, there are always tradeoffs between and among the coverage areas, the maximum bit-rates, and the costs of different types of wireless networks.
In order to reduce the number of wireless devices a consumer must carry, equipment vendors have developed dual mode transceivers that allow a user to access both public wireless (e.g., CDMA2000) networks and wireless LANs. However, the usefulness of these devices because it is not technically feasible to perform reliably a seamless handoff between a CDMA2000 network and a wireless LAN. Thus, if a user is mobile, the user may repeatedly drop data sessions with one type of network and be forced to search for and access another type of network.
Also, there is no control mechanism that can efficiently distribute traffic loads between CDMA2000 networks and wireless LANs. A user in a CDMA2000 wireless network may have difficulty browsing websites and receiving e-mail during peak traffic conditions. At the same time, the user could easily access a lightly loaded 802.11 wireless LAN. There currently is no mechanism that can cause the user's mobile station to automatically handoff from the busy CDMA2000 wireless network to the underutilized 802.11 wireless LAN.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved wireless network architecture that overcomes the limitations of the above-described conventional wireless networks. In particular, there is a need for a system and method that provides a handoff capability between CDMA2000 networks and wireless LANs. More particularly, there is a need for a wireless network architecture that uses this handoff capability to distribute data traffic between CDMA2000 networks and wireless LANs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for performing a reliable hard handoff between a CDMA2000 wireless network and a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 (i.e., WiFi) network. The present invention also performs an effective load balancing between the CDMA2000 network and the WiFi network. These objectives are achieved by modifying the air interface messages, the wired network messages, and some network functions.
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method of communicating with mobile stations operating in an area covered by a wide-area wireless network and a wireless local area network (WLAN). According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of: i) receiving in a packet data server node of the wide-area wireless network data traffic statistics associated with each of a plurality of base stations associated with the wide-area wireless network; ii) receiving in the packet data server node of the wide-area wireless network data traffic statistics associated with each of a plurality of access points associated with the WLAN; iii) identifying a first base station handling a high level of data traffic; and iv) transmitting a handoff direction message to a first mobile station communicating with the first base station, the handoff direction message capable of causing the first mobile station to access a selected first access point of the WLAN.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handoff direction message comprises signal parameters associated with the forward and reverse channels of the WLAN.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of transmitting a request message to the first mobile station, the request message capable of causing the first mobile station to transmit to the first base station a list of access points of the WLAN from which the first mobile station receives signals.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of selecting the selected first access point of the WLAN from the list of access points of the WLAN from which the first mobile station receives signals.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wide-area wireless network is a CDMA2000 wireless network.
According to further embodiment of the present invention, the handoff direction message is a Universal Handoff Direction message.
According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, the request message transmitted to the first mobile station is a Pilot Signal Measurement message.
According to a yet further embodiment of the present invention, the WLAN is an IEEE-802.xx-compatible wireless local area network.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary CDMA2000 wireless network and an exemplary wireless local area network (WLAN) that are capable of handing off mobile stations in both directions according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a message flow diagram illustrating selected control messages in the exemplary CDMA2000 wireless network in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 3 illustrates selected portions of the CDMA2000 wireless network in greater detail according to the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 through 3 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless network.
FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary CDMA2000 wireless network 100 and exemplary wireless local area network (WLAN) 160 , which are capable of handing off mobile stations 111 - 114 in both directions according to the principles of the present invention. Mobile stations 111 - 114 may be any suitable wireless devices, including conventional cellular radiotelephones, PCS handset devices, personal digital assistants, portable computers, telemetry devices, and the like, which are capable of communicating with the base stations and access points via wireless links. According to the exemplary embodiment, mobile stations 111 - 114 operate in two or more modes that enable mobile stations 111 - 114 to access both CDMA2000 wireless network 100 and wireless local area network (LAN) 160 .
Wireless network 100 comprises a plurality of cell sites 121 - 123 , each of which contains one of the base stations, BS 101 , BS 102 , or BS 103 . Wireless local area network (WLAN) 160 comprises a plurality of cell sites 161 and 162 , each of which contains a base station or access point (AP), such as AP 171 and AP 172 . Base stations 101 - 103 are capable of communicating with mobile stations (MS) 111 - 114 over code division multiple access (CDMA) channels according to the IS-2000-C standard (i.e., Release C of CDMA2000). Access points 171 and 172 are capable of communicating with one or more of mobile stations (MS) 111 - 114 using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) techniques or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) techniques.
The present invention is not limited to mobile devices. Other types of wireless access terminals, including fixed wireless terminals, may be used. For the sake of simplicity, only mobile stations are shown and discussed hereafter. However, it should be understood that the use of the term “mobile station” in the claims and in the description below is intended to encompass both truly mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, wireless laptops) and stationary wireless terminals (e.g., monitoring devices with wireless capability).
Dotted lines show the approximate boundaries of the cell sites 121 - 123 and 161 - 162 in which base stations 101 - 103 and access points 171 - 172 are located. The cell sites are shown approximately circular for the purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that the cell sites may have other irregular shapes, depending on the cell configuration selected and natural and man-made obstructions.
As is well known in the art, cell sites 121 - 123 are comprised of a plurality of sectors (not shown), where a directional antenna coupled to the base station illuminates each sector. The embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates the base station in the center of the cell. Alternate embodiments position the directional antennas in corners of the sectors. The system of the present invention is not limited to any particular cell site configuration.
In one embodiment of the present invention, BS 101 , BS 102 , and BS 103 comprise a base station controller (BSC) and at least one base transceiver subsystem (BTS). Base station controllers and base transceiver subsystems are well known to those skilled in the art. A base station controller is a device that manages wireless communications resources, including the base transceiver subsystems, for specified cells within a wireless communications network. A base transceiver subsystem comprises the RF transceivers, antennas, and other electrical equipment located in each cell site. This equipment may include air conditioning units, heating units, electrical supplies, telephone line interfaces and RF transmitters and RF receivers. For the purpose of simplicity and clarity in explaining the operation of the present invention, the base transceiver subsystem in each of cells 121 , 122 , and 123 and the base station controller associated with each base transceiver subsystem are collectively represented by BS 101 , BS 102 and BS 103 , respectively.
BS 101 , BS 102 and BS 103 transfer voice and data signals between each other and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) (not shown) via communication line 131 and mobile switching center (MSC) 140 . BS 101 , BS 102 and BS 103 also transfer data signals, such as packet data, with the Internet (not shown) via communication line 131 and packet data server node (PDSN) 150 . Packet control function (PCF) unit 190 controls the flow of data packets between base stations 101 - 103 and PDSN 150 . PCF unit 190 may be implemented as part of PDSN 150 , as part of base stations 101 - 103 , or as a stand-alone device that communicates with PDSN 150 , as shown in FIG. 1 . Line 131 also provides the connection path to transfer control signals between MSC 140 and BS 101 , BS 102 and BS 103 used to establish connections for voice and data circuits between MSC 140 and BS 101 , BS 102 and BS 103 .
Communication line 131 may be any suitable connection means, including a T1 line, a T3 line, a fiber optic link, or any other type of data connection. The connections on line 131 may transmit analog voice signals or digital voice signals in pulse code modulated (PCM) format, Internet Protocol (IP) format, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) format, or the like. According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, line 131 also provides an Internet Protocol (IP) connection that transfers data packets between the base stations of wireless network 100 , including BS 101 , BS 102 and BS 103 . Thus, line 131 comprises a local area network (LAN) that provides direct IP connections between base stations without using PDSN 150 .
AP 171 and AP 172 transfer voice and data signals to and from an Internet protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet. The ability to access the Internet enables AP 171 and AP 172 to communicate with PDSN 150 and wireless network 100 . Because of this ability, it is possible to perform handoffs and to load share data traffic between wireless network 100 and WLAN 160 .
MSC 140 is a switching device that provides services and coordination between the subscribers in a wireless network and external networks, such as the PSTN or Internet. MSC 140 is well known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments of the present invention, communications line 131 may be several different data links where each data link couples one of BS 101 , BS 102 , or BS 103 to MSC 140 .
The present disclosure allows handoffs to be performed between a WiFi network (e.g., WLAN 160 ) and a public cellular wireless network (e.g., CDMA2000 wireless network 100 ). To achieve this air interface messages between base station 101 - 103 and mobile stations 111 - 114 must be modified. Also, network control messages and some of the network functions of wireless network 100 have been modified.
There are three possible types of handoffs in a geographical area in which a number of between CDMA2000 wireless networks and a number of wireless LANs are operating. One type of handoff operation is a handoff between CDMA2000 networks. This type of handoff is performed using conventional techniques and is not affected by the present invention. A second type of handoff is a handoff between wireless LANs. This type of handoff also is performed using conventional techniques and is not affected by the present invention. The third type of handoff is a handoff between a WLAN and a CDMA2000 network. This type of handoff is performed according to the principals of the present invention.
For the purposes of the present invention, it is assumed that mobile stations 111 - 114 have the capability to switch between the Wi-Fi network and the CDMA2000 network. It also is assumed that there is a loose coupling between WLAN 160 and CDMA2000 network 100 . The access gateways (e.g., PDSN 150 ) are the point of coupling between WLAN 160 and wireless network 100 .
According to one example, MS 112 is operating in CDMA2000 network 100 in cell site 121 . Cell sites 161 and 162 overlap cell site 121 . Both wireless LAN 160 and CDMA2000 network 100 are coupled to PDSN 150 . MS 112 is currently communicating with BS 101 . PDSN 150 monitors the RF link for BSC of BS 101 and the output of WLAN 160 . If WLAN 160 is lightly loaded and CDMA2000 network 100 is becoming heavily loaded, PDSN 150 sends a notification message to BS 101 to trigger a handoff to WLAN 160 . WLAN 160 operates in a different frequency band than wireless network 100 . Hence the handoff will be hard handoff. The handoff can be performed even if MS 112 determines that the RF link to BS 101 to be of good signal strength. This, the present invention discloses a forced hard handoff scheme.
FIG. 2 depicts message flow diagram 200 , which illustrates selected control messages in exemplary CDMA2000 wireless network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2 , it is assumed that PCF unit 190 functionality is integrated into the base station controller (BSC) portion of BS 101 . The present invention may be implemented by adding new Throughput Request data field to A10 Registration Request message 205 , which is transmitted from BSC/PCF 101 / 190 to PDSN 150 . The present invention also adds a new Throughput Response data field to A11 Registration Reply message 210 , which is transmitted from PDSN 150 to BSC/PCF 101 / 190 . Finally, the present invention adds new signal parameter information related to the access points of WLAN 160 to the Universal Handoff Direction message 215 transmitted from BSC/PDF 101 / 190 to MS 112 .
FIG. 3 illustrates selected portions of wireless network 100 in greater detail according to the principles of the present invention. Packet control function (PCF) unit 190 comprises A10/A11 interface (IF) controller 310 and packet data server node (PDSN) 150 comprises A10/A11 Interface (IF) controller 320 and traffic allocation controller 330 . Modifications to the control message interfaces of A10/A11 IF controller 310 and A10/A11 IF controller 320 enable handoffs and traffic load sharing between wireless network 100 and WLAN 160 . Traffic allocation controller 330 determines and controls the distribution of data traffic between wireless network 100 and WLAN 160 and triggers the forced handoffs that implement the traffic distribution.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, PDSN 150 is capable of accessing a database that tracks the total traffic demand on each base station (BS) in wireless network 100 . This database is represented by BS traffic statistics database 340 . BS traffic statistics database 340 may be directly coupled to or integrated into PDSN 150 . Alternatively, PDSN 150 may access remotely disposed BS traffic statistics database 340 via the Internet.
Similarly, PDSN 150 is capable of accessing a database that tracks the total traffic demand on each access point (AP) in wireless LAN 160 . This database is represented by WLAN traffic statistics database 350 . WLAN traffic statistics database 350 may be directly coupled to or integrated into PDSN 150 . Alternatively, PDSN 150 may access remotely disposed WLAN traffic statistics database 350 via the Internet.
According to the principles of the present invention, BS 101 and PDSN 150 are provisioned with the signal parameters of the forward and reverse channels of WLAN 160 (e.g., frequency, transmit power, etc.). These parameters may be provisioned by storing them in database 350 , for example. UHDM 215 is modified to include the parameters required for the handoff to be performed to WLAN 160 . Alternatively, a different handoff message or an entirely new handoff message may be used to transmit the WLAN 160 signal parameter information to MS 112 .
PDSN 150 monitors all access points and base stations to determine the throughput of each base station and access point. The throughput information is queried using A10 Registration Request message 205 . PDSN 150 responds to A10 Registration Request by transmitting A11 Registration Reply message 210 . BSC/PCF 101 / 190 is now aware of the throughput or bandwidth allocated to it. If the throughput is large, that means a large amount of data has been requested from BSC/PCF 101 / 190 and PDSN 150 . If the throughput exceeds a predetermined limit, BS 101 requests MS 112 to send a Pilot Strength Measurement message (PSMM).
If the PSMM values sent by MS 112 indicate that MS 112 also receives a strong signal from a particular access point of WLAN 160 , the BSC portion of BS 101 may initiate a forced handoff that forces MS 112 to access that particular access point. To accomplish this, BSC/PDF 101 / 190 sends UHDM 215 to MS 112 . UHDM contains the signal parameters of, for example, AP 172 in WLAN 160 as the target access point to which MS 112 will be handed off. After receiving UHDM 215 , MS 112 performs a hard handoff and moves on to WLAN 160 .
For handoffs between WLAN 160 and CDMA2000 network 100 , WLAN 160 is notified about the throughput (data traffic) being used. WLAN 160 then determines if the throughput level exceeds a predetermined limit. If predetermined limit is exceeded, WLAN 160 transmits a notification message to MS 112 causing MS 112 to search for CDMA2000 wireless network 100 and to perform a handoff to CDMA2000 wireless network 100 .
The present invention ensures that the user of MS 112 always gets the best available throughput by ensuring that mobile stations 111 - 114 are properly shared between WLAN 160 and CDMA2000 wireless network 100 . Advantageously, users get higher data rates and the service providers can handle more users.
Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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A method of communicating with mobile stations operating in an area covered by a wide-area wireless network and a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method comprises the steps of: i) receiving in a packet data server node of the wide-area wireless network data traffic statistics associated with each of a plurality of base stations associated with the wide-area wireless network; ii) receiving in the packet data server node of the wide-area wireless network data traffic statistics associated with each of a plurality of access points associated with the WLAN; iii) identifying a first base station handling a high level of data traffic; and iv) transmitting a handoff direction message to a first mobile station communicating with the first base station, the handoff direction message capable of causing the first mobile station to access a selected first access point of the WLAN.
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This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 382,251 filed on Jul. 19, 1989.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to precision hydrodynamic bearings.
One important limitation to increasing track density of computer disk drives is spindle bearing performance. A disk drive whose spindle bearing has low runout can accommodate higher track densities which results in more data storage capacity per disk.
The kinematics of the spin axis of a spindle bearing determine the precision of the bearing. As the journal spins relative to the sleeve, the spin axis may trace out a path or orbit. The motion of this axis typically has components that are synchronous with the spin and repetitive in nature. These motions are termed repetitive runout. Other components of spin axis motion may be asynchronous and nonrepetitive with respect to spin. These components are termed nonrepetitive runout. As a general rule, spindle bearing precision is increased as repetitive and nonrepetitive runouts are decreased.
Ball bearing spindle systems make up the majority of prior art disk drives. The kinematics of the rolling elements in ball bearings result in relatively large nonrepetitive runout. This results from the fact that the lubricant film thicknesses in ball bearings are very thin providing little attenuation of geometric defects in the bearing. In addition, ball bearings produce forces on the disk drive structure to which it is attached which are of relatively high frequency and large amplitude.
Hydrodynamic spindle bearing designs are also known. The Hewlett-Packard Model No. 9154A, 3.5 inch micro-Winchester disk drive incorporates a hybrid hydrodynamic-ball bearing spindle. The performance of this bearing is degraded by the incorporation of the ball bearings. The Phillips video 2000 videocassette recorder utilizes a hydrodynamic bearing which employs grease as the lubricant limiting operation to low speeds. Other known hydrodynamic spindle bearings for disk drives employ a ferromagnetic fluid as the lubricant for the bearing. This fluid is retained or sealed in the bearing by magnetic fields set up in pole pieces at each end of the bearing. Unless the magnetic fields and clearances are very precisely matched at each end of the bearing, one seal will be stronger than the other and when the bearing heats up, the lubricant can be spilled. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,484.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the hydrodynamic bearing according to the instant invention includes a rotatable shaft/thrust plate combination disposed within a sleeve forming a first clearance space between the shaft and the sleeve and a second clearance space between the thrust plate and the sleeve. The external faces of the thrust plate are exposed to air and the clearance spaces are filled with a liquid lubricant. The sleeve includes pressure equalization ports connecting the first clearance space and the second clearance space. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing includes surface tension dynamic seals between axially extending surfaces of the thrust plate and sleeve. These axially extending surfaces of the thrust plate and sleeve diverge toward the ends of the bearing to form the dynamic seal. The divergence may be a straight taper having an angle of approximately 2°. The pressure equalization ports include axially extending passageways in communication with radially extending passageways to connect the first and second clearance spaces. The radially extending passageways may be located near the center of the bearing. The bearing may also include relief patterns in opposed sleeve/thrust plate faces to generate inwardly directed radial forces.
In one embodiment of the invention, the bearing includes a cylindrical sleeve including a portion having a smaller inside diameter. A shaft including a portion having a diameter adapted to form a first clearance space with respect to the smaller diameter portion of the sleeve fits within the sleeve. A pair of thrust plates are disposed on the shaft to form second clearance spaces with respect to radially extending faces of the smaller diameter portion of the sleeve, the external faces of the thrust plate being exposed to the air. The clearance spaces are filled with a liquid lubricant. The smaller diameter portion of the sleeve includes plural axially extending passageways in liquid communication with radially extending passageways interconnecting the first and second clearance spaces. Surface tension seals are provided between the thrust plates and sleeve.
Another aspect of the invention is a method for introducing lubricant into the hydrodynamic bearing to avoid incorporating air. The bearing is placed in a vacuum chamber above a liquid lubricant and the chamber is evacuated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. The bearing is submerged into the lubricant and the pressure in the chamber is raised to atmospheric pressure which forces the lubricant into the clearance spaces in the bearing. After the bearing is filled, it can be exposed to ultrasonic energy to expel any residual air. The vacuum chamber can also be repeatedly cycled between a high and a low pressure to expel residual air.
In another, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing incorporates both external and internal surface tension seals at each end of the bearing. In this embodiment, there is an air space between the two ends of the bearing. This embodiment results in a reduced evaporation rate from the seals, improved moment stiffness, and faster thermal transient response.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the shaft and sleeve include mating tapered portions at each end of the bearing defining lubricant filled clearance spaces for supporting radial and axial loads. Each clearance space is sealed by an internal and an external surface tension dynamic seal and pressure equalization ports are provided to connect the internal and external seals. In this embodiment, the shaft is a continuous unit without a separate thrust plate portion. No O-ring seals are required.
The hydrodynamic bearing of the instant invention achieves lower levels of runout than ball bearings as a result of a thick film of lubricant which separates the sliding metal surfaces. This film provides a high degree of viscous damping which significantly attenuates nonrepetitive runout to levels which are less than state of the art rolling element bearings. In addition, the bearing generates forces on the structure attached to it which are low frequency and low amplitude relative to ball bearings. This reduction in the forcing function bandwidth and amplitude minimizes other vibrations in the disk drive and further improves tracking performance. The pressure equalization ports reduce pressure differentials which are caused by pumping actions inside the bearing. Because of the pressure balancing, the bearing does not tend to pump lubricant in a preferential manner through one seal or the other. Thus, only the external pressure differential across the bearing influences the position of the dynamic seal interfaces. The surface tension seals of the present invention do not leak nor do they generate solid debris.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the sleeve portion of the bearing;
FIG. 3 is an expanded view of a portion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an expanded view of a portion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a portion of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the method of filling the bearing with lubricant;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention utilizing a tapered shaft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A hydrodynamic bearing 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a sleeve 12 including a portion of smaller inside diameter 14. A journal or shaft 16 fits within the sleeve 12 forming a first clearance space 18. The journal 16 may include a recess 20. Thrust plates 22 and 24 rest on the journal 16 and are sealed by means of O-ring seals 26. The thrust plates 22 and 24 form second clearance spaces 28 with respect to radially extending surfaces of the smaller inside diameter portion 14 of the sleeve 12. The portion 14 of the sleeve 12 also includes axially extending passageways 30 and radially extending passageways 32. As shown in FIG. 2 the passageways 30 and 32 are arranged around the circumference of the sleeve 12. Four sets of passageways 30 and 32 are shown in FIG. 2 but more or fewer may be employed. FIG. 2 also shows spiral relief patterns 34. These relief patterns cooperate with patterns on the journal to generate radially directed inward hydrodynamic pressure.
Relative rotation between the journal 16 and the sleeve 12 is provided for by the clearance spaces 18 and 28. Suitable dimensions for the clearance spaces 18 and 28 are 0.0002 to 0.001 inches and 0.0005 to 0.002 inches, respectively. These clearance spaces are filled with a lubricant such as oil which reduces wear between the journal and sleeve and provides a medium through which a hydrodynamic pressure field may be generated. Relative rotation or radial motion between the journal 16 and sleeve 12 is required to set up the hydrodynamic pressure field. The hydrodynamic bearing 10 supports loads by metal-to-metal contact when there is no relative motion. During normal operation, the spinning of the journal 16 sets up a steady pressure field around the clearance spaces which pushes the journal and sleeve apart and thus prevents metal-to-metal contact. The hydrodynamically pressurized film provides the stiffness needed to support the radial load of the disk, motor and associated hardware. Note that the hydrodynamic film stiffness is a measure of the resistance of the clearance space to change size under the influence of a load.
Axial loads along the journal 16 spin axis are supported by the hydrodynamic pressure field in the clearance spaces 28 between the thrust plate faces and the sleeve portion 14. The amount of separation between the thrust plate faces and sleeve is controlled by the hydrodynamic film stiffness and the applied axial load (usually the weight of the entire rotating assembly). Pressure building geometries such as the relief pattern 34 shown in FIG. 2 are employed to generate film stiffness of sufficient magnitude.
The sealing of the lubricant within the hydrodynamic bearing 10 will now be described in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. There are two types of seals in the bearing 10, namely, static and dynamic seals. Static seals 26 which are preferably O-ring seals prevent lubricant leakage between the thrust plates 22 and 24 and the journal 16. They are called static seals in that there is no relative rotation or sliding between the thrust plates 22 and 24 and the journal 16. Dynamic sealing is required in the clearance space 36 between the thrust plates and the sleeve. These seals must not leak or generate solid debris. Sealing is provided by surface tension-capillary seals in which a lubricant-air interface 38 provides the surface forces.
As shown in FIG. 5, two components, the liquid-gas (lubricant-air) interface 38 and the solid surfaces of the thrust plates and sleeve make up each seal. Surface tension forces directed axially away from each end of the bearing indicated by the arrows 40 balance the forces due to pressure differentials which may be applied across each interface as indicated by the arrows 42 and a force due to gravity. The magnitude of the axial surface tension forces depends on the wetted perimeter of the liquid-gas interface 38, the surface tension (a property of the liquid lubricant), the taper angle and the contact angle. The forces due to pressure differentials are dependent on the pressure differentials and the lubricant-air interface area. Since the solid boundaries of the seal are tapered, the wetted perimeter and area of the interface vary with the axial position of the interface. As a result, the axial position of the interface varies with pressure differences applied to the bearing until the surface tension forces and pressure forces balance. Stability of the interface is sensitive to the angle of taper. A taper angle of approximately 2° has been experimentally determined to be optimum for insuring interface stability.
During bearing 10 operation, it is necessary that the pressures be nearly the same at the lubricant side of each lubricant-air interface 38. This pressure balance is provided by the pressure equalization ports 30 and 32 which connect the clearance spaces 18 and 28. Without the equalization ports, pumping actions inside the bearing may set up pressure differentials. For example, the thrust plates 22 and 24 produce an inwardly directed radial pumping action. The equalization ports tend to equalize the pressures. Furthermore, the passages should maintain a constant radial position in the neighborhood of the thrust plates. This requirement prevents large pressure gradients from developing in the passages due to the centrifugal pumping effects caused by the thrust plates. The bearing 10 is thus pressure balanced and does not tend to pump the lubricant in a preferential manner through one seal or the other. Only the external pressure differential across the bearing, therefore, influences the position of the interfaces. The equalization ports coupled with the surface tension dynamic seals result in a hydrodynamic bearing of higher precision with respect to runout relative to conventional bearing designs.
Lubricant must be introduced into the bearing in such way that a minimal amount of air is trapped in the bearing. This is necessary because trapped air in the bearing expands as the bearing heats up and tends to push the lubricant out of the bearing. A method for filling the bearing with lubricant so as to minimize the amount of trapped air will be described in conjunction with FIG. 6. First of all, the bearing 10 is placed within a vacuum chamber 50 above the level of a liquid lubricant 52. The vacuum chamber 50 is then evacuated to a suitable pressure below atmospheric such as 5μ of mercury. The bearing 10 is then submerged within the lubricant 52, after which the pressure in the chamber 50 is allowed to rise to atmospheric pressure. As the pressure rises, lubricant is forced into the bearing through the clearance spaces between the thrust plates and sleeve. Residual air bubbles in the bearing may be removed by applying ultrasonic energy to the chamber 50 within an ultrasonic tank 54. If necessary, additional residual air may be removed by repeated cycling of the pressure in the chamber 50 between a high and a low pressure.
FIG. 7 is a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention having several advantages as compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1. A bearing 70 includes a shaft 72 with thrust plates 74 and 76. The shaft 72 with attached thrust plates 74 and 76 rotates within a sleeve 78. The sleeve 78 includes a portion having increased inside diameter to create an air space 80. The bearing 70 includes external surface tension seals 82 and internal surface tension seals 84. The external surface tension seals 82 and internal surface tension seals 84 are connected by pressure equalization ports 86. The surface tension seals 82 and 84 and the pressure equalization ports 86 are filled with a lubricant. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the surface tension seals are created by diverging, axially extending surfaces.
The embodiment of FIG. 7 results in reduced evaporation rate of the lubricant from the seals. When the orientation of a bearing changes, the position of the surface tension seals along the spin axis also changes. In the case in which the oil-air interface moves into the bearing, a film of oil is left on the region of the metal which was previously covered by the lubricant of the seal. This film of oil is then exposed to air and has a large amount of surface area compared to the seal oil-air interface area. As a result of this increased surface area, the evaporation of the oil is reduced.
When a bearing is not operating, the position of the seals is determined by the pressure difference between the two sealed regions of the bearing which are connected together by the pressure equalization port or balance tube. The internal fluid pressure difference is controlled by the elevation difference between the two regions of the bearing and the specific weight of the lubricant fluid. The external pressure differences due to variations in air pressure around the bearing are usually negligible. Thus seal position and the change in seal position are controlled primarily by the elevation changes in the bearing. Splitting the lubricated regions of the bearing of FIG. 7 into two separate and shorter zones reduces the range of possible elevation differences and also the resulting range of seal position changes. This design thus reduces the wetted area of the bearing and the evaporation rate.
The bearing of FIG. 7 also provides higher moment stiffness. The higher stiffness results from the fact that the length of the bearing can be made longer relative to the bearing of FIG. 1. Moment stiffness is proportional to the length of the bearing squared when all of the other bearing characteristics are held constant. The bearing of FIG. 7 can be longer than the bearing of FIG. 1 because the seal areas are split into separate zones so that the central region of the bearing can be lengthened without affecting the behavior of the seals.
Another advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 7 is faster thermal transient response of the lubricant. It is desirable to have the lubricant come up to temperature as fast as possible during start up. When the lubricant oil is warm, it has a lower viscosity than when it is cold and thus the torque requirements are less when the oil is warm. Accordingly, when the oil can be made to heat up quickly, a shorter period of high load on the driving motor results which is very desirable for some applications. The faster thermal response of the bearing of FIG. 7 results from the reduction of oil volume in this bearing design and the resulting increase in bearing power to oil volume ratio.
FIG. 8 is yet another embodiment of the present invention. A bearing 100 includes a spindle shaft 102 which has tapered portions 104 and 106. These tapered portions mate with tapered bearing shells 108 and 110 which reside within a spindle housing or sleeve 112. The spaces between the tapered shaft and tapered bearing shells are filled with a liquid lubricant. The lubricant is sealed by external surface tension or capillary seals 114 and 116, and internal capillary seals 118 and 120. An equalization port 122 connects the seals 114 and 118, and an equalization port 124 connects the seals 116 and 120.
Because of the tapered surfaces, both radial and axial loads are supported by the bearing. The spindle housing and shaft surfaces are a single contiguous unit without any parting line. No O-ring seals are required since no secondary leakage is possible with the tapered arrangement. The tapered portions of the bearing shaft or the tapered bearing shell surfaces include herringbone patterns which generate a net liquid flow due to machining tolerances. This net liquid flow in the bearing is compensated for by a flow in the opposite direction through the equalization ports 122 and 124.
The bearing shells 108 and 110 have grooves on their outer surfaces. These bearing shells are shrink fitted into the spindle housing 112 and the grooves cooperate with the housing 112 to create the equalization ports.
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The filling of a rotatable shaft/thrust plate combination is disposed within a sleeve to form a first clearance space between the shaft and the sleeve and a second clearance space between the thrust plate and the sleeve. The external faces of the thrust plate are exposed to air. The clearance spaces are filled with a liquid lubricant and the sleeve includes pressure equalization ports connecting the first and second clearance spaces. Surface tension dynamic seals are provided between axially extending surfaces of the thrust plate and sleeve. The equalization ports balance the hydrodynamic pressures in the lubricant to prevent the lubricant being pumped through one of the dynamic seals. The resulting bearing provides high precision with low repetitive and nonrepetitive runouts. The bearing provides hydrodynamic support of both radial and axial loads and the bearing seal is relatively insensitive to orientation of the spindle and minimizes the generation of debris and contaminating particles.
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CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Non-Provisional Utility application which claims benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/860,434 filed Nov. 21, 2006, entitled “CLIP APPLYING APPARATUS” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for attaching clips to connect bars, wherein the bars are used to reinforce concrete. Reinforcing bars are commonly placed within a frame where cement is to be poured, so that the reinforcing bars will become encased in the poured cement. The reinforcing bars are placed in specified positions at specified heights within the frame, so the resulting concrete is strengthened. One method used to connect the reinforcing bars before the cement is poured is clips. These clips are attached at the intersection of two bars, so the bars are held together in a fixed position. The current invention provides an apparatus and a method for attaching clips to intersecting bars.
2. Description of the Related Art
Supporting bars are commonly used to reinforce concrete. The supporting bars are laid out in a grid where the cement is to be poured. To maximize the effectiveness of the supporting bars, they are placed at specified heights, usually between about 2 and 6 inches from the ground. The bars are then connected so the grid is stable and will not move when the concrete is poured.
Many methods have been used to connect the bars, and many are done by hand. Rebar is the type of supporting bar most commonly used. When the rebar is connected by hand, it requires a laborer to bend over and connect the rebar at many points within the grid. This is labor intensive, slow, and tends to cause injuries from the repeated bending. In some instances, the rebar grid can be prepared first, and then placed into a form where the concrete will be poured. This can reduce the bending required, but does not address the time and labor needed to connect the rebar. To reduce the time needed to connect rebar and to minimize the time a laborer is working in a stooped over position, several applicators for connecting the rebar have been developed.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,452 Nowell et al. describes an apparatus for applying deformable metal fastener clips to concrete reinforcement steel. The Nowell device is a hand held applicator. It applies generally U-shaped deformable metal clips at the intersection of pieces of reinforcing rebar or wire mesh sheets. The apparatus is used to place the U-shaped metal clip around adjacent metal bars and then deform and close the U, thus connecting the bars.
West, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,629, describes a pneumatic wire tying apparatus for tying crossed reinforcing bars together. This device has a guide member which opens to receive intersecting bars, and then closes onto the bars. In the closed position a length of wire is guided around the bars. A feed mechanism feeds a wire to the guide member, and a twist member engages and twists the wire around the reinforcing bars.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The current invention relates to an apparatus for applying clips to connect reinforcing bar as is typically used in concrete structures. The bar connecting apparatus as described is designed to fasten plastic clips as defined in U.S. patent application publication number 2006-0248844 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. The clips are inserted into a barrel, and the apparatus is positioned over transverse supporting bars. A hammer reciprocates longitudinally within the barrel and strikes the clip. The hammer propels the clip out of the distal end of the barrel, which is positioned over the transverse bars, such that the clip engages and connects the bars. An alignment head at the distal end of the barrel is utilized to position the bar connecting apparatus relative to the transverse bars.
The clips are provided in a clip string, which is a plurality of clips connected together. In one embodiment, the clips are connected directly to each other, and in another embodiment the clips are connected to a common feed rod. The clip string is inserted into a clip feed assembly, which directs a clip into a clip receiving cavity in the barrel each time the hammer reciprocates. The clip feed assembly engages the hammer through a cam guide, so the motion of the hammer as it reciprocates provides the drive to cycle the clip feed assembly. Therefore, each time the hammer propels a clip from the barrel, the clip feed assembly inserts another clip from the clip string into the barrel, so the bar connecting apparatus can connect several pairs of transverse bars in rapid succession.
The clip feed assembly utilizes at least one finger to engage and advance the clip string into the clip receiving cavity. The finger has a pivot point and a sloped side so the finger can ratchet backwards along the clip string before engaging and urging the clip string forward into the clip receiving cavity. The backwards ratcheting motion and forward engaging motion allows the finger to advance clips into the clip receiving cavity as the clip feed assembly reciprocates laterally with each cycle of the hammer.
The clip feed assembly includes a clip track, which supports the clip string outside of the clip receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the clip track engages the clip from the top, and the clip track extends through the clip receiving cavity. The hammer has an indentation with legs, so the clip track is received in the indentation with the hammer legs passing beside the clip track. The legs contact and drive the clip from the barrel. In a second embodiment, the clip track terminates before entering the clip receiving cavity, and a resilient retainer is utilized to hold the clip in place until it is driven from the bar connecting apparatus.
The hammer is reciprocated by a drive, which can be powered by many sources, including manual and pneumatic sources. The power source first biases the drive and the connected hammer distally to drive a clip from the barrel. Next, the drive and hammer are biased proximally to reposition the hammer for the next clip, and to complete the associated cycling of the clip feed assembly. A handle and a biasing spring are used for the manual embodiment, and a trigger is used to actuate a pneumatic or other power source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clip string.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single clip engaged with transverse bars.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip string when the feed rod is utilized.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clip string with teeth on the feed rod.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the manually driven embodiment of the bar connecting apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a distal portion of the bar connecting apparatus without the clip feed assembly.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a distal portion of the bar connecting apparatus without the clip feed assembly.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the manual drive portion of the bar connecting apparatus with an attached hammer.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the pneumatically driven embodiment of the bar connecting apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a side view of a distal portion of the bar connecting apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a top view of a finger of the clip feed assembly.
FIG. 12 is a top view of a clip string engaged by fingers of the clip feed assembly.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the hammer having an indentation.
FIG. 14 is a front view of a portion of the clip receiving cavity with resilient retainers.
FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating an alternate design for the cam plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Clip String
The Bar Connecting Apparatus utilizes a clip string 02 as depicted in FIG. 1 . The clip string 02 is comprised of a plurality of connected individual clips 04 , wherein the last clip in the series is the terminal clip 06 . In the preferred embodiment, the clips 04 are comprised of plastic and each clip 04 has several components. Referring to FIG. 2 , the seat 08 is adapted to engage and position a first bar 09 . Below the seat 08 are a plurality of hooks 10 , preferentially four hooks 10 per clip 04 , which are adapted to engage and position a second bar 11 transverse to the first bar 09 . The first bar 09 is also positioned on top of the second bar 11 . The hooks 10 are joined by a joining portion 12 , and each hook 10 has an upper body 14 .
The upper body 14 combined with the upper portion of the joining portion 12 defines a cradle 15 for engaging and positioning another bar parallel to and above the second bar 11 . The clip 04 can position a bar parallel to the second bar 11 in the cradle 15 , or it can position a first bar 09 in the seat 08 , but not both at the same time because the seat 08 and the cradle 15 receive bars in areas which interfere with each other.
Each clip 04 in the clip string 02 is connected to at least one adjoining clip 04 at the connection point 16 , as seen in FIG. 1 . The connection point 16 can be defined anywhere on the portion of a clip that abuts an adjoining clip 04 , as long as the clips 04 are connected together. Each clip 04 has at least one connection point 16 , but multiple connection points 16 can be utilized if necessary. The clips 04 are connected such that every clip 04 in the clip string 02 has a consistent orientation. Preferably, the orientation is such that if a bar were received in the hooks 10 of the terminal clip 06 , the same bar could be simultaneously received in the hooks 10 of every other clip 04 in the clip string 02 . Therefore, there would be one axis defined by the hooks 10 of all of the clips 04 in a clip string 02 . Similarly, the cradles 15 defined by the upper bodies 14 of the clips 04 would also be aligned on a single axis.
In an alternative embodiment, the clips 04 as defined above are connected to a feed rod 18 , as depicted in FIG. 3 . If the feed rod 18 is utilized, the connection point 16 B connects each clip 04 to the feed rod 18 . The feed rod 18 can be positioned anywhere along the side of the clip string 02 B as long as the clips 04 are held in a consistent orientation as described above. It is possible for the feed rod 18 to have teeth 19 for advancing the clip string 02 B, as shown in FIG. 4 . Also, if the feed rod 18 is utilized, each individual clip 04 does not necessarily touch or directly contact the neighboring clip 04 . The clips 04 are connected to the feed rod 18 , and not to each other, so the clips 04 are not held in direct contact with other clips 04 in the clip string 02 B.
Every clip string 02 B has only one sized clip 04 , but every clip string 02 B does not necessarily have the same sized clip 04 . The clips 04 are sized to connect a certain size of reinforcing bar, and because there are several sizes of reinforcing bars, there are several sizes of clips 04 . Although the size of a clip 04 in different clip strings 02 B would vary, the feed rod 18 allows the spacing between neighboring clips 04 to be constant. That is, the distance from the front of a larger clip 04 to the front of a neighboring larger clip 04 in one clip string 02 B would be the same as the distance from the front of a smaller clip 04 to the front of a neighboring smaller clip 04 in another clip string 02 B. When a feed rod 18 is utilized, this consistent spacing is possible because the clips 04 do not have to touch to be connected together. The consistent spacing is desirable because it allows for a bar connecting apparatus to apply clips 04 of different sizes without having to adjust or change the clip feed mechanism.
Bar Connecting Apparatus
The clip string 02 is utilized in the bar connecting apparatus 20 as shown in FIG. 5 . Inside the bar connecting apparatus 20 is a barrel 22 with a clip receiving cavity 24 . The terminal clip 06 of the clip string 02 is received into the clip receiving cavity 24 of the barrel 22 , which can be seen more clearly in FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 does not include the clip feeding mechanism, to more clearly show the barrel 22 with the clip receiving cavity 24 . The clip receiving cavity 24 includes a hole in the side of the barrel 22 which is adapted to receive clips 04 from the clip string 02 . Inside the barrel 22 is a hammer 26 which reciprocates longitudinally within the barrel 22 . As the hammer 26 reciprocates distally, it contacts the terminal clip 06 and expels the terminal clip 06 out the distal end of the barrel 23 .
There is an alignment head 28 defined at the distal end of the barrel 23 , which aligns the clip applying apparatus 20 with the bars to be connected. When the terminal clip 06 is ejected from the barrel 22 , the alignment head 28 ensures the bar connecting apparatus 20 is properly aligned with the bars such that the terminal clip 06 connects the bars. After the terminal clip 06 is ejected the hammer 26 reciprocates proximally, the next clip 04 in the clip string 02 is advanced into the clip receiving cavity 24 and becomes the new terminal clip 06 , and the clip applying process is ready to be repeated.
The alignment head 28 has two pair of notches 30 , 30 B adapted to engage transverse bars, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 . For the sake of clarity, FIG. 7 also does not show the clip feeding mechanism. One pair of notches 30 is deeper than the other pair 30 B, so the first bar 09 , which is on top, is engaged in the deeper pair of notches 30 and the second bar 11 , which is underneath the first bar 09 , is engaged in the more shallow pair of notches 30 B. The notches 30 , 30 B in each pair are on opposite sides of the alignment head 28 , so the four points of contact between the notches 30 , 30 B and the transverse bars 09 , 11 prevent the bar connecting apparatus 20 from moving. The alignment head 28 , when engaged with the transverse bars, fixes the position of the bar connecting apparatus 20 in three dimensions.
The hammer 26 is reciprocated by a drive 32 , as seen in FIGS. 5 and 8 . FIG. 8 depicts the hammer 26 and the manual drive 32 , without the remainder of the bar connecting apparatus 20 . The drive 32 includes a drive rod 33 which is actuated either manual or automatically. The act of connecting the drive rod 33 to the hammer 26 can be aided by wrench flats in the drive rod 33 . In the manual embodiment, the drive 32 includes a handle 34 and a biasing spring 36 . The handle 34 is manually depressed to extend the hammer 26 distally for ejecting the terminal clip 06 from the barrel 22 . The biasing spring 36 then biases the handle 34 proximally and retracts the hammer 26 to a position such that the next terminal clip 06 can be introduced into the clip receiving cavity 24 .
FIG. 9 depicts the bar connecting apparatus 20 A with a trigger actuated automatic drive 32 A. For the sake of clarity, similar components in the manual and automatic embodiments are given the same name and number, but the component numbers in the automatic embodiment are designated with an “A.” The drive 32 A includes a trigger 38 for directing a power source to cycle the drive 32 A, such that the power source biases the drive 32 A distally when the trigger 38 is depressed and proximally when the trigger 38 is released. In the preferred embodiment, the power source is pneumatic; however, other power sources, such as an electric power source, could also be utilized. Additionally, an extension can be added to either the automatic or manual drive 32 , 32 A so an operator can stand upright while connecting bars.
Clip Feed Assembly
The clip feed assembly 40 advances the clip string 02 into the clip receiving cavity 24 as the hammer 26 reciprocates, as seen in FIG. 10 . A cam guide 42 is connected to the side of the hammer 26 . The cam guide 42 passes through a straight slot and protrudes from the side of the barrel 22 . Therefore, the cam guide 42 reciprocates outside of the barrel 22 as the hammer 26 reciprocates inside of the barrel 22 . The cam guide 42 can include a bearing to make the motion of the cam guide 42 smoother.
The portion of the cam guide 42 which protrudes from the side of the barrel 22 is engaged in a slot type cam track 44 . The cam track 44 is defined in the cam plate 46 , and the cam plate 46 is pivotally connected to the bar connecting apparatus 20 at a pivot point 48 . The cam track 44 has an angled section such that as the hammer 26 and cam guide 42 cycle, the cam plate 46 pivots at the pivot point 48 and reciprocates laterally. The cam track 44 can also include straight sections, which are used for timing purposes to coordinate the clip feed assembly operation 40 with the cycling of the hammer 26 . The cam plate 46 reciprocates away from the barrel 22 as the hammer 26 reciprocates distally, and the cam plate 46 reciprocates towards the barrel 22 as the hammer 26 reciprocates proximally. With the slot type cam track 44 no return spring is needed for cam plate 46 .
An alternate design for the cam plate, designated as 46 B is shown in FIG. 15 . Surrounding parts of apparatus 20 are not shown in FIG. 15 so as to aid in the ease of illustration of cam plate 46 B. The cam plate 46 B has an edge type cam track 44 B instead of the slot 44 of FIG. 10 . The edge type cam track 44 B is maintained in contact with the reciprocating cam guide 42 by a tension spring 47 , which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 15 . Any type of resilient return spring could be utilized in place of spring 47 to urge the cam track 44 B against cam guide 42 . With either the cam plate 46 of FIG. 10 or the cam plate 46 B of FIG. 15 the cam plate will reciprocate as the hammer 26 cycles.
A feed support block 50 can be positioned at the end of the cam plate 46 to facilitate the feeding of the clip string 02 into the clip receiving cavity 24 . At least one finger 52 , and preferably two fingers, is connected to the cam plate 46 through the feed support block 50 . Referring to FIGS. 10 , 11 , and 12 , the finger 52 has a flat end 51 for engaging the clip string 02 as the cam plate 46 reciprocates towards the barrel 22 , but the finger 52 also has a sloped side 53 for sliding past the clip string 02 as the cam plate 46 reciprocates away from the barrel 22 .
The finger 52 is pivotally connected to the feed support block 50 at a finger pivot point 57 , and a biasing spring 55 urges the finger 52 to engage an individual clip 04 of the clip string 02 as the cam plate 46 reciprocates towards the barrel 22 . The finger pivot point 57 allows the finger 52 to ratchet back past the clip string 02 as the cam plate 46 moves away from the barrel 22 . Therefore, the clip string 02 sits still as the cam plate 46 reciprocates away from the barrel 22 , but the clip string 02 is advanced into the clip receiving cavity 24 as the cam plate 46 reciprocates towards the barrel 22 . The clip feed assembly 40 does not utilize a spring or urging device at the back end of the clip string 02 to advance the clips 04 into the clip receiving cavity 24 . The above described mechanism engages the hammer 26 with the clip feed assembly 40 so the cycling of the hammer 26 provides the force to urge the clip string 02 into the clip receiving cavity 24 .
In the preferred embodiment, the finger 52 has an angled back end 59 which can be pressed to disengage the finger 52 from the clip string 02 . When disengaged, the clip string 02 can be withdrawn from the clip receiving cavity 24 without the finger 52 retaining any of the individual clips 04 .
The clip string 02 is supported by a clip track 54 when inserted into the bar connecting apparatus 20 . The clip track 54 can engage the clip string 02 from either the top or the bottom. Referring now to FIGS. 1 , 9 , and 13 , the clip track 54 A can engage the clips 04 by the cradle 15 defined by the upper body 14 , or from the top. When the clip string 02 is engaged from the top, the clip track 54 A extends through the clip receiving cavity 24 A. The clips 04 are then released distally from the clip track 54 A. When the clip track 54 A extends through the clip receiving cavity 24 A, the hammer 26 A has an indentation 56 for receiving the clip track 54 A as the hammer 26 A reciprocates. The hammer 26 A has at least one, and preferably two, legs 58 on the side of the indentation 56 . The legs 58 contact the upper body 14 of the terminal clip 06 to propel the clip out of the barrel 22 A. As the legs 58 propel the terminal clip 06 out of the barrel 22 A, the clip track 54 A is received in the indentation 56 such that the legs 58 pass beside the clip track 54 A.
In the embodiment where the clip track 54 engages the clip string 02 from the bottom, the clip track 54 does not extend through the clip receiving cavity 24 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10 . The clip track 54 terminates at the clip receiving cavity 24 and the hammer 26 can be flat because there is no need to pass around the clip track 54 . Referring to FIGS. 5 , 10 , and 14 , because the clip track 54 does not hold the clip 04 in the clip receiving cavity 24 , at least one resilient retainer 60 can be used to secure the terminal clip 06 in the clip receiving cavity 24 . Preferably, four resilient retainers 60 comprised of ball bearing springs mounted in the clip receiving cavity 24 are used. The resilient retainer 60 releasably engages the terminal clip 06 in the clip receiving cavity 24 to prevent the terminal clip 06 from falling out of the barrel 22 before being expelled by the hammer.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9 , the clip track 54 A is further comprised of at least a first portion 62 and a second portion 64 . The second portion 64 is dimensioned to frictionally engage and lightly hold the clip string 02 . The first portion of the clip track 62 has smaller dimensions which do not frictionally engage or hold the clip string 02 , so the clips 04 will easily slide across the first portion of the clip track 62 . This allows the clips 04 to be easily engaged with the first portion of the clip track 62 , and yet still be frictionally engaged and held in positioned by a shorter second portion 64 . The second portion of the clip track 64 is between the barrel 22 A and the first portion 62 so that the clip string 02 is frictionally engaged when in a position to enter into the clip receiving cavity 24 A.
Method of Connecting Bars
The current invention also includes a method of connecting bars, which is shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 , and 10 . The method includes providing a bar connecting apparatus 20 for applying clips 04 as described above. A clip string 02 is engaged with the clip track 54 of the bar connecting apparatus 20 , and then slid along the clip track 54 until at least one clip 04 is received in the clip receiving cavity 24 . The bar connecting apparatus 20 is then aligned with two transverse bars to be connected by an alignment head 28 . The alignment head 28 has two pair of notches 30 , so when the alignment head 28 is properly positioned each bar is engaged with one pair of the notches 30 . The bar connecting apparatus 20 is actuated, which reciprocates a hammer 26 in the barrel 22 . The hammer 26 contacts and expels the clip 04 received in the clip receiving cavity 24 such that the clip connects the bars. The cycling of the hammer 26 also cycles the clip feed assembly 40 to advance another clip 04 from the clip string 02 into the clip receiving cavity 24 for a subsequent clip application. The clip string 02 is advanced into the clip receiving cavity 24 in a direction transverse to the direction of reciprocation of the hammer.
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful BAR CONNECTING APPARATUS, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
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A bar connecting apparatus applies clips to connect transverse bars used in reinforced concrete. A clip string is fed into the bar connecting apparatus by a clip feed assembly, so several pairs of transverse bars can be connected in rapid succession. A hammer reciprocates in the barrel of the bar connecting apparatus, and drives a clip from the barrel into engagement with the bars. An alignment head aligns the bar connecting apparatus with the transverse bars so the clips properly engage the bars.
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CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a divisional of U.S. Application Serial No. 11/800,975, filed on May 7, 2007, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Polypeptides as well as many other types of compounds such as neurotransmitters and drugs can exert profound effects on the body. For example, neurotensin (NT) induces antinociception and hypothermia upon direct administration to brain. Systemic administration of NT does not induce these effects since NT is rapidly degraded by proteases and has poor blood brain barrier permeability.
[0003] Neurotensin is a tridecapeptide with the amino acid sequence pyroGlu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu-OH. Most, if not all, of the activity mediated by NT(1-13) is mediated by the 6 amino acid fragment, NT(8-13), which does not exist naturally in vivo. In order to observe pharmacological effects of either NT or NT(8-13) in the nervous system, each has to be administered directly into the brain or the spinal cord. Intravenous injection of NT and its fragments, however, causes hypotension, as well as other pharmacological effects. (See Carraway, R. et al. J B IOL C HEM 248:6854-61 (1973) and Carraway, R. E. et al. “Structural requirements for the biological activity of neurotensin, a new vasoactive peptide.” In Fourth American Peptide Symposium. Edited by R Walter and J Meienhofer, Ann Arbor Science Publishers Inc., p. 679-85 (1975))
[0004] Neurotensin acts as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the central nervous system (CNS), interacting largely with dopaminergic systems. (See Tyler-McMahon, B. M. et al. R EGUL P EPT 93:125-36 (2000) and Binder, E. B. et al. P HARMACOL R EV 53:453-86 (2001)) In addition, it has been known for a long time that neurotensin, when injected into brain, is a potent antinociceptive agent, operating by a p-opioid independent mechanism. (See Clineschmidt, B. V.
[0005] Patent et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 46:395-6 (1977) and Clineschmidt, B. V. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 54:129-39 (1979)) In fact, on a molar basis, NT is more potent than morphine as an antinociceptive agent. (See Nemeroff, C. B. et al. P ROC N ATL A CAD S ci USA 76:5368-71 (1979) and Al-Rodhan, N. R. et al. B RAIN R ESEARCH 557:227-35 (1991))
[0006] Neurotensin and its analogs are also potent analgesics in animals. NT is produced in the brain, spinal cord dorsal horn, hypothalamus, and gut. NT receptors involved in the treatment of central pain may be different from those involved in the treatment of peripheral pain. Additionally, NT administration is associated with not just analgesia but also hypotension (unrelated to histamine release), fall in basal temperature, and decreased food intake leading to weight loss. NT has also been known to induce tolerance, increase gastrointestinal transit, induce diarrhea, and exhibit antipsychotic and antiparkinsonian effects (Boules, M. et al., Peptides 27:2523-33 (2006)).
[0007] Neurotensin mediates its effects through at least 3 different receptors. (See Boules, M. et al. “NTS1 neurotensin receptor” In xPharm. Edited by S J Enna and D B Bylund. New York City, Elsevier, Inc. (2004); Boules, M. et al. “NTS2 neurotensin receptor” In xPharm. Edited by S J Enna and D B Bylund. New York City, Elsevier, Inc. (2004); and Boules, M. et al. “NTS3 neurotensin receptor” In xPharm. Edited by S J Enna and D B Bylund. New York City, Elsevier, Inc. (2004)) The first neurotensin receptor (NTS1) was molecularly cloned from rat brain (see Tanaka, K. et al. N EURON 4:847-54 (1990)) and human brain (see Watson, M. et al. M AYO C LINIC P ROCEEDINGS 68:1043-8 (1993)). The second neurotensin receptor (NTS2), which in binding assays is sensitive to the antihistamine levocabastine, has been cloned from mouse (see Mazella, J. et al. J N EUROSCI 16:5613-20 (1996), rat (see Chalon, P. et al. FEBS L ETTERS 386:91-4 (1996), and human (see Vita, N. et al. S OCIETY FOR N EUROSCIENCE 23:394 [abstract] (1997)). Both NTS1 and NTS2 are 7-transmembrane spanning, G-protein coupled receptors. A third neurotensin receptor (NTS3) is a transmembrane protein, but spans the membrane only once and is identical to the protein called “sortilin.” (See Mazella, J. et al. J B IOL C HEM 273:26273-6 (1998)). Recent data suggest that NTS3 has a function in inflammatory processes in the central nervous system. (See Martin, S. et al. J N EUROSCI 23:1198-205 (2003)) NT and NT(8-13) have highest affinity for NTS1, followed by NTS2 and NTS3. These peptides have over 1000-fold lower affinity for NTS3, as compared to that for NTS1. (See Kokko, K. P. et al. J M ED C HEM 46:4141-8 (2003)). It is likely that both NTS1 and NTS2 mediate the antinociceptive effects of NT (see Dobner, P. R. P EPTIDES 27:2405-14 (2006)), while NTS1 mediates the hypotensive effects, among others.
[0008] In addition to the antihistamine levocabastine, which has selectivity for NTS2, there are two other non-peptide neurotensin receptor antagonists. One antagonist, SR48692 (see Gully, D. et al. P ROC N ATL A CAD USA 90:65-9 (1993)), has relatively high affinity for both NTS1 and NTS2, with selectivity for NTS1. (See Chalon, P. et al. FEBS L ETTERS 386:91-4 (1996)). SR48692 has very low affinity for NTS3. (See Mazella, J. et al. J B IOL C HEM 273:26273-6 (1998)). Consistent with its relative selectivity for NTS1, in vivo SR48692 does not block all the effects of neurotensin. Another antagonist, SR142948A (see Gully, D. et al. J P HARMACOL E XP T HER 280:802-12 (1997), has a broader spectrum of activity in vivo against NT and is considered non-selective in binding to NTS1 and NTS2. Its affinity for NTS3 is unknown. Levocabastine may be a partial agonist/antagonist at NTS2. (See Dubuc, I. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 381:9-12 (1999))
[0009] There are many known neurotensin receptor agonists that are non-selective for NTS1 or NTS2 and that are active in the central nervous system (CNS) after peripheral administration (e.g., subcutaneously or intraperitoneally). (See Tyler, B. M. et al. N EUROPHARMACOLOGY 38:1027-34 (1999); Cusack, B. et al. B RAIN R ES 856:48-54 (2000); Boules, M. et al. B RAIN R ES 919:1-11 (2001); Kokko, K. P. et al. N EUROPHARMACOLOGY 48:417-25 (2005); and Hadden, M. K. et al. N EUROPHARMACOLOGY (2005)). Such results indicate that these non-selective compounds pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB). There are also a few compounds that are relatively selective and potent at rodent NTS2 (e.g., JMV 431) (See Dubuc, I. et al. J N EUROSCI 19:503-10 (1999)) For the published NTS2-selective compounds, however, all studies employed their direct injection into brain (see Dubuc, I. et al. J N EUROSCI 19:503-10 (1999)) or into spinal cord (see Sarret, P. et al. J N EUROSCI 25:8188-96 (2005)) to elicit pharmacological effects. Therefore, it is assumed that these compounds do not penetrate the BBB.
[0010] Over the years, Doctor Richelson and his team have designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro and in vivo over 60 peptides that are largely analogs of NT(8-13) and NT(9-13). From these studies, a large amount of structure-activity data were gathered, which led to defining the binding site for NT(8-13) at rat and human NTS1. (See Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271:15060-8 (1996)) In addition, brain-penetrating analogs that bind with improved affinity to human NTS1 have been developed, largely as a result of the incorporation into these peptides of a novel amino acid, neo-Trp. (See Fauq, A. H. et al. T ETRAHEDRON: A SYMMETRY 9:4127-34 (1998)) This amino acid is a regioisomer of tryptophan. U.S. Patents have been issued for this new amino acid and peptides that contain it, specifically many of the NT agonists developed in the laboratory of Dr. Richelson. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,214,790; 6,765,099; and 7,098,307)
[0011] In their series of peptides studied at hNTS1 and hNTS2, about one-half of the compounds had essentially the same affinities for both hNTS1 and hNTS2. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between the log K d (equilibrium dissociation constant) at hNTS1 and the log K d at hNTS2 for the peptides, indicating that the binding site for these peptides at the hNTS2 is in a region with high homology to the binding site in the hNTS1.
[0012] The key binding segment of the NTS1 receptor was previously shown to be the third outer loop of this putative seven-helix transmembrane spanning receptor. (See Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL CHEM 271:15060-8 (1996); Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271:15054-9 (1996); and Cusack, B. et al. B IOCHEM P HARMACOL 60:793-801 (2000)) From their computer modeling studies, the binding site for NT(8-13) was determined to be primarily composed of eight residues—Phe 326 , Ile 329 , Trp 334 , Phe 337 , Tyr 339 , Phe 341 , Tyr 342 , and Tyr 344 —in the human NTS1. (See Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271:15060-8 (1996)) Seven of the eight hydrophobic residues form an aromatic core of the NT(8-13) binding site or “pocket” in human NTS1.
[0013] The human NTS1 (hNTS1) contains 418 amino acids, while hNTS2 is 8 amino acids shorter. Alignment of these receptors shows only about 33% identity of amino acids. The putative third extracellular loop for hNTS1 encompasses amino acids 326-345: FCYISDEQWTPFLYDFYHYF; while the corresponding region for hNTS2 spans amino acids 320-339: YCYVPDDAWTDPLYNFYHYF. In this region, the amino acid identity between the two receptors is still only 60%, but nearly twice as great as the overall figure for these receptors. Of the eight residues of the proposed binding site in hNTS1 (see Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271:15060-8 (1996)), five (63%) are identical to those in hNTS2. All the aromatic residues in the third extracellular loop of the two receptors are conserved. In addition, those three residues that are different in the third extracellular loop have almost the same preference for adopting a loop conformation, based upon Chou and Fasman probabilities (see Chou, P. Y. et al. B IOCHEMISTRY 13:211-22 (1974)). From this sequence analogy and from the binding data, the binding site at the hNTS2 is likely composed of eight residues, namely, Tyr 320 Val 323 Trp 328 Pro 331 Tyr 333 Phe 335 Tyr 336 Tyr 338 . The binding pocket of the hNTS2 is just a bit smaller than that of the hNTS1. At the hNTS1, the low affinity of NT50, which is the most selective compound for the hNTS2, is probably due to the steric hindrance introduced most likely by Gln 333 , which is next to the key residue Trp 334 in the hNTS1 and mutated to Ala in hNTS2.
[0014] From antisense studies, it appears that the hypothermic effects of neurotensin are mediated by NTS1 in rats and in mice, while antinociceptive effects of NT are mediated by activation of NTS1 in rats and NTS2 in mice. (See Tyler, B. M. et al. P ROC N ATL A SAD S CI USA 96: 7053-58 (1999) and Dubuc, I. et al. J N EUROSCI 19: 503-10 (1999)).
[0015] Curiously, in vitro, antagonists and agonists at the NTS1 have opposite effects at the NTS2. Thus, from studies with the molecularly cloned NTS2, the expected antagonists, SR 48692 and SR 142948A behave as agonists, while NT and other agonists behave as antagonists or partial agonists. (See Vita, N. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 360: 265-72 (1998) and Yamada, M. et al. L IFE S CI 62: L375-PL380 (1998)). These results are also made more interesting in light of the in vivo studies suggesting that the antagonists SR 48692 and SR 142948A have no intrinsic activities. (See Gully, D. et al. J P HARMACOL E XP T HER 280: 802-12 (1997)). Thus, there is a need for selective NTS1 and NTS2 agonists for in vivo experimentation.
[0016] Furthermore, NTS2 has been shown to regulate pain. Therefore, we have discovered that compounds selective for NTS2 are effective and selective to treat pain while unexpectedly reducing or eliminating hypotensive effects. Thus, it would be advantageous to discover and develop drugs that selectively regulate NTS2.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, neurotensin analogs that are hexapeptides designated NT(8-13) having a D-3,1-naphthyl-alanine at position 11 are described. Additionally, the neurotensin analog may include an N-methyl-arginine at position 8. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine (D or L) at position 8 or 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include an Ornithine (D or L) at position 9.
[0018] In an alternative embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are pentapeptides designated NT(9-13) having a D-3,1-naphthyl-alanine (D or L) at position 11 are described. Additionally, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9. In the alternative, the neurotensin analog may additionally include a Lysine (D or L) at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12.
[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, neurotensin analogs that are hexapeptides designated NT(8-13) having a D-3,2-naphthyl-alanine at position 11 are described, with the proviso that positions 8 and 9 are not Lysine. Additionally, the neurotensin analog may include an N-methyl-arginine at position 8. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include an Ornithine (D or L) at position 9.
[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, neurotensin analogs that are hexapeptides designated NT(8-13) having a D-3,2-naphthyl-alanine at position 11 and an Arginine or an Arginine derivative at position 8 and/or position 9, i.e., at at least one of positions 8 or 9, are described. The Arginine may have an L or D configuration. The Arginine derivative may be N-methyl-arginine. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12. In one embodiment, the neurotensin analog may have an Arginine at both positions 8 and 9. In another embodiment, the neurotensin analog may have an N-methyl-arginine at position 8. In another embodiment, the hexapeptide has the Arginine or the Arginine derivative at position 8 and an Ornithine at position 9. In another alternative embodiment, the hexapeptide has a Lysine at position 8 and an Arginine at position 9.
[0021] In another embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are pentapeptides designated NT(9-13) having a D-3,2-naphthyl-alanine at position 11 are described. The D-3,2-naphthyl-alanine may have a D or L configuration. Additionally, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are hexapeptides designated NT(8-13) having an Alanine derivative at position 11 are described. In one embodiment, the Alanine derivative may be cyclohexylalanine.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are hexapeptides designated NT(8-13) having a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline at position 11 are described. Additionally, the neurotensin analog may include an N-methyl-arginine at position 8. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine (D or L) at position 8 and/or position 9, i.e., at at least one of positions 8 or 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include an Ornithine (D or L) at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9.
[0024] In another embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are pentapeptides designated NT(9-13) having a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline at position 11 are described. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine (D or L) at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12.
[0025] In another embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are pentapeptides designated NT(9-13) having a D-neo-Tryptophan at position 11 are described. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a diaminobutyric acid at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine (D or L) at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12.
[0026] In another embodiment, neurotensin analogs that are hexapeptides designated NT(8-13) having a D-neo-Tryptophan at position 11 are described. Additionally, the neurotensin analog may include an Ornithine (D or L), a diaminobutyric acid, or a Lysine (D or L) at position 9. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include an N-methyl-arginine at position 8. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a Lysine (D or L) at position 8. Additionally, or in the alternative, the neurotensin analog may include a tert-leucine at position 12.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment, methods for treating pain using any of the above-described analogs are described. The neurotensin analog is provided and administered to a patient in need of pain management. Administration of the neurotensin analog does not substantially reduce the patient's blood pressure. The dosage range for the neurotensin analog could be about 5 to about 20 mg/kg, alternatively about 7 to about 18 mg/kg, alternatively about 10 to about 15 mg/kg, alternatively about 12 to about 15 mg/kg. Alternatively, the dosage may be about 5 mg, alternatively about 7.5 mg, alternatively about 10 mg, alternatively about 12.5 mg, alternatively about 15 mg, alternatively about 17.5 mg, alternatively about 20 mg.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0028] FIG. 1 depicts the structures of unnatural, i.e., synthetic and/or modified, amino acids that were used to make the NT analogs.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a graph of a competition binding between radio-labeled NT and NT analogs at NTS2.
[0030] FIG. 3 depicts the K d 's for NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) analogs at human NTS1 vs. human NTS2.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a graph showing degradation of NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) peptides in human plasma in vitro.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a graph of body temperature lowering effects of neurotensin agonists in mice.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a graph of the effect of NT79 (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally) on the tail flick and on the hot plate antinociceptive models in rats.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a graph of the effect of NT79 (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally) in the acetic acid-induced writhing test in rats.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a graph of the effect of saline, NT69 (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and NT79 (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally) on plasma prostaglandin levels in mice 30 min after injection. Blood samples from 3 mice were pooled for each condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Because of the evidence from animal and human studies suggesting that NT is an endogenous neuroleptic (Bissette G and Nemeroff C B. “The neurobiology of neurotensin.” In: P SYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: THE F OURTH G ENERATION OF P ROGRESS (Eds. Kupfer D and Bloom F), pp. 573-83. Raven Press, New York (1995); Wolf, S. S. et al. J N EURAL T RANSM 102: 55-65 (1995); Lahti, R. A. et al. J N EURAL T RANSM 105: 507-16 (1998); and Cusack, B. et al. B RAIN R ES 856: 48-54 (2000)), Dr. Richelson and colleagues have studied NT and its receptors, with the goal of developing a drug that mimics the effects of this neuropeptide. Such a compound possibly could have antipsychotic effects and represent a novel means of treating psychoses. Since the last 6 amino acids of the parent NT, namely NT(8-13) (Arg 8 ,Arg 9 ,Pro 10 ,Tyr 11 ,Leu 13 ), are sufficient for biological activity at NTS1, these researchers have focused their efforts on analogs of this hexapeptide and analogs of the pentapeptide NT(9-13). Thus, a large number of NT analogs were synthesized that are mostly based on NT(8-13). (See Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 270: 18359-66 (1995); Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271: 15054-59 (1996); and Tyler, B. M. et al. N EUROPHARMACOLOGY 38: 1027-34 (1999))
[0037] With the availability of this peptide library and the molecularly cloned hNTS1 and hNTS2, the selectivity of these peptides for these receptors was determined from their affinities derived in radioligand binding studies. Most of the compounds tested showed no selectivity for either receptor. A few compounds, however, were both relatively potent and selective ( > 30 fold higher affinity) at one or the other receptor.
Peptide Analogs
[0038] The peptides, which contain unnatural, i.e., synthetic or modified, amino acids, used here and listed in Table 1, were synthesized in the Mayo Peptide Synthesis Facility of the Mayo Proteomics Research Center, formerly known as the Mayo Protein Core Facility (Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minn.), as described in previous publications. (See Morbeck, D. E. et al. “Analysis of hormone-receptor interaction sites using synthetic peptides: receptor binding regions of the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin.” In: Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 5, pp. 191-200. Academic Press, Inc., New York (1993)). The structures of the unnatural amino acids are depicted in FIG. 1 . Briefly, all NT peptides were synthesized on automated 433A peptide synthesizers using orthogonal 9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protection chemistry with tert-butyl (tBut), tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc), 4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonyl (Mtr) or 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulphonyl (Pmc)-protected side chains. Protocols concerning activation coupling times, amino acid dissolution, coupling solvents and synthesis scale were followed according to the manufacturer's instructions (Applied Biosystems). All peptides were purified by reverse-phase HPLC on silica-bonded C 18 columns (Phenomenex or Vydac) in aqueous gradients of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (v/v) containing 5% to 80% acetonitrile (v/v) as an organic modifier. The methods of analytical reverse-phase HPLC and ESI-mass spectrometry (ThermoFischer Scientific, MSQ instrument) were used to analyze peptide homogeneity and peptide mass weight, respectively. To prepare the analogs for binding, they were dissolved as 10 mM stock solutions in deionized H 2 O, aliquoted in 20-80 μl quantities, and frozen at -30° C. A small number of less hydrophilic compounds were dissolved in DMSO (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.).
[0000]
TABLE 1
Amino Acid Sequences of Selected Neurotensin (NT) Analogs
Polypeptide
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
NT
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT02
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT03
L-Arg
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT04
L-Arg
D-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT06
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
D-Leu
NT07
L-Arg
L-Arg
Gly
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT08
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT09
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Leu
L-Leu
NT10
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Val
L-Leu
NT13
D-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT14
D-Arg
D-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT15
D-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT16
L-Lys
D-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT17
L-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT18
L-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT19
L-Lys
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT20
D-Lys
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT21
L-Orn
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT22
D-Orn
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT23
L-Arg
L-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT24
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT25
L-Orn
L-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT26
L-Orn
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT27
D-Orn
L-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT28
D-Orn
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT29
DAB
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT30
L-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT31
DAB
DAB
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT32
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
CHA
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT33
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-3,2-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Nal
NT34
L-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT35
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT36
L-Arg
L-Orn
L-Pro
D-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT37
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT38
DAP
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT39
L-Arg
DAP
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT40
DAP
DAP
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT44
L-Arg
L-
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
homoArg
NT45
L-
L-
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
homoArg
homoArg
NT46
L-
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
homoArg
NT47
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT48
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT49
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-3,1-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Nal
NT50
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Nal
NT51
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,2-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Nal
NT52
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pip
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT54
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
BPA
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT55
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
BPA
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT56
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
BPA
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT59
L-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
L-3,1-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Nal
NT60
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
L-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT61
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT62
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-Tyr
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-3,1-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Nal
NT64L
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Trp
NT65
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
Trp
NT66L
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
Trp
NT66T
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
NT67L
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Trp
NT67T
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT69L
N-
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
methyl-
Trp
Arg
NT70
p-Glu
L-Leu
L-iodo-
L-Glu
L-Asn
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Tyr
L-Ile
L-Leu
Tyr
NT71
N-
DAB
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
methyl-
Trp
Arg
NT72
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
Trp
NT73
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-neo-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Trp
NT75
DAB
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-
L-Ile
L-Leu
Trp
NT77
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
Trp
NT77T
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
NT78
N-
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-neo-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
methyl-
Trp
Arg
NT78T
N-
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
methyl-
Arg
NT79
N-
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-
tert-Leu
L-Leu
methyl-
Nal
Arg
NT80
N-
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-
L-Ile
L-Leu
methyl-
Nal
Arg
Abbreviations:
BPA = benzoylphenylalanine;
CHA = cyclohexylalanine;
DAB = diaminobutyric acid;
DAP = diaminoproprionic acid;
homoArg = homoarginine;
Orn = ornithine;
Nal = naphthyl-alanine;
NT = neurotensin;
Pip = 1-pipecolinic acid;
neo-Trp = a regio-isomer of the native tryptophan (See Fauq, A. H. et al. “Synthesis of (2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-4-indolyl)propanoic acid, a novel tryptophan analog for structural modification of bioactive peptides.” Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9: 4127-34 (1998));
TIC = 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid)
[0039] Patent
Cell Culture
[0040] CHO-K1 cells that had been stably transfected separately with the hNTS1 or hNTS2 genes were cultured in 150 mm (500 cm 2 ) Petri plates with 35 ml of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 100 μM minimal essential medium nonessential amino acids (Life Technologies, Inc.) supplemented with 5% (v/v) FetalClone II bovine serum product (Hyclone Labs, Logan, Utah). CHO cells (subculture 7-15) were harvested at confluence by aspiration of the medium, followed by a wash with ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH=7.4, which was discarded, resuspension in 5-15 ml of Tris-HCl, scraping the cells with a plastic spatula into a centrifuge tube, and collection of cells by centrifugation at 300×g for 5 min at 4° C., in a GPR centrifuge (Beckman Instruments, Fullerton, Calif.). The cellular pellet (in Tris-HCl buffer) was stored at −180° C. until the radioligand binding was performed.
[0041] For use in binding assays, crude membrane preparations were prepared by centrifugation of the cellular pellet at 35,600×g for 10 min. The supematant was decanted and discarded, and the cellular pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of Tris-HCl buffer followed by homogenization with a Brinkmann Polytron at setting 5.5 for 15 s. Centrifugation was repeated as above, the supernatant was decanted and discarded, and the cellular pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of Tris-HCl buffer followed by homogenization. Centrifugation was repeated a third time, the supematant was discarded, and the final cellular pellet was suspended in 0.5-2.5 ml of Tris-HCl buffer. Protein concentration of the membrane preparation was estimated by the method of Lowry et al. using bovine serum albumin as a standard. (Lowry O. H. et al. J B IOL C HEM 193: 265-75 (1951)).
Radioligand Binding Assays
[0042] A Biomek 1000 robotic workstation (Beckman Instruments) performed all pipetting steps in the radioligand binding assays as described previously by Cusack et al. J R ECEPT R ES 13: 123-134, 1993. Competition binding assays with [ 3 H]NT (1 nM), varying concentrations of unlabeled NT, and varying concentrations of peptide analogs were carried out in duplicate in at least three independent experiments with membrane preparations from the appropriate cell lines. Nonspecific binding was determined with 1 μM unlabeled NT in assay tubes with a total volume of 1 ml. Incubation was at 20° C. for 40 min. The assay was routinely terminated by addition of ice-cold 0.9% NaCl (5×1.5 ml), followed by rapid filtration through a GF/B filter strip that had been pretreated with 0.2% or 2% polyethyleneimine. Details of binding assays have been described previously. (See Cusack, B. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 206: 339-42 (1991)). Data were analyzed using the LIGAND program. (Munson, P. J. and Rodbard, D. A NALYTICAL B IOCHEMISTRY 107: 220-39 (1980)).
Statistical Analysis
[0043] The values presented for equilibrium dissociation constants are expressed as the geometric means+S.E.M. (See Fleming, W. W. et al. J P HARMACOL E XP T HER 181: 339-45 (1972) and De Lean, A. M OL P HARMACOL 21: 5-16 (1982)).
Results
Radioligand Binding Studies
[0044] Results from the radioligand binding studies are listed in Table 2. All the peptides tested had Hill coefficients close to unity (data not shown), indicating binding to a single class of receptors. The most potent compound at both receptors was [L-neo-Trp 11 ]NT(8-13), abbreviated as NT64, with a K d =0.09 nM at hNTS1 and 0.32 nM at hNTS2. Nine analogs had sub-nanomolar K d 's at hNTS1, the data for some of which were reported previously (Table 2). (See Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 270: 18359-66 (1995) and Tyler, B. M. et al. N EUROPHARMACOLOGY 38: 1027-34 (1999)). Six analogs had sub-nanomolar K d 's at hNTS2 (Table 2), all but one of which (NT44) also had sub-nanomolar K d 's at hNTS1. Two compounds, [L-Orn 9 ,D-Tyr 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT36) and [D-10m 9 ,D-Tyr 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT37), had no detectable binding to hNTS1, but had micromolar K d 's at hNTS2. The least potent compounds at hNTS2 were [D-Orn 9 ]NT(1-13) (NT61, K d =6.6 μM) and [D-Orn 9 ]NT(9-13) (NT35, K d =10 μM).
[0045] An example of some competition binding curves for compounds at hNTS2, expressed by CHO-K1 cells, is shown in FIG. 2 . Assays were performed with membrane preparations, 1 nM [ 3 H]NT, and varying concentrations of compounds as described in the text. Curves were generated using the LIGAND program. (See Munson, P. J. and Rodbard, D. A NALYTICAL B IOCHEMISTRY 107: 220-39 (1980)). Data are the means of duplicate determinations and are representative results from one of at least three independent experiments.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Radioligand Binding Data for Neurotensin and Analogs at the Human NTS1 and NTS2.
hNTS1
hNTS2
Reference
Geometric
hNTS1
Geometric
hNTS2
Name
Compound Sequence
Mean ∀ SEM
Selectivity
Mean ∀ SEM
Selectivity
NT
Neurotensin
1.94 ± 0.07
3.4
6.5 ± 0.1
0.3
NT02
[D-Lys 8 ]NT(8-13)
1.0 ± 0.1†
4.6
4.6 ± 0.5
0.2
NT03
[D-Lys 9 ]NT(8-13)
690 ± 30
0.4
280 ± 30
2.5
NT04
[D-Arg 9 ]NT(8-13)
158 ± 7
0.2
24 ± 2
6.5
NT06
[D-Leu 13 ]NT(8-13)
4200 ± 100
0.8
3300 ± 300
1.3
NT07
[Gly 10 ]NT(8-13)
1380 ± 50
0.7
970 ± 40
1.4
NT08
[Ala 11 ]NT(8-13)
2500 ± 200
0.02
58 ± 5
43
NT09
[L-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
7.2 ± 0.6
0.3
2.4 ± 0.3
2.9
NT10
[L-Val 12 ]NT(8-13)
11.3 ± 0.6
0.8
8.8 ± 0.4
1.3
NT13
[D-Arg 8 ]NT(8-13)
0.50 ± 0.03†
5.7
2.9 ± 0.2
0.2
NT14
[D-Arg 8 ,D-Arg 9 ]NT(8-13)
28 ± 3†
0.7
20 ± 2
1.4
NT15
[D-Arg 8 ,L-Lys 9 ]NT(8-13)
3.5 ± 0.5‡
4.0
18 ± 2
0.2
NT16
[L-Lys 8 ,D-Arg 9 ]NT(8-13)
33 ± 6†
1.2
39.6 ± 0.6
0.8
NT17
[L-Lys 8 ]NT(8-13)
0.25 ± 0.02†
4.0
1.2 ± 0.2
0.2
NT18
[L-Lys 9 ]NT(8-13)
1.49 ± 0.09‡
0.8
1.18 ± 0.09
1.3
NT19
[L-Lys 8 ,L-Lys 9 ]NT(8-13)
1.4 ± 0.2‡
1.7
2.4 ± 0.3
0.6
NT20
[D-Lys 8 ,D-Lys 9 ]NT(8-13)
185 ± 5†
4.0
730 ± 60
0.3
NT21
[L-Orn 8 ]NT(8-13)
0.41 ± 0.03†
5.2
2.2 ± 0.1
0.2
NT22
[D-Orn 8 ]NT(8-13)
1.9 ± 0.2‡
3.2
5.9 ± 0.2
0.3
NT23
[L-Orn 9 ]NT(8-13)
0.94 ± 0.06‡
1.6
1.5 ± 0.1
0.6
NT24
[D-Orn 9 ]NT(8-13)
120 ± 10‡
6.6
790 ± 20
0.2
NT25
[L-Orn 8 ,L-Orn 9 ]NT(8-13)
3.0 ± 0.3‡
1.3
3.9 ± 0.2
0.8
NT26
[L-Orn 8 ,D-Orn 9 ]NT(8-13)
360 ± 40‡
3.0
1082 ± 6
0.3
NT27
[D-Orn 8 ,L-Orn 9 ]NT(8-13)
3.6 ± 0.2†
6.6
24 ± 2
0.2
NT28
[D-Orn 8 ,D-Orn 9 ]NT(8-13)
600 ± 20†
3.2
1900 ± 100
0.3
NT29
[DAB 8 ]NT(8-13)
1.2 ± 0.1‡
5.6
6.5 ± 0.3
0.2
NT30
[DAB 9 ]NT(8-13)
0.41 ± 0.05‡
2.2
0.90 ± 0.04
0.5
NT31
[DAB 8 ,DAB 9 ]NT(8-13)
2.1 ± 0.3‡
9.1
19.5 ± 0.7
0.1
NT32
[CHA 11 ]NT(8-13)
1000 ± 200
0.1
99 ± 2
10.1
NT33
[L-3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13)
89 ± 9
0.2
18 ± 1
5.0
NT34
[L-Orn 9 ]NT(9-13)
300 ± 50†
4.0
1190 ± 40
0.3
NT35
[D-Orn 9 ]NT(9-13)
550 ± 80
19.1
10500 ± 200
0.1
NT36
[L-Orn 9 ,D-Tyr 11 ]NT(8-13)
n.d.**
—
1160 ± 20
—
NT37
[D-Orn 9 ,D-Tyr 11 ]NT(8-13)
n.d.
—
1800 ± 100
—
NT38
[DAP 8 ]NT(8-13)
5.8 ± 0.7
4.3
25 ± 1
0.2
NT39
[DAP 9 ]NT(8-13)
8.6 ± 0.8
3.0
17.0 ± 0.2
0.5
NT40
[DAP 8 ,DAP 9 ]NT(8-13)
175 ± 10
6.3
1100 ± 30
0.2
NT44
[L-Homoarg 9 ]NT(8-13)
1.7 ± 0.1
0.6
0.96 ± 0.06
1.8
NT45
[L-Homoarg 8 ,L-Homoarg 9 ]NT(8-13)
1.4 ± 0.1
0.4
0.52 ± 0.02
2.6
NT46
[L-Homoarg 8 ]NT(8-13)
0.41 ± 0.05
1.1
0.45 ± 0.01
0.9
NT47***
[L-TIC 11 ]NT(8-13)
720
0.02
14
51.4
NT48***
[D-TIC 11 ]NT(8-13)
350
0.73
255
1.4
NT49
[L-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13)
6.4 ± 0.5
0.2
1.28 ± 0.05
5.0
NT50
[D-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13)
1800 ± 500
0.01
17 ± 3
104
NT51
[D-3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13)
1080 ± 80
0.03
32.9 ± 0.6
32.8
NT52
[L-Pip 10 ]NT(8-13)
33 ± 6
1.2
38 ± 2
0.9
NT54
[BPA 8 ]NT(1-13)
18.6 ± 0.9
35.5
660 ± 50
0.03
NT55
[BPA 5 ]NT(1-13)
0.91 ± 0.09
6.2
5.7 ± 0.3
0.2
NT56
[BPA 9 ]NT(1-13)
72 ± 8
4.6
330 ± 40
0.2
NT59
[DAB 9 ,L-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13)
6.8 ± 0.2
0.3
1.73 ± 0.09
3.9
NT60
[L-Orn 9 ]NT(1-13)
3.2 ± 0.1
5.4
17 ± 2
0.2
NT61
[D-Orn 9 ]NT(1-13)
1500 ± 100
4.4
6600 ± 100
0.2
NT62
[L-3,1 Nal 11 ]NT(1-13)
8.4 ± 0.3
1.7
14.2 ± 0.5
0.6
NT64L
[L-neo-Trp 11 ]NT(8-13)
0.09 ± 0.01*
3.4
0.32 ± 0.02
0.3
NT65
[neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1.01 ± 0.05
0.5
0.52 ± 0.03
1.9
NT66L
[D-Lys 8 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
10.2 ± 0.6||
0.7
7.1 ± 0.8
1.4
NT66T
[D-Lys 8 ,L-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
140 ± 19
0.1
18.1 ± 0.7
7.7
NT67L
[D-Lys 8 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ]NT(8-13)
0.59 ± 0.05||
2.1
1.23 ± 0.03
0.5
NT67T
[D-Lys 8 ,L-Trp 11 ]NT(8-13)
17 ± 2
0.5
8.0 ± 0.4
2.2
NT69L
[N-methyl-Arg 8 ,L-Lys 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
3.1 ± 0.4
0.7
2.1 ± 0.2
1.5
NT70
[L-iodo-Tyr 3 ]NT(1-13)
2.52 ± 0.05
1.7
4.20 ± 0.04
0.6
NT71
[N-methyl-Arg 8 ,DAB 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1.71 ± 0.06
0.7
1.11 ± 0.03
1.5
NT72
[D-Lys 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(9-13)
34 ± 9
41.0
1400 ± 100
0.02
NT73
[D-Lys 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ]NT(9-13)
30 ± 3
5.5
162 ± 3
0.2
NT75
[DAB 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ]NT(9-13)
73 ± 5
2.3
169 ± 8
0.4
NT77
[D-Orn 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1500 ± 100
0.3
460 ± 70
3.3
NT77T
[D-Orn 9 ,L-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1530 ± 80
0.2
320 ± 20
4.8
NT78
[N-methyl-Arg 8 ,D-Orn 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1300 ± 400
0.3
380 ± 40
3.4
NT78T
[N-methyl-Arg 8 ,D-Orn 9 ,L-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1400 ± 300
0.5
660 ± 50
2.1
NT79
[N-methyl-Arg 8 ,D-3,1-Nal 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(8-13)
1800***
—
22 ± 3
82
NT80***
[N-methyl-Arg 8 ,D-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13)
2000
—
30
67
*Published in Tyler, B. M. et al. “In vitro binding and CNS effects of novel neurotensin agonists that cross the blood-brain barrier.” Neuropharmacology 38: 1027-34 (1999);
†published before in Cusack, B. et al. “Pharmacological and biochemical profiles of unique neurotensin 8-13 analogs exhibiting species selectivity, stereoselectivity, and superagonism.” J Biol Chem 270: 18359-66 (1995);
‡reported before, but numbers are now slightly different from previous numbers (See Cusack, B. et al. J Biol Chem 270: 18359-66 (1995)) because we added more values to obtain the mean;
||Published in Tyler et al. 1999, but these numbers are slightly different, because we added more values to obtain the mean.
**no detectable binding at 1 μM.
***data are not sufficient to calculate geometric mean ± S.E.M.
Abbreviations:
BPA = benzoylphenylalanine;
CHA = cyclohexylalanine;
DAB = diaminobutyric acid;
DAP = diaminoproprionic acid;
Homoarg = homoarginine;
Orn = ornithine;
Nal = naphthyl-alanine;
NT = neurotensin;
Pip = 1-pipecolinic acid;
neo-Trp = a regio-isomer of the native tryptophan (See Fauq, A. H. et al. “Synthesis of (2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-4-indolyl)propanoic acid, a novel tryptophan analog for structural modification of bioactive peptides.” Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9: 4127-34 (1998));
TIC = 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid)
[0046] There was a strong correlation between the log K d at hNTS1 and the log K d at hNTS2 (y=0.76x-1.75, R=0.84, P<0.0001) for the peptides ( FIG. 3 ). The relationship between the log K d 's at human NTS1 and human NTS2 is depicted in FIG. 3 . The equation for the regression of the log K d at hNTS1 versus the log K d at hNTS2 was y=0.76x-1.75 (R=0.84, P < 0.0001). The dashed line is the line of identity. About one-half of the compounds fell at or around the line of identity. There were several compounds, however, that had at least a 10-fold selectivity for one or the other receptor. Thus, three compounds had 19-fold or greater (range 19 to 41 fold) selectivity for hNTS1: [D-Orn 9 ]NT(9-13) (NT35, K d =550 nM at hNTS1 and 10500 nM at hNTS2); [BPA 11 ]NT(1-13) (NT54, K d =18.6 nM at hNTS1 and 660 nM at hNTS2); [D-Lys 9 ,L-neo-Trp 11 ,tert-Leu 12 ]NT(9-13) (NT72, K d =34 nM at hNTS1 and 1400 nM at hNTS2). Five compounds had 10 fold or greater (range 10 to 104 fold) selectivity for hNTS2: [CHA 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT32, K d =1000 nM at hNTS1 and 99 nM at hNTS2); [D-3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT51, K d =1080 nM at hNTS1 and 32.9 nM at hNTS2); [Ala 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT08, K d =2500 nM at hNTS1 and 58 nM at hNTS2); [L-TIC 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT47, K d =720 nM at hNTS1 and 14 nM at hNTS2); and [D-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13) (NT50, K d =1800 nM at hNTS1 and 17 nM at hNTS2).
[0047] In the present series of peptides, about one-half of the compounds had essentially the same affinities for both hNTS1 and hNTS2 (see FIG. 3 , line of identity). Furthermore, there is strong correlation between the log K d at hNTS1 and the log K d at hNTS2 for the peptides. Thus, the binding site for these peptides at the hNTS2 is likely in a region with high homology to the binding site in the hNTS1.
Receptors
Compounds Selective for NTS2
[0048] In previous publications, Dr. Richelson and colleagues showed the importance of position 11 of NT(8-13) for high-affinity binding to hNTS1. (See Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271: 15054-59 (1996); Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271: 15060-68 (1996); and Cusack, B et al. B IOCHEM P HARMACOL 60: 793-801 (2000)). Pi electrons in this position are critical for the cation-pi interactions that contribute to the binding of the ligand to the hNTS1. (See Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271: 15054-59 (1996) and Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271: 15060-68 (1996)). It is therefore interesting to note that the most selective compounds at the hNTS2 were compounds with substitutions in position 11: [L-Ala 11 ]NT(8-13), [D-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13), [L-TIC 11 ]NT(8-13), and [D-3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13). At both receptors, these substitutions reduced the binding affinity, compared to that for NT, for example. The effect, however, was much greater at the hNTS1 than at the hNTS2, leaving very selective and relatively potent compounds at the second subtype.
[0049] NT50, [D-3,1-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13), may be the agonist that is selective for NTS2 not only in vitro, but also in vivo based on studies with this compound. After direct injection into the brains of rats, NT50 caused little or no effects on body temperature, but caused behavioral activation (McMahon et al., unpublished observations), results different from those obtained with non-selective agonists. (See Cusack, B. et al. B RAIN R ES 856: 48-54 (2000) and Tyler-McMahon, B. M. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 390: 107-11 (2000)).
[0050] Of the many NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) peptide analogs that have been synthesized and tested, about 70 have been tested for their affinities at both hNTS1 and hNTS2. Few are selective for either NTS1 or NTS2. Table 3 lists several compounds having selectivity for hNTS2. Based on preliminary in vivo data, NT79 and NT80 have also been found to be selective for NTS2 (not listed in Table 3).
[0000]
TABLE 3
hNTS2-Selective Compounds
hNTS1
hNTS2
NTS2
Compound
K d (nM)
Selectivity
NT08
2500
58
43
NT47
720
14
51
NT50
1800
17.3
104
NT51
1080
33
33
[0051] The sequences of these compounds are listed in Table 4, along with several other compounds. All compounds, except for NT72, are NT(8-13) analogs. NT72 is an analog of NT(9-13). The four compounds of Table 3 differ from the natural sequence by the single amino acid substitution in position 11. NT(8-13) has L-Tyr in this position.
[0000]
TABLE 4
Sequences of hNTS2-Selective and hNTS2-Non-Selective Compounds
Sequence
hNTS2
Compound
8
9
10
11
12
13
Selectivity
NT08
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
43
NT47
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
51
NT50
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
104
NT51
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,2-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
33
NT64
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
L-Leu
L-Leu
—
NT65
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
Tert-Leu
L-Leu
1.7
NT66
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
Tert-Leu
L-Leu
2
NT67
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
—
NT69
N-Me-L-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
1.5
NT72
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
—
NT77
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
3.3
NT79
N-Me-L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
82
NT80
N-Me-L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
67
Nal = naphthyl-alanine;
TIC = 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid;
Orn = ornithine;
“—” indicates higher affinity for hNTS1;
“ND” indicates not yet determined
[0052] Dubuc et al. described [3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13) analogs (JMV509 and JMV510) that showed some selectivity for NTS2 receptors (non-human). (See Dubuc, I. et al. J N EUROSCI 19:503-10 (1999)) Their binding assays made use of the molecularly cloned rat NTS1 and the molecularly cloned mouse NTS2. The sequences and binding data are reported in Tables 5A-B below.
[0000]
TABLE 5A
Sequences of some [3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13) Analogs
Sequence
Compound
8
9
10
11
12
13
NT33
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-3,2-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
NT51
L-Arg
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,2-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
JMV510
Boc-L-Lys
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-3,2-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
JMV509
Boc-L-Lys
L-Lys
L-Pro
D-3,2-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
[0000]
TABLE 5B
Binding Data of some [3,2-Nal 11 ]NT(8-13) Analogs
hNTS1
hNTS2
NTS2
Compound
K d (nM)
Selectivity
NT33
89 (human)
18 (human)
5
NT51
1080 (human)
33 (human)
33
JMV510
13 (rat)
215 (mouse)
0.06
JMV509
23000 (rat)
910 (mouse)
25
[0053] There is relatively high homology between the rodent receptors and the human receptors. Specifically, BLAST protein alignment analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences for hNTS1 and rNTS1 indicates 83% identity 89% positives. For hNTS2 and mNTS2, this analysis shows these receptors to have 75% identity and 83% positives. (See Tatusova, T. A. et al. FEMS M ICROBIOL L ETT 174:247-50 (1999))
[0054] Despite the relatively high homology, Dr. Richelson and collaborators showed previously and unexpectedly that compounds could bind with much higher affinity to rat NTS1 than to human NTS1. (See Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271:15054-9 (1996)) In fact, one compound that contained L-3,1-Nal in the 11 position bound to the rat receptor 126 fold better than to the human receptor. Additionally, Dr. Richelson and collaborators have never found a compound that bound significantly better to the human receptor than to the rodent receptor. (See Pang, Y. P. et al. J B IOL C HEM 271:15060-8 (1996) and Cusack, B. et al. J B IOL C HEM 270:18359-66 (1995)) Because the binding studies in Dubuc et al. were performed with the molecularly cloned rat NTS1 and the molecularly clone mouse NTS2, it would not have been obvious from their studies that their results would correlate to studies with human molecularly cloned NTS1 and NTS2. Therefore, although in the present case, data are for compounds binding to NTS2, it can be argued strongly that it could not be predicted from the results with murine NTS2 (see Dubuc, I. et al. J N EUROSCI 19:503-10 (1999)) that any of the compounds tested by Dr. Richelson and colleagues would bind with higher affinity to the human receptor than to the rodent receptor.
[0055] Table 5B lists the binding data for JMV 509 and NT51, both of which have D-3,2-Nal 11 , and JMV 510 and NT33, both of which have L-3,2-Nal l I . As described above, previous work found that for all compounds tested, no compound bound significantly better to human NTS1 than to rodent NTS1. Therefore, the results with NT33 and NT51 obtained with human NTS2 could not have been predicted from the results of Dubuc et al. with murine NTS2 and their 3,2-Nal substituted compounds. As seen in Table 5B, the affinities of NT33 and NT51 are much higher at hNTS2 than the affinities of JMV 510 and JMV 509 at mNTS2 (12 and 28 fold higher affinities compared, respectively, to their D- and L-Nal peptides). Although the NTS2 selectivity over NTS1 of JMV 509 (25 fold) is similar to that for NT51 (33 fold), JMV 509 has nearly 1 μM affinity for mNTS2, while NT51 has an affinity of 33 nM, which is nearly 30 fold higher affinity. Furthermore, changing from L- to D-3,2-Nal in our peptides (NT33 compared to NT51) caused less than a 2 fold decrease in affinity at NTS2. In contrast, this change in Dubuc's peptides caused a decrease of more than 4 fold. Finally, changing from L- to D-3,2-Nal in our peptides did not reverse the selectivity of our compounds for hNTS2, as it did for Dubuc et al. That is, both NT33 and NT51 are selective for NTS2 over NTS1, while only JMV 509 has that selectivity.
[0056] The single property that predicts whether one of the NT(8-13) or NT(9-13) peptides has pharmacological effects in vivo upon injection outside of the brain or spinal cord is stability to degradation by plasma peptidases. As seen in FIG. 4 , the results from this simple assay in which peptide was incubated in a test tube with either human ( FIG. 4 ) or rat (data not shown) plasma show that some of the peptides were much more stable than others. All peptides that were stable (half-lives>100 h), such as NT66, NT67, NT69, NT72, and NT73, have either a blocked amino group (N-Methyl-Arg) or a D-amino in the 8 or 9 position (Table 4). Those that lack this feature, such as NT64 and NT65 (Table 4 and FIG. 4 ) were rapidly degraded.
[0057] Virtually all the peptides that had long half-lives in this assay cause their pharmacological effects in brain after administration outside the brain. Likewise, virtually all the short half-life compounds required direct administration into the brain to cause their effects. On this basis, it can be predicted that none of the highly selective compounds at hNTS2 will work by injection outside the brain. Therefore, NT79 and NT80 were designed based on the most selective compound NT50, the sequences for all of which are shown in Table 4. In binding studies with membrane preparations from cells expressing hNTS2, NT79 had a K d of 22 nM (Table 2), close to that found for NT50 (17.3 nM, Table 3), both of which contain D-3,1-Nal” (Table 4). Additionally, in a single experiment with membrane preparations from cells expressing hNTS1, NT79 had a K d of about 1800 nM, giving it a selectivity for hNTS2 of 82 (Table 2). Also, in a single experiment with membrane preparations from cells expressing hNTS1, NT80 had a IQ of about 2000 nM, similar to that for NT79. Furthermore, in two separate experiments with membrane preparations from cells expressing hNTS2, NT80 had a K d of about 30 nM, giving it a selectivity for hNTS2 of 67 (Table 2).
Antinociceptive Testing
[0058] Preliminary data on the pharmacological effects of NT79 and NT80 after intraperitoneal administration to mice (NT79 and NT80, FIG. 5 ) or to rats (NT79 only, FIGS. 6 and 7 ) was obtained.
Body Temperature Lowering
[0059] At time “0” baseline readings were made. Afterwards, the mice were injected with a neurotensin analog compound (NT69, NT79, or NT80) and the first reading was taken 30 min after the injection. The thermistor probe was inserted 2 cm into the rectum for the measurement of body temperature.
[0060] When injected into the brain, NT causes hypothermia, which indicates a central effect of this peptide on thermal regulation. (See Martin, G. E. et al. P EPTIDES 1:333-9 (1980)) NTS1 mediates the hypothermic effects of NT. (See Boules, M. et al. P EPTIDES 27:2523-33 (2006)) NT69, an L-neo-Trp NT(8-13) analog is non-selective for the NT-receptor subtypes and has a hypothermic effect. As seen in FIG. 5 , administration of NT69 to the mice resulted in a significant change in body temperature (about 10° C. decrease). In contrast, the minimal effects of NT79 and NT80, which were administered at 10 times the dosage of that for NT69, suggest that these compounds have low affinity for NTS1, as we have found in preliminary binding studies (Table 2). Although these results with NT79 and NT80 could also mean that these compounds did not penetrate into brain, this is not consistent with the results of the antinociceptive studies shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . Assuming that these peptides penetrate into brain, these data support the binding data and again suggest that NT79 and NT80 bind weakly to NTS1 and together with the antinociceptive data ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) have selectivity for NTS2.
Hot Plate Test
[0061] The rats were administered 20 mg/kg of NT79 intraperitoneally. A metal plate (15×20 cm) was heated to 52.5° C. and surrounded by a transparent plastic cage. Baseline testing for the hot plate was measured for each rat immediately prior to the experiment. The latency between the time the rat was placed on the surface and the time it licked either of its hind paws was measured. Failure to respond in a 30 s period resulted in ending the trial and removing the rat from the plate to prevent tissue damage. Hot plate tests were scored as the percentage of Maximal Possible Effect (% MPE) and was calculated according to the following equation:
[0000] % MPE=100×(test latency-baseline latency)/(cutoff time {30 s}−baseline latency).
[0000] Analgesic compounds will result in higher %MPE.
Tail Flick Test
[0062] The tail flick test also measures changes in nociceptive threshold to thermal stimulus. The rats were administered 20 mg/kg of NT79 intraperitoneally. The rat was placed in a restrainer. Water was heated to 52° C. (52-54° C.). The rat's tail was immersed in the heated water. The latency to flick the tail was recorded. A 10 sec cutoff period was used to prevent tissue damage. Antinociception was expressed as a percentage of the Maximal Possible Effect (MPE) % MPE=100×(test latency-baseline latency)/(cutoff time {10 s}−baseline latency). Analgesic compounds will result in higher %MPE.
Writhing Test
[0063] The writhing test was used to measure changes in the nociceptive threshold to a chemical stimulus. The rats were administered 20 mg/kg of NT79 intraperitoneally. The rats were also injected with 0.5 ml of a 2% (v/v) aqueous solution of acetic acid and placed individually in clear plastic containers for observation.
[0064] Behavioral Measure: The number of writhes was counted during a 60 min observation period. A writhe was defined as stretching of the hind limbs accompanied by a contraction of abdominal muscles. Analgesic compounds will result in lower number of writhes.
[0065] As seen in FIG. 6 , NT79 demonstrated antinociceptive effects in the tail flick assay, but not the hot plate test. Additionally, NT79 had a robust antinociceptive effect in the writhing pain model in rodents (see FIG. 7 ).
Prostaglandin Levels
[0066] Furthermore, evidence suggests that NTS1 also mediates hypotension. (See Schaeffer, P. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 323:215-21 (1997)) Therefore, NT79 and NT80 would also be expected to have minimal effects on blood pressure. In this regard, the release of prostacyclins may be related in part to the mechanism whereby NT causes hypotension. (See Schaeffer, P. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 323:215-21 (1997) and Ertl, G. et al. A M J P HYSIOL 264:H1062-8 (1993)) Consequently, measurement of plasma prostacylin (or its stable metabolite, 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α ) may be a surrogate marker for hypotension caused by NT and related compounds. Therefore, in preliminary studies, levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α immunoreactivity were measured after injection of saline, NT69, or NT79 into mice ( FIG. 8 ). Consistent with the literature (See Schaeffer, P. et al. E UR J P HARMACOL 323:215-21 (1997) and Ertl, G. et al. A M J P HYSIOL 264:H1062-8 (1993)) and because it causes hypotension, NT69 markedly elevated plasma levels of prostaglandin. On the other hand, as seen in FIG. 8 , NT79 had no effect on these levels, compared to the saline-injected animal. These data suggest that NT79 did not cause hypotension.
Additional Compounds
[0067] The peptides listed in Tables 6A-D were designed to provide hNTS2-selectivity and stability to degradation by peptidases. Rules for this latter feature have come from extensive studies on NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) peptide analogs (e.g., FIG. 4 ). Additionally, it has been observed in binding studies with hNTS1 and hNTS2 with these analogs that tert-Leu reduces affinity of peptides at both receptors, but more so at hNTS1 than at hNTS2. Radioligand binding studies on hNTS1 and hNTS2 are performed on all the compounds using the protocol described previously. Additional pharmacological studies, including antinociceptive tests, are performed on those analogs showing selectivity for hNTS2.
[0068] Peptides (about 30 mg of peptide (>95%) purity) are synthesized using Fmoc chemistry with tBut, Boc, Mtr, or Pmc protected side chains, on an automated 433A peptide synthesizer (Perkin-Elmer/Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) or by simultaneous methods on an APEX 396 multiple peptide synthesizer (AAPPTEC). Protocols for activation, coupling times, amino acid dissolution, coupling solvents, and synthesis scales at either 40 or 100 μmol are followed according to the manufacturer's programs. The NT peptides are purified by reverse-phase HPLC using a semi-preparative C 18 column (2.2 cm×25 cm, Phenomenex, Hesperia, Calif.) in aqueous solutions of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and an aqueous gradient of 10%-60% acetonitrile in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. A combination of analytical reverse-phase HPLC and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MSQ, ThermoFischer Scientific) was used to analyze peptide homogeniety and to confirm peptide molecular weight, respectively.
[0000]
TABLE 6A
NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) D-3,1-Napthylalanine 11 Analogs
Com-
Sequence
pound
8
9
10
11
12
13
1
DAB
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
2
DAB
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
3
D-Lys
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
4
D-Lys
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
5
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
6
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
7
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
8
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
9
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
10
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
11
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
12
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
13
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
L-Ile
L-Leu
14
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
D-3,1-Nal
tert-Leu
L-Leu
[0000]
TABLE 6B
NT(8-13) and NT(9-13)
L-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-Carboxylic Acid 11 Analogs
Com-
Sequence
pound
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
DAB
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
16
DAB
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
17
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
18
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
19
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
20
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
21
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
22
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
23
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
24
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
25
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
26
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
27
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-TIC
L-Ile
L-Leu
28
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-TIC
tert-Leu
L-Leu
DAB = diaminobutyric acid;
tert-Leu = tertiary leucine;
D-Orn = D-Ornithine
[0000]
TABLE 6C
NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) L-Alanine 11 Analogs
Sequence
Compound
8
9
10
11
12
13
29
DAB
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
30
DAB
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
31
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
32
D-Lys
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
33
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
34
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
35
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
36
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
37
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
38
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
39
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
40
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
41
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Ala
L-Ile
L-Leu
42
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
L-Ala
tert-Leu
L-Leu
[0000]
TABLE 6D
NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) D-neo-Trp 11 Analogs
Com-
Sequence
pound
8
9
10
11
12
13
43
DAB
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
44
DAB
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
45
D-Lys
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
46
D-Lys
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
47
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
48
D-Lys
L-Arg
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
49
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
50
L-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
51
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
52
N-methyl-Arg
DAB
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
53
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
54
N-methyl-Arg
D-Orn
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
55
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
L-Ile
L-Leu
56
N-methyl-Arg
L-Lys
L-Pro
D-neo-Trp
tert-Leu
L-Leu
DAB = diaminobutyric acid;
tert-Leu = tertiary leucine;
D-Orn = D-Ornithine
[0069] Radioligand binding studies are performed as detailed above to determine the equilibrium dissociation constants (K d ) for the additional compounds for NTS1 and NTS2 to determine which compounds have selectivity for NTS2. Additionally, stability tests with plasma peptidases, prostaglandin level tests, and antinociceptive tests are performed as described above.
[0070] Although the foregoing invention has, for the purposes of clarity and understanding, been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced which will still fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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Neurotensin analogs selective for neurotensin receptor subtype 2 are described. These include hexapeptides (NT(8-13)) and pentapeptides (NT(9-13)) having a D-3,1-naphthyl-alanine, D-3,2-naphthyl-alanine, an alanine derivative such as cyclohexylalanine, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline at position 11. Methods of treating pain by administering these neurotensin analogs are also described.
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BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a zoom lens unit, an imaging device and a photographing device,
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Such a zoom lens unit, which includes in order from an object side: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; and a subsequent lens group comprising one or more lens groups and having a positive refracting power as a whole, and an aperture stop disposed between the second lens group and the subsequent lens group, wherein when changing a modification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, and a distance between the second lens group and the subsequent lens group decreases, is suitable for “miniaturization and high magnification ratio”, and is embodied widely for video camera and digital camera as the zoom lens unit therefor.
[0005] The zoom lens unit with such a structure is most common for “a zoom lens unit for digital camera” with a magnification ratio more than 4 times, as well as the zoom lens unit for the video camera having the magnification ratio of 10 times or more as a matter of course. In such a zoom lens unit, a total of 6 or more than 6 lenses are often used in “the first and the second lens groups located nearer to the object side than the aperture stop”, due to the necessity of the aberration correction.
[0006] In a case that the photographing is taken in a state so-called “state of backlit” that a strong light source such as the sun exists in or neighbourhood at the photographing screen, a ghost image formed by round trip lights due to reflection between two lens surfaces reaching the image plane, is generated depending on the lens structure. Since in general the zoom lens unit is constructed by the large number of lenses, measures against the ghost image are an important technological issue.
[0007] Especially, reflection between lens surface to lens surface which are nearer to the object side than the aperture stop, reaches the image plane to generate the ghost image easily, and the measures against the ghost image are extremely important in the zoom lens unit like above-mentioned, in which the number of the lens forming the first and the second lens groups is comparatively increased.
[0008] Recently, there are many users requiring the wider field angle of zoom lens unit. For the zoom lens unit with structures mentioned above, a half field angle of 38 degrees or more at the wide angle end is also proposed, and thus it becomes easy that the light causing the ghost image appears in a screen, simply because the field angle is wide.
[0009] Moreover, when the field angle of the zoom lens unit like above-mentioned is widened, the diameters of the first and the second lens groups tend to increase easily, and even in the case that the light source causing the ghost image exists outside of the screen, the generation probability of the ghost image caused by the reflection between the lens surface to lens surface of the first and the second lens group is high. In the case that the strong light source exists in the photographing screen, the ghost image is easily tolerated because it is not so distinguished, as compared with an image of the strong light source, while in the case that the light source is outside of the photographing screen, the ghost image is difficult to be tolerated since it is apt to be distinguished.
[0010] Measures against the ghost image for the zoom lens unit are disclosed in JP-A-2001-324676, JP-2991554 B.
[0011] The zoom lens unit disclosed in JP-A-2001-324676 is a zoom lens unit like above mentioned, its first lens group includes a bonded surface, and reduction of the ghost image is obtained by inhibiting the reflection on the bonded surface. However, as an embodiment, only a zoom lens unit with a half field angle at a wide angle end being smaller than 34 degrees is described specifically, and the inhibition of the ghost image in a case that the half field angle at the wide angle end is 38 degrees or more is uncertain.
[0012] In JP-2991554 B, there has been disclosed to apply a reflection inhibiting coat having reflection characteristics of mutually complementary relation, on two or more reflection boundary surfaces causing the ghost image, so as to prevent the generation of the ghost image in wide wavelength range. However, there is no specific data about the zoom lens unit itself, and the magnification ratio and the half field angle at the wide angle end are uncertain.
SUMMARY
[0013] An object of the present invention is to effectively inhibit a ghost image caused by reflection between lens surface to lens surface of a first and a second lens groups located nearer to an object side than an aperture stop in a zoom lens unit.
[0014] A zoom lens unit according to the present invention comprises: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; and a subsequent lens group comprising one or more lens groups and having a positive refracting power as a whole, said one or more lens groups comprising a third lens group, the first lens group, the second lens group and the subsequent lens group being arranged in this order from an object side to an image side, and an aperture stop disposed between the second lens group and the third lens group. When changing a magnification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, while a distance between the second lens group and the subsequent lens group decreases.
[0015] (a) The zoom lens unit according to the present invention has the following characteristics. In other words, a lens construction including the first and the second lens groups satisfies the condition (1):
1.0 <r i /r i+1 <5.0
[0016] in which r i and r i+1 are curvature radii of lens surfaces S i and S i+1 in the lens construction, respectively, the lens surfaces S i and S i+1 being “i”th and “i+ 1 ”th lens surfaces, respectively, counted from the object side, and wherein a reflectivity-reducing treatment adapted to reduce intensity of a ghost image is performed on each lens surface forming at least one of pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1).
[0017] Following are preferred embodiments (b)-(m) of the zoom lens unit according to the present invention. Any combination thereof may be considered to be preferred ones of the present invention unless any contradictions occur.
[0018] (b) The zoom lens unit according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention has the following characteristics. In other words, the lens construction including the first and the second lens groups satisfies the condition (1A):
2.0 <r i /r i+1 <5.0
[0019] in which r i and r i+1 are curvature radii of lens surfaces S i and S i+1 in the lens construction, respectively, the lens surfaces S i and S i+1 being “i”th and “i+ 1 ”th lens surfaces, respectively, counted from the object side, and wherein the reflectivity-reducing treatment adapted to reduce intensity of the ghost image is performed on each lens surface forming at least one of pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1A).
[0020] (c) The reflectivity-reducing treatment can be performed on the lens surfaces forming at least one of the pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1) or (1A), and the treatment can also be performed on the lens surfaces forming all the pair or pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1) or (1A).
[0021] (d) In the zoom lens unit according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the reflectivity-reducing treatment performed on the lens surface gives a refractivity R 200 (unit: %): R 200 <0.7 (2) for a flux of a perpendicular incident light in a range of wavelength 450-650 nm. It is similar in the following explanation.
[0022] (e) In the zoom lens unit according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention, within a range of wavelength 450-650 nm with respect to the perpendicular incident light flux, each lens surface forming at least one of the pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1) or (1A) exhibits that: in a wavelength range the reflectivity is equal to or less than 0.3%; and in a wavelength range the reflectivity is more than 0.3%, and the reflectivity-reducing treatment on said each lens surface is performed such that the reflectivity of one or both of said lens surfaces is equal to or less than 0.3% over the range of wavelength 460-650 nm.
[0023] More specifically, taken a spectral reflectivity of these lens surfaces as a spectral reflectivity of one pair of lens surfaces, for any wavelength within the wavelength range 450-650 nm, the reflectivity of one or both of the lens surfaces is equal to or less than 0.3%.
[0024] (f) In the zoom lens unit according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the reflectivity-reducing treatment of each lens surface can be performed such that, in a desired continuous wavelength range within wavelength 450-650 nm, with respect to the perpendicular incident light flux, the reflectivity of each lens surface forming at least one of the pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1) or (1A), is equal to or less than 0.3%.
[0025] The desired continuous wavelength range for each lens surface is a continuous wavelength range structuring a part within wavelength 450-650 nm, and the desired continuous wavelength range can be the same for the mutual lenses, or also for example can be overlapped by 80% or more than 80%. Subject to a condition that the spectral reflectivity in the desired continuous wavelength range for each lens surface is equal to or less than 0.3%, the desired continuous wavelength range for each lens surface can be same or different mutually.
[0026] The zoom lenses described in (a) and (b), comprise respectively one or more than one pair of lens surfaces S i and S i+1 , satisfying the conditions (1) and (1A) respectively.
[0027] For the zoom lens unit according to any one of (a) to (f), the reflectivity-reducing treatment performed on the lens surface is not merely a treatment adapted to reduce the reflectivity, it is also a treatment adapted to reduce the intensity of the ghost image to a level that can be tolerated. In particular, the reflectivity-reducing treatment can include a multilayer film being layered on the lens surface and having a function of reducing the reflectivity (a kind of film that thin layers of low refractive index and thin layers of high refractive index are alternately lamination layered, i.e. a so-called multi-coating); and/or a subwavelength structure being formed as a surface shape of the lens surface to reduce the reflectivity.
[0028] The subwavelength structure is a minute relief structure being formed as a surface shape of the lens surface and having pitches equal to or lower than the wavelength, and the optical functions such as the reflection films and the anti-reflection films can be achieved by adjusting the pitch or the fill factor and the aspect ratio etc. of the relief structure. The above-mentioned reflectivity-reducing treatment can be achieved by such a subwavelength structure,
[0029] Between a pair of lens surfaces S i and S i+1 , it is possible to perform the reflectivity-reducing treatment on the lens surface S i by multilayer film, and perform the reflectivity-reducing treatment on the lens surface S i+1 by subwavelength structure.
[0030] To give a simple supplement to the pair of lens surfaces, in the first and the second lens groups, for example, when considering the lens surfaces, S 2 , S 3 , S 4 , S 5 , if the lens surfaces S 2 and S 3 satisfy the condition (1) or (1A), the lens surfaces S 3 and S 4 satisfy the condition (1) or ( 1 A), and the lens surfaces S 4 and S 5 satisfy the condition (1) or (1A) (the pairs of lens surfaces that satisfy the condition (1) or (1A) are three), i.e., there are the pair of lens surfaces S 2 , S 3 the pair of lens surfaces S 3 , S 4 , and the pair of lens surfaces S 4 , S 5 . In other words, one lens surface may be an either lens surface or the other lens surface in two pairs of lens surfaces.
[0031] (h) For the zoom lens unit according to any one of (a) to (g), it is possible to structure the zoom lens unit such that; the first lens group is structured by three lenses in order from the object side: a negative lens L 1 having a large curvature surface on the image side; a positive meniscus lens L 2 having a convex surface on the object side; and a positive lens L 3 having a convex surface on the object side, wherein the positive meniscus lens L 2 has the lens surface S i on the image side, the positive lens L 3 has the lens surface S i+1 on the object side, and the lens surface S i and the lens surface S i+1 satisfy the condition (1) or (1A).
[0032] (i) For the zoom lens unit according to any one of (a) to (g), it is possible to structure the zoom lens unit such that: a lens surface nearest to the image side of the first lens group is a concave surface, a lens surface nearest to the object side of the second lens group is a convex surface, and the concave and convex lens surfaces satisfy the condition (1) or (1A).
[0033] (j) In the zoom lens unit according to any one of (a) to (i), the subsequent lens group comprises the third lens group having a positive refracting power and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power, and when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens group and the third lens group move to the object side.
[0034] (k) For the zoom lens unit according to (j), it is preferable to satisfy the conditions:
0.30 <X 1/ fT< 0.85 (3),
0.15 <X 3/ fT< 0.50 (4),
[0035] in which X 1 is a total displacement of the first lens group when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, X 3 is a total displacement of the third lens group when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, and fT is a focal length of the entire system at the telephoto end.
[0036] (l) In the case of (k), it is preferable to satisfy the condition:
0.70 <Y′ max /f W <1.00 (5),
[0037] in which f W is a focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end, and Y′ max is a maximum image height.
[0038] The “maximum image height” is the largest image height that can achieve the required optical performances.
[0039] (m) For the zoom lens unit according to any one of (a) to (l), the magnification ratio can be not less than about 4.5 times, and a half field angle at the wide angle end can be not less than 38 degrees.
[0040] (n) An imaging device according to the present invention comprises: an area-type light receiving element; and an optical system for photographing which forms an image of a photographic object onto the light receiving element, wherein the zoom lens unit according to any one of (a) to (m) is used as the optical system for photographing.
[0041] A photographing device according to the present invention comprises the imaging device according to (n). The photographing device can be structured as a camera or a mobile information terminal.
[0042] To supplement the explanation, the inventor newly found the following facts.
[0043] Namely, in the zoom lens unit, which includes: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; and a subsequent lens group comprising one or more lens groups and having a positive refracting power as a whole, said one or more lens groups comprising a third lens group, the first lens group and the second lens group and the subsequent lens group being arranged in this order from an object side to an image side, and an aperture stop disposed between the second lens group and the third lens group, wherein when changing a magnification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, and a distance between the second lens group and the subsequent lens group decreases, a ghost image caused by the first and the second lens groups located nearer to the object side than the aperture stop is easily generated.
[0044] It is possible to generate the ghost image if a round trip reflection light between arbitrary two surfaces reaches the image plane, and if the light collection efficiency is high, the ghost image becomes greatly bright and distinguished.
[0045] In case of the conditions (1) and (1A) are satisfied, the orientation of the curve of the surface of the lens surfaces S i and S i+1 is the same orientation in the optical axis direction. When the light reflected by the lens surface S i+1 is further reflected by the lens surface S i , the reflected light tends to advance in a direction close to a direction of a light incident to the lens surface S i+1 , originally, therefore a ghost image with a high light collection efficiency tends to be generated at the wide angle end in the magnification range or its neighbourhood.
[0046] That is, the light further reflected by the lens surface S i after being reflected by the lens surface S i+1 reaches the image plane with a high light collection efficiency and tends to generate a bright ghost image, where the lens surfaces S i and S i+1 are a pair of lens surfaces satisfying the conditions (1) and (1A). In addition, since ghost image is generated on a side nearer to the optical axis than an image of the light source itself, the ghost image often remains in the photographing screen, even in a case that the image of the light source itself is outside of the photographing screen. Therefore, by performing the reflectivity-reducing treatment on such lens surfaces that satisfy the conditions (1) and (1A), the ghost image is reduced.
[0047] Within ranges of the condition (1), in a range of
1.0 <r i /r i+1 <2.0,
[0048] the ghost image is generated in a fairly neighbourhood of the image of the light source itself. As mentioned above, in case of a strong light source existing in the screen, the ghost image is tolerated easily, so that it is often not a substantial problem in such case. Therefore, for example as in (f), if performing the reflectivity-reducing treatment on lens surfaces which satisfy the condition (1A), it is possible to reduce the ghost image more efficiently, without spending useless cost by the reflectivity-reducing treatment on lens surfaces where there is a high possibility that the ghost image is not substantially a problem.
[0049] For example, in case of the zoom lens unit according to (e), for example by performing the reflectivity-reducing treatment (multi-coating or subwavelength structure, for example) on the lens surface S i such that within the range of wavelength 450-550 nm, the reflectivity is 0.3% or less than 0.3%, and performing the reflectivity-reducing treatment on the lens surface S 1+1 such that within the range of wavelength 550-650 nm, the reflectivity is 0.3% or less than 0.3%, as a product of the reflectivities of the lens surfaces S i and S i+1 , the reflectivity in the range of wavelength 450-650 nm can be reduced sufficiently.
[0050] Easiness of tolerance of the ghost image depends on the color of the ghost image as well. For example, a blue ghost image and a yellow ghost image on the short wavelength side are relatively not obvious, so that they are easy to be tolerated, while a red ghost image is obvious and therefore it is hard to be tolerated.
[0051] For example in case of the zoom lens unit according to (f), for example, the desired continuous wavelength range is the wavelength range of wavelength 550-650 nm, within this wavelength range, with respect to the perpendicular incident light flux, if the reflectivity-reducing treatment is performed on each lens surface of pairs of lens surfaces such that the reflectivity is equal to or less than 0.3%, it is possible to inhibit the red ghost image effectively, and reduce the ghost image to a level that can be tolerated as a whole. In this case, if each lens surface of the pairs of lens surfaces is made to satisfy the condition (2), an overall reflectivity can further be reduced, and a greater effect of inhibiting the generation of the ghost image can be achieved.
[0052] In the lens construction according to the present invention, the first lens group including three lenses in order from the object side: a negative lens L 1 having a large curvature surface on the image side; a positive meniscus lens L 2 having a convex surface on the object side; and a positive lens L 3 having a convex surface on the object side, which is suitable for aberration correction. In this case, when considering that a surface on the image side of the positive meniscus lens L 2 corresponds to the lens surface S i , and a surface on the object side of the positive lens L 3 corresponds to the lens surface S i+1 respectively, there is a high possibility that these lens surfaces form a pair of lens surfaces which satisfy the condition (1) or (1A).
[0053] Moreover, in the lens construction according to the present invention, it is suitable for aberration correction when a surface nearest to the image side of the first lens group is a concave surface, and a surface nearest to the object side of the second lens group is a convex surface. In this case, when considering that the surface nearest to the image side of the first lens group corresponds to the lens surface Si, and the surface nearest to the object side of the second lens group corresponds to the lens surface S i+1 there is a high possibility that these lens surfaces form a pair of lens surfaces which satisfy the condition (1) or (1A). Therefore, in the zoom lens unit for example according to (h) and (i), the reflectivity-reducing treatment is performed on these lens surfaces.
[0054] For example, in the zoom lens unit described in (j), the subsequent lens group arranged subsequently to the first lens group and the second lens group is a structure that includes the third lens group having a positive refracting power and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power, and when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens group and the third lens group move to the object side.
[0055] Generally, in a zoom lens unit comprising lens groups with the arrangement of positive, negative, positive, as the zoom lens unit according to the present invention, a second lens group is constructed as a so-called variator to bear a major changing magnification function, and subsequent lens groups following the third lens group share the changing magnification function as well to reduce the burden of the second lens group. Accordingly, the flexibly of aberration correction which becomes difficult by the wider field angle and larger changing magnification can be secured. In addition, when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens group is significantly moved to the object side, therefore, the height of light passing the first lens group at the wide angle end can be reduced, and growth of the first lens group by the wider field angle can be controlled, and also a larger distance between the first lens group and the second lens group can be secured at the telephoto end to achieve a long focal point.
[0056] In case of the subsequent lens group for example is the one described in (j), which includes the positive third lens group and the positive fourth lens group, an enough aberration correction becomes possible by additionally satisfying the condition (3), in relation to the displacement of the first lens group which is important for the wider field angle and the long focal point.
[0057] If the parameter of the condition (3), X 1 /fT, becomes lower than 0.30, the contribution to the changing magnification of the second lens group decreases, and the burden of the third lens group increases, or the refracting power of the first lens group and the second lens group have to be strengthened, resulting in the deterioration in various aberrations in either case. In addition, the entire length of the lens at the wide angle end is increased in length, and the height of light passing the first lens group increases, causing the growth of the first lens group.
[0058] On the other hand, if the parameter, X 1 /fT becomes larger than 0.85, the entire length at the wide angle end becomes too short, or the entire length at the telephoto end becomes too long.
[0059] If the entire length at the wide angle end becomes too short, the moving space of the third lens group is limited, and the contribution to the changing magnification of the third lens group is reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult to correct the entire aberrations. If the entire length at the telephoto end becomes too long, not only the reduction of the size in the entire length direction is disturbed, but also the radial direction grows in size for securing the light volume around at the telephoto end, and the image performance is also easily deteriorated by the manufacturing error such as the falling of lens barrel.
[0060] It is more preferable for the parameter of the condition (3), X 1 /fT to satisfy the following condition: (3A) 0.40<X 1 /fT<0.75.
[0061] In the condition (4) relating to the displacement of the third lens group, if the parameter, X 3 /fT becomes lower than 0.15, the contribution to the changing magnification of the third lens group is reduced, and the burden of the second lens group is increased, or the refracting power of the third lens group has to be strengthened, resulting in the deterioration in various aberrations in either case.
[0062] On the other hand, if the parameter, X 3 /fT becomes larger than 0.50, the entire length of lens at the wide angle end is increased in length, and the height of light passing the first lens group increases, causing the growth of the first lens group.
[0063] It is more preferable for the parameter of the condition (4), X 3 /fT to satisfy the following condition: (4A) 0.20<X 3 /fT<0.45.
[0064] If the parameter of the condition (5), Y′ max /f W becomes lower than 0.70, when the zoom lens unit is used for a photographing device, an enough wide field angle can not be obtained in a state that the distortion aberration at the wide angle end is corrected above a certain level. If Y′ max /f W becomes larger than 1.00, it is undesirable since that it is difficult to secure the image performance in the neighbouring part and the lens increases in size.
[0065] The zoom lenses for example according to (j) and (k), are preferable to satisfy the following conditions further, for their aberration corrections.
0.6 <|f 2|/ f 3<1.0 (6)
6.0 <f 1/ fW< 12.0 (7)
[0066] where, f 1 is a focal length of the first lens group, f 2 is a focal length of the second lens group, f 3 is a focal length of the third lens group, and fW is a focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end.
[0067] If the parameter of the condition (6), |f 2 |/f 3 becomes lower than 0.6, the refracting power of the second lens group becomes too strong, on the other hand, if the parameter, |f 2 |/f 3 becomes larger than 1.0, the refracting power of the third lens group becomes too strong. Therefore, the aberration fluctuation when changing the magnification increases easily.
[0068] If the parameter of the condition (7), f 1 /fW becomes lower than 6.0, it is advantageous to the larger changing magnification because the imaging magnification of the second lens group comes close to the same magnification, and the changing magnification efficiency increases. However, the large refracting power is required for each lens in the first lens group, and the negative effect such as the deterioration in the chromatic aberration especially at the telephoto end is easily produced. In addition, each lens in the first lens group is increased in the thickness and diameter, and it is disadvantageous to the reduction of the size in a collapsed state.
[0069] If the parameter of the condition (7), f 1 /fW becomes larger than 12.0, the contribution to the changing magnification of the second lens group is reduced, and it becomes difficult to obtain the larger changing magnification.
[0070] In the zoom lens unit according to the present invention, the aperture stop disposed between the second and the third lens groups may be moved independently of the neighboring lens groups. With this structure, the most suitable light path may be selected in any position of the large changing magnification area of 4.5 times or more. Accordingly, the flexibility of corrections such as, especially, coma aberration and field curvature may be improved, and also the off-axis performance may be improved.
[0071] It is preferable for the distance between the aperture stop and the third lens group to be wider at the wide angle end than at the telephoto end. By widening the distance between the aperture stop and the third lens group at the wide angle end, the aperture stop may be moved nearer to the first lens group and the height of light passing the first lens group may be decreased, therefore, the size of the first lens group may be further reduced.
[0072] In this case, it is preferable for the position of the aperture stop to satisfy the following condition: (8) 0.08<dsw/fT<0.20.
[0073] Where, dsw is an axial distance between the aperture stop and a lens surface nearest to the object side of the third lens group, at the wide angle end.
[0074] If the parameter of the condition (8), dsw/fT becomes smaller than 0.08, the height of light passing the first lens group becomes too big at the wide angle end, causing the growth of the first lens group. Also, it becomes disadvantageous with regard to the ensuring of off-axis performance because the aberration in the changing magnification area is hardly balanced.
[0075] If the parameter, dsw/fT becomes larger than 0.20, the height of light passing the third lens group at the wide angle end becomes too big. Thereby, the image plane falls to the over side, and the barrel shaped distortion increase. Especially, it becomes difficult to secure the performance at the wide field angle.
[0076] It is preferable for the distance between the aperture stop and the third lens group to be the widest at the wide angle end and to be the narrowest at the telephoto end. If the distance between the aperture stop and the third lens group becomes to be the widest except at the wide angle end, it becomes difficult to balance the off-axis aberration in the entire changing magnification area because the height of light passing the third lens group becomes to be the largest at the position. In addition, if the distance between the aperture stop and the third lens group becomes to be the narrowest except at the telephoto end, the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group may not be sufficiently reduced at the telephoto end. Thereby, it becomes difficult to correct the entire aberration because the contribution to the changing magnification of the third lens group is lowered.
[0077] The fourth lens group may be moved nearer to the image side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. Due to such movement, the luminous flux passes the neighbouring portion of the fourth lens group at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. Accordingly, the flexibility of new design may be obtained by the different effect of the aspheric surface between the wide angle end and the telephoto end. In addition, when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the magnification of the fourth lens group increases, and the fourth lens group may share the changing magnification function. Therefore, the magnification may be effectively changed in a limited space.
[0078] Additionally, satisfying the following condition (9) enables higher aberration correction under the achievement of the target wider field angle and larger changing magnification.
0.60<m4T<0.85 (9)
[0079] where, m 4 T is an imaging magnification of the fourth lens group at the telephoto end.
[0080] If m 4 T is smaller than 0.60, the luminous flux emitting to the third lens group approaches afocal, and it is impossible for the third lens group to change the magnification effectively, and as a result, the share of changing magnification of the second lens group increases, and also it becomes difficult to correct the field curvature and astigmatism which increase with the wider field angle.
[0081] On the other hand, if m 4 T is larger than 0.85, a required back-focus may not be secured, or the refracting power of the fourth lens group becomes too small, because the fourth lens group is too close to the image side. If the refracting power of the fourth lens group becomes too small, the exit pupil approaches the image plane and the light incidence angle to the neighboring portion of the image increases. Therefore, the shortage of light volume in the neighboring portion is easily caused.
[0082] It is more preferable for the parameter, m 4 T to satisfy the following condition.
0.65<m4T<0.80. (9A)
[0083] Further, it is preferable for the change in the magnification of the fourth lens group when changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, to satisfy the following condition (10).
1.0 <m 4 T/m 4 W< 1.3 (10)
[0084] where, m 4 W is an imaging magnification of the fourth lens group at the wide angle end.
[0085] If the parameter of the condition (10), m 4 T/m 4 W is smaller than 1.0, the fourth lens group does not contribute to the changing magnification. Thereby, the share of changing magnification of the second and the third lens groups increases. Accordingly, it becomes difficult to balance the image plane when changing the magnification. On the other hand, if the parameter, m 4 T/m 4 W is larger than 1.3, it becomes difficult to correct the aberration with the simple structure of the fourth lens group comprising one positive lens because the share of changing magnification of the fourth lens group becomes too big.
[0086] It is more preferable for the parameter, m 4 T/m 4 W to satisfy the following condition: (10A) 1.05<m 4 T/m 4 W<1.2.
[0087] In the zoom lens unit for example according to (j), in case of the fourth lens group comprising one positive lens, it is preferable for its Abbe number, ν 4 , to satisfy the condition: (11) 50<ν 4 <75.
[0088] If ν 4 is smaller than 50, the chromatic aberration, which is generated in the fourth lens group, becomes too big. Therefore, it becomes difficult to balance the axial chromatic aberration and magnification chromatic aberration over the entire zooming area. In addition, when focusing to a finite distance object by moving the fourth lens group, the fluctuation of chromatic aberration by the focusing increases. If ν 4 is larger than 75, it is advantageous to the correction of chromatic aberration, but the material is expensive and also it is difficult to process both surfaces as an aspheric surface. It is more preferable for the Abbe number, ν 4 to satisfy the condition: (11A) 50<ν 4 <65.
[0089] The positive lens constituting the fourth lens group may be made of plastic. The plastic material, which satisfies the above condition (11) or (11A) relating to the Abbe number, includes polyolefin series resin, which is represented by ZEONEX (trade name) of ZEON Corporation, Japan, for example.
[0090] Hereinafter, explanations will be given for conditions which enable more preferable aberration correction without disturbing the reduction of the size of the zoom lens unit of the present invention.
[0091] It is preferable for the second lens group to include three lenses, arranged in order from the object side: a negative lens having a large curvature surface on the image side, a positive lens having a large curvature surface on the image side, and a negative lens having a large curvature surface on the object side.
[0092] As a changing magnification group having a negative refracting power, there has been well known an arrangement having a negative lens, negative lens and positive lens in order from the object side when the changing magnification group comprises three lenses. However, compared with this structure, the above mentioned structure having the negative lens, positive lens and negative lens is superior to the correction performance of the chromatic aberration of magnification with the wider field angle.
[0093] In this case, the second lens and the third lens in order from the object side may be cemented appropriately.
[0094] It is preferable for each lens of the second lens group which is constructed by three lenses with the arrangement of negative lens, negative lens and positive lens as mentioned above, to satisfy the following conditions.
1.75<N 21 <1.90,35<ν 21 <50
1.65<N 22 <1.90,20<ν 22 <35
1.75<N 23 <1.90,35<ν 23 <50.
[0095] Where, N 2i , ν 2i (i= 1 to 3 ) represent a refractive index and Abbe number of a lens i counted from the object side in the second lens group, respectively.
[0096] If such a glass type is selected, the chromatic aberration may be corrected more preferably.
[0097] It is preferable for the first lens group to have at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens from the object side. More particularly, it is preferable for the first lens group to comprises two lenses, arranged in order from the object side: a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and a positive lens having a strong convex surface on the object side, or it is preferable for the first lens group to comprise three lenses, arranged in order from the object side: a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side, a positive lens having a strong convex surface on the object side and a positive lens having a strong convex surface on the object side.
[0098] It is preferable for the third lens group to comprise three lenses, arranged in order from the object side, a positive lens, a positive lens and a negative lens, and the second lens and the third lens from the object side may be cemented appropriately.
[0099] When focusing to a finite distance, a method, which moves only the fourth lens group, is preferable because a weight of object to be moved is minimum. The displacement of the fourth lens group is small when changing the magnification, and there is also a merit that the moving mechanism for the changing magnification and the moving mechanism for the focusing may be used combinedly.
[0100] In order to advance the reduction of the size while maintaining preferable aberration correction, it may be necessary to adopt an aspheric surface. It is preferable for at least the second lens group and the third lens group to have one aspheric surface or more, respectively. Especially in the second lens group, if both of the surface nearest to the object side and the surface nearest to the image side are aspheric surfaces, high effect for the corrections of the distortion aberration, the astigmatism and the like which increase with the wider field angle, may be obtained.
[0101] As the aspheric surface lens, moulded optical glass and moulded optical plastic (glass mould aspheric surface and plastic mould aspheric lens), an aspheric surface that a thin resin layer is moulded on a glass lens (i.e., hybrid aspheric surface and replica aspheric surface) and the like may be used.
[0102] In order to simplify the mechanism, it is better for the opening diameter of the aperture stop to be constant regardless of the changing magnification. However, the change in F number with the changing magnification may be reduced by increasing the opening diameter at the long focal point end with respect to the short focal point end. In addition, if it is necessary to reduce the light volume which reaches the image plane, the diameter of aperture stop may be reduced. However, it is preferable to insert an ND filter and the like without significantly changing the diameter of aperture stop so as to reduce the light volume because the resolution deteriorated by a diffraction phenomenon may be prevented.
[0103] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens unit which may effectively inhibit the ghost image caused by the reflection between lens surface to lens surface in the first and the second lens groups located nearer to the object side than the aperture stop. The zoom lens unit may achieve the changing magnification ratio of about 4.5 times or more (6.5 times or more in the embodiment), and the half field angle at the wide angle edge of 38 degrees or more, with reducing the ghost image effectively.
[0104] Therefore, by using the zoom lens unit according to the present invention, an imaging device and a photographing device with a high performance may be achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0105] The invention will be described further below with reference to exemplary embodiment and the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
[0106] FIG. 1 is a figure illustrating an example of an optical path of a ghost light generated in a zoom lens unit according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0107] FIG. 2 is a spot diagram of a ghost image caused by the light illustrated in FIG. 1 .
[0108] FIG. 3 is a figure illustrating another example of an optical path of a ghost light generated in the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment of the invention.
[0109] FIG. 4 is a spot diagram of a ghost image caused by the light illustrated in FIG. 2 .
[0110] FIG. 5 is a figure illustrating an example of spectral reflectivity applied to lens surfaces S i , S i+1 .
[0111] FIG. 6 is a figure illustrating another example of spectral reflectivity applied to lens surfaces S i , S i+1 .
[0112] FIG. 7 is a figure illustrating a structure of the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment and displacements of each lens group with changing magnification.
[0113] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating aberrations at a short focus end of the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment.
[0114] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating aberrations at an intermediate focal length of the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment.
[0115] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating aberrations at a telephoto end of the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment.
[0116] FIGS. 11A to 11 C are figures explaining an embodiment of a photographing device.
[0117] FIG. 12 is a figure explaining a system of the photographing device illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11 C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0118] An embodiment of a photographing device will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11 and 12 . In this embodiment, the photographing device is a mobile information terminal, although it is not limited thereto.
[0119] As illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11 and 12 , a mobile information terminal 30 includes a photographing lens 31 and an area-type light receiving element (area sensor) 45 which is an imaging element. In the mobile information terminal 30 , an image of a photographic object by the photographing lens 31 is imaged onto the light receiving element 45 , and the image is read out by the light receiving element 45 .
[0120] As the photographing lens 31 , for example, any one of the zoom lenses described in (a)-(m), more particularly, a zoom lens unit described in the after-mentioned embodiment is used, for example. In addition, as the light receiving element 45 , a light receiving element having 5 million to 8 million pixels or more, for example, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) area sensor having the opposite angle length of light receiving area, 9.1 mm, the pixel pitch, 2.35 μm, and about 7 million pixels, and a CCD area sensor having the opposite angle length of light receiving area, 9.1 mm, the pixel pitch, 2 μm, and about 10 million pixels may be used.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the output from the light receiving element 46 is processed by a signal processing device 42 which receives control of a central processing unit 40 , to be converted into the digital information. The image information digitised by the signal processing device 42 is recorded in a semiconductor memory 44 after receiving a predetermined image processing in an image processing device 41 , which receives the control of the central processing unit 40 . A liquid crystal monitor 38 may display an image during photographing and also an image recorded in the semiconductor memory 44 . Moreover, the image recorded in the semiconductor memory 44 may be exported by using a communication card 43 , etc.
[0122] As illustrated in FIG. 11A , the photographing lens 31 is in a collapsed state while the device is being carried. If a user operates a power source switch 36 to turn on the power, as illustrated in FIG. 11B , the lens barrel is extended. In this case, in the interior of the lens barrel, each group of the zoom lens unit is in, for example, the arrangement of short focus end, and the arrangement of each group may be changed by operating a zoom lever 34 ; thus, the magnification may be changed to the long focus end. In this case, a magnification of a finder 33 is changed in conjunction with the change in field angle of the photographing lens 31 . Meanwhile an electric flash 32 is mounted on the mobile information terminal 30 .
[0123] The focusing is performed by half-pressing a shutter button 35 . When using the zoom lens unit described in the later-described embodiment, the focusing may be performed by moving the second lens group or the fourth lens group, or by moving the light receiving element 45 . The photographing is performed by further pressing the shutter button 35 , and then the above processes are conducted.
[0124] When displaying the image recorded in the semiconductor memory 44 on the liquid crystal monitor 38 , and when exporting the image by using the communication card 43 , etc., operation buttons 37 are used. The semiconductor memory 44 , the communication card 43 , etc., may be inserted into the exclusive-use or general-purpose slots 39 A, 39 B respectively.
[0125] In addition, when the photographing lens 31 is in a collapsed state, each group of the zoom lens unit is not always necessary to be lined on the optical axis. For example, if the zoom lens unit has a structure that the third lens group is retracted from the optical axis to be stored in parallel with other lens groups, the information device may be further slimed.
[0126] The zoom lens unit to be described in the later embodiment is possible to be used as the photographing lens 31 in the above described mobile information terminal. Accordingly, a small and high quality mobile information terminal, using a light receiving element having 5 million to 8 million pixels or more may be achieved.
[0127] Hereinafter an embodiment of a zoom lens unit according to the present invention will be described. The maximum image height in the embodiment is 3.70 mm. In the embodiment, a parallel plate arranged in an image plane side of a fourth lens group may be various filters such as an optical lowpass filter and infrared protection filter, and a cover glass (seal glass) of light receiving element such as a CCD sensor.
[0128] In the embodiment, aberrations are sufficiently corrected, and the lenses may be applied to a light receiving element having 5 million to 8 million pixels or more. It is obvious from the embodiment that the zoom lens unit according to the present invention may ensure a remarkably excellent image performance while achieving a sufficient miniaturization.
[0129] Meanings of signs in the embodiment are as follows:
f: focal length of entire system F: F-number ω: half field angle R: curvature radius D: surface distance N d : refractive index ν d : Abbe number K: cone constant of aspheric surface A 4 : 4 th aspheric surface coefficient A 6 : 6 th aspheric surface coefficient A 8 : 8 th aspheric surface coefficient A 10 : 10 th aspheric surface coefficient A 12 : 12 th aspheric surface coefficient A 14 : 14 th aspheric surface coefficient A 16 : 16 th aspheric surface coefficient A 18 : 18 th aspheric surface coefficient
[0146] The aspheric surface shape may be expressed by the following equation, using an inverse number of paraxial curvature radius (paraxial curvature), C, a height from an optical axis, H, a cone constant number, K, and an aspheric surface coefficient of each of the above degrees, and adopting an aspheric surface amount in the optical axis direction as X.
X + C H 2 / { 1 + √ ( 1 · ( 1 + K ) C 2 H 2 ) } + A 4 · H 4 + A 6 · H 6 + A 8 · H 8 + A 10 · H 10 + A 12 · H 12 + A 14 · H 14 + A 16 · H 16 + A 18 · H 18
EMBODIMENT f = 4.74˜31.88, F = 3.49˜5.02, ω = 39.20˜6.50 Surface No. R D N d v d Remarks 01 35.951 1.00 1.84666 23.78 First Lens 02 22.834 3.44 1.49700 81.54 Second Lens 03 92.407 0.10 04 26.507 2.58 1.80400 46.57 Third Lens 05 79.541 Variable(A) *06 37.724 0.84 1.80400 46.57 Fourth Lens 07 4.355 2.31 08 48.799 2.51 1.76182 26.52 Fifth Lens 09 −6.568 0.74 1.83481 42.71 Sixth Lens *10 −96.317 Variable(B) 11 Aperture Variable(C) Stop *12 7.796 2.85 1.58913 61.15 Seventh Lens *13 −10.195 0.10 14 11.746 2.16 1.77250 49.60 Eighth Lens 15 −8.479 0.80 1.71736 29.52 Ninth Lens 16 4.849 Variable(D) *17 13.600 2.28 1.52470 56.20 Tenth Lens *18 −29.129 Variable(E) 19 ∞ 0.80 1.51680 64.20 Various Filters 20 ∞
[0147] Aspheric Surface (attached with a sign of asterisk “*”)
[0148] Aspheric Surface: Sixth Surface
K=0.0, A 4 =8.99680×10 −5 , A 6 =1.17385×10 −5 , A 8 =−2.28174×10 −6 , A 10 =1.61797×10 −7 , A 12 =−4.87869×10 −9 , A 14 =2.49023×10 −11 , A 16 =1.66865×10 −12 , A 18 =−2.55153×10 −14 ,
[0154] Aspheric Surface: Tenth Surface
K=0.0, A 4 =−4.17819×10 −4 , A 6 =×1.85516×10 −5 , A 8 =1.73536×10 —6 , A 10 =−1.09898×10 −7
[0158] Aspheric Surface: Twelfth Surface
K=0.0, A 4 =−6.52161×10 −4 , A 6 =−1.64731×10 −5 , A 8 =5.08316×10 −6 , A 10 =−4.47602×10 −7
[0162] Aspheric Surface: Thirteenth Surface
K=0.0, A 4 =3.04932×10 −4 , A 6 =−1.84286×10 −5 , A 8 =3.75632×10 −6 , A 10 =−2.69027×10 −7
[0166] Aspheric Surface: Seventeenth Surface
K=0.0, A 4 =6.36181×10 −5 , A 6 =2.03691×10 −5 , A 8 =−3.14875×10 −7 , A 10 =7.89983×10 −9
[0170] Aspheric Surface: Eighteenth Surface
K=0.0,
[0172] A 4 =2.63195×10 −4 , A 6 =−4.01829×10 −5 .
Variable Distance Short focus end Intermediate focal length Long focus end f 4.740 12.313 31.883 A 0.600 10.861 21.200 B 7.955 3.420 1.150 C 3.400 2.374 0.750 D 2.745 9.291 13.554 E 3.693 2.706 2.285
[0173] Values of parameters in each condition
X 1 /fT=0.646 X 3 /fT=0.297 |f 2 |/f 3 =0.733 f 1 /fW =9.07 dsw/fT=0.107 m 4 T=0.742
[0180] m 4 T/m 4 W=1.118
r i /r i+1 i r i /r i+1 1 1.57 2 0.25 3 3.49 Multi Coating 4 0.33 Multi Coating 5 2.11 Multi Coating 6 8.66 Multi Coating 7 0.09 8 −7.43 9 0.07 10
[0181] FIG. 1 illustrates that in the short focus end of a zoom lens unit according to the embodiment, a ray of light from a light source which is set at 45 degrees to an optical axis (approximately at infinity) is reflected by two lens surfaces, and reaches an image plane to form a ghost image. In the figure, a reference sign I denotes a first lens group, II denotes a second lens group, III denotes a third lens group, IV denotes a forth lens group, and a reference code S denotes an aperture stop. In addition, parallel plate represented by FL may be various filters such an an optical lowpass filter and infrared protection filter, and a cover glass (seal glass) of light receiving element such as a CCD sensor, and the equivalent.
[0182] The ghost light which forms the ghost image is reflected by an object side surface of the positive lens L 3 in the first lens group, and is gain by an image side surface of the positive lens L 2 .
[0183] Here, when considering that the image side surface of the positive lens L 2 corresponds to the lens surface S i , the object side surface of the positive lens L 3 corresponds to the lens surface S i+1 , a result is r i /r i+1 =3.49 and satisfies the conditions (1) and (1A).
[0184] FIG. 2 is a spot diagram in the image plane of the ghost light in the case illustrating in FIG. 1 , and a rectangular frame line illustrates a photographing screen of a case that the source of light is in a direction of the opposite angle. A half field angle in the short focus end (in the direction of the opposite angle) of the zoom lens unit described in this embodiment is about 39 degrees, and an image of the source of light which is at 45 degrees to the optical axis (a position of the source of light in the figure) is outside of the screen.
[0185] However, the ghost image (“Ghost” in the figure) due to the ghost lights enter into the photographing screen, and is bright and distinguished because the ghost lights are converged. It is difficult to eliminate the ghost image out of the photographing screen, even in case of changing configuration parameters of the lens in the range where the aberration correction works out. Therefore, for controlling the ghost image, in the embodiment, as mentioned above, a multi-coating (having spectral reflectivity characteristics illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 ) is performed as the reflectivity-reducing treatment, both on the image side surface of the positive lens L 2 (the lens surface S 3 ) and the object side surface of the positive lens L 3 (the lens surface S 4 ) which form a pair of lens surfaces satisfy the conditions (1) and (1A).
[0186] The purpose of the multi-coating is to reduce the reflectivity, therefore the measures other than the multi-coating, such as subwavelength structure etc. which can reduce the reflectivity may be used, as long as for example, spectral reflectivity characteristics illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 may be consequently obtained on these lens surface. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the spectral reflectivity due to the multi-coating, and the lens surfaces are film designed and formed to satisfy the condition (2).
[0187] An explanation about another lens surface will be given hereinafter.
[0188] FIG. 3 illustrates that in the short focus end of the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment, a ray of light from a source of light which is at 35 degrees to the optical axis (approximately at infinity) is reflected by two lens surfaces and reaches an image plane as a ghost light to form a ghost image. The ghost light is reflected by an object side surface of a positive lens L 4 of the second lens group II (the surface nearest to the object side in the second lens group, lens surface S 6 ), and reflected again by the image side surface of the positive lens L 3 (lens surface S 5 ) which is the surface nearest to the image side in the first lens group I.
[0189] Here, when considering that the image side surface of the positive lens L 3 corresponds to the lens surface S i (i=5), the object side surface of the positive lens L 4 corresponds to the lens surface S i+1 (i=6), a result is r i /r i+1 =2.11 and satisfies the conditions (1) and (1A).
[0190] FIG. 4 is a spot diagram in the image plane of the ghost light of the case illustrating in FIG. 3 , and a rectangular frame line illustrates a photographing screen of a case that the source of light is on a symmetric axis in a long side direction of the photographing screen. In the short focus end of the zoom lens unit according to the embodiment, a half field angle in the long side direction of the photographing screen is about 32 degrees, and an image of the source of light which is at 35 degrees to the optical axis is outside of the screen. However, the ghost lights enter into the photographing screen and form a bright and distinguished ghost image (“Ghost” in the figure) due to convergence of the ghost lights. It is difficult to eliminate the ghost image out of the photographing screen, even in case of changing the configuration parameters of the lens within the range where the aberration correction works out.
[0191] Therefore, for controlling the ghost image, the multi coating (having the spectral reflectivity characteristics illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 ) is performed as the reflectivity-reducing treatment, both on the image side surface of the positive lens L 3 of the first lens group I (the lens surface S 5 ) and the object side surface of the positive lens L 4 of the second lens group II (the lens surface S 6 ).
[0192] For this case as well, for example, if the spectral reflectivity characteristics illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 may be obtained on each of these lens surfaces, the reflectivity-reducing treatment may be any other treatment other than the multi-coating.
[0193] FIG. 7 illustrates displacements of the lens groups I to IV and the aperture stop S in accordance with changing the magnification of the zoom lens unit in the embodiment. In FIG. 7 , the upper figure illustrates a state at the wide angle end, the middle figure illustrates a state at the intermediate focal length, and the lower figure illustrates a state at the telephoto end. FIGS. 8, 9 , 10 illustrate the aberration diagrams in the short focus end (wide angle end), intermediate focal length, long focus end (telephoto end) sequentially. In addition, the dashed line in the spherical aberration diagram illustrates a sine condition, the solid line in the astigmatic diagram illustrates sagittal, and the dashed line in the astigmatic diagram illustrates meridional respectively. Moreover, “d” indicates “d line”, and “g” indicates “g line”.
[0194] It should be noted that although the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalent.
[0195] The entire contents of Japanese patent application No. 2005-6304445, filed on Oct. 19, 2005, of which the convention priority is claimed in this application are incorporated thereinto by reference.
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A zoom lens unit includes: a positive first lens group; a negative second lens group; and a positive subsequent lens group as a whole, the subsequent lens group includes a third lens group, and an aperture stop is disposed between the second lens group and the third lens group, and a lens construction including the first and the second lens groups satisfies the condition (1): 1.0<r i /r i+1 <5.0, in which r i and r i+1 are curvature radii of lens surfaces S i and S i+1 in the lens construction, respectively, the lens surfaces S i and S i+1 being “i”th and “i+1”th lens surfaces, respectively, counted from the object side, and a reflectivity-reducing treatment adapted to reduce intensity of a ghost image is performed on each lens surface forming at least one of pairs of lens surfaces satisfying the condition (1).
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/457,986, filed on Jun. 26, 2009, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a communications transmitter and specifically to a single communications transmitter that is capable of transmitting data using multiple interface standards.
BACKGROUND
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is currently used in several hundred million digital televisions and other consumer electronics that incorporate digital video and/or audio, such as game consoles, digital-video-disc (DVD) players, Blu-ray-disc players, and digital-set-top boxes. HDMI is a first single cable solution for transmission of uncompressed digital video signals using any suitable television or personal computer (PC) video format, including standard, enhanced, and high-definition video and/or audio signals using any suitable television and/or PC audio format from a source device to a sink device.
DisplayPort was developed to address computing-world concerns and replace the external, box-to-box, analog-video-graphics-array (VGA) interfaces in PC and LCD monitors, as well as in consumer electronics, but it also targets the external digital-visual-interface (DVI) found mostly in consumer electronics systems. DisplayPort is a second single cable solution for transmission uncompressed of video signals using any suitable television or PC video format and/or audio signals using any suitable television or PC audio format from the source device to the sink device.
HDMI is mainly used in the high definition consumer electronics market, such as an external interface for high-definition televisions to provide an example. DisplayPort, on the other hand, is a general-purpose internal and external display interface aimed at the computer industry. Both HDMI and DisplayPort are used for the transmission of video signals and/or audio signals from the source device to the sink device. With the gradual convergence of high definition consumer electronics market and the computer industry, manufacturers will like to design source devices that are capable of transmitting the video signals and/or the audio signals using either HDMI and DisplayPort. However, HDMI and DisplayPort both transmit the video signals and/or the audio signals in differing ways. As a result of these differences, a typical HDMI source device includes a HDMI transmitter that is solely configured according to the HDMI interface standard. Likewise, a typical DisplayPort source device includes a DisplayPort transmitter that is solely configured according to the DisplayPort interface standard. Presently, to design a source device that transmits according to the HDMI interface standard and the DisplayPort interface standard, manufacturers design source devices with separate transmitters, one transmitter configured for HDMI and another separate transmitter configured for DisplayPort. These separate transmitters increase a cost and/or size of the source device.
Therefore, what is needed is a source device having a single transmitter that is capable of transmitting video signals and/or audio signals using either the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) system architecture.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional HDMI receiver used in the conventional HDMI system architecture.
FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional DisplayPort system architecture.
FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional DisplayPort transmitter and a conventional DisplayPort receiver used in the conventional DisplayPort system architecture.
FIG. 5 illustrates a Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 further illustrates the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a HDMI mode of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a DisplayPort mode A of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a DisplayPort mode B of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 further illustrates the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of exemplary operational steps of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the reference number.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following Detailed Description refers to accompanying drawings to illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with the present invention. References in the Detailed Description to “one exemplary embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” “an example exemplary embodiment,” etc., indicate that the exemplary embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every exemplary embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same exemplary embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art(s) to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other exemplary embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the Detailed Description is not meant to limit the present invention. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined only according to the following claims and their equivalents.
The following Detailed Description of the exemplary embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the present invention that others can, by applying knowledge of those skilled in relevant art(s), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such exemplary embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and plurality of equivalents of the exemplary embodiments based upon the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by those skilled in relevant art(s) in light of the teachings herein.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) system architecture. A HDMI system architecture 100 transfers uncompressed digital data representing audio, video, and/or auxiliary data information from a HDMI source 102 to a HDMI sink 104 according to a High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification (herein “HDMI interface standard”), of which Version 1.3a is the latest, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The HDMI source 102 may include a set-top box, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a personal computer (PC), a video gaming console, or any other suitable device that includes at least one HDMI output. The HDMI sink 104 may include a digital audio device, a computer monitor, a digital television, or any other suitable device that includes at least one HDMI input.
Referring to FIG. 1 , the HDMI source 102 includes a HDMI transmitter 106 . The HDMI transmitter 106 receives and transmits at least one of a video signal 150 , an audio signal 152 , and/or auxiliary data to the HDMI sink 104 via four differential Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) output pairs. The auxiliary data may include data describing the video signal 150 , the audio signal 152 and/or the HDMI source 102 itself. Three of the four TMDS output pairs, denoted as output data pairs 154 . 1 through 154 . 3 are used for transmission of the video signal 150 , the audio signal 152 , and/or the auxiliary data. One of the four differential TMDS output pairs, denoted as data clock pair 156 , is used for transmission of a data clock to be used by the HDMI sink 104 to recover the video, the audio, and/or the auxiliary data information from the output data pairs 154 . 1 through 154 . 3 .
The HDMI sink 104 includes a HDMI receiver 108 . The HDMI receiver 108 receives the output data pairs 154 . 1 through 154 . 3 and the data clock pair 156 from the HDMI source 102 . The HDMI receiver 108 may recover a video signal 158 , an audio signal 160 , and/or the auxiliary data from the output data pairs 154 . 1 through 154 . 3 based upon the data clock pair 156 .
The HDMI system architecture 100 , including the HDMI source 102 and the HDMI sink 104 , is further defined in the HDMI interface standard.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional HDMI receiver used in the conventional HDMI system architecture. TMDS technology uses current drive to develop a low voltage differential signal at a HDMI sink, such as the HDMI sink 104 to provide an example. A HDMI receiver 200 provides a differential HDMI biasing current I HDMI , having a first component I HDMI(+) and a second component I HDMI(−) , through a transmission line to a HDMI transmitter, such as the HDMI transmitter 106 to provide an example. More specifically, the HDMI receiver 200 provides the differential HDMI biasing current I HDMI from a HDMI voltage source V HDMI within the HDMI receiver 200 itself to the HDMI transmitter. The transmission line carries data via output data pairs, such as the output data pairs 154 . 1 through 154 . 3 to provide an example, and a clock via the data clock pair, such the data clock pair 156 to provide an example, from the HDMI source to the HDMI sink.
Referring to FIG. 2 , the HDMI receiver 200 includes a differential to single-ended converter 202 . The differential to single-ended converter 202 converts a differential input signal 250 , including a first component 250 (+) and a second component 250 (−), to provide a single-ended output signal 252 . The differential input signal 250 may represent data from the one of the output data pairs 154 . 1 through 154 . 3 or a data clock from the data clock pair 156 .
DisplayPort
FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional DisplayPort system architecture. A DisplayPort system architecture 300 transfers uncompressed digital data representing audio and/or video information from a DisplayPort source 302 to a DisplayPort sink 304 according to the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) DisplayPort Standard (herein “DisplayPort interfeace standard”), of which Version 1, Revision 1a, is the latest, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The DisplayPort source 302 may include a set-top box, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a personal computer (PC), a video gaming console, or any other suitable device that includes at least one DisplayPort output. The DisplayPort sink 304 may include a digital audio device, a computer monitor, a digital television, or any other suitable device that includes at least one DisplayPort input.
Referring to FIG. 3 , the DisplayPort source 302 includes a DisplayPort transmitter 306 . The DisplayPort transmitter 306 transmits at least one of a video signal 350 and/or an audio signal 352 to the DisplayPort sink 304 via a Main Link 354 . The Main Link 354 may include one, two, or four AC-coupled, doubly terminated differential pairs often referred to as lanes. Unlike the HDMI Source, the DisplayPort source 302 does not dedicate a lane to provide a data clock. The DisplayPort sink 304 extracts the data clock from the data carried by the Main Link 354 . The DisplayPort system architecture 300 additionally includes a bi-directional auxiliary channel 356 for management of the Main Link 354 and control of the DisplayPort source 302 and/or the DisplayPort sink 304 .
The DisplayPort system architecture 300 includes a DisplayPort receiver 308 . The DisplayPort receiver 308 receives data from the Main Link 354 and extracts the data clock from the data carried by the Main Link 354 . The DisplayPort receiver 308 may recover at least one of a video signal 358 , and/or an audio signal 160 from the Main Link 354 .
The DisplayPort system architecture 300 including the DisplayPort source 302 and the DisplayPort sink 304 is further defined in the DisplayPort interface standard.
FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional DisplayPort transmitter and a conventional DisplayPort receiver used in the conventional DisplayPort system architecture. Unlike the HDMI receiver 200 , a DisplayPort receiver 402 is AC-coupled to a DisplayPort transmitter 400 . The DisplayPort transmitter 306 , as described above, may include one or more DisplayPort transmitters 400 . Likewise the DisplayPort receiver 308 may include one or more DisplayPort receivers 402 . More specifically, the DisplayPort transmitter 400 includes a first capacitor C 1 to AC-couple the first component 454 (+) of the differential signal 454 from the DisplayPort transmitter 400 and a second capacitor C 2 to AC-couple the second component 454 (−) of the differential signal 454 from the DisplayPort transmitter 400 .
The AC-coupling of the DisplayPort transmitter 400 and the DisplayPort receiver 402 prevents the DisplayPort receiver 402 from providing a biasing current through a transmission line to the DisplayPort transmitter. Therefore, the DisplayPort transmitter 400 internally provides the biasing current necessary for operation. The transmission line carries data via the Main Link 354 and/or management and control data via the auxiliary channel 356 from the DisplayPort source to the DisplayPort sink.
Referring to FIG. 4 , the DisplayPort transmitter 400 includes a single-ended to differential to converter 404 . The single-ended to differential to converter 404 converts a single-ended signal 450 to provide the differential signal 454 including a first component 454 (+) and a second component 454 (−). The differential signal 454 may represent data transmitted to the Main Link 354 and/or management and control data transmitted to the auxiliary channel 356 . Likewise, the DisplayPort receiver 402 includes a differential to single-ended converter 406 . The differential to single-ended converter 402 converts a differential signal 454 , including a first component 454 (+) and a second component 454 (−), to provide a single-ended output signal 452 . The differential input signal 454 may represent data received from the Main Link 354 and/or management and control data received from the auxiliary channel 356 .
Dual HDMI/DisplayPort
FIG. 5 illustrates a Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A DisplayPort system architecture 500 transfers uncompressed digital data representing audio and/or video information from a HDMI/DisplayPort dual source 502 to a HDMI sink, such as the HDMI sink 104 , or a DisplayPort sink, such as the DisplayPort sink 204 , according to the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard. In other words, the HDMI/DisplayPort dual source 502 may communicate with any suitable sink device that is configured to operate according to the DisplayPort interface standard and/or the HDMI interface standard. The dual source 502 may include a set-top box, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a personal computer (PC), a video gaming console, or any other suitable device that includes at least one output that is capable of communicating with the HDMI sink or the DisplayPort sink.
Referring to FIG. 5 , the HDMI/DisplayPort dual source 502 includes a HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter 506 . The HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter 506 represents a single transmission device that may communicate with any suitable sink device that is configured to operate according to the DisplayPort interface standard and/or the HDMI interface standard. For example, the HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter 506 transmits at least one of a video signal 550 , and/or an audio signal 552 to the one of the HDMI sink 104 or the DisplayPort sink 304 via N differential output pairs denoted as output data pairs 554 . 1 through 554 .N. For example, the HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter 506 may transmit the video signal 550 , and/or the audio signal 552 to the HDMI sink via four output pairs according to the HDMI interface standard. Alternatively, the HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter 506 may transmit the video signal 550 and/or the audio signal 552 to the DisplayPort sink via one, two, or four output pairs according to the DisplayPort interface standard.
FIG. 6 illustrates a HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter, such as the HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter 506 to provide an example, may include one HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 for each output data pair. For example, the HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter may include four HDMI/DisplayPort transmitters 600 to transmit a video signal, such as the video signal 550 , an audio signal, such as the audio signal 552 , and/or a data clock according to the HDMI interface standard. Alternatively, the HDMI/DisplayPort dual transmitter may include one, two, or four HDMI/DisplayPort transmitters 600 to transmit the video signal 550 , and/or the audio signal 552 according to the DisplayPort interface standard.
The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 may transmit a differential output signal 652 , having a first component 652 (+) and a second component 652 (−), based upon a differential input signal 650 , having a first component 650 (+) and a second component 650 (−), to a HDMI sink, such as the HDMI sink 104 , or a DisplayPort sink, such as the DisplayPort sink 304 , according to the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard. The differential input signal 650 may represent one or more of the video signal, the audio signal, and/or the data clock according to the HDMI interface standard. Alternatively, the differential input signal 650 may represent one or more of the video signal and/or the audio signal according to the DisplayPort interface standard.
From the discussion above, a HDMI sink, such as the HDMI sink 104 to provide an example, may provide a biasing current I BIAS , such as the differential HDMI biasing current I HDMI as described in FIG. 2 to provide an example, to the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 in an HDMI mode of operation. Alternatively, the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 may internally provide the biasing current I BIAS in the DisplayPort mode of operation.
The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 includes a first selectable impedance network 602 , a second selectable impedance network 604 , and a source current generator 606 . The first selectable impedance network 602 and the second selectable impedance network 604 may include any suitable combination of passive elements, such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors to provide some examples that are selectable by the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 . For example, the first selectable impedance network 602 and/or the second selectable impedance network 604 may each include one or more selectable impedances. The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 may select any one of the selectable impedances or any combination of the selectable impedances depending upon a mode of operation.
For example, in the HDMI mode of operation, the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 selects a first combination of the selectable impedances in the first selectable impedance network 602 and selects a first combination of the selectable impedances in the second selectable impedance network 604 such that the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 is configured to be provided with the biasing current I BIAS via the differential output signal 652 . The DisplayPort mode of operation includes a high output voltage mode referred to as a DisplayPort mode A of operation and a low output voltage mode referred to as a DisplayPort mode B of operation. In the DisplayPort mode A of operation, the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 selects a second combination of the selectable impedances in the first selectable impedance network 602 and selects a second combination of the selectable impedances in the second selectable impedance network 604 such that the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 is configured to internally provide the biasing current I BIAS from an operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT . Likewise, in the DisplayPort mode B of operation, the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 selects a third combination of the selectable impedances in the first selectable impedance network 602 and selects a third combination of the selectable impedances in the second selectable impedance network 604 such that the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 is configured to internally provide the biasing current I BIAS from the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT .
The source current generator 606 determines a magnitude of the biasing current I BIAS that is to be provided by the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 in the HDMI mode of operation or internally provided by the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 in the DisplayPort mode of operation. In other words, the source current generator 606 controls the magnitude of the biasing current I BIAS that is to be provided by the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 in the HDMI mode of operation or internally provided by the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 in the DisplayPort mode of operation.
FIG. 7 further illustrates the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 may transmit the differential output signal 652 based upon the differential input signal 650 to a HDMI sink, such as the HDMI sink 104 , or a DisplayPort sink, such as the DisplayPort sink 304 , according to the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard. The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 may represent an exemplary embodiment of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 . The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 includes a first selectable impedance network 702 , a second selectable impedance network 704 , and a source current generator 706 . The first selectable impedance network 702 , the second selectable impedance network 704 , and the source current generator 706 may represent exemplary embodiments of the first selectable impedance network 602 , the second selectable impedance network 604 , and the source current generator 606 , respectively.
The first selectable impedance network 702 includes resistors R 1 through R 4 coupled to a corresponding switch Q 3 through Q 6 . In an exemplary embodiment, the switches Q 3 through Q 6 are p-type metal oxide silicon (PMOS) transistors. However, this example is not limiting, those skilled in the relevant art(s) may implement the switches Q 3 through Q 6 differently using n-type metal oxide silicon (NMOS) transistors differently in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The first selectable impedance network 702 selectively switches among resistors R 1 through R 4 , or selectively switches one or more combinations of the resistors R 1 through R 4 depending upon the mode of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 . Each of the resistors R 1 through R 4 is coupled to a corresponding switch Q 3 through Q 6 . The resistors R 1 through R 4 may be switched into or out of the first selectable impedance network 702 by selectively turning on or turning off its corresponding switch Q 3 through Q 6 . A transistor Q 7 , having its gate coupled to its respective drain, limits a flow back current that may be provided by the differential output signal 652 to the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT when the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT is powered down, namely in the HDMI mode of operation. In an exemplary embodiment, the transistor Q 7 represents a NMOS transistor formed within a deep n-well. In this exemplary embodiment, the transistor Q 7 includes five terminals: a gate, a drain, a source, a body, and a deep n-well. The gate, drain, body, and deep n-well are coupled to the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT while the source is coupled to the first selectable impedance network 702 .
The second selectable impedance network 704 includes resistors R 5 through R 8 coupled to a corresponding switch Q 8 through Q 11 . In an exemplary embodiment, the switches Q 8 through Q 11 are p-type metal oxide silicon (PMOS) transistors. However, this example is not limiting, those skilled in the relevant art(s) may implement the switches Q 8 through Q 11 differently using n-type metal oxide silicon (NMOS) transistors differently in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The second selectable impedance network 704 selectively switches among resistors R 5 through R 8 , or selectively switches one or more combinations of the resistors R 5 through R 8 depending upon the mode of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 . Each of the resistors R 5 through R 8 is coupled to a corresponding switch Q 8 through Q 11 . The resistors R 5 through R 8 may be switched into or out of the second selectable impedance network 704 by selectively turning on or turning off its corresponding switch Q 7 through Q 11 .
The source current generator 706 is provided with the biasing current I BIAS from the HDMI sink in the HDMI mode of operation or is internally provided with the biasing current I BIAS in the DisplayPort mode of operation. The biasing current I BIAS is used to bias a first transistor Q 1 and a second transistor Q 2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first transistor Q 1 and the second transistor Q 2 represent n-type metal oxide silicon (NMOS) transistors. However, this example is not limiting, those skilled in the relevant art(s) may implement the switches Q 3 through Q 6 differently using p-type metal oxide silicon (PMOS) transistors differently in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The first transistor Q 1 and the second transistor Q 2 may receive the first component 650 (+) of the differential input signal 650 and the second component 650 (−) of the differential input signal 650 , respectively.
As shown in FIG. 7 , the source current generator 706 includes a replica current generator 708 and a current mirror module 710 . The replica current generator 708 provides a replica current I REPLICA to the current mirror module 710 . More specifically, the replica current generator 708 provides the replica current I REPLICA to the current mirror module 710 based upon a first operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT , typically 2.5V DC , and a second operating voltage V HDMI , typically 3.3V DC , by selectively switching among resistors R 10 through R 12 or a combination of the resistors R 10 through R 12 depending upon the mode of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 . Each of the resistors R 10 through R 12 is coupled to a corresponding switch Q 12 through Q 14 . The resistors R 10 through R 12 may be switched into or out of the replica current generator 708 by selectively turning on or turning off its corresponding switch Q 12 through Q 14 . A transistor Q 15 , having its gate coupled to its respective drain, limits a flow back current that may be provided by the replica current I REPLICA to the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT when the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT is powered down, namely in the HDMI mode of operation. In an exemplary embodiment, the transistor Q 15 represents a NMOS transistor formed within a deep n-well. In this exemplary embodiment, the transistor Q 15 includes five terminals: a gate, a drain, a source, a body, and a deep n-well. The gate, drain, body, and deep n-well are coupled to the operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT while the source is coupled to the resistors R 10 and R 11 .
The current mirror module 710 determines the magnitude of the biasing current I BIAS by mirroring a reference current I REF , the replica current I REPLICA and/or the bias current I BIAS . More specifically, the current mirror module 710 ensures that the replica current I REPLICA and/or the bias current I BIAS is proportional to or mirrors the reference current I REF . In other words, the current mirror module 710 operates to ensure that a feedback voltage V F , a replica voltage V R , and a bias voltage V B , are substantially equal such that the replica current I REPLICA and/or the bias current I BIAS mirrors the reference current I REF . As shown in FIG. 7 , the current mirror module 710 includes transistors Q 16 through Q 19 and an operational amplifier AMP 1 .
The operational amplifier AMP 1 controls the reference current I REF flowing through the transistor Q 16 by comparing the replica voltage V R with the feedback voltage V F . If the replica voltage V R is not equal to the feedback voltage V F , the operational amplifier AMP 1 increases and/or decreases the amount of the reference current I REF flowing through the transistor Q 16 until the replica voltage V R is substantially equal to the feedback voltage V F .
The transistor Q 17 receives the reference current I REF from the transistor Q 16 as determined by the operational amplifier AMP 1 . The transistor Q 18 mirrors the transistor Q 17 such that a current flowing through the transistor Q 18 is proportional to a current flowing through the transistor Q 17 . In other words, the current flowing through the transistor Q 18 mirrors the current flowing through the transistor Q 17 such that the replica voltage V R is substantially equal to the feedback voltage V F . In an exemplary embodiment, the transistor Q 17 has a width that is twice a width of the transistor Q 18 such that approximately twice as much current flows through the transistor Q 17 when compared with the transistor Q 18 .
The transistor Q 19 mirrors the current flowing through the transistor Q 17 and/or the transistor Q 18 such that the current flowing through the transistor Q 17 and/or the transistor Q 18 is proportional to a current flowing through the transistor Q 19 . In other words, the current flowing through the transistor Q 19 mirrors the current flowing through the transistor Q 17 and/or the transistor Q 18 such that the replica voltage V R , the feedback voltage V F , and the replica voltage V R are substantially equal. In an exemplary embodiment, the transistor Q 19 has a programmable width.
FIG. 8 illustrates a HDMI mode of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 800 configured to operate in the HDMI mode of operation. The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 800 may represent an exemplary embodiment of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 configured to operate in the HDMI mode of operation.
As shown in FIG. 8 , in the first selectable impedance network 702 , the switches Q 3 through Q 6 may be turned off via the control lines A and B such that the first selectable impedance network 702 is turned off in its entirety in the HDMI mode of operation. In the second selectable impedance network 704 , the switches Q 8 through Q 11 may be turned on via control lines F and G. R DS,Q8 through R DS,Q11 represent a drain to source resistance of the switches Q 8 through Q 11 , when turned on. This combination of the first selectable impedance network 702 and the second selectable impedance network 704 allows the biasing current I BIAS to be provided to the source current generator 706 by the HDMI sink. In the replica current generator 708 , the switch Q 14 is turned on via a control line E and switches Q 12 and Q 13 are turned off via control lines C and D. R DS,Q14 represents a drain to source resistance of the switch Q 14 , when turned on. The replica current generator 708 provides the replica current I REPLICA to the current mirror 710 . The current mirror 710 causes the biasing current I BIAS and the replica current I REPLICA to be proportional to the reference current I REF .
FIG. 9 illustrates a DisplayPort mode A of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 900 configured to operate in the DisplayPort mode A of operation according to the DisplayPort interface standard. The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 900 may represent an exemplary embodiment of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 configured to operate in the DisplayPort mode A of operation.
As shown in FIG. 9 , in the first selectable impedance network 702 , the switches Q 3 through Q 6 may be turned on via the control lines A and B in the DisplayPort mode A of operation. R DS,Q3 through R DS,Q6 represent a drain to source resistance of the switches Q 3 through Q 6 , when turned on. In the second selectable impedance network 704 , the switches Q 8 through Q 11 may be turned off via control lines F and G such that the second selectable impedance network 704 is turned off in its entirety. This combination of the first selectable impedance network 702 and the second selectable impedance network 704 allows the biasing current I BIAS to be internally provided to the source current generator 706 . In the replica current generator 708 , the switch Q 12 is turned on via a control line C and switches Q 13 and Q 14 are turned off via control lines D and E. R DS,Q12 represents a drain to source resistance of the switches Q 12 , when turned on. The current mirror 710 causes the biasing current I BIAS and the replica current I REPLICA to be proportional to the reference current I REF .
FIG. 10 illustrates a DisplayPort mode B of operation of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates a HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1000 configured to operate in the DisplayPort mode B of operation according to the DisplayPort interface standard. The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1000 may represent an exemplary embodiment of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 configured to operate in the DisplayPort mode B of operation.
As shown in FIG. 10 , in the first selectable impedance network 702 , the switches Q 3 and Q 6 may be turned on via the control line A and the switches Q 4 and Q 5 may be turned off via the control line B in the DisplayPort mode B of operation. R DS,Q3 and R DS,Q6 represent a drain to source resistance of the switches Q 3 and Q 6 , when turned on. In the second selectable impedance network 704 , the switches Q 8 through Q 9 may be turned on via control line F and the switches Q 10 through Q 11 may be turned off via control line F and G. R DS,Q8 and R DS,Q9 represent a drain to source resistance of the switches Q g and Q 9 , when turned on. This combination of the first selectable impedance network 702 and the second selectable impedance network 704 allows the biasing current I BIAS to be internally provided to the source current generator 706 . In the replica current generator 708 , the switches Q 12 and Q 13 are turned on via a control lines C and D and the switches Q 14 is turned off via control line E. R DS,Q12 and R DS,Q13 represent a drain to source resistance of the switches Q 12 and Q 13 , when turned on. The current mirror 710 causes the biasing current I BIAS and the replica current I REPLICA to be proportional to the reference current I REF .
FIG. 11 further illustrates the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 is substantially similar to the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 as described above. Therefore, only differences between the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 and the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 are to be described in further detail.
The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 includes thin oxide transistors Q 20 through Q 22 and thick oxide transistors Q 23 through Q 25 , the thick oxide transistors Q 23 through Q 25 being formed with a thicker gate oxide when compared with a gate oxide of the thin oxide transistors Q 20 through Q 22 . This combination of thin oxide and thick oxide transistors provides the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 with a greater speed when compared to the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 that only includes the transistors Q 1 and Q 2 . More specifically, the thinner gate oxide of the thin oxide transistors Q 20 through Q 22 allows the thin oxide transistors Q 20 through Q 22 to turn off and/or on at faster rate when compared to the transistors Q 1 and Q 2 of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 . However, the first operating voltage V DISPLAYPORT and/or the second operating voltage V HDMI may exceed a breakdown voltage of the thin oxide transistors Q 20 through Q 22 . The thick oxide transistors Q 23 through Q 25 prevent the thin oxide transistors Q 20 through Q 22 from exceeding their respective breakdown voltages. It should be noted that the thin oxide transistor Q 22 and the thick oxide transistor Q 25 allow the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 to better mirror the reference current I REF .
The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 includes a source current generator 1102 . The source generator 1102 includes a biasing module 1104 in addition to the replica current generator 708 and the current mirror module 710 as described above. The biasing module 1104 provides a fixed biasing current to the thick oxide transistors Q 23 through Q 25 . The biasing module 1104 includes a resistor R 13 , transistors Q 26 and Q 27 , and an operational amplifier AMP 2 . The operational amplifier AMP 2 provides the fixed biasing current by comparing a fixed reference voltage V REF with a voltage between a source of the transistor Q 26 and a drain of the transistor Q 27 . A biasing of the transistor Q 26 is controlled by an output of the operational amplifier AMP 2 while a biasing of the transistor Q 27 is controlled by a fixed reference current I REF2 . A current, dependent on the biasing of the transistors Q 26 and Q 27 , flows from the second operating voltage V HDMI flows through the resistor R 13 and transistors Q 26 and Q 27 .
The HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 may be configured to operate in the HDMI mode of operation, the DisplayPort mode A of operation, and the DisplayPort mode B of operation as discussed in FIG. 8 through FIG. 10 .
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of exemplary operational steps of the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter used in the Dual HDMI/DisplayPort system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The invention is not limited to this operational description. Rather, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings herein that other operational control flows are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The following discussion describes the steps in FIG. 12 .
At step 1202 , an impedance of a first selectable impedance network is selected. The first selectable impedance network, such as the first selectable impedance network 602 to provide an example, includes one or more selectable impedances. Any one of the selectable impedances of the first selectable impedance network or any combination of the selectable impedances may be selected depending upon a mode of operation. For example, step 1202 may select a first impedance from among the selectable impedances in the HDMI mode of operation and a second impedance from among the selectable impedances in the DisplayPort mode of operation.
At step 1204 , an impedance of a second selectable network is selected. The second selectable network, such as the second selectable impedance network 602 to provide an example, includes one or more selectable impedances. Any one of the selectable impedances of the second selectable network or any combination of the selectable impedances may be selected depending upon the mode of operation. For example, step 1204 may select a first impedance from among the selectable impedances in the HDMI mode of operation and a second impedance from among the selectable impedances in the DisplayPort mode of operation.
At step 1206 , a replica current, such as the replica current I REPLICA to provide an example, corresponding to the HDMI mode of operation or the DisplayPort mode of operation is produced. The replica current is configured to replicate a biasing current, such as the biasing current I BIAS , that may be externally provided by a HDMI sink, such as the HDMI sink 104 to provide an example, or internally generated depending upon the mode of operation. A replica current generator, such as the replica current generator 710 to provide an example, may be used to provide the replica current. The replica current is proportional to or mirrors a reference current, such as the reference current I REF to provide an example. In other words, the replica current mirrors the reference current such that ultimately the biasing current mirrors the reference current as well.
At step 1208 , data is received by a data transmitter, such as the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 600 , the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 700 , and or the HDMI/DisplayPort transmitter 1100 to provide some examples. The data transmitter transmits the data to the HDMI sink according to the HDMI interface standard or to a DisplayPort sink, such as the DisplayPort sink 304 , according to the DisplayPort interface standard.
CONCLUSION
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Abstract section may set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments, of the present invention, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries may be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only according to the following claims and their equivalents.
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A method and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of transmitting video signals and/or audio signals using the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard. A dual mode transmitter is disclosed that is configurable to transmit to a first sink device, configured in accordance with a HDMI display interface, in a HDMI mode of operation and/or a second sink device, configured in accordance with a DisplayPort display interface, in a DisplayPort mode of operation. The dual mode transmitter is configured to receive a biasing current from the first sink device in the HDMI mode of operation or to internally provide the biasing current in DisplayPort mode of operation by selecting impedances from selectable impedance networks. The dual mode transmitter is configured to transmit the video signals and/or audio signals by biasing one or more transistors using the biasing current.
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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to devices which grip tubular members, such as drill pipe. More particularly, this invention relates to devices which hold one segment of pipe immobile while another segment of pipe is connected or disconnected. These latter devices are often referred to as back-up power tongs.
Pipe tongs are often employed in the oil and gas industry, particularly to break apart or tighten together threaded pipe connections. It is generally required that one set of pipe tongs grip and rotate one section of pipe and one set of pipe tongs grip and hold stationary the other section of pipe. modem drilling operations usually employ powered pipe tongs or power tongs. The first set of tongs rotating the pipe are typically referred to simply as power tongs. The second set of tongs holding the pipe stationary are typically referred to as the "back-up" power tongs.
Power tongs generally comprise a body with a passage leading to a central opening such that a section of pipe may be inserted through the passage and positioned in the central opening. Jaw members that are positioned inside the body of the power tongs will selectively move toward and away from the central opening in order to engage and disengage the pipe. The jaw members will usually include dies which will provide the surface actually contacting the pipe. These dies typically have a rough surface or "teeth" to insure the pipe is firmly gripped between the jaws.
Power tongs require a means of maintaining the jaws against the pipe without slippage while considerable rotational forces are applied to the pipe. To accomplish this, the prior art has generally relied on cam surfaces or pistons as a means for closing the jaws against the pipe. It is also preferable to have the jaws contact the pipe around as much of the pipe's circumference as possible. Therefore the closing means is typically positioned around the central opening to grip the pipe from all sides. U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,777 to Buck illustrates three hydraulic cylinders positioned around the central opening. U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,304 shows the positioning of a cam surface about the central opening which allows the jaws to tighten as they rotate against the cam surface. While supplying sufficient gripping force, these arrangements result in the closing means being positioned on all sides of the central opening and the power tong body having to virtually enclose the pipe. This inherently leads to the body of the power tong being large and bulky. Incidental to the size of these back-up power tongs is the associated costs from having to use a comparatively large amount of materials in constructing the tongs. Additionally, the greater the size of the tongs, the more limited their use since many applications may require the power tongs operate in areas where there is not sufficient side clearance.
What is needed in the art is improved back-up power tongs which will overcome these disadvantages. The improved back-up tongs should not require that the tong body to virtually enclose the pipe and thus will allow the improved back-up tongs to be considerably smaller. The smaller size of the tongs will allow more versatile use since the tongs can operate in areas with less clearance than prior art tongs. The improved back-up tongs should also be less costly as they will require a considerably smaller amount of material to construct.
Additionally, the improved back-up power tongs will be adaptable to many uses other than breaking pipe in conjunction with conventional power tongs. The present invention also may have application as a gripping device positioned on cranes or other lifting means.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide back-up power tongs that are less expensive to build and maintain than hereto known in the art.
It is another object of this invention to provide back-up power tongs that are smaller and can therefore operate in smaller confines than hereto known in the art.
It is still another object of this invention to provide back-up power tongs that may grip a substantial circumferential portion of a pipe without the body of the back-up tongs having to enclose the pipe.
It is also an object to provide a locking mechanism such that the jaws of the tongs are securely interlocked when the tongs close.
Accordingly the present invention provides back-up power tongs for holding a tubular member against rotation of a connected tubular member. The back-up power tongs comprise a body with a front section for receiving the tubular member and a plurality of jaw members for engaging the tubular member. The jaw members are positioned to form a substantially closed perimeter around the tubular member and at least one of the jaw members is a pivotal jaw, moving in a pivotal path to engage the tubular member.
An alternate embodiment provides two pivoting jaws and a locking mechanism attached to the end of the pivoting jaws such that the pivoting jaws can be securely interlocked.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of the back-up power tongs with the top plate removed and the pivoting jaws in the fully open position.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the back-up power tongs with the top plate removed and the pivoting jaws in a partially closed position.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the back-up power tongs with the top plate removed and the pivoting jaws in a fully closed position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the back-up power tongs illustrating the back-up power tongs use in conjunction with conventional power tongs.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of the back-up power tongs which has interlocking pivoting jaws.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the back-up tongs with the axial jaw partially cut away in order to illustrate the biasing means between the roller surfaces.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a third embodiment of the back-up power tongs which has cam surfaces with different angle of inclination.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the back-up power tongs which has linear actuators closing the pivoting jaws.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the basic components of improved back-up power tongs 1 comprise a tong body 5, an axial jaw member 5 and two pivoting jaw members 7. Tong body 3 also includes top plate 9 and a bottom plate 10. While top plate 9 has been removed from FIGS. 1-3 in order to show the internal components of back-up tongs 1, top plate 9 and a bottom plate 10 may be seen from the side in FIG. 4. Bolts 30 will be used to secure top plate 9 and a bottom plate 10 to body 3.
FIG. 4 also illustrates how back-up tongs 1 will typically be employed in conjunction with conventional power tongs 129. Both the conventional power tongs 129 and the back-up power tongs 1 will be connected to a common support 126. Back-up power tongs 1 are connected to common support 126 via flame member 125 located on the rear portion of tong body 3. Additionally, legs 127 will extend between conventional power tongs 129 and the back-up power tongs 1 in order to maintain alignment of the tongs. Legs 127 will engage tong body 3 by way of leg flanges 128 and leg apertures 130 (best seen in FIG. 3).
Viewing FIGS. 1-3, it can be seen that the basic function of back-up tongs 1 is to employ axial jaw member 5 and pivoting jaw members 7 to form a substantially closed perimeter around pipe 2. While the gap seen in FIG. 3 existing between the closed pivoting jaw members 7 may vary, those skilled in the are will recognize that the more complete perimeter formed by the jaw members, the greater the gripping capacity of the power tongs.
Viewing FIG. 1, pivoting jaw members 7 will be mounted on the front section 4 of tong body 3 by way of pins 12 which will act as pivot points 13 for pivoting jaws 7. A first end of pivoting jaw 7 will consist of an arcuate segment 7a. Both arcuate segments 7a and axial jaw 5 will have a concave surface 35 with grooves 36 milled therein. Correspondingly, a die 15 is provided having a convex surface with splines 37 milled therein. The splines 37 are milled to matingly slide into the grooves 36 so as to hold die 15 in place. The spline and groove combination provides the necessary torque resistance to the high rotational forces generated when assembling or disassembling pipe segments. Die 15 is held vertically in place by any conventional means such as screw 38 and lip (not shown) which will allow for easy installation and removal of die 15. Die 15 will have a concave wearing surface 16 which corresponds to the radial curvature of the pipe to be gripped. Wearing surface 16 typically will have a plurality of teeth formed thereon to aid in gripping the pipe. Removable dies 15 may vary in size in order to accommodate different diameters of pipe 2. A more detailed description of die 15 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No 4,649,777 to Buck, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Still viewing FIG. 1, a second end of pivoting jaws 7 will consist of rolling surface 7b which operates in conjunction with axial jaw 5 as explained below. Pivoting jaws 7 will have apertures 11 located between arcuate segment 7a and roller surface 7b. The apertures 11 will in turn pivotally engage pins 12 which will be located at pivot points 13.
Axial jaw 5 will be positioned between and generally to the rear of pivot points 13. As mentioned above, axial jaw 5 also has a arcuate die 15 for engaging the pipe 2. Additionally, each side of axial jaw 5 has an inclined cam surface 18 and locking surface 18a for engaging rolling surfaces 7b of pivoting jaw 7. The operation of inclined cam surface 18 and locking surface 18a will be explained in further detail below.
It can be seen from FIGS. 1-3 that axial jaw 5 is integrally attached to piston and cylinder assembly 20. As most dearly seen in FIG. 2, piston and cylinder assembly 20 generally comprise a cylinder body 23 which is formed with axial jaw 5. Engaging cylinder body 23 will be piston rod 22 having a piston head 21. The end of piston rod 22 opposite piston head 21 is connected to piston backplate 24. Piston backplate 24 is secured in tong body 3 such that operation of piston and cylinder assembly 20 causes cylinder body 23 to move relative to tong body 31 rather than piston rod 22 moving relative to tong body 3.
As best seen in FIG. 2, two sealed cavities are formed between the walls of cylinder body 23 and piston head 21. Forward cavity 25 is formed between the face 26 of piston head 21 and the front walls 27 of cylinder body 23. A central passage 28 is formed through piston rod 22 and communicates with forward cavity 25. Behind piston head 21 is a second cavity, rearward cavity 29 formed by the back of piston head 21 and the rearward portions of cylinder body 23. An offset passage 31 also communicates through piston rod 22, offset and separated from central passage 28. Offset passage 31 is in fluid connection with rearward cavity 29. Both central passage 28 and offset passage 31 are connected to a source of hydraulic fluid which is not shown. A more detailed description of hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 20 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,777 to Buck, which is incorporated by reference herein.
In operation, the movement of cylinder body 23 (and thus axial jaw 5) is controlled by the selective filling of cavities 25 or 29. To move jaw 5 forward to engage pipe 2, hydraulic fluid is pumped into forward cavity 25, causing cylinder body 23 to move forward relative to tong body 3. To disengage pipe 2, hydraulic fluid is pumped into rearward cavity 29 while fluid is allowed to simultaneously drain from forward cavity 25. Cylinder body 23 moves rearward relative to tong body 3 and pipe 2 is released.
The movement of axial jaw 5 to engage and disengage pipe 2 also operates to cause pivoting jaws 7 to engage and disengage pipe 2. When axial jaw 5 is fully in the rearward position, pivoting jaws 7 are fully open as seen in FIG. 1. As axial jaw 5 moves forward, inclined cam surfaces 18 will begin to engage roller surfaces 7b of pivoting jaws 7. As roller surfaces 7b are forced outward, pivoting jaw 7 begins to rotate around pivot points 13. This rotational movement then causes arcuate segments 7a of pivoting jaws 7 to begin to dose on pipe 2 as seen in FIG. 2. As the pivoting jaws 7 completely close on pipe 2, locking surface 18a will engage roller surfaces 7b and hold pivoting jaws 7 firmly in place as seen in FIG. 3. It can be seen that the simultaneous closing of pivoting jaws 7 and axial jaw 5 will substantially enclose pipe 2.
To release pipe 2, axial jaw 5 is moved to a rearward position and locking surfaces 18a and cam surfaces 18 are removed from engagement with roller surfaces 7b. As best seen in FIG. 6 through the cutaway section of jaw 5, biasing device 19 will be connected to and between the two roller surfaces 7b in order to bias the roller surfaces 7b toward each other when cam surfaces 18 are not engaging roller surfaces 7b. While biasing device 19 is positioned beneath axial jaw 5 in the embodiment shown, any manner of connecting biasing device 19 to the cam surfaces 18 may be used as long as cam surfaces 18 are biased together and axial jaw 5 may engage pipe 2. In the embodiment shown, biasing device 19 is a spring 33.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, arcuate jaws 107a and 107b will have a locking mechanism 100 to securely lock jaws 107a and 107b together. The locking mechanism shown in the figures is locking hooks 101a and 101b. Locking hooks 101a and 101b are positioned so as to face in opposing directions from each other so as to lock when arcuate jaws 107a and 107b are brought together.
In order for locking hooks 101a and 101b to matingly engage, locking hook 101a must pass center line C prior to locking hook 101b reaching center line C. This is accomplished by having movable cam surface 118a engage roller surface 109a prior to cam surface 118b engaging roller surface 109b. As seen in FIG. 5, both cam surfaces 118a and 118b are connected to axial jaw 105 by bolts 120. However, the side of axial jaw 105 to which movable cam surface 118a is attached further has a counter bored recessed area 121 around bolt 120 and a biasing member, such as spring 122, positioned in recessed area 121 and around bolt 120.
In its relaxed position, spring 122 biases movable cam surface 118a in an outward direction toward roller surface 109a. As described earlier, when the power tongs are to be closed, axial jaw member 105 begins to move forward. Because movable cam surface 118a extends outward further that cam surface 118b, movable cam surface 118a engages roller surface 109a prior to cam surface 118b engaging roller surface 109b. Thus arcuate jaw 107a proceeds toward center line C slightly ahead of arcuate jaw 107b. As locking hook 101a passes center line C, it is in a position slightly lower than locking hook 101b, which allows locking hook 101b to overlap locking hook 101a.
Simultaneously with the overlapping movement of locking hooks 101a and 101b, axial jaw 105 is causing pipe 2 to move towards arcuate jaws 107. As pipe 2 presses against arcuate jaws 107, locking hooks 101 are urged to matingly engage each other. To properly engage locking hooks 101 in the final locking position, roller surfaces 109 must both be displaced outwardly an equal distance by cam surfaces 118. This is accomplished by spring 122 being compressed and allowing movable cam surface 118a to be pushed against axial jaw 105 when the arcuate jaws 107 are completely closed. Thus cam surfaces 118a and 118b are applying equal closing force to jaws 107a and 107b respectively. As with the previously described embodiment, the pipe 2 may be released by the rearward movement of axial jaw 105.
A third embodiment of the invention is seen in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the cam surfaces 218a and 218b provide different degrees of inclination as represented by angles α and β. It will be understood that the height a of both cam surfaces is equal. However, the length b of cam surface 218a is less than the length d of cam surface 218b. It will be readily apparent that these dimensions dictate that angle α of cam surface 218a will be greater than angle β of cam surface 218b.
The result of this difference in angles α and β is that pivoting jaw 207a will move toward center line C more quickly than pivoting jaw 207b. However, because the height a of cam surface 218a is equal to the height a of cam surface 218b, neither pivoting jaw will cross center line C to any greater degree than the other.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that because pivoting jaws 207 are moving in an arcuate path, the travel of locking hooks 201 has both a horizontal and vertical component. Since pivoting jaw 207a moves toward center line C ahead of pivoting jaw 207b, locking hook 201a will be in a lower position than locking hook 201b as both pivoting jaws 207 approach center line C. This allows the farthermost tip of locking hook 201b to extend over and engage the farthermost tip of locking hook 201a as pivoting jaws 207 close on center line C. At this point, roller surfaces 209 have engaged locking surfaces 219 and there will be no further pivoting motion by pivoting jaws 207. However, the pressure of pipe 2 moving against pivoting jaws 207 will typically cause some further engagement of locking hooks 201 as materials undergo the normal strain caused by the large forces associated with gripping pipe 2.
Those skilled in the art will readily see the many advantages presented in these latter two embodiments. In the first embodiment, all forces tending to spread the arcuate jaws 7a had to be born by the roller surfaces 7b acting against cam surface 18. To the contrary, in the last two embodiments just described, locking hooks 101 and 201 bear the majority of the spreading forces acting on arcuate jaws 107 and 207 and thereby provide a considerably stronger tool.
A fourth embodiment can be seen in FIG. 8. This embodiment operates on a somewhat different principle than the previously discussed embodiments. In FIG. 8, the pivoting jaws 302 are closed by the operation of linear actuators such as hydraulic piston assemblies 306a and 306b. While the linear actuators shown are hydraulic piston assemblies, the linear actuators could be any other device, such as powers screws, that will impose a linear force on pivoting jaws 302.
Each of the pivoting jaws 302 will have an external surface 310 and a bracket 305 attached to external surface 310. The hydraulic rams 308 of hydraulic piston assemblies 306a and 306b will be pivotally attached to brackets 305. The hydraulic cylinders 307 of hydraulic piston assemblies 306a and 306b will be attached to the tong body 3.
In operation, the piston assemblies 306a and 306b will exert a linear force on pivoting jaws 302. Because the brackets 305 provide a pivotal connection, the linear force causes pivoting jaws 302 to rotate on pivot points 313 and to close the jaws as illustrated in the previous embodiments. Also as shown in the previous embodiments, it is necessary that locking hook 301a move into a closed position slightly ahead of locking hook 301b. This may be accomplished by causing piston assembly 306a to extend ram 308 at a faster rate than piston assembly 306b or by causing piston assembly 306a to begin extending ram 308 at an earlier point in time than piston assembly 306b begin to extend ram 308. Either of these methods may be accomplished by any conventional means for controlling the relative flow of hydraulic fluid into piston assemblies 306a and 306b.
While many parts of the present invention have been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is anticipated that still further alterations and modifications thereof will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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Present invention provides back-up power tongs for holding a tubular member against rotation of a connected tubular member. The back-up power tongs comprise a body with a front section for receiving the tubular member and a plurality of jaw members for engaging the tubular member. The jaw members are positioned to form a substantially closed perimeter around the tubular member and at least one of the jaw members is a pivotal jaw, moving in a pivotal path to engage the tubular member. An alternate embodiment provides two pivoting jaws and a locking mechanism attached to the end of the pivoting jaws such that the pivoting jaws can be securely interlocked. The improved back-up tongs should not require that the tong body to virtually enclose the pipe and thus will allow the improved back-up tongs to be considerably smaller. The smaller size of the tongs will allow more versatile use since the tongs can operate in areas with less clearance than prior art tongs. The improved back-up tongs should also be less costly as they will require a considerably smaller amount of material to construct. Additionally, the improved back-up power tongs will be adaptable to many uses other than breaking pipe in conjunction with conventional power tongs. The present invention also may have application as a gripping device positioned on cranes or other lifting apparatus.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a jointing structure in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function and also to a method of mounting an elastic member therein, and is useful in applications mainly to vehicle traveling path joints in new transit systems, monorails and the like and besides, to road bed plate joints in road bridges, footbridges and the like.
2. Description of the Related Arts
One well-known urban traffic means is a new transit system which makes use of rubber tires to provide traveling on an exclusive vehicle traveling path using a motor, with power fed via a feeder line laid parallel to the traveling path.
This type of traffic means is such that a vehicle traveling path is built continuously in a belt-like form with concrete on a bridge girder and has an expansion gap in the same position as a bridge girder joint in order to absorb bridge girder expansion or contraction caused by temperature changes or the like.
With this type of traffic means, a traveling path joint is especially fitted with a rubber or steel expansion joint to prevent the occurrence of tire fallen-in, stuck-in and/or like situations so that the increased riding quality as well as the maintainability of in-traveling safety are provided.
Regarding an expansion joint applied to an expansion gap and having an elastic function with respect to the bridge girder expansion or contraction, the patent document 1, for instance, describes an expansion joint having a top-plate reinforcing material laid over the expansion gap, side-plate reinforcing materials respectively fixed to the traveling path ends, and chloroprene rubber or the like adapted to join the top-plate reinforcing material and both the side-plate reinforcing materials together.
Patent Documents on The Related Arts
[Patent document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. Hei.9-59904
[Patent document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. Hei.10-82002
[Patent document 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-104204
[Patent document 4] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2003-184006
However, the rubber expansion joint has encountered with such problem that it is difficult to ensure slip resistance to rubber tires and/or to pass judgement on the time for replacement because of a lack of its durability required for a tire-supporting surface.
Meanwhile, the steel expansion joint has encountered with, in addition to the problem about the slip resistance to the rubber tires, such problem that it is difficult to be given difference-in-level management by reason that a difference in level is liable to occur between the expansion joint and the traveling path, and consequently, would be considered to have a great effect on the tires and the like unless it is managed in several millimeter units.
The steel expansion joint has further involved the problem of in-traveling safety by reason that it may well be that tire punctures will occur in course of traveling due to cracks resulting from metal fatigues of mounting bolts or like components.
With both the above types of expansion joints, there has been still some fear of the tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations occurring in cases of bridge girder portions in which a greater extent of expansion or contraction caused by temperature changes is found and/or of small-sized vehicles whose tires are small in diameter, in which case, it has been likely to lead to a reduction in riding quality.
In conventional expansion joint applications, vertical differences in level (which are such that the bridge girders are displaced in their joints on different levels) and/or lateral displacements (which are such that the bridge girders are displaced in their joints perpendicularly to a bridge girder axis) and besides, kinked joints (which are such that the bridge girders are kinked in their joints laterally) and the like when occurred in the joints of the bridge girders due to an earthquake or the like could be left as they were even after the earthquake, or could lead to the complete collapse of the bridge girders under certain circumstances. Accordingly, for the passage of emergency vehicles and the like, it has been necessary to take such emergency measures as to cover the bridge girder joints with steel sheets or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a jointing structure in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function, more specifically, a jointing structure which is adaptable for applications of various tire configurations different in tire diameter and the like, ensures high slip resistance to tires, permits less occurrence of tire fallen-in and/or stuck-in situations and is easy to be given maintenance, and also to provide a method of mounting an elastic member therein.
A jointing structure in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function according to the present invention comprises more than one step provided face to face at the coaxially built traveling path ends with an expansion gap between, more than one elastic member respectively mounted inside the above more than one step, and a joint block mounted on the above more than one elastic member across the above expansion gap.
The present invention is to be adapted to prevent, by blocking up the expansion gap in a bridge girder joint with the joint block while permitting an expansion gap function to be maintained, the occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations for the achievement of smooth and safe vehicle traveling (see FIG. 2 ), and is thus useful in applications mainly to vehicle traveling path joints in new transit systems, monorails and the like, i.e., joints of vehicle traveling paths respectively built on bridge girders as an integral part thereof, and besides, to road bed plate joints in road bridges, foot bridges and the like.
According to the present invention, it will be appreciated that even in the occurrence of any displacement such as the vertical differences in level and/or the lateral displacements and besides, the kinked joints in the joints of the bridge girders especially due to the earthquake or the like, the joint block may be conditioned to be always in the center of the expansion gap thanks to elastic member deformation for the elimination and/or relief of the differences in level and/or the lateral displacements and the like, resulting in the achievement of smooth vehicle traveling without the need for any emergency measures involving the use of the steel sheets or the like.
It will be appreciated also that the joint block is placed across the expansion gap, and thus, the adequate management of accuracy of each member if given may be adapted to prevent the differences in level from occurring in any joint portion between the joint block and the traveling path.
It is noted that the use of a joint block made of the same concrete as that of the traveling path may be adapted to provide more substantially increased slip resistance to the tires, as compared with the rubber or steel expansion joint. It is noted also especially that a high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete joint block is as highly durable as hardly worn away, and is thus considered to be suitably applicable to the joint block for use in the present invention.
The elastic members are desirably of a material that is hard to be deformed vertically and vice verse easy to be deformed horizontally in a soft manner. The present invention employs elastic members mainly consisting of laminated rubber. Further, the elastic members and the joint block are fitted to each other detachably by bolting or the like and consequently, may be easily given the maintenance thereof as well.
It would be possible also to mount supporting blocks inside the steps with the joint block between in order to protect the traveling path ends with the thus mounted supporting blocks so as to prevent the traveling path ends from being damaged due to tire impingement and/or impact responses and the like at the time of passage of the vehicles (see FIG. 2 ). The supporting blocks may be of concrete or high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete like the traveling path and the joint block.
In this case, the supporting blocks are fitted detachably to the intra-step traveling path side walls in close contact therewith with mounting bolts or the like to form a continuously extending traveling path surface and consequently, may be easily restored to normal by replacement even if damaged.
It would be possible also to mount, in a manner that one or more than one intermediate joint block is mounted inside the steps with the joint block between, more than one joint block in the traveling path joint in order to decentralize the expansion gap in the traveling path joint into more than one expansion gap to make the size of each individual expansion gap smaller, so that the occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations may be prevented more surely for the achievement of the increased driving quality (see FIG. 6 ). For instance, the size of the expansion gap in the traveling path joint may be reduced down to one fourth by mounting the intermediate joint blocks one by one to the opposite sides of the intra-step joint block.
Furthermore, the use of a joint block, supporting blocks and intermediate joint blocks that are of concrete of the same quality as that of the traveling path or of high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete may be adapted to lead to such advantage that the difference in level will be hard to occur in any joint portion between the blocks because of the substantially same-mannered developments of wear on each member, so that the difference-in-level management of the joints becomes more facilitated.
By reason of a structure which is such that members such as metal members and rubber members are not exposed to the traveling path joints, especially, to the traveling path surface, it is possible not only to eliminate the problems such as developments of rust on these members and degradations thereof but also to prevent scattering of these members for the achievement of the increased in-traveling safety for vehicles.
It would be possible also to provide, obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the traveling path, the expansion gap in a joint portion between each of the traveling path ends and the joint block in order to prevent the occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations particularly in cases of small-sized vehicles whose tires are small in diameter, while ensuring a required expansion gap (see FIG. 7 ).
It is noted that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations in cases of small-sized vehicles whose tires are small in diameter, while ensuring a required expansion gap, also by providing, obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the traveling path, the expansion gap in a joint portion between the joint block and each of the supporting blocks, that in a joint portion between the joint block and each of the intermediate joint blocks and that in a joint portion between each of the intermediate joint blocks and each of the supporting blocks.
In a method of mounting an elastic member in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function and each composed of more than one step provided face to face at the coaxially built traveling path ends with an expansion gap between, more than one elastic member respectively mounted inside the above more than one step, and a joint block mounted on the above more than one elastic member across the above expansion gap, a method of mounting an elastic member in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function comprises the steps of joining the above elastic members together across the above expansion gap and fixing the elastic member on one side to the step on one side, then subjecting the thus fixed elastic member to deformation toward the bridge girder axis, and thereafter fixing the elastic member on the other side to the step on the other side.
It is generally known in the bridge girders of RC construction, PC construction and/or steel-frame construction that the width of the expansion gap in the joint between the bridge girders varies with seasonal changes and temperature changes in a day as well. It is known also that the bridge girders of RC construction and/or PC construction easily produce fluctuations of the expansion gap width even with concrete drying shrinkage and/or creep effects
In designing the elastic member under such environments, it is the most economical as the elastic member that it is designed so as to permit no deformation to occur in the elastic member too at the time when the drying shrinkage and/or any shrinkage resulting from the creep has come to be convergent and besides, a bridge girder length varying with temperature has reached a median (i.e., a bridge girder length in time of ordinary temperatures) between a bridge girder length in time of high temperatures and that in time of low temperatures.
For that reason, the elastic member may be mounted without being affected by the seasons and/or the periods of time in a day and besides, by the bridge girder ages. Desirably, the elastic member should be so mounted that it will be conditioned to be free of any deformation therein at the time when the drying shrinkage and/or the creep of the bridge girders has come to be convergent and besides, the bridge girder length in time of ordinary temperatures has been reached.
In attempting to make setting of the expansion gap in conventional expansion joint applications in order to provide an expansion gap that meets a temperature at the time of mounting and/or the bridge girder ages, expansion gap adjustments have been made by taking steps of predicting a temperature at the time of mounting, then preliminarily adjusting the expansion gap width in a factory and the like, then temporarily fixing the expansion gap with an exclusive fixing jig or the like, and finally releasing the expansion gap from its temporarily fixed state after mounting in a construction site.
However, by reason that the temperature at the time of mounting is of a predicted value, it is necessary to make expansion gap readjustments in accordance with an actual temperature at the time of mounting in cases where the predicted value is much different from the actual temperature at the time of mounting, resulting in the need for troublesome mounting.
According to the present invention, it will be appreciated that it is possible to easily mount the elastic member without being affected in any way by the seasons and/or the periods of time and besides, by the bridge girder ages and the like so that it will be conditioned to be free of any deformation therein or in normal position whenever the bridge girder length in time of ordinary temperatures has been reached.
In this case, it would be possible also to set the expansion gap width in time of ordinary temperatures at a median between the greatest expansion gap width and the smallest expansion gap width in order to minimize the expansion gap of the greatest width and also to avoid bringing the bridge girder ends into contact with each other even if the expansion gap comes to be narrowed.
It is noted that the elastic members may be easily joined together by mounting, across the expansion gap over the elastic members, the joint block or a backing plate used to mount the joint block (see FIG. 9A ). It is noted also that the elastic members may be easily subjected to deformation by pressing them toward the bridge girder axis using an oil hydraulic jack or the like (see FIGS. 9B and 9C ).
According to the present invention, it will be appreciated that it is possible to prevent, by decentralizing the expansion gap in the joint between the bridge girders into more than one smaller-width expansion gap with the joint block while permitting the expansion gap function to be maintained, the occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations for the achievement of smooth vehicle traveling. It will be appreciated also that the components such as the joint block are fitted in detachable fashion by bolting or the like and consequently, may be easily given the maintenance thereof.
It will appreciated also that the present invention is adaptable for applications of various tire configurations different in tire diameter, ensures high slip resistance to the tires, permits less occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations, and is easy to be given the maintenance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1A is a fragmentary side view showing the track of an urban transit system;
FIG. 1B is an enlarged plan view showing a portion A in FIG. 1A ;
FIG. 2A is a sectional view, taken on line B-B in FIG. 1B , showing one embodiment of a jointing structure in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a sectional view, taken on line C-C in FIG. 1B , showing one embodiment of a jointing structure in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 3A is an exploded sectional view showing one embodiment of a jointing structure in vehicle traveling path joints and the like having an expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the jointing structure in the vehicle traveling path joints and the like having the expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the traveling path ends in the traveling path joints and the like;
FIG. 4B is a sectional view, taken on line D-D in FIG. 4A , showing the traveling path ends in the traveling path joints and the like;
FIG. 5A is a sectional view showing the behavior of an expansion gap in the traveling path joints and the like in association with bridge girder expansion or contraction caused by temperature changes or the like;
FIG. 5B is a sectional view showing the behavior of an expansion gap in the traveling path joints and the like resulting from bridge girder expansion caused by temperature changes or the like;
FIG. 5C is a sectional view showing the behavior of an expansion gap in the traveling path joints and the like resulting from bridge girder contraction caused by temperature changes or the like;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a further embodiment of the jointing structure in the vehicle traveling path joints and the like having the expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a still further embodiment of the jointing structure in the vehicle traveling path joints and the like having the expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a still further embodiment of the jointing structure in the vehicle traveling path joints and the like having the expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a still further embodiment of the jointing structure in the vehicle traveling path joints and the like having the expansion function according to the present invention;
FIG. 9A is a sectional view showing a method of mounting an elastic member;
FIG. 9B is a sectional view showing a method of mounting an elastic member; and
FIG. 9C is a sectional view showing a method of mounting an elastic member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1A to 5C respectively show one embodiment of the present invention wherein a bridge girder 2 serves to support a traveling path 1 adapted for vehicle traveling. The traveling path 1 is of concrete and extends continuously in a belt-like form on the bridge girder 2 in the axial direction thereof. The traveling path 1 is formed as an integral part of the bridge girder 2 and has an upper end surface in a flat form.
The bridge girder 2 is formed with manufactured girders such as RC girders, PC girders and steel girders. A joint between the bridge girders 2 , 2 has an expansion gap ±ΔL extending perpendicularly to the axis of the bridge girder 2 in order to absorb the expansion or contraction of the bridge girders 2 caused by temperature changes or the like.
Further, there is provided between the traveling paths 1 , 1 the same joint as the joint between the bridge girders 2 , 2 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the traveling path 1 in conformity with the bridge girder joint, and the joint between the traveling paths 1 , 1 also has the same expansion gap ±ΔL as the expansion gap ±ΔL in the joint between the bridge girders 2 , 2 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the traveling path 1 .
The traveling paths 1 , 1 have, at the ends thereof in the traveling path joint, steps 3 , 3 facing each other with the expansion gap ±ΔL between, and laminated rubbers 4 , 4 are respectively mounted inside the steps 3 , 3 with the expansion gap ±ΔL between.
The laminated rubber 4 is formed by piling up a thin rubber layer and a steel sheet alternately in multiple layers to place the rubber layers under restraint so that it will be hard to be deformed vertically and vice verse easy to be deformed horizontally in a soft manner.
Further, the laminated rubber 4 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped lengthwise in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the traveling path 1 and has at a lower end thereof a base plate 4 a . And, the laminated rubber 4 is fixedly placed in detachable fashion on a bottom 3 a of each of the step 3 , 3 by fastening the base plate 4 a to the bottom 3 a with more than one anchor bolt 5 .
Further, a backing plate 6 is mounted on the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 across the expansion gap ±ΔL, so that the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 are integrally joined together through the thus mounted backing plate 6 . Thus, the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 are supposed to get deformed as a unit, following the expansion or contraction or the like of the bridge girders 2 as shown in FIGS. 5A , 5 B and 5 C.
FIG. 5A shows that the laminated rubbers 4 are being free of any deformation therein (or in normal position) as the result of no development of the expansion or contraction caused by temperature changes or the like on any bridge girder 2 , wherein the backing plate 6 is fixedly placed on the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 . From the seasonal point of view, such deformation-free state is considered to be that found in the spring and/or autumn time with the smallest difference in temperature.
FIG. 5B shows that the laminated rubbers 4 are being deformed such as to absorb the expansion of the bridge girders 2 caused by the temperature changes as the result of the narrowed expansion gap ±ΔL due to the above bridge girder expansion, and such deformed state is considered to be that found in the summer time from the seasonal point of view. Meanwhile, FIG. 5C shows that the laminated rubbers 4 are being deformed such as to absorb the contraction of the bridge girders 2 caused by the temperature changes as the result of the widened expansion gap ±ΔL due to the above bridge girder contraction, and such deformed state is considered to be that found in the winter time from the seasonal point of view.
It is noted that the laminated rubber 4 may be also in a square or circular-in-plan form, in which case, such laminated rubber may be mounted to the bottom 3 a in each step 3 in such a manner as to be placed in more than one position. Referring to FIG. 3B , there is shown one laminated rubber arrangement which is such that three pieces of square-in-plan laminated rubbers 4 are spaced at fixed intervals in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the bridge girder 2 .
The backing plate 6 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate lengthwise in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the traveling path 1 , and is attached with, respectively in the center and at the opposite ends in the direction of the lengthwise sides thereof, projecting anchor bolts 7 .
Further, a joint block 8 is mounted on the backing plate 6 , and supporting blocks 9 , 9 are respectively mounted to the opposite sides of the joint block 8 with this joint block between.
Both the joint block 8 and each supporting block 9 are of the same concrete as the traveling path 1 and in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped lengthwise in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the traveling path 1 , an upper end surface of the joint block 8 and that of each supporting block 9 being made flush with the upper end surface of the traveling path 1 .
The joint block 8 has, respectively in the center and at the opposite ends in the direction of the lengthwise sides thereof, loose holes 8 a , 8 b , into which the anchor bolts 7 are respectively inserted.
Further, the loose holes 8 a , 8 b are respectively charged with a hardening material 10 such as mortar. Thus, the joint block 8 is fixedly placed on the backing plate 6 .
It is noted that the loose hole 8 a is formed in the shape of a circular cone having a downwardly gradually increasing inner diameter, and the loose hole 8 b at each of the opposite ends of the loose hole 8 a is formed in the shape of a circular cone having an upwardly gradually increasing inner diameter.
By reason that the loose holes 8 a , 8 b respectively take the shapes as described the above, the joint block 8 is firmly fixed in three positions to the upside of the backing plate 6 . Further, the removal of the joint block 8 from the upside of the backing plate 6 , if required, can be made in such a relatively easy manner as to only crush the hardening material 10 in the loose hole 8 b.
Each supporting block 9 is fixedly fitted in detachable fashion to the side wall 3 b of each step 3 in close contact therewith with more than one mounting bolt 11 .
It is noted that it would be possible also to mount the joint block 8 directly on the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 with bolts, adhesives or the like in order to eliminate the need for the backing plate 6 so that a simplified structure may be provided.
With the above arrangements, it will be appreciated that the expansion gap ±ΔL in the joint between the traveling paths 1 , 1 is blocked up with the joint block 8 so that an expansion gap ±ΔL/2 smaller in width than the expansion gap ±ΔL is provided between the joint block 8 and each of the supporting blocks 9 at the opposite sides thereof, and this allows the occurrence of tire fallen-in and/or stuck-in situations in vehicles to be substantially reduced, resulting in the achievement of smooth vehicle traveling on the traveling path 1 . It will be appreciated also that the absorption of the expansion or contraction of the bridge girders 2 caused by the temperature changes or the like may be achieved as well thanks to the deformation of the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 .
It is noted that each expansion gap ±ΔL/2 in a joint portion between the joint block 8 and each of the supporting blocks 9 at the opposite sides thereof will be made uniform by adjusting the shear modulus of the laminated rubber 4 .
It will be appreciated also that the laminated rubbers 4 , the joint block 8 and the supporting blocks 9 are all fitted in detachable fashion so that the maintenance of the joints may be facilitated.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention which is especially such that the bottom in each step 3 is in the form of a two-stepped bottom composed of a bottom 3 a and a bottom 3 b extending in the axial direction of a traveling path 1 . In this embodiment, first-stage laminated rubbers 4 A, 4 A are respectively mounted on the first-stage bottoms 3 a , 3 a.
Further, a first-stage backing plate 6 A is mounted on the laminated rubbers 4 A, 4 A across an expansion gap ±ΔL, and on the first-stage backing plate 6 A is mounted a joint block 8 .
Furthermore, second-stage laminated rubbers 4 B, 4 B are respectively mounted on both the second-stage bottom 3 b and the first-stage backing plate 6 A, and on the second-stage laminated rubbers 4 B, 4 B is mounted a second-stage backing plate 6 B across a space between the laminated rubbers 4 B, 4 B.
Moreover, an intermediate joint block 12 is mounted between the joint block 8 and each of the supporting blocks 9 , wherein it is fixedly placed on the second-stage backing plate 6 B. The upper end surface of each supporting block 9 , that of the joint block 8 and that of each intermediate joint block 12 are made flush with the upper end surface of the traveling path 1 .
With the above arrangements, it will be appreciated that the expansion gap ±ΔL in the joint between the traveling paths 1 , 1 is blocked up with the joint block 8 so that an expansion gap ±ΔL/4 smaller in width than the expansion gap ±ΔL is provided between the joint block 8 and each of the intermediate joint blocks 12 at the opposite sides thereof and between each of the intermediate joint blocks 12 and each of the supporting blocks 9 , and this allows the occurrence of tire fallen-in and/or stuck-in situations in vehicles to be substantially reduced, resulting in the achievement of smooth vehicle traveling on the traveling path 1 . It will be appreciated also that the absorption of the expansion or contraction of the bridge girders 2 caused by the temperature changes or the like may be easily achieved as well thanks to the deformation of the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 .
It will be appreciated also that the laminated rubbers 4 B, 4 B, the joint block 8 , the intermediate joint blocks 12 and the supporting blocks 9 are all fitted in detachable fashion so that the maintenance of the joints may be facilitated.
It will be appreciated also that each expansion gap ±ΔL/4 in a joint portion between the joint block 8 and each of the intermediate joint blocks 12 at the opposite sides thereof and each expansion gap ±ΔL/4 in a joint portion between each of the intermediate joint blocks 12 and each of the supporting blocks 9 in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can be made uniform by adjusting the shear modulus of the laminated rubber 4 .
FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention which is especially such that joint portions between a joint block 8 and each of traveling path steps 3 at the opposite sides thereof respectively have mutually parallel expansion gaps ±ΔL/2 extending obliquely with respect to the axial direction of a traveling path 1 , wherein the joint block 8 is in a parallelogrammic-in-plan form whose two sides respectively facing the expansion gaps ±ΔL/2 are assumed to be oblique sides.
Other arrangements are substantially the same as the embodiment having been previously described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5C . According to the embodiment in FIG. 7 , it will be appreciated that the occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations particularly in cases of small-sized vehicles whose tires are small in diameter may be reduced.
FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively show a still further embodiment of the present invention which is especially such that joint portions between a joint block 8 and each of supporting blocks 9 at the opposite sides thereof respectively have symmetrical expansion gaps ±ΔL/2 extending obliquely with respect to the axial direction of a traveling path 1 , wherein the joint block 8 is in a trapezoidal-in-plan form whose two sides respectively facing the expansion gaps are assumed to be oblique sides.
With the embodiment shown, the laminated rubber is supposed to be placed with no deformation developed therein (or in normal position) at the time when the expansion gap ±ΔL between the bridge girders 2 , 2 reaches its maximum due to the contraction of the bridge girders 2 caused by the temperature changes. Other arrangements are substantially the same as the embodiment having been previously described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5C .
In such arrangements, shifting of the joint block 8 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the traveling path 1 is applied to meet the fluctuations of the expansion gap ±ΔL with the expansion or contraction of the bridge girders 2 .
As shown in FIG. 8A , in cases where the expansion gap ±ΔL comes to be widened due to the bridge girder contraction caused by the temperature changes so that the laminated rubber deformation occurs to absorb such bridge girder contraction, the joint block 8 shifts in the direction shown by an arrow in association with the above laminated rubber deformation.
As shown in FIG. 8B , in cases where the expansion gap ±ΔL comes to be narrowed due to the bridge girder expansion caused by the temperature changes so that the laminated rubber deformation occurs to absorb such bridge girder expansion, the joint block 8 shifts in the direction shown by an arrow in association with the above laminated rubber deformation.
FIGS. 9A , 9 B and 9 C respectively show a method of mounting a laminated rubber for use in the embodiment having been previously described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5C , and the procedure thereof will be described in the following.
(1) Firstly, the laminated rubbers 4 are joined together by placing the backing plate 6 across the expansion gap ±Δ over the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 respectively mounted inside the steps 3 (see FIG. 9A ). The backing plate 6 is joined to the laminated rubbers 4 by bolting or with adhesives or the like.
It is noted that it would be possible also to place the joint block directly across the expansion gap ±Δ over the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 in order to eliminate the need for the backing plate 6 .
(2) Subsequently, the laminated rubber 4 on one side is fixed to the bottom 3 a in the step 3 with the anchor bolts 5 . It is noted that the laminated rubber 4 on the fore side ahead of the expansion gap ±Δ is supposed to be fixed in cases where mounting of the laminated rubbers takes place in the summer time and the like considered that the bridge girder expansion will be ready to occur with increasing temperature (see FIG. 9B ). Meanwhile, it is noted also that the laminated rubber 4 on this side of the expansion gap ±Δ is supposed to be fixed in cases where mounting of the laminated rubbers takes place in the winter time and the like considered that the bridge girder contraction will be ready to occur with decreasing temperature (see FIG. 9C ). The anchor bolt 5 is fitted into a preliminarily embedded insert in the bottom 3 a. (3) Then, an oil hydraulic jack 13 is set inside the step 3 on one side. Then, the backing plate 6 is pressed out toward the bridge girder axis by bringing the oil hydraulic jack 3 into contact with the end of the backing plate 6 . By so doing, the laminated rubber 4 fixed to the bottom 3 a in the step 3 comes to be deformed toward the bridge girder axis. (4) Then, after the deformation of the laminated rubber 4 reaches a predetermined amount, the laminated rubber 4 on the other side is fixed to the bottom 3 a in the step 3 with the anchor bolts 5 . Then, the jack 13 is removed, and it therefore follows that the laminated rubbers 4 , 4 in such form as shown in FIG. 5B or 5 C will be obtained. It is noted that the anchor bolt 5 is fitted into the preliminarily embedded insert in the bottom 3 a.
It will be thus appreciated that the present invention is adaptable for applications of various tire configurations different in tire diameter, ensures high slip resistance to tires, permits less occurrence of tire fall-in and/or stuck-in situations and is easy to be given the maintenance.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
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A jointing structure comprising multiple steps provided face to face at the coaxially built traveling path ends with an expansion gap between, multiple elastic members respectively mounted inside the multiple steps, and a joint block mounted on the multiple elastic members across the expansion gap. Multiple supporting blocks and one or more than one intermediate joint block are mounted inside the multiple steps with the joint block between. The multiple supporting blocks, the joint block and the one or more than one intermediate joint block are of concrete. The elastic members are joined together across the expansion gap. The elastic member on one side is fixed to the inside of the step on one side and then subjected to deformation toward the bridge girder axis, and thereafter, the elastic member on the other side is fixed to the inside of the step on the other side.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a headlight for a vehicle.
More particularly, it relates to a headlight for a vehicle which has a reflector supported on a holder and adjustable relative to the latter by an adjusting device, and an indicating device which indicates a deviation of a setting of the reflector from a predetermined nominal setting.
Headlights of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. One of such headlights is disclosed for example in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,769. The holder which supports the reflector adjustably by the adjusting device is formed in this patent as a housing, the reflector is arranged inside the housing, and the adjusting device has an adjusting screw which extends outwardly beyond the housing and turns so as to change the setting of the reflector relative to the housing. Moreover, the indicating device which indicates the deviation of the setting of the reflector from a predetermined nominal setting includes a movable indicating part which is screwed on the adjusting screw and is guided axially displaceably and non-rotatably in a housing part of the headlight, while a substantially stationary indicating part is provided on a housing part of the reflector. In view of the thread connection of the movable indicating part with the adjusting screw, it follows the adjusting movement of the reflector during turning of the adjusting screw. The movable indicating part has a pointer which cooperates with a scale arranged on the substantially stationary indicating part. The substantially stationary indicating part is fixed by a clamping screw on the housing part of the headlight. After releasing the clamping screw, the substantially stationary indicating part is however movable to a base setting in direction of movement of the movable indicating part and after tightening of the clamping screw is fixed again in this position. Because of the clamping screw which must be first released and then again tightened, the base setting substantially stationary indicating part is performed in a complicated manner. Since the movable indicating part is arranged outside of the headlight housing, it can be easily damaged, for example deformed, and therefore the accuracy of the indicating device can be worsened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a headlight of the above mentioned general type, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a headlight in which the substantially stationary indicating part is arranged in a guide so that it is displaceable in the guide but at the same time is difficult to displace.
When the headlight is designed in accordance with the present invention, the substantially stationary indicating part assumes its base setting simply by a displacement in the guide; however, at the same time due to the fact that the indicating part is difficult to displace, its unintentional adjustment as a result of vibrations and other influences is prevented.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the substantially stationary indicating part has a projection provided with a recess and engaging the rail-like guide, wherein the recess in condition when the substantially stationary indicating part is not arranged on the guide has a smaller cross-section than the guide and is elastically expansible.
In accordance with another embodiment, the substantially stationary indicating part has a projection provided with a recess and engaging the rail-like guide, and the guide in condition when the indicating is not arranged on it, has a greater cross-section than the recess and its cross-section is elastically reducible.
When the headlight is designed in accordance with these features, the substantially stationary indicating part is made difficult to displace without the use of additional components.
In accordance with still a further feature of the present invention, the holder is formed as a housing in which the reflector and the movable indicating part are arranged, the housing is provided with a transparent portion through which the movable indicating part can be seen from outside of the housing, and the substantially stationary indicating part is arranged outwardly of the housing in the region of the transparent portion.
When the headlight is designed in accordance with the present invention, the movable indicating part is arranged so that it is protected from damages and at the same time the indicating device can be easily observed.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view showing a vertical longitudinal section of the headlight for a vehicle in accordance with a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a view showing a section of the headlight with an indicating device as seen in direction of the arrow II in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a transverse section of the headlight taken along the line III--III in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3a is a view showing another variant of the indicating device;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a vertical longitudinal section of the headlight in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of the headlight with an indicating device as seen in direction of the arrow V--V in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a view showing a transverse section of the headlight taken along the line VI--VI in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 6a is a view showing a further variant of the indicating device in a section taken along the line VII--VII in FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
headlights for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles is shown in FIGS. 1-6. It has a reflector 10 provided with a not shown light source. The reflector 10 is arranged on a holder 12 which is mounted on a chassis of the vehicle. In the shown embodiments, the holder 12 is formed as a housing which accommodates the reflector 10. The housing 12 of the headlight has an opening 14 at its front, light outlet end and a transparent cover plate 16 covers the opening and is mounted on the housing 12. The cover plate 16 can be smooth or can be provided with optically effective elements which influence the light reflected by the reflector 10. The headlight housing 12 can be composed of synthetic plastic material or another suitable material. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the headlight, it is also possible to form the holder 12 as a supporting frame with a front edge on which the cover plate 16 of the reflector 10 is mounted.
The reflector 10 is connected with the housing 12 by several bearing points. In the shown embodiments three bearing points are provided and are arranged so that two bearing points determine a turning axis for the reflector 10. One bearing point is formed as a so-called fixed bearing and two remaining bearing points are formed as so-called adjustable bearings. One adjusting bearing and one fixed bearing determine a horizontal turning axis for the reflector 10 while another adjustable bearing determines together with the fixed bearing a vertical turning axis for the reflector 10. By turning the reflector 10 about its horizontal turning axis, the inclination of the light beam reflected by the reflector 10 is changed, and by turning the reflector 10 about its vertical turning axis the lateral direction of the light bundle reflected by the reflector changes as well.
At least one adjusting device is associated with at least one adjustable bearing of the reflector 10 and has an adjusting screw 20. The adjusting screw 20 is held on the headlight housing 12 rotatably, but not displaceably along its longitudinal axis 21. The adjusting screw 20 is provided with a head 23 which extends outwardly beyond the housing 12 to allow its actuation. Further, the adjusting screw 20 is provided with a threaded shaft 24 arranged inside the housing 12, and a connecting part 26 is screwed on the threaded shaft 24. The connecting part 26 has a threaded opening 27 for screwing on the threaded shaft 24. It is guided displaceably in the housing 12 along the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20. The housing 12 has for this purpose two walls 28 and 29 which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20. An elastically deformable bracket 31 extends from the connecting part 26 to the walls 28, 29. FIG. 1 shows only the bracket 21 which faces the upper wall 29, while FIG. 3 shows both brackets 31. During insertion of the connecting part 26 between the walls 28 and 29, the bracket 31 is elastically compressed so that the connecting part 26 is arranged under pretensioning between the walls 28 and 29.
A carrier 32 extends rearwardly from the rear side of the reflector 10 and is articulately connected with the connecting part 26. The free end 34 of the carrier 32 has the shape of a circular arc and is arranged in a receptacle in the connecting part 26. A depression is provided in an end surface of the carrier end arranged in the receptacle and formed substantially concentrically to its circular arc portion 34. A projection extending from the connecting part 26 engages in the depression and therefore provides an arrestable connection of the reflector 10 with the connecting part 26. Bracket-shaped spring elements 35 are arranged in the receptacle on the connecting part 26. The carrier 32 after providing the connection with the connecting part 26 comes to abutment with its circular arc portion 34 against the spring elements 35. The spring elements 35 elastically deform and therefore a pretensioning is provided, so that the connection of the carrier 32 with the connecting part 26 is gap free. The carrier 32 together with the reflector 10 is turnably received in the connecting part 26. A turning movement is performed about the projection of the connecting part 26 engaging in the depression in the carrier, and the circular portion 34 of the carrier 32 slides along the spring elements 35.
During turning of the adjusting screw 20, the connecting part 26 moves along the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20. Thereby the distance between the reflector 10 and the headlight housing 12 and thereby its setting changes.
An indicating device 40 is provided on the headlight. It indicates the deviation of the setting of the reflector 10 from a predetermined nominal setting. FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of the indicating device. The indicating device 40 has substantially two parts. In particular it has a movable indicating part 42 which follows the adjusting movement of the reflector 10 during turning of the adjusting screw 20, and a substantially stationary indicating part 43 arranged on the headlight housing 12. The movable indicating part 42 is arranged on the connecting part 26 and connected with it at least in direction of the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20, so that it follows its movement along the longitudinal axis 21. In the first embodiment the movable indicating part 42 is mounted on the connecting part 26 by an arresting connection. For this purpose the movable indicating part 42 has two elastically deformable arresting arms 45 which overlap the connecting part 26 and engage with its arresting hooks behind corresponding shoulders 46 of the connecting part 26. In its end position the movable indicating part 42 comes to abutment with its flange 47 against the connecting part 26 and is thereby rigidly connected by the arresting arms 45 in direction of the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20 with the connecting part 26. During turning of the adjusting screw 20 the movable indicating part 42 performs a movement parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20 in direction of the double arrow 48 in FIG. 1. The movable indicating part 42 has a pointer facing away from the connecting part 26 and having a free end which is arranged perpendicular to the adjusting screw 20 and offset to its longitudinal axis 21.
The headlight housing 12 is provided with an opening 50 in region of the pointer 49 of the movable indicating part 42. A transparent part 51 which forms a window closes the opening 50. The pointer 49 is visible from outside of the headlight housing 12 through the window 51. The window 51 is preferably inserted in an upwardly facing wall of the headlight housing 12 and is mounted by several arresting hooks 52 on the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 3. A sealing ring 54 is clamped between the window 51 and the housing 12. The window 51 is composed of a synthetic plastic material formed as an injection molded part. It is substantially flat and extends substantially parallel to the movement direction 48 of the movable indicating part 42. A guiding rail 53 is arranged on the outer side of the window 51 and extends parallel to the movement direction 48 of the movable indicating part 42. The guiding rail 53 has a dove-tail-shaped cross-section, and its cross-section can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The indicating part 43 which is substantially stationary relative to the headlight housing 12 is arranged on the guiding rail 53. The indicating part 43 at its side facing away from the window 51 has a scale provided with several scale lines, and the central scale line is especially pronounced. The scale 52 of the substantially stationary indicating part 43 is arranged so that during the observation of the movable indicating part 42 through the window 51 it is arranged directly near its pointer 49. The substantially stationary indicating part 43 is composed of a synthetic plastic material and formed as an injection molded part.
The substantially stationary indicating part 43 has a projection 57 with a recess 58 at its side facing the window 51. It has a cross-sectional shape which corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the guiding rail 53. The width of the recess 58 in condition not press fitted on the guiding rail 53 is substantially smaller than the width of the guiding rail 53. However, the recess 58 is expansible by elastic bending out of both projection parts 57 which limit it laterally. When the substantially stationary indicating part 43 is arranged on the guiding rail 53, and the indicating part 57 which engages on the guiding rail 53 with pretensioning provides a holding force due to the friction between the guiding rail 53 and the indicating part 43. As a result, the substantially stationary indicator part 43 is not freely displaceable on the guiding rail 53. The indicating part 43 is therefore arranged with a light fit on the guiding rail 53. When the holding force is overcome by a force acting in direction of the longitudinal extension of the guiding rail 53 on the indicating part 43, the substantially stationary indicating part 43 is displaceable on the guiding rail 53. The holding force of the indicating part 43 is dimensioned so that its displacement under the action of for example vibrations occurring during the travel of the vehicle is reliably prevented. With an asymmetrical cross-section of the guiding rail 53, the indicating part 43 can be displaced on it only in one position, so that it is guaranteed that its scale 55 faces toward the pointer 49.
FIG. 3a shows a variant of the indicating device 40 in which the substantially stationary indicating part 43 is rigid, however, the guiding rail 53 is elastically compressible transverse to its longitudinal extension. For this purpose the guiding rail 53 has for example a longitudinal slot 56 so that the rail parts arranged at both sides of the longitudinal slot 56 can be pressed toward one another. The width of the recess 58 in the indicating part 43 is substantially smaller than that of the guiding rail 53. Therefore during fitting of the indicating part 43 on the guiding rail 53, its rail parts are elastically compressed and engage the indicating part 43 with a pretensioning. With this construction of the guiding rail 53 a holding force for the indicating part 43 is applied due to the friction between the guiding rail 53 and the indicating part 43 and acts so that the indicating part 43 is not freely displaceable.
The substantially stationary indicating part 43 provided with two ribs 59 arranged at its side facing the window 51 at both ends. The ribs 59 are located at a small distance from one another and extend outwardly and transversely to the guiding rail 53. A tool for example a screwdriver can be placed between the ribs 59 for displacing the indicating part 43. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 a transverse carrier 60 of the chassis of the vehicle extends over the headlight in its mounted condition in the vehicle. The transverse carrier 60 has an opening 61 in the region of the indicating device 40. Through the opening the indicating device is visible and also through the opening the tool for displacing the substantially stationary indicating part 43 can be extended.
During mounting of the headlight an optical base setting is performed. In other words it is checked whether the light beam emitted by the headlight has a predetermined direction. When this is not the case, then during turning of the adjusting screw the setting of the reflector 10 is changed until the light bundle assumes the prescribed direction. In this setting of the reflector 10 and the pointer 49 of the movable indicating part 42, the substantially stationary indicating part 43 is displaced by the tool to the setting in which the central scale line of the scale 55 faces the pointer 49 of the movable indicating part 42. Starting from this setting the pointer 49 of the movable indicating part 42 shows the deviation of the setting of the reflector 10 from the prescribed nominal setting which is marked by the central scale line of the scale 55.
FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a second embodiment of the headlight in accordance with the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment only by the indicating device 140. The indicating device 140 has the movable indicating part 142 and the substantially stationary indicating part 143. The movable indicating part 142 is mounted on the connecting part 26 by an arresting connection, similarly to the indicating part 42. An arm 148 projects parallel to the movement direction 48 of the movable indicating part 142 from it toward the rear side of the headlight. A free end 149 of the arm 148 is formed as a pointer. The arm 148 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the adjusting screw 20, however, it is laterally offset relative to the adjusting screw 20. Depending on the predetermined mounting conditions, the arm 148 can be also offset relative to the adjusting screw 20 upwardly or downwardly. The arm 148 extends through an opening 150 in the rear wall of the headlight housing 112.
An indicating tube 151 composed of transparent material, for example synthetic plastic material, is mounted on the headlight housing 112 coaxially to the opening 150. The mounting of the indicating tube 151 on the headlight housing 112 is performed for example by one or several screws 165. The arm 148 of the indicating part 142 is arranged displaceably in the tubular part 152 of the indicating part 151 and the pointer 149 is visible from outside of the indicating tube 151. A carrier 154 is arranged on the indicating tube 151 laterally near the tubular part 152 in which the arm 148 is arranged. The carrier 154 is inclined upwardly relative to a horizontal plane from the tubular part 152. A guiding rail 153 is arranged correspondingly in the end region of the carrier 154 on its upper side and its lower side for the substantially stationary indicating part 143, which preferably is of one piece with the carrier 154. It is also possible to arrange one guiding rail 153 only on the upper side or on the lower side of the carrier 154. The guiding rails 153 extend parallel to the movement direction 148 of the movable indicating part 142 and have a dove-tail-shaped cross-section. The indicating part 143 has a projection 157 with a recess 158 having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the end region of the carrier 154 with the guiding rails 153. The width of the recess 155 is substantially smaller than the width of the end region of the carrier 154 with the guiding rails 153. However, the recess 158 is expansible by elastic bending out of both indicating part 157 which laterally limit it.
When the substantially stationary indicating part 143 is arranged on the guiding rails 153, then a holding force is applied on it with pretensioning of the indicating part 157 engaging the guiding rails 153 because of the friction between the guiding rails 153 and the indicating part 143. The holding force acts so that the substantially stationary indicating part 143 is not freely displaceable on the guiding rails 153. When the holding force is overcome by a force acting in direction of the longitudinal extension of the guiding rails 153 on the indicating part 143, then the substantially stationary indicating part 143 is displaceable on the guiding rail 153. The indicating part 143 is arranged on the guiding rails 153 with a slight press fit (or in other words moderately tight press fit), so that an unintentional displacement of the indicating part 153 due to vibrations or similar actions is prevented. With the asymmetrical cross-section of the guiding rails 153, the indicating part 143 can be displaced only in one position, and therefore it is guaranteed that its scale 55 faces the pointer 149. The indicating part 143 is provided with one or several depressions 167 at its upwardly facing side, so that a tool for example a screwdriver can be inserted in the depressions.
It is also possible with the indicating tube 151 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to provide at both sides near the tubular part 152 correspondingly a carrier part 154 with one or two guiding rails 153. This has the advantage that depending on the mounting conditions of the headlight in the vehicle chassis, the substantially stationary indicating part 143 can be fitted either on the left or on the right guiding rails 153.
It is to be understood that in the second embodiment it is also possible to provide such a construction that the guiding rails 153, similarly to the variant shown in FIG. 3a and described above, is elastically compressible transversely to its longitudinal extension and thereby the holding force is applied for the substantially stationary indicating part 143.
FIG. 6a shows a further variant of the indicating device 140. In this indicating device an elastically deformable holding element 170 is clamped between the guiding rail 153 and the recess 158 of the substantially stationary indicating part 143. The holding element 170 applies a force acting on the indicating part 143 transversely to the longitudinal extension of the guiding rail 153. It is possible to provide a holding element 170 only between one side of the guiding rail 153 and the recess 158. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a holding element 170 correspondingly between both facing sides of the guiding rail 153 and the recess 158 as shown in FIG. 6a. The holding element 170 can be formed as flat spring which extends along the longitudinal extension of the guiding rail 153 and has a bend 171 in its central region. The flat spring 170 abuts with is ends against the guiding rail 153 or the indicating part 143 and with its central region 171 against another part or in other words either the indicating part 143 or the guiding rail 153. The bending of the flat spring 170 with the indicating part 143 arranged on the guiding rail 153 is elastically reduced and therefore the flat spring 170 applies a force to the indicating part 143 transversely to the longitudinal extension of the guiding rail 153. Thereby in this embodiment the indicating part 143 is also arranged with a slight press fit on the guiding rail 153, and therefore an unintentional displacement of the indicating part 143 due to vibrations or other influences is prevented. This construction with the holding element 170 can also be utilized for the indicating device 40 in accordance with the first embodiment.
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 headlight for a vehicle, 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.
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A headlight has a housing and a reflector arranged in the housing adjustably by an adjusting screw. An indicating device controls the setting of the reflector and has a movable indicating part which follows turning of the adjusting screw and a substantially stationary indicating part arranged outside of the housing. The substantially stationary indicating part is arranged on a guide so that it is difficult to displace. In other words, the substantially stationary indicating part can be displaced to assume a base setting and in its set position is fixed. However, during travels of the vehicle, it no longer displaces on the guide under the action of vibrations and other influences. The ability of the substantially stationary indicating part to be difficult to displace can be provided for example by arranging of the substantially stationary indicating part on the guide with a slight press fit.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns a drilling apparatus for enlarging a borehole in the ground. The drilling apparatus includes a drilling head which has a drilling bit, a percussion piston which is driven by a drive medium and impacts against the drilling bit, and a hollow drill string to which the drilling head is fixed and through the cavity of which the drive medium is passed to the percussion piston.
[0002] The invention further concerns a method of enlarging an existing borehole, in which a drilling head is fixed to a hollow drill string introduced into the borehole and is drawn through the borehole, wherein a percussion piston which is driven by a drive medium which is fed through the hollow drill string impacts on a drilling bit of the drilling head during the drilling operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] A drilling apparatus of that kind which operates in accordance with the specified method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,419. The drilling apparatus described therein serves for drilling out an existing pipe in the ground and for replacing that pipe by a fresh pipe. The hollow drill string is firstly pushed through the pipe which is to be drilled out. When it issues at the end of the pipe to be drilled out the drilling head is fixed to the hollow drill string. The drilling crown or annular drilling arrangement, that is to say the surface of the drilling head which is fitted with the cutting edges or teeth and which provides for removal of the drilling waste material, faces in that situation towards the drill string. A percussion piston within the drill head which is of an annular configuration and surrounds the drill string can apply hammer blows to the rear of a drill bit which carries the annular drilling arrangement. The drill bit is axially movably fixed to the drilling head by way of a damping element.
[0004] The drive medium for actuation of the percussion piston—usually compressed air—is passed through the interior of the hollow drill string to the drilling head and to the percussion piston. After flowing through the passages in the drilling head and driving the percussion piston the drive medium flows through a passage to the annular drilling arrangement of the drilling bit. From here it can flow in the pipe to be renovated in parallel relationship with the drill string back again towards the opening of the pipe to be drilled out.
[0005] This return flow of the drive medium which possibly blows the drilling waste material out of the borehole is effected in the annular space around the drill string which is guided at a large radial spacing relative to the pipe to be renewed. In order to provide for drilling out the pipe in substantially parallel relationship with its axis that drilling head must have a guide body and centering body. If the drill string is guided through a blocked region or a water-filled region of the pipe to be renewed, there is the danger that the return flow of the drive medium is impeded or interrupted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One object of the invention is to develop a method and an apparatus for enlargement drilling of the specified kind, in such a way as to ensure that the drive medium is blown out without disturbance.
[0007] In regard to one embodiment of the drilling apparatus that object is attained in that the drill string is surrounded by a hollow outer string which encloses an annular space which surrounds the drill string and through which the drive medium is passed out of the borehole.
[0008] In accordance with the apparatus of the invention according to one embodiment, an annular second passage within a string in the form of a double string affords a passage which is separate from the surroundings in the borehole and through which the drive medium which is guided into the borehole can flow after driving the percussion piston in order to be passed out of the borehole. It is possible in that way to prevent materials from the ground around the string from being flushed out of the borehole together with the drive medium. For example if the borehole extends below the ground water table the amount of water which is blown out of the borehole jointly with the drive medium is reduced by the outer drill string through which the drive medium flows back.
[0009] The method according to one embodiment of the invention is preferably used for enlarging a pilot bore which was produced in a directional drilling process. In the case of directional drilling a support pipe is generally drawn into the borehole behind a steerable directional drilling head. At the same time a support medium is supplied, which usually comprises bentonite mixed with water. In that case the support pipe which is drawn in during the production of a pilot bore with the directional drilling head is preferably used as an outer string of the enlargement drilling apparatus. That support pipe is surrounded flush by the borehole. The aqueous bentonite which surrounds the support pipe is of a jelly-like consistency which permits axial movement of the support pipe with a very low level of frictional resistance. It will be noted however that it closes an annular space outside the string, through which the drive medium could flow out. The outer string of the drilling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention ensures that the support medium is not undesirably blown out of the borehole by the drive medium for the percussion hammer. The drive medium can flow freely jointly with the drilling waste material through the annular space between the inner drill string and the outer string towards the end of the borehole.
[0010] As, unlike the situation with conventional drilling processes, the drill string applies a pulling force to the drilling head in the enlargement drilling procedure, the drill string preferably projects through the drilling head and is connected to the rear thereof. The percussion piston is preferably of an annular configuration, surrounds the drill string and impacts against the rear of the drill bit of the drilling head.
[0011] The annular drilling arrangement, that is to say the surface which provides for removal of the ground, is arranged at the side of the drilling head, that is remote from the end of the drill string.
[0012] The drive medium is thus guided through the inner drill string which extends through the drilling head. Screwed on the end of the inner drill string is a closure cover which seals off the interior of the drill string and applies the pulling force from the drill string to the drilling head. The drilling head is of a substantially cylindrical shape. A sleeve-shaped piston is displaceably guided in the drilling head. Passages for the flow of the drive medium into the annular region in which the percussion piston is accommodated also extend in the drilling head and in the closure cover. The drive medium flows through preferably pneumatic control means which cause the piston movement and which have been known for years in connection with pneumatic deep hole drilling hammers. The impact surface of the drilling bit is disposed at the end of the flow path for the drive medium and at the end of the space for movement of the percussion piston. A passage for the flow of the drive medium also passes through the drilling bit and opens in the region of the annular drilling arrangement. In that way the drive medium is firstly passed through the inner drill string and then through the drilling head to the surface of the annular drilling arrangement, which provides for the removal of material. Disposed in front of the annular drilling arrangement in the pulling direction is at least one entry opening in the outer string, through which the drive medium which has been passed into the bottom of the enlargement bore can pass. The above-mentioned drive medium will thus flow by virtue of the increased pressure jointly with the removed material (drilling waste material) into the annular space between the outer string and the inner drill string and is transported through that annular space out of the borehole.
[0013] Preferably a rotary movement is transmitted to the annular drilling arrangement by way of the drill string. Usually, a string which is composed of individual string segments is used when producing a borehole in the ground which is at least 10 m and often over 100 m in length. In that case the inner drill string and the outer string are preferably screwed together by way of interengaging female and male screwthreads. As the vibrations caused by the percussion piston generally loosen a screw connection of that kind, a rotary drive in the screwing direction is utilized in order to prevent unwanted unscrewing and loosening of the drill string. Obviously and in particular the rotary movement which is transmitted by way of the drill string increases the material-removal capacity of the annular drilling arrangement.
[0014] Particularly preferably, the inner string and the outer string are fixed to a common coupling element outside the borehole. On the one hand the rotary movement is transmitted by way of the coupling element jointly to the inner drill string and to the outer string. On the other hand the drive medium is introduced by way of the coupling element into the interior of the inner drill string. The coupling element also has outlet openings for the drive medium which flows out of the borehole. The coupling element is preferably arranged on a forward drive machine having a linear drive which transmits the pulling force to the coupling element and by way of the coupling element to the inner drill string and the outer string.
[0015] The rotary force can be transmitted to the annular drilling arrangement either solely by the inner string or solely by the outer string or by both strings, at the same time.
[0016] As in the state of the art, the drill bit with the annular drilling arrangement is damped elastically with respect to the drill string. That reduces transmission of the percussion forces of the percussion piston from the drilling bit to the drill string. Thus the substantial part of the energy of the percussion piston for material removal is applied by way of the drilling bit to the end face of the annular drilling arrangement. Only a small proportion of that energy is transmitted to the drill string so that the latter is not overloaded.
[0017] Preferably a connecting element to which a support pipe is fixed is mounted at the end of the drilling head which is the rear end in the pulling direction. As already mentioned the drilling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention is preferably used for enlargement drilling of pilot bores produced by a directional drilling process. The support pipe of the first enlargement bore which in many cases already forms the definitive service pipe which is drawn into the bore (for example for carrying fresh water, cables etc) prevents the bore produced from collapsing behind the drilling head. The support pipe is preferably drawn linearly through the borehole without a rotary movement and for that reason is decoupled from the rotary movement of the drill string.
[0018] The end of the support pipe which is drawn through the borehole is preferably closed by way of a head plate which is a component part of the connecting element. Preferably the head plate has at least one outlet passage for a support medium which is introduced through the support pipe into the borehole near the drilling head. As already mentioned, preferably bentonite mixed with water is used as the support medium, being of a gel-like consistency and involving a low level of frictional resistance so that the operation of drawing in the support pipe is made easier.
[0019] The surface of the head plate of the support pipe, which faces towards the drill string, preferably has at least in the outer region of its periphery a surface which extends inclinedly with respect to the radial direction of the drill string and which extends in a pointed configuration in the pulling direction. The preferably conical surface of the head plate provides for displacement of the drilling mud into the peripheral regions of the support pipe.
[0020] As mentioned above the novel drilling apparatus can carry out a method according to one embodiment of the invention for the enlargement of an existing borehole, in which a drilling head is fixed to a hollow drill string introduced into the borehole and is drawn through the borehole, wherein a percussion piston which is driven by a drive medium which is fed through the hollow drill string impacts against a drilling bit of the drilling head during the drilling procedure.
[0021] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention and to attain the above-specified object an outer string surrounding the drill string is drawn jointly therewith through the borehole, wherein enclosed between the outer string and the drill string is an annular space through which the drive medium is passed out of the borehole.
[0022] The method according to one embodiment of the invention is particularly preferably used for enlarging pilot bores which were produced by a directional drilling process. In the directional drilling process a steerable directional drilling head is driven through the ground. The directional drilling head is so designed that it produced a borehole whose longitudinal axis is curved in a given direction. The direction of the curvature can be varied by rotating the directional drilling head. If drilling is to be effected straight, the directional drilling head is rotated continuously about its longitudinal axis so that the curvature of the borehole is uniformly distributed in all directions and is thus cancelled out. In accordance with the state of the art a directional drilling head is pushed with a directional drill string through the borehole, wherein a support medium is introduced into the borehole, which bears flush against the directional drill string. After completion of the pilot bore that directional drill string forms the outer string for the drilling apparatus according to the invention.
[0023] In accordance with a hitherto unpublished European application to the present applicant with the application No 01 201 167.2, in directional drilling, with a percussion drill string introduced in the directional drill string, percussion forces can be transmitted to the directional drilling head. It will be appreciated that this percussion string is to be driven out of the outer string before introduction of the inner drill string. The percussion string in accordance with the above-identified European patent application comprises string segments which bear against each other and which are not screwed to each other. The string segments can be driven out for example through one end of the outer string, by a compressed air source being connected to the other end of the outer string.
[0024] As mentioned, a support pipe is preferably fixed to the side of the drilling head, which is opposite to the drill string, the support pipe being drawn jointly with the drilling head through the enlarged borehole. The above-mentioned support medium can be passed into the borehole through that support pipe.
[0025] As mentioned the drilling performance is preferably increased by using a rotary drive coupled to the drilling head. In that case the support pipe is preferably decoupled from the rotary movement of the drill string.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] An embodiment of the drilling apparatus according to the invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0027] [0027]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus for carrying out directional drilling,
[0028] [0028]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view corresponding to FIG. 1 of an apparatus for carrying out enlargement drilling with a drilling head according to the invention,
[0029] [0029]FIG. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale in section of the drilling head according to the invention in the borehole,
[0030] [0030]FIG. 4 is a view of the drilling head of FIG. 3, showing the flow direction of the various media, and
[0031] [0031]FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale of the end, which is the rear end in the pulling direction, of the drilling head shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1 the mode of operation involved in directional drilling can be seen therein. Using a forward drive machine 1 , to produce a pilot bore a directional drilling head 2 is driven into the ground at an angle by means of a directional drill string 3 . The directional drill string 3 is carried on a rail-guided sliding carriage of the forward drive machine 1 and is driven into the ground by a linear drive. After a forward drive movement by a given distance, a fresh section of the directional drill string 3 is attached thereto and the sliding carriage is withdrawn in order further to advance the directional drill string 3 which has been increased in length.
[0033] Arranged in the proximity of the directional drilling head 2 is a usually magnetic probe 4 which makes it possible to ascertain the respective precise position of the directional drilling head 2 by way of a navigation system and a monitor unit. The forward drive machine 1 also has a rotary drive 7 with which the directional drill string 3 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis and arrested in a given angular position. In that way the plane of the radius of curvature of the borehole produced can be inclined in any desired directions. The pilot borehole can thus be guided substantially parallel to the surface of the earth in any directions. In particular, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the bore can be guided with a large radius of curvature from an entry opening into the ground as far as an exit opening so that it is possible to overcome obstacles such as buildings, bodies of water or traffic areas, without an open timbering or lining. If straight borehole sections are to be produced the directional drilling head 2 is rotated uniformly about its axis.
[0034] A pump and mixing unit 5 for a flushing medium, also referred to as drilling mud, which comprises a mixture of bentonite and water, is connected to the drill string 3 . The drilling mud is passed into the directional drill string 3 under high pressure and issues from flushing nozzles in the directional drilling head 2 . That causes material to be removed in the region of the directional drilling head 2 . The bentonite in the drilling mud then passes into the annular gap between the directional drill string 3 and the borehole. That on the one hand supports the borehole which has been produced and on the other hand produces a quite low-friction sliding film which reduces the resistance to the forward movement of the directional drill string 3 .
[0035] The substantial proportion of the material removed during the directional drilling operation is effected by the flushing medium issuing from the flushing nozzles of the directional drilling head 2 . Particularly in relatively hard rock the amount of material removed is increased by hammer or percussion forces applied to the directional drilling head 2 and possibly continuous rapid rotary movements. A directional drilling head 2 with integrated percussion hammer is known for example from DE 199 46 587 A1. The above-mentioned unpublished European patent application bearing the application No 01 201 167.2 shows a directional drilling head 2 in which the directional drill string 3 is hollow and guides a percussion string by way of which hammer blows can be transmitted from an outer percussion mechanism on to the directional drilling head 2 .
[0036] After the pilot bore is finished the directional drilling head 2 which has issued from the exit opening of the borehole is removed from the directional drill string 3 . An enlargement drilling head 6 according to one embodiment of the invention—hereinafter only referred to as the drilling head—can then be fixed to the hollow directional drill string 3 in accordance with the above-specified European patent application, which is then drawn through the pilot bore. In that case the linear drive of the forward drive machine serves to apply the pulling forces. In addition the rotary drive 7 is used to transmit a rotary movement to the drilling head 6 . The sensor 4 for positional determination is still arranged at the end of the outer string 3 formed by the directional drill string, near the enlargement drilling head 6 . Introduced into the outer string 3 is an inner drill string 8 by which on the one hand the rotary forces are transmitted to the drilling head 6 and on the other hand a drive medium 9 (see FIG. 4) is passed to the drilling head 6 . The drive medium 9 is usually compressed air but can also comprise other suitable media which are capable of flow.
[0037] Connected to the free end of the drawn drilling head 6 is a support pipe 10 which is drawn into the borehole produced, during production of the enlargement bore with the drilling head 6 . In that case to produce the enlargement bore a support medium 11 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is introduced into the support pipe 10 . For that reason, in production of the enlargement bore, the pump and mixing unit 5 for the support medium 11 is arranged near the location at which the support pipe 10 issues from the borehole.
[0038] [0038]FIG. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale showing the drilling head 6 disposed in the borehole. The drilling head 6 includes a drilling bit 2 at its end which is towards the drill string 8 . As the drilling head 6 with the drilling bit 12 is drawn by means of the drill string 8 through the borehole in a direction X indicated by an arrow, the free end face of the drilling bit 12 , which faces in the pulling direction X, is the annular drilling arrangement 13 which causes the removal of material in the bottom of the borehole.
[0039] A drive medium 9 is passed through the inner drill string 8 which projects through the drilling head 6 as far as its rear end. The drive medium 9 drives a percussion piston 14 which applies hammer blows to the rear of the drilling bit 12 , which is opposite the annular drilling arrangement 13 . Screwed to the end of the drill string 8 is a closure cover 15 which closes the drill string 8 and transmits the pulling forces to the annular drilling arrangement 13 . Screwed on to the closure cover 15 on the outside is a connecting sleeve 16 which, at its end which is the front end in the pulling direction X, carries an elastic damping element 17 . The annular drilling arrangement 13 is supported against that damping element 17 by way of an intermediate portion 18 . The annular drilling arrangement 12 itself is held displaceably by a certain distance in the axial direction with respect to the drill string 8 and preferably also the intermediate portion 18 . In that way the hammer blows of the percussion piston 14 which is arranged within the intermediate portion 18 of the drilling head and which surrounds the drill string 8 are applied exclusively to the annular drilling arrangement 13 and not the drill string 8 .
[0040] Provided for driving the percussion piston 14 in the closure cover 15 are flow passages 19 which permit the drive medium 9 to pass through further flow passages 20 , 21 of the drilling head 6 into the annular space 22 in which the percussion piston 14 is guided. Pneumatic control of the percussion piston 14 of an Imloch hammer is well known to the man skilled in the art and is not described in greater detail here.
[0041] The drive medium 9 used for driving the percussion piston 14 flows through a plurality of flow passages 23 in the drilling bit 12 to the face thereof which is the front face in the pulling direction X and which forms the annular drilling arrangement 13 . The drive medium 9 is at an increased pressure in relation to the atmosphere so that it passes from the region in front of the annular drilling arrangement 13 jointly with the drilling waste material 24 into an annular entry opening 25 which is arranged between the inner drill string 8 and the outer string 3 at a spacing relative to the annular drilling arrangement 13 . The drive medium 9 jointly with the drilling waste material 24 can then flow through the annular space between the drill string 8 and the outer string 3 until it issues through exit openings 26 at the end of the outer string 3 , outside the borehole.
[0042] The exit openings 26 are disposed at a common coupling element 27 which carries both the inner drill string 8 and also the outer string 3 . A feed conduit 29 for the drive medium 9 is connected to the coupling element 27 by way of a ring seal 28 . Entry passages 30 which open into the ring seal 28 permit the drive medium to flow into the interior of the inner drill string 8 .
[0043] The coupling element 27 is connected to the rotary drive 7 and the linear drive of the forward drive machine 1 (see FIG. 2) and transmits the pulling and rotary forces to the inner drill string 8 and the outer string 3 .
[0044] It can thus be seen that the configuration of the drilling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention permits the drive medium to be transported away out of the borehole through the double-wall string without requiring a discharge flow outside the drill string through the borehole itself. That is very important in particular in the case of the described directional drilling procedure as—as described hereinafter—the walls of the bore are supported by way of a support medium which is not to be blown out by the drive medium 9 . As the passage for blowing out the drive medium is embodied in the string of the drilling apparatus, the string can bear flush against the borehole to be enlarged. This means that the drilling head 6 does not have to be guided or centred within the borehole to be enlarged.
[0045] As mentioned, preferably the enlarged bore is lined by a support pipe 10 which is drawn jointly with the drilling head 6 through the borehole. For that reason, fixedly connected to the closure cover 15 at the end of the drill string 8 is a pulling bell member 31 which is decoupled from the rotary movement of the drilling head 6 by way of a rolling bearing 32 . A head plate 33 is connected to the pulling bell member 31 by way of a pulling element 32 . The support pipe 10 is fixed for example by way of a screwthread connection to the head plate 33 .
[0046] The drilling mud 11 (comprising a bentonite/water mixture) is passed into the borehole through the support pipe 10 . The head plate 33 has a plurality of discharge flow passages 34 for the drilling mud 11 . The surface of the head plate 33 , which is the front surface in the pulling direction X and which faces towards the pulling bell member 31 is conical in order to promote displacement of the drilling mud 11 in the region in front of the head plate 33 towards the wall of the borehole. That therefore affords a slightly compacted bentonite layer between the wall of the support pipe 10 and the ground, which by virtue of its gel-like consistency reduces the friction between the support pipe 10 and the ground.
List of References
[0047] [0047] 1 forward drive machine
[0048] [0048] 2 directional drilling head
[0049] [0049] 3 directional drill string, outer string
[0050] [0050] 4 magnetic probe
[0051] [0051] 5 pump and mixing unit
[0052] [0052] 6 drilling head
[0053] [0053] 7 rotary drive
[0054] [0054] 8 inner drill string
[0055] [0055] 9 drive medium
[0056] [0056] 10 support pipe
[0057] [0057] 11 support medium
[0058] [0058] 12 drilling bit
[0059] [0059] 13 annular drilling arrangement
[0060] [0060] 14 percussion piston
[0061] [0061] 15 closure cover
[0062] [0062] 16 connecting sleeve
[0063] [0063] 17 damping element
[0064] [0064] 18 intermediate portion
[0065] [0065] 19 flow passage
[0066] [0066] 20 flow passage
[0067] [0067] 21 flow passage
[0068] [0068] 22 annular space
[0069] [0069] 23 flow passage
[0070] [0070] 24 drilling waste material
[0071] [0071] 25 entry opening
[0072] [0072] 26 exit opening
[0073] [0073] 27 coupling element
[0074] [0074] 28 ring seal
[0075] [0075] 29 feed conduit
[0076] [0076] 30 entry passage
[0077] [0077] 31 pulling bell member
[0078] [0078] 32 pulling element
[0079] [0079] 33 head plate
[0080] [0080] 34 discharge flow passage
[0081] X pulling direction
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The invention concerns a drilling apparatus for enlarging a bore in the ground, comprising a drilling head ( 6 ) having a drilling bit ( 12 ); a percussion piston ( 14 ) which is driven by a drive medium ( 9 ) and which impacts against the drilling bit ( 12 ), and a hollow drill string ( 8 ) to which the drilling head ( 6 ) is fixed and through the cavity of which the drive medium ( 9 ) is passed to the percussion piston ( 14 ). One object of the invention is to ensure improved removal of the drive medium out of the borehole. That object is attained in that the drill string ( 8 ) is surrounded by a hollow outer string ( 3 ) enclosing an annular space which surrounds the drill string ( 8 ) and through which the drive medium ( 9 ) is passed out of the borehole. The invention further concerns a method of enlarging an existing borehole, using a drilling head of that kind.
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to drill steel members for a roof drilling system used in mines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the mining industry, it is known to support the roof of a mine by drilling vertical holes in the overhead rock strata, and then installing roof bolts into the newly drilled holes. The roof bolts are generally installed into the drilled holes with an adhesive to further secure the bolts within the drilled holes. The bolts secure a metal plate that is positioned to support the rock strata to prevent collapse of the mine roof.
[0003] To drill holes in the rock strata, a roof drilling machine is utilized. The drilling machines include a drill driving device and drill steel members. A carbide bit is attached to one end of the final drill steel member, to drill the holes in the mine roof. These drill steel members are generally coupled on the other end to the drill driving device by a chuck located on the drilling machine. This driving device rotates the drill steel member, and thus the drill bit, to remove material and debris from the drilled hole. Many drilling machines incorporate a vacuum suction collection system wherein the drill steel member is a hollow steel tube having a central passage, and the drill bit includes a passageway open to the central passage. The vacuum system collects the debris as it is passed through the bit passageway and the central passage during drilling of the rock strata.
[0004] In elevated height mines, the drill steel members are provided with a sufficient length for drilling the desired seam, without the need to replace or extend the drill steel member. In low height mines the hole is initially drilled with a shorter drill steel member, often known as a starter, and then the starter is replaced with additional sections of drill steel, such as drivers, extensions and finishers, to drill the remaining depth of the hole. The additional sections are joined together by component parts that include, for example, a drill bit seat, male and female connectors, and a drive end component. The components are attached or configured to connect to the ends of the drill steel members or sections.
[0005] According to one system, a drill steel section is cut to the desired drilling length for a particular member and then the ends of the section are beveled and then component parts are welded onto the corresponding ends of the drill steel section.
[0006] Many drawbacks for this manufacturing method exist. Welding components and drill sections can induce stress fractures and misalignments.
[0007] Other methods have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,306 discloses a vacuum drill rod system utilizing tubular members. The tubular members have hexagonal inner and outer cross sectional perimeters which interact with comparable outer and inner cross sectional perimeters of cooperating elements when the rod system is connected to achieve concurrent rotation of the elements of the system. However, this system suffers the drawback that the drill steel rods have hexagonal cross sections that are rotated within the drilled hole. Such rods have been known to cause excessive sound levels within the mine due to the rattling or impact of the hexagonal surface of the drill steel against the round drilled hole.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,632 discloses a drilling system utilizing round, hollow drill steel members interconnectable by short components. The short components include a male component machined onto an end of the drill steel member and a corresponding female coupling. The male component comprises an extension with a cross-section defining an external hexagonal perimeter, and the corresponding female coupling element has a cross-section defining an internal hexagonal perimeter, the female component press fit onto the male component. One drawback of this described system is that the drill steel member must be precisely machined to length and must have the aforementioned machined end.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,688 discloses a drilling system incorporating a drill member having a central through bore and opposite open ends. The drill member has a cross section that defines a circular outside perimeter and a polygonal inside perimeter. The polygonal inside perimeter allows for convenient coupling of the drill member to drill bits at one end and to a motorized drill driving device at an opposite end. The polygonal inside perimeter allows for coupling of the drill members to other drill members using couplings. In order to couple the drill member to a motorized drill driving device, a base assembly is used. The base assembly includes a stub member and a base member. The base member includes a bottom fixture having a cross section defining a polygonal outside perimeter for being received into a correspondingly shaped socket or chuck of the motorized drill driving device. The base member includes a socket having a polygonal inside perimeter. The base member also includes a collar for receiving axial force from the drill driving device. The stub member includes a bottom fixture having a cross section defining a polygonal outside perimeter that is received into the socket formed in the base member. The stub member further includes a flange that is supported on an internal shoulder within the socket of the base member. In this way, the axial force exerted on the base member by the drill driving device is transferred to the flange of the stub member. The stub member further includes a stub shaft extending upwardly from the flange and having a cross section defining an outside polygonal perimeter, sized and shaped to snugly fit within the open end of the drill member. The socket of the base member is sized such that the drill member fits over the stub shaft and is partially recessed into the socket to press against a top side of the flange of the stub member. In this way, the axial thrust from the base member to the flange is transferred to the end face of the drill member.
[0010] The present inventor has recognized the desirability of providing a drilling system for drilling holes for mine roof bolts which does not require undue machining of the drill steel, which does not require the drill steel to be cut to predetermined lengths and which does not produce excessive noise. The present inventor has recognized the desirability of providing a drilling system that does not require special adaptors or parts to couple the drill members or “drill steel” to the chuck of the drill driving device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention provides an improved drill member, or “drill steel,” for use in a drilling system for installing roof bolts in a mine. The invention provides an improved drilling system incorporating the drill member. The drill member comprises an elongated tube having a central through bore and opposite open ends. The tube has a cross section that defines a circular outside perimeter along most of its length and a polygonal inside perimeter throughout its length. At least one end portion of the drill member tube has a polygonal outside perimeter. The end portion can be inserted into a corresponding socket of the drill chuck having a polygonal inside perimeter. The need for a stub member and base member as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,688 is obviated. The polygonal inside perimeter of the drill member tube allows for convenient coupling of the drill member to drill bits at one end and to a motorized drill driving device at an opposite end. The polygonal inside perimeter allows for coupling of the drill members to other drill members using couplings.
[0012] The drill members can be cut to any length and the cut open end can accommodate components or interposed couplings without the need for machining a specialized coupling element or configuration onto the member. Additionally, the round outside perimeter allows the drill steel to be more quietly rotated within the drilled hole.
[0013] Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a prior art drill system, in use in a mine;
[0015] FIG. 2A is an enlarged plan view of the prior art drill components of the drill system of FIG. 1 ;
[0016] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the prior art drill components of FIG. 2A ;
[0017] FIG. 3A is an enlarged plan view of the prior art drill member of the drill components shown in FIGS. 2A-2B ;
[0018] FIG. 3B is a side view of the prior art drill member of FIG. 3A ;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a side view of a first embodiment drill member according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 4B is a right side end view of the first embodiment drill member shown in FIG. 4A ;
[0021] FIG. 5A is a side view of a second embodiment drill member according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5B is a right side end view of the second embodiment drill member shown in FIG. 5A ;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a drill member of FIG. 4A or 5 A in a chuck of a drilling head; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the assembled, extended drill components of the drill system of FIGS. 4A-5B .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art roof drilling machine 20 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,688. The machine 20 is designed to operate within low seams 21 , such as seams of coal. The drilling machine includes a chassis 22 that is supported on wheels 24 from the mine floor 25 . Articulated boom components 28 support a drill head 34 that is a motorized drill driving device.
[0027] A base assembly 42 is fit onto, and into, the drill head 34 . The base assembly 42 is used to couple a lowest drill member 46 d to the drill head 34 . A drill bit 56 is fixed to an end of the highest drill member 46 a via a bit seat 59 . Drill members 46 a , 46 b , 46 c extend from the lowest drill member 46 d into the drilled hole 47 into the roof 48 .
[0028] The hole 47 is initially started by the drill member 46 a extending from the base 42 , and the drill members 46 b , 46 c , 46 d are progressively added, as needed, as the bit 56 progresses into the rock. The drill members 46 a , 46 b , 46 c , 46 d are connected by interposed connectors or couplings 49 , shown in detail in FIGS. 5E and 5F .
[0029] Once the hole 47 is drilled, an anchor 64 mounted on a shank 68 , is inserted into the hole 47 and a threaded end 69 of the shank receives a nut 72 . The nut 72 is tightened to secure a roof plate 76 against the roof 48 .
[0030] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate, as an example, the drill members 46 a , 46 b , coupled together and coupled to the base 42 , and the bit 56 via a bit seat 59 . The drill members 46 a , 46 b (and also 46 c , 46 d , not in use yet in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2A-2B ) each comprise an elongated tube having a round outside perimeter 112 c and a hexagonal inside perimeter 112 d defining a central through bore 112 and opposite open ends 112 a , 112 b (shown in FIGS. 3A , 3 B).
[0031] The bit seat 59 includes a bit shank 59 a and a base shank 59 b each having polygonal, preferably hexagonal, outside perimeters. The drill bit 56 includes a socket 57 having a polygonal, preferably hexagonal, inside perimeter 57 a . The bit shank 59 a and a button clip 59 c fit within the socket 57 and are used together to tightly engage the bit seat 59 to the bit 56 as explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,632, herein incorporated by reference. The outside perimeter 59 b of the bit seat shank 59 b is shaped to snugly fit within the open end 112 a of the drill member 46 a . The seat 59 also includes a rounded flange 59 d that matches the outside diameter of the drill member 46 a.
[0032] FIGS. 3A , 3 B illustrate that the members 46 a , 46 b , 46 c , 46 d each has a cross section that defines the circular outside perimeter 112 c , and the polygonal inside perimeter 112 d , defining the through-bore 112 .
[0033] Returning to FIGS. 2A-2B , the base assembly 42 includes a stub member 120 , and a base member 126 . The base member 126 includes a bottom fixture 131 having a cross section defining a polygonal outside perimeter 131 a . The polygonal outside perimeter 131 a is provided by a square lug portion 170 shown in FIGS. 6A and 60 and described below. The outside perimeter 131 a is sized to be received into a correspondingly shaped socket (not shown) of the motorized drill driving device 34 to couple the fixture 131 and the drill driving device 34 for mutual rotation. The base member 126 includes a collar 134 for receiving axial (upward) force from the drill driving device 34 .
[0034] FIGS. 4A-5B illustrate drill members 146 , 246 according to the present invention.
[0035] A first embodiment drill member of FIGS. 4A-4B includes a tube 148 having a cylinder portion 150 having a circular perimeter 152 throughout most of its length. The tube has an overall length “A.” The length “A” can be any practical length but preferably is 24 inches, 36 inches or 48 inches. The perm ter has a preferred diameter D 1 of about 0.95 inches or 1.25 inches.
[0036] The tube 148 also includes an end portion 156 having a polygonal outside perimeter 160 . Preferably the polygonal outside perimeter 160 is hexagonal and has a flat-to-flat dimension F 1 of about 0.87 inches or 1.12 inches. Preferably, the end portion has a length B of less than one foot and preferably about 6 inches and is machined into the circular perimeter that otherwise defines the cylindrical portion 150 . The tube 148 has an inside through-opening 168 having a polygonal inside perimeter 170 . Preferably, the polygonal inside perimeter 170 is hexagonal and has a flat-to-flat dimension F 2 of about 0.63 inches or 0.82 inches. Preferably, the polygonal inside perimeter 170 has a point to point dimension F 3 of about 0.71 inches or 0.92 inches.
[0037] A second embodiment drill member of FIGS. 5A-5B includes a tube 248 having a cylinder portion 250 having a circular perimeter 252 throughout most of its length. The tube has an overall length “G.” The length “G” can be any practical length but preferably is 144 inches. The perimeter has a preferred diameter J 1 of about 0.95 inches or 1.2 inches. The tube 248 also includes end portions 256 , 257 each having a polygonal outside perimeter 260 . Preferably the polygonal outside perimeter 260 is hexagonal and has a flat-to-flat dimension K 1 of about 0.87 inches or 1.12 inches.
[0038] Preferably, the end portion has a length H of less than one foot and preferably about 6 inches and is machined into the circular perimeter that otherwise defines the cylindrical portion 250 . The tube 248 has an inside through-opening 268 having a polygonal inside perimeter 270 . Preferably, the polygonal inside perimeter 270 is hexagonal and has a flat-to-flat dimension K 2 of about 0.63 inches or 0.82 inches. Preferably, the polygonal inside perimeter 270 has a point to point dimension K 3 of about 0.70 inches or 0.92 inches. The drill member 246 is especially suitable as drill member stock that can be cut to desired lengths in the mine. Each part of a cut drill member 246 would thus include an end portion 256 , 257 .
[0039] The drill members 146 , 246 are preferably composed of 4130 30CrMo.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates how either drill member 146 , 246 is coupled directly to a chuck 300 of a drilling head 34 . The chuck 300 includes a generally cylindrical body 302 of steel or iron and has a countersunk axial bore 306 . The bore 306 includes three regions of differently sized and shaped sockets that are adaptable to receive different is types of drilling elements. A top region 308 has a large square cross-section 308 a . A next region 310 has a large hexagonal cross-section 310 a . A lower region 312 has a smaller hexagonal cross-section 312 a . The hexagonal cross-section 312 a of the lower region 312 is sized and shaped to snugly surround the outside polygonal perimeter of the end portion 156 , or the end portion 256 , 257 , of either drill members 146 , 246 . A bottom shoulder 320 defines a bottom opening 322 and supports an end face 330 of either member 146 , 246 in order to urge the drill member 146 or 246 axially during drilling.
[0041] The chuck 300 includes keys 336 , 338 insertable into key ways (not shown) of the drilling head 34 to lock the chuck 300 for rotation to the drilling head 34 for motorized turning during drilling operation.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 7 , a drill member 146 can be used to initially engage into the chuck 300 (shown schematically in phantom) of the drilling head at a base end 146 a and receives a drill bit 56 and coupling 59 on the distal end 146 b . As the drilled hole extends into the rock, an additional drill member 146 ′ can be coupled between the base end 146 a of the drill member 146 and the chuck 300 of the drilling head 34 . The member 146 ′ can be configured as a preconfigured piece such as a drill member 146 or can be a cut off section from a drill member 246 , sized to suit. Multiple added drill members 146 ′ can be added via couplings 49 as the drill assembly extends deeper into the rock. The drill member 246 includes end portions 256 , 257 that are each configured to engage into the chuck of the drilling head. Thus, a drill member 246 can be cut to provide two lengths of drill member, equal lengths or not equal lengths that can be used to sequentially couple to the chuck of the drilling head. In effect, a first cut-off portion of a drill ember 246 can be drilled into the rock and then the second cut-off portion of the drill member 246 can be coupled to the chuck and to the training end of the first cut-off portion to continue drilling.
[0043] The coupling elements 49 , 59 and the drill 56 are configured and coupled to the drill members 146 , 146 ′ using the inside polygonal perimeters of the drill members as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B .
[0044] The drill members 146 , 246 can be cut to any length and the resultant cut open end can accommodate components without the need for machining a specialized coupling element or configuration. Additionally, the round outside perimeter of the tubes 148 , 248 allows the drill member to be more quietly rotated within the drilled hole 47 .
[0045] The inventive method is further characterized in that suction can be applied to the chuck 300 through the opening 322 of the chuck 300 to collect debris produced by the action of the drill bit 56 , through the interior polygonal through opening of the drill members and couplings.
[0046] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
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A drilling system for drilling vertical holes in a mine roof includes a chuck configured to be driven in rotation by a motorized drill head. The chuck is cylindrical has a bore having a first polygonal inside perimeter. A drill member has an elongated hollow body with a cross section defining a circular outside perimeter over most of its length and a constant, second polygonal inside perimeter along substantially the entire length of the drill member. The drill member has at least one end region having a first polygonal outside perimeter that is sized to fit into the first polygonal inside perimeter to rotationally engage the drill member with the chuck. Drill bits having a bit fixture having a cross section with a second polygonal outside perimeter are sized and configured to fit snugly inside the second polygonal inside perimeter to be mounted to the drill member opposite the chuck.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for preventing electrical energy transmission from an electric igniter to a barrel body on firing of an ammunition unit which can be initiated with the electric igniter when the igniter is activated with electrical energy.
PROBLEM AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A need exists for it to be possible to bring about the said prevention in a technically simple and economically advantageous way. One way of approaching the problem is to arrange the cases of the ammunition units in such a way that they prevent electrical energy transmission, but this is not an entirely advantageous approach as it complicates the construction of the ammunition unit and moreover makes it more expensive. Furthermore, such insulated cases are easy to damage during handling and are difficult to manufacture. The present invention aims to solve, or at least considerably reduce, the said problem of undesirable electricity transmission and proposes inter alia that the barrel is to be made in such a way on its inner surface which lies opposite the ammunition case in the firing position of the ammunition unit that the ammunition unit can have a conventional design, that is to say the ammunition types existing today for the weapon concerned can be fired without difficulty, and in particular without the barrel or the rest of the body of the weapon becoming live when firing takes place.
PRIOR ART
[0003] Electric igniters for electric firing of various types of ammunition intended for electrothermal (ET) and electrothermochemical (ETC) weapons are known. Briefly, it can be said that an ET/ETC weapon consists of an essentially powder-gas-driven weapon which is fired by means of an electric ignition and in which weapon the projectile of the ammunition unit is possibly also to some extent propelled along the barrel or corresponding acceleration part of the weapon by means of an applied electric voltage. Problems of undesirable electrical energy transmission can therefore arise both when firing of the weapon takes place and during the said electric propulsion of the projectile. It is previously known to make use of ceramic layers or inserts on the inside of the barrel and in various positions along the longitudinal direction of the barrel but for entirely different purposes and problems from preventing undesirable electrical energy transmission to parts of the weapon.
[0004] Accordingly, reference may be made inter alia to American patent specifications U.S. Pat. No. 4,957 035, U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,844 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,928, which propose the use of ceramic inserts in a different way from in the present invention.
OBJECT AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the invention, it is to be possible inter alia for a ceramic layer or a ceramic unit to be used for the purpose of preventing current being conducted. It can mainly be considered characteristic of an arrangement according to the invention that the barrel is in a position for firing of the ammunition unit provided with an internally located electrically insulating material, preferably in the form of a ceramic insert, which prevents the said electrical energy transmission.
[0006] According to other aspects of an arrangement according to the invention:
[0007] the insert is arranged firmly shrunk into the barrel;
[0008] the insert is clamped in with clamping of 300 MPa-1000 MPa, preferably 500 MPa-700 MPa;
[0009] the insert is arranged firmly bonded into the barrel;
[0010] the insert is arranged firmly screwed into the barrel;
[0011] the insert comprises one or more ceramic material(s), preferably made from zirconium dioxide, aluminium oxide or silicon nitride or the like;
[0012] the insert comprises a fibre-reinforced polymer, such as a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic;
[0013] the insert has a straight outer surface and an inner surface which follows the outer surface of an ammunition case;
[0014] the insert is adapted to prevent energy transmission even at high voltage values, for example voltage values of 10-12 kV, for example 11 kV;
[0015] the insert is adapted in order to make firing of an ammunition unit of conventional construction possible without special reinforcement or special material selection in the ammunition case;
[0016] the insert has an average thickness of 5-15 mm, preferably approximately 10 mm, depending on the calibre of the barrel;
[0017] the insert is arranged in the barrel of an ET/ETC weapon.
[0018] In a first preferred embodiment, see FIG. 1 , the insert is shrunk firmly into the barrel and is clamped with high clamping pressure, for example with clamping pressure of 300 MPa-1000 MPa, preferably 500 MPa-700 MPa. In a second preferred embodiment, see FIG. 2 , the insert is externally threaded over the entirety or (not shown) over a given part of its outer surface and the barrel is internally threaded over a corresponding surface, by virtue of which the insert is screwed firmly inside the barrel during assembly. In a third preferred embodiment, see FIG. 3 , the insert is adapted to be bonded firmly inside the barrel. The insert can be made from a number of cermets, for example titanium oxide, aluminium oxide or silicon nitride, and is preferably selected with average thicknesses of 5-15 mm, preferably approximately 10 mm. The contacts and outer tube of the electric igniter are connected to the different potentials of an energy source so that the electric igniter is heated in the desired way when energy is applied. High energy transmissions are used in this connection and it may be mentioned that voltage values of 10-12 kV, for example 11 kV, are used today and that values of approximately 2-20 kV are also being tested. The majority of this voltage is converted into heat generation which ignites a propellent charge, suitably a powder charge, in the case of the ammunition unit, into which the electric igniter is introduced. Further developments of the inventive idea emerge from the following subclaims.
LIST OF FIGURES
[0019] A for the present proposed embodiment of an arrangement which has the features which are significant for the invention is to be described below with simultaneous reference to accompanying drawings in which
[0020] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically in longitudinal section parts of a barrel, comprising a firmly shrunk insert according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which barrel an ammunition unit with a cartridge case is located in the firing position of the ammunition unit and an electric igniter is introduced into the powder or corresponding propellent charge in the cartridge case of the ammunition unit;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically in longitudinal section parts of a barrel comprising an externally threaded insert according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically in longitudinal section parts of a barrel comprising a firmly bonded insert according to a third embodiment of the invention, and
[0023] FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically in longitudinal section parts of a barrel comprising an externally conically shaped insert according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0024] According to FIG. 1 , the breech of a gun is shown symbolically by 1 . Connected to the breech 1 is a barrel 2 , the connection of which to the breech 1 has been shown symbolically. An electric igniter is shown diagrammatically by 3 , and the electrically conducting outer tube of the electric igniter 3 is indicated by 4 . In the embodiment shown of the electric igniter 3 , the igniter 3 is arranged in an electric circuit comprising a first contact 5 arranged centrally at the inner, that is rear, end 6 a of the electric igniter 3 . The said first contact 5 is connected to one current pole of an electric energy source (not shown further), for example its anode, via a first electric conductor 7 , the anode being indicated by a plus sign (+). At its inner end 6 b, the outer tube 4 of the electric igniter 3 is connected to the opposite current pole of the energy source, in this case then its cathode, which is indicated symbolically by a minus sign (−), via a second contact 8 and a second conductor 9 . When the first and second contacts 5 , 8 are activated, that is when the weapon concerned is fired, a current will flow from the anode (+) of the energy source to the first contact 5 and on to the outer tube 4 at its free end 10 , from where the current is conducted on towards the inner end 6 b of the outer tube 4 . At the said end 6 b, the second contact 8 leads back to the cathode (−) of the energy source via the second conductor 9 , which results in a closed electric circuit. The energy source is suitably of such a kind that it can provide a voltage U of 10-12 kV, preferably approximately 11 kV (but see above).
[0025] It is important that electrical energy is prevented from being conducted from the electric igniter 3 to the body of the barrel 2 and thus the body of the gun. Such transmission can harm surrounding equipment and personnel. For firing of the ammunition unit 11 in question, firing contact is initiated in the weapon system. This contact has not been shown in the figures but is previously well known. The initiation results in the voltage of the energy source being connected. The voltage drop of the resistance caused by the electric igniter 3 is considerable when the said connection takes place, which results in considerable heat energy being generated. In accordance with FIG. 1 , the electric igniter 3 has been fitted or partly introduced into the case 12 of an ammunition unit 11 . The ammunition unit 11 , for example a round, a cartridge or a heavier shell etc., is introduced into its firing position in the barrel 2 . In the example shown, the ammunition unit 11 comprises the said case which has been indicated by 12 and a projectile 13 assigned to the front part of the case 12 . In the embodiment shown, the projectile 13 consists of a finned shell part. The case 12 contains a propellent charge 14 , which can consist of powder, for example. When the said energy development takes place, the propellent charge 14 is ignited, the shell part 13 being acted on via the propellent charge gases formed for its discharge from the barrel 2 . In order to prevent the said electrical energy transmission from the electric igniter 3 to the body of the barrel 2 when firing takes place, the barrel 2 is provided with an inner insert 15 made of electrically non-conductive material, preferably a ceramic material, in and along the firing position for the said case 12 . Materials other than ceramic materials are therefore also conceivable provided they meet the requirements for the necessary electrical insulation and have suitable resistance to the wear and the heat generation which occur during use of the weapon; for example, an insert made of suitable fibre-reinforced polymer, for example glass-fibre-reinforced plastic, also falls within the inventive idea. In this connection, the said plastic insert comprises one or more plies (composite) of polymer of thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic type reinforced with suitable fibrous material in order to meet the requirements for heat resistance and insulation capacity. The insert 15 surrounds and extends over the entire length of the case 12 and past the case 12 to part way in over the shell part 13 . The ceramic insert 15 therefore constitutes insulation against the said electrical energy transmission between the electric igniter 3 and the inside of the barrel 2 via the case 12 . In the embodiment shown, the insert 15 is made from a cermet material, such as zirconium dioxide, aluminium oxide or silicon nitride or the like, for example, and can have an average thickness t in accordance with the above of 5-15 mm, preferably approximately 10 mm. The insert 15 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a straight cylindrical outer surface 16 , that is to say the outer periphery of the insert 15 is constant along the extent of the insert 15 , and an internally conical inner surface 17 which follows the outer design of the case 12 . In other embodiments, the outer surface of the insert can comprise a completely conical outer surface 18 , see FIG. 4 , or comprise both cylindrical and conical parts (not shown).
[0026] The said outer design of the case depends on which ammunition unit is intended to be fired in the weapon concerned, and the inner surface of the insert can consequently be adapted to follow, for example, a completely cylindrical case or a case comprising different combinations of cylindrical and conical parts or other outer parts or shapes which are determined by the ammunition type used in the particular case. The general construction of the barrel 2 and the construction of the breech 1 are previously well known and will not be described in greater detail here. However, it is clear that the barrel 2 is internally adapted in order to receive the insert 15 concerned for the ammunition type in question. The barrel 2 therefore comprises a hollow corresponding to the volume and outer shape of the insert, and the hollow of the barrel 2 is also adapted to the assembly method concerned, that is to say whether, see above, the insert is shrunk firmly, screwed firmly 20 , see FIG. 2 , or bonded firmly 19 , see FIG. 3 , to the barrel 2 . The insert 15 is also adapted to be resistant to the heat energy development which takes place when the propellent charge 14 is activated.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above as an example but can undergo modifications within the scope of the patent claims below and the inventive idea.
[0028] It is clear that the number, the size, the material and the shape of the elements and components included in the arrangement, for example the energy source, its voltage, the clamping pressure, the thickness and shape of the insert, are adapted to the barrel, the ammunition unit and the weapon type etc. in the particular case.
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An electrical energy-insulating, preferably ceramic, insert ( 15 ) which is fitted in a barrel ( 2 ) is adapted in order to prevent electrical energy transmission ( 16 ) from an electric igniter ( 3 ) to a barrel body on firing of an ammunition unit ( 11 ) which can be initiated with the electric igniter ( 3 ). The insert is arranged in a position for firing of the ammunition unit. By means of the invention, a simple solution is obtained to the problem of electrical energy transmission by virtue of the fact that other measures do not have to be taken, for example the cases of the ammunition units do not have to be adapted by complicated and cost-increasing measures.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/EP2011/063875, filed Aug. 11, 2011. International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/EP2011/063875 claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/387,154, filed Sep. 28, 2010, and also claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2010 041528.6, filed on Sep. 28, 2010. The entire disclosure of International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/EP2011/063875 is incorporated by reference into the present application.
FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a method for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography.
[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Projection exposure apparatuses for micro lithography generally consist of a light source, an illumination system, which processes the light rays emitted by the light source, an object to be projected, generally called reticle or mask, a projection lens, called lens for short hereinafter, which images an object field onto an image field, and a further object, onto which projection is effected, generally called wafer. The reticle or at least one part of the reticle is situated in the object field and the wafer or at least one part of the wafer is situated in the image field. The lens generally defines an optical axis with respect to which the optical elements belonging to the lens are arranged. Generally, said optical elements are rotationally symmetrical with respect to said optical axis and the optical axis is a normal to the object field and image field. The design of the lens is called rotationally symmetrical in this case.
[0005] If the reticle is situated approximately completely in the region of the object field, and the wafer is exposed without a relative movement of wafer and image field, then the projection exposure apparatus is generally designated as a wafer stepper. If only a part of the reticle is situated in the region of the object field, and the wafer is exposed during a relative movement of wafer and image field, then the projection exposure apparatus is generally designated as a wafer scanner.
[0006] During the exposure of the wafer, the projection exposure apparatus is operated with a predefined aperture and a setting predefined by the illumination system, for example a completely coherent, partly coherent, specifically dipole or quadrupole setting. The aperture is predefined by the illumination system and/or defined by a stop in the lens. Customary image-side apertures for lenses for microlithography are values of between 0.5 and 0.6, or 0.6 and 0.7, or 0.7 and 0.8, or 0.8 and 0.9, or else higher. The setting is generally predefined by optical elements of the illumination system such as, for example, an axicon, a stop or a micromirror array or one or more changeable DOEs (diffractive optical elements). During exposure, from each field point associated with the object field, a maximum light beam trimmed by the aperture stop passes from the object field to the image field. In an ideally manufactured lens, the imaging aberrations of which are determined only by the design of the lens, the wavefront defined by said maximum light beam in the vicinity of the image point associated with the field point approximately corresponds to a spherical wave with the image point as central point. The possible resolution of such a lens is therefore determined by the diffraction orders which still lie within the aperture. Therefore, such lenses are also called diffraction-limited.
[0007] If the region between the last optical element of the lens and the wafer is filled with a gas as medium, then the refractive index thereof is generally approximately 1.00 and the above apertures are therefore both geometrical and numerical.
[0008] If the region between the last optical element of the lens and the wafer is filled with a liquid as medium, then this is referred to as an immersion lens. One possible immersion liquid is water, which has a refractive index of approximately 1.43. Therefore, the image-side apertures indicated above have to be increased by the factor 1.43 in order to determine the assigned image-side numerical apertures. This therefore results in image-side numerical apertures for immersion lenses of approximately 0.75 to 0.9 or 0.9 to 1.05 or 1.05 to 1.2 or 1.2 to 1.35 or else higher.
[0009] The possible resolution R that can be achieved with such a lens for micro lithography is inversely proportional to the numerical aperture NA and proportional to the operating wavelength λ of the lens and a process parameter k 1 :
[0000]
R
=
k
1
λ
NA
,
[0000] where k 1 is always at least 0.25. The operating wavelength is generally 365 nm, 248 nm, 193 nm or 13 nm. In the case of 13 nm, the lenses are purely catoptric lenses, that is to say lenses consisting only of mirrors. These are operated in a vacuum with geometrical—and correspondingly numerical—apertures of 0.2 to 0.25 or 0.25 to 0.3 or 0.3 to 0.4 or 0.4 to 0.45 or higher.
[0010] Further types of lenses for microlithography are dioptric lenses, that is to say lenses consisting only of lens elements, and catadioptric lenses, that is to say lenses consisting of lens elements and mirrors.
[0011] During the operation of the projection exposure apparatus with light having the operating wavelength, changes arise in the optical elements belonging to the lens of the projection exposure apparatus, which lead to, in some instances irreversible, changes in the optical properties of the lens. By way of example, mention shall be made here of compaction, rarefaction and chemically governed changes of possible coatings of the optical elements. Further, irreversible changes are produced by drifts of optical elements in the mounts thereof, said drifts being established with increasing time. Other changes are of a reversible nature such as e.g. lens element heating with the thus implied change in shape and the change in the distribution of the refractive index of the lens element. These lead to time- and location-dependent changes in the optical properties of the lens.
[0012] Therefore, lenses for microlithography have been supplemented with an increasing number of manipulation possibilities in the course of their development. These possibilities can be used to counteract the changes in the optical properties of the lens in a controlled manner. Use is made of manipulators which displace, rotate, exchange, deform, heat or cool one or a plurality of optical elements associated with the lens, such as lens elements, mirrors or diffractive optical elements. In particular, aspherized plane plates are provided as exchange elements in the lens. Exchange elements can also be optical elements of a lens which are provided with manipulators. These elements are preferably some of the first and last optical elements of the lens as seen in the direction of light propagation, or some of the optical elements situated in the vicinity of an intermediate image of the lens, or some of the optical elements situated in the vicinity of a pupil plane of the lens. The term vicinity is defined here with the aid of the so-called subaperture ratio. In this respect, cf. WO2008034636A2, for example, which is hereby incorporated within its full scope in this application. In particular pages 41 and 42 therein shall be incorporated within their full scope in this application.
[0013] Thus, by way of example, WO2008037496A2 discloses a lens for microlithography containing an optical element to which a multiplicity of forces and/or moments are applied by a manipulator, such that said optical element attains a high local variability with regard to its form.
[0014] Manipulators which deform an optical element are distinguished by their particularly fast response behavior. R. K. Tyson: Principles of Adaptive Optics, Academic Press, Inc., ISBN 0.12.705900-8, gives a general introduction to rapidly responding manipulators from the field of telescope technology.
[0015] Thus, by way of example, WO2008034636A2 discloses a plane plate in a lens for microlithography. Conductor tracks to which current can be applied are situated in or on said plane plate. In the case of the change in temperature caused thereby, the refractive index of the plane plate can be influenced locally, such that the plane plate has a high local variability with regard to its refractive index.
[0016] Thus, by way of example, in WO2009026970A1 the plane plate from WO2008034636A2 is provided with a thermal sink that makes possible a temporal constancy of the spatially averaged temperature of the plate.
[0017] Thus, by way of example, EP851305B1 discloses a pair of plane plates, so-called Alvarez plates, in a lens for microlithography. This pair of Alvarez plates has an asphere in each case on the mutually facing surfaces of the plates, said aspheres compensating for one another in terms of their optical effect in a relative zero position of the plates with respect to one another. If one or both of the plates is or are deflected perpendicularly to the optical axis of the lens, then the effect of these Alvarez plates is established.
[0018] Thus, by way of example, EP1670041A1 discloses a device which serves for the compensation of image aberrations that are introduced into the lens for microlithography specifically as a result of the absorption of dipole illumination. An optical element situated in a pupil plane of the lens experiences non-rotationally symmetrical heating in the case of dipole illumination. The optical element is subjected to additional light from a second light source, which emits light preferably having a different wavelength from that of the operating wavelength, at least approximately complementarily to said heating. Undesired image aberrations are thereby compensated for, or at least reduced, or converted into other image aberrations, which are qualitatively different from the former. In this case, a first image aberration should be understood as qualitatively different from a second image aberration if the indices of the coefficients—which differ significantly from zero—of the expansions of said image aberrations into Zernike polynomials differ in pairs. For the expansion of an image aberration into Zernike polynomials, cf. DE102008042356A1 and DE102004035595A1.
[0019] Thus, by way of example, in DE19827602A1 an optical element is subjected to cold or heat over its circumference by means of Peltier elements.
[0020] In this case, specifically in the case of manipulators which apply heat to an optical element, the following effect can be observed: these manipulators are used for correcting image aberrations which arise as a result of the fact that a plurality of optical elements of the lens become heated. In general, in this case an individual optical element to which heat is to be applied is intended to compensate for a plurality of such optical elements that become heated. This has two consequences:
[0021] 1. Firstly, it is necessary for a relatively high heat to be applied to the optical element in comparison with each individual one of the optical elements to be compensated for. Therefore, the manipulator effect of the optical element to which heat is to be applied can no longer be assumed to be proportional to the deflection thereof.
[0022] The term “linear” is used instead of “proportional” below.
[0023] 2. Secondly, a hysteresis effect is manifested during the compensation: if heat is applied to the optical element at a first position, whereby the heating of a first optical element is intended to be compensated for, and if the optical element is heated at a second location, different from the first location, whereby the heating of a second optical element is intended to be compensated for, then the heat distribution that arises after these two heatings in the optical element, and thus the manipulator effect, is dependent on the temporal order in which these two locations are heated.
[0024] These two effects are not limited to transmissive optical elements, such as lens elements, for example. In the case of mirrors, too, which are used in particular in EUV lenses and have a main body composed of Zerodur or ULE, non-linearity and hysteresis can be observed. Non-linearity and hysteresis arise in the case of said mirrors by virtue of the fact that the magnitude of the surface deformation caused by the heating is directly dependent on the heating, on the one hand, but also influences the gradient thereof, on the other hand, since the coefficient of thermal expansion of a mirror material such as Zerodur or ULE itself is again temperature-dependent.
[0025] These two problems, non-linearity and hysteresis, can be combated as follows:
[0026] The thermal manipulator from WO2009026970A1 has the advantage over the thermal manipulators from WO2008034636A2, EP1670041A1, and DE19827602A1 of a temporally compensated heat balance caused by its thermal sink. This has the consequence that the thermal manipulator from WO2009026970A1 for small deflections around its temporally and spatially averaged temperature can be assumed to be linear in terms of its optical effects since the latter always vary in a predefined temperature interval that does not change during the history of the manipulator.
[0027] In this case, the optical effect of a manipulator, for a predefined deflection of the manipulator, should be understood to mean the difference in the image aberrations of the lens between deflected and non-deflected manipulator. If a standard deflection that is relatively small in comparison with the maximum possible deflection range of the manipulator is predefined, then said optical effect is also designated as the sensitivity of said manipulator. In this case, the deflection of the manipulator is understood to be a vector whose dimension corresponds to the number of degrees of freedom of the manipulator and whose entries describe the intensity of the deflections in the individual dimensions.
[0028] By way of example, in EP1670041A1 8 infrared heat sources are directed at a lens element. The deflection can therefore be described as an 8-dimensional vector having entries of heat flows to be set in joules/second, multiplied by the duration of the heat flows of the respective sources in seconds. The image aberrations arising as a result of these heat inputs can be measured or simulated and related to a lens to which heat is not applied. This results in the optical effect of the manipulator.
[0029] A further advantage of the thermal manipulator from WO2009026970A1 over the thermal manipulators from WO2008034636A2, EP1670041A1, and DE19827602A1 is its freedom from hysteresis or, to put it another way, its property “to forget”. This should be understood to mean the following: the thermal manipulator from WO2009026970A1, in the case of a deflection to be performed, yields an optical effect which is independent of its present deflection state since, in order to attain this deflection state, the total heat introduced into the plane plate by the manipulator has already flowed away again via the thermal sink. Only the spatial relative temperature distribution in the plane plate, which distribution is relevant to the present optical effect, yields the initial temperature distribution for a renewed deflection of the manipulator and the associated renewed redistribution of the temperatures in the plane plate.
[0030] By contrast, the thermal manipulators from WO2008034636A2, EP1670041A1, and DE19827602A1 have to be referred to as non-linear and non-forgetting manipulators. The optical element to which heat is applied by the manipulator at a first instant emits heat to its surroundings in an undefined manner. This has the consequence that at a second instant of subsequent application of heat, it is unclear what temperature distribution is currently present in the optical element. On account of the non-linearity of the change in the surface of the optical element, such as, for example, a mirror in the case of EUV, with a use of Zerodur or ULE as mirror material, depending on the temperature, this means that, on the one hand, the optical effect of this new heat input is no longer linearly dependent on the intensity of the deflection; on the other hand, in mirrors and also in other optical elements such as lens elements, for example, the optical effect thereby also becomes dependent on the initial temperature distribution in the optical element, and thus in particular on the history of the manipulator.
[0031] It should be emphasized that the non-thermal manipulators mentioned above likewise forget their history.
SUMMARY
[0032] The object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography which takes account of the abovementioned observations of the non-linearity and non-forgetting of thermal manipulators, such as those from WO2008034636A2, EP1670041A1, or DE19827602A1.
[0033] For the sake of clarity, the individual embodiments of the invention are subdivided into formulations below.
[0034] Formulation 1. Method for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography, the projection exposure apparatus comprising an optical element, a non-linear manipulator or a non-forgetting manipulator which acts on the optical element, characterized in that the history of the effects of the manipulator is recorded in a record.
[0035] By means of the method according to formulation 1, the history of the effects of the manipulator is recorded in a record. In this case, said effects can be, on the one hand, the temperature distributions induced by the manipulator in the optical element on which the manipulator acts; on the other hand, the effects can also be understood to be the optical effects brought about by the respective deflections of the manipulator. By reviewing the history, it is possible to deduce the present deflection state of the manipulator, such that the effect of a renewed deflection of the manipulator becomes foreseeable.
[0036] Formulation 2. Method for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography, the projection exposure apparatus comprising an optical element, a manipulator, which acts on the optical element by changing the temperature of the optical element and the deflection of which brings about a heat flow into the optical element, characterized in that the history of the effects, in particular the temperatures introduced into the optical element, or the optical effects caused thereby, of the manipulator is recorded in a record.
[0037] A method according to Formulation 2 constitutes the method from Formulation 1 on the basis of the example of a manipulator which applies heat to an optical element. If the optical element is a refractive optical element, such as a lens element, for example, the application of heat acts by changing the refractive index of the material of the refractive element and by changing the shape thereof. If the optical element is a mirror, then the application of heat substantially induces a change of shape.
[0038] Formulation 3. Method according to Formulation 2, characterized in that the mode of action of the manipulator is based on subjecting the optical element to ohmic heat, or infrared light, or heat caused by a Peltier element, or heat caused by a fluid flow, in particular by a gas flow.
[0039] Formulation 3 above discusses the possible procedures for applying heat to an optical element of a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. Application of ohmic heat can be performed by means of heating wires, as in WO2008034636 A2. In the case where the optical element is a plane plate or a lens element, it is advantageously possible here to locally change the temperature and thus the refractive index of the substrate of the plane plate or of the lens element. In this case, the diameters of the wires are advantageously kept small enough not to induce any stray light that can no longer be afforded tolerance in the lens of the projection exposure apparatus. By applying infrared light to the optical element, the energy transfer necessary for heating the optical element is advantageously realized in a contactless manner. Such a manipulator can have a large number of degrees of freedom for the deflection of the optical element. Thus, by way of example, EP1670041A1 discloses a manipulator which uses eight optical waveguides to apply infrared light to a lens element. By contrast, the application of heat to an optical element by means of the voltage regulation of thermally linked Peltier elements permits a finely apportionable control of the supply of heat into the optical element. As a result, the deflection of the manipulator can be particularly finely apportioned. The application of a fluid flow to the optical element advantageously leads, alongside the application of heat to the optical element, to a purging of the air spaces of the lens of the projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. Contaminants are thereby removed from the lens.
[0040] Formulation 4. Method according to either of the preceding Formulations 2 and 3, characterized in that the optical element is discretized into individual cells x k by a grid described in the form of a vector x=(x k ), and the temperature at the instant t i of said cells x k is part of the record in the form of the vector x t i =(x t i k ) at instants t i .
[0041] By means of the method according to Formulation 4, a discretized temperature distribution of the optical element becomes part of the record according to Formulation 2 or Formulation 3. In the individual cells x k of said grid, the temperature is assumed to be spatially constant. The spatial temperature distribution of the optical element is thereby recorded by the vector x t i at an instant t i . Modulo the choice of discretization, all necessary data for determining the optical effect of the manipulator are present as a result. In this case, the record is taken to mean either, as a first variant, the listing of all temperature distributions at already past instants t j ≦t i or, as a second variant, a recorded record of the state only at a variable instant t i . In this case, the t i are a finite sequence of monotonically increasing instants.
[0042] Formulation 5. Method according to Formulation 4, characterized in that the grid is a Cartesian grid, a polar grid or a grid produced by a finite element method.
[0043] The use of a grid adapted to the form of the optical element can be adapted to the form and also to the location of the optical element. By way of example, a Cartesian grid is suitable for a plane plate or a folding mirror. A polar grid is suitable for a lens element arranged in proximity to the pupil in the lens. A grid produced by a finite element method is suitable for optical elements which either have a highly irregular form or in which great spatial gradients of the temperature distribution are expected during the operation of the projection exposure apparatus. Particularly in the case of a grid produced according to the finite element method, the possibility is afforded of the grid taking account of changing requirements with regard to the regulation of the thermal manipulator by virtue of the grid being spatially locally changed, such that a more precise resolution of the temperature of the optical elements is possible in regions which give reason to expect great thermal gradients during the operation of the projection exposure apparatus for microlithography.
[0044] Formulation 6. Method according to Formulation 5, characterized in that a start value of the record, comprising temperature of the cells x t 0 at a start time t 0 , is taken as a basis, and the record of the temperatures of the cells x t i+1 at the instant t i+1 is continued by
(a) the product of the temperatures of the cells x t i at the instant t i with a first transition matrix A, which describes the heat flow between the cells from the instant t i until the instant t i+1 , and (b) an additional addition of the product of the temperatures of the cells x t n at the instant t n with a second transition matrix B, which describes the change in temperature caused by the manipulator in the cells from the instant t i until the instant t i+1 .
[0047] In the method according to Formulation 6, a start distribution of the temperatures of the cells x t 0 is taken as a basis. Until the instant when for the first time the manipulator is deflected and heat is applied to the optical element, the heat flow in the optical element is described by a transition matrix A, which describes, at predefined, discrete times t i , the heat flow within the optical element until the time t i+1 . The matrix A is dependent on the discretization x of the optical element and on the time duration t i+1 −t i as parameters. Therefore, the following holds true: A=A(x,t i+1 −t i ). If a heat input by the manipulator into the optical element takes place, then this gives rise to an additional additive term of the temperature distribution in the optical element. Said term is formed by the product of a second transition matrix B with the present temperature distribution x t i at the instant t i . The temperature distribution caused by the manipulator in the optical element is likewise dependent on the parameters of the discretization x and the time duration of the application of heat t i+1 −t i . Therefore, B=B(x,t i+1 −t i ) also holds true here. In both cases, a locally constant heat capacity—which in particular is independent of the temperature of the cell—of an individual cell x k from x is taken as a basis. By means of the method according to Formulation 6, both the propagation of the heat input by the manipulator in the optical element and new inputs of heat into the optical element by the manipulator are linearized both spatially and temporally by means of the transition matrices A and B. Formally, the temperature distribution at the instant t i+1 according to Formulation 6 is represented as follows:
[0000]
(
*
)
x
t
i
+
1
=
{
A
(
x
,
t
t
+
1
-
t
i
)
x
t
i
,
if
the
manipulator
does
not
input
heat
into
the
optical
element
at
the
instant
t
i
A
(
x
,
t
i
+
1
-
t
i
)
x
t
i
+
if
heat
is
input
into
the
optical
element
B
(
x
,
t
i
+
1
-
t
i
)
x
t
i
,
by
the
manipulator
at
the
instant
t
i
[0048] The A(x,t i+1 −t i ) are dimensionless transition matrices which describe the heat flow between the cells from x after a time duration t i+1 −t i to a linear approximation. More precisely, the product A kl (x,t i+1 −t i )x t i l describes the temperature in the cell x l which arises on account of the heat flow from the cell x l into the cell x l in the time period from t i to t i+1 In this case, the heat flow and the temperature of the two cells are assumed to be constant in this time period, and the heat flow is assumed to be independent of the instant t i at which it begins. Correspondingly, the B(x,t i+1 −t i ) are dimensionless transition matrices which describe the heat input of the manipulator during a time duration into the individual cells from x after a time duration t i+1 −t i to a linear approximation. In this case, the transition matrices are determined from an analytical or numerical calculation, such as, for example, the finite element method, and a solution obtained thereby to the heat conduction equation for the optical element.
[0049] Formulation 7. Method according to Formulation 6, characterized in that x t n+1 k =0 is set if
[0000]
x
t
n
+
1
k
≤
δ
max
l
x
t
n
+
1
l
[0000] whereδ=0.1, or δ=0.5, or δ=0.01.
[0050] By means of the method according to Formulation 7, the record of the temperature distribution in the optical element is simplified by setting the temperature x t i+1 k =0 if they fall below a predefined value at an instant t i+1 . In Formulation 7, this is referenced to the value 0, which should be regarded merely as a limit to be fixed beforehand for a nominal temperature of the optical element. This advantageously saves computation time when determining the new temperature distribution at the instant t i+1 according to Formulation 6.
[0051] Formulation 8. Method according to any of Formulations 4 to 7, characterized in that the instants t i are equidistant with t 1 =t i+1 −t i and the transition matrices from Formulation 10 are time-independent.
[0052] A time-independent formulation of the transition matrices A=A(x) and B=B(x) according to Formulation 8 requires less memory space than if a plurality of transition matrices have to be kept available for time periods of different lengths.
[0053] Formulation 9. Method according to any of Formulations 4 to 8, characterized in that the instants t i j at which heat is input by the manipulator are equidistant with t 2 =t i j+1 −t i j and the record is only changed at times t i j of heat input by the manipulator.
[0054] If the instants t i j at which heat is input by the manipulator are equidistant, then the calculation from (*) can be simplified by
[0000]
(*
′
)
x
t
n
j
+
1
=
A
(
x
)
n
j
+
1
-
n
j
x
t
n
j
+
B
(
x
)
x
[0000] since the record has to be calculated anew only at times of heat input by the manipulator.
[0055] Formulation 10. Method according to Formulation 4 or Formulation 5, characterized in that the heat inputs x t i by the manipulator into the cells are recorded at the instants t i , the optical effects z t i of said heat inputs x t i at said instants t i are calculated, and the total optical effect z t n of said heat inputs x t i at an instant t n is calculated by a weighted sum
[0000]
∑
t
i
≤
t
n
α
t
i
z
t
i
.
[0056] The method according to Formulation 10 presents an alternative method to Formulation 6 for recording the effects of the manipulator. According to Formulation 10, there is no need for transition matrices describing the general temperature development in the optical element. Only the heat inputs caused by the manipulator are recorded and their optical effects are calculated. On account of the non-linearity explained above, the optical effect established at a given instant on account of these collective heat inputs should be determined as a cumulative effect of the individual heat inputs. For this purpose, a weighted sum is established according to Formulation 10. In this case, the parameters a, are determined from an analytical or numerical calculation, such as, for example, the finite element method, and a solution obtained thereby to the heat conduction equation for the optical element.
[0057] Formulation 11. Method according to Formulation 10 characterized in that the weights α t i form an exponentially falling sequence, in particular
[0000]
α
t
j
=
exp
β
(
t
0
-
t
j
)
/
∑
0
≤
i
≤
j
exp
β
(
t
j
-
t
0
)
[0000] for a suitably selected β>0.
[0058] In the method according to Formulation 11, the weights α t j according to Formulation 10 are established by an exponentially falling sequence summing to 1. In this case, the parameter β>0 is specific to the optical element and can be determined by numerical simulation or measurement and can be calibrated by measuring the temperature of the optical element.
[0059] Formulation 12. Method according to Formulation 10 characterized in that α t i =0 is set for values
[0000]
α
t
j
≤
δ
max
j
α
t
j
[0000] where δ=0.1, or δ=0.5, or δ=0.01.
[0060] The same saving as in the case of the method according to Formulation 7 is analogously obtained in the method according to Formulation 12, except that here temporal rather than spatial weights are set to 0. Accordingly, heat inputs by the manipulator which are far in the past as seen relative to other heat inputs are considered to have decayed and, therefore, the corresponding coefficient is set to 0.0.
[0061] Formulation 13. Method according to any of the preceding formulations, characterized in that the optical effect of the manipulator at a predefined instant is determined from the effect of the manipulator together with the recorded history of the effects of the manipulator.
[0062] In the method according to Formulation 13, the optical effect of the non-linear or non forgetting manipulator is determined on the basis of the recorded history thereof. As a result, in parallel with the sensitivities naturally provided for linear manipulators, this can be used for adjusting the lens or the projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. This optical effect serves as a replacement for a sensitivity during adjustment if the combination of non-linearity of the manipulator and desired maximum deflection prohibits the definition of such a sensitivity.
[0063] Formulation 14. Method according to Formulation 13 and any of the preceding Formulations 6 to 9, characterized in that the optical effect of a heat input at an instant t i by the manipulator for a time duration t i+1 −t i is calculated by the optical effect of the difference between the temperature distributions x t i+1 −x t i .
[0064] In the method according to Formulation 14, the optical effect of the difference between the temperature distributions is calculated as an analog of the optical effect from Formulation 13.
[0065] Formulation 15. Method for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography, characterized in that the method comprises recording a record according to either of the preceding Formulations 13 to 14, a first image aberration of a lens of the projection exposure apparatus is measured, or simulated, or determined according to a look-up table, and the manipulator inputs heat into the optical element if (a) the optical effect of such a heat input reduces the image aberration or (b) the optical effect of such a heat input changes the image aberration into a second image aberration, which is qualitatively different from the first image aberration.
[0066] The method according to Formulation 15 involves calculating an image aberration according to either of Formulations 13 and 14. If a determined first image aberration of the lens of the projection exposure apparatus for micro lithography can be reduced by said image aberration, or can be changed into a second image aberration, which is qualitatively different from said image aberration, then said image aberration can either be directly reduced or be reduced by further manipulators that can reduce the second image aberration.
[0067] Formulation 16. Method according to either of the preceding formulations, characterized in that the heat input x t i —calculated according to the record—at an instant t i into the optical element is calibrated by measuring the real heat distribution of the optical element at said instant.
[0068] In the method according to Formulation 16, a calibration of the record of the calculated heat inputs takes place by means of a measurement of the real heat distribution of the optical element. This prevents the real heat distribution and the calculated heat distribution from drifting too far apart from one another, such that a calculation of the optical effect of the manipulator is no longer possible or it no longer relates to the optical effect established in reality. Such a calibration can be performed at regular or irregular intervals. The calibration comprises, at the given instant t i , replacing the inputs of the temperatures of the cells by the measured temperatures instead of the temperatures determined according to Formulation 6. In this case, the manipulator is preferably not deflected during the calibration.
[0069] In this case, the lens, before the operation thereof, can be provided with a basic calibration which ensures that the transition matrices from Formulation 6, the parameters α t j from Formulation 10, or the parameter from Formulation 11 are adapted to the lens.
[0070] This basic calibration can be performed with the aid of two or more temperature measurements. Such a basic calibration can be advantageous on account of combinations of different glass compositions, different mirror substrates, or different coating qualities of different optical elements of different lenses.
[0071] Formulation 17. Method according to Formulation 16 characterized in that the calibration is performed in a manner taking account of a lens heating model for the heat distribution in the optical element which does not take account of the influencing by the manipulator.
[0072] In the method according to Formulation 17, the calibration is performed in a manner taking account of a lens heating model as presented in US20080002167A1, for example, which ensures that the temperature inputs caused by the manipulator can be separated from those brought about by illumination light. This ensures that the record is not corrupted by lens heating contributions.
[0073] Formulation 18. Projection exposure apparatus for microlithography, characterized in that the projection exposure apparatus comprises a memory in which the history of the effects of the heat inputs according to any of the preceding claims is recorded.
[0074] A projection exposure apparatus for microlithography according to Formulation 18 is equipped, by means of a memory, for recording the above-described history of the effect of the heat inputs of the manipulator, and accordingly, benefits from the advantages described above by virtue of the fact that it is suitable for one of the abovementioned methods for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0075] The invention is illustrated below with reference to figures.
[0076] FIG. 1 shows a projection apparatus suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention,
[0077] FIG. 2 shows a projection exposure apparatus suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention,
[0078] FIG. 3 shows the flowchart of a recording according to the invention of the effects of the non-linear or non-forgetting manipulator,
[0079] FIG. 4 shows the flowchart of a calibration of the recording according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0080] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a projection apparatus 100 for microlithography for imaging an object field 101 onto an image field 102 . The projection apparatus 100 contains a projection lens 110 , called lens hereinafter. Two field points 103 and 104 situated in the object field are illustrated by way of example, said field points being imaged into the image plane 102 by the lens.
[0081] The lens contains optical elements such as lens elements 111 , 113 , mirrors 112 and, not illustrated here, plane plates. A manipulator 121 acts on one of the lens elements, which manipulator can shift or bend the lens element. Such a manipulator can be regarded as linear and forgetting in the context of its maximum deflections provided. A second manipulator 122 acts on the mirror 112 in the same way. A third manipulator 123 applies heat to a second lens element 113 . This can take place by means of ohmic heat, or infrared light, or heat caused by a Peltier element, or heat caused by a fluid flow, in particular by a gas flow. This changes locally the refractive index and the shape of the lens element and thus locally the optical effect thereof.
[0082] With a predefined aperture, maximum light beams delimited by the aperture emerge from the two field points 103 and 104 . The outermost rays of said beams are illustrated here in a dashed manner. Said outermost rays delimit the wavefronts respectively associated with the field points 103 and 104 . For the purpose of illustrating the invention, said wavefronts are assumed to be spherical. A wavefront sensor and/or further sensors and/or a prediction model form(s) a determining unit 150 , which yields information about image aberrations or wavefronts after the passage thereof through the lens. Said further sensors are, for example, air pressure sensors, sensors for measuring the temperature in the lens or sensors that measure the temperature on lens elements or on the rear side of mirrors. The temperature of the lens element 113 , in particular, is measured by a sensor 151 .
[0083] The manipulators 121 , 122 , 123 are controlled by a regulating unit 130 , which receives data both from the wavefront sensor 150 and from the temperature sensor 151 . The regulating unit 130 contains a memory 140 , in which the regulating unit 130 records the history of the effects of the manipulator 123 on the lens element 113 . In the present case, this consists of the discretized temperature distributions x t i =(x t i k ) at the times t i , proceeding from a start distribution x t 0 at an instant t 0 , which can be predefined. By way of example, this temperature distribution x t 0 can be obtained from a lens heating model.
[0084] FIG. 2 shows a projection exposure apparatus 201 for micro lithography comprising a projection apparatus 100 according to the invention. The projection exposure apparatus consists of a light source, which is generally a laser operating with an operating wavelength of 193 nm or 248 nm. Use is also made of other light sources, such as gas discharge lamps, which naturally supply fewer narrow bandwidths of the operating wavelengths but have pronounced peaks at wavelengths of 365 nm, 405 nm and 435 nm (i-, g- and h-line). The wavelength of 13.5 nm is likewise used with an X-ray source, such as a plasma source LPP or DPP, or a synchrotron source. The course of the illumination light through the projection exposure apparatus is illustrated schematically by arrows. The light leaves the laser 202 without appreciable etendue. The latter is produced by the illumination system 203 , which illuminates the reticle 101 with a predefined output-side aperture of the illumination system 203 . The illumination setting is also set by means of the illumination system 203 . Use is made of dipole, quadrupole or annular settings and freeform settings, which can be set by means of a multimirror array, for example.
[0085] After traversing the mask, which is generally designed as a binary chromium mask or as a phase shifting mask, the illumination light reaches the projection apparatus 100 according to the invention and the lens 110 therein. Said lens is operated with a stop position corresponding to a sigma setting that is optimal for the imaging of the reticle currently used. The sigma setting is defined as the quotient of output-side aperture of the illumination system and input-side aperture of the lens.
[0086] During the exposure of a die, upon a change from die to die, upon a change from wafer to wafer, upon a change from reticle to reticle, or upon a change from batch to batch, the image aberrations of the lens are measured by the wavefront sensor 150 and, if one of said image aberrations no longer satisfies a predefined specification, said image aberration is brought to specification again by regulation or control of the manipulators 121 , 122 , and 123 .
[0087] FIG. 3 shows the temporal sequential flow diagram of a recording according to the invention of the effects of the heat-inputting manipulator 123 , and the control of the manipulator 123 . The record is initialized with values x t 0 at an instant t 0 . A record x t i at an instant t i is inductively taken as a basis, and the record x t i+1 at the instant t i+1 is determined by means of the transition matrix A from Formulation 6. At an instant t n which can then be assumed to be arbitrary, image aberrations which require a manipulation of the lens by means of the manipulator 123 are determined by the wavefront sensor 150 . By means of the transition matrices A and B according to Formulation 6, a provisional record x t n−1 can be determined for an assumed deflection of the manipulator 123 . The optical effects of the temperature distribution which correspond to the record of x t n+1 −x t n are subsequently determined, which corresponds to the optical effects of the assumed deflection of the manipulator 123 , starting at the instant t n , calculated at the instant t n+1 . If the optical effect corresponds to a predefined desired optical effect (not illustrated here), then the manipulator 123 is deflected in accordance with the assumed deflection and the provisional record x t n+1 is continued. If the optical effect does not correspond to the predefined optical effect, by contrast, then an alternative deflection (likewise not illustrated here) of the manipulator 123 is assumed and an alternative provisional record x′ t n+1 (not illustrated here) is determined. This procedure is conducted iteratively until the desired optical effect can be determined or until a termination criterion (not illustrated here) is reached.
[0088] FIG. 4 shows the sequential flow diagram of a calibration according to Formulation 16 of the recording according to the invention according to Formulation 6. The record x t i of an arbitrarily selectable instant t i is not continued by the record x t i+1 according to Formulation 6, but rather replaced at the instant t n+1 by a record x′ t n+1 of a record x′ t n+1 determined on a real measurement of the temperature of the lens element 113 by the temperature sensor 151 .
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Method for operating a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography, the projection exposure apparatus comprising an optical element, a manipulator, which acts on the optical element by changing the temperature of the optical element and the deflection of which brings about a heat flow caused by the manipulator into the optical element. The history of the effects, in particular the temperatures introduced into the optical element or the optical effects caused thereby, of the manipulator are recorded in a record.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to hold open rods. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for locking a hold open apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hold open rods are well known in the both the automotive industry and the aviation industry. Hold open rods hold open a door or hatch after the door or hatch has been opened manually or automatically. Hold open rods may support a considerable amount of weight. It is desired that the rods function correctly and do not malfunction in supporting this weight.
[0003] Generally, the rods include two cylindrical, telescoping tubes, a first tube disposed inside a second tube, this constitutes an inner and outer tube, respectively. When in the resting or “stowed” position, the inner tube is generally located almost entirely within the outer tube. The inner tube can be extended to a designated position to hold open the door. At this extended position, the tubes are locked in place, in order to open the door. Such locking prevents the inner tube from retracting into the outer tube and also permits the tubes to support the weight of the door. The locking mechanism can be released by an operator.
[0004] In aerospace applications hold open rods are often subject into intense vibration during flight. Due to the interaction between the inner tube and the outer tube, unwanted noise and fretting occurs between contacting parts. This fretting can cause premature wear to the hold open assembly. Further, the fretting may potentially damage or eliminate the corrosion protection coating applied to components of the hold open rod and thereby potentially compromise the ability of the hold open rod to be resistant to corrosion. Removing corrosion resistant coatings may potentially impair the functionality of the hold open rod.
[0005] Thus it would be desirable for a method or system that can dampen or eliminate noise and fretting between hold open rod components. Particularly, dampening is desired in hold open rods used in the aviation industry. In the aviation industry, a door or hatch is likely to be maintained in the closed position where vibration may be experienced between the various components of the hold open rod, and where significant fretting has long been known to occur. Further, it may be desirable for the dampening system to reduce noise and/or wear due to vibration of the hold open rod.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention. In one aspect, a system or method is provided that may dampen and/or eliminate noise and fretting between hold open rod components. In particular, the system may be effective when a hold open rod is in a closed position where the vibration most often is experienced and where significant fretting between components has long been known to occur.
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod may include: an outer tube; an inner tube having two ends, at least one end configured to slide within the outer tube; a tube stop located at one end of the inner tube; a groove around the circumference of the tube stop; and a resilient material located in the groove, with the resilient material configured to contact the tube stop and the outer tube.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a hold open rod may be provided. The hold open rod may include: an outer tube; an inner tube having two ends, at least one end configured to slide within the outer tube; means for locking configured to be actuated to selectively release and lock the inner tube with the outer tube; an isolator contained by the releasing means surrounding the outer tube; and means for reducing wear surrounding and contacting the isolator and the releasing means.
[0009] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of reducing wear on a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: locating first resilient material between an inner tube and an outer tube; providing a locking mechanism to lock the inner tube with respect to the outer tube; and providing a second resilient material between an isolator and a collar on the locking mechanism.
[0010] There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below, and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0011] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0012] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hold open rod in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a hold open rod in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hold open rod in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method and apparatus for dampening the vibration within a hold open rod. The dampening may reduce fretting, wear, and/or noise within the hold open rod as it is subjected to vibration incidental to travel such as air travel.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a hold open rod 10 in accordance of an embodiment of the invention. The hold open rod 10 includes an inner tube 12 that slides within an outer tube 14 . The position of the hold open rod 10 shown in FIG. 1 is the stowed, also referred to as the rest, or retracted position. In this position, the inner tube 12 is substantially inside the outer tube 14 .
[0018] The hold open rod 10 may be extended by sliding the inner tube 12 far enough out from the outer tube 14 to reach a desired length. The hold open rod 10 includes fasteners 16 to connect the hold open rod 10 to an object to which it will be mounted. For example, fasteners 16 may attach to a door or hatch on one side and on the other side to a frame of the door or hatch, thereby allowing the hold open rod 10 to hold the door or hatch in an open position. The hold open rod 10 can be allowed to selectively lock the inner tube 12 to the outer tube 14 in order to, for example, hold a door or hatch in an open position. The locking of the hold open rod 10 may be accomplished by manipulation of a collar 18 .
[0019] When a hold open rod 10 is in a stowed position, as shown in FIG. 1 , the door or hatch may likewise be in a closed position. Often, the stowed position is the position in which the hold open rod 10 spends a majority of its time. Vibration incidental with air travel can cause the hold open rod 10 , while in a stowed position, to wear, fret, rattle and make noise.
[0020] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an improved hold open rod 10 that may reduce wear, fretting and generation of noise. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of a hold open rod 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The hold open rod 10 includes an end cap 20 placed at the end of an outer tube 14 . The end cap 20 may be secured to the outer tube 14 by a dowel or pin 32 , as shown. The dowel or pin 32 may extend from the end cap 20 into the outer tube 14 to secure the end cap 20 to the outer tube 14 .
[0021] The inner tube 12 slides within the outer tube 14 . The inner tube 12 may be equipped with a stop 22 . The stop 22 helps prevent the hold open rod 10 from extending to the point that the inner tube 12 comes out of the outer tube 14 . The stop 22 may be attached to the inner tube 12 in any of a variety of ways. For example, as shown, a dowel or pin 30 may be used to connect the stop 22 to the inner tube 12 . In other embodiments of the invention, the stop 22 may be press fit, threadably fastened to the inner tube 12 , attached by an adhesive, other mechanical fasteners or any other suitable method. The stop 22 may include a flange 24 . The flange 24 may be of a slightly larger diameter than the inner tube 12 and may assist in preventing the hold open rod 10 from overextending by interference with a structured feature at the end of the outer tube 14 when the inner tube 12 is extended from the outer tube 14 .
[0022] The flange 22 may include an O-ring grove 28 which seats an O-ring 26 . The O-ring 26 may be made of a resilient material such as, for example, rubber or another resilient material. The O-ring 26 provides a connection between the stop 22 and an inner diameter of the outer tube 14 . The O-ring 26 may help center the inner tube 12 within the outer tube 14 . The O-ring's resilience can help reduce a tendency to create noise, fretting or wear between the stop 22 or inner tube 12 and the outer tube 14 .
[0023] While the stop 22 is located at the end 36 of the inner tube 12 , it may be desired to have one or more additional O-rings 40 (shown in phantom lines) situated along the length of the inner tube 12 . Such, additional O-ring grooves 38 , may be optionally present in the inner tube 12 . In concert with this, one or more fitted in optional O-rings 40 may be placed within the optional O-ring grooves 38 . The O-rings 26 and 40 may be selected so that the diameter of the O-rings 26 and 40 as installed is small enough to permit the inner tube 12 to slide within the outer tube 14 , but large enough that the actual structure of the inner tube 12 cannot contact the outer tube 14 .
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a lock mechanism 34 which locks the inner tube 12 with the outer tube 14 . While the lock mechanism 34 is described in some detail it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various embodiments of the invention can use various lock mechanisms 34 . The lock mechanism 34 shown is meant to be an exemplary lock mechanism and does not limit the invention in anyway. Furthermore, it should be noted that in some embodiments the lock mechanism 34 is not an essential part of the invention but is merely an incidental feature of hold open rod 10 .
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3 , the hold open rod 10 includes an outer tube 14 . The outer tube 14 may be swaged. Other embodiments may include a lock body which is threaded into the outer tube 14 for performing the locking function. On the outer diameter of the swaged portion of the outer tube 14 on the locking mechanism 34 , there is a spring loaded collar 18 . The collar 18 houses locking dogs 42 and retains the locking dogs 42 radially against the outside diameter of the inner tube 12 while the rod 10 is in the retracted or stowed position.
[0026] The locking dog 42 includes chamfered edges 44 and 46 . The locking slot 48 also includes chamfered edges 50 and 52 . The chamfered edges 44 , 46 , 50 and 52 aid in assisting the locking dog 42 moving in and out of the locking slot 48 .
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the release collar 18 is in a position that prevents the locking dog 42 from exiting the locking slot 48 . Thus, the inner tube 12 and outer tube 14 are locked together. However, if the release collar is moved toward the right with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 3 , the opening 56 in the release collar 18 will be exposed to the locking dog 42 allowing the locking dog 42 to move out radially and into the opening 56 . Such a move by the locking dog 42 will unlock the inner tube 12 from the outer tube 14 . Some embodiments may require the release collar 18 to be twisted to unlock the hold open rod 10 .
[0028] Movement of the release collar 18 to the right will cause the isolator 60 to move on the roller or ball bearing 62 located in the ball bearing slot 64 in the isolator 60 . The isolator 60 and ball bearing 62 may move within the ball bearing slot 66 in the outer tube 14 against the urging of the spring 68 . The spring 68 is between the isolator 60 and the spring stop 70 and exerts as a force on both. The spring stop 70 is placed against the thicker part 72 of the outer tube 14 . The user may overcome the force of the spring 68 by manually moving the release collar 18 towards the right, thereby unlocking the hold open rod 10 by exposing the opening 56 in the release collar 18 to the locking dogs 42 . Exposing the opening 56 allows the locking dogs 42 to move radially out of the locking slot 48 and into the opening 56 . Furthermore, movement of the release collar 18 back toward the left causes the locking dog 42 to slide its chamfered edge 44 along the chamfered side 58 of the opening 56 causing the locking dog 42 to move back into the locking slot 48 .
[0029] The isolator 60 may include an O-ring groove 28 which contains an O-ring 26 . The O-ring 26 in the O-ring groove 28 may be resilient and perform similar function as the O-ring 26 as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2 . The O-ring 26 helps to center the isolator 60 and the outer tube 14 within the collar 18 . The O-ring 26 may also help avoid the outer tube 14 from making noise with, fretting, wearing or otherwise rubbing against the release collar 18 .
[0030] The isolator 60 may be made with plastic material and may include the ball bearing slot 64 for the ball bearing 62 . The number of ball bearings 62 used may vary depending on the size and the geometry of the hold open rods 10 . The O-ring 28 presses against the inner diameter of the collar 18 and the outer O-ring diameter of 28 of the isolator 60 . The ball bearing slot 64 of the isolator 60 then rests on the ball bearings 62 which are located on the outer diameter of the inner tube 12 . The ball bearings 62 allow the isolator 60 to move with reduced friction with the release collar 18 as the release collar 18 is pulled and/or turned to release the locking mechanism 34 . The isolator 60 and O-ring 26 provide dampening in order to reduce or eliminate contact between the release collar 18 and the outer tube 14 during vibration, thereby preserving any corrosion resistant coatings, other finishes, reducing noise, fretting and/or wear.
[0031] In other embodiments of the invention, other locking mechanisms may be used, however in many of these embodiments resilient materials such as O-rings 26 may be used to prevent or reduce making noise, fretting, wear, or the removal of coatings or finish between parts due to rubbing of parts together during vibration.
[0032] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod may include: an outer tube; an inner tube having two ends, at least one end configured to slide within the outer tube; a tube stop located at one end of the inner tube; a groove around the circumference of the tube stop; and a resilient material located in the groove, the resilient material contacting the tube stop and the outer tube. A method of reducing wear on a hold open rod may be provided. The method may include: locating first resilient material between an inner tube and an outer tube; providing a locking mechanism to lock the inner tube with respect to the outer tube; and providing a second resilient material between an isolator and a collar on the locking mechanism.
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/377,003 entitled “Systems and Methods for Facilitating Placement of Telecommunications Test Calls” filed Feb. 28, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,284, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
The present invention is directed generally and in various embodiments to systems and methods for facilitating placement of telecommunications test calls.
When telecommunications products or services are added or changed for a customer of a telecommunications service provider, changes must be programmed into the relevant telecommunications switch that serves the customer. Following such programming changes, verification must be made as to whether the change was properly made and whether the change is disruptive to the telecommunications network. Accordingly, extensive mechanized testing is often undertaken in which various test calls are placed to test the change. Because mechanized testing is may be expensive and time-consuming, a technician may place a manual test call prior to the invocation of mechanized testing. If the test call is unsuccessful, the problem may be remedied before mechanized testing is invoked.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for placing a test call in a telecommunications network. The method includes retrieving an indication of a translation change for a telecommunications switch from storage and placing a test call to test whether the translation change was successful.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a system. The system includes a database having stored therein information relating to translation changes in a telecommunications network and a computer in communication with the database and a telecommunications switch located in the telecommunications network, wherein the computer is configured to retrieve an indication of a translation change for the telecommunications switch from the database and to place a test call to test whether the translation change was successful.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to retrieve an indication of a translation change for a telecommunications switch from storage and place a test call to test whether the translation change was successful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further advantages of the present invention may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a test call system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process flow through the test call system of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.
As used herein, the terms “translations”, “translations updates”, or “translations changes” means the addition of, for example, a service, feature, or the like to a telecommunications switch by, for example, programming the service, feature, or the like into the switch.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a test call system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 may be used with any telecommunications network, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 12 or an advanced intelligent network (AIN) (not shown), in which translations to telecommunications switches must be changed.
A terminal 14 is in communication with a translations activity database 16 . The terminal 14 may be, for example, a personal computer or any other type of computing device that is capable of performing computational and communication activities. The terminal 14 may include, for example, a modem (not shown) that can be used to communicate (i.e. place calls) with a telecommunications switch 18 . The translations activity database 16 stores recent switch translations changes or updates relating to the switch 18 . The database 16 may be any type of storage that is suitable for storing such data and may be configured as a part of the terminal 14 (e.g. an internal disk drive) or may be located separately from the terminal 14 .
In operation and in general terms according to one embodiment of the present invention, the terminal 14 may place a call (e.g. a test call) following a translation change, using, for example, a modem. The translation change may have been made using, for example, the Lucent Mechanized Translations System (MTS). The terminal may log the results of the call so that a user may determine whether the call was successful. Such a procedure may be performed, for example, prior to testing using, for example, a mechanized AMA testing and validation (MATV) service.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process flow through the test call system 10 of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step 30 , a translation change or changes is made using, for example, an MTS system. At step 32 , the change or changes is sent to the switch 18 . At step 34 , the terminal 14 logs the translation change or changes into the database 16 . At step 36 , the terminal retrieves a translation change from the database 16 . The retrieval may be at a periodic time such as, for example, at the beginning or end of a day when all translation changes for a prior period (e.g. the prior day) are retrieved.
At step 38 , the terminal 14 places a test call, via the switch 18 by, for example, dialing a telephone number using, for example, a modem in the terminal 14 . The test call may be used, for example, to determine if the translation change caused a problem. The test call may also be used prior to testing because mechanized testing, such as MATV testing, may be relatively expensive. At step 39 , the results of the test call are logged in, for example, the database 16 or other suitable storage device in communication with or located within the terminal 14 .
At step 40 , the terminal 14 determines whether the call was successful. The determination at step 40 could be made by, for example, determining whether answer supervision was returned following placement of the call. If the call was successful, at step 42 mechanized testing, such as MATV testing, may be performed. The terminal 14 may create a request for MATV testing and MATV may then make a test call for every class of service in an office to ensure proper billing for the new translation. If the call was unsuccessful, at step 44 the reason for the call being unsuccessful is logged in, for example, the database 16 or other suitable storage device in communication with or located within the terminal 14 and a technician is alerted via, for example, the production of a work order or ticket, an electronic mail message, a wireless paging message, or an automated telephone call. The technician may then remedy the problem by, for example, undoing the translation change.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the methods and modules described herein are embodied in, for example, computer software code that is coded in any suitable programming language such as, for example, visual basic, C, C++, or microcode. Such computer software code may be embodied in a computer readable medium or media such as, for example, a magnetic storage medium such as a floppy disk or an optical storage medium such as a CD-ROM.
While several embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present invention. It is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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A method for placing a test call in a telecommunications network. The method includes retrieving an indication of a translation change for a telecommunications switch from storage and placing a test call to test whether the translation change was successful.
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BACKGROUND
Background
Digital systems rely on timing subsystems in order to operate properly. Such timing subsystems are vulnerable to timing anomalies, which are difficult to detect.
When dealing with network security including digital systems, timing anomalies can be the result of a spoofing attack. A spoofing attack is a technique used by a hacker or attacker to masquerade or falsify data, unknown to users of the digital system.
A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing attack involves an attempt by a hacker to trick a GNSS receiver, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, by broadcasting a signal which is different than the signals received from GPS satellites. The broadcasted signals are designed to appear as normal or standard GPS signals. However, the spoofed signals are modified in such a manner to cause the GPS receiver to produce bad time or timing intervals and/or produce a position at a location determined by the attacker, as opposed to the actual UTC time or the receiver's actual location. Thus, the goal of spoofing in this example is to provide a GPS receiver with a misleading signal and therefore deceive the receiver to use fake signals for positioning and timing calculations, which will not be accurate.
The reliance on GPS within civil infrastructure is an inherent security vulnerability. Individuals, groups, or nations interested in causing harm can target a GPS reliant system, thereby disrupting or disabling swaths of infrastructure including national critical infrastructure such as the financial and power industries, as well as cellular communication systems and automated teller machines (ATMs). In particular, the concern over GPS spoofing, an insidious form of intentional interference whereby a spoofer transmits counterfeit GPS signals to an unsuspecting (and unprotected) receiver. Spoofing is more malignant than jamming, because current civil receivers trust all GPS signals to be true, and therefore cannot warn the user, much less take evasive action, when confronted with counterfeit signals.
While the GPS P-code is heavily encrypted and thus, is hard to spoof, the civilian GPS signal, the C/A code, is relatively easy to spoof because the signal structure, the spread spectrum codes, and modulation methods are open to the public. Insecure civil GPS technology has recently been utilized by critical systems, such as military vehicles, communications systems, banking and finance institutions and the power grid. Consequently, these systems can be severely compromised when subject to a spoofing attack resulting in positioning or timing anomalies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a timing analysis detection system, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a timing error measuring unit, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for a timing analysis detection system, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 4 is another flowchart illustrating a process for a timing analysis detection system, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an example computer system useful for implementing various embodiments.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Provided herein are system, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting timing anomalies within systems, such as but not limited to digital systems.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a timing analysis detection system 100 , which provides real-time protection of timing-based digital systems, according to an embodiment. Timing anomaly detection system includes a GPS antenna 102 , a GPS receiver 104 , an independent clock source 106 (e.g. atomic frequency standard, crystal oscillator, non GNSS-derived satellite time, PTP, etc.), a frequency multiplier 108 , a timing error measuring unit 110 and a display 112 . Although embodiments are discussed below using a cesium-based clock, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that embodiments are not limited to cesium and any clock source may be used.
In an embodiment, timing anomaly detection system 100 operates as follows. Timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to process first data accessed from a validated source, such as independent clock source 106 . Additionally, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to process second data accessed from an unvalidated data source, such as GPS receiver 104 . Independent clock source 106 can be a cesium clock, for example. A cesium clock is a clock device that uses an internal resonance frequency of atoms (or molecules) to measure the passage of time That is, independent clock source 106 is controlled by atomic or molecular oscillations. Independent clock source 106 utilizes an electronic transition frequency in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum of atoms as a frequency standard for timekeeping purposes. The actual time-reference of independent clock source 106 includes an, electronic oscillator operating at microwave frequency. The oscillator is configured such that its frequency-determining components include an element that can be controlled by a feedback signal. The feedback signal keeps the oscillator tuned in resonance with the frequency of the electronic transition of cesium. Currently, the correct frequency for the particular cesium resonance is defined by international agreement as 9,192,631,770 Hz so that when divided by this number the output is exactly 1 Hz, or 1 cycle per second. According to embodiments, independent clock source 106 is considered a validated source, because cesium clocks, are accurate time and frequency standards known and serve as a standard for the definition of the second in SI (the atomic second). Cesium clocks are used as standards for international time distribution services, to control the wave frequency in a global navigation satellite system such as GPS.
GPS receiver 104 is configured to measure the relative time delay of signals from a plurality of GPS satellites or antennas 102 . In general, the plurality of GPS antennas 102 can each include onboard cesium atomic clocks. The relative time delay of signals are transformed into absolute spatial coordinates and a time coordinate by GPS receiver 104 . GPS receiver 104 is an unvalidated data source, because, as previously discussed, GPS receiver 104 can be compromised by a targeted attack, such as a spoofing attack. Such an attack can attempt to modify the time coordinate, for example, which can result in inaccurate timing signals from GPS receiver 104 . Embodiments are aimed at detecting such inaccuracies and generating corresponding alerts to a network operator. In an embodiment, GPS receiver 104 and independent clock source 106 are independent of each other. That is, the operation of these two data sources are essentially mutually exclusive. While embodiments herein are described using a GPS antenna and GPS receiver, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) may be utilized as the unvalidated data source.
A GPS receiver 104 outputs one pulse per second (PPS) timing signals 120 , which are transmitted to timing error measuring unit 110 . Independent clock source 106 is configured to generate 10 MHz timing signals 122 to frequency multiplier 108 , which multiplies timing signals 122 by a constant, such as the value 10, and transmits the timing signals to timing error measuring unit 110 . The frequency multiplier is not strictly necessary but may convert the timing signal from independent clock source 106 to a signal that is easier to process in timing error measuring unit 110 . In an embodiment, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to analyze timing signal 122 for an adjustable interval of time to determine a threat detection value. The interval of time can be a one second interval defined by consecutive 1 PPS leading-edges generated by GPS receiver 104 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to initiate a cycle counter. The cycle counter is configured to count the amount of cycles received from independent clock source 106 during the adjustable interval of time. For example, as discussed above, the adjustable interval of time can be configured to be one second intervals. During continuous one second intervals, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to count the number of timing pulses generated by independent clock source 106 . In an embodiment, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to detect a pulse per second (PPS) received from GPS 104 and the cycle counter is configured to be latched to the leading edge of the detected PPS. Therefore, the counter is configured to register and record a count of the number of cycles received from independent clock source 106 each time a PPS is detected from GPS receiver 104 . In this way, the counter is configured to be reset when a new count is initiated.
Analysis of timing signals 122 during 1 PPS intervals are used to compute a threat detection value, according to an embodiment. A threat detection value is utilized to determine if there is a discrepancy or anomaly in the timing or frequency of either independent clock source 106 or GPS receiver 104 . In an embodiment, the threat detection value is computed based on a comparison between the determined quantity of cycles received from independent clock source 106 during an interval of time and a predetermined expected clock cycle value. For example, if the timing signals of independent clock source 106 and GPS receiver 104 are completely synchronized with no timing anomalies or discrepancies, the predetermined expected clock cycle can be 100,000,000. That is, during any 1 second interval defined by a 1 PPS from GPS receiver 104 , timing error measuring unit 110 expects to receive or count 100 million pulses from independent clock source 106 . Thus, in an embodiment, the predetermined expected clock cycle value represents an advantageous state of timing anomaly detection system 100 during operation. Any deviations from the expected clock cycle value would generate a delta which may be an indication that there is an anomaly in the timing of either the independent clock source 106 (not likely) or the GPS receiver 104 , which is the more likely scenario.
In an embodiment, based on the delta between the determined quantity of cycles of independent clock source 106 and the predetermined expected clock cycle value, the threat detection value is set. The threat detection value is assigned the absolute value of the delta, according to embodiments. Thus, in the example described above, if GPS receiver 104 and independent clock source 106 are completely synchronized, timing error measuring unit 110 would compute a threat detection value of 0, indicating ideal operating and timing conditions within timing anomaly detection system 100 . In an embodiment, the threat detection value is compared with a configurable threat detection threshold. Such a comparison is utilized to determine to what extent the timing signals of GPS receiver 104 and independent clock source 106 are out of sync. The threat detection threshold takes into account minor noise that may affect the timing signal of GPS receiver 104 in order to determine a range of acceptable timing signals. For example, the configurable threat detection threshold can be set to a value of 2. Therefore any threat detection value that meets or exceeds the threat detection value of 2, would serve as indicator that there is a significant disparity between the timing signals of GPS receiver 104 and independent clock source 106 . Thus, in the example described above, if the cycle counter registers a count of 100,000,002 pulses received from independent clock source 106 during a 1 second interval, the computed threat detection value would be 2. That is, the count of 100,000,0002 pulses received from independent clock source 106 is compared with the predetermined expected clock cycle value of 100,000,000 to generate a delta of 2. The absolute value of the delta is then assigned to the threat detection value. In this scenario, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to determine that the threat detection value of 2 meets the configurable threat detection threshold of 2. When this occurs, timing error measuring unit 110 is configured to generate an alert or message to a network operator, via display 112 , to indicate that there is a discrepancy between the timing signals of GPS receiver 104 and independent clock source 106 . In this way, a network operator is provided real-time information regarding the timing characteristics of timing anomaly detection system 100 and is immediately alerted to discrepancies or timing anomalies, which may serve as an indicator of a compromised system or network.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a timing error measuring unit, according to an example embodiment. Timing error measuring unit 110 includes a processor 204 , a timing comparator 206 , clock module 208 and an output device 210 .
Timing error measuring unit 110 can be software, firmware, or hardware or any combination thereof in a computing device. Timing error measuring unit 110 can be implemented on or implemented with one or more client computing devices. A client computing device can be any type of computing device having one or more processors and memory. For example, a client computing device can be a computer, server, workstation, mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, navigation device, tablet, laptop or any other user carried device), game console, set-top box, kiosk, embedded system or other device having at least one processor and memory. A client computing device may include a communication port or I/O device for communicating over wired or wireless communication link(s). A further example of a computing device is described with respect to FIG. 5 below.
In one example, processor 204 can be a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a state machine, or the like, which processes first data 220 and second data 222 received from a validated data source and unvalidated data source respectively, while under control of underlying firmware, software, or both. In another example, processor 204 can be part of a computer system, as would be apparent to a skilled artisan. Alternatively or additionally, additional hardware components can be used to perform one or more of the operations discussed below.
In an embodiment, first data 220 can be a data signal received from a validated data source, such as a cesium atomic clock or in more general terms an atomic clock. As discussed previously, the actual time-reference of an atomic clock includes an electronic oscillator operating at microwave frequency and atomic clocks are utilized as validated source, because such clocks provide the most accurate time and frequency standards known and serve as the primary standard for the definition of the atomic second. In another embodiment, second data 222 can be a data signal received from a distributed coordinated time source, such as GPS or another type of GNSS. Such time distribute coordinated time sources are vulnerable to attacks from hackers who may attempt to modify or spoof the timing signal. An alteration or spoofing of a timing signal from a GNSS could result in a compromised system which is not operating as intended. First data 220 and second data 222 are received by processor 204 , which is configured to analyze characteristics of the respective inputs via timing comparator 206 and clock module 208 . In an embodiment, timing comparator 206 is configured to compare the processed first data with the processed second data for an adjustable interval of time to determine a threat detection value. A threat detection value is utilized to determine if there is a discrepancy or anomaly in the timing or frequency of either the validated data source or the unvalidated data source.
In an embodiment, clock module 208 is configured to initiate one or more counters. For example, clock module 208 can be configured to initiate a cycle counter. The cycle counter is configured to count the quantity of cycles of first data 220 received from the validated source during the adjustable interval of time. For example, the adjustable interval of time can be configured to be one second intervals defined by second data 222 . During continuous one second intervals, timing comparator 206 is configured to count the quantity of timing pulses generated by the validated time source. In other words, timing comparator 206 is configured to count the number of cycles of first data 220 . Timing comparator 206 is configured to analyze second data 222 in order to detect a pulse per second (PPS) received from the unvalidated source. The cycle counter initiated by clock module 208 is subsequently configured to latch to a leading or rising edge of the detected PPS of second data 222 . In this manner, clock module 208 is configured to register and record a count of the number of cycles received from the validated data source prior to each time a PPS is detected from the invalidated data source. For each interval, the initiated cycle counter is reset to 0 and a new count is initiated.
Timing comparator 206 is configured to compute a threat detection value based on a comparison between the determined quantity of cycles received during an interval of time and a predetermined expected clock cycle value. For example, when the validated data source and the unvalidated data source are completely in sync with respect to time, the number of clock cycles from the validated data source during an interval of time can be measured. The measurement serves as the baseline for the entire system, as this is an indication of an ideal operating state of the system. The baseline measurement is used as the predetermined expected clock cycle value, according to embodiments. In an embodiment, the threat detection value can be analyzed using different algorithms in order to detect an anomaly (e.g., a delay lock loop, kalman filter, etc.). For example, a kalman filter, also known as linear quadratic estimation (LQE) algorithm can be used. A kalman filter uses a series of measurements observed over time containing noise (random variations) and other inaccuracies, and produces estimates of unknown variables that tend to be more precise than those based, on a single measurement alone. In embodiment, the kalman filter can operate recursively on streams of noisy input data to produce a statistically optimal estimate of the underlying system state.
Any abnormality or deviation from the baseline measurement or expected clock cycle value serves as a flag to the system indicating a possible threat. Such a threat most likely means that the timing signals associated with second data 222 are inaccurate. According to an embodiment, timing comparator 206 is configured to compute a delta associated with the difference between a determined quantity of cycles of first data 220 and the predetermined expected clock cycle value. The absolute value of the delta is then assigned to the threat detection value, according, to embodiments. In an embodiment, timing comparator 206 is configured to compare the threat detection value to a configurable threat detection Threshold. Such a comparison and threshold is utilized to determine to what extent the validated data source and unvalidated data source are out of sync with respect to timing. If the threat detection value meets or exceeds the configurable threat detection threshold, processor 204 generate an alert message which is sent to output device 210 for display to a network operator. The alert message can include the threat detection value, which would indicate the level of disparity between the timing signals of the respective first data 220 and second data 222 . In this way, a network operator is provided real-time data regarding the timing characteristics of a system and is immediately alerted to discrepancies or timing anomalies, which may serve as an indicator of a compromised GPS receiver. The network operator may then analyze the extent of the anomaly and provide real-time network protection services. According to embodiments, multiple unvalidated timing sources (e.g. UPS & GLONASS receiver) and multiple independent validated timing references (e.g. one or more cesium clocks, Two-way Time Satellite Transfer (TWSTT) system) can be coupled together to increase the robustness of the system (e.g. redundant sources, cross-checking, independent sources).
According to another embodiment, clock module 108 is configured to initiate both a cycle counter and an interval counter. While the cycle counter would operate in a similar manner, as described above, the interval counter would be configured to record a duration of time up to a predetermined interval threshold. In this way, timing error measuring unit 110 can be configured to arbitrarily count and report the number of cycles received from first data 220 for a predetermined amount of time. When the count of the interval counter exceeds the predetermined interval threshold, timing comparator 206 is configured to receive the count generated by cycle counter and perform similar timing analysis and detection, as described above. Thus, embodiments allow for continuous checking and validation of timing signals.
Overview of the Method
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for a timing anomaly detection system, according to an example embodiment.
At step 302 , first data is processed from a validated data source. For example, step 302 may be performed by timing error measuring unit 110 of timing anomaly detection system 100 . In an embodiment, first data can be a data signal received from a validated data source, such as a cesium clock.
At step 304 , second data is processed from an unvalidated data source. For example step 304 may be performed by timing error measuring unit 110 of timing anomaly detection system 100 . According to an embodiment, the unvalidated data source is a distributed coordinated time source, such as a GPS which generates the second data. A GPS can include a GPS receiver that measures the relative time delay of signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, which each include onboard cesium atomic clocks. The relative times are transformed into absolute spatial coordinates and a time coordinate.
At step 306 , the processed first data is compared with the processed second data for an adjustable interval of time to determine a threat detection value. For example, step 306 may be performed by time comparator 206 in conjunction with clock module 208 of timing error measuring unit 110 . A threat detection value is utilized as a flag or indicator to determine if there is a discrepancy or anomaly in the timing or frequency of either the validated data source or the unvalidated data source. A cycle counter may be initiated which counts the amount of cycles received from the validated source during the adjustable interval of time, according to an embodiment. For each interval of time a measurement of the number of timing pulses generated by the validated data source is recorded. In an embodiment, the initiated clock is latched to a PPS of the unvalidated data source which in turn can be used to determine an interval of time for measurement of timing pulses received from the validate data source. The threat detection value is computed based on a relationship between the determined number of pulses received during an interval of time and a predetermined expected clock cycle value. The predetermined expected clock cycle value serves as the baseline for the system when operating without any timing anomalies. A deviation from the expected clock cycle would generate a delta which would serve as an indication that there is an anomaly in the timing of either the validated data source or the unvalidated data source.
At step 308 , when the threat detection value meets a configurable threat detection threshold, a threat alert message is generated. The threat alert message identifies an anomaly in either the validated source or the unvalidated source. For example, step 308 may be performed by processor 204 of timing error measuring unit 110 . In an embodiment, the threat detection value is compared with a configurable threat detection threshold. Such a comparison is utilized to determine to what extent the respective timing signals of the validated data source and unvalidated data source are not synchronized. For example, the configurable threat detection threshold can be set to a predetermined constant. Therefore any threat detection value that meets or exceeds the threat detection value constant, would set a flag that indicates there is a significant disparity between the two data sources. When this occurs, a threat, alert message including the threat detection values is generated and sent to a network operator. In this way, an operator is provided real-time information regarding the timing characteristics of the unvalidated data source and can immediately detect timing anomalies, which may compromise the system or network.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for a timing anomaly detection system, according to an example embodiment.
At step 402 , first data is processed from a validated data source. For example, step 402 may be performed by timing error measuring unit 110 of timing anomaly detection system 100 . Similar to step 302 , describe above, first data can be a data signal received from a validated data source, such as an cesium atomic clock. At step 404 , second data is processed from an unvalidated data source. For example step 404 may be performed by timing error measuring unit 110 of timing anomaly detection system 100 . Step 404 operates in a similar manner as step 304 described above.
At step 406 , an interval count associated with an adjustable interval of time is determined. For example, step 404 may be performed by timing error measuring unit 110 of timing anomaly detection system 100 . In an embodiment, an interval counter can be initiated to record an interval count which represents a duration of time up to a predetermined interval threshold. The predetermined interval threshold can be set by a network operator, for example, based on a type of threat the network operator is trying to detect. For example, a network operator may be aware of certain types of network attacks and how such attacks may affect timing during a specific interval of time. Thus, the network operator can set the interval threshold based on such known threat characteristics. In this way, the timing error measuring unit can be configured to arbitrarily count and report the number of cycles received from a first data for a predetermined amount of time up the predetermined interval threshold.
At step 408 , it is determined whether the count of the interval counter exceeds the predetermined interval threshold. For example, step 408 may be performed by timing error measuring unit 110 of timing anomaly detection system 100 . When the count of the interval counter exceeds the predetermined interval threshold, method 400 proceeds to step 410 . When the count of the interval counter does not exceed the predetermined interval threshold, the interval counter is incremented and step 406 is repeated while the number of timing pulses generated by first data are continuously counted by a separate cycle counter, as described in step 306 of FIG. 3 above.
At step 410 the processed first data is compared with the processed second data to determine a threat detection value. For example, step 410 may be performed by timing comparator 206 of timing error measuring unit 110 . Step 410 operates in a similar manner as step 306 described above.
At step 412 , when the threat detection value meets a configurable threat detection threshold, a threat alert message is generated. For example, step 412 may be performed by processor 204 of timing error measuring unit 110 . Step 412 operates in a similar manner as step 308 described above.
Example Computer System
Various embodiments can be implemented, for example, using one or more well-known computer systems, such as computer system 500 shown in FIG. 4 . Computer system 500 can be any well-known computer capable of performing the functions described herein, such as computers available from International Business Machines, Apple, Sun, HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, etc.
Computer system 500 includes one or more processors (also called central processing units, or CPUs), such as a processor 504 . Processor 504 is connected to a communication infrastructure or bus 506 .
One or more processors 504 may each be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In an embodiment, a GPU is a processor that is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly process mathematically intensive applications on electronic devices. The GPU may have a highly parallel structure that is efficient for parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematically intensive data common to computer graphics applications, images and videos.
Computer system 500 also includes user input/output device(s) 503 , such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc., which communicate with communication infrastructure 506 through user input/output interface(s) 502 .
Computer system 500 also includes a main or primary memory 508 , such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory 508 may include one or more levels of cache. Main memory 508 has stored therein control logic (i.e., computer software) and/or data.
Computer system 500 may also include one or more secondary storage devices or memory 510 . Secondary memory 510 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 512 and/or a removable storage device or drive 514 . Removable storage drive 514 may be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup device, and/or any other storage device/drive.
Removable storage drive 514 may interact with a removable storage unit 518 . Removable storage unit 518 includes a computer usable or readable storage device having stored thereon computer software (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unit 518 may be a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/any other computer data storage device. Removable storage drive 514 reads from and/or writes to removable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner.
According to an exemplary embodiment, secondary memory 510 may include other means, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computer programs and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed by computer system 500 . Such means, instrumentalities or other approaches may include, for example, a removable storage unit 522 and an interface 520 . Examples of the removable storage unit 522 and the interface 520 may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated, socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.
Computer system 500 may further include a communication or network interface 524 . Communication interface 524 enables computer system 500 to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices, remote networks, remote entities, etc. (individually and collectively referenced by reference number 528 ). For example, communication interface 524 may allow computer system 500 to communicate with remote devices 528 over communications path 526 , which may be wired, and/or wireless, and which may include any combination of LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Control logic and/or data may be transmitted to and from computer system 500 via communication path 526 .
In an embodiment, a tangible apparatus or article of manufacture comprising a tangible computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored thereon is also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer system 500 , main memory 508 , secondary memory 510 , and removable storage units 518 and 522 , as well as tangible articles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system 500 ), causes such data processing devices to operate as described herein.
Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to make and use the invention using data processing devices, computer systems and/or computer architectures other that that shown in FIG. 4 . In particular, embodiments may operate with software, hardware, and/or operating system implementations other than those described herein.
CONCLUSION
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections (if any), is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections (if any) may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the invention or the appended claims in any way.
While the invention has been described herein with reference to exemplary embodiments for exemplary fields and applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Other embodiments and modifications thereto are possible, and are within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, and without limiting the generality of this paragraph, embodiments are not limited to the software, hardware, firmware, and/or entities illustrated in the figures and/or described herein. Further, embodiments (whether or not explicitly described herein) have significant utility to fields and applications beyond the examples described herein.
Embodiments have been described herein with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined as long as the specified functions and relationships (or equivalents thereof) are appropriately performed. Also, alternative embodiments may perform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc. using orderings different than those described herein.
References herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” or similar phrases, indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of persons skilled in the relevant art(s) to incorporate such feature, structure, or characteristic into other embodiments whether or not explicitly mentioned or described herein.
The breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
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Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for adapting to malware activity on a compromised computer system. An embodiment operates by detecting an active adversary operating malware on a compromised system. A stream of data traffic associated with active adversary is intercepted. The stream of data traffic includes a command and control channel of the active adversary. The stream of data traffic is accessed. An emulation of the command and control channel is provided. An analysis of the accessed stream of traffic is executed. A plurality of response mechanisms is provided. The plurality of response mechanisms is based in part on the analysis of the stream of data traffic and a custom policy language tailored for the malware.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to automotive safety arrangements, and, more particularly, to passenger safety arrangements including a safety belt for retaining a vehicle occupant on his seat.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional automotive passager safety belts connect or link a vehicle occupant to the vehicle as rigidly and firmly as possible when an accident occurs, so that the high rates of vehicle acceleration or deceleration, which occur in connection with the accident, are transmitted as directly as possible to the occupant. Without such a firm and rigid vehicle occupant control, high relative accelerations between the vehicle and the occupant during an accident would cause severe and often fatal injuries to the occupant as a result of the foreceful impacts of portions of the occupant's body with parts of the vehicle interior.
It has also been found that, in many cases, conventional safety belts could not prevent serious injuries, particularly to the head of the occupant. Extensive tests conducted with dummies having fastened seat belts have evaluated the motions that occur in accidents involving frontal impacts, and it has been found that the relatively freely movable head of a vehicle occupant who is fastened to his seat by a seat belt of the vehicle moves in a rotary motion around the upper portion of the human body, which is retained or kept back by the seat belt when the vehicle is subjected to a rapid deceleration. That motion, which expresses itself as a nodding movement and may be illustrated as a rotation around an axis along the retaining safety belt, starts approximately when the ability of the loaded safety belt to expand or flex is exhausted and the body of the occupant is inflexibly retained by the belt. The nodding motion is often increased by the inherent elasticity of the safety belt, which pulls or yanks the body of the occupant back toward his seat and in a direction opposite that of the acceleration of the head. In any event, the nodding motion of the head increases the speed with which the head of an occupant in the car may strike parts of the vehicle interior, for example, the steering wheel.
It is known to include in the safety belt an impactdampening, flexible intermediate link to prevent the occupant's body from being pulled back. Thereby, the backward pull caused by the elasticity of the safety belt may be, to some extent, eliminated, however, the head of the car's occupant still experiences a severe nodding motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided, in accordance with the invention, an arrangement of safety belts such that the impact of portions of the body of a vehicle occupant, particularly the head, with parts of the interior of the vehicle occurs under more favorable conditions and at lower speeds than with previously known arrangements. It is primarily intended to reduce, by means of the invention, the effect of the nodding motion of the head during an impact to the greatest possible extent.
According to the invention, a safety belt is provided with the capability of promptly releasing a length of the belt when a predetermined force of retention, for example, when the expandability of the belt is exhausted, is exceeded. Thereby the dangerous nodding motion of the head is largely prevented since the release of a belt length permits a forward shifting of the occupant's body and thereby of the axis of the rotary motion of the head. Any impact of the occupant's upper body portion onto parts of the car interior, which should be provided with energy-absorbing impact elements, will then take place only at speeds that will largely exclude the possibility of serious injury. The entire free space in front of the occupant in the vehicle, however, is exploited or utilized in an advantageous manner for retention.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety belt may include at least one intermediate member of two parallel belt portions of different length that are placed one on top of the other, the shorter belt portion being fabricated of a material that will tear when the predetermined force of retention is exceeded. The prompt release of a length of the belt is achieved, therefore, since the shorter belt portion tears and the longer belt portion, which is parallel to the short belt, subsequently comes into supporting action.
In order to provide the safety belt with an automatic belt winding capability, it will be advantageous to use the intermediate member to secure the safety belt lock on the frame of the vehicle. Thereby, the safety belt may be rewound without difficulty when not in use. If the intermediate member or link were arranged at another position on the belt, the belt rewinding and handling would be difficult since it would be thicker at the intermediate member position.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is provided with energy-absorbing impact elements, which, together with the longer belt portion of the belt, catch and hold the occupant upon separation of the shorter belt portion. It is particularly advantageous to provide the steering wheel with an energy-absorbing design. By using properly shaped vehicle interior furnishings, in addition to the safety belt, for absorbing the forces resulting from frontal collisions, a highly advantageous diversion of the forces is achieved that exploits the entire interior space present in front of the occupant in the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention can be gained from a consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the appended figures of the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view of a vehicle passenger protected by the safety arrangement in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an intermediate member of the safety arrangement of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the intermediate member shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an intermediate member according to a further embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of a further embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle occupant 1, is shown fastened to a seat 2 by a three-point safety belt 3. The belt extends from a belt fixture 7, secured to a vehicle body part 13, on a horizontal plane across seat 2 as a pelvis belt 5, to the run-through fixture 9 of a lock part 11, which is positioned on the side of the seat opposite fixture 7. From there, the belt 3 extends generally diagonally across the chest of the occupant as an inclined shoulder belt to the upper or top run-through fixture 10, which is secured to the vehicle body side part 13, and terminates at the belt-winding device 6 in a vertical orientation. The end of belt lock 11 opposite the run-through fixture 7 is secured on a drive-shaft tunnel 14 by means of a securing fixture 8. Between the belt lock 11 and the securing fixture 8 is an intermediate link 12.
Details of the intermediate link 12 may be seen with greater clarity by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The intermediate link 12 is connected between the securing fixture 8 and an insert tongue 15, which is inserted into belt lock 11, and is formed essentially of two parallel belt portions 17 and 18 of different lengths that are placed one on top of the other. The ends of the belt portions 17 and 18 are, in each case, looped through respective eyes provided on securing tongue 8 and insert tongue 15 and then secured in a conventional manner, for example, by stitching. A sleeve 16, which may consist, for example, of a plastic material, is pushed over the two belt portions 17 and 18 to prevent the longer belt portion 18 from hanging loosely and, perhaps, catching onto parts of the interior of the vehicle.
In operation, the belt 3 is stressed and expanded by the forward shifting of the occupant in the event of a frontal collision to the vehicle. After the limit of expansion of belt 3 has been reached, occupant 1 would, in a conventional arrangement, be rigidly retained by the belt, and the occupant would experience the previously described nodding motion of his head.
In accordance with the invention, however, the nodding motion of the occupant's head is prevented since the shorter belt portion 17 of intermediate link 12 will tear at the moment that the belt 3 becomes rigid, thereby releasing a belt length corresponding to the difference in length between belt portions 17 and 18. The rigid or inflexible retention of the upper torso of the occupant is, therefore, cancelled by the prompt release of the belt length; an additional forward shifting of the occupant's body takes place, and the dangerous rotary motion of the head of the occupant is largely avoided. The force of retention of the occupant at which the shorter belt portion 17 tears, will depend on the type of safety belt used and on the behavior of the vehicle when subjected to deformation. In addition, the tearing of belt portion 17 should take place approximately at the moment at which the rotary motion of the head begins.
Upon tearing of belt portion 17 and the continued forward shifting of the body of vehicle occupant 1, the longer belt portion 18 of intermediate link 12 comes into supporting action. During severe impacts to the vehicle, the occupant would experience motions at the extension of the longer belt portion 18 that are similar to those previously described. If, however, a portion of the force of retention is supplied by energy-absorbing impact elements provided in the interior space of the vehicle, for example, by an energy-absorbing steering wheel 19 and dashboard 20, as shown in FIG. 1, the impact or striking of the upper torso, particularly the head, of the vehicle occupant will take place at a speed that, in cooperation with the energy-absorbing, flexible design of the impact elements, nearly precludes the possibility of injuries of a more serious nature.
The use of the intermediate link 12 to secure the insert latch or tongue 15 of belt lock 11 offers the advantage, particularly in connection with safety belts having a rewinding device, that the belt may be rewound in the usual manner. If, on the other hand, the intermediate link 12 were positioned at another point along the length of belt 3, the thickness of the intermediate link could cause interferences with the self-winding of the belt in that it would not pass smoothly through run-through fixtures 9 or 10 or through the winding device 6.
In a three-point safety belt, the arrangment of the intermediate belt on the common point at which the inclined shoulder belt 4 and the pelvis belt 5 are secured offers the advantage that, upon tearing of the shorter belt portion 17 of intermediate link 12, both belts are simultaneously extended, so that the upper and lower body parts of the occupant are uniformly shifted in a forward direction. The simultaneous forward shifting of the entire body of the occupant helps prevent a rotary motion and, possibily, the previously described serious and damaging consequences to the occupant.
In particular, a safety arrangement according to the invention produces a highly useful and advantageous restraining system for smaller vehicles, which generally lack sufficient interior space for an entirely injury-free restraint of the human body in accidents involving frontal collisions. While exploiting the available vehicle interior space, the arrangement largely excludes the occurrence of seriour injuries.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, many modifications and variations of such embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed. For example, the tearing belt portion 17 may be formed of metal or plastic material, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, that is selected and shaped to separate when the tension in the belt 3 exceeds the predetermined force of retention. The belt portions 17' and 17" may be shaped as wires or flat bands, and may be scored or otherwise marked to ensure separation at a specific point or points. It would also be possible to modify the belt configuration without sacrificing the advantages of the invention by securing the tongue 15 to the belt 3, in which case the belt lock 11 would be attached to the intermediate link 12.
Accordingly, all such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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A safety arrangement for motor vehicles includes a safety belt for retaining a vehicle occupant on a seat. A predetermined length of belt is released if the vehicle receives an impact resulting in a tension in the safety belt that exceeds a predetermined value.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/918,518 filed Dec. 19, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a single viewer, within a group of viewers in a location, selecting one of several displays presenting audio visual content through internet, satellite, and cable channels, and more particularly to conditional access systems and methods for arbitrating viewer requests to change the channel on the display.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] People frequently find themselves in environments that have a number of different display devices, for example, lounges, gymnasiums, hotel workout rooms, restaurants, sports bars, or common rooms in apartment complexes or university settings, where each device can be tuned to a different program channel. In these environments, users often want to select one of the devices and to change the channel on that selected device to view desired programming content. The multiple display devices may take different forms, for example, several traditional television sets that are hooked up to set top boxes. Another example is a large-screen device connected to a multi-tuner set top box, where the screen is divided into multiple displays, for example, having one channel displayed on the left half of the screen and another channel on the right half of the screen.
[0004] In these environments where multiple people have the ability to watch multiple displays, it is important that people are able to easily select a display to watch and listen to the audio portion of the program playing on their selected display. This functionality is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Equally important, particularly for the overall viewing enjoyment of the people in the environment, is to have an organized, coordinated way for people to select a display and to change the channel on the selected display with minimal impact on the viewing experience of others.
[0005] For example, in a sports bar setting, a customer may walk into the sports bar and see four displays each showing different football games, and the customer may want to view a football game currently in progress but not shown on any of the displays. Typically, the customer has to ask the host or bartender if they could change the channel on one of the displays to the desired game, and the host would then ask people around the bar if it was okay to change the channel on one of the displays. If the host does not think the change would cause undue trouble, the host will change the channel on one of the displays. This process is preferable to giving each person a remote control that allows each person to identify a display device and then immediately change the channel of that device. Chaos would likely ensue as people would have “channel changing fights” and each viewer's enjoyment would be greatly lessened knowing that at any moment the channel the viewer is watching could be changed.
[0006] This disclosure is directed to a conditional access device, including related systems and methods that arbitrates or referees viewer requests to change the channel on a selected display in an environment of multiple displays being watched by many people. In one embodiment, the conditional access device serves as a communication link between set top boxes that are directing programming channels to display devices and viewers listening to programming on selected display devices using off-the-shelf headsets or other hardware. This hardware, in addition to being used to listen to audio, allows viewers to send commands like “change the channel” to the conditional access device.
[0007] In addition to requests to change channels on displays, other types of changes, for example, adjusting audio levels either in the audiovisual content stream or in the user's listening device and pausing, rewinding and playing the displayed video using set top box functionality, may also be requested and arbitrated by the conditional access device as described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility and understanding of the features. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one non-limiting embodiment of a system for selecting a display device and changing the channel on the device.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of one non-limiting embodiment of a system for selecting a display within a screen containing several displays based on where a user is looking.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of one non-limiting embodiment of a system for selecting a display from two displays each on a separate device based on where a user is looking.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of several non-limiting embodiments of hardware used by a user to select a display, change the channel on a display, and listen to audio related to video on the display.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a system for selecting a display from multiple displays and changing the channel on the selected display.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of a method that may be performed to enable a user to select a display from multiple displays and to change the channel on the selected display.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of a method that may be performed to arbitrate the changing of the channel on a display when multiple users are watching that display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] This application incorporates U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804 (Attorney Docket Number 290110.580) by reference in its entirety.
[0017] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with devices, cameras and systems for tracking eye movements, body movements and gestures have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.
[0018] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”
[0019] References throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0020] The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not necessarily imply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish between multiple instances of an act or structure.
[0021] The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not limit the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
[0022] In this disclosure, the term “display” includes any device such as a television, computer monitor, video monitor, video projection or portion of a device on which video images of audiovisual content is displayed.
[0023] The term “screen” includes any device on which one or more displays can be rendered, such as a picture-in-picture screen on which a smaller display is overlapped on a larger display, or a large flat screen that is tiled into separate displays able to display separate content channels.
[0024] The term “channel” includes an audio video service on which a series of programs is presented in sequence.
[0025] The term “Smartphone” includes a smartphone device, a tablet device, a mobile computing device, a computer, a speaker system, an entertainment system, a game console, a gaming device, a virtual reality system, and the like.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram 1000 of a non-limiting example of selecting a display from multiple displays and changing channels on the selected display within a sports bar setting. The sports bar room 20 contains a number of display devices, including screen 22 that contains six tiled displays 22 a - 22 f , and standalone displays 24 , 26 . Screen 22 is controlled by a multi-tuner set top box 28 , which receives multiple programming content, for example, from a head-end device over coaxial cable, and is able to split the content into individual channels and display programs carried on those channels on displays 22 a - 22 f . Display 24 is controlled by set top box 30 , and display 26 is controlled by set top box 32 . In this sports bar example, each of the separate displays may show a different sports event, for example, different football or basketball games. Individual users 34 , 36 , and 38 are each watching different displays 26 , 24 , and 22 d , respectively. The display-identification hardware 34 a , 36 a , and 38 a that each individual user 34 , 36 and 38 is wearing works in conjunction with receiving device 40 to identify which display each user is looking at, and to provide audio to the user associated with the content shown on the display. The systems and methods that disclose this identification process, including using headphone devices 46 a and receiving device 40 , are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804 (Attorney Docket No. 290110.580) filed Jun. 5, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0027] In some situations, users 34 , 36 and 38 may be looking at the same display device, and one of the users may wish to change the channel displayed on the device, for example, to watch a different football game. To facilitate this, a conditional access device 42 is used as an arbitrator or referee to determine if and when a user should be able to change the channel or otherwise make any other changes to a display or the content presented on the display. The conditional access device 42 may be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and the individual processes and/or components of the device may appear either together or in separate devices or software modules. The conditional access device 42 may also be referred to as an arbitrator or voting processor.
[0028] Conditional access device 42 may be connected to several devices in several different ways including by direct connection or wireless connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency, or other wireless communication protocols such as RF4CE/Zibgee. The conditional access device 42 , in one or more embodiments, may be connected to a personal computer 44 to register user hardware and to set up channel-changing policies; to set top boxes 28 , 30 and 32 to change channels on displays; to receiving device 40 to receive information on which user is currently watching which display; and finally to individual users 34 , 36 and 38 to send audio to users and to send and receive commands and information to and from the user. For example, to send voting requests to users and to receive votes from users for changing the channel on a display device. Note: in one embodiment (not shown), the conditional access device 42 may be used in an area having only one display where multiple people want to watch it.
[0029] In the sports bar 20 example, a personal computer 44 may be used by a host 47 to configure the conditional access device 42 . For example, a user 46 walks into the sports bar carrying a headphone device 46 a , which is worn by the user to identify to receiving device 40 the display that the user is currently watching, and may also be used to listen to audio content associated with the video content shown on the display, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804. The user may also have a Bluetooth earpiece 38 a , which may be connected to the conditional access device 42 , to listen to audio. In addition, the user may also have a Smartphone 46 b that is connected to conditional access device 42 , for example, via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other connection, that can play audio and also send and receive notifications from the conditional access device 42 . In addition, the Smartphone 46 b may be able to capture user 46 gestures used to send requests to change the channel for a display to the conditional access device 42 . A gesture may be captured by using an accelerometer within the Smartphone 46 b or by using a video camera within Smartphone 46 b to capture phone movement or a user's 46 head or hand movements that communicate a request to be sent to conditional access device 42 . The headphone device 46 a may also contain an accelerometer to capture head movement gestures that correspond to requests. The headphones may also contain buttons or switches that a user would press to send a request.
[0030] In the above example, the personal computer 44 , the conditional access device 42 , set top boxes 32 , 30 , multi-tuner set top box 28 and receiving device 40 have been described as separate devices. In some embodiments however, one or more of the functions of these devices may be combined into a single unit or multiple units.
[0031] After user 46 has registered with host 47 , the user will take a place somewhere within the sports bar 20 and begin to watch the video content on one of the displays 22 a - f , 24 , 26 . For example, user 34 is seated at a table watching display 26 . The receiving device 40 , which is in communication with the headphone 34 a , knows that user 34 is watching display 26 and sends that information to the conditional access device 42 . During the example registration process for user 34 , the conditional access device 42 registered Smartphone 34 c as the audio receiver and will play received sound to user 34 through Smartphone headphones 34 b . For user 36 , during the registration process the conditional access device 42 registered Bluetooth earpiece 36 b and will play audio corresponding to the display 24 that the user is looking at, determined by receiving device 40 . During the registration process for user 38 , the system registered Smartphone 38 b as the audio receiving device which is paired with Bluetooth earpiece 38 a so user 38 can hear programming audio while watching screen 22 d . In an alternate embodiment, the audio associated with display 22 d could be played to user 38 over the speaker of Smartphone 38 b.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram 1010 of one non-limiting illustrated embodiment of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804 that shows how headphone devices 50 a , 52 a are able to determine which displays their respective users 50 and 52 are looking at. On screen 58 , there are two different displays of programs, Program A 54 and Program B 56 . In this embodiment, receiving device 40 is able to send audio for either program to either user's headphone devices 50 a , 52 a . In this example, user 50 is looking in direction 51 at program B on display 56 , and thus receives the audio signal for Program B. The other user 52 is looking in direction 53 , also on display 56 showing Program B, and thus receives the audio signal for that program as well.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram 1020 of one non-limiting illustrated embodiment of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804 that shows how headphone devices 60 a , 62 a are able to determine which displays respective users 60 and 62 are looking at. Displays 70 , 72 are on different devices and displaying different Programs C and D respectively. Receiving device 40 is connected to displays 70 and 72 , determines which display the user is watching, and sends the audio corresponding to the program being played on the watched device. In this example user 60 is looking in direction 64 at display 70 , and is receiving audio for program C on the earphones of headset 60 a . User 62 is looking in direction 66 at display 70 (as detected by movement of the user's head from the direction 68 ), and thus user 62 receives audio signal for the program C on the earphones of headset 62 a being displayed on display 70 . In both FIGS. 2 and 3 , an alternate embodiment would be for receiving device 40 to contain a camera (not shown) that would identify each user 50 , 52 and at which display the user was watching.
[0034] FIG. 4 is diagram 1030 , which shows a number of non-limiting illustrated embodiments of devices used to change channels and how users may interact with those devices. In each of the examples of users in FIG. 4 with the exception of user 80 , the headphones described in FIGS. 2 and 3 used to determine what display a user is looking at have been omitted.
[0035] Different users 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , and 82 are interacting with non-limiting examples of different combinations of hardware devices that allow the user to receive audio from a display and also interact with the display through the conditional access device 42 . User 74 is an example of a user with a registered Smartphone 74 c connected to the user's Bluetooth earpiece 74 a over Bluetooth link 74 b . Smartphone 74 c is connected wirelessly 74 d either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to the conditional access device 42 . In this example, audio corresponding to the display that user 74 is watching is sent via the conditional access device 42 to Smartphone 74 c , then to earpiece 74 a.
[0036] User 76 is an example of a registered Smartphone 76 c connected to the conditional access device 42 in a wireless connection. Audio corresponding to the content presented on a display on-screen 22 is played on the Smartphone speakers 76 b so that user 76 can hear. If user 76 wishes to communicate to the conditional access device 42 , for example, to change the channel of the device being watched, user 76 could use gestures, for example, hand motions 76 d that are picked up by the Smartphone's camera 76 c 1 , which are converted by a Smartphone application to a channel change request, and sent via wireless communication to the conditional access device 42 . In this example, if the system was able to successfully change the channel, conditional access device 42 would send a message to Smartphone 76 c letting user 76 know that the channel was successfully changed. If the system was not able to successfully change the channel, then the conditional access device 42 would notify Smartphone 76 c that the channel cannot be changed. The user 76 could then be notified, for example, of different displays within the area that are showing the user's desired channel by giving a display identification number or by pointing to the display with an arrow on the Smartphone 76 c screen where user 76 should look.
[0037] User 77 is an example of a registered smart watch 77 b that is connected to the conditional access device 42 in a wireless connection. In one embodiment, smart watch 77 b receives audio corresponding to the screen 22 that user 77 is watching, and sends that audio to user 77 through earbuds 77 a . In addition, in one or more embodiments, user 77 may be able to send requests to change channel, change sound volume, query who else is watching the screen, or other requests through the smart watch 77 b , for example, by moving the watch or by entering commands through the smart watch 77 b interface.
[0038] User 78 is an example of a Smartphone 78 b that is wirelessly connected to conditional access device 42 and provides audio of a watched display user 78 . In this example though, user 78 communicates with conditional access device 42 using an application 78 c on the Smartphone 78 b . Request to change channel, change sound volume, or other requests can be entered through application 78 c , and responses from conditional access device 42 may be received by application 78 c and displayed to user 78 .
[0039] User 80 is an example similar to user 76 , except that earbuds 80 a connecting Smartphone 80 b to user 80 are used, rather than relying on the speakers in Smartphone 80 b . Communications to change the channel of the watched display are made via gestures 80 c , which in this example are read and interpreted by camera 40 a in receiving device 40 to determine the desired channel user 80 wishes to change the watched display to. This desired channel is communicated to conditional access device 42 . If the channel is able to be successfully changed a notice that the channel has been changed is sent to Smartphone 80 b . Otherwise, user 80 is notified of different displays within the area that are showing the channel the user would like to view, and where to turn to see those displays.
[0040] The hardware worn by user 82 shows an example headset 82 a that is used by receiving device 40 to identify which display within screen 22 user 82 is looking at. As a result, either the receiving device 40 or conditional access device 42 sends audio corresponding to the program on the watched display back to headphone 82 a . User 82 may send signals to conditional access device 42 , for example, to change channels, by reaching up and clicking button 82 d , which, for example, may request that the channel associated with the watched device is incremented or decremented. In addition, accelerometer 82 e may be used to interpret head nods 82 b or head shakes that signal the system to change the channel on the watched display.
[0041] Each of these examples illustrate how registered hardware from a user may be used to interact with the system. These examples are non-limiting example embodiments.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows diagram 1040 which is a non-limiting embodiment of a system 90 that implements a conditional access device 42 . Inputs to the system 90 include inputs to register hardware that a user 110 , 112 uses to select a display to watch, to change the channel on the selected display, to listen to audio, and to communicate with the system. These hardware registration inputs may be entered by host 92 by inspecting the user's hardware and entering information into personal computer 44 that is connected to registration process 98 that registers the user and hardware. This hardware may include a headset, as described in U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/910,804, an off-the-shelf headset, a Bluetooth earpiece receiver, or a Smartphone configured to send and receive information between the user and the system 90 , or configured to receive audio that corresponds to the displayed channel and to play that audio to the user. Other hardware may also be registered and used. After hardware registration, the information is stored in a registered device table 100 , which is a database that includes information for each registered user, for example, the display the user is currently watching, and an identification number such as a MAC address for user devices such as the headset, Smartphone, or Bluetooth device used by the user. This registration may be done electronically by identifying previously registered users and hardware and reactivating the hardware when it is within range of system 90 .
[0043] The host 92 may also use personal computer 44 to update policy information 94 , which is stored in a policy database 96 . The policy database includes information that identifies displays controlled under system 90 and how these displays may be interacted with. Policy database 96 also contains individual user parameters, preferences, and limitations concerning a user's interaction with system 90 , for example, if the user is temporarily blocked from attempting to change a channel because of too many attempts to change the channel within a certain period of time. Policy information may also identify initial assignments of channels to display devices and identify channels that can never be changed by users, for example, having a 24 hour cable news channel always displayed on a dedicated news display.
[0044] When a user 112 sends a command to system 90 , for example, to change the channel, to adjust audio volume, or respond to a vote to change the channel, this request is received by the “Receive User Command” module 108 . The received user commands are then passed to the “Process Command” module 102 that determines if the user command is allowable given the policies from database 96 and the information in the registered device table 100 . If the command is allowable, then appropriate instructions are sent out via the “send instructions to STB” module 104 to a multi-tuner set top box 28 or a traditional set top box 30 . Examples of these commands range from changing the channel on a display to placing a watermark image over a display to show how many people are watching the display. Instructions may also be sent to the “send instructions to users” module 106 . This module will communicate directly with users, for example, to reply to a user's request to change the channel on the display or to indicate to a user which display to look at to view the channel the user wishes to view.
[0045] The system 90 also interacts with the receiving device 40 that identifies the display devices that each user is looking at. The receiving device is further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804. The information received from receiving device 40 , for example, includes the identifier of each display device and identification of the user that is watching each display device. This information is stored and regularly updated in the registered device table 100 .
[0046] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram 1050 describing one non-limiting embodiment of a portion of a method for implementing a conditional access device 42 at a sports bar, in particular registering the user and the user's devices with the system and managing the user's display-viewing experience. At 150 , the process starts. At step 152 , the user checks in with the host 47 at the sports bar to register the user's equipment, such as headset, Bluetooth earpiece, or Smartphone with the conditional access device 42 . This registration enables the user to select one of several displays to view, to listen to programming on the selected display, and to attempt to change the channel on the selected display. At step 154 , if the user and the hardware are already registered, then the process moves to step 170 . Otherwise, at step 156 if the user has their own hardware, then at step 158 the host registers the user's hardware with the conditional access device 42 . In another embodiment, the host may provide the user with all the necessary hardware to view the different display devices within the sports bar. At step 160 , the user's face is photographed and used by the receiving device 40 to identify where each user is and which device the user is looking at, which is explained more fully in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804. At step 164 the user's devices are registered with the conditional access device 42 , which will enable the user to receive audio through the user's hardware and also to send commands and receive messages from the conditional access device. At step 168 , user permissions are set with the system. This step may be done with the assistance of the host, who enters in specific permissions based on characteristics of the user, for example, if the user is a regular patron of the sports bar, or if the user belongs to a special group like a sports team fan club or fantasy sports league member. In other embodiments, such as a family restaurant, headsets and other hardware given to children may have the ability to change the channel turned off because children may not understand how this works and may disrupt the normal flow of viewing within the restaurant.
[0047] At step 170 , the user enters the establishment, here the sports bar. At step 172 , the user, once inside the sports bar, looks around at different displays to select the display the user wants to watch. By looking at a particular display, the user is able to select it for watching as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804. At step 174 , if the user would like to watch a channel, without specifically requesting that the channel on the selected display be changed, the user can request that the system show what channels are playing on which displays by signaling for a channel change step 176 . This request may take the form of a gesture such as a head nod or movement that is detected by, for example, an accelerometer in the user's headset or picked up visually through a camera either in the receiving device 40 a or the user's Smartphone that is registered with the conditional access device 42 , selecting a button in the users headset, or communicating with the conditional access device 42 via the user's Smartphone. When the system receives this request, then at step 178 the system will notify the user of what channels are currently playing on which displays within the sports bar. The system may do this in a number of ways. One example is to show a watermark image on each display showing the channel being displayed and the number of users in the room currently viewing the display. In another example, the system sends the viewing information to the user's Smartphone where the user can view the display devices and the channels being shown on them. In another example, the system provides audio feedback to the user through the user's headphones describing what channel is playing on which display device. The identification of the display device can be accomplished by giving a specific device identifier, such as “display 1 ” or “the upper left display on the main screen.” In addition, the system may identify the display relative to the location of the user, for example, “the display to your left” or “the display directly behind you.” In an alternative embodiment, the user may inform the system, through button presses, gestures, or via the user's Smartphone, that the user wants to watch a specific channel. In response to this request, the system may inform the user of the locations of one or more displays where the channel is being shown, and if the channel is not being shown, direct the user to a display that is not being watched so that the user can change the channel of that display to the desired channel.
[0048] At step 180 , if the user wants to change the channel on a selected display, the process will go through a series of steps involving voting to change the channel 182 described in diagram 1060 in FIG. 7 . Otherwise, the user will continue to watch the channel on the display until the user selects a different display. At step 184 , if the user is through watching displays, then at step 186 the user deregisters the device by either's pushing a button or making a gesture and returns hardware to the host and the process ends 188 . Alternatively, if the registered hardware belongs to the user, in some embodiments the user would just leave the establishment, which would cause the user and hardware to be deregistered from the system.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram 1060 describing one non-limiting embodiment of a portion of a process for implementing a user request to change the channel on a display device using conditional access device 42 . At 190 , the process starts. At 192 , the user selects a display to view as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/910,804. At step 194 , the user requests that the channel on the selected display be changed. This may be done in a number of different ways including through selecting a button on the user's headset device, making a gesture that is recorded by an accelerometer or by a video camera, or by inputting the request into the user's Smartphone device. In other embodiments, the user may speak the request into a microphone where a voice recognition application determines the request to change the channel. At step 196 , if the channel on the display is not locked, then the process flow proceeds to step 204 . A display device may be locked, for example, if the host at the sports bar knows that many patrons would like to watch a particular game, the host may set the channel on several displays to the channel showing the game and lock the channel on those displays from being changed. If the channel on the display is locked, then at step 198 the user is notified, for example, by an audio message sent to the user's headphones or a text message sent to the user's Smartphone. Then at step 200 , the system will direct the user to another display showing the requested channel, or to an unwatched display on which the user can change the channel. The user may be directed by the system to the display by using audio, for example, “the channel you are requesting is being shown on the display to your left,” “your channel is on display 5 ,” or “the channel you requested is now being shown on display 2 .” In some embodiments, the audio will continue to direct the user to the correct display until the user looks at it. In other embodiments, directions to view the correct display may be sent to the user's Smartphone as text directions, or as an arrow on the Smartphone's screen pointing to the display where the user should look.
[0050] At step 204 the system determines whether anyone else is watching the display. If there is no one else watching the display, then at step 206 the channel on the display is changed, the user is notified; and the process returns to step 220 . Otherwise, if there are other people watching the display then at step 208 the system checks to see if there are a threshold number of users that are watching the display. There may be a large number of users in the room, over a threshold number, who are watching a particular display because it is showing the end of a close football game, or a popular television series. When the number of viewers exceeds a threshold for a display, the system treats that display as locked so that the large number of viewers are not disturbed by an individual user requesting to change the channel. If there are a threshold number of users watching a display, then the channel is not changed and the process goes to step 209 where the user is notified that too many people are watching the display for the display to be changed, and the user is returned to step 220 .
[0051] Otherwise, if there are fewer than a threshold number of users watching a particular display, then at step 210 a democratic process of voting for the channel change among all users watching the display is initiated. In one embodiment, each of the users viewing the display are notified that one of the viewers wishes to change the channel on the display. This notification may take the form of a watermark message appearing on the display, an audio notification sent to each user, or a message sent to each user's Smartphone, informing them of the channel change request and asking them to vote on whether they approve or disapprove of the change. Users may vote in a number of ways, including through gestures, through button presses on headphone sets, through speaking into a microphone or through responding over their Smartphones. At step 212 , if the users viewing the display approve, then at step 218 the channel is changed and the users are notified and at step 220 the process returns. If users viewing a display do not approve of the channel change, then the channel is not changed. At this point, the system may check if the user requesting the channel change is inappropriately repeating the request. At step 214 the system determines whether the user has tried changing the channel too many times. For example, the system may have a threshold value for the number of unsuccessful consecutive attempts to change the channel allowed by a user within a given period or a threshold value for how many requests could be allowed for a given time period. At step 216 , if the user has exceeded this channel changing threshold the system will lock the user out and prevent the user from changing channels for a set time period. At step 220 , the process returns.
[0052] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.
[0053] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.
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Systems and methods are provided enable multiple users who are in an area containing multiple display devices presenting audiovisual content to easily change the channel on a selected display device by using a conditional access device to arbitrate the channel-changing requests in an organized and fair way.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a wire rope construction in which the wire rope is made of an independent wire rope core (IWRC) around which are laid a plurality of outer wire strands which may be plastic filled. More particularly, the invention provides a wire rope in which the outer wires of both the IWRC and of the outer strands are galvanized, while the remaining wires remain bright (i.e. clean).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to galvanize wires in stranded wire products as well as cables to provide protection against corrosion. Sometimes, this is supplemented by additional corrosion resistant coatings as disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,814.
It is also known to use galvanized wires in some plastic impregnated wire ropes as disclosed in applicant's own Canadian Patent No. 1,305,597. Galvanized wire is, however, seldom used in wire rope because of the additional cost involved and because of the rather limited protection against corrosion that it provides when it is not provided with additional anti-corrosive coatings as mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, it was surprisingly found that considerable increase in the life of the wire rope may be obtained when only the outer wires of the IWRC and of the outer strands are galvanized, while keeping the remaining wires bright, namely as regular non-galvanized steel wires. Such construction was found to increase the cost of the wire rope by less than 15%, while increasing its fatigue life by more than 30%.
Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a wire rope comprising an independent wire rope core, the outer wires of which are galvanized wires, and a plurality of strands laid around said core in which the outer wires are galvanized wires, while the remaining wires within the independent wire rope core and the outer strands remain bright wires.
The reason for the improvement in the fatigue life of the wire rope galvanized in accordance with the present invention is believed to be due to the fact that when such wire rope is subjected to working conditions, it will be the galvanized wire that will contact each other most and their galvanization will protect the making steel surfaces from contact abrasion to a far greater extend than if the outer wires were non-galvanized or bright.
In a further embodiment, in addition to the outer wires of the IWRC core, the outer wires of any internal strands of the core may also be galvanized since during working of the wire rope, they may also come into contact with the outer wires of the other strands of the IWRC wound around them.
Thus, in essence, the present invention may include any wire rope construction where the outer wires of any or all strands that come into contact with each other while the wire rope is in operation, are galvanized so as to protect them from contact abrasion. It should be noted that the term “galvanized” includes any type of coating of the wires with zinc or zinc alloys, such as Galfan™, for the purpose of protecting them from contact abrasion.
Such wire ropes may be either regular type ropes, which are lubricated with a typical lubricant used in wire ropes, such as an asphaltic base lubricant, or they may be either fully or partially plastic filled or impregnated ropes as disclosed, for instance, in applicant's Canadian patent No. 1,208,863 or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,120,145 or 4,202,164.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a regular type wire rope in which the outer wires of the IWRC and of the surrounding strands are galvanized;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a wire rope with a plastic impregnated IWRC, in which the outer wires of the IWRC and of the surrounding strands are galvanized;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a plastic impregnated wire rope where plastic impregnation extends from the IWRC to the outer periphery of the rope, and in which the outer wires of the IWRC and of the surrounding strands are galvanized;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a fully plastic impregnated wire rope where the plastic penetrates all the way into the IWRC and in which the outer wires of the IWRC and of the surrounding strands are galvanized; and
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the average fatigue life of the wire rope illustrated in FIG. 4 as compared with the same rope which has no galvanized wires in it.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, the same features are identified by the same reference numbers.
Referring to FIG. 1 , it illustrates a regular wire rope 10 with an IWRC around which are laid outer strands 12 . This wire rope is lubricated with an asphaltic lubricant 14 both within the IWRC and between the IWRC and the outer strands. According to the present invention, the outer wires of the outer strands 12 and the outer wires 18 of the IWRC are galvanized steel wires, whereas the remaining wires remain standard type steel wires which are also called bright wires. In a further embodiment of the invention, the outer wires 19 of the middle strand within the IWRC may also be galvanized wires.
Referring to FIG. 2 , it illustrates a wire rope 10 in which the IWRC 11 is encapsulated with a plastic material 20 . The core itself is lubricated with a standard lubricant 14 and the outer strands are wound around the IWRC and pressed into the plastic surrounding the core. This type of wire rope is called Cushion Core®. According to the invention, the outer wires 16 of the outer strands 12 and the outer wires 18 of the IWRC 11 are made of galvanized wires. In a further embodiment of the invention, the outer wires 19 of the middle strand within the IWRC may also be galvanized wires.
In FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a plastic impregnated wire rope 10 where the plastic material 20 penetrates up to the IWRC 11 , but not within the IWRC itself, which is merely lubricated with lubricant 14 . The outer strands are also lubricated therewithin with lubricant 14 . According to the invention, the outer wires 16 of the outer strands and the outer wires 18 of the IWRC are made of galvanized steel wires. In a further embodiment of the invention, the outer wires 19 of the middle strand within the IWRC may also be galvanized wires.
In FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a fully plastic filled wire rope 10 which is also called Cushion Rope®. In this rope, the plastic material impregnates the entire rope, including the IWRC. According to the invention, the outer wires 16 of the outer strands 12 and the outer wires 18 of the IWRC are made of galvanized steel wires, while the remaining wires remain bright. This particular rope was subjected to a fatigue bend-over-sheave test. The rope used was a 1¾″ (43.75 mm) 8×37 rope with a right length lay (RLL). The sheave diameter D to the rope diameter d ratio was D/d=25 and the test load was 85,800 lbs (38,610 kg). The standard polypropylene filled wire rope using bright wires, namely Cushion Rope® (CR) resulted in 150,000 bending cycles until strand failure was recorded, whereas the same wire rope with galvanized outers in the core and the outer strands, resulted in 200,389 cycles before failure in the strands was detected. Thus, the rope in accordance with the present invention, having galvanized outer wires in the IWRC and in the outer strands produced an increase of 34% in the average fatigue life of the rope. This is illustrated by the graph shown in FIG. 5 . As already previously mentioned, it is believed that the reason for this is that when the rope is subjected to working conditions, it is the outer wires of the outer strands and the outer wires of the IWRC that will get into steel-to-steel contact and this produces wear and abrasion which speed up the conditions that lead to the rope failure. If these outer wires are protected by galvanization, this creates a barrier that protects these mating steel surfaces from contact abrasion, and thus the fatigue life of the wire rope is significantly extended. In a further embodiment of the invention, the outer wires 19 of the first layer of strands directly under the outer layer of the IWRC strands may also be galvanized and further the outer wires 21 of the middle strand of the IWRC may equally be galvanized so as to reduce to the greatest possible extent contact abrasion between such wires without galvanizing all the wires within the rope.
It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated herein, and various modifications obvious to those skilled in the art may be made without departing from the invention and the scope of the following claims.
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A wire rope which has an independent wire rope core (IWRC) and outer strands laid around the core. This wire rope has an improved fatigue life when the outer wires of the core and of the outer strands are galvanized. The wire rope may be either fully or partially impregnated with plastic, if desired.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to method and apparatus for testing a memory having plural memory cells and plural address latches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been long recognized as desirable to provide built-in self test circuitry on a VLSI memory chip.
Such circuitry uses an algorithm such as the March test in which information is sequentially written to all of the memory cells of the array or of a section of the array, followed by reading the information, again in a sequence. Such algorithms typically require traversing the memory in the forward sequence for a number of times and then traversing the memory one or more times in a reverse sequence.
Circuitry for generating the address sequences in the prior art is inefficient partly because of the need to provide extra dedicated test circuitry for sequencing, and also because it is necessary to couple this sequencing circuitry into the conventional addressing circuitry used in the normal operating mode.
It would be desirable to provide sequencing circuitry which occupied less chip area than in the prior art and which was easier to couple into the conventional addressing circuitry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a test circuit for a memory having plural memory cells and plural address latches responsive to addressing circuitry for reading from or writing to said memory cells in a normal mode, said test circuit having first connecting circuitry for connecting said address latches to form a linear feedback shift register, said linear feedback shift register being responsive to a clock signal to provide a first sequence of addresses for testing said memory in a test mode.
Preferably said linear feedback shift register is configured such that said first address sequence addresses substantially all of said memory cells.
Preferably said test circuit further comprises second connection circuitry for connecting said address latches to form a second linear feedback shift register responsive to said clock signal to provide a second sequence of addresses wherein said second sequence is the reverse of said first sequence.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of testing a memory having plural memory cells and plural address latches responsive to addressing circuitry for reading from or writing to said memory cells in a normal mode comprising:
connecting said address latches to form a linear feedback shift register;
clocking said linear feedback shift register to provide a first sequence of addresses;
using said first sequence of addresses to address said memory cells for testing thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with respect to the following drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a memory circuit including a test circuit in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a partial circuit diagram of a test circuit in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a first linear feedback shift register useful in understanding the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a second linear feedback shift register useful in understanding the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows the logic states achievable by the shift register of FIG. 3, in sequence and;
FIG. 6 shows the logic states achievable by the shift register of FIG. 4, in sequence.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the various figures like reference numerals refer to like parts.
Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a memory array 1 has a matrix 30 of memory cells, access to which is provided in normal operation via address latches 10 over plural address lines 11 . The memory is an SRAM (static random access memory) but the invention is equally applicable to dynamic access random access memories (DRAM).
The latches are clocked by a synchronous clock on line 13 .
Conventionally, an address control and decoder circuit 20 is connected to the cell matrix via a control line 22 and to the address latches via an output line. In the present invention, connect circuitry 40 is provided which allows the address latches to be connected together to function as conventional address latches in a normal mode but also to be connected together to form a linear feedback shift register arrangement in a test mode. The connector circuitry 40 thus receives the output line 21 from the address control and decoder circuit 20 . The connect circuitry also receives a control input 12 which in a first state causes the connect circuitry to configure the latches as conventional address latches and in an opposite state connects the latches to form the above-described shift register. Before referring to FIG. 2 linear feedback shift registers will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
A first linear feedback shift register 100 will be described with respect to FIG. 3 . The shift register consists of four synchronous latches 101 - 104 , having outputs 101 a - 104 a , connected in series, with the input to the first latch 101 provided by the output of an exclusive OR 105 whose two inputs are derived respectively from the output 101 a of the first latch 101 and the output 104 a of the fourth latch 104 . In operation, a logic 1 at the input to a respective latch will progress to the output of that latch upon a clock pulse transition, the presence of a logic 1 or 0 at the input to the first latch 101 being determined according to whether the output of the first latch differs in logic state from the output of the fourth latch or whether the two outputs are the same.
FIG. 5 shows a sequence of logic states which are provided by the outputs 101 a - 104 a of the linear feedback shift register 100 and it will be noted that all of these states from 15 to 1 are covered.
It will be further noted that the linear feedback shift register 100 does not pass through the logic state 0000 .
A second linear feedback shift register 200 will now be described with respect to FIG. 4 . The second linear feedback shift register 200 also has four synchronous latches and an exclusive OR gate but the interconnections are different to those of the first feedback shift register 100 described with respect to FIG. 3 . The left hand most latch 201 has an input derived from the output of the second latch 202 and the output of the first latch 201 and of the second latch 202 form the inputs to the exclusive OR gate 205 . The output of the exclusive OR gate 205 provides the input to the fourth latch 204 whose output in turn provides the input to the third latch 203 . The output of the third latch 203 provides the input to the second latch 202 . Referring now to FIG. 6, a sequence of states provided by the outputs 201 a - 204 a of the second linear feedback shift register 200 is shown, starting as in Table 1 from the state 1111 .
Comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 shows that the sequence of FIG. 6 is the reverse of that shown in FIG. 5 .
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the configuration of the linear feedback shift register shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is appropriate only for a four bit shift register; where higher number of bits are required, as will be the case in most memories, different configurations of latches, logic gates and taps will be provided using known design techniques.
FIG. 2 shows four synchronous latches 301 - 304 . The input to the first latch 301 is provided by the output of a four input multiplexer 311 , that to second latch 302 is provided by a second four input multiplexer 312 , that to third latch 303 by third four input multiplexer 313 and that to the fourth latch 304 is provided a fourth four input multiplexer 314 . A first input 311 a , 312 a , 313 a , 314 a of each multiplexer is connected to an address input terminal 400 . The second input 311 b of the first multiplexer 311 is connected to the output of the second latch 302 . The second input 312 b of the second multiplexer 312 is connected to the output of the third latch 303 and the second input 313 b of the third multiplexer 313 is connected to the output of the fourth latch 304 . A first exclusive OR gate 320 receives a first input from the output of the first latch 301 and a second input from the output of the second latch 302 . The output of the first exclusive OR gate 320 provides the second input 314 b of the fourth multiplexer 314 d.
A second exclusive OR gate 330 has one input connected to the output of the first latch 301 and a second input connected to the output of the fourth latch 304 . The output of the second exclusive OR gate provides the third input 311 c of the first multiplexer 311 . The third inputs 312 c , 313 c , and 314 c of the second, third and fourth multiplexers are provided by the outputs of the respective immediately preceding latch 301 , 302 , and 303 . The fourth input 311 d , 312 d , 313 d , and 314 d are connected in common and to the output 360 of a control circuit 361 . The latches 301 - 304 each have a respective output 301 d - 304 d.
As known to those skilled in the art, each multiplexer receives a control signal at a control input 500 and according to the state of the control signal the output of the multiplexer is connected to one of the first, second, third or fourth inputs of the multiplexer in question. In the present case a single control signal is provided to all of the multiplexers.
Comparison of the shift register arrangement shown in FIG. 2 with that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 shows that in a first condition in which the third input to each multiplexer is provided as its respective output, it will be seen that the circuit corresponds to that shown in FIG. 3 . In a second state in which each multiplexer is provided with the signal at its second input as its output, the circuit of FIG. 2 corresponds to that described with respect to FIG. 4 .
As noted previously with respect to the discussion of FIGS. 3 and 4, the linear feedback shift register circuit is not capable of assuming the 11000011 state. To overcome this problem, so that the linear feedback shift register circuitry of FIG. 2 can include all 16 output states, the control circuitry 361 outputs onto the fourth input of each multiplexer a logical 0 when it detects in test mode that the four address outputs are about to assume logical 1. At that time, the control input to the multiplexers is set to supply the fourth multiplexer input to the output of the multiplexer so that upon the next clock transition each of the latches 301 - 4 are set to logic 0. It will be understood that this all zeros condition results in a lock up of the shift register which must therefore be reset to a suitable value from which it can proceed, in this case an all one's state.
In the normal operational mode, the first inputs 400 are set to the relevant address supplied by the address control and decoder circuitry 20 and upon the next clock transition, the latches 301 - 4 provide at their outputs the corresponding address. When it is desired to provide the built-in self test (BIST) function the control input 12 which provides the control to the multiplexer 311 - 314 , sets the multiplexers to output either their second, third or respectively fourth inputs depending upon whether the output sequence is desired in one sense, or the opposite sense. As noted above, while the multiplexers pass their third inputs as their outputs, the address outputs of the latches sequence in a first direction to cover all of the memory addresses save the “ 0000 ” address, this being supplied by the fourth input 360 . When the multiplexer pass their second inputs as their outputs, the address outputs sequence through in the reverse sense.
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A test circuit for memory having plural memory cells and address latches responsive to addressing circuitry for reading/writing to said memory cells in a normal mode, has first connecting circuitry for connecting the address latches to form a linear feedback shift register. The linear feedback shift register is responsive to a clock signal to provide a sequence of addresses for testing the memory in a test mode.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for depositing and reflowing solder paste on a microelectronic workpiece.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Microelectronic devices are used in cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants, computers and many other products. A packaged microelectronic device can include a microelectronic die, an interposer substrate or lead frame attached to the die, and a molded casing around the die. The microelectronic die generally has an integrated circuit and a plurality of bond-pads coupled to the integrated circuit. The bond-pads are coupled to terminals on the interposer substrate or lead frame. The interposer substrate can also include ball-pads coupled to the terminals by traces in a dielectric material. An array of solder balls is configured so that each solder ball contacts a corresponding ball-pad to define a “ball-grid” array. Packaged microelectronic devices with ball-grid arrays generally have lower profiles and higher pin counts than conventional chip packages that use a lead frame.
[0003] Packaged microelectronic devices are typically made by (a) forming a plurality of dies on a semiconductor wafer, (b) cutting the wafer to singulate the dies, (c) attaching individual dies to an interposer substrate, (d) wire-bonding the bond-pads to the terminals of the interposer substrate, and (e) encapsulating the dies with a molding compound. It is time consuming and expensive to mount individual dies to interposer substrates. Also it is time consuming and expensive to wire-bond the bond-pads to the interposer substrate and then encapsulate the individual dies. Therefore, packaging processes have become a significant factor in producing semiconductor and other microelectronic devices.
[0004] Another process for packaging devices is wafer-level packaging. In wafer-level packaging, a plurality of dies is formed on a wafer and then a redistribution layer is formed on top of the dies. The redistribution layer has a dielectric layer, a plurality of ball-pad arrays on the dielectric layer, and traces coupled to individual ball-pads of the ball-pad arrays. Each ball-pad array is arranged over a corresponding die, and the ball-pads in each array are coupled to corresponding bond-pads on a die by the traces in the redistribution layer. After forming the redistribution layer on the wafer, a highly accurate stenciling machine deposits discrete blocks of solder paste onto the ball-pads of the redistribution layer to form solder balls.
[0005] The stenciling machine generally has a stencil and a wiper mechanism. The stencil has a plurality of holes configured in a pattern corresponding to the ball-pads on the redistribution layer. The wiper mechanism has a wiper blade attached to a movable wiper head that moves the wiper blade across the top surface of the stencil. In operation, a volume of solder paste is placed on top of the stencil along one side of the pattern of holes. A first microelectronic workpiece is then pressed against the bottom of the stencil and the wiper blade is moved across the stencil to drive the solder paste through the holes and onto the first microelectronic workpiece. The solder paste deposited on the microelectronic workpiece forms small solder paste bricks on each ball-pad. The first microelectronic workpiece is then removed from the bottom of the stencil, and the process is repeated for other microelectronic workpieces that have the same pattern of ball-pads.
[0006] After forming the solder paste bricks on the ball-pads, the microelectronic workpiece is transferred to a reflow oven. The entire microelectronic workpiece is heated in the oven to reflow the solder (i.e., to vaporize the flux and form solder balls from the solder paste bricks). The reflow process creates both a mechanical and electrical connection between each solder ball and the corresponding ball-pad after the reflowed solder has cooled and solidified.
[0007] Conventional solder printing equipment and processes, however, have several drawbacks. For example, after the microelectronic workpiece is removed from the stencil, residual solder paste may remain in the holes of the stencil. The residual solder paste can cause inconsistencies in the size and shape of the deposited solder paste bricks. For example, when the process is repeated with residual solder paste in the holes, an insufficient volume of solder paste may be placed onto the ball-pads of the subsequent microelectronic workpiece. This may create solder balls that are too small for attachment to another device. Additionally, the volume of the residual solder paste may vary across the stencil. This results in different sizes of solder paste bricks across the workpiece, which produces different sizes of solder balls.
[0008] Another drawback of conventional processes is that solder paste can be smeared while the microelectronic workpiece is moved from the stenciling machine to the reflow oven. Even if the solder paste is not smeared, when the pitch between the solder paste bricks is small, the solder paste on several ball-pads may bridge together after the microelectronic workpiece is removed from the stencil. Accordingly, a new stenciling machine and a new method for applying solder paste to microelectronic workpieces is needed to improve wafer level packaging processes.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention is directed to stenciling machines and methods for forming solder balls on microelectronic workpieces. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for depositing and reflowing solder paste on a microelectronic workpiece having a plurality of microelectronic dies. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a stencil having a plurality of apertures at least proximate to the workpiece and placing discrete masses of solder paste into the apertures. The method further includes reflowing the discrete masses of solder paste while the stencil is positioned at least proximate to the workpiece and while the discrete masses are in the apertures. In one aspect of this embodiment, the discrete masses of solder paste can be placed into the apertures and proximate to bond-pads of the dies or ball-pads in or on a redistribution layer of the microelectronic workpiece. In a further aspect of this embodiment, reflowing the solder paste can include heating the solder paste with infrared light, a laser, a gas, or another device to reflow the solder paste. The heating device can be movable relative to the stencil or stationary, such as a heating device having heating elements in the stencil or in a microelectronic workpiece holder.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for forming solder balls on the microelectronic workpiece includes placing solder paste into the plurality of apertures in the stencil. The apertures in the stencil are aligned with corresponding ball-pads or bond-pads of the microelectronic workpiece. The method further includes forming solder balls within the apertures and on the ball-pads or bond-pads. In a further aspect of this embodiment, forming solder balls can include heating the solder paste in the apertures through convection. In another aspect of this embodiment, placing solder paste can include wiping solder paste across the stencil in a first direction to press discrete portions of the solder paste into the apertures. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the method can also include separating the microelectronic workpiece from the stencil after forming the solder balls.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a stenciling machine for depositing and reflowing solder paste on the microelectronic workpiece. In one embodiment, the stenciling machine includes a heater for reflowing the solder paste, a stencil having a plurality of apertures, and a controller operatively coupled to the heater and the stencil. The controller has a computer-readable medium containing instructions to perform any one of the above-mentioned methods. In one aspect of this embodiment, the heater can include an infrared light source, a laser source, or a gas source. In another aspect of this embodiment, the heater can be movable relative to the stencil, such as movable laterally over the top surface of the stencil. Moreover, the heater can include elements that are stationary, such as heating elements that are positioned in the workpiece holder or in the stencil. In another aspect of this embodiment, the machine can also include a wiper to force solder paste into the apertures in the stencil.
[0012] In another embodiment, a stenciling machine includes a stencil having a plurality of holes and a moveable wiper configured to move a mass of solder paste across the stencil. The moveable wiper is also configured to press discrete portions of the mass of solder paste into the holes and onto the microelectronic workpiece. The machine further includes a heating means for reflowing the discrete portions of solder paste in the plurality holes and on the microelectronic workpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] [0013]FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine depositing solder paste onto a microelectronic workpiece in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] [0014]FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stenciling machine of FIG. 1A having a heat source in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0015] [0015]FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microelectronic workpiece including the attached solder balls after removing the stencil.
[0016] [0016]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine having a heat source in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0017] [0017]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine having a heat source in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine depositing solder paste onto a microelectronic workpiece in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0019] [0019]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a stenciling machine in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description is directed toward microelectronic workpieces and methods for forming solder balls on microelectronic workpieces. The term “microelectronic workpiece” is used throughout to include substrates upon which and/or in which microelectronic devices, micromechanical devices, data storage elements, and other features are fabricated. For example, microelectronic workpieces can be semiconductor wafers, glass substrates, insulative substrates, or many other types of substrates. Many specific details of several embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to microelectronic workpieces having microelectronic dies and in some applications redistribution layers to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will thus understand that the invention may have other embodiments with additional elements or without several of the elements described in this section.
[0021] A. Environment
[0022] [0022]FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine 180 for depositing solder paste 140 onto a microelectronic workpiece 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The microelectronic workpiece 100 can include a substrate 108 having a plurality of microelectronic devices and a redistribution layer 120 formed on the substrate 108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the microelectronic devices are microelectronic dies 110 . Each microelectronic die 110 can have an integrated circuit 111 (shown schematically) and a plurality of bond-pads 112 coupled to the integrated circuit 111 . The redistribution layer 120 provides an array of ball-pads for coupling the bond-pads 112 on the microelectronic die 110 to another type of device such as a printed circuit board. The redistribution layer 120 has a dielectric layer 121 with a first surface 126 facing away from the dies 110 and a second surface 127 adjacent to the dies 110 . The redistribution layer 120 also has a plurality of ball-pads 122 and a plurality of traces 124 in or on the dielectric layer 121 . The ball-pads 122 are arranged in ball-pad arrays relative to the dies 110 such that each die 110 has a corresponding array of ball-pads 122 . The traces 124 couple the bond-pads 112 on the microelectronic dies 110 to corresponding ball-pads 122 in the ball-pad arrays.
[0023] The stenciling machine 180 in the illustrated embodiment includes a stencil 130 , a wiper assembly 150 , and a controller 102 operatively coupled to the stencil 130 and the wiper assembly 150 . The stencil 130 has a plurality of apertures 132 arranged in a pattern to correspond to the ball-pads 122 on the microelectronic workpiece 100 . More specifically, each aperture 132 in the stencil 130 is arranged so as to align with a particular ball-pad 122 in the redistribution layer 120 . The stencil 130 also includes a first surface 134 , a second surface 136 opposite the first surface 134 , a first end 137 , and a second end 138 opposite the first end 137 . The stencil 130 has a thickness T from the first surface 134 to the second surface 136 that corresponds with a desired thickness of a solder paste brick on each ball-pad. The wiper assembly 150 can include an actuator 152 and a blade 154 coupled to the actuator 152 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 152 moves the blade 154 across the stencil 130 from the first end 137 to the second end 138 to drive a solder paste 140 into the apertures 132 . In other embodiments, other stenciling machines can be used, such as machines that use print heads or pins to deposit the solder paste into apertures in a stencil.
[0024] B. Depositing Solder Paste
[0025] In operation, the controller 102 moves the microelectronic workpiece 100 to press the first surface 126 of the redistribution layer 120 against the second surface 136 of the stencil 130 . Each aperture 132 in the stencil 130 is positioned over a corresponding ball-pad 122 on the microelectronic workpiece 100 . A large volume of the solder paste 140 is on the first surface 134 at the first end 137 of the stencil 130 . Next, the wiper assembly 150 moves across the first surface 134 of the stencil 130 in a direction D 1 from the first end 137 to the second end 138 . The wiper blade 154 presses a portion of solder paste 140 into the apertures 132 to form solder paste bricks 142 on the ball-pads 122 . The wiper 154 sweeps the remaining solder paste 140 to the second end 138 of the stencil 130 .
[0026] C. Forming Solder Balls
[0027] [0027]FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stenciling machine 180 of FIG. 1A having a heat source 290 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The heat source 290 is operatively coupled to the controller 102 to reflow the solder paste 140 in the apertures 132 of the stencil 130 before separating the stencil 130 from the workpiece 100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 290 moves laterally in the direction D 1 across the stencil 130 over the first surface 134 from the first end 137 to the second end 138 . As the heat source 290 moves over each aperture 132 , the solder paste 140 is reflowed in the aperture 132 . More specifically, the heat source 290 heats the solder paste 140 , vaporizes the flux, and melts the solder. In one aspect of this embodiment, the heat source 290 heats the solder to at least approximately 200° C. In other embodiments, the heat source 290 heats and melts the solder at a temperature less than 200° C. The molten solder naturally forms into spherically shaped balls on the ball-pads 122 of the microelectronic workpiece 100 because of the surface tension of the molten solder. After the heat source 290 moves past the apertures 132 , the molten solder cools and solidifies into solder balls 240 . The wetting characteristics between the molten solder and the ball-pads 122 causes the solder balls 240 to form on top of the ball-pads 122 creating a mechanical and electrical connection between the solder balls 240 and the ball-pads 122 .
[0028] In one embodiment, the stencil 130 can be made of a nonwettable material, such as Kapton® manufactured by DuPont, so that the molten solder does not stick to the sidewalls 233 of the apertures 132 . The non-wetting aspect of the stencil 130 further forces the molten solder into sphere-like balls or other solder elements on top of the ball-pads 122 . The particular material for the stencil, therefore, should be selected so that the stencil resists wetting by a liquid state of the solder material. As such, materials other than Kapton®) can be used for the stencil, such as any material that repels the liquid state of the solder material.
[0029] In other embodiments, the heat source 290 can follow the wiper assembly 150 (FIG. 1A) as it moves from the first end 137 of the stencil 130 to the second end 138 , or the heat source 290 can be stationary relative to the stencil 130 . In any of the foregoing embodiments, the heat source 290 can be a laser, an infrared light, a radiating element or other suitable heat sources. In other embodiments, the heat source 290 can heat the solder paste 140 by convection, such as by blowing a hot gas onto the solder paste 140 .
[0030] [0030]FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microelectronic workpiece 100 including the attached solder balls 240 after separating the workpiece 100 from the stencil 130 . After the solder balls 240 are formed on the ball-pads 122 in the reflow process, the microelectronic workpiece 100 is moved in a direction D 2 and released by the stencil 130 . Alternatively, the stencil 130 can be raised relative to the workpiece 100 . In either circumstance, the solder-balls 240 remain on the ball-pads 122 because the cross-sectional dimension of the solder-balls 240 is less than that of the apertures 132 in the stencil 130 . The solder-balls 240 are smaller than the apertures 132 because the flux in the solder paste bricks 142 (FIG. 1A) vaporizes during the reflow stage.
[0031] One advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that reflowing the solder paste 140 before disengaging the microelectronic workpiece 100 from the stencil 130 eliminates the problems that occur when residual solder paste remains in the apertures 132 of the stencil 130 . In the illustrated embodiments, no residual solder paste remains in the stencil 130 after reflow because the stencil 130 repels the molten solder, the reflow process reduces the volume of the solder by vaporizing the flux, and the molten solder naturally forms into the solder elements. Moreover, the solder-balls 240 are typically allowed to harden and adhere to the ball-pads 122 before the microelectronic workpiece 100 is separated from the stencil 130 . As such, neither the solder paste bricks 142 nor the solder-balls 240 remain attached to the stencil 130 after separating the stencil 130 from the workpiece 100 .
[0032] Another advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that solder paste bricks 142 will not be smeared or bridged on the workpiece 100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the solder paste 140 is formed into hardened solder balls 240 before the microelectronic workpiece 100 is removed from the stencil 130 . As such, no smearing or bridging occurs on the workpiece 100 . A further advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that stencil machines and reflow equipment are combined in a single machine to reduce the floor space for forming solder balls.
[0033] D. Alternate Embodiments
[0034] [0034]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine 380 having a heat source in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The stenciling machine 380 can include the controller 102 , the stencil 130 , and the wiper assembly 150 described above with reference to FIG. 1A. The stenciling machine 380 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a workpiece holder 382 having a plurality of heating elements 390 . The workpiece holder 382 is operatively coupled to the controller 102 and configured to secure the microelectronic workpiece 100 during the deposition and reflow of the solder paste. The heating elements 390 are positioned in the workpiece holder 382 proximate to the microelectronic workpiece 100 to heat and reflow the solder paste in the apertures 132 of the stencil 130 . The heating elements 390 heat the microelectronic dies 110 , which in turn heat the ball-pads 122 of the redistribution layer 120 . The heat is transferred from the ball-pads 122 to the solder paste to reflow the solder paste and form the solder balls 240 . The heating elements 390 can be resistance heaters, heat exchangers, or other devices to heat the workpiece holder 382 .
[0035] [0035]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine 480 having a heat source in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The stenciling machine 480 can include the controller 102 and the wiper assembly 150 described above with reference to FIG. 1A. The stenciling machine 480 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a stencil 430 having a plurality of apertures 132 and a plurality of heating elements 490 positioned proximate to the apertures 132 to reflow the solder paste 140 . Heat is transferred from the heating elements 490 to the solder paste through the sidewalls 233 of the apertures 132 by conduction and convection to reflow the solder paste and form solder balls 240 on the microelectronic workpiece 100 .
[0036] [0036]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stenciling machine 580 for depositing solder paste 140 onto a microelectronic workpiece 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The microelectronic workpiece 500 can include a substrate 508 having a plurality of microelectronic dies 510 which can be similar to the microelectronic dies 110 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 A- 3 . For example, each microelectronic die 510 can have an integrated circuit 511 (shown schematically) and a plurality of bond-pads 512 electrically coupled to the integrated circuit 511 .
[0037] The stenciling machine 580 of the illustrated embodiment can include the controller 102 , the wiper assembly 150 , and the heat source 290 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 A- 1 C. In other embodiments, other heat sources can be used, such as those described in FIGS. 2 - 3 . The stenciling machine 580 also includes a stencil 530 having a plurality of apertures 532 arranged in a pattern to correspond to the bond-pads 512 of the microelectronic workpiece 500 . In operation, the wiper assembly 150 of the stenciling machine 580 presses a portion of the solder paste 140 into the apertures 532 of the stencil 530 to form solder paste bricks 542 on the bond-pads 512 . Next, the heat source 290 can move over each aperture 532 to reflow the solder paste bricks 542 and form solder balls on the bond-pads 512 .
[0038] One advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that forming solder balls within the apertures of the stencil allows the microelectronic workpiece to have a fine pitch between the bond-pads or ball-pads. A fine pitch is permitted because the stencil separates the solder paste bricks on adjacent bond-pads or ball-pads and thus prevents smearing and bridging between the adjacent bricks before and during reflow. Accordingly, the fine pitch between the bond-pads or ball-pads of the microelectronic workpiece reduces the size of the microelectronic devices formed from the workpiece.
[0039] [0039]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a stenciling machine 680 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The stenciling machine 680 includes a housing 682 , a stencil 630 in the housing 680 , and a heat source 690 in the housing 680 . The stencil 630 and the heat source 690 can be similar or identical to any one the stencils 130 and 430 and the heat sources 290 , 390 and 490 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 A- 4 . For example, the stencil 630 can have a plurality of apertures arranged to align over the ball-pads of the microelectronic workpiece 100 , and the heat source 690 can heat and melt the solder paste bricks within the apertures of the stencil 630 to produce spherically shaped balls on the ball-pads of the microelectronic workpiece 100 . In other embodiments, the solder balls can be formed on the bond-pads of the microelectronic workpiece 500 described above with reference to FIG. 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the stencil machine 680 also includes a conveyor 650 having a first end 651 and a second end 652 opposite the first end 651 to move the microelectronic workpiece 100 within the housing 682 to and from the stencil 630 and the heat source 690 . In other embodiments of the invention, the housing 682 may not include the conveyor 650 .
[0040] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
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Stenciling machines and methods for forming solder balls on microelectronic-workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for depositing and reflowing solder paste on a microelectronic workpiece having a plurality of dies includes positioning a stencil having a plurality of apertures at least proximate to the workpiece. The method further includes placing discrete masses of solder paste into the apertures and reflowing the discrete masses of solder paste while the stencil is positioned at least proximate to the workpiece and while the discrete masses are in the apertures. In another embodiment of the invention, a stenciling machine for depositing and reflowing solder paste on the microelectronic workpiece includes a heater for reflowing the solder paste, a stencil having a plurality of apertures, and a controller operatively coupled to the heater and the stencil. The controller has a computer-readable medium containing instructions to perform the above-mentioned method.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cyano-(substituted) methylenepiperidinophenyl oxazolidinones having antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. While not being bound to any theory, it is thought that the antibacterial activity is based on the their ability to inhibit bacterial ribonucleoprotein through differential binding at single/multiple ribonucleoprotein sites. The invention also relates to processes for making the compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and to methods of using the compounds including treating bacterial infections with the compounds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oxazolidinones represent a novel chemical class of synthetic antimicrobial agents. Following a chequered historical development since about the early-1980s, a watershed event took place with the clinical development and release for medical use in the late 2000s of the first representative, Linezolid, of this class 1,2 This advance enabled the profiling of the unique properties of the members of this class, which is that they display activity against important Gram-positive human and veterinary pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and β-lactam resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). The oxazolidinones also show activity against Gram-negative aerobic bacteria and Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobes 3 .
[0003] The deficiencies of this class of oxazolidinones have also surfaced. They are inactive against Enterobacteriaceae 4 . They are generally bacteriostatic and do not display activity at a useful level against aerobic fastidious Gram-negative pathogens, as well as Gram-negative anaerobes. Moreover their potency for atypical respiratory pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticium and Chlamydia species is of a borderline range which could result into unacceptable clinical efficacy for the treatment of respiratory tract infections 3 .
[0004] Other limitations that have appeared through the clinical development studies and use of Linezolid and its potential successors in development are that the class has a propensity to induce myelosuppression with consequent thrombocytopenia 5 . Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by oxazolidinones has prompted a recommendation made to clinicians that clinical use of members of this class be done with caution during concomitant usage of adrenergic or serotonergic agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 6 .
[0005] Linezolid is shown to have two targets in cells for its inhibitory effects. It binds to the 50S subunit within domain V of the 23S or RNA peptidyl transferase center near the interface with the 30S subunit, thereby blocking the formation of the tMet-tRNA-ribosome-mRNA ternary complex. In addition, linezolid associates with the nascent 50S particle and stops the assembly process 7 .
[0006] Considering that the oxazolidinones are bacteriostatic, as indeed are most other agents that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis, there is a strong likelihood that resistance can emerge under selective pressure during therapy, specially for infections which require a bactericidal therapy to be used. The significant concern related to this class of antibacterials is attributed to this essentially bacteriostatic effect against their prime target pathogens such as staphylococci, enterococci and pneumococci. It is pertinent to quote from the Adis R&D Insight report (Document 013296 dated Dec. 27, 2001) that an oxazolidinone AZD 2563 under clinical development is described to be “ineffective against linezolid-resistant S. pneumoniae ”. This concern is further aggravated due to the recent reports of emergence of Linezolid-resistant strains of enterococci and staphylococci in clinics. In fact the first clinical isolates of E. faecium, E. faecalis and S. aureus resistant to linezolid have recently been described 8 . Also, resistant strains have been generated by serial passage techniques, the resistance being associated with specific mutations in the 23S rRNA gene 9 .
[0007] Our own studies have also led to the identification of novel Linezolid-resistant strains, an embodiment of this invention. It has been reported that in-vitro staphylococci and enterococci resistant to linezolid can be selected only with difficulty 8 , which through genome characterization studies have shown the resistance to be associated with specific mutations in the 23S rRNA nucleotide sequence. The linezolid-resistant strain of S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303 LR has guanine replacing adenine at the nucleotide position 2160 of 23S rRNA. Similarly, our Linezolid-resistant strains of S. aureus Smith & MRSA 032 have uracil replacing guanine at nucleotide position 2447. These three resistant mutants, harbouring changes in the molecular targets of linezolid, showed significant elevation of MIC values for Linezolid indicating the loss in affinity of the drug to its ribosomal targets.
[0008] “Fine tuning” of this class of agents to improve the affinity of its members for the ribosome at existing or altered single or multiple target sites is conceivable, resulting thereby in significantly increasing their potency, and in incorporating bactericidal activity against Linezolid-sensitive/-resistant strains.
[0009] The present invention describes a novel series of oxazolidinones which display increased potency, and incorporate bactericidal activity, in contrast to the earlier-described bacteriostatic activity, against Linezolid-sensitive/-resistant strains, thus indicating a differential binding at the conventional site/s of the ribonucleoprotein and/or targeting multiple such receptor sites. In addition, using comparative molecular field analysis 10 , a study of literature-described oxazolidinones and the novel compounds of the present invention has enabled the identification of newer/additional structural motifs of the oxazolidinone class, novel and non-obvious from the prior art, which support the activity against the Linezolid-sensitive/-resistant pathogens. There is no prior description of oxazolidinones displaying such bactericidal activity or useful activity against Linezolid-sensitive/-resistant or other oxazolidinone-resistant microbial pathogens.
[0010] The following publications may be referred to with respect to the statements made in the above-described background information.
[0011] [0011] 1 Slee AM, et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother (1987) 31:1791-1797;
[0012] [0012] 2 2 nd European Congress of Chemotherapy and 7 th Biennial Conference on Antiinfective Agents and Chemotherapy (Final Program), (1998): 93;
[0013] [0013] 3 Diekema D J et al., Lancet 2001; 358: 1975-82;
[0014] [0014] 4 Zhanel GG et al., Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2001, 12: 379-390;
[0015] [0015] 5 Kuter D J et al., Pharmacotherapy, 2001: 21: 1010-1030;
[0016] [0016] 6 Ament P W et al., Am Fam Physician 2002, 65: 663-70;
[0017] [0017] 7 Shinabarger D, Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs (1999) 8:1195-1202; Champrey W S et al., Curr. Microb. 2002, 44: 350-356;
[0018] [0018] 8 Zurenko GE et al, In 39 th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Washington DC, (1999) abstr. 848; Gonzales RD et al., Lancet 2001; 357:1179; Tsiodras S, et al., Lancet 2001; 358: 207-08;
[0019] [0019] 9 Swaney SM et al., In 38 th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Washington DC, (1998) abstr. C-104;
[0020] [0020] 10 Pae, A. N. et al, Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett., 1999, 9:2685-90.
[0021] After filing of our pending provisional U.S. application No. 60/395,164 methylenepiperidinyl and methylenepyrrolidinyl oxazolidinone antibacterial agents were described in Kim H Y et al., Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett., (2003), 13:2227-2230.
Information Disclosure
[0022] There are several patents cited in the literature, which refer to oxazolidinones having antibacterial activity.
[0023] WO95/25106 dated Sep. 21, 1995 discloses substituted piperidino phenyloxazolidinones. This corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,286 and EP 0 750 618.
[0024] WO96/13502 dated May 9, 1996 discloses phenyloxazolidinones having a multisubstituted azetidinyl or pyrrolidinyl moiety.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,055 dated Nov. 12, 1996 discloses oxazolidinone derivatives that can be used for prevention or control of depressive, panic and anxiety states.
[0026] Other publications are as follows:
[0027] WO 99/24428 dated May 20, 1999 discloses diazepenophenyloxazolidinone derivatives.
[0028] WO01/44212 dated Jun. 21, 2001 discloses benzoic acid esters of oxazolidinones having a hydroxyacetylpiperazine substituent.
[0029] WO 02/06278 dated Jan. 24, 2002 discloses substituted aminopiperidino phenyloxazolidinone derivatives.
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,942 dated Mar. 19, 2002 discloses phenyloxazolidinones having a C—C bond to 4-8 membered heterocyclic rings.
[0031] WO 00/21960 dated Apr. 20, 2000 discloses heterocyclicphenyl oxazolidinones having the heterocycle linked through a carbon atom to the phenyl moiety.
[0032] WO 95/07271 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792 dated Nov. 18, 1997) discloses oxazolidinones containing morpholine and thiomorpholine.
[0033] The following references disclose various oxazolidinones, which have a thiocarbonyl functionality.
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,896 dated May 14, 2002.
[0035] WO 98/54161 dated Dec. 3, 1998 (U.S. 2002/0016323A1 Feb. 7, 2002);
[0036] WO 00/27830 dated May 18, 2000.
[0037] WO 01/09107 dated Feb. 8, 2001.
[0038] The following citations pertain to oxazolidinones some of which have a cyano substituent and others of which have heterocyclic moieties incorporated in the described molecules.
[0039] U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,373 dated Nov. 2, 1999 (WO 99/02525 dated Jul. 8, 1998) discloses thiadiazolyl and oxadiazolyl phenyloxazolidinones.
[0040] U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,504 dated Jun. 8, 1999 (WO 96/23788 dated Aug. 8, 1996) discloses heteroaromatic ring substituted phenyloxazolidinones.
[0041] U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,950 dated Aug. 20, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,799 dated Dec 23, 1997 [WO 93/23384] disclose oxazolidinone antimicrobials containing substituted diazine moieties.
[0042] Genin M. J. et al J.Med.Chem 2000, 43,953-970
[0043] Weidner-Wells et al. Biorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2001, 11, 1829-1832.
[0044] WO 01/58885A1 dated Aug. 16, 2001 discloses oxazolidinone thioamides with piperazine amide substituents.
[0045] Ryan B. et al., Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs (2000) 9: 2959-60 discloses an oxazolidinone that is active against linezolid-resistant S.aureus.
[0046] The compounds of the present invention are novel, none of them having being previously reported in the literature. They are non-obvious over the compounds in the prior art by virtue of their being bactericidal, in contrast to the compounds of the prior art being generally bacteriostatic. They are active against linezolid-resistant strains, in particular against novel linezolid-resistant strains of this invention, in further particular against linezolid-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and against resistant enterococci , such activity features being disclosed here for the first time. There is no previous report of oxazolidinones of the structure presented in this invention which display activity against difficult-to-obtain linezolid-resistant strains. While not being bound by any theory, it is surmised by displaying such activity against linezolid-resistant strains, the compounds of the invention for the first time thus establish their ability to inhibit bacterial ribonucleoprotein through differential binding at single/multiple sites.
[0047] In addition, a Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA), 3-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship study, as described in more detail later in this specification, shows that in contrast to the prior art, which teaches that the electrostatic contributions play a more predominant role than the steric contributions, the compounds of the present invention require a comparatively higher steric contribution, more than one and a half times over the electrostatic contributions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0048] The present invention provides new compounds of the Formula I.
[0049] or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof, wherein
[0050] “a” represents a single bond or a double bond
[0051] “b” represents a single bond or a double bond
[0052] “a” and “b” cannot both be double bonds at the same time.
[0053] “A” and “B” are each and independently selected from H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, CO 2 Et, or halogen.
[0054] When “a” is a double bond or “a” is a single bond and “A” is not H, CH 3 , CO 2 Et, or F
[0055] R 1 is,
[0056] H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkanoyl, substituted alkanoyl, aralkanoyl, substituted aralkanoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, substituted alkoxycarbonyl, thioacyl, substituted thioacyl, aroyl, substituted aroyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylthiocarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclyl, substituted herocyclyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cyano, carboxylic acid, carboxamido, amino, substituted amino, or halogen.
[0057] When “a” is a single bond and “A” is H, CH 3 ,CO 2 Et, or F, then; R 1 is alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkanoyl, substituted alkanoyl, aralkanoyl, substituted aralkanoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, substituted alkoxycarbonyl, thioacyl, substituted thioacyl, aroyl, substituted aroyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylthiocarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclyl, substituted herocyclyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl or carboxamido. R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and are hydrogen or halo;
[0058] R 4 is,
[0059] C 1 -C 6 alkylsulphonyloxy, arylsulphonyloxy, amino, mono or di substituted amino, azido, nitrilo, substituted nitrilo, aminonitrilo, isocynato, formamido, C 1 -C 6 alkyl amido, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl amido, C 1 -C 6 alkyl thiocarbonylamino, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl thiocarbonylamino, sulphonamido, substituted sulphonamido, pthalamido, carbamato, substituted carbamato, ureido, substituited ureido, five to six membered heterocyclyl, or substituted five to six membered heterocyclyl.
[0060] In another aspect, the present invention also provides:
[0061] a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
[0062] a method for treating Gram-positive microbial infections in human or other warm-blooded animals by administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
[0063] a method for treating Gram-negative microbial infections in human or other warm-blooded animals by administering to the subject in need a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
[0064] The invention also includes novel intermediates and processes that are used to prepare compounds of Formula I.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0065] The present invention provides new compounds of the Formula I.
[0066] or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof, wherein
[0067] “a” represents a single bond or a double bond; and
[0068] “b” represents a single bond or a double bond.
[0069] “a” and “b” cannot both be double bonds at the same time.
[0070] “A” and “B” are each and independently selected from H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, CO 2 Et, or halogen.
[0071] When “a” is a double bond or “a” is a single bond and “A” is not H, CH 3 , CO 2 Et or F, then
[0072] R 1 is,
[0073] H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkanoyl, substituted alkanoyl, aralkanoyl, substituted aralkanoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, substituted alkoxycarbonyl, thioacyl, substituted thioacyl, aroyl, substituted aroyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylthiocarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclyl, substituted herocyclyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cyano, carboxylic acid, carboxamido, amino, substituted amino, or halogen.
[0074] When “a” is a single bond and “A” is H, CH 3 ,CO 2 Et, or F, then; R 1 is alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkanoyl, substituted alkanoyl, aralkanoyl, substituted aralkanoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, substituted alkoxycarbonyl, thioacyl, substituted thioacyl, aroyl, substituted aroyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylthiocarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heterocyclyl, substituted herocyclyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl or carboxamido. R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and are hydrogen or halo;
[0075] R 4 is,
[0076] C 1 -C 6 alkylsulphonyloxy, arylsulphonyloxy, amino, mono or di substituted amino, azido, nitrilo, substituted nitrilo, aminonitrilo, isocynato, formamido, C 1 -C 6 alkyl amido, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl amido, C 1 -C 6 alkyl thiocarbonylamino, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl thiocarbonylamino, sulphonamido, substituted sulphonamido, pthalamido, carbamato, substituted carbamato, ureido, substituited ureido, five to six membered heterocyclyl, or substituted five to six membered heterocyclyl.
[0077] “Alkyl” means carbon atom chains having C 1 -C 6 number of carbon atoms which can be either straight chain or branched such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, or hexyl.
[0078] “Substituted alkyl” means C 1 -C 6 alkyl, straight chain or branched, bearing substituents like one or more aryl, hydroxy, substituted hydroxy for example methanesulphonyloxy, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocycyl, cyano, halo, for example fluorine or chlorine, amino, substituted amino.
[0079] “Alkenyl” means carbon atom chains having C 2 -C 6 number of carbon atoms which can be either straight chain or branched such as ethene, propene, butene, pentene, hexene, butadiene, or hexadiene.
[0080] “Alkynyl” means carbon atom chains having C 2 -C 6 number of carbon atoms which can be either straight chain or branched such as ethyne, propyne, butyne, pentyne, hexyne, butadiyne, or hexadiyne.
[0081] “Cycloalkyl” means C 3 -C 6 carbocycles such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl.
[0082] “Substituted cycloalkyl” means cycloalkyl substituted with a groups such as alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano or halogen.
[0083] “Alkanoyl” means C 1 -C 6 number of carbon atoms to form an organic acid where the OH group has been deleted, such as formyl, HCO—; acetyl, or CH 3 CO—.
[0084] “Substituted alkanoyl” means alkanoyl bearing substitutents like one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, or halogen.
[0085] “Aralkanoyl” means C 1 -C 6 number of carbon atoms to form an aralkyl organic acid where the OH group has been deleted, such as phenylacetyl, C 6 H 5 CH 2 CO—.
[0086] “Substituted aralkanoyl” means aralkanoyl bearing substitutents like one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, or halogen.
[0087] “Alkoxycarbonyl” means alkanoyl group substituted with alkyl ether such as methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy so on.
[0088] “Substituted alkoxycarbonyl” means alkoxycarbonyl bearing substitutents like one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, or halogen.
[0089] “Thioacyl” means C 1 -C 6 number of carbon atoms to form an thioorganic acid where the OH group has been deleted, such as thioformyl, HCS—; thioacetyl, CH 3 CS—.
[0090] “Substituted thioacyl” means thioacyl bearing substitutents like one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, halogen.
[0091] “Aroyl” means C 1 -C 6 number of carbon atoms to form an aryl organic acid where the OH group has been deleted, such as benzoyl, C 6 H 5 CO—.
[0092] “Substituted aroyl” means alkanoyl bearing substitutents like one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, halogen.
[0093] “Alkylmercapto” means alkylthiol in which H group is deleted such as CH 3 S—, C 2 H 5 S—so on.
[0094] “Arylmercapto” means arylthiol in which H group is deleted such as C 6 H 5 S—so on.
[0095] “Heterocyclylcarbonyl” means groups such as carbonyl bearing heterocycles like morpholine, piperidine, piperazine and so on.
[0096] “Heterocyclylthiocarbonyl” means groups such as thiocarbonyl bearing heterocycles like morpholine, piperidine, piperazine and so on.
[0097] “Aralkyl” are groups such as benzyl, benzhydryl, trityl and so on.
[0098] “Aryl” stands for phenyl, naphthyl, so on.
[0099] “Substituted aryl” stands for aryl which may optionally be substituted with groups such as like one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, substituted amino, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, halogen.
[0100] “Heterocyclyl” means groups such as heterocycles like morpholine, piperidine, piperazine and so on.
[0101] “Substituted heterocyclyl” stands for herterocyclyl which may optionally be substituted with groups such as like one or more alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, halogen.
[0102] “Heteroaryl” means groups such as heterocycles like pyrrole, furane, thiophene, pyrazole, imidazole, trizole, tetrazole, thiazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, and so on.
[0103] “Substituted heteroaryl” stands for herteroaryl which may optionally be substituted with groups such as like one or more alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxamido, cyano, halogen.
[0104] “Cyano” is —CN.
[0105] Carboxamido” is —CONH 2 .
[0106] “Substituted amino” stands for NH 2 , in which one or more hydrogen atoms may be optionally substituted by C 1 -C 3 alkyl groups also unsubstituted or optionally substituted by substituents as defined earlier in the specification under “substituted alkyl”.
[0107] “Halogen” means atoms such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine. and pharmnaceutically acceptable salts thereof including isomers, polymorphs or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof.
[0108] Preferred salts are those of hydrochloride, hydrobronide, hydroiodide, sulphate, phosphate and salts of organic acids such as acetate, lactate, succinate, oxalate, maleate, fumarate, malate, tatrate, citrate, ascorbate, cinnamate, gluconate, benzoate, methane sulfonate and p-toluene sulfonate; lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium salts, and amino acids salts such as alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptopham tyrosine or valine.
[0109] More particularly, the present invention currently provides compounds of Formula I, which can be represented as Formulae II, III and IV.
[0110] wherein,
[0111] preferably A, B, R 1 , and R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are as defined above.
Preferred Compounds
[0112] Some preferred examples of the oxazolidinone derivatives represented by the general Formnula I and belonging to the subclass Formula II are as follows:
[0113] 1. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide;
[0114] 2. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide;
[0115] 3. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0116] 4. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboxyethyl-1,2,3-triazole;
[0117] 5. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano-1,2,3-triazole;
[0118] 6. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0119] 7. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isocynate;
[0120] 8. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide;
[0121] 9. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0122] 10. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-propionamide;
[0123] 11. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-dimethylpropionamide;
[0124] 12. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-3-dimethylbutanamide;
[0125] 13. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxyacetamide;
[0126] 14. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-pivolyloxyacetamide;
[0127] 15. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-N-methylacetamide;
[0128] 16. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide;
[0129] 17. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine;
[0130] 18. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-prop-2-ene;
[0131] 19. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-nitrile;
[0132] 20. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-acetonitrile;
[0133] 21. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-methylamine;
[0134] 22. (S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}N-cyano}-prop-2-ene;
[0135] 23. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide;
[0136] 24. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-oxo-oxazolidin-4-yl-carboxamide;
[0137] 25. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-pyrrolidin-2-carboxamide;
[0138] 26. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboethoxy-1,2,3-triazole;
[0139] 27. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-5-carboethoxy-1,2,3-triazole;
[0140] 28. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano-1,2,3-triazole;
[0141] 29. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide;
[0142] 30. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trifluoroacetamide;
[0143] 31. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-chloroacetamide;
[0144] 32. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide;
[0145] 33. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trichloroacetamide;
[0146] 34. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-bromoacetamide;
[0147] 35. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dibromoacetamide;
[0148] 36. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-iodoacetamide;
[0149] 37. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-methylphenylsulphonamide;
[0150] 38. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylcarbamate;
[0151] 39. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-ethylcarbamate;
[0152] 40. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isopropylcarbamate;
[0153] 41. (2S,5S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-propionamid-2-yl}-amine;
[0154] 42. (2S, 5S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-3-hydroxypropionamid-2-yl}-amine;
[0155] 43. (2S,5S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-3-(imidazol-4-yl)-propionamid-2-yl}-amine;
[0156] 44. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-1-pthalamide;
[0157] 45. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0158] 46. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamate;
[0159] 47. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxythioacetamide;
[0160] 48. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxyethylthiocarbamide;
[0161] 49. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-thiocarbonylmethylamine;
[0162] 50. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-dimethylaminoethylthiocarbamide;
[0163] 51. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide;
[0164] 52. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamide;
[0165] 53. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonamide;
[0166] 54. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0167] 55. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0168] 56. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0169] 57. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide;
[0170] 58. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isobutylcarbamate;
[0171] 59. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0172] 60. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0173] 61. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0174] 62. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide;
[0175] 63. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0176] 64. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trifluoroacetamide;
[0177] 65. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide;
[0178] 66. (S)-2-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-1,3-thiazole;
[0179] 67. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamate;
[0180] 68. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide;
[0181] 69. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamide;
[0182] 70. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3,3-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0183] 71. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3,3-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0184] 72. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0185] 73. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide;
[0186] 74. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0187] 75. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide;
[0188] 76. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-carboxymethylamine;
[0189] 77. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide;
[0190] 78. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-chloroacetamide;
[0191] 79. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide;
[0192] 80. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trichloroacetamide;
[0193] 81. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isobutylcarbamate;
[0194] 82. (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol;
[0195] 83. (R)-3-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyloxy}-iso-oxazole;
[0196] 84. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0197] 85. E/Z mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0198] 86. E-(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0199] 87. Z-(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0200] 88. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0201] 89. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0202] 90. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide;
[0203] 91. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trichloroacetamide;
[0204] 92. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-bromoacetamide;
[0205] 93. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0206] 94. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-cyclopropylmethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0207] 95. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-3-ene-butylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0208] 96. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-3-yne-butylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0209] 97. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-phenyl-ethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0210] 98. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-phenyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0211] 99. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0212] 100. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0213] 101. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-(morpholin-1-yl)-ethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0214] 102. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(imidazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0215] 103. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0216] 104. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0217] 105. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0218] 106. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,1-dicyano-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0219] 107. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0220] 108. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(N-prop-2-ene-carboxamido)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0221] 109. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(N-cyclopropyl-carboxamido)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0222] 110. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(N-cyclohexyl-carboxamido)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0223] 111. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl-carbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0224] 112. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0225] 113. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-3-hydroxy-propylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0226] 114. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0227] 115. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-methylmercapto-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0228] 116. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-phenylmercapto-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0229] 117. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-bromo-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0230] 118. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0231] 119. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,1-dicyano-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0232] 120. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0233] 121. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-thiocarbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0234] Some preferred examples of the oxazolidinone derivatives represented by the general Formula I and belonging to the subclass Formula III are as follows:
[0235] 122. (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide;
[0236] 123. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboethoxy-1,2,3-triazole;
[0237] 124. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol;
[0238] 125. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0239] 126. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0240] 127. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboxamido-1,2,3-triazole;
[0241] 128. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano-1,2,3-triazole;
[0242] 129. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0243] 130. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0244] 131. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol;
[0245] 132. (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0246] 133. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-benzyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0247] 134. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-methanesulphonyloxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0248] 135. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0249] 136. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(imidazol-1-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0250] 137. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(thiophen-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0251] 138. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0252] 139. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0253] 140. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-cyclohexylaminocarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0254] 141. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0255] 142. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0256] 143. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0257] 144. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(phenylmercapto))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0258] 145. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0259] 146. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0260] 147. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0261] 148. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0262] 149. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-thiocarboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0263] 150. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoropheny]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-triazole;
[0264] 151. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-triazole;
[0265] 152. (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-5-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-triazole;
[0266] 153. (R)-3-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyloxy}-iso-oxazole;
[0267] 154. (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0268] 155. (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-hydroxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0269] 156. (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0270] 157. (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0271] 158. (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0272] Some preferred examples of the oxazolidinone derivatives represented by the general Formula I and belonging to the subclass Formula IV are as follows:
[0273] 159. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0274] 160. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0275] 161. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-methyl-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0276] 162. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0277] 163. (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isobutylcarbamate;
[0278] More particularly preferred compounds of the invention of the Formula 1 are:
[0279] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0280] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0281] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide;
[0282] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trifluoroacetamide;
[0283] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-chloroacetamide;
[0284] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide;
[0285] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0286] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamate;
[0287] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxythioacetamide;
[0288] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide;
[0289] E-(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0290] Z-(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0291] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide;
[0292] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0293] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide;
[0294] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamide;
[0295] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0296] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide;
[0297] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide;
[0298] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0299] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0300] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide;
[0301] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0302] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-3-yne-butylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0303] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0304] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-methylmercapto-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0305] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-bromo-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0306] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0307] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,1-dicyano-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0308] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0309] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-thiocarbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0310] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0311] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide;
[0312] (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0313] A further embodiment of the invention is to provide methods of preparation of the compound of the invention.
[0314] Scheme I describes the preparation of compounds of Formulae II, III and IV of the present invention. All of the starting materials are prepared by procedures described in this scheme or by procedures that would be well known to one of ordinary skill in organic chemistry. The variables used in Scheme 1 are as defined above. Optically pure material could be obtained either by one of a number of asymmetric synthesis or alternatively by resolution from a racemic mixture.
[0315] In accordance with the Scheme-I piperidone (i) (for example, the preparation of one such piperidone is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,286) is reacted with cyano substituted active methylene compounds ii (R 1 as defined) in the presence of a base such as ammonium acetate, sodium methoxide, pyridine and piperidine acetate, preferably ammonium acetate and pyridine and in a solvent such as toluene, THF and methanol at 30-110° C. for 2-48 hrs. to provide compounds of formula II. Alternatively, i is reacted with a Wittig reagent optionally in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, sodium hydride or n-butyl lithium in a solvent such as ether, tetrahydrofuran or benzene at 10-80° C. to provide compounds of formula II.
[0316] The resultant unsaturated cyano derivatives are reduced by hydrogenation in the presence of catalysts such as 5% palladium on carbon, 10% palladium on carbon, palladium hydroxide at atmospheric pressure of hydrogen gas, alternatively by using hydrogen sources such as ammonium formate, cyclohexene in a solvent such as ethyl acetate, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or chloroform or a mixture thereof at 20-60° C. for 1 to 24 hrs. to provide compounds of formula III.
[0317] In accordance with the scheme-I, i is reacted with unsubstituted/substituted cyanoacetic acid in the presence of a base such as pyridine, piperidine and ammonium acetate in a solvent such as benzene, toluene at a temperature of 80 to 120° C. for 3 to 24 hrs. to provide compounds of formula IV.
[0318] Thioacetamides can conveniently be prepared by allowing the acetamide derivatives to react with Lawesson's reagent in 1,4 dioxane, benzene, toluene or tetrahydrofuran at 60 to 110° C.
[0319] The oxazolidinone antibacterial agents of this invention have potential for treatment of specially Gram-positive infections including multi-resistant strains. In contrast to compounds of the prior art, they demonstrate bactericidal activity against different resistant microorganisms and in particular different strains of Enterococcus faecalis . In addition they display activity against linezolid-resistant S. aureus strains, linezolid-resistant E. faecalis strains and in particular linezolid-resistant S. pneumoniae strains. These compounds are useful for the treatment of Gram-positive or Gram-negative microbial infections in humans and other warm blooded animals by either parenteral, oral or topical administration. The infection in human and other warm blooded animals can be systemic or topical.
[0320] The compounds of this invention may be used to prevent infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by administering the compound to a subject that is at risk for developing an infection caused by Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. A subject at risk for developing an infection may be a health care worker, surgical patient and the like.
[0321] The present invention encompasses certain compounds, dosage forms, and methods of administering the compounds to a human or other animal subject. Specific compounds and compositions to be used in the invention must, accordingly, be pharmaceutically acceptable. As used herein, such a “pharmaceutically acceptable” component is one that is suitable for use with humans and/or animals without undue adverse side effects (such as toxicity, irritation, and allergic response) commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
[0322] The pharmaceutical compositions are prepared according to conventional procedures used by persons skilled in the art to make stable and effective compositions. In the solid, liquid, parenteral and topical dosage forms, an effective amount of the active compound or the active ingredient is any amount, which produces the desired results.
[0323] For the purpose of this invention the pharmaceutical compositions may contain the active compounds of the invention, their derivatives, salts and hydrates thereof, in a form to be administered alone, but generally in a form to be administered in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. Suitable carriers which can be used are, for example, diluents or excipients such as fillers, extenders, binders, emollients, wetting agents, disintegrants, surface active agents and lubricants which are usually employed to prepare such drugs depending on the type of dosage form.
[0324] Any suitable route of administration may be employed for providing the patient with an effective dosage of the compound of the invention their derivatives, salts and hydrates thereof. For example, oral, rectal, vaginal, parenteral (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous), transdermal, topical and like forms of administration may be employed. Dosage forms include (solutions, suspensions, etc) tablets, pills, powders, troches, dispersions, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, capsules, injectable preparations, patches, ointments, creams, lotions, shampoos and the like.
[0325] The prophylactic or therapeutic dose of the compounds of the invention, their derivatives, salts or hydrates thereof, in the acute or chronic management of disease will vary with the severity of condition to be treated, and the route of administration. In addition, the dose, and perhaps the dose frequency, will also vary according to the age, body weight and response of the individual patient. In general, the total daily dose range, for the compounds of the invention, the derivatives, salts or hydrates thereof, for the conditions described herein, is from about 200 mg to about 1500 mg, in single or divided doses. Preferably, a daily dose range should be between about 400 mg to 1200 mg, in single or divided dosage, while most preferably a daily dose range should be between about 500 mg to about 1000 mg in divided dosage. While intramuscular administration may be a single dose or up to 3 divided doses, intravenous administration can include a continuous drip. It may be necessary to use dosages outside these ranges in some cases as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Further, it is noted that the clinician or treating physician will know how and when to interrupt, adjust, or terminate therapy in conjunction with individual patient's response. The term “an amount sufficient to eradicate such infections but insufficient to cause undue side effects” is encompassed by the above—described dosage amount and dose frequency schedule.
[0326] A specific embodiment of the invention is that the pharmacokinetic profile of a compound of the invention is such that it permits administration of a dosage schedule which is a much desired once-a-day dosing, a schedule not so far advocated for the only currently available oxazolidinone drug in the market.
[0327] A further specific embodiment of the invention is that a compound of the invention has favourable safety advantages in particular no or lower potential to cause myelosuppression. Myelosuppression is known to be a typical class-specific toxicological feature of the oxazolidinone class of antibacterial agents.
[0328] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets, or tablets, or aerosol sprays, each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient, as a powder or granules, or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid, a non-aqueous liquid, an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. Such compositions may be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy, but all methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier, which constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired presentation.
[0329] The compositions of the present invention include compositions such as suspensions, solutions, elixirs, aerosols, and solid dosage forms. Carriers as described in general above are commonly used in the case of oral solid preparations (such as powders, capsules and tablets), with the oral solid preparations being preferred over the oral liquid preparations. The most preferred oral solid preparation is tablets.
[0330] Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are employed. Examples of suitable carriers include excipients such as lactose, white sugar, sodium chloride, glucose solution, urea, starch, calcium carbonate, kaolin, crystalline cellulose and silicic acid, binders such as water, ethanol, propanol, simple syrup, glucose, starch solution, gelatin solution, carboxymethyl cellulose, shellac, methyl cellulose, potassium phosphate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, disintegrants such as dried starch, sodium alginate, agar powder, laminaria powder, sodium hydrogen carbonate, calcium carbonate, Tween (fatty acid ester of polyoxyethylenesorbitan), sodium lauryl sulfate, stearic acid monoglyceride, starch, and lactose, disintegration inhibitors such as white sugar, stearic acid glyceryl ester, cacao butter and hydrogenated oils, absorption promoters such as quaternary ammonium bases and sodium lauryl sulfate, humectants such as glycerol and starch, absorbents such as starch, lactose, kaolin, bentonite and colloidal silicic acid, and lubricants such as purified talc, stearic acid salts, boric acid powder, polyethylene glycol and solid polyethylene glycol.
[0331] The tablet, if desired, can be coated, and made into sugar-coated tablets, gelatin-coated tablets, enteric-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, or tablets comprising two or more layers.
[0332] If desired, tablets may be coated by standard aqueous or non-aqueous techniques. In molding the pharmaceutical composition into pills, a wide variety of conventional carriers known in the art can be used. Examples of suitable carriers are excipients such as glucose, lactose, starch, cacao butter, hardened vegetable oils, kaolin and talc, binders such as gum arabic powder, tragacanth powder, gelatin, and ethanol, and disintegrants such as laminaria and agar.
[0333] In molding the pharmaceutical composition into a suppository form, a wide variety of carriers known in the art can be used. Examples of suitable carriers include polyethylene glycol, cacao butter, higher alcohols, gelatin, and semi-synthetic glycerides.
[0334] A second preferred method is parenterally for intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
[0335] A third preferred route of administration is topically, for which creams, ointments, shampoos, lotions, dusting powders and the like are well suited. Generally, an effective amount of the compound according to this invention in a topical form is from about 0.1 % w/w to about 10% w/w of the total composition. Preferably, the effective amount of the compound of the invention is 1% w/w of the total composition.
[0336] In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered by controlled release means and/or delivery devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123 and 4,008,719; the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0337] Desirably, each tablet contains from about 200 mg to about 1500 mg of the active ingredient. Most preferably, the tablet, cachet or capsule contains either one of three dosages, about 200 mg, about 400 mg, or about 600 mg of the active ingredient.
[0338] When the pharmaceutical composition is formulated into an injectable preparation, in formulating the pharmaceutical composition into the form of a solution or suspension, all diluents customarily used in the art can be used. Examples of suitable diluents are water, ethyl alcohol, polypropylene glycol, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene sorbitol, and sorbitan esters. Sodium chloride, glucose or glycerol may be incorporated into a therapeutic agent.
[0339] The antimicrobial pharmaceutical composition may further contain ordinary dissolving aids, buffers, pain-alleviating agents, and preservatives, and optionally coloring agents, perfumes, flavors, sweeteners, and other drugs.
[0340] For topical application, there are employed as non-sprayable forms, viscous to semi-solid or solid forms comprising a carrier compatible with topical application and having a dynamic viscosity preferably greater than water. Suitable formulations include but are not limited to solutions, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments, powders, liniments, salves, aerosols, etc., which are, if desired, sterilized or mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g. preservatives, antioxidants, stabilizers, wetting agents, buffers or salts for influencing osmotic pressure, etc. For topical application, also suitable are sprayable aerosol preparations wherein the active ingredient preferably in combination with a solid or liquid inert carrier material.
[0341] A specific embodiment of the invention is the preparation of storage stable compositions of the compounds of the invention of formula I. Such stable compositions can be advantageously made through the use of selective stabilizers. Different stabilizers are known to those skilled in the art of making pharmaceutical compositions. Of special utility for making storage stable compositions of the compound of the invention of formula I, stabilizers such as disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), tromethamine, cyclodextrins such as gamma-cyclodextrin, hydroxy-propyl-gamma-cyclodextrin have been found to be useful.
[0342] In a specific embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical compositions contain an effective amount of the active compounds of the invention, its derivatives, salts or hydrates thereof described in this specification as hereinbefore described in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipients, and optionally other therapeutic ingredients.
[0343] The invention is further defined by reference to the following examples describing in detail the preparation of the composition of the present invention as well as their utility. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods may be practiced without departing from the purpose and scope of this invention.
[0344] The compounds of this invention are useful antimicrobial agents effective against various humans and veterinary pathogens specially including Linezolid-resistant strains.
[0345] Further embodiments of the invention are the linezolid-resistant strains of the invention and methods for producing them. Linezolid-resistant mutants S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303 LR, S. aureus Smith LR & MRSA 032 LR were selected from corresponding sensitive strains S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303 , S. aureus Smith & MRSA 032 respectively under in-vivo conditions from mice infected with respective parent strains and treated with various dosages of linezolid. Selected mutants and parent strains were analyzed for the presence of mutation in 23S rRNA by sequencing. The methodology involved amplication of genes coding 23S rRNA from linezolid-resistant mutants employing a PCR based DNA amplification method. The mutations in 23S rRNA gene were identified by sequencing of amplified DNA following electrophoretic separation.
PREPARATIONS
Preparation-1
Preparation of 4-[4-oxo-Piperidin-1-yl]-nitrobenzene
[0346] [0346]
[0347] The mixture of 4-piperidone hydrochloride (0.851 mol), triethylamine (1.70 mol), 4-fluoronitrobenzene (0.851 mol) in 800 ml chloroform was heated under reflux for 16 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum and to the residue water (1 liter) was added and the precipitate was filtered to afford 4-[4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-nitrobenzene in 80% yield.
[0348] MS (M+1)=221 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 11 H 12 N 2 O 3 .
Preparation-2
Preparation of 4-[4-(1,4-Dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-nitrobenzene
[0349] [0349]
[0350] The mixture of 4-[4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-nitrobenzene from step-1 (0.596 mol), ethylene glycol (1.09 mol) and p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.147 mol) in toluene was heated to reflux for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with water. The organic layer was evaporated to afford 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-nitrobenzene as a solid in 98% yield.
[0351] MS (M+1)=266 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 13 H 16 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-3
Preparation of [4-(1,4-Dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-phenyl-4-yl]-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene
[0352] [0352]
[0353] The suspension of 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-nitrobenzene (0.377 mol), 10% palladium on carbon (10 g) in tetrahydrofuran (800 ml) was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (400 psi) overnight. The reaction mixture filtered to remove the catalyst. To the filtrate, sodium bicarbonate (0.56 mol) and benzyl chloroformate (0.41 mol) was added at 0-5° C. and stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the residue stirred with hexane. The precipitate was filtered to give the title compound in 97% yield.
[0354] MS (M+1)=369 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 24 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-4
Preparation of (R)-3-{4-(1,4-Dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-phenyl)--2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0355] [0355]
[0356] Butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 180 ml) was added to the solution [4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-phenyl-4-yl]-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene (0.313 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (1000 ml) at −78° C. (R)-(−)-Glycidyl butyrate (0.32 mol) was added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate after quenching with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution.
[0357] The evaporation of solvent afforded title compound in 80% yield.
[0358] MS (M+1)=335 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 22 N 2 O 5 .
Preparation-5
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-Piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0359] [0359]
[0360] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (0.016 mol), p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.032 mol) in acetone water (300 ml, 40:60) mixture was refluxed for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was filtered to afford title compound 78% yield.
[0361] MS (M+1)=291 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 18 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-6
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-Piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[0362] [0362]
[0363] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol(0.194 mol), triethylamine (0.213 mmol), and methanesulphonyl chloride (0.232 mol) in 700 ml of dichloromethane was stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was washed with 1 liter water. The organic layer was dried and evaporated under vacuum to afford title compound in 87% yield.
[0364] MS (M+1)=369 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 16 H 20 N 2 O 6 S.
Preparation-7
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-Dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0365] [0365]
[0366] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (0.16 mol), sodium azide (0.46 mol) in dimethylformamide (200 ml) was heated at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and poured in ice cold water. The precipitate was filtered to provide title compound in 85% yield.
[0367] MS (M+1)=360 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 21 N 5 O 4 .
Preparation-8
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-Piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0368] [0368]
[0369] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (0.014 mol),p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.026 mol) in acetone water (150 ml, 40:60) mixture was refluxed for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was filtered to afford keto oxazolidinone azide compound 50% yield.
[0370] MS (M+1)=316 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 17 N 5 O 3 .
Preparation-9
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-Dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0371] [0371]
[0372] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (0.153 mol), 10% palladium on carbon (7 g), pyridine (0.45 mol), acetic anhydride (0.18 mol) in 700 ml ethyl acetate was stirred at 400 psi hydrogen gas pressure overnight. The suspension was filtered. Filtrate was purified to provide title compound in 70% yield.
[0373] MS (M+1)=376 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 25 N 3 O 5 .
Preparation-10
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-oxo-Piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0374] [0374]
[0375] The (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (0.040 mol),p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.080 mol) in acetone water (350 ml, 40: 60) mixture was refluxed for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was filtered to afford keto oxazolidinone acetamide compound 76% yield.
[0376] MS (M+1)=332 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 21 N 3 O=.
Preparation-11
Preparation of 4-(4-Trimethylsilyloxy-piperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene
[0377] [0377]
[0378] The mixture of 4-(4-oxo-Piperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene (126 mmol), triethylamine (630 mmol), trimethylsilylchloride (375.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide was heated at 70° C. for 24 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum and to the residual mass was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and after removal of the solvent afforded title compound as a solid in 90% yield.
[0379] MS (M+1)=293 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 14 H 20 N 2 O 3 Si.
Preparation-12
Preparation of 4-(3-Fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene
[0380] [0380]
[0381] The mixture of 4-(4-trimethylsilyloxy-piperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene (101 mmol), selectfluor (101 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 ml) was stirred for 4 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and to the residual mass was extracted into ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded title compound in 95% yield.
[0382] MS (M+1)=239 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 11 H 11 FN 2 O 3 .
Preparation-13
Preparation of 4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene
[0383] [0383]
[0384] The mixture of 4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene (51 mmol), trimethylorthoformate (103 mmol), p-toluene-sulphonic acid monohydrate (51 mmol) in methanol (100 ml) was heated at 45° C. for 24 hours. Solvent was removed and residual mass was taken into ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution mixture. The organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded title compound as a solid in 91% yield.
[0385] MS (M+1)=285 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 13 H 17 FN 2 O 4 .
Preparation-14
Preparation of [4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-yl)-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene
[0386] [0386]
[0387] The suspension of 4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-yl)-nitrobenzene (38 mmol), and 10% palladium on carbon (1 g) in tetrahydrofuran (500 ml) was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (200 psi) for 6 hour. The suspension was filtered. To the filtrate sodium bicarbonate (57 mmol) and benzyl chloroformate (46 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was removed and the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate and water mixture. The organic layer was dried and the residue was recrystallized from hexane:ehtyl acetate to give the title compound in 93% yield.
[0388] MS (M+1)=389 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 25 FN 2 O 4 .
Preparation-15
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0389] [0389]
[0390] Butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 27 ml) was added to the solution of [4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-yl)-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene (35.7 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) at −78° C. under an inert atmosphere. (R)-(−)-Glycidyl butyrate (37.5 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture and was stirred for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded a residue which was recrystallized from dichloromethane:hexane mixture to give title product in 89% yield.
[0391] MS (M+1)=355 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 23 FN 2 O 5 .
Preparation-16
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0392] [0392]
[0393] To the mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (0.726 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (2.17 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (3.2 mmol), acetyl chloride (2.17 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. To this reaction mixture extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel afforded title compound in 49% yield.
[0394] MS (M+1)=309 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 17 FN 2 O 4 .
Preparation-17
Preparration of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0395] [0395]
[0396] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (29.6 mmol), triethylamine (65 mmol), methanesulphonyl chloride (41.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (100 ml) was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. Reaction mixture was extracted with the dichloromethane water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and removal of solvent afforded title compound in 98% yield.
[0397] MS (M+1)=433 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 25 FN 2 O 7 S.
Preparation-18
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0398] [0398]
[0399] To the mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (0.726 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (2.17 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (3.2 mmol), acetyl chloride (2.17 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. To this reaction mixture extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel afforded title compound in 57% yield.
[0400] MS (M+1)=387 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 16 H 19 FN 2 O 6 S.
Preparation-19
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0401] [0401]
[0402] The mixture of sodium azide (88.5 mmol) and (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (29.6 mmol) in dimethylformamide (75 ml) was heated at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on ice cold water, and the solid was filtered to afford title compound in 78% yield.
[0403] MS (M+1)=380 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 22 FN 5 O 4 .
Preparation-20
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0404] [0404]
[0405] To the mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (0.5 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (1.5 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (2.5 mmol), acetyl chloride (1.5 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. To this reaction mixture extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel afforded title compound in 67% yield.
[0406] MS (M+1)=334 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 16 FN 5 O 3 .
Preparation-21
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine
[0407] [0407]
[0408] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (25.2 mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (1.0 g) was in ethyl acetate (150 ml) was stirred at a room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to give a residue, which was purified on silica gel column chromatography to provide title compound in 89% yield.
[0409] MS (M+1)=308 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 18 FN 3 O 3 .
Preparation-22
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0410] [0410]
[0411] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (6.73 mmol), pyridine (26.9 mmol), acetic anhydride (9.43 mmol) in ethyl acetate (25 ml) was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 49% yield.
[0412] MS (M+1)=396 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 26 FN 3 O 5 .
Preparation-23
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0413] [0413]
[0414] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (1.0 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (3.1 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (5.1 mmol), acetyl chloride (3.1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate water mixture and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 61% yield.
[0415] MS (M+1)=350 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 20 FN 3 O 4 .
Preparation-24
Preparation of 4-(4-Trimethylsilyloxy-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0416] [0416]
[0417] The mixture of 4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene (0.250 mol), triethylamine (1.250 mol), trimethylsilylchloride (0.750 mol) in dimethylformamide was heated at 70° C. for 24 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum and to the residual mass was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and after removal of the solvent afforded title compound as a solid in 86% yield.
[0418] MS (M+1)=311 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C14H19FN203Si
Preparation-25
Preparation of 4-(3-Fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0419] [0419]
[0420] The mixture of 4-(4-trimethylsilyloxy-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene (151 mmol), selectfluor (151 mmol) in acetonitrile was stirred for 4 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and to the residual mass was extracted into ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded title compound in 88% yield.
[0421] MS (M+1)=257 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 11 H 10 F 2 N 2 O 3 .
Preparation-26
Preparation of 4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0422] [0422]
[0423] The mixture of 4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene (65 mmol), trimethylorthoformate (130 mmol), p-toluene-sulphonic acid monohydrate (67 mmol) in methanol was heated at 45° C. for 24 hours. Solvent was removed and residual mass was taken into ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution mixture. The organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded title compound as a solid in 78% yield.
[0424] MS (M+1)=303 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 13 H 16 F 2 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-27
Preparation of [4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-yl)-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-3-fluorobenzene
[0425] [0425]
[0426] The suspension of 4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-yl)-3-fluoronitrobenzene (48 mmol), and 10% palladium on carbon (1 g) in tetrahydrofuran was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (200 psi) for 6 hour. The suspension was filtered. To the filtrate sodium bicarbonate (72 mmol) and benzyl chloroformate (58 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was removed and the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate and water mixture. The organic layer was dried and the residue was recrystallized from hexane:ehtyl acetate to give the title compound in 80% yield.
[0427] MS (M+1)=407 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 24 F 2 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-28
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0428] [0428]
[0429] Butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 27 ml) was added to the solution of [4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-yl)-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-3-fluorobenzene (35.0 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) at −78° C. under an inert atmosphere. (R)-(−)-Glycidyl butyrate (37.1 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture and was stirred for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded a residue which was recrystallized from dichloromethane:hexane mixture to give title product in 78% yield.
[0430] MS (M+1)=373 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 22 F 2 N 2 O 5 .
Preparation-29
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0431] [0431]
[0432] To the mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluoro phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (0.726 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (2.17 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (3.2 mmol), acetyl chloride (2.17 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. To this reaction mixture extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel afforded title compound in 54% yield.
[0433] MS (M+1)=327 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 16 F 2 N 2 O=.
Preparation-30
Preparration of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0434] [0434]
[0435] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (29.6 mmol), triethylamine (65 mmol), methanesulphonyl chloride (41.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (100 ml) was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. Reaction mixture was extracted with the dichloromethane water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and removal of solvent afforded title compound in 86% yield.
[0436] MS (M+1)=451 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 24 F 2 N 2 O 7 S.
Preparation-31
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0437] [0437]
[0438] To the mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (0.5 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (1.5 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (2.5 mmol), acetyl chloride (0.5 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran was stirred at 40° C. for 5 days. To this reaction mixture extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue which was chromatographed over silica gel afforded title compound in 55% yield.
[0439] MS (M+1)=405 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 16 H 18 F 2 N 2 O 6 S.
Preparation-32
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0440] [0440]
[0441] The mixture of sodium azide (67.0 mmol) and (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (27.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide was heated at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on ice cold water, and the solid was filtered to afford title compound in 78% yield.
[0442] MS (M+1)=398 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 21 F 2 N 5 O 4 .
Preparation-33
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0443] [0443]
[0444] To the mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (0.5 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (1.5 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (2.5 mmol), acetyl chloride (1.5 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. To this reaction mixture extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel afforded title compound in 69% yield.
[0445] MS (M+1)=352 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 15 F 2 N 5 O 3 .
Preparation-34
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine
[0446] [0446]
[0447] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (25.2 mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (1.0 g) was in ethyl acetate (150 ml) was stirred at a room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to give a residue, which was purified on silica gel column chromatography to provide title compound in 76% yield.
[0448] MS (M+1)=372 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 23 F 2 N 3 O 4 .
Preparation-35
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0449] [0449]
[0450] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (6.73 mmol), pyridine (26.9 mmol), acetic anhydride (9.43 mmol) in ethyl acetate (25 ml) was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 58% yield.
[0451] MS (M+1)=414 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 25 F 2 N 3 O 5 .
Preparation-36
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3-Fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0452] [0452]
[0453] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (1.0 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (3.1 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (5.1 mmol), acetyl chloride (3.1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate water mixture and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 61% yield.
[0454] MS (M+1)=368 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 19 F 2 N 3 O 4 .
Preparation-37
Preparation of 4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene
[0455] [0455]
[0456] The mixture of 4-(3,3-difluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-nitrobenzene (25 mmol), trimethylorthoformate (51 mmol), p-toluene-sulphonic acid monohydrate (27 mmol) in methanol was heated at 45° C. for 24 hours. Solvent was removed and residual mass was taken into ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution mixture. The organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded title compound as a solid in 84% yield.
[0457] MS (M+1)=321 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 13 H 15 F 3 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-38
Preparation of [4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-yl)-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene
[0458] [0458]
[0459] The suspension of 4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-yl)-nitrobenzene (20 mmol), and 10% palladium on carbon (1 g) in tetrahydrofuran was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (200 psi) for 6 hour. The suspension was filtered. To the filtrate sodium bicarbonate (40 mmol) and benzyl chloroformate (25 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was removed and the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate and water mixture. The organic layer was dried and the residue was recrystallized from hexane:ehtyl acetate to give the title compound in 75% yield.
[0460] MS (M+1)=425 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 23 F 3 N 2 O 4 .
Preparation-39
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0461] [0461]
[0462] Butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 27 ml) was added to the solution of [4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-yl)-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene (35.0 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) at −78° C. under an inert atmosphere. (R)-(−)-Glycidyl butyrate (37.1 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture and was stirred for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded a residue which was recrystallized from dichloromethane:hexane mixture to give title product in 80% yield.
[0463] MS (M+1)=391 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 21 F 3 N 2 O 5 .
Preparation-40
Preparration of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0464] [0464]
[0465] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (15 mmol), triethylamine (32 mmol), methanesulphonyl chloride (21 mmol) in dichloromethane was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. Reaction mixture was extracted with the dichloromethane water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and removal of solvent afforded title compound in 90% yield.
[0466] MS (M+1)=469 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 23 F 3 N 2 O 7 S.
Preparation-41
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0467] [0467]
[0468] The mixture of sodium azide (26.0 mmol) and (R)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (12.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide was heated at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on ice cold water, and the solid was filtered to afford title compound in 88% yield.
[0469] MS (M+1)=416 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 20 F 3 N 5 O 4 .
Preparation-42
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine
[0470] [0470]
[0471] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (10 mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (0.15 g) was in ethyl acetate was stirred at a room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to give a residue, which was purified on silica gel column chromatography to provide title compound in 88% yield.
[0472] MS (M+1)=390 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 22 F 3 N 3 O 4 .
Preparation-43
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-Dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0473] [0473]
[0474] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin- 5 -ylmethyl}-amine (8 mmol), pyridine (32 mmol), acetic anhydride (16 mmol) in ethyl acetate was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 80% yield.
[0475] MS (M+1)=432 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 24 F 3 N 3 O 5 .
Preparation-44
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0476] [0476]
[0477] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (1.0 mmol), freshly fused zinc chloride (3.1 mmol), dimethyl sulphide (5.1 mmol), acetyl chloride (3.1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuaran (50 ml) was stirred at 40° C. for 4 days. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate water mixture and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. The removal of the solvent afforded a residue, which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 71% yield.
[0478] MS (M+1)=386 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 17 H18F 3 N 3 O 4 .
Preparation-45
Preparation of 4-[3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0479] [0479]
[0480] The mixture of 3-methyl-4-piperidone hydrochloride (0.085 mol), triethylamine (0.170 mol), 4-fluoronitrobenzene (0.085 mol) in chloroform was heated under reflux for 16 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum and to the residue water was added and the precipitate was filtered to afford 4-[3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-3-fluoronitrobenzene in 76% yield.
[0481] MS (M+1)=253 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 12 H 13 FN 2 O 3 .
Preparation-46
Preparation of 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0482] [0482]
[0483] The mixture of 4-[3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-3-fluoronitrobenzene from step-1 (0.059 mol), ethylene glycol (1.09 mol) and p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.014 mol) in toluene was heated to reflux for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with water. The organic layer was evaporated to afford 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluoronitrobenzene as a solid in 78% yield.
[0484] MS (M+1)=297 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 14 H 17 FN 2 O 4 .
Preparation-47
Preparation of [4-(1,4-Dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluorophenyl-4-yl]-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene
[0485] [0485]
[0486] The suspension of 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluoronitrobenzene (0.038 mol), 10% palladium on carbon (0.5 g) in tetrahydrofuran was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (400 psi) overnight. The reaction mixture filtered to remove the catalyst. To the filtrate, sodium bicarbonate (0.056 mol) and benzyl chloroformate (0.041 mol) was added at 0-5° C. and stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the residue stirred with hexane. The precipitate was filtered to give the title compound in 89% yield.
[0487] MS (M+1)=401 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 25 FN 2 O 4 .
Preparation-48
Preparation of (R)-3-{4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0488] [0488]
[0489] Butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 180 ml) was added to the solution [4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluorophenyl-4-yl]-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene (0.031 mol) in tetrahydrofuran at −78° C. (R)-(−)-Glycidyl butyrate (0.032 mol) was added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate after quenching with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The evaporation of solvent afforded title compound in 88% yield.
[0490] MS (M+1)=367 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 23 FN 2 O 5 .
Preparation-49
Preparation of R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0491] [0491]
[0492] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (0.194 mol), triethylamine (0.213 mmol), and methanesulphonyl chloride (0.232 mol) in 700 ml of dichloromethane was stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was washed with 1 liter water. The organic layer was dried and evaporated under vacuum to afford title compound in 87% yield.
[0493] MS (M+1)=445 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 25 FN 2 O 7 S.
Preparation-50
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0494] [0494]
[0495] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (0.16 mol), sodium azide (0.46 mol) in dimethylformamide (200 ml) was heated at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and poured in ice cold water. The precipitate was filtered to provide title compound in 85% yield.
[0496] MS (M+1)=392 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 22 FN 5 O 4 .
Preparation-51
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine
[0497] [0497]
[0498] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4,4-dimethoxy-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (25.2 mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (1.0 g) was in ethyl acetate was stirred at a room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to give a residue, which was purified on silica gel column chromatography to provide title compound in 85% yield.
[0499] MS (M+1)=366 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 24 FN 3 O 4 .
Preparation-52
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(3-methyl-4-oxo-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorphenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine
[0500] [0500]
[0501] The mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (0.016 mol), p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.032 mol) in acetone water (300 ml, 40:60) mixture was refluxed for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was filtered to afford title compound 78% yield.
[0502] MS (M+1)=322 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 16 H 20 FN 3 O 3 .
Preparation-53
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-Dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0503] [0503]
[0504] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (0.153 mol), 10% palladium on carbon (7 g), pyridine (0.45 mol), acetic anhydride (0.18 mol) in 700 ml ethyl acetate was stirred at 400 psi hydrogen gas pressure overnight. The suspension was filtered. Filtrate was purified to provide title compound in 70% yield.
[0505] MS (M+1)=408 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 26 FN 3 O 5 .
Preparation-54
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0506] [0506]
[0507] The (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (0.040 mol), p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.080 mol) in acetone water (350 ml, 40:60) mixture was refluxed for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was filtered to afford keto oxazolidinone acetamide compound 76% yield.
[0508] MS (M+1)=364 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 22 FN 3 O 4 .
Preparation-55
Preparation of 4-[3,3 -dimethyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0509] [0509]
[0510] The mixture of 3,3-dimethyl-4-piperidone hydrochloride (0.085 mol), triethylamine (0.170 mol), 4-fluoronitrobenzene (0.085 mol) in chloroform was heated under reflux for 16 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum and to the residue water was added and the precipitate was filtered to afford 4-[3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-3-fluoronitrobenzene in 76% yield.
[0511] MS (M+1)=267 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 13 H 15 FN 2 O 3 .
Preparation-56
Preparation of 4-[4-(1,4-Dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluoronitrobenzene
[0512] [0512]
[0513] The mixture of 4-[3,3-dimethyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl]-3-fluoronitrobenzene from step-1 (0.059 mol), ethylene glycol (0.109 mol) and p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.014 mol) in toluene was heated to reflux for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with water. The organic layer was evaporated to afford 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluoronitrobenzene as solid in 78% yield.
[0514] MS (M+1)=311 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 15 H 19 FN 2 O 4 .
Preparation-57
Preparation of [4-(1,4-Dioxa-3,3-methyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluorophenyl-4-yl]-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene
[0515] [0515]
[0516] The suspension of 4-[4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluoronitrobenzene (0.038 mol), 10% palladium on carbon (0.5 g) in tetrahydrofuran was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (400 psi) overnight.
[0517] The reaction mixture filtered to remove the catalyst. To the filtrate, sodium bicarbonate (0.056 mol) and benzyl chloroformate (0.041 mol) was added at 0-5° C. and stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the residue stirred with hexane. The precipitate was filtered to give the title compound in 89% yield.
[0518] MS (M+1)=415 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 23 H 27 FN 2 ) 4 .
Preparation-58
Preparation of (R)-3-{4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluorophenyl)--2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0519] [0519]
[0520] Butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 180 ml) was added to the solution [4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)]-3-fluorophenyl-4-yl]-aminocarbonyloxymethyl]-benzene (0.031 mol) in tetrahydrofuran at −78° C. (R)-(−)-Glycidyl butyrate (0.032 mol) was added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate after quenching with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution.
[0521] The evaporation of solvent afforded title compound in 88% yield.
[0522] MS (M+1)=381 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 25 FN 2 O 5 .
Preparation-59
Preparation of R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-Dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate
[0523] [0523]
[0524] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (0.194 mol), triethylamine (0.213 mmol), and methanesulphonyl chloride (0.232 mol) in 700 ml of dichloromethane was stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was washed with 1 liter water. The organic layer was dried and evaporated under vacuum to afford title compound in 87% yield.
[0525] MS (M+1)=459 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 27 FN 2 O 7 S.
Preparation-60
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-Dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0526] [0526]
[0527] The mixture of (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate (0.16 mol), sodium azide (0.46 mol) in dimethylformamide (200 ml) was heated at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and poured in ice cold water. The precipitate was filtered to provide title compound in 85% yield.
[0528] MS (M+1)=406 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 24 FN 5 O 4 .
Preparation-61
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-Dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0529] [0529]
[0530] The suspension of (S)-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (0.153 mol), 10% palladium on carbon (7 g), pyridine (0.45 mol), acetic anhydride (0.18 mol) in 700 ml ethyl acetate was stirred at 400 psi hydrogen gas pressure overnight. The suspension was filtered. Filtrate was purified to provide title compound in 70% yield.
[0531] MS (M+1)=422 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 28 FN 3 O 5 .
Preparation-62
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(3,3-Dimethyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0532] [0532]
[0533] The (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,4-dioxa-3,3-dimethyl-8-aza-spiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (0.040 mol), p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.080 mol) in acetone water (350 ml, 40:60) mixture was refluxed for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and treated with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate solution. The precipitate was filtered to afford keto oxazolidinone acetamide compound 76% yield.
[0534] MS (M+1)=378 (MH+, 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 24 FN 3 O 4 .
[0535] The Table 1 below shows the linezolid MIC values for the sensitive and the corresponding resistant strains as well as the site of mutation in their ribosomal RNA.
TABLE 1 Linezolid MIC Mutation in Strains (μg/ml) 23 S rRNA S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303 0.8 — S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303 LR 25 A2160G S. aureus Smith 1.56 — S. aureus Smith LR 50 G2447U MRSA 032 1.56 — MRSA 032 LR 25 G2447U
[0536] A further embodiment in support of the invention is the result derived from a CoMFA 3D-QSAR study carried out on the compounds of the invention. The study and the results obtained are briefed described below.
Three-dimensional Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship of (3D-QSAR) of Oxazolidinone Antibacterials
[0537] Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) a three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship technique was applied to series of oxazolidinone antibacterials to understand pharmacophoric factors necessary for optimal activity. CoMFA technique derives the relationship between steric and electrostatic fields of the molecules and their biological activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA 032 strain) was used as biological activity.
Computational Methods
[0538] Study was performed using Sybyl 6.6 (Tripos Inc. St. Louis Mo.) molecular modeling software. All the molecules were constructed and assigned Gasteiger-Huckel charges. All the molecules were minimized using Conjugate Gradient method. Molecules were aligned using rigid fit method with oxazolidinone ring as a template. Biological activity is expressed as log (1/MIC) in molar units. CoMFA fields were calculated for all the molecules and CoMFA field values were correlated with biological activity using partial-least squares (PLS) method. PLS was used to determine optimum number of components and these were used to calculate r 2 and F−value.
Statistical Results From CoMFA Analysis Of Oxazolidinones. Series 1 Series 2 (Literature (Compounds of compounds) the invention) Cross-validated r 2 (r 2 cv ) 0.490 0.535 Optimum number of components 7 2 r 2 value 0.796 0.700 F-value 104.15 75.48 Steric contributions 44.7 62.7 Electrostatic contributions 55.3 37.3
[0539] The results clearly show that in the case of the prior art literature molecules the steric contributions are less than the electrostatic contributions. In contrast, for the compounds of the present invention as opposed to the prior art, and thus non-obvious, the steric contributions are more than one and half times more than the electrostatic contributions.
EXAMPLES
[0540] The following examples illustrate the methods of selection of resistant mutant strains and are provided only as examples, but not to limit the scope.
Example A
[0541] Selection of Linezolid (LNZ) Resistant Mutants of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus -32 (MR SA -32) and Streptococcus pneumoniae 6303 ( SPN 6303) in Murine Infections.
Method
[0542] Linezolid resistant mutants of MRSA-32 and SPN 6303 were recovered while studying in vivo efficacy of linezolid in immunocompetent Swiss mice. Infecting doses of organisms given by intraperitoneal route in 5% hog gastric mucin were 10 3 -10 4 CFU (colony forming units)/animal for SPN 6303 and 10 8 CFU/animal for MRSA-32. In case of MRSA-32, Linezolid was administered by oral route, 1 and 4 h post infection, BID (twice a day) for 1 day and for SPN 6303 BID for 2 days. Mice dying at the highest dose of Linezolid were dissected to recover organisms from heart and liver for MRSA-32 and from lung for SPN 6303 by plating on blood agar containing Linezolid at a concentration of 4×MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration). MICs of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus -32 Linezolid resistant (MRSA-32 LNZR), S. pneumoniae 744 Linezolid resistant (SPN 744 LNZR) and parent Linezolid sensitive strains MRSA-32 and SPN 6303 were determined for Linezolid by NCCLS agar dilution method. In vivo expression of Linezolid resistance by mutants was further confirmed by determining Linezolid ED 50 (Efficacy dose at which 50% of animals show mortality) values for mutants and parent strains in mouse systemic infection model.
Results
[0543] MICs of Linezolid for parent Linezolid sensitive strains of MRSA-32 and SPN 6303 and were 1.56 and 0.8 mcg/ml respectively. However, mutant strains MRSA-32 LNZR and SPN 744 LNZR recovered from mice had higher MICs of 50 and 25 mcg/ml respectively. ED 50 values of Linezolid for MRSA-32 and SPN 6303 were raised from 5 and 75 mg/kg to 100 and >200 mg/kg for the corresponding mutant strains.
Example B
[0544] Method used for Selecting LNZ Resistant Mutant of Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434
[0545] [0545] E. faecium ATCC 19434 strain at a cell density of 10 6 /ml was inoculated in Mueller Hinton broth medium containing Linezolid at a concentration of 5 and 7.5 mcg/ml. The stationary culture was incubated at 37° C. and inspected at every 24 hours to assess the formation of turbidity due to the onset of bacterial growth. Following an extended incubation for 96-120 hrs turbidity development was noticed in a flask containing medium incorporated with linezolid at 5 & 7.5 mcg/ml. A 50 microliter sample of turbid flask was plated on Mueller Hinton agar medium incorporated with linezolid at 7.5 mcg/ml. The agar plates were incubated for 48 hours at 37° C. for the formation of discrete colonies of linezolid-resistant strain of E. faecium ( E. faecium 367 LNZR). MICs of resistant mutant E. faecium 367 LNZR and parent strain E. faecium ATCC 19434 were determined for linezolid by NCCLS method.
Results
[0546] MIC value of Linezolid sensitive strain E. facium ATCC 19434 increased from 1.56 mcg/ml to 25 mcg/ml for E. faecium 367 LNZR, on becoming resistant to Linezolid.
Antibacterial Activity
[0547] The compounds of the invention have distinctive antibacterial activities over the compounds of the prior art. Examples of such activity are provided below. The methods for subjecting the compounds of the invention to various antimicrobial activity tests, in which they exhibited antimicrobial activity are also described.
TEST EXAMPLES
Test Example 1
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Determination
[0548] Overnight grown cultures of S. aureus organisms in Tryptic Soya broth were diluted in Mueller Hinton Broth to give optical density matching with MacFarland tube 0.5 standard. Cultures were further diluted 1:10 in Mueller Hinton broth. Using Denley's mutipoint inoculator, 10 4 cells were deposited on Mueller Hinton agar (Difco) containing range of 2 fold dilutions of test compounds. These plates were incubated for 24 hrs at 35° C. and MIC results recorded. MIC is defined as minimum drug concentration that inhibits test organisms. For determining MIC of test compounds against Streptococcus pneumoniae , Mueller Hinton agar containing 5% sheep blood was employed.
[0549] The MIC values for representative compounds of the invention against linezolid resistant (LNZR) strains S. aureus MRSA-32 LNZR, SPN 744 LNZR and E. faecium 367 LNZR are shown in Table-2.
TABLE 2 MICs against linezolid resistant strains (MIC μg/ml) MRSA 32 SPN744 E. faecium Example No. LNZR LNZR 367 LNZR 3 25.0 12.5 25.0 31 12.5 12.5 6.25 32 12.5 6.25 6.25 45 3.12 3.12 ND 46 6.25 6.25 1.56 51 3.12 3.12 1.56 56 (E) 12.5 6.25 6.25 56 (Z) 25 12.5 6.25 57 12.5 6.25 6.25 60 6.25 3.12 1.56 67 12.5 6.25 3.12 68 6.25 3.12 3.12 74 25 6.25 6.25 77 12.5 6.25 6.25 84 1.56 1.56 1.56 89 25 12.5 6.25 90 12.5 6.25 3.12 93 6.25 3.12 1.56 96 12.5 6.25 3.12 115 12.5 6.25 3.12 117 12.5 6.25 3.12 121 6.25 1.56 ND 160 6.25 3.12 ND Linezolid >25 25 >25
Test Example 2
[0550] The MIC values for representative compounds of the invention against Linezolid sensitive MRSA-32, Linezolid sensitive SPN 49619 are shown in Table-3.
TABLE 3 MICs against linezolid sensitive strains (MIC μg/ml) Example No. MRSA 32 SPN 49619 3 1.56 0.8 31 0.8 0.8 32 0.8 0.8 45 0.2 0.2 46 0.2 0.2 47 0.8 0.4 51 0.4 0.2 56 (Z) 0.8 0.8 56 (E) 0.8 0.8 60 0.25 0.1 67 0.8 0.4 68 0.4 0.4 79 0.80 0.8 84 0.40 0.2 90 0.80 0.4 93 0.40 0.2 96 0.8 0.8 105 0.80 0.8 115 0.80 0.8 117 0.8 0.4 118 0.80 0.4 119 0.40 0.8 120 0.80 0.8 121 0.40 0.2 160 0.4 0.2 Linezolid 1.56 0.8
Test Example 3
Bactericidal Activity Vs Bacteriostatic Activity
[0551] Killing effect study of linezolid and test compound was carried out against Enterococcus faecalis 416 strain. Test organism was appropriately diluted in 20 ml Muller Hinton broth containing 5 mcg/ml of linezolid and test compound in 50 ml conical flasks. The initial inoculum was adjusted to 10 6 CFU (colony forming units) per ml. The flasks were kept on shaker in close cabinet at 35° C. Aliquots were drawn at 112 hours and cell count was determined to assess the extent of loss in viability.
Results
[0552] In case of Linezolid, the initial count of 10 6 CFU/ml was increased to 10 9 CFU/ml, indicating that there was no static or cidal action exerted by linezolid. However, flasks containing a representative compound of the invention showed excellent cidal potential by reducing initial count of 10 6 CFU/ml to 10 3 CFU/ml. This 3 log kill amounts to 99.9% kill of test organism.
TABLE 4 Bactericidal potential of Compounds of the invention E. faecalis 416 (CFU/ml) Example No Initial Count Final Count (112 h) 3 10 6 10 6 9 10 6 10 3 46 10 6 <10 2 51 10 6 <10 2 96 10 6 <10 2 160 10 6 <10 2 Linezolid 10 6 10 8
Test Example 4
Low Propensity to Resistance Development
Method
[0553] [0553] Enterococcus faecalis 416 strain at 10 8 CFU density level was spirally plated on Mueller Hinton agar containing 5 mcg/ml each of linezolid and representative compound of the invention. Plates were incubated at 35° C. for 48 hours and number of resistant colonies developed in presence of respective compounds were counted by automated counter.
Results
[0554] [0554] TABLE 5 Low propensity of compounds of invention towards resistance development No. of colonies/plate Compound concentration—5 mcg/ml Example No E. faecalis 416 3 0 9 0 31 0 32 0 46 0 47 0 51 0 56 0 74 0 90 0 96 0 159 1.5 × 10 1 160 0 Linezolid 1.2 × 10 2
[0555] Compounds of the invention show absence of or very low frequency of emergence of resistant colonies, in comparison to linezolid. This result is indicative of the superior curing effect of the compounds of the invention compared to linezolid for the treatment of enterococcal infections.
Test Example 5
Mutant Prevention Concentration (MPC) Determination
Method
[0556] Clinical isolate Enterococcus faecalis 416 was spirally plated on Tryptic Soya agar (TSA) plate containing various 2 fold dilutions each of a representative compound of the invention and Linezolid so as to give 10 9 CFU/plate. After incubation at 35° C. for 48 hours, the CFU on each plate was determined. MPC is defined as minimum concentration of drug that prevents mutant colonies on respective antibiotic containing plate.
Results
[0557] [0557] TABLE 6 MPC of compounds of invention for Enterococcus faecalis 416 strain Example- No E. faecalis 416 3 12.5 9 6.25 32 6.25 46 1.56 51 1.56 96 6.25 Linezolid 12.5
Conclusion
[0558] The lower MPC values are indicative of superior curing effect of compounds of the invention compared to linezolid in the treatment of enterococcal infections.
[0559] The following examples illustrate the methods of preparation of the compounds of the invention are provided only as examples, but not to limit the scope of the compounds of the invention.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0560] [0560]
[0561] The mixure of triethylamine (13.8 mmol), lithium bromide (8.2 mmol) and diethylcyanomethylphosphonate (7.2 mmol) in 25 ml tetrahydrofuran was stirred for 20 minutes at room temperature. To the suspension, (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2oxo-oxazolodin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (6.9 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture stirred for 5 hours.
[0562] The suspension was filtered and the filtrate was treated with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layer was dried and evaporated to give a residue which purified by silica gel column chromatography to provide the titled compound in 91% yield.
[0563] M.P. 80-82° C. and MS (M+1)=339 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 18 N 6 O 2 .
Example 2
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide
[0564] [0564]
Step-1
[0565] To a mixture of (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide (2.94 mmol), triphenylphosphine (3.81 mmol) was stirred for 3 hours. It was refluxed by adding water overnight. Removal of solvent and purification of the product on silica gel column chromatography provided (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 71% yield.
Step-2
[0566] The solution of (S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (2.3 mmol) in ethyl formate (10 ml) was heated at 80° C. over night. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the residue obtained was chromatographed over silica gel to afford the titled compound in 68% yield.
[0567] MS (M+1)=341 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 20 N 4 O 3 .
Example 3
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[0568] [0568]
[0569] The titled compound was obtained as per Example-1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 80% yield.
[0570] M.P. 168-170° C. and MS (M+1)=355 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 22 N 4 O 3 .
Example 4
Preparation of (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboxyethyl-1,2,3-triazole
[0571] [0571]
[0572] The mixture of compound of Example 1 (2.05 mmol), ethyl propiolate (4.21 mmol), in toluene (10 ml) was heated under reflux for 4 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum. The residue was triturated with the hexane and filtered to provide a isomeric mixture of two compounds. The column chromatographic purification on silica gel afforded the titled compound in 70% yield.
[0573] M.P. 120-122° C. and MS (M+1)=437 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 24 N 6 O 4 .
Example 5
[0574] Preparation of (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano-1 2,3-triazole
[0575] The mixture of (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethy}4-carboxyethyl-1,2,3-triazole (1.14 mmol), ammonium hydroxide (60 ml) in acetonitrile (10 ml) was heated at 50° C. for 3 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The solid compound obtained was dried under vacuum to afford 4-carboxamide 1,2,3-triazole compound in 58% yield.
Step -2
[0576] To a suspension of the 4-carboxamide 1,2,3-triazole compound (0.82 mmol), pyridine (2.06 mmol), trifluoroacetic anhydride (0.23 ml, 1.65 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours. The reaction mixture treated with saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. Organic layer was dried and removal of solvent and purification of residue over a silica gel column chromatography furnished the titled compound in 51% yield.
[0577] M.P. 186-188° C. and MS (M+1)=390 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 19 N 7 O 2 .
Example 6
Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[0578] [0578]
[0579] The (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate was treated with diethylcyanomethyl phosphonate as per Example 1 to provide titled compound in 42% yield.
[0580] M.P. 120-122° C. and MS (M+1)=392 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 21 N 3 O 5 S.
Example 7
Preparation (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isocyanate
[0581] [0581]
Step- 1
[0582] The (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine was was treated with diethylphosphonate as per Example-1 to provide (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 88% yield.
Step -2
[0583] Triphosgene (0.580, 1.81 mmol) was added to a solution of compound of step-1 (0.50 g, 1.5 mmol) in 25 ml dichloromethane followed by triethyl amine (3.5 ml) at 0-5° C. under nitrogen.
[0584] The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated and the residue obtained was chromatographed on the silica gel to afford the titled compound.
[0585] M.P. 172-174° C. and MS (M+1)=357 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 17 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 8
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide
[0586] [0586]
[0587] The (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine of Example-7, step-1 was subjected to the procedure described in Example-2 step-2, the title compound was isolated in 48% yield.
[0588] M.P. 183-184° C. and MS (M+1)=359 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 19 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 9
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0589] [0589]
[0590] The intermediate i was treated with diethylcyanomethyl phosphonate as per Example 1 to provide titled compound in 91% yield.
[0591] Mp. 159-160° C.
[0592] [0592] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.02 (3H, s), 2.50-2.61(2H, m), 2.71-2.82 (2H, m), 3.05-3.29 (4H, m), 3.52-3.81 (3H, m), 3.95-4.11 (1H, m), 4.69-4.85 (1H, m), (5.21(1H, s), 6.19 (1H, t, J=5.9 mHz), 6.95 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz).
[0593] ESMS m/z 373 (MH + , 100%).
Example 10
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-propionamide
[0594] [0594]
[0595] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (1.5 mmol), propionyl chloride (1.79 mmol) in 10 ml pyridine was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Evaporation of the solvent under vacuum and silica gel column chromatography afforded the titled compound in 52% yield.
[0596] Mp. 200-202° C.
[0597] [0597] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.10 (3H, t, J=7.2Hz), 2.23 (2H, q, J=4.8Hz), 2.50-2.60 (2H, m), 2.70-2.85 (2H, m), 310-3.21(4H, m), 3.59-3.82 (3 H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, s), 6.09 (1H, t, J=5.9Hz), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.44 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz).
[0598] ESMS m/z 387 (MH + , 100%).
Example 11
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-dimethylpropionamide
[0599] [0599]
[0600] Following the procedure described in Example 10 and using pivaloyl chloride in the place of propionyl chloride the title compound was isolated in 65% yield.
[0601] Mp. 198-200° C.
[0602] [0602] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.18 (9H, s), 2.45-2.61 (2H, m), 2.70-2.85 (2H, m), 3.10-3.25 (4H, m), 3.60-3.85 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, s), 6.10 (1H, t, J=5.9Hz), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.05 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz).
[0603] ESMS m/z 415 (MH + , 100%).
Example 12
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-3,3-dimethylbutanamide
[0604] [0604]
[0605] Following the procedure described in Example 10 and using 3,3-dimethyl butyryl chloride in the place of propionyl chloride the title compound was isolated in 54% yield.
[0606] M.P. 210-212° C. and MS (M+1)=431 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 27 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 13
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxyacetamide
[0607] [0607]
[0608] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (2.87 mmol), glycolic acid (5.74 mmol), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (7.17 mmol), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (100 mg) in dichloromethane (50 ml) was stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography over a silica gel to give title compound in 70% yield.
[0609] M.P. 68-70° C. and MS (M+1)=389 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 14
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-pivolyloxyacetamide
[0610] [0610]
[0611] Following the procedure described in Example 10 and using t-butylcarbonyloxy-methyl chloroformate in the place of propionyl chloride the title compound was isolated in 54% yield.
[0612] M.P. 91-93° C. and MS (M+1)=473 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 24 H 29 FN 4 O 5 .
Example 15
Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-N-methylacetamide
[0613] [0613]
[0614] The compound obtained in Example 9 (1 mmol) was treated with n-butyl lithium (1.6 M in hexane, 1.6 mmol), methyl iodide (2 mmol) in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran at −78° C. temperature. The reaction mixture was with ethyl acetate water mixture. The organic layer was evaporated to give a crude compound, which was chromatographed on a silica gel to give the titled compound in 44% yield.
[0615] Mp. 128-132° C.
[0616] [0616] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.15 (3H, s), 2.45-2.65 (2H, m), 2.70-2.90 (2H, m), 3.10-3.30 (7H, m), 3.41-3.60 (1H, m), 3.61-3.80 (1H, m), 3.82-4.10 (2H, m), 4.80-5.00 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, s), 6.90-7.19 (2H, m), 7.40-7.60(1H, m).
[0617] ESMS m/z 387 (MH + , 100%).
Example 16
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0618] [0618]
[0619] The (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide was converted to the title compound by using the procedure described in Example-1 in 40% yield.
[0620] M.P. 112-114° C. and MS (M+1)=357 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 17 FN 4 O 2 .
Example 17
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine
[0621] [0621]
[0622] The procedure to prepare title compound is described in Example 7.
[0623] P. 162-164° C. and MS (M+1)=331 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 19 FN 4 O 2 .
Example 18
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-prop-2-ene
[0624] [0624]
[0625] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (0.12 mmol), allyl bromide (0.18 mmol), and potassium carbonate (0.25 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran was heated at reflux temperature for 12 hours. Solvent evaporation and purification to provided the title compound in 35% yield.
[0626] P. 102-104° C. and MS (M+1)=371 (MH + , 100 %), M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 2 .
Example 19
Preparation of (S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-nitrile
[0627] [0627]
[0628] Following the procedure described in Example 10 and using cyanogen bromide in the place of propionyl chloride the title compound was isolated in 66% yield.
[0629] P. 121-122° C. and MS (M+1)=356 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 18 FN 5 O 2 .
Example 20
(S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-acetonitrile
[0630] [0630]
[0631] Following the procedure described in Example 10 and using bromoacetotrile in the place of propionyl chloride the title compound was isolated in 55% yield.
[0632] P. 129-131° C. and MS (M+1)=370 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 FN 5 O 2 .
Example 21
(S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-methylamine
[0633] [0633]
[0634] The mixture of triethylamine (2.65 mmol), Fmoc L-glycine (2.54 mmol), isobutylchloroformate (2.54 mmol), (S)-N-{3 -[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine (2.12 mmol) in dichloromethane (10ml) was stirred for 3-5 h at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted with dichloromethane and water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and evaporation of the solvent afforded a crude compound. It was further purified by column chromatography over a silica gel to give a solid.
[0635] The solid was stirred with 40% piperidine in tetrahydrofurane for 2-3 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was crystallized to give the title compound in 70% yield.
[0636] P. 171-172° C. and MS (M+1)=388 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 22 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 22
(S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}N-cyano}-prop-2-ene
[0637] [0637]
[0638] The compound of Example 18 was treated with cyanogen bromide as per procedure in Example 10 to give titled compound in 32% yield.
[0639] M.P. 111-113° C. and MS (M+1)=396 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 5 O 2 .
Example 23
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide
[0640] [0640]
[0641] By following the procedure as per Example 13, and by using 2-cyanoacetic acid in the place of glycolic acid, the title compound was isolated in 42% yield.
[0642] M.P. 150-152° C. and MS (M+1)=398 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 20 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 24
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-oxo-oxazolidin-4-yl-carboxamide
[0643] [0643]
Step-1
[0644] By following the procedure as per Example 21, and by using L-serine in the place of L-glycine the 2-amino-3-hydroxypropionamide compound was isolated in 42% yield.
Step-2
[0645] The solution of above compound (0.25 mmol), carbonyldiimidazole (0.095 g, 0.58 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was stirred for 18 hours. Evaporation of the solvent gave crude solid, which was purified by column chromatography over a silica gel to give the title compound in 84% yield.
[0646] M.P. 145° C. and MS (M+1)=444 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 5 O 5 .
Example 25
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-pyrrolidin-2-carboxamide
[0647] [0647]
[0648] By following the procedure of Example 21, and by using L-proline in the place of L-glycine the title compound was isolated in 42% yield.
[0649] M.P. 155° C. and MS (M+1)=428 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 26 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 26
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboethoxy-1,2,3-triazole
[0650] [0650]
[0651] The title compound was prepared by using compound of Example 16 and following the procedure of Example-4 in 64% yield.
[0652] M.P. 164-166° C. and MS (M+1)=455 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 23 FN 6 O 4 .
Example 27
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-5-carboethoxy- 1,2,3 -triazole
[0653] [0653]
[0654] The title compound was prepared by using the compound of Example 16 and following the procedure of Example-4 in 26% yield.
[0655] M.P. 70-72° C. and MS (M+1)=455 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 23 FN 6 O 4 .
Example 28
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano- 1,2,3-triazole
[0656] [0656]
[0657] The title compound was prepared by using compound of Example 26 and following the procedure of Example-5 in 45% yield.
[0658] M.P. 78-80° C. and MS (M+1)=408 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 18 FN 7 O 2 .
Example 29
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide
[0659] [0659]
[0660] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolid in-5-ylmethyl}-amine (0.5 g, 1.45 mmol), oxalyl chloride (0.150 ml, 1.74 mmol), difluoroacetic acid (0.1 ml, 1.74 mmol) and triethylamine (0.242 ml, 1.74 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted with the dichloromethane water mixture. The combined organic layer was dried and removal of the solvent afforded a residue which was chromatographed over silica gel to give title compound in 48% yield.
[0661] M.P. 162-164° C. and MS (M+1)=409 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 19 F 3 N 4 O 3 .
Example 30
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trifluoroacetamide;
[0662] [0662]
[0663] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using trifluoroacetic acid in the place of difluoroacetic acid in 45% yield.
[0664] Mp. 181-183° C.
[0665] [0665] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.50-2.60 (2H, m), 2.70-2.85 (2H, m), 310-3.21 (4H, m), 3.59-3.80 (2H, m) 3.82-4.00 (1H, m), 4.10-4.20 (1H, m), 4.75-4.95 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, s), 6.92 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.05 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.20-7.30 (1H, m), 7.42 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz).
[0666] ESMS m/z 427 (MH + , 100%).
Example 31
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-chloroacetamide
[0667] [0667]
[0668] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using chloroacetic acid in the place of difluoroacetic acid in 77% yield.
[0669] MS (M+1)=407 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 FN 4 O 3 Cl.
Example 32
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide
[0670] [0670]
[0671] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using dichloroacetic acid in the place of difluoroacetic acid in 39% yield.
[0672] M.P. 159-161° C. and MS (M+1)=442 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 19 FN 4 O 3 Cl 2 .
Example 33
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trichloroacetamide
[0673] [0673]
[0674] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using trichloroacetic acid in the place of difluoroacetic acid in 42% yield.
[0675] M.P. 142-144° C. and MS (M+1)=476 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 18 FN 4 O 3 Cl 3 .
Example 34
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-bromoacetamide
[0676] [0676]
[0677] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using bromoacetylbromide in the place of propionyl chloride in 77% yield.
[0678] M.P. 160-162° C. and MS (M+1)=452 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 FN 4 O 3 Br.
Example 35
(S)-N-{3 -[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dibromoacetamide
[0679] [0679]
[0680] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using dibromoacetic acid in the place of difluoroacetic acid in 57% yield.
[0681] MS (M+1)=531 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 19 FN 4 O 3 Br 2 .
Example 36
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-iodoacetamide
[0682] [0682]
[0683] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using iodoacetyliodide in the place of propionyl chloride in 29% yield.
[0684] M.P. 178-180° C. and MS (M+1)=499 (M + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 FN 4 O 3 I.
Example 37
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-methylphenylsulphonamide
[0685] [0685]
[0686] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using p-toluene sulfonylchloride in the place of propionyl chloride in 69% yield.
[0687] Mp. 180-182° C.
[0688] [0688] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.45 (3H, s), 2.50-2.60 (2H, m), 2.70-2.85 (2H, m), 3.09-3.40 (64, m), 3.85-4.10 (2H, m), 4.65-4.80 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, s), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.05 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.25-7.39 (4H, m), 7.40 (1H, d, J=2.2, 9.2Hz).
[0689] ESMS m/z 485 (MH + , 100%).
Example 38
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylcarbamate
[0690] [0690]
[0691] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isocyanate (1.0 mmol), sodium methoxide (1.2 mmol) in methanol (10 ml) was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture. The organic extract was dried and removal of solvent afforded title compound in 75% yield.
[0692] MS (M+1)=389 (MH 30 , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 39
(S)-N-{3 -[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-ethylcarbamate
[0693] [0693]
[0694] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 38 and by using sodium ethoxide in the place of sodium methoxide in 54% yield.
[0695] MS (M+1)=403 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 40
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isopropylcarbamate
[0696] [0696]
[0697] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using isopropylchloroformate in the place of propionyl chloride in 48% yield.
[0698] 202-204° C. and MS (M+1)=431 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 27 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 41
(2S, 5S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-propionamid-2-yl}-amine
[0699] [0699]
[0700] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 21 and by using L-alanine in the place of L-glycine in 67% yield.
[0701] M.P. 103-105° C. and MS (M+1)=402 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 42
(2S, 5S)-{N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-3-hydroxypropionamid-2-yl}-amine
[0702] [0702]
[0703] The procedure to prepare the title compound is described in Example 24.
[0704] M.P. 88-90° C. and MS (M+1)=418 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 5 O 4 .
Example 43
(2S, 5S){N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-3-(imidazol-4-yl)-propionamid-2-yl}-amine
[0705] [0705]
[0706] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 21 and by using L-histidine in the place of L-glycine in 63% yield.
[0707] M.P. 93-96° C. and MS (M+1)=468 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 23 H 26 FN 7 O 3 .
Example 44
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-1-pthalamide
[0708] [0708]
[0709] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-pthalamide in 67% yield.
[0710] M.P. 183-185° C. and MS (M+1)=461 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 25 H 21 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 45
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0711] [0711]
[0712] A mixture of the compound of Example-9 (0.26 mmol), Lawesson's reagent (0.40 mmol) in dioxane (10 ml) was stirred at 100° C. for one hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give a residue. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford title compound in 82% yield.
[0713] Mp. 190-192° C.
[0714] [0714] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.50-2.70 (5H, m), 2.76-2.90 (2H, m), 3.10-3.30 (4H, m), 3.75-3.90 (1H, m), 4.00-4.20 (2H, m), 4.25-4.40 (1H, m), 4.90-5.10 (1H, m), 5.21 (1H, s), 6.90-7.10 (2H, m), 7.45 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz)., 8.10- 8 . 30 (1H, s).
[0715] ESMS m/z 389 (MH + , 100%).
Example 46
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamate
[0716] [0716]
Step 1
[0717] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolid in-5-ylmethyl}-amine (10 mmol), triethylamine (10 mmol) and carbon disulphide (20 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was stirred for 4 hours at 0° C.
[0718] To the solution ethyl chloroformate (5.8 mmol) was added and stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture washed with water followed by brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The evaporation of solvent gave (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioisocyanate in 69% yield.
Step-2
[0719] Thioisocyanate compound was treated with sodium methoxide as per procedure described in Example-38 to afford the title compound in 77% yield.
[0720] M.P. 147-148° C. and MS (M+1)=405 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 3 S.
Example 47
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxythioacetamide
[0721] [0721]
[0722] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 45 and by using compound of Example-13 in 42% yield.
[0723] M.P. 102-105° C. and MS (M+1)=405 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 3 S.
Example 48
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-hydroxyethylthiocarbamide
[0724] [0724]
[0725] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 46, step-2 by using aminoethanol in place of sodium methoxide in 36% yield.
[0726] M.P. 168-170° C. and MS (M+1)=434 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 5 O 3 S.
Example 49
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-thiocarbonylmethylamine
[0727] [0727]
[0728] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-45 and by using S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-carbonylmethylamine in 38% yield.
[0729] M.P. 157-158° C. and MS (M+1)=404 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 22 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 50
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-dimethylaminoethylthiocarbamide
[0730] [0730]
[0731] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 46, step-2 by using dimethylaminoethylamine in place of sodium methoxide in 40% yield.
[0732] M.P. 153-155° C. and MS (M+1)=461 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 29 FN 6 O 3 .
Example 51
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide
[0733] [0733]
[0734] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 46, step-2 by using sodamide in place of sodium methoxide in 80% yield.
[0735] M.P. 190-191° C. and MS (M+1)=390 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 20 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 52
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamide
[0736] [0736]
[0737] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 46, step-2 by using methylamine in place of sodium methoxide in 65% yield.
[0738] M.P. 191-192° C. and MS (M+1)=404 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 22 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 53
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonamide
[0739] [0739]
[0740] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using methanesulfonylchloride in the place of propionyl chloride in 88% yield.
[0741] Mp. 235-237° C.
[0742] [0742] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): 6 2.45-2.60 (2H, m), 2.70-2.85 (2H, m), 3.09 (3H, s), 3.10-3.30 (4H, m), 3.35-3.65 (2H, m), 3.85-4.15 (2H, m), 4.70-5.00 (1H, m), 5.20 (1H, s), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.42 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz).
[0743] ESMS m/z 409 (MH + , 100%).
Example 54
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[0744] [0744]
[0745] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate in 88% yield.
[0746] M.P. 126-128° C. and MS (M+1)=410 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 20 FN 3 O 5 S.
Example 55
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0747] [0747]
[0748] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 76% yield.
[0749] MS (M+1)=373 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 56
E/Z mixture/E and Z isomer of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0750] [0750]
[0751] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using S)-{3-[4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 71% yield as a mixture of isomers.
[0752] M.P. 100-102° C. and MS (M+1)=391 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
[0753] The mixture of compound was separated on preparative HPLC to provide E isomer in 56% yield as a white solid.
[0754] M.P. 138-140° C. and MS (M+1)=391 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
[0755] The mixture of compound was separated on preparative HPLC to provide Z isomer in 18% yield as a white solid.
[0756] M.P. 170-172° C. and MS (M+1)=391 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
Example 57
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide
[0757] [0757]
Step-1
[0758] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine.
[0759] The compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3,3-difluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 77% yield.
Step-2
[0760] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 80% yield.
[0761] M.P. 136-138° C. and MS (M+1)=427 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 18 F 4 N 4 O 3 .
Example 58
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isobutylcarbamate
[0762] [0762]
[0763] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and isobutylchloroformate in 69% yield.
[0764] M.P. 162-164° C. and MS (M+1)=448 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 26 F 2 N 4 O 4 .
Example 59
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[0765] [0765]
[0766] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (R)-{3-[4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate in 59% yield.
[0767] M.P. 116-118° C. and MS (M+1)=428 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 19 F 2 N 3 O 5 S.
Example 60
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0768] [0768]
[0769] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 45 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 56% yield.
[0770] M.P. 137-138° C. and MS (M+1)=405 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 F 2 N 4 O 2 S.
Example 61
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0771] [0771]
[0772] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3,3-difluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 88% yield.
[0773] MS (M+1)=409 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 19 F 3 N 4 O 3 .
Example 62
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide
[0774] [0774]
Step-1
[0775] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine:
[0776] The compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3,3-difluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 80% yield.
Step-2
[0777] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-2 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 59% yield.
[0778] M.P. 98-100° C. and MS (M+1)=373 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 63
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0779] [0779]
[0780] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3,3-difluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 62% yield.
[0781] M.P. 152-153° C. and MS (M+1)=387 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 64
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trifluoroacetamide
[0782] [0782]
[0783] The title compound was prepared as per Example-29 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and trifluoroacetic acid in 51% yield.
[0784] MS (M+1)=441 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 20 F 4 N 4 O 3 .
Example 65
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide
[0785] [0785]
[0786] The title compound was prepared as per Example-29 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and cyanoacetic acid in 81% yield.
[0787] M.P. 102-104° C. and MS (M+1)=412 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 66
(S)-2-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-1,3-thiazole
[0788] [0788]
[0789] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide (0.5 mmol), acetaldehyde diethylacetal (0.6 mmol) and p-toluene-sulphonic acid (0.05 mmol) in acetic acid (5 ml) was heated at 70° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture extracted with ethyl acetate water mixture. The organic layer treated with sodium bicarbonate dried. The evaporation of the solvent silica gel column chromatographic purification afforded title compound in 60% yield.
[0790] M.P. 75-77° C. and MS (M+1)=428 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 67
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamate
[0791] [0791]
[0792] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-46 in by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamate in 46% yield.
[0793] M.P. 78-80° C. and MS (M+1)=419 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 3 S.
Example 68
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thiocarbamide
[0794] [0794]
[0795] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-51 in by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioisocyanate in 79% yield.
[0796] P. 142-144° C. and MS (M+1)=404 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 22 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 69
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methylthiocarbamide
[0797] [0797]
[0798] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 52 in by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioisocyanate in 45% yield.
[0799] P. 180-182° C. and MS (M+1)=418 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 70
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3,3-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0800] [0800]
[0801] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 78% yield.
[0802] M.P. 150-152° C. and MS (M+1)=401 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 25 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 71
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethylidene-3,3-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[0803] [0803]
[0804] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3,3-dimethyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulfonate in 69% yield.
[0805] MS (M+1)=438 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 3 0 5 S.
Example 72
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0806] [0806]
[0807] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyanoethyl)-phosphonate in 65% yield.
[0808] M.P. 94-96° C. and MS (M+1)=369 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 N 4 O 3 .
Example 73
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-formamide
[0809] [0809]
Step-1
[0810] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine.
[0811] The compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and diethyl-(1-cyanoethyl)-phosphonate in 74% yield.
Step-2
[0812] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 2 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 66% yield.
[0813] M.P. 188-190° C. and MS (M+1)=373 (MH + , 100 %), M.F.=C 19 H 21 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 74
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0814] [0814]
[0815] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyanoethyl)-phosphonate in 80% yield.
[0816] M.P. 181-182° C. and MS (M+1)=387 (MH + , 100%) M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 75
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-2-cyanoacetamide
[0817] [0817]
[0818] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 23 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 80% yield.
[0819] M.P. 194-196° C. and MS (M+1)=412 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 76
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethylamino}-carboxymethylamine
[0820] [0820]
[0821] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-21 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 63% yield.
[0822] M.P. 141-142° C. and MS (M+1)=402 (MH + , 100 %), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 5 O 3 .
Example 77
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-difluoroacetamide
[0823] [0823]
[0824] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 75% yield.
[0825] M.P. 172-174° C. and MS (M+1)=423 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 21 F 3 N 4 O 3 .
Example 78
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-chloroacetamide
[0826] [0826]
[0827] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 31 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 57% yield.
[0828] MS (M+1)=421 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 22 FN 4 O 3 Cl.
Example 79
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide
[0829] [0829]
[0830] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and dichloroacetic acid in 63% yield.
[0831] M.P. 202-204° C. and MS (M+1)=455 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 21 FN 4 O 3 Cl 2 .
Example 80
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trichloroacetamide
[0832] [0832]
[0833] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and trichloroacetic acid in 45% yield.
[0834] M.P. 166-168° C. and MS (M+1)=489 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 20 FN 4 O 3 Cl 3 .
Example 81
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isobutylcarbamate
[0835] [0835]
[0836] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example-58 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 63% yield.
[0837] M.P. 158-160° C. and MS (M+1)=445 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 23 H 29 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 82
(R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[0838] [0838]
[0839] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 1 and by using (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol and diethyl(1-cyanoethyl)-phosphonate in 63% yield.
[0840] M.P. 100-102° C. and MS (M+1)=346 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 20 FN 3 O 3 .
Example 83
(R)-3-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyloxy}-iso-oxazole
[0841] [0841]
[0842] The mixture of diisopropyldiazodicarboxylate (3.75 mmol), (R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxzzolidin-5-ylmenthyl}-alcohol (3.13 mmol), triphenylphosphine (3.44 mmol) and 3-hydroxy-isoxazole (3.44 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) was stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with the ethyl acetate water mixture and the combine organic layer was dried. Evaporation of the solvent afforded a sticky solid, which was upon silica gel colmn chromatography afforded the title compound in 70% yield.
[0843] M.P. 137-138° C. and MS (M+1)=413 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 21 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 84
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0844] [0844]
[0845] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanoethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 56% yield.
[0846] M.P. 171-172° C. and MS (M+1)=403 (MH + , 100%). M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 2 S
Example 85
E/Z Mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0847] [0847]
[0848] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1cyanoethyl)-phosphonate in 75% yield as a isomeric mixture.
[0849] M.P. 148-150° C. and MS (M+1)=405 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 22 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
Example 86
E-(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0850] [0850]
[0851] Isomeric mixture obtained as per Example 85 was separated on preparative HPLC to provide title compound in 42% yield.
[0852] M.P. 148-150° C. and MS (M+1)=405 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 22 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
Example 87
Z-(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanoethylidene)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0853] [0853]
[0854] Isomeric mixture obtained as per Example 85 was separated on preparative HPLC to provide title compound in 22% yield.
[0855] M.P. 148-150° C. and MS (M+1)=405 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 22 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
Example 88
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0856] [0856]
[0857] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyanopropyl)-phosphonate in 78% yield.
[0858] MS (M+1)=383 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 26 N 4 O 3 .
Example 89
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0859] [0859]
[0860] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyanopropyl)-phosphonate in 61% yield.
[0861] Mp. 185-186° C. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.20 (3H, t, J=5.00 Hz), 2.05 (3H, s), 2.30 (2H, q, J=6.5 Hz), 2.50-2.65 (2H, m), 2.75-2.85 (2H, m), 3.00-3.25 ( 4.15 (1H, m), 4.65-4.85 (1H, m), 6.05-6.10 (1H, m), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=9.2, 9.2 Hz), 7.05 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 2.2 Hz), 7.41 (1H, dd, J=2.2, 14.0 Hz).
[0862] ESMS m/z 401 (MH + , 100%).
Example 90
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-dichloroacetamide
[0863] [0863]
Step-1
[0864] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanopropylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine.
[0865] The compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example -1 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 75% yield.
Step-2
[0866] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanopropylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and dichloroacetic acid in 50% yield.
[0867] M.P. 214-216° C. and MS (M+1)=469 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 23 FN 4 O 3 Cl 2 .
Example 91
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-trichloroacetamide
[0868] [0868]
[0869] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 29 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanopropylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and trichloroacetic acid in 63% yield.
[0870] M.P. 150-152° C. and MS (M+1)=503 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 4 O 3 Cl 3 .
Example 92
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-bromoacetamide
[0871] [0871]
[0872] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanopropylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and bromoacetyl bromide in 65% yield.
[0873] M.P. 200-203° C. and MS (M+1)=480 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 24 FN 4 O 3 Br.
Example 93
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0874] [0874]
[0875] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 45 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyanopropylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 55% yield.
[0876] M.P. 174-176° C. and MS (M+1)=417 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 25 FN 4 O 2 S
Example 94
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-cyclopropylmethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0877] [0877]
[0878] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (2.86 mmol), cyclopropylacetonitrile (5.73 mmol), ammonium acetate (catalytic) in 100 ml of toluene was heated at reflux temperature for 5 to 6 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and extracted with ethyl acetate water mixture, dried and evaporated to give crude product. The crude product was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to furnish title compound in 69% yield.
[0879] Mp: 175-79° C.
[0880] [0880] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 0.70-0.80 (2H, m), 0.81-1.00 (2H, m), 1.60-1.70 (1H, m), 2.05 (3H, m), 2.65-2.80 (4H, m), 3.01-3.30 (4H, m), 360-3.81 (1H, m), 3.85-4.15 (3H, m), 4.71-4.85 (1H, m), 6.97 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, m).
[0881] ESMS m/z 413 (MH + , 100%).
Example 95
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-3-ene-butylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0882] [0882]
[0883] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyano-3-ene-butyl)-phosphonate in 67% yield.
[0884] Mp. 189-191° C.
[0885] [0885] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01(3H, s), 2.51-2.61 (2H, m), 2.78-2.90 (2H, m), 3.00-3.20 (6H, m), 3.55-3.82 (3H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-44.85 (1H, m) 5.10-5.22 (2H, m), 5.70-5.90 (1H, m), 6.00-6.10 (1H, m), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.05 (1H, m), 7.44 (1H, m).
[0886] ESMS m/z 413 (MH + , 100%).
Example 96
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-3-yne-butylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0887] [0887]
[0888] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyano-3-yne-butyl)-phosphonate in 54% yield.
[0889] M.P. 171-172° C. and MS (M+1)=411 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 23 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 97
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-phenyl-ethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0890] [0890]
[0891] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl-(1-cyano-1-benzylmethyl)-phosphonate in 40% yield.
[0892] Mp. 98-100° C.
[0893] [0893] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.05 (3H, s), 2.60-2.79 (2H, m), 2.80-2.90 (2H, m), 3.05-3.21 (4H, m), 3.50-3.80 (5H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 6.00 (1H, t), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.05 (1H, m), 7.20-7.39 (6H, m), 7.41 (1H, m).
Example 98
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-phenyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-ox-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0894] [0894]
[0895] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using phenylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 62% yield.
[0896] Mp.200-205° C.
[0897] [0897] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01 (3H, s), 2.60-2.70 (2H, m), 2.90-3.10 (4H, m), 3.21-3.35 (2H, m), 3.55-3.85 (3H, m), 3.97-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.90 (1H, m), 6.00 (1H, t), 6.85-7.19 (2H, m), 7.30-7.59 (6H, m).
[0898] ESMS m/z 449 (MH + , 100%).
Example 99
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0899] [0899]
[0900] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using 3,4-difluorophenylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 54% yield.
[0901] Mp: 180-183° C.
[0902] [0902] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01(3H, s), 2.57-2.69 (2H, m), 2.90-3.10 (4H, m), 3.19-3.30 (2H, m), 3.65-3.80 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (1H, m), 4.69-4.85 (1H, m), 6.10 (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.00-7.30 (4H, m), 7.45 (1H, m).
[0903] ESMS m/z 485 (MH + , 100%).
Example 100
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0904] [0904]
[0905] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-94 by using pyridin-2-ylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 62% yield.
[0906] Mp. 265-267° C.
[0907] [0907] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.00 (3H, s), 2.79-3.02 (4H, m), 3.10-3.20 (2H, m), 3.30-3.40 (2H, m), 3.50-3.85 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (1H, m), 4.61-4.90 (1H, m), 6.10-6.30 (1H, m), 6.95-7.10 (2H, m), 7.30 (1H, m), 7.40 (2H, m), 7.70-7.90 (1H, m), 8.69 (1H, m).
[0908] ESMS m/z 450 (MH + , 100%).
Example 101
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-(morpholin-1-yl)-ethylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0909] [0909]
[0910] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl [1-cyano(2-morpholin-1-yl)-ethyl]- in 43% yield.
[0911] MS (M+1)=472 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 24 H 30 FN 5 O 4 .
Example 102
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(imidazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0912] [0912]
[0913] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using 1-imidazolylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 33% yield.
[0914] M.P. 196-198° C. and MS (M+1)=439 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 23 FN 6 O 3 .
Example 103
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1 -yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0915] [0915]
[0916] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using 1-(2-methyl-imidazoyl)acetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 27% yield.
[0917] M.P. 204-206° C. and MS (M+1)=453 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 23 H 25 FN 6 O 3 .
Example 104
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0918] [0918]
[0919] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using 1-(1,2,4-triazolyl)acetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 39% yield.
[0920] M.P. 194-196° C. and MS (M+1)=440 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 22 FN 7 O 3 .
Example 105
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0921] [0921]
[0922] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using (thiophen-2-yl)acetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 56% yield.
[0923] Mp. 260-63° C.
[0924] [0924] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01 (31H, s), 2.80-2.85 (2H, m), 2.90-3.01 (2H, m), 3.05-3.19 (2H, m), 3.20-3.30 (2H, m), 3.59-3.80 (3H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.81(1H, m), 6.01 (1H,t), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.00-7.19 (4H, m), 7.35-7.50 (1H, m).
[0925] ESMS m/z 455 (MH + , 100%).
Example 106
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,1-Dicyano-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0926] [0926]
[0927] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using malanonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 79% yield.
[0928] Mp. 158-160° C.
[0929] [0929] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01(3H, s), 3.00-3.15 (4H, m), 3.21-3.41(4H, m), 3.50-3.81(3H, m), 3.92-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.90 (1H, m), 59.0-6.05 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.20 (1H, m), 7.60 (1H, m)
[0930] ESMS m/z 398 (MH + , 100%).
Example 107
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-carboxamido-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0931] [0931]
[0932] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using carboxamidoacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 68% yield.
[0933] Mp. 157-159° C.
[0934] [0934] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.05 (3H, s), 2.81-3.00 (4H, m), 3.15-3.33 (4H, m), 3.52-3.70 (3H, m), 3.70-3.90 (1H, m), 4.75-5.01 (1H, m), 7.01-7.20 (2H, m), 7.50 (1H, m).
[0935] ESMS m/z 416 (MH + , 100%).
Example 108
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(N-prop-2-ene-carboxamido)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0936] [0936]
[0937] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using Nprop-2-ene-aminocarbonylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 59% yield.
[0938] Mp: 168-170° C.
[0939] [0939] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01(3H, s), 2.81-2.95 (2H, m), 3.15-3.40 (6H, m), 3.60-3.81 (3H, m) 3.92-4.10 (3H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 5.18-5.38 (2H, m), 5.75-5.95 (1H, m), 6.05 (1H, t), 6.30-6.40 (1H, m), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.50 (1H, m)
[0940] ESMS m/z 456 (MH + , 100%).
Example 109
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(N-cyclopropyl-carboxamido)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl )-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0941] [0941]
[0942] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using N-cyclopropylaminocarbonylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 44% yield.
[0943] Mp: 210-212° C.
[0944] [0944] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 0.58-0.65 (2H, m), 0.80-0.92 (2H, m), 2.05 (3H, s), 2.75-2.95 (3H, m), 3.15-3.25 (4H, m), 3.30-3.41 (2H, m), 3.60-3.81 (3H, m), 3.90-3.41 (1H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 5.95-6.10 (1H, m), 6.30-6.40 (1H, m), 695 (1H, m), 7.10 (1h, m), 7.45 (1H, m)
[0945] ESMS m/z 456 (MH + , 100%).
Example 110
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(N-cyclohexyl-carboxamido)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0946] [0946]
[0947] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using N-cyclohexylaminocarbonylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 54% yield.
[0948] Mp. 195-198° C.
[0949] [0949] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.10-155 (m, 6H), 1.58-1.82(4H, m), 1.90-2.05 (1H, m) 2.05 (3H, s), 2.80-2.90 (2H, m), 3.10-3.42 (6H, m), 3.52-3.81 (4H, m), 3.97-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.90 (1H, m), 5.99-6.20 (2H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.49 (1H, m)
[0950] ESMS m/z 498 (MH + , 100%).
Example 111
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl-carbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0951] [0951]
[0952] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 38% yield.
[0953] Mp: 125-128° C.
[0954] [0954] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.90-2.10 (4H, m), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.65-2.79 (2H, m), 2.83-2.90 (2H, m), 3.10-3.30 (4H, m), 3.48-3.60 (4H, m), 3.61-3.80 (3H m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 6.05 (1H, t), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, m)
[0955] ESMS m/z 470 (MH + , 100%).
Example 112
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0956] [0956]
[0957] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using N-morpholinylcarbonylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 62% yield.
[0958] Mp. 145-146° C.
[0959] [0959] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.05 (3H, s), 2.60-2.70 (2H, m), 2.80-2.90 (2H, m), 3.10-3.30 (4H, m), 3.50-3.85 (11H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.82 (1H, m), 6.05-6.20 (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, m)
[0960] ESMS m/z 486 (MH + , 100%).
Example 113
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-3-hydroxy-propylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0961] [0961]
[0962] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using S)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide and diethyl (1-cyano-3-hydroxypropyl)phosphonate in 45% yield.
[0963] M.P. 192-194° C. and MS (M+1)=417 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 25 FN 4 O 4 .
Example 114
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0964] [0964]
[0965] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using ethoxycarbonylacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 79% yield.
[0966] Mp. 165-169° C.
[0967] [0967] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.40 (3H, t), 2.01 (3H, s), 2.90-3.01 (2H, m), 3.18-3.40 (6H, m), 3.50-3.80 (3H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.21-4.40 (2H, m), 4.70-4.90 (1H, m), 5.95 (1H, t), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, m)
[0968] ESMS m/z 445 (MH + , 100%).
Example 115
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-methylmercapto-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0969] [0969]
[0970] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using methylmercaptoacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 56% yield.
[0971] Mp: 205-207° C.
[0972] [0972] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.01 (31H, s), 2.41 (3H, s), 2.70-2.90 (4H, m), 3.10-3.21 (4H, m), 3.60-3.81 (3H, m), 3.90-4.11 (1H, m), 4.70-4.90 (1H, m), 6.10-6.21 (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, m).
[0973] ESMS m/z 419 (MH + , 100%).
Example 116
(S)-N-{13-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-phenylmercapto-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0974] [0974]
[0975] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 94 by using phenylmercaptoacetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 61% yield.
[0976] Mp.148-150° C.
[0977] ESMS m/z 481 (MH + , 100%).
Example 117
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-bromo-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[0978] [0978]
[0979] The mixture of S)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (0.12 mmol) and bromine (0.72 mmol) in 25 ml chloroform was stirred at reflux for 2 hours.
[0980] Chloroform was evaporated under vacuum and the residue was chromatographed on the silica gel to afford the title compound in 39% yield.
[0981] M.P. 148-150° C. and MS (M+1)=452 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 BrFN 4 O 3 .
Example 118
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophen]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0982] [0982]
[0983] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 39% yield.
[0984] M.P. 110-115° C. and MS (M+1)=466 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 24 H 24 FN 5 O 2 S.
Example 119
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,1-Dicyano-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0985] [0985]
[0986] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1,1-dicyano-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 87% yield.
[0987] Mp. 210-212° C.
[0988] [0988] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.60 (3H, m), 2.90-3.05 (4H, m), 3.20-3.40 (4H, m), 3.70-3.90 (1H, m), 4.00-4.20 (1H, m), 4.21-4.40 (1H, m), 4.9-5.10 (1H, m), 6.91-7.19 (2H, m), 7.50 (1H, m), 8.02-8.12 (1H, m).
[0989] ESMS m/z 414 (MH + , 100%).
Example 120
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0990] [0990]
[0991] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 75% yield.
[0992] Mp. 182-85° C.
[0993] ESMS m/z 432 (MH + , 100%)
Example 121
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-thiocarbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[0994] [0994]
[0995] The mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-thiocarbonyl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (0.26 mmol), Lowesson's reagent (0.80 mmol) in dioxane (10 ml) was heated at 100° C. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography in 76% yield.
[0996] Mp. 180-182° C.
[0997] [0997] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.40-2.58 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.62-2.95 (2H, m), 3.60-3.99 (8H, m), 4.00-4.42 (4H, m), 4.40-4.58 (1H, m), 4.85-5.10 (1H, m) (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, m).
[0998] ESMS m/z 518 (MH + , 100%).
Example 122
(S)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide
[0999] [0999]
Step-1
[1000] Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[1001] The compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 1 by using (R)-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate in 87% yield.
Step-2
[1002] Preparation of (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethypiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[1003] The suspension of (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol (0.11 mmol), 10% palladium on carbon (0.1 g) tetrahydrofuran was stirred under atmospheric hydrogen pressure at 30° C. for overnight.
[1004] The suspension was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to the dryness. The residue obtained was chromatographed on the silica gel to provide desired compound in 94% yield.
Step-3
[1005] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Preparation-6 followed by Preparation-7 by using (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethypiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 68% yield.
[1006] M.P. 85-86° C. and MS (M+1)=341 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 20 F 2 N 6 O 2 .
Example 123
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboethoxy-1,2,3-triazole
[1007] [1007]
[1008] The suspension of (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboethoxy-1,2,3-triazole (0.14 mmol), 10% palladium on carbon (0.1 g) tetrahydrofuran was stirred under atmospheric hydrogen pressure at 30° C. for overnight.
[1009] The suspension was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to the dryness. The residue obtained was chromatographed on the silica gel to provide desired compound in 42% yield.
[1010] M.P. 198-200° C. and MS (M+1)=439 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 26 N 6 O 4 .
Example 124
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[1011] [1011]
[1012] The preparation of the title compound is mentioned in Example 122.
[1013] M.P. 110-112° C. and MS (M+1)=316 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 21 N 3 O 3 .
Example 125
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate;
[1014] [1014]
[1015] The preparation of the title compound is mentioned in Example-122.
[1016] M.P. 114-116° C. and MS (M+1)=394 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 18 H 23 N 3 O 5 S.
Example 126
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1017] [1017]
[1018] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 65% yield.
[1019] MS (M+1)=373 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 24 N 4 O 2 S.
Example 127
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboxamido-1,2,3-triazole
[1020] [1020]
[1021] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-123 by using (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-carboxamido-1,2,3-triazole in 42% yield.
[1022] M.P. 248-250° C. and MS (M+1)=428 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 22 FN 7 O 3 .
Example 128
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano-1,2,3-triazole
[1023] [1023]
[1024] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-123 by using (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-cyano-1,2,3-triazole in 42% yield.
[1025] M.P. 200-202° C. and MS (M+1)=410 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 20 FN 7 O 2 .
Example 129
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1026] [1026]
[1027] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-45 by using (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 87% yield.
[1028] Mp.195-197° C.
[1029] [1029] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.50-1.82 (2H, m), 1.85-2.00 (2H, m), 2.40-2.50 (2H, m), 2.59-2.81 (5H, m), 3.30-3.49 (2H, m), 3.75-3.90 (1H, m), 4.00-4.39 (3H, m), 4.90-5.10 (1H, m), 6.90-7.10 (2H, m), 7.41 (1H, m), 8.19-8.38 (1H, m)
[1030] ESMS m/z 391(MH + , 100%).
Example 130
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1031] [1031]
[1032] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-123 by using (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 56% yield.
[1033] MS (M+1)=331 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 23 FN 4 O 2 S.
Example 131
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[1034] [1034]
[1035] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-123 by using (S)-1-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethylidene-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 89% yield.
[1036] MS (M+1)=334 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 17 H 20 FN 3 O 3 .
Example 132
(R)-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[1037] [1037]
[1038] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Preparation-6 by using (R)-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 78% yield.
[1039] M.P. 146-148° C. and MS (M+1)=449 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 26 F 2 N 4 O 4 .
Example 133
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-benzyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1040] [1040]
[1041] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-benzyl)-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenylj-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 76% yield.
[1042] Mp. 210-211° C.
[1043] [1043] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.45-1.95 (3H, m), 2.01(3H, s), 2.55-2.80 (3H, m), 2.90-3.00 (2H, m), 3.40-3.59 (2H, m), 3.60-3.80 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (1H, m) 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 5.90 (1H, m), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.05 (1H, m), 7.20-7.39 (6H, m), 7.41 (1H, m).
[1044] ESMS m/z 465 (MH + , 100%).
Example 134
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-methanesulphonyloxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1045] [1045]
Step-1
[1046] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide.
[1047] The mixture of sodium borohydride (5.26 mmol), (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (0.34 mmol) in methanol (15 ml) was stirred for 0.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was neutralized with dilute hydrochloric acid. The solid was filtered and purified on silica gel column chromatography recrystallized from chloroform:methanol to provide tile compound in 76% yield.
Step -2
[1048] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Preparation-6 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 89% yield.
[1049] M.P. 136-138° C. and MS (M+1)=483 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 27 FN 4 O 6 S.
Example 135
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl))-methyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1050] [1050]
[1051] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl))-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 88% yield.
[1052] MS (M+1)=487 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 25 H 25 F 3 N 4 O 3 .
Example 136
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(imidazol-1-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1053] [1053]
[1054] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(imidazol-1-yl)-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 80% yield.
[1055] M.P. 210-212° C. and MS (M+1)=441 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 25 FN 6 O 3 .
Example 137
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(thiophen-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-luorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1056] [1056]
[1057] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(thiophen-2-yl))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 92% yield.
[1058] Mp. 91-94° C.
[1059] [1059] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 0.80-1.05 (2H, m), 1.58-1.82 (2H, m), 1.85-2.05 (1H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.50-2.79 (2H, m), 3.39-3.60 (2H, m), 3.60-3.81 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (2H, m), 4.65-4.81 (1H, m), 6.10 (1H, t), 6.81-7.15 (4H, m), 721-7.45 (2H, m).
[1060] ESMS m/z 457 (MH + , 100%).
Example 138
(S)-N-{13-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(pyridin-2-vl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide;
[1061] [1061]
[1062] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 78% yield.
[1063] Mp.160-162° C.
[1064] [1064] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.61-1.91 (3H, m), 2.01 (3H, s), 2.60-2.80 (2H, m), 3.30-3.50 (4H, m), 3.55-3.80 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (2H, m), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 6.15 (1H, t), 6.95-7.19 (2H, m), 7.21-7.39 (1H, m), 7.39-7.49 (2H, m) 7.70-7.85 (1H, m), 8.60 (1H, m).
[1065] ESMS m/z 452 (MH + , 100%).
Example 139
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1066] [1066]
[1067] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 89% yield.
[1068] Mp. 180-182° C.
[1069] ESMS m/z 418 (MH + , 100%).
Example 140
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-cyclohexylaminocarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1070] [1070]
[1071] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-cyclohexylaminocarbonyl)-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 90% yield.
[1072] Mp: 210-213° C.
[1073] [1073] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.10-155 (m, 6H), 1.62-1.83 (5H, m), 1.85-2.00 (2H, m), 2.05 (3H, s), 2.19-2.40 (1H, m), 2.60-2.80 (2H, m), 3.25-3.59 )4H, m), 3.61-3.85 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (1H, m), 4.65-4.82 (1H, m), 5.92-6.19 (2H, m), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.49 (1H, m)
[1074] ESMS m/z 500 (MH + , 100%).
Example 141
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1075] [1075]
[1076] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 78% yield.
[1077] Mp: 100-102° C.
[1078] ESMS m/z 472 (MH + , 100%).
Example 142
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1079] [1079]
[1080] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 79% yield.
[1081] Mp.240-241° C.
[1082] [1082] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 2.00 (31H, s), 2.10-2.35 (2H, m), 2.55-2.81 (2H, m), 3.25-3.85 (15H, m), 3.95-4.10 (1H, m), 4.62-4.83 (1H, m), 6.20-640 (1H, m), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.05 (1H, m), 7.41 (1H, m)
[1083] ESMS m/z 488 (MH + , 100%).
Example 143
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1084] [1084]
[1085] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylienepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 70% yield.
[1086] Mp. 98-100° C.
[1087] [1087] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.30 (3H, t), 1.75-1.95 (2H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.15-2.20 (1H, m), 2.60-2.81 (2H, m), 3.35-3.59 (4H, m), 3.60-3.80 (3H, m), 3.90-4.10 (1H, m), 4.30 (2H, q), 4.70-4.85 (1H, m), 6.10 (1H, t), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.05 (1H, m), 7.41 (1H, m)
[1088] ESMS m/z 447 (MH + , 100%).
Example 144
(S)-N-{3-4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(phenylmercapto))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1089] [1089]
[1090] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 123 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(phenylmercapto))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 78% yield.
[1091] Mp.148-150° C.
[1092] [1092] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.61-1.90 (2H, m), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.05-2.25 (2H, m), 2.60-2.79 (2H, m), 3.40-3.59 (2H, m), 3.60-3.81(3H, m), 3.91-4.10 (1H, m), 4.70-4.90 (1H, m), 6.25 (1H, t), 6.95 (1H, dd), 7.10 (1H, m), 7.35-7.45 (4H, m), 7.59-7.65 (2H, m).
[1093] ESMS m/z 483 (MH + , 100%).
Example 145
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1094] [1094]
[1095] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(pyridin-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 77% yield.
[1096] Mp.102-103° C.
[1097] [1097] 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz): δ 1.60-1.95 (3H, m), 2.01-2.30 (2H, m), 2.40 (3H, s), 3.20-3.90 (6H, m), 3.95-4.39 (3H, m), 4.81-5.10 (1H, m), 5.20-5.40 (1H, m), 6.70-7.10 (2H, m), 7.20-7.49 (2H, m), 7.65-8.10 (2H, m), 8.20-8.40 (1H, m), 860-8.80(1H, m).
[1098] ESMS m/z 468 (MH + , 100%).
Example 146
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1099] [1099]
[1100] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(morpholin-1-yl-carbonyl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 75% yield.
[1101] Mp. 220-222° C.
[1102] ESMS m/z 504 (MH + , 100%).
Example 147
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1103] [1103]
[1104] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide in 82% yield.
[1105] Mp. 93-95° C.
[1106] ESMS m/z 463 (MH + , 100%).
Example 148
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1107] [1107]
[1108] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 45 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 68% yield.
[1109] MS (M+1)=434 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 24 FN 5 O 3 S.
Example 149
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-thiocarboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1110] [1110]
[1111] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 121 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 38% yield.
[1112] Mp. 178-180° C.
[1113] ESMS m/z 449(MH + , 100%).
Example 150
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-triazole
[1114] [1114]
Step-1
[1115] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide.
[1116] The compound was prepared by using the procedure described in Example-134 from (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-l -ethoxycarbonyl-methylidene)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol.
[1117] This compound was converted to the desired compound by using procedures of Preparation-6 followed by Preparation-7 in overall 64% yield.
Step-2
[1118] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 4 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide and methyl propiolate in the place of ethyl propiolate in 68% yield.
[1119] M.P. 204-206° C. and MS (M+1)=474 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 25 FN 6 O 5 .
Example 151
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-4-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-triazole
[1120] [1120]
[1121] The isomeric mixture was prepared as per procedure described in Example 4 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-azide in 59% yield as a isomeric mixture. The title compound isomer was separated on preparative HPLC in 44% yield.
[1122] M.P. 170-172° C. and MS (M+1)=487 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 23 H 27 FN 6 O 5 .
Example 152
(S)-1-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-5-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-triazole
[1123] [1123]
[1124] The other isomer obtained in Example 151 was separated by using preparative HPLC in 12% yield.
[1125] M.P. 76-78° C. and MS (M+1)=487 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 23 H 27 FN 6 O 5 .
Example 153
(R)-3-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyloxy}-iso-oxazole
[1126] [1126]
[1127] The title product was prepared as per procedure described in Example 83 by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 67% yield.
[1128] M.P. 146-148° C. and MS (M+1)=431 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 23 FN 4 O 5 .
Example 154
(R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-2-hydroxy)-ethylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[1129] [1129]
[1130] The title compound was prepared by using the procedure described in Preparation-6 from (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in overall 74% yield.
[1131] M.P. 144-146° C. and MS (M+1)=442 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 24 FN 3 O 6 S.
Example 155
(R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-hydroxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[1132] [1132]
[1133] The title compound was prepared by using the procedure described in Preparation-6 from (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-l -hydroxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in overall 80% yield.
[1134] M.P. 108-110° C. and MS (M+1)=456 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 22 FN 3 O 7 S.
Example 156
(R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[1135] [1135]
[1136] The title compound was prepared by using the procedure described in Preparation-6 from (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-ethoxycarbonyl)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in overall 85% yield.
[1137] M.P. 102-104° C. and MS (M+1)=484 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 26 FN 3 O 7 S.
Example 157
(R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[1138] [1138]
step-1
[1139] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[1140] The desired compound was prepared by following the procedure described in Example 94 and using (1,3-thiathiazol-2-yl)-acetonitrile in the place of cyclopropylacetonitrile in 66% yield.
Step-2
[1141] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol
[1142] The desired compound was prepared by following the procedure described in Example 122 and using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl))-methylidenepiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 63% yield.
Step-3
[1143] The title compound was prepared by using the procedure described in Preparation-6 from (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl))-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 66% yield.
[1144] M.P. 64-66° C. and MS (M+1)=495 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 21 H 23 FN 4 O 5 S 2 .
Example 158
(R)-{3-[4-(4-(1-Cyano-1-carboxamido)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-methanesulphonate
[1145] [1145]
[1146] The title compound was prepared by using the procedure described in Preparation-6 from (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-(1-cyano-1-carboxamide)-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-alcohol in 80% yield.
[1147] M.P.220-222° C. and MS (M+1)=455 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 23 FN 4 O 6 S.
Example 159
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1148] [1148]
[1149] A mixture of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide (28.64 mmol), pyridine (6.32 mmol), cyanoacetic acid (30.00 mmol) and ammonium acetate (6.40 mmol) in toluene was refluxed with azeotropic removal of water for 5 to 6 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled at room temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water. The organic layer was dried and concentrated in vacuo to afford crude product. The crude product was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give the title compound in 67% yield.
[1150] Mp. 132° C. and MS (M+1)=373.
Example 160
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-thioacetamide
[1151] [1151]
[1152] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-45 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3,4-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 87% yield as a solid.
[1153] Mp.110-112° C. and MS (M+1)==389 .
Example 161
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3-methyl-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide
[1154] [1154]
[1155] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-159 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 65% yield.
[1156] M.P. 149-150° C. and MS (M+1)=387 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 20 H 23 FN 4 O 3 .
Example 162
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin 5-ylmethl}-acetamide
[1157] [1157]
[1158] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example 159 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-acetamide in 71% yield.
[1159] M.P. 128-130° C. and MS (M+1)=391 (MH + , 100%), M.F.=C 19 H 20 F 2 N 4 O 3 .
Example 163
(S)-N-{3-[4-(4-Cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-isobutylcarbamate
[1160] [1160]
Step-1
[1161] Preparation of (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine.
[1162] The title compound was prepared as per procedure described in Example-159 and by using (S)-{3-[4-(3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidin- I -yl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine in 48% yield.
Step-2
[1163] The title compound was prepared by following the procedure of Example 10 and by using (S)-N-{3-[4-(4-cyanomethyl-3-fluoro-4,5-dehydropiperidin-1-yl)-3-fluorophenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-ylmethyl}-amine and isobutylchloroformate in 77% yield.
[1164] M.P. 146-148° C. and MS (M+1)=449 (+, 100%), M.F.=C 22 H 26 F 2 N 4 O 4 .
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The present invention provides agents having high antimicrobial activity for preventing and treating infectious diseases. Thus, the present invention provides novel cyano-(substituted)-methylenepiperidinophenyl oxazolidinone derivatives, processes for making the compounds, as well as antimicrobial compositions containing said derivatives as active ingredients and methods of treating bacterial infections with the said derivatives.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a device and method for manufacturing fluid bearings. In particular, an electromagnetic forming method is employed to produce a dynamic pressure generating groove on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing so that lubricant film pressure and lubricant sealing effects can be achieved during the operation.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Bearings are devices used to support, bear loads and minimize friction in rotary machine parts. Ball bearings are one type of commonly seen bearings. However, there are problems such as big rotation noises, less precision and difficulty in miniaturization. They will not be precise enough when used in small device in the future. For small machine parts or precision electronics, such as fans in computer systems, CD-ROM, and HDD (Hard Disk Drive), one has to choose tiny, little rotation noises, low rotational friction and vibration resistant bearings. The invention of fluid bearings indeed solves some of the problems in the prior art.
[0005] Fluid bearings can be grouped into two types: hydrostatic bearings and hydrodynamic bearings. The hydrostatic bearings have lots of fluid lubricant inside the bearing at its normal state. Therefore, they are not suitable for small rotary machine parts that require high precision. The hydrodynamic bearings have fine dynamic pressure generating grooves on the inner peripheral surface of the bearings, and lubricant is inside the grooves. Since the grooves are tiny, there is only very little lubricant. Consequently, lubricant film pressure and lubricant sealing effects can be achieved during rotation. As current spindle motors are designed smaller, it is hard to make fluid bearings that meet the high precision requirements by tiny motors (which is because there are strict requirements on the dynamic pressure generating groove depth, width and concentricity). The conventional precision machining method is likely to produce burrs at the bearing grooves, to have worse concentricity, and to have such problems as serious abrasion to the cutting-tools. Conventional technologies such as the U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,421 granted to Asada and the U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,334 to Lucier both use hard compresses using metal balls to produce tiny grooves. This type of techniques has three drawbacks: (1) the mold metal ball has a very small contact area with the forming material, and thus is susceptible to abrasion; (2) the metal ball is so small that its clamping apparatus is hard to design; and (3) a precision positioning and control platform is required during the rolling, thus the manufacturing cost is higher. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,098 conferred to Asai makes the bearings by plastic injection molding method. Since this method performs mold separation by force, the precision of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing is worse and the bearing is not abrasion resistant. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,832 conferred to Teshima makes the plate thrust bearing by chemical etching. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,909 granted to Cheever makes the dynamic groove of the bearing by roller ramming method. Both of these methods cannot form the inner peripheral surface of the bearing.
[0006] The above-mentioned methods are not suitable for mass production and have higher manufacturing costs. Therefore, how to utilize the electromagnetic forming method to manufacture fluid bearings in a mature way to lower the cost while increasing the yield is indeed a subject that needs some technical breakthroughs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To solve the foregoing problems, the invention provides a device and method for manufacturing fluid bearings. The invention uses the electromagnetic forming method, which has the characters of ultrahigh speed and high energy rate plastic forming, to produce a tiny dynamic pressure generating groove on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing. Such a device and method can guarantee high product precision and high production efficiency.
[0008] Another objective of the invention is to provide a method of mold separation using temperature difference. One has to find an internal mold and a raw sleeve materials with different thermal expansion coefficients. Once a product is formed, one only needs to heat up or cool down the system to an appropriate temperature for mold separation. When the internal mold and the parts are separate, one can readily take out the product parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0010] [0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the disclosed manufacturing method;
[0011] [0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the power supply unit;
[0012] [0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the formed bearing;
[0013] [0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the invention; and
[0014] [0014]FIG. 5 shows the steps of manufacturing the fluid bearings using the electromagnetic forming method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The electromagnetic forming method is a high energy rate forming method, which can form metal instantaneously. This method of increasing the metal forming speed can indeed improve the formation of materials. The reason is that when metal is formed at a very high speed, the metal is just like fluid; this is also why the problems of springback and crease can be effectively avoided during the formation. This method can overcome many limitations in traditional machining that will result in plastic deformation. Generally speaking, the traditional mechanical forming method has a speed around 0.03˜0.73 m/sec. The high energy rate forming method, however, can reach a speed between 27 m/sec and 228 m/sec. One thus sees a huge difference between them.
[0016] An embodiment is used hereinafter to demonstrate the feasibility of the disclosed method. With reference to FIG. 1, the device of manufacturing fluid bearings has an internal mold 10 , a raw sleeve 20 and a magnetic field generating unit 30 . The internal mold 10 has a molding puller 101 , which is used to clamp the mold after the products are formed and ready for separation so that the machine can readily take out the products. The internal mold 10 further has a plurality of ribs 102 , which are used to form grooves on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing of the raw sleeve 20 . The raw sleeve 20 is a cylindrical tube with a thickness t. The internal mold 10 is inserted into the raw sleeve 20 . In this embodiment, the magnetic field generating unit 30 is composed of a solenoid 301 and supporting element 302 . The solenoid 301 is made of spiral conductive material. It is connected to a power supply 40 by both ends, coiling around the raw sleeve 20 . The supporting element 302 surrounds the solenoid 301 . The quality of the product is determined by the homogeneity and symmetry of the magnetic field the solenoid 301 produces.
[0017] Since the fluid bearings are manufactured by using the electromagnetic forming method, the raw sleeve 20 and the solenoid 301 have to be both conductive. With regard to the power supply 40 , please refer to FIG. 2. The internal mold 10 is put inside the raw sleeve 20 , which is then surrounded by the solenoid 301 . Both ends of the solenoid 301 are connected to a power supply 40 , a charge/discharge device 50 , and a switch 60 to form a loop. The solenoid 301 is further surrounded by the supporting element 302 . For example, the solenoid 301 can be surrounded by a cylindrical rigid tube to counteract the reaction force from the raw sleeve 20 during formation, thus avoiding breaks or deformation. First, the power supply 40 charges the charge/discharge device 50 until it is saturated. Afterwards, the switch 60 closes to produce instantaneous discharge. A huge pulse current flows through the solenoid 301 to generate instantaneously a strong magnetic field. The raw sleeve 20 then generates a resistant eddy current immediately. The eddy current in the external magnetic field has a big repulsive force to push the raw sleeve 20 toward inside, producing material deformation. Therefore, using the electromagnetic forming method to perform plastic forming does not need an external mold and the exerted force is non-contact. This can effectively reduce the manufacturing costs.
[0018] The final product of the fluid bearing manufactured using the electromagnetic forming method is shown in FIG. 3. A dynamic pressure generating groove 701 inside the fluid bearing product 70 is the channel for lubricant. The dynamic pressure generating groove 701 ensures the lubricant film pressure and lubricant sealing effects during the rotation of the bearings. The depth of the dynamic pressure generating groove 701 is shallow, usually between 0.002 m and 0.02 m. Traditional forming methods have the problem of imperfect fluidity of the formation material, which results in being unable to produce precision fluid bearings. Consequently, using the electromagnetic forming method for production is indeed a better choice.
[0019] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. The magnetic field generating unit 30 in practice can be a flat conductive material with a circular hole 303 , a bolt 304 , and an electrode 305 . The internal mold 10 is put inside the raw sleeve 20 , which is then put in the circular hole 303 of the magnetic field generating unit 30 . The second circular hole 303 can be used as a spare in case the previous circular hole is damaged so that the whole device is unable to function. The power supply 40 of the magnetic field generating unit 30 is from a power supply unit through the electrode 305 . To avoid separation of the electrode 305 from the conductive material, it is locked onto the conductive material by the bolt 304 . The design, manufacturing principles and processes are the same as the previous embodiment and, therefore, are not repeated here.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 5, a finished internal mold is put inside a raw sleeve (step 110 ). A power supply unit starts to charge a charge/discharge device (step 120 ). Once fully charged, the charge/discharge device instantaneously releases its charges, forming the material (step 130 ). Finally, one has to separate and take out the mold. The mold separation has to be taken in account when designing the mold. Therefore, the mold is made into separable parts. However, when making the mold of the fluid bearings, such a separable mold results in two problems: (1) the precision becomes worse, and (2) the mold is too small for machining. Therefore, we do not consider the separable mold for manufacturing the fluid bearings. The precision fluid bearing has a characteristic that the groove on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing. Therefore, it is preferable to choose an internal mold material with a small thermal expansion coefficient and a raw sleeve with a bigger thermal expansion coefficient. After the formation, one only needs to heat up or cool down the working piece to an appropriate temperature to separate the mold. The internal mold and the product thus do not have any interference with ribs and the groove (step 140 ). After the mold separation, one obtains fluid bearings with high precision and no burrs (step 150 ). The aforementioned appropriate temperature is determined in accordance with material properties (thermal expansion coefficients). For example, suppose the internal mold is made of steel, then its thermal expansion coefficient is 0.11×10 −4 /° C.; if the raw sleeve is aluminum alloy, then the thermal expansion coefficient is 0.24×10 −4 /° C. If one wants to have a mold separation tolerance of 2 μm, then the temperature needs to be raised to 103° C. to avoid interference. For a tolerance of 5 μm, a temperature of 256° C. is required to have successful mold separation. Furthermore, with a proper arrangement of the thermal expansion coefficients of the internal mold and raw sleeve, one can achieve a similar effect through cooling.
[0021] Effects of the Invention
[0022] Using the disclosed device and method for manufacturing fluid bearings can prevent such problems as burrs, imperfect concentricity of the dynamic pressure generating grooves, difficulty preparing, and easily abrasion in cutting-tools. Therefore, the invention has the following advantages:
[0023] 1 It does not need an external mold, greatly simplifying the process of making molds and lowering the manufacturing costs.
[0024] 2 In comparison with the prior art, the disclosed method has the shortest cycle time and thereby increases the yield.
[0025] 3 The grooves of the fluid bearings thus manufactured have a higher precision and no burrs.
[0026] 4 The device does not need a precision positioning platform. Instead, it only requires a precision mold. Therefore, the invention has fewer costs in purchasing and maintaining apparatuses.
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The specification discloses a device and method for manufacturing fluid bearings. The invention utilizes the electromagnetic forming method to manufacturing fluid bearings. The method uses a high speed plastic forming means to produce a dynamic pressure generating groove on the internal peripheral surface of the bearing. It further makes use of different thermal expansion coefficients for an internal mold and a raw sleeve to perform separation from the mold. Through the above-mentioned process, fluid bearings can be successfully made. This method can effectively prevent the problem springback and crease of the material during formation.
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REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No. 14/954,708 entitled “LED ARRAY”, filed on Nov. 30, 2015 which is a divisional Application of U.S. Ser. No. 14/330,914, entitled “LED ARRAY”, filed on Jul. 14, 2014, now pending, which is a division of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 14/065,330, entitled “LED ARRAY”, filed on Oct. 28, 2013, issued on Jul. 15, 2014, which is a division of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 13/428,974, entitled “LED ARRAY”, filed on Mar. 23, 2012, issued on Oct. 29, 2013, which claims the right of priority based on Taiwan patent application Ser. No. 100110029, filed on Mar. 23, 2011, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The application relates to a light-emitting structure, and more particularly to a light-emitting structure having protrusion portion.
DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Recently, based on the progress of epitaxy process technology, the light-emitting diode(LED)becomes one of the potential solid-state lighting (SSL) source. Due to the limitation of physics mechanism, LEDs can only be driven by DC power source. Thus the regulator circuit, buck circuit, and other electronic devices are necessary for every lighting device using LED as lighting source to convert AC power source into DC power source to drive LED. However, the addition of the regulator circuit, buck circuit, and other electronic device raises the cost of lighting device using LED as lighting source and causes the low AC/DC conversion efficiency and the huge lighting device package also affect the reliability and shorten the lifetime of LED in daily use.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The present application discloses a light-emitting structure including a first epitaxial unit; a second epitaxial unit disposed next to the first epitaxial unit; a crossover metal layer including a first protruding portion laterally overlapping the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit wherein the first protruding portion is electrically connected with the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit; a conductive connecting layer disposed below the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit and surrounding the first protruding portion; and an electrode arranged on the conductive connecting layer.
[0005] The present application discloses a light-emitting structure including a light-emitting unit; a crossover metal layer comprising a protruding portion laterally overlapping the light-emitting unit, wherein the protruding portion is electrically connected with the light-emitting unit; a conductive connecting layer disposed below the light-emitting and surrounding the protruding portion; and an electrode arranged on the conductive connecting layer; wherein a top surface of the protruding portion contacts a surface of the light-emitting unit or the protruding portion is devoid of passing through the first epitaxial unit.
[0006] The present application discloses an LED array comprising a permanent substrate, a bonding layer on the permanent substrate, a second conductive layer on the bonding layer, a second isolation layer on the second conductive layer, a crossover metal layer on the second isolation layer, a first isolation layer on the crossover metal layer, a conductive connecting layer on the first isolation layer, an epitaxial structure on the conductive connecting layer, and a first electrode layer on the epitaxial structure.
[0007] The present application further discloses an LED array comprising a permanent substrate, a bonding layer on the permanent substrate, a first conductive layer on the bonding layer, a second isolation layer on the first conductive layer, a crossover metal layer on the second isolation layer, a first isolation layer on the crossover metal layer, a conductive connecting layer on the first isolation layer, and an epitaxial structure on the conductive connecting layer.
[0008] The present application further discloses an Led array having N light-emitting diode units (N≧3) and the light-emitting diode units are electrically connected with each other by the crossover metal layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1A-1I are the cross sectional views of the LED array in accordance of the first embodiment of present application.
[0010] FIGS. 1A ′- 1 G′ are the top views of the first embodiment of LED array disclosed by present application.
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2I are the cross sectional views of the second embodiment of LED array disclosed by present application.
[0012] FIGS. 2A ′- 2 G′ are the top views of the second embodiment of LED array disclosed by present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The present application discloses an LED array having N light-emitting diode units (N≧3) comprising a first light-emitting diode unit, a second light-emitting diode unit in sequence to the (N−1) th light-emitting diode unit and an N th light-emitting diode unit. The LED array further comprises a first area (I), the second area (II), and the third area (III). The first area (I) comprises the first light-emitting diode unit, the third area (III) comprises the N th light-emitting diode unit, and the second area (II) locates between the first area (I) and the third area (III) and comprises the second light-emitting diode unit in sequence to the (N−1) th diode units.
[0014] The first embodiment discloses a first LED array 1 having three light-emitting diode units. FIGS. 1A to 1I illustrate the cross sectional views and the FIGS. 1A ′ to 1 G′ illustrate the top views of the first embodiment of the first LED array 1 . The method for manufacturing the first LED array 1 comprises steps of:
1. Providing a temporary substrate 11 , and forming an epitaxial structure thereon. The epitaxial structure comprises a first conductive semiconductor layer 12 , an active layer 13 , and a second conductive semiconductor layer 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1A ′. 2. Next, forming multiple trenches 15 by partially etching the epitaxial structure in the first area (I) and the second area (II), and the epitaxial structure not etched forms multiple flat planes 16 , and the epitaxial structure of the third area (III) is not etched as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1B ′. 3. Forming a conductive connecting layer 17 on partial regions of the flat planes 16 , and the area of the flat planes 16 uncovered by the conductive connecting layer 17 forms multiple pathways 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1C ′. 4. Forming a first isolation layer 19 on part of the conductive connecting layer 17 , the multiple pathways 18 , and the side wall of the multiple trenches 15 , while the conductive connecting layer 17 in the third area (III) and part of the conductive connecting layer 17 in the first area (I) are not covered by the first isolation layer 19 . The conductive connecting layer 17 not covered by the first isolation layer 19 in the second area (II) is defined as a conductive region 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 1D ′. 5. Forming a crossover metal layer 21 on the first isolation layer 19 , the conductive region 20 , in multiple trenches 15 , and on the conductive connecting layer 17 in the third area (III). A part of the conductive connecting layer 17 in the first area (I) is not covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in order to electrically connect the second conductive layer 23 with the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 in the following steps. The region which is not covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in the second area (II) nearby the conductive region 20 is used for electrical isolation as illustrated in the FIGS. 1E and 1E ′. Part of the crossover metal layer 21 in the first area (I) extends to multiple trenches 15 and electrically connects to the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 . The crossover metal layer 21 on multiple flat planes 16 and the pathways 18 in the first area (I) is electrically isolated from the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the first isolation layer 19 . The crossover metal layer 21 on the conductive region 20 in the second area (II) electrically connects with the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the conductive connecting layer 17 . Part of the crossover metal layer 21 in the second area (II) extends to multiple trenches 15 and electrically connects to the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 . The crossover metal layer 21 on multiple flat planes 16 and the pathways 18 in the second area (II) is electrically isolated from the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the first isolation layer 19 . The crossover metal layer 21 in the third area (III) is electrically connected with the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the conductive connecting layer 17 . 6. Forming a second isolation layer 22 on the crossover metal layer 21 and the region a in the second area (II). But part of the conductive connecting layer 17 in the first area (I) is not covered by the second isolation layer 22 as illustrated in the FIGS. IF and 1 F′. 7. Forming the second conductive layer 23 on the second isolation layer 22 and part of the conductive connecting layer 17 as illustrated in the as illustrated in the FIGS. 1G and 1G ′. 8. Forming a bonding layer 24 on the second conductive layer 23 which is bonded with a permanent substrate 25 by the bonding layer 24 as illustrated in the FIG. 1H . 9. Removing the temporary substrate 11 to expose the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 and roughening the surface of the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 . Next, etching multiple pathways 18 from the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 until the first isolation layer 19 is revealed in order to form N light-emitting diode units. Among the N light-emitting diode units, the first light-emitting diode unit locates in the first area (I), the second to the (N−1) th light-emitting diode units locate in the second area (II), and the N th light-emitting diode unit locates in the third area (III). At last, forming a first electrode layer 27 on the roughed surface of the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 in the N th light-emitting diode unit. Thus an LED array 1 having N light-emitting diode units electrically connected in serial by the crossover metal layer 21 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 11 .
[0024] The second embodiment discloses a second LED array 2 having three light-emitting diode units. FIGS. 2A to 21 illustrate the cross sectional views and the FIGS. 2A ′ to 2 G′ illustrate the top views of the second embodiment of LED array 2 . The method for manufacturing the second LED array 2 comprises steps of:
1. Providing a temporary substrate 11 , and forming an epitaxial structure thereon. The epitaxial structure comprises a first conductive semiconductor layer 12 , an active layer 13 , and a second conductive semiconductor layer 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2A ′. 2. Next, forming multiple trenches 15 by partially etching the epitaxial structure in the first area (I), the second area (II), and the third area (III), and the epitaxial structure not etched forms multiple flat planes 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2B ′. 3. Forming a conductive connecting layer 17 on partial regions of the flat planes 16 , and the area of the flat planes 16 uncovered by the conductive connecting layer 17 forms multiple pathways 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2C ′. 4. Forming a first isolation layer 19 on part of the conductive connecting layer 17 , the multiple pathways 18 , and the side wall of the multiple trenches 15 . The conductive connecting layer 17 in the second area (II) and the third area (III) which is not covered by the first isolation layer 19 are defined as a conductive region 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 2D and 2D ′. 5. Forming a crossover metal layer 21 on the first isolation layer 19 , the conductive region 20 , and in the multiple trenches 15 except those in the third area (III). A part of the first isolation layer 19 in the first area (I) is not covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in order to electrically isolate the first conductive layer 26 from the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 in the following steps. The first isolation layer 19 in multiple trenches 15 and flat planes 16 is not covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in order to electrically isolate the first conductive layer 26 from the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 in the following steps as illustrated in the FIGS. 2E and 2E ′. A part of the crossover metal layer 21 in the first area (I) extends to multiple trenches 15 and electrically connects to the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 . The crossover metal layer 21 on multiple flat planes 16 and the pathways 18 in the first area (I) is electrically isolated from the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the first isolation layer 19 . The crossover metal layer 21 on the conductive region 20 in the second area (II) electrically connects with the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the conductive connecting layer 17 . A part of the crossover metal layer 21 in the second area (II) extends into the multiple trenches 15 and electrically connects to the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 . The crossover metal layer 21 on multiple flat planes 16 and the pathways 18 in the second area (II) is electrically isolated from the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the first isolation layer 19 . The crossover metal layer 21 on the conductive region 20 in the third area (III) electrically connects with the second conductive semiconductor layer 14 by the conductive connecting layer 17 . Besides, the region b in the second area (II) and the third area (III) adjacent to the conductive region 20 is not fully covered by the crossover metal layer 21 which is used for electrical isolation. 6. Forming a second isolation layer 22 on the crossover metal layer 21 , the part of the first isolation layer 19 in the first area (I), and on the region b which is not fully covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in the second area (II). The second isolation layer 22 does not cover the inner side of the trenches 15 in the third area (III), the first isolation layer 19 of the multiple flat planes 16 , and the region b which is not fully covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in the third area (III) as illustrated in the FIGS. 2F and 2F ′. 7. Forming the first conductive layer 26 on the second isolation layer 22 , in the multiple trenches 15 in the third area (III), on the first isolation layer 19 of the flat planes 16 , and the region b which is not fully covered by the crossover metal layer 21 in the third area (III) as illustrated in the FIGS. 2G and 2G ′. 8. Forming a bonding layer 24 on the first conductive layer 26 which is bonded with a permanent substrate 25 by the bonding layer 24 as illustrated in the FIG. 2H . 9. Removing the temporary substrate 11 to expose the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 and roughs the surface of the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 . Next, etching multiple pathways 18 form the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 until the first isolation layer 19 is revealed in order to form N light-emitting diode units. Among the N light-emitting diode units, the first light-emitting diode unit locates in the first area (I), the second to the (N−1) th light-emitting diode units locate in the second area (II), and the N th light-emitting diode unit locates in the third area (III). Next, etching the first conductive semiconductor layer 12 in the first area (I) without the crossover metal layer 21 until the conductive connecting layer 17 is revealed, and forming a second electrode layer 28 on the conductive connecting layer 17 . Thus an LED array 2 having N light-emitting diode units electrically connected in series by the crossover metal layer 21 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 21 .
[0034] The temporary substrate 11 described in the above first and second embodiments is made of, for example, gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium phosphide (GaP), sapphire, silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), or aluminum nitride. The epitaxial structure is made of an III-V group semiconductor material which is the series of aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) or the series of aluminum gallium indium nitride (AlGaInN). The conductive connecting layer 17 comprises indium tin oxide, cadmium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, and zinc tin oxide. The first isolation layer 19 and the second isolation layer 22 can be made of an insulating material comprises silicon dioxide, titanium monoxide, titanium dioxide, trititanium pentoxide, titanium sesquioxide, cerium dioxide, zinc sulfide, and alumina. The first conductive layer 26 and the second conductive layer 23 can be made of silver or aluminum. The bonding layer 24 is an electrically conductive material made of metal or its alloys such as AuSn, PbSn, AuGe, AuBe, AuSi, Sn, In, Au, or PdIn. The permanent substrate 25 is a conductive material such as carbides, metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, metal composites, etc. The crossover metal layer 21 comprises metal, metal alloys, and metal oxides.
[0035] Although the present application has been explained above, it is not the limitation of the range, the sequence in practice, the material in practice, or the method in practice. Any modification or decoration for present application is not detached from the spirit and the range of such.
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A light-emitting structure includes a first epitaxial unit; a second epitaxial unit disposed next to the first epitaxial unit; a crossover metal layer including a first protruding portion laterally overlapping the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit wherein the first protruding portion is electrically connected with the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit; a conductive connecting layer disposed below the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit and surrounding the first protruding portion; and an electrode arranged on the conductive connecting layer.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to measurement and logging of salinity of fluids in well bores.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Salinity measurement of fluid in a well borehole is important to evaluate the formation fluid. Salinity measurement can help in delineating oil and water and to estimate the moveable oil in a reservoir. Measurement of salinity as a function of well depth helps in differentiating between fresh and saline water and can help in identifying invasion of salt water into a producing borehole.
[0005] The downhole fluid environment is complex with presence of multiple non-homogenous phases with variable velocities. Measurement of a particular fluid characteristic performed at a single point in the wellbore might not represent an accurate representation of actual borehole fluid salinity.
[0006] So far as is known, downhole salinity measurement methods have in the past primarily been based on acoustic wave propagation through the formation fluid. Examples are U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,839 and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0114385.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,129,704 related to electromagnetic detection of progression of salt water fronts headed through formations to a water well. The increase of salt water in the formation before intrusion into the well water was measured with widely spaced electrodes since a significant portion of the induced electromagnetic field was required to pass through formation water outside the well bore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Briefly, the present invention provides a new and improved apparatus for measuring salinity of fluid in a well bore. The apparatus includes a sonde for moving in the well bore to a depth of interest to receive well bore fluid. The sonde has a fluid sample chamber with fluid ports formed in it for entry of a well bore fluid sample volume. The apparatus includes at least one fluid conductivity sensor measuring conductivity parameters of the fluid sample volume in the sample chamber, and a data processor mounted in the sonde to determine salinity of the sample volume of well bore fluid at the depth of interest based on the measured conductivity parameters of the fluid in the sample chamber.
[0009] The present invention further provides a new and improved method of measuring salinity of fluid in a well bore at a depth of interest. A sonde is moved in the well bore to a depth of interest, and a sample volume of fluid from the well bore is admitted into a sample chamber in the sonde. A measure of the conductivity of the fluid sample in the sample chamber, and the salinity of the fluid sample is determined based on the formed measure of conductivity of the fluid sample in the sample chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view taken partly in cross-section of a borehole fluid salinity measurement tool according to the present invention deployed on coiled tubing in a wellbore.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of structure of the borehole fluid salinity measurement tool according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 .
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the borehole fluid salinity measurement tool according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of a conductivity measuring cell of the borehole fluid salinity measurement tool according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the procedure for measuring borehole fluid salinity according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a view taken partly in cross-section of a borehole fluid salinity measurement tool according to the present invention deployed on a wireline in a wellbore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] In the drawings, a downhole salinity measuring tool or apparatus T is shown ( FIG. 1 ) deployed in a wellbore or borehole 10 . The downhole salinity measuring tool T includes a plurality of conductivity cells C ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ) deployed in a sonde S which is deployed in the well bore 10 , which may be a wet production hydrocarbon well or a water well. The borehole 10 may be either an uncased open hole or cased hole with well casing installed. The sonde S may be deployed on a lower end of coiled tubing 12 as shown in FIG. 1 or on a signal conducting wireline or e-line 14 ( FIG. 7 ) as will be described.
[0018] The sonde S of FIG. 1 is suitably attached to a lower end 12 a of the coiled tubing 12 by clamping or other suitable connection arrangement. The coiled tubing 12 is injected into the borehole 10 from a storage reel 16 to lower the sonde S to selected depths of interest in the well bore 10 so that fluid salinity of fluid at those depths may be measured and recorded. The depth of the sonde in the well 10 is measured and recorded based on data readings of the length of coiled tubing 12 injected into the well.
[0019] As the sonde S is lowered in the well 10 , sample volumes of the well bore fluid at elected depths of interest are taken by the tool T in the conductivity cells C. As will be set forth, the salinity of the borehole fluid at a depth of interest is determined based on the conductivity measurements from the cells C, and the determined salinity value(s) of the borehole fluid at such depths measured and recorded or stored as data for analysis and evaluation. Measures of the temperature and pressure of the fluid samples are also obtained by instrumentation in the sonde S, as will be set forth. The fluid samples in the cells are then allowed to flow from the cells as the sonde S moves to a new well depth for another fluid sample.
[0020] By obtaining fluid samples and determining salinity, temperature and pressure at a number of selected depths of interest, a number of well fluid sampling and salinity measurements are obtained with a pre-programmed measurement schedule or plan over formations or depths of interest in the well 10 . Measured data obtained in the coiled tubing deployed sonde S of FIG. 1 is stored in on-system memory 18 of instrumentation components 20 contained in an instrumentation cartridge I ( FIGS. 1 , 2 and 7 ) of the sonde S. Operating power for the instrumentation 20 of the sonde S is provided by an on-system battery 24 in the instrumentation cartridge I. The measured salinity, temperature and pressure data obtained at the various depths in the well 10 and stored in on-board memory 18 are transferred to a conventional computer for analysis, further processing and display after the tool T returns from the well 10 .
[0021] A salinity measurement performed based on a single measurement in a wellbore might not give an accurate value of fluid salinity because of the non-homogeneity of the wellbore fluid and the presence of multiphase flow regimes. Accordingly, with the present invention, to avoid the effect of possible wellbore fluid non-homogeneity and multiphase flow, as well as to improve accuracy of measurement, the tool T contains four conductivity cells C mounted at a common elevation on the instrumentation cartridge I within the sonde S as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . A suitable number of fluid passage ports 26 are formed in the body of sonde S to allow well bore fluid presence and containment with the interior of the sonde S.
[0022] The well bore fluid sample in each conductivity cell C is received in a fluid sample chamber F ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ). The shape, size and volume of the chamber F defines the geometry of the conductivity cell C. The sonde S also preferably includes a fluid temperature sensor 30 measuring temperature of the sample volume of well bore fluid in the fluid sample chamber, and a fluid pressure sensor P measuring pressure of the sample volume of well bore fluid in the fluid sample chamber.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a single conductivity cell C along with a schematic view of associated electronics. Each cell C includes fluid receiving channel or chamber F located between a fluid inlet port 32 ( FIG. 2 ) and a fluid outlet port 34 for wellbore liquids for passage of wellbore fluid from the interior of the sonde S. As shown schematically in FIG. 5 , the chamber or channel F can be selectively opened and closed for entry and exit of well bore fluid by digitally controlled check valves 36 and 38 in inlet and outlet ports 32 and 34 , respectively to obtain sample volumes of the wellbore fluid. The valves 36 and 38 are preferably operated by solenoids or other suitable valve actuators.
[0024] Each conductivity cell C includes electrodes located within fluid chamber F. Two drive electrodes 40 and 42 apply alternating current (AC) to the wellbore fluid in the chamber F. Preferably a high frequency alternating current is applied between the drive electrodes 40 and 42 as indicated by the instrumentation 20 . The high frequency is used to avoid corrosion. In a preferred embodiment 10 KHz is used, although frequencies in a range of from 1 KHz to 100 KHz could be used.
[0025] Sense electrodes 44 and 46 form a measure of the voltage difference between spaced positions in the chamber F in response to the current between drive electrodes 40 and 42 . The electrodes 40 , 42 , 44 and 46 are preferably fabricated using platinum on a glass chip with an insulative plastic or synthetic resin used as the body of conductivity cell C housing the chamber F.
[0026] The conductivity of the wellbore fluid sample in the chamber F of each conductivity cell C is determined based on the product of the determined measure of liquid conductance (G) of the sample volume of well fluid in the cell, and cell constant (σ) which is a constant which is defined by the geometry and dimensions of the sample chamber. The conductance value G is the reciprocal of a measured fluid resistance (R) of the sample volume obtained based on the current and voltage measured with the drive electrodes 40 and 42 and the sense electrodes 44 and 46 . The fluid resistance R is determined using Ohm's law R=V/I relationship measured as indicated schematically at 45 of the voltage difference V between the sense electrodes 44 and 46 for an applied current level I applied by and flowing between the drive electrodes 40 and 42 .
[0027] The high frequency alternating current wave signal between drive electrodes is generated under control from microprocessor 50 ( FIG. 4 ) of the instrumentation 20 . The signal so generated is converted to a current signal in an operational amplifier 52 ( FIG. 5 ), and a resistor 54 . The amplitude of sine wave voltage signal from operational amplifier 52 is preferably limited to an acceptable low level such as 1V to avoid electrolysis and metal corrosion, as the borehole fluid sample could be brine with high saturation of salts. It should be understood that low voltage levels in the range of less than 2 volts may be used.
[0028] Based on the resistance R obtained from the conductance and the cell constant σ based on the physical geometry of cell C, resistivity of the borehole fluid sample is thus determined. The determined wellbore fluid sample resistivity is representative of the salinity of the borehole fluid sample in the each conductivity cell C. The conductivity measurements are obtained in each of the cells C and an average of these values is determined and stored as the representative salinity of the wellbore fluid at the sample depth of interest.
[0029] The temperature sensor 30 is usually a thermal resistive device with a linear resistance-to-temperature relationship for temperature measurement. Resistance (R) of a thermal resistive device depends on the material's resistivity (ρ), the structure's length (L) and cross section area (A):
[0000]
R=ρL/A
[0030] The change in temperature can be calculated by measuring the change in resistance by the following formula using initial values of resistance and temperature, R o and T o and the temperature coefficient (α):
[0000] R=R o (1+α( T−T o ))
[0031] A platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) is preferably used as the temperature sensor 30 . Platinum has a higher temperature range, good stability and low tendency to react with surrounding material as required for downhole conditions. These unique properties of platinum enable PRT to operate in temperature range of −272.5° C. to 961.78° C. The platinum resistor of temperature sensor 30 is typically fabricated on a glass substrate.
[0032] The pressure sensor P which determines fluid pressure in the well is preferably a piezoresistive pressure sensor made using micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. The pressure sensor P thus preferably takes the form of a membrane over a cavity. In such a pressure sensor, the magnitude of membrane movement corresponds to the pressure level imposed by the wellbore fluid on the membrane. Changes in pressure on the membrane change the stress in membrane which can be measured by a change in resistance.
[0033] The conductivity cells C, the temperature sensor 30 , and the pressure sensor P each form analog signal measures indicative of the value of the boreholes fluid parameter measures sensed. The analog signals from the borehole sensors are converted in analog-to-digital converters 60 , 62 and 64 , respectively, into suitable digital format for data acquisition and storage in on-system memory 18 and for processing by the microprocessor 50 .
[0034] The salinity of the well bore fluid sample is determined in the on-board microprocessor 50 of the instrumentation 20 based on liquid conductivity, as described above, and stored in on-board memory 18 , along with measured temperature and pressure of the wellbore fluid. From the measured salinity, conductance, temperature and pressure obtained wit the tool T, other borehole fluid parameters can also be computed including resistivity, density, acoustic velocity, freezing point, specific heat and potential density.
[0035] The microprocessor 50 serves as the main processing unit in on-board instrumentation of the sonde S. The microprocessor 50 includes a main controller 70 , a power management unit 72 , a digital signal processer 74 , a timer 76 and the on-board memory 18 . The memory 18 serves as internal memory for the tool T. The amount of memory provided depends upon the wellbore fluid measurement interval, total measurement time and number of parameters to be stored for each measurement. If the measurement is to be done over a larger range of depths of interest or with small measurement intervals, an external random access memory can be included and interfaced with microprocessor 50 .
[0036] The digital signal processor 74 performs signal processing tasks including generation of signals for conductivity testing and computation of liquid conductance, resistivity and salinity in the manner described above. The timer 76 determines the time of occurrence of and the time interval between obtaining borehole fluid measurements, and thus defines the measurement frequency. The controller 70 controls the other subsystems of the microprocessor 50 and performs the required synchronization. An USB interface 78 is provided for connection of the controller 70 to an external computer at the surface for programming of operations in the wellbore and for transfer of data from the memory 18 .
[0037] Battery 24 which provides power for the microprocessor 50 and other electronics of the sonde S preferably is a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The power management unit 72 is implemented in the microprocessor 50 to efficiently manage the operating electrical power usage. A power optimized system architecture is utilized in the power management unit 72 in order to maximize the system service life. The functionality of the system is divided into different working states. The power management unit 72 activates modules required for the current working state and switches off the rest. Power saving strategies at both sensor level and system level are implemented to minimize power consumption of the system.
[0038] Detailed analysis and further measurements based on the borehole fluid data obtained S can be performed after the sonde S is moved out of the well bore to the surface. The contents of memory 18 are transferred by connecting the microprocessor 50 with a computer at the surface and retrieving the data.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates the operating sequence of measuring salinity of borehole fluid according to the present invention. The sonde S is deployed in the well bore with coiled tubing 12 . At a pre-programmed time to allow the sonde to reach a depth of interest, the valves of the conductivity cells C are activated to sample the wellbore fluid as indicated at step 100 . The sensors of the conductivity cells C are activated by the microprocessor 50 as indicated at step 102 so that borehole fluid salinity can be determined at the depth of interest.
[0040] During step 104 , the alternating current signal is applied to the borehole fluid samples in the conductivity cells C by current flow between the drive electrodes 40 and 42 . The resultant voltage is concurrently sensed by the sense electrodes 44 and 46 as indicated by step 106 . Pressure and temperature measures of the wellbore fluid are also obtained from pressure sensor P and temperature sensor 30 in step 106 . The measured borehole fluid data after collection is then collected and processed by the microprocessor 50 to determine borehole fluid salinity, as indicated by step 108 .
[0041] The computed salinity and other measurements of borehole fluid data are stored in the memory 18 during step 110 , along with a time stamp or record of the time the sample was taken. The sensors in the sonde S are then disabled during step 112 . Movement of the sonde S in the well bore continues and at the next pre-programmed time indicated by the timer 76 , the foregoing sequence is repeated.
[0042] The well bore fluid parameter sensors of the sonde S are preferably fabricated with micro electro-mechanical fabricated or MEMS microfabrication technologies which offer miniaturization as well as accurate measurement. The analog-to-digital converters 60 , 62 and 64 , the microprocessor 50 and other electronic components used as instrumentation 20 in the sonde S may be commercial, off the shelf harsh environment electronic components. A harsh environment commercial electronics component line is provided by Texas Instruments which can operate in the temperature range of −55° C. to 210° C.
[0043] Alternatively, a custom made application specific integrated chip or ASIC may be utilized, with multilayer thick film fabrication or silicon-on-insulator techniques and ceramic packaging. The board for the electronics of the sonde S is preferably a high temperature printed circuit board with an inorganic ceramic substrate. The board and electronics have ceramic packaging and are hermetically sealed to protect the circuits from well fluids.
[0044] As described above, the sonde S can also be deployed using the e-line or signal conducting wireline 14 ( FIG. 7 ). In this case, the wireline 14 is connected to a computer system 120 at the surface. The components of the sonde S in FIG. 7 to obtain measures of borehole fluid salinity, temperature and pressure are of like structure and functionality to those described for the coiled tubing deployed sonde S of FIG. 1 .
[0045] Borehole fluid data from the sonde S are received and recorded as functions of borehole depth in memory of uphole telemetry and preprocessing circuitry 122 . A surface processor computer 124 receives and processes the borehole fluid data of interest under control of stored program instructions stored as indicated at 126 . The results from processing by the processor computer 124 are available in real time during salinity measurement operations for analysis on a suitable display or plotter, such as display 128 . A depth measurement system (not shown) also is present as a component of the wireline 14 to also correlate or indicate downhole wellbore fluid sensor measurements and parameters of interest to their respective depths or true locations within the borehole 10 at which such measurements are made.
[0046] The surface computer 124 can be a mainframe server or computer of any conventional type of suitable processing capacity such as those available from any of several sources. Other digital computers or processors may also be used, such as a laptop or notebook computer, or any other suitable processing apparatus both at the well site and a central office or facility.
[0047] A power cable or conductor in the wireline 14 is used to charge the battery 24 and borehole fluid parameters of interest measured by the tool T can be accessed at the surface by computer system 120 in real-time. Conventional wireline telemetry and control circuitry are included in the tool T of FIG. 7 for transfer of data over the wireline 14 to the surface for processing by processor computer 124 and to receive control signals for the tool T from the computer system 120 . The controller 70 in the tool T can also be programmed while in the well by instruction signals sent by wireline to change the acquisition parameters including measurement frequency of sensors, total measurement time and other required parameters.
[0048] The invention has been sufficiently described so that a person with average knowledge in the matter may reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in the invention herein Nonetheless, any skilled person in the field of technique, subject of the invention herein, may carry out modifications not described in the request herein, to apply these modifications to a determined structure, or in the manufacturing process of the same, requires the claimed matter in the following claims; such structures shall be covered within the scope of the invention.
[0049] It should be noted and understood that there can be improvements and modifications made of the present invention described in detail above without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.
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A downhole salinity measurement and logging sensor system has multiple cells, each to measure conductivity, temperature and pressure of fluids at depths of interest in a wellbore. The multiple cells protect against effects of non-homogeneous wellbore fluids. The system also determines salinity of the liquid in the wellbore from conductance measurements, and stores the salinity data along with the temperature and pressure readings from the well. The sensors of conductivity, temperature and pressure are made using micro-fabrication technologies, and the system is packaged to comply with harsh downhole environments. The system may be deployed in the well with coiled tubing (CT), wireline or vehicles with a robotic system. The system can be deployed with an onboard memory, or with wireline surface access for real time access to measurement data or programming the device.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/108,433, filed on Apr. 23, 2008, entitled “CATHETER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BORING THROUGH BLOCKED VASCULAR PASSAGES”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A number of vascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease, are caused by the build-up of fatty atherosclerotic deposits (plaque) in the arteries. These deposits limit blood flow to the tissues that are supplied by that particular artery. Risk factors for this type of disease include advanced age, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, history of smoking, and high cholesterol or triglycerides.
[0004] When these deposits build up in the arteries of the heart, the problem is called coronary artery disease (CAD). When these deposits build up in the arteries of a limb, such as a leg, the condition is called peripheral artery disease (PAD). Symptoms of CAD—angina, heart disease, and heart attacks, are well known. Symptoms of PAD can include pain on walking, and wounds that do not heal. If PAD is not treated, it can eventually produce critical limb ischemia (CLI), gangrene, and loss of limb. Roughly 30% of the population over the age of 70 suffers from PAD.
[0005] When the plaque builds up to the point where an artery is totally occluded, the obstruction is referred to as a Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO). CTOs can confound the treatment of CAD, because the sudden loss of heart muscle can lead to sudden death. A CTO that occludes the peripheral arteries for PAD patients is also extremely serious. PAD patients that suffer from a CTO often enter a downward spiral towards death. Often the CTO in a peripheral artery results in limb gangrene, which requires limb amputation to resolve. The limb amputation in turn causes other complications, and roughly half of all PAD patients die within two years of a limb amputation.
[0006] For both CAD and advanced PAD, prompt treatment of such blockages is thus essential. Here, less invasive angioplasty or atherectomy procedures have many advantages. In these procedures, a catheter is inserted into the diseased artery and threaded to the blocked region. There the blockage may be either squeezed into a hopefully more open position by pressure from an inflated catheter balloon (balloon angioplasty), the blocked region may be kept open by a stent, or alternatively a physician may use a catheter to surgically remove the plaque from the inside of the artery (atherectomy).
[0007] As an example, for the treatment of PAD, atherectomy devices such as the Fox Hollow (now ev3) SilverHawk™ catheter (U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,514), are often used. These catheters may be threaded (usually with the aid of a guidewire) up the artery to a blocked region. There, the physician will usually position the catheter to make multiple passes through the blocked region of the artery, each time shaving a way a ribbon of plaque. The shaved ribbons of plaque are stored in the hollow nose of the device. By making multiple passes, the plaque may be substantially reduced, blood circulation may be restored to the limb, and the limb in turn saved from amputation.
[0008] In order to effectively treat the plaque, however, most modern catheters need to be threaded past the blocked region of the artery. This is because the active portions of most catheters, which are used to treat the blockage, are usually located on the side of the catheter, rather than on the tip of the catheter. This is due to simple mechanical necessity. The tip of the catheter must have a very small surface area, and thus is able to treat only a very small portion of the diseased artery. By contrast, the side of the catheter has a much larger surface area, and the catheter side thus conforms nicely to the sides of the diseased artery. Thus stents, balloons, atherectomy cutting tools, etc., are usually mounted on the sides of the catheter. The catheter must be threaded past the blocked portion of the artery in order to function properly.
[0009] When the artery is only partially blocked by plaque, the catheter can usually be maneuvered past the obstruction, and the active portions of the catheter can thus be brought into contact with the diseased portion of the artery. However when the artery is totally blocked, as is the case with a CTO, this option is no longer possible. The tip of the catheter encounters the obstruction, and further forward motion is blocked.
[0010] Simply trying to force a typical catheter past the obstruction usually isn't possible. The obstructions are typically composed of relatively tough fibrous material, which often also includes hard calcium deposits as well. Often, when physicians attempt to force guidewires or catheters past such obstructions, the guidewire or catheter device may instead exit the artery and enter the lumen outside the artery. This further damages the artery, further complicates the procedure, and decreases the chance of success. As previously discussed, the consequences of such procedure failures have a high mortality rate. Thus improved methods to allow catheters and guidewires to more readily penetrate through hardened plaque and CTO are thus of high medical importance.
[0011] A good summary of the present state of the art may be found in an article by Aziz and Ramsdale, “Chronic total occlusions—a stiff challenge requiring a major breakthrough: is there light at the end of the tunnel?” Heart 2005; 91; 42-48.
[0012] Previous attempts to produce devices for cutting through hardened plaque include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,556,405 to Lary, 6,152,938 to Curry, and 6,730,063 to Delaney et. al.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,405 teaches an incisor catheter which features a bladed head stored in a catheter housing, which contains a number of slits though which the blades protrude. The blade is activated by a push-pull catheter. When the push-pull catheter is pushed, the bladed head protrudes through the slits in the housing, and the blade thus comes into contact with hardened plaque material. The blade does not rotate, but rather delivers linear cuts.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,938 teaches a general purpose catheter drilling device for opening a wide variety of different blocked (occluded) tubes. The device anchors the tip of the drill head against a face of the occlusion, and partially rotates the drill head using a rein attached to the drill head so that the drill head faces at an angle.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,063 teaches a catheter device for chemically treating calcified vascular occlusions. The device is a fluid delivery catheter that delivers acidic solutions and other fluids to calcified plaque with the objective of chemically dissolving the calcified material.
[0016] Several catheter devices for traversing CTO obstructions are presently marketed by Cordis Corporation, FlowCardia Technology, Kensey Nash Corporation, and other companies. Cordis Corporation, a Johnson and Johnson Company, produces the Frontrunner® XP CTO catheter (formerly produced by LuMend Corporation). This catheter, discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,085 and other patents, has a front “jaw” that opens and closes as it traverses the catheter. The jaw itself does not cut, but rather attempts to pry open the CTO as the catheter passes.
[0017] Other catheter devices use various forms of directed energy to traverse CTOs. For example, FlowCardia Technology, Sunnyvale Calif., produces the Crosser system, taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,131 and other patents. This system uses an ultrasonic transducer to deliver energy to a non-cutting catheter head. This catheter head itself has a relatively small diameter and does not have any blades. Rather, the head, through rapid (ultrasonic) vibration is able to push its way through a variety of different occlusions.
[0018] Kensey Nash Corporation, Exton Pa. (formerly Intraluminal Therapeutics, Inc.), produces the Safe-Cross CTO system. This system, taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,852,109 and 7,288,087, uses radiofrequency (RF) energy. The catheter itself is also directed in its movement by an optical (near-infrared light) sensor which can sense when the tip of the catheter is near the wall of the artery. The optical sensor tells the operator how to steer the catheter, and the RF ablation unit helps the operator ablate material and cross occluded regions.
[0019] Although ingenious, the success rates with these devices still leave much to be desired. According to Aziz, the best reported success rates of overcoming CTOs with prior art devices range from 56% to 75%. Aziz further teaches that the average success rates are only in the 50-60% range. Given the huge negative impact that unsuccessfully cleared CTO's have on patient morbidity and mortality, clearly further improvement is desirable. An additional problem with these prior art CTO clearing devices is that simply cutting a small channel though the CTO may not be sufficient to totally resolve the medical problem. Occasionally, the device that traverses the CTO should also remove (debulk) a substantial portion of the occlusion. This is because as previously discussed, removal of a substantial portion of the occlusion may be required in order to allow catheters with side mounted stents, balloons, and atherectomy cutting tools to get access to the damaged portions of the artery and make more lasting repairs. Thus improved CTO “unclogging” devices that can do the more substantial amount of CTO debulking required to allow other types of catheters to pass are also desirable.
[0020] Thus there remains a need for devices that can effectively traverse CTOs and remove more substantial amounts of hardened or calcified plaque. Such devices would enable stents and other devices, such as SilverHawk atherectomy catheters, balloon catheters, etc. to be more successfully used in high occlusion situations. This in turn should lead to improved patient outcomes and a reduction in patient morbidity and mortality.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0021] The present invention teaches a novel rotating cutting head catheter for creating a passage through refractory material, such as chronic total occlusions, refractory atherosclerotic plaque, gallstones, kidney stones, etc. from diseased arteries, veins, or other body lumens. The catheter's rotating cutting head is designed to reside safely within an outer protective sheath head when not in use, and this sheath head is mounted on the distal end of the catheter.
[0022] The outer protective sheath head contains one or more helical grooves or slots, and the cutting head contains protruding blades or projections that fit into these helical grooves or slots. Application of torque to an inner torque communicating connector (a catheter or wire or coil, or any torque communicating mechanism attached to the cutting head) applies spin to the cutting head, and the force of the sheath head's helical grooves against the cutting head's protruding blades or projections advances the cutting head outward from the protective sheath. Once extended, the cutting head may now rotate freely. In some embodiments, the center of the catheter and even the cutting head itself may be hollow, and the device may use a guidewire to direct the catheter and the cutting head to the desired position. Alternatively the guidewire may be attached to a guide that is attached to the outside of the catheter tube. In at least some embodiments, this sheath head acts as motion stop, and may contain one or more motion stop elements (such as a mechanical barrier) designed to restrict the forward extension of the cutting head.
[0023] Depending upon the angle and nature of the cutting head's protruding blades, the blades may either be designed to simply cut thorough the occluding material, without actually dislodging the occluding material from the body lumen, or alternatively the blades may be designed to both cut through the occluding material, and sever its link to the body lumen, thereby dislodging the occluding material from the body lumen. In this case, the cutting head can act to actually remove (debulk) a substantial portion of the occlusion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an overview of the catheter device including the handle, the catheter, and the catheter head.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows the exterior of the catheter head with the cutting head extended out from the sheath head.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a drawing of the catheter head (mounted on a guidewire) with the cutting head extended and cutting into a CTO plaque in an occluded artery.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the cutting head unscrewing from protective shroud of the catheter head's sheath head.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a close up of the catheter head showing the cutting head screwed into a stored position inside the catheter head's protective sheath head.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a close up of a cutting head with an alternate protruding blade design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Although, throughout this discussion, applications of this device for creating a passage through refractory atherosclerotic plaque from arteries, particularly coronary or peripheral limb arteries, are frequently used as examples, it should be understood that these particular examples are not intended to be limiting. Other applications for the present technology may include removal of kidney stones, in which case the device will be intended to traverse the ureters; gallstones, in which case the device will be intended to traverse the bile duct; enlarged prostate blockage of the urethra, in which case the device will be intended to traverse the urethra; blocked fallopian tubes, in which case the device will be intended to traverse the fallopian tubes; treatment of blood clots, removal of material trapped in the lungs, etc. In general, any unwanted material occupying space in a body lumen may be surgically removed by these techniques. Similarly, although use in human patients is cited in most examples, it should be evident that the same techniques may be useful in animals as well.
[0031] Helical drill bits and self-tapping screw bits are widely known to be highly effective at penetrating through materials as soft as wax and as refractory as rock and metal, and indeed such devices are widely used for such purposes. Although effective, drill bits are typically considered to be both powerful and extremely crude. As anyone who has ever attempted to use an electric drill can attest, drill devices, although admittedly effective at removing material, would seem to be totally unsuited for delicate vascular surgery, particularly at sites hidden deep within the body. Helical self-tapping screw bits are designed slightly differently. Although just as effective at cutting through various materials, drill bits are configured to both cut and then remove the material, while self-tapping screw bits are designed primarily for cutting a passage through the material. For either type of device, the problem is not the efficacy of cutting or occlusion removal; the problem is one of preventing inadvertent damage to the surrounding artery.
[0032] Surprisingly however, the present invention teaches that if the prejudice against such crude and powerful methods is overcome, and suitable protection and control devices are devised to control the crude and apparently overwhelming power of such “drill bit” devices, catheter “drill bit” devices suitable for delicate vascular surgery, which are both powerful at cutting or removing occlusions, yet specific enough to avoid unwanted damage to artery walls, may be produced.
[0033] Thus, in a first aspect of the present invention, the superior material cutting/removing properties of a “drill bit” like material removal device (or self-threading helical screw bit) are combined with suitable protection and catheter guidance mechanisms which allow such powerful cutting devices to be safely and effectively used within the confines of delicate arteries and other body lumens.
[0034] To do this, precise control must be exerted over the cutting edge of the “drill bit”. The bit or “cutting head” should normally be sheathed or shielded from contact with artery walls, so that inadvertent damage to artery walls can be avoided while the head of the catheter is being threaded to the artery to the occluded region. Once at the occlusion, the cutting portion of the cutting head (bit) should be selectively exposed only to the minimal extent needed to perform the relevant occlusion cutting activity. The rotation direction of the cutting head may optionally be varied, for example by rotating the head counter-clockwise to produce a blunt dissection through the obstacle or occlusion, and then clockwise while pulling back on the entire assembly. Once the desired cuts are made, the cutting head should then be quickly returned to its protective sheath. The entire device should operate within the millimeter diameters of a typical artery, and should be capable of being threaded on a catheter for a considerable distance into the body.
[0035] Suitable techniques to achieve these objectives are taught in the following figures and examples.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an overview of the catheter device ( 100 ) including the catheter body ( 102 ), the catheter handle ( 104 ), and the catheter head ( 106 ). The catheter body and catheter head, and often even the cutting head, are often hollow and are capable of accommodating a guidewire (not shown). A magnified view of the catheter head, showing the rotating cutting head in an extended configuration ( 108 ), extended outside of the sheath portion of the catheter head (here this sheath is called the “sheath head”) ( 106 ) is also shown.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows the exterior of the sheath head portion of the catheter head ( 106 ) with the cutting head ( 108 ) extended. This cutting head will normally have one or more projecting side blades or with cutting edges ( 202 ), and additionally will often have cutting edges on the front ( 204 ) as well. The center of sheath head portion of the catheter head ( 106 ) and catheter ( 102 ) may be hollow to accommodate a guidewire. In some embodiments, the guidewire will exit the sheath portion of the catheter head ( 106 ) on the side of catheter head ( 106 ) prior to cutting head ( 108 ) by a side opening (not shown). In other embodiments, cutting head ( 108 ) will itself be hollow and the guidewire will exit the end of cutting head ( 108 ) through opening ( 206 ).
[0038] In the closed configuration, the rotating cutting head ( 108 ) is retracted inside the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ) and the cutting edges or projections ( 202 ) from the cutting head ( 108 ) fit into helical slots or grooves ( 208 ). This sheathed configuration prevents projecting side cutting edges ( 202 ) and front cutting edges ( 204 ) from accidentally contacting the walls of the artery.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a drawing of the catheter head ( 106 ) (with the cutting head extended from the sheath head) cutting into a CTO ( 304 ) in an occluded artery ( 306 ). In this example, the catheter and catheter head are mounted on and guided by a guidewire ( 302 ), however this will not always be the case.
[0040] As should be clear, the cutting edge of the “drill bit/screw-thread” like cutting head can easily damage artery lining ( 306 ). In order to avoid such accidental damage, precise control over the extent of cutting head exposure is needed. Methods to achieve such precise control are shown in FIG. 4 .
[0041] FIG. 4 shows some of the details of how the cutting head ( 108 ) is unscrewed from the helical slots or grooves ( 208 ) of the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ), thus exposing cutting edges ( 202 ) and ( 204 ). In ( 402 ), the cutting head ( 108 ) is shown fully exposed. The cutting head has become fully unscrewed from helical slots ( 208 ) and is fully extended. An optional projecting post or guide ( 404 ) mounted on cutting head ( 108 ) may act to guide the rotating cutting head into and out of the helical screw-like slots ( 208 ). The coupling ( 406 ) that couples cutting head ( 108 ) with a torque transmitting (torque communicating connector) inner catheter tube or cable ( 408 ) is in the extreme distal position inside of the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ).
[0042] In ( 410 ), the cutting head is shown in its fully retracted position. Normally the cutting head will be stored in this fully retracted position so that it can be introduced into the artery via a guidewire, and be directed to the occlusion or plaque region, without damaging non-target regions of the artery. Note that the coupling ( 406 ) is in the fully distal position in the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ), and that the protruding cutting blades ( 202 ) of cutting head ( 108 ) are fully screwed into helical screw slots ( 208 ).
[0043] In some situations, a guidewire [ FIG. 3 ( 302 )] leading to the obstruction will already have been introduced. In fact, a previous attempt to perform atherectomy may have already been made, and this attempt may have been frustrated by refractory plaque, such as a plaque covered with hard calcium deposits, whereupon the physician may make a decision to use the present cutting device to punch through this refractory plaque.
[0044] In use, the catheter head ( 106 ) and catheter tube ( 102 ) are attached to the guidewire and are then introduced into the artery via an appropriate incision. The catheter handle ( 104 ) will remain outside of the body. The location of the obstruction will generally be known, and in fact the obstruction may be imaged by fluoroscopy or other technique. Catheter head ( 106 ) is brought up against the obstruction, and the operator will then apply torque, often via a device mounted on catheter handle ( 104 ). This torque is usually transmitted to the catheter head ( 106 ) via an inner torque conducting catheter or wire ( 408 ), here termed a “torque communicating connector”. Usually outer catheter ( 102 ) will not conduct torque. Outer catheter ( 102 ) remains approximately stationary (i.e. does not rotate) and similarly the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ) and the helical screw slots or grooves ( 208 ) also do not rotate.
[0045] The torque is communicated via coupling ( 406 ) to cutting head ( 108 ). This torque essentially causes cutting head ( 108 ) to “unscrew” from its retracted position in the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ) via the action of the protruding blade edges ( 202 ) against helical slots or grooves ( 208 ). This “unscrewing” circular motion is shown by the curved arrow ( 412 ). As cutting head ( 108 ) unscrews, it starts to advance and protrude outside of the protective sheath head shroud.
[0046] In ( 420 ), the cutting head ( 108 ) is now shown in a partially unscrewed or partially extended position. Note that the protruding blade edges ( 202 ) have moved relative to the helical sheath head screw slots or grooves ( 208 ). Thus the blade edges ( 202 ) are now partially unscrewed from the helical screw slots ( 208 ) and are partially exposed. Cutting head ( 108 ) now is protruding out from the sheath head portion of catheter head casing or shroud ( 106 ), and the coupling ( 406 ) has moved partially toward the distal end of the catheter.
[0047] It should be evident that by reversing the direction of the torque, the cutting head may be again retracted into the sheath head when this is desired. The catheter can be repositioned for another cut, and the process of cutting head extension, cutting, and retraction can be repeated as many times as necessary.
[0048] Thus the present invention controls the aggressive cutting power of the “drill bit” cutting head by exposing only as much of the cutting head at a time as needed for the task at hand.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a close up of the sheath head portion of the catheter head showing the cutting head screwed into a stored position inside the protective sheath head shroud. This angle allows the helical screw slots or grooves ( 208 ) to be easily seen, and cutting head ( 108 ) can also be seen inside of the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ).
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a close up of an alternate design cutting head ( 108 ) with spiral shaped protruding cutting edges ( 202 ).
[0051] The sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ) will normally be between about 1 to 2.2 millimeters in diameter, and the catheter body ( 102 ) will typically also have a diameter of approximately 1 to 3 millimeters (3-9 French), and a length between 50 and 200 cm. The sheath head may be made from various materials such as hard plastics, metals, or composite materials. Examples of such materials include NiTi steel, platinum/iridium or stainless steel.
[0052] Although sheath head ( 106 ) contains slots or grooves designed to impart forward motion to cutting head ( 108 ) when cutting head is rotated, and although these slots or grooves are referred to as “helical” grooves or slots, due to the short length of the sheath head and overall catheter head, the slots or grooves do not have to be in the exact mathematical shape of a helix. In fact a variety of shapes that differ somewhat from a mathematically pure helix configuration will suffice. In general, the slot or groove must be such that torque applied to the cutting head causes the cutting head to both rotate and advance, and any such slot or groove is here designated as a “helical” slot or groove. Also, for this discussion, a “slot” is considered to be an opening that extends from the inside to the outside of the hollow catheter head ( 106 ), while a “groove” is similar to a rifle groove in that a “groove” does not extend all the way from the inside of the hollow sheath head to the outside, but rather only penetrates partway through the sheath head material.
[0053] The cutting head ( 108 ) will often be made of materials such as steel, carbide, or ceramic. The blades of the cutting head ( 202 ), ( 204 ) can optionally be hardened by coating with tungsten carbide, ME-92, etc. Materials suitable for this purpose are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,771,774; 5,312,425; and 5,674,232. The angle of the blades and the details of their design will differ depending upon if the head is intended to simply cut through the occluding material, of if it is intended to cut through and actually remove (debulk) portions of the occlusion. For example, blades intended for to remove material may curve at an angle such that they will tend to sever the link between the occluding material and the body lumen, while blades intended just for cutting will have an alternate angle that tends not to sever this link.
[0054] In some embodiments, the catheter may be composed of two different tubes. In this configuration, there may be an outer catheter tube ( 102 ), which will often be composed of a flexible biocompatible material. There may also be an inner tube ( 408 ) chosen for its ability to transmit torque from the catheter handle ( 104 ) to the cutting head ( 108 ) (via coupling ( 406 )). The inner torque transmitting tube (which is one possible type of “torque communicating connector”) is able to twist relative to the outer catheter tube so that when torque is applied to the inner tube at the handle end ( 104 ), the cutting head ( 108 ) will rotate, but the catheter sheath head itself, which is connected to the outer catheter tube, will remain roughly stationary. Alternatively a cable may be used in place of inner tube ( 408 ).
[0055] The outer catheter body ( 102 ) may often be made from organic polymer materials extruded for this purpose, such as polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, silicon rubber, and the like. The inner torque conducting catheter ( 408 ) may be composed of these materials or alternatively may be composed from metal coils, wires, or filaments.
[0056] In many embodiments, the catheter will be designed to be compatible with a monorail guidewire that has a diameter of about 0.014″, or between 0.010″ and 0.032″. For example, the outer catheter jacket may contain attached external guides for the monorail guidewire. In this case, the guidewire may exit these external guides either prior to the catheter head, or midway through the catheter head. Alternatively, the catheter may be hollow, and be located over the guidewire for the entire length of the catheter.
[0057] The catheter handle ( 104 ) will normally attach to both outer catheter tube ( 102 ), and inner tube or cable ( 408 ). Usually handle ( 104 ) will contain at least a knob, dial, or lever that allows the operator to apply torque to the inner torque transmitting tube or cable ( 408 ). In some embodiments, sensors may be used to determine how much the cutting head ( 108 ) has rotated or extended relative to the sheath head portion of catheter head ( 106 ), and these sensors, possibly aided by a mechanical or electronic computation and display mechanism, may show the operator how much the cutting head has rotated and or extended.
[0058] In some embodiments, the catheter handle ( 104 ) will be designed with knobs or levers coupled to mechanical mechanisms (such as gears, torque communicating bands, etc.) that manually rotate and advance/retract the catheter tip, and the operator will manually control the tip with gentle slow rotation or movement of these knobs or levers. In other embodiments the catheter handle will contain a mechanism, such as an electronic motor, and a control means, such as a button or trigger, that will allow the user to rotate and advance the cutting head in a precise and controlled manner. This mechanism may, for example, consist of a microprocessor or feedback controlled motor, microprocessor, and software that may act to receive information from a cutting head rotation or extension sensor, and use this rotation feedback data, in conjunction with operator instructions delivered by the button or trigger, to advance or retract the cutting head by a precise amount for each operator command. This way the operator need not worry about any errors induced by the spring action of the inner torque transmitting tube or cable ( 408 ). The microprocessor (or other circuit) controlled motor can automatically compensate for these errors, translate button or trigger presses into the correct amount of torque, and implement the command without requiring further operator effort. Alternatively non-microprocessor methods, such as a vernier or a series of guided markings, etc., may be used to allow the operator to compensate for differences in the rotation of the torque communicating connector and the rotation of the cutting head, or for the extent that which said cutting head exits said hollow sheath head.
[0059] In some embodiments, the catheter head may be equipped with additional sensors, such as ultrasonic sensors to detect calcified material, optical (near infrared) sensors to detect occlusions or artery walls, or other medically relevant sensors. If these sensors are employed, in some cases it may be convenient to locate the driving mechanisms for these sensors in the catheter handle ( 104 ) as well.
[0060] Additional means to improve the efficacy of the cutting head may also be employed. Thus the cutting head may be configured to vibrate at high (ultrasonic) frequency, perform radiofrequency (RF) tissue ablation, generate localized areas of intense heat, conduct cutting light (e.g. laser or excimer laser), or other directed energy means.
[0061] The cutting head may be composed of alternative designs and materials, and these designs and materials may be selected to pick the particular problem at hand. As an example, a cutting head appropriate for use against a calcified obstruction may differ from the cutting head appropriate for use against a non-calcified obstruction. Similarly the cutting head appropriate for use against a highly fibrous obstruction may be less appropriate against a less fibrous and fattier obstruction. The length or size of the obstruction may also influence head design.
[0062] Although multiple catheters, each composed of a different type of cutting head, may be one way to handle this type of problem, in other cases, a kit composed of a single catheter and multiple cutting heads ( 108 ) and optionally multiple sheath heads ( 106 ) may be more cost effective. In this type of situation, the cutting heads ( 108 ) may be designed to be easily mounted and dismounted from coupling ( 406 ). A physician could view the obstruction by fluoroscopy or other technique, and chose to mount the cutting head design (and associated sheath head design) best suited for the problem at hand. Alternatively, if the blades ( 202 ), ( 204 ) on cutting head ( 108 ) have become dull or chipped from use during a procedure, a physician may chose to replace dull or chipped cutting head ( 108 ) with a fresh cutting head, while continuing to use the rest of the catheter.
[0063] For some applications, it may also be useful to supply various visualization dyes or therapeutic agents to the obstruction using the catheter. Here, the dye or therapeutic agent may be applied by either sending this dye up to the catheter head through the space between the exterior catheter ( 102 ) and the interior torque catheter ( 408 ), or alternatively if torque catheter ( 408 ) is hollow, through the interior of torque catheter ( 408 ). If cutting head ( 108 ) also has a hollow opening ( 206 ), then the dye or therapeutic agent may be applied directly to the obstruction, even while cutting head ( 108 ) is cutting through the obstruction.
[0064] Examples of useful dyes and therapeutic agents to apply include fluoroscopic, ultrasonic, MRI, fluorescent, or luminescent tracking and visualization dyes, anticoagulants (e.g. heparin, low molecular weight heparin), thrombin inhibitors, anti-platelet agents (e.g. cyclooxygenase inhibitors, ADP receptor inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, Glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitors, adenosine reuptake inhibitors), anti-thromboplastin agents, anti-clot agents such as thrombolytics (e.g. tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase, streptokinase), lipases, monoclonal antibodies, and the like.
[0065] In some embodiments, it may be useful to construct the cutting head out of a material that has a radiopaque signature (different appearance under X-rays) that differs from the material used to construct the hollow sheath head portion of the catheter head. This will allow the physician to directly visualize, by fluoroscopic or other x-ray imaging technique, exactly how far the cutting head has advanced outside of the catheter sheath head.
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A rotating cutting head catheter for passage through chronic total occlusions or other refractory atherosclerotic plaque from diseased arteries is disclosed. The catheter's rotating cutting head is designed to reside safely within an outer protective sheath when not in use. The outer protective sheath contains one or more helical grooves or slots, and the cutting head contains protruding blades or projections that fit into these helical grooves or slots. Application of torque to an inner catheter or wire attached to the cutting head applies spin to the cutting head, and the force of the sheath's helical grooves or slots against the cutting head's protruding blades or projections advances the cutting head outward from the protective sheath. Once extended, the cutting head may now rotate freely. The device may use a guidewire to direct the cutting head to the desired position.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR02/02105, filed Jun. 19, 2002. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for shaping portions of minced meat which can have various shapes, concerning for example reconstituted steaks, standard hamburger steaks, meatballs etc.
2. Description of Related Art
Nowadays, industrially made products of this type are essentially minced meat steaks. During manufacture, the meat issuing from the mincing machine is stored in a hopper, and taken from the bottom of the latter to be introduced under pressure into a chamber with a shaping tray as a base. Since the pressure required for shaping has to be high, the forces acting on the meat in a haphazard manner are very detrimental to the internal structure of the latter. The result is steaks with compact texture, more or less granular, and dry because they have released a lot of exudates.
These products are therefore mediocre in quality, compared to minced steaks prepared in the quality, compared to minced steaks prepared in the traditional way, where the meat exiting from the grid of the mincing machine in threads called “angel hairs” has only been slightly compacted without damaging this thread structure, so well that it retains a relatively light and soft texture together with a maximum of flavor.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been designed for industrial production of high quality minced meat steaks comparable to those of minced meat steaks prepared in the traditional way.
The invention is also aimed at industrial production of portions of minced meat of shapes different from those of minced meat steaks, such as meatballs, for example.
Another aim within the scope of the invention is to enable production of portions of minced meat of various shapes with a single machine, needing only practical and quick operational modifications to pass from one shape to another.
The invention consists of a device for manufacturing shaped portions of minced meat, such as steaks or meatballs, characterised in that it comprises:
a mincing machine providing a stream of minced meat, said stream of minced meat having a size determined in function of the portions to be produced; conveying means with an endless belt, for transporting said stream of minced meat exiting from said mincing machine, means for cutting said stream of minced meat into portions; and lateral shaping means acting simultaneously on both sides of said stream of minced meat to shape the contour of said portions.
In order to apply minced steak type shaping of portions, the device furthermore includes vertical shaping means co-operating with said lateral shaping means to give the portions the chosen thickness.
Since the stream of minced meat is shaped slightly wider and thicker than the final products, the shaping only involves forces that all act closely perpendicular to the orientation of the threads of meat exiting from the meat-mincing machine. This means that the shaping essentially has only a moderate compacting effect rather than a crushing effect, and does not break the thread structure of the meat and which therefore seems very close to the traditional shaping method while still maintaining all the advantages.
Said means for cutting said stream of minced meat into portions can be set upstream said shaping means, consisting for example of a passage for said stream of minced meat formed by two endless belts with superposed transversal cleats, that approach each other vertically from upstream to downstream, in such a way that said cleats tighten progressively two by two on said stream of minced meat by pinching it until it is cut. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting into portions of said stream is carried out at the same time as shaping.
According to the invention, said lateral shaping means can be indented or recessed blocks advancing symmetrically on each side and immediately above a transporting belt for shaping, being part of said transporting means of said stream of minced meat, so that from upstream to downstream they approach each other in order to touch and with their indents or recesses form shaping cavities with said transporting belt. If the device also comprises said vertical shaping means, the latter can then be pushers above said shaping transporting belt, between said lateral shaping blocks, advancing with them in a synchronised way.
In an embodiment of the invention, said lateral shaping blocks are mounted on first and second endless loop arrangements set horizontally and symmetrically on each side of said transporting shaping belt and advancing with it in a synchronised way. If pushers are provided to co-operate with said lateral shaping blocks, they can then be mounted on a third endless loop arrangement set above said shaping transporting belt and between said first and second endless loop arrangements, and advancing with them in a synchronised way.
In a variant of an embodiment according to the invention, said lateral shaping blocks, possibly with said pushers, are mounted in an identical endless loop arrangement set above said shaping transporting belt, said endless loop arrangement comprising two identical lateral endless chains in parallel carrying transversal runners upon which said lateral shaping blocks are mounted in a sliding manner. In this variant, said lateral shaping blocks can have a central indent or recess in order to co-operate two by two, but in a preferred embodiment they each have two indents or recesses on either side of a part with central separation, in such a way that the shaping cavities are each formed between two consecutive facing pairs of lateral shaping blocks, said stream of minced meat then being able to be cut into portions during shaping, by the sliding runners of said lateral shaping blocks.
Advantageously, according to another characteristic of the invention, said pushers constituting the vertical shaping means have a supplementary run to evacuate the portions positively after shaping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These characteristics and advantages of the invention, together with others, will be understood more clearly from the following description and the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first form of embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing minced meat steaks;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of part of the device of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a second form of embodiment of the device according to the invention, for producing steaks of minced meat;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top view partly representing the device of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of another form of preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for producing steaks of minced meat;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view representing, on an enlarged scale, an essential part of the device of FIG. 5 ;
FIG. 7 is a partial diagrammatic view from above of the part of the device shown in FIG. 6 ;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, on an enlarged scale, representing partially and in more detail, the part of FIGS. 6 and 7 that is a shaping assembly.
FIGS. 9 a to 9 d are diagrammatic views showing the different movements of the pushers of the device in FIGS. 5 to 8 ;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view in perspective, in operational position, of a shaping assembly similar to that of FIG. 8 , but intended for the production of meatballs; and
FIGS. 11 and 12 are two other diagrammatic views in perspective of the same shaping assembly as FIG. 8 , respectively in two other operational positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The devices according to the invention are intended to be placed in alignment after the mincing machine, not shown, producing a stream of minced meat V of predefined size and having a thread structure created by the exit grid. In all the embodiments according to the invention, they comprise transporting means T for the stream of meat V, advancing them according to the output rate and consisting of a succession of endless belts including one, reference 11 , on which the shaping of portions P is carried out which, afterwards, are loaded simply by gravity into packing trays B passing onto a lower conveyor belt 13 .
In the first two forms of embodiments according to the invention, respectively FIGS. 1 and 2 , and FIGS. 3 and 4 , the transporting means for the stream of meat V comprise, upstream the shaping transporting belt 11 , a section of cutting-out into portions P, consisting of two endless belts with transversal cleats 10 a and 10 b , superposed to define a passage contracting vertically from upstream to downstream, and synchronised in such a way that said cleats pass facing each other two by two to tighten progressively on the stream V by pinching it until it is cut.
Because of a difference between the passing speeds of the endless belts with cleats 10 a and 10 b , and the shaping transporting belt 11 , a defined spacing is created between the portions P.
The shaping means associated with the belt 11 in the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise lateral shaping blocks 5 which advance symmetrically, sliding on each side of the belt 11 . The blocks 5 are made of a material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and mounted side by side one after the other in two identical arrangements in endless loop 2 A and 2 B set horizontally (meaning with the axes of their return means vertical) on both sides of the shaping transporting belt 11 with which they advance perfectly synchronised. The blocks 5 have deep indents 50 directed outwards in their respective endless loop arrangement, so that when they coincide two by two opposite each other on the belt 11 define shaping cavities together with it. These are closed along a certain length in the median part of the arrangements 2 A and 2 B, where their facing sides advance longitudinally and in parallel, having converged after the return means upstream and before diverging at the return means downstream. From upstream to downstream, the lateral shaping blocks 5 advancing facing each other progressively approach with a portion P, to enclose it in the cavity they will make, and then they separate again.
In co-operation with the lateral shaping blocks 5 , pushers 6 , shown only in FIG. 1 , arrive to close said cavities from above when they are formed, then descend in them in two separate actions, first for carrying out the required compacting of portions P, and then for transferring them positively to a lower level on a transporting belt 12 following after the shaping transporting belt 11 , and ensuring that they are loaded into the packing trays B.
The pushers 6 are mounted in an endless loop arrangement 2 C set vertically (meaning with the return means centered horizontally) above the shaping transporting belt 11 , between the endless loop arrangements 2 A and 2 B and synchronised with them. They comprise a pusher plate 62 at the end of a strut 61 sliding in a base 60 mounted integrally with the endless loop. The sliding movements of the strut 61 are controlled by a cam for the rollers 63 at the end of the latter, said cam consisting of a guide-way 21 following the advancing loop internally.
The device in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the one just describe essentially through the layout of its means, but it operates in the same way. Here, the lateral shaping blocks 5 and the pushers 6 are mounted in the same endless loop arrangement 3 set vertically (meaning with its return means centered horizontally) above the shaping transporting belt 11 . The endless loop arrangement 3 comprises two identical lateral endless chains in parallel 30 , that carry double transversal runners 31 on which the lateral shaping blocks 5 slide two by two facing each other, their movement being controlled by lateral rails 32 , as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4 . As for the pushers 6 , they have a base 60 mounted on supports fixed to the runners 31 and which, for better understanding of the drawings are not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The pushers 6 are controlled as in the preceding example by a guide 33 following their advancing loop internally.
In this second example, the pushers 6 have a function limited to shaping the portions P. After shaping, the cavities open and free the portions P which remain in place on the shaping transporting belt 11 , that carries them on its own as far as the packing trays B.
The two embodiments described above, according to their principle and in their operation, can be used for shaping the portions of meat P into shapes other than steaks, for example meatballs. It suffices to replace the lateral blocks 5 by other blocks which, instead of indents 7 , are provided with recesses which, when the two blocks come face to face, form a completely closed cavity above the transporting belt 11 . The pushers 6 then have no more use for shaping, and are thus superfluous.
In the preferred embodiment according to the invention shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 , the cutting of the stream of minced meat V into portions P is carried out at the same time and by the same means as the shaping. As in the preceding example in FIGS. 3 and 4 , this device comprises a single arrangement in an endless loop 4 , mounted in the same way above the shaping transporting belt 11 .
The arrangement 4 comprises two identical chains 40 set in parallel, on the links of which are fixed adjacent one after the other endplates 41 , as shown in FIG. 8 . The endplates 41 carry two by two a shaping assembly comprising a transversal runner 42 and, above this, a transversal support beam 43 . Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 8 , the runners 42 are flat bars set according to their width perpendicular to the chains 40 , and can be inserted and blocked in open fixation slits on the side opposite the beam 43 to allow quick mounting/dismantling.
In this case the lateral shaping blocks 7 have the particularity of being mounted sliding and straddled, opposite each other two by two, on a runner 42 , by a slit 72 in their lower wall, and of being symmetrical relative to the plane of the latter. They have a median point 70 directed inwards, and edged on each side by two identical indents 71 , in such a way that a shaping cavity will be formed not only by two but by four shaping blocks, meaning two successive pairs of blocks 7 facing each other. Each block 7 and its immediate neighbours on the same side are jointed so as to form cavities by vertical faces 73 before and after prolonging their indents 71 outwards, the faces 73 inclining upwards in 73 a starting from a certain height to allow passage around the end returns. As in the preceding examples, the transversal movements of the blocks 7 are controlled by guide rails 44 , enclosed by a pair of fingers 74 of the blocks 7 crossing a passageway slit 43 a set in the beams 43 , as shown in FIG. 7 . The blocks 7 are held in place on their respective runner 42 by the beam 43 . Their base coincides with the lower edge of the runners 42 , in such a way that the latter arrive on a level with the shaping transporting belt 11 and proceed to the cutting of the minced meat stream V into portions.
Apart from ensuring the maintenance of the blocks 7 straddling their runner 42 , the beams 43 act as support for the pushers 8 that have their base 80 bracket-mounted in front of or behind the latter. As in the preceding examples, the pushers 8 comprise pushing plates 82 at the end of the struts 81 sliding in the base 80 , and whose distal ends, with the aid of a transversal axle 83 , support rollers, not shown, co-operating with a guide-way 45 to control the movements. It is to be noted that in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the segment 45 a of the guide-way corresponding to the shaping section is shown as adjustable, to enable modification of the pressing run of the pushers 8 depending on requirements.
During operation, when the blocks 7 arrive in contact with the shaping transporting belt 11 , together with their runner 42 , the latter carries out a cut of the stream of meat V, to be completed by the facing blocks 7 when their points 70 come together.
Here, as in the first example, the pushers 8 ensure a positive transfer, after shaping, of the portions P on a band 12 whose entry is below the exit from the shaping band 11 . The various operational positions of the pushers 8 are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 9 a to 9 c . For example, the pushers 8 are shown in a lifted position in FIG. 9 a , in a position at the end of pressing in FIG. 9 b , in a position after evacuation of the portions in FIG. 9 c , and upon return to the lifted position in FIG. 9 d.
FIGS. 10 to 12 show shaping assemblies for a device of the same type as that in FIGS. 5 to 9 , where the cutting of the stream of meat into portions is also ensured at the same time and by the same means as the shaping, and where a single endless loop arrangement is mounted in the same way above the shaping transporting belt. But instead of minced steaks, this device serves to produce balls of minced meat.
As in the preceding example, the single endless belt arrangement comprises two identical chains in parallel and mounting end plates, homologous respectively to the chains 40 and the end plates 41 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , and fitted in the same way.
And a transversal runner 42 ′ and, above it, a transversal support beam 43 ′, are carried by each pair of end plates opposite each other, exactly in the same way as shown in FIG. 8 for the runner 42 and the beam 43 .
The lateral shaping blocks 9 are mounted sliding, straddling and facing two by two on each runner 42 ′, by means of a median slit 92 in their sliding plane lower wall on the shaping transporting belt. On both sides of the slit 92 , they are double, in other words a meatball will be formed on each side of the runner 42 ′ inserted in the slit 92 . In order to achieve this, in their inward looking face 9 a and on each side of the slit 92 , the blocks 9 have a recess substantially hemispherical in shape 91 . It can be seen that in the advancing direction, the recess 91 has a dimension or diameter such that it comes as close as possible to the plane of the slit 92 and, on the other hand, as close as possible also to the end wall 9 b.
Furthermore, it can be seen in the drawing that each block 9 has, overhanging a recess 91 , an overlap part 93 , and above its other recess, a cut-out defining an external surface 94 complementary to the internal surface 93 a of the overlap part 93 , allowing interlocking with sliding contact between these two surfaces when the two blocks 9 approach each other, as shown in FIG. 11 . The advantage of such a design for the blocks 9 with, in each, an overlap part 93 and, on the other side of the slit 92 , a complementary cut-out part 94 , is that the totality of the blocks of the device are strictly identical.
It can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 12 that the face 9 a of the blocks 9 is slightly chamfered on each side of the recess 91 , providing protrusion for the front and back external edges 9 c at the level where contact is established between the opposite blocks. It follows that the lower half of each cavity formed when the two recesses join together remains in communication on each side with an interstitial space in which excess meat can flow without detaching from the body of the meatball to be shaped, which reduces the volume of rejects and clogging. Furthermore, it is to be noted that advantageously a slight indent 91 a is formed at the level of the lower pole position of each recess 91 .
The blocks 9 comprise, above, a pair of fingers 95 participating in their control when in transversal movement on the runner 42 ′ by co-operating with a guide rail passing in the gap they define. In the example of an embodiment shown, the fingers 95 slide along the extended indents 43 ′ a in the beam 43 ′.
In the same way, another finger 105 controls the movement of cups 100 constituting the base of the recesses 91 when they are in the return position of FIG. 10 . The cups 100 are supported at the end of struts 101 mounted sliding in blocks 9 . Unlike the cups 100 , the struts 101 are integral in each block 9 with a common crosshead 102 also engaged straddling the runner 42 ′, by a slit 103 . The crossheads 102 comprise a second guide strut 104 engaged in bores provided for this purpose in the upper part of the blocks 9 .
The cups 100 have the function of maintaining the shaped meatballs in a centred position when the cavities are opened, in other words when the opposing blocks 9 separate below the shaping zone, as shown in FIG. 12 .
As in the preceding example, the runner 42 ′ is advantageously provided for ensuring the cutting of the stream of meat into portions, but here it is a matter of double portions to be processed into not one but two meatballs during shaping. The division of the portions into two is ensured by the points formed by the edges 9 c of successive adjacent blocks that are perfectly jointed above the transporting belt in the shaping zone.
By comparing the shaping assemblies shown respectively in FIG. 8 and FIGS. 10 to 12 , it can be seen that it would be simple to design them to be easily interchangeable within a single device.
From the above, it is evident that such a device can be adapted to producing tri-dimensional shapes other than a spherical shape, shapes that can be more complex. Furthermore, the invention provides interesting possibilities even for the constitution of products that can be defined at the stage of formation of the stream of meat, produced for example with a core of stuffing, garnish or sauce.
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The invention relates to arrangements comprising combinations of: a mincer providing a stream of minced meat (V); conveying means with an endless band (T) for transporting the stream (V), exiting from said mincer; and, arranged along said conveyor means (T): means for cutting the stream (V) into portions (P) and means for lateral shaping (/), acting simultaneously on both sides of the stream (V) to shape the contour of the portions (P).
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of armor. More particularly, it pertains to the field of body armor for protecting the human body from knife and bullet impacts and is so relatively light-weight that it may be worn without difficulty by the person seeking protection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Whether we were originally pugnacious, or have evolved to that state over time, we now live in a combative society. We shoot and stab each other to settle disputes, to right alleged wrongs, and, often, for no real reason at all. It is not safe to travel in various parts of our cities. Even tourists to our country are in peril in many areas. In some activities, such as illegal drug dealing and bank robbery, the likelihood of being stabbed or shot is extremely high, even to innocent bystanders.
Historically, citizens have attempted to secure their personal safety by fashioning garments and other things that ward off penetration by knives and bullets. While the examples are numerous, the most practical means achieved thus far comprise panels made of strong fibers and other hard materials that resist penetration from knives and missiles. With modern guns and high speed bullets becoming more commonplace, the most popular armor has been a mixture of strong plastics and, in severe cases, plates of hard metal. However, strong plastic panels and hard metal plates are bulky and heavy and have not received wide acceptance. In addition, plastic panels and most metal panels cannot stop certain caliber of bullets fired at close range, such as the 7.62 mm, 124 gram FMJ lead-core ball round (7.62×39), popularly known as the AK-47 bullet, which has recently become the caliber of choice for illegal elements of our society.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a body armor that is novel in its construction and in its ability to stop penetration by high speed bullets, such as that fired from the AK-47, and by knives. It is rather simple in construction and yet is solid and long-lasting in design and use. In addition, the invention includes a novel method of manufacturing the body armor that is unique in the industry.
These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventor may be gleaned from a fair reading of the Claims that conclude this specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan and partially sectional view of the preferred embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan and partially sectional view of another embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3; and,
FIG. 5 is a top plan and partially sectional view of still another embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings wherein elements are identified by numbers and different numbers are used throughout the five figures, the first preferred embodiment 1 of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a piece of novel body armor comprising a laminate of various materials. Beginning with the heaviest material, a first layer 3 is provided of a uniform thickness of metal, the metal preferably a nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel having a carbon content below 0.3%. This metal exhibits, at +20° C., a yield strength of about 1100 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of about 1480 MPa, a percent elongation ( 5 d ) of about 9, a lengthwise KCV of 30 Joule/cm 2 , a transverse KCV of 20 Joules/cm 2 and a Brinell hardness of about 470. At −40° C. it exhibits a lengthwise and a transverse KCV of 20 Joule/cm 2 . This type of metal may be obtained at Creusot Loure Industrie, Cresusot Marrel Division, France, under the name, 240 MARS™ and will hereinafter be referred to as MARS™ metal. Layer 3 is characterized by having an outer-facing surface 3 A and an inner-facing surface 3 B and is contoured for close fitting to the body of the user.
Layer 3 is preferred to be made with uniform thickness throughout, such as 4 mm thick, and has bent edge portions 5 , shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 made along fold lines 7 , at an angle “α” where the angle is set at between 10° C. to 20° C. and more preferably at 11° 20 minutes. Bent edge portions 5 provide closer and more comfortable fitting of layer 3 to the wearer and acts to deflect bullets striking layer 3 in a harmless direction from the wearer.
First layer 3 is covered with a second thin (e.g. ⅛ inch thick) layer 9 of a cured semi-flexible plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, to form an easily handleable product. The material is a plastisol PVC/VINYL liquid dip coating and can be obtained, for instance, from Diversified Compounders, Inc., 5701 E. Union Pacific Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90022. The specific material desired is a black dip, having a density of 10.36 at 100% solids, having a cure cycle of 350°-400° F., a cured tensile strength of 1800-2000 psi and a tear strength of 198 pli.
The front surface of layer 9 faces outward from the user. The rear surface of layer 9 is striped with strips of upstanding hook elements 13 adhered to said surface by glue or other such adhesive and about which more will be said later in this specification. A third layer or mat 15 of organic fiber material is provided having the same surface contour as first layer 3 . It is preferred that the organic material making up third layer 15 comprises a laminate containing at least about 30 layers of a fire retardant, high strength, micro-filament, hi-tenacity fiber fabric, such as Twaron®1000, sewn in one-inch quilt pattern. This material can be obtained, for instance, from Barrday, Inc., 75 Moorefield Street., P.O. Box 790, Cambridge, ON N1R 56 Canada under description FN 2167/160 and has a weight of about 8.5 ounces per yard 2 , a width of about 62 inches, and a thread count of about 22 yarns per inch in warp and 22 yarns per inch in weft. The thread from which it is made contains about 500 filaments, and has a strength at break of about 144,444, a tenacity at break of 1719 mN/tex, an elongation at break of about 2.90% and a chord modulus of about 72 Gpa.
A cloth cover 17 , such as nylon woven polyamide thread cloth, is placed about all surfaces of mat 15 and sewn together to tightly encapsulate the Twaron 1000. On one broad surface of cloth cover 17 , covering a broad surface of mat 15 , is placed a plurality of strips of releasably engageable polymeric inter-engageable loop-type fastening elements 19 , arranged in the same format as strips of hook elements 13 and adhered tightly to said cloth by glue or other adhesive. Hook elements 13 and loop elements 19 are resilient and deformable and, when pressed together, become intimately entangled, securing strips 13 and 19 together in tight engagement. Strips 13 and 19 can be released from entangled engagement by positively pulling hook elements 13 away from loop elements 19 or vice versa. The loop and hook fabric elements 13 and 19 are available under the trademark “Velcro®”, more specific details of which may be had from U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,437 titled VELVET TYPE FABRIC AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME issued Sep. 13, 1955 to George de Mestral and U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,951 titled DEVICE FOR JOINING TWO FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS issued Dec. 24, 1963 to George de Mestral. The material is hereinafter referred to as “Velcro®” loop material and “Velcro®” hook material, a product of American Velcro, Inc.
This embodiment of the invention is generally made in varying sizes to fit people of varying stature. For instance, the invention may be purchased in sizes of 10 inches by 12 inches where the device weighs 6.9 pounds. Other sizes are available: 8″×10″ (4.6 lbs.), 6″×8″ (2.5 lbs), and 5″×8″ (2.3 lbs). The suggested method of application is to wear the device with the steel plate (layer 3 ) on the outside. It is a strong armor package that efficiently deflects penetration of missiles and knives.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment 21 of the invention is shown, said embodiment being thicker and having different bends, and is sold under the trademark “LifeSaver Max”. This embodiment comprises a thicker plate of metal, such as two 4 mm-thick layers 25 and 27 , of metal such as 240 MARS™ to make an 8-mm thick layer fastened together such as by a bead of welding 29 about the perimeters thereof. Also in this embodiment, layers 25 and 27 are covered with a thin layer 31 of plastisol resin as aforesaid. The plastisol resin coating is thought to aid in deflecting bullets and knife strikes by slowing down the incoming projectile as well as softening the shock of incoming projectiles to the body.
A plurality of strips of releasably engageable polymeric inter-engageable hook-type fastening elements 33 is provided and arranged on the rearward-facing surface of the thick metal layer. A mat 37 containing at least about 30 layers of a fire retardant, high strength, micro-filament, hi-tenacity fiber fabric, such as Twaron®1000, is provided and sewn in a one-inch quilt pattern. A cloth cover 39 , such as nylon woven polyamide thread cloth, is placed about all surfaces of mat 37 and sewn together to tightly encapsulate the Twaron 1000. On one broad surface of cloth cover 39 , covering a broad surface of mat 37 , is placed a plurality 41 of strips of releasably engageable polymeric inter-engageable loop-type fastening elements, arranged in the same format as strips of hook elements 33 and adhered tightly to said cloth by glue or other adhesive. Hook elements 33 and loop elements 41 are resilient and deformable and, when pressed together, become intimately entangled, securing them together in tight engagement.
The bends in this second embodiment are the same as in first embodiment 1, except fold lines 43 are parallel to each other and form side panel narrow portions 45 of a thicker plate of metal layer 3 and are bent to angles of 11° 20 minutes. Bent panels also aid in deflecting incoming projectiles to the body.
This embodiment of the invention is also generally made in varying sizes to fit men and women of varying stature. For instance, the invention maybe purchased in sizes of 10 inches by 12 inches where the device weighs 6.9 pounds. Other sizes are available, such as 6″×9″. The suggested method of application is to wear the device with the steel plate (layers 25 and 27 ) on the outside of one's body.
As shown in FIG. 5, a third embodiment 49 of the invention is shown, said embodiment being of different construction than the other two embodiments. This embodiment comprises a first or outside layer 51 of organic material containing at least about 7 layers of a fire retardant, high strength, micro-filament, hi-tenacity fiber fabric, such as Twaron®1000, sewn in one-inch quilt pattern. Next is a thin, such as 4 mm thick, layer 53 of MARS™ metal surrounded with a layer 55 of plastisol PVC plastic as afore described. To the inside surface of plastisol layer 55 is placed a plurality of strips of polymeric hook elements 57 such as “Velcro®” as afore described. Next is provided a pad 61 of at least about 30 layers of a fire retardant, high strength, micro-filament, hi-tenacity fiber fabric, such as Twaron®1000, sewn in one-inch quilt pattern. On one broad surface of pad 61 is placed a plurality of strips 63 of polymeric loop elements, arranged in the same format as strips of hook elements 57 . These strips, 57 and 63 , serve to hold pad 61 tightly against plastisol layer 55 . A cloth cover 65 , such as a nylon woven polyamide thread cloth, is placed about all surfaces of mat 51 and sewn together to encapsulate all of the layers therein.
This embodiment of the invention is also generally made in varying sizes to fit men and women of varying stature. For instance, the invention may be purchased in sizes of 10 inches by 12 inches where the device weighs 6.9 pounds. Other sizes are available such as 6″×9″. The suggested method of application is to wear the device with the steel plate (layers 25 and 27 ) on the outside of one's body.
While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiment of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this invention.
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The invention is a novel body armor that comprises a metallic layer having a surface contoured for close fitting to the wearer, the layer bounded by an outer perimeter, a second layer of organic material located adjacent the metallic layer, the layer of organic material having the same surface contour as the metallic layer, an inter-layer of releasably engageable fasteners inserted between the metallic layer and the organic material layer to form a multi-layer laminate, and a layer of semi-flexible plastic surrounding and in contact with the outer surfaces of the metallic layer, to form an armor unit cover.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/024,381, filed Feb. 10, 2011, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/799,609 filed Apr. 28, 2010, and issued on Nov. 20, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,531 B2, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/339,680 filed on Mar. 8, 2010 and entitled “INTERLOCKING REVERSE HIP PROSTHESIS,” and the entirety of both are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to joint prostheses and more specifically to modified reverse joint prostheses allowing increased range of motion and stability during excessive ranges of motion.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] It can be appreciated that several joint implants have been in use for years. For example, conventional hip implants comprise a femoral component having an articulating femoral ball attached to a femoral stem. The femoral stem is inserted into the medullary canal of the femur after preparation and reaming using appropriate reamers by the operating surgeon. The stem can be secured with bone cement or press fit. An acetabular component having the shape of a cup is inserted into an acetabular socket after preparation and appropriate reaming and secured with cancellous screws through holes in the cup. It can also be secured with bone cement or press fit or a combination thereof.
[0006] The acetabular cup is metallic and it is internally lined with high-density polyethylene or ceramic. Said lining is secured into the acetabular cup by a press-fit mechanism.
[0007] The main problem with conventional hip implants is the instability of the prosthesis at extreme ranges of motion, thereby allowing the femoral ball to dislodge and dislocate. Prior art teaches constrained and preassembled ball and cup devices or devices wherein the ball and cup members are implanted separately whereupon the ball element is forced into a resilient opening in the cup and thereafter held in place by the resilient material. Other constrained acetabular cups may include a locking ring such as the one described by Albertorio et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,808. In the case of cup elements having retaining rings, the ball member is forcefully inserted into the cup after the two elements are implanted. This constitutes a weak link where forces exerted on the prosthesis by ambulatory motion may exceed the forces used to assemble the implant thereby causing the ball to be separated from the cup.
[0008] While these devices may be suitable for the particulating purpose which they address, they do not provide an interlocking mechanism as in the reverse joint prosthesis design of the present invention. The very nature of applicant's design allows increased range of motion and increased stability at extreme ranges of motion thereby reducing the risk of dislocation.
[0009] In these respects, the interlocking reverse joint prosthesis according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art because, in the case of a hip implant, for example, the articulating femoral ball of the prior art is replaced with an articulating femoral cup and the acetabular cup is provided with an acetabular ball. Thus an apparatus is provided which is primarily developed for the purpose of reducing the risk of dislocation of joint implants at extreme ranges of motion.
[0010] Furthermore, when the articulating surface of the femoral cup of the invention is articulating on the acetabular ball, it is fully in contact 100% of the time with the surface of the acetabular ball. It is dear that this will improve tribology because the weight bearing distribution is improved on the articulating surfaces, thus decreasing the wear of the surfaces in contact and reducing the risk of wear particles being released in the joint. The later, being very detrimental to the proper function of the joint.
[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, the edge of the acetabular cup is notched to permit the femoral cup to articulate at a greater angle than would be permitted without the notch. While the permitted range of motion without dislocation is substantially improved by the present invention as compared with the prior art, the notched acetabular cup permits an even greater range of motion. In a preferred embodiment, the femoral cup is also notched when the acetabular cup is notched and this permits yet a greater range of motion.
[0012] The invention is described for the most part with reference to a hip prosthesis for convenience of the description. However, the invention is not limited to a prosthesis for the hip and it can be adapted for use with other joints without departing from the basic principles described herein. For example, the prosthesis can be used in the shoulder and in other mammalian “ball and socket” type joints. When the implant of the invention is a shoulder joint prosthesis, a glenoid cup is firmly attached to the concave surface of the glenoid fossa. The glenoid cup has a glenoid cup stem and a glenoid ball firmly affixed thereto. A humeral cup articulates on the glenoid ball and the numeral cup has a stem like protrusion which is firmly attached to a humeral stem to be inserted into the medullary canal of the proximal humerus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention provides a new interlocking reverse joint prosthesis construction wherein, in the case of a hip for example, an acetabular ball is solidly and concentrically attached to a central protrusion or stem of an acetabular cup via Morse taper. A metallic acetabular cup is used in the preferred embodiment. A femoral cup, also referred to herein as a hemispherical femoral cup or an articulating femoral cup, is solidly attached to a femoral implant preferably by means of a Morse taper. Other means of attachment known to those in the art can be used. And whenever a Morse taper is referred to herein, it is intended to describe a preferred embodiment. The Morse taper can be replaced by other suitable means of attachment as will be apparent to those having skill in the art.
[0014] The acetabular cup is implanted in an acetabular socket constructed by the surgeon in the pelvic bone to which it is firmly secured, preferably by one or more fasteners through one or more openings in the acetabular cup. It can also be secured with bone cement or press fit or a combination thereof, in which case the fasteners and holes for the fasteners are optional. When fasteners are used, they can be cancellous screws or biocompatible resorbable studs of variable number. The femoral implant is then inserted and impacted into the femoral medullary canal which has been prepared and hollowed by the surgeon using appropriate reamers. During ambulation, the articulating femoral cup edge or lip will glide conformably and concentrically into a space or gap located between the acetabular ball and the acetabular cup. As will be apparent to those having skill in the art, the geometrical configuration of applicant's invention makes it very difficult for the femoral cup to dislocate when the range of motion increases since it becomes constrained in the gap between the acetabular cup and the acetabular ball. When the acetabular cup is optionally notched, the range of motion increases further.
[0015] As noted above, when the articulating surface of the femoral cup is articulating on the acetabular ball, it is fully in contact at all times with the surface of the acetabular ball. This improves the weight distribution, decreases the wear of the surfaces in contact and reduces the risk of wear particles being released in the joint.
[0016] In an optional embodiment of the invention, applicant has addressed the rare possibility that soft tissue may get lodged in the implant in the space between the acetabular cup and the acetabular ball. A protective sheath can be used to avoid this possibility. As discussed in more detail below, the sheath is disposed in the space between the acetabular cup and the acetabular ball and is allowed to glide freely therein.
[0017] In another optional embodiment of the invention, the acetabular cup is notched to permit the femoral cup to articulate at a greater angle than would be permitted without the notch. When the acetabular cup is notched, another option is to notch the femoral cup to permit an even greater range of motion.
[0018] There has thus been outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. A novel feature of this invention is that the location of the articulating surfaces of the joint, namely the ball and socket, is reversed. This results in a new reverse joint implant which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested or even implied by any prior joint prosthesis when considered alone or in any combination,
[0019] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not committed in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways as will be apparent from the description herein to those having skill in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the terms employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0020] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are elicited only and changes may be made into any specific construction illustrated without departing from the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Various other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interlocking reverse hip prosthesis of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a section view of the interlocking reverse hip prosthesis.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a section view of the interlocking reverse hip prosthesis in extension and external rotation.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a section view of the interlocking reverse hip prosthesis in flexion and internal rotation.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the prosthesis of the invention illustrating an optional soft tissue protective sheath.
[0027] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the protective sheath by itself.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a section view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 .
[0029] FIG. 7 is a section view illustrating a femoral cup having a recess instead of a stem for connection to a femoral implant.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a section view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 which has been articulated to an extreme position.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a &de elevation view of a notched acetabular cup.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a top view of the notched acetabular cup of FIG. 9 .
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of an acetabular cup without a notch illustrating the maximum articulation of the femoral cup therein.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a notched acetabular cup illustrating the increased maximum articulation of the femoral cup therein.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a section view illustrating a femoral cup in a position of maximum articulation in a notched acetabular cup.
[0036] FIG. 14 illustrates in section a notched acetabular cup implanted in a pelvic bone.
[0037] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a notched femoral cup.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Turning now to the drawings, in which the reference characters denote the same or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an interlocking reverse hip prosthesis, which comprises an acetabular cup ( 11 ) having a smooth concave surface and a non-articulating surface. The non-articulating surface, which can optionally be convex, abuts a socket in the pelvic bone and is firmly affixed thereto when the acetabular cup is implanted in a patient. The non-articulating surface preferably provides a porous surface with multiple asperities and micro-voids to allow bone ingrowth. Furthermore, the acetabular cup ( 11 ) provides one or more optional holes ( 12 ) at different locations for the purpose of using one or more optional fasteners ( 14 ). The fasteners ( 14 ) can be screws or resorbable nonmetallic and biocompatible studs of different diameters and lengths. The studs, which can be called orthobiologic resorbable studs, will secure the acetabular cup ( 11 ) during the initial phase of bone ingrowth and will resorb within one year, being replaced by newly generated bone and become part of the host pelvic bone. During that period, the acetabular cup ( 11 ) becomes solidly attached to the acetabular socket in the pelvic bone ( 4 ) by bone ingrowth. The acetabular cup ( 11 ) has a concave hemispherical surface in which a large acetabular cup stem ( 9 ) is disposed. The acetabular cup stem ( 9 ) has a male Morse taper for assembly to the acetabular ball ( 8 ) by means of the acetabular ball recess ( 10 ) which has a female Morse taper. Referring to FIGS. 2-4 and 6 , the femoral cup ( 6 ) has a femoral cup stem ( 7 ) with a male Morse taper while the femoral implant ( 1 ) has a cooperating femoral implant recess ( 5 ) having a female Morse taper located in neck ( 3 ). FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a femoral cup ( 20 ) with a neck ( 22 ) and a femoral cup recess ( 21 ) having a female Morse taper. This cooperates with a femoral implant stern having a male Morse taper (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, a modular system is used in a kit according to the invention wherein the femoral cup stern ( 7 ) or neck ( 22 ) can come in different lengths to accommodate the sizing needs of a patient. Therefore, in a kit of the invention, two or more femoral cups are provided having different stem lengths. In a less preferred embodiment, the length of the neck ( 3 ) of femoral implant ( 1 ), or the femoral implant stem (not shown) can also have various lengths to accommodate patient sizing needs and in a kit comprising this embodiment two or more neck or stem components having different lengths will be included. Other variations on the design to meet different sizing needs will be apparent to those having skill in the art.
[0039] An important advantage of the present invention is that the greater the interdigitation the more stability of the implant as opposed to conventional ball and socket hip implants, where increased range of motion is usually associated with increased risk of dislocation.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2 , the proximal femoral bone ( 2 ) is reamed in the usual fashion to accept a femoral implant ( 1 ) that can be cemented or press fitted in the femoral medullary canal. The acetabular socket in the pelvic bone ( 4 ) is reamed to the appropriate size to accept the acetabular cup ( 11 ), which is impacted for press fit at the correct angle of inclination and anteversion. Fasteners ( 14 ) in the form of fixation screws or biocompatible resorbable studs are then inserted in place to secure the acetabular cup ( 11 ). The acetabular ball ( 8 ) is then affixed onto the acetabular cup stem ( 9 ). FIG. 2 also illustrates center line (C-C). In the position shown, the center line (C-C) passes through the center of the acetabular cup ( 11 ), the longitudinal center line of the acetabular cup stem ( 9 ), the center of acetabular ball ( 8 ), the longitudinal center line of femoral cup stem ( 7 ) and the longitudinal center line of femoral implant recess ( 5 ). Obviously, when the femoral cup is articulated on the ball the center line associated with the femoral components will not be colinear with the center line of the acetabular components. The line is simply illustrated in this way for convenience.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3 , 4 and 8 , when the femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) articulates on the acetabular ball ( 8 ), the edges of the femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) move into and out of the hemispherical space or gap ( 16 ) and the articulating surface of the femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) maintains the same area of contact with the acetabular ball ( 8 ) over the entire range of motion. In other words, 100% of the articulating contact area of the femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) is maintained over the entire range of motion when the femoral cup is articulating on the surface of the acetabular ball. FIG. 3 illustrates the prosthesis of the invention in extension and external rotation. FIG. 4 illustrates the prosthesis in flexion and internal rotation and FIG. 8 illustrates an extreme articulation position of the femoral cup ( 20 ) on the acetabular ball ( 8 ).
[0042] It is well known that certain types of movement or positions of the femur relative to the acetabulum cause increased risk of dislocation of the “ball and socket” particularly in the case of conventional prior art hip implants. For example, when an individual crosses his or her legs, lays on his or her side while sleeping or extends his or her leg to an extreme position such as during a ballet performance. When this occurs with the hip implant of the present invention, the femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) is constrained in the hemispherical space or gap ( 16 ) between the acetabular ball ( 8 ) and the acetabular cup ( 11 ) and the convex surface of the femoral cup may come into contact with and articulate on the concave surface of the acetabular cup.
[0043] In one embodiment, the articulating surface of the femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) contains a high molecular weight polyethylene lining of varying thickness, but no less than 4 mm. In a different embodiment the lining could be porcelain, ceramic or a metallic alloy.
[0044] An important feature of the present invention is the ability to place acetabular ball ( 8 ) in a position that minimizes or eliminates tortional forces on the acetabular cup and acetabular stem. This is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the acetabular ball ( 8 ) is affixed on acetabular cup stem ( 9 ) in a position wherein the equatorial plane (P-P) of the acetabular cup passes through the center ( 15 ) of the acetabular ball.
[0045] An optional embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 adds a soft tissue protective sheath ( 17 ) to the embodiments described above. The protective sheath, also illustrated by itself in perspective in FIG. 5A , addresses the rare cases wherein soft tissue might get lodged in the gap ( 16 ) as a result of articulation of the prosthetic joint of the invention.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 6-8 , the sheath ( 17 ) extends beyond the circular outer edge of the acetabular cup ( 11 ) and has a retaining ring ( 18 ). The sheath ( 17 ) is installed by placing it into the acetabular cup ( 11 ) before the acetabular ball ( 8 ) is installed. The sheath ( 17 ) can have a solid surface as illustrated or it can be perforated with holes, slots or the like having the same or different shapes and dimensions as may be desired.
[0047] As can be seen from FIGS. 6-8 , the sheath ( 17 ) is allowed to move freely within the space ( 16 ), restrained only by the acetabular ball ( 8 ) and acetabular cup stem ( 9 ). The sheath ( 17 ) also is moved by contact of retaining ring ( 18 ) with the outer edge of femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ). The retaining ring ( 18 ) will, for example, contact the outer edge of femoral cup ( 6 ) or ( 20 ) particulatingly in positions of extreme articulation of the prosthetic joint as illustrated in FIG. 8 .
[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, also illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 , the acetabular cup ( 11 ) is designed for use in revision surgery of the hip. Revisions are surgical procedures where the existing implant is removed. This most frequently requires removal of the acetabular cup and it is associated with a high level of morbidity. The removal of a previously implanted acetabular cup may be quite difficult surgically, especially when the cup has metallic beads for bone ingrowth. In these cases, the removal is also associated with iatrogenic bone loss leading to difficulty in inserting another conventional acetabular cup.
[0049] There are instances where the acetabular cup was not implanted correctly or where the lining of the existing implant becomes worn out and needs to be replaced. Recurrent dislocations of the hip implant are usually secondary to surgical misplacement of a conventional acetabular cup. For example, if during the initial procedure, the cup was placed either too vertical or retroverted (e.g., facing backward instead of forward).
[0050] To remedy the above cited complication, there are times where the surgeon simply cements a conventional revision cup into the previously implanted acetabular cup using conventional bone cement. However, problems arise if the initial position of the previously implanted acetabular cup is too vertical or retroverted, preventing a conventional revision cup from being glued in the previously implanted acetabular cup. As a result, removal of the previously implanted acetabular cup becomes necessary—entailing significant risk and possible morbidity to the patient as described above.
[0051] Another important advantage of the present invention is that the angle of inclination and retroversion are not critical since the interlocking mechanism of applicant's implant will compensate for the misalignment of a previously implanted acetabular cup.
[0052] The acetabular cup ( 11 ) of applicant's interlocking reverse hip prosthesis can optionally be provided with a thin circumferential groove ( 19 ) located in proximity of the equatorial plane of said cup as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 .
[0053] In revision surgery using the hip prosthesis of applicant's invention, the plastic polyethylene insert of the previously implanted acetabular cup is removed. The circumferential groove ( 19 ) of the interlocking reverse hip prosthesis will host a retaining “o-ring” of the previously implanted acetabular cup being revised thereby providing solid fixation of applicant's revision interlocking reverse hip prosthesis to the previously implanted acetabular cup.
[0054] While the range of motion permitted without dislocation by the prosthesis described and illustrated herein with respect to FIGS. 1-8 is substantially improved over the prior art, an optional notched acetabular cup embodiment permits an even greater range of motion. This is illustrated by FIGS. 11-13 wherein FIG. 11 illustrates the range of motion permitted by the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 , FIG. 12 illustrates the range of motion permitted by the notched acetabular cup ( 31 ) and FIG. 13 illustrates in section a femoral cup in a position of maximum articulation in a notched acetabular cup. Thus, the angle B in FIG. 12 is greater than angle A in FIG. 11 . For example, angle A may be 60° and angle B may be 70° or more. FIGS. 9 , 10 and 14 further illustrate the optional embodiment of the prosthesis of the invention wherein acetabular cup ( 31 ) has a notch ( 40 ) in the circumferential outer edge thereof and the acetabular cup ( 31 a ) has a notch ( 40 a ). The notches ( 40 ) and ( 40 a ) each are located at positions on the respective acetabular cups ( 31 ) and ( 31 a ) that will permit maximum inflection when the prosthesis of the invention is implanted in a patient. Inflection refers to the position wherein a patient is sitting down or squatting. Thus, the acetabular cup ( 31 ) as illustrated herein would be implanted in a right hip and acetabular cup ( 31 a ) would be implanted in a left hip. The width and depth of the notch ( 40 ) or ( 40 a ) can be varied, as will be apparent to those having skill in the art, consistent with an objective of the invention to reduce the risk of dislocation.
[0055] Except for the notch ( 40 ), acetabular cup ( 31 ) comprises the same elements as acetabular cup ( 11 ). The cup ( 31 ) has a stem ( 39 ) affixed firmly therein and holes ( 32 ) for fasteners. The holes ( 32 ) can optionally be threaded. An optional tab ( 41 ) with an optionally threaded hole ( 42 ) for a fastener can be provided on any of the acetabular cups of the invention and it is illustrated herein on acetabular cup ( 31 ).
[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates in section the prosthesis of the invention implanted in the pelvic bone ( 34 ) wherein the acetabular cup ( 31 ) is provided with optional tab ( 41 ) and a screw ( 44 ) screwed into pelvic bone ( 34 ) through hole ( 42 ). Acetabular cup stem ( 39 ) is firmly affixed to, or is a unitary part of, acetabular cup ( 31 ) and gap ( 46 ) between acetabular ball ( 8 ) and the concave portion of acetabular cup ( 31 ) allows femoral cup ( 6 ) to articulate therein.
[0057] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an optionally notched femoral cup ( 36 ). The notch ( 50 ), located on the circumferential outer edge of femoral cup ( 36 ), permits a greater range of motion when cup ( 36 ) is used in combination with notched acetabular cup ( 31 ) because the notch ( 50 ) will allow the femoral cup ( 36 ) to articulate more closely to the stem ( 39 ). Thus, the stem ( 39 ) will not impede the articulation of cup ( 36 ) at the most extreme range of motion, especially in the case where notch ( 40 ) or ( 40 a ) is deep. As with the notches ( 40 ) and ( 40 a ) of respective acetabular cups ( 31 ) and ( 31 a ), the notch ( 50 ) can be varied in its width and depth. The location of notch ( 50 ) is coordinated with the location of notch ( 40 ) or ( 40 a ), as, explained above, in order to maximize the range of motion. When the neck ( 32 ) of femoral cup ( 36 ) is adjacent the lowest point of notch ( 40 ) or ( 40 a ), the stem ( 39 ) of acetabular cup ( 31 ) or ( 31 a ) preferably should be adjacent the lowest point of notch ( 50 ).
[0058] The components of the reverse hip prosthesis of the invention are made from biocompatible materials commonly used in the art and suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the disclosures herein. Metals or metallic alloys such as titanium or cobalt chrome are suitable. For some components, such as the acetabular baa, metals or ceramics can be used. High density polyethylene is also suitable for some components, for example the protective sheath or an optional lining for the concave portion of the femoral cup. Other biocompatible materials or combinations thereof can be used for various components as will be apparent to those having skill in the art.
[0059] The dimensions of the various components of the reverse hip prosthesis of the invention can be readily determined by those skilled in the art based upon the disclosures herein. For a hemispherical acetabular cup, an outer diameter from about 35 millimeters (mm) to about 65 mm will be suitable for most applications. The spherical acetabular ball should have a diameter from about 28 mm to about 45 mm. The diameter of the acetabular ball should be from about 7 mm to about 12 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the acetabular cup, thus creating a hemispherical space or gap having a width form about 7 mm to about 12 mm to allow articulation of the femoral cup therein. Of course, the concave, hemispherical, articulating surface of the femoral cup will be sized compatibly with the acetabular ball to allow for smooth articulation. Highly polished cobalt chrome is an excellent material for the articulating surface of the femoral cup but other materials such as biocompatible metallic alloys can be used. The femoral cup also may contain a lining fabricated from high-density polyethylene, ceramic or biocompatible metallic alloys.
[0060] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interlocking and restrained reverse hip prosthesis system, where two conventional articulating surfaces of the hip joint are reversed and constrained at extreme ranges of motion in a manner that significantly reduces the risk of dislocation. The system described in the present invention has all of the advantages of the prior art designs, none of the disadvantages, and numerous improvements over the prior art, particularly in respect of remarkably increased range of motion without dislocation and reduced risk of wear particles being released into the joint.
[0061] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a prosthesis for a shoulder joint. The first component includes an anchoring glenoid plate or glenoid cup firmly attached to the concave surface of the glenoid fossa. The glenoid cup having a glenoid cup stem and a glenoid ball firmly affixed thereto. The second component being a hemispherical humeral cup having a stem like protrusion which is firmly attached via Morse taper to a humeral stem to be inserted into the medullary canal of the proximal humerus.
[0062] The reverse shoulder prosthesis of the invention comprises a unitary glenoid cup having a non-articulating surface, which optionally can be convex, for firm, non-articulating attachment to a glenoid fossa. A concave surface is located opposite to the non-articulating surface and the concave surface has a glenoid cup stem firmly affixed therein and projecting outwardly therefrom. A glenoid ball having a surface is firmly affixed to the glenoid cup stem. The concave surface of the glenoid cup and the surface of the glenoid ball are spaced from one another, thereby defining a gap therebetween.
[0063] The reverse shoulder prosthesis further comprises a humeral stem for implantation in a medullary canal of a proximal end of a humerus. A humeral cup is firmly affixed to a proximal end of the humeral stem. The humeral cup is sized for articulation in the gap, such that the humeral cup has a concave surface sized for articulation on the surface of the humeral ball and a convex surface, opposite the concave surface of the humeral cup, sized for articulation on the concave surface of the glenoid cup. The gap is sized and configured to permit said articulations while constraining the humeral cup within the gap throughout an entire range of said articulations of the humeral cup as it articulates within the gap, thereby reducing the risk of dislocation.
[0064] It should be apparent to one skilled in the art when referring to the drawings herein that there is an equivalence of the elements of the hip prosthesis and the shoulder prosthesis of the invention. Thus, among others, the glenoid cup is equivalent to the acetabular cup, the glenoid cup stem is equivalent to the acetabular cup stem, the glenoid ball is equivalent to the acetabular ball, the humeral stem is equivalent to the femoral stem and the humeral cup is equivalent to the femoral cup.
[0065] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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A reverse joint prosthesis to replace a “ball and socket” joint such as a hip or shoulder. In the case of a hip, the prosthesis comprises an acetabular cup for implanting in an acetabular socket. The acetabular cup is secured to the acetabular socket of the pelvis. The acetabular cup has a stem extending from the center of a concave portion thereof and an acetabular ball is attached to the stem. A femoral implant is provided with a femoral cup attached to the proximal end thereof. The femoral cup has a stem which can be constructed in a modular fashion with several stem lengths to accommodate different size patients. After implantation of the acetabular cup and ball and the femoral cup, the members are assembled together so that the femoral cup can articulate on the acetabular ball. The prosthesis of the invention has substantially reduced likelihood of dislocation during extreme ranges of motion.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to European Patent Application Serial No. 14306956.5 filed Dec. 5, 2014, the disclosure of the above-identified application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a prosthetic porous knit useful in parietal surgery, the knit having a lightweight and macroporous structure while showing good mechanical strength properties.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wall-reinforcing prostheses, for example prostheses for reinforcing the abdominal wall, are widely used in the surgical field. These prostheses are intended to treat hernias by temporarily or permanently filling a tissue defect. These prostheses are generally made of biocompatible prosthetic fabric, in particular prosthetic knits, and can have a number of shapes, for example rectangular, circular or oval, depending on the anatomical structure to which they are to be fitted.
[0004] In a view of reducing the foreign material implanted into the body of a patient, it is desired to produce lightweight knits, intended to be used as wall reinforcing prostheses. In addition, for facilitating the work of the surgeon at the time he puts the prosthesis in place at the implantation site, it is further desired that the prosthetic knit show a good transparency. Moreover, the wall reinforcing prosthesis should also favor a good tissue ingrowth. In this view, it is desired that the knit used for wall reinforcing prostheses show a plurality of pores, and preferably large pores.
[0005] Lightweight porous knits usable in the manufacture of wall reinforcing prostheses already exist. Nevertheless, they sometimes show poor mechanical strength. Indeed, the knit is generally pliant and soft in order to conform to the abdominal wall and flex with movement of the abdominal wall once implanted. The knit may be held in place by suturing, stapling, or tacking the knit to surrounding biological tissue. In particular, existing lightweight porous knits may show a poor resistance to fracture when they are sutured or tacked to the surrounding biological tissue.
[0006] In addition, the performance of the abdominal wall hernia repair using a prosthetic knit fixed on the abdominal wall depends in part upon the shear forces experienced at the knit fixation points. These shear forces may be quite high as a result of high intra-abdominal pressure.
[0007] Too high shear forces at knit fixation points, once the knit or prosthesis is implanted and has been fixed for example by sutures at the abdominal wall, may lead to abdominal wall repair recurrences and/or generate pain for the patient. The distribution of shear forces at fixation points is important to assess the safety and the efficacy of the abdominal wall repair.
SUMMARY
[0008] In particular, it would be desirable to provide a prosthesis made from a knit for which the distribution of the shear forces at fixation points is as regular as possible and for which the value of shear forces at fixation points is as low as possible, so that the prosthesis may for example be introduced at the implantation site and implanted without the surgeon having to check for a specific position of the warp or weft direction of the knit. It would further be desirable to provide a prosthesis made from a knit for which the risk of fixation pull out and/or implant failure at fixation points is reduced.
[0009] In addition, if a knit is too pliant and soft, it may not resist sufficiently to the intra abdominal pressure during specific movements of the patient, for example when the patient coughs or jumps. The knit may then be prone to undesired bulging phenomenon and may not ensure sufficient reinforcement of the abdominal wall in such conditions.
[0010] There is therefore a need for a porous prosthetic knit that would be capable of having a lightweight and macroporous structure while at the same time show good mechanical strength properties.
[0011] A first aspect of the invention is a prosthetic porous knit based on a monofilament of a biocompatible polymer material, the pattern followed for the knitting of said monofilament on a knitting machine having two guide bars B 1 , B 2 being the following, according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1 : 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B 2 : 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5//
[0014] Another aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing the prosthetic knit above comprising the step of producing a knit with a monofilament of a biocompatible polymer material on a knitting machine having two guide bars B 1 , B 2 according to the following pattern, according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1 : 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B 2 : 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5//
[0017] Guide bars B 1 and B 2 may be threaded 1 full 1 empty and may move symmetrically.
[0018] The knitting machine may be a warp knitting machine or a raschel knitting machine.
[0019] The knit of the invention is porous. In particular, the knit of the invention comprises openings or pores: these openings or pores are in particular generated by the pattern followed for the knitting of the monofilament of the knit according to the invention. The porosity of the knit of the invention confers to the knit a transparency allowing the surgeon to have a good visibility of the implantation site at the time he puts the knit or prosthesis in place.
[0020] The knit of the invention is lightweight. The knit of the invention preferably shows a mass per unit area ranging from about 40 to about 70 g/m 2 , preferably ranging from about 40 to about 50 g/m 2 , and more preferably of about 44 g/m 2 , 45 g/m 2 , 46 g/m 2 , 47 g/m 2 or 48 g/m 2 , measured according to ISO 3801: 1977 <<Determination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area>>, 5 specimens 1 dm 2 . Such a low mass per unit area allows introducing only a little quantity of foreign material in the body of the patient.
[0021] The knit of the invention is made from a monofilament of biocompatible polymer material.
[0022] The biocompatible polymer may be synthetic or natural. The biocompatible polymer may be biodegradable, non-biodegradable or a combination of biodegradable and non-biodegradable. The term “biodegradable” as used herein is defined to include both bioabsorbable and bioresorbable materials. By biodegradable, it is meant that the materials decompose, or lose structural integrity under body conditions (e.g., enzymatic degradation or hydrolysis) or are broken down (physically or chemically) under physiologic conditions in the body such that the degradation products are excretable or absorbable by the body.
[0023] The biocompatible polymer may be selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polymers, non-biodegradable polymers, and combinations thereof.
[0024] In embodiments, the biocompatible polymer material is selected from polypropylene, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalates, polyamide, silicone, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyarylether ether ketone (PAEK) polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polydioxanone (PDO), trimethylene carbonate (TMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), copolymers of these materials, and mixtures thereof.
[0025] In embodiments, the biocompatible polymer material is polypropylene.
[0026] In embodiments, the monofilament has a diameter of from about 0.08 mm to about 0.25 mm, preferably from about 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm, more preferably of about 0.11 mm, 0.12 mm, or 0.13 mm. Such a diameter allows obtaining a good size of the pores and maintaining the lightweight structure of the knit, while maintaining good mechanical properties. In embodiments, the monofilament has a diameter of about 0.12 mm.
[0027] In embodiments, the knit comprises a plurality of pores having a diameter above 1 mm. In particular, the plurality of pores having a diameter above 1 mm defines an efficient porosity of said knit ranging from about 35% to about 70%, preferably of about 55%.
[0028] By “efficient porosity” is meant according to the present application a porosity taking into account only the pores having a diameter above 1 mm, while leaving out the pores having a diameter less or equal to 1 mm. By “pores having a diameter above 1 mm” is meant the pores which have dimensions greater than 1 mm in all directions. The efficient porosity therefore corresponds to the ratio of the area of the totality of the pores having a diameter above 1 mm as defined above to the area of the totality of the knit studied. The pores having a diameter above 1 mm are measured with a profile projector such as a projector 300V from ORAMA. The “efficient porosity” and its measuring method are described in the publication “ New objective measurements to characterize the porosity of textile implants”, T. Mühl, M. Binnebösel, U. Klinge and T. Goedderz, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, p. 176-183.
[0029] The efficient porosity as described above is useful for characterizing the ability of the knit to favor cell colonization. Indeed, pores having a diameter above 1 mm are particularly desired for tissue ingrowth after implantation.
[0030] The knitting pattern of the knit of the invention defines a plurality of pores having a diameter ranging above 1 mm. The pores may have a substantially hexagonal or circular shape.
[0031] In embodiments, the knit of the invention comprises a plurality of pores having a diameter above 2 mm. Such knits with pores having a diameter above 2 mm favor cell colonization and exhibit a good transparency allowing the surgeon to have a better visibility of the surrounding tissues when he puts the knit/prosthesis in place at the implantation site.
[0032] In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a tensile breaking strength in the warp direction of at least about 200 N, preferably of about 237 N. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a tensile breaking strength in the weft direction of at least about 170 N, preferably of about 201 N. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a bursting strength of at least about 400 kPa, preferably of about 463 kPa. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a tear strength in the warp direction of at least about 25 N, preferably of about 30 N. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a tear strength in the weft direction of at least about 25 N, preferably of about 37 N. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a suture pull out strength in the warp direction of at least about 35 N, preferably of about 46 N. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a suture pull out strength in the weft direction of at least about 38 N, preferably of about 42 N. In embodiments, the knit of the invention has a tensile strength of at least about 42 N/cm, preferably of about 47 N/cm.
[0033] The tensile breaking strength (N), the bursting strength (kPa), the tear strength (N), the suture pull out strength (N) and the tensile strength (N/cm) above are measured according to the methods as indicated in the below Example of the present application.
[0034] Following knitting and heat-setting, the knit can be cleaned, packaged and sterilized using conventionally known techniques. The knit of the invention can be used as provided in the package or cut to any desired dimension once removed from the package.
[0035] The knit of the invention can be implanted in extraperitoneal site either for inguinal or ventral hernia repair via open or laparoscopic approach. Fixation to the surrounding tissues can be achieved by stapling, conventional sutures or other means.
[0036] The prosthetic knit of the invention shows an homogeneous distribution of shear forces at fixation points. In particular, although it is provided with a lightweight structure, the prosthetic knit of the invention shows a good resistance to fracture at fixation points compared to lightweight knits of the prior art.
[0037] The knit of the invention may be used on its own as a prosthesis to be implanted into in a patient for hernia repair for example.
[0038] Another aspect of the invention is a hernia prosthesis comprising a knit as described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The present invention will become clearer from the following description and from the attached drawings, in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the knitting pattern of a knit of the invention,
[0041] FIG. 2 is a front view of the knit of the invention obtained with the knitting pattern of FIG. 1 ,
[0042] FIG. 3 is a side view of a schematic configuration of a system for measuring the distribution of the shear forces at fixation points of a knit,
[0043] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 3 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] With reference to FIG. 1 , is shown a graphic representing the knitting pattern of the knit of the invention, namely the following pattern according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1 : 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B 2 : 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5//
[0047] The overall pattern repetition size of the knit of the invention is eight courses. FIG. 1 depicts only one thread from guide bar B 1 and one thread from guide bar B 2 to better show the movement of the thread. The evolution of the threads at the ninth course is the same as at the first course.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 2 , is shown a photograph of the knit 1 of the invention obtained with the knitting pattern as represented in FIG. 1 .
[0049] The knit 1 of FIG. 2 was obtained from a monofilament of polypropylene of diameter 0.12 mm.
[0050] The knitting pattern of the knit of the invention produces pores greater than about 1.0 mm in diameter. For example, the principal pores 2 of the knit 1 of FIG. 2 have an average size of 2.0×2.4 mm. Such a large size of pores is very favorable for cell colonization and confers to the knit a good transparency allowing a good visibility at the implantation site.
[0051] The knit of the invention shows an homogeneous distribution of the shear forces at fixation points. The distribution of the shear forces at fixation points may be evaluated with a system for assessing shear forces distribution at fixation points of textile-based implants, such as an axisymmetrical experimental set-up as described in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , such a system allowing exhibiting the capability of a textile to distribute shear forces at fixation points without integrating specific geometrical considerations.
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 , system 10 includes a tissue model 100 , a load simulation device 200 , and an analysis system 300 for assessing characteristics of a textile-based implant 400 when fixed to the tissue model 100 and subjected to a load exerted by the load simulation device 200 . The tissue model 100 includes a base 110 having an upper surface 112 extending along a plane “P” and having a closed outer perimeter 114 that defines an opening 116 therethrough. The upper surface 112 is configured to mimic the inner surface of an abdominal wall: it is flat and horizontal. The opening 116 defined through the upper surface 112 is configured to mimic a defect in an abdominal wall and may be referred to herein as the “defect”. The opening 116 has a circular shape and a uniform size and dimension through the height “H” of the base 110 . In the system of FIG. 3 , the opening 116 is an empty circle having a radius of 55 mm with a 10 mm fillet.
[0053] The upper surface 112 is covered by a coating 112 a having a coefficient of friction that mimics the frictional coefficient of an inner surface abdominal wall against a textile-based implant 400 . The coefficient of friction is about 0.3.
[0054] The base 110 includes a lower planar surface 118 that is stepped down from the upper planar surface 112 at a pre-determined height “H 1 ” and extends around the upper surface 112 .
[0055] The base 110 also includes a fixation support under the form of a plurality of rods 120 , configured to secure a textile-based implant 400 thereto at two or more fixation points. The plurality of rods 120 are attached to the lower surface 118 at a predetermined distance “D 1 ” of 20 mm from each other and a predetermined distance “D 2 ” of 70 mm from the upper surface 112 extremity. The rods 120 are arranged in a simple circle crown fixation, centered to the opening 116 . Each rod 120 includes a first end 120 a fixed to the lower surface 118 , an elongate body 120 b extending from the lower surface 118 towards the upper surface 112 and defining a length “L” of 60 mm, and a second end 120 c terminating about or above the plane “P” defined by the upper surface 112 . The elongate body 120 b extends perpendicularly from the lower surface 118 . The rods 120 are threaded rod M 3 , with an equivalent radius of 2.5 mm and a Young Modulus of 110 Gpa.
[0056] The rods 120 are configured for direct fixation to a portion of the textile-based implant 400 when the textile-based implant 400 is placed upon the upper surface 112 of the tissue model 100 over the opening 116 in the upper surface 112 . The tension at the fixation points in the textile-based implant 400 is minimum. Markers 122 are attached to the second end 120 c of the rods 120 such that the markers 122 are disposed about or above the plane “P” defined by the upper surface 112 . Each marker 122 is under the form of a white circle of diameter 5 mm within a black circle of diameter of 10 mm and is localized 8 mm above the textile-based implant 400 . Markers 122 provide a visual indication of the position of the rods 120 . Markers 122 are distributed on half of the textile-based implant 400 from two warp extremities.
[0057] The load simulation device 200 is positioned above the upper surface 112 of the base 110 and is configured to simulate a change in environmental loading conditions surrounding the tissue model 100 such that changes in load are generated about the tissue model 100 . The load may be referred to herein as the “intra abdominal pressure equivalent.” As shown, the load simulation device 200 is a plunger 210 including a contacting surface 212 that is hemispherical (diameter 100 mm) and that is centered over the opening 116 defined through the upper surface 112 . The plunger 210 is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane “P” of the upper surface 112 and exert a predetermined force, referred to hereinafter as the plunger force, against the textile-based implant 400 so that the implant 400 engages the opening 116 defined within the upper surface 112 of the tissue model 100 . The load simulation device 200 is capable of applying a quasi-static pressure (low plunger 210 descent velocity) on the textile-based implant 400 to simulate various physiological conditions. For example, the plunger force applied may be of 147 N, namely 116 mmHg, which corresponds to the intra abdominal pressure when the patient is in a standing valsalva condition. Alternatively, the plunger force applied may be of 304 N, namely 240 mmHg, which corresponds to the intra abdominal pressure when the patient jumps.
[0058] The analysis system 300 includes a digital image acquisition and processing component 310 including two cameras 312 for recording the position of the markers 122 in a 3D coordinate system and digital image correlation software 314 , namely Vic 3D™ from the company Correlated Solutions for calculating the displacement vector of each of the markers 122 resulting from bending of the rods 120 in response to the loads exerted on the textile-based implant 400 by the load simulation device 200 . The analysis system 300 records the plunger displacement 210 . The analysis system 300 also includes a mathematical software component 320 that is utilized to calculate the shear force vector at each fixation point where a marker 122 exists using the displacement vector component in the plane “P” of the markers 122 and the continuum mechanics theory applied to the rods 120 . Accordingly, each shear force vector is a function of the “intra abdominal pressure equivalent.” The mathematical software component 320 may include any numerical software package, such as, for example, MATLAB® from the company Matchworks.
[0059] An indication on the bulging of the textile-based implant 400 through the opening 116 may be given by the assessment of the plunger penetration through the opening 116 .
[0060] In an exemplary method of use, a textile-based implant 400 , such as a prosthetic knit, is placed on the upper surface 112 of the base 110 of the tissue model 100 such that the implant 400 lies along the plane “P” defined by the upper surface 112 . The implant 400 is centered placed about the opening 116 in the upper surface 112 and, as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the orientation of the fibers of the implant 400 is controlled with respect to the upper surface 112 . The textile-based implant 400 is then directly fixed to the plurality of fixation rods 120 . A plurality of markers 122 are then affixed to a portion of the fixation rods 120 such that the markers 122 extend between the two warp extremities of the implant 400 .
[0061] With the implant 400 fixed to the tissue model 100 , the analysis system 300 is activated such that the cameras 312 capture the position of the markers 122 in a 3D coordinate system. The acquisition of the position/positional changes of the markers 122 via the cameras 312 is synchronized with the activation of the load simulation device 200 as the forces applied to the implant 400 by the load simulation device 200 is transferred to the rods 120 at the fixation points and results in bending of the rods 120 . Accordingly, any movement of the rods 120 results in movement of the markers 122 which is recorded by the cameras 312 and used in determining the shear force vector at each fixation point as described above.
[0062] As will appear from the Example below, the system of FIGS. 3 and 4 allows evaluating the properties of prosthetic knits regarding the distribution of shear forces at fixation points, bulging phenomenon and fracture at fixation points.
[0063] The advantages of the knit of the invention will appear more clearly in the Example below.
EXAMPLE
[0064] Two lightweight knits of the prior art (Knits A and B) and a knit of the invention (knit C) have been produced as described below.
[0065] Knit A: knit A is a knit of the prior art as described in WO2011/042811, namely obtained by knitting a monofilament of polyethylene terephthalate of diameter 0.08 mm on a warp knitting machine having two guide bars B 1 , B 2 , according to the following pattern, according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1 : 1.0/1.2/1.0/2.3/2.1/2.3/4.5/4.3/4.5/3.2/3.4/3.2// Bar B 2 : 4.5/4.3/4.5/3.2/3.4/3.2/1.0/1.2/1.0/2.3/2.1/2.3//
[0068] Guide bars B 1 and B 2 are threaded 1 full 1 empty and move symmetrically.
[0069] Knit B: knit B is a knit of the prior art as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,656, namely obtained by knitting a monofilament of polypropylene of diameter 0.10 mm on a warp knitting machine having two guide bars B 1 , B 2 , according to the following pattern, according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1 : 5.4/4.3/2.1/0.1/1.2/3.4// Bar B 2 : 0.1/1.2/3.4/5.4/4.3/2.1//
[0072] Guide bars B 1 and B 2 are threaded 1 full 1 empty and move symmetrically.
[0073] Knit C: is a knit of the invention obtained with the knitting pattern of FIG. 1 , by knitting a monofilament of polypropylene of diameter 0.12 mm knitted on a warp knitting machine having two guide bars B 1 , B 2 , the pattern followed being the following, according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1 : 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B 2 : 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5//
[0076] Guide bars B 1 and B 2 are threaded 1 full 1 empty and move symmetrically.
[0077] The following properties of knits A, B and C have been determined as follows:
[0078] Mass per unit area (g/m 2 ): measured according to ISO 3801: 1977 <<Determination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area>>, 5 specimens 1 dm 2 ,
[0079] pore size (width×height) (mm): knit biggest pores are measured making one measurement on 10 individual samples with a profile projector such as a projector 300V from ORAMA,
[0080] Bursting strength (kPa): measured according to ISO 13938-2: 1999 “Textiles—Bursting properties of textiles—Pneumatic method for determining the bursting strength and bursting deformation”, 5 samples
[0081] Tensile strength (N/cm) is measured through a plunger test with a traction testing machine such as the Hounsfield model H5KS (Hounsfield, Redhill, England), crosshead speed: 50 mm/min, 5 samples: the burst pressure can be determined using a circular mesh sample with a radius of R m =56.4 mm and with a test area of 100 cm 2 clamped at the outward boarder (modified DIN 54307 superseded standard). Then, the mesh is loaded with a spherical stamp of a radius R s =50 mm, velocity v=50 mm/min until rupture occurs. Based on the measured forces and the resulting stretch, the tensile strength (N/cm) can be calculated;
[0082] Tear strength (N) in the warp direction and in the weft direction: measured according to ISO 4674:1977 “Textiles covered with rubber or plastic—Determination of the tear strength” Method A2, 5 samples, width: 75 mm, Tear length≦145 mm, crosshead speed: 100 mm/min,
[0083] Thickness: is measured according to ISO 9073-2: 1997 “Textiles—test methods for nonwovens—Part 2: Determination of thickness”, 10 samples, 100×50 mm,
[0084] Tensile breaking strength and elongation at break: is measured according to ISO 13934-1: 2013 “Textiles—Tensile properties of fabrics—Part 1: Determination of maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method”, 5 samples, width: 50 mm, Length: 200 mm between the jaws, Crosshead speed: 100 mm/min, Pre-load: 0.5 N, using a traction testing machine such as the Hounsfield model H5KS (Hounsfield, Redhill, England);
[0085] Effective porosity: pores having a diameter above 1 mm are measured with a profile projector such as a projector 300V from ORAMA, 1 sample of 100×50 mm;
[0086] Suture pull out strength in the warp direction and in the weft direction measured according to NF S94-801: 2007 “Reinforcement implants introduced by the vaginal route for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and/or of prolapse of the pelvic organs—pre-clinical trials and clinical trials”-§5.3.3 5 specimens 50×100 mm, USP 2 suture yarn, crosshead speed: 100 mm/min, using a traction testing machine such as the Hounsfield model H5KS (Hounsfield, Redhill, England).
[0087] The results are collected in the following tables:
[0000]
TABLE I
mechanical properties
Knit A
Knit B
Knit C
Warp
Weft
Warp
Weft
Warp
Weft
Tensile
175 ± 12
129 ± 2
187 ± 16
149 ± 10
237 ± 6
201 ± 6
breaking
strength (N)
Elongation
54 ± 0
50 ± 6
43 ± 1
59 ± 1
38 ± 1
46 ± 0
under
50N (%)
Bursting
280 ± 19
361 ± 38
463 ± 19
strength
(kPa)
Tear
22 ± 1
23 ± 2
23 ± 2
22 ± 3
30 ± 1
37 ± 5
strength (N)
Suture
32 ± 4
36 ± 1
33 ± 1
33 ± 2
46 ± 5
42 ± 3
pull out
strength (N)
Tensile
24 ± 1
40 ± 1
47 ± 1
strength
(N/cm)
[0000]
TABLE II
mass per unit area and porosity
Knit A
Knit B
Knit C
Mass per unit area (g/cm 2 )
45
36
46
Thickness (mm)
0.4
0.4
0.6
Pore size (mm) (width ×
1.5 × 1.5
1.6 × 1.4
2.0 × 2.4
height)
Efficient porosity (%)
53
35
55
[0088] With reference to Table I above, the knit of the invention (Knit C) shows improved mechanical properties in comparison with the knits of the prior art (Knits A and B). In particular, the knit of the invention shows a higher tensile breaking strength both in warp and weft directions than Knits A and B. The knit of the invention shows a higher bursting strength than Knits A and B. The knit of the invention shows a higher tear strength both in warp and weft directions than Knits A and B.
[0089] The knit of the invention (Knit C) shows an improved suture pull out strength both in warp and weft directions compared to the knits of the prior art (knits A and B). The knit of the invention shows a higher tensile strength both in warp and weft directions than Knits A and B.
[0090] With reference to Table II above, the knit of the invention further shows an improved efficient porosity compared to Knits A and B.
[0091] In addition, the system described at FIGS. 3 and 4 has been utilized to assess the following properties of knits A, B and C under various simulated physiological conditions. For proceeding to these measures, the textile-based implant 400 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is replaced by the knit sample, either Knit A, B or C, to be evaluated.
[0092] The following properties have been evaluated:
[0093] 1°) The shear forces distribution profile at fixation points of the knit: for each plunger force, namely 147 N respectively 304 N, the marker displacement as described above is transformed into the shear force at each fixation point where markers exist from the initial fixation position, using the mechanical continuum theory applied to the rods implemented in the software MATLAB® from the company Matchworks. The shear force vector is recorded. The Max and min vector norm values are recorded. The average distribution of shear forces at fixation points may be obtained under the following form:
[0094] The shear forces distribution may be schematized by the following graphic profile:
[0095] An Average force Min-Max (N) is determined: on the example of the profile above, the Average force Min-Max (N) at a plunger force of 147 N is 3.8-8 and the Average force Min-Max (N) at a plunger force of 304 N is 7.1-13.5
[0096] For a knit, when the range of the value of the Average force Min-Max is low, the risks of failure of the knit are decreased. The knit and therefore the abdominal wall repair will be more efficient.
[0097] In addition, the more the profile of the shear forces is close to a semi-circle or a semi-ellipse, the more regularly the shear forces are distributed. The risks of tensions in a specific direction are therefore decreased. In addition, the forces being of similar values in all directions, the knit may be implanted without having to check for a specific position of the warp or weft direction of the knit. The knit, or the prosthesis made from the knit, will also be more comfortable for the patient.
[0098] 2°) The bulging indication: corresponds to the distance in mm of penetration of the plunger 210 as described in FIGS. 3 and 4 , from an initial position in which its contacting surface 212 is tangent to the sample knit to a final position obtained after application of the plunger force.
[0099] A too high bulging indication, like for example above 50 mm at a plunger force of 304 N or for example above 45 mm at a plunger force of 147 N, may mean that the knit/prosthesis may be two soft for ensuring its reinforcement function of the abdominal wall, and/or may generate discomfort and/or aesthetics disturbance.
[0100] 3°) The rupture of knit at fixation: the number of ruptures at fixation points is recorded.
[0101] The results are collected in the following table:
[0102] As appears from the table above, the knit of the invention (Knit C) shows a regular contour profile very close to a semi-circle. The shear forces are therefore regularly distributed. The knit of the invention may therefore be introduced at the implantation site and implanted without the surgeon having to check previously for a specific positioning of the warp or weft direction of the knit.
[0103] In addition, the number of fracture at fixation points is 0 for the knit of the invention, whereas it is 2 for the knits of the prior art (knits A and B). The knit of the invention is therefore more reliable once sutured or tacked to the surrounding biological tissues than the knits of the prior art.
[0104] Regarding the bulging indication, the knit of the invention (knit C) shows a better bulging indication at both plunger forces than the knits of the prior art. The knit of the invention will therefore ensure its reinforcement function of the abdominal wall and will be more efficient than the knits of the prior art in physiological conditions such as jumping or coughing.
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The invention relates to a prosthetic porous knit based on a monofilament of a biocompatible polymer material, the pattern followed for the knitting of said monofilament on a warp knitting machine having two guide bars B 1, B 2 being the following, according to the ISO 11676 standard:
Bar B 1: 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B 2: 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5//
The invention further relates to a method for producing such a knit and to a hernia prosthesis comprising such a knit.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus used for compensating pressure differences between an inlet and outlet of a pump, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for compensating pressure differences across the inlet and the outlet of a cassette type infusion pump used to deliver medicinal fluids intravascularly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of pumps are used by medical personnel to infuse drugs into a patient's body. Of these, cassette infusion pumps are often preferred because they provide a more accurately controlled rate and volume of drug infusion than other types of infusion pumps. A cassette pump employs a disposable plastic cassette coupled in a fluid line extending between a drug reservoir and the patient's body.
[0003] In one prior art design of a cassette infusion pump, the cassette comprise a plastic shell or housing having a front section joined to a back section. A thin elastomeric sheet or membrane is encapsulated between the two sections. Fluid flows from one of two selectable inlet ports into a pumping chamber defined by a concave depression in one of the sections through passages formed in the housing. The cassette is inserted into an appropriate receptacle of a pump chassis that includes a microprocessor controller and a motor actuated driver. A plunger actuated by the motor in the pump driver displaces the elastomeric membrane to force fluid from the pumping chamber toward an outlet port under pressure. The pump chassis thus provides the driving force that pumps fluid through the cassette. The microprocessor control is programmable to deliver a selected volume of fluid to the patient at a selected rate of flow. In addition, the pump chassis may include one or more pressure sensors and air bubble sensors used to monitor the drug infusion process to protect against potential problems that may arise during the drug delivery.
[0004] Both single and multi-channel cassette pumps are available. A multi-channel cassette pump allows more than one type of medicinal fluid to be selectively delivered to a patient using a single pump cassette. Such pumps are frequently used in association with intravenous (IV) drug delivery therapies.
[0005] When the pump inlet and outlet pressure conditions are approximately equal, cassette type infusion pumps are quite accurate. However, when the pressures at the pump inlet and outlet vary substantially, the delivery accuracy of cassette pumps degrade. If the delivery rate is relatively low, as is often the case in pediatric applications, and if the differential pressure exceeds 3 psi, accuracy is significantly impaired, and retrograde flow can occur. In retrograde flow, fluid moves from the patient's vascular system towards the pump, which can result in blood from a patient being drawn out of the patient's body and into the IV line. Even if such retrograde flow occurs only briefly, and the accuracy of the delivery rate is not severely impaired, the visual impact of even a small amount of blood in an IV line can be extremely disturbing to care providers, patients, and visitors. Retrograde flow is more likely to occur if the pump fluid source is lower in elevation than the entry site of an IV line into the patient's body, because the inlet pressure is then lower than the outlet pressure due to the head pressure.
[0006] The effect that a differential pressure has on the accuracy of the flow rate of a cassette pump depends on whether the pressure at the pump inlet is higher or lower than the pressure at the pump outlet. A higher pump inlet pressure, which is typically due to an increased elevation of the fluid reservoir relative to the pump (i.e., the reservoir head pressure), often causes the flow rate to exceed the desired setting, which the pump is programmed to deliver. Conversely, a higher pump outlet pressure, which can be caused by a partially restricted fluid line connected to the pump outlet or by the entry site into the patient being disposed higher than the pump inlet, can cause the flow rate to decrease below the desired value.
[0007] In a balanced pressure environment, cassette pumps tend to act like constant displacement pumps, so that each pumping cycle delivers the same volume of fluid. The delivery rate of the fluid is controlled by varying the number of pumping cycles per unit of time; thus, higher delivery rates require more pumping cycles to be executed during a given time interval than lower delivery rates. The pumping cycle of the prior art cassette pump briefly described above corresponds to a plunger deflecting the elastomeric membrane into the chamber in which the constant volume of fluid is contained, thereby forcing the fluid from the chamber through an outlet valve. The position of the plunger is controlled by a microprocessor. It is possible to change the delivery pressure of the constant volume of fluid to be delivered into the fluid line that is coupled to the patient's body by adjusting the position of the plunger at the beginning of each pumping cycle. Because the fluid volume delivered during each cycle (and hence the volume of the chamber in which the fluid is contained) is relatively small (generally about 333 μl of fluid is delivered per cycle), a very small change in the initial plunger position will have a significant impact on the pumping chamber pressure.
[0008] Clearly, it would be desirable to provide a cassette pump in which a pressure compensated pumping cycle is used to minimize the effect of differential pressures between the inlet and outlet of the pump. A cassette pump achieving this benefit and having accurate flow rates under varying pressure conditions is not disclosed in the prior art. Preferably, such a system would use a multi-component pressure-kinetic model to determine the pressure compensation required due to a differential pressure between the inlet and outlet of the cassette pump. Such a system would preferably use real-time measurements of pressure at both the pump inlet and pump outlet to determine the differential pressure, and then use an empirically determined algorithm to determine the extent to which the position of the plunger should be adjusted to either increase or decrease the delivery pressure. The delivery rate can further be optimized by changing the rate of the pumping cycles as a function of the actual volume delivered during each pump cycle. Preferably such a model would be used to pressure compensate the delivery of medicinal fluids for single or multi-channel cassette pumps. It will thus be apparent that accurately controlling the administration of medicinal fluids under varying pressure conditions using a pressure compensation model would provide significant advantages over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accord with the present invention, a pressure compensated pump is defined for maintaining an accurate delivery of fluid to a patient when a differential pressure exists between an inlet and outlet of the pump. The pump includes a fluid drive unit that is adapted to couple with a fluid line and to force fluid from a source for infusion into the patient through the fluid line. A control unit is coupled to the fluid drive unit to control its operation. A first pressure sensor monitors the inlet pressure to the pump, and a second pressure sensor monitors the outlet pressure of the pump. Both the first and the second pressure sensors are electrically coupled to the control unit. The control unit is programmed to determine a differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the pump, and the control unit uses an algorithm stored in a memory to determine a correction factor to be applied to compensate for the differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet, thus ensuring accurate delivery of the fluid to the patient. In addition to correcting for pressure differences across the valves of the pump, the algorithm can include a correction factor that compensates for calibration differences between multiple pressure sensors, as well as a correction factor that compensates for differences between targeted intake fluid volumes and an actual intake fluid volumes, as well as for differences between targeted delivery fluid volumes and actual delivery fluid volumes.
[0010] Preferably, the control unit includes a microprocessor responsive to program steps stored in a memory included in the control unit. The pump includes a user interface coupled to the control unit to enable an operator to enter at least one parameter for controlling the delivery of the fluid to the patient, corresponding to either a rate of fluid flow, a volume of fluid flow, a time of fluid flow, and/or a duration of fluid flow.
[0011] Also preferably, the correction factor changes a delivery pressure of the fluid, and/or a duration of time between successive cycles of the pump. The algorithm used to determine the correction factor is empirically determined. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid drive unit includes an elastomeric membrane overlying a chamber in the pump. The chamber is in fluid communication with the source and the patient. A driven member that is coupled to a motor exerts a force on the elastomeric membrane, displacing it into the chamber, thereby causing fluid to be expelled from the chamber into the patient. The correction factor determined by the algorithm is expressed as a position of the driven member relative to the elastomeric membrane. In this embodiment, the corrected position of the driven member relative to the elastomeric membrane that is determined by the algorithm corresponds to a corrected position for the driven member at the start of a pump cycle, i.e., before the driven member exerts the force on the elastomeric membrane that causes the fluid to be expelled from the chamber into the patient.
[0012] When the control unit determines that the pressure at the outlet of the pump is greater than the pressure at the inlet, the control unit advances the driven member into the chamber to a position determined by the algorithm, and when the control unit determines that the pressure at the outlet is lower than the pressure at the inlet, the control unit retracts the driven member away from the chamber to a position determined by the algorithm. In either case, the driven member is always in contact with the elastomeric membrane during any segment of a pump cycle.
[0013] The algorithm employs a first lookup table in which a first value is indicated as a function of a pressure measured by the sensor monitoring the inlet pressure, and a second lookup table in which a second value is indicated as a function of a pressure measured by the sensor monitoring the outlet pressure. The correction factor is determined by combining the first value and the second value obtained from the first and second lookup tables. The lookup tables are preferably empirically determined. The algorithm preferably uses a pressure measured by the sensor monitoring the outlet pressure after the driven member has exerted a force on the elastomeric membrane and the fluid has been displaced and forced into the fluid line toward the patient, in determining the correction factor for the next pump cycle.
[0014] After the driven member has exerted a force on the elastomeric membrane and the fluid is forced from the chamber, the control unit uses the algorithm to determine the actual fluid volume delivered to the patient, and then calculates a correction factor that determines how the timing of the next pump cycle is to be modified to maintain a desired delivery rate of the fluid to the patient. The pump preferably includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve.
[0015] The correction factor that corresponds to a difference between a targeted intake fluid volume, and an actual intake fluid volume is determined by sampling a first pressure proximate the inlet port after the chamber has been filled with the targeted intake volume by moving the driven member to a first position, and then moving the driven member to a second position, such that the volume of the chamber is decreased. The inlet pressure sensor determines a second pressure proximate the inlet port that exceeds the first pressure proximate the inlet port by a predetermined amount. The algorithm determines the actual intake fluid volume as a function of the first pressure proximate the inlet port, the second pressure proximate the inlet port, the first position of the driven member, and the second position of the driven member; and determines a difference between the targeted intake fluid volume and the actual intake fluid volume. Preferably, the predetermined amount is about 1 psi. The difference between the targeted intake fluid volume and the actual intake fluid volume is used to increase the accuracy of the fluid infusion by adding the difference between the targeted intake fluid volume and the actual intake fluid volume to a targeted intake fluid volume of a subsequent pump cycle. Preferably, the functional relationships between the intake fluid volume, the proximate pressure, and the position of the driven member are empirically determined.
[0016] The algorithm can compensate for calibration differences between an inlet pressure sensor and an outlet pressure sensor. The steps employed to accomplish this function include opening the inlet valve while the outlet valve is closed, thus filling the pumping chamber with fluid, and closing the inlet valve when the chamber is filled with a desired volume of fluid. The next step determines a pressure proximate the inlet port and a pressure proximate the outlet port using the inlet and outlet pressure sensors. A position of the elastomeric membrane is adjusted such that a pressure of the fluid within the chamber is equivalent to the pressure proximate the outlet port; and the outlet valve is then opened. Next, the outlet pressure sensor is used to determine if a pressure spike accompanies the opening of the outlet valve (the pressure spike being indicative of a calibration difference between the inlet pressure sensor and the outlet pressure sensor). The pressure spike is used by the algorithm to compensate for the calibration difference in the next pump cycle.
[0017] In an alternate embodiment, the pump includes only a pressure sensor in fluid communication with an outlet side of the pump, and a first pump cycle is uncompensated. Two outlet pressure readings are taken during each cycle—one at a beginning of the pump cycle when the chamber is full of fluid, and one just as the fluid is finishing being expelled from the chamber. In the next pump cycle, the position of the driven member is adjusted relative to the chamber to compensate for any differential pressure between the two readings taken in the previous pump cycle.
[0018] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method that includes steps generally consistent with the functions implemented by the components of the apparatus described above. A further aspect of the present invention is directed to an algorithm that includes steps also generally consistent with the description set forth above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES
[0019] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0020] [0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-channel, pressure compensated cassette pump in accord with the present invention;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the multi-channel pressure compensated cassette pump of FIG. 1, showing a driven plunger in a home (uncompensated) position relative to an elastomeric membrane covered pumping chamber, as would be appropriate when pressure compensation is not required;
[0022] [0022]FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram of the multi-channel pressure compensated cassette pump of FIG. 1, showing the driven plunger in a retracted (compensated) position relative to the elastomeric membrane covered pumping chamber, thus compensating for a proximal pressure that is greater than a distal pressure;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 2C is a schematic block diagram of the multi-channel pressure compensated cassette pump of FIG. 1, showing the driven plunger in an advanced position relative to the elastomeric membrane covered pumping chamber, thus compensating for a proximal pressure that is lower than a distal pressure;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 3 is a valve cycle diagram for a pressure compensated single channel pump, in accord with the present invention;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 4 is a valve cycle diagram for a pressure compensated multi-channel pump, in accord with the present invention;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 5 is a graph showing the driven plunger position as a function of the distal pressure;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 6 is a graph showing the driven plunger position as a function of the distal suspend pressure (the proximal pressure calibrated relative to the distal pressure);
[0028] [0028]FIG. 7 is a graph showing the volume of the elastomeric pumping chamber with the driven plunger at the +169 step position as a function of the distal pressure;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 8 is a graph showing the volume of the elastomeric pumping chamber with the driven plunger at the home position as a function of the distal suspend pressure;
[0030] [0030]FIG. 9 is a graph showing the nominal cassette volume as a function of the driven plunger position; and
[0031] [0031]FIG. 10 is a graph showing the driven plunger position as a function of a target intake volume.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Overview of the Present Invention
[0033] The present invention employs an algorithm to compensate for a differential pressure between the inlet and outlet of a cassette type infusion pump to enhance the accuracy of the pump, particularly at low flow rates. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be incorporated in Abbott Laboratories' PLUM A+™ Infusion Pump, which will be used in conjunction with its PLUMTM Cassette. The algorithm used in this embodiment has been empirically determined for these specific products. However, it should be noted that a similar algorithm can be empirically determined for other designs of infusion cassettes and infusion pumps. The present invention is thus not in any way limited to the specific design of the pump and cassette discussed below.
[0034] The terms “proximal” and “inlet” as used herein in connection with the following description and the claims that follow synonymously refer to the portion of the cassette that is coupled in fluid communication with a fluid line (or lines) adapted to be coupled to a fluid supply or reservoir of fluid. The terms “distal” and “outlet” similarly synonymously refer to the portion of the cassette that is coupled in fluid communication with a fluid line adapted to be connected to a patient.
[0035] Since the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to its use with the PLUM A+Pump and PLUM Cassette, certain aspects are determined by its operating specifications. For example, a deliverable volume per pump cycle in this embodiment is from 0-500 μl, with a preferred volume being about 333 μl. The uncompensated delivery rate is variable from 0-999 ml/hr, and the compensated delivery rate is variable from 0.1-500 m/hr. The range of operable distal and proximal pressures is about −11.0 psi to 14.0 psi. In general, the pressure sampling occurs for about 2 ms/sample, over approximately a 50 ms sampling period. The plurality of samples are averaged to minimize any pressure sensing variations.
[0036] This embodiment of the present invention provides for monitoring the distal (outlet) and proximal (inlet) pressures of the pump cassette, determining the differential pressure between the two, and adjusts the pumping cycle to compensate for this differential pressure. The pumping cycle is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the pressure of the medicinal fluid within the pump cassette, and if required, changing the timing of the pump cycle. Prior to the initiation of each pump cycle, the differential pressure is again determined. A correction factor is determined by the algorithm, and the pressure of the medicinal fluid within the pump cassette is adjusted accordingly. As the fluid leaves the pump cassette, its pressure is also used to determine the actual volume of fluid being delivered by the current pump cycle. This information is used by the algorithm to determine how the timing of the next pump-cycle should be varied to achieve a desired flow rate. Preferably, the timing is changed by varying the duration of the delivery stroke of the pump. This pressure compensation process is repeated for each cycle. Further details of the preferred embodiment are as follows.
[0037] Details of a Preferred Embodiment
[0038] With reference to FIG. 1, a multi-channel cassette infusion pump 10 that implements the present invention is shown. A source 12 of medicinal fluid A and a source 14 of medicinal fluid B are both coupled in fluid communication with a proximal end 16 of a cassette 15 . The flow of medicinal fluid A into the cassette is selectively controlled by a supply valve 20 , and the flow of medicinal fluid B is selectively controlled by a supply valve 18 . If cassette 15 is to be used to pump only one of these two medicinal fluid at a time, only the appropriate supply valve 18 or 20 is opened to select the medicinal fluid to be pumped. The selected medicinal fluid (or fluids) then flow(s) through an air sensor 22 and into a mixing chamber 26 . The air sensor and mixing chamber are common features of cassette type infusion pumps. The purpose of the air sensor is to detect air bubbles that may be entrained in medicinal fluid A and/or B before the fluid is passed on into the pumping chamber and to the patient. Excess air bubbles entering a patient's bloodstream can cause an air embolism with potentially harmful consequences. A proximal (or inlet) pressure sensor 24 is disposed within mixing chamber 26 . The selected medicinal fluid or fluids exit the mixing chamber through an inlet valve 28 , when the inlet valve is in its open position, and into a pumping chamber 30 . Details of suitable pressure sensors for use with the present invention and of other aspects of the cassette are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,115, the specification and drawings of which are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] Cassette style infusion pumps are constant displacement pumps. The volume of medicinal fluid in chamber 30 is therefore generally the same for each pump cycle. The differential pressure between the proximal and distal sides of the cassette can be compensated by increasing or decreasing the pressure of the constant volume of fluid within pumping chamber 30 , as appropriate. As noted above, the preferable delivery volume of the medicinal fluid contained within chamber 30 is 333 μl—for this particular embodiment. Because of the small volume of the chamber, only a very small change in the relative volume of chamber 30 is required to provide an increase or decrease in the pressure of the medicinal fluid within the chamber. One side of chamber 30 is covered with an elastomeric membrane 29 . Medicinal fluid is forced from pumping chamber 30 (when inlet valve 28 is closed and an outlet valve 32 is opened), by the action of a plunger 42 (schematically shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 C) acting on the elastomeric membrane, forcing the elastomeric membrane into the chamber to displace the fluid contained therein. Adjusting the pressure within chamber 30 can easily be accomplished with an incremental change in the position of the plunger relative to the chamber before the start of a pumping cycle. In the preferred embodiment, the plunger position is variable from −489 steps to +220 steps, where a home position is defined to be at 0 steps. A nominal stroke distance for plunger 42 to deliver 333 μl of fluid is +169 steps.
[0040] Inlet valve 28 and outlet valve 32 are formed in the cassette and are closed when rods (not shown) driven by drive unit 19 act on the elastomeric membrane to close off flow through the fluid passage of the cassette. Details of this mechanism are not disclosed herein, but are well known to those of ordinary skill in this art. When outlet valve 32 is in its open position, the medicinal fluid forced from the chamber flows through past a distal pressure sensor 34 , through a distal air sensor 36 , and exits the cassette to be conveyed to a patient 40 . Multi-channel infusion pump 10 also includes a control unit 17 and a drive unit 19 . Control unit 17 preferably includes a microprocessor and a memory (not separately shown); however, it will be understood that the control unit can alternatively use other types of logic devices for implementing the algorithm, such a hardwired logic control, an application specific integrated circuit, etc. The algorithm is stored as a plurality of machine language instructions and data within the memory. The microprocessor receives information from distal pressure sensor 34 and proximal pressure sensor 24 , and implements the algorithm to determine whether the plunger position should be advanced or retracted to compensate for the differential pressure (see FIGS. 2 A- 2 C). Drive unit 19 includes a prime mover (an electrical motor—not specifically shown) that is drivingly coupled to plunger 42 , which forces fluid from chamber 30 .
[0041] The algorithm compensates for a differential pressure detected between proximal end 16 and a distal end 38 of the cassette pump primarily by changing the position of the plunger relative to chamber 30 to increase or decrease the pressure within the chamber before the actual pumping stroke occurs. The algorithm can also change the timing of the pump cycle by controlling drive unit 19 . Further details of the algorithm are discussed below.
[0042] FIGS. 2 A- 2 C illustrate how a change in the position of the plunger relative to the chamber affects the volume of chamber 30 , and thus the pressure of the fluid within the chamber during a pump cycle. For simplicity, only medicinal fluid A is shown in these figures. However it should be understood that alternatively, the present invention can be applied to compensate for a differential pressure of medicinal fluid B, or for a combination of medicinal fluid A and medicinal fluid B that is passing through multi-channel cassette infusion pump 10 . In FIG. 2A, plunger 42 is shown in a home position (at the 0 step position). This position corresponds to the initiation of a pump cycle in which no differential pressure compensation is needed. Note that plunger 42 is in contact with the elastic membrane of pumping chamber 30 , causing a slight deflection of the membrane. At the beginning of a pump cycle, plunger 42 is in an extend position at +169 steps, outlet valve 32 is closed, inlet valve 28 is open, and supply valve 20 is in the open position (for selection only of medicinal fluid A). Pumping chamber 30 is filled with the appropriate amount of medicinal fluid for the cassette pump, preferably about 333 μl for this embodiment, by retracting plunger 42 .
[0043] When the algorithm determines that to properly compensate for a differential pressure, the delivery pressure must be reduced (i.e., because the proximal pressure is greater than the distal pressure), the plunger is retracted (while both inlet valve 28 and outlet valve 32 are closed) by the number of steps determined by the algorithm. Note that drive unit 19 preferably comprises a stepping motor (not separately shown), and it is therefore appropriate to refer to the displacement of plunger 42 in terms of steps of the stepping motor. FIG. 2B shows plunger 42 retracted to compensate for this differential pressure condition. Inlet valve 28 and outlet valve 32 are in their closed position, and it will be apparent that the volume of pumping chamber 30 has been increased (relative to its volume in FIG. 2A) due to the retraction of the plunger. Consequently, the pressure within pumping chamber 30 is effectively reduced before the plunger is displaced by the number of steps necessary to pump a nominal 333 μl of fluid.
[0044] Conversely, when the algorithm determines that the delivery pressure needs to be increased to compensate for the proximal pressure being lower than the distal pressure, the plunger is initially advanced into the chamber by an increment determined in accord with the algorithm. FIG. 2C clearly shows that when the plunger is in this advanced position, pressure chamber 30 has a reduced volume. Therefore, the pressure of the medicinal fluid within pumping chamber 30 will be increased under these conditions.
[0045] [0045]FIG. 3 provides details of a pumping cycle timing chart for multi-channel cassette pump 10 in which only a single medicinal fluid supply is being infused. While the infusion pump is being operated in this manner, supply valve 20 for medicinal fluid A is in its open position at all times, and supply valve 18 for medicinal fluid B is in its closed position at all times. Of course, it is also possible for a user to desire to deliver only medicinal fluid B, rather than medicinal fluid A, in which case the positions of the valves would be altered accordingly. As shown in FIG. 3, a single cycle of the cassette infusion pump has four separate parts when only a single medicinal fluid supply is being infused. In Part 1 of each pump cycle, inlet valve 28 is initially in its open position and then closes rapidly. Outlet valve 32 is in its closed position, and plunger 42 is initially in a home position 44 . At this point, medicinal fluid A has filled chamber 30 , and after the inlet valve closes, the chamber is isolated, so that any change in position of plunger 42 will affect the pressure of the fluid trapped within the chamber. Plunger home position 44 corresponds to the desired position of plunger 42 if the proximal and distal pressures are substantially equivalent (i.e., when no compensation is required).
[0046] Plunger 42 remains in home position 44 until the microprocessor in control unit 17 has received pressure readings from both proximal pressure sensor 24 and distal pressure sensor 34 . Once the microprocessor in control unit 17 has received these pressure readings, the pressure readings are used by the algorithm stored in the memory of control unit 17 to determine any differential pressure between the two readings, and a correction factor is determined. This correction factor is expressed as a step change in the position of the plunger 42 . In the exemplary pump cycle time chart illustrated in FIG. 3, it is assumed the algorithm has determined that the plunger is to be retracted to cause the delivery pressure to be reduced (as is illustrated in FIG. 2B). Once this correction factor has been determined, control unit 17 will cause drive unit 19 to retract the plunger the desired number of steps to a pressure compensated plunger position 46 (illustrated in Part 1 of FIG. 3). In this preferred embodiment, the maximum plunger extension is +229 steps from plunger home, and the maximum retract position is −220 steps from plunger home. The nominal delivery extension stroke for the plunger is +169 steps from plunger home. When the distal and proximal pressures are equal, the nominal plunger extension stroke of 169 steps will deliver the desired 333 μl of the selected medicinal fluid to the patient.
[0047] Preferably, the distal and proximal pressures used by the algorithm to determine the correct plunger position will be an average of multiple pressure readings. The following functional relationship converts a series of pressure data samples into an average pressure and filters out small variations in pressure. The Average Filter Pressure (P Ave ) transform is:
P Ave = ∑ n = 0 - 7 P AT ( t = n · 5 msec ) 8 ( 1 )
[0048] For Part 1 , as inlet valve 28 is closing, the proximal pressure is preferably measured every motor step, and the Proximal Suspend Pressure is calculated by averaging the first 8 data samples using Equation (1).
[0049] An exception to the above equation exists when the pressure sensor is sampled once per motor step, which could differ from 5 msec. An alternate way to filter small variations from multiple pressure sample reading is to use an Exponential Filter Pressure transform. This functional relationship converts a series of pressure data samples into an exponential filter pressure (P Filt ). The Exponential Filter Pressure transform is:
P Filt ( n )=(1-α) ·P Filt ( n −1) +α·P AT ( n ) (2)
[0050] where 0<α<1.0. The a coefficient is selected based on an expected settling time constant.
[0051] In Part 1 of FIG. 3, the pressure readings are input to the algorithm to determine the correct position adjustment for plunger 42 . As noted above, the algorithm is empirically determined based on a particular type of cassette and pump to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 5 and 6 are graphs showing empirically derived relationships specifically determined for the pump and cassette described above. The data shown in these graphs are preferably stored as lookup tables in the memory of control unit 17 , and are thus available to be accessed by the microprocessor to be used in conjunction with the algorithm and the average pressure data as discussed above. Two lookup tables are required, as one lookup table expresses plunger position as a function of the average distal pressure, and the other lookup table expresses plunger position as a function of the average distal suspend pressure (a calculated equivalent of the proximal pressure, as will be described below).
[0052] [0052]FIG. 5 provides the correct number of steps that plunger 42 is to be moved based on a particular distal pressure reading and shows plunger 42 positioned as a function of the distal pressure. Note that a distal pressure reading of 0 psi corresponds to a data point 62 , which in turn corresponds to a plunger position adjustment of 0 steps (as would be expected, no compensation is required for a 0 psi pressure). With reference to the graph of FIG. 5, if the distal pressure reading is 7 psi, the plunger position should be advanced 7 steps, as indicated by a data point 64 . Likewise, if the distal pressure reading is 16 psi, the plunger position should be advanced slightly more than 13 steps; as indicated by a data point 66 .
[0053] As noted above, the lookup table based on FIG. 5 must be used in conjunction with the lookup table based on FIG. 6, which shows the plunger position as a function of the Distal Suspend Pressure, to determine the corrected plunger position. In the first pump cycle, immediately after energizing the pump, the proximal pressure is used in determining the correction. Subsequent pump cycles use the Distal Suspend Pressure rather than the proximal pressure for this purpose, to avoid the effect of any calibration differences (or error) between proximal pressure sensor 24 and distal pressure sensor 34 . For instance, in the first pump cycle, a distal pressure reading might be 5 psi, and a proximal pressure reading might 2 psi, yielding an apparent differential pressure of 3 psi. The algorithm will use both lookup tables (FIGS. 5 and 6) to determine the correct position for plunger 42 to compensate this differential pressure. It would be expected then, that after outlet valve 32 is opened, the distal pressure sensor would not record a pressure spike, since the differential pressure has been compensated. However, in practice, a pressure spike is often sensed by distal pressure sensor 34 , indicating that some differential pressure still exists. The primary cause of this phenomenon is that the distal and proximal pressure sensors are slightly out of calibration relative to one another. For instance, a pressure spike of 1 psi indicates that the calibration of the distal and proximal pressure sensors disagree by 1 psi. So, after the initial pump cycle, the Distal Suspend Pressure, which incorporates a correction for the pressure spike seen after outlet valve 32 opens, is used.
[0054] The following functional relationships are used to determine the Distal Suspend Pressure (P DxSus ) for use with the data in FIG. 6. The first relationship is the transfer characteristic of the proximal pressure sensor reading (P PxSus ), which is calibrated to the Distal Suspend Pressure (P DxSus ), for the current cycle (n).
P DxSus ( n ) =P PxSus ( n ) +P DxAdj ( n ) (3)
[0055] In the first cycle, the Distal Suspend Pressure is set equal to the proximal pressure sensor reading (P PxSus ). For subsequent pump cycles, P DxAdj (n), which is the Distal Spike Amplitude, is required to solve Equation 3 to determine the Distal Suspend Pressure. The Distal Spike Amplitude can be obtained using the Distal Spike Amplitude transform. This functional relationship converts a series of pressure data samples into a representative spike amplitude. These pressure data samples are taken at the distal pressure sensor 34 , during Part 2 of FIG. 3, and these values represent a Distal Pressure Spike 50 that occurs immediately after outlet valve 32 opens. Preferably, this spike is less than 0.5 psi in magnitude, in which case, the accuracy of the delivery rate will be acceptable. Especially during the first pump cycle, when the calibration differences between the distal and proximal pressure sensors have not been corrected, Distal Pressure Spike 50 is often greater than 0.5 psi. The baseline pressure is the average of the first few data points in the set used to establish the pre-disturbance pressure. The Distal Spike Amplitude (P DxSpk ) transform, for the current cycle (n) is:
P Dx — Spk ( n ) =V Dx — Spk ( n )+0.043V (4)
[0056] [0056] P DX_Adj ( n ) = ∑ i = 0 n - 1 1 psig 0.020 V · P Dx_Spk ( i ) = ∑ i = 0 n - 1 50 psig 1 · V · P Dx_Spk ( i ) ( 5 )
[0057] where:
[0058] V Dx — Spk (n) is the Distal Spike Pressure measured approximately 100 msec after outlet valve 32 is opened;
[0059] 0.020 V/psig is an empirically derived slope of the linear relationship between the spike voltage versus the sensor's offset pressure (P px −P Dx ); and
[0060] 0.043V is the offset (in psig) of the linear relationship between the spike voltage versus the sensor's offset pressure (P Px −P Dx ).
[0061] Thus, for FIG. 6, in the first pump cycle, the microprocessor of control unit 17 uses the proximal pressure reading (averaged per Equation 1 above) to determine the position correction for plunger 32 . In subsequent cycles, the microprocessor of control unit 17 uses the Distal Suspend Pressure as calculated per the above equations. Note that a Distal Suspend Pressure reading of 0 psi corresponds to a data point 72 in FIG. 6, which in turn corresponds to a plunger position adjustment of 0 steps (since, as would be expected, no compensation is required for 0 psi pressure). If the Distal Suspend Pressure reading is −6.5 psi, the plunger position should be advanced 9 steps, as indicated by a data point 68 in FIG. 6. Likewise if the Distal Suspend Pressure reading is −3 psi, the plunger position should be advanced slightly more than 3.5 steps; as indicated by a data point 70 . Again, it should be noted that FIG. 6 is empirically determined for the specific combination of pump and cassette used.
[0062] Returning now to Part 1 of FIG. 3, pressure compensated plunger position 46 is determined as will be further explained below, using the averaged pressure readings (per Equation 1) from distal pressure sensor 34 , the lookup table based on the data of FIG. 5, averaged pressure readings (per Equation 1) from proximal pressure sensor 24 , and the lookup table based on the data of FIG. 6. Note that for subsequent cycles, Equations 2, 3, and 4 are used to determine the Distal Suspend Pressure, which includes a correction factor for calibration differences between the distal and proximal pressure sensors, as described above.
[0063] Assuming that the average Distal Pressure reading was −2 psi, the corresponding plunger position correction would be approximately −2.5 steps, or a retraction of 2.5 steps from the home position. This relationship can be clearly seen by referring to data point 61 of FIG. 5. Further, assuming that the average Proximal Pressure reading was 3 psi, referring to data point 74 of FIG. 6, the corresponding plunger position correction would be approximately −3.5 steps, or a retraction of 3.5 steps from the home position. Combining these two corrections results in a net plunger position correction of −6 steps, or a retraction of 6 steps. Pressure compensated plunger position 46 in FIG. 3 is thus retracted from the home position by this amount. Such a retraction enables the elastomeric membrane to draw back from chamber 30 , thus increasing the size of chamber 30 , and decreasing the pressure of the medicinal fluid within the chamber. When outlet valve 32 is opened, the delivery pressure of the medicinal fluid will be reduced from what it would have been in an uncompensated pump cycle.
[0064] Because in this example, the proximal pressure is greater than the distal pressure, lowering the delivery pressure is a logical compensation. The relationship between the final corrected plunger position 46 and the lookup tables based on the data of FIGS. 5 and 6 can be described by the following equation:
X Dx — EQ ( n )=TAB PxEq (P DxSus )+TAB DxEq ( P DxDel ) (6)
[0065] Part 2 of the valve cycle timing illustrated in FIG. 3 starts when outlet valve 32 begins to open, at which time, distal pressure sensor 34 records a Distal Pressure Spike 50 . The pressure is preferably sampled at 2 ms/sample, for 50 ms. These pressure samples are not averaged, as the peak pressure, not the average pressure, is desired. The Distal Spike Amplitude (P DxSpk ) transform is used (Equations (4) and (5)) to convert the distal pressure samples to a Distal Pressure Spike. Distal Pressure Spike 50 as shown in FIG. 3 is a positive pressure spike, but it could equally as well be a negative pressure spike. As noted above, this pressure spike is primarily caused by differences in the calibration of the distal and proximal pressure sensors. However, there are other causes of this pressure spike, including pressure fluctuations within the fluid lines leading to the patient or from the source to the cassette. At the beginning of Part 2 , a Distal Pressure Spike 50 of 1.5 psi was recorded by distal pressure sensor 34 , indicating that the distal pressure sensor and the proximal pressure sensor are mis-calibrated relative to each other by about 1.5 psi. This information is used during the next pump cycle, described above with respect to FIG. 6 and the equations relating to the Distal Suspend Pressure. As noted above, when the pressure spike measured in Part 2 of the pump cycle is less than 0.5 psi, then the accuracy of the medicinal fluid delivery will be acceptable.
[0066] Plunger 42 is moving in Part 2 of the pump cycle illustrated in FIG. 3. The plunger position is advanced to +169 steps, to a position 48 . It should be noted that the actual movement of the plunger will not be 169 steps, but instead will be 169 steps plus the number of steps the plunger was retracted during Part 1 of the valve cycle (6 steps in the above example). If the plunger were advanced in Part 1 of the valve cycle, the actual distance the plunger will move will be 169 steps minus the number of steps the plunger was advanced. The +169 step position 48 represents the nominal stroke of the plunger that is required to deliver the 333 μl of medicinal fluid contained in chamber 30 when the proximal and distal pressures are in equilibrium. It should be noted that the time required for the plunger to move from pressure compensated plunger position 46 to the +169 steps of position 48 is a function of the pressure within the pumping chamber in the extended position of the previous cycle (Tab EXT — v (P DxPc [n−1])), and the pressure of the pumping chamber in the home position (Tab HOM — v (P DxSus )).
[0067] The following functional relationship describes the required time, which is indicated as a time segment 45 in Part 2 of FIG. 3.
T Del =f {Tab Ext — V (P DxPC [n−1]), Tab HOM — V (P Dx — Sus )} (7)
[0068] A longer duration extend stroke of the plunger slows the delivery rate (note that the volume being delivered remains constant at 333 μl, plus or minus small variations). The timing change is calculated using the functional relationships and empirically determined lookup tables described below.
[0069] An equilibrated plunger Extend Step Period is needed to deliver a stroke volume of fluid while maintaining an expected delivery rate, and the Equilibration Step Period transform is defined by the following equation (refer also to FIGS. 3 and 4, and time segments 45 , 45 a , and 45 b ):
T Step =[T Ext (n−1) −T Now +A ]÷[+169 steps −X DxEq] (8)
A =[333 μl+TAB Hom — V (P DxSus )+TAB Ext — V (P DxPC [n −1]) ]÷R Del (9)
[0070] where:
[0071] T Ext (n−1) is the time stamp when the last cycle plunger extend stroke ended (+169 steps 48 );
[0072] T Now is the time stamp of the current plunger position, just before extension of the plunger;
[0073] 333 μl is the nominal plunger stroke volume at 0 psig;
[0074] T Hom — V (P DxSus ) is the value from the error volume lookup table (FIG. 8) at the plunger home position, as a function of proximal pressure (calibrated to the distal pressure);
[0075] TAB Ext — V (P DxPC [n−1]) is the value from the error volume lookup table (FIG. 7) at +169 steps, as a function of distal pressure from the previous cycle;
[0076] R Del is the user specified delivery rate;
[0077] +169 steps is the nominal plunger extend position (+169 steps at position 48);
[0078] X DxEq is the plunger position, after equilibration and just before extension; and
[0079] the plunger Extend Step Period, T step is greater than 2 ms.
[0080] The expected delivery rate is maintained by keeping the time period T Ext (n)−T Ext (n−1) constant. There are two plunger extend stroke error volume lookup tables (TAB Hom — v , based on the data shown in FIG. 8, and TAB Ext — v , based on the data shown in FIG. 7), which are functions of the pressure in the chamber, and relate to the time segment as described in Equation (7). The data for these two tables are derived empirically. The tables relate to differential pressures when inlet valve 28 is closed after an intake stroke (P DxSus ), and when the outlet valve 32 is closed after the extend stroke (P DxPC ) of the plunger. These two differential pressures occur at the plunger home position 44 and at the +169 steps, at position 48 .
[0081] Based on the results of the above relationships, plunger 42 is moved to the extend position (the +169 step position) in the calculated time segment (time segments 45 , 45 a , 45 b , etc.) As noted above, the pressure readings are also used to calculate parameters relating to the intake stroke of plunger 42 . Following the extend stroke, the Actual Volume Delivered is computed. The Actual Volume Delivered is computed by using the following functional relationship:
333 μl+TAB Hom — V (P DxSux )+TAB Ext — V (P DxPC [n−1]) (10)
[0082] where:
[0083] 333 μl is the nominal plunger stroke volume at 0 psig;
[0084] TAB Hom — V (P DxSus ) is the value from the error volume lookup table (FIG. 8) at the plunger home position, as a function of proximal pressure (calibrated to the distal pressure); and
[0085] TAB Ext — V (P DxPC [n−1]) is the value from the error volume lookup table (FIG. 7) at +169 steps, as a function of distal pressure from the previous cycle.
[0086] Equation (10) is related to the Equilibration Step Period transform described above, as can be seen from Equation (9).
[0087] After the Actual Volume Delivered has been calculated as described above, the pump cycle advances to Part 3 , as shown in FIG. 3. Inlet valve 28 remains in its closed position, while outlet valve 32 moves from its open position to its closed position. Plunger 42 remains at the +169 steps of position 48 . Control unit 17 measures the distal pressure using distal pressure sensor 34 to determine the final pressure in pump chamber 30 after the outlet valve has closed. Preferably, this measurement is accomplished by monitoring the distal pressure at every valve motor step and determining the final pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)) to the first eight data samples.
[0088] Part 4 begins with inlet valve 28 moving from its closed position to its open position. The plunger moves from the +169 steps extension, at position 48 , to home position 44 . This full stroke is directly proportional to the volume of medicinal fluid A that is required to be drawn into chamber 30 , which in this preferred embodiment is 333 μl. A proximal pressure spike 51 is recorded as inlet valve 28 opens; however, this pressure spike is not used for any compensation calculations relating to the present invention. The timing of the retraction is preferably as quickly as the stepper motor can move the plunger.
[0089] At the end of Part 4 , the first pump cycle is complete. Any deficiency in the Actual Volume Delivered (calculated in Part 2 as described above) is corrected by changing the timing of the pump cycles, to compensate for any variations between the desired delivery rate and the actual delivery rate. Because cassette type infusion pumps are constant displacement pumps, the delivery rate of the medicinal fluid is changed by changing the number of pump cycles per unit time. Thus, the length of time between pump cycle n and pump cycle n+1 is a function of the desired delivery rate that was programmed into the control unit of the pump, and the actual volume delivered. A higher medicinal fluid delivery rate requires less time between successive pump cycles.
[0090] When the control unit has determined that the appropriate amount of time has passed and a new pump cycle is to begin, the process generally described above is repeated for the next pump cycle. The process for the next (second) pump cycle is essentially identical to that described for the first pump cycle; however in this second pump cycle, and all subsequent cycles, instead of using the pressure measured by the proximal pressure sensor in Part 1 as an input to the algorithm to determine the correction position of the plunger, the Distal Suspend Pressure (which corrects for any calibration differences between the distal and proximal pressure sensors) is used, as described in detail above. Thus, pressure compensated plunger positions 46 a and 46 b for the second and third pump cycles may be different than pressure compensated plunger position 46 , which was determined during the first pump cycle. The magnitudes (absolute values) of Distal Pressure Spikes 50 a and 50 b should be much less than the magnitude of Distal Pressure Spike 50 , due to the correction applied. Also, the magnitude of subsequent proximal pressure spike 51 a may vary from the value for proximal pressure spike 51 in the first pump cycle.
[0091] [0091]FIG. 4 illustrates the pump cycle for the multi-channel cassette pump 10 shown in FIG. 1 using both medicinal fluid A from source 12 and medicinal fluid B from source 14 . Because medicinal fluid is now being drawn from both fluid sources, a complete pump cycle consists of six parts rather than the four part pump cycle described in connection with FIG. 3. In Part 1 , supply valve 20 is in its open position, and supply valve 18 is in its closed position. Inlet valve 28 is initially in its open position and rapidly closes at the beginning of Part 1 . Outlet valve 32 is in its closed position and remains in the closed position throughout Part 1 . Plunger 42 is initially in its home position 44 . At the beginning of Part 1 , the microprocessor of control unit 17 uses proximal pressure sensor 24 and distal pressure sensor 34 to measure the pressures at the inlet and the outlet of the pump, respectively. Based on these pressures, the algorithm determines the adjustment required to the position of plunger 42 to compensate for the differential pressure, using the lookup tables based on the data illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the same manner as has been described above with respect to Part 1 of FIG. 3. Similarly, during Part 1 , plunger 42 moves to pressure compensated plunger position 46 in FIG. 4, which represents a retraction of the plunger from the chamber. This retraction of the plunger indicates that the proximal pressure was found to be greater than the distal pressure. If the distal pressure had been greater than the proximal pressure, the plunger would have been advanced toward the chamber, compared to home position 44 of the plunger.
[0092] Part 2 in the pump cycle of FIG. 4 starts with the opening of outlet valve 32 . As soon as outlet valve 32 opens, Distal Pressure Spike 50 is detected by distal pressure sensor 34 . As described above, in future pump cycles, the spike pressure measured for the previous cycle is used by the algorithm to determine a correction for calibration differences of the distal and proximal pressure sensors, and this correction is employed to determine the position of the plunger, i.e., whether the plunger should be either advanced or retracted. When forcing fluid from the chamber, plunger 42 moves from either the advanced or retracted pressure compensated plunger position 46 (as determined by the algorithm) to +169 steps (position 48 ). Outlet valve 32 remains open throughout Part 2 . Time segment 45 is determined using the Equilibration Step Period transform relationship (Equations (8) and (9)) described above in reference to FIG. 3. Also as described above in reference to FIG. 3, the Actual Volume Delivered is computed (Equation (10)).
[0093] At the beginning of Part 3 in the pump cycle shown in FIG. 4, outlet valve 32 returns to its closed position. Plunger 42 maintains its extended position at +169 steps, at position 48 . Supply valve 20 remains in its open position, while medicinal fluid B supply valve 18 remains closed, for both Parts 3 and 4 . Inlet valve 28 remains in its closed position. Control unit 17 measures the distal pressure using distal pressure sensor 34 to determine the final pressure in pump chamber 30 after the outlet valve has closed. Preferably, this measurement is accomplished by monitoring the distal pressure at every valve motor step and determining the final pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)) to the first 8 data samples.
[0094] The major differences between the four part pump cycle described in connection with FIG. 3, and the six part pump cycle of FIG. 4, occur in Parts 4 , 5 and 6 of the six part pump cycle. In Part 4 , plunger 42 does not fully return to home position 44 , but rather to an intermediate position that corresponds to filling chamber 30 with a calculated volume of medicinal fluid A. In Part 5 , a Cassette Compliance transform (described in detail below) is used in conjunction with a plunger movement that results in a 1.0 psi pressure change. The values obtained will be used in Part 6 to calculate the Actual Intake Volumes for medicinal fluids A and B. Plunger 42 returns to home position 44 , and in doing so, fills chamber 30 with the medicinal fluid B. As will be described in detail below, plunger 42 always returns to home position 44 . It is possible that the movement of plunger 42 from the intermediate position of Part 4 (required to fill chamber 30 with the correct volume of medicinal fluid A) to home position 44 will not result in the desired Target Intake Volume for medicinal fluid B (see Equation (13) described below) being delivered to pump chamber 30 . Furthermore, the Actual Intake Volume for medicinal fluid A from Part 4 may have been different than the Target Intake Volume due to pressure conditions. Thus in Part 6 , the Actual Intake Volumes for medicinal fluids A and B are determined for use with the algorithm in the next pump cycle, so that any deficiencies in either Actual Intake Volumes for medicinal fluids A or B can be made up in subsequent pump cycles.
[0095] Part 4 begins with inlet valve 28 moving from its closed position to its open position. The plunger moves from the +169 steps extension, at position 48 , to an intake position 49 a for medicinal fluid A. This partial stroke is directly proportional to the volume of medicinal fluid A that is required to be drawn into chamber 30 , which is calculated using the Plunger Reference Position transforms as discussed below. After the proper volume of medicinal fluid A has entered pump chamber 30 , supply valve 20 (for medicinal fluid A) is closed. This step is different than as described above in relation to the four part pump cycle of FIG. 3, because in the four part pump cycle, supply valve 20 was always open, while supply valve 18 (for medicinal fluid B) was always closed. Because the six part pump cycle of FIG. 4 involves both medicinal fluids A and B, supply valves 18 and 20 must cycle on and off during the pump cycle. As with the single fluid four part pump cycle, a proximal pressure spike 51 is recorded as inlet valve 28 opens. As described above, this pressure spike is not used for any compensation calculations relating to the present invention.
[0096] It should be noted that an improvement in the accuracy of the delivery rate can be achieved when administering both medicinal fluid A and medicinal fluid B if the intake sequence for the medicinal fluids is alternated. For example, if in a first pump cycle medicinal fluid A is introduced into pump chamber 30 , and then medicinal fluid B is introduced into pump chamber 30 , in the next pump cycle, medicinal fluid B is preferably introduced into pump chamber 30 first, followed by medicinal fluid A. By alternating the sequence in which a medicinal fluid is first introduced into pump chamber 30 , any delivery rate errors that are a function of the order in which medicinal fluids are introduced into pump chamber 30 will be minimized. It does not matter whether the sequence is alternated every other pump cycle, or some other pattern (such as every third, fourth or fifth cycle), as long as medicinal fluid B is introduced into pump chamber 30 first for substantially the same number of pump cycles as medicinal fluid A.
[0097] The timing of the plunger retraction is preferably as quickly as the stepper motor can move the plunger. The Plunger Reference Position is the position of plunger 42 required, to achieve a medicinal fluid A Target Intake Volume needed for the next pump cycle. The medicinal fluid A Target Intake Volume consists of a nominal target intake and any Extend Deficiency Volume for medicinal fluid A from the previous cycle. As inlet valve 28 is opened, proximal pressure sensor 24 monitors a pressure spike 51 . Because this pressure spike is on the proximal side of the pump, it does not affect the delivery rate of the medicinal fluid to the patient, and is therefore is not used by the algorithm to compensate for a differential pressure (as is Distal Pressure Spike 50 , discussed above).
[0098] The following equation is used to determine the Plunger Reference Position (X Ref relative to +169 steps) needed to deliver the Target Intake Volume (V A — Tgt and V B — Tgt ), for the current cycle (n). The Target Intake Volume consists of a nominal target intake and an Extend Deficiency Volume (see Equations (14) and (15) below) from the previous cycle. There is a plunger Retract Steps lookup table TAB Rtrct (based on the data of FIG. 10), which is a function of Target Intake Volume and is derived empirically. When the first intake is of medicinal fluid A from source 12 , the Plunger Reference Position transform is determined from the following equations:
X Ref =+169steps−TAB Rtrcl ( V A — Tgt ) (11)
V A — Tgt ={[( R A — Del )÷( R A — Del +R B — Del )](333 μl ) }−V A — cum —Def (n−1) (12)
[0099] where:
[0100] +169 steps is the nominal plunger extend position;
[0101] V A — Tgt is the Target Intake Volume for medicinal fluid A.
[0102] R A — Del is the user specified delivery rate for medicinal fluid A;
[0103] R B — Del is the user specified delivery rate for medicinal fluid B (in the multi-channel pumping case, see FIGURE 4 );
[0104] 333 μl is the nominal plunger stroke volume at 0 psig; and
[0105] V A— Cum — Def (n−1) is the Cumulative Deficiency Volume from the previous cycle for medicinal fluid A.
[0106] When the first intake is medicinal fluid A, the Target Intake Volume for medicinal fluid B is defined by the following equation (refer to FIG. 4):
V B —Tgt =333 μl −V A — Tgt . (13)
[0107] As noted above, the microprocessor of control unit 17 determines any volume deficiency for the current pump cycle, and adds the deficiency to the Target Intake Volume calculated above. The following equations are used to calculate the plunger Extend Deficiency Volume (V A — Def ) and Cumulative Deficiency Volume (V A — Cum — Def ):
V A — Cum — Def ( n ) =V A — Cum — Def (n−1) +V A —Def ( n ) (14)
V A — Def =( V B — lnt −V B —Tgl )−( V A — Int −V A — Tgt ) (15)
[0108] where:
[0109] V A — Int is the Actual Intake Volume for medicinal fluid A;
[0110] V A — Tgt is the Target Intake Volume for medicinal fluid A;
[0111] V B — Int is the Actual Intake Volume for medicinal fluid B; and
[0112] V B — Tgt is the Target Intake Volume for medicinal fluid B.
[0113] As noted above, Part 5 in the pump cycle of FIG. 4 begins (and Part 4 ends) when supply valve 20 moves from its open position to its closed position. Supply valve 18 remains in its closed position, as does outlet valve 32 . Inlet valve 28 remains in the open position. A Proximal Reference Pressure is determined using proximal pressure sensor 24 and the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)). Preferably, the first eight pressure samples are averaged. Plunger 42 is moved from intake position 49 a (the Plunger Reference Position calculated in Part 4 for medicinal fluid A) until proximal pressure sensor 24 measures a 1 psi pressure drop 53 at trap 26 . As noted above, this known pressure change will be used in conjunction with the Cassette Compliance transform (described below) to calculate a Plunger CM Position (intake position 49 b , corresponding to the volume of medicinal fluid B required for the maximum accuracy of the next pump cycle). The movement of plunger 42 from the Plunger Reference Position (intake position 49 a ) to the Plunger CM Position (intake position 49 b ) should not exceed 84 steps, or approximately one half of a full stroke of 169 steps. Under ideal operating conditions, a movement of less than 10 steps is normally sufficient. Preferably, if the movement exceeds 84 steps, an alarm will sound to alert a user of an error condition. One possible cause of an error condition would be a leaking cassette. Proximal pressure sensor 24 is then used to determine a Proximal CM Pressure, again using the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)). The Plunger Reference Position, the Plunger CM Position, the Proximal Reference Pressure, and the Proximal CM Pressure are then used to determine the Cassette Compliance using the Cassette Compliance transform.
[0114] The Cassette Compliance is needed to determine the volume of fluid in the cassette as a function of pressure and plunger position. There is a Nominal Cassette Volume lookup table (based on the data of FIG. 9), which is a function of plunger position and is derived empirically. This lookup table is stored in the memory of control unit 17 and is available to the microprocessor when the algorithm is used to compensate for a differential pressure. The Cassette Compliance is a ratio of the change in Nominal Cassette Volumes at two plunger positions and the corresponding change in proximal pressures, as follows:
C Cass =[TAB N — C — V ( X 1 )−TAB N — C — V ( X 0 ) ]÷[P Px (0) −P Px ( 1 )] (16)
[0115] Part 6 of the pump cycle in FIG. 4 begins with supply valve 18 moving from its closed position to its open position. Supply valve 20 remains in its closed position, as does outlet valve 32 . Inlet valve 28 remains in its open position. Plunger 42 moves from the Plunger CM Position (intake position 49 b for medicinal fluid B), to plunger home position 44 . The Actual Intake Volumes for medicinal fluid A and B are computed by applying the Actual Intake Volume transform (described below) as a function of the Plunger Reference Position, the Plunger CM Position, the Distal Suspend Pressure, the Distal PC Pressure, the Proximal Reference Pressure, the Proximal Suspend Pressure, and the Cassette Compliance. At the end of Part 6 , the microprocessor of control unit 17 determines any volume deficiency for the current pump cycle, and adds the deficiency to the Target Intake Volume for the next cycle (as described above with respect to Part 4 of FIG. 3). It should be noted that plunger 42 always returns to plunger home position 44 , even if such a position results in a less than optimal Actual Intake Volume for medicinal fluid B. Generally, the Actual Intake Volume for medicinal fluid B will represent a deficiency rather than a surplus of medicinal fluid B. This deficiency is recorded and targeted to be corrected in future pumping cycles. When the deficiency is small, it is preferable to accumulate the deficiency over several pump cycles and correct the accumulated deficiency when it exceeds a corresponding plunger position correction of 30 steps. Empirical data have indicated that attempting to correct smaller deficiencies results in lower accuracy.
[0116] The following functional relationships are used to calculate Actual Intake Volumes (V A —Int and V B — Int ), for the current pump cycle (n). An intake volume consists of three components: nominal intake, error volume due to distal pressure injection, and error volume due to Cassette Compliance. There will be a Nominal Cassette Volume lookup table, TAB N —C — V (based on the data from FIG. 9), which is a function of plunger position and is derived empirically. At the plunger extend position, there is an error volume due to distal injection, which is calculated using the Pumping Chamber Extend Volume lookup table (based on the data of FIG. 7) as a function of the distal differential pressure (P DxSus +P DxPC ). As the plunger is moved from +169 steps to X Ref , there is an error volume due to cassette compliance as a function of proximal differential pressure (P PxRef −P PxSus ). When the first intake is from medicinal fluid A, source 12 , the Actual Intake Volume transform for this source is defined by the following equations:
V A — Int =V A — Nom +V DxInj +V A — Δp (17)
V A — Int =A +[TAB Ext — V ( P DxPC )]+[(P PxRef −P PxSus ) *C cass] (18)
[0117] where:
A =[TAB N — C — V ( X Ref )−TAB N — C — V (+169 steps)]+[TAB Ext — V ( P DxSus )] (19)
C Cass =[TAB N — C — V ( X CM )−TAB N — C — V ( X Ref ) ÷[P PxRef −P PxCM] (20)
[0118] and where:
[0119] V A — Nom is the nominal intake volume of medicinal fluid A;
[0120] V Dxinj is the error volume due to distal infusion at +169 steps;
[0121] V A — ΔP is the error volume due to Cassette Compliance; and
[0122] C Cass is the Cassette Compliance between X Ref and X CM .
[0123] If multi-channel pumping is employed to infuse both medicinal fluids A and B, the following relationships are used:
V B —Int =V B — Nom −V A — ΔP (21)
V B — Int =TAB N — C — V (0)−TAB N — C — V ( X Ref )]−[( P PxRef −P PxSus ) * C Cass] (22)
[0124] where:
[0125] V B — Nom is the nominal intake volume for medicinal fluid B.
[0126] The first pump cycle is then complete, and when the microprocessor of control unit 17 determines that a new pump cycle should be initiated (to meet a programmed medicinal fluid delivery rate), the process repeats. For the second cycle, the magnitudes of the pressure compensation at position 46 a of the plunger, the duration of time segment 45 a , as well as the values of proximal pressure spike 51 a and Distal Pressure Spike 50 a all can change from the corresponding magnitudes of those elements in the previous pump cycle.
[0127] While the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes both a proximal and a distal pressure sensor, it is contemplated that the present invention can also be applied to increase the accuracy of cassette pumps having only a distal pressure sensor. The actual pressure reading by the distal pressure sensor with the outlet valve of the cassette in its closed position is used for a first distal pressure reading, and then a second distal pressure reading is taken while the outlet valve is opened. Any differential pressure between the first and second pressure readings (corresponding to a chamber pressure and an outlet flow pressure) is then compensated using the algorithm with empirically determined parameters and lookup tables, as described above, to adjust the plunger position at the start of each successive pump cycle. In such a system, the algorithm does not compensate for any differential pressure in the first pump cycle.
[0128] Exemplary Summary of the Parts of a Dual Line Pump Cycle
[0129] Pumping Cycle Part 1 : Equilibrate pumping chamber 30 to the Distal Pressure
[0130] Step 1 While closing inlet valve 28 , measure the proximal pressure every step and determine the Proximal Suspend Pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)), on the first eight data samples.
[0131] Step 2 Compute the Distal Suspend Pressure by applying the Proximal to Distal Pressure transform (Equation (3)) to the Distal Pressure Spike from the previous cycle.
[0132] Step 3 Measure the distal pressure and determine the Distal Deliver Pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure (Equation (1)) transform.
[0133] Step 4 Compute the number of steps to equilibrate the pressure of pumping chamber 30 to the distal pressure by applying the Distal Equilibration Steps (Equations (8) and (9)) transform to the Deliver Distal Pressure and the Distal Suspend Pressure (computed during the previous delivery cycle).
[0134] Step 5 Move plunger 42 accordingly.
[0135] Pumping Cycle Part 2 : Determine the Distal Pressure Spike 50 (to be used in the next cycle), compute the Extend Step Period/time segment 45 , and move plunger 42 to +169 steps position 48 .
[0136] Step 6 While opening outlet valve 32 , sample the distal pressure at intervals of 2 ms/sample for 50 ms.
[0137] Step 7 Compute Distal Pressure Spike 50 by applying the Distal Spike Amplitude (Equations (4) and (5)) transform to the Distal Pressure Samples.
[0138] Step 8 Compute Extend Step Period/time segment 45 by applying the Equilibrated Step Period transform (Equations (8) and (9)) as a function of the plunger position, Distal Suspend Pressure, and the Distal PC Pressure from the previous cycle.
[0139] Step 9 Move plunger 42 to +169 steps position 48 at Extend Step Period/time segment 45 .
[0140] Step 10 Compute and report the Actual Volume Delivered (Equation (10)).
[0141] Pumping Cycle Part 3 : Determine the Distal PC Pressure
[0142] Step 11 Initiate closing outlet valve 32 , followed by opening inlet valve 28 . While closing outlet valve 32 , measure the distal pressure every step and determine the Distal PC Pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)) to the first eight data samples.
[0143] Pumping Cycle Part 4 : Determine the Plunger Reference. Position and intake a computed Line A Target Intake Volume
[0144] Step 12 Open inlet valve 28 .
[0145] Step 13 Calculate Plunger Reference Position 49 a needed to get a Line A Target Intake Volume, by applying the Plunger Reference Position transform (Equations (11) and (12)). The Line A Target Intake Volume includes an Extend Deficiency Volume (Equations (14) and (15)) from the previous cycle.
[0146] Step 14 Retract from +169 steps position 48 to Plunger Reference Position 49 a.
[0147] Step 15 Close supply valve 20 (Line A medicinal fluid).
[0148] Pumping Cycle Part 5 : Determine the Cassette Compliance
[0149] Step 16 Determine the Proximal Reference Pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)).
[0150] Step 17 Move plunger 42 , to decrease the proximal pressure at trap 26 by 1.0 psi (pressure drop 53 ). The movement should not exceed 84 steps from Plunger Reference Position 49 a This position is Plunger CM Position 49 b.
[0151] Step 18 Determine the Proximal CM Pressure by applying the Average Filter Pressure transform (Equation (1)).
[0152] Step 19 Compute the Cassette Compliance by applying the Cassette Compliance transform (Equation (16)) as a function of Plunger Reference Position and Plunger CM Position, Proximal Reference and Proximal CM Pressures.
[0153] Pumping Cycle Part 6 : Intake Line B fluid from the Plunger CM to Plunger Home position.
[0154] Step 20 Open medicinal fluid B supply valve 18 for Line B.
[0155] Step 21 Move plunger 42 to Plunger Home from the Plunger CM Position.
[0156] Step 22 Compute the Line A and Line B Actual Intake Volumes by applying the Actual Intake Volume transform (Equations (17) through (22)) as a function of Plunger Reference Position, Plunger CM Position, Distal Suspend Pressure, Distal PC Pressure, Proximal Reference Pressure, Proximal Suspend Pressure, and Cassette Compliance. As noted above, the sequence in which a medicinal fluid is first introduced into pump chamber 30 is preferably alternated, so that medicinal fluid A is introduced into pump chamber 30 first in about as many pump cycles as medicinal fluid B is introduced into pump chamber 30 first.
[0157] As discussed above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be incorporated in Abbott Laboratories' PLUM A+™ Infusion Pump, which will be used in conjunction with its PLUM™ Cassette; however, a similar algorithm can be empirically determined for other designs of infusion cassettes and infusion pumps. It is envisioned that a particularly efficient combination of algorithm and infusion cassette would be an embodiment in which a single pressure sensor was incorporated into the pumping chamber itself. A functional requirement of the algorithm is that the pressure within the pumping chamber be known at various parts of the pump cycle. Because the existing PLUM™ Cassette includes a proximal pressure sensor and a distal pressure sensor, but not a pressure sensor within the pumping chamber, the algorithm described in detail above uses the pressure readings of the proximal and distal pressures, with the pump valves in the appropriate positions, to approximate the pressure within the pumping chamber at various times in the pump cycle. As described above, a correction may be required due to potential calibration differences between the proximal and -distai pressure sensors. Use of a single pressure sensor within the pumping chamber would eliminate the need for such a correction, thus simplifying the algorithm. Depending on the other functional requirements of the infusion cassette, proximal and distal pressure sensors may or may not be required. Thus, it is envisioned that the algorithm could be adapted to accommodate an infusion cassette with proximal, distal and pumping chamber pressure sensors, as well as an infusion cassette with only a pumping chamber pressure sensor.
[0158] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing it, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
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A pump used to infuse a fluid into a patient is controlled in accordance with an algorithm that enables a microprocessor to monitor and adjust each pump cycle to compensate for a differential pressure between the pump's inlet and outlet. The algorithm defines a fluid delivery protocol that is applied in controlling the operation of the pump to achieve a desired rate, volume, and timing of the fluid infusion. Fluid is delivered by the pump when a plunger compresses an elastomeric membrane overlying a fluid chamber. Due to the small volume of the chamber, an incremental change in the plunger position before the delivery stroke produces a significant change in the delivery pressure. At the beginning of a pump cycle, the microprocessor determines the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet of the pump, and adjusts the plunger position before the delivery stroke to compensate for the differential pressure. A retraction of the plunger from the home position decreases the delivery pressure of the fluid, and an advancement of the plunger increases it. After the position of the plunger is adjusted to compensate for the differential pressure, the pump cycle proceeds. Following the plunger stroke, the outlet pressure is used to determine the actual volume of fluid delivered. The duration of the plunger stroke in the next pump cycle is adjusted to compensate for any volume delivery error produced by the differential pressure compensation.
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This application is the national phase of international application PCT/US94/08046, filed 21 Jul. 1994, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/103,270, filed 6 Aug. 1993 now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed toward 2-aminoindan analogs that selectively bind to the dopamine D3 receptor in vitro. The dopamine D3 receptor was recently cloned by Sokoloff et al. (Nature, 347, 146 (1990)). It was hypothesized that this receptor subtype is of importance for the action of anti-psychotics. Interestingly, this receptor shows a high abundance in brain regions associated with emotional and cognitive functions.
Compounds with this profile may be useful in treating CNS disorders, e.g. schizophrenia, mania, depression, geriatric disorders, drug abuse and addiction, Parkinson's disease, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, circadian rhythm disorders and dementia.
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Americ, S. P. et al., Neuropharmacol., 21, 885 (1982) describes indan analogs compared with other dopamine agonists. Compounds with 5,6 substitution were found to be inactive in this model of food intake.
Americ, S. P. et al., Arch. Int. Pharmocodyn. Ther., 257, 263 (1982) describes 2-aminotetralin and 2-aminoindan analogs where the 5,6 dimethoxy substituted compound is again disclosed as inactive agents in an assay to evaluate contractions in vascular smooth muscle.
Bhatnagar, R. K. et al., Pharmacol., Biochem. Behav., 17(Suppl. 1), 11 (1982) discusses SAR studies of various structural entities including aminoindans which interact with dopamine receptors. The 5,6 dimethoxy indans are disclosed as inactive compounds.
Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 25, 858 (1982) describes 4,7-dimethoxy-2 aminoindans and their dopaminergic and cardiovascular actions.
Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 25, 1442 (1982) discloses the synthesis of the 5,6 di-methoxy and di-hydroxy indans and also some biology which shows they are devoid of dopamine receptor activity.
Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 27, 186 (1984) describes the synthesis of N-alkylated derivatives of 2-amino-4,6-dihydroxyindans.
Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 28, 515 (1985) describes the resolution of the 4-hydroxy aminoindan.
Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 29, 2016 (1986) describes the ortho OH/methyl, hydroxymethyl, formyl or carboxy derivatives of 2-aminoindans (4,5 substitution), aminotetralins and benz f!quinolines.
Hacksell, U. et al., J. Med. Chem., 24, 429 (1981) describes the synthesis of monophenolic 2-aminoindans as central dopamine receptor stimulants.
Ma, S. et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 256, 751 (1991) describes dopaminergic structure activity relationships of 2-aminoindans with mainly di-substitution in the 4,5 positions.
Nichols, D. E. et al., J. Med. Chem., 33, 703 (1990) describes noneurotoxic tetralin and indan analogues of 3,4 (methylenedioxy)amphetamine.
PCT Patent Publication No. WO90/07490 describes 2-aminotetralins and 2-aminoindans with aromatic substitution with an OCH 3 or OH in conjunction with a Br group.
European Patent 88302599.1 filed Mar. 24, 1988 discloses antiarrhythmic aminoindanes having a bicyclic structure and methyl group on the amine not disclosed in the subject invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,737 discloses trifluoromethyl substituted 1-aminoindanes whereas the subject invention is 2-aminoindanes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the subject invention is directed toward compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formula I: ##STR2## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently chosen from hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, OCH 3 , OH, OSO 2 CF 3 , OSO 2 CH 3 , SOR 5 , CO 2 R 5 , CONH 2 , CONR 5 R 6 , COR 5 , CF 3 , CN, SR 5 , SO 2 NH 2 , SO 2 NR 5 R 6 , SO 2 R 5 , --OCO--C 1 -C 6 alkyl, --NCO--C 1 -C 6 alkyl, --CH 2 O--C 1 -C 6 alkyl, --CH 2 OH, --CO-Aryl, --NHSO 2 -Aryl, --NHSO 2 --C 1 -C 15 alkyl, phthalimide, thiophenyl, pyrrol, pyrrolinyl, oxazol, halogen (Br, Cl, F, I), R 6 or R 1 and R 2 together form --O(CH 2 ) m O-- (where m is 1-2) or --CH 2 (CH 2 ) p CH 2 -- (where p is 1-4); (except that only one of R 1 and R 2 can be hydrogen, OCH 3 or OH in any such compound);
R 3 and R 4 are independently chosen from C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 3 -C 8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, --(CH 2 ) p -thienyl (where p is 1-4), hydrogen (except that only one of R 3 and R 4 can be hydrogen in any such compound) or C 1 -C 8 alkyl (except where R 1 or R 2 are hydrogen, OCH 3 or OH);
R 5 is hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl; and
R 6 is C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C2-C 8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, or Aryl.
In another aspect the subject invention is directed toward compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formula I, above, wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently chosen from hydrogen, OCH 3 , OH, OSO 2 CF 3 , OSO 2 CH 3 , SOR 5 , CO 2 R 5 , CONH 2 , CONR 5 R 6 , COR 5 , CF 3 , CN, SR 5 , SO 2 NH 2 , SO 2 NR SR 6 , SO 2 R 5 , halogen (Br, Cl, F), R 6 , or R 1 and R 2 together form --O(CH 2 ) m O-- (where m is 1-2);
R 3 and R 4 are taken together to form a --(CR 5 R 5 ) n -- ring structure bonded to said nitrogen atom where n is 4-8;
R 5 is hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl; and
R 6 is C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 2 -C 8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, or Aryl.
In yet another aspect, the subject invention is directed toward a method for treating central nervous system disorders associated with the dopamine D3 receptor activity in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a Formula I compound for alleviation of such disorder. Typically, the compound of Formula I is administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent.
In yet another aspect, the subject invention is directed toward a pharmaceutical composition for treating central nervous system disorders associated with the dopamine D3 receptor activity comprising an effective amount of a compound of Formula I with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed toward compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formula I as depicted above in either racemic or pure enantiomer forms. R 1 and R 2 are independently chosen as listed above; except that only one of R 1 and R 2 can be hydrogen, OCH 3 or OH in any such compound to avoid those compounds disclosed in the literature where similar R 1 and R 2 groups are chosen from hydrogen, OCH 3 and OH.
R 3 and R 4 are independently chosen as listed above except that only one of R 3 and R 4 can be hydrogen in any such compound to thereby eliminate the possibility of a primary amine being formed. Secondary and tertiary amines are the preferred structure. R 3 and R 4 can also independently be C 1 -C 8 alkyl except where R 1 or R 2 are hydrogen, OCH 3 or OH in order to avoid similar compounds disclosed in the literature (Hacksell, Cannon).
In a second variation of Formula I, R 3 and R 4 are taken together to form a --(CR 5 R 5 ) n -- ring structure bonded to said nitrogen atom where n is 4-8; thus R 1 and R 2 can be independently chosen from hydrogen, OCH 3 , OH, OSO 2 CF 3 , OSO 2 CH 3 , SOR 5 , CO 2 R 5 , CONH 2 , CONR 5 R 6 , COR 5 , CF 3 , CN, SR 5 , SO 2 NH 2 , SO 2 NR 5 R 6 , SO 2 R 5 , halogen (Br, Cl, F), R 6 , or R 1 and R 2 together form --O(CH 2 ) m O-- (where m is 1-2).
"Alkyl" are one to eight carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl and isomeric forms thereof.
"Aryl" are six to twelve carbon atoms such as phenyl, α-naphthyl, β-naphthyl, m-methylphenyl, p-trifluoromethylphenyl and the like. The aryl groups can also be substituted with one to three hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, or bromo groups.
"Cycloalkyl" are three to eight carbon atoms such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts of both inorganic and organic acids. The preferred pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts of the following acids: methanesulfonic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric, benzoic, citric, tartaric, fumaric or maleic.
The compounds of Formula I are active orally or parenterally. Orally the Formula I compounds can be given in solid dosage forms such as tablets or capsules, or can be given in liquid dosage forms such as elixirs, syrups or suspensions as is known to those skilled in the art. It is preferred that the Formula I compounds be given in solid dosage form and that it be a tablet.
Typically, the compounds of Formula I can be given in the amount of about 0.25 mg to about 100 mg/person, one to three times a day. Preferably, about 10 to about 50 mg/day in divided doses.
The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound of Formula I used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight, general physical condition of the particular patient, other medication the individual may be taking as is well known to those skilled in the art and can be more accurately determined by measuring the blood level or concentration of the active compound in the patient's blood and/or the patient's response to the particular condition being treated.
Thus, the subject compounds, along with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or buffer, can be administrated in a therapeutic or pharmacological amount effective to alleviate the central nervous system disorder with respect to the physiological condition diagnosed. The compounds can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, topically, transdermally such as by skin patches, buccally or orally to man or other vertebrates.
The compositions of the present invention can be presented for administration to humans and other vertebrates in unit dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, oral solutions or suspensions, oil in water and water in oil emulsions containing suitable quantities of the compound, suppositories and in fluid suspensions or solutions.
For oral administration, either solid or fluid unit dosage forms can be prepared. For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the compound can be mixed with conventional ingredients such as talc, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium aluminum silicate, calcium sulfate, starch, lactose, acacia, methylcellulose, and functionally similar pharmaceutical diluent or carrier materials. Capsules are prepared by mixing the compound with an inert pharmaceutical diluent and filling the mixture into a hard gelatin capsule of appropriate size. Soft gelatin capsules are prepared by machine encapsulation of a slurry of the compound with an acceptable vegetable oil, light liquid petrolatum or other inert oil.
Fluid unit dosage forms for oral administration such as syrups, elixirs, and suspensions can be prepared. The forms can be dissolved in an aqueous vehicle together with sugar, aromatic flavoring agents and preservatives to form a syrup. Suspensions can be prepared with an aqueous vehicle with the aid of a suspending agent such as acacia, tragacanth, methylcellulose and the like.
For parenteral administration, fluid unit dosage forms can be prepared utilizing the compound and a sterile vehicle. In preparing solutions, the compound can be dissolved in water for injection and filter sterilized before filling into a suitable vial or ampoule and sealing. Adjuvants such as a local anesthetic, preservative and buffering agents can be dissolved in the vehicle. The composition can be frozen after filling into a vial and the water removed under vacuum. The lyophilized powder can then be sealed in the vial and reconstituted prior to use.
Chemical Synthesis:
Chart A. Synthesis of 2-aminotetralin derivatives
Steps 1 and 2. Conversion of the 1-indanone to the oxime (A-1) followed by hydrogenation to the primary amine (A-2) can be performed by methods known in the art.
Step 3. The primary amine is reductively aminated to yield di-substitution (Preparation 7) or coupled with acid to form the amide (Preparation 16). This amide can be in turn reduced, with e.g. LAH. If appropriate, another acylation (Preparation 13) or akylation can take place. The primary amine could also be alkylated with an alkylhalide (preferably, alkylbromide or chloride) under basic conditions to yield N-alkyl or N-azacyclic derivatives.
Step 4. If one or more substituents on the aromatic ring is a methoxygroup, it may be converted to the corresponding phenol (A-4) using 48% HBr or lithium-diphenyl phosphine in THF.
Step 5. Conversion of the phenols to the triflates may be accomplished using methods know in the art such as triflic anhydride in base (Examples 2,3) or N-phenyltriflurormethanesulfonimide (Example 36).
Step 6. A di-triflate derivative (A-5, Example 3) can be convened to the di-carbomethoxy derivative via palladium chemistry (A-6, Example 9, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1987, 904). In addition, mono-carbomethoxy mono-hydroxy derivative is obtained in this transformation (A-6, Example 10). This di-triflate can also be convened to mono-hydroxy, mono-triflate by heating with triethylamine in DMF/MeOH (A-6, Example 7). This compound in turn can be converted by acetylation (Ac 2 O/pyridine) to mono-acetoxy, mono-triflate (A-6, Example 8) and by alkylation (NaH/DMF, MeI) to mono-methoxy, mono-triflate (A-6, Example 56), via the chemistry known in the art. Following the palladium chemistry described above, the mono-acetoxy, mono-triflate (A-6, Example 8) can be converted to mono-acetoxy, mono-carbomethoxy derivative (A-6, Example 54). Usng the simlar chemistry, the mono-methoxy, mono-triflate (A-6, Example 56) can be converted to mono-carbomethoxy, mono-methoxy derivative (A-6, Example 57) and mono-ethynyl, mono-methoxy derivative (A-6, Example 63), as well as to mono-acetyl, mono-methoxy derivative (A-6, Example 61) via the procedure of Example 52. The mono-carbomethoxy, mono-methoxy derivative can be converted to the fromyl derivative by DIBAL-H at low temperaure (A-6, Example 58), or to hydroxymethyl derivative (A-6, Example 59) by LAH, both methods knon in the art. The mono-carbomethoxy, mono-hydroxy derivative (A-6, Example 10) is converted to the mono-carbomethoxy mono-triflate derivative (Example 55), following the procedure of preparing di-triflate (Example 3), or basic hydrolysis (NaOH/MeOH-H 2 O) to mono-carboxy, mono-methoxy derivative (A-6, Example 60). The mono-carbomethoxy, mono-methoxy derivative (A-6, Example 57) can be converted to mono-carboxamido, mono-methoxy derivative (A-6, Example 62) via the procedure of Example 35. This in turn converted to mono-cyano, mono-methoxy derivative via the procedure of Example 53. The di-carbomethoxy derivative (A-6, Example 9) is converted to di-hydroxymethyl derivative (A-6, Example 64) via LAH reduction known in the art and in turn this is converted to di-methoxymethyl derivative (A-6, example 66) via the procedure of Example 56.
Chart B: Synthesis of the Methylene- and Ethylene-Dioxy Analogs
The di-ol (Example A4 from Chart A) is alkylated using bromomethane or dibromoethane in DMF and a base such as K 2 CO 3 .
Chart C.
Step 1. An amide (A-3) intermediate (such as Preparation 13) can be converted to the arylbromide (or aryliodide) (C-1) using procedure such as Br 2 /HOAc which is known in the art (Preparation 14 or 15).
Step 2. Reduction of the arylbromide-amide (C-1) using the reducing agent such as lithium lauminum hydride affords the arylbromide-amine (C-2, Preparation 17.
Step 3. The arylbromide (C-2) is converted to arylfriflurormethyl derivative (C-2) via heating in a mixture of sodium trifluoroacetate, copper (I) iodide, and N-methylpyridone (Example 48, Chem Lett 1981,1719). Or the arylbromide (C-2) is lithiated, reacted with sulfur dioxide, followed by sulfuryl chloride treatment and ammonia gas to yield arylsulfonamide (Example 49, Organomet. Chem. Rev. Sect. A 1970, 5, 281). The trifluoromethansulfonyloxy dervative (Example 2) can be converted via palladium chemistry to thiophene derivative (C-2, Example 50, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5478; Synthesis 1980, 727), ethynyl derivative (C-2, Example 51, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5478), or acetyl derivative (C-2, Example 52, J. Org Chem. 1990, 55, 3654). The carboxamido derivative (Example 35) also can be converted to the cyano derivative (C-2, Example 53, J. Med. Chem. 196811, 322) using POCl 3 /DMF, a method known in the art.
Chart D.
Step 1. The diamine (from, PCT/US94/02800) can be converted to compounds with a variety of substituents on the aromatic ring (D-1) e.g. Examples 20. 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, and 30.
Step 2. The N-benzyl group can be removed using hydrogenolysis conditions known in the art (see Examples 24) to yield the secondary amines (D-2)
Step 3. The secondary amines can be further converted to the tertiary amine via the condtions described in Step 3, Chart A (as in Example 26).
Chart E: Synthesis of 1-indanones
Step 1: Conversion of a substituted benzaldehyde to the cinnamic acid derivative (E-1) can be achieved by methods known in the art.
Step 2: The cinnamic acid can be reduced using hydrogenation conditions to yield the saturated acid (E-2).
Step 3: The acid is cyclized using Friedel Crafts acylation by one of the various methods known in the art (heating in polyphosphoric acid, or conversion to the acyl chloride followed by cyclization using a Lewis acid such as AlCl 3 ) to yield the substituted 1-indanones (E-3).
Preparation of Intermediates and Specific Examples:
Preparation 1. 5-Methoxy-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A).
This compound was synthesized from 5-methoxy-1-indanone using the procedure outlined in Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 25, 1442 (1982). Briefly, to a solution of 5-methoxy-1-indanone (500 mg, 3 mmol) in 20 mL methanol at 40° C. was added n-butylnitrite (0.4 mL, 3.4 mmol) followed by 0.3 mL conc. HCl. The solution was stirred for 30 minutes, during which time a white precipitate was formed. The solution was then cooled to 0° C. on an ice bath and the precipitate filtered and dried to yield an off white solid (465 mg, 85%); mp 226°-227° C.
Preparation 2. 5,6 -Dimethoxy-2-oximo-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A).
This compound was prepared as outlined in Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 25, 1442 (1982).
Preparation 3. 5-Fluoro-2-oximo-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A).
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 1 using 5-fluoro-1-indanone to yield the title compound as a white solid (1.99 g, 84%); mp 204°-206° C.
Preparation 4. 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A).
This preparation was carried out following the procedure outlined in Cannon, J. G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 25, 1442 (1982). Briefly, to a solution of oxime (Preparation 1) in acetic acid (70 mL) and sulfuric acid (4.9 mL) was added 10% Pd/C and hydrogenated at 50 psi for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered over celite and concentrated. This material was used as is in the following reactions. The amine could also be extracted using chloroform from a basic solution to yield the amine free base as a solid.
Preparation 5. 5,6-Dimethoxy-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A).
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 4 using the oximes prepared in Preparation 2.
Preparation 6. 5-Fluoro-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A).
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 4 using the oxime prepared in Preparation 3.
Preparation 7. 5-Methoxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
To a solution of 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindan (Preparation 4, 4.9 g, 30 mmol) in 1,2 dichloroethane (100 mL) and THF (30 mL) was added TEA to pH 4-5. Propionaldehyde (8.7 mL, 120 mmol) was added followed by sodium triacetoxyborohydride (19.07 g, 90 mmol) in portions. The reaction was concentrated to remove solvents followed by addition of 10% HCl. The solution was basified using 1N NaOH to pH>10 and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried, filtered and evaporated to yield a yellow orange solid. This solid was purified by column chromatography using methylene chloride/methanol (19:1) to yield an oil. The oil was converted to the HCl salt and recrystallized using methanol/ethyl acetate; mp 165°-167° C.
Preparation 8. 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
The title compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 5,6-dimethoxy-2-aminoindan (Preparation 5) to yield a white solid; mp 210°-213° C.
Preparation 9. 5-Hydroxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan hydrobromide (A-3, Chart A).
A solution of 5-methoxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (Preparation 7, 1.6 g, 6.5 mmol) in 48% HBr (10 mL) was refluxed at 100° C. overnight. The solution was concentrated to dryness and recrystallized from methanol/ether to yield a light gray solid (1.6 g, 80%) as the hydrobromide salt, 206°-207° C.
Preparation 10. 5,6-dihydroxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 9 using 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (Preparation 8) to yield a light gray solid; mp 275°-280° C.
Preparation 11. 5-Methoxy-2-(di-methyl)indan (A-3, Chart A).
The title compound was prepared from 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindan (Preparation 4) using the preparation outlined in Preparation 7 using formaldehyde replacing the propionaldehyde to yield a white solid; mp 206°-207° C.
Preparation 12. 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(di-n-butylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
The title compound was prepared from 5,6-dimethoxy-2-aminoindan (preparation 5) using the preparation outlined in Preparation 7 using n-butylaldehyde replacing the propionaldehyde to yield a white solid; mp 142°-143° C.
Preparation 13. 2-N-Indan-2-yl-N-propyl-propionamide. (A-3, Chart A)
To a solution of N-indan-2-yl-propylamine (9.5 g, 54.3 mmol) in methylene chloride was added aq. Na 2 CO 3 (150 mL, 3%) followed by propionyl chloride (7.5 mL, 86.3 mmol). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with water, separated and dried (MgSO 4 ). Evaporation of the solvent yielded 7 g (56%) of N-indan-2-yl-N-propyl-propionamide. MS m/e 231 (1, M+), 116 (100), 117 (23), 57 (11), 146 (9).
Preparation 14. N-(6-Bromo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamide. (C-1, Chart C)
N-Indan-2-yl-N-propyl-propionamide (Preparation 13, 1 g, 4.32 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (100 mL). Glacial acetic acid was added to adjust the pH to 4. This was followed by the addition of bromine (0.4 ml, 7.78 mmol). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 8 h. Additional bromine (0.2 ml, 3.89 mmol) was added and the solution was refluxed for 18 h. Since the reaction was not complete another portion of bromine (0.2 ml, 3.89 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was refluxed for another 4 h. The organic layer was extracted with aqueous Na 2 CO 3 (10%) and the layers were separated. The organic layer was dried (MgSO 4 ). The solvent was evaporated and the remaining crude product was chromatographed (SiO 2 ) with n-hexane:ethyl acetate (4:1) as eluant. The pure fractions were pooled yielding 0.45 g (34%) of N-(6-Bromo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamide. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.85 (t, 3H), 1.15 (t, 3H), 1.50-1.65 (m, 2H), 2.30-2.50 (m, 2H), 2.90-3.25 (m, 6H), 4.70-5.10 (m, 1H), 7.00-7.10 (t, 1H), 7.25-7.40 (m, 2); MS m/e 309 (1, M+), 116 (100), 115 (92), 194 (57), 196 (55).
Preparation 15. N-(5-Iodo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamide and N-(4-Iodo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamide. (C-1, Chart C)
N-Indan-2-yl-N-propyl-propion-amide (preparation 13, 210 mg, 0.97 mmol), solid iodine (280 mg, 1.1 mmol) and silver nitrate (190 mg, 1.12 mmole) were dissolved in dichloromethane (30 mL) and stirred for 48 h. Additional iodine (560 mg) and silver nitrate (380 mg) were added and the mixture was stirred for further 72 h. The organic layer was washed with aq. Na 2 CO 3 (10%), dried (MgSO 4 ) and the solvent evaporated to yield a mixture of two regio isomers (ratio 96:4) with similar mass spectra: MS m/e 357 (3, M+), 272 (13), 242 (100), 115 (57), 57 (12).
Preparation 16. 5,6-di-methoxy-2-N-indan-2-yl-propionamide. (A-3, Chart A)
A solution of 5,6-di-methoxy-2-aminoindan (Preparation 5, 700 mg, 3.6 mmol), propionic acid (0.29 mL, 3.98 mmol), triethylamine (0.62 mL, 4.5 mmol) and diethylphosphonate (0.6 mL, 3.98 mmol) in methylene chloride (40 mL) was stirred at rt for 3 h. The solution was concentrated and purified by chromatography on 100 g silica gel eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (45:1) to yield the title compound as an off-white solid (750 mg, 85%): MS m/e 249, 176, 161,146, 133.
Preparation 17. 5,6-di-methoxy-2-(propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
To a suspension of lithium aluminum hydride in THF (10 mL) was added 5,6-di-methoxy-2-N-indan-2-yl-propionamide. (Preparation 16, 750 mg, 3 mmol) in THF (10 mL). The solution was stirred at rt for 3 h, then refluxed for 2 h. The mixture was cooled and 1N NaOH and water added slowly. This mixture was stirred then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and evaporated to yield an oil. The oil was chromatographed on 100 g silica gel eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (9:1) to yield the title compound as an oil (600 mg, 85%): MS m/e 235, 220, 206, 178, 166, 151.
Preparation 18. 5,6-di-hydroxy-2-(propylamino)indan (A-5, Chart A)
A solution of 5,6-di-methoxy-2-(propylamino)indan (Preparation 17, 600 mg, 2.5 mmol) in HBr (48%, 5 mL) was refluxed overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated with ethanol to yield a brown black solid that was used without further purification.
Preparation 19. 4-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 1 using 4-methyl-1-indanone (Johnson Mathey Co, lot #J21F) to yield the title compound as a white solid (680 mg, 57%); mp 204° C.
Preparation 20. 4-methyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 4 using the oxime prepared in Preparation 19 to yield a yellow oil which was used without further purification.
Preparation 21. 3,4-di-methyl cinnamic acid (E-1, Chart E)
This material was made as described in J. Heterocyclic. Chem., 24, 677 (1987). Briefly, a solution of 3,4-benzaldehyde (5 g, 37.3 mmol) and malonic acid (5.82 g, 56 mmol) in pyridine (15 mL) and piperidine (5 mL) was refluxed (bath temp 120° C.) for 6 h. The reaction was cooled to rt and concentrated HCl added dropwise to pH 1. The resulting precipitate was collected, washed with water and dried to yield a white solid (6.1 g, 93%): mp 171°-172° C.
Preparation 22. 3,4-(dimethylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
To a solution of 3,4-di-methyl cinnamic acid (Preparation 21, 3.3 g, 18.7 mmol) in methanol (150 mL) was added Pd/C (10%, 330 mg) and hydrogenated at 30 psi for 15 min. The reaction was filtered over celite and the filtrate concentrated to yield the title compound as a white solid (3.1 g, 94%): mp 81°-83° C.
Preparation 23. 6,7-di-methyl-1-indanone and 5,6-di-methyl-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E).
To 3,4-(dimethylphenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 22, 2 g, 11.2 mmol) was added polyphosphoric acid (PPA) as a syrup. This was heated at 90° C. with stirring. The solid slowly went into solution (with color change). After approx. 1.5 h, the reaction was quenched with water while stirring, basified to pH 8 and stirred with methylene chloride. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted with methylene chloride (3×100 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated to yield an oil which solidified upon standing (1.65 g, 92%). This material was chromatographed to separate the two isomers using 200 g silica gel eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate 9:1 to yield first 6,7-di-methyl-1-indanone as a white solid (740 mg): mp 43°-44° C.; followed by 5,6,-di-methyl-1-indanone as a white solid (925 mg): mp 86.7° C.
Preparation 24. 4,5-di-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 1 using 6,7-di-methyl-1-indanone (Preparation 23) to yield the title compound as an off-yellow solid (450 mg, 60%): mp 219°-220° C.
Preparation 25. 5,6-di-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 1 using 5,6-di-methyl-1-indanone (Preparation 23) to yield the title compound as an off-white solid (760 mg, 77%): mp 127° C. dec
Preparation 26. 4,5-di-methyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 4 using 6,7-di-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 24) to yield the title compound which was used without further purification in Example 38.
Preparation 27. 5,6-di-methyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
This compound was prepared using the method described in Preparation 4 using 5,6-di-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 25) to yield the title compound which was used without further purification in Example 39.
Preparation 28. 4-(methylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 4-methyl cinnamic acid (commercially available from Aldrich) to yield a white solid (10.38 g, 100%): mp 115°-116° C.
Preparation 29. 6-methyl-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 4-(methylphenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 28) to yield yellowish solid (1.73 g, 99%) as a mixture of product and over-reacted dimer (80:20): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.65-7.22 (m, 3H), 3.11-3.07 (m, 2H), 2.70-2.66 (m, 2H), 2.40 (s, 3H). Material was used without further purification.
Preparation 30. 6-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 6-methyl-1-indanone (Preparation 29) to yield a green solid (0.47 g, 40%): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.67-7.40 (m, 3H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 2.42 (s, 3H); MS theory for C 10 H 9 O 2 : 175.0633, observed: 175.0635.
Preparation 31. 6-methyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 6-methyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 30) to yield a liquid which was used without purification in Example 40.
Preparation 32. 2-(fluorophenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 2-fluoro-cinnamic acid (commercially available from Aldrich) to yield a white solid (3.16 g, 100%): mp 76°-77° C.
Preparation 33. 4-Fluoro-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 2-(fluorophenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 32) to yield yellowish solid (590 mg, 66%) as a mixture of product and over-reacted dimer: 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.61-7.20(m, 3H), 3.11-3.07 (m, 2H), 2.69-2.65 (m, 2H). Material was used without further purification.
Preparation 34. 4-Fluoro-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 4-Fluoro-1-indanone (Preparation 33). No precipitate formed so the reaction mixture was concentrated and ether added. The solid was collected to yield a side product. The mother liquor (540 mg, brown oil) was determined to be the title compound.
Preparation 35. 4-Fluoro-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 4-Fluoro-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 34) to yield a liquid residue which was used without purification in Example 41.
Preparation 36. 4-(i-propyl)cinnamic acid (E-1, Chart E).
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 21 using 4-(i-propyl)-benzaldehyde (commercially available from Aldrich) to yield a white solid (5.98 g, 93%): mp 157°-159° C.
Preparation 37. 4-(i-propylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 4-(i-propyl)cinnamic acid (Preparation 36) to yield a white solid (1.95 g, 96%): mp 69°-71° C.
Preparation 38. 6-(i-propyl)-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 4-(i-propylphenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 37) to yield an oil (970 mg, 86%): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.64-7.13 (m, 3H), 3.12-3.09 (m, 1H), 2.99-2.87 (m, 2H), 2.72-2.66 (m, 2H), 1.35-1.22 (m, 6H).
Preparation 39. 6-(i-propyl)-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 6-(i-propyl)-1-indanone (Preparation 38). No precipitate formed so the reaction mixture was concentrated and ether added. The solid was collected to yield the title compound: mp 188°-190° C.
Preparation 40. 5-(i-propyl)-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 6-(i-propyl)-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 39) to yield a liquid residue which was used without purification in Example 42
Preparation 41. 2,4-dimethyl-cinnamic acid (E-1, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 21 using 2,4-dimethylbenzaldehyde (commercially available from Aldrich) to yield a white solid (2.92 g, 75%): mp 176°-177° C.
Preparation 42. 2,4-(di-methylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 2,4-dimethyl-cinnamic acid (Preparation 41) to yield a white solid (1.05 g, 96%): mp 104°-105° C.
Preparation 43. 4,6-dimethyl-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 2,4-(di-methylphenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 42) to yield an off-white solid (780 mg, 87%): mp 113-114 C.
Preparation 44. 4,6-dimethyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 4,6-methyl-1-indanone (Preparation 43). No precipitate formed so the reaction mixture was concentrated and ether added. The solid was collected to yield the title compound as a yellow solid (565 mg, 70%); mp>200° C. dec.
Preparation 45. 4,6-dimethyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 4,6-dimethyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 44) to yield a liquid residue which was used without purification in Example 44
Preparation 46. 2,5-dimethyl-cinnamic acid (E-1, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 21 using 2,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde (commercially available from Aldrich) to yield a white solid (3.19 g, 82%): mp 129°-131° C.
Preparation 47. 2,5-(di-methylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 2,5-dimethyl-cinnamic acid (Preparation 46) to yield a clear oil (0.95 g, 94%): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.05-6.93 (m, 3H), 2.94-2.89 (m, 2H), 2.65-2.60 (m, 2H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H).
Preparation 48. 4,7-dimethyl-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 2,5-(di-methylphenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 47) to yield an off-white solid (678 mg, 79%): mp 65°-72° C.
Preparation 49. 4,7-dimethyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 4,7-methyl-1-indanone (Preparation 48). No precipitate formed so the reaction mixture was concentrated and ether added. The solid was collected to yield the title compound (650 mg, 41%): mp 209°-210° C.
Preparation 50. 4,7-dimethyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 4,7-dimethyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 49) to yield a liquid residue which was used without purification in Example 45.
Preparation 51. 4-propyl-cinnamic acid (E-1, Chart E).
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 21 using 4-propyl-benzaldehyde (commercially available from Kodak) to yield a white solid (3.75 g, 97%): mp 158°-160° C.
Preparation 52. 4-(propylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 4-propyl-cinnamic acid (Preparation 51) to yield a white solid (1.99 g, 99%): mp 66°-70° C.
Preparation 53. 6-propyl-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 4-(propylphenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 52) to yield an oil (780 mg, 88%): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.66-7.11 (m, 3H), 3.12-3.09 (m, 1H), 2.71-2.52 (m, 4H), 1.74-1.58 (m, 2H), 1.5-0.98 (m, 3H).
Preparation 54. 6-propyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 6-propyl-1-indanone (Preparation 53). No precipitate formed so the reaction mixture was concentrated and used without further purification: MS m/e 203, 186, 174, 160, 146, 129, 116; HR MS theory for C 12 H 13 NO 2 : 203.0946, observed: 203.0960.
Preparation 55. 5-propyl-2-aminoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 6-propyl-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 54) to yield a liquid residue which was used without purification in Example 46
Preparation 56. 4-(t-butylphenyl)propionic acid (E-2, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 22 using 4-(t-butyl)-cinnamic acid (commercially available form EMKA-Chemie) to yield a white solid (1.96 g, 97%): mp 111°-112° C.
Preparation 57. 6-(t-butyl)-1-indanone (E-3, Chart E)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 23 using 4-(t-butyl)-phenyl)propionic acid (Preparation 56) to yield an yellow solid (900 mg, 56%): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.78 (d, J=1.8 hz, 1H), 7.68-7.65 (dd, J=1.9 Hz, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.43-7.41 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 3.12-3.08 (m, 2H), 2.72-2.68 (m, 2H), 1.34 (s, 9H).
Preparation 58. 6-(t-butyl)-2-oximino-1-indanone (A-1 , Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 1, using 6-(t-butyl)-1-indanone (Preparation 57) to yield a white solid: mp 220°-221° C.
Preparation 59. 5-(t-butyl)-2-ammoindan (A-2, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the same procedure outlined in Preparation 4, using 6-(t-butyl)-2-oximino-1-indanone (Preparation 54) to yield a liquid residue which was used without purification in Example 47
EXAMPLE 1
5-Fluoro-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
The title compound was prepared from 5-fluoro-2-aminoindan (Preparation 6) using the preparation outlined in Preparation 7 to yield a white solid; mp 160°-161° C.
EXAMPLE 2
5-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-2-(n-propylamino)indan (A-4 Chart A).
To a solution of 5-hydroxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (Preparation 9, free base, 150 mg, 0.5 mmol), 2,6 lutidine (0.15 mL), 2 mg dimethylaminopyridine in methylene chloride (20 mL) at -30° C. was added triflic anhydride (0.13 mL, 9.75 mmol). The solution was allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction was extracted with methylene chloride and 10% HCl. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried, filtered, and concentrated to yield an oil. The oil was chromatographed on 400 mg silica gel eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (19:1) to yield an oil. The HCl salt was made and recrystallized from methanol/ethyl acetate to yield a white solid; mp 188°-194° C.
EXAMPLE 3
5,6-(di-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-2-(n-propylamino)indan (A-4, Chart A).
The title compound was synthesized using the procedure outlined in Example 6 using 5,6-dihydroxy-2-(n-propylamino)indan (Preparation 10) and was recrystallized from ether/ethyl acetate to yield a white solid (129 mg, 90%); mp 157°-163° C.
EXAMPLE 4
5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (B-1, Chart B).
5,6-Dihydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan hydrobromide (400 mg, 1.21 mmol) was dissolved in dimethylformamide/acetonitrile (8 mL, 1:1). Potassium carbonate (1.67 g, 12.1 mmol) and 1,2-dibromomethane (0.09 mL, 1.3 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated at 100° C. overnight. Water was added and the reaction mixture concentrated to remove solvents. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (5×75 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated to yield an oil. The crude material was chromatographed (200 g silica gel) eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (19:1) to yield an oil. The oil was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using methanol/ethyl acetate/ether: mp 168°-269° C.
EXAMPLE 5
5,6-Ethylenedioxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (B-1, Chart B).
5,6-Dihydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan hydrobromide (200 mg, 0.6 mmol) was reacted with 1,2-dibromoethane (0.05 mL, 0.66 mmol) under the same reaction conditions as Example 4. The crude material was chromatographed (200 g silica gel) eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (9:1) to yield an oil. The oil was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using methanol/ethyl acetate/ether: mp 210°-215° C.
EXAMPLE 6
5,6-dimethoxy-2(pyrrolidino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
To a solution of 5,6-dimethoxy-2-aminoindan (Preparation 5, 4.5 mmol) in dimethylformamide/acetonitrile (1:6, 49 mL) was added sodium carbonate (1.43 g, 13.5 mmol) and was heated (100° C.) overnight. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, filtered and the filtrate concentrated. The oily residue was chromatographed (400 g silica gel) eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (9:1) to yield a yellow oil. The oil was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized from methanol/ethyl acetate: mp 267°-269° C.
EXAMPLE 7
5-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-6-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A).
A mixture of 5,6-(di-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (Example 3, 4 mmol) and triethylamine (4.4 mmol, 0.6 mL) in DMF/methanol (3:1, 20 mL) was heated at 70° C. for 3 h. The reaction was quenched with water and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic layers were washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated to give a dark brown oil. Chromatography using 400 g, silica, eluting with hexane/acetone (3:1) yielded a light yellow oil (1.18 g, 78%). The HCl salt was formed and crystallized from ethyl acetate/methanol to give the title compound as a white solid; mp 235°-237° C.
EXAMPLE 8
5-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-6-acetoxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (A-5, Chart A).
5-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-6-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (Example 7, 1.18 g, 3.1 mmol) was stirred in a mixture of acetic anhydride (1 mL), pyridine (2 mL) and methylene chloride (10 mL) at rt for 24 h. The reaction was quenched with methanol (2 mL), stirred for 1 h followed by extraction using methylene choride. The organic layers were washed with water, satd. sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated. The oil was chromatographed on 400 mg silica gel eluting with hexane/acetone (3:1) to geive a light yellow oil. The HCl salt was formed and crystallized from methanol/ethyl acetate/hexane to yield the title compound as a white solid: mp 190°-191° C.
EXAMPLES 9 AND 10
5,6-(di-carbomethoxy)-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (A-5, Chart A) and 5-(carbomethoxy)-6-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
To a solution of 5,6-(di-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (Example 3, 15 mmol, 7.7 g) and triethylamine (66 mmol) in methanol/DMF (1:3) which had been degassed with nitrogen followed by CO (gas) was added a solution of palladium acetate (3 mmol) and dppp (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)-propane) in DMF/methanol (3:1) which had also been degassed with nitrogen. The bubbling of CO gas continued for 6 hours at 60° C. The mixture was cooled to rt, acidified with 6N HCl and basified with saturated sodium bicarbonate. This mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate/hexane (3:1, 2×800 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and concentrated to give a brown oil. The oil was chromatographed on 800 g silica gel eluting with hexane/acetone (3:1) to give 5-(carbomethoxy)-6-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan as the leasst polar product (0.37 g). This was converted to the HCl salt and crystallized from ethyl acetate/methanol to give white solid: mp 178°-179° C. Also, 5,6-(di-carbomethoxy)-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan was obtained (0.4 g). The HCl salt was formed and crystallized from ethyl acetate/methanol to give a white solid: mp 202°-203° C. The major product was 5-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-6-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)indan (3.3 g) (see Example 7).
EXAMPLE 11
5-Bromo-2-(dipropylamino)indan. (C-2, Chart C)
Lithium aluminium hydride (90 mg, 2.36 mmol) and aluminium chloride (350 mg, 2.25 mmol) were added to dry THF (25 mL). The mixture was cooled to -15° C. and kept at this temperature for 15 min. N-(6-Bromo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamide (preparation 14, 0.35 g, 1.13 mmol) dissolved in dry THF (10 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at -15° C. for 90 min. Aqueous NaOH (15 mL, 15%) was added and the mixture extracted with ethyl acetate. The layers were separated and the organic layer washed with water, dried (Na 2 CO 3 ) and the solvent was evaporated to dryness. The crude product was chromatographed and the pure fractions were pooled, yielding 280 mg (83%) of (6-bromo-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine as the free base. The amine was converted to its hydrochloride salt with EtOH-HCl and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and isopropyl ether. m.p. 196°-198° C. (HCl); 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.50 (m, 4H), 2.50 (t, 4H), 2.75-3.08 (m, 4H), 3.60-3.75 (p, 1H), 7.05 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (s, 1H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 12.02, 20.30, 36.25, 36.62, 53.39, 63.25, 119.82, 125.95, 127.56, 129.26, 141.00, 144.47; MS m/e 295 (6, M+), 269 (100), 266 (98), 116 (54), 115 (41).
EXAMPLE 12
(6-Methylsulfanyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine. (C-2, Chart C)
Distilled (6-bromo-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine (Example 11, 270 mg, 0.91 mmol) was dissolved in dry diethyl ether (20 mL). The solution was kept under argon and cooled to -78° C. A solution of t-BuLi in pentane 1.7M (0.7 mL, 1.20 mmol) was added and the mixture was stired at -78° C. for 1 h. Freshly distilled methyl disulfide (0.14 mL, 1.55 mmol) was added at -78° C. and the mixture was stirred at this temperature for 30 min. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and stirred for an additional 1 h. The organic layer was washed with aq. Na 2 CO 3 (5%), the layers separated, dried (Na 2 CO 3 ) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was chromatograped (SiO 2 ) using dichloromethane-methanol (45:1) as eluant. The pure fractions were pooled yielding 180 mg (75%) of (6-methylsulfanyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine. The free base was converted to the hydrochloride salt and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and isopropyl ether. m.p. 180-182 (HCl); 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.55 (m, 4H), 2.45-2.60 (m, 7H), 2.80-3.10 (m, 4H), 3.60-3.75. m (1), 7.05-7.20 (m, 3H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 12.01, 16.67, 20.21, 36.22, 36.64, 59.43, 63.32, 123.39, 124.81, 125.49, 135.70, 139.38, 142.91; MS m/e 263 (12, M+), 235 (100), 163 (31), 115 (23), 116 (17).
EXAMPLE 13
(6-Methylsulfonyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine. (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of (6-methylsulfanyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine (Example 12, 85 mg, 0.32 mmol) in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (5 ml) was added 3-chloroperoxy-benzoic acid (90 mg, 75%, 0.39 mmol). The solution was then stirred for 2 h at room temperature. Another portion of 3-chloroperoxy-benzoic acid (20 mg 75%, 0.09 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 1 h. The pH was adjusted to 11 with aqueous Na 2 CO 3 and the layers were separated. The organic layer was dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was chromatographed (SiO 2 ) using dichloromethane-methanol as eluant (19:1). Pooling of the pure fractions yielded 65 mg (69%) of (6-methylsulfonyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine. The amine was converted to the hydrochloride and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and isopropyl ether. m.p. 190-192 (HCl); 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.50 (m, 4H), 2.50 (t, 4H), 2.90-3.20 (m, 7H), 3.70-3.80 (m, 1H), 7.40 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.70-7.80 (d, 2H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 11.97, 20.25, 36.43, 36.82, 44.68, 53.29, 63.08, 123.33, 125.18, 125.81, 138.65, 143.72, 148.89; MS m/e 295 (5, M+), 266 (100), 116 (18), 267 (18), 115 (15).
EXAMPLE 14
(6-Methylsulfinyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine. (C-2, Chart C)
From the chromatographic separation of the of crude (6-methylsulfonyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine (Example 13), 5 mg (6%) (6-Methylsulfinyl-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine was isolated. The amine was converted to its hydrochloride salt and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and isopropyl ether. m.p. 148°-152° C. (HCl); 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.50 (m, 4H), 2.50 (t, 4H), 2.70 (s, 3H), 2.90-3.20 (m, 4H), 3.65-3.80 (m, 1H), 7.30 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (s, 1H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 11.96, 20.10, 36.47, 36.55, 44.08, 44.12, 53.30, 63.17, 63.24, 119.49, 121.90, 121.94, 125.21, 143.62, 145.73; MS m/e 279 (7, M+), 250 (100), 234 (96), 235 (69), 163 (33), 115 (33).
EXAMPLE 15
2-Dipropylamino-indan-5-carbaldehyde. (C-2, Chart C)
Distilled (6-bromo-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine (Example 11, 270 mg, 0.91 mmol) was dissolved in dry diethyl ether (20 mL). The solution was kept under argon and cooled to -78° C. A solution of t-BuLi in pentane 1.7M (0.7 mL, 1.20 mmol) was added and the mixture was stired at -78° C. for 1 h. Freshly distilled DMF (0.12 mL, 1.55 mmol) was added at -78° C. and the mixture was stirred at this temperature for 30 min. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and stirred for additional 1 h. The organic layer was washed with aq. Na 2 CO 3 (5%), the layers separated, dried (Na 2 CO 3 ) and evaporated to dryness. MS m/e 245 (11, M+), 216 (100), 145 (17), 117 (22), 72 (21).
EXAMPLE 16
(5-Iodo-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine and (4-Iodo-indan-2-yl)-dipropyl-amine. (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of N-(5-Iodo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamides and N-(4-Iodo-indan-2-yl)-N-propyl-propionamides (0.3 g, ratio 96:4, prepation 15), dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane/1,2-dichloroethane (30 ml, 1:1) was added QBH4 (0.7 g). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight. The solvents were removed by evaporation and the residue was refluxed for 1 h in a 10% hydrochloride solution. The resulting aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc, basified with 10% Na 2 CO 3 and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and evaporated to dryness yielding a mixture of two regioisomers with similar mass spectra: MS m/e 343 (7, M+), 314 (100), 243 (22), 188 (11), 116 (29), 72 (15).
EXAMPLE 17
Toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-dipropylamino-indan-5-yl ester. (A-4, Chart A)
2-Dipropylamino-indan-5-ol (Preparation 9, 140 mg, 0.47 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (25 mL) and cooled to 0 C. Thereafter was added triethylamine (99 mg, 0.98 mmol) and toluene-4-sulfonyl chloride (101 mg, 0.54 mmol). The reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and was then stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h. Aqueous Na 2 CO 3 solution (25 mL, 10%) was added and the mixture was stirred for an additional 5 min. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed, dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and the solvent evaporated. The crude product was chromatograped using dichloromethane-methanol (19:1) as eluant. The pure fractions were pooled, and the solvent removed in vacuo yielding 135 mg (78%) of toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-dipropylamino-indan-5-yl ester as an oil. The amine was converted to its hydrochloride salt (hydroscopic).; 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.85 (t, 6H), 1.45 (m, 4H), 2.4-2.5 (m, 7H), 2.75-2.85 (m, 2H), 2.90-3.00 (m, 2H), 3.60-3.70 (m, 1H), 6.65 (dd, J=2.5, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 11.99, 20.24, 21.73, 36.11, 36.70, 53.37, 63.44, 118.57, 120.14, 125.03, 128.51, 129.67, 132.60, 140.96, 143.74, 145.16, 148.27; MS m/e 387 (3, M+), 358 (100), 232 (49), 91 (15), 155 (13).
EXAMPLE 18
Toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-dipropylamino-6-hydroxy-indan-5-yl ester. (A-5, Chart A)
To a solution of 5,6-ditosylate-indan-2 yl)-dipropyl-amine (90 mg, 0.16 mmol) in acetone (20 ml) was added aq. sodium hydroxide (15%, 20 ml). The mixture was then refluxed over night. Thin layer chromathography at this time, indicated complete conversion of the starting material (dichloromethane:methanol 19:1). The solution was acidified by the addition of aq., hydrochloric acid (10%) and then extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crystalline residue material was recrystallized from 2-propanol/di-isopropyl ether (45 mg, 63%): m.p. 225°-230° C. (HCl); 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.50 (m, 4H), 2.50 (m, 7H), 2.70-3.0 (m, 4H), 3.65 (m, 1H), 4.3 (s, br, 1H), 6.67 (s, 1H), 6.77 (s, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CD 3 OD, HCl salt) d 12.8, 20.1, 23.2, 36.7, 37.3, 55.6, 66.7, 115.6, 122.2, 131.4, 132.2, 135.7, 139.9, 141.4, 148.5, 152.2.
EXAMPLE 19
(2-Dipropylamino-indan-5-yl)-phenyl-methanone and (2-Dipropylamino-indan-4-yl)-phenyl-methanone. (A-3, Chart A)
To a solution of 2-dipropylamino-indan (100 mg, 0.46 mmol) in nitrobenzene (30 mL) was added aluminumchloride (0.3 g, 2.3 mmol). The reaction was stirred for 1 h at 4° C. followed by benzoylchloride in one portion (0.165 ml, 1.84 mmol). After 24 h the solution was evaporated and redissolved in dichloromethane (30 ml). Aqueous Na2CO3 solution (40 ml; 10%) was added and the mixture stirred for 30 min. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated. The crude product was chromatographed using dichloromethane:methanol (24:1) as eluant. The pure fractions were pooled, yielding 11 mg (8%) of two regioisomers (10:1). These showed similar mass spectra: (MS m/e 321 (4, M+), 293 (23), 292 (100), 105 (35), 77 (14).
EXAMPLE 20
N- 2-(Benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!-4-methyl-benzene-sulfonamide. (D-1, Chart D)
To a stirred solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (133 mg, 0.47 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) in dichloromethane (5 ml) was added toluene sulfonyl chloride (100 mg, 0.52 mmol) followed by addition of triethylamine (70 μL, 0.51 mmol). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hrs. and then the mixture was quenched by the addition of saturated sodium carbonate solution (5 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed to yield 217 mg of the crude product. This material was then purified by column chromatography (SiO 2 ), eluting with n-hexane-ethyl acetate 6:1. Concentration of the collected fractions yielded 205 mg (90%) as a colorless oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.50 (m, 2H), 1.6 (sb, 1H), 2.48 (s, 3H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 2.96 (m, 4H), 3.63 (s, 2H), 3.80 (m, 1H), 6.72 (dd, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 7.12 (d, 1H), 7.2-7.4 (m, 7H), 7.81 (m, 2H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 11.90, 20.22, 21.72, 35.62, 35.80, 53.05, 55.52, 62.47, 124.94, 126.73, 127.42, 128.20, 128.49, 128.61, 129.50, 132.36, 136.63, 136.82, 140.49, 143.35, 144.70, 144.86; MS (EI) m/e 434 (6, M+), 91 (100), 279 (93), 207 (57), 250 (41), 130 (17).
EXAMPLE 21
N- 2-(Benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!-methanesulfonamide. (D-1, Chart D)
To a stirred solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (133 mg, 0.47 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) in dichloromethane (5 ml) was added methanesulfonyl chloride (40 μL, 0.51 mmol) followed by addition of triehylamine (70 μL, 0.51 mmol). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h and then the mixture was quenched by the addition of saturated sodium carbonate solution (5 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed to yield 180 mg of the crude product. This material was then purified by column chromatography (SiO 2 ), eluting with iso-octane-ethyl acetate 3:1. Concentration of the collected fractions yielded 160 mg (96%) as a colorless oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) d 0.88 (m, 3H), 1.50 (m, 2H), 2.48 (m, 2H), 2.99 (m, 4H), 3.37 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 2H), 3.80 (m, 1H), 7.1-7.4 (m, 8H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 11.89, 20.19, (25.71, 30.11), (35.60, 42.58), (35.75, 42.70), 53.06, 55.58, 62.59, 125.55, 126.60, 126.78, 128.20, 128.51, 131.45, 140.33, 144.05, 145.20; Dual signals due to rotameric forms of the sulfonamide group indicated by parentheses; MS (EI) m/e 358 (7, m+), 329 (100), 91 (64), 279 (37), 250 (15), 130 (12), 210 (9), 188 (8).
EXAMPLE 22
2- 2-(Benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!-isoindole-1,3-dione. (D-1, Chart D)
To a stirred solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (160 mg, 0.57 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) in acetic acid (5 ml) was added phtalic anhydride (93 mg, 63 mmol). The mixture was heated at reflux for 1 h. After cooling, the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was taken up in diethyl ether, washed with saturated sodium carbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium carbonate. Removal of the solvent yielded 206 mg (88%) of the pure product as an yellowish oil: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.87 (t, 3H), 1.51 (m, 2H), 2.49 (m, 2H), 3.05 (m, 4H), 3.67 (s, 2H), 3.82 (m, 1H), 7.1-7.5 (m, 8H), 7.75 (m, 2H), 7.95 (m, 2H); 13 C NMR (75.4 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 11.92, 20.17, 35.73, 35.94, 53.00, 55.53, 62.46, 122.97, 123.70, 124.93, 125.05, 126.70, 128.17, 128.57, 129.66, 131.85, 134.31, 140.49, 142.55, 143.27, 167.57; MS (EI) m/e 410 (6, M+), 381 (100), 91 (47), 262 (23), 352 (12), 115 (12), 130 (10), 289 (10), 250 (10).
EXAMPLE 23
Benzyl-propyl-(6-pyrrol-1-yl-indan-2-yl)-amine. (D-1, Chart D)
A solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (114 mg, 0.41 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) and 2,5-dimethoxy-tetrahydrofuran (56 μL, 56 mg, 0.42 mmol) was heated at 100° C. for 2 hrs. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and then slurried in 2M NaOH. Extraction using diethyl ether yielded 115 mg (85%) of the desired material as an oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.80 (t, 3H), 1.42 (na, 2H), 2.40 (t, 2H), 2.91 (m, 4H), 3.58 (s, 2H), 3.71 (m, 1H), 6.22 (s, 2H), 6.93 (s, 2H), 7.0-7.4 (m, 8H); MS m/e 330 (M+, 15), 301 (100), 91 (35), 182 (6).
EXAMPLE 24
Propyl-(6-pyrrol-1-yl-indan-2-yl)-amine. (D-2, Chart D)
A mixture of benzyl-propyl-(6-pyrrol-1-yl-indan-2-yl)-amine (540 mg, 1.64 mmol), ammonium formate (0.8 g, 12.6 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (0.3 g) in 99% ethanol (50 mL) was stirred for at ambient temperature for 1 h. The mixture was filtered on a Celite pad and the solution concentrated in vacuo. The residue was redissolved in 10% sodium carbonate/diethyl ether. After 2 additional ether extractions of the aqueous phase, the combined ethereal phases were dried (magnesium sulfate) filtered and evaporated to yield 320 mg of a residue containing both the pyrrolo and the pyrrolidino derivative. The two compounds were separated on a silica column using methanol as eluant, yielding 230 mg (58%) of the pyrrolo derivative and 40 mg (10%) of the pyrrolidino derivative.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.93 (t, 3H), 1.52 (m, 2H), 2.61 (t, 2H), 2.77 (m, 2H), 3.18 (m, 2H), 3.67 (m, 1H), 6.31 (m, 2H), 7.03 (m, 2H), 7.1-7.3 (m, 3H); MS m/e 240 (M+, 72), 211 (100), 182 (72), 171 (65), 115 (25).
EXAMPLE 25
Propyl-(6-pyrrolidin-1-yl-indan-2-yl)-amine. (D-2, Chart D)
The preparation of this material is described in Example 24: MS m/e 244 (M+, 97), 174 (100), 187 (66), 215 (15).
EXAMPLE 26
Dipropyl-(6-pyrrolidin-1-yl-indan-2-yl)-amine. (D-3, Chart D)
To a solution of propyl-(6-pyrrol-1-yl-indan-2-yl)-amine (50 mg, 0.21 mmol) and methylamine (30 μL) in dichloromethane (5 mL) was added propionic acid chloride (20 μL). After stirring at ambient temperature for 1 h was added 10% sodium carbonate. After vigorous stirring for an additional 10 min the phases were separated and the organic phase dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and evaporated to yield 63 mg (100%) of the propionamide MS m/e: 296 (M+1), 181 (100), 115 (7)!. This material was dissolved in diethyl ether (5 mL) to which lithium aluminum hydride (35 mg, 0.92 mmol) was added. The slurry was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h. Water (35 μL) and 15% sodium hydroxide (35 μL) followed by water (105 μL) was added and the mixture was stirred for an additional 10 min. The solid material was filtered off. The ethereal solution was dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and evaporated to a yield a residue of 50 mg. Chromatographic separation on silica using methanol as eluant yielded 45 mg (76%) of the desired material as an oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.88 (t, 6H), 1.50 (m, 4H), 2.49 (m, 4H), 2.90 (m, 2H), 3.05 (m, 2H), 3.70 (m, 1H), 6.32 (m, 2H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 7.15 (m, 3H); MS m/e 282 (M+, 15), 253 (100), 182 (35), 165 (12).
EXAMPLE 27
N- 2-(benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!acetamide. (D-1, Chart D)
To a solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indane-2,6-diamine (75 mg, 0.27 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) triethylamine (200 μL) in dichloromethane (5 mL) was added acetyl chloride (56 μL, 0.65 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 5 h. Sodium carbonate (10%, 5 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for additional 30 min. The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and evaporated to yield 85 mg (100%) of the pure material as an oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ (0.72,1.10) (t, 3H), 1.35 (m, 2H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.35 (m, 2H), 2.82 (m, 4H), 3.53 (s, 2H), 3.62 (m, 1H), 6.9-7.4 (m, 8H), 7.55 (sb, 1H) Shift values within parentheses indicate dual signals due to amide rotameric forms.; MS m/e 322 (M+, 11), 293 (100), 91 (40), 264 (18).
EXAMPLE 28
Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 2-(benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!amide. (D-1, Chart D)
To a solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (105 mg, 0.38 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) triethylamine (200 μL) in dichloromethane (10 mL) was added cyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride (43.7 mg, 38 μL, 0.42 mmol). The mixture was stirred over night. Sodium carbonate (10%, 10 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for additional 30 min. The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and avaporated to yield 120 mg (91%) of the pure material as an oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.6-1.2 (m, 8H), 1.45 (m, 2H), 2.40 (m, 2H), 2.88 (d, 4H), 3.62 (s, 2H), 3.64 (m, 1H), 6.9-7.4 (m, 8H); MS m/e 348 (M+, 10), 319 (100), 91 (30), 222 (14), 290 (11).
EXAMPLE 29
N- 2-(benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!propionumide. (D-1, Chart D)
To a solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (93 mg, 0.33 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) and triethylamine (200 μL) in dichloromethane (5 mL) was added propionic acid chloride (33.6 mg, 3 μL, 0.36 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 2 h. Sodium carbonate (10%, 5 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for additional 30 min. The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and evaporated to yield 107 mg (96%) of the pure material as an oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 0.73 (t, 3H), 1.10 (t, 3H), 1.41 (m, 2H), 2.22 (m, 2H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.82 (d, 4H), 3.55 (s, 1H), 3.61 (m, 1H), 6.9-7.4 (m, 8H); MS m/e 336 (11), 307 (100), 91 (39), 278 (16), 222 (15).
EXAMPLE 30
N- 2-(benzyl-propyl-amino)-indan-5-yl!-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide. (D-1, Chart D)
To a solution of N-2-benzyl-N-2-propyl-indan-2,6-diamine (111 mg, 0.39 mmol) (from, PCT/US94/02800) and triethylamine (200 μL) in dichloromethane (10 mL) was added di-methyl propionic acid chloride (51.7 mg, 52.7 μL, 0.43 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 5 h. Sodium carbonate (10%, 10 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for additional 30 min. The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and evaporated to yield 140 mg (98%) of the pure material as an oil.: 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ (0.72, 1.15) (t, 3H) (1.10,1.21) (s, 9H). 2.35 (m, 2H), 2.84 (m, 4H), 3.52 (s, 2H), 3.67 (m, 1H), 6.9-7.4 (m, 8H) Shift values within parentheses indicate dual signals due to amide rotameric forms.; MS m/e 364 (M+, 11), 335 (100), 91 (33), 306 (19).
EXAMPLE 31
5-(2-propenyloxy)-2-(di-n-propylamino)-indan. (A-4, Chart A)
Sodium hydride (60 mg, 1.24 mmol) was washed with hexane twice, then suspended in DMF (3 mL) and stirred under nitrogen atmosphere. 5-hydroxy-2-n-propylamino)indan hydrobromide (Preparation 9, 100 mg, 0.31 mmol) dissolved in DMF (3 mL) was added and stirred for 45 min. Allyl bromide (0.034 mL, 0.4 mmol) was added and the reaction stirred overnight. Water was added and extracted with t-butyl methyl ether (3×30 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water, brine, dried (Na 2 SO 4 ), filtered and concentrated to yield an oil. The oil was cbromatographed on 10 g silica gel, eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (9:1). Homogenous fractions were combined to yield the title compound as an oil (60%): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.1-7.04 (m, 1H), 6.75-6.65 (m, 2H), 6.15-5.96 (m, 1H), 5.42-5.24 (m, 2H), 4.51-4.48 (m, 2H), 3.75-3.63 (m, 1H), 3.05-2.85 (m, 4H), 2.58-2.53 (m, 4H), 1.60-1.50 (m, 4H), 0.89 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 6H).
EXAMPLE 32
5,6 di-toluenesulfonyloxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-5, Chart A)
To a solution of 5,6-di-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Preparation 10, 357 mg, 1.08 mmol) in methylene chloride (30 mL) was added dimethylaminopyridine (cat, 10 mg), triethylamine (0.9 mL, 6.48 mmol) and p-tosylchloride (1.12 g, 3.24 mmol) in methylene chloride. After 12 h, additional tosylchloride (1 g) and triethylamine (1 mL) was added. After 48 h, the reaction was quenched with water and extracted with methylene chloride (3×70 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and evaporated to yield a brown oil (1.08 g). The oil was chromatographed using 300 g silica gel eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (19:1) to yield the title compound as an oil (520 mg, 86%). High resolution FAB MS: theory C 29 H 35 NS 2 O 6 +1H: 558.1984; observed: 558.2000.
EXAMPLE 33
5-methanesulfonyloxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-5, Chart A)
To a solution of 5-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan hydrobromide (Preparation 9, 450 mg, 1.43 mmol) in methylene chloride (30 mL) and triethylamine (0.5 mL) at 0 C. was added mesyl chloride (0.144 mL, 1.9 mmol). After 18 h, water was added and the layers separated. The aq. layer was washed with methylene chloride (3×75 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered and evaporated to yield a brown oil. The oil was chromatographed on 400 g silica gel, eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (19:1). Homogeneous fractions were combined to yield the title compound as a brown oil (280 mg): 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.20-7.01 (m, 3H), 3.73-3.68 (m, 1H), 3.12 (s, 3H), 3.09-2.94 (m, 4H), 2.54-2.49 (m, 4H), 1.55-1.47 (m, 4H), 0.89 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 6 H); high resolution FAB MS: theory for C 16 H 25 NO 3 S+1H=312.1633, observed: 312.1637.
EXAMPLE 34
5-Carbomethoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared from 5-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-2-(n-propylamino)indan (Example 2, 1 g, 2.7 mmol) using the Preparation outlined in Examples 9 and 10 to yield an oil (52%): MS m/e 275, 246, 175, 143, 131, 115; 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 7.84-7.21 (m, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.68 (m, 1H), 3.10-3.0 (m, 4H), 1.53-1.46 (m, 4H), 0.8 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 6H).
EXAMPLE 35
5-Carboxamido-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
A solution of 5-Carbomethoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 34, 390 mg, 1.4 mmol) and formamide (0.196 mL, 5 mmol) was heated to 100 C. under argon. Sodium methoxide (0.5 mL) was added dropwise over 5 min. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt and 2-propanol added. the mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated to yield a brown solid. The solid was chromatographed on 350 g silica gel eluting with methylene chloride/methanol. Homogeneous fractions were combined to yield the title compound as an off-white solid: mp 88°-90° C.
EXAMPLE 36
5,6-Di-trifluomethansulfonyloxy-2-(propylamino)indan (A-5, Chart A).
In a vigorously stirred mixture of methylene chloride (25 mL) and aqueous sodium hydroxide (9 mL, 10%) was dissolved 5,6-di-hydroxy-2-(propylamino)indan (Preparation 18, 630 mg, 2.19 mmol). To this solution was then added N-phenyltrifluormethanesulfonimide (1.128 g, 3.16 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium sulfate (72 mg). The vigorous stirring was then maintained for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched by the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid (15 mL, 10%), diethyl ether (50 mL) and finally water (50 mL). The aqueous layer was separated and the organic layer extracted with several portions of water. The combined aqueous extracts were then carefully basified to reach a pH of 9. The basic solution was then extracted with diethyl ether (3×50 mL). The combined extracts were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ), filtered and the solvent removed to yield 175 mg of the crude product. This was chromatographed by flash chromatography eluting with methylene chloride/methanol (19:1) Homogenous fractions were combined to yield the title compound which was converted to the HCl salt and recrystallized form iso-propanol/iso propyl ether. mp 220°-225° C.
EXAMPLE 37
4-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The title compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 4-methyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 20) to yield an oil (320 mg, 40%) which was converted to the HCl salt and recrystallized from methanol/ethyl acetate: mp 180°-183° C.
EXAMPLE 38
4,5-di-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 6,7-di-methyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 26) to yield the title compound (360 mg, 46%). The compound was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using ethyl acetate to yield a white solid: mp 184° C.
EXAMPLE 39
5,6-di-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 5,6-di-methyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 27) to yield the title compound (420 mg, 46%). The compound was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using ether/ethyl acetate to yield a white solid: mp 182° C.
EXAMPLE 40
5-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)-indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 6-methyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 31) to yield the title compound (120 mg, 26%). The compound was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using hexane/ethyl acetate to yield a white solid: mp 153°-155° C.
EXAMPLE 41
4-Fluoro-2-(n-propyl)aminoindan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 4-fluoro-2-aminoindan (Preparation 31) to yield the title compound (80 mg, 10%). The compound was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using ethyl acetate to yield a white solid: mp 220°-222° C.
EXAMPLES 42 AND 43
5-(i-propyl)-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan and 5-(i-propyl)-2-(n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 5-(i-propyl)-2-aminoindan (Preparation 40) to yield 5-(i- propyl)-2-(di-n-propyl-amino)indan (120 mg, 26%). The compound was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using ether to yield a tan solid: mp 150-152 C. Also, 5-(i-propyl)-2- (n-propylamino)indan (100 mg, 22%) as an oil was collected. The compound was converted into the HCl salt and recrystallized using ethyl acetate to yield an off-white solid: mp 144°-147° C.
EXAMPLE 44
4,6-dimethyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A).
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 4,6-dimethyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 44) to yield the title compound as a crude oil (420 mg).
EXAMPLE 45
4,7-dimethyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 4,7-dimethyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 50) to yield the title compound as a crude oil (560 mg).
EXAMPLE 46
5-propyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 5-propyl-2-aminoindan (Preparation 55) to yield the title compound as a crude oil (620 mg).
EXAMPLE 47
5-(t-butyl)-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-3, Chart A)
The compound was prepared following the procedure outlined in Preparation 7 using 5-(t-butyl)-2-aminoindan (Preparation 59) to yield the title compound as a crude oil (575 mg).
EXAMPLE 48
5-Trifluoromethyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (C-2, Chart C)
A solution of 5-bromo-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 11), sodium trifluoroacetate, and copper (I) iodide in N-methylpyridone is heated at 160° C. for 4 h under nitrogen (Chem Lett 1981, 1719). The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate. The mixture is filtered through a layer of Celite pad and the filtrate is washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO 4 ), filtered, and concentrated. The oil is purified by liquid chromatography to give the title compound as a yellow oil.
EXAMPLE 49
5-Sulfoxamido-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of 5-bromo-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 11) in THF is treated with sec-butyllithium in hexane at -78° C. under nitrogen. The mixture is allowed to warm to 0° C. over 30 min and cooled to -78° C. Dry sulfur dioxide gas is bubbled through the solution for 20 min. (Organomet. Chem. Rev. Sect. A 1970, 5, 281). After stirring the mixture under sulfur dioxide atmosphere at room temperature, the solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is suspended in methylene chloride and excess thionyl chloride is added. The mixture is stirred for 1 h and the excess sulfuryl chloride and solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is redissolved in methylene chloride and filtered. Then dry ammonia gas is bubbled through the filtrate. The precipitate is collected to give the title compound.
EXAMPLE 50
5-(3-Thiophene)-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of 5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 2) in 1,4-dioxane is treated with bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) chloride, triphenylphosphlne, lithium chloride, and 3-(tributylstannyl)thiophene under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 6 h (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5478; Synthesis 1980, 727). The crude product is purified by chromatography to afford the title compound.
EXAMPLE 51
5-Ethynyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of 5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 2) in 1,4-dixoane is treated with tri-n-butylethynylstannane, lithium chloride, tetrakis(triphenylphosphlne)palladium(0), and a few crystals of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol under nitrogen (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5478). The mixture is refluxed for 6 h, cooled to room temperature, and treated with pyridine and pyridine fluoride and iluted with diethyl ether. The resulting crude product is purified by chromatography to give the title compound.
EXAMPLE 52
5-Acetyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of 5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 2) in DMF is treated sequentially with triethylamine, butyl vinyl ether, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, and palladium acetate under nitrogen. The mixture is heated at 80° C. for 0.5 h. (J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55 3654). The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and treated with 5% HCl. After stirring for 0.5 h, the mixture is extracted with methylene chloride. The crude product is purified by chromatography to yield the title compound.
EXAMPLE 53
5-Cyano-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (C-2, Chart C)
To a solution of 5-carboxamido-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 35) in DMF is treated with phosphorus oxychloride under nitrogen. The solution is heated at 80° C. for 3 h (J. Med. Chem. 1968, 11, 322). The reaction ia quenched with 10% sodium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. The crude product is purified by chromatography to give the title compound.
EXAMPLE 54
5-Carbomethoxy-6-acetoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 9 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-trifluoromethansulfonyloxy-6-acetoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 8), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 55
5-Carbomethoxy-6-trifluromethanesulfonyloxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-carbomethoxy-6-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 10), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 56
5-Trifluromethansulfonyloxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
A solution of 5-trifluoromethansulfonyloxy-6-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 7) in DMF is added to a suspension of sodium hydride in DMF under nitrogen. The mixture is alkylated with methyl iodide to yield the title compound.
EXAMPLE 57
5-Carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 9 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-trifluoromethansulfonyloxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 56), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 58
5-Formyl-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
A solution of 5-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 57) in THF under nitrogen is treated with DIBAL-H at -78° C. After work-up and purification, the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 59
5-Hydroxymethyl-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
A solution of 5-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 57) in THF at 0° C. under nitrogen is treated with excess lithium aluminum hydride. After work-up and purification, the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 60
5-Carboxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
A solution of 5-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 57) in methanol/water is hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide. After work-up and purification, the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 61
5-Acetyl-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 52 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 56), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 62
5-Carboxamido-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 35 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 57), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 63
5-Ethynyl-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 51 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 56), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 64
5-Cyano-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 53 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5-carboxamido-6-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 62), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 65
5,6-Di-(hydroxmethyl)-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 59 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5,6-dicarbomethoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 9), the title compound is obtained.
EXAMPLE 66
5,6-Di-(methoxmethyl)-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (A-6, Chart A)
Following the general procedure of Example 56 and making non-critical variations but starting with 5,6-di-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (Example 65), the title compound is obtained.
Binding Data for Examples:
Competition binding experiments employed eleven dilutions of test compounds competing with 3 H!-5-(dipropylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-imidazo(4,5,1-ij)quinolin-2(1H)-one (R-enantiomer) (62 Ci/mmol, 2 nM) and 3 H!-spiperone (107 Ci/mmol, 0.5 nM) for D2 and D3 binding sites, respectively. (Lahti, R. A., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 202, 289 (1991)) In each experiment, cloned mammalian receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells were used. (Chio, C. L., Nature, 343, 266 (1990); and Huff, R. M., Mol. Pharmacol. (1993), in press). IC50 values were estimated by fitting the data to a one-site model by non-linear least squares minimization. Ki values were calculated with the Chen-Prushoff equation.
______________________________________Example # D2 (Ki,nM) D3 (ki,nM)______________________________________2 350 313 367 1610 121 6.517 108 3.732 291 45______________________________________ ##STR3##
|
Compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts suitable for treating central nervous system disorders associated with the dopamine D3 receptor activity of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently chosen from hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, OCH 3 , OH, OSO 2 CF 3 , OSO 2 CH 3 , SOR 5 , CO 2 R 5 , CONH 2 , CONR 5 R 6 , COR 5 , CN, SO 2 NH 2 , SO 2 NR 5 R 6 , SO 2 R 5 , --OCO--(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), --NCO--(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), --CH 2 O--(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), --CH 2 OH, --CO-Aryl, --NHSO 2 -Aryl, --NHSO 2 --(C 1 -C 6 alkyl), phthalimide, thiophenyl, pyrrol, pyrrolinyl, oxazolyl, or R 1 and R 2 together form --O(CH 2 ) 1-2 O-- or --(CH 2 ) 3-6 -- (except that only one of R 1 and R 2 can be hydrogen or OH in any such compound); R 3 and R 4 are independently chosen from C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 3 -C 8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, --(CH 2 ) p -- thienyl (where p is 1-4), or C 1 -C 8 alkyl (except where R 1 or R 2 are hydrogen or OH or where both R 1 and R 2 are OCH 3 or a C 1 -C 8 alkyl); R 5 is hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl; and R 6 is C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 2 -C 8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, or Aryl.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is related to coding and electronic memories and, in particular, to methods and systems for encoding information for storage in electronic memories associated with constraints related to the encoded information.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Error-control coding is a well-developed, interdisciplinary field that spans applied mathematics, computer science, and information theory. Error-control coding techniques are used throughout modern computing, communications, and data-storage systems. In general, error-control coding involves supplementing digitally encoded information with additional, redundant information in order to render the encoded information less susceptible to corruption or loss due to various types of transmission errors, errors that arise as the encoded information is passed through various types of physical and logical interfaces, and errors that arise when the information is stored in, and retrieved from, various types of electronic data-storage media. Other types of coding techniques may employ redundant information for different reasons, or for both error correction and for additional purposes.
[0003] Recently, a new generation of electrical-resistance-based memories, various types of which include one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional arrays of nanoscale resistors or memristors, has been developed for a variety of data-storage and computational applications. These newly developed memory arrays have various electronic and physical properties and characteristics that constrain the types of data that can be stored within, and retrieved from, the memories. Researchers and developers of these new types of memories therefore are seeking coding techniques that can accommodate the data constraints associated with electrical-resistance-based memories, and error-control-coding theoreticians and researchers continuously seek new methods and systems that include coding applicable to newly encountered and not-yet encountered applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a new type of electronic data-storage device that has been recently developed.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a constraint encountered in electrical-resistance-based memories.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates conventions used in subsequent discussion of examples of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a general-purpose computer system that, when executing an implemented method example of the present invention, comprises a system example of the present invention.
[0008] FIGS. 5A-B illustrate an antipodal mapping of a bit string x to a bit string y, x=φ(y), and the antipodal mapping of bit string y back to x, y=φ(x).
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates encoding of a bit string to produce an encoded bit string according to one example of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates decoding of the encoded bit string produced in the example shown in FIG. 6 according to one example of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates an array A that is a logical framework for encoding bit strings and decoding encoded bit strings according to certain examples of the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 9A-D provide control-flow diagrams that illustrate encoding of bit strings by an encoding method that represents an example of the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 10A-B provide control-flow diagram that illustrate decoding of bit strings by a decoding method that represents an example of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Methods and systems that represent examples of the present invention are directed to encoding information to produce encoded information that is compatible with constraints associated with electrical-resistance-based memories and useful in other, similarly constrained applications. Methods and systems that represent examples of the present invention employ encoding and decoding techniques based on bitwise complementation operations and antipodal mappings of bit strings.
[0015] It should be noted, at the onset, that the method examples of the present invention, discussed below, are necessarily implemented for execution on a computer system and/or implemented as logic circuits within an electronic memory device, electronic memory data-storage system, or other types of electronic devices and systems. When these methods are executed by a general-purpose computer, the general-purpose computer is transformed into a special-purpose encoding and decoding machine that represents a system example of the present invention. Similarly, when these methods are implemented within a memory controller or other hardware device, the memory controller or other hardware device represents a device or system example of the present invention. The methods of the present invention cannot be carried out by hand calculation or by mental calculation, because the methods involve very large numbers of arithmetic and logic operations, even when small amounts of information are encoded. Calculation by any means other than an electronic computer or other electronic device would take many orders of magnitude of time in excess of the times needed for preparing data for storage in electronic memories, and would be far too error prone to serve any practical purpose.
[0016] In a first subsection, below, electrical-resistance-based memories are described, along with a data constraint associated with certain electrical-resistance-based memories. In a second subsection, certain coding techniques are described. In a third subsection, certain examples of the present invention are discussed.
Electrical-Resistance-Based Memories
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a new type of electronic data-storage device that has been recently developed. The device shown in FIG. 1 is a two-dimensional array of memory elements, each element of which, such as element 104 , can store a single bit of information. Each memory element is connected to a row signal line, such as the row of memory elements 104 - 109 in FIG. 1 connected to row signal line 103 , and a column signal line, such as the column of memory elements 104 and 110 - 114 connected to column signal line 118 . The column signal lines emanate from a column demultiplexer 120 and the row signal lines emanate from a row demultiplexer 122 . A given memory element can be accessed by controlling the voltage states of the column signal line and row signal line to which the memory element is connected. In resistor-based or memristor-based memory arrays, the memory elements may reside in one of at least two different states 130 and 132 distinguishable by the electrical resistance of the memory element. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , when a memory element is in the high-resistance state 130 , the memory element is considered to store a bit value “0,” and when the memory element is in the low-resistance state 132 , the memory element is considered to store the bit value “1.” Of course, the opposite convention can be used, in which the low-resistance state is considered to represent bit value “0” and the high-resistance state is considered to represent bit value “1.” In general, memory elements are read by applying low voltages across the memory elements and detecting the presence or absence of current flow greater than a relatively low, threshold value. Memory elements are written by applying large positive or negative voltages across the memory elements in order to change the electrical resistance of the memory element.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a constraint encountered in electrical-resistance-based memories. In FIG. 2 , a column of memory elements within a two-dimensional resistor-based memory array is shown. Signal line 202 is the column signal line and the lower line 204 represents the plain row signal lines, all of which are pulled to ground 206 . The column signal line 202 is placed at voltage V d with respect to ground. The eight memory elements 208 - 215 are either in a high-resistance state with resistance R H , such as memory element 208 , or in a low-resistance state, with resistance R L , such as memory element 209 . The current passing through the column signal line 202 can be computed in terms of the number of memory elements in the high-resistance state, numH, and the number of memory elements in the low resistance state, numL, as follows:
[0000]
1
R
T
=
numH
R
H
+
numL
R
L
=
R
L
(
numH
)
+
R
H
(
numL
)
R
H
R
L
i
=
V
d
R
T
=
V
d
(
R
L
(
numH
)
+
R
H
(
numL
)
)
R
H
R
L
[0000] Note that the above expressions hold for columns with an arbitrary number of memory elements. A plot of the current i, plotted with respect to a vertical axis 220 , versus the number of memory elements in a column or row of a two-dimensional resistor-based memory array in the low-resistance state, plotted with respect to the horizontal axis 222 , is shown in graph 224 in FIG. 2 . The current-versus-number-of-low-resistance-memory-element curve in graph 224 is linear 226 . The column or row for which the curve is shown in graph 224 contains 200 memory elements, and the current ranges from i 0 to i 200 as numL increases from 0 to 200 and numH decreases from 200 to 0.
[0019] When, in certain types of resistance-based memory arrays, particularly those with nanoscale components, too many memory elements are in the low-resistance state, the current flow through a column signal line or row signal line that interconnects them may be sufficiently high to damage or destroy the signal line and the memory array containing the signal line, and, even when not sufficiently high to destroy the signal line, may be sufficiently high to induce various unwanted current paths through unselected memory elements. Thus, as also shown in graph 224 in
[0020] FIG. 2 , a memory array may be constrained to store data that can be represented in the array with no more than a threshold number of memory elements in any row or column in the low-resistance state at any particular point in time. As an example, in graph 224 , the current i 100 230 represents the highest current that can be safely carried by a column signal line or row signal line, corresponding to 100 memory elements 232 out of 200 memory elements being in the low-resistance state.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates conventions used in subsequent discussion of examples of the present invention. The data state of a physical, two-dimensional memory array 302 can be represented as a two-dimensional array of bit values 304 , with each bit value corresponding to the resistance state of a single memory element. The two-dimensional bit array 304 can be alternatively viewed as a one-dimensional vector 306 in which the bit values in the two-dimensional array are ordered according to an arbitrary but deterministic ordering scheme. For example, in FIG. 3 , the bit vector 306 is constructed as the concatenation of successive rows of the two-dimensional bit array 304 , starting with the top-most row, in right-to-left order. Examples of the present invention are directed to encoding input information into two-dimensional-array codewords, referred to as “array codewords,” or one-dimensional-array codewords, referred to as “vector codewords,” that correspond to the memory elements in a physical two-dimensional memory array such that each vector codeword contains a number of bits with value “1” fewer than, or equal to, a threshold number and no row or column of any array codeword has more than a threshold number of bits with value “1.” An equivalent constraint is to choose a threshold number one greater than the maximum allowed number of bits with value “1,” and to ensure that each vector codeword contains a number of bits with value “1” fewer than the threshold number.
[0022] In the following discussions, the binary contents of a row of memory elements within a two-dimensional memory array are considered to together logically compose a bit string, with the bits ordered from the leftmost memory element to the rightmost memory element of the row of memory elements within two-dimensional memory array. Similarly, the binary contents of a column of memory elements within a two-dimensional memory array are considered to together compose a bit string, with the bit values ordered from the topmost memory element to the lowest memory element within the column of memory elements within two-dimensional memory array. The Hamming weight of a bit string is the number of bits with binary value “1” in the bit string. It is natural to express the above-discussed data constraints in terms of threshold Hamming weights for the bit strings composed of the binary values stored in the rows and columns of a two-dimensional memory array.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a general-purpose computer system that, when executing an implemented method example of the present invention, comprises a system example of the present invention. The computer system contains one or multiple central processing units (“CPUs”) 402 - 405 , one or more electronic memories 408 interconnected with the CPUs by a CPU/memory-subsystem bus 410 or multiple busses, a first bridge 412 that interconnects the CPU/memory-subsystem bus 410 with additional busses 414 and 416 , or other types of high-speed interconnection media, including multiple, high-speed serial interconnects. These busses or serial interconnections, in turn, connect the CPUs and memory with specialized processors, such as a graphics processor 418 , and with one or more additional bridges 420 , which are interconnected with high-speed serial links or with multiple controllers 422 - 427 , such as controller 427 , that provide access to various different types of mass-storage devices 428 , electronic displays, input devices, and other such components, subcomponents, and computational resources. Examples of the present invention may also be implemented on distributed computer systems and can also be implemented partially in hardware logic circuitry.
Examples of the Present Invention
[0024] As discussed above, examples of the present invention are directed to encoding and decoding techniques for coding information to be stored in memory arrays and memory vectors and decoding information retrieved from memory arrays and memory vectors, with the codewords produced by coding examples of the present invention satisfying the above-discussed data constraint. For example, the constraint may specify that no row or column in a two-dimensional bit-matrix codeword can have a Hamming weight greater than a threshold value. In examples used to illustrate examples of the present invention, array codewords may be constrained to have no column or row with a Hamming weight greater than m/2 or n/2, respectively, where m is the number or rows and n is the number of columns of the array, for m and n both even, and similarly constrained to have no column or row with a Hamming weight greater than
[0000]
⌈
m
2
⌉
or
⌈
n
2
⌉
,
[0000] respectively, where ┌x┐ indicates the ceiling of x, the smallest integer greater or equal to x.
[0025] Please note that, in the following discussion, the bits in a bit string are generally indexed starting with index 0 and ending with index n−1, where n is the length of the bit string. By contrast, the rows and columns of arrays are generally indexed starting with index 1 and ending with index m or n, respectively, for an m×n array.
[0026] Certain of the example implementations of the coding method and system of the current invention employ an antipodal mapping φ that maps bit strings of length n to the same or a different bit string of length n. In the following discussion, columns operations are employed in which a bit string x is mapped to a bit string y by an antipodal mapping φ. As one example:
[0000]
[
01011101001
]
x
φ
[
01001101001
]
y
[0000] More compactly:
[0000] y =φ( x )
[0027] Using the convention that |z| indicates the Hamming weight of bit string z, and the convention that z i refers to the i th bit in bit string z, an antipodal mapping y=φ(x) has the following properties:
length (x)=n=length (y)
[0000] | x|=k |y|=n−k
[0000] y i =1 x i =1 when | x|≦n/ 2
[0000] x i =1 y i =1 when | x|<n/ 2
[0000] φ(φ( x ))=φ( y )= x
[0029] In other words, the antipodal mapping maps a string x of length n into a bit string y of length n. When the Hamming weight, or number of bits with binary value “1” in string x is equal to k, then the Hamming weight of string y to which string x is mapped by the antipodal mapping φ is n−k. Thus, when k>n/2 the antipodal mapping φ can be used to produce a bit string y with Hamming weight <n/2. In this respect, the antipodal mapping is similar to bitwise complementation, or bitwise binary-value inversion, of a bit string in that the antipodal mapping can be used to lower the Hamming weight of a bit string of length n with Hamming weight >n/2.
[0030] When the Hamming weight of bit string x is greater than or equal to n/2, then the antipodal mapping oh produces a bit string y in which all bits with binary value “1” correspond to bits in bit string x with binary value “1.” Thus, the antipodal mapping does not change bits with binary value “0” in x into bits with binary value “1” in y. Similarly, when the Hamming weight of bit string x is less than n/2, and the antipodal mapping of x to y produces the bit string y with Hamming weight greater than n/2, no bit with binary value “1” in bit string x is changed to have binary value “0” in y by the antipodal mapping. Finally, the antipodal mapping has a self-inverse property, as expressed by the last of the above-provided equations.
[0031] An antipodal mapping can be implemented in many different ways. One way to carry out an antipodal mapping is next described, and represents an example of the present invention. This first antipodal-mapping implementation employs two additional bit-string mappings or operations. The first mapping reverses and complements, or flips, the values of each bit in a string x to produce the reversed and complemented bit string c(x):
[0000] c ( x )=reverse and complement=[ x n−1 , x n−2 . . . , x 0 ]
[0000] In the above equation, the notation z i indicates the flipped value of z i . The term “flipped” is equivalent to “complemented,” “inverted,” and “opposite” for binary values presently discussed. Thus, when z i has binary value “0,” z i has binary value “1,” and when z i has binary value “1,” z i has binary value “0.” Using the example above, with x=[01011101001]:
[0000] c ( x )=[01101000101]
[0032] A second mapping, or operation, changes the value of all bits in a bit string with binary value “0” to the value “−1.” In other words, this operation changes the logical meaning of a bit, from storing either “1” or “0” to storing either “1” or “−1.” This provides for adding a series of bit values according to ordinary integer arithmetic. Whereas, in binary arithmetic, two binary values sum to either “0” or “1,” following the second mapping of a bit string, the values of two bits may sum to one of the integers {−2, 0, 2}. In the following discussion, bit strings transformed by the second mapping to have bits with values “1” and “−1” are primed. It should be noted that the second mapping is a logical mapping. This second mapping, and its inverse, need not be physically carried out, but, instead, bit operations on strings mapped by the second mapping have different meanings than for bit strings in which the bits are considered to represent binary values “0” and “1.” In more concise notation, the second mapping is described as follows:
[0033] b (x) maps each element with value 0 in x to have value −1
[0000]
x
′
=
b
(
x
)
x
i
′
=
{
-
1
when
x
i
=
0
1
when
x
i
=
1
[0000] There is a corresponding inverse transformation b −1 , defined as follows:
[0000]
x
=
b
-
1
(
x
′
)
x
i
=
{
0
when
x
i
′
=
-
1
1
when
x
i
′
=
1
[0000] The function s (x′,i,δ) adds together a sequence of δ+1 successive bits within bit string x′, starting at bit position i, with the successive bits wrapping back from the end of the bit string x′ to the beginning of the bit string x′ to obtain δ+1 bits to add together. More compactly,
[0000] s ( x′, i , δ)= x′ i + . . . x′ (i+δ)mod n
[0034] When δ=0, the function s(x′, i, δ)=x′ i . The sum of all bits within a bit string, s(x′), can be expressed as follows:
[0000] s ( x ′)= s ( x′, 0, n− 1)= x′ 0 +x′ 1 + . . . +x; ++x n−1
[0035] The set of minimal positions P for a bit string x′ is denoted P x′ . The set of minimal positions are defined for any bit string x′ with a sum s (x′) greater than 0, as follows:
when s (x′) >0
[0000] i ∈ P x′ , when s ( x′, i , δ)>0 for δ≦0
[0000] In other words, a minimal position i is a position within bit string x′ for which the function s(x′, i, δ) is greater than 0 for all possible values of δ greater than or equal to 0. Clearly, those positions with binary values “1” are candidates for being minimal positions, since s(x′, i, 0) is less than 0 for a bit position i with value “−1” in x′.
[0037] Calculation of the minimal positions P x′ for a bit string x′ provides for a straightforward implementation of a function φ′ that maps a bit string x′ of length n to a bit string y′ of length n:
[0000]
y
′
=
φ
′
(
x
′
)
y
i
′
=
{
x
i
′
when
i
∉
P
x
′
-
x
i
′
when
i
∈
P
x
′
[0000] In other words, the function φ′ inverts the value at each minimal position within a bit string transformed by the second mapping b( ).
[0038] One implementation of the antipodal mapping y=φ(x) can be expressed as follows:
[0000] φ( x )= b −1 (φ′( b ( x ))) when | x|>n/ 2
[0000] φ( x )= c (φ′( c ( x ))) when | x|<n/ 2
[0000] φ( x )= x when | x|=n/ 2
[0039] FIGS. 5A-B illustrate an antipodal mapping of a bit string x to a bit string y, x=φ(y), and the antipodal mapping of bit string y back to x, y=φ(x). The bit string corresponding to x 502 is shown at the top of FIG. 5A , followed by the Hamming weight and other characteristics 504 of the bit string x. Because the Hamming weight of the bit string x is greater than n/2, the antipodal mapping is expressed by the first of the above-provided three equations that express a first implementation of the antipodal mapping. First, bit string x is converted into bit string x′ by the mapping b(x), as shown on line 506 in FIG. 5A . The set of minimal positions P x′ is next set to the empty set 508 . Then, each position in x′ is tested for minimality. As discussed above, positions with binary values of “−1” cannot be minimal positions, so those positions with binary value “1” are tested. The first position with binary value “1” is position i=1, for which the test for minimality is shown on lines 510 in FIG. 5A . Arrow 512 indicates starting of the test at bit position i=1, and the circled value “1” 514 indicates that, at bit position i=1, the value of the function s(x′, i, 0) is “1.” Each successive arrow, such as arrow 516 , represents the addition of a next, successive bit, corresponding to the next of a set of functions s(x′, i, δ) with monotonically increasing values of δ, with the resulting binary value shown as the next circled value, such as circled value 518 corresponding to the addition operation represented by arrow 516 . As can be seen by following successive additions, the value of the function s(x′, i, δ) remains positive for values of δ in the set of increasing values {0, 1, . . . , n−1}. Because the function remains positive for these values, the function remains positive for any, arbitrary value of δ that is greater than or equal to 0. Thus, position i=1 is a minimal position, and the set P x′ is now equal to a set containing a single bit position 1 ( 520 in FIG. 5A ). The remaining lines 522 of FIG. 5A describe testing of the remaining positions of x′ having binary value “1” for minimality. As a result of exhaustive testing of all the bits having binary value “1” within bit string x′, the position i=1 is found to be minimal in the example illustrated in FIG. 5A .
[0040] Proceeding to FIG. 5B , the function φ′ is implemented by flipping the binary values at each minimal position in x′, as shown in lines 524 of FIG. 5B . Finally, the antipodal mapping is obtained through the operation b −1 ( ), as shown on line 526 in FIG. 5B . The bit string y that represents the antipodal mapping of x is characterized on lines 528 of FIG. 5B .
[0041] In order to obtain the antipodal mapping of y, the second of the three equations that express a first implementation of antipodal mapping, provided above, is used. First, as shown in lines 530 of FIG. 5B , the reverse-and-complement operation co) is carried out on y to produce c(y). In FIG. 5B , arrows, such as arrow 531 , are provided to show the reverse ordering of the elements for a few elements of y. Next, as shown on line 532 , the bit string c(y) is transformed to the bit string [c(y)]′ using the b( ) transformation. Analysis of this bit string for minimal positions reveals that the sole minimal position in [c(y)]′ is position 11. The binary value of this position is flipped, or complemented, 534 to produce the bit string φ′([c(y)]′) 536 , which is also alternatively expressed in FIG. 5B as [c(x)]′. Application of the operation b′( )to [c(x)]′ produces the string c(x) 538 , and application of the operation c( ) this string finally produces bit string x 540 . As can be observed by comparing bit string x on line 540 in FIG. 5B to bit string x on line 502 of FIG. 5A , antipodal mapping of x to y followed by antipodal mapping of y to x results in the same bit string x to which the first antipodal mapping is applied.
[0042] There are many different ways to generate antipodal mappings. The above discussion is provided to describe antipodal mappings and properties of antipodal mappings, and to provide an example implementation of an antipodal mapping. Encoding and decoding techniques that represent examples of the present invention may employ any of the various possible antipodal-mapping methods.
[0043] The antipodal mapping, discussed above, provides a basis for an efficient method and system for coding input bit strings for storage in crossbar arrays, so that the weight of each row and column within an m×n crossbar array is equal to or less than
[0000]
⌈
m
2
⌉
and
⌈
n
2
⌉
,
[0000] respectively. In the case that both m and n are even, the coding method and system based on antipodal mappings that represents one example of the present invention ensures that no row or column has a Hamming weight of more than m/2 and n/2, respectively. As discussed above, these Hamming-weight constraints on rows and columns ensure that the number of bits with the value “1” in each row and column does not exceed a threshold number of “1” bits that could produce sufficiently low resistance in a row or column of a crossbar to damage the crossbar or produce unwanted secondary current paths that, in turn, lead to data corruption.
[0044] The antipodal-mapping-based bit-string encoding and decoding method that represents one example of the current invention is next illustrated, using example bit strings. FIG. 6 illustrates encoding of a bit string to produce an encoded bit string according to one example of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates decoding of the encoded bit string produced in the example shown in FIG. 6 according to one example of the present invention.
[0045] In FIG. 6 , a 62-bit bit string u 602 is shown at the top of the page. According to one example of the present invention, this 62-bit bit string can be encoded into an 80-bit bit string c for storage into an 8×10 crossbar array. In a first step, successive groups of nine bits, which is one less than the number of columns in the array, are extracted from u and placed into the first nine positions of successive rows of the 8×10 array 604 . Note that the final row has eight bits. Thus, for an m×n array, (m−1)(n−1)-1 bits can be encoded into mn bits for storage in the m×n array. In the present example, with m=8 and n=10, the m×n array can store 7×9−1=62 information bits.
[0046] In a second step, a binary value “0” 606 is added to the last row of information bits, so that the bits from the bit string u form a full (m−1)×(n−1) array in the left, upper portion of the m×n array 608 . In a third step, the final column and final row of the m×n array are filled with binary values “0.” This produces a full m×n array 610 . In FIG. 6 , in preparation for a next step, the Hamming weights of the first m−1 rows are shown in a column 612 to the right of the m×n array 610 . In a next step, each row for which the Hamming weight is greater than or equal to the number of columns divided by 2, n/2 , is flipped, or complemented. The rows with Hamming weight greater than or equal to n/2 are marked with small arrows in a column 614 of small arrows to the left of the m×n array. Flipping of the binary values in each of these rows leads to m×n array 616 . Note that the flipping of rows with Hamming weights greater than or equal to n/2 has, in general, decreased the overall Hamming weight of the array at the expense of increasing the Hamming weight of the final column in the array.
[0047] In FIG. 6 , the Hamming weights of each of the first n−1 columns in the array, following the row-flipping operations, is shown in a horizontal row of Hamming weights 618 below the array, in preparation for a next step in the coding method. In the next step, each of these columns for which the Hamming weight is greater than or equal to m/2 is altered by an antipodal-mapping-based operation. The columns with Hamming weights greater than or equal to m/2 are indicated, in FIG. 6 , by small arrows, such as arrow 620 , above the columns with Hamming weight greater than or equal to m/2. The first m−1 entries in each of these columns is mapped, by the above-discussed antipodal mapping, to a replacement column of m−1 entries, which is inserted in place of the original column in the array, producing array 622 shown in FIG. 6 . For each column to which the antipodal mapping is applied, the 0 in the m-th row in that column is changed to a 1. The antipodal-mapping-based column operations result in a general decrease in the Hamming weight of the array at the expense of increasing the Hamming weight of the last row in the array. Because of the above-mentioned properties of the antipodal mapping, the antipodal-mapping-based operations on columns of the two-dimensional array cannot increase the number of “1” values in any of the first m−1 rows , and therefore no row is modified to violate the weight constraints as a result of the antipodal-mapping-based operations.
[0048] In a next operation, when the last row of the array, row m, has a Hamming weight greater than n/2, the entire last row of the array is flipped, or, in other words, the values of the bits in the row are inverted. Because the Hamming weight of the last row in array 622 in FIG. 6 is 4, which is less than n/2=5, inversion of the last row is not carried out in this example. In a next step, when the last column has a Hamming weight greater than m/2 the initial m−1 entries in the last column are flipped, or inverted. Because the Hamming weight of the last column in array 622 is 6, which is greater than m/2=4, the binary values in the first m−1 entries of the last column are inverted to produce the final array 624 . In a final step, the entries in this array are extracted, row-by-row, and appended to an initially empty string c to produce the code word c, with 80 binary values, 626 shown at the bottom of FIG. 6 .
[0049] The redundancy for the above-described encoding method is m+n. In the current example, the 62-bit initial bit string u is encoded into code word c with 62+m+n=62+18=80 bits. As mentioned above, the encoding method that represents an example of the present invention guarantees, for even m and n, that no column will have more than m/2 entries with binary value “1” and that no row will have more than n/2 entries with binary value “1” when the code word is stored into an m×n array by extracting successive rows of entries from the code word. In many cases, the total Hamming weight of the array is considerably less than (m/2)n, which is the maximum number of entries with binary value “1” that can be arranged within the array without violating a row or column constraint. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the initial bit string u has 35 bits with binary value “1” while the code word c has 20 bits with binary value “1.”
[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates the decoding process, using, as an example, the code word c generated from the initial bit string u in the example encoding shown in FIG. 6 . The 80-bit code word c 702 is shown at the top of FIG. 7 . In a first step, successive groups of n bits are extracted from the code word and entered as successive rows into an m×n array 704 . In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , m=8 and n=10. This is an inverse operation with respect to the final linearization of the contents of array 624 used to generate code word c in the encoding example shown in FIG. 6 . In a next step, when the final bit of the final row 705 has the binary value “1,” the final row is recognized as having been flipped during encoding. In this case, each of the first n−1 columns with a binary value “0” in the final position, in row m, is subject to an antipodal-mapping-based operation that represents an inverse operation to the antipodal-mapping-based columns operations discussed with reference to FIG. 6 . Otherwise, when the final row has not been flipped, as in the example shown in FIG. 7 , each of the first n−1 columns with a binary value “1” in the final position, in row m, is subject to the antipodal-mapping-based operation. In a next step, each of the first n−1 columns with a binary value “1” in the final position, in row m, is subject to an antipodal-mapping-based operation that represents an inverse operation to the antipodal-mapping-based columns operations discussed with reference to FIG. 6 . For example, column 706 in array 704 has a binary value “1” in the last position, in row m, and has therefore been mapped, in the encoding step, by an antipodal mapping. Therefore, the initial m−1 bits in the column are subjected to the antipodal mapping which, as discussed above, regenerates the m−1 bits of the column that were present prior to the antipodal mapping employed in the encoding step. Inversing the antipodal mapping of the encoding step in this fashion leads to array 708 . Note that the bit flags in the final row do not need to be inverted, since they have no further use in decoding. In a next step, bits 710 and 711 are compared to determine whether or not the final column was flipped in the penultimate step of encoding. When these two bits have the same binary value, either “0” or “1,” the final column has not been flipped. Otherwise, the final column has been flipped. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , bits 710 and 711 have different values, indicating that the final column of the array was flipped in the penultimate step of the encoding process. Therefore, each of the rows having a binary value “0” in the final column were inverted, during encoding. These rows are indicated by arrows, such as arrow 712 , in FIG. 7 . Had the final column not been flipped, as would have been the case were bits 710 and 711 both either “0” or “1, then each of the rows having a binary value “1” in the final column would have been inverted, during encoding. The initial n−1 entries in each of these rows is inverted, to produce array 714 . The row-inversion bit flags in the final column do not need to be flipped, as the initial entries of the rows are inverted, since they are no longer needed for decoding. Finally, the initial n−1 entries in the first m−2 rows of the array, and the initial n−2 entries in the second-to-last row of the array, are extracted, row by row, and appended to an initially empty string u to produce the final decoded bit string u 716 shown at the bottom of FIG. 7 . The extracted bits are shown in array 718 in FIG. 7 , to clearly indicate which of the elements of the array are used to generate u. Comparison of bit string u 716 in FIG. 7 to bit string u 602 in FIG. 6 reveals that decoding of the encoded bit string c has faithfully reproduced the initially encoded bit string u.
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates an array A that is a logical framework for encoding bit strings and decoding encoded bit strings according to certain examples of the present invention. The array A is an m×n array that represents an m×n crossbar into which encoded bit strings with mn entries are stored and from which encoded bit strings are extracted. However, the array A is a logical structure. A given implementation of the encoding and decoding techniques that represent examples of the present invention may store binary values in any of many different data structures, provided that they are accessed in ways that implement the operations described below. A code word c is stored in array A by extracting successive groups of n bits from the code word and placing them into successive rows of the array A. Information bits from a bit string u are stored in array A, in preparation for encoding, by extracting successive groups of n−1 bits from the code word and placing them into successive rows of the array A, with the last group of bits extracted from u having n−2 bits. The final row m 802 of array A is filled with zeros and the final column n 804 of array A is also filled with zeros. In addition, a zero is entered into array element A m−1, n−1 806 . The initial n−1 entries in the final row m comprise a set of column flags 808 , indicating which columns have been subjected to an antipodal mapping during encoding. The initial m−1 entries in the final column comprise a set of row flags 810 that indicate which rows have been inverted during the encoding step. The sum, using modulo-2 arithmetic, of array entries A m−1,n−1 and A −1,n generates a binary value LCFlip 812 , which indicates whether or not the first m−1 entries in last column of array A were flipped during encoding. When LCFlip has the value “1,” the first m−1 entries in last column were flipped. When LCFlip has the value “0,” the first m−1 entries in last column were not flipped. The array element A m,n contains a binary value LRFlip 814 , which indicates, in similar fashion to LCFlip, whether the last row of array A was flipped during encoding. As in the C programming language, a binary value “0” corresponds to Boolean value FALSE and a binary value “1” corresponds to Boolean value “1.”
[0052] Next, in FIGS. 9A-D and 10 A-B, control-flow diagrams are provided to illustrate an encoding method and decoding method that represent examples of the present invention. These methods are generally incorporated, by logic circuits, firmware and/or software instructions, or some combination of circuits and instructions, within a memory controller of an electronic memory in order to encode input data for storage into one or more crossbar arrays within the electronic memory and to decode data extracted from the one or more crossbar arrays within the electronic memory for output from the electronic memory. Alternatively, the encoding and decoding methods that represent examples of the present invention may be incorporated within computer systems as logic circuits, firmware and/or software instructions, or a combination of logic circuits, firmware, and/or software for encoding data prior to transmission to electronic memories and for decoding data retrieved from electronic memories. The data encoding ensures that no crossbar column or row has sufficiently low resistance to carry currents great enough to damage or destroy the crossbar arrays or to lead to data corruption when standard operational voltages are applied to the crossbar array during READ and WRITE operations. Thus the encoding and decoding methods that represent examples of the present invention are incorporated within physical computer systems, electronic memories, and other devices and systems that electronically store data.
[0053] FIGS. 9A-D provide control-flow diagrams that illustrate encoding of bit strings by an encoding method that represents an example of the present invention. FIG. 9A provides a control-flow diagram for a routine “encodeString” which encodes a received bit string b for storage into one or more crossbar arrays. The one or more crossbar arrays are described by a received list of array-dimension pairs. In step 902 , the bit string b to be encoded for storage into the one or more arrays is received. In step 904 , a list of array-dimension pairs is received, each array-dimension pair including the number of rows and columns, m and n, in a crossbar array into which a portion of the encoded string b is to be stored. In step 906 , an output bit string, or code word c, is set to the empty string. In step 908 , an iteration variable i is set to 1 and a data-extraction index start is set to 0. Then, in the while-loop of steps 910 - 917 , received bit string b is encoded to produce encoded bit string c. In step 911 , the i th pair of array dimensions is extracted from the received list of array dimensions, and a variable nxtNum is set to (m−1)(n−1)−1, or the number of unencoded bits can be stored into the i th array. In step 912 , the number of bits nxtNum is extracted from the remaining unencoded bits of received bit string b and encoded via a call to the routine “encode” in step 913 . The routine “encode,” described below, carries out the encoding process discussed above with reference to FIG. 6 . The output from the routine “encode” is appended to the encoded string c in step 914 , and the length of encoded string c is increased by mn and the variable start is increased by nxtNum, in step 915 , in preparation for the next iteration of the while-loop. When the variable start is less than the length of input string b, as determined in step 916 , then the iteration variable i is incremented, in step 917 , and a next iteration of the while-loop carried out by returning control to step 911 . Otherwise, the encoded string c is returned. Thus, the routine “encodeString” encodes input strings of arbitrary length to produce a code word for storage into one or more crossbar arrays that together provide sufficient capacity for storing the encoded input bit string c.
[0054] FIGS. 9B-D provide control-flow diagrams for the routine “encode,” called in step 913 of FIG. 9A , which implements the method discussed above with reference to FIG. 6 . In step 920 , the number of rows and columns, m and n, respectively, of a next m×n array and (m−1)(n−1)−1 bits for encoding into a code word to be placed into the m×n array are received. In step 922 , the received bits are logically and/or physically arranged into an m×n array A, discussed above with reference to FIG. 8 . Successive groups of n−1 bits are extracted from the received string and placed into the first m−2 rows of array A. A final group of n−2 bits is extracted from the bit string and placed into the second-to-last row of array A. The final row and column of array A are set to 0, as is array element A m−1,n−1 ( 806 in FIG. 8 ). In step 924 , rows of array A may be flipped, or inverted, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 6 , in a first pass over the array A via a call to the routine “flip rows,” and, in step 926 , the initial m−1 bits of the columns of array A may be remapped, or subjected to the same antipodal mapping to which they were subjected to during encoding, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 6 , in a second pass over the array A via a call to the routine “remap columns.” When the number of column flags in array A having binary value “1” is greater than n/2, as determined in step 928 , then, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 6 , the final row m of array A is flipped, or inverted, in step 930 . When the number of bits in column n with binary value “1” is greater than m/2, as determined in step 932 , then all of the row flags, but not the array entry corresponding to LRFlip, are inverted in step 934 . In a final step 936 , the mn bits of array A are extracted, row-by-row, and appended to initially empty code word c′, which is returned in step 938 .
[0055] FIG. 9C provides a control-flow diagram for the routine “flipRows” called in step 924 of FIG. 9B . The routine “flipRows” comprises afor-loop of steps 940 - 943 in which each of rows 1 to m−1 in array A are considered. Each of these considered rows having a Hamming weight greater than or equal to n/2 is flipped, or inverted, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 6 .
[0056] FIG. 9D provides a control-flow diagram of the routine “remap columns,” called in step 926 of FIG. 9B . The routine “remap columns” comprises a for-loop of steps 950 - 953 in which each of the columns 1 to n−1 of array A are considered. When a next-considered column has a Hamming weight greater than or equal to m/2, then the first m−1 entries in the column are replaced by a bit string generated by an antipodal mapping of the first m−1 entries in the column, in step 952 . In addition, the column flag is set to “1” for a column for which the first m−1 entries replaced by an antipodal mapping of the original bits of the column, in step 952 .
[0057] FIGS. 10A-B provide control-flow diagrams that illustrate decoding of bit strings by a decoding method that represents an example of the present invention. FIG. 10A provides a control-flow diagram for a routine “decodeString” which decodes an encoded string c that was encoded by the encoding method discussed above with reference to FIGS. 9A-D , according to one example of the present invention. In step 1002 , the encoded string c and a list of array-dimension pairs is received. In step 1004 , an output string b is set to the empty string, an iteration variable i is set to 1, and a bit-extraction index start is set to 0. Then, in the while-loop of steps 1006 - 1013 , a next group of bits is extracted from the encoded string c for decoding via a call to the routine “decode,” in step 1009 , in each iteration of the while-loop. In step 1007 , a next number of bits to extract from the encoded string c is computed from the i th pair of array dimensions and placed into variable nxtNum. In step 1008 , nxtNum bits are extracted from input string c. In step 1009 , the extracted bits are decoded via a call to the routine “decode,” which decodes the bits as discussed above with reference to FIG. 7 . In step 1010 , the decoded bits are appended to output string b. In step 1011 , the length of the output string b is accordingly increased and the index start is incremented by nxtNum. When start is less than the length of the input string, as determined in step 1012 , then iteration variable i is incremented, in step 1013 , and control returns to step 1007 for another iteration of the while-loop. Otherwise, the decoded string b is returned in step 1016 .
[0058] FIG. 10B provides a control-flow diagram of the routine “decode” called in step 1009 of FIG. 10A , which represents an example of the present invention. In step 1020 , the array dimensions m and n are received, along with mn bits for decoding. In step 1022 , the received bits are arranged, row-by-row, into the m×n array A. Again, as in the encoding step, bits may be physically stored within a two-dimensional array, or may instead be logically considered to be arranged in two dimensions but stored in some alternative fashion. When the value LRFlip, discussed above with reference to FIG. 8 , corresponds to Boolean value TRUE, as determined in step 1024 , then the first n−1 bits in row m of array A are flipped, or inverted, in step 1026 . Next, in the for-loop of step 1028 - 1031 , each of columns 1 to n−1 of array are considered. If the column flag for the currently considered column is set, as determined in step 1029 , then the first m−1 bits within the column are replaced by an antipodal mapping of those bits, in step 1030 . Next, in the nested for-loops of steps 1040 - 1046 , each bit in array A corresponding to data bits (as shown in array 718 in FIG. 7 ) is considered. In step 1042 , the variable “flipped” is set to the sum of LCFlip and the final bit in the row containing the currently considered array element. If the value of “flipped” is “1,” as determined in step 1043 , then the currently considered array element is flipped, or inverted, in step 1044 . In a final step 1048 , n−1 bits are extracted from each of the first m−2 rows of array A, and n−2 bits are extracted from the m−1 row of array A, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 7 , and appended to output string u′, which is returned in step 1050 by the routine “decode.”
[0059] Although, in the first antipodal-mapping implementation discussed above, each position in a bit string with binary value “1” is examined for minimality, a more efficient method for generating the set of minimal positions is provided by the following method:
[0000] Input: x′ = (x′ j ) jεZ n with s (x′) > 0 Data structures: i, t ε Z n ; σ,μ ε Z ; P ⊂ Z n i = 0; σ = μ = 0; P = Ø; do { if (σ ≦ μ) { μ = σ; t = i; }; σ+ = x′ i i++; } while (i ≠ 0); m = σ; while (m > 0) { if (σ ≦ m) {P = P ∪ {t}; m−−;} t−−; σ− = x′ i ; } Output: P
In this method, Z K is the set of all positions in string x′. Increment and decrement operations on the position indices i and t are modulo n. The input string x′ contains values “1” and “-1”, having been mapped from a bit string by mapping b( ). In the first loop, a do-while loop that traverses the positions of string x′ from 0 to n−1, where n is the length of string x′, the number of bits with value “1” in excess of the number of bits with value “−1” is counted, with the result stored in σ. In addition, the variable t points to the first minimal position detected in string x′ in the traversal of string x′, position-by-position, from left to right. In the second loop, a while loop, the minimal positions are determined and placed into set P, starting with the first detected minimal position referenced by variable t.
[0060] As discussed above, there are many different ways in which the antipodal mapping can be carried out. A second method for antipodal mapping, which does not rely on identifying minimal positions within an input string according to the above-described method, is next described.
[0061] In the second implementation of antipodal mapping, a one-to-one mapping φ″, which maps a subset of n elements to a disjoint subset of the same size, is employed. An ordered set N of m elements is denoted:
[0000] N={e 0 , . . . , e m−m }
[0000] Given sets A and B that are subsets of N,
[0000] A N
[0000] B N
[0000] and given the set difference notation for the set of all elements of A that are not elements of B,
[0000] A\B={e i : e i ∈ e i ∉ B}
[0000] the complement of subset A with respect to set N is denoted:
[0000] A c =N\A.
[0000] The right boundary of A with respect to N is defined as:
[0000] Boundary_R(A|N)={e i : e i ∈ A e i+1 ∉ A}
[0000] where incrementing index i and decrementing index i are modulo m, with m the size of ordered set N, which, for the purposes of the present discussion, can be thought of as a set of bit positions in a bit string. The modulo-m convention for index arithmetic is used throughout the following discussion. Similarly,
[0000] Boundary_L(A|N)={e i : e i ∈ A e i−1 ∉ A}
[0000] The set returned by Boundary_R and Boundary_L operating on the empty set Ø or on N is Ø. The right and left borders of set A are defined as:
[0000] Border_R(A|N)=Boundary_L(A c |N)
[0000] Border_L(A|N)=Boundary_R(A c |N)
[0000] Given, as an example, N to be an ordered set of indices or positions of binary values, or bits, and given A to be a subset of N comprising those positions in which bits have the value “0,” then the right and left boundaries of A with respect to N are those positions of bits having value “0” with a subsequent, in the case of the right boundary, and preceding, in the case of the left boundary, bit having value “1.” These are the boundary positions within ordered subsets of one or more consecutive positions in N with bit value “0.” The right and left borders are the positions with bit value “1” following, in the case of the right border, a right boundary bit with value “0” and preceding, in the case of the left border, a left boundary bit with value “0.” Alternatively, given N to be an ordered set of positions of binary values, or bits, and given A to be a subset of N comprising those positions of bits with value “1,” then the right and left boundaries of A with respect to N are those positions of bits having value “1” with a subsequent, in the case of the right boundary, and preceding, in the case of the left boundary, bit having value “0.” These are the boundary positions within ordered subsets of one or more consecutive positions with bit value “1.” The right and left borders are the positions with bit value “0” following, in the case of the right border, a right boundary bit with value “1” and preceding, in the case of the left border, a left boundary bit with value “1.”
[0062] Formalizing this discussion, let A be a subset of N:
[0000] N=} 0,1, . . . , n− 1}
[0000] A N
[0000] Assume that A has a cardinality L no larger than
[0000]
⌊
n
2
⌋
,
[0000] or floor (n/2), where floor (n/2) is the largest integer that is not greater than n/2. Next, a series of sets related to N and A are recursively defined as follows:)
[0000] N (0) =N
[0000] A (0) =A
[0000] N (i) =N (i−1) \(Boundary — L ( A (i−1) |N (i−1) )∪Border — L ( A (i−1) |N (i−1) ))
[0000] A (i) =A (i−1) \(Boundary — L ( A (i−1) |N (i−1) ))
[0000] Assume that the elements of N (i) are ordered as they appear in N (i−1) . The function or mapping φ″ is then defined as:
[0000]
φ
″
(
A
)
=
⋃
L
-
1
i
=
0
Border_L
(
(
A
(
i
)
|
N
(
i
)
)
)
[0000] Define a mapping from a binary sequence x with length n to a subset of the integers 0, 1, . . . , n−1 that represent positions of elements in x as follows:
[0000] g ( x )={ i : x i =1}
[0000] Thus, Y=g(x) generates the set Y of indices of positions in a binary string having value “1.” An inverse operation x=g −1 (Y) returns a binary string x with length n in which values “1” occur at positions in set Y, and in which “0” occurs at all other positions. Note that g(x) remembers the length of n, or, in other words, the length n remains associated with Y so that g −1 (Y) can return an x of appropriate length. Additionally, x is the bit string complementary to x, or, in other words, flipped with respect to x. Given a binary string x with
[0000]
x
≥
n
2
,
[0000] the antipodal mapping φ(x) discussed above can be implemented as follows:
[0000] φ( x )= g −1 (φ″( g ( x )))
[0000] This antipodal mapping can be extended to map a binary string x of arbitrary Hamming weight as follows:
[0000] φ( x )= c (φ( c ( x )))
[0063] In this second implementation of the antipodal mapping, each recursion removes, from consideration, a next set of bits with value “1” from consideration as minimal positions, where the bit string is considered to be circular, with position 0 following position n−1 and position n−1 preceding position 0. In a first recursion, the rightmost bit with value “1” in each group of all-“1”-valued bits is removed from consideration, along with the bordering 0. In the next recursion, the rightmost bit with value “1” in each new group of all-“1”-valued bits is removed from consideration, along with the bordering 0. A number of recursions removes the rightmost bits from each group, as they emerge, until all remaining bits are 1 and their positions are the minimal positions.
[0064] Although the present invention has been described in terms of particular examples, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these examples.
[0065] Modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a variety of different implementations of the various examples of the present invention can be obtained by varying any of many different implementation parameters, including programming language, modular organization, control structures, data structures, and other such implementation parameters. Any of various implementations of antipodal mapping can be used in encoding and decoding steps. The binary values assigned to bits can follow either of two different conventions. In the above discussion, many steps in the encoding and decoding methods that represent examples of the present invention are described using mathematical notation, but these methods, as discussed above, are computational in nature, and are physically embodied in logic circuits and stored programs. Please note that the operations discussed above can also be employed on more complex memory arrays, in which columns and rows may not all have the same lengths.
[0066] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. The foregoing descriptions of specific examples of the present invention are presented for purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The examples are shown and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various examples with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents:
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Examples of the present invention include an electronic-memory-system component. The electronic-memory-system component includes an array of data-storage elements and an encoder that receives input data, processes the input data as a two-dimensional array of bits by carrying out two passes, in one pass subjecting a portion of each row of the two-dimensional array of bits having more than a threshold weight to a first weight-reduction operation, and, in another pass, subjecting a portion of each considered column of the two-dimensional array of bits having more than a threshold weight to a second weight-reduction operation, one of the first and second weight-reduction operations employing an antipodal mapping and the other of the first and second weight-reduction operations employing bit inversion, generates a codeword corresponding to the input data, and stores the codeword in the array of data-storage elements.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/544,227, filed Dec. 11, 2014 and published on Jul. 7, 2016 as U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2016-0195040, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/987,504, filed Aug. 1, 2013 and issued on Aug. 4, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,097,212, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/462,310, filed Aug. 3, 2009 and issued on Aug. 20, 2013 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,511,286, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to the carburetor art and more particularly to a carburetor for a liquified petroleum gas, such as propane, powered internal combustion engine for providing a multi-stage pressure reduction of the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas contained in a liquified petroleum gas storage bottle which contains both the liquid phase and the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas and metering the amount of the gas for mixing of the gas with ambient air before introduction of the gas/air mixture into the internal combustion engine.
Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Carburetors of various configurations have heretofore been utilized in connection with providing metered amounts of fuel with air, at either ambient pressure or supercharged, to provide a fuel/air mixture before introducing the fuel/air mixture into, for example, the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine for distribution of the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine. While the advent of direct fuel injection of the fuel into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine has decreased the use of carburetors for many liquid fuel, such as gasoline, powered devices, there are still many applications wherein a carburetor may be economically advantageous utilized.
[0004] In gasoline powered internal combustion engines, utilizing a carburetor to mix the gasoline with the air, in general the liquid gasoline is mixed with the air in the carburetor and the liquid gasoline/air mixture flows from the carburetor into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. From the intake manifold the liquid gasoline/air mixture is introduced into the individual cylinders of the internal combustion engine. In each cylinder, some or all (depending on the type of engine) of the liquid gasoline is converted into the vapor stage where a spark plug ignites the mixture to provide the power stroke of the piston in the cylinder. The carburetor is generally connected in gas flow communication to the intake manifold so as to be substantially heat isolated from the intake manifold and the internal combustion engine since heating the carburetor might cause the gasoline to convert into the vapor phase in the carburetor which would “vapor lock” the carburetor and prevent the introduction of the desired metered amount of flow of liquid gasoline for mixing with the ambient air.
[0005] One present use of carburetors, however, is in the field of gas phase powered internal combustion engines wherein the fuel is the gas phase of a liquified petroleum gas. The containers of the liquified petroleum gas contain both liquid phase and gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas which, for example may be propane. The pressure of the gas phase of the liquefied petroleum gas in the container may be on the order of 150 pounds per square inch and, as such, the pressure must be reduced before the metered amount of gas may be mixed with the air to provide the desired mixture of gas/air for introduction into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine. In the prior art a separate pressure regulator has generally been utilized to provide the desired reduction in the gas pressure. However, a separate pressure regulator has often introduced complications in the design of the fuel system for such gas powered internal combustion engines. One such complication is the instance of the liquid being introduced into the regulator. In such instances, generally the liquid phase will convert into the gas phase. In so converting to the gas phase, the regulator will be cooled as the liquid absorbs heat from the structure of the regulator and the performance of the regulator will be erratic. Should such introduction of liquid of the liquid phase into the carburetor continue long enough, there will be no conversion of the liquid phase to the gas phase and the liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas will remain in the regulator. Since the internal combustion engine is designed to operate on the gas phase, and not the liquid phase, as the fuel in the fuel/air mixture, the engine would cease functioning until the gas phase in the correct metered amount is mixed with the air.
[0006] Thus, there has long been a need for a fuel system for gas powered internal combustion engines wherein both the pressure regulation of the gas, the metering of the gas flow and the combining of the metered gas flow with the air is accomplished in a single unit before introduction of the gas/air mixture into the intake manifold of the engine. Further, in providing such a combination pressure regulator and metering of the gas phase into the air flow in the desired ratio, such single should insure that only gas phase of the fuel is introduced with the ambient air to provide the desired gas/air mixture even though some liquid phase may enter the unit. That is, even if liquid phase enters the unit, the unit must provide that only gas phase is ultimately mixed with the ambient air to provide the desired gas/air mixture for the engine and liquid phase does not enter the engine.
[0007] Accordingly, there has long been a need for a carburetor for use in a gas powered internal combustion engine that incorporates both the pressure regulation of the gas as well as the metering of the pressure regulated gas into the air flow to provide the desired gas/air ratio mixture for introduction into the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination pressure regulator and carburetor for use in a gas powered internal combustion engine.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination pressure regulator and carburetor for use in a gas powered internal combustion engine that minimizes or eliminates any flow of liquid phase of the fuel into the intake manifold of the engine.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention provide a combination pressure regulator and carburetor for use in a gas powered internal combustion engine wherein the carburetor is positioned in relationship to the internal combustion engine to receive heat therefrom so as to convert any liquid introduced therein into the gas phase.
[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a combination pressure regulator and carburetor for use in a gas powered internal combustion engine in which the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas is metered into the air flow in the desired amount to provide a gas/air mixture corresponding to the operating condition of the internal combustion engine.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention provide a combination pressure regulator and carburetor for use in a gas powered internal combustion engine which may be mounted on the intake manifold or in close proximity thereto so as to absorb heat therefrom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved, in a preferred embodiment thereof in a carburetor having a body member. The body member has first walls defining a first stage pressure regulating chamber. The first stage pressure regulating chamber may have, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention useful for operation of, for example, a lawn mower, a volume of about 1.6 cubic inches and the first walls may have an area on the order of 11.1 square inches. The first stage pressure regulating chamber has first stage gas inlet port walls defining a first stage gas inlet port into the first stage pressure regulating chamber. The first stage gas inlet port is adapted to be connected to a liquified petroleum gas container which may contain, for example, propane. The liquified petroleum gas container has both the liquid phase and the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas therein. The gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas is desired for use as the fuel in a gas/fuel mixture for powering an internal combustion engine. The pressure of the gas phase or liquid phase in the liquified petroleum gas container may be on the order of 150 pounds per square inch. The first stage gas inlet port allows the flow of the gas phase or the liquid phase from the liquified petroleum gas container into the first stage pressure regulating chamber. According to the principles of the present invention, the first stage pressure regulating chamber has a comparatively large volume and a comparatively large surface area which aids in ensuring the conversion of any liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas being converted into the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention which may be utilized, for example, on a lawn mower, the first stage volume may be on the order of 1.6 cubic inches and the surface area of the first walls of the first stage may be on the order of 8.7 cubic inches.
[0014] A first stage diaphragm for regulating gas pressure in the first stage pressure regulating chamber is sealingly mounted in the first stage pressure regulating chamber and is mounted for diaphragm movement towards and away from said first stage gas inlet port. A first stage metering lever pivotally mounted in said first stage pressure regulating chamber and has a first end for movement towards and away from the first stage gas inlet port and a second end spaced from the first end and connected to the first stage diaphragm. A first stage pivot pin is provided in the first stage pressure regulating chamber and the first stage metering lever is pivotally mounted on the first stage pivot pin at a location thereon that is intermediate the first end and the second end thereof. The first end of the first stage metering lever is aligned with the first stage gas inlet port.
[0015] For movement of the diaphragm towards the first stage gas inlet port the first end of the first stage metering lever is moved away from the first stage gas inlet port to allow the flow of the gas into the first stage pressure regulating chamber. For movement of the diaphragm away from the first stage gas inlet port, the first end of the first stage metering lever is moved into sealing relationship with the first stage gas inlet port to prevent the flow of gas into the first stage pressure regulating chamber. The first stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm has an inner surface facing the first stage pressure regulating chamber and an outer surface opposite thereto.
[0016] A first stage diaphragm cap is mounted on the body member to cover the first stage diaphragm. A pressure plate is mounted on the first stage diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from the side of the first stage diaphragm facing the first stage pressure regulating chamber. A resilient means such as a first stage coil spring has a first end in contact with the pressure plate and a second end in regions adjacent the first stage diaphragm cap.
[0017] A screw member has a first end threadingly mounted in the first stage diaphragm cap and the first end of the screw member is accessible from regions external the body member and the second end of the first stage coil spring bears against the diaphragm pressure plate. The first stage coil spring biases the first stage diaphragm towards the first stage gas inlet port. The first end of the screw member projects to regions external the body member and a control knob is mounted on the first end of the screw member to rotate the screw member and thereby move the first stage diaphragm towards or away from the first stage gas inlet port. When the control knob is rotated in a first direction the first stage diaphragm is moved away from the direction of the first stage gas inlet port thereby causing the first end of the first stage metering lever to block the first stage gas inlet port and prevent the flow of gas into the first stage pressure regulating chamber. When the control knob is rotated in the opposite directions the first stage diaphragm is moved away from the first stage gas inlet port to allow the flow of gas through the first stage gas inlet port and into the first stage pressure regulating chamber.
[0018] As the gas phase, gas phase and liquid phase mixture or liquid phase flows into the first stage pressure regulating chamber any liquid phase introduced into the first stage pressure regulating chamber is is converted in the first stage pressure regulating chamber of the carburetor to the gas phase. The pressure of the gas on the first stage diaphragm tends to move the diaphragm away from the first stage gas inlet port. The amount of movement of the first stage diaphragm under the pressure of the gas in the first stage pressure regulating chamber that is sufficient to cause the first end of the first stage metering lever to block the first stage gas inlet port is controlled by the biasing force exerted on the diaphragm by the first stage coil spring. The pressure of the gas in the first stage pressure regulating chamber which causes the movement of the first end of the first stage metering lever to block the first stage gas inlet port is less than the gas pressure of the gas in the liquified petroleum gas storage bottle. The gas pressure in the first stage pressure regulating chamber during operation of the internal combustion engine may be in the range of 10.0 to 50.0 pounds per square inch. The first stage pressure regulating chamber has a volume that, for some applications, may, as noted above, be on the order of 1.6 cubic inches though greater or smaller volumes may be provided for particular applications.
[0019] There are second walls in the body member defining a second stage pressure regulating chamber. The second stage pressure regulating chamber has a second stage gas inlet port providing a gas flow passage into said second stage pressure regulating chamber. Gas flow passage walls are provided between the first stage gas outlet port and the second stage gas inlet port to allow the flow of gas from the first stage pressure regulating chamber into the second stage pressure regulating chamber. A second stage diaphragm is sealingly mounted in the second stage pressure regulating chamber for regulating gas pressure in said second stage pressure regulating chamber and is mounted for movement towards and away from said second stage gas inlet port.
[0020] A second stage metering lever is pivotally mounted in the second stage pressure regulating chamber and is connected to the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm in manner similar to the mounting of the first stage metering lever and has a first end for movement towards and away from the second stage gas inlet port and a second end spaced from the first end and a pivot pin connection pivotally engaging a second stage pressure regulating chamber pivot pin for providing pivotal mounting thereof intermediate the first end and the second end. Movement of the second end of the second stage metering lever is selectively moved into and out of blocking relationship to the second stage gas inlet port for corresponding movement of the second stage diaphragm away from and towards the second stage gas inlet port to regulate the flow of gas into the second stage pressure regulating chamber to provide a gas pressure in the second stage pressure regulating chamber at a gas pressure lower than the gas pressure in the first stage pressure regulating chamber. The regulated pressure of the gas in the second stage pressure regulating chamber may be on the order of 0.5 pounds per square inch.
[0021] For a carburetor having a first stage pressure regulating chamber with the above set forth dimensions, the second stage pressure regulating chamber may have a volume of 0.4 cubic inches and may have a surface area on the order of 7.5 square inches.
[0022] The second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm has an inner surface facing the second stage pressure regulating chamber and an outer surface opposite thereto. A second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm cap is mounted on the carburetor body member over the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm. A second stage pressure plate is attached to the outside face of the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm. A second stage pressure regulating chamber resilient means such as a coil spring is mounted between an face of the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm opposite the face thereof facing the second stage pressure regulating chamber and the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm cap for biasing the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm towards the second stage gas inlet port for selectively blocking the second stage pressure regulating chamber gas inlet port to prevent the flow of gas into the second stage pressure regulating chamber. For the condition of the gas pressure in the second stage pressure regulating chamber greater than a predetermined value, the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm is moved away from the second stage pressure regulating chamber gas inlet port and the second end of the second stage pressure regulating chamber metering lever blocks the second stage gas inlet port to prevent the flow of gas into the second stage pressure regulating chamber In general, for most operating conditions of the internal combustion engine all of the fuel flowing from the second stage regulating chamber will be in the gas phase and not the liquid phase.
[0023] The body member has third walls defining a metering chamber. The metering chamber has a metering chamber gas inlet port providing a gas flow passage into the metering chamber for accepting a gas flow from said second stage pressure regulating chamber gas outlet port. The metering chamber has a metering chamber gas outlet port for allowing the flow of gas from the metering chamber. A metering chamber diaphragm is sealingly mounted at the metering chamber for regulating the gas flow in the metering chamber and is mounted for movement towards and away from the metering chamber gas inlet port. A metering chamber gas flow lever is pivotally mounted in the metering chamber and has a first end for movement towards and away from the metering chamber gas inlet port and a second end spaced from said first end. The second end of the metering chamber gas flow lever is operatively in contact with the metering chamber diaphragm. A pivot pin is provided in the metering chamber and the metering chamber gas flow lever has a pivotal connection to the pivot pin at a point intermediate the first end and the second end thereof.
[0024] A metering spring is provided having a first end bearing against the second end of the metering chamber gas flow lever and as second end bearing against the third walls of the body member to urge the first end of the metering chamber gas flow lever into contact with the metering chamber diaphragm. Movement of the metering chamber diaphragm towards the metering chamber gas inlet port moves the first end of the metering chamber gas flow lever away from the metering chamber gas inlet port and movement of the metering chamber diaphragm away from the metering chamber gas inlet port moves the first end of the metering chamber gas flow lever towards the metering chamber gas inlet port.
[0025] A needle member is operatively connected to the second end of the metering chamber gas flow lever and moves therewith. The gas pressure in the metering chamber may be in the range of atmospheric to a small vacuum pressure depending on the speed and load of the internal combustion engine to which the carburetor is attached. For the condition of the gas pressure in the metering chamber greater than a preselected value the needle member is moved into the metering chamber gas inlet port to block the flow of gas into the metering The gas pressure in the metering chamber is less than the gas pressure in the second stage pressure regulating chamber.
[0026] A metering chamber diaphragm cap is mounted on the body member and bears against the outside face of the metering chamber diaphragm. The metering chamber has a third gas volume less than second gas volume of the second stage pressure regulating chamber. For the application wherein the second stage pressure regulating chamber has the above specified volume of about 1.0 cubic inches, the metering chamber may have a volume on the order of 0.4 cubic inches.
[0027] The body member has fourth walls defining a throttle bore. The throttle bore has an ambient air inlet port for allowing the flow of ambient air from regions external the body member into the throttle bore. The throttle bore also has an outlet port which may be connected to the inlet manifold of the internal combustion engine to be powered by the liquified petroleum gas.
[0028] The body member has fifth walls defining a gas flow passage providing communication between the gas outlet port of the metering chamber and the throttle bore to allow the flow of gas from metering chamber into the throttle bore for mixing with the ambient air to provide an gas/air mixture having the desired ratio of liquified petroleum gas to ambient air required to power the internal combustion engine at a flow rate required for the particular operating condition of the internal combustion engine between, for example, idle to full throttle thereof. For a carburetor having the gas volumes specified above for the first stage pressure regulating chamber, the second stage pressure regulating chamber, and the metering chamber it has been found that the gas flow through the carburetor at idle is on the order of 18 cubic inches per minute and the gas flow through the carburetor at full throttle is on the order of 152 cubic inches per minute.
[0029] The carburetor has sixth walls in said body member defining a gas/air mixture outlet port for allowing the flow of the gas/air mixture to regions external said body member for connection into an inlet manifold of the internal combustion engine.
[0030] The carburetor has seventh walls in said body member and the seventh walls define a throttle control chamber providing communication with the throttle bore. A throttle slide is movably mounted in the throttle control chamber for reciprocating motion therein. A throttle needle is connected to the throttle slide for movement therewith. The throttle needle has a needle end for selective movement into and out of the gas inlet port of the throttle bore for controlling the flow of gas into said throttle bore from said metering chamber from full flow to partially blocking the gas inlet port of the throttle bore. A throttle cable or linkage is operatively connected to the throttle slide for moving the throttle slide in the throttle control chamber. A remote end of the throttle cable extends through a throttle cap to regions external the body member and the remote end of the throttle cable may be connected to the throttle mechanism of the internal combustion engine.
[0031] A throttle slide spring is positioned in the throttle cap for biasing the throttle slide toward the position wherein the throttle needle may project into the gas inlet port of the throttle bore to control the flow of gas to either block the flow of gas from the metering chamber gas outlet port partially or not at all depending on how far the needle projects into the throttle bore inlet port of the throttle bore. In some applications it may be desired to provide a limitation on how far the throttle needle projects into the throttle bore gas inlet port. For example, it may be advantageous in use of the internal combustion engine to selectively limit the travel of the throttle needle to a position corresponding to the idle speed of the internal combustion engine. To provide such a limitation, a throttle control pin may be threadingly mounted on the body member and have a first end that may project into the throttle bore so as to limit the movement of the throttle slide to a position where the throttle needle is partially extended into the gas outlet port of the metering chamber at the idle speed of the internal combustion engine.
[0032] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the throttle needle is threadingly attached to the throttle slide so adjustments may be made to provide a desired range of gas/air mixtures for various operating conditions of the engine. In general, the position of the throttle needed relative to the throttle slide is made once at the factory manufacturing the carburetor to adjust the position as necessary because of manufacturing tolerances. The throttle slide and the throttle needle always move together. The engine speed is determined by the position of the throttle slide in the throttle bore which controls the amount of air flowing in the throttle bore and the position of the throttle needle in the metering chamber gas outlet port. For each position of the throttle slide in the throttle bore there is a corresponding position of the throttle needle in the gas flow outlet port of the metering chamber so as to provide the desired gas/fuel ratio for the corresponding engine speed.
[0033] In those applications of the present invention utilizing a carburetor having the dimensions above set forth, it has been found that the internal combustion engine may have a power on the order of 3 to 6 horsepower but the dimensions may be appropriately scaled for internal combustion engines having a power of, for example, 0.5 to 20 horsepower.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0034] The above and other embodiments of the present invention may be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a front view of the carburetor according to the principles of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a view of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 along the view line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 ;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a view of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 along the view line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 ;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a view of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 along the view line 4 - 4 of FIG. 1 ;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a sectional of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 along the section line 5 - 5 of FIG. 3 ;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 along the section line 6 - 6 of FIG. 1 showing the carburetor at about an idle speed of the internal combustion engine;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 6 showing the carburetor at about a ¾ speed of the internal combustion engine;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a view of the carburetor shown in FIG. 1 along the view line 8 - 8 of FIG. 1 ;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a partial a sectional view as indicated on FIG. 5 at detail B of a metering chamber gas flow control arrangement in the open position useful in the practice of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a partial a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 of a metering chamber gas flow control in the closed position useful in the practice of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view as indicated on FIG. 5 at detail A showing an idle adjustment screw useful in the practice of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing indicated on FIG. 5 at detail C showing the attachment of a lever to a diaphragm and the lever allowing gas flow through the gas outlet port useful in the practice of the preset invention;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 12 showing the attachment of a lever to a diaphragm and the lever sealing the gas outlet port useful in the practice of the preset invention; and,
[0048] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the preferred attachment arrangement of the carburetor of the present invention to the inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] Referring now to the Figures of the drawing and in particular to the sectional view of FIG. 5 , there is shown a preferred embodiment generally designated 10 of the present invention of a carburetor 12 according to the principles of the present invention. The carburetor 12 has a body member 14 . The body member 14 has first walls 16 defining a first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . The body member 14 also has first stage gas inlet walls 20 defining a first stage gas inlet port 22 . The first stage gas inlet port 22 is adapted to be connected to a liquified petroleum gas container indicated at 24 which contains both the liquid phase and the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas therein and the liquified petroleum gas may, for example, be propane. The gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas flows out of the liquified petroleum gas container 24 as indicated by the arrow 26 into the first stage gas inlet port 22 and into the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . Depending upon the operating conditions of the carburetor 12 , some of the liquid phase or a mixture of the liquid phase and gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas may also enter the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . Any liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas that flows into the first stage pressure regulating chamber is converted by the heat absorbed from the walls 16 of body member 14 of the carburetor 12 to the gas phase. The pressure of the gas phase and/or the liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas in the liquified petroleum gas container 24 may be on the order of 150 pounds per square inch.
[0050] A first stage diaphragm 28 is sealingly mounted on the body member 14 in the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 and provides diaphragm type movement towards and away from the first stage gas inlet port 22 . As utilized herein, “diaphragm movement” refers to that type of movement of a diaphragm wherein the diaphragm is mounted along the edges and the center of the diaphragm moves in response to forces exerted on the diaphragm. A first stage metering lever 30 is pivotally mounted on pivot pin 32 contained in the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . The first stage metering lever 30 has a first end 34 that moves towards and away from the first stage gas inlet port 22 and a second end 36 spaced from the first end 34 coupled to the first stage diaphragm 28 . The pivot pin 32 is intermediate the first end 32 and second end 34 of the first stage metering lever 30 so that movement of the diaphragm 18 towards the first stage gas inlet port 22 in the direction of the arrow 158 ( FIG. 13 ) causes the first end 34 of the first stage metering lever to be retracted from the first stage gas inlet port 22 and movement of the first stage diaphragm 28 away from the first stage gas inlet port 22 in the direction of the arrow 160 ( FIG. 13 ) causes the first end 34 of the first stage metering lever 34 to move towards the first stage inlet port 22 until sufficient such movement of the first stage diaphragm 28 causes the first end 34 of the first stage metering lever 30 to seal the first stage gas inlet port 22 thereby preventing the flow of liquified petroleum gas or liquid phase thereof into the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . The first stage diaphragm 28 has an inner face 28 a facing the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 and an outer face 28 b opposite thereto.
[0051] A first stage diaphragm cap 38 is mounted on the body member 14 by, for example mounting screws 170 ( FIG. 13 ) to cover the first stage diaphragm 18 . A pressure plate 40 is mounted on the outer face 28 b of the first stage diaphragm 18 . A resilient means such as coil spring 42 has a first end 42 a bearing against the pressure plate 40 and a second end 42 b in regions adjacent the first stage diaphragm pressure cap 38 . A screw member 44 is provided that has a first end 44 a that threadingly engaging the first stage diaphragm cap 38 as indicated at 46 . The second end 42 b of the coil spring 42 bears against the pressure plate 40 . The first end 44 a of screw means 44 can extend to regions external the carburetor 12 and a control knob 48 is coupled to the first end 44 a of the screw means 44 to rotate the screw mean 44 . As the screw means 44 is rotated by the control knob 48 in a first direction, the first stage diaphragm 28 is moved towards the first stage gas inlet port 22 and as the screw means 44 is rotated by the control in a second direction opposite the first direction the diaphragm 28 is moved away from the gas inlet port 22 .
[0052] As shown in greater detail on FIG. 13 , as the gas phase, gas phase and liquid phase mixture or liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas flows into the first stage pressure regulating chamber through the first stage gas inlet port 22 , any liquid phase is converted to the gas phase and the pressure of the gas on the first stage diaphragm 28 causes the first stage diaphragm 28 to move in the direction of the arrow 160 away from the first stage gas inlet 22 thereby causing the first end 34 of the first stage metering lever 30 to move towards the first stage gas inlet port 22 until a preselected pressure is reached and at that preselected pressure the first end 34 of the first stage metering lever 30 moves into sealing relationship with the first stage gas inlet port 22 thereby preventing the flow of gas into the first stage pressure regulating chamber. The amount of movement of the first stage diaphragm 28 which will cause the sealing of the first stage gas inlet port 22 is controlled by the amount of pre-loading bias on the first stage diaphragm by the coil spring 42 and the gas pressure in the first stage pressure regulating chamber. As the first stage diaphragm 28 moves toward the first stage gas inlet port 22 in the direction of the arrow 158 ( FIG. 12 ) the first end 34 of the first stage metering lever 30 moves away from the first stage gas inlet port 22 allowing the flow of gas phase and/or liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas from container 24 to flow into the first end 44 a of the screw means 44 to rotate the screw means 44 . As the screw means 44 is rotated by the control knob 48 in a first direction, the first stage diaphragm 28 is moved towards the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . In some applications of the present invention it may be advantageous to vent the outer face 28 b of the first stage diaphragm 28 . To accomplish such venting, an aperture 28 a is provided in the diaphragm cap 28 to allow communication of the volume between the outer face 18 a and the diaphragm cap 28 to be exposed to ambient air at the ambient air pressure.
[0053] During operation, the gas pressure of the liquified petroleum gas in the first stage pressure regulating chamber is less than the pressure of the liquified petroleum gas phase in the liquified petroleum gas container 24 . The operating pressure of the liquified petroleum gas in the first stage pressure regulating chamber may be in the range of 10.0 to 50.0 pounds per square inch. The first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 also has a first stage gas outlet port 18 a. In one particular application of the principles of the present invention in the embodiment 10 , the volume of the first stage pressure regulating chamber may be on the order of 1.6 cubic inches.
[0054] The body member 14 has second walls 50 defining a second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 . The second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 has walls 54 defining a second stage gas inlet port 54 which receives gas from the first stage gas outlet port 18 a in the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 . The body member has walls 56 defining a gas flow passage channel 58 extending from the first stage gas outlet port 18 a which provides gas flow communication to allow the flow of gas from the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 into the second stage gas inlet port 54 and into the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 .
[0055] A second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 is sealingly mounted on the body member 14 for regulating the pressure in the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 in a manner similar to the mounting of the first stage diaphragm 28 described above. The second stage pressure regulating diaphragm 60 has an inner face 60 a facing the second stage pressure regulating chamber and an outer face 60 b opposite thereto. A second stage metering lever 62 is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 64 in the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 and the second stage metering lever 62 has a first end 66 which is movable into and out of sealing relationship with second stage gas inlet port 54 . A second end 68 of the second stage metering lever 62 is attached to the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm as indicated at 70 in the same manner as described above for the first stage metering lever 30 . Movement of the first end 66 into and out of sealing relationship with the second stage inlet port 54 is controlled by the corresponding movement of the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 away from and towards, respectively, the second stage gas inlet port 54 in a manner similar to the action of the first stage metering lever 30 described above. The pressure of the gas in the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 is on the order of 0.5 pounds per square inch. For a carburetor embodiment 10 in which the volume of the first stage pressure regulating chamber 18 is on the order of 1.6 cubic inches as described above, the volume of the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 is on the order of 1.0 cubic inches.
[0056] A second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm cap 70 is mounted on the carburetor body 14 by screws 170 over the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 . A second stage pressure regulating chamber resilient means such as the coil spring 72 has a first end 72 a bearing against the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm cap 70 and a second end 72 b bearing against a pressure plate 74 which is mounted on the outer surface 60 b of the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 . The coil spring 72 urges the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 towards the second stage gas inlet port 58 . For the condition of the gas pressure in the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 above a preset second stage pressure regulating chamber value, the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 is moved away from the second stage gas inlet port 54 causing the first end 66 of the second stage metering lever 62 to block the second stage gas inlet port 54 thereby preventing the further flow of gas into the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 . The pressure of the gas in the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 is controlled by the pressure of the gas therein and the biasing force exerted on the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 by the coil spring 72 . The operation of the second stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 60 and second stage metering lever is the same as described above in connection with the first stage pressure regulating chamber diaphragm 28 and first stage metering lever 34 and as illustrated in the detail showing on FIGS. 12 and 13 .
[0057] The carburetor body 14 has third walls 80 defining a metering chamber 82 . The metering chamber 82 has a metering chamber gas inlet port 84 that is in gas flow communication with the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 to allow the flow of gas from the second stage pressure regulating chamber 52 into the metering chamber 82 . The metering chamber 82 also has a gas outlet port 86 to allow the flow of gas from the metering chamber 82 . The metering chamber 82 and the structure associated therewith serves the primary purpose of metering the flow of gas phase liquified petroleum gas into the metering chamber 82 .
[0058] A metering chamber diaphragm 88 is sealingly mounted to the carburetor body 14 at the metering chamber 82 for regulating the gas pressure in the metering chamber 82 and is mounted for movement towards and away from the metering chamber gas inlet port 84 . As shown on FIG. 5 and in more detail on FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is provided a metering chamber gas flow lever 90 having a first end 90 a operatively connected to a metering needle 94 . The metering chamber gas flow lever 90 has a second end 90 b operatively connected to the metering chamber diaphragm 88 . A biasing spring 200 has a first end 200 a abutting the third walls 80 which define the metering chamber 82 . The biasing spring 200 has a second end 200 b which abuts against the second end 90 b of the metering lever 90 in regions adjacent to the location of the operative contact between the metering chamber diaphragm 88 and the metering chamber gas flow lever 90 . The biasing spring 200 biases the metering chamber diaphragm in the direction of the arrow 210 ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The metering needle 94 is mounted in the metering chamber 82 for movement therein in the directions indicated by the arrows 190 and 210 as shown on FIGS. 9 and 10 . The metering needle 94 has a body portion 94 ′, first end 94 a aligned with the metering chamber gas inlet port 84 and a second end 94 b spaced from the first end 94 a. The movement of the metering chamber diaphragm 88 , moves the metering chamber gas flow lever 90 to thereby move the gas flow metering lever 90 to thereby move the metering needle 94 so that the first end 94 a thereof is moved into and out of the metering chamber gas inlet port 84 to selectively block and allow the flow of gas into the metering chamber 82 as illustrated in detail on FIGS. 9 and 10 . The first end 94 a of the metering needle 94 is generally conical in shape. The second end 94 b of the metering needle 94 is a cap like end and is connected to the body 94 ′ of the metering needle 94 by the neck portion 94 c. The neck portion 94 c of the metering needle 94 is smaller than the cap like portion second end 94 b of the metering needle 94 . The neck portion 94 c of the metering needle 94 is also smaller than the body member 94 ′ of the metering needle 94 .
[0059] The inner edge 84 a of the gas inlet port 84 is also conical to match the conical shape of the first end 94 a of the metering needle 94 so that, in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 10 , wherein the first end 94 a of the metering needle 94 is in contact with the inner edge 84 a of the gas inlet port 84 the gas flow therethrough is blocked.
[0060] The first end 90 a of the metering chamber gas flow lever 90 is mounted on the metering needle 94 at the neck portion 94 c so that there is relative movement therebetween as the metering needle 94 is moved between the open and closed positions thereof but the first end 90 a of the metering chamber gas flow lever 90 is retained in contact with the metering needle 94 on the neck portion 94 c at all positions thereof in the metering chamber 82 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 .
[0061] The metering chamber diaphragm 88 has an inner face 88 a facing the metering chamber 82 and an outer face 88 b opposite thereto. As noted above, the metering needle 94 has the first end 94 a thereof aligned with the gas inlet port 84 and, with the movement of the metering chamber diaphragm 88 , which moves the metering chamber gas flow lever 90 and such movement thereby moves the first end 94 a of the metering needle 94 into and out of the metering chamber gas inlet port 84 to selectively block the flow of gas into the metering chamber 82 ( FIG. 10 ) and allow the flow of gas into the metering chamber 82 ( FIG. 9 ) as indicated by the arrow 97 on FIG. 9 .
[0062] The metering chamber diaphragm 88 has an inner face 88 a facing the metering chamber 82 and an outer face 88 b opposite thereto.
[0063] A pivot pin 96 is mounted in the metering chamber 82 and the metering chamber gas flow lever 90 is mounted on the pivot pin 96 at a point between the first end 90 a and second end 90 b thereof for pivotal movement thereon.
[0064] A metering chamber diaphragm back up plate 98 is coupled to the carburetor body 14 and bears against the outer face 88 b of the metering chamber diaphragm 88 . The metering chamber diaphragm back up plate 98 has an aperture 98 a having a preselected area which allows ambient atmospheric air at the ambient air pressure to act upon the outer face 88 b of the metering chamber diaphragm 88 . The outer face 88 b of the metering chamber diaphragm 88 is exposed to ambient air pressure because of the aperture 98 a in diaphragm back up plate 98 . The biasing spring 200 tends to move the metering chamber diaphragm 88 in the direction of the arrow 210 ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) thereby tending to move the first end 94 a of the metering needle 94 into engagement with the metering chamber gas inlet port 84 . For the condition of the first end 94 a of metering needle 94 fully engaging the metering gas chamber inlet port 84 as shown on FIG. 10 the flow of gas into metering chamber 82 is blocked. For the condition of the gas pressure in metering chamber 82 decreasing to a predetermined value lower than the atmospheric air pressure, the force of the atmospheric air pressure on the outer face 88 b of the metering diaphragm 88 becomes sufficient to overcome the force of the gas pressure on the inner face 88 a of the metering diaphragm 88 and the force of the biasing spring 200 , the metering chamber diaphragm 88 moves in the direction of the arrow 190 ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) thereby opening metering chamber gas inlet port 84 to allow the flow of gas into metering chamber 88 as shown in FIG. 9 .
[0065] The a bearing plate 88 ′ may, if desired, be coupled to the inner face 88 a of the metering chamber diaphragm 88 to provide additional support for the action of the diaphragm 88 against the second end 90 b of the metering lever 90 .
[0066] The metering chamber 82 has a volume, for a carburetor having the dimensions as above set forth, in the range of 0.4 cubic inches. The gas pressure in the metering chamber 82 for the carburetor having the dimensions and gas pressures as above descried is on the order of atmospheric to a partial vacuum depending on the speed and load conditions of the internal combustion engine to which the carburetor 14 is operatively connected.
[0067] As shown on FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 , the carburetor body has fourth walls 100 defining a throttle bore 102 . As described below in greater detail, the throttle bore 100 has an air inlet port 104 and a gas/air outlet port 106 and the gas outlet port 106 is adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine for delivering thereto a gas/fuel mixture having a preselected gas to air ratio for the particular operating conditions of the internal combustion engine.
[0068] The carburetor body has fifth walls 108 defining a gas flow passage 110 which provides gas flow communication between the metering chamber 82 and the throttle bore 102 to allow the flow of gas from the metering chamber 82 into the throttle bore 102 . The diameter of the throttle bore 102 is smaller than the air inlet port 104 and the gas/air outlet port 106 . This creates a venturi when air flow is drawn through the throttle bore 102 by the suction applied by the internal combustion engine. As the flow of air passes into the reduced diameter throttle bore 102 , the speed of the airflow increases and the pressure decreases. The now lower than ambient air pressure present in the throttle bore 102 is connected by the metering chamber outlet passage 110 to the metering chamber 82 . The greater atmospheric pressure present on the metering chamber diaphragm outer surface 88 a causes the metering chamber diaphragm 88 to move towards the metering chamber inlet port 84 , which in turn causes the metering chamber needle 94 to lift from the metering chamber gas inlet port which allows the flow of liquefied petroleum gas into the metering chamber 82 . The flow of gas continues into the metering chamber outlet port 110 and thus into the throttle bore 102 . The gas mixes with ambient air in the throttle bore 102 to provide a gas/air mixture with the desired ratio of liquefied petroleum gas to air required by the internal combustion engine at a flow rate required by the particular operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. For a carburetor having the dimensions and configurations as above described, it has been found that the gas flow through the carburetor from the gas inlet port 22 to the throttle bore 102 may be on the order of 18 cubic inches per minute at idle to a gas flow rate on the order 152 cubic inches per minute for the internal combustion engine at full throttle.
[0069] As shown on FIGS. 6 and 7 , there are sixth walls 110 in the throttle inlet port 102 defining the gas/air mixture outlet port 106 for introduction of the gas/air mixture into the inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine to be powered by the liquified petroleum gas.
[0070] The carburetor has seventh walls 112 defining a throttle control chamber 114 . A throttle slide 116 is mounted for sliding movement in the throttle control chamber 114 in the directions indicated by the double ended arrow 118 . A throttle needle 120 is mounted on the throttle slide 116 for reciprocating motion therewith in the directions indicated by the double ended arrow 118 . The throttle needle 120 has a needle end 120 a for selective movement into and out of a gas inlet port 124 to meter the flow of gas into the throttle bore from full flow wherein the first end of the needle 120 a is retracted from the gas inlet port 124 to a position where the first end 120 a of the needle 120 partially blocks the aperture in the insert 128 to reduce the flow of gas into the throttle bore 102 at an idle speed of the internal combustion engine. The taper of the needle end 120 a of the throttle needle 120 is shaped to partially block the aperture in insert 128 at any position of between fully open throttle slide 116 and a fully closed position to provide the metering function of the correct gas/air ratio for the specific internal combustion engine at any engine speed or load. The throttle needle 120 is threadingly attached to the throttle slide 116 as indicated at 119 for movement therewith. By rotating the throttle needle at the threading engagement 119 , an adjustment of the gas/air ratio is achieved. A throttle cable 130 is operatively connected to the throttle slide to move the throttle slide in the direction indicated by the upper arrow 118 a when the contact ball 132 engages the upper end 116 a of the throttle slide 116 . A throttle cap 140 is threadingly connected to the carburetor body 14 as indicated at 142 and a throttle spring 144 is mounted in the throttle cap 140 and has a first end 144 a bearing against the upper end 116 a of the throttle slide 116 and a second end 144 b bearing against the throttle cap 140 to bias the throttle slide 116 in the direction of the second arrow 118 b.
[0071] In some applications of a carburetor according to the principles of the present invention, it may be desirable to provide a throttle slide movement limitation 220 on the travel of the throttle slide 116 towards the gas inlet port 124 to thereby limit the penetration of the throttle needle 120 into the gas inlet port 124 . FIG. 11 illustrates the details of the throttle slide movement limitation 220 . As shown thereon, there are walls 222 in the body member 14 in regions adjacent the throttle bore 102 defining a limitation chamber 224 . A control needle 226 threadingly engages the body member 14 as indicated at 228 . The control needle 226 has a first end 226 a that may be moved into the throttle bore 102 as indicated by the dotted line showing at 230 by rotating the adjustment end 226 b of the control needle 226 . For the first end 226 a of the control needle 226 projecting onto the throttle bore as shown by the dotted line, the throttle slide 116 engages the first end 226 a and thus downward movement of the throttle slide 116 is stopped at a predetermined position corresponding to the desired minimum opening of the gas inlet port 128 . A control needle spring 244 is positioned in the limitation chamber 224 and abuts the body member 14 and the second end 226 b of the control needle 226 to bias the control needle 226 outwardly.
[0072] The carburetor 12 may be provided with flanges 240 having apertures 242 therethrough which may be utilized for attachment of the carburetor to the internal combustion engine as desired.
[0073] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram showing the preferred mounting relationship between the carburetor, an intake manifold and an internal combustion engine. As shown on FIG. 14 , a carburetor 150 , which may be the same as carburetor 12 described above, receives ambient air indicated by the arrow 180 and gas phase/liquid phase liquified petroleum gas such as propane, as indicated by the arrow 182 . The carburetor 150 converts any liquid phase liquified petroleum gas entering the carburetor 150 into the gas phase thereof and mixes the gas phase with the ambient air in a preselected gas to air ratio and provides the gas/air mixture at the outlet thereof, as indicated by the arrow 184 , as described above for the operation of carburetor 12 . The carburetor 150 is mounted on or in close proximity to an intake manifold 152 of an internal combustion engine 154 so as to be in heat receiving relationship thereto. That is, in the preferred embodiments of the present invention the carburetor such as the carburetor 150 , which may be the same as carburetor 12 , shown in the block diagram of FIG. 14 , is in heat receiving relationship to the internal combustion engine 154 so that the carburetor 150 receives heat by any or all of the heat transfer modes of radiation, conduction and convection from the engine and/or and structural parts thereof and/or and accessories thereof. The heat received by the carburetor 150 supplies the necessary energy to convert any liquid phase of the liquified petroleum gas which enters the first stage pressure regulator chamber of the carburetor into the gas phase. The intake manifold 152 directs the gas/fuel mixture as shown by the arrow 186 to the cylinders 154 a of the internal combustion engine 154 which may be connected to any desired device (not shown) to provide the operation thereof.
[0074] As noted above, the diaphragms 40 , 60 and 88 are sealingly mounted on the body member 14 . FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a preferred sealing arrangement. The diaphragms are provided with a knife edge that bears against the body member 14 and the force of the back up plates bearing against the diaphragms provides the desired sealing engagement. However, other sealing arrangements may be utilized as desired in particular applications.
[0075] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the various Figures of the drawing, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. While the particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been above described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangements disclosed. Those persons knowledgeable in the art may also conceive of certain modifications, changes and variations in the precise details of the embodiments disclosed above for adaptation of the principles of the present invention to various applications to suit particular circumstances or products to be formed. The invention is therefore not intended to be limited to the preferred embodiments depicted, but only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonably equivalent apparatus and methods as described herein.
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A carburetor for a gas powered internal combustion engine having a plurality of pressure reducing stages for reducing the pressure of the gas phase in a liquified petroleum gas storage bottle prior to the mixing of the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas with ambient air.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to power converters having magnetic amplifier (magamp) post regulators and, more particularly, to circuitry used to reduce the power and efficiency loss in the control transistor of a set-mode magamp post regulator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The magamp post regulator is a popular power supply topology for regulating the outputs of a power converter in many applications. Modern electronic devices often require several voltage outputs; and need a low cost, energy efficient and well regulated way of providing these outputs. Magamps are typically used to provide an efficient and reliable way of providing precise voltage regulation of independent outputs of a multiple output power converter. A magamp post regulator provides improved regulation of power converter output voltage using a small control current.
The basis function of a magamp is to block a positive incoming voltage for a certain time (t block ) before allowing it to pass through an output filter. The duty cycle reduction occurs because the magamp delays the leading edge of the voltage waveform. The magamp acts to reduce the duty cycle to the rest of the circuit from the duty cycle of the incoming voltage so as to maintain the required average output voltage.
Conventional magamp post regulator circuits use a reset control to control the magamp using a control transistor operated in a linear mode. FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art example of a conventional reset-controlled magamp circuit 10 . FIG. 2 illustrates the hysteresis characteristic of the core element of the magamp of the circuit of FIG. 1 . The conventional magamp circuit includes a magamp 16 , a diode 12 , a reset transistor 20 and an error amplifier (error amp) 18 . In FIG. 1, when a power switch 34 is turned on, a secondary voltage V sec is developed across a transformer 14 secondary winding. Magamp 16 is forced into saturation due to the action of the voltage V sec forced upon it. The B-H hysteresis curve in FIG. 2 shows the saturation point, B saturation at the top of the path. Since the magamp 16 is “in saturation”, forward biased and highly conductive, current flows through the magamp to a forward output rectifier diode 22 after which it is filtered by an L-C circuit, comprised of inductor 24 and capacitor 26 . The output voltage is coupled to a load, not shown, and is also divided by a voltage divider formed by series resistors 36 and 38 to generate a Voltage sense signal at node 35 . At the end of the switch “on” time, the magamp 16 remains forward biased and in saturation.
When the main power switch 34 turns off and the transformer 14 voltage reverses polarity to −V sec the current through the magamp 16 is caused to ramp down. As a result, a vertical rectifier diode 30 must pick up the output current, causing the voltage at node 15 to drop. In this off state the magamp voltage V m is not allowed to reach zero. Instead a reset control circuitry supplies a voltage that reversely biases the magamp 16 , such that the magnetic flux density is reset to a point below remanence (below the point B remanence of the left side of dark shaded area in FIG. 2 .). Then the main switch is turned on and the transformer 14 secondary voltage becomes +V sec . Since Magamp 16 is well below the saturation point and not conductive, it acts as an open circuit and blocks the secondary voltage. Vertical diode 30 continues to provide a path for the output current so the voltage at node 15 remains at zero. The magamp voltage Vm then equals +V sec . In time, the voltage across magamp 16 causes it to reach saturation and become conductive. The current through the magamp rises to the output current level and remaining at this level till the end of the on time.
The flux excursion on the B-H curve of FIG. 2 depends on how much volt-time is applied across the magamp 16 during resetting. The amount of volt-seconds is controlled by the output of error amp 18 . The blocking time equation is given by t block = Δ B · turns · A core V ;
where A core is the core area, ΔB is the change in flux density, turns is the number of turns for the core, and V is the voltage. It can be seen from this equation that the loop in FIG. 2 corresponding to ΔB 2 gives a longer blocking time that the loop of ΔB 1 . The cores required for this prior art method of reset control exhibit a relatively square B-H curve. To lower the output voltage and increase the blocking time, the loop followed is the lightly shaded part of the B-H curve as compared to the dark part. The control circuit forces the B-H loop larger by pushing the vertical, descending part of the locus. Thus, the minimum blocking voltage-time is the locus where it just touches the vertical axis. To maximize the difference between maximum and minimum volt-time blocking, the B-H loop of the core material must have a small difference between B saturation and B remanence , where it intercepts the vertical axis.
Compared to square loop amorphous core magamps, ferrite magamps are lower cost, better for high frequencies and can run at higher temperature. However, a drawback associated with this conventional reset control approach is that lower cost non-square ferrite cores perform poorly under reset control because the power dissipation at high flux excursion is too large, especially for operation at high frequency.
A prior art example of a conventional circuit for magamp post regulator control without using reset control but instead using a “set” mode with a control circuit in a linear mode, is shown in FIG. 3 . This set control enables the use of lower cost ferrite cores for the magamp core, however, operation in linear mode leads to unacceptable losses in the circuit. The corresponding B-H hysteresis characteristic of the core member of the magamp of the circuit is shown in FIG. 4 . For the magamp post regulator 40 in FIG. 3, an error amp 48 feeds a control transistor 50 which is operated in linear mode. When the transformer 44 secondary voltage V sec turns negative in response to power switch 64 , a diode 42 and a control transistor 50 “catch” the current through magamp 46 . Depending on the voltage output from error amp 48 , the current through the loop of diode 42 , control transistor 50 and magamp 46 is decreased, and the corresponding change in ΔH and ΔB is achieved (as shown in FIG. 4, the current is related to H by the equation H*L core =turns * I.) During the next positive cycle, the magamp 46 will block the secondary voltage V sec The blocking time, T block , according to the equation described above, t block = Δ B · turns · A core V ,
is proportional to ΔB (turns, A core and V are constant for the equation). As the curve in FIG. 4 illustrates, set control mode operates only at one quadrant of the B-H curve while the reset control, as shown in FIG. 2, can operate at all four quadrants. In this “set” mode circuit, the control circuit tries to prevent the core from resetting, i.e. tries to make a smaller loop. Since there is no requirement for the core to be square, non-square less costly ferrites can be used.
FIG. 5 shows another prior art version of set control for a magamp post regulator. For this magamp post regulator circuit 70 , in addition to the magamp 76 power winding, there is an extra magamp control winding 77 . A driver diode 72 and a control transistor 80 control the magamp control winding 77 , with the control elements isolated from the transformer 74 secondary power winding. The current through the diode 72 and control transistor 80 can be reduced depending on the turns ratio of the control winding and power winding. FIG. 6 shows a corresponding set of timing curves for the magamp set control circuit of FIG. 5 . The top curve 1 , is the secondary voltage and V p is the transformer 74 primary voltage, curve 2 is the V error voltage, curve 3 is the transistor 80 collector-emitter voltage, V cc , and curve 4 is the magamp voltage Vm. FIG. 7 shows a set of measured voltage curve traces for the magamp set control circuit of FIG. 5 . Curve 5 is the secondary voltage, curve 6 is the voltage at the anode of the horizontal diode 82 and the lower curve 7 is the magamp voltage V m .
The conventional set control circuits of FIGS. 3 and 5 allow the use of lower cost non-square ferrites. A drawback of these circuits, however, is that the circuits exhibit unacceptable power and efficiency loss. FIG. 8 illustrates the unacceptable energy loss. The stored energy in the core is the area bounded by the B-H curve and the B axis. When traversing the lower part of the B-H curve up to saturation, the energy stored is equal to the light shaded area A e plus the dark shaded area A h ;with A h representing the energy lost due to hysteresis. When traversing the curve from saturation to the area between saturation and remanence, a part of the area A e is associated with the movement. Under set control, the energy is dissipated in the control transistor.
FIG. 9 is a set of measured trace curves illustrating the power dissipation drawback of the conventional set mode circuits. Curve 8 is the secondary voltage V sec , curve 9 is the current for the control transistor and 10 is the control transistor voltage. The voltage and current waveforms between the vertical cursors illustrate that the power is being dissipated in the control transistor that is operating in its linear region. At higher power levels, more power will be dissipated. Under set mode control, the energy has been found to be dissipated in the control transistor that is the driver element for the magamp post regulator.
To allow the use of any kind of loop material regardless of its residual flux and to use ferrites effectively at lower frequencies, a conventional “full control” method has also been used. For this full control method, both the reset and set control methods are selectively used; with either being applied to the same core.
A drawback associated with the “set” control and the “full control” methods, as described above, is that losses in the control transistor are quite high, resulting in unacceptable reductions in power and efficiency. Parasitic energy stored in the magamp during the power delivery is burned in the control transistor. Therefore, there is a need for circuitry to reduce this power and efficiency loss in the control transistor of a set mode magamp post regulator circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned drawbacks associated with losses in the control transistor in “set” mode magamp post regulators are substantially reduced or eliminated by the present invention. One aspect of the present invention is directed to a switched set mode magamp post regulator circuit operative to eliminate the power loss associated with operation of the control transistor in linear mode, by switching the control transistor on and off synchronously with the main transformer. The switched magamp post regulator circuit enables the parasitic energy stored in the magamp to be recycled to the output load. The switched magamp circuit also reduces cost over the more commonly used reset-mode magamp circuits by employing the set mode which enables the use of different materials for the magamp core. The magamp post regulator control circuit embodiments described below are for regulating one or more output voltages of a power converter. The embodiments are described where the power converter is a forward converter, however, the present invention is equally applicable to other topologies including push-pull, half-bridge, full bridge and flyback; especially when there is a periodic rectangular voltage source similar to the V sec transformer secondary waveform.
One exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 10, provides a set mode magamp post regulator control circuit for regulating the output voltage of a power converter. The magamp post regulator circuit comprises a magnetic amplifier, a control transistor, a set mode control circuit and an output circuit. In this embodiment the control transistor is preferably a MOSFET. A power switch signal is turned “on” a secondary voltage V sec is developed across the transformer winding. A set mode control circuit switches the control transistor on and off synchronously with the main transformer. A winding on the magamp is allowed to “fly” then subsequently gets shorted out, during every cycle, during the off-time for the primary of the power converter, in order to get the desired B-H excursion curve of the magamp core. When the control transistor is off, the energy from the magamp is returned to the load. When the control transistor turns on later in the cycle, current will circulate in the control windings of the magamp. The magamp preferably includes multiple magamp windings and a low-cost ferrite core.
An advantage of this embodiment is that the use of a switching mode of operation improves the power and efficiency by reducing losses in the control transistor compared to conventional circuits in which the control transistor is operated in linear mode. The set mode also allows the efficient use of lower cost core materials including ferrites.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, the switched magamp post regulator control circuit uses set mode control with a feedback control using pulse width modulation (PWM). The magamp post regulator control circuit comprises a magnetic amplifier, a control transistor, a control circuit and an output circuit. The control transistor to be switched on and off is also preferably a MOSFET. The control circuit for switching the control transistor is comprised of a comparator, an error amp and a ramp generator circuit. When the control transistor is off, the energy from the magamp is returned to the load. When the control transistor turns on later in the cycle, current will circulate in the control windings of the magamp.
FIG. 15 shows the preferred embodiment of the magamp post regulator circuit of FIG. 13 . There are two main differences between FIGS. 13 and 15. One is that the ramp voltage waveform, V ramp , produced in the embodiment in FIG. 13 is triangular whereas the ramp voltage waveform produced in FIG. 15 is trapezoidal. Secondly, for the embodiment in FIG. 15, the voltage at the negative input of the comparator passes through a diode and is DC biased. The DC bias feature incorporated into FIG. 15 is essential to ensure that the MOSFET control transistor is off during the time when the secondary voltage V s is positive even in cases wherein the output error voltage goes to its lowest possible voltage. Note that in FIG. 13 if the error amp 208 is saturated and the ramp transistor 211 is fully on, the output of the comparator 221 is unpredictable and would be dependent on which of the two voltages is larger. The trapezoidal waveform in the embodiment in FIG. 15 raises the effective error voltage needed to operate in the ramp's dynamic range. This makes the circuit more immune to false triggering. Note also that FIG. 15 easily allows the addition of another error amp circuit for constant current operation if needed. The embodiment may optionally include a drive circuit to drive the control transistor. The embodiment in FIG. 15 shows the error amp portion of the control circuit configured “for constant voltage” control.
FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 15 with an error amp circuit that provides both constant voltage and constant current control. Alternatively the constant current control, shown in FIG. 17, could be provided without the constant voltage control circuit.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 19, provides “full control” over the magamp post regulator control circuit for regulating the output voltage of a power converter. “Full control” refers to control over the full range of the hysteresis loop [from −B saturation to +B saturation ]. Unlike the conventional full control circuits, this embodiment uses both a set mode (switched) and reset mode (conventional linear, non-switched) depending on the operating condition. A further advantage of the full control embodiment is that it reduces core size and at the same time reduces the required number of power turns. This embodiment also allows efficient use of any kind of loop material and allows the use of lower cost ferrites at lower frequencies.
An advantage of the present invention is that it improves the operating efficiency of the power converter by minimizing the power loss associated with the control transistor element. Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows the use of lower cost ferrite cores which are lower cost than conventional amorphous cores, run better at high frequencies and can run at higher temperatures. A feature of the present invention is that it is inexpensive to manufacture since magamps have lower parts count and are easier to design than conventional post regulators.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The aforementioned and related advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, where like numerals represent like elements, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art magamp post regulator using reset control;
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a hysteresis characteristic of the core member of the magamp of the circuit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a prior art magamp post regulator using set control instead of reset control;
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a hysteresis characteristic of the core member of the magamp of the circuit of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a prior art magamp post regulator circuit having an extra control winding and using set control with the control transistor in linear mode;
FIG. 6 is a set of voltage timing curves for the circuit of FIG. 5,
FIG. 7 is a set of measured voltage curve traces for the magamp set control circuit of FIG. 5 .
FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the stored energy and energy loss in the core;
FIG. 9 is a set of curves illustrating the power dissipation drawback of the prior art;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a magamp post regulator circuit of the present invention;
FIGS. 11-12 are a set of curves illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a magamp post regulator circuit of the present invention using a comparator;
FIG. 14 is a set of curves illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the magamp post regulator circuit of FIG. 13 with constant voltage control;
FIG. 16 (A) is a set of voltage curves illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 15;
FIG. 16 (B) is a set of voltage curves illustrating regulation timing and voltage differences between the set mode linear and the set mode switching operation;
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an error amp circuit for constant current control that could be used instead of, or in addition to, the error amp constant voltage control circuit in the embodiment in FIG. 15;
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 15 with an error amp circuit that provides both constant voltage and constant current control.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a magamp post regulator circuit of the present invention implementing full control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The switched magamp post regulator circuits according to the embodiments of the present invention allow the use of lower cost ferrite cores, at higher frequencies, while also minimizing the power loss associated with the control transistor element.
The switched magamp post regulator of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10-19. FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a magamp post regulator circuit 100 . This embodiment comprises a magamp 101 , a control transistor 110 , a control circuit 140 and an output circuit 150 . The control transistor 110 is operated as an on/off switch to control the set mode; and is preferably a MOSFET. The magamp includes a main magamp winding 106 , with a magamp control winding 105 and an additional magamp winding 107 inductively coupled to the main magamp winding 106 , preferably also provided. During the positive pulse of the transformer 104 winding, diode 102 blocks the conductive MOSFET control transistor 110 from clamping the magamp secondary control winding 105 .
In order to get the desired B-H excursion curve of the magamp 101 core, the magamp control winding 105 is allowed to “fly” then subsequently gets shorted out every cycle, during the off-time of the transformer 104 primary. Power switch 124 connects in series with the transformer 104 and is coupled to an input power source (not shown). The power switch 124 alternately switches between an on period and an off period such than an ac voltage is generated across the secondary winding of transformer 104 in response. The present invention provides a control circuit 140 to accomplish the switched set mode. The control circuit 140 provides an error amp 108 and a ramp generator and drive circuitry to generate and drive a control signal to turn the control transistor 110 on and off. An error amp 108 produces an amplified error signal when a “voltage sense” from the output varies from a reference voltage (error amp input details not shown but well known in the art). The voltage sense is obtained from a node 127 tap from a voltage divider (formed by series resistors 126 and 128 across the output, and well known in the art) at the output in the output circuit 150 . This error signal feeds through resistor 122 coupled to the gate of control transistor 110 at node 119 . Ramp generator and drive circuitry is provided to present a ramped voltage signal at node 119 . The error amp controls the amplitude of this voltage. The time when the MOSFET will turn on depends on the slope of the ramped voltage signal. Timing resistors 122 and 113 and capacitors 115 and 117 of the ramp generator and drive circuitry determine the slope of the ramped voltage signal. The ramp generator and drive circuitry further includes a transistor 111 connected to node 119 , with a resistor 109 coupling the base of transistor 111 to the transformer 104 secondary.
The output circuit provided includes a forward rectifier horizontal diode 112 coupled to an LC output filter formed by an inductor 114 and a bulk capacitor 116 . The LC output filter provides a substantially constant dc component flowing to the output with the ac component of the inductor 114 current flowing through the bulk capacitor 116 ; which has the output voltage V out across it. During the off state, the inductor 114 current flows through a side path provided by vertical rectifier diode 120 that prevents the forward rectifier horizontal diode 112 from becoming reverse biased during the off state.
In the conventional set mode circuit, the control transistor is operated in linear mode and not switched as for the present invention. One advantage of the present invention is overcoming the power loss and increased parasitic stored energy in the control transistor of the conventional set mode circuits. This power dissipation of the control transistor is reduced in the present invention, since when the MOSFET switch is off, the energy from the magamp is returned to the load; and when the magamp turns on later in the cycle, current will circulate in the control windings.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are sets of voltage curves illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 10 . In FIG. 11, as shown, the curve A represents the voltage V sec from transformer 104 secondary winding and curves B and C represents the gate voltage and the drain to source voltage, respectively, for MOSFET control transistor 110 ; with the output set to 3 volts. In FIG. 12, curve D represents V sec , curve E is the drain current and curve F is the drain to source voltage, with the output set to 3.3 volts. From these curves, it can be seen that when the secondary voltage turns negative, the MOSFET control transistor 110 is off and turns on only when the voltage at the gate reaches its threshold level. MOSFET control transistor 110 , is fully on during the remaining period of the cycle. An advantage of this embodiment compared to the conventional set mode circuit shown in FIG. 5, is the intersection of the drain to source voltage and the drain current was greatly reduced.
FIG. 13 shows the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows magamp post regulator set mode circuitry for regulating the output voltage of a power converter. The magamp post regulator circuit 200 uses a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) concept for controlling switching of the control transistor. The magamp post regulator circuit 200 comprises a magamp 201 , control transistor 210 , diode 202 , control circuit 240 and output circuit 260 . The magamp 201 preferably has a secondary magamp control winding 205 inductively coupled to the main magamp winding 206 . The control circuit 240 includes a ramp generator circuit 215 , an error amp 208 , a comparator 221 , and a drive circuit 250 .
For this embodiment, the ramp generator circuit 230 is comprised of resistors 209 and 219 , capacitor 217 and transistor 211 . The ramp generator circuit 215 is controlled to produce a ramped voltage signal during the off time of the transformer 204 . Power switch 203 connects in series with the transformer 204 and is coupled to an input power source (not shown). The power switch 203 alternately switches between an on period and an off period such than an ac voltage is generated across the secondary winding of transformer 204 in response. An error amp 208 produces an amplified error signal 207 when the voltage sense (V sense ) tapped at node 227 from a voltage divider, formed by series resistors 226 and 228 across the output in output circuit 260 , varies from a reference voltage (details not shown but well known in the art). A comparator 221 compares the ramped voltage signal with the error signal 207 from the error amp 208 . The comparator 221 provides a signal whenever the error signal 207 is less than the magnitude of the ramped voltage signal from the ramp generator circuit 215 . The control transistor 210 is preferably a MOSFET. The signal from comparator 221 feeds a drive circuit 250 , formed by resistor 213 , transistor 223 and diode 222 , which drives the gate of the MOSFET control transistor 210 , switching the MOSFET control transistor 210 on to the conducting state. During the positive pulse of the transformer 204 winding, however, diode 202 blocks the conductive control transistor 210 from clamping the magamp secondary control winding 205 .
This embodiment has the advantage of further reducing the power dissipation (and the device temperature) for the control transistor 210 . The magamp 201 stored parasitic energy is returned instead to a bulk capacitor 216 until the desired volt-seconds part of the duty cycle is reached. At that point, the conductive control transistor 210 clamps the magamp secondary control winding 205 to set the magamp 201 core and keep the core at the desired point in the B-H loop.
FIG. 14 is a set of curves illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 13 . Curve G represents the voltage V sec from the transformer 204 secondary winding. Curves H and I represents the drain current and drain to source voltage, respectively, for the MOSFET control transistor 210 . From these curves, it can be seen that at the minimum blocking state, when the secondary voltage V sec turns negative, the MOSFET control transistor 210 is off(no drain current in curve H). The drain current pulses in curve H occur during the interval, described above, when the ramped voltage signal rises above the error signal 207 threshold causing the comparator 221 to provides a signal that turns MOSFET control transistor 210 on to the conductive state.
FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the magamp post regulator circuit in FIG. 13 . As can be seen from the figure, the magamp post regulator circuit 400 in FIG. 15 shows additional circuit details and an optional different drive circuit (drive ckt), a different error amp circuit (for constant voltage) and a different ramp generator circuit (using a zener diode) than that shown in FIG. 13 . FIG. 16 (A) shows voltage and timing curves illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 15 . FIG. 16 (B) is a set of voltage and timing curves to show the difference in regulation voltage and timing for the set mode using switching versus the linear operation.
FIG. 17 shows an alternative error amp circuit 510 “for constant current” control using an output current sense. FIG. 18 shows a magamp post regulator circuit 600 that is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 15 using an error amp circuit that provides both constant voltage control and constant current control circuitry. Alternatively the constant current control circuit as shown in FIG. 17 could be provided without the constant voltage control circuit.
FIG. 19 shows an alternate embodiment of the switched magamp post regulator of the present invention that implements a “full control” over the range of the hysteresis loop in regulating the output voltage of a power converter. In addition to the advantage of improved efficiency and substantial reduction in the power loss in the control transistor, magamp core size is reduced along with a reduction in the required number of power turns. This embodiment also allows efficient use of any kind of loop material and allows the use of lower cost ferrites at lower frequencies. This alternate embodiment of the switched magamp post regulator uses both set mode and reset mode control, depending on the operating conditions of the converter. The set mode part of the circuit uses the inventive switching aspect; while for the reset mode part, the control transistor is operated in the conventional non-switching linear because switching yields no advantage for the reset mode.
The switched magamp post regulator circuit 300 of FIG. 19 is comprised of a magamp 301 , a diode 302 , a set mode control circuit 240 , a reset mode control circuit 390 , a mode arbitrator circuit 380 and an output circuit 260 . The set mode control circuit 240 is as described for the set mode embodiment in FIG. 13 . The reset control circuit 390 and mode arbitrator circuit 380 , however, are unique to the “full control” embodiment of FIG. 19, and thus, will be described in more detail.
The reset control circuit 390 operates a reset mode control transistor 335 in a conventional linear (non-switched) mode. This circuit controls the amount of current through magamp 301 when the magamp 301 core is driven beyond remanence. Since the magamp 301 core can be driven beyond remanence, a higher flux is achieved. Applying the equation for blocking time that is found on FIG. 4, t block = Δ B · turns · A core V ,
indicates that even with a smaller number of turns and a smaller core area, A core , the necessary blocking time of the magamp 301 can still be achieved since the change in flux density, ΔB, can be made larger.
For this full control operation of this embodiment, however, the set and reset modes are never applied at the same time. Thus, set mode control transistor 310 , preferably a MOSFET, and reset mode control transistor 335 are never on simultaneously in this embodiment. The mode arbitrator circuit 380 which provides this control of the two modes includes a transistor 340 , coupled to the base of reset mode transistor 335 through a resistor 343 , additional resistors 341 , 344 and 345 ; and a zener diode 342 , coupled to an connection between the error amp 208 and comparator 221 of the control circuit 240 .
The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments disclosed, and that various changes and modifications to the present invention are possible in light of the above teaching. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto.
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A switched magamp post regulator in a power converter incorporating a switched set mode control circuit which minimizes the power loss associated with the control transistor of a set mode magamp post regulator is disclosed. Power loss in set mode is minimized by switching the control transistor on and off synchronously with the main transformer. The incorporation of set mode and switching allows the use of less expensive ferrite core materials with increased efficiency for operation at higher frequencies and higher temperatures.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of guiding the yarn end in the air spinning apparatus which spins the yarn by means of a drafting part and an air jet nozzle arranged in a position subsequent to said drafting part.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a spinning apparatus in which the drafted sliver is guided into an air jet nozzle unit for spinning, and the yarn thus spun is wound into a package form, a device for piecing yarn ends is usually attached to said spinning apparatus. Said piecing device operates, when the yarn is broken, for piecing together yarn ends from both the air jet nozzle unit side and the package side after introducing said yarn ends to said piecing device by means of a piecing suction pipe.
Usually, there is provided a dust box near the jetting orifice of the air jet nozzle which utilizes a waste suction pipe in order to catch fly waste and dust emitted from said air jet nozzle.
When the piecing suction pipe is adapted to operate at a place near the air jet nozzle orifice when the yarn is cut or broken, the end of the spun yarn emitted from the air jet nozzle is often sucked into the depth of said dust box. Mistakes in suction of the yarn end by the piecing suction pipe have hitherto frequently been made in such a way.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a method of guiding the yarn end emerging from the air jet nozzle so as to reduce mistakes in suction of the yarn end by the piecing suction pipe when piecing yarn ends as described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, these and other objectives are achieved by providing a dust box and a waste suction pipe adapted so that a broken or cut yarn end will drop from the air jet nozzle orifice and be drawn into the waste suction pipe. Alternatively, when yarn piecing is desired, the yarn end is sucked into the suction pipe of the yarn piecing device rather than into the dust box or waste suction pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the whole of an air spinning apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the air jet nozzle and dust box of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the components of the unit of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, it is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the reference numeral 1 designates a frame of the spinning apparatus according to this invention provided with air spinning unit 2 on top, a slub catcher 3 and winding part 4 in front, and a yarn piecing device 7 internally disposed and capable of moving on guide rails 5 and 6 along the length (normal to the plane of FIG. 1) of the frame 1.
The air spinning unit 2 comprises a drafting part 11 consisting of pairs of back rollers 8, aprons 9, and front rollers 10; an air jet nozzle 12 subsequent to said drafting part; a delivery roller 13; a nip roller 14; and a dust box 15 attached to said air jet nozzle 12. The air jet nozzle provides a hole, extending longitudinally through its length, through which sliver S enters and spun yarn exits, said exit being known as the air jet nozzle orifice 12a.
The winding part 4 is composed so as to bring the package 22 into contact with the friction roller 23 by means of the cradle 21 rotatably supported by the shaft 20.
The yarn piecing device 7 is provided with a piecing suction pipe 24 for sucking the yarn end from the air jet nozzle orifice 12a, and another suction pipe 25 for sucking the yarn end on the package side or the winding part side, a blower 26 for generating air current in each of the above described suction pipes 24 and 25, and a knotter 27. Said suction pipes 24 and 25 are turnable in a vertical plane.
The sliver S drawn out from the can 28 is spun by said air spinning unit 2 through the delivery roller 13 and the nip roller 14 and wound up into a package form 22. When a slub is detected by the slub catcher 3, a cutter 30 provided in the dust box 15 is operated to cut the yarn Y.
The action of the cutter 30 in rotating to cut the yarn Y also serves to partially block an air flow path out of the dust box 15 through its yarn exit. This in turn serves to somewhat increase the force with which the waste suction pipe 31 acts upon material within dust box 15.
In practice, when the spun yarn has been cut, it tends to become twisted and entangled into a small mass suspended from the air jet nozzle orifice 12a as shown in FIG. 2. The weight of the entangled yarn end 34, together with the suction air flow exerted by the waste suction pipe 31, causes the yarn end 34 to drop to the bottom of connecting part 32, pulling with it the yarn remaining in air jet nozzle 12. The free yarn end 34 which falls to the bottom of connecting part 32 is sucked into waste suction pipe 31. When the yarn end 34 has been sucked into the waste suction pipe 31, the air spinning unit 2 is stopped and further spinning is suspended, so that no material is left behind in the dust box 15. The yarn end remaining on the winding part side is fed toward the package by the delivery roller 13 and the nip roller 14.
In this embodiment, the structure interposed between the air jet nozzle orifice 12a and the delivery roller 13 and nip roller 14 pair and between said orifice 12a and the waste suction pipe 31, comprising the dust box 15 its associated cutter 30, and connecting part 32, is constructed such that the yarn end 34 is not directly sucked into the waste suction pipe 31 but remains twisted and entangled into a small mass. That is to say, in this dust box 15, the part connecting part 32, which connects the waste suction pipe 31 to the dust box 15 is located remotely from the nozzle orifice 12a, particularly, at or near the bottom of the dust box 15. Moreover, an angle θ, formed by the connecting part 32 in connecting said waste suction pipe 31 with the dust box 15, is configured such that the intersection of a line extending along the running path 33 of the yarn through the dust box 15 toward the nozzle orifice 12a and a line extending along the waste suction pipe 31 toward the source of the suction, creates an acute angle. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the angle θ is 45°, although the angle θ may range from 20° to 80° in other embodiments of the invention.
When yarn piecing is intended as the next step, the air spinning unit 2 is operated again for spinning of yarn anew from the air jet nozzle 12. The piecing suction pipe 24 is turned vertically upward to a position denoted by the alternate long and short dashed line in FIGS. 1 and 2 for sucking the yarn end through the suction mouth 24a.
Since, after the cutter 30 has resumed its non-cutting position, the air current created by the waste suction pipe 31 is sharply turned at said connecting part 32 and, in addition, said part 32 is located some distance from the air jet nozzle orifice 12a, and further that portions of the dust box 15 in the vicinity of the cutter 30 are open to the exterior air, the suction air flow from waste suction pipe 31 is reduced, in a zone near the nozzle orifice 12a from that in the waste suction pipe 31. The entangled yarn end 34 emerging from the air jet nozzle orifice 12a is therefore not sucked into the waste suction pipe 31 but remains in the zone near the nozzle orifice 12a.
As a result, by adapting the suction mouth 24a of said piecing suction pipe 24 to approach the nozzle orifice 12a when said piecing suction pipe 24 is turned to a position indicated by the alternate long and short dashed lines in FIG. 2, the piecing suction pipe 24 will always be able to entrap said entangled yarn end, and, by downward rotation to the position indicated by the solid lines of FIG. 1, draw said yarn end to the knotter 27. Similarly, the loose yarn end at the package 22 is entrapped by the other suction pipe 25, at its downward position indicated by the alternate long and short dashed lines in FIG. 1. Upward rotation of said other suction pipe 25 to the solid line position in FIG. 1 draws this end of yarn to the knotter 27.
The above embodiment has the advantage that air sucking pressure in the waste suction pipe 31 connected to the dust box 15 need not be varied during the piercing operation and may remain capable of sucking debris all the time.
In another embodiment, the purpose may be fulfilled by an arrangement in which the dust box 15 is an ordinary structure but sucking pressure in the suction pipe 31 is adapted to act synchronously with the operation of said air spinning unit 2. At the time of re-starting of spinning after said spinning unit 2 is stopped, said pressure in the suction pipe 31 would be temporarily reduced for weakening the sucking air current in the dust box 15 so as to stay the yarn end 34 spun from the air jet nozzle 12 near the nozzle orifice 12a.
According to this invention, sure capture of the yarn by the piercing suction pipe 24 is attained even under low suction pressure, whereby mistakes in yarn end suction are eliminated.
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A device for the uniform retrieval of yarn ends in an air spinning device. A suction force gradient is created between the air jet nozzle and the waste suction pipe. Gravitational force and the suction gradient cause broken yarn ends to drop from the air jet nozzle orifice toward the waste suction pipe. When yarn piecing is desired, a piecing suction pipe retrieves the yarn end from the nozzle orifice.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to connecting devices and systems for gas lines, particularly electrically conductive (i.e., metallic) natural gas lines. More specifically, the devices and systems of the present invention are not only easy to use, reliable and inexpensive, but they also provide improved safety due to the use of non-conductive (relative to metal) material which impedes the unwanted flow of electricity along the gas line.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Gas lines in general are well known. For purposes of this specification, "gas line" is intended to mean any conduit, pipe or similar-type enclosed passageway used to transfer gas under pressure. Gas lines are commonly used to transport natural gas to residential or commercial buildings, where the gas is then ignited under controlled conditions to provide energy, generally for heating.
A main gas line generally lies underground and is linked to nearby buildings by supply lines which typically remain underground until just before reaching a building. The supply line is typically connected to a gas meter adjacent to where the line enters the building. From the meter the gas line may extend through various shut-off valves, regulators and other devices for consuming the natural gas.
Supply lines are typically fabricated from metal. Generally speaking, they readily conduct electricity. Hence, electric charge (due to gas flow or other changes in electrostatic potential along the gas line) will tend to quickly move along the gas line from areas of high electrical potential to lower electrical potential. Sources of electricity on the gas line include static charge, improper or defective wiring, lightning, and the like.
Gas lines are generally grounded, particularly where the metal line is buried in the ground, and therefore, any electricity along the supply line will tend to move toward ground. However such electrical conduction along the supply line can be problematic, even dangerous. It is particularly undesirable to allow gas lines to serve as a ground for discharging electrical current. This is because the discharge of electricity into the earth excites micro-organisms in the soil. The micro-organisms will attack the gas line, resulting in accelerated corrosion and premature failure.
Insulating fittings such as swivels and unions have been produced that can be included in gas lines to provide an insulated connection between pipes that carry combustible gas. These insulating fittings provide threaded connections in the manner of conventional pipe fittings. As a result providing an insulating connection requires considerable plumbing work to incorporate in the gas line. The amount of plumbing work is even greater when the insulated connection is positioned adjacent to a gas meter. This is because the insulating fitting must be incorporated between other pipe fittings that connect the gas line inside the building to the gas meter. This requires considerable effort to cut and thread the pipes, connect the fittings and the meter and finally to test all the connections for leaks. This requires a great deal of skilled labor, and the cost is significant.
A need therefore exists for a relatively inexpensive, reliable insulating coupling system for metal gas lines and gas meters, which is not only easy to use and install, but also avoids unwanted electrical conduction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Overview
The preferred coupling device and system of the present invention comprises an enclosed metal (or metalized) passageway suitable for transporting a pressurized gas. The passageway carries the gas to or from a gas meter. The coupling preferably comprises: 1) a conduit having a desired preformed configuration and having at one end portion a flange, and in a preferred embodiment, a diminished outer diameter on each side of the flange; 2) a separate insulating layer, which in one preferred embodiment is a molded nylon piece which overlies this flange end portion of the conduit, thereby electrically insulating the flange end portion; and 3) a threaded ring nut which can be moved over the conduit to engage the flange, and although the open portion of the nut passes beyond the flange, a face of the flange acts as a barrier which engages and prevents the ring nut from moving past the flange. A resilient seal is removably positioned on the face of the flange opposite to the face which engages the ring nut.
In use, a threaded nipple, spud or other mating connector of a gas meter having an outer thread is aligned with and pressed against the resilient seal carried on the flanged end of the coupling. The ring nut is then moved over the conduit toward the spud until the open, threaded portion of the ring nut which extends beyond the flange, can be turned to engage the internal threads of the ring nut with the threads of the spud. As the nut is screwed onto the spud, the nut compresses the seal, and holds the flange and spud together, thereby tightly connecting (and sealing) the conduit to the gas meter.
Each of the above described elements of the present invention will be described first, and thereafter, useful combinations and methods of use will be discussed.
Conduit
The most preferred conduit is a standard metallic gas line of any suitable diameter. The conduit can be of any length, but will typically be a pipe or tube segment of sufficient length so as to incorporate one or more bends. The conduit comprises a "coupling" end. The opposite end can also comprise a coupling or can comprise an outer thread, a weldable surface or any conventional or non-conventional configuration for making a connection to a gas line, gas receiving (or supplying) device or the like.
Concerning the coupling end of the conduit, this end portion preferably comprises a flange about 0.1 or more centimeters (preferably about 1-3 centimeters) from the end of conduit. The flange can be of any configuration, but preferably is an annular collar which extends at least a few millimeters (preferably about a centimeter or two) from the outer surface of the conduit. The flange can be welded onto the conduit or (more preferably) the flange can be formed as part of the conduit, i.e., cold formed, to provide a flange integral with the conduit.
The flange must have a diameter greater than the diameter of the small (unthreaded) aperture of the ring nut, but have a diameter less than the diameter of the large (threaded) opening of the ring nut. In this way, the ring nut can be mounted on the conduit, whereby the aperture is not able to pass beyond the flange, while the threaded opening of the ring nut is able to extend beyond the flange. Critical to the configuration and placement of the flange is that the flange be located close enough to the end of the conduit, that the threaded opening of the ring nut can engage complementary threads of a spud (or similar mating connector) of the gas meter which is pressed against the flanged end of the conduit. The flange should block the entire unthreaded opening of the ring nut, so that as the ring nut is threaded to the nipple or other mating connector, the engagement between the first side of the flange and ring nut provides sealing pressure to compress the resilient seal.
Similarly, when the coupling is connected to the spud or other mating connector on the gas meter, the threads of the ring nut cause the resilient seal to be compressed between the opposed side of the flange and the front face bounding the opening of the spud (or other mating connector). Once installed, the conductive conduit is electrically insulated from the conductive spud or other mating connector by means of the insulating layer covering the flange which is later described, while a gas tight seal is maintained through the coupling.
Between the flange and the longitudinal end of the conduit closest to the flange, the outer diameter of the conduit is preferably less than the outer diameter of the main body portion of the conduit. This end portion having a diminished outer diameter will hereafter be referred to as the "pilot" portion. The pilot portion provides support for the resilient seal and a guide for alignment with the spud. The pilot portion may be created by grinding, machining or the like, but is preferably integrally formed with the conduit. Similarly, the outer diameter of the conduit is also diminished (but to a lesser extent) on a portion of the conduit on the other longitudinal side of the flange. These surfaces have a diminished outer diameter to accommodate the insulating layer as discussed below.
Insulating Layer
The insulating layer is preferably a molded thermoplastic or elastomeric material having very low (relative to metal) electrical conductivity, which preferably can be permanently applied to the surface of the flanged end portion of the conduit. Preferably, the insulating layer is a unitary piece shaped to have a surface contour which is complementary to the surface contour of the flanged conduit end. In this way, the surface of the flanged end of the conduit is electrically insulated.
The insulating layer preferably covers the entire outer annular surface of the flanged end portion, including the perpendicular terminating edge of the conduit, the flange, the pilot portion and a neck portion of the conduit on a longitudinal side of the flange opposite to the pilot. The insulating layer can be further secured to the conduit by molding the insulating layer in place on the conduit.
The insulating layer is preferably an engineering plastic, such as high performance nylon or the like. Critical to the insulating layer is that it be sufficiently durable to withstand common stresses associated with gas couplings. Also, the insulating layer should extend over the entire outer surface of the coupling capable of contacting the spud or other mating connector with which the coupling would be in contact, since even a tiny amount of metal-to-metal contact between the conduit and the nipple or connector would be a sufficient conductive bridge to dramatically minimize (or even negate) the insulating value of the coupling.
The diminished outer diameters on each side of the flange accommodate the insulating layer. Preferably, the pilot portion comprises a sufficiently diminished diameter that the added thickness of the insulating material nevertheless provides a final combined outer diameter which is comparable or somewhat less than the outer diameter of the main body portion of the conduit on the opposed side of the flange. In this way, the complimentary configuration of the spud (having an inner bore and an outer thread) can be more easily inserted over the pilot portion of the conduit and pressed against the seal and flange. This enables a ring nut to be extended over the flange and engaged with the spud or mating connector. The spud can therefore have an inner bore diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the pilot portion, and still be placed substantially in overlying relationship with the flange.
Ring Nut
The preferred ring nut is preferably a concave member of conductive metal material having internal threads. At one end, the ring nut has a centered unthreaded opening or aperture slightly larger than the outer diameter of the conduit, this enables the ring nut to be movable on the conduit (but not past the flange). The unthreaded aperture in the ring nut is sized so that the ring nut is slightly radially disposed from the longitudinally extending neck portion of the insulating layer, which enables the ring nut to be readily turned. At the other longitudinal end of the ring nut, inner threads extend from an annular opening to adjacent the conduit flange. The inner threads preferably define a thread capable of engaging complementary threads of the spud or other mating connector of a gas meter.
The System
The system of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a conduit having a flanged end which is insulated by a layer of insulating material. Preferably the insulating material is molded nylon. In use, the insulated flanged end supporting a resilient seal is brought adjacent a spud (or similar mating connector) on a gas meter having an outer thread, and the ring nut is inserted onto the conduit. The ring nut extends from behind the flange, over the flange and against the complimentary threads of the spud. As the ring nut is turned, the threads on the ring nut and spud engage. As the ring nut is turned onto the spud, the flange and resilient seal are held in compressed relation between the ring nut and the spud, thereby creating a fluid tight connection.
In the area away from the flanged end, the conduit includes desired bends such as a ninety degree or a hundred and eighty degree bend configuration. This configuration is a predetermined standardized configuration for optimally connecting the gas meter to surrounding conduits. As a result the gas meter and surrounding piping may be installed as a single modular unit. This avoids the need to connect the gas meter through plumbing connections fabricated in the field. This avoids the cost of standard pipe fittings such as elbows and nipples that would normally be used, and also reduces the amount of skilled labor time that would otherwise be needed to make the connections.
The system has the advantage that the electrically insulating coupling is an integral part of the connection of the conduit to the gas meter. There is no need for a separate insulating coupling or union in the line. In addition, because the gas meter includes a spud for its gas inlet and outlet, it is feasible to provide electrically insulating connections at the inlet or outlet, or both.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system of insulating couplings and connectors in combination with a gas meter and other gas line related components, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective partially cut away view of the coupling of the present invention in combination with a spud of the gas meter or other connector.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a coupling in accordance with the present invention having two 90 degree bends.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a conduit of a coupling having a single 90 degree bend.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a precursor conduit component to a coupling conduit during fabrication in accordance with a method of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional end view of a coupling conduit component in accordance with a method of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional end view of the conduit portion of FIG. 4 in combination with an insulating layer which electrically insulates the end portion of the conduit.
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a straight coupling conduit component in combination with an insulating layer along the flanged portion of the conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally indicated 100. The system includes insulating couplings 10 each of which are shown in detail in FIG. 2. Each coupling includes an enclosed passageway or conduit 12 through which pressurized gas can be transported. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit is derived from a standard metallic gas pipe. The conduit can be of any length or configuration, such as the "U" shaped configuration of FIG. 3 or the "L" shaped configuration of shown generally at 20 in FIG. 4.
The conduit 12 is preferably derived from a standard API 5L gas pipe, which is a standard 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 11/4 inch pipe size or the like. The pipe is cut to length and shaped or bent as required. Optimally the conduit is formed to a predetermined standardized configuration which allows the meter/coupling/conduits to be assembled into a modular configuration. This facilitates installation in a standard environment.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, at the intended coupling end 30 (or ends) of the pipe, a flange 32 and a pilot 34 are formed. The flange and pilot are preferably cold formed on the pipe. The cold forming process causes a slightly tapered, radially enlarged area 64 to be formed as best shown in FIG. 8.
As is illustrated by the precursor conduit profile generally indicated 40 in FIG. 6, the cold formed conduit end of FIG. 5 is then machined (or otherwise reshaped) to accept or accommodate a layer of insulating material along its entire outer surface. The reshaped flange is illustrated at 44, and the surface 42 of the conduit disposed from the reshaped flange is also reduced in outer diameter (while maintaining the inner diameter opening) as shown at 42. Finally, a reshaped pilot portion 46 is also configured to provide a final profile at the intended coupling end of the conduit for accommodating an insulating layer of material.
FIG. 7 shows a final contour conduit 50 which comprises the conduit end 40 of FIG. 6 which includes an insulating layer 52. The insulating layer is preferably a self-supporting thermoplastic or elastomer, most preferably a molded engineering polymer, such as high performance nylon. Preferably, a bonding material 54 or other agent is applied between the insulating layer and the outer surface of the coupling to hold the layer and conduit attached in fixed relation. Prior to applying the insulating layer, the conduit is preferably cleaned, using a caustic bath or the like. The insulating layer can be applied in any conventional or non-conventional manner. Preferably the insulating ring is injection molded in place over the coupling end. Alternatively, a separate insulating member may be snapped into position on the coupling end. Other means for applying the insulating layer are certainly within the scope of the invention.
Regardless of the method of application, critical to the present invention is that the insulating layer have electrical conductivity at least an order of magnitude less than metal. Furthermore, the insulating layer should be sufficiently continuous to electrically insulate the conduit end along its outer surface, including the annular edge surface which defines the conduit opening. Preferably, the insulating layer extends a short distance longitudinally into the interior of the conduit to help hold the insulating layer thereto, but does not significantly block the inner passageway of the conduit. Therefore the insulating layer defines an aperture in substantial alignment with the aperture opening of the conduit.
The diameter of the pilot portion 46 is shaped to accommodate the annular molded insulating layer 52 as shown in FIG. 7. In this way, the outer diameter of the pilot and insulating layer combination is optimally sized for connection to a mating connector. The mating connector may have an inner diameter only slightly greater than the inner diameter of the conduit. In a preferred embodiment, the pilot portion/insulating layer can be inserted into the open bore of a spud or mating connector. A resilient annular seal 14 extends in sandwiched relation between the flange and the annular face of the spud (see FIG. 2). The annular seal has an inner diameter that is approximately that of the pilot portion which enables the seal to be held on the pilot portion prior to connection to the spud. This makes assembly easier. The outer diameter of the seal is similar to that of the flange. The annular face of the spud mating connector is abutted against the seal, whereby the spud contacts only the resilient seal which abuts the insulating layer. Therefore the spud is electrically insulated from the conduit.
FIG. 8 illustrates a final conduit 60 of the preferred embodiment present invention. The coupling conduit comprises a flange end 61 of the conduit 12 having the insulating layer 52 thereon which is permanently adhered to the conduit. Optionally, the opposite end of the conduit can also comprise a coupling or can comprise outer threads as shown at 16. The threads 16 can be designed to be compatible with a coupling, union or apparatus to which the conduit is connected. The conduit includes the enlarged area 64 produced during cold forming which serves to shield and protect the longitudinal end of the insulating layer 52. Enlarged area 64 includes a portion that is annularly tapered. The enlarged portion terminates at a radially inward extending step 36. An annular neck portion 48 of the insulating layer 52 is disposed longitudinally from said step in the direction of the flange.
FIG. 2 shows a cut away perspective view of the coupling 10 connected to an outer threaded portion 72 of a complimentary spud or mating connector. The coupling includes a ring nut 74 mounted on the conduit. The top portion of the ring nut has a radially inward extending lip portion 76 configured to engage a radially extending face on the insulating portion 52 overlying flange 32.
The ring nut extends beyond the flange and preferably also extends beyond the end of the conduit, and includes inner threads 75. The ring nut has an unthreaded aperture bounded by the lip portion 76 through which the neck portion 48 of the insulating layer extends. As the aperture in the ring nut is somewhat greater in diameter than the neck portion, the ring nut can be rotated relative to the coupling conduit to rotationally engage the outer threads of the spud and thereby provide a tight and secure connection. The ring nut holds the adjacent, radially extending annular face of the spud against seal 14 which is sandwiched between the spud face and first radially extending annular side of the insulated flange. The radially inward extending annular lip 76 of the ring nut abuts the opposed side of the flange and the insulating layer. While the ring nut is in electrical contact with the mating connector, it is separated from the coupling conduit by the seal and the insulating layer. The insulating layer is thereby situated between the metal conduit and metal connector, and the two metal pieces are thereby electrically insulated from one another.
As is illustrated generally by system 100 in FIG. 1, couplings 10 of the present invention are integral parts of a system for connecting a gas supply line 84 to a gas meter 82 and to other downstream components. Optimally the system incorporates the gas meter and inlet and outlet conduits 12 in a predetermined configuration which is a standardized envelope. The system may include a shut-off valve 90 and/or a filter 92. Electrically insulating couplings can be provided at one or both connections to the spuds on the meter and at the filter as desired.
The system of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a standardized, single component configuration for a gas meter that also provides for an electrically insulating connection. The system allows the use of standard conduit configurations so that other lines can be brought to predetermined locations adjacent to where a gas meter will be connected. The meter and conduits can then be quickly connected to the adjacent lines. This avoids the need for a plumber to create custom connections between the other lines and the meter.
The present invention provides a substantially non-conductive connection without the use additional hardware. The invention is easy to use, reliable, inexpensive and provides added safety against unwanted conduction of electricity. Since the couplings of the present invention are substantially non-conducting relative to metal, there is no need for additional coupling hardware to insulate the line and gas meter from unwanted electrical conductivity.
Thus, the present invention achieves the above stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the use of the prior device and systems, solves problems and attains the desirable results described herein.
In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding; however, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions and illustrations given are by way of examples and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Further in the following claims any feature of the invention which is recited as a means for performing a function is intended to encompass any means capable of performing the function and shall not be limited to the particular means shown herein or mere equivalents.
Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which it is made, constructed and operated, and the advantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts combinations, systems, methods, equipment, operations and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.
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A system and method for electrically separating meters and pipes which carry combustible gases. The system includes at least one coupling (10). The coupling connects an electrically conductive conduit (12) to a gas meter (82) or other device. The coupling includes an electrically insulating layer (52) including a flange (61). A ring nut (74) engages a threaded portion (72) of a connecter to hold a resilient seal (14) in compressed relation between the flange and connector to provide a fluid tight connection. The coupling enables the flow of gas therethrough while electrically separating the conduit from the threaded connector. The system is easy to use, reliable, inexpensive and can be designed to be integral with a metal gas conducting conduit. Furthermore, the present invention provides improved performance, safety and long life due to the use of non-conductive material which impedes the flow of electricity along a gas line.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to board games, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved novel board game that employs mythological characters to develop imagination among participants of the game and to entertain the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The playing of board games in various forms is well known in the prior art. Furthermore, games that simulate combat among participants is developed in various other games, such as may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,679 to Benge wherein a game board is provided with a plurality of pieces movable thereon including sections of land and bodies of water. The pieces are divided into land pieces and water pieces of different categories each that are provided with various capacities in the playing of the game. The game is terminated when the pieces assigned to a capital of an opponent is occupied by an adversary.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,545 to Witney sets forth a downhill racing game provided with a playing board with a multi-dimensional upper portion with a ski route having a plurality of paths. A pair of dice are provided, as well as chance card for determining the number of squares to move along the various paths, including mishap cards that are employed to add an element of chance during playing of the game.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,851 to Hopkins sets forth a board game wherein the board game is divided into a plurality of sections with flexible hinges therebetween including an elevational portion to provide a multi-level board game divided into a plurality of sections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,655 to Rudell sets forth a board game with a vertical surface secured to a horizontal surface wherein the vertical surface is representative of a mountain including trails and paths and employing missiles, and the like which are to simulate hazards associated with the game during its playing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,635 to Shoptaugh sets forth a game board structure including a plurality of playing pieces in which the playing pieces are movable relative to a given axis of a plurality of elongated rectilinear sliders mounted thereon for movement in side to side relationship relative to each other along the given axes. The game board is further provided with an improved detente structure for restraining the sliders in predetermined position during movement. The game board of Shoptaugh is of interest relative to a unique game board structure and related movement of playing pieces thereon.
As such, it may be appreciated that the instant invention sets forth an improved earthstone board game that combines various features of chance, warfare, strategy, and imagination and this respect, the present invention satisfies needs in the prior art in this area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of board games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an earthstone board game wherein a multi-level board game surface simulates geographical topography to enhance the playing of a game comprising opposing sides utilizing characteristics of the occult, warfare, and prized territories and possessions. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved earthstone board game which has all the advantages of the prior art board games and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention sets forth an earthstone board game wherein aspects of the mystical and occult, as well as the challenging aspects of combat, are utilized to challenge the imagination and sharpen the wits of participants. A multi-level board game surface is utilized to simulate topographical variances in a land based combat situation employing Archers, Vassals, as well as a Wizard and a Demon to conquer an opposing participant's castle or "Keep". A valued "Earthstone" is provided each player to simulate a valued object to avoid falling into an opponent's hands.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved earthstone board games which has all the advantages of the prior art board games and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved earthstone board game which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved earthstone board game which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved earthstone board game which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such earthstone board games economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved earthstone board game which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved earthstone board game to employ aspects of combat, the occult, and geographical simulated variances on a board game surface to effect a challenging game of a participant's wits and imagination.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of the board game surface of the instant invention.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic illustration taken in elevation of the "Demon" player of the instant invention.
FIG. 3 is an orthographic illustration taken in elevation of the "Earthstone" of the instant invention.
FIG. 4 is an orthographic illustration taken in elevation of the "Wizard" in the instant invention.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic illustration taken in elevation of the "Archers" utilized in the instant invention.
FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of the dice utilized by the instant invention.
FIG. 7 is an orthographic illustration taken in elevation of the "Vassals" utilized in the instant invention.
FIG. 8 is a top orthographic view of the board game of the instant invention illustrating the starting positions of the various tokens.
FIG. 9 is an orthographic top plan view of the board unit of the instant invention diagrammatically illustrating "Power Move Options" of the Archer and Wizard tokens of the instant invention.
FIG. 10 is a top orthographic plan view of the board game of the instant invention diagrammatically illustrating an example of movement of the Demon token of the instant invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new and improved earthstone board game is set forth with reference to numeral 10 generally designating the game board of the invention.
More specifically, it will be noted that the earthstone board game essentially comprises a game board 10 of three dimensional configuration comprising a matrix of squares of varying depths including blind bores medially thereof to accept the lower peg or projection portion of the various tokens of the instant invention. The Home bases or "Keeps" are designated by a first Keep including six squares 11 of highest elevation positioned at a first corner of the perimeter framework of the game board with a second Keep defined by six squares of equal and highest elevation in the game board at an opposed corner of the perimeter framework of the game board.
The game board defines a first Keep valley 13, a second Keep valley 14 and a third Keep valley 15 wherein each valley includes a matrix of squares of lowermost elevation. It is to be noted that the valleys 13 and 15 are of equal but opposed configuration including a respective valley, and Keep separated by cliffs (or mountain range) and a second cliff matrix of squares 16a to define between the cliffs and second cliffs 16 and 16a, the second Keep valley 14 therebetween. The third cliff valley 15 of the second Keep 12 includes a first plateau series of squares 17 including four squares of equal extent of the first Keep squares 12 with a parallel sixth plateau series of spaces 17e adjacent the first Keep squares 11. A second plateau series of three spaces is positioned within the third Keep valley 15 as a transition zone adjacent the second cliffs 16a with a single square defining a third plateau space 17b terminating the matrix of second cliff 16 within the second Keep valley 14. It is to be understood that the plateau spaces 17 are required as transition steps from the Keeps and cliffs to the valley floor and or from the valley to the floor to the respective keep and cliff portions of the game board during movement of the tokens during playing of the game. Accordingly, a fourth plateau space 17c is provided as a transition and termination of the first cliffs 16 with a series of three plateau spaces defining a fifth series of plateau spaces 17d terminating the first cliffs 16 within the first valley 13.
FIG. 2 illustrates diagrammatically the token set forth as the earthstone Demon 18. The Demon is positioned at the beginning of a game in the corner opposite the starting player's Keep wherein diagrammatically in FIG. 8, the Demon 18 designated is in alignment with the first Keep squares 11 along a narrow side of the rectangular framework defining the game board 10. From this spot, the Demon is moved as a third participant wherein by utilizing two of the pyramid dice or "bones" 23, the number 1, 2, 3, or 4 is presented face down on a rolling surface and these numbers are utilized wherein the sum of such two hypothetically attained numbers determines the movement or number of squares the Demon moves. The Demon moves only diagonally as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 10 such that upon reaching an inner interior surface of the perimeter framework of the game board, the Demon "deflects" at essentially a forty-five degree angle to the game board or a ninety degree angle to the incidents of the incoming path of the Demon relative to the deflected path, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The zig-zagging across the board continues and the Demon will traverse the game board regardless of terrain and may accordingly leap from the valley floors 13, 14, and 15 to the various plateau spaces 17, to the cliffs 16 and 16a. In the event that the Demon 18 enters diagonally into a corner, the Demon may at that juncture turn around and retrace his path in subsequent moves. Should the Demon token 18 land on any other token of either player, that token is removed from the game. The capture of the Earthstone tokens 19 are the objects of the game and accordingly are not immune to the Demon's presence, and if the Demon token 18 lands on a player's Earthstone token 19, the opposing player immediately wins the game.
The earthstone token 19 is the prize token of each player and is to be guarded by each player above all the other tokens wherein the object of the game is to have a player pass from a starting position of the Home Keep valley either 13 or 15 and pass from that valley through the plateau squares entering the respective cliffs 16 and 16a along the cliffs and down through the second valley 14 through the terminating square or plateau across the intermediate second valley 14 and up through the opposing plateau square, be it 17b or 17c, along the cliffs into the opposing Keep valley and finally up the opposing player's plateau spaces 17 or 17e and wherein the earthstone 19 with one of the players must attain presence within the twelve squares comprising the opposing player's Keep, be it spaces 11 or 12, and the associated squares 17e or 17.
For example, the tokens associated with the squares 12 and 17 may be directed along first arrow 24 through the second plateau spaces 17 and through the second cliff squares 16a and along the direction of the arrow 26, descending onto the second valley floor squares by means of the third plateau space 17b then by means of the fourth plateau space 17c ascend the second cliff squares 16 and descend through the fifth plateau spaces 17d to the first Keep squares 11 in the direction of the arrow 27. Conversely, the tokens associated with the first Keep squares 11 may reverse this path, as directed by arrow 25, 28, and 29, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
The Wizard token 20 along with the Archer tokens 21 may direct power along any five squares in a straight line, or along any five squares diagonally. A power move therefore may only be made if its destination is within one square of an unprotected character, i.e. a character unprotected by the Vassal tokens 22. If a target character is protected by Vassal or the like within one square of that character, a power move may not be directed at that character. A further restriction in a power move is that the destination of the power move must be on the same level, i.e. cliff, plateau space or square, or valley square, or on a level lower than that of the character utilizing the power move. This means that an attacker at a cliff level, for example, may strike at characters on the cliffs, plateau squares, or on the valley squares. An attacker on the valley squares conversely may only strike at characters on the valley squares and may not direct a power move above that level. Of further note is that the Earthstone token and the Demon token are immune to all power moves and to reiterate, a power move must be able to strike an unprotected character to count as a turn. Understandably if the Wizard token strikes within one square of any unprotected character, it puts the opposing team in a status "spell" for two turns. While the enemy is in this "spell" it is frozen and may not attempt attacks of any kind. If the Archer provides a power move that strikes within one square of an unprotected character, that character is hit with an arrow and is removed from the playing field. The Vassal tokens 22 have no power move capabilities and are of a protective nature only.
GAME OBJECT
The object of the game is to utilize ten characters available to each player to simultaneously protect that player's castle or "Keep". There are four major characters, as discussed above, the Wizard, three Archers which employ special powers as described, and six minor characters or Vassals utilizing the tokens 20, 21, and 22 respectively, as set forth in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. The Earthstone token 19 moves as if it is a separate character, but it cannot be attacked directly. The Earthstone is captured when the enemy kills all characters within one square of the Earthstone and places one of his own characters within one square of the Earthstone. The Demon wandering diagonally and randomly across the board, as set forth above, may land indiscriminately on any player whereupon that player is removed from the game board or upon the Demon token landing upon square occupied by the Earthstone will automatically win the game for the opposing player.
Point scores are awarded as follows:
1. Traverse the board with an Earthstone to the enemy Keep--10 points.
2. Remove or kill all of the opponents' characters--5 points.
3. Steal your opponent's Earthstone--5 points.
4. Demon lands on enemy Earthstone--2 points.
The Earthstone may be stolen by an enemy character who manages to move to a square adjacent to that occupied by an unprotected Earthstone of the opposing player wherein protection of the Earthstone token includes providing a member of the same team within one square of the Earthstone.
MOVEMENT OF CHARACTERS
With each turn, the players have the option of either, 1. moving three characters in an "L" pattern, i.e. two spaces in one direction, and one space orthogonally thereto, or 2. moving three characters one square each in any direction.
STARTING OF THE GAME
Initially the opposing tokens are situated, as illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein the opposing players position a plurality of Archers and Vassals in a "U" shaped pattern adjacent the respective Keep in a "U" shaped pattern wherein a "U" shaped and alternating pattern positions the Vassals utilizing the third Keep valley squares 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, and 15e while the opposing Keep arranges alternative Vassals and Archers in a similar "U" shaped pattern of alternating Vassals and Archers adjacent the longitudinal end of the first Keep squares 11 and 17e. The first Keep player positions the remaining six tokens in a triangular formation in alignment with the forward three spaces of the Keep squares 11, as illustrated in FIG. 8, adjacent the fourth plateau space 17c wherein the Earthstone token 19 is positioned at the apex of the triangular formation and the Wizard token 20 adjacent thereto with an Archer token on the other side of the Earthstone token and a series of the remaining three Vassal tokens 22 forming the confronting face of the triangular formation opposing the opponent's players in the same formation. The Demon token is oriented, as discussed before, at an opposing corner of the Keep squares 11 position assuming the player of the Keep squares 11 is to proceed first wherein conversely it will be true that the Demon token would originate or start at a corner opposed to the Keep squares 12 should that player begun first. For example, the player of the first Keep 11 squares proceeds first and thereby moves his tokens utilizing three "L" shaped maneuvers or three single maneuvers and may at his option substitute a power move, as discussed, wherein a Wizard token or Archer token may strike in a five square radius utilizing a straight line or diagonal movement. The opposing player may then proceed on the same basis. The starting player may then move the Earthstone Demon according to the roll of two of the tokens 23 and in subsequent runs of play, players alternate moving the Demon token.
Play continues until either one player loses all of his tokens, one player's Earthstone token is stolen, as discussed, or one player reaches an opposing player's Keep with his Earthstone token and one other character token.
ANOTHER VERSION OF EARTHSTONE (GAMMONSTONE)
All of the rules are the same as in the Earthstone movement except three of the pyramidal dice 23 are thrown every turn to determine movements wherein three numbers appearing the same in a throw of the three dice 23 enables an additional turn wherein a rolling of a number 1 enables movement of one square in a straight direction, a roll of a number 2 enables two squares diagonally, and 3 enables two squares straight plus one square to the side in an "L" shaped maneuver. A roll of a number 4 allows four squares to be traversed diagonally. These movements are for each character, as in the normal course of play.
The manner of usage and operation therefore of the present invention should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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A multi-level board game is set forth wherein a pair of players each are protective of their individual castle or "Keep". Each player is provided with a plurality of tokens representing Vassals, a Wizard, a plurality of Archers, and an Earthstone. The object of the game is to travel the board game from a player's Home Keep to an opposing player's Keep or to alternatively remove the opponents players, overpower the opponents Earthstone, or move the Demon player to overtake an opponent's Earthstone. The players are moved by a predetermined orientation relative to each other or alternatively may use pyramidal dice to determine the number and type of movement employed. Each player's Wizard and three Archers have powers to destroy opponents during the course of the game.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of The Invention
This invention relates to an wiper blade apparatus for wiping a wiped surface of a windshield or the like, for example, of an automobile, by sliding the blade rubber in contact with the wiped surface.
2. Description of The Prior Art
Heretofore, there has been used a wiper blade as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 for example.
Namely, a wiper blade apparatus 100 shown in figures is attached with connector 103 at either end of a vertebra 102 holding a blade rubber 101 which is in contact with a wiped surface (not shown) on a windshield or the like, and is attached to said connector 103 with a yoke 105 fitted to a blade lever L connected with a wiper are 104.
The blade rubber 101 is provided with a long shaped contact portion 101a in contact with the wiped surface (not shown) on the windshield or the like, and an insert portion 101b having a T-shaped cross section and inserted into the vertebra 102 on the upper side of said contact portion 101a in FIG. 5.
The vertebra 102 is provided with a hollow portion 102a for holding the insert portion 101b of the blade rubber 101 and an upper plate 102b on the upper side of the said hollow portion 102a in FIG. 5. And the vertebra 102 is provided with openings 102d piercing connecting plates 102c, 102c through in the horizonal direction in FIG. 6, as positions near to both ends thereof on the upper and lower side in FIG. 4.
The connector 103 is provided with a projection 103b raising upward from a base 103a at the lower side in FIG. 6 and fitting into the hollow portion 102a of the vertebra 102, and arms 103c protruding upward from the base 103a on both sides said projection 103b and having elasticity slightly in the right and left direction in FIG. 6. And the connector 103 is provided with said arms 103c including engaging parts 103d engaged with the openings 102d of the vertebra 102 respectively, and also with fitting parts 103e to be attached to the yoke 105.
Furthermore, the yoke 105 is provided to one end near to either end of the vertebra 102 with inlaying parts 105a which hold the upper plate 102b of the vertebra 102 slidably in its longitudinal direction by fitting into the fitting parts 103e provided to the connector 103 and are engaged with the connector 103 in which the engaging parts 103d are pressed onto the openings 102d of the vertebra 102, and provided with holding parts 105b which hold the upper plate 102b of the vertebra 102 slidably in its longitudinal direction at another end near to the center of the vertebra 102.
Thereby, engaging the engaging parts 103d provided to the arms 103c of the connector 103 with the openings 102d of the vertebra 102 after inserting the insert portion 101b provided to the blade rubber 101 into the hollow portion 102a, holding the vertebra 102 in the position near to the center by the holding parts 105b provided to the yoke 5, and fitting the inlaying parts 105a provided to the yoke 105 into the fitting parts 103e provided to the connector 103, the connector 103 is so structured as to be engaged with the yoke 105 in which the engaging part 103d provided to the connector are pressed onto the openings 102d provided to the vertebra 102.
However, in the above mentioned conventional wiper blade apparatus 100, the connector 103 is engaged with the vertebra 102 in a state of inserting the blade rubber 101 into the vertebra 102, and the yoke 105 is engaged with said connector 103. Therefore, because the blade rubber 101 is not fixed to the yoke 105 fitted to the blade lever L connected with the wiper arm 104, the blade rubber 101 sometimes moves in the vertebra 102 in the longitudinal direction and sometimes slips down from the vertebra 102. In such a case, there is a problem since it is impossible to wipe the wiped surface satisfactorily, and is therefore impossible to keep the field of view from the driver's seat in favorable state. Accordingly, it is damaged to use a wiper blade apparatus which is possible to hold the blade rubber 101 to the yoke 105 securely so as not to disconnect the blade rubber 101 from the vertebra 102 and possible to keep the field of view in favorable state for a long time when the wiped surface is wiped.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, since this invention is considered in order to solve the aforementioned problem of the prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a wiper blade apparatus which is able to keep the field of view in favorable state for a long time by making the blade rubber not to disconnect from the vertebra and holding securely the blade rubber to the yoke.
The construction of the wiper blade apparatus according to this invention for attaining the above-mentioned object is characterized by having a blade rubber in contact with a wiped surface, a vertebra holding said blade rubber, a yoke fitted to a lever, and a connector attached to said yoke at an engaged state with said vertebra, said connector being provided with a blade rubber holder for engaging the vertebra and the blade rubber at a state in which the connector is attached to the yoke.
The wiper blade apparatus according to this invention has the blade rubber in contact with wiped surface, the vertebra holding said blade rubber, the yoke fitted to the lever and the connector attached to said yoke in an engaged state with said vertebra, the blade rubber holder provided to said connector is engagted with the vertebra and the blade rubber at a state in which the connector is attached to the yoke. Hereby, the wiper blade apparatus is so structured as not to disconnect the balde rubber from the vertebra, and the blade rubber is held securely by the yoke.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the assembling reltation of respective parts at the end of the wiper blade apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a virtical-sectional side view showing the neighborhood of the blade rubber holder of the connector in the wiper blade apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a transverse-sectional plan view showing the neighborhood of the connector of the wiper blade apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of conventional wiper blade apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a vertical-sectional side view showing the neighborhood of the connector of the wiper blade apparatus shown in FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a transverse-sectional plan view showing the neighborhood of the connector of the wiper blade apparatus shown in FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An emnbodiment of the wiper blade apparatus according to this invention will be described below on basis of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
In a wiper blade apparatus 1 shown in the Figures, a blade rubber 2 in contact with a wiped surface (not shown) is inserted into a vertebra 3, and a connector 4 is engaged with the vertebra 3 and attached to the yoke 5 fitted to a blade lever L in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4.
The blade rubber 2 is provided with along shaped contact portion 2a in contact with the wiped surface (not shown) on a windshield or the like, and an insert portion 2b to be inserted into the vertebra 3 having a T-shaped cross section on the upper side of said contact portion 2a in FIG. 2.
The vertebra 3 is provided with a hollow portion 3a for inserting the insert portion 2b of the blade rubber 2 and an upper plate 3b on the upper side of said hollow portion 3a in FIG. 2, and a lower plate 3d formed with a notch 3c by cutting off the vertebra 3 in the longitudinal direction on the lower side of the hollow portion 3a.
Additionally, said vertebra 3 has a little elasticity in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vertebra 3 at right angles, and is provided with openings 3f pierced in the horizontal direction in FIG. 3 in positions near to both ends of connecting plates 3e, 3e provided between said upper plate 3b and the lower plate 3d as shown in FIG. 1 (hereupon, only one end is shown between both ends.)
One side, the connector 4 is provided with a rectangular prism shaped base 4a on the lower side in FIG. 3, and with projection 4b slightly extruding upwardly from said base 4a in FIG. 3 and having an external shape which may fit into the hollow portion 3a provided to said vertebra 3.
Said base 4a is provided with crank-like shaped arms 4c, 4c protruding upwardly from both sides of the projection 4b respectively in FIG. 3, and respective arms 4c, 4c have a little elasticity in the right and left direction in FIG. 3.
Additionally, said arms 4c have outer arms 4d, 4d and inner arms 4e, 4e connected in a crank like shape, and are provided to said inner arms 4e, 4e with blade rubber holders 4f, 4f which are engaged with said vertebra 3 and the blade rubber 2 respectively at a state in which the connector 4 is attached to the yoke 5 described later.
Said blade rubber holders 4f, 4f are provided with fitting pieces 4g, 4g for engaging said connector 4 with the vertebra 3 by fitting respectively into the openings 3f,3f provided to the connecting plate 3e, 3e of said vertebra 3, serrated walls 4h, 4h which extrudes inwardly from said fitting pieces 4g, 4g in a saw-toothed shape and is engaged respectively with the insert portion 2b of the vertebra 3, and fitting grooves 4i, 4i which are hollow inwardly from respective outer periphery of the inner arms 4e and slightly press the inner arms 4e inwardly by attaching the yoke 5 described later.
The other side, in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4, the yoke 5 is provided to one end thereof near to either end of the vertebra 3 with engaging parts 5a, 5a to be engaged with connector 4 stretched inwardly corresponding to the openings 3f provided to the connecting plate 3e from the side of the upper plate 3b of the vertebra 3. And the yoke 5 is so designed as to slightly press the inner arms 4e of the connector 4 inwardly by fitting said engaging parts 5a, 5a into the fitting groves 4i, 4i provided to said connector 4 respectively,
Namely, the insert portion 2b provided to the blade rubber 2 is inserted into the hollow portion 3a provided to the vertebra 3, and the fitting pieces 4g, 4g provided to the inner arms 4e, 4e of the connector 4 are fitted into the openings 3f, 3f provided to the connecting plates 3e, 3e of said vertebra 3 respectively, subsequently the engaging parts 5a, 5a provided to the yoke 5 are fitted into the fitting groves 4i, 4i provided to the inner arms 4e, 4e of the connector 4, respectively,
Hereby, since the inner arms 4e, 4e of the connector 4 are slightly pressed and move inwardly, the blade rubber 2 is held by engaging the serrated walls 4h, 4h of the blade rubber holders 4f, 4f provided to the connector 4 with the blade rubber 2 respectively, and the vertebra 3 and the yoke 5 are engaged with the blade rubber 2 by connector 4.
As described above, the wiper blade apparatus according to this invention has a blade rubber in contact with a wiped surface, a vertebra holding said blade rubber, a yoke fitted to a lever, and a connector attached to said yoke in an engaged state with said vertebra, said connector is provided with a blade rubber holder for engaging with the vertebra and the blade rubber at a state in which the connector is attached to the yoke. Therefore, by using the wiper blade apparatus, it is possible to hold the blade rubber to the yoke very securely because the blade rubber is never disconnected from the vertebra different from the conventional type.
Accordingly, an excellent effect is obtained since it is able to keep the field of view in favorable state for a long time in case of wiping the wiped surface.
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A wiper blade assembly includes a rubber blade, a vertebrae holding the rubber blade, a yoke for supporting the vertebrae and a connector having arms for engaging the vertebrae, the rubber blade and the yoke at a common point for connecting the assembly together. The arms have projecting portions secured in openings in the vertebra with each arm having an outwardly opening groove receiving an engaging portion of the yoke and inwardly directed serrations engaging opposite sides of the blade.
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FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0001] The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods for controlling weeds using compositions containing p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors, specifically, mesotrione.
BACKGROUND
[0002] One of the more preferred methods of controlling weeds in crops involves the post-emergent control of weeds wherein herbicide(s) are applied after the crop in question has emerged from the soil. Post-emergent control is desirable as it requires the application of herbicide only where an infestation of weeds is present. In contrast, pre-emergent control requires the application of herbicide early in the growing season before most weeds have germinated, with the result that such chemicals must be employed throughout a field even if they would ultimately not be needed.
[0003] p-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is an enzyme found in both plants and animals, which catalyzes the catabolism of the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Inhibition of this enzyme has profound effects on plants, affecting the formation of homogentisic acid which is a key precursor for the biosynthesis of both tocopherols (vitamin E) and plastoquinone, a critical co-factor in the formation of carotenoids, which protect chlorophyll in plants from being destroyed by sunlight. Mesotrione is a herbicide that works by inhibiting HPPD.
[0004] Red rice is a weed that infests cultivated rice growing areas in the United States. It is a wild rice type that competes with cultivated rice for nutrients, water, and space. Presently, there is a need for a method for controlling the growth of red rice without harming the cultivated rice.
SUMMARY
[0005] That need is fulfilled by the present disclosure. The present document discloses methods for controlling weeds in a crop, including methods for using mesotrione to kill the weed red rice without causing high injury to cultivated rice crops. In one aspect, this method includes applying to the weeds a herbicidally effective amount of a composition comprising a p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor.
[0006] In one embodiment, the HPPD inhibitor is selected from mesotrione, sulcotrione, nitisinine, tembotrione, topramezone, fenquinotrione, ketospiradox and tefuryltrione. In a preferred embodiment, the HPPD inhibitor is mesotrione.
[0007] In another embodiment, the weeds are one or more selected from a group that includes red rice, broadleaf signalgrass, barnyardgrass, large crabgrass, hemp sesbania, yellow nutsedge, and benghal dayflower. In a preferred embodiment, the weed is red rice.
[0008] In another embodiment, the crop is rice. In another embodiment, the mesotrione is applied at a rate of from 3 to 200 g ai/ha. In a preferred embodiment, the mesotrione is applied at a rate of 3, 6, 12, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, 100, or 200 g ai/ha.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 . Mestrione (Callisto® Herbicide) in a pre-emergent treatment at 50 g ai/ha controlled red rice and yellow nutsedge in a flooded rice test.
[0010] FIG. 2 . Mestrione (Callisto® Herbicide) in a pre-emergent treatment at 25 g ai/ha controlled yellow nutsedge and large crabgrass in a direct seeded dryland rice test.
[0011] FIG. 3 . Mestrione (Callisto® Herbicide) in a pre-emergent treatment at 25 g ai/ha controlled red rice in a direct seeded dryland rice test.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0012] As used in this application and unless otherwise indicated the term “herbicide” refers to a compositional mixture that is produced, sold, or used in a field in order to kill or otherwise inhibit unwanted plants such as, but not limited to, deleterious or annoying weeds, broadleaf plants, grasses, and sedges; and can be used for crop protection, edifice protection or turf protection. The term “herbicide” includes the end-use herbicidal product. This composition can be a pure compound, a solution of chemical compounds, a mixture of chemical compounds, an emulsion, a suspension, a solid-liquid mixture, or a liquid-liquid mixture. The term “herbicide” also refers to the product that passes through the commercial channels from the manufacturer to the ultimate end user who can either apply the herbicide to the affected field as sold, or mix it with other excipients.
[0013] The term “weed” means and includes any plant which grows where not wanted.
[0014] The term “herbicidally effective amount” means an amount necessary to produce an observable herbicidal effect on unwanted plant growth, including one or more of the effects of necrosis, death, growth inhibition, reproduction inhibition, inhibition of proliferation, and removal, destruction, or otherwise diminishing the occurrence and activity of unwanted plants. The term “herbicidally active ingredient” means the active ingredient in the herbicide that causes the herbicide to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate any weed. Other ingredients of the herbicide that are not herbicidally active ingredients are excipients that aid in forming, storing, or delivering herbicidally active ingredient to the target. Examples of excipients in the present embodiment include, without limitation, an organic liquid in which herbicidally active ingredient is dissolved, a polyurea shell, a water-soluble polymer, and one or more salts.
[0015] The definition of the term “herbicidal composition” refers to a herbicide, and in addition, to any composition that comprises a herbicidally active ingredient. This composition can be a solution or a mixture. Further, the definition of the term “herbicidal composition” also refers to a product intended for use in manufacturing, or any product intended for formulation or repackaging into other agricultural products.
[0016] “HPPD inhibitor” means a compound that inhibits para-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase.
[0017] The compositions included in the methods of the present disclosure can be in any conventional agriculturally useful form, for example, in the form of a twin pack, or in a ready-to-use formulation, or in the form of a tank mix. Additionally, the active compounds can be supplied (either separately or pre-mixed) in any appropriate formulation type, for example an emulsion concentrate (EC), a suspension concentrate (SC), a suspo-emulsion (SE), a capsule suspension (CS), a water dispersible granule (WG), an emulsifiable granule (EG), a water in oil emulsion (EO), an oil in water emulsion (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD), an oil miscible flowable (OF), an oil miscible liquid (OL), a soluble concentrate (SL), an ultra-low volume suspension (SU), an ultra-low volume liquid (UL), a dispersible concentrate (DC), a wettable powder (WP) or any other technically feasible formulation in combination with agriculturally acceptable adjuvants.
[0018] The compositions and tank mixes of the present disclosure are useful for the control of susceptible weed species in crops such as rice. In one embodiment, the susceptible weeds include one or more selected from a group that includes waterhemp, lambsquarters, velvetleaf, palmer amaranth, pigweed, morning glory, cocklebur, ragweed, broadleaf signalgrass, foxtail, crabgrass, volunteer soybean, nutsedge, Egyptian crowfoot grass, fumitory, denticulate medick, lesser swine cress, brown beetle grass, jungle grass, tendla, false amaranth, common purslane, field bindweed, red rice, barnyardgrass, large crabgrass, hemp sesbania, yellow nutsedge, and benghal dayflower. In a preferred embodiment, the susceptible weed is red rice.
[0019] Rates of application of the composition will vary according to prevailing conditions such as targeted weeds, degree of infestation, weather conditions, soil conditions, crop species, mode of application, and application time. Compositions containing an HPPD inhibitor can be applied as sprays, such as water-dispersible concentrates, wettable powders, or water-dispersible granules. In one embodiment, the rate of application for active ingredient (“ai”) (e.g. an HPPD inhibitor, such as mesotrione) is from about 3 to 200 g ai/ha. In a preferred embodiment, the mesotrione is applied at a rate of 3, 6, 12, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, 100, or 200 g ai/ha.
[0020] The compositions included in the methods of the present disclosure can additionally comprise further crop protection agents. Suitable crop protection active ingredients for the formulations of the present disclosure include the following:
[0021] Insecticides: A1) the class of carbamates consisting of aldicarb, alanycarb, benfuracarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur and thiodicarb; A2) the class of organophosphates consisting of acephate, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, chlorfenvinphos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, demeton-S-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethion, fenitrothion, fenthion, isoxathion, malathion, methamidaphos, methidathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, oxymethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion, parathion-methyl, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, pirimiphos-methyl, quinalphos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, triazophos and trichlorfon; A3) the class of cyclodiene organochlorine compounds such as endosulfan; A4) the class of fiproles consisting of ethiprole, fipronil, pyrafluprole and pyriprole; A5) the class of neonicotinoids consisting of acetamiprid, chlothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam; A6) the class of spinosyns such as spinosad and spinetoram; A7) chloride channel activators from the class of mectins consisting of abamectin, emamectin benzoate, ivermectin, lepimectin and milbemectin; A8) juvenile hormone mimics such as hydroprene, kinoprene, methoprene, fenoxycarb and pyriproxyfen; A9) selective homopteran feeding blockers such as pymetrozine, flonicamid and pyrifluquinazon; A10) mite growth inhibitors such as clofentezine, hexythiazox and etoxazole; A11) inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase such as diafenthiuron, fenbutatin oxide and propargite; uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation such as chlorfenapyr; A12) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel blockers such as bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, thiocyclam and thiosultap sodium; A13) inhibitors of the chitin biosynthesis type 0 from the benzoylurea class consisting of bistrifluron, diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron and teflubenzuron; A14) inhibitors of the chitin biosynthesis type 1 such as buprofezin; A15) moulting disruptors such as cyromazine; A16) ecdyson receptor agonists such as methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, halofenozide and chromafenozide; A17) octopamin receptor agonists such as amitraz; A18) mitochondrial complex electron transport inhibitors pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, flufenerim, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, hydramethylnon, acequinocyl or fluacrypyrim; A19) voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers such as indoxacarb and metaflumizone; A20) inhibitors of the lipid synthesis such as spirodiclofen, spiromesifen and spirotetramat; A21) ryanodine receptor-modulators from the class of diamides consisting of flubendiamide, the phthalamide compounds (R)-3-Chlor-N1-{2-methyl-4-[1,2,2,2-tetrafluor-1-(trifluormethyl)ethyl]phenyl}-N2-(1-methyl-2-methylsulfonylethyl)phthalamid and (S)-3-Chlor-N1-{2-methyl-4-[1,2,2,2-tetrafluor-1-(trifluormethyl)ethyl]phenyl}-N2-(1-methyl-2-methylsulfonylethyl)phthalamid, chloranthraniliprole and cyanthraniliprole; A22) compounds of unknown or uncertain mode of action such as azadirachtin, amidoflumet, bifenazate, fluensulfone, piperonyl butoxide, pyridalyl, sulfoxaflor; or A23) sodium channel modulators from the class of pyrethroids consisting of acrinathrin, allethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, tau-fluvalinate, permethrin, silafluofen and tralomethrin.
[0022] Fungicides: B1) azoles selected from the group consisting of bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, enilconazole, epoxiconazole, fluquinconazole, fenbuconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, penconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triticonazole, prochloraz, pefurazoate, imazalil, triflumizole, cyazofamid, benomyl, carbendazim, thia-bendazole, fuberidazole, ethaboxam, etridiazole and hymexazole, azaconazole, diniconazole-M, oxpoconazol, paclobutrazol, uniconazol, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-([1,2,4]triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol and imazalilsulfphate; B2) strobilurins selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, methominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, enestroburin, methyl (2-chloro-5-[1-(3-methylbenzyloxyimino)ethyl]benzyl)carbamate, methyl (2-chloro-5-[1-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylmethoxyimino)ethyl]benzyl)carbamate and methyl 2-(ortho-(2,5-dimethylphenyloxymethylene)-phenyl)-3-methoxyacrylate, 2-(2-(6-(3-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)-5-fluoro-pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide and 3-methoxy-2-(2-(N-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropanecarboximidoylsulfanylmethyl)-phenyl)-acrylic acid methyl ester; B3) carboxamides selected from the group consisting of carboxin, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, fenhexamid, flutolanil, furametpyr, mepronil, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, isopyrazam, thifluzamide, tiadinil, 3,4-dichloro-N-(2-cyanophenyl)isothiazole-5-carboxamide, dimethomorph, flumorph, flumetover, fluopicolide (picobenzamid), zoxamide, carpropamid, diclocymet, mandipropamid, N-(2-(4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-ynyloxy]-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)-2-methanesulfonyl-amino-3-methylbutyramide, N-(2-(4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-ynyloxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl)ethyl)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-3-methylbutyramide, methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-isopropoxycarbonyl-amino-3-methyl-butyrylamino)propionate, N-(4′-bromobiphenyl-2-yl)-4-difluoromethyl-methylthiazole-6-carboxamide, N-(4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-2-yl)-4-difluoromethyl-2-methylthiazole-5-carboxamide, N-(4′-chloro-3′-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-4-difluoromethyl-2-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxamide, N-(3,4′-dichloro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoro-methyl-1-methyl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(2-cyano-phenyl)-3,4-dichloroisothiazole-5-carboxamide, 2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxanilide, 2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-indan-4-yl)-nicotinamide, N-(2-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-chloro-3′,5-difluoro-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-chloro-3′,5-difluoro-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluoro-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,5-difluoro-4′-methyl-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,5-difluoro-4′-methyl-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(cis-2-bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(trans-2-bicyclopropyl-2-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoro-methyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, fluopyram, N-(3-ethyl-3,5-5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxy-benzamide, oxytetracyclin, silthiofam, N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl) cyclopropanecarboxamide, 2-iodo-N-phenyl-benzamide, N-(2-bicyclo-propyl-2-yl-phenyl)-3-difluormethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoropyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-chloro-1,3-dimethyl-pyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-fluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(chlorofluoromethyl)-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-5-fluoro-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-chloro-3-difluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(chlorodifluoromethyl)-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-chloro-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoropyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-chloro-1,3-dimethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-fluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(chlorofluoromethyl)-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-5-fluoro-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-chloro-3-difluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(chlorodifluoromethyl)-1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(2′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-5-chloro-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-3-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-3-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-difluoro-3-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-difluoro-3-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-S-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′-chloro-4′-fluoro-3-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-difluoro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-S-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-difluoro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′-chloro-4′-fluoro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-S-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-S-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(3′-chloro-4′-fluoro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-difluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-fluoro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-fluoro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-chloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-methyl-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-fluoro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-chloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-methyl-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-fluoro-6-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(4′-chloro-6-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-[2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)-phenyl]-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-[4′-(trifluoromethylthio)-biphenyl-2-yl]-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide and N-[4′-(trifluoromethylthio)-biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; B4) heterocyclic compounds selected from the group consisting of fluazinam, pyrifenox, bupirimate, cyprodinil, fenarimol, ferimzone, mepanipyrim, nuarimol, pyrimethanil, triforine, fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, aldimorph, dodemorph, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin, famoxadone, fenamidone, octhilinone, proben-azole, 5-chloro-7-(4-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, anilazine, diclomezine, pyroquilon, proquinazid, tricyclazole, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one, acibenzolar-S-methyl, captafol, captan, dazomet, folpet, fenoxanil, quinoxyfen, N,N-dimethyl-3-(3-bromo-6-fluoro-2-methylindole-1-sulfonyl)-[1,2,4]triazole-1-sulfonamide, 5-ethyl-6-octyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-2,7-diamine, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-methanesulfonyl-pyridine, 3,4,5-trichloro-pyridine-2,6-di-carbonitrile, N-(1-(5-bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl)-2,4-dichloro-nicotinamide, N-((5-bromo-3-chloro pyridin-2-yl)-methyl)-2,4-dichloro-nicotinamide, diflumetorim, nitrapyrin, dodemorphacetate, fluoroimid, blasticidin-S, chinomethionat, debacarb, difenzoquat, difenzoquat-methylsulphate, oxolinic acid and piperalin; B5) carbamates selected from the group consisting of mancozeb, maneb, metam, methasulphocarb, metiram, ferbam, propineb, thiram, zineb, ziram, diethofencarb, iprovalicarb, benthiavalicarb, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochlorid, 4-fluorophenyl N-(1-(1-(4-cyanophenyl)-ethanesulfonyl)but-2-yl)carbamate, methyl 3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-(2-isopropoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyrylamino)propanoate; or B6) other fungicides selected from the group consisting of guanidine, dodine, dodine free base, iminoctadine, guazatine, antibiotics: kasugamycin, streptomycin, polyoxin, validamycin A, nitrophenyl derivatives: binapacryl, dinocap, dinobuton, sulfur-containing heterocyclyl compounds: dithianon, isoprothiolane, organometallic compounds: fentin salts, organophosphorus compounds: edifenphos, iprobenfos, fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, phosphorous acid and its salts, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl, organochlorine compounds: dichlofluanid, flusulfamide, hexachloro-benzene, phthalide, pencycuron, quintozene, thiophanate-methyl, tolylfluanid, others: cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, metrafenone and spiroxamine, guazatine-acetate, iminoctadine-triacetate, iminoctadine-tris(albesilate), kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, dichlorophen, pentachlorophenol and its salts, N-(4-chloro-2-nitro-phenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide, dicloran, nitrothal-isopropyl, tecnazen, biphenyl, bronopol, diphenylamine, mildiomycin, oxincopper, prohexadione calcium, N-(cyclopropylmethoxyimino-(6-difluoromethoxy-2,3-difluoro-phenyl)-methyl)-2-phenyl acetamide, N′-(4-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methyl formamidine, N′-(4-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methyl formamidine, N′-(2-methyl-5-trifluormethyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanyl-propoxy)-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylformamidine and N′-(5-difluormethyl-2-methyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanyl-propoxy)-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methyl formamidine.
[0023] Herbicides: C1) acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors (ACC), for example cyclohexenone oxime ethers, such as alloxydim, clethodim, cloproxydim, cycloxydim, sethoxydim, tralkoxydim, butroxydim, clefoxydim or tepraloxydim; phenoxyphenoxypropionic esters, such as clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fenthiapropethyl, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P-methyl, isoxapyrifop, propaquizafop, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P-ethyl or quizalofop-tefuryl; or arylaminopropionic acids, such as flamprop-methyl or flamprop-isopropyl; C2 acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS), for example imidazolinones, such as imazapyr, imazaquin, imazamethabenz-methyl (imazame), imazamox, imazapic or imazethapyr; pyrimidyl ethers, such as pyrithiobac-acid, pyrithiobac-sodium, bispyribac-sodium. KIH-6127 or pyribenzoxym; sulfonamides, such as florasulam, flumetsulam or metosulam; or sulfonylureas, such as amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, halo sulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, tribenuron-methyl, triflusulfuron-methyl, tritosulfuron, sulfosulfuron, foramsulfuron or iodosulfuron; C3) amides, for example allidochlor (CDAA), benzoylprop-ethyl, bromobutide, chlorthiamid. diphenamid, etobenzanid, fluthiamide, fosamin or monalide; C4) auxin herbicides, for example pyridinecarboxylic acids, such as clopyralid or picloram; or 2,4-D or benazolin; C5) auxin transport inhibitors, for example naptalame or diflufenzopyr; C6) carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, for example benzofenap, clomazone, diflufenican, fluorochloridone, fluridone, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, isoxaflutole, isoxachlortole, mesotrione, sulcotrione (chlormesulone), ketospiradox, flurtamone, norflurazon or amitrol; C7) enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase inhibitors (EPSPS), for example glyphosate or sulfosate; C8) glutamine synthetase inhibitors, for example bilanafos or glufosinate-ammonium; C9) lipid biosynthesis inhibitors, for example anilides, such as anilofos or mefenacet; chloroacetanilides, such as dimethenamid, S-dimethenamid, acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, butenachlor, diethatyl-ethyl, dimethachlor, metazachlor, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, pretilachlor, propachlor, prynachlor, terbuchlor, thenylchlor or xylachlor; thioureas, such as butylate, cycloate, di-allate, dimepiperate, EPTC. esprocarb, molinate, pebulate, prosulfocarb, thiobencarb (benthiocarb), tri-allate or vemolate; or benfuresate or perfluidone; C10) mitosis inhibitors, for example carbamates, such as asulam, carbetamid, chlorpropham, orbencarb, propyzamid, propham or tiocarbazil; dinitroanilines, such as benefin, butralin, dinitramin, ethalfluralin, fluchloralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine or trifluralin; pyridines, such as dithiopyr or thiazopyr; or butamifos, chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA) or maleic hydrazide; C11) protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase inhibitors, for example diphenyl ethers, such as acifluorfen, acifluorfen-sodium, aclonifen, bifenox, chlomitrofen (CNP), ethoxyfen, fluorodifen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, fomesafen, furyloxyfen, lactofen, nitrofen, nitrofluorfen or oxyfluorfen; oxadiazoles, such as oxadiargyl or oxadiazon; cyclic imides, such as azafenidin, butafenacil, carfentrazone-ethyl, cinidon-ethyl, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, flumipropyn, flupropacil, fluthiacet-methyl, sulfentrazone or thidiazimin; or pyrazoles, such as ET-751, JV 485 or nipyraclofen; C12) photosynthesis inhibitors, for example propanil, pyridate or pyridafol; benzothiadiazinones, such as bentazone; dinitrophenols, for example bromofenoxim, dinoseb, dinoseb-acetate, dinoterb or DNOC; dipyridylenes, such as cyperquat-chloride, difenzoquat-methylsulfate, diquat or paraquat-dichloride; ureas, such as chlorbromuron, chlorotoluron, difenoxuron, dimefuron, diuron, ethidimuron, fenuron, fluometuron, isoproturon, isouron, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, methazole, metobenzuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, neburon, siduron or tebuthiuron; phenols, such as bromoxynil or ioxynil; chloridazon; triazines, such as ametryn, atrazine, cyanazine, desmein, dimethamethryn, hexazinone, prometon, prometryn, propazine, simazine, simetryn, terbumeton, terbutryn, terbutylazine or trietazine; triazinones, such as metamitron or metribuzin; uracils, such as bromacil, lenacil or terbacil; or biscarbamates, such as desmedipham or phenmedipham; C13) synergists, for example oxiranes, such as tridiphane; C14) CIS cell wall synthesis inhibitors, for example isoxaben or dichlobenil; C16) various other herbicides, for example dichloropropionic acids, such as dalapon; dihydrobenzofurans, such as ethofumesate; phenylacetic acids, such as chlorfenac (fenac); or aziprotryn, barban, bensulide, benzthiazuron, benzofluor, buminafos, buthidazole, buturon, cafenstrole, chlorbufam, chlorfenprop-methyl, chloroxuron, cinmethylin, cumyluron, cycluron, cyprazine, cyprazole, dibenzyluron, dipropetryn, dymron, eglinazin-ethyl, endothall, ethiozin, flucabazone, fluorbentranil, flupoxam, isocarbamid, isopropalin, karbutilate, mefluidide, monuron, napropamide, napropanilide, nitralin, oxaciclomefone, phenisopham, piperophos, procyazine, profluralin, pyributicarb, secbumeton, sulfallate (CDEC), terbucarb, triaziflam, triazofenamid or trimeturon; or their environmentally compatible salts.
[0024] Plant Growth Regulators: D1) Antiauxins, such as clofibric acid, 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid; D2) Auxins such as 4-CPA, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2,4-DEP, dichlorprop, fenoprop, IAA, IBA, naphthaleneacetamide, α-naphthaleneacetic acids, 1-naphthol, naphthoxyacetic acids, potassium naphthenate, sodium naphthenate, 2,4,5-T; D3) cytokinins, such as 2iP, benzyladenine, 4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol, kinetin, zeatin; D4) defoliants, such as calcium cyanamide, dimethipin, endothal, ethephon, merphos, metoxuron, pentachlorophenol, thidiazuron, tribufos; D5) ethylene inhibitors, such as aviglycine, 1-methylcyclopropene; D6) ethylene releasers, such as ACC, etacelasil, ethephon, glyoxime; D7) gametocides, such as fenridazon, maleic hydrazide; D8) gibberellins, such as gibberellins, gibberellic acid; D9) growth inhibitors, such as abscisic acid, ancymidol, butralin, carbaryl, chlorphonium, chlorpropham, dikegulac, flumetralin, fluoridamid, fosamine, glyphosine, isopyrimol, jasmonic acid, maleic hydrazide, mepiquat, piproctanyl, prohydrojasmon, propham, tiaojiean, 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid; D10) morphactins, such as chlorfluren, chlorflurenol, dichlorflurenol, flurenol; D11) growth retardants, such as chlormequat, daminozide, flurprimidol, mefluidide, paclobutrazol, tetcyclacis, uniconazole; D12) growth stimulators, such as brassinolide, brassinolide-ethyl, DCPTA, forchlorfenuron, hymexazol, prosuler, triacontanol; D13) unclassified plant growth regulators, such as bachmedesh, benzofluor, buminafos, carvone, choline chloride, ciobutide, clofencet, cyanamide, cyclanilide, cycloheximide, cyprosulfamide, epocholeone, ethychlozate, ethylene, fuphenthiourea, furalane, heptopargil, holosulf, inabenfide, karetazan, lead arsenate, methasulfocarb, prohexadione, pydanon, sintofen, triapenthenol, trinexapac.
[0025] The compositions included in the methods of the present disclosure can also include a preservative. Suitable preservatives include but are not limited to C 12 to C 15 alkyl benzoates, alkyl p-hydroxybenzoates, aloe vera extract, ascorbic acid, benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid, benzoic acid esters of C 9 to C 15 alcohols, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, tert-butylhydroquinone, castor oil, cetyl alcohols, chlorocresol, citric acid, cocoa butter, coconut oil, diazolidinyl urea, diisopropyl adipate, dimethyl polysiloxane, DMDM hydantoin, ethanol, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, hexadecyl alcohol, hydroxybenzoate esters, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, isononyl iso-nonanoate, jojoba oil, lanolin oil, mineral oil, oleic acid, olive oil, parabens, polyethers, polyoxypropylene butyl ether, polyoxypropylene cetyl ether, potassium sorbate, propyl gallate, silicone oils, sodium propionate, sodium benzoate, sodium bisulfite, sorbic acid, stearic fatty acid, sulfur dioxide, vitamin E, vitamin E acetate and derivatives, esters, salts and mixtures thereof. Preferred preservatives include sodium o-phenylphenate, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and 1,2-benisothiazolin-3-one.
[0026] The following examples serve only to illustrate the invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention in any way, since further modifications encompassed by the disclosed invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the present specification and claims.
EXAMPLES
Example #1
The Application of Mesotrione to Flooded and Dryland Rice
[0027] In greenhouse studies, mesotrione (Callisto® Herbicide available from Syngenta Crop Protection, 40% active ingredient, “AI” or “ai”) was applied at 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, or 100 g ai/ha, while clomazone (Command® 3 ME Herbicide available from FMC Corporation, 31.4% AI) was applied at 200 g ai/ha as a commercial standard.
[0028] Pre-Emergent Evaluation on Flooded Rice:
[0029] Rice ( Oryza sativa ) crop varieties (‘Cybonee’, ‘Jupiter’, and ‘Taggart’) and red rice ( Oryza sativa ) were planted in 6 inch plastic pots containing sterile top soil. Eight to ten seeds of each species were seeded at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock or 9 o'clock around the pot. The pots were watered after planting. Test solutions were prepared by diluting Callisto® Herbicide with water to the appropriate test rate. The test solutions were applied using a compressed air track spray chamber at 30 gallons per acre using a Teejet 8001E nozzle at 40 PSI, three replicates per test rate. After treatment, the pots were watered lightly and transferred to trays in a greenhouse. After the plants were two inches in height the trays were flooded with water and maintained as such for 14 days. The trays were emptied of water and the pots were maintained by regular watering for 4 more days. At 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment (DAT) the plants were evaluated versus untreated control pots containing the same rice and weeds using a scale of 0% (no control) to 100% (complete plant death).
[0030] Pre-Emergent Evaluation on Dryland Rice:
[0031] Rice ( Oryza sativa ) was planted in 6″ by 10″ fiber flats filled with sterile top soil. Five rows were made in each flat and the three rice varieties (′Cybonee, ‘Jupiter’, and ‘Taggart’) were planted in the center 3 rows and a row of red rice ( Oryza sativa ) was planted on either end of the flat. The flats were watered after planting. After application flats were placed in the greenhouse and lightly watered. Treatments of Callisto® Herbicide were applied using compressed air in a track spray chamber at 30 GPA using a TeeJet 8001E nozzle at 40 PSI). The flats were moved to a greenhouse and watered and fertilized routinely. Studies were conducted using randomized complete block design with four replications. In both studies, visual percent red rice control and rice injury were recorded at 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment (DAT), using a scale of 0 (no control/injury) to 100 (complete plant death).
[0032] Results:
[0000]
TABLE 1
Percent red rice control and rice injury at 14 DAT when mesotrione was
applied to direct-seeded flooded rice as PRE.
Rate
Treatment
g ai/ha
Cybonet
Jupiter
Taggart
Red rice
Non-treated Check
—
0 B
0 B
0 B
0 D
Mesotrione
12.5
2 B
2 B
4 B
68 BC
Mesotrione
25
0 B
2 B
1 B
70 ABC
Mesotrione
37.5
3 B
4 B
4 B
78 AB
Mesotrione
50
4 B
2 B
7 B
81 AB
Mesotrione
62.5
11 B
5 B
12 B
81 AB
Mesotrione
75
9 B
6 B
12 B
84 A
Mesotrione
87.5
12 B
12 B
19 B
80 AB
Mesotrione
100
11 B
11 B
18 B
84 A
Clomazone
200
41 A
60 A
58 A
56 C
[0000]
TABLE 2
Percent red rice control and rice injury at 21 DAT when mesotrione was
applied to direct-seeded flooded rice as PRE.
Rate
Treatment
g ai/ha
Cybonet
Jupiter
Taggart
Red rice
Non-treated Check
—
0 C
0 D
0 D
0 C
Mesotrione
12.5
1 C
0 D
1 D
91 A
Mesotrione
25
4 C
0 D
1 D
97 A
Mesotrione
37.5
8 C
1 CD
1 D
98 A
Mesotrione
50
6 C
3 CD
6 D
97 A
Mesotrione
62.5
13 BC
5 CD
10 CD
97 A
Mesotrione
75
32 ABC
13 BCD
25 BCD
98 A
Mesotrione
87.5
44 AB
22 BC
35 BC
98 A
Mesotrione
100
49 A
28 B
38 B
98 A
Clomazone
200
58 A
86 A
76 A
59 B
[0000]
TABLE 3
Percent red rice control and rice injury at 28 DAT when mesotrione was
applied to direct-seeded flooded rice as PRE.
Rate
Treatment
g ai/ha
Cybonet
Jupiter
Taggart
Red rice
Non-treated Check
—
0 D
0 D
0 C
0 C
Mesotrione
12.5
5 CD
2 D
2 C
93 A
Mesotrione
25
7 CD
2 D
4 C
97 A
Mesotrione
37.5
9 CD
4 D
4 C
100 A
Mesotrione
50
7 CD
5 D
9 C
99 A
Mesotrione
62.5
17 BCD
8 CD
9 C
99 A
Mesotrione
75
32 ABC
20 BCD
29 BC
100 A
Mesotrione
87.5
52 A
44 B
42 AB
98 A
Mesotrione
100
62 A
41 BC
53 AB
100 A
Clomazone
200
49 AB
79 A
71 A
52 B
[0000]
TABLE 4
Percent red rice control and rice injury at 14 DAT when mesotrione was
applied to direct-seeded dryland rice as PRE.
Rate
Treatment
g ai/ha
Cybonet
Jupiter
Taggart
Red rice
Non-treated Check
—
0 D
0 E
0 E
0 E
Mesotrione
12.5
6 BCD
0 E
0 E
33 D
Mesotrione
25
1 D
0 E
0 E
70 B
Mesotrione
37.5
1 D
2 DE
1 E
74 B
Mesotrione
50
1 D
3 DE
2 DE
79 A
Mesotrione
62.5
4 D
5 CD
6 C
80 A
Mesotrione
75
5 CD
8 BC
5 CD
80 A
Mesotrione
87.5
11 BC
10 BC
9 BC
80 A
Mesotrione
100
12 B
11 B
11 B
80 A
Clomazone
200
35 A
31 A
40 A
38 C
[0000]
TABLE 5
Percent red rice control and rice injury at 21 DAT when mesotrione was
applied to direct-seeded dryland rice as PRE.
Rate
Treatment
g ai/ha
Cybonet
Jupiter
Taggart
Red rice
Non-treated Check
—
0 E
0 E
0 C
0 E
Mesotrione
12.5
5 DE
0 E
0 C
60 C
Mesotrione
25
1 E
0 E
0 C
81 B
Mesotrione
37.5
1 E
2 DE
1 BC
84 AB
Mesotrione
50
5 DE
6 CDS
5 BC
86 AB
Mesotrione
62.5
5 DE
7 CD
9 BC
89 AB
Mesotrione
75
8 BCD
10 BC
10 BC
90 A
Mesotrione
87.5
12 BC
11 BC
11 BC
90 A
Mesotrione
100
13 B
14 B
13 B
90 A
Clomazone
200
39 A
41 A
60 A
50 D
[0000]
TABLE 6
Percent red rice control and rice injury at 28 DAT when mesotrione was
applied to direct-seeded dryland rice as PRE.
Rate
Treatment
g ai/ha
Cybonet
Jupiter
Taggart
Red rice
Mon-treated Check
—
0 E
0 D
0 D
0 D
Mesotrione
12.5
5 DE
0 D
0 D
62 B
Mesotrione
25
1 E
0 D
0 D
89 A
Mesotrione
37.5
1 E
1 D
1 D
88 A
Mesotrione
50
6 DE
6 CD
6 CD
91 A
Mesotrione
62.5
9 DE
8 CD
12 BCD
92 A
Mesotrione
75
15 CD
21 BC
23 BC
92 A
Mesotrione
87.5
25 BC
26 B
29 B
95 A
Mesotrione
100
33 AB
56 A
50 A
93 A
Clomazone
200
43 A
44 A
66 A
46 C
[0033] PRE Flooded Rice—
[0034] As can be seen from the data in Tables 1 through 3, Callisto® Herbicide unexpectedly controlled red rice at all rates (≧90% control) and was safe (10% or less injury) on ‘Cybonee’, ‘Jupiter’ and ‘Taggart’ varieties of rice at application rates up to 50 g ai/ha. Clomazone at 200 g ai/ha injured all varieties of rice and failed to control red rice.
[0035] PRE Dryland Rice—
[0036] Similar as can be seen from the data in Tables 4 through 6, to flooded rice, Callisto® Herbicide unexpectedly controlled red rice at rates up to 62.5 g ai/ha without affecting the safety of ‘Cybonee’ and ‘Jupiter’ varieties of rice, and at rates up to 50 g ai/ha for ‘Taggart” variety. Clomazone at 200 g ai/ha injured all varieties of rice and failed to control red rice.
Example #2
Pre-Emergent Weed Control Using Mesotrione in Direct-Seeded Flooded Rice
[0037] Seeds of crops, rice (Taggart and Wells varieties) and weeds, yellow nutsedge ( Cyperus esculentus ), barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa crus - galli ), large crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis ), hemp sesbania ( Sesbania herbacea ), Benghal dayflower ( Commelina benghalensis ), red rice ( Oryza sativa ) and broadleaf signalgrass ( Urochloa platyphylla ) were planted in two gallon pots containing top soil. Each pot was watered well before the application of mesotrione (Callisto® Herbicide from Syngenta Crop Protection). Test solutions were prepared by diluting Callisto® Herbicide with water to the appropriate test rate. The test solutions were applied using a compressed air track spray chamber at 30 gallons per acre using a Teejet 8001E nozzle at 40 PSI, three replicates per test rate. After treatment, the pots were watered lightly and transferred to trays in a greenhouse. After ten days the trays were flooded with water and maintained as such for 14 days. The trays were emptied of water and the pots were maintained by regular watering for 4 more days. At 28 days after treatment the plants were evaluated versus untreated control pots containing the same rice and weeds using a scale of 0% (no control) to 100% (complete plant death). The average percent weed control and average percent of rice injury is summarized in Table 7 below.
[0000]
TABLE 7
Pre-Emergent Weed Control and Rice Injury Using
Mesotrione (Callisto ® Herbicide)
Rate of
% weed control and Rice Injury 28 Days After Treatment
Treatment
Rice
Rice
Red
Signal-
Barnyard-
Crab-
Day-
Nut-
g ai/ha
Taggert
Wells
Rice
grass
grass
grass
Hemp
flower
sedge
6
0
0
23
23
10
70
0
17
38
12
2
2
33
23
32
100
30
63
77
25
4
4
90
57
35
100
13
67
92
50
8
5
100
90
62
100
45
93
97
100
10
12
97
98
82
100
98
83
100
200
53
47
100
100
100
100
100
90
100
[0038] As shown by this data, mesotrione unexpectedly controls red rice while safe on white rice.
[0039] While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations in the preferred compositions and methods can be used and that it is intended that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.
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Methods for controlling weeds in a crop, comprising applying to the weeds a herbicidally effective amount of a composition comprising a p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor are presented.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present document is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/260/281, filed Nov. 11, 2009.
BACKGROUND
[0002] To produce fluids (such as hydrocarbons) through a well, various equipment are deployed into the well. Examples of such equipment include completion equipment such as casing, production tubing, and other equipment. Once installed in the well, the equipment allows for production of fluids from a reservoir surrounding the well to the surface.
[0003] Certain wells have insufficient reservoir pressure to propel fluids to the surface. A reservoir with a relatively low pressure may not be able to produce sufficient fluid flow to overcome various opposing forces, including forces applied by the back pressure of a column of water, frictional forces of conduits, and other forces. To produce fluids from reservoirs having limited reservoir pressures, artificial lift equipment can be deployed. Examples of artificial lift equipment include pumps such as electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) or other types of pumps.
[0004] Installing an ESP or other type of intervention equipment into a well can be time consuming and expensive. This is particularly the case with subsea wells, since well operators would have to transport the intervention equipment by marine vessels to the subsea well sites. Subsea well operators are often reluctant to perform ESP installation in subsea wells due to the cost of installation, and also due to the possibility that failed ESP equipment may have to be retrieved and replaced with replacement ESP equipment.
SUMMARY
[0005] In general, according to some embodiments, a method or apparatus is provided to allow for a more efficient way of deploying an electrically-activated tool (such as an electrical submersible pump) into a subsea well. In one embodiment, an assembly for use in the subsea well includes a lubricator (configured to attach to subsea wellhead equipment), an electrically-activated tool, and a coiled tubing attached to the electrically-activated tool. The electrically-activated tool is initially provided in the lubricator. The electrically-activated tool is then lowered on the coiled tubing from the lubricator into the subsea well.
[0006] Other or alternative features will become apparent from the following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a marine arrangement for deploying an electrical submersible pump (ESP) into a subsea well, according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly that includes a lubricator, an ESP, a compliant guide, and a coiled tubing, according to an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a production tubing and an ESP, according to an embodiment; and
[0010] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate components in a switch sub of the ESP, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0011] FIGS. 6-8 schematically illustrate components of an ESP according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible.
[0013] As used here, the terms “above” and “below”; “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and “downwardly”; and other like terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used in this description to more clearly describe some embodiments of the invention. However, when applied to equipment and methods for use in wells that are deviated or horizontal, such terms may refer to a left to right, right to left, or diagonal relationship as appropriate.
[0014] In accordance with some embodiments, an efficient technique of deploying an electrically-activated tool in a subsea well involves use of a lubricator that has an inner chamber to initially contain the electrically-activated tool. The lubricator is configured to be attached to subsea wellhead equipment. As used here, the term “subsea well” refers to any well that is located under a surface in a marine environment. The electrically-activated tool is deployed into the subsea well by use of coiled tubing. In some embodiments, the coiled tubing is provided without an electrical cable, such that the coiled tubing is used merely as a deployment structure, which reduces the complexity and cost of the coiled tubing.
[0015] To provide electrical power to the electrically-activated tool when the coiled tubing does not include an electrical cable, an electrical connection mechanism is provided on the tool that is used to mate with a corresponding electrical connection sub located on equipment installed in the subsea well. In some embodiments, the electrical connection mechanism on the tool is a wet-mate electrical connection mechanism to allow electrical contact to be made in the subsea well in the presence of fluids.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a marine arrangement that has a subsea well 100 extending below a sea bottom surface 102 . The subsea well 100 is lined with casing 104 . In addition, a production tubing 106 is installed in the subsea well 100 . Fluids from a reservoir surrounding the subsea well 100 flow into the subsea well 100 and up the production tubing 106 to the surface. Although reference is made to production of fluids, it is noted that in alternative implementations, equipment can be provided for injection of fluids through the subsea well 100 into the surrounding reservoir.
[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , a safety valve 108 is deployed at the lower end of the production tubing 106 . The safety valve 108 is used to shut in the well in case of equipment failure. Although a specific embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 , it is noted that in alternative embodiments, other or additional components can be provided in the subsea well 100 .
[0018] At the sea bottom surface 102 , wellhead equipment 110 is provided. The wellhead equipment 110 includes a blow-out preventer (BOP) 112 that is used to seal off the subsea well 100 at the surface 102 .
[0019] A high-voltage connector 114 is provided on the wellhead equipment 110 . The high voltage connector 114 is connected to an electrical cable 116 to allow for provision of electrical power to the wellhead equipment 110 as well as to equipment in the subsea well 100 . The electrical cable 116 runs from the wellhead equipment to a remote power source, which can be located underwater, on a sea platform, or on a marine vessel.
[0020] In accordance with some embodiments, a lubricator 118 is attached to the BOP 112 , where the lubricator 118 has an internal chamber that initially contains the electrically-activated tool that is to be deployed into the subsea well 100 . Although the example implementation shows the lubricator 118 as being attachable to the BOP 112 , it is noted that the lubricator 118 can be attached to other structures of the wellhead equipment 110 in other implementations.
[0021] The upper end of the lubricator 118 is attached to a compliant guide 120 , which is a flexible tubing extending from a marine vessel 122 located at the sea surface 124 . The compliant guide 120 has an inner bore in which the coiled tubing for deploying the electrically-activated tool into the subsea well 100 is located.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that shows an electrically-activated tool 200 located inside an inner chamber 202 of the lubricator 118 . Also, FIG. 2 shows the electrically-activated tool 200 being attached to a coiled tubing 204 that extends through the inner bore of the compliant guide 120 .
[0023] In operation, an assembly that includes the lubricator 118 and the electrically-activated tool 200 contained inside the lubricator 118 is deployed from the marine vessel 122 to the well site shown in FIG. 1 . The lubricator 118 is then attached to the BOP 112 . In addition, the compliant guide 120 is attached to the lubricator 118 , which allows the coiled tubing 204 to attach to the electrically-activated tool 200 . The electrically-activated tool 200 is then lowered into the subsea well 100 on the coiled tubing 204 through the wellhead equipment 110 .
[0024] Once lowered into the subsea well 100 , the electrically-activated tool 200 is positioned inside the production tubing 106 . In some embodiments, the electrically-activated tool 200 is a pump such as an electrical submersible pump (ESP). In the ensuing discussion, reference is made to an ESP—however, in alternative embodiments, other types of electrically-activated tools can be used.
[0025] Once the ESP 200 is positioned in the production tubing 106 , the ESP 200 can be activated to start pumping fluids drawn into the subsea well 100 to the surface. Fluids flowed to the wellhead equipment 110 are directed into conduits (not shown) to carry the fluids to another location, such as to a sea surface platform or marine vessel, or to an underwater storage facility.
[0026] Over the life of the ESP 200 , it is possible that the ESP 200 may fail, such that the ESP 200 would have to be replaced. FIG. 1 further shows another assembly including a replacement lubricator 126 and a replacement ESP contained in the replacement lubricator 126 that can be lowered from the marine vessel 122 to replace the existing lubricator 118 and ESP 200 . If a fault or failure of ESP 200 is detected, the ESP 200 is retrieved from the subsea well 100 into the lubricator 118 . The lubricator 118 (containing the ESP 200 ) can then be detached from the BOP 112 and set to the side, and the replacement lubricator 126 (which contains the replacement ESP) is then attached to the BOP 112 in place of the lubricator 118 . The lubricator 118 and ESP 200 can then be retrieved to the marine vessel 122 for repair or disposal.
[0027] Next, the compliant guide 120 is attached to the replacement lubricator 126 . The coiled tubing 204 inside the compliant guide 120 is then attached to the replacement ESP, and the coiled tubing 204 can be used to lower the replacement ESP into the subsea well 100 .
[0028] In this manner, a relatively convenient and flexible mechanism is provided for replacement of an ESP or other type of electrically-activated tool that has been deployed into the subsea well 100 .
[0029] As noted above, the coiled tubing 204 can be provided without an electrical cable to reduce the complexity and cost of the coiled tubing. In such an embodiment, power is not provided through the coiled tubing 204 , but rather is provided by an alternative mechanism. FIG. 1 further shows that the production tubing 106 , which is positioned downhole in the subsea well 100 , is provided with a connection sub 130 that is configured to make a connection (electrical connection and optionally a hydraulic connection) with a corresponding connection mechanism 206 on the ESP 200 . Also, the production tubing 106 has an internal upper seal bore 132 and a lower seal bore 134 for sealing engagement with corresponding upper and lower sealing elements 208 and 210 provided on the ESP 200 .
[0030] Thus, once the ESP 200 is positioned at the correct depth inside the production tubing 106 , the connection mechanism 206 on the ESP 200 engages with the connection sub 130 of the production tubing 106 . Also, the sealing elements 208 and 210 sealingly engage the corresponding upper and lower seal bores 132 and 134 such that proper fluid seals are established between the ESP 200 and the inner wall of the production tubing 106 to allow for proper operation of the ESP 200 .
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of portions of the production tubing 106 and the ESP 200 . In some embodiments, the ESP 200 is provided with two motors 302 and 304 to provide redundancy. One of the motors 304 can be used for operating the ESP 322 until a fault or failure is detected, at which point the other of the motors 302 , is selected for operating the ESP 320 .
[0032] FIG. 3 further shows details of the connection sub 130 (on the production tubing 106 ) for making connection with the corresponding connection mechanism 206 on the ESP 200 . The connection sub 130 includes an electrical connector assembly 130 A for making a wet electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connector 206 A that is part of the connection mechanism 206 on the ESP 200 . In addition, in some embodiments, the connection sub 130 further includes a hydraulic connector assembly 130 B for connection to a corresponding hydraulic connector 206 B that is part of the connection mechanism 206 on the ESP 200 .
[0033] The electrical connector assembly 130 A is connected to an electrical cable 306 that runs outside the production tubing 106 , and the hydraulic connector assembly 130 B is connected to a hydraulic control line 308 that also runs outside the production tubing 106 . Although the connection sub 130 and the connection mechanism 206 are depicted as including both electrical and hydraulic connectors, it is noted that in alternative embodiments, the hydraulic connectors can be omitted.
[0034] In the ESP 200 , a switch sub 305 is provided between the upper motor 302 and the lower motor 304 . The switch sub 305 is used to selectively activate one of the motors 302 and 304 . In some embodiments, the selective switching between the upper motor 302 and the lower motor 304 is accomplished by using a hydraulic mechanism actuated by hydraulic pressure provided through the hydraulic control line 308 . In alternative embodiments, instead of using a hydraulic mechanism to switch between the upper and lower motors 302 and 304 , an electrically-activated switch mechanism in the switch sub 305 can be used instead.
[0035] The upper motor 302 is connected to the switch sub 305 by a set 310 of three electrical lines that carry the three phases of high-voltage power. This connection may be a Wet Mate connection made between 305 and 302 in the wellbore 106 . This would facilitate the separate installation of lower pump section 600 from upper pump section 602 . Similarly, a set 312 of three electrical lines connect the lower motor 304 to the switch sub 305 . Power is provided to a selected one of the motors 302 and 304 over a respective set 310 and 312 of electrical lines depending on which of the motors has been selected by the switch sub 304 for activation.
[0036] In accordance with some embodiments, the hydraulic control line 308 provides hydraulic pressure to allow for selective switching between the upper and lower motors 302 and 304 . If the well operator detects that the upper motor 302 has failed, for example, then hydraulic pressure can be applied through the hydraulic control line 308 to cause the switch sub 305 to switch to the lower motor 304 (such that power from the electric cable 306 is provided through the switch sub 305 to the lower motor 304 through the set 312 of electrical lines). Conversely, a switch from the lower motor 304 to the upper motor 306 can be performed if it is detected that the lower motor 304 is faulty or has failed.
[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate components within the switch sub 305 that are used for switching between the upper motor 302 and the lower motor 304 . Two sets of contact terminals are shown in FIG. 4 : a first set that includes contact terminals M 1 A, M 1 B, and M 1 C; and a second set that includes contact terminals M 2 A, M 2 B, and M 2 C. The first set of contact terminals M 1 A, M 1 B, M 1 C are connected to the corresponding electrical lines of the first set 310 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Similarly, the second set of contact terminals M 2 A, M 2 B, and M 2 C are connected to the second set 312 of electrical lines (shown in FIG. 3 ).
[0038] FIG. 4 also shows a set of movable electrical connection pins 402 A, 402 B, and 402 C (which can be part of a hydraulically movable sleeve, for example), which are designed to electrically contact either the first set of contact terminals M 1 A, M 1 B, M 1 C, or the second set of contact terminals M 2 A, M 2 B, M 2 C, depending upon the positions of the corresponding connection pins 402 A, 402 B, and 402 C. In FIG. 4 , the connection pins 402 A, 402 B, 402 C are shown in a lower position to make electrical contact between termination points 404 A, 404 B, and 404 C and the corresponding contact terminals M 2 A, M 2 B, and M 2 C. The termination points 404 A, 404 B, and 404 C are electrically connected to the three-phase power voltages provided by the electrical cable 306 .
[0039] In the position of FIG. 4 , power from the electrical cable 306 ( FIG. 3 ) is provided to the contact terminals M 1 A, M 1 B, and M 1 C. This in turn causes power to be provided to the second set 312 of electrical lines ( FIG. 3 ) to provide power to the lower motor 304 .
[0040] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 , the movable connection pins have been moved upwardly (by hydraulic actuation using the hydraulic control line 308 and hydraulic connectors 130 B and 206 B of FIG. 3 ) to their upper positions for making electrical contact with the first set of contact terminals M 1 A, M 1 B, and M 1 C. In the position of FIG. 5 , electrical power is provided from the electrical cable 306 ( FIG. 3 ) and through the termination points 404 A, 404 B, 404 C, contact terminals M 1 A, M 1 B, M 1 C, and first set 310 ( FIG. 3 ) of electrical lines to the upper motor 302 .
[0041] FIG. 6 shows the ESP 200 according to one example embodiment in greater detail. Although a specific arrangement of components of the ESP 200 is shown in FIG. 6 , it is noted that in an alternative embodiment, a different arrangement of components can be employed in the ESP 200 . In addition to the switch sub 305 and upper and lower motors 302 and 304 , the ESP 200 also includes an upper pump 320 that is powered by the upper motor 302 , and a lower pump 322 that is powered by the lower motor 304 . The ESP 200 includes a lower pump section 600 (which includes the lower motor 304 and lower pump 322 ) and an upper pump section 602 (which includes the upper motor 302 and upper pump 320 ).
[0042] Referring further to FIG. 8 , it is assumed that the switch sub 305 has been actuated to activate the lower motor 304 (such that the lower pump section 600 is active and the upper pump section 602 is inactive). In the lower pump section 600 , a pump intake 324 is configured to accept input fluid flow (arrows 802 in FIG. 8 ) into the lower pump section 600 . The lower pump 322 causes fluid to flow upwardly past the sealing elements 210 for discharge through a lower pump discharge 326 (arrows 804 ). The fluid that is discharged from the lower pump discharge 326 is flowed further upwardly, as shown by arrows 806 , 808 , and 810 , and 812 in FIG. 8 .
[0043] Arrows 806 indicate that the fluid output from the lower pump discharge 326 is flowed into a lower portion of the switch sub 305 . The fluid then exits the upper portion of the switch sub 305 (as indicated by arrows 808 ) and the fluid is further received in an upper autoflow sub (arrows 810 ). Fluid then exits at the top of the ESP 200 (arrows 812 ) above the upper sealing elements 208 .
[0044] FIG. 7 shows operation of the ESP 200 when the upper motor 302 and upper pump 320 are operating, and the lower motor 304 and lower pump 322 are inactive. Fluid flows into a lower autoflow sub 328 (arrows 702 ), which then exits through the lower pump discharge 326 (arrows 704 ). The fluid then continues into the lower portion of the switch sub 305 (arrows 706 ), and out of the upper portion of the switch sub 305 (arrows 708 ). The fluid that flows out of the switch sub 305 is then directed through the upper pump intake 330 (arrows 710 ), which then is pumped out of the top of the ESP 200 (arrow 712 ).
[0045] The ESP 200 depicted in FIGS. 6-8 further include other components, including another discharge sub (represented as “D”) and another autoflow sub (represented as “A”), which are used for fluid flow in other operations of the ESP 200 .
[0046] Although the embodiments discussed herein employ a dual ESP system that has two pumps, it is noted that in an alternative embodiment, a single ESP system can be used that includes just a single pump. In addition the dual ESP system may be assembled in the production tubing 106 separately. Lower pump system 600 may be installed locating the switch sub 305 to connection mechanism 130 and sealing element 210 to seal bore 134 . Upper pump assembly 602 may then be installed locating upper motor 302 to switch sub 305 and sealing element 208 to seal sub 132 . Such an arrangement facilitates a small lubricator 118 . In addition, instead of using a wet connect mechanism, alternative embodiments can employ other types of electrical connection mechanisms, such as inductive coupler mechanisms.
[0047] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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An apparatus for use with a subsea well includes a lubricator configured to attach to subsea wellhead equipment, an electrically-activated tool, and a coiled tubing attached to the electrically-activated tool. The electrically-activated tool is initially provided in the lubricator to allow for deployment of the electrically-activated tool on the coiled tubing into the subsea well. Multiple tools may be deployed independently from within the lubricator to latch into a concentric electrical connector within the well which may also act as a switch. A concentric electrical connector will permit the passage of a tool through the body of the connector retaining full bore access when the tool is withdrawn.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to impellers for compressors and pumps and the like, and more particularly, to an improved blade design for an impeller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Impellers are widely used in a variety of applications to compress a fluid. For example, impellers are often used in air compressor applications for use in generating compressed air to power pneumatic tools and the like. Alternatively, impellers are used to compress a fluid for use in a pressurized system such as in supplying a pressurized fluid stream for use on a fire truck or pumping station. Further yet, such impellers are commonly used in the design and operation of aircraft engines, whereby a compressed fluid stream is provided via an impeller to propel an airplane in a desired direction. In any of the foregoing applications, it is desirable to provide an impeller capable of operating under varying flow conditions to provide a continuous supply of pressurized fluid, regardless of external forces.
As can be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, impellers are operable to compress a fluid stream for use in a plurality of applications. As previously discussed, one such application is an air compressor. Conventional compressors typically include an impeller, a diffuser, and a volute, whereby the diffuser is in fluid communication with both the impeller and the volute and is operable to transfer a compressed air stream from the impeller to the volute for use in an external system. The impeller commonly includes a plurality of blades that are operable to receive and compress an external air stream between a hub of the impeller and a stationary shroud. Specifically, the impeller captures the external air stream at an inducer disposed proximate to a leading edge of each blade such that the captured mass air flow is forced between the hub and the stationary shroud through rotation of the impeller. The inducer is generally operable to capture the external air stream and force it between the hub and the stationary shroud as the impeller is rotated due to the generally curved or arcuate shape of the leading edge of each blade.
As can be appreciated, as the air stream travels between each of the blades, the shape of the shroud and hub are such that the air stream is compressed prior to reaching the volute. The compressed air stream is received into the diffuser for distribution to the volute prior to being used by an external application such as a pneumatic tool or a vehicle engine or a fuel cell. The diffuser commonly includes a plurality of stationary vanes which are operable to diffuse the air stream from the impeller in an effort to increase the static pressure of the compressed air. Such increases in static pressure generally increase the pressure of the air stream, thereby providing a desired output of pressurized air from the compressor.
In compressor design, it is increasingly important to deliver a constant stream of pressurized air to ensure proper operation of an external device. As can be appreciated, interruption of a compressor can cause external devices, such as pneumatic tools, to seize and abruptly stop working. A common occurrence of such compressor failure is impeller blade fracture or blade cracking due to stresses imparted on the impeller blades through compression of an air stream. Such blade facture or cracking impedes the performance of the impeller as the requisite pressurized air cannot be delivered without first replacing the fractured or cracked impeller blade. Conventional air compressors commonly include an impeller disposed within a sealed housing such that replacement and repair of the impeller commonly requires a significant amount of time and accompanying expense when blade fracture or cracking occurs. As can be appreciated, such repairs can be costly both from the standpoint of requiring a replacement impeller and also from the standpoint that the compressor is unusable until the requisite repairs can be completed.
To obviate the need for impeller repair, conventional impeller designs have commonly incorporated impeller blades having an increased thickness to stave off blade cracking and fracture. In most cases, such increases in blade thickness come with an aerodynamic penalty. More particularly, by increasing the thickness of each blade in an effort to improve strength characteristics and limit blade fracture and cracking, aerodynamic performance of the blade is sacrificed as thinner blade profiles typically provide for improved aerodynamic performance and efficiency. In this manner, conventional impellers, and impeller blades, suffer from the disadvantage of sacrificing aerodynamic performance to meet requisite strength characteristics.
Therefore, an impeller incorporating an airfoil or blade which provides adequate structural support while concurrently providing optimum aerodynamic performance of each airfoil or blade is desirable in the industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an air foil is provided and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a hub contour, and a tip contour, whereby the hub contour and tip contour extend between the leading and trailing edges to define a blade surface therebetween. A localized thick spot is disposed between the leading edge and the trailing edge and extends from a first point on the hub contour to a second point on the tip contour. The localized thick spot includes a generally sheared profile and is operable to provide the air foil with a desired strength while concurrently providing desired aerodynamic properties.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an air foil in accordance with the principals of the present invention incorporated into an impeller arrangement;
FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the air foil of FIG. 1 ; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an impeller incorporating a plurality of air foils in accordance with the principals of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
With reference to the figures, an airfoil 10 of an impeller is provided and includes a leading edge 12 operable to capture airflow and a trailing edge 14 formed on an opposite end from the leading edge 12 and operable to receive the airflow from the leading edge 12 . In addition, the airfoil 10 includes hub contour 16 and a tip contour 18 extending between the leading edge 12 and trailing edge 14 .
The leading edge 12 and trailing edge 14 serve to define an overall length of the airfoil 10 while the hub contour 16 and tip contour 18 serve to define an overall height of the airfoil 10 , as best shown in FIG. 1 . In this regard, the airfoil 10 includes a blade surface 20 extending along the length of the airfoil 10 between the leading edge 12 and the trailing edge 14 and between the hub contour 16 and tip contour 18 . The blade surface 20 is operable to receive airflow from the leading edge 12 and transmit the flow to the trailing edge 14 , as will be discussed further below.
The blade surface 20 defines the general shape of the airfoil 10 . In one embodiment, the blade surface 20 is a generally sweeping, arcuate surface, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 . In this regard, the blade surface 20 is operable to direct the airflow from the leading edge 12 to the trailing edge 14 and to transmit a force accompanying the airflow along the blade surface 20 . In this regard, the blade surface 20 is concurrently responsible for transmitting the airflow between the leading edge 12 and the trailing edge 14 and withstanding the accompanying forces associated with the flow of air.
The blade surface 20 further includes a localized thick spot 22 and a tapered surface 24 , as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 . The localized thick spot 22 is formed integrally with the blade surface 20 and extends between the hub contour 16 and the tip contour 18 . More particularly, the localized thick spot 22 includes a hub junction 26 adjacent to, and abutting, the hub contour 16 and a tip junction 28 adjacent to the tip contour 18 . The hub junction 26 is formed a distance “X” away from the leading edge 12 , whereby the distance X is generally equivalent to 8–12% of a total length of the airfoil 10 . The tip junction 28 is formed a distance “Y” away from the leading edge 12 , whereby the distance Y is generally equivalent to 28–32% of the total length of the airfoil 10 as measured between the leading edge 12 and trailing edge 14 .
As described, the localized thick spot 22 includes a generally sheared or angular relationship relative to a mean axis 30 of the airfoil 10 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this regard, the localized thick spot 22 crosses the mean 30 at a distance “Z” away from the leading edge 12 , whereby the distance Z is generally equivalent to 18–22% of the total length of the airfoil 10 . In other words, the distance Z is disposed generally between the X and Y positions, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this manner, the localized thick spot 22 is formed at a sheared or angled profile relative to the central axis 30 .
The localized thick spot 22 is tapered between the hub contour 16 and tip contour 18 , as graphically illustrated in FIG. 2 . In this regard, the thickness of the localized thick spot 22 is greatest at the hub contour 16 and tapers as the localized thick spot 22 approaches the tip contour 18 . Generally speaking, the thick spot 22 is reduced by a ratio of 2:1 moving from the hub contour 16 to the mean 30 and further reduced by a ratio of 2:1 moving from the mean 30 to the tip contour 18 . In other words, the hub contour 16 to mean 30 ratio is substantially 2.0 having an acceptable range of 1.75–2.25 while the mean 30 to tip contour 18 ratio is similarly 2.0 having an acceptable range of 1.75–2.25.
FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the hub 12 to mean 30 ratio and mean 30 to tip 18 ratio and provides an example of each ratio. For example, if the hub contour 16 is assigned a normalized thickness value of 1.0, the mean 30 would then have a normalized thickness value substantially equal to 0.5 due to the 2:1 ratio, previously discussed. In addition, if the normalized thickness value of the mean 30 is 0.5, the normalized thickness value of the tip contour 18 is substantially equal to 0.25, as graphically demonstrated in FIG. 2 . In this regard, the localized thick spot 22 extends from the hub contour 16 at its thickest point to the tip contour 18 at its thinnest point.
The tapered surface 24 of the airfoil is disposed adjacent to the thick spot 22 and extends along the length of the airfoil 10 , as shown in FIG. 3 and graphically represented in FIG. 2 . The tapered surface 24 similarly includes a hub 16 to mean 30 ratio of 2:1 and a mean 30 to tip 18 ratio of 2:1. In this manner, the hub contour 16 to mean 30 ratio is substantially 2.0 having an acceptable range of 1.75–2.25 while the mean 30 to tip contour 18 ratio is similarly 2.0 having an acceptable range of 1.75–2.25.
As previously discussed, FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the hub 16 to mean 30 ratio and mean 30 to tip 18 ratio. For example, if the hub contour 16 is assigned a normalized thickness value of 0.4 (as illustrated), the mean 30 would then have a normalized thickness value substantially equal to 0.2. In addition, if the normalized thickness value of the mean 30 is 0.2, the normalized thickness value of the tip contour 18 is substantially equal to 0.1, as graphically demonstrated in FIG. 2 . In this regard, the tapered surface 24 extends from the hub contour 16 at its thickest point to the tip contour 18 at its thinnest point. As can be seen from FIG. 2 , the localized thick spot 22 is approximately 2.5 times the thickness of the blade along the hub contour, mean axis and tip contour respectively.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the airfoil 10 is shown incorporated into an impeller 100 . The impeller 100 includes a hub 102 , a central axis of rotation 104 , and a plurality of airfoils 10 disposed radially around the hub 102 . The airfoils 10 are positioned around the hub 102 such that rotation of the impeller 100 around axis 104 causes the airfoils 10 to capture an air flow and transmit the air flow between the leading edge 12 and the trailing edge 14 . As can be appreciated, such movement of the air flow between the leading edge 12 and trailing edge 14 compresses the air to a predetermined pressure.
The pressurized air flow is commonly received by a collecting assembly 106 having a diffuser 110 and a volute 108 . The diffuser 110 and volute 108 cooperate to receive the pressurized air flow from the impeller 100 and deliver the pressurized stream to an external source. In this regard, the air flow is captured by the leading edge 12 of each airfoil 10 and is caused to travel along each airfoil 10 along the blade surface 20 . Such travel along the blade surface 20 imparts a force on the airfoil 10 as the air travels between the leading edge 12 and the trailing edge 14 .
Such forces are received by the blade surface 20 and are transmitted to the localized thick spot 22 to prevent fracture or cracking of the airfoil 10 . In this manner, the localized thick spot 22 strengthens the airfoil 10 at a predetermined location along the blade surface 20 to account for the air pressure forces. As the localized thick spot 22 is formed at a predetermined position along the blade surface 20 , the remainder of the blade surface 20 can be formed such that the aerodynamic performance of the airfoil 10 is optimized. In other words, the remainder of the airfoil 10 can be relatively thin without concern for fracture or cracking due to the position and thickness of the localized thick spot 22 .
While the airfoil 10 has been described in an impeller application, it should be understood that such an airfoil design is applicable to other forms of turbo machinery such as, but not limited to, turbines, pumps, fans, and blowers. In each of the foregoing applications, strength and aerodynamic performance of a blade or airfoil can be concurrently optimized due to the placement and nature of the localized thick spot 22 .
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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An air foil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a hub contour, and a tip contour, whereby the hub contour and tip contour extend between the leading and trailing edges to define a blade surface therebetween. A localized thick spot is disposed between the leading edge and the trailing edge and extends from a first point on the hub contour to a second point on the tip contour. The localized thick spot includes a generally sheared profile and is operable to provide the air foil with a desired strength while concurrently providing desired aerodynamic properties.
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REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
This is a division of my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 123,291, filed Sep. 20, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,915, which is a division of my U.S. patent application Ser. No. 847,697, filed Mar. 6, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,551, which is continuation-in-part application of my U.S. patent application, filed Apr. 9, 1991, Ser. No. 07/682,390, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices and methods of controlling water mass and levels in a steam generator.
REFERENCE TO APPENDIX
Reference is made to my unpublished paper entitled: THE PROBLEM: SHRINK & SWELL PHENOMENON; THE CURE: A STEAM GENERATOR MASS CALCULATOR, 28 Pages, and appended hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The appendix provides the development of various mathematical formulations and algorithms for the more complete understanding of the theory of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In power plants using steam generators, especially nuclear power plants of the pressurized water type, there has been a problem of trips (automatic shutdowns) of the power plants due to water within the steam generator reaching levels either too high or too low. These trips tend to occur at low power levels, typically less than 15% of full power steam generation.
One example of a steam generator is shown in FIG. 1, labeled "prior art". It is a boiling vessel in which highly purified water is turned to saturated steam for driving the load, such as generator turbines. It is cylindrical, about ten feet across and 50 feet high, and has a thick steel outer wall 10 capable of holding the great pressure within. Heat to boil the water comes from inverted U-tubes 12 (shown in partial sections in FIG. 1) which carry very hot water from the reactor core. The reactor water enters a chamber divided by a barrier 16 into subchambers 18 and 14. The barrier 16 forces the reactor water entering the subchamber 14 to go upward into the U-tubes 12, where it is cooled by boiling the turbine water. The reactor water exits the U-tubes 12 and goes into the subchamber 14 whence it returns to the reactor for reheating.
The turbine water in the central riser section 20 of the steam generator, where the U-tubes are located, picks up heat from the U-tubes and boils. The bubbles of steam rise up through the cylindrical riser 20 to a series of moisture separators 22, 24, which deflect entrained water from the steam so that the steam will be "dry" and the turbine blades will not be eroded by water droplets. The deflected water runs down from the separators 24 onto the top of the "wrapper" 30. The wrapper 30 is an open-ended envelope surrounding the riser section 20 and U-tubes 12. The boilover water runs over the outside of the wrapper and into the annular cylindrical space, the downcomer 40. The downcomer is located between the wrapper 30 defining the outside of the riser 20 space and the inside of the steam generator pressure wall 10. The lower part of the wrapper 30 is a cylindrical wall that separates the riser 20 from the downcomer 40. The water turns around the rim of the lower open end of the wrapper 30 and circles back into the riser 20. To make up for water turned to steam and lost to the turbine, the steam generator includes a feedwater ring 32 above the downcomer.
A blowdown tube 38 penetrates the wall 10. The inner end is open for draining the steam generator.
The trips occur at low power because the circulation characteristics of the steam generator change drastically within the low-power range. At very low power levels, little steam is produced, and the riser is like a gently bubbling pot: the bubbles rise to the surface 34 (i.e., the water/steam interface) and their steam is released to pass out of the steam generator through the opening 36. Virtually no water is carried above the surface 34. At between 5% and 10% of full power, though, the water in the riser begins to bubble vigorously and "boils over". Much entrained water is now carried to the top of the riser 20 by the fast-moving steam. The separators 22, 24 trap the ejected water and deflect it out of the steam path. The recirculated water runs into the downcomer and moves down toward the riser. The steam generator has shifted from a once-through pot boiler mode to a recirculating mode.
At very low power, the water levels inside of and outside of the wrapper are the same. At higher power, the greater circulation of entrained water in the steam causes the levels to differ. The effects of water/steam velocity and density variations caused by steam bubbles entrapped in the downcomer water and temperature also play a part in water level differences. The fact of recirculation indicates a pressure differential between the riser and downcomer sections.
The amount of steady-state recirculation is described by a number called the circulation ratio. This is the ratio of mass flow in the downcomer 40 to the mass flow of steam leaving the steam generator through the outlet 36. In the pot boiler mode, the ratio is 1:all the steam leaving is replaced by water from the ring 32. As power increases (power is roughly proportional to mass outflow rate of steam) the circulation ratio changes.
The recirculated water/steam which "boils over" increases monotonically with power level. However, the rate of increase is greatest when boilover first occurs. However, the amount of steam drawn off is roughly proportional to power level. Therefore the circulation ratio is greatest at the point where the boilover is increasing rapidly. This is illustrated by typical figures, from a Westinghouse model 51 steam generator.
From 0% to 5% the absolute mass rate of steam leaving the generator equals the water introduced into the feed ring 32; both rise from 0 to 0.2 million lbm/hr, and the circulation ratio stays at 1 (pot boiler mode). Between 5% and 10% of full power, the steam output doubles but the circulation flow in the downcomer increases more than 60 times to about 12.5 million lbm/hr, so that the circulation ratio reaches 33.5 at 10%. This is the region of greatest change. Between 10% and 100% of full power the amount or recirculating boilover water does not change greatly. The downcomer flow at 100% is 19.5 million lbm/hr. By the time the power is 100%, the circulation ratio has fallen to 5.2 on account of the relatively steady increase in downcomer flow and increasing steam output flow. The change rate is greatest between 5% and 10%.
These figures assume a constant mass of water in the steam generator (mass rate of feedwater is equal to steam out) and steady state thermal conditions.
Together with the introduction of relatively cold feedwater, the rapid changes at low levels can cause the "shrink and swell" phenomenon. This phenomenon involves counter-intuitive reactions of the water level to the actions of the operator or the automatic feedwater control system. Shrink and swell may cause plant operators to become confused and lose control of the steam generator water level, which rises of falls too far. Trips result automatically when the level exceeds certain bounds.
In controlling the steam generator, a plant operator must rely upon limited data to control the water level inside the riser. Due to high pressure and temperature inside the steam generator (about 1000 psi and 545 degrees Fahrenheit) connections to the outside are kept to a minimum. Basically, the operator relies for information upon two pressure sensors 50, 60 which report the "narrow range" and "wide range" water levels.
The pressure sensors 50, 60 are of the differential type. Each one typically comprises a flexible diaphragm separating two pressure regimes, and a sensor to translate into an electrical signal the diaphragm displacement caused by the pressure difference on the two sides. Wires are shown leaving the sensors to convey the pressure signals away to respective indicating gauges (not shown). The sensors 50, 60 are connected between two levels of the steam generator to monitor the water level inside by hydrostatic pressure. (If absolute pressure sensors were used, the small pressure differences between levels due to the hydrostatic pressure of a few feet of water would be "swamped" by the great absolute pressure in the steam generator.) As seen in FIG. 1, each sensor is connected in the mid range of a respective horizontal lower pipe 52, 62 leading out from the steam generator pressure vessel. The sensors 50, 60 thus divide the pipes 52, 62 into two pressure regimes. Head pipes 54, 64 rise vertically from the ends of the lower pipes 52, 62 and connect to respective horizontal upper pipes 56, 66 which connect to the steam generator again.
The head pipes 54, 64 will fill with water due to condensation of steam from the steam generator through a standard condensing device, not shown. Thus, the pipes 54, 64 will present a fixed reference hydrostatic pressure to one side of each sensor. Each of the sensors 50, 60 thus reports the difference between the reference pressure at the bottom of the head pipe 54, 64 and the pressure inside the wall 10 where the pipe 52, 62 enters the steam generator.
If the water and steam inside the steam generator were calm, the narrow and wide range sensors 50, 60 would indicate readings differing merely by a constant. Since their gauges are calibrated to show water elevations, the indicated levels would be the same. However, this is not the case. The two sensors often indicate water level differences of more than a foot. There are several reasons for this.
First, the water in the hydrostatic reference vertical pipes outside the steam generator vessel contains water at about 120° F., while the water inside is at about 545°. The hotter water is less dense, so the same hydrostatic pressure on either side of the pressure transducer indicates a higher water level inside. However, this effect is normally compensated for in the calibration of the narrow and wide range gauges.
Second, the density of the water inside is lowered because of steam bubbles in the boiling water in the riser. These bubbles lower the density by a large factor. Moreover, bubbles are also entrained in the recirculating water in the downcomer.
Third, the motions of the water through the passages of the steam generator involve pressure drops due to the viscosity of the water. Especially in the long, narrow downcomer 40, the pressure will drop as the water flows through the passages. This effect decalibrates the wide range reading by up to 5% in some steam generators. (It should be noted that the level inside the riser will necessarily be lower than the level in the downcomer, else there would be no circulation.)
Because of these effects, the water elevation levels indicated by the wide and narrow range indicators will often differ by more than a foot.
The operator desires to know the water level that would result if the steam outlet valve and the feedwater valve (not shown) were both shut off at once, along with the neat input from the U-tubes 12. This is the "true" static equilibrium level.
The water level inside the riser 20, where the heating U-tubes 12 are located, is most important. If the riser level is too high, the water will boil up past the separators 22, 24 and damage the turbine. If it is too low, the U-tubes 12 will be "dry out" and insulating scale may form on the U-tubes. There is also the danger that the reactor water returning to the reactor core may not be sufficiently cooled. Yet, the operator has no direct measurement of the level of water in the riser 20. The operator must rely instead upon the narrow range and wide range readings and upon other transducers (not shown) which measure the flow of steam out of the generator, and the flow of replacement water into it.
Many reactor trips are caused by the operator mis-reacting to the "shrink and swell" phenomenon, a rising narrow-range indicated water level accompanied by a falling wide range level. It usually happens after feedwater injection is cut off during low-power operation. The feedwater during low-power operations is unheated because the feedwater preheater is not receiving steam due to the low steam flow. The feedwater at low power is therefore about 400° F. cooler than the recirculated boilover water in the downcomer. It has the effect of chilling the recirculated water and causing the collapse of bubbles entrapped in it. This changes the density greatly, both by collapsing bubbles and by changing the water density. When the feedwater is stopped, the density decreases again and the level indicated by the narrow range pair of sensors shoots up. If it shoots high enough, the generator trips and automatically shuts down the plant. The operator tends to react as if the water is too high, and does not turn the feedwater on again.
Rapidly changing density and temperature in the downcomer cause the recirculation to change, and also the riser temperature. Changes in temperature in turn cause Changes in the steam flow.
When the steam flow varies, so does the steam pressure at the generator outlet 36 (because of pressure drop over the separators 22, 24 and in the riser 20). These pressure changes are not negligible: steam pressure may vary as much as 200 psi over the full power range. Because steam generators are often connected in parallel, these changes aggravate the problem of shrink and swell. If one of the generators drops its pressure, the next generator will feel the pressure drop in the header and increase its output. The result may cause a chaotic oscillation involving load shifting among the generators or waste of water and power due to atmospheric venting.
The complexities of the shrink and swell phenomenon have been addressed by several prior art inventions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,239 issued to O'Neil et al. shows a boiling water nuclear reactor core with turbines inside to force flow of coolant over the core. The turbines are mounted on an annular plate. Pressure sensors are used to monitor the pressure on either side of the plate; the difference is used to calculate flow of coolant. The pressure data is combined with data from power range monitors in the core by means of an algorithm. The calculation outputs core flow.
Singh, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,732, discloses a control for nuclear power plant steam generators at low power. The control system inputs data on reactor power, feedwater temperature, and narrow range pressure as read by conventional detectors. The output is the feedwater flow or rate. The system is designed to stabilize the steam generator in the transition from low power to high power. This system is complex and does not calculate mass changes inside the steam generator riser.
Miranda, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,898, teaches the use of an automatic delay for avoiding reactor trips. The delay circuit senses the low water levels characteristic of the shrink and swell phenomenon, and locks the feedwater. This prevents the operator from reacting in the characteristic way which leads to trips. This system is simple, but does not attack the problem; it is a purely symptomatic solution, and could perhaps be dangerous in some situations where the operator needed to turn on the feedwater to prevent the U-tubes from drying out.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,481 issued to Geetz discloses a control system which operates over the full power range. A conventional high power controller and a conventional low power controller are used, and their outputs are linearly combined for feedwater rate control. The combination bridges the sensitive range where shrink and swell is common.
A principal object of the invention is to provide a feedwater control system for steam generators that reduces the chances of trips occurring during start-up and low power operation of the system.
Another principal object of the invention is to provide a process for controlling feedwater injection to a steam generator in a manner that reduces the chances of trips occurring during start-up and at low power operation of the system.
Another object of the invention is to achieve the aforementioned objects by controlling the mass of water in the steam generator for respective power conditions of the system or for respective density and flow conditions in the downcomer.
Another object of the invention is to provide indication of the differential pressure in the downcomer and to use such indication information to control the feedwater injection to the steam generator.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for calculating the mass of water inside a steam generator for any power condition.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus allowing the operator to easily determine the mass of water inside the steam generator, which is simple and easy to adapt to existing steam generators.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus which allows either the operator or the automatic control system to control feedwater injection in relation to the mass liquid in the steam generator.
Another object is to provide such an apparatus that is easily adapted to and installed on existing steam generators.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a steam generator or boiler of the type having a pressure vessel having a zone in which heated water and steam can be separated, an outlet for the flow of pressurized steam and an outlet for the flow of liquid, a riser section in which fluid passes for heating therein and flows into the vessel zone, and a downcomer to receive the recirculated liquid from the vessel zone and feedwater for flow to the inlet of the riser section, the system includes feedwater control apparatus for determining the mass flow of liquid in the downcomer, determining the liquid mass in the vessel zone, downcomer and riser sections and controlling the feedwater rate in relation to such mass and the respective power conditions of the system, thereby providing better stability in the system operation. Problems due to "shrink and swell" effects are thus avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a cutaway elevation view showing a typical prior art steam generator.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a steam generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a mechanical schematic drawing of a steam generator system including a feedwater system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the control elements of the steam generator of FIG. 3.
FIG. 4A is a detail of FIG. 4.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is shown in FIG. 2. Reference may also be made to FIG. 1, which depicts an identical type of steam generator, and to the above discussion of the prior art regarding FIG. 1. The U-tubes 12 inside the riser 20 are not shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.
FIG. 2 shows the pressure sensors 50, 60 of FIG. 1 with their accompanying arrangements of pipes 52, 54, 56 and 62, 64, 66, which connect them into the steam generator pressure vessel.
The steam generator according to the present invention includes an apparatus for measuring the flow or rate of circulation through the downcomer, and a method of using that measurement to calculate the mass of water in the steam generator and in the riser 20. Along with the level readings from the narrow range and wide range sensors, the flow measurement is used to calculate both the mass of water in the steam generator, and also the distribution of that water: the mass of water in the riser then is immediately available.
Any sort of device for measuring flow could be used: sonic doppler-shift probe, propeller/generator, venturi nozzle, etc. However, the preferred flow meter device is that shown in the drawing FIG. 2, which measures the pressure drop in the narrow downcomer. Also, it should be understood that the mass flow rate through the system can be sensed at a number of suitable locations; however, sensing such mass flow in the downcomer is preferred.
The flow meter uses a pressure differential sensor 70 of the same type as sensors 50 and 60. A lower pipe 72 is split into two pressure regions by the sensor 70. A head pipe 74 rises vertically and connects into the lower pipe 52 of narrow range sensor 50. The pipe 74 is full of water. The sensor 70 will detect any deviation of pressure at the bottom of the riser 20 from that caused by the hydrostatic pressure of water.
The lower connection could be made to one of the lower wide range taps, as shown, or to the blowdown pipe 38.
The pressure deviation measured by the sensor 70 will be due primarily to four different factors.
One factor is density differences due to the water in the pipe 74 having a lower temperature than the water inside the steam generator pressure wall 10. This difference is about 545-120 or 425° F. These inside and outside temperatures are only roughly constant, though. The inside temperature will vary by about 50° F. over the full power range. Because of this, the corresponding density variations are also only roughly constant, but can easily be compensated for, to a first approximation.
The second factor is density change of the downcomer water due to bubble entrapment. This will cause a hydrostatic pressure difference across the sensor 70 diaphragm, proportional to the density of fluid in the downcomer. The water in the head pipe 74 contains no bubbles and does not vary with this factor. The pressure differences measured across the sensor 70 will be most strongly influenced by this factor.
The third factor is pressure difference due to fluid friction or viscosity of the downcomer water. A pressure differential is required to move the water through the narrow downcomer. As flow increases, the pressure differential across the vertical length of the downcomer will increase. To a first approximation, the friction will be independent of density, because the bubbles are merely carried along with the water.
The fourth factor is the pressure drop at the tap points where the pipes 52, 72 enter the vessel. According to Bernoulli's principle, the difference at either point is proportional to density and to the square of the fluid speed there. The speed is the fluid volume flow rate divided by the cross-sectional area at that point. Thus the Bernoulli effect will vary depending on where the tap points of the pipes 52 and 74 are located: in constricted regions of high fluid speed, or regions of large cross-sectional area where the flow is slower. This effect, which opposes the viscosity pressure drop, may be made quite small by proper location or construction of the tap.
A temperature compensation could be built into the mass calculator. The easiest method of temperature compensation is to allow the actual resultant "effect" to be used, rather than compute one. The change seen above the low level tap of the narrow range instrument will also be noticed by the sensor 70. This provides for direct measurement of the effects of any temperature change. The decrease in the pressure difference across the narrow range sensor 50 will be seen as a corresponding decrease in the static condition pressure difference detected by the sensor 70. This change in both will be canceled out in the method of the present invention; the mass calculation will therefore be accurate in spite of feedwater temperature changes. The sensor 70 will not be affected by an actual level change. Therefore, the calculation of the present invention can determine the difference between temperature changes and level changes. The temperature compensation automatically occurs, without the need for temperature probes, additional inputs, or math calculations.
If another sort of flow sensor were used with the present invention, a temperature sensor would need to be added. In a large steam generator vessel, containing rapidly-moving high temperature steam and water, it would be difficult to insert both a flow meter and a thermometer into the downcomer 40. This, plus the need for additional computation, makes the two-tap differential pressure arrangement of FIG. 2 the preferred device for measuring flow.
The measure of flow in the downcomer 40 made possible by the sensor 70 and pipes 72, 74 is important because that flow rate is related to the difference in water levels between the riser 20 and the downcomer 40, and the masses of fluid in them. The height of water in the downcomer 40 is known directly, to good accuracy, from the pressure across the narrow range sensor 50; the mass change in the riser, which the operator needs to control the steam generator properly, can be found from the narrow range pressure and the flow measurement from the sensor 70 according to the methods of the present invention.
The method of the present invention has two aspects. There is a rough method, and a more precise look-up method.
To use the rough method, the operator takes the pressure shown by the sensor 70 and converts it to a level difference (between the downcomer 40 level and the riser 20 level) by multiplying the indicated pressure by a constant of proportionality k. The k factor is obtained experimentally at one power level, as follows:
With the steam generator in steady-state operation, say at 10% of full power, the narrow-range pressure gauge reading is noted. Then the generator is shut down. The steam outlet valve (not shown) and the feedwater control valve (not shown) are both closed to prevent entry or exit of water or steam from the generator. At the same time the flow of heat into the steam generator is stopped. The steam generator is now isolated from mass and heat changes.
The result will be this: with boiling in the riser 20 stopped, and all cessation of circulation-between the riser 20 and the downcomer 40, the water levels in the riser and downcomer will come to the same level. When the steam generator is calm, the narrow range gauge is again read. The reading will be different because the flow has ceased. The difference in pressure readings before and after the shutdown is the "shrink". It is used to find the k factor which is ##EQU1## using the data from the shutdown.
On the assumption that level difference is proportional to flow, the k factor is multiplied by the difference in pressure readings of the sensor 70 to directly obtain the shrink.
The shrink gives the operator valuable information about the level in the riser. (The term "level" is somewhat misleading, since the violent boiling at higher powers does not allow definition of a real surface; nevertheless, the mass of water in the riser corresponds to a calm surface level, so "level" is proportional to the mass.)
To find the shrink to greater accuracy, the operator may use the second method of the present invention, which employs a look-up table which has been carefully figured to compensate for the various non-linearities in both the pressure to flow conversion and in the steam generator itself.
Non-linearities enter in the viscous friction effect and in the speed squared term of the Bernoulli effect in the pressure sensor 70. Also, the varying cross-sections of the riser and downcomer mean that the mass of water in the riser 20, in which the operator is interested, will not change proportionally to the level.
The look-up table will incorporate the results of shutdown tests, such as that described above, and/or the results of careful thermodynamic calculations or computer simulations based on the particular construction of the steam generator. The table would list combinations of narrow range readings and flow readings, and give the mass of water in the riser and the mass in the generator for each combination.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, one example of a steam generator system that includes the present invention will be described. For simplicity, FIG. 3 shows the basic mechanical and FIG. 4 and 4A shows the basic control hookup of the same system.
Steam piping 1 is shown connected to the load such as electrical generating turbine 25. The return piping 5 is shown from the feed pumps 27 back to the steam generator 9. Starting at steam generator 9, the steam passes through a flow throttling device 11 to allow measurement of the steam flow by differential pressure transmitter 13. The steam flow device should be compensated for steam density changes in the steam, so the steam pressure is measured by pressure transmitter 15 to give the density which is used to determine the true steam flow in a meter 17.
Typically, for plants with multiple steam generators, the steam from the steam generator 9 is piped to a mixing bottle 19 where it is mixed with steam from the other steam generators, shown entering at 21. The combined steam is then piped to a governor control valve 23 and the load 25, which for an electric power plant is a turbine generator. After transferring power to the turbine 25, the steam passes through a condenser (not shown) and enters the feed pumps 27, which return the condensed water to the steam generator 9 and the other steam generators 29 through piping 5.
The feedwater flow is monitored by a feedwater detector 33 and controlled by the feedwater regulating valve 31. The detector 33 can be placed on either side of the regulating valve 31 but the arrangement shown is preferred.
In order to control the water levels in steam generator 9, a differential pressure device 35 functions to detect the differential pressure in the narrow range and therefore the water level in the downcomer, as described above. The signal output 35A of device 35 is combined with the output signal 37A of the downcomer differential pressure device 37 in a signal summer 39 whose output 39A is an indication of the actual liquid mass in the steam generator.
The system is designed to control the feedwater injection to steam generator 9 by adjusting automatically or enabling manual adjustment of control valve 31 in relation to the appropriate mass that should be in the steam generator 9 for respective power conditions of the system. One example for generating this control is shown with the use of a mass program indicator 41, which receives either the differential pressure reading from differential pressure transmitter 37 or a signal indicative of the power level of the load 25. The mass program indicator 41 is programed to assure that the moisture separators are not flooded out by the downcomer level rising too high or the riser level becoming too low, all as described above. If the mass programmer uses the reading from the differential pressure transmitter 37 (37A) to determine the desired mass, then a time delay device may be used to dampen rapid but insignificant changes and transients in the downcomer flow.
A further explanation of the mass program indicator may be helpful. The mass in the steam generator 9 is a function of the level of the water in the narrow range and the downcomer and the level in the riser section. Under static conditions in the steam generator, with the system in hot standby, the levels in the riser and downcomer are essentially the same. Therefore, the level in the downcomer will produce a signal from differential pressure transmitter 35 representative of the mass of liquid in the steam generator. For example, in the Westinghouse Model 51 S/G, a level of 33% in the narrow range level detector 35 while in hot standby would represent xxxxx lbm.
For steam generator at 100% flow conditions, the level indicated in the narrow range by itself would no longer represent the mass of water in the steam generator. The additional information required would be how much =less mass would be in the riser section as a result of the steam production. The preferred representation of this is the differential pressure change in the downcomer flow device 37 from the static to the 100% flow condition. For example, using the same Westinghouse model, the downcomer flow device 37 at hot standby reads a pressure differential of 3,879 psi. Then at 100% steam flow this might change to 4,879 psi. This 1 psi difference multiplied by the constant (k) derived for this steam generator as described above and added to the 33% figure from the downcomer converted to a delta P would yield a value representative of liquid mass (e.g. wwww lbm).
Therefore, at any time, the combination of the narrow range level device 35 delta P and the difference between device 37 delta P reading from its hot standby reading, represents or indicates the mass in the steam generator. The desired narrow range level for any respective power level and the desired mass to produce this level at any power level can now be determined. The differential pressure device 37 will provide the input as to what mass will be optimum for the power conditions of the system. For example, using the same Westinghouse model, at 0% steam flow, the downcomer desired level should be 33% and the mass required to produce that level is xxxx lbm. Then at 100% steam flow the desired level in the downcomer should be 44% and the mass required to produce that level would now only be yyyy lbm. Therefore the difference in delta P in the downcomer differential pressure device 37 at 0% and the expected delta P of 3,879 psi would be zero. Then at 100% steam flow conditions the downcomer flow device change from static conditions of 1 psi would represent the desired mass of yyyy lbm.
The mass program indicator 41 would then provide a variable (preferably linear) between the xxx lbm to the yyy lbm in response to the delta P output of the device 37. Only one combination of narrow range level and downcomer mass flow rate would produce a match with the mass program indicator 41.
As mentioned above, the output of summer 39 is indicative of the actual mass in the steam generator 9. The output of indicator 41 provides the indication of the proper liquid mass in the generator for the existing power or circulation conditions in the steam generator. These output signals are compared in summer 43, the output of which is indicative of the mass error in the steam generator.
The steam flow indicated at meter 17 is compared to the feedwater flow indicator 33 in a summer 45 to generate an output signal indicative of the flow error. In past error feedwater control systems, this flow error device was necessary due to the erroneous indications of steam generator mass caused by the shrink and swell phenomenon. It was necessary to limit the level error signal masking the actual mass change in the steam generator caused by shrink and swell, by using this flow error device. This speeded up the response of the system by limiting the flow error between the steam and feed flows to a small amount. The attempt was to prevent drastic swings in levels in the system. Since the present invention gives a more instantaneous indication of steam generator mass and its changes, this flow error device 45 may not be needed for use in the present invention. Nevertheless, some system designers or operators may prefer to have it in the system.
If the flow error signal is used, the mass error signal of summer 43 is combined in summer 47 with the flow error signal of summer 45 and the output signal of the feedwater control position indicator 49. If the flow error is not used then the mass error signal would be used for feedwater control without it.
Feedwater control can be automatic or manual depending on the position of switch 51. If manual, the operator need only watch the meter (not shown) that indicates the output signal of summer 39 and the system power meter, not shown, and adjust positioner 53 by operating a manual control device 55 until such mass reading moves to a suitable range, as described below. To the extent the operator desires to know the other parameters, they would be displayed for the operator's use.
If automatic, the error signal, if any, will control the compressed air or hydraulic positioner 53 to adjust feedwater control valve 31 to add or cut back on the feedwater flow rate until the error signal from summer 47 returns to within an acceptable range or a predetermined value. In this way, the mass and therefore the related liquid levels in the downcomer and indirectly in the riser can be rapidly and accurately controlled to the proper conditions of the steam generator.
It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of present invention. Also, it should be understood that the invention has application in a variety of steam generator and boiler types, such as nuclear and fossil fired steam generators and boilers, either stationary or marine. For example, marine boilers have variously designed components that provide similar functions to those described herein for the steam generator. That is, marine boilers have a riser section through which water and steam mixture flows and in which heat is transferred to the fluid therein. A pressure vessel usually called a drum receives the heated fluid from the riser to enable separation of the steam and water. Pressurized steam exits the drum toward the load and the liquid drains into a downcomer that directs it and injects feedwater toward the riser inlet. The liquid in the drum is equivalent to the liquid in the narrow range. These prior art boilers also experience the shrink and swell phenomenon.
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In a steam generator or boiler of the type having a pressure vessel having a zone in which heated water and steam can be separated, an outlet for the flow of pressurized steam and an outlet for the flow of liquid, a riser section in which fluid passes for heating therein and flow into the vessel zone, and a downcomer to receive the recirculated liquid from the vessel zone and feedwater for flow to the inlet of the riser section, the system includes feedwater control apparatus for sensing the mass flow of liquid in the downcomer, determining the liquid mass in the vessel zone, downcomer and riser section and controlling the feedwater rate in relation to such mass and the respective power conditions of the system, thereby providing better stability in the system operation. Trips and other problems caused by shrink and swell are thereby avoided and other benefits achieved.
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/162,760 filed on Jan. 24, 2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to drinking cups and, more particularly, to a cup assembly formed by the reversible nesting of two drinking cups.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It has become a common practice to offer for sale very large soft drink portions, with 32-ounce and even 40-ounce cups being made available to consumers at fast-food restaurants. Souvenir cups of such sizes are commonly sold, or included with a drink purchase, at theme parks, amusement parks, and other tourist destinations. Many consumers have no intention of drinking such a large portion, but purchase it with the intent of sharing the drink with a partner. Some consumers, however, hesitate to share a cup or a straw, or even use a separate straw in a single drink, out of sanitary concerns. Even if that hesitation is not present, it is inconvenient to pass a bulky, cold, and usually wet drink container back and forth between the individuals. Few people plan their days so meticulously that they will be carrying with them a second cup for use in such a situation.
[0004] The problem has attracted some attention from inventors. For example, U.S. patent publication No. 2002/0195451 describes a multi-sectioned cup, where different individuals are expected to drink from separate compartments, each having its own straw. The need to pass such a device from person to person remains a disadvantage.
[0005] Cups have been attached by various means to the exterior of bottles and cans; see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,505,390 and 4,984,723. Such an attached cup could be used to share the contents of the can or bottle, but the disclosed means for attachment are inconvenient when dealing with a large, wet, and not necessarily rigid cup full of liquid. In general, the prior art means for attachment involve spiral threads requiring several revolutions to effect disengagement of the parts, or call upon additional parts such as handles, straps, and the like. In dealing with an inner cup full of liquid, however, where the contents are not effectively sealed, there is a need for means of attachment which permit rapid engagement and disengagement of the outer cup, without inducing large or sudden movement that might spill the contents.
[0006] There is a need for a set of mutually engaged cups, that enables a couple to share a large drink that is provided in a single cup, with the conveniences of having individual cups. Designs for such a device, which requires minimal force and minimizes motion of the cups during the engagement and disengagement, are accordingly provided in the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a first cup, intended to contain a drink dispensed as a single portion by a vendor or vending apparatus. Nested around the bottom of the first cup is a second cup, which is affixed to the first cup by an easily reversible means of attachment. The means of attachment may take several forms, but in general they are molded into the mutually facing surfaces of the cups, and are of such design as to permit disengagement of the two cups with a simple pull along the axial direction, optionally accompanied by a short twisting motion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first cup of the invention, in an embodiment that features L-shaped slots in the outer surface.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first cup of FIG. 1 .
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second cup of the invention, in an embodiment that features four inwardly-projecting lugs on the inner surface.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the second cup of FIG. 3 .
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a channel with a restriction type of detent.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view, in cross section, of a channel with a well type of detent.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view, in cross section, of nested cups, featuring threaded attachment means on the bottoms of the cups.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first cup of the invention, in an embodiment that features female spiral threads in the outer surface.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the first cup of FIG. 8 .
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second cup of the invention, in an embodiment that features male spiral threads on the inner surface.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side view of the second cup of FIG. 10 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention provides a first or inner cup, and a second or outer cup nested around the bottom of the first cup. The cups are fastened to one another by an easily reversible means of attachment. The means of attachment comprises mutually interlocking structures on the opposing surfaces of the nested cups.
[0020] The reversible means of attachment may comprise two or more lugs formed on the outer cup, the lugs being engageable with two or more channels formed on the inner cup. The structures may be reversed, in that the lugs can be formed on the inner cup and the channels formed on the outer cup. The channels optionally include detent means for reversibly detaining the lugs, which are formed at the ends of the channels.
[0021] The reversible means of attachment may, alternatively, comprise two or more male threads formed on one cup, the threads being engageable with two or more female threads formed on the other cup. Here also, the roles of the inner and outer cup can be interchanged. Preferably, the male threads subtend an angle of less than 180 degrees, more preferably less than 90 degrees, and most preferably less than 45 degrees, so as to minimize the amount of twisting required to engage and disengage the two cups. The threads will preferably have a large pitch, on the order of at least 0.25 inches, more preferably on the order of 0.5 inches or more. In these embodiments, engagement and disengagement of the two cups is a simple matter of screwing and unscrewing them.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the outer cup features a threaded protrusion on the bottom of the cup, and the inner cup features a complimentary threaded recess on its bottom. Threading the protrusion into the recess effects the reversible engagement of the two cups.
[0023] One preferred means of attachment is a set of projecting lugs on one cup that engage channels in the opposing surface of the other cup. The path of the channels on the surface may be linear, angular, spiral, or a combination thereof; in a preferred embodiment the channels are L-shaped. Each channel preferably guides an engaging lug to a detent means, also molded in the outer surface of the inner cup, which can reversibly trap the engaging lug. Depending upon the shape of the channels , the two cups are readily disengaged with a simple pulling action and/or a short twisting motion, which draws the lugs out of any detents and out through the channels. The lugs, channels , and detent means are preferably molded into the surfaces of the cups during manufacturing.
[0024] An alternative means of attachment is an annular ridge on one cup which engages a mating annular groove or channel on the other cup. Application of a light force, by hand, causes the outer cup to stretch slightly in diameter, to a degree sufficient to permit the annular ridge on one cup to enter or escape the complimentary groove on the other cup. An example of such a means of attachment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,348 (Oct. 22, 1985 to Clements), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of providing an enabling description of an annular ridge and a complimentary groove as reversible means of attachment between nested cups.
[0025] Preferred means of attachment will be those which permit engagement and disengagement of the cups without inducing large and/or sudden motions that would risk spilling the contents of the inner cup. Designs which require minimal force and minimize motion of the cups during the engagement and disengagement are accordingly provided.
[0026] For comfort and ease of use of the outer cup, the means of attachment are preferably located within the cup, and do not impinge on the lip of the cup. The means for attachment are preferably situated at a distance from the lip, so as not to interfere with liquid flow to and past the rim. This permits the rim to be rolled out, or otherwise thickened and made smooth and suitable for drinking.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, where corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components, the inner cup of the present invention is exemplified by the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and indicated by reference character 10 . The inner cup in this example features an L-shaped channel 12 for receiving a lug ( 22 in FIG. 3 ) when the inner cup 10 and outer cup 20 are engaged. The cups 10 and 20 are typically of integral thermoplastic construction. In this particular embodiment, the horizontal portion of the L-shaped channel subtends approximately twenty degrees of the circumference of the cup, and therefore the engagement and disengagement of the cups involves only a twenty-degree rotation of the outer cup relative to the inner cup, followed by separation along the axial direction. Variations in the length of the channel will be readily envisioned by those of skill in the art. In general, a channel subtending less than 180 degrees is greatly preferred, so that the cups can be disengaged in a single motion, without the need to release either cup to re-position one's grip. More preferably, the angle subtended (and thus the necessary rotation) is less than 90 degrees, and most preferably it is less than 45 degrees. The channel 12 may be formed by machining or impressing, but it is most preferably molded into the outer surface of cup 10 during manufacture. In FIG. 4 , the sidewalls of outer cup 20 are thin, so that the lugs give rise to visible indentations 23 on the outer surface of the cup.
[0028] In preferred embodiments, the channel 12 will terminate in a detent means 13 as shown in FIG. 2 . The detent means shown in the drawings is a cavity into which a lug 22 can snap into place. Referring to FIG. 5 , the cavity may be defined by a necking, or restriction, 14 at the end of the channel 12 , through which the lug must be forced before entering the cavity 13 a. Alternatively, it may take the form of a well 13 b extending deeper into the surface of the cup than the channel 12 , as shown in FIG. 6 . In the latter embodiment, the depth of the channel will preferably decrease as the lug approaches the detent means, so that a moderate force and accompanying deformation are required for entry of the lug into the well. In either embodiment, the lug 22 cannot enter or escape the detent means 13 without application of a force sufficient to cause slight deformation of the plastic, to the extent needed to force the lug out of the detent means. The dimensions of the detent means and lugs are chosen so that the lugs will not accidentally or inadvertently disengage from the detent means, yet can be intentionally disengaged upon gentle, deliberate application of force by the user.
[0029] In the embodiments shown, simply grasping the outer cup 10 , and rotating it with respect to the inner cup 20 , will cause mutual deformation of the lugs 22 and detent means 13 , sufficient to effect the release of the lugs from the detent means. The user then completes the rotation, so the lugs 22 traverse the channels 12 , and separates the cups by pulling them apart axially.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the means of attachment are male and female threads ( 72 and 73 , respectively) formed in the bottoms of the cups. A single-start thread is illustrated, but two or more threads of comparable or higher pitch are alternatives that can provide the user with more rapid engagement and disengagement of the cups. Embodiments with two-start, three-start, and four-start threads are particularly contemplated.
[0031] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment wherein female spiral threads 82 are formed in the outer surface of the outer cup 10 . FIGS. 10 and 11 show the inner cup 20 of this embodiment, having male spiral threads 92 on the inner surface.
[0032] Both cups may be shaped from sheets of extruded plastic material using a vacuum forming process, or alternatively, one or both may be manufactured by injection molding. Selection of an appropriate means for forming the cups, including for example injection molding or thermo-forming, will be a function of such technical considerations as the particular polymer to be used and the intended thickness of the cup. Making such a selection is routine, and well within the abilities of those skilled in the art of manufacturing plastic items. The processes themselves are well-known to those of skill in the art, and need not be further discussed here.
[0033] The thickness of the cups' sidewalls and bottom portions are not limited, but typically they will independently range from about 0.01 inches to about 3/16 inch, depending on how sturdy and durable a cup one wishes to manufacture. Cups of the invention may be formed from any of the polymer resins commonly used in the art, and known to be suitable for disposable, re-usable and souvenir drinking cups, including but not limited to polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS, OPS, and closed cell foam), as well as the known blends and co-polymers thereof. Re-usable and souvenir cups can also be formed from aluminum or other metals, if desired, with the means for attachment formed directly in the metal or in a polymer layer covering the metal surface.
[0034] The inner and outer cups need not be of the same material. In certain embodiments, the outer cup will be made of an insulating, foamed plastic, and/or will feature an elastomeric surface, thereby providing a dry, comfortable, and secure grip for the inner cup, when not being used to serve a separate portion of the drink. A multi-functional outer cup of this nature can be affixed to a plastic or metal inner cup, giving the present invention additional functionality. One of the cups may be customized with vendor logos, team or school insignia, souvenir images and messages, and the like, while the other cup can be standardized and produced in high volume at low cost. The durable and re-usable embodiments of the present invention, if adopted by vendors and made attractive to consumers, will also reduce the volume of plastic waste currently being generated by the fast-food industry, and accordingly reduce the operating costs of the vendors.
[0035] Several embodiments having been described in the present specification and drawings, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting in any way.
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The invention provides a reversibly-attached and easily-separated set of nested cups. The outer cup can quickly and easily be detached from the inner cup, and the two cups used to share a single drink. When not in use, the outer cup remains securely attached, and provides a degree of insulation for the contents of the inner cup.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to electronic components, and more specifically, to securing opposing electronic components to a circuit board.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Computer systems typically include a combination of computer programs and hardware, such as semiconductors, transistors, chips, circuit boards, storage devices, and processors. The computer programs are stored in the storage devices and are executed by the processors. A common feature of many computer systems is the presence of one or more circuit boards. Circuit boards contain a variety of components mounted to a board.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to embodiments of the invention, an assembly having first and second components may be provided. The first component may include one or more connectors corresponding to one or more through-holes of a circuit board. The second component may include one or more receptacles to fixedly receive the connectors, wherein the first and second components are adapted to be located on opposing sides of the circuit board in an assembled position. In some embodiments, the first and second components may include electrical connectors soldered to the circuit board. In some embodiments, the connectors may include one or more pawls and the receptacles may include one or more ratchets. In other embodiments, the connectors may be threaded members and the receptacles may be threaded apertures.
[0004] According to other embodiments, a method may be provided for securing opposing components to a circuit board. The method may include an operation of placing a first component having one or more connectors on a first side of a circuit board having one or more through-holes corresponding to the connectors. The method may also include an operation of placing a second component having one or more receptacles to fixedly receive the connectors on a second side of the circuit board, wherein the first side of the circuit board and the second side of the circuit board are opposing sides. In other embodiments, the method may also include an operation of soldering electrical connectors located on the first and second components to electrical connectors located on the circuit board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1A is a top view of an assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2A is a side view of the assembly in an exploded position, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2B is a side view of an assembly in an assembled position with a partial cross-section, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2C is a zoomed view of area 206 of FIG. 2B , according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2D is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2C .
[0011] FIG. 2E is a top view of a connector, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2F is a top view of a receptacle, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of securing opposing components to a circuit board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] In the drawings and the Detailed Description, like numbers generally refer to like components, parts, steps, and processes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The growing demand for computer systems to have increased capabilities in ever smaller sizes motivates the creation of new ways to assemble the large quantity of components that make up a computer system. These new ways of assembly require designing computer systems that fit into a smaller area but at the same time maintaining or improving functionality and allowing the system to operate at a safe temperature. Dual or single in-line memory modules (DIMMs or SIMMs) are examples of component that due to the ever increasing number of memory modules present in modern computer systems, create an ever increasing need to assemble the memory modules is smaller spaces while maintaining cooling performance of the modules. Traditionally, memory modules, along with most other components, were mounted on a single side of a circuit board, however, an assembly that utilizes both sides of the circuit board provides designers with more options to create designs that may increase the number of components within a given computer system.
[0016] Another issue may arise when mounting in-line memory module connectors with multiple electrical connections to a single side of a circuit board. The connectors may have a large number of electrical connectors, such as those used in surface-mount technology (SMT). When these connectors are soldered to a circuit board there is the potential for the circuit board, the connectors, or both to warp due to heating. Embodiments of the invention provide a system for securing two components to opposing sides of a circuit board that provide more options to mount a greater number of components to the circuit board while also providing resistance to any tendency the circuit board or the components may have to warp due to heat. Embodiments of the invention accomplish this by utilizing two in-line memory module connectors mounted on opposing sides of a circuit board. The connectors may include complimenting connectors that pass through holes in the circuit board and connect to each other to secure the connectors to the board. This configuration functions as a type of clamping assembly that secures the connectors to the circuit board. In some embodiments this configuration may have a tendency to resist warping due to heat.
[0017] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1A depicts the top view of an assembly 100 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The assembly 100 may be an element of a computer system such as a mainframe, server, or personal computer. For example, the assembly 100 may be a motherboard. The assembly 100 may include a circuit board 102 and one or more components 104 a and 104 b, such as connectors for in-line memory modules. The components 104 a and 104 b may include any number of electrical connectors 106 a and 106 b, respectively, in a position to facilitate an electrical connection, such as SMT, to the circuit board 102 when the components 104 a and 104 b are mounted to the circuit board 102 .
[0018] FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the assembly 100 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Along with the components of FIG. 1A mentioned above, the assembly 100 may also include one or more components 104 c and 104 d, which may also be connectors for in-line memory modules. Like components 104 a and 104 b, the components 104 c and 104 d may include any number of electrical connectors 160 c and 106 d in a position to facilitate an electrical connection, such as SMT, to the circuit board 102 when the components 104 c and 104 d are mounted to the circuit board 102 . The component 104 c may be mounted to the circuit board 102 opposite the component 104 b and the component 104 d may be mounted to the circuit board 102 opposite the component 104 a.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a side view of the assembly 100 in an exploded position, according to an embodiment of the invention. The component 104 b may include connectors 202 a, 202 b and 202 c located on a surface of the component 104 b facing the circuit board 102 . The connectors 202 may correspond to through-holes 203 a, 203 b and 203 c of the circuit board 102 . The component 104 c may include receptacles 204 a, 204 b, and 204 c located on a surface of the component 104 c facing the circuit board 102 . The receptacles 204 may also correspond to the through-holes 203 of the circuit board.
[0020] FIG. 2B is a side view of the assembly 100 in an assembled position with a partial cross-section, according to an embodiment of the invention. The components 104 b and 104 c may be mounted to the circuit board 102 . The connector 202 of component 104 b may be located within the through-hole 203 of the circuit board 102 . Also, the receptacle 204 of component 104 c may be located within the through-hole 203 of the circuit board 102 and may receive the connector 202 in a mated position. Also, in various embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C , the connectors and receptacles may not come in contact with the circuit board, thereby limiting any interference that the circuit board may otherwise have on the mating of the components. The area 206 of FIG. 2B is shown in a zoomed view in FIG. 2C .
[0021] FIG. 2C is a zoomed view of area 206 of FIG. 2B , according to an embodiment of the invention. This view shows a partial cross section of components 104 b and 104 c and the circuit board 102 . The view also shows the connector 202 located within the through-hole 203 and mated with the receptacle 204 . The connector 202 may be a cylindrical member and include a chamfered collar 208 located on the outer surface of the connector 202 and at the end of the connector 202 furthest from the component 104 b. Other embodiments may have a connector of various shapes and sizes. For example, a connector may have plural flat sides such as a square, hexagon or any other similar shape. Other embodiments may have a collar 208 located at any other position along the length of the connector 202 other than the end of the connector 202 furthest from the component 104 b. The receptacle 204 may be a hollow cylindrical member with one or more chamfered ridges 210 located on the inner surface of the receptacle 202 . Other embodiments may have a receptacle of various shapes and sizes. For example, a receptacle may have plural flat sides such as a square, hexagon or any other similar shape. In various embodiments, a connector and a receptacle need not be the same shape so long as any difference in shape does not inhibit the mating of a connector and receptacle. The collar 208 may be chamfered in a direction opposite of the chamfering of the ridges 210 so that when the connector 202 and receptacle 204 are joined it may be relatively easier to insert the connector 202 into the receptacle 204 than it may be to separate them. The collar 208 of the connector 202 may be referred to as a type of pawl, and the ridges 210 of the receptacle 204 may be referred to as a type of linear ratchet. Other embodiments may have the location of the collar 208 and the ridges 210 reversed such that the collar 208 is located on the receptacle 204 and the ridges 210 are located on the connector 202 . Other embodiments of the invention may include any suitable type of connector and receptacle other than those shown in FIG. 2C . For example, a connector may include a threaded fastener such as a screw or bolt while a corresponding receptacle may include a threaded aperture to receive the screw or bolt.
[0022] FIG. 2D is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2C . In the shown embodiments, the receptacle 204 does not include a portion located within the through-hole 203 . For example, the receptacle 204 may be an aperture in the component 104 c. As in FIG. 2C , the ridges 210 may be located on the inner surface of the receptacle 204 . The connector 202 may pass through the through-hole of the circuit board 102 in order to mate with the receptacle 204 .
[0023] FIG. 2E is a top view of a connector 202 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In the shown embodiment, the collar 208 or pawl may be located on only a portion of the outer circumference of the connector 202 . The collar 208 shown in FIG. 2E includes two quarter sections where the collar 208 is present and two quarter sections where the collar 208 is not present, but in alternative embodiments the size and quantity of present and non-present sections may differ. The connector 202 may be fixed or it may be coupled to a component 104 in a way that allows the connector 202 to be rotated about its axis. For example, a connector may be accessible from the opposite side of a component on which it is located and may be rotated with the use of a tool such as a screwdriver. In other embodiments, a connector may have a portion that extends beyond the opposite side of a component and includes an element that facilitates manual rotation such as an appendage or tab.
[0024] FIG. 2F is a top view of a receptacle 204 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In the shown embodiment, the ridges 210 or ratchet may be located on only a portion of the inner circumference of the receptacle 204 . The ridges 210 shown in FIG. 2E includes two quarter sections where the ridges 210 are present and two quarter sections where the ridges 210 are not present, but in alternative embodiments the size and quantity of present and non-present sections may differ. The receptacle 204 may be fixed or it may be coupled to a component 104 in a way that allows the receptacle 204 to be rotated about its axis, similarly to the previously mentioned examples regarding the connector 202 . The combination of the connector 202 of FIG. 2E and the receptacle 204 of FIG. 2F may allow the connector 202 and receptacle 204 to unlock by rotating either the connector 202 or receptacle 204 and thereby allow the components 104 to disconnect.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of securing opposing components to a circuit board, according to an embodiment of the invention. The process may begin at block 302 . Block 304 may contain the operation of placing a component, such as a connector for an in-line memory module, on a circuit board. This component may have connectors corresponding to through-holes of the circuit board. When the component is placed on the circuit board the connectors may enter the through-holes of the circuit board. Block 306 may contain the operation of placing another component, such as a connector for an in-line memory module, on the side of the circuit board opposite the side where the first component was placed. This component may have receptacles for receiving the connectors when the receptacles and connectors are in a mated position. When the component is placed on the circuit board the receptacles mate with the connectors thereby securing both components to the circuit board.
[0026] Block 308 may contain a deciding operation that determines if one or more of the components are to be electronically connected to the circuit board. If one or more components are to be electronically connected to the circuit board, then one or more electrical connectors of the components is soldered to one or more electrical connectors of the circuit board. Upon completion of the operation of block 310 , the operation may proceed to block 312 where the process may end. Returning to block 308 , if there are no components that are to be electronically connected to the circuit board then the process moves to block 312 where the process may end.
[0027] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
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According to embodiments of the invention, an assembly having first and second components may be provided. The first component may include one or more connectors corresponding to one or more through-holes of a circuit board. The second component may include one or more receptacles to fixedly receive the connectors, wherein the first and second components are adapted to be located on opposing sides of the circuit board in an assembled position. In some embodiments, the first and second components may include electrical connectors soldered to the circuit board. In some embodiments, the connectors may include one or more pawls and the receptacles may include one or more ratchets. In other embodiments, the connectors may be threaded members and the receptacles may be threaded apertures.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The assignee of the present application owns copending and related patent applications:
1. Ser. No. 08/253,527 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,982 filed Jun. 3, 1994, entitled "Trenched DMOS Transistor With Channel Block at Cell Trench Corners," which has been allowed;
2. Ser. No. 08/290,323, now abandoned entitled "Trenched DMOS Transistor Fabrication Using Seven Masks and Having Thick Termination Oxide";
3. Ser. No. 07/918,996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,324 entitled "High Voltage Transistor Having Edge Termination"; and
4. Ser. No. 08/096,135 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,040 entitled "Structure and Fabrication of Power MOSFETS, Including Termination Structure."
The present application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,831, entitled "Low On-Resistance Power MOS Technology," and to U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,266, entitled "Trench DMOS Power Transistor With Field-Shaped Body Profile and Three-Dimensional Geometry." The aforementioned documents are all incorporated herein by this reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to trenched transistors (both FET and bipolar) and more specifically to a trenched DMOS transistor.
2. Description of Related Technology
Double-diffused MOS (DMOS) transistors are a type of MOSFET in which diffusions form the active transistor regions. It is known to form such transistors in a silicon substrate using a trench lined with a thin oxide layer and filled with conductive polysilicon to form the transistor gate structure. These transistors are typically used for power applications, such as high-current switching applications.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional, hexagonally-shaped trench DMOS structure 21. Structure 21 includes an N+ substrate 23, on which is grown a lightly doped epitaxial layer (N) 25 of a predetermined depth d epi . Within epitaxial layer 25, a body region 27 of opposite conductivity (P, P+) is provided. Except in a certain central region that will be discussed shortly, the P body region 27 is substantially planar and lies a distance d min below the top surface of epitaxial layer 27. Another covering layer 28 (N+) overlying most of the body region 25 serves as the source of structure 21.
A hexagonally-shaped trench 29 is provided in epitaxial layer 25, opening toward the top and having a predetermined depth d tr . Trench 29 is lined with an oxide insulating layer 30 and filled with doped polysilicon. The trench 29 associated with a transistor cell defines a cell region 31 that is also hexagonally shaped in horizontal cross-section. Within cell region 31, the body region rises to the top surface of epitaxial layer 25 and forms an exposed pattern 33 in a horizontal cross section at the top surface of the cell region.
The central exposed portion 33 of the body region is more heavily doped (P+) than the substantially planar remainder of the body region. Further, this central portion of the body region (i.e., deep diffusion region 27C) extends below the surface of epitaxial layer 25 to a depth d max that is greater than the trench depth d tr . This is very important because any source-to-drain voltage breakdown is forced away from the trench surfaces (e.g., the portions of gate oxide 30 adjacent body region 27) and into the bulk of N+ substrate 23. Thus, deep diffusion region 27C prevents destructive breakdown of the gate oxide dielectric.
As discussed above, the use of deep diffusion region 27C provides a significant advantage in protecting the gate oxide. Unfortunately, the deeper a diffusion, the greater the extent of that diffusion's lateral encroachment of neighboring structures. Deep diffusions consequently require a large amount of die area, leading to inefficient device packing and increased device cost. Hence, there is a need for a structure that provides the advantages of a trenched DMOS transistor with deep diffusion regions while minimizing the area required to provide deep diffusion regions of sufficient depth.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a trenched DMOS transistor with deep body regions that occupy minimal area on the principal surface of a semi-conductor substrate, and therefore allow for efficient device packing. The present invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing such a transistor.
According to the invention, a semiconductor substrate is provided with an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type extending from a principal surface of the substrate. A first oxide layer is formed over the epitaxial layer and patterned to define a deep-body area on the epitaxial layer beneath which a deep body region is to be formed.
A diffusion-inhibiting region of the first conductivity type is formed in the deep-body area before forming a second oxide layer covering the deep-body area and the remaining portion of the first oxide layer. Portions of the second oxide layer are then removed to expose the center of the diffusion inhibiting region, leaving the first oxide layer and oxide sidewall spacers from the second oxide layer to cover the periphery of the diffusion-inhibiting region.
Next, a deep-body diffusion of a second conductivity type is performed, resulting in the formation of a deep body region in the epitaxial layer between the sidewall spacers. The periphery of the diffusion-inhibiting region covered by the remaining portions of the first and second oxide layers inhibits the lateral diffusion of the deep body diffusion without significantly inhibiting diffusion depth. Thus, the present invention minimizes the surface area required to provide the deep-body diffusion, consequently minimizing the surface area occupied by the resulting deep body region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 depicts a conventional, hexagonally-shaped trench DMOS structure 21;
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a portion of a transistor in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 3 through 10a and 11 through 16 depict a sequence of steps to form a transistor (shown in cross section) in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 10b depicts a plan view of the processing step shown in FIG. 10a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 2 shows a perspective (combined crosssectional and plan) view of a multi-cell DMOS trenched transistor in accordance with the present invention. This view is of a portion of such a transistor, illustrating a few cells thereof. Moreover, only the transistor substrate and the associated doped regions are shown together with the trenches. That is to say, the overlying insulating layers, gate structures, and conductive interconnect are not shown for simplicity; these are illustrated in later figures.
In FIG. 2, formed on the conventional N+ doped substrate 100 is an N- doped epitaxial layer 104. Formed in epitaxial layer 104 are two (exemplary) trenches 124a and 124b that are formed using conventional etching techniques, as described below. Lining each of trenches 124a, 124b is oxide insulating layer 130. Each trench 124a, 124b is filled with a doped polysilicon structure, respectively 134d, 134e. The principal surface of the epitaxial layer 104 is designated 106. Additional trenches intersect trenches 124a, 124b at right angles, thereby defining the intervening cells. The edges of these adjacent intersecting trenches are labelled 108a and 108b.
FIG. 2 illustrates two cells of a transistor that are conventionally electrically interconnected by an overlying interconnect, as described below. The first cell includes trench 124a, a P doped body region 116a, an N+ doped source region 141a, and a P+ doped deep body region 138a. The lower portion of P+ doped deep body region 138a is delineated with a dotted line because P+ doped deep body region 138a is set back within the structure of FIG. 2 so that region 138a is not intersected by the edge 108b of the adjacent intersecting trenches. (The doping levels and depths of these regions are described below in detail.) The second cell includes P doped body region 116b, N+ doped source region 141b, 141c, and P+ doped deep body region 138b. The third cell includes P doped body region 116c, N+ doped source region 141d, and P+ doped deep body region 138c. These N+ doped source regions 141a, 141b, 141c, and 141d comprise a central N+ diffusion-inhibiting region 105 merged with a respective outer N+ source region 140i, as will be explained in more detail below.
The structure shown in FIG. 2 is similar to that of FIG. 2 of copending application "Trenched DMOS Transistor With Channel Block at Cell Trench Corners," except for the shape (both in the plan view and crosssectional view) of the P+ doped deep body regions 138a, 138b, and 138c. According to the present invention, these regions are formed, as described in detail below, to occupy minimal area on the principal surface 106. It is to be understood that the drain electrode for the transistor is conventionally formed on the backside surface (not shown) of the underlying substrate 100.
FIG. 3 shows in cross section a first process step to form a trenched DMOS field effect transistor as depicted in FIG. 2. It is to be understood that this process is exemplary and other processes may be used to fabricate the final transistor structure.
A substrate 100 of FIG. 2 (not shown in FIG. 3), which is conventionally N+ doped, has an N- doped epitaxial layer 104 grown on the surface of the substrate. Epitaxial layer 104 is approximately 5 to 10 microns (10 -6 m) thick.
Principal surface 106 of the epitaxial layer 104 is conventionally oxidized to form a silicon dioxide layer 110 approximately 1 micron thick. Silicon dioxide layer 110 is conventionally patterned using photoresist and a mask to define N+ regions 102a, 102b, and 102d. (Note that FIGS. 3 to 10a and 11 to 16 do not correspond exactly to FIG. 2 because the termination structure is not shown in FIG. 2.)
The N+ implant step is carried out by implanting phosphorus at an energy level of 60 KEV with a dosage of typically 5×10 15 to 1×10 16 /cm 2 . Then, in FIG. 4, an oxide layer (not shown) is conventionally deposited over the entire principal surface 106. In one embodiment, the oxide layer is silicon dioxide formed using a conventional tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) reaction. This oxide layer is then anisotropically etched away, leaving oxide sidewall-spacers 103. Oxide sidewall spacers 103 are preferably from approximately 0.2 to approximately 0.5 microns wide.
FIG. 5a depicts the results of a P+ implant step carried out by implanting boron at an energy level of 60 KEV with a dosage of 2×10 15 to 1×10 16 /cm 2 . This, combined with a conventional diffusion step in which the P+ dopants are diffused at 1100° C. for two hours, forms the P+ doped regions 138a, 138b, and 138d. (Region 138d is not a deep body region in function because it is a part of the transistor termination structure.) An oxide layer 112 approximately 0.5 micron (5000 Å) thick is also grown during this diffusion. The final depth of the P+ deep body regions is 1.5 to 3.5 microns.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5a, the edges of N+ regions 102a, 102b, and 102d are shielded from the preceding boron implant by oxide sidewall spacers 103. As a result of this shielding, portions of N+ regions 102a, 102b, and 102d remain as lateral-diffusion-inhibiting regions 105. Lateral-diffusion-inhibiting regions 105 inhibit the lateral diffusion of P+ doped regions 138a, 138b, and 138d. It is to be understood that the P+ region 138d and all portions of the transistor structure to the right thereof are the termination portion (edge) of an integrated circuit die, the vertical line at the far right being a die scribe line. The termination structure disclosed herein is exemplary and not limiting.
In another embodiment, the effects of lateral-diffusion-inhibiting regions 105 are enhanced by dry etching the exposed N+ regions 102a, 102b, and 102d while forming sidewall spacers 103 in the step illustrated in FIG. 4. In this step, the N+ regions are etched by reactive ion etching (RIE) to a typical depth of approximately 0.1 to 0.3 microns.
FIG. 5b is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5a and showing a portion of P+ region 138b. The dotted line 139 illustrates the approximate shape of a conventional P+ implant similar to P+ region 138b, but formed without a lateral-diffusion-inhibiting region 105 to restrain the lateral diffusion of P+ region 138b.
In FIG. 6, an active-region mask layer is formed by covering the principal surface 106 with a photoresist layer that is then conventionally exposed and patterned using a mask to leave the active mask portions 120a, 120b, and 120c.
Then, in FIG. 7, first a low-temperature-oxide undoped (LTO) layer (not shown) is deposited over the entire principal surface 106 after a cap oxide layer 300 Å thick (also not shown) is grown to prevent outdiffusion from the LTO layer. This LTO layer, when patterned, is used as an etch mask for defining the locations of the trenches. The LTO layer is then conventionally patterned using photoresist to form openings that define the locations of trenches 124a and 124b, which upon completion are each typically 0.5 to 1.5 microns wide and pitched 5 to 10 microns apart (center-line to center-line). Then, trenches 124a and 124b are dry-etched through the mask openings by reactive ion etching (RIE) to a typical depth of 1.5 microns (a typical range is 0.5 to 10 microns), and the LTO layer is stripped by a buffered oxide etch. Alternately, a conventional photoresist mask is directly applied to define the trench regions without growing the cap oxide or depositing the LTO layer. The process depends on the desired trench depth and trench etch techniques.
Next the sidewalls 126 of each trench 124a, 124b are smoothed, first using a chemical dry etch to remove a thin layer of silicon (approximately 500 Å to 1000 Å thick) from the trench sidewalls 126. This thin removed layer eliminates damage caused by the earlier reactive ion etching. In addition, the etching step rounds off the top and bottom portions of the trenches. A further sacrificial oxidation step then smoothes the trench sidewalls 126. A layer of silicon dioxide (not shown) is conventionally thermally grown on the sidewalls 126 of the trench to a thickness of approximately 200 Å to 2,000 Å. This sacrificial oxide layer is removed either by a buffer oxide etch or by an HF etch to leave the trench sidewalls 126 as smooth as possible.
As shown in FIG. 7, the gate oxide layer 130 is then grown to line the trench sidewalls 126 and extend over the principal surface 106 to a thickness of approximately 100 Å to 1000 Å.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8a, a layer of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) is deposited to a thickness of e.g. approximately 1.5 microns (a typical range is 0.5 to 1.5 microns), filling trenches 124a, 124b. Next, planarization of the polysilicon layer is followed by a blanket etch to optimize the polysilicon thickness and to leave only a thickness of 0.5 micron (5,000 Å). Thus, a 1 micron thickness (10,000 Å) of polysilicon is removed by this uniform etching.
Then the polycrystalline silicon layer (for an N-channel transistor) is doped with phosphorus chloride (POCl 3 ) or implanted with arsenic or phosphorous to a resistivity of approximately 15 to 30 ohms per square. The polycrystalline silicon layer then is patterned to form the structures 134a, 134b, 134c and also gate electrodes 134d, 134e. This patterning uses a photoresist layer that is exposed and mask patterned. The polycrystalline silicon structures 134a, 134b, 134c in the right-hand portion of FIG. 8a are a part of the gate contact and termination portions of the transistor. For example, silicon structure 134c is a portion of an equipotential ring that, after scribing, is shorted to the substrate 104.
FIG. 8b is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 8a at the area of polysilicon structure 134b, illustrating the step-like configuration of polysilicon structure 134b due to the three underlying thicknesses of oxide, respectively oxide layers 130, 112, and 110. This step-like configuration, although only shown in FIGS. 8b and 11b, is present also in the structures of FIGS. 9 to 16.
Next, in FIG. 9, the P body regions 116a, 116b are implanted and diffused. There is no body region implant mask so the P body implant 116a, 116b is uniform across the wafer. Instead of a body mask, the previously formed active mask layer 120a, 120b prevents the P body implant from doping the termination region. The P body regions 116a and 116b are boron implanted at 40 to 60 KEV with a dose of 2×10 13 to 2×10 14 /cm 2 . After diffusion, the depth of the P body regions 116a and 116b is approximately 0.5 to 2.0 microns.
Next, as shown in FIG. 10a, the N+ doped source regions 140a and 140b are implanted and diffused using a photoresist masking process involving patterned masking layer 142. The source regions 140a and 140b are an N+ arsenic implant at 80 KEV with a dosage of typically 5×10 15 to 1×10 16 /cm 2 . It is to be understood that the cross-sectional views in FIGS. 3 through 10a and 11 through 16 are taken through the center of P+ regions 138a, 138b of FIG. 2, and thus do not depict the cutout configuration of N+ source regions 140a and 140b.
FIG. 10b is a plan view of the step depicted in FIG. 10a but showing additional portions of the structure. In FIG. 10b a number of cells of the transistor are depicted. However, the termination structure depicted in the right-hand portion of FIG. 10a is not shown in FIG. 10b; instead only active cells are depicted, i.e., the left-hand portion of FIG. 10a. Shown in FIG. 10b are the trenches 124a, 124b, and an additional trench 124c, as well as the trenches defining the next row of cells (e.g., trenches 124d, 124e, 124f, 124g and 124h). Also depicted are the intersecting trenches 108a, 108b, as depicted in FIG. 2, and an additional intersecting trench 108c. These trenches define the depicted square cells.
Also, depicted in FIG. 10b is the blocking mask layer 142 in FIG. 10a, which defines the lateral extent of the N+ source regions. This blocking mask layer is shown by the numerous small, cross-hatched rectangular areas in FIG. 10b. The small, rectangular areas in the center of each of the cells (e.g., 142a, 142b, and 142c), define the underlying P+ deep body topside contact regions 138a, 138b, and 138c. The corresponding structure in the upper row of cells in FIG. 10b is not labeled but is similar.
This portion of the structure is essentially conventional. However, the significant portions of blocking mask 142 are the additional rectangular masking layer portions designated (for the first row of cells in FIG. 10b) respectively 142a-1, 142a-2, 142b-1, 142b-2, and 142c-1, 143c-2. These define the N+ region cutouts depicted in the top view in FIG. 2, as can be understood by comparing FIG. 10b to FIG. 2. The dimensions of each small rectangular mask portion, for example, portion 142a-1, are "d" by "e" where e.g. "d" is 3.5 microns and "e" is 1.7 microns. The trenches for the first row of cells are in one embodiment conventionally offset from those in the second row of cells in FIG. 10b, although this is not essential to the invention.
Referring to FIG. 11, mask layer 142 is conventionally stripped and the N+ doped source regions 140a and 140b are diffused to a depth of approximately 0.2 to 0.5 microns at a temperature ranging from approximately 900 to 1000° C. Then, a BPSG (borophosphosilicate glass) layer 144 is conventionally formed to a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 microns over the entire principal surface 106 and over the polysilicon structures 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d, and 134e. BPSG layer 144 is covered with a photoresist layer (not shown) that is patterned after exposure. Then the underlying BPSG layer 144 and oxide layer 112 are etched so as to leave the BPSG regions 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and 144e, between which are defined the transistor contact areas. N+ doped source regions 140a and 140b are shown to be merged with their respective lateral-diffusion-inhibiting regions 105 to form N+ doped source regions 141a and 141b.
In the step of FIG. 12, a reflow step smoothes the corners on the BPSG layer structures 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and 144e.
As shown in FIG. 13a, conventional interconnect metal masking steps are performed, involving covering the entire principal surface 106 with a layer of aluminum conventionally alloyed with small amounts of silicon. This aluminum layer is then conventionally patterned using a mask to define the metallization areas 154a, 154b, and 154c. These metallization areas are respectively the active (source-body) contact 154a, gate finger contact 154b, and field plate 154c.
Deep body regions 138a and 138b contact sourcebody contact 154a at contact areas 155a and 155b, respectively. Because lateral-diffusion-inhibiting regions 105 inhibit the lateral diffusion of P+ doped regions 138a and 138b, the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areas of deep body regions 138a and 138b (at "x" in FIG. 13a) are greater than their respective contact areas 155a and 155b. As shown in FIGS. 13a and 14-16, this causes deep body regions 138a and 138b to have "pear-shaped" vertical cross-sections. Of course, the figures are not drawn to scale, and the "pear" shape of deep body regions 138a and 138b may vary considerably depending on, for example, the dopant concentrations and diffusion depths of lateral-diffusion-inhibiting regions 105 and deep body regions 138a and 138b.
FIG. 13b is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 13a (similar to FIG. 8b) and showing the stepped oxide structure 110, 112 underlying polysilicon field plate 134b and field plate contact 154c.
The next step is pad masking, as shown in FIG. 14. This involves surface passivation using, for instance, nitride or PSG (phosphosilicate glass) layer 160 deposited over the entire structure and then conventionally masked. Portions of layer 160 are thereafter removed as depicted in FIG. 14 to open pad areas for connection of bonding wires to the earlier formed active metallization contact 154a and to the other metallization areas as needed. (The steps described above in conjunction with FIGS. 12 to 14 are conventional.)
FIG. 15 is a cross section depicting many of the same structures as shown in FIG. 14 but at a different portion of a cell, thus better illustrating the polysilicon gate runner connection 134f in the central portion of the figure. Gate runner connection 134f is typically located at the die perimeter. The gate runner 134f conventionally electrically is connected to all of the gates. At the location of gate runner 134f, the cross section of FIG. 15 is along an "L shape" (dog leg) in plan view (not shown) to better illustrate the gate runner 134f along a length of its trench.
FIG. 16 illustrates an additional cross section showing other portions of the termination. In this case the field plate 154c, which is a termination conductive structure conventionally provided for power transistors, connects to the source-body region metal contact 154a by a metal cross-over 154e that crosses over the BPSG insulating layer 144 in the termination region to the field plate contact 154c and the field plate 134b.
Also in accordance with the invention, each cell next to a gate finger is a dummy (nonactive due to having no channel) cell. Thus the entire cell row (e.g. 134e in FIG. 14 adjacent to a gate finger 134a) consists of dummy cells. This structure is achieved by the same mask as the blocking implant mask 142 in FIG. 10a so that no N+ source implant is made adjacent polysilicon trench filling 134e. Thus the dummy cells are implemented by providing the doped regions immediately to the right of trench 124b as having no active regions and hence serving as portions of a dummy cell. The dummy cells have been found to improve reliability and device ruggedness. These dummy cells are dispensed with in other embodiments.
The above description is illustrative and not limiting; for instance the same steps may be used with the conductivity types of the various semiconductor regions reversed to form a transistor in accordance with the invention. Other modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in the light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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A method for forming a trenched DMOS transistor with deep body regions that occupy minimal area on an epitaxial layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first oxide layer is formed over the epitaxial layer and patterned to define deep-body areas beneath which the deep body regions are to be formed. Next, diffusion-inhibiting regions of the first conductivity type are formed in each of the deep-body areas before forming a second oxide layer covering the deep-body areas and the remaining portion of the first oxide layer. Portions of the second oxide layer are then removed to expose the centers of the diffusion inhibiting regions, leaving the first oxide layer and oxide sidewall spacers from the second oxide layer to cover the peripheries of the diffusion-inhibiting regions. A deep-body diffusion of a second conductivity type is then performed, resulting in the formation of deep body regions in the epitaxial layer between the sidewall spacers. The peripheries of the diffusion-inhibiting regions covered by the remaining portions of the first and second oxide layers inhibit lateral diffusion of the deep body diffusions without significantly inhibiting diffusion depth.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to window lift mechanism of the known type in which an elongated flexible rack or tape is slidable longitudinally on a functionally rigid track support and has one end thereof attached to the lower portion of a vehicle window. The track may be bent to have large radius curves. The flexible rack is in mesh with a driving pinion to raise and lower the window.
The improvement over prior art, such as Pickles et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,168,595 and Pickles 4,229,906, is in the adaption of the mechanism to provide for an angular change of orientation of the window about a generally horizontal axis extending fore and aft of the vehicle adjacent the bottom edge of the window, as it is raised and lowered. More specifically, the general plane occupied by the window is inclined inwardly of the vehicle as it is raised. The window itself is interiorly concave so that in raised position, the upper part of the window overlies a substantial portion of the interior passenger space.
This is accomplished herein by providing a generally upright but somewhat inclined and slightly curved rigid guide post to determine the path traversed by the lower part of the window. This post is fixed within a hollow door or appropriate body construction of the vehicle, and the glass may be substantially fully retracted into the cavity thus provided.
A guide bracket is slidably mounted on the post and is attached to one end of the flexible rack. A pinion is mounted within the cavity in mesh with the rack and is connected to be driven by a reversible electric motor.
A floating bracket is fixed to the lower portion of the window, and is pivotally connected to the guide bracket to accommodate the change in angular orientation of the window as it is raised and lowered.
It will be understood that the vehicle is provided with suitable guide means to determine the changing orientation of the window as its lower portion is moved generally in parallelism to the guide post.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the mechanism illustrating its relationship to portions of the vehicle in various window positions.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary generally plan view showing the coaction of the guide post, guide bracket, track, and flexible rack.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1, viewed from the left thereof.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section on the line 4--4, FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in the direction of the arrow 5 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a section on the line 6--6, FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the guide bracket.
FIG. 8 is a projected edge view of the bracket shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bracket of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In FIG. 3 there is illustrated portions of an inner door panel 10, and outer door panel 12, spaced apart to define a hollow interior or cavity 14, the upper edges of the panels having ledge portions extending toward each other to form a sill having a slot 16 through which the curved glass indicated generically by the letter G but designated in raised, intermediate, and lowered position as G1, G2 and G3 respectively, is movable.
Within the door cavity 14 there is fixed a generally upright guide post 18, which is in the form of a tube. As seen in FIG. 1, the post is inclined slightly forwardly and upwardly, and as illustrated is slightly curved forwardly and upwardly. Similarly, as seen in FIG. 3, the post is inclined slightly inwardly and upwardly, and in addition is slightly curved inwardly and upwardly.
Movable longitudinally on the post designated generally at 18 is a guide bracket 20, shown in FIG. 3 at the top of post 18, but which is movable downwardly to the bottom position shown at 20b in this Figure.
Details of this bracket are best seen in FIGS. 7-9, to which attention is now directed.
Bracket 20 is formed of a suitable rigid, low friction plastic material such as an acetal resin sold by DuPont under their name Delrin 100. It is essentially in the form of a flat plate 22 having upper and lower ears 24, 26 having openings 28, 30 therein which as best seen in fragmentary section in FIG. 9, are inwardly tapered from both ends to define a central narrow contact band 32. The openings receive the guide post 18 and since they are spaced apart a substantial distance, they insure stability of the guide bracket on the post.
The guide bracket is ribbed as shown for reinforcement, and at its lower edge portion is provided with widely spaced pairs of hinge projections or lugs 34 having aligned apertures 36 to receive a pivot pin as will subsequently be described.
In addition, guide bracket 20 is provided with means for securing it to a flexible rack 40 slidable longitudinally on an operationally rigid track 42 for raising and lowering the window. The track is of T-shaped cross-section as best seen in FIG. 4, and conveniently may be fabricated from strip to the illustrated configuration. The cross element of the T is received within a recess formed at the rear of the flexible rack 40 by rearwardly and then inwardly extending flanges. The T-shaped track and flexible rack are fully disclosed in my prior Pat. No. 4,168,595, to which reference is made for details. It is to be noted that the track may be bent to a required configuration, to include its very slightly curved upright portion 42a as well as the curved portion indicated at 42b which connects the upright portion with the horizontal portion 42c.
The connection between the upper end of the flexible rack 40 and the guide bracket 20 are best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper ear 24 of the guide bracket has a lateral extension 44 slotted as indicated at 46. The inner end of the slot is enlarged to receive the T-track 42. The upper end of the flexible rack 40 is received in slot 46 and fixed therein by pin 47.
The upper end of the T-track 42 is secured to a fixed bracket 48 by rivet 50, and lower portions thereof are fixed by brackets 52, 54.
The window glass G has a substantial lateral curvature, as best seen in FIG. 3, which is inwardly concave, and in its upper position it is guided to overlie the interior of the vehicle. In its lower position to accommodate this change in orientation of the glass, which amounts to a pivoting of its upper portion about a substantially horizontal pivot axis adjacent its lower edge as it is raised and lowered, the lower edge portion of the glass is fixed to a floating bracket 56 by fasteners and spacers (not shown) cooperating with openings 58, 60 adjacent one end of the floating bracket, an elongated opening 62 adjacent the other end thereof, and registering openings adjacent the lower edge of the glass.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, when the glass is in its lowered position with its lower edge in the position indicated at G3, the floating bracket 56 is required to extend at a substantial angle A with respect to the guide bracket 20. This is permitted by hingeing the lower edge portion of floating bracket 56 to the lower edge portion of guide bracket 20. This hingeing is provided by pivot pins 63 extending through the apertured lugs 34 on the edge portion of the guide bracket 20 and similar offset lugs on the floating bracket.
It will be apparent that as the guide bracket 20 is pushed by along post 18 by the flexible rack 40, the plane of its plate portion 22 will be maintained essentially parallel to the guide post. However, the plane occupied by the lower edge portion of the window glass changes its orientation with respect to the plane of the guide bracket, and this is provided for by hinge mounting indicated in its entirety at 63 in FIG. 3. The position of the lower edge portion of the glass is indicated in mid-position at G2 and in full elevated position at G1. It will be noted that in position G1, the lower edge portion of glass, guide bracket 20, and floating bracket 56 are all substantially parallel, and the upper portion of the glass is curved inwardly and upwardly. The instantaneous orientation of the window as it is raised and lowered is of course determined by guide structure provided in the window opening.
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A regulator for the window glass of a motor vehicle comprising a guide bracket, means for moving the guide bracket generally vertically between raised and lowered position and a floating bracket pivotally connected to a guide bracket about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and adjacent the lower edge portion of the glass to provide for changing orientation of the glass about the aforesaid axis as the glass is raised and lowered.
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BACKGROUND
Sumps, also referred to as catch basins, have traditionally been utilized in chemical, petrochemical, metal finishing, industrial and municipal operations to capture the flow of hazardous materials. Due to the development and implementation of storm water runoff regulations, the use of sumps is now common in parking lots, salvage yards, scrap yards, and anywhere that rain can combine with oil, grease, fuel, or other hazardous materials. The sumps are typically located in holes dug out of the pavement so that only their upper surface is exposed, allowing run-off to collect directly into the sump. The concrete or asphalt surrounding a sump is generally sloped to the sump to provide for gravitational flow and capture.
In current constructions, sumps are commonly constructed from a layer of concrete with a protective coating of tile, brick, or FRP. Other solutions include molded single wall tanks, however these tanks have a tendency to lift or “float” out of their hole and become either damaged or unusable. Anchored sumps of these types are traditionally expensive because the materials necessary to create the anchored sump are costly and there is relatively significant fabrication labor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and comprises a seamless, rotationally molded double wall sump. The seamless, one piece double wall design is unique to the industry and has inherent advantages over previous designs. The dual wall design provides insurance against leakage, and the seamless design prevents seepage or leaks from penetrating the sump. The double wall design may be molded with a fabric faced grating seat as an integral part. The design results in a cost effective, high performance solution that can be produced in large quantities with relatively little labor costs compared with previous sump manufacturing concepts. The double walls form a gap that may be filled with a foam stiffener to further increase the rigidity and strength of the sump.
For both retrofit and new construction, the sump of the present invention is cast-in-place using standard concrete materials and methods. That is, the sump is placed into wet cement formed in a pit and allowed to harden around the sump. The adjoining ground level is set such that any liquids within the immediate area will flow to the sump for further disposition which can include outlet piping for gravity flow to a larger collection tank. Or, the sump can be equipped with a level control device and relays to activate a pump for “lifting” or transferring the liquids to another location for storage and/or treatment. The integral ribs of the secondary containment portion of the sump function to “lock” the sump into the surrounding concrete to prevent flotation of the sump in “high water table/empty sump” conditions. The integral fabric face, which can be a polyester or polypropylene sheet, is located on the vertical side and top of the grating seat to allow the thermoplastic sump to be effectively integrated with the chemically resistant flooring system being applied to the surrounding concrete floor. This feature provides for the isolation of the interface between the sump and concrete.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is top view of the sump of the present invention without the grate;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the sump of FIG. 1 ; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sump in ground with a pump installed to purge collected waste.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A sump 10 of the present invention is generally shown in FIGS. 1-3 , comprising a cylindrical body 12 having two integrally molded vessels that form a double walled container. The first vessel 14 is a primary containment vessel that forms the interior of the sump 10 and is used to collect the various materials that the sump is designed to capture. The outer or secondary vessel 16 is a redundancy guard against leakage and is molded with the primary vessel to form a seamless integral one-piece unit of double wall construction. Between the two walls is a gap that may be filled with a stiffening foam 18 or other stiffening agent that can be injected between the two walls of the sump 10 during the molding process. The rigidity of the sump 10 is most critical at the upper portion of the sump, since the sump 10 is typically buried in the ground 20 (See FIG. 3 ) and surrounded by concrete. If the upper portion of the sump is flexible, it can separate from the concrete and create gaps at the surface between the secondary vessel and the ground that can allow contaminants to seep between the cement and the sump, leading to contamination, corrosion, and other deleterious effects.
The outer surface of the secondary vessel 16 is formed with a plurality of ribs 22 that protrude radially outward, preferably in concentric circles, and serve as anchors for the sump 10 to prevent the sump from lifting or “floating” in the concrete. First the ground is excavated and then wet cement is poured into the hole to create the base for the sump 10 . Before the concrete sets, the double walled sump 10 is placed on the cement and additional cement poured around the walls to encase the sump 10 in wet cement until only the upper edge 24 of the sump 10 is visible in the concrete. The wet cement fills the gaps 26 between the ribs 22 , and as the cement hardens the ribs 22 and the interleaving cement ridges formed in the gaps 26 prevent the sump from rising upward.
The sump 10 may be formed with a first port 28 along the lower surface that can be used to drain the sump as it fills with materials. Piping (not shown) connecting the sump through the port 28 can be gravity fed, so that as material collects when it reaches the port it is carried away under the influence of gravity to a collection area. Alternatively, the port and connecting piping can be coupled to a pump 30 that extracts the material collected in the sump. The pump 30 can be manually actuated, timer actuated, or it may be actuated upon the signaling of a fluid level sensor (not shown) incorporated into the sump. The level sensor determines the level of the collected waste in the sump 10 , and sends a signal to the pump 30 when the level reaches a predetermined position or elevation in the sump to prevent overflow. Alternatively, the level sensor may send a signal to a processor (now shown) remote from the sump that can be used to actuate the pump 30 or other drainage measures.
The sump 10 may be configured with a leak detection sensor 32 to warn if the primary container 14 becomes compromised. If the primary container 14 forms a crack or loses integrity, waste will enter the area between the primary container 14 and the secondary container 16 , collecting at the bottom of the gap between the two walls. If sensor 32 is placed at the bottom of the gap, it can send a signal to a nearby microprocessor to send an alarm that the sump needs repair. The leak detector can be as standard detector that detects a change in resistance or capacitance when in contact with a liquid.
It is preferable to have the surround ground 20 area adjacent the sump contoured or sloped so that all run-off will collect into the sump via gravity. The sump may also have a second port 36 that leads other collection areas into the sump, such that the sump acts as a localized collection reservoir. The sump 10 may also preferably be formed with a circumferential upper lip 38 that retains a grate 40 , such as a fiberglass grate, so that the opening of the sump 10 is not a hazard that workers can fall into.
The foregoing description is intended solely to be exemplary and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. There are many alterations and modifications that would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and the invention is intended to include all such modifications, particularly as to pertains to use, materials, shape, dimension, and the like. For example, the sump could take on a rectangular shape without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or could be made from other materials suitable for the particular application. Thus, the invention should be construed to cover all such modifications and alterations, consistent with the language of the claims herein construed using their ordinary and customary meanings without limitation to anything depicted in the drawings or any descriptions above unless expressly limited.
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A seamless, double-walled sump is disclosed for collecting run-off materials and waste products. The sump includes a primary containment vessel and a secondary vessel, integrally molded into a single seamless unit. The sump includes a plurality of ribs that cooperate with surrounding concrete or other enclosing material to anchor the sump and prevent floating. The sump may also include a fabric outer layer that serves as an interface between the concrete and the sump to prevent corrosion.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to information security field and in particularly, to a contactless seed programming method and a system thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present seed programming device programs a seed by a probe manner after scanning a barcode of a token by a barcode scanner and obtaining the seed according to the barcode of the token.
[0003] In process of implementing the invention, the inventors find at least shortcomings in prior art as below: the manner of scanning the token barcode by a barcode scanner is difficult to control; the probe manner of programming by a probe requires high performance on a clamp and has a high dependence on an operator; and for the contact programming method, it requires programming first and packaging subsequently, which leads to a complex manufacturing process and a low programming efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a contactless seed programming method and a device, so as to improve programming efficiency.
[0005] In order to meet the above purpose, the embodiment of the invention applies the following steps.
[0006] A seed programming method is disclosed, and the method includes steps of:
[0007] obtaining, by a programming device, a token ID of a dynamic token;
[0008] obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID, connecting and communicating with the dynamic token contactlessly, and obtaining first data from the dynamic token;
[0009] decrypting, by the programming device, the first seed data so as to obtain second seed data, and encrypting the second seed data according to the first seed data so as to obtain third seed data;
[0010] sending, by the programming device, the third seed data to the dynamic token contactlessly; and
[0011] decrypting, by the dynamic token, the third seed data according to the first seed data stored in the dynamic token so as to obtain the second seed data, and updating seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data.
[0012] The step of updating, by the dynamic token, seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data includes:
[0013] updating, by the dynamic token, the seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data in case that the dynamic token determines that the second seed data is valid;
[0014] and before the dynamic token updates seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data, the method further includes:
[0015] determining, by the dynamic token, whether the second seed data is valid.
[0016] After the dynamic token determines whether the second seed data is valid, the method further includes:
[0017] displaying, by the dynamic token, error information in case that the dynamic token determines that the second seed data is invalid.
[0018] The step of determining, by the dynamic token, whether the second seed data is valid includes:
[0019] reading, by the dynamic token, a value of a flag bit in a predetermined position from the second seed data, and determining whether the read value of the flag bit is identical to a predetermined value stored in the dynamic token, if yes, determining the second seed data is valid; otherwise, determining the second seed data is invalid.
[0020] The step of updating, by the dynamic token, seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data includes:
[0021] processing, by the dynamic token, the second seed data, and updating the seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the processed second seed data.
[0022] After the step of obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data corresponding to the dynamic token from the dynamic token, the method further includes:
[0023] connecting and communicating, by the programming device, with a standard time device and obtaining GPS time information from the standard time device, encrypting the GPS time information according to the first data and sending the encrypted GPS time information to the dynamic token contactlessly; and
[0024] decrypting, by the dynamic token, received GPS time information according to the first data stored in itself and updating GPS time information of the dynamic token to be decrypted GPS time information.
[0025] The step of obtaining, by the programming device, the first seed data according to the token ID includes:
[0026] obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID in case that the programming device determines that there is a dynamic token in a token slot according to a return value of the token ID;
[0027] and before the step of obtaining, by the programming device, the first seed data according to the token ID, the method further includes:
[0028] obtaining, by the programming device, the return value of the token ID and determining whether there is a dynamic token in the token slot according to the return value of the token ID.
[0029] After the step of determining, by the programming device, whether there is the dynamic token in the token slot according to the return value of the token ID, the method further includes:
[0030] obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID again in case that the programming device determining that there is no dynamic token in the token slot according to the return value of the obtained token ID.
[0031] The step of obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID includes:
[0032] obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID of the dynamic token when the programming device determines that the dynamic token is satisfied with a programming condition according to token information of the dynamic token;
[0033] and before the step of obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID of the dynamic token, the method further includes:
[0034] sending, by the programming device, a token detecting instruction to the dynamic token, obtaining the token information and determining whether the dynamic token is satisfied with the programming condition according to the token information.
[0035] After step of determining, by the programming device, whether the dynamic token is satisfied with the programming condition according to the token information, the method further includes:
[0036] obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID again in case that the programming device determines that the dynamic token is not satisfied with the programming condition according to the token information.
[0037] Before the step of sending, by the programming device, the third seed data to the dynamic token contactlessly, the method further includes:
[0038] obtaining, by the programming device, a pulse frequency and frequency of the dynamic token and writing a frequency deviation value between the pulse frequency and frequency of the dynamic token into the dynamic token; and
[0039] calibrating, by the dynamic token, frequency of the dynamic token according to the frequency deviation value.
[0040] After the step of sending, by the programming device, the third seed data to the dynamic token contactlessly, the method further includes:
[0041] obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID and a token password of the dynamic token and obtaining corresponding first seed data according to the token ID;
[0042] decrypting, by the programming device, the first seed data so as to obtain second seed data and computing a token password according to the second seed data; and
[0043] determining, by the programming device, whether the computed token password is identical to the obtained token password, if yes, determining that the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise, determining that the seed is not programmed successfully.
[0044] After the step of sending by the programming device, the third seed data to the dynamic token contactlessly, the method further includes:
[0045] receiving, by the programming device, a token processing ID from the dynamic token and determining that the seed is programmed successfully in case that value of the token ID is a seventh predetermined value.
[0046] After the step of determining, by the programming device, that the seed is programmed successfully, the method further includes:
[0047] storing, by the programming device, a programming record and the token ID in a pre-storing unit;
[0048] and the step of obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID includes:
[0049] obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID after determining that the token ID is not included in the pre-storing unit;
[0050] and before the step of obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID, the method further includes:
[0051] determining, by the programming device, whether the token ID is included in the pre-storing unit.
[0052] After the step of determining, by the programming device, whether the token ID is included in the pre-storing unit, the method further includes:
[0053] obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID again after determining that the token ID is included in the pre-storing unit.
[0054] The step of obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID of the dynamic token includes:
[0055] obtaining, by the programming device, the token ID of the dynamic token by an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or a barcode scanner.
[0056] The step of obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data according to the token ID includes:
[0057] obtaining, by the programming device, first seed data corresponding to the token ID through a card reader, a USB interface or an SATA interface.
[0058] A seed programming system is disclosed, and the seed programming system includes a programming device and a dynamic token, wherein the programming device includes:
[0059] a first obtaining module configured to obtain a token ID of the dynamic token;
[0060] a second obtaining module configured to obtain corresponding first seed data according to the token ID;
[0061] a third obtaining module configured to connect and communicate with the dynamic token contactlessly and obtain first data from the dynamic token;
[0062] a first decrypting module configured to decrypt the first seed data so as to obtain second seed data;
[0063] an encrypting module configured to encrypt the second seed data according to the first data so as to obtain the third seed data; and
[0064] a sending module configured to send the third seed data to the dynamic token contactlessly; and
[0065] the dynamic token includes:
[0066] a first receiving module configured to receive the third seed data from the programming device contactlessly;
[0067] a second decrypting module configured to decrypt the third seed data according to the first data stored in the dynamic token so as to obtain the second seed data; and
[0068] an updating module configured to update seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data.
[0069] In the system,
[0070] specifically, the updating module is configured to update seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data in case that the second seed data is valid; and
[0071] the dynamic token further includes a determining module configured to determine whether the second seed data is valid
[0072] The dynamic token further includes:
[0073] a first displaying module configured to display error information when the determining module determines that the second seed data is invalid.
[0074] The determining module is specifically configured to read a value of a flag bit in a predetermined position from the second seed data and determine whether the read value of the flag bit is identical to a predetermined value stored in the dynamic token, if yes, determine that the second seed data is valid; otherwise, determine that the second seed data is invalid.
[0075] The updating module is specifically configured to process the second seed data and update the seed data stored in the dynamic token with the processed seed data.
[0076] The programming device further includes a fourth obtaining module configured to connect and communicate with a standard time device and obtain GPS time information from the standard time device;
[0077] wherein the encrypting module is further configured to encrypt the GPS time information according to the first data;
[0078] the sending module is further configured to send the encrypted GPS time information to the dynamic token contactlessly;
[0079] the second decrypting module is further configured to decrypt the received GPS time information according to the first data stored in the dynamic token; and
[0080] the updating module is further configured to update the GPS time information of the dynamic token to be decrypted GPS time information.
[0081] The programming device further includes a fifth obtaining module configured to obtain GPS status and a second displaying module configured to display the GPS status.
[0082] The second obtaining module is specifically configured to obtain corresponding first seed data according to a token ID after determining that there is a dynamic token in a token slot according to a return value of the token ID obtained by the programming device;
[0083] and the programming device further includes:
[0084] a sixth obtaining module configured to obtain the return value of the token ID; and
[0085] a first determining module configured to whether there is a dynamic token in the token slot according to the return value of the token ID.
[0086] The first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the token ID again in case that the first determining module determines that there is no dynamic token in the token slot.
[0087] The first obtaining module is specifically configured to obtain the token ID of the dynamic token in case that the dynamic token is satisfied with a programming condition;
[0088] and the programming device further includes:
[0089] a seventh obtaining module configured to send token a detecting instruction to the dynamic token and obtain token information; and
[0090] a second determining module configured to determine whether the dynamic token is satisfied with a programming condition according to the token information;
[0091] The first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the token ID again in case that the dynamic token is not satisfied with the programming condition.
[0092] The programming device further includes:
[0093] an eighth obtaining module configured to obtain a pulse frequency and frequency of the dynamic token; and
[0094] a writing module configured to write a frequency deviation value between the pulse frequency and frequency of the dynamic token into the dynamic token;
[0095] and the dynamic token further includes:
[0096] a calibrating module configured to calibrate frequency of itself according to the frequency deviation value.
[0097] The programming device further includes:
[0098] a ninth obtaining module configured to obtain the token ID of the dynamic token and a token password of the dynamic token and obtain corresponding first seed data according to the token ID;
[0099] a computing module configured to compute a token password according to the second seed data; and
[0100] a third determining module configured to determine whether the computed token password is identical to the obtained token password, if yes, determine that the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise, determine that the seed is not programmed successfully.
[0101] The programming device further includes:
[0102] a second receiving module configured to receive a token processing ID from the dynamic token and determine that the seed is programmed successfully in case that value of the token processing ID is a seventh predetermined value.
[0103] The programming device further includes:
[0104] a storing module configured to store a programming record and the token ID into a pre-storing unit after determining that the seed is programmed successfully;
[0105] and the second obtaining module is specifically configured to obtain corresponding first seed data according to the token ID in case that the token ID is not included in the pre-storing unit;
[0106] and the programming device further includes a fourth determining module configured to determine whether the token ID is included in the pre-storing unit.
[0107] The first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the token ID again in case that the fourth determining module determines that the token ID is included in the pre-storing unit.
[0108] The first obtaining module is further configured to obtain the token ID of the dynamic token by an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or a barcode scanner.
[0109] The second obtaining module is specifically configured to obtain the first seed data corresponding to the token ID through a card reader, a USB interface or an SATA interface.
[0110] The invention has the following advantages: by the contactless seed programming method and the system thereof provided by the invention, the programming process is simplified, technical dependence on an operator is reduced and programming efficiency is improved greatly; moreover, in the invention, the token seed is transferred after encryption in process of communication between a programming device and a card or between a programming device and a token, which ensures security.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0111] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a contactless seed programming device provided by Embodiment 1 of the invention;
[0112] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an automatically-controlled contactless seed programming device provided by Embodiment 2 of the invention;
[0113] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of contactless seed programming method provided by Embodiment 3 of the invention;
[0114] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are detailed flow charts of contactless seed programming method provided by Embodiment 4 of the invention; and
[0115] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of automatically-controlled contactless seed programming method provided by Embodiment 5 of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0116] Embodiments of the invention provide a seed programming method and a device thereof and are detailed in conjunction with the drawings as follows.
Embodiment 1
[0117] Embodiment 1 of the invention provides a contactless seed programming system. The system includes a contactless seed programming device and a dynamic token. The contactless manner refers to a manner of indirectly electrical connection, such as a connection based on radio frequency signal, infrared ray, bluetooth and NFC (Near Field Communication). The seed refers to a private key for generating a dynamic password by the token. The device is described as following in conjunction with FIG. 1 .
[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a contactless seed programming device includes a card reader 101 , a black box module 102 , a programming module 103 , a contactless module 104 , a GPS module 105 , a power supply module 106 , an identifying module 107 , an information outputting module 108 , an information inputting module 109 , a security module 110 , a storing module 111 and an identity authenticating module 112 . The contactless module 104 and the GPS module 105 are separately connected with the programming module 103 . The power supply module 106 , the identifying module 107 , the information outputting module 108 and the information inputting module 109 , the security module 110 , the storing module 111 and the identity authenticating module 112 are separately connected with the black box module 102 . The black box module 102 is connected with the programming module 103 . The card reader 101 is connected with the black box module 102 . The contactless module 104 is connected with and communicated with the token. Functions of the above modules are discussed as follows.
[0119] The black box module 102 is configured to receive an instruction transferred by the programming module 103 , perform corresponding operation according to the instruction and return response instruction; be connected with the power supply module; determine whether there is a token by scanning by the identifying module 107 ; perform security authentication by the identity authenticating module; obtain a seed by the card reader 101 and decrypt the seed by the security module 110 ; receive a random number transferred by the programming module 103 ; and encrypt the decrypted seed by the security module.
[0120] Serial communication interface between the black box module 102 and the identifying module 107 can be a USB interface, a serial interface, an eSATA interface, a 1394 interface and a PCI_E, interface etc.
[0121] The programming module 103 is configured to receive the instruction transferred by the black box module 102 and perform corresponding operation according to the instruction and return a response instruction; obtain GPS time and GPS status through the GPS module 105 ; be communicated with the token via the contactless module 104 ; obtain token information, where the token information includes type of the token, hardware information of the token and a random number corresponding to the token; send a seed programming instruction and performing seed programming on the token by the contactless module 104 , and also may obtain the seed based on the couple to the card reader 101 and encrypt the seed.
[0122] The contactless module 104 is configured to connect with the programming module 103 and communicate with the token; obtain token information and program the seed, where the token information includes a type of the token, hardware information of the token and a random number corresponding to the token; and calibrate frequency of the token.
[0123] The GPS module 105 is configured to obtain GPS time and GPS status.
[0124] The power supply module 106 is configured to connect with the black box module 102 and supply power for the device.
[0125] The Identifying module 107 is configured to scan whether there is the token in a token slot, scan a barcode of the token and verify whether the seed is programmed successfully.
[0126] The information outputting module 108 is configured to receive and display the information transferred. The information outputting module 108 can be a LCD and a voice broadcaster, etc.
[0127] The information inputting module 109 is configured to receive operation information and transfer the operation information to the black box module 102 , the inputting can be fulfilled by key(s), a PC keyboard and a touch screen, etc.
[0128] The security module 110 is configured to decrypt the obtained seed and encrypt the decrypted seed with the random number.
[0129] The storing module 111 is configured to record the status of the programmed seed and token ID (identity). The token ID includes a token barcode and a serial number of the token.
[0130] The identity authenticating module 112 is configured to perform security authentication on identity. The authentication can be USBKey authentication, user-input-password authentication and combination of the foresaid methods.
[0131] Moreover, a contactless seed programming device includes the card reader 101 , the lack box module 102 , the programming module 103 , the contactless module 104 , the GPS module 105 , the power supply module 106 , thye Identifying module 107 , the information outputting module 108 , the information inputting module 109 , the security module 110 , the storing module 111 and the identity authenticating module 112 .
[0132] The contactless module 104 , the GPS module 105 , the power supply module 106 , the information outputting module 108 , the information inputting module 109 , the security module 110 and the storing module 111 are separately connected with the programming module 103 . The Identifying module 107 and the identity authenticating module 112 are separately connected with the black box module 102 . The black box module 102 is connected with the programming module 103 . The card reader 101 is connected with the programming module 103 . The contactless module 104 is connected and communicated with the token.
[0133] It is noted that in a contactless seed programming device, a card reader 101 , a power supply module 106 , an information outputting module 108 , an information inputting module 109 , a security module 110 and a storing module 111 are separately connected with the black box module 102 , or separately connected with the programming module 103 , which both can realize the object of the invention.
Embodiment 2
[0134] In Embodiment 2 of the invention, an automatically-controlled contactless seed programming system is provided. The automatically-controlled contactless seed programming system is described in combination with FIG. 2 as below.
[0135] As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the automatically-controlled contactless seed programming system includes a contactless seed programming device and a dynamic token. The device includes a card reader 201 , a black box module 202 , a programming module 203 , a programming device updating module 204 , a contactless module 205 , a GPS module 206 , a power supply module 207 , an identifying module 208 , an information outputting module 209 , an information inputting module 210 , a security module 211 , a storing module 212 and an identity authenticating module 213 .
[0136] The card reader 201 , the power supply module 207 , the identifying module 208 , the information inputting module 209 , the information inputting module 210 , the security module 211 , the storing module 212 , the identity authenticating module 213 are separately connected with the black box module 202 . The programming device updating module 204 , the contactless module 205 and the GPS module 206 are separately connected with the programming module.
[0137] It is noted that the card reader 201 , the programming device updating module 204 , the power supply module 207 , the storing module 212 , and the identity authenticating module 213 can be connected with the black box module 202 or connected with the programming module 203 .
[0138] Functions of the above modules are discussed as below.
[0139] The black box module 202 is configured to: receive instruction transferred by the programming module 203 , perform operation(s) according to the instruction and return a response instruction; be connected with the power supply module 207 ; scan whether there is a token through the identifying module 208 ; perform security authentication through the identity authenticating module 213 ; obtain a seed through the card reader 201 and decrypt the seed with the security module 211 ; input information by the information inputting module 210 ; output information by the information outputting module 209 ; and also receive the random number transferred by the programming module 203 and encrypt the decrypted seed by the security module 211 .
[0140] Serial communication interface between the black box module 202 and the identifying module 208 can be a USB interface, a serial interface, an eSATA interface, a 1394 interface and a PCI_E interface etc.
[0141] The programming module 203 is configured to receive instruction transferred by the black box module 202 , perform corresponding operation according to the instruction and return a response instruction; obtain GPS time and GPS status by the GPS module 206 ; obtain token information by communicating with the token through the contactless module 205 ; send a seed programming instruction and perform seed programming on the token by the contactless module 205 ; automatically control the seed programming process by the programming device updating module 204 , and also may obtain the seed based on connection with the card reader and encrypt the seed.
[0142] The programming device updating module 204 is configured to receive an operation requesting instruction sent by the programming module, process the operation instruction, execute the related operation and return an operation responding instruction to the programming module.
[0143] The contactless module 205 is configured to connect to the programming module 203 so as to communicate with the token; obtain the token information and program the seed, where the token information includes a type of the token, hardware information and a random number corresponding to the token; and calibrate frequency of the token.
[0144] The GPS module 206 is configured to obtain GPS time and a GPS status.
[0145] The power supply module 207 connected with the black box module 202 is configured to supply power to the device.
[0146] The identifying module 208 is configured to scan whether there is a token in a token slot, scan a barcode of the token and authenticate whether the seed is programmed successfully. The identifying module 208 can be an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or a barcode scanner, etc.
[0147] The information outputting module 209 is configured to receive and display the information transferred. The information outputting module 209 can be a LCD or a voice broadcaster, etc.
[0148] The information inputting module 210 is configured to receive and transfer operational information to the black box module 202 , and the inputting can be fulfilled by key(s), a PC keyboard, a touch screen etc.
[0149] The security module 211 is configured to decrypt the seed obtained and encrypt the decrypted seed with the random number.
[0150] The storing module 212 is configured to record status of the programming seed and the token ID. The token ID includes a token barcode and a serial number of the token.
[0151] The identity authenticating module 213 is configured to perform security authentication on identity. The authentication can be such as USBKey authentication, user-input-password authentication and combination of the foresaide methods.
Embodiment 3
[0152] In Embodiment 3 of the invention, a contactless seed programming method is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the method includes the following steps.
[0153] Step 301 , awakening a programming module of a contactless seed programming device and determining whether the awakening is successful according to an awakening responding instruction, if the awakening is successful, going to Step 302 ; otherwise, reawakening the programming module of the contactless seed programming device.
[0154] In the embodiment, if the awakening responding instruction is a first predetermined value, the programming module is awakened successfully; if the awakening responding instruction is not the first predetermined value, the programming module is not awakened successfully. For example, the first predetermined value is 0x00.
[0155] Step 302 , obtaining GPS time and a GPS status.
[0156] Step 303 , determining whether the obtained GPS time format and GPS status are correct, if yes, going to Step 304 ; otherwise, going to Step 302 and obtaining GPS time and GPS status again.
[0157] In the embodiment, the GPS status value can be a second predetermined value, a third predetermined value or a fourth predetermined value. If the GPS status value is the second predetermined value, it shows a successful status. For example, the second predetermined value is 0. If the GPS status value is the third predetermined value, it shows that something is wrong with an antenna. For example, the third predetermined value is 1. If the GPS status value is the fourth predetermined value, it shows that something is wrong with GPS. For example, the fourth predetermined value is 2.
[0158] Step 304 , obtaining a token ID and determining whether there is a token in the token slot according to a return value of the token ID, if yes, going to Step 305 ; otherwise, displaying a prompt of placing next token information, and returning to Step 304 to continue obtaining the token ID.
[0159] In the embodiment, if the return value of the token ID is a fifth predetermined value, it shows that there is a token in the token slot. For example, the fifth predetermined value is 0x00.
[0160] The token ID can be obtained by the Identifying module. The token ID can be a token barcode and a serial number of the token. The token ID can be obtained by an OCR or a barcode scanner etc.
[0161] Step 305 , determining whether current token has been operated according to a record in a first pre-storing unit, if yes, displaying information of a token removing instruction and returning to Step 304 to obtain the token ID again; otherwise going to Step 306 .
[0162] Specifically, if the current token ID is identical to a programmed token ID in the first pre-storing unit, it shows that the current token has been operated; if the current token ID is not identical to the programmed token ID in the pre-storing unit, it shows that the current token has not been operated.
[0163] The record in the first pre-storing unit refers to the last programmed token ID.
[0164] Step 306 , sending a communication instruction to the current token and obtaining type ID of the current token.
[0165] Specifically, in this embodiment, the communication instruction is sent to the token contactlessly.
[0166] Step 307 , determining whether type of the current token is correct, if yes, going to Step 308 ; otherwise displaying instruction information indicating that the current token is abnormal and returning to Step 304 to obtain the token ID again.
[0167] In the embodiment, the communication instruction is sent to the current token by the contactless module and type of the token is determined by a value of the type ID of the token. For example, if the type ID of the token is a first type ID, it shows that type of the current token is a first token type; if the token ID of the token is a second type ID, it shows that type of the current token is a second token type.
[0168] Step 308 , sending the token detecting instruction to the current token, obtaining information of the current token and determining whether the current token satisfies with a predetermined programming condition, if yes, going to Step 309 ; otherwise, displaying information indicating that token information is wrong, returning to Step 304 to obtain the token ID again.
[0169] In the embodiment, the token detecting instruction is sent to the current token through the contactless module and the current token information includes detailed hardware information of the current token and first data corresponding to the current token. The first data is pre-stored data or a random number generated.
[0170] It is noted that in process of obtaining information of the current token of Step 308 , the obtaining first data corresponding to the current token is a preferred step of the embodiment. Optionally, in other embodiments of the invention, the host may not obtain the first data corresponding to the current token, but directly obtain the token ID, obtain and program the corresponding seed according to the token ID.
[0171] Step 309 , obtaining the current token ID and determining whether the obtaining is successful according to the current token ID, if yes, determining the obtaining is successful and going to Step 310 ; otherwise going back to Step 304 .
[0172] Specifically, the step of obtaining the token ID and determining whether the token is obtained successfully according to the token ID is identical to that in Step 304 and so details of it are omitted herein.
[0173] Step 310 , obtaining corresponding first seed data according to the current token ID.
[0174] In the embodiment, the seed data can be stored in a storing device such as a card, a U disk or a hardware etc. According to different storing devices of the seed data, the seed data can be obtained by reading the seed data by the card reader or obtaining the seed data via a USB interface or obtaining the seed data via an SATA interface.
[0175] Step 311 , processing the first seed data and determining whether the first seed data is processed successfully, if yes, going to Step 312 ; otherwise displaying information of failing to process the first seed data and returning to Step 304 .
[0176] Specifically, in this embodiment, the processing of the first seed data includes: decrypting the first seed data so as to obtain second seed data, and further includes encrypting the second seed data with the first seed data corresponding to the current token so as to obtain third seed data, and sending a seed programmable instruction to the programming device.
[0177] The programmed seed can be second seed data, or the programmed seed can be third seed data obtained by encrypting first data corresponding to the current token. The programming module receives the seed programmable instruction and determines whether the seed data is obtained and processed successfully according to ID of the seed programmable instruction, if ID of the seed programmable instruction is a sixth predetermined value, the seed data is obtained and processed successfully. For example, the sixth predetermined value is 0. If ID of the seed programmable instruction is not the sixth predetermined value, the seed data is not obtained and processed successfully.
[0178] Step 312 , sending the operational data to the token and waiting for the token to return a token processing ID.
[0179] In this embodiment, the operational data includes a seed of the token and a GPS time factor.
[0180] The operational data is sent to the token by the contactless module.
[0181] Further, a contactless calibration process can be included before the operational data is sent to the token.
[0182] The contactless calibration process may be executed as follows: the programming module obtains frequency by the contactless module, obtains frequency of the current token by the contactless module; obtains frequency deviation value according to frequency obtained by GPS and frequency of the current token, and the programming module writes the frequency deviation value into the current token, the current token obtains time deviation value based on the frequency deviation value and calibrates frequency of the current token according to the time deviation value.
[0183] Step 313 , processing, by the token, the operational data, updating the seed data of the token and time of the token, and returning the token processing ID to the contactless programming device.
[0184] Specifically, the step of processing the operational data by the token involves: the token parses the operational data so as to obtain third seed data and a time factor; decrypts the third seed data and the time factor so as to obtain second seed data and time factor; encrypts the second seed data and the time factor with information inside the token separately so as to obtain fourth seed data and a time factor. The updating of the seed data and time of the token includes: storing the fourth seed data and the time factor in a second storing unit and replacing content in the second pre-storing unit with them.
[0185] It is noted that in this embodiment, after the token obtains the third seed data, the method may further include a process of determining whether the second seed data is valid. The determining whether the second seed data is valid includes:
[0186] reading a value of the ID bit from a predetermined position of the second seed data; and
[0187] determining whether the value of the ID bit is identical to a value pre-stored in the token, if yes, determining that the second seed data is valid; otherwise, determining that the second seed data is invalid and returning information of invalid seed data to the programming device.
[0188] Step 314 , receiving the token processing ID and determining whether the seed data is programmed successfully according to value of the token processing ID, if yes, display instruction that the seed is programmed successfully and going to Step 315 ; otherwise, display instruction that the seed is not programmed successfully and going to Step 304 .
[0189] In the embodiment, if the token processing ID is a seventh predetermined value, it shows that the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise, it shows that the seed is not programmed successfully. The seventh predetermined value is 0.
[0190] It is noted that the method may further include a process of OCR authentication after the seed is programmed.
[0191] The process of OCR authentication may include: obtaining a barcode of the current token and a password of the current token by the OCR module and obtaining a seed of the current token from the card reader according to a barcode of the current token, decrypting the seed of the current token, processing the decrypted seed so as to compute a token password and determining whether the token password obtained by the OCR module is identical to the computed token password, if yes, determining that the authentication is passed and the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise determining that the authentication is not passed and the seed is not programmed successfully.
[0192] Step 315 , storing a record indicating the seed is programmed successfully and the token ID into the pre-storing unit.
[0193] The storing of the token ID can be done before programming the seed or in the process of obtaining the programmed seed.
[0194] It is noted that in other embodiments of the invention, the object of the invention can also be achieved by the above implements.
Embodiment 4
[0195] In embodiment 4 of the invention, a contactless seed programming method is disclosed. The method, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , includes steps as below.
[0196] Step S 1 , the black box module sends an awakening instruction to the programming module and waits for receiving an awakening responding instruction.
[0197] For example, the awakening instruction is 4900.
[0198] Step S 2 , the programming module receives the awakening instruction and returns the awakening responding instruction to the black box module.
[0199] Step S 3 , the black box module receives the awakening responding instruction and determines whether the programming module is awakened successfully according to a value of the awakening responding instruction and displays awakening status by the information outputting module, if the programming module is awakened successfully, go to Step S 4 ; otherwise, return to Step S 1 to send the awakening instruction again.
[0200] In the embodiment, if the awakening responding instruction is a first predetermined value, the programming module is awakened successfully. For example, the first predetermined value is 0X00. If the awakening responding instruction is not the first predetermined value, the programming module is not awakened successfully.
[0201] Step S 4 , the programming module obtains GPS time and GPS status value.
[0202] In the embodiment, the programming module obtains the GPS time and GPS status value by the GPS module. Specifically, the GPS status value includes a second predetermined value, a third predetermined value and a fourth predetermined value. If the GPS status value is the second predetermined value, it shows a successful status. The second predetermined value is x00. If the GPS status value is the third predetermined value, it shows that something is wrong with the antenna. The third predetermined value is 0x01. If the GPS status value is the fourth predetermined value, it shows that something is wrong with GPS. The fourth predetermined value is 0x02.
[0203] Step S 5 , the programming module determines whether the GPS time is correct and the GPS status is success according to the obtained GPS time and the GPS status value, if the GPS time is correct and the GPS status is success, Step S 7 is executed; otherwise, Step S 6 is executed.
[0204] Specifically in the embodiment, if the GPS status value is the second predetermined value, the GPS status is obtained successfully.
[0205] Step S 6 , modify the GPS status value in the GPS module as the fourth predetermined value and return to Step S 5 to obtain the GPS time and the GPS status value again.
[0206] Step S 7 , the programming module stores the GPS time and the GPS status value.
[0207] Step S 8 , the black box module obtains the token barcode.
[0208] In this embodiment, the black box module obtains the token barcode by the identifying module. Specifically the token barcode can be obtained by an OCR or a barcode scanner.
[0209] Step S 9 , the black box module determines whether there is a token in the token slot according to the token ID, if yes, Step S 11 is executed; otherwise, Step S 10 is executed.
[0210] If there is a token barcode value in a barcode storage area and barcode ID of the token is a fifth predetermined value, there is a token in the token slot; if there is no token barcode value in the barcode slot or the barcode ID of the token is not the fifth predetermined value, there is no token in the token slot and the token is not obtained successfully. For example, the fifth predetermined value is 0x00.
[0211] Step S 10 , the black box module sends a next token instruction, displays the next token instruction by the information outputting module, and returns Step S 8 .
[0212] Step S 11 , the black box module determines whether the current token has been operated, if yes, Step S 12 is executed; otherwise, Step S 13 is executed.
[0213] Specifically, whether the current token has been operated is determined by the black box module according to whether the current token barcode is identical to barcode of the last programmed token.
[0214] Step S 12 , the black box module sends a token removing instruction, displays the removing instruction by the information outputting module, and returns to Step S 8 .
[0215] Step S 13 , the black box module sends an instruction indicating the token is successfully obtained to the programming module and waits for the programming module to return an instruction indicating that the token successfully responses.
[0216] Step S 14 , the programming module receives the instruction indicating that the token successfully responses and returns the instruction indicating that the token successfully responses to the black box module.
[0217] Step S 15 , the programming module sends a communication instruction to the token by the contactless module and waits for the communication instruction ID.
[0218] Specifically, the communication instruction is 10, which includes type of the token.
[0219] Step S 16 , the programming module receives the communication instruction ID and determines whether the current token is normal according to the communication instruction ID, if yes, Step S 18 is executed; otherwise, Step S 17 is executed.
[0220] Specifically, if the communication instruction ID is a sixth predetermined value, the token is normal. Specifically, the sixth predetermined value is 0. If the communication instruction ID is not the sixth predetermined value, the token is abnormal.
[0221] Step S 17 , the programming module sends instruction of abnormal token and returns to Step S 8 .
[0222] Step S 18 , the programming module communicates with the token via the contactless module and obtains token information.
[0223] The token information includes type of the token, hardware information of the token and a random number of the token.
[0224] Step S 19 , the programming module determines whether type of the token is correct according to the token type ID (identification), if yes, Step S 21 is executed; otherwise Step S 20 is executed.
[0225] Step S 20 , the programming module sends instruction of wrong token type, displays the instruction of wrong token type by the information outputting module, and returns to S 8 .
[0226] Step S 21 , the programming module initializes the current token by the contactless module.
[0227] The status after the current token is initialized is set to be initial status.
[0228] Step S 22 , the programming module sends token detecting instruction to the token through the contactless module and waits for receiving the token detecting instruction ID.
[0229] Step S 23 , the programming module receives the token detecting instruction ID and determines whether status of the current token is normal according to the token detecting instruction ID, if yes, Step S 25 is executed; otherwise, Step S 24 is executed.
[0230] If the token detecting instruction ID is a seventh predetermined value, status of the token is normal; if the token detecting instruction ID is not the seventh predetermined value, status of the token is abnormal. For example, the seventh predetermined value is 0.
[0231] Step S 24 , the programming module sends instruction indicating that the token does not response, displays the instruction indicating that the token does not response by the information outputting module, and returns to Step S 8 .
[0232] Step S 25 , the programming module initializes status of the current token again through the contactless module.
[0233] Step S 26 , the programming module sends a seed programming instruction to the black box module and waits for receiving a seed programmable instruction.
[0234] Step S 27 , the black box module receives the seed programming instruction and determines whether the current token is normal according to seed programming instruction ID, if yes, goes to Step S 29 ; otherwise, goes to Step S 28 .
[0235] If the seed programming instruction ID is an eighth predetermined value, the seed programming instruction is normal; if the seed programming instruction ID is not the eighth predetermined value, the seed programming instruction is abnormal.
[0236] Step S 28 , the black box module returns error information and goes to Step S 8 .
[0237] Step S 29 , the black box module stores the random number and obtains a token barcode through the OCR module. Step S 30 , the black box module obtains a seed corresponding to the token barcode through the card reader.
[0238] Step S 31 , the black box module decrypts the seed so as to obtain a decrypted seed.
[0239] Step S 32 , the black box module uses the random number to encrypt the decrypted seed and sends the seed programmable instruction to the programming module.
[0240] Step S 33 , the programming module receives the seed programmable instruction and determines whether the seed programmable instruction is normal according to seed programmable instruction ID, if yes, goes to Step S 35 ; otherwise, goes to Step S 34 .
[0241] If the seed programmable instruction ID is a ninth predetermined value, the seed programmable instruction is normal; if the seed programmable instruction ID is not the ninth predetermined value, the seed programmable instruction is abnormal. For example, the ninth predetermined value is 0.
[0242] Step S 34 , the programming module returns error information and returns to Step S 4 .
[0243] Step S 35 , the programming module obtains GPS time and a GPS status value.
[0244] Step S 36 , the programming module determines whether the currently obtained GPS time and GPS status value are identical to the stored GPS time and the GPS status value, if yes, goes to Step S 38 ; otherwise, goes to Step S 37 .
[0245] Step S 37 , the programming module sends a wrong GPS instruction, displays the wrong GPS instruction by the information outputting module, and returns to Step S 8 .
[0246] Step S 38 , the programming module sends seed programming instruction to the token by the contactless module and waits for receiving a seed programming ID.
[0247] Step S 39 , the programming module receives the seed programming ID and determines whether the seed programming is successful according to the seed programming ID, if yes, goes to Step S 41 ; otherwise, goes to Step S 40 .
[0248] Step S 40 , the programming module sends instruction indicating that the seed is not programmed successfully and returns to Step S 8 .
[0249] Step S 41 , the programming module sends instruction indicating that the seed is programmed successfully.
[0250] Step S 42 , a seed programming record and the current token barcode are stored.
Embodiment 5
[0251] In embodiment 5 of the invention, an automatically-controlled contactless seed programming method is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the method includes the following steps.
[0252] Step 601 , awakening a programming module of a contactless seed programming device and determining whether the programming module is awakened successfully according to an awakening responding instruction, if the programming module is awakened successfully, going to Step 602 ; otherwise, awakening the programming module of the contactless seed programming device again.
[0253] In the embodiment, if the awakening responding instruction is a first predetermined value, the programming module is awakened successfully; if the awakening responding instruction is not the first predetermined value, the programming module is not awakened successfully. For example, the first predetermined value is 0x00.
[0254] Step 602 , obtaining GPS time and a GPS status.
[0255] Step 603 , determining whether the obtained GPS time and GPS status are correct, if yes, going to Step 604 ; otherwise, returning to Step 602 and obtains GPS time and GPS status again.
[0256] In the embodiment, value of the GPS status includes a second predetermined value, a third predetermined value or a fourth predetermined value. If value of the GPS status is the second predetermined value, the status is success. For example, the second predetermined value is 0. If value of the GPS status is the third predetermined value, something is wrong with an antenna. For example, the third predetermined value is 1. If value of the GPS status is the fourth predetermined value, something is wrong with the GPS. For example, the fourth predetermined value is 2.
[0257] Step 604 , sending an operation requesting instruction to the programming device updating module.
[0258] Step 605 , the programming device updating module receives the operation requesting instruction, parseing the current instruction and invoking a relating device to perform corresponding operation, and returning an operation responding instruction.
[0259] Step 606 , waiting for, by the programming module, receiving the operation responding instruction.
[0260] In the embodiment, the programming module waits for receiving the operation responding instruction and the waiting can be ended by a timer interruption method, and the time interruption method is executed as: waiting for the receiving operation responding instruction after sending the operation requesting instruction, setting predetermined time of the timer and counting down, if the timer counts 0, triggering an interruption, returns to Step S 604 to resend the operation requesting instruction.
[0261] Step 607 , receiving, by the programming module, the operation responding instruction and determining whether the programming device updating module executes the operation successfully according to the operation responding instruction, if yes, going to Step 608 ; otherwise, going to Step 604 .
[0262] Step 608 , obtaining a token ID and determining whether there is a token in the token slot according to the token ID, if yes, going to Step 609 ; otherwise, displaying next token information and returning to Step 604 .
[0263] In the embodiment, if a return value of the token ID is a fifth predetermined value, there is a token in the token slot. For example, the fifth predetermined value is 0x00.
[0264] The token ID is obtained by the identifying module. The token ID can be a token barcode or a serial number of the token etc. The token ID can be obtained by an OCR, a barcode scanner etc.
[0265] Step 609 , determine whether the current token has been operated, if yes, display instruction information of removing the token and return to Step 604 ; otherwise, go to Step 610 .
[0266] Specifically, the current token has been operated or not is determined according to the current token ID and a programmed token ID in the pre-storing unit, if the current token ID is identical to the programmed token ID in the pre-storing unit, the current token has been operated; if the current token ID is different from the programmed token ID in the pre-storing unit, the current token has not been operated.
[0267] A last programmed token ID is stored in the pre-storing unit.
[0268] Step 610 , sending a communication instruction to the current token and obtaining a type ID of the current token.
[0269] In the embodiment, the communication instruction is sent to the current token through the contactless module and type of the token is determined according to value of the type ID of the token. For example, if the type ID of the token is a first type ID, type of the current token is a first token type; if the type ID of the token is a second type ID, type of the current token is a second token type.
[0270] Step 611 , determining whether type of the current token is correct, if yes, going to Step 612 ; otherwise, displaying information indicating that the current token type is wrong and returning to Step 604 .
[0271] Step 612 , sending a token detecting instruction to the current token, obtaining the current token information and determining whether the current token is satisfied with a predetermined programming condition, if yes, going to Step 613 , otherwise, returning to Step 604 .
[0272] In the embodiment, the token detecting instruction is sent to the current token through the contactless module and the current token information includes detailed hardware information of the current token and a random number corresponding to the current token.
[0273] It is noted that the step of obtaining a random number corresponding to the current token in Step 408 is a preferred step of the embodiment, and in other embodiments, the host may not obtain the random number corresponding to the current token, but directly obtain the token ID, obtain a corresponding seed according to the token ID and program the seed.
[0274] Step 613 , obtaining the current token ID and determining whether the token is obtained successfully according to the current token ID, if yes, going to Step 614 ; otherwise, returning to Step 608 .
[0275] Specifically, the particular process of obtaining the current token ID and determining whether the token is obtained successfully according to the current token ID is the same with that in Step 604 , and thus details are omitted herein.
[0276] Step 614 , obtaining a corresponding seed according to the current token barcode.
[0277] In the embodiment, the seed can be stored in a storing device such as a card, a U disk and a hardware etc. For different storing devices, the seed can be obtained by methods such as obtaining the seed by a card reader or by a USB interface or by an SATA interface.
[0278] Step 615 , processing the seed and determining whether the seed is processed successfully, if yes, going to Step 616 ; otherwise, displaying error information and returning to Step 604 .
[0279] Specifically, the step of processing the seed includes: decrypting the seed, and further the step may include: encrypting the decrypted seed according to the random number corresponding to the current token and sending a seed programmable instruction to the programming module.
[0280] A programmable seed can be plain text of the decrypted seed, or the programmable seed may be cipher text of encrypting the decrypted seed with the random number corresponding to the current token. The programming module receives the seed programmable instruction and determines whether the seed is obtained and processed successfully according to ID of the seed programmable instruction, if the ID of the seed programmable instruction is a sixth predetermined value, the seed is obtained and processed successfully. For example, the sixth predetermined value is 0. If the ID of the seed programmable instruction is not the sixth predetermined value, the seed is not obtained and processed successfully.
[0281] Step 616 , programming the seed.
[0282] Specifically, a seed programming instruction is sent to the token through the contactless module to program the seed.
[0283] Further, a contactless calibration process can be included before programming the seed.
[0284] The contactless calibration process may be fulfilled as: the programming module obtains frequency through the contactless module and obtains frequency of the current token by the contactless module, obtains a frequency deviation value according to frequency obtained by the GPS and frequency of the current token and the programming module writes the frequency deviation value into the current token and the current token calibrates frequency of itself according to the frequency deviation value.
[0285] Step 617 , determining whether the seed is programmed successfully, if yes, displaying an instruction indicating that the seed is programmed successfully and going to Step 618 ; otherwise, displaying an instruction indicating that the seed is not programmed successfully and returning to Step 604 .
[0286] In the embodiment, the method of determining whether the seed is programmed successfully includes: determining by seed programming ID and if the seed programming ID is a seventh predetermined value, the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise, the seed is not programmed successfully. For example, the seventh predetermined value is 0.
[0287] It is noted that an OCR authentication process can be included after the seed is programmed.
[0288] The OCR authentication process may be fulfilled as: obtaining a barcode of the current token and a password of the current token by the OCR module, obtaining a seed of the current token from the card reader according to barcode of the current token, decrypting the seed of the current token, processing the decrypted seed and computing the password of the token, determining whether the obtained token password is identical to the computed token password by the OCR module, if yes, determining the authentication is passed and the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise, determining the authentication is not passed and the seed is not programmed successfully.
[0289] Step 618 , storing a programming record and a token ID into a pre-storing unit.
[0290] The storing of the token barcode can be done before programming the seed or in the process of obtaining the seed.
[0291] It is noted that the step of obtaining GPS time and GPS status can be executed at any step after awakening the contactless seed programming device in other embodiments of the invention; and the step of communicating with the current token and obtaining the current token information can be executed at any step before obtaining the seed. The above embodiments can also achieve the purpose of the invention.
Embodiment 6
[0292] A contactless seed programming system including a programming device and a dynamic token is disclosed.
[0293] The programming device includes modules as below.
[0294] A first obtaining module is configured to obtain a token ID of the dynamic token. Specifically the first obtaining module is configured to: obtain the token ID of the dynamic token in case that the dynamic token is satisfied with a programming condition, where the token ID can be obtained by an OCR (optical character recognition) or a barcode scanner; further obtain the token ID again in case that the first determining module determines that there is no dynamic token in a token slot; obtain the token ID again in case that the dynamic token is not satisfied with the programming condition; and obtain the token ID again in case that a fourth determining module determines that the token ID is included in a pre-storing unit.
[0295] A second obtaining module is configured to obtain first seed data according to the token ID. Specifically, the second obtaining module is configured to: obtain corresponding first seed data according to the token ID in case that the programming device determines that there is a dynamic token in the token slot according to a return value of the token ID obtained; and obtain first seed data corresponding to the token ID through a card reader, a USB interface or an SATA interface.
[0296] A third obtaining module is configured to communicate with the dynamic token contactlessly and obtain the first seed data from the dynamic token.
[0297] A first decrypting module is configured to decrypt the first seed data so as to obtain second seed data.
[0298] An encrypting module is configured to encrypt the second seed data with first data so as to obtain third seed data.
[0299] A sending module is configured to send the third seed data to the dynamic token contactlessly.
[0300] Further the programming device may include the following modules.
[0301] A fourth obtaining module is configured to communicate with a standard time device and obtain GPS time information from the standard time device.
[0302] The encrypting module is further configured to encrypt the GPS time according to the first data.
[0303] The sending module is further configured to send the encrypted GPS time to the dynamic token contactlessly.
[0304] The second decrypting module is further configured to decrypt the received GPS time according to the first data stored in the dynamic token.
[0305] A fifth obtaining module is configured to obtain GPS status.
[0306] A second displaying module is configured to display the GPS status.
[0307] A sixth obtaining module is configured to obtain a return value of the token ID.
[0308] A first determining module is configured to determine whether there is a dynamic token in the token slot according to the return value of the token ID.
[0309] A seventh obtaining module is configured to send a token detecting instruction to the dynamic token and obtain token information.
[0310] A second determining module is configured to determine whether the dynamic token is satisfied with a programming condition according to the token information.
[0311] An eighth obtaining module is configured to obtain pulse frequency and frequency of the dynamic token.
[0312] A writing module is configured to write a frequency deviation value between the pulse frequency and frequency of the dynamic token into the dynamic token.
[0313] A ninth obtaining module is configured to obtain the token ID and the token password of the dynamic token and obtain corresponding first seed data according to the token ID.
[0314] A computing module is configured to compute the token password according to the second seed data.
[0315] A third determining module is configured to determine whether the computed token password is identical to the obtained token password, if yes, the seed is programmed successfully; otherwise, the seed is not programmed successfully.
[0316] A second receiving module is configured to receive a token processing ID from the dynamic token and determine that the seed is programmed successfully in case that value of the token processing ID is a seventh predetermined value.
[0317] A storing module is configured to store a programming record and the token ID in the pre-storing unit after determining that the seed is programmed successfully.
[0318] The second obtaining module is configured to obtain corresponding first seed data according to the token ID in case that the token ID is not included in the pre-storing unit.
[0319] A fourth determining module is configured to determine whether the token ID is included in the pre-storing unit.
[0320] The dynamic token includes the following modules.
[0321] A first receiving module is configured to receive the third seed data from the programming device contactlessly.
[0322] A second decrypting module is configured to decrypt the third seed data according to the first data stored in the dynamic token so as to obtain the second seed data.
[0323] An updating module is configured to update seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data. Specifically, the updating module is configured to: update seed data stored in the dynamic token according to the second seed data in case that the second seed data is valid; process the second seed data and update the seed data stored by itself with the processed seed data; and update GPS time of the dynamic token as the decrypted GPS time.
[0324] Further the dynamic token may include the following modules.
[0325] A determining module is configured to determine whether the second seed data is valid.
[0326] Specifically determining module is configured to read a value of a flag bit from a predetermined position of the second seed data and determine whether the value of the read value of the flag bit is identical to the predetermined value stored in the dynamic token, if yes, determine that the second seed data is valid; otherwise, determine that the second seed data is invalid.
[0327] A first displaying module is configured to display error information in case that the determining module determines that the second seed data is invalid.
[0328] The dynamic token further includes the following module.
[0329] A calibrating module is configured to calibrate frequency of itself according to the frequency deviation value.
[0330] The above-mentioned are just preferred embodiments of the invention, not a limit to scope of protection of the invention, and any change or substitute made by a person skill in the art in technology scope of the invention should fall within the scope of protection of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention should be based on the appended claims.
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The invention discloses a contactless seed programming method, belonging to information security field. In the method, a seed programming device obtains a token ID of a dynamic token, obtains corresponding first seed data according to the token ID, communicates with the dynamic token contactlessly, obtains first seed data from the dynamic token, decrypts the first seed data so as to obtain second seed data, encrypts the second seed data with the first data so as to obtain third seed data and sends the third seed data to the dynamic token; and the dynamic token decrypts the seed and updates seed stored in itself. By the invention, programming operation is simplified and programming efficiency is improved by communicating with the dynamic token contactlessly and security is ensured by transferring the encrypted seed during communication between the programming device and the token.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Fluid storage tanks are used in a variety of areas. Common are those seen on trucks transporting a variety of fluids such as liquid nitrogen, milk, water, and other liquids. The most common type of truck is a trailer rig which is towed by a tractor rig. Other common types include fluid storage tanks mounted on a truck chassis similar to a 4×4 or 6×6. These type of vehicles are common to carrying fuel oil or diesel to fill homes with heating oil or tanks for generators. Construction sites use fluid storage tanks mounted on trucks to wet down the dry earth in order to prevent dust from intruding on nearby neighborhoods.
Most tanks have an elliptical cross-section and extend for some length, which provides the volume desired by the user. Other tanks have rectangular or square cross sections with rounded corners. Many of the previously described shaped tanks have a lower portion that extends downwards, and provides the ability to gravity drain the fluid to a central point on the tanker without the use of accessory pumps to drain the liquids from the tanker.
In order to prevent catastrophic failures of the tanks, internal baffles are installed into the tankers to reduce the pressure head of the fluid in motion, which in turn will reduce the amount of force on the front or rear caps, preventing the fluid from bursting through the fluid storage tank.
When the tankers are taken over very rough roads, there is substantial danger that the trailers or the truck may overturn because of its high center of gravity since the center of gravity is generally along the geometric center of the cross section, which is mounted high over the chassis of the truck.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fluid storage tanks are known in the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,973 by van der Lely discloses a MOBILE DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING LIQUID SUBSTANCES. The patent describes a cylindrical tank that has guide members disposed inside, where the guide members are positioned in such a was as to promote mixing of the liquid and solid matter enclosed therein when the vehicle stops its forward motion. The inertia of the material inside the tank causes a surge that forces the liquid over the inclined guide member and promotes mixing. The additional motions of the vehicle causes swirling and recirculating motions to further mix the solid and semi-solid matter. The patent is primarily describing a tank for transporting a mixture of manure and a further liquid, usually water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,724 by Watkins et al., discloses a FLUID-STORAGE TANK. This patent discloses a tank for storing fluids. This tank is disclosed having a generally rectangular cross section with a number of reinforced internal baffles. The internal baffles are positioned so that access to each bay is on alternating sides. While the patent initially discloses an elongated shell, the primary disclosure of the patent is the geometry of the baffle(s) used to support the shell of the tank. The baffle disclosed is geometrically defined as a convexo-concave shell having 2 points of inflection where the concave portion has at least 1 horizontal planar rib to support and stabilize the baffle(s). The baffle(s) have 2 convex shapes and one concave shape joined together as one piece.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,625 by Shaw discloses a TANK TRUCK. This patent discloses a fuel delivery truck that has a pair of tag wheels that lift up when the amount of liquid in the tanks is reduced to a minimum point. This allows the tanker to turn with a smaller radius than it would with an additional pair of wheels on the ground at the rear of the vehicle. An additional disclosure is to position the hose assembly at the front of the tank, with a corresponding overhang, which maintains the overhang of the rear mounted hoses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fluid storage tank that maximizes the volume of the fluid carried while substantially lowering the center of gravity of the tank.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved visibility for the driver by moving the mirrors closer to the cab, since the trapezoidal shape is smaller at the top of the tank than at the bottom.
The object of this invention will be achieved by providing an elongated shell, where the shell is in the shape of a trapezoid. The top of the trapezoid is smaller than the bottom of the trapezoid, which will noticeably lower the center of gravity of the tanker truck or trailer. The trapezoidal tank has an upper and a lower portion and is permanently attached to the side portions. The side portions may be identical, which will reduce overall tooling and part costs. The lower portion of the tank may have an additional reservoir, or sump. The reservoir or sump would fit between the rails of the truck or trailer chassis and further lower the center of gravity. Baffles would be attached to the external shell supporting the structure, and they would provide needed protection from the fluid building a large pressure head when the vehicle is stopped or started.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the tank assembly mounted on a truck chassis.
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the tank assembly.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of the tank assembly.
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the tank assembly.
FIG. 5 shows an end view of the tank assembly with an internal baffle and bottom sump shown.
FIG. 6 shows an cross sectional view of the tank assembly showing 1 baffle.
FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view depicting the tank assembly arrangement.
FIG. 8 shows a corner of the tank assembly showing the front end cap attachment to the tank assembly floor.
FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of the rear end cap attachment to the tank assembly.
FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the internal baffle attachment to the tank assembly.
FIG. 11 shows a cross sectional view of a two bay tank assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In referring to figure one, a tank assembly ( 1 ) is portrayed. The tank assembly consists of a tank shell ( 1 a ) which is described as symmetrical and trapezoidal in shape, the tank shell ( 1 a ) further having an interior ( 1 b ) defined therein. The tank shell ( 1 a ) has a front end cap ( 2 ), a rear end cap ( 4 ), a top ( 6 ), and a bottom ( 8 ). The top ( 6 ) and the bottom ( 8 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) are defined as generally having a parallel relationship. The tank assembly ( 1 ) has a first side ( 10 ) and a second side ( 12 ), the first side ( 10 ) opposing the second side ( 10 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ). The front end cap ( 2 ) opposes the rear end cap ( 4 ). Mounted on the top ( 6 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is a hatch ( 14 ), where the hatch ( 14 ) uses a conventional hinge means ( 16 ) [see FIG. 3 ] to allow the hatch to be easily opened. The hatch ( 14 ) is secured to the tank assembly ( 1 ) by a latch means ( 18 ), where the latch means ( 18 ) [see FIG. 3 ], and the hinge means ( 16 ) are well known in the art.
In referring to figure two, the top ( 6 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is shown smaller than the bottom ( 8 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) thereby defining the trapezoidal shape of the tank assembly ( 1 ), when viewed in a cross sectional view (see figure six ( 6 )). The first side ( 10 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is shown attached to the top ( 6 ) and the bottom ( 8 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ), and the second side ( 12 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is also shown attached to the top ( 6 ) and the bottom ( 8 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ). The general means that is used to attach the components to each other, the top ( 6 ) to the first side ( 10 ) and the second side ( 12 ), and the bottom ( 8 ) to the first side ( 10 ) and the second side ( 12 ) is a weldment, although other means to attach such as mechanical means may be used. Weldments offer the best method of sealing the interfaces between mating components of assemblies in order to prevent fluids from leaking out from the tank assembly ( 1 ). In order to simplify the manufacture of the tank assembly ( 1 ) the first side ( 10 ), and the second side ( 12 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ), which are the two (2) non-parallel sides, may be identical or nearly identical in manufacture. Since the tank assembly ( 1 ) is trapezoidal it can be seen that the driver has enhanced visibility, with an increase in tank capacity when compared to other tank assemblies that are known in the art.
The bottom ( 8 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is shown with a bottom sump ( 20 ). The bottom sump ( 20 ) is shown generally rectangular in shape, and positioned equidistant from the first side ( 10 ) and the second side ( 12 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ). The bottom sump ( 20 ) is shown extending from the front end cap ( 2 ) to the rear end cap ( 4 ), although the tank manufacturer may reduce the overall size of the bottom sump( 20 ) by ending the bottom sump ( 20 ) before the front end cap ( 2 ) and/or the rear end cap ( 4 ). Positioning the bottom sump ( 20 ) by this method drastically lowers the center of gravity of the tank assembly ( 1 ) when it is filled with fluid, which will then increase the overall stability of a truck that has this tank assembly ( 1 ) mounted.
In referring to figure three, a general arrangement of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is shown the front end cap ( 2 ) is shown attached to the top ( 6 ), the first side ( 10 ) and the second side ( 12 ), where the rear end cap ( 4 ) is shown attached to the top ( 6 ), the first side ( 10 ) and the second side ( 12 ). The top ( 6 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) has a hole ( 68 ) centrally defined therein, the hole ( 68 ) providing access to the interior ( 1 b ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ). Centrally mounted to the top ( 6 ) of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is the hatch ( 14 ). The tank size (volume) is the determining factor in the number of baffles required for the tank assembly ( 1 ). The drawings show two (2) baffles, but it is common to have a tank with one (1) baffle. Shown mounted in the current tank assembly ( 1 ) is a first baffle ( 22 ) and a second baffle ( 24 ). Conventional wisdom dictates that the best attachment method for the first baffle ( 22 ) and the second baffle ( 24 ) to a tank shell ( 26 ) is welding as it eliminates any holes necessary for the use of mechanical attachments. The tank shell ( 26 ) is defined as the interior surface of the tank assembly ( 1 ).
In referring to figure four ( 4 ), a side view of the tank assembly ( 1 ) is shown. The front end cap ( 2 ), the rear end cap ( 4 ), the top ( 6 ), the bottom ( 8 ), the first side ( 10 ), and the bottom sump ( 20 ) are shown. The first baffle ( 22 ), and the second baffle ( 24 ) are shown positioned vertically inside the tank assembly ( 1 ).
In referring to figure six ( 6 ), a baffle ( 28 ) is shown. The baffle ( 28 ) is shown having a shape complimentary to the tank shell ( 26 ). The baffle ( 28 ) has a perimeter ( 30 ), the perimeter ( 30 ) is on an external portion ( 32 ) of the baffle ( 28 ). The external portion ( 32 ) of the baffle ( 28 ) has a flange ( 34 ), the flange ( 34 ) may be continuous around the entire perimeter ( 30 ) of the baffle ( 28 ) and is attached to the tank shell ( 1 b ) by conventional means. The baffle ( 28 ) has a through hole ( 36 ) defined therein. The through hole ( 36 ) is offset from a center ( 38 ) of the baffle ( 28 ). Centrally mounted on the baffle ( 28 ) is a stiffening plate ( 40 ). The stiffening plate ( 40 ) may be welded to the baffle ( 28 ), or it may be mechanically fastened to the baffle ( 28 ). The baffle ( 28 ) and the stiffening plate ( 40 ) have a central hole ( 42 ) defined therethrough, the central hole ( 42 ) allowing a support member ( 44 ) to pass therethrough and stabilize the baffle ( 28 ).
In FIG. 7, a stabilizing beam ( 46 ) is attached to the front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ). The stabilizing beam ( 46 ) passes through the central hole ( 42 ) in the baffle ( 28 ) and the stiffening plate ( 40 ). The stabilizing beam ( 46 ) is attached to the baffle ( 28 ) and end plate ( 40 ) by welding or mechanical means. If the tank assembly ( 1 ) is large enough, where the liquid would create too great a pressure head on acceleration or deceleration, two (2) baffles ( 28 ) would be installed into the tank assembly ( 1 ). The orientation of a first baffle ( 48 ) would be opposite of a second baffle ( 50 ). The through hole ( 36 ) in the first baffle ( 48 ) would not face the through hole ( 36 ) in the second baffle ( 50 ). This would break up the pressure head because the fluid would have to make two ninety degree turns to go from an aft bay ( 52 ) to a forward bay ( 54 ), through a central bay ( 56 ).
In a two bay tank, i.e a tank with one (1) Baffle ( 28 ), a first longitudinal baffle ( 69 ) longitudinally bisects the first bay ( 54 ) and is attached to the front end cap ( 2 ), the stabilizing bar ( 46 ), the baffle ( 28 ), and the bottom ( 1 ), of the tank assembly. A second longitudinal baffle ( 70 ) longitudinally bisects the second bay ( 52 ) and is attached to the rear end cap ( 4 ), the stabilizing bar ( 46 ), the baffle ( 28 ), and the bottom ( 8 ), of the tank assembly ( 1 ). The first longitudinal baffle ( 69 ), and the second longitudinal baffle ( 70 ) are attached to the components of the tank assembly ( 1 ) by conventional means such as welding.
In a three bay tank, i.e. a tank with two (2) baffles ( 28 ), a first longitudinal baffle ( 72 ) longitudinally bisects the forward bay ( 54 ) and is attached to the front end cap ( 2 ), the stabilizing bar ( 46 ), the first baffle ( 48 ), and the bottom ( 1 ), of the tank assembly ( 1 ). A second longitudinal baffle ( 74 ) longitudinally bisects the central bay ( 56 ) and is attached to the first baffle ( 48 ), the stabilizing bar ( 46 ), the second baffle ( 56 ), and the bottom ( 1 ), of the tank assembly ( 1 ). A third longitudinal baffle ( 76 ) longitudinally bisects the aft bay ( 52 ) and is attached to the rear end cap ( 4 ), the stabilizing bar ( 46 ), the second baffle ( 50 ), and the bottom ( 1 ), of the tank assembly ( 1 ). The purpose of the longitudinal baffles is to minimize the sloshing of liquid when the vehicle is in motion on off-road surfaces.
In a two bay tank, the bottom sump ( 20 ) volume communicates with the forward bay ( 54 ) and the aft bay ( 52 ).
In a three bay tank, the bottom sump ( 20 ) describes a volume that communicates with the forward bay ( 54 ), the central bay ( 56 ), and the aft bay ( 52 ) allowing additional liquid to be stored therein, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the tank below the standard center of gravity position of a trapezoidal body.
The bottom sump ( 20 ) has a bottom ( 58 ). Centrally located on the bottom ( 58 ) of the bottom sump ( 20 ) is a mounting flange ( 60 ). The mounting flange ( 60 ) provides structural support for the bottom sump ( 20 ) when a pump system is installed. The mounting flange ( 60 ) and the bottom ( 58 ) of the bottom sump ( 20 ) have a drain hole ( 62 ) defined therein, the drain hole ( 62 ) communicating with the pump system (not shown).
In a two bay tank, the baffle ( 28 ) is attached to the mounting flange ( 60 ) providing structural stability and preventing the sump from deflecting under load from a fluid filled tank.
In a three bay tank, the first baffle ( 48 ) has a first support member ( 64 ) attaching the first baffle ( 48 ) to the mounting flange ( 60 ) in the bottom sump ( 20 ). The second baffle ( 50 ) has a second support member ( 66 ) attaching the second baffle ( 50 ) to the mounting flange ( 60 ), positionally opposite from the first support member ( 64 ). The first support member ( 64 ) and the second support member ( 66 ) each provide structural stability to the mounting flange ( 60 ) in the bottom sump ( 20 ).
Figure nine ( 9 ) shows the method of attaching the front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ). The front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ) are shown having a shape complimentary to the tank shell ( 26 ). The front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ) each have a perimeter ( 78 ), the perimeter ( 78 ) is on an external portion ( 80 ) of the front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ). The external portion ( 32 ) of the baffle ( 28 ) has a flange ( 82 ), the flange ( 82 ) may be continuous around the entire perimeter ( 78 ) of the front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ) and is attached to the tank shell ( 1 b ) by conventional means. By making the flange ( 82 ) of the front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ) continuous around the perimeter ( 78 ) of the front end cap ( 2 ) and the rear end cap ( 4 ), a fluid tight seal is easily created thus preventing fluid leaks.
Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, various modifications are contemplated.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
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A fluid storage tank that comprises a tank shell. The tank shell is fabricated from a top, a bottom, a front end cap, a rear end cap, a first side, and a second side. The tank shell has an interior defining an open volume inside. The tank shell is supported by at least one baffle that is fastened onto the tank shell. The top has a hatch that contains a conventional hinge means and is capable of being latched by a conventional latch means. A drain hole is located on the bottom of the tank, or on a bottom sump that is attached onto the bottom of the fluid storage tank assembly. The top and the bottom of the tank assembly are generally parallel in relationship. The first side and the second side of the tank assembly are both attached to the top and the bottom of the tank assembly. The top is shown smaller than the bottom creating a trapezoidal shape.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/101,257, filed Sep. 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. 61/101,248, filed Sep. 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to optical communication networks. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for independently establishing a data encryption scheme via out-of-band communication between transceiver modules in a network.
[0004] 2. The Relevant Technology
[0005] Computing and networking technology have transformed our world. As the amount of information communicated over networks has increased, high speed transmission has become ever more critical. Many high speed data transmission networks rely on optical transceivers and similar devices for facilitating transmission and reception of digital data embodied in the form of optical signals over optical fibers. Optical networks are thus found in a wide variety of high speed applications ranging from modest Local Area Networks (“LANs”) to backbones that define a large portion of the infrastructure of the Internet.
[0006] One challenge that is increasingly encountered with optical networking components involves maintaining the security of the traffic on the network. Depending on the environment in which a network is maintained and the particular security concerns associated therewith, there is a need at times to protect the data transmitted between network components.
[0007] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for securing data transmission in networks. Embodiments of the invention further relate to encryption methods that dynamically adjust during the course of data transmission. Further, the encryption methods can adapt dynamically without user intervention. In one embodiment, an encryption scheme can be established, controlled, and monitored via out-of-band communication between transceiver modules.
[0010] Embodiments of present invention involve a method in which the encryption scheme employed by communicating transceiver modules is independently determined by the transceiver modules themselves via out-of-band data transmissions between the two modules. Security is maintained between the modules in a network by sending identification and authentication information using the out-of-band data channel. Hardware or software encoded encryption keys exist on the modules within the network and can be used to generate identification information or encrypted tokens for presenting to other modules in a network. Thus a secure connection can be implemented between modules where those modules are appropriately matched to one another using hardware embedded encryption keys and the out-of-band data to communicate authentication and identification information.
[0011] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical transceiver module including various components that are employed in connection with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary optical transceiver that may implement features of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a connection between two transceiver modules for communicating high-speed and out-of-band data;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a transceiver module including components for sending and receiving encrypted high-speed data and encrypted out-of-band data; and
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method that may be used for implementing an encryption scheme via out-of-band communication between transceiver modules.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such exemplary embodiments and, accordingly, are not limiting of the scope of the present invention, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale.
[0019] FIGS. 1-5 depict various features of embodiments of the present invention, which is generally directed to systems and methods in which the encryption scheme employed by communicating transceiver modules is independently determined by the transceiver modules themselves via out-of-band data transmissions between the two modules. While embodiments of the invention will be discussed in the context of transceiver or optoelectronic device authentication, those of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in the encrypted communication of other electronics devices and may relate to optical and/or electrical communications.
[0020] Embodiments of out of band encryption can be implemented using various devices including optical devices, electrical devices, and/or optoelectronic devices. As used herein, the term “optoelectronic device” includes devices having both optical and electrical components. Examples of optoelectronic devices include, but are not limited to transponders, transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers. Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a transceiver module that may be used to implement aspects of securing network communications, including out-of-band encryption. FIG. 1 shows a transceiver module 100 for use in fiber optic communications. While the optical transceiver 100 will be described in some detail, the optical transceiver 100 is described by way of illustration only, and not by way of restricting the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention are suitable for 1G, 2G, 4G, 8G, 10G, 40G, 50G, 100G and higher bandwidth fiber optic links. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in optoelectronic devices of any form factor including, but not limited to SFF, SFP, XFP, or the like, without restriction.
[0021] As depicted, the transceiver shown in FIG. 1 includes various components, including a receiver optical subassembly (“ROSA”) 10 , a transmitter optical subassembly (“TOSA”) 20 , lead frame connectors 30 , an integrated circuit controller 120 , and a printed circuit board 50 . In this example, two lead frame connectors 30 are included in the transceiver 100 , one each used to electrically connect the ROSA 10 and the TOSA 20 to a plurality of conductive pads 18 located on the printed circuit board 50 . The controller 120 is also operably attached to the printed circuit board 50 . An edge connector 60 is located on an end of the printed circuit board 50 to enable the transceiver 100 to electrically interface with a host. The printed circuit board 50 facilitates electrical communication between the ROSA 10 /TOSA 20 , and the host. In addition, the above-mentioned components of the transceiver 100 are partially housed within a housing portion 70 . The housing portion 70 may include a base with a shell define a covering for the components of the transceiver 100 .
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , printed circuit board 50 includes circuitry and electronic components for use with the TOSA 20 and ROSA 10 in performing the optical signal transmission and reception activities of the transceiver 100 . Among the components of the printed circuit board 50 are a laser driver, a post amplifier and a controller. It will be appreciated that one or more of these components can be integrated on a single chip, or can be separately disposed on the printed circuit board 50 . Alternatively, some of these components such as the laser driver, transimpedance amplifier, photodiode, and the like may be disposed inside of the TOSA 20 or ROSA 10 .
[0023] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a block diagram of an optical transceiver that provides secure communications over a network. In this example, the transceiver 200 is configured to determine an encryption scheme by communicating with a remote transceiver 255 . In one example, the transceiver 200 determines the encryption scheme by communicating via out-of-band transmissions.
[0024] During operation, the transceiver 200 can receive a data-carrying electrical signal 202 from the host 250 , which can be any computing system capable of communication with the optical transceiver 200 , for transmission as a data-carrying optical signal on to an optical fiber 204 A using a transmitter 208 , which may correspond to the TOSA 20 of FIG. 1 in one embodiment. In addition, the transceiver 200 is configured to receive a data-carrying optical signal from an optical fiber 204 B using an optical receiver 210 , which may correspond to the ROSA 10 of FIG. 1 in one example. Whereas the use of transceivers to transmit and receive data-carrying electrical and/or optical signals is well-known in the art, it will not be described in greater detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
[0025] In one embodiment, the transceiver 200 includes a controller 220 , which can be used for, among other things, optimizing the performance of the transceiver 200 . The controller 220 may include one or more general purpose processors, illustrated as processor 222 or other computing devices such as a programmable logic device (“PLD”), application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or field programmable gate array (“FPGA”). The processor 222 recognizes instructions that follow a particular instruction set, and may perform normal general-purpose operations such as shifting, branching, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, Boolean operations, comparison operations, and the like. In one embodiment, the processor 222 may be a 16-bit processor or a 32-bit processor. The controller may additionally include an internal controller memory, which may be Random Access Memory (RAM) or nonvolatile memory. While the internal controller memory may be RAM, it may also be a processor, register, flip-flop or other memory device.
[0026] The controller 220 may have access to a persistent memory external to the controller 220 , which in one embodiment is an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Persistent memory may also be any other nonvolatile memory source. The persistent memory and the control module 220 may be packaged together in the same package or in different packages without restriction.
[0027] Data may be exchanged between the controller 220 and host 250 using an appropriate interface or bus 224 . In one embodiment, I 2 C is implemented as the data interface protocol between the host 250 and the controller 220 and data and clock signals may be provided from the host 250 using a serial clock line and a serial data line, both of which are represented in FIG. 2 by the bus 224 . However, the principles of the present invention may also be implemented in systems which utilize MDIO, 1-wire, or any other data interface protocol between the host 250 and the controller 220 .
[0028] Securing data for transmission over a network may include modulating high-speed data and out-of-band data as a double modulated signal. The double modulated signal is transmitted on a physical link between transceivers modules and/or other components in a network of connected components/hosts. High-speed data refers to data typically transmitted on a network such as the data typically transmitted for the benefit of the various hosts on a network. High-speed data may also be referred herein as in-band data which is a reference to the communication band typically used by host systems to communicate data. High-speed and in-band data are distinguished from out-of-band data which is typically used to transmit data from transceiver to transceiver for the use of the transceivers. The term “high-speed data,” as used herein, does not refer to any particular defined bandwidth or frequency of data.
[0029] Out-of-band data can be modulated onto a signal carrying high-speed data that is ordinarily transmitted on a physical link, thus creating a double modulated signal on the physical link. This allows for the independent transmission of authentication and/or encryption information between modules. Out-of-band data may be transmitted across a network switch according to methods described in more detail in application Ser. No. 61/101,248, which has been previously incorporated by reference herein. While a host may subsequently receive the out-of-band data, the host usually receives the out-of-band data from a transceiver through a bus such as an I 2 C or MDIO bus. This is contrasted to high-speed data which is typically received by a host from a transceiver through some high-speed data interface. Notably, a host may also produce the out-of-band data and transmit the out-of-band data to a transceiver on a different bus or different data lines.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a connection between a local transceiver module 302 and a remote transceiver module 324 for communicating high-speed and out-of-band data. The local transceiver module 302 includes a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) 304 for transmitting signals across a physical link 306 . The local transceiver module 302 also includes a receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) 308 for receiving optical signals across a physical link 310 . The TOSA 304 is connected to a high-speed data control 312 , which may include a high-speed modulator that modulates the power output of a signal power source such as a laser in the TOSA 304 such that the high-speed data is converted to a form that can be transmitted across the physical link 306 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the high-speed data control 312 modulates the TOSA 304 to produce a high-speed physical layer data signal 316 . Also connected to the TOSA 304 is an out-of-band data control 314 . The out-of-band data control 314 further modulates the laser in the TOSA 304 using an out-of-band data modulator such that an out-of-band data stream 318 is modulated onto the high-speed data signal 316 to produce an outgoing double modulated signal 322 that includes high-speed and out-of-band data.
[0031] In the example shown, the modulations of the out-of-band data appear as a change in peak power 320 of the outgoing double modulated signal 322 . Thus the outgoing double modulated signal 322 includes both high-speed data and out-of-band data. The out-of-band data may be modulated using a number of different modulation techniques including but not limited to amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase shift keying, binary phase shift keying, quadrature phase shift keying, and Manchester encoding. The out-of-band data may actually have a frequency range that is orders of magnitude less than the in-band data. However, to illustrate the principle of double modulation in a simple graphical form, the frequency of the out-of-band data stream 318 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as having only a slightly lower frequency than the high-speed data signal 316 . Regardless, the principles of the present invention are not limited to the relative frequency between the out-of-band data stream 318 and the high-speed data signal 316 .
[0032] To perform receiving functions, the ROSA 308 includes a signal reception element such as a photodiode that receives an incoming double modulated signal. The ROSA 308 sends all or portions of the incoming double modulated signal to the out-of-band data control 314 and the high-speed data control 312 . The out-of-band data control 314 may include an out-of-band detector that extracts the out-of-band data from the incoming double modulated signal. The high-speed data control 312 may include a high-speed data amplifier that extracts high-speed data from the incoming double modulated signal.
[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the encryption scheme employed by the transceiver modules is determined via out-of-band communication between the two modules. Security is maintained between devices in a network by sending identification and authentication information using the out-of-band data. Hardware or software encoded encryption keys exist on devices within the network which can be used to generate identification information or encrypted tokens for presenting to other devices in a network. Thus a secure connection can be implemented between devices where those devices are appropriately matched to one another using hardware embedded encryption keys and the out-of-band data to communicate authentication and identification information.
[0034] Typically, an authorized transceiver module manufacturer will establish a prior agreement as to a key and a cryptography algorithm to implement. In order to prevent unauthorized parties from obtaining the key, the key is typically provided to the transceiver module prior to the manufacturer shipping out the device. Providing the key to the transceiver module may include programming the key into a processor, PLD, ASIC, FPGA, or other computing module of the transceiver module. The processor, PLD, ASIC, or FPGA can then be read-protected, thereby preventing the key from being read out by an unauthorized party. The key can similarly be programmed into and read-protected in a processor, PLD, ASIC, FPGA, or other computing module of the host to prevent an unauthorized party from obtaining the key from the host.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the invention that includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting encryption out-of-band data is shown. The transceiver 400 includes a high-speed transmit port 402 for receiving high-speed electronic data. The high-speed electronic data may be received from a host device in which the transceiver 400 is installed. The high-speed electronic data is transmitted through filtering capacitors 404 to a laser driver 406 . The laser driver amplifies the high-speed electronic data to produce a driving signal which is then passed to a TOSA 410 that converts the driving signal into optical data. The laser driver 406 is further connected to a controller 412 . Out-of-band encryption-related data may be produced within the transceiver 400 by the controller 412 or other circuitry in the transceiver. The data is sent to the encryption module 450 within the controller 424 for encryption using the established key.
[0036] The encryption module 450 may comprise hardware, software, or any combination of hardware and software. In some embodiments, the encryption module 450 may perform various encryption algorithms depending on design constraints and desired tradeoffs. For example, the encryption algorithm may be publicly available, like the SFF-8472 standard. To increase security, the algorithm may use a sufficiently long encryption key to ensure against attacks such as brute-force attacks that analyze unencrypted and encrypted data set pairs. An encryption algorithm having a relatively simple implementation may be selected in view of the frequently limited computational power and memory available in an optical transceiver. A block cipher, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (“AES”), which has been standardized by the U.S. government, may be used. See Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 197, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Nov. 26, 2001. The AES cipher may work with 128-bit data sets and can use keys of length 128, 192 or 256 bits.
[0037] The controller delivers the data received from the encryption module 450 through an out-of-band transmission UART 416 to the laser driver 406 . Embodiments of the invention also contemplate out-of-band data being produced in whole or in part, by the host device and transferred across the I2C bus 414 to the controller 424 . Thus, out-of-band data may derive from multiple sources including a host device, or directly from functions performed within a transceiver.
[0038] The laser driver 406 encodes the out-of-band data received from the controller 424 onto the driving signal for driving the TOSA 410 and ultimately a laser 428 such that out-of-band data is modulated together with a high-speed data signal which is then output as an outgoing double modulated optical signal from the TOSA 410 .
[0039] Optical data is received by the transceiver 400 at the ROSA 418 . The optical data may be an incoming double modulated optical signal that includes both high-speed data and out-of-band data. The optical signal is converted to an electronic signal by the ROSA 418 . The post amplifier 420 extracts high-speed electronic data which is then fed to a high-speed output port 422 where the high-speed data is made available to a host device in which the transceiver 400 is installed. A decoder 426 extracts out-of-band data from an electronic signal generated by a photodiode current monitor 430 in the ROSA 518 which is then fed into an out-of-band reception UART 424 to the encryption module 450 for decryption. The decoder 526 may also include demodulation functionality when the out-of-band data has been modulated using some modulation technique. The out-of-band data, in this example, is modulated at some low frequency. Low frequency as used in this context does not specify any defined bandwidth other than a bandwidth lower than the high-speed data.
[0040] In this example, the encryption module 450 may utilize a public/private key encryption scheme upon initial communication with a remote transceiver. In public/private key cryptography, separate keys are used to encrypt and decrypt a message. The encryption key (public key) need not be kept secret and can be published. The decryption or private key must be kept secret to maintain confidentiality.
[0041] In some embodiments, the high speed data received from the host device in which the transceiver 400 is installed may also be encrypted using a public/private key encryption scheme. In such embodiments, the encryption module 450 may be configured to access the high speed data received at high-speed transmit port 402 . Alternatively, a separate encryption module may access the high speed data received at high-speed transmit port 402 . The encryption module will use the encryption key to encrypt the high-speed data before sending it to the remote transceiver. As will be appreciated, the encrypted high-speed data may also be doubled modulated with the encrypted out-of-band data using the out-of band methods previously described.
[0042] In addition, the transceiver 400 may also receive encrypted data from the remote transceiver. In such cases, the encryption module 450 or some other encryption module, may access the received encrypted data and may use a private key to decrypt the data prior to sending it to the host. Of course, the transceiver 400 may also decrypt any out-of-band data that has been modulated onto the received encrypted data using the methods previously described.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method that may be used for implementing an encryption scheme via out-of-band communication between transceiver modules. The local transceiver and the remote transceiver initialize 500 out-of-band communication. Next, via out-of-band communication, the transceivers exchange 505 authentication information, which may involve the use of public/private keys. The encryption method may be a portion of code or logic designed to encrypt a data string according to a particular encryption algorithm. Generally speaking, any cryptography algorithm that has been or will be created can be implemented as the particular encryption algorithm. To improve the strength of authentication, the algorithm key size used by the encryptors can be 128 bits or larger.
[0044] Once the encrypted out-of-band communication channel has been established 510, any number of encryption schemes may be independently implemented by the transceiver modules. The out-of-band encrypted communication channel may be used to exchange secure communications-related information between the transceivers.
[0045] The transceivers may be programmed to change 515 the out-of-band encryption key. A transceiver module may randomly generate a new encryption key which is known only to the transceiver which it is in communication with, and unknown to anyone else including the module manufacturer. The new encryption key may be generated within a local transceiver and communicated out-of-band to a remote transceiver, thereby obviating the need to disclose the key to any other network component, including the host. Only the communicating transceiver modules know the encryption key being used at any given point. Since the new encryption key is independently generated with the transceivers and not predetermined or preprogrammed by a module manufacturer, the possibility that the new encryption key would be intercepted is significantly reduced if not eliminated.
[0046] Further, the process of independently changing the encryption key may be repeated as often as is necessary to ensure network security. A transceiver module may be programmed to change the encryption key on a periodic or random basis. When an unauthorized user attempts to gain access to the network by deciphering the encryption key, a new encryption key may be randomly generated and implemented, rendering the unauthorized user's deciphered key useless.
[0047] The encrypted out-of-band communication channel may also be used to change 520 the encryption scheme of the high-speed data being transmitted between the modules. Again, the encryption key may be changed as often as necessary to prevent an unauthorized user from gaining access to the network or to the data being communicated over by the transceiver or for other reasons, including a predetermined schedule for changing keys.
[0048] Securing communication may also include changing 525 the wavelength of the high speed data signal. This can be achieved using the encrypted out-of-band communication channel. In fiber-optic applications, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is a technology which multiplexes multiple optical carrier signals on a single optical fiber by using different wavelengths of light to carry different signals. This allows for a multiplication in capacity, in addition to enabling bidirectional communications over one strand of fiber. WDM enables the utilization of a significant portion of the available fiber bandwidth by allowing many independent signals to be transmitted simultaneously on one fiber, with each signal located at a different wavelength. WDM is a form of frequency division multiplexing (FDM) but is commonly known in the art as wavelength division multiplexing.
[0049] Utilizing principles of the present invention in a WDM-capable network, an encrypted out-of-band communication channel may be used by the transceiver modules to change the wavelength on which the high-speed data resides. Changing the particular wavelength of the high-speed data signal helps to ensure secure communications. Where an unauthorized user had surreptitiously gained access to a signal on a particular wavelength, changing the wavelength on which that signal resides would cause the unauthorized user to lose access to the signal and the data contained within that signal.
[0050] The efforts of an unauthorized user may be further obfuscated by fabricating false data on the remaining wavelengths on the fiber. Transmitting false or “decoy” data on the remaining wavelengths further ensures the security of the data because only the communicating transceivers know the particular wavelength on which the real high-speed data resides. The decoy data on the unused wavelengths may also be encrypted with a different encryption key which would have the effect of further confusing an authorized user attempting to gain access to the high-speed data. Similar to the process of changing the encryption key, the process of changing the wavelength on which the high-speed data resides may be performed as often as is necessary to maintain the security of the network.
[0051] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
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Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for securing data transmission in networks. Embodiments of the invention further relate to encryption methods that dynamically adjust during the course of data transmission. Further, the encryption methods can adapt dynamically without user intervention. In one embodiment, an encryption scheme can be established, controlled, and monitored via out-of-band communication between transceiver modules.
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PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/656,661 filed on Jun. 7, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sales and the sales community function optimally when there is accountability for daily activities of sales agents within said community. The setting of income goals and the development of regimens of daily activity to achieve those goals are the universal staples of the sales world.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
[0004] FIGS. 1-15 illustrate principles of at least one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0005] Embodiments of the invention may be operational with numerous general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
[0006] Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer and/or by computer-readable media on which such instructions or modules can be stored. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
[0007] Embodiments of the invention may include or be implemented in a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computer. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.
[0008] According to one or more embodiments, the combination of software or computer-executable instructions with a computer-readable medium results in the creation of a machine or apparatus. Similarly, the execution of software or computer-executable instructions by a processing device results in the creation of a machine or apparatus, which may be distinguishable from the processing device, itself, according to an embodiment.
[0009] Correspondingly, it is to be understood that a computer-readable medium is transformed by storing software or computer-executable instructions thereon. Likewise, a processing device is transformed in the course of executing software or computer-executable instructions. Additionally, it is to be understood that a first set of data input to a processing device during, or otherwise in association with, the execution of software or computer-executable instructions by the processing device is transformed into a second set of data as a consequence of such execution. This second data set may subsequently be stored, displayed, or otherwise communicated. Such transformation, alluded to in each of the above examples, may be a consequence of, or otherwise involve, the physical alteration of portions of a computer-readable medium. Such transformation, alluded to in each of the above examples, may also be a consequence of, or otherwise involve, the physical alteration of, for example, the states of registers and/or counters associated with a processing device during execution of software or computer-executable instructions by the processing device.
[0010] As used herein, a process that is performed “automatically” may mean that the process is performed as a result of machine-executed instructions and does not, other than the establishment of user preferences, require manual effort.
1.1. Intent
[0011] One or more embodiments of the invention may be referred to herein as “PODs,” “the PODs application,” or the like. By allowing users to define their products, activities, and User (e.g., Agent, as used in an exemplary embodiment discussed hereinafter) success factors, an embodiment may allow organizations and individuals utilizing the PODs application to author income goals that dial down into specific and user selected activities, monitor and input those activities in real time, gauge activity success against goals and team, communicate and coach Agents in success strategies, more accurately gauge performance and time investment in activities, and to encourage a stronger sense of personal and team accountability for the many daily tasks that make up a sales person's process.
[0012] Viewed as a system of ‘Pods,’ each of which is a grouping of ‘Agents’ under a ‘Manager,’ all parties (note: all Managers may be Agents, each with their own profile, but all Agents are not necessarily Managers) are enabled to view the team performance as well as individual performance relative to the goals set and the results generated—with a special emphasis on the Manager's ability to see more deeply into each individual Agent and for the individual Agent to see their own progress/history to the finest detail. This team based system of accountability for activity tracking and performance may enable more efficient sales activity, be a value add to Managers and Agents alike and via an ability to aggregate a ‘Pod's’ performance/results into a Manager's own presented numbers (if said Manager is a member of another pod as an Agent himself) may allow the PODs system to represent organizations of great simplicity or great complexity as is needed by clientele.
1.2. Value Proposition
[0013] Different users may see different value in the PODs system:
Agents may enjoy the increased ability to project earnings. Agents may enjoy the competitive framework of the Pods—creating a stronger sense of team. Ability to organize, schedule and manage activities. Agents may enjoy the improved coaching PODs enables Managers to provide. Agents may enjoy the clarity which PODs gives to their activities results—enabling them to define more clearly what a wise investment of energy and time is. Managers may enjoy the crystal clear picture of business operations that real-time PODs activity provides. Managers may enjoy the ability to find the holes and weak spots in their sales organization with minimal effort. Managers may enjoy a much improved ability to estimate and gauge activity. Managers may enjoy the ability, once team data has been amassed, to leverage performance much more accurately from team members. Managers may enjoy the ability to develop team members to be much more accountable with their activity leading to less waste and greater efficiency. All may enjoy the added ability to have the team and the office with them no matter where business takes them. All may enjoy the clarity of communication PODs enables by taking much of the ambiguity and guesswork out of assessing the sales process and individual performance. All may enjoy the reduction in waste and the ability to focus in on achieving results—with each party able to do so as is reflective of their relative strengths or weaknesses. Well defined, repeatable, intuitive goal setting and activity scheduling system.
1.3. Functionality
[0028] The functionality of an embodiment may include:
1.3.1. All Sales Activities May be Definable as Dollar Amounts
[0029] Because all sales activity fits somewhere within this expression, “commissions=revenues=sales=opportunities=contacts=leads=lead production,” a dollar amount can thus be attached to any and all sales activity. By creating an environment in which these attributes and value relationships are defined, an embodiment can enable Agents and Managers to define which amounts of activity are required to meet specific income goals.
1.3.2. All Activities are Traceable to Results
[0030] With all sales activities now tied directly to income goals and thus to revenue generation, what remains as unknown is the relationship of those anticipated results to reality and to a Manager's ability to inspect what is expected. By serving beyond goal setting, an embodiment may allow Agents and Managers to account for all activity by requiring daily input of results and achievement from each participant. This, when viewed across a team, allows Managers a never before seen view of team performance as tied to efforts and allows individual Agents an accountability to themselves and their commitments which has been previously left to each sales person's own responsibility.
[0000] 1.3.3. All Participants Benefit from Group Accountability
[0031] Through the use of a shared view of activities, the system creates an ‘office’ environment that extends into the field—an embodiment does so by creating PODs. A Pod (defined more fully later), is a grouping of Agents under a Manager—their activity and results viewable to the team and the details of all work efforts viewable to the manager, ensuring the best possible chance of a Manager having a realistic view of his team's activity and the team the best possible chance of maintaining a realistic view of their progress.
[0000] 1.4. Initial Launch vs. Universal Functionality
[0032] By way of example, in an embodiment, upon launch, the target Client of the PODs system is Farmers® Insurance. Our ability to succeed may be largely determined by our ability to speak to their particular style, language, systems, and needs. With that said, as an embodiment finds traction within Farmers® we want to be able to re-release with minimal modifications to a larger audience, new verticals, and different approaches to the business of sales.
[0033] An embodiment Product may thus include support for more than one Client and entry of those new clients may be executed directly into the database. Part of the entry of Client data may include entering terms and other data points that may be used by that Client.
[0034] To support new Clients when they are later added to the system, we support the following in the Product:
1. Naming of the hierarchical levels of Managers in the interface. For Farmers®, it's District Manager, Managing Agents, Agents. For a company like Mary Kay, there may be an infinite number of levels of Independent Business Owner. 2. The ability to name all of the Activities and Results. 3. The ability to name all of the Product Lines and Products. 4. The ability to configure new Security Codes to be used with the Client. 5. The ability to deploy graphics and configurations so that users logging into the Client's portal may see appropriate revision of the interface for the Client.
[0040] In the following section of core models you may find several items marked with notes on universal functionality vs. Product/Farmers® functionality.
2. Models
[0041] This section describes various models and functions in the system independent of the particular interfaces. Later in the document we may describe how users specifically interact.
2.1. PODs User Types
[0042] There may be several types of “users” of the PODs application according to an embodiment:
2.1.1. Visitors
[0043] Visitors are public users who do not have an account and who cannot log into the site—their holding page, the marketing site, is within the scope of development but may be extremely basic with optionally advantageously the login functionality, linking to the subscription functionality, and the static content of the marketing page, which may be provided by IPS fully rendered. When arriving at the site they are confronted by a welcoming page of some graphic sophistication that reveals very little about the site. Any and all attempts to enter the site may result in either a) their inputting of a password and login (redirect to one of the classes below) or b) their encountering of a contact page—encouraging them to enable an IPS team member to contact them regarding the PODs system.
[0044] The initial release may be aimed primarily at initial customers who have been sold via direct business development efforts.
[0045] However, there may be additional content that is part of a marketing site that may assist with marketing and sales efforts.
[0046] However, until such a time that the application is ready to re-release with a broader market approach in mind, the system may be available optionally advantageously by invite of IPS and or direct referral to IPS by members.
2.1.2. Agents
[0047] Agents are the primary user type. Agents are the sales people who are performing Activities in order to get Results.
2.1.3. Owned Agents (CSRs)
[0048] Owned Agents are an assistant to an Agent. Owned Agents perform activities on an Agent's behalf. Their activities and results reflect upwards to the Agent. When setting up a new user they may be established as being ‘Owned’. Owned Agents may not be able to:
Set Goals and Plans Calendaring
2.1.4. Managers
[0051] Managers are Agents who manage other Agents and Owned Agents and who have access to a vast array of settings and increased permissions. They have all the same abilities as an Agent plus abilities not accessible to Agents. All of these additional abilities and permissions are accessed through the ‘Managers’ button from the navigation, including the Manager settings.
2.1.5. PODs Administrators
[0052] PODs Administrators (Admins) are IPS employees or contractors who are authorized to perform any and all administrative functions on the site.
2.2. Organization
[0053] There may be several relationship structures between Managers, Agents and Owned Agents.
[0054] The first and most basic is between Agents and Owned Agents. Owned Agents are owned by a single Agent.
[0055] The second is an N-tier management hierarchy. Managers own other users who themselves are Managers and/or Agents. Remember that every Manager is automatically also an Agent. The bottom tier of the hierarchy is users who are Agents only, i.e., they do not manage other Agents. They may own Owned Agents.
[0056] Some notes on this:
[0000] Everyone but the Owned Agent is an Agent in the system whether they want to use the Agent capability or not.
[0057] When a user is subscribed, they do so as a Manager or Agent (with no Manager capabilities). New users and existing users can input a Manager Code that establishes their direct manager. This places them in the management hierarchy.
2.3. Naming, Org Structure and Farmer's Terminology
[0058] The system is capable of supporting naming of levels of the hierarchy and particular roles. It may also be able to control the number of levels of hierarchy. The Product may be able to specifically support Farmers® but may provide core models for additional levels, naming that can be set in the database.
[0059] Farmers® may have three levels of hierarchy and may use specific terminology for each level:
District Manager Managing Agent Agent
[0063] As of the current design, there is no difference in functionality for a Managing Agent and a District Manager. In other words, for the Product, there is really no concept of a District Manager and the term is never used.
[0064] Additionally they have the following terminology:
CSR—is an Owned Agent
2.4. Pods
[0066] A Pod is a grouping of Users managed by a Manager. They are viewable as a team through a Pod page and that page works as a portal for the Manager to access his Pod's members' individual pages. The following basic rules should provide the overview necessary to further understanding of Pod use in the system.
1) Pods are not users. The Pod does not set goals and membership in a Pod does not affect goals an Agent may have. They are used for organizing Agents only. 2) A Pod can have as many members as a Manager wants. 3) Only Managers can create Pods, edit their membership, or change Pod settings. 4) Agents, via their Managers, can be in multiple Pods—if it benefits the manager to view them that way. 5) Pods are independent from the goal setting of Agents. Agents can view any Pod where they are a member. Membership is set by the Manager. Thus, each Agent may have a list of Pods that they can see with the exception of the special Pods (All Agents and All Owned Agents).
2.5. Value Models—Activities, Results, and Products:
[0072] One of the optionally advantageous concepts in the PODs system is having Agents set an income goal and then derive the Activities that may lead to achieving those goals.
2.5.1. Goals and Plans, Calendar, Actuals
[0073] One optionally advantageous aspect to all of this is that the system may track things at three levels:
Goals and Plans—these are the upfront Goals and Plans that are established by users. The Goals are income goals. Plans are a set of monthly Activities that may be done in order to reach income goals. Calendar—these are the Activities for a given month that have been specifically planned for that month. They correspond to Goals and Plans. Actuals—these are the Activities and Results that have occurred during the month as reported by the user.
[0078] You can think of Goals and Plans as representing a template; Calendar as being the specific plan for a given month, and Actuals as the actual activities.
2.5.2. Results
[0079] The system may be capable of naming (via database settings) all Results items on a per Client basis.
[0080] For example:
Commission might be called Income by other clients Revenue is called Premiums by Farmers®
2.5.2.1. Commission
[0083] Commissions are the resulting dollars to the Agent that comes from the sales. This is not shown to other users except the Agent and managers of the Agent.
[0084] The calculation of Commission is described below in the Products section.
2.5.2.2. Sale and Revenue
[0085] A Sale is a closed sale (customer transaction) recorded in the system. Revenue is the dollar amount that has resulted from the Sale. Revenue is shown to other users. At Farmers® these are known as Premiums. These are directly entered by the user based on a prompt that is part of the system on a Product Line/Product basis.
[0086] For example, at Farmers® Premiums may be entered for:
Whole Life—Monthly Premium Commercial—Annual Premium
2.5.2.3. Opportunity
[0089] An Opportunity is a specific opportunity with a potential customer. It may be made up of one or more Products being suggested to the customer at a proposed amount. At Farmers® the product/amount is called a Quote.
[0090] As example Opportunity:
Customer Name: John Jones Quote 1: Whole Life—$500 Quote 2: Auto—$300
2.5.3. Product and Product Type
[0094] Products are items that can be sold by an Agent.
[0095] Product Types are a given class of products. This can be thought of as a two level hierarchy:
[0096] Product Types contain
Products
[0098] Product Types have the following attributes:
Name
[0100] They are defined in the system on a per Client basis, but each Manager can change the list of Product Types and Products.
[0101] Farmers® may likely start with two Product Types (Product Lines):
Personal Commercial
[0104] Products have the following Attributes:
Name Product Type Value String (string used to help user enter values for Commissions). Multiplier Commission Percentage (percentage multiplier to calculate Commission)
[0110] Farmers® may likely start with several Products including:
Auto—Personal—Six Month Premium, ×2 Multiplier, 10% Commission Whole Life—Personal—Monthly Premium, ×12 Multiplier, 50% Commission
[0113] The Value String may be used to prompt the Agent. So for Auto, they may be prompted to enter the “Six Month Premium”. In response, they may enter the Sale Value for a particular Sale.
[0114] The system may take the Sale Value and multiple it by the Multiplier to arrive at the Total Sales Value for the Sale (Premium in Farmers® terminology).
[0115] The Commission for an Agent is the Total Sales Value multiplied by the Commission Percentage. For example, a whole life policy sold for a $100 monthly premium. The user may be prompted with “Monthly Premium” and would enter $100 (the Sales Value). The system would calculate the Total Sales Value as $100*12 (the Multiplier)=>$1,200. The system may calculate their Commission on this sale as $1,200*50%=>$600.
[0116] Agents may be able to see their Commissions. However, other users may only be able to see (in Pods) the Total Sales Value (Premiums).
[0117] When an Opportunity is created, the user may be prompted to create the associated Quotes. Each Quote may include a Product. When that Product is entered, the user may be prompted to enter the Premium and the system may use the prompt text to tell the user what value is expected. When a sale closes, and the user enters the final Premium, the system may use the Commission Percentage multiplied by the Premium to calculate the Commission earned by the Agent.
[0118] The Product may allow naming of Product and Product Type on a per Client basis via database settings. At Farmers®:
Product Type is called a Product Line Products are called Policies
[0121] Product Types and Products may be setup in a baseline for a given client. However, the system may allow Managers to modify the list of products for themselves and everyone in their Management Hierarchy as a new baseline. Additionally, Agents can modify their Product Types and Products.
2.5.4. Activities
[0122] Activities are specific actions that a User can take (outside the system) in order to try to start to make sales. For example, they might make a call to someone from a particular list that might be referred to as “Hot List Calls.”
[0123] Each Activity may have the following attributes:
Product Line Non-income Generating—a flag that indicates this activity does not generate income, therefore the number per opportunity is ignored. For example, some Retention activities might be considered non-income generating. Number Per Opportunity Minutes Per Multiple
[0129] For example:
Hot List Calls; Personal; 10 per Opportunity; 2 minutes per; 1 multiplier 50 Doorknob Hangers; Personal; 2 per Opportunity; 12 minutes per; 50 multiplier
[0132] The Number per Opportunity represents how many on average may be required to complete in order to generate an Opportunity. This Number may be used along with some conversion percentages to calculate planned income.
[0133] The Multiple is used when the Activity has large numbers associated with it. For example, Doorknob hangers may be done in multiples of 50. So when the user records that they've done that activity, they are saying they have done 50 of them. This may make the interface cleaner in the system when recording large numbers of Activities.
[0134] Activities are initially setup for a Client. However, Managers at all levels can make changes to the list of possible Activities.
2.5.5. Commission and Conversion
[0135] Every Product Line may have the following attributes:
Average Opportunity Conversion Rate (calculated) Value per Opportunity
[0139] For example:
Personal —$120; 40%; $48 Commercial —$225; 40%; $90
[0142] The Average Opportunity represents what the average Commission may be from an Opportunity that closes. The Conversion Rate tells us how often we expect an Opportunity may close. The Value per Opportunity is calculated by the system and represents the value of each Opportunity of that Product Type for the user.
[0143] These values may be set up for a Client but can be modified by each Manager in the system.
3. Agent Functionality
3.1. Agent Universals
3.1.1. Color Codes
[0144] An embodiment may use Color Codes in the interface to signify completion status. The color code is a simple reflection of the percentage of goal completed—green may indicate 100% completion. Yellow (amber) for 66% or above. Red for below 66%. Final percentages (and color choices) may be set in the database to be used on a system wide basis.
[0145] For Color Codes on Weekly and Monthly numbers, the system may use completion-to-date to calculate. So, if we are on a day that is mid-week, then we may look at how many were planned to be completed to that point during the week, and how many were actually completed to that point to do the Color Code calculation.
3.1.2. Primary Navigation
[0146] Agents may be able to navigate to all of the functions within the interface.
[0147] Navigation may include:
Home Stats Activity/Results Entry Coaching Forum Pods/Pods View Annual Planning Monthly Calendaring Owned Agents Settings/Preferences
3.1.3. Pop-Up Reminders
[0157] There are special reminders that cause pop-ups to occur when the user comes to any page of the system and the reminder is required. An example is the Monthly Calendaring reminder. This may continue to appear to the user until they complete Calendaring.
[0158] These reminders are defined in the Notifications section.
3.2. Agent Home
[0159] The Agent Home page may contain:
Navigation that allows navigation to Home, Pods, Coaching, and other aspects. Summary Data View—see below Notifications Area—view of recent activity such as activities in Pods, Coaching Forum. These may link to the appropriate pages where details can be found. In the Product, this may not be real-time updated. In other words, the user must refresh the screen to see new updates come through. Activity Entry—see below Results Entry—see below
[0165] Conceptually, FIG. 1 depicts a home page.
3.3. Agent Summary Data View
[0166] The Agent Summary Data View may be similar to the line items shown in the Manager's Agent Summary Report. This is conceptually shown in FIG. 2 .
[0167] In addition to this information, the Agent may see:
Commissions Income Goal
[0170] At a glance, the Agent may be able to see how they are doing this month and may be able to see similar information to what is shown in Pods about them.
3.4. Agent Detail Data View
[0171] The Agent Detail Data View may be similar to the Manager Agent Details Report—see that Section for Details.
[0172] Like the Manager, the Agent may be able to select a Time Period to show and a Comparison set (Time/Agents). They also may have the navigation via the Calendar control.
[0173] In an embodiment, unlike the Manager, Agents may not be able to choose other Agents to display.
3.5. Activity Entry
[0174] Activity Entry may be used to enter Activity information for the current date and look around at other days to see additional Activity plans. FIG. 3 depicts an Activity Entry.
[0175] The display may be for the current day, but the user can use the date control to navigate to other days. Details on what is seen for days other than the current day are described below.
[0176] Activities may be listed first according to product line and then based on the order that is the number planned for the month. For example, an Activity that has 100 planned for the month appears ahead of one that has 90 planned for the month.
[0177] Activities may be entered through a simple +/−. Clicking “+” may add one to the Activity Count for the day. A check mark may appear next to an Activity when all have been completed for the Day.
[0178] The display shows what is planned for the day. It may also have columns that show how an Agent is doing for the week and the month. It shows the current count to date and the total planned. It also Color Codes these values so that deficiencies on a week-to-date and month-to-date are indicated.
[0179] There is a graph next to each line item that shows the planned number for each activity for the current day and the following 6 days. As the user records activities, the current day in the graph may fill up. If a user works ahead (more than the number of activities), the graph may indicate completion of future planned activities.
[0180] For weeks that split a month, the week goal may show for the week including days that span the month. In other words, it may span both months.
[0181] If the user does not enter Activities before midnight on a particular day, then the user can no longer record Activities for that day. If there was a gap for the day, the system may always show the day as incomplete. The gap can be closed for the week by making up the activity, but gaps cannot be closed after the date. For example, if you fail to close the gap on the last day of the month, the week and month may always show a gap.
[0000] The Agent may be able to record a “Note” (small text entry) on a given day that explains what happened. The note can be viewed in the Agent Detail Report when you are looking at that day in the interface. Later versions may categorize those notes.
[0182] Activities that have no planned counts may be listed at the bottom. All entries may show on the Activity Entry screen unless they are specifically removed from the Activity Roster for this user.
[0183] When a user has entered Activities beyond their planned activity count for a given day, the system still records that the activity happened on the current day, but the extra activities are credited towards future plans. For example, if a user completes 3 activities on Tuesday and only needed to complete 2, then Tuesday may show 3/2 (assuming that the two required for that day are complete). And Wednesday, the next day may show one less required.
[0184] They may be able to see this reflected in the numbers and the graph. They may also see it reflected in the counts on days in the future. For example, the FIG. 4 shows a conceptual view of day where prior days had extra work done.
[0185] The system shows that while 0 have been completed for the Cold Call (CC) activity on this day, prior days have effectively produced 2 for this day and thus it is complete. Note: the visual should indicate a check mark next to CC to show that it is considered completed for the day.
[0186] Activities may only be entered for the current day. If the user navigates to a future date, they may be able to see what is planned for that day, but may not be able to enter Activities via the +/− on that day. Activities may be always entered for the current date. This is illustrated in FIG. 5
3.6. Result Entry
[0187] On the Home Page, there may be easily accessible buttons that allow the user to enter New Opportunity, Record a Sale, and Review Opportunities. Each of these may result in access to the following functionality:
3.6.1. New Opportunity
[0188] The Agent may be asked to enter the following values:
Prospect/Opportunity Name, e.g., John Smith List of Quotes
Product (drop down list) Premium (dollar entry based on prompt for product)
Source Activity—Drop down list of Activities. They may choose the Activity that produced this Opportunity. They can also choose Other and then
Other—text entry to say what the source was.
[0195] For each Quote in the New Opportunity, they may be given an increase in Quote Count for the month.
[0196] The system may offer some kind of virtual “pat on the back” (i.e., reward/award) when an opportunity is entered to the entering party.
3.6.2. Record a Sale
[0197] When the user chooses to Record a Sale, they may first choose from list of Opportunities that are Open or enter a Sale with no associated Opportunity.
[0198] User can enter a Sale that does not have an Opportunity associated. This may happen a lot as they first start to use the system. They get a Sale this month that did not result from an opportunity in the system. They can still tell the system the type of activity.
[0199] Whether they choose an existing Opportunity or Record a Sale with no Opportunity, they may have the ability to change the values associated with the Opportunity/Sale. This includes all of the information above in the Opportunity that includes the Name, Quotes, Source Activity.
[0200] The system may recalculate values based on this, but the Sale is considered to be final when they “Close” it.
[0201] As with the entry of a new Opportunity, the interface may be designed to give the user some kind of Good feeling—reward/award—something for closing the sale. Obviously the monthly income goes up.
3.6.3. Review Opportunities
[0202] This may bring up a list of existing Opportunities. From this list, the user may be able to:
Edit the Opportunity Close a Sale Record No Sale
[0206] The Agent can choose to view Opportunities that have been Sold or had No Sale by choosing an option in the interface.
[0207] Once a week the system may remind users to Review Opportunities. See Notifications for details.
3.7. Coaching Forum
[0208] The coaching tool for one-on-one forum with their Manager. FIG. 6 represents it visually.
[0209] This tool functions as a ‘wall’—similar to a bulletin board. Each comment may include:
Photo Name Date Time (not shown in graphic) Comment (up to 170 characters)
[0215] New comments are entered via a field at the bottom.
[0216] New comments cause a notification email to be sent to the other users involved in this Forum. In the case of the coaching tool it's the Manager or the Agent.
[0217] Additional existing comments can be viewed by clicking View Older Posts. When used, it then scrolls down in the list and View Newer Posts and View Older Posts buttons appear top and bottom.
3.8. Daily Dashboard
[0218] The Daily Dashboard provides a small bit of wisdom to Agents probably located on their Home Page, but possibly on other pages as well. These bits of sales wisdom (text up to 400 characters with simple HTML formatting) may be supplied by IPS and entered into the system database. Quotes may rotate each day. In other words, one quote may be shown for the day to all agents across all clients.
3.9. Pods View
[0219] Agents may be placed into Pods by their Managers. Users may be able to use the navigation to get to view any of the Pods where they are a member. For now, we assume that this may be a list of Pods available to the user through the navigation.
[0220] There are two default Pods. All Agents (Managers Only) and All Owned Agents (Managers and Agents). These two Pods may not be visible to the Agents and to the Owned Agents. They may be only visible to the owning Manager.
[0221] Pods are represented by:
Name—set by the Manager Owning Manager
[0224] Each Pod is a list of the Agents (or Owned Agents) and some basic data.
Their picture and name Agency Name and Location Number of CSRs—an integer value associated with each Agent that tells us how many CSRs work in the Agency. Links to Email, Phone and Address The main content for the Agent may be data for
Premiums vs. Goal Quotes vs. Goal Opportunities vs. Goals Activity Completion vs. Goals
[0234] Users may be able to Sort Pods and see different information in lots of different ways.
[0235] By Time Period:
Today This Week This Month This Quarter This Year
[0241] This compares the data using To-date values. In other words, viewing This Week may show what has been completed to-date for the week. Note: an embodiment may use Monday—Sunday as the week in the application. These may be identical values to what is shown on the Agent Summary Report.
[0242] Sorting Factors—these can be changed by the user via interface controls:
Take into Account number of CSRs On/Off—when this is on, then divide Premiums Rank by Total vs. Completion Percentage
[0245] Sort/Rank By:
Premiums Quotes Opportunities Activity
[0250] All of the above criteria may be remembered on a per user/Pod basis so that it may be used again when the user returns to the Pod.
[0251] There is a special Pod for Owned Agents (CSRs) that exists for each Agent that has created at least one Owned Agent. This may show the information for all Owned Agents. Owned Agents are never placed in the same Pod as other Agents.
[0252] There may be a link next to each Owned Agent that may allow the Agent to bring up the Coaching Forum for that Owned Agent.
[0253] FIG. 7 illustrates an early comp for the Pod View.
3.9.1. Pod Forum
[0254] The Pod Forum is identical to the Coaching Forum except that comments can be made by the Manager of the Pod and all members of the Pod.
3.10. Annual Planning
[0255] The overall concept here is that Annual Goals and Plans represent a template for the income goals and activity plans for users that may occur on a monthly basis. It is expected that this may be done on an annual or semi-annual basis.
[0256] Each month, the Annual Goals and Plans may be used as the basis for planning the activities for that month as is shown below in Calendaring.
3.10.1. Step 0—Define Annual/Monthly Revenue Goal
[0257] The user may be instructed that the system is designed to help them achieve an annual income goal. We ask them to input an average monthly income goal. We may show on the screen what that translates into for an Annual income (×12).
[0258] The screen may also tell the user that monthly income may vary each month based on number of working days, but the system is designed to help them achieve their annual goal.
3.10.2. Step 1—Define Work Schedule and Working Days Per Month
[0259] Users may next be asked to help the system by telling us about days in which they may perform PODs Activities. The intent here is that users may tell us enough information that the system can determine the number of working days each year and the average number of working days each month. It may also find out about their general calendar.
[0260] FIG. 8 represents a rough wireframe for this. The terminology for Personal and Vacation days may be changed slightly so that the system asks for the maximum number that they expect to take this coming year.
[0261] Agents may be able to enter either:
a. What days they may perform Daily Activities and other pertinent information, OR b. providing a specific number of days per month. They may be strongly warned not to tell us the number of days per month unless they really do not have any kind of set schedule. If they choose this option, they may then be forced to manually calendar all activities.
[0264] The number of Holidays may be a system default based on the Client that can be changed by the user.
[0265] The average number of Daily Working days per month may be calculated and may change based on each input. It may be presented as a rounded number to one decimal place, i.e., 20.7 days per month.
[0266] This page may contain another set of inputs for each Owned Agent (OA).
[0267] A Proceed button may be available at the bottom of the long page.
3.10.3. Step 2—Define Activities
[0268] FIG. 9 represents a rough wireframe of this Step.
[0269] At the top, the user may see the status of the Activity Plan and may have different operations available based on the status. The Status may be:
Draft (New)—this is the first time and no Commit has been done to an Annual Plan Committed—a Commit operation has occurred and no Draft has been created since that point Draft (w/ Prior Committed Copy)—a Commit operation has occurred and the user is also working on a Draft plan that would modify the Committed plan.
[0273] A Commit is the way the user may indicate that they want to save and commit to the plan.
[0274] A Draft represents a new Annual Plan. It may be worked on and stored in the database as changes are made until the user chooses either:
Commit Plan—saves the plan over the prior Committed Plan and it becomes the Plan going forward starting with the next calendar month. Delete Plan—deletes the Draft Plan
[0277] At the top of this page, the system may tell the user and provide the following operations:
You are working on a Draft Plan: Commit or Delete. —OR— You have a Committed Plan as of <date>. Create New Draft Plan.
[0280] When the user commits a plan, their manager (if there is one) may be notified that a new Plan has been Committed.
[0281] Immediately below the top region, there may be an area that shows the Revenue Goal on a monthly basis, how much of that goal has been met so far based on Planned Activities, and the gap between Planned and Goal.
[0282] It shows the numbers broken down for the Agency as a whole, for you and for Owned Agents (CSRs) broken down by Product Line.
[0283] The system shows revenue goal including product line goals and has places that show how much your Activities may contribute to those as well as the current gap.
[0284] The conceptual wireframe may need to be corrected such that there are only two Product Lines: Personal and Commercial.
[0285] Below the goals area of the screen, there may be a region that allows you to quickly jump to yourself or any of your Owned Agents (CSRs) in the bottom scrollable area.
[0286] The bottom scrollable area may be a big region that has one area for your plans and the one for each Owned Agent. For each of these people, it may show planned Revenue and Quotes based on Activities.
[0287] Below that it may have one line for each Activity. The user can choose to enter +/− next to any of the items:
[0288] Each activity may have a choice of:
Daily—this adds one to each of the planned working days for that person. In other words, clicking + next to a Daily for Defector List would add one to M, Tu, Th, F—the working days for You. Working Days—a +/− on a particular working day just adds one to that day. This would allow you to say that you plan to do 2 on Tu and 4 on Thu. Manual/Monthly—a +/− on this just adds to this number. You may need to manually schedule these things each month.
[0292] Each update to Activities may result in appropriate, dynamic updates everywhere on the screen. Specifically, it may change your expected number of quotes, income on a product line basis, and overall income at the top of the page.
[0293] All of this is based on a simple formula using average number of days per month * value of each activity.
[0294] The bottom section continues down the scrollable region where you can assign Activities to OAs (CSRs).
[0295] Owned Agents do not have specific Revenue Goals. Instead their Goals may come bottoms-up based on Activity Plans. In other words, there may be planned Revenue based on their Planned Activities.
[0296] Everything that is not assigned to an OA is by default a Goal or Plan assigned to yourself as an Agent. It starts this step with all Goals coming from the Agent, but it begins to spread out based on Activities being assigned to OAs.
3.11. Monthly Calendaring
[0297] This is done each month where the Goals and Plans feed into the specific calendar of activities for that month. The first time, this is done as part of a larger process that represents the fourth step in the process described above. However, the user may be prompted to move to this activity. It may not necessarily show them this as the next step. After the first time, this is done towards the end of each prior month. There are special notifications and prompts to remind users that they need to complete their Monthly Calendaring for the following month. See Notifications for details.
[0298] Users who are doing this for the first time may be prompted by the system that doing this mid-month may cause their first month to be a bit weird. The number of working days may be calculated based on the current date and numbers may be lower because of that.
[0299] The system may automatically populate each month with the appropriate values based on the current Annual Plan when the user firsts visits that month for Planning Once they have modified that month, committing a new Annual Plan may not affect the plan for the month.
[0300] FIG. 10 represents a rough wireframe of the Monthly Calendaring interface.
[0301] The left column of the interface contains information about the currently selected person with the default being You as an Agent. This column contains:
The name of the person that is currently being planned. A commit button (Not shown) that saves the plan for the month and checks off that person in the right column. The income goal pro-rated for the month based on working days. A list of Monthly/Manual Activities yet to be assigned to a particular day, e.g., Rotary Club meeting. The currently selected Day. A check box that can mark that day as working or not working If the user changes a day to be a working day, Daily Activities may automatically be added to that day. If the user changes it to a non-working Day, all Activities may be removed from that day. A list of Activities for that Day with the ability to +/− those activities.
[0309] The right column of the interface contains:
Agency Income Goal—this is pro-rated based on working days that particular month Mini-Calendar—this shows the working days that month for the currently selected person. It may visually indicate both of the following:
Working/Not Working Days Days with Modifications from the baseline plan, i.e., you've done some +/− on those days.
You and all of your OAs (CSRs). You can select a person to begin to work on their calendar. This also shows whether the person has been reviewed and committed in the left column.
[0315] This interface may be available to the user at any time in the system. Values may only be changed for days later than today. It may change those days and the overall plan for the month.
[0316] Values shown for income and required Monthly/Manual activities may be updated appropriately based on input of Activities for the month.
[0317] For activities that have large counts, e.g., Doorknob hangers. The activity may be “Hang 50 Doorknob Hangers”. The system may have a setting that is an integer representing how much that activity goes up with each +. In this case, each + indicates 50 being done. 4 of them indicates 200 may need to be done.
[0318] When an OAs plan is committed, the OA may be notified via email of an updated/committed plan.
3.11.1. Forced Calendaring
[0319] On the first day of the month, if the user has not completed their Monthly Calendaring for themselves and all of their Owned Agents, they may be forced to go into that part of the application and complete it before they can move on in the system. At a minimum, the user may need to hit Commit next to themselves and each Owned Agent in order to accept the default Activities for the month.
3.12. Owned Agent Reports
[0320] At any time, the Agent may be able to see Reports for their Owned Agents (CSRs) that are the same as what is available to Managers (see below).
3.13. Agent Settings
[0321] The following are Settings the Agent can make in the system.
3.13.1. User Data
[0322] They can see/edit the same set of information they entered at sign-up:
Email Phone Address Agency Name Number of CSRs Photo
3.13.2. Create/Edit/Delete Owned Agents
[0329] Agents may be able to Create/Edit/Delete Owned Agents. The information here is the same as in the creation of Owned Agents during Subscription.
3.13.3. Manager
[0330] Users may be able to change/add a Manager by entering the Manager Code. This may place that Agent under the Manager. This may occur when a user has signed up and subscribed, and later the Manager above that Agent signs up.
3.13.4. Preferences
[0331] Users may be able to set:
Landing Page—Managers may be able to set their preference for a landing page to either have the Agent View or Manager view. Notifications—Agents may select which events may cause notifications to be sent to them. See the Notifications Section below for details.
3.14. Help
[0334] This is where Agents can find a basic help guide provided by IPS to answer user questions. In the Product, this is a static page that can be loaded via the database on a per client basis. Later, as our knowledge of user needs and issues grows we may evolve a more comprehensive help product to assist users with managing their process.
4. Owned Agent Functionality
[0335] Owned Agents have a similar interface and functionality as Agents. They are able to:
Enter Activities and Results See their Calendar, but cannot modify planned Activities. Coaching Tool with their owning Agent. Set limited Preferences that are appropriate to Owned Agents. They may not be able to change their notification preferences for reminders that Activities need to be completed for the day. This may be controlled by the owning Agent. View the Owned Agent Pods (may not be able to view other Pods)
[0341] They may not have access to:
Set Goals and Plans Perform Calendaring
5. Manager Functionality
5.1. Manager Home
[0344] The Manager Home may include a list of recent notifications such as subordinates completion actions, forum posts, etc. Each of these may link to pages in the interface.
[0345] The remaining Manager Home page may be quick links to Pods and Reports.
5.2. Create/Delete Agents—
[0346] In an embodiment, the Manager may not be able to create/delete Agents under them. Instead, they must subscribe and provide the Manager code. Invitations may be done outside the system.
[0347] Instead, the Manager may be able to see lists of Agents and Owned Agents at any time, report on those agents, etc.
5.3. Pods
[0348] Managers' views of a Pod is identical to Agents except:
They may have an Edit button that may allow them to make edits to membership and attributes (Pod Name). They may be able to open the Coaching Forum for the Agent. Each Agent name may navigate to the Agent Detail Report
[0352] Managers can create new Pods, modify Pods and delete Pods with the exception of the default Pods for All Agents and All Owned Agents.
[0353] When the Manager creates a new Pod, they simply need to enter a name for the Pod, choose whether it is for Owned Agents or Agents, and whether the Forum may be active. Then they may be presented with a view that has all Agents (or Owned Agents) listed and check marks to control whether the Agent may be a member of the Pod.
[0354] When an Agent/Owned Agent is added or removed from a Pod, they may receive a notification.
[0355] Editing the Pod uses the same interface. There may be a button for deleting the pod with a confirmation.
5.4. Reporting
[0356] Reporting is a capability that Managers have to accomplish two important tasks:
1. Perform a quick scan of Agents to see who is having issues. They may be looking for symptoms such as:
a. Missing completion of Activities on particular days b. Under delivering Activities for month c. Problems with Conversion numbers—Results
2. Drill down on a specific Agent to see how they are doing and what issues they have. May need:
a. View of days, weeks and month to get sense of how they are doing on Activities b. Drill down on particular days to see what they accomplished that day including seeing notes.
[0364] On the Reporting page, the Manager may be able to choose:
Time Period—Week, Month, Quarter, Year or past Time Period (Week, Month, Quarter, Year) Comparison—A Pod or Prior Time Period
[0367] The Time Periods are all to date, i.e., Week-to-Date, Month-to-Date, etc.
[0368] If they choose a past time period, they may get the entire period chosen (Week, Month, Quarter, Year).
[0369] The Comparison allows them to choose what data to use for comparison (if any). If they choose a Pod (that includes the All Agents Pod), they may see comparison that is the average of that group. When Managers are viewing reports for Owned Agents, they may only be able to use Owned Agent related Pods.
[0370] When viewing a Comparison Time Period and viewing a to-Date report, they may see the data for the same number of days in the prior Time Period. I.e., if you are 45 days into the quarter, you may see a comparison with the numbers for the first 45 days of the prior quarter.
5.4.1. Agent Summary Report
[0371] There are two Agent Summary report views that the Manager can select.
[0372] As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the Manager may first select a given Pod (that can include All Agents and All Owned Agents). The Manager may also be able to choose Time Period and a Comparison set.
[0373] This chart may have one row per Agent (could be all Agents under this Manager or a given Pod).
[0374] Each row may have:
Agent Name—this may be a link to the Agent Detail Report Activities
Number vs. Goal and below it a comparison based on whatever the comparison is. For example, this might be comparing versus last month or against other agents. Note the screen may need to show this. It also might include another line that is the percentage difference (better or worse) than the comparison group. Days/Weeks fully completed Conversion percentage of Activities to Opportunities Opportunity numbers Ratio of Opportunities to Quotes (this would be a number like 1.5—different from example shown in screen above) Quote numbers Quote to Premium conversion Premium numbers
[0385] There is an alternate view of the data that uses charts. The Manager may be able to select the view in the interface. FIG. 12 shows that view.
[0386] This chart shows basically the same information, but visually. It shows:
Activities Completed vs. Goal vs. Comparison Conversion ratio Opportunities completed vs. Goal vs. Comparison Conversion Income vs. Goal vs. Comparison
[0392] It would repeat for each Agent.
5.4.2. Agent Detail Report
[0393] As illustrated in FIG. 13 , this report is for a specific Agent Activity. It uses a similar visual as is done in Calendaring. You can choose the particular Agent via the right side navigation.
[0394] You can see Activities over the given time period and in comparison to the comparison set. You can also drill down to particular days to see activities on that day.
[0395] Selection of Time Period and Comparison may be the same as for the Agent Summary Report.
[0396] The weekly or monthly view depicted as a chart on the lower left may appear next to each activity may show progress.
[0397] While not represented, the report may include Conversion Ratios (and comparison) as is shown in the Agent Summary Report.
5.5. Preferences
[0398] Managers may have preferences that are the same as Agent preferences as described above. They may have additional notification settings available because they are a Manager—see Notifications.
[0399] Managers are able to see:
Manager Code—used to set up manager relationships Client Code—used during registration
5.6. Settings for Product, Activity, Results
[0402] Each Client may have a set of baseline information created for them as may be described in each section below. When a Manager is first created with no Manager above them, e.g., a DM in Farmers®, the Client values may be copies for that Manager and can be modified by the Manager. These modifications may affect that Manager and all of their subordinates. When a Manager is created that has a Manager, they may get a copy of their Manager's current set of values. Similarly, when Agents and Owned Agents are created, a copy is made of their Manager's information. They can then be modified.
[0403] For the Product, these are all copies. If a Manager adds a new Activity to their Activity Roster, their subordinate Agents may be notified. However, they may not get a copy of the Activity. Later versions may include the option for Managers to add that to all subordinates.
5.6.1. Products
[0404] The Product Roster is the set of Product Types and Products that exist in the system as described above (Section 2.5.3).
[0405] Managers can add/edit/delete Product Types and Products for themselves. They may also be shown a list of all of their Agents and Owned Agents and may be able to add/edit/delete for each of them.
5.6.2. Activities
[0406] The Activity Roster is the set of Activities. See the attributes of Activities described in Section 2.5.4.
[0407] Managers can add/edit/delete Activities. Activities that have been removed for an Agent may not appear on the Activity Entry screen. Otherwise, all Activities appear there even if they have no planned Activities. It may be up to the Manager to remove them for the Agent.
[0408] They may also be shown a list of all of their Agents and Owned Agents and may be able to add/edit/delete for each of them.
[0409] By editing on a per-Agent basis, the Manager may be able to set up different expected conversion rates for different Agents.
6. Common Page Elements
6.1. User/Login Block
[0410] The login block may exist in the top right area of the interface at all times.
[0411] Prior to login, it may have inputs for email and password as well as a “forgot password” link. This allows users to enter their email address to retrieve their password.
[0412] Login follows standard interaction patterns. It allows users to enter their email and password and hit the <enter> key or click “login” to log in.
[0413] Hitting enter in the email when the password field is empty changes focus to the password field. Hitting enter while in the password field while the user name is empty changes focus to the email field. Hitting enter when both fields have values, causes Submission. Submission can also be done by clicking the “login” button. Upon Submission the email and password are verified. The email and password are case sensitive and must match exactly.
[0414] Successful login may take a user to 1 of 2 places:
Registered users may go to the previously completed step in the Registration Sequence described in section 5. Members may go to their Agent home page.
[0417] Errors may be reported on a separate page (Login Page).
[0418] The system may have an idle session timer that logs a user off automatically after an amount of time set in the database where the user has had no activity (initially 120 minutes). When the user attempts to navigate after their session has timed out, if they have chosen to remember their password on the computer, then they may be able to log back in automatically and continue. If they do not have their password remembered on the computer, they may be taken to the login page with a message that they have been logged out because of inactivity.
6.2. Footer
[0419] Footer may be comprised of standard copyright data and links to static pages: contact, policies, FAQ, business inquiries, and about.
6.3. Contact Us Form
[0420] The Contact Us link may bring up a Contact Form page. This may include entries for:
Reason: <drop down includes Make Suggestion, Need Help, etc.> Name <filled in for logged in users> Email <filled in for logged in users> Text Entry
[0425] This may result in an email being sent to a given email address with all of the information including when it was submitted. It may also store this in the database for later evaluation.
6.4. Error Message Handling
[0426] All pages that contain input fields may have an error area on the page that allows an error to be reported by the system on the page. Errors may result in showing the same page again with the error.
[0427] Errors may often contain specific information about the error in order to direct the user. For example, “State must be selected. Please select and submit.”
7. Marketing Site—Home Page and Static Pages
[0428] The home page and static pages may be implemented by the development team based on designs to be submitted by IPS, the scope of which may be a landing page with login functionality (the gate to the application) and redirects to contact IPS/purchase a subscription. For our Product our landing page may fit the PODs aesthetic but be functionally minimal, built to match the product output styles and structures.
8. Subscription, Registration and Owned Agent Setup
[0429] For the Product, IPS may take a hands-on approach getting users going in the system. The system may need to support technical setup, subscriptions, etc.
[0430] The system may also support having them go through the Product Lines, Products, Activities. Again, they may be helped through all of this.
8.1. Step 1—Client Security Code
[0431] Every Client may have a Client Security Code. For signing up, you must enter this first when you start the subscription/registration process. If they do not have one, it may indicate they should contact IPS about access to a code.
8.2. Step 2—Subscription and Manager Codes
[0432] Then the system may ask for:
Subscription Code—IPS may be able to enter these manually into the database along with the user information in order to provide users with access without paying. This is an optional value. If a code is not provided by the user, they may be asked for payment information. Manager Code—It may ask whether your Manager provided you with a Manager Code. Again this is an optional value. If none is entered, the system may assume this user is a top most manager.
[0435] The system may validate these codes against the database and provide error message.
[0436] If they provide a matching subscription code, the user skips the next steps because the subscription and payments are set.
8.3. Step 3—Subscription Type
[0437] All users may be asked for what Subscription Type they want according to the list below.
8.3.1. Manager w/5 or More Agents
[0438] This may correspond to District Managers or very large Agencies. This may be a $150/month subscription.
[0000] 8.3.2. Managing Agent w/ less than 5 Agents
[0439] These are ALL Managers who are not DMs and who have their own goals/income settings, but who DO manage people—CSR class or Agent class. These Managers pay $100/mo.
8.3.3. Agent
[0440] All individuals who use the system to chart their activity, but who do not manage other Agents. They can have an unlimited number Owned Agents. This may be a $50 subscription, for example.
[0000] 8.4. Step 5—Enter basic information about user
[0441] As illustrated in FIG. 14 , they may be asked to enter the following information:
Name Email Phone Mobile Number/Carrier for SMS Address Time Zone (selected from list) Photo (select/browse) Agency Name (within Farmers® this may be the name of the individual agency i.e. Taylor Insurance) Number of CSRs (people contributing to your revenue goals) Number of CSRs (owned) Number of Agents (managed)
[0453] The Number of CSRs is asked independent of the number of Owned Agents (CSRs) because that count may be different if the user does not enter information about each Owned Agent.
[0454] Photos may use a simple upload process and may be restricted to a limited set of input types and file sizes.
[0455] After finishing the information request they are welcomed to the system and an email is sent to their email address. The user is told to find it and look for it in spam filters. However, roundtrip is not required to validate the email address.
8.5. Step 6—Setup Owned Agents
[0456] User is able to go through and setup each Owned Agent. As illustrated in FIG. 15 , this consists of entering the same data as was entered above for a user except they may not re-enter:
Agency Name (within Farmers® this may be the name of the individual agency i.e. Taylor Insurance) Number of CSRs (people contributing to your revenue goals)
[0459] The Owned Agent may be sent a welcome email from the system.
9. Mobile Functionality
[0460] The mobile functionality may be a very much reduced version of the application implemented as a web interface (HTML5) that is designed to work at a lower resolution and has lighter weight pages. The site may be designed for a limited width resolution that may accommodate scroll bars.
[0461] The site may recognize mobile users using standard techniques and may bring those users to the mobile version of the application. There may be an option to run the full version of the application from all screens in the mobile version. There may also be a link in the footer of the full version to go to the mobile version.
9.1. Login
[0462] After recognizing the device as a mobile device, the user may be taken to a login page. At that page, they may provide their email and password. If the user has a prior cookie, they can bypass and go directly to the mobile pages.
9.2. Agent Mobile Pages
[0463] The Agent may have a very simply navigation bar that allows them to change between the following pages.
9.2.1. Activity Entry
[0464] This may be a slightly reduced version of the Activity Entry from the web site. It may not contain the graphs. It may contain all other information. The size of the + button may be increased as may other text elements for better reading.
9.2.2. Results Entry
[0465] The interface may allow the user to enter Results the same as they can in the web interface.
9.2.3. Agent Detail Report
[0466] The interface may provide a reduced view of the Agent Detail Report.
9.2.4. Pod List
[0467] The interface may allow selection of a Pod from a list of Pods.
9.2.5. Pod View
[0468] This may be a different layout of the same information in the web interface for the Pod View.
9.3. Manager Pages
[0469] The Manager may have the same pages available as an Agent. However, from the Pod View, they may be able to navigate to the Agent Detail Report for that Agent.
9.4. Owned Agent Pages
[0470] They may have the same Pages as an Agent interface.
10. Notifications
[0471] The system may send email notifications to the user based on particular events in the system or periodically.
[0472] For each notification, the user can select the following options in Preferences:
No notification Immediate notification via email Immediate notification via SMS Include in Daily Summary email
[0477] They may still see some of these kinds of notifications on the Home Page.
[0478] The Daily Summary may include all notifications that have accumulated during that day.
[0479] SMS notifications may be sent via email. The user may be asked for their SMS-routing email address and may be provided tips for common carriers, e.g., 3107146274@mobile.att.net.
[0480] The following is an exemplary list of notifications:
Product Roster has been changed by your Manager. Activity Roster has been changed by your Manager. Someone has left a comment in a Pod forum. Someone has left a coaching comment. Someone in a Pod has committed a new Annual Plan. Someone in a Pod has committed their Monthly Calendaring. My Manager has removed me from a Pod My Manager has added me to a Pod Someone has been removed from my Pod Someone has been added to my Pod A subordinate has completed their Daily Activity To an Owned Agent—their owning Agent has set up their Monthly Calendar. This notification's text may include the suggestion that they send via email that they have received and reviewed their Monthly Calendar to their owning Agent.
[0493] The following are special notifications that can be configured to be sent at a particular time of the day. These emails may include the link to the site that is relevant page. The goal is for the user to keep the site open at all times so they can hit the “+” button. They cannot be included in a Daily Summary.
First Reminder that Daily Activities need to be Completed by an Agent or an Owned Agent—link to Agent Home Page that includes Daily Activity Entry. Second Reminder that Daily Activities need to be Completed by an Agent or an Owned Agent First Reminder to Agent who has Owned Agents who have not completed Daily Activities—link to the Agent Summary Report for Owned Agents Second Reminder to Agent who has Owned Agents who have not completed Daily Activities First Reminder to Managers to check Daily Activities when some have not been Completed. (Managers only)—link to the Agent Summary Report for All Agents Second Reminder to Managers to check Daily Activities when some have not been Completed. (Managers only)
[0500] The system may default to having each of these set to send to the user at a default times (system wide). Users can change the time and turn off notifications that they do not wish to receive.
[0501] The owning Agent controls when their Owned Agents receive the reminder emails. For the Product this may be done once for all Owned Agents. They may not be able to set specific reminder times for individual Owned Agents.
[0502] We also have special notifications and prompts for the following notifications:
Monthly Calendaring Weekly Review of Opportunities
[0505] Users may not be able to control these notifications. The system handles them automatically. Both of these result in a pop-up appearing to the user when they log into the system.
[0506] The Monthly Calendaring notification may begin to be sent on the 25th of the month. It may continue to be sent until the last day of the month or whenever the user has completed their Monthly Calendaring.
[0507] The Weekly Review of Opportunities may be sent on the last day of the week where there are planned Activities. This may include a link to the relevant page.
11. Administrator and System Functionality
[0508] The admin interface may be simple from a styling standpoint. It may be designed to be efficiently accessed. It may work on a limited set of browsers.
11.1. Administration Functions
11.1.1. Login
[0509] There may be a “PODs Administration” Login. Only a highly-restricted set of PODs Admins may be provided with a recognized user id and password. Unrecognized user ids and passwords may be denied access.
[0510] There may only be 1 category of site administrator initially. Administrators may have access to all of the following capabilities.
11.1.2. User Data
[0511] Administrators may be able to find users using simple field searches and may be able to view/edit user data.
[0512] Admins may be able to see transactions for that user and cancel the user's subscription.
11.1.3. Basic Usage Information
[0513] The main administration page may include basic information:
Number of Registered Users of each subscription type Number logged on, subscribed Today and this Week
11.2. Web Analytics
[0516] Additional data may be available using Google Analytics. The system may integrate appropriate JavaScript code on each page that can track usage information on an aggregate level.
11.3. Auditing
[0517] The system may record the following in audit tables:
Changes done to user profiles, accounts Subscription transactions Date/time stamped values for completion of an Activity. In other words, each time the user clicks the + button an audit table item may be created.
[0521] Each row may include the logged in user information and the prior value and new value.
[0522] This may only store into the database, there is not interface to this information.
[0000] 11.4. Custom “404” page
[0523] The web server may be configured to serve up a custom “page not found” page that fits with the graphic design of the site.
12. Technical Aspects
12.1. Browsers OS Support, Screen Resolution
[0524] Web interface resolution target: full-color 1024×768. Mobile interface resolution target: may use 480 width as target.
[0525] Browsers:
Internet Explorer® 8 and 9 on Windows XP®, Windows 7® Firefox release channel on Windows XP®, Windows 7®, and Mac OSX® Chrome® release channel on Windows XP®, Windows 7®, and Mac OSX® Safari on Mac OSX® Safari on iOS® (iPhone 3 +® and iPad®) Chrome on Android® (mainstream Android® device)
13.
[0532] In one or more embodiments of PODs the following functionality is included.
13.1. Cross Sell Attempt
[0533] An embodiment may add a specific kind of action that occurs as part of an Opportunity: “Did you attempt to cross-sell?” The user would be able to indicate that “Yes, I tried to cross sell, but the prospect said no to getting a quote.” For the Product, we can somewhat tell based on the number of quotes per opportunity for the user.
13.2. Terminology Admin Editing
[0534] An embodiment may support change terminology via an admin interface.
13.3. Social Networking
[0535] An embodiment may include integration with social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
13.4. CRM Integration
[0536] An embodiment may have the ability to integrate with client specified CRM solutions.
13.5. Content Management
[0537] Administrators may be able to add, edit, delete content blocks across the PODs application.
13.6. Competition
[0538] An embodiment may include the ability to set up competitions between individual Agents and teams of Agents.
[0539] Here are some functional notes on competition:
Managers may initiate competitions, choose criteria which can be a Race—achieve a specific goal or a ranking result Agents are invited by Managers and must accept Managers and Agents can see current results
[0543] When the competition is complete, the system may store the final sort order and not allow it to change at that point.
13.7. Ratings, Badges
[0544] An embodiment may use a kind of Ratings and/or Badge system.
[0545] Ratings might be based on the following:
100-90% is 5 stars 90-80% is 4.5 stars 80-70% is 4 stars 70-60% is 3.5 stars 60-50% is 3 stars 50-40% is 2.5 stars 40-30% is 2 stars 30-20% is 1.5 stars 20-10% is 1 star 10-0% is 0.5 stars
[0556] Badges could be awarded for achieving particular benchmarks. For example:
5, 10, 25, 50, 100 day streaks—days in a row with 100% completion Improved Converter—their conversions went up month-to-month Cross Sell Crusher—number of quotes per opportunity sold is greater than 1.5 for a given month
[0560] These can be promoted out to other Agents in the system as well as be something they might mention via Twitter, Facebook, etc.
13.8. Tutorial
[0561] An embodiment may position a ‘welcome’ tutorial here, guiding the Agent through the steps to come and the functionality they may have, but alternatively—the process finishes by leaving them at ‘Agent-home.’
13.9. Search Functionality
[0562] An embodiment may extend the system to allow browsing Agents using additional criteria. They may appear in a form similar to Pods/Reports. However, they do not need to be under the same manager.
13.10. Bells and Thresholds
[0563] An embodiment may add a chime/bell sound that may occur whenever an Agent reaches a given milestone. This might be when the Agent completes an activity (or all activities on a line), creates an opportunity, closes a sale, completes a day.
[0564] An embodiment may also have a chime/bell when other users make a given milestone.
13.11. Rewards
[0565] An embodiment can allow managers to define rewards such as Starbucks gift cards based on milestones. This may be associated with competitions.\
13.12. Reply via Email
[0566] An embodiment may allow to replying to coaching and forum comments via a reply in email.
13.13. Time Values
[0567] An embodiment may use time values associated with Activities to help with Planning and Calendaring.
13.14. Content Search
[0568] An embodiment may implement searching of Notes, Opportunity Names, Comments in Forums or other text information.
13.15. Leads
[0569] An embodiment may have another level of conversion.
[0570] PODs is a web-based application which enables managers to prescribe, based on income goals or even business objectives, comprehensive activity plans for themselves and their staff (whether they be sales people, admin, or other). The completion of these activities is recorded by the individual in PODs. This is no different than other task management applications. When activities are completed, and completion is recorded in PODs, their progress against completion of said activity is represented immediately in pod view for all to see, including the manager and the other individuals in that pod.
[0571] Moreover, individuals can and should—as they record completions—use the Opportunities function to record the results of those activities. These results that are inputted are also displayed immediately for full viewing. This capturing of results provides a couple of key benefits for managers: 1) they may now draw conclusions about the quantity and quality of the activity of their subordinates. For example, if Tom is consistently completing a high percentage of his prescribed activities but his results are poor, then he's likely either fibbing about the actual activity level or he's in need of coaching to perform the activities more effectively; and 2) managers and business owners are now able to periodically analyze the results of their team's efforts, and very specifically point to the activities which garnered the best results, and those which didn't. This provides for the ability to make sound decisions with regard to resource allocation for both people and money; let's focus our time, money and effort on “these” activities which clearly move us toward our goal, and do less of “those” which appear to be time and money wasters.
[0572] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, and all such variations, modifications, and substitutions are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, the inventions disclosed herein are to be understood with respect to the following claims, which should be interpreted in the broadest sense allowable by law:
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Method comprising determining a user set comprising at least one user entity, determining a manager set comprising at least one manager entity which corresponds to the user set, determining an income goal in a predetermined time period for each said user entity, determining a set of tasks, each task, when performed by an user entity, being worth a corresponding respective percentage of the income goal of said performing user entity, presenting a first user interface enabling an user entity to input one or more descriptions of performance by the user entity of a task, and presenting a second user interface configured to graphically illustrate to the manager entity information describing at least one of task performance by user entities and progress by each said user entity toward the income goal of each said user entity.
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BACKGROUND
This invention relates to a process of producing pre-oriented continuous yarns from synthetic thermoplastics by a melt-spinning of monofilaments, which are subsequently taken off, cooled and wound up without use of a godet roll and at velocities of more than 2500 meters per minute.
Spinning processes are known in which godet rolls rotating virtually at the take-off velocity are used as deflecting means. In the spin-stretching process, the filament is stretched in a hot or cold condition between two godet rolls or two pairs of godet rolls and at take-off velocities up to about 4000 meters per minute. The use of godet rolls results in frequent trouble during operation so that the spinning process is interrupted and production is lost. Where hot godet rolls are used, they must be heated to relatively high temperatures so that additional costs are incurred.
High-speed spinning processes obviously involve higher requirements as regards the precision of the means which participate in the formation of the yarn and as regards the process conditions.
The resulting yarns should have uniform good physical properties and should be such as to enable a further processing with a minimum of trouble. This will particularly depend on the compacting properties of the filaments, on the formation of a uniform coating balanced moisture absorption and desorption, the formation of a uniform package without floofs and loops, etc.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the invention to provide particularly suitable processes which enable a simple production of yarns having improved properties for their further processing and at take-off speeds of more than 2500 meters per minute.
According to the invention, the monofilaments are combined in a bundle after the colling zone, and the bundle is coated and is moved through at least one adjustable guide before it is taken up. It has been found that it is important for the quality of the yarn and for its further processing that the monofilaments of the yarn are uniformly coated. Particularly at the high take-off and wind up velocities above 2500 meters per minute, preferably in the range of 3000-6000 meters per minute, a uniform coating of the filaments is very difficult. This object can be accomplished in a simple manner by means of the adjustable guide, which also controls the yarn tension, which is significant for the coating step and for the subsequent take-up.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of apparatus suitable for carrying at the process for producing pre-oriented yarn.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a yarn guide and
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a horseshoe-shaped yarn guide.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3 and
FIG. 6 a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION
Between the cooling zone and the coating zone the filament bundle is preferably combined by a guide, which is disposed in this area and which imparts a twist to the monofilaments. In this case the filaments coact with a guide before then are coated. It has been found that the filaments can be combined in a bundle as proposed by means of yarn guide consisting of a ceramic oxide. The resulting filament bundle has an improved contact with the subsequent coating means, usually a coating roller, and is uniformly coated thereby as desired. In a special embodiment of the process, the guide may be disposed adjacent to the cooling zone.
The adjustment of a correct yarn tension is significant for the coating step. In the present process the distance from the yarn guide to the point where the filaments coming from the spinning and cooling means merge to form a bundle is significant. The yarn tension is variable by the adjustment of the yarn guide or guides, and a higher yarn tension will be indicated by a larger distance between the spinneret and the bundling point.
The process results in yarns which have excellent properties for the further processing. It may be used to make melt-spun yarns, e.g., of polyamide, polyester, polyolefins or other polymers. A very simple technology permits of relatively large outputs and results in yarns which have been stretched to a high degree and possess a residual elongation down to about 50%. The final yarn distinguishes, inter alia, by a particularly good dye affinity and durability in storage.
The process will now be explained more fully with reference to the drawing, which illustrates an embodiment by way of example.
A large number of filaments 2 are spun by the spinning device 1 and combined in a filament bundle 3. Below the spinning device, the filaments 2 move through a cooling zone in which blown air causes them to harden.
The combination of the filaments 2 in a filament bundle 3 is mainly due to the action of a first yarn guide 5. A preferred embodiment of said yarn guide is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3. The filament bundle travels through the eyelet 6 of said yarn guide and further below contacts the surface of a coating roller. The latter rotates in the direction of travel of the filaments and from a trough 8 carries the liquid coating material to the top surface of the roller and to the the filament bundle. The coating material consists, e.g., of oil-water emulsions.
Below the roller 7, the yarn travels through a secound yarn guide 9, which controls the contact pressure of the yarn on the roller 7 and the distribution of the monofilaments of the bundle 3 over the surface of the roller. A suitable horseshoe-shaped filament guide 9 is shown in FIG. 4.
The yarn wind-up device is disposed below the yarn guide 9 and is indicated only by its essential parts. These incldude an adjustable stationary guiding eyelet 10, below which the yarn is moved forth and back by a traversing device, which is not shown and indicated by the double arrow A. The guiding eyelet 10 forms the apex of the so-called traversing triangle. The yarn is taken up on a bobbin 11 to form a yarn package 12. The bobbin is driven by a drive roller 13, which engages the package and which is driven by an electric motor, not shown. The yarn is taken off and taken up at velocities of 3000-6000 meters per minute, preferably of 3500-4000 meters per minute.
The two yarn guides 5 and 9 are of great importance for the application to the yarn of a coating which is as uniform as possible by means of the roller 7. It has been found that the yarn guide 5 has suitably the form shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, which is known as a pigtail guide in the art. The filament guide is made, e.g., of a ceramic oxide and has a guiding eyelet 6, which has portions that surround the yarn and are convexly curved toward the yarn. See also FIG. 5. The pigtail-shaped yarn guide prevents the yarn from jumping out of the guide at the beginning of the spinning operation. The yarn guide is secured to a holder, not shown, and can be fixed by said holder in any desired position. In use, the yarn guide is adjusted to such a position, as shown in FIG. 5, that the filament bundle 3 slides along the eyelet 6 at an acute angle α to the normal N on the eyelet 6; said acute angle is generally smaller than 40°. The normal is at right angles to the plane of FIG. 3. With that adjustment, those portions of the convex sliding surfaces of the eyelet 6 which contact the filaments 2 impart a twist to the latter so that the filament bundle 3 is twisted as desired and the filament bundle 3 is held compactly together even above the yarn guide 5.
To ensure an optimum coating of the filament bundle 3 on the roller 7, the filaments 2 should move over the surface of the roller 7 like a strip along closely spaced, parallel paths, so far as possible, rather than along helical paths. To that end, the previously twisted bundle 3 must be parallelized, and the yarn guide 9 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is provided for that purpose. The yarn guide 9 forms an open eyelet 15, which is convexly curved toward the axis of the yarn (FIG. 6). The angle between the sliding surface 16 of the yarn guide 9 and the yarn 3 in sliding contact therewith is selected in the manner which has been basically described in conjunction with the yarn guide 5 so that the filaments are subjected to a twisting action which opposes the twist imparted by the yarn guide 5 and the filaments are thus slightly separated between the two yarn guides and contact the roller 7 in the desired strip pattern. The yarn guide 9 may also be adjusted to any desired position.
The yarn guides are responsible not only for the arrangement of the filaments in the filament bundle 3 but also for the adjustment of the correct yarn tension. In use the desired yarn tension is checked by an inspection of the point 4 where the filaments merge. If the twist imparted to the filaments particularly by the yarn guide 5 and also by the yarn guide 9 is increased, the point 4 will move up-wardly toward the spinning device 1. As a result, the drag of the filament bundle is decreased and with it the yarn tension. A person skilled in the art can easily maintain the desired yarn tension during the operation of a spinning plant according to the invention if he is aware of this relationship.
EXAMPLE 1
A polyethylene terephthalate polyester having a relative viscosity of 1.64 is melt-spun at a rate of 92 grams per minute through a spinneret having 32 orifices. The filament bundle leaving the spinneret is taken off by means of a take-up head at a velocity of 3500 meters per minute. Below the spinneret, the filament bundle is cooled by blowing with air in a cooling zone having a length of 1.40 meters and then enters a vertical shaft having a length of 3 meters. A coating device consisting of a roller 7 and a trough 8 is disposed below that shaft. The filament bundle 3 is tangentially moved past the coating roller and is moved through an adjustable yarn guide 9, which is adjusted to such an angular position that the twist imparted by the guide corresponds to a yarn tension of 55 grams. The filament bundle has a denier of 240 and is taken up in the usual manner.
EXAMPLE 2
Polyamide-6 is melt-spun at a rate of 43 grams per minute through a spinneret having 32 orifices. The filament bundle 3 leaving the spinneret is taken off at a velocity of 3600 meters per minute. As in Example 1, the bundle is air-cooled in a cooling zone below the spinneret and is then moved through a vertical shaft having a length of 3 meters. After leaving the vertical shaft, the filament bundle is moved first through a yarn guide 5 and then tangentially past the coating roller 7. Through an adjustable yarn guide 9, the yarn proceeds to the apex of the traversing triangle of the take-off device. The two yarn guides 5 and 9 are adjusted to angular positions corresponding to a yarn tension of 35 grams. The filament bundle having a denier of 106 is taken up in known manner.
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Oriented continuous yarns are produced from synthetic thermoplastic by melt-spinning monofilaments which are taken off, cooled and wound up without the use of a godet roll at velocities of more than 2500 meters per minute. The monofilaments are combined in a bundle after the cooling zone which is then toted and moved through at least one vertically adjustable guide before it is wound up.
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